Stay exam-ready with top headlines from 23rd April 2025. This update covers national, international, economy, banking, appointments, awards, sports, and important days — tailored for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other competitive exams.
National & International News
1. Who received a Guard of Honour during their first official visit to India?
Answer: US Vice President JD Vance received a Guard of Honour at Palam Airport, New Delhi, on April 21, 2025, marking the start of a four-day visit to strengthen India-US strategic ties.
2. What initiative was launched by MSDE and Microsoft for women?
Answer: The ‘AI Careers for Women’ program was launched to train 20,000 women in Tier-II and Tier-III towns across six states in Artificial Intelligence, using a 240-hour curriculum and a Hub-and-Spoke model.
3. What tragic event occurred in Pahalgam, Kashmir?
Answer: A terrorist attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, targeted tourists, killing 26 and injuring many, severely impacting tourism and raising security concerns.
Economy News
4. How much has India saved through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) till 2024?
Answer: ₹3.48 lakh crore was saved from 2009 to 2024, with the Welfare Efficiency Index rising from 0.32 in 2014 to 0.91 in 2023.
5. What was India’s core sector growth in March 2025?
Answer: The core sector grew by 3.8%, driven by electricity (+6.2%), steel (+7.1%), and cement (+11.6%), though natural gas and crude oil declined.
6. What new TCS rule came into effect on April 22, 2025?
Answer: A 1% Tax Collected at Source (TCS) is now applicable on luxury goods priced above ₹10 lakh, including watches, handbags, antiques, and yachts.
Banking News
7. What change has RBI made to LCR norms for digital deposits?
Answer: RBI imposed a 2.5% additional run-off factor on retail deposits with digital banking facilities to strengthen liquidity risk management.
Appointments News
8. Who was re-appointed as RBI Deputy Governor?
Answer: T. Rabi Sankar was re-appointed for a one-year term starting May 3, 2025, continuing his leadership in currency management and monetary policy.
Awards News
9. Who received the Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award 2025?
Answer: Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT and KISS, was honored for his contributions to education and tribal empowerment.
10. Which organizations won the Yashraj Bharti Samman Awards 2025?
Answer: Jan Swasthya Sahayog, Pratham Education Foundation, and NIC’s Services Plus platform were recognized for excellence in healthcare, education, and governance.
11. Who will be honored at the 4th Annual Gold House Gold Gala?
Answer: Priyanka Chopra (Global Vanguard Honor), Ang Lee, Megan Thee Stallion, and Jon M. Chu will be celebrated for cultural impact.
Science & Technology News
12. What milestone did India celebrate in space history?
Answer: 50 years of the Aryabhata satellite, India’s first indigenously developed satellite launched in 1975, marking the beginning of ISRO’s journey.
13. What unique event was held in Beijing involving robots?
Answer: The world’s first Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon, where robots competed alongside humans, showcasing AI endurance and robotics innovation.
Sports News
14. Who were honored in Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2025?
Answer: Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana were named Leading Cricketers of the Year for their outstanding performances in 2024.
15. What IPL record did Virat Kohli break?
Answer: He achieved the most fifty-plus scores in IPL history (67), surpassing David Warner, with 322 runs in 8 innings this season.
16. Who won the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?
Answer: Oscar Piastri won his third race of the season, overtaking Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship standings.