NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Shirui Lily Festival 2025 Concludes in Manipur with Emphasis on Sustainability and Cultural Unity: The five-day Shirui Lily Festival 2025 concluded successfully in Ukhrul district of Manipur, featuring cultural events and outdoor activities organised by Manipur Tourism.Trekking to Shirui Kashong Peak was a key attraction, with around 6,000 people registered by the third day and more joining later, highlighting the festival’s popularity.The festival emphasized environmental concerns, particularly the endangered Shirui Lily’s decline due to deforestation and climate change, and called for sustainable tourism to protect the region’s unique ecosystem.
2. PM Modi dedicates the Railways Dahod Locomotive Plant to the Nation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated India’s first 9000 HP (horsepower) electric locomotive plant of Indian Railways at Dahod, Gujarat, to nation built at a cost of ₹21,405 crore.The plant’s foundation was laid in 2022 and is operated in collaboration with Siemens India, a subsidiary of the German engineering firm Siemens AG.The locomotives are 90% indigenously manufactured, with Siemens responsible for their design, engineering, and maintenance.The plant has a production capacity of 120 electric engines annually, expandable to 150, and the locomotives will haul up to 4600 tonnes, primarily for freight trains.
3. Scindia unveils ‘Innovate to Transform’ as theme for 9th edition of India Mobile Congress: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia unveiled “Innovate to Transform” as the theme for IMC 2025, to be held from October 8–11 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Delhi. The event will showcase India’s technological growth and serve as a global platform for industries, investors, and innovators.Scindia launched the expanded ‘Sanchar Mitra Scheme’, turning it into a national movement that engages student volunteers to promote telecom awareness, cybersecurity, and digital empowerment, embodying India’s leadership in Democracy, Demography, Digitization, and Delivery.IMC 2025 will feature over 1,000 tech use-cases, 400+ exhibitors, 7,000+ global delegates, and 500+ startups, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies like 5G, 6G, AI, IoT, and green tech, while facilitating investment, collaboration, and global networking through its flagship startup programme ASPIRE.
4. Lion Population Growth in Gujarat: The recent lion census conducted by the Gujarat Forest Department reveals growth in the Asiatic lion population. This is the first census since 2020, showing a remarkable 32% increase in the lion population from 2020 to 2025. The total number of lions is now reported at 891. This growth reflects successful conservation efforts and changing dynamics in lion distribution across Gujarat. The range of lion distribution has expanded . From 1995 to 2025, the area occupied by lions grew from 10,000 square kilometres to 35,000 square kilometres. This expansion includes various districts such as Amreli, Gir-Somnath, and Junagadh, with Amreli reporting the highest concentration of 339 lions.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India’s Parliamentary Delegations Engage Multiple Countries to Highlight Firm Stance Against Terrorism: The all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in the US emphasized India’s precise response to terrorist bases in Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack and condemned Pakistan’s revisionist ambitions, while calling for India’s peaceful growth and development.Another multi-party delegation led by NCP MP Supriya Sule arrived in Qatar, where they were welcomed by India’s Ambassador Vipul; members include Anand Sharma, Rajeev Pratap Rudy, and Anurag Thakur, continuing India’s global anti-terrorism outreach.The DMK-led delegation headed by Kanimozhi completed their Moscow visit, engaging with major Russian media and highlighting evolving terrorist tactics, state propaganda, and India’s demand for accountability for cross-border terror attacks.Other delegations led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha (South Korea), Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde (DR Congo), Baijayant Panda (Bahrain), and BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad (Europe) continue diplomatic visits, reinforcing India’s firm zero-tolerance stance against terrorism worldwide.
2. 25 May – World Football Day: Football Day is observed every year on 25th May, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in May 2024.The day aims to promote peace, unity, and global cooperation through the universal love of football, recognizing its role in development and diplomacy.The UNGA resolution was co-sponsored by over 80 countries, including major footballing nations like Brazil, Argentina, and Russia.2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions, which took place on May 25, 1924, during the summer Olympic games held in Paris.
3. 25 – 31 May – International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories: The United Nations observes this week each year from 25 to 31 May to express global solidarity with the peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories—territories that have not yet achieved full political independence or self-government.It reaffirms the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, supporting the right of these territories to self-government and political independence.
4. 24 May – World Schizophrenia Awareness Day: World Schizophrenia Awareness Day is observed every year on 24 May to raise awareness about schizophrenia, reduce the stigma, and promote better understanding of mental health.Theme 2025- Rethink the Label: Reclaim the StorySchizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It often involves hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive difficulties.The day honours the efforts of medical professionals, caregivers, and organisations working to improve the lives of people living with schizophrenia through early diagnosis, treatment, and community support.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57E Fighter Jet Challenges: The Sukhoi Su-57E represents Russia’s ambition to compete in the global fifth-generation fighter market. Despite efforts to promote this aircraft, challenges persist. The recent Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025) in Malaysia brought into light these difficulties. The expected showcase of the Sukhoi Su-57E did not materialise, as only a scale model was displayed. This absence raises critical questions about the aircraft’s readiness for export. The Sukhoi Su-57E is the export version of the Su-57. It aims to rival advanced fighters like the F-22 and F-35. This aircraft is designed for stealth and supermaneuverability. It is equipped with long-range air-to-air missiles, such as the R-37M, capable of hitting targets up to 400 kilometres away. Russia positions the Su-57E as a potential game-changer in the global defence market.
SPORTS
1. Novak Djokovic Clinches Historic 100th ATP Singles Title at Geneva Open: Star tennis player, Novak Djokovic made history as he clinched his 100th ATP singles title.The 38-year-old Serb bagged the 100th title of his stellar career after beating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz to win the Geneva Open Men’s Singles.At 38 years old, Novak Djokovic became only the third male player in the Open Era to win 100 ATP singles titles, joining Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
2. Manipur Tops Medal Tally at Inaugural Khelo India Beach Games 2025: Manipur topped the medal tally at the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games 2025 with a total of 14 medals, including 5 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze medals.The first edition of the Khelo India Beach Games was hosted by the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, with the closing ceremony held at the INS Khukri Memorial in Diu.The event featured six competitive sports — Pencak Silat, Beach Soccer, Sepaktakraw, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Volleyball, and Open Water Swimming — along with two demonstration sports: Tug of War and Mallakhamb.A total of 811 athletes from 31 States and Union Territories participated, and the mascot for the event was Pearl, a dolphin commonly found at Nagoa beach.
3. Mahendra Gurjar Sets New World Record in F42 Javelin at Nottwil Para Athletics Grand Prix: Indian para-athlete Mahendra Gurjar set a new world record in the men’s F42 javelin category with a throw of 61.17 meters at the Nottwil World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Switzerland, breaking the previous record of 59.19 meters set in 2022.Gurjar also won gold in the long jump T42 event with a 5.59m leap, marking his debut in the event and becoming Asia’s top-ranked athlete in that category.Tejaswani Wins Gold in Women’s 25m Pistol: Indian shooter Tejaswani won the gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol event at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 held in Suhl, Germany.She scored a total of 31 points after firing five shots in the eight-women final, securing India’s top position in the event.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Jitendra Singh launches indigenous Bharat Forecast System with 6-km resolution: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the Bharat Forecast System, an indigenously developed high-resolution weather forecast model with 6-km resolution, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.Developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, this system improves India’s weather forecast detail from 12 km to 6 km, enabling more accurate village-level forecasts.Using the advanced ‘Triangular Cubic Octahedral Grid model,’ the system enhances real-time weather predictions, showing a 30% better forecast of extreme rainfall and 64% improvement in core monsoon zones.
2. New Method to Detect Topological Invariants in Quantum Materials: Recent advancements in quantum materials research have revealed a novel method for identifying topological invariants. These invariants are properties of topological spaces that remain unchanged through continuous transformations. Topological materials are crucial for the development of technologies such as quantum computing and energy-efficient systems. However, their unique properties have historically been difficult to detect. Topological invariants are fundamental characteristics that define the shape of materials at the quantum level. They are not influenced by external appearances but are intrinsic to the material’s structure. A common analogy is the comparison between a donut and a coffee cup. Both have one hole and are thus topologically equivalent. In contrast, a wada and an idli are not equivalent due to differing hole counts.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India beats Japan, now fourth-largest economy: NITI CEO Subrahmanyam: India, with a GDP of $4.187 trillion, has surpassed Japan’s $4.186 trillion to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, as stated by NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam.The announcement came after the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting held in New Delhi, chaired by the Prime Minister.The IMF’s April 2025 ‘World Economic Outlook’ report predicted India would overtake Japan in 2025 and Germany by 2028 to become the third-largest economy globally.Despite India’s economic growth, a significant gap remains in per capita income, with Japan at $33,960 and India at $2,880; India’s economy is projected to grow around 6.2%-6.3% annually through 2026-27. Top 10 Largest Economies in the WorldAccording to the IMF, the top 10 largest economies in the world in 2025 are as follows. All the data are in US dollars, and GDP at market price.
2. Getepay Secures RBI Approval as Online Payment Aggregator: Getepay has become the first fintech company from Rajasthan to receive final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online payment aggregator, marking a major milestone for the firm and the fintech ecosystem.With this RBI approval, Getepay aims to expand its digital payment and commerce tools to millions of merchants, especially in Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural India, supporting over 1.5 million MSMEs and accelerating their formalisation.
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