Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 30th April 2025

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking part in Exercise Desert Flag-10 from April 21 to May 8, 2025, at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Exercise Desert Flag is a major multinational air combat exercise that trains different air forces under realistic war-like conditions. IAF has deployed two powerful aircraft: MiG-29, an air superiority fighter, and Jaguar, a deep strike ground attack aircraft. This year is special as it marks 50 years since the MiG-29 was first launched. Air forces from 12 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and France, are also participating. The goal is to share knowledge, improve tactics, and boost coordination in complex air combat missions.

India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu is expected to be commissioned next year. It marks a major step in the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme. The PFBR is a 500 Megawatt electric (MWe) sodium-cooled reactor that uses fast neutrons instead of slow neutrons. It was developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), set up in 2003 under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has predicted that wheat production from eight major states will reach 122.724 million tonnes by March 31, 2025. This estimate was made using satellite-based remote sensing technology for better accuracy and timely updates. ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) has developed a system called CROP, which stands for Comprehensive Remote Sensing Observation on Crop Progress. CROP is a semi-automated and scalable system that monitors crop sowing, growth, and harvesting in near real-time. It mainly supports agricultural planning during the Rabi season. This comes as remote sensing in agriculture marks 50 years of global use.

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 and is one of the largest global movements for environmental protection. The theme for Earth Day 2025 is “OUR POWER, OUR PLANET,” calling for a major shift to renewable energy. It urges individuals, businesses, and governments to triple clean energy production by 2030. The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, led by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson to raise awareness about environmental issues. Around 20 million Americans joined that day, making up 10% of the U.S. population. In 1990, Earth Day became a global event with over 200 million people from 141 countries participating. It reminds us of our shared duty to care for nature and tackle climate change.

Indian Navy ships INS Chennai and INS Kesari successfully performed manoeuvring exercises and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) drills during the sea phase of Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025. INS Chennai is the third and final ship of the Kolkata-class stealth-guided missile destroyers under Project 15A. The first two ships of this class were INS Kolkata and INS Kochi. INS Chennai was built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 21, 2016. It operates under the Western Naval Command, ensuring security in the Arabian Sea region.

The Maharashtra government has launched the Pink E Rickshaw Scheme to empower women and make them financially independent. It was officially launched by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on April 21, 2025, in Pune, where electric three-wheelers were distributed to selected women. The scheme is administered by the Women and Child Development Department of Maharashtra. Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions Limited is the official partner and will supply the electric three-wheelers. A total of 10,000 e-rickshaws will be given in eight districts, including Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Women aged between 20 and 50 years who are widows, divorcees, or from economically weaker sections will get preference under this scheme.

The Bullseye Galaxy, officially named LEDA 1313424, was recently discovered by an international research team using the Hubble Space Telescope and the W. M. Keck Observatory. This galaxy has a unique ringed structure formed around 50 million years ago due to a head-on collision with a blue dwarf galaxy. The collision created rippling waves of gas, which triggered star formation in circular rings. The Hubble Space Telescope observed eight rings, while the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii confirmed a ninth ring. The galaxy spans 250,000 light-years in diameter, nearly five times larger than the Milky Way. Despite being 130,000 light-years apart, a thin gas trail still links the Bullseye Galaxy to the dwarf galaxy. Scientists believe it may evolve into a Giant Low Surface Brightness Galaxy, which could offer insights into dark matter.

Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), faced severe flooding in April 2025 due to poor urban planning and twin sources of floodwater. The disaster was caused by both local rainfall and runoff from the Congo Central Province, which overwhelmed rivers like the Ndjili and Lukaya. This led to 70 deaths, 150 injuries, and displacement of over 21,000 people. It also damaged 73 healthcare facilities and disrupted water and transport systems. Kinshasa is one of 38 flood hotspots in the Congo Basin due to rapid urbanisation and twin flood sources. The crisis was worsened by ongoing instability in eastern DRC caused by the M23 armed group, leading to more displacement. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second-largest country in Africa after Algeria and the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nepal celebrated its first-ever National Yak Day on April 20, 2025, to recognize the cultural, ecological, and economic importance of yaks in the Himalayan region. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) called for the yak to be included in the sustainable development agenda, especially in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. ICIMOD highlighted the vital role of indigenous communities like the Sherpa, Tamang, Thakali, Rai, and Limbu in preserving yak herding traditions. Yak herding supports food security, cultural identity, and biodiversity conservation in high-altitude areas. The event marked a step toward promoting mountain livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the second docking of its two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), under the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. SpaDeX is a technology demonstration mission by ISRO to validate the ability to dock and undock small satellites in low-Earth orbit. The mission used two satellites, each weighing around 220 kg, launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C60 into a 460 km circular orbit. The primary objective of SpaDeX was to develop and demonstrate the capability for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking. Secondary objectives include testing electric power transfer between docked spacecraft, developing spacecraft control systems, and testing payload operations after undocking for deep-space missions.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently released its “World Economic Outlook (WEO): A Critical Juncture Among Policy Shift” report. The report cuts the global growth forecast to 2.8% and India’s to 6.2% from the earlier January 2025 update. This downgrade is due to global trade tensions and policy uncertainty. The report highlights rapid population ageing as a key concern for economies worldwide.

India and Nepal recently inaugurated the start of electromechanical works at the Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project to ensure its timely completion. The Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project is located on the Arun River, a tributary of the Kosi River, in Sankhuwasabha District of eastern Nepal. It is a 900 Megawatt (MW) Run-of-River scheme, which means it uses the river’s natural flow without needing a large reservoir.

The Supreme Court of India recently directed the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to assess the impact of nearby glass industries on the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) is a premier research body under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Initially, it focused on water supply, sewage disposal, communicable and occupational diseases, and industrial pollution. Its core aim is to support pollution control, environmental management, and sustainable development. NEERI operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Its headquarters is located in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is developing the first-ever space-based quantum sensor to measure gravity with high precision. Scientists are working on a Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (QGG) to be placed onboard a satellite in low Earth orbit. The QGG can detect the smallest gravitational changes by measuring differences in acceleration as tiny as 10⁻¹⁵ meters per second squared over a distance of 1 meter. In this system, atoms are cooled to near absolute zero, turning them into wave-like states inside a vacuum. Lasers manipulate these atoms, causing a phase shift that reveals the strength of gravitational forces. This technology helps estimate the mass of large structures like the Himalayas and track the movement of water, ice, and rocks from space. The recent development marks a big step in using quantum sensing for environmental monitoring and Earth sciences.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in partnership with Microsoft, launched the ‘AI Careers for Women’ initiative on April 22, 2025. The program aims to train 20,000 women from Tier-II and Tier-III towns across six Indian states in Artificial Intelligence (AI). It focuses on empowering women with digital skills, leadership abilities, and entrepreneurship knowledge. A 240-hour curriculum has been developed in collaboration with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). Training will be delivered using the Hub-and-Spoke model, with 30 Centres of Excellence and 150 spoke centers. The initiative promotes digital inclusion and bridges the gender gap in tech fields.

In response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army has resumed limited operations of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv in Anantnag. ALH-Dhruv is a twin-engine utility helicopter developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The development began in 1984 with help from Germany’s Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB). The helicopter had its first flight in 1992 and entered service after certification in 2002. It is “type-certified” for military use by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification and for civilian use by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

The Uttar Pradesh government launched the Resham Sakhi Yojana to economically empower rural women. The scheme allows women to earn income through sericulture by rearing silkworms at home. It is being implemented jointly by the State Rural Livelihood Mission and the Silk Department. Women will receive training in silkworm rearing to produce mulberry silk and tussar silk. Training for mulberry silk will be conducted in Mysore, Karnataka, and for tussar silk in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The scheme aims to benefit 50,000 women in 5 years. In the first phase, 7,500 women from 15 districts will be trained by 2025-26.

World Immunization Week 2025 is observed from 24 to 30 April by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This global event is held every year in the last week of April to highlight the importance of immunization. The theme for this year is “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible.” The theme focuses on making life-saving vaccines accessible to everyone, regardless of age or location. According to WHO, in the last 50 years, essential vaccines have saved at least 15 crore 40 lakh lives. The week serves as a reminder of the power of vaccines to protect health and save lives.

India has recently suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on 19 September 1960 between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank as a mediator. The treaty governs the use of six rivers in the Indus River system: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Pakistan was given full rights over the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. India retained exclusive use of the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. India could use western rivers for limited domestic, agriculture, and hydroelectric purposes under strict rules. This agreement gave about 80% of the total water flow to Pakistan and 20% to India. A Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was formed to oversee the treaty and ensure annual meetings for data exchange and cooperation.

The SVAMITVA Scheme, which stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas, recently completed 5 years. It was launched on 24 April 2020 on National Panchayati Raj Day by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as a Central Sector scheme. The scheme uses drones and mapping technology to give legal ownership papers for houses and land in villages. This helps villagers get loans, settle property disputes, and improve local planning. It is implemented by the Survey of India with National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) as the technology partner. The scheme has a total budget of ₹566.23 crores from financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25, now extended to 2025-26.

Telangana is hosting the Global Bharat Summit with over 450 delegates from 100 countries. The event takes place on April 25–26 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. The theme of the summit is “Delivering Global Justice,” marking 70 years of the Bandung Conference that led to the Non-Aligned Movement. The summit promotes democracy, pluralism, and justice while showing how states can shape international cooperation.

World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25th to raise awareness about malaria. It is a global initiative by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to fight against malaria and work towards its elimination. The theme for this year is “Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” urging renewed action at all levels. Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It affects millions, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, and remains a serious public health challenge.

Similipal has been declared a national park by the Odisha government. Similipal is now the 107th national park in India and the second in Odisha after Bhitarkanika. Similipal is also the largest national park in Odisha and part of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) spread over 2,750 square kilometres. The park is rich in biodiversity with 55 species of mammals, 361 birds, 62 reptiles, and 21 amphibians.

Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted “Exercise Aakraman” (Attack). The exercise took place over a large area in the central sector and involved IAF’s mainstream fighter aircraft, led by Rafale combat jets. The IAF operates two Rafale squadrons based in Ambala and Hashimara, West Bengal. In a show of strength, fighter jets and transport aircraft were active through the night, flying close to the border areas. Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)-equipped aircraft conducted intense surveillance of enemy movements.

The Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer, INS Surat, recently test-fired a medium-range surface-to-air missile in the Arabian Sea. INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B. It belongs to the Visakhapatnam-class of stealth guided missile destroyers. It ranks among the largest and most advanced destroyers globally. With 75 percent indigenous content, it is equipped with cutting-edge weapon-sensor systems and advanced network-centric capabilities. It was designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Mumbai. It was commissioned in January 2025.

Madhya Pradesh has received formal approval for the ₹2,100 crore Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park project. The project has been sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Textiles and will be the first integrated textile park of its kind in India. The PM MITRA Scheme aims to strengthen the Indian textile industry by enabling larger-scale operations. It seeks to reduce logistics costs by housing the entire value chain at one location. The scheme also aims to attract investment and enhance export potential. It is inspired by the 5F vision (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) of the Prime Minister. The scheme was implemented by the Ministry of Textiles.

The world’s only research centre on mycetoma, a neglected tropical disease, has been destroyed in Sudan’s two-year war. Mycetoma is a chronic, progressively destructive infectious disease of the subcutaneous tissues, affecting the skin, deep tissues, and bones. It was first reported in Madurai, India, in the mid-19th century and was initially called Madura foot. Mycetoma is caused by a variety of microorganisms, either fungal or bacterial. It commonly affects young males aged 15 to 30 years in developing countries. The disease is found in tropical and subtropical regions with short rainy seasons and prolonged dry periods. Mycetoma is endemic in the “Mycetoma belt,” including countries like Sudan, Chad, and India.

Scientists in the USA have discovered a bacteria named Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis that can conduct electricity. It is named after the Yaqona people, indigenous to the Yaquina Bay region in the USA. This bacterium is notable for its ability to conduct electricity, a rare trait among bacteria. The conductivity helps optimize metabolic functions in sediment environments. Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis holds potential for developing bioelectronic devices in medicine, industry, and food safety. These bacteria can transfer electrons to clean up pollutants, making them useful for removing harmful substances from sediments.

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully conducted a ground test of a Scramjet Engine for over 1,000 seconds in Hyderabad. A Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) is an air-breathing engine designed to operate efficiently at hypersonic speeds, Mach 5 and above. Unlike traditional jet engines, Scramjets do not use rotating compressors; instead, they rely on the vehicle’s high speed to compress air. Scramjets enable supersonic combustion, making them ideal for Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs).

A “breathing” cap of magma has been discovered inside the Yellowstone supervolcano, which might help predict when the volcano will next erupt, according to a new study. The Yellowstone supervolcano lies beneath Yellowstone National Park, in the western United States. It is one of the largest active volcanic systems in the world. The supervolcano is a caldera, a large crater formed by a major eruption, and is an active supervolcanic system. The caldera measures 55 x 72 km (34 x 45 miles) in size.

The Indian Navy recently test-fired a Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) air defence system from INS Surat in the Arabian Sea. MR-SAM is a high-speed, quick-reaction, vertically launched supersonic missile system. It is designed to destroy enemy aerial threats such as missiles, aircraft, guided bombs, and helicopters. MR-SAM provides high responsiveness and precision in protecting naval assets against aerial attacks. It has been jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The missile system is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in India. This successful test enhances the Indian Navy’s air defence capabilities at sea.

Around 17,000 personnel are participating in the annual Balikatan Exercise 2025, which will simulate a full-scale battle scenario to deter China’s ambitions in the region. Balikatan Exercise is the largest bilateral military exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States. The word “Balikatan” is a Tagalog phrase meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder,” symbolizing strong cooperation between the two countries. This exercise is held every year to improve military interoperability and readiness. It supports the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines, strengthening their defence partnership.

The government recently authorised the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to share and receive information with the Enforcement Directorate under the anti-money laundering law to better detect money trails and combat cyber frauds. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as the national nodal agency to fight cybercrime. It provides a framework and ecosystem for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to handle cybercrimes in a coordinated and comprehensive way. It connects academia, industry, public, and government for prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrimes. The headquarters of I4C is located in New Delhi.

April 27th is celebrated as International Hyena Day to encourage people to change their negative views about hyenas and recognize their importance to the environment. Conservation group Wild Africa has warned that the four living species of hyenas are facing rising threats, leading to declining populations. Hyenas are dog-like carnivores belonging to the family Hyaenidae, and they are native to Asia and Africa. The four existing species are the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena), Brown Hyena (Parahyaena brunnea), and Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus). Hyenas live in forest edges, grasslands, savannas, sub-deserts, and mountains up to 13,000 feet high. Their distribution spans across Africa, parts of the Middle East, and Asia.

A new carnivorous caterpillar, nicknamed the “Bone Collector,” was recently discovered on the Hawaiian island of Oahu due to its unusual behavior. The “Bone Collector” caterpillar is carnivorous and constructs a protective case using body parts of its prey, like ant heads and fly wings, combined with silk. It is found in a small, isolated mountain forest on Oahu, a habitat threatened by invasive species. The caterpillar’s evolutionary lineage is believed to be at least six million years old, predating the formation of the Hawaiian islands. It feeds on insects caught in spider webs and decorates its silk case with the body parts of its prey.

According to the 2024 edition of the “Trends in World Military Expenditure” report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India’s military spending was nearly nine times higher than Pakistan’s. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is a Swedish think tank that publishes this annual report analysing global military expenditure. In 2024, global defence spending reached $2.46 trillion, up from $2.24 trillion in 2023. This accounted for 1.9 percent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared to 1.6 percent in 2022 and 1.8 percent in 2023. Just five countries – the USA, China, Russia, Germany, and India – accounted for 60 percent of global military expenditure. India was the fifth highest military spender in 2024, spending $86.1 billion, a 1.6 percent rise from 2023 and a 42 percent increase since 2015.

Scientists from China, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) recently studied the inner workings of Uturuncu, a “zombie” volcano in Bolivia, and found that there is no immediate risk of eruption. Uturuncu is a stratovolcano located in the Andes Mountains of southwestern Bolivia and is made up mainly of dacitic lava domes and flows. It sits on top of a massive underground magma reservoir called the Altiplano-Puna Magma Body (APMB), which extends under southern Bolivia, northern Chile, and northern Argentina. Uturuncu is called a “zombie” volcano because it shows signs of activity without actual eruptions.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) recently took suo moto action against five Delhi restaurants for not refunding mandatory service charges, despite the Delhi High Court’s clear judgment. This step protects consumer rights and stops unfair practices where customers are pressured to pay extra charges while dining. As per law, hotels and restaurants cannot force consumers to pay service charges, nor collect them under any other name. The CCPA was set up under Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which replaced the earlier 1986 Act. The Act was notified on August 9, 2019, and came into effect on July 20, 2020. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is the nodal ministry responsible for this authority.

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kotak Mahindra Bank and launched the ‘Niveshak Shivir’ initiative to boost digital investor awareness and financial literacy in India. The IEPFA was set up in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013 to manage the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) and safeguard investor interests. It works under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. ‘Niveshak Shivir’ is a joint effort by IEPFA and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to simplify the process of reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares. These camps will begin in May 2025 in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, targeting areas with high numbers of unclaimed dividend holders. One-stop kiosks will help investors update Know Your Customer (KYC) details, verify claims, and receive instant help for grievances. The aim is to reduce reliance on intermediaries and prevent fraud and misinformation.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare recently released guidelines for establishing Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) to promote natural farming under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) are cluster-level enterprises that provide farmers with locally prepared natural farming inputs like bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and organic formulations. BRCs also serve as knowledge hubs to train and support farmers who are transitioning to natural farming practices. The initiative was launched under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). The objectives of BRCs include ensuring easy access to quality bio-inputs, offering technical support on natural farming methods, and promoting the adoption of natural farming across rural areas.