National News
Tribhuvan Cooperative University Bill, 2025
- The 'Tribhuvan Cooperative University Bill, 2025' was passed by the Rajya Sabha on April 1, 2025.
- The bill was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha on March 26, 2025.
Relevant Facts:
- The bill provides for transforming the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), Gujarat into "Tribhuvan" Cooperative University.
- Currently, IRMA is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Key Provisions of the Constitution (97th Amendment) Act, 2011:
- Article 19(1)(c): The term "Cooperative Societies" was added.
- Part IXB (Articles 243ZH-243ZT): Provisions related to Cooperative Societies were introduced.
- Article 43B: Emphasizes the promotion of Cooperative Societies.
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"NITI NCAER States Economic Forum" Portal
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the "NITI NCAER States Economic Forum" portal.
- The portal has been developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).
Related Facts :
- This portal serves as a comprehensive repository of data related to social, economic, and fiscal parameters, research reports, research papers, and expert commentary on state finances for a period of nearly 30 years (1990-91 to 2022-23).
- Main components of the portal : Four (State Reports, Data Repository, State Fiscal and Economic Dashboard, Research and Commentary)
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Aadhaar Face Authentication Technology
- The Aadhaar Face Authentication technology, developed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), was used 1.02 billion times in the financial year 2024-25, contributing to a record 1.305 billion transactions.
Related Facts:
- 78% of Aadhaar Face Authentication transactions were conducted in the financial year 2024-25.
- Between January and March 2025, 395 million face authentication transactions were recorded.
- In March 2025 alone, 152.5 million transactions took place, marking a 21.6% increase compared to February 2025.
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Raw Silk Production in India
- India's raw silk production is estimated to be 34,042 metric tons during the April-January period of 2024-25, which is approximately 10,000 metric tons higher than the 24,299 metric tons recorded during the same period in 2014-15.
Related Facts:
- Estimated employment generation in silk sector 80.90 lakh
Silk:
- Silk is a natural protein fibre produced by silkworms.
- Silk produced: Mulberry, Eri, Tasar and Moog
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
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- Ministry: Ministry of Textiles
- Major silk producing states in India: Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
Central Silk Board (CSB):
- Established: 1948, under the Central Silk Board Act, 1948
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India Bar Show 2025
- India Bar Show 2025 (IBS 2025) will be India's first international bar and beverage trade show, scheduled to be held on April 26-27, 2025, in Gurugram.
- The event will take place at Airia Mall, Sector 68, Gurugram, Haryana.
Related Facts:
- Organized in collaboration with the India Bartender Guild, the competition will feature participants from 15+ countries, competing for prestigious titles like "Bartender of the Year" and "Flair Bartender of the Year".
- IBS Awards will honor excellence in categories such as Best Cocktail Bar, Best Hotel Bar, and Best New Beverage Brand.
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International News
75th Anniversary of India-China Diplomatic Relations
- Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his congratulatory message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu on the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic relations, calling for closer ties between the two nations.
Related Facts:
- India and China formally established diplomatic relations on 1 April 1950, which completes 75 years this year
- During this relationship, the two countries have seen many ups and downs, including the Panchsheel Agreement (1954), the Sino-Indian War (1962), and border tensions in recent years
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Chinese:
- Official name: People's Republic of
- Capital: Beijing
- Largest city: Shanghai
- Language: Mandarin (official)
- Currency: Chinese Yuan (Renminbi - CNY)
- Name of Parliament: National People's Congress
- Name of Presidential Residence: Zhongnanhai
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GDP Could Decline by Nearly 40%
- A study conducted by researchers at the University of New South Wales warns that if global temperatures rise by 4°C, the world's GDP could decline by approximately 40% by the year 2100.
Related Facts:
- Support for Paris Agreement: Researchers support limiting global warming to 1.7 degrees Celsius
- The study also points out that traditional economic models fail to capture the full impact of climate change
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Awards and Honours
Uttar Pradesh Anmol Ratna Award
- Nikhil Singhal, President of Noida High-Rise Federation and Managing Director of Vigor Media Worldwide, has been honored with the Uttar Pradesh Anmol Ratna Award for his outstanding contributions in the fields of media and social work.
Related Facts:
- Event: The award ceremony was organized by Tapasya Foundation Trust at Taj Lucknow
- Chief Guest: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav attended the ceremony as the chief guest and presented the award to Nikhil Singhal
- Nikhil Singhal was included in the Times 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes his contribution to PR and media strategy
- He has also been honored as a Global Leader by the Economic Times
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Science and Technology
Anemia Mukt Bharat Program
- For the financial year 2024-25, a total of ₹805.91 crore has been allocated to states and union territories for implementing various activities under the Anemia Mukt Bharat program.
Related Facts:
- A condition in which the level of hemoglobin in the blood drops below normal, causing the body's tissues to not get enough oxygen.
- Main causes: Iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, bleeding, genetic disorders
- Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) to be launched in 2018
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FRAM2 Mission
- SpaceX successfully launched the FRAM2 mission, marking the first human spaceflight to pass over both the North and South Poles.
- The mission utilized a Falcon 9 rocket, which carried the Crew Dragon Resilience capsule into polar orbit.
Related Facts:
Crew:
- Mission Commander Chun Wang (from Malta)
- Vehicle Commander Jannike Mikkelsen (from Norway)
- Pilot Rabia Rogge (from Germany)
- Medical Officer and Mission Specialist Eric Phillips (from Australia)
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- Objective: The mission aims to study the Earth's poles and perform more than 22 experiments, including attempts to grow mushrooms in space and take the first X-ray images of the human body
- Landing: At the end of the mission, the capsule will splashdown in the Pacific Ocean
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Economy and Banking
BCCL Achievements
- Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) achieved several historic milestones in the financial year 2024-25, reflecting a significant increase in its operations and production capacity.
Related Facts:
- Annual: BCCL procured 40.5 million tonnes (second highest)
- Fourth quarter: 11.44 million tonnes (record)
- March 2025: 4.33 million tonnes (monthly highest)
- Underground production: 49% growth over last year
- Coal dispatch: 38.25 million tonnes (second highest), railway transportation grew by 6%.
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- Raw coal feeding highest in 25 years (5.6 million tonnes)
- Supply of washed coal to steel companies highest in 20 years (17 lakh tonnes)
- Environment: 4.08 MW solar plant installed, solar projects started, reduction in fuel consumption by electric vehicles
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Enforcement of Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020
- The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020 was implemented to strengthen the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) supervision over cooperative banks.
- This act was notified on September 29, 2020, and became effective for Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks from June 29, 2020.
Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020:
- Notification Date: September 29, 2020
- Effective Date for Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks: June 29, 2020
- Purpose of Amendment: Through this Act, amendment was made to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, which regulates the functioning of banks
- Regulation of Urban Co-operative Banks: The Reserve Bank of India holds the responsibility of regulation and supervision of urban co-operative banks
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Moody's Ratings Projection
- Moody's Ratings has projected that India's economic growth rate will be 6.5% in the financial year 2025-26, making it the fastest-growing economy among developed and emerging G-20 nations.
India's growth rate according to different agencies:
- Asian Development Bank (ADB): ADB has projected India's GDP growth rate to be 7% for FY 2024-25 and 7.2% for FY 2025-26.
- Fitch Ratings: In March 2025, Fitch lowered India's GDP growth forecast for FY 2024-25 from 6.4% to 6.3%.
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): OECD has projected India's GDP growth rate to be 6.6% for FY 2024-25.
- Indian National Statistical Office (NSO): In January 2025, NSO projected GDP growth rate to be 6.4% for FY 2024-25, the lowest in the last four years.
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Aviator Revenue Management System
- Star Air India has become the first Indian airline to use the Aviator Revenue Management System.
- This system, provided by Maxamation, is a leading revenue management solution that helps airlines maximize passenger revenue.
Related Facts:
- Star Air began its operations in January 2019 and currently focuses on connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India with a fleet of nine Embraer aircraft.
- The airline aims to expand its fleet to 25 aircraft by 2027.
- Star Air currently operates Embraer 145LR and Embraer E175 aircraft, offering both business and economy class cabins.
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Defense News
Commanders' Conference
- The Indian Army Commanders' Conference is being held in New Delhi from April 1 to April 4, 2025.
- This conference serves as a crucial platform for senior army officials to formulate key policy decisions.
Indian Army :
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Slogan: "Seva Paramo Dharma" (Service Before Self)
- Armed Forces Day: 15 January
Post Independence Wars:
- 1947-48: Indo-Pak War (Kashmir War)
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- 1962: Indo-China War
- 1965: Indo-Pakistan War
- 1971: Bangladesh Liberation War
- 1999: Kargil War
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Navika Sagar Parikrama-II Expedition
- The Indian Navy's sailing vessel INS Tarini has reached Cape Town, South Africa, after completing the fourth leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition.
- This expedition is being led by two Indian Navy women officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K. and Lieutenant Commander Rupa A.
Related Facts:
- The Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition aims to cover a distance of over 23,400 nautical miles (43,300 km) over a span of eight months.
- The expedition is expected to return to Goa in May 2025.
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Person In News
Val Kilmer
- Renowned Hollywood actor Val Kilmer passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65 in Los Angeles.
Biography:
| Born: 31 December 1959, Los Angeles, California |
Top Gun (1986): Gained global recognition for playing the role of "Iceman". |
The Doors (1991): Received praise for playing Jim Morrison |
Important Days
World Autism Awareness Day
- World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on 2 April.
- The day is celebrated to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and promote the rights of autistic individuals.
Related Facts:
- Recognized by the United Nations General Assembly: Celebrated since 2007, 2008
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- Theme for the year 2025: "Advancing neurodiversity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)"
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