Current Affairs - May 22, 2025 Current Affairs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India's first 9000 HP electric locomotive engine at the Dahod railway factory located in Gujarat. This event is significant as it represents a milestone in India's push towards advanced transportation technology and efficient logistics. The factory, developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, is designed to produce 1,200 engines over the next decade, which will cater to both domestic and international markets. This initiative also aligns with broader efforts to enhance regional infrastructure and stimulate economic growth, making Gujarat a key hub in this ambitious industrial progression.

The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed each year on May 22, a date chosen to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. Originally celebrated on December 29, the observance was moved to May 22 in 2000 by the UN General Assembly to enhance its visibility. The day serves to raise global awareness of the crucial role biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth. In 2025, the emphasis is on restoring nature and aligning biodiversity protection with sustainable development, underlining the urgent need for collective action to halt environmental degradation and promote ecological resilience.

India assumed the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025–26 term during the 67th Governing Body Meeting held in Jakarta. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of DPIIT. At the meeting, India emphasized its dedication to APO’s Vision 2030 and the Green Productivity 2.0 initiative. Key areas of focus during India’s leadership term include driving digital transformation, promoting sustainable development, fostering innovation, and supporting entrepreneurship across member nations, thereby strengthening the region's productivity and economic growth.

The Maharashtra government has introduced a comprehensive aggregator policy aimed at regulating app-based cab services such as Ola and Uber. This policy outlines new guidelines including fare structures, mandatory driver training programs, promotion of electric vehicle adoption, and specific penalties for service violations. Notably, if a driver cancels a booking without a valid reason, a financial penalty of 10% of the fare or Rs. 100—whichever is lower—will be imposed. The policy is intended to ensure greater accountability, improve service quality, and support sustainable transportation initiatives within the state.

The butterfly species Euthalia malaccana, previously known from Southeast Asia, has been officially recorded in the Leparada district of Arunachal Pradesh, marking its first confirmed presence in India. This discovery extends the known range of the species and contributes significantly to the country’s biodiversity data. It also underscores the importance of citizen science in wildlife documentation and research. Euthalia malaccana was once considered a subspecies but is now recognized as a distinct species. The finding is notable for entomologists and conservationists, as it highlights the ecological richness of Arunachal Pradesh and India's northeastern biodiversity frontier.

Adriyan Karmakar clinched the silver medal in the 50m rifle prone event at the ISSF Junior World Cup held in Suhl, Germany. Competing in his debut World Cup appearance, the 20-year-old marksman delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 626.7 points and narrowly missing the gold by just 0.3 points to Sweden’s Jesper Johansson. In addition to earning India its first medal at the event, Adriyan set a new junior national record in the discipline, underscoring his potential as a rising star in Indian shooting sports and contributing significantly to the country's presence on the international stage.

Banu Mushtaq was honored with the International Booker Prize for her Kannada short story collection Heart Lamp, translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi. This collection, originally titled Hridaya Deepa, consists of twelve compelling stories that showcase the richness of regional literature. Banu Mushtaq’s recognition is a milestone as she is the first Indian author writing in Kannada to receive this prestigious international literary award. Her win highlights the growing global appreciation for diverse linguistic and cultural narratives from India, and the crucial role of translators in bringing such stories to a wider audience.

The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati witnessed a 7.67% rise in passenger traffic, reaching 6.57 million in FY 2024-25. It also handled a record 91,594 international passengers, the highest since the Adani Group assumed operations in 2021. A new terminal is under construction to further enhance capacity, highlighting Guwahati's growing aviation significance.

Morgan Stanley has updated its GDP growth projection for India for the fiscal year 2026 to 6.2%, an adjustment from its earlier forecast of 6.3%. This revision reflects optimism fueled by robust domestic demand, supportive policy measures, and a more favourable global trade environment due to easing tensions between the US and China. These factors are expected to improve external demand for Indian exports. Additionally, the Reserve Bank of India is anticipated to maintain a growth-supportive stance by implementing further monetary easing, with two projected rate cuts of 25 basis points each. These combined elements underpin the improved outlook.

National Anti-Terrorism Day in India is observed annually on May 21, marking the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991 by the LTTE. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of terrorism and promoting peace, unity, and non-violence across the country. It also honours victims of terrorism and encourages citizens, especially the youth, to stand against extremism and radicalization. The observance reinforces India’s commitment to combating terrorism and maintaining social harmony and national integration.