Daily Current Affairs and GK | 8 May 2025

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

1. India is hosting the 12th Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) in New Delhi from May 7 to 9, 2025.

• The event is themed “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance.”
• Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the conference.
• The event is being jointly organized by the International Astronautical Federation, ISRO, and the Astronautical Society of India.
• GLEX 2025 represents a major milestone in India’s role in global space exploration.
• The conference has grown into a leading platform for collaboration and innovation in space since it began in 2010.
• This year’s edition will host more than 1,800 participants.
• There will be 233 international delegates from 36 countries.
• A record-breaking 1,275 research abstracts have been submitted from 57 countries.
• Of these, 822 abstracts were sent from India. The remaining 453 came from international contributors.
• The program includes 10 technical tracks covering 15 different themes.
• The astronaut outreach program will feature nearly 10 astronauts.
• Participants include Hazzaa AlMansoori, Alper Gezeravci, Michael López-Alegría, Angad Pratap, and Rakesh Sharma.

Topic: State News/Tripura

2. Tripura's Rangacherra became the first green village with solar energy and safe water access.

• Rangacherra village under Mohanpur subdivision has been declared Tripura’s first green village, an achievement made possible through the initiative of the state government.
• A solar plant and solar-based water purification systems were successfully installed in the village, setting an example of improving rural living standards.
• The Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) was entrusted with implementing the green village concept as a pilot project under Rangacherra gram panchayat.
• An investment of ₹1.25 crore was allocated by TREDA to execute the project, which included the provision of solar home lighting systems for local households.
• The solar plant has been integrated with the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited grid, allowing surplus electricity to be transferred to the state grid while meeting village needs.
• With the commissioning of the solar-powered water purification plant, safe drinking water is now available to the villagers, many of whom had migrated here from Jharkhand and Bihar several years ago.
• In the past, villagers had suffered due to contaminated water containing excessive iron, but that issue has now been addressed through purification.
• The installation of 70 solar-powered street lights and home lighting has enabled children to study after sunset and ensured safer movement within the village at night.

Topic: National Appointments

3. Praveen Sood's tenure as CBI Director extended by one year.

• The tenure of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Praveen Sood has been extended by one year beyond April 24, 2025, as per an order issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• The extension was approved after a high-level committee — comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi — could not arrive at a consensus.
• The move marks a deviation from the standard two-year fixed tenure for CBI and ED directors as mandated under the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Act.
• However, under amendments passed in 2021, the government is empowered to grant up to three one-year extensions.
• Sood, a 1986-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre, took over as the 34th Director of CBI on May 25, 2023, after serving as the DGP of Karnataka.
• During his term, major cases such as the NEET-UG paper leak, Delhi excise policy scam, and cash-for-jobs scandal involving former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav were brought to conclusion.

Topic: National News

4. Cabinet approved a ₹60,000-crore scheme for ITI Upgradation and National Skilling Centres.

• A new National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Upgradation and Setting up of Five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling has been approved by the Union Cabinet as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• The scheme, announced under the Budget 2024–25 and 2025–26, will be implemented with an outlay of ₹60,000 crore (Central Share: ₹30,000 crore; State Share: ₹20,000 crore; Industry Share: ₹10,000 crore).
• It will also be co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, sharing 50% of the central contribution.
• Under the scheme, 1,000 government ITIs will be upgraded in a hub-and-spoke arrangement with industry-aligned revamped trades (courses) and capacity augmentation of five (5) National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
• The scheme is designed to make ITIs government-owned but industry-managed aspirational institutes, ensuring better alignment between local workforce supply and industrial demand.
• A target to skill 20 lakh youth over five years has been set, with a focus on enhancing employability through industry-focused courses and training.
• The scheme will adopt an industry-led Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model for a result-based implementation strategy, making it distinct from previous attempts to reform the ITI ecosystem.
• Infrastructure at five NSTIs—Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana—will be upgraded to improve Training of Trainers (ToT) facilities, with training provided to 50,000 trainers.
• The scheme aims to address the existing gaps in infrastructure and curriculum relevance and make vocational training aspirational.
• This will support the developed India 2047 and meet the needs of sectors like electronics, automotive, and renewable energy.

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

5. C-DOT and CSIR-NPL signed MoU to promote indigenous research in quantum and classical communications.

• An MoU has been signed between the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) to promote collaborative research in classical and quantum communication technologies.
• The agreement is aimed at establishing a long-term research framework, focusing on the development, standardization, and deployment of next-generation secure communication systems.
• Joint work will be undertaken in areas such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), single-photon sources and detectors, EIT-based systems, FPGA-based control electronics, and standardization of quantum systems.
• Research infrastructure and technical expertise will be jointly leveraged, and both institutions have committed to pursuing external funding for expanding collaborative projects.
• There will also be emphasis on academic exchange and knowledge sharing through workshops, seminars, guest lectures and collaborative learning efforts to enhance capacity building.
• The MoU includes provisions for intellectual property rights and data governance to ensure transparent ownership and publication norms for jointly developed technologies.
• The MoU was formally signed during a ceremony attended by senior leadership from both institutions, including Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT, and Prof. Venugopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-NPL.
• This strategic collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving technological sovereignty and will also boost the Government’s initiatives like “Make India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

Topic: Defence

6. INS Kiltan participated in IMDEX Asia 2025 in Singapore.

• International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2025 was held from 6 to 8 May at Changi Exhibition Centre.
• The deployment was part of the Indian Navy's ongoing operational mission aimed at reinforcing India's strong maritime cooperation with Singapore and regional partners.
• A wide range of bilateral and multilateral events were held during the port visit, including professional interactions with the Republic of Singapore Navy and other navies participating in IMDEX Asia.
• The activities were conducted to enhance naval interoperability, deepen professional relations and promote a spirit of mutual cooperation among the participating countries.
• Cross-deck visits, industry-focused exhibitions and guided ship tours for school children were organised to spread awareness about maritime security and India's naval capabilities.
• The participation reflects the Indian Navy’s proactive role in promoting regional peace and stability through consistent maritime presence and collaboration.
• Since its inauguration in 1997, the Maritime & Defence Exhibition has risen to the top of the industry, becoming a platform for maritime businesses to showcase their latest vessels, systems and technologies.

Topic: National News

7. The Enforcement Directorate has launched raids at nine locations.

• These sites are spread across Kolkata, Ranchi, and Jamshedpur.
• The raids are part of a money laundering investigation.
• The case involves fraudulent practices related to GST billing.
• Officials suspect fake invoices worth about ₹14,325 crore were created.
• These invoices allegedly led to wrongful Input Tax Credit claims.
• The total value of ineligible Input Tax Credit claims exceeds ₹800 crore.
• The investigation is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
• The purpose of the searches is to find evidence linked to the crime.
• Authorities are also looking to seize assets gained through illegal means.
• Input Tax Credit:
  • Input Tax Credit is a tax benefit available to businesses.
  • It applies to the tax paid on purchases made for business purposes.
  • This tax can be used to offset the tax liability on sales.
  • In simple terms, it reduces the amount of tax a business needs to pay on its output.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

8. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Abbas Araghchi, has arrived in New Delhi.

• He is on a two-day official visit to India.
• Dr. Araghchi will co-lead the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting.
• This is his first visit to India since becoming Foreign Minister in August last year.
• The visit marks the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty.
• The meeting will focus on boosting cooperation between the two countries.
• Leaders will discuss areas of mutual interest.
• They will also explore new ways to strengthen the partnership.
• The commission provides a platform to review progress and future plans.
• India-Iran Relations:
  • India and Iran formally established diplomatic ties on March 15, 1950.
  • On 15th March 1950, India and Iran signed a friendship treaty.
  • In recent years, India has consistently ranked among Iran’s top five trading partners.
  • India and Iran signed a MoU in 2015 to jointly cooperate on the development of the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar, Iran.

Topic: Banking/Finance

9. The Reserve Bank of India has introduced a new framework to streamline the process of making regulations.

• This framework applies to all regulatory documents issued by the Reserve Bank of India, including guidelines, orders, and policies.
• Under the new process, the Reserve Bank of India must publish draft regulations on its official website.
• The publication must include a detailed explanation of the regulation.
• This explanation should outline the regulation’s objectives and, when possible, an impact assessment.
• It must also refer to global standards and best practices, if applicable.
• The RBI will invite public feedback, providing at least 21 days for comments.
• After reviewing the feedback, the Reserve Bank of India must publish a summary of responses.
• The final version of the regulation must also be posted on the website.
• This process will be followed for any amendments to existing regulations.
• The Reserve Bank of India must regularly assess whether current regulations remain relevant.
• This review will consider supervision outcomes, global practices, and any redundant provisions.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

10. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved an updated version of the SHAKTI Policy for coal distribution to the power sector.

• The new policy introduces two coal linkage options: Window-I for coal at the official price and Window-II for coal at a premium above the official price.
• Window-I will continue the current system for providing coal linkages to Central Sector Thermal Power Plants and States.
• States can use their allocated coal linkages for their own generating companies or Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
• This can be done through competitive bidding or existing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
• Window-II allows coal-based power producers, including those using imported coal, to acquire coal through auction.
• Power plants in Window-II have the flexibility to sell the generated electricity as needed.
• The implementation of the revised policy will be handled by Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).
• The new policy simplifies coal allocation by reducing the previous eight guidelines to just two main windows.
• The requirement for a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) has been removed for coal obtained through Window-II.
• This change provides more flexibility to power plants.
• Imported Coal Based (ICB) plants can access domestic coal through Window-II.
• The revised policy promotes the establishment of new thermal power projects at pithead locations, closer to coal sources.
• The rationalization of coal sources will help reduce the cost of coal at thermal power plants.
• Minor adjustments to the policy can be made by the concerned ministries.
• Existing Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) holders can acquire coal beyond their contracted quantities under Window-II.
• Surplus coal from these linkages can be sold in the power market.
• The policy benefits thermal power plants, railways, Coal India Limited, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, state governments, and electricity consumers.
• SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) Policy:
  • The SHAKTI Policy, introduced in 2017, shifted coal allocation from a nomination-based system to a transparent auction method.
  • It was refined in 2019 and 2023, with this latest revision simplifying the allocation process.