Stay updated with the 5th April 2025 Top Current Affairs for Judiciary Exams, covering the passing of veteran actor Manoj Kumar at 87, RPF’s integration with DoT’s CEIR portal for lost mobile recovery, Haryana’s road safety pact with IIT-Madras, Sohini Rajola’s appointment at NPCI, and more. These events are crucial for Judiciary, APO, and JLO aspirants preparing for 2025 exams, offering insights into legal, social, and technological developments.
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Introduction
Keeping up with the 5th April 2025 Top Current Affairs is essential for Judiciary, APO, and JLO aspirants preparing for 2025 exams, as these events often form the basis of general awareness questions in prelims, mains essays, and interview discussions. Today’s updates include the passing of veteran actor Manoj Kumar at 87, RPF’s integration with DoT’s CEIR portal for lost mobile recovery, Haryana’s road safety pact with IIT-Madras, Sohini Rajola’s appointment at NPCI, Assam’s Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, India’s 21-point action plan at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, Air India’s AirTag baggage tracking, India’s rank in the UNCTAD Frontier Technologies Readiness Index, Sivasubramanian Ramann as PFRDA Chairperson, and India Post’s MoU with Nippon India Mutual Fund. This blog provides a detailed overview of these developments, offering key insights for your exam preparation.
1. Veteran Actor Manoj Kumar Passes Away at 87
On April 3, 2025, veteran Bollywood actor and director Manoj Kumar passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital around 3:30 AM, as confirmed by his son Kunal Goswami. He had been battling age-related health issues for a long time and was hospitalized for several weeks prior to his passing.
Notable Contributions to Indian Cinema
- Born as Harikrishan Goswami in 1937 in Punjab, Manoj Kumar rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with his impactful performances in patriotic films.
- His notable works include Shaheed, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, and Kranti, earning him the nickname “Bharat Kumar” for his consistent portrayal of nationalistic themes.
- His films ignited a spirit of national pride, as noted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who paid tribute to his legacy (Posts on X).
Prestigious Awards and Honours
- Padma Shri (1992): India’s fourth-highest civilian award, recognizing his contributions to the arts.
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2015): The highest award in Indian cinema, honoring his lifetime achievements in filmmaking.
Public Sentiment
- Posts on X reflect a deep sense of loss, with users like @madversity calling him “independent India’s greatest nationalist filmmaker” for blending traditional social harmony with modern secularism, and @smritiirani praising his work for stirring “the soul of a nation” through films like Upkar and Purab Aur Paschim.
2. RPF Integrates with DoT’s CEIR Portal for Lost Mobile Recovery
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has integrated with the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to enhance passenger security and assist in recovering lost or stolen mobile phones across India’s railway network.
CEIR Portal: A Key Digital Tool
- The CEIR portal allows users to block the IMEI number of lost/stolen phones, rendering them unusable, and facilitates tracking through coordination with telecom operators.
- A pilot project launched by RPF in May 2024 in the Northeast Frontier Railway successfully recovered several mobile phones and identified culprits, leading to the nationwide rollout.
Nationwide Benefits for Railway Passengers
- Passengers can report lost/stolen phones via the Rail Madad platform (online or by dialing 139).
- If an FIR is not filed, RPF’s Zonal Cyber Cells will register the complaint on the CEIR portal, block the IMEI number, and track the device.
- Once detected with a new SIM, RPF will facilitate recovery and return the phone to its rightful owner.
RPF’s Operation Amanat
- Under Operation Amanat, RPF recovered passenger belongings worth ₹84.03 crore between January 2024 and February 2025, benefiting over 1.15 lakh passengers.
- The CEIR integration is expected to further strengthen this initiative by speeding up mobile recovery and deterring theft.
Significance
- This move enhances digital assistance for railway passengers, aligning with India’s push for digital governance and passenger safety, a topic relevant for mains essays on technological interventions in public safety.
3. Haryana Signs Two-Year Pact with IIT-Madras for Road Safety
The Haryana Government has signed a two-year agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to implement data-driven road safety interventions, announced in the presence of Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi and Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian, Head of the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) at IIT-Madras.
Use of ‘Sanjaya’ Platform
- The partnership leverages the ‘Sanjaya’ platform, previously launched in Haryana, to visualize accident data and plan targeted safety interventions.
- The platform uses data analytics to identify high-risk areas and propose tech-driven solutions to reduce accidents.
Key Measures and Policy Decisions
- Trauma Centers: Rastogi directed the Transport and Health Departments to upgrade trauma centers near highways for faster emergency response.
- 5 Es of Road Safety: The initiative focuses on Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Emergency Care, and Empathy as foundational principles for policy planning.
- Overspeeding Control: With overspeeding as a major cause of fatalities, the government is enhancing CCTV-based monitoring and e-challaning on major highways.
- Emergency Response: Emphasis on quick hospital transfers, inter-department coordination, and police training to improve response times.
Cashless Treatment Policy
- Haryana launched a cashless treatment policy offering up to ₹1.5 lakh for 7 days to road accident victims, provided the police are informed within 24 hours of the incident.
Decline in Fatalities
- Officials reported a declining trend in road accident deaths in Haryana since 2022, reflecting the effectiveness of ongoing safety measures.
Significance
- This collaboration highlights the role of technology in public safety, a potential topic for mains essays on data-driven governance and road safety.
4. Sohini Rajola Appointed Executive Director – Growth at NPCI
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has appointed Sohini Rajola as the Executive Director – Growth, marking a significant leadership development in India’s apex payments body.
Role and Responsibilities
- Rajola will focus on enhancing adoption of NPCI’s payment solutions, driving product improvements, business development, and strategic partnerships.
- Her expertise will help build alliances with banks, fintechs, and regulators to expand NPCI’s reach.
Professional Background
- Rajola previously served as Asia-Pacific Regional Head at Western Union and Head of Digital Banking and Cards at Axis Bank, bringing extensive experience in digital banking and financial services.
About NPCI
- Established: 2008
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Non-Exe Chairman: Ajay Kumar Choudhary
- MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe
- Promoted by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) & Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)
- Type: Not-for-profit organization under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013
- Objective: Develop a robust, efficient, and inclusive retail payment and settlement system in India.
- Key Products/Platforms:
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface): Real-time payment system for instant money transfers.
- RuPay: Indigenous card payment network.
- BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money): UPI-based payment app.
- IMPS (Immediate Payment Service): 24×7 interbank money transfer.
- NACH (National Automated Clearing House): For bulk transactions like subsidies and salaries.
- AePS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System): Banking via Aadhaar authentication.
- FASTag: Toll payment system using RFID.
UPI’s Record Performance
- In March 2025, UPI recorded a transaction value of ₹24.77 trillion and a volume of 19.78 billion, reflecting its growing dominance in digital payments.
Significance
- Rajola’s appointment underscores NPCI’s focus on digital transformation, a key area for prelims questions on financial technology and digital governance.
5. Assam Launches Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan for Women Entrepreneurs
The Government of Assam launched the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, a scheme to promote self-employment and micro-level entrepreneurship among rural women across the state.
Financial Support Over Three Years
- Year 1: ₹10,000 seed capital.
- Year 2: ₹25,000 support (₹12,500 loan + ₹12,500 government grant), based on proper utilization.
- Year 3: ₹50,000 grant after successful evaluation.
- The progressive support system aims to foster sustainable business practices.
Launch Details
- Launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Behali in Biswanath district.
- Initially, 23,375 women received the first instalment, primarily involved in agriculture, livestock, and micro-enterprises.
Target Beneficiaries
- The scheme aims to benefit 30 lakh women across Assam in phases, promoting grassroots entrepreneurship and rural economic development.
Significance
- This initiative highlights women empowerment and rural development, a potential topic for mains essays on social welfare schemes.
6. India Unveils 21-Point Action Plan at 6th BIMSTEC Summit
At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok on April 3, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 21-point action plan to strengthen regional cooperation under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
Boost to Economic Integration
- PM Modi proposed a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce, an annual BIMSTEC Business Summit, and a feasibility study for trade in local currencies to enhance regional trade and investment.
Digital and Technological Collaboration
- India urged BIMSTEC to leverage the IT sector and proposed sharing its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model.
- PM Modi called for integrating India’s UPI with regional payment systems to boost financial connectivity.
Disaster Management and Preparedness
- Following the recent Myanmar-Thailand earthquake, India announced the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India.
- India will host the 4th Joint Disaster Management Exercise later in 2025.
Space and Security Cooperation
- Initiatives include the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting, training via ground stations, nano-satellite launches, and remote sensing data for regional development.
Capacity Building and Human Resource Development
- BODHI Initiative: 300 youths from BIMSTEC countries will be trained annually in India.
- Scholarships at Forest Research Institute and Nalanda University, cancer care training at Tata Memorial Centre, and a research centre for farmers.
Youth Engagement and Sports
- BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit, a regional hackathon, and the Young Professionals Visitors Programme.
- India will host the BIMSTEC Athletics Meet in 2025 and the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027.
Energy and Connectivity
- The BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru is now functional, offering training in the energy sector.
- PM Modi urged progress on regional electric grid interconnections under the ‘One World, One Sun, One Grid’ initiative.
Cultural and Maritime Cooperation
- BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in India to enhance people-to-people ties.
- A Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre for research, innovation, and policy coordination.
India’s Leadership in BIMSTEC
- Established in 1997, BIMSTEC gained momentum after the 2016 Goa Retreat hosted by PM Modi.
- India’s initiatives, like Operation Brahma post-Myanmar earthquake, have strengthened BIMSTEC’s unity.
Significance
- The 21-point action plan reflects India’s commitment to regional integration, a key topic for mains essays on international relations.
7. Air India Becomes First Indian Airline to Partner with Apple for AirTag-Based Baggage Tracking
Air India has become the first Indian airline to partner with Apple Inc. to enable AirTag-based baggage tracking, integrating Apple’s ‘Find My’ network with its baggage tracking system.
New Feature for Tracking Lost Baggage
- Apple device users can locate lost luggage using the ‘Share Item Location’ feature (introduced in 2023) on the Find My app (iPhone, iPad, Mac).
- Users generate a link to share real-time location data with Air India, which updates on a live map with timestamps.
Global Integration
- Air India joins global carriers like British Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Air Canada in integrating AirTag support.
Process for Reporting Lost Baggage
- Report at the Air India Baggage Counter at the airport.
- Staff files a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
- User generates a ‘Share Item Location’ link via the Find My app.
- Submit the link through the Air India mobile app or website under ‘Lost and Found Check-in Baggage’.
- Receive a confirmation email with a link to monitor baggage status (active for 7 days or until baggage is returned).
Significance
- This initiative enhances customer satisfaction and baggage security through IoT and real-time tracking, a potential topic for prelims questions on technological advancements.
8. India Ranks 36th in UN Frontier Technologies Readiness Index 2024
India has ranked 36th out of 170 countries in the ‘Readiness for Frontier Technologies’ Index released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its 2025 Technology and Innovation Report, improving from 48th in 2022.
Index Parameters and India’s Performance
- Indicators: ICT deployment, skills, R&D activity, industrial capacity, access to finance.
- India’s Rankings:
- ICT Deployment: 99th
- Skills: 113th
- R&D Activity: 3rd
- Industrial Capacity: 10th
- Finance Access: 70th
- India showed improvement in human capital indicators like higher education and high-skill employment, alongside countries like Bhutan and Morocco.
India Among Top Developing Nations
- India, Brazil, China, and the Philippines are recognized as developing nations outperforming their income levels in technological readiness, particularly in AI adoption.
India in the Global AI Landscape
- India ranks among countries with scientific strength in AI, alongside China, Germany, UK, and USA.
- In AI private investment, India ranks 10th with USD 1.4 billion in 2023, behind China (USD 7.8 billion) and USA (USD 67 billion).
Concerns and Opportunities
- AI Impact: AI could impact 40% of global jobs, increasing inequality due to automation.
- Opportunities: AI can create new industries and empower workers with reskilling and upskilling.
India’s Position in Tech Infrastructure
- India ranks in the top 10 economies for cloud infrastructure services, alongside Brazil and Singapore.
- India is second globally in GitHub developers, following the USA and ahead of China.
Top 5 Countries in the Index
- 1st: United States
- 2nd: Sweden
- 3rd: Singapore
- 4th: Switzerland
- 5th: Netherlands
Significance
- India’s ranking reflects its growing technological prowess, a key topic for prelims questions on global indices.
9. Sivasubramanian Ramann Appointed as New PFRDA Chairperson
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appointed Sivasubramanian Ramann as the new Chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) for a five-year term or until he reaches 65 years of age.
Professional Background
- Ramann, a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), currently serves as Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) and Chief Technology Officer at the CAG’s office.
- He holds a Master’s degree in Financial Regulation from the London School of Economics (LSE) and an MBA from Delhi University.
- Previously, he was Chairman and Managing Director of SIDBI (2021-2024) and MD & CEO of National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL).
About PFRDA
- Established: Under the PFRDA Act, 2013
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- Ministry: Ministry of Finance
- Function: Regulates and develops India’s pension sector.
- Key Schemes: National Pension System (NPS), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and the Unified Pension System (UPS) (effective April 1, 2025).
- Key Functions:
- Regulate pension funds.
- Promote retirement savings.
- Ensure transparency in pension operations.
- Protect NPS subscribers’ interests.
Significance
- Ramann’s appointment comes at a time when the government is focusing on pension reforms, a potential topic for prelims questions on financial governance.
10. India Post Signs MoU with Nippon India Mutual Fund for Door-to-Door KYC Services
The Department of Posts (DoP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nippon India Mutual Fund to offer door-to-door KYC verification services for mutual fund investors across India.
Objective of the Partnership
- Simplify and digitize the KYC process, ensuring convenience, compliance, and security for investors, especially in rural and remote areas.
Key Highlights
- The MoU was signed by Ms. Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager, Business Development Directorate, DoP, and Mr. Sundeep Sikka, ED & CEO, Nippon Life India Asset Management Ltd.
- Benefits senior citizens and rural investors who face difficulties visiting financial institutions.
- Aligns with the Government of India’s Jan Nivesh programme for financial inclusion.
India Post’s Role
- India Post has completed over 5 lakh KYC verifications for UTI and SUUTI.
- Its extensive network makes it ideal for expanding mutual fund reach in remote regions.
Significance
- This initiative promotes financial inclusion and investment literacy, a potential topic for mains essays on economic empowerment.
Relevance for Judiciary, APO, and JLO Aspirants
The 5th April 2025 Top Current Affairs provide valuable insights for Judiciary, APO, and JLO aspirants preparing for 2025 exams:
- Prelims: Focus on factual details like Manoj Kumar’s awards (Padma Shri, Dadasaheb Phalke), RPF’s CEIR integration, Haryana’s Sanjaya platform, UPI’s March 2025 transaction value (₹24.77 trillion), and India’s 36th rank in the UNCTAD Index.
- Mains: Analyze broader themes such as cultural heritage (Manoj Kumar), digital governance (RPF, Air India), road safety (Haryana-IIT Madras), women empowerment (Assam scheme), and regional cooperation (BIMSTEC).
- Interviews: Discuss the implications of these events on social welfare, technological advancements, financial inclusion, and international relations, showcasing a well-rounded understanding of contemporary issues.
Conclusion
The 5th April 2025 Top Current Affairs offer a comprehensive overview of key events for Judiciary, APO, and JLO aspirants, including the passing of Manoj Kumar, RPF’s CEIR integration, Haryana’s road safety pact with IIT-Madras, Sohini Rajola’s appointment at NPCI, Assam’s women entrepreneurship scheme, India’s 21-point action plan at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, Air India’s AirTag baggage tracking, India’s 36th rank in the UNCTAD Frontier Technologies Readiness Index, Sivasubramanian Ramann’s role at PFRDA, and India Post’s MoU with Nippon India Mutual Fund. These events provide critical insights into cultural heritage, digital governance, social welfare, technological advancements, and international cooperation, helping candidates excel in prelims, mains, and interviews. Stay updated and integrate these developments into your preparation to succeed in your 2025 exams!
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FAQs
Which organization partnered with India Post for door-to-door KYC services?
India Post partnered with Nippon India Mutual Fund to provide KYC services for mutual fund investors.
Which veteran Bollywood actor passed away at 87 on April 3, 2025?
Manoj Kumar, known for patriotic films like Shaheed and Kranti, passed away at 87.
What digital portal has the RPF integrated with for lost mobile recovery?
The RPF integrated with the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal to help passengers recover lost/stolen phones.
Which state signed a two-year pact with IIT-Madras for road safety interventions?
Haryana signed the pact to implement data-driven road safety measures using the Sanjaya platform.
Who was appointed as the Executive Director – Growth at NPCI in 2025?
Sohini Rajola was appointed to the role at NPCI.
What is the name of Assam’s women entrepreneurship scheme launched in 2025?
The scheme is called Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, targeting 30 lakh women.
What digital payment system did PM Modi propose at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit?
PM Modi proposed integrating India’s UPI with regional payment systems.
Which Indian airline first partnered with Apple for AirTag baggage tracking?
Air India became the first to integrate Apple’s AirTag with its baggage tracking system.
What is India’s rank in the UNCTAD Frontier Technologies Readiness Index 2024?
India ranked 36th out of 170 countries, improving from 48th in 2022.
Who was appointed as the new Chairperson of PFRDA in 2025?
Sivasubramanian Ramann was appointed as the PFRDA Chairperson for a five-year term.
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