Current Affairs of 24 April 2025

National and International Current Affairs - April 24, 2025

1. India-Pakistan Diplomatic Crisis Escalates Following Pahalgam Attack

• India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and closed the Attari-Wagah border crossing in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
• All visas for Pakistani nationals were canceled, and Pakistani military advisers were expelled from India.
• Pakistan retaliated by suspending visas for Indians, closing its airspace to Indian aircraft, expelling Indian diplomats, and suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement.
• Skirmishes were reported along the Line of Control, and India deployed the INS Vikrant to the Arabian Sea, while Pakistan announced missile testing exercises in the same area.

2. IMF Lowers India's GDP Growth Forecast to 6.2% for FY26

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised India's GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 6.2%, down from the earlier projection of 6.5%.
• The downgrade is attributed to global uncertainties, rising trade tensions, and persistent inflation.
• Despite the revision, India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies.

3. India Commemorates 50 Years of Aryabhata Satellite

• India celebrated the Golden Jubilee of its first satellite, Aryabhata, launched on 19 April 1975.
• The milestone marks five decades of advancements in space exploration by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

4. Factory Fire in Delhi's Karawal Nagar

• A fire broke out at a factory in Delhi's Karawal Nagar area, leading to a blast inside the premises.
• Eight fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze, and no casualties have been reported so far.

5. India Shines at 2025 ISSF World Cup in Lima

• India secured seven medals at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Lima, finishing third overall in the competition.
• The performance highlights India's growing prowess in shooting sports on the international stage.

6. Judicial Despotism Discussed in UPSC Current Affairs

• The concept of 'Judicial Despotism' was analyzed, focusing on the balance of power between the judiciary and other branches of government.
• The discussion emphasized the importance of checks and balances to prevent overreach by any single branch.

7. Coral Bleaching Events Raise Environmental Concerns

• Recent reports of coral bleaching have raised alarms about the health of marine ecosystems.
• Experts attribute the bleaching to rising sea temperatures and stress the need for immediate environmental action.