27th and 28th April 2025 current affairs

We at Edusprint Academy are committed to bringing you the most relevant and updated 27th and 28th April 2025 current affairs from trusted and official sources. These updates are designed to keep you ahead in your exam preparation journey.

Our comprehensive Current Affairs of 27th and 28th April 2025 coverage aims to enhance your knowledge and boost your scores in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, and all State Government Exams. Explore our Current Affairs tailored to simplify your exam preparation.

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National news

India to Allow 49% Foreign Stake Investment in Nuclear Power

India is considering a major policy shift by allowing foreign companies to hold up to 49% stake in its nuclear power plants. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at boosting clean energy production, reducing dependence on coal, and meeting ambitious carbon emission reduction goals. The government is planning to amend key nuclear legislations to open the sector to both foreign investors and domestic private firms by the **Monsoon session of Parliament in July 2025.

Background Context:

• India’s current nuclear power generation is around 8 GW, accounting for just 2% of the total installed electricity capacity.
• A 2008 civil nuclear agreement with the US created possibilities for nuclear deals, but concerns about nuclear liability risks hindered significant foreign investment.
• With the goal of transitioning from coal to cleaner energy, expanding nuclear energy is crucial as solar and wind energy alone cannot meet night-time energy demands.

Proposed Policy Change:

• India plans to allow foreign ownership up to 49% in nuclear power projects, subject to prior government approval.

Legal Amendments:

The government intends to amend two key legislations:

1. Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
2. Atomic Energy Act, 1960

These changes will relax liability laws and enable private and foreign companies to build, own, and operate nuclear plants and mine and manufacture atomic fuel.

Cabinet and Parliament Timeline:

• The necessary proposals are expected to be presented to the Union Cabinet soon, aiming for amendments to be passed in the Monsoon Session of July 2025.

Impact on Nuclear Capacity Goals:

• The reforms are crucial for India’s goal of expanding its nuclear capacity twelvefold, from around 8 GW to 100 GW by 2047.

Foreign and Domestic Interest:

• Several foreign companies such as Westinghouse Electric, GE-Hitachi, Electricite de France (EDF), and Russia’s Rosatom have shown interest in participating as technology providers and contractors.
• Domestic giants like Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power, and Vedanta are looking to invest $26 billion into the nuclear energy sector.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2025: Resumption After Five Years

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) is an important annual pilgrimage, symbolizing deep religious and cultural ties between India and China. It holds great significance for followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the Bon religion. Circumambulating Mount Kailash is believed to grant spiritual merit, while bathing in Lake Mansarovar is thought to cleanse one’s sins. The pilgrimage was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and border tensions, but its resumption after five years marks a positive step for both religious tourism and bilateral cooperation.

Why in the News?

On April 26, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which will take place from June to August 2025. A total of 750 pilgrims will be allowed to undertake the yatra, divided into batches traveling via Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim).

What is Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is an annual government-organized pilgrimage for Indian citizens to visit Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It holds deep religious significance:

• Hindus consider Mount Kailash the abode of Lord Shiva.
• Buddhists regard it as the dwelling of Buddha Demchok.
• Jains believe it is where their first Tirthankara attained liberation.
• Bon religion followers worship it as a sacred mountain.

The primary objective of the yatra is to promote religious pilgrimage and cultural exchange between India and China.

Key Details or Features:

There are two official routes for the pilgrimage:

1. Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand): The traditional route, operational since 1981.
2. Nathu La Pass (Sikkim): A motorable route introduced in 2015.

Pilgrim Details:

• Five batches of 50 pilgrims each will travel via Lipulekh Pass.
• Ten batches of 50 pilgrims each will travel via Nathu La Pass.

MP Gets Approval for Rs 2,100 Crore India’s  first PM MITRA Textile Park Project

In April 2025, Madhya Pradesh (MP) received official approval from the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) for the Rs 2,100 crore Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM-MITRA) Park Project. This will be India’s first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art integrated textile park.

The project is expected to boost MP’s industrial growth and strengthen India’s position in the global textile market. The MP government has attracted investment proposals worth Rs 10,000 crore, reflecting strong industrial interest.

Key Highlights:

• The PM-MITRA Park will span 21,000 acres at Bhainsola village, Badnawar tehsil, Dhar district, MP.
• Strategic location: 110 km from Indore, 85 km from Pithampur industrial hub, and 50 km from the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway via Ratlam.
• Modern facilities include:
  • 20 MLD Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant
  • Solar-powered energy facility
  • Plug-and-play Built-To-Suit (BTS) units
• Residential complexes will be built for the workforce.
• Construction to be completed within 14 months.

About the PM-MITRA Park Project:

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Union Budget for FY 2021-22.
• GoI allocated Rs 4,445 crore for implementation over 7 years up to FY 2027-28.
• Seven PM-MITRA Parks to be developed across seven states:
  • Tamil Nadu (Virudhunagar)
  • Telangana (Warangal)
  • Gujarat (Navsari)
  • Karnataka (Kalaburagi)
  • Madhya Pradesh (Dhar)
  • Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow)
  • Maharashtra (Amravati)

About Madhya Pradesh (MP):

• Chief Minister (CM): Mohan Yadav
• Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel
• Capital: Bhopal
• Notable National Parks: Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park

India Launches First Indigenous HPV Test Kits for Cervical Cancer Screening

In April 2025, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh, who is also the Minister of State for Science and Technology (MoS&T), launched India’s first Made-in-India Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test kits for cervical cancer screening.

The two indigenous kits are:

• Truenat HPV-HR Plus by Molbio Diagnostics (Goa-based)
• Patho Detect by Mylab Discovery Solutions (Pune, Maharashtra)

These kits were developed under the Grand Challenges India (GCI) initiative by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), coordinated through the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

Key Features of the Kits:

• Specifically designed for cervical cancer screening, the second most common cancer among Indian women.
• Target 7–8 high-risk HPV strains responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases.
• Utilize Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technology, benefiting from India’s enhanced post-COVID diagnostic infrastructure.
• Provide rapid, cost-effective, point-of-care testing, overcoming limitations of traditional methods like Pap smears and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA).

Validation and Collaboration:

The kits were validated under the study “Validation of Indigenous Human Papillomavirus Tests for Cervical Cancer Screening in India” (i-HPV) by:

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
• National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH), Mumbai, Maharashtra
• World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France

Global and National Impact:

• As per WHO, 1 out of every 5 women globally suffering from cervical cancer is from India, and 25% of global cervical cancer deaths occur in India.
• WHO recommends HPV testing with a target to screen 70% of eligible women by 2030, with two lifetime tests at ages 35 and 45.

About Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC):

• A non-profit Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) established by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under MoS&T.
• Chairman: Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Established: 2012

CSIR-IMMT Signs Agreement with Russia to Advance Critical Mineral Technologies

In April 2025, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), signed two Joint Declarations of Intent (JDIs) with leading Russian institutions:

• State Research and Design Institute of the Rare Metal Industry (JSC Giredmet), a top research institute under Rosatom, Moscow, Russia
• National University of Science and Technology MISIS (NUST MISIS), Moscow

Purpose of the Collaboration:

• To strengthen cooperation in critical mineral processing and sustainable resource development.

Key Highlights:

• Two JDIs were signed by Dr. Ramanuj Narayan (Director – CSIR-IMMT):
  • With Dr. Andrei I. Golinei (Director, Chemical Technology Unit, JSC Rosatom Science)
  • With Dr. Michael R. Filonov (Vice Rector – NUST MISIS)
• The signing took place in the presence of Anoop Kumar Srivastava, Counsellor (Space) from the Embassy of India in Moscow.

Coordinators of the Collaboration:

• Dr. Kali Sanjay, Chief Scientist and Head of Business Development, CSIR-IMMT
• Dr. Konstantin V. Ivanovskikh, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation, JSC Giredmet
• Dr. Korotchenko Natalia, Director, MISIS Information and Marketing Centre, NUST MISIS

Focus Areas:

• Research and Development (R&D) in process metallurgy
• Development of technologies for extracting and processing critical minerals

International news

World Bank Report: India’s Extreme Poverty Drops to 2.3%; Employment Growth Outpaces Working-age Population

In April 2025, the World Bank (WB), headquartered in Washington DC, USA, released its latest report titled ‘India Poverty and Equity Brief: April 2025’.
According to the report, India’s extreme poverty (living on less than USD 2.15 per day) has significantly dropped from 16.2% (2011-12) to 2.3% (2022-23).

Key Highlights:

• 17.1 crore people have been lifted out of extreme poverty.
• 37.8 crore people have moved above the broader poverty line between 2011-12 and 2022-23.

Important Findings:

• India has made substantial progress in poverty reduction, with employment growth outpacing the working-age population since 2021-22.
• Rural extreme poverty declined from 18.4% to 2.8% — showing the highest fall.
• Urban extreme poverty decreased from 10.7% to 1.1%, narrowing the rural-urban poverty gap from 7.7% to 1.7%, reflecting a 16% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) decrease.
• Employment rates, particularly among women, are rising.
• Urban unemployment fell to 6.6% in Q1 (April–June) of FY 2024-25, the lowest since 2017-18.

About World Bank (WB):

• President – Ajay Banga
• Headquarters – Washington, DC, USA
• Established – 1944

Economy news

India’s Record Cargo Movement on Inland Waterways In FY 2024–25

India has reached a significant milestone in its inland water transport (IWT) sector, recording 145.5 million tonnes (MMT) of cargo movement during the fiscal year 2024–25. This represents a dramatic rise from 18.1 MMT in FY 2013–14, driven by extensive infrastructure development, policy reforms, and technological innovations. The country has also expanded its National Waterways from 5 to 111 and increased the operational length to nearly 4,900 km, showcasing its commitment to multimodal logistics and sustainable development.

Key Highlights and Developments:

Record Cargo Traffic:

• 145.5 MMT of cargo moved in FY 2024–25, up from 18.1 MMT in FY 2013–14
• CAGR of 20.86% over the last decade
• 9.34% YoY growth from FY 2023–24
• Top 5 commodities: Coal, Iron Ore, Iron Ore Fines, Sand, and Fly Ash (68% of total cargo)

Expansion of National Waterways:

• National Waterways increased from 5 (2014) to 111 (under NW Act, 2016)
• Operational length grew from 2,716 km to 4,894 km
• 29 National Waterways currently operational

Infrastructure Development:

• Establishment of Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs), Inter-Modal Terminals (IMTs), and floating and community jetties
• Advanced fairway maintenance and navigational support
• Examples: MMTs at Varanasi, Haldia, Pandu, Jogighopa; terminals at Dhubri, Bogibeel

Digital and Green Technologies:

• Tools like LADIS, RIS, PANI, and MIRS to enhance operational efficiency
• Adoption of green vessels: Hybrid Electric Catamarans, Hydrogen-fueled boats

Passenger Movement: 1.61 crore passenger movement recorded in 2023–24

Policy Measures to Boost IWT:

• Jalvahak Scheme (launched in Dec 2024) with an outlay of ₹95.42 crore:
  • 35% reimbursement on operating costs for shifting cargo to waterways
  • Scheduled services on key routes (NW-1, NW-2, NW-16)
• Tonnage Tax Extension (from Feb 2025):
  • Taxation based on tonnage, not profit—resulting in a more predictable and lower tax burden

Banking news

RBI Imposes Penalties on Indian Bank, IOB, and Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services

In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed penalties on three major financial institutions for various regulatory non-compliances:

• Indian Bank (IB) – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd (MMFSL) – Mumbai, Maharashtra

Details of the Penalties:

• Indian Bank (IB):
  • Penalty: ₹55 lakh
  • Reason: Non-compliance with RBI directions on ‘Interest Rate on Advances’, ‘Kissan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme’, and ‘Lending to MSME Sector’.
  • Regulations Violated: Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 51(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Indian Overseas Bank (IOB):
  • Penalty: ₹2.2 crore
  • Reason: Non-compliance with directions on ‘Credit Flow to Agriculture – Collateral Free Agricultural Loans’ and ‘Lending to MSME Sector’.
  • Regulations Violated: Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 51(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd (MMFSL):
  • Penalty: ₹6.77 crore
  • Reason: Non-compliance with provisions of the ‘Non-Banking Financial Company – Systemically Important Non-Deposit Taking Company and Deposit Taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016’ and RBI (Know Your Customer (KYC)) Directions, 2016.
  • Regulations Violated: Clause (b) of Sub-section (1) of Section 58G, read with Clause (aa) of Sub-section (5) of Section 58B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

Award news

Humanitarian Madhusudhan Sai Honoured with Fiji’s Highest Honour

On 25th April 2025, Sri Madhusudhan Sai, a renowned Indian spiritual and humanitarian leader, was honoured with the ‘Companion of the Order of Fiji’, the nation’s highest civilian award. The award was presented by Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, the President of Fiji, at the State House in Suva, Fiji.

• Previous Recipients:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2023)
  • President of India Droupadi Murmu (2024)

Reason for the Honour:

• Recognized for his outstanding contributions to healthcare and social welfare in Fiji.
• He established the Sri Satya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital — the first fully free, state-of-the-art children’s hospital in the South Pacific region, dedicated to treating children regardless of background.

Other Notable Contributions:

• Founder of ‘One World One Family’, a global humanitarian mission operating in over 80 countries, focused on healthcare, nutrition, and education.

About Fiji:

• President – Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu
• Capital – Suva
• Currency – Fijian Dollar (FJD)

Science and tech news

India’s Breakthrough in Gene Therapy for Haemophilia

India has reached a significant milestone in medical science with its first-in-human gene therapy trial for Haemophilia. This groundbreaking trial is led by BRIC-inStem in collaboration with CMC Vellore. During a recent review visit, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that biotechnology is not just a field of science but a strategic pillar for India’s future economic growth and healthcare advancement. He praised institutions like BRIC-inStem for their transformative role in translating research into real-life healthcare solutions.

Key Highlights:

Gene Therapy Milestone:

• India’s first-in-human gene therapy trial for Haemophilia is successfully underway.
• This trial is conducted by BRIC-inStem in partnership with CMC Vellore.
• Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed it as a milestone in India’s scientific journey.

Strategic Visit by Dr. Jitendra Singh:

• The Minister inspected BRIC-inStem facilities in Bengaluru and reviewed ongoing clinical trials and research efforts.

Biotech as Nation-Building:

• Dr. Singh emphasized biotechnology as a key pillar of nation-building, not merely a scientific discipline.
• He stressed the need to integrate biotech into India’s economic and public health strategies.

Growth of the Biotech Sector:

• The biotech sector in India has grown 16-fold in the last decade, reaching $165.7 billion in 2024.
• India’s biotech sector aims to reach $300 billion by 2030.
• This growth is driven by initiatives like the BIO-E3 Policy (Economy, Employment, Environment).

Startups and Innovation:

• Over 10,000 biotech startups have emerged, up from just 50 ten years ago.
• Notable innovations include:
  • Germicidal anti-viral masks during the COVID-19 era.
  • Kisan Kavach, a shield for farmers from neurotoxic pesticides.

Institutional Reforms: The formation of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) to unify 14 autonomous research bodies under one umbrella.

Infrastructure and Facilities:

• Biosafety Level III Laboratory: Critical for One Health Mission and pandemic preparedness.
• CReATE Centre: Focuses on embryology, infertility, and birth defect research, addressing the 3–4% neonatal defects in India.

Future Directions Suggested by Minister:

• Dr. Singh proposed the initiation of MD-PhD programs to strengthen clinical-scientific collaboration.
• He also emphasized improving the communication outreach of research and boosting national-level visibility of the work being done at BRIC-inStem.

Quote by Dr. Jitendra Singh:

• “Biotechnology is not just a science anymore—it is a pillar of our national strategy.”
• “As Mark Twain said, the economy is too serious a subject to be left to economists alone.”

The Bullseye Galaxy: A Cosmic Marvel with Nine Rings

In the vast cosmos, few galaxies capture the imagination of astronomers like LEDA 1313424, more famously known as the Bullseye Galaxy. Discovered by an international team of researchers, this extraordinary galaxy is located 567 million light-years away in the Pisces constellation and presents a never-before-seen phenomenon — nine glowing star rings, the most ever observed around a single galaxy.

Basic Facts About the Bullseye Galaxy:

• The Bullseye Galaxy is a giant elliptical galaxy, approximately 2.5 times larger than our own Milky Way, with a diameter of about 250,000 light-years.
• The most striking feature of this galaxy is not just its size, but the spectacular rings of stars that encircle its core, giving it a structure resembling a cosmic bullseye.

These rings are believed to have formed after a violent galactic collision. A smaller blue dwarf galaxy plunged through the Bullseye’s center nearly 50 million years ago, triggering a high-energy event that compressed gas and sparked waves of new star formation, ultimately creating the distinct rings.

Why Are the Rings So Special?:

• In most ring galaxies, astronomers might observe one or two rings, sometimes three. However, the Bullseye Galaxy features nine distinct stellar rings, an unprecedented number that sets it apart in galactic studies.
• The Hubble Space Telescope first detected eight rings, capturing the inner cosmic structure in stunning detail.
• The W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii later confirmed a ninth outer ring, further expanding the known boundaries of this celestial wonder.
• Some researchers speculate that a tenth ring may have existed, but it has likely faded over time or become too diffuse to observe with current technology.

Each of these rings, glowing with freshly formed stars, moves either inward or outward, indicating the dynamic galactic processes at play within the Bullseye Galaxy.

NASA’s Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf): A New Era of Precision Gravity Mapping

In a groundbreaking development, NASA is leading the creation of the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf), a compact and highly sensitive quantum sensor that aims to map Earth’s gravity field with unprecedented precision. This innovative technology promises to revolutionize how we study Earth’s surface and subsurface, offering transformative applications in climate science, resource exploration, navigation, and planetary research.

What is the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf)?

• The QGGPf is the first-ever space-based quantum sensor designed specifically to measure tiny variations in Earth’s gravitational field.
• It leverages cutting-edge quantum technology to detect even the subtlest gravitational shifts caused by underground features like moving water, shifting rocks, earthquakes, and natural mineral deposits.

Key Features:

• Compact design, weighing only 125 kilograms.
• Ten times more sensitive than classical gravity sensors.
• Space-deployable, making it cheaper and more efficient to launch.

NASA is collaborating with private companies and academic institutions to develop and refine this sensor, with plans to conduct space tests by the end of this decade.

Why is Measuring Gravity Important?

While gravity is an everyday experience, Earth’s gravitational field isn’t uniform. Variations occur due to the distribution of mass beneath the surface:

• Mountains, with more mass, exert stronger gravitational pulls.
• Valleys or aquifers, with less mass, exert weaker pulls.

These subtle variations, although invisible, provide crucial insights into:

• Subterranean water reservoirs (aquifers)
• Mineral and oil deposits
• Tectonic activity and earthquake zones
• Climate-related changes, such as ice mass loss in polar regions

Accurately mapping these gravitational shifts will enhance our understanding of Earth’s hidden structures and dynamic processes.

ISRO takes up Lead Role of ‘International Charter Space and Major Disasters’

India, through its national space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bengaluru, Karnataka, has assumed the leadership of the “International Charter Space and Major Disasters” for a period of six months starting from April 2025.
This leadership began during the 53rd Charter Meeting, organized by ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) from April 14–17, 2025, in Hyderabad, Telangana.

• The event saw the participation of major global space agencies, with 22 foreign delegates attending in person.
• Note: India is a signatory to the International Charter, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025.

About the International Charter:

• The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters provides Earth-Observation Satellite (EOS) data to assist disaster relief organizations in protecting lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment during major disasters.

Charter Functions:

• A collaborative framework of 17 member organizations offering voluntary EOS data and value-added products for global disaster management.
• Services extended to over 120 countries, ensuring access to critical satellite-based information, regardless of national capacity.

India’s Responsibilities as Lead:

• Managing activation requests and ensuring rapid dissemination of satellite products.
• Leading Strategic Planning for disaster response.
• Coordinating satellite imagery collection and delivery among member agencies.
• Facilitating training, outreach, and capacity-building activities.

ISRO’s Achievements within the Charter:

• Since 2021, ISRO has responded to 153 Charter activations.
• Contributed around 700 Earth Observation products, including:
  • Flood extent mapping
  • Landslide delineation
  • Infrastructure damage assessment
  • Post-disaster recovery planning
• India has also benefitted from Charter support during its own natural disasters.

About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):

• Chairman – Dr. V. Narayanan
• Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Established – 1969

About International Charter Space and Major Disasters:

• Founded – 2000
• Members – 17 space agencies

DRDO-DRDL Achieves Major Milestone: 1,000-Second Scramjet Test for Hypersonic Missile Development

In April 2025, the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a unit of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), based in Hyderabad, Telangana, successfully completed a 1,000-second ground test of an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor at its newly inaugurated Scramjet Connect Test Facility (SCPT) in Hyderabad.

• This achievement marks a critical milestone in India’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme, following an earlier 120-second test conducted in January 2025.
• The success paves the way for full-scale, flight-worthy combustor testing, essential for the operationalization of hypersonic missiles.

Key Concepts:

• Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM):
  • Capable of sustained flight at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (more than 6,100 km/h).
  • Powered by air-breathing scramjet engines that utilize supersonic combustion for long-duration performance.
• Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet):
  • An air-breathing engine with no moving parts.
  • Maintains combustion even when air flows faster than 1.5 kilometers per second (km/s).
  • Uses a unique flame stabilization method to sustain combustion at supersonic speeds.

Award news

Payal Kapadia Receives Prestigious French Honour

Payal Kapadia, a filmmaker from Mumbai, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French Government for her outstanding contributions to cinema.

Key Highlights:

French Honour:

• Payal Kapadia was awarded the ‘Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’, a high distinction recognizing her significant contributions to cinema.
• The award was presented at a ceremony at the French Consulate in Mumbai, attended by prominent guests, marking her growing international recognition.

Gratitude and Acknowledgements:

• In her acceptance speech, Kapadia expressed gratitude for the award, acknowledging the French government’s support for independent cinema worldwide.
• She saw the award as not only a personal achievement but also a recognition of independent filmmakers.

Cannes Film Festival Success:

• 2017: Kapadia’s short film ‘Afternoon Clouds’ was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a breakthrough in her career.
• Her debut feature documentary, ‘A Night of Knowing Nothing’, won the Golden Eye Award at Cannes.
• 2024: Her film ‘All We Imagine As Light’ won the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, a historic achievement as she became the first Indian director in 30 years to win this prestigious award in Cannes’ main competition.

Hubballi Airport Wins Platinum Honour for Green Initiatives

Hubballi Airport, located in Karnataka, has been awarded the Platinum Recognition—the highest honour—under the Green Airports Recognition 2025 by Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. This accolade acknowledges the airport’s exceptional efforts in promoting sustainable energy practices among airports handling fewer than six million passengers annually.

Key Highlights:

Award Recognition:

• Hubballi Airport was granted Platinum Recognition at the ACI Green Airports Recognition 2025.
• The award falls under the “Sustainable Energy at Airports” category, specifically for airports with fewer than six million passengers annually.

Award Ceremony:

• The award was presented during the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Assembly held in New Delhi on April 16, 2025.
• Rajesh Nilkanth Shinde, Executive Director (Technical) of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

The Solar Power Project:

• In December 2022, AAI commissioned an 8 MW solar power plant at Hubballi Airport.
• This plant is India’s first solar plant designed to supply clean energy to multiple airports, including Hubballi, Belagavi, and Mysuru.
• The plant supports future terminals in Karnataka, reinforcing long-term sustainability and expansion.

Appointment news

Anant Ambani Appointed as Executive Director of RIL; RIL Becomes First Indian Company to Cross Rs 10 Lakh Crore in Equity

On 26th April 2025, the Board of Directors of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, appointed Anant M. Ambani as an Executive Director (ED) for a five-year term, effective from 1st May 2025, subject to shareholders’ approval.

• Current Role: Anant Ambani serves as a Non-Executive Director at RIL.
• Key Contributions: He has been deeply involved in energy and sustainability initiatives, contributing to RIL’s goal of becoming a net-zero carbon company by 2035.
• He plays a pivotal role in leading RIL’s green and Renewable Energy (RE) ventures.

About Anant M. Ambani:

• First among Ambani siblings to be appointed as an Executive Director at RIL.
• Board Memberships:
  • Jio Platforms Limited (JPL) – since March 2020.
  • Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL) – since May 2022.
  • Reliance New Energy Limited (RNEL) and Reliance New Solar Energy Limited (RNSEL) – since June 2021.
  • Reliance Foundation (RF) – since September 2022.

RIL Achieves Historic Milestone:

• In April 2025, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) became the first Indian company to cross Rs 10 lakh crore in total equity.
• For the fiscal year 2024–25 (FY25), RIL reported record annual consolidated revenues of Rs 1,071,174 crore (approximately USD 125.3 billion), achieving a 7.1% year-on-year (YoY) growth.

Books and author news

Beyond the Courtroom by Fali S. Nariman

Beyond the Courtroom, written by Fali S. Nariman, is a collection of his most influential speeches that showcases the extensive constitutional expertise of Nariman. The book offers illuminating lectures and articles where Nariman shares his views on the state of Indian Democracy.

Published by Hay House Publishers India, the book is divided into five sections: Nation, Judiciary, Constitution, Law, and Arbitration. It also provides guidance to young lawyers and tackles ethical dilemmas in the field of law.

About Fali S. Nariman:

• Born: January 10, 1929
• Profession: Renowned Indian Jurist, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India.

Key Positions Held:

• Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Geneva (1995-1997).
• Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Paris (Vice-President: 1998-2005).
• Member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) (1998-2003).
• President of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) (1994-2002).

Honors and Recognition:

• Padma Vibhushan (2007) for exceptional services in Public Affairs.
• Padma Bhushan (1991) for distinguished services in Jurisprudence.
• Nominated Member of India’s Upper House of Parliament (1999-2005).

Important days

World Veterinary Day 2025 – April 26

World Veterinary Day (WVD) is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of April to honor the contributions of veterinarians in promoting animal health, welfare, and public safety.

This observance is coordinated by the World Veterinary Association (WVA), a global body of veterinary organizations aimed at advancing veterinary science.

Key Points for 2025:

• WVD 2025 was observed on 26th April 2025.
• Theme for 2025: “Animal Health Takes a Team.”
• In 2026, World Veterinary Day will be observed on 25th April 2026.

About World Veterinary Association (WVA):

• President: John de Jong
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium

The WVA first introduced World Veterinary Day in 2000 as a way to recognize the important role veterinarians play in society.

World Intellectual Property Day 2025 – April 26

World Intellectual Property Day (World IP Day) is observed globally every year on April 26 to raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property (IP) rights, such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, and designs, and how they impact daily life. The day also celebrates creativity and innovation.

The date commemorates the enforcement of the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which came into force in 1970.

Theme for 2025: “Music and IP: Feel the Beat of IP.”

Background:

• World IP Day was officially established in 2000 by WIPO to promote understanding and awareness of IP.
• The first World IP Day was celebrated on 26th April 2001.

Key Points:

• India secured 9th position globally in PCT filings with 4,552 applications in 2024, reflecting a 22.2% growth from 3,725 applications in 2023.
• According to the 13th edition of the International IP Index, released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, India maintained its 43rd position out of 55 countries.

26 April 2025 Current Affairs