Current Affairs 25 May 2026
National Affairs
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar Launches 'JEEVAN' Mobile App and 'SHATAYU' Dashboard
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), launched two digital platforms for senior citizens during a virtual national workshop on 'Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy', organised by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), MSJE.
| Platform | Full Form | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| JEEVAN | Joint Elderly Empowerment & Virtual Assistance Network | Mobile app providing information on government schemes, welfare programmes, emergency assistance, support services & senior citizen homes under DoSJE; features simplified navigation and accessibility tools for elderly users |
| SHATAYU | Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training For Your Utility | Geriatric Caregiver Dashboard providing information on caregiver availability across districts and states nationwide |
ANRF Selects 10 Convergence Research CoEs to Boost Multidisciplinary Innovation
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) selected 10 institutions under its Convergence Research Centres of Excellence (CoE) programme to promote multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research integrating science, technology, social sciences, and humanities.
Selected Institutes:
| Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| IIT Gandhinagar | Gujarat |
| National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| IIT Madras | Chennai, TN |
| NIT Agartala | Tripura |
| Institute for Human Development (IHD) | Delhi |
| IIT Dharwad | Karnataka |
| IIM Jammu | J&K |
| IIT Kanpur | UP |
| Chanakya University | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| PSGR Krishnammal College for Women | Coimbatore, TN |
Funding: Up to ₹25 crore per Centre for projects with a maximum duration of five years.
Research Areas: AI, robotics, digital humanities, rural livelihoods, archaeology, sustainability, language studies, computational economics, and big data analytics.
ITBP's First All-Women Expedition Successfully Summits Mt Everest
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) completed its first-ever all-women international mountaineering expedition to Mt Everest, with a 14-member team summiting the 8,848 m peak via the South Col Route from Nepal.
The Border Security Force (BSF), a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) under MHA, also successfully scaled Mt Everest through its first all-women expedition, 'Mission Vande Mataram', as part of its Diamond Jubilee celebrations (60 years of service).
| Expedition | Team Details |
|---|---|
| ITBP | 11 women climbers + 3 technical/support members; faced extreme weather, low oxygen & difficult ice-wall sections in the "Death Zone" above 8,000 m |
| BSF | 4 women constables: Kouser Fatima (Ladakh), Munmun Ghosh (WB), Rabeka Singh (Uttarakhand) & Tsering Chorol (Kargil, Ladakh) |
Objective: Supporting the 'Clean Himalaya – Save Glacier' campaign through collection of non-biodegradable waste from the Everest region.
BIT Mesra & NESAC Sign MoU to Advance GeoAI and Geospatial Research
Birla Institute of Technology Mesra (BIT Mesra) and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Department of Space (DoS) and North Eastern Council (NEC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in geospatial technologies, GeoAI, remote sensing, and higher education.
Signed by Dr. SP Aggarwal, Director, NESAC, and Prof. Indranil Manna, Vice Chancellor, BIT Mesra, in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Tenure: Valid for five years, with a provision for extension.
Collaboration:
| Entity | Contribution |
|---|---|
| NESAC | Geospatial databases, satellite imagery, meteorological data & expertise in Earth observation and GIS |
| BIT Mesra | Research, training, outreach & capacity building in engineering, remote sensing & emerging geospatial technologies |
Provisions: Empanelment of NESAC scientists as guest faculty; joint supervision of research scholars; NESAC scientists pursuing part-time Master's and PhD programmes at BIT Mesra; internships, workshops, research exchange, specialised GeoAI courses, and research projects.
BDIA Launches Bharat Digital Samvad in New Delhi
The Bharath Digital Infrastructure Association (BDIA) launched 'Bharat Digital Samvad', India's first dedicated national forum on digital sovereignty and infrastructure policy, in New Delhi, Delhi.
Collaboration: Brings together leaders from cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and data platforms, along with policymakers, regulators, academia, and innovators, to create a roadmap for India's next digital decade.
Focus: The intersection of national security, economic growth, and technological self-reliance.
Principle: Promotes the principle of 'Data Swaraj', highlighting India's sovereign right to control how its data is collected, stored, governed, and monetised as the country's digital economy moves towards the USD 1 trillion mark by 2030.
About BDIA: An industry association representing broadcasters and digital media companies in India, working towards policy advocacy, industry collaboration, and a balanced and sustainable digital media ecosystem.
International Affairs
Overview of PM Narendra Modi's Visit to Italy on May 19–20, 2026
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to Italy from May 19–20, 2026, at the invitation of Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic.
This marked the culmination of PM Modi's 5-nation tour (UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy) from May 15–20, 2026.
Bilateral Meeting: PM Modi held talks with PM Meloni in Rome, reviewing progress under the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029.
FAO's Highest Honour: PM Modi was honoured with the Agricola Medal, the highest honour of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), by DG Qu Dongyu at FAO headquarters in Rome.
Key Outcomes:
- Elevation of India–Italy ties to a Special Strategic Partnership (SSP)
- Establishment of a Foreign Ministerial-level mechanism to review the Joint Strategic Action Plan (2025–29)
- Target to expand bilateral trade to EUR 20 billion by 2029
- Creation of INNOVIT India innovation hub
- Adoption of a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) and Defence Industrial Roadmap
- Declaration of 2027 as the "Year of Culture and Tourism"
Key MoUs: India and Italy signed 10 MoUs covering critical minerals, agriculture, maritime transport, marine products, higher education, Ayurveda, climate research, and science cooperation.
India Among Largest New Carbon Markets; Global Carbon Pricing Covers 29% of Emissions: World Bank Report
The World Bank Group (WBG) released the 13th edition of the report titled "State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2026", identifying India among the world's largest new carbon markets following the launch of its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in 2026.
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Global Emissions Coverage | 29% of GHG emissions |
| Annual Revenues | Tripled over a decade: <USD 30 billion (2016) → over USD 107 billion (2025) |
| Average Global Direct Carbon Price | Increased 7% Y-o-Y; nearly doubled over 10 years: USD 10/tCO₂e (2016) → ~USD 21/tCO₂e (2026) |
| Carbon Policies | 87 currently implemented globally (up by 7 since 2025) |
| Projected Coverage | If all policies under development are implemented by 2030, nearly 1/3rd (33.33%) of global GHG emissions could come under carbon pricing |
Banking & Finance
RBI Declares ₹2.87 Lakh Crore Dividend to GoI for FY26
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved a record surplus transfer of ₹2,86,588.46 crore to the Government of India (GoI) for FY26, higher than last year's transfer of ₹2.69 lakh crore.
The decision was taken during the 623rd meeting of the Central Board of Directors (CBoDs) of RBI, chaired by Governor Dr. Sanjay Malhotra, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Balance Sheet (as on March 31, 2026) | Expanded 20.61% to ₹91.97 lakh crore |
| Gross Income Growth | 26.42% over the previous year |
| Expenditure Growth (before risk provisions) | 27.60% |
| Contingency Risk Buffer (CRB) Transfer | ₹1,09,379.64 crore (up from ₹44,861.70 crore in FY25) |
| CRB Maintained At | 6.5% of RBI's balance sheet (revised ECF requires 4.5%–7.5% range) |
Skydo Secures PSP Approval in GIFT City and RBI Nod for Outward Remittances
Skydo, a leading cross-border payments platform, secured in-principle approval to operate as a Payment Service Provider (PSP) in the IFSC at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Capabilities Enabled: Multi-currency collections, e-money accounts, and merchant acquisition services for cross-border trade.
Other Key Approval: RBI regulatory approval to support outward remittance flows under the Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) framework, which regulates and streamlines cross-border payment activities for fintech companies.
Significance: Allows processing of both inbound payments from overseas customers and outward transactions to overseas vendors and service providers through a unified platform.
Fintech Jumpp Receives IRDAI Approval for Insurance Distribution
Conversational fintech platform Jumpp, operated by Finvasia Group, received Corporate Agency and Insurance Self Network Platform (ISNP) licences from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to distribute insurance products digitally through its AI-powered platform.
Insurance Offerings: Health, life, motor, business, and home insurance through partnerships with insurers; fully digital platform for policy discovery, purchase, and management.
Technology: AI-based personalised financial and insurance recommendations; Account Aggregator framework integrates multiple financial accounts into a single dashboard.
Banking: Partnered with YES Bank for banking and BBPS services; operates UPI services through NPCI authorisation.
Awards & Recognitions
Major Abhilasha Barak Honoured with UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025
Major Abhilasha Barak, Indian Army (IA), was announced as the recipient of the 2025 United Nations (UN) Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, confirmed by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations — becoming the third recipient of the award from India.
Recognition: Honoured for community outreach for women and adolescent girls and conducting gender sensitisation training for UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Career | Trained at Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS), Nashik, Maharashtra; earned "wings" as the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army after joining the Army Aviation Corps in 2022 |
| Qualification | Co-pilot of indigenous Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) weaponised platforms |
| Current Role | Commander, Female Engagement Team (FET) in Indian Battalion (INDBATT-XXVI) deployed with UNIFIL |
Karnataka Grameena Bank Receives National Award for Outstanding APY Performance
Karnataka Grameena Bank (KGB), an Indian Regional Rural Bank (RRB), received the National Award from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) for outstanding performance in APY enrolment.
Award Presentation: Received by Shreekant M Bhandiwad, Chairman of KGB, from M Nagaraju, Secretary, DFS, MoF, and S Ramann, Chairperson of PFRDA, during the APY Annual Felicitation Programme in New Delhi.
Achievement: Enrolled 2,49,185 APY accounts against the PFRDA target of 1,75,500 — achieving 142% of the target, the highest among all banks in Karnataka.
APY: Launched in May 2015; government-backed social security scheme for unorganised sector workers providing guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after age 60 based on subscriber's contribution.
Appointments & Resignations
ACC Extends Tenure of NCB Director General Anurag Garg Till July 2027
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, extended the deputation tenure of Anurag Garg, Director General (DG) of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), till 31 July 2027.
Appointed DG of NCB in September 2024, succeeding Satya Narayan (S.N.) Pradhan (July 2021 – August 2024).
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Profile | 1993 batch IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh (HP) cadre |
| HP Police | ASP (Shimla), ADC to Governor of HP, SP (Bilaspur & Kullu) |
| Leadership | DIG (Mandi district, HP) — introduced systematic security infrastructure reforms; ADGP for Law & Order and Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) (November 2018 – early 2021) |
About NCB: Established in 1986 under MHA as India's apex anti-drug law enforcement and intelligence agency functioning under the NDPS Act, 1985.
Science & Technology
India Test-Fires Agni-1 Short-Range Ballistic Missile at Chandipur, Odisha
India successfully test-fired the Agni-1 Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha, under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), validating all operational and technical parameters.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Single-stage, solid-fuelled, road-mobile SRBM |
| Launch Capability | Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) and rail-launch |
| Strike Range | 700–900 km (extendable up to 1,200 km in some configurations) |
| Payload | Up to 1,000 kg (conventional or nuclear warheads) |
| Development | DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) |
| Induction | Indian Armed Forces in 2004 |
Books & Authors
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book "The Library Man of India" on P.N. Panicker
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book 'The Library Man of India: The Story of P.N. Panicker', authored by P. P. Sathyan, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, Delhi.
Published By: Rupa Publications India Private Limited.
Legacy: Highlights the legacy of P.N. Panicker, a visionary reformer who led Kerala's public library movement and mass literacy drive under the slogan "Vayichu Valaruka" (Read and Grow).
P.N. Panicker: Regarded as the Father of the Library Movement in Kerala; led the expansion of the Granthashala Sangham (Library Association) from a few small rooms into a vast network of over 6,000 public libraries across Kerala.
P.N. Panicker's death anniversary on June 19 is observed by the GoI as National Reading Day.
Important Days at a Glance
| Date | Event | Key Theme / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| May 21 | World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development | In November 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, recognising cultural diversity as the "common heritage of humanity." UNGA Resolution A/RES/57/249 (20 December 2002) proclaimed 21 May as the observance. First observed on 21 May 2003. Annually led by UNESCO. |
| May 21 | National Anti-Terrorism Day | Marks the 35th death anniversary of 6th PM of India Rajiv Gandhi (1984–1989), assassinated in 1991 by a suicide bomber associated with LTTE at Sriperumbudur, TN. Designated in 1992 by the GoI. Coordinated annually by the MHA. Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 (13th edition, by IEP): Pakistan ranked 1st (score: 8.574); India ranked 13th (score: 6.428). |
| May 22 | International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) | Theme 2026: "Acting locally for global impact". Originally designated on 29 December (1995, UNGA Resolution A/RES/49/119); changed to 22 May in 2001 (Resolution A/RES/55/201). First observed on 22 May 2002. 2026 National-Level Celebration: MoEFCC in collaboration with Government of MP, NBA & IBCA at IIFM, Bhopal, MP. |
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