Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made it mandatory for all banks, financial institutions, and regulated entities to submit applications through the PRAVAAH portal from May 1, 2025. PRAVAAH stands for Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorization. It is a secure, web-based digital portal launched by RBI on May 28, 2024. The portal serves as a single-window system for applying for RBI permissions, licenses, and approvals. This step aims to improve transparency, reduce paperwork, and speed up the approval process. It ensures faster communication between applicants and the RBI.

Notes:
NITI Aayog, along with the Institute for Competitiveness (IFC), released a report titled ‘Enhancing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Competitiveness in India’. The report highlights reforms needed in credit access, skill development, innovation, and market linkages to boost MSMEs. Using firm-level data and Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), it suggests ways to integrate MSMEs into global value chains. Focus sectors include textiles, chemicals, automotive, and food processing. Credit access improved between 2020 and 2024, yet only 19% demand was met formally by 2021, with ₹80 lakh crore unmet. The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) expanded but still needs redesign for wider impact.

Notes:
The Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) recently scaled Mt. Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world. Mt. Makalu stands at 8,485 meters above sea level and is located in the Mahalangur range of the Nepal Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibet border. It lies 23 kilometers southeast of Mount Everest and is part of the Makalu Barun National Park. The mountain is famous for its pyramid-like shape with sharp ridges and includes two subsidiary peaks, Makalu I and Makalu II.

Notes:
The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has reported major damage to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) barrages after the 2023 floods. NDSA is India’s national safety regulator for large dams and was established under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021. KLIP is a multi-purpose irrigation project built on the Godavari River in Kaleshwaram, Telangana. The Godavari River, also called Dakshin Ganga, is the largest river in Peninsular India and originates from the Western Ghats in Nasik, Maharashtra. KLIP is set to become the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, using pumps to lift water to high points for irrigation.

Notes:
The Maharashtra government launched the “One State, One Registration” scheme to make property registration easy and citizen-friendly. It allows people to register property documents at any sub-registrar office in Maharashtra, regardless of where the property is located. Earlier, buyers had to register documents only at the local sub-registrar office of the property, which caused delays and overcrowding. The new policy saves time, reduces paperwork, and helps senior citizens and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Legal steps and documents like sale deed, Aadhaar, and PAN remain unchanged. It does not affect stamp duty or registration fees. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is using technology like Geographic Information System (GIS), drone mapping, and blockchain for better accuracy. This move is expected to boost real estate activity and investor confidence in the state.

Notes:
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:
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.

Notes:
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under the Ministry of Defence, celebrated its 66th anniversary on May 7, 2025. It was established in 1960 with just two projects—Project Tusker (now Vartak) in the East and Project Beacon in the North. BRO now runs 18 projects across 11 States and 3 Union Territories, building roads in high-altitude and snow-bound areas. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) functions under the Ministry of Defence.

Notes:
The first Arnala Class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) was handed over to the Indian Navy on 8 May 2025 at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under a public-private partnership with 80% indigenous content. This project is part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative to boost local defence manufacturing.

Notes:
In response to rising tensions between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, civil defence mock drills named ‘Operation Abhyas’ are being held nationwide. These drills follow the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which raised national security concerns. ‘Operation Abhyas’ is part of broader civil defence steps directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The drills are being conducted in 244 civil defence districts across major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh.