Daily Current Affairs 23rd April 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains daily current affairs 23rd April 2025. It includes all National, International, Business & Sports related current affairs 23rd 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 23rd April, 2025 Current affairs test.
National News
‘AI Careers for Women’ Initiative by MSDE and Microsoft
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in partnership with Microsoft, introduced the ‘AI Careers for Women’ initiative.
The initiative targets 20,000 women from Tier-II and Tier-III cities across six Indian states.
A 240-hour AI-focused curriculum, developed with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), will be delivered using a Hub-and-Spoke model.
The model comprises 30 Centres of Excellence and 150 supporting spoke centers.
The aim is to promote digital literacy, leadership capabilities, and entrepreneurship among rural women, fostering inclusive technological growth.
Pahalgam Terrorist Attack on Tourists
A terrorist strike occurred at Baisaran in Pahalgam, situated in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The attack, perpetrated by 2–3 terrorists, involved open fire on tourists, resulting in 26 fatalities and numerous injuries.
This incident marks the first such attack on tourists in 2025 and has led to a wave of travel cancellations.
The tragedy has severely impacted the region’s budding tourism economy and prompted national outrage.
Leaders at both state and national levels condemned the violence, sparking discussions on security revisions and policy reassessment.
Efficiency Gains from India’s DBT System
India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism has enhanced efficiency in welfare distribution, resulting in savings of ₹3.48 lakh crore between 2009 and 2024.
Government subsidies decreased from 16% to 9% of total spending during this period.
Programs like PDS, MGNREGS, PM-KISAN, and fertilizer subsidies witnessed the highest savings.
Beneficiary numbers increased 16-fold, reflecting improved reach and inclusion.
The Welfare Efficiency Index (WEI) rose from 0.32 in 2014 to 0.91 in 2023, signaling reduced leakage and waste.
Inauguration of Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT)
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated India’s largest cruise terminal, the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT).
The Rs 556 crore facility accommodates up to one million passengers annually and can host five ships simultaneously, each up to 300 meters long.
Additional agreements worth over ₹5,700 crore were signed for the development of Vadhavan Port.
These include ₹4,200 crore investments for terminals handling containers, bulk, and liquid cargo.
The efforts align with the Sagarmala Programme, aimed at expanding India’s maritime infrastructure and global connectivity.
Garia and Borsho Boron Utsav 2025 in Agartala
Tripura’s Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the ‘Garia and Borsho Boron Utsav 2025’ on April 21, 2025, at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala.
This two-day festival honors Garia Puja, an important festival for the Tripuri and Reang tribal communities.
Celebrated in reverence to Lord Shiva, the festival symbolizes wishes for peace and prosperity.
The event includes folk music, Rabindra Sangeet, traditional dances, magic shows, and regional culinary stalls.
It is organized by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs with backing from local institutions.
Banking News
RBI Updates LCR Guidelines with New Run-Off Factor
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised its Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) framework.
Banks must now assign an additional 2.5% run-off factor for retail digital deposits via platforms such as Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, and UPI.
This adjustment, down from the previously proposed 5%, aligns Indian banking norms with international standards and aims to bolster liquidity risk management.
1% TCS on High-Value Luxury Goods
The Income Tax Department has mandated a 1% Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on luxury items priced over ₹10 lakh.
This policy, under Section 206C of the Income Tax Act and outlined in the Union Budget, includes goods like expensive watches, handbags, antiques, and yachts.
Sellers are required to collect the TCS and deposit it under the buyer’s PAN.
Buyers can claim the amount as a tax credit while filing their income tax returns.
Appointments News
Reappointment of T. Rabi Sankar as RBI Deputy Governor
T. Rabi Sankar has been reappointed as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for one more year, starting May 3, 2025.
This extension marks his second term in the role, originally appointed in May 2021.
He is in charge of critical areas like foreign exchange, currency circulation, and government accounts.
His tenure has been characterized by significant contributions to India’s financial stability and reform initiatives.
Awards News
Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award 2025 Presented to Achyuta Samanta
Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS, received the Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award 2025 in Kokrajhar, Assam.
This award honors individuals who embody the legacy of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma, known as the “Mech Gandhi of Assam.”
The accolade includes a citation, a memento, and ₹1 lakh in prize money, which Samanta generously donated back to the Trust.
The recognition celebrates his exceptional contributions to tribal education and social empowerment.
Yashraj Bharti Samman Awards 2025
Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan presented the Yashraj Bharti Samman Awards to three organizations.
Awardees included:
Jan Swasthya Sahayog (Chhattisgarh) for healthcare in tribal regions,
Pratham Education Foundation for sustainable education development,
Services Plus by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for improving e-governance.
The Governor emphasized the importance of specialized healthcare, quality education, and transparent governance for social transformation.
Gold House Gold Gala 2025: Honoring Cultural Icons
The 4th Annual Gold House Gold Gala is scheduled for May 10, 2025, at the Music Centre in Los Angeles.
Themed “First Light,” the event honors pioneers who’ve paved the way for others.
Priyanka Chopra will receive the inaugural Global Vanguard Honor for her 25-year transcontinental acting career.
Other honorees include Ang Lee, Megan Thee Stallion, and Jon M. Chu for their impact on film and pop culture.
Over 600 attendees are expected, and the event will also spotlight the 2025 A100 List of Asian Pacific influencers.
Summits & Conferences News
Fire Safety Week 2025 Initiated by Union Health Ministry
The Health Ministry, led by Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, kicked off Fire Safety Week 2025 from April 21–25.
The initiative focuses on enhancing fire and electrical safety protocols in both public and private health facilities.
Activities include mock drills, safety audits, training programs, and awareness drives, with participation from over 3,000 individuals.
Webinars covered compliance norms, evacuation techniques, and preventive strategies.
The campaign urges hospitals to innovate and exchange best practices for safety.
Sports News
Wisden 2025 Cricketers of the Year
Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana were recognized as Leading Cricketers of the Year in the 2025 edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.
Bumrah’s stellar 2024 included 200 Test wickets and a pivotal role in India’s T20 World Cup win.
Mandhana made history with 1,659 runs in a calendar year, including four centuries in ODIs.
New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner was also honored for his cricketing excellence.
The almanack paid homage to retired legends such as James Anderson and Graham Thorpe.
Oscar Piastri Triumphs at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, his third victory this season.
He outpaced Max Verstappen, who incurred a five-second penalty, finishing the race in 1:21:06.758.
Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured second and third places, respectively.
The race showcased strategic excellence, particularly by Lando Norris, and marked Leclerc’s first podium of the season.
Science & Technology News
Beijing Hosts World’s First Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon
Beijing hosted a groundbreaking event featuring humanoid robots in a half-marathon, running alongside human athletes.
20 robot teams competed, with robot sizes ranging from 120 cm to 180 cm.
The event tested robotics and AI capabilities in endurance and stability, with pit stops for battery swaps.
While the fastest human completed the race in 1 hour 2 minutes, the top-performing robot, Tiangong Ultra, clocked in at 2 hours 40 minutes.
The event stirred global curiosity about AI integration in sports and underscored China’s advances in robotics.
Important Days
English Language Day 2025
Celebrated on April 23 every year, English Language Day commemorates the birth and death anniversaries of William Shakespeare.
Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, and passed away on April 23, 1616.
The day is dedicated to celebrating the English language and honoring the legacy of one of its most influential literary figures.
