National Affairs
1. India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate
India conducted targeted strikes on terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under “Operation Sindoor”
Pakistan fired multiple missiles targeting areas in Jammu and Kashmir; all were intercepted by India’s Air Defense Units
Pakistan reportedly launched around 500 drones targeting over 24 Indian cities, successfully intercepted by Indian Air Defense System
High-level security meetings conducted at Prime Minister’s residence with National Security Advisor, Chief of Defense Staff, and three service chiefs
Border areas in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir experiencing precautionary blackouts
Schools in Jammu and Kashmir closed until May 12, 2025
2. CUET UG 2025 City Intimation Slip Released
National Testing Agency (NTA) released the CUET UG 2025 City Intimation Slip on May 7, 2025
Examinations scheduled to begin from May 13 and continue until June 3, 2025
Exams will be conducted in 285 cities across India and 15 cities abroad
Admit cards expected to be released by May 9, 2025
3. Supreme Court’s Strong Message on Judicial Authority
Supreme Court demoted a Deputy Collector to Tahsildar for defying Andhra Pradesh High Court orders
Court emphasized that no one, regardless of position, is above the law
Justice BR Gavai noted: “Disobedience of court orders attacks the foundation of rule of law on which democracy is based”
The judgment establishes a significant precedent for civil servants regarding court order compliance
4. IPL 2025 Suspended Amid Security Concerns
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025
Decision came after the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match was called off in Dharamsala on May 9
BCCI stated player and spectator safety as the primary concern amid escalating cross-border tensions
A revised schedule expected to be released next week once the situation normalizes
5. High-Level Military and Government Meetings
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh conducted a two-hour meeting with CDS and three service chiefs
Health Ministry officials held emergency meetings to ensure medicine availability and preparedness
Border Security Forces, along with Air Defense units, placed on high alert across western borders
Congress party announced nationwide “Jai Hind Yatra” in support of armed forces
International Affairs
1. Russia’s 80th Victory Day Parade Amidst Ukraine Conflict
President Vladimir Putin claimed “whole of Russia” supports the invasion of Ukraine during the Victory Day parade
The event commemorated the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat
Around 1,500 troops who fought in Ukraine were part of the 11,000 soldiers participating in the parade
Attack drones featured in the parade for the first time, showcasing Russia’s military technology
2. UK Proposes Stricter Immigration Rules
British government plans to extend the permanent settlement waiting period for migrants to 10 years
Current five-year residency requirement may be doubled in upcoming policy changes
The move aims to address concerns about immigration rates and integration
3. First American Pope in Catholic Church History
Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as Pope Leo XIV
He becomes the first American pontiff in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history
Known for his missionary work in Peru, Pope Leo XIV previously led the Vatican’s office of bishops
4. European Ministers Support Tribunal for Russian Leaders
European foreign ministers endorsed establishing a special tribunal to prosecute Russian leaders
The symbolic gesture coincided with Putin’s Victory Day parade
Ministers met in Ukraine to show continued support against Russian aggression
Economy & Banking
1. RBI Expected to Transfer Record Dividend to Government
Reserve Bank of India likely to transfer ₹2.5-3.5 trillion as dividend to the government this month
Significantly higher than last year’s payout of ₹2.1 trillion
Increased dividend attributed to profits from currency market interventions to stabilize the rupee
Additional income from repo operations contributed to the windfall
The transfer would help offset weak tax revenues and provide fiscal space to the government
2. India’s Retail Inflation Hits Six-Year Low
Retail inflation for fiscal year 2024-25 dropped to 4.6%, lowest since 2018-19
March 2025 saw year-on-year inflation rate at 3.34%, a decline of 27 basis points from February
Marks the lowest monthly inflation rate since August 2019
Government interventions like buffer stock management and simplified import duties on essential items helped control inflation
Targeted subsidies under schemes like PM Ujjwala Yojana protected vulnerable households from rising costs
3. Financial Markets React to India-Pakistan Tensions
Sensex and Nifty plunged over 1% on May 9 amid escalating cross-border tensions
Investor sentiment remained cautious with increased volatility in markets
Defense-related stocks showed counter-trend gains
Essential services and pharmaceutical sectors demonstrated relative stability
Sports News
1. IPL 2025 Suspended Indefinitely
BCCI suspended the Indian Premier League 2025 due to security concerns
Several foreign players expressed desire to return to their countries amid tensions
The board will issue a revised schedule approximately one week after normalization
Players took to social media to express support for Indian armed forces
2. Football Match Results (09.05.2025)
Championship Promotion Play-offs: Coventry City 1-2 Sunderland
Scottish Premiership Play-offs: Ayr United 0-2 Partick Thistle (Partick win 2-1 on aggregate)
Spanish La Liga: Las Palmas 0-1 Rayo Vallecano
German Bundesliga: Wolfsburg 2-2 Hoffenheim
3. Italian Open 2025 Tennis Tournament Day 4
Day 4 of the Italian Open 2025 featured second round of singles matches
Carlos Alcaraz returned to the tour after skipping Madrid Open due to injury
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her campaign after winning Madrid Open
Other notable players in action included Daniil Medvedev, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff
4. SAFF U-19 Football Championship 2025
The SAFF U-19 Football Championship began in Arunachal Pradesh
Six teams participating in the tournament
India faced Sri Lanka in the opening match
Tournament serves as preparation for upcoming regional competitions
Appointments & Resignations
1. Maharashtra Leads Medal Tally in Khelo India Youth Games
Maharashtra tops the medal count with 44 medals including 16 golds
Rajasthan and Karnataka follow in second and third positions respectively
The games continue to highlight emerging sports talent across various disciplines
Important Days
1. Victory Day in Russia (09.05.2025)
Russia commemorated the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II
The day featured a military parade in Moscow’s Red Square with 11,000 troops
President Putin used the occasion to link current conflicts with historical victories
