Daily Current Affairs 15th April 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

SC Laid Down 3 Month Deadline For President To Assent Bill Reserved By Governor

• In the State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu (2023) case, the Supreme Court addressed delays under Article 201, setting a 3-month deadline for the President to decide on State Bills reserved by the Governor, thus ending legislative uncertainty and reinforcing federalism.
• The Court declared indefinite delays unconstitutional, advised that in cases of perceived unconstitutionality, the President should seek the Supreme Court’s opinion under Article 143, and clarified that the President cannot exercise an “absolute veto”.
• States may seek judicial recourse via writs for prolonged inaction.
• This judgment draws from the Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions, and MHA guidelines, promoting accountability and curbing executive discretion.

State News

Telangana Becomes First State to Implement SC Sub-Categorisation

• Telangana has become the first Indian state to implement Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-categorisation, following Supreme Court approval (Aug 1, 2024).
• The Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalization of Reservations) Act, 2025 was passed on March 18, got Governor’s assent on April 8, and was enforced via Government Order on April 14 (Ambedkar Jayanti).
• The Act divides 59 SC sub-castes into 3 groups based on inter-se backwardness, ensuring equitable distribution within the existing 15% SC reservation.
• The Shamim Akhtar Commission, appointed in Oct 2024, guided the categorisation using criteria like literacy, employment, and social status, receiving over 8,600 representations.
• This landmark move revives past efforts like the Lokur Committee (1965) and Usha Mehra Commission, aiming for targeted affirmative action.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Will Inaugurate Jagannath Temple in Digha

• West Bengal is set to host a major religious and cultural event with the inauguration of the Jagannath Dham Temple in Digha on April 30, 2025, by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
• The high-profile ceremony will see attendance from around 12,000–14,000 people, including VIP guests like chief ministers, political leaders, celebrities, and industrialists.
• Government guesthouses have been reserved for dignitaries from April 27 to May 1, with private hotels seeing heavy bookings. The Digha-Shankarpur Development Corporation is overseeing logistics under the close watch of senior administrative officials.

Relocation of Cheetahs from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar Approved

• The Cheetah Project Steering Committee under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has approved relocating cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, about 300 km apart, as part of a long-term plan to establish a meta-population of 60–70 cheetahs across a connected landscape.
• This move, under Project Cheetah (launched in 2022 with cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa), addresses concerns over space, prey availability, and co-predator conflict with leopards. Preparations include fencing, prey base augmentation, and personnel training.

International News

Trump Administration Freezes $2.3 Billion in Funding to Harvard University

• In April 2025, the Trump administration froze $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard University after it rejected demands to dismantle DEI programs, enforce merit-based reforms, and crack down on pro-Palestinian protests.
• Harvard, citing First Amendment rights and government overreach, firmly opposed the move, sparking national debate over academic freedom, executive authority, and antisemitism.

Economy News

Wholesale Inflation Eases to 2.05% in March 2025

Awards News

Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy Honoured with ‘Legends of Endoscopy’ Award in Tokyo

• Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, was honored with the prestigious ‘Legends of Endoscopy’ award by the Japanese gastroenterology community at the Tokyo Live Global Endoscopy 2025 event held at SHOWA Medical University, Tokyo.
• Recognized for his pioneering contributions in Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy, Dr. Reddy also conducted live advanced endoscopic procedures, highlighting India’s global leadership in minimally invasive GI treatments and medical innovation.

Meghalaya Honoured with Two UIDAI Awards for Excellence in Aadhaar Implementation

• Meghalaya was recognized by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as the best-performing state in two categories: mandatory biometric updates of children and verification of adult Aadhaar enrolment.
• The awards were presented in New Delhi, with Shai Kupar War, Aadhaar nodal officer from the General Administration Department, receiving the honors on behalf of the state.
• This recognition underscores Meghalaya’s commitment to effective Aadhaar rollout, despite opposition from groups like the Awaken India Movement questioning the mandatory Aadhaar linkage for welfare access.

Ranks & Reports News

Delhi Airport Ranked 9th Busiest in the World As ACI World Report 2024

• Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has been ranked the 9th busiest airport in the world in 2024 by Airports Council International (ACI) World, handling 77 million passengers.
• This marks a steady rise from 17th in 2019 to 10th in 2023, showcasing India’s growing aviation footprint, world-class infrastructure, and expanding international connectivity.
• IGI remains the only Indian airport in the global top 10. Operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) under the GMR Group, IGI joins a list topped by Atlanta and Dubai amidst 9.5 billion global passengers in 2024.

Schemes News

UP’s Zero Poverty Scheme to be Named After Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

• On Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s 135th birth anniversary (April 14, 2025), Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath announced that the upcoming ‘Zero Poverty’ Mission will be named after Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, aiming to uplift every deprived citizen above the poverty line.
• Launched at the Ambedkar Mahasabha campus, Lucknow, the mission focuses on a saturation approach to deliver all government benefits to marginalized communities like Musahar, Vantangia, Tharu, Sahariya, Gond, and Kol, while also emphasizing the BJP’s commitment to Ambedkar’s legacy amidst contrasting political narratives from BSP and SP leaders.

Sports News

Mohun Bagan Wins ISL 2024-25

• Mohun Bagan Super Giant made history by winning the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) title with a 2-1 victory over Bengaluru FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
• This win marked a significant achievement as it was the first time an ISL final was won at home, and Mohun Bagan became the first team to secure both the ISL title and the ISL League Shield in the same season.
• The key scorers were Jason Cummings and Jamie Maclaren, with an own goal by Alberto Rodriguez of Bengaluru FC.

Logo And Mascot for Khelo India Youth Games 2025

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• The Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 will be held for the first time in Bihar from May 4 to May 15, with PM Narendra Modi inaugurating the event in Patna.
• The launch ceremony on April 14 at Samvad Hall featured the unveiling of the logo, mascot, and theme song by CM Nitish Kumar and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
• The mascot Gajsingh, inspired by Pala-period temples, and design elements like the Mahabodhi Temple, Nalanda University, Peepal Tree, Gangetic Dolphin, and Madhubani art, highlight Bihar’s rich heritage, cultural vibrancy, and environmental awareness.

Shreyas Iyer Named ICC Men’s Player of the Month – March 2025

• Shreyas Iyer has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March 2025 for his outstanding role in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 victory, scoring 243 runs in 3 matches with an average of 57.33 and a strike rate of 77.47.
• He edged out Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand, delivering key performances including 79 vs NZ, 45 vs AUS, and 48 in the final vs NZ.
• This marks a back-to-back win for Indian players, following Shubman Gill’s February 2025 win.

Science & Technology News

Six New Scarab Beetles Discovered in India

In a major boost to India’s biodiversity documentation, scientists have discovered six new species of scarab beetles (Subfamily: Sericinae) in Northeast India and the Western Ghats, as published in Zootaxa. Species like Maladera champhaiensis (Mizoram), Maladera onam (Kerala), and Serica subansiriensis (Arunachal Pradesh) reflect the rich endemism of the Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats, both key biodiversity hotspots. The research, led by Dr. Devanshu Gupta, Dr. Debika Bhunia, Dr. Dirk Ahrens, and Dr. Kailash Chandra, was based on specimens from the Zoological Survey of India and supported by Germany’s Museum A. Koenig, also contributing 28 new state records.

India’s International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum

On April 14, 2025, coinciding with World Quantum Day and the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQST 2025), the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) released India’s first International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum (ITES-Q). Launched by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the strategy aligns with the National Quantum Mission (NQM) and marks India’s first outward-facing roadmap in Quantum Science, Technology & Innovation (QSTI), aiming to accelerate innovation, enhance strategic autonomy, and promote global partnerships and standards in quantum technology.

Important Days News

World Art Day 2025 Date, Theme, Significance

• World Art Day is observed annually on April 15 to celebrate the universal language of art and honor the birth anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci, symbolizing creativity, peace, and freedom of expression.
• Initiated by the International Association of Art (IAA) in 2012, in collaboration with UNESCO, the day promotes art education, cultural diversity, and emotional well-being. The 2025 theme, “Art for Unity and Healing,” emphasizes art’s role in fostering social harmony and mental health.

Himachal Day 2025 Date, History, Significance

• Himachal Day, celebrated on April 15 each year, marks the creation of Himachal Pradesh as a province in 1948 and commemorates its 78th celebration in 2025. Known as the “Apple State of India”, Himachal showcases rich cultural heritage, scenic Himalayan landscapes, and tourism.
• Formed by merging 30 princely states, it gained full statehood on January 25, 1971, becoming India’s 18th state. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlighted tribal development in regions like Pangi Valley.
• The state’s official language is Hindi, with local dialects like Pahari, Kangri, and Kinnauri spoken across its alpine geography.

Current Affairs Today | 15-16 April Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam