Asia Current Affairs — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Wed, 21 May 2025
63rd NMCG Executive Committee approves ₹126.41-crore Agra sewerage project
The 63rd Executive Committee meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, reported on 21 May 2025, approved a ₹126.41-crore sewage management project for Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and studies on environmental flow in Ganga's tributaries.
EPFO adds 14.58 lakh net members in March 2025
Provisional EPFO payroll data released on 21 May 2025 show a net addition of 14.58 lakh members in March 2025, including about 7.54 lakh new subscribers.
Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura introduces compostable PBAT bags to replace single-use plastic
Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has introduced CIPET-certified compostable bags made from PBAT as an alternative to single-use plastic, the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said on 21 May 2025.
Tue, 20 May 2025
Banu Mushtaq's 'Heart Lamp', translated by Deepa Bhasthi, wins International Booker Prize 2025
'Heart Lamp' by Banu Mushtaq, translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi, was announced as the winner of the International Booker Prize 2025 at London's Tate Modern on 20 May 2025 — the first short story collection to win the prize.
Mizoram declared India's first fully literate State
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma declared Mizoram a fully literate State at Aizawl on 20 May 2025, making it the first State in India to attain full literacy under ULLAS.
Eight core industries grow 0.5% in April 2025
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries rose 0.5% (provisional) in April 2025 over April 2024, the Commerce Ministry said on 20 May 2025.
World Metrology Day 2025 marks 150 years of the Metre Convention; India authorised to issue OIML certificates
The Department of Consumer Affairs marked World Metrology Day on 20 May 2025, the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention signed in Paris on 20 May 1875, and announced that India has become the 13th country authorised to issue OIML certificates.
North East Apprenticeship Pilot Scheme launched in Aizawl: extra ₹1,500 a month for 26,000+ youth
Union MoS Jayant Chaudhary and Mizoram CM Lalduhoma launched a pilot scheme in Aizawl on 20 May 2025 under which over 26,000 youth from the North East will get an extra ₹1,500 a month for one year over their NAPS apprenticeship stipend.
Depot Darpan portal, Anna Mitra app and Anna Sahayata grievance system launched for PDS
Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the Depot Darpan portal and the Anna Mitra and Anna Sahayata digital platforms on 20 May 2025 to modernise the Public Distribution System.
PM addresses 78th World Health Assembly; theme 'One World for Health'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 78th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva via video on 20 May 2025, noting this year's theme 'One World for Health'.
Astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar, founding director of IUCAA, passes away in Pune
Astrophysicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, founding director of IUCAA Pune and co-developer of the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity, passed away in his sleep at his Pune residence on 20 May 2025, aged 86.
India hosts 2nd Blue Talks ahead of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference
The Ministry of Earth Sciences, with the Embassies of France and Costa Rica, hosted the 2nd Blue Talks at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi on 20 May 2025 ahead of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice (9–13 June 2025).
Nominations for Padma Awards 2026 open till 31 July 2025
The Ministry of Home Affairs said on 20 May 2025 that nominations for the Padma Awards 2026 can be made online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal until 31 July 2025.
Raksha Rajya Mantri leads India at 17th Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025)
An Indian delegation led by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth took part in the opening of LIMA 2025, the 17th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia, on 20 May 2025 and inaugurated the India Pavilion.
KVIC marks World Bee Day 2025 as 'Sweet Revolution Utsav'
KVIC celebrated World Bee Day on 20 May 2025 at its Mumbai office under the banner 'Sweet Revolution Utsav'; the 2025 theme is 'Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all'.
'CemHack for Green Infra' hackathon launched at NCB Ballabgarh
DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv launched 'CemHack for Green Infra', a first-of-its-kind national hackathon for the cement and construction sector, at the National Council for Cement and Building Materials, Ballabgarh on 20 May 2025.
Mon, 19 May 2025
Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp launched; NCERT primers now in 117 languages
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp, a festival of multilingualism for schools, in New Delhi on 19 May 2025 and released primers and special modules in 13 languages.
BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting in Brasília; India to host 2026 energy meeting
The BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting was held in Brasília on 19 May 2025 under Brazil's Presidency; Power Minister Manohar Lal led India and invited BRICS nations to the 2026 energy meeting in India.
JNCASR scientists develop sodium-ion battery that charges 80% in six minutes
Scientists at JNCASR, Bengaluru, an autonomous DST institute, have developed a NASICON-based sodium-ion battery that charges up to 80% in six minutes and lasts over 3,000 charge cycles, DST said on 19 May 2025.
I4C launches e-Zero FIR pilot in Delhi for cyber financial frauds above ₹10 lakh
MHA's Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) introduced an e-Zero FIR system, announced on 19 May 2025, that automatically converts cyber financial crime complaints above ₹10 lakh filed on NCRP or helpline 1930 into FIRs, as a pilot in Delhi.
Operation Olivia: ICG helps protect a record 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles in Odisha
The Indian Coast Guard said on 19 May 2025 that its annual 'Operation Olivia' helped protect a record of over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles that nested at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha in February 2025.
ECI trains 402 election functionaries from Jharkhand at IIIDEM
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar inaugurated a two-day capacity-building programme for 402 election functionaries from Jharkhand — DEOs, EROs, BLOs and BLO Supervisors — at IIIDEM, New Delhi on 19 May 2025.
GeM marks 8th Incorporation Day; GeMAI is public sector's first GenAI chatbot
Government e Marketplace (GeM) marked its 8th Incorporation Day on 19 May 2025, reporting over 10 lakh MSEs, 1.84 lakh women entrepreneurs and the launch of GeMAI, India's first generative AI chatbot in the public sector.
e-Civil List 2025 of IAS officers launched; 70th edition
Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched the e-Civil List 2025 of IAS officers on 19 May 2025 — the 70th edition of the Civil List and the fifth in fully digital format, with officers' photographs included for the first time.
Haj 2025: Lap-I air charter operations completed
The Ministry of Minority Affairs said on 19 May 2025 that Lap-I of the Haj 2025 air charter operations, which began on 29 April, has been completed; pilgrims depart from 18 embarkation points across India.
DEA amends Rule 8 of Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957
The Department of Economic Affairs announced on 19 May 2025 that it has amended Rule 8 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957 through Gazette Notification G.S.R. 318(E) to give brokers regulatory clarity and ease of doing business.
Revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal launched
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal in New Delhi on 19 May 2025 for over 5 million existing OCI cardholders and new users, at the existing URL ociservices.gov.in.
Sonowal reviews inland waterway projects in Assam and Northeast; ₹1,000 crore more by 2026
Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed inland waterway projects in Assam and the Northeast on 19 May 2025 and said projects worth ₹1,000 crore are on the anvil for completion by 2026.
UIDAI begins sharing non-personal Aadhaar Dashboard data on data.gov.in
UIDAI said on 19 May 2025 it has begun sharing non-personal, anonymised Aadhaar Dashboard data on the Open Government Data platform data.gov.in to promote transparency and research.
UPSC declares Indian Forest Service Examination 2024 final result: 143 recommended
UPSC declared the final result of the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2024 on 19 May 2025, recommending 143 candidates against 150 vacancies reported by the Government.