9th May 2025 Current Affairs- BANKING

National news

Union Cabinet Approvals – May 7, 2025: Key Decisions on Skilling, Education, and Energy

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved several significant initiatives on May 7, 2025, aimed at strengthening skilling infrastructure, higher education, and coal allocation policies. The key highlights are as follows:

 1. National Scheme for ITI Upgradation and Skilling

• Approval granted for the National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Upgradation and the establishment of five (5) National Centres of Excellence (NCoE).
• Objective: To equip over 2 million youth with industry-relevant skills over the next five years.
• This scheme will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore, as announced in the Union Budgets of 2024-25 and 2025-26.

2. Expansion of Five New IITs

• The Cabinet approved the academic and infrastructure expansion of the following Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs):
  • IIT Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
  • IIT Palakkad (Kerala)
  • IIT Bhilai (Chhattisgarh)
  • IIT Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir)
  • IIT Dharwad (Karnataka)
• This move aims to boost research capacity, student intake, and campus development in these newer IITs.

 3. Revised SHAKTI Policy for Coal Allocation

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), also chaired by the PM, approved the Revised SHAKTI Policy (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India).
• The revised policy enhances transparency and flexibility in coal allocation to the power sector.
• Focus: Meeting both long-term and short-term coal requirements efficiently.
• The original SHAKTI Policy was launched in 2017 to ensure transparent allocation of coal linkages through auction or tariff-based bidding.

India Launches Chip-Based e-Passports to Boost Traveller Security – May 2025

In a landmark step toward modernizing travel documents, the Government of India (GoI) has officially introduced chip-based e-passports across the nation in May 2025, aiming to enhance the security of travellers and facilitate smooth international travel.

Key Features of e-Passports:

• Equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and an embedded antenna as part of the passport inlay.
• Ensures enhanced data security by storing the passport holder’s information, including biometric data, in an encrypted format, making it difficult to forge.

Timeline & Implementation:

• These e-passports were initially rolled out on a pilot basis on April 01, 2024, under the Passport Seva Programme-Version 2.0 (PSP-V2.0).
• The full-scale implementation in 2025 follows the pilot’s success, with the government introducing updated passport regulations to further improve security, privacy, and inclusivity.

About the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA):

• Union Minister: Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Rajya Sabha – Gujarat)
• Ministers of State (MoS):
  • Pabitra Margherita (Rajya Sabha – Assam)
  • Kirti Vardhan Singh (Lok Sabha – Gonda, Uttar Pradesh)

Union Minister Piyush Goyal Highlights India’s Clean Energy Leadership at Columbia India Energy Dialogue – May 2025

In May 2025, Union Minister Piyush Goyal of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) addressed the Columbia India Energy Dialogue in New Delhi, underscoring India’s global leadership in the clean energy transition and reaffirming its dedication to inclusive and equitable climate action.

 Key Highlights of the Dialogue:

• The dialogue brought together major stakeholders from India and the United States (USA) to explore collaborative strategies for clean energy advancement and combating climate change.
• Organized by the India Program at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP), part of the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), in partnership with the Columbia Global Center in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

India’s Climate and Energy Milestones:

• Minister Goyal emphasized climate change as a global issue, calling for universal commitment under the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
• India met its 2030 Renewable Energy (RE) target of 200 Gigawatts (GW) in 2022, 8 years ahead of schedule.
• The country has built a 500 GW interconnected national grid under a 2014 initiative, enabling 24/7 affordable energy and large-scale clean energy integration.
• Massive growth in solar power, which expanded 30-fold over the past decade.
• Rapid adoption of innovations like:
  • LED lighting
  • Green hydrogen
  • Biofuels and ethanol blending
  • Electric mobility
  • Green ammonia
  • Emergence of clean energy-powered data centres

Academic Collaboration:

• Minister Goyal invited Columbia University (USA) to collaborate with Indian Institutes of Eminence and consider establishing a campus in India, strengthening academic and technological cooperation.

India and UK Finalize Free Trade Agreement and Double Contribution Convention – May 2025

In May 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer jointly announced the successful conclusion of a Comprehensive and Mutually Beneficial India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) along with a Double Contribution Convention aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and economic growth.

Key Highlights:

• The India–UK FTA is aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and aims to boost India’s role in global value chains.
• The FTA provides zero-duty market access for 99 percent of Indian exports to the UK, covering nearly 100 percent of total trade value.
• Current India–UK bilateral trade stands at USD 60 billion and is projected to double by 2030 as a result of the agreement.
• The Double Contribution Convention has been introduced to prevent double taxation for temporarily assigned workers between India and the UK, facilitating smoother business operations and labour mobility.

About the United Kingdom:

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

India Lists First Mortgage Backed Pass Through Certificates on National Stock Exchange

In May 2025, M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, officially listed India’s first Mortgage-Backed Pass Through Certificates (PTCs) on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai. These PTCs were structured by RMBS Development Company Limited, also based in Mumbai.

Key Highlights:

• This initiative is designed to boost liquidity in the housing finance market and attract long-term investors.
• The PTCs are backed by housing loans originated by LIC Housing Finance Limited (LIC HFL).
• The issuance involved one lakh certificates, each with a face value of Rs 1 lakh, amounting to a total of Rs 1,000 crore. The issue was fully subscribed, demonstrating strong market interest.
• For the first time in India, the coupon rate of a PTC was discovered through the NSE’s Electronic Book Provider (EBP) platform.
• These PTCs carry a 7.26 percent annual coupon and have a maturity period of approximately 20 years.
• They have received AAA(SO) credit ratings from both CRISIL Limited and CARE Ratings, indicating the highest level of credit safety.
• Issued in dematerialized form, these certificates are transferable and tradable on the secondary market, ensuring investor liquidity.

PM Modi Presents India’s Vision for Space Exploration at GLEX 2025

In May 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 12th Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX 2025) via video conference, outlining India’s future space roadmap and stressing the country’s commitment to collaborative and peaceful space exploration. He emphasized that India’s space journey is rooted in collective progress, not competition.

Key Highlights:

• GLEX 2025 was held from May 7–9, 2025, in New Delhi, organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Astronautical Society of India (ASI).
• PM Modi underlined the significance of India’s Chandrayaan missions:
  • Chandrayaan-1 (2008): Discovered water on the Moon.
  • Chandrayaan-2 (2019): Captured high-resolution lunar images.
  • Chandrayaan-3 (2023): Made India the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole.
• He recalled the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or Mangalyaan launched in 2014, which made India the first Asian country to reach Mars orbit, and the first in the world to do so on its maiden attempt.
• Looking ahead, PM Modi announced India’s plan to launch its own space station, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, by 2035.

Banking news

Kotak Mahindra Bank Launches Solitaire Credit Card for High Net Worth Individuals

In May 2025, Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, launched the Kotak Solitaire Credit Card, a premium, invite-only metal card under its Solitaire Program, exclusively for High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs).

Key Highlights:

• Eligibility: Offered to Solitaire Program customers with a Total Relationship Value (TRV) of
  • ₹ 75 lakh (savings accounts) or
  • ₹ 1 crore (current accounts)
• Rewards:
  • 10 air miles per ₹100 on flight/hotel bookings via the Kotak Unbox platform
  • 3 air miles per ₹100 on other eligible spends
  • Air miles valid for 3 years, redeemable for flights, hotels, or vouchers
• Travel Benefits:
  • Unlimited lounge access (domestic/international) for primary and add-on cardholders
  • 4 complimentary guest visits annually (2 domestic + 2 international)
  • Zero forex markup on international transactions
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver for transactions between ₹400 to ₹7,500
    • Maximum waiver: ₹10,000 per card anniversary year
• Annual Fee: ₹ 25,000 + taxes (waived for Solitaire Program members); no joining fee

About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL):

• Founder: Uday Kotak
• MD & CEO: Ashok Vaswani
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Established: 1985
• Tagline: Let’s Make Money Simple

Economy news

CKA Birla Group: Rebranding for a Future-Ready Identity

In May 2025, the New Delhi-based CK Birla Group, a 170-year-old conglomerate, officially rebranded itself as ‘The CKA Birla Group’. This marks a strategic shift toward a technology-driven and services-led enterprise, moving beyond its traditional manufacturing base.

• Leadership:
  • Chairman – C.K. Birla
  • Co-Chairman – Amita Birla
• Purpose of Rebranding:
  • Reflects the Group’s transition to future-oriented sectors
  • Highlights commitment to diversity, leadership, and talent development
• Key Companies under the CKA Birla Group:
  • Birlasoft Limited
  • GMMCO Limited
  • National Engineering Industries Limited (NBC Bearings)
  • BirlaNu Limited (formerly HIL Limited)
  • Orient Electric Limited
  • CK Birla Healthcare Private Limited (CK Birla Hospitals, Birla Fertility & IVF)
  • Orient Paper & Industries Limited
  • AVTEC Limited
  • Neosym Industry Limited

NIRL Signs PPA with RVUNL for 810 MW Solar Power Project

Also in May 2025, NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NLC India Limited, signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) for a 810 MW solar project.

• Location:
  • Pugal Solar Park, Bikaner district, Rajasthan
• Project Details:
  • Awarded via competitive tariff-based bidding
  • Developed under Mode 8 of the MNRE’s UMREPP Scheme
• Expected Outcomes:
  • Generate approx. 2 Billion Units (BU) of green electricity annually
  • Offset around 1.5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of CO₂ emissions each year
• Note: NLCIL was India’s first Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) to set up 1 GW of renewable energy capacity.

KC Venugopal Reappointed as Chairperson of Public Accounts Committee

In May 2025, K C Venugopal, a senior Indian National Congress (INC) leader, was reappointed as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament of India. The appointment was made by the Lok Sabha Speaker, and his tenure will continue until April 2026, as per the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

• This follows the 1967 convention of appointing the PAC Chairperson from the principal opposition party in the Lok Sabha.

About K C Venugopal:

• Current Roles:
  • Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
  • General Secretary (Organisation), All India Congress Committee (AICC)
• Previous Positions:
  • 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 the Public Accounts Committee (PAC):

• Established: 1921 (pre-independence), reconstituted in 1950 (post-independence)
• Significance: Ensures accountability in public fund usage by examining CAG audit reports
• Composition: 22 members – 15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha
• Primary Role: Reviews compliance with parliamentary financial approvals

Appointment news

Government extends CBI Director Praveen Sood’s tenure by one year

The Government of India has approved a one-year extension of Praveen Sood’s tenure as the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). His current two-year term, which was set to end on 25 May 2025, will now continue for another year.

Key Highlights:

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the extension during a meeting on 7 May 2025.
• The decision came after the committee responsible for appointing the next CBI Director failed to reach a consensus in its meeting on 6 May 2025 at the Prime Minister’s Office, New Delhi.
• The meeting was attended by:
  • Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
  • Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Chief Justice of India

Appointment Process of CBI Director:

The appointment is governed by the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, and is decided by a three-member selection committee:

• Prime Minister – Chairperson
• Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (or leader of the largest party if there is no official LoP)
• Chief Justice of India

Tenure Guidelines:

• The CBI Director is appointed for a minimum term of two years.
• The tenure can be extended by one year at a time, based on the committee’s recommendation.
• The maximum tenure allowed is five years.

About the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):

• It is the premier investigating agency of the Government of India.
• It primarily investigates corruption cases involving central government employees.
• The CBI assists Lokpal and the Central Vigilance Commission in related investigations.
• It also acts as the nodal agency for Interpol in India.

Science and tech news

Paras Defence and HevenDrones Form Joint Venture to Manufacture Hydrogen-Powered Drones in India

In May 2025, Paras Defence & Space Technologies Limited, headquartered in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel-based HevenDrones Limited (a subsidiary of USA-based Heven) to establish a Joint Venture (JV) for the design, manufacturing, and supply of Hydrogen-powered drones—India’s first such initiative.

• The JV supports the Government of India’s Make in India initiative by promoting indigenous development of advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

Key Highlights of the JV:

• First-of-its-kind hydrogen-powered drones in India with:
  • Extended flight endurance
  • Modular payload capability
  • Ready-to-fly configurations
• Application Areas:
  • Logistics in remote and border regions
  • Tactical surveillance
  • Defence supply chains
  • High-altitude missions
• Technology Contribution:
  • HevenDrones will provide technology, prototypes, and production manuals.
  • Paras Defence will handle manufacturing, regulatory approvals, sales, and operations in India.
• Governance:
  • The JV Board will include representatives from both companies.
  • CEO, CFO, and COO will be jointly appointed.

Defence news

First Arnala-Class Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship Delivered to Indian Navy

On 8 May 2025, the first Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) was officially handed over to the Indian Navy at a ceremony held at the L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu.

Key Highlights:

• The Arnala-class ASW SWC was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under a public-private partnership, with 80% indigenous content.
• It is part of a larger Indian initiative to boost anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat programme.

Project Overview:

• A total of 16 ASW SWC vessels are being built:
  • 8 by GRSE (Arnala-class)
  • 8 by Cochin Shipyard Limited (Mahe-class)
• These vessels are set to replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes of Soviet origin, inducted in 1989.

Mahe and Arnala-Class Vessels:

• Mahe-class (by Cochin Shipyard): Mahe, Malvan, Mangrol, Malpe, and Mulki have already been delivered.
• Arnala-class (by GRSE): Arnala is the first to be delivered; upcoming ships include Androth, Anjadip, Amini, Agary, and Akshay, currently under construction.
• The class name “Arnala” is inspired by Arnala Fort off the Maharashtra coast.

Features of ASW SWC Vessels:

• Primary Role: Detect and eliminate enemy submarines in shallow coastal waters.
• Secondary Roles:
  • Laying sea mines
  • Supporting low-intensity maritime operations

Armament and Capabilities:

• Equipped with:
  • Lightweight torpedoes
  • Anti-submarine rockets and mines
  • 30mm naval surface gun
  • Two 16.7mm stabilised remote-controlled guns
• Stealth technology and advanced sonar systems enable submarine detection.
• Top speed: 25 knots
• Crew capacity: 57 personnel

State news

Haryana Government Introduces ‘Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana’ for Senior Artists and Art Scholars

In May 2025, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and the state cabinet announced the launch of a new welfare scheme titled “Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana” to support senior artists and art scholars in the state.

Scheme Highlights:

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

Eligibility Criteria:

• The scheme is open to any Haryana resident who has worked or contributed to the field of art for at least 20 years in areas such as singing, acting, drama, painting, or other visual arts.
• Applicants must be 60 years or older, with their age verified through the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), a family identification card in Haryana.
• Income Criteria:
  • If the applicant’s annual income is up to Rs. 1.80 lakh, they will receive Rs. 10,000 per month.
  • If the income is between Rs. 1.80 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh, they will receive Rs. 7,000 per month.

Application Process:

• The application process will be online, and a dedicated committee will evaluate the applications after preliminary verification by the department.
• The final list of eligible beneficiaries will be prepared by this committee.

About Haryana:

• Chief Minister: Nayab Singh Saini
• Governor: Bandaru Dattatraya
• Capital: Chandigarh
• Ramsar Sites: Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

Maharashtra Government Launches ‘Adishakti Abhiyan’ for Women Empowerment with Rs. 10.50 Crore Allocation

On May 7, 2025, the Maharashtra state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved the launch of the ‘Adishakti Abhiyan’, a state-wide campaign aimed at enhancing women empowerment at the grassroots level. The initiative comes with a budget of Rs. 10.50 crores.

Key Highlights:

• The campaign was launched at a special cabinet meeting in Choundi, Maharashtra, the birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar, the legendary 18th-century queen of the Holkar dynasty. The meeting commemorated the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar and was the first cabinet meeting held outside Mumbai.
• Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis released a commemorative postage stamp and a special logo in honor of Ahilyabai Holkar’s 300th birth anniversary.

Announced Welfare Projects:

• As part of a targeted welfare approach, CM Fadnavis announced several infrastructure projects for the Dhangar community youth:
  • Construction of hostels for both boys and girls in Pune and Nasik.
  • Establishment of a separate Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Ahilya Nagar dedicated to girls, aimed at providing vocational training and skill development.
• The Maharashtra government also decided to rename the Ahmednagar district in honor of Ahilya Devi Holkar.
• Rs. 681 crore has been allocated for the preservation of Ahilyabai’s memorial in Choundi, and a new medical college will be named Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College.

Sports news

Rohit Sharma Announces Retirement from Test Cricket

On May 7, 2025, Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma, at the age of 38, announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect. The decision comes after a series of underwhelming performances, despite leading the Indian Test team since February 2022. He will continue to represent India in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Key Career Highlights:

Test Cricket Achievements:

• Debut: 2013, scoring 177 runs against West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the second-highest debut score by an Indian.
• Played 67 Test matches, scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score was 212 runs against South Africa in 2019.
• Captaincy: Led India in 24 Test matches, winning 12.

ODI Achievements and Records:

• Holds the world record for the highest individual score in an ODI with 264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014, along with three double centuries.
• Led India to victory in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, announcing his retirement from T20 Internationals (T20Is) after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.
• Ranked 3rd in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings as of May 2025.

Awards and Honors:

• 2015: Awarded the Arjuna Award, India’s second-highest sporting honor.
• 2020: Conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honor in India.

Additional Information:

• Since 2018, Rohit Sharma has served as the brand ambassador of WWF India’s Rhino Conservation.

About ICC:

• Chairman: Jay Shah (India)
• CEO: Geoff Allardice
• Headquarters: Dubai, 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 Sudirman Cup title and achieved a record fourth consecutive victory, defeating South Korea 3-1 in the final of the 19th edition of the BWF Sudirman Cup mixed-team championship.

Championship Details:

• Dates: The event was held from April 27 to May 4, 2025, at the Fenghuang Gymnasium in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.
• Third place: Japan secured the third position.

Key Match Highlights:

• 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) with scores of 21-17, 21-16.
• Men’s Singles: Shi Yuqi (China) overwhelmed Jeon Hyeok-jin (South Korea) with scores of 21-5, 21-5.
• 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).
• Men’s Doubles: This match was not played, as China secured victory after four matches.

India’s Performance:

• India faced defeats against Denmark and Indonesia, but won against England with a 3-2 scoreline.
• Despite the victory, India did not advance to the quarter-finals, finishing 9th among the 16 participating teams.

About the Sudirman Cup:

• Established: 1989, named in honor of Dick Sudirman, the founder and former president of the Badminton Association of Indonesia.
• Held biennially, it is one of the premier mixed-team events in badminton, alongside the Thomas Cup (men’s team) and the Uber Cup (women’s team).
• Title winners: China (14 titles), South Korea (4 titles), and Indonesia (1 title).

About the 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 8

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

Core Principles:

The movement operates under seven core principles:

• Humanity
• Neutrality
• Impartiality
• Independence
• Voluntary service
• Unity
• Universality

Theme for 2025:

The theme for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2025 is “Keeping Humanity Alive.”

Historical Significance:

• The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
• The first International Red Cross Day was celebrated on May 8, 1948.

About the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):

• President: Kate Forbes
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded: 1919

World Thalassaemia Day 2025 – May 8

International Thalassaemia Day (ITD), also known as World Thalassaemia Day, is observed annually on May 8 to raise awareness about Thalassaemia, a genetic blood disorder that reduces the body’s haemoglobin levels. The day celebrates the global thalassaemia community, advocates for equitable healthcare access, and acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals with the condition.

Theme and Slogan:

• Theme of ITD 2025: “Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients” – The theme emphasizes the importance of a people-centered and inclusive approach to care, putting the patient at the core of all efforts.
• Slogans for ITD 2025: “WeAre1” and “PatientsFirst“.

Background:

• The Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) initiated May 8 as International Thalassaemia Day.
• Panos Englezos, the president and founder of TIF, established the inaugural World Thalassaemia Day on May 8, 1994, in memory of his son George Englezos, who passed away from thalassaemia.

About Thalassaemia:

• Thalassaemia is a genetic disorder affecting haemoglobin, which is essential for oxygen transport in red blood cells.
• Individuals may suffer from anemia, leading to symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and paleness.
• Thalassaemia is inherited through mutated haemoglobin genes passed from parents to children.

Types of Thalassaemia:

1. Alpha Thalassaemia: Caused by mutations in the gene controlling the production of alpha globin.
2. Beta Thalassaemia: A more severe form, resulting from defects in the gene that produces beta-globin.

Associated Health Issues:

Thalassaemia can lead to complications such as damage to the heart, liver, lungs, and endocrine organs due to iron accumulation from anemia. Patients may also face mental and societal challenges.

About Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF):

• President: Panos Englezos
• Headquarters: Nicosia, Cyprus
• Established: 1986