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International
India Chairs APO 2025–26 at 67th GBM, Jakarta
India assumed APO Chairmanship for 2025–26 at the 67th GBM, Jakarta (May 20–22, 2025), led by Amardeep Singh Bhatia (Secretary, DPIIT; APO Director for India). APO is a Tokyo-based intergovernmental body (est. 1961) with 21 members. India highlighted APO Vision 2030 and the Green Productivity 2.0 framework.
Environment & Wildlife
16th Asiatic Lion Census 2025 – 891 Lions in Gujarat
The 16th Asiatic Lion Census (May 10–13, 2025) recorded 891 lions — a 32.2% rise from 674 (2020). Breakdown: 196 males, 330 females, 140 sub-adults, 225 cubs. Amreli district led with 339 lions. Range expanded to 35,000 sq. km across 11 districts. 384 lions in Gir NP core; 507 in satellite habitats.
Culture & Defence
INSV Kaundinya – India’s Ancient-Style Sailing Vessel
INSV Kaundinya — inducted by Indian Navy at Karwar — is inspired by Ajanta Cave paintings (5th century CE). Built with wooden planks, coir rope, and natural resin using traditional stitching. Sails feature Gandabherunda and Sun symbols. Named after ancient mariner Kaundinya (Southeast Asia voyage). First voyage: Gujarat to Oman (ancient trade route). Hydrodynamic testing: IIT Madras.
Digital Governance
DoT’s Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)
DoT’s FRI classifies mobile numbers into 3 risk levels: Medium, High, Very High for financial fraud. Data sourced from I4C’s NCRP, DoT’s Chakshu platform, and bank intelligence. Built on DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). PhonePe was an early adopter, blocking ‘Very High’ FRI transactions via PhonePe Protect.
International Relations
India to Chair IORA 2025–2027
India takes over IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) Chairship from Sri Lanka for 2025–2027. India is currently Vice-Chair in the IORA Troika. The 24th IORA COM (virtual, hosted by Sri Lanka) adopted IORA Guidelines on IUU Fishing and the Colombo Communique under the theme ‘Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generation’.
Business & Economy
Coinbase Joins S&P 500 – First Crypto Exchange
Coinbase (COIN) became the first cryptocurrency exchange in the S&P 500, replacing Discover Financial Services (DFS) (acquired by Capital One). S&P 500 represents ~90% of US equity market cap. Inclusion coincided with Bitcoin crossing USD 100,000, boosted by pro-crypto policies under President Trump.
Economics
India GDP Forecasts – FY25 & FY26
SBI Research: FY25 GDP at 6.3% (Nowcasting Model; 36 indicators); Q4 FY25 at 6.4–6.5%. Morgan Stanley: FY26 upgraded to 6.2% (from 6.1%); FY27 to 6.5%. RBI projection for FY26: 6.5%. IMF global growth 2025: 2.8%.
Defence
Adani Defence – India’s First Private Sonobuoy Developer
Adani Defence & Aerospace partnered with Sparton (DeLeon Springs LLC, USA) — a subsidiary of Elbit Systems (Israel) — to indigenise sonobuoys for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). Makes Adani Defence India’s first private company with domestic sonobuoy solutions. Sonobuoys enhance Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA) by detecting and tracking submarines.
International
TIME 100 Philanthropists 2025 – Bloomberg Tops with USD 3.7B
Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg LP) was named the largest individual donor of 2024 with USD 3.7 billion, including USD 1 billion to Johns Hopkins University for accessible medical education. Indians on the list: Mukesh & Nita Ambani, Azim Premji, Nikhil Kamath. List spans 28 countries across 4 categories: Titans, Leaders, Trailblazers, Innovators.
Environment & Science
Uttarakhand’s First Cycad Garden – Haldwani
Uttarakhand’s first Cycad Garden (0.75 ha, Haldwani, Nainital) is funded by JICA and hosts 31 species — 17 threatened; 9 native to India (e.g., Cycas andamanica, Cycas beddomei). Cycads are ‘living fossils’ from the Mesozoic era, featuring nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with cyanobacteria.
🎴 Revision Flashcards
Click each card to flip and test your recall
Tap to Reveal
How many Asiatic lions were recorded in the 2025 census, and which district had the most?
891 lions; Amreli district (339 lions)
32.2% rise from 674 (2020); 35,000 sq. km across 11 districts; 384 in Gir NP core
Tap to Reveal
What ancient artwork inspired INSV Kaundinya, and where will its first voyage go?
Ajanta Cave paintings (5th century CE); Gujarat to Oman
Built with coir rope & resin; Gandabherunda symbol on sails; tested at IIT Madras
Tap to Reveal
What are the 3 risk levels of DoT’s Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)?
Medium, High, Very High
Built on DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP); PhonePe was early adopter
Tap to Reveal
India will chair IORA for which term and from which country?
2025–2027; from Sri Lanka
24th IORA COM; theme: ‘Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generation’; adopted IUU Fishing Guidelines
Tap to Reveal
Which company did Coinbase replace in the S&P 500 and why?
Discover Financial Services — acquired by Capital One Financial
First crypto exchange in S&P 500; Bitcoin also crossed USD 100,000 around same time
Tap to Reveal
What is a sonobuoy and which company became India’s first private sonobuoy developer?
ASW sonar device to detect submarines; Adani Defence & Aerospace
Partnership with Sparton (Elbit Systems subsidiary, Israel); enhances Undersea Domain Awareness
Tap to Reveal
How much did Michael Bloomberg donate in 2024, including his single largest gift?
USD 3.7 billion total; USD 1 billion to Johns Hopkins University
TIME 100 Philanthropists 2025; largest single donor of 2024; Indians: Ambani, Premji, Nikhil Kamath
Tap to Reveal
Why are cycads called ‘living fossils’ and which era do they date from?
Virtually unchanged since the Mesozoic era; nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria symbiosis
Haldwani garden: 31 species; 17 threatened; 9 Indian natives; funded by JICA
Think & Discuss
891 Asiatic Lions & Growing: Conservation Success or Carrying Capacity Crisis?
Context from today’s quiz: The 16th Asiatic Lion Census 2025 recorded 891 lions — a 32.2% jump from 674 in 2020 — with the population now spilling beyond Gir National Park into 11 districts across 35,000 sq. km in Saurashtra, Gujarat. While this is a conservation triumph, it also signals mounting human-wildlife conflict as lions increasingly enter agricultural land and human settlements.
🤔 Your Perspective Matters
The Asiatic lion exists only in Gujarat, making it one of the world’s most geographically concentrated endangered species. Conservation has succeeded — but a single disease outbreak, flood, or wildfire in Saurashtra could be catastrophic. Scientists have long recommended establishing a second lion population in Kuno-Palpur (Madhya Pradesh), but the proposal has faced political and legal resistance for decades.
Is single-site conservation of the Asiatic lion a ticking ecological time bomb, and should India prioritise establishing a second population even against local opposition?
Is single-site conservation of the Asiatic lion a ticking ecological time bomb, and should India prioritise establishing a second population even against local opposition?
- With 507 lions now in satellite habitats outside Gir NP, does the natural range expansion reduce the urgency for a planned second population, or does it still carry the same single-region risk?
- Gujarat has resisted relocating lions to Madhya Pradesh, citing regional pride and tourism revenue — how should India balance state interests against national and global biodiversity obligations?
- As human-wildlife conflict intensifies, should affected communities near Saurashtra receive mandatory conservation dividends — from tourism revenue sharing to direct compensation — as a right rather than a welfare measure?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your perspective in the comments.
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