Daily Current Affairs- 29th April 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 29th April 2025

India’s NSM Achieves Major Milestones in Supercomputing Infrastructure

As of March 2025, under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), India has deployed 34 supercomputers with a combined compute capacity of 35 Petaflops across institutions like IISc, IITs, C-DAC, and several Tier-II and Tier-III research centers.

• These systems have achieved over 85% utilization rates, with many operating at more than 95%, reflecting their high efficiency and demand.
• C-DAC has developed “Trinetra”, an indigenous high-speed communication network to enhance node connectivity. Trinetra-A (100 Gbps) is operational at C-DAC Pune, while Trinetra-B (200 Gbps) will power the upcoming 20PF PARAM Rudra in Bangalore.
• In 2024, three PARAM Rudra supercomputers were dedicated to researchers and deployed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata. Built with indigenously developed “Rudra” HPC servers and software, they mark a significant leap in India’s self-reliant computing capabilities. 

Government Sets Up Panel to Draft Plan for New National Manufacturing Mission

On April 29, 2025, the Government of India announced the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to draft the framework for the National Manufacturing Mission (NMM), as proposed in the Union Budget 2025–26.

• The mission aims to boost the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP by focusing on five key areas: simplifying business processes, developing a future-ready workforce, strengthening the MSME sector, enhancing access to advanced technology, and ensuring the production of high-quality products.
• The NMM will provide policy support and establish a governance framework involving central ministries and state governments. It emphasizes clean technology manufacturing, aiming to bolster domestic production of solar panels, electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and other critical components.
• To support MSMEs, the mission proposes increasing the credit guarantee cover from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore and introducing customized credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit for registered MSMEs.  

Draft GEI Target Rules 2025: India’s Push for Industrial Emission Cuts

On April 23, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released the Draft Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025. These rules aim to set mandatory emission intensity reduction targets for energy-intensive industries, aligning with India's commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

• The draft rules designate 2023–24 as the baseline year and set phased reduction targets for 2025–26 and 2026–27. They apply to 282 industrial units across four sectors: aluminium, cement, chlor-alkali, and pulp & paper. Major companies like Vedanta, Ultratech, and JSW Cement are among the obligated entities.
• Compliance is integrated with the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) 2023. Industries meeting or exceeding targets earn carbon credits tradable on the Indian Carbon Market. Those falling short must purchase credits or face penalties. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will impose environmental compensation equal to twice the average market price of carbon credits for non-compliance.
• The draft is open for public consultation for 60 days from its publication. Once finalized, the rules will enforce sector-specific emission intensity targets, promoting sustainable industrial practices and contributing to India's climate goals.  

National Mission for Clean Ganga Granted Income Tax Exemption

On April 22, 2025, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued Notification No. 37/2025, granting income tax exemption to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under Section 10(46A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

• This exemption is effective from the assessment year 2024–25 and recognizes NMCG as an authority constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• The tax-exempt status is contingent upon NMCG continuing to operate as an authority under the Environment (Protection) Act with objectives aligned to those specified in sub-clause (a) of clause (46A) of Section 10 of the Income Tax Act.  

Tamil Nadu Bans Raw Egg Mayonnaise Over Health Concerns

The Tamil Nadu government imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of mayonnaise made with raw eggs, citing public health risks. The decision, enacted under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, classifies raw egg-based mayonnaise as a "high-risk food" due to potential contamination by harmful bacteria such as Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, 

 

CSR Spending in India Grows 16% in FY24

India's listed companies increased their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending by 16% in FY24, reaching ₹17,967 crore, up from ₹15,524 crore in FY23. This surge follows an 18% rise in average net profits over the preceding three years, the basis for calculating the mandatory 2% CSR contribution under Indian law.

• HDFC Bank led with a CSR spend of ₹945.31 crore, followed by Reliance Industries (₹900 crore), TCS (₹827 crore), and ONGC (₹634.57 crore). Collectively, the top 10 companies accounted for 34% of total CSR expenditure.
• Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) also increased their CSR contributions by 19%, with 66 PSUs spending ₹3,717 crore in FY24, up from ₹3,136 crore in FY23.
• Education remained the top sector for CSR investments, attracting ₹1,104 crore, followed by healthcare at ₹720 crore. Environmental sustainability saw the highest growth, with spending increasing by 54% compared to the previous year.
• Compliance remained high, with 98% of the 1,394 eligible companies fulfilling their CSR obligations. Notably, 49% of companies exceeded their prescribed CSR spending, while 30% spent exactly the mandated amount.  

Trump Suggests U.S. May Recognize Crimea as Russian Territory

On April 25, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a Time magazine interview that "Crimea will stay with Russia," signalling a potential shift in U.S. policy towards recognizing Russia's 2014 annexation of the peninsula.

• Trump's comments are part of a broader peace proposal that includes formal U.S. recognition of Russian control over Crimea, de facto acknowledgment of Russian occupation in parts of eastern Ukraine, and a commitment that Ukraine will not join NATO.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any formal surrender of Crimea, emphasizing that such a move would violate Ukraine's constitution and require a national referendum.
• The proposal has sparked concern among European allies, with Germany stating that the U.S. plan goes too far in ceding land to Russia. 

Mark Carney Elected as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister

• Mark Carney led Canada's Liberal Party to victory in the federal election, becoming the country's 24th Prime Minister. The Liberals secured 168 seats, just shy of the 172 needed for a majority, indicating a likely minority government.
• Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, assumed leadership of the Liberal Party in March following Justin Trudeau's resignation. His campaign capitalized on a surge in Canadian nationalism, spurred by U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and controversial remarks suggesting Canada should become the 51st U.S. state. 

UN Report Highlights Climate Injustice Faced by Indigenous Peoples

On April 24, 2025, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) released Volume VI of the State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Report, focusing on the climate crisis. The report highlights that while Indigenous Peoples safeguard 80% of the world’s biodiversity, they receive less than 1% of international climate funding.

• The report emphasizes that Indigenous Peoples, numbering around 476 million across 90 countries, are among the most vulnerable to climate change, despite their critical role in environmental conservation. They inhabit and protect about 22% of global land area, which includes ecologically sensitive and biodiverse regions.
• Volume VI addresses the disproportionate impact of global warming, resource extraction, and climate displacement on Indigenous communities.
• It warns that green projects—such as solar farms and dams—often violate Indigenous land rights.
• The report calls for stronger legal protections, recognition of land titles, and direct financial support for Indigenous-led climate action.
• It urges the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge systems in global climate strategies.
• The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues welcomed the report, calling it a wake-up call for global policymakers.