Current Affairs - May 28, 2025 Current Affairs

Karnataka has been selected as the location for India’s first private helicopter assembly facility, where Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems will set up a final assembly line for the H125 helicopter. This plant will be located in Kolar and aims to strengthen India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities as part of the Make in India initiative. The facility will not only serve domestic needs but also cater to the helicopter requirements of neighbouring countries. This move is a significant step towards promoting self-reliance in the defence and aerospace sector and underscores Karnataka’s growing importance in India’s industrial development.

Department of Post, under the Ministry of Communications, launched the innovative digital platforms ‘Know Your DIGIPIN’ and ‘Know Your PIN Code’ on May 27, 2025, as part of its mission to modernise India’s address infrastructure. These initiatives aim to enhance location accuracy, improve last-mile delivery, and support disaster response systems by integrating advanced geospatial technologies. Developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and NRSC-ISRO, these tools align with the National Geospatial Policy 2022 and are central to the Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) framework. By leveraging GNSS data and a geo-coded grid system, these applications represent a significant step in India’s digital and governance transformation.

World Hunger Day is observed every year on May 28 to raise global awareness about hunger and food insecurity, affecting over 800 million people worldwide. Established by The Hunger Project in 2011, this day focuses on sustainable, community-empowering solutions rather than temporary relief. It emphasizes building resilient food systems, supporting smallholder farmers, and promoting climate-resilient agriculture to achieve long-term food security and end hunger. The observance serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and governments to advocate for systemic change and sustainable development aligned with the UN’s Zero Hunger goal.

In FY 2024-25, India achieved a 7.9% reduction in coal imports, bringing the total volume down to 243.62 million tonnes from 264.53 million tonnes in the previous year. This significant decline contributed to foreign exchange savings of approximately $7.93 billion, underlining the country’s efforts toward energy self-reliance. The drop is a result of strategic government measures, including the expansion of domestic coal production through commercial mining and focused programs like Mission Coking Coal. This shift not only reduced dependency on foreign coal but also supported the broader goal of a self-reliant and energy-secure India under the "Viksit Bharat" initiative.

INS Tarini was the sailing vessel used by Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K of the Indian Navy to accomplish a historic circumnavigation of the globe under the Navika Sagar Parikrama II mission. The journey, lasting eight months and covering 25,400 nautical miles, stands as a remarkable testament to both seamanship and Nari Shakti. The mission promoted gender inclusion, maritime capability, and India’s commitment to oceanic exploration. Facing extreme weather, the crew navigated the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans, stopping at critical global ports before returning to Mormugao Port in Goa for the flag-in ceremony on May 29, 2025.

Raja Kumari, an Indian-origin rapper and singer-songwriter, made history by becoming the first musician of Indian descent to win an American Music Award (AMA). She received the award at the 51st AMA ceremony held in Los Angeles. Her nomination was for the track featured in ‘Arcane League of Legends: Season 2’, which gained global recognition. The song’s immense popularity also landed it in the top 10 of Spotify’s ‘Viral 50’ global chart, highlighting her growing influence in the international music scene. This milestone is a significant achievement for both Raja Kumari and Indian representation in global music.

Anil Kumble, the former Indian cricket captain, was appointed as the brand ambassador of the Karnataka Forest Department and Wildlife Conservation Programme to promote environmental awareness and conservation in the state. Known for his dedication to environmental causes, Kumble accepted the role voluntarily without any honorarium. His appointment aims to enhance public engagement in protecting Karnataka’s rich biodiversity, supporting efforts like afforestation, forest reclamation, and wildlife protection. This initiative reflects a collaboration between sports icons and environmental stewardship to inspire citizens, especially the youth, toward sustainable development.

The PADH-AI Conclave was held in New Delhi as a strategic platform to explore the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in India's education system. The event brought together policymakers, academic experts, domain specialists, and education entrepreneurs to deliberate on the integration of AI in learning and workforce development. By hosting the conclave in the national capital, organizers ensured the presence of key decision-makers and influencers, making it a significant step toward shaping policy and innovation in educational technology. The discussions are aimed at aligning AI developments with the country’s goals for educational reform and future-ready skill development.

Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28 to raise awareness about menstrual health and hygiene. The date was chosen symbolically, with May being the 5th month, representing the average five-day duration of menstruation, and 28 representing the average menstrual cycle length in days. Since its inception in 2014 by the NGO WASH United, this day highlights the importance of breaking stigma, promoting education, and improving access to menstrual products and hygiene infrastructure. It aims to create a #PeriodFriendlyWorld where menstruation is normalized and does not hinder anyone’s potential.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) in New Delhi on May 27, 2025. Located at Metcalfe House, this advanced facility is dedicated to enhancing India’s strategic and defence-related quantum capabilities. The QTRC will focus on developing indigenous technologies such as quantum communication systems, quantum sensing tools, and precision timekeeping systems. It houses state-of-the-art setups including Quantum Key Distribution platforms, atomic clocks, and quantum material development labs. This initiative is a major milestone in India’s pursuit of technological sovereignty in the quantum domain, especially amid rising global competition in post-quantum security infrastructure.

In FY 2024–25, India achieved a record high in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), securing a total of $81.04 billion. This represents a 14% increase from the previous fiscal year, highlighting India's growing appeal as a global investment destination. The surge was largely fueled by increased investments in the services and manufacturing sectors, with services alone seeing a 40.77% rise in FDI equity inflow. Key reforms in FDI policy, sector liberalization, and consistent economic growth have contributed to this milestone. The inflows were also geographically diverse, with states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi leading the chart, and countries like Singapore, Mauritius, and the U.S. being top contributors.

India is actively developing the E-Hansa, an indigenous two-seater electric trainer aircraft as part of its effort to boost self-reliance in aerospace technology. The aircraft is being developed by the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru under the broader HANSA-3 (Next Generation) program. The E-Hansa offers a cost-effective alternative to imported trainer aircraft, being nearly half the price, while also promoting clean energy in aviation. This initiative aligns with India’s push for innovation in green technology and reinforces its commitment to enhancing domestic capabilities in aerospace engineering and pilot training infrastructure.

The Philippines has launched two new visa-free entry options for Indian tourists starting May 2025. Indian nationals can now visit the Philippines for either 14 or 30 days without a visa, depending on their passport and residency status. This initiative aims to boost tourism and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. The 14-day visa-free entry is available for tourism purposes with specific requirements, while the 30-day visa-free option is granted to Indian citizens holding valid visas or permanent residency from countries like Australia, Japan, the USA, Canada, Schengen countries, Singapore, and the UK.

Kami Rita Sherpa, a veteran mountaineer from Nepal, has made history by summiting Mount Everest for an unprecedented 31st time on May 27, 2025. Leading an expedition that included a 22-member Indian Army team, he extended his own world record of Everest climbs, previously set at 30 in 2023. His remarkable achievement highlights the essential role Sherpas play in high-altitude mountaineering and strengthens Nepal’s prominence in mountain tourism. Kami Rita’s legacy inspires climbers worldwide and underscores decades of endurance and leadership in Himalayan expeditions.