NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. September 23 Declared as New Ayurveda Day to Align with Global Consistency and Ayurvedic Philosophy: The Government of India has officially designated 23rd September as Ayurveda Day from 2025 onwards, replacing the previously variable date of Dhanteras to ensure consistency and enhance global visibility.This change was announced through a Gazette Notification dated 23rd March 2025, following the recommendation of an expert committee formed by the Ministry of AYUSH.September 23 coincides with the autumnal equinox, symbolizing natural balance—reflecting Ayurveda’s core principle of harmony between mind, body, and spirit.The Ministry of AYUSH encourages individuals, professionals, and global partners to actively celebrate Ayurveda Day on this fixed date, aiming to strengthen its position in global health discourse.
2. Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates First 3nm Chip Design Centres: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has inaugurated India’s first 3nm chip design centres in Noida and Bengaluru, established by Renesas Electronics India, signaling India’s entry into the elite group of nations at the forefront of advanced chip technology.The centres are part of the government’s strategy to build a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem, covering design, fabrication, ATMP, and supply chain components, alongside nurturing a skilled talent pool for the industry.Vaishnaw also launched a semiconductor learning kit to boost practical hardware skills among engineering students, complementing access to EDA tools provided under the India Semiconductor Mission to over 270 academic institutions.
3. MP, Maharashtra ink MoU for Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project, aiming to address regional water needs in both States.The project will divert water from the Tapti River (originating in Betul, Madhya Pradesh) to meet drinking water requirements for northeastern Maharashtra and provide irrigation support to southern and southeastern districts of Madhya Pradesh.The project is expected to benefit 5.78 lakh acres of land and provide permanent irrigation for over 3 lakh hectares across both states, with a total water allocation of 31.13 TMC—11.76 TMC for Madhya Pradesh and 19.36 TMC for Maharashtra.
The estimated project cost is ₹19,244 crores, with 90% funding expected from the Union government. The initiative has been described as the “world’s largest recharge scheme” by Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
4. MP approves Rs. 47 crore plans to tackle human-elephant conflict: Madhya Pradesh state cabinet approved a 47 crore initiative to address human-elephant conflict in southern regions, focusing on protecting rural communities and wildlife in areas like Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserves.Local farmers and rural populations will receive training to safely manage elephant encounters, using chili-based barriers, citrus plantations, bee-hive fences, and trip alarms to deter elephants from farmlands and settlements.The Forest Department will employ AI and satellite-based tracking, radio bulletins, WhatsApp alerts, and a 24×7 control room to monitor elephant movements and provide real-time warnings to at-risk communities.
5. Justice B.R. Gavai Sworn In as 52nd Chief Justice of India: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai takes oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna.Born on 24th November 1960 in Amravati, Justice Gavai began his legal career in 1985 and became a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court in 2005.He was elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019, and over six years, served on around 700 Benches, handling cases related to constitutional, civil, criminal, and commercial laws.Justice Gavai is the second Chief Justice of India from the Scheduled Caste community, following Justice K G Balakrishnan, and his tenure will conclude in November 2025.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. CCI approves the proposed acquisition of shareholding in EPL Limited by Indorama Netherlands B.V.: The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of shareholding in EPL Limited by Indorama Netherlands B.V.The proposed combination envisages the purchase of 24.9% equity share capital of EPL Limited by Indorama Netherlands B.V.Indorama Netherlands B.V. is a limited liability company established in the Netherlands. It is an indirect subsidiary of Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited.EPL Limited is engaged in the business of manufacturing and sale of packaging products, including laminated and extruded plastic tubes
2. World’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant opens in Denmark: The world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant has started operations in Kasso, Denmark, producing 42,000 metric tons annually using renewable energy and captured CO₂.Shipping giant Maersk, which operates 13 dual-fuel container vessels and has ordered 13 more, will use the plant’s low-emission e-methanol to power its ships, reducing carbon output.Despite high current costs, producers expect e-methanol to match fossil methanol prices by 2035, advancing the shipping industry’s transition toward zero-emission fuels.
3. 12 -18 May – UN Global Road Safety Week 2025: UN Global Road Safety Week 2025 is being observed from May 12 to 18 to raise awareness about road safety and promote efforts to reduce road traffic accidents globally.Theme 205 – Rethink Mobility: Make Walking and Cycling SafeDuring the week, various activities and campaigns are organised by governments, organisations, and civil society groups to promote safe road behavior and advocate for road safety policies.The goal of the initiative is to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries caused by road accidents, with a particular focus on achieving the global target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030.
4. Afrikaners: A group of Afrikaners arrived in the United States as refugees. This move was facilitated by the Trump administration, which expedited their applications for citizenship. The Afrikaners, who are white South Africans, travelled from Johannesburg on a government-sponsored charter flight. Their arrival has sparked debate regarding their refugee status and the broader implications for US-South Africa relations. Afrikaners are descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa, dating back to the 17th century. They primarily speak Afrikaans, a language derived from Dutch. Comprising about 7% of South Africa’s population, Afrikaners hold a disproportionate amount of land ownership, approximately 70%. Most Afrikaners are engaged in agriculture.
5. India’s Financial Support to the Maldives: A Treasury Bill (T-bill) “rollover” means using the amount received from a maturing T-bill to purchase a new one, thereby continuing the investment for another term. This decision came at the request of the Maldivian government, amid rising economic challenges. Both India and China are the Maldives’ primary creditors, competing for influence in this strategically important Indian Ocean nation. The Maldives faces substantial debt, with public debt exceeding 134% of its GDP. India’s State Bank has rolled over its subscription to a Treasury Bill for another year. This financial support is part of a government-to-government arrangement aimed at providing emergency assistance.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Delhi Police Launches ‘Nayi Disha’ Initiative to Help School Dropouts Rejoin Education: Delhi Police has launched “Nayi Disha”, a community outreach program to help school dropouts—especially children and teenagers—return to formal education or join skill-based training programs.Local police stations, in collaboration with NGOs and education departments, will identify out-of-school youth and connect them with nearby schools, open schooling options like NIOS, or suitable vocational courses.The initiative offers counselling, educational support, and skill training such as basic computer skills, spoken English, and job-oriented programs to ensure youth are either educated or employment-ready.
2. Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar Appointed UPSC Chairman: Former defence secretary Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the new chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), following the completion of Preeti Sudan’s tenure on April 29, 2025.Ajay Kumar, a retired 1985-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, served as the defence secretary from August 23, 2019, to October 31, 2022.The UPSC — which conducts civil services examinations to select officers for the IAS, Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others — is headed by a chairman and can have a maximum of 10 members.A UPSC chairman is appointed for a term of six years or until attaining 65 years of age.
3. India’s New Counter-Terrorism Doctrine: India’s counter-terrorism strategy has evolved in recent years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a new doctrine that focuses on a robust response to terrorism. This approach has set a new benchmark for India’s military and strategic operations against terrorism, particularly concerning Pakistan. The new doctrine rests on three crucial elements – a response dictated by India, zero tolerance for terrorism masked by nuclear threats, and no distinction between terrorists and their state sponsors. The Indian government has made it clear that India will respond decisively to any terrorist activities, challenging the notion of nuclear blackmail used by Pakistan.
4. Regulating Autonomous Weapons Systems: Autonomous weapons systems can select and engage targets without human intervention. They use algorithms and sensor data to make life-and-death decisions. This technology has advanced rapidly, leading to concerns about accountability and ethical implications. Countries like Russia and Israel have already deployed these systems in active conflict zones. Since 2014, nations have been meeting under the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) to discuss potential regulations. However, progress has been slow. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has set a 2026 deadline for establishing clear rules. Many countries support a binding global framework while others prefer national guidelines.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Weather Balloons: Recent developments in meteorological practices have emerged due to budget cuts affecting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Trump administration’s decision to reduce NOAA’s budget by 25% has led to decrease in weather balloon launches across the United States. In response, a Silicon Valley startup plans to replace traditional weather balloons with AI-powered alternatives. This shift is poised to alter how upper air observations are conducted, impacting weather forecasting globally. The tradition of upper air observations dates back to the 18th century. In 1749, students in Glasgow first used kites to measure high-altitude temperatures. This method evolved, with meteorologists employing kites to carry instruments for measuring atmospheric conditions. The invention of hot air balloons in the 1780s allowed scientists to ascend to greater heights for data collection, although early manned flights were perilous.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Retail inflation drops to 3.16% in April 2025: According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation stood at 3.16% in April, down from 3.34% in March 2025 and significantly lower than 4.83% recorded in April 2024.This decline of 18 basis points from March makes April’s inflation the lowest year-on-year reading since July 2019.The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI)-based food inflation fell to 1.78% in April from 2.69% in March. This is the lowest food inflation since October 2021. The food price easing is largely attributed to lower inflation in vegetables, pulses, fruits, cereals, meat and fish, and personal care items.
2. Global Shipping Emissions Levy: The maritime industry is undergoing changes to address climate change. The International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee recently voted on a new emissions levy. This decision marks a very important moment in global shipping regulations. The proposed Market-Based Measure (MBM) aims to balance environmental needs with economic fairness. The MEPC-83 voted 63 to 16 in favour of Singapore’s hybrid model as the Net Zero Framework. This makes international shipping the first global industry to adopt a mandatory emissions levy. However, the decision is not final. It requires amending Annex VI of the MARPOL convention, which will undergo a six-month review. A two-thirds majority is needed for final adoption. Currently, the outcome remains uncertain due to abstentions and potential objections from member states.
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