National News
DRDO Successfully Tests Stratospheric Airship Platform
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden flight trial of its Stratospheric Airship Platform in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. The airship reached an altitude of 17 kmand remained airborne for 62 minutes, marking a breakthrough in India’s surveillance and earth observation capabilities.
External Affairs Minister Engages Russia on Pahalgam Attack
S. Jaishankar held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, urging cooperation to ensure justice for the Pahalgam terror attack. Talks with China and Pakistan are pending.
India and Angola Strengthen Bilateral Ties
During Angolan President João Lourenço’s visit, both nations signed MoUs to enhance cooperation in energy, defence, space, and digital technology. This is Angola’s first presidential visit to India in 38 years.
NEET UG 2025 Conducted Smoothly
Over 22.7 lakh candidates appeared for the NEET UG 2025 exam held on 05.05.2025. Mock drills ensured a secure testing environment.
Genome-Edited Rice Launched to Boost Agriculture
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan introduced India’s first genome-edited rice varieties, developed by ICAR, to reduce production costs and increase yields.
Election Commission’s ECINET App Launch
The EC announced the upcoming launch of ECINET, a unified app integrating 40+ election-related platforms for stakeholders and officials.
International News
US Approves HawkEye 360 Sale to India
The US approved the sale of HawkEye 360 maritime surveillance technology to India, bolstering strategic capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Romania’s Presidential Election Re-Run
Romania held a presidential election re-run after last year’s annulled vote. A runoff between nationalist George Simion and centrist candidates is likely on 18.05.2025.
Japan-China Airspace Dispute Escalates
Japan accused China of violating airspace near the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, while China countered with similar allegations, escalating tensions.
State News
Chhattisgarh Inaugurates AI-Based Data Centre
CM Vishnu Deo Sai launched an AI-based Data Centre Park to improve education, healthcare, and Aadhaar services through advanced analytics.
Andhra Pradesh’s Transmedia Entertainment City
The state signed an MoU with Creativeland Asia to develop India’s first “Transmedia Entertainment City” in Amaravati, promoting media innovation.
Telangana Supports Tribal Livelihoods
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma flagged off vehicles carrying machinery to tribal villages for producing eco-friendly leaf plates and cups.
Sports News
Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Begins in Patna
The event commenced with 8,500+ athletes competing for 2,400+ medals across 27 sports until 15.05.2025.
Historic Promotion for Paris FC
Paris FC joined PSG in France’s top football division after 35 years, reshaping Paris’s football dynamics.
Karate Gold for Anarghya Panchawatkar
Gurugram’s Anarghya Abhishek Panchawatkar won gold at the 11th Budokan International Karate Championship in Dubai.
Business & Economy
RBI Reports Decline in Credit Growth
Bank credit growth slowed to 10.3% YoY in April 2025, the lowest in three years, despite recent repo rate cuts.
Netflix’s $2 Billion Economic Impact in India
Netflix’s investments generated $2 billion in economic value and created 20,000 jobs between 2021–2024, as per co-CEO Ted Sarandos.
Commerce Ministry Warns Exporters on US Trade Rules
Exporters were cautioned to comply with US ‘Rules of Origin’ norms to avoid higher tariffs on rerouted goods.
Key Appointments & Obituaries
Padma Shri Baba Shivanand Passes Away
Renowned yoga guru Baba Shivanand, aged 128, died in Varanasi. PM Modi hailed his contributions to wellness and spirituality.
IMF’s Krishnamurthy Subramanian to Return Early
India’s Executive Director at the IMF, Krishnamurthy Subramanian, will exit six months early, prompting a search for his successor.
Science & Technology
Stratospheric Airship’s Strategic Importance
The DRDO’s airship trial positions India among few nations with indigenous high-altitude surveillance systems, enhancing border security and disaster management.
Agriphotovoltaics for Sustainable Farming
The government promoted dual-use land systems combining solar energy generation with agriculture to optimize resource utilization.
Inaugurations & Agreements
Ladakh’s First Haj Pilgrim Batch Flagged Off
The first group of 43 Haj pilgrims from Ladakh departed for Srinagar, with special arrangements for their safety.
India Post-SBI Mutual Fund Partnership
India Post partnered with SBI Funds Management to simplify mutual fund onboarding for rural investors.
Environment & Sustainability
World’s Largest Electric Ship Launched
Australian firm Incat unveiled Hull 096, a 130-meter electric-powered catamaran, advancing green maritime technology.
Boost Your Exam Prep!
This update covers critical events for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSCs. Focus on DRDO’s innovations, international diplomacy, and economic trends for objective-type questions. For descriptive answers, analyze the impact of genome-edited crops or India’s strategic partnerships.
