Shivraj Singh Chouhan Unveils India's First Genome-Edited Rice Varieties as Union Agriculture Minister.

In May 2025, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) announced the development of India's first two genome-edited (GE) rice varieties, namely, 'DRR Dhan 100 Kamla' and 'Pusa DST Rice 1' at Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC) in New Delhi (Delhi).

      - These innovative rice varieties were developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), headquartered in New Delhi (Delhi), using genome-editing technology based on CRISPR-Cas. This technique enables precise modifications in the organism's genetic material without incorporating foreign Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).

      - He also introduced the 'Minus 5 Plus 10' formula, which aims to reduce the rice cultivation area by 5 million hectares (mh) and simultaneously increase rice production by 10 Million Tons (MT) within the same area. This approach is expected to create space for growing pulses and oilseeds.

Main Point :-   (i) During the launch event, the Union Minister honored the scientists who played key roles in the development of these genome-edited rice varieties.

      (ii) ICAR began its genome-editing research in 2018 to enhance two major rice varieties — Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204) and Maruteru 1010 (MTU 1010) — under the National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF).

British Indian Minister Lisa Nandy Signs India-UK Cultural Agreement During Visit to Delhi.

The United Kingdom (UK)'s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, paid a three-day official visit to India from May 1 to 3, 2025, to strengthen cultural ties and foster collaboration between the UK and India across various creative sectors.

      - During her visit, she signed a cultural cooperation agreement with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who heads the Ministry of Culture (MoC) and Ministry of Tourism (MoT), at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi (Delhi).

      - During her India visit, Lisa Nandy also held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

      - The UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation is designed to enhance bilateral cultural exchanges through arts and heritage, and to foster long-term partnerships between creative businesses and cultural institutions in both countries. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to deepening cultural understanding and collaboration.

Main Point :-   (i) Under the newly signed agreement, the UK will collaborate closely with India to support best practices and share expertise in heritage conservation, museum management, and digitisation of collections. The agreement will be jointly implemented by key entities such as the British Council in India and the Ministry of Culture (MoC), Government of India (GoI).

      (ii) Additionally, major UK-based cultural institutions—including Arts Council England, the British Library, the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum Group, and the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum—will actively participate in the implementation of this partnership to broaden cultural engagement.

(iii) A key objective of the agreement is to make South Asian manuscript knowledge more widely accessible, protect cultural property, and combat the illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts. The pact also opens new avenues for British museums to engage the Indian diaspora in the UK through collaborative exhibitions and public programmes.

STRIDE-EUI Initiative Launched to Deepen EU-India Cooperation in Trade, Technology, and Security.

In May 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based The Dialogue and Leuven (Belgium)-based Grayspace Law and Policy Consulting Firm officially launched the Strategic Research, Innovation & Dialogue for European Union (EU)-India Engagement (STRIDE-EUI) through a high-impact discussion aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the EU.

      - STRIDE-EUI, with bases in New Delhi (Delhi) and Brussels (Belgium), is designed to bridge the political capitals by connecting policy and practice, government and business, ambition and action.

      - The key speakers at the event included Amb. Gurjit Singh, the former Ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, ASEAN, and the African Union (AU); Malathi Narayanan, the Director-General (DG) of the Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association (IBHA); Eric Pol, the Chairman of MyData Global; Sagar Singamsetty, the Founder and Managing Director (MD) of Grayspace Law and Policy Consulting; and Bhoomika Agarwal, a Senior Research Associate at The Dialogue, among others.

Main Point :-   (i) STRIDE-EUI will serve as a catalyst for shaping resilient, future-focused EU-India relations through thematic convenings, expert whitepapers, and collaborative programs.

      (ii) The launch event brought together prominent figures from industry, civil society, international community, and academia, focusing on enhancing EU-India cooperation in key sectors such as technology, trade, and security.

(iii) With its formal launch complete, STRIDE-EUI will initiate a calendar of dialogues, roundtables, and policy publications, fostering strategic collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society to address shared global challenges like digital governance, supply chain resilience, and ethical tech innovation.

Rajasthan to Collaborate with MP in India's First Cheetah Conservation Corridor.

In May 2025, Rajasthan is set to play a vital role in India's first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor by partnering with Madhya Pradesh (MP). Together, they will create a 17,000 square kilometer (sq km) wildlife corridor that will facilitate the free movement of cheetahs in a protected and connected environment.

      - The primary goal of this ambitious project is to enhance the genetic diversity of cheetahs, ensure better wildlife mobility, and address the challenges posed by habitat fragmentation.

      - The 17,000 Sq Km corridor will span across two states: 10,500 Sq Km in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and 6,500 Sq Km in Rajasthan. It will cover 27 districts, with 13 in Rajasthan and 12 in MP. Seven districts in Rajasthan—Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, and Chittorgarh—will be integrated into the project.

      - The corridor will connect Palpur Kuno National Park (NP) and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in MP to the Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, providing a continuous habitat for cheetah movement.

Main Point :-   (i) The wildlife corridor will enable cheetahs to move from Kuno NP in MP, through the Mukundara Hills Reserve in Rajasthan, and to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

      (ii) An action plan, released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), designates the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape as an ideal habitat for cheetahs.

(iii) This corridor is expected to play a critical role in ensuring the long-term survival of the cheetah species in India, contributing significantly to the country's biodiversity.

Sanjay Jaiswal Named Head of CoE, Baijayant Panda Appointed Head of CoPU for FY26.

In May 2025, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appointed Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as the Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates (CoE) for the financial year 2025–26 (FY26). The appointment is part of the annual constitution of parliamentary committees.

      - The Committee on Estimates (CoE) is composed of 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha. Its term is effective from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026.

      - The primary role of this committee is to examine budget estimates, recommend measures for economy in public expenditure, and suggest improvements in administrative efficiency.

      - The CoE plays a critical role in parliamentary oversight by identifying potential savings in government spending and suggesting alternative policy approaches. It serves as a key mechanism to ensure transparency and accountability in budget utilization.

Main Point :-   (i) In the same announcement, Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, BJP MP from Kendrapara, Odisha, was reappointed as the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Undertakings (CoPU) for FY26. This marks the continuation of his leadership role in overseeing public sector enterprise performance.

      (ii) The CoPU consists of 22 members — 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha — with its tenure also set from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. This committee scrutinizes the reports and accounts of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and evaluates whether they are being run in alignment with sound business and commercial practices.

(iii) Through these appointments, both committees are expected to further strengthen parliamentary oversight and contribute to better governance, financial discipline, and improved public sector management in India.

USTR Places India and 7 Other Nations on Priority Watch List for IPR Enforcement and Violations.

In May 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), headquartered in Washington DC, United States of America (USA), released the 2025 Special 301 Report.

      - The report has once again placed India on the 'Priority Watch List' for failing to provide adequate protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

      - Along with India, seven other countries—Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela—were also listed under the 'Priority Watch List' for 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) The report emphasized that India continues to be one of the most challenging major economies in terms of IPR protection and enforcement.

      (ii) The report flagged ongoing patent-related issues in India, particularly concerning revocations and the inconsistent application of patentability criteria under the Indian Patents Act, 1970, which the USTR warns could negatively impact multiple sectors.

(iii) In addition to the 'Priority Watch List', the USTR also placed 18 countries on the 'Watch List'. These include: Algeria, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, and Vietnam. These nations are noted for IPR challenges that require continued bilateral engagement.

Razorpay Unveils India’s First AI-Powered Merchant-Centric Payment (MCP) Server for Seamless Transactions.

In April 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Razorpay Software Private Limited, a leading payment service provider, launched India’s first Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for a payment gateway. This innovation enables businesses to seamlessly integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven systems directly with Razorpay’s payment infrastructure.

      - For the first time, AI agents and tools like Claude, Zapier, and Visual Studio Code (VS Code) can natively communicate with Razorpay using simple natural language instructions.

      - The launch of the MCP server aims to enhance workflow automation and reduce administrative overhead for businesses.

      - The MCP server allows AI assistants to perform essential payment-related tasks such as generating payment links, initiating refunds, and managing transactions—eliminating the need for traditional dashboards or Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

Main Point :-   (i) With this integration, businesses using Razorpay can connect their AI tools—ranging from chat-based assistants to fully automated systems—directly to Razorpay’s backend. Payments can now be initiated and processed using simple commands, improving efficiency and reducing dependency on manual operations.

      (ii) Previously, payment processing through Razorpay required manual input via dashboards. With the MCP server, that process is now AI-powered and automated.

(iii) The Model Context Protocol (MCP) was developed by Anthropic as an open standard. It allows Large Language Models (LLMs) to interact effortlessly with external tools, systems, and data sources.

Zaakpay, a Subsidiary of MobiKwik, Receives RBI Approval to Operate as a Payment Aggregator (PA).

In May 2025, Gurugram (Haryana)-based Zaak ePayment Services Private Limited (Zaakpay), a wholly owned subsidiary of One Mobikwik Systems Limited (MobiKwik), received the final regulatory approval—Certificate of Authorisation (CoA)—from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online Payment Aggregator (PA).

      - This CoA was granted under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, authorising Zaakpay to enable merchant payments through online platforms.

Main Point :-   (i) With this approval, Zaakpay, a leading fintech player, can now offer end-to-end digital payment solutions across multiple modes including credit/debit cards, net banking, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), wallets, pay later services, and Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs).

      (ii) Zaakpay currently serves enterprise clients in various sectors such as transit, e-commerce, digital lending, healthcare, and utility bill payments, providing tailored payment infrastructure.

(iii) Notably, Zaakpay had received in-principle approval from the RBI in 2023 and has now secured the final certification to function as a full-fledged Payment Aggregator.

IFSCA and NISM Ink MoU to Boost Capacity Building Initiatives at GIFT IFSC.

In May 2025, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), headquartered in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance capacity building and training initiatives in the securities markets within the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City - International Financial Services Centre (GIFT-IFSC) in Gandhinagar.

      - The MoU was signed in the presence of Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and K. Rajaraman, Chairperson of IFSCA.

      - NISM is a public trust established in 2006 by SEBI to promote securities market education and research.

Main Point :-   (i) Under this MoU, NISM will serve as the official training partner for IFSCA and its registered intermediaries, and will facilitate a variety of capacity building programs, including the conduct of relevant certification examinations as mandated by IFSCA regulations.

      (ii) The MoU also encompasses the development of customized educational content, comprehensive question banks, and e-learning modules tailored to meet the regulatory and professional requirements of IFSCA, thereby enhancing the skills of financial institutions operating within the IFSC.

(iii) The collaboration is expected to be mutually beneficial — IFSCA will leverage the training and certification expertise of NISM, while NISM will gain insights and experience from engaging with an international financial services platform.

TCS and IBM Collaborate to Establish Quantum Valley Tech Park in Andhra Pradesh.

In May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS) and New York (United States of America)-based International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation entered into a strategic partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) to establish India’s largest quantum computer at the proposed Quantum Valley Tech Park in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.

      - This initiative aligns with the objectives of India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM), which aims to position India as a global leader in quantum technologies, enabling innovation, advanced research, and employment generation.

      - The Quantum Valley Tech Park, envisioned as the first-of-its-kind in India, will feature an IBM Quantum System Two installation, equipped with a 156-qubit Heron quantum processor, making it the largest quantum computer in India.

      - TCS will focus on developing quantum algorithms and domain-specific applications aimed at addressing complex challenges across a range of critical sectors, including life sciences, material science, supply chain resilience, energy optimization, cryptography, and sustainable manufacturing.

Main Point :-   (i) The collaboration will also facilitate access to IBM’s cloud-based quantum systems, supporting developers, researchers, and technologists across the country to experiment and innovate in quantum computing.

      (ii) The infrastructure of the tech park will support hybrid computing models, integrating quantum computing with traditional CPU and GPU systems, to address complex computational challenges.

Anthony Albanese Re-elected as Australian Prime Minister for Second Consecutive 3-Year Term.

In May 2025, Anthony Norman Albanese, the incumbent Prime Minister (PM) of Australia and leader of the center-left Labor Party (LP), was re-elected in the federal elections, securing a second consecutive 3-year term. With this victory, he became the first Australian PM in two decades to achieve two back-to-back terms.

      - As per the estimates by the Australian Electoral Commission, Albanese’s Labor Party secured 70 seats, while the opposition conservative coalition led by Peter Dutton won only 24 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives, the lower house of the Australian Parliament.

      - Anthony Albanese began his political journey in 1979 by joining the Labor Party and was first elected to Parliament in 1996 as the Member for Grayndler (Sydney seat).

      - He has since been re-elected to the House of Representatives 9 times: 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022.

Main Point :-   (i) Anthony Norman Albanese served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia from June 2013 to September 2013, and later held the position of Leader of the Opposition from May 2019 to May 2022; he has also been serving as the Leader of the Labor Party since 2019.

      (ii) As Infrastructure and Communications Minister (July–September 2013), he implemented key nation-building projects, including the rollout of the high-speed fibre National Broadband Network (NBN).

(iii) In May 2022, he became the 31st Prime Minister of Australia, leading the first Labor government since 2013.

Salem Saleh Bin Braik Appointed as Yemen’s New Prime Minister.

In May 2025, the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) of Yemen appointed Finance Minister (FM) Salem Saleh Bin Braik as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Yemen. He succeeded Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who resigned on May 3, 2025, after encountering several governance challenges, including being unable to implement a cabinet reshuffle.

      - Salem began his career working in customs at the Mukalla port in Yemen and later moved to the port's audit department, where he served until the 1990s.

Main Point :-   (i) In 2005, Salem Saleh Bin Braik was appointed as the Director-General (DG) of Customs at the al-Tuwal/Haradh crossing in Hajjah Governorate. He later held the DG role at the Hodeidah port on the Red Sea and, in mid-2013, became the DG of Aden Free Zone Customs.

      (ii) From 2014 to 2018, he headed the Customs Authority. In 2019, he became a member of the Supreme Economic Committee of Yemen's internationally recognized government, later joining the Board of Directors (BoD) of the Central Bank of Yemen and serving as Deputy FM.

(iii) He was appointed as Yemen’s Finance Minister in 2019, holding this position until his elevation to Prime Minister in May 2025.

South Korea’s Acting President Han Duck-soo Steps Down from Office.

In May 2025, Han Duck-soo, the Acting President and Prime Minister (PM) of the Republic of Korea (South Korea), officially announced his resignation to run in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for June 3, 2025.

      - This election comes in the aftermath of the December 2024 impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office following widespread criticism over his controversial declaration of martial law.

      - Following Han Duck-soo’s resignation, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho assumed the role of acting president, marking the fourth leadership transition in South Korea since December 2024.

Main Point :-   (i) Han Duck-soo is a seasoned South Korean economist, diplomat, and politician, with a public service career spanning more than four decades.

      (ii) He previously served as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2008 under President Roh Moo-hyun, and again from 2022 to 2025 under President Yoon Suk Yeol. He also held the role of acting president during transitional periods.

(iii) In the upcoming election, he is expected to represent the People Power Party (PPP), South Korea’s main conservative political party, and will likely face strong competition from Lee Jae-myung, the current frontrunner and a prominent leader of the liberal Democratic Party (DP).

DRDO Successfully Conducts First Flight Trials of Stratospheric Airship Platform in Madhya Pradesh.

In May 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Research and Development (R&D) wing of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), successfully carried out the maiden flight-trials of a Stratospheric Airship Platform from the Sheopur Trial Site in Madhya Pradesh (MP) to enhance India’s Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

      - The unmanned Stratospheric Airship Platform, developed by the Agra (Uttar Pradesh, UP)-based Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), was launched carrying an instrumental payload to an altitude of approximately 17 kilometers (km).

      - The maiden trial of the Stratospheric Airship Platform lasted approximately 62 minutes, during which key onboard systems were evaluated. Data collected from the onboard sensors will aid in developing high-fidelity simulation models for future high-altitude airship missions. Additionally, critical systems such as the envelope pressure control and emergency deflation mechanisms were deployed mid-flight to assess their performance.

Main Point :-   (i) The Stratospheric Airship Platform functions as a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS), designed to operate at altitudes between 17 km and 22 km above the Earth for extended durations. It uses Helium for lift and is powered by solar energy, with onboard batteries enabling continuous operation during night-time.

      (ii) Unlike conventional satellites or aircraft, the platform can remain stationary over a designated area for days or even weeks, providing persistent surveillance and communication support. Its ability to carry imaging sensors, radar systems, or telecommunication payloads makes it highly effective for border monitoring, disaster response, and wide-area intelligence operations.

(iii) The platform bridges a critical gap between drones and satellites, combining the extended reach of space-based systems with the advantages of faster deployment, reduced operational costs, and enhanced flexibility.The platform bridges a critical gap between drones and satellites, combining the extended reach of space-based systems with the advantages of faster deployment, reduced operational costs, and enhanced flexibility.

Padma Shri Awardee and Renowned Yoga Guru Swami Sivananda Passes Away.

On May 4, 2025, renowned Yoga guru and Padma Shri Awardee Swami Sivananda Saraswati passed away at the age of 128 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

      - He was born on August 8, 1897, in the Sylhet district of the Bengal Presidency (present-day Bangladesh) and was raised by Guru Omkaranand Goswami in Nabadwip, West Bengal, after losing his parents at the age of six.

      - Despite having no formal schooling, he received spiritual and practical education, including Yoga, and spent nearly 30 years teaching Yoga along the Ganga in Varanasi, while also serving 400–600 leprosy-affected beggars over five decades.

      - He was India’s senior-most participant in the 2019 International Yoga Day celebration and made headlines in January 2025 for attending the Maha Kumbh Mela consistently for the past 100 years.

Main Point :-   (i) Swami Sivananda was honored with the Yoga Ratna Award and Basundhara Ratan Award in 2019 for his service to society.

      (ii) In 2022, he received the Padma Shri in the field of Yoga, becoming the oldest recipient of the prestigious award.

International Leopard Day Observed on 3 May 2025.

International Leopard Day is celebrated every year on May 3 across the globe to raise awareness about the protection of leopards (Panthera pardus), one of the most adaptable big cats, and to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and leopards.

      - Leopards are currently listed as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

      - This classification is based on criteria A2cd, which highlights a significant population decline due to factors such as habitat loss, depletion of prey, and exploitation.

Main Point :-   (i) According to the “Status of Leopards in India, 2022” report released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), India’s leopard population is estimated to be 13,874 individuals.

      (ii) Madhya Pradesh (MP) has the highest leopard population in the country, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

World Laughter Day Celebrated on 4 May 2025.

World Laughter Day (WLD) is observed globally every year on the first Sunday of May to emphasize the importance of laughter in enhancing health, fostering peace, and promoting emotional well-being. The day brings people together from diverse backgrounds to spread joy and positivity through laughter.

      - WLD 2025 falls on May 4, 2025 :Theme of WLD 2025: "Laugh for Health, Peace and Happiness".

Main Point :-   (i) World Laughter Day was initiated in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician from Mumbai, Maharashtra, and the founder of the Laughter Yoga Movement, which promotes laughter as a form of therapeutic exercise.

      (ii) The first-ever World Laughter Day celebration was held on January 11, 1998, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, with participation from over 12,000 people across various countries. It has since evolved into a worldwide movement celebrated in more than 100 countries.

(iii) The first WLD event held outside India was titled "HAPPY-DEMIC" and took place on January 9, 2000, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Over 10,000 people participated at Town Hall Square, earning the event a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting the largest-ever laughter session.

International Firefighters' Day Observed on 4 May 2025.

International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is observed annually on May 4 across the globe to honour the bravery and dedication of firefighters who risk their lives to protect communities and the environment. The day also pays tribute to firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty, while expressing gratitude to both current and retired firefighters for their service.

      - A symbolic red-and-blue ribbon, joined at the top, is used to commemorate IFFD—red representing fire and blue representing water, the two main elements associated with firefighting.

      - IFFD was established to honour five firefighters who tragically lost their lives while combating a wildfire in Linton, Australia, in 1998.

Main Point :-   (i) On January 4, 1999, JJ Edmondson, a volunteer Lieutenant and firefighter from Australia, proposed the observance of IFFD to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of firefighters, suggesting May 4 as the official date.

      (ii) The first International Firefighters’ Day was celebrated on May 4, 1999.

World Portuguese Language Day Observed on 5 May 2025.

World Portuguese Language Day is celebrated annually on May 5 across the globe to promote the Portuguese language, celebrate its cultural diversity, and honor the shared heritage of Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) countries.

      - The observance began in 2005 when the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), an intergovernmental organization, initiated the celebration of May 5 as a day dedicated to the Portuguese language and Lusophone culture.

      - On July 20, 2009, the CPLP Council of Ministers officially established May 5 as the Day of the Portuguese Language and Culture.

Main Point :-   (i) A key milestone occurred in 2019 when the 40th session of UNESCO’s General Conference proclaimed May 5 as World Portuguese Language Day, giving it global recognition.

      (ii) The first official celebration under UNESCO's designation was held on May 5, 2020.

Question : Recently, who unveiled India’s first genome-edited rice varieties as the Union Agriculture Minister?

Question : Recently, Lisa Nandy signed the India-UK Cultural Agreement with which Indian Union Minister?

Question : Which Indian state has recently partnered with Madhya Pradesh to develop the country's first cheetah conservation corridor?

Question : Who has recently been appointed as the Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates (CoE) for FY26?

Question : Recently, which country has been placed on the USTR's 'Priority Watch List' in the 2025 Special 301 Report due to concerns over intellectual property rights enforcement?

Question : Which company has recently launched India’s first AI-powered MCP server for payment processing?

Question : Which company recently received the RBI's Certificate of Authorisation to operate as an online Payment Aggregator (PA)?

Question : Recently, which Indian IT company partnered with IBM to set up India’s largest quantum computer in Andhra Pradesh?

Question : Recently, who became the first Australian Prime Minister in over two decades to win a second consecutive three-year term?

Question : Recently, who was appointed as the new Prime Minister of Yemen?

Question : Who resigned as South Korea's Acting President in May 2025 to pursue a presidential bid?

Question : DRDO recently conducted the maiden flight-trials of the Stratospheric Airship Platform in which Indian state?

Question : When is International Leopard Day observed annually?

Question : Which day was recently celebrated on May 4, 2025, to promote global health, peace, and happiness through laughter?

Question : On which date was World Laughter Day recently celebrated in 2025?

Question : On which date was World Portuguese Language Day recently observed in 2025?

Question : Which program was launched to deepen EU-India cooperation through thematic convenings, expert whitepapers, and collaborative programs?

Question : Which two institutions recently signed an MoU to enhance capacity building at GIFT IFSC?

Question : Who was the renowned Yoga Guru and Padma Shri Awardee who recently passed away at the age of 128 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh?