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GK Update

Tue 15 Apr, 2025

National News

Foundation Stone Laid for Development Projects

  • On 14 April 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth approximately ₹10,000 crore in Hisar, Yamunanagar, and Rewari in the state of Haryana.

Related Facts (English Translation):

  • In Yamunanagar, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a new 800 MW Thermal Power Unit and a Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant, which will enhance the state's power generation capacity and promote green energy.
  • In Rewari, he inaugurated a four-lane bypass constructed at a cost of ₹1,069 crore, which will ease traffic congestion and support the region’s industrial development.

International News

India-Tanzania Bilateral Talks

  • On 14 April 2025, India and Tanzania held significant bilateral discussions related to the defence sector in Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania:

  • Official name: United Republic of Tanzania
  • Capital: Dodoma
  • Major city: Dar-e-Salaam (economic capital)
  • Official language: Swahili and English
  • Independence: 9 December 1961 (from Britain)
  • Topography: East Africa, along the Indian Ocean
  • Bordering countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo (DRC), Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique
  • Major lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika
  • Major mountain: Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in Africa (5,895 m)

Harvard University Funding Halted

  • In April 2025, the Trump administration halted approximately $2.2 to $2.3 billion in federal funding allocated to Harvard University.

United States of America (USA) :

  • Capital: Washington, D.C.
  • Largest city: New York City
  • Currency: US Dollar (USD)
  • National Day: 4th of July (Independence Day)
  • Continent: North America

State Special

Implementation of SC Classification Act: Telangana

  • The Telangana State Government officially implemented the Scheduled Caste (SC) Classification Act on 14 April 2025, marking the occasion of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's 134th birth anniversary.

Under the Act, the 15% reservation for SCs is divided into three groups:

  • Group I: It includes 15 most disadvantaged communities, which constitute 3.288% of the SC population. They will be provided 1% reservation
  • Group II: It includes 18 communities, which are moderately advantaged and constitute 62.74% of the SC population. They will get 9% reservation
  • Group III: It includes the remaining communities, who will get the remaining reservation, which will be a total of 5% (15% - 1% - 9%)

Nagaland Solar Mission

  • Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched the Nagaland Solar Mission to promote rooftop solar energy systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
  • This initiative is aligned with the Prime Minister’s free electricity scheme, under which consumers will be provided with a subsidy of up to ₹50,000 per household.

Nagaland :

  • Capital : Kohima, Formation : 1963
  • State Border : Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, International Border Myanmar (Burma)
  • State Animal : Mithun, State Bird : Blyth's Tragopan
  • State Tree : Alder tree
  • State Flower : Rhododendron
  • Famous Festival : 'Hornbill' Festival
  • The rare Blyth's Tragopan (Tragopan blythii) is a resident of Nagaland
  • The Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) bird was discovered in Nagaland

Sports News

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025

  • Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen won the title of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025, held in Paris.

International Chess Federation (FIDE):

Founded: 20 July 1924, Paris, France

Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland

President: Arkady Dvorkovich

Khelo India Youth Games 2025

  • Bihar will host the 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 from 4th to 15th May 2025.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event on 4th May in Patna. The games will be held across five districts of Bihar: Patna, Gaya, Nalanda (Rajgir), Bhagalpur, and Begusarai.

Khelo India Programme:

Started 2017-18 1st Khelo India University Games: 2020 in Cuttack, Odisha 1st Khelo India Youth Games: 2018, New Delhi

Economy and Banking

Improved Performance of Indian Railways

  • Indian Railways recorded an improvement in its Operating Ratio, which stood at 98.32% for the financial year 2024–25, ending on 31st March 2025.

Key Statistics (FY 2024-25):

  • Total Revenue: ₹2.65 lakh crore
  • Growth in Passenger Revenue: 6.4%
  • Growth in Freight Earnings: 1.7%
  • Non-Fare Revenue: Over ₹11,000 crore

India's GDP Growth Rate According to CRISIL

  • According to the global credit rating agency CRISIL, India's GDP growth rate for the financial year 2025-26 is expected to be 6.5%.

India's growth rate according to various agencies:

  • Asian Development Bank (ADB): ADB has projected India's GDP growth rate to be 6.7% for FY 2024-25 and 6.8% for FY 2025-26 in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2025 released on April 9, 2025.
  • Fitch Ratings: Fitch Ratings on March 19, 2025 retained India's GDP growth forecast at 6.5% for FY 2024-25 and 6.5% for FY 2025-26, while raising it marginally to 6.3% for FY 2026-27.

Launch of Q-Shield

  • On April 14, 2025, on the occasion of World Quantum Day, the startup QNU Labs launched the world’s first platform, Q-Shield.

Honours and Awards

"Verchol Dalit Literature Award"

  • Renowned writer, retired IAS officer, and social activist P. Shivakami was honored with the "Verchol Dalit Literature Award" by the Neelam Cultural Center, established by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith. This recognition, awarded in 2025, acknowledges her significant role in Dalit literature and her contribution to social justice.

Important Days

Himachal Day

  • Himachal Pradesh Day is celebrated every year on 15th April. This day commemorates the formation of Himachal Pradesh as a state of India in 1948.

Related Facts:

  • Himachal Day: 15 April
  • Significance: Anniversary of the formation of Himachal Pradesh as a province in 1948
  • Full statehood: Acquired on 25 January 1971
  • State Animal: Snow Leopard
  • State Bird: Western Tragopan
  • State Flower: Pink Rhododendron/ or Burans or Burunsh
  • State Language: Hindi and local dialects
  • Major Rivers and Dams: Sutlej (Bhakra Dam, Gobind Sagar Reservoir, Koldam Dam), Beas (Pandoh Dam, Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir), Ravi (Chamera Dam), Parvati
  • Major Lakes: Renuka, Rewalsar, Khajjiar, Dal, Beas Kund, Dasaur, Brighu, Parashar, Mani Mahesh, Chander Tal, Suraj Tal, Kareri, Sarolsar, Govind Sagar, Nako Lake
  • National Parks: Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park Park, Khirganga, Indrakila and Simbalbara National Park

 

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