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INDEX
National & States Affairs ……….……..…………………….…..……………………………………………… 5
Banking, Finance, Insurance & Economic Affairs …….…..…………………………………………… 7
Defence Affairs ……………...……..…………………….…..……………………………………………..…… 8
Schemes & Initiatives ……….……..…………………….…..……………………………………………..…… 9
Ranks, Reports & Surveys ……….………..…………….…..………………………………………………. 10
MoUs, Collaborations & Partnerships …………….…..………………………………………………… 12
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National & States Affairs
1. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and World Bank President Ajay Banga have launched
two initiatives ‘UP AGREES’ and ‘AI Pragya’ related to agricultural innovation and digital
transformation. ‘UP AGREES’ initiative pushes for revolutionising agriculture in 28 districts of
Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions, enhancing productivity and promoting advanced, technology-
based farming. It aims to improve agricultural yield, which is anticipated to rise from 10 quintals to
14-15 quintals per acre. The project, valued at Rs 4,000 crore, secured a loan of Rs 2,737 crore from the World Bank, with
the state government contributing Rs 1,666 crore. The project will be implemented in 2 phases. In the 1st phase, 28 districts
have been selected. It will run for 6 years, starting in 2024-25 and continuing through 2029-30. The initiative aims to boost
agricultural productivity by an additional 30 to 35%. Out of the 45% of land that is cultivable in the country, 75% is located
in Uttar Pradesh, making it one of the most fertile and productive regions in India. Uttar Pradesh accounts for 15% of India’s
vegetable production, 11% of its fruit production and 23% of India’s food grain output. Similarly, ‘AI Pragya’ aims to build a
robust AI talent base by training 10 lakh youth across Uttar Pradesh, equipping them with the digital skills necessary to thrive
in emerging technology sectors. {Read more}
Smart Points:
• Yogi Adityanath (UP CM) + Ajay Banga (WB President) = launched 2 initiatives, ‘UP AGREES’ & ‘AI Pragya’, related to
agricultural innovation & digital transformation
• ‘UP AGREES’ initiative pushes for revolutionising agriculture in 28 districts of Bundelkhand & Purvanchal regions
- Aim: To improve agricultural yield, anticipated to rise to 14-15 quintals per acre (from 10 quintals)
- Project value – Rs 4,000 Cr | It secured a loan of Rs 2,737 Cr from WB (state govt contributes Rs 1,666 Cr)
• ‘UP AGREES’ project will be implemented in 2 phases
- In 1st phase, 28 districts have been selected, for 6 years (2024-25 to 2029-30)
- It will boost agricultural productivity by an additional 30 to 35%
• Out of 45% of cultivable land in India, 75% is located in UP
• UP accounts for: 15% – India’s vegetable production | 11% – India’s fruit production | 23% – India’s food grain output
• ‘AI Pragya’ aims to build a robust AI talent base by training 10 lakh youth across UP
• UP: Capital – Lucknow | CM – Yogi Adityanath | Governor – Anandiben Patel
• HQs of World Bank – Washington D.C., US | President – Ajay Banga | MD/CFO – Anshula Kant | Members – 189
2. “AI Kiran”, a national movement for inclusive AI leadership, was officially launched, setting the stage for a multi-year
process of recognising, nurturing and growing women leaders in AI. Kirthiga Reddy, CEO & co-founder of Verix (a global
trust-tech platform), is the brain behind AI Kiran which aims to put Indian women in AI on a global stage, enable connectivity,
funding and mentorship. AI Kiran was launched in collaboration with the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to
the government of India and INK Women. The initiative offers mentorship, learning, and global visibility, fostering women
leadership in AI through blockchain-verified recognition and strong partnerships. India’s AI market is poised to reach $17
billion by 2027. {Read more}
Smart Points:
• “AI Kiran”, a national movement for inclusive AI leadership – officially launched
- Launched by = Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to GoI & INK Women
• Brainchild of – Kirthiga Reddy (CEO & co-founder of Verix)
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- Aim: To put Indian women in AI on a global stage, enable connectivity, funding & mentorship
• India’s AI market – to reach $17 billion by 2027
3. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended that fixed satellite services by
firms like Starlink should pay 4% spectrum usage fees on their adjusted gross revenues, as well as a
Rs 500 annual fee per urban subscriber. The recommendations, which have been under consideration
since 2024, come just after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a letter of intent to
Starlink, which has been eyeing the Indian market. Starlink now needs to acquire spectrum under the
terms that TRAI has now recommended, with fees of Rs 3,500 per megahertz of spectrum it intends to use. The spectrum
assignment will only last for 5 years, extendable by 2 years. An authorisation fee of 8% will also apply, as it does to telecom
operators and fixed-line internet providers. TRAI has recommended that spectrum in multiple bands in the 12-75 GHz range.
Security conditions were not a part of TRAI’s recommendations, as those are handled by the DoT. Starlink, developed by
SpaceX and launched in 2019, is a satellite-based internet service designed to provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity,
especially in remote areas. {Read more}
Smart Points:
• TRAI recommended that fixed satellite services by firms like Starlink should pay 4% spectrum usage fees on their
adjusted gross revenues, as well as a Rs 500 annual fee per urban subscriber
• Starlink now needs to acquire spectrum under terms that TRAI has now recommended
- With fees of Rs 3,500 per megahertz of spectrum it intends to use
• Spectrum assignment – to last for 5 years (extendable by 2 years) | Authorisation fee to apply – 8%
• Starlink – satellite-based internet service to provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity, especially in remote areas
- Developed by – SpaceX | Launched in – 2019
• HQs of TRAI – New Delhi | Chairman – Anil Kumar Lahoti | Established in – 1997
4. Punjab Police has set a May 31st deadline to arrest all drug traffickers in the state for making a Drug Free State under the
AAP government’s ongoing ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign. Out of the total 836 decided cases, 744 have been convicted
out of whom 144 have been awarded more than 10 years prison under NDPS Act. Giving impetus to the campaign, Punjab
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria announced to take out a six-day ‘Padyatra’ against the menace of drugs covering Gurdaspur
and Amritsar districts. {Read more}
Smart Points:
• Punjab Police set a May 31st deadline to arrest all drug traffickers in state for making a Drug Free State
- Under AAP government’s ongoing ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign
• Gulab Chand Kataria (Punjab Governor) – announced to take out a six-day ‘Padyatra’ covering Gurdaspur & Amritsar
• Punjab: Capital – Chandigarh | CM – Bhagwant Mann | Governor – Gulab Chand Kataria
5. BEML Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking, has launched India’s largest indigenously designed
and developed electric rope shovel, “BRS21”. The BRS21 rope shovel is entirely designed,
engineered, and manufactured in India. The high-capacity electric rope shovel is purpose-built for
large-scale overburden removal in opencast mining operations. Weighing an impressive 720 tons
and equipped with a 21-cubic-meter bottom dump bucket, the BRS21 stands as one of the most
capable and advanced machines in its class. The monumental mining equipment was formally handed over by Shantanu
Roy, CMD of BEML, to B Sairam, CMD of Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL), at Nigahi Mines, Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh. {Read
more}
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Smart Points:
• BEML Ltd – launched India’s largest indigenously designed & developed electric rope shovel, “BRS21”
- Built for large-scale overburden removal in opencast mining operations | Weight – 720 tons
- Equipped with – a 21-cubic-meter bottom dump bucket
• Handed over by Shantanu Roy (CMD of BEML) to B Sairam (CMD of NCL) at – Nigahi Mines, Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh
• HQs of BEML Limited – Bengaluru, Karnataka | CMD – Shantanu Roy
Banking, Finance, Insurance & Economic Affairs
6. The SEBI has proposed tweaking its format for disclosure of corporate governance framework by High Value Debt Listed
Entities (HVDLE). An entity having outstanding value of listed non-convertible debt securities of Rs 1,000 crore are referred
to as ‘High Value Debt Listed Entities’. Under the proposal, an HVDLE should submit a secretarial compliance report in such
form as specified by SEBI, to stock exchanges, within 60 days from end of each financial year. Further, the HVDLE should
submit a periodic compliance report on corporate governance to the recognized stock exchanges within 21 days from the
end of the period. With regard to the disclosure and obligations of HVDLEs in relation to Related Party Transaction (RPT), it
has been suggested to specify the information should be placed before the audit committee, debenture trustee and the
shareholders for consideration of RPTs. {Read more}
Smart Points:
• SEBI proposed tweaking its format for disclosure of corporate governance framework by High Value Debt Listed Entities
- HVDLE – an entity having outstanding value of listed non-convertible debt securities of Rs 1,000 Cr
• Under proposal, an HVDLE should submit a secretarial compliance report in such form as specified by SEBI within 60
days from end of each financial year
• HVDLE should submit a periodic compliance report on corporate governance to recognized stock exchanges within 21
days from end of period
• HQs of SEBI – Mumbai, Maharashtra | Chairman – Tuhin Kanta Pandey | Established in – 1992
7. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties on State Bank of India (SBI) and Jana Small Finance Bank for certain
deficiencies in compliance of norms. A penalty of Rs 1,72,80,000 has been imposed on SBI for non-compliance with certain
directions on ‘Loans and Advances-Statutory and Other Restrictions’, ‘Customer Protection - Limiting Liability of Customers
in Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions’, and ‘Opening of Current Accounts by Banks - Need for Discipline’. While
a penalty of Rs 1 crore has been imposed on Jana Small Finance Bank Ltd for contravention of certain provision of the
‘Banking Regulation Act, 1949’. {Read more}
Smart Points:
• RBI – imposed penalties of Rs 1,72,80,000 on SBI & Rs 1 crore on Jana SFB
- SBI – for non-compliance with certain directions on ‘Loans and Advances-Statutory and Other Restrictions’,
‘Customer Protection - Limiting Liability of Customers in Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions’, and
‘Opening of Current Accounts by Banks - Need for Discipline’
- Jana SFB – for contravention of certain provision of ‘Banking Regulation Act, 1949’
• HQs of Jana SFB – Bengaluru, Karnataka | MD & CEO – Ajay Kanwal | Chairman (part-time) – R. Ramaseshan
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• HQs of SBI – Mumbai, Maharashtra | Chairman – Challa Sreenivasulu Setty
MDs – Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh | Ashwini Kumar Tewari | Vinay M. Tonse | Rama Mohan Rao Amara
Defence Affairs
8. India’s flagship surface-to-air missile systems - “S400” Triumf, “Barak 8” MRSAM (Medium
Range Surface to Air Missile), and the indigenous “Akash” - played a key role as the Indian
Air Force (IAF) activated its Integrated Counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and
other air defence systems to thwart the attacks by Pakistan on 15 military bases and several
cities. India has procured a total of 5 squadrons, each comprising 16 vehicles, S400 Triumf
air defence missile system, known in Indian service as ‘Sudarshan Chakra’, from Russia at $5
billion (Rs 35,000 crore). Of these, 3 squadrons are already operational, while the remaining 2 are expected to be delivered
by 2026. The S400 Triumf is developed by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau. Its multifunction radar suite includes the
‘Grave Stone’ tracking radar and the ‘Cheese Board’ acquisition radar, which provide 360-degree surveillance and can detect
targets up to 600 kms away. The S400 can simultaneously track up to 300 targets and engage up to 36 threats at once. The
S400 employs 4 types of missiles to create a layered defence. These missiles can engage targets flying at speeds up to Mach
14 (approximately 17,000 km/h) and at altitudes ranging from 10 metres to 30 kms. In 2021, the IAF formally inducted the
‘Barak 8’ MRSAM system. Developed in collaboration with Israel, the ‘Barak 8’ extends interception capabilities to 70 kms
and is designed to neutralize aerial threats such as fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, and missiles. The
indigenous ‘Akash’ surface-to-air missile system is designed for short-range defence, with an engagement capability of up
to 30 kms, and serves as a critical component of India’s lower-tier interception grid. The Akash system was developed over
15 years by Dr Prahlada Ramarao, a former DRDO scientist. {Read more}
Smart Points:
• IAF activated its Integrated Counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid & other air defence systems to thwart attacks
by Pakistan on 15 military bases & several cities
• India’s flagship surface-to-air missile systems played a key role in this – “S400” Triumf, “Barak 8” MRSAM (Medium
Range Surface to Air Missile) & indigenous “Akash”
• India procured a total of 5 squadrons from Russia at $5 billion (Rs 35,000 Cr)
- Each squadron comprised 16 vehicles, S400 Triumf air defence missile system (known as ‘Sudarshan Chakra’)
• Of these, 3 squadrons – already operational | Remaining 2 – to be delivered by 2026
• S400 Triumf – developed by Almaz Central Design Bureau (Russia)
- Its multifunction radar suite provide 360-degree surveillance & can detect targets up to 600 kms away
- It can simultaneously track up to 300 targets & engage up to 36 threats at once
- It employs 4 types of missiles to create a layered defence
• ‘Barak 8’ MRSAM system – formally inducted by IAF in 2021 | Developed in collaboration with – Israel
• ‘Akash’ surface-to-air missile system – engagement capability of up to 30 kms
- It was developed over 15 years by Dr Prahlada Ramarao (a former DRDO scientist)
• HQs of IAF – New Delhi | Chief – Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh | Vice Chief – Air Marshal SP Dharkar
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Schemes & Initiatives
9. As per the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Government of
India has expanded the “Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS)” to increase capital
mobilization for budding enterprises. With the recent modifications, the ceiling on the guarantee
cover per borrower has been increased from Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore. The extent of guarantee
cover has also been raised to 85% of the amount in default for loans up to Rs 10 crore and 75% for
loans exceeding Rs 10 crore. Further, in a move to support innovation in priority sectors, the Annual Guarantee Fee (AGF)
for startups operating in 27 Champion Sectors identified under the ‘Make in India’ initiative has been halved from 2% per
annum to 1% per annum. However, the maximum guarantee cover per borrower under the scheme shall not exceed Rs 10
crore. In the case of umbrella-based guarantee cover, the actual losses or up to a maximum of 5% of pooled investment,
whichever is lower, will be covered, subject to the same Rs 10 crore cap per borrower. The CGSS was originally notified on
October 6, 2022, as part of the broader vision of the ‘Startup India’ initiative launched on January 16, 2016. The initiative
aimed to create a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country and included a comprehensive Action Plan for Startups. Under
the CGSS, guarantees are provided against credit instruments extended to startups by Scheduled Commercial Banks, All
India Financial Institutions (AIFIs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and SEBI-registered Alternative Investment
Funds (AIFs). {Read more}
Smart Points:
• DPIIT – expanded “Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups” to increase capital mobilization for budding enterprises
- CGSS – originally notified on Oct 6, 2022
• With recent modifications, ceiling on guarantee cover per borrower – increased to Rs 20 Cr (from Rs 10 Cr)
• Extent of guarantee cover – raised to 85% of amount in default for loans up to Rs 10 Cr
- 75% – for loans exceeding Rs 10 Cr
• Annual Guarantee Fee (AGF) for startups operating in 27 Champion Sectors identified under ‘Make in India’ initiative –
halved to 1% per annum (from 2% per annum)
• Maximum guarantee cover per borrower under this scheme – shall not exceed Rs 10 Cr
• Actual losses or up to a maximum of 5% of pooled investment, whichever is lower – to be covered, subject to same Rs
10 Cr cap per borrower
• Aim: To create a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country & included a comprehensive Action Plan for Startups
• Under CGSS, guarantees are provided against credit instruments extended to startups by SCBs, AIFIs, NBFCs & AIFs
• HQs of DPIIT – New Delhi | Secretary – Amardeep Singh Bhatia | Founded in – 1995 (Functions under Ministry of C&I)
10. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the “G-SAFAL (Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families
for Augmenting Livelihoods)” and “G-MAITRI (Gujarat Mentorship and Acceleration of Individuals for
Transforming Rural Income)” programme of the Government of Gujarat. The G-MAITRI scheme will
provide financial assistance and handholding support to Startups which are working to create a
conducive environment for rural livelihoods. The scheme will allocate Rs 50 crore over 5 years through
the ‘Gujarat Social Enterprise Fund (G-SEF)’ to support livelihood-focused startups. The G-MAITRI initiative aims to reach 10
lakh rural women and youth, offering grants and incentives to social enterprises. It also includes incentives for social
enterprises, support for over 150 startups, and financial assistance of up to Rs 30 lakh for scaling startups. Over the next 5
years, G-SAFAL will benefit 50,000 families from the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) in 2 aspirational districts and 13
aspirational blocks of Gujarat. The scheme will provide financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per woman, along with vocational
training, over 5 years, totalling Rs 500 crore in support. {Read more}
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Smart Points:
• PM Modi – launched “G-SAFAL” & “G-MAITRI” programme of Government of Gujarat
- G-SAFAL – Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families for Augmenting Livelihoods
- G-MAITRI – Gujarat Mentorship and Acceleration of Individuals for Transforming Rural Income
• G-MAITRI scheme – to allocate Rs 50 Cr over 5 years through ‘Gujarat Social Enterprise Fund (G-SEF)’
- Aim: To reach 10 lakh rural women & youth, offering grants & incentives to social enterprises
- It also includes incentives for social enterprises & financial assistance of up to Rs 30 lakh for scaling startups
• G-SAFAL – to benefit 50,000 families from AAY in 2 aspirational districts & 13 aspirational blocks, over next 5 years
- It will provide financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per woman, over 5 years, totalling Rs 500 Cr in support
• Gujarat: Capital – Gandhinagar | CM – Bhupendra Patel | Governor – Acharya Dev Vrat
Ranks, Reports & Surveys
11. According to a study published in The Quarterly Journal of Economics, the world’s first-ever
market for trading in particulate matter emissions, namely the “Surat Emission Trading Scheme (ETS)”
- launched in Gujarat’s Surat in 2019 through partnerships with the University of Chicago, Yale
University, and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) - has reduced pollution by 20-30%
among participating industries while lowering their compliance costs by 11%. The Surat ETS seeks to curb air pollution by
allowing plants to buy and sell permits for particulate matter emissions to stay within a fixed pollution limit. Each plant is
given a limit on how much it can pollute. Those that stay within the limit can sell their unused permits to others that exceed
theirs. This approach, known globally as a ‘cap-and-trade’ system, has been used in Europe for greenhouse gases and in
China for carbon emissions. The Surat ETS is run by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) in collaboration with the
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), J-PAL, and industry associations. A cluster of industrial plants in
Surat traded permits on a platform hosted by the National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange e-Markets Limited
(NeML). The GPCB issued about 80% of the emissions cap in free permits, distributed in proportion to a plant’s emissions
potential (e.g., boiler size), while the remaining 20% was auctioned weekly. Plants that failed to acquire sufficient permits
to meet their caps were fined. {Read more}
Smart Points:
• As per a study published in The Quarterly Journal of Economics:
• World’s 1st-ever market for trading in particulate matter emissions, “Surat Emission Trading Scheme (ETS)” – reduced
pollution by 20-30% among participating industries while lowering their compliance costs by 11%
• Surat ETS – launched in Gujarat’s Surat in 2019
- through partnerships with University of Chicago, Yale University & Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
• Surat ETS is run by = Gujarat Pollution Control Board + Energy Policy Institute at University of Chicago + J-PAL
• A cluster of industrial plants in Surat traded permits on a platform hosted by – National Commodities and Derivatives
Exchange e-Markets Limited (NeML)
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12. Lendbox, an Indian peer-to-peer lending platform, has topped the Financial Times and Statista’s
“High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2025” ranking, is a list of the 500 companies in the Asia-Pacific
region that have achieved the highest percentage growth in revenues between 2020 and 2023.
Lendbox is followed by Borong and Etaily, e-commerce technology providers from Southeast Asia.
Along with Lendbox, other notable Indian firms like BluSmart (6th), Meesho (72nd), Titan Company
(301st), Aditya Birla Capital (374th), and Havells (396th) also secured spots on the list. In total, 81 companies from India made
it to the list. Singapore was the city and country with the most companies on the ranking this year, with 108. In terms of
country, Japan and South Korea followed with 91 each. Seoul had 75 entrants while Tokyo had 71. Chinese companies are
not included in the ranking due to difficulties in verifying data. IT and Software companies made up most 27% of the ranking,
followed by financial services with 10% and advertising and marketing companies with 5%. To be included in the list, a
company had to meet specific criteria: it must have generated at least $100,000 in revenue in 2020 and at least $1 million
in 2023. Additionally, the company must be independent - meaning it is not a subsidiary or branch of another company -
and must be headquartered in one of 13 Asia-Pacific territories: Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam. Furthermore, the revenue growth between
2020 and 2023 must have been primarily organic, driven internally rather than through acquisitions or external factors.
{Read more}
Smart Points:
• “High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2025” ranking – released by Financial Times & Statista
• Total Indian companies on the list – 81
• Lendbox (India) – achieved highest percentage growth in revenues between 2020 & 2023
- Followed by – Borong & Etaily (Southeast Asia)
• Other notable Indian firms – BluSmart (6th), Meesho (72nd), Titan (301st), Aditya Birla Capital (374th) & Havells (396th)
• Singapore – city & country with most companies on ranking this year (108)
- 2nd – Japan & South Korea, with 91 each (in terms of country) | Seoul – 75 entrants | Tokyo – 71 entrants
• Types of companies on the list: IT & Software – 27% | Financial services – 10% | Advertising & marketing – 5%
• Eligibility to be in list – must have generated at least $100,000 in revenue in 2020 & at least $1 million in 2023
• Also, it must be independent & headquartered in one of 13 Asia-Pacific territories
- Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan,
Thailand, or Vietnam
13. The number of fungi species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red
List of Threatened Species has surpassed 1,000, confirming that deforestation, agricultural expansion
and urban development are driving these species to decline worldwide. The IUCN Red List now
includes 1,69,420 species, of which 47,187 are threatened with extinction. The addition of 482 newly
assessed fungi species brings their number on the IUCN Red List to 1,300, of which at least 411 are at risk of extinction.
According to IUCN, rapid growth of agricultural and urban areas has replaced fungi habitats, putting 279 species at risk of
extinction. Nitrogen and ammonia run-off from fertilisers and engine pollution also threaten 91 species. In Europe, well-
known species like the Vulnerable fibrous waxcap (Hygrocybe intermedia) are also facing threats. At least 198 species of
fungi are at risk of extinction due to deforestation for timber production, illegal logging, and clearing for agriculture. Over
50 fungi species are at risk of extinction due to changes in fire patterns in the USA, which have drastically changed forests.
Fungi constitute their own kingdom, distinct from animals and plants. They are the second biggest kingdom after animals,
with an estimated 2.5 million species, of which around 1,55,000 are named. {Read more}
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Smart Points:
• Number of fungi species on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – 1,300 (including 411 at risk of extinction)
- Newly assessed fungi species – 482
• IUCN Red List – now includes 1,69,420 species (of which 47,187 are threatened with extinction)
• Various reasons putting fungi species at risk of extinction:
- Rapid growth of agricultural & urban areas – 279 species
- Nitrogen & ammonia run-off from fertilisers & engine pollution – 91 species
- Deforestation for timber production, illegal logging & clearing for agriculture – 198 species
- Changes in fire patterns (in USA) – 50 species
• Fungi – 2nd biggest kingdom (after animals) | Estimated species – 2.5 million (of which around 1,55,000 are named)
• HQs of IUCN – Gland, Switzerland | President – Razan Al Mubarak | CEO – Bruno Oberle | Founded in – 1948
MoUs, Collaborations & Partnerships
14. The Adani Group has signed an MoU with Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) to jointly
develop 5,000 MW of hydropower projects in Bhutan. This agreement expands their existing
collaboration on the Wangchhu Hydropower Project. The MoU builds on the ongoing partnership for
570/900 MW Wangchhu Hydropower Project, in which DGPC will hold a 51% stake and the Adani Group
will hold 49%. The initiative aligns with Bhutan’s Renewable Energy Roadmap, which aims to achieve an additional 20,000
MW of generation capacity by 2040. {Read more}
Smart Points:
• Adani Group + Druk Green Power Corp. (Bhutan) = MoU to jointly develop 5,000 MW of hydropower projects in Bhutan
- Share: DGPC – 51% stake | Adani Group – 49%
• Bhutan’s Renewable Energy Roadmap – to achieve an additional 20,000 MW of generation capacity by 2040
• HQs of Adani Group – Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Chairman – Gautam Adani | MD – Rajesh Adani
• Bhutan – Thimphu – Bhutanese Ngultrum | PM – Tshering Tobgay | Monarch – Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
❖ Other Miscellaneous News & Current Static GK:
• May 10 – World Lupus Day
(Lupus, formally known as systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's
immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation and damage.)
• Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary (India’s first & only wolf sanctuary) – Jharkhand
• Cholistan canal irrigation project – Pakistan
• Kamba Ramayana Festival – Therazhundur, Tamil Nadu
• Southeast Asia’s largest Pilot Training Institute – Amravati, Maharashtra
• “Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle with China for My Land and My People” book – authored
by Tenzin Gyatso (14th Dalai Lama)
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