Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 11th April 2025

 

1. An MoU signed between India and Nepal on cooperation in the field of agriculture. 

•  India and Nepal signed an MoU on agricultural cooperation during the 3rd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial-level meeting on 9 April. 
•  The agreement was signed by India's Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Nepal's Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Ram Nath Adhikari.
•   This MoU will replace the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries on 6 December 1991. 
• The ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation for mutual benefit. 
• The agreement aims to boost collaboration between India and Nepal in enhancing crop productivity, post-harvest management, agri-marketing, and promoting climate-resilient, sustainable farming practices. 
•  This agreement will provide new impetus to the ongoing cooperation, especially in areas such as improving crop productivity, post-harvest management, and marketing. 
•  The 3rd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (BAMM) was held on 9 April in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

2. 'Ayodhya Parv 2025' is being held from 11 to 13 April at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi. 

• The event honors the cultural, artistic, and spiritual significance of Ayodhya. 
•  It brings together religious leaders, cultural thinkers, policymakers, scholars, and artists from across India. 
• The festival started on 11 April with the opening of an exhibition by renowned artist Padma Shri Vasudev Kamath. 
•  The exhibition showcases works inspired by 'Maryada Purushottam' (Lord Rama). 
•  Two special exhibitions are also be on display. 
•  One will focus on 'Sundarakanda' Pahari miniatures. 
•  The other will highlight the pilgrimage tradition of the 'Chaurasi Kos Parikrama' around Ayodhya. 
•  On 12 April, a symposium on 'Temple Management in Indian Society' will be held. 
• A second symposium will focus on 'The Role of Goswami Tulsidas in Shaping Indian Culture'. 
•  On 13 April, a symposium titled 'Shri Ram in the Writings of Kuber Nath Rai' will be held, featuring Hindi scholars. 
•  The closing ceremony will include dignitaries such as Pujya Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj and Shri Narendra Singh Tomar. 
•  he final performances will include 'Alha' singing and folk songs by Faujdar Singh and Vijaya Bharti. 
•  Ayodhya Parv 2025 is organized by IGNCA and Shri Ayodhya Nyas. The festival celebrates Indian spirituality, art, and values. 

3. ‘AI Rising Grand Challenge’ launched by the Telangana government to resolve public sector issues. 

• The initiative was inaugurated by State Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to serve as a unified data exchange, bringing together high-quality datasets from various government departments and partner organizations. 
•  This platform will support the development, testing, and scaling of AI solutions in real-world scenarios by providing secure and structured access to these datasets as well as many other functionalities. 
• By fostering collaboration across government, startups, industry, and academia, it will help accelerate innovation and promote widespread AI implementation in the state. 
•  The Grand Challenge is being led by the State IT Electronics and Communication Department and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), along with support from other important ecosystem enablers.
• The Telangana AI Rising Grand Challenge focuses on high-impact use cases in key sectors such as education, healthcare, public transport, etc.
•  The challenge aims to harness AI's power to improve governance, boost citizen services, and drive public sector innovation through tools like interactive learning and predictive healthcare models. 
•  The winner of the challenge for each use case will receive a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh to implement pilot projects within the state of Telangana. 

4. The ‘Veera’ mascot launched by Milkfed in Punjab to promote the Verka brand on a nationwide scale. 

•  To boost sales and raise product awareness across India, Milkfed—the seventh largest Punjab-based milk cooperative of India—has introduced ‘Veera’ as the new mascot for its Verka dairy brand. 
•  At the MARKFED-run Verka Milk Plant, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched the mascot Veera and laid the foundation stone for a new fermented products unit.
•   The mascot, Veera, which means brother, depicts a smiling young Sikh boy greeting with folded hands. 
•  This mascot is inspired by the iconic Amul girl dressed in a polka-dot frock with blue hair and a half-pony tied up. 
•  On April 9, the mascot was launched during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a Rs 135 crore project in Amritsar district.
•   It aims to expand the capacity of sterilized flavored milk and new fermented dairy products like lassi, curd, and flavored milk. 
•  Along with this, Verka is now also being launched on e-commerce platform so that its quality products can be made available online to everyone across the world. 

5. PM Modi launched development projects valued at ₹3,880 crore in Varanasi. 

• On 11 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. 
•  In Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth more than ₹3,880 crore for infrastructure development and road connectivity in Varanasi. 
• Apart from this, the foundation stone was also laid for a road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings, and a highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 at Varanasi International Airport at a cost of over Rs 980 crore. 
• Constructed at a cost of Rs 1,045 crore, two 400 kV and one 220 kV transmission substations and associated transmission lines in Jaunpur, Chandauli and Ghazipur districts of Varanasi division were also inaugurated
• . At a cost of more than Rs 775 crore, the foundation stone was also laid for a 220 kV transmission substation at Chaukaghat in Varanasi, a 132 kV transmission substation at Ghazipur, and a Varanasi city electricity distribution system. 
•  For the first time, PM Modi handed out Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to citizens over the age of 70. 
•  Geographical Indication (GI) certificates for local items like tabla, painting, thandai, and tiranga barfi presented by the Prime Minister
•  In Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar district, the Prime Minister visited Anandpur Dham in Isagarh Tehsil and took part in darshan and pooja at the Guru Ji Maharaj Temple. 

6. On 10 April, the 9th edition of the Global Technology Summit (GTS) 2025 kicked off in New Delhi. 

• This year's summit is being held from April 10 to 12 with the theme 'Sambhavna.' 
• The theme means possibilities, and it will explore how emerging technologies can promote inclusive growth, strengthen digital governance, and deepen cross-border partnerships.
•  Over 40 public sessions, including keynote addresses, ministerial conversations, expert panels, and strategic conversations, will take place during the three-day summit. 
•  Over 150 speakers from more than 40 countries will join together to discuss the most important technology challenges and opportunities facing the world today.
•  The voice of the next generation will also be raised in this year's summit. 
•  Students and young professionals across the country will contribute directly to policy conversations on digital futures, responsible AI, and global tech norms through the GTS Young Ambassadors program. 
•  The Global Technology Summit (GTS), co-hosted by Carnegie India and the Ministry of External Affairs, serves as India’s leading forum on geo-technology. 
•  The first edition of the Global Technology Summit was held in 2016. 

7. New Badnawar-Ujjain National Highway inaugurated by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in Madhya Pradesh. 

• The highway is located in Badnawar, in the Dhar district. 
•  It was built at a cost of ₹1,352 crore under the Bharatmala initiative. 
•  At the same event, Mr. Gadkari laid the foundation stone for 10 new road projects. 
•  These projects cover a total length of 328 kilometers. They are estimated to cost ₹5,800 crore. 
•  Mr. Gadkari also announced the construction of five Greenfield Economic Corridors in the state.
•  These corridors will involve an investment of ₹33,000 crore.
•   A world-class, iconic bridge will be built over the Narmada River in Omkareshwar. 
• The minister also revealed plans for six new ropeway systems across Madhya Pradesh. 
• These ropeways will be developed at a cost of ₹1,200 crore.
•  He stated that infrastructure projects worth ₹3 lakh crore will be completed in the state within a year. 

8. Indian shooters Rudrankksh Patil and Arya Borse won a silver medal at the 2025 ISSF World Cup. 

•  They competed in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team event.
•  The tournament took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 
•  The Indian team lost in the final to China’s Song Buhan and Wang Zifei. 
•  The final score was 17-9 in favor of the Chinese pair. 
•  This silver medal increased India’s overall medal count at the event to seven. 
•  India has won four gold medals so far. 
• The team also has two silver and one bronze medal.
•  India is currently ranked second in the medal standings. 
•  China holds the top position on the table

. 9. President Droupadi Murmu was awarded an Honorary Doctorate, Honoris Causa (Dr. h. c.), by Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia. 

•  The degree was given to her for her contributions to public service, social justice, inclusion, education, women’s empowerment, and cultural and linguistic diversity.
•   In her speech, President Murmu spoke about the power of education
• . She shared her personal journey from being a teacher to becoming India’s head of state. 
•  Constantine the Philosopher University is one of Slovakia's top institutions. 
•  It is named after Saint Constantine – Cyril, an important figure in the country’s history. 
•  The Honorary Doctorate (Dr. h. c.) is awarded by the university’s Scientific Council. 

•  It is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to education, culture, science, humanism, democracy, and international understanding.

 10. World Parkinson’s Day: 11 April 

•  World Parkinson’s Day is observed every year on 11 April to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease. 
•  Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition in which involuntary shaking occurs in body muscles. 
•  Parkinson’s can cause slowness of the movements, stiffness and shakiness of the body. 
•  It is the world’s second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. 
•  In 1817, the first person to discover the first case of Parkinson's disease was Dr. James Parkinson.
•  In 1997, 11 April of every year was declared as World Parkinson's Day by the European Association for Parkinson's disease.
•   Parkinson's disease mostly affects individuals over 60
•  ●Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in substantia nigra area of brain causes this disease. 
•  Dopamine controls movement and coordination. Decline in its levels affect the body’s ability to move. 
•  One of the risk factors for this disease is ageing.

 11. Kerala duo develops eco-friendly edible wrappers

•   What if we could bite into our burger without worrying about peeling of• its wrapper? Two students at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, a suburb of Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram, have now made this possible by developing edible food wrappers. 
• Ashir Kariyattil, who finished his M.Sc. (Integrated) Biotechnology at the college recently, and Mo hammed Nabin, a B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture students are behind this invention. 
•  “We wanted to begin a start-up that is beneficial to society. The edible wrappers will help in reducing plastic waste and promote sustainable living,” they say. A material developed using cellulose-producing bacteria will act as the base product of Emulsifiers derived from bacteria along with essential oils extracted from specific plants will be incorporated into this material to form the wrapper. Named ‘Eden Wrap’, the packaging material will also help extend the shelf life of food. 
•  The essential oils used in the wrapper will give it an antimicrobial property, thus extending the shelf life. “The wrapper, which will decompose in a month if discarded, has a plastic like appearance. 
•  More awareness about edible wrappers could encourage wider public acceptance,” says Mr. Ashir. “We had initially begun the project with a different concept. However, we started modifying our plans based on the opinions and advice of industry experts and judges whom we met while attending various competitions,” says Mr. Mo hammed. “Excellent mentorship helped us improve our concept. 
•  I am extremely thankful to my M.Sc. research guide Soumya V.I. from the Department of Microbiology, who provided a stress-free atmosphere to work on our start-up along with my thesis,” says Ashir. “Competition winnings also helped fund the project,” they add. Ashir and Mohammed have decided to spend the next year further developing the project, researching market trends, and acquiring a patent. 
•  “We have an opportunity to work on the next step of the product with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research [CSIR],” says Mr. Mohammed 

12. Congress OBC department gets new chief

•  Aday after the All India Congress Committee session in Ahmedabad, the Congress on Thursday appointed a new head for its Other Backward Classes (OBC) department. 
•  Anil Jaihind (Yadav) has been appointed chairman of the AICC OBC wing 

13. Centre to pay more for PM-POSHAN scheme in schools 

•  The material cost for cooking hot meals in schools under the PM-POSHAN scheme has been enhanced by 9.5%, considering the ination index, causing an additional cost of ₹954 crore to the exchequer in the financial year 2025-26, the Education Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. 
•  In Bal Vikas and primary schools, the daily material cost for a student will be raised from ₹6.19 to ₹6.78 from May 1, and in upper primary schools, from ₹9.29 to ₹10.17. “These rates of material cost are the minimum mandatory rates, however, States/UTs [Union Territories] are free to contribute more than their prescribed share, as some States/UTs have been contributing more than their minimum mandatory share from their own resources for providing meals with augmented nutrition under the PM POSHAN Scheme,” the Ministry said. 
•  Bal Vatika and primary students are provided 20 gm of pulses, 50 gm of vegetables and 5 gm of oil, while upper primary students need 30 gm, 75 gm, and 7.5 gm, respectively. 
•  The Centrally sponsored scheme serves one hot-cooked meal to 11.2 crore students studying in Bal Vikas and from Classes 1 to 8 in 10.36 lakh government and aided schools on all school-days.
•  The scheme aims at providing nutritional support and enhancing school participation of students. The Centre also provides about 26 lakh tonnes of foodgrains through the Food Corporation of India. 
•  It bears 100% cost of food grains, including subsidy of approximately ₹9,000 crore a year, and 100% transportation cost from the FCI depot to schools. The per-meal cost, after adding all components including food grains cost, comes to approximately ₹12.13 for Bal Vatika and primary classes and ₹17.62 for upper primary. 

14. Maharashtra Approves 256 acres of salt pan land for developing Dharavi 

• The Maharashtra government has cleared the allocation of 256 acres of salt pan land in Mulund, Kanjurmarg, and Bhandup for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) to rehabilitate slum dwellers. 
• While environmental concerns have been raised, DRP CEO S.V.R. Srinivas said the land was safe for development, having been decommissioned by the Salt Commissioner of India over a decade ago. “The sea hasn’t touched these plots since the Eastern Express Highway was built. 
•  They are no longer food buffers or under CRZ regulations,” Mr. Srinivas said, adding that all necessary environmental clearances will be obtained before construction. The land lies west of the expressway, away from ecologically sensitive wetlands frequented by flamingos. The move aligns with Mumbai’s Development Plan 2034, which earmarks salt pan lands for affordable housing. 
• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that without utilising such land, Mumbai’s redevelopment is impossible. The Union government has already allocated 55 acres in Wadala for an Excise Department complex and 15 acres in Kanjur for Metro Line 6’s car shed. 
•  Critics and Opposition leaders question why housing for the poor faces resistance when infrastructure projects on similar land do not. Mr. Srinivas clarified that the land remains with the State government, with NMDPL only paying premiums. 
•  “This is a human transformation mission, not just housing,” he said, reiterating the project’s goal of a slum-free Mumbai. Work will proceed only after securing all environmental approvals, ensuring compliance with regulations. 

15. 4th Joint Working Group Meeting on Tourism Cooperation between India and Japan 

•  The 4th Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting on Tourism Cooperation between India and Japan was held in New Delhi. 
•  The meeting was co-chaired by Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Haraikawa Naoya, Commissioner, Japan Tourism Agency (JTA). 
•  The Co- Chairs of the two countries exchanged notes on the profile of the visitors and delved into the data insights of the tourists travelling between the two countries, including to Buddhist destinations, in order to undertake suitable policy interventions to make the destinations more attractive for the millennial tourists.

16. Tirupati-Katpadi railway line to be doubled at ₹1,332 crore

•   The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the doubling of the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi railway line, spanning 104 km in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, at a cost of approximately ₹1,332 crore. 
•  The project will “improve connectivity to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, as well to other prominent destinations such as Sri Kalahasti Shiva Temple, Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple and the Chandragiri Fort, attracting pilgrims and tourists from across the country”.
•  The project covering three districts in the two States will enhance connectivity to approximately 400 villages and benefit about 14 lakh people. 

17. Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad to open campus in Dubai 

• The Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) will open their overseas campus in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
•  The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology -Delhi already has a campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE. 
• This was announced during the visit of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, to India. 
•  The IIMA Dubai Campus will be developed in two phases. Initially, the institute will operate out of the Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), a leading education hub in the region. The second phase will see the construction of a permanent campus, scheduled to be fully operational by 2029. 

18. Satish Chavva appointed CEO of Oman India Joint Investment Fund 

•  The Board of Oman India Joint Investment Fund—Management Company, a private equity fund manager promoted by the Oman Investment Authority and the State Bank of India, has appointed Satish Chavva as its Chief Executive Officer. 
•  Chavva joins from British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution, where he held various roles, including heading Direct Private Equity for South Asia. 
•  Chavva has a deep association with OIJIF, having previously served as Director of Investments at OIJIF between 2016 and 2022. Prior to that, he was with Citi Group in India and the UK, including in its private equity arm, Citi Venture Capital International for over 9 years. 

19. Virat Kohli Becomes First Indian To Score 13,000 Runs In T20 Cricket 

•  Virat Kohli became the first Indian to complete 13,000 runs in T20 cricket history. He achieved the historic milestone during the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. 
•  Virat Kohli became the first Indian and only fifth overall cricketer to score 13,000 runs in T20 cricket. Virat Kohli became the first Indian and only fifth overall cricketer to score 13,000 runs in T20 cricket. He achieved it with the 17th run he scored during his innings against MI. 
• The list is led by West Indies legend Chris Gayle with 14562 runs, followed by England batter Alex Hales (13,610), former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik (13557) and Keiron Pollard (13537). 20. 

11 April – National Safe Motherhood Day 

• National Safe Motherhood Day is observed on April 11 every year. 
• The day spreads awareness related to a woman’s safety during pregnancy. India is the largest country in terms of population in the world but the country still lacks good health infrastructure. 
• Theme 2025 – Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures 
•  In 1991, the White Ribbon Alliance India, a non-governmental organization, raised awareness about the importance of good maternal health. In 2003, the central government designated National Safe Motherhood Day to be observed on the 90th birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi. 
• This day is dedicated to Kasturba Gandhi, who was deeply committed to the welfare of women and children.