19th April, 2025 Current Affairs
Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
Government Announced Pilot Program of ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System
- The government has announced a pilot implementation of a more advanced ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System at selected toll plazas.
- The Ministry clarifies that there is no plan to replace FASTag with satellite tolling starting 1st May 2025
- A new system combining Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and the existing FASTag (RFID) system is set to be piloted at selected locations.
- The new method enables seamless travel without stopping at toll plazas, as cameras and readers will auto-detect and deduct toll.
Centre Notifies Radar Speed Measurement Equipment Rules under Legal Metrology Act
- To strengthen road safety and ensure fair enforcement of traffic rules, the Department of Consumer Affairs has officially notified rules for the use of radar equipment for measuring the speed of vehicles under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. These rules will take effect from 1st July 2025, allowing adequate time for industries and law enforcement agencies to prepare for compliance.
- Prevents wrongful fines and boosts public confidence in traffic enforcement mechanisms.
- Promotes domestic manufacturing and increases export competitiveness by aligning with global norms.
- Certified equipment enhances operational effectiveness, credibility, and evidence-based enforcement.
INTERNATIONAL
Military Leader Wins Presidential Election in Gabon
- General Brice Oligui Nguema won Gabon’s presidential election, securing over 90% of the vote, and reaffirming his control over the Central African nation. This victory follows a military coup in 2023, which saw Nguema overthrow the long-standing Bongo dynasty that had ruled Gabon for decades.
- Despite his promise to relinquish power after the coup, Nguema ran in the election under a new electoral code that allowed military officers to contest, eventually winning the presidency. Gabon, an oil-rich country with significant mineral resources, remains plagued by inequality and high corruption, which Nguema must now address during his seven-year term.
India takes part in Africa’s largest tech and startup show GITEX Africa 2025
- Africa’s largest tech and startup show, GITEX provides platform for policy leaders, changemakers and visionaries to collectively discuss and deliberate on the opportunities to collaborate and further the imperative of inclusive and equitable growth of the global economy. The three-day event just concluded at Morocco capital Marrakesh.
- India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has driven transformative changes across areas, especially through developments of digital identity (Aadhaar), digital payments (UPI), e-commerce (ONDC), and healthcare. And we are increasingly integrating advanced technologies – AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and digital infrastructure – into our skilling ecosystem. Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), a digital public infrastructure for the skilling ecosystem has onboarded more than one crore users in over one and a half years. These are areas, rich with potential, for collaboration with our African partners and we can collectively grow our economies through sustained partnerships
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ECONOMY
Agreement Signed As India to Host International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Headquarters
- India’s global leadership in wildlife conservation, the Government of India signed a formal agreement with the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to host its headquarters and secretariat. This agreement signifies India’s commitment to protecting the world’s seven major big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
- The IBCA, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023 during the golden jubilee celebrations of Project Tiger, aims to foster global cooperation for conservation, research, and habitat preservation of these endangered species.
- Launched by PM Modi in April 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
- Focus: Global conservation of seven big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
Published date : 19 Apr 2025 05:15PM