01st-02nd May 2025

1. “Victory of Faith”: Vietnam Marks 50 Years Since the End of the Vietnam War
2. Ex-RAW Chief Alok Joshi Appointed Head of Revamped National Security Board
3. The Return of Raghuji Bhosale’s Legendary Sword to Bharat
4. Right to Digital Access: Supreme Court Directs Changes in KYC Process for Disabled Persons
5. Nvidia’s $500 Billion AI Push: U.S. to Become Chip Manufacturing Hub
6. World Tuna Day 2025
7. EC Launches Capacity-Building Training for Grassroot Poll Officials
8. Centre Clears Greenfield NH-6 Corridor Linking Meghalaya and Assam
9. Liverpool Crowned 2024–25 Premier League Champions
10. Maharashtra Diwas 2025: Origin, History, Significance & Celebration
11. Gujarat Statehood Day, Date, History, Celebrations
12. WAVES 2025: India’s Mega Leap Towards a Global M&E Powerhouse
13. International Labour Day 2025, Date, History, All Things You Need To Know
14. India Post Partners with SBI Mutual Fund to Streamline KYC
15. Supreme Court Suggests Minimum Vote Requirement for Unopposed Election Wins
16. Kirthiga Reddy Launches ‘AI Kiran’ to Empower Indian Women in Artificial Intelligence
17. IAS Vinod Kumar Gunjiyal Assumes Charge as the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar
18. IndusInd Bank CEO Sumant Kathpalia Resigns Amid ₹2,000 Crore Derivatives Accounting Lapse
19. President Appoints Justice Gavai As 52nd CJI Of India
20. PM Narendra Modi addresses YUGM Innovation conclave in New Delhi
21. Maharashtra, Gujarat & Karnataka lead 2025 CareEdge state rankings
22. Ghaziabad Raises Rs.150 Crore via India’s First Certified Green Municipal Bond for TSTP
23. MP Becomes 1st state in India to Launch AI-Based Real-Time Forest Alert System
24. MoLE & Rapido Signed MoU to Enhance Employment via NCS Portal
25. DoP partners with SBI Mutual Fund to simplify Onboarding of MF Investors
26. Bajaj Allianz Launched Parametric Insurance Product ‘ClimateSafe’ for Climate-Related Risks
27. RBI Approves Interim “Committee of Executives” for IndusInd Bank Amid Leadership Transition
28. Indian Armed Forces Leadership Reshuffle: Tiwari, Dixit & Sharma Appointed to Top Positions
29. Cricket Retained and MMA to Debut in 2026 Asian Games
30. Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2025 – April 30
31. International Jazz Day 2025 – April 30
32. World Immunization Week 2025 – 24 to 30 April

National News

1. Supreme Court Mandates Accessible Digital KYC for Disabled

• What:
  • The Supreme Court ordered revisions to digital KYC norms to include persons with visual disabilities and facial disfigurement, directing RBI and ministries to ensure compliance.
• Why:
  • The move aims to uphold constitutional rights by bridging the digital divide and ensuring equal access to essential services for marginalized groups.
• Tell me more:
  • Courts cited discrimination faced by acid attack survivors (unable to perform facial movements) and visually impaired individuals (difficulty with selfies/OTPs) under current KYC rules.
  • Regulated entities must appoint nodal officers, conduct accessibility audits, and involve disabled persons in app/website testing.
  • RBI must introduce alternative “liveness” verification methods beyond eye-blinking for e-KYC.

Source: IE

2. Election Commission Trains Officials for Upcoming Polls

• What:
  • Election Commission launched training for 369 electoral officers from Bihar, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh to enhance voter registration and electoral roll accuracy.
• Why:
  • The initiative prepares officials for upcoming assembly elections and ensures compliance with electoral laws during voter registration processes.
• Tell me more:
  • Training covers voter registration, form handling, EVM/VVPAT use, and legal provisions for electoral roll appeals.
  • The training is not solely for states with immediate elections but includes officials from different regions to enhance their understanding of electoral procedures.

Source: TP

3. Cabinet Approves Northeast Corridor, Sugarcane FRP Hike, and Caste Census

• What:
  • The Cabinet approved a ₹22,864 crore Northeast highway corridor, increased sugarcane FRP to ₹355/quintal, and included caste enumeration in the national census.
• Why:
  • The decisions aim to boost regional connectivity, support farmers, and strengthen socio-economic data for policy-making.
• Tell me more:
  • Highway corridor: 166.8 km greenfield project linking Meghalaya and Assam to reduce Shillong-Silchar travel time and improve access to NH routes.
  • Sugarcane FRP: ₹15/quintal hike for 2025–26 season; mills below 9.5% recovery rate to pay ₹329.05/quintal.
  • Caste census: To be conducted under Article 246, addressing past gaps in SECC 2010.

Source: TOI

4. PM Modi Inaugurates WAVES 2025 in Mumbai

• What:
  • Prime Minister Modi inaugurated WAVES 2025, India’s first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, at Mumbai’s Jio World Centre, with participation from over 100 countries.
• Why:
  • The summit aims to build a global creative ecosystem and position India as a hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation.
• Tell me more:
  • WAVES 2025 coincided with Maharashtra and Gujarat Statehood Days.
  • The summit celebrates storytelling, films, music, gaming, and animation.
  • Modi highlighted India’s cinematic legacy, mentioning films like Raja Harishchandra (1913), Dadasaheb Phalke, Raj Kapoor, Satyajit Ray, and RRR’s Oscar win.
  • The Creators Challenge and Creatosphere initiative engaged 100,000 creators from 60 countries, with 800 finalists.
  • The goal is to reach a $50 billion creative market by 2029, integrating films, OTT, gaming, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, and broadcasting.
  • Modi emphasized India’s vision of “Create in India, Create for the World.”

Source: MEA

5. Supreme Court Considers Vote Threshold for Uncontested Elections

• What:
  • The Supreme Court discussed introducing a minimum vote requirement for uncontested election winners, suggesting 10-15% voter support.
• Why:
  • To ensure democratic representation by preventing candidates from winning without voter approval and addressing potential misuse of uncontested elections.
• Tell me more:
  • The plea challenges Section 53(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which allows automatic declaration of sole candidates as winners.
  • NOTA (None of the Above) becomes ineffective in uncontested elections, limiting voter dissent.
  • The court emphasized legislative preparedness for rare but critical scenarios.

Source: IE

6. PM Launches YUGM Innovation Conclave and Superhubs

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the YUGM Innovation Conclave in New Delhi, launching Superhubs at IIT Kanpur for AI and at IIT Bombay for biosciences, and announced the Wadhwani Innovation Network in partnership with the National Research Foundation.
• Why:
  • The initiatives aim to boost innovation, promote collaboration between government, academia, and industry, and support India’s goal of becoming a developed nation through advanced technology.
• Tell me more:
  • YUGM is a first-of-its-kind conclave uniting leaders from government, academia, industry, and innovation.
  • Superhubs at IIT Kanpur will focus on artificial intelligence and intelligent systems, while IIT Bombay will focus on biosciences, biotechnology, health, and medicine.
  • The Wadhwani Innovation Network will help commercialize research and is supported by the National Research Foundation.
  • The conclave supports a ₹1,400 crore project funded by the Wadhwani Foundation and government institutions.
  • Youth-led breakthroughs include the world’s longest hyperloop test track at IIT Madras, nanotechnology research at IISc Bangalore, the ‘brain on a chip’ innovation, and India’s first indigenous MRI machine.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Maharashtra Repatriates Historic Maratha Warrior’s Sword

• What:
  • Maharashtra government bought Raghuji Bhonsle I’s historic sword for ₹47.15 lakh at a London auction to reclaim cultural heritage.
• Why:
  • The sword symbolizes Maratha Empire’s legacy and honors Raghuji Bhonsle I’s contributions to its expansion and temple restoration.
• Tell me more:
  • The basket-hilt sword has a gold inscription (“Shrimant Raghuji Bhosale Sena Saheb Subah Firang”) and was likely gifted by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
  • Raghuji Bhonsle I expanded Maratha rule into Odisha, Bihar, and Bengal, revived the Jagannath Temple, and introduced pilgrim facilities.
  • The sword was looted by the British after the 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi, where they defeated the Nagpur Bhonsles and burned their palace.

Source: IE

2. Maharashtra Tops CareEdge State Rankings 2025

• What:
  • Maharashtra ranked first in CareEdge’s 2025 State Ranking Report for overall performance, followed by Gujarat and Karnataka.
• Why:
  • The state excelled in inclusive growth, infrastructure, fiscal management, and alignment with India’s 2047 development vision.
• Tell me more:
  • Parameters: Rankings based on 50 data points across economy, infrastructure, governance, environment, and social development.
  • Top performers: Gujarat leads in economic growth (high FDI, per capita income), Karnataka in environment, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in social programs.
  • Regional trends: Western states dominate fiscal management and economy; Southern states score high in governance and sustainability.

Source: BS

3. Madhya Pradesh Launches AI-Based Forest Alert System

• What:
  • Madhya Pradesh introduced India’s first AI-based real-time forest alert system to monitor encroachment, land use changes, and degradation.
• Why:
  • To enable proactive forest management through satellite data, field feedback, and real-time alerts for immediate action.
• Tell me more:
  • Pilot areas: Implemented in Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Burhanpur, and Khandwa divisions with high encroachment/felling incidents.
  • Technology: Uses Google Earth Engine, AI models, and mobile apps for alerts and GPS-tagged field verification (photos/voice notes).
  • Features: Live dashboard for forest officers, geo-fencing, and distance measurement tools for accuracy.

Source: TP

International News

1. Vietnam Marks 50 Years of Reunification with Grand Celebrations

• What:
  • Vietnam celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War with a parade in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring troops, air shows, and patriotic events.
• Why:
  • The event commemorates the 1975 reunification of North and South Vietnam and honors the victory over U.S.-backed forces.
• Tell me more:
  • The fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, ended a 20-year conflict that killed 3 million Vietnamese and nearly 60,000 Americans.
  • U.S. helicopters evacuated 7,000 people before North Vietnamese tanks entered the city.
  • Formal reunification was completed in 1976, 22 years after Vietnam split post-French colonial rule.

Source: TP

Banking and Economy

1. Nvidia Announces $500 Billion US AI Infrastructure Investment

• What:
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced a $500 billion U.S. investment in AI infrastructure, shifting from Taiwan-based chip production.
• Why:
  • The move aims to meet rising AI chip demand, revolutionize industries, and align with U.S. goals to strengthen domestic manufacturing.
• Tell me more:
  • Facilities will produce advanced GPUs and supercomputers, with TSMC manufacturing Blackwell chips in Arizona and Foxconn/Wistron building plants in Texas.
  • Partnerships include TSMC, Foxconn, Wistron, Amkor, and SPIL, generating hundreds of thousands of jobs.
  • Huang credited President Trump’s policies for accelerating U.S. manufacturing and emphasized energy policy’s role in AI growth.

Source: MoC

2. India Post Partners with SBI Funds for Doorstep KYC Services

• What:
  • India Post collaborates with SBI Funds Management to simplify KYC verification for mutual fund investors through doorstep document collection.
• Why:
  • Aims to enhance financial inclusion, support the ‘Jan Nivesh’ initiative, and improve access to mutual funds in rural and remote areas.
• Tell me more:
  • Trained India Post personnel will collect KYC documents securely, prioritizing accuracy and privacy.
  • Targets underserved regions, senior citizens, and individuals with mobility challenges.
  • Aligns with Digital India’s goal to digitize financial services.

Source: ET

3. AI Kiran Launched to Empower Indian Women in AI

• What:
  • Kirthiga Reddy launches AI Kiran, a platform to elevate Indian women in AI through mentorship, funding, and global networking, launching on April 21 (UN Creativity and Innovation Day).
• Why:
  • Aims to bridge gender gaps in AI roles (19% senior-level representation) and foster interdisciplinary AI development through collaboration and funding.
• Tell me more:
  • Uses blockchain-powered credentialing for authenticity, targeting 250 women initially and one million within a year.
  • Partners include Nasscom, INK Women, and global organizations like AnitaB.org, supported by a $3 million fundraising campaign.
  • Focuses on education, healthcare, sustainability, and enterprise tech to promote responsible AI practices.

Source: IE

4. RBI Approves Interim Committee to Manage IndusInd Bank

• What:
  • RBI approved a committee of executives (Soumitra Sen and Anil Rao) to manage IndusInd Bank temporarily after CEO Sumant Kathpalia’s resignation.
• Why:
  • To address governance concerns and ensure continuity after discrepancies caused a ₹1,960 crore loss, prompting senior management reshuffles.
• Tell me more:
  • Committee oversight: Supervised by a board-led Oversight Committee chaired by Sunil Mehta.
  • Interim Leadership: RBI’s Section 10B(9) allows a committee to manage CEO roles for up to four months.
  • Duration: Valid for 3 months or until a new CEO is appointed.
  • Loss details: ₹1,960-crore loss linked to misaccounted internal derivative trades and inflated profits.

Source: ET LM

5. Ghaziabad Issues India’s First Green Municipal Bond for Sewage Plant

• What:
  • Ghaziabad raised ₹150 crore via India’s first certified Green Municipal Bond to build a sewage treatment plant under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
• Why:
  • To fund a sustainable wastewater treatment facility, reduce freshwater dependency, and set a financial-environmental model for cities.
• Tell me more:
  • Technology: Uses advanced filtration (microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis) to treat 40 million liters daily.
  • Reuse: Supplies treated water to 1,400+ industries via a 95 km pipeline network.
  • Funding model: Developed under PPP-Hybrid Annuity Model (40% municipal funding) and secured contracts with 800+ firms for 9.5 MLD supply.
  • Award: Won Best Municipal Treated Water Reuse Award at Water Digest World Water Awards 2024-25.

Source: PIB

6. Bajaj Allianz Launches ClimateSafe Insurance for Extreme Weather

• What:
  • Bajaj Allianz introduced “ClimateSafe,” a parametric insurance product offering automatic payouts for extreme weather events like heatwaves or heavy rain.
• Why:
  • To provide financial protection against income loss or extra expenses caused by climate-related disruptions, especially for vulnerable groups.
• Tell me more:
  • Coverage: Daily wage workers, drivers, and shop owners can choose location, risk period (1-30 days), and sum insured (e.g., Rs 500/day for 15 days).
  • Payouts: Automatic claims settled within 7 days when predefined weather thresholds (e.g., 42°C) are met, with dynamic pricing based on real-time climate data.
  • Data sources: Uses Indian Meteorological Department and ERA5 for weather verification.

Source: TOI

Important Days

1. World Tuna Day – May 2

• Theme: “Our Ocean, Our Tuna, Our Future.”

Source: N18

2. Maharashtra and Gujarat Day – May 1

• The common statehood of Maharashtra and Gujarat has been celebrated since May 1, 1960.

Source: IE

3. International Labour Day – May 1

Source: BS

4. Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2025 – April 30

5. International Jazz Day – April 30

• The 2025 International @Jazzday All-Star Global Concert was organized at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE on April 30th.
• Edition: 14th

Source: IJD

Sports

1. Liverpool Clinch 2024-25 Premier League Title

• What:
  • Liverpool FC won the 2024-25 Premier League title, their 20th top-division victory, after defeating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1.
• Why:
  • The victory marks their second Premier League title (after 2019-20) and equals Manchester United’s record of 20 English top-flight titles.
• Tell me more:
  • Head coach Arne Slot secured the title in his debut season with 25 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses.
  • The team will receive the trophy on May 25 during the final league match against Crystal Palace at Anfield, UK.

Source: LP

2. Cricket Retained, MMA Added for 2026 Asian Games

• What:
  • Cricket retained and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) added to the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
• Why:
  • To expand the sports program, reflecting growing global interest in MMA and cricket’s popularity.
• Tell me more:
  • Venue: Scheduled in Aichi and Nagoya (September 19–October 4) with 15,000 athletes.
  • Cricket format: T20 tournaments for men and women, continuing from Hangzhou 2023 where India won gold in both categories.
  • MMA debut: Six medal events under Combat Sports, alongside kurash and jujitsu.

Source: IE

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Govt Partners with Rapido to Create 50 Lakh Jobs via NCS Portal

• What:
  • The Labour Ministry signed an MoU with Rapido to add 50 lakh logistics jobs on the National Career Service (NCS) portal over 1.5 years.
• Why:
  • To enhance employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth, through inclusive hiring and real-time job matching.
• Tell me more:
  • Portal reach: NCS has 1.75 crore active job seekers and 40 lakh employers, integrated with My Bharat and eShram.
  • Focus areas: API integration for real-time job postings, flexible work options, and Rapido’s “Pink Rapido” initiative for women.
  • Targets: Create 5 lakh jobs for women and ensure structured onboarding with worker welfare scheme awareness.

Source: ET

Appointments

1. Government Reforms National Security Advisory Board

• What:
  • The government reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board, appointing former R&AW chief Alok Joshi as chairman and including retired military and police officers.
• Why:
  • The move aims to provide long-term security analysis and policy recommendations to the National Security Council.
• Tell me more:
  • The board includes former officers like Air Marshal PM Sinha, Lt Gen AK Singh, Rear Admiral Monty Khanna, and retired IPS officers Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh.
  • The decision follows a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting addressing the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people and had cross-border linkages.

Source: TOI

2. Himachal Pradesh Appoints Abid Hussain Sadiq

• Himachal Pradesh government transferred 17 IAS officers, including Abid Hussain Sadiq, who moved from Bilaspur DC to Managing Director of HP Power Corporation.

Source: APAC

3. Justice Bhushan Gavai Appointed as 52nd Chief Justice of India

• What:
  • Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India effective 14th May, succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
• Tell me more:
  • Appointment announced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and approved by President Droupadi Murmu.
  • Justice Gavai will assume office after Justice Khanna’s term concludes.

Source: NOA

4. Indian Armed Forces Undergo Top-Level Leadership Changes

• What:
  • Key leadership changes announced across Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, including new appointments for Northern Command, CISC, and ANC.
• Why:
  • To fill vacancies created by retirements and ensure continuity in strategic military operations.
• Tell me more:
  • Army: Lt Gen Prateek Sharma appointed Northern Command chief; Lt Gen DS Rana to lead Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) from June 1.
  • Air Force: Air Marshal Ashok Dixit becomes CISC; Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari named VCAS.
  • Navy: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan likely to head Western Naval Command post-July 31 retirement.

Source: IE

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