CURRENT AFFAIRS
29 April, 2025
1. ISRO TESTS SEMICRYOGENIC ENGINE –
• Recently, ISRO successfully conducted the second short-duration hot test of its semi cryogenic engine at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamilnadu validating engine start-up sequence and stable ignition.
About ISRO’s Semicryogenic Engine
• ISRO’s semicryogenic engine uses liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer and refined kerosene (RP-1) as fuel, operating at extremely high pressures and temperatures.
• Features: It offers higher thrust, better efficiency, reusability potential, and simpler handling compared to full cryogenic systems, operating partly under cryogenic conditions.
• Significance: It will enhance ISRO’s launch vehicle capabilities, making them more powerful, cost-effective, and globally competitive for heavier payloads.
2. PM MITRA TEXTILE PARK PROJECT –
• Madhya Pradesh has received formal approval for the ₹2,100 crore PM MITRA textile park project in Bhainsola village, Dhar district, aiming to revolutionize the state’s textile industry.
More on the Textile Park
• The PM MITRA Park in Madhya Pradesh will span an area of 2,100 acres and is expected to attract massive investments and generate significant employment opportunities.
• The project site in Dhar district is strategically near Indore, Pithampur industrial cluster, and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
• It will include advanced infrastructure like a 20 MLD Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant, a solar-powered energy facility, and plug-and-play units.
About PM MITRA Scheme
• The PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Scheme aims to transform India into a global textile manufacturing and export powerhouse.
• Origin: The scheme is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 5F vision: Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
3. PRESIDENT HONORED 71 INDIVIDULAS WITH PADMA AWARDS –
• The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors, presented annually to individuals for their exceptional service across various fields. The awards are divided into three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
• These awards honor individuals who have made remarkable contributions in fields such as art, public affairs, science, engineering, medicine, social work, literature, and education. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Awards on 71 distinguished individuals .
• President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Awards on 71 distinguished individuals during the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan’s Durbar Hall.
4. INDIA SIGNS $7.4 BILLION DEAL WITH FRANCE FOR RAFALE FIGHTER JETS –
• India signed a landmark agreement with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter aircraft worth approximately 630 billion rupees ($7.4 billion).
• This deal, which includes both single-seater and twin-seater versions of the fighter jets, aims to bolster India’s naval air power and strengthen its defence ties with France.
• The delivery of these aircraft is expected to be completed by 2030, with the deal providing both military and economic benefits, including the generation of jobs and business opportunities.
5. BRICS ADOPTS DECLARATION ON AI, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND EMPLOYMENT AT 2025 LABOUR MINISTERS’ MEETING –
• The 11th BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting, held on April 25, 2025, in Brasília under Brazil’s Presidency, has garnered significant attention for addressing crucial issues related to the future of work.
• With the theme “Strengthening the Cooperation of the Global South for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the meeting emphasized two key areas: the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the workforce and the effects of climate change on the world of work, advocating for a just and equitable transition for workers.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. Balikatan is a bilateral military exercise between which two countries ?
a) Philippines and the United States
b) France and Russia
c) China and India
d) Australia and India
Q2. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is established under which ministry ?
a) Ministry of Law and Justice
b) Ministry of Home Affairs
c) Ministry of Finance
d) Ministry of Science and Technology
Q3. PM MITRA Scheme was implemented by which ministry ?
a) Ministry of Textiles
b) Ministry of Agriculture
c) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
d) Ministry of Urban Development
Q4. Consider the following statements about Hypersonic Weapons and Technologies:
1. Hypersonic missiles can travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
2. Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) require scramjet engines for propulsion.
3. Scramjet-powered missiles maintain constant atmospheric flight without leaving the atmosphere.
4. Hypersonic missiles are easier to track than ballistic missiles.
How many of the above are correct ?
a) Only two
b) Only three
c) All four
d) Only one
Explanation-
• Hypersonic missiles travel above Mach 5.
• Scramjet-powered vehicles (hypersonic cruise missiles) stay within the atmosphere, using atmospheric oxygen for combustion.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: HGVs are launched using traditional rockets and then glide at hypersonic speeds—they don’t use scramjets.
• Statement 4 is incorrect: hypersonic missiles are harder to detect and track because they fly at lower altitudes and maneuver unpredictably compared to predictable ballistic paths.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Supercomputers in India:
1. PARAM Siddhi AI is developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
2. AIRAWAT is an AI-specific supercomputer developed under India’s National AI Mission.
3. Pratyush and Mihir are primarily used for weather and climate forecasting.
How many of the above statements is/are correct ?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Explanation-
• Supercomputers in India are developed and utilized for various specialized purposes.
• Statement 1 is incorrect because PARAM Siddhi AI was developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), not ISRO. It focuses on artificial intelligence applications and is a major achievement under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
• Statement 2 is correct — AIRAWAT is an AI-specific supercomputer built under India’s National AI Mission, intended to boost research in machine learning, deep learning, and other AI-related fields. It positions India competitively in the global AI research ecosystem.
• Statement 3 is also correct — Pratyush and Mihir are high-performance computing systems used mainly for weather and climate forecasting, helping in areas like monsoon prediction, cyclone warning, and climate change studies. These systems significantly contribute to disaster management and agricultural planning.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
A | B | A | A | B |