Daily Current Affairs and GK | 13 May 2025

Topic: Important Days

1. Buddha Purnima celebrated on 12 May.

• It marks the day when Gautam Buddha was born.
• It also marks the day when he attained Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.
• Buddhists and Hindus all over the world commemorate this day.
• It is a major festival in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
• Buddha was born into a noble family of the Kshatriyas in Lumbini, Nepal in 563 BCE.
• His childhood name was Siddhartha Gautama and he belonged to Shakya clan.
• He attained enlightenment under a peepal tree in Bodhgaya.
• His first sermon is called Dharma Chakra Pravartana.

Topic: Important Days

2. World Migratory Bird Day 2025: 10 May

• World Migratory Bird Day is commemorated every year on the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October.
• This year, World Migratory Bird Day celebrated on 10 May.
• The theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2025 is “Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.”
• It is celebrated to draw attention to the problems faced by migratory birds around the world.
• Habitat loss, climate change, poisoning and illegal killing are the main threats to migratory birds.
• The day highlights the need for international cooperation to conserve migratory birds and their habitats.
• World Migratory Bird Day was celebrated for the first time in 2006. It is now celebrated in more than 100 countries.
• Around 229 species of birds arrive in India every year. Sparrow-Hawk, Harriers, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, etc. are common Migratory Bird in India.

Topic: State News/Andhra Pradesh

3. Andhra Pradesh granted property tax exemption to defence personnel.

• Property tax exemption has been granted by the Andhra Pradesh government for houses owned by Indian Defence personnel within gram panchayat limits.
• The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
• This decision was taken by the NDA-led state government under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu as a gesture of gratitude towards the armed forces.
• The Panchayat Raj Department has issued the decision benefiting personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Paramilitary, and CRPF.
• This decision honours the indomitable courage of our defence forces personnel who dedicate their lives to protecting the nation.
• Earlier limited to only retired personnel or those serving on the borders, the exemption has now been extended to all active personnel irrespective of their posting.
• The benefit will apply to one house where the personnel or their spouse resides or which they jointly own.
• The step has been recommended by the Director of Sainik Welfare and is intended to honour the sacrifice and courage of the nation’s uniformed forces.
• Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan also paid homage to Agniveer Murali Naik, who was martyred in cross-border firing along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir during Operation Sindoor.
• He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh for Murali Naik’s parents, along with the allotment of five acres of agricultural land, and a 300-square-yard house site.

Topic: National Appointment

4. Justice Surya Kant appointed as the executive chairman of NALSA.

• Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court has been appointed as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
• The appointment was made by President Droupadi Murmu under the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
• Justice Kant is set to take over the position from Justice BR Gavai, who will be assuming office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14.
• The appointment will be effective from May 14, 2025, as per the official notification issued by the government.
• Justice Kant is a former chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
• His tenure as executive chairman will continue until November 23, 2025, after which he is expected to be elevated as the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
• NALSA, constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, aims to provide free legal services to the weaker sections of society.
• As per the act, the Chief Justice of India serves as the Patron-in-Chief of NALSA.
• The President, in consultation with the Chief Justice, appoints a serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court as the acting chairperson of NALSA.

Topic: Sports

5. India won 7 medals at the Archery World Cup 2025 in Shanghai.

• On 11 May, India concluded its Archery World Cup Stage 2 campaign in Shanghai with a total of seven medals, including two gold, one silver, and four bronze.
• Bronze medals were secured by Parth Sushant Salunkhe in Men’s Individual Recurve and Deepika Kumari in the Women’s Individual Recurve event.
• Parth defeated France’s Olympic medallist Baptiste Addis 6-4, while Deepika outplayed Korea’s Kang Chae-young 7-3 in their respective playoff matches.
• Madhura Dhamangaonkar won the gold in the Women’s Compound Individual event, adding to India’s tally.
• The Men’s Compound team of Abhishek Verma, Rishabh Yadav, and Ojas Deotale clinched the team gold medal.
• The Women’s Compound team comprising Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, and Madhura Dhamangaonkar took home the silver medal.
• In the compound mixed team event, Madhura and Abhishek won the bronze medal for India.
• Rishabh Yadav also secured an individual bronze in the Men’s Compound event.
• The third stage of the World Cup will be held in Antalya from June 3 to 8.

Topic: Sports 

6. Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket.

• Virat Kohli, India’s cricketing icon, has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to a memorable chapter.
• Kohli’s Test career concluded with 123 matches, 9230 runs, 30 centuries, and 31 fifties to his name.
• Kohli's leadership resulted in 40 victories from 68 tests, making him India’s most successful men’s test captain by number of wins.
• His 30 Test hundreds place him behind only Tendulkar, Dravid, and Gavaskar among Indian batters, and his seven double centuries remain unmatched in Indian cricket.
• Kohli also holds the record for the most Test centuries (20) by an Indian captain, significantly ahead of Gavaskar’s 11.
• He made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and scored his maiden Test century (116) during the same year in Australia at Adelaide.
• Kohli retired from the T20I format after India won the T20 World Cup last year.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

7. C-DOT has formed a strategic partnership with Synergy Quantum India.

• The goal is to co-develop Quantum Key Distribution technology designed for drone-based systems.
• The project will use the decoy-state BB84 protocol with polarization encoding.
• It targets achieving or exceeding Technology Readiness Level 6.
• This collaboration supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• It aims to advance secure and indigenous telecom innovations.
• The focus is on adapting quantum communication for aerial platforms.
• This will help enhance the security of data transmission.
• Both organizations will jointly pursue research funding.
• They will apply for grants at national and international levels.
• They plan to share their work through publications and technical forums.
• Educational activities like expert talks and training programs are also planned.
• They will organize conferences and discussions on quantum communication.
• The MoU was signed in a ceremony with senior representatives from both sides.
• This effort is expected to enable next-generation secure telecom networks.
• It will support critical sectors such as defense, emergency response, and government communication.

Topic: State News/Delhi

8. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta laid the foundation for a 500 kW solar power plant.

• The plant will be built at the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
• This project reflects the government's focus on renewable energy.
• It also shows a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.
• LG Saxena described the initiative as a meaningful move toward clean energy.
• He highlighted the importance of setting up the plant at a historic site.
• The Delhi Assembly serves as a reminder of civic and environmental duty.
• Saxena called the project a symbol of innovation and forward-thinking leadership.
• Chief Minister Rekha Gupta spoke about the city’s green initiatives.
• She said the government is working toward a cleaner and greener Delhi.
• Gupta noted that Delhi’s electricity demand stands at 8,000 megawatts.
• The new solar plant is expected to cut electricity expenses. It could save about ₹15 lakh annually.

Topic: Important Days

9. International Day of Plant Health: 12 May

• The International Day of Plant Health is celebrated every year on 12 May.
• It highlights the vital role plant health plays in sustaining life on Earth.
• The United Nations established this day to raise global awareness.
• Protecting plants can help eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, safeguard biodiversity, protect the environment, and support economic growth.
• This day is a lasting achievement of the International Year of Plant Health held in 2020.
• This year, the theme of International Day of Plant Health is the importance of plant health in One Health.
• The theme for this year focuses on the link between plant health and the "One Health" approach.
• The 2025 observance encourages everyone to raise awareness.
• It also calls for action to protect the health of all living systems.

Topic: International News

10. The Maldives has expressed gratitude to India for offering a $50 million interest-free Treasury Bill.

• This support helps the Maldives in its fiscal reform efforts and promotes economic stability.
• Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel acknowledged India’s timely assistance.
• He emphasized that this reflects the strong friendship between the two countries.
• The financial aid will support the Maldivian government’s efforts to enhance economic resilience.
• The Treasury Bill extension was made at the request of the Maldivian government. It remains interest-free.
• Since March 2019, India has facilitated the annual subscription and rollover of these Treasury Bills.
• The bills are managed through SBI under a special Government-to-Government arrangement.
• This aid is part of India’s broader emergency financial assistance to the Maldives.
• The Maldives is a key maritime neighbor of India.
• It is an important partner in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.
• Vision MAHASAGAR focuses on mutual security and growth in the region.
• India also extended a special quota for essential commodity exports to the Maldives earlier this year.
• India- Maldives Relations:
  • India recognized the Maldives' independence in 1965 and established diplomatic relations.
  • Indian imports from the Maldives primarily comprise scrap metals.
  • Efforts are being made to tap the potential of seafood exports from Maldives to India.