CURRENT AFFAIRS
21 April, 2025
1. CLOUDBURST, LANDSLIDE, AND FLASH FLOOD –
• Torrential rain in Ramban tehsil of Jammu and Kashmir has caused casualties, significant infrastructure damage, and forced emergency relocations. Officials have cited cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods as the main triggers of the widespread destruction.
What is a Cloudburst-
• Definition: A cloudburst is a sudden, intense rainstorm that results in more than 10 cm of rain in less than an hour over a small area (approximately 10 km²).
• It can also be accompanied by hail and thunder. Cloudbursts are common in mountainous areas, especially in the Himalayas.
• Due to their localised nature, cloudbursts are hard to predict or detect but can unleash sudden, devastating rainfall, leading to flash floods and landslides.
What is a Landslide-
• Definition: A landslide is the downward movement of rock, soil, or debris on a slope due to gravity.
• It is a form of mass wasting, where earth materials move down a slope under the influence of gravity.
What is a Flash Flood-
• Definition: Flash floods are sudden increases in water levels during or immediately after intense rainfall. They are highly localized and short-lived events, typically occurring within 6 hours of rainfall.
• Causes: Flash floods are primarily caused by intense rainfall that overwhelms the soil’s absorption capacity and drainage systems.
2. 17TH NATIONAL CIVIL SERVICES DAY –
• The Prime Minister addressed civil servants on the occasion of the 17th National Civil Services Day (21st April 2025) and honored the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration (PMAEPA).
• On National Civil Services Day, the historic representation of women in civil services was highlighted, with 74 women officers comprising 41% of the 2023 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) batch.
• National Civil Services Day: It is observed on 21st April each year to honor the dedication of civil servants. First celebrated in 2006, it commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s address to the probationers of Administrative Services Officers at Metcalf House in Delhi, where he referred to the civil servants as the “steel frame of India” on 21st April 1947.
3. JUSTICE DINESH MAHESHWARI APPOINTED CHAIRPERSON OF THE 23RD LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA –
• In a significant development in the Indian legal landscape, Justice (Retd.) Dinesh Maheshwari, a former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the 23rd Law Commission of India in April 2025. The announcement marks a crucial step in the government’s ongoing efforts to review and recommend reforms in various aspects of Indian law, particularly the long-debated Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Tenure and Composition of the 23rd Law Commission
• The 23rd Law Commission was formally constituted on September 1, 2024, with its term extending until August 31, 2027. It comprises a total of seven members, including:
• One Chairperson: Justice (Retd.) Dinesh Maheshwari
• Four full-time members: Including Hitesh Jain (a lawyer) and P. Verma (an academician who was also part of the 22nd Law Commission)
• Two ex-officio members: From the Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department
• In addition, the government may appoint up to five part-time members, and serving judges, if included, will function as full-time members until their retirement or end of the Commission’s term.
4. POPE FRANCIS DIES AT 88 –
• In a solemn moment for the Roman Catholic Church and the global community, Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope in history, passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican announced.
• His death follows a prolonged illness, with reports indicating he had recently battled a serious case of double pneumonia. Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy that was marked by reform, compassion, controversy, and an unwavering commitment to social justice.
Early Life and Historic Election as Pope
• Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was the son of Italian immigrants. Known for his humble lifestyle and deep empathy for the poor, Bergoglio’s ascension to the papacy on March 13, 2013, was a historic moment.
• At the age of 76, he was elected following the unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI—a decision that surprised the world and set a modern precedent.
Francis’s election was groundbreaking in many ways-
• He was the first pope from the Americas
• The first Jesuit pope
• And the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years
5. AMARAVATI: WORLD’S FIRST FULLY RENEWABLE-POWERED CITY IN THE MAKING –
• In a landmark step towards sustainable urban development, Amaravati, the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh, is on track to become the world’s first city powered entirely by renewable energy.
• Envisioned by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, this ambitious project aligns with India’s commitment to clean energy and climate-conscious urbanization. Located between Vijayawada and Guntur, Amaravati is being designed as a modern, eco-friendly “people’s capital”, setting a global benchmark in sustainable city planning.
• The foundation of this monumental initiative is expected to be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, symbolizing national support for green development. The new capital city will cover 217 square kilometres along the banks of the Krishna River, forming part of the larger Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, which spans 8,352 sq km.
• With a project cost estimated at ₹65,000 crore, Amaravati is being developed as an eco-conscious urban center focused on clean energy, efficient infrastructure, and smart planning.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. NISAR is a joint Earth observation satellite mission developed by which two space agencies ?
a) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
b) European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
c) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and China National Space Administration (CNSA)
d) European Space Agency (ESA) and China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Q2. What is the name of the initiative recently launched by BRICS nations to combat land degradation and soil fertility loss ?
a) BRICS Land Restoration Partnership
b) BRICS Green Deal
c) BRICS Sustainable Farming Alliance
d) BRICS Soil Health Mission
Q3. Which Indian state has officially approved DPS Flamingo Lake as a conservation reserve ?
a) Maharashtra
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Odisha
d) Karnataka
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):
1. IBCA is a legally recognized intergovernmental organization with its headquarters in India.
2. India has committed ₹150 crore towards IBCA’s operations till 2028–29.
3. IBCA focuses exclusively on conservation of Old World big cats such as tiger, lion, and snow leopard.
4. The Alliance aims to promote transboundary conservation and international collaboration.
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only two
b) Only three
c) All four
d) Only one
Explanation-
• Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. The IBCA became a treaty-based intergovernmental alliance in 2025, with India as its host and headquarters.
• The country has committed ₹150 crore from 2023–24 to 2028–29 to support its operations. The alliance promotes transboundary conservation, scientific collaboration, and capacity building.
• However, statement 3 is incorrect. IBCA includes both Old World and New World big cats, such as jaguar and puma, along with tiger, lion, snow leopard, etc.
Q5. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: India recorded a record-high total export value in FY 2024–25, driven largely by a surge in goods exports.
Statement II: Electronics and coffee exports were among the fastest-growing segments, contributing to this export performance.
Which of the following is correct ?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
c) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
d) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
Explanation-
• India’s total exports hit a record $820.93 billion, but goods exports were flat (only marginally rising to $437.42 billion). The main driver was services exports, which grew by 12.45%. So, Statement-I is incorrect.
• However, Statement-II is correct. Electronics exports surged 32%, largely due to iPhone assembly in India, and coffee exports jumped 40%, aided by global shortages from Brazil’s drought.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
A | A | A | B | C |