Current Affairs One - Liner : 25th & 26th May 2025

National:

• Union MoS L. Murugan announced a commemorative postage stamp honoring King Perarasar Perumpidugu Mutharaiyar during his 1,350th birth anniversary celebrations in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, on May 23, 2025. The stamp, set for release in 2026, recognizes Mutharaiyar’s military prowess, having won 16 major battles.

• The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) hosted the 2nd Blue Talks on May 20, 2025, in New Delhi, ahead of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference. The event focused on marine conservation, ocean governance, and reducing pollution, aligning with SDG 14.
• The 12-day Saraswati Pushkaralu festival was celebrated from May 15 to May 26, 2025, at Kaleshwaram, Telangana. Devotees took a holy dip at Triveni Sangamam, where the Godavari, Pranahita, and subterranean Saraswati rivers meet. The festival featured Vedic rituals, homams, and cultural performances, attracting millions of pilgrims.
• Tamil Nadu inaugurated India’s first Mahouts’ Village at Theppakadu Elephant Camp, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, on May 14, 2025, improving the welfare of elephant caretakers. Developed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, it features 44 eco-friendly houses, solar-powered lighting, and recreational spaces.
• Uttar Pradesh launched India’s first Vistadome Jungle Safari Train on May 17, 2025, covering 107 km through Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. The train features glass-roofed coaches, panoramic windows, and rotating seats for a unique wildlife experience. Part of the "One Destination, Three Forests" plan, it aims to boost eco-tourism, conservation awareness, and local employment.
• Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the 5th Shirui Lily Festival on May 20, 2025, at Heritage Ground, Shirui Village, Ukhrul. The festival marks 75 years since the discovery of the Shirui Lily, promoting eco-tourism and environmental awareness.
• India launched the MAHASAGAR Initiative on May 21, 2025, expanding its SAGAR doctrine into a global maritime framework. The initiative strengthens oceanic security, trade cooperation, and sustainable development across all maritime regions.
• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj hosted a two-day National Writeshop on May 26–27, 2025, in New Delhi, to launch PAI 2.0. The initiative enhances data-driven governance, reducing indicators from 516 to 147 for better usability. It introduces auto-integration of national data, improved dashboards, and a Decision Support System.
• The Supreme Court of India ordered a cadre review for all CAPFs on May 23, 2025, to be completed within six months. The ruling aims to address promotion stagnation and enhance career progression for CAPF officers. It also mandates a phased reduction of IPS deputation up to the Inspector General (IG) rank over two years.

Banking:

• The government has approved an 8.25% interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) savings for FY 2024-25, benefiting over 7 crore subscribers. The decision was finalized on May 24, 2025, after approval from the Ministry of Finance. This rate remains unchanged from 2023-24, ensuring stable returns for salaried employees.
• Vivriti Asset Management secured $20 million from the Development Bank of Austria (OeEB) on May 20, 2025, strengthening India’s structured credit market. The funds will support MSMEs and women entrepreneurs through Vivriti India Retail Assets Fund (VIRAF). VIRAF has already disbursed $200 million to 25 NBFCs, benefiting 350,000 individuals and 100,000 MSMEs, with 75% of borrowers being women.
• NRI deposit inflows surged to an 11-year high of $16.2 billion in FY25, marking a 10% YoY increase from $14.7 billion in FY24. The rise was driven by higher interest rates on FCNR (B) deposits and rupee depreciation. Total outstanding NRI deposits reached $164.7 billion as of March 2025, up from $151.9 billion in March 2024.
• The RBI established a six-member Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) on May 21, 2025, to oversee India’s payment systems, replacing the Board for Regulation and Supervision of Payment and Settlement Systems (BPSS). Chaired by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, it includes Deputy Governor T. Rabi Sankar, one RBI-nominated official, and three central government nominees.

MoUs:

• Amity University Online signed an MoU with Hockey India on May 20, 2025, in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, to provide educational opportunities for hockey players. The CHAMPS initiative offers up to 100% scholarships, enabling athletes to pursue higher education online. A three-month Sports Psychology certificate course was introduced to enhance mental conditioning and performance.

Science & Technology:

• Agnikul Cosmos successfully fired India’s first electric motor-driven semi-cryogenic engine on May 23, 2025, advancing indigenous propulsion technology. The 3D-printed engine, built at Rocket Factory-1, IIT Madras Research Park, uses liquid oxygen and refined kerosene.

Apps & Portals:

• The Maharashtra government launched the Mahavistar App on May 21, 2025, ahead of the Kharif season, offering AI-powered farming guidance. CM Devendra Fadnavis announced it during the State-level Kharif season review meeting to help farmers with crop patterns, fertilizer use, and market prices.

Govt. Schemes:

• India launched the SPICED Scheme on May 21, 2025, to boost spice exports, sustainability, and value addition. Announced by the Spices Board of India, it has a ₹422.30 crore budget under the 15th Finance Commission period. The scheme supports organic and GI-tagged spices, ensures food safety compliance, and provides financial assistance for replanting, micro-irrigation, and infrastructure upgrades.

Defence:

• India’s Samtel Avionics and Malaysia’s ATSC signed a Strategic Collaboration and Exclusivity Agreement on May 22, 2025, to support the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Su-30MKM fleet. The partnership focuses on repair, upgrades, technical services, and post-sales support for aircraft avionics.

Important Days:

• Africa Day is celebrated annually on May 25 to mark the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, now the African Union (AU). The 2025 theme, "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations," emphasizes historical accountability and economic equity.
• National Memorial Day is observed on May 26, 2025, in the United States, honoring military personnel who died in service. Originally called Decoration Day, it was first observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate Union soldiers of the Civil War.
• International Day of the Markhor was observed on May 24, 2025, highlighting the need to protect this iconic wild goat species. The UNGA designated May 24 as the official observance in 2024, recognizing its ecological significance.
• World Schizophrenia Awareness Day 2025 was observed on May 24, raising awareness about schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder affecting 24 million people globally. The theme, "Rethink the Label: Reclaim the Story," emphasized reducing stigma and reshaping perceptions.
• India observed Commonwealth Day on May 24, 2025, marking Queen Victoria’s birth anniversary, unlike most nations that celebrate it in March. The theme, "Together We Thrive," emphasized unity, resilience, and shared progress. India, a founding member of the modern Commonwealth, leverages the platform for diplomacy, trade, and global cooperation.

Appointments:

• Shubman Gill was officially appointed as India's Test captain on May 24, 2025. His first assignment as captain will be the five-match Test series against England, starting on June 20, 2025 at Headingley.

Questions:

Q.1 What is the interest rate approved for Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) savings for FY 2024-25?
a) 7.5%
b) 8.25%
c) 8.5%
d) 9.0%

Answer: b) The government approved an 8.25% interest rate for EPF savings for FY 2024-25, finalized on May 24, 2025

Q.2 What is the name of India’s first Mahouts’ Village inaugurated on May 14, 2025?
a) Theppakadu Elephant Camp
b) Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
c) Anamalai Elephant Village
d) Kaziranga Mahout Village

Answer: a) India’s first Mahouts’ Village was inaugurated at Theppakadu Elephant Camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, to improve the welfare of elephant caretakers.