Daily Current Affairs - 23rd April 2025

National News

1. US Vice President JD Vance Visits India
   • JD Vance received a Guard of Honour in Delhi during his first official visit to India.
   • Meeting with PM Modi scheduled to boost ties in trade, defence & economy.
   • Cultural stops include Jaipur and Agra.
2. MSDE & Microsoft Launch ‘AI Careers for Women’
   • Aim: Train 20,000 women in AI from Tier-2 & Tier-3 towns.
   • 240-hour AI course through 30 main centres & 150 sub-centres.
   • Promotes digital inclusion and women entrepreneurship.
3. Terror Attack in Pahalgam, J&K
   • Attack on tourists killed 26 in Baisaran, South Kashmir.
   • First such attack in 2025, leading to tourism cancellations.
   • Condemned by leaders, security tightened.
4. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Saves ₹3.48 Lakh Crore
   • DBT has reduced subsidy leakages and improved welfare delivery.
   • WEI (Welfare Efficiency Index) rose from 0.32 (2014) to 0.91 (2023).
5. Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) Inaugurated
   • India’s largest cruise terminal started operations on April 21.
   • Cost: ₹556 crore; Capacity: 1 million passengers/year.
   • Part of Sagarmala Programme; aligns with ₹5,700+ crore investments at Vadhavan Port.

State News

1. ‘Garia and Borsho Boron Utsav’ in Tripura
   • Inaugurated by Tripura CM Manik Saha in Agartala.
   • Celebrates Lord Shiva; features dances, food stalls, and cultural events.

Banking News

1. RBI Adds 2.5% Run-Off Factor for Digital Deposits
   • New rule applies to deposits via Internet Banking, UPI, etc.
   • Part of Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) changes to manage risk.

Economy News

1. Core Sector Growth: 3.8% in March 2025
   • Boosted by electricity (+6.2%), steel (+7.1%), and cement (+11.6%).
   • Decline seen in natural gas (-12.7%) and crude oil (-1.9%).
2. 1% TCS on Luxury Goods Over ₹10 Lakh
   • Applicable from April 22, 2025.
   • Includes luxury items like watches, bags, antiques, yachts.
   • TCS collected can be claimed in ITR.

Appointments

1. T. Rabi Sankar Re-Appointed as RBI Deputy Governor
   • Second term begins from May 3, 2025.
   • Oversees forex, currency management, and government accounts.

Awards

1. Achyuta Samanta Gets Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award 2025
   • Honoured for educational and social work.
   • ₹1 lakh cash prize donated back to the trust.
2. Yashraj Bharti Samman 2025 Presented in Maharashtra
   • Given to 3 grassroots organizations for work in health, education & governance.
3. Gold House Gold Gala Honours Priyanka Chopra
   • Global Vanguard Honor for bridging Bollywood & Hollywood.
   • Other honorees: Ang Lee, Megan Thee Stallion, Jon M. Chu.

Summits & Conferences

1. Fire Safety Week 2025
   • Health Ministry leads drive from April 21–25.
   • Includes drills, audits & awareness programs across healthcare facilities.

Sports News

1. Wisden 2025 Honours Bumrah & Mandhana
   • Bumrah: Leading Cricketer of the Year (Men)
   • Mandhana: Leading Cricketer of the Year (Women)
2. Virat Kohli Breaks IPL Record
   • Most fifty-plus scores (67), surpasses David Warner.
   • Scored unbeaten 73 against PBKS.
3. Oscar Piastri Wins Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
   • Overtakes Verstappen in championship.
   • 3rd win of the 2025 season for McLaren driver.

​Science & Technology

1. 50 Years of Aryabhata Satellite
   • Launched on April 19, 1975 – India’s first satellite.
   • Paved the way for future space missions.
2. Humanoid Robots Compete in Beijing Half-Marathon
   • World’s first half-marathon for robots.
   • Top robot finished in 2 hrs 40 mins.