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Current Affairs 30 April 2025
1. DIG Ashish Mehrotra assumed office as Commander of the Indian Coast
DIG Ashish Mehrotra has officially assumed office as the
Commander of the Indian Coast Guard. He brings with him extensive experience in maritime operations and coastal security. His appointment comes at a crucial time when coastal surveillance and maritime law enforcement are of increasing national importance. As Commander, he will be responsible for overseeing operations, safety, and strategic preparedness along India’s vast coastline. Mehrotra is known for his leadership skills and commitment to strengthening coastal defense mechanisms. His new role is expected to enhance the operational efficiency and coordination of the Indian Coast Guard.
Commander of the Indian Coast Guard. He brings with him extensive experience in maritime operations and coastal security. His appointment comes at a crucial time when coastal surveillance and maritime law enforcement are of increasing national importance. As Commander, he will be responsible for overseeing operations, safety, and strategic preparedness along India’s vast coastline. Mehrotra is known for his leadership skills and commitment to strengthening coastal defense mechanisms. His new role is expected to enhance the operational efficiency and coordination of the Indian Coast Guard.Foot notes:
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Designation: Although the exact position is unclear, a DIG Ashish Tellicherry is mentioned as the District Commander CGDHQ-16. It's uncertain if this refers to the same person, as there's a slight discrepancy in the surname.
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Operational Experience: Ashish Mehrotra has been involved in significant operations, including search and rescue missions. In 2014, he was mentioned as Commandant Joint Director (Ops & SAR).
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Rescue Operations: Under his involvement in operations, the Indian Coast Guard has conducted several rescue missions, including a notable joint rescue operation with forest personnel in Tugapur flood-affected areas in 2013.
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Administrative Role: As a senior officer, Ashish Mehrotra likely oversees administrative tasks, including managing coast guard stations and coordinating with other authorities.
2. President Appoints Justice Gavai As 52nd CJI Of India
The President of India has appointed Justice Gavai as the
52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). This marks a significant milestone in the Indian judiciary, as Justice Gavai brings decades of legal experience to the highest judicial office. He has previously served with distinction in various capacities within the judicial system. Known for his fairness and deep understanding of constitutional law, Justice Gavai is expected to uphold the integrity of the Supreme Court. His appointment reflects the government’s confidence in his ability to lead the judiciary during challenging times. As Chief Justice, he will play a crucial role in shaping key legal and constitutional decisions for the country.
52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). This marks a significant milestone in the Indian judiciary, as Justice Gavai brings decades of legal experience to the highest judicial office. He has previously served with distinction in various capacities within the judicial system. Known for his fairness and deep understanding of constitutional law, Justice Gavai is expected to uphold the integrity of the Supreme Court. His appointment reflects the government’s confidence in his ability to lead the judiciary during challenging times. As Chief Justice, he will play a crucial role in shaping key legal and constitutional decisions for the country.Foot notes:
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Background: Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai joined the bar in 1985 and practiced mainly in constitutional and administrative law.
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Judicial Experience: He was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, and has been part of several significant verdicts, including upholding the central government's 2016 demonetization decision and declaring the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional.
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Historic Significance: Justice Gavai's appointment marks a notable moment, as he becomes only the second Dalit judge to hold the position after Justice K G Balakrishnan.
3. IAS Vinod Kumar Gunjiyal Assumes Charge as the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar
IAS officer Vinod Kumar Gunjiyal has been appointed as the
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar by the Election Commission of India, ahead of the state's Assembly elections scheduled for October-November 2025. A 2007-batch officer from the Bihar cadre, Gunjiyal succeeds H R Srinivas, a 1996-batch IAS officer. Born on January 4, 1979, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout his administrative career, Gunjiyal has held several key positions, including Secretary of the Prohibition, Excise & Registration Department, where he was instrumental in strengthening regulatory frameworks and enhancing departmental efficiency.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar by the Election Commission of India, ahead of the state's Assembly elections scheduled for October-November 2025. A 2007-batch officer from the Bihar cadre, Gunjiyal succeeds H R Srinivas, a 1996-batch IAS officer. Born on January 4, 1979, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout his administrative career, Gunjiyal has held several key positions, including Secretary of the Prohibition, Excise & Registration Department, where he was instrumental in strengthening regulatory frameworks and enhancing departmental efficiency. Foot notes:
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Current Responsibilities: As CEO, he ensures the smooth conduct of elections, updates electoral rolls, and implements the Election Commission of India's directives.
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Background: Gunjiyal is a 2007-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, previously serving as Director of Student and Youth Affairs.
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Electoral Roll Updates: Under his supervision, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar, has been updating electoral rolls, including draft and final rolls with respect to specific dates.
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Transparency and Accessibility: The CEO's office provides information on various electoral processes, including voter registration, polling stations and election results, through its official website.
About Bihar:
CM: Nitish Kumar
Capital: Patna
Official languages: Urdu, Hindi
4. FTII Pune Declared 'Deemed to be University' by Union Ministry of Education
The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune has
been officially notified as an "Institution Deemed to be a University" by the Union Ministry of Education. This designation, granted under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, empowers FTII to award degrees, including doctoral programs, and to launch innovative academic courses in film and media studies. The move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to provide greater autonomy, flexibility, and academic excellence in specialized fields. With this new status, FTII will participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and integrate with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), enhancing its academic standing and facilitating credit transfers.
been officially notified as an "Institution Deemed to be a University" by the Union Ministry of Education. This designation, granted under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, empowers FTII to award degrees, including doctoral programs, and to launch innovative academic courses in film and media studies. The move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to provide greater autonomy, flexibility, and academic excellence in specialized fields. With this new status, FTII will participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and integrate with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), enhancing its academic standing and facilitating credit transfers.Foot notes:
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Autonomy Benefits: With this status, FTII can now award academic degrees, start new courses, and has enhanced scope for research, innovation, and international collaboration.
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Eligibility Criteria: FTII met strict benchmarks, including NAAC ‘A’ grade or NBA accreditation, to be considered for deemed university status.
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Course Upgrades: Existing post-graduate diploma and certificate programs will be upgraded to formal degree programs, boosting academic and global recognition of FTII qualifications.
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New Degree Programs: Details of new degree courses will be announced soon and published in the upcoming academic prospectus.
5. Kirthiga Reddy Launches ‘AI Kiran’ to Empower Indian Women in Artificial Intelligence
On April 21, 2025, coinciding with UN World Creativity and
Innovation Day, Kirthiga Reddy, former Managing Director of Facebook India and CEO & Co-founder of Verix, launched "AI Kiran," a national initiative aimed at empowering Indian women in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This platform seeks to address the underrepresentation of women in AI roles by providing mentorship, access to funding, and blockchain-verified recognition, thereby fostering a supportive ecosystem for women in AI. AI Kiran focuses on key sectors such as healthcare, education, sustainability, and enterprise technology, aiming to build a cross-functional, global AI community for women.
Innovation Day, Kirthiga Reddy, former Managing Director of Facebook India and CEO & Co-founder of Verix, launched "AI Kiran," a national initiative aimed at empowering Indian women in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This platform seeks to address the underrepresentation of women in AI roles by providing mentorship, access to funding, and blockchain-verified recognition, thereby fostering a supportive ecosystem for women in AI. AI Kiran focuses on key sectors such as healthcare, education, sustainability, and enterprise technology, aiming to build a cross-functional, global AI community for women.Foot notes:
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Objective: The initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in AI by providing women with skills, mentorship, and resources to thrive in the AI ecosystem.
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Key Features: AI Kiran offers mentorship, access to funding, blockchain-verified recognition, and cross-sector collaboration, focusing on domains like healthcare, education, and sustainability.
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Target Audience: The program is designed for women across all stages of life, including students, early-career professionals, and those seeking a career shift into tech.
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Global Impact: With India poised to become a global AI powerhouse, AI Kiran seeks to empower women to shape the ethical future of AI, contribute to policy-making, and develop inclusive technologies.
6. Viplav Kumar Choudhry appointed as Special Director of Enforcement in Directorate of Enforcement
Viplav Kumar Choudhry, a 1997-batch Indian Police Service
(IPS) officer from the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) . Prior to this appointment, Choudhry served as the Special Commissioner of Police (Vigilance) in the Delhi Police . These Special Directors are responsible for overseeing regional offices in cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Chandigarh, as well as special units at the ED headquarters in Delhi.
(IPS) officer from the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) . Prior to this appointment, Choudhry served as the Special Commissioner of Police (Vigilance) in the Delhi Police . These Special Directors are responsible for overseeing regional offices in cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Chandigarh, as well as special units at the ED headquarters in Delhi. Foot notes:
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Current Role: Before his appointment, Choudhry was serving as Special Commissioner of Police (CP) Vigilance in Delhi Police and had recently returned from central deputation after serving for seven years.
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Appointment Approval: The Department of Personnel & Training, Secretariat of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, approved his appointment, waiving the mandatory cooling-off period.
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Notification: The government notified his appointment on April 21, 2025, along with other officers, including T. Sankar, N. Padmanaban, Rajnish Dev Barman, and Manu Tentiwal.
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His new role places him among five senior officers recently appointed as Special Directors in the ED, a move that brings the agency's leadership to its full sanctioned strength of eight Special Directors .
7. LG Electronics India onboards Vantika Agrawal as brand ambassador
LG Electronics India has appointed Vantika Agrawal, a
distinguished Indian chess player, as its new brand ambassador. Agrawal, who holds the titles of Woman Grandmaster and International Master, has achieved significant milestones, including securing two gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest (2024) and receiving the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2025 .This collaboration reflects LG's commitment to aligning with individuals who exemplify excellence, strategic thinking, and a forward-looking mindset. Hong Ju Jeon, Managing Director of LG Electronics India, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that Agrawal's relentless pursuit of excellence mirrors LG's dedication to innovation and improving consumer lives .
distinguished Indian chess player, as its new brand ambassador. Agrawal, who holds the titles of Woman Grandmaster and International Master, has achieved significant milestones, including securing two gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest (2024) and receiving the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2025 .This collaboration reflects LG's commitment to aligning with individuals who exemplify excellence, strategic thinking, and a forward-looking mindset. Hong Ju Jeon, Managing Director of LG Electronics India, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that Agrawal's relentless pursuit of excellence mirrors LG's dedication to innovation and improving consumer lives .Foot notes:
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Achievements: She's a three-time Chess Olympiad gold medalist, including two golds at the 45th Chess Olympiad in 2024, and a silver medalist at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
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Partnership Significance: The partnership underscores LG Electronics India's commitment to empowering young achievers and enhancing lives through innovative products.
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Brand Alignment: Vantika's relentless pursuit of excellence and forward-thinking mindset align with LG's values and aspirations for a new, ambitious India.
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LG's "Life's Good" Promise: Vantika resonates with LG's brand promise, emphasizing creating a better quality of life for all, reflecting her own journey of continuous learning and evolution.
About LG:
CEO: Jo Seong-Jin
Founded: 1947
Headquarters: South Korea
8. IndusInd Bank CEO Sumant Kathpalia Resigns
IndusInd Bank CEO Sumant Kathpalia has officially resigned
from his position. His resignation comes after serving the bank in a key leadership role for several years. Under his tenure, the bank saw steady growth and expansion across various financial sectors. The resignation has been submitted to the board and is currently under review. The bank is expected to initiate the process of appointing a new CEO soon. Kathpalia’s exit marks a significant change in the bank’s leadership landscape.
from his position. His resignation comes after serving the bank in a key leadership role for several years. Under his tenure, the bank saw steady growth and expansion across various financial sectors. The resignation has been submitted to the board and is currently under review. The bank is expected to initiate the process of appointing a new CEO soon. Kathpalia’s exit marks a significant change in the bank’s leadership landscape.Foot notes:
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Accounting Lapses: The lapses resulted in a loss of nearly ₹2,000 crore, prompting the bank to seek approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to constitute a committee of executives to oversee CEO duties temporarily.
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Investigation: Grant Thornton, appointed by the bank to investigate the discrepancies, identified incorrect accounting of internal derivatives trades as the root cause of the issue.
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Tenure: Kathpalia's term as MD & CEO was recently extended by one year by the RBI in March 2025, despite the bank's board clearing him for a three-year extension.
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Career Background: Kathpalia, a chartered accountant, joined IndusInd Bank in 2008 and was instrumental in developing the bank's consumer loans portfolio. He took over as MD & CEO in March 2020.
About IndusInd Bank:
Senior Vice President: Vishal Ukarde
Founded: 1994
Headquarters: Mumbai
9. World Veterinary Day is observed on 30th April
World Veterinary Day is observed every year on 30th April to
recognize and celebrate the crucial role veterinarians play in animal health, public health, and environmental protection. The day highlights the dedication of veterinary professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of animals and prevent zoonotic diseases. It also aims to raise awareness about the importance of animal care in maintaining food safety and global health. Various events, seminars, and outreach programs are organized worldwide to honor veterinary contributions. Each year, the day is observed with a specific theme that addresses a current challenge or goal in the veterinary field. The celebration fosters collaboration between animal health workers, governments, and the public to build a healthier future for both animals and humans.
recognize and celebrate the crucial role veterinarians play in animal health, public health, and environmental protection. The day highlights the dedication of veterinary professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of animals and prevent zoonotic diseases. It also aims to raise awareness about the importance of animal care in maintaining food safety and global health. Various events, seminars, and outreach programs are organized worldwide to honor veterinary contributions. Each year, the day is observed with a specific theme that addresses a current challenge or goal in the veterinary field. The celebration fosters collaboration between animal health workers, governments, and the public to build a healthier future for both animals and humans.Foot notes:
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Purpose: The day recognizes the crucial role veterinarians play in animal health, public health, and environmental protection.
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Theme: Each year, World Veterinary Day has a specific theme, highlighting various aspects of veterinary work, such as promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession.
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Global Impact: Veterinarians contribute to global health by ensuring food safety, controlling zoonotic diseases, and promoting animal welfare.
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Veterinary Profession: The day acknowledges the dedication and hard work of veterinarians worldwide, who often work behind the scenes to protect animal and human health.
10. PR Sreejesh, coach of the Indian Junior Men’s Team, honoured with Padma Bhushan award
PR Sreejesh, the former Indian hockey goalkeeper and
current coach of the Indian Men's Junior Hockey Team, has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, for his outstanding contributions to sports. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 28, 2025. Sreejesh's illustrious career includes 336 international caps and pivotal roles in securing bronze medals for India at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. Notably, he is the only hockey goalkeeper globally to have won the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award three times. Following his retirement after the Paris Olympics, Sreejesh transitioned to coaching, leading the Indian junior team to victory at the Junior Asia Cup in November 2024.
current coach of the Indian Men's Junior Hockey Team, has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, for his outstanding contributions to sports. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 28, 2025. Sreejesh's illustrious career includes 336 international caps and pivotal roles in securing bronze medals for India at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. Notably, he is the only hockey goalkeeper globally to have won the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award three times. Following his retirement after the Paris Olympics, Sreejesh transitioned to coaching, leading the Indian junior team to victory at the Junior Asia Cup in November 2024.Foot notes:
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Award Ceremony: PR Sreejesh received the Padma Bhushan award from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 27, 2025.
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Second Hockey Player: Sreejesh is only the second hockey player after Major Dhyan Chand to receive the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honor, with Major Dhyan Chand receiving it in 1956.
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Career Highlights: Sreejesh had an illustrious 18-year international career, earning 336 caps for India and winning numerous accolades, including the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award three times (2021, 2022, and 2024).
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Current Role: Sreejesh is currently the coach of the Indian Junior Men's Team, leading them to a memorable Junior Asia Cup title win in November 2024.
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Achievements: He won two Asian Games gold medals (2014 and 2022), an Asian Games bronze medal (2018), and two Commonwealth Games silver medals (2014 and 2022).
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