1 India ends trans-shipment facility for Bangladesh
India has withdrawn the trans-shipment facility available to Bangladesh, citing “ severe congestion ” at its airports and ports . Using this service, Bangladesh used to export goods to third countries using Indian customs stations . The facility was introduced in June 2020 and the decision to withdraw it was taken by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Ministry of Finance. A notification issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on April 8 said, “It has been decided to cancel the revised form dated June 29, 2020 with immediate effect. Cargo already entered into India may be allowed to exit Indian territory as per the procedure given in that form.”
2 The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the 26th edition of the publication titled ‘Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data’.
In April 2025 , the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26th edition of its publication titled ‘ Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data ‘. The publication provides a comprehensive view of the gender landscape in India , presenting selected indicators and data across key areas such as population, education, health, economic-participation and decision-making . All the data has been sourced from various ministries/departments/organisations. The data showed that the Gender Parity Index (GPI) for primary levels has increased from 1.02 (2020-21) to 1.05 (2022-23) and then decreased to 1.03 (2023-24). Whereas, the GPI for secondary levels has gradually increased from 0.99 (2020-21) to 1.02 (2023-24). According to the publication’s data, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) in usual terms for the age group of 15 years and above is projected to increase from 49.8% (2017-18) to 60.1% (2023-24). The data showed that women account for 39.2% of all bank accounts and their contribution to total deposits is 39.7%.
In April 2025 , the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the first edition of the Digital Threat Report 2024 for the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector . The report provides a comprehensive overview of existing and emerging cyber threats and remediation strategies. The report aims to uncover adversaries’ tactics, recommend preventive and detective controls, predict future attacks, and highlight current trends and select cases; and examine the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in breaches. The report has been developed by CERT-In in collaboration with New Delhi-based Computer Security Incident Response Team – Finance Sector (CSIRT-Fin) and SISA, a global forensics-driven cybersecurity solutions company for the digital payments industry. The report provides a multi-dimensional perspective by combining real-time intelligence from national cyber agencies with sector-specific information, identifying key attack vectors, systemic vulnerabilities, and evolving threat actor tactics.
4 Gujarat’s agricultural product ‘Amalsad Chikoo’ got GI tag
In April 2025 , “ Amalsad Chikoo ” (Sapodilla), a horticultural fruit from South Gujarat became the first agricultural product from the region to receive the Geographical Indication (GI) tag , registered by the Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based GI Registry under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I). under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) . The GI tag was granted to Valsad Navsari District Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative Limited (Gujarat) following a joint application submitted by Gujarat Council of Science and Technology (GUJCOST), Gandhinagar and Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Navsari. It is the third fruit from Gujarat to receive the GI tag after Gir Kesar mango and Kachhi Kharek (dates).
5 Skyroot Aerospace successfully test-fires Kalam-100 engine for Vikram-1 rocket
In April 2025, Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Skyroot Aerospace Pvt Ltd , a spacetech startup, successfully conducted a static fire test of the Kalam-100 engine, the third stage of its Vikram-1 launch vehicle , at Solar Group ‘s testbed in Nagpur ( Maharashtra). The test takes India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, closer to its maiden flight, a historic step for India’s space sector. The Kalam-100 (third stage) is named after former President of India and renowned scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The engine successfully fired for over 102 seconds, generating a peak vacuum thrust of 100 kilonewtons (kN) with an operating area ratio of 60 in flight. The engine also included an advanced flex nozzle for precise teeing.
On April 5, 2025, Nagpur (Maharashtra)-based Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) , a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL) has successfully developed the propulsion system including igniter and third-stage rocket motor for Vikram-1 satellite launch vehicle . The third-stage rocket motor is critical for carrying Vikram-1 out of Earth’s atmosphere into space. The rocket motor underwent non-destructive testing (NDT) such as X-ray imaging, ultrasonic and magnetic particle inspection at SDAL’s advanced Nagpur facility to ensure its strength and safety for space use. Vikram-1 is India’s first privately built orbital rocket, being developed by Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited.
7 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana brought to India from America
Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen Tahawwur Rana has been brought back to India from the United States (US) to face trial in India for his role in plotting the 26 November 2008 Mumbai terror attack . A special aircraft carrying Rana from the US landed at New Delhi’s Palam airport on 10 April 2025. He was extradited to India after the United States Supreme Court rejected Tahawwur Rana’s plea against his extradition to India. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) upon his arrival in India . Tahawwur Rana’s arrest will throw light on the role of Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) in the Mumbai terror attack. Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba had sent 10 Pakistani terrorists to Mumbai to carry out terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, CST railway station and Chabad House locations in Mumbai . Popularly known as 26/11 , the Mumbai terror attack killed 166 people, including six Americans . The only terrorist captured alive, Ajmal Kasab of Pakistan , was later convicted and hanged by Indian courts. David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Rana were named the main conspirators in the Mumbai terror attack. Pakistani Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and his brother-in-law Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, the main financier of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, have not yet been arrested.
8 The central government increased the material cost under the PM Poshan Yojana by 9.50 percent
Under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, hot cooked food is provided to students in government-aided schools in the country. The Union Education Ministry has increased the cost of the material used in it by 9.50 percent . Due to this increase, the central government will bear an additional cost of about Rs 954 crore in the financial year 2025-26. This will keep the students getting adequate and nutritious food. The Ministry of Education issued a statement about this. These new rates will be applicable in all states and union territories from May 1. PM Poshan Yojana is a centrally sponsored scheme under which 10.36 lakh government and government-aided schools come. Here 11.20 crore students studying in Bal Vatika and classes 1 to 8 are given hot cooked food once a day.
9 USA and UK selected to host FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2031 and 2035
In April 2025, Zurich (Switzerland)-based Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) president Gianni Infantino announced that the United States of America (USA) is the sole bidder to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while the United Kingdom (UK) will host the 2035 edition. The announcement was made during the 49th Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Congress in Belgrade, Serbia. FIFA plans to expand the 2031 Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, aligning it with the men’s tournament format. This is the first time the tournament will be held in the UK and the third time in the USA.
10 Archery World Cup-2025: India started with a winning medal in the men’s compound team event in stage one
India made a winning start with a bronze medal in the men’s compound team event at the Archery World Cup 2025 Stage I. The team of Abhishek Verma, Rishabh Yadav and Ojas Deotale defeated Denmark 230-223 in the bronze medal match at Auburndale, USA . Earlier, the Indian trio beat Guatemala 220-218 in the quarter-finals but lost narrowly to Italy in the semi-finals. The Archery World Cup consists of four stages held in different countries. The Auburndale stage will conclude on Sunday. The compound mixed team event is included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme.
