Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 30th April 2025

Padma Awards:

The President of India conferred 4 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri Awards at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I at Rashtrapati Bhawan’s Ganatantra Mandap

• The Padma Awards were established in 1954 alongside the Bharat Ratna.
• Initially, Padma Awards had three classes: Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg, and Tisra Varg.
• These were renamed in 1955 via Presidential Notification as: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri
• Padma Awards Categories
  • Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
  • Padma Bhushan: Conferred for distinguished service of a high order.
  • Padma Shri: Recognises distinguished service in any field.
• Eligibility Criteria
  • All persons, regardless of race, occupation, position or gender, are eligible for the award.
  • Government servants, including employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), are not eligible, except doctors and scientists.
  • Awards are normally not conferred posthumously, but in highly deserving cases, exceptions are allowed.
  • A minimum 5-year gap is required for conferring a higher category Padma award upon a previously awarded individual. However, this can be relaxed by the Awards Committee in exceptional cases.
  • Nominations are open to the public, and self-nomination is also allowed.
• All nominations are evaluated by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted annually by the Prime Minister.
• The Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
• Its recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and President for final approval.
• The awards are presented by the President, usually in March or April.
• Awardees receive a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.

India–Bhutan 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting:

The 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting between India and Bhutan was held recently in Thimphu, Bhutan.

• Bhutan is a landlocked Himalayan country, bordered by India to the south, east, and west, and China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north.
• Indian states bordering Bhutan: Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan.
• Phuntsholing is Bhutan’s key financial and trade hub, located along the India-Bhutan border.
• Bhutan is a parliamentary monarchy.
• It transitioned to democracy in 2008 with the first democratic elections.
• The King of Bhutan remains the Head of State.
• Official name: Kingdom of Bhutan.
• Local name: Druk Gyal Khap, meaning “Land of the Thunder Dragon”.
• The Manas River (376 km), a transboundary river flowing through southern Bhutan into India, forms an important ecological and trade corridor.
• India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, accounting for about 80% of Bhutan’s total trade, making border customs cooperation vital for both countries.
• Bhutan, being a landlocked country, relies heavily on Land Customs Stations (LCSs) for trade. There are 10 India-Bhutan LCSs—6 in West Bengal and 4 in Assam.
• The JGC is an annual bilateral mechanism aimed at strengthening Customs cooperation, facilitating cross-border trade, and reforming customs procedures in line with global best practices.

Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary:

A poacher was arrested following an exchange of fire with forest guards at Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Balasore district recently.

Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located in the Balasore District of Odisha within the Eastern Ghats.
• It is spread across 272 sq.km. in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region.
• It is part of the larger Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve, making it a crucial habitat for the conservation of elephants in the region.
• It is connected with Simlipal Tiger Reserve via Nato and Sukhupada Hill ranges.
• It features a network of streams, including the Kuldiha stream and its tributaries.
• Kuldiha sanctuary area, adjoining Nilgiri forest in the North and Mayurbhanj Forest in the West, is a typical representative of a mixture of peninsular (coastal) Sal forest and moist mixed deciduous forest.
• The sanctuary boasts a rich diversity of flora, including dense forests of sal (Shorea robusta), jamun (Syzygium cumini), piyasal (Pterocarpus marsupium), bahera (Terminalia bellirica), mango (Mangifera indica), and simul (Bombax ceiba).It is home to a number of endangered and threatened wild animal species like Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Gaur, Mouse deer, Pangolin, Ratel, Giant squirrel, etc.
• Besides that, some endangered bird species like Hill myna, Woodpecker, Hornbill and Eagles are also found in the Sanctuary.

Uturuncu Volcano:

Scientists from China, the UK, and the U.S. have collaborated to analyze the inner workings of Bolivia’s “zombie” volcano, Uturuncu, and identified the causes of Uturuncu’s unrest, alleviating fears of an imminent eruption.

• Uturuncu Volcano is located in southwestern Bolivia, within the Andes Mountains.
• It is a stratovolcano dominated by dacitic lava domes and flows.
• About 6,008 meters (19,711 feet) above sea level — it is the tallest mountain in the southern part of Bolivia.
• Uturuncu last erupted 250,000 years ago, yet is seismically active and lies at the centre of a 70 km diameter uplifted region.
• Uturuncu sits above an enormous and extremely deep underground reservoir of magma named the Altiplano-Puna Magma Body (APMB), which stretches beneath southern Bolivia, northern Chile, and northern Argentina.
• Uturuncu is known as a “zombie” volcano because of its ongoing but non-eruptive activity.
• The “zombie”-like unrest of Uturuncu is due to the movement of liquid and gas beneath the crater, with a low likelihood of an imminent eruption.

Mackinac Island:

In the heart of the US state of Michigan, known for building cars, there’s a peaceful little island called Mackinac Island, where motor vehicles are not allowed.

• Mackinac Island is an island and city located in northern Michigan, United States.
• It sits in the extreme northeast part of Lake Huron, just as it prepares to join the waters of Lake Michigan – two of North America’s Great Lakes.
• It has an area of approximately 4.35 square miles.
• The island is bordered by limestone cliffs and rises in the east to 339 feet (103 metres) above the surrounding waters.
• The Mackinac Island State Park covers the vast majority of the island and provides hiking trails, wooded canopies, and the famous Arch Rock limestone formation.
• It retains an 18th- and 19th-century atmosphere; automobiles are banned, and horses and buggies and bicycles are used for transport.
• The restored Fort Mackinac, Beaumont Memorial (dedicated to U.S. Army surgeon William Beaumont, who, while serving at the fort, made discoveries regarding human digestion), and the Stuart House (1817; the residence of the island’s American Fur Company agent) are preserved as historical museums

Trends in World Military Expenditure Report 2024:

According to the 2024 edition of the “Trends in World Military Expenditure” report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India’s military spending was nearly nine times higher than Pakistan’s last year.

Highlights of 2024 Report:

• The global defence expenditures reached $2.46 trillion in 2024, an increase from $2.24 trillion in the previous year, bringing the average defence spending to 9% of global GDP, up from 1.6% in 2022 and 1.8% in 2023.
• Military spending increased in all world regions, with particularly rapid growth in both Europe and the Middle East, courtesy of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Military spending in Europe (including Russia) rose by 17 percent to $693 billion and was the main contributor to the global increase in 2024.
• Military spending by the USA rose by 5.7 percent to reach $997 billion, which was 66 percent of total NATO spending and 37 percent of world military spending in 2024.
• Military expenditure in the Middle East reached an estimated $243 billion in 2024, an increase of 15 percent from 2023, with Israel and Lebanon emerging as the biggest spenders in the region.
• 60 percent of the world’s military spending came from only five countries – the USA (37 percent), China (12 percent), Russia (5.5 percent), Germany (3.3 percent) and India (3.2percent).
• India, the fifth biggest military spender in the world in 2024, increased its spending to $86.1 billion, up by 1.6 percent from 2023 and by 42 percent from India’s military spending in 2024 was nearly nine times that of Pakistan’s
• China’s military spending rose by 7.0 percent to an estimated USD 314 billion, marking three decades of uninterrupted growth. China alone accounted for half of the defence spending across Asia and Oceania.

Revive Our Ocean Initiative:

The ‘Revive Our Ocean’ initiative, launched by the international NGO Dynamic Planet, seeks to boost marine conservation by empowering local communities to create marine protected areas (MPAs) and promote sustainable economic growth through fishing and tourism.

• The initiative aligns with the 30X30 target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aiming to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030.
• It initially targets seven countries UK, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Mexico, where local communities will be empowered to establish and manage MPAs effectively.
• It highlights MPAs as economic assets, with examples like Medes Island (Spain), where a no-fishing zone generates USD 16 million annually through tourism.
• The initiative is in line with the 2023 High Seas Treaty, which requires ratification by 60 countries to come into effect (India signed the High Seas Treaty).
• An MPA is a region managed for the conservation of marine resources, with restrictions on certain activities to protect ecosystems, habitats, or fisheries.
• Some activities, like fishing and research, may still occur in multi-purpose MPAs.
• Although over 16,000 MPAs cover 8% of the world’s oceans, only 3% are fully protected, as per the Protected Planet Report, 2024.
• Many MPAs suffer from poor management or allow destructive practices like bottom trawling.

Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha:

The 18th Lok Sabha, like the 17th, has not yet elected a Deputy Speaker, raising concerns about constitutional compliance and parliamentary conventions.

• Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Governed by Article 93 of the Constitution: mandates the House to elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker “as soon as may be”.
• Elected by: Lok Sabha members from among themselves.
• Timing: After the Speaker’s election, the date is fixed by the Speaker.
• Convention: Deputy Speaker is usually from the Opposition, though not legally mandated.
• Powers and Functions:
  • Presiding Role: Acts as Speaker when the latter is absent.
  • Casting Vote: Exercises casting vote only in case of a tie when presiding.
  • Committee Chairmanship: Automatically becomes chairperson of any parliamentary committee if appointed.
  • Independence: Is not subordinate to the Speaker but directly responsible to the Lok Sabha.

AIM4NatuRe initiative:

FAO launched the AIM4NatuRe initiative with UK support to enhance global monitoring of ecosystem restoration under the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

• Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Nature Restoration (AIM4NatuRe) is a global initiative to improve the monitoring and reporting of ecosystem restoration efforts.
• Launched by: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
• Funding Partner: United Kingdom, contributing GBP 7 million.
• Objective:
  • Strengthen countries’ ability to monitor and report restoration progress.
  • Support achievement of Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework — restoring at least 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
• Features:
  • Technology Driven: Leverages cutting-edge satellite and data analysis tools.
  • Global Dataset Creation: Builds a harmonized global dataset on restoration.
  • Capacity Development: Trains countries to use data-driven restoration tracking methods.
  • Data Interoperability: Establishes standardized data formats for seamless integration across nations.
  • Inclusivity Focus: Supports Indigenous Peoples’ monitoring efforts with pilot projects in Brazil and Peru.
  • Expansion: Builds upon the success of FAO’s AIM4Forests programme, extending from forests to all ecosystems including wetlands, grasslands, and marine areas.

Draft Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025:

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released the Draft Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025, to operationalize India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme and help achieve climate commitments.The GEI Target Rules, 2025 establish mandatory emission intensity reduction targets for energy-intensive industries.These rules are integral to India’s broader strategy to promote low-carbon industrial growth. Released By: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

Bio-Input Resource Centres:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare released guidelines for setting up Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) to promote natural farming under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). Bio-Input Resource Centres are cluster-level enterprises that provide farmers with locally prepared natural farming inputs like bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and organic formulations.
They also act as knowledge hubs to train and guide farmers transitioning to natural farming practices. Launched under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).

Sandy Cay Reef Dispute:

China and the Philippines traded accusations over the Sandy Cay reef dispute in the South China Sea, escalating maritime tensions as both nations assert sovereignty. Sandy Cay Reef lies in the northern Thitu Reefs, within the Spratly Islands, South China Sea. It is situated approximately northwest of Thitu Island and northeast of Subi Reef. Disputed Between: China, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In 2025, China claimed to have implemented “maritime control” over Sandy Cay, while the Philippines strongly rejected the claim.

14-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Youngest to Smash IPL’s Second-Fastest Century:

In only his third IPL match, Vaibhav Suryavanshi played an innings for the ages. Chasing the stiff target, he scored a century off just 35 balls, smashing 7 fours and 11 sixes, stunning the Titans’ bowlers with his extraordinary hitting. His strike rate remained off the charts, keeping Rajasthan firmly in the hunt. Unfortunately, he was bowled for 101 runs off 37 balls by Prasidh Krishna in the 12th over.The 35-ball hundred placed him second on the all-time list for fastest IPL centuries, behind only Chris Gayle. Vaibhav eclipsed Yusuf Pathan (37-ball century) and Abhishek Sharma (40-ball century) with his breathtaking knock.

Factory Output Growth Marginally Improves to 3% in March 2025:

India’s factory output, measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), recorded a marginal rise of 3% in March 2025, slightly improving from February’s six-month low but still remaining below last year’s growth of 5.5%. For the entire financial year 2024–25, industrial production expanded by 4%, slower than the 5.9% growth seen in FY24. The slight improvement in manufacturing and electricity sectors was offset by weak mining performance

RBI Directs Banks to Ensure Regular Dispensing of ₹100 and ₹200 Notes:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated that banks and White Label ATM Operators (WLAOs) ensure that ATMs dispense ₹100 and ₹200 denomination banknotes on a regular basis. This directive is set to roll out in phases, with specific deadlines for implementation.The RBI’s latest directive addresses a common public concern: the availability of smaller denomination notes in ATMs. By ensuring that ₹100 and ₹200 notes are available regularly, the RBI aims to make it more convenient for people to access the most commonly used denominations.

Legendary Malayalam Filmmaker Shaji N Karun Passes Away:

The Malayalam film industry lost a giant with the passing of Shaji N Karun, one of its most celebrated filmmakers. Known for his groundbreaking contributions to cinema, Karun’s films not only revolutionized Malayalam cinema but also earned international acclaim. His death, coming shortly after being honored with the prestigious J C Daniel Award, marks the end of an era for the industry.

RBI Imposes Fines on IOB and Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited for Non-Compliance:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties on Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) and Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL) for violations of its compliance norms. These fines, stemming from RBI’s routine supervisory assessments, aim to reinforce adherence to guidelines related to loan practices, transparency in processing fees, and proper handling of collateral securities.

India Clinches Record 83 Gold Medals at the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sport Championship:

India has once again affirmed its global leadership in yogic sports with a historic performance at the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sport Championship, clinching an astounding 83 gold medals. Held at the iconic KD Jadhav Arena in New Delhi, the championship brought together athletes from 21 nations, showcasing the growing appeal and competitive spirit of yogasana across Asia.

African Swine Fever Outbreak in Mizoram:

Mizoram is currently grappling with a severe outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), which has led to the death of over 3,000 pigs within a month, primarily affecting the districts of Siaha, Lawngtlai, Lunglei, and Mamit. The outbreak has not only devastated local pig farming but also forced authorities to implement culling measures in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease. Mizoram is currently facing a significant African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak, which has claimed the lives of over 3,000 pigs in the last month. The four affected districts—Siaha, Lawngtlai, Lunglei, and Mamit—are battling the rapid spread of this disease, which has already caused considerable financial losses.

Manush Shah and Diya Chitale Clinch Mixed Doubles Title at WTT Contender Tunis 2025:

Manush Shah and Diya Chitale have etched their names in history by clinching the mixed doubles title at the 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Tunis. This remarkable achievement makes them only the second Indian pair to win the mixed doubles title at a WTT Contender event, following the success of Manika Batra and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran in 2021.Manush Shah and Diya Chitale have made history by winning the mixed doubles title at the 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Tunis. Their victory marks a significant achievement, as they become only the second Indian pair to win the mixed doubles title at a WTT Contender event, following Manika Batra and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran’s triumph at the 2021 WTT Contender Budapest. The prestigious tournament took place from April 22 to April 27, 2025, in Tunis, Tunisia, offering a USD 1 lakh prize pool.

Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority : MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank

IEPFA’s recent MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank and the launch of the ‘Niveshak Shivir’ initiative, to boost digital investor awareness and financial literacy across India.The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) was established in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013.It manages the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) and promotes investor awareness and financial protection. Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs

GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance:

Gavi, the international vaccine alliance, is trying to convince President Donald Trump’s administration to maintain vital funding for the body by arguing that a donation would boost the US vaccine industry.It is an independent public-private partnership that was created in 2000 to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Gavi brings together public and private sectors with the shared goal of creating equal access to vaccines for children, wherever they live.It brings together developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, research and technical agencies, civil society organizations, and private philanthropists.