1 India will get 26 Rafale marine jets from France, deal worth more than Rs 63,000 crore approved
India has approved a ‘ mega deal ‘ for the sale of 26 Rafale marine fighter jets from France . The deal worth over Rs 63,000 crore is expected to be signed soon. The Indian Navy will get 22 single-seater jets as well as four twin-seater variants . India will get a major package that will include fleet maintenance, logistical support, training of personnel and offset obligations for indigenous manufacturing components. The Rafale marine jets will be deployed on India’s indigenous aircraft carriers and will significantly enhance the Navy’s air power at sea. The Rafale marine is more advanced than the Rafale fighter jets present in India. Its engine is more powerful.
2 PM Modi chanted the ‘Navkar Mahamantra’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised the contribution of Jainism at the ‘ Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Diwas ‘ program organized in New Delhi . The program was organized with the aim of promoting the values of Jain philosophy – non-violence, self-purification, truth and discipline. Actually, Navkar Mahamantra Day is an important celebration of spiritual harmony and moral consciousness, which seeks to unite people through collective chanting of the most revered and universal mantra in Jainism – Navkar Mahamantra. Based on the principles of non-violence, humility and spiritual upliftment, this mantra expresses respect for the qualities of enlightened persons and inspires internal transformation. It is noteworthy that a grand event of “Navkar Mahamantra Day” is being organized in the dignified presence of Prime Minister Modi at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi on April 9 at 8 am, a day before Mahavir Jayanti.
In a landmark step towards financial inclusion and rural empowerment , Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the aegis of Ministry of Corporate Affairs and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) under the Department of Posts jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoA) to launch the second phase of the “ Investor Didi ” initiative . This strategic collaboration aims to enhance financial literacy among women in rural, semi-urban and underprivileged areas through grassroots awareness and community-driven education. “Investor Didi” is a unique initiative that trains women postal workers and community leaders to act as financial educators in their local areas. During Phase 1, more than 55,000 beneficiaries attended IPPB financial literacy camps across India, of which about 60% were women beneficiaries, mostly from the young and economically active age group. 2 out of every 3 beneficiaries were from remote rural areas, ensuring maximum reach at the grassroots level. India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, with 100% equity owned by the Government of India. IPPB was launched on September 1, 2018.
4 Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad to open campus in Dubai
Premier Indian higher education institutes, Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) will open their first overseas campuses in Dubai , United Arab Emirates (UAE) . The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi already has a campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE . This was announced during the visit of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the UAE, to India. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was on his first official visit to India on 8-9 April 2025. During his visit to India, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited New Delhi and Mumbai.
The central government on Wednesday approved a major scheme for farmers. A new sub-scheme ‘ Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) ‘ under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) will be implemented for the year 2025-26 . A budget of Rs 1600 crore has been fixed for this scheme . Its objective is to modernize the irrigation system in the country and improve water management. Under this, old canals or other water sources will be connected with modern technologies to deliver water to the fields so that farmers, especially small and marginal farmers, can get timely and adequate water. Technologies like SCADA and IoT will be used in this scheme to promote efficient use of water, which will increase water use efficiency at the farm level.
7 BIMSTEC has the potential to connect South and South East Asia: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led India at the third BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (BAMM) in Kathmandu , Nepal on Wednesday . The meeting was attended by agriculture ministers and senior agriculture officials from BIMSTEC countries like India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The meeting proposed the establishment of ‘ BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Agricultural Cooperation in India ‘. This center will play an important role in resolving and implementing various commitments of BIMSTEC in agriculture and allied sectors in a timely manner. Apart from this, this center will focus on precision agriculture, reducing climate risk, natural farming, gender equality and artificial intelligence.
The need to carry 8 photocopies is over, the Central Government has launched a new Aadhaar app
Taking a big step towards digital convenience and privacy, the central government launched a new Aadhaar app . The app will allow users to digitally verify and share their Aadhaar details . This will eliminate the need to carry Aadhaar cards or submit photocopies. Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially launched the app in the national capital. A special feature of the app is Face ID authentication , which enhances security and makes verification seamless. Aadhaar verification can now be done by simply scanning a QR code, just like UPI payments.
9 Reserve Bank cuts repo rate by 25 basis points to 6%
The Reserve Bank of India has reduced the policy repo rate by 25 basis points . Now the repo rate has become six percent . The Reserve Bank has reduced the repo rate for the second consecutive time in five years . Earlier in February, the repo rate was reduced. Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra in Mumbai said that the six-member monetary committee unanimously decided to reduce the repo rate in the first meeting of this financial year. He said that the retail inflation rate is likely to be four percent in 2025-26. Mr. Malhotra said that the gross domestic product-GDP growth rate for 2025-26 has been estimated at six point five percent. The reduction in repo rate has a direct impact on the interest rates of all types of loans including home loans, car loans and personal loans. This decision will provide relief to the common man. Apart from this, the central bank has changed the stance of monetary policy from ‘neutral’ to ‘accommodative’. Accommodative means that the central bank may continue to maintain a soft stance of monetary policy in the near future.
10 Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 gets assent of President Draupadi Murmu, becomes law
In April 2025 , President of India Draupadi Murmu approved the ‘ Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 ‘ which deals with issues related to foreigners and immigration and it was later notified through a gazette notification, with this bill now becoming a new law. The primary objective of this new act is to enhance national security, regulate immigration processes and impose stringent penalties on foreigners who violate the conditions of entry and stay. The new act has repealed 4 British-colonial era laws including the Foreigners Act, 1946; Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; and Immigration (Carrier Liability) Act, 2000.
11 Red Bull’s Verstappen wins the F1 Japanese Grand Prix for the fourth year in a row
In April 2025 , 4-time world champion Max Verstappen , Belgian-Dutch driver of Red Bull won the Formula 1 (F1) Japanese Grand Prix 2025 held at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan . It was his first win of the F1 2025 season and his fourth consecutive Japanese GP title (2022, 2023 and 2024). He crossed the finish line in Red Bull by about 1.5 seconds (s) for his 64th Grand Prix (GP) win and got 25 points, Lando Norris of McLaren secured second place (18 points) and is currently at the top of the championship leader board. Whereas, Australian F1 driver Oscar Piastri of McLaren, who won the China GP in March, secured third place (15 points).
12 World Homeopathy Day
World Homeopathy Day is observed every year on 10 April . Homeopathy is the second largest system of medicine in the world. In 2025, India is organising its largest ever Homeopathic symposium in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on the occasion of World Homeopathy Day. Homeopathy is a natural method of treatment based on the principle of “ sama: samaam shamayati ”, which states that a substance that causes symptoms of a disease in a healthy person can cure the same symptoms in a sick person. Having been in practice for over two centuries, Homeopathy is the second largest system of medicine in the world, trusted by millions of people for its safe and holistic treatment approach. Every year on 10 April, India joins the world in celebrating World Homeopathy Day, which marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the father of Homeopathy.
