Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 31st May 2025

Mizoram has officially been declared a fully literate state by Chief Minister Lalduhoma during a special ceremony at Mizoram University in Aizawl. This makes Mizoram the first state in India to achieve full functional literacy, defined by the Ministry of Education as having a literacy rate above 95%. A door-to-door survey by Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) in August–September 2023 identified 3,026 non-literate persons, with 1,692 actively participating in learning. The PFLS (Performance of the Foundational Literacy Survey) 2023–24 recorded Mizoram’s literacy rate at 98.20%, confirming the success. In June 2024, Ladakh became the first fully literate administrative unit, and now Mizoram has become the first fully literate Indian state.

The World Hydrogen Summit 2025 was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands from May 20 to 22. At this global event, India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) showcased its green hydrogen plans under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). India targets the production of 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen per year by 2030. This mission aims to reduce carbon emissions, attract investments worth 100 billion US dollars, and generate employment. Major focus areas include building electrolyzer manufacturing capacity, developing green hydrogen hubs at ports, and encouraging state-level policies to support the transition.

Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has recently introduced compostable bags made from PBAT as a green alternative to single-use plastic (SUP). PBAT stands for Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate, a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer used to replace traditional plastics. It is made by combining adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, and terephthalic acid and can be processed using normal plastic-making machines. PBAT is 100% compostable and breaks down into water, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and biomass within 180 days under industrial composting. It is strong, flexible, moisture-resistant, and safe for packaging, making it a practical and eco-friendly solution to plastic pollution.

The Shirui Lily Festival 2025 was held after a two-year gap caused by ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur. It is a five-day cultural and ecological festival celebrated in Ukhrul district, home to the Tangkhul Naga tribe. The festival honors the Shirui Lily, or Lilium mackliniae, a rare bluish-pink flower found only in the Shirui Hills. The festival promotes cultural pride and raises awareness about the flower’s ecological importance and the need for conservation.

The Spices Board recently launched the “Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED)” scheme for 2025–26. The Spices Board, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is responsible for the scheme’s implementation. The scheme aims to make the spice sector more sustainable and boost spice exports from India. It helps improve the productivity of small and large cardamom through financial support. It promotes organic farming and good agricultural practices to ensure better quality. The scheme provides funds for modern post-harvest machines like dryers, polishers, and slicers. It also supports startups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and small businesses through Spice Incubation Centres. It ensures spices meet global food safety and plant health standards.

The Prime Minister will soon meet the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to review the Polavaram project. The Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation initiative built on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It is located near Polavaram village in West Godavari district, close to the borders of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The project was proposed in 1980 based on the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) recommendations. It has been given national project status by the central government. The dam will help control floodwaters and improve agricultural productivity in the region. This high-level meeting highlights the importance of inter-state cooperation for completing the project efficiently.

International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is observed every year on May 22 to raise awareness and take action to protect biodiversity. In 2025, the theme is “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” showing the link between biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme also connects with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the recently adopted Pact for the Future. IDB was first established in 1993, and initially celebrated on December 29, marking the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) changed the date to May 22, to mark the 1992 adoption of the convention in Nairobi.

NASA and Virginia Tech researchers have, for the first time, measured the speed and height of flood waves on U.S. rivers using data from the SWOT satellite. SWOT stands for Surface Water and Ocean Topography and was launched in 2022. It is a joint mission by NASA and the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), the French Space Agency. SWOT uses a special instrument called the Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) to measure water surface height, width, and elevation. The satellite sends microwaves to water bodies and measures their return time for accurate data. SWOT provides high-resolution images and monitors over 55% of large floods globally. This recent achievement shows SWOT’s powerful role in flood monitoring and disaster management.

The Self Reliant India Fund, known as SRI Fund, supports Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing equity funding to help them grow into large businesses. The total size of the fund is Rs. 50,000 crore, out of which Rs. 10,000 crore comes from the Government of India and Rs. 40,000 crore is mobilized from private equity and venture capital investors. The SRI Fund uses a mother-fund and daughter-fund model to invest in MSMEs through equity or quasi-equity instruments. It is managed by NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited (NVCFL), a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). As of March 2025, the scheme has already invested about Rs. 10,979 crore in 577 MSMEs, showing strong progress in supporting India’s small businesses.

India recently welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to return the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the Diego Garcia atoll, to Mauritius under a historic agreement. The Chagos Islands are located in the central Indian Ocean, about 1,600 km south of India’s southern tip. These islands have been a British Overseas Territory since November 8, 1965. Key islands in the group include Diego Garcia, Danger Island, Egmont Islands, Eagle Islands, Nelsons Island, Peros Banhos, Three Brothers, and the Solomon Islands. Diego Garcia, the largest island covering 30 square kilometers, hosts a major United States military base. The islands are flat and low-lying, with most areas not rising more than 2 meters above sea level and having no rivers or lakes. They experience a tropical marine climate with high heat and humidity, moderated by trade winds.

Chinese scientists recently discovered a new species of bacteria named Niallia tiangongensis aboard the Tiangong Space Station. The Tiangong Space Station, meaning ‘Sky Palace’, is a Chinese-owned and permanently crewed space station in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It is the final phase of China’s Manned Space Program, developed after earlier missions Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2. The first module, Tianhe, was launched in April 2021 and connects two science modules, Wentian and Mengtian, with a planned space telescope called Xuntian.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit in New Delhi, emphasizing zero tolerance towards terrorism and Maoist unrest. He described EAST as Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform, highlighting the North East’s diversity as India’s strength. The region, once called a Frontier, is now a front-runner in growth with strong tourism, bio-economy, bamboo, tea, petroleum, sports, and eco-tourism sectors. The two-day summit focuses on tourism, agro-food processing, textiles, healthcare, IT, infrastructure, energy, and entertainment, aiming to attract global and domestic investment. The summit brings investors, policymakers, and stakeholders together to promote Make in India, Make in the Northeast, and Make for the World initiatives.

Recently, many research scholars across India raised concerns about not receiving their INSPIRE fellowships for 8 to 13 months. This delay affects their research work and financial stability. The INSPIRE Scheme stands for Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research. It is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), launched in 2008. It aims to attract talented youth to research in basic sciences and build a strong science and technology base in India. Unlike other scholarships, it does not hold entrance exams and selects candidates based on academic merit. The INSPIRE Fellowship supports around 1,000 scholars every year for pursuing doctoral research.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recently released the first State of the World’s Animal Health report. It highlights that infectious animal diseases are now spreading to new regions and species, with 47 percent having zoonotic potential, meaning they can spread to humans. In 2024, Bluetongue virus affected 3,517 cases in 23 countries, and Germany saw its first foot-and-mouth disease outbreak since 1988. Between 2005 and 2023, nearly half the WOAH-listed diseases reported were zoonotic, posing a risk to human health. The report warns that climate change and global trade are key drivers behind the rising spread of these diseases. Preventing diseases reduces the need for antibiotics and helps fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which could cause huge losses. By 2050, AMR could result in livestock loss, threaten food for two billion people, and cause a US$100 trillion economic loss.

Keoladeo National Park, also called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is located in Rajasthan. It was established as a hunting reserve in the 19th century by Maharaja Suraj Mal and became a bird sanctuary in 1956. It was declared a national park in 1981 and named after a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva inside the park. The park spreads across 29 square kilometres and includes woodlands, swamps, and wet grasslands. It is a Ramsar site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich biodiversity. Recently, the park is also becoming a safe home for turtles, sheltering eight out of ten species found in Rajasthan.

New sites from China, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain have been recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). GIAHS was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2002. It addresses threats to traditional farming like climate change and loss of biodiversity. The program supports farmers by promoting traditional knowledge, conservation, and sustainable development. FAO’s network now includes 95 heritage systems in 28 countries worldwide. The new sites include a traditional agroforestry system growing erva-mate in Brazil. Three Chinese sites are recognized for pearl mussels, white tea, and pears. Mexico’s site conserves important food crops and biodiversity. Spain’s Lanzarote island has a unique farming system on volcanic land.

The Tamil Nadu Cabinet recently approved a Space Industrial Policy to boost the space sector and attract investments. Tamil Nadu became the third Indian state after Karnataka and Gujarat to promote the space ecosystem. It already hosts key Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facilities like the ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli, which tests cryogenic and liquid engines. A second Indian spaceport is being built by ISRO at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi to increase satellite launch capacity. The state also has several startups working on reusable launch vehicles, in-space manufacturing, in-orbit refuelling, and satellite data analytics. IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) is an autonomous agency under the Department of Space to promote private participation.

The United States Air Force (USAF) recently conducted a successful test of the LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). This missile is nuclear-capable and can deliver a warhead to any part of the Earth. “L” in LGM means silo-launched, “G” stands for surface attack, and “M” means guided missile. Minuteman III was introduced in the 1970s and was the first U.S. missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs). It is the only land-based missile in the U.S. nuclear triad. It was developed by Douglas Aircraft Company, now part of Boeing. Although it was designed for ten years of use, it has been upgraded and remains active. A new system, called Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), will replace it around 2029. The U.S. currently maintains about 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.

Scientists recently discovered a new species of damselfly called Caliphaea sinuofurcata in Arunachal Pradesh. It was found during biodiversity surveys in the Upper Siang and Lower Dibang Valley districts. The species is proposed to be named the “Bearded Bronzeback” due to its unique appearance. This is only the second species of the genus Caliphaea ever recorded in India. The first species, Caliphaea confusa, was documented more than 165 years ago. The genus Caliphaea is usually found in Southeast Asia and China, making this a significant discovery for Indian biodiversity.

The 46th ASEAN Summit took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 26 May-27 May. Leaders from across the region gathered to discuss important issues like U.S. tariffs, the Myanmar conflict, and South China Sea disputes. ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is a regional group that promotes political, economic, and security cooperation. It was established in 1967 through the Bangkok Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Its headquarters is in Jakarta, Indonesia, showing Indonesia’s key role in the group.

The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island recently erupted with lava fountains reaching over 1,000 feet high. Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It is a shield-type volcano located in the southeastern part of the island of Hawaii in the state of Hawaii, United States. The volcano stands at 4,190 feet or 1,227 meters above sea level. Its summit caldera has a lava lake called Halemaʻumaʻu, believed to be the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. Its slopes join with those of Mauna Loa volcano to the west and north. Kilauea has been erupting almost continuously since 1983. Its eruptions are mostly nonexplosive and usually remain within Halemaʻumaʻu, sometimes overflowing onto the caldera floor and sides.

Recently, the 38th Meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) was held under the chairmanship of the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The council recommended a 36% increase in stipend under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). The scheme was launched on 19th August 2016 by the Government of India. The scheme provides financial support to establishments running apprenticeship programs. It is an initiative by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to boost apprenticeship training across the country.

Recently, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister for Communications and Development of North East Region, unveiled the theme “Innovate to Transform” for the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025. India Mobile Congress 2025 will be held from 8th to 11th October 2025 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, New Delhi. The event will focus on innovation as a driving force for digital transformation across sectors like infrastructure, society, and sustainability. IMC 2025 is organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

Recently, officials said that INS Brahmaputra, a guided missile frigate of the Indian Navy, damaged in a dockyard accident last year, will regain seaworthiness by late 2025 and be fully combat-ready by mid-2026. INS Brahmaputra is the first indigenously built Brahmaputra-class guided missile frigate. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata. The ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy on April 14, 2000. It performs coastal and offshore patrolling, sea route monitoring, maritime diplomacy, counter-terrorism, and anti-piracy missions.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) at Metcalfe House, New Delhi on May 27, 2025. Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) aims to strengthen India’s indigenous capabilities in quantum science for defence and strategic purposes. It houses advanced experimental setups for research in crucial quantum domains. It also has test-beds for single-photon sources and platforms for Quantum Key Distribution to ensure ultra-secure communication. DRDO continues to lead India’s efforts in quantum sensing, post-quantum cryptography, and secure communications. As a core partner in the National Quantum Mission, DRDO promotes indigenous innovation in sovereign quantum technologies.

Mizoram’s capital Aizawl has been linked to the national railway network through the new Bairabi–Sairang line, marking a major boost in North-East connectivity. Mizoram now becomes the fourth North-East state with capital city rail connectivity after Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh. This project is part of the Ministry of Railways’ larger mission to connect all North-East capitals.

India attracted a record USD 81.04 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the fiscal year 2024–25, a 14% rise from the previous year. This growth was supported by liberalized policies and strong inflows in services and manufacturing. The services sector received the highest FDI equity at 19%, followed by computer software and hardware at 16%, and trading at 8%. FDI in services rose by 40.77% to USD 9.35 billion from USD 6.64 billion. Maharashtra received the highest share of FDI at 39%, followed by Karnataka at 13% and Delhi at 12%. From 2014 to 2025, India attracted USD 748.78 billion in FDI, 143% more than the USD 308.38 billion received from 2003 to 2014.

The Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh recently put on hold its order that imposed a user charge on visitors to the Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary in Sirmaur district. Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It lies in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and was established in 1985. The sanctuary covers an area of 56 square kilometres and surrounds the Churdhar Peak, also known as Choordhar. Churdhar Peak is the highest peak in the outer Himalayas. From the peak, one can view the wild Gangetic plains and Satluj River in the south and Badrinath in the north. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at the peak gives the sanctuary spiritual importance.

Hyderabad teenager Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti recently became the youngest Indian and the second youngest person in the world to complete the Seven Summits Challenge. The Seven Summits Challenge involves climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. It was first proposed and completed by Richard Bass in 1985. The peaks include Mount Everest in Asia, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in North America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Mount Vinson in Antarctica, and either Kosciuszko in Australia or Puncak Jaya in Oceania.

Recently, researchers discovered a new plant species named Pedicularis rajeshiana in the high-altitude region of Rohtang Pass in the western Himalayas. It belongs to a group of plants called “Louseworts,” which are hemiparasitic and take some nutrients from other plants while also doing photosynthesis. The plant has unique floral traits and a distinct pollen structure that sets it apart from other species. Compared to its close relatives Pedicularis porrecta and Pedicularis heydei, this new species is smaller in size with fewer flowers and leaflets.