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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi ‘s visit to Maharashtra, Kerala, AP from May 1-2, 2025Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh(AP) from May 1-2, 2025, to inaugurate various developmental projects.
i.During his visit to Maharashtra, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind WAVES 2025, a four-day summit with tagline “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries” at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• It is organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting(MoI&B), in association with the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA).

ii.On May 2, 2025, PM Narendra Modi dedicated Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport worth Rs.8,867 crore to the country in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

• The full-fledged operation is planned to begin by the year 2028-29.

iii.On May 2, 2025, he inaugurated and laid the foundation for multiple development projects worth over Rs.58,000 crore in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh (AP).

• He laid the foundation stone for 74 projects worth Rs.49,000 crore.

About Kerala:
Chief Minister(CM) – Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor – Rajendra Arlekar
Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
Stadium – Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Jimmy George Indoor Stadium
>> Read Full News

Union MoS Pankaj Chaudhary Leads 69th ED Foundation Day Celebrations in New DelhiOn 1 May 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Pankaj Chaudhary led the 69th Foundation Day celebrations of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in New Delhi, Delhi, highlighting the agency’s growing efforts in tackling financial crimes.

• The event was attended by senior dignitaries including S.V. Raju, Additional Solicitor General; Rahul Navin, Director, ED; Subhash Aggarwal and Prashant Kumar, Special Directors, ED; and Naval Kishore Ram, Joint Secretary, Department of Revenue(DoR), Ministry of Finance(MoF).

i.Union MoS Pankaj Chaudhary, also released the Annual Report of the ED for the Financial Year 2024–25 (FY 25). The report highlights a significant increase in action taken by the ED to tackle financial crimes in India.
ii.At the event, 23 officers and zonal units were honoured for their outstanding service:

• Abhishek Goyal, former Special Director, ED received the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service.
• Officers from across India were awarded for their work in intelligence, investigation, and field operations.

About Enforcement Directorate (ED):
The ED, set up on May 1, 1956, works under the Union Finance Ministry and handles cases under PMLA 2002,  the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (2018), and The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999.
Director– Rahul Navin
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
>> Read Full News

NITI Aayog Releases Report on Enhancing MSMEs Competitiveness in IndiaOn May 2, 2025, the Government of India’s (GoI) policy think tank, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), in collaboration with the Gurgaon (Haryana)- based Institute for Competitiveness (IFC), released a comprehensive report titled ‘Enhancing MSMEs Competitiveness in India’.

• The report provides a strategic roadmap to unlock the potential of India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through systemic reforms in financing, skilling, innovation, and market access.

i.Between 2020 and 2024, the proportion of Micro and Small Enterprises(MSEs) accessing credit through scheduled banks increased from 14% to 20%, while medium enterprises saw an increase from 4% to 9%.
ii.Despite this improvement, only 19% of MSME credit demand was met formally by Financial Year 2020-21 (FY21), leaving an estimated Rs. 80 lakh crore unmet.
NITI Aayog & GAME Partner to Boost Local Entrepreneurship Ecosystems in India
On May 2, 2025, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) and the Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) announced a strategic collaboration to foster entrepreneurship ecosystems across India.

• The initiative will begin with pilot projects in Nagpur (Maharashtra), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh, AP), and Uttar Pradesh (UP), focusing on place-based interventions to empower local entrepreneurs.

>> Read Full News

President Draupadi Murmu Launches Key Initiatives for Welfare of Senior CitizensOn 2nd May 2025, the President of India, Draupadi Murmu attended an event, “Ageing with Dignity – Initiatives for the Welfare of Senior Citizens” at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre in New Delhi, Delhi. The event was organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).

• Several key initiatives dedicated to the well-being of senior citizens were launched during the event.

Key People:
Union Minister Dr.Virendra Kumar, MoSJE, Union Ministers of State (MoS), Dr. Ramdas Bandu Athawale and B.L. Verma, MoSJE were also present at the event.
Key Initiatives:
i.The event witnessed the launch of Senior Citizens Welfare Portal, a comprehensive digital platform aimed at empowering elderly citizens, through seamless access to government schemes, healthcare benefits, welfare services, and updates on relevant events.
ii.President Droupadi Murmu virtually inaugurated five new Senior Citizens Homes, located in Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh, AR), Wokha (Nagaland), Vellore (Tamil Nadu), TN, Anakapalli (Andhra Pradesh, AP), and Nainital (Uttarakand).

• These facilities, supported by the MoJSE’s programme aligned with the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, are designed to provide a safe and dignified environment for indigent senior citizens of the country.

iii.She also distributed Aids and Assistive devices under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY). This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the health and mobility needs of the elderly population.

• RVY is a Central Sector Scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for senior-citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. The scheme is implemented through the sole implementing agency, Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a Public Sector Undertaking under the MoSJE.

iv.During the event, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment(DoSJE), MoSJE andBrahmakumaris organization, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirming a collective commitment to inter-generational bonding, overall well-being and creating an inclusive society for the senior citizens.
About Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE):
Union Minister – Dr. Virendra Kumar (Constituency – Tigamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS) – Ramdas Bandu Athawale (Rajya Sabha – Maharashtra); B.L.Verma – (Constituency – Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

Union MoS Prataprao Jadhav Inaugurates Yoga Mahotsav in Maharashtra; Launches Yoga Sangam PortalIn May 2025, the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homeopathy) organized ‘Yoga Mahotsav’, an event marking the 50-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 at Panchavati, Nashik, Maharashtra.

• The programme was inaugurated by Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, Ministry of AYUSH and MoS, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• During the event, Union minister Prataprao Jadhav launched the Yoga Sangam Portal, a digital platform for online registration towards facilitating the synchronized nationwide celebration of IDY 2025 on 21st June.

Key People:
Many dignitaries including Murlidhar Bhagare, Member of Parliament (MP), Lok Sabha, Nashik; Devyani Suhas Pharande, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Nashik West; Rahul Uttamrao Dhikale, MLA Nashik East; Lieutenant General Dr.Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS); Dr. Vishwas Mandlik, Head, Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nashik; and Monalisa Das, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush were present.
About Yoga Mahotsav:
i.The event witnessed a grand celebration of Yoga as over 6,000 enthusiasts came together to participate in the event.
ii.Yoga Sangam, one of the ten Signature Events of the IDY 2025, embodies global solidarity for health.
iii.The Yoga Mahotsav also featured a live demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) by MDNIY instructors, led by its director Kashinath Samagandi.
Note: The government has previously organized a Yoga Mahotsav on March 13, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking the 100-day countdown to IDY-2025 and on April 7, 2025, marking the 75-day countdown at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
About Yoga Sangam Portal:
i. Yoga Sangam Portal, a Common Yoga Protocol (CYP). It is designed to help individuals integrate day-to-day yoga practices such as Pranayama and Dhyana into their lives.
ii.Yoga Sangam Portal can be accessed through the link https://yoga.ayush.gov.in/yoga-sangam
Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homeopathy):
Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) – Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao (Constituency – Buldhana, Maharashtra)

India & Denmark Renews Energy Cooperation Pact to boost Net-Zero EmissionIn May 2025, India and Denmark have renewed their long-term energy cooperation agreement by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to strengthen energy sector cooperation, which reflects the continued commitment of both countries to accelerate clean energy transitions.

• The MoU was signed between Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power (MoP), Government of India (GOI) and H.E. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India, in the presence of  Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Ministry of Power(MoP),Ministry of  Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in New Delhi(Delhi).

Key Points:
i.The formal agreement follows five years of successful collaboration under the original MoU, signed on June 5, 2020, and initially set to expire on June 5, 2025.
ii.This proactive renewal of MoU has ensured continuity in dialogue and cooperation, allowing for a seamless extension of joint efforts in energy sector development.
iii. The renewed agreement broadens the partnership to cover advanced areas such as power system, integration of variable renewable energy, cross-border electricity trading and development of Electronic Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
iv.It emphasizes increased knowledge exchange through expert interactions, joint training sessions, and study tours. It also supports, India’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
About Denmark:
Prime Minister (PM) – Mette Frederiksen
Capital – Copenhagen
Currency – Danish Krone (DKK)

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Inaugurates ‘Corporate Bhavan’ in Kolkata
In May 2025, the Union Minister Nirmala Sitaraman Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) inaugurated the ‘Corporate Bhavan’ in New Town, Kolkata, West Bengal(WB). This seven-storey facility aims to consolidate various offices of the MCA under one roof, enhancing operational efficiency and promoting ease of doing business.

• The facility also includes the country’s first Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) Facilitation Centre, established in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in the seventh storey of the building.
• This centre aims to connect eligible youth (aged 21-24) with internship opportunities, offering guidance and assistance in the application process.

i.This new facility will house different offices of the MCA, including Regional Directorate (East), Registrar of companies, Official Liquidator, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) (Kolkata Bench) and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) under one roof.
ii.The Corporate Bhavan will become a true single-window interface for companies, insolvency professionals, auditors, startups and investors seeking timely corporate regulatory services.
iii.The seven-storey building has a built-up area of about 13,239 square metres (sq m) and the total project cost is Rs.150.43 crores.

Union Minister Amit Shah Unveils Statue and Renamed a Road to Honour Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma
In May 2025, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Cooperation (MoC), unveiled the statue and Renaming of Road and Rotary as a tribute to Bodofa Upendranath Brahma in New Delhi (Delhi) on his 35th death anniversary. The ceremony was organized by the Government of Assam.

• Assam Chief Minister (CM), Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and CM of Delhi, Rekha Gupta and other dignitaries made their presence on the occasion.
• To pay tribute, a life size statue of 9 feet was unveiled and the road named Lala Lajpat Rai in south Delhi was renamed as Bodofa Upendranath Brahma Marg, stretching 835-metre-50 feet wide near Kailash Colony Metro Station, passing alongside the Bodoland Guest House.
• The statue of Bodofa (father or guardian of the Bodos) is a symbol of self-respect of the tribal society across the country.

About Bodofa Upendranath Brahma:
i.Brahma, from Assam, was a visionary leader and social reformer who worked tirelessly for the rights, identity and upliftment of the entire tribal community, especially his Bodo community.
ii.He dedicated his life to building an inclusive society, where people could live with dignity and secure their rightful place.
iii.He united the entire tribal society and taught them to fight in a peaceful manner.
iv.His formula of ‘Live and Let Live’ has been accepted by the entire Bodoland and tribal society.

IA and IAF’s ALH Dhruv Helicopters Cleared for Operations After Safety Review
On 1st May 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced that the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv variants operated by the Indian Army (IA) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have been cleared for operations.

• The clearance comes after recommendations made by a Defect Investigation (DI) Committee, with a time-bound plan for phased resumption of operations already in place in coordination with the services.

i.About ALH Dhruv:

• It is a 5.5-tonne, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter developed indigenously by HAL.
• Over 340 ALH Dhruv helicopters have been manufactured so far, used across military and civilian sectors.

ii.Impact on Defence Operations:

• The grounding significantly impacted military operational readiness, including the Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the IAF, which did not participate in Aero India 2025.
• The resumption of flights comes after limited flying resumed in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), following the Pahalgam terror attack.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

USA Approved USD 131 Million Foreign Military Sale to India for Indo-Pacific Maritime SecurityIn May 2025, the United States of America (USA) approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) worth USD 131 million (approximately Rs. 1,090 crore) to the Government of India (GoI) to enhance India’s maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.

• The FMS agreement falls under the broader framework of the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) programme, a joint initiative under the Quad (Australia, India, Japan and the USA) partnership.
• It aims to strengthen India–USA strategic ties and enhance maritime surveillance to ensure regional peace and stability.

Key Components of the Military Sale:
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), operating under the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), notified the U.S. Congress about the proposed sale, which includes:

• SeaVision software (including requested software enhancements)
• Access to SeaVision documentation
• Remote software and analytic support
• Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) training
• Other logistical and program support services

Note: The primary contractor for this proposed sale is Herndon(Virginia) based – Hawkeye 360, a USA defence company.
Strategic Objectives:
i.The sale will enhance India’s maritime domain awareness, analytical capabilities, and overall strategic posture.
ii.It supports the foreign policy and national security objectives of the USA by improving defence cooperation with India, designated as a Major Defence Partner.
About the United States of America (USA):
President – Donald John Trump
Capital – Washington, D.C.
Currency – United States dollar (USD)

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Report: India’s Total Exports Grow by 6.01% to reach USD 824.9 billion in FY25In May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the latest ‘Data on services trade for March 2025’. As per the data, India’s exports of goods and services reached all-time high of USD 824.9 billion in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), from its previous estimate of USD 820.93 billion (announced on April 15, 2025).

• This marks an increase of 6.01% compared to India’s total exports of USD 778.1 billion recorded in FY24.
• This exponential growth in the exports sector in FY25 was mainly driven by a record surge in the shipments of services that reached USD 386.5 billion in the FY24 despite global trade headwinds.

Key Findings:
i.The data further revealed that services exports surged to a record high of USD 387.5 billion in FY25, registering a growth of 13.6% over USD 341.1 billion in FY24.
ii.As per RBI’s data, services shipments has increased by 18.6% to USD 35.6 billion in March 2025 over USD 30 billion in March 2024.
iii.The data highlighted key sectors like telecommunication, computer and information services, transport, travel and financial services, which contributed significantly in the growth of India’s export sector.
iv.The data also showed that merchandise exports excluding petroleum products has increased to record high of USD 374.1 billion in FY25, reflecting growth of 6% from USD 352.9 billion in FY24, the highest ever annual non-petroleum merchandise exports.
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Governor- Sanjay Malhotra
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established- 1935

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

S&P Global Ratings Cuts India’s FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.3%On May 02, 2025, S&P Global Ratings (previously known as standard & Poor’s) released its report titled “Global Macro Update: Seismic Shift in US Trade Policy Will Slow World Growth”, revising India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26) to 6.3%, a reduction of 20 basis points (bps) from its previous estimate of 6.5% in March 2025.

• The downgrade is attributed to uncertainties arising from recent United States(U.S.) tariff policies and their potential spillover effects on the global economy.
• India’s GDP growth forecast for FY27 has been revised to 6.5%, reflecting a reduction of 30 bps from the previous estimate of 6.8%.

Key Highlights
i.Impact of US Tariff Policies: The report highlights that the recent rise in US import tariffs, along with possible retaliation from other countries, has created major uncertainties in global trade, which is expected to adversely affect market confidence and economic stability worldwide.
ii.Exchange Rate Projections: S&P projects the Indian Rupee (INR)/U.S. Dollar(USD) exchange rate to reach 88 by the end of 2025, compared to 86.64 in 2024, indicating anticipated currency fluctuations amid global trade tensions.
iii.Global Economic Outlook: The agency has also lowered global growth projections by 30 basis points for both 2025 and 2026.

• The agency now forecasts global growth at 2.2% for 2025 and 2.4% for 2026, marking the weakest expansion since the global financial crisis, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Points to Note:
Projections of India’s GDP growth by following agency in April 2025,
i.International Monetary Fund (IMF) reduced India’s FY26 growth forecast by 30 bps to 6.2%, citing global trade tensions.
ii.World Bank (WB) adjusted India’s FY26 growth projection downward by 40 bps to 6.3%, aligning with concerns over global economic uncertainties.
iii.Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised its FY26 growth estimate to 6.5%, a 20 bps reduction.
About S&P Global Ratings:
President – Yann Le Pallec
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America (USA)
Founded – 1860

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

AIFF Awards 2024-25: Subhasish Bose, Soumya Guguloth Named Footballer of the YearIn May 2025, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the winners of AIFF annual awards 2024-25 during the award ceremony held at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) Defender from West Bengal (WB), Subasish Bose was named the AIFF Men’s Footballer of the year for 2024-25. He became the 1st player from WB to win this title since Nabi (2012).
• While, East Bengal Football Club (FC) forward player from Odisha, Soumya Guguloth was named the AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year for 2024-25. With this, she became the 1st player from Telangana to win AIFF Women’s Player of the Year title.

i.Brison Deuben Fernandes, midfielder of FC Goa was awarded the AIFF Promising Men’s Player of the Year for 2024-25. He had a breakthrough season for FC Goa, scoring 7 goals and providing 2 assists in the ISL.
ii.1 Toijam Thoibisana Chanu,  became the 1st centre-back ever to win AIFF Promising Women’s Player of the Year Award for 2024-25. She commanded the Sribhumi FC backline as they finished at 3rd position in the IWL as a newly-promoted side.
About All India Football Federation (AIFF):
It is the apex governing body of football in India.
President- Kalyan Chaubey
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Founded- 1937
>> Read Full News

Kerala’s Kozhikode Gets WHO Recognition as Age-Friendly CityIn May 2025, Kozhikode city in Kerala has officially become the member of World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC).

• With such recognition, Kozhikode joins a group of cities that frame policies, provide services, and develop infrastructure aimed at supporting elderly people like: helping them remain healthy, active and creative in old age.
• Now, Kozhikode has become the 2nd Indian city, after Kochi (Kerala) (2024) and 2nd city in WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) after Wellawaya in Sri Lanka, to join the WHO GNAFCC.

Note: This marks Kozhikode’s second international honor after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) 2023 recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature, reinforcing its commitment to progressive urban planning.
Key Factors Behind Recognition:
Kozhikode Corporation implemented several age-friendly policies, including the establishment of daycare centres, safe spaces for elderly engagement, and seminars tailored to senior citizens.
Impact and Benefits: As a member of the WHO GNAFCC, Kozhikode Corporation will now access global best practices and guidance to enhance elderly-friendly infrastructure, fostering an inclusive urban environment.
About WHO GNAFCC:
i.It was established in 2010, aimed to connect cities, communities and organisations across the world with common vision of making their community a great place to grow old in.
ii.The network aims to achieve its goal of age-friendly cities worldwide by:

• Inspiring change by demonstrating what can be done and how it can be done;
• Connecting cities and communities across the world to provide the exchange of information, knowledge and experience;
• Supporting cities and communities to find innovative and evidence-based innovative and evidence-based solutions.

iii.The network is coordinated by the Department of Social Determinants of Health (SDH) at WHO headquarters, with administrative support from Toronto (Canada)-based International Federation on Ageing (IFA).
iv.At present, WHO GNAFCC includes 1,705 cities and communities in 60 countries covering more than 330 people across the world.
About World Health Organisation (WHO):
Director General (DG) – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established –7th April, 1948

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh Appointed as DG & CEO of IICA
In May 2025, Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, an officer of the Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) from the 1992 batch, assumed charge as the Director General(DG) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), a think tank under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

• This marks his second tenure at IICA, following his leadership during 2017–2018.
• He replaced Dr. Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, who was entrusted with the additional charge of the institute in April 2024

i.With over 30 years of experience in finance, corporate law, governance, and public policy, Singh brings a strong administrative background.
ii.He has previously served as:

• Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
• CEO, Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA)
• Member, Governing Body of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)
• Member Secretary, Insolvency Law Committee (2018–2021).

iii. He played a crucial role in:

• Developing the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards
• Reforming CSR rules to enhance transparency.

ECI Appointed Rakesh Verma as DG of IIIDEM; Ashish Goyal as DG of Media 
In May 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) appointed two senior officers to key leadership roles. These appointments aim to strengthen the administrative and media-related functions of the ECI.
i.Rakesh Verma, a 1993-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Punjab cadre, assumed charge as the Director General (DG) of the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi(Delhi).

• Prior to this role, he served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti(MoJS). He also held significant positions in the Ministry of Tourism(MoT).

ii.Ashish Goyal, a 1996-batch officer of the Indian Information Service (IIS), took charge as Director General(DG), Media, in the ECI.

• Before this appointment, he served as DG of the National Museum under the Ministry of Culture(MoC) and held additional charge as Director of the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad(Telangana).

Note: IIIDEM is an ECI-affiliated institute that trains election officials and promotes democratic practices globally.

Sanjay Khanna Assumes Additional Charge as CMD of BPCL
On 1st May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 company under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), announced that Sanjay Khanna, currently serving as Director (Refineries), has assumed additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BPCL.

• Sanjay Khanna succeeded G. Krishnakumar, whose term ended on 30th April 2025.

i.He brings over 30 years of experience in refinery operations, technical services, and project implementation.
ii.As Executive Director(ED) of Kochi Refinery, he played a pivotal role in commissioning BPCL’s first niche petrochemical project – the Propylene Derivative Petrochemical Project (PDPP).
iii.He is also a Director on the Boards of Bharat Petro Resources Limited (BPRL) and Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (RRPL)
iv.He serves as the Chairperson of the Technical Committee for Petroleum Refineries under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

CCI Approvals on May 01, 2025On May 1, 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved two significant acquisition proposals:
i.KKR’s acquisition of a controlling stake in HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG) through Hector Asia Holdings II Pte. Ltd. and the KIA EBT II Scheme.
ii.Jubilant Bhartia Group’s acquisition of a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings Private Limited (HCCH) via Jubilant Beverages Limited (JBL), along with the subscription to Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) in JBL by Jubilant BevCo Limited (BevCo) and investors.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Chairman – Ravneet Kaur
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 2003
>> Read Full News

OBITUARY

Former National Shooting Coach & Dronacharya Awardee Professor Sunny Thomas Passed Away
In April 2025, Professor Sunny Thomas, former National Rifle Shooting Coach of India and the Dronacharya Awardee, passed away at the age of 83 in Uzhavoor, Kottayam district, Kerala. He was born in 1941 in Kottayam, Kerala.

• In 2001, Professor Sunny Thomas became the first shooting coach to be honoured with the Dronacharya Award, India’s prestigious recognition for excellence in sports coaching.

About Professor Sunny Thomas:
i.Sunny Thomas’s association with shooting began in 1965, when he joined the Kottayam Rifle Club. He was a five-time Kerala state champion and National Champion in 1976.

• He served as an English professor and shifted to coaching after retiring from academia in 1993.

ii.He served as India’s national shooting coach for 19 years, from 1993 to 2012.
iii.Under his tenure, Indian shooters won 4 Olympic medals, including India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medal – Abhinav Bindra – Gold (10m Air Rifle, Beijing 2008).
iv.Indian shooters also earned medals at 6 World Championships, 50+ World Cups, 6 Asian Games and 5 Commonwealth Games during his tenure.

Former Union Minister Girija Vyas Passed Away
In May 2025, veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Dr. Girija Vyas passed away at the age of 79 in Ahmedabad (Gujarat). She was born in 1946 in Nathdwara, Rajsamand district, Rajasthan.
About Dr. Girija Vyas:
i.Dr. Girija Vyas began her political career in 1977 as the Udaipur District Congress Committee President.
ii.She served three terms as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha in 1991, 1998 and 2009.
iii.She held key positions in both State and Union Governments:

• State minister for Information and Broadcasting (1993–1996) under the P.V. Narasimha Rao government.
• Union Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (2013–2014) under the Manmohan Singh government.

iv.She also served as Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW) and President of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC).

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Press Freedom Day 2025 – May 3The United Nation(UN’s) World Press Freedom Day or World Press Day is annually observed across the globe on May 3 emphasizing the significance of press freedom and the safety of journalists globally.

• May 3, 2025, marks the observance of 32nd anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.
• The theme for World Press Freedom Day 2025 is “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”

Background:
i.In 1993, The UN General Assembly (UNGA) formally proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day.
ii.The first World Press Freedom Day was observed on May 3, 1994.
2025 Highlights:
i.In 2025, UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize have been named to La Prensa, a Managua (Nicaragua)-based newspaper, recognized for resilience amid repression.
ii.Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) 2025, evaluating press freedom across 180 countries.

• The index is topped by Norway and India improved its position to 151st, up from 159th in 2024

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