16th April 2025

1. SEBI Action Against Gensol Engineering Ltd (GEL)
2. Relocation of Cheetahs from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar Approved
3. Logo And Mascot for Khelo India Youth Games 2025
4. Himachal Day 2025 Date, History, Significance
5. World Art Day 2025 Date, Theme, Significance
6. Mohun Bagan Wins ISL 2024-25
7. Meghalaya Honoured with Two UIDAI Awards for Excellence in Aadhaar Implementation
8. UP’s Zero Poverty Scheme to be Named After Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
9. D. Nageshwar Reddy Honoured with ‘Legends of Endoscopy’ Award in Tokyo
10. Delhi Airport Ranked 9th Busiest in the World As ACI World Report 2024
11. SC Laid Down 3 Month Deadline For President To Assent Bill Reserved By Governor
12. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Will Inaugurate Jagannath Temple in Digha
13. Telangana Becomes First State to Implement SC Sub-Categorisation
14. MoI&B, Govt of Maharashtra, MFSCDCL & IICT Join Hands to Set Up India’s First AVGC-XR Institute in Mumbai
15. Overview of President Droupadi Murmu Visit to Portugal & Slovakia From April 7 to 10, 2025
16. India, Tanzania co-hosted 1st edition of Multilateral Maritime Exercise ‘AIKEYME’ in Tanzania
17. IRDAI Imposed Rs 1.06 Crore Penalty on Flipkart for Violations of Insurance e-com, Corporate Agent Norms
18. Padma Shri Awardee and Tree Man of India, Daripalli Ramaiah, Passes Away at 87
19. International Day of Human Space Flight – April 12, 2025
20. International Day for Street Children – April 12, 2025
21. Accelerating Polymer-Based Industrial Growth through Plastic Parks in India
22. CPCB Introduced New ‘Blue Category’ for High Polluting Incineration Industry
23. MoC Signs CMDPAs for Marwatola-II & Namchik West Coal Mines
24. IFC Launches Catalytic First Loss Guarantee Facility to Boost MSME Financing
25. IIT-Madras & Ziroh Labs Launch CPU-Based AI Platform ‘Kompact AI’ to Democratize Access
26. 11th Annual Breakthrough Prizes 2025: University of Jammu Recognized
27. Katy Perry launches into space with all-female crew on Blue Origin rocket
28. National Fire Service Day 2025 – April 14
29. World Quantum Day 2025 – April 14
30. Gujarat Police Launches ‘GP-DRASTI Project’ to Enhance Crime Response with Drones

National News

1. Supreme Court Fixes Timeline for Presidential Decision on State Bills

• What:
  • The Supreme Court ruled that the President must decide on State Bills, reserved by Governors, within three months.
• Why:
  • The decision ensures timely action on Bills and upholds parliamentary democracy by addressing delays in granting assent.
• Tell me more:
  • Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s withholding of assent to 10 Bills was set aside by the court.
  • Article 200 empowers Governors to give assent, withhold assent, or reserve Bills for Presidential consideration.
  • The court clarified that fixing a timeline does not undermine the Governor’s office but aligns with democratic conventions.

Source: NOA

2. Government Implements Plastic Parks Scheme to Boost Plastic Industry

• What:
  • The Department of Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals is implementing the Plastic Parks scheme under the New Scheme of Petrochemicals to develop industrial zones tailored for plastic-related industries.
• Why:
  • The scheme aims to consolidate the fragmented plastic processing industry, boost investment, production, exports, employment, and promote environmentally sustainable growth.
• Tell me more:
  • The government provides up to 50% of the project cost as a grant, with a ceiling of ₹40 crore per project.
  • 10 Plastic Parks have been approved in states like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • These parks include facilities like effluent treatment plants, waste management systems, and recycling sheds to ensure sustainability.
  • India ranked 12th globally in plastic exports in 2022 with an export value of $27 million thousand USD.
  • Special Purpose Vehicles manage implementation and promote private participation through incentives and competitive land pricing.
  • The scheme adopts a cluster development model to increase competitiveness and optimize resources.

Source: PIB

3. CPCB Introduces Blue Category Industries Under Pollution Management

• What:
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) created a new ‘blue category’ for industries based on Essential Environmental Services (EES) to manage pollution caused by anthropogenic activities.
• Why:
  • The categorization aims to facilitate better waste management practices and consolidate pollution control efforts while granting extended consent validity for operations.
• Tell me more:
  • Industries like composting, biogas, material recovery facilities, and sewage treatment plants are included in the blue category.
  • Waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration, previously classified as a red category industry, is now part of the blue category despite emitting hazardous waste and contributing to poor air quality.
  • CPCB’s methodology states that only non-hazardous waste-emitting projects promoting circular economy can qualify for the blue category, which WTE incinerators fail to meet.
  • Delhi’s WTE plants burned 7,35,840 tons of plastic in FY 2022-23, significantly affecting air quality and contributing to high chloride content.

Source: DTE

4. Ministry of Coal Signs Agreements for Two New Coal Mines

• What:
  • The Ministry of Coal signed Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) with bidders for Marwatola-II and Namchik West coal mines under the 11th round of commercial coal mining auctions.
• Why:
  • The agreements aim to strengthen India’s energy independence, boost domestic coal production, and support economic growth.
• Tell me more:
  • Singhal Business Private Limited secured Marwatola-II, and PRA Nuravi Coal Mining Private Limited won Namchik West.
  • Combined Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of the mines is ~0.34 million tonnes per annum, generating estimated annual revenue of ₹106.14 crore.
  • Operationalizing the mines will require ₹55 crore in capital investment and create around 460 direct and indirect jobs.
  • The Ministry of Coal has signed CMDPAs for a total of 120 coal mines, with a cumulative PRC of 265.64 MTPA, generating annual revenue of ₹37,300 crore and providing employment to nearly 3,59,200 individuals.

Source: PIB

5. IIT-Madras and Ziroh Labs Launch Centre of AI Research

• What:
  • IIT-Madras and its technology arm, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, partnered with Ziroh Labs to launch the Centre of AI Research featuring ‘Kompact AI,’ a cost-effective CPU-based AI platform.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to address India’s AI compute accessibility gap and make high-performance AI affordable and scalable for low-resource settings.
• Tell me more:
  • Kompact AI allows foundational models to be trained and deployed using CPUs instead of expensive GPUs, making it suitable for sectors like agriculture, education, and healthcare.
  • The platform has optimized models such as DeepSeek, Qwen, and Llama for CPU inferencing with benchmarking support from IIT-Madras researchers.
  • Kompact AI operates without continuous internet connectivity and delivers up to three times the performance of current CPU-based frameworks without compromising model accuracy.
  • It includes a CPU-optimized model library supporting text, speech, vision, and multimodal applications, along with a developer runtime called ICAN supporting over 10 programming languages.

Source: ET

State News

1. Cheetahs to be Relocated from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar

• What:
  • The Cheetah Project Steering Committee approved relocating some cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
• Why:
  • The relocation aims to establish a metapopulation of 60-70 cheetahs across the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape for long-term conservation.
• Tell me more:
  • Project Cheetah began in 2022 with the translocation of eight cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa to Kuno National Park.
  • The Cheetah Project Steering Committee was constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in May 2023.
  • Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary spans Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and has been prepared for cheetah introduction for over a year.
  • The project has faced setbacks, including the deaths of eight cheetahs and five cubs at Kuno.

Source: IE

2. Himachal Day 2025 Celebrations in Pangi Valley

• What:
  • Himachal Day was celebrated on April 15, marking the formation of Himachal Pradesh as a province, with the state-level event held in Pangi Valley, Chamba district.
• Tell me more:
  • The venue for 2025 was Killar, the headquarters of Pangi Valley, hosting the state-level event for the first time.
  • Himachal Pradesh officially became a province in 1948 after merging princely states and achieved full statehood on January 25, 1971.
  • The name “Himachal” means “in the lap of snow,” derived from Sanskrit words ‘Hima’ (snow) and ‘Anchal’ (lap).
  • The state is known for its natural beauty, including Dhauladhar peaks, Kinnaur apple orchards, and Spiti monasteries.

Source: ET

3. Uttar Pradesh Launches Zero Poverty Scheme on Ambedkar Jayanti

• What:
  • Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dedicated the state’s zero poverty scheme to Dr. BR Ambedkar on his 134th birth anniversary.
• Why:
  • The scheme aims to connect 14-15 lakh families with essential facilities and fulfill Baba Saheb’s vision of equality and development.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme will provide land, houses, toilets, pensions, ration cards, and Ayushman cards to eligible families.
  • The scheme reflects the double-engine government’s approach to inclusive development in Uttar Pradesh.

Source: HT

4. Mamata Banerjee to Inaugurate Jagannath Dham in Digha

• What:
  • Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the Jagannath Dham in Digha.
  • The coastal town of Digha is a popular tourist destination in West Bengal.
• Why:
  • The event aims to celebrate the inauguration of Jagannath Dham and accommodate distinguished guests, showcasing the importance of the occasion.

Source: IE

5. Indian Institute of Creative Technologies to be Established in Mumbai

• What:
  • The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting signed an MoU with the Maharashtra government and MFSCDCL to establish the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in Mumbai.
• Why:
  • IICT aims to nurture talent, foster innovation, and serve as a global center of excellence in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector.
• Tell me more:
  • IICT will be located at Dadasaheb Phalke Film City, Goregaon, with operations starting at a temporary campus at NFDC premises.
  • The institute is incorporated as a Section 8 company with equity participation from the Government of India (48%), Maharashtra government via MFSCDCL (14%), and industry bodies FICCI and CII (26% each).
  • The Government of India allocated ₹391.15 crore for infrastructure development and initial operations.
  • MFSCDCL leased a 10-acre land parcel for 30 years to support the institute’s development.

Source: ET

6. Gujarat Police Launches GP-DRASTI Drone Surveillance Initiative

• What:
  • Gujarat Police launched Phase I of GP-DRASTI (Drone Response and Aerial Surveillance Tactical Interventions) to strengthen law enforcement using drones.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to reduce police response time and enhance crime prevention, especially for street violence and bodily harm crimes.
• Tell me more:
  • Drones will be deployed at police stations in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot under the SHASTRA program targeting crimes like assault, rioting, and mob lynching.
  • A total of 33 drones were procured, with 18 from Asteria Aerospace deployed initially.
  • Each drone operates at an altitude of 120 meters with a control range of 4 km, flight time of 45 minutes, and night vision capability.
  • Drones stream real-time video to assess incidents and coordinate ground force deployment.
  • Training for personnel is conducted at the Gujarat Police Academy in Gandhinagar.

Source: IE

International News

1. IFC Launches Facility to Boost MSME Financing

• What:
  • International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched the Catalytic First Loss Guarantee Facility under its MSME Finance Platform to increase access to financing for women-owned businesses, agriculture, and climate-focused MSMEs.
• Why:
  • The facility aims to demonstrate the commercial viability of these segments, test new financial products, and drive economic growth by scaling up MSME lending.
• Tell me more:
  • The facility will provide first-loss guarantees to eligible financial service providers (FSPs) like banks, non-bank financial institutions, digital lenders, leasing companies, and microfinance institutions.
  • FSPs must meet IFC’s criteria, including Environmental & Social Risk Rating (ESRR), Integrity Due Diligence (IDD), financial capability, and operational capacity.
  • MSMEs account for over 90% of firms globally, contributing 70% of employment and 50% of GDP, but face a $5.7 trillion finance gap.
  • IFC committed $56 billion in fiscal year 2024 to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries.

Source: IFC

2. First All-Female Spaceflight in Over 60 Years Completed Successfully

• What:
  • Pop star Katy Perry and five other women completed a successful spaceflight on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, marking the first all-female crew in over 60 years.
• Why:
  • The flight showcases Blue Origin’s progress in space tourism and highlights the increasing participation of women in space exploration.
• Tell me more:
  • Other crew members included Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn.
  • Perry sang “What a Wonderful World” during the flight and took a daisy to space as a reminder of her daughter.
  • Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner, and Khloe Kardashian attended the launch.

Source: RT

Banking and Economy

1. SEBI Issues Interim Order Against Gensol Engineering

• What:
  • SEBI has issued an interim order barring Gensol Engineering and its promoters from trading and acting as directors due to financial mismanagement and fund diversion.
• Why:
  • The order was issued to protect investors and maintain market integrity following complaints of share price manipulation and loan defaults.
• Tell me more:
  • Gensol raised ₹975 crore in loans for electric vehicles but diverted over ₹200 crore to promoter-linked entities for personal expenses including luxury real estate.
  • SEBI found forged documents submitted to credit rating agencies to falsely claim timely debt repayments.
  • A recent 1:10 stock split by Gensol may attract more retail investors, prompting SEBI’s interim order.

Source: ET

2. IRDAI Imposes Fine on Flipkart for Insurance Norm Violations

• What:
  • IRDAI imposed a fine of ₹1.06 crore on Flipkart Internet Private Limited (FIPL) for violating e-commerce norms in online insurance distribution.
• Why:
  • The fine was imposed to address violations such as redirecting consumers to intermediaries instead of insurers and selling policies after the expiry of registration.
• Tell me more:
  • FIPL redirected users to another intermediary’s “Buy Insurance” section, violating ISNP guidelines meant to prevent mis-selling and ensure accountability.
  • Despite its Certificate of Registration expiring on September 25, 2024, FIPL sold around 400 motor insurance policies between September 26 and October 1, raising legal concerns.
  • FIPL employed only one trained Specified Person while selling over 70,000 policies, which violated the IRDAI regulations requiring proportional resources and trained staff.
  • Flipkart stated it is committed to regulatory compliance and is evaluating the IRDAI order.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. Airports Council International (ACI) World’s Preliminary 2024 Rankings

• What:
  • Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport ranked as the ninth busiest airport in the world in ACI World’s preliminary 2024 rankings.
• Why:
  • The ranking reflects Delhi airport’s sustained passenger growth, robust infrastructure, and expanding global connectivity.
• Tell me more:
  • Delhi airport handled 77 million passengers in 2024, improving from its 10th position in 2023 and 17th position in 2019.
  • Atlanta, USA, remains the busiest airport with over 108 million passengers, followed by Dubai, UAE.
  • Global passenger traffic reached nearly 9.5 billion in 2024, a 9% increase from 2023 and a 3.8% rise over pre-pandemic levels.
  • The world’s top 10 busiest airports collectively handled 855 million passengers, accounting for 9% of global traffic.
  • Delhi airport has flight connectivity to 150 airports worldwide and won the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for “Best Airport in Asia-Pacific” for the seventh consecutive year.

Source: HT

Defence News

1. India and Tanzania Co-Host Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement ‘AIKEYME’ Exercise

• What:
  • The inaugural Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement exercise (AIKEYME) was co-hosted by India and Tanzania, with the harbour phase inaugurated, onboard INS Chennai in Dar es Salaam.
• Why:
  • The exercise aims to strengthen maritime partnerships, address challenges like piracy and trafficking, and ensure a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean.
• Tell me more:
  • Participating nations include Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
  • A Defence Expo showcasing products from 22 Indian companies was also inaugurated digitally during the event.
  • Shri Sanjay Seth emphasized the principle of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across the Region).
  • Tanzania’s Defence Minister highlighted the need for collective efforts in regional maritime security and committed to hosting future editions of AIKEYME.

Source: PIB

Awards

1. Meghalaya Recognized as Best Performer in Aadhaar Updates

• What:
  • Meghalaya received two top awards from UIDAI for being the best-performing state in mandatory biometric updates of children and verification of adult Aadhaar enrolment.
• Why:
  • The awards highlight Meghalaya’s commitment to efficient Aadhaar implementation and recognition of its efforts in ensuring accurate enrolment processes.
• Tell me more:
  • Shai Kupar War, the nodal officer for Aadhaar in Meghalaya, received the awards in New Delhi on April 8.
  • Anti-Aadhaar protests were held in Shillong on April 7, opposing mandatory Aadhaar linking for accessing government benefits.
  • The state government dismissed the protests as illogical.

Source: TH

2. Dr. Nageshwar Reddy Honored with ‘Legends of Endoscopy’ Title

• What:
  • Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals, received the ‘Legends of Endoscopy’ title in Japan during the Tokyo Live Global Endoscopy 2025 event.
• Why:
  • The award recognized Dr. Reddy’s outstanding contributions to gastroenterology and his innovative advancements, including the development of the Nagi-stent, which has saved countless lives.
• Tell me more:
  • The award was conferred by Japanese gastroenterologists at an event organized by Showa University in Japan.
  • Dr. Reddy is the first Indian doctor to receive this prestigious international recognition.
  • He has previously been honored with the Padma Shri (2002), Padma Bhushan (2016), and other global awards like the Rudolf V Schindler Award and Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Endoscopy Organisation (2021).
  • He is an elected fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences and received the world’s highest gastroenterology award in China in 2013.

Source: ETV

Important Days

1. World Art Day – April 15

• Theme: A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art

Source: N18

2. International Day of Human Space Flight – April 12

Source: UN

3. International Day for Street Children – April 12

Source: ETV

4. National Fire Service Day – April 14

• Theme: Unite to Ignite, a Fire Safe India

Source: TH

5. World Quantum Day – April 14

Sports

1. Bihar to Host Khelo India Youth Games 2025

• What:
  • Bihar will host the seventh edition of Khelo India Youth Games from May 4 to May 15, 2025, across multiple cities including Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, Begusarai, and Bhagalpur.
• Why:
  • The event aims to promote sports and showcase Bihar’s cultural heritage while providing a platform for young athletes.
• Tell me more:
  • Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the mascot “Gajsimha,” symbolizing the power of an elephant and the heart of a lion, inspired by the Pala dynasty’s heritage.
  • The logo reflects Bihar’s cultural richness with vibrant orange and green colors symbolizing enthusiasm and nature.
  • Over 8,500 players will participate in 27 disciplines, including indigenous games like Malkhamb, along with regular sports such as volleyball, football, basketball, boxing, kabaddi, athletics, and Sepak Takraw.
  • The mascot “Gajsimha” is derived from the archival heritage of Nalanda and Bodhgaya temples.

Source: NOA

2. Mohun Bagan Wins Indian Super League 2024-25 Title

• What:
  • Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Bengaluru in the ISL 2024-25 final at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata.
• Why:
  • The victory secured Mohun Bagan’s second ISL title and highlighted their dominance by winning both the League Winners Shield and ISL Cup in the same season.
• Tell me more:
  • Bengaluru FC took the lead in the 49th minute through an own goal by Mohun Bagan’s Alberto Rodríguez.
  • Mohun Bagan equalized in the 72nd minute with a penalty scored by Jason Cummings after a handball by Chinglensana Singh.
  • Greg Maclaren scored the decisive goal in extra time, capitalizing on a defensive error by Bengaluru FC.
  • Mohun Bagan previously won their maiden ISL title in the 2022-23 season.

Source: NOA

Miscellaneous

1. Environmentalist Daripalli Ramaiah Passes Away at 87

• What:
  • Renowned environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Daripalli Ramaiah, popularly known as “Vanajeevi Ramaiah,” passed away at the age of 87 due to a heart attack.
• Tell me more:
  • He tirelessly collected and sowed seeds to green barren landscapes, earning titles like “Tree Man of India” and “Chetla Ramaiah.”
  • Ramaiah planted over one crore trees in six decades and was honored with the Padma Shri in 2017 for his contributions.
  • His legacy inspired governments, with lessons about him included in school curriculums in Telangana and Maharashtra.
  • He received awards like the Vanaseva Award (1995), Vanamitra Award (2005), and an honorary doctorate for his work.

Source: IE

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