01st-02nd June 2025

1. DRDO Inaugurated QTRC in Delhi to Enhance Quantum Capabilities in India
2. ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Air Connectivity Ranking 2024: Delhi’s IGIA Ranked 10th Among Top Hub Airports; Dubai Leads
3. ZET and SBM Bank India Launch FD-backed credit card for First time Borrowers
4. Crisil Forecasts India’s GDP Growth at 6.5% for FY26
5. IndiGo Signed MoU with BIAL to Establish Rs 1,100 Crore MRO Facility at Kempegowda International Airport
6. President of India Droupadi Murmu Conferred ‘National Florence Nightingale Awards 2025’ to 15 Nursing Professionals
7. WADA Foundation Board re-elects President and Vice President
8. S Padmanabhan Appointed as Chairman of Tata Chemicals
9. HGS Appoints Venkatesh Korla as Global CEO and Mahesh Kumar Nutalapati as Global CFO
10. DRDO’s ARDE Signed Licensing Agreement with NIBE Limited for Pinaka MBRL and BCP
11. ‘Indira Gandhi and the Years That Transformed India’ Book by Srinath Raghavan Released
12. World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025 – May 30
13. World No Tobacco Day 2025 – May 31
14. International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories 2025 – 25 to 31 May
15. Luís Montenegro Reappointed As Portugal’s Prime Minister
16. D Gukesh Defeats Magnus Carlsen In Norway Chess 2025
17. Delhi’s IGIA Among Top 10 Airport Hubs In Asia-Pacific & Middle East
18. Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri Crowned Miss World 2025 In Hyderabad
19. Valmik Thapar, Who Spent 50 Years With Tigers, Passes Away At 73
20. MoP&PG Declares National Anubhav Awards 2025 to Honour Retirees from Central Govt, CPSEs & PSBs
21. Prashant Tripathy Steps Down as Axis Max Life Insurance MD & CEO
22. IndiGo Appoints Vikram Singh Mehta as New Chairman
23. Raman Aggarwal Assumes Charge as CEO of FIDC
24. World Vape Day 2025 – May 30
25. UP Govt signs MoU with Australia’s Monash University to elevate Educational Standards

State News

1. UP Government Signs MoU with Monash University

• What:
  • The Uttar Pradesh government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Australia’s Monash University to provide students and faculty from basic, secondary, and higher education institutions with a global platform for research, innovation, training, and technical collaboration.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to incorporate quality, innovation, and a global perspective into the state’s education system and prepare youth for global competition.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 by promoting multi-dimensional learning, skill development, and international cooperation.
  • Gautam Buddha University will serve as the central hub for implementing the partnership.
  • The agreement will allow students and teachers from UP to engage with international educational forums and access world-class training programmes.
  • The UP government had earlier collaborated with Western Sydney University for global education standards.

Source: TOI

Banking and Economy

1. SBM Bank and ZET Launch FD-Backed Credit Card

• What:
  • ZET and SBM Bank (India) launched an FD-backed credit card to help Indians build and maintain a credit score above 750.
• Why:
  • The card aims to support people who are new to credit or have low credit scores by providing a simple and secure way to start building their credit history.
• Tell me more:
  • The SBM ZET credit card does not require an existing credit history and can be linked to any UPI app.
  • Users earn up to 7% per annum interest on their fixed deposit with SBM Bank, while using up to 90% of the deposit as their credit limit.
  • Customers need to open a fixed deposit starting at Rs 5,000, which can be increased up to Rs 5,00,000 through the ZET app.
  • The fixed deposit is insured by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) for up to Rs 5 lakh.
  • The card does not require a strong credit score or income proof, unlike unsecured credit cards.

Source: ET

2. IndiGo to Set Up New MRO Facility at Bengaluru

• What:
  • IndiGo announced plans to establish a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.
• Why:
  • The facility aims to boost IndiGo’s operational presence in southern India and support the growing aviation ecosystem.
• Tell me more:
  • IndiGo signed an MoU with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) for about 31 acres for the project.
  • The investment for the facility is over Rs 1,100 crore, including infrastructure, plant, and machinery.
  • The new MRO will have four hangars for four wide-body or eight narrow-body aircraft, plus a paint hangar for one wide-body aircraft.
  • The facility is expected to create over 750 direct high-skill jobs in engineering, logistics, warehousing, and support services.
  • The MRO will handle both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, and will add to IndiGo’s current infrastructure serving Airbus, Boeing, and defence aircraft.

Source: ET

GDP Forecasts

1. Crisil Forecasts India’s GDP Growth at 6.5% for FY26

• What:
  • Crisil has forecast India’s GDP growth at 6.5% for fiscal year 2026, supported by improving domestic consumption.
• Why:
  • The growth is expected due to healthy agricultural growth, easing inflation, RBI rate cuts, and income tax relief.
• Tell me more:
  • Above-normal monsoon (106% of long-period average) is expected to boost agriculture and keep inflation low.
  • Crude oil prices are expected to average $65-$70 per barrel this fiscal, lower than the previous year’s $78.8 per barrel.
  • RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee is expected to cut the repo rate by another 50 basis points this fiscal, after already cutting 50 basis points until April.
  • Industrial activity is mixed, with some export sectors slowing and others like machinery and garments benefiting from export front-loading.
  • Infrastructure sector grew by 4% due to large government projects in highways, railways, and ports.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. Quantum Technology Research Centre Inaugurated by DRDO in Delhi

• What:
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) in Delhi to boost indigenous quantum capabilities for strategic and defence applications.
• Why:
  • The centre aims to strengthen India’s research and development in quantum technologies for national security and strategic needs.
• Tell me more:
  • The QTRC is equipped with advanced experimental set-ups for research in quantum domains.
  • Key capabilities include characterisation of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and distributed feedback lasers.
  • The centre has test-beds for evaluating single-photon sources and set-ups for characterising micro-fabricated alkali vapour cells.
  • Experimental platforms at QTRC will help develop and validate quantum key distribution techniques for ultra-secure communication.
  • The Scientific Analysis Group (SAG) and Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) of DRDO are leading various initiatives at the centre.

Source: IT

2. DRDO Signs Technology Transfer Agreement with NIBE Limited

• What:
  • DRDO signed a Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) with NIBE Limited for the Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) and Battery Command Post (BCP).
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to strengthen the industrial base for the development and manufacturing of indigenous defence equipment.
• Tell me more:
  • The Pinaka MBRL is a modern indirect fire weapon system designed to neutralise area targets with high precision and rapid response.
  • The system can launch 12 rockets from a stationary, inclined position and is known for swift deployment and accuracy.
  • The launcher is robust, built for cross-country mobility, and can operate in diverse environmental conditions.
  • The agreement was signed by DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) with NIBE Limited, Pune.
  • The BCP supports the effective operation of the Pinaka system.

Source: ET

Awards

1. Delhi Airport Ranked Among Top 10 Hub Airports

• What:
  • Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has been ranked among the top 10 hub airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region in the 2024 Air Connectivity Ranking by Airports Council International (ACI).
• Why:
  • This recognition supports the Indian Government’s vision to make Delhi a global transit hub.
• Tell me more:
  • Delhi Airport is the only Indian airport in the top 10 list and connects to 153 destinations, including 81 domestic and 72 international routes.
  • The airport has expanded its international-to-international transfer area and installed biometric kiosks for e-visa holders to improve passenger convenience.
  • Over the past decade, transfer passenger volumes have doubled, and the airport now handles 88% of India’s long-haul destinations and 56% of India-origin long-haul weekly flights.
  • The airport has added more than 20 new international destinations, such as Phnom Penh, Bali Denpasar, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, and Tokyo Haneda.
  • Each year, 4 million domestic-to-international transfer passengers use Delhi Airport.

Source: TOI

2. Opal Suchata Chuangsri Becomes First Thai Miss World

• What:
  • Opal Suchata Chuangsri became the first Thai woman to win the Miss World title at the 2025 grand finale held in Hyderabad.
• Tell me more:
  • Opal won Miss World Thailand 2025 on April 22 before participating in the 72nd Miss World pageant.
  • Her campaign ‘Opal For Her’ focuses on breast cancer awareness, inspired by her own surgery at age 16.
  • Opal wants to debunk myths about breast cancer and promote early detection, especially among the youth.
  • The Miss World 2025 finale was held in Hyderabad.
  • Opal’s win is seen as a proud moment for Thailand.

Source: HT

3. National Anubhav Awards Scheme 2025 Expands Coverage

• What:
  • The National Anubhav Awards Scheme 2025 was notified, now including employees of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs) along with Central Government employees.
• Why:
  • The scheme aims to acknowledge and encourage the contributions of retiring and retired employees in nation building by sharing their work experiences.
• Tell me more:
  • The Anubhav platform was launched in March 2015 for sharing experiences of retiring/retired government employees.
  • The 2025 scheme considered write-ups published from 01.04.2024 to 31.03.2025, with a record 1,459 write-ups from 42 Ministries/Departments/Organizations.
  • A two-tier examination process selected 5 Anubhav Awardees and 10 Jury Certificate winners from the published write-ups.
  • The awardees include retirees from various departments such as Department of Land Resources, SBI, PMO, Post Offices, and CRPF.
  • The awards and certificates will be conferred by MoS (PP), Dr. Jitendra Singh, on 18 August 2025.

Source: PIB

Important Days

1. World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025 – May 30

• Theme: My MS diagnosis

Source: BS

2. World No Tobacco Day 2025 – May 31

• Theme: Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products

Source: NOA

3. International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories 2025 – May 25 to 31

Source: UN

4. World Vape Day 2025 – May 30

Sports

1. Gukesh Defeats Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess

• What:
  • World champion D Gukesh defeated Magnus Carlsen for the first time in a classical chess game during the sixth round of Norway Chess.
• Tell me more:
  • Gukesh is 19 years old and became world champion recently.
  • Past world champions like Anatoly Karpov, Vladimir Kramnik, and V Anand did not defeat the reigning World No.1 (Garry Kasparov) in classical games while holding the world crown.

Source: TOI

Appointments

1. WADA President and Vice-President Re-elected for Final Term

• What:
  • The World Anti-Doping Agency’s Foundation Board re-elected Witold Bańka as President and Yang Yang as Vice-President for a third and final three-year term starting 1 January 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • WADA’s 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards Update Process will conclude at the World Conference on Doping in Sport in Busan, Republic of Korea, in December 2025.
  • WADA’s 2022 Governance Reforms made education a central pillar and increased athlete participation in decision-making.
  • WADA has established a Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network.

Source: WADA

2. S Padmanabhan Appointed Chairman of Tata Chemicals

• S Padmanabhan has been appointed as Chairman of Tata Chemicals, effective 30 May 2025.
• Padmanabhan is an alumnus of IIM Bangalore, where he completed his Post Graduate Programme in Management with a specialization in Marketing.

Source: IIMB

3. HGS Appoints New Global CEO and CFO

• Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) has appointed Venkatesh Korla as the new global CEO and Mahesh Kumar Nutalapati as the new global CFO.
• He founded Element Solutions, which was acquired by HGS and forms the base of HGS’ tech services business.
• Ashok P Hinduja is the chairman of HGS.

Source: TOI

4. Portugal’s New PM Luís Montenegro

• Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has rejected the far-right Chega party’s call for constitutional reform and will focus on economic, public service, and health system reforms.

Source: EN

5. Vikram Singh Mehta Appointed Chairman of IndiGo Board

• What:
  • IndiGo has appointed Vikram Singh Mehta as the new chairman of its board, succeeding Venkataramani Sumantran.
• Tell me more:
  • He has held board positions at Colgate Palmolive (India), Mahindra & Mahindra, and Larsen and Toubro.
  • He is the Chairman of the Centre for Social and Economic Progress and has been Executive Chairman of Brookings India and Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution.

Source: ET

6. Raman Aggarwal Appointed CEO of FIDC

• What:
  • Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) has appointed Raman Aggarwal as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
• Tell me more:
  • FIDC is an RBI-registered representative body of NBFCs and regularly interacts with the Reserve Bank of India and Government of India.
  • FIDC’s mission is to ensure the sustainable growth of the NBFC sector.

Source: ET

Miscellaneous

1. Indira Gandhi’s Leadership Explored in New Book

• What:
  • The book “Indira Gandhi and the Years That Transformed India” by Srinath Raghavan examines Indira Gandhi’s political journey and the impact of the Emergency imposed from June 1975 to 1977.
• Why:
  • The book aims to provide an objective, historian’s view of Indira Gandhi’s years as Prime Minister and how her decisions changed India’s political and constitutional landscape.
• Tell me more:
  • The book covers Indira Gandhi’s rise from being called a ‘goongi gudiya’ in 1967 to being named the Empress of India in 1972, her ousting in 1977, return in 1980, and assassination in 1984.
  • It discusses the Emergency, its causes, and its effects, especially the struggle for power among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
  • The book highlights two major shifts under Indira Gandhi: her embrace of the Left in the 1970s and her adoption of secularism in the 1980s.
  • The reviewer of the book translated BN Tandon’s “Prelude to the Emergency: PMO Diaries, Vol 1.”

Source: PC

2. Valmik Thapar, Renowned Tiger Conservationist, Passes Away

• Valmik Thapar, noted tiger conservationist, author, and activist, passed away at the age of 73 after a prolonged illness.
• He founded the Ranthambhore Foundation in 1987, focusing on combining forest protection with healthcare, education, women’s employment, and crafts for local villages.

Source: TOI

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