Daily quiz on current affairs with answers English 8 April 2025

Current Affairs – 7 April 2025

In-depth coverage for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other Government Exams

1. Politics & Governance

On 6 April 2025, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. The new rules outline procedures for grievance redressal, appointment of data protection officers, and conditions for cross-border data transfer. These developments are key for aspirants to understand the evolving framework of data governance and digital rights in India.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha is likely to table the Electoral Reforms Bill, 2025, next week. As per a PRS Legislative Research preview, the bill seeks to link Aadhaar with Voter ID on a voluntary basis and introduces stricter disclosures for political funding. This has triggered debates around privacy and electoral transparency, which are important themes for exam-based essays and polity questions.

2. Judiciary

In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Amendments of 2019, affirming the power of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest and seize properties. The court stated that “economic offences are grave threats to national security” and cannot be treated leniently. This is a crucial ruling in the context of financial accountability, judicial activism, and federal balance.

3. Economy & Banking

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on 5 April 2025, kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.50% for the fifth consecutive time. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das highlighted moderating retail inflation, now at 4.9% (March 2025), and the need to support economic recovery amid global uncertainties.

The RBI also announced fresh guidelines to enhance cybersecurity in cooperative banks, mandating multi-factor authentication for internet banking and cyber incident reporting within 6 hours. This comes after a recent surge in phishing attacks targeting smaller banking institutions.

On the fiscal side, the Finance Ministry released the revised GDP growth estimate for FY 2024-25 at 6.9%, up from 6.4%, driven by robust manufacturing output and services sector expansion.

4. Stock Market & Business

The BSE Sensex closed at 62,312 points on 6 April 2025, up by 281 points, supported by gains in IT, banking, and auto stocks. Analysts attributed this rise to positive global cues and easing crude oil prices, which fell below $80 per barrel amid easing tensions in the Red Sea region.

In corporate news, Reliance Industries launched India’s first commercial green hydrogen plant in Gujarat. This marks a major push in clean energy transition and could significantly boost India’s efforts toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

5. Science & Technology

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the PSLV-C65 mission from Sriharikota on 6 April 2025. The mission placed seven satellites in orbit, including an advanced weather monitoring satellite, INSAT-4WS, and a private AI-based Earth observation satellite developed in partnership with Agnikul Cosmos. This highlights India’s expanding footprint in space-tech privatization and climate resilience infrastructure.

In tech developments, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) launched a national AI Innovation Hub in Bengaluru to promote ethical AI research and start-up incubation. The hub will focus on sectors like healthcare, education, and governance, ensuring AI applications align with public interest and accountability.

6. Environment & Climate

India has submitted its progress report to the UNFCCC, affirming that it has met two of its three NDC targets under the Paris Agreement, including non-fossil fuel capacity reaching 46% and reducing emission intensity by 30% (from 2005 levels).

Meanwhile, a new study published by Down To Earth reveals that the Western Ghats have seen a 13% forest cover loss between 2015 and 2023, primarily due to encroachment and mining. The report has urged the government to reclassify buffer zones and enhance tribal forest rights.

The National Board for Wildlife cleared the Kanha-Pench Tiger Corridor Project, aimed at ensuring safe passage for tigers and reducing human-animal conflict. Conservationists have welcomed this as a vital step for biodiversity preservation.

7. Defence & Security

India signed a major defense export deal with Vietnam, agreeing to supply BrahMos missile systems worth $375 million. The deal enhances India’s stature as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific and reflects the strengthening of India-ASEAN strategic partnerships.

In cybersecurity, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued an advisory regarding a new Android malware “GhostPulse”, targeting banking apps. Banks have been asked to warn customers and enhance security protocols.

8. International Relations

India chaired a special BRICS+ digital governance summit on 6 April 2025, where discussions revolved around data localization, digital currency interoperability, and regulatory alignment for AI tools. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized India’s leadership role in tech diplomacy.

At the United Nations, India co-sponsored a new resolution on protecting digital human rights, calling for ethical surveillance norms and data privacy safeguards. This is particularly relevant in the backdrop of global debates around AI misuse and algorithmic bias.

9. Sports & Awards

In sports, Indian shooter Manu Bhaker clinched gold at the ISSF World Cup in Rio, scoring 588 in the 10m air pistol event. Her win bolsters India’s preparations for the 2025 Paris Olympic qualifiers.

Meanwhile, the Indian women’s hockey team beat Germany 3-1 in a friendly series, showcasing improved performance ahead of the FIH Nations Cup.

In the field of arts and literature, author Perumal Murugan was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize for his novel “Fire’s Memory”, translated by Aniruddhan Vasudevan. This reinforces India’s literary presence on the global stage.

Final Thoughts

This update from 7 April 2025 shows India’s multidimensional engagement across governance, economy, science, environment, diplomacy, and sports. For exam aspirants, it is important to connect these developments to broader themes like sustainable development, constitutional values, geopolitical strategy, and technological transformation.

Stay consistent with your revision, and keep revisiting these updates to build strong mains answers, essays, and interview-ready insights.

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers

Question 1: Which legislation was recently approved by the Union Cabinet to operationalize the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023?
Option 1: Right to Privacy Rules, 2025
Option 2: Digital Data Governance Rules, 2025
Option 3: Personal Data Security Guidelines, 2025
Option 4: Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025
Option 5: Information Usage and Privacy Act, 2025
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Union Cabinet approved the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, which aim to implement the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. These rules cover areas such as data officer appointment, grievance redressal, and cross-border data transfer.

Question 2: What is the current repo rate as retained by the Reserve Bank of India during the recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting?
Option 1: 6.25%
Option 2: 6.75%
Option 3: 6.50%
Option 4: 7.00%
Option 5: 5.90%
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The RBI kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.50% in its recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting, maintaining a balanced approach between inflation control and supporting economic growth.

Question 3: Which Indian state hosted the launch of the country’s first commercial green hydrogen plant by Reliance Industries?
Option 1: Tamil Nadu
Option 2: Maharashtra
Option 3: Gujarat
Option 4: Andhra Pradesh
Option 5: Karnataka
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: Reliance Industries launched India’s first commercial green hydrogen plant in Gujarat. This marks a significant milestone in India’s clean energy transition aligned with its 2070 net-zero emissions target.

Question 4: The Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutional validity of which legislation empowering the Enforcement Directorate with arrest and seizure powers?
Option 1: Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Act
Option 2: Black Money Regulation Act
Option 3: Prevention of Corruption Act
Option 4: Prevention of Money Laundering Act (Amendments), 2019
Option 5: Financial Surveillance and Regulation Act
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Supreme Court validated the amendments made to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2019, reinforcing the ED’s authority to arrest and seize property in money laundering cases, citing national security threats posed by economic crimes.

Question 5: Which satellite was launched by ISRO as part of the PSLV-C65 mission, aimed at weather monitoring?
Option 1: INSAT-4WS
Option 2: CartoSat-3
Option 3: RISAT-2BR2
Option 4: EOS-01
Option 5: Megha-Tropiques
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: ISRO’s PSLV-C65 mission included the launch of INSAT-4WS, a weather monitoring satellite. This launch demonstrates India’s growing capacity in meteorological and AI-based satellite systems.

Question 6: What is the revised GDP growth estimate for FY 2024-25 as projected by the Finance Ministry?
Option 1: 6.4%
Option 2: 7.1%
Option 3: 6.7%
Option 4: 6.9%
Option 5: 7.4%
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Finance Ministry revised India’s GDP growth projection for FY 2024-25 to 6.9%, up from the earlier estimate of 6.4%, attributing the rise to strong performance in the industrial and services sectors.

Question 7: During the BRICS+ Digital Governance Summit, which of the following was not a key topic of discussion?
Option 1: Digital currency interoperability
Option 2: Cross-border cyber warfare
Option 3: Ethical regulation of AI tools
Option 4: Data localization norms
Option 5: Joint framework for digital rights
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: While topics like digital currency interoperability, ethical AI regulation, and data localization were discussed, cross-border cyber warfare was not part of the key agenda during the BRICS+ Digital Governance Summit chaired by India.

Question 8: According to recent data submitted to UNFCCC, what percentage of India’s installed capacity is now based on non-fossil fuel sources?
Option 1: 32%
Option 2: 40%
Option 3: 46%
Option 4: 50%
Option 5: 35%
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: India reported to UNFCCC that 46% of its total installed energy capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, demonstrating significant progress toward its Paris Agreement targets.

Question 9: Which country has recently signed a $375 million defense export deal with India for the purchase of BrahMos missile systems?
Option 1: Philippines
Option 2: Indonesia
Option 3: Vietnam
Option 4: Malaysia
Option 5: Thailand
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: India signed a $375 million defense export deal with Vietnam for supplying BrahMos missile systems. This enhances India’s strategic defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Question 10: Who among the following Indian athletes recently won gold in the 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Rio?
Option 1: Saurabh Chaudhary
Option 2: Manu Bhaker
Option 3: Elavenil Valarivan
Option 4: Rahi Sarnobat
Option 5: Divyansh Panwar
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Manu Bhaker secured the gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Rio, scoring 588. This victory boosts India’s chances in upcoming Olympic qualifiers.