Observed annually on 03 May.

• Aim : To evaluate press freedom worldwide, defend media independence, and honor journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty
• Theme 2025: Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.
• Established by: United Nations General Assembly in 1993.
• Significance: Highlights the role of journalism in promoting transparency, democracy, and human rights.

Current Context: The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying awarded the first-ever Aqua Insurance to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), aiming to provide financial support to aquaculture farmers.

Key Features:

• Objective: To offer financial assistance to small and marginalized aquaculture farmers, ensuring risk mitigation in aquaculture activities.
• Beneficiaries: Registered aquafarmers, firms, companies, societies, cooperatives, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs).
• Incentive Details: A one-time incentive is provided at 40% of the insurance premium cost, subject to a ceiling of ₹25,000 per hectare of water spread area, with a maximum of ₹1 lakh per farmer for up to 4 hectares. 
• Inclusivity: An additional 10% incentive is available for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women beneficiaries.
• Coverage: The insurance covers one crop cycle and is applicable to various aquaculture systems, including intensive forms like Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) and bio-floc.

Current Context: In April 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded Geographical Indication (GI) certificates to 21 traditional products from Uttar Pradesh, including the Banarasi Shehnai and Banarasi Tabla, recognizing their unique cultural heritage.

About Banarasi Shehnai:

• Instrument Details: A traditional Indian wind instrument, the Shehnai is akin to the oboe and is integral to temple music and auspicious ceremonies, especially weddings. 
• Cultural Significance: The instrument gained global recognition through the legendary Ustad Bismillah Khan, who hailed from Varanasi and was instrumental in popularizing the Shehnai worldwide.

About Banarasi Tabla:

• Gharana: The Banaras tabla gharana was established over 200 years ago by Pandit Ram Sahai and is one of the six principal tabla gharanas in Indian classical music.
• Notable Artists: Padma Vibhushan Pandit Kishan Maharaj, a renowned tabla player, belonged to this gharana, contributing significantly to its prominence.

Significance of GI Tag:

• Protection: The GI tag ensures that only authorized users or those residing in the region can use the name, preserving the authenticity and heritage of these instruments.

Current Context: Following the suspension of visa services to Pakistani nationals after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that Long-Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals remain valid.

About LTVs

• LTVs permit foreign nationals to reside in India for more than 180 days, primarily issued on humanitarian grounds.
• Eligibility: Typically granted to minority community members from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, with or without valid travel documents.
• Recent Developments: Despite the blanket suspension of visas for Pakistani nationals, LTVs for Hindu Pakistani nationals are exempted from this decision.
• Community Impact: The clarification provided relief to over 250 Pakistani Sindhi Hindus residing in Pimpri, Maharashtra, who were concerned about their visa status.

Current Context: Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam has made history by becoming the first Urban Local Body (ULB) in India to issue a Certified Green Municipal Bond, raising ₹150 crore for establishing an advanced Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP) under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban.

About the Green Municipal Bond Initiative

• Purpose of the Bond: To fund the development of a state-of-the-art Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP) aimed at promoting sustainable water management in Ghaziabad.
• Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP):
  • Capacity: 40 Million Litres per Day (MLD).
  • Technologies Used: Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration, Nanofiltration, and Reverse Osmosis (RO).

Recognition: Awarded the Best Municipal Treated Water Reuse Award by Water Digest for 2024–25.

About Green Municipal Bonds (GMBs)

• Green Municipal Bonds are non-convertible debt securities issued by municipal bodies to raise funds specifically for projects that have positive environmental and/or climate impacts, such as renewable energy, sustainable water management, and pollution control.

Observed on May 2.

Aim :  To raise awareness about the importance of sustainable tuna fishing and the species’ role in marine ecosystems.

About:

• UN Recognition: In 2016, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated May 2 as World Tuna Day to highlight the need for conservation efforts.
• Purpose: Emphasizes the significance of tuna to global food security and the necessity of managing fish stocks responsibly.
• Challenges: Addresses issues like overfishing, illegal fishing practices, and the need for international cooperation in tuna conservation.

Current Context: Gujarat Day commemorates the establishment of the state of Gujarat on May 1, 1960, formed alongside Maharashtra from the erstwhile Bombay State.

About:

• Formation: The Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960, resulted in Gujarat’s creation for Gujarati-speaking citizens.
• Significance: Highlights Gujarat’s rich cultural legacy, economic progress, and commitment to development.

Current Context: Maharashtra Day, or Maharashtra Diwas, marks the formation of the state of Maharashtra on May 1, 1960, following the division of the Bombay State.

About:

• Formation: The Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960, led to the creation of Maharashtra for Marathi-speaking people.

Current Context :Sayani Das has become the first Indian woman to successfully swim across the 38 km North Channel in 13 hours and 22 minutes. This marks her fifth major open water swim as she pursues the Oceans Seven challenge.

Current Context :Justice B.R. Gavai has been appointed the 52nd Chief Justice of India, the second SC community member to hold the post. His tenure will last until his retirement on November 23, 2025.