Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
The Kerala government has launched a new initiative called ‘Jyothi’ to support the education of children of migrant workers. This scheme was started to address the problem of educational marginalisation faced by migrant children due to frequent relocation and lack of access to schools. Kerala has over 35 lakh migrant workers who play a key role in its economy, and many of them stay with their families. Through ‘Jyothi’, the state aims to extend its strong tradition of free and universal education to all, including children of migrants. This initiative was recently launched as a step toward inclusive development.

Notes:
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-19 Football Championship 2025 takes place in Yupia, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh from May 10, 2025. Six countries are taking part in the tournament, which aims to promote youth football in South Asia. Group A includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives, while Group B has India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The championship runs until May 18, encouraging regional sportsmanship and football development among young players.

Notes:
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has recently given in-principle approval for development projects worth ₹2,204.85 crore. These projects will be implemented under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana (SJMMSVY). The Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana (SJMMSVY) was launched by Gujarat government. The scheme was introduced in 2009-10 to commemorate Gujarat’s 50th anniversary and aims to upgrade urban infrastructure, particularly focusing on water supply and drainage. It is a flagship program of the state government designed to strengthen and upgrade city infrastructure.

Notes:
Rajaji National Park has abundant reservoirs and water holes that help limit elephant movement into human-populated areas. The park is located in Uttarakhand, spanning three districts: Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal. It lies along the hills and foothills of the Shiwalik ranges, representing the Shiwalik ecosystem. In 1983, Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary was merged with Motichur and Chilla sanctuaries to form Rajaji National Park. The park is named after the famous freedom fighter, Rajgopalachari, also known as “Rajaji.” Situated at the transition zone between the temperate western Himalaya and the central Himalaya, it boasts rich species diversity.

Notes:
World Lupus Day is observed every year on May 10 to spread awareness about Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system fails to differentiate between harmful germs and healthy body tissue. As a result, it produces antibodies that attack and damage healthy parts of the body. Lupus can affect many organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and heart. The aim of observing this day is to educate people and promote early diagnosis and proper care. The theme for World Lupus Day 2025 is “Let’s Make Lupus Visible Together”, highlighting the need for global awareness and support.

Notes:
Recently, Pakistan attempted a large-scale drone incursion using around 300 to 400 Songar drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek. Songar drones are armed Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) developed by Turkish defence company Asisguard. These are Turkey’s first indigenously built armed drones designed for military use. Songar drones were first launched in April 2019 and inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in February 2020 after successful testing. The recent deployment by Pakistan marks a serious escalation in cross-border drone activity, raising security concerns along India’s western frontier.

Notes:
The governments of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project (TBMRP). The Tapti River, known as Tapi in Maharashtra, originates in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh and flows through Maharashtra. TBMRP is the world’s largest groundwater recharge initiative, aimed at enhancing regional water security. It will supply water for drinking in northeastern Maharashtra, including Nagpur, and for irrigation in southern Madhya Pradesh, especially Chhindwara. The project will use 31.13 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water, with 11.76 TMC for Madhya Pradesh and 19.36 TMC for Maharashtra. It will help irrigate 1,23,082 hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 2,34,706 hectares in Maharashtra.

Notes:
Operation Keller is a counter-terrorism operation conducted by the Indian Army in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, specifically in the Shoekal Keller area. The operation, launched on May 13, 2025, aimed to neutralize terrorists, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) members, believed to be hiding in the region. It was conducted following intelligence inputs from a Rashtriya Rifles unit and is seen as a follow-up to the aggressive counter-terror policy in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Notes:
India has launched its first 3-nanometre (3nm) chip design centres in Noida and Bengaluru, marking a major step in advanced semiconductor development. These centres have been set up by Renesas Electronics India Private Limited, placing India among a few nations working on next-generation chip design. The initiative is part of a broader government plan to build a complete semiconductor ecosystem including design, fabrication, ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging), and supply chain support.

Notes:
Minister of Power and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the Bharat Bodh Kendra at India Habitat Centre (IHC), New Delhi. Bharat Bodh Kendra is a new section under the Habitat Library and Resource Centre. It is dedicated to deepening understanding of India’s cultural and civilizational heritage. The centre offers curated books and resources on Indian art, music, spirituality, history, and philosophy. It provides a quiet space for reflection, learning, and cultural exploration.