10th April 2025 Current Affairs | Daily GK Update & Top News for Exams

National News

Unemployment Rate Dips Marginally to 4.9% in 2024

• According to the PLFS 2024, India’s unemployment rate (15+ age group) dipped slightly from 5.0% to 4.9%, showing modest gains in employment opportunities.
• Rural unemployment fell to 4.2%, while urban female unemployment dropped from 8.9% to 8.2%, even as urban male unemployment rose marginally.
• The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) declined slightly to 59.6%, though urban LFPR increased to 51.0%. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) fell marginally to 57.7%, with a notable drop in rural female WPR due to fewer unpaid female helpers.
• Despite positive hiring sentiment and potential rebound in IT and manufacturing, youth employability and joblessness among minorities remain key concerns.

IIM-Ahmedabad to Set Up Campus in Dubai

• In a landmark move toward global expansion, IIM-Ahmedabad is set to open its first overseas campus in Dubai following an MoU with the UAE government.
• The campus will launch in September 2025 in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), offering a one-year full-time MBA program for global professionals and entrepreneurs.
• This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing India’s international footprint in management education, with a permanent campus expected by 2029.

Launch of the ‘Inter-AIIMS Referral Portal’ for Seamless Healthcare Management

• Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the Inter-AIIMS Referral Portal, developed by AIIMS New Delhi, to streamline patient referrals and enhance healthcare delivery using facial recognition and automated workflows.
• Initially piloted between AIIMS New Delhi and AIIMS Bilaspur, the portal aims for a nationwide rollout across AIIMS hospitals.
• Key benefits include reduced waiting times, enhanced security, and a patient-centric approach, with integration into the Vishram Sadan portal for affordable accommodation—marking a major leap toward digital healthcare transformation in India.

International News

US Pauses Higher Tariffs for Most Countries but Hits China Harder

• In a major shift in global trade policy, Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on higher tariffs for most nations, offering a 10% “reciprocal tariff” instead, especially sparing countries like the EU, Vietnam, and South Africa.
• However, China faced a steep escalation, with tariffs on Chinese goods rising to 125%, in response to its 84% tariffs on US imports.
• Trump cited China’s “lack of respect” and warned of further action.
• The move, aimed at resetting trade dynamics, led to a surge in US markets after initial global panic.

China Announces 84% Tariffs on US Goods in Response to Trade War Escalation

• The US-China trade war intensified after the Trump administration imposed 104% tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting China to retaliate with 84% tariffs on US goods, up from 34%.
• In a sharp response, China blacklisted 12 US companies, added six to its unreliable entities list, enforced export controls on rare earths, and filed a WTO complaint, accusing the US of disrupting global trade stability.
• Despite the growing trade deficit (USD 440B imports vs. USD 145B exports in 2024), China refuses negotiations and warns of economic blowback for the US.

State News

CM Dhami Launches Bhagirath App for Water Conservation in Uttarakhand

Banking News

Bandhan Bank’s Elite Plus, Bank of Baroda’s New Deposit Scheme, and PMMY Expansion

• In April 2025, several significant announcements were made in India’s banking sector. Bandhan Bank launched the Elite Plus Savings Account for High Net-worth Individuals (HNIs), offering benefits like unlimited cash deposits and enhanced insurance coverage.
• Bank of Baroda introduced the bob Square Drive Deposit Scheme, providing attractive interest rates (up to 7.80% p.a.) for senior citizens and general customers.
• Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) doubled its loan limit to Rs 20 lakh, adding a new Tarun Plus category to support small entrepreneurs, marking the 10th anniversary of the scheme.

Business News

Juspay Becomes India’s First Unicorn of 2025: $1 Billion Valuation Achieved

• Juspay, a Bengaluru-based payments infrastructure provider, became India’s first unicorn of 2025 after raising $60 million in a Series D funding round, led by Kedaara Capital, with participation from SoftBank and Accel.
• This funding pushed Juspay’s valuation past the $1 billion mark. The company plans to enhance its technology through AI and expand into international markets, including APAC, Latin America, Europe, UK, and North America.
• Despite facing challenges like the loss of major clients such as Razorpay and PhonePe, Juspay aims to focus on AI-led productivity and global expansion to maintain growth momentum.

BlackRock Backs $750 Million Adani Private Bond Issue

• BlackRock, along with other US and European investors, participated in a $750 million private bond issue by the Adani Group to fund Renew Exim’s acquisition of ITD Cementation.
• This marks a cautious return of investor confidence despite ongoing legal challenges, including a $256 million bribery case involving Gautam Adani.
• The group opted for private placements over public offerings due to legal uncertainties.
• BlackRock acquired about one-third of the bond, with other investors like Sona Asset Management, Jefferies, and JPMorgan also participating, reflecting a renewed focus on Adani’s growing stake in India’s infrastructure sector.

Appointments News

Neelam Dhungana Appointed Acting Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank

• Dr. Neelam Dhungana Timsina, Senior Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), was appointed as the Acting Governor following the completion of Maha Prasad Adhikari’s five-year term on April 6, 2025.
• The appointment was made by the Ministry of Finance, led by Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, under the Nepal Rastra Bank Act.
• A Governor Appointment and Recommendation Committee, including Finance Minister Paudel, former Governor Bijaya Nath Bhattarai, and economist Dr. Biswo Poudel, is overseeing the selection of a new governor, with recommendations to be made to the Council of Ministers.

Agreement News

Strengthening India-Russia Bilateral Investment Ties through Strategic Projects

• At the 8th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects (IRWG-PIP) in New Delhi, India and Russia agreed on six new strategic projects to boost bilateral investment.
• Co-chaired by Amardeep Singh Bhatia (India) and Vladimir Ilichev (Russia), the session emphasized trade, technological collaboration, and economic development.
• The 2nd India-Russia Investment Forum, with 80+ participants, showcased growing interest in joint ventures.
• Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”, established in 2000 and deepened in 2010.

Awards News

Rajesh Unni Honored With National Maritime Varuna Award

• Rajesh Unni, founder of Synergy Marine Group, was honored with India’s highest maritime recognition, the National Maritime Varuna Award, during the 62nd National Maritime Day celebrations in Mumbai.
• The award, presented by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), acknowledges individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the maritime sector.
• Unni’s Synergy Marine Group has played a pivotal role in ship management and maritime solutions, advancing innovation and sustainability in India’s maritime industry.

Summits & Conferences News

Global Technology Summit (GTS) 2025 – Shaping the Future of Global Tech

• The 9th Global Technology Summit (GTS) 2025, co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Carnegie India, will be held in New Delhi from April 10-12 with the theme “Sambhavna” (Possibilities).
• The summit will explore how emerging technologies can drive inclusive growth, digital governance, and global cooperation, featuring 150+ speakers from 40+ countries.
• Key topics include AI governance, cybersecurity, space security, and tech collaboration in the Global South, with a special Young Ambassadors Program empowering youth in global tech policymaking.

Science & Technology News

De-extinction of the Dire Wolf by Colossal Biosciences 

• Colossal Biosciences, a biotech firm based in Dallas, has made history by reviving the extinct dire wolf (Canis dirus) after 12,500 years using CRISPR gene-editing and DNA from ancient fossils.
• Three dire wolf puppies—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—were born using gray wolf cells and domestic dog surrogates.
• Though hailed as a major de-extinction milestone, the breakthrough faces ecological and ethical concerns over authenticity and modern adaptability.
• The pups are housed on a 2,000-acre certified preserve, with Colossal also working on woolly mammoth and red wolf resurrection for broader conservation goals.

Miscellaneous News

DDLJ Statue To Be Unveiled at London’s Leicester Square

• Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), the iconic 1995 romantic film, will be commemorated with a bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol at Leicester Square, London, in Spring 2025.
• The statue, inspired by a memorable scene from the film, will be placed outside the Odeon Cinema, a location featured in the movie.
• This tribute marks the 30th anniversary of DDLJ’s release and highlights Bollywood’s global cultural impact, particularly within the British South Asian community.

Current Affairs Today | 9 to 11 April Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam