Daily Current Affairs- 24th April 2025

Daily Current Affairs 24th April 2025

CCS Decisions Against Pakistan

In the News: In the wake of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, the Indian government convened a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on April 23, 2025. Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the meeting aimed to assess the security situation and determine India's response to the incident

• Date & Chair: April 23, 2025, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Attendees: Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and senior officials from the ministries of Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs.
• Decisions Taken:
  1. Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty: India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, citing Pakistan's alleged support for cross-border terrorism as a breach of treaty terms .
  2. Downgrading Diplomatic Relations:
     • Reduction of Indian High Commission staff in Islamabad from 55 to 30.
     • Expulsion of Pakistani military advisers from India.
     • Withdrawal of Indian defence attaches from Pakistan .
  3. Closure of Attari-Wagah Border: India closed its main land border crossing with Pakistan, halting cross-border movement .
  4. Visa Policy Changes:
     • Suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals.
     • Cancellation of existing visas issued to Pakistani citizens.
     • Revocation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) visa exemption scheme for Pakistan .
  5. Security Measures: All security forces were directed to maintain high vigilance along the borders and within Jammu and Kashmir to prevent further incidents .
• Pakistan's Response: Pakistan denied involvement in the attack and criticized India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, labeling it as an "act of water warfare." In retaliation, Pakistan suspended the 1972 Simla Agreement, closed its airspace to Indian flights, and expelled Indian diplomats . 

PM Modi Inaugurates Namo Bharat Rapid Rail from Jaynagar to Patna

In the News: On April 24, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service between Jaynagar and Patna, marking Bihar's first semi-high-speed, fully air-conditioned train. This launch is part of a broader initiative to enhance regional connectivity and economic development in the Mithilanchal region, ahead of the upcoming Bihar state elections.

Key Features of the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail

• Route & Distance: The train covers a distance of approximately 267 km, connecting Jaynagar (near the Nepal border) to Patna via key stations including Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Barauni, Mokama, and Barh.
• Travel Time: The journey time has been reduced to 5.5 hours, a significant improvement over the previous 8-hour duration on existing trains.
• Train Composition: The service utilizes an 18-coach rake with a seating capacity exceeding 2,000 passengers. It is designed for mid-distance intercity travel, offering a comfortable and efficient mode of transportation.
• Operational Schedule: Train number 94803 departs from Jaynagar at 5:00 AM, arriving in Patna at 10:30 AM. The return service, train number 94804, leaves Patna at 6:05 PM and reaches Jaynagar at 11:45 PM. The train operates six days a week, excluding Saturdays from Patna and Sundays from Jaynagar.

• Speed & Efficiency: Capable of reaching speeds up to 130 km/h, the train features driver cabins at both ends, eliminating the need for turnaround and enhancing operational efficiency.
• Safety Features: Equipped with 'Kavach' anti-collision technology, CCTV surveillance, fire detection and suppression systems, and emergency talk-back units in every coach, ensuring passenger safety.
• Passenger Comfort: The coaches are fully air-conditioned with ergonomically designed seats, modular interiors, vacuum-based toilets, and Divyang-friendly facilities, providing a comfortable travel experience. 
• Broader Infrastructure Initiatives: The inauguration of the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is part of a larger package of development projects worth ₹13,480 crore launched by PM Modi in Bihar. These include the introduction of new train services, power sector projects, and the establishment of an LPG bottling plant, aimed at bolstering the state's infrastructure and public services. 

President Droupadi Murmu to Represent India at Pope Francis' Funeral

In the News: President Droupadi Murmu is set to represent India at the state funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City, scheduled for April 26, 2025. Accompanied by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and George Kurian, as well as Goa's Deputy Speaker Joshua De Souza, President Murmu departed for a two-day visit to offer condolences on behalf of the Indian government and its people .

• Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and the first non-European Pope in nearly 1,300 years, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His funeral is expected to be attended by over 130 foreign delegations, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs .

• Indian Delegation:
  • Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju
  • Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian
  • Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Joshua De Souza
• National Mourning: India declared a three-day state mourning from April 22 to April 24, 2025, in honor of Pope Francis. Additionally, on April 26, the day of the funeral, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country, and there will be no official entertainment .
• Prime Minister's Condolences: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the Pope's passing, highlighting his compassion, humility, and spiritual leadership. He noted the Pope's affection for the people of India and his commitment to inclusive development . 

JP Nadda Launches National 'Zero Measles-Rubella' Elimination Campaign

In the News: On April 24, 2025, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda virtually launched the National 'Zero Measles-Rubella' Elimination Campaign 2025–26, coinciding with the commencement of World Immunization Week (April 24–30). This initiative aims to eliminate measles and rubella in India by 2026, building upon the country's ongoing efforts to enhance immunization coverage and public health outcomes.

Factual Details

• Campaign Objectives:
  • Achieve 100% immunization coverage for children with two doses of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine.
  • Eliminate measles and rubella by 2026, following previous targets set for 2015, 2020, and 2023.
• Current Vaccination Coverage:
  • First dose: 93.7% coverage.
  • Second dose: 92.2% coverage.
• Recent Progress:
  • Between January and March 2025:
    • 332 districts reported zero measles cases.
    • 487 districts reported zero rubella cases.
  • In 2024, India witnessed a 73% decline in measles cases and a 17% reduction in rubella cases compared to 2023. 

Klaus Schwab Resigns as Chairman of World Economic Forum After Five Decades

In the News: Klaus Schwab, the 87-year-old founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has stepped down as Chairman and member of the Board of Trustees, effective immediately. This marks the end of his 54-year leadership since establishing the WEF in 1971. The resignation comes amid an independent investigation into allegations of financial and ethical misconduct involving Schwab and his wife, Hilde. Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, former CEO of Nestlé, has been appointed as interim chairman while a search committee seeks a permanent successor.

Factual Details

Background and Career

• Founder of WEF: Established the World Economic Forum in 1971 as a platform for public-private cooperation, best known for its annual Davos summit.
• Leadership Tenure: Led the organization for over five decades, transforming it into a significant global institution.

Reasons for Resignation

• Whistleblower Allegations: An anonymous letter accused Schwab and his wife of misusing WEF funds for personal expenses, including luxury travel and private services. The letter also alleged manipulation of organizational reports for personal gain.
• WEF's Response: The WEF has initiated an independent investigation into the allegations, engaging external legal counsel to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Schwab's Denial: Both Klaus and Hilde Schwab have denied the allegations, labeling them as unfounded and threatening legal action against the whistleblower. 

IISc Tops Times Higher Education Asia Rankings 2025

In the News: The Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2025, unveiled on April 23, evaluated 853 universities across 35 countries and territories, highlighting leading institutions in research, teaching, and innovation. India's representation saw the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, maintaining its position as the top-ranked Indian university, securing the 38th spot in Asia.

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru: Ranked 38th in Asia, down from 32nd in 2024. IISc remains the only Indian institution within the top 100, demonstrating strong performance in industry engagement, teaching, and research quality.
• Anna University: Placed at 111th, a slight drop from its previous position at 119th.
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore: Ranked 131st, reflecting a minor decline from last year's standings.
• Mahatma Gandhi University: Secured the 140th position, down from 134th in the previous year.

Regional Trends

• China's Dominance: Chinese universities continue to lead, with Tsinghua University and Peking University occupying the top two spots. Overall, China holds five of the top 10 positions.
• Singapore's Strong Presence: The National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University are ranked third and fourth, respectively, showcasing Singapore's commitment to higher education excellence.  

UNESCO Names 16 New Global Geoparks in 2025

In the News: On April 17, 2025, UNESCO announced the addition of 16 new sites to its Global Geoparks Network, expanding the total to 229 geoparks across 50 countries. This expansion marks the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Global Geoparks program, which recognizes areas of significant geological heritage and promotes sustainable development through education and tourism. Notably, this year's designations include the first-ever geoparks in North Korea and Saudi Arabia, highlighting UNESCO's efforts to broaden the geographical diversity of the network

Overview of the 16 Newly Designated UNESCO Global Geoparks (2025)

Country	Geopark	Key Features
China	Kanbula Geopark	Located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; features ancient volcanoes & Yellow River.
	Yunyang Geopark	Contains 18 km stretch of dinosaur fossil-rich rock layers (170 million years old).
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea	Mt. Paektu Geopark	First geopark of the country; known for volcanic and glacial features.
Ecuador	Napo Sumaco Geopark	Encompasses diverse ecosystems and volcanic terrains.
	Tungurahua Volcano Geopark	Centered around active volcano; significant geologically and culturally.
Indonesia	Kebumen Geopark	Features Karangsambung site; oceanic & continental rock formations.
	Meratus Geopark	Jurassic-era geology with diamond deposits and tectonic records.
Italy	Murge Geopark	Known for karst landscapes and fossil diversity.
Norway	The Fjord Coast Geopark	Features dramatic fjords and glacial geological history.
Republic of Korea	Danyang Geopark	Has 1.9-billion-year-old granite gneiss; part of Baekdu Daegan range.
	Gyeongbuk Donghaean Geopark	Deokgu Valley, ancient granitic rocks, and hot springs.
Saudi Arabia	North Riyadh Geopark	One of the first geoparks in the country; desert landscapes and unique geology.
	Salma Geopark	Inaugural site with notable geological features.
Spain	Costa Quebrada Geopark	Known for striking coastal cliffs and marine erosion formations.
United Kingdom	Arran Geopark	On the Isle of Arran; showcases diverse geological structures.
Vietnam	Lang Son Geopark	Rich in karst landscapes and cultural heritage.