📊 Index & Rankings
India ranked 36th among 170 countries in the UNCTAD 2025 Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index, showing significant improvement from 48th rank in 2022.
Retain the movement: 48 → 36 and the source: UNCTAD. Ranking changes are asked as direct comparison questions.
Quick revision: India improved to 36th in UNCTAD’s 2025 Frontier Technologies readiness index (from 48th in 2022).
According to the Ookla Speedtest Global Index (February 2025), Mumbai ranked 123rd globally with 58.24 Mbps download speed—the slowest among major Indian cities. Delhi ranked 89th globally with 91.11 Mbps.
India’s average performance stood at 61.66 Mbps download, 57.89 Mbps upload, and 7 ms latency. Mumbai’s lower ranking is attributed to its dense population and challenging urban layout.
| City/Country | Global Rank | Download Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 123 | 58.24 Mbps |
| Delhi | 89 | 91.11 Mbps |
| India Average | — | 61.66 Mbps (↓) / 57.89 Mbps (↑) |
Memorise: Mumbai 123rd (58.24 Mbps); Delhi 89th (91.11 Mbps); India averages. Indices are high-frequency; numbers are the scoring edge.
Quick revision: Ookla (Feb 2025): Mumbai 123rd at 58.24 Mbps; Delhi 89th at 91.11 Mbps; India avg 61.66 Mbps.
🇮🇳 National News
PM Modi undertook a two-day visit to Thailand to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. The summit focused on enhancing regional trade, transportation connectivity, and economic partnerships among member nations.
After the summit, PM Modi was scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral ties.
BIMSTEC = Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. Watch for themes: regional grouping + connectivity + trade. Regional blocs frequently appear in IR questions, especially around trade and connectivity.
Quick revision: PM Modi joined the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, focused on trade, connectivity and partnerships.
The Centre did not release Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal for FY 2024-25, despite approved allocations.
This information was shared by Minister of State for Education Jayant Choudhary in a written reply to CPI(M) MP John Brittas in the Rajya Sabha.
SSA = Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (school education scheme umbrella). Remember: states + FY 2024-25 + who disclosed + where. Funding and centre-state issues are common governance/economy themes.
Quick revision: SSA funds for FY 2024-25 were not disbursed to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Chapata chilli from Thimmapur (united Warangal district, Telangana) received the GI tag. It is known for its bright red colour and mild pungency, with an oleoresin content of 6.37% to 6.75%.
The GI tag is expected to boost farmers through improved market value and global appeal.
GI tags: product ↔ place ↔ distinctive quality (often asked). Retain the oleoresin range as a number-based fact. GI-tag questions are direct and frequent in prelims.
Quick revision: Chapata chilli of Thimmapur (Warangal) got GI tag; oleoresin 6.37%-6.75%.
At the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Brasília, Brazil, India urged stronger action for the 2030 Climate Agenda and the 17 UN-adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
India emphasized strengthening climate finance and mobilising $1.3 trillion in support. The Indian delegation was led by Amandeep Garg, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Link: BRICS + environment + financing. Key number: $1.3 trillion. Climate finance is a high-yield topic across Prelims and Mains.
Quick revision: India urged stronger BRICS climate action and highlighted the need to mobilise $1.3 trillion in support.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) granted GI tags to seven items from West Bengal:
- Nolen Gur Sandesh
- Murshidabad Chhanabora
- Bishnupur Motichur Laddu
- Kamarpukur Sada Bonde
- Malda Nistari Silk Yarn
- Radhunipagal Rice
- Baruipur Guava
These lists are asked as “which of the following got GI tag?” Remember the authority: DPIIT. GI tag lists are quick-scoring if revised well.
Quick revision: DPIIT granted GI tags to seven West Bengal products including Nolen Gur Sandesh and Baruipur Guava.
PM Modi received Mithra Vibhushana in Colombo, described as Sri Lanka’s most prestigious civilian award. The honour was conferred by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The award includes a citation and a silver medal featuring local gems and symbols like the Dharma Chakra and Pun Kalasa. PM Modi dedicated it to India’s 1.4 billion citizens, calling it a symbol of India-Sri Lanka friendship.
Remember: award name + country + conferring authority + place. High-level honours are often asked in IR-focused CA.
Quick revision: PM Modi was conferred Sri Lanka’s top civilian honour, Mithra Vibhushana, in Colombo.
💼 Business & Economy
State Bank of India (SBI) and Citi Bank launched a $295 million social loan targeting India’s smallholder farmers. The purpose is to improve their financial well-being and boost productivity through better access to resources and funding.
“Social loan” questions often test amount + target beneficiaries. Agriculture finance is a recurring theme in banking/economy CA.
Quick revision: SBI and Citi launched a $295 million social loan for India’s smallholder farmers.
UltraTech will acquire 6.42 crore equity shares of ₹10 each in Wonder WallCare for a deal value of ₹235 crore. The transaction is subject to approvals and expected to complete within 90 days.
The strategy aims to expand UltraTech’s white cement and wall putty business.
Keep: shares + face value + total consideration + timeline. Corporate acquisitions are common under business current affairs.
Quick revision: UltraTech to buy 6.42 crore shares (₹10 each) in Wonder WallCare for ₹235 crore, likely within 90 days.
HIL Ltd has been renamed BirlaNu Limited. The rebrand reflects the company’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and quality in building materials.
The company has a presence in India and Europe and operates from its base in Hyderabad, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. It has a legacy of over 80 years.
Rebranding questions: old name → new name is the main test point. Company name changes are frequently used as short factual MCQs.
Quick revision: HIL Ltd has been renamed BirlaNu Limited.
👔 Appointments
NASA and partners finalised the crew for Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, expected to launch in Spring 2025 from Florida to the International Space Station (ISS).
Shubhanshu Shukla will be part of the mission—stated as the first ISRO astronaut to travel to the ISS.
Remember: Ax-4, Spring 2025, Florida, ISS, and the “first” claim. Space missions and “firsts” are popular MCQ material.
Quick revision: Shubhanshu Shukla is named in the Ax-4 crew, set for a Spring 2025 ISS launch from Florida.
📅 Important Days
National Maritime Day is observed in India on April 5 to honour maritime professionals and seafarers who support global trade. The theme for this year is “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”
Days & themes are classic one-liner questions. Themes often appear as match-the-following MCQs.
Quick revision: National Maritime Day is observed on April 5; theme: “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”
Samata Diwas is observed on April 5 to mark the birth anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram, a freedom fighter and social justice advocate affectionately called “Babuji.”
He served 50 years as a Member of Parliament and over 30 years as a Union Minister. The day is observed as a public holiday in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Remember: date + person + public holiday states. Important days tied to leaders are asked in both CA and polity-social justice themes.
Quick revision: Samata Diwas (Apr 5) commemorates Babu Jagjivan Ram; observed as a public holiday in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
🕊️ Obituaries
Actor-director Manoj Kumar passed away on April 4, 2025, aged 87. Known as ‘Bharat Kumar’, he was celebrated for his patriotic films like Purab Aur Paschim. He retired from acting in 1999.
His notable awards include the Padma Shri (1992), National Film Award, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2015).
Obituary recall: name + age + key film identity + major awards. Prominent obituary entries can be asked in objective CA.
Quick revision: Manoj Kumar (‘Bharat Kumar’) died at 87; known for Purab Aur Paschim; Padma Shri (1992), Dadasaheb Phalke (2015).
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