National News

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025

• The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favor and 95 votes against.
• The bill had already been passed in the Lok Sabha, where 288 Members of Parliament supported it and 232 opposed it.

Waqf Properties in India :

International News

Impeachment of the President in South Korea

• The Constitutional Court of South Korea unanimously approved the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, resulting in his removal from office.
• The decision was based on the martial law declared by him on December 3, 2024, which the court deemed unconstitutional.

South Korea:

11th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting

• The 11th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting was held in Brasília, Brazil, where India emphasized the need for collective leadership to advance the 2030 Climate Change Agenda.
• During the meeting, India called for adequate financial support from developed countries to tackle climate change and endorsed the “Baku to Belém Roadmap”, which aims to mobilize $1.3 trillion per year in climate finance by 2035.

BRICS :

State Special

Artificial Rain Trial

• The Delhi Government has decided to conduct a trial of artificial rain to reduce pollution in the national capital.
• This project is expected to begin in May 2025, and will involve the use of cloud seeding technology.

Artificial Rain

Economy and Banking

Indian Railways' Achievement in Coach Manufacturing

• Indian Railways manufactured 7,134 coaches in the financial year 2024–25, marking a 9% increase compared to 6,541 coaches produced in the previous year.
• Special emphasis was placed on producing 4,601 non-AC coaches, catering to the needs of the general public.

Provisions for Railways in Budget 2025-26:

Startup Mahakumbh 2025

• The Startup Mahakumbh 2025 is being held from April 3 to 5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• The event features over 3,000 startups from more than 50 countries, showcasing their innovative technologies, products, and services.

'Startup India' Scheme:

Coastal Shipping Bill 2024

• The Coastal Shipping Bill 2024 was passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha.
• The Bill aims to regulate ships operating in Indian coastal waters and promote maritime trade.

Related Facts:

Chapati Chilli Gets GI Tag

• The famous Chapati Chilli of Warangal has received the Geographical Indication (GI) registration, making it the 18th GI-tagged product from Telangana and the 665th in India.
• It is also the third agricultural product from Telangana to receive a GI tag, after the Banganapalle mango and Tandur red gram.

GI Tag (Geographical Indication Tag):

Agreement Between India Post and Nippon India Mutual Fund

• India Post has signed an agreement with Nippon India Mutual Fund to enhance KYC verification services.

Indian Post:

IDFC First Bank

• IDFC First Bank has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2025.

Key Statistics (YoY – Year-on-Year basis):

Honors and Awards

Presentation of ‘The World Tipitaka: Sajjhāya Phonetic Edition’

• After bilateral talks in Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a sacred text titled ‘The World Tipitaka: Sajjhāya Phonetic Edition’.
• The Tipitaka (in Pali) or Tripitaka (in Sanskrit) is a revered compilation of the teachings of Lord Buddha, consisting of 108 volumes, and is considered one of the most important scriptures in Buddhism.

Thailand :

Person In News

Manoj Kumar

• Renowned actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar passed away on April 4, 2025, at the age of 87, at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.

Related Facts:

H. Shankar

• H. Shankar has assumed charge as the Managing Director of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL).
• His appointment was recommended by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) and approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL):

Miscellaneous

Launch of BPCL Sports Scholarship Initiative

• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has announced the launch of the BPCL Sports Scholarship Initiative, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing national sporting talent.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL):

Sports News

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035

• According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the United Kingdom (comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) is the only valid bidder to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

FIFA :

15th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship 2025

• The 15th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship 2025 is being held from April 4 to April 15, 2025, at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
• The tournament features 30 teams, divided into three divisions: Division A, Division B, and Division C.

Hockey :

Important Days

International Mine Awareness Day

• International Mine Awareness Day is observed every year on April 4 to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
• This day was first established in 2006 by the United Nations General Assembly, following its declaration on 8 December 2005.

Theme for this year: