Current Affairs – 25 May, 2026
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📌 National Affairs • Governance & AI
Q.1) Which state formed India’s first dedicated cabinet-level Artificial Intelligence department?
Ans > Kerala
- Historic First for India: Kerala has made a historic move by becoming the first state in India to establish a dedicated, cabinet-level Department of Artificial Intelligence. This monumental decision underscores the state’s commitment to transforming digital governance and keeping pace with global technological advancements.
- Strategic Blueprint & Application: The new department aims to integrate AI across various sectors, including healthcare for predictive diagnostics, agriculture for yield and weather prediction, education for personalized learning modules, and urban traffic management. This expands on previous state initiatives like the K-FON (Kerala Fibre Optic Network) which aims to provide universal high-speed internet access.
- Global Inspiration & Framework: The move mirrors forward-thinking international frameworks, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) appointing the world’s first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence back in 2017. Kerala is actively positioning itself as the premier AI hub of South Asia.
- Economic Impact & Hub Creation: The government aims to boost its IT exports significantly, drawing massive global investments to major tech hubs like Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram and Infopark in Kochi. The department will also be responsible for developing a robust ethical framework and regulatory guidelines to govern generative AI and data privacy within the state machinery.
- Exam Relevance & Digital Leadership: For competitive exams, noting that Kerala leads in digital literacy and e-governance (becoming India’s first fully e-governed state) makes this AI department a logical, progressive step in its administrative history.
📌 National Affairs • Tourism & Economy
Q.2) Which state/UT granted industry status to tourism department-registered hotels and guest houses?
Ans > Ladakh
- Economic Relief for Hospitality: The Union Territory of Ladakh has officially granted “industry status” to all hotels, resorts, and guest houses registered with its tourism department. This is a massive economic relief measure aimed at boosting the region’s primary revenue generator, tourism, which has seen fluctuations since the region’s administrative reorganization in 2019.
- Tariff Reduction & Overheads: Previously, hospitality units were charged commercial rates for electricity and water, which are significantly higher. By granting industry status, these establishments will now pay industrial tariffs, massively reducing their operational overheads, especially during the harsh winter months when heating and lighting costs skyrocket.
- Incentives and Subsidies: Registered units will now be eligible for various industrial subsidies provided by the central and UT governments, including capital investment subsidies, interest subsidies on bank loans, and crucial tax holidays. This strongly encourages local entrepreneurship rather than large corporate monopolies.
- Sustainable Development Focus: The status comes with a critical caveat. Only those registered with the tourism department and strictly adhering to environmental guidelines get the benefits. This helps the UT administration regulate sustainable tourism in an ecologically fragile, high-altitude desert environment.
- Geopolitical Context: Following the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh becoming a separate UT, the central government has pushed to formalize the local economy. Supporting winter tourism (like the famous Chadar Trek and snow leopard expeditions) strengthens border infrastructure and local employment.
📌 International Affairs • Public Services
Q.3) Which country became the first to shut down traditional postal services?
Ans > Denmark
- End of a 401-Year Era: In an unprecedented global first, Denmark has officially shut down its traditional, physical letter postal service, ending a 401-year-old tradition established by King Christian IV in 1624. This marks a radical transition toward total digital governance.
- The Digital Transition: Over the last decade, letter volumes in Denmark dropped by over 90 percent. The Danish government successfully implemented mandatory “Digital Post” (using highly secure systems like e-Boks and MitID) for all citizens over the age of 15. All communication from the state, banks, and utility companies is legally required to be sent digitally.
- Logistics Reorganization: While the daily delivery of stamped letters has completely ceased, PostNord (the Scandinavian postal operator) and private logistics companies will continue to deliver physical parcels, e-commerce packages, and magazines, which remain highly profitable due to the massive boom in online shopping.
- Environmental Impact & Climate Goals: The cessation of daily mail delivery trucks roaming every single street has drastically reduced the carbon footprint of the national logistics grid, aligning perfectly with Denmark’s ambitious climate targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
- Exemptions for the Vulnerable: The government has provisions for individuals unable to use digital services (such as the extreme elderly or those with severe cognitive disabilities). They can register for a special exemption to receive physical printouts of digital mail, delivered via package couriers rather than a dedicated letter postman.
📌 International Affairs • Summits & Conferences
Q.4) Where was the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in May 2026?
Ans > Helsingborg, Sweden
- Historic NATO Summit 2026: The highly anticipated NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting for May 2026 was hosted in the coastal city of Helsingborg, Sweden. This event holds massive geopolitical significance as it cements Sweden’s active and integrated role within the military alliance following its historic accession.
- The End of Neutrality: Sweden officially joined NATO recently, ending more than 200 years of military non-alignment. Their decision, alongside Finland, was directly prompted by the shifting security dynamics in Eastern Europe. Hosting this high-level meeting demonstrates Sweden’s commitment to the alliance’s unified command structure.
- Strategic Coastal Location: Helsingborg is strategically located on the Øresund strait, directly across from Denmark. Holding the summit here highlights NATO’s aggressive focus on securing the Baltic Sea region, which is increasingly viewed by defense analysts as a “NATO Lake” given that almost all surrounding nations are now members.
- Key Agenda Points: The meeting heavily focused on the interoperability of Nordic defense forces, establishing new defense spending targets (pushing members to spend beyond the standard 2% of their GDP), and coordinating advanced cyber-defense mechanisms against state-sponsored hacking groups.
- Exam Tip on Article 5: The ministers reiterated the strength of Article 5 (collective defense). For exam purposes, remember that NATO was founded in 1949 with the Washington Treaty, and its headquarters remains in Brussels, Belgium, despite hosting ministerial meetings in member states across Europe.
📌 Bilateral Relations • Heritage & Diplomacy
Q.5) During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit, the historic 11th-century Anaimangalam Chola copper plates were formally handed over to India by which country?
Ans > Netherlands
- Major Cultural Repatriation: In a major diplomatic and cultural victory for India, the Netherlands formally handed over the 11th-century Anaimangalam Chola copper plates to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official state visit. This repatriation highlights India’s ongoing, aggressive push to reclaim stolen or displaced historical artifacts from foreign museums.
- Historical Context of the Plates: The Anaimangalam copper plates are invaluable epigraphical artifacts dating back to the reign of the legendary Rajendra Chola I (approx. 1014–1044 CE). They record the grant of land revenues from the village of Anaimangalam (near modern-day Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu) to support a Buddhist vihara (monastery) built by the Srivijaya King, Sri Mara Vijayattungavarman.
- Diplomatic Ties of Antiquity: The plates serve as physical, undeniable evidence of the deep diplomatic, religious, and trade ties between the mighty Chola Empire of South India and the Srivijaya Empire (modern-day Indonesia and Malaysia) across the vast Bay of Bengal.
- How They Ended Up in Europe: Like many priceless historical artifacts, the plates were acquired during the colonial era. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) had a massive, highly profitable presence on the Coromandel Coast. The plates eventually found their way into the archives of Leiden University in the Netherlands.
- UNESCO Guidelines: This event is part of a larger global movement adhering to the spirit of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, signaling a new era of heritage diplomacy.
📌 Awards & Honors • Space Exploration
Q.6) Which Indian space mission was honored with the prestigious Goddard Astronautics Award 2026 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics?
Ans > Chandrayaan-3
- Unprecedented Global Recognition: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved massive global recognition when its historic Chandrayaan-3 mission was awarded the prestigious 2026 Goddard Astronautics Award by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). This is widely considered one of the highest accolades in aerospace engineering globally.
- About the Goddard Award: The award is named after Robert H. Goddard, universally recognized as the father of modern rocketry. It honors exceptional achievements in the field of astronautics and space exploration. Winning this puts ISRO on par with legendary NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) missions.
- The Lunar South Pole Milestone: Chandrayaan-3 earned this accolade primarily for executing a flawless soft landing of the Vikram lander near the lunar south pole—a region previously unexplored due to its hazardous, deeply crater-filled terrain. India became the first country in human history to achieve this feat.
- Groundbreaking Scientific Discoveries: The mission was praised for the efficient operation of the Pragyan rover, which confirmed the presence of sulfur, aluminum, calcium, iron, and oxygen on the lunar surface. It also provided crucial data on the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil at the landing site, officially named Shiv Shakti Point.
- Cost-Effective Engineering Marvel: The AIAA specifically noted ISRO’s remarkable cost-effectiveness. Chandrayaan-3 achieved its highly complex scientific objectives on a fraction of the budget of comparable missions by NASA or Roscosmos, setting a new global benchmark for sustainable planetary exploration.
📌 Awards & Honors • Science & Recognition
Q.7) Which Indian was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in May 2026?
Ans > Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
- Royal Society Induction: In May 2026, eminent Indian pediatrician and clinical scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in London. This is one of the most prestigious scientific fellowships in the world, strictly recognizing individuals who have made “a substantial contribution to the improvement of natural knowledge.”
- History of the Royal Society: Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is the oldest continuously existing scientific academy in the world. Past and present fellows include Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking. Indian stalwarts like Srinivasa Ramanujan and C.V. Raman have previously been inducted into this elite group.
- A Career of Medical Excellence: Dr. Swaminathan was recognized for her decades of groundbreaking research in tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. She previously served as the highly respected Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Secretary of the Department of Health Research in India.
- Global Health Leadership at WHO: She gained global prominence as the Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), where she played a critical, highly visible role in coordinating global scientific efforts, vaccine research, and public health guidelines during the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.
- Milestone for Women in STEM: Her election is a massive milestone for Indian women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). It underscores the vital importance of clinical research from the Global South directly influencing international medical policy and future pandemic preparedness.
📌 Awards & Honors • Literature
Q.8) Who is being awarded the International Booker Prize 2026?
Ans > Yang Shuang-zi
- Historic Literary Victory: The highly coveted 2026 International Booker Prize was awarded to the Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi for her critically acclaimed novel, Taiwan Travelogue. This marks a historic moment as it brings unprecedented global attention to Taiwanese literature and its rich, complex historical narratives.
- Understanding the International Booker: Unlike the standard Booker Prize (which is reserved for books written originally in English), the International Booker Prize honors the best work of fiction translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland. Crucially, the £50,000 prize money is split equally between the author and the translator, recognizing the immense skill required to adapt literature across linguistic boundaries.
- Themes of Taiwan Travelogue: The winning novel, Taiwan Travelogue, is a sweeping historical fiction set during the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan. It deeply explores complex themes of colonialism, female friendships, identity, and the rich culinary culture of the island, serving as a brilliant metaphor for cultural assimilation and political resistance.
- Global Impact and Sales: Winning the Booker usually guarantees a massive surge in global sales and translation rights into dozens of other languages. It permanently places Taiwanese storytelling on the global map at a time when the island’s geopolitical status is a major subject of international political discourse.
- Crucial Exam Tip: For literature and awards sections, always ensure you know both the author and the book’s exact title, as examiners frequently ask candidates to match the author to their winning piece of work.
📌 Sports • Chess & Esports
Q.9) Who recently became the first Indian Grandmaster to secure a spot in the Esports World Cup 2026?
Ans > Aravindh Chithambaram
- Historic Esports Qualification: Indian Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram has made history by becoming the very first Indian chess player to qualify for the chess event at the highly lucrative Esports World Cup 2026. This highlights the fascinating evolution of chess from a traditional over-the-board board game to a globally recognized digital esport.
- The Esports World Cup Platform: Hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Esports World Cup is a massive multi-game tournament featuring unprecedented, multi-million dollar prize pools. The inclusion of chess alongside popular video games like League of Legends and Counter-Strike demonstrates the game’s explosive online growth, largely fueled by digital platforms like Chess.com during the pandemic.
- Player Profile & Versatility: Aravindh Chithambaram is a highly versatile player, having uniquely won the Indian National Championships in all three formats: Classical, Rapid, and Blitz. His incredible speed and tactical vision make him uniquely suited for the fast-paced, high-pressure digital formats used in esports tournaments.
- The Digital Chess Transition: Esports chess differs significantly from traditional classical chess. It relies heavily on rapid time controls (Blitz and Bullet chess), extreme mouse speed (often called “pre-moving”), and interface mastery, where a split-second mouse slip can cost a grandmaster the entire game.
- Implications for Indian Chess: Following the legendary era of Viswanathan Anand and the current rise of prodigies like D Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, Chithambaram’s success opens a new, highly profitable avenue for Indian chess talent in the booming global esports industry.
📌 Sports • Athletics
Q.10) Which Indian sprinter recently set a new national record by completing the 100-meter race in 10.09 seconds?
Ans > Gurindervir Singh
- Shattering the National Record: In a stunning display of pure speed and athleticism, Indian sprinter Gurindervir Singh shattered the national track record by completing the men’s 100-meter sprint in a blistering 10.09 seconds. This massive achievement redefines the limits of track and field in India.
- Breaking Previous Benchmarks: Gurindervir’s exceptional time of 10.09 seconds edges out the previous long-standing national records held by Amiya Kumar Mallick (10.26s) and Amlan Borgohain (10.25s). This monumental leap brings an Indian athlete tantalizingly close to the prestigious “sub-10 second” barrier, the ultimate benchmark for world-class elite sprinters.
- Athlete Background & Training: Hailing from Punjab, Gurindervir has shown immense promise in junior championships for years. His recent performance is a direct testament to modernized training regimens, improved sports science, and highly dedicated coaching focused specifically on explosive biomechanics and rapid sprint starts.
- Global and Asian Context: While Usain Bolt’s world record stands at an untouchable 9.58 seconds, the Asian record is currently held by China’s Su Bingtian at 9.83 seconds. Gurindervir’s progress signals that India is becoming highly competitive at the Asian Games level in short-distance sprints, a category traditionally dominated by East Asian and Middle Eastern athletes.
- Impact on Indian Athletics: Following Neeraj Chopra’s historic Olympic gold in Javelin, track and field has seen a massive resurgence in India. Gurindervir’s record will likely lead to increased funding, international exposure, and better infrastructure for Indian sprint academies nationwide.
📌 Science & Technology • Agriculture & AI
Q.11) Which institute developed ‘Open CRISPR-1’, the world’s first AI-based gene editor plant for crops?
Ans > National Rice Research Institute, Odisha
- Global Scientific Breakthrough: The ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) located in Cuttack, Odisha, has achieved a massive global scientific breakthrough by developing Open CRISPR-1. It is officially recognized as the world’s first open-source, Artificial Intelligence-driven gene-editing platform specifically engineered for agricultural crops.
- Understanding the AI Integration: The CRISPR-Cas9 tool acts like “molecular scissors,” allowing scientists to precisely cut and edit DNA sequences. What makes Open CRISPR-1 revolutionary is the integration of advanced AI. The AI algorithms rapidly analyze massive plant genomes to predict the exact sequences to target, minimizing off-target mutations and drastically speeding up the development process.
- Massive Agricultural Impact: Traditional cross-breeding takes decades to develop new crop varieties. Using this new platform, scientists can quickly edit crops to make them highly drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and high-yielding. This is critical for ensuring food security in the face of erratic weather patterns caused by severe climate change.
- GMO vs. Gene Edited Crops: Unlike traditional Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) which introduce foreign DNA from completely different species, CRISPR simply tweaks the plant’s existing DNA. Because of this, gene-edited crops face far fewer regulatory hurdles globally and are considered safer by many environmental standards.
- Why NRRI Odisha? The NRRI has historically been at the absolute forefront of India’s agricultural research since the Green Revolution. Developing an “open-source” tool means researchers across Indian universities and rural startups can use this technology without paying exorbitant licensing fees to foreign biotech corporations.
📌 Environment & Infrastructure • Water Management
Q.12) Which city’s water supply and sewerage board was included in the world’s top five boards at the Madrid Global Water Summit 2026?
Ans > Bengaluru
- Highly Prestigious Global Recognition: The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) received highly prestigious international recognition when it was ranked among the top five utility boards in the world at the 2026 Madrid Global Water Summit. This is a massive endorsement of the city’s relentless efforts to combat severe urban water crises.
- The Madrid Summit Importance: The Global Water Summit held in Madrid, Spain, is the premier international networking event for the global water industry, bringing together utility leaders, investors, and technologists to discuss water resilience, desalination, and advanced wastewater reuse.
- Why Bengaluru Won the Honor: Bengaluru, despite lacking a perennial river and dealing with a rapidly expanding IT-driven population, was praised for its aggressive technological interventions. The BWSSB successfully implemented AI-based acoustic leak detection systems across the city, drastically reducing non-revenue water (water lost to pipeline leaks or theft).
- Wastewater Recycling & Circular Economy: A major highlight of the BWSSB presentation was their massive push toward a circular water economy. The board significantly expanded its tertiary treatment plants, successfully treating millions of liters of raw sewage to a high standard. This treated water is now being supplied to industrial hubs, construction sites, and used to rejuvenate the city’s dying lakes, thereby preserving fresh Cauvery river water purely for drinking.
- The Cauvery Stage V Project: The award also recognized the logistical marvel of the massive Cauvery Stage V project, which involves pumping water over 100 kilometers and up a steep elevation gradient to supply the newly expanded outer zones of the metropolis.
📌 Defense & Security • Missile Tests
Q.13) Where was India’s first indigenously developed ‘Suryastra’ guided rocket system successfully tested?
Ans > Chandipur, Odisha
- Major Defense Milestone: India reached a highly significant milestone in defense indigenization with the successful test-firing of the Suryastra guided rocket system. The extensive firing trials were conducted at the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, located on the coast of Odisha.
- About the Suryastra System: Suryastra is a next-generation, precision-guided multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system. Unlike older, unguided artillery rockets that blindly blanket an area, Suryastra is equipped with advanced aerodynamic fins and a GPS/NavIC-aided inertial navigation system. This allows it to strike targets with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing collateral damage.
- Strategic Edge for the Army: The system is specifically designed to rapidly neutralize critical enemy assets such as troop concentrations, communication nodes, and reinforced bunkers at medium ranges. It offers a highly mobile, “shoot-and-scoot” capability, making it incredibly difficult for enemy counter-battery fire to target the launch vehicles before they relocate.
- The Chandipur Test Range: The ITR at Chandipur is India’s premier weapons testing facility. Its coastal location provides a vast, safe over-water corridor for testing highly explosive missiles and rockets. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art electro-optical tracking systems, telemetry stations, and radar to strictly monitor the exact flight path of the munitions.
- Make in India Initiative: The successful development of Suryastra heavily bolsters the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative in defense manufacturing, drastically reducing the Indian Army’s reliance on imported Russian (Smerch) or Israeli artillery systems.
📌 Important Days • Sports
Q.14) When is World Football Day celebrated?
Ans > 25th May
- United Nations Declaration: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted a resolution to officially proclaim May 25 as World Football Day. This landmark declaration recognizes the global, unifying power of the world’s most popular sport and its massive impact on international peace, health, and development.
- The Historical Significance of May 25: The date was specifically chosen to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the historic 1924 Paris Olympic Games football tournament. The final, played on May 25, 1924 (where Uruguay defeated Switzerland), is historically recognized as the very first truly international football tournament featuring representation from all geographical regions, directly laying the groundwork for the modern FIFA World Cup.
- Football as a Social Tool: The UN resolution strongly highlights that football is much more than just a game; it is a vital tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It aggressively promotes gender equality, physical and mental health, social inclusion, and youth empowerment across the globe.
- Global Reach and Peacebuilding: With billions of passionate fans and millions of active players, football possesses an unparalleled ability to cross linguistic, cultural, and political barriers. The UN encourages member states, FIFA, and local NGOs to observe the day by organizing community matches that promote peacebuilding and tolerance.
- Exam Relevance for Aspirants: For static GK and current affairs, newly declared UN observance days are highly probable questions. Remembering the specific link between May 25 and the 1924 Paris Olympics is absolutely crucial for scoring marks.
📌 Books & Authors • Literature
Q.15) Who is the author of the book “Better Never Stops”?
Ans > Shyam Srinivasan
- Prominent Business Literature: The highly insightful business and management book titled “Better Never Stops” was authored by Shyam Srinivasan, one of the most respected and successful figures in the Indian banking industry. The book offers a deep dive into corporate leadership, institutional transformation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
- Author Profile & Banking Legacy: Shyam Srinivasan is widely known for his historic, extended tenure as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Federal Bank. Taking over in 2010, he brilliantly transformed the traditional, Kerala-based regional lender into a highly digitized, nationwide, and remarkably profitable private sector banking powerhouse.
- Core Themes of the Book: “Better Never Stops” is part personal memoir, part management playbook. Srinivasan discusses the critical importance of cultural transformation within legacy organizations. He outlines strategies for managing massive crises (such as the NPA crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic), integrating rapid technological advancements without alienating older customers, and building a resilient, ethical corporate hierarchy.
- Relevance for Job Aspirants: Books authored by prominent economists, RBI governors, or highly successful corporate CEOs frequently appear in the General Awareness sections of Banking (IBPS/SBI) and UPSC exams. The title itself serves as a motivational mantra for continuous improvement in both business and personal development.
- The Indian Banking Context: The book also serves as a fascinating, inside-look chronicle of the Indian banking sector’s rapid evolution over the past fifteen years, highlighting the massive shift from branch-heavy operations to mobile-first, fintech-integrated ecosystems.
📌 History & Miscellaneous • Famous Personalities
Q.16) Where was Raja Ram Mohan Roy born in 1772?
Ans > Hooghly district, Bengal Presidency
- Birthplace & Early Life: Raja Ram Mohan Roy, universally revered as the “Father of the Indian Renaissance” and the maker of modern India, was born on May 22, 1772, in the village of Radhanagar, situated in the Hooghly district of the Bengal Presidency.
- Monumental Social Reforms: He is best remembered for his relentless, courageous crusade against orthodox Hindu practices. His most historic achievement was the successful campaign to abolish the cruel practice of Sati (the forced immolation of widows), which was legally banned in 1829 by Lord William Bentinck, heavily influenced by Roy’s petitions and activism.
- Founding The Brahmo Samaj: In 1828, he founded the Brahmo Sabha (which later evolved into the Brahmo Samaj), a socio-religious reform movement that promoted strict monotheism, heavily denounced idol worship, and fought aggressively against the rigid caste system and child marriage.
- Linguistic and Educational Genius: A brilliant polyglot, Roy mastered Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, English, Bengali, and Hindi. He strongly believed that traditional Indian education needed to be modernized with Western sciences and English literature to propel India forward, leading him to help establish the famous Hindu College (now Presidency University) in Calcutta.
- The Royal Title of “Raja”: The prestigious title “Raja” was bestowed upon him by the Mughal Emperor Akbar II in 1831 when Roy traveled to England as the Emperor’s ambassador to negotiate his pension. He tragically died of meningitis in Bristol, England, in 1833, where his tomb remains a major site of historical reverence.
📌 Polity & Constitution • Executive Powers
Q.17) Which article of the Constitution mentions the President’s power to promulgate an ordinance, recently used to increase the number of Supreme Court judges?
Ans > Article 123
- Constitutional Provision & Power: Article 123 of the Constitution of India explicitly grants the President the extraordinary legislative power to promulgate ordinances during the recess of Parliament. Recently, this crucial constitutional provision was utilized in a major judicial reform to rapidly increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court to tackle mounting case pendencies.
- Conditions for Promulgation: An ordinance can only be issued when both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) are not in session, or when either of the two Houses is not in session. The President must be strictly satisfied that circumstances exist which render it absolutely necessary for him to take immediate, emergency action.
- Force, Effect, and Lifespan: An ordinance has the exact same force and effect as a regular Act of Parliament. However, it is a temporary law. It must be formally approved by Parliament within six weeks of its reassembly; otherwise, it ceases to operate. Therefore, the maximum possible life of an ordinance is six months and six weeks.
- Subject to Judicial Review: The Supreme Court has ruled in landmark cases (like DC Wadhwa and Krishna Kumar Singh) that the ordinance-making power is subject to judicial review. The executive cannot use ordinances to bypass the democratic legislative process of Parliament permanently or repeatedly repromulgate them.
- Crucial Exam Distinction: It is highly critical for polity exams to remember that while Article 123 deals directly with the President’s ordinance power, Article 213 grants similar, parallel ordinance-making powers to the Governor of a state.
📌 International Affairs • Summits & Organizations
Q.18) Which country hosted the 68th session of the governing body of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO)?
Ans > India
- Hosting a Major Economic Summit: India successfully hosted the 68th Governing Body Session of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) in New Delhi. This high-profile diplomatic and economic gathering brought together top delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region to comprehensively discuss strategies for boosting industrial efficiency and sustainable growth.
- About the APO: The Asian Productivity Organization is an intergovernmental organization established in 1961, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Its primary mission is to contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the Asia-Pacific region through heavily enhancing productivity across all sectors. India is a proud, founding member of the organization.
- Agenda of the 68th Session: The New Delhi session heavily focused on the integration of “Green Productivity”—balancing rapid economic growth with strict environmental sustainability. Key discussions included adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, building resilient supply chains post-pandemic, and fostering mass innovation in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- India’s Strategic Role: In India, the National Productivity Council (NPC), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, acts as the nodal agency for all APO activities. Hosting the event allowed India to showcase its highly successful digital public infrastructure (like UPI and ONDC) and its massive manufacturing push under the “Make in India” initiative.
- Geopolitical Economics & Supply Chains: As global supply chains attempt to diversify away from China (the widely known “China Plus One” strategy), India’s leadership in economic organizations like the APO is crucial for positioning itself as the next reliable, highly productive global manufacturing hub.
📌 Defense & Security • Awards & Honors
Q.19) Which Indian Army female officer was honored with the United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025?
Ans > Major Abhilasha Barak
- Massive International Recognition: Major Abhilasha Barak of the Indian Army received massive international recognition when she was awarded the highly prestigious 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. This accolade honors the outstanding dedication of peacekeepers in deeply integrating gender perspectives into UN operations.
- The Award’s Core Significance: Created in 2016, the award explicitly recognizes military peacekeepers who actively implement the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. Major Barak was honored for her exemplary, courageous work during her deployment with a UN peacekeeping mission, where she facilitated massive community outreach and helped protect highly vulnerable women and children in volatile conflict zones.
- A Trailblazing Military Career: Major Abhilasha Barak is already a deeply prominent figure in Indian military history. In 2022, she made national headlines by becoming the very first woman officer to join the elite Army Aviation Corps as a combat aviator, flying advanced, weaponized helicopters.
- India’s Legendary Peacekeeping Legacy: India is historically one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN Peacekeeping operations worldwide. India also made global history in 2007 by deploying the first-ever all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Liberia, setting a standard for female integration in combat zones.
- Operational Impact on the Ground: The UN explicitly states that female peacekeepers are absolutely critical for the success of modern missions. They gain much better access to local, conservative communities, serve as powerful role models for women in host countries, and provide a deep sense of security for victims of gender-based violence in war-torn regions.
📌 Defense & Security • Mountaineering & Records
Q.20) Recently, the Border Security Force’s (BSF) first all-women mountaineering team successfully scaled which mountain?
Ans > Mount Everest
- Historic Mountaineering Feat: In a tremendous display of extreme physical endurance and mental fortitude, the Border Security Force (BSF) etched its name in history when its very first all-women mountaineering expedition successfully summited Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth standing at an imposing 8,848.86 meters.
- The Brutal Expedition Details: Scaling Everest involves navigating deadly, unpredictable challenges such as the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, extreme sub-zero temperatures, howling jet stream winds, and the hypoxic “Death Zone” above 8,000 meters. The success of this team reflects years of grueling preparation, high-altitude acclimatization, and highly specialized training at premier institutes like the National Institute of Mountaineering.
- Significance for the BSF: The Border Security Force is India’s crucial first line of defense, primarily guarding the heavily militarized, often hostile borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. While the BSF has a rich history of male mountaineering expeditions, this all-women team breaks massive gender barriers within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
- Women Empowerment in the Armed Forces: This historic summit is a powerful, undeniable symbol of women empowerment. It demonstrates clearly that female personnel possess the exact same operational toughness, resilience, and stamina required for the most extreme physical challenges on the planet.
- Inspiration for the Nation: The roaring success of the BSF women’s team serves as a massive inspiration for young girls across India, heavily encouraging them to pursue demanding careers in the armed forces and adventure sports, proving once and for all that no peak is too high to conquer.
📌 Quick Summary — Current Affairs 25 May, 2026
- Governance & AI: Kerala establishes India’s first cabinet-level Artificial Intelligence department.
- Tourism & Economy: Ladakh grants crucial industry status to registered hotels and guest houses.
- Public Services: Denmark becomes the first nation globally to shut down its traditional postal service.
- Global Summits: Helsingborg, Sweden hosts the May 2026 NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
- Heritage Diplomacy: The Netherlands formally returns the 11th-century Anaimangalam Chola copper plates to India.
- Space Exploration: ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 honored with the 2026 AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award.
- Scientific Honors: Dr. Soumya Swaminathan elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society.
- Literature Awards: Yang Shuang-zi wins the International Booker Prize 2026.
- Sports & Esports: Aravindh Chithambaram becomes the first Indian GM to qualify for the Esports World Cup.
- Athletics Records: Gurindervir Singh sets a new Indian 100m sprint record at 10.09 seconds.
- Agricultural Tech: NRRI Odisha develops ‘Open CRISPR-1’, the first AI-based gene editor for crops.
- Infrastructure: Bengaluru’s BWSSB ranked among the world’s top five at the Madrid Global Water Summit.
- Defense Innovation: The indigenous ‘Suryastra’ guided rocket system was successfully tested in Chandipur, Odisha.
- Important Days: The UN proclaims May 25th as World Football Day.
- Book Releases: Former Federal Bank CEO Shyam Srinivasan authors “Better Never Stops”.
- Historical Figures: Remembering Raja Ram Mohan Roy, born in Hooghly district, Bengal Presidency.
- Constitutional Polity: Article 123 (Presidential Ordinances) recently utilized to increase Supreme Court judge strength.
- International Economics: India successfully hosts the 68th session of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO).
- UN Peacekeeping: Major Abhilasha Barak awarded the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year.
- Mountaineering Feats: BSF’s first all-women team achieves a historic summit of Mount Everest.
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