Daily Current Affairs May 26

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 26. 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 26 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs May 26

1. On which date will Memorial Day be observed in the United States in 2025?
A) May 30
B) May 27
C) May 25
D) May 26
E) May 31
Answer: D) May 26

Event and Location:

  • Event: Memorial Day 2025 observed as a tribute to fallen U.S. military personnel
  • Location: United States of America
  • Date: May 26, 2025 (last Monday of May)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on the last Monday of May.
  • Objectives: To honour U.S. military personnel who died in active service, and to offer a national moment for remembrance, reflection, and unity.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Memorial Day: A federal holiday in the U.S. originally known as Decoration Day, established to honor soldiers who died during the American Civil War, and later expanded to all U.S. military conflicts.
  • National Moment of Remembrance: A symbolic tribute at 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day, where citizens pause for a moment of silence to honor fallen soldiers.
  • Decoration Day: The earlier name for Memorial Day, observed by decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers, officially recognized in 1868 after the Civil War.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Memorial Day 2025
Announcement date Celebrated annually; observed on May 26 in 2025
Location United States of America
Issuing authority U.S. Federal Government
Policy/series name National Moment of Remembrance, Decoration Day legacy
Key figures John A. Logan (initiated observance in 1868)
Purpose/reason To honour and remember U.S. military personnel who died in service
Feature details Cemetery visits, flags, flowers, parades, barbecues, retail sales
Validity or status National federal holiday; observed annually
Strategic/significant value Preserves national unity, honors military sacrifice, marks start of summer

Ranking – Daily Current Affairs May 26

2. India recently surpassed which country to become the world’s 4th largest economy by nominal GDP?
A) Germany
B) United Kingdom
C) France
D) Japan
E) Canada
Answer: D) Japan

Event and Location:

  • Event: India becomes the world’s 4th largest economy by overtaking Japan
  • Location: Global (highlighted at NITI Aayog’s 10th Governing Council Meeting in New Delhi)
  • Date: May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: India has overtaken Japan in terms of nominal GDP, reaching a size of USD 4 trillion, as per the IMF’s World Economic Outlook (April 2025).
  • Objectives: To reflect India’s consistent economic expansion and align it with the long-term national development framework — Viksit Bharat @2047, aiming for global economic leadership and inclusive growth.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Nominal GDP: The market value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a given year, measured using current prices, without adjusting for inflation.
  • Viksit Bharat @2047: India’s strategic national vision to become a fully developed country by 2047, marking 100 years of independence.
  • IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO): A biannual report by the International Monetary Fund providing analysis and forecasts of the global economy, including GDP estimates for all countries.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name India Surpasses Japan to Become 4th Largest Economy
Announcement date May 2025
Location Highlighted during NITI Aayog Meeting, India (Global Context)
Issuing authority International Monetary Fund (IMF), Confirmed by NITI Aayog CEO
Policy/series name IMF World Economic Outlook; Viksit Bharat @2047
Key figures BVR Subrahmanyam, Narendra Modi
Purpose/reason Economic milestone marking India’s rise to 4th globally
Feature details USD 4 trillion GDP; surpasses Japan; 6.2% growth projected in 2025
Validity or status Officially confirmed by IMF WEO (April 2025)
Strategic/significant value Reinforces India’s path to becoming the 3rd largest economy in coming years

Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs May 26

3. What is the EPF interest rate approved by the Indian government for the financial year 2024–25?
A) 8.00%
B) 8.10%
C) 8.15%
D) 8.25%
E) 8.50%
Answer: D) 8.25%

Event and Location:

  • Event: Approval of 8.25% EPF interest rate for FY 2024–25
  • Location: India (announced by Ministry of Finance)
  • Date: May 2025 (approval follows February 2024 proposal)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The Government of India has retained the EPF interest rate at 8.25% for the financial year 2024–25 after the 237th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees of EPFO.
  • Objectives: To ensure secure and attractive post-retirement earnings for salaried individuals, strengthen long-term savings, and maintain investor confidence in the EPF scheme.

Important Terms Explained:

  • EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund): A mandatory retirement savings scheme where 12% of basic salary is contributed each by employee and employer monthly; it offers tax-free interest and is managed by EPFO.
  • EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation): A statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, responsible for administering EPF and related social security schemes in India.
  • Central Board of Trustees (CBT): The highest decision-making body of EPFO that recommends interest rates and policy changes annually.
  • Corpus: Refers to the total managed funds by EPFO, which exceeds ₹20 lakh crore, making it one of the world’s largest social security portfolios.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Government retains EPF interest rate for FY2024–25
Announcement date May 2025 (approval), February 2024 (CBT proposal)
Location India
Issuing authority Ministry of Finance, on recommendation of EPFO CBT
Policy/series name Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF)
Key figures Mansukh Mandaviya, Central Board of Trustees
Purpose/reason To secure retirement savings and support financial stability for workers
Feature details 8.25% interest rate, over 7 crore beneficiaries, tax-free earnings
Validity or status Applicable for financial year 2024–25
Strategic/significant value Promotes formal employment, savings discipline, and social security coverage

Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs May 26

4. What is the name of Google’s AI strategy unveiled at the 2025 I/O event that features a multilayered integration model?
A) Gemini Grid
B) Neural Fabric
C) AI Matryoshka
D) Deep Cortex
E) Project HyperMind
Answer: C) AI Matryoshka

Event and Location:

  • Event: Google unveiled its AI Matryoshka model at the 2025 I/O Developer Conference
  • Location: Google I/O 2025, Mountain View, California (Global Impact)
  • Date: May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Google introduced a layered AI strategy dubbed AI Matryoshka, positioning AI at the core of its products—from foundational models to end-user applications.
  • Objectives: To create a fully AI-powered ecosystem that enhances reasoning, automation, and user interactivity, while sparking debate over data privacy, ethical AI, and user consent in digital services.

Important Terms Explained:

  • AI Matryoshka: Google’s new AI model architecture where each layer—from hardware to consumer apps—is powered by AI, similar to nested Matryoshka dolls, emphasizing deep integration and scalability.
  • Gemini 2.5 Pro & Flash: Google’s flagship foundation models introduced in 2025; Pro excels in complex reasoning (e.g., USAMO benchmarks), while Flash offers efficiency and multilingual TTS capabilities.
  • TPU v7 “Ironwood”: Next-gen Tensor Processing Unit with 42.5 exaFLOPS performance, enabling rapid training of high-scale models like Imagen 4 and Veo 3.
  • SynthID & SynthID Detector: Google’s watermarking technology to label AI-generated content, addressing copyright and authenticity concerns.
  • Project Mariner: A framework for automated task execution in Google tools, using agent-based AI models integrated with Gemini.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of Google’s AI Matryoshka Model
Announcement date May 2025
Location Google I/O 2025, Mountain View, California
Issuing authority Google Inc.
Policy/series name AI Matryoshka / Gemini 2.5 ecosystem
Key figures Sundar Pichai, Gemini development teams
Purpose/reason To fully integrate AI into Google’s ecosystem via scalable layers
Feature details Gemini 2.5 models, AI Search Mode, SynthID, Project Mariner, TPU v7
Validity or status Announced, with phased deployment in apps and developer tools
Strategic/significant value Raises global standards for AI integration while amplifying data privacy concerns

5. What is the name of Google’s newly launched 3D video communication platform that evolved from Project Starline?
A) Google Vision
B) Google Halo
C) Google Beam
D) Google Sphere
E) Google Portal
Answer: C) Google Beam

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of Google Beam, a commercial AI-based 3D video communication platform
  • Location: Global launch; HP to showcase devices at InfoComm 2025
  • Date: May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Google introduced Google Beam as the next evolution of Project Starline, focusing on AI-powered volumetric video communication that replicates in-person interaction.
  • Objectives: To offer realistic 3D video conferencing without VR hardware, enable real-time multilingual translation, and revolutionize remote collaboration across industries.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Google Beam: A 3D video communication platform that uses AI volumetric rendering, light field displays, and Google Cloud to simulate natural in-person meetings without the need for headsets.
  • Project Starline: Google’s 2021 experimental project aimed at immersive communication, now evolved into the commercialized Google Beam.
  • Volumetric Video: A technique that captures 3D depth and motion data of subjects, allowing for real-time transformation of 2D video into immersive 3D visuals.
  • Light Field Display: A display technology used to create realistic depth perception and eye contact by mimicking how light behaves in the real world.
  • Speech Translation: AI-powered, real-time voice translation across multiple languages, retaining tone and emotional cues to enhance communication.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of Google Beam
Announcement date May 2025
Location Global; devices to be showcased at InfoComm 2025
Issuing authority Google LLC
Policy/series name Project Starline (now commercialized as Google Beam)
Key figures Sundar Pichai, HP, Deloitte, Zoom, Salesforce
Purpose/reason Reinvent video calling with immersive 3D and AI translation tech
Feature details AI volumetric video, light field display, real-time multilingual support
Validity or status Officially launched with enterprise deployments underway
Strategic/significant value Transforms remote collaboration by bridging physical, linguistic, and emotional gaps

 

International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs May 26

6. Which U.S. government department revoked Harvard University’s SEVP certification in 2025?
A) Department of Education
B) Department of Justice
C) Department of Homeland Security
D) Department of State
E) Department of Immigration Services
Answer: C) Department of Homeland Security

Event and Location:

  • Event: Revocation of SEVP certification of Harvard University by U.S. authorities
  • Location: United States (affecting Indian and other international students globally)
  • Date: May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard University’s SEVP certification, halting its ability to enroll international students for the academic year 2025–26.
  • Objectives: The revocation was issued to pressure compliance in providing surveillance data related to campus protests, and to send a broader message about the enforcement of immigration policy amid rising campus unrest.

Important Terms Explained:

  • SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program): A program under the DHS that oversees institutions hosting international students in the U.S., using the SEVIS database to track compliance.
  • F-1 Visa: A non-immigrant visa issued to international students attending academic programs in the U.S.; requires an active SEVP-certified institution.
  • Temporary Restraining Order (TRO): A legal appeal filed by Harvard to temporarily halt the SEVP ban and restore its authority to issue I-20 forms for international students.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Harvard SEVP Certification Revocation
Announcement date May 2025
Location United States (impacts global student admissions)
Issuing authority U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Policy/series name SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program)
Key figures Harvard University, DHS, Indian student applicants
Purpose/reason Alleged hostile campus environment and non-cooperation in federal probe
Feature details SEVP ban halts F-1/J-1 visas; affects 7,000+ international students
Validity or status Immediate implementation with TRO under legal challenge
Strategic/significant value Creates uncertainty for Indian students and signals stricter U.S. immigration enforcement

7. Which disease is the focus of the MoU signed by six East African nations during the 78th World Health Assembly in 2025?
A) Ebola
B) Malaria
C) Kala-azar
D) Tuberculosis
E) Yellow Fever
Answer: C) Kala-azar

Event and Location:

  • Event: Six East African nations signed an MoU to eliminate kala-azar
  • Location: Geneva, Switzerland (on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly)
  • Date: May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The governments of Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to eliminate kala-azar in collaboration with WHO, African Union, and DNDi.
  • Objectives: To reduce the burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by improving disease surveillance, scaling up investment in treatment, enhancing drug innovation, and fostering cross-border cooperation.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis): A life-threatening parasitic disease caused by Leishmania species, transmitted by sandfly bites. It causes prolonged fever, weight loss, and spleen/liver enlargement and is nearly always fatal if untreated.
  • NTDs (Neglected Tropical Diseases): A group of debilitating diseases that primarily affect poor communities; targeted by global health organizations for elimination.
  • IDSR (Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response): A strategy for strengthening national disease surveillance and response systems to quickly detect and manage infectious diseases.
  • DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative): A nonprofit research organization supporting the development of new treatments for NTDs and other overlooked diseases.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name MoU Signed to Eliminate Kala-Azar in East Africa
Announcement date May 2025
Location Geneva, Switzerland (78th World Health Assembly)
Issuing authority WHO, African Union, DNDi
Policy/series name Kala-Azar Elimination MoU
Key figures Health Ministers of Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan
Purpose/reason High burden of kala-azar in East Africa (70% of global cases)
Feature details Surveillance systems, investment, oral treatments, cross-border strategy
Validity or status MoU signed and collaborative work in progress
Strategic/significant value Major step in NTD control, aligned with WHO’s global elimination roadmap

8. In which region did Saudi Arabia and Kuwait jointly discover new oil reserves in May 2025?
A) Rub’ al Khali Basin
B) Khafji Offshore Field
C) North Wafra Wara-Burgan Field
D) Jafurah Basin
E) Al-Zour Refinery Zone
Answer: C) North Wafra Wara-Burgan Field

Event and Location:

  • Event: Joint oil discovery by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after five years in the neutral zone
  • Location: North Wafra Wara-Burgan field, Partitioned Neutral Zone (between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait)
  • Date: May 26, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Saudi Arabia and Kuwait announced the discovery of over 500 barrels/day of crude oil from a new well located ~5 km north of the Wafra field in their jointly controlled neutral zone.
  • Objectives: To boost Gulf energy security, stabilize global oil supply, and reaffirm the region’s leadership in energy exploration and production.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Neutral Zone (Partitioned Zone): A 5,770 sq km shared area between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with equal rights over hydrocarbon exploration and production.
  • Wafra and Khafji Fields: Major oilfields in the neutral zone that had suspended production in 2014–15 but resumed operations in 2020 following a bilateral agreement.
  • OPEC+: A coalition of oil-producing countries including OPEC members and allies like Russia, aiming to coordinate oil production and stabilize global markets.
  • Saudi-Kuwaiti Wafra JV: A joint venture operation responsible for exploration in the Wafra section of the neutral zone.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Joint Oil Discovery by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
Announcement date May 26, 2025
Location North Wafra Wara-Burgan Field, Neutral Zone
Issuing authority Saudi Press Agency (SPA)
Policy/series name Neutral Zone Energy Cooperation Framework
Key figures Energy officials of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
Purpose/reason Expand oil production and strengthen bilateral energy cooperation
Feature details New well output exceeds 500 barrels/day; part of Wafra JV
Validity or status First major discovery since 2020; operations ongoing
Strategic/significant value Enhances Gulf oil security, supports OPEC+ influence, stabilizes global supply

National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs May 26

9. What is the grid resolution of India’s newly launched Bharat Forecasting System (BFS)?
A) 12 km
B) 10 km
C) 9 km
D) 6 km
E) 14 km
Answer: D) 6 km

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS), the world’s highest resolution weather forecast system
  • Location: Entire Indian mainland and tropical regions (30°N to 30°S)
  • Date: May 26, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: India launched the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS) developed by IITM Pune to provide ultra-localised weather predictions using the Arka supercomputer.
  • Objectives: The system aims to support agriculture, disaster preparedness, water management, and urban safety with precise, high-resolution forecasting at 6 km grid level.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Bharat Forecasting System (BFS): India’s advanced weather prediction model launched in 2025, delivering forecasts with a 6 km x 6 km resolution, the highest in the world.
  • Arka Supercomputer: A high-performance computing system with 11.77 petaflops speed and 33 petabytes of storage that powers BFS and processes weather data four times faster than its predecessor.
  • Nowcasting: A forecasting capability that provides real-time weather predictions for the next two hours using Doppler radar data.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of Bharat Forecasting System (BFS)
Announcement date May 26, 2025
Location Indian mainland, tropical belt (30°N to 30°S)
Issuing authority Ministry of Earth Sciences
Policy/series name Bharat Forecasting System (BFS)
Key figures Dr. Jitendra Singh, Parthasarathy Mukhopadhyay
Purpose/reason To enhance localised weather forecasts for public safety and agriculture
Feature details Grid resolution of 6 km, nowcasting, Doppler radar integration
Validity or status Launched and operational from May 26, 2025
Strategic/significant value Positions India as a global leader in high-resolution weather prediction

10. Which two research facilities were inaugurated at NCPOR in Goa to enhance India’s polar and ocean research capacity?
A) Ocean Bhavan and Arctic Bhavan
B) Sagar Bhavan and Polar Bhavan
C) Antar Bhavan and Sea Bhavan
D) Himadri Bhavan and Maitri Bhavan
E) Varuna Bhavan and Samudra Bhavan
Answer: B) Sagar Bhavan and Polar Bhavan

Event and Location:

  • Event: Inauguration of Sagar Bhavan and Polar Bhavan for advanced polar and ocean research
  • Location: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa
  • Date: May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated two high-tech facilities — Sagar Bhavan and Polar Bhavan — at NCPOR Goa during its Silver Jubilee celebration.
  • Objectives: To expand India’s scientific infrastructure and leadership in polar research, climate surveillance, ocean governance, and the Blue Economy as part of the vision for Viksit Bharat @2047.

Important Terms Explained:

  • NCPOR (National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research): India’s lead institution for scientific research in the polar and ocean domains, operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • Science On Sphere (SOS): A 3D data visualization platform that displays planetary and climate information using animated representations, installed in Polar Bhavan.
  • Indian Antarctic Act, 2022: Legal framework passed by the Indian government to regulate Indian scientific activities in Antarctica and fulfill obligations under the Antarctic Treaty.
  • Arctic Policy, 2022: India’s strategic framework to enhance engagement and sustainable presence in the Arctic region for scientific, environmental, and economic purposes.
  • Blue Economy: A concept promoting sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Inauguration of Sagar Bhavan and Polar Bhavan at NCPOR
Announcement date May 2025
Location NCPOR Campus, Goa
Issuing authority Ministry of Earth Sciences
Policy/series name Indian Antarctic Act 2022, Arctic Policy 2022
Key figures Dr. Jitendra Singh
Purpose/reason Strengthening polar research and climate capabilities
Feature details SOS 3D platform, ice-core labs, museum, clean rooms, accommodation units
Validity or status Operational from Silver Jubilee celebrations in May 2025
Strategic/significant value Supports India’s polar presence, climate leadership, and Blue Economy agenda

11. Which two Northeastern cities will be connected by the newly approved train service announced in May 2025?
A) Imphal and Shillong
B) Agartala and Guwahati
C) Aizawl and Dibrugarh
D) Silchar and Itanagar
E) Kohima and Tinsukia
Answer: B) Agartala and Guwahati

Event and Location:

  • Event: Approval of a new Agartala–Guwahati train service to enhance Northeast rail connectivity
  • Location: Tripura and Assam (Northeast India)
  • Date: May 24, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The Ministry of Railways approved a new electrified train route between Agartala (Tripura) and Guwahati (Narangi, Assam), announced by MP Biplab Kumar Deb.
  • Objectives: To boost interstate rail mobility, reduce travel time, support green railway infrastructure, and further the Act East Policy by improving regional integration and economic access in the Northeast.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Electrified Rail Services: Railway lines that operate using electric locomotives instead of diesel, offering faster, more energy-efficient, and eco-friendly transport solutions.
  • Act East Policy: An Indian government initiative to enhance connectivity and economic ties with Northeast India and Southeast Asia, promoting development and cross-border trade.
  • Agartala–Guwahati Rail Link: A key infrastructure project fulfilling long-standing public demand, ensuring direct rail service between the capitals of Tripura and Assam.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Approval of Agartala–Guwahati Train Service
Announcement date May 24, 2025
Location Tripura (Agartala) – Assam (Guwahati/Narangi)
Issuing authority Ministry of Railways
Policy/series name Northeast Railway Electrification & Connectivity Initiative
Key figures Ashwini Vaishnaw, Biplab Kumar Deb
Purpose/reason Enhance Northeast rail access, reduce diesel dependency, support economy
Feature details New electric train link, faster travel, regional integration
Validity or status Approved and announced; launch expected soon
Strategic/significant value Supports Act East Policy and boosts sustainability in transport sector

12. What is the annual health coverage amount provided under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana for senior citizens aged 70 and above?
A) ₹1 lakh
B) ₹2.5 lakh
C) ₹3 lakh
D) ₹5 lakh
E) ₹10 lakh
Answer: D) ₹5 lakh

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana (AVVY) providing ₹5 lakh free health insurance for senior citizens
  • Location: Pan India (All Indian states and UTs)
  • Date: October 2024 (Scheme Launch), Updated status as of May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The Government of India launched the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana to provide cashless annual health insurance of ₹5 lakh to citizens aged 70 and above.
  • Objectives: To ensure universal health access for the elderly by offering comprehensive medical coverage, including pre-existing diseases, with no income criteria or medical test barriers.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana (AVVY): A central government health scheme launched in October 2024 to extend ₹5 lakh cashless health coverage to all Indian senior citizens aged 70+.
  • Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (AVVC): A health card issued under AVVY that enables cashless treatment at over 30,000 empanelled hospitals across India, including 13,000+ private hospitals.
  • Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: India’s flagship health insurance scheme offering ₹5 lakh per family annually; AVVY serves as a top-up for those already enrolled.
  • e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer): An Aadhaar-based digital verification process used to verify and register beneficiaries for AVVC.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana (AVVY)
Announcement date October 2024
Location India (nationwide rollout)
Issuing authority Government of India
Policy/series name Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (AVVC)
Key figures Citizens aged 70+, PM Narendra Modi-led administration
Purpose/reason To offer free ₹5 lakh health insurance for elderly citizens
Feature details Covers 1,961 treatments across 27 specialties with no income or test limits
Validity or status Active as of May 2025
Strategic/significant value Enhances senior health security and supports ageing population welfare

13. What is the total number of indicators used in Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 as launched in May 2025?
A) 516
B) 221
C) 147
D) 372
E) 89
Answer: C) 147

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 at National Writeshop
  • Location: Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
  • Date: 26–27 May 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched PAI 2.0 during a two-day National Writeshop, streamlining data tools for effective rural governance.
  • Objectives: To strengthen Gram Panchayat-level planning and monitoring through data-driven, validated indicators aligned with Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).

Important Terms Explained:

  • Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI): A governance tool designed to measure the performance of Gram Panchayats across development sectors; PAI 2.0 refines the earlier version to enable better planning.
  • Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs): Community-specific adaptations of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focused on grassroots implementation through Panchayati Raj Institutions.
  • Decision Support System (DSS): A planning tool integrated into the PAI 2.0 portal to assist Panchayats in identifying gaps and designing evidence-based interventions.
  • LIF Booklet (Local Indicator Framework): A guidebook outlining the framework, indicators, and methodologies used in PAI 2.0 for standardised rural development tracking.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0
Announcement date 26–27 May 2025
Location Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
Issuing authority Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Policy/series name Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)
Key figures Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Shri Saurabh Garg, Shri Rajib Kumar Sen
Purpose/reason Improve data-driven governance and rural planning in Gram Panchayats
Feature details 147 indicators, DSS, mobile-friendly portal, validation tools
Validity or status Active for FY 2023–24 implementation onwards
Strategic/significant value Promotes LSDG alignment, strengthens decentralised governance

14. Which Indian state launched the country’s first Vistadome jungle safari train in May 2025?
A) Madhya Pradesh
B) Uttarakhand
C) Maharashtra
D) Uttar Pradesh
E) Chhattisgarh
Answer: D) Uttar Pradesh

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of India’s first Vistadome Jungle Safari Train
  • Location: Uttar Pradesh (connecting Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary)
  • Date: May 26, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The Uttar Pradesh Government, in collaboration with Indian Railways, launched a Vistadome-equipped jungle safari train to integrate wildlife tourism and eco-education through rail travel.
  • Objectives: To promote eco-tourism, create biodiversity awareness, encourage local employment, and boost the “One Destination, Three Forests” initiative in forest regions of Uttar Pradesh.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Vistadome Coach: A panoramic railway coach with glass roofs, large windows, and rotating luxury seats offering immersive viewing of natural landscapes during travel.
  • One Destination, Three Forests: An initiative by the UP Eco-Tourism Board to link Dudhwa, Katarniaghat, and Kishanpur wildlife areas into a single eco-tourism circuit.
  • FAM Trips (Familiarisation Trips): Special tours organized for bloggers, influencers, and media to promote destinations and generate tourism traction through digital outreach.
  • Youth Tourism Club: Weekly school/college-level eco-excursions aimed at instilling conservation values among young citizens.

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of India’s First Vistadome Jungle Safari Train
Announcement date May 26, 2025
Location Uttar Pradesh (Dudhwa to Katarniaghat via Mailani)
Issuing authority UP Government in collaboration with Indian Railways
Policy/series name One Destination, Three Forests
Key figures Yogi Adityanath (CM), Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railway Minister)
Purpose/reason Promote eco-tourism, wildlife education, and forest conservation
Feature details Vistadome coach, 107 km jungle route, ₹275 fare, 9 station stops
Validity or status Active daily service with added educational tours
Strategic/significant value First rail-based jungle safari in India; supports sustainable tourism


Over All Review

Important Days

  • Memorial Day 2025 is observed on May 26, honoring all U.S. military personnel who died while serving the country.

Ranking 

  • India became the world’s fourth-largest economy by surpassing Japan with a nominal GDP of USD 4 trillion.

Business And Economy

  • The Government of India has retained the EPF interest rate at 8.25% for the financial year 2024–25.

Science and Technology

  • Google launched the “AI Matryoshka” architecture at its 2025 I/O conference, signaling a full-scale AI integration across its ecosystem.
  • Google unveiled Google Beam in May 2025 as the commercial successor to its experimental Project Starline.

International Affairs

  • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard University’s SEVP certification in May 2025, barring it from enrolling international students for the upcoming academic year.
  • Six East African nations signed an MoU in May 2025 to eliminate kala-azar during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
  • Saudi Arabia and Kuwait jointly discovered new oil in the North Wafra Wara-Burgan field in the Neutral Zone after a five-year gap.

National Affairs

  • India launched the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS) on May 26, 2025, offering the highest weather forecast resolution in the world.
  • Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated Sagar Bhavan and Polar Bhavan at NCPOR Goa in May 2025.
  • The Ministry of Railways approved a new train service connecting Agartala and Guwahati, fulfilling a long-standing public demand in the Northeast.
  • The Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana offers ₹5 lakh free health insurance to every Indian citizen aged 70 and above.
  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 at a National Writeshop in New Delhi from 26–27 May 2025.
  • India’s first Vistadome jungle safari train was launched in Uttar Pradesh on May 26, 2025, offering a 107 km scenic route.

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