Current Affairs 24 May 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi Visit to Rajasthan on May 22, 2025On May 22, 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Rajasthan to inaugurate, lay foundation and dedicate various developmental projects worth Rs.26,000 Crore in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
i.PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 103 Amrit Bharat Railway Stations in 86 districts across 18 states and UT through a video conference at Bikaner.The total cost of the project is Rs.1,100 crore.
ii.PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for construction of 3 Vehicle Underpasses, widening and strengthening of National highways(NH).
iii.PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for several RE and power transmission projects in Rajasthan.

• 100 Megawatt (MW) Nawa Solar Power Project in Didwana, Kuchaman district.
• 300 MW Ground-Mounted Solar Project in Bikaner.

i.He also inaugurated, laid foundation and dedicated 25 important state government projects across Rajasthan to enhance infrastructure, connectivity, power supply, health services and water availability in the state.
About Rajasthan:
Chief Minister(CM) – Bhajan Lal Sharma
Governor – Haribhau Bhagade
Capital – Jaipur
National Park (NPs) – Ranthambore NP, Sariska NP
>>Read Full News

MoHUA Announced 4% Housing Reservation for Persons with DisabilitiesIn May 2025, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) announced to provide 4% reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the allotment of government housing under the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) category which will cover houses up to Type 5, benefitting officials from Assistant Section Officer (ASO) level to Director rank.

• This decision reaffirms Government of India (GoI)’s commitment to provide equal opportunities for every individual under the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan).
• This announcement was made through an official memorandum issued by the Directorate of Estates (DoE) under MoHUA, in alignment with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD), 2016.

Key Points:
i.MoHUA will give priority for allotment of GPRA every month only to those government officials who have benchmark disabilities, as prescribed in the RPWD Act.
ii.In order to be considered for accommodation, all government officials/servants are allowed to participate in the online bidding process conducted every month by the Directorate of Estates, under MoHUA.
iii.As per official memorandum, preference will be given to eligible PwD applicants over the unified waiting list for both initial allotment/change of GPRA.
iv.The Unique Disability Identification(UDID) card issued by the GoI will be considered a valid document for proof of disability.
Note: Currently, the Directorate of Estates manages 1.02 lakh GPRA units across 355 locations in 61 cities of the country.
About Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan:
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan is a nationwide initiative launched by the Government of India(GoI) in 2015, with the aim of making public spaces, transportation systems, and information and communication technologies accessible to PwDs.

• The campaign is implemented by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MSJE).

About Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA):
Union Minister- Manohar Lal Khattar (Constituency- Karnal, Haryana)
Minister of State (MoS)- Tokhan Sahu (Constituency- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh)

Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates ‘Sagar Bhavan’ & ‘Polar Bhavan’ at Goa’s NCPOR On May 20, 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T) inaugurated ‘Sagar Bhavan’ and ‘Polar Bhavan’ at National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in at Vasco da Gama ,Goa.

• The inauguration coincided with NCPOR’s Silver Jubilee (25th Anniversary) celebrations. As part of the celebrations, Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh launched a documentary highlighting the institute’s 25-year journey.
• These are the first combined facilities of their kind in India and one of the few in the world focused on polar and ocean research. These facilities, aim to enhance India’s capabilities in polar studies, ocean research, and climate science.

Key Features of the New Facilities:
1.Polar Bhavan:
i.Polar Bhavan, the largest building at the NCPOR campus, covers an area of 11,378 square metres (sq. m) and was constructed at a cost of Rs.55 crore.
ii.It comprises laboratories for polar and ocean research, 55 rooms for scientists, a seminar hall, library, canteen, and a conference room.
iii.It houses the newly inaugurated Science On Sphere (SOS), a three dimensional (3D) visualization platform for climate and earth system data.
iv.It will also serve as India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum.
2.Sagar Bhavan:
i.Sagar Bhavan covering 1,772 sq.m, was built at a cost of Rs.13 crore.
ii.It includes two -30 degree Celsius (°C) ice core laboratories and +4°C storage units for biological and sediment sample preservation.
iii.It also features 29 rooms, including a Class 1000 metal-free clean room for trace metal and isotope research.
Significance of the Infrastructure:
i.Around 70% of the world’s freshwater is stored in polar ice, and its rapid melting due to climate change could raise sea levels, endangering India’s 1,000 kilometer (km) coastline. This highlights the need for regular scientific monitoring and quick action.
ii.The facilities will strengthen India’s role in ocean geopolitics and support the Blue Economy and Deep Ocean Mission.
iii.NCPOR manages India’s research stations in Antarctic stations (Maitri & Bharati), Arctic station (Himadri), and Himalayan facility (Himansh). Its scientific missions have now been extended to the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, and the Central Arctic Ocean.
About National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR):
NCPOR operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES), and is the nodal agency for the Indian Antarctic Programme.
Director – Dr. Thamban Meloth
Headquarters – Vasco da Gama ,Goa
Established  – 1998

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Laid Foundation for Rs 42.4 crore Integrated Aquapark in Tripura
In May 2025, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) and Minister of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), laid the foundation stone for an Integrated Aquapark in Kailashahar, Tripura, to be developed at a cost of Rs 42.4 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

• The event also marked the inauguration of a one-day Fish Festival in Agartala(Tripura) to showcase the state’s aquatic biodiversity and cultural heritage.

i.The park will integrate hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage, processing units, training centers, and marketing facilities under one roof.
ii.He highlighted that out of 11 national aquaparks, with 4 in Northeast India, to boost Tripura’s annual fish production target to 2 lakh tonnes.
iii.Tripura has received Rs 319 crore over the last decade under PMMSY and the Blue Revolution for aquaculture expansion.
iv.Certificates and sanction orders, including Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), were distributed to various beneficiaries in the fisheries sector.
v.The state with its high fish consumption rate of over 29 kg per capita per year, has made significant progress in the fisheries sector in the recent years.

Bihar Hosts First International Buyer-Seller Meet to Boost Agri-Food Exports
In May 2025, the government of Bihar hosted its first-ever International Buyer-Seller Meet (IBSM) from May 19–20, 2025, at Gyan Bhawan, Patna. The event was organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), in collaboration with New Delhi(Delhi) based Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI).

• The event was graced by Union Minister Chirag Paswan,MoFPI; Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy Chief Minister(CM) of Bihar; Nitish Mishra,  Industries Minister of Bihar; along with several other senior officials.
• The IBSM witnessed the participation of over 70 international buyers from 20 countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Japan, Ghana, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK).

i.The event aimed to create direct market linkages between Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of Bihar with leading international buyers, thereby boosting exports of Bihar’s agri-food products.
ii.Over 500 structured B2B meetings were conducted, focusing on promoting Bihar’s key agricultural products such as GI-tagged Makhana, Shahi Litchi, Zardalu Mango, and Katarni Rice.
iii.During the meet, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among APEDA, the Government of Bihar, and United Arab Emirates(UAE) based Lulu Group International to boost the export potential and shelf life of Bihar’s litchi.

MHA Launches e-Zero FIR System to Combat Cyber Financial Crimes
In May 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) introduced the electronic-Zero First Information Report (e-Zero FIR) initiative through its Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), aimed at accelerating action against cyber financial crimes.

• The pilot project was launched in Delhi and will be expanded to other States and Union Territories (UTs) in a phased manner.

i.The e-Zero FIR initiative enables automatic registration of FIRs for cyber financial complaints involving a loss of Rs 10 lakh and above reported through the New Delhi based National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or the Cybercrime Helpline 1930.
ii.It integrates the I4C’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), Delhi Police’s e-FIR platform, and the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) to streamline cybercrime reporting and investigation.
iii.These FIRs are initially registered with the e-Crime Police Station of Delhi, irrespective of the complainant’s location, and are then transferred to the respective territorial Cybercrime Police Stations.

• But, Complainants must visit the concerned Cybercrime Police Station within 3 days to convert the Zero FIR into a regular FIR.

iv.Aligns with Section 173(1) and 1(ii) of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, enabling electronic FIR registration irrespective of jurisdiction.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Global Forest Watch data: India Lost 18,200 hectares of Primary Forest in 2024As per the latest data released in May 2025 by the Global Forest Watch (GFW), an international collaboration of more than 100 organisations, India lost 18,200 hectares (ha) of primary forest in 2024 compared to 17,700 ha lost in 2023.

• The data further revealed that India lost 3,48,000 ha or 348 kilo hectare (kha) of humid primary forest between 2002 and 2024, accounts about 5.4% of the country’s total humid primary forest. This figure also represents 15% of India’s total tree cover loss during the same period.
• Globally, 2024 witnessed unprecedented forest loss, largely driven by massive fires. The tropics alone lost a record 6.7 million ha of primary rainforest.
• GFW’s data showed that India lost 103 kha (1.6%) of humid primary forest between 2019 and 2024; accounts 14% of its total tree cover loss in those years.

Monitoring Methodology:
i.This data is provided by GFW,an initiative of the United States of America(USA) based World Resources Institute(WRI) in collaboration with the USA based University of Maryland.
ii.GFW identifies primary forests using satellite imagery from the Landsat program, combined with region-specific algorithms tailored to detect and monitor forest cover changes.
>>Read Full News

Algeria Officially Joins BRICS-Backed NDB as New MemberOn May 22, 2025, the Shanghai (China)-based New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), officially admitted Algeria as its new member.This was announced by NDB President Dilma Rousseff.

• This follows Algeria’s deposit of the instrument of accession, under the provisions of the NDB’s Articles of Agreement.
• In addition to its founding members(Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), the NDB includes Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Indonesia as member countries, with Uruguay currently holding the status of a prospective member.

About New Development Bank (NDB):
i.NDB, formerly known as the BRICS Development Bank, was established in 2015 by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to advance the development priorities of emerging market economies.
ii.The primary objective of the NDB is to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in Emerging Market Economies and Developing Countries (EMDCs).
iii.The bank was founded with an initial authorized capital of USD 100 billion, divided into one million shares, each with a face value of USD 100,000.
iv.The first President of the NDB was K.V. Kamath from India, who served from 2015 to 2020.
v.In 2022, NDB announced the launch of its Indian Regional Office (IRO) located in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
President – Dilma Rousseff
Headquarters – Shanghai, China
About Algeria:
President – Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Capital – Algiers
Currency – Algerian Dinar (DZD)

Henley & Partners World’s Wealthiest Cities Report 2025: Mumbai Wealthiest City in India; New York Topped the List Globally
London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based Henley & Partners in partnership with wealth intelligence firm, New World Wealth released the 4th annual edition of  World’s Wealthiest Cities Report 2025. As per the report, Mumbai (Maharashtra) ranked at 27th position globally with more than 51,000 millionaires, and 25 billionaires, emerged as the wealthiest city in India.

• Mumbai also known as the financial capital of India registered a robust growth of 69% in millionaire numbers over the last 10 years.

i.However, the United States of America (USA) is the country with highest number of millionaires, featuring 11 cities in the top 50 rankings (of which 4 are in top 10 rankings).
ii.As per the report, New York City (USA) retained its position as the world’s wealthiest city, with 384, 500 High-Net Worth Individuals (HNIs), followed by the Bay Area (including the city of San Francisco and Silicon Valley, USA) and Tokyo (Japan) ranked at 2nd and 3rd position in the rankings.
iii.This year, Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal debuted the list, ranked at 50th spot with 22,00 millionaires, due to which Auckland (New Zealand) dropped out from this year’s list.
About Henley & Partners:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Dr. Juerg Steffen
Headquarters- London, United Kingdom (UK)
Established- 1997
>>Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Greenlights QuickPay’s PA License, Getepay’s Final Authorization, and CIHL Stake Sale
In May 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted significant approvals impacting India’s digital payments and financial services landscape.
i.QuickPay, the fintech platform of New Delhi(Delhi) based Quicktouch Technologies Limited, has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a Payment Aggregator (PA) license under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
ii.Getepay, Jaipur(Rajasthan)-based digital payments and commerce solutions company, has received final authorisation from the RBI to operate as a PA online under the RBI’s payment regulatory framework.
iii.Also, New Delhi based Capital India Finance Limited(CIFL) receives RBI approval for sale and change in control of its material subsidiary, Capital India Home Loans Limited (CIHL).
About Capital India Finance Limited(CIFL):
CIFL, formerly known as Bhilwara Tex-Fin Limited, was established on November 16, 1994.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Pinank Jayant Shah
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
>>Read Full News

IPPB Partners with Aditya Birla Capital to Expand Financial Inclusion
In May 2025, the New Delhi(Delhi) based India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), a Government of India(GoI) undertaking under the Department of Posts(DoP), Ministry of Communications(MoC), partnered with Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), a prominent non-deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India, to expand credit accessibility across India through a strategic referral arrangement.

• This collaboration aims to integrate ABCL comprehensive suite of lending products with IPPB vast postal network and digital infrastructure.

i.The objective is to facilitate seamless credit access to IPPB’s customers, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
ii.Under this partnership, IPPB will offer referral services for Aditya Birla Capital’s diverse loan offerings, such as personal loans, business loans, and loans against property to its existing customers.
iii.IPPB customers can access Aditya Birla Capital’s digital platforms for quick, hassle-free loans with minimal documentation. Powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics, the system offers personalized financial solutions across India.
Note: IPPB was established in 2018. It delivers banking services in 13 languages, reaching over 11 crore customers across 5.57 lakh villages and towns in India.

SBM Bank India Partners with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance to Expand Retail Financial Services
In May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based SBM Bank India, a subsidiary of the State Bank of Mauritius(SBM), entered into a strategic bancassurance alliance with Mumbai based ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited, a Joint Venture(JV) between ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited, to diversify its retail offerings.

• This collaboration aims to provide customers with comprehensive financial solutions, including term insurance, long-term savings, and retirement planning products, aligning with SBM Bank’s vision to become a “financial supermarket”.

i.The partnership will allow ICICI Prudential Life Insurance to offer its future-ready insurance products to SBM Bank India’s diverse customer base, including Retail, Wealth, Private, Digital, Asset-focused, and Non-Resident Indian (NRI) customers.
ii.The partnership leverages technology for a “seamless and hassle-free” customer experience, supported by ICICI Prudential’s 99.3% claim settlement ratio in Financial Year 2024–25(FY25) with an average turnaround time of 1.2 days.
Note:India’s insurance penetration stood at 3.7% in FY24, below the global average of 7%, highlighting significant growth potential.

IndusInd Bank Signed MoU with AIC STPINEXT to Support Startups & MSMEs 
In May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based IndusInd Bank Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) Software Technology Parks of India Next (STPINEXT), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of the Bengaluru (Karnataka)-Based Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to provide essential financial solutions and structural support to early-stage startups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India.

• The partnership aims to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship by offering customized banking services, financial literacy, and operational tools to startups and MSMEs incubated by AIC STPINEXT.

Key Features of the Collaboration:
i.Specialized Current Account: IndusInd Bank will offer a Current Account product with no quarterly average balance requirement, simplifying financial operations for startups.
ii.Mentorship & Capacity Building: The bank will organize workshops and provide expert guidance on Banking fundamentals, Equity infusion, Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and Segment-based funding models.
iii.Operational Support: Startups will receive free payroll and attendance management services from the bank, promoting efficiency in day-to-day business activities.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

North East Small Finance Bank Rebrands as Slice SFB After RBI ApprovalThe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the renaming of Guwahati (Assam) based North East Small Finance Bank Limited (NESFB) to Slice Small Finance Bank (Slice SFB) on 14th May 2025, as notified in the Gazette of India on 16th May 2025.

• The bank is now listed as a scheduled bank under the RBI Act, 1934, retaining its statutory rights and obligations.

Key Highlights:
i.The rebranding follows the October 27, 2024 merger of Bengaluru (Karnataka) based fintech startup Slice with NESFB, resulting in a new-age banking entity that integrates Slice’s digital innovation with NESFB’s regional banking expertise.
ii.The newly established bank aims to provide a comprehensive suite of financial services, including savings accounts, fixed deposits, co-branded credit cards, personal loans, gold loans, and a variety of digital banking solutions.
iii.NESFB informed its existing customers of the following key updates:

• Customers were assured that banking services would continue without disruption under the new name.
• Account numbers and Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) codes would remain unchanged for now, and any updates would be communicated in advance.
• It was also conveyed that existing passbooks, cheque books, and debit cards would remain valid.

About North East Small Finance Bank Limited (NESFB):
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Mr. Satish Kumar Kalra
Headquarters – Guwahati, Assam
Founded – 2011

ICRA Projected India’s GDP Growth at 6.9% in Q4 FY25; Full-Year Growth Estimated at 6.3%
In May 2025, Gurugram (Haryana) based ICRA Limited, a credit rating agency, projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.9% for the fourth quarter (Q4) of the Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), up from 6.2% in Q3 of FY25.

• It also estimated the full-year of FY25 GDP growth at 6.3% from 9.2% in FY24.

Key Highlights of ICRA’s Forecast:
i.Gross Value Added (GVA) growth is projected at 6.3% in Q4 FY25, slightly higher than 6.2% in Q3 FY25.
iii.Full-year GDP and GVA growth for FY25 is expected to fall to 6.3% and 6.2%, respectively, from 9.2% and 8.6% in FY24.
iv.Industrial GVA is estimated to grow at 4.8% in Q4 FY25, compared to 4.5% in Q3 FY25 and 9.5% in Q4 FY24.
v.Manufacturing GVA remained stable with a growth of 3.5% in Q4 FY25.

Fitch Ratings Revises India’s Medium-Term Growth Forecast to 6.4% for Next 5 Years
On May 22, 2025, New York (the United States of America, USA) based Global rating agency Fitch Ratings has raised India’s medium-term growth potential by 0.2% points to 6.4% over the next five years compared with 6.2% previously.

• This adjustment is part of Fitch’s updated projection of potential Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 10 emerging market economies over the next five years.

i.India’s growth projection was raised due to a higher employment rate and a slight rise in the working-age population.
ii.This upward revision positions India as one of the fastest-growing major economies globally, with growth projections of 6.4% in 2025, 6.3% in 2026, and 6.4% in 2027 .
ii.Another important factor in the outlook is Total Factor Productivity (TFP), Fitch Ratings expects India’s TFP growth to slow and settle at its long-term average of 1.5%.
iii.Fitch Ratings has revised its five-year potential GDP growth forecast for emerging markets down to 3.9% from the previous 4.0%.
Note: TFP also known as Multi-Factor Productivity (MFP), is a measure of economic efficiency. It is calculated as the ratio of total output (such as GDP) to the combined inputs used in production, typically including labour and capital.     

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS         

PNB inks Pact to Sell Entire Stake in ISARC for Rs. 34 crores
In May 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Punjab National Bank (PNB) has signed an agreement to sell its entire 20.90% stake in Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Indian Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Asset Reconstruction Company (ISARC) for Rs. 34.04 crores to the Mumbai based Authum Infrastructure and Investment Limited (AIIL).

• The transaction involves the sale of 2.09 crore shares at Rs.16.29 each and is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of the financial year 2025–26(Q1 of  FY26).

i.The decision is in line with the revised guidelines of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which stipulated banks may sponsor only one ARC at any point in time and must limit their investment in other ARCs to less than 10% of their paid-up capital of the company.
ii.The stakes in ISARC are held by AIIL (79.28%) and other Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and other financial institutions (20.72%).
iii. ISARC was initially sponsored by Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Vadodara (Gujarat) based Bank of Baroda (BOB), New Delhi (Delhi) based Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Mumbai (Maharashtra) based SIDBI Venture Capital Limited(SVCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Small Industries Development Bank of India(SIDBI).
Note:ISARC, the first ARC supported by large number of PSBs and undertakings, focuses on reviving distressed assets in the SME sector.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

CSIR-NAL Successfully Conducts Pre-Monsoon Flight Tests of Indigenous HAP Prototype
In May 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), operating under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), successfully completed a series of pre-monsoon flight tests for its indigenous High-Altitude Platform (HAP) prototype, marking a significant advancement in India’s capabilities in border surveillance and aerial monitoring.

• The tests with upgraded certified pilot system, were conducted from May 8 to May 13, 2025, at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Challakere in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
• The HAP aims to provide continuous aerial coverage for military and civilian needs like border security, disaster help, telecom, weather forecasts, and environmental monitoring.

Test outcomes of HAP prototype:
i.The subscale HAP prototype reached an altitude of 24,000 feet (FL240), demonstrating its capability to operate in the stratosphere.
ii.The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) maintained flight even under reduced solar energy conditions due to cloud cover, showcasing its endurance and reliability.
Features of HAP prototype:
i.The HAP equipped with a certified sensor-redundant autopilot system can operate fully autonomously without human intervention.
ii.The subscale model features a 12-meter (m) wingspan and weighs less than 22 kilograms (kg), with a payload capacity of approximately 1 kg.
iii.Full-Scale HAP is planned to operate at 65,000 feet (20 km) with a 10 kg payload, offering geographic persistence for extended missions
About National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL):
Director – Dr. Abhay Anant Pashilkar
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Founded – June 1, 1959

USA President Donald Trump Unveiled USD 175 billion ‘Golden Dome’ Defence Plan to Counter Defence ThreatsIn May 2025, the United States of America (USA) President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington D.C., USA, unveiled defence plan for USD 175 billion ‘Golden Dome’, a new missile defence system, which will help the USA in countering the foreign missile attack.

• This new defence plan was 1st ordered by Donald Trump in January 2025, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2nd term of USA President i.e. within 3 years (by 2029).

About Golden Dome System:
i.The Golden Dome is inspired from Israel’s land based ‘Iron Dome’ defence shield, which has intercepted thousands of short-range rockets since its deployment in 2011.
ii.The Golden Dome aims to create a network of satellites that will help in detecting, monitoring, and potentially intercepting incoming missiles and has the capability to deploy hundreds of satellites for missile detection and tracking.
iii.The Golden Dome is a next-generation missile defence plan that integrates land- and space-based interceptors, early warning satellites, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven tracking systems.

• It will deal with Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs), Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS), cruise missiles, and large-swarm of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-equipped drones.

iv.Donald Trump has appointed General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force, who is currently serving as Vice Chief of Space Operations as lead program manager.

• He will overall monitor the implementation, testing, and integration of the project.

About United States of America (USA):
President- Donald John Trump
Capital- Washington, D.C.
Currency- United States Dollar (USD)

JNCASR Develops Super-Fast-Charging Sodium-Ion Battery with NASICON Technology
In May 2025, Researchers at Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology(MoS&T), have developed a Sodium-Ion Battery (SIB) utilizing NASICON (Na Super Ionic Conductor) technology. It can reach 80% charge in just 6 minutes and supports more than 3,000 charging cycles.

• The research team, led by Prof. Premkumar Senguttuvan and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) scholar Biplab Patra, improved the anode material to get these results.
• The battery’s performance was tested using advanced methods like electrochemical cycling and quantum simulations.

i.SIB is built using a NASICON –type cathode and anode material, specifically Na₁.₀V₀.₂₅Al₀.₂₅Nb₁.₅(PO₄)₃, which has been improved by reducing particle size to the nanoscale, adding a carbon coating, and doping with aluminium to enhance conductivity.
ii.These modifications enable faster sodium-ion movement and reduced fire risks compared to lithium batteries.
iii.Sodium is abundant and inexpensive in India, unlike lithium, which is rare and mostly imported. This makes the battery technology a promising option for powering electric vehicles (EVs), solar grids, drones, and rural electrification projects, helping to make clean energy accessible across India.
Note: This innovation addresses the limitations of lithium-ion batteries, which are costly, resource-constrained, and rely on imports.

ENVIRONMENT

ZSI Discovers New Marine Nematode Species Pheronous Jairajpurii on TN CoastIn May 2025, a research team from Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) based Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), identified a new species of free-living marine nematode named Pheronous Jairajpurii Datta & Rizvi, 2025 on a sandy beach along the Tamil Nadu (TN) coast.

• This marks the third species in the rare Pheronous genus, previously documented in South Africa (1966) and China (2015), with the latter also reported in Korea (2023).
• The research was conducted by senior scientist Dr. Anjum Nasreen Rizvi and researcher Ritika Datta from ZSI and the discovery was published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.

About Pheronous jairajpurii Datta & Rizvi, 2025:
i.The newly discovered species, Pheronous jairajpurii, belongs to the family Ironidae within the order Enoplida.
ii.It plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. They are considered bioindicators, helping scientists assess the condition of coastal environments.
iii.They act as early warning indicators of pollution and ecological changes, while also forming the foundation of marine ecosystems by supporting nutrient cycling.
iv.It has been named in honor of the late Professor M.S. Jairajpuri, a pioneering Indian nematologist renowned for his foundational contributions to the study of nematodes in India.
About Zoological Survey of India (ZSI):
Director – Dr. Dhriti Banerjee
Headquarters – Kolkata, West Bengal
Established – 1916

SPORTS

FIFA Lifts Suspension on Congo Republic Football Federation
In May 2025, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), an international governing body for football, lifted its suspension on the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), Republic of Congo (ROC).

• The suspension, enacted in February 2025, was due to third-party interference, particularly involving a dispute between FECOFOOT and the  sports ministry of ROC.

i.The suspension led to the postponement of Congo 2026 FIFA World Cup (WC) qualifiers against Tanzania and Zambia, which were scheduled to be held in March 2025.
ii.The conditions to lift the suspension included the return of full control of FECOFOOT’s headquarters and the association’s other facilities to the FECOFOOT Executive Committee.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2025 – May 23The United Nations (UN)’s International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is annually observed across the globe on 23rd May to raise awareness about obstetric fistula, a preventable and treatable childbirth injury affecting both mothers and their babies.

• The theme of International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2025 is “Her Health, Her Right: Shaping a Future Without Fistula”.

Background:
i.The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through resolution A/RES/67/147, adopted on 20 December 2012.
ii.The resolution highlighted the main causes include poverty, malnutrition, limited access to healthcare, early childbirth, child marriage, violence against girls, and gender inequality, stressing that poverty is the biggest risk factor.
iii.The first International Day to End Obstetric Fistula was observed on 23rd May 2013.
About United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
Executive Director (ED)– Dr. Natalia Kanem
Headquarters– New York, United States of America (USA)
Established – 1969
>>Read Full News

World Turtle Day 2025 – May 23World Turtle Day is observed globally every year on May 23 to raise awareness about protecting turtles, tortoises, and their habitats while promoting human action for their survival.

• May 23, 2025, marked the 25th anniversary of World Turtle Day
• The theme of World Turtle Day is “Dancing Turtles Rock!“, encourages worldwide participation to raise awareness about the conservation needs of turtles and tortoises.

Background:
i.World Turtle Day was first launched in 2000 by California, United States of America (USA) based American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a non-profit organization dedicated to turtle and tortoise conservation.
ii.World Turtle Day has been observed annually on 23rd May since the year 2000.
>>Read Full News

STATE NEWS

Kerala Becomes 1st State in India to Mandate Robotics Education for Class 10 Students
In May 2025, Kerala became the first state in India to make robotics education mandatory for all Class 10 students, from the upcoming academic year in June 2025, benefiting over 4.3 lakh students under the newly revised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) curriculum.

• The initiative is implemented by Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) based Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), the technical arm of the General Education Department, Government of Kerala.

Key Features of the Robotics Curriculum:
i.Curriculum Design:

• A dedicated chapter titled “The World of Robots” in the Class 10 ICT textbook covers circuit design, sensor usage, and programming.
• Students will build automated hand sanitizer dispensers and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered smart doors using components like Arduino breadboards, infrared (IR) sensors, servo motors and Jumper wires.

ii.Resource Distribution:

• 29,000 robotic kits have been distributed to schools.
• Pictoblocks software will enable students to code face-recognition systems using webcams and Arduino kits.
• Teacher Training: 9,924 teachers received training on the new ICT curriculum.

iii.Multilingual Access: Textbooks are available in Malayalam, English, Tamil, and Kannada to ensure inclusivity.
iv.Expansion: In 2025, AI has been integrated into the ICT curriculum for Classes 8, 9, and 10, strengthening Kerala’s position as a leader in technology-based education.

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