Current Affairs: May 5–11, 2025

This comprehensive report covers the major events and developments from May 5 to May 11, 2025, tailored for students preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams. Sourced from credible publications like The Hindu, The Indian Express, Times of India, Business Standard, Livemint, PIB, BBC News, Reuters, and Down To Earth, the report spans politics, economy, science, international relations, environment, defense, and sports. It aims to provide an engaging, detailed, and reader-friendly narrative to enhance your competitive edge.

Politics & Governance

The week was overshadowed by escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by a devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of military strikes targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. According to CNN, the operation responded to the massacre of tourists, which India attributed to Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The strikes involved advanced drone and missile technology, escalating tensions to a critical level.

Pakistan retaliated with artillery shelling and drone attacks along the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in at least 10 civilian deaths and numerous injuries, as reported by The Hindu. On May 9, 2025, India accused Pakistan of using civilian airliners as shields during its failed drone and missile attacks, a claim made during a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) briefing by Colonel Vyomika Singh. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized that their military would target only Indian military installations, adhering to international law, as noted in CNN.

Diplomatically, efforts to de-escalate were evident. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Islamabad and Delhi, offering mediation, as reported by The Hindu. On May 5, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the Pahalgam attack during a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accepting an invitation for the India-Russia Summit later in 2025, per The Hindu.

Domestically, the Supreme Court addressed the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, a contentious law under scrutiny for its constitutional validity. On May 5, 2025, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna handed the case to his successor, Justice B.R. Gavai, due to his impending retirement, as noted in The Hindu. The case is pivotal for property rights and religious endowments. Additionally, Justice Surya Kant was appointed Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), effective May 14, 2025, to bolster free legal aid, according to India Today.

Economy

The India-Pakistan conflict significantly impacted India’s economy, particularly the stock market. On May 9, 2025, the Sensex closed at 79,454.47, down 880 points (1.10%), and the Nifty 50 at 24,008, down 266 points (1.10%), as reported by Livemint. Investors lost approximately ₹2 lakh crore in a single session due to uncertainty. Earlier, on May 5, 2025, the Sensex had risen to 80,796.84, up 294.85 points, indicating a volatile week, per Goodreturns.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained regulatory oversight. On May 8, 2025, it imposed penalties on cooperative banks like Sree Harihareshwara Urban Co-operative Bank and The Nicholson Co-operative Town Bank for non-compliance, as per RBI. The RBI also mandated regulated entities to submit Digital Lending App (DLA) data to the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) by June 15, 2025, to enhance transparency, according to Business Standard. The Indian rupee strengthened, closing at 85.37 against the US dollar on May 8, 2025, after RBI interventions, as noted in Moneycontrol.

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was a bright spot. Signed amid global trade turbulence, it promises to double India’s gems and jewellery exports to the UK to $2.5 billion within two years, per IBEF. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the deal against opposition criticism, as reported by The Indian Express.

Economic Indicator	Details	Source
Sensex (May 9)	79,454.47, down 880 points	Livemint
Nifty 50 (May 9)	24,008, down 266 points	Livemint
Rupee vs USD	Closed at 85.37 on May 8	Moneycontrol
India-UK FTA	Expected to boost exports	IBEF

Science & Technology

India’s space program shone brightly. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully deployed SpaDeX satellites via the PSLV C60 mission, marking a milestone in space technology demonstration, as announced on ISRO. From May 7–9, 2025, ISRO hosted the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025, showcasing India’s advancements, per ISRO.

A historic moment was the announcement that Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla would travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in May 2025 on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a NASA-ISRO collaboration. Funded with ₹413 crore by the Department of Space, the mission focuses on microgravity experiments, as reported by Times of India.

Space Milestone	Details	Source
SpaDeX Mission	Successful satellite deployment	ISRO
GLEX 2025	Held May 7–9, 2025	ISRO
Ax-4 Mission	Shubhanshu Shukla to ISS	Times of India

International Relations

The India-Pakistan conflict spurred diplomatic activity. Iran’s Abbas Araghchi’s visits to Pakistan and India aimed to mediate, reflecting Iran’s neutral stance, per The Hindu. Russia’s Vladimir Putin supported India, condemning the Pahalgam attack and planning a 2025 visit, as noted in The Hindu.

The India-UK FTA strengthened bilateral ties, offering India access to 40,000 UK tenders annually and boosting exports, according to Business Standard. China maintained a delicate balance, condemning the Pahalgam attack while supporting Pakistan, per India Today.

Environment

Specific environmental news for May 5–11, 2025, was scarce. However, Down To Earth highlighted ongoing climate challenges, noting that taming global warming to 1.5°C could protect millions from crop failures and natural disasters. India’s commitment to a 2.5–3 billion tonne CO2 sink by 2030 faced scrutiny, as reported by Earth.Org.

Defense

Operation Sindoor was the centerpiece of defense news. India’s strikes neutralized Pakistan’s air defense systems, including a radar in Lahore, and thwarted missile attacks on Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan, per The Guardian. Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan airbase runway was rendered non-operational, as reported by The Indian Express.

Defense Event	Details	Source
Operation Sindoor	Strikes on May 7, 2025	The Guardian
Rahim Yar Khan	Runway non-operational	The Indian Express

Sports

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 was suspended for a week starting May 9, 2025, due to India-Pakistan tensions, as announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), per India Today. A match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was canceled, with players evacuated via a special train.

In badminton, Indian shuttlers excelled at the BWF Taipei Open 2025, with Unnati Hooda and Ayush Shetty reaching the semifinals, as reported by News on Air. The Indian women’s cricket team competed in a tri-series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, per Outlook India.

Conclusion

The week of May 5–11, 2025, was a tumultuous period defined by the India-Pakistan conflict, which reverberated across politics, economy, and sports. Despite challenges, India advanced in space exploration, strengthened international ties, and maintained judicial progress. This report equips students with a detailed understanding of these events, optimized for exam preparation.

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers

Question 1: Which Indian military operation was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in May 2025?
Option 1: Operation Vijay
Option 2: Operation Meghdoot
Option 3: Operation Trinetra
Option 4: Operation Shatruvinash
Option 5: Operation Sindoor
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: Following the tragic terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. This military operation involved precise drone and missile strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The attack was attributed to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The operation was a strategic and technological demonstration of India’s counter-terror capabilities.

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Question 2: Who is the Indian Air Force officer selected for the Ax-4 space mission to the ISS in 2025?
Option 1: Rakesh Sharma
Option 2: Anil Choudhary
Option 3: Shubhanshu Shukla
Option 4: Vikram Mehta
Option 5: Gagandeep Rana
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has been selected to travel to the International Space Station aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled for May 2025. This mission, a joint NASA-ISRO initiative, is a significant step in India’s human spaceflight program and is aimed at conducting microgravity research.

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Question 3: During Operation Sindoor, which Pakistani airbase’s runway was rendered non-operational?
Option 1: Sargodha Airbase
Option 2: Peshawar Airbase
Option 3: Chaklala Airbase
Option 4: Rahim Yar Khan Airbase
Option 5: Karachi Airbase
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: India’s Operation Sindoor targeted strategic defense locations in Pakistan. One of the key successes was rendering the runway of Rahim Yar Khan airbase non-operational. This move significantly hampered Pakistan’s ability to retaliate effectively and showcased India’s precision-strike capabilities.

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Question 4: What was the RBI’s directive to all regulated entities regarding Digital Lending Apps (DLAs)?
Option 1: Cease operations immediately
Option 2: Submit data to the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS)
Option 3: Merge with authorized NBFCs
Option 4: Increase interest rates on digital loans
Option 5: Suspend all mobile app services
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: On May 8, 2025, the RBI directed all regulated entities involved in digital lending to submit detailed data about their Digital Lending Apps (DLAs) to the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) by June 15, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, reduce fraud, and ensure consumer protection in the fintech ecosystem.

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Question 5: Which Indian justice was appointed Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in May 2025?
Option 1: Justice Surya Kant
Option 2: Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
Option 3: Justice Sanjiv Khanna
Option 4: Justice B.R. Gavai
Option 5: Justice S. Ravindra Bhat
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Justice Surya Kant was appointed as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), effective May 14, 2025. His appointment is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen access to justice by expanding free legal aid and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms across India.

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Question 6: The India-UK Free Trade Agreement signed in 2025 is expected to double exports in which sector within two years?
Option 1: Pharmaceuticals
Option 2: Gems and Jewellery
Option 3: Automobiles
Option 4: IT Services
Option 5: Handicrafts
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The India-UK Free Trade Agreement, finalized in early May 2025, includes provisions that are expected to double India’s exports of gems and jewellery to the UK, reaching $2.5 billion within two years. This deal marks a significant milestone in India’s trade diplomacy, especially in light of global economic uncertainties.

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Question 7: Which Indian badminton player reached the semifinals of the BWF Taipei Open 2025?
Option 1: P.V. Sindhu
Option 2: Lakshya Sen
Option 3: Saina Nehwal
Option 4: Kidambi Srikanth
Option 5: Unnati Hooda
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: At the BWF Taipei Open 2025, young Indian shuttler Unnati Hooda impressed by reaching the semifinals. Her performance marks the emergence of new talent in Indian badminton, signaling the sport’s strong future beyond established names like Sindhu and Nehwal.

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Question 8: When was the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025 hosted by ISRO held?
Option 1: May 5–7, 2025
Option 2: May 6–8, 2025
Option 3: May 7–9, 2025
Option 4: May 4–6, 2025
Option 5: May 8–10, 2025
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) hosted the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025 from May 7–9. This prestigious event highlighted India’s growing role in space innovation and brought together global space agencies and industry leaders to discuss the future of space exploration.

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Question 9: What was the closing value of the Sensex on May 9, 2025, after the market dropped due to geopolitical tensions?
Option 1: 79,454.47
Option 2: 78,890.26
Option 3: 80,796.84
Option 4: 77,250.63
Option 5: 81,102.51
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: On May 9, 2025, the Sensex closed at 79,454.47, down by 880 points (1.10%) due to heightened India-Pakistan tensions following Operation Sindoor. The market drop reflected investor anxiety over the regional conflict and its potential impact on the Indian economy.

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Question 10: Which country’s foreign minister visited both Islamabad and New Delhi offering to mediate between India and Pakistan?
Option 1: Russia
Option 2: China
Option 3: United States
Option 4: Iran
Option 5: Turkey
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi played a mediatory role during the India-Pakistan crisis. He visited both capitals, Islamabad and New Delhi, demonstrating Iran’s neutral stance and interest in regional stability. This diplomatic effort highlighted Iran’s emerging role as a peace broker in South Asia.