NATIONAL NEWS

Film and Television Institute of India, Pune Declared ‘Institution Deemed to be University’

In a major development for Indian higher education and arts, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune has been officially notified as an "Institution Deemed to be University" by the Union Ministry of Education.

This move grants FTII greater academic autonomy, curriculum flexibility, and research innovation opportunities in cinema and television studies.

It was established in 1960 by the Government of India.

Institutions demonstrating high educational standards were awarded this status by the Central Government on UGC’s recommendation.

India’s First-in-Human Gene Therapy Trial for Haemophilia

India has launched its first-in-human gene therapy trial for Haemophilia, led by the Biotechnology Research Innovation Council (BRIC-inStem) in collaboration with CMC Vellore.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced this as a landmark in India’s scientific journey, underscoring biotechnology as a core pillar of the nation’s future economic growth and healthcare innovation.

The minister called it a defining moment in India’s medical research.

Jitendra Singh inspected BRIC-inStem facilities.

The minister emphasized biotech’s role beyond science—integral to economic strategy and public health.

Similipal Declared as India's 107th National Park

Similipal in Odisha has been officially accorded national park status by the Odisha government.

It becomes the 107th national park in India and the second national park in Odisha after Bhitarkanika.

It is notified on April 24, 2025.

It marks a significant step in Odisha’s conservation efforts and the "Viksit Odisha" (Developed Odisha) vision.

The 2025 national park notification crowns decades of conservation efforts by the Odisha government, forest authorities, and local communities.

NASA to Launch First Space-Based Quantum Gravity Sensor

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is developing the first space-based quantum gravity gradiometer, called the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf).

The goal is to use ultra-cold rubidium atoms to detect gravitational anomalies with up to ten times higher sensitivity than classical gravity sensors.

The mission will test atom interferometry-based sensing technology from orbit.

QGGPf will work by cooling rubidium atoms near absolute zero, allowing them to behave as matter waves.

It measures the difference in gravitational acceleration between two atom clouds — a quantity known as the gravity gradient.

These measurements help detect variations in mass distribution beneath Earth's surface.

Ultra-cold atom sensors offer improved accuracy and stability compared to traditional mechanical systems, with less drift and thermal noise.

The compact sensor will occupy about 25 cubic meters and weigh around 125 kilograms.

It is scheduled for launch by the end of the decade.

The mission's main goal is to validate quantum gravity sensing technology in space, setting the stage for future operational missions.

NASA is collaborating with private companies and academic partners.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Comptroller and Auditor General of India Partners with IIM-Kozhikode

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) to improve the quality and impact of performance audits.

This partnership is aimed at enhancing stakeholder engagement and integrating best practices into CAG's audit methodologies.

The MoU aims to strengthen CAG's performance audit capabilities, with a focus on improving stakeholder interactions and the overall effectiveness of audits.

This collaboration is part of CAG’s broader strategy to engage with institutes of national importance.

According to CAG K Sanjay Murthy, this partnership is a step towards integrating academic excellence into the CAG's audit methodologies, ensuring improved performance audits across various sectors.

 

BANKING

Amazon Ramps Up Investment in Payments Arm Amid Intensifying UPI Competition

Amazon has invested Rs 350 crore into its payments arm, Amazon Pay India, signalling a continued effort to expand its presence in the highly competitive Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

Regulatory filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) reveal that Amazon Pay has issued 5 crore equity shares to its parent entities, Amazon Corporate Holdings Pvt Ltd and Amazon.com Inc, through a rights issue.

This is Amazon’s third capital infusion into the Indian payments entity in less than a year.

The company had earlier injected Rs 600 crore in June 2024 and Rs 300 crore in November 2024, pointing to a deliberate push to consolidate its position in India’s digital payments

According to the latest data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), PhonePe and Google Pay continue to dominate the space, jointly controlling nearly 85 per cent of the market.

Amazon Pay holds just about 6 per cent, underlining the challenges faced by newer entrants in breaking user habits and platform loyalty.

Flipkart-backed Super.money is also expanding its fintech offerings and is reportedly looking to raise capital, adding further competition in the sector.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Hubballi Airport Wins Platinum Honour for Green Initiatives

Hubballi Airport (Karnataka) received the Platinum Recognition under the Green Airports Recognition 2025 by Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East.

It was recognized for excellence in Sustainable Energy Practices among airports handling less than six million passengers annually.

Award was received by Rajesh Nilkanth Shinde, Executive Director (Technical), AAI

Filmmaker Payal Kapadia Receives Prestigious French Honour

Mumbai-based filmmaker Payal Kapadia has been awarded the ‘Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French Government.

This award recognizes her exceptional contributions to the field of cinema.

Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ is one of the highest cultural honours awarded by France.

He is the first Indian director in 30 years to win a top award in Cannes’ main competition.

 

SPORTS

TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2025

The Ugandan pair of Joshua Cheptegei and Sarah Chelangat won the international elite men’s and women’s categories, respectively, of the 17th TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2025 race.

Abhishek Pal and Sanjivani Jadhav, respectively, won the Indian elite men's and women's races of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2025.

The $2,10,000 prize money TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2025 was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on April 27, 2025.

The Bengaluru race was part of the World Athletics Label Road Races. World Athletics is the world’s governing body of Athletics.

The Bengaluru race had two categories: an international elite section and an Indian elite section.

Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist in the 10,000 meters, won the race in 27 minutes 53 seconds. Joshua had earlier participated in the 2014 event, where he came second.

Sarah Chelangat of Uganda finished the race in 31 minutes 07 seconds to claim the title.

WTT Contender Tunis 2025

The Indian table tennis mixed pair of Manush Shah and Diya Chitale won the mixed doubles title of the WTT Contender Tunis 2025.

They are the second Indian pair to win the mixed title at any WTT Contender event since 2021, following Manika Batra and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran's victory at the 2021 WTT Contender Budapest mixed title.

The USD 1 lakh prize money WTT Contender Tunis was held at Salle Omnisport de Rades, Tunis, Tunisia, from 22-27 April 2025.

The WTT Contender events are a ranking tournament where the players earn valuable points that help them to progress to higher-ranking WTT Series events.

In the final, Manush Shah and Diya Chitale faced the Japanese pair of Sora Matsushima and Miwa Harimoto.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Every year April 28th is celebrated as World Day for Safety and Health at Work all over the world.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work Day is observed to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.

The main aim is to raise awareness to ensure health and safety in the workplace.

In 2003 the International Labour Organization began to observe the stress of the prevention of accidents and disease at work. Moreover capitalizes on the traditional strengths and social dialogue.

This celebration is an integral part of the global strategy on occupational safety and the work of the International Labour Organization.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work to create awareness for the workers and make sure the work is safe and healthy.

There is a need to raise the political profile of occupational health and safety.

The International Commemoration Day of Dead and Injured Workers Worldwide is observed on April 28th by the Trade Union movement.