Current Affairs - April 25, 2025 Current Affairs

The World Bank has adjusted its projection for India’s GDP growth for the fiscal year 2025-26, lowering it from an earlier estimate of 6.7% to 6.3%. This downgrade is attributed to various factors, including weaker private investment and a reduction in public capital expenditure. Additionally, broader regional economic struggles in South Asia, influenced by political and financial instability in neighbouring countries, have contributed to this more cautious outlook. The revision reflects growing concerns about both global and domestic economic environments impacting India’s near-term growth potential.

The breakthrough for India’s longest railway tunnel, measuring 14.57 km, was accomplished in Uttarakhand as part of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail link project. This major achievement, carried out by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited using the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named "Shakti," marks a significant milestone not only for India but globally in the field of rail tunnelling. The project is expected to drastically reduce the travel time between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag from seven hours to just two, enhancing connectivity and boosting economic and tourism prospects in the region.

The HEALD (Healthy Liver Education and Alcohol-associated Liver Disease Prevention) initiative, launched by Amit Shah, is designed specifically to address liver diseases on a national scale. Its strategy includes public education, early detection, treatment options, and the prevention of liver diseases, especially those linked to alcohol use disorder. The program also integrates psychological support, community engagement, and policy reforms to offer a comprehensive response. The initiative emphasizes the importance of timely intervention, with the strong message that many liver failures result from missed opportunities for early action, underlining the critical need for awareness and prevention efforts.

Exercise 'Aakraman' was conducted by the Indian Air Force to simulate attacks on both mountainous and ground targets, showcasing the IAF’s enhanced operational capabilities. The drills prominently featured advanced fighter jets like the Rafale and Su-30MKI, demonstrating their effectiveness in ground attack operations and electronic warfare. With rising regional tensions, the exercise emphasized readiness to respond to threats, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like Meteor and Rampage missiles, along with the powerful S-400 air defence system. 'Aakraman' focused on live fire drills, electronic warfare, and complex mission scenarios to test the IAF’s preparedness in modern aerial combat environments.

The deal for the acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets between India and France is set to be finalized on April 28, 2025. The deal is valued at ₹63,000 crore and represents a significant boost to India’s naval aviation capabilities. The Rafale-M jets, which will be deployed on India’s aircraft carriers, reflect the strengthening of the strategic partnership between India and France. The jets will bridge operational gaps until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) project is completed, further enhancing India's maritime strike capabilities.

China has successfully tested a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb that utilizes magnesium hydride, marking a major advancement in clean-energy-based military technology. The device, weighing just 2 kilograms, is capable of releasing hydrogen gas that ignites into an intense fireball exceeding 1,000°C, enabling sustained destructive capability without the radioactive fallout typical of traditional nuclear weapons. This innovation represents a strategic move towards integrating cleaner energy solutions into modern warfare, potentially altering future defence technologies and global military dynamics significantly.

World Immunization Week 2025 is observed from April 24 to 30, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the critical role of vaccines in saving lives and preventing disease. This year’s theme, "Immunization for All is Humanly Possible," emphasizes the importance of ensuring universal access to vaccines for individuals of all ages. The week highlights the collective efforts of governments, healthcare workers, and organizations around the world to close immunization gaps and combat vaccine-preventable diseases. By raising awareness, World Immunization Week encourages communities to take action, ensuring a healthier future for everyone through the power of vaccination.

Gepotidacin is a newly developed antibiotic that was first approved for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). It functions by inhibiting bacterial replication, which helps to combat bacterial infections effectively. Although it is now being explored as a potential treatment for drug-resistant gonorrhea—a significant development since no new treatments for gonorrhea have emerged since the 1990s—it was originally targeted for UTIs. Its oral form presents a major advancement over the current injectable treatments, making it more accessible and patient-friendly, especially in outpatient settings where ease of use is a crucial factor.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has put forward a groundbreaking proposal to develop the world’s smallest angstrom-scale chip using advanced 2D materials. This innovation aims to surpass traditional silicon-based technology, potentially transforming fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and automation by enabling higher transistor density and energy efficiency. With a proposed budget of Rs 500 crore over five years, the project could position India at the forefront of global semiconductor research. The initiative highlights a strategic move to reduce dependency on existing semiconductor technologies and pave the way for cutting-edge computational advancements.

International Delegate’s Day is celebrated every year on April 25 to honour the invaluable contributions of delegates in fostering diplomacy, peace, and international cooperation. The date marks the historic meeting in San Francisco on April 25, 1945, where delegates from 50 nations gathered to begin drafting the United Nations Charter. This day highlights the essential role delegates play in negotiating agreements, creating international policies, and addressing global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and poverty. By recognizing their efforts, International Delegate’s Day emphasizes the importance of multilateralism and global dialogue in building a peaceful and sustainable future.

World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25 to raise global awareness about malaria, a life-threatening but preventable disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The day highlights the progress made in combating malaria and the urgent need for continued investment and innovation to eliminate the disease. It was officially established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007 during the 60th World Health Assembly, evolving from Africa Malaria Day. April 25 serves as a rallying point for the global community to honour the efforts of healthcare workers, promote preventive strategies, and call for renewed commitment towards a malaria-free world.