Daily Current Affairs and GK | 15 April 2025

Topic: Indian Economy

1. India’s pharmaceutical and medical device sector attracted 11,888 crore rupees in FDI from April to December 2024. 

• Thirteen FDI proposals for brownfield projects were approved in 2024-25. These proposals were worth 7,246.40 crore rupees.
• The total FDI for the sector in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, reached 19,134.4 crore rupees. 
• These figures were compiled by the Department of Pharmaceuticals. 
• The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme has been crucial in boosting domestic manufacturing. 
• It has helped attract investments, reduce dependency on imports, and increase exports. 
• The PLI scheme surpassed its original investment target of 3,938.57 crore rupees. 
• By December 2024, the realized investment under the scheme was 4,253.92 crore rupees. 
• Under the PLI scheme for Bulk Drugs, 48 projects were selected. 
• As of December 2024, 34 of these projects had been launched for 25 bulk drugs.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

2. Former England fast bowler James Anderson awarded knighthood.

• Former England fast bowler James Anderson has been awarded knighthood for his services to the field of cricket.
• The title was part of the resignation honors list of former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
• Anderson is the only player to make it to this list.
• After making his Test debut at Lord's in 2003, Anderson retired from his international career in July 2024.
• He has played 188 Tests over 21 years and taken 704 wickets.
• He is third in the all-time list of Test wickets, behind Australia's Shane Warne (708) and Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (800).
• The 42-year-old also has the most Test wickets by any England bowler.
• Anderson has had a career filled with extraordinary achievements, including winning the Ashes four times and becoming England's all-time leading wicket-taker.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/Nagaland

3. Nagaland launched the Solar Mission to accelerate rooftop solar power systems.

• On 14 April, the Nagaland Solar Mission was launched by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to accelerate the adoption of residential rooftop solar power systems across the state.
• This initiative is in line with the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme and aims to make clean energy more accessible and affordable for households.
• The Government of India subsidy will be supplemented by the state government through additional state subsidies.
• Under this scheme, beneficiaries will get a subsidy of up to 96% for systems up to 2 kW and up to 85% for systems up to 3 kW, making solar power installations quite affordable for residents.
• He said that Rs 10 crore has been allocated for the mission in the financial year 2025-26.
• This is an important step towards advancing green energy, reducing power costs, and promoting environmental protection.
• This initiative reflects the state government's commitment towards building a sustainable and energy-efficient future.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/Haryana

4. Several development projects launched by PM Modi in Haryana on the 134th birth anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar.

• On 14 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's birth anniversary, dedicated numerous development projects for the people of Haryana.
• The foundation stone of the 800 MW third unit was laid at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar, which will be built at a cost of Rs 8,469 crore.
• The project is set to be completed in 52 months, with commercial operations starting within 48 months by March 2029, increasing Haryana's in-house power generation capacity to 3,382 MW.
• Apart from this, the foundation stone of Gobar Dhan plant to be built at a cost of Rs 90 crore was laid in Yamunanagar.
• Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 14.4 km Rewari Bypass project constructed at a cost of Rs 1069 crore.
• The Rewari Bypass project, developed under the Bharatmala scheme on Hybrid Annuity Mode, is a four-lane bypass constructed around Rewari city to reduce traffic congestion.
• The foundation stone for the new terminal of Maharaja Agrasen Airport was laid by the Prime Minister, and the first flight for Ayodhya was flagged off from the airport.

Topic: Space and IT

5. For the first time, the all-women space tourist rocket successfully returned to Earth after a short flight.

• On 14 April, a group of six women, including U.S. singer-songwriter Katy Perry, embarked on a journey to the upper limits of Earth’s atmosphere aboard a Blue Origin rocket and successfully returned after a brief flight.
• Blue Origin, the space company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, launched the 11th manned flight of New Shepard, the NS-31 spacecraft, from western Texas.
• This marked the first all-women tourist spaceflight since Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s pioneering solo mission in 1963.
• The flight took passengers more than 100 kilometers above the Earth's surface, well beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.
• The flight lasted about 10 minutes.
• The fully automated vehicle lifted off vertically before separating from the crew capsule in mid-flight, then descended back to the ground by parachutes and braking with a retro rocket in the Texas desert.
• New Shepard is a fully reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle developed by Blue Origin for space tourism.
• The spacecraft is named after Alan Shepard, who became the first American in space and the fifth man to walk on the Moon.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

6. Ecuador's right-wing President Daniel Noboa has been re-elected in a second round of elections.

• On 13 April, the National Electoral Council announced that the incumbent, who has pledged to revive the struggling economy and intensify the crackdown on cartel violence, secured victory by a wide margin.
• After more than 90% of votes were counted, Noboa, received 55.8% of the total votes cast.
• Noboa, who was elected in snap elections in 2023, now has a full four-year term left.
• He plans to continue his divisive “mano dura” (tough) crackdown on violence linked to cocaine smuggling from neighboring Colombia and Peru.
• Smuggling and associated criminality have plagued Ecuador since 2021.
• Ecuador:
  • It is a country located in the northwestern part of South America.
  • It is bordered by Colombia to the north and Peru to the east and south.
  • The Pacific Ocean lies to the west of Ecuador.
  • Its capital is Quito, and its currency is the United States dollar (USD).

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Indian Polity

7. The central government has introduced draft regulations for gas meters.

• These fall under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. 
• The new rules require all gas meters used in homes, businesses, and industries to be tested and verified.
• They must also be officially stamped before being put into use. 
• Periodic re-verification is required to ensure meters remain accurate over time. 
• The main goal is to ensure precise, transparent, and reliable gas measurement. 
• Certified meters will help prevent billing errors.
• They will also reduce disputes and protect consumers from tampered or faulty devices. 
• A transition period has been included to help manufacturers and regulators prepare for the changes. 
• This gradual rollout is meant to avoid disruptions in gas supply.
• It also prevents added burden on consumers and businesses. 
• The initiative shows the government’s effort to modernize India’s measurement systems. 
• It aims to align with global standards and improve the integrity of the market. 

Topic: International News

8. Russia has once again expressed its support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. 

• This message came as the two countries celebrated 78 years of diplomatic relations. 
• Russia conveyed optimism about the future of its strategic partnership with India. 
• It stressed the strong mutual trust and respect that define the bilateral relationship. 
• Both nations share similar views on global and regional issues. 
• Two major summits were held between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin in 2024. 
• Russia highlighted the growth in trade, which has exceeded 60 billion US dollars this year. 
• Nuclear energy cooperation, especially through the Kudankulam project, was emphasized as a key area of collaboration. 
• Defense, space, technology, and cultural exchanges continue to strengthen the relationship. 
• India and Russia also support the idea of a multipolar world. 
• They jointly call for greater representation of the Global South in international decision-making bodies.

Topic: State News/Telangana

9. Telangana has become the first state in India to implement the Scheduled Caste (SC) Categorisation of Reservations Act, 2025. 

• The announcement was made on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary. 
• The state government issued a formal government order to begin the implementation. 
• This came after the Governor gave approval for the legislation. 
• The Bill had already been passed by the Telangana State Legislature last month. 
• The Act reorganizes the 56 Scheduled Caste communities in the state into three distinct categories. 
• The purpose is to ensure a fairer distribution of reservation benefits among SC sub-groups. 
• The classification will influence future policies in education, employment, and political representation. 
• It addresses long-standing concerns from certain SC communities that felt left out of past benefits. 

Topic: Science and Technology

10. The first edition of the International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum has been released.

• The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India has released it. 
• This marks India’s first strategy aimed at global engagement in Quantum Science, Technology, and Innovation. 
• The strategy aims to accelerate advancements, drive innovation, and promote the widespread use of quantum technologies in key sectors. 
• Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood unveiled the strategy during a podcast on World Quantum Day 2025, celebrated on April 14. 
• The report is particularly significant as 2025 has been designated the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology by the United Nations. 
• The document provides an initial analysis to guide domestic and international stakeholders in government, academia, and industry. 
• It helps them create specific action plans that align with India’s National Quantum Mission and other ongoing efforts. 
• The National Quantum Mission is being effectively implemented by the Department of Science and Technology. 
• The mission covers the entire lifecycle of quantum technology, from research and development to commercialization. 
• The National Quantum Mission operates using a hub-and-spoke model, involving 152 researchers from 43 institutions across 17 states and 2 union territories. 
• The International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum report offers an in-depth overview of both national and global quantum ecosystems. 
• It includes analysis of investments, research output, talent development, and industrial activities. 
• The strategy seeks to foster impactful partnerships and support India’s diplomatic missions in strengthening international collaborations in Quantum Science, Technology, and Innovation.