Daily Current Affairs

The first edition of WAVES 2025 (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) was held from 1–4 May 2025 at Jio World Centre, Mumbai, organised by MoI&B in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra. The summit concluded with business transactions totalling ₹1,328 crore across various sectors.

• Special Postage Stamps – PM Modi released stamps honouring five cinema legends: Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, and Salil Chowdhury
• Global Media Dialogue (GMD) – Organised for the first time at WAVES, with ministerial participation from over 50 countries; 77 nations adopted the 13-point ‘WAVES Declaration’ focusing on responsible use of emerging technologies including AI
• IICT Launch – Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) — a National Centre of Excellence (CoE) backed by Jio Star, based in Mumbai

Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu (MoCA) granted in-principle approval for greenfield airports at Kota (Rajasthan) and Puri (Odisha), both aligned with the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.

The 62nd Executive Committee Meeting of NMCG (National Mission for Clean Ganga), chaired by DG Rajeev Kumar Mital in New Delhi, approved key Ganga rejuvenation projects:

• Nathmalpur Bhagad Wetland Conservation, Bhojpur district, Bihar — estimated cost ₹3.51 crore; the 5th wetland under the National Ganga Programme (NGP)
• ₹34.50 lakh for ‘Capacity Building for Water-Sensitive Cities in the Ganga Basin’

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Noida, signed an MoU with Germany-based Rhenus Group (global logistics major) to boost India’s inland waterways sector and introduce scheduled barge operations across key National Waterways (NWs).

• Phase 1 – 20 barges and 6 pushers; targeting over 1 million tonnes of cargo annually by end-2025
• Total Target – 100 barges introduced in a phased manner
• Integrates global best practices into India’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) ecosystem

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified the ‘Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025’, effective from 5 May 2025. Entitles any road accident victim to cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per accident per person. Government allocated ₹272 crore for FY26 for the nationwide rollout.

• Implementing Agency – National Health Authority (NHA); each state’s Road Safety Council acts as the nodal agency
• Coverage – Treatment up to 7 days from the accident date at designated hospitals (government and private)
• Non-designated hospitals – For stabilisation purposes only
• Eligibility – Open to all, regardless of category or income

Tamil Nadu emerged as India’s leading textile exporter in FY25, contributing USD 7.99 billion (26.81%) of India’s total textile exports of USD 36.61 billion (up from USD 7.15 billion / 20.78% in FY24).

• Largest Export Category – Readymade Garments (USD 15.99 bn)
• Tiruppur Knitwear Cluster – Contributed USD 4.69 billion (~₹40,000 crore) in FY25
• Global Opportunity – EU’s plan to end GSP for Bangladesh by 2027 is prompting global buyers to shift orders to India

The Haryana Cabinet, led by CM Nayab Singh Saini, approved the Haryana AI Development Project (HAIDP) — a 3-year project (2025–28) backed by the World Bank. Total outlay: ₹474.39 crore; funding pattern: 70:30 (WB:Haryana govt).

• Global Artificial Intelligence Centre (GAIC) – Gurugram
• Haryana Advanced Computing Facility (HACF) – Panchkula
• Will train 50,000+ professionals in AI, ML, and Data Science
• Promote AI startups via incubation; integrate AI into public administration
• A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, will be established as a not-for-profit company; HARTRON will be the Nodal Agency

On 6 May 2025, UNDP released the Human Development Report (HDR) 2025 — ‘A matter of choice: people and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence’. Theme: ‘Harnessing Digital Transformation to Advance Human Development’.

SEBI mandated a minimum investment threshold of ₹1 crore for Securitised Debt Instruments (SDIs) issued by both RBI-regulated and unregulated entities engaged in securitisation activities. Originators must now have at least 3 years of operating experience.

• Public offers for SDIs must remain open for 3–10 days
• SEBI introduced an ‘Investor Charter’ for KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs) detailing services, investor rights, and grievance redressal
• Aims to ensure originators maintain interest in underlying assets, promoting market stability and investor confidence

SBI released a report forecasting India’s CPI retail inflation to remain below 3% in Q1 FY26 (April–June 2025), following CPI’s fall to a 67-month low of 3.34% in March 2025, driven by a sharp correction in food prices.

• Core Inflation – Reached 4.1% in February–March 2025 — the highest in 15 months
• FY26 Nominal GDP Growth – SBI projects 9–9.5% (vs Union Budget estimate of 10%)
• RBI Rate Cuts – SBI anticipates cumulative 125 bps rate cuts in FY26 — 75 bps in H1 and 50 bps in H2

Hyderabad-based Apollo Micro Systems Limited (AMSL), through its subsidiary Apollo Defence Industries Pvt. Ltd. (ADIPL), signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire 100% equity stake in IDL Explosives Limited from GOCL Corporation Limited (Hinduja Group) for ₹107 crore (78.65 lakh shares at ₹136.04 per share).

The acquisition enables AMSL to integrate high-energy materials into defence manufacturing — advancing capabilities in artillery, missile systems, and high-impact weapons. Supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

On 6 May 2025, Friedrich Merz (CDU leader) was elected as Germany’s 10th Chancellor, securing 325 votes out of 630 in the second round at the Bundestag (he failed the first round by 6 votes, receiving 310 of the required 316). Approved by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Career: MP 1989–94; Bundestag member 1994–2009; corporate lawyer at Mayer Brown (2004–2018); CDU leader since 2021. Born: 11 November 1955, Brilon, North-Rhine Westphalia.

On 5 May 2025, Prakash Magdum (1999-batch IIS officer) assumed charge as MD of NFDC (National Film Development Corporation), Mumbai — a CPSE under MoI&B. He succeeded Prithul Kumar.

• ADG at Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Ahmedabad
• Director of National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune — spearheaded the National Film Heritage Mission
• Registrar of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune

The Pulitzer Prize Board announced winners of the 109th Pulitzer Prize (2025). The New York Times (NYT) won 4 awards, taking its total to 139 — a record high since the awards began in 1917. The New Yorker won 3 awards (commentary, feature photography, audio reporting) for war coverage.

The International Buddha Peace Award 2025 was conferred by Lakshman Prasad Acharya (Governor of Assam) at a ceremony by Maitri Peace Foundation in Guwahati, Assam.

• Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom (MD, Care Takers Exterior and Interior Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai) — for social activism and leadership in building repairs/restoration
• Dr. Munir Khan (founder, Avon Consulting Engineers) — for contributions to sustainable development and community welfare through 1,500+ structural audits and 300+ building restorations

On 3 May 2025, Union MoS Dr. L. Murugan (MoI&B) presented the 10th National Community Radio Awards at the 8th National Community Radio Conference, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, held alongside WAVES 2025.

• 12 outstanding Community Radio Stations (CRS) honoured under 4 categories: Thematic Awards, Most Innovative Community Engagement, Promoting Local Culture, and Sustainability Model
• Stations from Bihar, Maharashtra, Assam, Kerala, TN, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka were recognised
• As of April 2025, 531 community radio stations are operational across India

DRDO and the Indian Navy (IN) successfully conducted combat firing (with reduced explosive payload) of the indigenously designed Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) — an advanced underwater naval mine to counter modern stealth ships and submarines.

Indian table tennis players Ankur Bhattacharjee and Abhinandh Pradhavadhi clinched the U-19 Boys’ Doubles title at the WTT Youth Star Contender Bangkok 2025 at Fashion Island, Bangkok, Thailand, defeating South Korea’s Lee Jungmok and Choi Jiwook 3-1 in the final.

• U-19 Girls’ Doubles – Syndrela Das and Divyanshi Bhowmick (Silver)
• U-15 Girls’ Singles – Divyanshi Bhowmick (Silver) — lost 1-3 to China’s Liu Ziling
• U-15 Girls’ Doubles – Riana Bhootia and Ananya Muralidharan (Silver)

Total prize money: USD 15,000.

FC Goa (FCG) defeated Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 final at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha — securing their second Super Cup title (first was 2019), making FC Goa the first club to win the Super Cup twice.

• Borja Herrera (Spanish midfielder) – Scored a brace (23′ and 51′); won ‘Player of the Match’
• Dejan Drazic (Serbian forward) – Added a third (71′)
• First title under head coach Manolo Márquez

International No Diet Day (INDD) is observed on 6 May globally to promote body acceptance, challenge diet culture, and raise awareness about weight discrimination and fatphobia. Symbol: light blue ribbon representing body acceptance and eating disorder awareness.

Founded in 1992 by British feminist Mary Evans Young; first observed on 5 May 1992 with a picnic in Hyde Park, London. In 1993, the date was shifted to 6 May to avoid overlapping with Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

World Asthma Day (WAD) is observed on the first Tuesday of May every year, led by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). WAD 2025 falls on 6 May 2025. Theme: ‘Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL’.

First observed in 1998 during the inaugural World Asthma Meeting in Barcelona, Spain. Observed in May as it aligns with spring/fall seasons when asthma symptoms worsen. May is also World Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) annually celebrates its Raising Day on 7 May. 7 May 2025 marks the 66th Raising Day. BRO was established on 7 May 1960 to secure India’s borders and develop strategic infrastructure in remote northern and northeastern regions.

World Athletics Day is observed on 7 May annually to encourage children and young people to embrace fitness and athletics. Theme 2025: ‘Relay Around the World Challenge’.

Introduced by IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) under the initiative ‘Athletics for a Better World’. Kids Athletics Day is also observed on 7 May as part of the World Kids’ Athletics Programme.