May 15th  and 16th Current Affairs

May 15th  and 16th Current Affairs

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Our comprehensive Current Affairs of May 15th  and 16th 2025 coverage aims to enhance your knowledge and boost your scores in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, and all State Government Exams. Explore our Current Affairs tailored to simplify your exam preparation.

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National news

Maharashtra Leads in GST Revenue Collection for FY25

Maharashtra has emerged as the top-performing state in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections for the Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), recording a total collection of Rs 3,18,497 crore. The state also topped the list for April 2025, with a monthly GST revenue of Rs 41,645 crore. However, the growth rate of Maharashtra’s financial capital declined from 13% in April 2024 to 11% in April 2025.

Gujarat secured the second position with a GST collection of Rs 1,74,938 crore, followed by Karnataka in the third place with Rs 1,43,023 crore.

  • The total GST revenue collection in 2024 reached Rs 21.36 lakh crore, the highest since the GST regime was introduced in 2017. This reflects an 8.86% increase compared to the previous year.
  • According to the latest data from the Ministry of Finance, GST revenue in April 2025 stood at Rs 2,36,716 crore, marking an annual growth rate of 12.6%.

About the GST Council
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is a constitutional body formed under the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016, and is governed by Article 279-A of the Indian Constitution.
Chairperson: Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister
Established: 2016

IWAI Opens New Office in Srinagar to Boost River Navigation in Jammu & Kashmir

In May 2025, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, established a new office in Srinagar, located at Transport Bhawan in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). IWAI operates under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).

This development aims to strengthen the Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector in J&K. The J&K government provided the office space, and the office became operational on May 13, 2025.

  • The Srinagar office will serve as the central hub for IWAI’s operations in the region, overseeing the development of river navigation infrastructure.
  • In March 2025, IWAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of J&K to develop navigation infrastructure on three National Waterways (NWs):
    • NW-26 (River Chenab)
    • NW-49 (River Jhelum)
    • NW-84 (River Ravi)

About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
Chairman: Vijay Kumar
Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Established: 1986

Indore Becomes India’s First Beggar-Free City

In May 2025, the District Magistrate of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, announced that Indore has become the first beggar-free city in India. This achievement is the result of an anti-begging campaign launched in February 2024 aimed at eliminating begging from the city.

The initiative has been recognized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) and a World Bank team as a model project.
Indore is one of the 10 cities where the MSJE launched a pilot project to address the issue of begging.

Key Highlights:

  • The city previously had around 5000 beggars, including 500 children, all of whom were rehabilitated.
  • Adults were assisted in finding employment, and children were enrolled in schools.
  • Individuals found begging at intersections and roads were relocated to rehabilitation centres with food and accommodation provided.
  • FIRs were filed against beggars from other states.
  • The administration launched a dedicated helpline number for citizens to report beggars through WhatsApp or other platforms, prompting immediate rescue operations.
  • A reward of Rs 1000 was offered for credible reports on the presence of beggars.
Illinois Tech Becomes First US University to Establish Campus in India

In May 2025, the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), based in Chicago, USA, became the first American university to receive approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India to open a degree-granting campus in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The Mumbai campus is scheduled to open in 2026, marking a significant advancement in India–USA educational collaboration.

Key Highlights:

  • The campus will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in Computer Science, Engineering, and Business.
  • It will follow the same experiential, industry-aligned curriculum as the Chicago campus, including the Elevate program, which provides research opportunities, internships, and career development.
  • Courses will be conducted by an internationally recruited faculty, including visiting professors from Chicago and educators with global academic credentials.
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood Launches Report on India’s Priority Corridors for Zero Emission Trucking

In May 2025, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India, launched a report titled India’s Priority Corridors for Zero Emission Trucking in New Delhi. The report was presented by Akshima Ghate, Managing Director of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), based in the United States of America (USA).

The report identifies 10 key highway corridors in India that have the highest potential for the adoption of Zero-Emission Trucks (ZETs), aiming to support a national shift toward sustainable freight transportation.

Key Highlights:

  • The report was developed with the support of the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking – IIT Madras (CoEZET-IIT Madras) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
  • RMI and pManifold Business Private Limited, based in Nagpur, Maharashtra, served as knowledge partners.
  • A three-phase process was used to shortlist the top 10 ZET corridors from an initial list of 230, using qualitative and quantitative assessments.
  • Key parameters for selection included toll traffic data, supply-demand mapping, stakeholder consultations, and field research.
  • Additional criteria included high freight traffic, industrial activity, availability of ancillary services, and grid infrastructure readiness.
  • According to the report, long-distance trucks account for nearly 40% of India’s fuel consumption and transport emissions.
  • The report also serves as a reference for the PM E-DRIVE scheme, launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) with a budget of Rs 500 crore, to promote zero-emission transport solutions in India.
Cargo Handling at Major Indian Ports Grows 4.3% to 855 Million Tonnes in FY25

In May 2025, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) released official data showing that cargo handling at 12 major Indian ports increased by 4.3%, rising from 819 Million Tonnes (MT) in FY24 to approximately 855 MT in FY25. This growth highlights the resilience and capacity of Indian ports to manage rising trade volumes.

Key factors contributing to this increase include higher container throughput (10%), fertilizer cargo handling (13%), Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) cargo handling (3%), and miscellaneous commodities (31%) compared to the previous year.

  • Two major ports, Paradip Port Authority (Odisha) and Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla, Gujarat), crossed the historic milestone of handling over 150 MT cargo in FY25, establishing their importance in maritime trade.
  • POL cargo, including crude oil, petroleum products, LPG, and LNG, was the largest category, accounting for 254.5 MT or 29.8% of total cargo handled.

About Indian Ports Association (IPA):
Established in 1966, IPA is a statutory body under the Societies Registration Act, working to promote growth and development of major ports under MoPSW supervision.
Chairman: Sunil Paliwal
Headquarters: New Delhi

Ministry of Commerce and Industry Prohibits Use of Antimicrobials in Aquaculture Sector

In May 2025, the Department of Commerce (DoC) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), in consultation with the Export Inspection Council (EIC), issued a prohibition on the use of several medically important antimicrobials in the aquaculture sector.

This order was issued under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, which provides a legislative framework to ensure the quality of India’s export commodities through strict quality control and inspection.

Key Points:

  • The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in food-animal production to promote growth or control diseases is a major driver of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
  • MoC&I has specified a list of antibiotics, antivirals, and antiprotozoals banned from use in the culture of shrimps, prawns, and other fishery products.
  • The ban includes 12 classes of antibiotics and 6 specific antibiotics that are authorized only for human use, as per the World Health Organization (WHO) List of Medically Important Antimicrobials for Human Medicine.
India Gifts 15 Electric Vehicles to Nepal for Mountain Dialogue

In May 2025, the Government of India (GoI) gifted 15 Electric Vehicles (EVs) to Nepal to support logistics for the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad, a global dialogue on climate change scheduled from 16 to 18 May 2025 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The vehicles were handed over by Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, to Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Arzu Rana Deuba, during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu. These EVs will be used to transport delegates, officials, and guests attending the summit.

Key Points:

  • Sagarmatha Sambaad is a biennial, multi-stakeholder global dialogue initiated by the Government of Nepal.
  • The first edition’s theme is “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity.”
  • The dialogue aims to address the critical impacts of climate change on mountainous regions and promote regional and international cooperation for sustainable solutions.
C-DOT and Synergy Quantum Sign MoU to Develop Quantum Key Distribution Technology for Drone-Based Systems

In May 2025, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the leading telecom Research & Development institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications (MoC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Synergy Quantum India Private Limited, based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

The collaboration aims to develop drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems using the decoy-based BB84 protocol with polarization encoding at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or above.

Key Highlights:

  • Both organizations will combine their expertise to create QKD technologies suitable for integration into drone platforms.
  • The focus is on developing solutions that are cost-effective and scalable, promoting widespread adoption across various sectors.
  • Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a secure communication technology based on quantum mechanics that allows two parties to generate a shared secret key for encryption and decryption.
  • QKD provides unbreakable encryption, making it ideal for transmitting sensitive data securely.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates India’s First Publicly Funded DST-ICGEB Bio-foundry in New Delhi

In May 2025, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, dedicated India’s first publicly funded DST-ICGEB Bio-foundry during the 31st Board Meeting of Governors of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in New Delhi.

Dr. Singh described India as an emerging global biotech destination, noting that the country’s bioeconomy has grown from USD 10 billion in 2014 to USD 165.7 billion in 2024, with a goal to reach USD 300 billion by 2030.

About the ICGEB Bio-foundry:

  • A state-of-the-art facility focused on advancing synthetic biology, biomanufacturing, and precision biotechnology.
  • A key part of India’s BioE3 policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment), approved in August 2024 to promote sustainable and regenerative bioeconomy practices.
India to Launch First Manned Deep Ocean Mission ‘Samudrayaan’ by End of 2026

In May 2025, Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, announced that India’s first manned deep ocean mission, Samudrayaan, will be launched by 2026.

The mission will deploy the manned submersible vehicle Matsya to reach a depth of 6,000 meters (6 km) under the sea with three scientists onboard. It forms part of India’s Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), aimed at exploring deep-sea resources and advancing scientific research.

This initiative supports India’s goals in the blue economy, deep-sea mining, and underwater biodiversity studies.

Key Points:

  • NIOT is the nodal agency for the mission.
  • The Matsya submersible weighs 25 tonnes and is India’s 4th generation deep-sea vehicle, built with indigenous technology featuring a titanium hull to withstand deep ocean pressure and temperature.
  • The mission will enable the collection of critical samples and provide scientific insights into deep-sea ecosystems.
  • A key milestone, a 500-meter depth trial, is expected by the end of 2025.

About Samudrajivah:

  • An innovative technology focusing on large-scale open sea fish farming, currently in the demonstration phase.
  • It uses electronically monitored submerged fish cages designed for offshore environments, leveraging the nutrient-rich deep sea for fish growth.
  • Equipped with sensors to remotely monitor fish biomass, growth, movement, and water quality.

About National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT):
Director: Balaji Ramakrishnan
Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Founded: November 1993

About ICAR Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI):
Director: Dr. Grinson George
Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala

State news

Assam Government Approves “Eti Koli Duti Paat” Scheme and Renames Dibrugarh Airport

In May 2025, the Assam Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved the “Eti Koli Duti Paat” scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to tea garden workers in Assam. Under this scheme, each permanent and temporary worker in Assam’s tea gardens will receive a one-time payment of Rs. 5000. This announcement coincided with the 200th celebration of Assam Tea.

Other Key Approvals by Assam Cabinet:

  • Renaming Dibrugarh Airport after Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary singer and cultural icon, to honor his 100th birth anniversary.
  • Approval of the Assam Electronics Components Manufacturing Top-Up scheme, 2025.
  • Implementation of the Chief Minister’s ‘Jibon Prerna Scheme’ for graduates and scholars, set to launch from October 2025.
Karnataka Launches ‘Petologist App’ for Pet Owners, Clinics, and Farms

In May 2025, N. S. Boseraju, Minister for Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka, launched ‘Petologist’, a veterinary healthcare app developed by Bengaluru-based Transduceideas Technologies LLP. The launch event also featured Dr. Ashok S. Alur, Vice Chancellor of Kodagu University.

About Petologist:

  • Supported by the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubation (R-ABI) Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
  • A digital healthcare platform connecting pet owners and farmers with licensed veterinarians, clinics, and hospitals.
  • Offers features like digital health records, vaccination tracking, medication reminders, farm animal monitoring, and telemedicine consultations to improve animal healthcare in urban and rural areas.
  • Incubated at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), established in 1889 and located in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Currently in soft launch phase, accessible to a select group of veterinarians and clinics in Karnataka.

International news

Five Indian Languages Feature in Top 20 Most Spoken Languages Globally in 2025

According to Ethnologue, a leading source on world languages, five Indian languages have made it to the list of the top 20 most spoken languages worldwide in 2025. These include Hindi (3rd), Bengali (7th), Urdu (11th), Marathi (16th), and Telugu (18th).

Hindi, with 609.1 million speakers, ranks as the 3rd most spoken language globally and holds the position of the most spoken language in India.

Key Highlights:

  • English is the most widely spoken language in the world in 2025, spoken as a first or second language by 1.53 billion people across 188 countries.
  • Chinese Mandarin, the official language of China, ranks 2nd globally with 1.18 billion speakers, and is the largest language by native speakers.
  • Spanish, the official language of Spain and 20 other countries, is the 4th most spoken language, with 558.5 million speakers.
GRID 2025: Global Internal Displacements Hit Record 83.4 Million in 2024; India Sees 5.4 Million Cases

On May 13, 2025, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), based in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), based in Oslo, Norway, jointly released the Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID) 2025. The report offers a detailed overview of internal displacement trends worldwide.

The report revealed that the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) reached an all-time high of 83.4 million globally by the end of 2024, doubling since 2018.

In India, displacements reached 5.4 million in 2024, the highest in 12 years.

Key Highlights:

  • Sudan recorded 11.6 million IDPs, the highest ever in a single country, primarily due to civil war.
  • Other severely affected countries include the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Afghanistan, and Myanmar, each hosting over 3 million IDPs.
  • Natural disasters accounted for 45.8 million displacements in 2024 — the highest since IDMC began tracking in 2008.
  • In India, floods were responsible for 66% of displacements, including 2.5 million in Assam, which faced its worst floods in over a decade.

About Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC):
Director – Alexandra Bilak
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 1998

Banking news

SBI Enters Global Top 100 in Net Profit, Becomes Third Indian Company to Achieve This Milestone

Mumbai-based State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), has achieved a significant milestone by ranking among the world’s most profitable companies.

With a net profit of USD 9.2 billion (Rs. 77,561 crore) in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), SBI is placed 98th globally in annual earnings, according to Bloomberg data.

Key Points:

  • SBI is the third Indian company to enter the global top 100 most profitable companies after ONGC (2009) and Reliance Industries Limited (2021).
  • The bank’s rise is driven by a 31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in net profit over the past five years.
  • This achievement follows nearly a decade since SBI’s merger with five associate banks, positioning it among the world’s top 50 banks by assets.

Key Highlights:

  • SBI now ranks alongside global giants such as Alphabet, Apple, NVIDIA, and JPMorgan Chase.
  • Alphabet tops the list with profits of USD 111 billion, highlighting the strong earnings in the tech sector.
  • Saudi Aramco follows with USD 105 billion, showing the profitability of the energy sector.
  • Other tech leaders like Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Meta are also in the top 10.
  • The list is dominated by USA companies with 43 entries, followed by China with 19, and Germany with five companies.

About State Bank of India (SBI):

  • SBI is a Public Sector Bank and financial services company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • In 2017, SBI merged with five associates: State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Travancore, and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank.
  • Chairman: Challa Sreenivasulu Setty
  • Established: 1955
  • Tagline: Pure Banking, Nothing Else
Canara Bank Launches ‘CANARA TruEdge’ Savings and Current Account

In May 2025, Canara Bank, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, launched ‘CANARA TruEdge’, a specialized and feature-rich suite of Current and Savings Accounts. This offering targets the unique banking needs of institutional clients across sectors such as healthcare, education, religious organizations, and other non-individual entities.

  • The account requires zero initial deposit for smooth onboarding.
  • Benefits increase proportionally with higher account balances.
Union Bank of India Launches ‘Union Wellness Deposit’ Scheme

In Mumbai, Maharashtra, Union Bank of India (UBI) introduced “Union Wellness Deposit”, a new retail term deposit scheme with a fixed tenure of 375 days. It offers an interest rate of 6.75% per annum, with an additional 0.50% for senior citizens.

  • MD & CEO: A. Manimekhalai
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Tagline: ‘Good People to Bank with’
  • Established: 1919
MSMEs Merchandise Export Share Rises to 45.7% in FY24: SIDBI Report

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) released a report titled ‘Understanding the Indian MSME Sector: Progress, and Challenges’ based on a survey of 2,097 MSMEs across 19 sectors.

  • Udyam Registration Portal registrations surged to over 6.2 crore by March 2025, up from 2.5 crore in March 2024, showing strong formalization.
  • MSMEs contribute nearly 30% to India’s GDP and provide employment to over 11 crore individuals.
  • Export Contribution: MSMEs’ share in India’s exports grew steadily to 43.59% in FY23, 45.73% in FY24, and 45.79% in FY25.
  • Women Entrepreneurship: Female-owned proprietary establishments rose from 22.9% in 2022-23 to 26.2% in 2023-24.

SIDBI Details:

  • Chairman & MD: Manoj Mittal
  • Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
  • Established: 1990
Uttarakhand Secures Rs 1910 Crore Funding from European Investment Bank for Urban Infrastructure

In May 2025, Uttarakhand secured funding of Rs 1910 crore from the European Investment Bank (EIB), Luxembourg, to improve urban infrastructure in four cities under the Uttarakhand Urban Sector Development Agency (UUSDA). The agreement signing is planned for June 2025.

  • Projects will focus on:
    • Pithoragarh: Drinking water and sewerage system development
    • Sitarganj, Rudrapur, Kashipur: Enhancement of drinking water supply infrastructure
  • Detailed Project Reports have been prepared and reviewed by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
  • The initiative aims to improve sanitation and access to clean drinking water to enhance living standards and boost development in urban areas.
RBI Imposes Rs 2.72 Crore Penalty on SBI and Jana Small Finance Bank for Regulatory Non-Compliance

In May 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a total penalty of Rs 2.72 crore on State Bank of India (SBI) and Jana Small Finance Bank (SFB) for failing to comply with regulatory guidelines.

  • SBI was fined Rs 1.728 crore for violations related to:
    • Loans and Advances restrictions
    • Customer protection in unauthorized electronic transactions
    • Discipline in opening current accounts
  • Jana SFB was penalized Rs 1 crore for contraventions under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Award news

Brazilian Microbiologist Mariangela Hungria Wins 2025 World Food Prize

On May 13, 2025, the World Food Prize Foundation, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, announced that Dr. Mariangela Hungria, a Brazilian microbiologist, is the winner of the 2025 World Food Prize.

The award recognizes Dr. Hungria’s pioneering work in developing biological alternatives to chemical fertilizers, which has greatly advanced sustainable agriculture practices in Brazil and globally.

  • She will receive the award at the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium in October 2025 in Des Moines.
  • The prize includes a monetary award of USD 500,000.
  • Dr. Hungria is the 10th woman to be honored with the World Food Prize.

About World Food Prize Foundation:

  • Chairman: Paul Schickler
  • Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
  • Founded: 1986

Appointment news

Harvansh P. Chawla Appointed Chairman of BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry

In May 2025, Harvansh P. Chawla, a senior corporate legal expert, was appointed as Chairman of the New Delhi-based BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) to strengthen economic ties among BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

His appointment comes ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit scheduled for 6-7 July 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Under his leadership, the Chamber aims to promote inclusive economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development within the Global South framework.

About Harvansh P. Chawla:

  • Founder and Managing Partner of K.R. Chawla & Co. Advocates, New Delhi.
  • Advisor to Trade and Invest British Columbia in India, a partnership with the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Selected by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India to draft counter guarantees for infrastructure projects; among the first to work on port privatization in India.
  • Member of international bodies including the International Bar Association (IBA), Inter Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), and Indo-US Business Council (IUBC).
  • Championed a surge in intra-BRICS trade, reaching USD 162 billion in 2022-23.
  • Facilitated green energy partnerships in solar, hydrogen fuel, and smart grid technologies among BRICS countries.
  • Promoted digital innovation through BRICS-wide digital payment systems and tech startups.

About BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry:

  • Chairman – Harvansh P. Chawla
  • Headquarters – New Delhi
  • Established – 2012
Santosh Kumar Sarangi Given Additional Charge as CMD of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)

In May 2025, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) appointed Santosh Kumar Sarangi as the additional Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), New Delhi. He will hold the position until a regular appointment is made.

He succeeds Rameshwar Prasad Gupta (R.P. Gupta), whose term ended prematurely on 10 May 2025 by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

About Santosh Kumar Sarangi:

  • 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Odisha cadre.
  • Currently Secretary of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
  • Former Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Held leadership roles including Chairman of APEDA and Tea Board of India.
  • Served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Chairperson of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

About R.P. Gupta:

  • Retired 1987-batch IAS officer from Gujarat cadre.
  • CMD of SECI since June 2023.
  • Former Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

About Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI):

  • Navratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under MNRE.
  • CMD – Santosh Kumar Sarangi
  • Headquarters – New Delhi
  • Founded – 2011


Ed Smith Appointed President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)

In May 2025, former England cricketer and selector Edward Thomas Smith was appointed as the President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), London. He will serve a one-year term starting 1 October 2025.

His appointment was made by the current MCC President, Lord King of Lothbury, at the MCC Annual General Meeting held at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

About Edward Thomas Smith:

  • Former England cricketer, commentator, journalist, and author.
  • Played for Kent, Middlesex, and England over 13 seasons, scoring nearly 13,000 runs including 34 centuries.
  • Retired in 2008 and authored five books.
  • Chief Selector for England Men’s Cricket Team from 2018 to 2021.
  • England won the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2019 during his tenure as chief selector.
  • Co-founder of the Institute of Sports Humanities (ISH), focused on nurturing future sports leaders.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Reviews Book “The Tamils: A Portrait of Community” by Nirmala Lakshman

In May 2025, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance, reviewed the book “The Tamils: A Portrait of Community” by Nirmala Lakshman in The Book Review, a respected India-based academic journal. The book was published by New Delhi-based Aleph Book Company.

The review praised the book for its deep exploration of justice and fairness as key themes in Tamil culture, highlighting stories like King Manuneedhi Cholan’s legendary act of justice.

  • The book provides a comprehensive narrative of Tamil history and culture, covering the community’s evolution from the Stone Age through the Sangam era to the present day.
  • Nirmala Lakshman is the Publisher and Chairperson of THE HINDU Group of Publications.
  • She previously served as Joint Editor of The Hindu, founded and edited The Hindu Literary Review, and created Young World, India’s only children’s newspaper supplement.
Vice President Releases Haryana Governor’s Autobiography “Janta Ki Kahani – In Meri Aatamkatha”

In May 2025, the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, released the autobiography “Janta Ki Kahani – In Meri Aatamkatha” written by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya. The release event took place at Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi.

The book portrays Bandaru Dattatraya’s political and social journey, emphasizing his strong grassroots connection with the people and his dedication to the upliftment of the underprivileged. It also highlights important historical and political events he witnessed over several decades.

About Bandaru Dattatraya:

  • Born on 12 June 1947 in Hyderabad.
  • Serving as Governor of Haryana since July 2021.
  • Senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
  • Former Union Minister of State for Labour (1999–2004) under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
  • Four-time Lok Sabha member from Secunderabad, Telangana.
  • Known for decades of political and social service focused on humility and public welfare.
Dr. Ajay Kumar Appointed Chairman of UPSC

In May 2025, the Government of India appointed Dr. Ajay Kumar, former Defence Secretary and retired IAS officer of the 1985 Kerala cadre, as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). His tenure is for 6 years or until he reaches the age of 65, whichever comes first.

The appointment was approved by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 316(1) of the Constitution of India, as per an order from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel. He succeeds Preeti Sudan, whose tenure ended on April 29, 2025.

About UPSC:

  • Responsible for conducting civil services exams for recruitment to prestigious services such as IAS, IFS, and IPS
  • Headed by a Chairman, with up to 10 members
  • Chairman: Dr. Ajay Kumar
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Established: 1926
Mikaela Jaworski Named Chair of IOC Coordination Commission for Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games

In May 2025, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) appointed Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski as the new Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. The appointment was made by IOC President Thomas Bach at an Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

She will succeed Kristy Coventry, who will become IOC President in June 2025, and will chair the Coordination Commission meeting in Brisbane from May 20 to 22, 2025.

Key Points:

  • Mikaela will oversee the planning and delivery of the 2032 Games, working closely with the Organizing Committee, Olympic Movement stakeholders, local authorities, and International Sports Federations.
  • Her role is to ensure the project meets the highest standards, delivering an inclusive, sustainable, and memorable Olympic experience for athletes, fans, and communities.

About Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski:

  • Former international equestrian athlete for the Philippines
  • Gold medalist in individual jumping at the 2002 Asian Games and team gold at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games
  • IOC member since 2013 and Executive Board member since 2020
  • Participated in Coordination Commissions for the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics

About IOC:

  • Non-governmental organization organizing the Olympic Games and overseeing National Olympic Committees, International Federations, athletes, and stakeholders
  • President: Thomas Bach
  • President Elect: Kirsty Coventry (from June 23, 2025)
  • Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Established: 1894

Sports news

India’s Kynan Chenai and Sabeera Haris Win Bronze at ISSF Shotgun World Cup 2025

In May 2025, Indian shooters Kynan Chenai and Sabeera Haris won the bronze medal in the Trap Mixed Team event at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup 2025, held from May 3 to 12 in Nicosia, Cyprus. This was the third World Cup event of the 2025 season.

The Indian duo defeated Turkey’s Tolga Tuncer and Pelin Kaya with a close score of 34-33 in the final match.

  • In the qualification round, the Indian pair ranked 4th out of 34 teams with a total score of 142 out of 150.
  • The second Indian team, consisting of Shardul Vihan and Kirti Gupta, finished 17th with a score of 137.
  • China won the gold medal in the trap mixed team event by defeating Poland 42-39 in the final, while Poland secured the silver medal.

Overall Medal Tally:

  • Neutral Athletes topped the standings with 2 gold medals from 5 events.
  • China earned 1 gold and 1 silver medal.
  • Spain and Italy shared the third position with 1 gold medal each.

Next Event:
The next ISSF Shotgun World Cup is scheduled from July 4 to 14, 2025, at the Trap Concaverde shooting range in Lonato del Garda, Italy.

Important days

8th UN Global Road Safety Week 2025 – May 12 to 18

The United Nations Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) is a biennial campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO), based in Geneva, Switzerland. It aims to raise awareness about road safety and promote actions to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries worldwide.

The 8th edition of UNGRSW is observed from May 12 to 18, 2025.
The theme for 2025 is #MakeWalkingSafe and #MakeCyclingSafe, focusing on the urgent need for safer infrastructure and policies to protect pedestrians and cyclists on the roads.

Background:

  • In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed Resolution 60/5, directing the WHO and UN Regional Commissions to organize periodic global road safety weeks.
  • The first UN Global Road Safety Week took place from April 23 to 29, 2007.
  • Since 2013, the event has been observed every two years.

About WHO:

  • Director-General: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
  • Established: 1948

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