NATIONAL NEWS

TDB-DST Launches Theme For National Technology Day 2025

The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has announced “YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration” as the official theme for National Technology Day 2025.

YANTRA, reflecting India’s heritage of mechanical ingenuity and systemic synergy, and Yugantar, denoting an epochal shift, together underscore the nation’s transition from technology adaptation to global leadership in deep-tech and R&D.

National Technology Day marks the 11 May 1998 achievements—Operation Shakti nuclear tests and the first flight of Hansa-3, formally recognized by PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

YANTRA signifies scalable solutions rooted in India’s scientific culture.

Yugantar embodies the drive toward breakthrough innovation and technology acceleration.

On 11 May 2025, TDB-DST will convene policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, academia, and startups to discuss deep-tech, precision engineering, and transformative research.

Objective is to honour scientific excellence, showcase industrial innovations, and strengthen science-industry partnerships, propelling India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in advanced technology.

Delhi Police Launches ‘Nayi Disha’ to Reintegrate School Dropouts

The Delhi Police has rolled out ‘Nayi Disha – A Path Back to Learning’, a pioneering community empowerment programme designed to bring school dropouts back into the formal education system.

By conducting door-to-door outreach and partnering with NGOs, schools, and social workers, the initiative addresses the underlying causes of dropout and supports disadvantaged children in resuming their studies.

Police officers visit homes to assess dropout reasons—including financial hardship and domestic instability—and offer immediate assistance.

It emphasizes on emotional and psychological support to rebuild children’s confidence and motivation to learn.

It is a planned expansion to additional districts, positioning ‘Nayi Disha’ as a replicable framework for other urban areas facing similar challenges.

It marks a shift from traditional law enforcement to social mentorship, strengthening community trust in policing.

Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra Signed MoU

In a major step toward sustainable water management, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bhopal to jointly implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project.

The initiative aims to ensure drinking water security and irrigation for drought-prone regions in both States.

The MoU, signed by Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, marks a significant revival of inter-State coordination.

It seeks national project status with 90% Central government funding.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and European Union to Begin Next Round of Free Trade Agreement

India and the European Union (EU) will begin the next round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks on May 12, 2025, with the goal of concluding the first phase of the pact as soon as possible.

A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a treaty between two or more countries that aims to reduce or eliminate trade barriers, such as tariffs and quotas, to facilitate trade and investment between member countries.

The agreement will be concluded in two phases due to the uncertain global trade environment, particularly the impact of U.S. tariff actions under President Donald Trump.

The first phase will include issues where there is convergence between both sides, with the goal of concluding the second part by the end of 2025.

The EU is seeking significant duty cuts in products like automobiles, medical devices, wines, spirits, meat, poultry, and wants a strong intellectual property regime.

Indian goods, such as ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, steel, petroleum products, and electrical machinery, could become more competitive in the EU market if the pact is concluded successfully.

10th round of talks focused on market access offers in goods, services, investment, and government procurement.

The 11th round will continue until May 16, 2025.

US President Donald Trump to Declare Renaming of Persian Gulf to "Arabian Gulf"

United States (US) President Donald Trump plans to announce during a visit to Saudi Arabia that the United States will refer to the Persian Gulf as the "Arabian Gulf" or "Gulf of Arabia".

This decision aligns with the preferences of Arab nations, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and is part of broader shifts in US foreign and domestic policy.

The Persian Gulf has been historically known by that name since the 16th century, but many Middle Eastern countries refer to it as the "Arabian Gulf".

Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, use the term "Arabian Gulf" in their national maps and documents.

Earlier, Trump also mentioned renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America".

The Persian Gulf is connected to the Arabian Sea through the Strait of Hormuz, which is a crucial maritime passage for global oil shipments.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

C-DOT and Synergy Quantum Signed MoU

C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) and Synergy Quantum India have signed an MoU to jointly develop quantum key distribution (QKD) technology for drone-based systems.

This collaboration will enhance India’s capabilities in quantum-secure communication, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat

It focuses on Development of drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems using the BB84 protocol with polarization encoding.

It will strengthen indigenous research and innovation in quantum technologies.

Sectors impacted include Telecom, defence, emergency response, critical infrastructure, and secure government communication.

 

BANKING

RBI Fines SBI And Jana Small Finance Bank For Regulatory Violation

Banking sector regulator the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has fined India's largest bank, State Bank of India, Rs One Crore Seventy Two Lakh Eight Thousand and on Jana Small Finance Bank Rs One crore for violation of various regulatory provisions.

The Banking Regulation Act 1949 makes the RBI the regulator and supervisor of the Banking sector. During the periodic inspection of the bank’s accounts, RBI found that these banks violated its various regulatory guidelines and directives and hence imposed monetary fines on these banks.

According to the RBI, the SBI was found guilty of the following violations:

Extending a bridge loan to a company against amounts receivable from the government in the form of subsidy/reimbursement;

The bank failed to credit the amount in the customer's account due to unauthorised translation within 10 working days after the customer informed the bank.

Failure of the bank to compensate the customer within 90 days from the date of receipt of the complaint;

Opening /maintenance of current accounts in violation of RBI guidelines.

The Jana Small Finance bank was found guilty of raising its paid-up share capital through the issue/allotment of Compulsory Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) to certain persons in violation of RBI’s guidelines.

 

DEFENCE

India's Achievements in Operation Sindoor

India launched a massive strike deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the killing of Indian civilians by Pakistan-linked terrorists.

Nine high-value terror launchpads were destroyed, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen.

India shifted its doctrinal approach by striking targets deep inside Pakistan's mainland, including Punjab and Bahawalpur.

The strikes extended hundreds of kilometers inside Pakistan, reaching areas considered strongholds of Pakistan's military.

The operation displayed a shift towards calibrated deterrence, making it clear that terrorism as state policy would have targeted consequences.

India rejected the distinction between terrorists and their sponsors, targeting both with precision.

Indian Rafale jets equipped with SCALP missiles and HAMMER bombs executed the mission swiftly, showcasing technological superiority.

India bypassed or jammed Pakistan’s air defence systems, highlighting gaps in Pakistan’s air defence.

India demonstrated its modern air defence capabilities, including Akashteer Air Defence System, which downed Pakistani drones and missiles.

India’s ability to penetrate Chinese-made air defence systems fielded by Pakistan was a key aspect.

 

SPORTS

Asian Weightlifting Championships

Nirupama Devi, India’s 24-year-old weightlifter, finished 4th in the Asian Weightlifting Championships held in Jiangshan, China.

Nirupama Devi lifted a total of 206 kg in the non-Olympic category, comprising:115 kg in Clean and Jerk and 91 kg in Snatch

Gold: Li Shuang (China) – 239 kg

Silver: Elreen Ann Ando (Philippines) – 232 kg

Bronze: Mun Min-hee (South Korea) – 214 kg

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

UN Global Road Safety Week

The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is being observed from 12–18 May 2025, under the theme #MakeWalkingSafe and #MakeCyclingSafe.

Led by the United Nations in partnership with the World Health Organization, this week-long campaign urges governments, urban planners, and communities to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety through proven infrastructure and policy measures.

It is to promote safe, accessible infrastructure for non-motorized users

It raises awareness of road-traffic risks faced by pedestrians and cyclists

It drive policy reforms and stricter enforcement to cut fatalities

 

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