India Current Affairs — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Sat, 17 May 2025
DGFT imposes port restrictions on certain imports from Bangladesh
DGFT Notification No. 07/2025-26 of 17 May 2025 restricts imports of readymade garments from Bangladesh to Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports and bars several other goods through land ports in the Northeast and two West Bengal LCSs.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2025: 'Gender equality in digital transformation'
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, observed every 17 May to mark ITU's founding, was observed on 17 May 2025 with the theme 'Gender equality in digital transformation', as ITU marked its 160th anniversary.
MoS Harsh Malhotra inspects 210-km Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway
Union MoS for Road Transport Harsh Malhotra inspected the entire 210-km Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway on 17 May 2025; the ₹12,000 crore road will cut Delhi–Dehradun travel time from 6.5 to 2.5 hours.
World Hypertension Day 2025: 'Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer'
World Hypertension Day, an initiative of the World Hypertension League first held on 14 May 2005, was observed on 17 May 2025 with the theme 'Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer'.
DPIIT–GEAPP MoU to back climate-tech startups; ENTICE challenge with up to $500,000 in rewards
DPIIT signed a two-year MoU with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), announced on 17 May 2025, to support early-stage climate-tech startups; GEAPP will launch the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE) with up to $500,000 in rewards.
ASI announces free entry to monuments and museums on International Museum Day
The Archaeological Survey of India announced on 17 May 2025 free entry to all its ticketed monuments and 52 site museums on 18 May, International Museum Day; Sarnath (1910) is the earliest ASI site museum.
DGTR marks 8th Foundation Day; e-filing platform for trade remedy cases coming
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies marked its 8th Foundation Day on 17 May 2025; India has initiated over 1,200 trade remedy investigations since 1995 and a digital e-filing platform is to go live soon.
'Yoga Unplugged' youth initiative for IDY 2025 gains support; 10 signature events announced
The Ministry of Ayush said on 17 May 2025 that leading institutions such as Kaivalyadhama have joined 'Yoga Unplugged', the youth-centric initiative for the 11th International Day of Yoga, which will feature 10 signature events including Yoga Sangam at 1 lakh locations.
Fri, 16 May 2025
8th meeting of India–US Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation held in India
The 8th India–US Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation (JWGACTC), set up under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), met in Delhi and Goa from 13 to 16 May 2025.
Sikkim marks 50th anniversary of statehood on 16 May 2025
Sikkim celebrated its Statehood Day on 16 May 2025, marking the 50th anniversary of its statehood; Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of the state.
President confers 58th Jnanpith Award on Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award on Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on 16 May 2025; co-awardee Gulzar could not attend.
ASI, World Monuments Fund India and TCS Foundation complete restoration of Rajon ki Baoli
The Archaeological Survey of India, with World Monuments Fund India and the TCS Foundation, completed conservation of Rajon ki Baoli, a 16th-century Lodi-era stepwell in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, New Delhi.
MoSPI releases National Accounts Statistics 2025
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the 'National Accounts Statistics – 2025' publication on 16 May 2025, with detailed GDP, GVA, consumption, savings and capital formation estimates at current and constant (2011-12) prices.
Department of Posts releases stamp marking 125 years of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp on 16 May 2025 at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, marking 125 years of the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, established on 1 April 1899.
Aadhaar authentication transactions cross 150 billion
Cumulative Aadhaar authentication transactions crossed 150 billion (15,011.82 crore) by the end of April 2025, UIDAI data released on 16 May 2025 showed.
Tripura holds 'AI for Good Governance' workshop with NeGD in Agartala
Tripura's Directorate of Information Technology and MeitY's National e-Governance Division held a workshop on 'AI for Good Governance: Driving Transparency, Efficiency & Impact' at Pragna Bhawan, Agartala, on 16 May 2025.
NADA India hosts WADA Intelligence and Investigations workshop in New Delhi
NADA India hosted the World Anti-Doping Agency's Intelligence & Investigations workshop in New Delhi from 12 to 16 May 2025, organised with INTERPOL and Sport Integrity Australia.
Karnataka seeks electric buses under PM E-DRIVE; Centre assures phased allocation
The Ministry of Heavy Industries said on 16 May 2025 that Karnataka had formally sought electric buses under PM E-DRIVE, and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy assured phased allocation; 14,000 e-buses are to be allocated to 9 major cities under the scheme.
IICA and DGR conclude second independent-directorship programme for senior defence officers
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs and the Directorate General Resettlement concluded the second batch of their certification programme on independent directorship for 30 senior defence officers at IICA Manesar on 16 May 2025.
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.