Daily Current Affairs and GK Update – 17.04.2025

National News (India)

• Justice B.R. Gavai appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Capital: New Delhi) commemorated Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair on the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre for his role in India’s freedom movement.

• The Supreme Court of India limited the powers of Governors and the President regarding assent to bills, reinforcing the democratic legislative process.

• Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini (Capital: Chandigarh) announced welfare measures for Agniveers under the Agnipath Scheme.

• Haryana government declared Mitathal and Tighrana in Bhiwani district as protected archaeological sites of the Harappan civilization.

• Foundation stone laid for a GOBAR DHAN plant in Haryana with an investment of ₹90 crore to promote waste management and environmental sustainability.

• Inauguration of the Rewari Bypass (Bharatmala scheme) with an investment of ₹1,069 crore to ease traffic congestion.

• New terminal foundation stone laid at Maharaja Agrasen Airport; first flight to Ayodhya flagged off from the terminal.

• Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) appointed Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu as Chairperson of its Athletes Commission.

• Milkfed Punjab launched a new mascot ‘Veera’ for Verka, its flagship dairy brand.

• Khelo India Youth Games 2025 scheduled in Bihar from 4th to 15th May 2025. Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar (Capital: Patna).

Banking & Economy

• Morgan Stanley revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 6.1% (previously 6.5%) due to global uncertainties, especially after new US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump (Capital: Washington, D.C.).

• Sensex year-end target lowered to 82,000 from 93,000.

• Other financial institutions like UBS, Goldman Sachs, and Citi also reduced India’s growth outlook.

• Capitalmind Financial Services, led by Deepak Shenoy, received SEBI approval to launch Capitalmind Mutual Fund.

International News

• Daniel Noboa (President, Capital: Quito) won reelection as President of Ecuador amidst rising narco-violence and security challenges.

• Noboa declared a state of emergency, deployed military, and signed a security pact with Erik Prince (founder of Blackwater).

• The European State of the Climate report confirmed 2024 as Europe’s warmest year on record, with extreme weather impacting eastern and western regions differently.

• World Health Organization (WHO, Headquarters: Geneva) released its first-ever global guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of meningitis.

• NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore returned from a nine-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting the importance of safety protocols in human spaceflight.

Appointments & Honours

• Saikhom Mirabai Chanu appointed Chairperson of IWLF Athletes Commission.

• Koneru Humpy, youngest Indian woman chess grandmaster, named brand ambassador for the Skill Online Games (SOG) Grandmaster Series.

Reports & Indices

• India Justice Report 2025 highlighted issues in the judiciary, police, and prison infrastructure:

  • Only one civil police officer per 831 citizens.

  • 17% of police stations lack CCTV surveillance.

  • Uttar Pradesh has the most overcrowded prisons.

  • Delhi’s jails have 91% under-trials.

  • Bihar’s lower courts have 71% of cases pending for over three years.

  • No state allocates more than 1% of its budget to the judiciary.

Sports

• India finished second in the ISSF World Cup 2025 (Shooting) with 8 medals (4 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze).

• Gold medalists: Sift Kaur Samra (Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions), Rudrankksh Patil (Men’s 10m Air Rifle), Suruchi (Women’s 10m Air Pistol), Vijayveer Sidhu (Men’s 25m Rapid-Fire Pistol).

• Next ISSF World Cup leg scheduled in Lima, Peru, as a key qualifier for the Paris Olympics.

Science & Technology

• Emphasis on safety protocols in human spaceflight after the successful return of NASA astronauts from ISS.

• WHO’s new guidelines for meningitis aim to improve global health outcomes.

Key Capitals and Leaders Mentioned

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