Daily Current Affairs- 28th April 2025

Daily Current Affairs 28th April 2025

8 Years of UDAN Scheme

In the News: On April 27, 2025, the Government of India celebrated the 8th anniversary of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, a flagship initiative aimed at enhancing regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable for the common citizen.

Factual Details:

• Launch and Objective: Launched on October 21, 2016, under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, UDAN aims to connect unserved and underserved airports across India, promoting balanced regional growth and making flying affordable for the masses.
• Operational Achievements: As of April 2025, the scheme has operationalized 625 routes and 90 airports, including heliports and water aerodromes, significantly expanding India's aviation network.
• Passenger Impact: Over 1.49 crore passengers have benefited from the scheme, reflecting its success in making air travel accessible to a broader population.
• Economic and Regional Development: UDAN has played a pivotal role in boosting tourism, generating employment, and stimulating economic development in regions previously lacking air connectivity.
• Extension and Future Goals: Recognizing its success, the government has extended the UDAN scheme for another 10 years, aiming to operationalize 350-400 airports by 2047, further enhancing regional air connectivity.
• Collaborative Governance: The scheme operates on a collaborative model involving the central government, state governments, and airport operators, with financial support provided through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to ensure affordable fares and operational sustainability.
• Phased Implementation: UDAN has been implemented in multiple phases, each expanding the scope and reach of the scheme:
  • UDAN 1.0 (2017): Launched the first set of routes, connecting 70 airports.
  • UDAN 2.0 (2018): Expanded to include 73 underserved and unserved airports.
  • UDAN 3.0 (2019): Introduced tourism routes and seaplane operations.
  • UDAN 4.0 (2020): Focused on North-East connectivity and inclusion of helicopter and seaplane routes.
• Infrastructure Development: The scheme has led to the development of new airports and the revival of existing ones, contributing to the overall growth of India's civil aviation infrastructure.  

Supreme Court Suggests Minimum Vote Requirement for Unopposed Election Wins

In the News: The Supreme Court of India proposed that candidates in uncontested elections should be required to secure a minimum percentage of votes to be declared elected. This suggestion emerged during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, challenging Section 53(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which allows unopposed candidates to be declared elected without a poll.

Key Details:

• Justice Surya Kant, presiding over the bench, suggested that even if only one candidate remains in the fray, they should be required to obtain at least 10–15% of the vote share to be declared elected.
• The Court emphasized that democracy is founded on majority support, and allowing a candidate to win unopposed without any voter endorsement undermines this principle.
• The petitioner argued that unopposed elections deprive voters of the opportunity to express dissent through the "None of the Above" (NOTA) option, which is recognized under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
• The Election Commission noted that uncontested elections are rare, with only one instance in the past 25 years at the parliamentary level.
• The Commission and the Attorney General expressed concerns about the practicality of conducting elections with only one candidate, suggesting that such reforms should be considered by Parliament.
• The Supreme Court has asked the Union government to consider the proposal and file a response within four weeks. The matter is scheduled for further hearing in July 2025.  

India Expands Its Extended Continental Shelf Claim in the Arabian Sea

In the News: India submitted a revised claim to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), seeking recognition for an additional 10,000 square kilometers of seabed in the Central Arabian Sea. This move aims to secure valuable seabed resources while avoiding a maritime dispute with Pakistan.

Factual Details:

• Extended Continental Shelf (ECS): Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal nations can claim an ECS beyond their 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) if they can provide scientific evidence that the shelf is a natural extension of their landmass.
• India's Initial Submission: In 2009, India submitted its ECS claim covering parts of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea.
• Objections and Review: In 2021, Pakistan objected to India's claim in the Western Arabian Sea, citing a 100-nautical-mile overlap near the disputed Sir Creek area. Consequently, in 2023, the CLCS rejected India's claim in the Arabian Sea but allowed resubmission with modifications.
• Modified Submission (2025): India revised its claim by splitting the Western Arabian Sea submission into two parts, avoiding the disputed area and adding nearly 10,000 sq km in the Central Arabian Sea. This strategic move aims to secure seabed areas rich in minerals, polymetallic nodules, and oil reserves critical for India’s economic interests.
• Current Status: India's amended submission will be reviewed in the 64th CLCS session (August 2025), with recommendations to be made under Article 76 of UNCLOS.
• Significance: The ECS claim enhances India's sovereign rights over seabed resources like minerals and hydrocarbons, almost matching India's land area and strengthening the Blue Economy.
• Geopolitical Considerations: India's ECS claim in the Arabian Sea overlaps with Oman's claims; however, an agreement in 2010 ensures that this shared region is not under dispute. On the eastern and southern coastlines, India's ECS claims in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean span 300,000 square kilometers but have faced challenges from Myanmar and Sri Lanka.  

BRICS Adopts Declaration on AI, Climate Change, and Employment at 2025 Labour Ministers’ Meeting

In the News: On April 25, 2025, the 11th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) convened in Brasília, Brazil, under the theme “Strengthening the Cooperation of the Global South for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” The meeting culminated in a declaration addressing the transformative impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and climate change on the world of work, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies and just transitions.

Factual Details:

• Human-Centered AI Governance: The declaration underscores the importance of a human-centric approach to AI, advocating for policies that ensure technological advancements align with International Labour Organization (ILO) labour standards, promote decent work, and uphold workers' rights.
• Just Transition and Green Jobs: Recognizing the dual challenges of climate change and employment, BRICS nations committed to facilitating just transitions towards sustainable economies. This includes investing in green job creation, reskilling programs, and social protection measures to support workers affected by environmental shifts.
• Social Protection and Inclusion: The ministers highlighted the urgency of expanding universal social protection systems, particularly for vulnerable groups such as informal workers, migrants, and those in climate-affected regions. Emphasis was placed on creating inclusive, flexible, and portable safety nets.
• India's Contributions: India showcased initiatives like the National Strategy for AI, Future Skills Prime, and the Namo Drone Didi program, emphasizing ethical AI adoption, workforce upskilling, and tech-enabled livelihoods. Additionally, India's commitment to a just transition framework and climate leadership was reaffirmed.
• Strengthening BRICS Cooperation Mechanisms: The declaration includes plans to reinforce the BRICS Virtual Liaison Office with a new Social Protection Observatory, acknowledges the ILO’s work on BRICS Productivity, and welcomes the creation of the BRICS Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Network.  

Russia Declares Ceasefire in Ukraine on May 8–10 for WWII Victory Day

In the News: On April 28, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 10 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, marking the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Factual Details:

• Ceasefire Duration: The ceasefire is scheduled to commence at midnight on May 8 and conclude at midnight on May 11, encompassing the Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
• Kremlin's Statement: The Kremlin described the truce as a humanitarian gesture and called upon Ukraine to reciprocate. It warned that any violations by Ukraine would prompt an "adequate and effective response" from Russian forces.
• Ukrainian Response: Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, dismissed the limited ceasefire as insufficient, advocating instead for an immediate and comprehensive 30-day truce to facilitate meaningful peace negotiations.
• President Zelenskyy's Remarks: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the timing of the ceasefire, questioning the delay until May 8 and emphasizing the need to prioritize human lives over ceremonial events.
• S. Position: President Donald Trump welcomed the temporary ceasefire but reiterated his administration's push for a permanent cessation of hostilities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the U.S. might reconsider its involvement in peace efforts if substantial progress is not achieved. 

14-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Smashes IPL’s Second-Fastest Century

In the News: On April 28, 2025, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old prodigy from Bihar, made history by scoring a blistering 101 runs off 38 balls for the Rajasthan Royals against the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His century, achieved in just 35 balls, is the second-fastest in IPL history, surpassed only by Chris Gayle's 30-ball century in 2013. This remarkable feat also makes him the youngest centurion in men's Twenty20 cricket.

Key Details:

• Record-Breaking Innings: Suryavanshi's 101-run knock included 11 sixes and 7 fours, with 94 runs coming from boundaries. He reached his century by hitting a six off Rashid Khan, showcasing his fearless approach against seasoned international bowlers.
• Historic Partnership: Opening the batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryavanshi shared a 166-run stand, propelling the Rajasthan Royals to a successful chase of 210 runs in just 15.5 overs.
• Youngest IPL Centurion: At 14 years and 32 days old, Suryavanshi became the youngest player to score a century in IPL history, surpassing previous records and setting a new benchmark for young talent in the league.
• Fastest IPL Century by an Indian: His 35-ball century is the fastest by an Indian in the IPL, breaking Yusuf Pathan's previous record of a 37-ball century set in 2010.
• Early Career Highlights: Before his IPL debut, Suryavanshi had already made headlines by debuting in the Ranji Trophy at age 12 and scoring a triple-century in a local match in Bihar. He was signed by the Rajasthan Royals at 13 for ₹1.10 crore, making him the youngest player ever to be bought in an IPL auction.
• Debut Performance: In his IPL debut on April 19, 2025, against the Lucknow Super Giants, Suryavanshi impressed by hitting a six off his first ball and scoring 34 runs off 20 balls.
• Player of the Match: Suryavanshi's match-winning century earned him the Player of the Match award, further cementing his status as one of the most exciting young talents in cricket.