Stay updated with the top headlines from 30th April 2025. This GK update covers national, international, economy, banking, defense, appointments, awards, schemes, summits, science, and important days — tailored for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other competitive exams.
National News
1. What guidelines were issued for Bio-Input Resource Centres under NMNF?
Answer: The Centre approved ₹1 lakh per BRC to support bio-input production and natural farming education. Experts flagged funding gaps, especially for infrastructure.
2. What are the key features of the Draft GEI Target Rules, 2025?
Answer: Issued by the Ministry of Environment, the rules regulate GHG emissions intensity in high-emission industries and support India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme.
3. What electoral reform did the Supreme Court suggest?
Answer: Candidates elected unopposed should secure at least 10–15% votes to uphold democratic legitimacy, as per SC’s suggestion in response to a Vidhi Centre petition.
Economy & CSR News
4. How much did CSR spending increase in FY 2023–24?
Answer: CSR spending rose 16% to ₹17,967 crore, led by HDFC Bank, Reliance, TCS, and ONGC. Education and healthcare received the most funds.
5. What is Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam’s green finance milestone?
Answer: It issued India’s first Certified Green Municipal Bond, raising ₹150 crore for a 40 MLD sewage treatment plant, winning the Best Municipal Treated Water Reuse Award.
Banking News
6. What is RBI’s directive on the PRAVAAH portal?
Answer: From May 1, 2025, all regulated entities must use PRAVAAH for license and approval applications. Over 4,000 applications have already been processed.
7. Why did IndusInd Bank CEO Sumant Kathpalia resign?
Answer: He resigned over a ₹1,959.98 crore derivatives accounting lapse involving misreported notional profits from early-terminated trades.
Appointments News
8. Who has been appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India?
Answer: Justice B.R. Gavai, known for landmark rulings on Article 370 and electoral bonds, will take oath on May 14, 2025.
9. Who is the new Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar?
Answer: IAS Vinod Kumar Gunjiyal, a 2007-batch officer, appointed ahead of Bihar Assembly elections in Oct–Nov 2025.
Agreements News
10. What partnership was signed between India Post and SBI Mutual Fund?
Answer: India Post will offer doorstep KYC services via its 1.64 lakh post offices, enhancing mutual fund access in rural areas.
Ranks & Reports
11. What does the World Social Report 2025 highlight?
Answer: 60% of people face economic insecurity; richest 1% hold more wealth than 95%. The report calls for fair taxation and stronger institutions.
Schemes News
12. What is the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme (GHCI)?
Answer: Launched by MNRE, GHCI ensures traceability in green hydrogen production, targeting 5 MMT capacity and ₹8 lakh crore investment by 2030.
Science & Technology
13. Who will be the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS?
Answer: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will fly aboard Axiom Mission 4 on May 29, 2025, conducting 60+ experiments including 7 from India.
14. What is Amazon’s Project Kuiper update?
Answer: Amazon launched 27 satellites for its broadband constellation, competing with SpaceX’s Starlink. Services expected to begin later in 2025.
Important Days
15. What is the significance of Dadasaheb Phalke’s birth anniversary?
Answer: Celebrated on April 30, he pioneered Indian cinema with Raja Harishchandra (1913), overcoming societal and financial challenges.
16. What is the theme of International Jazz Day 2025?
Answer: Celebrates jazz as a symbol of peace, freedom, and creativity, initiated by UNESCO in 2011.
17. What is the history of International Labour Day?
Answer: Observed on May 1, it commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Affair and India’s first celebration in 1923 by the Labour Kisan Party.