Stay ahead in UPSC, Banking, SSC, Railways, and other competitive exams with key updates on governance, global relations, finance, technology, sports, and more.
Governance
Supreme Court Calls for Permanent Consumer Forums
On 24 May 2025, the Supreme Court of India advocated for permanent consumer redressal bodies to streamline dispute resolution under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
Key Points:
- Purpose: Address over 5.5 lakh pending cases (NCDRC, 2023) due to temporary setups.
- E-commerce Growth: Sector projected at USD 200 billion by 2026, increasing fraud and privacy disputes.
- Legal Framework: Consumer Protection Act, 2019 introduced CCPA; 1986 Act ensures six consumer rights.
- Initiatives: E-Jagriti, E-Dakhil, Jago Grahak Jago, and National Consumer Helpline (1915).
- NCDRC:
- Chairperson: Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi.
- HQ: New Delhi.
DoT’s Cyber Fraud Detection Tool
In May 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) rolled out the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) to combat online fraud.
Details:
- Real-time transaction monitoring with banks and telecoms.
- Supports e-Zero FIR for losses ≥ ₹10 lakh (Delhi pilot).
- DoT:
- Minister: Jyotiraditya Scindia.
National Affairs
India-WHO MoU to Globalize Ayush
On 24 May 2025, the Ministry of Ayush signed an MoU with WHO in Geneva to develop a Traditional Medicine Module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
Highlights:
- Standardizes Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani interventions, complementing ICD-11.
- Benefits: Transparent billing, insurance integration, enhanced research, global accessibility.
- India contributed USD 3 million to WHO.
- Ministry of Ayush:
- MoS (IC): Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav.
- WHO:
- DG: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
- HQ: Geneva.
Rising North East Investors Summit 2025
From 23–25 May 2025, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, organized by MDoNER.
Key Outcomes:
- Attracted ₹4.3 lakh crore in investment proposals.
- MoUs: Arunachal Pradesh (₹6,357 crore, 16 companies), Tripura (₹15,646 crore, 33 MoUs).
- Major pledges: Reliance, Adani, Vedanta (₹1.55 trillion).
- Ashta Lakshmi: PM’s vision for Northeast’s growth by 2047.
- MDoNER:
- Minister: Jyotiraditya Scindia.
VP Dhankhar’s Goa Visit
From 20–22 May 2025, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visited Goa, focusing on infrastructure and heritage.
Details:
- Inaugurated Mormugao Port Authority projects (₹300 crore), including a 3 MW solar plant (₹18 crore).
- Dedicated statues of Acharya Charaka and Sage Susruta at Raj Bhawan.
- Goa:
- CM: Pramod Sawant.
- Governor: P.S. Sreedharan Pillai.
NLCIL’s 69th Raising Day
In May 2025, NLC India Limited (NLCIL) celebrated its 69th Raising Day in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu.
Highlights:
- Unveiled mascot ‘Neyon’ (lion), symbolizing progress.
- Launched ‘The Guiding Light – NLCIL Ethics Book’ and smart sliding door.
- Target: 100 MT lignite production by 2030 (from 44 MT).
- NLCIL:
- CMD: Prasanna Kumar Motupalli.
- Ministry: Coal.
Mahouts’ Village in Tamil Nadu
On 24 May 2025, Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin opened India’s first Mahouts’ Village at Theppakadu Elephant Camp, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
Details:
- 44 eco-friendly houses (₹5.6 crore) for tribal mahouts and cavadis.
- Features: Solar lighting, playgrounds, elephant-named lanes.
- Tamil Nadu:
- CM: M.K. Stalin.
UP’s Vistadome Jungle Safari Train
In May 2025, Uttar Pradesh launched India’s first Vistadome jungle safari train from Katarniaghat to Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
Details:
- 107 km route, ₹275 ticket, 4.5-hour journey.
- Part of ‘One Destination, Three Forests’ initiative.
- UP:
- CM: Yogi Adityanath.
SPICED Scheme for Spice Exports
In May 2025, the Spice Board of India launched the SPICED Scheme with ₹422.3 crore outlay until FY26.
Details:
- Aims to boost cardamom productivity, organic spices, and exports.
- Supports 45,000 beneficiaries.
- Spice Board:
- HQ: Kochi, Kerala.
MoMSME-DKPTO IPR Collaboration
In May 2025, MoMSME partnered with Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO) under MSME-SCIP.
Details:
- Facilitates patents and trademarks for MSMEs, covering 70% registration costs.
- Targets 2,500 innovations in FY26.
- MoMSME:
- Minister: Jitan Ram Manjhi.
PM E-DRIVE Scheme
In May 2025, the Ministry of Heavy Industries launched the PM E-DRIVE Scheme (₹10,900 crore).
Details:
- Promotes EVs, targets 72,300 fast chargers.
- MHI:
- Minister: H.D. Kumaraswamy.
International Affairs
LIMA 2025 in Malaysia
From 20–24 May 2025, the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025) was held in Langkawi, Malaysia.
Highlights:
- India’s MoS Sanjay Seth (MoD) showcased BrahMos missile, HAL Dornier, and INS Kavaratti.
- Malaysia signed MoUs worth 11 billion MYR (USD 2.34 billion).
- Malaysia:
- PM: Anwar Ibrahim.
India’s FATF Push Against Pakistan
On 24 May 2025, India planned to urge FATF to reinstate Pakistan on the grey list post the Pahalgam attack.
Details:
- FATF: Est. 1989, monitors terror financing.
- Pakistan: Previously grey-listed (2008–2010, 2012–2015, 2018–2022).
- HQ: Paris, France.
World Hydrogen Summit 2025
From 20–22 May 2025, Rotterdam, Netherlands, hosted the 6th World Hydrogen Summit.
Details:
- India’s Santosh Kumar Sarangi (MNRE) highlighted green hydrogen.
- MoU: Juno Joule (Hyderabad) and Select Energy (Hamburg) for Andhra Pradesh facility.
- MNRE:
- Minister: Pralhad Joshi.
WOAH’s Animal Health Report
On 23 May 2025, WOAH released its first State of the World’s Animal Health Report.
Details:
- 47% of diseases are zoonotic; avian influenza outbreaks doubled in 2024.
- WOAH:
- DG: Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran.
- HQ: Paris.
BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meet
In May 2025, the 15th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil endorsed a Joint Declaration.
Details:
- India’s Yashvir Singh proposed “30 for 30” WTO reforms and hosted a digital transformation session.
- BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
Chagos Islands Transfer
On 24 May 2025, the UK transferred Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius for £3.4 billion, retaining Diego Garcia’s lease.
Details:
- India backs Mauritius’ claim.
- Mauritius:
- PM: Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
Banking & Finance
RBI’s ₹2.69 Trillion Surplus Transfer
In May 2025, RBI’s Central Board approved a ₹2.69 trillion surplus transfer to GoI for FY25, up 27% from FY24.
Details:
- Driven by USD 399 billion in forex sales.
- Contingency Risk Buffer: Raised to 7.5%.
- RBI:
- Governor: Sanjay Malhotra.
- HQ: Mumbai.
Axis Bank-super.money RuPay Card
In May 2025, Axis Bank and super.money launched a RuPay Credit Card for UPI payments.
Features:
- 3% cashback on UPI via super.money app, 1% on other spends.
- No fees, 1% fuel surcharge waiver.
- Axis Bank:
- HQ: Mumbai.
ABSLI-Equitas SFB Partnership
In May 2025, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance (ABSLI) partnered with Equitas Small Finance Bank (ESFBL).
Details:
- Offers insurance products to rural and semi-urban customers.
- Aligns with ‘Insurance for All by 2047’.
- ABSLI:
- HQ: Mumbai.
LRS Remittances Decline
In May 2025, RBI reported a 6.85% drop in LRS remittances to USD 29.56 billion in FY25.
Details:
- Study abroad: -16%; medical treatment: -56.3%.
- March 2025: Up 10.65% to USD 2.55 billion.
NRI Deposits Surge
In May 2025, RBI noted NRI deposit inflows of USD 16.16 billion in FY25, a 9.9% rise.
Details:
- FCNR(B): USD 7.1 billion (+11%).
- NRE(RA): USD 4.7 billion.
Payments Regulatory Board
On 21 May 2025, RBI formed a six-member PRB, replacing BPSS.
Details:
- Chairperson: Sanjay Malhotra.
- Members: T. Rabi Sankar, three government nominees.
Economy & Business
Fitch Raises India’s GDP Forecast
On 22 May 2025, Fitch Ratings projected 6.9% GDP growth for FY25.
- Details:
- Employment and demographic trends.
- HQ: New York, USA:.
ICRA’s GDP Outlook
In May 2025, ICRA forecasted 6.9% GDP growth for Q4 FY25, 6.3% for FY25.
- Details:
- GVA: 6.3%.
- HQ: Gurugram, Haryana.
Slice SFB Rebranding
On 14 May 2025, RBI approved NESFB’s rebranding to Slice Small Finance Bank.
- Details:
- HQ: Guwahati, Assam.
- MD & CEO: Satish Kumar Kalra.
Science & Technology
NITC Joins HERITAGE Network
In May 2025, NIT Calicut joined the HERITAGE Network in Dresden, Germany.
Details:
- Signed MoUs with NTNU (Norway) and TU Berlin (Germany) for dual-degree programs and semiconductor research.
- NITC:
- Director: Prof. Prasad Krishna.
- HQ: Kozhikode, Kerala.
Jarosite as Mars Geological Clock
In May 2025, Indian researchers confirmed jarosite’s role as a geological clock for Mars, based on Kachchh, Gujarat samples.
Details:
- Formula: KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆.
- Records radiation doses (590–2,600 gray).
- Detected by NASA’s Mars rovers.
Agnikul’s Semi-Cryogenic Engine
On 23 May 2025, Agnikul Cosmos (Chennai) tested India’s first electric motor-driven semi-cryogenic engine.
Details:
- Uses LOX and RP-1, 3D-printed components.
- Agnikul:
- CEO: Srinath Ravichandran.
Environment
Rainforest Loss in 2024
Per Global Forest Watch, 6.7 million hectares of tropical rainforest were lost globally in 2024.
India:
- 18,200 hectares lost in 2024.
- 2002–2024: 348,000 hectares.
Asiatic Lions Thrive
In May 2025, Gujarat’s Asiatic lion population reached 891, up from 674 (2020).
Details:
- Conservation in Gir Forest.
- Gujarat:
- CM: Bhupendra Patel.
Sports
Khelo India Beach Games 2025
From 19–24 May 2025, KIBG 2025 was held in Diu, DNHDD.
Results:
- Manipur: 14 medals (5 gold).
- Maharashtra: 20 medals (5 gold).
- Nagaland: 13 medals (3rd place).
- MYAS:
- Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya.
Lando Norris Wins Monaco GP
On 25 May 2025, Lando Norris (McLaren) won the F1 Monaco Grand Prix 2025.
Details:
- 2nd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
- 3rd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren).
- First McLaren win since 2008.
Tottenham Wins UEFA Europa League
In May 2025, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester United 1-0 to win the UEFA Europa League in Bilbao, Spain.
Details:
- Goal: Brennan Johnson (42nd minute).
- First title since 1984.
State News
Karnataka Renames Ramanagara
In May 2025, Karnataka renamed Ramanagara district as Bengaluru South.
Details:
- Includes Ramanagara, Magadi, Kanakapura, Channapatna, Harohalli.
- Karnataka:
- CM: Siddaramaiah.
Maharashtra’s Mahavistar App
On 21 May 2025, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis launched the Mahavistar AI App.
Details:
- Offers crop and weather advice, linked to SATHI portal.
- Maharashtra:
- CM: Devendra Fadnavis.
Manipur’s Shirui Lily Festival
From 20–24 May 2025, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla opened the 5th Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul.
Details:
- Promotes Shirui Lily and eco-tourism.
- Manipur:
- CM: N. Biren Singh.
Important Days
World Football Day – 25 May
Observed on 25 May, promotes football’s role in peace and development.
Details:
- Est. 2024 by UNGA, marks 1924 Olympic Football Tournament.
- Theme 2025: “Together, We Are Stronger.”
- FIFA:
- President: Gianni Infantino.
International Missing Children’s Day – 25 May
Observed on 25 May, raises awareness about missing children.
Details:
- Symbol: Forget-me-not flower.
- Est. 1983, commemorates Etan Patz’s disappearance.
- ICMEC:
- HQ: Virginia, USA.
World Thyroid Day – 25 May
Observed on 25 May, focuses on thyroid disorder awareness.
Details:
- Part of International Thyroid Awareness Week (25–31 May).
- Symbol: Blue paisley ribbon.
- Est. 2008 by ETA.
Appointments & Resignations
Daniel Noboa Sworn as Ecuador President
In May 2025, Daniel Noboa (ADN) became Ecuador’s 48th President for 2025–2029.
Details:
- Youngest president at 37.
- Ecuador:
- Capital: Quito.
- Currency: USD.
Acquisitions & Mergers
Konkan Railway Merges with Indian Railways
On 22 May 2025, Maharashtra approved Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL)’s merger with Indian Railways.
Details:
- Conditions: ₹396.54 crore reimbursement, retain ‘Konkan Railway’ name.
- KRCL: 741 km, est. 1990.
- MoR:
- Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw.
PNB Sells ISARC Stake
In May 2025, Punjab National Bank sold its 20.9% stake in ISARC for ₹34.04 crore.
Details:
- Aligns with RBI’s 10% cap.
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