Current Affairs 9 May 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Cabinet approvals on May 7,2025The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals/schemes:
i.The Union Cabinet has approved the National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Upgradation and the Setting up of five (5) NCoE for Skilling. The aim of the scheme to equip over 2 million youth with industry-relevant skills over the next five years.

• As per the announcement made in budget 2024-25 and 2025-26, this scheme will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with outlay of Rs. 60,000 crore .

ii.The Union Cabinet has also approved the expansion of academic and infrastructure capacity of five new IITs in the States/Union Territory (UT) of Andhra Pradesh, AP (IIT Tirupati), Kerala (IIT Palakkad), Chhattisgarh (IIT Bhilai), Jammu & Kashmir(J&K) (IIT Jammu) and Karnataka (IIT Dharwad).
iii.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the PM Narendra Modi, approved the Revised SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) Policy to streamline coal allocation to the power sector, enhancing transparency and flexibility to meet both long-term and short-term coal requirements.

• SHAKTI policy was introduced in 2017 to implement a more transparent way of allocation of coal linkages through an auction / tariff-based bidding.

>> Read Full News

GoI Introduced Chip-based e-passports to Ensure Security of TravellersIn May 2025, the Government of India (GoI) has introduced chip-based e-passports across the country, with the aim of ensuring security of travellers and enhancing international travel.

• These passports are equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and antenna embedded as an inlay.
• The key benefit of the e-passport is its enhanced ability to maintain the integrity of passport holder’s data.

i.Thes e-passports were initially rolled out on pilot basis on April 01, 2024, as part of the Passport Seva Programme-Version 2.0 (PSP-V2.0).
ii.These chips store the passport holder’s data, including biometric information in encrypted form, which makes it harder to forge the passport.
iii.The GoI has introduced significant updates to passport regulations in 2025, focusing on enhancing security, privacy, and inclusivity.
About Ministry of External Affairs (MEA):
Union Minister- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Rajya Sabha member- Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)- Pabitra Margherita (Rajya Sabha member- Assam), Kirti Vardhan Singh (Constituency – Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News

Union Minister Piyush Goyal Addresses Columbia India Energy Dialogue in New DelhiIn May 2025, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) addressed the Columbia India Energy Dialogue held in New Delhi(Delhi), where he emphasized India’s global leadership in clean energy transition and reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and equitable climate action.

• The dialogue brought together key stakeholders from India and the United States of America(USA) to discuss collaborative strategies for advancing clean energy and addressing climate change.
• The dialogue is organized by the India Program at the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP), part of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). It is conducted in collaboration with the Columbia Global Center in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Key Highlights:
i.The Minister highlighted that climate change is a global challenge and highlighted the need for universal commitment under the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
ii.India achieved its 2030 Renewable Energy(RE) target of 200 Gigawatts (GW) in 2022, 8 years ahead of schedule. Currently, solar power capacity has grown over 30 times in the past decade.
iii.India has built a 500 GW interconnected national grid under a 2014 initiative to integrate regional grids, ensuring 24/7 affordable energy access and supporting high levels of clean energy integration.
iv.India is rapidly adopting innovations like Light-Emitting Diode(LED) lighting, green hydrogen, biofuels, ethanol blending, electric mobility, and green ammonia, while emerging as a hub for clean energy-powered data centres.
v.Union Minister Piyush Goyal urged Columbia University(the USA) to collaborate with Indian Institutes of Eminence and establish a campus in India.

India & UK Conclude FTA and Double Contribution ConventionIn May 2025, Prime Minister(PM) of India Narendra Modi and PM of the United Kingdom (UK) Keir Starmer announced the successful conclusion of a Comprehensive and Mutually Beneficial India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) along with a Double Contribution Convention to boost bilateral trade, investment, and economic growth.

• The India–UK FTA aligns with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) 2047 and is expected to significantly enhance India’s participation in global value chains.

i.The FTA ensures zero-duty market access for 99% of Indian exports to the UK, covering almost 100% of the trade value.
ii.Bilateral trade between India and the UK currently stands at USD 60 billion, and the FTA is expected to double this volume by 2030.
iii.The Double Contribution Convention was established to prevent double taxation for workers temporarily assigned between the two countries.
About the United Kingdom (UK):
Prime Minister(PM) – Sir Keir Starmer
Capital – London
Currency – Pound Sterling (GBP)
>> Read Full News

India Lists First Mortgage-Backed Pass Through Certificates on NSE
In May 2025, M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance(MoF) listed India’s first Mortgage backed Pass Through Certificates (PTC) structured by Mumbai, Maharashtra based RMBS Development Company Limited on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai.

• This initiative aims to enhance liquidity in the housing finance market and attract long-term investors.

Key Details:
i.The PTCs are backed by a pool of housing loans originated by Mumbai based LIC Housing Finance Limited(LIC HFL). The issuance comprised 1,00,000 certificates, each with a face value of Rs 1,00,000, totaling Rs 1,000 crore. The issue was fully subscribed, indicating strong investor interest.
ii.This marks the first instance in India where the coupon rate for a PTC was discovered through the NSE’s Electronic Book Provider (EBP) platform.
iii.The PTCs carry a 7.26% annual coupon with a maturity period of approximately 20 years. 
iv.They are rated AAA(SO) by Mumbai based CRISIL Limited and CARE Ratings, ensuring high credit quality. The AAA(Structured Obligation,  SO)’indicating the highest degree of safety regarding timely servicing of financial obligations.
v.Issued in dematerialized form, these PTCs are transferable and can be traded in the secondary market, providing liquidity to investors.

PM Modi Unveils India’s Space Roadmap at GLEX 2025
In May 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi addressed the 12th Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX 2025) via video conference. He emphasized India’s commitment to collaborative space exploration, stating that India’s space journey focuses on collective advancement rather than competition.

• The GLEX 2025 held from May 7-9, 2025 in New Delhi, Delhi. It is organized by Paris(France) based International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in collaboration with Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Bengaluru based Astronautical Society of India (ASI).

i.He highlighted that the Chandrayaan missions played a key role in lunar exploration. Chandrayaan-1 (2008) discovered water on the Moon, Chandrayaan-2 (2019) captured high-resolution images, and Chandrayaan-3 (2023) made India the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole.
ii.In 2014, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) (Mangalyaan) made India the first Asian country to reach Mars orbit and the first in the world to do so on its first attempt.
iii.India plans to establish its own space station, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, by 2035.

BANKING & FINANCE

Kotak Mahindra Bank Launched Solitaire Credit Card for HNIsIn May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) launched a premium, invite-only metal credit card ‘Kotak Solitaire Credit Card’, targeting High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) under its Solitaire Program.

• The card offers travel benefits such as air miles, free unlimited lounge access, and no extra charges on foreign transactions, making it a good choice for frequent travellers in India.

Key Features of Kotak Solitaire Credit Card:
i.Eligibility: Available exclusively to Solitaire Program customers with a Total Relationship Value (TRV) of Rs. 75 lakh (savings accounts) or Rs. 1 crore (current accounts).
ii.Rewards:

• 10 air miles per Rs. 100 spent on flight/hotel bookings via Kotak Unbox platform.
• 3 air miles per Rs. 100 on other eligible expenses (excluding fuel, rent, insurance, etc.).
• Air miles valid for 3 years; redeemable for flights, hotels, or vouchers.

iii.Travel Benefits:

• Unlimited lounge access (domestic/international) for primary and add-on cardholders.
• 4 complimentary guest lounge visits annually (2 domestic + 2 international).
• Zero forex markup on international transactions.
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs 400 to Rs 7,500 (max waiver: Rs 10,000 per card anniversary year)

iv.Annual fee: Rs. 25,000 + taxes (waived for Solitaire Program customers) and no joining fee.
About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL):
Founder – Uday Kotak
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Ashok Vaswani
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established – 1985
Tagline – Lets Make Money Simple

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

CK Birla Group rebrands as The CKA Birla GroupIn May 2025, the New Delhi( Delhi)-based CK Birla Group, a conglomerate with a legacy spanning over 170 years, announced its rebranding to ‘The CKA Birla Group’. This strategic move signifies the Group’s evolution from a diversified industrial entity into a future-focused enterprise emphasizing technology and services.

•  The Group is chaired by C.K. Birla, with Amita Birla serving as co-chairman.

i.The rebranding reflects the organization’s shift from its manufacturing origins to becoming a services-led enterprise with technology at its core.

• It underscores the Group’s dedication to empowering people and recognizing diverse talents and leadership as pivotal to continued success.

ii.The CKA Birla Group encompasses several companies across various sectors: Birlasoft Limited, GMMCO Limited, National Engineering Industries Limited (manufacturer of NBC Bearings), BirlaNu Limited (formerly HIL Limited), Orient Electric Limited, CK Birla Healthcare Private Limited (CK Birla Hospitals and Birla Fertility & IVF), Orient Paper & Industries Limited, AVTEC Limited, and Neosym Industry Limited.

NIRL Signs PPA with RVUNL for 810 MW Solar Project in Rajasthan
In May 2025, Neyveli (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) India Renewables Limited (NIRL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NLC India Limited, signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Jaipur (Rajasthan)-based Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) for its 810 Megawatt (MW) solar power project.

• The project was awarded to NIRL through a competitive tariff-based bidding by RVUNL and is being implemented under Mode 8 of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park (UMREPP) Scheme.

i.The solar power project will be developed at the Pugal Solar Park, situated in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan.

• This region is characterized by barren lands and abundant solar radiation, making it highly suitable for solar energy generation.

ii.It is expected to produce about 2 Billion Units (BU) of green electricity every year, helping India move closer to its Renewable Energy(RE) goals.
iii.Additionally, it is projected to offset around 1.5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions each year.
Note: NLCIL was the first Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) in India to establish 1 GW of RE projects.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Senior INC Leader KC Venugopal Reappointed as PAC Chairperson
In May 2025, Senior Indian National Congress (INC) Party leader, K C Venugopal was re-appointed as chairperson of the New Delhi(Delhi) based Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament of India, by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. His tenure will continue until April 2026, as per the announcement by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

• This appointment aligns with the convention established in 1967, where the PAC Chairperson is selected from the principal opposition party in the Lok Sabha.

About KC Venugopal:
Current Positions:
i.Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
ii.General Secretary (Organisation), All India Congress Committee (AICC)
Previous Roles:

• Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (2020–2024)
• Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation (2012–2014)
• Union Minister of State for Power (2011–2012)
• Member of Legislative Assembly, Kerala (1996–2009)

About Public Accounts Committee (PAC):

• Established: 1921 (pre-independence), reconstituted in 1950 (post-independence)
• Significance: The PAC ensures accountability in the utilization of public funds by examining audit reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
• Role: The committee comprises 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha) and reviews compliance with parliamentary approvals.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

TPG Acquires 35% Stake in SCHOTT Poonawalla from SII
On May 6, 2025, Germany based SCHOTT Pharma AG & Co. announced that the United States of America (USA)-based global investment firm TPG Inc. has signed a binding agreement to acquire a 35% stake in its Indian joint venture( JV), SCHOTT Poonawalla Private Limited, from Pune (Maharashtra) based Serum Institute of India Private Limited (SII), a part of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group.

• The investment is being made through TPG Growth, TPG’s middle-market and growth equity platform, with Denmark-based Novo Holdings A/S joining as a co-investor.

i.Following the transaction, SCHOTT Pharma will retain its 50% stake in the JV, while SII will hold a minority stake.
ii.This strategic partnership is poised to enhance SCHOTT Poonawalla’s capabilities in delivering high-quality pharmaceutical packaging solutions, thereby contributing significantly to the global healthcare ecosystem.
Note: Serum Institute of India (SII), part of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. It was founded in 1966 by Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Airtel Africa Partners with SpaceX’s Starlink to Expand Satellite Internet Services in AfricaIn May 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Bharti Airtel’s subsidiary Airtel Africa, has partnered with the United States of America (USA) based Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), led by Elon Musk, to deploy Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet services across Africa.

• As of May 2025, SpaceX has secured the necessary operating licenses in nine of the 14 countries where Airtel Africa operates. Regulatory processes are underway for the remaining five countries.

Note: Airtel Africa operates in Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
i.The collaboration aims to enhance digital connectivity for enterprises, small businesses, and socio-economic institutions such as schools and health centers, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach regions of Africa.
ii.By integrating Starlink’s LEO satellite technology, Airtel Africa seeks to provide broader coverage and higher connectivity resilience.
iii.Additionally, Airtel Africa plans to explore rural coverage expansion through cellular backhauling (data transmission between cell towers and networks) supported by satellite links.
iv.As of May 2025, Starlink provides satellite internet services in over 125 countries and territories worldwide, spanning all seven continents.

India’s Paras Defence & Israel’s HevenDrones Established JV to Manufacture Hydrogen-Powered Drones
In May 2025, Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Paras Defence & Space Technologies Limited, a leading Indian defence engineering company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel-based HevenDrones Limited, a subsidiary of United States of America (USA)-based Heven, to establish a Joint Venture (JV) for designing, manufacturing and supplying Hydrogen(H)-powered drones, marking the first of its kind in India.

• The new JV aims to indigenously design and produce next-generation Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in alignment with the Government of India’s Make in India initiative.

i.It will be the exclusive platform to introduce Hydrogen-powered drones in India, featuring Extended flight endurance, Modular payload capabilities and Ready-to-fly configurations.
ii.The drones will support operations in Logistics for remote and border areas, Tactical surveillance, Defence supply chains and High-altitude missions.
iii.HevenDrones will provide the JV with its technology, prototypes, and production manuals, while Paras Defence will manage manufacturing, regulatory approvals, sales, and overall operations in India.
iv.The JV’s board will consist of representatives from both companies, jointly appointing a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Chief Operating Officer (COO).

SPORTS

Indian Cricketer Rohit Sharma Announces Retirement from Test CricketOn May 7, 2025, Indian cricketer Rohit Gurunath Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket, with immediate effect. The 38-year-old, who had been leading the Indian Test team since February 2022, made this decision following a series of underwhelming performances.

• He will continue representing India in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

About Rohit Sharma:
Test Career Highlights:
i.Debuted in 2013, scoring 177 against West Indies at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens is the second-highest test debut score by an Indian.
ii.He played 67 tests, scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score was 212 vs. South Africa (2019).
iii.He captained India in 24 Test matches, securing 12 victories.
ODI Achievements and Records:
i.He holds the world record for the highest individual score in ODI with 264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014 and three double centuries.
ii.He captained India to victory in the 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, announcing his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) after winning the T20 World Cup 2024.
iii.He ranks 3rd in ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings as of May 2025, behind India’s Shubman Gill (1st) and Pakistan’s Babar Azam (2nd).
Awards and Honors:
i.In 2015, he received the Arjuna Award, the second-highest sporting honour in India, for his outstanding achievements in sports.
ii.In 2020, he was conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (formerly Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award), the highest sporting honour in India.
Note: Since 2018, Rohit Sharma was the brand ambassador of WWF India’s Rhino Conservation.
About International Cricket Council (ICC):
Chairman – Jay Shah (India)
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Geoff Allardice
Headquarters – Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Founded – 1909

China Clinches 14th Title at BWF Sudirman Cup 2025 In May 2025, the People’s Republic of China secured its 14th BWF (Badminton World Federation) Sudirman Cup title and achieved a record fourth consecutive victory by defeating South Korea 3-1 in the final of the 19th edition of the BWF Sudirman Cup (2025) mixed-team championship.

• The championship organized by the BWF, was held from 27 April to 4 May 2025 at the Fenghuang Gymnasium in Xiamen, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China. 
• Japan secured the third place in the championship.

Highlights:
i.Mixed Doubles: Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping (China) defeated Seo Seung-jae/Chae Yu-jung (South Korea).
ii.Women’s Singles: An Se-young (South Korea) beat Wang Zhiyi (China) 21-17, 21-16.
iii.Men’s Singles: Shi Yuqi (China) overpowered Jeon Hyeok-jin (South Korea) 21-5, 21-5.
vi.Women’s Doubles: Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning (China) sealed the title with a 21-14, 21-18 win over Baek Ha-na/Lee So-hee (South Korea).
v.Men’s Doubles was not played as China secured victory after four matches.
India’s Performance:
The Indian team faced defeats against Denmark and Indonesia but managed a victory over England with a 3-2 scoreline. Despite this win, India did not advance to the quarter-finals, finishing 9th among the 16 participating teams.
About Sudirman Cup:
i.The Sudirman Cup, established in 1989, is named in honor of Dick Sudirman, the founder and former president of the Badminton Association of Indonesia.
ii.It is held every two years and is considered one of the premier mixed-team events in badminton, alongside the Thomas Cup (men’s team) and the Uber Cup (women’s team).
iii.The only winners are China (14 titles), South Korea (4 titles), and Indonesia (1 title).
About Badminton World Federation (BWF):
President – Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen
Headquarters – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Established – 1934

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2025 – May 8World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is annually observed across the globe on May 8 to honor the principles and humanitarian efforts of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

• The movement operates under seven core principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

i.The theme for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2025 is “Keeping Humanity Alive”.
ii.The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, who was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
iii.The first International Red Cross Day was celebrated on 8 May 1948.
About International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
President – Kate Forbes
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Founded – 1919
>> Read Full News

World Thalassaemia Day 2025 – May 8International Thalassaemia Day (ITD), also known as World Thalassaemia Day, is annually observed across the globe on May 8 to raise awareness about Thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder, which causes the body to have less haemoglobin.

• The day also celebrates the global thalassaemia community, advocates for equitable healthcare access for and acknowledges the challenges, needs, and rights of individuals with the condition.
• The observance is led by the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF)

Theme and Slogan:
i.The theme of ITD 2025 is “Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients”.

• The 2025 theme focuses on the necessity of shifting towards a more people-centered, holistic, and inclusive approach to care, placing the patient at the core of all efforts.

ii.The slogans of the (ITD 2025) are “WeAre1” and “PatientsFirst”.
Background:
i.Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) initiated to observe 8th May as ITD.
iii.Panos Englezos, president and founder of the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF), established the inaugural World Thalassaemia Day on May 8, 1994.

• The day was established in the memory of George Englezos, the son of Pan Englezos, who died of thalassaemia.

About Thalassaemia:
i.Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the haemoglobin, crucial for oxygen supply via red blood cells.
ii.Individuals may experience anemia, characterized by fatigue, breathlessness and paleness.
iii.Thalassaemia is passed from parents to children through the mutated haemoglobin genes.
Types of Thalassaemia:
i.Alpha thalassaemia: It is caused by a mutation (or change) in the gene (or instructions) that controls how much alpha globin should make.
ii.Beta thalassaemia: It occurs when similar gene defects affect the production of the beta-globin protein. Beta thalassaemia is the severe one.
Other Associated Health Issues:
Thalassaemia damages the heart, liver, lungs, and endocrine organs due to anaemia and iron accumulation.

• In addition to this, the patient may face mental and societal problems.

About Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF):
President – Panos Englezos
Headquarters – Nicosia, Cyprus
Establishment – 1986

STATE NEWS

Haryana Govt Announces ‘Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana’ for Senior Artistes, Art scholarsIn May 2025, Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini led state cabinet, has decided to implement a new scheme titled “Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana”, for the welfare of the senior artists and scholars of the state.

• Under the new scheme, the eligible artistes will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs.10,000 as financial support from the government.
• The scheme aims to improve the financial and socio-economic conditions of senior artistes and art scholars, who made significant contributions to the field of art.

About Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana:
i.Any Resident of Haryana, who has worked or contributed to the field of art for at least 20 years as an artist in areas such as singing, acting, drama, painting or other forms of visual arts are eligible under the scheme
ii.The Applicant should not be less than 60 years of age, as verified by the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), a family Identification card in Haryana.

• If the PPP reflects an annual income of up to Rs.1.80 lakh from all sources of income, the applicant will receive Rs.10,000 per month.
• If the annual income is between Rs1.80 lakh and Rs.3 lakh, the applicant will receive Rs.7,000 per month.

iii.The Application process will be in online mode. A dedicated committee will evaluate the applications which have undergone preliminary verification by the department. The final merit list of eligible beneficiaries will be prepared by the committee.
About Haryana:
Chief Minister (CM) – Nayab Singh Saini
Governor – Bandaru Dattatraya
Capital – Chandigarh
Ramsar Sites – Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

Maharashtra Govt Launches ‘Adishakti Abhiyan’ for Women Empowerment, Allocates Rs.10.50 croreOn May 7, 2025, the Maharashtra state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis has approved the launch of the ‘Adishakti Abhiyan’, a state-wide women-centric campaign to boost women empowerment at the grassroots level with a budget of Rs.10.50 crores.

• The initiative was launched at a special cabinet meeting held in Choundi (Maharashtra), the birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar, the famous 18th century queen of the Holkar dynasty, to commemorate her 300th birth anniversary. It is the first cabinet meeting held outside Mumbai.
• During the event Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis released a commemorative postage stamp and a special logo bearing the name of Ahilya Devi to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar.

i.As part of the targeted welfare approach, CM also announced infrastructure projects for youth from the Dhangar Community. Hostels for boys and girls of the Dhangar community will be constructed in Pune and Nasik.
ii.He announced the establishment of separate Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Ahilya Nagar, especially for girls, to provide them with vocational training and skills.
iii.The Maharashtra state government has decided to change the name of the ‘Ahmednagar’ district after Ahilya Devi Holkar.
iv.He also highlighted that Rs.681 crore has been sanctioned for the preservation of Ahilyabai’s memorial in Choundi and a medical college will be named as Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College.
>> Read Full News

Tamil Nadu CM Officially Declares May 5 as Traders’ Day
In May 2025, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM), M K Stalin announced official recognition of May 5 as Traders’ Day at the 42nd annual meeting of the Traders’ Association, organized by Tamilnadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu, in suburban Madhuranthakam, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu (TN).
Key Announcements:
i.The welfare assistance for qualified members of the Traders’ Welfare Board will increase from Rs.3 lakh to Rs.5 lakh.
ii.Businesses under 500 square feet (sq ft) that are not involved in the sale/service of food, will obtain licenses through self-certification.
iii.Advisory committees, which were established for resolving disputes involving shops and commercials established in Municipal Corporations in 2024 will be established for Greater Chennai Corporation, town panchayats and those in rural local bodies.
iv.The deadline for registering as Members on the Board without any fee is extended for six months.

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