Current Affairs 18 & 19 May 2025

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 18 & 19 May 2025, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2025 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

PLFS Monthly Bulletin – April 2025 : Unemployment Rate at 5.1% In May 2025, the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the inaugural Monthly Bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for April 2025. As per the data, the Unemployment Rate(UR) at the national level for individuals aged 15 years and above was recorded at 5.1% in April 2025.

• The release signifies a major shift in employment monitoring, transitioning from previously published quarterly and annual data to a more frequent monthly reporting format.
• The data is based on the Current Weekly Status (CWS) methodology, which considers the previous seven days as the reference period for measuring employment indicators.

i.To enhance the frequency and coverage of labour force data, MoSPI has revamped the PLFS methodology effective January 2025. Key changes include:
ii.The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Current Weekly Status (CWS) among persons of age 15 years and above was 55.6% during April,2025.
iii.Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in CWS for persons of age 15 years and above at the national level stood at 52.8% in April 2025.
About the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI):
Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) – Rao Inderjit Singh   (Constituency – Gurgaon, Haryana)
>> Read Full News

Rajasthan’s traditional ‘Sangri’ Bean Received GI Tag DistinctionIn May 2025, Chennai (TN)-based Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag in the agricultural products category to Rajasthan’s traditional ‘Sangri’, the slender bean that adds unique flavor in food and is staple in every Rajasthani kitchen.
About Sangri:
i.Sangri grows on the Khejri tree (scientific name: Prosopis cineraria), which is popularly known as the “Wonder of the Thar Desert” as it thrives  in the harsh desert climate.

• Khejri tree (Prosopis cineraria) is state tree of Rajasthan.

ii.Traditionally, Sangri is savored in a signature Rajasthani dish called ‘Kher Sangri’, a tangy and aromatic dish made from the dried beans of Sangri which are slow-cooked with regional spices and curd.
iii.It is commonly found in western arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Jaisalmer and Barmer.
iv.In January 2025, Bikaner (Rajasthan)-based Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University(SKRAU) had filed an application with the GIR office and requested a GI Tag for Khejri Sangri.
Points to Note:

• Darjeeling Tea holds the distinction of being the first Indian product to receive a GI tag.
• As of May 2025, Uttar Pradesh(UP) holds the distinction of having the highest number of GI tags among Indian states, with a total of 77 GI-certified products.

About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
i.GI tag indicates that a product have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation inherent to that location.
ii.GI tags in India, are administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force on September 15, 2003.
iii.It provides legal protection to GI-tagged products in India and prevents their unauthorized use by others.
iv.The registration of GI is valid for a period of 10 years from date of registration and can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.
About Geographical Indication Registry (GIR):
Headquarters- Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)
Established– 2003
About Rajasthan:
Chief Minister (CM) – Bhajan Lal Sharma
Governor- Haribhau Kishanrao Bagade
Capital – Jaipur
National Parks (NPs)- Ranthambore NP, Keoladeo NP

ASI in Collaboration with WMFI & TCS Foundation Restored Rajon ki BaoliIn May 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture (MoC) in collaboration the World Monuments Fund India (WMFI) and Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Tata Consultancy Services (TCS foundation), has successfully restored a 16th century old step well, ‘Rajon ki Baoli’ located at Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Jamali Kamali in New Delhi (Delhi).

• This restoration project was a part of WMFI’s Historic Water System of India initiative, funded by TCS Foundation. Also, the project is in alignment with the World Monuments Fund(WMF)’s Climate Heritage initiative.
• It reflects the significance of restoring traditional water systems as sustainable solutions for water management, when the world is facing climate change.

Key Points:
i.The restoration work of baoli included cleaning, de-silting, structural repair, and water quality improvements, using conventional materials and techniques.
ii.The reservoir was cleaned, desilted, connected to proper drainage systems. Also, ASI introduced fish which will help in maintaining the quality of water.
iii.Traditional materials like: lime plaster and mortar were used to preserve authenticity of the structure.
iv.Apart from restoration, local communities were engaged to promote awareness of the Baoli’s cultural and ecological value.
About Rajon ki Baoli:
i.Rajon ki  Baoli was built around 1506 during the Lodhi dynasty. It was built by Daulat Khan Lodi, an official under Sikandar Lodi.

• It reflects as a testament to Lodhi-era architecture and conventional water engineering.

ii.This 4-tiered stepwell was designed to store water and provide shelter to travellers.
iii.Its beautiful arched colonnades, ornate stucco medallions with floral and geometric patterns, and finely carved stone elements shows the artistic sophistication of the time.
iv.The baoli is spread across the area of 1,610 square meters (sq. m). It is 13.4 meters (m) deep, with the main tank measuring 23 by 10 m at its base.
About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
It is the premier organisation for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of India.
Director General (DG)- Yadubir Singh Rawat
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1861

BEL signs Contract with Indian Army to Manufacture IDDIS Counter Drone SystemIn May 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with the Indian Army Air Defence for the manufacture of the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS).

• IDDIS is jointly developed by the New Delhi(Delhi) based Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and BEL, marking a significant milestone under the Make in India initiative of Government of India (GOI)
• The IDDIS is designed to detect, track and neutralize hostile drones, providing a crucial layer of protection against evolving unmanned aerial threats.

Note: BEL has secured additional orders worth Rs.572 crores since the last disclosure on April 7, 2025. The major orders include IDDIS, Software Defined Ratio (SDR) and Data Communication Unit (DCU) for attack guns, AI based solutions for ships, simulators, communication equipment, jammers, spares, services etc.
About IDDIS Drone:
i.The IDDIS drone activates electronic jamming to disrupt drone communications and utilize high-energy lasers to physically neutralize the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
ii.The IDDIS complements the Akashteer air defence system, which integrates surveillance assets, radar systems, and command units into a unified network, enhancing situational awareness across the force.
iii.IDDIS detect drones at distances ranging from 5 to 8 kilometers (kms)
About Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL):
Chairman & Managing Director (MD) – Manoj Jain
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Founded – 1954
About Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO):
Chairman – Samir V Kamat
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Founded – 1958

MoA&FW Releases 3 New Crop Varieties Developed by BHU for UP FarmersIn May 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) released three new crop varieties developed by Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Banaras Hindu University (BHU), for the benefit of farmers in UP.

• These include two rice varieties (Malaviya Manila Sinchit Dhan-1 and Malviya Dhan 105 Sub-1) and one mustard variety (Malviya Nidhi).
• The seeds of Malaviya Manila Sinchit Dhan-1 are already available in markets, while the other two will be accessible from 2026.

Key Features of the New Varieties:
1. Malaviya Manila Sinchit Dhan-1 (Rice)
i.Development: Developed jointly by BHU and Los Baños (Philippines)-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) under Prof. Shravan Kumar Singh.
ii.Yield: 55–60 quintals/hectare (compared to traditional varieties averaging 35–40 quintals).
iii.Maturity: 115–120 days (short duration).
iv.Grain Characteristics: Long, slender grains with a slightly sweet taste after cooking.
2. Malviya Dhan 105 Sub-1 (Rice)
i.Development: An improved version of the earlier Malviya Dhan 105, developed by Prof. P.K. Singh and his team at BHU.
ii.Yield: 42–46 quintals/hectare.
iii.Grain Characteristics: Mild aroma.
iv.Target Regions: Flood-prone areas of UP and Bihar
3. Malviya Nidhi (Mustard)
i.Development: Developed under the leadership of Prof. K. Srivastava at BHU.
ii.Yield: Approximately 20 quintals/hectare.
iii.Maturity: 125–130 days.
iv.Seed Characteristics: Bold and black seeds with an average oil content of 39.4 % (higher than traditional varieties).
About International Rice Research Institute (IRRI):
Director General (DG) – Dr. Yvonne Pinto
Headquarters – Los Baños (Philippines)
Formed – 1960

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils India’s First 3nm Chip Design Centres in Noida & Bengaluru
In May 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Railways (MoR), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) inaugurated India’s first 3 nanometer (nm) chip design facilities of Renesas Electronics India Private Limited, a semiconductor solution provider, in Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and Bengaluru (Karnataka).

• The two state-of-the-art semiconductor design facilities will work on cutting-edge 3nm chip design, placing India in the global league of semiconductor innovation.

Note: India has previously engaged in designing chips at 7nm and 5nm nodes.
i.With these facilities, Renesas aims to build end-to-end semiconductor design infrastructure, supporting academia and startups through initiatives like Chips to Startup (C2S) and the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme.
ii.Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced the launch of a new semiconductor kit, aimed at enhancing practical hardware skills among engineering students.
iii.He highlighted India’s semiconductor strategy including design, fabrication, ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging), equipment, chemicals and gas supply chains.

GoI Declares September 23 as Ayurveda Day
In May 2025, Government of India (GoI) has designated September 23 as the date for celebrating Ayurveda Day every year, with an aim to enhance global visibility and consistency in observance of the day.

• September 23, coincides with the autumnal equinox, a day when night and day are equal.The Astronomical event symbolizes balance in nature, aligning with the Ayurvedic philosophy that emphasizes equilibrium between the mind, body, and spirit.

i.Earlier, the day was observed on Dhanteras, a festival observed in the Karthik (usually October or November) month of the Hindu Lunar Calendar.
ii.Due to the fluctuation on the date of Dhanteras each year, the observance of Ayurveda Day lacks a fixed annual date.
iii.The variation of dates between 15th October and 12th November in the upcoming decade poses logistical challenges for organizing national and international events for the celebration.
iv.Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) constituted a committee to designate an alternative date.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

OPEC Report 2025: India’s Oil Demand to Surge by 3.39% to 5.74 million bpd in 2025In May 2025, Vienna (Austria)-based Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) released its latest Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) for May 2025. The report projected that India’s oil demand is expected to increase by 3.39%, from 5.55 million barrels per day (bpd) (in 2024) to 5.74 million bpd (in 2025), driven by rising energy needs in the world’s fastest growing economy. It is further projected to increase by 4.28% i.e. to 5.99 million bpd (in 2026).

• This growth estimate of India is expected to outpace China’s projected 1.5% and 1.25% increase in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
• India ranked third in terms of absolute oil consumption globally after the United States of America (USA) and China.

Key Findings:
i.The report cited that the United States of America (USA) will continue to be the world’s top oil consumer, with a projected demand of 20.5 million bpd (in 2025).
ii.As per the report, global oil demand will increase by 1.3 million bpd both in 2025 and 2026, unchanged from OPEC’s previous projections.
About Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC):
It was founded in September 1960 in Baghdad (Iraq), with signing of an agreement by 5 countries namely, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
Secretary General- Haitham Al Ghais
Headquarters- Vienna, Austria
Member Nations- 12 (India is not its member)
>> Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

PayU Receives RBI Final Approval to operate as Online PA
In May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based PayU Payments Private Limited, backed by Amsterdam (Netherlands) based global technology investment firm, Prosus, has received Certificate of Authorization (CoA), a final approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Payments and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act 2007 to operate as online Payment Aggregator (PA)

• PayU Payments received in-principle approval from the RBI in April 2024.

Key Points:
i.PayU is the 8th entity to receive final PA approval, joining competitors like Razorpay, Cashfree, and CC Avenue.
ii.It is the second-largest PA in India by transaction volume, after BillDesk.
iii.PayU, a fintech firm, provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology and has empowered businesses.
iv.It enables businesses to collect digital payments across payment methods such as Credit cards, Debit cards, Net Banking, Easy Monthly Installments (EMIs), Quick Response (QR), Unified Payment Interface (UPI), Wallets, etc.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

MSCI May 2025: Coromandel, Nykaa added to Global Standard Index
In May 2025, Global index provider New York, United States of America (USA) based fintech firm Morgan Stanley Capital International(MSCI) announced the inclusion of Secunderabad (Telangana) based Coromandel International Limited and Mumbai(Maharashtra) based FSN E-Commerce Ventures Limited (Nykaa) in its MSCI Global Standard Index as part of its semi-annual index review.

• These changes will be effective from the close of trading on 30th May 2025.

Key Highlights:
i.Coromandel International Limited, a leading agrochemical company, and FSN E-Commerce Ventures Limited (Nykaa), a prominent beauty and fashion e-commerce platform, have been added to the MSCI Global Standard Index.
ii.Both companies have also been added to the MSCI India Domestic Index, reflecting their growing prominence in the Indian equity market.
iii. No Indian companies were removed from the MSCI Global Standard Index in this review.
iv.Additionally, 12 new stocks have been added to the MSCI India Domestic Smallcap Index, while 21 stocks have been removed, indicating a significant reshuffling in the small-cap segment.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Forbes 2025 Highest-Paid Athletes: Cristiano Ronaldo Tops with USD 275 Million EarningsIn May 2025, Forbes released the 2025 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes with Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo securing the top position for the third consecutive year and fifth overall, total earning of USD 275 million between May 2024 and May 2025.

• Cristiano Ronaldo earned an estimated USD 225 million from on-field activities, primarily through his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, while his off-field earnings, including endorsements, business ventures, and social media partnerships,amounted to approximately USD 50 million.

i.The United States of America (USA)-based basketball player Stephen Curry ranked second on the list with total earnings of USD 156 million, while United Kingdom (UK)-based boxer Tyson Fury secured the third position with total earnings of USD 146 million.
ii.For the first time since 2019, no female athletes were featured in Forbes’ 2025 list of the top 50 highest-paid athletes. No Indian athletes were present in the top 50 list for this year.
About Forbes:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Sherry Phillips
Headquarters – Jersey City, New Jersey, The United States of America (USA)
Founded – 1917
>> Read Full News

President Draupadi Murmu Presents 58th Jnanpith Award to Gulzar & RamabhadracharyaOn 16 May 2025, President Draupadi Murmu conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award on Sanskrit Scholar Jagadguru Ramabhadracharya for Sanskrit at an event held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi.

• Another awardee, renowned Indian Urdu poet and lyricist Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known as Gulzar, was honoured for his contribution to Urdu literature but was unable to attend the ceremony.

About Jnanpith Award:
i.Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour, has been annually presented by the Bharatiya Jnanpith since 1965.
ii.The award recognizes the outstanding contributions towards literature in English and other Indian languages.
iii.The award carries a cash prize of Rs 11 lakhs, a bronze statue of Vagdevi (Hindu Goddess Saraswati) and a citation.
>> Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

BillDesk Co-Founder M N Srinivasu Appointed Chairperson of IAMAI
In May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based IndiaIdeas.com Limited (BillDesk) co-founder M N Srinivasu was appointed as the Chairperson of the Mumbai  based Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) for the 2025–2027 term, following the governing council elections held in Mumbai.

• He succeeds Harsh Jain, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mumbai based Dream Sports Private Limited.

Key Appointments at IAMAI:
i.Dr Subho Ray, current President of IAMAI, will serve as the ex-officio member of the council.
ii.Harshil Mathur, Co-founder and CEO of Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Razorpay, was appointed as the Vice-Chairperson.
iii.Sameer Nigam, Founder and CEO of Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based PhonePe, took over as the Treasurer.
iv.They replace Rajesh Magow, Co-founder of Gurugram (Haryana)-based MakeMyTrip Limited, Satyan Gajwani, Vice-Chairperson of Noida (UP)-based Times Internet Limited, , respectively.
Note: The IAMAI is a not-for-profit industry body established in 2004. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

ONDC Appoints Vibhor Jain as Acting CEO Amid Leadership Transition
In May 2025, the New Delhi (Delhi)-based Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a government-backed e-commerce platform, announced the appointment of Vibhor Jain as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This decision follows the resignation of the current CEO, Thampy Koshy, who is set to step down on 30 June 2025.

• Vibhor Jain, previously serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a member of the eight-member Executive Committee, will assume the role with immediate effect, ensuring continuity in leadership during this transitional phase.

 i.As acting CEO, he will oversee executive functions and drive ONDC’s mission to democratize digital commerce in India.
ii.Prior to joining ONDC, he held leadership roles at JUMO.WORLD, where he established its operations in India, and served as the CEO of Mobike India, overseeing its service launch.
iii.Earlier, he co-founded Atlanta Healthcare, an air quality solutions firm, and spent over a decade at Andersen/EY(previously known as Ernst & Young), advising governments across India, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia on public policy and digital transformation initiatives.
Note: ONDC was established in 2021 under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I).

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

LIC hikes stake in Bank of India to 8.38%
In May 2025, the Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) increased its stake in Mumbai based Bank of India (BoI) from 6.35% to 8.38% through open market transactions.

• This acquisition of an additional 2.026% stake occurred between September 2, 2021, and May 9, 2025, as disclosed by BoI in a stock exchange filing.

i.This strategic move reflects LIC’s continued confidence in BoI’s financial performance and growth potential.
ii.As of March 2025, promoters and the promoter group hold 73.38% of BoI’s equity, with public shareholders owning the remaining 26.62%. Among the notable public investors, SBI(State Bank of India) PSU(public sector undertakings) Fund holds a 1.52% stake.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Akashteer: The Unseen Force behind India’s New War CapabilityAkashteer, India’s fully indigenous, automated air defence control and reporting system, played a pivotal role in destroying Pakistan’s aerial attacks, by neutralizing and intercepting every inbound projectile during the 4-day military stand-off between India and Pakistan.

• During Operation Sindoor on May 9-10, 2025, Akashteer, including the advanced Akash NG, acted as an invisible shield, intercepting multiple missiles and drone swarms launched from Pakistan.
• While Pakistan relied on imported HQ-9 and HQ16 systems that failed to detect and intercept Indian strikes, India demonstrated its dominance in real-time, automated air defence warfare.

i.It is part of the wider Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) framework.
ii.It is designed to automate detection, tracking, and engagement of enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles.
iii.Its vehicle-mounted design offers high mobility, allowing easier deployment even in a hostile environment.
>> Read Full News

SPORTS

Tamil Nadu’s L.R. Srihari Becomes India’s 86th Chess GMOn 15 May 2025, 19-year-old L.R. Srihari from Tamil Nadu (TN) became India’s 86th chess Grandmaster (GM) by securing his third GM norm at the Asian Individual Men’s Chess Championship 2025 which held from May 6 to 15, 2025 in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

• He achieved the title during his match against Indian GM Iniyan Paneerselvam.

Note: P Shyaamnikhil (TN) became India’s 85th GM on 12 May 2024 at the Dubai Police Masters Chess Tournament (Dubai).
About L.R. Srihari:
i.L.R. Srihari earned his first GM norm at the Budapest GM Round-Robin held in August 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.
ii.He secured his second GM norm at the 2023 Qatar Masters in October 2023 in Qatar.
iii.He crossed the minimum 2500 FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) Elo rating at the 2024 Dubai Open Chess Tournament.
Note: To become a FIDE GM, a player must attain a minimum FIDE Elo rating of 2500 and secure three GM norms in FIDE-recognized tournaments.
India’s Grandmaster Milestones:
i.First GM: Viswanathan Anand (1988), who later became India’s first World Chess Champion.
ii.First Woman GM: Koneru Humpy (2002), who earned the title at 15 years, then the youngest woman GM globally.
Chess Titles:

• Grandmaster (GM): is the highest title a chess player can attain. FIDE rating of 2500 at one time and three favorable results in tournaments (called norms) involving other Grandmasters, including some from countries other than the applicant’s.
• International Master (IM): Requires a minimum rating of 2400 and three norms.
• FIDE Master (FM): Requires a minimum rating of 2300. No norms are required.
• Candidate Master (CM): Requires a minimum rating of 2200. No norms are required.

About International Chess Federation (FIDE – Fédération Internationale des Échecs):
President – Arkady Dvorkovich
Headquarters – Lausanne, Switzerland
Founded – 1924

Daneshvar Bardiya & IM Song Yuxin Win 2025 Asian Chess Championship in UAEGrandmaster (GM) Bardiya Daneshvar of Iran won the Open category, and International Master (IM) Song Yuxin of China claimed the Women’s title at the 2025 Asian Chess Championship, held from May 6 to 16, 2025 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

• The championship featured participation from more than 250 players representing 38 countries, competing in nine-round Swiss format tournaments across both the Open and Women’s categories.
• The championship was organized by the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Chess Federation and the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club.

i.GM Daneshvar Bardiya won gold with 7/9 points, edging India’s GM Nihal Sarin on tiebreaks despite losing to him in the final round in the open category..
ii.IM Song Yuxinemerged victorious in the women’s category, defeating Uzbekistan’s IM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova in 32 moves and finishing with 7/9.
About Asian Chess Federation (ACF):
President – Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan
Headquarters – Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Established – 1951
>> Read Full News

FIDE WGP 2024-25 Leaderboard: Zhu Jiner, Goryachkina Finish Top TwoIn May 2025, Grandmaster (GM) Zhu Jiner (China) topped the overall leaderboard of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Women’s Grand Prix (WGP) Series 2024–25 with a total of 352.5 points. This achievement came after the conclusion of the sixth and final event of the series, the 2025 Grosslobming FIDE WGP, held in Grosslobming, Austria, from May 5 to May 16, 2025.

• GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (Russia) has secured the 2nd place in the leaderboard by scoring 308.34 points
• Zhu Jiner and Aleksandra Goryachkina have qualified for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.

About 2025 Grosslobming FIDE WGP:
i.The Ukrainian GM Anna Muzychuk won the Austrian leg with 6/9 points but fell short of qualifying for the Candidates Tournament due to tiebreaks.

• Despite winning two of three WGP events (Cyprus and Austria), she ranked third overall with 306.67 points, missing the second spot by 1.67 points

ii.Zhu Jiner and GM Tan Zhongyi (China) secured second and third positions, respectively, in the final leg.
About FIDE WGP series 2024-2025:
i.FIDE WGP series 2024–2025 comprised six WGP tournaments conducted over two years (2024–2025) across six international venues, spanning from August 14, 2024, to May 16, 2025.

• Tbilisi, Georgia (August 14-25, 2024)
• Shymkent, Kazakhstan (October 29 – November 9, 2024)
• Monaco (February 17-28, 2025)
• Nikosia, Cyprus (March 14-25, 2025)
• Pune, India (April 13-24, 2025)
• Grosslobming, Austria (May 5-16, 2025)

ii.The event featured a total of 20 players, who participated in three out of six WGP tournaments.
iii.Prize money: Each leg offered 120,000 Euro, with 18,000 Euro for the winner
iv.Top two players qualified for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament
Top 5 Finishers of the FIDE WGP 2024-25:

International Chess Federation (FIDE):
President – Arkady Dvorkovich
Headquarters – Lausanne, Switzerland
Founded – 20 July 1924

Doha Diamond League 2025: India’s Neeraj Chopra Finishes 2nd with 90.23m in Javelin ThrowOn 16th May 2025, India’s Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra secured second place with a personal best and national record throw of 90.23 metres (m) in the Doha Diamond League 2025 held at the Qatar Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.

• Germany’s Julian Weber clinched the first position in the men’s javelin throw event with a personal best of 91.06 m, while Anderson Peters of Grenada, a two-time World Champion, secured the third position with an 85.34 m throw.

i.Kishore Jena of India secured the eighth position in the men’s javelin throw event with a best attempt of 78.60 m
ii.Parul Chaudhary of India secured sixth place in the women’s 3000m steeplechase with 9:13.39, improving from her previous mark of 9:15.31 set at the 2023 World Championships.

• With this she broke her national record and qualified for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

iii.India’s Gulveer Singh finished ninth in the men’s 5000m race with a time of 13:24.32
>> Read Full News

OBITUARY

Former Rajya Sabha MP Nepaldeb Bhattacharjee Passed Away
In May 2025, Nepaldeb Bhattacharjee, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India – Marxist(CPI(M)) and former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), passed away at the age of 74 in Kolkata, West Bengal(WB).

• He was born on 19 December 1950, in Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district, WB.

i.Nepaldeb Bhattacharjee was a lifelong Marxist and served as the all-India General Secretary of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) from 1979 to 1986.
ii.He served as Rajya Sabha MP from 1981 to 1988 representing WB in the Upper House of Parliament.
iii.He also served in the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the trade union wing of CPI(M), and held the position of District Secretary of CPI(M) for North 24 Parganas in 2015.
iv.He contested elections including the 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election from Rajarhat-Gopalpur and the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Dum Dum constituency but was unsuccessful.
v.Apart from his political career, he was a film enthusiast. In 2000, he directed a Bengali film titled “Chaka”, featuring actor Mithun Chakraborty.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2025 – May 17The United Nations (UN’s) World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is observed every year on May 17 across the globe to raise awareness about the transformative power of the Internet and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in enhancing quality of life and narrowing the digital divide.

• In 2025, the day gains special significance as it marks the 160th anniversary of the Geneva (Switzerland)-based International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• The theme for WTISD 2025 is “Gender Equality in Digital Transformation”, focusing on closing digital gender gaps in access, skills, leadership, and affordability.

Background:
i.17 May was designated as World Telecommunication Day in 1969 to commemorate the founding of ITU on 17 May 1865, when the First International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris (France).
ii.In November 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) urged the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to declare 17 May as WISD. The UNGA adopted this in March 2006.
iii.In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, decided to combine both observances into WTISD, celebrated annually on 17 May.
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World Hypertension Day 2025 – May 17The World Health Organisation (WHO) annually observes World Hypertension Day (WHD) on 17 May to raise awareness about hypertension (high Blood Pressure, BP), a leading cause of preventable deaths globally.

• The year 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of WHD.
• The theme for WHD 2025 is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”, highlights the need for precise monitoring and effective management to improve health outcomes.

Background:
i.In 2005, WHD was initiated by the World Hypertension League (WHL), a non-profit organization focused on the global prevention and control of hypertension.
ii.The first WHD was celebrated on 14th May 2005. Since 2006, May 17 has been marked every year as World Hypertension Day
About World Health Organization (WHO):
Director General (DG) – Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 1948
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International Day Against Homophobia,Transphobia and Biphobia 2025 – May 17The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) is observed annually across the world on May 17 to raise awareness about the discrimination and violence faced by individuals based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics.

• The day  commemorates the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision on May 17, 1990, to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
• The theme of IDAHOBIT 2025 is “The Power of Communities”, emphasizing the strength and resilience that emerge from collective solidarity within LGBTQIA+ communities.

Background:
i.Inception: The concept of IDAHOBIT was initiated in 2004 by Louis-Georges Tin, a French academic and activist, to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals.
ii.First Observance: The first International Day Against Homophobia was observed on May 17, 2005.
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