Daily Current Affairs May 21

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May 21 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs May 21

1. What is the theme of International Tea Day 2025?
A) Tea for Global Peace
B) Tea and Trade for All
C) Tea for Better Lives
D) Brewed Together, Grown Together
E) Tea for a Greener Earth
Answer: C) Tea for Better Lives

Event and Location:

  • Event: International Tea Day 2025 observance
  • Location: Global (with special significance in tea-producing nations including India)
  • Date: May 21, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2019, this day recognizes the evolving global consensus on tea’s economic and social relevance.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: The 2025 theme “Tea for Better Lives” aligns tea with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including poverty eradication, food security, gender equality, and environmental preservation.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Promotes responsible consumption, fair trade, and better livelihoods across tea-producing countries, with emphasis on smallholder farmers and women workers.

Important Terms Explained:

  • International Tea Day: Celebrated every May 21, this UN-recognized observance honors tea’s global cultural, economic, and health value, spotlighting sustainable farming and fair practices.
  • SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals): A UN-led framework of 17 global goals; tea contributes notably to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
  • Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri: Renowned Indian tea-growing regions known globally for their unique aroma, taste, and quality; key to India’s tea identity and exports.
  • Intergovernmental Group on Tea: A UN FAO body that proposed the formal recognition of International Tea Day to support global awareness and fair practices in the tea sector.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name International Tea Day 2025
Observance date May 21, 2025
Declared by United Nations General Assembly
Theme for 2025 Tea for Better Lives
Significance Recognizes tea’s economic, cultural, and environmental impact
SDGs Addressed SDG 1, 2, 5, 15
Historical background Tea traced to 2737 BC; introduced in India by British in 1824
Major Indian producers Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri
India’s global status One of the largest producers and consumers of tea
Cultural relevance Deeply rooted in Indian daily life and heritage

2. National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed in India to mark the death anniversary of which former Prime Minister?
A) Indira Gandhi
B) Lal Bahadur Shastri
C) Rajiv Gandhi
D) Jawaharlal Nehru
E) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Answer: C) Rajiv Gandhi

Event and Location:

  • Event: National Anti-Terrorism Day 2025 observed on Rajiv Gandhi’s death anniversary
  • Location: India (observed nationwide)
  • Date: May 21, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: Instituted in 1991 by the V.P. Singh Government to honor the legacy of Rajiv Gandhi and confront the growing threat of terrorism.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: Aims to foster national unity, awareness against extremism, and public commitment to peace across sectors and institutions.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Promotes mass education campaigns, pledge ceremonies, and dialogue to instill non-violence, vigilance, and harmony.

Important Terms Explained:

  • National Anti-Terrorism Day: Observed every May 21, it commemorates the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and aims to raise awareness about the consequences of terrorism.
  • Rajiv Gandhi: India’s 6th Prime Minister, assassinated in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in 1991 in a suicide bombing by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam).
  • Anti-Terror Pledge: A ceremonial public commitment taken by government institutions to fight terrorism and promote national peace and integrity.
  • Terrorism: The unlawful use of violence, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political, religious, or ideological goals. This day reinforces that terrorism has no religion or nationality.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name National Anti-Terrorism Day 2025
Observance date May 21, 2025
Purpose Mark Rajiv Gandhi’s death anniversary; raise awareness on terrorism
Declared by V.P. Singh Government (1991)
Activities conducted Pledge ceremonies, seminars, campaigns, debates
Assassination date May 21, 1991
Location of incident Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Target message Peace, unity, non-violence, national vigilance
Strategic value Educates citizens on terrorism’s impact and unites them for peace

Sports – Daily Current Affairs May 21

3. Who became the first CISF officer to successfully summit Mount Everest?
A) Rekha Sharma
B) Geeta Samota
C) Anju Yadav
D) Neha Thakur
E) Priya Chaturvedi
Answer: B) Geeta Samota

Event and Location:

  • Event: Geeta Samota becomes first CISF officer to summit Mount Everest
  • Location: Mount Everest, Nepal (Summit at 8,849 meters)
  • Date: May 19, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: The achievement reflects increasing representation and leadership of women in CAPF forces, inspiring future recruits and adventurers.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: Highlights the need for institutional encouragement of adventure sports and mountaineering as part of paramilitary training and national pride.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Public recognition by CISF, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Women’s Commissions helps elevate women achievers in uniform and adventure domains.

Important Terms Explained:

  • CISF (Central Industrial Security Force): A paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs tasked with securing critical infrastructure, airports, and public sector units in India.
  • Mount Everest: World’s highest mountain peak at 8,849 meters, located in the Himalayas on the Nepal-China border, symbolizing the ultimate mountaineering challenge.
  • Seven Summits: A mountaineering challenge involving climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents. Geeta Samota has completed 4 of them.
  • ITBP Auli & ABVIMAS Manali: Premier government training institutes in India that specialize in mountaineering and high-altitude survival skills.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Geeta Samota becomes first CISF officer to summit Everest
Summit date May 19, 2025
Location Mount Everest, Nepal
Force CISF (Central Industrial Security Force)
Origin Sikar district, Rajasthan
Training ITBP Auli, ABVIMAS Manali
Mountaineering milestones 4 Seven Summits, Mt. Satopanth, Mt. Lobuche, 5 peaks in Ladakh
Awards Women’s Day Award 2023, Civil Aviation Award 2023
Future mission CISF team expedition to Everest in 2026
Strategic value Promotes women’s leadership, CAPF excellence, adventure sports

4. Which Indian javelin thrower faces a possible 8-year ban after failing a dope test for the second time?
A) Neeraj Chopra
B) Shivpal Singh
C) Annu Rani
D) Davinder Singh Kang
E) Rohit Yadav
Answer: B) Shivpal Singh

Event and Location:

  • Event: Shivpal Singh provisionally suspended after second failed dope test
  • Location: National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala (testing site)
  • Date: Sample collected earlier in 2025, news confirmed in May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: This case underscores NADA’s strict monitoring and zero-tolerance approach toward repeat offenders in Indian athletics.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: It reaffirms compliance with WADA’s global anti-doping regulations, ensuring fair competition and deterrence against prohibited substances.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: The suspension reinforces transparency in the enforcement process and signals the importance of athlete education and supplement scrutiny.

Important Terms Explained:

  • NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency): India’s premier body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports responsible for implementing anti-doping rules as per WADA guidelines.
    WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency): International agency headquartered in Canada, which sets global anti-doping standards and prohibited substance lists.
  • Out-of-Competition Testing: Drug testing carried out when athletes are not competing, often during training, to ensure no unfair advantage is being built in the off-season.
  • Second Doping Offence: Under WADA Code, a second confirmed doping violation may attract a ban of up to 8 years, depending on the nature of the substance and circumstances.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Shivpal Singh fails second dope test
News confirmed May 2025
Location of test NIS Patiala
Governing bodies NADA (India), WADA (Global)
First doping violation 2021 – Steroid detected, 1-year ban after appeal
Second doping violation 2025 – Under investigation, provisionally suspended
Possible consequence 8-year ban (under WADA rules)
Recent achievements Gold at 2023 National Games, Bronze at Inter-State Championships
Significance Brings focus to doping awareness and regulation in Indian sports

5. Which veteran footballer, known for his time with Spain and Liverpool, announced his retirement at the end of the 2024–25 season?
A) Sergio Ramos
B) Gianluigi Buffon
C) Pepe Reina
D) Iker Casillas
E) Manuel Neuer
Answer: C) Pepe Reina

Event and Location:

  • Event: Retirement announcement of veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina
  • Location: Como, Italy (Serie A club)
  • Date: May 20, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: Reina’s retirement signals the end of an era in European goalkeeping, marking a generational shift in football leadership and legacy.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: His career achievements reflect consistent performance and elite standards across La Liga, Premier League, Serie A, and Bundesliga.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: His farewell message emphasizes gratitude and closure, celebrating a respected career that spanned over 25 years and 1,000+ matches.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Pepe Reina (José Manuel Reina Páez): Spanish footballer and legendary goalkeeper known for his stints with Liverpool, Villarreal, Napoli, and the Spain national team.
  • Golden Glove: An award given to the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in a Premier League season. Reina won it three consecutive times (2005–06 to 2007–08).
  • FIFA World Cup 2010: Reina was part of the Spain squad that lifted the World Cup in South Africa, contributing as a dependable squad player.
  • UEFA Euro Championships: He was a member of Spain’s golden generation, winning the Euros in 2008 and 2012.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Pepe Reina announces retirement from professional football
Retirement announcement May 20, 2025
Age at retirement 42
Final match Against Inter Milan (with Como in Serie A)
Total matches played Over 1,000
National team achievements FIFA World Cup 2010, UEFA Euro 2008 & 2012
Liverpool achievements FA Cup, League Cup, 3× Premier League Golden Gloves
Known for Reflexes, distribution, consistency, leadership
Career span 25+ years

Ranking – Daily Current Affairs May 21

6. By 2050, which country is projected to become the world’s top potato producer according to the International Potato Center?
A) United States
B) Russia
C) India
D) Brazil
E) China
Answer: C) India

Event and Location:

  • Event: India projected to become world’s top potato producer by 2050
  • Location: India (highlighted during a South Asia symposium on tuber crops)
  • Date: May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: The growth reflects India’s proactive agricultural reforms and its leadership in global food security, as supported by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: The collaboration with the International Potato Center (CIP) and increasing emphasis on tuber crops supports nutrition security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Experts at the symposium emphasized India’s readiness to scale production, empowering farmers and securing income and food systems amid climate challenges.

Important Terms Explained:

  • International Potato Center (CIP): A Peru-based global research organization working for over 50 years in India to advance root and tuber crop science, especially potatoes and sweet potatoes.
  • Tuber Crops: Underground vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes, valued for their nutritional density, climate resilience, and low water requirements.
  • Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Cooperative groups formed by farmers to enhance market access, improve bargaining power, and promote agro-entrepreneurship.
  • NITI Aayog: India’s apex public policy think tank responsible for strategic planning, including agricultural innovation and economic development.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name India projected to lead global potato production by 2050
Announcement date May 2025
Location India (South Asia Tuber Crop Symposium)
Issuing authority International Potato Center (CIP)
Current production ~60 million tonnes
Projected 2050 production 100 million tonnes
Purpose/reason Strengthen food, nutrition, and income security
Feature details Climate resilience, tuber innovation, women and youth empowerment
Strategic value Global agri-leadership, farm employment, private partnerships

7. Which currency holds the highest value against the Indian Rupee in 2025?
A) British Pound Sterling
B) United States Dollar
C) Kuwaiti Dinar
D) Euro
E) Swiss Franc
Answer: C) Kuwaiti Dinar

Event and Location:

  • Event: Release of the global ranking of the strongest currencies in 2025 by INR value
  • Location: Global (currency exchange analysis relevant to India)
  • Date: May 21, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: This ranking emphasizes the economic power of resource-rich and fiscally disciplined nations, shifting focus from popularity to actual currency value.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: It brings attention to exchange rate mechanisms, currency pegs, and foreign reserve strength as vital factors in valuation.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Enables investors, travelers, and policymakers to understand relative currency strength and economic health in global terms.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD): The world’s strongest currency in 2025 in terms of value, driven by oil reserves, low inflation, and monetary control.
  • Pegged Currency: A currency that is fixed to another (e.g., USD) to ensure exchange rate stability, as seen with Bahraini Dinar, Omani Rial, and Gibraltar Pound.
  • Purchasing Power: The actual buying capacity of a currency; stronger currencies can buy more goods/services per unit when exchanged abroad.
  • Foreign Exchange Reserves: Assets held by a country’s central bank in foreign currencies, crucial in maintaining exchange rate stability and currency strength.

Tabular Summary:

Rank Currency Name Value in INR Value in USD Key Strength Factors
1 Kuwaiti Dinar ₹278.41 $3.26 Oil wealth, stable economy, limited circulation
2 Bahraini Dinar ₹226.43 $2.65 Pegged to USD, strong foreign reserves
3 Omani Rial ₹221.65 $2.60 Pegged rate, oil-backed economy
4 Jordanian Dinar ₹120.33 $1.41 Pegged system, foreign aid support
5 Gibraltar Pound ₹113.53 $1.33 Peg to GBP, UK support
6 British Pound Sterling ₹113.53 $1.33 Financial center, historical strength
7 Swiss Franc ₹103.34 $1.21 Central bank strength, investor trust
8 Cayman Islands Dollar ₹102.49 $1.20 Offshore finance, high income, low taxation
9 Euro ₹97.01 $1.14 Used by 20 EU countries, ECB-backed
10 United States Dollar ₹85.34 $1.00 Global trade and reserve dominance

Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs May 21

8. Which global standards body is introducing next-generation QR codes to replace traditional barcodes by 2027?
A) WTO
B) GS1
C) ISO
D) FSSAI
E) WIPO
Answer: B) GS1

Event and Location:

  • Event: GS1 announces next-generation QR code rollout by 2027
  • Location: GS1 General Assembly, hosted in India
  • Date: May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: With India hosting the GS1 General Assembly for the first time, the event underscores the country’s growing leadership in global retail digitization.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: The introduction of next-gen QR codes ensures standardization in product traceability and digital identification, aligning with Vision 2030 goals.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: The dual-label strategy and focus on consumer transparency aim to boost public trust and enable regulatory clarity in global supply chains.

Important Terms Explained:

  • GS1: A global non-profit standards organization founded in 1974, best known for introducing the universal barcode. It develops and maintains global standards for supply and demand chains.
  • Next-Gen QR Codes: Advanced Quick Response barcodes capable of storing rich product data, accessible via smartphones, enabling traceability and enhanced consumer experience.
  • Vision 2030: GS1’s strategic framework for achieving digital transformation, sustainability, and product safety through enhanced labeling technologies.
  • GS1 India: A local branch of GS1 functioning under the Ministry of Commerce, responsible for implementing global barcode standards in the Indian ecosystem.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name GS1 announces next-gen QR code transition
Announcement date May 2025
Location GS1 General Assembly, India
Issuing authority GS1 (Global Standards One)
Policy/series name Vision 2030
Key figures Renaud de Barbuat (CEO GS1), S. Swaminathan (CEO GS1 India)
Purpose/reason Enhance digital product traceability and consumer transparency
Feature details QR codes provide richer info, dual barcoding in transition
Validity or status Rollout begins in 2027, testing underway in Australia and others
Strategic value Boosts sustainability, safety, and India’s role in digital retail

9. Which sectors contributed most to India’s 8-month low core sector growth in April 2025?
A) Coal and Cement
B) Electricity and Steel
C) Refinery Products, Fertilisers, and Crude Oil
D) Natural Gas and Cement
E) Steel and Fertilisers
Answer: C) Refinery Products, Fertilisers, and Crude Oil

Event and Location:

  • Event: India’s core sector growth drops to 8-month low
  • Location: India (nationwide economic indicator)
  • Date: April 2025 (data released in May 2025)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: Reflects the need for policy recalibration and government focus on reviving core industries amid economic uncertainty.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: The slowdown highlights reliance on volatile sectors and emphasizes the importance of balanced industrial growth, especially in infrastructure.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: The data, released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, ensures transparency and supports policymaking around industrial development and economic forecasting.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Index of Core Industries (ICI): Measures performance of 8 key infrastructure sectors and constitutes 40.27% of the IIP.
  • Index of Industrial Production (IIP): A monthly economic indicator tracking the output of India’s industrial sector, used to gauge economic activity.
  • High Base Effect: A phenomenon where high growth in a previous period distorts the comparative performance of the current period, making growth appear lower.
  • Core Sector: Includes coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, and electricity — foundational for economic development and industrial activity.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name India’s core sector growth drops to 8-month low
Month of data April 2025
Growth rate 0.5% (lowest since August 2024)
Previous performance March 2025 – 4.6%, April 2024 – 6.9%
Contributing sectors (negative) Refinery Products (-4.5%), Fertilisers (-4.2%), Crude Oil (-2.8%)
Positive sectors Coal (+3.5%), Cement (+6.7%), Steel (+3%), Natural Gas (+0.4%)
Indicator covered Index of Core Industries (ICI), part of IIP
Strategic implication Indicates industrial slowdown; affects GDP, policy, and sentiment

Awards – Daily Current Affairs May 21

10. Which Indian writer won the 2025 International Booker Prize for her Kannada short story collection Heart Lamp?
A) Geetanjali Shree
B) Arundhati Roy
C) Banu Mushtaq
D) Deepa Bhasthi
E) Meena Kandasamy
Answer: C) Banu Mushtaq

Event and Location:

  • Event: Banu Mushtaq wins International Booker Prize 2025
  • Location: London (Award Ceremony)
  • Date: May 20, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: Marks a milestone for Kannada literature, as Banu Mushtaq becomes the first from the language to win a major global literary prize.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: Amplifies regional Indian voices in global literary discourse, paving the way for wider acceptance and publishing of translated works.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Through recognition of Heart Lamp, the award brings attention to intersectional gender narratives and cultural authenticity in storytelling.

Important Terms Explained:

  • International Booker Prize: A prestigious literary award recognizing the best book translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland, with equal prize money shared by the author and translator.
  • Heart Lamp: A Kannada short story collection by Banu Mushtaq, written over three decades, portraying the struggles and strength of Muslim women in Karnataka.
  • Bandaya Movement: A progressive Kannada literary movement aimed at confronting social injustice, inequality, and patriarchy through literature.
  • Deepa Bhasthi: Translator of Heart Lamp, acclaimed for her work in bringing Kannada literature to international readership.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Banu Mushtaq wins International Booker Prize
Date of award May 20, 2025
Location London
Award International Booker Prize 2025
Winning work Heart Lamp (Short Story Collection)
Language Originally in Kannada
Translator Deepa Bhasthi
Central theme Lives of Muslim women in southern India
Literary significance First Kannada-language book to win the award
Previous related win Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree (2022)

 

Defence – Daily Current Affairs May 21

11. Which unique initiative has the Indian Navy undertaken to revive India’s ancient maritime legacy?
A) Launch of India’s first AI-powered warship
B) Construction of a submarine using recycled materials
C) Induction of a traditionally hand-stitched ancient ship
D) Creation of a modern floating museum
E) Launch of the Sagar Suraksha 2030 campaign
Answer: C) Induction of a traditionally hand-stitched ancient ship

Event and Location:

  • Event: Induction of Ancient Stitched Ship by Indian Navy
  • Location: Naval Base Karwar, Karnataka
  • Date: May 21, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: The project reflects India’s cultural leadership through the collaborative involvement of the Ministry of Culture and the Indian Navy, promoting maritime heritage.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: It demonstrates a return to indigenous shipbuilding standards using 5th-century techniques, promoting traditional sciences as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Through public induction and upcoming voyage, the initiative enhances national pride, heritage communication, and international visibility of India’s soft power.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Ancient Stitched Ship: A vessel built using ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques where wooden planks are hand-stitched with coir ropes, avoiding metal fasteners, reviving 5th-century craftsmanship.
  • Ajanta Caves Painting: The ship design is inspired by an artwork from the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO heritage site in Maharashtra known for ancient Indian murals and Buddhist art.
  • Hodi Innovations: A Goa-based firm that led the physical construction of the ship, under the guidance of traditional shipwrights and funded by the Ministry of Culture.
  • IIT Madras: Collaborated on technical validation including hydrodynamic model testing, structural safety, and analysis of mast systems.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Induction of Ancient Stitched Ship by Indian Navy
Announcement date May 21, 2025
Location Naval Base Karwar, Karnataka
Issuing authority Indian Navy & Ministry of Culture
Policy/series name Maritime Heritage Revival Initiative
Key figures Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Babu Sankaran
Purpose/reason To revive traditional Indian shipbuilding and maritime pride
Feature details Hand-stitched hull, square sails, no modern tech, Ajanta-inspired
Validity or status Completed; voyage to begin from Gujarat to Oman
Strategic value Cultural diplomacy, soft power, Atmanirbhar Bharat representation

International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs May 21

12. What recent step has the Suez Canal Authority taken to revive maritime traffic amid Red Sea tensions?
A) Imposed sanctions on Israeli ships
B) Increased toll rates for smaller ships
C) Offered a 15% discount on large cargo ship tolls
D) Closed the canal for military operations
E) Introduced new tax on Cape route shipments
Answer: C) Offered a 15% discount on large cargo ship tolls

Event and Location:

  • Event: Suez Canal offers transit discount to attract ships amid Red Sea ceasefire
  • Location: Suez Canal, Egypt
  • Date: May 15, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: The decision, led by Admiral Ossama Rabiee, demonstrates adaptive leadership to restore global trust in Suez Canal operations.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: By offering a 15% toll discount, the SCA aims to stabilize maritime tolls and re-standardize route selection post-crisis.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: The move follows a formal ceasefire announcement and was publicized to global stakeholders to improve transparency and trade assurance.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Suez Canal Authority (SCA): The managing body of the Suez Canal in Egypt, responsible for its operations, revenues, and global maritime partnerships.
  • Ossama Rabiee: Chairman of the SCA, key figure behind the toll discount strategy and international trade discussions.
  • Red Sea Crisis: Triggered by Houthi rebel attacks on vessels post-November 2023 due to geopolitical tensions in Gaza, severely disrupting shipping routes.
  • Cape of Good Hope Route: An alternative shipping path around southern Africa used to bypass the Red Sea during the conflict, though longer and more costly.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Suez Canal offers transit discount amid Red Sea ceasefire
Announcement date May 15, 2025
Location Suez Canal, Egypt
Issuing authority Suez Canal Authority (SCA)
Policy/series name 15% Transit Discount Scheme
Key figures Admiral Ossama Rabiee
Purpose/reason Revive global maritime traffic post-Red Sea crisis
Feature details 15% discount for ships ≥130,000 MT for 90 days
Validity or status Active from May 15, 2025
Strategic value Encourages return of major shipping lines, eases freight costs

13. Which international body adopted the first-ever global pandemic treaty in May 2025?
A) United Nations Security Council
B) G20
C) World Health Organization
D) World Bank
E) World Economic Forum
Answer: C) World Health Organization

Event and Location:

  • Event: Adoption of first-ever global pandemic treaty
  • Location: Geneva, Switzerland (World Health Assembly)
  • Date: May 20, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: The treaty marks a shift in global health governance, as WHO member nations commit to multilateral preparedness post-COVID-19.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: The treaty introduces globally agreed-upon norms for equitable access to health tools, local manufacturing, and pathogen sharing protocols.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: It reaffirms national sovereignty, ensuring WHO cannot enforce domestic policies while promoting global coordination in health crises.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Global Pandemic Treaty: An international agreement adopted by 124 WHO member countries to strengthen global cooperation in preventing and responding to pandemics.
  • One Health Approach: A framework that links human, animal, and environmental health to combat zoonotic diseases and pandemics.
  • Intergovernmental Negotiation Body (INB): The committee established in 2021 to draft the pandemic treaty through 13 negotiation rounds over three years.
  • Pathogen Sharing System: A proposed mechanism to facilitate the timely and equitable sharing of virus samples and related benefits like vaccines.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name WHO adopts first global pandemic treaty
Announcement date May 20, 2025
Location Geneva, Switzerland
Issuing authority World Health Organization (WHO)
Voting outcome 124 in favor, 0 against, 11 abstentions
Prepared by Intergovernmental Negotiation Body (INB)
Purpose/reason Global coordination, equity, tech transfer, pathogen sharing
Feature details No external mandate on countries, equity-focused mechanisms
US Position Not part of treaty (withdrew from WHO in Jan 2025)
Strategic value Multilateral preparedness, response readiness, public health equity

National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs May 21

14. Which ministry launched a pilot apprenticeship scheme in Aizawl to support northeastern youth with an extra monthly stipend?
A) Ministry of Education
B) Ministry of Labour and Employment
C) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
D) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
E) Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: C) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of pilot apprenticeship scheme for northeastern youth under NAPS
  • Location: Aizawl, Mizoram
  • Date: May 20, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: This scheme shows the strategic focus of leadership under Jayant Chaudhary to empower northeastern youth through employment-oriented skill development.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: It aligns regional training efforts with the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), ensuring consistent stipend support across states.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: The implementation via IIE Guwahati and NSDC, supported by local institutions, ensures transparency and effective outreach across the region.

Important Terms Explained:

  • National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): A government initiative to enhance apprenticeship training by offering financial incentives and supporting training costs.
  • Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE): A Guwahati-based institute under MSDE focused on promoting entrepreneurship and skill development in the northeast.
  • National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): A public-private initiative under MSDE, enabling private sector participation in skill training programs.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Special Apprenticeship Scheme for Northeast Youth
Announcement date May 20, 2025
Location Aizawl, Mizoram
Issuing authority Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
Policy/series name National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
Key figures Jayant Chaudhary, Lalduhoma
Purpose/reason Boost skill training and employment in northeastern region
Feature details ₹1,500 extra stipend, 12-month duration, 26,000 beneficiaries
Validity or status Pilot scheme, active implementation
Strategic value Regional integration, industrial exposure, female inclusion

15. Which state has become India’s first fully literate state under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram?
A) Kerala
B) Sikkim
C) Ladakh
D) Mizoram
E) Goa
Answer: D) Mizoram

Event and Location:

  • Event: Mizoram declared India’s first fully literate state
  • Location: Aizawl, Mizoram
  • Date: May 20, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: This milestone highlights the effective educational leadership of Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Mizoram’s commitment to implementing national education policies.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: The literacy drive aligns with the national ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram and the NEP 2020 vision to achieve universal literacy.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: The declaration, supported by accurate survey data and formal ceremonies, provides public clarity on literacy status and supports India’s international commitments like UN SDG-4.

Important Terms Explained:

  • ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram: A centrally sponsored adult education scheme launched in 2022 targeting individuals aged 15+ to promote literacy, vocational skills, and lifelong learning through volunteer-led efforts.
  • NEP 2020: The National Education Policy 2020 aims to transform India’s education system by promoting foundational literacy, inclusive education, and digital empowerment.
  • PFLS (Periodic Foundational Literacy Survey): An annual assessment mechanism used to track literacy achievements under the NILP framework.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Mizoram declared fully literate under ULLAS
Announcement date May 20, 2025
Location Aizawl, Mizoram
Issuing authority Government of Mizoram
Policy/series name ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram
Key figures CM Lalduhoma, Jayant Chaudhary, Dr. Vanlalthlana
Purpose/reason Achieving 100% functional literacy through adult education
Feature details 292 volunteer teachers, 98.20% literacy, 1,692 learners
Validity or status Active till 2027, milestone declared in 2025
Strategic value Aligns with NEP 2020 and UN SDG-4, first Indian state to do so

16. Which major legal metrology reform was announced by India on World Metrology Day 2025?
A) Adoption of new currency symbols
B) Launch of a unified food grading system
C) Authorization to issue OIML certificates
D) Abolishment of weights and measures regulation
E) Implementation of GST on measurement devices
Answer: C) Authorization to issue OIML certificates

Event and Location:

  • Event: India celebrates 150 years of the Metre Convention with legal metrology reforms
  • Location: Nationwide observance by the Department of Consumer Affairs
  • Date: May 20, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: The reform initiatives showcase India’s proactive stance under current leadership in positioning itself as a global standard-setter in legal metrology.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: The authorization to issue OIML certificates, the launch of “One Nation, One Time”, and standard rule effective dates promote uniformity across measurement and compliance systems.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Launch of the eMaap portal, scheduled helpdesk sessions, and a defined rule timeline enhance clarity, transparency, and accessibility for industries and consumers alike.

Important Terms Explained:

  • OIML Certificates: Issued by the International Organization of Legal Metrology, these certificates validate the accuracy and compliance of measuring instruments for international trade. India is now the 13th country globally authorized to issue them.
  • Legal Metrology: A field of applied metrology involving laws and regulations concerning units of measurement, instruments, and methods of measurement. It protects consumers and ensures fair trade practices.
  • eMaap Portal: A digital platform launched to offer online licensing, registration, and enforcement services in the legal metrology domain, operational in 18 states.
  • One Nation, One Time: An initiative under the Draft IST Rules 2025 to standardize time across sectors using regional laboratories, ensuring millisecond accuracy.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name India celebrates 150 years of the Metre Convention
Announcement date May 20, 2025
Location Department of Consumer Affairs, New Delhi
Issuing authority Government of India – DoCA
Policy/series name Legal Metrology Reforms, Draft IST Rules 2025
Key figures Pralhad Joshi, B.L. Verma, Nidhi Khare
Purpose/reason To align legal metrology with global standards
Feature details OIML certificate authority, eMaap portal, 1 mg gold trade rule
Validity or status Implemented; Rules to take effect Jan 1 or July 1 with 180-day buffer
Strategic value Boosts trade credibility, consumer protection, time accuracy

17. What is the main function of the newly launched e-Zero FIR system?
A) Detect tax frauds using AI
B) Automatically register FIRs for minor offenses
C) Fast-track FIR registration for high-value cyber financial fraud
D) Enable Aadhaar-based police verification
E) Track lost mobile phones in real time
Answer: C) Fast-track FIR registration for high-value cyber financial fraud

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of e-Zero FIR system to fast-track cybercrime investigations
  • Location: Delhi (Pilot Project)
  • Date: May 20, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: Introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah, the initiative demonstrates the Centre’s strategic emphasis on technology-led crime control under MHA.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: The e-Zero FIR platform ensures consistent and automated FIR registration across jurisdictions for cases involving fraud above ₹10 lakh.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Through its integration with NCRP and helpline 1930, it enhances public accessibility and speeds up legal action against cybercriminals.

Important Terms Explained:

  • e-Zero FIR: A digital system that auto-generates FIRs for financial cyber fraud cases above ₹10 lakh based on complaints submitted via the NCRP or helpline 1930.
  • Zero FIR: An FIR that can be lodged at any police station regardless of jurisdiction, allowing time-sensitive cases to be acted on immediately.
  • I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre): A government body under the Ministry of Home Affairs, established in 2020 to ensure inter-agency coordination in cybercrime control.
  • NCRP (National Cybercrime Reporting Portal): An online platform (www.cybercrime.gov.in) where individuals can report cybercrimes, especially financial frauds.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of e-Zero FIR system
Announcement date May 20, 2025
Location Delhi (Pilot Implementation)
Issuing authority Ministry of Home Affairs
Policy/series name e-Zero FIR, I4C Initiative
Key figures Home Minister Amit Shah
Purpose/reason Fast-track FIR registration for high-value cyber fraud cases
Feature details Auto-registration for cases above ₹10 lakh via NCRP/1930
Validity or status Active pilot in Delhi; expansion planned nationwide
Strategic value Reduces delay in FIR process, boosts cybercrime accountability

18. What is the primary purpose of the revamped OCI portal launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs?
A) Promote tourism among foreign nationals
B) Enable visa-free travel to all SAARC nations
C) Improve the service experience for OCI cardholders
D) Issue passports to NRIs
E) Provide e-commerce access to Indian diaspora
Answer: C) Improve the service experience for OCI cardholders

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of revamped OCI portal for Indian diaspora services
  • Location: India (Ministry of Home Affairs headquarters)
  • Date: May 19, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Reflecting Leadership Change: Launched under the leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah, the portal marks India’s proactive engagement with the global Indian community.
  • Currency or Policy Standardization: The updated OCI portal replaces the decade-old system with a streamlined interface and upgraded digital security, aligning with India’s digital governance goals.
  • Public Communication or Legal Assurance: Enhances transparency, improves application efficiency, and ensures safe access to services for over 5 million OCI cardholders.

Important Terms Explained:

  • OCI (Overseas Citizen of India): A lifelong visa and limited citizenship privilege extended to foreign citizens of Indian origin, offering rights like multiple-entry visits and exemption from local registration.
  • Citizenship Act, 1955 (Amended 2005): The legal framework under which the OCI category was introduced for eligible PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin).
  • PIO Eligibility for OCI: Persons who were Indian citizens on or after January 26, 1950, or eligible for Indian citizenship.
  • OCI Ineligibility: Individuals whose parents or grandparents were citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh are not eligible for OCI status.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of revamped OCI portal
Announcement date May 19, 2025
Location Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi
Issuing authority Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Website https://ociservices.gov.in
Target beneficiaries 5 million+ OCI cardholders and applicants
Key features Updated UI, improved security, faster processing
Eligibility criteria PIOs linked to Indian citizenship post-Jan 26, 1950
Ineligibility Citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh
Strategic value Strengthens India’s ties with its global diaspora


Over All Review

Important Days

  • International Tea Day is celebrated annually on May 21 to honor tea’s cultural, economic, and social significance.
  • National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed annually on May 21 to honor the memory of former PM Rajiv Gandhi.

Sports 

  • Geeta Samota became the first CISF officer to summit Mount Everest on May 19, 2025.
  • Indian javelin thrower Shivpal Singh has failed a second dope test and faces an 8-year ban.
  • Pepe Reina has announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2024–25 season.

Ranking 

  • India is set to surpass China and become the world’s largest potato producer by 2050.
  • The Kuwaiti Dinar remains the highest-valued currency in the world against the Indian Rupee in 2025.

Banking and Finance 

  • GS1 has announced the global rollout of next-generation QR codes starting from 2027.
  • India’s core sector growth dropped to just 0.5% in April 2025, the lowest in 8 months.

Awards 

  • Banu Mushtaq has become the first Kannada author to win the International Booker Prize.

Defence

  • The Indian Navy has inducted an Ancient Stitched Ship built using 5th-century traditional techniques.

International Affairs

  • The Suez Canal Authority has announced a 15% transit toll discount starting May 15, 2025, for large cargo ships.
  • The WHO adopted the first global pandemic treaty during its annual assembly on May 20, 2025.

National Affairs

  • The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched a special apprenticeship scheme in Mizoram targeting northeastern youth.
  • Mizoram has become India’s first fully literate state as of May 20, 2025.
  • India celebrated 150 years of the Metre Convention with sweeping legal metrology reforms on May 20, 2025.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched the e-Zero FIR system to fast-track cyber fraud case registration.
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the revamped OCI portal on May 19, 2025.

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