NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. DST Launches India’s First-Ever Carbon Capture Testbeds in Cement Sector to Accelerate Net Zero Goals: DST has launched five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in India’s cement sector, aiming to support decarbonisation in one of the country’s most carbon-intensive industries through an innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model involving academia and top cement companies.The initiative supports India’s 2070 Net Zero goal by developing technology that captures CO₂ from cement plants and converts it into useful products like concrete blocks, olefins, and construction materials, using cutting-edge methods such as catalysis, mineralization, and vacuum swing adsorption. Testbeds are being set up in collaboration with premier institutions such as IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, BITS Pilani, IISc, and others, along with leading industry players like JK Cement, JSW Cement, Dalmia Cement, and Ultratech Cement, focusing on pilot-scale industrial deployment.
2. ReNew Power Commits ₹22,000 Crore for India’s Largest Renewable Energy Complex in Andhra Pradesh: ReNew Power is investing approximately ₹22,000 crore in India’s largest single-site renewable energy (RE) complex at Bethapalle village, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, with a ground-breaking ceremony scheduled for May 16, attended by IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh.The project, located in Guntakal Assembly constituency, will have Phase-I capacities of 587 MW solar, 250 MW wind, and a 415 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), costing around ₹7,000 crore; the total capacity across all phases will reach 1,800 MW solar, 1,000 MW wind, and 2,000 MWh BESS.The investment contributes to Andhra Pradesh’s target of 72 GW renewable energy capacity by 2029 and complements recent major clean energy investments by companies like Tata Power, NTPC, Vedanta’s Serentica, Brookfield, and SAEL, amounting to several lakh crores and thousands of MWs in capacity.
3. Syndicate Bank Appoints Arun Shrivastava as MD and CEO: Arun Shrivastava has been appointed as Managing Director and CEO of Syndicate Bank, ending a nine-month leadership vacancy caused by the arrest of the previous CMD, S K Jain, in a graft case.Shrivastava brings over 30 years of banking experience, having worked at Bank of Baroda and Bank of India, where he managed key portfolios including corporate debt restructuring, international operations, and credit monitoring.His appointment aims to restore stability and confidence in Syndicate Bank, helping it navigate challenges, improve asset quality, and achieve growth amid changing regulatory conditions.
4. Shillong-Silchar Highway: The Shillong-Silchar Highway project is set to transform connectivity in North-East India. This 166.8 km four-lane highway will connect Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya to Panchgram in Assam. It is the first high-speed corridor in the region and is expected to be completed by 2030. The project aims to reduce travel time and enhance economic activity. The Shillong-Silchar Highway is a critical infrastructure initiative by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). It is part of India’s broader aiming to enhance trade and connectivity with South-East Asia. The project will facilitate the movement of goods and people across the North-East, which is currently reliant on the Siliguri Corridor.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. China Revamps Military Education with New Academies to Boost Defence Modernisation: China is restructuring its military education by establishing three new academies — PLA Ground Force Service Academy, PLA Information Support Force Engineering University, and PLA Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University — to train specialised talent for its newest branches, the Information Support Force (ISF) and Joint Logistics Support Force (JLSF).These academies will be located in Hefei, Wuhan, and Chongqing, and will begin enrolling high school graduates, aligning military training with the evolving structure of China’s armed forces.The ISF, responsible for military communications and networks, and the JLSF, focusing on nationwide logistics integration, were created after the PLA disbanded its Strategic Support Force in April 2024 as part of a broader reorganisation.China has boosted its 2025 defence budget by 7.2% to about $245 billion and is constructing a massive new military command centre near Beijing to support its goal of building a “world-class” military by 2049, with modernisation targeted by 2027.
2. Anurag Bhushan Appointed as India’s Next Ambassador to Sweden: Anurag Bhushan, a 1995 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer and currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Sweden.Mr Bhushan belongs to the 1995 batch of the Indian Foreign Service and has held a range of diplomatic and administrative roles during his nearly three-decade-long career.
3. 16 May – International Day of Light: International Day of Light is celebrated annually on 16 May to recognize the role light plays in science, culture, art, education, and sustainable development.The date marks the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist Theodore Maiman, which revolutionized science and technology.The day promotes awareness about how light science can contribute to global challenges such as climate change, health, and energy efficiency.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. The Resistance Front: India’s government is compiling a dossier for the UNSC. This dossier includes intelligence, digital forensics, and investigative findings. The aim is to demonstrate TRF’s terrorist activities and its operational links to Pakistan. Indian officials assert that TRF recruits local youth into militancy. The UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee was established in 1999 to impose sanctions on entities linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS. The committee implements travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes. Listing an entity can severely restrict its operations and financial resources. A member state must propose a listing to the sanctions committee, including evidence of terrorist involvement. The process requires consensus from all 15 committee members. This consensus requirement can be influenced by geopolitical factors, often leading to delays or rejections of proposals. TRF has been implicated in various violent incidents in Kashmir. Investigations reveal its use of digital channels for recruitment and coordination. The group initially claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack but later retracted this claim, suggesting external influence on its operations.
SPORTS
1. Srihari becomes India’s 86th Grandmaster: Tamil Nadu’s L.R. Srihari, a 19-year-old B.Com student from SRM (Vadapalani), has become India’s 86th Grandmaster, securing his final GM norm at the Asian Individual Championships in Al-Ain after nearly a year of close attempts across nine tournaments.Srihari had already crossed the 2500 Elo rating during the Dubai Open 2023 and achieved his first two GM norms at the Sixdays Budapest GM Round-Robin and the 2023 Qatar Masters.
2. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Kathryn Bryce Win ICC Players of the Month for April 2025: Bangladesh’s top all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz was awarded the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2025, recognizing his outstanding performance in the two-Test series against Zimbabwe.This is Mehidy’s first time winning the award, making him the third Bangladeshi cricketer to receive this honour after Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan.Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for April 2025, recognizing her exceptional performances during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier held in Pakistan.The 27-year-old all-rounder showcased consistent excellence with both bat and ball, playing a key role in leading Scotland to a strong and impressive performance in the tournament.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. EU and India Launch €41 Million Joint R&D Initiatives to Combat Marine Pollution and Advance Green Hydrogen Technologies: European Union (EU) and India launched two major research initiatives under the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) with a joint investment of €41 million (₹394 crore) to tackle marine pollution and develop waste-to-renewable hydrogen technologies, co-funded by EU’s Horizon Europe programme, MoES, and MNRE.The first initiative targets marine pollution, esspecially plastic litter, microplastics, and heavy metals, supporting UN Ocean Science Decade goals, India’s National Marine Litter Policy, and the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan.The second initiative promotes clean energy through the development of efficient and eco-friendly hydrogen production methods, advancing India-EU collaboration on climate action, energy security, and hydrogen innovation.Both calls are open to researchers, start-ups, industries, and NGOs from India and the EU, with deadlines in September 2025, and further joint calls are planned for 2026, including EV battery recycling and wastewater treatment, strengthening the long-term R&I strategic partnership between the two regions.
2. ‘Samudrayaan’: India’s first manned deep ocean mission to be launched by 2026 end: India’s first manned deep ocean mission, ‘Samudrayaan’, aims to explore depths of up to 6,000 meters using the indigenous submersible vehicle ‘Matsya’, carrying three scientists, with launch planned by the end of 2026.The advanced 25-tonne, titanium-hulled submersible is designed to withstand extreme oceanic pressure and temperature, marking a breakthrough in India’s deep-sea research, opening new possibilities in ocean resource assessment and tourism.An innovative technology named ‘Samudrajivah’ is under demonstration for large-scale open sea fish farming, equipped with sensors for remote monitoring of fish biomass, growth, movement, and water quality to enhance food security.Experts emphasized the integration of NIOT’s technology with marine research for a sustainable blue economy, highlighting the urgent need for technological advancements in mariculture, including seaweed cultivation and early warning systems for harmful marine phenomena.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. UN cuts India’s 2025 GDP growth forecast to 6.3%: The United Nations has lowered India’s economic growth projection for 2025 by 30 basis points, revising it to 6.3%, citing slower global growth due to heightened trade tensions and policy uncertainty.The growth forecast for 2026 was also cut by 30 basis points, now expected at 6.4%, but India continues to be one of the fastest-growing large economies supported by strong consumption and government spending.
2. HDFC Bank Launches ‘Biz+ Current Accounts’ for Growing Indian MSMEs: HDFC Bank has introduced ‘Biz+ Current Accounts,’ a tailored banking solution designed specifically to meet the evolving financial needs of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across India.The Biz+ accounts offer a comprehensive range of bundled services, including cash handling, digital banking platforms, and personalized support from dedicated relationship managers to aid businesses throughout their lifecycle.The bank’s focus with this launch is to provide value-based offerings that cater to both business and personal banking requirements, enhancing the overall banking experience for growing enterprises.
3. RBI Fines Deutsche Bank ₹50 Lakh, Yes Bank ₹29.6 Lakh for Regulatory Violations: The Reserve Bank of India imposed a monetary penalty of ₹50 lakh on Deutsche Bank AG, India, for failing to report certain borrower credit details to the Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC), violating RBI reporting norms.Yes Bank Limited was also fined ₹60 lakh by the RBI for not presenting complete and correct information regarding customer complaints in its Annual Financial Statements for the financial year 2023–24.
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