UPSC EPFO / APFC Current Affairs — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Wed, 07 May 2025
CCEA approves Revised SHAKTI policy: coal linkages to power plants through two windows
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 7 May 2025 approved the Revised SHAKTI policy for coal allocation to the power sector, mapping the existing eight paras into two windows — coal at notified price and coal at a premium above notified price.
Sotheby's Hong Kong postpones auction of Piprahwa Buddhist relics after Ministry of Culture intervention
The Ministry of Culture said on 7 May 2025 that Sotheby's Hong Kong had postponed the auction of the sacred Piprahwa Buddhist relics, which had been scheduled for that day, after legal notices and talks by the Government of India.
Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav reviews preparations for International Day of Yoga 2025
Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav chaired a review meeting on 7 May 2025 in New Delhi on preparations for International Day of Yoga 2025 (21 June), in the spirit of 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'.
DPIIT and Hafele India sign MoU to support product startups, MSMEs and local supply chains
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade signed an MoU with Hafele India on 7 May 2025 in New Delhi to support product startups, MSMEs and entrepreneurs through infrastructure access, supplier development and market access.
CENJOWS hosts MRSAM-India Eco-System Summit 2.0 at Manekshaw Centre
The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies, with Aerospace Services India and Israel Aerospace Industries, hosted the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) India Eco-System Summit 2.0 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on 7 May 2025.
Tue, 06 May 2025
India and UK conclude Free Trade Agreement and Double Contribution Convention
Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer on 6 May 2025 announced the conclusion of the India–UK Free Trade Agreement and a Double Contribution Convention, with tariff elimination on about 99% of tariff lines for Indian exports.
PM Modi congratulates Anthony Albanese on re-election as Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Anthony Albanese on 6 May 2025 and congratulated him on his re-election as the 32nd Prime Minister of Australia; the leaders reaffirmed the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
IWAI signs MoU with Rhenus Logistics to deploy 100 barges on national waterways
The Inland Waterways Authority of India signed an MoU with Rhenus Logistics India on 6 May 2025 for barge services on national waterways, with 100 cargo vessels to be deployed in phases on NW-1, NW-2, NW-16 and Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes.
Friedrich Merz assumes office as Federal Chancellor of Germany; PM Modi congratulates him
Friedrich Merz assumed office as the Federal Chancellor of Germany on 6 May 2025, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him, saying he looked forward to further cementing the India–Germany Strategic Partnership.
Gaganyaan enters final phase; first human spaceflight scheduled for first quarter of 2027
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on 6 May 2025 that India's first human space mission Gaganyaan has entered its final phase, with the first human spaceflight now scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
Kiren Rijiju addresses UN Vesak Day 2025 celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju addressed the United Nations Vesak Day 2025 celebrations at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City on 6 May 2025, conveying the greetings of the President and the Prime Minister.
J P Nadda inaugurates 2nd National Workshop on health sector disaster preparedness and fire safety in healthcare facilities
Union Health Minister J P Nadda inaugurated the 2nd National Workshop on 'Health Sector Disaster Preparedness and Response' and 'Fire Safety in Healthcare Facilities' at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, on 6 May 2025, and an iGOT course on fire safety was launched.
BSIP scientists trace 250-million-year-old Permian wildfires in the Godavari Basin
Scientists of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, have traced palaeofires from about 250 million years ago in the Permian period using shale samples from the Godavari Basin, the DST said on 6 May 2025.
Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates Bharat Telecom 2025 in New Delhi
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated Bharat Telecom 2025 in New Delhi on 6 May 2025; the event, organised by TEPC with the Department of Telecommunications, drew over 130 foreign delegates from more than 35 countries.
Mon, 05 May 2025
DRDO and Indian Navy carry out combat firing of Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM)
DRDO and the Indian Navy on 5 May 2025 successfully carried out combat firing (with reduced explosive) of the indigenously designed and developed Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM).
Record mineral production in FY 2024-25: iron ore at 289 MMT
The Ministry of Mines said on 5 May 2025 that iron ore production reached a record 289 million metric tonnes in FY 2024-25 (provisional), with records also in manganese ore and primary aluminium.
Rajnath Singh holds talks with Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani in New Delhi
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Japan's Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on 5 May 2025.
INS Sharda reaches Maafilaafushi, Maldives, for HADR exercise with MNDF
INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise planned from 4 to 10 May 2025 with the Maldives National Defence Force.
India's first mortgage-backed Pass Through Certificates listed on NSE
India's first mortgage-backed Pass Through Certificates (PTCs), structured by RMBS Development Company Limited, were listed on the National Stock Exchange on 5 May 2025.
UIDAI pilots Aadhaar face authentication at NEET UG 2025 centres in Delhi
UIDAI carried out a proof of concept of Aadhaar Face Authentication for candidate verification at select NEET UG 2025 centres in Delhi, with NIC and NTA, as announced on 5 May 2025.
ANRF selects seven e-Nodes under MAHA-EV mission
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) on 5 May 2025 announced the selection of seven e-Nodes under its Mission for Advancement of High-impact Areas on Electric Vehicles (MAHA-EV).
DBT and BIRAC invite proposals for Bio-AI 'Moolankur' hubs under BioE3 Policy
The Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC on 5 May 2025 announced a joint call for proposals to set up Bio-AI 'Moolankur' hubs under the BioE3 Policy for biomanufacturing.
Sun, 04 May 2025
ICAR releases India's first genome-edited rice varieties: DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 4 May 2025 announced two genome-edited rice varieties developed by ICAR, DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1, which the Ministry described as the world's first.
ECI to launch ECINET, a single platform replacing over 40 apps
The Election Commission of India said on 4 May 2025 that it is developing ECINET, a one-stop digital platform that will integrate over 40 of its existing mobile and web applications.
Nirmala Sitharaman leads Indian delegation to ADB's 58th Annual Meeting in Milan
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lead India's delegation to the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Milan, Italy, from 4 to 7 May 2025.
APEDA holds Chintan Shivir on export strategy for agri and processed foods
APEDA held a high-level Chintan Shivir in New Delhi, announced on 4 May 2025, to deliberate on strategies for boosting exports of agricultural and processed food products.
MOIL records best-ever April production of manganese ore
MOIL reported its highest-ever April performance on 4 May 2025, producing 1.62 lakh tonnes of manganese ore in April, 1.5% more than a year earlier.
Fit India Sundays on Cycle holds 'Cycling with Teachers' edition in Delhi
Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya led 750 participants, including teachers, at the 'Cycling with Teachers' edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, on 4 May 2025.
Sat, 03 May 2025
Angola's President João Lourenço on State visit; Angola joins ISA as 123rd member
Angolan President João Lourenço held talks in New Delhi on 3 May 2025 during his first State visit to India; Angola signed the ISA Framework Agreement as its 123rd member and India approved a US$200 million defence credit line.
Five knowledge reports on media and entertainment released at WAVES 2025
MoS Dr. L. Murugan released five reports on India's media and entertainment sector at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai on 3 May 2025, including a live events white paper and BCG's creator economy report.