Daily Current Affairs and GK | 25 and 26 May 2025

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

1. MAHASAGAR Initiative Launched to Enhance Global Oceanic Security and Cooperation.

• India unveiled the MAHASAGAR initiative (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), expanding PM Modi’s original SAGAR doctrine.
• The shift marks an evolution from a regional Indian Ocean focus to a comprehensive global maritime strategy.
• A high-level dialogue titled “The Mahasagar Initiative in the Current Security Context” was organized by the Chintan Research Foundation in the capital.
• Admiral R.K. Dhowan (Retd), former Chief of Naval Staff, stated that the Indian Navy is fully capable of deterring threats and controlling ocean spaces, including coastal defence and asymmetric warfare.
• The original SAGAR policy aimed for Security and Growth for All in the Region, focusing on peace and economic development in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Over the last decade, India’s maritime partnerships and blue economy initiatives under SAGAR have been significantly strengthened.
• MAHASAGAR extends beyond SAGAR, aiming for shared prosperity and security across all global oceans.
• The initiative now includes collective security, regional coordination, and enhanced global maritime partnerships.
• MAHASAGAR positions India as a global maritime leader and first responder, advocating for maritime security, economic inclusion, and sustainable ocean governance.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

2. India stressed on removal of export controls among BRICS nations.

• During the BRICS Trade Ministers meeting in Brasilia on 21 May, India called for removal of export controls among BRICS countries.
• The meeting was organized under Brazil’s presidency with the theme: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
• It served as a platform for India to advocate for enhanced intra-bloc trade cooperation and mutual support.
• India’s representation was led by Economic Adviser Yashvir Singh from the Department of Commerce.
• There was emphasis on eliminating restrictive trade measures that disrupt vital global supply chains.
• A Joint Declaration with three annexures was endorsed by member nations, promoting inclusive and rule-based global trade.
• The declaration included:
• (i) The BRICS Declaration on WTO Reform and Strengthening of the Multilateral Trading System,
• (ii) The BRICS Data Economy Governance Understanding, and
• (iii) The BRICS Trade and Sustainable Development Framework.
• Concerns were raised over the misuse of climate-related trade actions that may serve as disguised restrictions.
• India highlighted the need for urgent WTO reform, called for a permanent solution on public stockholding (PSH) for food security.
• India’s “30 for 30” proposal was promoted as a roadmap of 30 reforms before the WTO’s 30th anniversary in 2025.
• The need for concessional transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) to developing nations was reiterated with financial aid.
• Digital India, IndiaAI, and DPI were highlighted as global models for inclusive digital transformation.

Topic: Indian Economy

3. India became the fourth largest economy of the world.

• India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, according to IMF data.
• The announcement was made by NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, who cited official figures.
• Currently only the United States, China and Germany are ahead of India.
• India's nominal GDP is estimated to have increased to $4,187.017 billion, higher than Japan's estimated $4,186.431 billion.
• India remains the world's fastest-growing major economy and is the only country projected to record growth of over 6% over the next two years.
• This rapid growth is expected to take India's GDP to $5,584.476 billion by 2028, making it the third largest economy, surpassing Germany.
• India’s economy is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, unlike Japan’s.
• Meanwhile, Germany is projected to have no GDP growth in 2025, and a meager 0.9% increase in 2026.
• The United States, which remains the world's largest economy, is projected to have a GDP of $30,507.217 billion in 2025, followed by China at $19,231.705 billion.
• The IMF data used for this ranking is based on nominal GDP at current prices.

Topic: Sports

4. Shubman Gill appointed as the new Test captain of India.

• Right-handed batsman Shubman Gill has been appointed as India’s 37th Test captain for the England Test series.
• On 24 May, the squad was announced by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, highlighting strategic changes.
• The five-match Test series will be held in England and will begin from June 20.
• Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been selected as the vice-captain for this Test series.
• Gill has been given the responsibility of leadership after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test format earlier this month.
• In 32 Test matches, Gill has scored 1893 runs at an average of 35.1, which includes five centuries and seven half-centuries.
• Karun Nair has made a return to the Indian Test squad after seven years.
• Arshdeep Singh and B Sai Sudharsan have been handed their maiden Test call-ups.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

5. The 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog held in New Delhi.

• On 24 May, the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The event was held at the Bharat Mandapam venue in New Delhi.
• It was attended by Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of 24 states and 7 union territories.
• The theme this year was Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047.
• The meeting aimed to shape a long-term roadmap for India’s development by 2047.
• During the meeting, development priorities and progress of central schemes were discussed in detail.
• The Prime Minister said that India has joined the top five economies of the world, and 25 crore people have come out of poverty.
• The Prime Minister said that the Government of India has approved a scheme of Rs 60,000 crore for skill development.
• States should focus on modern training infrastructure and rural training centers to enhance skill development.
• He asked states to make cities engines of stability and growth and urged them to focus on tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
• He said an urban challenge fund of Rs 1 lakh crore is being created to set up new enterprises.
• He spoke about the Vikas Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, in which about 2,500 scientists will visit villages and rural centers in the coming days and will discuss topics like crop diversification and chemical-free farming.
• He asked all chief ministers to support this effort.
• Some of the key suggestions and best practices were highlighted in the sectors like agriculture, education and skill development, entrepreneurship, drinking water, non-compliance, governance, digitalisation, women's empowerment, cybersecurity, etc.
• He said the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog is a milestone in its 10-year journey that defines and underlines the vision of 2047.

Topic: National News

6. A two-day National Writing Workshop organised in New Delhi to launch PAI 2.0.

• A two-day National Writeshop is being organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on 26–27 May 2025 in New Delhi for the rollout of PAI 2.0.
• The event will witness the official launch of the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Version 2.0 for FY 2023–24, replacing PAI 1.0.
• The aim of PAI 2.0 is to empower Gram Panchayats through data-driven monitoring, planning, and transparent governance.
• The inaugural session attended by senior officials from MoPR, MoSPI, and NITI Aayog, including Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj.
• PAI 2.0 reduces the number of indicators from 516 to 147, enhancing data quality and easing the reporting process.
• The PAI has been developed as a robust, multi-dimensional tool to assess and monitor the progress of Gram Panchayats across nine themes linked to the Local Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).
• These themes cover areas such as poverty alleviation, health, education, water adequacy, clean environment, infrastructure, governance, social justice and women empowerment.
• A refined Local Indicator Framework (LIF) emphasizes measurable and outcome-based tracking across nine LSDG-aligned themes.
• The upgraded PAI 2.0 portal includes mobile-friendly dashboards, built-in validation tools, and auto-integration with national data portals.
• Technical sessions will demonstrate portal features, baseline findings from PAI 1.0, and new methodological improvements.
• The Writeshop will involve group exercises on data entry, portal usage, and application of PAI insights in local planning.
• Representatives from 32 States/Union Territories, several ministries and partners like UNICEF, UNFPA, NIC and Piramal Foundation are participating.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. The government has approved an 8.25% interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund savings for the financial year 2024-25.

• This decision will affect more than 7 crore salaried individuals in India.
• The rate was proposed earlier by the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.
• It remains the same as the interest rate for the year 2023-24.
• In 2022-23, the Employees’ Provident Fund interest rate was slightly lower at 8.15%.
• Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation settled a record 2.16 crore automatic claims by March 6, 2025.
• This is a major increase from the 89.52 lakh auto-claims processed in 2023-24.

Topic: International News

8. Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel is in India for a three-day official visit.

• He will lead the Maldivian team at the second India-Maldives High Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting in New Delhi.
• It will focus on reviewing progress under the India-Maldives Vision Document.
• This document emphasizes economic cooperation and maritime security.
• It was adopted during President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024.
• Khaleel will also hold bilateral talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
• This is Khaleel’s third visit to India in 2025. He previously visited in January and March.
• The Maldives is a vital maritime partner for India.
• It also plays a key role in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
• 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.

Topic: State News/Maharashtra

9. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a three-day tour of Maharashtra.

• During his visit, he will launch several major infrastructure projects in Nagpur.
• He will lay the foundation stone of ‘Swasti Niwas’ at the National Cancer Institute in Jamtha.
• He will also lay the foundation stone for the new campus of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) at Mouza Chicholi in the Kamptee region.
• This will be NFSU’s 11th campus overall and the first in Maharashtra.
• The permanent campus will be built on a 50-acre site.
• It is expected to be completed in about two years.
• Until then, NFSU will function from a temporary campus.
• The temporary campus will be located in a Nagpur University building near VNIT.
• This building currently houses the Police Bharosa Cell.
• The Home Minister will virtually inaugurate this temporary facility.
• NFSU was originally established by the Gujarat government in 2009.
• It began as the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University.
• Current NFSU campuses are located in Gujarat, Delhi, Bhopal, Goa, Tripura, Pune, Guwahati, Manipur, Dharwad, and Uganda.
• After Nagpur, Amit Shah will continue his tour with visits to Nanded and Mumbai.

Topic: National News

10. The Supreme Court has ordered a cadre review for all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

• This review must be completed within six months.

• The forces involved include ITBP, BSF, CRPF, CISF, and SSB.
• The review was originally scheduled for 2021 but was delayed.
• A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued the directive.
• The Department of Personnel and Training must decide within three months after receiving a report from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The review will also cover existing service and recruitment rules.
• The court acted on petitions requesting financial upgrades and cadre restructuring.
• The petitions also sought to remove IPS deputation.
• The court stressed the important role CAPFs play in border security.
• It also highlighted their role in internal security.
• The court pointed out issues related to CAPF deployment.
• Coordination with state governments and police forces was also mentioned as a challenge.