1 India’s RuPay service for card payments to be launched in Maldives soon
India’s RuPay service for card payments will soon be launched in Maldives . This is likely to strengthen the Maldivian currency Rufiyaa . In the Maldivian media, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has been quoted as saying that the aim of launching RuPay service is to reduce dependence on the US dollar and strengthen the regional payment system. Mr. Saeed met Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahavar two weeks ago in this regard.
2 Uttar Pradesh tops in adding transmission lines in 2023-24
According to the recently released data of Central Electricity Authority , Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the number one state in terms of adding transmission lines by state transmission companies in 2023-24 . In 2022-23 too, the state of Uttar Pradesh topped the list of state transmission companies. In 2023-24, state government-owned Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL) added 1,460 ckm (circuit kilometer) of transmission lines of 220kV or above. In the second spot was Gujarat. Gujarat government-run Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) added 898 ckm of transmission lines in 2023-24. In the third spot was Tamil Nadu. State-run company Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited (TANTRANSCO) added 753 ckm of transmission lines in 2023-24. Andhra Pradesh ranked fourth with government-owned Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APTRANSCO) adding 682 ckm of transmission lines.
3 Thiruvananthapuram International Airport receives accolade for zero waste to landfill
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has made history by becoming the first airport in India to receive the prestigious accreditation of Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) . The accolade comes from the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII-ITC), reaffirming the airport’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices. Through rigorous assessment, it has been verified that Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has implemented exemplary waste management strategies, resulting in an impressive diversion of 99.50 per cent of waste from landfill. This achievement underlines the airport’s dedication towards sustainability and sets a high benchmark for others to follow.
4 Assam launched digital platform ‘Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS)’
Assam has taken a significant step towards enhancing its disaster management capabilities by launching Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS) . An initiative of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), this state-of-the-art digital platform aims to streamline reporting and assessment of damage caused by various disasters, thereby enabling prompt delivery of assistance to affected people. Developed in collaboration with UNICEF , DRIMS efficiently captures critical impact indicators of damage during disasters.
5 Sheel Nagu became the acting Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court
On 25 May, Justice Sheel Nagu took charge as the acting Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court . He replaced Chief Justice Ravi Vijaykumar Malimath , who retired on 24 May. Sheel Nagu started his career as a lawyer on 5 October 1987. Justice Sheel Nagu was appointed as Additional Judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court on 27 May 2011. On 23 May 2013, Sheel Nagu was appointed as a permanent judge. He has also worked as a Justice in the Gwalior Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court. He was serving as the Executive Chairman of Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority till 29 October 2021.
6 Payal Kapadia’s film ‘All We Imagine is Light’ wins Grand Prix Award at Cannes
Payal Kapadia ‘s film ‘ All We Imagine Is Light ‘ was awarded the Grand Prix Award at Cannes . This film became an Indian film to be screened in the main competition segment of the Cannes Film Festival after 30 years. Earlier in 1994, Shaji N Karun’s Malayalam film ‘Swaham’ was selected in this segment of the competition. In this way, for the first time in the 77-year history of the Cannes Film Festival, four Indian filmmakers received awards in different categories.
7 Elon Musk launches Starlink in Indonesia
Elon Musk has SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia, aimed at enhancing connectivity in remote areas of the archipelago nation . The inauguration took place in Bali , where Musk met with Indonesian officials to highlight the transformative potential of better internet access. Elon Musk, along with key Indonesian government representatives, inaugurated Starlink services at a community health center in Bali. The event highlighted the importance of internet connectivity for sectors such as healthcare and education, especially in under-served areas.
8 Noise acquired this SocialBoat
Smartwatch and connected lifestyle brand Noise has acquired AI-powered women’s wellness platform SocialBoat . The acquisition will enhance Noise’s tech offerings, especially for its flagship smart wearable Luna Ring. The integration of SocialBoat’s expertise is expected to boost the growth of Noise’s wellness and health tracking capabilities. Under this, products can be developed specifically focusing on women’s health.
9 Adani Ports becomes the first company of the group to be included in the BSE index
On May 24, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) the inclusion of Adani Group ‘s port company ‘ Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone’ in the benchmark index BSE Sensex . This change will be effective from 24th June next month. Adani Ports has given a return of more than 95% in the last one year. Both Adani Enterprises and Adani Ports are included in the Nifty 50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Adani Ports is India’s largest private port operator and end-to-end logistics provider. Its 13 ports and terminals represent about 24% of the country’s port capacity, with a capacity of 580 MMTPA. Earlier it was named Gujarat Adani Port Limited (GAPL). Sensex is the benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, which tracks the top 30 companies of the country. Sensex is calculated on the basis of free-float capitalization.
10 UNGA declared 24 May as International Markhor Day
The United Nations General Assembly has declared May 24 as International Markhor Day . The resolution, sponsored by Pakistan and eight other countries, aims to raise awareness about and promote the conservation of this iconic and ecologically important species found in the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia. Markhor ( Capra falconeri ), also known as the “ screw-horned goat ”, is the national animal of Pakistan . It is a majestic wild goat known for its striking spiral-shaped horns, which can grow up to 1.6 metres (5.2 ft) in length, making them the largest horns of any living caprid species.
11 IndianOil exports premium fuel XP100 to Sri Lanka
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has achieved a significant milestone by exporting its first consignment of 100 octane premium fuel, XP100, to Sri Lanka . The high-quality fuel, designed for premium high-end vehicles, was shipped from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Mumbai . The event highlights IOCL’s commitment to expand its global reach and showcase the quality of its products.
12 Rishabh Gandhi appointed as MD and CEO of IndiaFirst Life Insurance
The board of IndiaFirst Life Insurance has approved the elevation of Rishabh Gandhi, the current deputy chief executive officer, to the position of managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO) . Gandhi’s appointment is a significant milestone for the company, in line with its succession strategy.
13 Indian women’s compound archery team won gold
On 25 May, the Indian women’s team won gold in the compound event of the World Cup Stage-2 Archery being held in Yecheon, South Korea. India got the silver medal in the mixed team. In the women’s final, the Indian trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Preneet Kaur and Aditi Swami defeated the Turkish trio of Hazal Burun, Ayse Bera Suzer and Begum 232-226. This is the third consecutive gold for the Indian trio in the World Cup. Earlier this year, this trio had won gold by defeating Italy in the World Cup Stage-1 held in Shanghai. Earlier, it had also won gold in the World Cup Stage-4 held in Paris last year. The mixed team had to face defeat from America, and had to be satisfied with the silver medal. The pair of Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Priyansh was defeated by the pair of Olivia Dean and Sawyer Sullivan of America in the compound mixed.
14 Australia to host AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed Australia as the host of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The continental football governing body made the announcement after the AFC Executive Committee ratified the recommendations of the AFC Women’s Football Committee at its meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. Uzbekistan has been selected to host the 2029 edition of the premier women’s football continental tournament . This will be the first time a Central Asian country will host the flagship event.
15 World Turtle Day
Every year, May 23 is celebrated as World Turtle Day , which aims to protect turtles and their rapidly disappearing habitats around the world. The day was started in 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue. Since then, the day is celebrated every year to create awareness about the world’s oldest living reptiles.
