🇮🇳 National News
In April 2025, the Government of Maharashtra signed an MoU with IBM India Private Limited (Bengaluru; subsidiary of IBM Corporation, New York) at Mantralaya, Mumbai in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, to boost administrative transformation using AI, Hybrid Cloud, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity.
| AI Centre of Excellence | City | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Geospatial Analytics CoE | Mumbai | GIS + satellite data for urban planning & disaster management |
| Forensic Science Infrastructure CoE | Pune | AI in criminal investigations & justice delivery |
| MARVEL platform CoE | Nagpur | Monitoring, Accountability, Regulation, Vigilance, Enforcement & Legality — AI-driven law enforcement & governance |
- IBM training for govt employees and students in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity; MSME AI adoption support; inclusive skilling for differently-abled youth via sign language-based education and tailored ITI courses
- IBM India HQ: Bengaluru, Karnataka | MD: Sandip Patel
Maharashtra–IBM India MoU for AI-based governance transformation. Three AI CoEs: Mumbai (Geospatial Analytics), Pune (Forensic Science), Nagpur (MARVEL — law enforcement AI). Signed at Mantralaya, Mumbai; CM Devendra Fadnavis. IBM India HQ: Bengaluru; MD: Sandip Patel.
In April 2025, MAHAGENCO (Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited, Mumbai) signed an MoU with ROSATOM (State Atomic Energy Corporation, Moscow, Russia) for the joint development of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) using thorium fuel, in the presence of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.
- Objective: Jointly develop, commercialise, and establish a thorium-based SMR in Maharashtra, in compliance with AERB safety standards and GoI regulations
- Governance: Joint working group of MAHAGENCO, ROSATOM, MITRA (Maharashtra Institution for Transformation), and Global Technology Alliance; follows protocols of DAE and AERB
- MAHAGENCO established: 2005; formerly known as Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB)
MAHAGENCO + ROSATOM (Russia) MoU for India’s first thorium-based SMR (Small Modular Reactor) in Maharashtra. Regulatory bodies: AERB, DAE. Governance: MAHAGENCO, ROSATOM, MITRA, Global Technology Alliance. MAHAGENCO est.: 2005 (formerly MSEB). CM: Devendra Fadnavis.
In April 2025, Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu was elected as Chairperson of the newly formed Athletes Commission of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) — the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari.
- Two-time CWG gold medallist Sathish Kumar Sivalingam appointed Vice-Chairperson; both serve a 4-year term
- IWLF Athletes Commission formed in 2025 to represent athletes’ interests and address athlete welfare
| Mirabai Chanu’s Key Achievements | Details |
|---|---|
| Olympics | Silver — 49 kg, Tokyo 2020; total lift: 210 kg |
| Commonwealth Games | Gold — 2018 (Gold Coast) & 2022 (Birmingham) |
| World Championships | Gold (2017) and Silver (2022) |
| National Records (49 kg) | 88 kg (snatch) and 119 kg (clean & jerk) |
Mirabai Chanu elected Chairperson, IWLF Athletes Commission (2025). 2nd Indian weightlifter to win Olympic medal (after Karnam Malleswari). Olympic: Silver, 49 kg, Tokyo 2020 (210 kg total). CWG Gold: 2018 & 2022. Vice-Chair: Sathish Kumar Sivalingam (2× CWG gold).
In April 2025, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) appointed Rohit Sharma as Brand Ambassador for T20 Mumbai League Season 3, commencing May 26, 2025 — after a 6-year hiatus since 2019.
- Season 3 icon players (via lottery): Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw (8 players total)
- 8 teams: Sobo Mumbai Falcons | Mumbai South Central | North Mumbai Panthers | ARCS Andheri | Triumph Knights Mumbai North East | Namo Bandra Blasters | Eagle Thane Strikers | Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs
| Wankhede Stand | New Name |
|---|---|
| Grand Stand Level 3 | Sharad Pawar Stand |
| Grand Stand Level 4 | Ajit Wadekar Stand |
| Vithal Divecha Pavilion Level 3 | Rohit Sharma Stand |
| MCA Office Lounge | Dedicated in memory of Amol Kale (former MCA President) |
- Renaming approved at the MCA 86th AGM (April 16, 2025) | MCA President: Ajinkya Naik | MCA Founded: 1930
Rohit Sharma = Brand Ambassador of T20 Mumbai League Season 3 (from May 26, 2025). MCA 86th AGM (April 16, 2025) renamed Wankhede stands: Sharad Pawar Stand (GS Level 3), Ajit Wadekar Stand (GS Level 4), Rohit Sharma Stand (VD Pavilion Level 3). MCA President: Ajinkya Naik; Founded: 1930.
In April 2025, the Maharashtra State Wildlife Board (SBWL) approved the declaration of the 30-acre DPS Flamingo Lake in Navi Mumbai as a Conservation Reserve — the first wetland linked to Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) to receive such protection. The board meeting was chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis and attended by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik.
- The lake plays a critical role for flamingos during high tide, when they move from TCFS to rest and feed
- SBWL also approved the expansion of Bor Wildlife Sanctuary (Wardha District, Maharashtra) with 5 new villages added: Garamsur, Yenidodka, Methiraji, Umarvihori, and Maraksur
DPS Flamingo Lake, Navi Mumbai (30 acres) declared Conservation Reserve — first wetland linked to Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) with this status. Approved by Maharashtra SBWL under CM Devendra Fadnavis. Also: Bor Wildlife Sanctuary (Wardha, Maharashtra) expanded with 5 new villages.
💼 Business & Economy
In April 2025, CRISIL Limited (Mumbai; formerly Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited) projected India’s GDP to grow by 6.5% in FY26, while cautioning that escalating US tariffs pose a significant downside risk.
- Growth drivers: RBI rate cuts enhancing consumer spending and private investment; income tax relief; easing inflation; normal monsoon boosting rural incomes; potential decline in global crude oil prices
- IIP growth: averaged 4.0% in Q4 FY25 (in line with 4.1% in Q3); manufacturing sub-sectors like petroleum products, machinery, and textiles showed improved performance in H2 FY25
CRISIL (Mumbai; formerly Credit Rating Information Services of India Ltd.) projects India FY26 GDP at 6.5%. Downside risk: US tariffs. Growth drivers: RBI rate cuts, tax relief, normal monsoon, lower crude prices. IIP: 4.0% in Q4 FY25.
🌐 International News
In April 2025, 194 member states of the WHO finalised the draft text of a landmark Pandemic Agreement after 3 years of negotiations, aimed at strengthening global coordination to prevent and respond to future pandemics.
- Drafted by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established by the World Health Assembly (WHA) in December 2021
- Draft to be presented at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), Geneva, Switzerland (May 19–27, 2025) for final approval
- Key provisions: PABS (Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing) system; One Health approach (linking human, animal & environmental health); technology/knowledge transfer for pandemic products; a coordinating financial mechanism for pandemic preparedness
- Sovereignty clause: WHO cannot mandate travel bans, lockdowns, vaccinations, or override domestic laws
WHO Pandemic Agreement draft finalised by 194 member states after 3 years. Body: Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) (est. WHA, December 2021). Final approval: 78th WHA, Geneva (May 19–27, 2025). Key: PABS system, One Health approach, sovereignty clause (WHO cannot mandate lockdowns/vaccines).
👔 Appointments
On April 16, 2025, Serbia’s parliament appointed Duro Macut — a 61-year-old endocrinologist with no prior political experience — as the new Prime Minister of Serbia, receiving 153 votes out of 199 participating MPs in the 250-seat parliament.
- Succeeded former PM Milos Vucevic (President, Serbian Progressive Party — SNS), who resigned on January 28, 2025 after SNS members assaulted a student protester in Novi Sad
- Nominated by President Aleksandar Vucic (serving since 2017); Macut is Deputy Director at the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Center of Serbia, and a full professor at University of Belgrade Medical School
- President of the Serbian Society for Reproductive Endocrinology; member of the Executive Board of the European Society of Endocrinology
- Awarded the Order of Karađorđe Star (3rd-highest state order of Serbia) in 2024
- Serbia President: Aleksandar Vucic | Capital: Belgrade | Currency: Serbian Dinar (RSD)
Duro Macut — new PM of Serbia (from April 16, 2025); 153/199 votes. Nominated by President Aleksandar Vucic. Succeeded Milos Vucevic (resigned Jan 28, 2025). Background: endocrinologist, University of Belgrade Medical School. Serbia Capital: Belgrade; Currency: Serbian Dinar (RSD).
In April 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved a major bureaucratic reshuffle across key ministries:
| Officer | New Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arvind Shrivastava (IAS, 1994, Karnataka) | Secretary, Department of Revenue (DoR), MoF | Replaces Manoj Govil (moved to Cabinet Secretariat) |
| Vumlunmang Vualnam (IAS, 1992, Manipur) | Secretary, Department of Expenditure (DoE), MoF | Moves from Secretary, MoCA |
| Anuradha Thakur (IAS, 1994, HP) | OSD → Secretary, DEA, MoF | Takes over after Ajay Seth’s superannuation on June 30, 2025 |
| Bharat Lal (IFoS, GJ:1988, Retd.) | Secretary General, NHRC | Tenure extended on contract for 1 year beyond June 30, 2025 |
ACC reshuffle (April 2025): Arvind Shrivastava → Secretary, DoR, MoF; Vumlunmang Vualnam → Secretary, DoE, MoF; Anuradha Thakur → will take over as Secretary, DEA, MoF after Ajay Seth’s retirement (June 30, 2025). Bharat Lal (NHRC SG) tenure extended 1 year.
In April 2025, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (Beijing, China) appointed Ajay Bhushan Pandey as Vice President of Investment Solutions, overseeing three departments: STF (Sectors, Themes & Finance Solutions), SFD (Sustainability & Fiduciary Solutions), and PMD (Portfolio Management).
- A Maharashtra cadre IAS officer (retired February 2021); previously served as India’s Finance Secretary, Revenue Secretary (MoF), Chairperson of NFRA, and Chairman of GSTN
- Key contributions: Aadhaar, UPI, GSTN, National Infrastructure Pipeline
- AIIB: Established 2016 | 110 member countries | Total capital: USD 100 billion | India = 2nd largest shareholder after China
Ajay Bhushan Pandey appointed VP (Investment Solutions), AIIB. Former: Finance Secretary & Revenue Secretary (MoF), NFRA Chairperson, GSTN Chairman. Key initiatives: Aadhaar, UPI, GSTN. AIIB: est. 2016; 110 members; capital USD 100 bn; India = 2nd largest shareholder (after China).
🔬 Science & Technology
In April 2025, Google (Mountain View, California, USA) launched its 7th-generation AI chip — ‘Ironwood’ — designed primarily for inference computing (generating rapid AI responses).
| Ironwood Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) | 192 GB |
| Memory bandwidth per chip | 7.2 Tbps (4.5× over Trillium) |
| Scale: chips per pod | 9,216 chips |
| Computing power (at scale) | 42.5 exaflops |
| Comparison | Surpasses El Capitan (world’s fastest supercomputer as of Nov 2024, at 2.79 exaflops) |
- Built on Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs); currently available exclusively for Google engineers or via Google Cloud services
Google’s 7th-gen AI chip ‘Ironwood’ — focus: inference computing. Specs: 192 GB HBM, 7.2 Tbps bandwidth. At scale (9,216 chips): 42.5 exaflops — surpasses El Capitan (2.79 exaflops), world’s fastest supercomputer (Nov 2024). Built on TPU architecture; available via Google Cloud.
📤 Found this useful? Help your friends stay updated too!
