18th April 2025

1. Integrated Strategies to Address Tuberculosis and Diabetes WHO & IDF Event 2025 Bangkok
2. MoU between Ministry of Labour & Employment and Swiggy for Gig and Logistics Employment Opportunities
3. Saurabh Chaudhary Wins Bronze in 10m Air Pistol At ISSF World Cup 2025
4. India’s Cumulative Exports Expected to Grow by 5.5% to USD 820.93 Billion in FY 2024–25
5. USA Emerges as India’s Largest Trading Partner for 4th Consecutive Year in FY25: MoC&I
6. 6th edition of National Highways Excellence Awards Held in Delhi
7. Former England Fast Bowler James Anderson Awarded ‘Knighthood’ for His Services to Cricket
8. Sourav Ganguly Reappointed as ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Chairperson
9. Magnus Carlsen Wins Inaugural Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025 in France
10. World Hemophilia Day 2025 – April 17
11. Telangana Launches ‘Bhu Bharati’ Portal to Enhance Land Record Transparency
12. Fourth Edition of IJR 2025: Karnataka Tops in Justice Delivery Among Large States, WB Ranks Lowest
13. PM Narendra Modi Inaugurated & Laid Foundation Stone of Development Projects worth Rs 10,000 Crore in Haryana
14. PNB Launched 34 New Products on its 131st Foundation Day
15. RBI Imposes Rs. 3.20 Lakh Penalty on Citibank for FEMA Violations
16. Telangana & Godrej Capital Signed MoU to Enhance Credit Access for MSMEs
17. Justice Dinesh Maheshwari Appointed as Chairperson of 23rd LCI
18. T Koshy Steps Down as CEO of ONDC
19. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri Wins 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix
20. Mohun Bagan Super Giant Wins ISL 2024–25 Title
21. Cricket Returns to Olympics After 128 Years in LA Olympics 2028
22. Former Indian Basketball Captain Hari Dutt Kapri Passes Away at 83
23. World Art Day 2025 – April 15
24. World Voice Day 2025 – April 16

State News

1. Bhu Bharathi Revenue Portal Launched in Telangana

• What:
  • Chief Minister of Telangana, Revanth Reddy, launched the Bhu Bharathi revenue portal in Hyderabad to strengthen land security and bring transparency to land records in the state.
• Why:
  • The portal aims to provide permanent solutions to land issues through a dispute-free revenue policy.
• Tell me more:
  • The Bhu Bharathi portal has been rolled out on a pilot basis in four mandals: Khammam, Mulugu, Kodangal, and Kamareddy.
  • Mandal Revenue Officers will visit every revenue village in these mandals to resolve all pending land-related issues by May 1.
  • The Bhudhar card will be issued to landowners, containing all information related to the land.

Source: NOA

2. PM Modi Lays Foundation for Major Haryana Projects

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones and dedicated development projects worth around 10 thousand crore rupees to the people of Haryana, including the third unit of 800 MegaWatt at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar.
• Why:
  • The projects aim to expand power generation and boost development in Haryana.
• Tell me more:
  • The new unit at the thermal power plant is an expansion of the existing plant, which currently has 2×300 MegaWatt units.
  • The project is targeted to be completed within 52 months, with commercial operations expected to begin within 48 months, by March 2029.
  • After completion, Haryana’s in-house power generation capacity will increase to 3,382 MegaWatts.
  • The foundation stone was laid on the birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.

Source: NOA

3. Godrej Capital and Telangana Partner to Boost MSMEs

• What:
  • Godrej Capital and the Telangana government signed an MoU to support the growth and development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Telangana by improving access to credit and business opportunities.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to strengthen the MSME ecosystem by enabling better access to formal credit, especially for underserved and first-time borrowers.
• Tell me more:
  • Godrej Capital’s finance and housing finance subsidiaries are involved in the MoU.
  • The focus will be on digital-first lending solutions designed for MSMEs.
  • The Aarohi initiative by Godrej Capital will give special support to women entrepreneurs.
  • The collaboration seeks to bridge the credit gap, foster entrepreneurship, and accelerate economic growth in emerging business hubs in Telangana.
  • The Telangana government’s recently-launched MSME Policy encourages such partnerships with financial institutions.

Source: TH

International News

1. WHO and IDF Organize Event on TB and Diabetes

• What:
  • WHO and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) will cohost a side event on tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes at the IDF World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand on 8 April 2025.
• Why:
  • The event aims to discuss the joint burden of TB and diabetes and share the latest WHO guidance to help countries provide better care for people affected by both diseases.
• Tell me more:
  • The event is titled “Bridging gaps: Integrated strategies to address TB and diabetes.”
  • The event will include an overview of the joint burden of TB and diabetes, insights from a TB survivor living with diabetes, and inputs from academics and implementers from high-burden countries.
  • A panel discussion will explore challenges and opportunities for scaling up collaborative efforts to tackle both diseases and advance universal health coverage.
  • Tuberculosis caused about 1.25 million deaths among 10.8 million people who fell ill with TB in 2023.

Source: WHO

Banking and Economy

1. India’s Exports Reach Record $820.93 Billion in FY25

• What:
  • India’s total exports of goods and services grew by 5.5% to a record $820.93 billion during April-March 2024-25 compared to $778.13 billion in the previous year.
• Why:
  • The growth in exports was achieved despite uncertainties in the global market.
• Tell me more:
  • Data was compiled by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Source: NOA

2. US Remains India’s Top Trading Partner in 2024-25

• What:
  • The US was India’s largest trading partner for the fourth year in a row in 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at $131.84 billion, while India’s trade deficit with China widened to $99.2 billion during the same period.
• Why:
  • The data highlights the changing dynamics of India’s major trade relationships and the growing trade gap with China.
• Tell me more:
  • China was India’s second largest trading partner with $127.7 billion in two-way trade in 2024-25, up from $118.4 billion in 2023-24.
  • The UAE was India’s third largest trading partner in 2024-25 with $100.5 billion in trade.
  • India and the US are negotiating a trade agreement with the goal to increase two-way commerce in goods and services to $500 billion by 2030 from $191 billion at present.

Source: TH

3. PNB Launches 34 New Products on Foundation Day

• What:
  • Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched 34 new products, including 12 customer-centric deposit schemes and 10 digital transformation products, on its 131st foundation day.
• Why:
  • The new products aim to deepen financial inclusion and enhance customer experience.
• Tell me more:
  • The products include deposit schemes for salaried professionals, women, defence personnel, farmers, NRIs, senior citizens, pensioners, students, and youth.
  • PNB introduced a QR code-based customer feedback system, a live-chat assistant called “Pihu”, and new internal banking functionalities to improve customer service.
  • Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju attended the event and praised PNB’s initiatives for promoting cyber awareness and secure banking.
  • PNB organised a Half Marathon themed ‘Cyber Run – Empowering a Secure Digital India’ to raise awareness about cybersecurity and safe digital banking practices.
  • PNB’s initiatives support the underprivileged, empower citizens, educate youth, increase farmers’ income, and foster entrepreneurship, aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
  • The bank is working on refining its grievance redressal system, improving call centre operations, and using QR codes for customer feedback.

Source: ET

4. RBI Imposes Penalty on Citibank for FEMA Violation

• What:
  • The Reserve Bank of India imposed a penalty of Rs 3.20 lakh on Citibank N A for not undertaking due diligence while processing inward remittances from a foreign currency account opened by a constituent, leading to a contravention of a FEMA provision.
• Why:
  • The penalty was imposed to address and penalize the violation of FEMA guidelines by Citibank.
• Tell me more:
  • The penalty relates to non-compliance with a provision of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

Source: ET

5. ONDC CEO Thampy Koshy Resigns; Executive Committee Takes Charge

• What:
  • Thampy Koshy, MD and CEO of state-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), has resigned due to personal reasons, and an executive committee will now lead the organisation.
• Why:
  • The leadership change is part of the organisation’s ongoing evolution, with Koshy assisting in the transition and remaining available to the board for the next three months.
• Tell me more:
  • Thampy Koshy joined ONDC in February 2022.
  • ONDC has surpassed 200 million transactions, with the last 100 million completed in just six months.
  • The network has about 7,64,000 sellers and service providers across more than 616 cities.
  • ONDC operates in segments such as food and beverage, grocery, fashion, home and kitchen, electronics, financial services, and mobility.
  • The monthly incentive cap has dropped from Rs 3 crore in July to around Rs 30 lakh now.
  • ONDC began charging a nominal fee of Rs 1.5 per transaction for orders above Rs 250.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. India Justice Report (IJR) 2025

• What:
  • Karnataka has retained its first position among 18 large and mid-sized states in justice delivery capacity, according to the India Justice Report (IJR) 2025.
• Why:
  • The ranking highlights the state’s strengths and ongoing challenges in delivering justice, aiming to encourage improvement and transparency in the justice system.
• Tell me more:
  • Karnataka is the only state to meet reservation quotas for SC, ST, and OBC judges in the district judiciary.

Source: TOI

Awards

1. National Highways Excellence Awards 2023 Held in New Delhi

• What:
  • The sixth edition of ‘National Highways Excellence Awards 2023’ (NHEA 2023) is being held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi to encourage innovative practices and recognise professionals delivering excellence in National Highway development.
• Why:
  • The event aims to commemorate achievements in the National Highway infrastructure sector and recognise contributions in construction and maintenance of the best-performing National Highway assets across the country.
• Tell me more:
  • The event is organised by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
  • ‘National Highway Excellence Awards’ were started in 2018 by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
  • The awards were created to incentivize and encourage stakeholders and to foster healthy competition in National Highway infrastructure development.

Source: ANI

Important Days

1. World Hemophilia Day – April 17

• Theme: Access for all: Women and girls bleed too

Source: WFH

2. World Art Day – April 15

Source: UN

3. World Voice Day – April 16

• WVD 2025 campaign is on! EMPOWER YOUR VOICE!

Source: WVD

Sports

1. Arjun Babuta Wins Silver at ISSF World Cup Lima

• What:
  • Arjun Babuta won the silver medal in the men’s 10m air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Lima, Peru.
• Tell me more:
  • Arjun Babuta was behind Olympic champion Sheng Lihao of China.
  • In the women’s 10m air rifle, Aarya Borse finished fifth with 188.1 after placing second in qualification with 633.9.
  • India is third in the overall standings in Lima with five medals: two gold, two silver, and one bronze.
  • China leads with 10 medals, followed by the USA with five.
  • Saurabh Chaudhary and Suruchi Singh won gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
  • Saurabh also won bronze in the men’s 10m air pistol, while Suruchi and Manu Bhaker won gold and silver in the women’s 10m air pistol.

Source: OC

2. Magnus Carlsen Wins Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025

• What:
  • Magnus Carlsen won the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025 in Paris by defeating Hikaru Nakamura victory.
• Why:
  • The event was held to determine the champion of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • Magnus Carlsen received 2 lakh US Dollars as prize money.
  • Hikaru Nakamura finished second and won 1 lakh 40 thousand US Dollars.
  • Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi secured fifth place by defeating Maxime Vacxhier-Lagrave and received 50 thousand US Dollars.
  • Arjun Erigaisi will next play at the Grenke Freestyle Open starting from 17th April.

Source: NOA

3. Unified British Cricket Team Proposed for LA 2028 Olympics

• What:
  • Cricket Scotland and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are discussing the formation of a unified British cricket team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Why:
  • The talks aim to allow a Team GB cricket entity to compete at the Olympics, as required by the British Olympic Association.
• Tell me more:
  • The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will feature cricket for the first time since 1900, with six-team men’s and women’s T20 events, each team having a 15-member squad.
  • The Olympics will be held from July 14 to July 30, 2028.
  • England is ranked second in men’s T20s and third in women’s, while Scotland is not in the top ten in either format.
  • The ECB stated that hosting World Cups in 2026 and 2030 in England and Wales, along with LA 2028, is an opportunity to promote cricket.
  • Athletes from the United Kingdom usually compete as Team GB at the Olympics, except in men’s football, where a unified team has not participated since London 2012.
  • The British Olympic Association hopes to field a unified men’s football team at the 2028 Games.

Source: IT

4. Ace Basketball Player Hari Dutt Kapri Passes Away

• Former Indian basketball captain Hari Dutt Kapri passed away at the age of 83 at his residence.
• Hari Dutt Kapri was conferred with the Arjuna award in 1969.

Source: IE

Memorandum of Understanding

1. MoU Signed Between Ministry of Labour and Swiggy for Gig Jobs

• What:
  • The Ministry of Labour & Employment and Swiggy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to link gig and logistics jobs with the National Career Service (NCS) portal.
• Why:
  • The MoU aims to strengthen employment connections in the gig economy and provide flexible job opportunities to millions through the NCS portal.
• Tell me more:
  • The signing took place in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State Sushri Shobha Karandlaje.
  • Swiggy will post verified gig jobs including delivery, logistics, and support roles on the NCS portal through real-time API integration.
  • The collaboration will help job seekers access flexible, location-based work in urban and semi-urban areas.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Sourav Ganguly Re-appointed ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Chair

• What:
  • Sourav Ganguly has been re-appointed as chairperson of the ICC men’s cricket committee, and VVS Laxman has also been picked again as a panel member.
• Why:
  • The appointments aim to recognise experienced professionals for important roles in the ICC men’s cricket committee.
• Tell me more:
  • Sourav Ganguly was first appointed as the committee’s chair in 2021.
  • Ganguly replaced Anil Kumble, who stepped down after serving three, three-year terms.
  • Other committee members include Hamid Hassan (Afghanistan), Desmond Haynes (West Indies), Temba Bavuma (South Africa), and Jonathan Trott (England).
  • The ICC women’s cricket committee now has Catherine Campbell (New Zealand) as chairperson, with Avril Fahey (Australia) and Pholetsi Moseki (South Africa) as members.

Source: BS

2. Justice Dinesh Maheshwari Appointed Chairman of 23rd Law Commission

• What:
  • The Centre appointed former Supreme Court judge, Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, as chairman of the 23rd Law Commission.
• Why:
  • The appointment aims to lead the panel in submitting reports on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), studying laws affecting the poor, and identifying laws that hinder India’s economic growth.
• Tell me more:
  • The 23rd Law Commission was notified on September 2 last year and will have a tenure of three years, till August 2027.
  • The commission includes a chairman, four full-time members (including a member secretary), two secretaries from the law ministry, and up to five part-time members.
  • Justice Dinesh Maheshwari retired from the Supreme Court in May 2023.
  • The 22nd Law Commission was headed by Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, who left the post after being appointed as a member of the Lokpal.
  • During the previous term, the panel conducted consultations on the UCC and used AI to analyse over 80 lakh petitions from the public.

Source: TOI

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