DailyScoop May 22 2025 by AffairsCloud 1
DailyScoop May 22 2025 by AffairsCloud 1
AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
Table of Contents
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Detailed Content............................................................................................................................................................. 15
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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
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SPORTS
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OBITUARY
IMPORTANT DAYS
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May 21 2025
UN - United Nations
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization
MT - million metric tons
2)
2 Pakistan 8.374
3 Syria 8.006
4 Mali 7.907
5 Niger 7.776
14 India 6.41
PM - Prime Minister
GTI - Global Terrorism Index
GoI - Government of India
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India develops first indigenous MRI machine, set to be installed at AIIMS Delhi for trials
HIL Limited rebrands as BirlaNu, plans USD 150 mn investment for USD 1 bn goal by 2028
India and IBM Partner to Lead in Quantum, AI, and Deep-Tech Innovation
Detailed Content
Current Affairs 22 May 2025: Headlines
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
MoHUA Extended PMAY-U Deadline to December 2025
In May 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) extended the deadline for completing
houses sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) to 31 December 2025.
• The original deadline to complete houses sanctioned by March 31, 2022, has now been extended
to December 31, 2025, giving beneficiaries more time to complete their homes and avail housing
benefits.
About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U):
i.PMAY-U was launched by the (MoHUA), GoI in June 2015, as part of the national mission “Housing for
All”.
ii.The MoHUA serves as the nodal ministry overseeing PMAY-U. It is responsible for policy formulation,
providing central assistance, and monitoring the scheme’s progress.
ii.The PMAY-U 2.0, launched in 2024, is a continuation of the flagship scheme, which aims to provide
financial support for affordable pucca houses to urban families from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS),
Low-Income Groups (LIG), and Middle-Income Groups (MIG) who do not own a house anywhere in India.
iii.It will support the completion of houses that have already been approved under the verticals of
Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Credit Linked Subsidy
Scheme (CLSS) and In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR).
Note: Since inception, more than 92.61 lakh houses have been constructed under PMAY, significantly
improving housing conditions for economically disadvantaged groups across India.
Eligibility Criteria for PMAY-U:
To qualify under PMAY-U, applicants must belong to:
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS) – annual income up to Rs 3 lakh
• Low-Income Group (LIG) – Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh
• Middle-Income Group-I (MIG-I) – Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9 lakh
• Slum dwellers – Residents of informal urban settlements
Exclusions for PMAY-Gramin (PMAY-G):
i.Families owning pucca houses, vehicles, mechanized farming equipment, or assets like refrigerators or
landholdings greater than or equal to 2.5 acres.
ii.Households with government employees or tax-paying members.
iii.Under PMAY-Gramin, priority is given to rural families identified in the Socio-Economic and Caste
Census (SECC) who do not own a house or live in kutcha houses (non-permanent with limited rooms).
• The summit was organised in a hybrid mode by DEPwD in collaboration with Mumbai
(Maharashtra)-based State Bank of India(SBI) Foundation and Delhi-based National Association
for the Blind (NAB), and supported by Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Association of People with
Disability (APD) and Delhi-based Mission Accessibility (Dhananjay Sanjogta Foundation).
• Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of DEPwD, attended the summit as Chief Guest. The summit was
aimed to promote inclusive development and digital accessibility for persons with disabilities
across the country.
Note: GAAD is observed annually on 3rd Thursday of May, to raise awareness around digital access and
inclusion.
Key Points:
i.During the summit, a voice and WhatsApp-based Artificial
Intelligence (AI)-enabled chatbot, which is currently under
development in collaboration with Sarvam AI, was also
demonstrated.
• The chatbot is designed to enhance access to
information about disability-related schemes and
initiatives for divyangjan.
ii.During the event, Mission Accessibility released its annual
Accessibility Report Card, highlighting the current state of accessibility across India and identifying key
areas of progress and challenges.
iii.A draft curriculum aimed at integrating digital accessibility into undergraduate computer science and
design courses was officially unveiled to promote inclusive education and design practices.
iv.The DEPwD signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with multiple organizations, including New
Delhi (Delhi)-based I for Humanity Foundation, Nipman Foundation; New Delhi -based Nipam Foundation
and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC); and Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Ramp my city
Foundation to strengthen efforts towards promoting accessibility and social inclusion.
About Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE):
Union Minister- Dr. Virendra Kumar(Constituency- Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Union Minister of State (MoS)– Ramdas Athawale (Rajya Sabha- Maharashtra ); B.L. Verma (Rajya Sabha –
Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Launched ‘Depot Darpan’ Portal, Anna Mitra App & Anna Sahayata
App
In May 2025, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
(MoCAF&PD) has launched ‘Depot Darpan’ Portal ‘Anna Mitra’ application(app)
and ‘Anna Sahayata’ app, aimed at transforming India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), during the event
hosted by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), MoCAF&PD in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The launch of these 3 new initiatives marked a major step towards enhancing transparency,
improving infrastructure, and empowering beneficiaries and frontline workers involved in the
delivery of subsidized food grains under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
Key Points:
i.While addressing the event, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi highlighted India’s extensive PDS infrastructure,
with more than 5.38 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS) across India.
ii.He announced that all warehouses in India are upgraded to an ‘Excellent’ grading and for which the
Government of India (GoI) has allocated a budget of Rs 280 crore and Rs 1,000 for Central Warehousing
Corporation (CWC) and Food Corporation of India (FCI), respectively.
About Depot Darpan Portal:
i.It is a digital self-assessment and monitoring web portal
aimed to empower depot officials to systematically assess and
enhance their operations.
ii.The platform is strategically designed to help food grain
depots achieve the highest standards of warehousing
excellence.
iii.The portal will assign a Composite Rating to food grain
depots based on both infrastructural parameters like: safety
standards, environmental sustainability, statutory compliance
and operational parameters such as: occupancy levels,
profitability, and storage efficiency.
iv.Depot Darpan will create a smooth digital monitoring
ecosystem which includes Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance to keep track of
various parameters like: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and phosphine levels, fire hazards, humidity, unauthorized
entry and temperature in real-time.
• Such features will help in ensuring security and efficiency in food grain storage.
v.Also, a grading framework has been introduced to evaluate depots on operational performance (60%) and
infrastructure standards (40%), based on metrics like: storage and transit loss, space utilization, manpower
efficiency and profitability.
• Based on their performance, Depots achieving excellence will be granted 5-star rating.
About Anna Mitra:
i.Anna Mitra, a mobile app, designed to meet the specific operational requirements of key stakeholders in
PDS.
ii.Through this digital app, FPS dealers will be able to view stock receipts, access monthly sales reports, and
receive timely alerts from authorities.
iii.The app exhibits some unique features that will provide benefits to DFSO officers like: enable them to
track FPS performance, monitor and manage grievances, and access detailed beneficiary data.
iv.At present, Anna Mitra covers 4 states: Assam, Uttarakhand, Tripura, and Punjab and is available in
two official languages of India i.e. in Hindi and English.
About Anna Sahayata:
i.It is an advanced citizen-first grievance redressal platform, designed to address the grievances of
beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
ii.The platform is built on 3 main pillars: accessibility, accountability, and efficiency which uses advanced
tools such as: WhatsApp, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), and Automatic Speech Recognition
(ASR) thus, making the whole process of lodging grievances on the platform smooth and easy.
iii.Currently, Anna Sahayata covers 5 states in pilot phase: Gujarat, Jharkhand, Telangana,
Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• Also, it is available in 5 languages: Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Bangla, and English.
About Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD):
Union Minister- Pralhad Joshi (Constituency- Dharwad, Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS) – Banwari Lal (BL) Verma (Rajya Sabha- Uttar Pradesh, UP);
Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya (Constituency- Bhavnagar, Gujarat)
• The scheme was jointly launched by the Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge, IC),
Jayant Chaudhary, MSDE and Lalduhoma, Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram at an event held in
Aizawl, Mizoram.
• Rs. 43.93 crore has been earmarked for the pilot project, which includes Rs. 4 crores for
outreach, capacity building, and project implementation
Key People:
Union MoS, Lalnghinglova hmar, Ministry of Labour, Employment (MoL&E) and MSDE; Sapdanga, Minister
of Home, Government of Mizoram; Madhumita Das, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, MSDE,
Shreeshail Malge, MSDE were also present.
About Pilot Apprenticeship Scheme:
i.Under the advanced apprenticeship scheme, approximately 26,000 youths from the northeast region will
receive an additional Rs.1,500 per month for one year.
• It is over and above the existing stipend of up to Rs.1,500 per month, provided under NAPS, which
is implemented across India.
ii.The enhanced financial support is designed to address mobility-related challenges and ensure that youth
from the region can access training opportunities both within and outside the northeast.
iii.The implementation of the scheme will be overseen by Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE),
Guwahati(Assam), and New Delhi(Delhi) based National
Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), supported by
Regional Directorate of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship(RDSDEs), and local institutions.
iv.Under the pilot initiative, 1,000 youth will be trained
by 2026 through a blended training model comprising
120 hours of classroom instruction and 210 hours of On-
The-Job training (OJT) at Welspun’s state-of-the-art
facilities in Anjar and Vapi, Gujarat.
v.Welspun will lead curriculum design, training delivery,
and guaranteed captive placement for successful
candidates, while NSDC will support mobilization, pre-
screening, digital onboarding via the Skill India Digital
Hub (SIDH), and funding of classroom training.
• Upon completion, candidates will receive joint
certification from NSDC and Welspun,
significantly enhancing their employability.
vi.The initiative supports Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi’s vision of “Ashta Lakshmi” and “Viksit Bharat,
Viksit North East”, aiming to bridge the education-industry gap.
Sidelines of the Event:
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between the NSDC and
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Welspun Living Limited, to operate a high-impact initiative for
apprenticeship-linked skilling in the textile sector.
• The objective of the MoU is to build a future-ready workforce for operator roles, with a focus on
inclusive participation, ensuring that at least 50% of the trained candidates are women.
About Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE):
Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge, IC) – Jayant Chaudhary (Rajya Sabha – Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Mizoram Declared India’s First Fully Literate State Under ULLAS Initiative
On May 20, 2025, Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram, Lalduhoma declared Mizoram as the first fully literate
state in India, in the presence of Union Minister of State (MoS), Jayant Chaudhary, Ministry of
Education (MoE) at an event held at Mizoram University in Aizawl, Mizoram.
• Mizoram has currently achieved 98.2% literacy rate as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey
(PLFS) 2023–24, which was ranked as the third most literate state with 91.33%, as per the 2011
census.
Key Points:
i.The Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) initiative, under the New India Literacy
Programme (NLIP) has also helped Mizoram achieve the “Full literacy” status, surpassing 95% literacy
benchmark of MoE.
ii.The NILP, which identified 3,026 illiterate people, of whom, 1,692 people showed interest to learn.
• A dedicated team of 292 volunteer teachers, including students, educators, resource persons
played a crucial role in achieving the milestone.
iii.He emphasized, Mizoram aims to expand literacy beyond basic reading and writing, incorporating digital,
financial, and entrepreneurial skills.
About ULLAS initiative:
i.The ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP) initiative was
launched by Government of India (GOI) to provide education to adults for a period of 5 years (2022-27).
ii.It is a Centrally Sponsored Initiative, which aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
iii.It aims to empower adults aged above 15 from all backgrounds who missed formal schooling, helping
them integrate into society and contribute to the nation’s growth.
About Mizoram:
Chief Minister (CM) – Lalduhoma
Governor – Vijay Kumar Singh
Capital – Aizawl
DoP Releases Commemorative Postage Stamp for 125 Years of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
In May 2025, the Department of Posts (DoP) (Formerly known as India Post), under the Ministry of
Communications (MoC), Government of India (GoI) has released a commemorative postage stamp
of denomination Rs.5, celebrating 125 years of Tamil Nadu (TN) based Kodaikanal Solar
Observatory (KSO) at an event held in Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The stamp features an H-alpha image of the sun taken at the KSO on May 6, 2024.
• The commemorative stamp was released by S. Rajendra Kumar, Chief Postmaster General,
Karnataka Circle, in the presence of A. S. Kiran Kumar, Chairperson, Governing Council, IIA, and
Former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
i.KSO is located at an altitude of approximately 2343 meters (m) or 7,687 feet above sea level in the Palani
Hills, TN, and was established on 1st April 1899.
ii.KSO is operated by IIA, and it primarily focuses on Solar Spectroscopy, Sunspot Observations, Magnetic
field studies, Helioseismology, and Long-term solar activity.
iii.It is India’s oldest astronomical observatory and maintains one of the world’s longest continuous solar
data records (over 45,000 digitized solar images).
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting 2025 held in Brazil
On May 19, 2025, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Energy Ministers’
Meeting 2025 under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and
Sustainable Governance” was held under Brazil’s presidency in Brasilia, Brazil.
• The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Ministry
of Power (MoP), and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
About Brazil:
President – Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Capital – Brasilia
Currency – Brazilian Real (BRL)
Indira Gandhi International Airport Ranks 9th Busiest Airports for 2024-25 : ACI World
In May 2025, Montreal (Canada)-based Airports Council International (ACI) World released the Top 10
Busiest Airports by Passenger Traffic in 2024-25 list. As per the report, New Delhi (Delhi) based Indira
Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) with Airport code, DEL, ranked 9th globally. IGIA saw passenger traffic
of 77, 820, 834 and has emerged as the busiest airport by passenger traffic in India.
• Atlanta, United States of America (USA)-based Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) has topped the
list.
Key Points:
ii.The Global Passenger level is forecasted to reach 9.9 billion in 2025, reflecting 4.8% year-over-year (Y-O-
Y) growth rate.
ii.The USA remains at the forefront of global passenger traffic, with five of the top 10 busiest airports
located within the country.
iii.In the broader Asian context, Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) ranks as the 3rd busiest airport,
trailing behind Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND).
iv.As of 2024, IGIA has surpassed Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj International
Airport (BOM), which recorded 52,820,754 passengers.
Note: DEL has been recognized as the Best Airport in India and in South Asia in the 2025 UK-based Aviation
Consultancy, Skytrax Best Airport Rankings.
Top 5 Busiest Airport in the world in 2024:
Atlanta, United
1 Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson(ATL) States of 108, 067, 766
America(USA)
IIFT to Establish First Offshore Campus in Dubai, UAE to Expand Indian Education Globally
In May 2025, the Government of India(GoI) approved the establishment of the first offshore campus of the
New Delhi(Delhi) based Indian Institute of Foreign Trade(IIFT), an autonomous institution under the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• The approval was granted by the Ministry of Education (MoE) with No-Objection Certificates
(NOCs) from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and
University Grants Commission (UGC)
i.IIFT’s Dubai campus is expected to offer a range of programs, including full-time and executive education
courses, tailored to the region’s market dynamics and global business environment.
ii.It will contribute towards the global expansion of Indian higher education, aligning with the vision of the
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes the internationalisation of Indian education.
iii.IIFT’s Dubai initiative follows the 2023 launch of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) in
Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Note: Established in 1963, IIFToffers programmes such as the 2-year MBA in International Business and a
Doctor of Philosophy(Ph.D.) in Management at its campuses in New Delhi, Kolkata,West Bengal(WB), and
Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh(AP).
• The gateway is specifically designed to cater to India’s over 63 million SMBs and startup
merchants, addressing their unique payment processing needs.
Key Points:
India processed over Rs.14 lakh crore in UPI transactions in March 2025 alone, yet SMBs continue to
struggle with outdated infrastructure:
• 20–30% failure rates during peak hours
• Manual reconciliations that slow down decisions and cause revenue leakages
• Disjointed systems offering no unified control across payments and spend
Key Features of EnKash Payment Gateway:
i.The Enkash will offer a truly unified payments and spend stack, bringing together accounts payable
automation, expense management, corporate cards, loyalty programs, and now, a seamlessly embedded
payment gateway.
ii.The Gateway incorporates low-code/no-code integration, automated reconciliation, and zero-cost lifetime
support to enhance digital commerce capabilities.
iii.The Payment Gateway is engineered to deliver a frictionless experience for merchants across categories –
from Direct to Customer (D2C) brands, Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, and Business to Business
(B2B) commerce to healthcare, hospitality, education, and logistics.
iv.It ensures bank-grade security with features like Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard(PCI DSS),
end-to-end encryption, tokenization, and real-time threat assessments to protect sensitive data.
About Enkash:
EnKash is a Mumbai-based business-to-business (B2B) fintech company founded in 2018 by Yadvendra
Singh Tyagi, Hemant Vishnoi, and Naveen Bindal.
• It has as emerged as a fintech innovator by securing multiple Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-
regulated licenses, including PAPG (Payment Aggregator–Payment Gateway), BBPOU (Bharat Bill
Payment Operating Unit), and the recently obtained PPI (Prepaid Payment Instrument) license.
Star Health Insurance Launches Star Flexi variants under Super Star Plan
In May 2025, India’s largest retail health insurer, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company has
expanded its flagship health plan, Super Star, with the introduction of Star Flexi.
• The Super Star plan has sold over 1.6 lakh policies, generating Rs.580 crores in revenue within
seven months of its launch.
• With this Star Flexi expansion, three new plan variants—Essential, Preferred, and Secure have
been introduced, targeting a range of customer segments with varying healthcare coverage needs.
Key Highlights:
i.Star Flexi is a multi-rider add-on designed to enhance flexibility and personalization within the Super Star
plan.
• It aims to provide options for a broad range of customers right from first-time buyers in smaller
towns to experienced policyholders in metro cities.
ii.The three variants under Star Flexi offer varying coverage levels and features:
Essential:
i.Specially designed for first-time buyers and value-conscious customers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
ii.The coverage starts at Rs.5 lakhs, including single private room hospitalization, day care procedures,
AYUSH treatment, and unlimited sum insured restoration.
Preferred:
i.This variant is designed for urban families and professionals seeking balanced coverage with long-term
benefits.
ii.The policy offers unlimited room rent, air ambulance coverage up to Rs.5 lakh, health booster benefits,
premium return for claim-free years, and a range of additional healthcare services.
Secure:
i.It is tailored for experienced customers looking for comprehensive protection.
ii.It provides no room rent cap, air ambulance covers up to Rs. 5 lakhs, unlimited sum insured restoration, a
limitless loyalty bonus on renewals, and wellness program access.
iii.All plan variants offer key benefits such as unlimited sum insured restoration, loyalty bonuses, premium
refunds, health booster options, and access to the STAR Wellness Program.
About Star Health and Allied Insurance Company:
• It commenced its operation in 2006 India’s first Standalone Health Insurance Company.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer – Mr. Anand Roy
Headquarters – Chennai, TamilNadu
MMRDA secures Rs. 1,500 cr loan from BoM for slum redevelopment project
In May 2025, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has secured
a Rs.1500 crores bank loan from Pune(Maharashtra) based Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) for redeveloping
the slum areas along the Eastern Express Highway in Ghatkopar(Mumbai), Maharashtra.
• This will be the first phase of the Rs. 8,498 crores Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project.
• The government agency will redevelop Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamraj Nagar in
Ghatkopar.
• Banu Mushtaq became the first Kannada author and the first Muslim woman from India to win
the International Booker Prize. She is the sixth female author to be awarded the prize since 2016.
• The book was translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, who became the first Indian
translator and ninth female translator to win the International Booker Prize.
• This marks the first time a short story collection and a work originally written in Kannada have
received this award.
Note: Heart Lamp marks the second Indian win at the International Booker Prize after the 2022 victory of
Geetanjali Shree (Author) and Daisy Rockwell (Translator) for Tomb of Sand, the first Hindi novel to receive
the prestigious award.
Cash Prize:
The award carries a cash prize of 50,000 British Pound Sterling(GBP)(USD 66,000) was shared equally
between the author Banu Mushtaq and the translator Deepa Bhasthi.
• Additionally, each shortlisted author and translator received a cash prize of 5,000 British Pound
Sterling.
About Heart Lamp:
i.The collection features 12 short stories written between 1990 and 2023, exploring the lives of women in
southern India’s Muslim communities.
ii.It explores themes including resilience, caste oppression, reproductive rights, and sisterhood, rooted in
Kannada oral storytelling traditions.
iii.The book was published by Sheffield (UK)-based independent publisher And Other Stories in April
2025.
About Banu Mushtaq:
i.Banu Mushtaq has been involved in movements advocating for women’s rights and social justice since the
1980s.
ii.She is the author of six short story collections, a novel, an essay collection, and a poetry collection in
Kannada.
iii.She has won the Karnataka Sahitya Academy and Daana Chintamani Attimabbe awards.
About Deepa Bhasthi:
i.Deepa Bhasthi is a writer and literary translator from South India has translated many works from
Kannada to English.
ii.Her translation of Heart Lamp has received international acclaim, including the prestigious English PEN
Translates Award (2024).
iii.Her notable translations from Kannada include a novel by Kota Shivarama Karanth and a collection of
short stories by Kodagina Gouramma.
About International Booker Prize:
i.The International Booker Prize, formerly known as the Man Booker International Prize, is a prestigious
international literary award presented annually in UK by Booker Prize Foundation.
ii.The prize was established in 2005 as a biennial award for a body of work by a living author of any
nationality, whose work was available in English or English translation.
iii.Since 2016, the format of the award has been revised to an annual prize given to a single work of fiction
or a short story collection that is translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland.
iv.In 2024, the award was conferred on Kairos, authored by Jenny Erpenbeck from Germany, and
translated into English by Michael Hofmann.
iii.BALIC is a public limited company established under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956. It is a JV
between BFS and Allianz and a private sector insurance company registered with the Insurance Regulatory
and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in 2001.
iv.BAFDL is a public limited company established under the provisions of Companies Act, 1956. It is a 50:50
JV between BFS and Allianz and is registered with IRDAI as a corporate agent (composite) for life and
general/ non-life insurance business.
v.BAGIC is also a public limited company established under the provisions of Companies Act, 1956. It is a JV
between BFS and Allianz and is registered with IRDAI, engaged primarily in life and general/ non-life
insurance business.
vi.JSPL is a private limited company established under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1913, and is
classified as an Unregistered CIC.
CCI Approved Acquisition of Majority Stake in Nazara Tech by Axana, Plutus, and Junomoneta
CCI has approved the acquisition of majority shareholding/control in Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Nazara
Technologies Limited (Nazara) that operates as a diversified platform in gaming and sports media, by three
entities, namely, Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Axana Estates Limited Liability Partnership
(LLP) (Axana), Ahmedabad (Gujarat)-based Plutus Wealth Management LLP (Plutus) and Gandhinagar
(Gujarat)-based Junomoneta Finsol Private Limited (JFPL).
• As per the proposed combination, Nazara (Target) is actively engaged in skill-based Real Money
Gaming (RMG), organizes esports events, and offers a multi-sports content platform catering
audiences in India and the United States of America (USA).
About Acquirers:
i.Axana is primarily engaged in real estate and related activities. It also invests buys, sells, and acquires
shares and securities and other financial instruments whether listed on recognised stock exchanges or
otherwise in India or elsewhere.
ii.Plutus is engaged in the business of proprietary stock and commodity broking, trading and investments in
stock, commodities and other related businesses.
iii.JFPL works in the businesses of proprietary stock broking and trades in equity, commodity, and
derivative markets.
CCI Approved Jongsong Investments Pte. Ltd Minority Stake Acquisition in Haldiram Snacks Food
CCI has approved Jongsong Investments Pte. Limited, an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-
based Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited (Temasek), proposed the acquisition of minority shareholding in
Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP)-based Haldiram Snacks Food Private Limited (HSFPL).
• As per the proposed transaction, Jongsong Investments Pte (Acquirer) will purchase less than
10% of the issued and paid-up equity share capital of Haldiram Snacks Food Pvt. Ltd. (Target).
Key Point:
i.Haldiram Snacks Food was incorporated in India on December 12, 2022. The company, including its
affiliates, will be engaged in the manufacture and sale of packaged food products in India, like: snacks,
sweets, ready-to-eat products, dairy products, etc.
ii.Temasek is an investment holding company which covers wide spectrum of industries including,
transportation & industrials, financial services, telecommunications, consumer & real estate and others
(including credit).
CCI Approved Proposed Acquisition of Batlivala & Karani Securities Private Limited & Batlivala &
Karanu Finserv Private Limited by 360 ONE
CCI has approved Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based wealth and asset management company, 360 ONE WAM
Limited (360 ONE) (including its group entities) proposed combined acquisition of Batlivala & Karani
Securities Private Limited, and Batlivala & Karani Finserv Private Limited.
• As per the proposed combination, 360 ONE (Acquirer) will buy shareholding in Batlivala & Karani
Securities Pvt. Ltd. (Target 1) which is engaged in the business of equity broking, distribution of
financial products, and Batlivala & Karani Finserv Private Limited (Target 2) which is engaged in
the business of distribution of financial products from Saahil Murarka, Batlivala & Karani
Resources Management (BKRM).
Recent Related News:
In April 2025, CCI approved a joint proposal of wealth management company 360 ONE Private Equity
Fund and New Delhi (Delhi)-based Bharti Life Ventures Private Limited (BLVPL) to buy certain stakes in
Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Bharti Axa Life Insurance Company Limited (BALIC)(Target), a limited
liability public unlisted company incorporated in India.
Singapore’s Singtel Sold 1.2% Stake in Bharti Airtel for SGD 2 Billion
In May 2025, Singapore based Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) sold
approximately 1.2% of its stake in New Delhi (Delhi) based Bharti Airtel Limited for Singapore Dollars
(SGD) 2 billion (approximately USD 1.54 billion or Rs 13,182 crore) through its investment arm, Mauritius-
based Pastel Limited.
• The divestment is part of Singtel’s ongoing capital management strategy aimed at optimizing its
asset portfolio and enhancing shareholder returns. The transaction generated an estimated gain
of SGD 1.4 billion (USD 1.08 billion) for Singtel.
i.Pastel Limited, a subsidiary of Singtel, sold 71 million shares of Bharti Airtel at Rs 1,814 per share,
reflecting a 2.85% discount to Airtel’s closing price on 16th May 2025.
ii.With this transaction, Singtel’s total shareholding in Bharti Airtel reduced to 28.3% from 29.5%, valued at
SGD 48 billion.
SPORTS
Pankaj Advani Clinches Third Consecutive CCI Billiards Classic Title 2025
In May 2025, Indian cue sports legend Pankaj Advani secured his third consecutive 2025 CCI Billiards
Classic title by defeating Dhruv Sitwala 5–2 in the final held at the Wilson Jones Billiards Hall in Mumbai
(Maharashtra).
• The 2025 CCI Billiards Classic was held from 25 April to 4 May 2025.
• Winner Pankaj Advani was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 2.5 lakh, while runner-up Dhruv Sitwala
received a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh
i.This victory added to Pankaj Advani’s illustrious record of 28-time International Billiards and Snooker
Federation (IBFS) world championship titles across billiards, snooker, and pool.
ii.He has 36 national titles, with his latest at the Billiards and Snooker National Championships 2024.
iii.He has won 2 Gold Medals at the 2006 Asian Games (Doha, Qatar) and 2010 Asian Games (Guangzhou,
China).
iv.The Government of India (GoI) has honoured Pankaj Advani with several prestigious awards, including
the Arjuna Award (2004), the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2006), the Padma Shri in the
Sports category (2009), and the Padma Bhushan in the Sports category (2018).
OBITUARY
Padma Vibhushan Awardee M.R. Srinivasan Passed Away
On May 20, 2025, the Former Chairman of Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Atomic Energy
Commission (AEC) of India, and key architect of India’s nuclear energy programme Malur Ramasamy
(M.R) Srinivasan has passed away at the age of 95 in Ooty, Tamil Nadu (TN).
Noted Astrophysicist & Padma Awardee Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar Passed Away
On May 20, 2025, Dr.Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, a renowned Indian astrophysicist and founder of the Pune
(Maharashtra) based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), passed away at the
age of 87 in Pune(Maharashtra). He was born on 19th July 1938 in Kolhapur (Maharashtra).
• Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian
award, in 1965 in the field of science and engineering and in 2004 received the Padma
Vibhushan,India’s second-highest civilian award, in the field of science and engineering.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Tea Day 2025 – May 21
Every year on May 21, the United Nations (UN)’s International International Tea Day(ITD) is celebrated to
recognise the cultural, economic, and social significance of tea across the world.
• This day offers an opportunity to promote sustainable production and fair trade, whilst
honouring millions of livelihoods dependent on this ancient beverage.
• 21st May 2025 marks the observance of the 6th ITD.
Background:
i.International Tea Day (ITD) was first observed on 15th December 2005 in New Delhi, India, initiated by a
group of tea workers.
ii.Over the years, this grassroots initiative gained momentum and was celebrated annually on December 15
in several tea-producing countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya,
Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India, and Tanzania.
iii.The Government of India(GoI) proposed the idea of a globally recognized International Tea Day during a
meeting of the FAO Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea in October 2015.
iv.Acknowledging tea’s cultural significance and socio-economic value, the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) adopted the proposal and officially declared May 21 as International Tea
Day in December 2019.
v.The first UN-recognized International Tea Day was celebrated on 21st May 2020, marking a shift from
the earlier December observance to a more globally unified celebration
About Tea:
i.Derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, tea is the world’s most consumed drink after water.
ii.As a cash crop, it supports an estimated 13 million people worldwide and contributes to rural
development, poverty reduction, and food security.
Origin:
i.Legend credits Emperor Shen Nung of China (circa 2737 BC) with discovering tea when leaves blew into
his boiling water, creating the first cup of tea.
ii.To break China’s monopoly, the British introduced commercial cultivation in India in 1824, giving rise to
famed regions like West Bengal(Darjeeling), Tamil Nadu,TN(Nilgiri) and Assam.
2025 Event:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquartered in Rome (Italy) hosted a
joint observance of World Bee Day and International Tea Day on 21 May 2025 at the FAO Atrium.
• The event titled “Tea for Better Lives”was inaugurated by FAO Director-General(DG) Mr Qu
Dongyu.
Keyfacts:
• According to the FAO, global tea production reached 6.5 million metric tons(MT) in 2021,
with China accounting for nearly half of that output. India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka followed as
major producers.
• As per the Tea Board of India, India became the world’s second-largest tea exporter in 2024,
surpassing Sri Lanka, with record exports of 255 million kilograms, a 10% rise from 2023.
However, Kenya continued to lead globally, exporting over 500 million kilograms of tea.
• Also, India is the largest consumer of tea in Volume in the world. India consumes around 30% of
global tea output.
• The top three tea-producing states in India are: Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2025 – May 21
The United Nations (UN’s) World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, or World
Day for Cultural Diversity, is annually observed on May 21 worldwide to highlight the importance of
cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development.
• The day of celebration is annually led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), which is based in Paris (France).
Background:
i.In November 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, recognizing cultural
diversity as the “common heritage of humanity” and highlighting its role in development.
ii.On December 20, 2002, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed Resolution A/RES/57/249,
proclaiming May 21 as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
iii.The first World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development observance took place on May
21, 2003.
Culture and Sustainable Development:
i.In 2015, the UNGA’s Second Committee adopted resolution A/C.2/70/L.59, formally acknowledging
culture’s critical role in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ii.On October 20, 2005, UNESCO adopted the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of
Cultural Expressions, aiming to:
• Building sustainable governance systems for culture.
• Ensuring balanced global exchange of cultural goods and services.
• Enhancing mobility for artists and cultural professionals.
• Integrating culture into development frameworks.
• Protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Global Impact and Economic Contributions
i.89% of global conflicts occur in countries with low intercultural dialogue, underscoring the urgency to
prioritize cultural cooperation.
ii.The cultural and creative sector supports 48 million jobs worldwide (6.2% of global employment),
contributing 3.1% to global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
iii.Women hold nearly half (50%) of these jobs, and the sector is the largest employer of youth under 30
years.
MONDIACULT 2022 and the Declaration for Culture:
In September 2022, representatives from 150 nations convened in Mexico City (Mexico) for MONDIACULT
2022, the largest global cultural conference in 40 years. The outcome was the historic Declaration for
Culture, which:
• Declared culture a “global public good”.
• Called for its inclusion as a standalone goal in the post-2030 development agenda.
• Highlighted cultural rights as essential for equitable progress.
Keyfacts:
i.According to UNESCO, 89% of current global conflicts occur in countries with low capacities for
intercultural dialogue.
ii.The cultural and creative sector is a significant engine of global development. This sector accounts for
over 48 million jobs worldwide, representing 6.2% of all employment and contributing 3.1% to the global
Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
iii.Nearly 50% of these jobs are held by women, and the sector provides substantial employment
opportunities for young people under the age of 30, making it a vital area for youth engagement and gender
equality.
Upcoming Events:
i.MONDIACULT 2025:
The World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2025 is
scheduled from September 29 to October 1, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain.
ii.20th Anniversary of the 2005 Convention:
The 10th session of the Conference of Parties to the 2005 Convention will be held in Paris (France) from
June 18 to 20, 2025, marking its 20th anniversary. Key agendas include:
• Electing 12 new members to the Intergovernmental Committee.
• Hosting a Civil Society Forum on June 17, 2025, to strengthen collaboration with civil society
stakeholders.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General (DG) – Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters – Paris, France
Established – 1945
Member Nations – 194
• The day aims to raise awareness among people about the impact of terrorism on human lives and
society, and to promote unity and peace across the nation.
• 21 May 2025 marks the 34th death anniversary of the 6th PM of India, Rajiv Gandhi (1984 –
1989)
Significance:
i.The day educates the youth and the wider public about the dangerous effects of terrorism.
ii.It reaffirms India’s commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms, both domestic and international.
iii.It promotes tolerance, unity, and mutual respect, which are essential to maintaining a peaceful society.
Background:
In 1992, the Government of India (GoI) established 21 May as National Anti-Terrorism Day to honour the
memory of Rajiv Gandhi, with observances coordinated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
About Rajiv Gandhi:
i.Rajiv Gandhi was born on 20 August 1944 in Bombay (now Mumbai, Maharashtra).
ii.He became the youngest Indian Prime Minister (PM) at age 40 in 1984, assuming office after the
assassination of his mother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
iii.Rajiv Gandhi, widely recognized as the ‘Father of India’s Information Technology (IT) and Telecom
Revolution,’ played a key role in modernizing the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, which laid
the foundation for the booming IT and software industry.
• During his tenure, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) was established in August
1984 to advance cutting-edge telecom technology tailored to India’s needs.
iv.In 1991, GoI awarded him the Bharat Ratna for his contribution to India’s development.
Legal Framework Against Terrorism:
i.Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA): Empowers agencies to designate
individuals/organizations as terrorists.
ii.National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008: Establishes the NIA for cross-state terror investigations.
iii.Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA): Targets terror financing networks.
Note: On 7th May 2025, Operation Sindoor, a military strike, targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan
and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam attack (in Jammu and Kashmir, J&K) on 22nd
April 2025, which killed 26 civilians.
Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025:
i.GTI 2025 was released by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a Sydney (Australia)-based think
tank. The report ranks 163 countries on the basis of the impact of terrorism, using various indicators such
as the number of attacks, fatalities, injuries, and property damage. India has been placed at the 14th
rank with a score of 6.41, indicating a moderate but persistent impact of terrorism.
• Burkina Faso (a country in West Africa) has been ranked 1st with a score of 8.581, emerging as
the most impacted country by terrorism in 2025.
• Pakistan ranked 2nd for the first time, recording over 1,000 terrorist attacks in a single year,
with a 45% increase in terror incidents compared to the previous year.
• The Islamic State (IS) has been labelled as the world’s deadliest terrorist group in 2025.
Top 5 Most Affected Countries in GTI 2025 report:
2 Pakistan 8.374
3 Syria 8.006
4 Mali 7.907
5 Niger 7.776
14 India 6.41
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