NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi cuts short Saudi Arabia visit

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his state visit to Saudi Arabia following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Major Outcomes of PM’s Visit to Saudi Arabia

• The second leaders meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) held in Jeddah.
• High Level Task Force on Investment (HLTF) on the commitment of Saudi Arabia to invest USD 100 billion in India in multiple areas.
• MoU between the Saudi Space Agency and the Department of Space of India on Cooperation in the field of Space Activities for Peaceful Purposes.
• MoU between the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India on Cooperation in the field of Health.
• MoU between the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee (SAADC) and the National Anti-Doping Agency, India (NADA) on Cooperation in the field of Anti-Doping Education and Prevention.
• Agreement between the Saudi Post Corporation (SPL) and the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications of India on Cooperation in Inward Surface Parcel.

Saudi Arabia

CSIR Startup Conclave in Hyderabad

• Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the first-of-its-kind CSIR Startup Conclave in Hyderabad.

Samajik Nyay Pe Charcha 2025

• Event Samajik Nyay Pe Charcha 2025 was organised inNew Delhi and the aim of Event was to foster discussions on the upliftment of underprivileged sections of the society, to whom Dr.Ambedkar dreamt of providing equality.

Data Users Conference

• The National Statistics Office (NSO), organised the ‘Data Users Conference’ in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), Mumbai.

National Statistics Office

Fire Safety Week

• Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the Fire Safety Week in collaboration with all States/UTs as well as relevant central Ministries/Departments from 21st to 25th April, 2025 on the theme of 'Fire Safety in Health Facilities' at Nirman Bhawan in New Delhi.

PV Module Testing and Calibration Lab

• Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the PV Module Testing and Calibration Lab at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gwal Pahari, Bandhwari, Haryana.

National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE)

STATE SPECIAL NEWS

Khongjom Day

• In Manipur, Every year, Khongjom Day is observed on April 23 to commemorate the valour and sacrifice of Manipuri heroes who laid down their lives in the historic Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.

Manipur

Tribal settlement Project

• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan started one of the largest tribal settlement projects in the State at Paroorkunnu, Meppadi in Wayanad.

Kerala

Development of Buffer Zones in Tiger Reserves

• The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved a scheme named ‘Development of Buffer Zones in Tiger Reserves’, with a total outlay of ₹145 crore for the financial years 2025-26 and 2027-28 for developing buffer zones in the State’s nine tiger reserves.

Madhya Pradesh

ECONOMY & BANKING

Tobacco Grower Registrations and Barn Licenses

• Government of India has decided to renew the Certificate of Registration as Virginia tobacco grower and License for operation of a barn to 3 years instead of 1 year as a part of ease of doing business, in order to reduce the burden of mandatory yearly renewal of Certificate of Registration as Virginia tobacco grower and license for operation of a barn.
• India is 2nd largest producer and 4th largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco in the World (in value terms during 2023)

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Book and Copyright Day

• Every year World Book and Copyright Day is a celebrated on 23rd April to promote the enjoyment of books and reading.
• This year's theme for World Book and Copyright Day is "The role of literature in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)".

English Language Day

• UN English Day is observed annually on 23 April commemorating the celebrated English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare, whose death is recorded on the same date in 1616.
• Theme for 2025 is ‘Language is just not a means of communication it also represents a vast cultural and intellectual heritage as well’.

PERSON IN NEWS

Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa

• In a meeting on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League.

Muslim World League

Ms. M. Revathi

• India has nominated Ms. M. Revathi, Joint Wireless Advisor at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as its candidate for Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

AWARDS & HONOURS

Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), in partnership with Startup India and Stride Ventures, announced the startup Buoyancy Plastics for Change Recycling Private Limited as the winner of the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025, an initiative aimed at recognizing and empowering high-impact, homegrown startups.

RANKS, REPORTS & INDICES

World Economic Outlook (WEO)

• The The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released the April 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) report in Washington.
• IMF has projected India’s GDP growth to remain above 6 per cent, despite all the odds amid rising global trade tensions.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

DHL Trade Atlas report 2025

• According to DHL Trade Atlas report 2025, India’s trade contribution is projected to reach 6% of global trade growth by 2025 but rising exports of pollution-intensive products have triggered serious concerns over environmental sustainability.

ART & CULTURE

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

• In 2025, The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to resume on 30th June after a four-year suspension following the COVID-19 pandemic via the Uttarakhand route.
• The yatra will be organised under the joint supervision of the Government of Uttarakhand and the Ministry of External Affairs.

ENVIRONMENT + SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Impact of industrial units on Taj Mahal

• The Supreme Court tasked the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) with studying the impact of glass industries on the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Taj Mahal

Bullseye Galaxy (LEDA 1313424)

• The Bullseye Galaxy (LEDA 1313424) was discovered by an international team of researchers using the Hubble Space Telescope and W.M. Keck Observatory.

Shifting of Endangered vultures

• · As part of India’s ongoing vulture reintroduction programme, 34 long-billed and white-rumped vultures, both critically endangered species of birds were successfully transferred to Melghat, Pench, and Tadoba- Andhari Tiger Reserves in Maharashtra from from the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre in Pinjore, Haryana.

BOOKS & AUTHOURS

Book: Dravida Araneriyalar Thamizhavel P.T. Rajan Vaazhve Varalaru

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released a book on the life and legacy of Justice Party leader and former Chief Minister of the erstwhile Madras Presidency P.T. Rajan titled ‘Dravida Araneriyalar Thamizhavel P.T. Rajan Vaazhve Varalaru’.

APPOINTMENTS

Rabi Sankar as RBI Deputy Governor

• The Centre has re-appointed T. Rabi Sankar as Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), for a period of one year with effect from May 3, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Ananya Panday

• Bollywood actress Ananya Panday has been officially announced as the first-ever Indian brand ambassador for the iconic French luxury house, Chanel.

SPORTS

K.L. Rahul

• L. Rahul became the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in the IPL during the match against LSG. Rahul reached the landmark in his 130th innings, overtaking David Warner’s previously held record (135).

Suzuki Aerobics Gymnastics World Cup 2025

• Federation Internationale de Gymnastics (FIG) and the International Aerobics Federation, Japan is organising Suzuki Aerobics Gymnastics World Cup 2025 in Tokyo.