The inaugural edition of the large-scale multilateral maritime exercise, Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME)—meaning ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit—is scheduled to take place from 13 to 18 April 2025. Key Highlights
Category: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS
AIKEYME 2025: First India-Africa Maritime Exercise
India’s first Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based semiconductor fabrication unit
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai laid the foundation stone for India’s first Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based semiconductor fabrication unit in New Raipur. About Gallium Nitride (GaN)
Cepo capital control
Argentina sealed a $20 billion, 48-month Extended Fund Facility deal with the International Monetary Fund and, in a major policy move ahead of the deal, dismantled key parts of its years-long currency controls and loosened its grip on the peso. (Source: DD News)
Extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited from the United States to India. He arrived in New Delhi on April 10 , and will now face trial in a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court. Who is Tahawwur Rana Extradition: The Legal Process What is Extradition? Key Principles: India’s Extradition Framework Authority Involved: India’s Reach: Grounds for Refusal of Extradition (India-specific):
Punjab government bans sale of hybrid paddy seeds
The Punjab government has banned the sale of hybrid paddy seeds (non-Basmati rice). The move targets seeds sold at high prices and those that result in higher breakage during milling, which doesn’t meet Food Corporation of India (FCI) standards. Why the Ban? Hybrid Paddy in Punjab – The Current Scenario Farmers’ Perspective (Source: IE)
Atmospheric river
Recently, a large part of the United States witnessed heavy rain, strong winds and severe thunderstorms due to a type of storm known as an atmospheric river. What Are Atmospheric Rivers? Impacts of Atmospheric Rivers Link to Climate Change (Sources: IE & NOAA)
Article 201
In the ‘State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu’ case, the Supreme Court has mandated a 3-month time limit for the President to decide on a Bill once it is reserved by the Governor under Article 201. Key findings of the Judgement What is Article 201? Article 201 governs the procedure when a State Bill is reserved for the President’s consideration. It says:
Gaurav-Long-Range Glide Bomb
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the Release Trials of Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ between April 08-10, 2025 from the Su-30 MKI aircraft.
India backs global carbon tax on shipping at IMO meet
India and 62 other countries voted in favour of the world’s first-ever global carbon tax imposed on the shipping industry by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The decision was taken at the IMO’ headquarters in London on April 11, 2025. Key Highlights Criticism:
Long-Range Glide Bomb Gaurav
Defence Research and Development Organisation has successfully conducted the release trials of the Long-Range Glide Bomb Gaurav from the Su-30 MKI aircraft.
BM-04 Missile
Unveiled by DRDO at a defense exhibition in Hyderabad, the BM-04 is India’s next-generation short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) designed for high-precision conventional strikes. Key Specifications Strategic Intent (Sources: The Diplomat & ET)
Enhancement of ‘Material Cost’ under PM POSHAN Scheme
The Union Ministry of Education has enhanced the ‘Material Cost’ by 9.50 % under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme. About PM POSHAN Scheme (Source: PIB)
Domoic acid
A harmful algal bloom (HAB) near California (USA) has caused thousands of sea lions to become ill and aggressive, with some attacking nearby humans. The culprit is Domoic acid, a neurotoxin released by the algae diatom Pseudo-nitzschia, which blooms explosively under certain conditions. How Domoic Acid Affects Sea Lions What Are Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)? Causes of HABs? (Sources: DOE & NOAA)
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
The NOAA has confirmed that the most recent La Niña phase has officially ended, and current conditions are now ENSO-neutral. This means that sea-surface temperatures (SSTs), wind patterns, and atmospheric behavior in the tropical Pacific are no longer strongly skewed toward either cooling (La Niña) or warming (El Niño). ENSO Basics: A Global Climate Driver Why This Matters (Sources: DoE & NOAA)
Kampala Feminist Declaration
Sudanese women, with the support of UN Women, came together to forge a feminist peace agenda in Kampala in October 2023. (UN)