Daily Current Affairs

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presided over the 16th Annual Day of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in New Delhi (May 20, 2025), highlighting CCI’s role in the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision through a ‘light-touch regulatory framework’.

• Diagnostic Toolkit Towards Competitive Tenders for Public Procurement — guide to detect and prevent bid rigging in government tenders
• FAQs on Combinations — reflecting updates under the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 and Combination Regulations, 2024; clarifies deal-value thresholds and merger control

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched Financial Fraud Risk Indicators (FRI) — a multi-dimensional analytical tool built on the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) — classifying mobile numbers as Medium, High, or Very High risk of financial fraud.

• Draws inputs from I4C’s NCRP, DoT’s Chakshu platform, and bank/FI intelligence
• Empowers banks, NBFCs, and UPI providers (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm) to restrict or delay transactions linked to flagged numbers
• PhonePe was an early adopter — using FRI via its PhonePe Protect feature to decline transactions linked to ‘Very High’ risk numbers

India formally assumed the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for 2025-26 at the 67th Governing Body Meeting (GBM), Jakarta, Indonesia (May 20–22, 2025). The Indian delegation was led by Amardeep Singh Bhatia (Secretary, DPIIT), who is also APO Director for India.

• India reaffirmed commitment to APO Vision 2030, Green Productivity 2.0, digital transformation, and sustainability
• Over 100 Indian professionals annually participate in APO capacity-building via the National Productivity Council (NPC) under DPIIT

India participated in the 24th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers (COM) meeting, virtually hosted by Sri Lanka under the theme “Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generation”. Indian delegation led by Periasamy Kumaran (Secretary East, MEA).

• Key outcomes: adoption of IORA Guidelines on IUU Fishing, IORA’s climate agenda, and the Colombo Communique
• India is currently Vice-Chair and part of the IORA Troika; will take over IORA Chairship from Sri Lanka for 2025–2027

The WHO declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea (PNG) after circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was detected in stool samples of two asymptomatic children in Lae city, Morobe Province — PNG’s first polio outbreak since 2018.

• PNG declared polio-free in 2000; had a cVDPV1 outbreak in 2018 (26 confirmed cases)
• 2025 strain has 18–19 genetic mutations, indicating prolonged community transmission; only 44% of children received the 3rd vaccine dose
• Response campaign targets ~3.5 million children aged ≤10 years, aiming for 90% coverage; supported by UNICEF, WHO, and Australia

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved a second one-year extension for Tapan Kumar Deka as Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB), MHA, till June 2026 — making him the longest-serving IB Director since tenure was formalised in 2005.

• A 1988-batch IPS officer (HP cadre); first appointed as IB Director for two years in June 2022; first extension in June 2024
• Led IB’s operations wing for over two decades; played a pivotal role in coordinating counterassault efforts during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks (2008)

The 16th Asiatic Lion Census (May 10–13, 2025) recorded 891 Asiatic lions in Gujarat — a 32.2% rise from 674 in 2020, announced by CM Bhupendra Patel.

• Lions now in 11 districts in Saurashtra, spanning 35,000 sq. km (up from 30,000 in 2020)
• 384 lions in Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary (core) | 507 in satellite habitats (up from 340)
• Top districts: Amreli (339), Gir-Somnath (222), Junagadh (191), Bhavnagar (116)
• Census covered ~3,000 participants across 58 talukas using camera traps, GPS radio collars, and direct beat verification

The Bihar cabinet, chaired by CM Nitish Kumar, approved renaming ‘Gaya’ as ‘Gaya Jee’ in recognition of its historic and religious significance. Gaya is located on the bank of the Falgu River and was part of the Magadha Empire.

• Famed for the Pitrapaksha festival and Pind Daan rituals
• Bodh Gaya (in Gaya district) — where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree
• Surrounded by four sacred hills: Mangala-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila, and Brahmayoni

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet, headed by CM Mohan Yadav, approved:

• ‘Rah-veer’ scheme — rewards citizens who help road accident victims by taking them to hospital with ₹25,000 (up from ₹5,000)
• ₹2,100 crore project for infrastructure around the Adi Shankaracharya statue at Omkareshwar, MP — including hostels for research scholars, a library, and cultural facilities
• Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Training Scheme — skill development; interest subsidy ₹1,000/year; lifetime cap ₹10,000/person
• Total development projects worth ₹3,687 crore approved

President Droupadi Murmu appointed Justice Kempaiah Somashekar (Judge, Karnataka HC) as Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court under Article 217(1) of the Constitution, on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium headed by CJI Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai.

• Succeeds Justice D. Krishnakumar, who retired on May 21, 2025
• Began judicial career as District and Sessions Judge (June 17, 1998); elevated as Additional Judge (2016) then Permanent Judge (2018) of Karnataka HC

The Uttarakhand Forest Department inaugurated the state’s first dedicated Cycad Garden in Haldwani, Nainital district, funded by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). The garden spans 0.75 hectares and features 31 species of cycads, of which 17 are threatened.

• 9 species native to India, including Cycas andamanica, Cycas beddomei, Cycas zeylanica, and Cycas circinalis
• Cycads are called ‘living fossils’ — have existed since the Mesozoic era; known for slow growth, limited reproduction, and nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with cyanobacteria

SEBI extended the compliance deadline for its revised Offshore Derivative Instruments (ODI) framework to November 17, 2025 (from May 17, 2025). The ODI framework was introduced by SEBI in December 2024 to align regulatory practices between ODIs and FPIs and prevent regulatory arbitrage.

• ODI subscribers must disclose ownership up to the natural person level if equity ODI exposure exceeds 50% to a single Indian corporate group, or overall equity ODI exposure exceeds ₹25,000 crore
• FPIs cannot issue ODIs with derivatives as underlying assets
• Issuers need a separate ‘ODI’-suffix registration under the same PAN

The RBI imposed penalties under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949:

• Deutsche Bank India — ₹50 lakh — for failing to report credit information of certain borrowers to CRILC (Central Repository of Information on Large Credits)
• Yes Bank — ₹29.60 lakh — for incorrect disclosures on customer complaints in its AFS for FY24

Morgan Stanley upgraded India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.2% for FY26 (from 6.1%) and 6.5% for FY27 (from 6.3%), citing easing US-China trade tensions improving external demand. Growth driven by domestic demand, easier monetary policy, and fiscal focus on capex.

• RBI projects 6.5% GDP growth for FY26
• SBI Research projected India’s Q4 FY25 GDP at 6.4–6.5%; full-year FY25 at 6.3% (Nowcasting Model — 36 high-frequency indicators)
• IIP manufacturing growth: 4.1% (Q3 FY25) → 3.6% (Q4 FY25)

Adani Defence & Aerospace (Ahmedabad) signed a binding collaboration agreement with Sparton (DeLeon Springs LLC, USA) — a subsidiary of Elbit Systems (Israel) — to localise production of advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) systems, including sonobuoys, for the Indian Navy and global markets.

• Makes Adani Defence India’s first private sector company to offer domestically developed sonobuoy solutions
• Aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India
• Sonobuoys: mission-critical sonar systems used to detect, locate, and track submarines; enhance Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA)

Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN), California, became the first cryptocurrency exchange to join the S&P 500 Index, replacing Discover Financial Services (DFS) after DFS was acquired by Capital One Financial Corporation.

• S&P 500 tracks 500 leading US companies and represents 90% of US equity market capitalisation
• Inclusion marks mainstream acceptance of digital assets, coinciding with Bitcoin surpassing USD 100,000, driven by pro-crypto policies under President Donald Trump

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Gurugram signed an MoU with GBCI (Green Business Certification Institute, Washington D.C.) to increase LEED-certified garment factories in India — currently only 13 factories hold LEED certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) assesses a building’s environmental sustainability.

IOB (Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai) also signed an MoU with IIBF (Indian Institute of Banking & Finance, Mumbai) to develop a customised e-learning and certification programme on MSMEs. IIBF will develop e-book courseware and conduct certification exams via remote proctored mode; certificates jointly signed by IOB and IIBF.

TIME magazine released the inaugural ‘TIME 100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy 2025’. Indians featured: Mukesh and Nita Ambani (Reliance), Azim Premji (former WIPRO chairman), and Nikhil Kamath (Co-founder, Zerodha).

• Michael Bloomberg — largest individual donor of 2024 (USD 3.7 billion), including a USD 1 billion gift to Johns Hopkins University
• Spans 28 countries with four categories: Titans, Leaders, Trailblazers, and Innovators
• Global Titans include David Beckham, Oprah Winfrey, and Melinda French Gates

Sudan’s military leader General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan appointed Kamil El-Tayeb Idris as Sudan’s 16th Prime Minister — the country’s first PM appointment since January 2022 (following Abdalla Hamdok’s resignation). Sudan’s civil war began in April 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

• Former Director General of WIPO (1997–2008) and Secretary-General of UPOV
• Member of the UN International Law Commission (ILC) 1992–96 and 2000–01
• Honours: Order of Oman, Order of the Two Niles (Sudan), Order of the Aztec Eagle (Mexico)

The Indian Navy formally inducted INSV Kaundinya, a 5th-century CE-inspired stitched sail ship, at Karwar Naval Base, Karnataka (May 21, 2025), in a ceremony presided over by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Ministry of Culture). The vessel’s first voyage will follow the ancient trade route from Gujarat to Oman across the Arabian Sea.

• Built via tripartite agreement (July 2023): Ministry of Culture, Indian Navy, and M/S Hodi Innovations (Goa); funded by MoC
• Design inspired by Ajanta Cave paintings (5th century CE); built with wooden planks, coir rope, coconut fiber, and natural resin
• Features Gandabherunda symbol and Simha Yali (lion) bow sculpture; hydrodynamic testing at IIT Madras
• Named after Kaundinya — the ancient mariner who sailed to Southeast Asia
• Construction keel laid: September 2023 | Launched at sea: February 2025, Goa

Aerpace Industries Limited (AEL), Mumbai successfully tested the aerShield AI-driven UAV ecosystem, including the flagship aerRecon ARM-5 — a VTOL surveillance drone with a 2m wingspan, speed up to 125 km/h, payload capacity of 5 kg, for high-altitude and remote border operations.

• aerRecon ARM-10 — STOL extended surveillance drone
• aerReaper AMMO-R7 — tactical kamikaze drone with RPG-class payload for precision strikes
• Powered by aerOS — AI autonomous control platform for real-time navigation, obstacle avoidance, and mission execution
• Developed with Aerpace Robotics (Bengaluru), UAV Tech (Hyderabad), Leospear Defence (Pune)

SEBI approved the merger of Gujjubhai Foods Pvt. Ltd (Bengaluru) with Sumuka Agro Industries Limited (Mumbai; established 1989, listed FMCG). The merger awaits final approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

• Share exchange ratio: 17.5 Sumuka Agro shares for every 10 Gujjubhai Foods shares
• Post-merger, promoter stake rises from 27.71% to 64%
• BSE granted ‘No Objection’ in July 2024
• Sumuka Agro deals in branded Gujarati snacks, dry fruits, natural beverages, and packaged foods

The UN observes International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on May 22 annually. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) oversees IDB as the key UN framework for biodiversity protection.

• Theme 2025: “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”
• UNGA first designated December 29 as IDB in 1995 (Resolution A/RES/49/119)
• Shifted to May 22 in 2001 (Resolution A/RES/55/201); inaugural May 22 IDB observed in 2002