Current Affairs of April 14-20, 2025: A Comprehensive Overview for Competitive Exams

The week of April 14-20, 2025, was packed with significant developments across politics, economy, science, technology, international relations, environment, defense, and sports. These events are crucial for aspirants preparing for exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams, as they reflect the dynamic nature of current affairs and their impact on governance, policy, and global trends. This article provides an in-depth and engaging overview of the week’s key happenings, structured to help students grasp complex issues while staying engaged.

Politics & Governance

The week was dominated by the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which sparked widespread controversy and unrest. On April 14, violent protests erupted in Murshidabad, West Bengal, against the Act, leading to the deployment of 17 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). The clashes resulted in three deaths, over 150 arrests, and one bullet injury (Murshidabad Protests). By April 16, the situation had calmed somewhat, but tensions remained high, with 221 arrests reported by April 17 (West Bengal Violence). The Supreme Court stepped in, hearing petitions challenging the Act’s provisions, including the de-recognition of waqf-by-user and the inclusion of non-Muslims in waqf bodies. The court proposed a three-point interim order to balance equities (Waqf Act Hearing). Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for refusing to implement the Act, calling her stance “not right” (Waqf Law Criticism). On April 18, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju went further, stating that refusing to implement the Waqf Act is unconstitutional and untenable (Waqf Act Implementation).

The violence also strained India-Bangladesh relations. Bangladesh raised concerns about minority rights in India, particularly regarding Muslims in West Bengal. India rejected these claims and countered by highlighting minority protection issues in Bangladesh (India-Bangladesh Tensions). The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Women (NCW) visited violence-hit areas in Murshidabad to assess the situation and meet victims (NHRC Visit).

Beyond the Waqf Act, political alliances saw shifts. On April 15, the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), led by Pashupati Kumar Paras, quit the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), citing injustice despite winning six seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections (RLJP Quits NDA). In Jharkhand, Hemant Soren was appointed as the JMM chief, succeeding his father Shibu Soren after 38 years. Soren vowed to advocate for the poor and marginalized (JMM Leadership). In Tamil Nadu, AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami ruled out a coalition government post-2026 elections, despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement of a BJP-AIADMK alliance (AIADMK Stance).

Legal and judicial matters also made headlines. The Congress party faced challenges as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued notices in the National Herald case, accusing party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of money laundering. The Congress denounced the charges as politically motivated and organized nationwide protests (National Herald Protests). The Supreme Court extended protection from arrest to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar in a cheating case related to misusing reservation quotas (Puja Khedkar Case). Additionally, the court scheduled a hearing for May 14 on pleas challenging the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners under the 2023 law (CEC Appointment).

Social issues were not overlooked. On April 17, the Supreme Court issued a warning about child trafficking, urging parents to remain vigilant against exploitation, forced labor, begging, early marriage, and illegal adoptions (Child Trafficking Warning).

Economy

The economic landscape showed mixed trends. Retail inflation eased to a five-and-a-half-year low of 3.34% in March 2025, driven by cheaper food items like vegetables, eggs, and pulses (Retail Inflation). However, wholesale inflation remained at 2.05%, slightly down from 2.38% in February, with manufactured products seeing inflation rise to 3.07% (Wholesale Inflation).

In banking, major institutions like SBI and Bank of India cut lending and deposit rates following the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s repo rate reduction by 50 basis points. HDFC Bank also reduced deposit rates by 25 basis points, reflecting monetary policy transmission (Bank Rate Cuts).

Trade dynamics shifted significantly. India gained a 20% tariff edge over China in iPhone and smartphone exports to the U.S. after the Trump administration exempted certain electronics from tariffs (India’s Tariff Edge). However, China urged the U.S. to cancel all reciprocal tariffs, signaling ongoing trade tensions (China’s Tariff Plea). Globally, the World Trade Organization (WTO) slashed its 2025 trade growth forecast from 3.0% to a 0.2% decline, citing escalating U.S. tariffs and protectionist policies (WTO Forecast). Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman warned that such measures could disrupt global supply chains, increase costs, and create investment uncertainty (Global Supply Chains).

Infrastructure development remained a priority. The Centre plans to invest ₹10 lakh crore in highways over two years, focusing on the Northeast to match U.S. standards (Highway Investment). Trade data for 2024-25 showed the U.S. as India’s largest trading partner at $131.84 billion, but India’s trade deficit with China widened to $99.2 billion, with exports falling 14.5% to $14.25 billion and imports rising 11.52% to $113.45 billion (U.S. Trade).

Science & Technology

India’s scientific achievements were notable. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) system on April 14, capable of disabling missiles and drones. This places India among a select group of nations with such advanced defense technology (DRDO Test).

In space exploration, Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become India’s first astronaut in four decades to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in May 2025 as part of the Axiom-4 mission (Shukla’s Mission). Meanwhile, private space travel gained attention with singer Katy Perry participating in an all-female spaceflight aboard Blue Origin’s rocket (Blue Origin Flight).

Biotechnology and AI raised concerns. A U.S. Commission warned that China might weaponize biotechnology and develop AI-powered super-soldiers, highlighting China’s strategic focus on these fields over two decades (China Biotech).

Astronomically, scientists detected dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide on exoplanet K2-18 b, gases produced by biological processes on Earth, suggesting potential life on the alien world (Alien Life Evidence).

International Relations

U.S.-India relations were a focal point. U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance’s visit from April 21-23 aimed to boost bilateral ties and launch the India-U.S. technology partnership TRUST (Vance’s Visit). However, visa issues for Indian students in the U.S. became contentious, with over 1,000 students facing revocations. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) raised concerns diplomatically (Visa Issues).

India-Bangladesh relations faced strain over minority rights, with Bangladesh commenting on violence in West Bengal and India countering with concerns about Hindu minorities in Bangladesh (India-Bangladesh Tensions). India-Pakistan tensions persisted, with India asserting sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir and dismissing Pakistani General Munir’s remarks (Kashmir Issue).

Global conflicts dominated headlines. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine on April 19, though military actions continued (Ukraine Ceasefire). The U.S. conducted airstrikes in Yemen, killing 74 according to Houthi claims, in response to attacks on shipping (Yemen Airstrikes). In the Middle East, Israel’s Defence Minister stated troops would remain in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria indefinitely, complicating ceasefire talks with Hamas (Israel Troops).

Trade and diplomacy saw progress. China and Vietnam signed deals on supply chains and railway cooperation during Xi Jinping’s visit (China-Vietnam Deals). Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to attend G20 and IMF-World Bank meetings during an 11-day visit to the U.S. and Peru (G20 Meetings).

Environment & Ecology

Environmental concerns were addressed by the Supreme Court, which intervened in the issue of tree felling in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli forest. A hearing was scheduled for April 16 to address the urgency of clearing tree cover (Tree Felling Case).

Defense

Security operations continued across India. In Jammu and Kashmir, a fresh encounter broke out in Poonch’s Pir Panjal valley on April 17 (J&K Encounter). In Chhattisgarh, 12 Maoist dumps, including a bunker-style room, were uncovered and destroyed on April 19 (Maoist Dumps).

Sports

The Indian Premier League (IPL) saw exciting matches. On April 14, Virat Kohli (62*) and Phil Salt (65) guided Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a nine-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) (IPL Match). Preparations for the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 were underway, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to inaugurate the games on May 4 in Patna (Khelo India).

Conclusion

The week of April 14-20, 2025, was a microcosm of India’s dynamic socio-political and economic landscape. From legislative reforms and political realignments to economic shifts and scientific breakthroughs, these events offer critical insights for exam aspirants. Understanding these developments not only aids in exam preparation but also equips students with the knowledge to engage meaningfully with current affairs.

Key Citations

• Murshidabad CAPF Deployment
• Waqf Act Supreme Court Hearing
• Waqf Law Criticism by Meghwal
• Waqf Act Implementation Rijiju
• India-Bangladesh Minority Tensions
• NHRC Murshidabad Visit
• RLJP Quits NDA Alliance
• JMM Leadership Change
• AIADMK Rules Out Coalition
• National Herald Case Protests
• Puja Khedkar Protection Case
• CEC Appointment Hearing
• Child Trafficking Warning
• Retail Inflation March 2025
• Wholesale Inflation March 2025
• Bank Rate Cuts SBI
• India’s Tariff Edge U.S.
• China’s Tariff Cancellation Plea
• WTO 2025 Trade Forecast
• Global Supply Chain Warning
• Highway Investment Northeast
• U.S. India Trade 2024-25
• DRDO Laser Weapon Test
• Shubhanshu Shukla ISS Mission
• Blue Origin All-Female Flight
• China Biotech Weaponization
• K2-18 b Life Evidence

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers

Question 1: Who was appointed as the new chief of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in April 2025?
Option 1: Hemant Soren
Option 2: Shibu Soren
Option 3: Kalpana Soren
Option 4: Babulal Marandi
Option 5: Champai Soren
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Hemant Soren took over as the chief of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), succeeding his father Shibu Soren, who had led the party for 38 years. The move signifies a generational shift in the party’s leadership with Hemant pledging to work for the poor and marginalized communities.

Question 2: What was the retail inflation rate for March 2025, as reported recently?
Option 1: 2.05%
Option 2: 3.34%
Option 3: 4.27%
Option 4: 5.15%
Option 5: 3.07%
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Retail inflation in India eased to 3.34% in March 2025, marking a five-and-a-half-year low. This drop was primarily due to a fall in food prices, especially vegetables, eggs, and pulses.

Question 3: Which Indian leader criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for refusing to implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025?
Option 1: Amit Shah
Option 2: Narendra Modi
Option 3: Arjun Ram Meghwal
Option 4: Kiren Rijiju
Option 5: JP Nadda
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal criticized Mamata Banerjee, stating that her refusal to implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act was “not right.” This comment came amidst tensions and legal challenges related to the act in West Bengal.

Question 4: Which country raised concerns about minority rights in India during the unrest in West Bengal related to the Waqf Act?
Option 1: Pakistan
Option 2: Sri Lanka
Option 3: Afghanistan
Option 4: Bangladesh
Option 5: Nepal
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: Bangladesh expressed concern over the treatment of Muslims in West Bengal following the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which led to diplomatic tension between the two countries. India responded by raising the issue of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

Question 5: What advanced defense system did DRDO successfully test on April 14, 2025?
Option 1: BrahMos-III missile
Option 2: INS Arihant
Option 3: Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon
Option 4: Agni-V hypersonic variant
Option 5: Rustom-III UAV
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The DRDO tested the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) system, capable of neutralizing drones and missiles. This puts India in a select group of nations with such cutting-edge defense technology.

Question 6: Which Indian politician’s party exited the NDA alliance citing past neglect, despite winning six Lok Sabha seats in 2019?
Option 1: Chirag Paswan
Option 2: Pashupati Kumar Paras
Option 3: Upendra Kushwaha
Option 4: Nitish Kumar
Option 5: Tejashwi Yadav
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Pashupati Kumar Paras, the leader of the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), withdrew from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), citing injustice and lack of recognition even after the party’s performance in the 2019 elections.

Question 7: Which Indian astronaut is set to travel to the International Space Station in May 2025 as part of the Axiom-4 mission?
Option 1: Rakesh Sharma
Option 2: Shubhanshu Shukla
Option 3: Kalpana Desai
Option 4: Gagandeep Rajan
Option 5: Rohit Bhatia
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Shubhanshu Shukla will become India’s first astronaut in four decades to travel to the International Space Station. He will participate in the Axiom-4 mission scheduled for May 2025, highlighting India’s growing role in global space exploration.

Question 8: Which country recently signed deals with Vietnam on supply chains and railway cooperation?
Option 1: South Korea
Option 2: Japan
Option 3: China
Option 4: Australia
Option 5: United States
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: During President Xi Jinping’s visit, China signed agreements with Vietnam focused on enhancing cooperation in supply chains and railway infrastructure, aiming to strengthen bilateral trade and connectivity.

Question 9: What was India’s trade deficit with China in FY 2024-25, as per recent data?
Option 1: $72.5 billion
Option 2: $108.3 billion
Option 3: $99.2 billion
Option 4: $84.7 billion
Option 5: $112.4 billion
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: India’s trade deficit with China reached $99.2 billion in FY 2024-25. While India’s exports to China fell by 14.5% to $14.25 billion, imports rose by 11.52% to $113.45 billion, widening the trade imbalance.

Question 10: What did the Supreme Court of India highlight as a major concern related to children on April 17, 2025?
Option 1: Digital addiction
Option 2: School dropout rates
Option 3: Nutritional deficiency
Option 4: Child trafficking
Option 5: Lack of sports facilities
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: On April 17, the Supreme Court issued a serious warning about child trafficking, emphasizing the need for vigilance against forced labor, begging, early marriage, and illegal adoptions. The court urged parents and authorities to be more proactive in protecting children’s rights.