📊 Index & Rankings
In April 2025, Times Higher Education (THE) (London) released its 13th Asia University Rankings. IISc Bengaluru topped among Indian institutes at 38th rank (score 65.2; down from 32nd in 2024). Overall: Tsinghua University (China) topped at 92.5.
| Rank | University | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tsinghua University | China (92.5) |
| 2 | Peking University | China (92.0) |
| 3 | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore |
| 4 | Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Singapore |
| 38 (India) | IISc Bengaluru | India (65.2; ↓ from 32nd in 2024) |
| 131 | IIT-Indore | India |
| 146 | Shoolini University (2nd yr as top private Indian univ.) | India (48.1) |
| 184 | IIT-Guwahati | India |
- 2025 edition ranked 853 universities from 35 countries/territories (up from 739 in 2024)
- Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences = highest-ranked private university in India for 2nd consecutive year
THE Asia University Rankings 2025 (13th edition; 853 universities, 35 countries). Overall 1st: Tsinghua (China, 92.5). India top: IISc Bengaluru (38th, 65.2) — down from 32nd. Top private Indian univ.: Shoolini University (146th) for 2nd year. Published by THE (Times Higher Education), London.
🇮🇳 National News
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) (Noida, UP) reported a record cargo movement of 145.5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) on National Waterways in FY 2024–25, up from 18.1 MMT in FY 2013–14 — a CAGR of 20.86%.
- Top 5 commodities (constituting over 68% of total cargo): coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, and fly ash
- Passenger movement reached 1.61 crore in 2023–24
- Under MoPS&W, IWAI expanded National Waterways from 5 to 111 under the National Waterways Act, 2016
- IWAI Chairman: Vijay Kumar | HQ: Noida, UP | Est.: 1986
IWAI records 145.5 MMT cargo in FY25 — all-time high; from 18.1 MMT (FY14); CAGR 20.86%. Top commodities (68%+): coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, fly ash. National Waterways expanded: 5 → 111 (National Waterways Act, 2016). IWAI est.: 1986; Chairman: Vijay Kumar.
In April 2025, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Manjhi officially declared Similipal Tiger Reserve (Mayurbhanj district) as a National Park — making it India’s 107th National Park and Odisha’s 2nd NP after Bhitarkanika (declared NP in 1998).
- Core NP area: 845.70 sq. km (largest NP in Odisha); total spread: 2,750 sq. km (includes ~2,306 sq. km as Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Notified under Section 35(4) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Key wildlife: 360+ bird species, 55 mammal species; 40 wild tigers including the world’s only wild melanistic (black) tigers; natural habitat for 25% of Odisha’s elephant population
- Part of UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) since 2009; name derives from ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree
- Odisha Governor: Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati | Capital: Bhubaneswar
Similipal Tiger Reserve (Mayurbhanj, Odisha) = India’s 107th National Park and Odisha’s 2nd NP (after Bhitarkanika, 1998). Core area: 845.70 sq. km; total: 2,750 sq. km. Home to world’s only wild melanistic (black) tigers. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2009. Named after ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree.
On April 24, 2025, Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia (Mumbai) was honoured with the ‘Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters) — France’s highest civilian honour in arts and literature — presented by Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet, Consul General of France in Mumbai.
- Graduate of FTII (Film and Television Institute of India)
- Debut fiction feature ‘All We Imagine as Light’ (2024) (Indo-French co-production) won the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival — first Indian film in 30 years to win a major Cannes main competition award; also shortlisted as France’s official Oscar entry
- Earlier works: ‘Afternoon Clouds’ (2017) — only Indian entry at 70th Cannes | ‘A Night of Knowing Nothing’ (2021) — Oeil d’Or (Golden Eye) Award at 74th Cannes
- 2025: Golden Globe nomination for Best Director; ranked 5th in Cahiers du Cinéma‘s annual list
Payal Kapadia — France’s ‘Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ (April 24, 2025). FTII alumna. Film: ‘All We Imagine as Light’ (2024) — Grand Prix, 77th Cannes (first Indian film in 30 years). Earlier: ‘A Night of Knowing Nothing’ — Oeil d’Or, 74th Cannes (2021). 2025: Golden Globe nom for Best Director.
In April 2025, ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) announced winners of the 9th Green Airports Recognition (GAR) 2025 during its Regional Assembly in New Delhi. Three Indian airports were recognised:
- Hubballi Airport (HBX), Karnataka — Platinum award (airports handling <6 million passengers annually)
- Kempegowda International Airport (KIA/BLR), Bengaluru — GAR award + Gold Award in ACI Safety category
- Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), Kochi, Kerala — also awarded
- ACI APAC & MID: DG: Stefano Baronci | President: SGK Kishore (India) | HQ: Hong Kong SAR, China | Founded: 2006
ACI Green Airports Recognition (GAR) 2025 (9th edition): Hubballi Airport (HBX) = Platinum; KIA Bengaluru = GAR + ACI Safety Gold; CIAL Kochi also awarded. Regional Assembly in New Delhi. ACI APAC & MID President: SGK Kishore (India); HQ: Hong Kong.
Indian chess GM Koneru Humpy clinched the 5th leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix (WGP) 2024–25 held in Pune, Maharashtra (April 13–24, 2025), tying with Chinese GM Zhu Jiner at 7/9 points but winning on superior tiebreak.
- Her 8th Grand Prix title — a new world record, surpassing the previous joint record she held with China’s Hou Yifan
- In the final round, Humpy defeated Bulgarian IM Nurgyul Salimova; Indian IM Divya Deshmukh secured 3rd with 5.5 points
- FIDE WGP 2024–25: series of 6 tournaments; qualification pathway for FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026; final leg: Großlobming, Austria (May 5–16, 2025)
- FIDE President: Arkady Dvorkovich | HQ: Lausanne, Switzerland | Founded: 1924
Koneru Humpy wins FIDE WGP Pune 2025 — her 8th GP title, new world record (surpassing Hou Yifan). Score: 7/9; won on tiebreak. Divya Deshmukh (India) — 3rd. FIDE WGP 2024–25: 6-tournament series; qualifying for Women’s Candidates 2026. FIDE President: Arkady Dvorkovich; HQ: Lausanne.
💼 Business & Economy
On April 24, 2025, Edelweiss Mutual Fund (EMF) — a subsidiary of Edelweiss Financial Services Limited (EFSL) (Mumbai) — launched the ‘Edelweiss BSE Internet Economy Index Fund’ — India’s first index fund offering exposure to the BSE Internet Economy Index.
- NFO: Opens April 25, 2025; closes May 9, 2025 | Min investment: Rs 100 | Exit load: 0.10% within 30 days; nil after
- BSE Internet Economy Index: Comprises top 20 companies from BSE 500 by 6-month average market cap, covering 11 sub-industries (e-retail, internet & catalogue retail, e-learning, digital entertainment, fintech, etc.)
- Fund managers: Bhavesh Jain and Bharat Lohoti (Co-Heads of Factors Investing, EMF)
- EMF MD & CEO: Radhika Gupta | HQ: Mumbai
Edelweiss MF launches India’s first BSE Internet Economy Index Fund. Tracks BSE Internet Economy Total Return Index — top 20 companies from BSE 500; 11 sub-industries. Min investment: Rs 100. MD & CEO: Radhika Gupta. NFO: April 25–May 9, 2025.
In April 2025, the RBI cancelled the banking licence of Ajantha Urban Co-operative Bank Maryadit (Aurangabad, Maharashtra) under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- DICGC coverage: eligible depositors can claim up to Rs 5 lakh; 91.55% of depositors eligible for full amount; DICGC had already disbursed Rs 275.22 crore as of April 3, 2025
- As of March 31, 2025: 23 Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) under All-Inclusive Directions (AID); Maharashtra leads with 9 UCBs under AID, followed by Karnataka (5) and UP (4)
Separately, NABARD (Mumbai) acquired a 10% equity stake in 24×7 Moneyworks Consulting Pvt. Ltd. (Chennai) — an agri-fintech startup — marking NABARD’s first-ever investment in a bootstrapped startup. The startup’s platform eKisanCredit (eKCC) enables digital loan origination for Cooperative Banks, PACS, and RRBs.
RBI cancels licence of Ajantha Urban Co-operative Bank, Aurangabad (MH); DICGC disbursed Rs 275.22 crore; depositor limit: Rs 5 lakh. Maharashtra has most UCBs under AID: 9 (of 23 total). NABARD acquires 10% stake in 24×7 Moneyworks (Chennai) — NABARD’s first bootstrapped startup investment; platform: eKisanCredit (eKCC).
🌐 International News
In April 2025, UNDP (New York) joined the Santiago Network — an international initiative to support vulnerable countries tackling irreversible climate-induced loss and damage.
- Santiago Network established in 2019 to bring together organisations, networks, and experts to avert, minimise, and address loss & damage due to climate change
- Secretariat co-hosted by UNDRR and UNOPS in Geneva, Switzerland
- UNDP Administrator: Achim Steiner | HQ: New York | Est.: 1965
UNDP joins Santiago Network (est. 2019) for climate loss & damage support. Secretariat: co-hosted by UNDRR + UNOPS, Geneva. UNDP Administrator: Achim Steiner; Est.: 1965. Relevance: climate resilience, COP agenda, Loss and Damage Fund.
👔 Appointments
On April 23, 2025, the World Bank Group (WBG) announced the next phase of its Private Sector Investment Lab (PSIL), with Sunil Bharti Mittal (Chairman, Bharti Enterprises Limited, New Delhi) joining alongside global leaders including Bill Anderson (CEO, Bayer AG), Aliko Dangote (President & CEO, Dangote Group, Nigeria), and Mark Hoplamazian (Hyatt Hotels).
- PSIL launched in June 2023 as a collaborative initiative between WBG and global private sector leaders to scale solutions attracting private investments in developing nations
- PSIL Chair: Shriti Vadera (Chair, Prudential plc, London)
- WBG President: Ajay Banga | HQ: Washington DC | Est.: 1944
Sunil Bharti Mittal (Chairman, Bharti Enterprises) joins World Bank Group’s PSIL (Private Sector Investment Lab). PSIL launched: June 2023; Chair: Shriti Vadera (Prudential plc, London). WBG President: Ajay Banga. Other PSIL members: Aliko Dangote (Nigeria), Bill Anderson (Bayer AG).
In April 2025, the ACC made major senior bureaucratic appointments:
| Officer | New Appointment |
|---|---|
| Bhuvnesh Kumar (IAS, 1995, UP cadre) | Full-time CEO of UIDAI (was part-time since Jan 2025) |
| Abhishek Singh (IAS, 1995, Nagaland cadre) | DG, NIC + AS, MeitY (additional charge) |
| Keshav Kumar Pathak (senior IAS, Bihar cadre) | Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat |
| Jitendra Srivastava (IAS, 2000, Bihar cadre) | CMD, REC Limited (from April 22, 2025); succeeds Vivek Kumar Dewangan |
- REC Limited (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation) | HQ: New Delhi | Under: Ministry of Power | Est.: 1969
ACC appointments: Bhuvnesh Kumar (IAS, 1995, UP) = full-time CEO of UIDAI. Abhishek Singh = DG, NIC + AS, MeitY. Jitendra Srivastava (IAS, 2000, Bihar) = CMD of REC Limited (from April 22, 2025). REC: est. 1969; under Ministry of Power.
🔬 Science & Technology
On April 24, 2025, INS Surat — a P15B Guided Missile Destroyer — successfully test-fired the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) system (also known as Barak 8) in the Arabian Sea.
| System / Ship | Specifications |
|---|---|
| MR-SAM (Barak 8) | Joint development: DRDO (India) + IAI (Israel); Range: up to 70 km; counters sea-skimming threats; length: 4.5 m, weight: ~275 kg; 60 kg pre-fragmented warhead; first test: 2016 |
| INS Surat (P15B) | 4th and final ship of Project 15B (Visakhapatnam-class); 164 m long, ~7,400 tonnes; speed >30 knots; 75% indigenous manufacturing |
- Indian Navy CNS: Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi | HQ: New Delhi | Est.: 1950
INS Surat (P15B) test-fires MR-SAM (Barak 8) in Arabian Sea (April 24, 2025). MR-SAM: joint DRDO + IAI (Israel); range 70 km; counters sea-skimming threats. INS Surat: 4th & final P15B destroyer; 75% indigenous; 7,400 tonnes, 164 m, >30 knots.
On April 24, 2025, China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed mission to the Tiangong Space Station aboard a Long March-2F rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base, carrying 3 astronauts for a 6-month stay — China’s 9th crewed mission to Tiangong.
- Crew: Commander Chen Dong (46; 3rd spaceflight; record for longest cumulative stay in space by a Chinese national — 200+ days) | Chen Zhongrui (40; 1st mission) | Wang Jie (35; 1st mission)
- Mission: Experiments in physics, life sciences, regenerative biology (using planarians — aquatic flatworms); install space debris protection systems; replace the Shenzhou-19 crew (returning April 29, 2025)
- Tiangong Space Station: Fully operational since October 2022; T-shaped design — 3 modules: Tianhe, Wentian, Mengtian; mass ~100 metric tonnes; orbits at 340–450 km (LEO); operated by CMSA (China Manned Space Agency)
Shenzhou-20 launched April 24, 2025 — China’s 9th crewed Tiangong mission; Long March-2F, Jiuquan. Commander: Chen Dong (record: 200+ days cumulative). Tiangong: operational since October 2022; 3 modules: Tianhe, Wentian, Mengtian; ~100 tonnes; LEO 340–450 km.
In April 2025, the Centre for Peninsular Aquatic Genetic Resources (PAGR), Kochi (a regional unit of ICAR-NBFGR, Lucknow) identified two new freshwater fish species from rivers of the Western Ghats, published in the Indian Journal of Fisheries.
- Labeo uru: Discovered in Chandragiri River, Karnataka; named after the traditional wooden dhow (‘uru’) due to its sail-like elongated dorsal fin
- Labeo chekida: Found in Chalakudy River, Kerala; small, dark-bodied; locally known as ‘kaka chekida’
- Team led by V.S. Basheer resolved a 150-year-old taxonomic confusion around Labeo nigrescens (first described in 1870)
- Both species are endemic to their respective river systems; conservation urgency due to dams and habitat destruction
- ICAR-NBFGR HQ: Lucknow, UP | Est.: 1983
Two new freshwater fish species from Western Ghats: Labeo uru (Chandragiri River, Karnataka; named after ‘uru’ dhow) and Labeo chekida (Chalakudy River, Kerala). By ICAR-NBFGR PAGR, Kochi. Both endemic. Resolved 150-year taxonomic confusion around Labeo nigrescens. Published in Indian Journal of Fisheries.
📅 Important Days
| Observance | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| World Malaria Day (April 25) | By WHO; established at WHA 2007; first observed: April 25, 2008. Theme 2025: ‘Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite’. Origin: Africa Malaria Day (2001) from the Abuja Declaration (44 malaria-endemic countries). WHO DG: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus |
| International Delegate’s Day (April 25) | 6th observance (2025). Established by UNGA Resolution A/RES/73/286 (April 2019); inaugural: April 25, 2020. Commemorates opening of San Francisco Conference (April 25, 1945) that led to founding of the UN |
| World Penguin Day (April 25) | Since April 25, 1972 (McMurdo Station, Antarctica — annual Adelie Penguin migration). Covers all 18 penguin species; 11 listed as IUCN Globally Threatened. Related: Penguin Awareness Day (January 20) |
April 25 observances: (1) World Malaria Day (WHO; WHA 2007; first 2008; origin: Africa Malaria Day 2001, Abuja Declaration; theme 2025: ‘Malaria Ends With Us’); (2) International Delegate’s Day (6th; UNGA A/RES/73/286 (2019); marks San Francisco Conference, April 25, 1945); (3) World Penguin Day (since 1972; 18 species; 11 IUCN threatened).
On April 26, 2025, Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan — former ISRO Chairman — passed away at the age of 84 in Bengaluru. Born October 24, 1940, Ernakulam, Kerala.
- Began space science career at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad (1969); led ISRO as Chairman from 1994 to 2003
- Directed successful development and launch of PSLV and GSLV; initiated Chandrayaan-1 mission
- Awards: Padma Shri (1982) | Padma Bhushan (1992) | Padma Vibhushan (2000)
Also, former Australia cricket vice-captain and opener Keith Raymond Stackpole passed away at the age of 84 in Melbourne, Australia. Born July 10, 1940, Victoria.
- Played 43 Tests (1966–1974); scored 2,807 Test runs at avg 37.42 including 7 centuries; Ashes average: 50.6 in 13 Tests; high score: 207 vs England at the Gabba (1970)
- Named Wisden’s Cricketer of the Year in 1973
Dr. K. Kasturirangan — former ISRO Chairman (1994–2003); passed at 84 in Bengaluru. Awards: Padma Vibhushan (2000). Led PSLV, GSLV; initiated Chandrayaan-1. Keith Stackpole (Australia) — Test cricket opener; 2,807 Test runs; Wisden Cricketer of Year 1973; Ashes HS 207 vs England (1970).
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