Stay updated with the top headlines from 18th April 2025. This GK update covers national, international, economy, defense, awards, summits, science, and important days — tailored for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other competitive exams.
National News
1. Who inaugurated India’s first Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU)?
Answer: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the APMU at the National Dope Testing Laboratory, New Delhi, making India the 17th country globally to adopt Athlete Biological Passport tracking.
2. What growth milestone is India expected to achieve in aviation by 2026?
Answer: India is projected to become the fastest-growing major aviation market by 2026, surpassing China with a 10.5% passenger traffic growth rate.
3. Which Indian manuscripts were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register?
Answer: The Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra were added, recognizing India’s cultural and intellectual heritage. India now has 14 entries on the list.
4. What recommendation was made regarding the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS)?
Answer: A Parliamentary panel led by Basavaraj Bommai urged a third-party evaluation of EPS and recommended revising the minimum pension of ₹1,000 due to rising living costs.
International News
5. What export restriction did China impose in April 2025?
Answer: China restricted exports of seven Rare Earth Elements (REEs) including Samarium, Terbium, and Dysprosium, citing national security concerns amid rising trade tensions.
Economy News
6. What is India’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 according to UNCTAD?
Answer: UNCTAD projects India’s GDP to grow by 6.5%, making it the fastest-growing major economy, driven by public spending and supportive monetary policy.
Appointment News
7. Who was appointed Deputy CFO of IndusInd Bank?
Answer: Santosh Kumar was appointed Deputy CFO on April 18, 2025, following the exit of acting CFO Arun Khurana.
Agreements News
8. What agreement did India sign with the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)?
Answer: India signed an agreement to host IBCA’s headquarters, supporting global big cat conservation with ₹150 crore funding from 2023–2029.
9. What pilot project was launched by KSEB and IIT Bombay?
Answer: A Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) initiative was launched to allow EVs to supply electricity back to the grid, promoting renewable energy and grid stability.
Defense News
10. What are India’s defense production targets for 2025 and 2029?
Answer: India aims to reach ₹1.60 lakh crore in defense production by 2025 and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029, with export targets of ₹30,000 crore and ₹50,000 crore respectively.
Ranks & Reports
11. What success did Surat’s cap-and-trade pollution scheme achieve?
Answer: Surat’s PM emissions trading system reduced pollution by 30%, proving the effectiveness of market-based regulation in low-capacity regions.
Summits & Conferences
12. What conclave is being held in Arunachal Pradesh on Buddhism?
Answer: A two-day conclave titled “Buddha Dhamma and the Culture of Northeast India” will be held in Namsai from April 21–22, focusing on Theravāda Buddhism and regional heritage.
Science & Technology
13. What quantum communication milestone did India achieve?
Answer: India successfully tested Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over a 4-core Multi-Core Fibre, enabling secure transmission over 100 km.
14. What discovery did the James Webb Telescope make on exoplanet K2-18b?
Answer: Scientists detected biosignature molecules DMS and DMDS, suggesting possible life on the exoplanet located 124 light-years away.
Important Days
15. What is the theme of World Heritage Day 2025?
Answer: “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts,” emphasizing preparedness and resilience in preserving cultural and natural heritage.
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