Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly current affairs pdf.

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May 17 & 18 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Sports – Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

1. Which cricketer was recently honored by the Mumbai Cricket Association with a stand named after him at Wankhede Stadium?
A) Virat Kohli
B) Ajit Wadekar
C) Rohit Sharma
D) Rahul Dravid
E) MS Dhoni
Answer: C) Rohit Sharma

Event and Location:

• The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) organized a ceremonial event on May 16, 2025, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to rename multiple stands in honor of iconic contributors to Indian cricket.
• The most notable among them was the inauguration of the Rohit Sharma Stand, recognizing his significant achievements and leadership in international cricket.
• The renaming was symbolic of his recent retirement from Test and T20 formats, marking the end of a glorious chapter in his playing career.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The primary objective of the ceremony was to formally acknowledge the immense contributions of Rohit Sharma, Ajit Wadekar, Sharad Pawar, and Amol Kale to Indian cricket and cricket administration.
• It was meant to immortalize their legacies at Wankhede, a historic venue in Indian cricket.
• By naming specific stands after these personalities, the MCA aimed to preserve and highlight their influence for future generations and fans visiting the stadium.

Important Terms Explained:

• Rohit Sharma Stand: This stand, previously known as Divecha Pavilion Level 3, was renamed to honor Rohit Sharma, who captained India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. His local roots in Mumbai and his consistent performance made him an iconic figure deserving of this tribute.
• Ajit Wadekar Stand: This stand, previously part of Grand Stand Level 4, honors Ajit Wadekar, who captained India to their first overseas Test series wins in England and West Indies in 1971, and later served as the team’s coach and selector.
• Sharad Pawar Stand: This section, previously Grand Stand Level 3, is dedicated to Sharad Pawar, a veteran political leader and administrator who served as president of MCA, BCCI, and ICC, and was instrumental in organizing the 2011 ICC World Cup final at Wankhede.
• MCA Office Lounge – Amol Kale: A lounge within the stadium was named after Amol Kale, former MCA president, recognizing his efforts in cricket administration in Mumbai.

Tabular Summary:

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2. What historic milestone did Neeraj Chopra achieve during the 2025 Doha Diamond League?
A) First place finish in a Diamond League event
B) World record in javelin throw
C) Became the first Indian to throw over 90 meters
D) Won gold at the Asian Games
E) Qualified for Paris Olympics
Answer: C) Became the first Indian to throw over 90 meters

Event and Location:

• The Doha Diamond League 2025, held on May 16, featured a landmark moment for Indian athletics, as Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to breach the 90-meter mark in javelin throw.
• The competition took place in Doha, Qatar, and witnessed elite global participation.
• Despite leading until the final round, Chopra finished second, overtaken by Germany’s Julian Weber, who threw a world-leading 91.06 meters.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Neeraj Chopra entered the 2025 Diamond League with the objective of crossing the 90m threshold, a symbolic and competitive milestone in men’s javelin throw.
• His long-standing goal aligned with technical improvements and performance consistency, supported by his coaching team.
• The broader aim of such international participation is to ensure Indian representation in world athletics, enhance performance benchmarks, and prepare for upcoming global championships, including the Olympics.

Important Terms Explained:

• Doha Diamond League: Part of the World Athletics Diamond League series, the Doha leg is one of the premier international track and field competitions. It draws elite global talent and serves as a season opener for many athletes.
• 90m Club in Javelin Throw: Breaching the 90-meter mark is considered a high-performance benchmark in men’s javelin. Neeraj Chopra became only the third Asian and 25th athlete globally to achieve this feat.
• World-Leading Throw: A term used to describe the longest throw in the world for a given calendar year. In this event, Julian Weber’s 91.06m became the best mark globally in 2025.
• Jan Zelezny: Legendary Czech javelin thrower and current coach of Neeraj Chopra. He holds the world record of 98.48m and had publicly predicted Chopra would soon breach the 90m barrier.
• Diamond League Performance History: Neeraj has shown remarkable consistency:
  • 2023 Doha DL: 1st place (88.67m)
  • 2024 Doha DL: 2nd place (88.36m)
  • 2025 Doha DL: 2nd place (90.23m)

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3. Which Indian Grandmaster won his first-ever Grand Chess Tour title at the Superbet Classic 2025 in Romania?
A) D Gukesh
B) Vidit Gujrathi
C) R Praggnanandhaa
D) Nihal Sarin
E) Arjun Erigaisi
Answer: C) R Praggnanandhaa

Event and Location:

• Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa achieved a career-defining victory at the Superbet Classic 2025, held in Bucharest, Romania, a flagship event of the prestigious Grand Chess Tour.
• The tournament concluded on a dramatic note on May 16, 2025, with a blitz tiebreaker, where Praggnanandhaa showcased his composure and strategic brilliance against some of the top-rated players in the world, including Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alireza Firouzja.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The Superbet Classic aimed to bring together the world’s top chess grandmasters in a classical time control format as part of the Grand Chess Tour circuit.
• For Praggnanandhaa, the mission was both personal and professional — to prove himself on the elite stage following a disappointing playoff in 2024, and to affirm India’s growing dominance in the global chess arena.
• His success also reflects the outcome of sustained training, strategy, and mental fortitude.

Important Terms Explained:

• Grand Chess Tour (GCT): A prestigious international circuit of chess tournaments featuring both classical and rapid/blitz formats. It includes events in multiple countries and features only top-ranked players by invitation.
• Superbet Classic: A major tournament under the Grand Chess Tour, hosted in Romania, known for classical chess formats and high-caliber competition.
• Blitz Tiebreaker: A fast-paced playoff format involving 5 minutes per player with a 2-second increment per move, used to break ties after classical games. Praggnanandhaa clinched victory with a win against Vachier-Lagrave and a draw against Firouzja.
• GM R. Praggnanandhaa: An Indian chess prodigy, who became one of the youngest Grandmasters in history and is now a rising star in elite international chess.
• Trainer GM RB Ramesh and GM Vaibhav Suri: Renowned Indian Grandmasters and mentors who played a crucial role in Praggnanandhaa’s strategic preparation and psychological readiness for top-level competition.

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Ranking – Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

4. Which navy is ranked as the most powerful in the world by 2025 based on total value of strength?
A) Russian Navy
B) Indian Navy
C) People’s Liberation Army Navy
D) United States Navy
E) French Navy
Answer: D) United States Navy

Event and Location:

• The global naval ranking for 2025 has been released, listing the top-10 largest navies in terms of fleet size and Total Value of Resources (TvR).
• The ranking highlights each country’s naval capability, strength, and technological advancement.
• The United States Navy (USN) continues to lead globally, followed closely by China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the Russian Navy, reflecting ongoing geopolitical shifts and defence strategies worldwide.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The aim of this ranking is to evaluate global naval power based on the number of active units and cumulative naval capability, measured through the Total Value of Resources (TvR) index.
• This helps in understanding a nation’s maritime strength, global reach, and capacity for sea-based defense, combat operations, strategic deterrence, and disaster response.
• The ranking provides key insights into how countries are investing in naval modernization, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Arctic regions.

Important Terms Explained:

• TvR (Total Value of Resources): A composite indicator measuring the total strength of a navy, taking into account not just the number of vessels, but also their size, capability, firepower, and strategic value.
• United States Navy (USN): The largest and most powerful navy globally, with 232 active ships and a TvR of 323.9. It includes 11 aircraft carriers, 90+ destroyers and cruisers, 70+ submarines, and is capable of operating worldwide.
• People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN): China’s navy, with 405 ships, is the largest by number, but ranks second in TvR (319.8) due to smaller average ship size and fewer aircraft carriers.
• Indian Navy: With 100 vessels and a TvR of 100.5, India ranks 7th globally, focusing on self-reliance, blue-water capability, and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) dominance.

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

5. What was the Reserve Bank of India’s revised policy stance during the April 2025 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting?
A) Accommodative to Neutral
B) Hawkish to Dovish
C) Neutral to Accommodative
D) Restrictive to Expansionary
E) Contractionary to Inflationary
Answer: C) Neutral to Accommodative

Event and Location:

• During the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held from April 7 to 9, 2025, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced that India’s inflation outlook for FY26 is expected to remain within the central bank’s target range.
• The meeting, conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), took place amidst declining global commodity prices and a favorable domestic inflation environment.
• This policy setting highlighted the RBI’s intent to support economic growth while maintaining price stability.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The RBI’s primary objective through its monetary policy is to ensure that Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation remains near the mandated 4% target, with a permissible band of ±2%.
• With the March 2025 CPI recorded at 3.3%, the lowest in nearly six years, the RBI aims to stimulate domestic demand by reducing the repo rate and shifting the policy stance to accommodative.
• This move is designed to balance growth support with a watchful eye on inflationary risks emerging from global trade and tariff uncertainties.

Important Terms Explained:

• Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to commercial banks. A reduction in the repo rate typically lowers borrowing costs and encourages economic activity. In April 2025, it was cut by 25 basis points to 6%.
• CPI (Consumer Price Index) Inflation: The primary gauge of retail inflation. It measures changes in the price level of a basket of consumer goods and services. The RBI’s target is 4%, with a tolerance band of ±2%.
• Policy Stance – Accommodative: A stance that indicates the central bank is open to lowering interest rates further to support growth, assuming inflation remains under control.
• Disinflation: A slowdown in the rate of inflation. It differs from deflation, which involves a decrease in the price level. Disinflation in India has been supported by softening crude oil and commodity prices.
• Imported Inflation: Inflation caused by rising prices of imported goods, often due to currency depreciation or external tariff actions, such as recent US tariff threats.

Tabular Summary:

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

6. What was the main reason behind the surge in India’s exports to the US in April 2025?
A) Fall in oil prices
B) Depreciation of the Indian rupee
C) Anticipation of US-imposed tariffs
D) Introduction of new export subsidies
E) Completion of a free trade agreement
Answer: C) Anticipation of US-imposed tariffs

Event and Location:

• India recorded a 9% year-on-year growth in merchandise exports in April 2025, reaching $38.49 billion, the highest monthly figure in six months.
• The export surge, particularly to the United States, was triggered by anticipated trade tariffs that led Indian exporters to fast-track shipments.
• This trade development is notable in the context of temporary US tariff threats, which were announced in early April 2025 and later suspended for 90 days.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The key objective behind the surge in April 2025 exports was to mitigate potential losses from imminent US trade restrictions.
• Exporters responded proactively to safeguard shipments, especially in sectors like electronics, engineering goods, and gems and jewellery.
• The government, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, also aims to stabilize the trade deficit, ensure market diversification, and reinforce India’s presence in strategic trade corridors, particularly with the United States.

Important Terms Explained:

• Merchandise Exports: These refer to the export of physical goods such as machinery, electronics, textiles, and agricultural products. In April 2025, merchandise exports from India reached $38.49 billion, up 9% year-on-year.
• Trade Deficit: This occurs when a country’s imports exceed its exports. In April 2025, India’s trade deficit widened to $26.42 billion, a five-month high, due to a 19.12% rise in imports.
• US Tariff Suspension: The United States announced reciprocal tariffs on April 2, 2025, which were later suspended for 90 days. This created uncertainty and urgency among Indian exporters, particularly those shipping to the US.
• Engineering Exports: India’s engineering goods, including automobiles, heavy machinery, and parts, rose 11.28% to $9.51 billion, reflecting strong demand from US markets.
• EEPC India: The Engineering Export Promotion Council of India promotes and supports engineering product exports. Its chairman, Pankaj Chadha, emphasized diversification to reduce dependence on individual markets.

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Books and Authors – Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

7. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the recently launched PMAY-U Coffee Table Book in Kohima?
A) To outline future housing plans for Nagaland
B) To promote tourism in urban Nagaland
C) To document the progress and impact of PMAY-U in the state
D) To publish the budget allocation for Nagaland’s housing sector
E) To review rural housing under PMAY-G
Answer: C) To document the progress and impact of PMAY-U in the state

Event and Location:

• On May 16, 2025, the Government of Nagaland officially released a Coffee Table Book titled “Transforming Lives: A Glance of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission in Nagaland”.
• The event was held at Hotel Vivor in Kohima and presided over by Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development (MAUD).
• The release ceremony celebrated the achievements of the PMAY-U mission in improving affordable housing access in urban areas of Nagaland.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The primary objective of the Coffee Table Book is to highlight the achievements and visual impact of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) in Nagaland.
• It aims to document transformative stories of beneficiaries, implementation efforts, and the mission’s role in achieving inclusive urban growth.
• The initiative also serves to commemorate a decade of PMAY-U, recognizing its contributions toward dignified urban living, women’s empowerment, and infrastructure development in northeastern India.

Important Terms Explained:

• PMAY-U (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban): A flagship housing mission launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with the aim of achieving “Housing for All” in urban areas by 2022.
• It operates through four major components:
  • In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR): Uses land as a resource to rehabilitate slum dwellers.
  • Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): Offers interest subsidies on home loans to economically weaker sections.
  • Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): Encourages private sector participation to provide affordable homes.
  • Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC): Provides direct financial assistance for constructing or enhancing homes.
• Coffee Table Book: A high-quality publication combining visuals and narratives to present success stories, progress, and key milestones of PMAY-U in Nagaland. It reflects community transformation and infrastructural growth facilitated by the housing mission.

Tabular Summary:

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Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

8. What is the primary scientific goal of the LUPEX (Chandrayaan-5) mission jointly developed by India and Japan?
A) Explore volcanic activity on the Moon
B) Study the Moon’s magnetic field
C) Detect and analyze water and water-ice at the lunar south pole
D) Test nuclear propulsion in space
E) Deploy a permanent Moon base
Answer: C) Detect and analyze water and water-ice at the lunar south pole

Event and Location:

• India and Japan’s joint Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX), also known as Chandrayaan-5, has officially entered its design phase.
• The announcement was made at the Global Space Exploration Conference held in New Delhi.
• The mission, scheduled for launch in 2027–28 aboard Japan’s H3 rocket, represents a major step forward in India-Japan space collaboration, with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) jointly developing the lander and rover systems.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The LUPEX mission is primarily aimed at exploring the presence of water and water-ice on the Moon’s south pole, both on the surface and in the subsurface layers.
• This initiative supports future human habitation, resource mining, and lunar science advancement.
• It is also designed to test advanced mobility, slope-climbing, and sample analysis technologies that can inform future Moon and Mars missions.
• The mission also signifies a strategic step in international cooperation and the scientific exploration of polar lunar regions.

Important Terms Explained:

• LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration): A joint India-Japan moon mission under Chandrayaan-5, targeting water exploration at the lunar south pole.
• Chandrayaan-5: Part of India’s Chandrayaan lunar program, this mission is focused on in-situ analysis of lunar water using advanced rover and lander systems. It follows the success of Chandrayaan-3 and precedes the sample-return mission Chandrayaan-4.
• H3 Rocket: Japan’s next-generation launch vehicle, developed by JAXA, designated to carry LUPEX to the Moon in 2027–28.
• ESA (European Space Agency): A contributing international partner providing a mass spectrometer to measure elemental composition.
• NASA: The U.S. space agency contributing neutron spectrometers to help identify hydrogen-rich regions, indicating water or water-ice.

Tabular Summary:

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9. What is the central focus of India’s space biology experiments under the AXIOM-4 mission?
A) Testing new rocket propulsion technology
B) Studying growth of food crops in Martian soil
C) Assessing microalgae and cyanobacteria behavior in microgravity
D) Developing cryogenic storage for spacecraft
E) Exploring asteroids for mineral extraction
Answer: C) Assessing microalgae and cyanobacteria behavior in microgravity

Event and Location:

• On May 16, 2025, the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology announced India’s upcoming space biology experiments aboard the AXIOM-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
• These experiments, jointly conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), are being launched as part of India’s first biological mission in space, targeting breakthroughs in human sustainability and biotech innovation beyond Earth.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The experiments aim to explore the sustainability of human life in space through biological systems.
• Key goals include evaluating microalgae and cyanobacteria as viable food sources, developing life support mechanisms for long-duration space missions, and building capabilities in space-based biomanufacturing.
• The initiative aligns with India’s BioE3 Policy, which integrates biotechnology into national strategies for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and employment generation, while supporting India’s long-term ambitions in human spaceflight programs like Gaganyaan.

Important Terms Explained:

• AXIOM-4 Mission: A future commercial crew mission to the International Space Station led by Axiom Space. India’s biological experiments will be included in this mission.
• BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment): A national policy by the Department of Biotechnology aimed at leveraging biotechnology for sustainable development, bio-innovation, and job creation.
• Microalgae Experiment: Designed to study the growth and adaptation of nutrient-rich algae in microgravity and space radiation, evaluating their role as potential space food.
• Cyanobacteria Experiment: Focused on Spirulina and Synechococcus species, examining their growth, proteomics, and resilience in space environments using urea- and nitrate-based growth media.
• Spirulina: A type of cyanobacterium recognized as a superfood due to its high protein and vitamin content, making it a candidate for sustainable space nutrition.

Tabular Summary:

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Defence – Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

10. What is the name of the indigenously developed submersible vehicle to be used in India’s Samudrayaan mission?
A) Sagar Putra
B) Varun 3000
C) MATSYA 6000
D) Jal Yantra
E) Deep Sea One
Answer: C) MATSYA 6000

Event and Location:

• India has announced its maiden manned deep ocean mission, titled ‘Samudrayaan’, which is scheduled to launch by 2026.
• The announcement showcases the country’s evolving capabilities in marine technology and deep-sea research.
• The project is being led by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, and forms a crucial component of the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) initiated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The Samudrayaan mission is designed to achieve several strategic and scientific objectives.
• These include deploying an indigenously developed submersible, MATSYA 6000, to explore oceanic depths up to 6,000 meters.
• The mission aims to collect marine geological and biological samples, assess the resource potential of polymetallic nodules, and demonstrate India’s technological prowess in deep-sea engineering.
• It further seeks to promote India’s Blue Economy, strengthen marine diplomacy, and align with SDG-14 — Life Below Water.

Important Terms Explained:

• Samudrayaan Mission: India’s first manned deep ocean expedition, aiming to explore the deep seabed and boost scientific and strategic capabilities in oceanic research.
• MATSYA 6000: An indigenously built fourth-generation manned submersible, capable of carrying three crew members to a depth of 6,000 meters. It is equipped with 12 hours of operational endurance and 96 hours of emergency survival capacity.
• Deep Ocean Mission (DOM): Launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, this ₹4,077 crore initiative spans five years and includes six verticals: manned submersibles, marine biodiversity, deep-sea mining, climate services, ocean observation, and marine biotechnology.
• Blue Economy: An economic concept that promotes sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health.
• Sagar Nidhi: India’s research vessel used for deploying and recovering deep-sea missions and submersibles, including MATSYA 6000.
• Polymetallic Nodules: Mineral-rich deposits found on the ocean floor containing elements like manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper, valuable for industrial use.

Tabular Summary:

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International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

11. Which country recently opened its new embassy in New Delhi to enhance diplomatic and trade ties with India?
A) Costa Rica
B) Honduras
C) El Salvador
D) Guatemala
E) Nicaragua
Answer: B) Honduras

Event and Location:

• The Republic of Honduras officially inaugurated its embassy in New Delhi on May 16, 2025, signifying a pivotal development in India’s diplomatic engagement with Central America.
• The event, graced by Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina Garcia and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, underscored the strategic expansion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
• The embassy is expected to serve as a crucial diplomatic channel to promote partnerships in trade, technology, agriculture, and climate resilience.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The establishment of the Honduran embassy in Delhi is aimed at deepening diplomatic engagement and broadening the scope of cooperation between India and Honduras.
• It reflects a shared ambition to strengthen bilateral trade and investment, foster developmental partnerships, and enable technological exchanges.
• Honduras seeks to leverage India as a gateway to Asian markets, while India views Honduras as a strategic partner for accessing Central America and expanding its influence in Latin American regional platforms like CELAC.

Important Terms Explained:

• CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States): CELAC is a regional bloc that promotes integration and cooperation among Latin American and Caribbean nations. India engages with CELAC members to advance South-South cooperation and shared development goals.
• India-UNDP Fund Projects: India, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has supported climate-resilient sanitation initiatives in Honduras to improve infrastructure and health outcomes, especially in vulnerable rural communities.
• IT Centre at UNAH: India established an Information Technology Centre at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) in 2008. The centre has since trained over 20,000 students, contributing to skill development and capacity-building in the region.
• Jamastran Valley Irrigation Project: Funded by an Indian line of credit, this project aims to promote sustainable agriculture in the Jamastran Valley by enhancing irrigation infrastructure, ensuring better water resource management and food security.

Tabular Summary:

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs May 17 & 18

12. What is the primary purpose of the recently upgraded Multi Agency Centre (MAC) launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah?
A) Promote rural development and welfare
B) Provide financial aid to small businesses
C) Enable real-time intelligence sharing across security agencies
D) Establish a new paramilitary force
E) Fund counter-narcotics operations in coastal regions
Answer: C) Enable real-time intelligence sharing across security agencies

Event and Location:

• On May 16, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the upgraded version of the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) in New Delhi.
• This AI-driven intelligence-sharing platform has been developed at a cost of ₹500 crore and functions under the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
• The inauguration marks a strategic leap in India’s internal security architecture, aiming to improve coordination among 28 intelligence and security agencies, and combat terrorism and other complex threats through technological integration.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The upgraded MAC is designed to act as a centralised intelligence grid that enables real-time data exchange and predictive analysis across all police districts, central forces, and intelligence units.
• Its core objective is to strengthen India’s counter-terrorism ecosystem, enhance inter-agency coordination, and offer a robust platform to address challenges such as Left-Wing Extremism, cybercrime, and organised criminal networks.
• It also seeks to replace fragmented intelligence databases with a centralised platform, thus improving the speed and effectiveness of operational decision-making.

Important Terms Explained:

• Multi Agency Centre (MAC): Established in 2001 following the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee, MAC is a real-time intelligence coordination platform under the Intelligence Bureau (IB). It facilitates secure information exchange among multiple law enforcement and intelligence bodies.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML): Advanced technologies integrated into the MAC for conducting predictive analytics, pattern recognition, and trend forecasting, thereby enabling proactive threat mitigation.
• Geographic Information System (GIS): Technology used for spatial mapping and hotspot analysis, enabling security agencies to geographically visualise intelligence inputs and plan tactical responses.
• Operation Sindoor 2025: A recent internal security operation mentioned as a symbol of political and operational synergy, where the new intelligence coordination mechanisms were successfully applied.

Tabular Summary:

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13. Why did President Droupadi Murmu invoke Article 143 of the Constitution in May 2025?
A) To seek advice on conducting early general elections
B) To refer constitutional questions about Governor’s powers over State Bills to the Supreme Court
C) To request clarification on central tax-sharing norms
D) To inquire into matters of judicial appointments
E) To consult the judiciary on electoral reforms
Answer: B) To refer constitutional questions about Governor’s powers over State Bills to the Supreme Court

Event and Location:

• On May 13, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu invoked Article 143 of the Indian Constitution to make a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court, seeking its advisory opinion on 14 constitutional questions related to the powers of Governors and the President in granting assent to State legislation.
• This constitutional move came in the backdrop of a recent Supreme Court judgment on April 8, 2025, which criticized Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for delayed action on re-passed Bills and deemed the Bills to have received assent under Article 142.

Mandates and Objectives:

• The key objective behind invoking Article 143 was to seek clarity on the discretionary powers of Governors and the President under Articles 200 and 201, and the justiciability of their actions.
• The reference aims to resolve long-standing ambiguities in the constitutional process, including whether judicial timelines can be imposed for gubernatorial assent and whether courts can intervene in legislative procedures before a Bill becomes law.
• This initiative also seeks to clarify the boundaries between executive discretion and judicial authority, especially concerning Article 142, which grants the Supreme Court power to deliver “complete justice”.

Important Terms Explained:

• Article 143: This provision empowers the President of India to refer questions of public importance or constitutional interpretation to the Supreme Court for an advisory opinion.
• Article 200: Details the Governor’s powers when a State Bill is presented for assent, including options to grant assent, withhold assent, or reserve the Bill for the President.
• Article 201: Applies when a State Bill is reserved for the President’s consideration, allowing the President to either grant or withhold assent.
• Article 142: Grants the Supreme Court the power to pass any order necessary to do “complete justice” in any matter before it.
• Article 145(3): Mandates that any case involving a substantial question of constitutional interpretation must be heard by a minimum five-judge Constitution Bench.
• Article 361: Provides immunity to the President and Governors from being answerable to any court during their term of office for official acts.
• “Deemed Assent”: A controversial judicial interpretation used in the April 8, 2025 SC ruling, where the Court held that inaction by the Governor on State Bills amounted to the Bills receiving automatic assent.

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Over All Review

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