DailyScoop May 27 2025 by AffairsCloud 1
DailyScoop May 27 2025 by AffairsCloud 1
AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
Table of Contents
Hand Written Notes ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Detailed Content............................................................................................................................................................. 14
Key Highlights
Investment Announcements:
PM - Prime Minister
NE - North East
MDoNER - Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
AR - Arunachal Pradesh
RE - Renewable Energy
IT - Information Technology
AI - Artificial Intelligence
5G - 5th Generation
RIL - Reliance Industries Limited
MoU - Memorandum of Understanding
2)
3)
VP - Vice President
MW - Megawatt
BCE - Before Common Era
4)
IR - Indian Railway
GOM - Government of Maharashtra
KRCL - Konkan Railway Corporation Limited
JV - Joint Venture
MoR - Ministry of Railways
6)
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
1)
2)
Key outcomes
3)
SPORTS
1)
2)
3)
2)
3)
STATE NEWS
1)
Disclaimer
Aim
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Agriculture Ministry launches Digital Crop Survey for real-time field data and accurate production estimates
Extreme weather drove 20% of growth in natural gas & electricity demand in 2024: IEA Report
Detailed Content
Current Affairs 27 May 2025: Headlines
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
India Partners with WHO to mainstream Ayush Globally
On May 24, 2025, Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy),
Government of India (GoI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Geneva (Switzerland)
based World Health Organization (WHO), to develop a Traditional Medicine Module under the International
Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
• This initiative aims to standardize traditional medical practices globally, enhancing their
accessibility and scientific credibility
Key Features of the Agreement:
i.The new module will complement WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by codifying
interventions from Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani (AYUSH) systems.
ii.With the inclusion of a traditional module, therapies from Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani systems
such as Panchakarma (Ayurveda), Yoga therapy, Unani regimens and Siddha procedures will be recognized
in globally standardized terms. It will bring about multiple benefits like
• Transparent billing and fair pricing for Ayush services; smoother integration of Ayush treatments
in health insurance coverage; enhanced hospital management, clinical documentation, and health
research; Most importantly, greater global accessibility to Ayush interventions.
iii.The development aligns with India’s vision of bringing its rich heritage of traditional wisdom into the
global healthcare mainstream, backed by scientific classroom and international standards.
iv.As part of this collaboration, India has contributed USD 3 million to the WHO to support the
development of the traditional medicine module under ICHI.
About the Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy):
Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge/IC) – Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav (Constituency – Buldhana,
Maharashtra)
About World Health Organization (WHO):
Director General (DG)– Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Founded – 7 April 1948
PM Narendra Modi Inaugurated Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 in New Delhi
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, which
was held from May 23 to 25, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi. The two-day event was
organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).
• The summit aimed at positioning the North East (NE) region as a ‘front-runner of growth’ and a
key pillar in India’s vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• The summit also featured the signing of numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)
across various sectors, including agriculture, Renewable Energy(RE), healthcare, tourism, and
Information Technology(IT).
Key Dignitaries:
i.Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, MDoNER attended the event along with Ajay Kumar Bhalla,
Governor of Manipur; Union Minister of State (MoS) Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, MDoNER.
ii.Also, Chief Ministers (CMs) of NE states : Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam); Pema Khandu (Arunachal
Pradesh, AR); Conrad Sangma (Meghalaya); Lalduhoma (Mizoram); Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland); Prem Singh
Tamang (Sikkim) and Manik Saha (Tripura) were present at the event.
About Rising North East Investors Summit 2025:
i.The summit was the culmination of several pre-summit
activities like: series of roadshows, and states’ roundtables
including Ambassador’s Meet and Bilateral Chambers Meet
organised by the Government of India (GoI) with the support
of 8 state governments of North Eastern Region (NER).
ii.The agenda for two-day summit included: ministerial
sessions, Business-to-Government (B2G) sessions, Business-
to-Business (B2B) meetings, startups and exhibitions of policy
and related initiatives led by state government and central
ministries for investment promotion.
iii.The summit witnessed participation from delegations representing over 80 countries: including Japan,
European nations, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members.
Key Highlights of Rising North East Investors Summit 2025:
Key Progress in Various Sectors of NER:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has referred to the 8 Northeastern states of India as the “Ashta
Lakshmi”, symbolizing eight forms of wealth and prosperity.
i.Positioning NE region as Critical Link to ASEAN: During the event, PM highlighted that India’s trade
volume with ASEAN currently stands at nearly USD 125 billion and is projected to exceed USD 200
billion in the coming years.
• The NE is now being developed as the critical link- Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the
Kaladan Transit Project.
• He further highlighted Multi-modal logistics hubs in Guwahati (Assam), Agartala (Tripura), and
Imphal (Manipur), and new Land Customs Stations in Mizoram and Meghalaya, will further
expand international trade opportunities.
ii.Transport and Highway: PM Modi also highlighted key progress made in transport and highways sectors
of the region in last 10 years like: the construction of 11,000 kilometers (kms) of highways, extensive, new
railway lines, a doubling of airport numbers i.e. from 74 (2014) to 159 (2024), among others.
• He further underscored the establishment of 1,600 km long NE Gas Grid, ensuring reliable energy
supply for industries.
iii.Education: PM Modi mentioned that so far, the GoI has invested more than Rs 21,000 crore in NE’s
education sector alone, with over 800 new schools, 9 new medical colleges, two Indian Institute of
Information Technologies (IIITs), and India’s 1st All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the NE,
which was established in Guwahati, Assam.
• He further mentioned about setting up of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC)
campus in Mizoram and around 200 new skill development institutes across the region.
iv.Sports: During the event, PM mentioned about India’s 1st sport university is being developed in the NE
i.e. in Imphal, Manipur, with significant investments were made under the Khelo India program.
• He also highlighted that 8 Khelo India Centres of Excellence (CoE) and over 250 Khelo India
Centres have been established, promoting sports talent across the region.
v.Controlling Insurgency: While addressing the event, PM Modi reiterated the GoI’s zero-tolerance policy
towards terrorism and insurgency. He further highlighter that over the last 10 years, more than 10,000
youth have surrendered arms.
PM Modi Highlighted Pilot Apprenticeship Training Programme:
On the sidelines of Rising NE Investors Summit, PM Narendra Modi highlighted about a pilot apprenticeship
training programme, which was formally launched in Aizawl, Mizoram in May 2025. This programme is led
by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), aimed to promote apprenticeship
training in the NER.
• Under this programme, over 26,000 youth from NER will receive an additional monthly stipend
of Rs 1,500 for 1 year, which is over and above the regular stipend through the National
Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
• During the event, PM also highlighted that India’s 1st ever ‘Made in India’ semiconductor
chip will soon to be manufactured in the NER, which reflects significant milestone for the
country’s semiconductor industry.
Note: In February 2024, GoI had approved the proposal of Jagiroad (Assam)-based Tata Semiconductor
Assembly and Test Private Limited (TSAT), India’s 1st indigenous and greenfield semiconductor assembly
test facility, to set up Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing (OSAT) facility in Morigaon, Assam,
with an investment of Rs 27,120 crore.
Investment Announcements:
AR Signed MoUs worth Rs 6,357 Crore with 16 Firms:
During the summit, the state government of AR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs
6,357 crore with 16 investor companies across diverse range of sectors like: agriculture, healthcare,
Renewable Energy (RE), tourism, and IT, among others.
• These MoUs were signed between the state government’s secretary of Planning & Investment
department, and representatives of the investing companies.
Key Details:
i.The state government signed a MoU worth Rs 2,324 crore with London, England based Agri-Biofuel Global
Limited to convert agricultural waste into aviation and maritime fuel.
ii.Rs 1,760 crore MoU was signed with New Delhi (Delhi)-based Developer Group India Private Limited for
afforestation and carbon credit monetisation.
• Also, the same group company signed additional MoUs for Beema Bamboo Plantation for Biofuel
for Rs 570 crore and Moso Bamboo trial plantations for Rs 55 crore.
iii.Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) Inlamobi Private Limited pledged investment of Rs 1,000 crore to establish
European Blue Valley Fragrances & Flavours, Ayush Cluster.
• While, New Delhi based Medhavi Group signed a MoU worth Rs 178 crore to set up skill,
innovation and tribal entrepreneurship university at Ziro, AR, and is expected to generate more
than 430 direct jobs.
iv.Tinsukia (Assam)-based Farm Native India Private Limited has signed MoU worth Rs 150 crore to set up
250-bed super-specialty hospital, which is expected to create 900 to 1,100 direct and 1,000-1,500 and
indirect jobs.
v.In addition to that, MoUs were also signed with New Delhi-based Zedsoftpoint for an investment of Rs 150
crore in Data Centres, IT & Information Technology Enabled Services(ITeS); and New Delhi-based
Vishwakarma & Co. for 100 crore to develop a tourism-focused hotel in Ziro (AR).
• The key focus areas of other MoUs are on: RE, bamboo processing, herbal and turmeric product
development, and promotion of spiritual and heritage tourism.
Tripura Secured Investment worth Rs 15,646 Crore through 33 MoUs:
The state government of Tripura has secured investments worth Rs 15,646 crore through 33 MoUs, which
were signed during the summit.
• These agreements span various sectors, including 5th generation(5G) technology, artificial
intelligence (AI), and digital infrastructure, reflecting the state’s strategic focus on emerging
technologies and sustainable development.
• While addressing a special session ‘IT for Ashtalakshmi: Beyond the Bits and Bytes, Into AI and
5G’, CM of Tripura Manik Saha informed that the state government has been developing dedicated
infrastructure to support AI and the 5G network in the state.
RIL, Adani Group and Vedanta Group Pledged Rs 1.55 trillion Investments:
During the summit, three of India’s leading conglomerates: Reliance Industries Limited(RIL), Adani Group,
and Vedanta Group, collectively pledged investments totaling Rs.1.55 trillion to accelerate the development
of the NER.
1.Key Investment Plans of RIL:
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of RIL announced to invest Rs 75,000
crore over the next 5 years in NER. The investments committed by RIL will cover key sectors like: telecom,
retail, RE, biofuel, healthcare, and sports infrastructure across all 8 NE states of the country.
• This investment by RIL is expected to generate over 2.5 million direct and direct job
opportunities in the region.
i.With the objective of transforming NER’s vast ‘wasteland’ into ‘wealth-land’, RIL plans to set up 350
integrated Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plants.
ii.In healthcare sector, RIL in collaboration with Mizoram University is planning to develop a care unit of
breast cancer using genomic data.
iii.In addition to these announcements, Reliance Foundation plans to work with all 8 states in the NER to set
up Olympic Training Centres.
2.Key Investment Plans by Adani Group:
i.Gautam Shantilal Adani, chairman of Adani Group has committed an investment of Rs 50,000 crore over
the next 10 years.
ii.The investment will cover sectors like: green energy including smart meters, hydro, pumped storage,
power transmission, and logistics, among others.
3.Key Investment Plans by Vedanta Group:
i.Anil Agarwal, chairman of Vedanta Group pledged to invest Rs 30,000 crore in 6 NE states namely: AR,
Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
• This investment is projected to create 1 lakh job opportunities.
ii.The investments will cover sectors like: oil and gas, critical minerals, refining facilities, power, optical
fibre, system integration, RE, transmission sectors and data centres.
iii.Vedanta and its subsidiaries have also invested in the commissioning of 300 circuit km transmission
system network which enables transfer of 1,000 Mega Watt (MW) power from Assam to Meghalaya.
Over Rs 4 Lakh Crore Investment Proposals Received:
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, MDoNER underscored that the Rising NE Investors Summit 2025 drew
the investment proposals worth Rs 4.3 lakh crore, setting the stage for NER to become India’s next
economic powerhouse.
• These investments were the result of key initiatives led by MDoNER, including 9 domestic
roadshows across major Indian cities and engagements with major corporates houses, Public
Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and foreign governments.
i.These also included Ambassadors’ Meets with representatives from more than 95 countries, 6 state
roundtables, 6 sector-specific industry interactions, and several consultations with industry chambers, and
corporates.
ii.MDoNER has constituted 8 sectoral task forces focusing on agriculture, sports, investment promotion,
tourism, economic corridors, infrastructure, textiles and handicrafts, and animal husbandry. Each NE state
has been directed to develop its own sectoral roadmap.
Other Key Points:
i.While addressing a special session titled ‘IT for Ashtalakshmi-Beyond the Bits and Bytes, into AI and 5G’,
Union Minister Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Shekhar, Ministry of Communications (MoC) and Ministry of
Rural Development (MoRD) showcased NE as India’s strategic and digital frontier.
• He further highlighted that over the last 10 years, intentional investments exceeding Rs 1.5 lakh
crore have been made in NER’s digital and physical infrastructure, with Rs 50,000 crore dedicated
to BharatNet and the Digital North East Vision.
ii.While addressing ‘Ministerial Session on ‘Green Northeast: Advancing Renewable Energy for Sashakt
Bharat’, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) underscored that the
RE sector will play a crucial role in powering the growth vision for the NER, highlighting vast untapped RE
resources of NER which includes: more than 129 Giga Watt (GW) potential from large hydro projects and
over 18 GW from pumped storage plants.
• He further mentioned that a total of 115 MoUs worth Rs 38,856 crore has been signed between
state governments and private investors in RE sector.
• Also, MNRE has allocated 10% of its annual scheme budget exclusively for the NER.
iii.During the summit’s thematic discussion topic ‘Unlocking Capital for NE Infrastructure’, Union
Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) emphasized that a
‘New Bharat is dawning with a resurgent Northeast at its heart’.
About Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER):
Union Minister- Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Constituency- Guna, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS)- Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (Constituency- Balurghat, West Bengal, WB)
Overview of VP of India Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Visit to Goa from May 20 to 22, 2025
Vice President (VP) of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar was on a three-day visit to Goa from May 20-22, 2025,
focusing on infrastructure development, scientific research, and cultural heritage.
• During his visit, he inaugurated and dedicated various projects of the Goa based Mormugao Port
Authority (MPA), statues of Acharya Charaka, and Sage Susruta at Raj Bhawan in Goa.
Highlights of the visit:
Visit of Mormugao Port:
During the visit, Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated and dedicated three projects with total financial outlay
of Rs.300 crores at the Mormugao Port.
i.He inaugurated a 3 Megawatt (MW) Solar Power Plant, with a financial outlay of Rs.18 crores at the port
in Goa, marking a major milestone towards sustainable maritime infrastructure.
• The plant, spanning over 28,000 Square metres (Sq.m) will generate over 4.5 million units of
electricity annually.
• The project commenced in March 2024 and commissioned in May 2025.
• The plant is expected to save Rs.3.8 crore for the port, which is the current total expenditure on
power.
• Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) will oversee the implementation.
ii.He also inaugurated the commercial operation of two advanced Liebherr mobile harbour cranes at
berths 10 and 11 in the Mormugao Port.
• The two cranes are of a 120-tonne capacity each, is
part of Rs.140 crore infrastructure upgradation
under a 30-year lease, a Public-Private Partnership
(PPP) model between the MPA and Delta Ports
Mormugao terminal Private Limited (DPMTPL).
iii.He also inaugurated the Covered Dome for Coal
Handling at the Mormugao Port.
• The Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Jindal South West
(JSW) company has constructed a covered dome
structure in the port to curb coal pollution.
• The total investment of the project is Rs.160 crore
• It is a world-class facility with advanced dust
control systems and has a storage capacity of 2 lakh
metric tonnes (MT).
Unveiled Statues:
On May 22, 2025, VP Jagdeep Dhankher unveiled the bronze statues of Acharya Charaka and Sage
Susruta at the Raj Bhawan in Goa to honor their contributions to Ayurveda and ancient surgical practices,
documented in the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.
i.Acharya Charaka, lived in 100-200 Before Common Era (BCE), was one of the fundamental contributors of
the ancient art and science of Ayurveda.
• He is referred to as the “Father of Ayurveda”
ii.Sage Susruta is an ancient Indian surgeon and the author of the ‘Sushrutha Samhitha’ book.
• He is considered the ‘Father of Plastic Surgery’, who lived between 800 and 1000 BCE.
About Goa:
Chief Minister (CM) – Pramod Sawant
Governor – P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
Capital – Panaji
Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) – Bhagwan Mahavir WLS
• Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala have already approved the merger, and with Maharashtra’s decision,
the path is now clear for fully integrating one of India’s most scenic and strategically important
railway lines into the national railway network.
Merger Conditions by the GOM:
The merger has been approved by the GOM with two conditions such as
• To reimburse Rs.396.54 crores, the equity contribution by the GOM during the formation of
KRCL.
• To retain the name ‘Konkan Railway’ after the merger, acknowledging its regional and
operational significance.
About KRCL:
i.Kongan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) is a 741 kilometre(km) coastal railway line connecting
Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala formed in 1990.
ii.KRCL is a Joint Venture (JV) owned by the MoR (51% stake) and four states such as Maharashtra (22%),
Karnataka (15%), Goa (6%) and Kerala (6%).
iii. It operates through a difficult terrain of Western Ghats, connecting Roha in Maharashtra
to Mangalore in Karnataka.
iv.The first passenger train on Konkan Railway ran on March 20, 1993, between Udupi and Mangalore in
Karnataka.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM) – Devendra Fadnavis
Governor – C. P. Radhakrishnan
Capital – Mumbai
National Parks (NPs) – Chandoli NP, Tadoba NP
About the Ministry of Railways (MoR):
Union Minister – Ashiwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS) – V. Somanna (Constituency – Tumkur, Karnataka), Ravneet Singh Bittu (Rajya
Sabha – Rajasthan)
NLC India Limited Unveiled New Mascot “Neyon” During its 69th Raising Day Celebrations
In May 2025, Neyveli, Tamil Nadu(TN) based NLC India Limited (NLCIL) (formerly Neyveli Lignite
Corporation India Limited, NLCIL), a ‘Navratna’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry
of Coal (MoC), celebrated its 69th Raising Day, marking nearly seven decades of service in the energy
sector.
• During the event, NLCIL unveiled its new mascot ‘Neyon‘, a lion symbolising power and progress.
Neyon will serve as the brand ambassador of NLCIL.
• The celebrations were led by Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director
(CMD), NLCIL, in the presence of former CMDs, senior officials, trade union and association
representatives, and employees.
i.The CMD inaugurated a smart automatic sliding glass door at the corporate office. This technology uses
sensors to identify employees and visitors.
ii.The event included the release of a book titled ‘The Guiding Light – NLCIL Ethics Book’, aimed at
inspiring employees to make decisions grounded in ethics and integrity.
iii.The company also set a target to increase lignite production to over 100 Million Tonnes (MT) by 2030, a
three-fold rise from the current 44 MT.
NITC Joins HERITAGE Network and Signs MoUs with European Universities
In May 2025, Kozhikode (Kerala) based National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) was inducted into
the HERITAGE Network (Higher Education and Research Innovation Tie-ups for Academic Growth and
Excellence), a consortium of 30 premier Indian and European technical institutions, during the General
Assembly of the Indian and European Universities Consortium held at Technische Universität Dresden (TU
Dresden) in Dresden, Germany.
• NITC, led by Director Prof. Prasad Krishna, highlighted its academic excellence and global
collaboration focus during the presentation.
i.During the visit to Europe, NITC also signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with:
• Trondheim (Norway) based Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
• Berlin (Germany) based Technische Universität (TU) Berlin
ii.The MoUs focus on programmes.
• Dual-degree postgraduate programs and undergraduate student exchanges.
• Interdisciplinary research in emerging technologies like semiconductor packaging and advanced
electronics
iii.NITC also explored semiconductor packaging research collaborations with the Chip Integration
Technology Center (CITC) in the Netherlands, supporting national missions related to advanced electronics
and high-tech manufacturing.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
LIMA 2025 held in Malaysia; India Showcases Indigenous Defence Technologies
Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025), biennial event, held from May 20
to 24, 2025, at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) in Langkawi, Malaysia. It is recognized
as one of the largest maritime and aerospace exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific region.
Karnataka based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bengaluru based Bharat Earth Movers Limited
(BEML) and Hyderabad, Telangana based Gliders India Limited. showcased India’s growing defense
capabilities.
Note: The Indian Air Force(IAF)’s acclaimed aerobatic team, Surya Kiran, has pulled out of LIMA 2025, citing
“the situation back home” as the reason for the withdrawal.
Global Participants and Exhibits:
i.Beijing (China)-based China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) displayed
advanced aircraft, including the J-10CE fighter jet, FC-31 stealth fighter, and Y-20 transport aircraft.
ii.Ankara (Türkiye)-based STM unveiled its Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) design for amphibious
operations.
iii.São José dos Campos (Brazil)-based Embraer SA highlighted the KC-390 Millennium, a multi-mission
transport aircraft tailored for Southeast Asia.
iv.Russia’s Su-57M, a fifth-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI)-integrated stealth fighter, made its debut,
competing with Western platforms like the F-35 Lightning II.
Key Highlights:
i.The exhibition included aerial demonstrations by aircraft of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and
international teams, including Russia’s Russian Knights and Indonesia’s Jupiter Aerobatic Team, performed
daily demonstrations.
ii.Malaysia-based Ground Team Red Sdn Bhd (GTR), a leading ground services provider, officially launched
its new Private Jet Handling service, marking its strategic entry into the VIP and business aviation
segment. This premium service expands GTR’s existing portfolio of aviation ground handling services.
iii.During the event, a new feature called the A.T.M.O.S Sphere (Aerospace, Technology, Maritime, and
Operations for Sustainability) was introduced by Malaysia. It was an immersive dome using 360-degree
projection to showcase new innovations and future themes in security and defence.
ii.Malaysia secured Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth 11 billion Malaysian
Ringgit (approximately USD 2.34 billion), encompassing collaborations in defence satellite initiatives and
the integration of artificial intelligence in aviation.
About Malaysia:
Prime Minister (PM) – Anwar bin Ibrahim
Capital – Kuala Lumpur
Currency – Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
• The Central Board has decided to increase the Contingency Risk Buffer (CRB) to 7.50%, the
highest end of the new band, based on revised ECF.
Note: RBI transfers the surplus, in accordance with Section 47 (Allocation of Surplus Profits) of the RBI Act,
1934.
Key Points:
i.The surplus transfer for FY25 was calculated as per the revised Economic Capital Framework (ECF), that
was approved by the Central Board in its meeting on May 15, 2025.
ii.This dividend is expected to reduce the Fiscal Deficit(FD) of the government by nearly 20 basis points
(bps) from the budgeted level of 4.4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
ii.As per revised ECF, RBI has expanded the buffer range of CRB range from the earlier 5.5–6.5% of the
balance sheet, maintained over the past five years (2019–2024), to a broader 4.5–7.5% range, effectively
setting it at 6% with a flexibility of ±1.5%.
• For FY25, the buffer has been set at 7.5%, marking the upper limit of the newly revised range.
iii.The Central Board with respect to the Surplus Distribution Policy has observed if the Available Realised
Equity (ARE), which is a total of capital, reserve fund, contingency fund and asset development fund, is more
than 7.5% of balance sheet size, then it may be written back from the Contingency Fund to income.
• If ARE is lower than 4.5%, no surplus will be transferred to the GoI until the minimum level of
Required Realised Equity is achieved.
• As per RBI, the ARE was Rs 4.58 trillion(6.5% of the balance sheet) in FY24.
About Economic Capital Framework (ECF):
i.The surplus transfer for any accounting year by RBI, is determined by the Economic Capital Framework
(ECF) adopted by RBI (in 2019), based on the recommendations from the Expert Committee chaired by Dr.
Bimal Jalan, former RBI’s Governor.
ii.The existing ECF was reviewed after 5 years as mandated by the Jalan Committee.
iii.During the accounting years from 2018-19 to 2021-22, due to the macroeconomic conditions and the
onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Board had decided to maintain the CRB at 5.50% of its balance
sheet to support growth and overall economic activity.
• The CRB was further increased to 6.0% for FY23 and to 6.50% for FY24.
Important Term:
i.Contingency Risk Buffer (CRB): It is a percentage of RBI’s profits that acts as a buffer against Non-
Performing Assets (NPAs) or bad loans, declining asset values, staff costs, or unexpected economic shocks.
ii.Contingency Fund :The Contingency Fund refers to a reserve maintained by governments or central
banks to meet unexpected or emergency expenditures that are not budgeted for in advance.
Recent Related News:
In April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based RBI has issued revised directions regarding the opening and
operation in the deposit accounts of minors. As per RBI directions, minors above the age 10 are now
allowed to open and operate their own savings as well as term deposit accounts independently, subject to
limits and terms defined by individual banks. These directions came into force from April 21, 2025.
Axis Bank & super.money Launched Co-Branded RuPay Credit Card for UPI Payments
In May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Axis Bank Limited in partnership with Bengaluru (Karnataka)
based super.money, a fintech platform backed by Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Flipkart, launched the Axis
Bank super.money RuPay Credit Card to offer high cash back rewards for Unified Payments Interface
(UPI)-based Quick Response (QR) code payments.
Key Features:
i.Card Network: RuPay (enables UPI transactions)
ii.Cashback Benefits:
• 3% cashback on “Scan & Pay” UPI transactions via the super.money app.
• 1% cashback on other eligible spends (excluding fuel, insurance, rent, etc.).
iii.Maximum cashback: Rs. 500 per billing cycle.
iv.Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver on transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 4,000 (up to Rs. 400 per
cycle).
v.No Fees: Zero joining/annual fees.
vi.UPI Integration: Functions across QR codes, Point of Sale (POS) terminals, online platforms, and
Automated Teller Machine (ATM)s.
SPORTS
KIBG 2025: Manipur Tops Medal Tally with 14 Medals
The Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025, India’s first national-level beach sports event, was held
from 19–24 May 2025 in Diu, Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
(DNHDD). Organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Government of India (GoI), the
games aimed to promote beach sports and identify grassroots talent.
• Manipur secured the top spot with 14 medals (5 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze), followed
by Maharashtra with 20 medals (5 gold, 5 silver and 10 bronze) and Nagaland finished third
with 13 medals (5 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze). Since all three states won five gold medals each,
the silver medal count was used to decide their final rankings.
About Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025:
i.Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, MYAS inaugurated 1st edition of KIBG on 19 May
2025 at Ghoghla Beach, Diu. He also attended the closing ceremony held on 24 May 2025 at the Indian Naval
Ship (INS) Khukri Memorial, Diu.
ii.Over 842 athletes from 31 States and UTs of India participated, competing in six medal events namely
pencak silat, beach soccer, sepaktakraw (kick volleyball), beach kabaddi, beach volleyball and open water
swimming, and along with two demonstration sports, mallakhamb and tug of war.
Mascot:
The KIBG 2025 mascot, Pearl, a dolphin symbolizing marine biodiversity, was inspired by the aquatic life
of Nagoa Beach, Diu.
KIBG 2025 Medal Tally:
State/Union
Rank Gold Silver Bronze Total
Territory (UT)
1 Manipur 5 6 3 14
2 Maharashtra 5 5 10 20
3 Nagaland 5 3 5 13
4 Haryana 5 1 3 9
Jammu and
4 5 1 3 9
Kashmir (J&K)
Click here to view full list
Key Highlights:
i.Nagaland achieved its first-ever top-three finish at a Khelo India event, securing third place overall.
• A major highlight was the Nagaland Women’s Sepak Takraw Quad Regu Team, which clinched the
maiden KIBG gold with a 2-1 win over Haryana in a thrilling final.
ii.DNHDD as the host finished seventh in the medal tally with 4 gold and 1 silver medal, with all four golds
came in Pencak Silat.
iii.Pencak Silat, an Indonesian martial art, emerged as the most influential sport at KIBG 2025, accounting
for 28 out of 46 gold medals awarded.
• Manipur, the overall champion, secured 4 of its 5 gold medals in Pencak Silat, which played a
major role in its top finish.
iv.Madhya Pradesh showcased strong talent in Mallakhamb, a demonstration sport, by winning 2 gold, 1
silver, and 1 bronze medal.
v.Open Water Swimming made its debut at the Games, featuring 5 kilometer (km) and 10 km events, where
coastal states Maharashtra and Karnataka performed well.
About Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS):
Union Minister – Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency-Porbandar, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Raksha Khadse (Constituency- Raver, Maharashtra)
• This victory marked his 1st Monaco GP and his second win of the 2025 F1 season.
• This also marked McLaren’s first race victory at the Monaco GP since 2008.
Key Highlights:
i.Norris converted his pole position into a win, despite a significant lock-up at the first corner, Sainte
Devote. He navigated through Virtual Safety Car phases and adhered to the new mandatory two-stop rule to
maintain his lead.
ii.Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, representing Monaco, consistently challenged Norris throughout the race but
eventually finished in second place.
iii.Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate at McLaren, finished in third place, completing the podium and securing
a strong double-podium finish for the team.
iv.Red Bull’s Max Verstappen employed an alternate tyre strategy, leading the race until the penultimate lap
before finishing fourth after his second mandatory pit stop.
Note: The 2025 edition of the Monaco Grand Prix was marked by the introduction of a new regulation that
mandated two pit stops per driver, significantly influencing race strategies and outcomes.
United Kingdom
1 Lando Norris McLaren
(UK)
Tottenham Hotspur Clinches UEFA Europa Title after 17 years, defeated Manchester United
In May 2025, Tottenham Hotspur (also known as Spurs), a North London (England)-based Football club
defeated the Manchester (England) based football club, Manchester United (MANU) 1-0 in the Union of
European Football Associations (UEFA) Europa League final at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.
• This win marks Tottenham’s first European title since 1984 and ensures their spot in the UEFA
Champions League next season which is scheduled to take place from 16 September 2025 to 30
May 2026.
i.Son Heung-min serves as the captain of Tottenham Hotspur and Bruno Fernandes serves as the captain
of MANU.
ii.Brennan Johnson’s 42nd minute goal played the key role in winning the title. He connected with a cross
from Pape Matar Sarr, and the ball deflected off Manchester United’s Luke Shaw into the net.
iii.Tottenham Hostpur finished the UEFA Europa League with 10 wins, three draws and two losses.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Football Day 2025 – May 25
The United Nations (UN’s) World Football Day(WFD) is annually observed across the globe on May 25 to
acknowledge the global reach of football and its impact across various spheres, including commerce, peace
and diplomacy.
• The day encourages countries to use football to promote peace, health, unity, and development,
and empower women and girls.
• The year 2025 marks the 2nd anniversary of the UN World Football Day.
Background:
i.On 7th May 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/78/281,
proclaiming the 25th May of every year as WFD.
• The resolution was initiated by Bahrain, Libya, and Tajikistan and was subsequently adopted by
170 nations at the UNGA.
ii.The resolution recognizes “the fundamental role” of Federation Internationale de Football Association
(FIFA) and regional/national soccer federations in promoting football.
iii.The first edition of the World Football Day was observed on May 25, 2024.
Note: May 25, 2024, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Olympic Football Tournament held
in Paris(France), the first global football event with participation from all regions.
Significance of 25 May:
On 25th May 1928, 17th FIFA congress, held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, decided to create the FIFA
World Cup.
Objectives of World Football Day:
i.To celebrate football’s universal appeal and power
ii.To provide a platform for shared experiences; and
iii.To drive progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
2025 Event:
The UN hosted a commemorative event for World Football Day at the General Assembly Hall in New York,
theUnited States of America (USA) on May 22, 2025.
Football Week 2025:
FIFA has launched Football Week 2025 from May 21 to May 25, 2025, a week of festivities to celebrate
football’s unique ability to connect people across places, cultures and languages.
• The inaugural football week 2025 theme is “Together, We Are Stronger”.
• The individuals, teams and organizations around the world are invited to play, watch and
celebrate football, highlighting the strength which exists in unity.
About Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA):
President – Gianni Infantino
Headquarters – Zurich, Switzerland
Founded – 1904
ii.IMCD began in 1998 through a partnership between the International Centre for Missing & Exploited
Children (ICMEC) and the USA-based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
iii.In 2001, May 25th was officially recognized as the first IMCD, achieving worldwide recognition through
the collaborative efforts of ICMEC, the European Commission, and Missing Children Europe.
Missing Children Statistics in India (2020-2024):
i.According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),
nearly 3 lakh children were reported missing during this period.
• 3 of every 4 missing children in India are girls.
ii.About 36,000 children remain untraced, indicating enforcement challenges.
iii.State-wise ranking:
• Among the states, Madhya Pradesh (MP) recorded the highest number with 58,665 missing
children, out of which 45,585 have been recovered, leaving 3,955 still missing.
• Bihar and Odisha follow next in terms of the number of missing children.
Initiatives in India:
i.Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs): AHTUs are being reinforced across all districts to combat
trafficking more effectively.
ii.Crime Multi Agency Centre (Cri-MAC): Development of a coordinated, online data-sharing platform
among law enforcement agencies to facilitate real-time communication and information exchange.
iii.Childline 1098 and Railway Childlines: The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD)
operates a 24×7 helpline for children in distress and transit point protection through Railway Childlines.
iv.TrackChild Portal: The MoWCD initiated the Track Child Portal to help locate missing and found
children across all States and Union Territories.
• It is implemented with support from the MHA, Ministry of Railways (MoR), State
Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations, Child Welfare Committees (CWC), Juvenile
Justice Boards, and the National Legal Services Authority (NLSA).
v.The Khoya-Paya portal: Developed by the MoWCD and the Department of Electronics and Information
Technology (DeitY), under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is a citizen-driven
website that allows any Indian citizen to register and report information about missing and found children.
vi.Mission Vatsalya Scheme:
Mission Vatsalya Scheme, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme(CSS) introduced by the MoWCD, carried out by
the States and Union Territories (UTs).
• Its main goal is to provide support to Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and
Children in Conflict with Law (CCL).
vii.Standard Operating Protocol (SOP): MWCD has issued SOPs for police, child welfare committees, and
juvenile justice boards to streamline rescue and rehabilitation.
• This day is part of International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW), held from May 25 to 31,
and is spearheaded by the Thyroid Federation International (TFI), a global non-profit
organization
Awareness Symbol: Blue Paisley Ribbon
The blue paisley ribbon is the symbol for thyroid awareness. The paisley design was chosen because it
resembles a cross-section of thyroid follicles, representing the gland’s structure.
Background:
i.The European Thyroid Association (ETA) established World Thyroid Day (WTD) in 2008, choosing May 25
to coincide with the founding date of the ETA in 1965.
ii.In 2010, the American Thyroid Association (ATA), the Latin American Thyroid Society (LATS), and the
Asia & Oceania Thyroid Association (AOTA) officially endorsed WTD during the International Thyroid
Congress held in Paris, France.
iii.The first WTD was observed by ATA, ETA, AOTA, and LATS on May 25, 2011.
International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW):
i.International Thyroid Awareness Week is observed from May 25 to May 31 each year.
ii.ITAW was conceptualized by Thyroid Federation International (TFI) in collaboration with Merck-Serono
in 2008 and officially announced during a press conference at the 11th European Congress of Endocrinology
in Istanbul in April 2009.
iii.The first ITAW was observed from May 25 to May 31, 2009.
iv.The campaign is endorsed by organizations such as ETA, ATA, LATS, AOTA, the Chinese Society of
Endocrinology (CSE), and the Chinese Society of Nuclear Medicine (CSNM).
What is Thyroid?
i.The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck, just below the voice box
(larynx).
ii.It is a vital part of the endocrine system, which regulates various hormones in the human body.
iii.The thyroid gland secretes hormones such as Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate
several vital bodily functions, including metabolism, energy production, reproductive functions, body
temperature and growth.
STATE NEWS
Karnataka Cabinet Renamed Ramanagara District as ‘Bengaluru South’
In May 2025, the Karnataka Cabinet led by Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah approved the renaming
of Ramanagara district as Bengaluru South district, while retaning, Ramanagara will continue to
function as the headquarters of the renamed district.
• The renamed Bengaluru South district will
include Ramanagara, Magadi, Kanakapura, Channapatna, and Harohalli taluks.
i.State Subject: Renaming districts falls under the State List (Entry 18: Land; Entry 45: Land Revenue).
ii.Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964: Empowers the state to alter district boundaries and names.
iii.No additional financial implications are expected from this renaming decision.
iv.Background: In 2024, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) did not issue a No Objection Certificate
(NOC) for the renaming of Ramanagara.
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