17th, 18th and 19th May 2025 Current affairs-BANKING

National news

IEPFA & SEBI Launch ‘Niveshak Shivir’ to Assist Investors in Reclaiming Unclaimed Shares & Dividends

In May 2025, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), launched a nationwide initiative titled ‘Niveshak Shivir’. This initiative aims to facilitate investors in retrieving unclaimed dividends and shares.

A strategic preparatory meeting for this campaign was held in Mumbai, chaired by Anita Shah Akella, CEO of IEPFA and Joint Secretary at MoCA. The meeting was attended by key SEBI officials including Ananth Narayan G. (Whole-Time Member), and Executive Directors — Shashi Kumar Valsakumar and Jeevan Sonparote.

Key Features of ‘Niveshak Shivir’:

• Investor Helpdesks: Set up in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, enabling face-to-face support through Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs) like Link Intime India Pvt. Ltd. and KFin Technologies Ltd.
• Demat Shareholders: Advised to directly contact the concerned company if their dematerialised shares are due for transfer to IEPFA.
• Physical Shareholders: Can verify share status via the IEPFA portal. If already transferred, claims can be filed using Form IEPF-5 or by contacting the company’s RTA.
• Search Facility: A digital tool from IEPFA helps shareholders track their share status, ensuring timely claims and preventing delays.
• Integrated Digital Portal (IDP): Slated to launch by August 2025, the portal will offer real-time tracking and streamlined claims processing.

About IEPFA:

• Established: 2016 under Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013
• Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
• CEO: Anita Shah Akella (Joint Secretary, MoCA)
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delh

About SEBI:

• Constituted: April 12, 1988 as a non-statutory body
• Statutory Status: Granted in 1992
• Chairperson: Tuhin Kanta Pandey
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

DST Launches India’s First Cluster of CCU Testbeds to Cut Cement Industry Emissions

In May 2025, the Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T) launched India’s first cluster of 5 Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds focused on the cement industry. This groundbreaking initiative aims to reduce industrial carbon emissions through advanced research and innovation.

The pilot facility is located in Ballabgarh, Haryana, with the other testbeds spread across Uttar Pradesh (UP), Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh (AP), and Goa.

Key Highlights:

• The CCU testbeds were formally unveiled during the 27th National Technology Day celebrations held on May 11, 2025, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
• The event was graced by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, who acted as the Chief Guest and handed over grants to the testbed project teams.
• These testbeds operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, promoting translational Research & Development (R&D) in collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry partners.

About Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T):

• Minister of State (Independent Charge): Dr. Jitendra Singh
• Constituency: Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)

Union MoS Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani Addresses Bharat 6G 2025 to Boost India’s Global Leadership in 6G Technology

On May 14, 2025, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Union Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Communications (MoC) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), addressed the Bharat 6G 2025 – 3rd International Conference and Exhibition held in New Delhi.

The event was backed by a coalition of government agencies, industry leaders, academia, and international organizations, showcasing India’s commitment to shaping the future of 6G communication technologies.

Key Highlights:

• The event convened global tech leaders, researchers, and policymakers to define India’s path to becoming a 6G pioneer.
• India ranks among the top six countries globally in 6G patent filings, a major achievement highlighted by Dr. Pemmasani.
• The Government of India has sanctioned Rs 300 crore (USD 35.14 million) for 111 research projects in the 6G domain.
• Dr. Pemmasani stressed that 6G technology will transform critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and smart cities.

Bharat 6G Vision:

• Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 23, 2023, the Bharat 6G Vision aims for India to emerge as a global leader in 6G by 2030.
• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the MoC has created the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), uniting industry, academia, research bodies, and standards organizations.
• The nine-year mission (2022–2031) is divided into three phases, focusing on R and D, field trials, and global standardization.

Ministry of Communications:

• Union Minister: Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia (Constituency – Guna, Madhya Pradesh)
• Minister of State: Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani (Constituency – Guntur, Andhra Pradesh)

This initiative marks a crucial step toward digital leadership, reinforcing India’s ambition to be at the forefront of future communication technologies.

DFCCIL Launches India’s Longest Rail Flyover Girder at Kalamboli Maharashtra

In May 2025, the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Railways, achieved a major engineering milestone by launching India’s longest Rail Flyover (RFO) girder at Kalamboli, Maharashtra. This development is part of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) on the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT)–Nilje section.

Key Highlights:

• DFCCIL successfully installed a 110.5-metre-long open web steel girder, weighing around 1,500 tonnes, making it the longest rail flyover girder in the country.
• The girder was launched with a 34-metre radial shift over active Indian Railways tracks, without halting regular train operations, demonstrating advanced construction technology and precise coordination.
• The project stands out as one of India’s most complex railway engineering efforts, aimed at improving freight transportation efficiency.

About DFCCIL:

• Established: 2006
• Ministry: Ministry of Railways
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Mandate: Planning and development of dedicated freight corridors to boost logistics and goods transport across India.

State news

Tamil Nadu’s L.R. Srihari Becomes India’s 86th Chess Grandmaster

On 15 May 2025, 19-year-old L.R. Srihari from Tamil Nadu secured his third Grandmaster norm at the Asian Individual Men’s Chess Championship 2025 in Al-Ain, UAE, thereby earning the title of India’s 86th Grandmaster. He clinched the final norm in his match against Grandmaster Iniyan Paneerselvam.

Notable Predecessor
• P. Shyaamnikhil (Tamil Nadu) became India’s 85th Grandmaster on 12 May 2024 at the Dubai Police Masters Chess Tournament.

About L.R. Srihari’s Journey

• First GM norm: Budapest GM Round-Robin, August 2023 (Budapest, Hungary)
• Second GM norm: Qatar Masters, October 2023 (Doha, Qatar)
• Rating milestone: Crossed 2500 FIDE Elo at the 2024 Dubai Open

Note: To earn the FIDE Grandmaster title, a player must achieve a minimum Elo rating of 2500 and secure three GM norms in FIDE-recognized events.

India’s Grandmaster Milestones

• First GM: Viswanathan Anand (1988), later India’s first World Champion
• First Woman GM: Koneru Humpy (2002), at age 15—then the youngest female Grandmaster

Chess Title Hierarchy

• Grandmaster (GM): Highest title; requires 2500+ rating and three norms
• International Master (IM): Requires 2400+ rating and three norms
• FIDE Master (FM): Requires 2300+ rating, no norms
• Candidate Master (CM): Requires 2200+ rating, no norms

About FIDE

• President: Arkady Dvorkovich
• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
• Founded: 1924

Uttar Pradesh Government Launches Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan to Tackle Child Malnutrition

In May 2025, the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) launched the Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan, a focused nutrition campaign targeting child malnutrition among children aged 3 to 6 years in 8 aspirational districts of UP.

The campaign covers the districts of Chitrakoot, Fatehpur, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, Chandauli, and Sonebhadra. This initiative builds on the success of the Sambhav Abhiyan and reinforces the government’s commitment to child welfare and nutritional security.

Key features of the campaign include:

• Benefiting 11,13,783 children by providing a nutritious morning snack delivering 400 calories and 15–20 grams of protein daily through items like flavored milk, seasonal fruits, and millet-chikki nutribar.
• Meals are distributed under the Take-Home Ration (THR) model, ensuring consistent access through Bal Vikas Sewa Evam Pushtahar Vibhag (Child Development Services and Nutrition Department) centres.
• A total budget of Rs 254.83 crore is allocated, which amounts to Rs 44 per child per day.
• The scheme includes regular health monitoring to assess and reduce cases of anaemia, stunting, and underweight among children.

Rajasthan’s Traditional Sangri Bean Awarded Geographical Indication Tag

In May 2025, the Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Rajasthan’s traditional Sangri bean. Sangri is a slender bean known for its unique flavor and is a staple ingredient in every Rajasthani kitchen.

About Sangri:

• Sangri grows on the Khejri tree (Prosopis cineraria), famously called the “Wonder of the Thar Desert” for thriving in harsh desert conditions. The Khejri tree is also the state tree of Rajasthan.
• Sangri is primarily used in the signature Rajasthani dish ‘Kher Sangri’, a tangy and aromatic preparation made by slow-cooking dried Sangri beans with regional spices and curd.
• It is mainly found in the western arid regions of Rajasthan, especially in Jaisalmer and Barmer.
• In January 2025, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University (SKRAU) in Bikaner filed the GI tag application for Khejri Sangri with the GIR office.

Additional Points:

• Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to receive a GI tag.
• As of May 2025, Uttar Pradesh holds the highest number of GI tags among Indian states, with 77 GI-certified products.

About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:

• A GI tag identifies products with a specific geographical origin and qualities or reputation unique to that location.
• GI tags in India are governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, effective since September 15, 2003.
• It provides legal protection and prevents unauthorized use of GI-tagged products.
• GI registration lasts for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods.

About Geographical Indication Registry (GIR):

• Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Established: 2003

About Rajasthan:

• Chief Minister: Bhajan Lal Sharma
• Governor: Haribhau Kishanrao Bagade
• Capital: Jaipur
• National Parks: Ranthambore National Park, Keoladeo National Park

Banking news

RBI Grants Final Approval to PayU to Operate as Online Payment Aggregator

In May 2025, PayU Payments Private Limited, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, received the Certificate of Authorization (CoA) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Payments and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007, to function as an online Payment Aggregator (PA).

This marks PayU’s final approval, following its in-principle nod from RBI in April 2024.

Key Highlights:

• PayU becomes the 8th entity to receive final PA approval, joining players such as Razorpay, Cashfree, and CC Avenue.
  
  
• It ranks as the second-largest PA in India by transaction volume, after BillDesk.
  
  
• Backed by Prosus, a global tech investment firm headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• PayU offers payment gateway solutions using advanced technology, helping businesses collect digital payments via credit/debit cards, net banking, UPI, EMIs, QR codes, wallets, and more.
• This move strengthens India’s digital payments ecosystem, further promoting cashless and secure transactions.

Award news

President Murmu Presents 58th Jnanpith Award to Gulzar and Jagadguru Ramabhadracharya

On 16 May 2025, President Draupadi Murmu conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

Jagadguru Ramabhadracharya received the award for his outstanding contributions to Sanskrit scholarship, while renowned Urdu poet and lyricist Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra) was honoured for his exceptional work in Urdu literature, though he was unable to attend the ceremony.

The Jnanpith Award, presented annually by Bharatiya Jnanpith since 1965, celebrates excellence in literature across English and Indian languages. Recipients are awarded a cash prize of Rs 11 lakhs, a bronze statue of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), and a citation.

Ranks and report news

Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes 2025 List of Highest Paid Athletes with USD 275 Million

In May 2025, Forbes released its 2025 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, with Cristiano Ronaldo claiming the top spot for the third consecutive year and fifth time overall. The Portuguese footballer earned a total of USD 275 million between May 2024 and May 2025.

Key Highlights:

• On-field earnings: USD 225 million, mainly from his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr
• Off-field earnings: USD 50 million, from endorsements, business ventures, and social media deals
• Second place: Stephen Curry (USA, Basketball) – USD 156 million
• Third place: Tyson Fury (UK, Boxing) – USD 146 million

Notable Absences:

• No Indian athletes featured in the Top 50
• No female athletes included for the first time since 2019

About Forbes

• CEO: Sherry Phillips
• Headquarters: Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
• Founded: 1917

OPEC Projects 3.39 Percent Rise in India’s Oil Demand in 2025

In May 2025, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), headquartered in Vienna, Austria, released its Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) forecasting that India’s oil demand will rise by 3.39%, from 5.55 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 to 5.74 million bpd in 2025, due to the country’s increasing energy needs.

The demand is expected to further increase by 4.28% to reach 5.99 million bpd in 2026, outpacing China’s growth rate, which is projected at 1.5% in 2025 and 1.25% in 2026.

India remains the third-largest oil consumer in the world, after the United States and China.

Key Findings from the OPEC Report:

• USA will retain its position as the world’s top oil consumer with a projected demand of 20.5 million bpd in 2025.
• 
  Global oil demand is expected to grow by 1.3 million bpd in both 2025 and 2026, unchanged from earlier OPEC estimates.

About OPEC:

• Founded: September 1960, in Baghdad, Iraq
• Founding Members: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela
• Secretary General: Haitham Al Ghais
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
• Total Member Nations: 12
• Note: India is not a member of OPEC.

TCS HDFC Airtel and Infosys Among Worlds Top 100 Brands in Kantar BrandZ 2025 Report

In the Kantar BrandZ 2025 World’s Most Valuable Global Brands report, four Indian companies — Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HDFC Bank, Airtel, and Infosys — secured positions in the top 100 most valuable brands globally.

Key Highlights:

• Apple retained the top global rank for the 4th consecutive year, with a brand value of USD 1.3 trillion.
• Google and Microsoft followed at 2nd and 3rd positions with brand values of USD 944 billion and USD 884 billion respectively.
• The Top 100 global brands reached a record brand value of USD 10.7 trillion, marking a 29 percent year-on-year growth.

Top 5 Most Valuable Global Brands in 2025:

Rank	Brand Name	Brand Value (USD)
1	Apple	1.3 trillion
2	Google	944 billion
3	Microsoft	884 billion
4	Amazon	866 billion
5	Nvidia	509 billion

Top Indian Brands Featured Globally:

Global Rank	Brand Name	Brand Value (USD)
45	TCS	57 billion
56	HDFC Bank	44 billion
66	Airtel	37 billion
73	Infosys	33 billion

India and EU Launch Rs 391 Crore Research Projects on Marine Plastic Litter and Green Hydrogen

On May 15, 2025, India and the European Union (EU) jointly launched two major research initiatives under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, technology, and sustainability.

 Total Joint Investment: Rs 391 crore (Approx. 41 million euro)

Focus Areas:

• Marine Plastic Litter (MPL)
• Waste-to-Green Hydrogen (W2GH)

These projects are co-funded by Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme, and the Government of India.

1. Marine Plastic Litter (MPL)

• Objective: Develop technologies to monitor and reduce ocean pollutants including microplastics, heavy metals, and organic waste.
• EU Contribution: 12 million euro (Rs 115 crore)
• India’s Contribution: Rs 90 crore by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
• Alignment:
  • UN Decade of Ocean Science
  • EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan
  • India’s National Marine Litter Policy
• Call Opened On: 6 May 2025

2. Waste-to-Green Hydrogen (W2GH)

• Objective: Develop cost-effective technologies to convert biogenic waste into green hydrogen
• EU Contribution: 10 million euro (Rs 96 crore)
• India’s Contribution: Rs 90 crore by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
• Alignment:
  • EU Hydrogen Strategy
  • India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)
• Call Opened On: 15 May 2025

About India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)

• Established: 2022 by PM Narendra Modi and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
• Officially Launched: February 2023
• Significance:
  • EU’s second TTC (after EU-US TTC)
  • India’s first TTC with any nation
• Ministerial Meetings:
  • 1st Meeting: 16 May 2023 in Brussels
  • 2nd Meeting: 28 February 2025 in New Delhi

These initiatives mark a major step toward sustainable innovation, addressing environmental challenges and promoting clean energy solutions through India-EU collaboration.

UNESCO and G20 Join Forces to Promote Ethical AI Governance in Public Sector

In May 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Group of Twenty (G20), under South Africa’s 2025 Presidency, strengthened their partnership to promote ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance in the public sector. The initiative aims to equip civil servants with the technical skills and ethical awareness needed for responsible AI deployment.

 Key Background:

• A global workshop was held on 11 April 2025 in Gqeberha, South Africa.
• The event was part of a broader campaign to promote human rights-based digital governance.
• Participants included representatives from G20 nations, guest countries, and international organizations.

Workshop Objectives:

1. Role-Specific AI Training
   • Emphasized customized AI training for civil servants.
   • Ensured that both policymakers and frontline staff gain role-relevant skills.
2. Ethical AI Implementation
   • Focused on integrating human rights and ethical principles in AI systems.
   • Aimed to build public trust and ensure accountability in AI use.
3. Public-Private Partnerships
   • Highlighted successful models like Singapore’s “AI Wednesdays”.
   • Encouraged collaboration among government, industry, and civil society for inclusive innovation.

Ongoing Efforts:

• Since 2021, UNESCO’s AI for the Public Sector Programme has supported over 50 countries.
• Promoted the AI and Digital Transformation Competency Framework.
• Focused on developing ethical, inclusive, and people-centric AI governance.

This strategic collaboration reflects a shared global commitment to responsible AI in public administration, ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and sustainability in digital transformation.

Economy news

UN Reduces India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 6.3 Percent for Calendar Year 2025

In May 2025, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) released its latest report titled ‘The World Economic Situation and Prospects as of mid-2025’, revising India’s GDP growth forecast for Calendar Year (CY) 2025 to 6.3%, down from 7.1% in CY24.

Key Highlights:

• Despite the downward revision, India continues to be among the fastest-growing major economies, driven by strong domestic consumption and government spending.
• India’s GDP growth is expected to rise slightly to 6.4% in CY26.

Global Outlook: The global economic growth is projected at 2.4% in 2025 and 2.5% in 2026, which are 40 basis points lower than earlier forecasts (January 2025).

 Report Details: Published by the Global Economic Monitoring Branch, under the Economic Analysis and Policy Division of UN-DESA.

 About UN-DESA:

• Under-Secretary-General: Li Junhua
• Headquarters: New York, United States of America (USA)
• Established: 1948

Appointment news

Arunabha Ghosh Appointed South Asia Envoy for COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil

In May 2025, Arunabha Ghosh, Founder and CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), was appointed as the South Asia Envoy for the upcoming 30th Conference of Parties (COP-30) of the United Nations (UN), to be held in November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.

Key Highlights:

• Arunabha Ghosh is among 10 international envoys selected for strategic regions to support global climate negotiations.
• He currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (UNCDP).
• As South Asia Envoy, he will:
  • Facilitate regional climate dialogue.
  • Ensure South Asian perspectives are effectively represented at COP-30.
  • Support information flow and build strong communication channels between the region and global stakeholders.

About the Appointment:

• The envoys will serve on a voluntary and personal basis.
• They will act as key conduits for regional inputs and feedback into the global climate process.

About CEEW:

• Chief Executive Officer: Arunabha Ghosh
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Established: 2010
• CEEW is a leading Indian climate and energy think tank engaged in policy research and advocacy.

Defence news

Indian Army Conducts Successful Teesta Prahar Exercise in West Bengal

In May 2025, the Indian Army (IA) successfully conducted a large-scale integrated field training exercise named Teesta Prahar at the Teesta Field Firing Range in West Bengal.
The exercise focused on operational preparedness, coordination across units, and adaptation to challenging riverine terrain.

Key Highlights:

• Involved participation from Infantry, Artillery, Armoured Corps, Mechanised Infantry, Para Special Forces, Army Aviation, Engineers, and Signals.
• Featured new-generation weapon systems, military platforms, and advanced battlefield technologies, supporting IA’s modernization drive.
• Included tactical drills, battle rehearsals, and adaptive manoeuvres to strengthen response in dynamic war scenarios.
• Emphasized jointness, synergy, and operation under adverse weather conditions.

Indian Army (IA):

• Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS): General Upendra Dwivedi
• Motto: Seva Paramo Dharma (Service Before Self)
• Established: 1895
• HQ: New Delhi

DRDO’s DMSRDE Develops High-Pressure Polymeric Membrane for Desalination

The Defence Materials Stores and Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a DRDO lab in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, developed a nanoporous multi-layered polymeric membrane for high-pressure seawater desalination for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) vessels.

Key Points:

• Designed to resist chloride ion corrosion and improve desalination plant stability.
• Developed within 8 months.
• Successfully tested on an ICG Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV).
• Awaiting final 500-hour operational approval by ICG.

India Successfully Tests Indigenous Bhargavastra Counter-Drone System

India tested its indigenous low-cost counter-drone system, Bhargavastra, in Gopalpur, Odisha.
Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL), Nagpur, Maharashtra, the system is built to neutralize drone swarms through a two-layered defence approach.

Features of Bhargavastra:

• Hard Kill Mode: Uses unguided micro-rockets to destroy drones within a 20 m lethal radius.
• Guided Micro-Missiles: For precision targeting.
• Detection Range: Detects small drones up to 2.5 km; radar detects threats at 6–10 km.
• Equipped with EO/IR sensor suite for accurate tracking and low radar cross-section detection.
• Includes a modern Command-and-Control Centre with C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) capabilities.
• Modular Architecture allows integration of soft-kill techniques like jamming and spoofing.
• Designed for operation in diverse terrains, including high altitudes above 5,000 m.

About Key Organizations:

DRDO – DMSRDE:

• Location: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
• Function: Advanced defence material research

Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL):

• MD & CEO: Manish Satyanarayan Nuwal
• Founded: 1983
• HQ: Nagpur, Maharashtra

BEL Signs Contract with Indian Army to Manufacture IDDIS Counter Drone System

In May 2025, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), signed a contract with the Indian Army to manufacture the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS).

The IDDIS is a joint development by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), headquartered in New Delhi, and BEL. This collaboration marks an important achievement under the Government of India’s Make in India initiative. The system is designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones, providing a critical layer of protection against emerging unmanned aerial threats.

Additional Orders: Since the last update on April 7, 2025, BEL has secured orders worth Rs. 572 crores, including contracts for IDDIS, Software Defined Radio (SDR), Data Communication Units (DCU) for attack guns, AI-based solutions for ships, simulators, communication equipment, jammers, spares, and services.

About IDDIS Drone:

• The system uses electronic jamming to disrupt drone communications and employs high-energy lasers to physically neutralize Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
• IDDIS complements the Akashteer air defence system, which integrates surveillance, radar, and command units into a unified network for enhanced situational awareness.
• It can detect drones at distances of 5 to 8 kilometers.

About Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL):

• Chairman & Managing Director: Manoj Jain
• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Founded: 1954

About Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO):

• Chairman: Samir V Kamat
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Founded: 1958

Science and tech news

MoA and FW Unveils Three New Crop Varieties by BHU to Boost UP Farming

In May 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) released three new crop varieties developed by Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity for farmers in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

The newly released varieties include:

• Two rice varieties: Malaviya Manila Sinchit Dhan-1 and Malviya Dhan 105 Sub-1
• One mustard variety: Malviya Nidhi

Note: Seeds of Malaviya Manila Sinchit Dhan-1 are already available in markets, while Malviya Dhan 105 Sub-1 and Malviya Nidhi will be available from 2026.

Key Features of the New Varieties:

 Malaviya Manila Sinchit Dhan-1 (Rice)

• Developed by: BHU in collaboration with International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines under Prof. Shravan Kumar Singh
• Yield: 55–60 quintals/hectare (higher than traditional 35–40 quintals)
• Maturity: 115–120 days
• Grain: Long, slender, with a slightly sweet taste after cooking

Malviya Dhan 105 Sub-1 (Rice)

• Developed by: Prof. P.K. Singh and team at BHU
• Improved version of: Malviya Dhan 105
• Yield: 42–46 quintals/hectare
• Grain: Mild aroma
• Target Area: Flood-prone regions of UP and Bihar

Malviya Nidhi (Mustard)

• Led by: Prof. K. Srivastava, BHU
• Yield: Approx. 20 quintals/hectare
• Maturity: 125–130 days
• Seeds: Bold, black with 39.4% oil content (higher than traditional mustard varieties)

About International Rice Research Institute (IRRI):

• Director General: Dr. Yvonne Pinto
• Headquarters: Los Baños, Philippines
• Founded: 1960

Sports news

Maharashtra Tops Medal Tally at Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Hosted by Bihar

The 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), was held from May 4 to May 15, 2025, across five cities in Bihar — Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Begusarai — and New Delhi.

• Maharashtra led the medal tally with a total of 158 medals: 58 gold, 47 silver, and 53 bronze.
• Haryana secured the second position with 117 medals (39 gold, 27 silver, 51 bronze).
• Rajasthan ranked third with 60 medals (24 gold, 12 silver, 24 bronze).
• The games featured 28 sports disciplines, with Sepak Takraw included for the first time.
• E-sports were introduced as a demonstration sport at KIYG 2025.
• The Khelo India Youth Games are a key component of the Khelo India Programme, launched by the Government of India on October 14, 2017, aimed at promoting sports culture at the grassroots level.

Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates India’s First 3nm Chip Design Centres in Noida and Bengaluru

In May 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who heads the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Railways (MoR), and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), inaugurated India’s first 3 nanometer (nm) chip design centres established by Renesas Electronics India Private Limited in Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and Bengaluru (Karnataka).

These state-of-the-art design facilities mark a major advancement in India’s semiconductor innovation, moving beyond previous efforts in 7nm and 5nm chip design.

Key Highlights:

The new centres will focus on cutting-edge 3nm chip design, placing India on the global semiconductor map.
Renesas Electronics India aims to create a complete semiconductor design ecosystem, supporting academia and startups through initiatives like:

• Chips to Startup (C2S)
• Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme

Union Minister Vaishnaw also launched a new semiconductor kit to boost hands-on hardware skills among engineering students.

He emphasized India’s holistic semiconductor strategy, covering:

• Design
• Fabrication
• ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging)
• Equipment
• Chemicals and Gas Supply Chains

This development positions India as a rising force in the global semiconductor industry, encouraging innovation, investment, and skill development.

Zhu Jiner and Aleksandra Goryachkina Lead FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024-25 Leaderboard

In May 2025, Grandmaster (GM) Zhu Jiner from China topped the overall leaderboard of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix (WGP) Series 2024-25 with 352.5 points. This followed the conclusion of the sixth and final event, the 2025 Grosslobming FIDE WGP, held in Grosslobming, Austria from May 5 to May 16, 2025.

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia secured the second place with 308.34 points. Both Zhu Jiner and Goryachkina have qualified for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.

About the 2025 Grosslobming FIDE WGP:

• Ukrainian GM Anna Muzychuk won the Austrian leg with 6/9 points but narrowly missed qualifying for the Candidates Tournament due to tiebreaks.
• Muzychuk won two of the three WGP events she participated in (Cyprus and Austria) and finished third overall with 306.67 points, just 1.67 points behind the second place.
• Zhu Jiner and GM Tan Zhongyi (China) finished second and third respectively in the final leg.

About the FIDE WGP Series 2024-25:

• The series comprised six tournaments held across six international venues between August 14, 2024, and May 16, 2025:
  • Tbilisi, Georgia
  • Shymkent, Kazakhstan
  • Monaco
  • Nikosia, Cyprus
  • Pune, India
  • Grosslobming, Austria
• The event featured 20 players, each participating in three of the six tournaments.
• Prize money per leg was 120,000 Euros, with 18,000 Euros awarded to the winner.
• The top two players qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.

Top 5 Finishers of FIDE WGP 2024-25:

Rank	Player	Country	Points
1	Zhu Jiner	China	352.5
2	Aleksandra Goryachkina	Russia	308.34
3	Anna Muzychuk	Ukraine	306.67
4	Koneru Humpy	India	279.17
5	Tan Zhongyi	China	255

International Chess Federation (FIDE):

• President: Arkady Dvorkovich
• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
• Founded: 20 July 1924

Neeraj Chopra Finishes Second with National Record at Doha Diamond League 2025

On 16 May 2025, India’s Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra secured second place in the men’s javelin throw at the Doha Diamond League 2025, held at the Qatar Sports Club, Doha. He achieved a personal best and national record throw of 90.23 metres.

Germany’s Julian Weber won the event with a personal best of 91.06 metres, while Anderson Peters of Grenada, a two-time World Champion, finished third with a throw of 85.34 metres.

Additional Indian performances:

• Kishore Jena finished eighth in the men’s javelin with a best throw of 78.60 metres.
• Parul Chaudhary secured sixth place in the women’s 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:13.39, breaking her previous national record of 9:15.31 set at the 2023 World Championships. This performance also qualified her for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
• Gulveer Singh finished ninth in the men’s 5000m race with a timing of 13:24.32.

Important days

International Day of Living Together in Peace Observed on May 16 2025

The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of Living Together in Peace annually on May 16 to promote peace, tolerance, and solidarity worldwide.

Significance:

• The day reminds the global community of its commitment to reconciliation, sustainable development, and peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures and communities.
• It encourages people to accept differences, listen to, recognize, respect, and appreciate others, fostering a peaceful and united society.

Background:

• Established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through Resolution 72/130 in 2017, the day highlights the importance of unity in diversity, mutual respect, and sustainable development.
• The first International Day of Living Together in Peace was celebrated on May 16, 2018.

UN Initiatives for Peace:

• Founded in 1945 after World War II, the UN’s mission is to prevent conflicts and promote global peace.
• In 1997, the UNGA declared the year 2000 as the International Year for a Culture of Peace (Resolution 52/15).
• The decade 2001–2010 was proclaimed the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World.
• In 1999, the UNGA adopted Resolution 53/243, endorsing the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, based on the UNESCO principle:
  “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.”

About United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):

• Secretary-General: António Guterres
• Headquarters: New York, USA
• Established: 1945

National Dengue Day Observed on May 16 2025 to Raise Awareness and Promote Prevention

National Dengue Day is observed annually on May 16 across India to raise awareness about dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, and to promote its prevention and control measures.

This important initiative is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), aiming to reduce the impact of dengue, especially during the monsoon season.
The 2025 theme for National Dengue Day is “Act Early, Prevent Dengue: Clean Surroundings, Healthy Living.”

Background:

• National Dengue Day was launched in 2010 by MoHFW in response to the rising threat of dengue across India.
• The Anti-Dengue Month is observed every July to strengthen community efforts in eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

About National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC):

• Director: Dr. Tanu Jain
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

Government of India Declares September 23 as Ayurveda Day

In May 2025, the Government of India (GoI) officially announced September 23 as the annual date for celebrating Ayurveda Day, aiming to bring global consistency and visibility to the observance.

The date aligns with the autumnal equinox, when day and night are equal, symbolizing balance in nature—a core principle of Ayurveda, which promotes harmony between mind, body, and spirit.

Key Highlights:

Previous Date: Ayurveda Day was earlier observed on Dhanteras, which falls in Karthik month (October–November) as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar.
Issue: The changing date of Dhanteras each year (between 15th October to 12th November) created logistical challenges for organizing national and international events.
Solution: A committee constituted by the Ministry of AYUSH recommended a fixed date for uniform celebration.
 Ministry Involved: Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy).

By choosing September 23, India ensures a consistent and symbolic observance of Ayurveda Day, enhancing its global recognition and ease of celebration.