Current Affairs One - Liner : 8th May 2025

National:

• Union Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu granted in-principle approval for Greenfield airports in Kota, Rajasthan, and Puri, Odisha on May 5, 2025. The Kota Airport will improve regional connectivity, benefiting students, industries, and tourism.

• The Haryana Cabinet has approved the ₹474.39 crore AI Development Project, aiming to establish AI hubs in Gurugram and Panchkula, train 50,000 professionals, and integrate AI into governance. The project is 70% funded by the World Bank and 30% by the Haryana Government, supporting startups and R&D to position Haryana as a national AI innovation hub.
• Umling La Pass in Ladakh holds the Guinness World Record for the highest altitude road, at 5,798.251 meters (19,024 feet). India is constructing the world’s highest tunnel at Shinkun La, connecting Lahaul (Himachal Pradesh) and Zanskar (Ladakh).
• Rangacherra village in Tripura was recognized as the state's first green village on May 6, 2025, powered entirely by solar energy. It has a solar-powered water purification system, ensuring safe drinking water access for residents. A ₹1.25 crore pilot project led by TREDA installed solar streetlights and home lighting systems, boosting rural sustainability.
• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided nine locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal on May 8, 2025, uncovering a ₹800 crore GST fraud. The scam involved fake invoices worth ₹14,325 crore, allowing fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims. Key suspects, including Shivkumar Deora, Sumit Gupta, and Amit Gupta, are under investigation.
• The Revised SHAKTI Policy, approved on May 7, 2025, improves coal distribution for India’s power sector. It introduces two coal linkage windows for government and private power plants, ensuring fair pricing and auction-based coal access. The policy enables flexible electricity sales, boosts thermal capacity, and reduces coal transportation costs.

International:

• Iran’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Abbas Araghchi, arrived in New Delhi on May 8, 2025, for the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, discussing trade, energy, and connectivity.
• IMDEX Asia 2025, held at Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore, from May 6 to 8, 2025, is Asia-Pacific’s leading maritime defense exhibition. It features 22 warships from 13 nations and 250 exhibitors from 25 countries, showcasing cutting-edge naval technologies.

Banking:

• SBI projected retail inflation below 3% in Q1 FY26 in a report released on May 5, 2025. The CPI hit a 67-month low of 3.34% in March 2025, reinforcing expectations of monetary easing. SBI anticipates FY26 inflation to average 3.7%-3.8%, assuming no major food price shocks. The bank expects RBI to cut rates by 125 basis points this fiscal to support growth.

Economy:

• Tamil Nadu led India's textile exports in FY25, contributing $7.99 billion, which accounts for 26.81% of the national total. Tiruppur knitwear cluster played a major role, adding $4.69 billion to the state’s exports. Key exports included readymade garments ($15.99 billion), cotton fabrics ($12.06 billion), and man-made textiles ($4.87 billion).

Sports:

• The ECB has banned transgender women from women’s cricket, following a UK Supreme Court ruling on April 15, 2025 defining sex by biology. Transgender women can still compete in mixed-gender and open formats, but elite women’s cricket remains restricted.
• Indian duo Ankur Bhattacharjee and Abhinandh Pradhivadhi won the U-19 Boys Doubles title at the WTT Youth Star Contender Bangkok 2025 on May 4, 2025. The tournament was held at Fenghuang Gymnasium, Bangkok, Thailand, featuring top young table tennis talents. They secured victory in the Under-19 Boys Doubles category, demonstrating India’s rising presence in global table tennis.
• FC Goa won the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 on May 4, 2025, defeating Jamshedpur FC 3-0 at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The Kalinga Super Cup is a club football tournament, showcasing top teams from Indian domestic leagues. FC Goa secured its second Super Cup title, displaying dominance in Indian football.

Committees:

• The 62nd Executive Committee Meeting of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was held on May 6, 2025, in New Delhi, chaired by Rajeev Kumar Mital. It included key officials from the Ministry of Power (MoP), NMCG, and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, focusing on Ganga rejuvenation and wastewater reuse. ₹3.51 crore was approved for wetland conservation in Bihar, and ₹34.50 lakh for treated wastewater reuse in Agra & Prayagraj.

Govt.Schemes:

• MoRTH launched the Cashless Treatment Scheme 2025 on May 5, 2025, covering ₹1.5 lakh per accident victim for seven days. The scheme is managed by the National Health Authority (NHA) with oversight from State Road Safety Councils. Designated hospitals provide full treatment, while non-designated ones offer stabilization care only.

Defence:

• Apollo Micro Systems Limited (AMSL) is acquiring IDL Explosives for ₹107 crore, strengthening its defence portfolio. The deal was announced on May 2, 2025, with completion expected in two to three months. IDL Explosives, a Hinduja Group subsidiary, specializes in industrial-grade explosives for mining and infrastructure.
• DRDO and the Indian Navy have successfully conducted a combat trial of the indigenously developed Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) on May 5, 2025. Developed by Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, in collaboration with other DRDO labs, MIGM enhances undersea warfare capabilities.

Important Days:

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) marks its 66th Raising Day on May 7, 2025, celebrating its strategic contributions since 1960. BRO is vital in border infrastructure, maintaining roads, bridges, and tunnels across India and neighboring countries.
• International No Diet Day 2025 was observed on May 6, 2025, promoting body positivity and self-acceptance. Founded in 1992 by Mary Evans Young, it challenges diet culture and raises awareness about eating disorders. A light blue ribbon symbolizes support for balanced nutrition and mental well-being worldwide.

Appointments:

• Praveen Sood's tenure as CBI Director has been extended by one year, beyond his original two-year term ending May 24, 2025. The extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, following recommendations from a high-powered selection panel.
• Prakash Magdum assumed charge as the Managing Director of NFDC on May 5, 2025. A 1999-batch Indian Information Service officer, he previously led NFAI and FTII. He was instrumental in the National Film Heritage Mission, focusing on film preservatio

Awards & Honours:

• Union Minister L Murugan conferred the 10th National Community Radio Awards in Mumbai on May 3, 2025, during the 8th National Community Radio Conference. Awards were given to 12 community radio stations across four categories, including Thematic Awards and Sustainability Model. Radio Mayur (Bihar) won the Thematic Award, while Radio Namaskar (Odisha) was recognized for sustainability efforts.
• Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom received the International Buddha Peace Award 2025 on May 5, 2025, in Mumbai. Presented by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, the award honors his social activism and contributions to community development.

Questions:

Q.1 Which village was declared Tripura’s first green village in May 2025?
a) Dhalai
b) Rangacherra
c) Sabroom
d) Kailashahar

Answer: b) Rangacherra village was recognized as Tripura’s first green village, powered entirely by solar energy and equipped with solar streetlights and home lighting systems.

Q.2 Which pass in Ladakh holds the Guinness World Record for the highest altitude road?
a) Khardung La
b) Umling La
c) Chang La
d) Fotu La

Answer: b) Umling La Pass (5,798.251 meters) is the world’s highest motorable road. India is also building the Shinkun La Tunnel, the world’s highest tunnel.