Current Affairs 23 May 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman Presides Over 16th Annual Day of CCI in New DelhiOn 20th May 2025, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), presided over the 16th Annual Day celebration of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The event marked a significant milestone in the journey of the CCI, highlighting its role in promoting fair competition, advancing regulatory reforms, and supporting India’s economic vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.

Key Highlights of the Event:
The Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MoF highlighted:
i.Regulatory Balance: CCI’s role in maintaining a “light-touch regulatory framework” to balance enforcement and pro-growth policies, ensuring markets benefit all stakeholders.
ii.Global Cooperation: The need for agile regulation and global collaboration, especially in emerging sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital markets.
iii.Digital Initiatives: CCI’s Market Study on AI and Competition and the establishment of the Digital Markets Division to address tech-driven market challenges.
Initiatives Launched:
During the event, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released two important documents:
i.“Diagnostic Toolkit Towards Competitive Tenders for Public Procurement” , a guide to detect and prevent bid rigging in government tenders.
ii.“Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on Combinations”, a user-friendly guide reflecting key updates under the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 and the Combination Regulations, 2024, including clarity on deal value threshold and merger control procedures.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
i.CCI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi, Delhi.
ii.It was established on 14 October 2003 and began full operations in May 2009, with Dhanendra Kumar serving as its first Chairman.
iii.CCI’s focus areas include Market access for MSMEs, Prevention of monopolistic practices, Digital inclusion, and Promotion of competitive innovation.
iv.CCI consists of a Chairperson and between two to six members appointed by the Central Government; the current Chairperson is Ravneet Kaur, and the other members include Anil Agarwal, Sweta Kakkad, and Deepak Anurag.

DoT Introduces “Financial Fraud Risk Indicator” to strengthen Cyber Fraud PreventionOn May 21, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications (MoC) has announced sharing of “Financial Fraud Risk Indicators (FRI)” with stakeholders, marking a major step towards combating cyber fraud and financial crimes.

• FRI, a multi-dimensional analytical tool is developed as part of the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), DoT, to empower financial institutions with advance actionable intelligence for cyber fraud prevention.

About Financial Fraud Risk Indicators (FRI):
i.FRI, a risk-based metric that classifies a mobile number to have been associated with Medium, High, or Very High risk of financial fraud.
ii.This classification is the result of the inputs obtained from various stakeholders including reporting on Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C’s), National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), DoT’s Chakshu platform, and Intelligence shared by banks and financial institutions.
iii.It empowers stakeholders, especially banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Unified Payment Interface (UPI) service providers, to prioritize enforcement and take additional measures when a mobile number has high risk.
Key Points:
i.The Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU), DoT, regularly shares the list of mobile numbers that were disconnected (Mobile Number Revocation List, MNRL) with stakeholders along with the reasons for disconnections such as cyber-crime, failed re-verification, exceeding prescribed limits.

• As soon as a suspected mobile number is flagged by a stakeholder, it undergoes multi-dimensional analysis and is classified according to the risk.

ii.For instance, Unified Payments Interface(UPI) platforms such as PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm may restrict or delay transactions linked to flagged mobile numbers to protect users from potential financial fraud.
iii.As one of the initial adopters of FRI, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based PhonePe, an Indian digital payments and financial services company has used it to decline transactions, linked to Very High FRI mobile numbers and display an on-screen alert as part of PhonePe Protect feature.
About Ministry of Communications (MoC):
Union Minister – Jyotiraditya M. Scindia(Constituency – Guna, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Union Minister of State(MoS) – Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani (Constituency -Guntur, AP)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India Assumed Chairmanship of APO for 2025-26 at 67th GBM in IndonesiaIndia formally assumed the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025-26 term during the 67th session of the Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of the APO, held from May 20 to 22, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

• The Indian delegation was led by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) and APO Director for India.

Key Highlights:
i.India as chair of the APO, reaffirmed its commitment to driving the APO Vision 2030 and expanding the Green Productivity 2.0 framework.
ii.Also, India emphasized the significance of fostering regional collaboration in promoting digital transformation, sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
iii.During the meeting, India also expressed its intent to contribute to inclusive, responsive, and results-driven APO programs that aim at addressing evolving productivity and development challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
iv.More than 100 Indian professionals annually, participate in APO-led capacity-building initiatives through the National Productivity Council (NPC) under DPIIT.

• These programs help significantly in improving productivity of various sectors in India such as industrial, services, and agriculture.
• Also, various demonstration projects, including those focused on Green Productivity and Industry 4.0 applications for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been implemented across the country.

About Asian Productivity Organization (APO):
i.APO, a Tokyo (Japan)-based intergovernmental organisation was established in 1961.
ii.The Governing Body, the highest decision-making authority of APO which meets every year to set the organization’s strategic direction, approve major proposals, and review secretariat performance.
iii.At present, APO comprises 21 member countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Taiwan, Fiji, Hong Kong (dormant), India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkiye, and Vietnam.
About Indonesia:
President- Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo
Capital- Jakarta
Currency- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

India Participated in 24th IORA Meeting Virtually Hosted by the Government of Sri LankaOn May 21 2025, India Participated in 24th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM), which was hosted virtually by the current chair of IORA, Sri Lanka under the theme ‘Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generation’.

• The Indian delegation was led by Periasamy Kumaran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), at the 24th meeting of IORA COM.
• Currently, India is the Vice-Chair of IORA and part of Troika. India will take over the chairship of IORA from Sri Lanka, for 2025-2027.

i.During the meeting, the ministers adopted the IORA Guidelines on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, as well as IORA’s climate agenda.
ii.The key highlight of the meeting was adoption of Colombo Communique, which reflects the progress achieved since the last COM held in 2023.
About Sri Lanka:
President- Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Capital- Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (legislative capital), Colombo (judicial and executive capital)
Currency- Sri Lankan Rupee (SLR)
>> Read Full News

UAE Elected to Executive Board of IAACAIn May 2025, the Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates, UAE) based UAE Accountability Authority (UAEAA) was elected to the Executive Board of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) during the organization’s first council meeting of 2025 held in Abu Dhabi.

• The move reflects the UAE’s prominent standing in advancing good governance and integrity.

Significance of the Membership:
i.The new membership will provide the UAE with an effective platform for shaping international policies and exchanging best practices, which results in enhancing transparency across government institutions.
ii.The achievement marks a milestone in the UAEAA’s strategy to build a robust regulatory framework, in line with the highest international standards in transparency, anti-corruption, and institutional excellence.
About International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA):
i.IAACA is an independent and non-political anti-corruption organization.
ii.It was founded in 2006 during its inaugural conference in Beijing, China.
iii.It supports the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and facilitates cooperation among anti-corruption authorities worldwide.
President – Danny Y.M. Woo
About United Arab Emirates Accountability Authority (UAEAA):
The United Arab Emirates Accountability Authority (UAEAA) is the supreme institution for financial audit and accounting in the UAE, reporting to the President of the UAE.

• Its primary objective is to foster integrity, transparency, and accountability within the UAE.

President – Humaid Obaid Abushibs
Headquarters – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Established – 2023

Polio Outbreak Declared in Papua New Guinea After Detection of cVDPV2
In May 2025, Geneva(Switzerland) based World Health Organization (WHO) declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea (PNG) after detecting circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in stool samples of two asymptomatic children in Lae city, Morobe Province. This marks the first polio outbreak in the country since 2018.

• PNG was declared polio-free in 2000 but faced a cVDPV1 outbreak in 2018, when 26 cases were confirmed in the same region.
• The cVDPV2 strain detected in 2025 has 18–19 genetic mutations from the original vaccine strain, indicating prolonged community transmission.

Note: Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under 5 years.
Key Points:
i.The polio immunisation coverage in PNG is below 50%, far lower than the required threshold to prevent outbreaks.
ii.Only around 44% of children have received the third dose of the vaccine needed for full protection.
iii.A national response campaign has been launched targeting children aged 10 years and below, aiming to vaccinate approximately 3.5 million children.
iv.The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), WHO, and the Government of Australia are supporting the vaccination drive to increase coverage to 90%.
About Papua New Guinea (PNG):
Prime Minister(PM) – James Marape
Capital – Port Moresby
Currency – Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK)

BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI Extended Deadline for ODIs Compliance to November 17, 2025In May 2025, the Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) extended the compliance deadline for its revised framework on Offshore Derivative Instruments (ODIs) issued by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) to 17th November 2025, from the earlier deadline of 17th May 2025.

• The updated norms aim to enhance transparency and investor accountability through stricter disclosure requirements and compliance measures.
• The decision follows representations from market participants requesting more time for a smooth transition to the updated regulations.

Note: In December 2024, SEBI introduced a new ODI framework to align regulatory practices between ODIs and FPIs and prevent regulatory arbitrage.
Revised ODI Framework:
i.Disclosure Requirements:
ODI subscribers must disclose detailed ownership details up to the level of natural persons if:

• Their equity ODI positions exceed 50% exposure to a single Indian corporate group
• Their overall equity ODI exposure in Indian markets exceeds Rs 25,000 crore.
• These requirements apply to Holdings through multiple FPIs, Entities with common ownership or control, and Registered FPIs with equity holdings.

ii.Derivatives Restrictions:

• FPIs cannot issue ODIs with derivatives as the underlying assets.
  Derivatives cannot be used to hedge ODI positions.
• ODIs must refer only to non-derivative securities and be fully hedged on a one-to-one basis with those securities.

iii.Registration Norms:

• FPIs issuing ODIs must obtain a separate registration marked with the suffix “ODI” under the same Permanent Account Number (PAN) 
• No new registration is required if ODIs are backed solely by government securities.

iv.Exemption: Government-related investors, Public Retail Funds (PRFs), and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) with less than 50% exposure to Indian equity markets are exempt from granular disclosures.
Note: ODIs are financial instruments issued by registered FPIs to overseas investors who wish to invest in Indian securities without directly registering with SEBI, where FPIs are entities registered with SEBI that invest in Indian financial markets, such as stocks, bonds, and other securities, on behalf of foreign individuals or institutions.

RBI Imposed Monetary Penalties on Deutsche Bank India & Yes Bank for Regulatory Non-Compliance
In May 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties on Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Deutsche Bank India, a subsidiary of Frankfurt (Germany)-based Deutsche Bank AG and Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Yes Bank Limited, a private sector bank in India, for non-compliance with specific regulatory guidelines under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
i.Deutsche Bank India received a monetary penalty of Rs 50 lakh for failing to report credit information of certain borrowers to the Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC).

• The penalty was imposed under Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• The RBI found this non-compliance during the Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (SE) with reference to the bank’s financial position as of 31st March 2024.

ii.Yes Bank received a penalty of Rs 29.60 lakh for incorrect disclosures regarding customer complaints in its Annual Financial Statements (AFS) for the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24).

• The bank failed to comply with the RBI directions on ‘Financial Statements – Presentation and Disclosures’.

Note: CRILC is maintained by RBI and mandates scheduled commercial banks, cooperative banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) to report loan exposures of Rs 5 crore or above.

IOB signs MoU with IIBF for customized E Learning and Certification Program on MSME
In May 2025, Chennai (Tamil Nadu,TN) based Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) for customized Electronic (e) – Learning and certification program on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

• The MoU was signed by Dilip Kumar Barik, General Manager of Human Resource(HR),IOB and Dr.Gangadharan, Director, Academics, IIBF in the presence of Ajay Kumar Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), IOB.

i.The objective of the MoU is to enhance the knowledge of employees about MSMEs and respond to credit needs of MSMEs adequately and in a timely manner.
ii.As a part of MoU, IIBF developed a customized courseware for IOB employees in the form of an e-book and conduct certification exam through remote proctored mode.

• The certificates jointly signed by IOB and IIBF officials will be provided to staff members on successful passing of examination.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Morgan Stanley upgrades India’s growth forecast to 6.2% for FY26 and 6.5% for FY27On May 21st 2025, the global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley upgraded its forecast for the Indian economy to 6.2% Year-on-Year (YoY) for Financial Year (FY) 2026, up from 6.1% and 6.5% for FY 2027, up from 6.3%.

• The report noted that the easing of the United States-China trade tensions has slightly improved the outlook for external demand.

Key Findings:
i.As per the report, India’s growth momentum will primarily be driven by domestic demand, due to the uncertainties present in the external environment.

• Also, policy support is expected to reinforce this trajectory through easier monetary policy and fiscal efforts will continue to prioritise capital expenditure.

Note: The RBI has projected a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 6.5% for FY26.
SBI Research projects Q4 FY25 GDP growth at 6.4–6.5%, flags global uncertainty as key risk
On May 21st 2025, State Bank of India research forecast India’s GDP growth for the 4th quarter of FY25 at 6.4–6.5%, citing a slight moderation in economic activity.

• Also, the full-year FY25 GDP is projected to grow at 6.3%, assuming no significant revisions to the Q1-Q3 data by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Key Highlights:
i.The projection is based on SBI Research’s proprietary ‘Nowcasting Model,’ which analyses 36 high-frequency indicators linked to consumption and demand across sectors.

• The report also projects the growth in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for manufacturing decelerated from 4.1% in Q3 FY25 to 3.6% in Q4 FY25.

Note: As per International Monetary Fund (IMF), global growth is projected to drop to 2.8% in 2025 and 3% in 2026.

Adani Defence & Aerospace Collaborates with Sparton to Indigenise ASW Systems
In May 2025, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) based Adani Defence & Aerospace, arm of the Adani Group and operates under Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), signed a binding collaboration agreement with DeLeon Springs (Florida, the United States of America, USA) based Sparton (DeLeon Springs LLC), a subsidiary of Haifa (Israel) based Elbit Systems Ltd., to localize the production of advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare(ASW) systems, including sonobuoys, for the Indian Navy and global markets.

• This collaboration positions Adani Defence & Aerospace as the first private sector company in India to offer domestically developed sonobuoy solutions, aligning with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.

i.The partnership aims to localize the assembly and eventual manufacturing of advanced ASW solutions in India, addressing this longstanding reliance on foreign imports.
ii.Sonobuoys are mission-critical sonar systems used in ASW to detect, locate, and track submarines and underwater threats, thus enhancing Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA).
iii.The indigenisation of sonobuoys is expected to reduce India’s dependence on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and will contribute to securing naval assets, including carrier strike groups.

USA-based Coinbase Joins S&P 500 Index as First Cryptocurrency Exchange
In May 2025, California, the United States of America (USA)-based Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN), became the first cryptocurrency exchange to join the New York (USA) based Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) Index.

• It replaced Illinois (USA) based Discover Financial Services (DFS) in the S&P 500 Index after DFS was acquired by Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) based in Virginia (USA).

i.The S&P 500, which tracks 500 leading companies and represents 90% of the USA equity market capitalization, highlights Coinbase’s inclusion as a significant milestone in the mainstream acceptance of digital assets.
ii.The inclusion coincided with Bitcoin (BTC-USD) surpassing USD 100,000, driven by pro-crypto policies under US President Donald Trump.

AEPC Partners with GBCI to Boost LEED-Certified Garment Factories in India
In May 2025, Gurugram (Haryana) based Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Washington, D.C., the United States of America (USA) based Green Business Certification Institute (GBCI) to encourage sustainable manufacturing within India’s garment industry.

• The agreement was formalized by Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General (SG) of AEPC, and Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, Managing Director (MD) of GBCI Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

i.The primary aim of this collaboration is to increase the number of garment factories in India that receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a globally recognized system assessing a building’s environmental impact and sustainability.
ii.India currently has only 13 garment factories certified under LEED, which offers several key benefits such as lower resource consumption, reduced carbon emissions, better indoor air quality, lower operational costs, higher property valuation, and greater investor confidence.
Note: In 2024, India retained its third position globally in LEED certification, as per the USA-based United States Green Building Council (USGBC), ranking behind China (1st) and Canada (2nd).

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

TIME100 Philanthropy 2025 List: Ambani Couple, Azim Premji, Nikhil Kamath Featured on the ListIn May 2025, New York (the United States of America, USA)-based TIME magazine, the 102-year-old global media brand, has released the inaugural edition of “TIME 100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy 2025”. Mukesh Ambani , Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and his wife Nita Ambani; Azim Premji, former chairman of WIPRO Limited and Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder of Zerodha are among other Indians featured on the list.

• Michael Bloomberg, co-founder, CEO of Bloomberg LP, was named the largest individual donor of 2024, contributing USD 3.7 billion to various causes, including a USD1 billion donation to Johns Hopkins University to make medical education more accessible.

i.Some of the prominent global figures on the list: David Beckham (Titans), former British football player, entrepreneur and philanthropist; American entrepreneur and TV personality Oprah Winfrey (Titans) recognised for her work in female education; Melinda French Gates (Titans) co-founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others from 28 countries across the world.
ii.The list featured individuals who have made significant contributions through charity, funding, and policy reform.
iii.The list has categorised the influential people in philanthropy into 4 different categories: Titans, Leaders, Trailblazers and Innovators.
About TIME Magazine:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Jessica Sibley
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Founded– 1923
>> Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Sudanese Army Appointed Kamil Idris as 16th PM Amid Civil WarIn May 2025, Sudan’s military leader and Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan appointed Kamil El-Tayeb Idris as the 16th Prime Minister (PM) of the Republic of the Sudan (Sudan), marking the country’s first PM appointment since January 2022, following the resignation of PM Abdalla Hamdok amid political unrest and pro-democracy protests.

• General Burhan also re-appointed Salma Abdel Jabbar Almubarak and Nowara Abo Mohamed Mohamed Tahir to the Sovereign Council, the executive body managing state affairs during the transition.

About Kamil El-Tayeb Idris:
i.Kamil Eltayeb Idris is a distinguished Sudanese diplomat, legal scholar, and international civil servant.
ii.He joined the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 1982, ascending to Director General(DG) from 1997 to 2008. During his tenure, he also served as Secretary-General of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).
iii.He was also a member of the United Nations(UN) International Law Commission(ILC) between 1992–1996 and 2000–2001.
iv.Additionally, he held various roles within Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2010, he ran as an independent candidate in Sudan’s presidential elections.
v.He has earned global acclaim for his work in international law and intellectual property, with top honors including the Order of Oman, Order of the Two Niles(Sudan), Order of the Aztec Eagle (Mexico), and the Venice IP Award.
vi.His publications focus on intellectual property and international development, notably “A Better United Nations for the New Millennium” and “Intellectual Property: A Power Tool for Economic Growth.”
Background of Sudan’s Civil War:
i.The war began in April 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese Army and a paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF),which had jointly led a coup in 2021.
ii.The conflict spread across Sudan, especially beyond Khartoum (Sudan), resulting in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
About the Republic of the Sudan:
Capital – Khartoum
Currency – Sudanese Pound (SDG)
Continent – Africa

Intelligence Bureau Chief Tapan Kumar Deka Gets 1 Year Extension
In May 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved a second one-year extension of Counter-terrorism expert, Tapan Kumar Deka as the Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) for a period of one year till June 2026.

• With this extension, he becomes the longest-serving IB chief since the tenure was formalized in 2005.
• The extension is in relaxation of the provisions of Fundamental Rules (FR) 56 (d) and Rule 16 (1A) of All India Services (Death Cum Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.

i.Tapan Kumar Deka, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh(HP) cadre, was appointed as the IB Director for two years in June 2022.
ii.He was first appointed as the Director of the IB for a two-year term starting from June 2022. His tenure was extended by one year in June 2024.
iii.He led the operations wing of the IB for over two decades and played a key role in coordinating counterassault efforts during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

SEBI approves merger of Sumuka Agro Industries Limited with Gujjubhai Foods
In May 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) granted approval for the merger of  Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Gujjubhai Foods Private Limited with Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Sumuka Agro Industries Limited. The merger now awaits final approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

• This strategic merger, executed through absorption, aims to consolidate the operations and market strengths of both entities in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.

Key Details of the Merger:
i.Share Exchange Ratio: Shareholders of Gujjubhai Foods will receive 17.5 shares of Sumuka Agro for every 10 shares held in the private company.
ii.Promoter Stake Increase: Post-merger, the promoters’ stake in the combined entity will rise from 27.71% to 64%.
iii.BSE Approval: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) had given a ‘No objection’ to the proposal in July 2024.
Note: Sumuka Agro Industries Limited, established in 1989, is a publicly listed company engaged in the production and distribution of branded Gujarati snacks, dry fruits, natural beverages, and packaged foods across India.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IN Inducts INSV Kaundinya, a 5th Century CE Stitched Sail Ship in KarnatakaOn May 21, 2025, the Indian Navy (IN) formally inducted the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya, a 5th-century CE (Common Era)-inspired stitched sail ship, during a ceremonial event held at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka. The ceremony was presided over by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Culture (MoC).

• INSV Kaundinya will be based at Karwar (Karnataka), as part of its operational deployment under IN.

Note: The first voyage of INSV Kaundinya will follow the ancient trade route from Gujarat to Oman, crossing the Arabian Sea.
Background:
i.The INSV Kaundinya project commenced with a tripartite agreement in July 2023 among MoC, IN, and Goa-based M/S Hodi Innovations (OPC) Private Limited.
ii.Funded by MoC, the keel was laid in September 2023 under master shipwright Babu Sankaran (Kerala-based artisans).
iii.The ship was launched in the sea in February 2025 in Goa at the M/s Hodi Innovations shipyards.
iv.After completing its sea trial, the vessel was formally inducted into the IN as INSV Kaundinya.
Key Features of INSV Kaundinya:
i.Design Process: Recreated using iconographic sources due to the absence of historical blueprints.
ii.Design Inspiration: Based on Ajanta Cave paintings (5th century CE)
iii.Construction: Built using traditional stitching methods with wooden planks, coir rope, coconut fiber, and natural resin.
iv.Cultural Motifs: Features Gandabherunda (mythical bird) and Sun symbols on sails, a Simha Yali (lion sculpture) on the bow, and a Harappan-style stone anchor.
v.Historical Tribute: Named after Kaundinya, the ancient mariner who sailed to Southeast Asia.
vi.Hydrodynamic Testing: Conducted at the Department of Ocean Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).
About Ajanta Caves:
i.The Ajanta Caves are a collection of 30 ancient Buddhist rock-cut monuments located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
ii.They were designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in 1983.

Aerpace Industries Unveils Defence Drones ‘aerRecon ARM-5’ Under aerShield
In May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Aerpace Industries Limited(AEL) has successfully tested India’s next-generation smart Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) ecosystem under the aerShield initiative.

• This Artificial Intelligence(AI)-driven UAV ecosystem enhances India’s defence capabilities by reducing human intervention while improving battlefield adaptability.
• Developed in collaboration with Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Aerpace Robotics Private Limited, Hyderabad (Telangana)-based UAV Tech Pvt Ltd and Pune (Maharashtra)-based Leospear Defence Pvt Ltd.

Key Features of the aerShield Ecosystem:
Central to the aerShield ecosystem is aerOS, an AI-driven autonomous control platform that facilitates real-time navigation, mission execution, obstacle avoidance, and precise targeting.
i.aerRecon Autonomous Reconnaissance Module(ARM)-5: A Vertical TakeOff and Landing (VTOL) surveillance drone designed for high-altitude and remote border operations. It boasts a 2-meter wingspan, speeds up to 125 kilometers per hour(km/h), and a payload capacity of 5 kilogram(kg).
ii.aerRecon ARM-10: A Short TakeOff and Landing (STOL) variant tailored for extended surveillance missions.
iii.aerReaper Autonomous Multi-Mission Ordnance(AMMO)-R7: A tactical kamikaze drone capable of carrying RPG-class payloads, intended for precision strike missions.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for Biological Diversity 2025 – May 22The United Nations (UN’s) International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is observed globally on May 22 every year to raise awareness about biodiversity conservation and its critical role in sustaining life on Earth.

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) oversees the observance of the IDB and acts as the UN’s key framework for safeguarding global biodiversity.
• The theme for IDB 2025 is “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.”

Background: 
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) first designated 29 December as IDB in 1995 through resolution A/RES/49/119.
ii.However, in 2001, the UNGA, through resolution A/RES/55/201, shifted the date of IDB to May 22.
iii.The inaugural IDB was observed on May 22, 2002.
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STATE NEWS

MP Cabinet Approves ‘Rah-veer’ Scheme, Rs. 2100 crore Adi Shankaracharya ProjectIn May 2025, the Cabinet meeting headed by, Madhya Pradesh (MP) Chief Minister (CM), Mohan Yadav has approved the proposal of “Rah-veer” Scheme, Rs.2100 crore project for promoting religious traditions around Adishankaracharya statue at an event held at Rajwada Palace in Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP).

• The cabinet meeting was held to mark the 300th birth anniversary year of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar.

Key Points:
i.Under the Rah-veer scheme, the individuals who help road accident victims by taking them to a hospital or a Primary Health Centre (PHC) will be rewarded with Rs. 25,000 an increase from the previous Rs. 5,000 by the MP government.

• The objective of the scheme is to motivate the public to help road accident victims in emergency situations and save innocent lives.

ii.The cabinet also approved the Rs.2,100 crore project, which includes hostels for research scholars, library and other facilities around the statue of a spiritual master, Adishankaracharya in Omkareshwar, MP.
iii.The government also approved the plan to build working women’s hostels in industrial areas, which will be built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and funded through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions of industrialists.
iv.The cabinet also approved development projects and schemes worth Rs. 3,687 crores, including in-principle approval to the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Training Scheme, aimed at providing employment-oriented skill development to the youths in MP.

• Under the Scheme, eligible individuals will receive an annual interest subsidy of Rs.1,000, with a lifetime cap of Rs.10,000 per person on loan interest.
• The annual expenditure on the scheme will be approximately Rs.100 crore.

iv.Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital, Indore: Rs 773.07 crore, Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa: Rs 321.94 crore.
v.Provide safe and affordable accommodation for working women in industrial zones with Rs 249.66 crore.
About Ahilyabai Holkar:
Ahilyabai Holkar was the Holkar Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom, India. She is regarded as one of the most visionary female rulers in India.

• In the 18th century, as the queen of Malwa, she was instrumental in propagating industrialization.

About Madhya Pradesh (MP):
Chief Minister (CM) – Mohan Yadav
Governor – Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Capital – Bhopal
National Park (NP) – Pench NP, Madhav NP

Asiatic Lion Census 2025: Gujarat’s Asiatic Lion Population Rises to 891 from 674On May 21, 2025, Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat, announced the results of the 16th Asiatic Lion Census, revealing a significant increase in the lion population. The census, conducted from May 10 to 13, 2025, recorded 891 Asiatic lions in Gujarat, marking a 32.2% rise from the 674 lions counted in the 2020 census.

• According to the Gujarat Forest Department, the population breakdown is 196 adult males, 330 adult females, 140 sub-adults, and 225 cubs.

Census Methodology:
i.The census spanned approximately 35,000 square kilometers (sq. km) across 58 talukas in 11 districts of Gujarat.
ii.Around 3,000 participants, including officers, enumerators, and volunteers, were involved in the operation.
iii.Advanced methodologies such as direct beat verification were employed, supported by tools like high-resolution cameras, camera traps, and Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled radio collars.
iv.Participants meticulously recorded observations, including time, movement direction, physical characteristics, age, sex, and precise location of the lions.
Key Findings of the 2025 Census
1.Population Breakdown:
i.The current lion population comprises 196 males, 330 females, 140 sub-adults, and 225 cubs.
ii.The increase in adult females from 260 to 330 (a 26.92% rise) highlights the population’s robust reproductive capacity.
2.Geographic Spread:
i.Lions now inhabit 11 districts in Saurashtra, covering 35,000 sq. km (up from 30,000 sq. km in 2020).
ii.384 lions reside in Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary (core area), Gujarat, while 507 are in satellite habitats like Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat) (17 lions) and coastal zones.

• The number of Asiatic lions residing outside forested areas has increased significantly from 340 in 2020 to 507 in 2025.

3.District-wise Distribution:
i.Amreli district recorded the highest number of Asiatic lions in the landscape with 339 lions, followed by Gir-Somnath with 222 lions, Junagadh with 191 lions, and Bhavnagar with 116 lions.
ii.In addition, Porbandar, Rajkot, and Devbhumi Dwarka districts recorded 16, 6, and 1 lion(s) respectively.
iii.No lion populations were recorded in Ahmedabad, Botad, Jamnagar, and Surendranagar districts during the estimation.
About Gujarat:
Chief Minister (CM) – Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel
Governor – Acharya Devvrat
Capital – Gandhinagar
Zoological Park – Sakkarbaug Zoological Park, Kamla Nehru Zoological Park

Bihar Government Renames Gaya Town as “Gaya Jee”
In May 2025, the Bihar cabinet headed by Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar has approved a proposal to rename the city ‘Gaya’ as “Gaya Jee”, due to its historic and religious importance.

• The renaming of the Gaya town aims to promote tourism in Gaya, by attracting more pilgrims and visitors, strengthening the local economy and creating opportunities.

i.Gaya town, located on the bank of Falgu River, was part of the Magadha Empire.
ii.Bodh Gaya, located in Gaya district, is the sacred site where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree.
iii.Gaya is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site, famed for the Pitrapaksha festival. Each year, millions visit to perform Pind Daan, paying homage to their ancestors.
iv.The city is surrounded by hills: Mangala-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila, and Brahmayoni, each holding deep religious significance.

Justice K Somashekar Appointed as Chief Justice of Manipur HC
In May 2025, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, appointed Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, Judge of the Karnataka High Court(HC), as the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Manipur HC under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India.

• He succeeds Justice D. Krishnakumar, who demitted office on 21st May 2025 upon attaining the retirement age of 62 years.
• This appointment follows the recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai.

About Justice K Somashekar:
i.Justice K Somashekar began his judicial career as a District and Sessions Judge on 17th June 1998.
ii.He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Karnataka HC in 2016 and became a Permanent Judge in 2018.
iii.He also held administrative roles such as Registrar (Judicial) and Registrar (Vigilance) at the Karnataka HC.

Uttarakhand Launches State’s First Dedicated Cycad Garden in Haldwani
In May 2025, the Uttarakhand Forest Department inaugurated the state’s first dedicated Cycad Garden in Haldwani, Nainital district, Uttarakhand, to conserve one of the world’s most ancient and endangered groups of plant cycads.

• The initiative is funded by the Tokyo(Japan) based Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and aims to promote conservation, research, and public awareness regarding these rare species.

i.The garden is spread over 0.75 hectares (over two acres) and features 31 species of cycads, out of which 17 species are listed as threatened.

• Out of the 31 species, 9 are native to India, including Cycas andamanica, Cycas beddomei, Cycas zeylanica, Cycas pectinata, and Cycas circinalis.

ii.The garden also houses rare species such as Cycas annaikalensis (Kerala), Cycas orixensis (Odisha), and Cycas beddomei (Andhra Pradesh).
iii.Cycads, often referred to as ‘living fossils’, have existed since the Mesozoic era and have significant ecological, cultural, and ornamental value.
iv.These plants are known for their slow growth, limited reproductive ability, and nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with cyanobacteria, which contributes to ecosystem stability.

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