08th April 2025

1. Haryana Government Announced 20% Quota for Agniveers in Haryana Police
2. India Elected to the UN ISAR for the 2025–2027 Term
3. PM Modi to Participate in Navkar Mahamantra Divas on
4. India Launches Digital Threat Report 2024
5. Equitas Small Finance Bank Ramps Up Tech Leadership with New Executive Director Appointment
6. Excise Duty Hiked on Petrol and Diesel
7. Kazakhstan’s Major Rare Earth Elements Are Discovered
8. PM Modi Inaugurates and Lays Foundation for ₹8,300 Crore Development Projects in Tamil Nadu
9. India’s Position in Global AI Investments Rank 10th Globally
10. Hitesh Gulia First Indian Boxer to Win Gold at the World Boxing Cup
11. Sudarsan Pattnaik Wins Fred Darrington Award for Excellence in Art and Culture
12. Pondicherry Heritage Festival 2025
13. Overview of President of Chile Gabriel Boric’s Visit to India from April 1 to 5, 2025
14. Union Minister Rajnath Singh Flags Off INS Sunayna for IOS SAGAR Mission in Karnataka
15. IA’s White Tiger Division Conducts Air Defence Drill with OSA-AK-9K33 Missiles in Odisha
16. IA Successfully Demonstrates MUM-T Capability During Exercise SARVSHAKTI
17. Hungary Announces Withdrawal from ICC
18. SBI Report Projects India’s Inflation to Stay Below 4% in H1 FY26
19. HP CM Launches Poetry Collection ‘Buransh: The Fragrance of Words’ by Anupama Sharma
20. International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2025 – April 6
21. International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda 2025 – April 7

National News

1. PM Modi to Participate in Navkar Mahamantra Divas Celebration

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in Navkar Mahamantra Divas in New Delhi and address the gathering.
• Why:
  • The event aims to promote spiritual harmony, ethical consciousness, and collective well-being through the chanting of the Navkar Mahamantra.
• Tell me more:
  • Navkar Mahamantra is a revered chant in Jainism, rooted in principles of nonviolence, humility, and spiritual elevation.

Source: NOA

2. Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font’s First State Visit to India

• What:
  • Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font paid his first State visit to India from April 1 to 5, 2025, marking 76 years of diplomatic ties.
• Why:
  • The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations across trade, investment, defence, health, green energy, and digitization.
• Tell me more:
  • President Boric visited New Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, and Bengaluru and held talks with PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
  • Cooperation was agreed upon in critical minerals exploration, pharmaceuticals trade, traditional medicine, space research, green energy, and agriculture.
  • Defence cooperation includes training at Indian defence institutions and collaboration in mountain warfare and peacekeeping.

Source: PIB MEA

State News

1. Haryana Announces 20% Reservation for Agniveers in State Police Jobs

• What:
  • Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced a 10% hike in reservation for Agniveers in state police jobs, increasing the total reservation to 20% and making Haryana the first state to secure their future with job reservations after service.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to secure the future of Agniveers by providing them employment opportunities after their service tenure.
• Tell me more:
  • A separate portal will be created for Agniveers to register for job opportunities.
  • Loans at affordable rates will be offered to Agniveers who wish to become self-employed.
  • Priority will be given to Agniveers seeking gun licenses for private security roles.
  • Previously, Haryana had announced a 10% horizontal reservation for Agniveers in recruitment for constable and forest guard posts.
  • The first batch of Agniveers will complete their service period in 2026.

Source: IE

2. PM Modi Inaugurates Rail and Road Projects Worth ₹8,300 Crore

• What:
  • PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated rail and road projects worth ₹8,300 crore in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
• Why:
  • The projects aim to boost connectivity, trade, tourism, and job creation while enhancing infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu.
• Tell me more:
  • Modi highlighted Tamil Nadu’s railway budget, which increased sevenfold from ₹900 crore pre-2014 to over ₹6,000 crore today, and the modernization of 77 railway stations.
  • Newly launched road projects worth ₹8,000 crore include four-laning of NH-40, NH-332, NH-32, and NH-36 sections to improve connectivity and reduce travel time.
  • Social initiatives include over 12 lakh pucca houses built under PM Awas Yojana and tap water provided to 1.11 crore families in Tamil Nadu under Jal Jeevan Mission.
  • Healthcare advancements include treatments under Ayushman Bharat saving families ₹8,000 crore and medicines at discounted rates through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

Source: PIB

3. Pondicherry Heritage Festival Revives Traditional Games for Children

• What:
  • The Pondicherry Heritage Festival 2025 featured “Veedhi Vilayattu,” showcasing traditional games like Pallanguzhi, Pambaram, Dhayam, and Pacha Kuthirai on a vehicle-free street in the Tamil Quarter.
• Why:
  • The event aimed to reconnect children with traditional games and promote cultural heritage.
• Tell me more:
  • The festival was co-hosted by People for Pondicherry’s Heritage and PondyCAN with support from various organizations.
  • This marks the 11th edition of the annual festival celebrating Pondicherry’s cultural legacy.

Source: TH

International News

1. Kazakhstan Discovers Largest Rare Earth Deposit in Karaganda Region

• What:
  • Kazakhstan announced the discovery of its largest rare earth deposit, estimated at nearly one million tons, at the Kuirektykol site in the Karaganda region.
• Why:
  • The discovery aims to meet growing global demand for rare earth metals and diversify supply chains away from China’s dominance.
• Tell me more:
  • The Kuirektykol site is located 300 kilometers southeast of Astana in the Karkaraly district.
  • The larger Zhana Kazakhstan area is projected to hold over 20 million tons of rare earth metals at depths of up to 300 meters.
  • Rare earth metals like cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and yttrium are vital for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems.

Source: IT

2. Hungary Withdraws from the International Criminal Court (ICC)

• What:
  • Hungary announced its withdrawal from the ICC during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s state visit, who is under an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.
• Why:
  • Hungary’s decision reflects its criticism of the ICC as a “political court” and aligns with its foreign policy stance of opposing international institutions perceived as infringing on national sovereignty.
• Tell me more:
  • ICC judges issued a warrant against Netanyahu in November for alleged war crimes during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
  • Hungary, a founding member of the ICC, will be the first EU nation to withdraw, requiring written notification to the UN Secretary General, with withdrawal effective after one year.
  • Netanyahu praised Hungary’s decision as “bold and principled,” while Germany criticized it as undermining international criminal law.

Source: BBC

Banking and Economy

1. Central Government Hikes Excise Duty on Petrol and Diesel

• What:
  • The Central government increased excise duty by Rs 2 each on petrol and diesel, raising excise duty on petrol to Rs 13 per litre and diesel to Rs 10 per litre.
• Why:
  • The hike aims to adjust excise duty rates while ensuring retail prices remain unaffected.
• Tell me more:
  • The Ministry of Petroleum confirmed that PSU Oil Marketing Companies will not increase retail prices of petrol and diesel due to the excise duty hike.
  • Crude oil prices have dropped globally due to concerns over reduced demand following US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and OPEC+ increasing oil output to 411,000 barrels per day in May.

Source: TOI

2. SBI Report Predicts Inflation Below 4% in FY26

• What:
  • SBI reported that inflation in India may remain below 4% for the first two quarters of FY26, marking a significant milestone.
• Why:
  • Lower inflation is attributed to fears of dumping by countries facing higher US tariffs, resulting in cheaper goods entering India.
• Tell me more:
  • CPI inflation is expected to fall to 3.8% in Q4 of FY25, with average inflation for FY25 projected at 4.6%.
  • Core inflation is likely to stay between 4.2%-4.3%, while headline inflation may rise after September or October 2025.
  • India’s current account balance is expected to be in surplus in Q4 of FY25, following a deficit of USD 11.5 billion in Q3.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. India’s First Digital Threat Report 2024

• What:
  • CERT-In, CSIRT-Fin, and SISA jointly launched the Digital Threat Report 2024 to analyze cyber threats and defense strategies in India’s BFSI sector.
• Why:
  • The report aims to enhance cybersecurity resilience in the BFSI sector and ensure the security of digital transactions.
• Tell me more:
  • The report was launched by Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary of Financial Services, and Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, along with Dr. Sanjay Bahl and Dharshan Shanthamurthy.
  • It includes analysis of adversarial tactics, vulnerabilities, and security gaps with actionable intelligence for financial institutions.
  • The BFSI sector is projected to generate $3.1 trillion in digital payments by 2028, facing challenges from AI-driven attacks and complex frauds.
  • CERT-In and CSIRT-Fin work with regulators for timely detection and response to cyber threats.

Source: PIB

Defence News

1. INS Sunayna Flagged Off as Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR

• What:
  • Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off INS Sunayna at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka, marking the 10th anniversary of the SAGAR initiative and National Maritime Day.
• Why:
  • The SAGAR initiative aims to promote peace, prosperity, and collective security in the Indian Ocean Region by fostering collaboration with maritime neighbors.
• Tell me more:
  • Rajnath Singh highlighted that the Indian Navy, equipped with modern ships, weapons, and motivated sailors, is working with friendly countries to strengthen regional security.
  • INS Sunayna reflects India’s commitment to shared interests and brotherhood in the maritime domain.

Source: NOA

2. Indian Army Validates Manned-Unmanned Teaming in Exercise SARVSHAKTI

• What:
  • The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps validated the concept of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) during Exercise SARVSHAKTI, showcasing collaboration between manned platforms and unmanned systems at the tactical level.
• Why:
  • The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability, rapid decision-making, and battlefield awareness using drones, autonomous systems, and AI-enabled platforms.
• Tell me more:
  • Exercise SARVSHAKTI demonstrated human-machine synergy in a live tactical environment for real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.
  • The Fleur-De-Lis Brigade successfully tested an FPV drone equipped with kamikaze-role anti-tank munition in collaboration with DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory.

Source: ANI

Awards

1. Sudarsan Pattnaik Wins Fred Darrington Sand Master Award

• What:
  • Renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik became the first Indian to win the prestigious Fred Darrington Sand Master Award at the Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival in Dorset, England.
• Why:
  • The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to sand art and his promotion of peace through art.
• Tell me more:
  • Pattnaik created a 10-foot-high sculpture of Lord Ganesha with the message of “World Peace” to mark the occasion.
  • The award commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of legendary British sculptor Fred Darrington.
  • Pattnaik, a Padma Shri awardee from Odisha, has participated in over 65 international sand art festivals and championships.
  • Sandworld is known for massive sand sculptures created using only sand and water, featuring artists from across the globe.
  • The Sandworld exhibition is held at Lodmoor Park in Dorset, England.

Source: NOA

Important Days

1. International Day of Sport for Development and Peace – April 6

• Theme: Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion

Source: UN

2. International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda – April 7

Source: UN

Sports

1. Indian Boxers Win Six Medals at World Boxing Cup 2025

• What:
  • The Indian contingent won six medals, including one gold, one silver, and four bronze, at the World Boxing Cup 2025 in Brazil.
• Tell me more:
  • India participated only in men’s categories due to women’s senior nationals being held earlier this month.
  • Brazil hosted the first of three World Boxing Cups scheduled for this year, with Kazakhstan and India hosting the next two events.

Source: OC

Appointments

1. India Secures Position in UN Working Group on Accounting Standards

• What:
  • India secured an uncontested position in the United Nations Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) for the 2025–2027 period.
• Why:
  • The appointment aims to advance global accounting standards and promote transparency, responsibility, and uniformity in financial reporting structures across countries.
• Tell me more:
  • ISAR focuses on developing international standards for accounting and reporting.

Source: TOI

2. Equitas Small Finance Bank Appoints Balaji Nuthalapadi as Executive Director

• What:
  • Equitas Small Finance Bank announced the appointment of Balaji Nuthalapadi as Executive Director – Technology and Operations, effective immediately.
• Tell me more:
  • The appointment was approved by the Reserve Bank of India and the Board of Directors.
  • Managing Director and CEO Vasudevan P N highlighted Balaji’s expertise in banking operations, technology, and digital transformation as valuable assets for enhancing operational efficiency and innovation.

Source: PTI

Miscellaneous

1. Himachal CM Releases Poetry Collection ‘Buransh: The Fragrance of Words’

• What:
  • Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the poetry book Buransh: The Fragrance of Words, written by Anupama Sharma, in Shimla.
• Why:
  • The book proceeds will be donated to the Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashraya Yojana to support welfare initiatives.
• Tell me more:
  • The book contains 39 poems, spans 56 pages, and is priced at Rs. 150, published by Satluj Publications.
  • The Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashraya Yojana is a welfare scheme in Himachal Pradesh aimed at supporting various social causes.

Source: ANI

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