Table of Contents

Current Affairs Report: 25 May 2025

This detailed report covers the significant events of 25 May 2025, curated from credible sources like The Hindu, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Business Standard, Livemint, The Economic Times, Press Information Bureau (PIB), PRS Legislative Research, BBC News, Reuters, and Down To Earth. Tailored for students preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams, this article provides an in-depth, engaging, and reader-friendly overview of the day’s key developments across politics, governance, economy, science, technology, environment, defense, sports, and international affairs. The content is structured to enhance readability and retention, with bolded terms for quick reference and a storytelling approach to keep students engaged.

Politics and Governance

India’s political landscape on 25 May 2025 was marked by significant developments reflecting regional tensions, judicial decisions, and diplomatic efforts. In Manipur, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) launched a civil disobedience campaign following a bus incident, protesting against the imposition of President’s Rule and announcing a boycott of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. This movement, reported by The Hindu (The Hindu), came after a 48-hour strike, highlighting deep-seated unrest in the region. The campaign underscores the challenges of governance in Manipur, a topic critical for UPSC aspirants studying federalism and regional politics.

In Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended a NITI Aayog meeting, presenting a roadmap for a developed Delhi. She sought central support for infrastructure development and cleaning the Yamuna River, with priorities including tap water access for all households (The Hindu). This focus on sustainable urban development is relevant for exams covering governance and environmental policies.

The Supreme Court made a landmark ruling by setting aside a life imprisonment sentence in a murder case, citing reasonable doubt that the crime was committed in a fit of insanity (The Hindu). The court dismissed the Chhattisgarh Police’s argument based on a normal medical examination, emphasizing mental health considerations in judicial processes. This decision is significant for students studying constitutional law and human rights.

On the national front, an all-party Indian delegation visited the United States to address terrorism emanating from Pakistan, delivering a firm message that there will be a price to pay for such actions (The Indian Express). This visit, linked to Operation Sindoor, highlighted India’s proactive stance against cross-border terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Operation Sindoor for showcasing the power of Made in India weapons, reinforcing India’s defense capabilities (The Indian Express). These developments are crucial for understanding India’s security policies and international relations.

Diplomatic efforts also included a phone call between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly to mend bilateral ties (The Indian Express). This conversation reflects India’s efforts to strengthen global partnerships, a key topic for UPSC and Banking exams.

In a surprising political move, RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled his son Tej Pratap Yadav from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for six years due to “irresponsible behavior” and severed family ties (The Indian Express, Outlook India). This internal party conflict could reshape Bihar’s political dynamics, a critical area for students tracking regional politics.

Economy and Finance

The economic landscape on 25 May 2025 was shaped by monetary policy decisions, trade negotiations, and market volatility. In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6%, adopting an accommodative stance to stimulate growth amid global uncertainties, including potential US tariffs (The Hindu BusinessLine). The RBI projected a GDP growth of 6.5% for FY 2025-26, reflecting cautious optimism. This policy shift, reported by multiple sources including The Financial Express (The Financial Express), is vital for Banking exam candidates studying monetary policy and economic growth.

The Indian stock market experienced significant volatility, with the Sensex dropping 1,282 points on 13 May 2025 due to profit-taking in IT and FMCG sectors after a record rally (The Hindu BusinessLine). The Economic Survey 2025 warned of a potential “meaningful stock market correction” in 2025, noting the market’s sensitivity to US market movements and the risks posed by new retail investors (Business Standard). This is a key topic for students analyzing financial markets.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met EU counterpart Maros Sefcovic in Brussels to advance the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks, marking their second meeting in a month (The Hindu). This push for stronger trade ties is significant for understanding India’s economic diplomacy.

Science, Technology, and Health

Health and technology developments were prominent on 25 May 2025. Health authorities detected new COVID-19 variants, including one case of NB.1.8.1 and four instances of LF.7, classified as Variants Under Monitoring by the World Health Organization (WHO) (The Hindu). These variants contributed to rising cases in China and parts of Asia, prompting heightened vigilance in India. In Thane, a COVID-19 patient’s death was reported, with eight new cases and 18 active patients under monitoring (The Hindu). These health updates are critical for exams covering public health policies.

In technology, a major X outage on 24 May 2025 affected users across India and globally, with Elon Musk announcing a refocus on business operations (The Hindu). This incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, relevant for SSC and UPSC syllabi.

IIT Bombay developed a new solar cell technology to reduce costs and enhance efficiency, a significant step toward sustainable energy solutions (The Indian Express). Although no specific ISRO missions were reported for May 2025, plans for the NISAR satellite launch and Gaganyaan mission preparations were noted earlier in the year, indicating India’s advancing space ambitions (India Today).

International Relations

India’s international engagements were notable on 25 May 2025. The country resumed granting visas to Afghans, including investors, artists, and sportspersons, after a five-year suspension, signaling a step toward normalizing relations (The Hindu). The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict saw Russia capturing three settlements in eastern Ukraine on 24 May 2025, impacting global geopolitics (The Hindu). These developments are crucial for understanding global security dynamics.

India’s response to terrorism was firm, with Operation Sindoor showcasing indigenous defense capabilities. Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India would not tolerate “nuclear blackmail” while addressing terror threats from Pakistan (The Indian Express). External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s talks with Canada further underscored India’s diplomatic outreach (The Indian Express).

Defense and Security

Operation Sindoor, launched on 7 May 2025, remained a focal point, with Modi highlighting the effectiveness of Made in India weapons (The Indian Express). The operation was a response to a Kashmir attack, with India conducting strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (CNN). These events are critical for students studying defense policies and India’s security strategies.

Sports and Culture

Sports and cultural achievements added vibrancy to the day’s news. Novak Djokovic clinched his 100th career singles title at the Geneva Open, defeating Hubert Hurkacz in a thrilling match (The Hindu). In IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals defeated Punjab Kings by six wickets at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur (The Hindu). Chennai Super Kings also stunned Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, with MS Dhoni addressing retirement speculations (Outlook India).

Culturally, Jafar Panahi’s film It Was Just an Accident won the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025, marking Neon’s sixth consecutive top prize (The Hindu). This achievement highlights the global influence of cinema, relevant for cultural studies in competitive exams.

Environment and Infrastructure

Environmental concerns arose as a Liberian-flagged ship carrying 640 containers, including hazardous cargo, capsized off Kochi, prompting Kerala to issue an alert (The Indian Express). This incident raises questions about maritime safety and environmental protection, key for Down To Earth readers and exam syllabi.

In infrastructure, the Railway Ministry approved a new train service between Agartala and Guwahati, with the trial run of electric locomotives completed (The Hindu). This development enhances connectivity in the Northeast, a region often covered in UPSC geography and governance questions.

Conclusion

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the key events on 25 May 2025, curated from credible sources to ensure accuracy and relevance. By covering politics, economy, science, technology, international relations, defense, sports, and environmental developments, it equips students with the knowledge needed to excel in UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams. The bolded terms and structured narrative make it easy to grasp critical points, while the storytelling approach keeps the content engaging. Students are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for further details and stay updated on current affairs to gain a competitive edge.

Key Citations:

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers

Question 1: Who was expelled from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) by Lalu Prasad Yadav for “irresponsible behavior”?
Option 1: Tejaswi Yadav
Option 2: Tej Pratap Yadav
Option 3: Misa Bharti
Option 4: Jagadanand Singh
Option 5: Manoj Jha
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: On 25 May 2025, Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav from the RJD for six years due to his erratic and irresponsible behavior, including public outbursts and actions seen as damaging to the party. The move was also accompanied by a severance of family ties, indicating serious internal discord that could impact Bihar’s regional political equations.

Question 2: Which committee launched a civil disobedience campaign in Manipur protesting against the imposition of President’s Rule?
Option 1: Zomi Council Steering Committee (ZCSC)
Option 2: Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI)
Option 3: All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM)
Option 4: Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM)
Option 5: United Naga Council (UNC)
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) launched a civil disobedience movement on 25 May 2025, following a 48-hour strike. It protested against the perceived misuse of President’s Rule in the state and declared a boycott of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. This reflects ongoing governance and federal tensions in the northeastern state.

Question 3: Which film won the Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival?
Option 1: The Zone of Interest
Option 2: Anatomy of a Fall
Option 3: It Was Just an Accident
Option 4: The Square
Option 5: Triangle of Sadness
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: It Was Just an Accident, directed by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. This marks the sixth consecutive top prize for the distributor Neon, further establishing its reputation in international cinema. The award reflects the global appreciation of politically bold and artistically distinct narratives.

Question 4: What was the key focus of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s presentation at the NITI Aayog meeting?
Option 1: Cleaning of Yamuna and tap water access
Option 2: Smart city digitalization
Option 3: Urban disaster resilience
Option 4: Delhi’s green energy transition
Option 5: Pollution control in Delhi’s industrial zones
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: At the NITI Aayog meeting on 25 May 2025, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta emphasized sustainable urban development, especially the need for clean drinking water and cleaning of the Yamuna River. She sought Central support for infrastructure and environmental improvements, highlighting a developmental roadmap for the national capital.

Question 5: What was the new RBI repo rate announced in April 2025?
Option 1: 5.75%
Option 2: 6.25%
Option 3: 6.00%
Option 4: 5.50%
Option 5: 6.75%
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6%. This move was in line with its accommodative monetary policy stance aimed at spurring economic growth amid global uncertainty and looming tariff threats from the United States.

Question 6: Which COVID-19 variant was reported in India as of May 2025, identified by WHO as a Variant Under Monitoring?
Option 1: JN.1
Option 2: XBB.1.16
Option 3: BA.2.86
Option 4: FL.7
Option 5: NB.1.8.1
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: Health authorities in India detected a case of NB.1.8.1 and four cases of LF.7, both classified by WHO as “Variants Under Monitoring.” These variants contributed to rising infections in parts of Asia. The NB.1.8.1 detection marks the need for sustained vigilance in pandemic preparedness and surveillance mechanisms.

Question 7: What was the cause behind the 1,282-point drop in the Sensex on 13 May 2025?
Option 1: US Fed interest hike
Option 2: Weak quarterly results
Option 3: Profit booking after a record rally
Option 4: China trade sanctions
Option 5: RBI liquidity tightening
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The Sensex plunged by 1,282 points on 13 May 2025 due to aggressive profit-booking in IT and FMCG sectors after an extended rally. Analysts also noted market nervousness over global economic uncertainty and the growing influence of retail investors, as highlighted in the Economic Survey 2025.

Question 8: What was the main purpose of the Indian all-party delegation’s visit to the United States in May 2025?
Option 1: Seek support for G20 leadership
Option 2: Counter Pakistan-based terrorism
Option 3: Discuss climate finance
Option 4: Lobby for India-EU FTA
Option 5: Promote diaspora investments
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Indian delegation visited the U.S. to deliver a stern message on terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The trip was linked to Operation Sindoor, India’s cross-border counter-terror strike, and emphasized the country’s position that such acts would not go unpunished. It showcased a firm diplomatic and security posture.

Question 9: Which tennis player won his 100th singles title at the Geneva Open 2025?
Option 1: Novak Djokovic
Option 2: Carlos Alcaraz
Option 3: Daniil Medvedev
Option 4: Jannik Sinner
Option 5: Hubert Hurkacz
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Novak Djokovic clinched his 100th ATP singles title at the Geneva Open 2025 by defeating Hubert Hurkacz in a gripping final. This historic milestone places him among the sport’s all-time greats, marking continued dominance despite stiff competition from younger players.

Question 10: Which major development took place in railway infrastructure in Northeast India as of May 2025?
Option 1: Launch of a semi-high-speed corridor in Assam
Option 2: Electrification of all lines in Tripura
Option 3: Approval of a new train service between Agartala and Guwahati
Option 4: Inauguration of Silchar–Kolkata Duronto Express
Option 5: Rail tunnel completion under the Brahmaputra
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: On 25 May 2025, the Indian Railways approved a new train service between Agartala (Tripura) and Guwahati (Assam), with successful trial runs involving electric locomotives. This move enhances regional connectivity, particularly in the underdeveloped Northeastern states, aligning with broader goals of inclusive infrastructure growth.

Post Views: 34