Current Affairs One - Liner : 4th & 5th May 2025

National:

• Union MoS Prataprao Jadhav inaugurated the Yoga Mahotsav 2025 in Nashik, Maharashtra, marking the 50-day countdown to International Yoga Day. The event included over 6,000 participants and the launch of the Yoga Sangam Portal for nationwide yoga registrations. Jadhav emphasized India’s leadership in yoga, highlighting its global impact and health benefits.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated Corporate Bhavan in New Town, Kolkata, on May 1, 2025. The seven-story facility houses key offices under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), streamlining corporate regulatory services. It enhances the Ease of Doing Business with a single-window interface and sustainability features.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a 9-foot-tall statue of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma and renamed a stretch of Lala Lajpat Rai Marg in South Delhi to Bodofa Upendranath Brahma Marg on May 1, 2025. The event, organized by the Government of Assam, marked Brahma’s 35th death anniversary and honored his contributions to the Bodo community.
• Kozhikode was recognized by WHO as an Age-Friendly City on May 2, 2025, joining the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC). The city prioritizes accessible infrastructure, healthcare, and social engagement for senior citizens. Programs like daycare centers and employment opportunities contributed to this recognition.

International:

• India has become the first country in the world to develop genome-edited rice varieties, marking a major breakthrough in agricultural science. On May 5, 2025, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the release of DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1, developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Economy:

• S&P Global Ratings revised India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast to 6.3% on May 2, 2025, citing US tariff uncertainties. The report noted risks from global trade disruptions and exchange rate fluctuations. China’s GDP forecast was also lowered to 3.5% for 2025, reflecting broader economic concerns.

Sports:

• Anarghya Abhishek Panchawatkar won the gold medal in Kumite at the 11th Budokan International Karate Championship in Dubai on April 26, 2025. He also secured a bronze medal in Kata, demonstrating his skills in multiple karate disciplines.

Defence:

• DRDO successfully completed the first flight test of its Stratospheric Airship Platform on May 3, 2025, in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. The airship ascended to 17 km altitude, testing navigation and payload performance. The trial lasted 62 minutes, validating pressure control and emergency deflation systems.
• The United States approved the sale of HawkEye 360 technology to India on May 4, 2025, strengthening Indo-Pacific maritime surveillance. The $131 million deal includes SeaVision software and RF signal-tracking satellites for monitoring stealth vessel activity. This enhances India's ability to detect smuggling, illegal fishing, and security threats at sea.

Important Days:

• International Firefighters’ Day is observed on May 4 to honor the bravery and sacrifices of firefighters worldwide. Established in 1999, it commemorates those lost in the line of duty and promotes fire safety awareness. Events include the “Sound Off” tribute, where fire sirens blare for 30 seconds, followed by a minute of silence.
• World Laughter Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday of May, falling on May 4, 2025. It was initiated in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the Laughter Yoga movement, to promote happiness and stress relief. The 2025 theme, "Laugh for Health, Peace, and Happiness".
• Coal Miners Day is observed on May 4, 2025, to honor the hard work and sacrifices of coal miners. It highlights their role in energy production and raises awareness about health risks and safety regulations. The day underscores the need for better working conditions and welfare measures for miners.

Appointments:

• Prakash Magdum took charge as Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) on May 5, 2025. A 1999-batch Indian Information Service officer, he has served as Director of National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and Registrar of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). His tenure at NFAI focused on film preservation and restoration efforts.
• Parameswaran Iyer has been temporarily appointed as India’s nominee director at the IMF Board, replacing K.V. Subramanian. His role is crucial ahead of the IMF Executive Board meeting on May 9, 2025, which will discuss Pakistan’s bailout and global climate financing.
• Warren Buffett will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of 2025, marking the end of his 55-year leadership. His successor, Greg Abel, currently oversees Berkshire’s non-insurance businesses and is expected to maintain Buffett’s investment philosophy.
• Anthony Albanese was re-elected as Prime Minister of Australia on May 3, 2025, securing a second consecutive term. His Labor Party won a strong parliamentary majority, defeating the Liberal-National coalition led by Peter Dutton.
• Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh has been appointed as the Director General & CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), a think tank under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs2. He formally assumed charge on May 1, 2025, bringing over 30 years of expertise in finance, corporate law, insolvency, CSR, ESG reporting, and public policy.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) appointed Rakesh Verma as DG of IIIDEM and Ashish Goyal as DG of Media on May 1, 2025. Verma, a 1993 batch IAS officer, will focus on electoral training and research. Goyal, a 1996 batch IIS officer, will enhance ECI’s media outreach and transparency. These appointments aim to strengthen election management and public engagement.
• Sanjay Khanna has assumed additional charge as Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), effective May 1, 2025. He previously served as Director (Refineries) and has over three decades of experience in refinery operations and technical services.

Obituaries:

• Padma Shri awardee K.V. Rabiya, Kerala’s literacy crusader, passed away on May 4, 2025, at 59. Despite being wheelchair-bound due to polio, she championed adult literacy and women’s empowerment. She founded Chalanam, promoting education and rehabilitation for the differently abled.
• Padma Shri Yoga Sant Baba Shivanand passed away in Varanasi on May 3, 2025, at the age of 128. Honored with the Padma Shri in 2022, he dedicated his life to yoga, spirituality, and holistic wellness.
• Former Union Minister Girija Vyas passed away on May 1, 2025, at the age of 79, due to severe burn injuries from a fire accident in Udaipur. A veteran politician, she served as Union Minister for Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and chaired the National Commission for Women.
• Professor Sunny Thomas, former National Shooting Coach and Dronacharya Awardee, passed away on April 30, 2025, in Kerala. He coached India’s top shooters, including Abhinav Bindra and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, leading India to over 200 international medals.

Questions:

Q.1 Which city was recognized by WHO as an Age-Friendly City on May 2, 2025?
a) Nashik
b) Kozhikode
c) Kolkata
d) Delhi

Answer: b) Kozhikode was recognized by the WHO as an Age-Friendly City, focusing on accessible infrastructure and healthcare for senior citizens.

Q.2 What was the revised GDP growth forecast for India by S&P Global Ratings for FY26?
a) 5.5%
b) 6.0%
c) 6.3%
d) 7.0%

Answer: c) S&P Global Ratings revised India's GDP growth forecast to 6.3% for FY26, citing uncertainties related to US tariffs and global trade disruptions.