Current Affairs - May 17, 2025 Current Affairs

Neeraj Chopra made history by achieving a javelin throw of 90.23 meters at the Doha Diamond League, setting a new national record and becoming the first Indian to cross the 90-meter mark in the sport. This performance surpassed his previous best of 89.94 meters, which he recorded at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022. Although Chopra secured second place behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who threw 91.06 meters, his achievement is a major milestone in Indian athletics. It marks his continued rise in global javelin rankings and strengthens his reputation as one of the world’s top throwers.

The UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) mid-year report projects India’s GDP growth rate at 6.3% for the year 2025 and increases slightly to 6.4% in 2026. This solid forecast underscores India’s position as the fastest-growing large economy globally. The projection is supported by robust private consumption and sustained public investment, which continue to fuel economic expansion despite global headwinds. In contrast, the global economic growth rate is anticipated to be significantly lower, at 2.4%, due to persistent trade tensions and uncertainty in policy environments. These figures highlight India’s relative economic resilience and positive outlook in the international context.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art automotive and weapons systems testing centre in Chennai, specifically at Vellanur near the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi. This facility includes 26 different types of tracks designed to test the full range of automotive performance parameters for tracked armoured fighting vehicles. The strategic location and specialized infrastructure aim to enhance India's defence capabilities by enabling rigorous testing and development of military vehicles, thereby contributing significantly to the indigenisation and modernisation of the nation’s armed forces.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a significant contract with the Indian Army Air Defence to supply the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS), a state-of-the-art indigenous counter-drone system developed in collaboration with DRDO. This contract strengthens India’s defence capabilities by addressing emerging aerial threats through advanced technology. The project aligns with the Make in India initiative, promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Additionally, BEL secured orders worth ₹572 crore that include AI-based solutions for naval ships and software-defined radios (SDRs), demonstrating its expanding role in the country’s strategic defence infrastructure.

Nigeria experienced a severe outbreak of Lassa fever in 2025, resulting in 138 deaths and 717 confirmed cases, as reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The outbreak affected 18 out of the country’s 36 states, with a high case fatality rate of 19.2%. Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is commonly transmitted to humans through food or household items contaminated by the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats. The scale and spread of the outbreak highlight the urgent need for improved public health surveillance and preventive measures in affected regions.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious at the Superbet Chess Classic in Bucharest, Romania. The tournament ended with Praggnanandhaa, Alireza Firouzja, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave tied at 5.5 points after nine rounds, leading to a three-way tiebreak. After two drawn games, Praggnanandhaa secured his win by defeating Vachier-Lagrave in the final tiebreaker. This prestigious victory adds to his growing reputation on the international chess circuit and highlights his composure under pressure against top-tier opponents. His win at this elite tournament further cements his position as one of the rising stars in global chess.

Maharashtra secured the top position in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 by winning a total of 158 medals, including 58 gold and 47 silver. This dominant performance placed them ahead of strong contenders like Haryana, which earned 117 medals, and Rajasthan, which finished with 60. The games concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony at the Pataliputra Sports Complex in Patna. Maharashtra’s consistent excellence across multiple sports disciplines underscores the state’s investment in youth talent development and sports infrastructure, reinforcing its leadership in the national sporting arena and inspiring other states to elevate their athletic programs.

The newly sanctioned rail line project between Karhi and Sagma is situated in Madhya Pradesh and has received approval from the Railway Board. With a total estimated cost of over 165 crore rupees, this 5.31-kilometre bi-directional chord line falls under the West Central Railway (WCR) zone. It aims to enhance rail connectivity by linking the Lalitpur–Singrauli new line to the existing Itarsi–Manikpur line. This development is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce congestion, and facilitate smoother freight and passenger movement in the region, contributing to the overall infrastructure growth in Madhya Pradesh.

Aadhaar authentication transactions have crossed the significant milestone of 150 billion, showcasing the rapid growth and widespread adoption of Aadhaar-based services in India. This achievement highlights the role of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in driving the digital economy forward. In April 2025 alone, there were 210 crore authentication transactions, an 8% increase compared to April 2024. The Aadhaar e-KYC process has greatly enhanced customer experience by simplifying identity verification, thus facilitating easier access to banking, financial services, and various other sectors, reinforcing India’s progress in digital inclusion and service delivery.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea after detecting virus samples in healthy children during routine screenings in Lae, a coastal city in the country’s northeast. Polio is a highly infectious disease that mainly affects children under five years of age and spreads through contact with infected faeces or respiratory droplets. The declaration aims to prompt urgent vaccination efforts to contain the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable populations. This situation underscores the importance of sustained immunisation campaigns in preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases globally.

HCLTech has collaborated with IIT Guwahati to launch a comprehensive upskilling program in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. The program, delivered as a four-year online Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree, is part of HCLTech's broader TechBee initiative aimed at fostering early-career talent development. This strategic partnership allows employees to gain advanced technical knowledge while continuing their professional roles, blending academic learning with practical industry exposure. Such collaborations between academia and industry are essential to equip the workforce with relevant, future-ready skills in emerging technologies like AI, ensuring a competitive edge in the digital economy.