Daily Current Affairs and GK | 18 and 19 May 2025

Topic: Important Days

1. World Hypertension Day: 17 May

• World Hypertension Day is celebrated every year on 17 May.
• This day is celebrated to increase awareness about high blood pressure among the population across the globe.
• This year, the theme of World Hypertension Day is "Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!"
• World Hypertension Day was launched by the World Hypertension League in 2005.
• World Hypertension Day is a non-governmental organization that focuses on raising awareness about high blood pressure.
• Hypertension or high blood pressure is a serious condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries increases persistently.
• Hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.

Topic: State News/Sikkim

2. Sikkim celebrated the golden jubilee of statehood.

• Sikkim celebrated its 50th statehood day on 16 May 2025.
• The Namgyal dynasty founded the kingdom of Sikkim in the 17th century.
• It became a princely state of British India in 1890.
• On 16 May 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd state of India through the 36th Amendment Act.
• Sikkim became the 22nd state under the leadership of Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa, the first Chief Minister of Sikkim.
• Sikkim:
  • Sikkim shares its border with Bhutan, Nepal, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and West Bengal.
  • It is close to the Siliguri Corridor, which borders Bangladesh.
  • Sikkim is nicknamed the “Valley of Rice.”
  • Capital of Sikkim: Gangtok
  • Districts in Sikkim: 6
  • Governor of Sikkim: Shri Om Prakash Mathur
  • Chief Minister of Sikkim: Prem Singh Tamang
  • Rajya Sabha seat: 1, Lok Sabha Seat: 1
  • Sikkim Legislative Assembly seats: 32
  • The state animal of Sikkim is the Red Panda.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site Khangchendzonga National Park is located in Sikkim.

Topic: Sports

3. Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden Italian Open title in Rome.

• Carlos Alcaraz clinched his first-ever Italian Open title after defeating Jannik Sinner in the final.
• The match ended with Alcaraz winning 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, ending Sinner’s 26-match winning streak.
• This win marked his seventh ATP title and a major milestone in his professional career.
• Alcaraz became one of only three players to win 8 out of his first 10 ATP finals against top-five players, joining Federer and Hewitt.
• Sinner became the third Italian to reach the men’s singles final at the Italian Open, first since 1978.
• 2025 Italian Open winners list:

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. CSIR observed Swachhta Pakhwada 2025 with enthusiastic participation.

• Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 was observed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) from 1st to 15th May at its Headquarters in New Delhi and across all its constituents’ laboratories/ institutes/units.

• Its objective is to realise Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a healthy and clean India.
• The initiative was part of the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision.
• The Swachhta Pakhwada was organised as per the 2025 calendar released by the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India.
• On 1 May, the campaign began with a pledge ceremony at CSIR HQ, led by Director-General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi.
• Officers and staff actively took part in cleanliness drives throughout the premises.
• Safai Mitras were felicitated during the campaign in recognition of their year-round service.
• Special focus was given to removing construction debris and disposing of scrap materials.
• e-File clearance activities were conducted, supported by hands-on training from the IT Division.
• The canteen area was revamped with improved cleanliness and hygiene standards.
• Competitions like slogan writing, photography, painting, and poetry recitation were held to raise awareness.

Topic: Sports

5. Maharashtra topped the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 medal tally.

• The Khelo India Youth Games 2025 concluded with a closing ceremony at Pataliputra Sports Complex, Patna.
• Maharashtra emerged as the overall winner, securing 158 medals, including 58 gold and 47 silver.
• Haryana followed with 117 medals, while Rajasthan stood third with a total of 60 medals.
• Uttar Pradesh won the gold medal in the boys' basketball event by defeating Rajasthan in a competitive match.
• Karnataka secured the girls’ basketball gold by defeating Haryana.
• Haryana dominated fencing, winning 7 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals in total.
• Kadir Khan of Uttar Pradesh in the 400m race and Aditya Pisale of Maharashtra in the 100m sprint created new records and achieved the distinction of becoming the fastest runners of the Khelo India Games.
• Bihar, the host state, showed remarkable improvement, increasing its tally to 36 medals.
• Medal Tally:

Topic: Space and IT

6. ISRO set up a probe committee after the PSLV-C61 mission glitch.

• A committee has been formed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to investigate the incident in which the Earth observation satellite, EOS-09, was not placed into its intended orbit by a PSLV rocket.
• On May 18, ISRO failed to put its earth observation satellite in orbit after the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) rocket developed a snag just minutes after its launch from Sriharikota.
• The C61 mission was the 63rd flight of PSLV and the 27th flight in PSLV-XL configuration.
• The first two stages of the four-stage PSLV rocket functioned as expected.
• An anomaly during the third stage prevented the successful deployment of the satellite.
• ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that discussions had been held to trace the cause.
• The EOS-09 Earth observation satellite missed its intended orbit due to the glitch.
• The launch had been scheduled after a 22-hour countdown and lifted off at 5:59 AM on 18 May.
• Before the May 18, 2025, launch, PSLV had only two failures since 1993 — the maiden flight (PSLV-D1) in 1993 and its 41st flight in 2017.
• All subsequent launches, including SpaDeX in December 2024, had been successful.

Topic: State News/Tripura

7. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurated the construction of an Integrated Aquapark in Kailashahar, Tripura.

• The project is valued at ₹42.4 crore and is funded under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
• The aquapark will provide a variety of services, including hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage, processing, training, and marketing, all within the same facility.
• The Minister also launched a one-day Fish Festival in Agartala.
• Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, George Kurian, also attended the event.
• Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) were distributed to eligible fishers and fish farmers.
• Along with the cards, various certificates and sanction orders were handed out to beneficiaries in the fisheries sector.
• Top-performing cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organizations, and fisheries startups were recognized for their contributions.
• Additionally, beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana received certificates.
• This highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive development in the fisheries sector.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana:
  • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana was launched in May 2020.
  • It comes under under the aegis of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
  • It is aimed at addressing critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernization.
  • It is also aimed at strengthening of value chain, traceability, establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishers’ welfare.

Topic: Intaernational News

8. India has placed new restrictions on the import of several products from Bangladesh.

• These restrictions apply specifically to imports through land ports.
• The affected items include ready-made garments, fruits, processed foods, cotton, cotton yarn waste, finished plastic goods, PVC items, and wooden furniture.
• These goods are no longer allowed to enter India via land customs stations or Integrated Check Posts in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
• Imports of Bangladeshi garments are now restricted to two Indian seaports – Kolkata and Nhava Sheva in Mumbai.
• This means garments can no longer enter India through any land route.
• Goods from Bangladesh that are in transit through India to Nepal and Bhutan are exempt from this restriction.
• The ban was issued in a 17 May notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under India’s Ministry of Commerce.
• The move follows a decision by Bangladesh in April to block yarn imports through land ports.
• During FY24, Bangladesh imported around $9 billion worth of goods from India.
• In contrast, its exports to India were valued at only $1.56 billion.
• On 9 April, India also revoked a transshipment facility it had granted to Bangladesh.
• That facility had allowed Bangladesh to export goods to regions such as the Middle East and Europe, with the exception of Nepal and Bhutan.
• India-Bangladesh relations:
  • India and Bangladesh share strong historical, cultural, and economic ties.
  • India and Bangladesh signed the Land Boundary Agreement in 2015, resolving long-standing border disputes.
  • India provides development aid to Bangladesh in sectors like infrastructure, health, and education.

Topic: Sports

9. India narrowly defeated Bangladesh 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout to retain their SAFF U19 Championship title.

• The final took place at the Golden Jubilee Stadium and ended 1-1 in regulation time.
• Captain Singamayum Shami gave India the lead in just the second minute.
• He scored from a long-range free-kick that beat the goalkeeper despite a fingertip touch.
• India dominated the early minutes with quick passes and strong wing play.
• Omang Dodum came close to doubling the lead in the 16th minute.
• However, Bangladesh goalkeeper Md Ismail Hossain Mahin made an important save.
• In the 61st minute, Md Joy Ahamed scored the equalizer from a corner kick scramble.
• The final was eventually decided by a penalty shootout.
• Rohen Singh missed India’s second penalty, giving Bangladesh an early lead.
• Bangladesh captain Nazmul Huda Faysal missed his shot, sending the ball over the bar.
• That miss shifted the momentum back to India.
• Indian goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam made a key save to deny Salahuddin Sahed.
• Captain Shami stepped up to take the final penalty.
• With this win, they successfully defended their title. India reaffirmed their dominance in South Asian U19 football.
• SAFF U19 Championship is a biennial football championship for male footballers.
• It is organized by the South Asian Football Federation.

Topic: International News

10. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar started a six-day trip to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany on May 19.

• The visit will end on May 24, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• Jaishankar is expected to address Pakistan’s ongoing support for cross-border terrorism during the trip.
• He will also brief European leaders on India’s strong stance of zero tolerance against terrorism.
• This is Jaishankar’s first trip abroad after the military confrontation between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
• The Pahalgam attack resulted in the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists.
• In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
• The Germany portion of the trip was planned earlier, but visits to the Netherlands and Denmark were added due to the changing geopolitical situation after the Pahalgam attack.
• In Berlin, Jaishankar will meet with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s new government.
• He will also hold discussions with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
• These talks will cover topics such as trade, technology, regional security, and bilateral relations.
• Jaishankar will meet with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp in the Netherlands.
• He is expected to reschedule Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, which was canceled due to the India-Pakistan tensions.
• Denmark is an important stop, being a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
• Jaishankar is working to gather international support through his diplomatic efforts.