Daily Current Affairs and GK | 23 May 2025

Topic: Important Days

1. International Day for Biological Diversity: 22 May

• International Day for Biological Diversity is observed every year on 22 May for the promotion of biodiversity issues.
• This day was proclaimed by United Nations to raise understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
• The theme of International Day for Biological Diversity 2025 is Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.
• In addition to variety of plants, animals and microorganisms, biological diversity includes genetic differences within each species.
• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is also referred to as the Biodiversity Plan.
• Related SDGs: SDG 14 (Life below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land)

Topic: State News/Mizoram

2. Mizoram became the first fully literate state of India.

• On 20 May 2025, Mizoram was officially declared a fully literate state by Chief Minister Shri Lalduhoma in Aizawl.
• Thus, Mizoram became the first state in India to achieve full literacy, which is a historical milestone.
• Mizoram, which attained statehood on 20 February 1987, covers a geographical area of ​​21,081 sq km (8,139 sq mi).
• Its literacy rate was recorded at 91.33% as per the 2011 census, ranking third in India.
• Working on this strong foundation, ULLAAS – Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme) was implemented to identify and educate the remaining illiterate individuals.
• A door-to-door survey conducted by Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) across the state in August-September 2023 identified 3,026 illiterate people.
• Literacy rate above 95% (considered equivalent to full literacy) as defined by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• The PFLS 2023-24 survey recorded Mizoram’s literacy rate at 98.20%.
• A corps of 292 volunteer teachers, including CRCCs, students, and educators, led the community-based teaching effort.
• The achievement was driven by the spirit of Kartavya Bodh and strong grassroots participation.
• Nationwide under ULLAS, over 1.77 crore learners have taken the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).
• More than 2.37 crore learners and 40.84 lakh volunteer teachers are registered on the ULLAS mobile app.
• Earlier on June 24, 2024, Ladakh became the first administrative unit to declare total literacy.
• ULLAAS-NILP:
  • ULLAAS - New India Literacy Programme or New India Literacy Programme (NILP) is a centrally sponsored scheme, operational from 2022-2027.
  • In line with NEP 2020, the scheme targets adults (aged 15 years and above) who cannot attend school.
  • The scheme has five components, which include basic literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills and continuing education.
  • The aim of the ULLAAS scheme is to make the masses of India literate and is based on a sense of duty and is being implemented on a voluntary basis.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

3. President Murmu Confers Gallantry Awards at Defence Investiture Ceremony.

• On 22 May, President Droupadi Murmu presented six Kirti Chakras and 33 Shaurya Chakras during Phase I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
• Four of the Kirti Chakras and seven of the Shaurya Chakras were awarded posthumously.
• The Kirti Chakra was awarded posthumously to Rifleman Ravi Kumar, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Dy SP Himanyun Muzzammil Bhat, and Naik Dilwar Khan.
• Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu of the Maratha Light Infantry and Major Manjit of the Punjab Regiment received the Kirti Chakra.
• Among the posthumously honored Shaurya Chakra recipients were Major Aashish Dhonchak, Sepoy Pardeep Singh, Havildar Rohit Kumar, Constable Pawan Kumar, Constable Devan C, Vijayan Kutty G, and Captain Deepak Singh, for their exceptional bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty.
• Gallantry awards were given to personnel for displaying indomitable courage, exceptional bravery, and total disregard for personal safety while on duty.
• The awardees displayed exceptional courage during various operations, including counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, anti-piracy operations, and firefighting operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.
• The Kirti Chakra is awarded for acts of bravery, self-sacrifice, and conspicuous gallantry that are not directly in the face of the enemy.
• Kirti Chakra is the second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
• Shaurya Chakra is awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy.
• It is the third-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Topic: National Appointment

4. Justice Kempaiah Somashekar appointed as Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court by the President of India.

• The announcement was made on May 20, 2025, following the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium headed by CJI B.R. Gavai.
• The appointment came ahead of the retirement of Chief Justice D. Krishnakumar on May 21.
• Justice Somashekar was previously serving as a judge in the Karnataka High Court.
• His legal career began in 1990, with practice in Mysore and Chamarajanagar on civil and criminal matters.
• He was directly appointed as a District and Sessions Judge in 1998.
• His appointment as an Additional Judge of Karnataka HC was made in July 2016, and he was made a permanent judge in July 2018.

Topic: Sports

5. Tottenham defeated Manchester United to win the Europa League title at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.

• On 21 May, Spurs beat Manchester United 1–0 to win the Europa League Final and lift their first European trophy in over four decades.
• Brennan Johnson scored the only goal of the match just before halftime.
• The title secured Spurs a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
• Tottenham’s Europa League run ended with 10 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses—taking their all-time wins in the competition to 98.
• Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made a vital save in stoppage time from a header by Luke Shaw.
• This was Tottenham’s first European trophy since the UEFA Cup win in 1984.
• Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, commonly known as Tottenham or Spurs, is a professional football club based in Tottenham, North London, England.

Topic: Banking/Finance

6. India Post Payments Bank and Aditya Birla Capital join hands to expand credit access across the country.

• A strategic partnership has been established between India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL) to enhance the reach of loan products across India.
• Through this collaboration, IPPB will act as a referral partner offering ABCL's financial solutions like personal loans, business loans, and loans against property.
• Customers of IPPB will now be able to access loan services digitally via Aditya Birla Capital's tech-enabled platforms, ensuring quick approvals and minimal documentation.
• Advanced AI and data analytics have been integrated into the lending process to provide customized financial solutions for a broad spectrum of customers.
• The loan application process has been designed to be hassle-free, in alignment with the goal of improving financial accessibility across rural and urban India.
• IPPB will refer customers to ABCL on a non-risk participation basis, with final credit decisions to be made solely by ABCL.
• This partnership supports the vision of Digital India and aims to empower every citizen financially by bridging the gap between rural customers and mainstream credit services.
• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB):
  • IPPB has been established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, with 100 percent equity owned by the Government of India.
  • IPPB was launched on September 1, 2018.
  • IPPB aims to serve the unbanked and underbanked by leveraging its vast postal network of 1.65 lakh post offices and 3 lakh employees, especially in rural areas.
  • IPPB provides simple and affordable banking solutions to 11 crore customers across 5.57 lakh villages and towns in India through an intuitive interface available in 13 languages.

Topic: State News/Bihar

7. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw laid the foundation of a new Wagon Overhauling Unit.

• This unit will be established at the historic Jamalpur Rail Workshop in Bihar’s Munger district.
• The project requires an investment of around 79 crore rupees.
• Once completed, the facility will enhance the workshop’s ability to service up to 800 freight wagons.
• The Jamalpur Rail Workshop was founded in 1862 during British rule.
• It is one of the oldest railway maintenance centers in Asia.
• Minister Vaishnaw also inspected the Jamalpur railway station.
• He assessed the station’s infrastructure and passenger amenities.
• He visited the Indian Railway Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IRIMEE).
• During his visit, he interacted with IRIMEE officials on various operational matters.
• Union Minister and Munger MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, accompanied him.

Topic: Indian Economy

8. Fitch Ratings has increased India’s potential GDP growth to 6.4% for the next five years.

• This marks a rise of 0.2 percentage points from the previous estimate.
• The upgrade is mainly due to a significant increase in India’s labour force participation in recent years.
• Fitch stated that the higher growth estimate is driven more by job creation than by productivity improvements.
• China’s potential growth has been revised downward to 4.3% from 4.6%.
• These changes are part of Fitch’s updated projections for ten major emerging market economies.
• India’s total-factor productivity (TFP) growth is expected to slow to its long-term average of 1.5%.
• Fitch adjusted its projections to reflect stronger contributions from labour force participation.
• At the same time, the role of capital investment has been scaled down.
• India’s growth is increasingly being powered by a growing workforce rather than efficiency gains.
• Fitch expects the labour force participation rate to keep rising, but at a slower pace.
• The agency has also lowered its average growth forecast for emerging markets to 3.9%.
• This is a slight decline from the 4% estimate published in November 2023.
• The downgrade is largely due to weaker potential growth in China.
• India remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
• The IMF projects that India will be the only large economy to grow above 6% over the next two years.
• The IMF has also lowered its growth forecast for more than 120 countries.

Topic: Sports

9. The 2025 FIFA Arab Cup will feature a record prize fund of over $36.5 million.

• Qatar’s Local Organising Committee made the announcement on 22 May 2025.
• The tournament will run from December 1 to December 18, 2025.
• It will include senior men’s national teams from all 22 UAFA member nations.
• These teams represent both Asia and Africa.
• FIFA has been managing the tournament since its revival in 2021.
• Previously, the competition was organised by the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA).
• In 2021, the tournament had a prize pool of $25.5 million.
• Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani is the Minister of Sports and Youth in Qatar.
• He said the larger prize fund highlights the rising stature of the FIFA Arab Cup.
• The draw for the 2025 edition will take place in Doha.
• Algeria, the defending champions, are considered one of the top contenders.

Topic: Space and IT

10. Scientists have observed two massive galaxies, each with a star population similar to the Milky Way.

• These galaxies are moving quickly toward a future collision.
• They were seen as they appeared 11.4 billion years ago, about 2.4 billion years after the Big Bang.
• The observations were made using Chile’s ALMA and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope.
• One of the galaxies contains a quasar. A quasar is an extremely bright object powered by a supermassive black hole consuming surrounding material.
• The quasar emits intense radiation that disrupts molecular gas clouds in the neighboring galaxy.
• Molecular clouds are where new stars usually form.
• The quasar’s radiation broke these clouds into tiny dense clumps.
• These small clumps are too small to form new stars.
• This is the first time scientists have seen a quasar directly prevent star formation in another galaxy.
• The quasar’s radiation has reduced the companion galaxy’s ability to form stars.
• Researchers compared the galaxies’ interaction to a medieval joust.
• The quasar’s radiation was like a lance striking the other galaxy.
• The black hole powering the quasar has a mass about 200 million times that of the sun.
• This black hole is much larger than the Milky Way’s central black hole, Sagittarius A*, which has about 4 million solar masses.
• The black hole emits radiation in two opposite beams called biconical jets.
• One ultraviolet beam passed directly through the companion galaxy, affecting its gas.
• The Earth’s viewpoint allowed scientists to observe the quasar’s beam impacting the other galaxy.
• Galaxies tend to cluster together. Gravity causes these clusters to merge over time.
• These two galaxies will eventually combine into a single larger galaxy.
• As the black hole runs out of fuel, the quasar will gradually fade away.