🇮🇳 National News
On 1–2 May 2025, PM Narendra Modi visited Maharashtra, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for key national projects.
| State | Date | Key Development |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 1 May | Inaugurated WAVES 2025 at Jio World Centre, Mumbai — India’s first creative economy summit; 90+ countries, 10,000+ delegates |
| Kerala | 2 May | Dedicated Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport (₹8,867 crore) to the nation; full operations by 2028–29 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 2 May | Inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹58,000+ crore in Amaravati, including 74 new projects worth ₹49,000 crore |
Located in Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala CM: Pinarayi Vijayan | Governor: Rajendra Arlekar. WAVES 2025 was organised by MoI&B in association with MEA, under the tagline ‘Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries’.
The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Ministry of AYUSH, organised Yoga Mahotsav — marking the 50-day countdown to International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 — at Panchavati, Nashik, Maharashtra, with over 6,000 participants.
Union MoS (IC) AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav launched the Yoga Sangam Portal (yoga.ayush.gov.in/yoga-sangam) — a digital platform for online registration and facilitating the synchronized nationwide celebration of IDY 2025 on 21 June.
- Yoga Sangam is one of the ten Signature Events of IDY 2025
- Also featured: live demo of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) by MDNIY instructors led by Director Kashinath Samagandi
100-day countdown: 13 March — Vigyan Bhawan | 75-day: 7 April — Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar | 50-day: Panchavati, Nashik | IDY 2025: 21 June
India and Denmark renewed their long-term energy cooperation MoU, signed between Pankaj Agarwal (Secretary, Ministry of Power, GoI) and H.E. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen (Danish Ambassador to India), in the presence of Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar (Power & HUA), New Delhi.
- Original MoU – Signed 5 June 2020 (valid 5 years)
- Expanded Scope – Power system integration, variable renewable energy, cross-border electricity trading, and EV charging infrastructure development
- Goal – Supports India’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2070; facilitates knowledge exchange through expert interactions, joint training, and study tours
PM: Mette Frederiksen | Capital: Copenhagen | Currency: Danish Krone
On 1 May 2025, Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced that Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv variants of the Indian Army (IA) and Indian Air Force (IAF) were cleared for operations following recommendations by a Defect Investigation (DI) Committee.
A 5.5-tonne, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter indigenously developed by HAL, with over 340 units manufactured for military and civilian use. The grounding had affected the Sarang Helicopter Display Team (IAF), which could not participate in Aero India 2025.
The resumption followed limited flying in Anantnag, J&K after the Pahalgam terror attack. A phased, time-bound resumption plan is in place in coordination with the services.
On 1 May 2025, Union MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary presided over the 69th Foundation Day of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in New Delhi and released the Annual Report FY 2024–25, highlighting a significant increase in actions against financial crimes.
- 23 officers and zonal units were honoured at the event
- Abhishek Goyal (former Special Director) received the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service
Established: 1 May 1956 | Under: Union Finance Ministry | Director: Rahul Navin | HQ: New Delhi. Handles cases under PMLA 2002, FEMA 1999, and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act 2018.
On 1 May 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved two major acquisition proposals:
- KKR’s acquisition of a controlling stake in HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG) via Hector Asia Holdings II Pte. Ltd. and the KIA EBT II Scheme
- Jubilant Bhartia Group’s acquisition of a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings Private Limited (HCCH) via Jubilant Beverages Limited (JBL), along with CCPS subscription by Jubilant BevCo Limited
Chairman: Ravneet Kaur | HQ: New Delhi | Established: 2003
👔 Appointments
On 1 May 2025, Sanjay Khanna, Director (Refineries), assumed additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BPCL, succeeding G. Krishnakumar (term ended 30 April 2025).
- Experience – 30+ years in refinery operations
- Key Achievement – Commissioning of BPCL’s Propylene Derivative Petrochemical Project (PDPP) at Kochi Refinery
- Board Roles – Serves on boards of BPRL and RRPL; chairs the Technical Committee for Petroleum Refineries under MoPNG
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited is a Fortune Global 500 company.
📅 Important Days
The UN’s World Press Freedom Day is observed on 3 May every year. 2025 marks the 32nd anniversary.
Theme: ‘Reporting in the Brave New World — The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media’
UNGA formally proclaimed 3 May as World Press Freedom Day in 1993; first observance: 3 May 1994.
- UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2025 – Awarded to La Prensa (Managua, Nicaragua) for resilience amid repression
- World Press Freedom Index 2025 – Released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) covering 180 countries; topped by Norway
- India’s Rank – Improved to 151st (up from 159th in 2024)
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