Daily Current Affairs 18th April 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains daily current affairs 18th April 2025. It includes all National, International, Business & Sports related current affairs 18th April 2025. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 18th April, 2025 Current affairs test.
National News
CPCB Introduces Blue Category for Environmental Service Industries
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has launched a new ‘Blue Category’ to classify industries that offer Essential Environmental Services (EES).
This includes sectors like waste-to-energy projects, biomining operations, and compressed biogas (CBG) plants.
These industries will now get extended consent validity of 7 years, up from 5 years, encouraging pollution management and eco-friendly practices.
The Pollution Index now categorizes industries into Red, Orange, Green, and Blue, with some sustainable units like agro-residue-based CBG plants moved to the Blue Category due to their environmental benefits.
Gujarat Police Launches Drone Surveillance System ‘GP-DRASTI’
The Gujarat Police have initiated the ‘GP-DRASTI’ (Drone Response and Aerial Surveillance Tactical Interventions) program.
Under this initiative, quadcopter drones will be deployed for real-time monitoring, swift crime response, and collecting visual evidence.
The drones are fitted with HD cameras, night vision, and a 1-km zoom range and will be used across 33 police stations in cities including Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara.
The system will also aid in facial recognition during incidents and investigations.
APMU Inaugurated to Strengthen Anti-Doping Measures
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) at the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi.
The facility is a major advancement in India’s commitment to clean, ethical sports, aligning with international anti-doping standards.
Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra Enter UNESCO Memory of the World Register
India achieved global recognition as manuscripts of the Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
This inclusion honors India’s vast cultural and intellectual contributions to world heritage.
With this, India now has 14 entries listed in the prestigious register.
NITI Aayog Highlights Export Potential in Tools Sector
NITI Aayog has released a report titled “Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential – India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector.”
The report explores current challenges, strategic opportunities, and the roadmap to position India as a global leader in this manufacturing domain.
Business News
Amravati to House Southeast Asia’s Largest Pilot Training Institute
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Amravati Airport and announced the launch of a major Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in the city.
The institute will operate with 34 training aircraft and train 180 pilots annually.
It is expected to become the largest such institute in Southeast Asia.
FY25 Trade Report: Surplus with US Grows, China Deficit Widens
India’s trade data for FY 2024–25 shows mixed results with major trade partners.
Exports to the US grew by 11.59%, reaching $86.5 billion, resulting in a surplus of $41.2 billion.
Conversely, exports to China declined by 14.49% to $14.25 billion, while imports rose by 11.52% to $113.45 billion, increasing the trade deficit to $99.2 billion.
The deficit was driven by increased imports of electronics, solar panels, EV batteries, and industrial components—mostly due to PLI-driven demand.
International News
Tanzania Sees Record Heat in 2024
2024 became the hottest year in Tanzania since 1970, with average temperatures at 24.3°C, exceeding normal levels by 0.7°C.
Nighttime temperatures rose significantly, averaging 19.3°C, which is 1.1°C higher than the long-term average.
Although the daytime maximum temperature saw a smaller rise to 28.8°C, the country also experienced its fourth wettest year.
These climate changes pose challenges for the agriculture-dependent population.
India to Host IBCA Headquarters
India signed a formal agreement to host the headquarters and secretariat of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
The alliance, launched by PM Modi in April 2023, aims to foster global cooperation in conserving seven major big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
The agreement reflects India’s leadership in wildlife conservation.
Military Leader Wins Gabon Presidency After Coup
General Brice Oligui Nguema secured over 90% of votes in Gabon’s 2025 presidential elections.
This was the first election since the 2023 coup that ended the Bongo family’s decades-long rule.
Nguema had earlier served as head of the Republican Guard and assumed interim presidency after the coup.
He now faces challenges including high youth unemployment (40%) and widespread corruption.
Awards News
MacGregor Memorial Medal Awarded to 5 Military Personnel
Five armed forces personnel were awarded the prestigious MacGregor Memorial Medal for their achievements in reconnaissance, exploration, and military adventure.
The 2023 recipients include Wing Commander D. Panda and Electrical Artificer Rahul Kumar Pandey.
The 2024 winners are Chief Electrical Aircraft Artificer Ram Ratan Jat, Sergeant Jhumar Ram Poonia, and Colonel Ranvir Singh Jamwal, Director of NIMAS.
The award, instituted in 1888, honors excellence in expeditionary achievements and is named after Maj. Gen. Sir Charles MacGregor.
Defence News
Indian Navy Hosts Meghayan-25 for Marine Meteorology Awareness
The Navy conducted the third edition of Meghayan-25 on April 14, 2025, at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi.
The event marked World Meteorological Day with the theme “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.”
It was inaugurated virtually by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and chaired by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.
The symposium fostered discussions on marine meteorology and oceanographic research with participation from top defense and scientific institutions.
India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-VI Begins
The 6th edition of the joint military exercise DUSTLIK between India and Uzbekistan started in Aundh, Pune.
The exercise, lasting until April 28, focuses on building coordination and tactical synergy between the two armed forces.
It simulates semi-urban combat and counter-terror operations, involving 60 Indian troops and their Uzbek counterparts.
Appointments News
Justice B.R. Gavai Recommended as Next Chief Justice of India
The Supreme Court has proposed Justice Bhushan R. Gavai as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI).
Current CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who retires on May 13, recommended Justice Gavai, following the tradition of nominating the senior-most judge as the successor.
Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema Officially Elected President of Gabon
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s interim leader post-2023 coup, has been officially elected president.
He won with 90.35% of the vote, defeating seven opponents, including former PM Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze who secured just 3%.
His election marks a break from the 50-year Bongo family dynasty.
Sports News
Sourav Kothari Wins 2025 IBSF World Billiards Championship
Indian cueist Sourav Kothari clinched his second IBSF World Billiards title in the timed format.
He defeated fellow Indian Pankaj Advani 725–480 in the final held in Carlow, Ireland.
Kothari’s win highlights his technical brilliance and stamina in professional billiards.
Important Days
World Heritage Day 2025 Observed on April 18
World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is celebrated annually on April 18.
It is promoted by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to encourage appreciation of global cultural heritage and historic sites.
