Current Affairs - April 16, 2025 Current Affairs

Dr. Ajit Singh achieved a groundbreaking feat in the field of neurosurgery by removing a 17 cm intramedullary ependymoma from the spinal cord of a 21-year-old patient. The tumour extended from the C2 cervical vertebra down to the fifth thoracic vertebra, making the procedure exceptionally complex and rare. This accomplishment has been recognized globally and recorded in the International Book of Records, highlighting Dr. Singh’s exceptional skill and placing India prominently in the international neurosurgical community.

QpiAI-Indus represents a major breakthrough in India’s technological capabilities by being the first full-stack quantum computing system developed in the country. This system integrates various cutting-edge components including superconducting qubit-based quantum hardware, advanced Quantum-HPC software, and artificial intelligence-driven quantum solutions. It signifies a comprehensive approach to building a quantum ecosystem, where both hardware and software work seamlessly together, and marks a pivotal point in India’s journey towards becoming a key player in quantum technology.

Swiggy partnered with the Ministry of Labour & Employment through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting employment in the gig and logistics sectors. The initiative is expected to generate over 12 lakh job opportunities in the next 2–3 years via the National Career Service (NCS) portal. This collaboration leverages Swiggy’s reach in the gig economy and the NCS platform's ability to connect job seekers and employers. Through real-time job postings and seamless tracking, the partnership focuses on inclusive hiring practices and supports digital empowerment, particularly for youth, women, and individuals seeking flexible employment across urban and semi-urban areas.

On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin made history by launching the first all-female crew on a suborbital mission since 1963. The mission was conducted using its reusable New Shepard rocket from Van Horn, Texas. The 10-minute flight carried six women from diverse professional backgrounds, including entertainment, science, and media, across the Kármán line—the recognized boundary of space. This milestone not only celebrated advancements in commercial spaceflight but also marked a significant cultural and symbolic moment for gender representation in aerospace. Blue Origin's achievement highlighted inclusivity and the growing influence of private space companies in shaping future space exploration.

Saurabh Chaudhary, a 22-year-old shooter from Uttar Pradesh, made an inspiring comeback by winning the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 held in Lima, Peru. After being away from the national spotlight for over two years, his performance against a field of Olympic champions and seasoned competitors showcased not just skill but also mental toughness. This bronze was his first individual World Cup medal in more than two years, underlining his return to form and reestablishing him as a key figure in Indian shooting.

In March 2025, India witnessed a significant drop in retail inflation to 3.34%, marking its lowest level since August 2019. This easing was primarily driven by a sharp decline in food inflation, which fell to 2.69%. The drop in prices of essential food items like vegetables, eggs, pulses, meat, fish, and milk played a key role in bringing overall inflation down. Reflecting this positive trend, the Reserve Bank of India adjusted its inflation forecast for 2025–26 to 4.0% from an earlier projection of 4.2%, attributing the change to improved prospects in food prices.

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, an Olympic silver medallist and one of India’s most accomplished weightlifters was appointed as the Chairperson of the newly formed Athletes Commission under the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) in April 2025. With multiple accolades, including Commonwealth Games gold medals and an Olympic podium finish, Chanu brings unmatched credibility and athlete-first advocacy to the role. Her focus as Chairperson is to bridge the gap between athletes and administration, ensuring that weightlifters' voices are heard and that they can concentrate on their performance without off-field distractions. Her leadership marks a progressive step in athlete representation within Indian sports governance.

CRISIL has forecasted that India's banking sector will experience a credit growth of 12-13% in FY26, which is slightly higher than the projected growth of 11-11.5% for FY25. This positive outlook is attributed to several factors, including regulatory support, tax cuts that boost consumption, and softer interest rates encouraging borrowing. Additionally, regulatory adjustments like the rollback of risk weights for loans to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and a delay in implementing stricter liquidity norms are expected to further enhance credit flow and support this growth rate.

Gensol Engineering Ltd came under regulatory scrutiny in 2024 after SEBI received a complaint alleging share price manipulation and fund diversion. Upon investigation, SEBI found prima facie evidence of serious misconduct, including treating company funds as personal assets by the promoters, Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi. The company was barred from accessing the securities market, and its promoters were also restricted from holding key positions within GEL. Violations included misleading disclosures, submission of forged documents, and breaches of PFUTP regulations. This action by SEBI reinforces the importance of ethical governance and investor protection in India’s corporate landscape.

The Banaras Shehnai, a traditional wind instrument known for its ceremonial and spiritual importance, was recently awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, formally recognizing its roots in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Revered through the legacy of Ustad Bismillah Khan, who made the instrument internationally famous, the shehnai is crafted with deep cultural and philosophical significance. Artisans from Varanasi, using Sheesham and Sagwan wood along with reeds from Bihar, create each piece with intricate care and precision. The GI tag honours the historical craftsmanship, protects the authenticity of the instrument, and ensures that its geographical and cultural identity is preserved for future generations.