Weekly Current Affairs Test : 15th to 21st May 2025

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made it mandatory for Regulated Entities (REs) to report details of their Digital Lending Apps (DLAs) through the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) portal. Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) is a modern data management platform introduced by the RBI to handle large-scale data processing, analysis, and sharing. It acts as a central data warehouse, using advanced tools for data mining, text analysis, and visual insights across financial and economic sectors. It improves the efficiency of regulatory reporting and reduces workload for banks and regulated firms. It helps RBI monitor the financial system better and react faster to potential risks.

A Brazilian surfer recently used the pororoca tidal wave on the Mearim River to spread awareness about climate change and ecological damage. The Mearim River is around 800 kilometres long and flows through Maranhão state in northern Brazil. The Mearim River is known for its pororoca, a strong tidal bore where ocean tides rush upstream into the river. The word “pororoca” comes from the Tupi Indigenous language and means “great roar”, due to the loud sound made when sea and river waters collide. A tidal bore forms when rising ocean tides push against the river’s flow, often during spring tides and supermoons.

Recently, two people, including a chartered accountant, were arrested for cheating the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of over ₹3 crore under the SAMRIDH scheme. The Startup Accelerator for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH) is a key programme of MeitY launched under the National Policy on Software Products–2019. It supports existing and new accelerators to select and scale promising Information Technology (IT)-based startups. The scheme helps startups connect with customers, investors, and global markets. It provides up to ₹40 lakh per startup and requires matching investment from the accelerator. The programme is implemented by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Start-up Hub (MSH), Digital India Corporation (DIC).

India has launched its first 3-nanometre (3nm) chip design centres in Noida and Bengaluru, marking a major step in advanced semiconductor development. These centres have been set up by Renesas Electronics India Private Limited, placing India among a few nations working on next-generation chip design. The initiative is part of a broader government plan to build a complete semiconductor ecosystem including design, fabrication, ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging), and supply chain support.

Astronomers from the Russian Academy of Sciences recently detected 11 new Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) using the Spektr-RG (SRG) space observatory. AGNs are regions at the centers of galaxies emitting extremely high levels of electromagnetic radiation, often outshining the galaxy itself. This emission comes from matter being consumed by a supermassive black hole or intense star formation activity. AGNs are essential for understanding galaxy formation and evolution due to their immense energy output.

Recently, Cambodia and China launched their largest-ever Golden Dragon joint military exercise. Golden Dragon is a yearly bilateral military drill between China and Cambodia started in 2016 to boost strategic and defense cooperation. The 2025 edition focuses on joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian relief, showcasing peace and capacity-building goals. It is being held at the Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, which was inaugurated in April 2025 with the arrival of Chinese warships. The exercise includes high-tech tools like reconnaissance and attack drones, surgical robots, and robot dogs, showing a move towards tech-driven warfare.

Recently, the Chhattisgarh High Court has been closely monitoring development works at Madku Dweep due to its cultural and historical value. Madku Dweep is located on the Shivnath River, the longest tributary of the Mahanadi River, in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh. The island covers about 24 hectares and is named Madku because its shape resembles a frog. It is also called Kedar Tirth and Harihar Kshetra Kedar Dweep. Archaeologists have found ancient stone tools, coins, and inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century BC.

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed a high-pressure nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane for seawater desalination. The project was carried out by Defence Materials Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur, under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This membrane is made to suit the needs of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), especially to resist chloride ion damage in salty seawater. It will be used on Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) of the Coast Guard to ensure a self-reliant supply of freshwater onboard. Desalination means removing salts from seawater to make it usable for drinking or industry.

On May 15, 2025, the Inclusive India Summit was held at India International Centre, New Delhi, to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The event was conducted in hybrid mode and organized with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It was supported by the State Bank of India (SBI) Foundation, National Association for the Blind (NAB), Association of People with Disability (APD), and Mission Accessibility. The summit highlighted that accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities is a shared duty of all society. It focused on three key areas of life for Divyangjan: Life, Learning, and Livelihood. The importance of using technology to ease daily challenges for persons with disabilities was stressed, with a call to make it more accessible.

The International Day of Families is observed on 15 May every year. The United Nations General Assembly declared this day in 1983 following recommendations from the Commission for Social Development and the Economic and Social Council. The 2025 theme is “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development.” The theme highlights the role of family-focused policies in dealing with global changes like technology, migration, climate change, urbanisation, and population shifts. The day aims to raise awareness about family-related issues and promote their role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Indian Army conducted the Teesta Prahar exercise today at the Teesta field firing range in West Bengal. This large-scale exercise involved various units like infantry, mechanised infantry, artillery, armoured corps, Para Special Forces, Army Aviation, Engineers, and Signals. It showcased the high level of coordination and joint force integration among different branches of the Indian Army. The aim was to demonstrate operational preparedness and combat-readiness in complex situations. The exercise is significant in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, which focuses on strengthening India’s security along sensitive borders. Teesta Prahar reflects the Indian Army’s commitment to national defence and rapid response capability.

The Telangana government recently sanctioned 10,000 Indiramma houses for Chenchu tribal families to improve their living conditions. The Chenchus are a food-gathering tribe mainly living in the Nallamalai forests of Andhra Pradesh. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the government due to their isolated lifestyle and low development indicators. Chenchus are also found in Telangana, Karnataka, and Odisha. Their language, also called Chenchu, belongs to the Dravidian language family, and many speak Telugu as well. A Chenchu village is called a “Penta”, with huts spaced based on family closeness. They live in small families, with men and women having equal social roles.

The Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko was rediscovered in the Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, after being unseen for 34 years. This flat-bodied lizard grows up to 8–9 cm and is adapted to live on cliffs and rocky outcrops, making it hard to spot. It was first discovered in 1991, but no sightings since then led to fears of extinction or doubts about it being a distinct species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had listed it as “Data Deficient” due to lack of data. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) confirmed its rediscovery during a special expedition to a remote rocky area. This gecko is the fifth lost species rediscovered by the Endangered Wildlife Trust in recent years, after a dune mole, a butterfly, a lizard, and a frog.

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupted recently, sending a huge ash plume 3,000 metres above its crater. Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in Japan and is located on the southern tip of Kyushu Island, just 4 kilometers from Kagoshima City. It stands at an elevation of 1117 metres and has a circumference of about 50 kilometres. It is a stratovolcano, formed from layers of lava and ash at a convergent plate boundary. The volcano was once an island, but a massive eruption in 1914 connected it to the mainland. It lies on the south rim of the Aira Caldera and has two main peaks — the North Peak and the South Peak. Sakurajima erupts frequently with ash, pyroclastic flows, volcanic bombs, and poisonous gases.

The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) recently raised the minimum support price (MSP) of jute from ₹5,335 to ₹5,650 per quintal for the 2025–26 crop year to stop distress sales by farmers. The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) comes under the administrative control of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It was set up in 1971 to act as a price support agency for raw jute without any limit. MSP is fixed every year by the Government of India based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Cost and Prices (CACP). JCI helps protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen and gives price stability. It started small but has now expanded its network across seven jute-growing states — West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently inaugurated the upgraded Multi Agency Centre, also known as MAC. MAC is a national intelligence-sharing hub under the Intelligence Bureau (IB) where central and state agencies share information on terrorism. It was first set up in 2001 after the Kargil conflict and was strengthened after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. It now connects all police districts nationwide through a secure network built at a cost of ₹500 crore. The system includes Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for better analysis. It helps map hotspots, predict threats, and coordinate real-time action against terrorism, crime, and cyberattacks.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) recently launched the ‘Campus Calling’ programme to promote gender sensitivity and student safety. It aims to prevent sexual harassment and raise awareness about cybercrimes affecting students in colleges and universities. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with ‘Yuvamanthan’, a youth development platform. It plans to reach over 1,000 higher education institutions, making it one of NCW’s largest youth-focused initiatives. Each college will have two male and two female campus ambassadors to lead gender awareness efforts. These ambassadors will promote safety, equality, and respect, and drive youth participation in creating secure campuses.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with the World Monuments Fund India (WMFI) and the TCS Foundation, has recently completed the conservation of Rajon ki Baoli. Rajon ki Baoli, also called Rajon ki Bain, is a 16th-century stepwell located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, South Delhi. It was built in 1506 CE by Daulat Khan during the rule of Sikander Lodi of the Lodi dynasty, the last dynasty before the Mughals. The stepwell showcases Lodi-era architecture and traditional water conservation techniques. It served as a water source and summer retreat, mainly used by masons for drinking and cooking.

World Hypertension Day is observed every year on May 17 to raise awareness about hypertension and its control. The theme of 2025 is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!”. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is called a silent killer because it often shows no symptoms. It affects over 294 million people in the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region. Risk factors include tobacco and alcohol use, too much salt, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and mental stress. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

A recent large-scale study from South Korea, published in the European Heart Journal, found that people vaccinated against shingles have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus stays dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate later in life when the immune system weakens. Shingles appears as a painful rash with blisters, usually on one side of the body, and can cause symptoms like burning, headache, and fever. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a nerve pain that can last for months. Shingles is not directly contagious but the virus can infect someone who never had chickenpox. It mainly affects people over 50 or those with weak immune systems.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) launched ‘Sagar Mein Samman’ (SMS) to promote women’s participation in the maritime sector. It was unveiled by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during the first International Day for Women in Maritime celebrations in Mumbai. The policy aims to create a gender-equitable maritime workforce through training, safety, leadership, and skill development. It aligns with the government’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) goals and Maritime India Vision 2030. The government targets 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030. The event theme, “Women in Maritime: Leading Transformation and Sustainability,” supports UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative aims to make women a strong pillar of ‘Nari Shakti’ in India’s maritime future.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency recently reported that Russia plans to carry out a “training and combat” launch of the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile to intimidate Ukraine and Western countries. The RS-24 Yars, known by NATO as SS-29, is a Russian-made Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). It officially entered into service in February 2010 and is a key part of Russia’s strategic missile force. It was developed to replace older ICBMs like the SS-19 Stiletto and SS-18 Satan. The RS-24 Yars is capable of penetrating even the most advanced Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) systems.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) recently demolished 36 illegal bungalows from the River Villa project that were built within the blue flood line of the Indrayani River in Chikhali. The Indrayani River is a rain-fed river located in Maharashtra and is a tributary of the Bhima River, which further joins the Krishna River. It originates from the Western Ghats near Lonavala and flows through Pune district before merging with the Bhima River at Tulapur. The river is 103.5 kilometres long and holds religious importance as the towns of Dehu and Alandi lie on its banks. Dehu is the birthplace of poet-saint Tukaram, and Alandi is where saint Dnyaneshwar’s samadhi is located. The Indrayani River also flows through Pimpri-Chinchwad and supports local agriculture through irrigation.

The Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Outlook 2025 was released by the International Energy Agency (IEA). In 2024, more than one in four cars sold globally was electric. China led the world with nearly 50% of global EV car sales. Asia and Latin America, especially Thailand, Vietnam, and Brazil, are becoming new EV growth hubs. Despite some challenges, EVs are expected to make up over 40% of global car sales in the coming years. China also leads in EV production, contributing more than 70% of global output. Two and three-wheelers were the most electrified transport segment in 2024. India led global growth in electric three-wheelers with around 20% year-on-year growth in 2024, supported by the Prime Minister Electric Deployment and Renewable Integration for Vehicles Expansion (PM E-DRIVE) initiative.

Uttar Pradesh has launched India’s first jungle safari train with Vistadome coaches between Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The Vistadome train has large glass windows and transparent roofs for panoramic forest views. It operates on weekends, with plans to run daily to attract more tourists. The train covers 107 kilometers in about 4 hours and 25 minutes, costing ₹275 per person. This is part of the ‘One Destination Three Forests’ campaign linking Dudhwa, Katarniaghat, and Kishanpur sanctuaries. The Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board aims to boost eco-tourism and generate local jobs.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launched the ‘Indira Saura Giri Jala Vikasam’ scheme in Macharam, Amrabad mandal of Nagarkurnool district. The scheme aims to provide irrigation using solar-powered borewells in tribal lands without electricity. It will cover 6 lakh acres of land held by Scheduled Tribe (ST) farmers under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). Farmers with over 2.5 acres will get individual units, while smaller landholders will form borewell user groups. The Tribal Welfare Department will identify eligible farmers by May 25.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation recently launched the new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Portal in New Delhi. The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was introduced in August 2005 by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955. A foreign national can apply for OCI if they were an Indian citizen on or after 26th January 1950, or were eligible to become one on that date. OCI status is also open to those whose ancestors belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947. The new OCI portal aims to simplify and modernize the application process for eligible foreign nationals.

Recent camera trap images from Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) in Chhattisgarh show a positive rise in wildlife activity with carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores using the forest widely. USTR is located in the Gariaband and Dhamtari districts of Chhattisgarh. It was formed by merging Sitanadi and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuaries. The main river in the reserve is the Mahanadi, along with Udanti, Sitanadi, Indravan, and Pairi Rivers as tributaries. The reserve connects with forests of Kanker and North Kondagaon, forming a corridor to Indravati Tiger Reserve in Bastar.

In a recent development, India’s High-Altitude Platform (HAP) prototype designed by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) successfully completed pre-monsoon flight tests with a certified autopilot system. A High-Altitude Platform (HAP) is an unmanned, solar-powered aircraft that flies in the stratosphere at 17 to 22 kilometers altitude. It serves as a middle layer between ground systems and satellites for continuous aerial services. It was developed by NAL, Bengaluru, under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Chitradurga, Karnataka supported its development. It is designed for border patrolling, surveillance in remote areas, and civil-military use. It can also act as a relay for telecommunications and weather monitoring.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently launched the nationwide “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan” to be held from May 29 to June 12, 2025. It aims to make agriculture modern and prosperous under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission for a developed India. Agriculture supports nearly half of India’s population and is key to national food security. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has a six-point strategy: increase production, reduce costs, ensure fair prices, compensate disaster losses, promote crop diversification and organic farming. India recorded its highest-ever agricultural output in 2024–25, with food grain production rising to 3309.18 lakh tonnes. The campaign seeks to make India the “Food Basket of the World” through sustainable and surplus farming.