24th April 2025

1. India’s Aviation Revolution: from Regional Runways to Global Routes
2. Union Minister Piyush Goyal Launched “The Bharat Project” to Create 1 Million Entrepreneurs
3. China Introduces Gold ATMs in Shanghai for Instant Gold-to-Cash Conversion
4. IMF Lowered India’s GDP Forecast to 6.2% for FY26; 6.3% for FY27
5. World Bank cuts India’s FY26 growth forecast to 6.3%
6. Telangana Signs Rs. 10,500 Crore Deal with Japanese Firms to Build AI Data Center in Hyderabad
7. Goldman Environmental Prize 2025: 7 Grassroots Environmental Activists Honored
8. RGIA Achieved Prestigious ACA Level-5 Carbon Accreditation
9. Captain (Retd.) Jagmohan Appointed as CMD of MDL
10. Sandeep Singh Appointed CEO of TrillionLoans Fintech
11. Klaus Schwab Steps Down as WEF Chairman; Peter Brabeck Appointed interim Chairman
12. ISRO Develops Indigenous Stellite Nozzle Divergent for PSLV, Cuts 90% Import Cost
13. ISSF World Cup Lima 2025: India Secures Third Place with 7 Medals
14. India Ranks 8th at Asian U18 Athletics Championships 2025 Held in Saudi Arabia
15. Sourav Kothari Won IBSF World Billiards champion 2025
16. Himachal Pradesh CM Released the Book ‘Mere Aikthe Din’ on Statehood Day
17. World Book and Copyright Day 2025 – April 23
18. UN English Language Day 2025 – April 23
19. UN Spanish Language Day 2025 – April 23
20. Administrative Professionals Day 2025 – April 23
21. Karnataka to Become First State to Complete Village-Level Survey of Antiquities

State News

1. NTT DATA, Neysa, Telangana to Build AI Data Centre

• What:
  • NTT DATA, Neysa Networks, and the Telangana government have signed an agreement to set up an Artificial Intelligence data centre cluster in Hyderabad with an investment of 10,500 crore rupees.
• Why:
  • The project aims to support Telangana’s vision to become the AI capital of India by offering scalable and sustainable computing for public and enterprise AI needs.
• Tell me more:
  • The upcoming facility in Hyderabad will have a 400 MegaWatt data centre cluster.
  • The centre will host India’s most powerful AI supercomputing infrastructure with 25,000 GPUs.
  • The collaboration combines NTT DATA’s expertise in data centres with Neysa’s AI acceleration platform to develop AI-first solutions.
  • The investment for the project is 10,500 crore rupees.

Source: NOA

2. Hyderabad Airport Achieves Highest Carbon Accreditation

• What:
  • Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), has been awarded Level 5 Accreditation under the globally recognized Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme by Airports Council International (ACI).
• Why:
  • The accreditation recognizes the airport’s efforts to manage and reduce carbon emissions and align with global climate goals.
• Tell me more:
  • Level 5 is the highest level in the ACA programme, which has seven levels: Mapping, Reduction, Optimization, Neutrality, Transformation, Transition, and Level 5.
  • RGIA is among the top four airports in the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East region to achieve Level 5.
  • The airport has maintained net zero carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions for Scope 1 and 2 and is working towards net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2050 or earlier.
  • The ACA programme is the industry standard for assessing airports’ carbon management strategies.
  • The airport collaborates with stakeholders to achieve these targets in alignment with the UNFCCC Paris Agreement’s temperature goals.

Source: DC

3. Book “Mere Achhe Din” Released by Himachal CM

• What:
  • Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the book “Mere Achhe Din” authored by 90-year-old social worker Hari Singh Rana during the state-level Himachal Day celebrations in Pangi.
• Why:
  • The book release was held to honor Hari Singh Rana’s lifelong dedication to social service and to recognize his contributions to the community.
• Tell me more:
  • Hari Singh Rana is a former Pradhan of Killar Gram Panchayat (1979-1984) and recalled his interactions with the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Source: ANI

4. Karnataka Launches Village-Level Survey of Antiquities

• What:
  • Karnataka has started a village-level survey to document antiquities, making it the first state in India to undertake such an initiative.
• Why:
  • The survey aims to create a comprehensive inventory of antiquities and is a foundational step in safeguarding the state’s rich archaeological heritage.
• Tell me more:
  • The survey covers documentation of inscriptions, sculptures, monuments, and other antiquities across villages, with each item being geo-tagged.
  • The survey has been completed in 119 taluks so far and is expected to finish in the remaining taluks by the end of the current financial year.
  • Karnataka will become the first state to have such a detailed, geo-tagged inventory of antiquities.
  • There are more than 800 state-protected monuments and over 600 protected by the Archaeological Survey of India in Karnataka.
  • A proposal has been submitted to add 110 more monuments to the protected list, and steps are being taken to list another 1,000 monuments for protection.
  • Since 2001, Karnataka has used a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for conservation, involving the Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust, the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, and local communities.
  • Under this model, the trust and the department each fund 40% of conservation costs, and the local community contributes 20%.
  • Over 200 monuments and temples have been conserved under this model.
  • The state has an estimated 25,000 monuments, and programmes like ‘Adopt a Monument’ encourage corporate participation through CSR funding.

Source: TH

International News

1. Gold ATM Launched in Shanghai for Instant Cash

• What:
  • China has launched a gold ATM in Shanghai that melts gold items, checks their authenticity and weight, and transfers the cash value to users’ bank accounts within 30 minutes without any documentation.
• Why:
  • The gold ATM was introduced to provide a quick and efficient way for people to exchange gold for cash, especially as global gold prices are rising.
• Tell me more:
  • The ATM was developed by Shenzhen-based Kinghood Group.
  • Users can exchange gold jewellery, coins, or bullion that weigh more than 3 grams and have at least 50% purity.
  • The machine melts gold at 1,200°C and uses sensors to test purity.
  • Payment is calculated based on current Shanghai Gold Exchange rates, after deducting service charges.
  • The process is completed within 30 minutes, and funds are transferred directly to the user’s bank account.
  • The ATM has become popular, with local residents and visitors queuing to use it.

Source: TOI

GDP Forecasts

1. IMF Lowers India’s Growth Forecast for FY26

• What:
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reduced India’s economic growth forecast for FY26 to 6.2% from the earlier 6.5% due to trade tensions and global uncertainty caused by US tariffs.
• Why:
  • The forecast was revised because of the impact of new tariffs and global economic uncertainty.
• Tell me more:
  • For FY27, India’s GDP growth projection has also been lowered to 6.3% from 6.5%.
  • Despite the revision, India is expected to have the highest economic growth among emerging and advanced economies.
  • The US has imposed a 26% tariff on imports from India.
  • India’s growth outlook for 2025 is considered stable, supported by consumption, especially in rural areas.
  • China’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 has been reduced to 4% from 4.6%.
  • The US growth is projected to slow to 1.8% from 2.7% as per the January 2025 update.
  • Countries directly impacted by new tariffs, especially China and the US, will be most affected, but Asia and Europe will also feel the impact in the medium term.
  • The IMF now projects global GDP growth of 2.8% in 2025, down from the earlier forecast of 3.3%.
  • Tariffs are expected to affect inflation, with India’s inflation projected to fall to 4.2% in FY26 and 4.1% in FY27.

Source: ET

2. World Bank’s South Asia Development Update

• What:
  • The World Bank has lowered India’s growth projection for the current fiscal year to 6.3%, down from 6.5%.
• Why:
  • The revision was made because the benefits of monetary easing and regulatory streamlining are expected to be offset by global economic weakness and policy uncertainty.
• Tell me more:
  • The World Bank is the latest agency to reduce India’s growth forecast, following the IMF’s recent cut.
  • Regional growth is projected to slow to 5.8 percent in 2025—0.4 percentage points below October projections.

Source: TOI WB

Science and Technology

1. ISRO Develops Indigenous Stellite Nozzle for PSLV

• What:
  • ISRO has developed an indigenous alternative to imported Columbium material for the nozzle divergent in the fourth stage of the PSLV launch vehicle by using Stellite.
• Why:
  • The development supports ISRO’s self-reliance mission and aims to reduce dependence on imported materials.
• Tell me more:
  • Stellite is a cobalt-based alloy with Chromium, Nickel, Tungsten, and Iron.
  • The Stellite nozzle divergent can retain strength at high temperatures up to 1150 degree Celsius.
  • ISRO conducted three tests earlier and a final successful hot test at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, with a duration of 665 seconds.
  • Using Stellite nozzle divergent in PSLV will save ISRO 90 percent of the cost spent on imported Columbium.
  • The ISRO facility in Mahendragiri also successfully tested the human-rated Vikas Engine for the Gaganyaan programme.
  • The Vikas engine is designed and developed in India and is named after Vikram Sarabhai.
  • The human-rated launch vehicle LVM 3 G will use two Vikas engines in a clustered configuration to carry astronauts to outer space.

Source: NOA

Awards

1. 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize Winners Announced

• What:
  • Grassroots activists who fought corruption and protected the environment, including those who secured personhood rights for an Amazonian river, are among the seven winners of the 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize.
• Why:
  • The prize honours individuals showing courage and determination in confronting environmental threats, corruption, and regulatory failures.
• Tell me more:
  • The Goldman Environmental Prize is awarded to activists from each of the world’s six inhabited continents.
  • Repressive tactics against environmental defenders are spreading across Asia, the US, the UK, and the EU.

Source: TG GP

Important Days

1. World Book and Copyright Day – April 23

• To date, UNESCO has designated 25 World Book Capitals, from Madrid, Spain, in 2001, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2025.

Source: UN

2. Administrative Professionals Day – April 23

Sports

1. Simranpreet Kaur Wins Silver at ISSF World Cup Lima

• What:
  • Simranpreet Kaur Brar won the silver medal in the women’s 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Lima, marking her first medal at an ISSF World Cup.
• Tell me more:
  • India finished third in the overall medal tally at the ISSF World Cup 2025 Lima with seven medals: two gold, four silver, and one bronze.
  • China and the USA were the top two countries, with China winning 13 medals and the USA winning seven medals.

Source: OC

2. India Wins 11 Medals at Asian U18 Athletics Championships 2025

• What:
  • Indian athletes won one gold, five silver, and five bronze medals at the Asian U18 Athletics Championships 2025 held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
• Why:
  • The medals showcase the talent and performance of Indian youth athletes at a major continental event.
• Tell me more:
  • India finished third in the overall medal tally at the event.
  • In the previous edition in 2023, India won 24 medals, including six golds.

Source: OC

3. Sourav Kothari Wins 2025 IBSF World Billiards Title

• What:
  • Sourav Kothari won the 2025 IBSF World Billiards title by defeating Pankaj Advani in the final held in Carlow, Ireland.
• Why:
  • This victory marks Kothari’s first IBSF world title (timed format) and highlights his achievement against a strong field of international cueists.
• Tell me more:
  • The final was played at the Snooker and Billiards Ireland (SBI) Academy.
  • The 2025 championship featured a very strong field, including former world champions and top-ranked players from several countries.
  • Kothari is now only the third Indian to have won both the IBSF and WBL World Billiards titles.

Source: TH

Appointments

1. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Appoints New CMD

• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders has appointed Capt (Retd) Jagmohan as chairman and managing director (CMD) from 21 April 2025.

Source: BS

2. Trillionloans Fintech Appoints Sandeep Singh as CEO

• What:
  • Trillionloans Fintech, an RBI-regulated NBFC and subsidiary of BharatPe, has appointed Sandeep Singh as its chief executive officer (CEO).
• Tell me more:
  • Trillionloans Fintech is regulated by RBI and operates as a subsidiary of BharatPe.

Source: ET

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