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Current Affairs 21 April 2025
1. Justice Dinesh Maheshwari Appointed as Chairperson of the 23rd Law Commission of India
Justice Dinesh Maheshwari has been appointed as the Chairperson of the 23rd
Law Commission of India. A former judge of the Supreme Court, he brings extensive judicial experience to this important role. The Law Commission is responsible for recommending reforms to strengthen and modernize India's legal framework. Justice Maheshwari’s leadership is expected to accelerate the commission’s work on critical legal issues. His appointment comes at a time when several important reforms are being discussed across the legal and policy spectrum. The 23rd Law Commission is anticipated to play a key role in shaping future legislative developments in the country.
Law Commission of India. A former judge of the Supreme Court, he brings extensive judicial experience to this important role. The Law Commission is responsible for recommending reforms to strengthen and modernize India's legal framework. Justice Maheshwari’s leadership is expected to accelerate the commission’s work on critical legal issues. His appointment comes at a time when several important reforms are being discussed across the legal and policy spectrum. The 23rd Law Commission is anticipated to play a key role in shaping future legislative developments in the country.Foot notes:
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Commission's Term: The 23rd Law Commission of India was constituted on September 1, 2024, and will function until August 31, 2027. Its primary objective is to review existing laws, recommend reforms, and advise the government on legal matters.
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Key Focus Area: One of the major agendas of the 23rd Law Commission is to examine the feasibility of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across the country. The UCC aims to replace personal laws based on religion or community with a common set of civil laws applicable to all citizens.
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Background: The appointment of Justice Maheshwari comes after the 22nd Law Commission initiated nationwide consultations on the UCC in 2023, collecting public input from over 70 consultations. The 21st Law Commission had previously opined that a UCC was "neither necessary nor desirable at this stage" in its 2018 report.
2. ISRO Achieves 2nd Successful Satellite Docking Under SpaDeX Mission
ISRO has successfully achieved its second satellite docking under the SpaDeX
mission, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration capabilities. This accomplishment follows the initial docking on January 16, 2025, and subsequent undocking on March 13, 2025. The docking was confirmed by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who shared the news on social media, expressing satisfaction with the operation's success. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan also praised the smooth execution, highlighting its importance for future missions. The SpaDeX mission, launched on December 30, 2024, involved two satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, demonstrating advanced space docking technology.
mission, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration capabilities. This accomplishment follows the initial docking on January 16, 2025, and subsequent undocking on March 13, 2025. The docking was confirmed by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who shared the news on social media, expressing satisfaction with the operation's success. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan also praised the smooth execution, highlighting its importance for future missions. The SpaDeX mission, launched on December 30, 2024, involved two satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, demonstrating advanced space docking technology.Foot notes:
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Successful Docking: ISRO achieved its second successful satellite docking under the SpaDeX mission on April 21, 2025, marking a significant milestone in India's space research program. Union Minister Jitendra Singh congratulated the ISRO team on this achievement.
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Mission Objective: The SpaDeX mission aims to demonstrate India's technological capabilities in spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking. This capability is crucial for future advancements like satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary exploration.
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Satellite Details: The mission involves two small satellites, SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target), launched on December 30, 2024, using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C60 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
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Docking and Undocking: The first successful docking occurred on January 16, 2025, and the satellites were later undocked on March 13, 2025. These complex maneuvers simulate critical operations for future space missions.
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Technological Significance: This achievement positions India as the fourth nation, after the United States, Russia, and China, to demonstrate in-space docking capabilities. This technology is essential for India's space ambitions, including lunar missions, sample returns, and building the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
3. Amaravati is the World’s First Fully Renewable Powered City
Amaravati has been declared the world’s first fully renewable powered city. The
city now runs entirely on energy generated from renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydro power. This achievement marks a major milestone in global efforts toward sustainable urban development. Amaravati’s model focuses on reducing carbon emissions while promoting green technologies. The city’s success is expected to inspire other urban centers to adopt similar renewable strategies. It stands as a symbol of innovation and environmental responsibility on the world stage.
city now runs entirely on energy generated from renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydro power. This achievement marks a major milestone in global efforts toward sustainable urban development. Amaravati’s model focuses on reducing carbon emissions while promoting green technologies. The city’s success is expected to inspire other urban centers to adopt similar renewable strategies. It stands as a symbol of innovation and environmental responsibility on the world stage.Foot notes:
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Renewable Energy Goal: Amaravati aims to generate 2,700 megawatts (MW) of clean energy through solar, wind, and hydropower sources, meeting its projected energy demand by 2050 and eliminating fossil fuel reliance.
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Sustainable Infrastructure: The city will feature green buildings, rooftop solar installations, and a district cooling system to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Mandatory rooftop solar systems will cover at least one-third of government housing projects.
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Green Transportation: Amaravati's public transportation network, including the Amaravati Metro and electric buses, will operate on renewable energy. An extensive electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure will support EV adoption.
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Current Progress: Officials have already installed 415 kW of rooftop solar arrays across community facilities like Anganwadis, public schools, e-health centers, and a multi-faith funeral home.
4. Hindi made compulsory as 3rd language in Maharashtra Schools
The Maharashtra government has made Hindi compulsory as the third
language in all schools across the state. This decision applies to schools following state, national, and international curriculums. The move aims to promote linguistic diversity and strengthen the national language among students. Hindi will now be taught from Class 1 to Class 10 alongside Marathi and English. While some have welcomed the decision, others have raised concerns about the added academic load. The government believes this step will enhance students’ communication skills and national integration.
language in all schools across the state. This decision applies to schools following state, national, and international curriculums. The move aims to promote linguistic diversity and strengthen the national language among students. Hindi will now be taught from Class 1 to Class 10 alongside Marathi and English. While some have welcomed the decision, others have raised concerns about the added academic load. The government believes this step will enhance students’ communication skills and national integration.Foot notes:
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Compulsory Hindi Classes : Hindi will be compulsory only for students in Classes 1 to 5, aiming to provide a basic understanding of the language. This decision relaxes the previous rule, which made Hindi compulsory from Classes 5 to 7.
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Marathi Remains Mandatory : Marathi will continue to be a mandatory subject in schools, and Hindi will not replace it. The government emphasizes promoting Marathi through initiatives like granting classical language status and building Marathi Bhawan.
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National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 : The decision aligns with NEP 2020, which requires students to learn three languages, with two being Indian languages. This policy aims to promote linguistic diversity and cultural understanding.
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Similarities between Hindi and Marathi : Both languages share the Devanagari script, making it easier for students to learn Hindi. This similarity is highlighted as a benefit by Maharashtra's Education Minister, Deepak Kesarkar.
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Government's Promotion of Marathi : The Maharashtra government has taken significant steps to promote Marathi, including launching the Marathi International Council and a Marathi encyclopedia. These initiatives demonstrate the government's commitment to preserving the state's language and culture.
5. Arjun Babuta wins silver at ISSF World Cup 2025
Arjun Babuta won the silver medal at the ISSF World Cup 2025, showcasing his
exceptional shooting skills. Competing in the 10m Air Rifle event, he delivered a consistent and impressive performance. This marks one of his best international achievements to date, adding to his growing reputation in the shooting world. Babuta's success brings pride to India and boosts the country’s standing in international shooting sports. His dedication and focus were widely praised by coaches and sports enthusiasts. The medal win is expected to inspire many young shooters across the nation.
exceptional shooting skills. Competing in the 10m Air Rifle event, he delivered a consistent and impressive performance. This marks one of his best international achievements to date, adding to his growing reputation in the shooting world. Babuta's success brings pride to India and boosts the country’s standing in international shooting sports. His dedication and focus were widely praised by coaches and sports enthusiasts. The medal win is expected to inspire many young shooters across the nation.Foot notes:
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Narrow Margin: Babuta narrowly missed the gold medal, losing by just 0.1 points to China's Olympic champion, Sheng Li Hao, who scored 252.4.
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Competition Highlights: Babuta was leading the competition until the final round of double elimination shots but faltered slightly, allowing Sheng to take the lead. A crucial 10.9 shot by Sheng in the penultimate round put pressure on Babuta.
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Other Indian Performance: Rudrankksh Patil, another Indian shooter, finished eighth in the event after being disqualified for violating ISSF rules. Arya Borse, on the other hand, impressed in the women's 10m air rifle final, finishing fifth with 188.1 points.
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Medal Standings: India's performance in the ISSF World Cup has put them third in the medal table with two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal.
6. Neworld Developers onboards Manushi Chhillar as brand ambassador
Neworld Developers has onboarded Manushi Chhillar as their new brand
ambassador. The collaboration aims to strengthen the company’s image as a modern and aspirational real estate brand. Manushi, known for her elegance and global appeal, perfectly aligns with Neworld’s vision of innovation and excellence. She will feature in various promotional campaigns and branding initiatives for the company. The partnership is expected to enhance customer engagement and boost brand visibility in a competitive market. Neworld Developers believes that Manushi’s association will inspire trust and connect with a wider audience.
ambassador. The collaboration aims to strengthen the company’s image as a modern and aspirational real estate brand. Manushi, known for her elegance and global appeal, perfectly aligns with Neworld’s vision of innovation and excellence. She will feature in various promotional campaigns and branding initiatives for the company. The partnership is expected to enhance customer engagement and boost brand visibility in a competitive market. Neworld Developers believes that Manushi’s association will inspire trust and connect with a wider audience.Foot notes:
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Brand Ambassador Role: Manushi Chhillar expressed excitement to be part of Neworld Developers' journey, creating meaningful spaces for people to grow and thrive, reflecting the brand's vision of ambition, trust, and innovation.
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New Office Launch: The partnership was announced alongside the opening of Neworld Developers' new corporate office in Sector 66, M3M International Financial Centre, Golf Course Ext Road, Gurugram.
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Project Launches: Neworld Developers plans to launch projects in prominent markets like Goa, Ayodhya, and Haryana, focusing on high-value, lifestyle-oriented developments that redefine real estate standards.
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Founder's Vision: Sunil Sisodiya, Founder and Chairman of Neworld Developers, believes Manushi Chhillar's global presence and relatability will resonate with the company's vision of creating world-class spaces for aspirational Indians.
7. Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey Appointed Vice-President at AIIB
Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey has been appointed as the Vice-President of the
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). A seasoned bureaucrat, he previously served as India’s Finance Secretary and CEO of UIDAI. His vast experience in governance and finance is expected to strengthen AIIB’s leadership team. Pandey’s appointment highlights India’s growing influence in major international financial institutions. He will play a key role in shaping AIIB’s policies and global infrastructure investments. The move is seen as a significant achievement for both Pandey and India on the world stage.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). A seasoned bureaucrat, he previously served as India’s Finance Secretary and CEO of UIDAI. His vast experience in governance and finance is expected to strengthen AIIB’s leadership team. Pandey’s appointment highlights India’s growing influence in major international financial institutions. He will play a key role in shaping AIIB’s policies and global infrastructure investments. The move is seen as a significant achievement for both Pandey and India on the world stage.Foot notes:
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Background and Expertise: Pandey is a former Finance Secretary of India and CEO of Aadhaar, with over three decades of experience in leading transformational change. He played a pivotal role in shaping India's digital and financial infrastructure.
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Key Initiatives: Pandey was instrumental in initiatives such as Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), and National Infrastructure Pipeline. He successfully defended Aadhaar's legal and privacy frameworks before the Supreme Court of India.
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AIIB Overview: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral development bank dedicated to financing infrastructure for tomorrow, with sustainability at its core. It has 110 approved members worldwide and is capitalized at $100 billion.
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India's Stake in AIIB: India is the second-largest shareholder in AIIB, with 7.58% voting shares, after China, which holds 26.54%. This appointment highlights India's growing influence in global financial institutions.
8. M Waqar Bhatti conferred with Health Journalism Award at the IMRC
M Waqar Bhatti was recently honored with the prestigious Health Journalism
Award at the IMRC (International Media Relations Conference). This recognition highlights his exceptional contributions to health reporting, where he has consistently focused on issues related to public health and well-being. Bhatti's work has brought critical attention to health policies, healthcare access, and the challenges faced by communities in managing health crises. His ability to communicate complex health topics in an accessible and impactful manner has earned him admiration within the journalism community.
Award at the IMRC (International Media Relations Conference). This recognition highlights his exceptional contributions to health reporting, where he has consistently focused on issues related to public health and well-being. Bhatti's work has brought critical attention to health policies, healthcare access, and the challenges faced by communities in managing health crises. His ability to communicate complex health topics in an accessible and impactful manner has earned him admiration within the journalism community.Foot notes:
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Award Details: M Waqar Bhatti, a senior health journalist from The News International and Geo News, received the award for his outstanding work in health journalism, specifically highlighting his efforts in promoting accurate and science-based health reporting.
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Event: The award was presented at an event where Dr. Raheela Ahmed was also recognized for her services, indicating a broader effort to acknowledge contributions to health sector advancements.
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Journalistic Focus: Bhatti's work primarily focuses on healthcare and government announcements in Pakistan, covering critical health issues like COVID-19, poliovirus, and medical facilities.
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Reporting Style: His reporting often incorporates government announcements and data-driven insights, showcasing his commitment to evidence-based journalism in the health sector.
9. Civil Services Day observed on 21st April
Civil Services Day is observed every year on 21st April in India. The day honors
the dedication and contributions of civil servants to nation-building and public service. It marks the occasion when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the first batch of civil servants in 1947. Various events and award ceremonies are organized to recognize outstanding work by officers across the country. Leaders and officials also use the day to reflect on reforms and improvements needed in public administration. Civil Services Day serves as a reminder of the vital role civil servants play in strengthening democracy and governance.
the dedication and contributions of civil servants to nation-building and public service. It marks the occasion when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the first batch of civil servants in 1947. Various events and award ceremonies are organized to recognize outstanding work by officers across the country. Leaders and officials also use the day to reflect on reforms and improvements needed in public administration. Civil Services Day serves as a reminder of the vital role civil servants play in strengthening democracy and governance.Foot notes:
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Celebrations: The day is marked by ceremonies and awards across the country, especially in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister and senior government officials acknowledge and honour outstanding work by civil servants.
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Prime Minister's Awards: On this day, the Prime Minister confers the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration, recognizing extraordinary and innovative work done by districts and organizations of central and state governments.
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Importance: National Civil Service Day reaffirms the commitment of civil servants to public service, excellence, and the welfare of citizens. It serves as a reminder of the ideals of public service in a democracy and encourages reforms and best practices in governance.
10. Pope Francis passed away
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, passed away on April 21, 2025, at
the age of 88. He died at 7:35 a.m. local time in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta residence, following complications from double pneumonia . Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican's camerlengo, announced the news, describing it as a moment of profound sadness for the Church . Throughout his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis was celebrated for his humility, compassion for the poor, and advocacy on global issues like climate change and capitalism . His death has prompted tributes from world leaders and religious figures, recognizing his dedication to service and love for the marginalized . A period of global mourning has begun, and a conclave of cardinals will convene to elect his successor .
the age of 88. He died at 7:35 a.m. local time in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta residence, following complications from double pneumonia . Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican's camerlengo, announced the news, describing it as a moment of profound sadness for the Church . Throughout his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis was celebrated for his humility, compassion for the poor, and advocacy on global issues like climate change and capitalism . His death has prompted tributes from world leaders and religious figures, recognizing his dedication to service and love for the marginalized . A period of global mourning has begun, and a conclave of cardinals will convene to elect his successor .Foot notes:
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Cause of Death: The exact cause of death is currently unknown, but Pope Francis had been dealing with various health issues, including chronic lung damage, knee problems, and sciatica, which prompted him to frequently use a wheelchair, walker, or cane.
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Health Issues: In recent months, Pope Francis had been hospitalized for bronchitis and a polymicrobial infection of his respiratory tract, and was diagnosed with early-stage kidney failure. Despite these health challenges, he continued to carry out his duties until his death.
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Reaction: World leaders expressed their condolences following the news of Pope Francis' death. The Vatican announced his passing, and Cardinal Kevin Farrell read the announcement from the chapel of the papal residence.
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