China Launches First Thorium Molten Salt Nuclear Reactor: China launched the world's first thorium molten salt nuclear reactor.
Indian Army Operation in Baramulla: The Indian Army conducted an operation in Baramulla, Kashmir.
RBI's Permission for Children's Accounts: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued new guidelines regarding account opening for children above a certain age.
Buddhist Conference in Arunachal Pradesh: A conference on Buddhism and culture was held in Namchai, Arunachal Pradesh.
Wisden Cricketers of the Year: Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana were included in the Wisden Cricketers of the Year.
World's First Humanoid Robot: The world's first humanoid robot is located in Beijing.
National Panchayati Raj Day Ceremony: Prime Minister Modi attended the National Panchayati Raj Day ceremony in Madhubani, Bihar.
Google Launches Ironwood AI Chip: Google launched the Ironwood artificial intelligence chip.
First State to Complete Village-Level Survey of Ancient Remains: The name of the first Indian state to complete a village-level survey of ancient remains was mentioned.* Dream Sports Championship 2025:
- Football tournament held in Goa.
- Punjab won the men's division, defeating Mohan Bagan (Men's Division).
- Jharkhand won the women's division, defeating Odisha (Women's Division).
New Entrepreneurship Initiative:
- Launched by Piyush Goyal (India's Minister of Commerce and Industry) in Mumbai.
- Aims to create 1 million entrepreneurs in India.
- Provides skills training, investment, and opportunities.
South India's First AC EMU Train:
- Started in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Second such train in India (Mumbai has the first).
- EMU stands for Electric Multiple Unit.
- Aims to alleviate the discomfort of summer travel.* India's First Quantum Computing Village:
- Location: Amravati, Andhra Pradesh
- Announcement: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
- Commemoration: Unveiling of Potti Sri Ramallu statue
Bharat Project:
- Launch Location: Mumbai
- Launched by: Union Minister Piyush Goyal
- Aim: Create 1 million entrepreneurs
South India's First AC EMU Train Service:
- Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Details: Second AC EMU train service in India
Measles-Rubella Elimination National Campaign:
- Target year for elimination: 2026
- Vaccine used: MR (Measles-Rubella) vaccine
- Vaccine administration: Two doses (9-12 months & 16-24 months)
Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination Target:
- Target year: 2025
Polio Elimination:
- Eradicated in India in 2014 (last case in 2011)
Mission Indradhanush:
- Focus: Vaccination
- Launch date: December 25, 2014
Pune FIDE Women's Grand Prix (Chess):
- Winner: Koneru Humpy
- Third Place: Divya Deshmukh (India)
- Location: Pune, India
2nd Asian Yogasana Conference:
- Location: Delhi, India
World Bank:
- Sunil Mittal joins the private sector investment lab.
Dream Technology:
- Kirti Sanon: First Indian brand ambassador.
World Economic Forum (WEF):
- Klaus Schwab: Resigned as chairman.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Annual Meeting: Davos
- Key Publication: Global Gender Gap Index```markdown
World Vaccination Week: Celebrated from April 24th to 30th.
Earth Day: Celebrated on April 22nd.
World Book and Copyright Day: Celebrated on April 23rd. Book Capital 2025: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Panchayati Raj Day: Celebrated on April 24th.
Klaus Schwab's Resignation: Klaus Schwab, founder and 55-year chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), recently resigned.
World Economic Forum (WEF): Founded in 1971. Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Holds its annual winter meeting in Davos. Publishes the Global Gender Gap Index.
World Malaria Day:
- Celebrated annually on April 25th.
- 2024 Theme: Malaria must end with us.
- Causative agent: Plasmodium parasite (a protozoan).
- Vector: Female Anopheles mosquito.
- Discovered by: Ronald Ross.
- Treatment: Quinine (obtained from the Cinchona tree).
- Affects red blood cells (RBCs).
- Established in 2007.
FTII Deemed-to-be-University Status:
- The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), located in Pune, Maharashtra, has been granted "deemed-to-be-university" status.
- Allows it to award its own degrees (B.A., M.S.)
- Grants autonomy in academic matters, including curriculum and research.
- Established in 1960 (the "Television" part of the name was added later in 1971).
India-Pakistan Shimla Agreement:
- Signed on July 2, 1972, between Indira Gandhi (India) and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (Pakistan).
- Aimed at establishing peace and a ceasefire.
- Pakistan has stated it is suspending, not revoking, this agreement.
*
* **Context of Shimla Agreement:** The agreement followed the 1971 India-Pakistan war, where Pakistan surrendered on December 16, 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. The agreement, signed in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, involved Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Its purpose was to establish peace and ceasefire.
* **India-Pakistan Relations Following Pulwama Attack:**
* India took five major steps after the Pulwama attack:
* Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
* Closure of the Attari-Wagah border crossing.
* Recall of the Pakistani High Commissioner from India.
* Expulsion of Pakistani diplomats within 48 hours.
* Order to expel all Pakistanis from India (issued by the Indian Home Minister to all state Chief Ministers).
* Pakistan responded by suspending the Shimla Agreement.
* **Shimla Agreement (1972):**
* Signed on July 2, 1972, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
* Followed the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and Pakistan's surrender on December 16, 1971.
* Signatories: Indira Gandhi (India) and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Pakistan).
* Purpose: To establish peace and cease fire.
* **India-France Rafale Deal:** India and France agreed to purchase 26 Rafale M jets, capable of operating underwater. Dassault Aviation is the manufacturer.
* **Indian Navy Missile Test:** The Indian Navy successfully tested a medium-range missile from the INS Surat, a destroyer ship, in the Arabian Sea.
* **Exercise Desert Hunt:** This military exercise took place in Rajasthan, involving all three wings of the Indian armed forces (Army, Air Force, Navy).
* **Exercise Khanjar:** A joint military exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan.
* **Post-Pulwama Attack Actions:** Following the Pulwama attack, India took five major steps: suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari check post, recalling the Pakistani High Commissioner, expelling Pakistani diplomats within 48 hours, and ordering the expulsion of all Pakistanis from India. The Indian Home Minister directed all states' Chief Ministers to expedite the deportation process. Pakistan responded by stating its intention to suspend the Shimla Agreement.
* **Indian Military Exercises and Weapon Systems:**
* India conducted the "Aakraman" exercise, testing capabilities in mountainous and ground areas.
* The exercise involved testing the Rafale fighter jets and the S-400 air defense system.
* India and France have agreed to purchase 26 Rafale-M jets, capable of operating from aircraft carriers. Dassault is the manufacturer of Rafale jets.
* The Indian Navy tested a medium-range missile from the INS Surat, a destroyer ship, in the Arabian Sea.
* **India-France Defense Cooperation:**
* An agreement between India and France involves the purchase of Rafale-M fighter jets.
* **India-Pakistan Tensions and Military Exercises:** Pakistan perceives India's military activities (missile launches from the Arabian Sea and Rafale fighter jet deployments) as potential attacks, creating a sense of heightened tension.
* **Exercise Aakraman:** The Indian Air Force conducted Exercise Aakraman, testing the Rafale and S-400 air defense systems. The exercise simulated attacks on both mountainous and ground targets.
* **Weapons Systems Tested:** The exercise involved testing the Rafale fighter jets and the S-400 air defense system. The S-400 is described as an air defense system capable of intercepting incoming missiles.
* **Rafale M Acquisition:** India and France have agreed to purchase 26 Rafale M fighter jets, capable of operating from the sea. Dassault is the manufacturer.
* **Indian Navy Missile Test:** The Indian Navy recently tested a medium-range missile in the Arabian Sea from the INS Surat.* **ISRO Recent Launches:**
* **Proba-V3:** Launched using PSLV-C59.
* **SpadEx Mission:** Launched using PSLV-C57.
* **NISAR-2:** Launched using GSLV F15.
* **Aditya-L1:** Launched using PSLV-C57.
* **Chandrayaan-3:** Launched using LVM3-M4.
* **Indian Air Force Exercise:** The Indian Air Force conducted exercise "Aakraman," utilizing Rafale, SU-30MKI, and S-400 air defense systems. The exercise simulated attacks on targets in mountainous and ground-level areas.
* **Dr. K. Kasturirangan's Contributions:**
* Former ISRO chairman.
* Played a crucial role in the development of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).
* Architect of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
* Former Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi.
* **ISRO Updates:**
* Founded on August 15, 1969, headquartered in Bengaluru.
* Current head: V. Narayanan (11th head).
* **Tiger Reserves:**
* Rani Pur National Park (53rd): Uttar Pradesh
* Veerangana Durgawati National Park (54th): Madhya Pradesh
* Dhaulpur Karauli (55th): Rajasthan
* Guru Ghasidas (56th): Chhattisgarh
* RataPani National Park (57th): Madhya Pradesh
* Madhav Tiger Reserve (58th): Madhya Pradesh
* **Wildlife Sanctuaries:**
* Total in India: 18
* Number included in UNESCO: 12
* First UNESCO-listed sanctuary: Nilgiri Wildlife Sanctuary
* **Ramsar Wetlands:**
* Current number in India: 89
* Kaimur Tiger Reserve in Bihar is not yet officially recognized as a Ramsar site.
* **National Parks in India (mentioned):**
* Assam: Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Dehing Patkai National Park (India's 106th national park), Raimona National Park (India's 105th national park), Nameri National Park
* Madhya Pradesh: Van Vihar National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park
* Andaman and Nicobar Islands: South Button National Park, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Rani Jhansi Marine National Park
* Simlipal National Park (Odisha): 107th national park in India. Previously a tiger reserve.
* Bhitarkanika National Park (Odisha): Established in 1988.
* **National Park Distribution by State:**
* **Madhya Pradesh:** Highest number of national parks. Includes Kanha, Panna, Kuno, Satpura, Pench, Van Vihar, and Bandhavgarh National Parks.
* **Andaman and Nicobar Islands:** Second highest number. Includes South Button, Mahatma Gandhi Marine, and Rani Jhansi Marine National Parks.
* **Assam:** Third highest number. Includes Kaziranga (famous for one-horned rhinoceros), Manas, Dehing Patkai (106th national park), Raimona (105th national park), and Nameri National Parks.* **India's National Parks:**
* **Simlipal National Park:** India's 107th national park; located in Odisha; previously a tiger reserve.
* **Oldest:** Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand).
* **Largest:** Hemis National Park (Ladakh).
* **Smallest:** South Button National Park (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
* **National Parks by State:**
* **Madhya Pradesh:** Highest number (Kanha, Panna, Kuno, Satpura, Pench, Van Vihar, Bandhavgarh).
* **Andaman and Nicobar Islands:** Second highest number (South Button, Mahatma Gandhi Marine, Rani Jhansi Marine).
* **Assam:** Kaziranga National Park.
* **University Rankings:**
* **Asia:** Tsinghua University (China) ranked first.
* **India:** Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru ranked first; ranked 38th in Asia.
* **Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2025:**
* 35 Asian countries and 853 universities included.
* Tsinghua University (China) ranked first overall in Asia.
* Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru ranked first in India and 38th in Asia.
* **China Launches World's First 10 Gigabit Broadband Network:**
* Network speed: 9.8 Gbps.
* Launched in the Hebei province.
* **World's Tallest Bridge Under Construction in China:**
* Húa Jiāng Grand Canyon Bridge.
* Located over the Bapan River in China.
* **China Launches 10 Gigabit Broadband Network:** China launched the world's first 10 Gigabit broadband network.
* **Passing of K. Kasturirangan:** Former ISRO chairman Dr. K. Kasturirangan passed away at the age of 84.
* **Indian Air Force Exercises:** The Indian Air Force conducted military exercises involving Rafale, SU-30MKI, and S-400 air defense systems.
* **Pakistan Suspends Shimla Agreement:** Pakistan suspended the 1972 Shimla Agreement.
* **FTII Deemed-to-be University Status:** The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) was granted deemed-to-be university status.
* **World Malaria Day:** World Malaria Day was observed on April 25th.
* **Klaus Schwab Resigns from WEF:** Klaus Schwab resigned from his position as chairman of the World Economic Forum after five decades.
* **Koneru Humpy Wins FIDE Women's Grand Prix:** Indian chess grandmaster Koneru Humpy won the Pune FIDE Women's Grand Prix title.
* **National Campaign for Measles and Rubella Elimination:** The Indian government launched a national campaign to eliminate measles and rubella by 2026.
* **India's First Quantum Computing Village:** Andhra Pradesh's Amaravati will house India's first quantum computing village.
* **Bharat Project Launched:** Union Minister Piyush Goyal launched the Bharat project to create 1 million entrepreneurs.
* **South India's First AC EMU Train Launched:** South India's first air-conditioned EMU train service was launched in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
* **Dream Sports Championship Won:** Jharkhand and Punjab FC won the Dream Sports Championship football title in 2025.* **Indian Cabinet Ministers (Modi Cabinet 3.0):**
* Bhupendra Yadav: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; also holds additional portfolios.
* Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Culture and Tourism Ministries.
* Annapurna Devi: Women and Child Development Minister.
* Kiran Rijiju: Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Ministries.
* Hardeep Singh Puri: Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry.
* Mansukh Mandaviya: Labour and Employment Ministry; also Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry.
* G. Kishan Reddy: Coal and Mines Minister.
* Chirag Paswan: Food Processing Ministry.
* C.R. Patil: Jal Shakti Minister.
* **Other Current Affairs:**
* China launched the world's first 10 Gigabit broadband network.
* IISc Bangalore ranked top among Indian institutions in Times Higher Education Asia ranking.
* Similipal in Odisha officially recognized as the 107th national park.
* Former ISRO chairman Dr. K. Kasturirangan passed away at 84.
* Indian Air Force conducted exercises with Rafale, SU-30MKI, and S-400 air defense systems.
* Pakistan suspended the 1972 Shimla Agreement.
* FTII granted deemed-to-be university status.
* World Malaria Day observed on April 25th.
* Klaus Schwab resigned as chairman of the World Economic Forum after five decades.
* Koneru Humpy won the Pune FIDE Women's Grand Prix title.
* National campaign launched for measles and rubella eradication by 2026.
* India's first quantum computing village to be built in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.
* Piyush Goyal launched Bharat Project to create 1 million entrepreneurs.
* South India's first air-conditioned EMU inaugurated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
* **Cabinet Reshuffle:** Arjun Munda, previously Tribal Affairs Minister, lost his election and was replaced by Juel Oram.
* **Ministerial Portfolio Changes:**
* Ram Mohan Naidu: Aviation Ministry.
* Prahlad Joshi: Consumer Affairs Ministry.
* Jyotiraditya Scindia: Telecom and North Eastern Development Ministries.
* Bhupendra Yadav: Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Ministry.
* Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Culture and Tourism Ministries.
* Annapurna Devi: Women and Child Development Ministry (replacing Smriti Irani).
* Kiran Rijiju: Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Ministries.
* Hardeep Singh Puri: Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry.
* Mansukh Mandaviya: Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Ministries.
* G Kishan Reddy: Coal and Mines Ministry.
* Chirag Paswan: Food Processing Ministry.
* C.R. Patil: Jal Shakti Ministry.
* **Modi Cabinet 3.0 Portfolio Assignments:**
* **Prime Minister Narendra Modi:** Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space.
* **Rajnath Singh:** Defence.
* **Amit Shah:** Home.
* **Nitin Gadkari:** Road Transport and Highways.
* **J.P. Nadda:** Health.
* **Shivraj Singh Chouhan:** Agriculture.
* **Nirmala Sitharaman:** Finance.
* **S. Jaishankar:** External Affairs.
* **Manohar Lal Khattar:** Housing and Urban Affairs, Power.
* **H.D. Kumaraswamy:** Heavy Industries and Steel.
* **Piyush Goyal:** Commerce and Industry.
* **Dharmendra Pradhan:** Education.
* **Jitan Ram Manjhi:** Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
* **Lallan Singh:** Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries.
* **Sarbananda Sonowal:** Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
* **Virendra Kumar:** Social Justice and Empowerment.
* **Ram Mohan Naidu:** Civil Aviation.
* **Prahlad Joshi:** Consumer Affairs.
* **Juel Oram:** Tribal Affairs.
* **Giriraj Singh:** Textiles.
* **Ashwini Vaishnaw:** Railways, Information and Broadcasting.
* **Jyotiraditya Scindia:** Telecommunications, and Development of North Eastern Region.
* **Bhupender Yadav:** Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
* **Gajendra Singh Shekhawat:** Culture and Tourism.
* **Annapurna Devi:** Women and Child Development.
* **Nobel Laureates:**
* **2001:** V.S. Naipaul (Literature) - *In a Free State*.
* **2009:** Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (Chemistry) - Structure of ribosomes.
* **2014:** Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai (Peace) - Children's rights.
* **2019:** Abhijit Banerjee (Economics) - Poverty reduction strategies.
* **Modi Cabinet 3.0:**
* **Prime Minister Narendra Modi:** Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Atomic Energy; Space.
* **Rajnath Singh:** Defence.
* **Amit Shah:** Home Affairs.
* **Nitin Gadkari:** Road Transport and Highways.
* **J.P. Nadda:** Health.
* **Shivraj Singh Chouhan:** Agriculture.
* **Nirmala Sitharaman:** Finance.
* **S. Jaishankar:** External Affairs.
* **Manohar Lal Khattar:** Housing and Urban Affairs; Power.
* **H.D. Kumaraswamy:** Heavy Industries; Steel.
* **Piyush Goyal:** Commerce and Industry.
* **Dharmendra Pradhan:** Education.
* **Jitendra Singh:** Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
* **Lallan Singh:** Panchayati Raj; Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.
* **Sarbananda Sonowal:** Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
* **Virendra Kumar:** Social Justice and Empowerment.
* **Nobel Prizes Awarded to Indians:**
* **Literature (1913):** Rabindranath Tagore for *Gitanjali*.
* **Physics (1930):** C.V. Raman for the discovery of the Raman effect (scattering of light).
* **Medicine (1968):** Har Gobind Khorana for his work on the genetic code.
* **Peace (1979):** Mother Teresa for her work aiding the suffering.
* **Physics (1983):** Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar for his work on the structure and evolution of stars (including the Chandrasekhar limit).
* **Economics (1998):** Amartya Sen for his contributions to welfare economics.
* **Literature (2001):** V.S. Naipaul for *In a Free State*.
* **Chemistry (2009):** Venkatraman Ramakrishnan for his work on the structure of the ribosome.
* **Peace (2014):** Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai for their work protecting children's rights.
* **Economics (2019):** Abhijit Banerjee for his work on poverty reduction.
* **The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel:**
* Established in 1968, first awarded in 1969 to Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen.
* Awarded in 2023 to S. Mougallu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson for their work on national prosperity and the importance of social institutions.* **1901 Nobel Prizes:**
* **Literature:** Sully Prudhomme awarded for literature addressing historical traumas and highlighting the fragility of human life.
* **Physics:** Awarded to Röntgen for the discovery of X-rays.
* **Chemistry:** Awarded to Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff.
* **Peace:** Henri Dunant and Frédéric Passy awarded.
* **Nobel Peace Prize (Unspecified Year):** The Nihon Hidankyo group, a Japanese organization of atomic bomb survivors, awarded for their work to prevent future use of nuclear weapons.
* **Nobel Prize in Economics (Established 1968, first awarded 1969):** Initially awarded to Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen. Later awarded to three recipients (S. Moçambique, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson) for demonstrating the importance of social institutions to a nation's prosperity.
* **Indian Nobel Laureates:**
* **Literature (1913):** Rabindranath Tagore awarded for *Gitanjali*.
* **Physics (1930):** C.V. Raman awarded for the discovery of the Raman effect (light scattering).
* **Medicine (1968):** Har Gobind Khorana awarded for work on the genetic code.
* **Peace (1979):** Mother Teresa awarded for aiding the suffering.
* **Physics (1983):** Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar awarded for his work on the structure and evolution of stars (including the Chandrasekhar limit).
* **Economics (1998):** Amartya Sen awarded for establishing welfare economics.
* **2023 Nobel Prizes:**
* **Medicine:** The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for the discovery of microRNA.
* **Physics:** The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Geoffrey Hinton and others for work related to neural networks.
* **Chemistry:** The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper for their work on protein structure prediction.
* **Literature:** The Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to a South Korean author from Han Kong for literature addressing historical trauma and the fragility of human life.
* **Peace:** The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Nihon Hidankyo group in Japan, a group of atomic bomb survivors working to prevent the future use of nuclear weapons.
* **Nobel Prizes 2024:**
* **Physiology or Medicine:** Awarded to Gary Ruvkun and Victor Ambros for their discovery of microRNA. Awarded in 1901 to Emil Adolf von Behring.
* **Physics:** Awarded to Geoffrey E. Hinton and John Hopfield for their work on neural networks. Awarded in 1901 to Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen.
* **Chemistry:** Awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper for their work on protein structure prediction. Awarded in 1901 to Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff.
* **Literature:** Awarded to Han Kang from South Korea.