Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
The Madhya Pradesh government has launched the Tejaswi programme to build entrepreneurial skills and confidence in students. A multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the School Education Department, State Open School, and partners Udyam Learning Foundation and The Education Alliance. The programme aims to give students knowledge about self-employment and emerging industries. It will train students in vocational skills to help them become self-reliant and handle life challenges. This initiative supports the goals of the National Education Policy 2020, which promotes vocational learning and life skills in school education.

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The Subaru Telescope in Hawaii recently used the Hyper Suprime-Cam to carry out a deep sky survey from the University of Tokyo. It reported a Sigma Eight (S8) value of 0.747, which matches earlier results from gravitational lensing studies. Sigma Eight (S8) is a key measure in cosmology that shows how matter is clustered or “clumpy” across the universe on a scale of 26 million light-years. It tells scientists how much visible and dark matter is gathered in different parts of space. This finding helps us understand how the universe evolved from a smooth early state after the Big Bang.

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Reliance NU Suntech recently signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) to build Asia’s largest single-location integrated solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. SECI is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), dedicated to expanding Renewable Energy (RE) in India. SECI was formed in 2011 as a not-for-profit company and later became a commercial entity in 2015. It was established to support the National Solar Mission and has Miniratna Category-I status. SECI acts as the main agency for implementing solar, wind, and hybrid energy projects across India. It also helps fulfill India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by inviting developers through tenders for RE projects.

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The Ramman Festival, inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is celebrated in Uttarakhand. It takes place annually in late April, after the harvest season, in the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra. The festival honours Bhumiyal Devta, the village’s tutelary deity, and holds deep religious significance. The celebration includes complex rituals such as the recitation of a version of the epic of Rama, songs, and masked dances. A key feature is the singing of Jagar, a musical performance that narrates local legends.

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In the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), India ranks 151 out of 180 countries. This is a slight improvement from 159th in 2024 and 161st in 2023, but India still remains in the “very serious” press freedom category. India ranks lower than neighbours like Nepal (90th), Maldives (104th), Sri Lanka (139th), and Bangladesh (149th). Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands are the top three performers in press freedom globally. For the first time, global press freedom is seen as in a “difficult situation” due to rising economic pressures.

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Coal Miners Day 2025 is observed on May 4 to recognise the vital role of coal miners in powering industries and energy systems. It honours their hard work in dangerous conditions and reminds us of their rights, health, and safety needs. The day also highlights past mining disasters and the need for better support, especially during the shift to clean energy. The Mines Act, 1952 was passed to provide medical care, safety rules, and rescue services for miners. The Coal Mines Act, 1974 aimed to conserve co

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The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) has been appointed to lead the recently launched ‘Pushpak – National Mission on Drone Technology’. The mission was started by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with a grant-in-aid of ₹82.7 crore. It aims to boost the development of indigenous drone technology across key sectors in India. IIT-Bombay will work on hybrid drones, indigenous processors, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for disaster response and coastal monitoring. Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai, will develop secure embedded systems and improve drone cybersecurity. A drone security lab and forensic unit will also be set up to monitor flight patterns and prevent drone threats.

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Haryana Government has launched a new scheme called Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana. It aims to support senior artists and art scholars who have contributed to art but are now inactive due to old age. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini approved this decision in a recent State Cabinet meeting. Eligible artists will receive ₹10,000 per month if their annual income is up to ₹1.80 lakh, and ₹7,000 if income is between ₹1.80 lakh and ₹3 lakh. Artists must be 60 years or older, with proof from Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP). Contributions in fields like singing, acting, painting, and dance for at least 20 years are required. Applications must include documents and press clippings and must be submitted online. A special committee will assess applications based on financial need and artistic merit.

Notes:
Scientists recently found signs of ancient wildfires, called palaeofires, from the Permian Period about 250 million years ago in the Godavari Basin. Palaeofires are wildfire events recorded in ancient rocks, helping us understand Earth’s past vegetation, climate changes, and coal formation. The study covered a long geological timescale, from the Late Silurian to the present Quaternary Period. Researchers used methods like Palynofacies analysis, Raman Spectroscopy, Rock-Eval Pyrolysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy to study tiny fossils and charcoal. They clearly identified charcoal formed on-site (in situ) and transported charcoal (ex situ), solving a major geological debate. They also found that sea-level changes affected how fire residues were preserved—more intact during sea-level drops (regressive) and more scattered during sea-level rise (transgressive).

Notes:
India hosts the 12th Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) from May 7 to 9, 2025, in New Delhi. The theme of GLEX 2025 is “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance,” focusing on innovation, inclusion, and global collaboration. It is jointly organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Astronautical Society of India (ASI). This event marks India’s rising status in space science, shifting from a regional player to a global leader. In the recent context, it shows India’s commitment to driving space exploration through partnerships and scientific progress.