Daily Current Affairs 28th April 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

India’s Breakthrough In Indigenous HPV Test Kits for Cervical Cancer Screening

State News

Kuno National Park Achieves Conservation Milestone as Cheetah Nirva Gives Birth to Five Cubs

• Cheetah Nirva has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park, Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh, announced Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, raising the park’s cheetah and cub count to 29 and the national total to 31.
• Earlier, two cheetahs were shifted to Gandhi Sagar sanctuary.
• Mr. Yadav hailed the births as a success for the Cheetah Project, highlighting India’s rich biodiversity and credited the achievement to the conservation efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance.

Government Sanctions ₹40 Crore for Mangaluru’s Kallapu-Sajipa Riverfront Road Project”

• The State government has sanctioned an additional ₹40 crore for the ongoing Kallapu-Sajipa riverfront road project in Mangaluru, bringing the total sanctioned amount to 25% of the ₹160 crore project cost, said Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader.
• The road will enhance connectivity to areas like Harekala, Pavoor, Innoli, and Ranipura. Approval has also been given for a ₹12 crore Pavoor-Uliya hanging foot bridge and ₹200 crore earmarked for sea erosion prevention along Karnataka’s coast.
• Additionally, ₹1.5 crore grants were provided to each of 18 gram panchayats and funds have been assured for completing the new district prison in Balepuni.

Kalaignar Centenary Park: A Modern Recreational Space with a Rich Legacy

• The Kalaignar Centenary Park in Chennai, inaugurated in February 2024, offers a blend of entertainment, education, and relief from the heat.
• The park, built on land reclaimed from the Agri Horticultural Society, features attractions like a 500-metre zipline, aviary, treehouses, botanical exhibits, and a children’s play area.
• It also includes social media-friendly spots like selfie benches and shaded arbours.

Economy News

Fitch Lowers India’s Growth Forecast Amid Global Trade Tensions

• Fitch Ratings has downgraded India’s GDP growth forecast for the current fiscal year to 6.4%, citing global trade tensions and the US-China trade war.
• The global growth outlook for 2025 has also been lowered to below 2%, the weakest since 2009. The US and China have seen their growth projections cut, with China’s growth expected to stay below 4% and US GDP growth projected at 1.2%.
• Despite the global challenges, India’s economic fundamentals remain resilient, though export and investment sectors are affected by uncertainty.

Books & Authors News

The Kashmir Shawl: A Nostalgic Epic That Bridges Generations

• The Kashmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas (pseudonym for Janey King) is a dual-timeline historical fiction novel, set in Wales, Kashmir, and Ladakh, that explores love, loss, identity, and colonial history.
• The story follows Mair Ellis, who uncovers her grandmother Nerys Watkins’ mysterious past through the discovery of a Kashmiri shawl. The novel alternates between the 1940s and the present day, depicting the transformation of Kashmir from a peaceful region to a politically disturbed one.
• The book delves into family secrets and female character development, with vivid portrayals of Kashmiri culture, memory, and identity.

Awards News

Madhusudan Sai Honored with Fiji’s Highest Recognition for Humanitarian Efforts

• Madhusudan Sai was honored with Fiji’s highest award, the ‘Companion of the Order of Fiji,’ by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on April 25, 2025, recognizing his humanitarian contributions, especially the establishment of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital.
• The South Pacific’s first fully free, state-of-the-art children’s hospital — which has significantly improved healthcare access for children in Fiji, alongside broader initiatives by the Sai Prema Foundation in healthcare, education, and social welfare.

National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) Honored with Udyog Vikas Award

• The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) was honored with the Udyog Vikas Award by Janmabhumi Daily for its significant role in India’s industrial transformation, particularly through the development of the Palakkad Industrial Smart City.
• Spanning 1,710 acres, this project aims to reshape Kerala’s industrial landscape with multi-modal connectivity and cutting-edge technological integration.
• Part of India’s National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, it focuses on creating Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities, driving economic growth, investment, and regional innovation in South India.

Defense News

India Signs $7.4 Billion Deal with France for Rafale Fighter Jets

• India has signed a $7.4 billion deal with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. This includes 22 single-seaters and 4 twin-seaters, aimed at enhancing India’s naval air power and strengthening defence ties with France.
• The jets are scheduled to be delivered by 2030, with crew training taking place in both France and India. This deal also serves to reduce India’s dependence on Russian-origin equipment amidst geopolitical tensions with China and Pakistan.

Schemes News

UDAN Scheme Completes 8 Years of Success

• The UDAN scheme (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), launched in 2016, aims to make air travel affordable and accessible, especially for residents of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India.
• With Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and airfare caps, it has significantly boosted regional connectivity, facilitating growth in underserved regions.
• The scheme has expanded through multiple phases, including UDAN 1.0 to 4.0, introducing seaplane operations, Krishi UDAN for agricultural logistics, and plans for 50 new airports.
• As of April 2025, the scheme is set to add 120 new destinations, benefiting 4 crore passengers, marking its successful impact on India’s aviation network and economic development.

Delhi Launches ‘Ayushman Vay Vandana’ Scheme Offering Free Rs 10 Lakh Health Cover to Seniors 70+

• The Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme, launched by the Delhi government on April 28, 2025, offers Rs 10 lakh health insurance coverage to senior citizens aged 70 and above.
• The scheme provides free health services, including treatments, medical tests, and annual check-ups. Each beneficiary receives a Vay Vandana Health Card, storing their medical history and emergency health info.
• With Rs 5 lakh coverage from the Centre and an additional Rs 5 lakh from the Delhi government, the initiative aims to ensure dignified healthcare and financial security for the elderly in Delhi.

Summits & Conferences News

BRICS Adopts Declaration on AI, Climate Change, and Employment at 2025 Labour Ministers’ Meeting

• The 11th BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting on April 25, 2025, in Brasília, focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and climate change impacts on work, with the theme “Strengthening the Cooperation of the Global South for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
• India’s contributions included promoting ethical AI adoption, workforce upskilling, and initiatives like FutureSkills Prime, Namo Drone Didi, and the National Career Service (NCS) platform.
• India also emphasized a just transition to green jobs through Sector Skill Council for Green Jobs (SSCGJ) and Mission LiFE, alongside its net-zero emissions commitment by 2070.

Science & Technology News

ISRO Conducts Short-Duration Hot Test of Semicryogenic Engine at IPRC

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted a short-duration hot test of its semicryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, on April 24, 2025.
• This second major milestone after the March 2025 test focused on validating the engine start-up sequence, achieving stable ignition at 60% rated power, and testing critical subsystems like low- and high-pressure turbo pumps, pre-burner, and control systems.
• The successful ignition and performance mark a key step in ISRO’s plan to develop more powerful, efficient launch vehicles, with further qualification tests and full engine validation scheduled to enhance payload capacity and reduce launch costs.

Important Days News

World Intellectual Property Day 2025, Date, Theme, Significance

• World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated annually on April 26 to emphasize the importance of intellectual property (IP) rights in promoting innovation and creativity.
• The 2025 theme, “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”, highlights the role of IP in supporting artists and the music industry.
• The day underscores how IP protection helps musicians and creators secure their work, ensuring they are properly recognized and rewarded for their contributions.

International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day, Date, Significance

• The Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster, which occurred on April 26, 1986, remains one of the most significant nuclear events in history, causing widespread radiation contamination and long-term health and environmental damage.
• The explosion at Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant released dangerous radionuclides, affecting Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia.
• The disaster led to over 31 immediate deaths, while long-term radiation exposure impacted millions, resulting in increased cancer rates and ecological harm.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Date, Theme, Importance

• World Day for Safety and Health at Work, observed annually on April 28, promotes workplace safety and emphasizes the importance of protecting workers’ health globally.
• Initiated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2003, it aims to raise awareness about occupational safety and health practices.
• The 2025 theme, “Revolutionising Health and Safety:
• The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work,” focuses on how AI and digital tools can enhance safety through automation, virtual training, and real-time monitoring. The observance highlights issues such as job displacement, inequality in access to technology, and the need for global safety standards.

World Veterinary Day 2025: Everything You Need to Know

• World Veterinary Day 2025, celebrated on April 26 with the theme “Animal Health Takes a Team,” honors the vital role of veterinarians in promoting animal health, public health, food safety, and environmental protection.
• Established by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) in 2000, the day emphasizes the collective efforts of veterinarians, technicians, researchers, and caregivers.
• It highlights veterinarians’ roles in disease prevention, zoonotic disease control, and wildlife conservation, while addressing challenges like underappreciation, resource shortages, and workforce gaps, calling for greater awareness, better training, and stronger support.

Current Affairs Today | 28 April Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam