NATIONAL NEWS

Mizoram Becomes The First State To Achieve Full Functional Literacy

Mizoram has become the first state in India to achieve full functional literacy. However, the Union Territory of Ladakh was the first Union Territory/State in India to achieve full functional literacy status on 24 June 2024.

At a function held at the Mizoram University, Aizawl, the Mizoram Chief Minister, Lalduhoma, declared the state fully functionally literate in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, and other dignitaries.

The government's ULLAS scheme has played a key role in Mizoram's achievement of the fully functional literate state status.

Functional Literacy is different from Basic Literacy.

Basic literacy refers to a person’s ability to read, write, do simple arithmetic, or possess numeracy skills (3R).

A state or Union Territory where 95 % or more of the population is functionally literate is declared fully functionally literate.

Based on this criterion, Ladakh and Mizoram have been declared fully functional literate Union Territories and States, respectively.

The Government of India launched the ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram or the New India Literacy Programme in 2022. It is a centrally sponsored scheme to be implemented from 2022-2027.

The programme is being implemented through community involvement and voluntary participation.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Launches Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy launched the state government’s Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam Scheme at the Macharam village in Nagarkurnool district. The scheme aims to empower tribal farmers by providing them with free solar electricity pumps for irrigation and making them self-reliant.

The Chief Minister also released the 12-point ‘Nallamala Declaration, which contains the state government’s developmental initiatives for the tribal communities living in the forest areas.

The Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, launched the pilot project of the Indiara Soura Giri Jala Vikasam Scheme at Macharam village.

The pilot project will cover 45 acres of land and will benefit 45 tribal families who were persecuted during the previous K. Chandrashekhar Rao government.

The government will provide solar pumps to every tribal farmer across the Achampet assembly constituency in 100 days.

Over the next five years, the scheme will cover six lakh acres of Rights of Forest Records (RoFR) lands without any electricity connection.

The state government will provide tribal farmers holding RoFR land with free solar pumps of 5- 7.5 horsepower for irrigating horticulture crops.

The scheme is based on a 100 % subsidy from the state government.

The total outlay for the scheme for the next five years is Rs 13,200 crore.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Launches ₹200 Crore ‘CIAL 2.0’ IT Infrastructure Project

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the ambitious ₹200 crore CIAL 2.0 project aimed at fully digitising operations at Cochin International Airport (CIAL), focusing on artificial intelligence, automation, and enhanced cybersecurity.

Project Objective is to modernize and digitize airport operations to improve efficiency, security, and passenger experience.

CIAL handles around 50,000 passengers daily, with nearly 100,000 people visiting for travel-related activities, emphasizing the critical need for securing digital assets.

The project reflects a model of socialising profit rather than privatisation.

Technological Upgrades under CIAL 2.0 include

Introduction of AI-enabled surveillance cameras (4,000 units) for enhanced security.

Implementation of full-body scanners to replace physical pat-downs during security checks.

Automated tray retrieval system to accelerate cabin baggage screening.

Upgrades to the airport’s bomb detection and disposal systems.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

WHO Certifies India as free from Trachoma

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has formally awarded India the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem.

In 2024, on 8th October, the WHO declared India, along with Myanmar and Nepal, a trachoma-free country.

The Certificate was handed to India at the 78th World Health Assembly of the WHO in Geneva on 20th May 2025.

The World Health Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the WHO, and it is held annually at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The 78th World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva from 19-27 May 2025.

Trachoma is a highly infectious eye disease caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It spreads from one infected person to another through contaminated fingers and Sharing or use of clothes, utensils, and furniture of infected persons.

2025 World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam

Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, addressed the 2025 World Hydrogen Summit being held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The 2025 World Hydrogen Summit is being held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from 20-22 May 2025.

Santosh Kumar Sarangi highlighted the government's policy initiatives to make India a global hub for Green Hydrogen.

India has set a target to achieve energy independence by 2047 and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

He also explained the aim and goal of the National Green Hydrogen Policy launched by the Government.

The World Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition has been organised by the Sustainable Energy Council and RX Global in partnership with the Netherlands Government, the Province of Zuid-Holland, the City of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam.

The World Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition is one of the largest global green hydrogen events. It promotes the use of green hydrogen technology and green hydrogen-based fuel worldwide.

It brings together Energy Ministers of various countries, CEOs of companies and clean energy professionals worldwide.

 

BANKING

Reserve Bank of India to Give In-Principle Approval to Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted “in-principle” approval to Emirates NBD Bank PJSC to set up a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) in India.

This is under the “Scheme for Setting up of WOS by foreign banks in India”.

Emirates NBD Bank currently operates in India through branches in Chennai, Gurugram, and Mumbai.

The in-principle approval allows the bank to convert its existing branches into a WOS

RBI will consider granting a full banking licence under Section 22(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, after the bank fulfills all RBI’s conditions as part of this approval.

Emirates NBD is among the few foreign banks to get regulatory clearance via the WOS route. Other banks with WOS in India include DBS Bank India and SBM India.

Foreign banks operating through the WOS framework are treated on par with domestic banks for branch expansion and are exempt from certain regulatory approvals, subject to specific conditions.

Emirates NBD inaugurated its first full-fledged Indian branch in Mumbai in 2017.

India is the sixth country where Emirates NBD has an onshore presence, after the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Singapore, and the UK.

SBM Bank India and ICICI Prudential Life Enter Bancassurance Partnership

SBM Bank India and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company have entered into a bancassurance partnership.

Bancassurance is an arrangement between a bank and an insurance company allowing the insurance company to sell its products to the bank's client base.

This partnership arrangement can be profitable for both companies.

The partnership aims to offer a wide range of life insurance products to SBM Bank India’s customers.

Products offered will include Term insurance, Long-term savings, Wealth creation products and Retirement income planning solutions

 

DEFENCE

ICG Safeguards Nearly 7 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles on Odisha Coast

Operation Olivia is an annual mission by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) focused on marine conservation, especially protecting Olive Ridley turtles.

In February 2025, the ICG protected a record 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nesting at the Rushikulya river mouth, Odisha.

The operation runs every year from November to May, covering key nesting sites like Gahirmatha Beach and other coastal areas of Odisha.

Odisha witnesses the arrival of over 8 lakh turtles annually during the nesting season.

Since its inception, Operation Olivia has conducted over 5,387 surface patrol sorties and 1,768 aerial surveillance missions

These efforts have helped reduce threats such as illegal fishing and habitat disruption.

During recent operations, 366 boats involved in illegal fishing were detained, showing ICG’s active enforcement.

ICG engages with local fishing communities by promoting Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and collaborates with NGOs via MoUs to support sustainable fishing and conservation education

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

HCL Technologies Names Kiran Cherukuri as Global GCC Practice Leader

HCL Technologies (HCLTech) has appointed Kiran Cherukuri as the Global GCC Practice Leader.

In this role, he will be responsible for scaling HCLTech’s Global Capability Center (GCC) practice.

His focus will be on delivering specialized offerings that utilize HCLTech's services, technology portfolio, and corporate function capabilities.

GCCs (Global Capability Centers) are key strategic units for global organizations to drive business operations, innovation, and digital transformation.

HCLTech has already partnered with over 200 GCCs in India, highlighting its strong presence in this domain.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day For Cultural Diversity For Dialogue And Development

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was observed on May 21.

This day is observed to raise awareness about Cultural Diversity.

UNESCO leads the celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity for dialogue and development highlighting the importance of cultures.

UNESCO adopted the World Day for Cultural Diversity in 2001.

In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 21 as World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

In 2015, the second committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution on Cultural Diversity.

United Nations General Assembly has sanctioned holidays for diversity issues.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) have been achieved by creating the function of cultures.

Anti-Terrorism Day

Anti-Terrorism Day is celebrated every year on May 21.

This day is to commemorate the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed annually to spread awareness about the Peace and the violence caused by terrorists. Anti-Terrorism Day is to spread awareness to bring unity among people.

This day is observed on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

He was the sixth Prime Minister of India in 1984. Later, he was killed by terrorists in a Campaign.

After the death of Rajiv Gandhi, the Government of V.P Singh has decided on May 21 as Anti-Terrorism Day. 2025 is the 31st death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

On this day, the Anti Terrorism Pledge is taken in all public places, Government Offices, Government institutions, etc.