Daily Current Affairs and GK | 17 April 2025

Topic: Reports and Indices

1. A report on Hand and Power tools sectors – ‘Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential - India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector’ launched by NITI Aayog.

• The report highlights the transformational potential of the hand and power tools industry for India's economic growth.
• It also discusses in depth the challenges, policy constraints, and interventions required to strengthen the Indian hand and power tools ecosystem.
• It outlines a strategic path for the region to enhance its global competitiveness and gain a significantly larger share of the international market.
• The report shows that the global trade market for power and hand tools, currently valued at around $100 billion, is projected to grow significantly, reaching nearly $190 billion by 2035.
• Hand tools account for $34 billion of this market and are expected to grow to $60 billion by 2035.
• While power tools, which include tools and accessories, represent $63 billion and are projected to grow to $134 billion, with power tools accounting for the majority of the market.
• China dominates global exports, accounting for approximately 50% of the hand tool market at $13 billion and 40% of the power tool market at $22 billion.
• While India has a smaller presence, exporting $600 million in hand tools (1.8% market share) and $470 million in power tools (0.7% market share).
• An important finding of the report is that India has the potential to capture a large share of the global market, targeting exports of $25 billion over the next decade.
• This could create around 35 lakh jobs by capturing 10% market share in power tools and 25% in hand tools.
• The report also analyzes the challenges that India may face, including a 14-17% cost disadvantage compared to China, driven by higher structural costs and smaller operational scale.
• This loss stems from increased costs of raw materials such as steel, plastics, and motors, as well as lower labor productivity due to high overtime wages and restrictions on overtime hours.

Topic: State News/Haryana

2. The first-ever study tour for delegates from 13 countries hosted by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha.

• A study tour for a 27-member delegation from 13 countries hosted by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha for the first time.
• On 16 April, the delegation was met by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at the Vidhan Sabha premises.
• The delegation includes members from Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/Telangana

3. The production of 20,000 MW of green energy by 2030 targeted by Telangana.

• In this regard, the MOUs worth 29 thousand crore rupees have been signed by the state government with two private renewable energy companies.
• As part of the state government’s larger objective, these projects aim to produce 40,000 MW of green energy by 2035, with 20,000 MW targeted for 2030 and an additional 20,000 MW by 2035.
• The deputy chief minister said at the MoU signing ceremony the state had recently launched a new clean and green energy policy, which has generated interest among investors.
• An MoU was signed by GPRS Arya with the state-owned Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Ltd. (TG REDCO) to invest 2,000 crore rupees in setting up compressed biogas projects across 15 districts.
• These projects using paddy straw as feedstock are expected to provide financial benefits to farmers, especially considering the large scale of paddy cultivation in the state.
• Apart from this, another MoU was also signed by Ecorace Energy India to generate 5,600 MW of green energy with an investment of 27 thousand crore rupees.
• In the recent budget, the Indira Giri Jalavikasam scheme was announced by the state government, under which solar-powered pump sets will be provided to tribal farmers cultivating podu lands.
• A budget of Rs 12,600 crore has been allocated over the next four years for this initiative, which will benefit 2.1 lakh tribal farmers and promote sustainable agriculture in tribal regions.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

4. In a first-of-its-kind move, an ATM introduced inside the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express by the Central Railway.

• In a first, trials for an ATM onboard the Panchvati Express train were initiated by the Railways, aiming for non-fare revenue (NFR) generation in coordination with the Bank of Maharashtra.
• The concept of installing ATMs on trains originated following a non-fare revenue customer interaction meet conducted by the Bhusawal division.
• Following the finalization of the proposal, a formal plan was created by the Bank of Maharashtra under the New, Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (NINFRIS).
• The feasibility and operational efficiency were assessed through the first trial undertaken on the Manmad–Mumbai CSMT Panchvati Express.
• The ATM kiosk was installed in an empty space in the coach to avoid inconvenience to passengers.
• Railway officials want this facility to be utilised as much as possible in the train which has 22 coaches and a full capacity of 2,016 passengers.
• The Electrical and Mechanical departments of Indian Railways have executed an ATM facility aimed at providing services to senior citizens, women, and those facing unforeseen needs.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/Maharashtra

5. Amravati Airport inaugurated by Maharashtra CM Fadnavis.

• On 16 April, a flight between Amravati and Mumbai under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)—UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)—was also flagged off by the Chief Minister.
• CM also announced that the Flying Training Organization (FTO) to be set up in Vidarbha's Amaravati city will train 180 pilots every year through its fleet of 34 training aircraft.
• It will be the largest pilot training institute in South East Asia.
• The FTO will have the capacity to train thirty thousand pilots and will boost economic activity and employment generation in the Vidarbha region.
• The number of airports, flights and air routes have almost doubled in the last 10 years of the NDA government.
• Before 2014, there were only 74 airports in the country, but in the last 10 years, 86 new airports have been built in India.
• Several steps have also been taken by the Union Government towards providing budget-friendly food at airports in India.
• Last month, the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport was inaugurated by Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu.
• The first UDAN Yatri Cafe was inaugurated at Kolkata airport in December 2024.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. The Madhya Pradesh government has confirmed that the Ladli Behana Yojana will continue. 

• There will be no interruption in the scheme. 
• A new payment schedule has been introduced. 
• Monthly amounts will now be deposited between the 10th and 15th of each month. 
• This update was shared by Housing and Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. 
• For April, the government is releasing ₹1,552 crore under this scheme. 
• This installment will be credited to the accounts of beneficiaries. 
• The scheme currently supports 1.27 crore women in the state. 
• Each beneficiary receives ₹1,250 every month.
• Ladli Behna Yojana:
  • The Madhya Pradesh government launched the Ladli Behna Yojana in 2023.
  • The scheme was launched with the aim of making the women of Madhya Pradesh economically self-reliant.
  • Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had started this scheme.

Topic: Reports and Indices

7. Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi is now ranked 9th among the busiest airports in the world for 2024. 

• The airport served 77.8 million passengers this year. 
• This marks a 7.8% increase in passenger traffic compared to 2023. 
• Compared to 2019, passenger numbers have grown by 13.6%. 
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ranked first, handling over 108 million passengers. 
• Dubai and Dallas Fort Worth airports ranked second and third, respectively. 
• IGI’s rise to 9th place is due to expanded airline operations and better infrastructure. 
• The airport also benefits from improved global connectivity. 
• ACI forecasts global passenger traffic will reach 9.9 billion in 2025. 
• ACI’s rankings are based on total passenger numbers, counting embarking and disembarking passengers once. 
• In 2018, IGI Airport was ranked 16th among the busiest airports worldwide.
• Airports Council International (ACI) represent over 2,000 airports in 170 countries.

Topic: Geography

8. The Telangana government has officially classified heatwaves, sunstrokes, and sunburns as "State-Specific Disasters." 

• This new classification allows victims' families to receive ₹4 lakh in compensation from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). 
• Heatwaves are seen as a serious yet often overlooked danger. Government noted that they are a ‘hidden hazard’.
• Recent data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that Telangana faced unusually high temperatures last year. 
• 28 of the state's 33 districts recorded heatwave conditions for over 15 days. 
• The lack of disaster classification previously limited the relief efforts for heatwave victims. 
• Before the new order, families of heatwave victims received only ₹50,000 in compensation. 
• Under the new policy, the state can now use up to 10% of its annual SDRF allocation for relief in heatwave-related cases.
• What is a Heat Wave?
  • Heat waves are periods of unusually high temperatures as compared to what is normally expected in a region.
  • It is a condition of air temperature that becomes fatal to the human body.
  • The heat wave is considered if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 400C or more for plains and at least 300C or more for hilly regions.

Topic: International News

9. Nepal Police seized 894 kilograms of Shaligram stones in Mustang.

• The stones were being illegally transported to Jomsom. 
• In Nepal, the large-scale collection of Shaligram stones is strictly banned. 
• This restriction is due to their religious and ecological importance. 
• The confiscated stones were handed over to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project office in Pokhara. 
• Shaligrams are fossilized ammonites found in the Kali Gandaki River. 
• They are commonly discovered in riverbeds and along the riverbanks. 
• Hindu devotees regard Shaligram stones as sacred symbols of Lord Vishnu. 
• The Kali Gandaki River flows through religious sites like Muktinath and Damodar Kunda. 
• These sacred locations add to the spiritual significance of Shaligram stones.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

10. WHO member states have reached a major agreement on pandemic preparedness.

• This comes after more than three years of negotiations. 
• The agreement outlines a coordinated global strategy to handle future pandemics. 
• It promotes the sharing of medical technologies. 
• This will be done through clear regulations, licensing agreements, and supportive financing. 
• Technology transfers must happen only with mutual consent. 
• The draft also proposes a system to share pathogen data and related benefits. It includes the One Health approach. 
• This links human, animal, and environmental health to prevent disease outbreaks. 
• The agreement calls for the creation of a global supply chain and logistics network. 
• The draft will be presented at the World Health Assembly next month. 
• The goal is to improve global cooperation and avoid confusion seen during the COVID-19 crisis. 
• One of the most debated issues was Article 11. 
• This section deals with how medical technology is transferred to developing nations.
• World Health Organization (WHO):
  • It is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
  • It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • It was established on 7 April 1948. It has 194 Member States.