Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (25th April, 2026)

National News

India Launches Nationwide Toll-Free Helpline for Census 2027 Assistance

• India has launched a nationwide toll-free helpline (1855) for Census 2027 to make the process more accessible and citizen-friendly.
• Operated by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, it will provide multilingual support and guidance on house listing and census procedures.
• The helpline aims to reduce errors, improve participation, and ensure accurate data collection across rural and urban areas. Census 2027 will also use digital tools, including mobile apps and self-enumeration options for citizens.
• Conducted in two phases from 2026–2027, it will modernize India’s data system and strengthen demographic planning and governance.

ISRO’s Nationwide Land Mapping Project to Empower Panchayats with Data-Driven Planning

• On National Panchayati Raj Day, ISRO announced a major milestone by completing high-resolution land use and land cover (LULC) mapping of the entire country at a 1:10,000 scale.
• This nationwide geospatial dataset provides detailed information on land patterns and is shared with government agencies to support planning and resource management.
• The data has been integrated into the Grammanchitra portal to help Gram Panchayats prepare development plans more effectively.
• It strengthens data-driven rural governance by improving transparency, infrastructure planning, and resource allocation, while also supporting environmental monitoring and disaster management through satellite-based technology.

International News

India Approves ₹30 Billion Currency Swap for Maldives to Boost Economic Stability

• India has approved a ₹30 billion currency swap facility for Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework (2024–2027), reinforcing economic cooperation and regional financial stability.
• The facility, routed through the Reserve Bank of India, allows Maldives to access liquidity under the INR swap window to manage short-term foreign exchange needs.
• This support comes at a crucial time of global uncertainty and follows earlier cooperation during the October 2024 visit of Mohamed Muizzu to India.
• Notably, Maldives recently repaid a $400 million swap, reflecting financial discipline and mutual trust between the two nations.
• The framework, launched in 2012, helps SAARC countries address balance-of-payments pressures, reduce reliance on costly borrowing, and strengthen regional cooperation.
• India’s move also aligns with its “Neighbourhood First” policy, highlighting its strategic role as a key economic and security partner in South Asia.

US Announces Heavy Anti-Dumping Duty on Solar Cells and Panels from India

• The US Department of Commerce has announced a preliminary anti-dumping duty of over 123% on solar cells and panels imported from India, following allegations that they were being sold below fair market value.
• The move is part of an ongoing investigation into pricing practices and is expected to be finalized within 75 days.
• Several Indian firms, including Mundra Solar PV, Mundra Solar Energy, Premier Energies, and others, are under scrutiny. The US says the measure is meant to protect its domestic solar industry from unfair competition.
• This decision could reduce Indian solar exports to the US and increase trade tensions in the renewable energy sector.

Economy News

India’s Forex Reserves Rise to $703.3 Billion, Showing Signs of Economic Stability

• Reserve Bank of India reported that India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $2.3 billion to $703.3 billion for the week ending April 17, 2026, indicating a gradual recovery after recent volatility.
• Although still below the February peak of $728.49 billion, the increase signals easing pressure on the rupee and improving external stability.
• The earlier decline was driven by global uncertainties, especially West Asia tensions, capital outflows, and RBI’s dollar-selling interventions to stabilize the currency.
• Now, improved market conditions have supported a steady rebound in reserves over recent weeks.
• The reserves are composed mainly of foreign currency assets, along with rising gold holdings ($122.13 billion), Special Drawing Rights ($18.84 billion), and reserve position with the IMF ($48.70 billion), strengthening India’s financial buffer.

Appointments News

Noida International Airport Names Nitu Samra as Interim CEO for Transition Phase

• Noida International Airport has appointed Nitu Samra as interim CEO following regulatory requirements from aviation authorities, as the airport moves closer to operational readiness.
• She previously served as Chief Financial Officer since October 2021 and brings strong financial and administrative experience to the role.
• The change follows directions from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which requires airport CEOs in India to be Indian nationals.
• Former CEO Christoph Schnellmann will now serve as Executive Vice Chairman and remain on the Board to support strategic decisions.
• Noida International Airport is a major infrastructure project near Delhi expected to ease congestion, boost connectivity, and support regional economic growth as it progresses toward full operations.

Veteran Economist Ashok Lahiri Set to Become Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog

• Veteran economist Ashok Lahiri is set to become the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, marking his return to a key policy-making role.
• He is a former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India and has extensive experience in public finance, macroeconomic policy, and global institutions like the World Bank and IMF.
• Lahiri is expected to guide economic reforms, coordinate with states, and support long-term development planning.
• He will succeed Suman Bery. His appointment is seen as significant for shaping India’s economic strategy, given his academic background and decades of experience in government and international economic policy.

Awards News

Guntur Municipal Corporation Honoured at Vienna for Women Empowerment Initiative

• Guntur Municipal Corporation has won the Gender Equality Mobilization Award 2026 at a global event in Vienna, presented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization during International Day of Women in Industry celebrations.
• This honour highlights Guntur’s innovative and inclusive urban governance model.
• The award recognizes a women-led waste management initiative where over 200 women were trained and deployed as electric auto drivers for door-to-door garbage collection.
• The program combines clean energy use with improved sanitation while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and empowering women economically.
• This recognition places Guntur on the global map for integrating gender equality with environmental sustainability, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals.
• It also sets an example for other cities to adopt inclusive, green, and community-driven urban solutions.

Defense News

India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise ‘Dustlik’ 7th Edition Concludes in Uzbekistan

• The 7th edition of India–Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise “Dustlik” was successfully concluded in Namangan, Uzbekistan.
• The exercise involved 120 personnel, with equal participation from both sides, including Indian Army and Air Force units.
• It focused on enhancing joint operational capability, especially in counter-terrorism and semi-mountain warfare.
• Troops conducted tactical drills such as reconnaissance, strike operations, and neutralization of hostile groups. “Dustlik,” meaning friendship, is an annual exercise held alternately in India and Uzbekistan.
• It strengthens defence cooperation, improves interoperability, and reflects the growing strategic partnership between the two countries in regional security and stability.

India to Participate in SCO Defence Talks as Rajnath Singh Heads to Bishkek

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on 28 April 2026 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting.
• The visit comes amid rising global security challenges, including terrorism and geopolitical tensions, and highlights India’s focus on strengthening its role in Central Asia.
• The SCO meeting will bring together defence ministers from member countries to discuss counter-terrorism, regional security, intelligence sharing, and military cooperation, including joint exercises.
• India’s participation aims to deepen defence diplomacy and expand strategic partnerships in the region. India also shares long-standing defence ties with Kyrgyzstan through training, exchanges, and cooperation mechanisms.

Sports News

Virat Kohli Becomes First Player in IPL History to Hit 800 Boundaries

• Virat Kohli has created IPL history by becoming the first batter to reach 800 boundaries in the tournament.
• He achieved the milestone while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Gujarat Titans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, in IPL 2026.
• With this feat, he further strengthened his record as one of the most consistent run-scorers in IPL history.
• Kohli also entered the elite 300 sixes club in the IPL and became the first player to hit 300 sixes for a single franchise.
• These achievements add to his legacy as one of the greatest performers in IPL history.

Important Days News

World Malaria Day 2026: Date, Theme and Global Efforts Explained

• World Malaria Day 2026 is observed on 25 April to raise global awareness and strengthen action against malaria.
• Established by WHO in 2007, it highlights progress such as malaria-free countries, improved surveillance, and new vaccines, while stressing ongoing challenges like high mortality and transmission risks.
• The 2026 theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,” emphasizes urgent global cooperation and funding. Activities include awareness campaigns, testing drives, and mosquito control measures.
• The goal remains to eliminate malaria worldwide through sustained efforts, innovation, and stronger healthcare systems, with India targeting zero indigenous cases by 2027.

Obituaries News

India’s 1968 Olympic Bronze Medalist Gurbax Singh Grewal Passed Away

• Veteran Indian hockey player Gurbax Singh Grewal passed away at the age of 84 following a heart attack.
• He was a member of India’s bronze medal-winning team at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and played during a strong era of Indian hockey dominance.
• Notably, he represented India alongside his brother Balbir Singh Grewal, making it a rare Olympic sibling appearance.
• After his playing career, Grewal continued to contribute to hockey as a Senior Sports Officer with Western Railways, where he helped develop young talent.
• He also served as Honorary Secretary of the Mumbai Hockey Association, supporting the sport’s growth at the grassroots level.

Current Affairs Today | 25th April 2026 Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam