10th-12th May 2025

1. Delhi Police Launches ‘Nayi Disha’ to Reintegrate School Dropouts
2. Justice Surya Kant Appointed as NALSA Executive Chairman
3. Rajnath Singh Launches BrahMos Manufacturing Facility in Lucknow
4. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra Join Hands for Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project
5. RBI Slaps Penalties on SBI and Jana Small Finance Bank for Regulatory Lapses
6. Uttar Pradesh Partners with World Bank to Launch UP AGREES & AI Pragya Initiatives
7. India Prohibits Use of Key Antimicrobials in Aquaculture to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
8. La Prensa Honoured with UNESCO Press Freedom Prize Amidst Government Repression
9. IBM-TCS Collaboration Anchors Quantum Future in Amaravati
10. India actively participated in the 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20)
11. World Migratory Bird Day Revealed Theme For 2025
12. First Round of India–New Zealand FTA Negotiations Successfully Concludes in New Delhi
13. Coal Ministry signs Coal Gasification Plant Development and Production Agreement
14. AGEL becomes World’s First Renewable Energy IPP to turn Water Positive
15. Australia, UK Universities setting up Campuses in Navi Mumbai
16. Karnataka-based Startup Launches AI-based Agriculture App, SBOF Agrosmart
17. ITER Achieves Major Milestone in World’s Largest Fusion Project with India’s help
18. ADB’s 58th AM of the Board of Governors Held in Milan, Italy
19. Quad Partners Conduct Tabletop Exercise in Hawaii to Launch IPLN
20. GRSE Delivered ‘Arnala’, India’s 1st ASW SWC to IN
21. Sarvam AI Launches ‘Bulbul v2’ Text-to-Speech Model with 11 Indian Languages
22. Former F1 Driver & Le Mans Champion Jochen Richard Mass Passed Away
23. Kaunain Sheriff M’s Book “The Johnson & Johnson Files: The Indian Secrets of a Global Giant” Released
24. Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War 2025 – 8–9 May

State News

1. Delhi Police Launches ‘Nayi Disha’ to Reduce Dropouts

• What:
  • Delhi Police has started a community outreach initiative called ‘Nayi Disha – A Path Back to Learning’ to bring out-of-school children back into the education system.
• Why:
  • The purpose of the initiative is to reduce school dropout rates by encouraging children who have left school to resume their education.
• Tell me more:
  • Police personnel are visiting the homes of school dropouts and talking directly with children and their families to understand why they left school and to motivate them to return.
  • The programme involves coordination with local schools, NGOs, and social workers to help with admissions, provide emotional counselling, and offer academic support.
  • Some students who left school due to financial problems, domestic issues, or personal setbacks have already started going back to school.
  • The programme is planned to be expanded to other districts based on its success.

Source: ie

2. Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project Signed by MP and Maharashtra

• What:
  • Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra governments signed an agreement for the ‘Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project’, the world’s largest groundwater recharge initiative.
• Why:
  • The project aims to ensure sustainable water management and provide irrigation benefits to both states.
• Tell me more:
  • The Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project will use 31.13 TMC of water, allocating 11.76 TMC to Madhya Pradesh and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra.
  • It will provide irrigation to 1.23 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 2.34 lakh hectares in Maharashtra, especially benefiting saline regions.
  • The project requires 3,362 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh without displacing any villages or requiring rehabilitation.
  • Four major water structures, including a low diversion weir at Kharia Gutighat dam site and multiple canals, will be constructed to support irrigation.

Source: ET

3. UP Government and World Bank Launch Agriculture, AI Projects

• What:
  • Uttar Pradesh government and World Bank launched ‘UP AGREES’ to boost agriculture in Purvanchal and Bundelkhand and ‘AI Pragya’ for digital skills training.
• Why:
  • The programmes aim to improve agricultural productivity and promote digital transformation for better employment and economic growth.
• Tell me more:
  • UP AGREES will receive a Rs 2,737 crore World Bank loan and Rs 1,166 crore state contribution over six years, benefiting nearly 10 lakh farmers with 30% women participation.
  • 10,000 women producer groups will join, and 500 farmers will get international exposure to advanced farming technologies.
  • AI Pragya aims to train 10 lakh youth in artificial intelligence and other digital technologies, offering certification in AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
  • Global companies like Microsoft, Intel, HCL, Wadhwani Foundation, Amazon, Google, and 1M1B will collaborate for upskilling initiatives.
  • The digital initiative involves departments such as Education, Health, Agriculture, Rural Development, Revenue, and Secretariat Administration.

Source: IE

4. Andhra Pradesh to Set Up India’s First Quantum Valley

• What:
  • Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the establishment of India’s first Quantum Valley, scheduled to be dedicated on January 1, 2026.
• Why:
  • The project aims to position Andhra Pradesh and India as leaders in quantum computing and technology innovation.
• Tell me more:
  • The announcement was made at the Chief Minister’s residence in Undavalli during a signing ceremony for MoUs with IBM, TCS, and L&T.
  • The Quantum Valley Tech Park in Amaravati will feature IBM’s 156-qubit Quantum System Two, the largest quantum computing system to be installed in India.
  • Two committees will be set up to fast-track infrastructure and ecosystem development, and L&T will begin construction of the primary quantum facility.
  • The project is expected to generate high-end employment, attract global investment, and enable quantum-enabled public services like GST optimization and real-time census modeling.

Source: ET

5. CIDCO to Set Up India’s First Edu City in Navi Mumbai

• What:
  • City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) will establish an Edu City in Navi Mumbai, which will be the country’s first educational campus for foreign universities.
• Why:
  • The Edu City aims to bring top foreign universities to India and create a hub for international education.
• Tell me more:
  • Two MoUs worth Rs 1,500 crore each were signed with University of York (UK) and Western Australia University for setting up their off-shore campuses in Navi Mumbai.
  • Five more universities have started initial talks for joining the Edu City project. The Edu City in Navi Mumbai will be the first in India to host foreign university campuses.
  • An MoU with Prime Focus was signed for a new Film City, expected to provide direct jobs to 2,500 people and indirect jobs to over 10,000 people.
  • The Film City will be AI-powered and designed for advanced film production.
  • Godrej is also setting up a Film City in Panvel with an MoU worth Rs 2,000 crore, aiming to create many jobs.
  • The government is considering locations for the entertainment and film industry along the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway.

Source: IE BS

International News

1. 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20) in New York

• What:
  • India reaffirmed its global leadership in forest conservation and sustainable management at the 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20) in New York.
• Why:
  • The aim was to showcase India’s achievements in forest management and call for global collaboration in wildlife protection.
• Tell me more:
  • India reported a steady increase in forest and tree cover, now at 25.17% of its geographical area.
  • Key initiatives include the Aravalli Green Wall project, a 7.86% rise in mangrove cover over ten years, afforestation of over 1.55 lakh hectares under the Green India Mission, and plantation of 1.4 billion seedlings under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.
  • India invited all UN Member States to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) for joint conservation of big cat species.
  • India presented pilot studies on valuing forest ecosystem services using models like SEEA and MEA, covering carbon sequestration, water provisioning, and biodiversity conservation.

Source: ET

2. ADB’s 58th Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy

• What:
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda addressed the 58th Annual Meeting, announcing a commitment of $24.3 billion in 2024 to support developing member countries.
• Why:
  • The commitment aims to address economic, social, and environmental challenges in the region and support countries facing trade tensions and market volatility.
• Tell me more:
  • The 58th Annual Meeting is being held in Milan, Italy, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leading the Indian delegation.
  • The meeting includes official delegations from ADB members and international financial institutions, and features events such as the Governors’ Business Session and Governor’s Plenary Session.
  • The finance minister will also hold bilateral meetings with finance ministers of Italy, Japan, and Bhutan, and meet with leaders of international financial institutions and the Indian diaspora.
  • The $24.3 billion includes a 29% increase in private sector financing and a 15% rise in concessional assistance, reaching $5.7 billion.
  • Support for fragile and conflict-affected situations and small island developing states rose by 47% to $1.1 billion. Technical assistance increased by 13% to $298 million.
  • ADB aims to provide $13 billion annually in private sector financing by 2030.
  • Capital management reforms have increased ADB’s lending capacity by up to $100 billion over the next decade.
  • ADB is amending its Charter to remove lending limitations.

Source: ADB1 NOA ADB2

Banking and Economy

1. RBI Fines SBI and Jana Small Finance Bank

• What:
  • Reserve Bank of India imposed monetary penalties on State Bank of India and Jana Small Finance Bank for regulatory non-compliances.
• Why:
  • The penalties were imposed due to deficiencies in following RBI guidelines and certain provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Tell me more:
  • State Bank of India was fined Rs 1,72,80,000 for non-compliance with guidelines on loans and advances, customer protection in unauthorised electronic banking transactions, and opening of current accounts.
  • Jana Small Finance Bank received a penalty of Rs 1 crore for violating specific provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
  • RBI clarified that these penalties are solely for compliance lapses and do not affect the validity of any transactions or agreements with customers.
  • The RBI stated that the imposition of penalties does not prevent further action against the banks if needed.

Source: TOI

2. India, New Zealand Conclude First Round of FTA Talks

• What:
  • The Ministry of Commerce & Industry announced the successful conclusion of the first round of negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• Why:
  • The negotiations aim to establish a balanced and fair trade agreement to enhance trade, investment, and economic cooperation between India and New Zealand.
• Tell me more:
  • The talks covered areas like Trade in Goods and Services, Trade Facilitation, and economic cooperation.
  • Bilateral merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion in 2024-25, a 48.6% increase over the previous year.
  • The negotiations resumed on March 16, 2025, after a gap of about ten years since the last talks in 2015.
  • Key challenges include differences in tariff structures, with New Zealand seeking greater access to India’s dairy market and other products.
  • India’s main exports to New Zealand are clothing, medicines, refined petrol, and basmati rice, while imports include agricultural goods, apples, meat, and timber.

Source: BS ET

3. Coal Ministry Signs Agreements for Coal Gasification Plants

• What:
  • The Ministry of Coal has signed the Coal Gasification Plant Development and Production Agreement (CGPDPA) with selected applicants under Category II of the Coal Gasification Financial Incentive Scheme, covering both private sector companies and government PSUs.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to promote cleaner energy alternatives and support the development of coal gasification projects in India.
• Tell me more:
  • Selected applicants under Category II are Jindal Steel and Power Limited, New Era Cleantech Solution Private Limited, and Greta Energy and Metal Private Limited.
  • The Financial Incentive Scheme for Coal Gasification was launched on January 24, 2024, with a total outlay of ₹8,500 crore.
  • The scheme targets achieving 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030 and encourages participation from both public and private sector players.

Source: PIB

4. Adani Green Energy Achieves Water Positive Status Globally

• What:
  • Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) has become the world’s first renewable energy independent power producer with over 14 GW operational portfolio to achieve water positive status across its entire operations.
• Why:
  • The achievement aims to save water and increase water availability in the surroundings, supporting sustainability in water-scarce regions.
• Tell me more:
  • AGEL reached water positivity a year ahead of its FY26 target.
  • AGEL is the first and only among the top 10 global renewable energy companies (by operational portfolio) to achieve this milestone.
  • The certification was awarded by Intertek after audits of 103 operational sites and 85 water conservation sites.
  • AGEL’s journey began with a goal to make more than 200 MW of operational plants water positive, which was achieved in FY23, and then extended to the entire portfolio by FY26.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. BrahMos Missile Production Unit Inaugurated in Lucknow

• What:
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production unit at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor in Lucknow.
• Why:
  • The production unit aims to boost missile manufacturing and strengthen India’s defence capabilities.
• Tell me more:
  • The facility is designed to manufacture 80 to 100 BrahMos missiles annually. The production unit was built at a cost of Rs 300 crore and is spread over 80 hectares of land provided free by the Uttar Pradesh government.
  • The missile is developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India and Russia, and can be launched from land, sea, or air.
  • The next-generation BrahMos missile will have a strike range of over 300 kilometres and weigh 1,290 kilograms, compared to the current version’s 2,900 kilograms.
  • Fighter jets like the Sukhoi, which could earlier carry only one BrahMos missile, will now be able to carry up to three next-generation BrahMos missiles.
  • The BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility was also inaugurated to handle missile assembly and testing.
  • The Titanium and Super Alloys Materials Plant (Strategic Materials Technology Complex) was launched at the same event to produce materials for aerospace and defence.
  • The foundation stone for the Defence Testing Infrastructure System (DTIS) was laid, which will be used for testing and certifying defence products.

Source: IT

2. Quad Partners Hold Tabletop Exercise for IPLN Launch

• What:
  • Australia, India, Japan, and the United States held a Tabletop Exercise at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii, to launch the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN).
• Why:
  • The exercise aims to help Quad partners use shared logistics to support faster and better civilian response to natural disasters in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Tell me more:
  • IPLN is designed to improve cooperation among Quad countries for disaster response.
  • The initiative works together with the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness.
  • The IPLN shows the Quad’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and highlights the value of practical cooperation for regional challenges.
  • The Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies is located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Source: NOA

3. Arnala Delivered to Indian Navy for Anti-Submarine Warfare

• What:
  • ‘Arnala’, the first in a series of eight indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs), was delivered to the Indian Navy.
• Why:
  • The delivery aims to boost India’s maritime capabilities and strengthen the Indian Navy’s shallow water Anti-Submarine Warfare operations.
• Tell me more:
  • Arnala was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and delivered at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
  • The ship was constructed under a Public-Private Partnership between GRSE and L&T Shipyard.
  • Arnala is named after the historic fort ‘Arnala’ off Vasai, Maharashtra. The ship has over 80 percent indigenous content.
  • The ship is 77 meters long and is the largest Indian Naval warship propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination. It is designed for underwater surveillance, search & rescue operations, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and advanced mine laying.

Source: ET

4. Sarvam AI Launches Bulbul-V2 Text-to-Speech Model

• What:
  • Indian AI startup Sarvam has launched Bulbul-V2, a text-to-speech model that supports 11 Indian languages and offers authentic Indian accents with natural-sounding speech.
• Why:
  • The model aims to make AI more accessible in India by providing lower-latency models and India-first pricing for API access, helping brands and businesses use custom voices easily.
• Tell me more:
  • Bulbul-V2 delivers real, non-robotic voices and allows fine control over pitch, pace, and loudness.
  • Bulbul-V2 is designed for lightning-fast performance and cost-effective pricing, making it a strong alternative to global counterparts.
  • The company was the first startup chosen by the central government to build India’s sovereign large language model (LLM) as part of the IndiaAI mission.

Source: IE

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Commerce Ministry Bans Key Antimicrobials in Aquaculture

• What:
  • In May 2025, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry prohibited the use of several medically important antimicrobials in the aquaculture sector.
• Why:
  • The ban aims to address the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in aquaculture, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance and food safety concerns.
• Tell me more:
  • The order was issued by the Department of Commerce in consultation with the Export Inspection Council as an amendment to a 1995 export trade order.
  • The amendment prohibits using any antimicrobial medicinal product for growth promotion or increasing yield in aquaculture. The amendment adds to the list of 20 pharmacologically active substances banned by the ministry in 2002.
  • A clear list of antibiotics, antivirals, and antiprotozoals is now banned for use in the culture, processing, and feed manufacturing of shrimps, prawns, and other fish.
  • The list includes 12 antibiotic classes and six antibiotics, all authorised only for human use by WHO, except phosphonic acid derivatives.

Source: DTE

2. SBOF Agrosmart Launches India’s First AI Agriculture App

• What:
  • SBOF Agrosmart Private Limited has launched SBOF Agrosmart, India’s first AI-based all-in-one agriculture app.
• Why:
  • The app aims to provide complete support to farmers and address challenges like climate change, market price fluctuations, pest outbreaks, lack of timely information, low-quality inputs, and difficulty accessing government schemes and modern tools.
• Tell me more:
  • SBOF Agrosmart offers real-time, region-specific, and data-driven agricultural solutions through a digital platform.
  • The app is powered by Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and expert-driven advisory services. It includes a chat bot for 24/7 support in multiple languages. The company has a decade of experience in fertiliser manufacturing and agri-inputs.

Source: TH

Awards

1. La Prensa Wins UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize 2025

• What:
  • Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa has been announced as the winner of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2025.
• Why:
  • The prize recognises La Prensa’s exceptional contribution to the defence or promotion of press freedom, especially in the face of danger and with courage.
• Tell me more:
  • The award ceremony will be held in Brussels, Belgium, during the World Conference on Press Freedom on 7 May 2025.
  • The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize is the only United Nations prize awarded to journalists.
  • The prize was created in 1997 and is named after Colombian journalist Guillermo Cano Isaza, who was assassinated in 1986.
  • The prize is funded by the Guillermo Cano Isaza Foundation, Namibia Media Trust, Democracy & Media Foundation (Netherlands), and Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Source: UN

Important Days

1. World Migratory Bird Day – May 10

• Theme: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities & Communities

Source: WMB1 WMB2

2. Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War 2025 – 8–9 May

Source: UN

Appointments

1. Justice Surya Kant Appointed Executive Chairman of NALSA

• What:
  • Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court, has been nominated as the new Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
• Why:
  • The appointment aims to strengthen NALSA’s mission of providing free and accessible legal aid to citizens, especially those from marginalised and economically weaker sections.
• Tell me more:
  • The President of India made the nomination under Clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
  • The Ministry of Law and Justice published the notification in the Official Gazette on May 9, 2025.
  • Justice Surya Kant succeeds Justice BR Gavai as Executive Chairman.
  • Justice Surya Kant is currently serving as Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC).
  • NALSA highlighted his significant contributions to legal aid and reforms in the justice delivery system.

Source: IT

Miscellaneous

1. Former F1 Driver & Le Mans Champion Jochen Richard Mass (German) Passed Away

Source: TG

2. Kaunain Sheriff M’s Book “The Johnson & Johnson Files: The Indian Secrets of a Global Giant” Released

Source: IE

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