Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 17th April 2025

 1. A report on Hand and Power tools sectors – ‘Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential - India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector’ launched by NITI Aayog. 

•  The report highlights the transformational potential of the hand and power tools industry for India's economic growth.
•   It also discusses in depth the challenges, policy constraints, and interventions required to strengthen the Indian hand and power tools ecosystem. 
•  It outlines a strategic path for the region to enhance its global competitiveness and gain a significantly larger share of the international market. 
•  The report shows that the global trade market for power and hand tools, currently valued at around $100 billion, is projected to grow significantly, reaching nearly $190 billion by 2035. 
•  Hand tools account for $34 billion of this market and are expected to grow to $60 billion by 2035. 
•  While power tools, which include tools and accessories, represent $63 billion and are projected to grow to $134 billion, with power tools accounting for the majority of the market. 
• China dominates global exports, accounting for approximately 50% of the hand tool market at $13 billion and 40% of the power tool market at $22 billion. 
•  While India has a smaller presence, exporting $600 million in hand tools (1.8% market share) and $470 million in power tools (0.7% market share).  An important finding of the report is that India has the potential to capture a large share of the global market, targeting exports of $25 billion over the next decade. 
•  This could create around 35 lakh jobs by capturing 10% market share in power tools and 25% in hand tools. 
•  The report also analyzes the challenges that India may face, including a 14-17% cost disadvantage compared to China, driven by higher structural costs and smaller operational scale. 
•  This loss stems from increased costs of raw materials such as steel, plastics, and motors, as well as lower labor productivity due to high overtime wages and restrictions on overtime hours. 

2. The first-ever study tour for delegates from 13 countries hosted by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha.

•   A study tour for a 27-member delegation from 13 countries hosted by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha for the first time. 
•  On 16 April, the delegation was met by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at the Vidhan Sabha premises. 
•  The delegation includes members from Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

3. The production of 20,000 MW of green energy by 2030 targeted by Telangana. 

•  In this regard, the MOUs worth 29 thousand crore rupees have been signed by the state government with two private renewable energy companies. 
•  As part of the state government’s larger objective, these projects aim to produce 40,000 MW of green energy by 2035, with 20,000 MW targeted for 2030 and an additional 20,000 MW by 2035. 
•  The deputy chief minister said at the MoU signing ceremony the state had recently launched a new clean and green energy policy, which has generated interest among investors.
•   An MoU was signed by GPRS Arya with the state-owned Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Ltd. (TG REDCO) to invest 2,000 crore rupees in setting up compressed biogas projects across 15 districts. 
•  These projects using paddy straw as feedstock are expected to provide financial benefits to farmers, especially considering the large scale of paddy cultivation in the state. 
•  Apart from this, another MoU was also signed by Ecorace Energy India to generate 5,600 MW of green energy with an investment of 27 thousand crore rupees. 
•  In the recent budget, the Indira Giri Jalavikasam scheme was announced by the state government, under which solar-powered pump sets will be provided to tribal farmers cultivating podu lands. 
•  A budget of Rs 12,600 crore has been allocated over the next four years for this initiative, which will benefit 2.1 lakh tribal farmers and promote sustainable agriculture in tribal regions. 

4. In a first-of-its-kind move, an ATM introduced inside the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express by the Central Railway. 

•  In a first, trials for an ATM onboard the Panchvati Express train were initiated by the Railways, aiming for non-fare revenue (NFR) generation in coordination with the Bank of Maharashtra. 
•  The concept of installing ATMs on trains originated following a non-fare revenue customer interaction meet conducted by the Bhusawal division. 
•  Following the finalization of the proposal, a formal plan was created by the Bank of Maharashtra under the New, Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (NINFRIS). 
•  The feasibility and operational efficiency were assessed through the first trial undertaken on the Manmad–Mumbai CSMT Panchvati Express.
•   The ATM kiosk was installed in an empty space in the coach to avoid inconvenience to passengers. 
• Railway officials want this facility to be utilised as much as possible in the train which has 22 coaches and a full capacity of 2,016 passengers. 
• The Electrical and Mechanical departments of Indian Railways have executed an ATM facility aimed at providing services to senior citizens, women, and those facing unforeseen needs. 

5. Amravati Airport inaugurated by Maharashtra CM Fadnavis.

•   On 16 April, a flight between Amravati and Mumbai under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)—UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)—was also flagged off by the Chief Minister. 
•  CM also announced that the Flying Training Organization (FTO) to be set up in Vidarbha's Amaravati city will train 180 pilots every year through its fleet of 34 training aircraft. 
•  It will be the largest pilot training institute in South East Asia. 
•  The FTO will have the capacity to train thirty thousand pilots and will boost economic activity and employment generation in the Vidarbha region. 
• The number of airports, flights and air routes have almost doubled in the last 10 years of the NDA government. 
•  Before 2014, there were only 74 airports in the country, but in the last 10 years, 86 new airports have been built in India. 
•  Several steps have also been taken by the Union Government towards providing budget-friendly food at airports in India.
•   Last month, the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport was inaugurated by Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu. 
• The first UDAN Yatri Cafe was inaugurated at Kolkata airport in December 2024. 

6. The Madhya Pradesh government has confirmed that the Ladli Behana Yojana will continue.

•   There will be no interruption in the scheme. 
• A new payment schedule has been introduced. 
•  Monthly amounts will now be deposited between the 10th and 15th of each month. 
•  This update was shared by Housing and Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. 
•  For April, the government is releasing ₹1,552 crore under this scheme. 
•  This installment will be credited to the accounts of beneficiaries. 
• The scheme currently supports 1.27 crore women in the state.
•  Each beneficiary receives ₹1,250 every month. 

 Ladli Behna Yojana:

•  The Madhya Pradesh government launched the Ladli Behna Yojana in 2023. 
• The scheme was launched with the aim of making the women of Madhya Pradesh economically self-reliant. 
•  Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had started this scheme. 

7. Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi is now ranked 9th among the busiest airports in the world for 2024. 

• The airport served 77.8 million passengers this year. 
•  This marks a 7.8% increase in passenger traffic compared to 2023. 
•  Compared to 2019, passenger numbers have grown by 13.6%. 
•  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ranked first, handling over 108 million passengers. 
•  Dubai and Dallas Fort Worth airports ranked second and third, respectively. 
•  IGI’s rise to 9th place is due to expanded airline operations and better infrastructure. 
• The airport also benefits from improved global connectivity. 
•  ACI forecasts global passenger traffic will reach 9.9 billion in 2025. 
•  ACI’s rankings are based on total passenger numbers, counting embarking and disembarking passengers once. 
•  In 2018, IGI Airport was ranked 16th among the busiest airports worldwide. 
•  Airports Council International (ACI) represent over 2,000 airports in 170 countries. 

8. The Telangana government has officially classified heatwaves, sunstrokes, and sunburns as "State-Specific Disasters." 

•  This new classification allows victims' families to receive ₹4 lakh in compensation from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). 
•  Heatwaves are seen as a serious yet often overlooked danger. Government noted that they are a ‘hidden hazard’. 
•  Recent data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that Telangana faced unusually high temperatures last year. 
•  28 of the state's 33 districts recorded heatwave conditions for over 15 days. 
•  The lack of disaster classification previously limited the relief efforts for heatwave victims. 
•  Before the new order, families of heatwave victims received only ₹50,000 in compensation. 
•  Under the new policy, the state can now use up to 10% of its annual SDRF allocation for relief in heatwave-related cases. 

 What is a Heat Wave?

•   Heat waves are periods of unusually high temperatures as compared to what is normally expected in a region. 
•  It is a condition of air temperature that becomes fatal to the human body. ○ The heat wave is considered if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 400C or more for plains and at least 300C or more for hilly regions.

9. Nepal Police seized 894 kilograms of Shaligram stones in Mustang. 

• The stones were being illegally transported to Jomsom. 
• In Nepal, the large-scale collection of Shaligram stones is strictly banned. 
•  This restriction is due to their religious and ecological importance. 
•  The confiscated stones were handed over to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project office in Pokhara. 
• Shaligrams are fossilized ammonites found in the Kali Gandaki River.
•   They are commonly discovered in riverbeds and along the riverbanks. 
•  Hindu devotees regard Shaligram stones as sacred symbols of Lord Vishnu. 
•  The Kali Gandaki River flows through religious sites like Muktinath and Damodar Kunda. 
•  These sacred locations add to the spiritual significance of Shaligram stones. 

10. WHO member states have reached a major agreement on pandemic preparedness. 

• This comes after more than three years of negotiations. 
•  The agreement outlines a coordinated global strategy to handle future pandemics.
•   It promotes the sharing of medical technologies. 
•  This will be done through clear regulations, licensing agreements, and supportive financing. 
•  Technology transfers must happen only with mutual consent. 
•  The draft also proposes a system to share pathogen data and related benefits. It includes the One Health approach. 
•  This links human, animal, and environmental health to prevent disease outbreaks. 
•  The agreement calls for the creation of a global supply chain and logistics network. 
•  The draft will be presented at the World Health Assembly next month. 
•  The goal is to improve global cooperation and avoid confusion seen during the COVID-19 crisis. 
•  One of the most debated issues was Article 11. 
•  This section deals with how medical technology is transferred to developing nations. 

 World Health Organization (WHO): 

•  It is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. 
•  It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. 
•  It was established on 7 April 1948. It has 194 Member States. 

11. India, China move to restart Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 

•  Indian and Chinese officials are speeding up efforts to reach an agreement on restarting the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has remained suspended since 2019.
•  The deadline for choosing pilgrims for the Yatra is coming up in a few weeks. Sources said that the two sides have discussed the resumption of the pilgrimage in detail in the last few weeks, and expect a breakthrough “shortly”. 
• According to officials, talks have been narrowing the gaps on outstanding issues, including checking infrastructure on both sides, and reviving logistical systems for a smooth process of travel. 
•  The Ministry of External Affairs has convened a meeting of all the involved agencies on April 21, sources said. An official in the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam also confirmed that preparatory work is underway. 
• The official added that arrangements are being made to take the pilgrims by special transport from Dharchula to Lipulekh pass, saving them a trek of about 80-100 km, which would otherwise take a few days. 
•  The annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra used to be held between June and September each year until China withdrew facilities for visiting Indians during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pilgrimage remained suspended due to tensions at the Line of Actual Control after the Galwan killings in 2020. 

12. IIT-B graduate launches free website to make Sanskrit literature accessible to all 

• To bring together Sanskrit literature and reading tools, Antariksh Bothale, a software engineer from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, launched SanskritSahitya.org, a free website for anyone desiring quick access to Sanskrit literary texts, bringing his academic and professional experience in Natural Language Processing into the eld of Sanskrit literature. 
•  Mr. Bothale, an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, completed his master’s in Computational Linguistics from the University of Washington. He now works at Google, California, on the Smart Home Assistant product. 
•  His interest in languages drove him to maintain a blog, Linguistics, since 2011. “My overarching vision for the website is to make it the best experience for reading and analyzing Sanskrit literature, to leverage advancements in computational methods to aid the study and teaching for both casual readers and experts, and to help further computational work by amassing a rich structured corpus of Sanskrit texts in a consistent format,” Mr. Bothale said. 
•  The features of the website include a structured navigation based on sarga, adhyaaya, kanada, shloka, etc. with easily shareable pages. Alongside the original text are metrical tagging, commentaries, translations, and morphological analysis. 
•  Offline access The website can also be accessed offline, Mr. Bothale explained. “It takes a few seconds to download the entire data and then the content can be accessed offline on phone or desktop.
•   Other scholars who wish to analyse the data in bulk can access it directly through the site’s GitHub repository at github.com/ sanskritsahitya-com/data,” he said. 
• The website currently features the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Mahakavya, and poems written by Kalidasa and other poets, and other popular texts. 

13. Vance, family to visit India from April 21, meet Prime Minister 

•  U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will travel to India with his family next week, the Ministry of External Affairs and the White House announced on Wednesday. During the four-day visit, which will be part-official in Delhi and partly a private tour of Agra and Jaipur, Mr. Vance will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and is expected to launch the India-U.S. technology partnership TRUST announced during Mr. Modi’s visit to Washington in February. 
•  Prior to the India visit, Mr. Vance and his entourage will travel to Rome, and visit the Vatican. “The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations and the implementation of the outcomes of the IndiaU.S. Joint Statement issued on 13 February 2025 during the visit of the Prime Minister to the US,” the MEA said in its announcement, while the White House said he will discuss “shared economic and geopolitical priorities”. 
• This is Mr. Vance’s first visit to India, along with his wife of Indian-origin Usha Chilukuri Vance, whom he married in 2014. The couple and their three children are expected to visit tourist attractions including the Taj Mahal in Agra, and a number of historical sites in Jaipur. However, the U.S. ‘Second Family’ is not expected to travel to Andhra Pradesh, where members of Ms. Vance’s family still live, including her 96-year-old grandaunt Professor Shantamma during this visit. 

14. Almonds rein in weight, cholesterol and hypertension, confirms study 

•  Recent meta-analyses of studies on the benefits of consuming almonds published in a peer-reviewed journal have shown that the tree nut does leave an ameliorative impact in a multitude of sectors. 
•  The results suggest that almond consumption results in small reductions in weight, LDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure, as well as improved glycaemic responses in Asian Indians. 
•  These results were published recently in a paper, “Current scientific evidence and research strategies in the role of almonds in cardiometabolic health”, in the peer-reviewed journal Current Developments in Nutrition Perspective. 
•  The analyses of multiple studies showed that almond consumption does not lead to weight gain, and may even contribute to reduction in body weight at doses of about 50 grams a day. 
•  The authors from the U.S., Canada, France and India argued that almonds have an impact on lowering cholesterol, though it depends on the dose (over 50 g a day), and for how long it is eaten (10 weeks). 
•  Almond consumption results in a small but significant reduction in LDL cholesterol by approximately 5 g/dL (or about 5%) for the general population, including those at risk of chronic diseases. 
•  Anoop Misra, senior diabetologist from the Fortis C-DOC Center for Diabetes, Obesity, Metabolic Diseases, and Endocrinology, New Delhi, explains that almonds contain several components that are believed to contribute to the cholesterol-lowering properties, “including Beta-Sitosterol for which there is well-established evidence of lowering LDL cholesterol levels; monounsaturated fats (67%); polyunsaturated fats (11%); and dietary fibre (11%).” 
•  The analysis, which was funded by the Almond Board of California, also states that with a daily dose of almonds, Asian Indians with prediabetes can achieve a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose and HbA1C. Dr. Misra adds some context: “Previously, our group examined over three months the effect of having 20 g of almonds 30 minutes before each major meal on prediabetes. 
•  We found significant improvements in body weight, waist circumference, glycaemic control (particularly postprandial hyperglycemia), and insulin resistance. Notably, 23.3% of participants in the group showed reversal from prediabetes to normal glucose regulation, comparable to results seen with Acarbose medication (25%).” 
•  “My advice is to have almonds, half a firstful each in the morning and evening. For people with diabetes, they can have it as a snack between meals or 30 minutes before meals,” he says. 

15. Railways Minister commemorates 172nd anniversary of India’s 1st train journey 

• Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has commemorated the 172nd anniversary of India’s first train journey, recalling the historic moment when the inaugural train departed from Bori Bunder to Thane in Maharashtra on the 16th of April in 1853. 
• The train consisted of 14 coaches carrying 400 invited passengers. The train was hauled by three engines named Sindh, Sultan, and Saheb and covered a distance of 34 kilometers in 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

16. Indian Navy Hosts 3rd Meghayan Symposium to Mark WMO Day 2025 

•  The 3rd edition of Meghayan, the Indian Navy’s Meteorological and Oceanological Symposium, was held at Nausena Bhawan, Delhi, to mark World Meteorological Day. The event was virtually inaugurated by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff. 
•  The symposium brought together premier institutions like IMD, IITM, INCOIS, NIOT, ISRO, and IIT-M, featuring two technical sessions, expert panels, and discussions focused on the WMO Day 2025 theme: “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.” 
•  Key highlights included the launch of MOSDAC-IN, a satellite weather data platform developed jointly by the Indian Navy and ISRO’s SAC Ahmedabad, and the revival of the Navy’s meteorological journal “Sagarmanthan” after nearly 10 years. 

17. Zepto renames parent entity Kiranakart Tech, ahead of possible IPO 

• The quick-commerce startup Zepto has officially changed the name of its parent company from Kiranakart Technologies Private Limited to Zepto Private Limited, a move aimed at preparing for a potential stock market debut. 
• The rebranding, approved by the Registrar of Companies (RoC) in Mumbai, adheres to the legal procedure for changing a company’s name in India, which includes receiving shareholder approval, filing with the RoC, and obtaining clearance from the central government. 
• This move aligns with similar rebranding efforts by competitors like Swiggy and Zomato, who changed their corporate names ahead of their IPOs or platform diversifications, while maintaining their brand identities. 

18. ADB’s cumulative loan commitment to India reaches $59.5 billion in 2024 

•  Asian Development Bank’s cumulative loan commitment to India as of December 31, 2024, increased to reach $59.5 billion as against $55.3 billion in 2023. 
•  In support of the Government of India catalysing robust, climate-resilient, and inclusive growth, it committed financing worth $4.25 billion for 21 projects in 2024. 
•  ADB’s cumulative assistance to India, as of December 31 2024, includes 657 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totalling $59.5 billion to India. ADB’s current sovereign portfolio in India includes 78 loans worth $16.23 billion. 

About Asian Development Bank (ADB) 

•  Founded – 19 December 1966 
• Headquarters – Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines 
•  President – Masato Kanda (replace Masatsugu Asakawa) 
•  Vice President – Ashok Lavasa 
•  Director of ADB for India – Mio Oka (replace Takeo Konishi) 
•  Executive Director – Vikas Sheel 
•  Adviser to the Executive Director – Smita Sarangi 
• Member Countries – 69 (Israel) 

19. Former Finance Secretary Pandey appointed vice-president at AIIB 

•  Ajay Bhushan Pandey, former Finance Secretary and CEO of Aadhaar, has been appointed as the Vice President of Investment Solutions at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), headquartered in Beijing. 
•  In his new role, Pandey will lead and oversee three major departments: Sectors, Themes and Finance Solutions (STF), Sustainability and Fiduciary Solutions (SFD), and Portfolio Management Department (PMD). 
•  India is the second-largest shareholder in AIIB, following China. 
•  According to the bank’s official data, China is the largest shareholder of AIIB with 26.54 per cent voting shares. India is the second largest shareholder with 7.58 per cent, followed by Russia, 5.9 per cent and Germany with 4.1 per cent. 

20. Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector 

•  Chairperson of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) – Sivasubramanian Ramann (replace Deepak Mohanty) 
•  Deputy Governor of RBI – Poonam Gupta; for 3 years (replace Michael Patra) 
•  MD & CEO of SBI Card – Salila Pande (replace Abhijeet Chakravorty)
• Whole-time Member (Life) of IRDAI – Swaminathan S. Iyer 
•  Secretary of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) – B Ramesh Babu 

21. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna names Justice BR Gavai as his successor 

•  Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has recommended Justice B.R. Gavai to the government for appointment as the 52nd Chief Justice of India. Chief Justice Khanna is scheduled to retire on May 13. 
•  Born on November 24, 1960 at Amravati, Justice Gavai joined the Bar on March 16, 1985. Justice Gavai’s father, Ramakrishna Suryabhan Gavai, also known as ‘Dadasaheb’, was a former Governor of Bihar and a prominent Dalit leader. 
•  He was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019 and is due to retire on November 23, 2025. 
•  Justice Gavai, as a Supreme Court judge, was part of many impactful decisions, including the upholding of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and the striking down of the electoral bonds scheme. The judge laid down pan-India guidelines against illegal demolitions or the ‘bulldozer culture’ of States. 
•  He was part of a Constitution Bench which held that States have a right to sub-classify Scheduled Castes notified in the Presidential List in order to provide them more preferential treatment in public employment and education. 
•  Justice Gavai’s judgment in the Manish Sisodia bail case had fortified the right to personal liberty. He headed the Bench which had ordered the release of Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. 
•  Justice Gavai practised in the Bombay High Court from 1987 and appeared in Constitutional and Administrative Law cases. He was elevated as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003 and was appointed a Permanent Judge in November 2005. 

22. South California city of Pomona to host cricket in LA 2028 Olympics 

• South California city of Pomona will host the cricket competition during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 
•  The cricket event, which will feature six teams each in men’s and women’s categories, will be held at the Fairgrounds in Pomona with the sport set to be a part of the Olympics after 128 years. 
•  Cricket joined five new sports at LA28, including baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash. 
•  The T20 format, recognised as the vehicle for the growth of the game by the ICC, has also featured in other multi-sport events in recent years. 
•  The Asian Games in 2010, 2014 and 2023 featured both men’s and women’s T20 competitions while the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games staged a women’s competition. 

23. 17 April – World Haemophilia Day 

•  World Haemophilia Day is observed every year on April 17 to spread awareness about haemophilia and other bleeding disorders. 
•  The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Frank Schnabel, founder of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH). 
• Theme 2025 – Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too 
•  World Haemophilia Day was founded in 1989 by the World Federation of Haemophilia to honour its founder Frank Schnabel, who played a pivotal role in raising awareness about haemophilia and dedicated his life to serving people suffering from the disorder. What is Hemophilia? 
•  Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder in which the blood doesn’t clot properly due to a deficiency or absence of certain clotting factors (proteins needed for blood clotting).