Current Affairs — 15 May 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 15 May 2025
India to conduct first space biology experiments on ISS under BioE3 policy
Dr Jitendra Singh announced on 15 May 2025 that India will conduct its first biological experiments aboard the International Space Station during the Axiom-4 mission, with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as a crew member, under the BioE3 policy.
DPIIT clears 187 startups for income tax exemption under Section 80-IAC
DPIIT said on 15 May 2025 that 187 startups were approved for income tax exemption under Section 80-IAC — 75 at the 79th and 112 at the 80th Inter-Ministerial Board meeting (30 April 2025) — taking the total past 3,700.
India and EU launch joint research calls on marine plastic litter and waste-to-green-hydrogen
India and the European Union launched two coordinated research calls under the India–EU Trade and Technology Council on 15 May 2025, on marine plastic litter and waste to green hydrogen, with a joint investment of ₹391 crore (about €41 million).
NHRC asks states to implement Supreme Court's 14 directives against manual scavenging
The NHRC wrote to all States and UTs on 15 May 2025 asking for immediate implementation of the Supreme Court's 14 directives in Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India (2023) to end manual scavenging and hazardous sewer cleaning, with action taken reports within eight weeks.
PM reviews fisheries sector with focus on fishing in the EEZ and high seas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level review of the fisheries sector on 15 May 2025, focusing on fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone and high seas, and called for satellite technology, drones for fish transport and wider use of seaweed.
DRDO develops indigenous high-pressure polymeric membrane for seawater desalination
DRDO's Kanpur-based Defence Materials Stores and Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE) developed an indigenous nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane for high-pressure seawater desalination on Indian Coast Guard ships, DRDO said on 15 May 2025.
Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar takes charge as UPSC Chairman
Dr Ajay Kumar, former Defence Secretary and a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, took oath as Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission on 15 May 2025.
PLFS monthly bulletin: unemployment rate 5.1% in April 2025
MoSPI's Periodic Labour Force Survey monthly bulletin for April 2025, released on 15 May 2025, put the unemployment rate (Current Weekly Status, age 15+) at 5.1% and the labour force participation rate at 55.6%.
BCAS revokes security clearance of Celebi and its associated companies
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of M/s Celebi and its associated companies on 15 May 2025 on grounds of national security.
India's total exports in April 2025 estimated at US$ 73.80 billion, up 12.70%
India's total exports (merchandise and services) in April 2025 were estimated at US$ 73.80 billion, 12.70% higher than the US$ 65.48 billion of April 2024, the Commerce Ministry said on 15 May 2025.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan opens veterinary college buildings at Jalukie, Nagaland; announces ₹338.83 crore for state's agriculture
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the administrative-cum-academic block of the Central Agricultural University (Imphal) College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry at Jalukie, Nagaland, on 15 May 2025 and announced ₹338.83 crore for Nagaland's agriculture sector.
Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan launched on Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025
The Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities launched the Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan in Dwarka, New Delhi, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, 15 May 2025, to make the capital accessible for persons with disabilities.
Defence Ministry opens fourth round of registration for new Sainik Schools in partnership mode
The Ministry of Defence opened an online portal for the fourth round of registration of schools as new Sainik Schools in partnership mode, from 15 May to 14 June 2025, under the plan to set up 100 new Sainik Schools.
New ATC tower, technical block and fire station opened at Kolhapur Airport; Kolhapur–Nagpur flight flagged off
MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol inaugurated a new ATC Tower cum Technical Block cum Fire Station at Kolhapur Airport on 15 May 2025 and flagged off the inaugural Star Air flight between Kolhapur and Nagpur.