Current Affairs - April 10, 2025 Current Affairs

The second phase of the "Niveshak Didi" initiative, launched by the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (EPFA) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), is aimed at enhancing financial literacy among rural women. The program empowers women by transforming them into financial educators who will conduct awareness sessions through IPPB camps. With a focus on community-driven education, the initiative targets underserved regions of India where access to financial knowledge is limited. Around 60% of the women involved will come from rural backgrounds, creating a ripple effect of informed financial decision-making and fostering greater inclusion in the formal financial ecosystem.

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2024 released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above in India experienced a slight decline from 5.0% in 2023 to 4.9% in 2024. This marginal dip reflects a modest improvement in the national employment scenario, despite ongoing disparities across gender and regions. While rural unemployment decreased slightly, urban areas showed a mix of trends, with male unemployment rising and female unemployment falling. These nuanced shifts underscore the complexity of the labour market and the importance of continuous monitoring and policy responses.

IIM-Ahmedabad is establishing its first international campus in Dubai as part of its global expansion strategy. This milestone follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE government. The Dubai campus will initially offer a one-year full-time MBA program designed for global professionals and entrepreneurs. The campus will operate in phases, with the first phase set in Dubai's International Academic City, and the permanent campus planned to open by 2029. Dubai’s strategic location, known for its role in innovation and entrepreneurship, makes it an ideal hub for IIM-Ahmedabad’s global educational footprint.

The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI), introduced by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, utilizes 435 indicators to evaluate the performance of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across India. These indicators span nine Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) themes and are intended to provide a comprehensive framework for assessing rural governance and development. By recognizing over 77,000 high-performing Panchayats, the initiative not only celebrates achievements but also fosters a competitive spirit among local governing bodies. The use of such a broad set of indicators ensures that the assessment is robust, data-driven, and effective for guiding policy and planning at the grassroots level.

World Homoeopathy Day is celebrated every year on April 10th to honour the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homoeopathy. This day recognizes his contribution to alternative medicine and aims to promote awareness about the benefits and practices of homoeopathy. In 2025, India plans to host the largest homoeopathy symposium in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, emphasizing the country’s role in advancing this medical system. With a significant number of registered homoeopathy doctors and hospitals, India continues to invest in the development of homoeopathy under the theme "Homoeopathy in India: Tradition, Trust, and Tomorrow."

Suruchi Inder Singh secured the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 held in Argentina. Representing India, the young shooter from Haryana showcased exceptional skill by leading the qualification round with a score of 583. In a highly competitive final, she maintained her composure and shot her way to the top, finishing 2.7 points ahead of China’s Qian Wei. Her remarkable performance not only earned India its third gold medal in the tournament but also highlighted her rising status in the international shooting arena.

The "India Skills Accelerator" is a joint initiative launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF). This partnership aims to bridge the existing skill gaps and prepare the Indian workforce for emerging high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence and robotics. By fostering collaboration, enhancing awareness, and strengthening institutional frameworks, the initiative is designed to align workforce skills with future industry demands. WEF's involvement plays a crucial role in bringing global expertise and best practices to support India's vision of a future-ready workforce.

Juspay, a Bengaluru-based fintech company specializing in payments infrastructure, became India’s first unicorn of 2025 after raising $60 million in a Series D funding round. The investment was led by Kedaara Capital, with additional participation from SoftBank and Accel. Despite falling short of its initial fundraising target of $150 million, Juspay’s valuation crossed the $1 billion mark. This milestone highlights the company’s growing influence in the fintech ecosystem and its strategic plans to invest in AI-driven solutions and expand globally. Juspay’s achievement also signals continued investor confidence in India's digital payments space.

Rajesh Unni, the founder of Synergy Marine Group, received the prestigious National Maritime Varuna Award on April 5, 2025, during the 62nd National Maritime Day celebrations in Mumbai. This award, conferred by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), is the highest individual recognition in India’s maritime sector. It honours individuals who have made extraordinary and lasting contributions to maritime development. Rajesh Unni was recognized for his leadership and innovation in the industry, especially through his work with Synergy Marine Group, which has become a leading name in ship management and sustainability-focused maritime solutions in India and beyond.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced a new Aadhaar-based face authentication feature for generating and activating the Universal Account Number (UAN) via the UMANG app. This advancement is part of EPFO’s efforts to simplify and modernize the user experience. The face authentication method provides a secure and contactless way for users to activate their UAN using Aadhaar-linked credentials. Additionally, EPFO is planning to expand this technology to help pensioners submit their digital life certificates through the Jeevan Pramaan portal, further promoting ease of access and digital governance in employee and pensioner services.

Russia has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the Victory Day celebrations scheduled for May 9, which will commemorate the 80th anniversary of its triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II. The event is of great historical and diplomatic significance, highlighting Russia’s recognition of its international allies and fostering global partnerships. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko confirmed the invitation, underlining the ongoing diplomatic engagement between Moscow and New Delhi. The potential visit signals a continued strategic relationship and high-level political dialogue between the two nations amidst evolving global dynamics.