Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
A Delhi court has sent 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana to the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after his extradition from the United States. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is India’s central counter-terrorism agency, established under the NIA Act, 2008 after the 26/11 attacks. It investigates crimes that threaten India’s sovereignty, security, and international agreements. The NIA (Amendment) Act, 2019 extended its powers to investigate crimes committed outside India involving Indian citizens or interests. It now covers offences under laws like the Explosive Substances Act, Cyber Terrorism, Human Trafficking, and Arms Act. NIA works under the Ministry of Home Affairs

Notes:
China has unveiled the world’s first 16-barrel Anti-Drone Barrage Weapon System to counter drone swarms and missile threats. It uses a “wall of fire” approach instead of traditional point-to-point targeting, increasing chances of hitting fast and unpredictable aerial threats. The system fires dense barrages of projectiles to intercept drones, missiles, rockets, helicopters, and artillery shells. It addresses current air defence gaps against low-cost drone saturation attacks. China plans both domestic deployment and international exports amid rising drone threats near Taiwan.

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its April 2025 Asian Development Outlook has projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.7% for fiscal year 2025. This shows India’s economic resilience despite global challenges, driven by strong domestic demand, growth in rural income, and controlled inflation. Reforms like tax cuts for the middle class and monetary easing through repo rate cuts are also boosting the economy. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has slightly lowered its forecast to 6.5%, but ADB remains confident about India’s growth continuing into fiscal year 2026.

Notes:
Indian scientists have developed new ways to study and treat Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma (SRCC), a rare and aggressive form of Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma (SRCC) starts in the colon or rectum and gets its name from its ring-shaped cells, where mucus pushes the nucleus to one side. It spreads quickly, resists treatment, and is often detected late, making it deadly. Researchers created Patient-Derived Organoids (PDOs), which are 3D tumour models, and Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDXs), where tumour cells are grown in mice. These models mimic real tumours and help test treatments. Though SRCC is rare globally, in India, cases are almost 10 times higher, often affecting younger people.

Notes:
Bihar will host the 7th edition of Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 from 4th to 15th May in cities like Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, Begusarai, and Bhagalpur. The mascot “Gajsimha” represents the strength of an elephant and the courage of a lion, inspired by the Pala dynasty’s heritage seen in Nalanda and Bodhgaya. The KIYG 2025 logo reflects Bihar’s rich culture with vibrant orange colours symbolizing enthusiasm and nature. More than 10,000 delegates will attend and 27 sports disciplines will be featured, including volleyball, football, basketball, boxing, kabaddi, athletics, Sepak Takraw, and indigenous games like Malkhamb

Notes:
The Philippines confirmed the deployment of the United States anti-ship missile system NMESIS for this year’s Balikatan military exercises. NMESIS stands for Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. It is developed for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to support land-to-sea missile attacks. It uses the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), the latest anti-ship missile of the United States Navy. The missile is mounted on an unmanned version of the Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The vehicle platform is called Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary (ROGUE) Fires. Oshkosh Defense supplies the ROGUE Fires vehicle. The Naval Strike Missile is jointly made by Raytheon Missiles and Defense from the United States and Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace from Norway.

Notes:
The Anti-Piracy Challenge is a key initiative under the Create in India Challenge, launched as part of WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) 2025. It is organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025. The challenge focuses on promoting technologies like digital fingerprinting and watermarking to tackle online piracy. WAVES 2025 is a global platform that showcases innovation in broadcasting, films, television, radio, animation, gaming, comics, and advertising.

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The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has recently acknowledged Type 5 diabetes as a distinct form of the disease. This recognition came at the 75th Diabetes World Congress in Bangkok. Type 5 diabetes is a form of malnutrition-related diabetes that affects lean, undernourished teenagers and young adults, mostly in low- and middle-income regions. Around 20 to 25 million people globally are estimated to suffer from this type, mainly in Asia and Africa. It is caused by a severe defect in insulin secretion due to chronic undernutrition, not by insulin resistance like in Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. It was first identified in Jamaica in 1955 as J-type diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognised it in 1985 but later withdrew support in 1999 because of limited research.

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The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) under Operation ATALANTA has proposed a joint naval exercise with the Indian Navy. The exercise is planned to take place around the end of May 2025 in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The main aim is to strengthen maritime cooperation and coordination between European forces and the Indian Navy. The proposal comes due to rising piracy and instability in the Red Sea region, especially near the Horn of Africa. Unlike regular Passage Exercises (PASSEX), this drill will include tactical manoeuvres, counter-piracy actions, and communication training. Operation ATALANTA, launched in 2008, is the European Union’s mission to fight piracy near Somalia.

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World Heritage Day, also called the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is observed on April 18 each year. It aims to promote the preservation of cultural and natural heritage. The day has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1983 and is organized by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). The theme for 2025 is “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts,” emphasizing preparedness and resilience.