Current Affairs - May 1, 2025 Current Affairs

The 2-day National Workshop on Multi-Disciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERU) under the PM-USHA initiative was inaugurated by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar in New Delhi. This centrally sponsored scheme, launched by the Ministry of Education, focuses on enhancing the quality of higher education, particularly in state-run institutions. New Delhi, being the capital and a central hub for major policy-level events, frequently hosts national-level academic and administrative workshops like this one. The workshop aimed at fostering dialogue and sharing strategies to elevate the standards of multidisciplinary research and education in India.

Alok Joshi, the former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), has been appointed as the new Chairman of the revamped National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). This appointment is part of a strategic restructuring to strengthen India's national security framework, particularly in response to rising terror threats and the Pahalgam attack. The reshaping of the NSAB aims to enhance the country's security responses and offer strategic advice on military, intelligence, and diplomatic matters, signalling India's commitment to improving its defence strategies amidst growing security challenges.

Nvidia has unveiled a historic $500 billion investment plan to set up AI chip manufacturing within the United States, marking a significant shift in the company's strategy. Traditionally dependent on Asian manufacturing, especially in Taiwan, this move signals Nvidia's commitment to boosting domestic tech production and supporting AI infrastructure. The investment is backed by the Trump administration and aims to make the U.S. a global leader in AI technology while reducing reliance on foreign supply chains. This is also a step toward creating large-scale employment and reinforcing the national tech industry.

Lt Gen JP Mathew stepped down from his role as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) on April 30 after serving the Indian Armed Forces for nearly four decades. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in promoting jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and made significant contributions to the development of Defence Cyber and Space capabilities. His leadership also strengthened collaboration with the Indian defence industry. In recognition of his exemplary service and dedication, he was awarded prestigious honours, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal. His retirement marks the conclusion of a highly impactful military career.

The 'Depot Darpan' portal is being introduced by the government as a real-time monitoring system for food storage depots. Its core purpose is to ensure that these depots maintain top-tier standards in quality and safety. This initiative supports the broader goal of enhancing food security for more than 80 crore beneficiaries across India. By integrating scientific warehousing methods and smart storage technologies, the government aims to reduce spoilage, increase efficiency, and better manage the public distribution system. The launch of this portal reflects a strategic move towards a more resilient and technologically empowered food supply chain.

At the 2nd Indian Open Relay Competition held in Chandigarh, the men’s 4x100m relay team—comprising Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain—set a new national record with a time of 38.69 seconds. This outstanding performance broke the previous record of 38.89 seconds, which had stood since the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi. The achievement reflects significant progress in Indian sprinting and underlines the growing competitiveness of relay events in national athletics. Such milestones also serve as inspiration for future athletes and contribute to India's track and field legacy.

Gujarat Foundation Day, or Gujarat Sthapana Divas, is celebrated annually on May 1 to mark the formation of the state of Gujarat in 1960. The reorganization was a result of the Bombay Reorganisation Act, which divided the erstwhile Bombay State into Gujarat and Maharashtra on linguistic lines—Gujarati-speaking regions became Gujarat, while Marathi-speaking regions formed Maharashtra. This date holds historical and cultural significance for the people of Gujarat and is commemorated with various events and ceremonies across the state, honouring its unique heritage and contributions to the nation.

The Ministry of Labour & Employment has partnered with Rapido by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance employment opportunities in the logistics and transport sector through the National Career Service (NCS) portal. This collaboration aims to create over 50 lakh livelihood opportunities within the next one to two years. A key focus of the initiative is inclusive hiring, particularly encouraging youth and women to take up flexible work roles. Rapido will list job opportunities for roles such as bike taxi drivers, auto-rickshaw operators, and cab drivers on the NCS platform, making the process of job discovery more accessible.

The Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) was officially launched in Mumbai during the WAVES 2025 event by the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw. This institution is part of a national effort to promote excellence in the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector, aiming to position India as a global hub for digital creativity. Mumbai, being a major centre for media and entertainment, was a strategic choice for the launch. The IICT will provide training, research, and industry collaboration opportunities to empower young creative professionals and advance India’s digital content ecosystem.

International Labour Day, widely known as May Day, is celebrated every year on May 1 to honour the contributions of workers and to promote awareness of their rights and welfare. The observance traces its roots to labour union movements that advocated for fair working hours and better conditions. The first Labour Day parade was held in New York City in 1882, which later influenced global efforts to recognize and support the labour force. In India, it is celebrated under various names such as Kamgar Divas or Antrarashtriya Shramik Divas and is marked by rallies, awareness campaigns, and public gatherings supporting workers’ rights.

Nepal is introducing a new draft law to limit Mount Everest access only to climbers who have prior experience scaling peaks above 7,000 meters. This move is part of the country’s broader effort to address the growing issues of overcrowding, rising fatalities, and environmental degradation on the world’s highest mountain. By ensuring that only experienced mountaineers attempt Everest, Nepal aims to improve safety standards and promote more sustainable expedition practices. The new regulation is also seen as a step toward preserving the ecological integrity of the Everest region, which has increasingly suffered from waste accumulation and unregulated tourism.

The United States has signed an economic partnership agreement with Ukraine, granting it access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals—critical for advanced technologies, including defence and clean energy sectors. In return, the agreement includes the formation of a joint Reconstruction Investment Fund aimed at aiding Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts amid ongoing challenges. This strategic move not only strengthens economic ties between the two nations but also aligns their interests in geopolitical stability and resource security. Ukraine’s rich mineral reserves play a crucial role in global supply chains, making this deal significant for both economic and strategic reasons.