Daily Current Affairs and GK | 24 May 2025

Topic: Personality in News

1. Saroj Ghose has died at the age of 89 on May 17, 2025 in Seattle, USA.

• He was a pioneer of India’s science museum movement.
• He was the founding Director General of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM).
• Following his wishes, his body is being donated to Washington University for scientific research.
• He led the NCSM from 1979 to 1997. Ghose is credited with creating India’s wide network of science museums.
• He introduced a decentralized model that made science museums more accessible and engaging.
• Even after retirement, he helped develop the Town Hall Museum in Kolkata.
• He also contributed to the Parliament Museum and Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum in New Delhi.
• The NCSM was established in 1978 as an autonomous society under the Union Ministry of Culture. Its headquarters are in Kolkata.

Topic: Important Days

2. World Turtle Day 2025: 23 May

• Every year on May 23, World Turtle Day is observed.
• Since 2000, World Turtle Day is being celebrated and it is sponsored by the American Tortoise Rescue.
• The theme of World Turtle Day 2025 is 'Dancing Turtles Rock!'.
• Turtles play a significant role in the Earth's ecological design.
• Turtles are the reptiles of the order Testudines. They can reside inside freshwater or saltwater.
• The biggest threat facing turtles in India is smuggling. They are smuggled into the East Asian and Southeast Asian markets in large numbers every year.
• IUCN status of Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Loggerhead is 'Vulnerable'. IUCN status of Hawksbill turtle is 'Critically Endangered' and that of Green Turtle is 'Endangered'.
• They are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
• American Tortoise Rescue is a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. In March 2025, a total of 16.33 lakh new employees were registered under the ESI Scheme.

• The provisional payroll data of ESIC shows that 16.33 lakh new workers were added in March, 2025.
• Approximately 7.96 lakh young employees up to 25 years were enrolled, constituting about 49% of new registrations.
• The number of female employees registered stood at 3.61 lakh in the same month.
• A total of 100 transgender employees were also enrolled, highlighting inclusive coverage.
• 31,514 new establishments were brought under the ESI Scheme, extending social security to more workplaces.
• The payroll data is provisional and generated continuously for accuracy.
• The increase in registrations reflects the expanding reach of the ESI Scheme across India.
• The data confirms ESIC’s commitment to inclusive social security benefits for all sections of society.

• Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC):
  • It was founded in 1952.
  • It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
  • It was set up under the ESI Act 1948 for the implementation of the ESI scheme.

Topic: National News

4. The curtain raiser for Wings India 2026 inaugurated by Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in New Delhi.

• India is recognized as the third-largest domestic aviation market, soon to become the third-largest overall air passenger market.
• Wings India 2026 will be held from 28th to 31st January 2026 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad.
• The theme declared for Wings India 2026 is “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future - from Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation, and Safety to Sustainability.”
• The event brochure, promotional video, and mobile app were officially launched to boost global stakeholder participation.
• Minister Murlidhar Mohol highlighted the role of states in enabling airport development and strengthening regional connectivity.
• The ministry focuses on sustainability, with India poised to be a global leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
• Wings India 2026 aims to catalyze Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including drones and eVTOLs.
• Industry experts emphasized the importance of innovation, capacity building, and sustainability for future growth.
• The event will bring together airlines, manufacturers, investors, state governments, and other key aviation players globally.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

5. A nationwide enforcement drive to make educational institutions tobacco and substance-free launched by the Ministry of Education.

• The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), MoE has called upon all States and UTs to take strict action in a major move towards protecting students and youth from the harmful effects of tobacco and drug abuse.
• The move follows the 8th Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre, chaired by the Home Ministry Secretary.
• India has one of the youngest populations in the world, with the majority of its citizens under the age of 29.
• Studies show that tobacco consumption is rapidly increasing among youth, leading to increased tendency to consume other forms of drugs in school/college premises.
• The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (2019) revealed that 8.5% of students aged 13-15 use tobacco.
• The Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines have been implemented to create safe campuses.
• Nine mandatory activities have been prescribed for schools to maintain tobacco-free status, including signage, tobacco monitors, and awareness campaigns.
• Special emphasis is placed on enforcing a 100-yard tobacco-free zone around schools and colleges.
• Starting May 31, 2025 (World No Tobacco Day) until June 26, 2025 (International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking), States and UTs will launch a month-long enforcement drive.
• The drive aims to enforce Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
• This law bans the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions and prohibits sale to or by minors.
• School staff have been empowered to report violations directly to law enforcement without fear.

Topic: Indian Economy

6. India's GDP growth is projected at 6.8% in Q4 FY25 with healthy consumption.

• India’s GDP growth for Q4 FY25 is projected at 6.8%, resulting in a full-year growth of 6.3%.
• Growth momentum has been supported by agriculture, hotels, transport, and construction sectors.
• Rural demand remains strong, while urban consumption shows a mixed outlook that requires monitoring.
• Strong central capital expenditure towards the end of Q3 is expected to support Q4 investment growth.
• Agricultural activity remained robust with a 2% increase in Rabi sowing compared to last year.
• Domestic tractor sales rose by 23.4% year-on-year in Q4, outperforming Q3 figures.
• Fertilizer sales recorded 5.4% growth in Jan-Feb 2025, higher than Q3 growth of 0.4%.
• Domestic air passenger traffic increased by 12% year-on-year in Q4, up from 11.4% in Q3.
• Industrial Production (IIP) mining expanded by 2.1% in Q4, slightly higher than Q3’s 1.8%.
• Despite a 4% contraction in central capex during Jan-Feb 2025, overall construction activity is expected to improve in Q4 due to lagged effects.
• IIP infrastructure and construction items also showed improvement in Q4 FY25, growing 7.6% over 7% in Q3.
• However, highway construction and bitumen consumption declined by 8.4% and 3.8%, respectively, in Q4.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

7. The United Kingdom has signed a pact with Mauritius to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

• This includes Diego Garcia. The UK will retain a 99-year lease for its joint military base with the United States.
• India welcomed the move. It described the agreement as a major step in completing Mauritius’s decolonization.
• India reaffirmed its support for Mauritius’s territorial claims.
• The deal ends a long-standing dispute. It follows two years of diplomatic negotiations.
• The agreement is consistent with international legal principles.
• The UK government estimates the cost of the deal at £3.4 billion.
• Some critics believe the total could reach £30 billion over the full lease period.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed its intention to strengthen cooperation with Mauritius.
• It aims to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
• Leaders from the UK, Mauritius, and the US have praised the agreement.
• Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth thanked India and other allies.
• The deal is expected to boost regional stability. It will also support environmental protection and help fight illegal maritime activities.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 in New Delhi.

• The event was held at Bharat Mandapam.
• He reaffirmed the government's strong focus on the all-round development of the northeastern region.
• He appreciated the active participation of business leaders.
• He also praised the coordinated efforts of central ministries and state governments.
• Modi referred to the Northeast as “Ashtalakshmi.” He described it as a land full of opportunities.
• He highlighted its potential in trade, culture, textiles, tourism, the bio-economy, bamboo, tea, oil and gas, sports, skill-building, eco-tourism, organic farming, and energy.
• He introduced the EAST framework as a vision for the region’s progress.
• EAST stands for Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform.
• The Prime Minister pointed out that the region has changed a lot in the past 11 years.
• The summit took place on May 23 and 24. It featured sessions with ministers, B2G and B2B meetings, and a special exhibition area.
• Investment opportunities were showcased in several key areas.
• These included tourism, food processing, handloom and handicrafts, healthcare, education, IT services, infrastructure, energy, and sports.
• The event marked a major step from the “Look East” to the “Act East” policy.
• It aimed to position the Northeast as a driving force in India’s future development.

Topic: Banking/Finance

9. The Reserve Bank of India has approved a record surplus transfer of over ₹2.68 lakh crore to the central government.

• This transfer is for the financial year 2024-25.
• The decision was made during a board meeting held in Mumbai.
• RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra chaired the meeting.
• The Board discussed and reviewed the current economic situation in India and around the world.
• It also approved the RBI’s Annual Report for the year.
• The Financial Statements for 2024-25 were formally accepted as well.
• The surplus amount was calculated under the revised Economic Capital Framework.
• This framework sets guidelines for managing the central bank’s capital and risks.
• It requires the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) to be between 5.50% and 7.50% of the RBI’s balance sheet.
• For this year, the CRB has been raised to 7.50%, which is the upper limit.
• This is the highest surplus amount ever transferred by the RBI.
• The move is intended to provide financial support to the central government.
• It comes at a time when the economy is facing several ongoing challenges.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

10. The Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at 15 locations in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai.

• These sites are linked to Jaypee Infratech Ltd, Jaypee Associates Ltd, and other real estate firms including Gaursons, Gulshan, Mahagun, and Suraksha Realty.

• The raids are part of an investigation into an alleged ₹12,000-crore fraud.
• The fraud involves the misuse of funds belonging to homebuyers.
• The probe is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
• It follows several FIRs filed by police in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
• These FIRs were based on complaints from buyers of Jaypee Wish Town and similar projects.
• The investigation mainly targets former promoters of Jaypee Infratech and Jaypee Associates.
• Suraksha Realty, which took over Jaypee Infratech through insolvency proceedings in 2023, has denied any wrongdoing.
• They stated they are not involved in any fraudulent transactions or bank borrowings related to the projects.
• Many homebuyers invested their life savings in Jaypee’s housing schemes launched around 2010-11.
• They were promised possession between 2013 and 2015 but are still waiting.
• The possession deadline for over 10,000 flats has now been extended.
• The new deadline has been pushed from June 2026 to December 2028.
• The updated possession timelines will begin from May 2024.
• This change was approved by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.