🇮🇳 National News
In April 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (MeitY) inaugurated VVDN Technologies’ largest Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Line and Mechanical Innovation Park at its Global Innovation Park, Manesar, Haryana, and showcased India’s 1st fully designed AI server — ‘Adipoli’ (equipped with 8 GPUs).
| Facility | Key Specs |
|---|---|
| SMT Line | PCB max size: 850 mm × 560 mm; speed: 2,50,000 components/hour (CPH) |
| Mechanical Innovation Park | Area: 1,50,000 sq. ft; mold & tool-making, wire-cut machines, injection molding; expected 3,000+ new jobs |
- India’s electronics manufacturing sector: grown 5× in 6 years (total: Rs 11 lakh crore); exports grown 6× to Rs 3.25+ lakh crore; employs 25+ lakh people
- MeitY Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw (RS, Odisha) | MoS: Jitin Prasada (Pilibhit, UP)
VVDN Technologies — largest SMT Line + Mechanical Innovation Park inaugurated at Manesar, Haryana by Ashwini Vaishnaw (MeitY). India’s 1st fully designed AI server ‘Adipoli’ (8 GPUs) showcased. India electronics: 5× growth in 6 years (Rs 11 lakh crore); exports 6× (Rs 3.25+ lakh crore); 25+ lakh employed.
In April 2025, CREDAI (Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India) signed an MoU with NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) and QCI (Quality Council of India), both New Delhi-based, to strengthen workforce skills in India’s construction and real estate sector.
- MoU signed at CREDAI’s leadership transition ceremony where Shekhar G Patel assumed the role of CREDAI President (2025–2027)
- Focus: industry-aligned training, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), job placements, sustainable employment, and green building techniques
- CREDAI–Colliers ‘Sustainability in Real Estate’ Report: ~66% of India’s Grade A office stock is now green-certified; Hyderabad leads at 75% penetration; industrial & logistics leasing in green buildings rose 20% in 2024 to 492 lakh sq. ft across 6 cities
- CREDAI: India’s apex body for private real estate developers; 13,000+ developers across 230 city chapters in 21 states | President: Shekhar G Patel | Est.: 1999
CREDAI + NSDC + QCI MoU for real estate skill development. New CREDAI President (2025–27): Shekhar G Patel. CREDAI–Colliers report: 66% of Grade A office stock green-certified; Hyderabad leads (75%). CREDAI est.: 1999; 13,000+ developers, 230 city chapters, 21 states.
As per the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), India’s first 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu is expected to attain first criticality by March 2026 and be fully operationalised by September 2026.
- Marks the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme — designed to recycle spent fuel and reduce radioactive waste; AERB granted permission for first criticality approach in July 2024
- Fuel: Plutonium (Pu)-based mixed oxide | Coolant: liquid sodium (Na) | Also uses spent fuel from PHWRs (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors)
- Developed by BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam, Chennai — PSU)
| India Nuclear Power | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Current installed capacity | 8.18 GW |
| Under construction / near completion | 7.30 GW |
| Approved pre-project phase | 7.00 GW |
| Projected by 2031–32 | 22.48 GW |
| Long-term target (by 2047) | 100 GW |
- NPCIL Chairman: Bhuwan Chandra Pathak | Established: 1987
PFBR (500 MW) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu — first criticality by March 2026; operational by September 2026. Represents Stage 2 of India’s 3-stage nuclear programme. Fuel: Pu-based mixed oxide; Coolant: liquid sodium. Developer: BHAVINI (Chennai). India nuclear target: 100 GW by 2047; current: 8.18 GW.
In April 2025, CENJOWS (Centre for Joint Warfare Studies) under HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with Pentagon Press (New Delhi), organised the 2nd Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
- Theme 2025: ‘Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms’ — focusing on Defence Technology, Future Warfare, and Defence Manufacturing
- Key discussions: Role of AI, quantum computing, cyber technologies, drones, space technology, and semiconductors in future warfare; Aatmanirbharta in defence; Acquisition & Procurement Reforms
- Context: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ to fast-track India’s evolution into a combat-ready, tech-driven force
‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ — 2nd Defence Literature Festival by CENJOWS (under HQ IDS, MoD) at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. Theme: ‘Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms’. Rajnath Singh declared 2025 = ‘Year of Reforms’ in defence. Focus: AI, quantum computing, drones, space, semiconductors.
The Indian Army successfully concluded ARMEX-24 — a 28-day high-altitude adventure expedition — on April 14, 2025, covering 146 km from the dense jungles of Northern West Bengal to the snow-clad heights of Sikkim.
- Duration: March 22 to April 14, 2025 (including 10 days of acclimatisation); 18 days of active movement
- Team: 20 military personnel; altitude range: sub-tropical jungles to above 14,000 feet
- Tested physical endurance and mental resilience in low-oxygen, high-stress environments
ARMEX-24 — Indian Army 28-day high-altitude expedition; concluded April 14, 2025. Route: Northern West Bengal jungles → Sikkim heights (146 km). Duration: March 22–April 14, 2025; team of 20 personnel; max altitude: above 14,000 ft.
In April 2025, CDS General Anil Chauhan felicitated 5 Armed Forces personnel with the MacGregor Memorial Medal at the United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi, for exceptional contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration, and adventure activities.
| Year | Awardee | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Wg Cdr D. Panda | IAF |
| EA(R) Rahul Kumar Pandey (Retd.) | Indian Navy | |
| 2024 | CHEAA(R) Ram Ratan Jat (Retd.) | Indian Navy |
| Sgt Jhumar Ram Poonia | IAF | |
| Col Ranvir Singh Jamwal (Director, NIMAS, Arunachal Pradesh) | Indian Army |
- Book ‘Bravest of the Brave: The Extraordinary Story of Indian VCs of World War I’ also launched, authored by Lt Gen Satish Dua (Retd.), former CISC
- MacGregor Memorial Medal: Instituted July 3, 1888; honours Maj Gen Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor (founder of USI, 1870); scope expanded in 1986 to include military expeditions; 127 medals awarded to date (103 pre-independence)
- USI Director: Maj Gen BK Sharma (Retd.) | USI Founded: 1870
MacGregor Memorial Medal (2023 & 2024 awards) — presented by CDS Gen. Anil Chauhan at USI, New Delhi. Medal instituted: July 3, 1888; honours Maj Gen Sir Charles MacGregor (USI founder, 1870). Scope expanded: 1986. Total awarded: 127. USI Founded: 1870.
🌐 International News
In April 2025, manuscripts of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra were included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MoW) Register. India’s total MoW inscriptions now stand at 14.
- Both manuscripts preserved by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI), Pune, Maharashtra
- UNESCO MoW 2025 update: 74 new collections added from 72 countries and 4 international organisations; total inscriptions now 570
- Bhagavad Gita: Sacred Sanskrit text attributed to sage Vyasa; 700 verses across 18 chapters, embedded in the 6th book (Bhishma Parva) of the Mahabharata
- Natyashastra: Attributed to sage Bharata Muni; ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts comprising 36,000 verses
- UNESCO DG: Audrey Azoulay | HQ: Paris, France | Established: 1945
Bhagavad Gita & Natyashastra added to UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) Register. Custodian: BORI, Pune, Maharashtra. India’s total MoW inscriptions: 14. MoW 2025: 74 new collections, 570 total. Gita: 700 verses, 18 chapters, Bhishma Parva of Mahabharata. Natyashastra: 36,000 verses by Bharata Muni.
In April 2025, the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) was held in Brasilia, Brazil — the first AMM of the expanded BRICS with 11 member countries. India led by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan (MoA&FW).
- Theme: ‘Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture through Cooperation, Innovation, and Equitable Trade Among BRICS Countries’
- BRICS launched a new initiative — ‘BRICS Land Restoration Partnership’ — to address land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility loss
- India invited BRICS nations to participate in World Food India 2025 and the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit 2025
- India will hold the BRICS 2026 Presidency
- BRICS countries account for 47% of world population and 36% of global GDP
- Brazil President: Lula da Silva | Capital: Brasilia | Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)
15th BRICS AMM — Brasilia, Brazil; first AMM with 11 BRICS members. India: Shivraj Singh Chouhan. New initiative: ‘BRICS Land Restoration Partnership’. India holds BRICS 2026 Presidency. BRICS: 47% of world population, 36% of global GDP.
In April 2025, the Government of India announced financial assistance of USD 990,000 (~Rs 8.26 crore) to Sierra Leone for the project ‘Enabling Economic Independence for Specially Abled Persons in Sierra Leone’, under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.
- Components: Refurbishing training centres, skill-based curriculum, assistive technologies, loan programs, and work cooperatives for differently-abled persons
- India’s total development cooperation with Sierra Leone through ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development LoC: USD 250 million
- Over 450 Sierra Leone students have received online education via Pan-African e-Network (e-VBAB)
- India-UN Development Partnership Fund (est. June 2017): total commitment of USD 150 million; supports 86 projects across 65 countries
India grants USD 990,000 to Sierra Leone for economic inclusion of specially-abled persons under India-UN Development Partnership Fund (est. June 2017; USD 150 mn total; 86 projects, 65 countries). India–Sierra Leone LoC via ECOWAS Bank: USD 250 mn. e-Learning: 450+ students via Pan-African e-Network (e-VBAB).
In April 2025, Qatar-based Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year for her image of nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, a Gazan boy who lost both arms in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City in March 2024.
- Photograph captured for The New York Times (NYT); winners announced at the World Press Photo Exhibition in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Exhibition will tour 60+ locations worldwide; winning photographer receives a cash prize of €10,000
- WPP Executive Director: Joumana El Zein Khoury | HQ: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Founded: 1955
World Press Photo of the Year 2025: Samar Abu Elouf (Qatar-based Palestinian) — image of 9-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour (Gaza, lost both arms). Captured for The New York Times. Prize: €10,000. WPP HQ: Amsterdam; Founded: 1955.
📅 Important Days
World Liver Day (WLD) is observed annually on April 19 to create awareness about liver health and promote prevention and management of liver-related diseases.
- Theme for WLD 2025: ‘Food is Medicine’ — emphasising the role of nutrition in maintaining liver health
- WLD first launched in India in 2019; expanded to a global observance in 2023
- ~20 lakh (2 million) people die annually from liver-related illnesses globally
- Cirrhosis = 11th leading cause of death globally | Liver cancer = 16th worldwide and 10th in India
World Liver Day: April 19. Theme 2025: ‘Food is Medicine’. First in India: 2019; global since: 2023. Annual liver deaths: ~2 million. Cirrhosis = 11th leading cause of death globally. Liver cancer = 16th globally, 10th in India.
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