NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Mizoram becomes the first state to achieve full functional literacy: Mizoram has been officially declared the first fully literate state in India, with a literacy rate of 98.20%, announced by Chief Minister Lalduhoma in Aizawl.The achievement was supported by a comprehensive door-to-door survey in 2023 identifying non-literate individuals and their participation in literacy activities, driven by 292 volunteer teachers including educators, students, and local officials.Mizoram implemented the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, a central government initiative aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, focusing on adult education and foundational literacy for those aged 15 and above.The ULLAS program, launched in 2022 and running till 2027, includes components like Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education, with nationwide participation of millions of learners and volunteer teachers.
2. Tripura Launches Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan to Empower Farmers: Tripura government to launch Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan from May 29, as part of a central initiative to boost agricultural production, enhance farmer incomes, and reduce farming costs; the campaign will run till June 12.The nationwide campaign will cover 723 districts and aims to spread awareness at the village and gram panchayat levels about various central and state-sponsored schemes for farmers.State-level and district coordinators will be appointed in Tripura, and ICAR and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scientists will be actively involved to support the campaign’s technical and outreach efforts.
3. 21 May – National Anti-Terrorism Day: National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed annually in India on May 21 to commemorate the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 and to raise awareness about the dangers of terrorism.On May 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.In response to this tragic event, the Government of India declared May 21 as National Anti-Terrorism Day to honor his memory and to promote awareness about the impact of terrorism on society.
4. 22 May – International Day for Biological Diversity: The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed every year on 22nd May to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.The day commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 22 May 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Theme 2025 – Harmony with nature and sustainable development
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Assumes Chairmanship of Asian Productivity Organization at 67th Governing Body Meeting in Jakarta: India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025–26 term during the 67th Governing Body Meeting, with representation led by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, APO Director for India and Secretary, DPIIT.As Chair, India will support APO Vision 2030 and promote the Green Productivity 2.0 framework, while focusing on digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship across the Asia-Pacific region.APO, headquartered in Tokyo, is an intergovernmental organization with 21 member economies, including India, a founding member actively contributing to productivity enhancement and regional cooperation since the organization’s inception.
2. India hosts second Blue Talks ahead of UN Ocean Conference 2025: The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in collaboration with the Embassies of France and Costa Rica, organized the “second Blue Talks” in New Delhi. This high-level event marked a significant step in the lead-up to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which is scheduled to be held in Nice, France, from June 9 to 13.The event provided a platform to accelerate action and forge concrete commitments towards the sustainable use and protection of ocean resources, aligning closely with Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the broader objectives of the UN Ocean Decade.The event was chaired by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and co-chaired by Néstor Baltodano Vargas, Ambassador of Costa Rica to India, and Damien Syed, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy.
3. Santosh Sarangi addresses the 2025 World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam: Secretary of Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Santosh Kumar Sarangi, addressed the 2025 WorldHydrogen Summit being held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.The Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy participates in the annual World Hydrogen Summit, and the Secretary of the Ministry represents India at the Summit.India has installed over 223 GW of renewable energy, including 108 GW solar and 51 GW wind. India has set a target to achieve energy independence by 2047 and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
4. WHO Certifies India as free from Trachoma as a Public Health Problem: India has been awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva.This recognition is a testament to India’s sustained efforts in disease elimination, preventive healthcare, and commitment to ensuring health for all.India also became the third country in the Southeast Asia region to reach this public health milestone. The government has taken various steps under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) to eliminate Trachoma.
5. Indira Gandhi International Airport Becomes India’s Busiest Airport in 2024: Global air passenger traffic is rebounding strongly post-COVID-19, projected to reach 9.9 billion in 2025, marking a 4.8% year-over-year growth, with 2024 already surpassing pre-pandemic (2019) levels.
According to Airports Council International (ACI) World, five of the top 10 busiest airports are in the United States, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retaining its position as the busiest airport globally, followed by Dubai International Airport.Shanghai Pudong International Airport made a significant jump from 21st to 10th place in global rankings due to visa policy changes, increased international flights, and regional recovery in Asia-Pacific, especially China.As of 2024, New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) has emerged as the busiest airport in India and globally, surpassing Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), which recorded 52,820,754 passengers that year.
6. HCLTech Appoints Kiran Cherukuri as Global GCC Practice Leader: HCL Technologies has appointed Kiran Cherukuri as the Global GCC Practice Leader, entrusting him with the responsibility of expanding the company’s Global Capability Center (GCC) practice.In this role, Kiran will focus on leveraging HCLTech’s services, technology portfolio, and corporate functions to strengthen its partnership with over 200 GCCs in India.
7. 22 May – Internation Day for Biological Diversity: The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed every year on 22 May to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.The date commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992.Theme 2025 – Harmony with nature and sustainable development
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Exercise Raahat: Army, NDRF join forces for disaster relief excellence in Nagaland: Exercise Raahat, a joint disaster relief initiative by the Indian Army’s Spear Corps and the NDRF, was conducted at Rangapahar Military Station in Nagaland, focusing on inter-agency coordination and preparedness.The three-day exercise featured intensive planning sessions, real-life scenario war-gaming, and a lecture-cum-demonstration showcasing advanced rescue and medical response capabilities using modern disaster relief equipment.
2. Golden Dome Missile Defence System: This ambitious project aims to protect the nation from various aerial threats. The system is designed to counter advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles and space-launched projectiles. President Donald Trump introduced this concept, likening it to Israel’s Iron Dome but on a much larger scale. The Golden Dome is expected to be operational by January 2029. The Golden Dome is a multi-layered missile defence system. It integrates both existing technologies and new innovations. The system’s foundation lies in combining terrestrial and space-based defence mechanisms. It aims to shield the US from diverse threats, including cruise missiles and drones. The Golden Dome will feature low-Earth orbit satellites and advanced radar sensors. It will use kinetic interceptors and possibly space-based laser systems. The system is designed to operate during various phases of missile flight. This includes the boost-phase, mid-course, and terminal phases, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
3. INSV Kaundinya: The Indian Navy recently launched the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya at the Naval Base in Karwar. This vessel is named after Kaundinya, an ancient Indian mariner known for his legendary voyage to Southeast Asia over 2,000 years ago. The ship’s design is inspired by a 5th-century depiction found in the Ajanta caves and employs traditional shipbuilding techniques. The launch marks step in reviving India’s rich maritime heritage. Kaundinya is celebrated as the first named Indian mariner to venture into Southeast Asian waters. His journey led to the establishment of the kingdom of Funan, Indianised kingdom that influenced the region’s history. This narrative is supported by sources from Cambodia and Southern Vietnam, indicating the lasting impact of Indian maritime activities.
SPORTS
1. Shooter Kanak wins India’s first gold medal at Junior World Cup in Germany: Shooter Kanak has bagged India’s first gold medal at the ongoing International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany.Kanak, the silver medalist at the junior world championship in Lima last year, scored 239 in the Women’s 10 metre Air Pistol final to claim the yellow metal.She outperformed Anna Dulce of Moldova, a two-time Olympian and reigning European Champion, by 1.7 points. Chen Yen-Ching of Chinese Taipei won the bronze medal.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. UK Experiences Driest Spring in a Century: The United Kingdom is currently facing an unprecedented dry spell. The Meteorological Office has declared this spring as the driest in over a century. Average rainfall has plummeted to just 80 mm, lower than the typical 229 mm. This situation has raised concerns about potential summer droughts as the dry weather is expected to continue. This spring, the UK has experienced unusually low rainfall. Some regions have seen 20 consecutive days without any precipitation. The Environment Agency has classified the risk of drought this summer as ‘medium’. Reservoirs are currently in a healthy state but could be impacted if dry conditions persist. Alongside the lack of rain, the UK has enjoyed record-breaking sunshine. April was the sunniest month recorded, following a notably bright March. May’s sunshine levels also remain above average. This combination of high temperatures and low rainfall contributes to the ongoing dryness.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Grants In-Principle Approval to Emirates NBD Bank to Set Up Wholly Owned Subsidiary in India: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted “in-principle” approval to Emirates NBD Bank PJSC to establish a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) in India, making it the third foreign bank to enter India via the WOS route.Earlier, SBM Bank (India) Limited (a subsidiary of SBM Group) and DBS Bank India Limited (a Subsidiary of DBS Bank Ltd.) were issued licences on December 6, 2017, and October 4, 2018, respectively, to carry on banking business in India through Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) mode.Emirates NBD currently operates in India through branches in Chennai, Gurugram, and Mumbai and will convert these branches into a WOS after fulfilling RBI’s conditions under Section 22(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.RBI’s regulations treat WOS on par with existing foreign bank branches for expansion, and the RBI’s roadmap currently allows foreign banks to enter India through WOS mode only in the private sector, with phased acquisitions possible in banks identified for restructuring.
2. Telangana’s Composite Backwardness Index Initiative: The Telangana government is pioneering a unique initiative aimed at measuring social and economic disparities across various sub-castes. This effort stems from the findings of the Social Education Employment Economic Political Caste (SEEEPC) Survey conducted in 2024. The expert working group, led by Justice Sudarshan Reddy (Retd.), is formulating a ‘Composite Backwardness Index’ (CBI) to objectively assess the relative backwardness of 243 sub-castes identified in the survey. The SEEEPC survey represents undertaking, encompassing 3.55 crore individuals across Telangana. It collects extensive data across 75 fields, which include social, economic, educational, and occupational aspects. The survey aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the living conditions and identities of various social groups within the state.
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