Current Affairs Quiz 12th and 13th April 2025 Quiz

Exp. BharatPe Gets RBI Approval for Payment Aggregator Business

BharatPe, a prominent Indian fintech company, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving final approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online payment aggregator.

This authorisation, granted to its subsidiary Resilient Payments Private Limited, paves the way for BharatPe to expand its digital payment services under the brand name “BharatPe X.”

The company aims to broaden its merchant base and deepen its presence in high-potential markets, particularly in tier 2 and 3 cities. BharatPe is investing in advanced technology infrastructure to ensure seamless and reliable digital payment solutions.

Founded in 2018, BharatPe now operates in over 450 cities with a merchant network exceeding 1.3 crore, cementing its role as a leader in India’s fintech landscape.

Exp. Sebi sets up high-level committee to review conflict of interest provisions

Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has constituted a high-level committee to review rules on conflict of interest and disclosures by its board members and officials. The high-level committee (HLC) is chaired by Pratyush Sinha, a retired IAS officer and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC).

The move follows its March 24 board meeting amid criticism over alleged conflict involving former Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch in Adani Group probes.

The 6-member committee comprises Pratyush Sinha, Injeti Srinivas, Uday Kotak, G Mahalingam, Sarit Jafa and Prof. R Narayanaswamy.

The HLC will comprehensively review and recommend enhancements to the existing framework for managing conflicts of interest, disclosures, and related issues to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct among Sebi’s members and officials.

Exp. NaBFID signs MoU with New Development Bank to accelerate financing infra projects

The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) has signed an MoU with the New Development Bank (NDB), creating a deep and sustainable infrastructure financing market and developing a supportive ecosystem around it.

The MoU also lays the foundation for both organisations to participate in infrastructure projects through thematic-level collaborations within their respective mandates.

Additionally, NaBFID and NDB will partner in research and capacity-building initiatives, including seminars and workshops, to promote knowledge sharing and enhance institutional capabilities.

The New Development Bank, established by the BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — is a multilateral financial institution with a focus on mobilising resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs).

Exp. TCS appoints Aarthi Subramanian as executive director-president & COO

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest information technology services firm, has appointed Aarthi Subramanian as executive director-president and chief operating officer of the company.

The appointment is for a term of five years, commencing from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2030.

She is also a board member of the firm. The last time TCS had a chief operating officer role was before 2009, when N Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons, was appointed to that position.

Recent Appointments

• CEO of Oman India Joint Investment Fund – Satish Chavva appointed
• President of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) – SC Ralhan (replace Ashwani Kumar).
• Vice President of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) – Ravikant Kapur
• Additional charge as the NFRA Chairperson– Ravneet Kaur (Chief of Competition Commission of India); till 30 June
• MD of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL); a subsidiary of Indian IOCL – H Shankar

Exp. Banu Mushtaq’s ‘Heart Lamp’ becomes first Kannada book on International Booker shortlist

Banu Mushtaq’s collection of Kannada stories in translation, Heart Lamp, was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. The book, among the six featured in this year’s shortlist, made history as the first Kannada-language book to be shortlisted.

Heart Lamp, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, is a collection of 12 short stories written by Banu Mushtaq between 1990 and 2023. Earlier, an English translation of a collection of her short stories, Haseena and Other Stories, won the English PEN translation award for the year 2024. That was also translated by Deepa Bhasthi.

Mushtaq, a lawyer and activist from Karnataka, began writing within the progressive protest literary circles in southwestern India.

Exp. India finishes 2nd after China at the ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires 2025

Indian shooters finished their campaign at the ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires 2025 with 8 medals – four gold, two silver, and two bronze – to finish second behind China on the medal tally.

The ISSF World Cup/Rifle/Shotgun was held at the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires. The World Cup was organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), the world governing body of the sport.

Gold medal Winners

• Vijayveer Sidhu became the first Indian ever to win a gold medal in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event in ISSF World Cup history.
• Sift Kaur Samra in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event
• Rudrankksh Patil in the men’s 10m air rifle event
• Suruchi Singh in the women’s 10m air pistol event

Silver Medal Winners

• Esha Singh in the women’s 25m pistol event
• Arya Borse/Rudrankksh Patil in the mixed 10m air rifle event

Bronze medal Winners

• Saurabh Chaudhary/Suruchi Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event
• Chain Singh in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event

Exp. 9th edition of 3-day Global Technology Summit stars in New Delhi

The 9th edition of the three-day Global Technology Summit was inaugurated in New Delhi by the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.

The Global Technology Summit is co-organised by the Ministry of External Affairs with New Delhi-based think tank Carnegie India. It is an annual dialogue that was first held in December 2016.

The theme of the 9th Global Technology Summit is “Sambhavna”.

Exp. DRDO conducts release trials of Long-Range Glide Bomb ‘Gaurav’ from Su-30 MKI

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted release trials of the Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from a Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft.

During the trials, the weapon was integrated to multiple stations in different warhead configurations, with land target on Island. The trials successfully demonstrated range close to 100 kms with pin-point accuracy.

The LRGB is a 1,000-kg class glide bomb, designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat, Armament Research and Development Establishment and Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.

The system has been realised with the support of Development-cum-Production Partners — Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge and various Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Exp. 8th ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement Review Meeting Concludes in New Delhi

India hosted the 8th ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee Meeting at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, co-chaired by Rajesh Agrawal (India) and Dr. Sugumari S. Shanmuga (Malaysia).

The meeting aimed to advance the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement, making it more modern, effective, and trade-friendly to strengthen economic ties between India and ASEAN nations.

ASEAN is a major trade partner for India, contributing around 11% of India’s global trade, with bilateral trade reaching USD 121 billion in FY 2023–24.

The next meeting will be held in June 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Exp. NITI Aayog Releases Report on Automotive Sector’s Global Competitiveness

NITI Aayog released a comprehensive report analyzing India’s automotive sector, aiming to position India as a global player in the automotive value chain. The report was launched by Vice Chairman Suman Bery and CEO BVR Subrahmanyam.

The report classifies auto components into four categories based on complexity and manufacturing maturity: Emerging & Complex, Conventional & Complex, Conventional & Simple, and Emerging & Simple, suggesting targeted fiscal and non-fiscal interventions.

In 2023, global automobile production hit 94 million units, with the auto components market valued at USD 2 trillion and the export share reaching approximately USD 700 billion. India’s share stood at USD 70 billion, and it emerged as the 4th-largest vehicle producer globally after China, the USA, and Japan.

The report highlights India’s strong presence in small cars and utility vehicles, driven by Make in India and a cost-competitive workforce, reinforcing its role as a manufacturing and export hub in the global automotive sector.

Exp. 12 April – International Day of Human Space Flight

The International Day of Human Space Flight is observed every year on 12 April to commemorate the historic achievement of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to journey into outer space.

On this day in 1961, Gagarin orbited the Earth aboard the Soviet spacecraft Vostok 1, marking the dawn of a new era in space exploration.

Recognizing the importance of this milestone, the United Nations General Assembly declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight in 2011.  

Exp. JP Nadda launches the Unified Health Insurance Scheme of Odisha

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, has launched a unified health insurance scheme of the Odisha government in Cuttack, Odisha.

Besides the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the state government’s health scheme, Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, and the newly introduced Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana, aimed at senior citizens, will also be integrated into this initiative.

With this integration, around 352 lakh people from one crore eight lakh families will be covered under the scheme. Beneficiaries will gain access to free, cashless treatment in more than 29 thousand government and private hospitals across the country. The scheme will provide health coverage of 5 lakh rupees per family per annum, with an additional 5 lakh rupees for women members.

Under the Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana, all persons aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, will be eligible for coverage.

In January 2025, the Odisha government signed an agreement with the National Health Authority, which implements the AB-PMJAY scheme, to implement the scheme in the state. Odisha was the 34th State/Union Territory to join the AB-PMJAY scheme. Recently, Delhi became the 35th state/Union Territory to join the AB-PMJAY scheme.

The previous Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal government in Odisha had refused to join the AB-PMJAY and instead launched its health insurance scheme, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. After the BJP government came to power in the state in 2024 renamed the Biju Swathya Kalyan Yojana into Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. With the launch of the AB-PMJAY in the state, the Gopabadhu scheme has been merged with the AB-PMJAY.

Exp. India and Italy signed an MoU under the Indo-Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPOC) 2025–2027, focusing on joint research in emerging areas like quantum technologies, AI, and biotechnology, with funding for 10 research mobility proposals and 10 collaborative projects.

Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate in green hydrogen, renewable energy, cultural heritage preservation, and the sustainable blue economy, while also exploring new partnerships in Industry 4.0, clean energy, and startups, aligned with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029.

Exp. Singapore’s Changi reclaims world’s best airport title

Singapore Changi Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport 2025 by by air transport rating organization Skytrax. This is the thirteenth time in the history of the awards that Singapore Changi Airport has received this top accolade.

Changi is a destination in itself, where early check-in has been introduced to allow passengers to drop their bags off up to 48 hours before their flight so they can make their time at the airport part of the vacation.

Doha’s Hamad International Airport, the former three-times winner of World’s Best Airport, was ranked No 2 this year, as well as receiving the award for the World’s Best Airport Shopping, and the Best Airport in the Middle East.

Tokyo Haneda Airport was ranked No 3 in the global ranking with further outstanding results receiving the awards as the World’s Cleanest Airport (Major Airport), the World’s Best Domestic Airport and as delivering the World’s Best Airport PRM & Accessible Facilities.

Although no Indian airport featured in the list of the world’s top 20, Delhi International Airport earned the title of Best Airport in India and South Asia. In addition to this, Hyderabad International Airport received the award for Best Airport Staff Service in India & South Asia.

Bangalore International Airport collected the award for the Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia.

Moreover, Goa’s Manohar International Airport was recognised as the best airport in the under 5 million passengers category.

Exp. James Anderson receives knighthood for his services to Cricket

Former England fast bowler James Anderson has been awarded a knighthood for his services to Cricket as part of former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list. Anderson is the only sportsperson who has made it to the list.

The 42-year-old English seamer retired from Test cricket last summer with 704 wickets, making him England’s all-time leading wicket-taker the format.

Anderson is currently playing for his county Lancashire but has missed the start of the County Championship season due to a calf injury.

Recent Award

• Key to the City of Lisbon – President Droupadi Murmu
• Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana (nation’s highest civilian honour for a foreign head of state) – PM Narendra Modi
• Fred Darrington Sand Master Award – Sudarsan Pattnaik (for his outstanding contributions to sand art);first Indian to receive this prestigious award
• Uttar Pradesh Anmol Ratan Award – Nikhil Singhal
• Ugadi Award from the Andhra Pradesh government – Historian and archaeologist MyNaa Swamy
• 59th Jnanpith Award – Vinod Kumar Shukla (for Deewar Mein Ek Khirki Rehti Thi)