Current Affairs: 30 May 2025

Ace your UPSC,BPSC, Banking, Railways, and SSC exams with vital updates on national progress, global developments, finance, tech, and more.

Economy & Business

Coal Imports Decline in FY25

India’s coal imports fell by 7.8% to 243.62 million tonnes in FY25, saving ₹60,600 crore (USD 7.93 billion), as per the Ministry of Coal.

Key Points:

Non-regulated sectors cut imports by 8.95%.
Domestic production rose 5%, driven by Mission Coking Coal.
MoC:
- Minister: G. Kishan Reddy.

Drools Joins Unicorn Club

Chall, a Rajnandgaon-based pet food brand, became India’s fourth unicorn in 2025 after Nestlé invested in a minority stake, valuing it over USD 1 billion.

Key Points:

Exports to 22 countries, operates 6 manufacturing units.
Chall:
- CEO: Shashank Sinha.

FDI Soars to USD 81.04 Billion

The MoC&I reported USD 81.04 billion in FDI inflows for FY25, a 14% rise from FY24, with Maharashtra capturing 39%.

Key Points:

Top sectors: Services (19%), IT (15%).
Singapore led with 30%.
MoC::
- Minister: Piyush Goyal.

Science & Technology

Google Unveils AI Strategy

At the Google I/O 2025, Google LLC introduced ‘AI Matryoshka’, an AI-driven ecosystem integrating Gemini 2.5 models across platforms.

Key Points:

Ironwood TPUs deliver 5 exaFLOPS for AI training.
Imagen 4, Veo 3, Lyria 2 enhance generative media.
Google:
- CEO: Sundar Pichai.

Intelsat Gains Satellite Approval

Intelsat received IN-SPACe clearance on 27 May 2025 to provide C-Band satellite services in India using four GEO satellites.

Key Points:

Contracts signed with three Indian media firms.
Intelsat:
- CEO: David C. Wajsgras.
IN-SPACe:
- Chairman: Pawan Kumar Goenka.

Bharat Forecast System Debuts

The MoES introduced the Bharat Forecast System on 26 May 2025, offering 6 km resolution weather predictions.

Key Points:

Powered by Arka supercomputer, developed by IITM.
MoES:
- Minister: Jitendra Singh.

National Affairs

India’s First AI SEZ Planned

RackBank will invest ₹1,000 crore to build India’s first AI-focused SEZ in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, starting operations in 2026.

Key Points:

Spans 6 acres, with 80 MW capacity for AI research.
RackBank:
- HQ: Indore.

National Waterways Expansion

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced plans on 26 May 2025 to operationalize 47 new National Waterways by 2027.

Key Points:

Cargo to hit 156 MTPA by FY26.
Network to cover 23 states, 4 UTs.
IWAI:
- Chairman: Vijay Kumar.

Tata-Airbus Helicopter Facility

TASL and Airbus will set up India’s first private helicopter Final Assembly Line in Kolar, Karnataka, for H125 helicopters by 2026.

Key Points:

Initial output: 10 units/year.
Also developing C295 facility in Vadodara.
TASL:
- HQ: Hyderabad.

Youngest Indian Conquers Seven Summits

Vishwanath Karthikey (16, Hyderabad) became India’s youngest to complete the Seven Summits Challenge in May 2025.

Key Points:

Climbed Everest, Denali, Vinson, etc.
Broke Kaamya Karthikeyan’s record.

PM Modi’s Gujarat Projects

PM Narendra Modi launched ₹53,400 crore worth of projects in Gujarat on 26–27 May 2025.

Key Points:

Flagged off Sabarmati–Veraval Vande Bharat and opened Locomotive Plant.
Gujarat:
- CM: Bhupendra Patel.

IMC 2025 Theme Revealed

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia declared ‘Innovate to Transform’ as the theme for IMC 2025 (8–14 Oct, Hyderabad).

Key Points:

Introduced Sanchar Mitra Scheme and Telecom Awards 2024.
MoC:
- MoS: Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani.

Governance

Cabinet Decisions on 28 May 2025

The Union Cabinet, led by PM Narendra Modi, greenlit key initiatives:

Key Points:

Extended 1.5% interest subvention under MISS for FY26.
Approved railway multitracking in MP and Maharashtra.
Raised MSP for 14 Kharif crops for 2025–26.

PAI 2.0 Portal Launched

The MoPR unveiled the PAI 2.0 portal on 27 May 2025 to empower 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats.

Key Points:

Monitors 147 indicators across 9 themes.
MoPR:
- Minister: Rajiv Ranjan Singh.

Banking & Finance

RBI’s Gold Loan Guidelines

RBI proposed 9 reforms for gold loans in May 2025, including a 75% LTV cap.

Key Points:

Requires gold ownership proof.
RBI:
- Governor: Sanjay Malhotra.

SBI Life, Vidyaniti Invest in NHIT

SBI Life and Vidyaniti LLP acquired a 4.25% stake in NHIT for ₹1,100.61 crore in May 2025.

Key Points:

SBI Life: 1.93%, Vidyaniti: 2.3%.
NHIT: NHAI’s InvIT since 2021.

RBI Simplifies KYC Rules

RBI’s draft KYC amendments in May 2025 allow non-home branch updates and V-CIP.

Key Points:

Engages Business Correspondents for compliance ease.
Enhances customer convenience.

SEBI Cracks Down on Insider Trading

On 28 May 2025, SEBI banned Sumant Kathpalia and four IndusInd Bank officials for insider trading.

Key Points:

Involved Unpublished Price-Sensitive Information.
SEBI:
- Chairperson: Madhabi Puri Buch.

International Affairs

WMO Warns of 1.5°C Breach

WMO’s 2025–29 Climate Update predicts a 1.5°C rise above pre-industrial levels by 2029.

Key Points:

80% chance of record-breaking heat.
WMO:
- HQ: Geneva.

GenAI Threatens 25% of Jobs

ILO and NASK reported that 25% of global jobs face GenAI-driven transformation in May 2025.

Key Points:

Women at higher risk (4.7% vs. 2.4% men).
ILO:
- DG: Gilbert F. Houngbo.

Sports

PepsiCo Partners with Formula 1

PepsiCo signed a partnership with Formula 1 until 2030, with Sting, Gatorade, and Doritos as official sponsors.

Key Points:

Enhances fan engagement via promotions.
PepsiCo:
- HQ: New York.

India to Host Asian Weightlifting 2026

Ahmedabad will host the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships, India’s first since 1982.

Key Points:

Organized by IWLF, under AWF.
AWF:
- HQ: Doha.

India Tops ISSF Junior World Cup

India secured 11 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze) at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 in Suhl, Germany.

Key Points:

Gold: Tejaswani Sawant, Kanak Budhwar, Shambhavi Kshirsagar.
Next leg: New Delhi, Sep 2025.

Appointments

Anil Kumble Promotes Karnataka Wildlife

Anil Kumble was appointed Karnataka Forest and Wildlife Ambassador on 27 May 2025.

Key Points:

Focuses on conservation awareness.
Karnataka:
- Forest Minister: Eshwar B. Khandre.

MS Dhoni Endorses Dettol

MS Dhoni became Dettol India’s ambassador for soaps and handwash in May 2025.

Key Points:

Dettol:
- HQ: Gurugram.

Romania’s New President

Nicusor Dan took oath as Romania’s 7th President in May 2025 with 53.6% votes.

Key Points:

Capital: Bucharest.
Currency: Romanian Leu.

Awards & Recognitions

Sadhguru Honored by CIF

Sadhguru received the Global Indian of the Year 2025 from CIF in Toronto, donating CAD 50,000 to Cauvery Calling.

Key Points:

Recognized for ecological sustainability.
CIF:
- HQ: Canada.

NAeG 2025 Winners

DARPG announced 19 e-Governance initiatives for NAeG 2025, to be awarded in Visakhapatnam, June 2025.

Key Points:

Includes 10 gold, 6 silver, 3 jury awards.
MoPPG&P:
- Minister: Narendra Modi.

State News

YSR Kadapa District Renamed

Andhra Pradesh renamed YSR District to YSR Kadapa District on 26 May 2025, reviving its historical identity.

Key Points:

Kadapa means “threshold” in Telugu.
AP:
- CM: N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Karnataka’s Bengaluru South

Ramanagara was renamed Bengaluru South in May 2025.

Key Points:

CM: Siddaramaiah.

Important Days

International Day of UN Peacekeepers – 29 May

Honors UN peacekeepers’ courage and sacrifices.

Key Points:

Theme 2025: “The Future of Peacekeeping”.
Est. 2002, marks UNTSO (1948).
India: 4th largest contributor.

World Digestive Health Day – 29 May

Promotes awareness of gastrointestinal health.

Key Points:

Theme 2025: “Nourish to Flourish”.
Est. 2004 by WGO.
WGO:
- President: Geoffrey Metz.

International Everest Day – 29 May

Commemorates the 1953 Everest summit by Hillary and Norgay.

Key Points:

Est. 2008 by Nepal.
Everest: 8,848.86 m, named after George Everest.

Top 10 One-Liner Current Affairs: 30 May 2025

Union Cabinet approves 1.5% interest subvention, railway multitracking, and MSP hike for 14 Kharif crops on 28 May 2025.
RackBank invests ₹1,000 crore for India’s first AI SEZ in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, operational by 2026.
Sarbananda Sonowal targets 47 new National Waterways by 2027, with 156 MTPA cargo by FY26.
TASL and Airbus to launch India’s first private H125 helicopter assembly in Karnataka by 2026.
Vishwanath Karthikey (16) becomes India’s youngest Seven Summits completer in May 2025.
WMO forecasts a 1.5°C temperature rise by 2029, urging climate action.
RBI’s gold loan guidelines cap LTV at 75% and mandate ownership proof in May 2025.
SBI Life, Vidyaniti acquire 4.25% NHIT stake for ₹1,100.61 crore, boosting infra investment.
Google’s AI Matryoshka strategy, powered by Gemini 2.5, unveiled at Google I/O 2025.
Sadhguru wins Global Indian of the Year 2025, donating CAD 50,000 to Cauvery Calling.

10 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers

1. What is the theme of World Digestive Health Day 2025, observed on 29 May?
A) Sowing Resilience
B) Nourish to Flourish
C) PeriodFriendlyWorld
D) Future of Peacekeeping

Answer: B) Nourish to Flourish
Explanation: The theme emphasizes nutrition’s role in gut health, promoted by the World Gastroenterology Organisation.

2. Which company will develop India’s first AI-centric SEZ in Chhattisgarh?
A) Tata Advanced Systems
B) RackBank
C) Intelsat
D) Drools

Answer: B) RackBank
Explanation: RackBank’s ₹1,000 crore AI SEZ in Nava Raipur will support AI research with an 80 MW capacity.

3. Who became India’s youngest to complete the Seven Summits Challenge in May 2025?
A) Kaamya Karthikeyan
B) Vishwanath Karthikey
C) Jordan Romero
D) Tenzing Norgay

Answer: B) Vishwanath Karthikey
Explanation: The 16-year-old from Hyderabad surpassed Kaamya Karthikeyan’s record.

4. What is the projected cargo volume on National Waterways by FY26, as per MoPSW?
A) 100 MTPA
B) 156 MTPA
C) 200 MTPA
D) 250 MTPA

Answer: B) 156 MTPA
Explanation: Announced by Sarbananda Sonowal, aligning with Maritime India Vision 2030.

5. Which helicopter model will be assembled at India’s first private FAL in Karnataka?
A) C295
B) H125
C) BrahMos
D) Dornier

Answer: B) H125
Explanation: TASL and Airbus will produce Airbus H125 helicopters, starting with 10 units/year.

6. What is the LTV ratio cap proposed by RBI for gold loans in May 2025?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%

Answer: B) 75%
Explanation: The RBI’s draft guidelines limit the loan-to-value ratio to 75% for gold loans.

7. Who was banned by SEBI for insider trading at IndusInd Bank on 28 May 2025?
A) Sanjay Malhotra
B) Sumant Kathpalia
C) Madhabi Puri Buch
D) Sundar Pichai

Answer: B) Sumant Kathpalia
Explanation: SEBI barred Kathpalia and four others for trading with unpublished price-sensitive information.

8. What is the central AI model in Google’s AI Matryoshka strategy?
A) Vertex AI
B) Gemini 2.5
C) Imagen 4
D) Ironwood

Answer: B) Gemini 2.5
Explanation: Gemini 2.5 powers Google’s AI ecosystem, unveiled at Google I/O 2025.

9. Which award did Sadhguru receive from CIF in May 2025?
A) Global Indian of the Year
B) Asian Athletics Gold Pin
C) Companion of Fiji
D) Palme d’Or

Answer: A) Global Indian of the Year
Explanation: Sadhguru donated the CAD 50,000 prize to the Cauvery Calling initiative.

10. What is the theme of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2025?
A) Nourish to Flourish
B) The Future of Peacekeeping
C) Innovate to Transform
D) In Solidarity We Resist

Answer: B) The Future of Peacekeeping
Explanation: The theme highlights adaptive strategies for UN peacekeeping missions.