Current Affairs April 2025 for UPSC Exam: Week 4
Current Affairs April 2025: K2-18 b Biosignatures, Fast-Breeder Reactor, Pahalgam Attack, Simla Agreement, Green Bonds
Ace your UPSC, SSC, and Banking exams with our Current Affairs April 2025 guide, covering groundbreaking discoveries and critical developments. This month, dive into the detection of biosignatures on exoplanet K2-18 b, India’s first Fast-Breeder Reactor, the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan’s suspension of the Simla Agreement, and Ghaziabad’s pioneering Green Municipal Bonds. Download our free PDF and take our quiz to boost your exam preparation!
1. K2-18 b Biosignatures: Exam-Relevant Discovery
Overview
On 18 April 2025, Cambridge scientists, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), detected dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b, gases linked to marine phytoplankton on Earth. This builds on earlier findings of methane and carbon dioxide, sparking interest in potential habitability.
Discovery Details
- Concentration: DMS and DMDS levels on K2-18 b are thousands of times higher than Earth’s (>10 parts per million vs. <1 part per billion).
- Transit Method: JWST observed a drop in stellar brightness during K2-18 b’s transit, analyzing starlight filtered through its atmosphere.
- Hycean Exoplanet: K2-18 b may be an ocean-covered world with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, potentially habitable.
- Accuracy Debate: Observations reached three-sigma significance (0.3% chance of being random), but Oxford’s Jake Taylor’s analysis on 25 April 2025 found no clear gas signatures using a simpler method.
About K2-18 b
- Characteristics: 8.6 times Earth’s mass, 2.6 times its diameter, 120 light-years away in Leo.
- Orbit: Orbits a cool dwarf star (K2-18) in the habitable zone, potentially supporting liquid water.
About JWST
- Launch: 2021, a NASA-ESA-CSA collaboration to study the early universe, stars, and planets.
- Position: Orbits the Sun at the second Lagrange point (L2), 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.
Exam Tip: Focus on K2-18 b’s biosignatures and JWST’s role for UPSC science and technology questions. Explore our Updates for more. Source: NASA JWST.
2. India’s First Fast-Breeder Reactor: Nuclear Energy Milestone
Overview
India’s first 500 MWe Fast-Breeder Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is set for commissioning by 2026, advancing the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear power program.
About FBR
- Genesis: Managed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), established in 2003, following Stage 1 by NPCIL.
- Functioning: Uses Uranium-Plutonium MOX fuel and liquid sodium coolant; a Uranium-238 “blanket” produces more fuel via transmutation.
- Capacity: Produces 500 MWe, enhancing India’s energy security.
Significance
- Third Stage: Enables Thorium-232 conversion to Uranium-233 for Stage 3, leveraging India’s vast thorium reserves.
- Global Standing: India joins Russia as the second nation with a commercial FBR.
- Waste Reduction: Utilizes spent fuel from Stage 1, minimizing nuclear waste.
- Energy Security: Supports India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.
India’s Nuclear Program
- Three-Stage Plan: Devised by Dr. Homi J. Bhabha in the 1950s to maximize limited uranium and vast thorium reserves.
- Stage 1: Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural uranium.
- Stage 2: FBRs using plutonium from Stage 1.
- Stage 3: Thorium-based reactors for sustainable energy.
Exam Tip: Note the three-stage nuclear program and thorium’s role for UPSC science and energy questions. Check our Updates for more. Source: BHAVINI.
3. Pahalgam Terror Attack: Security Challenges in J&K
Overview
On 22 April 2025, a terror attack in Baisaran Meadows, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 civilians, including Hindu tourists, a Christian tourist, and a local Muslim. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility, citing opposition to non-local settlement policies, though they later retracted. Planned by LeT commander Saifullah Kasuri, the attack was the deadliest since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Reasons for Persistent Terrorism in J&K
- State-Sponsored Terrorism: Allegations of Pakistan providing safe havens, logistics, and training to LeT, with ISI involvement.
- Porous Borders: Rugged Line of Control terrain enables militant infiltration; attackers crossed days before the strike.
- Religious and Ethnic Tensions: Terror groups exploit communal divides among Muslims, Hindus, and tribal groups.
- Over Ground Workers (OGWs): Locals aiding militancy; over 2,500 OGWs detained post-attack.
India’s Response
- Immediate Actions: Joint operation by Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and J&K Police detained 1,500+ suspects. NIA linked the attack to Pakistan-based operatives.
- Diplomatic Measures: India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, closed the Attari border, and expelled Pakistani officials.
- Counter-Terrorism: Strengthened Operation All-Out (2017) to target LeT and JeM commanders.
- Governance: Expanded Back to Village program and skill schemes (Himayat, Udaan) to reduce alienation.
Way Forward
- Border Security: Implement Madhukar Gupta Committee recommendations for better infrastructure.
- Political Empowerment: Strengthen local governance to reduce alienation.
- Community Engagement: Expand Village Defence Guards and counter-radicalization efforts.
Exam Tip: Source: The Hindu.
4. Pakistan Suspends Simla Agreement: India-Pakistan Tensions
Overview
On 24 April 2025, Pakistan suspended the 1972 Simla Agreement in response to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the Pahalgam terror attack, escalating India-Pakistan tensions.
Background
- Simla Agreement: Signed on 2 July 1972 by Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto after the 1971 India-Pakistan War, which created Bangladesh.
- Purpose: Established bilateral dispute resolution and normalized relations.
Key Highlights of Simla Agreement
- Bilateral Resolution: Disputes to be resolved through negotiations, excluding third-party intervention, per the UN Charter.
- Line of Control (LoC): Redesignated the 1971 ceasefire line in J&K as the LoC, to be respected.
- Normalization: Resumed communications, border posts, travel, trade, and cultural exchanges.
Outcomes
- Diplomatic Recognition: Facilitated Pakistan’s recognition of Bangladesh.
- Prisoner Release: Released 93,000 Pakistani POWs.
- Territorial Adjustments: India returned 13,000 km² of land, retaining 883 km² in Ladakh’s Chorbat Valley.
Current Implications
- Escalation: Pakistan’s suspension, alongside closing the Wagah border and suspending SAARC visas, risks increased LoC tensions and third-party involvement.
- Geopolitical Impact: Undermines bilateral dispute resolution, affecting regional stability.
Exam Tip: Note the Simla Agreement’s provisions and implications for UPSC IR and polity questions. Check our Current Affairs Section for updates. Source:Curre Drishti IAS.
5. Ghaziabad’s Green Municipal Bonds: Sustainable Finance
Overview
On 30 April 2025, Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam issued India’s first certified Green Municipal Bonds (GMB) under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, raising ₹150 crore for a Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP) to provide reusable water for industrial use.
Project Details
- TSTP: Developed under the Public-Private Hybrid Annuity Model (PPP-HAM), with 40% municipal funding.
- Purpose: Treats sewage to high standards for industrial reuse, reducing water scarcity.
Green Municipal Bonds
- Definition: Non-convertible debt securities issued by municipal bodies (per Article 243W) to fund eco-friendly projects (World Bank).
- Focus: Supports climate mitigation, adaptation, and low-carbon initiatives.
- Examples: Funds for solar projects, waste management, and water treatment.
Significance
- Sustainability: Aligns with investor focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors.
- Cost-Effective: Offers lower-cost, long-term capital compared to bank loans.
- Investor Base: Expands funding beyond traditional domestic loans, attracting green investors.
Exam Tip: Understand Green Bonds’ role in sustainable finance for UPSC environment and economy questions. Explore our Current Affairs Section for more. Source: World Bank.
Additional Resources for Exam Preparation
- Related Topics: Explore our Science & Technology, Security Issues, and Sustainable Development sections for exam-relevant content.
Stay Updated: Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly current affairs updates and exam tips tailored for competitive exams.
Don’t miss out! Learn how student chapters can provide networking opportunities and professional growth. Click to read and join our WhatsApp community!
Not sure which career to choose? Our professionals can guide you. Book your counselling session now on Mytagapp.com!
