April 2025 Current Affairs

1. Earthquake in Myanmar

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, followed by a 5.1 aftershock, killing over 1,700 people and injuring thousands. This disaster prompted global relief efforts.

2. India Launches “Operation Brahma”

India launched “Operation Brahma” to aid Myanmar and Thailand with emergency supplies, alongside support from the UN, UK, China, and others.

3. ISRO’s Semi-Cryogenic Engine Test

ISRO successfully tested the SE2000 semi-cryogenic engine, set to enhance payload capacity and replace the L110 core stage in the LVM3 rocket.

4. New US Tariffs

The US imposed new tariffs on countries including China, Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela, leading to global trade tensions and market disruptions.

5. Waqf (Amendment) Bill Passed

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in Lok Sabha, allowing non-Muslims in Waqf Boards, sparking political opposition and debate.

6. India-Sri Lanka MoUs

India and Sri Lanka signed key MoUs on defense, solar power, energy integration, and digital governance during PM Modi’s visit to BIMSTEC.

7. Supreme Court Action on Deforestation in Telangana

The Supreme Court took suo motu action over illegal deforestation in Telangana’s Kancha Gachibowli and demanded an environmental impact report.

8. End of El Niño and La Niña Forecast

El Niño officially ended; NOAA forecasts a 65% chance of La Niña forming between July and September, impacting global climate and agriculture.

9. Record Defence Exports by India

India’s defense exports reached a record ₹23,622 crore in 2024–25, reflecting a rise in indigenous production and global defense partnerships.

10. Supreme Court Judges to Declare Assets

All 31 Supreme Court judges will now publicly declare their assets online, promoting judicial transparency.

11. Inauguration of New Pamban Bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Pamban Bridge on April 6, 2025, replacing the 110-year-old sea bridge connecting Rameswaram to mainland India.

12. US Tariffs Lead to Stock Market Crash in India

A 26% reciprocal tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Indian goods caused a sharp stock market crash in India, with the Sensex falling over 2,200 points.

13. Supreme Court’s Ruling on Tamil Nadu Governor’s Assent

The Supreme Court ruled that Tamil Nadu Governor’s withholding assent on 10 re-passed bills was unconstitutional, using Article 142 to deem them as receiving assent.

14. President Droupadi Murmu Withholds Assent to Tamil Nadu’s NEET Exemption Bill

President Droupadi Murmu, on the Centre’s advice, withheld assent to Tamil Nadu’s NEET exemption bill, which the state condemned as a blow to federalism.

15. Escalating US-China Trade Tensions

Global trade tensions intensified as the U.S. imposed 104% tariffs on Chinese goods, and China retaliated with 84% tariffs, causing global market crashes and oil price drops.

16. India-Russia Defence Cooperation

India and Russia agreed to enhance defense cooperation through joint drills, technology transfers, and increased weapon sales over the next decade.

17. RBI Cuts Repo Rate

The Reserve Bank of India reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6%, shifting its stance to accommodative and lowering the GDP forecast to 6.5% for FY 2025–26.

18. Increase in PM-POSHAN Meal Cost

The central government revised the PM-POSHAN meal cost by 9.5%, raising the per meal cost to ₹12.13 for primary and ₹17.62 for upper primary students to counter inflation.

19. DRDO’s Directed Energy Weapon Test

DRDO successfully tested a Directed Energy Weapon using lasers to disable drones and missiles, enhancing India’s advanced defense capabilities.

20. Nationwide UPI Outage

A nationwide UPI outage disrupted digital payments across platforms like PhonePe and Paytm, affecting financial transactions and highlighting fintech vulnerabilities.

21. Violent Protests Over Waqf (Amendment) Act

Violent protests in Murshidabad over the Waqf (Amendment) Act led to three deaths, CAPF deployment, and over 150 arrests amid political and communal tensions.

22. Political Blame in Murshidabad Protests

BJP blamed radical groups like PFI and SIMI for the violence, seeking AFSPA in border districts, while TMC accused BJP of spreading fake visuals to incite unrest.

23. Russian Drone Strike in Kyiv

A Russian drone strike destroyed Kusum Healthcare’s warehouse in Kyiv, which stored children’s medicines. Ukraine accused Russia, while India urged peaceful dialogue.

24. India’s Retail Inflation Drops

India’s retail inflation dropped to 3.34% in March 2025, a five-and-a-half-year low, due to falling food prices, particularly significant reductions in tomato and egg rates.

25. RBI Repo Rate Cuts for Growth Stimulation

The RBI cut the repo rate by 50 basis points in two rounds, shifting policy focus from inflation control to stimulating economic growth amid improving indicators.

26. Telangana’s SC Categorization Implementation

Telangana became the first Indian state to implement SC categorization under the SC Rationalisation Act, splitting 59 sub-castes for targeted development.

27. Supreme Court Action on Telangana’s Deforestation

The Supreme Court halted Telangana’s Kancha Gachibowli forest deforestation, citing legal concerns and ordered an investigation into illegal child trafficking in Uttar Pradesh.

28. Mehul Choksi’s Arrest

Mehul Choksi, accused in the ₹13,500 crore PNB scam, was arrested in Belgium, and India initiated extradition proceedings under a newly signed treaty.

29. India’s Second Astronaut to Fly in 2025

India’s second astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, will fly to space in May 2025 as part of the Axiom-4 mission, boosting India’s space credentials.

30. US-Philippines Military Exercises Amid China’s Objections

The US and Philippines began joint military exercises amid China’s objections, escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

31. Violent Protests Over Waqf Amendment Act

Violent protests in Murshidabad left three dead, triggering CAPF deployment and over 150 arrests amid political and communal unrest.

32. Blame Game in Murshidabad Violence

BJP blamed radical groups like PFI and SIMI for the violence, demanding AFSPA in border districts, while TMC accused the BJP of spreading fake visuals to incite unrest.

33. Russian Drone Strike on Healthcare Warehouse

A Russian drone strike destroyed Kusum Healthcare’s warehouse in Kyiv, which held children’s medicines. Ukraine accused Russia, while India urged peaceful resolution.

34. India’s Retail Inflation Hits Five-and-a-Half-Year Low

India’s retail inflation fell to 3.34% in March 2025, a five-and-a-half-year low, mainly due to sharp reductions in food prices, particularly tomatoes and eggs.

35. RBI Policy Shift to Growth Stimulation

The RBI lowered the repo rate by 50 basis points in two rounds, signaling a shift in policy focus from controlling inflation to stimulating growth.

36. Telangana’s SC Categorization Under SC Rationalisation Act

Telangana implemented SC categorization under the SC Rationalisation Act to divide 59 sub-castes for targeted development and welfare benefits.

37. Pope Francis Passes Away

Pope Francis passed away at 88 in Vatican City, triggering a period of interregnum and preparations for a papal conclave.

38. Terror Attack in Jammu & Kashmir

A terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, killed 26 people, prompting an all-party meeting and heightened national security response.

39. Supreme Court on Minister Senthil Balaji’s Bail Case

The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of protecting freedom and preventing misuse of power following the controversial bail case of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji.

40. Violent Protests in Murshidabad Over Waqf Bill

Violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad resulted in three deaths, triggering CAPF deployment and over 150 arrests amid ongoing unrest.