🟢 National News 🇮🇳
1. Cabinet Approves National Scheme for ITI Upgradation 🏫
- The Union Cabinet approved the National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Upgradation, aiming to equip 2 million youth with industry-relevant skills over the next five years.
- Budget Allocation: ₹60,000 crore.
- Key Features:
- Modernization of 1,000 ITIs across India.
- Establishment of five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling.
- Focus on AI, robotics, and green technologies.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 2 (Education & Skill Development).
2. Expansion of Five IITs Announced 🎓
- The government approved the expansion of academic and infrastructure capacity for five IITs:
- IIT Tirupati (AP)
- IIT Palakkad (Kerala)
- IIT Bhilai (Chhattisgarh)
- IIT Jammu (J&K)
- IIT Dharwad (Karnataka)
- Objective: Strengthen India’s higher education and research ecosystem.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 2 (Higher Education & Research).
🌍 Economic & Environmental News
3. India Releases Draft Climate Finance Taxonomy 🌱
- The Finance Ministry unveiled the Framework of India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy to guide investments into clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Objectives:
- Classify economic activities as sustainable or transitional.
- Prevent greenwashing (false environmental claims).
- Align with India’s Net Zero by 2070 goal.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 3 (Environment & Economy).
4. Coal Gasification Financial Incentive Scheme Signed ⚡
- The Ministry of Coal signed agreements under the Coal Gasification Financial Incentive Scheme, targeting 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030.
- Significance:
- Reduces carbon emissions from coal usage.
- Supports clean energy transition.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 3 (Energy & Infrastructure).
🌏 International News
5. India Participates in United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20) 🌳
- India actively engaged in the 20th Session of UNFF, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- Focus Areas:
- Sustainable forest management.
- Conservation strategies.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 2 (International Agreements & Environment).
6. Quad Nations Conduct Indo-Pacific Logistics Simulation Exercise 🚢
- Quad nations (India, USA, Japan, Australia) conducted a simulation exercise in Hawaii under the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN).
- Objective: Strengthen regional cooperation in disaster response logistics.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 2 (International Relations).
🛡️ Defense & Security News
7. Operation Sindoor Conducted 🎯
- The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, a precision strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- Reason: Retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.
- Significance:
- Strengthens India’s counter-terrorism strategy.
- Demonstrates strategic deterrence.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 3 (Internal Security).
📚 Miscellaneous Updates
8. India’s Human Development Index (HDI) Improves 📊
- India’s HDI ranking improved to 130th globally.
- Key Indicators:
- Life expectancy: Increased to 72 years.
- Average schooling: Reached 13 years.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 2 (Human Development & Social Issues).
9. India Launches Chip-Based E-Passports 🛂
- India introduced chip-based e-passports nationwide.
- Features:
- RFID technology for enhanced security.
- Encrypted biometric data storage.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology).
10. Revival of Rare Ayurvedic Texts 📜
- The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) revived two rare texts:
- Dravyaratnākara Nighantu
- Dravyanāmākara Nighantu
- Objective: Preserve ancient medicinal knowledge for contemporary research.
- UPSC Link: GS Paper 1 (Art & Culture).
📖 How to Use These for UPSC Preparation
✅ Static Integration: Relate these updates to topics like governance, environment, and international relations.
✅ Essay Practice: Use these events in essays on climate finance, education reforms, or energy security.
✅ Mock Answers:
- “Discuss the significance of India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy in achieving sustainable development.”
- “Examine the role of ITI upgradation in India’s skill development strategy.”
1. What is the primary objective of the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation approved by the Union Cabinet? 🏫
- (A) To promote foreign investment in technical education
- (B) To modernize ITIs and equip youth with industry-relevant skills
- (C) To establish new IITs across India
- (D) To provide free education for all students
- ✅ Correct Answer: (B) To modernize ITIs and equip youth with industry-relevant skills
2. Which five IITs were approved for expansion in May 2025? 🎓
- (A) IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur
- (B) IIT Tirupati, IIT Palakkad, IIT Bhilai, IIT Jammu, IIT Dharwad
- (C) IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Patna, IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Mandi
- (D) IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Jodhpur, IIT Varanasi
- ✅ Correct Answer: (B) IIT Tirupati, IIT Palakkad, IIT Bhilai, IIT Jammu, IIT Dharwad
3. What is the purpose of India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy released in May 2025? 🌱
- (A) To classify economic activities based on sustainability
- (B) To increase coal production in India
- (C) To regulate foreign investments in agriculture
- (D) To promote cryptocurrency adoption
- ✅ Correct Answer: (A) To classify economic activities based on sustainability
4. The Coal Gasification Financial Incentive Scheme aims to achieve what target by 2030? ⚡
- (A) 50 million tonnes of coal gasification
- (B) 75 million tonnes of coal gasification
- (C) 100 million tonnes of coal gasification
- (D) 150 million tonnes of coal gasification
- ✅ Correct Answer: (C) 100 million tonnes of coal gasification
5. Where was the 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20) held? 🌳
- (A) Geneva, Switzerland
- (B) New York, USA
- (C) Paris, France
- (D) Nairobi, Kenya
- ✅ Correct Answer: (B) New York, USA
6. What was the focus of the Indo-Pacific Logistics Simulation Exercise conducted by Quad nations? 🚢
- (A) Strengthening regional cooperation in disaster response logistics
- (B) Conducting military drills in the South China Sea
- (C) Expanding trade agreements among Quad nations
- (D) Developing AI-based defense systems
- ✅ Correct Answer: (A) Strengthening regional cooperation in disaster response logistics
7. What was the codename for India’s precision strike operation targeting terror camps in Pakistan and PoK? 🎯
- (A) Operation Trident
- (B) Operation Sindoor
- (C) Operation Vijay
- (D) Operation Agni
- ✅ Correct Answer: (B) Operation Sindoor
8. What is India’s Human Development Index (HDI) ranking in 2025? 📊
- (A) 128th
- (B) 130th
- (C) 135th
- (D) 139th
- ✅ Correct Answer: (B) 130th
9. What new security feature was introduced in India’s e-passports in May 2025? 🛂
- (A) Blockchain-based identity verification
- (B) RFID technology with encrypted biometric data storage
- (C) AI-powered fraud detection system
- (D) Digital hologram authentication
- ✅ Correct Answer: (B) RFID technology with encrypted biometric data storage
10. Which rare Ayurvedic texts were revived by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)? 📜
- (A) Charaka Samhita & Sushruta Samhita
- (B) Dravyaratnākara Nighantu & Dravyanāmākara Nighantu
- (C) Ashtanga Hridayam & Bhavaprakasha
- (D) Madhava Nidanam & Kashyapa Samhita
- ✅ Correct Answer: (B) Dravyaratnākara Nighantu & Dravyanāmākara Nighantu