CURRENT AFFAIRS
30 April, 2025
1. DRDO MAKES PROGRESS IN HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY –
• Recently, DRDO successfully conducted a ground test of an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor for over 1,000 seconds, marking a major step toward developing indigenous hypersonic cruise missiles.
About Hypersonic Technology
• Hypersonic vehicles travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, meaning they exceed 6,100 km/h, enabling rapid global reach and tactical superiority.
• Scramjet Engines: Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (Scramjet) engines enable sustained hypersonic flight by using atmospheric air, making the system lighter and more efficient than traditional rockets.
• The Active Cooled Combustor technology uses advanced cooling techniques to endure extreme thermal loads during hypersonic flight, ensuring longer operational durations.
• Global Race in Hypersonic Systems: Nations like China, Russia, and the United States are actively developing hypersonic weapons, highlighting the strategic urgency for India to advance its own capabilities.
2. PADMA AWARDS 2025 –
• Recently, President Droupadi Murmu presented Padma awards to 71 eminent individuals during the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
About Padma Awards
• The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors, given in three categories:
• Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
• Padma Bhushan: Awarded for distinguished service of a high order.
• Padma Shri: Awarded for distinguished service in any field.
• The awards are announced annually on January 26, Republic Day.
• Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards recognize distinguished contributions in various fields of public life.
• The awards were not presented in the years 1978, 1979, and from 1993 to 1997.
• Objective: To acknowledge exceptional and distinguished service across various disciplines and activities.
• Disciplines: Padma Awards are conferred across disciplines like art, literature, education, science, engineering, sports, social work, public affairs, medicine, trade and industry, civil service, etc.
3. TOP MILITARY SPENDERS OF 2024-25: INDIA’S POSITION IN THE GLOBAL MILITARY EXPENDITURE RACE –
Detailed Breakdown of Global Military Expenditure in 2024
1. United States
• As the world’s largest military spender, the U.S. accounted for 37% of global military expenditure in 2024, with a spending of $997 billion. This reflects its ongoing military dominance and strategic investments in defense technologies.
2. China
• The second-largest spender, China, allocated $314 billion, making up 12% of global defense expenditure. China’s rising military budget is indicative of its expanding geopolitical ambitions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
3. Russia
• Despite economic challenges, Russia’s military spending reached $149 billion, contributing 5.5% to global military expenditure. The country’s defense budget has grown in response to ongoing conflicts, most notably the war in Ukraine.
4. Germany
• Germany saw a 28% increase in its defense budget, rising to $88.5 billion, placing it as the fourth-largest spender globally. Its increased military expenditure is attributed to the heightened security concerns in Europe, following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
5. India
• India spent $86.1 billion, placing it as the fifth-largest military spender. India’s defense budget has grown by 1.6% year-on-year, reflecting its need for modernization and preparedness in an increasingly complex security environment. India’s military spending is now nine times larger than that of Pakistan, underscoring the defense disparity between the two nations.
4. CANADA PM MARK CARNEY –
• Mark Carney’s recent election as Prime Minister of Canada marks shift in the political landscape. He assumes leadership amid ongoing tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump.
• Carney, an economist with a history of crisis management, aims to strengthen Canada’s position on the global stage.
• Carney, 60, previously served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. His experience includes navigating the 2008 financial crisis and the Brexit referendum.
• Uniquely, he is the first Canadian Prime Minister without prior Cabinet experience. His educational background includes prestigious institutions like Harvard and Oxford.
5. GREEN HYDROGEN CERTIFICATION SCHEME OF INDIA (GHCI) –
• Recently, India took step in its clean energy transition with the launch of the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI). The scheme will create a clear system to certify green hydrogen production, making the process more transparent, easy to track, and trusted by the market.
Importance of Green Hydrogen
• Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources. It is seen as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. The use of green hydrogen can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also supports energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. What is the total value of the Rafale fighter jet deal between India and France ?
a) ₹450 billion
b) ₹630 billion
c) ₹500 billion
d) ₹700 billion
Q2. Recently, India’s shooting squad delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Lima, Peru. What position did India finish in the overall medal tally at the 2025 ISSF World Cup ?
a) First
b) Second
c) Third
d) Fourth
Q3. Former Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K Kasturirangan passed away at 84. Which major satellites did Dr K Kasturirangan oversee the launch of during his tenure as ISRO Chairman ?
a) Mars Orbiter and Chandrayaan-1
b) INSAT-2 series and IRS-1A/1B satellites
c) GSAT-7 and NavIC
d) GSLV Mark III and Cartosat series
Q4. Which of the following statements is correct about the Rafale Marine (Rafale M) aircraft ?
a) It is a twin-engine, 5th-generation stealth fighter
b) It is designed specifically for land-based operations only
c) It is a carrier-capable 4.5-generation fighter jet
d) It has no commonality with the Indian Air Force variant
Explanation-
• The Rafale M is a naval variant of the Dassault Rafale, capable of short takeoffs and arrested landings on aircraft carriers. It belongs to the 4.5-generation class, not 5th-generation.
• It offers interoperability benefits with the IAF variant, including similar avionics, training, and maintenance infrastructure, which improves joint operations and logistics efficiency.
Q5. Which of the following statements about Similipal National Park are correct ?
1. It hosts the world’s only wild population of melanistic tigers.
2. It is India’s first tiger reserve to be declared a national park.
3. Similipal is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
4. It is the second national park in Odisha after Bhitarkanika.
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only two
b) Only three
c) All four
d) Only one
Explanation–
• Statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct.
• Similipal is globally renowned for its wild melanistic tigers, which are genetically unique. It is also a UNESCO-recognized Biosphere Reserve and was recently declared Odisha’s second national park after Bhitarkanika.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Similipal was already a Project Tiger reserve and biosphere reserve before receiving national park status in 2025. It is not India’s first tiger reserve to become a national park.
• Hence, three statements are correct.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
B | C | B | C | B |