Current Affairs - April 26, 2025 Current Affairs

India recorded a historic 145.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo movement through its inland waterways in FY25, reflecting an eightfold growth since FY14. This remarkable achievement was made possible through strategic investments in infrastructure, the adoption of digital tools, and comprehensive policy reforms. The number of operational National Waterways expanded significantly from just 5 to 29, demonstrating the government’s commitment to enhancing sustainable and cost-effective modes of transport. With an investment of Rs. 6,434 crore, this development is a milestone for India’s inland water transport sector, positioning it as a key player in national logistics and commerce.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister, inaugurated the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) at the Indira Gandhi Stadium located in New Delhi. The NCSSR aims to advance research, education, and innovation in the field of sports science. Alongside this initiative, the government also began issuing sports certificates digitally via DigiLocker to streamline recognition of athletic achievements. The announcement of the 'One Sport–One Corporate' policy further supports efforts to encourage federations and corporations to invest in sports, boosting India's athletic ecosystem. New Delhi served as the host city for these significant developments in sports administration.

In the 2025 T20 League, Star Health Insurance partnered with Sunrisers Hyderabad as their official health insurance partner. This collaboration reflects a shared vision to promote health and wellness using the widespread appeal of cricket. By aligning with a popular team like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Star Health aims to reach a broader audience while reinforcing its brand values of customer centricity, trust, and transparency. The partnership is a strategic move to integrate health awareness into mainstream sports and foster a culture of well-being among cricket fans. Mr. Anand Roy, the MD & CEO of Star Health Insurance, leads this initiative.

India has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by initiating its first-in-human gene therapy trial for Haemophilia, marking a significant advancement in its healthcare and biotechnology sectors. The trial is being conducted by BRIC-inStem in collaboration with CMC Vellore and represents a pioneering move toward personalized and precision medicine in the country. This effort highlights India's growing capability in translating scientific research into clinical applications. With rapid expansion in the biotech industry, bolstered by initiatives like the BIO-E3 Policy, India is not only addressing critical health challenges but also reinforcing biotechnology as a pillar of economic growth and national development.

Anant Ambani has been appointed as the Executive Director of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), effective from May 1, 2025, for a five-year term. This appointment is a major milestone in the generational leadership transition within one of India’s largest conglomerates. Anant is the first among the Ambani siblings to join the RIL board in an executive capacity, having previously served as a non-executive director. A graduate of Brown University, he has played a key role in leading the company’s energy vertical and sustainability initiatives. His appointment reflects both his rising influence within RIL and the company’s long-term succession planning.

India is set to introduce a significant policy reform by allowing foreign companies to acquire up to a 49% stake in its nuclear power sector. This marks a major shift in one of the country’s most tightly controlled industries, aimed at scaling up nuclear energy as part of its clean energy transition. The move is intended to reduce dependency on coal and meet carbon emission reduction targets. To enable this, amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act, 1960 are being proposed, with expected discussion and passage in the Monsoon Session of Parliament in July 2025.

Axis Max Life Insurance introduced Bandhan 2.0, an innovative onboarding platform utilizing AI-enabled augmented reality to enhance the employee experience. This platform integrates gamification and virtual environments to create engaging, consistent, and scalable onboarding for new hires. It includes features like direct interaction with leadership and remains accessible for 60 days after joining, aiming to inspire, connect, and empower employees from day one. Bandhan 2.0 reflects the company’s forward-thinking approach to blending technology with human resource practices to boost engagement and productivity right from the onboarding stage.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) unit, successfully conducted a long-duration ground test of an advanced Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor at the Scramjet Connect Test Facility in Hyderabad. This over 1,000-second test marks a major breakthrough in India's development of hypersonic cruise missile technology. Scramjet engines, which allow sustained supersonic combustion using atmospheric oxygen, are key to enabling missiles to fly at speeds over Mach 5. This accomplishment not only validates crucial propulsion technology but also reinforces India’s indigenous capabilities in next-generation missile systems and strengthens national defence preparedness.

Payal Kapadia, an acclaimed filmmaker, was awarded the French honour Officier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in recognition of her significant contributions to the world of cinema. Her debut feature film, All We Imagine As Light, an Indo-French collaboration, achieved international acclaim by winning the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. The award was presented to her by Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet, the Consul General of France, in a ceremony held in Mumbai. This honour underscores Kapadia’s growing influence and recognition on the global cinematic stage.

The Shenzhou-20 mission was launched by China as part of its ongoing efforts to develop and utilize its space station, Tiangong. This marked the 15th crewed spaceflight under the Shenzhou program. The launch took place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre using a Long March-2F rocket. China's space ambitions have continued to grow, as evidenced by collaborative mentions such as Pakistan's future astronaut participation. This mission highlights China's rising stature in space exploration and its continued investment in crewed missions.

AIIMS Raipur became the first government hospital in Chhattisgarh to successfully perform a Swap Kidney Transplant, setting a new benchmark in the state’s medical capabilities. This significant procedure allows two pairs of incompatible kidney donors and recipients to exchange organs, thereby increasing the potential for successful transplants by around 15%. Beyond this, AIIMS Raipur has also led the way in pioneering deceased donor organ donation and paediatric kidney transplantation within the region. These achievements reflect the hospital’s growing role in advancing complex surgical procedures and improving healthcare access in central India.