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National News
1. The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh at Bharat
Mandapam inaugurated by Union Commerce and
Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal
- It will continue from April 3-5, 2025 and aims to boost India's economic growth.
- Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State, delivered a special address during the inauguration.
- Startup Mahakumbh is a platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders.
- More than 45 tribal entrepreneurs are taking part in it. It features representation from over 50 countries.
- Its focal theme is 'Startup India @ 2047—Unfolding the Bharat Story'.
- A made-in-India flying taxi will be on display at the event.
- Nepal will have the largest pavilion at Startup Mahakumbh.
- It will show a two-stage rocket powered by sustainable hybrid propulson.
- Startup Mahakumbh is organized by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association, and Bootstrap Advisory & Foundation.
- The event is supported by SIDBI, GEM, ECGC, Meity, and DPIIT Startup India.
2. An El Nino, character-ised by a warming of the central
equatorial Pacific Ocean, is frequently associated with
reduced monsoon rainfall in India
- "Based on the climate forecasts, including inter-national ones, we can rule out El Nino for the monsoon. We will most likely see neutral El Nino conditions," M. Mohapatra, Director-General, IMD, said
- in a briefing on Monday. In 2023, which was an El Nino year, the monsoon season saw a 6% deficit.
- Last year witnessed an 8% surplus as "neutral conditions" prevailed.
- An El Nino implies a temperature rise between 0.5 degree Celsius to 1 de-gree Celsius in the Central Pacific. "Neutral" suggests no such rise. However there have been instances
- when neutral conditions have led to below-normal rain in India. The IMD gives its first forecast on monsoon rainfall in April.
- Wait for April forecast "We will have to wait for the April forecast to get a sense of the monsoon rainfall this year," said Mr. Mohapatra, adding, "Regional factors and conditions in oceans surrounding India [Indian Ocean particularly] also have to be considered during forecasts."
- Before the monsoon kicks in, however, India will be reeling under "above normal" temperatures during the summer months.
- From April to June, India on average reports four to seven heatwave days, defined as temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius or greater-than-five-degrees rise from what's normal in a region.
- "Parts of eastern India could potentially see 10 heatwave days this year," said Mr. Mohapatra.
3. DoT strengthened anti-spam measures to curb unsolicited commercial communications (UCC) through Jan Bhagidari
In a major step to curb spam calls and cyber fraud, DoT has disconnected approximately 1.75 lakh Direct Inward Dialing (DID)/landline telephone numbers.
These numbers were identified as being misused for unauthorized promotional and illegal activities.
A significant rise in spam calls has been detected, originating from telecom identifiers such as 0731, 079, and 080.
These calls exploit PRIs, lease lines, Internet lease lines, SIP, and IPLC for unauthorized activities.
Under Jan Bhagidari, citizens are reporting such cases of unsolicited commercial communication (UCC)/spam/fraud calls on the Chakshu module of Sanchar Saathi.
The DoT has advised Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to enforce strict adherence to Unified License conditions.
They are required to prevent the misuse of PRIs, SIP trunks, Lease Lines, Internet Lease Lines, and IPLC, ensuring their proper and authorized usage.
"Handling of cyber-crimes in India":
Cybercrime-related matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), as per the allocation of business rules.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) actively works to prevent the misuse of telecom resources in cyber fraud activities.
Additionally, under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, 'Police' and 'Public Order' are classified as State subjects, making state governments responsible for maintaining law and order.
To strengthen cybercrime enforcement, the MHA has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) as an attached office.
This center provides a structured framework and support system for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to address cyber-related offenses effectively.
Furthermore, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) has been launched by the MHA, allowing various types of cybercrimes to be reported by citizens through a centralized platform.
4. Measures taken by government of India for digital infrastructure upgradation in villages
- The BharatNet project is being implemented for broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages beyond GPs on demand basis.
- The amended BharatNet program, approved in August 2023, is improving the current network.
- It also promotes the use of the network through BharatNet Udyamis.
- BSNL is the sole Project Management Agency for operation and maintenance.
- On January 17, 2025, the government launched National Broadband Mission 2.0.
- The mission aims to accelerate the expansion of digital infrastructure and bridge the digital gap.
- It focuses on ensuring high-speed internet and meaningful connectivity for all.
- Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) was launched by MeitY to provide digital literacy to 6 crore rural households.
- The scheme was executed by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited through Common Service Centres in Gram Panchayats.
- Instead of 6 crore, 6.39 crore people were successfully trained.
- PMGDISHA training and certification officially ended on March 31, 2024.
- A survey by NSSO in its 79th round revealed that 78.4% of young people aged 15-24 can send messages with attachments.
- This reflects a rise in digital skills.
- About 94.2% of rural households and 97.1% of urban households have a mobile phone or telephone.
- The increase in smartphone usage and internet access in rural areas highlights PMGDISHA's success.
- Evaluation by IIT Delhi, Council for Social Development (CSD) and Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) confirmed the positive effects of PMGDISHA on ICT adoption.
- Launched in December 2019, the National Broadband Mission (NBM) aims to improve digital communications infrastructure.
- NBM seeks to close the digital divide and ensure affordable broadband for all.
- Key initiatives under NBM include the Centralized Right of Way (RoW) Portal GatiShakti Sanchar.
- The 'Call Before u Dig' mobile app is another key initiative.
- The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) Platform is also part of the mission.
- Progress under NBM 1.0 since the launch:
- Broadband subscribers has increased from 66 crore to 94.49 crore.
- Average monthly wireless data consumption per person has risen from 10 GB to 21.10 GB.
- Median mobile broadband download speed has grown from 10.71 Mbps in 2019 to 144.33 Mbps in February 2025.
- Median fixed broadband speed has increased from 29.25 Mbps in 2019 to 61.66 Mbps in February 2025.
- The length of Optical Fiber Cable has grown from 19.35 lakh route km to 42.13 lakh route km.
- Number of mobile towers has risen from 5.37 lakh to 8.23 lakh.
- Base Transceiver Stations have grown from 21.80 lakh to 29.97 lakh, including 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations.
International News
5. As per Copernicus Climate Change Service report, January 2025 was the hottest month on record
- Global surface temperatures during January 2025 were 0.79°C above the 1991-2020 average.
- In India, the average temperature was the second highest since 1901.
- It was 0.98°C higher than the 1991-2020 average.
- The primary cause of these higher temperatures is global warming.
- Global warming is closely linked to climate change and driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels.
- Burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
- Greenhouse gases trap heat, leading to an increase in the Earth's temperature.
- Typically, La Niña years bring above-average rainfall to the Indian summer monsoon.
- Currently, neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are present in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- The eastern and far western Pacific Ocean have higher-than-average sea surface temperatures.
- The central Pacific Ocean has cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures.
- As per forecasts, neutral ENSO conditions will continue through the 2025 southwest monsoon season.
- No La Niña impact is expected on the Indian monsoon in 2025.
- India Meteorological Department (IMD) will release the initial seasonal rainfall forecast for the 2025 Southwest monsoon by mid-April.
- IMD tracks global Sea Surface Temperature (SST) changes, especially in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- IMD uses the Monsoon Mission Climate Forecasting System (MMCFS) to generate forecasts.
- It releases monthly ENSO/Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) reports.
- IMD provides monthly and seasonal outlooks for rainfall and temperature.
- IMD also offers agriculture-specific advisories to help farmers prepare for extreme weather conditions related to El Niño and La Niña.
6. Shirley Botchwey becomes 1st African woman to assume oce as Commonwealth Secretary-General
- Shirley Botchwey has become the first African woman to assume the office of the Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations.
- She replaced Patricia Scotland of Dominica, who incidentally was the first woman to hold the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations.
- She previously served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from January 2017 to January 2024 and was also a member of Ghana’s National Security Council.
- The Secretary-General is nominated by Commonwealth leaders and can serve a maximum of two terms of four years each. The Commonwealth Secretary-General is responsible for promoting and protecting the Commonwealth’s values, representing the Commonwealth publicly and the management of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
- The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of 56 independent countries that were once the colonies of Great Britain.
7. N Chandrasekaran joins IMF advisory council on entrepreneurship & growth
- N Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Tata Sons, has been appointed as a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director’s Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.
- This council aims to provide insights into macroeconomic and financial policies to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic growth.
8. On 2 April 2025, India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) completed three years of its signing
The agreement was signed on April 2, 2022. It has significantly strengthened the economic relationship between India and Australia.
The ECTA has benefited businesses, entrepreneurs, and created jobs in both nations.
Bilateral trade reached USD 24 billion in 2023-24.
India’s exports to Australia grew by 14% compared to the previous year.
From April 2024 to February 2025, exports grew by 4.4% compared to the same period in 2023.
The ECTA has delivered benefits in sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and agriculture.
Exports of products such as Calcined Petroleum Coke, High-Capacity Diesel Generating Sets, and Air Liquefaction Machinery show grown trade opportunities.
India-Australia diplomatic relations:
India and Australia established diplomatic relations with setting up of India Trade Office in Sydney in 1941.
Bilateral relationship between India and Australia was upgraded from ‘Strategic Partnership’ in 2009 to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2020.
1st India-Australia Annual Summit was held in New Delhi on 10 March 2023.
India is Australia’s sixth largest trading partner. Bilateral trade between two nations grew from US$ 22.2 billion in 2021 to US$ 31.4 billion in 2022.
State News
9. Thovalai’s traditional ‘Manikka Malai’ secures GI tag
- The famous Kumbakonam vetrilai (Kumbakonam betel leaf) and Thovalai maanikka maalai have been given the Geographical Indications (GI) tag.
- The Kumbakonam betel leaf is found in the Cauvery Delta region specifically in regions like Thiruvaiyaru, Papanasam, Thiruvidaimarudhur, Kumbakonam, and Valaigaman blocks of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur.
- Almost after three years of submitting an application for the GI tag, the six-generation old craftsmanship has secured the tag accorded by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Kumbakonam betel leaves’ history can be traced back to centuries. According to details in the GI journal, besides paddy, the crops generally grown on wetlands are sugarcane and betel vine. The Thovalai maanikka maalai is a special type of garland that is made only in Thovalai.
10. Odisha topped the Fiscal Health Index launched by NITI Aayog
● NITI
ITI Aayog developed the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) initiative to improve the understanding of states' fiscal health in India.
The FHI analysis covers eighteen major states that drive the Indian economy in terms of their contribution to India’s GDP, demography, total public expenditure, revenues, and overall fiscal stability.
Odisha topped the index, followed by Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, and Gujarat.
Since states are responsible for approximately two-thirds of public expenditure and one-third of total revenue, their fiscal performance is critical to the overall economic stability of the country.
NITI Aayog developed the Composite Fiscal Health Index using data from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) for the financial year 2022-23.
The objective of the Fiscal Health Index is to provide a comparative analysis of the fiscal health of Indian states using standardized metrics, thereby identifying both strengths and concerns in their fiscal management practices.
It also aims to promote transparency, accountability and prudent fiscal management and enable policymakers to make informed decisions to enhance fiscal sustainability and resilience.
The Financial Health Index 2025 is based on a comprehensive set of indicators, grouped into five broad categories:
Revenue Generation and Mobilization
Expenditure Management and Prioritization
Debt Management
Fiscal Deficit Management
Overall Fiscal Sustainability
List of Fiscal Health Index 2025:
Economy News
11.The Ministry of Coal achieved record breaking growth in production and dispatch for FY 2024-25
- The Ministry of Coal reported that it has achieved a historic breakthrough, setting new records in captive and commercial coal production and dispatch for the financial year 2024-25.
- Total coal production increased to 190.95 million tonnes (MT) by 31 March 2025.
- This has registered a significant increase of 29.79% over last year's 147.11 MT.
- There has also been an exceptional growth in coal dispatch.
- It reached 190.42 MT, which is 33.36% higher than the 142.79 MT recorded in FY 2023-24.
- These excellent numbers reflect the sector's resilience, efficiency, and vital role in meeting India's energy needs.
- It drives industries such as power, steel, and cement.
- Captive mines recorded a growth of 24.72% in production and 27.76% in dispatch over last year, ensuring a stable coal supply to core industries.
- Commercial mines demonstrated remarkable progress, with production increasing by 67.32% and dispatch increasing by 76.71% over the previous year, reflecting the rapid expansion and efficiency of India's coal sector.
- List of important Coal Mines in India: Name of Coal Mine / Bloc
About Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
Founded- 23 August 2003
Headquarters- New Delhi
Chairman – Sivasubramanian Ramann (replace Deepak Mohanty)
Owner- Ministry of Finance, Government of India].
Appointment News
13. Poonam Gupta appointed as RBI’s deputy governor
Former World Bank economist, Poonam Gupta has been appointed as the Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
She will hold the position for a period of three years. At RBI, she will be replacing Michael Patra as deputy governor.
Gupta currently serves as the Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).
She is also a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and acts as the Convener for the Advisory Council to the 16th Finance Commission.
Gupta joined NCAER in 2021, bringing with her nearly two decades of experience in senior roles at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, D.C.
Moreover, Gupta has held teaching positions at the Delhi School of Economics, University of Maryland (USA), and as a visiting faculty member at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Delhi.
She is also part of the Development Advisory Committee of NITI Aayog and serves on the Executive Committee of FICCI. Notably, she chaired the Task Force on Macroeconomics and Trade during India’s G20 Presidency.
She was honored with the 1998 EXIM Bank Award for her doctoral work on international economics.
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Founded – 1 April 1935
RBI Nationalized – 1 January 1949
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
RBI set up – Hilton Young Commission
1st Governor – Sir Osborne Smith (Australia)
1st Indian Governor – CD Deshmukh
26th Governor – Sanjay Malhotra (replace Shaktikanta Das)
RBI Deputy Governor (4) – 1. Tavarna Rabi Sankar
Swaminathan Janakiraman
Poonam Gupta
M Rajeshwar Rao
14. Govt appoints S Ramann as new PFRDA chairperson
The government has appointed Deputy CAG S Ramann as
Ramann would replace incumbent Deepak Mohanty whose term comes to an end in May 2025.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Sivasubramanian Ramann, Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General, to the post of chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The ACC has approved his appointment for a tenure of five years or till he attains age of 65 years.
Ramann, presently serving as Deputy CAG, belongs to 1991 batch of Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA&AS).
Important Day News
- 6. 2 April 2025 – National Walking Day
National Walking Day is observed on the first Wednesday of April every year to encourage people to prioritize their health by incorporating walking into their daily routine. This year was observed on 2 April.
Theme 2025- Save yourself from diabetes, heart diseases and cancers
Established by the American Heart Association (AHA), the day highlights the benefits of walking for heart health, mental well-being, and overall fitness.