Current Affairs 22 May 2025

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 22 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

MoHUA Extended PMAY-U Deadline to December 2025In May 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) extended the deadline for completing houses sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) to 31 December 2025. 

• The original deadline to complete houses sanctioned by March 31, 2022, has now been extended to December 31, 2025, giving beneficiaries more time to complete their homes and avail housing benefits.

About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U):
i.PMAY-U was launched by the (MoHUA), GoI in June 2015, as part of the national mission “Housing for All”.
ii.The MoHUA serves as the nodal ministry overseeing PMAY-U. It is responsible for policy formulation, providing central assistance, and monitoring the scheme’s progress.
ii.The PMAY-U 2.0, launched  in 2024, is a continuation of the flagship scheme, which aims to provide financial support for affordable pucca houses to urban families from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Low-Income Groups (LIG), and Middle-Income Groups (MIG) who do not own a house anywhere in India.
iii.It will support the completion of houses that have already been approved under the verticals of Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) and In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR).
Note: Since inception, more than 92.61 lakh houses have been constructed under PMAY, significantly improving housing conditions for economically disadvantaged groups across India.
Eligibility Criteria for PMAY-U:
To qualify under PMAY-U, applicants must belong to:

• Economically Weaker Section (EWS) – annual income up to Rs 3 lakh
• Low-Income Group (LIG) – Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh
• Middle-Income Group-I (MIG-I) – Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9 lakh
• Slum dwellers – Residents of informal urban settlements

Exclusions for PMAY-Gramin (PMAY-G):
i.Families owning pucca houses, vehicles, mechanized farming equipment, or assets like refrigerators or landholdings greater than or equal to 2.5 acres.
ii.Households with government employees or tax-paying members.
iii.Under PMAY-Gramin, priority is given to rural families identified in the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) who do not own a house or live in kutcha houses (non-permanent with limited rooms).

DEPwD Organised ‘Inclusive India Summit’  in New DelhiIn May 2025, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) organised the ‘Inclusive India Summit’ on the occasion of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD on May 15, 2025) at India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The summit was organised in a hybrid mode by DEPwD in collaboration with Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based State Bank of India(SBI) Foundation and Delhi-based National Association for the Blind (NAB), and supported by Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Association of People with Disability (APD) and Delhi-based Mission Accessibility (Dhananjay Sanjogta Foundation).

i.Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of DEPwD, attended the summit as Chief Guest. The summit was aimed to promote inclusive development and digital accessibility for persons with disabilities across the country.
ii.The DEPwD signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with multiple organizations, including New Delhi (Delhi)-based I for Humanity Foundation, Nipman Foundation; New Delhi -based Nipam Foundation and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC); and Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Ramp my city Foundation.
About Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE):
Union Minister- Dr. Virendra Kumar(Constituency- Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Union Minister of State (MoS)– Ramdas Athawale (Rajya Sabha- Maharashtra ); B.L. Verma (Rajya Sabha – Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Launched ‘Depot Darpan’ Portal, Anna Mitra App & Anna Sahayata AppIn May 2025, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD) has launched ‘Depot Darpan’ Portal  ‘Anna Mitra’ application(app) and ‘Anna Sahayata’ app, aimed at transforming India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), during the event hosted by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), MoCAF&PD in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The launch of these 3 new initiatives marked a major step towards enhancing transparency, improving infrastructure, and empowering beneficiaries and frontline workers involved in the delivery of subsidized food grains under National Food Security Act (NFSA).

i.Depot Darpan portal is a digital self-assessment and monitoring web portal aimed to empower depot officials to systematically assess and enhance their operations.

• It is strategically designed to help food grain depots achieve the highest standards of warehousing excellence.

ii.Also, a grading framework has been introduced to evaluate depots on operational performance (60%) and infrastructure standards (40%), based on metrics like: storage and transit loss, space utilization, manpower efficiency and profitability.

• Based on their performance, Depots achieving excellence will be granted 5-star rating.

iii.Anna Mitra, a mobile application (app), designed to meet the specific operational requirements of key stakeholders in PDS.

• Through this digital app, FPS dealers will be able to view stock receipts, access monthly sales reports, and receive timely alerts from authorities.

About Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD):
Union Minister- Pralhad Joshi (Constituency- Dharwad, Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS) – Banwari Lal (BL) Verma (Rajya Sabha- Uttar Pradesh, UP); Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya (Constituency- Bhavnagar, Gujarat)
>> Read Full News

MSDE Launched Pilot Apprenticeship Scheme for Youth in NEROn May 20, 2025, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched a Pilot Apprenticeship Scheme under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) to boost apprenticeship opportunities in the North Eastern Region (NER). The scheme aims to provide structured, paid, and high-quality apprenticeship training to the youth in the Northeastern states.

• The scheme was jointly launched by the Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge, IC), Jayant Chaudhary, MSDE and Lalduhoma, Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram at an event held in Aizawl, Mizoram.
• Rs. 43.93 crore has been earmarked for the pilot project, which includes Rs. 4 crores for outreach, capacity building, and project implementation

i.Under the advanced apprenticeship scheme, approximately 26,000 youths from the northeast region will receive an additional Rs.1,500 per month for one year.
ii.The implementation of the scheme will be overseen by Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati(Assam), and New Delhi(Delhi) based National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), supported by Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(RDSDEs), and local institutions.
About Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE):
Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge, IC) – Jayant Chaudhary (Rajya Sabha – Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News

Mizoram Declared India’s First Fully Literate State Under ULLAS InitiativeOn May 20, 2025, Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram, Lalduhoma declared Mizoram as the first fully literate state in India, in the presence of Union Minister of State (MoS), Jayant Chaudhary, Ministry of Education (MoE) at an event held at Mizoram University in Aizawl, Mizoram.

• Mizoram has currently achieved 98.2% literacy rate as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023–24, which was ranked as the third most literate state with 91.33%, as per the 2011 census.

Key Points:
i.The Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) initiative, under the New India Literacy Programme (NLIP) has also helped Mizoram achieve the “Full literacy” status, surpassing 95% literacy benchmark of MoE.
ii.The NILP, which identified 3,026 illiterate people, of whom, 1,692 people showed interest to learn.

• A dedicated team of 292 volunteer teachers, including students, educators, resource persons played a crucial role in achieving the milestone.

iii.He emphasized, Mizoram aims to expand literacy beyond basic reading and writing, incorporating digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills.
About ULLAS initiative:
i.The ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP) initiative was launched by Government of India (GOI) to provide education to adults for a period of 5 years (2022-27).
ii.It is a Centrally Sponsored Initiative, which aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
iii.It aims to empower adults aged above 15 from all backgrounds who missed formal schooling, helping them integrate into society and contribute to the nation’s growth.
About Mizoram:
Chief Minister (CM) – Lalduhoma
Governor – Vijay Kumar Singh
Capital – Aizawl

Indian Army & NDRF Conducted ‘Exercise Raahat’ in Nagaland
The Indian Army (IA) Engineers under the Spear Corps, in collaboration with National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) conducted ‘Exercise Raahat’ from May 13 to 15, 2025 at Rangapahar Military Station in Dimapur, Nagaland.

• The idea of this bilateral exercise was conceptualized with sole vision of enhancing the readiness and efficiency of disaster relief operations, especially during the monsoon season.

i.The 1st two days of the exercise was focused on strategic planning and scenario-based discussions which involved experts from both agencies who dissected real-life case studies, engaged in group discussions and explored innovative response strategies.
ii.The exercise concluded with Lecture-cum-demonstration, where, Sappers of the IA and NDRF showcased state-of-the-art disaster relief equipment and simulated rescue and medical operations.
iii.Also, the Flood Relief Columns from various units of the Spear Corps participated in the exercise, which reinforces the importance on inter-agency cooperation.
Note: The NDRF is India’s premier specialized force established in 2006 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) and functions as the operational arm of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

DoP Releases Commemorative Postage Stamp for 125 Years of Kodaikanal Solar ObservatoryIn May 2025, the Department of Posts (DoP) (Formerly known as India Post), under the Ministry of Communications (MoC), Government of India (GoI) has released a commemorative postage stamp of denomination Rs.5, celebrating 125 years of Tamil Nadu (TN) based Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) at an event held in Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

• The stamp features an H-alpha image of the sun taken at the KSO on May 6, 2024.
• The commemorative stamp was released by S. Rajendra Kumar, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, in the presence of A. S. Kiran Kumar, Chairperson, Governing Council, IIA, and Former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

i.KSO is located at an altitude of approximately 2343 meters (m) or 7,687 feet above sea level in the Palani Hills, TN, and was established on 1st April 1899.
ii.KSO is operated by IIA, and it primarily focuses on Solar Spectroscopy, Sunspot Observations, Magnetic field studies, Helioseismology, and Long-term solar activity.
iii.It is India’s oldest astronomical observatory and maintains one of the world’s longest continuous solar data records (over 45,000 digitized solar images).

DPIIT signs MoU with GEAPP for Climate-Tech Entrepreneurship in India
In May 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), Government of India (GoI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New York, United States of America (USA) based Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) to support early-stage climate-tech startups in India for two years.

• The partnership aims to provide the startups with access to funding, mentorship, and growth opportunities.

i.Under the agreement, GEAPP will launch the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE), a competitive platform that offers rewards of up to USD 500,000 (approximately Rs. 4 Crores) for impactful solutions, with an aim to accelerate the clean energy transition.
ii.Additionally, investment support for selected startups will be facilitated through ecosystem partners through impact investors such as Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Spectrum Impact and Mumbai based Avana Capital.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting 2025 held in BrazilOn May 19, 2025, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Energy Ministers’ Meeting 2025 under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance” was held under Brazil’s presidency in Brasilia, Brazil.

• The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Ministry of Power (MoP), and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

i.During the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting 2025, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar reaffirmed India’s strong commitment towards a sustainable and inclusive energy future.
ii.He highlighted India achieved 475 Gigawatt (GW) of electricity capacity generation in 2025, marking a 90% increase over the past decade, with a target of 900 GW by 2032.
iii.He invited BRICS members to the 2026 BRICS Energy Gathering to be hosted by India, reinforcing the country’s leadership in advancing the Global South’s energy agenda.
About Brazil:
President – Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Capital – Brasilia
Currency – Brazilian Real (BRL)
>> Read Full News

Indira Gandhi International Airport Ranks 9th Busiest Airports for 2024-25 : ACI WorldIn May 2025, Montreal (Canada)-based Airports Council International (ACI) World released the Top 10 Busiest Airports by Passenger Traffic in 2024-25 list. As per the report, New Delhi (Delhi) based Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) with Airport code, DEL, ranked 9th globally. IGIA saw passenger traffic of 77, 820, 834 and has emerged as the busiest airport by passenger traffic in India.

• Atlanta, United States of America (USA)-based Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) has topped the list.

Key Points:
ii.The Global Passenger level is forecasted to reach 9.9 billion in 2025, reflecting 4.8% year-over-year (Y-O-Y) growth rate.
ii.The USA remains at the forefront of global passenger traffic, with five of the top 10 busiest airports located within the country.
iii.In the broader Asian context, Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) ranks as the 3rd busiest airport, trailing behind Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND).
iv.As of 2024, IGIA has surpassed Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), which recorded 52,820,754 passengers.
Note: DEL has been recognized as the Best Airport in India and in South Asia in the 2025 UK-based Aviation Consultancy, Skytrax Best Airport Rankings.
Top 5 Busiest Airport in the world in 2024:

About Airports Council International (ACI):
Director General (DG) – Justin Erbacci
Headquarters – Montreal, Canada
Established – 1991

USA Became India’s 4th Largest Crude Oil Supplier  
In May 2025, data from London (United Kingdom, UK)-based energy cargo tracking firm Vortexa revealed that the United States of America (USA) surpassed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April 2025 to become India’s fourth-largest crude oil supplier.

• India’s crude imports from the USA doubled to 0.33 million barrels per day (mbd) in April 2025, up from 0.17 mbd in April 2024 and 0.24 mbd in March 2025.

i.India represented 8% of total USA crude exports in April 2025, highlighting India’s growing significance as an energy buyer for the USA.
ii.The USA share in India’s total crude oil imports rose to 7.3%, overtaking UAE’s 6.4%.
iii.The USA now trails Russia (37.8%), Iraq (19.1%), and Saudi Arabia (10.4%), which continue to be India’s top three crude suppliers.
iv.Following discussions between Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and USA President Donald Trump in February 2025, India plans to raise its energy imports from USA from USD 15 billion to USD 25 billion.

IIFT to Establish First Offshore Campus in Dubai, UAE to Expand Indian Education Globally
In May 2025, the Government of India(GoI) approved the establishment of the first offshore campus of the New Delhi(Delhi) based Indian Institute of Foreign Trade(IIFT), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

• The approval was granted by the Ministry of Education (MoE) with No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and University Grants Commission (UGC)

i.IIFT’s Dubai campus is expected to offer a range of programs, including full-time and executive education courses, tailored to the region’s market dynamics and global business environment.
ii.It will contribute towards the global expansion of Indian higher education, aligning with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes the internationalisation of Indian education.
iii.IIFT’s Dubai initiative follows the 2023 launch of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Note: Established in 1963, IIFToffers programmes such as the 2-year MBA in International Business and a Doctor of Philosophy(Ph.D.) in Management at its campuses in New Delhi, Kolkata,West Bengal(WB), and Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh(AP).

BANKING & FINANCE

EnKash Launches India’s 1st Payment Gateway, Built for SMBs and StartupsIn May 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based EnKash, India’s leading spend management and payments platform, has officially launched the ‘EnKash Payment Gateway’ , a first-of-its-kind payment solution engineered for India’s Small to Medium-sized Business (SMB) and Startup merchants.

• The gateway is specifically designed to cater to India’s over 63 million SMBs and startup merchants, addressing their unique payment processing needs.

Key Points:

India processed over Rs.14 lakh crore in UPI transactions in March 2025 alone, yet SMBs continue to struggle with outdated infrastructure:

• 20–30% failure rates during peak hours
• Manual reconciliations that slow down decisions and cause revenue leakages
• Disjointed systems offering no unified control across payments and spend

Key Features of EnKash Payment Gateway:
i.The Enkash will offer a truly unified payments and spend stack, bringing together accounts payable automation, expense management, corporate cards, loyalty programs, and now, a seamlessly embedded payment gateway.
ii.The Gateway incorporates low-code/no-code integration, automated reconciliation, and zero-cost lifetime support to enhance digital commerce capabilities.
iii.The Payment Gateway is engineered to deliver a frictionless experience for merchants across categories – from Direct to Customer (D2C) brands, Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, and Business to Business (B2B) commerce to healthcare, hospitality, education, and logistics.
iv.It ensures bank-grade security with features like Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard(PCI DSS), end-to-end encryption, tokenization, and real-time threat assessments to protect sensitive data.
About Enkash:
EnKash is a Mumbai-based business-to-business (B2B) fintech company founded in 2018 by Yadvendra Singh Tyagi, Hemant Vishnoi, and Naveen Bindal.

• It has as emerged as a fintech innovator by securing multiple Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-regulated licenses, including PAPG (Payment Aggregator–Payment Gateway), BBPOU (Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit), and the recently obtained PPI (Prepaid Payment Instrument) license.

Star Health Insurance Launches Star Flexi variants under Super Star PlanIn May 2025, India’s largest retail health insurer, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company has expanded its flagship health plan, Super Star, with the introduction of Star Flexi.

• The Super Star plan has sold over 1.6 lakh policies, generating Rs.580 crores in revenue within seven months of its launch.
• With this Star Flexi expansion, three new plan variants—Essential, Preferred, and Secure have been introduced, targeting a range of customer segments with varying healthcare coverage needs.

Key Highlights:
i.Star Flexi is a multi-rider add-on designed to enhance flexibility and personalization within the Super Star plan.

• It aims to provide options for a broad range of customers right from first-time buyers in smaller towns to experienced policyholders in metro cities.

ii.The three variants under Star Flexi offer varying coverage levels and features:
Essential:
i.Specially designed for first-time buyers and value-conscious customers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
ii.The coverage starts at Rs.5 lakhs, including single private room hospitalization, day care procedures, AYUSH treatment, and unlimited sum insured restoration.
Preferred:
i.This variant is designed for urban families and professionals seeking balanced coverage with long-term benefits.
ii.The policy offers unlimited room rent, air ambulance coverage up to Rs.5 lakh, health booster benefits, premium return for claim-free years, and a range of additional healthcare services.
Secure:
i.It is tailored for experienced customers looking for comprehensive protection.
ii.It provides no room rent cap, air ambulance covers up to   Rs. 5 lakhs, unlimited sum insured restoration, a limitless loyalty bonus on renewals, and wellness program access.
iii.All plan variants offer key benefits such as unlimited sum insured restoration, loyalty bonuses, premium refunds, health booster options, and access to the STAR Wellness Program.
About Star Health and Allied Insurance Company:

• It commenced its operation in 2006 India’s first Standalone Health Insurance Company.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer – Mr. Anand Roy
Headquarters – Chennai, TamilNadu

MMRDA secures Rs. 1,500 cr loan from BoM for slum redevelopment projectIn May 2025, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has secured a Rs.1500 crores bank loan from Pune(Maharashtra) based Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) for redeveloping the slum areas along the Eastern Express Highway in Ghatkopar(Mumbai), Maharashtra.

• This will be the first phase of the Rs. 8,498 crores Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project.
• The government agency will redevelop Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamraj Nagar in Ghatkopar.

About the Project:
i.The MMRDA’s first initiative in slum development aims to rehabilitate about 17,000 slum dwellers with free 1 Bedroom, Hall, and Kitchen(BHK) houses of 300 square feet (Sq ft).

• It will also include various amenities like gardens, healthcare centres and educational institutions besides an additional 5,000 apartments to accommodate people affected by other ongoing infrastructure projects.

ii.MMRDA is set to begin project work following the transfer of 75-acre land parcel from the SRA.

• The project is funded through a 15-year loan from BoM and is expected to be completed within three years.

iii.The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs.8,498 crore. The MMRDA has outlined a multi-source funding plan for the project:

• Institutional Financing: 46% of the total project cost (approximately Rs. 3,916 crore) will be raised through loans from financial institutions.
• Internal Revenue Generation: 39% will be funded through MMRDA’s own revenue mechanisms.
• Alternative Sources: The remaining 15% is expected to come from other sources, including potential financial support from the government.

iv.As per MMRDA, there will be a “free-sale” component, in which a segment of apartments can be sold in the open market.
v.The project is expected to be completed within 48 months and aims to serve as a model for future SRA initiatives across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
About Bank of Maharashtra(BoM):
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) – Nidhu Saxena
Headquarters – Pune, Maharashtra
Establishment – 1935
Tagline – Ek Parivaar, Ek Bank (One Family One Bank)

HDFC Bank Launches ‘Biz+ Current Accounts’ to Support MSME Sector
In May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based HDFC Bank Limited, India’s leading private sector bank in current account deposits, launched a new suite of ‘Biz+ Current Accounts (CA)’ to meet the evolving needs of India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

• The accounts aim to address the evolving financial needs of businesses across four growth stages: setup, growth, expansion, and diversification.

About Biz+ Current Accounts:
i.The Biz+ Current Accounts are designed under a One Bank approach, offering bundled banking solutions, including liability products, asset solutions, digital payment tools, and business cards. The accounts provide sector-specific solutions catering to business segments such as manufacturing, trading, and services.

ii.The accounts are structured in tiers to suit different business stages:

• Biz Lite+: For businesses in the setup stage
• Biz Pro+: For businesses in the growth stage
• Biz Ultra+: For businesses in the expansion stage
• Biz Elite+: For businesses in the diversification stage

iii.These accounts offer the following core benefits from day one: Cash handling services, Seamless digital banking platforms, Dedicated Relationship Manager support and Business and payment protection insurance (free for first year for new-to-bank customers).

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

India’s Banu Mushtaq & Deepa Bhasthi Wins International Booker Prize 2025 for ‘Heart Lamp’On 20 May 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based writer, lawyer, and activist Banu Mushtaq, along with translator Deepa Bhasthi, won the International Booker Prize 2025 for the Kannada short story collection ‘Heart Lamp : Selected Stories’.  The award was announced by author Max Porter during a ceremony held at the Tate Modern in London, the United Kingdom (UK).

• This marks the first time a short story collection and a work originally written in Kannada have received this award.

Key Points:
i.Banu Mushtaq became the first Kannada author and the first Muslim woman from India to win the International Booker Prize. She is the sixth female author to be awarded the prize since 2016.
ii.The book was translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, who became the first Indian translator and ninth female translator to win the International Booker Prize.
iii.Heart Lamp marks the second Indian win at the International Booker Prize after the 2022 victory of Geetanjali Shree (Author) and Daisy Rockwell (Translator) for Tomb of Sand, the first Hindi novel to receive the prestigious award.
iv.The award carries a cash prize of 50,000 British Pound Sterling(GBP)(USD 66,000) was shared equally between the author Banu Mushtaq and the translator Deepa Bhasthi.
>> Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

China’s Miao Lijie & Japan’s Yuko Oga Named as Ambassadors for FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025
Chinese basketball legend Miao Lijie and Japanese basketball icon Yuko Oga have been named ambassadors for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 (31st edition), organised by Mies (Switzerland)-based Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA), to be held in Shenzhen, China, from 13th to 20th July 2025.

• This marks the first time China will host the event in 10 years, with the last edition held in 2015.

i.Miao Lijie became the only Asian player to win a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship with the Sacramento Monarchs in 2005.

• She was the first player to score 6,000 points in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) and led her team to the 2011 WCBA title.
• Secured three consecutive Asian Games gold medals (2002, 2006, 2010).
• She was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame (HOF) in 2024, becoming the fourth Chinese honoree after Mou Zuoyun, Zheng Haixia, and Yao Ming.

ii.Yuko Oga represented Japan in seven consecutive FIBA Women’s Asia Cup editions and the 2004 Athens Olympics.

• She was inducted into the FIBA HOF in 2023, acknowledging her role in advancing women’s basketball in Asia.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

CCI Approvals on May 20, 2025On May 20, 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the following proposals:
i.Approved Bajaj Group’s Proposal to Acquire Allianz’s Stakes in Insurance JV for Rs 24,180 Crore
ii.Approved the acquisition of majority shareholding/control in Nazara Technologies Limited (Nazara) by three entities, namely, Axana Estates LLP (Axana), Plutus Wealth Management LLP (Plutus), and Junomoneta Finsol Private Limited (JFPL).
iii.Approved Singapore-based Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited (Temasek) proposed acquisition of minority shareholding in Haldiram Snacks Food Private Limited (HSFPL) through its subsidiary JongSong Investments Pte. Limited.
iv.Approved 360 ONE WAM Limited (360 ONE) (including its group entities) proposed combined acquisition of Batlivala & Karani Securities Private Limited, and Batlivala & Karani Finserv Private Limited.
>> Read Full News

Singapore’s Singtel Sold 1.2% Stake in Bharti Airtel for SGD 2 Billion
In May 2025, Singapore based Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) sold approximately 1.2% of its stake in New Delhi (Delhi) based Bharti Airtel Limited for Singapore Dollars (SGD) 2 billion (approximately USD 1.54 billion or Rs 13,182 crore) through its investment arm, Mauritius-based Pastel Limited.

• The divestment is part of Singtel’s ongoing capital management strategy aimed at optimizing its asset portfolio and enhancing shareholder returns. The transaction generated an estimated gain of SGD 1.4 billion (USD 1.08 billion) for Singtel.

i.Pastel Limited, a subsidiary of Singtel, sold 71 million shares of Bharti Airtel at Rs 1,814 per share, reflecting a 2.85% discount to Airtel’s closing price on 16th May 2025.
ii.With this transaction, Singtel’s total shareholding in Bharti Airtel reduced to 28.3% from 29.5%, valued at SGD 48 billion.

SPORTS

Pankaj Advani Clinches Third Consecutive CCI Billiards Classic Title 2025
In May 2025, Indian cue sports legend Pankaj Advani secured his third consecutive 2025 CCI Billiards Classic title by defeating Dhruv Sitwala 5–2 in the final held at the Wilson Jones Billiards Hall in Mumbai (Maharashtra).

• The 2025 CCI Billiards Classic was held from 25 April to 4 May 2025.
• Winner Pankaj Advani was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 2.5 lakh, while runner-up Dhruv Sitwala received a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh

i.This victory added to Pankaj Advani’s illustrious record of 28-time International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBFS) world championship titles across billiards, snooker, and pool.
ii.He has 36 national titles, with his latest at the Billiards and Snooker National Championships 2024.
iii.He has won 2 Gold Medals at the 2006 Asian Games (Doha, Qatar) and 2010 Asian Games (Guangzhou, China).
iv.The Government of India (GoI) has honoured Pankaj Advani with several prestigious awards, including the Arjuna Award (2004), the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2006), the Padma Shri in the Sports category (2009), and the Padma Bhushan in the Sports category (2018).

OBITUARY

Padma Vibhushan Awardee M.R. Srinivasan Passed AwayOn May 20, 2025, the Former Chairman of Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of India, and key architect of India’s nuclear energy programme  Malur Ramasamy (M.R) Srinivasan has passed away at the age of 95 in Ooty, Tamil Nadu (TN).
About M.R. Srinivasan:
i.M.R. Srinivasan, born on January 5, 1930, in Bengaluru (Karnataka), joined the Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1955.
ii.He closely worked with Dr. Homi Bhabha on India’s first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality in August 1956.
iii.In 1959, he was appointed as the Principal Project Engineer for the construction of India’s first Atomic Power Station.

• In 1967, he assumed charge as Chief Project Engineer of the Madras Atomic Power Station

iv.In 1974, he became the Director of the Power Projects Engineering Division, DAE and he was promoted to the Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board in 1984.
v.In 1987, he became the Chairman of the AEC, Secretary of the DAE and in the same year, he became the Founder-Chairman of the Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

• Under his leadership, 18 nuclear power units were developed, out of which seven are currently operational, 7 are under construction and four are in the planning stage.

vi.Dr. Srinivasan made an impact outside of India as well. From 1990 to 1992, he worked as a senior advisor for the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna(Austria).
vii.He contributed to worldwide nuclear safety as a founder member of the London, United Kingdom(UK) based World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).
Awards and Honours:
i.In 2015, He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the field of nuclear science and energy.
ii.He was conferred the Padma Bhushan award in 1990 and Padma Shri in 1984 to the field of nuclear science and energy.

Noted Astrophysicist & Padma Awardee Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar Passed AwayOn May 20, 2025, Dr.Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, a renowned Indian astrophysicist and founder of the Pune (Maharashtra) based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), passed away at the age of 87 in Pune(Maharashtra). He was born on 19th July 1938 in Kolhapur (Maharashtra).

• Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 1965 in the field of science and engineering and in 2004 received the Padma Vibhushan,India’s second-highest civilian award, in the field of science and engineering.

About Jayant Vishnu Narlikar:
i.He was internationally renowned for his alternative cosmological theories that challenged the popular Big Bang model.

• In 1963, in collaboration with Sir Fred Hoyle, he developed the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity, which integrates Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity with Mach’s principle.

ii.In 1972, he joined the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), and later founded IUCAA in 1988, serving as its director until 2003.
iii.In 1981, he became the founding member of Mexico (the United States of America, USA) based World Cultural Council(WCC).
iv.He served as the President of the Cosmology Commission of Paris(France) based International Astronomical Union(IAU) from 1994 to 1997.
v.He authored over 30 books, including science fiction and non-fiction in both English and Marathi languages.
Awards and Honors:
i.Kalinga Prize (1996): From the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for popularizing science.
ii.Maharashtra Bhushan (2010): Highest civilian award by the Government of Maharashtra.
iii.Sahitya Akademi Award (2014): For his Marathi autobiography, Chaar Nagarantale Maze Vishwa (A Tale of Four Cities).
iv.Astronomical Society of India (ASI) Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award (2023): For institutional-building and mentorship in the field of astronomy and astrophysics.
About Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA):
Director-  Professor Raghunathan Srianand
Headquarters – Pune, Maharashtra
Established – 1988

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Tea Day 2025 – May 21Every year on May 21, the United Nations (UN)’s International International Tea Day(ITD) is celebrated to recognise the cultural, economic, and social significance of tea across the world.

• 21st May 2025 marks the observance of the 6th ITD.

Background:
i.International Tea Day (ITD) was first observed on 15th December 2005 in New Delhi, India, initiated by a group of tea workers.
ii.The Government of India(GoI) proposed the idea of a globally recognized International Tea Day during a meeting of the FAO Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea in October 2015.
iii.Acknowledging tea’s cultural significance and socio-economic value, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the proposal and officially declared May 21 as International Tea Day in December 2019.
iv.The first UN-recognized International Tea Day was celebrated on 21st May 2020, marking a shift from the earlier December observance to a more globally unified celebration
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World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2025 – May 21The United Nations (UN’s) World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, or World Day for Cultural Diversity, is annually observed on May 21 worldwide to highlight the importance of cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development.

• The day of celebration is annually led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which is based in Paris (France).

Background:
i.In November 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, recognizing cultural diversity as the “common heritage of humanity” and highlighting its role in development.
ii.On December 20, 2002, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed Resolution A/RES/57/249, proclaiming May 21 as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
iii.The first World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development observance took place on May 21, 2003.
>> Read Full News

National Anti-Terrorism Day 2025 – May 21National Anti-Terrorism Day is annually observed across India on 21 May to mark the death anniversary of former Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991 by a suicide bomber associated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sriperumbudur, a village near Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).

• The day aims to raise awareness among people about the impact of terrorism on human lives and society, and to promote unity and peace across the nation.

i.21 May 2025 marks the 34th death anniversary of the 6th PM of India, Rajiv Gandhi (1984 – 1989)
ii.In 1992, the Government of India (GoI) established 21 May as National Anti-Terrorism Day to honour the memory of Rajiv Gandhi, with observances coordinated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025:
GTI 2025 was released by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a Sydney (Australia)-based think tank.India has been placed at the 14th rank with a score of 6.41, indicating a moderate but persistent impact of terrorism.

• Burkina Faso (a country in West Africa) has been ranked 1st with a score of 8.581, emerging as the most impacted country by terrorism in 2025.

>> Read Full News

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