Daily Current Affairs and GK | 30 May 2025

Topic: Important Days

1. World Hunger Day: 28 May

• World Hunger Day is observed every year on 28 May.
• In 2011, The Hunger Project founded World Hunger Day to call attention to global food crisis.
• The Hunger Project is a global movement founded in 1977. It is dedicated to creating a world without hunger.
• This year, the theme of World Hunger Day is “Sowing Resilience”.
• It highlights how climate change is making food security worse.
• Its previous themes were “Thriving Mothers. Thriving World” (2024) and “Sustainability” (2023).

Topic: Personality in News

2. Veteran Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passed away at 89.

• Veteran Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passed away on May 28, 2025, in Mohali due to age-related health complications.
• Dhindsa's political career began as a student leader at Government Ranbir College, and later, after graduation, he assumed the role of village sarpanch.
• In 1972, he was elected as an MLA from the Dhanaula Assembly constituency as an independent candidate.
• He served as the Union Minister of Sports, Chemicals, and Fertilizers during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government.
• In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, which he returned in 2020 for supporting the farmers' movement.
• In December 2024, Dhindsa was given “tankah” (religious punishment) by the Akal Takht and performed sewa on the orders of the Akal Takht.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ launched by PM Modi to modernize Indian agriculture.

• On 29 May, the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through videoconferencing as a key agricultural initiative.
• The campaign is scheduled to span 12–15 days, during which 2,000 expert teams will reach out to farmers across over 700 districts.
• These teams, consisting of scientists, agricultural experts, officials, and progressive farmers.
• Under this campaign, scientific teams will move from “lab to land,” bringing data and advanced agricultural knowledge directly to farmers.
• The objective of the campaign is to equip farmers with modern techniques ahead of the upcoming Kharif season.
• It was stressed by the Prime Minister that agricultural transformation must match current market demands and evolving consumer preferences.
• The campaign aims to align crop patterns with national and international needs and ensure fair pricing and rural economic growth.
• Schemes like the Gobardhan Yojana and promotion of nutri-cereals under “Shri Anna” were highlighted for enhancing farmer income.
• Scientists and officials were urged to treat the campaign as a national duty and document farmers' feedback for future improvements.
• The ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ has also been launched by states such as Telangana, Karnataka, and Odisha.

Topic: Indian Polity

4. Three High Court judges elevated to the Supreme Court by the Center.

• On 29 May, the elevation of three high court judges to the Supreme Court was approved by the central government following the collegium’s recommendation.
• Justice NV Anjaria, Justice Vijay Bishnoi, and Justice AS Chandurkar are the judges who have been appointed to the apex court.
• The announcement was made by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, confirming the President’s approval post consultation with the CJI.
• On May 26, 2025, the recommendation for these appointments had been issued by the Supreme Court Collegium led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai.
• Justice NV Anjaria, who started his legal career in Gujarat, has been serving as Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court since February 2024.
• Justice Vijay Bishnoi, who previously served as a judge of the Rajasthan High Court, was appointed chief justice of the Gauhati High Court on February 5, 2024.
• Justice AS Chandurkar began his legal practice in Mumbai before moving to Nagpur, where he was appointed as a judge in 2013.

Topic: Sports

5. Mahendra Gurjar set a world record in javelin throw at the Para Athletics Grand Prix.

• Mahendra Gurjar of India set a world record in the men’s javelin F42 category with a 61.17m throw at the Para Athletics Grand Prix in Switzerland.
• The previous record of 59.19m set by Brazil’s Roberto Floriani Edenilson in 2022 was surpassed by Gurjar during the event.
• The record-breaking throw was achieved in his third attempt, with his earlier throws recorded at 56.11m and 55.51m.
• F42 is for field athletes whose mobility in one leg is moderately affected.
• Apart from this, double Paralympic gold medalist Sumit Antil also secured gold in the F64 category with a throw of 72.35m during the same event.
• On May 23, Gurjar also secured gold in the long jump T42 category with a jump of 5.59m, making it his second top podium finish.
• However, the F42 category was not included in the 2023 Hangzhou Paralympic Asian Games and the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Topic: Miscellaneous

6. Shubman Gill became the brand ambassador of Oakley.

• Indian cricketer Shubman Gill has been named the newest brand ambassador of Oakley and the face of its “Artifacts from the Future” campaign in India.
• His association with the brand is aimed at inspiring Indian youth through themes of excellence and perseverance.
• Apart from this, former Indian cricket team captain Anil Kumble has been appointed as the ambassador of the Karnataka Forest Department and Wildlife Conservation.
• Other Brand Ambassador:

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Alipurduar, West Bengal.

• The project is valued at Rs 1010 crore.
• It aims to supply piped natural gas (PNG) to over 2.5 lakh homes.
• More than 100 commercial and industrial units will also benefit.
• Around 19 CNG stations will be established in the region.
• The project follows the Government’s Minimum Work Program (MWP) targets.
• The CGD initiative ensures clean, reliable, and affordable energy for families.
• India’s city gas network has expanded significantly.
• It has grown from 66 districts in 2014 to over 550 districts in 2025.
• The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has changed the lives of poor women.
• It replaced smoke-filled kitchens with clean cooking fuel.
• LPG connections have increased from under 14 crore in 2014 to over 31 crore in 2025.
• The number of LPG distributors has more than doubled. It rose from under 14,000 in 2014 to over 25,000 today.
• The Urja Ganga Project has boosted gas connectivity in eastern India.
• This includes West Bengal and surrounding states.
• Bengal is also seeing major infrastructure upgrades.
• Projects like the Purva Expressway and Durgapur Expressway are underway.
• The Kolkata Metro is being expanded. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port is being modernized. New Jalpaiguri Station is being upgraded.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

8. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has granted Miniratna Category-I status to three Defence Public Sector Undertakings.

• These are Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), and India Optel Limited (IOL).
• The recognition marks their transformation into profitable corporations within three years.
• These companies were previously part of the government-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
• They achieved Miniratna status through strong financial growth and increased indigenisation.
• MIL increased its revenue from Rs. 2571.6 crore in FY 2021-22 (H2) to Rs. 8282 crore in FY 2024-25 (provisional).
• The company produces a range of ammunition, mortars, rockets, grenades, and explosives.
• AVNL increased its turnover from Rs. 2569.26 crore to Rs. 4986 crore in three years.
• It achieved full localisation of engines for T-72, T-90, and BMP-II platforms.
• AVNL manufactures main battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles, and mobility solutions.
• India Optel Limited raised its sales from Rs. 562.12 crore to Rs. 1541.38 crore (provisional).
• IOL develops opto-electronic systems for use in tanks, artillery, and naval weapon systems.
• Miniratna status gives these companies more autonomy and room for faster growth.
• It will support innovation, exports, and defence sector expansion.
• The three companies were formed on October 1, 2021, after OFB’s restructuring.
• MIL and AVNL are listed as Schedule ‘A’ enterprises. IOL is designated as a Schedule ‘B’ company.
• All three are under the Department of Defence Production’s administrative control.

Topic: National News

9. Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C R Patil launched Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2025 in New Delhi.

• SSG 2025 is India’s largest rural sanitation survey.
• It is conducted by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• The survey will cover 21,000 villages across 761 districts in 34 States and Union Territories.
• SSG 2025 aims to assess rural sanitation and reinforce the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus Model.
• The Union Minister said that sanitation is a continuous mission, not a one-time goal.`
• SSG 2025 is part of Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G).
• It focuses on long-term sustainability and grassroots engagement.
• States and UTs are required to report data accurately through the IMIS portal.
• They must also mobilize Swachhagrahis and District Training Management Units.
• Trained staff will be deployed at all levels to support the process.
• An independent agency will conduct the survey using a structured framework.
• This framework is aligned with SBM-G Phase II guidelines.
• The survey will include direct observation of households and public places.
• It will assess the status of facilities like schools, community service centers, and sanitation infrastructure.
• Functionality of Plastic Waste Management Units, GOBARdhan plants, and Faecal Sludge Management systems will be evaluated.
• Citizen feedback will be collected via a dedicated mobile app and field interviews.
• Geo-fencing technology will ensure accurate and tamper-proof data collection.
• Performance will be measured in four key areas: service-level progress, sanitation status, infrastructure functionality, and citizen feedback.
• Each area will have sub-components to generate a final score.
• SSG 2025 will produce a national ranking of States, UTs, and Districts based on sanitation outcomes.

Topic: Indian Economy

10. The Reserve Bank of India forecasts a 6.5% real GDP growth for the fiscal year 2025-26.

• The economic outlook is balanced despite ongoing global challenges.
• India is expected to remain the fastest-growing major economy worldwide.
• This growth is supported by strong macroeconomic conditions and a resilient financial sector.
• Government policies continue to focus on sustainable and inclusive growth.
• Global challenges include market volatility, geopolitical conflicts, trade disruptions, supply chain issues, and climate uncertainties.
• These factors could slow growth and increase inflation risks.
• Indian financial markets have remained stable and well-regulated.
• The government has maintained fiscal discipline.
• This has been aided by healthy tax revenues and careful spending.
• The trade deficit in goods has been offset by strong services exports.
• Consistent remittance inflows have also helped.
• As a result, the current account deficit remains manageable.
• The RBI report highlights a positive outlook driven by recovering consumer demand.
• Increased government capital expenditure is also supporting growth.
• Efforts continue to balance fiscal consolidation with development goals.
• Corporate and banking sectors are showing financial improvement.
• The services industry remains resilient.
• Agricultural output is expected to improve.
• This is supported by an anticipated above-average monsoon.
• Policy measures in the Union Budget 2025-26 are also providing support.
• RBI’s surveys indicate rising confidence among businesses and consumers.