Current context: Senior IAS officer Arvind Shrivastava (1994‑batch, Karnataka cadre) has been appointed as the Revenue Secretary, moving from the Prime Minister’s Office to the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Current context: India finished 6th at the 6th Asian U‑18 Athletics Championship 2025 in Saudi Arabia, securing 11 medals.

Key Points

• Venue & Organizer: Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz Sports City, Saudi Arabia, under the Asian Athletics Association.
• Medal Tally: 1 gold | 5 silver | 5 bronze.
• Gold Medal: Hinmanshu won India’s first-ever boys’ javelin throw gold with a mark of 67.57 m, edging out China’s Lu Hao.
• Participation: Under‑18 athletes from 31 Asian countries
• Previous Edition: India had won 24 medals at the 5th Championship in Tashkent (2023).

Current context :A compilation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches on culture, Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay was launched in New Delhi by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri.

Key Points

• Content: Speeches focus on safeguarding traditions, spiritual values, and integrating cultural legacy into governance.
• Significance: Serves as a reference for policymakers and citizens to understand and promote India’s civilizational ethos.

Current Context: Telangana launched the Bhu Bharati Act, 2025, to address grievances related to the Dharani portal and improve land governance.

Key Provisions:

• Rectification of land record errors
• Mandatory surveys and mapping before registration/mutation
• Regularisation of sada bainamas based on ground realities
• Timely mutation of hereditary properties

Two-Tier Grievance Redressal:

• Stage 1: Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO)
• Stage 2: District Collector
• Farmer-Friendly: Grievance redressal process is now cost-free.
• Pilot Launch: Implemented in 4 mandals; statewide rollout by Telangana Formation Day (June 2).
• Rules Notified: Cover procedures for record maintenance, dispute resolution, and

Current Context: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched the Mahila Samvad campaign to empower women and strengthen their connection with government welfare schemes.

Key Highlights

• Objective: To spread awareness about women-centric schemes and gather feedback for policy improvement.
• Coverage: Targets over 2 crore women via events at 70,000+ locations across Bihar.
• Awareness Vehicles: 600 “Mahila Samvad” vans with large screens and officials for real-time interaction in rural areas.
• Expected Outcomes: Enhanced awareness of rights, increased participation in governance, and stronger community engagement.

Current context: The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA, active in the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea, will conduct a joint exercise with the Indian Navy in late May 2025 to bolster anti‑piracy cooperation.

Background

• Launch: Initiated in 2008 to combat piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.
• Mandate: Protects World Food Programme (WFP) vessels, deters piracy and maritime crime, and monitors illegal fishing and drug trafficking.

Key Details

• Joint Exercise: Planned in late May 2025 with the Indian Navy to enhance interoperability in counter‑piracy operations.
• Current Threats: While overall piracy incidents have declined, a recent resurgence—linked to Houthi activities in the Red Sea—underscores ongoing risks.
• Response Capability: EUNAVFOR can deploy assets and respond to piracy incidents within 48–72 hours, serving as a key deterrent.
• Expanded Role: Beyond piracy, the operation now focuses on unregulated fishing and narcotics interdiction under its expanded mandate.

Current context: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has selected PAIR Networks under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Program.

About

• The PAIR Program seeks to strengthen India’s higher education and research ecosystem by nurturing innovation, building research capacity, and promoting regional excellence through collaborative networks.

Key Highlights

• Structure: PAIR Networks consist of 18 Hub institutions and 106 Spoke partners, organized into two categories:
• Category A: 7 Hubs with 45 Spokes
• Category B: 11 Hubs with 61 Spokes
• Mentorship Model: Each Hub provides structured mentorship, funding support, and infrastructure access to its Spokes for joint projects.
• Scope: Connects universities, colleges, and research institutes to address local and national R&D

Current context: South Africa’s Sterkfontein Caves, part of the Cradle of Humankind, reopened to the public in April 2025 after a three‑year closure.

About

• Location: 50 km northwest of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa.
• Geology: Dolomitic limestone cave system featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and other karst formations formed over millions of years.

Palaeoanthropological Significance:

• One of the world’s richest hominid fossil sites.
• Home to “Mrs Ples” (Australopithecus africanus skull) and “Little Foot” (nearly complete Australopithecus skeleton).
• Provides evidence of human ancestors living in the region up to 3.5 million years ago.
• UNESCO Status: Designated part of the “Cradle of Humankind” World Heritage Site in 1999 for its outstanding universal value in human evolutionary studies.

• World Earth Day 2025 is observed on April 22, led by the Earth Day Network.
• The theme for 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet”, highlighting individual action for climate protection.
• It marks the 55th edition, first celebrated in 1970, promoting awareness of environmental challenges.
• The day encourages people worldwide to adopt sustainable habits and protect Earth.

Current Context: The South California city of Pomona will host the cricket event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking cricket’s return to the Olympics after 128 years.

Key Highlights

• Venue: Fairgrounds, Pomona, California.
• Format: T20 format; 6 teams each in men’s and women’s categories.
• Other sports added: Baseball/Softball, Flag Football, Lacrosse (Sixes), and Squash.

Historical relevance:

• Last played in 1900 Paris Olympics.
• T20 cricket featured in Asian Games (2010, 2014, 2023) and Commonwealth Games 2022 (Women’s event).