30th April 2025

1. Legendary Malayalam Filmmaker Shaji N Karun Passes Away at 73
2. Top Military Spenders of 2024-25: India’s Position in the Global Military Expenditure Race
3. RBI Imposes Fines on IOB and Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited for Non-Compliance
4. African Swine Fever Outbreak in Mizoram: Over 3,000 Pigs Dead in Four Districts
5. Manush Shah and Diya Chitale Clinch Mixed Doubles Title at WTT Contender Tunis 2025
6. Vera Gedroits: Russia’s First Female Military Surgeon and Trailblazing Medical Pioneer
7. President Honored 71 Individulas With Padma Awards
8. Mark Carney Secures Fourth Term for Canada’s Liberal Party
9. India and Bhutan Strengthen Customs Cooperation at 6th JGC Meeting
10. Department of Posts to Honor Tabla Legend Pandit Chatur Lal with Commemorative Stamp
11. Book Launch of “Ramanujan: Journey of a Great Mathematician”
12. Top 10 Largest Economies in the World (2025)
13. GoI & Kotak Mahindra Bank Partner to Boost Investor Education through Digital Outreach
14. Factory Output Growth Marginally Improves to 3% in March 2025
15. 14-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Youngest to Smash IPL’s Second-Fastest Century
16. IEPPA hosts Preparatory Meeting for ‘Niveshak Shivir’
17. ADB-WEF Report 2025: Asia-Pacific Lags in Grid Readiness Despite USD729.4 Billion Clean Energy Investment
18. RBI instructs all banks, financial companies, and other regulated entities to use PRAVAAH portal from 1st May 2025
19. Airtel Payments Bank Launched NCMC-Enabled RuPay Cards
20. BookMyForex Launches ‘Global Forex Card’ with Zero Cross-Currency and ATM Withdrawal Fees
21. Amitesh Kumar Sinha Appointed as CEO of ISM
22. Indian-origin Tejpaul Bhatia appointed as Axiom Space’s CEO
23. Gunjan Soni Appointed as Country MD of YouTube India
24. Amazon Launches First 27 Satellites for ‘Project Kuiper’ internet constellation into orbit
25. Padma Shri Awardee Shaji N. Karun, Acclaimed Filmmaker and Cinematographer, Passes Away
26. Former Brazil striker Jair da Costa Passes Away
27. International Dance Day 2025 – April 29

National News

1. Commemorative Stamp for Tabla Pioneer Pandit Chatur Lal

• What:
  • India’s Department of Posts will issue a stamp honoring tabla legend Pandit Chatur Lal, known for introducing Indian percussion to Western audiences in the 1950s.
• Why:
  • To celebrate his centenary (1926–2026) and recognize his role in globalizing Indian classical music through cross-cultural collaborations.
• Tell me more:
  • Key contributions: Performed with Ali Akbar Khan at New York’s MoMA (1955) and on Alistair Cooke’s Emmy-winning show Omnibus.
  • Milestones: First Indian percussionist nominated for an Oscar (1957’s A Chairy Tale) and performed for Queen Elizabeth (1962).
  • Legacy: Inspired Indo-jazz fusion; collaborated with jazz drummer Papa Jo Jones.

Source: IE

2. National Archives to Launch Ramanujan Book and Digital Platform

• What:
  • The National Archives of India will release a book on mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan and launch Abhilekh Patal 3.0, a digital platform for historical records.
• Why:
  • To honor Ramanujan’s legacy and enhance digital access to archival documents, following ISO Certification for improved standards.
• Tell me more:
  • Book details: Ramanujan: Journey of a Great Mathematician explores his life from Erode to global acclaim in number theory and infinite series.
  • Platform upgrade: Abhilekh Patal 3.0 offers improved access to digitized historical records.
  • Event venue: Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

Source: DD

State News

1. Mizoram Reports Over 3,050 Pig Deaths Due to Swine Fever

• What:
  • African Swine Fever (ASF) killed 3,050 pigs in four Mizoram districts, with 1,000 culled to curb spread.
• Why:
  • Hot climate and intermittent rains accelerated the virus, prompting containment measures including pig culling.
• Tell me more:
  • Mizoram’s Animal Husbandry Department coordinates containment and compensation.

Source: IE

Banking and Economy

1. IEPFA and SEBI Launch “Niveshak Shivir” for Investor Support

• What:
  • IEPFA and SEBI will organize “Niveshak Shivir” camps in Mumbai and Ahmedabad to simplify claims of unclaimed dividends and shares.
• Why:
  • To improve financial literacy, enable direct investor-company interaction, and reduce fraud risks through immediate grievance redressal.
• Tell me more:
  • Focus areas: Help investors update KYC, check unclaimed assets, and reclaim investments with company/IEPFA assistance.
  • Participants: Companies with high unclaimed dividends, Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs), and regulatory officials.
  • Registration: QR code-linked Google Form for pre-registration; ICAI and SEBI regional offices to provide logistic support.

Source: PIB

2. Airtel Payments Bank Expands NCMC-Based RuPay Cards

• What:
  • Airtel Payments Bank aims to increase RuPay NCMC cards from 2.5 million to 10 million in two years, partnering with metro networks.
• Why:
  • To enhance digital payment solutions for public transport and daily transactions using contactless technology.
• Tell me more:
  • Card types: Savings account debit cards, pre-paid wallet cards, and transport-specific PPI-MTS cards.
  • Metro partnerships: Delhi, Mumbai, NCRTC, Gujarat Metro, and Chennai’s MTC (Singara Chennai Card).

Source: HBL

3. BookMyForex Launches Zero-Cost Global Forex Card

• What:
  • BookMyForex launched a US dollar-denominated Global Forex Card with zero hidden charges, cashback, and no issuance fees.
• Why:
  • To provide transparent forex solutions for travelers, students, and overseas workers by eliminating cross-currency fees and markup rates.
• Tell me more:
  • Features: No ATM withdrawal charges, 2% cashback (capped at ₹7,500), and acceptance in 200+ countries.
  • Availability: Free issuance via website/app; supports tuition fee payments and global transactions on Visa network.
  • Future plans: Euro currency addition and limited free monthly ATM withdrawals to reduce cash usage.

Source: TOI

4. Amazon Launches Project Kuiper Satellites for Global Internet

• What:
  • Amazon launched 27 Project Kuiper satellites on April 29, 2025, starting its $10B global satellite broadband initiative.
• Why:
  • To provide affordable internet in remote areas, compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, and expand Amazon’s tech ecosystem.
• Tell me more:
  • Target: Serve underserved regions, businesses, and governments via low-Earth orbit satellites (3,236 planned).
  • Deadline: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires 1,618 satellites by mid-2026; Amazon plans multiple launches in 2025–2026.
  • Competitor: SpaceX’s Starlink has 8,000+ satellites and 5 million subscribers in 125 countries.
  • Launch partners: ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin secured for 83 launches.

Source: TOI

Reports and Indices

1. ADB-WEF Urge Grid Upgrades for Asia’s Clean Energy Transition

• What:
  • ADB report highlights insufficient power grid investments in Asia-Pacific, hindering renewable energy integration and energy security.
• Why:
  • Modern grids are critical to meet rising energy demand, enable cross-border electricity trade, and support rapid urbanization.
• Tell me more:
  • Clean energy growth: Regional investments surged 900% since 2013, reaching $729.4 billion (45% of global total) in 2023.
  • Top performers: China, India, and seven others added over 75% renewable energy capacity in 2022.
  • Upcoming focus: ADB’s June forum will explore cross-border energy trading and grid modernization strategies.

Source: ADB

GDP Forecasts

1. IMF: World’s Top 10 Economies and GDP Ranking 2025

• What:
  • IMF lowers 2025 global growth forecast to 2.8% and projects India’s GDP at $4.39 trillion, ranking fourth globally in its World Economic Outlook, April 2025.
• Why:
  • Trade tensions and policy uncertainties prompt downward revisions, with India’s growth stable at 6.2% due to rural consumption.
• Tell me more:
  • GDP calculation: Based on consumer spending, investments, government outlays, and net exports.
  • India’s rank: Expected to become third-largest economy by 2030.

Source: IE

Awards

1. 71 Personalities Receive 2025 Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan

• What:
  • President Droupadi Murmu conferred 71 Padma Awards (4 Vibhushan, 10 Bhushan, 57 Shri) at the 2025 Civil Investiture Ceremony in New Delhi.
• Why:
  • To honor exceptional contributions across fields of art, social work, science, sports, civil service, and trade.
• Tell me more:
  • Notable recipients: D Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine), Lakshminarayana Subramaniam (Art), M.T. Vasudevan Nair (Literature, posthumous), Osamu Suzuki (Industry, posthumous).
  • Padma Bhushan: Nandamuri Balakrishna (Cinema), Shekhar Kapur (Filmmaking), Sreejesh P.R. (Hockey), Sushil Kumar Modi (Politics, posthumous).
  • Padma Shri: Ravichandran Ashwin (Cricket), Arundhati Bhattacharya (Banking), Ronu Majumdar (Music), Dr. K Omankutty Amma (Carnatic vocals), Stephen Knapp (Literature).

Source: NOA

Important Days

1. International Dance Day – April 29

Source: TOI

Sports

1. WTT Contender Tunis 2025

• What:
  • Manush Shah and Diya Chitale clinched the WTT Contender Tunis 2025 mixed doubles title, defeating Japan’s Sora Matsushima and Miwa Harimoto 3-2.
• Why:
  • The victory earns ranking points for higher-tier WTT events and marks India’s second mixed doubles title under the revamped ITTF format.
• Tell me more:
  • Previous win: Manika Batra and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran won WTT Contender Budapest in 2021.
  • Other performances: Manush reached men’s doubles semis; Diya upset Manika Batra in singles before exiting in the round of 16.

Source: OC

Memorandum of Understanding

1. IEPFA Partners with Kotak Mahindra Bank for Investor Education

• What:
  • IEPFA signed an MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank to spread investor awareness through the bank’s digital and physical platforms.
• Why:
  • To educate investors on fraud prevention and responsible investing using the bank’s nationwide reach.
• Tell me more:
  • Content: Digital banners, short films, and videos will be displayed on ATMs, apps, websites, and social media.
  • Coverage: Leverages Kotak’s 2000+ branches and 3000+ ATMs across India.
  • Timeline: Initiative to roll out in 2025-26 without financial burden on IEPFA.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Mark Carney – Canada’s New PM

Source: IE

2. Amitesh Kumar Sinha Appointed CEO of India Semiconductor Mission

• What:
  • Amitesh Kumar Sinha appointed CEO of India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), replacing Sushil Pal, ahead of its second phase launch.
• Why:
  • To lead ISM’s critical second phase, leveraging his expertise in semiconductor policy and electronics industry promotion.
• Tell me more:
  • Background: Previously joint secretary at MeitY, handling PLI schemes for mobiles, IT hardware, and semiconductors.
  • Education: Civil engineering graduate from Visvesvaraya Regional College of Engineering, Nagpur.
  • Career: 1996 Indian Railway Accounts Service officer with prior ISM leadership experience.

Source: ET

3. Axiom Space Appoints Indian-Origin Tejpaul Bhatia as CEO

• What:
  • US-based Axiom Space named Tejpaul Bhatia CEO ahead of India’s first private astronaut mission (Ax-4) involving ISRO and NASA.
• Why:
  • To accelerate next-gen space tech (spacesuits, orbital infrastructure) and lead Axiom’s goal to replace ISS with a commercial station by 2030.
• Tell me more:
  • Ax-4 Mission: Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will fly to ISS next month.
  • Bhatia’s role: Secured $1B+ contracts and partnerships (e.g., Prada for Artemis III spacesuits) as Chief Revenue Officer since 2021.

Source: TOI

4. YouTube Appoints Gunjan Soni as India Managing Director

• What:
  • YouTube appointed Gunjan Soni as India MD to lead growth and innovation, replacing Ishan Chatterjee.
• Why:
  • To strengthen creator partnerships, boost video commerce, and drive India’s digital ecosystem with her leadership expertise.
• Tell me more:
  • Background: Soni previously served as Group CEO at ZALORA and held leadership roles at Star India and Myntra.
  • Expertise: Specializes in e-commerce, marketing, and scaling digital platforms across Southeast Asia and India.

Source: BS

Miscellaneous

1. Veteran filmmaker Shaji N Karun passes away at 73

• Eminent Malayalam filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji N Karun passed away.

Source: NOA

2. Brazilian Football Legend Jair da Costa Passes Away at 84

• Jair da Costa, Inter Milan’s 1960s European Cup-winning striker, died in Osasco, Brazil, at age 84.

Source: TH

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