🇮🇳 National News
In April 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, dedicating and laying the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi, UP.
| Project Category | Key Details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Road Infrastructure | Ring Road–Sarnath bridge; flyovers at Bhikharipur & Manduadih; highway underpass tunnel on NH-31 near Varanasi International Airport | > Rs 980 crore |
| Power (Inaugurated) | Two 400 kV + one 220 kV transmission substations for Jaunpur, Chandauli & Ghazipur districts | > Rs 1,045 crore |
| Power (Foundation Stone) | 220 kV substation at Chaukaghat; 132 kV substation in Ghazipur; Varanasi city distribution augmentation | > Rs 775 crore |
- In MP, PM Modi visited Anandpur Dham, Ashoknagar district and performed pooja at the Guru Ji Maharaj Temple in Isagarh
- UP CM: Yogi Aditya Nath | Governor: Anandiben Patel
PM Modi inaugurates >Rs 3,880 crore projects in Varanasi, UP. Road: tunnel on NH-31 (~Rs 980 cr). Power: 400 kV & 220 kV substations for Jaunpur, Chandauli, Ghazipur (~Rs 1,045 cr). Foundation stones: 220 kV (Chaukaghat) & 132 kV (Ghazipur) substations (~Rs 775 cr). UP CM: Yogi Aditya Nath; Governor: Anandiben Patel.
In April 2025, NITI Aayog released the report ‘Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains’ — the second in its GVC report series — launched by Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog.
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| India’s global rank (automobile production) | 4th (after China, USA, Japan) |
| Annual automobile unit production | ~6 million units |
| Total vehicles produced (FY2023–24) | 28 million+ |
| Contribution to India’s GDP | 7.1% |
| Contribution to manufacturing GDP | 49% |
| India’s share in global auto component trade | ~3% (~USD 20 billion) |
| Component production target (2030) | USD 145 billion |
| Component export target (2030) | USD 60 billion (3× current USD 20 bn) |
NITI Aayog report: India = world’s 4th largest automobile producer (after China, USA, Japan); ~6 mn units/year; 28 mn+ vehicles in FY24. Sector: 7.1% of GDP, 49% of manufacturing GDP. Auto component exports: currently ~USD 20 bn (3% global share); target USD 60 bn by 2030. Report launched by Suman Bery (VC, NITI Aayog).
In April 2025, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MoI&B) signed an MoU with the Government of Maharashtra and MFSCDCL to establish India’s first Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) institute — to be named the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT).
- Location: Dadasaheb Phalke Film City, Goregaon, Mumbai | Model: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) | Structure: Section 8 (not-for-profit) company under the Companies Act, 2013
- Equity structure: GoI — 34% | Maharashtra (via MFSCDCL) — 14% | FICCI & CII — 52% (equally shared)
- GoI initial grant: Rs 391.15 crore for infrastructure | MFSCDCL allocated a 10-acre plot on a 30-year lease
- Initially operates from a temporary campus at NFDC premises, Mumbai
- MoU signed in presence of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (MoI&B)
IICT (Indian Institute of Creative Technologies) — India’s first AVGC-XR institute. Location: Dadasaheb Phalke Film City, Goregaon, Mumbai. Ministry: MoI&B. Equity: GoI 34%, Maharashtra 14%, FICCI+CII 52%. GoI grant: Rs 391.15 crore; land: 10 acres, 30-year lease. Structure: Section 8 (not-for-profit). Ministers: Ashwini Vaishnaw (MoI&B) & CM Devendra Fadnavis.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) announced a 9.5% revision in material costs under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme — formerly the Midday Meal Scheme — effective May 1, 2025.
| Category | Earlier Rate | Revised Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 1–5 (Primary) | Rs 6.19/student/day | Rs 6.78/student/day |
| Grades 6–8 (Upper Primary) | Rs 9.29/student/day | Rs 10.17/student/day |
- Revision based on inflation trends measured by the Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers (CPI-RL), compiled by the Labour Bureau, Chandigarh
- Total PM POSHAN budget for FY26: Rs 12,500 crore | Additional cost of revision: Rs 954 crore (borne by Union Government)
- MoE Union Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan (Constituency: Sambalpur, Odisha)
PM POSHAN (formerly Midday Meal Scheme) material cost revised by 9.5%, effective May 1, 2025. New rates: Primary (Gr 1–5): Rs 6.78/day; Upper Primary (Gr 6–8): Rs 10.17/day. Based on CPI-RL (Labour Bureau, Chandigarh). FY26 budget: Rs 12,500 crore; additional cost: Rs 954 crore. Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan.
India concluded its campaign at the first leg of the ISSF World Cup 2025 held in Buenos Aires, Argentina (April 1–11, 2025), finishing 2nd overall with 8 medals (4 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze).
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 5 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| 2 | India | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 | USA | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
- Vijayveer Sidhu (29 pts) — became the first Indian to win gold in Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol at any ISSF World Cup
- Rudrankksh Patil — gold in Men’s 10m Air Pistol (252.9 points), defeating Hungary’s Istvan Marton Peni
- Saurabh Chaudhary & Suruchi Singh (18 years old) — bronze in mixed team event, defeating Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and Ravinder Singh
- ISSF President: Luciano Rossi (Italy) | HQ: Munich, Germany | Established: 1907
ISSF World Cup 2025 (Leg 1) — Buenos Aires, Argentina (April 1–11). India: 2nd overall, 8 medals (4G-2S-2B); China 1st (11 medals). Vijayveer Sidhu = first Indian gold in Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol. Rudrankksh Patil — gold in Men’s 10m Air Pistol (252.9 pts). ISSF: HQ Munich; President Luciano Rossi; Est. 1907.
🌐 International News
President Droupadi Murmu undertook a four-day state visit to Portugal (April 7–8) and Slovakia (April 9–10), 2025, strengthening India’s bilateral relationships with both European nations.
- Portugal: Visit marked the 50th anniversary of India-Portugal diplomatic ties; President Murmu received the ‘City Key of Honour’ of Lisbon from Mayor Carlos Moedas, becoming an honorary citizen of Lisbon; both nations jointly released commemorative postage stamps; host: Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
- Slovakia: Host: Slovak President Peter Pellegrini; President Murmu was presented the first-ever Slovak translation of the Upanishads; Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra awarded her an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa); India and Slovakia signed two MoUs
- Slovakia: Capital — Bratislava | PM — Robert Fico | Currency — Euro
President Droupadi Murmu visited Portugal (April 7–8) & Slovakia (April 9–10). Portugal: 50th anniversary of India-Portugal ties; received ‘City Key of Honour’ of Lisbon; joint commemorative stamps. Slovakia: received first Slovak translation of Upanishads; Honorary Doctorate from Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra; 2 MoUs signed. Slovakia PM: Robert Fico; Capital: Bratislava.
📅 Important Days
April 14, 2025 marks the 134th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (born April 14, 1891, Mhow, Central Provinces — now Madhya Pradesh), architect of the Indian Constitution, jurist, economist, and champion of Dalit rights.
- Known as Babasaheb, he was the first Law Minister of independent India and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, serving as Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee
- Earned multiple advanced degrees including a DSc from the London School of Economics and a PhD from Columbia University, New York — one of the most academically qualified leaders of his era
- Founded the Scheduled Castes Federation (1942) and the Republican Party of India (1956); also founded the newspaper ‘Mooknayak’ (1920)
- Led the Mahad Satyagraha (1927) — the first organised movement for Dalit water rights — and the burning of Manusmriti (December 25, 1927)
- Converted to Buddhism on October 14, 1956, along with approximately 600,000 followers, in Nagpur — the largest mass religious conversion in modern history
- Awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1990
- The United Nations (UN) observes April 14 as Ambedkar Day globally since 2016
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar — born April 14, 1891, Mhow (MP); 2025 = 134th birth anniversary. Principal architect of Indian Constitution; Chairman, Drafting Committee. First Law Minister of India. Degrees: PhD (Columbia University), DSc (LSE). Key milestones: Mahad Satyagraha (1927), newspaper ‘Mooknayak’ (1920), conversion to Buddhism (Oct 14, 1956). Bharat Ratna: 1990 (posthumous). UN: Ambedkar Day since 2016.
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