Current Context : On 9–10 May 2025, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks seizing several strategic Pakistani Army and police posts across Balochistan, including Manguchar (Kalat) and areas near Quetta.

About Balochistan

• Geography: Extends across western Pakistan (province area 347,190 km²) into southeastern Iran; bounded by Afghanistan (north) and the Arabian Sea (south).
• Demographics: Home to Baloch, Pashtun, and mixed-ethnicity Sindhi-origin communities; major languages—Balochi, Brahui, Pashto, Sindhi.
• History: Successively ruled by Greeks (post-Alexander 330 BC), Arabs (7th–10th c.), British (late 19th c.); mostly integrated into Pakistan post-1947.
• Significance: Sparsely populated yet resource-rich; strategic Gwadar port and China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) pass through.

Current Context : Bihar secured first place nationwide in 2024–25 for rolling out the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, as announced by the Industries Minister.

About PMFME

• Launch Date: June 29, 2020, under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
• Outlay: ₹10,000 crore over five years (2020–25); cost shared 60:40 (Centre:States).
• Coverage: 200,000 micro-units to receive credit-linked subsidies and access to common infrastructure.
• Objectives
  • Credit Access: Up to 35% subsidy (ceiling ₹10 lakh) for individual units; up to 35% (ceiling ₹3 crore) for FPOs/SHGs.
  • Branding & Marketing: 50% grant for grouped enterprises.
  • Skill & Training: On-site handholding for DPR preparation and technical upgrades.
  • Institutional Strengthening: Support for labs, storage, packaging, and incubation.

Current Context : India took an active part in UNFF20, the 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests held at UN Headquarters, New York, in May 2025.

About UNFF

• Established: 2000 by ECOSOC to advance sustainable forest management
• Membership: Universal—includes all UN Member States and key forest-related agencies.
• Session Types:
  • Odd Years: Technical discussions
  • Even Years: Policy-level dialogues
• India’s Role: Founding member; advocates Green India Mission, Joint Forest Management, and Community Rightsunder the UN Strategic Plan for Forests.
• Key Outcomes of UNFF20
  • High-Level Commitments: Renewed political support for reversing deforestation.
  • Action Agenda: Roadmap to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 15(Life on Land) and UNSPF targets by 2030.

Current Context : Recently, the Larji Hydro Electric Project (HEP) authorities announced the controlled release of 50 cubic meters per second (cumecs) from Larji Dam to manage rising inflows into the Beas River.

About Larji Dam

• Location: Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh on the Beas River.
• Capacity: 126 MW hydropower facility.
• Structure: Concrete gravity dam with associated powerhouse and spillway gates.

Significance

• Flood Mitigation: Controlled release reduces risk of unplanned spills and downstream flooding.
• Hydropower Balance: Ensures uninterrupted power generation while maintaining dam safety.

Current Context : A state-level workshop on Him Krishi Yojna was convened at the State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Mashobra, in May 2025 to integrate Geographic Information System (GIS) technology into the scheme’s rollout.

About Him Krishi Yojna

• Launch: A flagship programme of Himachal Pradesh aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and inclusiveness.
• Objective: Leverage modern tools to ensure precision farming, optimal resource use, and targeted extension services.

GIS Integration

• Precision Mapping: Soil type, slope, and moisture data layered to guide crop selection and input application.
• Resource Optimization: Identifies water sources and irrigation needs, reducing waste.
• Crop Monitoring: Real-time satellite imagery enables early detection of pest/disease outbreaks.
• Capacity Building: Hands-on training for Agriculture Department officers on GIS software and data interpretation.

Current Context : The Delhi government approved five cloud-seeding trials in May 2025, partnering with IIT Kanpur to induce rain and mitigate severe air pollution episodes.

About Cloud Seeding

Cloud seeding is a scientific weather modification technique.

• Technique: Dispersal of silver iodide particles into moisture-bearing clouds to trigger precipitation.
• Agent: Silver iodide—a yellow inorganic compound, also used in photography and medicine.
• Applications:
  • Rain Enhancement: Boosts rainfall to wash out particulate pollutants.
  • Hail Suppression: Prevents hail formation by promoting uniform droplet formation.
• Advantages:
• Water Security: Augments water availability in urban reservoirs.
• Health Benefits: Reduces smog-related respiratory illnesses.
• Economic Gain: Lowers crop and infrastructure damage from drought or hail.

Current Context : Recently, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) notified the Competition Commission of India (Determination of Cost of Production) Regulations, 2025 to strengthen its ability to tackle predatory pricing by dominant enterprises.

About Predatory Pricing

• Definition: Selling goods or services below cost to eliminate competitors and then recoup losses via monopoly pricing.
• Legal Provision: Identified as an abusive practice under Section 4(2) of the Competition Act, 2002.

Key Features of Cost Regulations, 2025

• Sector-Agnostic Framework: Flexible, case-by-case cost determination adaptable to all industries, including digital markets.
• Primary Benchmark: Average Variable Cost serves as the main reference for predation.
• Alternative Measures: Permits use of Average Total Cost, Average Avoidable Cost, or Long-Run Average Incremental Cost (LRAIC) based on market dynamics.
• Expert Engagement: Allows CCI to engage independent experts (cost accountants, economists, chartered accountants) for technical accuracy.
• Repeal of 2009 Rules: Replaces outdated Cost Regulations, 2009 to align with evolving global competition practices.

Current Context : India’s Integrated Air Defence System (ADS) successfully intercepted and neutralized multiple hostile aerial incursions along the western frontier in May 2025.

About India’s ADS
An Integrated Counter-UAS Grid layers multiple Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems for comprehensive coverage:

S-400 “Triumf” (Sudarshan Chakra)

• Origin: Acquired from Russia; known as “Storm Shadow” in the UK.
• Role: Long-range, multi-target engagement; deep-strike capability.
• Range & Coverage:
  • Tracking: up to 600 km
  • Engagement: up to 400 km
  • Altitude: 30 m–30 km
• Features: Phased-array radars, 360° coverage, electronic-warfare counter-measures, layered-defence interoperability.

Barak 8 (LR SAM / MR SAM)

• Co-development: India & Israel (DRDO-IAI).
• Range: Up to 100 km
• Speed: Mach 2
• Variants: Land- and maritime-based
• Capability: Simultaneous multiple-target engagement via active radar seeker.

Akash Weapon System

• Indigenous: Developed by DRDO & Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
• Range: 4.5 km–25 km
• Altitude: 100 m–20 km
• Features: Command guidance, built-in ECCM, group/autonomous engagement, rapid “detect-to-kill” cycle, high jamming immunity.

Significance

• Layered Defence: Integrates long-, medium-, and short-range SAMs for seamless protection.
• Threat Response: Proven capability against low-signature drones, high-altitude aircraft, and cruise missiles.
• Strategic Deterrence: Enhances security along sensitive border sectors.

India and Buddhist countries celebrated Buddha Purnima on 12 May 2025, marking the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha.

About Gautama Buddha

• Born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini (present-day Nepal) in 563 BCE.
• Attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya and later gave his first sermon in Sarnath.
• Known as ‘Light of Asia’ for his message of non-violence, compassion, and spiritual awakening.

Observance

• Celebrated on the full moon day of Vaishakha month as per the Hindu lunar calendar.
• Includes prayers, meditation, sermons on Dhamma, and release of caged animals in Buddhist traditions.

Observed annually  on 12 May.

Objective : To celebrate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

About the Day

• Organized by the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
• Theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future. The Economic Power of Care.”
• Aims to recognize nurses’ role in healthcare systems globally and emphasize their critical contribution during crises (e.g., pandemics, disasters).
• ICN publishes an International Nurses Kit each year to guide global campaigns and awareness.