Current Affairs Digest: May 27, 2025

Introduction

For students preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government examinations, staying updated with current affairs is crucial. This digest compiles the most significant events from May 27, 2025, sourced from reputable outlets such as The Hindu, The Indian Express, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Business Standard, Livemint, The Economic Times, Press Information Bureau (PIB), PRS Legislative Research, BBC News, Reuters, and Down To Earth. Covering politics, governance, economics, science, technology, international relations, wildlife conservation, and sports, this article is designed to be a comprehensive resource for exam preparation.

Politics and Governance

Draft Registration Bill 2025

On May 27, 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development unveiled the draft Registration Bill 2025, a landmark initiative to overhaul India’s property registration system. This bill aims to replace the 117-year-old Registration Act of 1908, which has governed the registration of immovable property and other transactions. The new legislation introduces digital innovations, including online registration, electronic document submission, electronic registration certificates, and digital record maintenance. To ensure accessibility, it offers Aadhaar-based authentication alongside alternative verification methods for those without Aadhaar or opting not to use it. The government has opened a 30-day window for public feedback, accessible via the Department of Land Resources website (The Economic Times). This move reflects India’s push toward digitization and transparency in governance, a key topic for UPSC aspirants studying policy reforms.

Pahalgam Terror Attack and Political Reactions

The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, mostly Hindu tourists, remains a focal point in Indian politics. The attack, attributed to terrorist groups, prompted India to launch retaliatory airstrikes against Pakistan on May 7, 2025, escalating bilateral tensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described terrorism as Pakistan’s deliberate “war strategy,” intensifying the rhetoric (PIB). The INDIA alliance, led by opposition parties, is gearing up to demand a special Parliament session to discuss the attack and its implications, with leaders like Rahul Gandhi emphasizing the need for a unified response (The Hindu). Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack, highlighting vulnerabilities exploited by terrorists (India Today). This issue is critical for exam candidates, as it touches on national security, India-Pakistan relations, and governance in Jammu and Kashmir.

Other Political Developments

The Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla nominated three members, including BJP leader Sambit Patra, to the Press Council of India, strengthening the government’s influence over media regulation (The Hindu). Meanwhile, the Congress party issued a five-point rebuttal to PM Modi’s remarks on Jawaharlal Nehru, accusing him of historical distortion, reflecting ongoing political polarization (The Indian Express). These developments are essential for understanding the dynamics of Parliamentary functioning and political discourse.

Economic Developments

Reserve Bank of India Initiatives

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is driving significant changes in India’s financial sector. On May 27, 2025, reports highlighted the RBI’s shift toward monetary easing, providing stability to domestic bond markets amid global economic volatility (Reuters). The RBI is also exploring rupee lending to overseas borrowers in neighboring countries to enhance the Indian rupee’s role in international trade (Reuters). Another milestone was the RBI granting PayPal in-principle approval as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB-E), enabling outbound cross-border payments and reinforcing India’s digital payment infrastructure (YourStory).

The RBI introduced the Unified Lending Interface (ULI), a platform designed to streamline digital lending by reducing loan processing times from weeks to minutes (Passionate in Marketing). Additionally, the RBI is considering allowing banks to offer fixed deposits with tenures shorter than seven days, catering to short-term investment needs (Times of India). These initiatives are crucial for Banking exam aspirants studying financial regulations and economic policies.

Stock Market Performance

The Nifty 50 index closed 0.7% lower on May 27, 2025, at approximately 24,853 points, driven by profit-booking in major stocks like ICICI Bank (-1.06%), Axis Bank (-1.72%), and Tata Motors (-1.80%). Gains in Jio Financial (+3.43%) and IndusInd Bank (+2.57%) provided some cushion, but the overall market sentiment was cautious due to weak global cues and reduced FII inflows (5paisa). The Nifty Next 50 index also saw a decline of 0.27%, closing at 67,190.75, with a high of 67,418.00 and a low of 66,891.20 (Moneycontrol). These trends are vital for understanding market dynamics and economic indicators.

COVID-19 Surge

India reported a COVID-19 surge, with active cases exceeding 1,000, led by Kerala. Delhi recorded 99 cases in a single week, prompting heightened preparedness measures. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered enhanced surveillance to tackle new variants, while Punjab initiated contact tracing (India Today). This resurgence underscores the importance of public health policies for exam candidates.

Science and Technology

ISRO Developments

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a challenge with the failure of the EOS-09 satellite mission on May 18, 2025, due to a rocket motor malfunction, leading to the temporary grounding of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) fleet (Hindustan Times). Despite this setback, ISRO remains committed to advancing space exploration, with Chairman V. Narayanan noting the completion of over 7,200 mission tests (Media Eye News). ISRO also launched a recruitment drive for over 300 Scientist/Engineer positions, with applications open from May 27 to June 16, 2025, offering salaries up to Rs. 56,100 per month (NDTV). Additionally, 10 satellites are operational for strategic purposes, enhancing India’s security (DD News).

Artificial Intelligence Advancements

India is positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI). Minister of State Jitin Prasada emphasized that the future of AI should align with the aspirations of a progressive India, highlighting its potential to drive economic and social growth (ANI News). Frinks AI, a manufacturing AI startup by IIT Hyderabad alumni, raised $5.4 million led by Prime Ventures, signaling strong investor confidence in India’s AI ecosystem (The Malaysian Reserve). The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) also leveraged AI to create a video invite for Mahanadu 2025 using NTR’s voice, showcasing innovative applications in political campaigns (Times of India).

International Relations

Free Trade Agreements

India is actively pursuing free trade agreements (FTAs) to strengthen its global economic position. On May 20, 2025, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington, D.C., to advance the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement, part of the Mission 500 initiative to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 (India Briefing). Negotiations with the UK, Canada, and the EU are also underway, with the India-UK FTA expected to boost trade by $15 billion by 2030 (India Briefing). The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), signed with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein on March 10, 2024, is set to take effect by late 2025, reducing tariffs and enhancing trade (Product for Indians).

Operation Sindoor Diplomacy

India’s Operation Sindoor diplomacy, aimed at strengthening ties with neighboring countries, was highlighted as a strategic move to counter regional challenges (India Today). This initiative is significant for understanding India’s foreign policy and regional influence.

Wildlife Conservation

India’s commitment to wildlife conservation remains strong. The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) reported the arrival of five Asiatic black bear cubs at the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation in Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, over the past two weeks. Additionally, a male elephant calf, aged 18-24 months, was admitted to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation in Kaziranga, Assam, after being found distressed near agricultural land (WTI). The conservation community mourned the passing of Dr. L. N. Acharjyo, a renowned wildlife veterinary scientist, whose contributions have been pivotal in protecting India’s biodiversity (WTI). These efforts align with India’s broader conservation goals, including the Green India Mission and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), critical for UPSC aspirants studying environmental policies.

Sports

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 saw an exciting match on May 27, 2025, where Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets. Jitesh Sharma’s explosive batting outshone Rishabh Pant’s century, securing RCB’s position in the top two of the league standings (The Indian Express). This victory highlights the competitive spirit of IPL, a popular topic in general knowledge sections of competitive exams.

Conclusion

The events of May 27, 2025, offer a wealth of information for students preparing for competitive exams. From the Registration Bill 2025 and Pahalgam terror attack to RBI’s financial reforms, ISRO’s space endeavors, AI advancements, FTA negotiations, wildlife conservation efforts, and IPL 2025 achievements, these developments span critical areas of governance, economics, science, international relations, environment, and sports. By understanding these topics, aspirants can gain a competitive edge in their exam preparation.

Key Citations

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers

Question 1: Which feature is a key innovation introduced in the Draft Registration Bill 2025?
Option 1: Mandatory biometric verification for all transactions
Option 2: Creation of state-specific registration laws
Option 3: Introduction of blockchain-based land records
Option 4: Aadhaar-based authentication with optional alternatives
Option 5: Property valuation based on AI tools
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Draft Registration Bill 2025 aims to digitize India’s archaic property registration process. One of its key innovations is allowing Aadhaar-based authentication, while also offering alternative identity verification options to ensure inclusivity. This supports digital governance and enhances transparency in property dealings.Question 2: What was a major reason behind the recent drop in Nifty 50 on May 27, 2025?
Option 1: RBI’s interest rate hike
Option 2: Profit-booking in major stocks amid weak global cues
Option 3: Surge in foreign institutional investments
Option 4: Rupee appreciation against the US dollar
Option 5: Positive quarterly earnings from IT firms
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Nifty 50 index declined by 0.7% due to profit-booking in key stocks like Tata Motors and Axis Bank, influenced by weak global signals and reduced foreign institutional investor inflows. This reflects the volatile nature of equity markets driven by both domestic and international factors.

Question 3: Who recently received in-principle approval from the RBI as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB-E)?
Option 1: PhonePe
Option 2: BharatPe
Option 3: Razorpay
Option 4: Paytm
Option 5: PayPal
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: PayPal received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a Payment Aggregator for Cross-Border transactions. This will facilitate smoother outbound digital payments, marking a significant step in India’s fintech evolution and cross-border payment ecosystem.

Question 4: Which party leader condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and highlighted security lapses in the region?
Option 1: Omar Abdullah
Option 2: Narendra Modi
Option 3: Sambit Patra
Option 4: Rahul Gandhi
Option 5: Amit Shah
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, highlighting vulnerabilities in local security systems. His response underscores the political and governance implications of security challenges in the region.

Question 5: The India-EFTA TEPA agreement, expected to come into force in late 2025, includes which of the following countries?
Option 1: Australia
Option 2: Germany
Option 3: Norway
Option 4: Japan
Option 5: China
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The India-EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement includes Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. This agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade by reducing tariffs and enhancing investment flows.

Question 6: What is a key aim of the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) introduced by the RBI?
Option 1: To provide government subsidies through direct benefit transfer
Option 2: To centralize stock exchange operations
Option 3: To facilitate credit card integration with digital wallets
Option 4: To regulate insurance premium payments
Option 5: To reduce loan processing times via digital platforms
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: The Unified Lending Interface (ULI) is designed to digitize and streamline the lending process, significantly reducing loan approval times from weeks to minutes. This initiative aims to make financial access more efficient and customer-centric.

Question 7: Which of the following companies raised $5.4 million to boost AI-driven manufacturing solutions?
Option 1: Ola Electric
Option 2: Nykaa
Option 3: Frinks AI
Option 4: CRED
Option 5: OpenAI India
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: Frinks AI, a startup founded by IIT Hyderabad alumni, raised $5.4 million to scale up its AI-powered manufacturing solutions. This investment reflects growing confidence in India’s deep-tech ecosystem, particularly in automation and smart manufacturing.

Question 8: According to India’s Operation Sindoor diplomacy, what is the strategic goal of the initiative?
Option 1: Expand India’s Arctic presence
Option 2: Strengthen regional partnerships in South Asia
Option 3: Launch counter-terrorism missions abroad
Option 4: Promote cultural diplomacy with African nations
Option 5: Establish trade corridors in Europe
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Operation Sindoor diplomacy is a strategic initiative focused on enhancing India’s regional relationships with neighboring South Asian countries. It is part of a broader effort to counterbalance external influence and foster cooperation in the region.

Question 9: Who led RCB to victory in the IPL match held on May 27, 2025, against Lucknow Super Giants?
Option 1: Jitesh Sharma
Option 2: KL Rahul
Option 3: Rishabh Pant
Option 4: Virat Kohli
Option 5: Hardik Pandya
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Jitesh Sharma played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s win over Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets. His explosive batting performance outshone Rishabh Pant’s century, demonstrating the impact of key players in the IPL.

Question 10: ISRO recently grounded which satellite launch vehicle following the EOS-09 mission failure?
Option 1: GSLV Mk III
Option 2: SSLV
Option 3: ASLV
Option 4: PSLV
Option 5: GSLV Mk II
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: Following the failure of the EOS-09 satellite mission due to a rocket motor malfunction, ISRO temporarily grounded the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) fleet. This move allows for detailed assessments and corrective measures before resuming missions.

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