NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Indore claims to have become India’s first beggar-free city: Indore has become India’s first beggar-free city through a campaign launched in February 2024, reducing approximately 5,000 beggars, including 500 children, from its streets.The campaign involved rehabilitating beggars by providing employment opportunities and enrolling children involved in begging into schools.The initiative has been recognized by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and a World Bank team, serving as a model for a pilot project to eliminate begging in 10 Indian cities.Begging and giving money to beggars are banned, with three FIRs registered for violations, and a Rs 1,000 reward is offered for reporting begging activities, with many claims made.
2. Government releases the first ever Monthly PLFS Report for April 2025: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the first Monthly Bulletin of the revamped Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for April 2025, reporting key employment indicators like Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR) across rural and urban India for individuals aged 15 and above.In April 2025, the overall LFPR was 55.6%, with rural areas at 58.0% and urban areas at 50.7%; male participation was higher (79.0% rural, 75.3% urban), while female rural LFPR stood at 38.2%.The national Worker Population Ratio (WPR) was 52.8%, with rural WPR at 55.4% and urban WPR at 47.4%; female WPR was 36.8% in rural and 23.5% in urban areas, totaling 32.5% overall.The unemployment rate for April 2025 was 5.1% nationally (5.2% for males and 5.0% for females), marking the start of a new survey phase with enhanced methodology, including a rotational panel design covering 89,434 households and 380,838 individuals nationwide.
3. 16 May – National Dengue Day: National Dengue Day is observed on 16 May every year in India to raise awareness about dengue fever, its prevention, and control measures.The day aims to educate people about the symptoms, spread, and preventive actions against dengue, especially in the pre-monsoon season when mosquito breeding increases.What is dengue?: The bite of an infected “Aedes” mosquito can transmit the virus that causes dengue fever. It typically results in skin rash, headache, joint pain, and a high fever.Dengue has the potential to be lethal in extreme cases due to internal bleeding. Dengue does not have a specific medication. Physicians concentrate on symptom management.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Emerges as Global 6G Leader with ₹300 Crore Investment and Top Patent Rankings: Over 111 research projects have been funded in India with a total sanction amount of ₹300 crore, contributing significantly to the nation’s progress in 6G technology.India now ranks among the top six countries globally in terms of 6G patent filings, showcasing its growing innovation and R&D strength.6G technology, using TeraHertz frequency bands, is expected to deliver speeds up to 1 terabit per second, making it 100 times faster than 5G.Indigenous 6G development could add $1 trillion to India’s economy by 2035, while also ensuring secure, homegrown communication infrastructure.
2. Harvansh Chawla named Chairman of BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry: Senior lawyer and international trade expert Harvansh Chawla has been appointed as the new Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reinforcing its mission to boost trade, investment, and collaboration among BRICS and BRICS Plus nations.Chawla aims to strengthen economic ties, promote sustainable development, and drive innovation across key sectors like technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, positioning the Chamber as a global leader in trade and innovation.The BRICS Chamber, a non-profit body, facilitates business partnerships, trade delegations, and policy advocacy to enhance the global competitiveness and influence of BRICS Plus economies, working closely with governments and industry leaders.
3. Neo Wealth Management appoints Shajikumar Devakar as Co-Founder and CEO: Neo Wealth Management has appointed Shajikumar Devakar as its new Co-Founder and CEO, aiming to drive growth and innovation in the wealth management space.Shajikumar brings rich experience from top firms like 360 ONE Wealth, Barclays Wealth, and Deutsche Wealth Management, having led key expansions in South India and the Middle East.Neo Wealth Management currently manages ₹40,000+ crore in wealth and ₹11,500 crore in alternative investments, backed by global investors such as Peak XV Partners, Mitsubishi UFJ, and Euclidean Capital LLC.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Neeraj Chopra conferred with Lieutenant Colonel rank in Territorial Army: Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, effective from April 16, 2025, as published in The Gazette of India. He was earlier promoted to Subedar Major in 2024.The 27-year-old Olympic double medalist began his military career as a Naib Subedar in 2016 and has received prestigious awards including the Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna, Vishisht Seva Medal, and the highest peacetime honour, Param Vishisht Seva Medal.Neeraj Chopra is celebrated as India’s greatest athlete, being the first Indian to win Olympic gold in men’s javelin at Tokyo 2020 and the third Indian athlete to win multiple Olympic medals after Sushil Kumar and PV Sindhu.
2. Exercise Teesta Prahar: Exercise Teesta Prahar was military field exercise conducted by the Indian Army in May 2025. It took place at the Teesta Field Firing Range in West Bengal. The exercise aimed to validate the operational readiness of various combat and support elements in challenging riverine terrain. It brought into light the Indian Army’s commitment to modernisation and joint force integration. Teesta Prahar involved multiple branches of the Indian Army, including Infantry, Artillery, Armoured Corps, Mechanised Infantry, Para Special Forces, Army Aviation, Engineers, and Signals. The exercise simulated realistic battlefield conditions to test the effectiveness of integrated operations. It served as a platform to demonstrate the Army’s preparedness for diverse combat scenarios.
SPORTS
1. Former England Selector Ed Smith Appointed As Next MCC President: Former England selector Ed Smith has been appointed as the next president of MCC for a 12-month term starting October 1, 2025, succeeding Lord King of Lothbury.Smith had a distinguished 13-season cricket career playing for Kent, Middlesex, England, and Cambridge University, scoring nearly 13,000 first-class runs, and later served as England’s chief selector during their 2019 World Cup win.
2. Maharashtra Leads the Medal Count at 7th Khelo India Youth Games 2025: Maharashtra continued its impressive performance by topping the medal tally at the 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025, which took place in Bihar. The state secured a total of 158 medals, comprising 58 gold, 47 silver, and 53 bronze medals. Haryana finished in second place, followed by Rajasthan in third.The event was held from May 4 to May 15, 2025, and saw participation from nearly 5,000 young athletes representing all states and Union Territories across India. Competitions were held in 26 sports disciplines, along with one demonstration sport—esports.The mascot for the games was Gajsimha. While most events took place in Bihar cities such as Patna, Rajgir, Begusarai, Gaya, and Bhagalpur, gymnastics, shooting, and cycling competitions were hosted in New Delhi.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. NASA’s GRAIL Mission: Recent findings from NASA’s GRAIL mission have revealed differences between the Moon’s two hemispheres. The study indicates that the nearside of the Moon, which faces Earth, is geologically distinct from the far side. This discovery sheds light on the Moon’s formation and internal structure. The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission aimed to map the Moon’s gravitational field. Launched in 2011, it consisted of two twin spacecraft named Ebb and Flow. They orbited the Moon and collected data on its gravity by measuring the distance between them. This innovative technique provided unprecedented vital information about the Moon’s interior.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India’s Wholesale Inflation Hits 13-Month Low at 0.85% in April: India’s wholesale inflation dropped to a 13-month low of 0.85% in April from 2.05% in March, driven by falling food and fuel prices, with the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) declining 0.19% month-over-month.Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation fell to 3.16% in April, the lowest since July 2019, primarily due to food inflation slowing to 1.78% from 2.69% in March.Retail inflation remaining below the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% target for three consecutive months allows the RBI to maintain an accommodative monetary policy to support economic growth.
2. SBI Card Partners with Apollo HealthCo to Launch Health-Focused Credit Card: SBI Card has partnered with Apollo HealthCo to launch a co-branded credit card focused on health and wellness, offering benefits on medical and pharmacy-related purchases.The Apollo SBI Card SELECT provides up to 25% value back on transactions made via the Apollo 24*7 app and select Apollo Pharmacy retail stores.As a welcome benefit, customers will receive a ₹1,500 e-gift voucher, which can be redeemed on the Apollo 24*7 app or at Apollo Pharmacy outlets.
3. Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector: PNB MetLife and Policybazaar Collaborate to Launch Pension Premier Multicap FundBank of Baroda has introduced a new fixed deposit option called the ‘bob Square Drive Deposit Scheme’. The bank has also withdrawn its special Utsav Deposit Scheme.KVG Bank launches e-Bank Guarantee serviceAxis Bank Becomes First to Launch B2B Collections via Bharat ConnectFederal Bank launches Fed StarBiz credit card for business customers in collaboration with NPCI and VisaIDFC FIRST Bank authorised by CPAO for pension disbursement
4. Canara Bank Launches “CANARA TruEdge” Suite for Institutional Banking with Tailored Benefits: Canara Bank has launched “CANARA TruEdge,” a specialized and feature-rich suite of Current and Savings Accounts designed to meet the banking needs of institutional clients across sectors like healthcare, education, religious organizations, and other non-individual entities.The suite carries the tagline “Grow with trust, lead with edge” and aims to enhance customer segmentation by providing tailored solutions aligned with specific operational and financial workflows.CANARA TruEdge offers zero initial deposit for easy onboarding, and as the institution maintains higher balances, the associated benefits increase proportionally.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Brazilian Scientist Mariangela Hungria Wins 2025 World Food Prize for Pioneering Sustainable Farming: Brazilian microbiologist Mariangela Hungria, who promoted biological seed and soil treatments to reduce chemical fertiliser use, won the 2025 World Food Prize along with a $500,000 award for her 40 years of impactful research.Her pioneering work on biological nitrogen fixation has helped increase crop yields, especially soybeans, making Brazil the world’s largest soybean producer while promoting sustainable farming practices.Despite criticisms of deforestation linked to agriculture in Brazil, Hungria’s approach improves soil health, reducing the need for forest land expansion, and she will be honoured at the annual World Food Prize event in Iowa this October.
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