🇮🇳 National News
The Registrar General of India (RGI) (under MHA) released three reports for 2021: Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2021, Civil Registration System (CRS) Vital Statistics 2021, and Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) 2021.
CRS: Records all registered births and deaths | SRS: Survey-based estimate covering unregistered births/deaths | MCCD: Captures deaths that are medically certified
- Crude Death Rate (CDR) rose to 7.5 (per 1,000 people) in 2021 — the deadliest year of the Covid-19 pandemic
- CRS showed ~2 million additional deaths in 2021; MCCD counted 4,13,580 Covid-19 deaths in 2021 and 1,60,618 in 2020
- Life expectancy at birth (2017–2021): 69.8 years — a decline vs 2016–2020; urban areas: –0.3 years; rural areas: –0.1 years
All three flagship social security schemes were launched by PM Narendra Modi on 9 May 2015. Enrolments as of April 2025:
| Scheme | Full Name | Coverage | Enrolments |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMJJBY | Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana | Life insurance for death (any reason); age 18–50; 1-yr renewable (1 Jun–31 May) | 23.6 crore |
| PMSBY | Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana | Accidental death and disability cover | 51 crore |
| APY | Atal Pension Yojana | Defined pension for unorganised sector workers; administered by PFRDA under NPS | 7.6 crore |
A study by Ladakh’s Department of Wildlife Protection (DWP) in collaboration with Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun and NTCA — published in PLOS ONE — estimated Ladakh is home to 477 snow leopards (Panthera uncia), accounting for ~68% of India’s total population of 709 individuals.
Hemis National Park (Ladakh) recorded the world’s highest snow leopard density: 2.07 individuals per 100 sq km — surpassing previous global records from Tibet. Snow leopards in Ladakh occupy 47,572 sq km.
LG: Brigadier (Dr.) B.D. Mishra | Capital: Leh | Wildlife Sanctuary: Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy (MoC + MoM) launched the Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling Website and Stakeholders’ Portal to strengthen India’s non-ferrous metal recycling ecosystem. Developed under the National Non-Ferrous Metal Scrap Recycling Framework (NNMSRF).
- National Registry for dismantlers, recyclers, traders, and collection centres
- Data tracking on raw material flows, technology, and workforce
- Performance benchmarking, gap identification for regional infrastructure
- Support for standardisation and certification
- Metals covered: aluminium, copper, lead, zinc, and other critical elements
India’s Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) (under DoT/MoC) signed an MoU with CSIR-NPL (National Physical Laboratory) — India’s National Metrology Institute (NMI) — to collaborate on indigenous quantum and classical communication technologies.
- Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) – For securing digital communication systems
- FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)-based control electronics – For efficient quantum systems hardware
- Long-term research, development, and standardisation of next-generation communication technologies
C-DOT: Network protocols, IoT, quantum communications | CSIR-NPL: Scientific measurement, standardisation, and SI traceability
UP CM Yogi Adityanath and World Bank President Ajay Banga jointly launched two initiatives at Lucknow:
- UP-AGREES (Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening) — for agricultural innovation in 21 districts of Bundelkhand and Purvanchal; total cost ₹4,000 crore (WB loan ₹2,737 crore over 6 years + UP govt ₹1,166 crore)
- AI Pragya (AI Programme for Resourcefulness, Awareness, Growth, and Youth Advancement) — aims to build an AI talent base by training 10 lakh youths across UP with digital skills for emerging technology sectors
Both initiatives support UP’s vision of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy.
🌐 International News
On 10 May 2025, Pakistan launched ‘Operation Bunyan al-Marsus’ (Arabic: ‘a wall of molten lead’ — symbolising unity and strength) against India, targeting military installations in Jammu, Pathankot (Punjab), and Bhuj (Gujarat). Pakistan’s response to India’s Operation Sindoor (7 May 2025). Led under the command of General Asim Munir (Pakistan Army Chief).
- Pakistan fired the Fatah-II hypersonic ballistic missile targeting Delhi — successfully intercepted by Indian Air Defence Systems in Sirsa, Haryana
- India struck 3 Pakistani air bases: Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), and Rafiqui (Shorkot, Punjab)
- On 10 May 2025, India and Pakistan agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire
Range: 450 km | CEP: <10 m | Successor to Fatah-I (range 140 km)
PM: Shehbaz Sharif | Capital: Islamabad
The World Bank Land Conference 2025 (WBLC 2025) was held 5–8 May 2025 in Washington DC, USA. Theme: ‘Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action: Moving from Awareness’. India was honoured as Country Champion under the leadership of Vivek Bharadwaj (Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj).
- SWAMITVA Scheme (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas)
- Gram Manchitra — India’s GIS-based advanced spatial planning platform
Union Minister: Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) | MoS: S.P. Singh Baghel
💼 Business & Economy
RBI relaxed norms for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) investing in local corporate bonds by removing short-term debt investment limits and concentration limits, effective immediately.
FPI investments in corporate bonds with ≤1-year residual maturity capped at 30% of total FPI investment in corporate bonds (end-of-day basis). Concentration limit: 15% for long-term FPIs and 10% for others.
Also: RBI’s Digital Lending Directions 2025 require all banks and regulated entities to report details of their Digital Lending Applications (DLAs) via the CIMS (Centralised Information Management System) portal. Portal operational from 13 May 2025; initial data upload deadline: 15 June 2025.
Bhutan introduced the world’s first national cryptocurrency tourism payment system in collaboration with Binance Pay (subsidiary of Binance Holdings Ltd — the world’s largest crypto exchange by volume) and DK Bank of Bhutan (Bhutan’s first fully digital bank).
- Tourists with Binance accounts can use 100+ cryptocurrencies (incl. BTC, BNB, USDC) for airline tickets, visa fees, hotels, monuments, tour guides, and local purchases
- QR code-based (static + dynamic) for real-time transactions; crypto auto-converted to Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) for vendor payouts
- 100+ Bhutanese businesses (including remote regions) have adopted it — enabling access to the global USD 3 trillion crypto market
PM: Dasho Tshering Tobgay | Capital: Thimphu | Currency: Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)
RBI recognised FIMMDA (Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association) as a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) in financial markets regulated by RBI — granting it enhanced authority to regulate member conduct and enforce fair practices.
Requirements: not-for-profit company status; minimum net worth of ₹10 crore; diversified shareholding (no single entity >10% paid-up share capital).
Voluntary market body for fixed income, money, and derivatives markets | Incorporated: 1998 | Members include commercial banks, public financial institutions, primary dealers, and insurance companies.
Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) — wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), Japan’s 2nd largest banking group — agreed to acquire a 20% stake in YES Bank through a secondary stake purchase valued at ₹13,483 crore — the largest cross-border investment in Indian banking. Subject to RBI + CCI approvals.
| Seller | Stake Divested | Value |
|---|---|---|
| SBI | 13.19% (stake reduces from 23.97% to ~10%) | ₹8,889 crore @ ₹21.50/share |
| 7 Private Banks (ICICI, HDFC, Kotak, Axis, IDFC First, Federal, Bandhan) | 6.81% collectively | ₹4,594 crore |
In March 2020, these 8 banks invested in YES Bank under RBI’s Reconstruction Scheme.
YES Bank: MD & CEO — Prashant Kumar | HQ: Mumbai | Est.: 2004 | Tagline: ‘Experience our expertise’. SMBC: Chairman — Makato Takashima | HQ: Tokyo | Est.: 2001.
Bengaluru-based Porter — an on-demand intra-city logistics platform — raised USD 200 million (~₹1,700 crore) in a Series F round, becoming India’s 3rd unicorn of 2025 (after Netradyne and Juspay) with a valuation of USD 1.1–1.2 billion. Led by Kedaara Capital (Mumbai) and Wellington Management Company (Boston, USA).
- Founded in 2014 by IIT graduates Pranav Goel, Uttam Digga (CEO), and Vikas Choudhary (Executive Vice Chairman)
- Services: on-demand trucks, packers & movers, enterprise logistics
- Operates in 22 cities in India + 2 international markets; serves 30 lakh+ customers; 3 lakh gig workers/month
- Funds for: new city expansion, tech infrastructure, and supporting 1 million+ gig workers
The Government of Karnataka and IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, Ahmedabad) signed two MoUs to establish:
- Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Space Technologies in Bengaluru — for research and innovation
- Public-Private Space Manufacturing Park — for next-generation satellite and launch vehicle production
Signed by Dr. Ekroop Caur (Secretary, E&IT, Karnataka) and Lochan Sehra (Joint Secretary, IN-SPACe) in the presence of Dr. Shalini Rajneesh (Chief Secretary, Karnataka) and Dr. Pawan Goenka (Chairman, IN-SPACe). Aligns with Indian Space Policy 2023.
Already hosts: ISRO, DRDO, HAL, BEL, BHEL, and NAL
🔬 Science & Technology
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Starlink (Elon Musk’s satellite internet service) — paving the way for a GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) licence for commercial operations in India. Starlink operates 7,000+ low-Earth orbit satellites in 100+ countries.
- Must comply with 29 security conditions including real-time terminal tracking, mandatory local data processing, legal interception
- Localisation of ≥20% of ground segment infrastructure in initial years
- Pending: IN-SPACe approval + spectrum allocation (TRAI finalising pricing)
- Strategic partnerships signed with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel for bundled services
🏆 Sports
On 12 May 2025, Virat Kohli (age 36) announced retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, ending a 14-year career. He will continue in ODIs and IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Tests Played | 123 |
| Runs / Average | 9,230 runs |
| Centuries / Fifties | 30 centuries, 31 fifties |
| Test Debut | Jamaica, 2011 vs West Indies |
ICC Test Player of the Year: 2018 | ICC ODI Player of the Year: 2012, 2017, 2018 | ICC Cricketer of the Year: 2017, 2018
Rohit Sharma also retired from Tests on 7 May 2025. ICC: Chairman — Jay Shah | CEO — Geoff Allardice | HQ — Dubai
FIFA announced Brazil as host of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. Brazil received 119 votes vs 78 for the joint bid from Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany. Dates: 24 June – 25 July 2027. Brazil is the first South American host of the FIFA Women’s World Cup; the 2027 edition expands to 32 national teams.
Rio de Janeiro (Maracanã), Belo Horizonte (Mineirão), Brasília (National Stadium), Fortaleza (Castelão), Porto Alegre (Beira-Rio), Recife (Pernambuco Arena), Salvador (Fonte Nova), São Paulo (Itaquera Arena). All 8 venues hosted the FIFA Men’s World Cup.
First time FIFA’s full membership voted to decide the Women’s World Cup host.
📅 Important Days
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is observed biannually on the 2nd Saturday of May and October. In 2025: 10 May and 11 October. Theme 2025: ‘Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities’. Organised by CMS (Convention on Migratory Species), AEWA (African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement), EFTA (Environment for the Americas), and EAAFP (since 2023).
Began in the USA in 1993 as International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, Washington DC. First official WMBD: 8–9 April 2006 at ‘Ol Ari Nyiro’ wildlife reserve in Laikipia, Kenya.
National Technology Day is celebrated on 11 May every year. 2025 marks the 27th edition. Theme 2025: ‘YANTRA — Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration’. Organised by the Technology Development Board (TDB) under DST/MoS&T.
- Commemorates: Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) nuclear tests (11 May 1998)
- Also commemorates: maiden flight of the indigenous Hansa-3 aircraft
- Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared 11 May as National Technology Day in 1999; first observance: 11 May 1999
The UN’s International Day of Vesak is observed on the Full Moon day in May. In 2025: 12 May — marking the 2,587th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. Theme 2025: ‘Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity; Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development’. Hosted by: Vietnam Buddhist Academy, Ho Chi Minh City.
India showcased sacred Buddha relics from Sarnath, UP in Vietnam for the first time.
UNGA adopted Resolution A/RES/54/115 on 15 December 1999, officially recognising the International Day of Vesak; first observed in 2000.
International Day of Argania is observed on 10 May to promote the role of the Argan tree (Argania Spinosa) — a native species of Morocco’s sub-Saharan region. Theme 2025: ‘The Argan Tree Conservation’.
- Proclaimed by UNGA through Resolution A/RES/75/262 in 2021 — submitted by Morocco, co-sponsored by 113 UN member states
- In 2014, UNESCO inscribed ‘Argan, practices and know-how concerning the argan tree’ on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list
Shyam Prakash Sharma (Chief Economist, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry) released ‘India@2047: Leading the Global Economic Order’, published by AF Press (imprint of Academic Foundation), New Delhi. Launched at Juniper Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
- Envisions India’s path to global economic leadership by its 100th year of independence (2047)
- Highlights: Make in India, PM Gati Shakti, FDI crossing USD 1 trillion
- Covers India’s macroeconomic fundamentals, role in G20, BRICS, BIMSTEC
- Comprises 7 chapters covering reforms, digital innovation, sustainability, and global integration
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