Stay updated with the top headlines from 5th May 2025. This GK update covers national, international, economy, banking, defense, appointments, awards, schemes, summits, science, and important days — tailored for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other competitive exams.
National News
1. What is ECINET and why is it significant?
Answer: ECINET is a unified digital platform launched by the Election Commission to replace 40+ electoral apps, improving services for 100 crore electors and lakhs of staff with better UI/UX and data integrity.
2. What strategic move did India make regarding Chenab water flow?
Answer: India reduced water flow to Pakistan via Baglihar Dam and plans to halt Kishanganga outflows, citing maintenance but driven by strategic motives amid rising tensions.
3. What is India’s first Gold-Melting ATM?
Answer: Launched by Goldsikka, it uses AI for real-time purity testing, cash transfers, and AR jewellery previews, revolutionizing digital gold transactions.
4. What was Operation Hawk 2025?
Answer: A CBI-led crackdown on online child exploitation networks using platforms like Discord and Arisu, resulting in arrests and highlighting global cooperation.
International News
5. Who won the Australian general election in 2025?
Answer: Anthony Albanese was re-elected as Prime Minister in a landslide victory, reaffirming public trust in Labor’s centrist policies.
6. What was the outcome of Singapore’s 2025 general election?
Answer: PM Lawrence Wong led the PAP to a resounding win, securing 87 of 97 seats with 65.57% vote share.
7. Which country joined the International Solar Alliance in May 2025?
Answer: Angola became the 123rd member and signed MoUs with India on Ayurveda, agriculture, and culture.
Banking & Economy News
8. What were SBI’s Q4 FY25 financial highlights?
Answer: Net profit fell 10% to ₹18,643 crore, but annual profit rose 16% to ₹70,901 crore. SBI plans to raise ₹25,000 crore in FY26 via equity.
Appointments News
9. Who replaced K.V. Subramanian as India’s IMF Executive Director?
Answer: Parameswaran Iyer was appointed ahead of a key IMF meeting on climate loans and Pakistan’s bailout review.
10. Who will succeed Warren Buffett as Berkshire Hathaway CEO?
Answer: Greg Abel, marking the end of Buffett’s legendary tenure and ensuring continuity in investment philosophy.
Defense News
11. What was DRDO’s recent achievement in aerospace?
Answer: Successful maiden flight of the Stratospheric Airship Platform at 17 km altitude, enhancing ISR and high-altitude observation capabilities.
12. What peak did ITBP scale in its twin expedition?
Answer: Mt. Makalu, the world’s fifth highest mountain, achieving 83% success and collecting 150 kg waste under ‘Clean Himalaya’ campaign.
Ranks & Reports
13. What does the India Justice Report 2025 highlight?
Answer: Urban bias in policing, low police-population ratio (e.g., Bihar: 81 per lakh), and over 5 crore pending cases due to judicial vacancies.
Summits & Conferences
14. What will India showcase at the World Bank Land Conference 2025?
Answer: SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform, highlighting digital land reforms and rural empowerment.
Science & Technology
15. What are India’s new genome-edited rice varieties?
Answer: DRR Rice 100 and Pusa DST Rice 1, developed using CRISPR-Cas, offering 30% higher yield and 20% lower emissions.
Sports News
16. Why was S. Sreesanth suspended by KCA?
Answer: For controversial remarks over Sanju Samson’s exclusion, leading to a 3-year suspension and defamation proceedings.
17. Where were the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 inaugurated?
Answer: In Bihar, with 6,000+ athletes across 27 disciplines including sepaktakraw and esports, boosting local sports infrastructure.
Important Days
18. What is the significance of World Portuguese Language Day?
Answer: Celebrated on 5 May to honor linguistic unity among 265 million Portuguese speakers, recognized by UNESCO since 2019.
Obituaries
19. Who was Padma Shri K.V. Rabia and why is she remembered?
Answer: A literacy activist from Kerala who overcame polio and cancer to empower thousands through education, passed away at age 59.