6 May 2025 Current Affairs

National news

India to Provide $200 Million Loan to Angola for Armed Forces Modernization

India has agreed to provide Angola with a $200 million loan to modernize its armed forces. This announcement was made during the visit of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to India on 3rd April 2025. The visit, which took place from 1-4 May 2025, marked the first official visit of President Lourenço to India in 38 years, following the visit of former President José Eduardo dos Santos in April 1987.

Meeting with PM Modi and Key Highlights:

During his visit, President Lourenço met Indian President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome. He later held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing bilateral and regional issues, including condemning the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed by terrorists.

Defence Cooperation:

• Prime Minister Modi announced the $200 million loan to Angola, which will be used to purchase defence equipment, transport vehicles, ammunition, and other military assets from Indian defence companies.
• Angola also expressed interest in India’s assistance in modernizing and servicing its Russian-made weapon systems, such as SU-30 fighter jets.

Agreements and MoUs Signed:

During the visit, three agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed:

1. Cooperation in Ayurveda and traditional medicine systems.
2. MoU in the field of agriculture.
3. Cultural cooperation for the period 2025-2029, including a Youth Exchange Program to strengthen people-to-people ties.

Angola Joins International Solar Alliance (ISA):

Angola became the 123rd country to sign the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement, marking a significant step in promoting solar energy cooperation.

Angola-India Relations:

India and Angola share a longstanding relationship, dating back to Angola’s freedom struggle against Portuguese colonial rule, where India supported the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola). Diplomatic ties between the two nations were established in 1985, and they are now celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations.

• Bilateral trade between India and Angola was valued at $4.192 billion in the period 2022-2024.

About Angola:

• Location: Southwest Africa
• Independence: Gained from Portugal in 1975
• Resources: Rich in petroleum oil and diamonds
• Capital: Luanda
• Currency: Kwanza
• President: João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço

India Launches First Genome-Edited Rice Varieties: ‘DRR Dhan 100 Kamla’ & ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’

In May 2025, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled India’s first two genome-edited (GE) rice varieties — ‘DRR Dhan 100 Kamla’ and ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’ — at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi.

These innovative rice varieties were developed using CRISPR-Cas-based genome-editing technology by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. This advanced method allows precise genetic modifications without incorporating foreign DNA.

Key Highlights:

• Technology Used: CRISPR-Cas genome-editing, enabling accurate and clean edits to the plant genome.
• No foreign DNA is inserted, making the process more natural and acceptable in terms of biosafety.
• Research Initiation: ICAR began genome-editing research in 2018 to improve major rice varieties like Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204) and Maruteru 1010 (MTU 1010) under the National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF).

‘Minus 5 Plus 10’ Strategy:

Minister Chouhan also launched the ‘Minus 5 Plus 10’ formula, which aims to:

• Reduce rice cultivation area by 5 million hectares (mh).
• Increase rice production by 10 million tons (MT) in the same or lesser area.
• This approach will free up land for pulses and oilseeds, improving overall agricultural sustainability.

Scientist Recognition:

The Minister honored the scientists behind the successful development of these GE varieties, acknowledging their contribution to agricultural innovation.

About ICAR:

• Director General: Dr. Himanshu Pathak
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Established: 1929

India and UK Sign Cultural Cooperation Pact to Strengthen Creative Partnerships

Lisa Nandy, the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, visited India from May 1 to 3, 2025 on an official mission to boost cultural collaboration between the United Kingdom (UK) and India across various creative industries.

During her visit, she signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism) at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi.

Key Highlights of the Visit and Agreement

• Lisa Nandy held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar during the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

About the UK-India Cultural Cooperation Agreement

• The UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation aims to enhance cultural exchanges, support creative industries, and build long-term partnerships between cultural institutions in both countries.
• The UK will collaborate with India on:
  • Heritage conservation
  • Museum management
  • Digitisation of collections
• Key implementing bodies:
  • British Council in India
  • Ministry of Culture (Government of India)
  • Major UK cultural institutions including:
    • Arts Council England
    • British Library
    • British Museum
    • Natural History Museum
    • Science Museum Group
    • V and A Museum
• The agreement may lead to:
  • New exhibitions and public programmes involving the Indian diaspora in the UK
  • Better accessibility to South Asian manuscripts
  • Joint efforts to prevent illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts

About the United Kingdom

• Prime Minister: Keir Starmer
• Capital: London
• Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)

STRIDE-EUI Launched to Deepen EU-India Cooperation in Trade, Technology and Security

In May 2025, a new strategic initiative named STRIDE-EUI (Strategic Research, Innovation and Dialogue for EU-India Engagement) was officially launched by The Dialogue (based in New Delhi, India) and Grayspace Law and Policy Consulting Firm (based in Leuven, Belgium). This initiative aims to strengthen the EU-India strategic partnership in the fields of trade, technology, and security.

Highlights of STRIDE-EUI Launch

• STRIDE-EUI offices will operate from New Delhi and Brussels, bridging political, business, and policy ecosystems of India and the European Union.
• The initiative was launched through a high-impact dialogue that brought together experts from industry, civil society, academia, and international communities.

Key Speakers at the Launch

• Amb. Gurjit Singh, former Ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, ASEAN, and African Union
• Malathi Narayanan, Director-General, Indian Beauty and Hygiene Association (IBHA)
• Eric Pol, Chairman, MyData Global
• Sagar Singamsetty, Founder and MD, Grayspace Law and Policy Consulting
• Bhoomika Agarwal, Senior Research Associate, The Dialogue

Key Objectives and Activities

• STRIDE-EUI will act as a platform for thematic dialogues, policy whitepapers, and collaborative programs to drive resilient and forward-looking EU-India relations.
• The initiative aligns closely with the goals of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
• A robust calendar of roundtables, dialogues, and policy publications will be initiated to strengthen cooperation.

Strategic Focus Areas

• Digital governance
• Supply chain resilience
• Ethical technology innovation
• Strengthening links between government, business, and civil society

About The Dialogue

• Founding Director: Kazim Rizvi
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Established: 2017

About Grayspace Law and Policy Consulting Firm

• Founder and Managing Director: Sagar Singamsetty
• Headquarters: Leuven, Belgium

Rajasthan Joins India’s First Inter-State Cheetah Conservation Corridor with Madhya Pradesh

In May 2025, Rajasthan is set to collaborate with Madhya Pradesh (MP) in establishing India’s first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor, covering an area of 17,000 sq km. This ambitious initiative is aimed at promoting genetic diversity, improving wildlife movement, and addressing habitat fragmentation for cheetahs.

Key Features of the Cheetah Conservation Corridor

• Total Area: 17,000 sq km
  • 10,500 sq km in Madhya Pradesh
  • 6,500 sq km in Rajasthan
• District Coverage:
  • 13 districts in Rajasthan
  • 12 districts in MP
• Rajasthan districts included:
  Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, and Chittorgarh

Corridor Connectivity

• Links Palpur Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in MP with Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan
• Enables free movement of cheetahs across a vast, connected and protected habitat

Conservation Significance

• Aims to support the long-term survival of cheetahs in India
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) identified the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape as a suitable habitat in their action plan
• Enhances India’s biodiversity by facilitating natural cheetah behavior and territory expansion

About Madhya Pradesh

• Chief Minister: Mohan Yadav
• Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel
• Capital: Bhopal
• Bird Sanctuary: Kharmor Bird Sanctuary

About Rajasthan

• Chief Minister: Bhajan Lal Sharma
• Governor: Haribhau Bagade
• Capital: Jaipur
• Note: The bird sanctuaries Thattekad and Chulanur Peafowl Sanctuary mentioned are in Kerala, not Rajasthan. Rajasthan’s well-known bird sanctuaries include Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur).

Sanjay Jaiswal and Baijayant Panda Appointed as Heads of Key Parliamentary Committees for FY26

In May 2025, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appointed senior BJP MPs to lead two crucial parliamentary committees for the fiscal year 2025–26 (FY26).

Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal – Chairperson of Committee on Estimates (CoE)

• Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, BJP MP, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates.
• The CoE comprises 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha.
• Term: From May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.
• Mandate:
  • Reviews budget estimates.
  • Suggests measures for economy in public expenditure.
  • Proposes alternative policies to improve administrative efficiency.

Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda – Chairperson of Committee on Public Undertakings (CoPU)

• Baijayant Panda, BJP MP from Kendrapara, Odisha, has been reappointed as the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Undertakings.
• The CoPU includes 22 members:
  • 15 from the Lok Sabha
  • 7 from the Rajya Sabha
• Term: From May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.
• Mandate:
  • Evaluates reports and accounts of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
  • Ensures PSUs follow sound business principles and prudent commercial practices.

These appointments reinforce parliamentary oversight on budgetary efficiency and public sector management.

International News

India and 7 Other Nations Placed on US Priority Watch List for IPR Concerns

In May 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its 2025 Special 301 Report, placing India and seven other countries on the Priority Watch List due to continued shortcomings in the protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Countries on the Priority Watch List:

• India
• Argentina
• Chile
• China
• Indonesia
• Mexico
• Russia
• Venezuela

Key Highlights:

• The report identifies India as one of the most challenging major economies for IPR enforcement.
• Specific concerns were raised about:
  • Patent revocations
  • Use of discretionary criteria under the Indian Patents Act, 1970
  • Impact on multiple sectors

Watch List (Lower Tier):

• 18 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, were placed on the Watch List, indicating significant IP-related challenges needing continued bilateral attention.

About USTR:

• Representative: Jamieson Lee Greer
• Headquarters: Washington DC, USA
• Established: 1963

The report underscores ongoing global concerns over IP protection and calls for enhanced cooperation and reform in listed countries.

Banking news

Razorpay Unveils India’s First AI-Integrated MCP Server for Seamless Payments

In April 2025, Razorpay Software Private Limited, based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, launched India’s first Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for a payment gateway, enabling businesses to integrate AI-driven tools directly into their payment infrastructure.

Key Highlights:

• The MCP server allows AI agents and tools like Claude, Zapier, and VS Code to communicate with Razorpay using simple instructions.
• It supports automation of tasks such as:
  • Creating payment links
  • Initiating refunds
  • Managing transactions
• Eliminates the need for traditional dashboards or APIs, offering a streamlined, command-based payment interface.

AI-Driven Integration:

• Businesses can now link AI tools—from chat-based assistants to automated systems—directly with Razorpay’s backend.
• Payments can be initiated through simple commands, reducing manual efforts and speeding up workflows.

About MCP:

• Developed by: Anthropic
• Purpose: Open standard for Large Language Models (LLMs) to interact with external tools, systems, and data sources.

This marks a significant advancement in AI-powered financial automation, positioning Razorpay at the forefront of intelligent payment solutions in India.

Zaakpay Gets RBI Nod to Operate as Payment Aggregator

In May 2025, Zaak ePayment Services Private Limited (Zaakpay), a wholly owned subsidiary of One MobiKwik Systems Limited (MobiKwik), received the final Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to function as an online Payment Aggregator (PA).

Key Highlights:

• Headquartered in: Gurugram, Haryana
• Authorised under: Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
• The CoA enables Zaakpay to facilitate merchant payments via online platforms.

Service Expansion:

• Zaakpay can now offer comprehensive digital payment solutions through:
  • Credit and Debit Cards
  • Net Banking
  • Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
  • Wallets
  • Pay Later Options
  • Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs)

Current Operations:

• Serves enterprise clients in sectors such as:
  • Transit
  • E-commerce
  • Digital Lending
  • Healthcare
  • Utility Bill Payments

Background:

• Zaakpay had earlier received in-principle approval from RBI in 2023.

This approval strengthens Zaakpay’s position in India’s growing digital payments ecosystem, enhancing its capacity to offer secure and versatile transaction solutions.

IFSCA and NISM Partner to Strengthen Capacity Building in GIFT IFSC

In May 2025, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), based in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to enhance capacity building and training in the GIFT International Financial Services Centre (GIFT-IFSC).

Key Participants:

• The MoU was signed in the presence of:
  • Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairperson of SEBI
  • K. Rajaraman, Chairperson of IFSCA

Note: NISM is a public trust established in 2006 by SEBI.

MoU Highlights:

• NISM will serve as the training partner for IFSCA and its registered intermediaries.
• Key responsibilities include:
  • Conducting certification examinations in line with IFSCA regulations.
  • Developing customized content, question banks, and e-learning modules tailored to the needs of IFSCA.
• Focus: Enhancing the professional expertise of financial institutions (FIs) within the IFSC.

Mutual Benefits:

• IFSCA will leverage NISM’s expertise in certification and training.
• NISM will gain from its exposure to an international financial services environment.

This collaboration is set to play a pivotal role in advancing India’s financial ecosystem by building a highly skilled workforce for the GIFT IFSC platform.

RBI Fines Five Major Banks Rs 2.52 Crore for Regulatory Non-Compliance

In May 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a total penalty of Rs 2.52 crore on five major Indian banks for violations of multiple regulatory guidelines, identified during the Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE 2023). These violations included issues related to cybersecurity, KYC norms, customer service, internal account operations, and agricultural lending.

Banks Penalised and Key Violations:

1. ICICI Bank Limited (Mumbai)
   • Penalty: Rs 97.80 lakh (Highest among the five)
   • Violations:
     • Failure to report cybersecurity incident on time
     • No alert mechanism for certain account categories
     • Charging late fees without issuing credit card statements
     • Breach of credit card conduct norms
2. Bank of Baroda – BoB (Vadodara)
   • Penalty: Rs 61.40 lakh
   • Violations:
     • Permitting non-cash incentives for selling insurance
     • Not crediting interest in dormant savings accounts
3. Bank of Maharashtra – BoM (Pune)
   • Penalty: Rs 31.80 lakh
   • Violation:
     • Non-compliance with KYC norms
     • Opened multiple accounts using Aadhaar OTP-based e-KYC in non-face-to-face mode
4. IDBI Bank Limited (Mumbai)
   • Penalty: Rs 31.80 lakh
   • Violation:
     • Charged excessive interest rates under the Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS) for Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans
5. Axis Bank Limited (Mumbai)
   • Penalty: Rs 29.60 lakh
   • Violation:
     • Conducted unauthorised transactions through internal/office accounts

This enforcement underscores RBI’s strict stance on ensuring regulatory discipline and protecting customer interests across the Indian banking sector.

Award news

AIFF Awards 2024-25: Subhasish Bose and Soumya Guguloth Named Best Players

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) honored the winners of its annual awards for the 2024-25 football season on 2nd May 2025. Subhasish Bose of Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Soumya Guguloth of East Bengal were named the Men’s Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year respectively.

The award ceremony took place in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, on the eve of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 final between FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC. The event was attended by prominent figures including AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.

Key Achievements of Subhasish Bose & Soumya Guguloth:

• Subhasish Bose, the captain of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, became the seventh defender to win the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year award. Under his leadership, the team won both the Indian Super League (ISL) Winners’ Shield and the ISL Cup, following in the footsteps of Mumbai City FC.
• Soumya Guguloth of East Bengal made history by becoming the first player from Telangana to win the Women’s Player of the Year award. Soumya scored nine goals and led her team to victory in the Indian Women’s League 2024-25 season.

Full List of AIFF Award Winners for 2024-25:

1. Men’s Player of the Year: Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)
2. Women’s Player of the Year: Soumya Guguloth (East Bengal)
3. Promising Men’s Player of the Year: Brison Fernandes (FC Goa)
4. Promising Women’s Player of the Year: Toijam Thoibisana Chanu (East Bengal)
5. Best Men’s Goalkeeper: Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)
6. Best Women’s Goalkeeper: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (East Bengal)
7. Men’s Coach of the Year: Khalid Jamil (Jamshedpur FC)
8. Women’s Coach of the Year: Sujata Kar (Sribhumi FC)
9. Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
10. Male Assistant Referee of the Year: Vairamuthu P
11. Female Referee of the Year: Tekcham Ranjita Devi
12. Female Assistant Referee of the Year: Riiohlang Dhar
13. President’s Special Honour for Coaching Excellence: Ranjan Chowdhury
14. Best Member Association (Club Competitions): Indian Football Association (West Bengal)

Defence news

PM Lays Foundation Stone for DRDO’s New Missile Testing Range in Andhra Pradesh

On 2nd April 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Missile Test Range in Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh, with an estimated investment of Rs 1,460 Crore. This was part of the Prime Minister’s visit to Andhra Pradesh, where he also inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati.

Need for the Nagayalanka Missile Testing Range

Currently, India has two missile testing ranges in Chandipur and Wheeler’s Islands near Odisha, but these sites lack the capability to test advanced missile systems being developed under Phase 2 of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program.

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the new testing site at Nagayalanka, which will enable DRDO to test Phase 2 BMD interceptors. These interceptors are designed to destroy incoming hostile missiles at a safe distance, providing enhanced defense capabilities. The range will be capable of testing both short-range and long-range missiles, with two missile ranges placed strategically along the missile trajectory.

History of the Nagayalanka Missile Testing Range

The project at Nagayalanka has faced several challenges due to its location in the Krishna River delta, which is rich in mangrove forests. The construction of the missile site will result in the destruction of 155 hectares of mangroves. The area is also believed to have potential oil and gas reserves.

The project was initially approved by the Union Petroleum Ministry in 2012, with clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest. However, the project faced legal challenges regarding the environmental impact, which led to a Supreme Court review. Following the court’s approval, the Cabinet Committee on Security gave its final approval in 2024.

About Phase 2 of the Ballistic Missile Defence System

Phase 1 of the BMD system is operational, capable of intercepting missiles with ranges of less than 2000 km. It can target missiles like Pakistan’s Shaheen and Ghauri as well as China’s Dongfeng-21. This phase includes hypersonic missile interceptors that travel at speeds of Mach 4-5.

Phase 2 is being developed to intercept missiles with ranges over 5,000 km, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The hypersonic interceptors for Phase 2 will achieve speeds of Mach 6-7 and will be capable of intercepting missiles at very high altitudes. The system is designed to handle multiple, simultaneous missile attacks and will be comparable to the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system of the United States, with the capability to intercept ballistic missiles over 200 km away and track targets at ranges beyond 1,000 km.

Appointment news

Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese Secures a Second Consecutive Term

In May 2025, Anthony Norman Albanese, the leader of the Labor Party (LP), was re-elected as Australia’s Prime Minister (PM) in the federal elections. With this victory, Albanese made history by becoming the first Australian PM in two decades to secure a second consecutive 3-year term.

Election Results:

• Labor Party (LP): 70 seats
• Opposition Coalition (led by Peter Dutton): 24 seats
• The election was held in the 150-seat House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Australian Parliament.

About Australia:

• Prime Minister: Anthony Norman Albanese
• Capital: Canberra
• Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)

Salem Saleh Bin Braik Appointed as Yemen’s New Prime Minister

On May 4, 2025, Salem Saleh Bin Braik, the Finance Minister (FM) of Yemen, was appointed as the new Prime Minister (PM) by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) of Yemen.

He succeeded Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who resigned on May 3, 2025, after struggling with several challenges, including being unable to implement a government reshuffle.

About Yemen:

• Prime Minister: Salem Saleh Bin Braik
• Capital: Sanaa
• Currency: Yemeni Rial (YER)

Science and tech news

DRDO Successfully Conducts Maiden Flight Trials of Stratospheric Airship Platform

In May 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight trials of the Stratospheric Airship Platform at the Sheopur Trial Site in Madhya Pradesh (MP). This trial aims to enhance India’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

The unmanned Stratospheric Airship Platform, developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, was launched with an instrumental payload to an altitude of approximately 17 kilometers (km).

Key Highlights of the Trial:

• Flight Duration: Approximately 62 minutes.
• The data from the onboard sensors will assist in developing high-fidelity simulation models for future high-altitude airship missions.
• Pressure control and emergency deflation systems were tested for performance evaluation.

About the Stratospheric Airship Platform:

• The platform operates as a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) between 17 km and 22 km above Earth.
• It is powered by solar energy and uses helium for lift, with onboard batteries enabling night-time operations.
• Capable of carrying imaging sensors, radar systems, or telecommunication payloads, the airship can provide persistent surveillance and support for various missions, such as border monitoring, disaster response, and intelligence gathering.
• The platform offers operational advantages over drones and satellites, providing faster deployment, lower costs, and enhanced flexibility.

About DRDO:

• Chairman: Dr. Samir Venkatapathy Kamat
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Established: 1958

About Ministry of Defence (MoD):

• Union Minister: Rajnath Singh (Constituency: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)
• Minister of State (MoS): Sanjay Seth (Constituency: Ranchi, Jharkhand)

Sports news

China Clinches 14th Title at the 19th Sudirman Cup 2025

China emerged victorious at the 19th Sudirman Cup in 2025, claiming their 14th title in the history of the prestigious mixed-team badminton competition. This marked their fourth consecutive win, with a 3-1 victory over South Korea in the final, held in Xiamen from April 27 to May 4, 2025.

Key Highlights:

• The 2025 Sudirman Cup final was a repeat of the 2023 final, where China defeated South Korea by the same scoreline of 3-1.
• China secured the title with victories in the following matches:
  • Mixed Doubles: Feng Yanzhe/ Huang Dongping (China) defeated Seo Seung-jae/ Chae Yu-jung (South Korea).
  • Women’s Singles: An Se-young (South Korea) defeated Wang Zhiyi (China).
  • Men’s Singles: Shi Yuqi (China) defeated Jeon Hyeok-jin (South Korea).
  • Women’s Doubles: Liu Shengshu & Tan Ning (China) defeated Baek Ha-na & Lee So-hee (South Korea).
  • The Men’s Doubles match was not played, as China had already secured the title with a 3-1 lead.

India’s Performance:

• India, along with 15 other top-ranked countries, participated in the tournament but failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, finishing 9th out of the 16 teams.
• India was placed in Group D alongside Indonesia, Denmark, and England.
  • India lost to both Denmark and Indonesia with 4-1 scores.
  • India defeated England 3-2 but did not advance to the next stage.
  • India’s best performance in the Sudirman Cup came in 2011 and 2017, when they reached the quarter-finals.

About the Sudirman Cup:

• The Sudirman Cup was established by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in 1989 to honor Dick Sudirman, the founder of the Badminton Association of Indonesia.
• It is a biennial mixed-team event held in odd-numbered years, while the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup are held in even-numbered years.
• China, Indonesia, and South Korea are the only three countries to have won the Sudirman Cup, with China winning it 14 times.

Sudirman Cup Winners:

• China: 14 titles
• South Korea: 4 titles (1991, 1993, 2003, 2017)
• Indonesia: 1 title (1989)

PM Modi Inaugurates 7th Edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 7th Khelo India Youth Games on 4 May 2025. This edition is being hosted by Bihar from 4 to 15 May 2025, with three sporting events taking place in New Delhi. It marks the first time Bihar is hosting the prestigious event.

Inaugural Ceremony:

The inaugural event took place at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna. The ceremony was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the Chief Guest, along with Union Minister for Youth Affairs Mansukh Mandaviya, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and Vijay Sinha. Prime Minister Modi officially declared the games open virtually.

Venues and Sporting Events:

A total of 27 competitive sports and one demonstration sport will be featured in the 7th Khelo India Youth Games 2025. The events will be held across Bihar and New Delhi:

• New Delhi will host the events for gymnastics, shooting, and cycling.
• The remaining events will take place across Bihar, in cities like Patna, Rajgir, Begusarai, Gaya, and Bhagalpur.
• Around 5,000 athletes from 36 States and Union Territories will be competing in this edition.

Logo and Mascot:

• Logo: “Khel ke rang Bihar ke sang”
• Mascot: Gajasimha, a mythical creature combining the features of an elephant (Gaja) and a lion (Simha), symbolizing strength.

Organizers:

The Khelo India Youth Games are organized by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and supported by the Sports Authority of India.

About Khelo India Youth Games:

The Khelo India program, launched in 2017, aims to revive the sports culture in India and strengthen sports at the grassroots level. It seeks to position India as a leading sporting nation. The Ministry of Youth Affairs, in partnership with IOA, organizes various Khelo India events, including:

• Khelo India Winter Games
• Khelo India University Games (KIUG)
• Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG)

Originally named the Khelo India School Games, the event was first held in New Delhi in 2018. The event was renamed to Khelo India Youth Games from the second edition in Pune, Maharashtra, in 2019.

Obituary news

Yoga Guru and Padma Shri Awardee Swami Sivananda Passes Away at 128

On May 4, 2025, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, a renowned Yoga guru and Padma Shri Awardee, passed away at the age of 128 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

About Swami Sivananda:

• Born: August 8, 1897, in the Sylhet district of Bengal Presidency (now part of Bangladesh).
• Early Life: Raised by Guru Omkaranand Goswami at his Ashram in Nabadwip, West Bengal, after the death of his parents at the age of six.
• Education: Received practical and spiritual teachings, including Yoga, without formal schooling.
• Yoga Practice: Spent about 30 years teaching yoga on the banks of the Ganga River in Varanasi, UP.
• Humanitarian Work: Dedicated the last 50 years of his life serving 400–600 leprosy-affected beggars, providing support at their huts.
• World Yoga Day: In 2019, he was the senior-most participant from India in the World Yoga Day demonstration.
• Maha Kumbh Mela: In January 2025, it was revealed that he had been attending the Maha Kumbh Mela for over 100 years.

Awards and Recognition:

• Yoga Ratna Award (2019) in Bengaluru, Basundhara Ratan Award from Respect Age International for his societal contributions.
• Padma Shri Award (2022) in the field of Yoga for his remarkable humanitarian work. He was the oldest recipient of the Padma Shri.

Important days

International Leopard Day: Raising Awareness for Leopard Conservation

International Leopard Day is observed every year on May 3 globally to promote the protection of leopards (Panthera pardus), one of the most adaptable big cats, and to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and leopards.

Key Facts About Leopards:

• Leopards are listed as “Vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
• This status is based on criteria A2cd, highlighting a significant population decline due to habitat loss, prey depletion, and exploitation.

Leopard Population in India:

• According to the “Status of Leopards in India, 2022” report by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the leopard population in India is estimated at 13,874 individuals.
• Madhya Pradesh (MP) has the largest leopard population, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):

• Established in 2006 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the NTCA works to strengthen and oversee tiger conservation efforts across India.
• Chairperson: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

World Laughter Day 2025: Celebrating Joy and Health

World Laughter Day (WLD) is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of May to emphasize the significance of laughter in promoting health, peace, and emotional well-being. The day aims to unite people from diverse backgrounds to spread joy and positivity.

• WLD 2025 will be observed on May 4, 2025.
• The theme for WLD 2025 is “Laugh for Health, Peace and Happiness”.

Background:

• World Laughter Day was founded in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician from Mumbai, Maharashtra, and the founder of the Laughter Yoga Movement, which promotes laughter as a form of exercise.
• The inaugural World Laughter Day celebration took place on January 11, 1998, in Mumbai, with over 12,000 participants from various countries. Since then, it has grown into a global event, celebrated in over 100 countries.
• The first World Laughter Day event outside India, called “HAPPY-DEMIC”, occurred on January 9, 2000, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Over 10,000 people gathered at Town Hall Square, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest-ever laughter session.

International Firefighters’ Day 2025: Honoring Bravery and Sacrifice

International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is observed globally on May 4 each year to honor the brave firefighters who risk their lives to protect communities and the environment. The day also serves as a tribute to those firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty and offers gratitude to both current and former firefighters.

• Red-Blue ribbons, pinned together at the top, symbolize the core elements of a firefighter’s work, red for fire and blue for water.

Background:

• IFFD was established in memory of five firefighters who tragically lost their lives in a wildfire in Lindon, Australia in 1998.
• On January 4, 1999, JJ Edmondson, a volunteer Lieutenant and firefighter from Australia, proposed the idea of observing IFFD on May 4.
• The first IFFD was celebrated on May 4, 1999.