Daily Current Affairs

CESHS (Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies; autonomous body under DST, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh) successfully drilled the Northeast Region’s first geothermal production well in Dirang village, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, supported by MoES. International collaborators: Norway Geotechnical Institute (NGI, Oslo), Gerotherpy hf (Iceland), and Guwahati Boring Service (Assam).

• System uses a closed-loop binary Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) — vaporises organic fluid using geothermal heat to drive a turbine and generate electricity
• Reservoir temperature at Dirang: ~115°C — suitable for direct-use geothermal technologies
• Beyond power: supports agricultural drying (fruits, nuts, meat), space heating, and controlled-environment storage
• Successful expansion could make Dirang India’s first geothermally powered town

The Government of Himachal Pradesh formally designated Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve (CR) in Spiti Valley, HP as India’s largest conservation reserve under Section 36A(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Area: 1,585 sq. km
• Boundaries: UT Ladakh (north) | Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary (east) | Kabjima Nala (south) | Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary (west)
• 5th Conservation Reserve of HP — after Shilli, Naina Devi, Darlaghat, and Potter Hills CRs
• Hosts high density of Snow Leopards — “the ghost of the mountains”
• Managed by a Conservation Reserve Management Committee (CRMC) including local panchayat representatives

Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital signed an MoU with Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun (a DRDO lab) to jointly strengthen India’s ground-based Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities.

• ARIES will provide access to its 3.6-metre Devasthal Optical Telescope and Stratosphere-Troposphere (ST) Radar system
• Will develop Electro-Optical surveillance systems for defence platforms and integrate AI/ML-based image processing
• Signed by Dr. Manish Kumar Naja (Director, ARIES) and Dr. Ajay Kumar (Director, IRDE)

The Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) launched the Haryana Water Resource Atlas 2025 — an AI-powered geospatial platform developed with Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC), Hisar.

• Integrates satellite data, GPS ground surveys, IMD forecasts, and CGWB datasets
• Provides real-time data on groundwater levels, surface water bodies, aquifers, canal systems, and water-intensive crop patterns
• Uses AI and GIS to forecast water stress and plan interventions: rainwater harvesting, alternative cropping, infrastructure upgrades

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav (MoEFCC) represented India at the first edition of ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ — Nepal’s premier global dialogue forum hosted in Kathmandu, May 15–17, 2025.

• Focus: climate change, mountain ecosystems, and environmental conservation
• Minister Yadav presented a five-point call for global action to safeguard fragile mountain ecosystems
• Reaffirmed India’s commitment to regional climate cooperation and environmental stewardship

The FAO released the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC): 295.3 million people across 53 countries and territories faced acute food insecurity in 2024 — up by 13.7 million over 2023.

• 5th consecutive year with 20%+ of analysed people facing acute hunger; 6th consecutive year of overall increase
• People in catastrophic food crisis (IPC/CH Phase 5) more than doubled to 1.9 million — highest since GRFC tracking began in 2016
• Over 90% of extreme hunger concentrated in Gaza and Sudan

India and the Maldives signed 13 MoUs under Phase III of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), supported by an Indian grant of MVR 100 million (~₹55.3 crore). Signed by G Balasubramanian (India’s High Commissioner) and Abdulla Khaleel (Maldivian Foreign Affairs Minister) in Malé.

• Phase III announced during President Muizzu’s state visit to India, October 2024
• 13 projects target enhanced ferry services, maritime connectivity, and community livelihoods
• Completion: originally due 2027, now expected by end of 2025

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced a strategic partnership with Khan Bank, Ulaanbaatar — Mongolia’s leading commercial bank — to modernise its core digital banking infrastructure using TCS BaNCS Global Banking Platform (GBP).

• Transformation covers: CIF, Trade Finance, Treasury, International Payments, and Loans & Deposits
• TCS BaNCS supports ISO 20022, SWIFT GPI, and SWIFT Go standards
• Deepens a 25-year TCS–Khan Bank collaboration (since 2001); integrates AI-powered innovations

IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) signed a 3-year exclusive broadcast and streaming agreement with JioStar, effective till 2027.

• Broadcast: Star Sports 2, Star Sports Khel, Star Sports Tamil | Streaming: JioHotstar (English, Hindi, Tamil)
• 6th season of UTT: May 31 – June 15, 2025 | 48 elite players | 8 franchises | Venue: Ahmedabad, Gujarat

IDBI Bank completed the sale of its entire 21.14% stake (8,54,000 shares) in Puducherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation (PIPDIC) to the Government of Puducherry for ₹18.83 crore, as part of its portfolio rationalisation plan.

• Government of Puducherry held 78.86% and now becomes sole owner
• PIPDIC established in 1974 to promote industrial development in Puducherry

Forbes released its 10th Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list celebrating 300 young achievers across the Asia-Pacific region across 10 categories (Entertainment & Sports, AI, Finance & VC, Healthcare & Science, Social Impact, and more).

Notable Indian names: Chess GM D Gukesh (18), actress Ananya Pandey (26), actor Ishaan Khatter (29). Global names: K-pop group Stray Kids, actor-singer Cha Eun-woo, Paralympian Sheetal Devi.

On May 18, 2025, ISRO attempted its 101st mission by launching EOS-09 (RISAT-1B) aboard PSLV-C61 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The mission failed due to a drop in chamber pressure in the third stage (PS3) solid rocket motor.

• EOS-09: 1,696.24 kg | target orbit: Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) at 529 km altitude
• Purpose: 24/7 all-weather C-band SAR surveillance for agriculture, forestry, disaster management, and border security

China launched the first batch of 12 AI-powered satellites aboard a Long March 2D rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, forming the initial constellation of the ‘Three-Body Computing Constellation’ — designed to be the world’s first supercomputer in orbit.

• Developed by ADA Space (China) with Zhejiang Lab and Neijiang Hi-Tech Zone
• Full constellation target: 1,000 POPS (Peta Operations per Second = 1 quintillion ops/second)
• Uses high-speed laser inter-satellite communication links

Additionally, LandSpace Technology launched 6 satellites via its Zhuque-2E Y2 methane-powered rocket — 5th launch of Zhuque-2 series; milestone for commercial methane-fuelled rocketry.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa won his first Grand Chess Tour (GCT) title at the Superbet Chess Classic Romania 2025, Bucharest (May 7–16), defeating GMs Alireza Firouzja and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (both France) in a blitz playoff after a three-way tie at 5.5 points.

• Earned USD 77,667 and 10 GCT points; FIDE rating rose to 2758; retained World No. 7
• Tournament: 10 elite GMs | single round-robin | total prize fund: USD 350,000
• Key result: win over GM Wesley So (USA) in penultimate round

The Indian men’s U-19 football team (‘Blue Colts’), captained by Singamayum Shami, clinched their 4th SAFF U-19 Championship title, defeating Bangladesh 4–3 on penalties (1–1 in regulation) at Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh on May 18, 2025.

7th edition (May 9–18) | 6 participating teams: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka.

Max Verstappen (Netherlands, Red Bull) won the F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2025 at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy — his 2nd win of 2025 season, 4th consecutive win at Imola, and 59th career F1 victory.

International Museum Day (IMD) is observed annually on May 18, organised by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to highlight museums’ role in fostering cultural exchange, cooperation, and peace.

• Theme 2025: “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”
• Officially established in 1977 at the ICOM General Assembly in Moscow
• Practice of selecting an annual theme began in 1992

World AIDS Vaccine Day (WAVD) — also called HIV Vaccine Awareness Day — is observed on May 18 every year; 2025 marks its 28th observance.

• Commemorates a 1997 speech by US President Bill Clinton calling for an HIV vaccine
• First WAVD: May 18, 1998
• HIV attacks CD4 cells (T-helper cells); untreated, progresses to AIDS within 8–10 years

Established by IMO at its 32nd Assembly session in 2021 (Resolution A.1170(32)), May 18 is observed as the International Day for Women in Maritime (IDWIM) to promote women’s recruitment, retention, and career sustainability in the marine industry.

• First-ever IDWIM: May 18, 2022
• Theme 2025: “An Ocean of Opportunities for Women”
• IMO symposium held May 16 in London

The UNGA (78th session) adopted Resolution A/RES/78/310 on July 1, 2024, designating May 19 as World Fair Play Day. The first-ever observance was held on May 19, 2025.

• Initiative by Hungary, co-sponsored by 92 UN member states
• Promotes ethical conduct, sportsmanship, respect, and integrity in sports and everyday life
• Aligns with the Olympic ideal

Dr. Saroj Ghose — founding Director General of NCSM (National Council of Science Museums) and the ‘Father of India’s Science Museum Movement’ — passed away at age 89 in Seattle, USA. Born September 1, 1935 in Kolkata.

• Joined Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (BITM), Kolkata in 1958; became BITM Director in 1965
• Launched the ‘Mobile Science Museum’ — travelling exhibition to reach remote India
• Founding DG of NCSM (1979–1997) — established Nehru Science Centre (New Delhi) and Science City (Kolkata)
• President of ICOM (International Council of Museums) — 1992 to 1998