Daily Current Affairs and GK | 28 May 2025

Topic: Awards and Prizes

1. The 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics honors the authors of scientific papers based on data from CERN’s Large Hadron Collider Run-2.

• This data was collected between 2015 and July 15, 2024.
• The award recognizes the accomplishments of CERN’s four major experimental collaborations: ATLAS, CMS, ALICE, and LHCb.
• The $3 million prize will support grants for doctoral students from participating institutions.
• These grants allow students to conduct research at CERN.
• Thousands of scientists contributed to these experiments.
• There were over 5,300 researchers in A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS (ATLAS), 4,500 in CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) experiments, nearly 1,900 in ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment), and around 1,700 in LHCb.
• Indian researchers played an important role in the success of the ALICE and CMS collaborations.
• India’s relationship with CERN began in the 1960s.
• Scientists from TIFR conducted early experiments with particle beams.
• In the 1980s and 1990s, Indian contributions expanded into hardware, software, and heavy ion physics experiments.
• In 1991, India’s Department of Atomic Energy signed a formal cooperation agreement with CERN.
• This was strengthened by a 2009 Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration in technology, research, and training.
• India was granted Observer status at CERN in 2002. It became an Associate Member in 2017.
• In 2004, India gifted CERN a statue of the deity Shiva Nataraja.
• The statue represents the cosmic dance of particles studied at CERN.
• Indian teams from BARC Mumbai and RRCAT Indore made critical contributions to the LHC’s construction.
• This includes precision components for cryogenics and superconducting magnets.
• Indian scientists led the design, construction, and commissioning of key ALICE detectors.
• These include the Photon Multiplicity Detector and Muon Spectrometer, crucial for studying quark-gluon plasma.
• Top Indian scientific leaders praised the Breakthrough Prize.
• Looking ahead, India is preparing to contribute to ALICE’s new Forward Calorimeter detector.
• This will allow precision measurements of photons and neutral pions.
• The 2025 Breakthrough Prize honors the global teamwork behind ALICE and CMS.

Topic: State News/Madhya Pradesh

2. The ‘Rahveer’ Scheme approved by the Madhya Pradesh Government to promote road safety.

• The Madhya Pradesh government has approved the Rahveer Yojana, aimed at promoting road safety and timely help for accident victims.
• Under this scheme, the state government will reward ₹25,000 to any person who takes a road accident victim to a primary health center.
• The scheme aligns with PM Modi’s appeal during his Mann Ki Baat program to reduce road accident deaths through swift medical assistance.
• The state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, has officially approved the scheme.
• The scheme encourages a humanitarian approach by rewarding quick help to road accident victims.
• The goal is to ensure timely medical treatment to save lives after accidents.
• Individuals who assist victims will be recognized as ‘Rahveers’ and honoured by the state.
• The initiative also aims to spread awareness about road safety and the importance of public involvement.
• Madhya Pradesh ranks among the top five states in the country in terms of road accidents.
• Between 2018 and 2022, the state recorded 58,580 deaths due to road accidents.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Indian Economy

3. India recorded FDI inflows of USD 81.04 billion in FY 2024-25.

• India recorded a provisional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow of USD 81.04 billion during FY 2024–25.
• A significant rise of 14% was registered from the previous year’s FDI inflow of USD 71.28 billion.
• The services sector attracted the highest share of FDI equity, accounting for 19% of total inflows.
• An inflow of USD 9.35 billion was received by the services sector, marking a growth of 40.77% from FY 2023–24.
• The manufacturing sector received FDI worth USD 19.04 billion, an 18% increase compared to the previous fiscal.
• Maharashtra accounted for the largest share of FDI equity inflows at 39% in FY 2024–25, followed by Karnataka (13%) and Delhi (12%).
• Singapore emerged as the top FDI source country with a 30% share, followed by Mauritius (17%) and the United States (11%).
• Between 2014 and 2025, India attracted USD 748.78 billion in FDI, a 143% increase over the previous 11 years.
• The number of FDI source countries increased to 112 in FY 2024–25 from 89 in FY 2013–14.
• Significant FDI reforms across sectors such as defence, insurance, coal mining, and retail were introduced between 2014 and 2025.
• In 2025, the Union Budget proposed to increase the FDI limit from 74% to 100% for companies investing their entire premium in India.

Topic: National Appointment

4. Ram Mohan appointed as new MPEDA director.

• Ram Mohan M. K. has been appointed as the new director of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
• His academic qualifications include a PhD from ICAR–CIFE, Mumbai, and a postgraduate degree in mariculture from CMFRI.
• Since joining MPEDA in 2003, he has played key roles in marketing, quality assurance, and infrastructure development.
• He also held the position of resident director in Tokyo during his tenure at MPEDA.
• He is currently a board member of MIDCON, Seafood Park India Ltd., and Lakshadweep Development Corporation Ltd.
• MPEDA:
  • Established in 1972, MPEDA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to promote the export of marine products from India.
  • MPEDA is the nodal agency for the overall development of the seafood industry in India to realize its full export potential as the nodal agency.
  • MPEDA focuses mainly on market promotion, capture fisheries, culture fisheries, processing infrastructure and value addition, quality control, and research and development.

Topic: International News

5. Algeria admitted as new member of BRICS bank NDB.

• The New Development Bank (NDB), established by the BRICS countries, has added Algeria as a new member, further expanding its global membership base.
• Algeria submitted its instrument of accession on 19 May, in accordance with the provisions of the NDB's Articles of Agreement.
• NDB President Dilma Rousseff welcomed Algeria, highlighting its strategic importance in the global economy.
• Algeria’s membership is seen as a major boost to NDB’s expanding global profile.
• The country is rich in natural resources and holds strong development potential, according to NDB’s leadership.
• Over 120 investment projects worth USD 40 billion have been approved by the NDB since its establishment.
• Key sectors supported by the bank include clean energy, water supply, transportation, and digital infrastructure.
• NDB was founded by the BRICS nations in 2015 to finance sustainable development initiatives.
• The presidency and vice-presidency of the bank are rotated among BRICS founding members (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) to maintain equity.

Topic: Defence

6. Quantum Technology Research Centre inaugurated by DRDO in Delhi.

• On May 27, 2025, a state-of-the-art Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) was inaugurated by DRDO in Delhi.
• The facility was inaugurated by Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of DRDO and Secretary of Defence R&D.
• The centre aims to advance indigenous research in quantum technologies for strategic and defence purposes.
• Experimental platforms for Quantum Key Distribution and secure communication have been installed at QTRC.
• The Solid-State Physics Laboratory is leading the development of foundational technologies at the centre.
• Facilities for characterising advanced quantum devices such as lasers and alkali vapor cells are part of the centre.
• DRDO is also working on Ultra-Small Atomic Clock and sensitive Atomic Magnetometer at the facility.
• The centre is a part of DRDO’s contribution to the National Quantum Mission.
• The centre is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring national security in the post-quantum era.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

7. President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards to 69 distinguished individuals.

• The ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
• This event marked the second Civil Investiture Ceremony of 2025.
• The honours included three Padma Vibhushan, nine Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri awards.
• Justice (Retd.) Jagdish Singh Khehar was awarded the Padma Vibhushan. He was recognized for his contributions to public affairs.
• Eminent artist Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia also received the Padma Vibhushan. Her award was for excellence in the field of arts.
• Folk singer Sharda Sinha was posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. Her work had a lasting impact on Indian folk music.
• Recipients of the Padma Bhushan included Jatin Goswami, Kailash Nath Dixit, and Sadhvi Ritambhara.
• Renowned economist Bibek Debroy received the Padma Bhushan posthumously.
• Several individuals were honoured with the Padma Shri.
• These included Manda Krishna Madiga, Dr. Neerja Bhatla, Sant Ram Deswal, Syed Ainul Hasan, Prashant Prakash, and Nagendra Nath Roy.
• Travel writers Hugh Gantzer and the late Colleen Gantzer were jointly awarded the Padma Shri.
• Ajay Bhatt was recognized with the Padma Shri for his technological contributions. He played a key role in developing USB technology.
• Dr. Neerja Bhatla was honoured for her research in cervical cancer prevention.
• The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours.
• They are presented in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
• The awards celebrate achievements in many fields. These include arts, science, engineering, social work, public service, literature, education, medicine, and sports.

Topic: Defence

8. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution model for India’s fifth-generation fighter jet programme.

• The initiative falls under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.
• The AMCA is being developed as a stealth-capable, multi-role fighter for the Indian Air Force and Navy.
• The Aeronautical Development Agency will lead the programme’s implementation.
• It will work in collaboration with Indian industry partners.
• Both public and private sector companies can take part in the bidding process.
• They may bid independently, form joint ventures, or collaborate as consortia.
• All participating bidders must be Indian companies.
• They must comply with the country’s legal and regulatory frameworks.
• The model aims to create a fair and competitive environment.
• It is designed to ensure equal opportunity across sectors.
• This initiative supports India's goal of achieving self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing.
• In March 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the full-scale engineering development of the AMCA.
• The government allocated over ₹15,000 crore for the development of five prototypes.
• The AMCA will feature advanced technologies.
• These include sensor fusion, stealth design, an internal weapons bay, and serpentine air-intakes.
• Production of the aircraft is expected to begin no earlier than 2035.
• Five prototypes are planned to be built over the next five years.
• Public sector company HAL and private firms will jointly manufacture them.
• DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat stated that the project officially began in 2024.
• He confirmed the goal is to deliver the aircraft by 2035.
• The Indian Air Force currently has around 30 operational fighter squadrons.
• This is well below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.
• The shortfall is due to delays in new aircraft inductions and the phasing out of aging jets.
• HAL outsources a significant portion of aircraft production to private firms.
• These include companies like L&T, Godrej, and Azad Engineering.
• The Tata Group has prior experience in aircraft assembly.
• It is already working with Airbus to assemble the C-295 transport aircraft in India.

Topic: State News/Uttar Pradesh

9. Uttar Pradesh has introduced India’s first Vistadome jungle safari train.

• The train connects Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich with Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Pilibhit.
• It currently runs only on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Plans are being made to operate the train on a daily basis in the future.
• The train uses specially designed Vistadome coaches.
• These coaches have large glass windows and transparent roofs.
• They offer passengers an immersive view of the forest and wildlife.
• The aim is to promote eco-tourism and showcase the natural beauty of the state.
• The project also seeks to boost the local economy.
• It is expected to create new employment opportunities in the region.
• Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra said the service supports the 'One Destination Three Forests' campaign.
• This campaign links Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat, and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board is managing the service.
• The jungle safari covers a distance of 107 kilometers through rich biodiversity.
• A special travel package is being planned from Lucknow to Katarniaghat.
• He shared details about the Bichia to Mailani Tourist Passenger Train (train number 52259).
• He said that it departs from Bichia station in Bahraich and arrives at Mailani station in Lakhimpur Kheri.
• The return service, Mailani to Bichia Tourist Passenger Train (train number 52260), departs Mailani and reaches Bichia.
• The train stops at nine stations during the journey.
• These include Bichia, Manjhara Purab, Khairatia Bandh Road, Tikunia, Belerayan, Dudhwa, Palia Kalan, Bhira Kheri, and Mailani.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

10. LIC has set a new Guinness World Record.

• It achieved the highest number of life insurance policies issued in a single day.
• On January 20, 2025, LIC agents issued 5,88,107 life insurance policies.
• This record was accomplished across various locations in India.
• A total of 4,52,839 agents participated in this.
• The achievement took place during LIC’s “Mad Million Day.”
• This initiative encouraged every agent to issue at least one policy.
• The accomplishment set a new global standard for agent productivity in 24 hours.
• Guinness World Records officially verified and recognized the record.
• LIC is India’s largest life insurance company.
• The corporation credited its dedicated agency network for this success.
• Siddhartha Mohanty is currently the CEO and MD of LIC.