MoA&FW Issues Guidelines for Establishing Bio-Input Resource Centres Under National Mission on Natural Farming.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (MoA&FW) released detailed guidelines in April 2025 for setting up Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). These centres aim to promote chemical-free natural farming through localized production and supply of essential bio-inputs.

      - Only individuals or groups who are already practising or ready to adopt natural farming are eligible to operate BRCs. If no eligible practitioner is available, the State Natural Farming Cell will nominate a farmer to begin natural farming from the next crop cycle.

      - All bio-inputs must be customized to suit local soil, crop patterns, and farmer needs. Input costs must remain affordable, particularly for small and marginal farmers, to ensure equitable access and promote widespread adoption of natural farming.

      - BRCs are required to run on a for-profit model to ensure their long-term sustainability. Each BRC must also have easy access to livestock manure and plant biomass, which are crucial for the preparation of organic farming inputs.

Main Point :-   (i) The government will provide financial support of ₹1 lakh per BRC, in two equal instalments of ₹50,000 each. BRCs may also integrate with other schemes like the Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs and the National Mission on Edible Oilseeds.

      (ii) BRCs are envisioned as cluster-level enterprises for providing bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and organic formulations. These centres will act as knowledge hubs, offering training, demonstrations, and guidance on bio-input application, particularly for farmers unable to produce inputs themselves.

(iii) The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), launched on 25th November 2024, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a budget outlay of ₹2,481 crore (GoI share: ₹1,584 crore; State share: ₹897 crore). Over the next two years, it aims to cover 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats, reach 1 crore farmers, and promote natural farming on 7.5 lakh hectares.

Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka Top CareEdge State Rankings for 2025.

In April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based CareEdge Ratings (formerly CARE Ratings Ltd) released the second edition of its State Rankings, with Maharashtra securing the top position in the overall composite rankings with a score of 56.5, followed by Gujarat (52.4) and Karnataka (51.9).

      - The ranking provides a quantitative assessment of Indian states based on their potential for sustainable and equitable growth, reflecting the investment attractiveness of each state. The first edition was published in 2023.

Main Point :-   (i) States are evaluated across seven core pillars: Economic, Fiscal, Infrastructure, Financial Development, Social, Governance, and Environment. These pillars together encompass a total of 50 performance indicators, offering a comprehensive measure of a state's progress and investment potential.

      (ii) Western and Southern states dominated the top five rankings. Western states stood out for their strong performance in economic and fiscal areas, while southern states excelled in governance, environmental sustainability, and social development indicators.

(iii) In the North-East, Hilly & Small States (Group B) category, Goa topped the rankings.

Ghaziabad Secures ₹150 Crore Through India’s First Certified Green Municipal Bond for Sewage Treatment Project (TSTP).

In April 2025, under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN), the municipal corporation of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP), has successfully raised ₹150 crore through India’s first certified Green Municipal Bond (GMB).

      - The capital raised will be used for the construction of a 40 Million Liters per Day (MLD) Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP) located in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad.

      - Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam raised Rs. 150 crore through India's first certified Green Municipal Bond, offering an 8.1% annual coupon rate. The bond is listed on the BSE Bond Platform and supports the construction of a Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP) in Ghaziabad.

      - Green Municipal Bonds are fixed-income instruments issued by local governments to fund environmentally sustainable projects, such as water conservation, waste management, and pollution control, promoting urban development while supporting environmental goals.

Main Point :-   (i) The ₹150 crore Green Municipal Bond, backed by both the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, was issued by Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U). The Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP) project follows the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), with 40% funding from the municipality and 60% from private partners, reinforcing fiscal responsibility through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach.

      (ii) The TSTP, inaugurated by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in January 2022, aims to reduce groundwater extraction by supplying treated wastewater for industrial use, aiding in water conservation. The plant employs advanced membrane-based filtration technologies like microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and Reverse Osmosis (RO). A robust 95 km pipeline network facilitates the delivery of treated water to 1,400+ industrial units, helping them shift from freshwater to recycled water sources.

(iii) With a treatment capacity of 40 MLD (Million Litres per Day), the plant has signed contracts to supply 9.5 MLD to over 800 industries. The total project cost is around ₹320 crore, of which ₹150 crore was successfully raised through India’s first certified Green Municipal Bond. In recognition of its sustainable water reuse model, Ghaziabad received the Best Municipal Treated Water Reuse Award at the 19th Water Digest World Water Awards 2024–25.

PM Narendra Modi Delivers Address at YUGM Innovation Conclave Held in New Delhi.

On April 29, 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi addressed the 'YUGM: Uniting Academia, Industry, and Innovators for Viksit Bharat' Innovation Conclave at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Delhi.

      - The event, organized by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in collaboration with the Wadhwani Foundation, brought together leaders from government, academia, and industry to foster innovation and technological advancement in India.

Main Point :-   (i) During the conclave, several key initiatives were launched, including: The establishment of Superhubs at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP), focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intelligent Systems, and at IIT Bombay, Mumbai (Maharashtra), specializing in Biosciences, Biotechnology, Health, and Medicine.

      (ii) The setting up of Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) Centers at leading research institutions to accelerate research commercialization.

(iii) The exchange of a Letter of Intent (LOI) between the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the Wadhwani Foundation for co-funding and scaling up research aimed at creating tangible societal impact.

Madhya Pradesh Becomes First State in India to Launch AI-Powered Real-Time Forest Alert System.

On April 29, 2025, Madhya Pradesh (MP) became the first state in India to implement an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Real-Time Forest Alert System to monitor forest encroachments and tree felling.

      - The pilot project was launched in 5 districts of MP, namely Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Burhanpur, and Khandwa, and will be expanded statewide from June 7, 2025.

      - The system utilizes satellite imagery, machine learning, and field feedback to detect changes within forest areas as small as 10x10 meters (m).

      - It integrates satellite data from Google Earth Engine, AI algorithms, and ground feedback into a unified platform.

Main Point :-   (i) The system can identify activities such as crop sowing, construction, and land-use changes.

      (ii) Upon detection, immediate alerts are sent to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), who then directs beat guards for on-site verification.

(iii) The system was conceptualized and coded by Akshay Rathore, DFO of Guna, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee (Uttarakhand), and supported by Aseem Shrivastava, the Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Indian Forest Service (IFS), and S. Annigeri, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF-IT) in MP.

Ministry of Labour & Employment and Rapido Sign MoU to Boost Employment Opportunities through NCS Portal.

In April 2025, the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Rapido Private Limited, a prominent ride-hailing service provider, to enhance employment opportunities in the logistics sector through the National Career Service (NCS) portal in New Delhi, Delhi.

      The MoU was signed in the presence of the Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, MoL&E, and the Minister of State (MoS) Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, MoL&E.

      - Rapido will post 50 lakh verified job opportunities on the NCS portal over a period of 1–2 years, specifically for roles such as bike taxi, auto, and cab drivers.

      - The collaboration between Rapido and the NCS portal ensures real-time updates and seamless application tracking through API-based integration for the posted job opportunities.

Main Point :-   (i) The initiative places a special emphasis on inclusive hiring, focusing on providing employment opportunities to youth, women, and individuals seeking flexible work options.

      (ii) Structured onboarding and awareness programs will be conducted as part of digital empowerment, aimed at educating workers about welfare schemes available to them.

(iii) Rapido has recently launched the 'Pink Rapido' initiative, aimed at creating employment opportunities specifically for women.

RBI Introduces IESH, UCCS, and RCCS Surveys to Support Monetary Policy Decisions.

On April 29, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched three crucial surveys to gather valuable insights for guiding its monetary policy decisions. These surveys aim to assess inflation expectations and consumer confidence among both urban and rural populations in India.

      - The Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH) is designed to capture households' subjective assessments of price movements and inflation, based on their individual consumption patterns. This survey is conducted across 19 cities in India and provides valuable insights into public expectations of inflation. The findings of this survey are crucial for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in setting interest rates and formulating other monetary policies to address inflation effectively.

      - The Urban Consumer Confidence Survey (UCCS) focuses on collecting qualitative responses from urban households regarding their sentiments on the general economic situation, employment scenario, price levels, and their own income and spending patterns. Conducted across 19 cities in India, this survey offers valuable insights into the confidence levels of urban consumers. These insights can significantly influence consumption patterns, thereby impacting economic growth and monetary policy decisions.

      - The Rural Consumer Confidence Survey (RCCS) gathers perceptions and one-year-ahead expectations from rural and semi-urban households regarding the general economic situation, employment prospects, price levels, and income and spending. Spanning 31 states and Union Territories (UTs), this survey plays a vital role in understanding rural consumer confidence, which is critical for assessing the overall health of India’s economy, especially considering the significant contribution of the rural economy.

Main Point :-   (i) These surveys are essential for the RBI in understanding public perceptions and expectations about inflation, economic conditions, and consumer confidence across both urban and rural populations. The data collected helps the RBI make informed decisions regarding interest rates and other monetary policy measures. Such surveys are crucial for adjusting policies that aim to control inflation and promote sustainable economic growth.

      (ii) In April 2025, as part of the RBI's 1st Bi-monthly monetary policy for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26), the central bank decided to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.00%.

(iii) This decision was influenced by the findings from various surveys, including the IESH, UCCS, and RCCS, which provided insights into inflation expectations and consumer confidence, helping guide the RBI’s approach to monetary policy for the upcoming fiscal year.

India Post (DoP) Collaborates with SBI Mutual Fund to Simplify Mutual Fund Investor Onboarding Process.

On 29 April 2025, the Department of Posts (DoP), also known as India Post under the Ministry of Communications (MoC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SBI Funds Management Limited (SBIFM).

      - SBIFM is a joint venture between the State Bank of India (SBI) and the French-based AMUNDI Asset Management Company (AAMC).

      - This partnership aims to simplify the customer onboarding process for Mutual Fund (MF) investors across India.

      - The MoU was officially signed at Dak Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi, by Manisha Bansal Badal from the Business Development Directorate (BDD), DoP, and Munish Sabharwal, Senior Vice President of SBIFM.

Main Point :-   (i) The initiative seeks to streamline the Know Your Customer (KYC) process for investors, ensuring a convenient, secure, and regulation-compliant experience for mutual fund investments across the country.

      (ii) Additionally, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, MoC and Minister for Development of the Northeastern Region (MDONER), launched 'Gyan Post'—a new postal service designed to make the delivery of educational, social, cultural, and religious books more affordable and accessible throughout India.

Bajaj Allianz Introduces 'ClimateSafe' Parametric Insurance to Address Climate-Related Risks.

On April 29, 2025, Pune (Maharashtra)-based Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited, a joint venture between Bajaj Finserv Limited (India) and Allianz SE (Germany), launched ‘ClimateSafe’, India’s first parametric climate risk insurance product.

      - The innovative product aims to provide swift financial assistance to individuals impacted by climate change-induced weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold waves, and excessive rainfall.

      - Under this policy, a financial payout of up to Rs 6,000 per worker will be disbursed if the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 400 for more than two defined strikes.

      - A strike is defined as a period when the AQI remains above 400 for at least three out of the previous five days.

Main Point :-   (i) ClimateSafe operates on a parametric insurance model, where automatic payouts are triggered once specific weather thresholds—such as temperature or rainfall levels—are breached, as recorded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The process requires no manual claims, and settlements are completed within 7 days, ensuring quick financial relief without customer intervention.

      (ii) The product is designed to compensate for income losses faced by daily wage and gig economy workers, while also covering additional expenses such as increased electricity bills or commuting costs. It also offers protection against supply chain disruptions, event cancellations, and damage to household items due to climate-induced events like floods or heatwaves.

(iii) Customers can personalize their insurance by selecting the location of risk, the risk period (ranging from 1 to 30 days), sum insured, and specific weather triggers like excessive rainfall or extreme temperatures. Premium pricing is dynamic, calculated in real-time based on climate data, making it responsive and adaptable to changing environmental conditions.

According to IMF Report 2025 USA Retains Top Spot as World's Largest Economy and India Ranked 4th Globally.

In the 'April 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO)' released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), headquartered in Washington, D.C., the United States of America (USA) has retained its position as the world's largest economy with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 30.51 trillion. It is followed by China with USD 19.53 trillion and Germany with USD 4.92 trillion.

      - India has emerged as the fourth largest economy globally, with a GDP of USD 4.39 trillion.

      - The report notes that India is poised to surpass both Germany and Japan by 2030, provided its current economic growth trajectory continues.

      - The IMF also projects that India will remain the fastest-growing major economy for the next two years, outperforming both global and regional peers in terms of economic expansion.

Main Point :-   (i) The report emphasizes that ongoing trade conflicts pose risks to global economic stability, potentially weakening growth prospects and impacting the international financial system.

      (ii) Despite global uncertainty and escalating trade-war tensions, the world economy has stabilised, showing modest but steady growth, staying well above recession levels.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar Re-Elected as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

In April 2025, Kamla Susheila Persad-Bissessar (commonly referred to as KPB), leader of the United National Congress (UNC), was re-elected as the 9th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago for a five-year term, beginning on April 30, 2025.

      - She regained power after a resounding victory in the general elections held on April 28, 2025, where the UNC, in alliance with the Coalition of Interests (CoI), secured 26 out of 41 seats in the House of Representatives, comfortably surpassing the 21-seat majority threshold.

      - Kamla Persad-Bissessar succeeded the incumbent PM, Stuart Richard Young of the People's National Movement (PNM), who served from March 17, 2025, to April 29, 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) Kamla Susheila Persad-Bissessar, born to Indian descendants, is a distinguished lawyer and politician from Trinidad and Tobago. She made history by becoming the first woman to hold the roles of Prime Minister, Attorney General, and Opposition Leader in the country. Additionally, she served as the first female Chairperson-in-Office of the Commonwealth of Nations, further solidifying her prominence on the global stage.

      (ii) Her political career includes serving as Attorney General in 1995 and 2001, and as Leader of the Opposition starting in 2006. In 2010, she became the political leader of the United National Congress (UNC), leading the party to victory and becoming the 6th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. She held the position from May 26, 2010, to September 9, 2015, making her the nation's first and only female Prime Minister.

(iii) In 2011, Time magazine recognized her as the 13th most influential female leader globally. Furthermore, in 2012, the Government of India awarded her the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Overseas Indian Award), the highest honor for Overseas Indians, in recognition of her significant contributions to public service.

Mark Carney Elected as the New Prime Minister of Canada.

On April 28, 2025, the Liberal Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, secured victory in Canada’s federal election, defeating Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party. This win marks the fourth consecutive term in power for the Liberal Party, further solidifying its dominant position in Canadian politics.

      - Mark Carney had earlier been sworn in as the 24th Prime Minister of Canada in March 2025, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Notably, Carney became the first unelected Prime Minister in Canadian history, assuming office through internal party succession before leading the Liberals to an electoral mandate.

      - Mark Carney was born on March 16, 1965, in Fort Smith, located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, near the Arctic region. He began his professional journey in the financial sector with Goldman Sachs, where he worked from 1995 to 2003, before transitioning into public service.

Main Point :-   (i) Mark Carney held several key roles in Canada’s financial governance, serving as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada from 2003 to 2004 and later as the Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Finance. He was appointed Governor of the Bank of Canada in 2008, a position he held until 2013, where he played a critical role in stabilizing the Canadian economy during the global financial crisis.

      (ii) In a historic move, Mark Carney became the first non-British Governor of the Bank of England, serving from 2013 to 2020. This achievement made him the first person to head the central banks of two G7 nations—Canada and the United Kingdom.

(iii) In 2019, he was appointed as the United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, further enhancing his global stature as a respected economist and climate finance leader.

RBI Approves Interim Executive Committee to Lead IndusInd Bank During Leadership Transition.

In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the formation of an interim "Committee of Executives" to manage the operations of Mumbai-based IndusInd Bank Limited. This temporary arrangement is set to last up to three months or until a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is appointed, following the resignation of the bank’s Managing Director (MD) and CEO, Sumant Kathpalia.

      - The RBI's decision was prompted by the discovery of serious accounting discrepancies within the bank’s derivatives portfolio, raising concerns about governance and financial integrity. These discrepancies significantly impacted the bank's financial reporting, warranting immediate regulatory intervention.

      - The newly formed interim committee includes key senior executives from within the bank. Soumitra Sen, currently serving as the Head of Consumer Banking, and Anil Rao, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), will lead day-to-day operations during this transitional period.

      - The operations of the interim executive committee will be monitored by an Oversight Committee of the Board. This committee is chaired by Sunil Mehta, Chairman of the Board of IndusInd Bank, and comprises the heads of the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Nomination & Remuneration Committee, and the Risk Management Committee.

Main Point :-   (i) The Oversight Committee is tasked with ensuring continued stability and sound governance within the bank. Its role became especially critical after internal audits revealed accounting mistakes, including a major discrepancy of Rs. 1,959.98 crore in the profit and loss statement due to mismanagement of internal derivative transactions.

      (ii) Leadership changes began on April 28, 2025, when IndusInd Bank's Deputy CEO and Whole-time Director, Arun Khurana, resigned. His resignation came in direct response to the findings surrounding the accounting irregularities.

(iii) Following this, CEO Sumant Kathpalia also stepped down, accepting moral responsibility for the lapses. The discrepancies were brought to light through an external agency's investigation, which reported a cumulative negative impact of Rs. 1,959.98 crore on the bank’s Profit and Loss (P&L) account as of March 31, 2025.

Indian Armed Forces Recently Undergo Leadership Reshuffle: Tiwari, Dixit & Sharma Appointed to Key Top Posts.

In April 2025, the Indian Armed Forces underwent a major leadership reshuffle across three critical divisions—the Indian Air Force (IAF), Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), and the Indian Army's Northern Command. These leadership changes officially took effect on 1st May 2025, signifying a strategic transition in top military roles.

      - In the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari took charge as the 49th Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS). He succeeded Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar, who retired on 30th April 2025 after a distinguished 40-year service career.

      - Prior to this elevation, Air Marshal Tiwari served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the South Western Air Command (SWAC) based in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. His leadership has been marked by operational excellence and administrative capability.

      - Air Marshal Tiwari has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2025)—the highest peacetime military decoration of the Indian Armed Forces. He was also awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008.

Main Point :-   (i) Over at the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit was appointed as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) on 1st May 2025. He succeeded Lieutenant General Johnson P Matthew, who retired a day earlier.

      (ii) Air Marshal Dixit previously served as the AOC-in-C of Central Air Command in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. His decorated career includes the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), Vayu Sena Medal (2006), and Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), recognizing his strategic and operational contributions.

(iii) In the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma was named the new General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Northern Command, headquartered in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. He succeeded Lt Gen MV Suchendra Kumar, who also retired on 30th April 2025. Lt Gen Sharma had previously served as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) and Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), and was recently honored with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2025).

RR’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi Becomes Youngest Player to Score a Century in IPL History.

In April 2025, Rajasthan Royals’ (RR’s) Vaibhav Suryavanshi, aged just 14, became the youngest player to score a century (100 runs) in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

      - He achieved this remarkable feat in just 35 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT) during IPL 2025 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

      - He broke the previous record held by RR’s Riyan Parag, who scored a century at the age of 17 years and 175 days. RR’s Sanju Samson ranks third on the list, having scored a century at 18 years and 169 days.

      - At 14 years and 32 days, Suryavanshi became the youngest cricketer ever to score a century in any official Twenty20 (T20) match. He broke the previous record set by Manish Pandey, who scored a T20 century at 19 years and 253 days in 2009.

Main Point :-   (i) Vaibhav Suryavanshi reached his century in just 35 balls, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball ton in 2010. It now stands as the second-fastest IPL century overall, only behind Chris Gayle’s 30-ball hundred in 2013.

      (ii) Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 101 runs from just 38 balls at an astonishing strike rate of 265.79. His innings included 11 sixes, which is the joint-most by an Indian in a single IPL innings, along with 7 fours.

(iii) He scored 94 out of his 101 runs through boundaries, setting a new IPL record for the highest percentage of runs from boundaries in a century.

Cricket Retained, MMA Set to Make Debut at 2026 Asian Games.

In April 2025, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), headquartered in Kuwait City (Kuwait), along with the Japan-based Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC), officially confirmed the inclusion of Cricket and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the 2026 Asian Games. The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

      - The announcement was made during the 41st AINAGOC Board Meeting held at Nagoya City Hall, Japan.

      - Cricket will make its fourth appearance at the Asian Games, following its participation in the 2010, 2014, and 2022 editions. The matches will be conducted in the Twenty20 International (T20I) format and hosted in Aichi Prefecture.

      - Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), a full-contact combat sport combining techniques from various martial arts disciplines, will make its debut in the Asian Games. The sport will feature six medal events and will be part of the combat sports category, alongside kurash and jujitsu.

Main Point :-   (i) The return of cricket to the Asian Games reflects its growing global presence, particularly with its reintroduction into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, after being absent for 128 years.

      (ii) The inclusion of cricket and MMA is expected to strengthen South Asian rivalries and significantly enhance India's medal prospects, especially in MMA, with rising stars such as Anshul Jubli and Pooja Tomar gaining international recognition.

Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2025 Recently Observed on April 30.

Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated every year across India on 30th April as part of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, with the aim of promoting awareness about the objectives of Ayushman Bharat, a flagship health scheme launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (GoI).

      - The primary purpose of observing this day is to spread awareness about the importance of maintaining good health and to educate citizens about the benefits offered under the government's free healthcare schemes, including accessible and affordable medical services.

Main Point :-   (i) Ayushman Bharat was launched as per the recommendations of the National Health Policy 2017 to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

      (ii) It was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23rd September 2018 in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

(iii) The scheme has two components: Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

International Jazz Day 2025 Celebrated on April 30.

The United Nations (UN)'s International Jazz Day is observed annually on 30 April to highlight the role of jazz in promoting peace, dialogue, and unity among cultures worldwide.

      - In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference officially designated 30 April as "International Jazz Day".

      - The first celebration was held on 30 April 2012, marking the beginning of a global movement to honor jazz and its unifying power.

Main Point :-   (i) The 2025 edition was jointly organized by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, based in Washington, D.C., United States, and observed in over 190 countries.

      (ii) Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), served as the Global Host City for 2025, recognized for its status as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.

World Immunization Week 2025 Observed from 24th to 30th April.

World Immunization Week (WIW) 2025 was recently observed from April 24 to 30, 2025, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise global awareness about the vital role of vaccines in disease prevention and saving lives. This annual event takes place during the last week of April and is marked by various vaccination campaigns and public health initiatives around the world.

      - The theme for WIW 2025 is "Immunization for All is Humanly Possible."

      - As part of the observance, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), virtually launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2025-26.

      - The campaign aims to eliminate measles and rubella in India by 2026 through strengthened and intensified vaccination efforts.

Main Point :-   (i) WIW was initiated in 2003 in the Region of the Americas and was expanded to all six WHO regions by 2012, engaging over 180 countries, territories, and areas.

      (ii) In May 2012, the 65th World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted resolution WHA65.18, officially urging Member States to designate the last week of April as World Immunization Week.

Question : Recently,Which state topped the CareEdge Ratings State Rankings 2025 in overall composite score?

Question : Recently, which city became the first in India to raise funds through a certified green municipal bond?

Question : Recently, who addressed the 'YUGM: Uniting Academia, Industry, and Innovators for Viksit Bharat' Innovation Conclave in New Delhi?

Question : Recently, which state became the first in India to implement an AI-based Real-Time Forest Alert System?

Question : Recently, with which ride-hailing service provider did the Ministry of Labour & Employment sign an MoU to boost logistics-sector employment?

Question : Recently, which organization under the Ministry of Communications signed an MoU with SBI Funds Management to simplify mutual fund investor onboarding?

Question : What is the name of the parametric insurance product recently launched by Bajaj Allianz to address climate-related risks?

Question : According to the recently released IMF Report 2025, which country has retained the top position as the world’s largest economy?

Question : Who was recently re-elected as the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago?

Question : Who was recently elected as the new Prime Minister of Canada?

Question : Who was recently appointed as the 49th Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF)?

Question : Who recently became the youngest player to score a century in IPL history?

Question : Which sport was recently confirmed to make its debut at the 2026 Asian Games?

Question : What date was Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2025 recently observed?

Question : When was International Jazz Day 2025 recently celebrated?

Question : When was World Immunization Week 2025 recently observed?

Question : Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare announced financial support of how much for each BRC under NMNF?

Question : Recently, which organization launched the IESH, UCCS, and RCCS surveys to gather inputs for monetary policy decisions?

Question : Who was recently appointed to lead IndusInd Bank's operations during its leadership transition?