Current Affairs 31 May 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Rajnath Singh Approved Miniratna Category-I Status to MIL, AVNL and IOLIn May 2025, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved the grant of ‘Miniratna’ Category-I status to 3 Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) namely, Pune (Maharashtra)-based Munitions India Limited (MIL), Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) and Dehradun (Uttarakhand)-based India Optel Limited (IOL).

• This decision of MoD of granting Miniratna Category-I status to these 3 DPSUs will empower these companies to achieve accelerated growth trajectory and new heights in India’s defence production and exports.

Background of MIL, AVNL, IOL:
i.These three DPSUs originated from the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), which was restructured into seven entities on October 1, 2021, to boost autonomy and innovation in defence production.
ii.While MIL and AVNL are Schedule ‘A’ new DPSU, while, IOL is a Schedule ‘B’ DPSU, all under the control of Department of Defence Production (DDP), MoD.
Criteria for Miniratna status:
i.Miniratna Category-I status: The Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) which have made profit consecutively for 3 years, pre-tax profit is Rs 30 crore or more in at least 1 of 3 years and have positive net worth are eligible.
ii.Miniratna Category-II status: The CPSEs which have made profit consecutively for 3 years and have positive net worth are eligible.
iii.These CPSEs should have not defaulted in the repayment of loans or interest payment or any loans due to the government.
iv.CPSEs should not depend upon budgetary support or government guarantees.
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister- Rajnath Singh (Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Minister of State (MoS)- Sanjay Seth (Constituency- Ranchi, Jharkhand)

DoP Launched ‘Know Your DIGIPIN’ & ‘Know Your PIN Code’ Web PlatformsIn May 2025, the Department of Posts (DoP) under the Ministry of Communications (MoC) has launched two transformative web platforms namely, ‘Know Your DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number) ’ and ‘Know Your PIN Code’. This marks a major step towards the modernization of India’s addressing system and geospatial governance.

• Both these newly launched digital initiatives are in alignment with the National Geospatial Policy 2022, which envisions a robust geospatial infrastructure to support digital governance and public service delivery.

i.The DIGIPIN is an open-source, interoperable, geo-coded, grid-based digital address system.
ii.It is developed by the DoP in collaboration with Indian Institute of Hyderabad (IIT-H) and Hyderabad (Telangana)-based National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), one of the primary centres of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the Department of Space (DoS).
iii.Know Your PIN Code is introduced to modernize the conventional 6-digit postal Postal Index Number (PIN Code) system, launched in 1972.
About Department of Posts (DoP):
Secretary- Vandita Kaul
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
>>Read Full News

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches ‘VKSA-2025’ at ICAR-CIFA, BhubaneswarOn May 29, 2025, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) inaugurated the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA-2025)’ at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• This 15-day nationwide campaign aims to transform Indian agriculture by promoting the adoption of advanced agricultural and fisheries technologies among over 1.5 crore farmers.
• The initiative aligns with Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s vision of building a self-reliant and sustainable India.

Key People:
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister (CM) and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment & Energy, Government of Odisha; Gokulananda Mallik, Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Government of Odisha; Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Director General (DG), ICAR & Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), MoA&FW and among others.
About ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA-2025)’ :
The 15-day campaign, running from May 29 to June 12, 2025. The campaign is a joint effort by the MoA&FW and ICAR, in partnership with state governments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras(KVKs), and other stakeholders.
Key Objectives:
i.Bridge knowledge gaps by connecting farmers with scientific innovations from 731 KVKs and 113 ICAR institutes.
ii.Promote climate-resilient farming, natural farming, and efficient use of Soil Health Cards.
iii.Enhance post-harvest management and value addition to reduce crop losses.
Implementation Strategy:
i.2,170 scientific teams comprising 16,000 agricultural scientists will engage farmers across 700+ districts in India.
ii.Each team covers 2 villages daily through workshops on pre-Kharif preparations, integrated farming, and resource conservation.
Key Initiatives:
i.During the event, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan introduced “CIFA Argu VAX–I”, a novel vaccine developed by ICAR-CIFA to combat parasitic infections in fish, reducing aquaculture economic losses.
ii.An exhibition was also held on the sidelines, featuring innovations and products from Self Help Groups (SHGs), KVK Khordha, and ICAR-CIFA, highlighting community participation and grassroots innovation.
About Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW):
Union Minister – Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Constituency- Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS) – Ram Nath Thakur (Rajya Sabha- Bihar);
Bhagirath Choudhary (Constituency- Ajmer, Rajasthan)

Indian Army Launches ‘Meghdoot Millennium’ Postal Software for Defence Personnel
In May 2025, the Indian Army Postal Service Corps (APSC), in collaboration with the Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communication(MoC) inaugurated ‘Meghdoot Millennium’, a secure, real-time postal software tailored for defence personnel.

• The inauguration was held at the Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology (CEPT) in Mysuru, Karnataka, and led by Vandita Kaul, Secretary, DoP and Lieutenant General V.M.B. Krishnan, Quarter Master General (QMG) of Indian Army(IA).

i.‘Meghdoot Millennium’, developed by CEPT, Mysuru, is designed to enhance the efficiency, security, and digital integration of postal operations within the armed forces.
ii.This software facilitates real-time tracking and secure communication, addressing the unique postal requirements of defence personnel, especially those stationed in remote and operationally sensitive areas.
iii.It aligns with the IA’s ‘Year of Tech Absorption’ observed in 2024 and the broader ‘Decade of Transformation’ initiative aimed at modernizing defence logistics and communication systems.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

78th World Health Assembly Held from 19 to 27 May 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland – Part IThe 78th session of World Health Assembly (WHA 78), the highest decision-making body of World Health Organisation (WHO), was held from May 19 to 27, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland under the theme “One World for Health”.

• Teodoro J. Herbosa, Health Secretary of the Philippines, was elected as President of WHA 78.
• In May 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi addressed WHA 78 through video-conferencing.

Highlights:
i.The India delegation led by Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) representing India at WH 78.
ii.India received the Certification of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by the WHO. The certification was presented by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General (DG) of WHO during the WHA 78.
iii.In May 2025, the WHO mid-term Results Report 2024-25 was released, ahead of WHA 78. The report shows progress on global health amid increasing financial uncertainties.
iv.On the sidelines of WHA 78, WHO unveiled its comprehensive ‘new guideline on balanced national policies for controlled medicines’. It is designed to support countries in ensuring safe, equitable and affordable access to essential controlled medicines.
v.In May 2025, member states of WHO approved a new budget and 20% hike in assessed contributions (annual membership fees), which will account an additional USD 90 million in revenue annually.
vi.Global Leaders pledged at least an additional USD 210 million for 2025-28 Investment Round (IR) supporting the WHO’s base budget. It bring the total funds raised for the Investment Round to approximately USD1.7 billion.
>>Read Full News

10 Indian AI Startups Selected for AI Accelerator Programme in Paris, FranceOn 29 May 2025, 10 cutting-edge Indian Artificial Intelligence (AI) Startups have been selected by the India AI Mission, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), for the India AI Startups Global Initiative, as a major step towards advancing AI capabilities of India globally in Paris, France.

• India AI Global Startup Initiative is a prestigious international acceleration program in partnership with Station F, Paris and HEC Paris.

Key Points:
i.The selected startups will undergo a four-month acceleration programme at Station F, the world’s largest startup campus in Paris, France.
ii.The programme includes a one-month virtual module followed by a three-months immersive residency in France, where the startup will access mentorship, investor networks, and European business ecosystem curated by HEC Paris, one of leading Business (B) schools in Europe.
iii. The initiative, launched under the IndiaAI mission, is aimed at scaling India’s deep-tech expertise in AI through international collaborations.
10 Indian AI Startups:

About IndiaAI Mission:
i.The IndiaAI Mission is an initiative, launched by the Government of India (GOI) under the MeitY, to position India as a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2024.
ii.The mission focuses on building AI infrastructure, enhancing data quality, and promoting AI applications.
iii.The total outlay of the IndiaAI mission is 10,300 crores.
About Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY):
Union Minister – Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS) – Jitin Prasada (Constituency – Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh)

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Approves Worldline, Paypal to Facilitate Cross-Border Online Transactions for Import and ExportIn May 27, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Worldline ePayments India, a digital payments company, and Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN) based Paypal India Private Limited, the Indian subsidiary of California, United States of America (USA) based Paypal Holdings, have received in-principle approval from Mumbai based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as Payment Aggregator (PA) for Cross-Border Export and Import activities (PA-CB E&I).

• The approval was made under the Payments and Settlements Systems (PSS) Act, 2007.
• This authorization enables both companies to facilitate online international transactions for the import and export of goods and services .

RBI Grants Worldline Licence to Operate as PA-CB E&I:
i.With the PA-CB E & I license, Worldline can now help Indian exporters and importers by making international payments easier and faster.

• As a digital middleman for global transactions, it will also make sure all payments follow RBI’s rules for cross-border trade.

ii.In addition to the PA-CB license, Worldline ePayments India is also authorized to operate as a PA, Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU), enabling digital payments for domestic merchants across India.
iii. Wordline serves merchants in diverse segments such as electronic commerce(eCommerce), Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), Retail, Utilities, Education, Travel, and Hospitality.
iv.The approval will position Worldline ePayments to play a significant role in India’s digital payment ecosystem, supporting international trade through enhanced payment solutions.
Paypal Receives RBI Approval to operate as PA-CB E&I:
With this approval, PayPal can now offer regulated digital payment solutions to Indian merchants engaging in global trade.

• The approval enables new avenues for localized product innovations and improved customer experiences for customers, along with enhanced access to Paypal’s global network for large enterprises, small businesses, freelancers in India.

Note: In October 2024, RBI has mandated aggregators, offering cross-border payments to secure separate approval. Earlier, Payment companies had been operating with an Online Payment Gateway Service Provider (OPGSP) license.
About Wordline ePayments India Private Limited:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Ramesh Narasimhan
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established – 2005
About Paypal India Private Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Country Manager – Anupam Pahuja
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN)
Established– 2006

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

MoPPG&P Declares National Anubhav Awards 2025 to Honour Retirees from Central Govt, CPSEs & PSBsOn May 28, 2025, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (MoPPG&P), Government of India (GoI), announced the winners of the National Anubhav Awards Scheme, 2025. The awards aim to encourage retiring and retired employees to document and share their valuable work experiences and insights through written submissions.

• A two-tier evaluation process was conducted, leading to the selection of 05 Anubhav Awardees and 10 Jury Certificate winners.

i.The Anubhav Awards and Jury Certificates will be conferred on August 18, 2025, during a national-level event by Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoPPG&P.
ii.For the first time, the 2025 edition of the scheme included employees from Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs), along with Central Government officials, to acknowledge their role in nation-building.
About Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPPG&P):
Union Minister – Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi (Constituency- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Union Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge, IC) – Dr. Jitendra Singh (Constituency- Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir, J&K)
>>Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Prashant Tripathy Steps Down as Axis Max Life Insurance MD & CEO
In May 2025, Prashant Tripathy, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New Delhi (Delhi) based Axis Max Life Insurance Limited (formerly Max Life Insurance Company Ltd), announced his decision to retire early, effective September 30, 2025. His tenure was originally scheduled until December 2028.

• The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) and Board of Directors of Axis Max Life Insurance approved Prashant Tripathy’s proposal during meetings held on May 28, 2025

i.Prashant Tripathy joined Axis Max Life Insurance in 2007 as Head of Strategy and was appointed MD & CEO in January 2019. During his leadership, Axis Max Life Insurance achieved significant milestones:
ii.Prior to this, he was associated with New York, United States of America (USA)-based Genpact, a global professional services and business consulting company.
iii.He also served as the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis at General Electric Commercial Finance (GECF), a division of GE Capital, United Kingdom (UK).
Note: Axis Max Life Insurance is a joint venture(JV) between Max Financial Services and Axis Bank.

IndiGo Appoints Vikram Singh Mehta as New Chairman
In May 2025, Gurgaon (Haryana)-based InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo), India’s largest airline, appointed Vikram Singh Mehta as the new Chairman of its Board. He has been associated with InterGlobe Aviation as a board member since May 2022.

• He replaced Venkataramani Sumantran, who had held the position since May 2022 and stepped down in May 2025 upon completion of his five-year tenure as a board member.

About Vikram Singh Mehta:
i.He began his professional journey with the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1978.
ii.He has served as the Chairman of the Shell Group of Companies in India (1994-2012) and as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shell Markets and Shell Chemicals, Egypt.
iii.He has also held positions on the boards of major companies, including Colgate Palmolive (India) Limited, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (M&M), and Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T).
iv.He currently serves as Chairman of the public policy think tank, Centre for Social and Economic Progress, and previously held roles as Executive Chairman of Brookings India and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.
v.He has been recognized with awards such as the ‘Businessman of the Year’ by Asia House in 2010 and the ‘Best Independent Director’ in India by Asia Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability in 2016.

Raman Aggarwal Assumes Charge as CEO of FIDC
In May 2025, the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC), the apex representative body for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India, has appointed Raman Aggarwal as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

• Raman Aggarwal, as a CEO, will be responsible for driving FIDC’s mission to strengthen the NBFC sector through policy representation, industry dialogue, and collaborative platforms.

i.As a long-serving board member and former head of the Professional Development committee of FIDC, Raman Aggarwal has been instrumental in shaping the council’s policy advocacy, professional development strategies, and institutional engagement.
ii.He has worked as advisor in Shriram Transport Finance Limited, Independent Director in Pasialo Digital Limited, Consultant in World Bank and Nomura Research Institute Consulting & Solutions India Private Limited.
iii.He has also worked as Chairman of the National Council on NBFCs and member of the Managing Committee at Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India(ASSOCHAM).
Note: The FIDC, registered with the Reserve Bank of India(RBI), was established in 2004.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

CCI Approvals on May 27, 2025On May 27, 2025, Competition Commission of India (CCI), Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) approved the following proposals:
i.Approved the proposed combination involving JTPL, SCRTIPL, Solv-India, SCV-Master and Artal Asia.
ii.Approved the proposed acquisition of 100% shareholding of Dowlais Group plc by American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.
iii.Approved the merger and demerger involving RPAL, MPPL, JKMPTL,and JKMGAL.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Chairperson – Ravneet Kaur
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Founded – 2003
>>Read Full News

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China’s Long March-4B Rocket Successfully Launched ‘Shijian-26 Satellite’ for Land Survey and Environmental MonitoringOn 29th May 2025, China successfully launched the ‘Shijian-26 satellite’ into space aboard a Long March-4B carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China’s Gobi Desert.

• The satellite successfully entered its sun-synchronous orbit, marking China’s 33rd rocket launch in 2025 and the 579th mission of the Long March rocket series.

Key Highlights:
i.Aim: The satellite collects data to support land monitoring, environmental protection, and economic planning, strengthening China’s space-based information services.
ii.Developed by: Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Heilongjiang, China, in collaboration with Shenzhen (China) based Aerospace Dongfanghong Satellite Co., Limited, a subsidiary of China Academy of Space Technology (CAST); and Jilin (China) based Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
iii.Rocket Specifications:

• The Long March 4B (Chang Zheng 4B or CZ-4B) is a three-stage, medium-lift launch vehicle.
• Built by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), Shanghai, China.
• Capable of carrying 2.5 metric tons (mt) to a 700 kilometer (km) sun-synchronous orbit
• Introduced in 1999, it has become a reliable workhorse for China’s space missions, particularly for deploying satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) and Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).

iv.This mission reinforces China’s leadership in space technology, contributing to sustainable development and national growth.
About Shijian-26 satellite:
The Shijian series of satellites is designed to carry out scientific experiments and test emerging space technologies.

• The preceding mission, Shijian-25, launched in January 2025, focused on demonstrating on-orbit refueling and technologies aimed at extending satellite lifespans.

Major Chinese Rocket Launches in 2025:

• In March 2025, China launched the TJS-15 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
• In February 2025, the ChinaSat-10R satellite was launched to replace the aging ChinaSat-10, enhancing China’s satellite communication services.
• In January 2025, A CERES-1 rocket launched five satellites, including Yunyao-1 37-40 and JTX-A-05, into orbit to collect atmospheric and ionospheric data.

ENVIRONMENT

New Damselfly Species ‘Caliphaea Sinuofurcata’ Discovered In AR
In May 2025, scientists identified a new species of damselfly, ‘Caliphaea sinuofurcata’, in Arunachal Pradesh(AR), marking a significant addition to India’s biodiversity. The species, commonly named the “Bearded Bronzeback,” was described based on two male and one female specimens collected from the Upper Siang and Lower Dibang Valley districts of AR.

• The species is only the second of its genus, Caliphaea, recorded in India; the first, Caliphaea confusa, was documented over 165 years ago. The discovery of the Caliphaea sinuofurcata was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Zootaxa.

i.The species name, sinuofurcata, is derived from Latin, with “sinuosus” meaning wavy or sinuous and “furcatus” meaning forked.
ii.Caliphaea sinuofurcata is visually striking, with a metallic copper-green body, slender brown-tinted wings, and yellow and olive markings.

• Both male and female individuals possess dense black bristles resembling a beard around the mouthparts (labium and labrum), inspiring the proposed common name: “Bearded Bronzeback.” 

iii.This damselfly species inhabits small, rocky, seasonal streams in broadleaf evergreen forests at elevations of 1200 to 1300 meters(m) above sea level. Individuals were observed flying low and perching on vegetation near streams, typically in dappled sunlight conditions.

OBITUARY

SAD Leader and Former Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Passed Away 
In May 2025, Veteran Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Union Minister, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, passed away at the age of 89 in Mohali, Punjab. He was born on April 9, 1936, in Ubhawal village, near Sangrur, Punjab.

• He was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2019 for his contributions in the field of Public Affairs; however, he returned the honour in 2020 in solidarity with the Kisan Andolan (farmers’ protest).

About Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa:
i.He began his political journey in 1977, when he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Sunam(Punjab). He held portfolios including Sports, Transport, and Education in Parkash Singh Badal’s government.
ii.He also served as an MLA in 1980 and1985. In 1997, he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Punjab State Planning Commission and later Chairman of the Punjab State Electricity Board.
iii.He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1999 and served as Union Cabinet Minister for Sports, Chemicals and Fertilisers in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government from 2000 to 2004.
iv.He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Sangrur in 2004, and re-elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2010 and 2016, serving until 2022.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Potato 2025 – May 30The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Potato is observed annually across the globe on May 30 to highlight the potato’s (Solanum tuberosum (L.)) crucial role as a global food resource.

• May 30, 2025, marks the 2nd observance of International Day of Potato, significantly coinciding with the 80th anniversary year of the Rome (Italy) based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN agency that facilitates the annual event.
• The theme for the 2025 International Day of Potato, “Shaping history, feeding the future“, acknowledges the potato’s deep historical and cultural significance and its evolving role in today’s global agrifood systems.

Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/78/123 on December 8, 2023, officially designating May 30 of every year as the International Day of Potato.
ii.The proposal for this observance was championed and submitted to the UNGA by Peru, the potato’s ancestral home.
iii.The 1st ever International Day of Potato was observed on May 30, 2024.
>>Read Full News

World Vape Day 2025 – May 30World Vape Day is annually observed across the globe on 30th May to promote harm reduction strategies for adult smokers, highlighting the role of safer nicotine alternatives like e-cigarettes, oral nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products in reducing smoking-related harm, ahead of the World No Tobacco Day (31st May) led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

• May 30, 2025, marks the 20th anniversary of modern vaping, emphasizing its significant role in tobacco harm reduction.

Theme:
The theme for World Vape Day 2025 is “20 years of Facts – Vaping Works!” marking two decades of vaping as a harm reduction tool.
What is Vaping?
i.Vaping involves using an Electronic Cigarette (E-Cigarette), a battery-operated device that turns liquid nicotine into vapor.
ii.When a user inhales, an atomizer heats the liquid, often containing ethylene glycol, into a mist that mimics smoking without the harmful smoke of cigarettes
Background:
i.World Vape Day was initiated by the United States of America(USA) based World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA), a non-profit organization that champions the rights of vapers and promotes the responsible regulation of vaping products.
ii.It began as a grassroots movement to reduce smoking-related diseases, strategically observed before World No Tobacco Day.
About e-cigarettes:
Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik invented electronic-cigarettes(e-cigarettes) in 2003 in China in 2003 and gained popularity in Europe and the USA by 2005.

• The different types of e-cigarettes include vape pens, vaporizers, e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookahs, and e-cigars. These devices are collectively classified as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENNDS).

Key facts:
i.According to the United Kingdom (UK) based Public Health England (PHE), vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking.
ii.The Cochrane Systematic Review confirms that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes outperform traditional Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) in helping smokers quit, backed by high-certainty evidence.
iii.Countries adopting vaping, such as the United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand, Sweden, Japan, and the United States of America (USA), have seen sharp declines in smoking rates.
2025 Event: 
The USA based World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) hosts live streaming events on 30th May 2025 with global experts and regional partners, including South Africa, Brazil, and Kenya, to discuss vaping advocacy.

STATE NEWS

UP Govt signs MoU with Australia’s Monash University to elevate Educational Standards
On May 29, 2025, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Melbourne (Australia) based Monash University, with an aim to elevate the educational standards to international standards in UP in the presence of Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow, UP.

• The MoU in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 would promote multidimensional learning, skill development, and international cooperation.

i.The agreement will provide students and faculty members from basic, secondary, and higher education institutions across the state with a global platform for research, innovation, training, and technical collaboration.
ii.The partnership will incorporate quality, innovation and global perspective in the education system of the state and will prove helpful in preparing the youth for global competition.
iv.Noida (UP) based Gautam Buddha University will be the central hub for implementing the partnership.

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