1 India becomes the fourth country to test laser guided weapon system
India has acquired the capability to shoot down small aircraft and drones with a 30-kilowatt laser system , becoming the fourth country to do so. Before India , Russia, China and the US have successfully demonstrated this capability. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired a 30 kW Laser Directed Energy Weapon System Mk-II(A) at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh . The Mk-II(A) system has been developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad in collaboration with Indian industries and academic institutions. The weapon system is designed to engage and shoot down fixed-wing drones at long ranges, intercept multiple hostile drone attacks and destroy enemy surveillance sensors and antennas. The weapon system has a range of 5 kilometres.
2 A team of six women, including American singer Katy Perry, created history by flying into the upper reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere on a Blue Origin rocket
Six women , including America ‘s famous singer Katy Perry, created history by flying to the upper limit of the Earth’s atmosphere through Blue Origin ‘s rocket. Blue Origin’s New Shepard-NS-31 spacecraft , carrying these women, took off from West Texas, USA at 7 pm Indian time and returned safely after a journey of about ten minutes. Blue Origin is an American space company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos . During the flight, the women passengers were taken more than 100 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, across the Karman Line . The Karman Line is an imaginary line that marks the boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and space. Apart from Katy Perry, the women who flew also included television anchor Gayle King , filmmaker Karian Flynn , former NASA aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe , founder of the campaign group against sexual violence Amanda Nguyen , and a former journalist and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sanchez .
3 Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa re-elected for a second term
Ecuador ‘s current President Daniel Noboa has been elected for a second term of four years . He got more than 55 percent of the votes compared to his opponent Luisa Gonzalez . 37-year-old Mr. Noboa is considered close to US President Donald Trump . He called his victory historic and expressed his commitment to continue the war against drugs.
4 Startup QNU Labs launches world’s first platform QShield
QNU Labs, a startup selected by the Department of Science and Technology under the National Quantum Mission , launched the world’s first platform QShield on World Quantum Day . It empowers enterprises to protect their critical infrastructure. It also enables seamless cryptography management, including cloud, on-premises or hybrid. The Ministry of Science and Technology said in a statement that QShield also facilitates various services such as Cosmos, QConnect for secure connectivity and Qverse for secure coordination. The launch of this platform is an important step in India’s efforts towards global leadership in quantum technology. The ministry said that QNU Labs, created in 2016 from the Research Park of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, is revolutionizing quantum cybersecurity and establishing India’s global leadership in quantum cryptography.
Tamilians around the world are celebrating the New Year Puthandu. The first day of the Tamil month Chitirai is called Puthandu. On this occasion, people celebrate with their families. The month-long Chitirai event is based on the solar calendar. Keralaians around the world are celebrating the New Year Vishu. It is a festival of harvest and prosperity. Vishu symbolizes new beginnings and Lord Krishna is worshipped.
6 Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth Rs 10 thousand crore in Haryana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth about Rs 10,000 crore for Haryana . On the occasion of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Jayanti , Shri Modi laid the foundation stone of the third unit of 800 MW at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamuna Nagar . This project is a development of the existing plant. Currently, it operates two units of 300 MW each. The project inaugurated is targeted to be completed in 52 months. It is expected to start commercial operation by March 2029. With this new unit, Haryana’s power generation capacity will increase to 3,382 MW. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Rs 90 crore Gobar Dhan plant in Yamuna Nagar.
7 Telangana implemented classification in reservation for Scheduled Castes
Telangana has become the first state in India to implement classification in reservation among Scheduled Castes in the state. The state government issued the government order to provide quota within quota on 14 April 2025, on the occasion of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s birth anniversary . Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar who was also the tallest leader of Scheduled Castes in independent India, was the chairman of the drafting committee constituted by the Indian Constituent Assembly to prepare the Constitution of India. He is also considered the architect of the Indian Constitution. Dr Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. On 1 August 2024, in Davinder Singh vs State of Punjab case, the Supreme Court by a 6:1 majority ruled that the state government has the right to make sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for the purpose of reservation as per Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution. The seven-judge bench was headed by the then Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud .
Bihar will host the seventh edition of Khelo India Youth Games-2025 from May 4 to 15. The games will be held in various cities including Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, Begusarai and Bhagalpur . Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the mascot and logo of Khelo India Youth Games-2025 at a function held at the Chief Minister Secretariat in Patna. The mascot of Khelo India will be “Gajsingh” , which symbolizes the power of an elephant and the heart of a lion . The mascot is derived from the epigraphic heritage of the Pal dynasty of Nalanda and Bodh Gaya , which is engraved on temples and their pillars. The logo of Khelo India Youth Games-2025 is inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Bihar and the orange color. It reflects enthusiasm and nature.
9 Sourav Ganguly re-appointed Chairman of ICC Men’s Cricket Committee
Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly has been re -elected as the chairman of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee . VVS Laxman will also remain a member of the panel. Ganguly was appointed chairman of the committee in the year 2021. He will replace Anil Kumble .
10 India won silver in men’s recurve team event at Archery World Cup Stage-1 in USA
India has won the silver medal in the men’s recurve team event in the first stage of the Archery World Cup. In the final held in Auburndale , USA , the Indian team consisted of Dheeraj Bommadevada, Tarundeep Roy and Atanu Das . China won the gold medal in the competition . This is India’s third medal this season. Earlier, India had won gold in the compound mixed team event and bronze in the compound men’s team event .
11 Dheeraj Bommadevara of India won silver medal in Archery at Archery World Cup-2025 in Florida, USA
In archery , India’s Dheeraj Bommadevara won the silver medal in the Archery World Cup – 2025 in Florida , USA . Dheeraj defeated Andres Tamino Medial 6-4 in the men’s individual recurve event. This is also Dheeraj’s second medal in this competition. With this victory, India won a total of four medals in the Archery World Cup. Which includes one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. The Indian team stood fourth in the medal table. Earlier, Dheeraj along with Tarun Deep Rai and Atanu Das won a silver medal in the recurve men’s team event. In the compound mixed team event, the pair of Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Rishabh Yadav won the gold medal. At the same time, the men’s compound team of Abhishek Verma, Rishabh Yadav and Ojas Deotale won the bronze medal.
