Table of Contents

Current Affairs Report: May 9, 2025

This comprehensive report covers the latest developments in India as of May 9, 2025, tailored for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams. It spans Politics & Governance, Economy, Science & Technology, International Relations, Environment, Defense, and Sports, drawing from credible sources like The Hindu, Press Information Bureau (PIB), The Economic Times, India Today, and ESPN Cricinfo.

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Politics & Governance

India’s political landscape in May 2025 is marked by legislative reforms and judicial interventions aimed at enhancing governance. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed on April 4, 2025, introduces measures to streamline Waqf property management, ensuring transparency and inclusivity, particularly for Muslim women (News on Air). The Finance Bill, 2025, cleared in March 2025, supports the Union Budget 2025-26 by simplifying tax structures and promoting ease of business (News on Air).

The Union Budget 2025 launched several schemes to drive inclusive growth:

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: Targets 1.7 crore farmers across 100 districts to enhance productivity and irrigation (ClearTax).
Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme: Focuses on employment and skilling for rural youth and women.
Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme: Provides digital Indian language books for education (ClearTax).
Social Security Scheme for Gig Workers: Registers 1 crore gig workers on the e-Shram portal for healthcare benefits (ClearTax).

The Supreme Court has been proactive, urging the Centre to expedite High Court judge appointments to address judicial vacancies (The Hindu). It also clarified that Rohingya refugees, if classified as foreigners under the Foreigners Act, will be dealt with legally, reflecting India’s stance on immigration (The Hindu). Additionally, a policy shift saw X block 8,000 accounts in India following government orders, highlighting digital governance challenges (The Hindu).

Key Political Developments	Details
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025	Passed April 4, 2025; enhances transparency in Waqf property management.
Finance Bill, 2025	Supports Union Budget 2025-26; simplifies tax laws.
Supreme Court Rulings	Urges faster judicial appointments; addresses Rohingya refugee status.
New Schemes	Includes agricultural, rural, and gig worker-focused initiatives.

Economy

India’s economy in May 2025 shows resilience amid global challenges. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.00% in April 2025, aiming to stimulate growth while projecting a GDP growth of 6.5% and inflation at 4.00% for FY 2025-26 (Hindustan Times). The Sensex closed at 80,746.78 on May 8, 2025, reflecting market stability despite geopolitical tensions (TradingView).

The Union Budget 2025 introduced a new Income Tax Bill to replace the 1961 Act, simplifying compliance by 60% with revised tax slabs (ClearTax). Key slabs include:

Up to ₹4,00,000: Nil
₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,000: 5%
Above ₹24,00,000: 30%

The budget also allocated funds for MSME growth, increasing credit limits to ₹10 crore for micro and small enterprises (ClearTax). Despite global tariff concerns, India’s economic policies focus on domestic manufacturing and export growth (The Hindu BusinessLine).

Economic Indicators	Status as of May 2025
Repo Rate	6.00% (cut in April 2025)
Sensex	80,746.78 (May 8, 2025)
GDP Growth Forecast	6.5% for FY 2025-26
Inflation Forecast	4.00% for FY 2025-26

Science & Technology

India’s scientific and technological advancements are gaining momentum. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is conducting uncrewed test flights (G2 and G3) for the Gaganyaan mission in 2025, a critical step toward India’s first human spaceflight, now scheduled for 2026 (India Today). The NISAR mission, a joint NASA-ISRO project, is set for launch in 2025, enhancing Earth observation capabilities (India Today).

The AI for India 2030 initiative is driving AI adoption, potentially adding $450-500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025 (World Economic Forum). The IndiaAI Mission, with a $1.25 billion budget, supports AI innovation across sectors (Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth). Technological trends include advancements in 5G, IoT, and sustainable tech, with increased investments in the tech ecosystem (Deloitte).

Science & Tech Highlights	Details
Gaganyaan Mission	Uncrewed test flights in 2025; crewed mission in 2026.
NISAR Mission	NASA-ISRO satellite launch planned for 2025.
AI for India 2030	Aims to add $450-500 billion to GDP by 2025.
Tech Investments	Focus on 5G, IoT, and sustainable technologies.

International Relations

India’s diplomatic engagements in May 2025 underscore its growing global influence. A landmark UK-India trade deal, finalized on May 6, 2025, is expected to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually, boosting UK GDP by £4.8 billion (GOV.UK). India and the EU reaffirmed their goal to conclude a Free Trade Agreement by year-end, enhancing market access (India Briefing).

India is preparing for the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 22-23, 2025, focusing on “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” (Wikipedia). It will also host the Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2025, strengthening ties with the US, Japan, and Australia (India Today). The BRICS Summit, under Brazil’s presidency, is planned for July 2025, with India supporting global south priorities (Planalto).

Diplomatic Engagements	Details
UK-India Trade Deal	Signed May 6, 2025; boosts trade by £25.5 billion.
EU-India FTA	Negotiations to conclude by end of 2025.
G20 Summit	November 2025, Johannesburg; India active participant.
Quad Summit	India to host in 2025, enhancing Indo-Pacific cooperation.

Environment

India’s environmental efforts in May 2025 focus on conservation and addressing challenges. Project Dolphin, launched in 2020, saw its first Ganges River Dolphin satellite-tagging in December 2024, with ₹241.73 lakhs allocated for 2022-24 (PIB). Project Cheetah continues at Kuno National Park, with new sites identified in Gandhisagar Sanctuary and Banni Grasslands (PIB). Project Tiger reports a population of 3,682 tigers, with 54 reserves (PIB).

The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats (MISHTI) restored 22,561 hectares of mangroves by 2024 (PIB). India faces significant environmental challenges, including air pollution, water scarcity, and waste management, with 63 of the world’s 100 most polluted cities in India (Illuminem). The Paris Agreement guides India’s climate commitments, with a focus on renewable energy and climate finance (Wikipedia).

Environmental Initiatives	Details
Project Dolphin	Satellite-tagging in 2024; ₹241.73 lakhs allocated.
Project Cheetah	Ongoing at Kuno; new sites identified.
MISHTI	Restored 22,561 hectares of mangroves by 2024.
Challenges	Air pollution, water scarcity, waste management.

Defense

India’s defense sector is advancing with significant procurements and cybersecurity enhancements. In March 2025, India signed a contract for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), boosting indigenous manufacturing (DefenceXP). The Rafale M fighter jet deal with France, valued at ₹63,000 crore, is nearing finalization, enhancing naval capabilities (The Economic Times). The US-India defense pact, signed in February 2025, includes Javelin missiles and P-8I aircraft (The New Indian).

Cybersecurity funding has increased, with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) budget rising to ₹1,000 crore in 2024-25, addressing over 108 ransomware incidents in 2024 (India Today). The Ministry of Defence emphasizes emerging technologies like AI and robotics for 2025 (The Indian Express).

Defense Developments	Details
ATAGS Deal	307 guns signed in March 2025; supports Make in India.
Rafale M Deal	₹63,000 crore deal nearing finalization.
Cybersecurity Budget	₹1,000 crore in 2024-25; tackles ransomware threats.

Sports

India is a hub for sports in May 2025, hosting the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, a major global event showcasing women’s cricket (Olympics). The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is in its playoff phase, with the final scheduled for May 25, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata (ESPN Cricinfo). The tournament, running from March 22, features 10 teams and intense competition (Olympics).

Other events include the Khelo India Youth Games, held in Bihar from May 4-15, 2025, promoting young talent (The Hindu). Indian athletes are expected to shine in international tournaments, building on successes like Neeraj Chopra’s Diamond League win in 2022 (Wikipedia).

Sports Events	Details
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup	Hosted in India, May 2025.
IPL 2025	Playoffs in May; final on May 25, 2025.
Khelo India Youth Games	May 4-15, 2025, in Bihar.

This report provides a detailed overview of India’s current affairs as of May 9, 2025, equipping aspirants with critical insights for competitive exams.

Key Citations

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers

Question 1: Which mission aims to enhance India’s Earth observation capabilities and is jointly developed with NASA?
Option 1: Gaganyaan
Option 2: IndiaAI Mission
Option 3: NISAR
Option 4: Chandrayaan-3
Option 5: AI for India 2030
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission is a collaborative Earth observation project between NASA and ISRO, set for launch in 2025. It is designed to monitor land changes, ecosystems, ice masses, and natural disasters, contributing significantly to environmental research and disaster preparedness.

Question 2: What recent judicial directive did the Supreme Court issue to address the backlog in India’s judiciary?
Option 1: Expedite High Court judge appointments
Option 2: Revise the Collegium system
Option 3: Increase retirement age for judges
Option 4: Establish fast-track courts for refugees
Option 5: Implement AI-based case resolution
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: The Supreme Court has directed the Central Government to accelerate the process of appointing High Court judges. This step aims to address long-standing judicial vacancies that are hampering the efficiency and delivery of justice in Indian courts.

Question 3: Under the new Income Tax Bill proposed in the Union Budget 2025-26, what is the tax rate for income exceeding ₹24,00,000?
Option 1: 25%
Option 2: 20%
Option 3: 30%
Option 4: 10%
Option 5: 35%
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: The revised Income Tax Bill introduced in the Union Budget 2025-26 includes simplified tax slabs. For income above ₹24,00,000, a tax rate of 30% applies, not 35%. Therefore, Option 5 is incorrect. The correct rate is 30%, which corresponds to Option 3.

Question 4: Which country finalized a landmark trade agreement with India on May 6, 2025?
Option 1: Australia
Option 2: United Kingdom
Option 3: United States
Option 4: European Union
Option 5: Canada
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: On May 6, 2025, India signed a major trade deal with the United Kingdom. This deal is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually and increase the UK’s GDP by £4.8 billion. It highlights India’s growing role in global trade.

Question 5: Which environmental initiative has helped restore over 22,000 hectares of coastal ecosystems in India?
Option 1: Project Cheetah
Option 2: National Green Mission
Option 3: Project Dolphin
Option 4: MISHTI
Option 5: Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) has restored 22,561 hectares of mangrove forests by 2024. This program plays a crucial role in coastal ecosystem conservation and climate resilience.

Question 6: What is the current repo rate set by the RBI as of April 2025?
Option 1: 6.25%
Option 2: 6.00%
Option 3: 5.75%
Option 4: 6.50%
Option 5: 5.50%
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6.00%. This move was part of a strategy to boost economic growth amid global uncertainties.

Question 7: Which defense deal nearing finalization in 2025 will significantly enhance India’s naval air power?
Option 1: P-8I aircraft acquisition
Option 2: ATAGS procurement
Option 3: Barak-8 missile system
Option 4: Tejas Mk2 project
Option 5: Rafale M fighter jet deal
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: The Rafale M fighter jet deal, worth ₹63,000 crore, is nearing finalization. These naval variants of the Rafale aircraft will bolster the Indian Navy’s carrier-based operations and enhance maritime security.

Question 8: In the 2025 IPL season, when is the final scheduled to take place?
Option 1: May 22
Option 2: May 18
Option 3: May 25
Option 4: May 20
Option 5: May 27
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The final match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is scheduled for May 25, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This is the concluding event of a tournament that started on March 22, 2025.

Question 9: What is the goal of the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana launched under the Union Budget 2025-26?
Option 1: Enhance agricultural productivity and irrigation
Option 2: Promote organic farming nationwide
Option 3: Introduce high-yield seed varieties
Option 4: Increase MSP for all crops
Option 5: Provide insurance for climate-affected farmers
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: The Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana aims to benefit 1.7 crore farmers across 100 districts by improving irrigation infrastructure and boosting agricultural productivity, ensuring food security and rural economic stability.

Question 10: Which major international summit is India set to host in 2025 to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation?
Option 1: BRICS Summit
Option 2: G20 Summit
Option 3: ASEAN-India Summit
Option 4: Quad Leaders’ Summit
Option 5: SCO Summit
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: India is set to host the Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2025. The summit involves strategic dialogue among India, the US, Japan, and Australia to enhance regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific on issues like maritime security, infrastructure, and technology.