Current Affairs [Monthly]

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh now has the highest number of vultures in India. The latest state-level vulture census recorded 12,981 vultures, up from 10,845 in 2024 and 8,397 in 2019. The census was conducted in 16 circles, 64 divisions, and 9 protected areas by the Forest Department. The vulture census in the state began in 2016. 7 species of vultures are found in Madhya Pradesh—4 local and 3 migratory. The winter season is considered ideal for vulture counting as both local and migratory species are visible.

Notes:
Delhi Police has launched Shishtachar Squads in every district to prevent eve-teasing and improve women’s safety in public spaces. Inspired by Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Romeo Squads, it focuses on prevention, intervention, and victim assistance. Each district will have at least two squads, supervised by the ACP Crime Against Women cell. Squad composition: One inspector, one sub-inspector, five male officers, four female officers, and technical support. They conduct patrolling, surprise checks in public transport, and daily drives at vulnerable locations to ensure women’s security.

Notes:
The Indian archery team performed excellently at the Archery World Cup 2025 Stage-2 held in Shanghai, China, from 6 to 11 May 2025. India won a total of seven medals, including two gold, one silver, and four bronze. Madhura Dhamangaonkar earned a gold medal in the women’s individual compound event. Ojas Deotale, Abhishek Verma, and Rishabh Yadav secured a gold in the men’s team compound event. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Madhura Dhamangaonkar, and Chikitha Taniparthi won a silver in the women’s team compound event. Deepika Kumari claimed a bronze medal in the women’s individual recurve. Parth Salunkhe earned a bronze in the men’s individual recurve. Abhishek Verma and Madhura Dhamangaonkar bagged a bronze in the mixed team compound. Rishabh Yadav took a bronze in the men’s individual compound. The third stage will be held in Antalya, Turkiye, from 3 to 8 June 2025.

Notes:
Prominent writer Sarah Joseph has received the 2024 Mathrubhumi Literary Award. The award was presented by Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Ray in Kozhikode. It includes ₹3 lakh cash, a citation, and a sculpture by M. V. Devan. Sarah Joseph was appreciated for her fearless voice in Malayalam literature and social issues. She earlier won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Sahitya Akademi Awards.

Notes:
Recently, the Indian National Committee of the World Mining Congress (INC-WMC) held an International Conference on Sustainable and Responsible Mining through Best Mine Closure Practices in Hyderabad. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, environmental experts, academia, and stakeholders from India and abroad. The focus was on sustainable mine closure and sharing global best practices.

Notes:
The Centre launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) in October 2025 to give students practical exposure to Panchayati Raj. It is based on Model United Nations and involves mock Gram Sabha sessions in schools. Students of classes 9-12 act as sarpanch, ward members, village secretary, Anganwadi worker, auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM), and junior engineers. They conduct meetings, discuss issues, and prepare budgets and development plans. Phase one covers 600 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), and selected Zilla Parishad schools in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Pilot projects were earlier conducted in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan before the launch.

Notes:
The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) has launched a new feature on the ASTraM (Automated System for Traffic Management) app in collaboration with the Aarohan Foundation’s Police Marshals programme. It allows college students to report traffic violations around campuses. ASTraM app is a digital traffic enforcement platform developed by Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) for real-time monitoring and citizen participation. It enables users to upload photos or videos of offences like wrong parking or signal jumping. The app categorises violations and auto-records details like location and time. The initiative promotes accountability, awareness, and road discipline.

Notes:
Anant Ambani, founder of Vantara, received the Global Humanitarian Award in the United States for his outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation and animal welfare. He was honoured for his leadership in the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation, and conservation of animals through the Vantara initiative. Anant Ambani is the youngest and the first Asian to ever receive this prestigious award. The award has brought global recognition to Vantara, which is considered one of the world’s largest and most unique wildlife conservation projects.

Notes:
The Doomsday Clock was moved to 85 seconds before midnight, the closest ever to global catastrophe, by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS). The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic clock showing how close humanity is to destruction, with midnight representing doomsday. Its hands move based on threats like nuclear weapons, climate change, and disruptive technologies. The clock was created in 1947 by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS). Since 1947, it has been reset 27 times. BAS is a nonprofit founded in 1945 by Atomic Scientists of Chicago at the University of Chicago.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet has approved a modified version of the UDAN Scheme with a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore. The scheme will be implemented over a 10-year period from FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36, ensuring long-term support for regional air connectivity. UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional connectivity scheme launched in 2016 to make air travel affordable and accessible to the common citizen. The scheme focuses on connecting unserved and underserved airports across India through subsidised fares and financial incentives.