Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 12th May 2025

 National Technology Day: 11 May 

•  National Technology Day is celebrated on 11 May every year in India. 
•  The theme of National Technology Day 2024 was “From Schools to Startups: Igniting Young Minds to Innovate.” 
•  National Technology Day is celebrated to celebrate the achievements of innovations and technological excellence in the country. 
•  Pokharan nuclear test was done on this day in 1998, in honor of which every year since the year 1999, this day is celebrated. 
• Also, the first indigenous aircraft ‘Hansa-3’ was successfully tested and also Trishul missile was test fired on this day by DRDO.

 IPL 2025 suspended for a week amid border tensions. 

•  The BCCI has announced the suspension of IPL 2025 for one week due to rising tensions along the India-Pakistan border. 
•  On 9 May, the decision was taken after air strikes and drone activity disrupted operations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur.
•  On 8 may, a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Dharamshala was called off after 10.1 overs due to the situation.
• Players, match officials, broadcasters, and staff were evacuated to Jalandhar and transported to Delhi via a special train. 
•  The BCCI said a new schedule and venues will be announced following further review and consultation with stakeholders. 
•  So far, 58 matches have been completed in IPL 2025, with 12 matches in the league stage followed by the playoff matches remaining to be played. 

“Bharat Bodh Kendra” inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal to Promote India’s Cultural Legacy. 

• On May 10, a new addition to the Habitat Library and Resource Centre—the Bharat Bodh Kendra—was inaugurated by the India Habitat Centre (IHC).
• This is a section dedicated to the purpose of promoting awareness and appreciation of India’s rich cultural and civilizational heritage. 
•  The Bharat Bodhi Kendra will house a collection of books and resources on Indian art, music, spirituality, history, philosophy, and other related fields. 
•  Accessible to IHC members, the initiative is conceived as a serene space for exploration and learning about India's timeless traditions and evolving cultural discourse.
•  The minister appreciated IHC’s green initiatives and suggested that similar practices be adopted in other institutions.
•  He encouraged the center to support other institutions in implementing sustainable initiatives. 
•  Spread over 9 acres, the IHC campus was highlighted for its unique architectural design, eco-friendly features, and its vibrant role as a hub of cultural and intellectual engagement. 

The NASA-ISRO radar satellite is scheduled to be launched next month. 

• The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is expected to be launched next month, as stated by ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan. 
• The announcement was made during the 5th Convocation of Central Agricultural University, Imphal, held at the College of Fisheries, Agartala. 
•  The NISAR satellite is equipped with two primary payloads—one developed by the United States and the other by India. 
•  It will function as a microwave remote sensing satellite for Earth observation. 
• Furthermore, he said that during India's G-20 presidency, PM Modi had announced that India would build a G-20 satellite. 
• The G20 satellite will focus on climate monitoring, with 50% of the payload developed in India and the rest by other member countries. 
•  Data from the G20 satellite will be shared with all G20 nations and launched using an Indian launch vehicle. 
•  Additionally, the RA-SAT (a C-band radar satellite) will be launched by PSLV on May 18, and the next month, Gaganyatri will be sent to the International Space Station to gain some experience. 

An MoU signed between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra for implementing the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project. 

•  On 10 May, the agreement was finalized during the Inter-State Control Board meeting in Bhopal. 
•  Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis signed the MoU, marking a new effort to harness interstate river resources for sustainable development.
•   The objective of the MoU is to benefit 5.78 lakh acres of land and promote irrigation in Vidarbha and North Maharashtra. 
• The Madhya Pradesh government launched the project last year as its third major water initiative after launching the Ken-Betwa Link Project with Uttar Pradesh and the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Project with Rajasthan.
• Under the proposed project, water from the Tapti River, originating in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district, will be diverted to meet the drinking water needs of northeastern Maharashtra, including Nagpur.
• It will also provide irrigation support to the southern and southeastern districts of Madhya Pradesh, such as Burhanpur and Khandwa. 
• A total of 31.13 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water will be utilized—11.76 TMC by MP and 19.36 TMC by Maharashtra. 
• The project will cover 123,082 hectares in MP and 234,706 hectares in Maharashtra. 
• An estimated ₹19,244 crores will be invested as per 2022–23 estimates, with 90% of the cost expected from the center. 

Security of scientific establishments will be increased in border states. 

• On 10 May, a high-level review meeting was chaired by Dr. Jitendra Singh regarding scientific facility security in border areas in New Delhi.
• The decision was taken to upgrade security at scientific and technical installations located in the border regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, and parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. 
• Institutions such as CSIR-IIM Jammu, CSIR-CSIO Chandigarh, and Earth Sciences units in Ladakh were reviewed. 
• He directed them to pay special attention to IMD facilities in Srinagar and Leh and directed the Director General of IMD to enhance security at these places. 
• Scientific institutions were instructed to issue updated Standard Operating Procedures for emergency response, conduct mock drills, and organize sensitization programs on self-defense and evacuation strategies. 
• Recognized as the backbone of India's research and disaster response infrastructure, these institutions have been directed to strengthen safety protocols and coordinate closely with local district administrations. 
• Dr. Singh advised postponing examination and research proposal deadlines for the convenience of students and researchers affected by the situation.

 Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and SEBI held a strategic planning meeting on May 9, 2025, at SEBI’s BKC office in Mumbai. 

• The meeting focused on preparations for the launch of the “Niveshak Shivir” campaign. 
•  This initiative is meant to simplify the process of recovering unclaimed dividends and shares.
•   Senior officials attended the session. Representatives from NSE, BSE, NSDL, CDSL, Link Intime, and KFin Technologies also participated. 
• “Niveshak Shivir” will set up helpdesks to support investors throughout the claim process. 
• These helpdesks will allow investors to directly interact with company representatives and RTAs.
•  Investors with dematerialized shares nearing transfer to IEPFA should contact the concerned company for assistance. 
• Those with physical share certificates must check the IEPFA website to verify the status of their shares. 
• They may also contact the company’s Registrar and Transfer Agent for help. 
• The IEPFA portal has a search tool to check whether the shares are still with the company or have been transferred. 
• “Niveshak Shivir” will begin in Mumbai and Ahmedabad later this month.
•  It will expand to other cities with large volumes of unclaimed investor assets. 
•  IEPFA operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. 
• It works to raise investor awareness and ensure easier access to financial redress. 
• Initiatives like “Niveshak Shivir” support these goals by improving outreach and transparency.

 The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a fine of Rs 1.72 crore on the State Bank of India. 

• This was due to SBI’s failure to comply with specific regulatory guidelines.
• The violations involved norms related to loans, customer liability in unauthorized digital transactions, and rules for opening current accounts. 
• Jana Small Finance Bank has also been fined Rs 1 crore by the RBI. 
• This penalty was issued for breaching certain provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. 
• The RBI stated that these penalties are based on compliance failures. 
• They are not meant to question the validity of any customer transactions or agreements made by the banks. 

India is steadily reducing maternal and child mortality. 

• This progress aligns with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2030.
• The Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021 was released on May 7, 2025. It was released by the Registrar General of India.
•  It shows that India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) dropped from 130 to 93 per 100,000 live births between 2014–16 and 2019–21. 
• The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) declined from 39 to 27 per 1,000 live births from 2014 to 2021.
•  The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) reduced from 26 to 19 per 1,000 live births in the same period. 
• The Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) fell from 45 to 31 per 1,000 live births between 2014 and 2021.
• India’s fertility rate reached 2.0 in 2021, down from 2.3 in 2014. 
• The sex ratio at birth improved from 899 in 2014 to 913 in 2021. 
•  Eight states have met the SDG target for MMR of 70 or fewer. 
• These include Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and five others. 
• Twelve states and union territories have achieved the U5MR goal of 25 or fewer deaths per 1,000 live births. 
•  Six states and UTs have reached the NMR target of 12 or fewer. 
• India’s performance in reducing mortality outpaces global trends. 
•  The United Nation Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group (UN-MMEIG) Report 2000-2023 shows an 86% drop in MMR in India from 1990 to 2023. 
• Globally, the average decline in that period was only 48%.
•   According to the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) Report 2024, India reduced U5MR by 78%. 
• IMR declined by 71%, and NMR by 70%, from 1990 to 2023.
•   These rates are better than the global averages of 61%, 58%, and 54%, respectively. 
•  The Indian government’s policies have played a major role in this progress. 
•  Ayushman Bharat provides ₹5 lakh annual health coverage per family. 
•  It is the world’s largest public health insurance program. 
•  The scheme ensures free institutional deliveries, including C-sections. 
•  It also covers medicines, diagnostics, transport, and nutrition.
•   Public healthcare facilities offer these services at no cost. 
•  India supports around 30 million pregnancies and 26 million live births each year.
•   Quality of care is ensured through certification, training, and supervision.
•   Skilled birth attendants and community health workers are being deployed widely. 
•  Efforts are also focused on reaching underserved areas. 

 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually launched the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

•   He stated that Operation Sindoor represents India’s political, social, and strategic resolve, especially against terrorism. 
• Singh emphasized that the operation highlights India’s military capability and strong stance against terrorism. 
•  He mentioned that Indian actions send a clear message that even territories across the border are unsafe for terrorists and their supporters. 
• The Defence Minister explained that Operation Sindoor was aimed at destroying terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, while avoiding civilian harm. 
• He criticized Pakistan for targeting Indian civilians, including religious sites such as temples, gurudwaras, and churches. 
• The new BrahMos facility is expected to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing and testing capabilities. 
• Singh noted the importance of the inauguration coinciding with National Technology Day, which commemorates India’s 1998 nuclear tests in Pokhran. 
• Rajnath Singh described BrahMos as one of the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles. 
•  He stated that BrahMos is not just a weapon, but also a symbol of India’s military strength, deterrence, and commitment to national security. 

Three Jan Suraksha Schemes – PMSBY, PMJJBY and APY complete 10 years of providing social security cover 

• The three Jan Suraksha schemes — PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY — were launched on 9th May 2015 to provide affordable life insurance, accident insurance, and pension to the underprivileged sections of society. 
• As of April 2025, over 23.6 crore people enrolled in PMJJBY, 51 crore in PMSBY, and 7.6 crore in APY; with claims worth ₹18,398 crore and ₹3,121 crore settled under PMJJBY and PMSBY respectively. 
• Digitization through the Jan Suraksha Portal has simplified enrolment and claims, ensuring faster assistance and broader access without the need for physical bank visits. 

About Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) 

•  PMJJBY provides a life insurance cover of ₹2 lakh in case of death due to any reason, at a low premium of ₹436 per annum (less than ₹2 per day), with the amount auto-debited from the subscriber’s bank or post office account. 
• The scheme is available to individual bank/post office account holders aged 18 to 50 years, and is administered through LIC and other approved life insurance companies in partnership with banks/post offices. 
• Coverage period is from 1st June to 31st May, and enrolment must be completed by 31st May each year; pro-rata premium applies for late enrolments based on the month of joining. 
• A 30-day lien period applies from the date of enrolment, during which claims are not admissible except in cases of accidental death. 
• As of 23 April 2025, over 23.63 crore people have enrolled under PMJJBY, with ₹18,397.92 crore paid for 9,19,896 claims, including 10.66 crore women and 7.08 crore PMJDY account holders. 

About Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) 

•  PMSBY provides accidental death and disability insurance of up to ₹2 lakh for individuals aged 18 to 70 years, at a highly affordable premium of just ₹20 per annum (less than ₹2 per month), auto-debited from their bank/post office account. 
• The scheme is renewable annually (1st June to 31st May) and is offered through Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) and other approved general insurers in collaboration with banks and post offices. 
• Eligibility is open to individual bank/post office account holders within the age group of 18–70 years who provide consent for auto-debit; a person can enrol through only one account even if holding multiple. 
• Benefits include: ₹2 lakh for accidental death or total disability (loss of both eyes/hands/feet), and ₹1 lakh for partial disability {loss of one eye or one hand/foot} 
• As of 23 April 2025, PMSBY has over 51.06 crore enrolments, with ₹3,121.02 crore paid towards 1,57,155 claims, including 23.87 crore women and 17.12 crore PMJDY account holders.

 About Atal Pension Yojana (APY) 

• Atal Pension Yojana (APY) aims to provide universal social security for workers in the unorganised sector. It offers a guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1000 to ₹5000 after the age of 60, based on the subscriber’s contribution. 
• The scheme is open to bank account holders aged 18 to 40 years who are not income tax payers; it is managed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under the National Pension System (NPS). 
• Pension benefits are provided to the subscriber first, then to the spouse after the subscriber’s death, and finally, the accumulated corpus is returned to the nominee after both pass away. 
• In case of the subscriber’s death before 60 years, the spouse can choose to continue contributions until the original vesting age is reached. 
• Contributions to APY can be made on a monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly basis, and voluntary exit is allowed under certain conditions with deduction of government co-contribution and its interest. 

Delhi Cabinet Approves Rs 3.21 Crore for Cloud Seeding Trials to Tackle Air Pollution 

• The Delhi Cabinet has approved a Rs 3.21 crore outlay for conducting five cloud seeding trials across the Delhi-NCR region to combat air pollution, with the first trial set to take place by the end of this month over an area of 100 sq km. 
• IIT Kanpur will manage the logistics, planning, and implementation of the cloud seeding trials, which are part of the Delhi government’s air pollution action plan. 
• Despite concerns over its effectiveness, cloud seeding was proposed as a solution to Delhi’s smog problem and is now part of the BJP government’s strategy to improve air quality, a major election promise. 
• The total cost for five cloud seeding trials will be Rs 2.75 crore, with an additional Rs 66 lakh for logistics, including aircraft and chemicals, all funded by the Delhi government to IIT Kanpur. 

What is Cloud seeding? 

• Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to enhance precipitation (such as rain or snow) by introducing substances into the atmosphere that act as cloud condensation or ice nuclei. This process encourages clouds to release moisture, thereby increasing rainfall in areas where it is needed. 

Ayush Ministry Launches Weekly Yoga Podcast to Bring Timeless Wisdom to Every Home 

• The Ministry of Ayush has launched its Weekly Yoga Podcast, a new digital initiative produced by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) in New Delhi.
• Union Minister of Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, launched the weekly podcast through his social media platforms. The podcast aims to bring the timeless wisdom of yoga to every household, blending ancient practices with modern lifestyles.
• The inaugural episode of the podcast sets the tone for a transformative journey into the world of yoga. The podcast series is designed to engage listeners with insightful discussions, guided practices, and expert interviews, making yoga accessible and relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds.

 Pre-monsoon wildlife census begins at Annamalai reserve 

• The pre-monsoon estimation of tigers and other animals commenced at the Pollachi and Tirupur divisions of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) on Saturday. 
• The population estimation exercise, also known as Phase IV population monitoring, is conducted in accordance with the eight-day protocol of the National Tiger Conservation Authority for monitoring tigers, co-predators, prey, and their habitat. 
• The population estimation exercise will be held till May 17. 
• It will cover Pollachi, Valparai, Ulandy, and Manambolly forest ranges of the Pollachi Division, besides Udumalpet, Amaravathy, Kozhumam, and Vandaravu forest ranges in Tiruppur Division 

‘Indus Waters Treaty to be kept in abeyance as Pakistan resorted to cross-border terror’ 

• India will keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance as Pakistan had resorted to cross-border terrorism, a highly placed government official told The Hindu here on Sunday. 
•  Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terror camps inside Pakistan, had created a “new normal” under which India will hit “harder, bigger, stronger” inside Pakistan if cross-border terror attacks continued, the source said. 
• The source, who was part of the decision-making process behind Operation Sindoor, said that despite the “understanding” of May 10, the Indian counter-terror campaign had not ended, and New Delhi was unwilling to engage in a dialogue with Pakistan as, “There is nothing to discuss at the moment even at a neutral location.”
•   The Indus Waters Treaty has to be modified to “make it suitable for the 21st century requirements of the Indian state”, the senior official said, and there would be rapid infrastructure development work in the rivers that were a part of the treaty. “The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 as a sign of goodwill between the two countries. 
• But Pakistan has actually placed goodwill in abeyance with its use of terrorism against India,” the senior official said, adding that the decisions concerning the treaty would be part of a new, uncompromising orientation towards Pakistan. “There is a new normal now. 
•  It is based on this understanding that if you hit us, we will hit you, and we will hit Pakistan harder, bigger, and stronger in response to terror attacks. We have maintained from the beginning that India did not escalate this matter and that it was Pakistan that started it (the escalation of hostilities) with the brutal attack in Pahalgam,” the source said. 
• Officials described the selection of targets for Operation Sindoor as a message for the Pakistani deep state and Inter-Services Intelligence, with Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad seen as “symbols of the Pakistan deep state’s ties to cross-border terrorism”.  The Hindu has learnt that the Indian establishment views the latest IndiaPakistan conflict as strictly a bilateral issue with the DGMOs in-charge. The senior government representative ruled out any offer of mediation at a “neutral” location. 
•  “What am I going to talk about with Pakistan? The right people to talk to are the DGMOs, not political figures,” he said. The source emphasised that India did not consider the May 10 “understanding” as a ceasefire, arguing that Pakistan had been violating the DGMO-level ceasefire of 2021 repeatedly, rendering the exercise unsuccessful. 
• As a result, India considers Pakistan’s “entire landscape” as a legitimate target if Pakistanbased terror carried out strikes in India.