Daily Current Affairs

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved three major decisions on 7 May 2025:

• National Scheme for ITI Upgradation + setting up of 5 National Centres of Excellence (NCoE) for Skilling — to equip 2 million+ youth with industry-relevant skills over 5 years; outlay: ₹60,000 crore; implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)
• Expansion of 5 new IITs: IIT Tirupati (AP), IIT Palakkad (Kerala), IIT Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), IIT Jammu (J&K), and IIT Dharwad (Karnataka)
• Revised SHAKTI Policy (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) — approved by CCEA to streamline coal allocation to the power sector, enhancing transparency and flexibility for both long-term and short-term coal requirements

The Government of India introduced chip-based e-passports across the country under the Passport Seva Programme – Version 2.0 (PSP-V2.0). Initially piloted on 1 April 2024, these passports are now rolled out nationally.

• Equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips and an antenna embedded as an inlay
• Chip stores passport holder data including biometric information in encrypted form, making forgery significantly harder
• Key benefit: Enhanced integrity of passport holder data and international travel security

PM Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer announced the successful conclusion of the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) along with a Double Contribution Convention. The FTA aligns with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

• Zero duty on 99% of Indian exports to the UK, covering almost 100% of trade value
• Current bilateral trade: USD 60 billion → target: USD 120 billion by 2030
• Double Contribution Convention – Prevents double taxation for workers temporarily assigned between the two countries

M. Nagaraju (Secretary, DFS/MoF) listed India’s first Mortgage-Backed Pass Through Certificates (PTCs) on the NSE, structured by RMBS Development Company Limited, Mumbai. The PTCs are backed by housing loans originated by LIC Housing Finance Limited (LIC HFL).

PM Modi addressed the 12th Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX 2025) (7–9 May 2025, New Delhi) via video conference. GLEX 2025 was organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Paris, in collaboration with ISRO and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), both Bengaluru-based.

• Chandrayaan-1 (2008) – Discovered water on the Moon
• Chandrayaan-2 (2019) – Captured high-resolution lunar images
• Chandrayaan-3 (2023) – Made India the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole
• Mangalyaan/MOM (2014) – Made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit and the first country to do so on the first attempt

Union Minister Piyush Goyal (MoC&I) addressed the Columbia India Energy Dialogue in New Delhi, organised by the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP), Columbia University (SIPA) in collaboration with Columbia Global Center, Mumbai.

• India achieved its 2030 RE target of 200 GW in 2022 — 8 years ahead of schedule
• Solar capacity grew 30x in the past decade
• Built a 500 GW interconnected national grid (since 2014) for 24/7 affordable energy access
• Rapidly adopting LED lighting, green hydrogen, biofuels, ethanol blending, electric mobility, and green ammonia
• Emerging as a hub for clean energy-powered data centres

Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMBL) launched the Kotak Solitaire Credit Card — a premium, invite-only metal credit card targeting High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) under its Solitaire Program. Eligibility: TRV of ₹75 lakh (savings accounts) or ₹1 crore (current accounts).

• 10 air miles per ₹100 on flight/hotel bookings via Kotak Unbox; 3 air miles per ₹100 on other spends
• Unlimited domestic/international lounge access; 4 complimentary guest lounge visits/year (2 domestic + 2 international)
• Zero forex markup on international transactions
• Annual fee: ₹25,000 + taxes (waived for Solitaire customers); air miles valid for 3 years

New Delhi-based CK Birla Group (170+ year legacy) rebranded to ‘The CKA Birla Group’, signalling its evolution from a diversified industrial entity to a future-focused, technology and services-led enterprise. Chaired by C.K. Birla; co-chairman: Amita Birla.

The group encompasses: Birlasoft, GMMCO, National Engineering Industries (NBC Bearings), BirlaNu (formerly HIL), Orient Electric, CK Birla Healthcare (CK Birla Hospitals + Birla Fertility & IVF), Orient Paper & Industries, AVTEC, and Neosym Industry.

NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL) (wholly-owned subsidiary of NLC India Limited, Neyveli) signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with RVUNL (Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited), Jaipur for an 810 MW solar power project at Pugal Solar Park, Bikaner district, Rajasthan.

• Awarded through competitive tariff-based bidding under MNRE’s Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park (UMREPP) Scheme, Mode 8
• Expected to generate ~2 Billion Units (BU) of green electricity annually
• Expected to offset ~1.5 MMT of CO₂ emissions per year

US-based TPG Inc. (through TPG Growth) signed a binding agreement to acquire a 35% stake in SCHOTT Poonawalla Private Limited from Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune (Cyrus Poonawalla Group). Denmark-based Novo Holdings A/S is joining as a co-investor.

• Post-transaction: SCHOTT Pharma (Germany) retains its 50% stake in the JV; SII will hold a minority stake
• The deal enhances SCHOTT Poonawalla’s capabilities in pharmaceutical packaging solutions

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reappointed senior INC leader K.C. Venugopal as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Indian Parliament, with tenure until April 2026. Follows the convention established in 1967 where the PAC Chairperson is selected from the principal opposition party in Lok Sabha.

Bharti Airtel’s subsidiary Airtel Africa partnered with SpaceX (Starlink) to deploy Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet services across Africa. SpaceX has secured operating licences in 9 of the 14 countries where Airtel Africa operates; regulatory processes are ongoing in the remaining 5.

• Targets enterprises, SMBs, schools, and health centres in underserved/remote regions
• Plans to expand rural coverage via cellular backhauling using satellite links
• As of May 2025, Starlink serves 125+ countries and territories across all 7 continents

Navi Mumbai-based Paras Defence & Space Technologies signed an MoU with Israel-based HevenDrones Limited (subsidiary of US-based Heven) to establish a Joint Venture (JV) for designing, manufacturing, and supplying hydrogen-powered drones — India’s first hydrogen-drone JV, under the Make in India initiative.

• Drone Features – Extended flight endurance, modular payload capabilities, ready-to-fly configurations
• Applications – Logistics for remote/border areas, tactical surveillance, defence supply chains, and high-altitude missions
• Roles – HevenDrones provides technology/prototypes/production manuals; Paras Defence handles manufacturing, regulatory approvals, and sales in India
• Joint board with co-appointed CEO, CFO, and COO

On 7 May 2025, Rohit Gurunath Sharma (age 38) announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect. He had been India’s Test captain since February 2022. He will continue representing India in ODIs.

China secured its 14th BWF Sudirman Cup title — and a record 4th consecutive victory — defeating South Korea 3-1 in the final of the 19th Sudirman Cup 2025. Held at Fenghuang Gymnasium, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China (27 April – 4 May 2025). Japan secured 3rd place.

India’s performance: Defeated England 3-2; lost to Denmark and Indonesia; finished 9th among 16 teams.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is observed on 8 May annually to honour the principles and humanitarian efforts of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Theme 2025: ‘Keeping Humanity Alive’.

Commemorates the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant — founder of the ICRC. First International Red Cross Day: 8 May 1948.

World Thalassaemia Day (ITD) is observed on 8 May to raise awareness about Thalassaemia — an inherited blood disorder causing reduced haemoglobin. Led by the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF). Theme 2025: ‘Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients’; Slogans: ‘WeAre1’ and ‘PatientsFirst’.

• First World Thalassaemia Day: 8 May 1994, established by Panos Englezos (President and founder of TIF) in memory of his son George Englezos, who died of thalassaemia
• Alpha thalassaemia – Gene controlling alpha globin affected
• Beta thalassaemia – More severe; gene controlling beta-globin protein affected
• The disorder damages the heart, liver, lungs, and endocrine organs

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini announced the ‘Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana’ — a monthly honorarium scheme for senior artists and art scholars in Haryana.

• Eligibility – Haryana resident; 20+ years of contribution in singing, acting, drama, painting, or visual arts; age 60+ (verified via Parivar Pehchan Patra/PPP)
• Annual income up to ₹1.80 lakh → ₹10,000/month
• Annual income ₹1.80–3 lakh → ₹7,000/month
• Online applications; dedicated committee evaluates shortlisted applicants

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis launched ‘Adishakti Abhiyan’ — a state-wide women empowerment campaign with a budget of ₹10.50 crore — at a special cabinet meeting in Choundi, Maharashtra (birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar), marking her 300th birth anniversary. It was the first cabinet meeting held outside Mumbai.

• CM released a commemorative postage stamp and special logo of Ahilya Devi
• Ahmednagar district to be renamed after Ahilyabai Holkar
• ₹681 crore sanctioned for preservation of Ahilyabai’s memorial in Choundi
• Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College to be named
• Separate ITI for girls to be set up in Ahilya Nagar; hostels for Dhangar community youth in Pune and Nasik

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin announced official recognition of 5 May as Traders’ Day at the 42nd annual meeting of the Traders’ Association (Tamilnadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu), held in Madhuranthakam, Chengalpattu, TN.

• Welfare assistance for qualified Traders’ Welfare Board members increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh
• Businesses under 500 sq ft (not food-related) can obtain licences via self-certification
• Advisory committees for dispute resolution to be extended to Greater Chennai Corporation, town panchayats, and rural local bodies
• Deadline for fee-free Board membership registration extended by 6 months