Weekly Current Affairs Test : 8th to 14th May 2025

The 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ranked India 130th out of 193 countries and territories. The report uses the Human Development Index (HDI), which measures health, education, and income, not just economic growth. The 2025 HDR, titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” focused on the impact of AI on human progress. India’s HDI value rose from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, staying in the medium category but nearing high development. India’s life expectancy increased to 72 years and schooling years also improved. India’s per capita Gross National Income (GNI) rose from $6,951 to $9,047 based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP 2021). India showed over 53 percent HDI growth since 1990, outpacing global and South Asian averages. Among neighbours, China, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan ranked higher, while Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan ranked lower.

In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and rising tensions with Pakistan, the Indian Navy is enhancing its maritime strength by inducting INS Tamal. INS Tamal is a stealth guided missile frigate with advanced features designed for modern naval warfare. It is an upgraded Krivak-III class warship built under a $2.5 billion India-Russia defence deal for four stealth frigates. Two of these frigates are being built in Russia, and the other two at Goa Shipyard Limited in India. INS Tushil, the first warship of this class, joined the Indian Navy in December 2024. INS Tamal will be the last imported warship, marking India’s shift to building its own warships. The remaining two frigates, INS Triput and INS Tavasya, are being constructed in India under a technology transfer agreement worth around Rs 13,000 crore.

Public trespassing in the ecologically sensitive Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Khanapur taluk has raised major concerns among conservationists recently. Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats in the Belgaum district of Karnataka. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in December 2011 to protect its rich biodiversity. The sanctuary is named after the historic Bhimgad Fort, built by Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century to defend against Portuguese forces. It borders Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, Mollem National Park, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.

NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) recently solved the mystery behind X-ray emissions in black hole jets. IXPE is a joint satellite mission by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Italian Space Agency, launched on December 9, 2021. It is the first satellite designed to measure the polarisation of X-ray light, helping scientists study extreme cosmic environments. The mission focused on blazars, which are a type of active galactic nucleus with a supermassive black hole ejecting a powerful jet of particles aimed toward Earth.

Scientists recently found signs of ancient wildfires, called palaeofires, from the Permian Period about 250 million years ago in the Godavari Basin. Palaeofires are wildfire events recorded in ancient rocks, helping us understand Earth’s past vegetation, climate changes, and coal formation. The study covered a long geological timescale, from the Late Silurian to the present Quaternary Period. Researchers used methods like Palynofacies analysis, Raman Spectroscopy, Rock-Eval Pyrolysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy to study tiny fossils and charcoal. They clearly identified charcoal formed on-site (in situ) and transported charcoal (ex situ), solving a major geological debate. They also found that sea-level changes affected how fire residues were preserved—more intact during sea-level drops (regressive) and more scattered during sea-level rise (transgressive).

In Operation Sindoor, SCALP missiles were recently launched from Indian Rafale fighter jets to hit terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). SCALP stands for Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée, which means Long-Range Autonomous Cruise Missile System in French. It is also called ‘Storm Shadow’ in the United Kingdom. SCALP is an air-launched cruise missile designed for long-range, deep-strike missions. It carries conventional explosives and targets high-value, fixed or stationary enemy positions. It was jointly developed by France and the United Kingdom. It is used by the air forces of India, Egypt, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Recently, Jenu Kuruba families began re-occupying their ancestral homes inside Nagarhole National Park after a long wait. Jenu Kuruba is listed as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and mainly lives in Karnataka’s Kodagu and Mysore districts. The name “Jenu Kuruba” comes from Kannada, where “jenu” means honey, reflecting their traditional work of honey collection and forest gathering. Their livelihood depends on forest and land resources, and they live in small settlements called Hadi. They follow a semi-nomadic lifestyle with a headman called Yajamana and a ritual leader called Gudda. They believe in supernatural beings and express their faith through songs and dances about farming, marriage, and myths.

INS Kiltan, an Indian Naval Ship, recently reached Singapore to take part in IMDEX Asia 2025 at the Changi Exhibition Centre. IMDEX stands for International Maritime Defence Exhibition, a major naval and defence event in the Asia-Pacific region. It has been held every two years in Singapore since 1997. IMDEX provides a platform for navies, coast guards, and maritime industries to showcase ships, systems, and new technologies. It includes the International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC), started in 2009. IMSC is co-organised by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). It promotes global maritime security and cooperation through policy discussions and shared solutions.

A group of tourists in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, recently had a rare encounter with a snow leopard, often called the ‘ghost of the mountains’ due to its elusive nature. The snow leopard, scientifically known as Panthera uncia, is a medium-sized big cat found in the rugged mountains of Central and South Asia. Although it has a wide range of over 2 million square kilometres, only around 3,920 to 6,390 are estimated to remain in the wild. It lives between 1,800 to 5,500 metres in altitude and is found in 12 countries including India, China, Nepal, and Russia. In India, it is found in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. It is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, under Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 in India.

World Red Cross Day is observed every year on May 8 to honour the birth anniversary of Jean Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, who was born 197 years ago. The theme for this year is “Keeping Humanity Alive,” which celebrates people who dedicate their time and lives to reduce others’ suffering and protect human dignity.

The Harop drone is a loitering munition developed by the MBT Missiles Division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It was recently used by the Indian Armed Forces in ‘Operation Sindoor’ to strike air defence systems in Pakistan. Harop drones can hover over target areas for up to nine hours while searching for threats. They destroy targets by crashing into them with an in-built explosive payload. These drones perform both surveillance and attack roles, unlike regular Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). They use electro-optical (EO) or infrared (IR) sensors to locate and attack enemy assets. Harop drones can operate autonomously but allow human operators to approve final strikes. They include abort features to cancel missions mid-air and prevent unintended damage.

India recently took part in the 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) was created in 2000 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) to support sustainable forest management globally. It includes all UN Member States and related forest organisations, meeting annually for technical or policy-level discussions. India, as a founding member, plays a key role in shaping global forest policy. At UNFF20, India showcased its forest conservation efforts and support for Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs) under the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF) 2017–2030.

The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), along with Aerospace Services India (ASI) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), hosted the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) India Eco-System Summit 2.0 in New Delhi on May 07, 2025. The summit aimed to boost India’s air and missile defence capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India missions. It brought together key players from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Armed Forces, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Electronics Limited, and Bharat Dynamics Limited. The event highlighted the growing India-Israel defence cooperation and the shared goal of making India a global defence hub.

India has become the third-largest vehicle manufacturer in the world as per Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways. This was highlighted at the 4th International Bioenergy Biofuels Biomass (BBB) Summit and Expo on Bioenergy Value Chain held in New Delhi. The growing demand for various types of vehicles is increasing fossil fuel consumption. There is a strong push to reduce fuel imports and increase exports to strengthen the economy. The summit also focused on promoting technologies that use the country’s biomass resources for energy.

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-19 Football Championship 2025 takes place in Yupia, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh from May 10, 2025. Six countries are taking part in the tournament, which aims to promote youth football in South Asia. Group A includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives, while Group B has India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The championship runs until May 18, encouraging regional sportsmanship and football development among young players.

Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme was launched on June 29, 2020. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The scheme helps micro food processing enterprises upgrade technology and get formal recognition. It supports farmer producer organizations, self-help groups, and cooperatives to improve food processing businesses. Financial, technical, and capacity-building support is given under the scheme. Bihar secured the first position in implementing the PMFME scheme in 2024–25, as announced recently by the Industries Minister. This shows Bihar’s success in boosting small food processing businesses.

According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Methane Tracker 2025, the energy sector emitted about 145 million tonnes of methane in 2024. The Global Methane Tracker 2025 is released by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Oil and gas facilities alone contributed over 80 million tonnes. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for around 30% of global warming since the Industrial Revolution. Its current level in the atmosphere is 2.5 times higher than in preindustrial times and is increasing faster than other gases. The main human sources of methane are agriculture, energy, and waste sectors. The energy sector alone contributes over 35% of human-caused methane emissions.

The 10th International Trade Fair was inaugurated in Nepal by Nepal’s Commerce Minister Damodar Bhandari at Bhrikutimandap. The five-day event features 120 pavilions with participants from Nepal, China, Ukraine, Bangladesh, and Turkey. China set up 40 stalls displaying electric vehicles, electronics, farm tools, clothes, home decor, and Tibetan incense as a major attraction. Nepal’s highlights include wood sculptures, jewellery, ritual items, Himalayan herbs, tea, coffee, spices, processed farm products, and Made in Nepal clothing. Exhibitors shared product details, and Umesh Dalmia from the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries spoke on boosting tourism like Delhi’s Pragati Maidan fair. The fair aims to build business-to-business links for global trade exposure.

Recently, Pakistan attempted a large-scale drone incursion using around 300 to 400 Songar drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek. Songar drones are armed Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) developed by Turkish defence company Asisguard. These are Turkey’s first indigenously built armed drones designed for military use. Songar drones were first launched in April 2019 and inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in February 2020 after successful testing. The recent deployment by Pakistan marks a serious escalation in cross-border drone activity, raising security concerns along India’s western frontier.

Sanjay Seth, Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, represented India at the 80th Victory Day celebration in Moscow, Russia, on 9 May 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was initially scheduled to attend but could not due to the Pahalgam terror incident and sent Sanjay Seth instead. During his visit, Sanjay Seth met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin. They discussed military and military-technical cooperation and agreed to strengthen ties through existing institutional frameworks. His visit reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between India and Russia. Victory Day is celebrated every year on 9 May in Moscow’s Red Square to mark the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

The Raika tribe, also known as Rabaris, is an indigenous pastoralist community living in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, especially near Kumbhalgarh in Rajsamand district. They are known for their deep cultural and spiritual connection with camels, especially the Marwari breed, valued for its strength and desert survival. For the Raikas, camel herding is not just a source of income but a way of life rooted in rituals, stories, and seasonal migration. Their traditional knowledge of pasture cycles, animal care, and biodiversity has long helped sustain Rajasthan’s fragile dryland ecosystems. In recent news, their expertise is being recognized for preserving the health of arid lands through age-old grazing routes and natural veterinary practices.

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, a fully intact Chinese-made PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile has been recently recovered in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district. The PL-15, also called “Thunderbolt-15,” is a long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed by China’s 607 Institute. It is manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). The missile is designed to strike enemy aircraft at very long distances, even before visual contact is made. This incident has raised serious security concerns, especially regarding regional military activity and foreign weapon systems near the border.

On April 2, 2025, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported that asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 3.8% chance of hitting the Moon on December 22, 2032. YR4 is a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) discovered in December 2024 using the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile. It is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) because its orbit brings it close to Earth—within 1.3 times the Earth-Sun distance. In February 2025, YR4 triggered NASA’s highest-ever asteroid impact alert. Infrared data from the James Webb Space Telescope estimates its size at around 65 metres, similar to a 10-storey building. Since it is below 140 metres in size, it is not labeled a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid.” Earlier, it had a 1% chance of hitting Earth, but updated analysis now shows almost no threat to our planet.

The 8th United Nations (UN) Global Road Safety Week is observed from 12 to 18 May 2025, with the theme MakeWalkingSafe and MakeCyclingSafe. UN Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) is a biennial global road safety campaign hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners to highlight the urgent need for safer roads, especially for pedestrians and cyclists. This global campaign promotes safe infrastructure and transport policies that support walking and cycling in cities. It aims to raise awareness about the growing dangers faced by non-motorized road users due to poor road conditions and unsafe driver behavior. It also encourages governments to adopt strong laws and reforms to reduce road traffic injuries and deaths.

India reportedly opened multiple gates at the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam on the Chenab River in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, amid rising water levels. The Chenab River, meaning “Moon River,” is a major tributary of the Indus River. It originates from the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga streams at Tandi in the Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh. In its upper stretches, it is also known as Chandrabhaga. It flows through Jammu and Kashmir, passing between the Siwalik Range and Lesser Himalayas. It then turns southwest into Pakistan, joining the Jhelum River near Trimmu and later merging with the Sutlej River.

The military of Taiwan recently conducted its first live-firing of the American-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is developed by the United States. HIMARS is a lightweight and mobile multiple rocket launcher system. It can launch several precision-guided rockets quickly and accurately. It is manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation, a defence and aerospace company based in the United States. HIMARS is designed to destroy enemy artillery, air defence units, trucks, light armoured vehicles, and troop or supply areas. This system increases battlefield mobility and firepower with high accuracy. The recent test highlights Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its defence with U.S. military support.

In a recent case of man-animal conflict, four people were injured in a bear attack while collecting tendu leaves in the Kawardha range of Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary. Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh and is part of the Maikal range in the Satpura hills. It is named after the nearby Bhoramdeo Temple, which is over a thousand years old and called the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh.” The sanctuary spans about 352 square kilometres and lies within the Kanha-Achanakmar Corridor connecting two major protected areas. Its landscape includes hilly terrain, dense forests, and many streams. The Fen and Sankari rivers originate here. The forest types include tropical moist and dry deciduous forests with trees like Saaj, Sal, Tendu, and Nilgiri.

Chinese researchers have recently developed a high-resolution ocean simulation system called LICOMK++ to better study ocean and climate patterns. LICOMK++ stands for Laboratory for Atmospheric and Oceanic Modeling (LASG)/Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) Climate Ocean Model with K++ high-performance computing upgrade. It is described as an ocean “microscope” because of its ultra-high-resolution abilities. This advanced system allows scientists to clearly observe complex ocean processes such as eddies and heat transport. It helps improve the understanding of how oceans influence climate. LICOMK++ can enhance forecasts of extreme weather events like typhoons, marine heatwaves, and floods.

Glaciologists and local communities recently mourned the loss of Nepal’s Yala Glacier, now believed to be the first glacier in Nepal to be declared “dead.” Yala Glacier is located in Langtang National Park in Nepal’s Himalayan region. It lies at an altitude of around 5,000 meters above sea level. It is a small plateau glacier, commonly used for training in glaciological studies and mountaineering. Since the 1970s, the glacier has shrunk by 66% and retreated by 784 meters. Scientists expect it to disappear completely by 2040 due to climate change and rising global temperatures.

Recently, Delhi Police launched a community outreach initiative called ‘Nayi Disha – A Path Back to Learning’ to bring out-of-school children back into education. Police officers are visiting homes of school dropouts to understand why they left school and to motivate them to return. The initiative reflects Delhi Police’s focus on mentorship and building trust, beyond traditional law enforcement. Officers are working with schools, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and social workers to provide help such as admissions, counselling, and academic support. Many students have already returned to school, and the initiative will now expand to other districts based on its success.