Current Affairs May 2024

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Meditech Stackathon 2024 has started in New Delhi. India's MedTech industry is expected to grow by 28% each year and reach USD 50 billion by 2030. India is currently 4th in Asia and among the top 20 globally in the medical devices market.
Infosys has earned the ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Certification for its Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). This makes Infosys one of the first IT services companies in the world to receive this award.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) organized a 'Telecom Design Collaboration Sprint,' a unique event, at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) in Karnataka. This initiative is aimed at quickly generating new ideas and developing innovative solutions to create a future-ready telecom system.
The UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost economic and trade relations between the UAE and India. The MoU outlines that both organizations will work together to raise awareness in both countries about the benefits of their economic partnership and the opportunities available through the free trade agreement.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M). This agreement will start two pilot projects under the Drone Didi Yojana.
The seventh India-France joint military exercise, "Exercise SHAKTI 2024," was held at Umroi in Meghalaya. Exercise SHAKTI takes place every two years, with the location alternating between India and France.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) signed an agreement with the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). This agreement aims to encourage new ideas, strengthen the semiconductor and electronics industry, and improve supply chains.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), part of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAHD), signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India. This agreement aims to improve the digital management of vaccine storage, train people, and improve communication plans. The signing took place at the UNDP Country office in New Delhi, Delhi.
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has opened the first-ever Emergency Medical Response System (EMRS) at Command Hospital Air Force (CHAF) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for January-March 2024 showed that Kerala had the highest unemployment rate for young people aged 15-29 at 31.8%, while Delhi had the lowest at 3.1%. For women, the highest unemployment rate was in Jammu & Kashmir at 48.6%, followed by Kerala (46.6%), Uttarakhand (39.4%), Telangana (38.4%), and Himachal Pradesh (35.9%).
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formed a special committee with different law enforcement and intelligence agencies to handle the rise in organized cybercrimes from South-East Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. This important committee is led by VSK Kaumudi, the Special Secretary for Internal Security in the MHA.
Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has opened its first and largest Green Hydrogen (GH2) Plant at the Vijaipur complex in Madhya Pradesh (MP). This plant was built as part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
India emerged as the global leader in remittances in 2022, receiving over $111 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time.

❱ The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) named India, along with Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France, as the top five countries receiving these remittances.

According to data from the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), an economic think tank, China became India’s largest trading partner in the fiscal year 2023-24, surpassing the United States. The trade between India and China reached $118.4 billion, just a bit more than the $118.3 billion traded with the US.
The Artara’24 Fine Arts Exhibition and Competition in Dubai has become a prestigious platform for discovering and nurturing new artistic talents from India. The event aimed to uncover hidden artistic gems, especially focusing on Indian artists living in Dubai.
As Doordarshan channel DD Kisan celebrates its 9th anniversary on May 26, 2024, it will make history by introducing Krish and Bhoomi, the first AI anchors in India's government broadcasting.
The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), which is a part of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) and helps with community nutrition programs, has been officially closed down. This is part of the government's plan to simplify and reorganize different organizations.
India is committed to protecting Antarctica's delicate ecosystem and promoting scientific research in the region. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), in collaboration with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), has hosted the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) from May 20 to 30, 2024, in Kochi, Kerala under the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane revealed a special Rs 250 coin on May 14, 2024, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in New Delhi.
India is starting Mission ISHAN, which will combine its separate airspace management systems into one single system based in Nagpur. This change will improve air traffic management and bring many benefits to both airlines and passengers.
India has become the chair of the Colombo Process for the first time since the forum started in 2003. The Colombo Process is a group of 12 countries from South and Southeast Asia that work together to manage overseas jobs and protect migrant workers.
The Indian government has increased the maximum limit of retirement gratuity from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. This change, announced by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, aims to provide better benefits for Central government employees.
Jyoti Ratre, an entrepreneur and fitness lover from Madhya Pradesh, has made history by becoming the oldest Indian woman to climb Mount Everest.
To strengthen its watch along the Pakistan border, the Indian Army will soon use advanced drones, including the Drishti-10 (Hermes-900).

STATE AFFAIRS

The Ministry of Home Affairs has given permission to change the names of eight railway stations in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The government of UP proposed the renaming of these stations.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) worked with the Uttarakhand government to fight forest fires in Nainital, Uttarakhand, using the Mi-17 V5 helicopter for Bambi Bucket operations. The Uttarakhand government also started the "Pirul Lao-Paisa Pao" campaign to help stop forest fires and protect the forests.
Assam has launched the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System, a digital platform for accurately reporting and assessing damage caused by disasters. This platform was developed with the help of UNICEF and tracks important damage indicators during disasters. It also helps provide relief and rehabilitation grants to those affected.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Recently, the 2024 Heads of State Summit for the Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier
Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) took place in Livingstone, Zambia, where member states renewed their calls to withdraw from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
As part of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, Dubai has introduced a Gaming Visa. This initiative by the Dubai government aims to transform the city into a global gaming powerhouse by 2033, attracting content creators, talented gamers, and developers from
around the world.
The government of Shanghai (China) has proposed the "One Person, One File" (OPOF) program, which wouldld significantly tighten digital surveillance and censorship in China.
UNESCO has added the Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana to its " Memory of the World (MOW) Asia-Pacific Regional Register. " This was announced at the
10th meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
New Zealand has introduced a new requirement for all guest visa applications. Now, any supporting documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations if they are written in another language.
The World Hydrogen 2024 Summit & Exhibition was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in May 2024. For the first time, the summit featured India's pavilion, where the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) showcased the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
The first Summit on Clean Cooking, held in Paris on May 14, 2024, marked a significant milestone in addressing the serious health and environmental issues in Africa caused by traditional cooking methods.
The 1^st United Nations (UN) Conference on 'Citizen Stack: Digital Public Infrastructure, Transformative Technology for Citizens' was held in New York, United States, under India's leadership. The goal was to leverage technology to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote inclusivity.
Nepal has announced the introduction of a new Rs 100 currency note that have a map which include the disputed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani. The Nepal Rastra Bank has been authorized to update the map on the note. These territories were included in India’s map in November 2019, leading to tensions between Nepal and India.
In 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), held in Antigua and Barbuda in May, 2024, under the theme “Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity.” The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) jointly introduced the Blue and Green Islands Integrated
Program (BGI-IP), a transformative and comprehensive initiative with a budget of USD 135 million. This program aims to tackle the critical environmental challenges confronting Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Venezuela has become the first country to lose all of its glaciers which marks a significant environmental change. Recent research indicates that the Humboldt glacier in the Andes,
once extensive, has diminished to less than 2 hectares. This reduction means it is no longer classified as a glacier but an ice field.
6 NATO countries—Finland, Estonia, Poland, Norway, Latvia, and Lithuania—are working together to create a coordinated drone defence system known as the "drone wall," due to rising security concerns and tensions along their borders with Russia. This initiative, aims to enhance border security against threats such as military provocations and drug trafficking.
Zimbabwe launched a new currency in April called the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) to help stabilize their economy. This is their sixth attempt in 15 years to establish a reliable national currency, following numerous economic challenges and the failure of previous currencies.
Myanmar’s government, with support from China, is resuming the $3.6 billion Myitsone dam project, which was previously suspended in 2011 due to strong public opposition. The dam is located on the Ayeyarwady River in northern Kachin state.
The Philippines has revised its laws to allow foreign medical students, including those from India, to practice as doctors in the Philippines after earning their Doctor of Medicine degree.
China has introduced a new large language model (LLM) based on the political philosophy of President Xi Jinping, called “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” This model provides detailed guidelines on following China’s political, social, and economic policies.
NASA’s International Space Station recently released a photograph of a peculiar hole on Mount Nemrut in Turkey, a dormant volcano. The crater is divided in such a way that it resembles the Chinese yin-yang symbol.
Pakistan successfully launched the “Fatah-II” guided multi-launch rocket system, marking a significant milestone in their military capabilities.
On May 14, Georgia’s parliament passed a controversial “foreign agents” law despite widespread domestic and international opposition. This law mentioned that if any news outlets, NGOs, and other organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from
abroad must registered as foreign agents.

INDEX/ REPORT

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically lowered global life expectancy. The average life expectancy has now dropped to 71.4 years, the lowest since 2012 and much lower than in previous years.
The 22nd edition of the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI 2024), released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters sans frontières in French), ranks India 159th out of 180 countries, with a score of 31.28. Norway remains at the top of the index for the 8th consecutive year, followed by Denmark in 2nd place and Sweden in 3rd.
The 2024 World’s Wealthiest Cities Report by international wealth migration specialists Henley & Partners has named New York City, USA, as the wealthiest city in the world. Mumbai (24th) and Delhi (37th) are the only Indian cities to make it into the top 50 of this year's list.
According to the " Global Electricity Review 2024 " by the international energy analytics agency Ember, India surpassed Japan in 2023 to become the world's third-largest producer of solar power.
The World Bank’s recent report, “Recipe for a Livable Planet: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in the Agrifood System,” highlights the significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions in the agrifood sector, which currently contributes to about a third of all global emissions.
India has climbed to the 39th position on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024. The United States topped the list, followed by Spain, Japan,
France, and Australia.
Delhi achieved the highest ranking among Indian cities in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2024, securing the 350th position. This index evaluates the global standing of 1,000 cities based on several key categories. Top Three cities: 1^st New York (USA), 2^nd London (UK); 3^rd San Jose (USA). In India Top Three: Delhi (350); Bengaluru (411); Mumbai (427)
The 19th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) was held at the UN headquarters in New York , United States, in May 2024. Also deforestation rates decreased from
13 million to 10 million hectares per year between 2010 and 2023. The report highlights the increasing trend of the ‘climatisation’ of forests. India is ranked third globally for net gain in average annual forest area between 2010 and 2020.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released the third edition of the World Wildlife Crime Report 2024, providing a detailed analysis of the illegal wildlife trade from 2015 to 2021.

Most Affected Species:

❱ Animals: Rhinos were the most affected by the illegal wildlife trade, with rhino
horn accounting for 29% of the illegal animal trade, followed by pangolin scales at 28%, and elephant ivory at 15%.

❱ Plants: Cedars were the most impacted, with other Sapindales like mahogany, holy wood, and Guiacum making up 47% of the illegal plant trade, followed by rosewoods at 35%, and agarwood and other myrtales at 13%.

Other Illicitly Traded Animal Species:

❱ Eels (5%), crocodilians (5%), parrots and cockatoos (2%), as well as carnivores, turtles and tortoises, snakes, and seahorses.

Commodities in Trade:

❱ Coral Pieces: Comprised 16% of all seizures during 2015-2016.

❱ Live Specimens: Accounted for 15% of seizures.

❱ Medicines Made of Animal Products: Constituted 10% of all seizures.

The report, “Water for Shared Prosperity,” co-published by the World Bank and the Government of Indonesia, was unveiled at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia with focuses on the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity.” According to the report, in 2022, 2.2 billion people lacked access to safe drinking water services, and 3.5 billion were without safely managed sanitation.
As per the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD) report titled “Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists,” up to 50% of the world’s
rangelands are now degraded. The report was unveiled by in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. These rangelands occupied 80 million square kilometers, or 54% of all land, contribute to one-sxth of global food production.

BANKING/FINANCE/ECONOMY

Main Events	Detailed Explanation
Yes Bank partners with ANQ Finance to launch co- branded credit cards	Yes Bank has partnered with Bengaluru-based financial services provider ANQ Finance to launch two co-branded credit cards, Pi and Phi, offering diverse spending and rewards options to Indian consumers.
NPCI International Payments Limited signs pact with Bank of Namibia	NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has signed an agreement with the Bank of Namibia (BoN) to develop a Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-like instant payment system for Namibia.
Groww Pay secures online payment aggregator licence from RBI	Groww Pay Services Private Limited (Groww Pay), the UPI payments platform of Groww, secured an online payment aggregator (PA) licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
SEBI approves amendments to Mutual Funds Regulations	SEBI has approved amendments to SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, mandating Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to implement a strong "institutional mechanism" to curb fraudulent practices like frontrunning and insider trading.
India and Ghana to operationalize UPI on Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems	India and Ghana have agreed to operationalize the UPI of NPCI on Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) within six months, as discussed during the 4th session of India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee in Accra, Ghana.
NHPC signs MoU with Ocean Sun AS for floating solar energy technology	NHPC Limited has signed an MoU with Norway-based Ocean Sun AS to explore cooperation for demonstrating Ocean Sun’s floating solar energy technology using photovoltaic panels on hydro-elastic membranes at NHPC-identified sites.
Tata Steel SEZ and Hygenco sign MoU for green hydrogen and green ammonia project	Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Limited (TSSEZL) and HHP Five Private Limited (Hygenco) signed an MoU to establish a green hydrogen and green ammonia project at Gopalpur Industrial Park in Odisha’s Ganjam district.
Setu launches Sesame	Setu, a division of Pine Labs Group, launched Sesame, India’s first Large Language Model (LLM) for the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector, developed in collaboration with Sarvam Artificial Intelligence (AI).
NPCI issues guidelines for verifying merchant details for BHIM Aadhaar Pay	NPCI has issued guidelines shifting the responsibility of verifying merchant details to acquiring banks for BHIM Aadhaar Pay, where merchants receive digital payments through Aadhaar Authentication.
Bank of India signs MoU with Indian Coast Guard for Defence service salary package	Bank of India (BOI) signed an MoU with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to offer a Defence service salary package through “BOI Rakshak Salary/Pension Savings Scheme,” with zero minimum balance required for the account.
SBI becomes 1st Indian bank to act as Trading- cum-Clearing Member at India International Bullion Exchange	State Bank of India (SBI) has become the first bank in India to act as Trading-cum-Clearing Member (TCM) at the India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Limited (IIBX) in GIFT City, Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
TATA AIG introduces India’s first ‘Satellite In- Orbit Third-Party Liability Insurance’ policy	TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited introduced India’s first ‘Satellite In-Orbit Third-Party Liability Insurance’ policy, providing financial protection for satellite manufacturers and operators in the Indian space sector.
Sri Lanka signs Power Purchase Agreement with Adani Green Energy	The Government of Sri Lanka signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) to develop wind power stations in Sri Lanka.
Greenko Zeroc signs agreement with Norway’s Yara Clean Ammonia	Hyderabad-based Greenko Zeroc signed an agreement with Norway’s Yara Clean Ammonia to supply renewable ammonia to the Norwegian firm.
Government of India provides Budgetary Support to Maldives	The Government of India provided USD 50 million in Budgetary Support to the Maldives, in the form of a rollover of Treasury Bill (T- Bill) for another year, with the T-Bills subscribed by SBI under a government-to-government arrangement at zero cost.
SBI General Insurance introduces Bima Central	SBI General Insurance Company Limited introduced Bima Central, India’s first insurance portfolio management platform, in collaboration with CAMS Insurance Repository Services Limited (CAMSRep).
ADB approves USD 148.5 million loan for electricity supply in Sikkim	The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD 148.5 million loan to bolster, modernize, and climate-proof the electricity distribution system in Sikkim, India, enhancing reliability, quality, and resilience of electricity supply.
AIC signs MoU with CSC e- Governance Services for cattle insurance product	Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AIC) signed an MoU with CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd. to widen the reach of its cattle insurance product "Sampoorna Pashudhan Kawach," designed to protect farmers' livestock from unforeseen risks.
SIDBI signs MoU with Airbus Helicopters for financing purchases in India	The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) signed an MoU with Airbus Helicopters to finance the purchase of Airbus helicopters in India.
RXIL finances over 50 lakh MSME invoices totaling Rs 1 lakh crore	Receivables Exchange of India Limited (RXIL), India’s first Trade Receivables electronic Discounting System (TReDS) exchange platform, financed over 50 lakh MSME invoices totaling Rs 1 lakh crore.
SBI General Insurance signs Bancassurance Partnership with Jana Small Finance Bank	SBI General Insurance Company Limited signed a strategic Bancassurance Partnership agreement with Jana Small Finance Bank (JSFB) to facilitate the distribution of non-life insurance products.
Thomas Cook India introduces ‘TCPay’ for international money transfers	Thomas Cook (India) Limited introduced ‘TCPay,’ a new digital service designed to simplify international money transfers, offering 24x7 access, paperless transfers, and a user-friendly digital interface.
RITES Limited signs contract with Bangladesh Railways	RITES Limited signed a USD 111.26 million contract to supply 200 Broad-Gauge (BG) passenger carriages to Bangladesh Railways, funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Tata Steel signs grid agreement with National Grid Plc's ESO for green steel project in the UK	Tata Steel Limited signed a grid agreement with National Grid Plc's Electricity System Operator (ESO) to build the power infrastructure required to switch its Port Talbot site in Wales, UK, to a green steel project.
IFSCA constitutes expert committee for GIFT-IFSC as Global Commodity Trading Hub	The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) constituted an expert committee to position GIFT-IFSC in Gandhinagar, Gujarat as a “Global Commodity Trading Hub,” chaired by Rajeev Kher, Former Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Nippon Life India Asset Management launches ‘The Sound of Freedom’ sonic identity	Nippon Life India Asset Management Limited (NAM India) launched ‘The Sound of Freedom,’ a sonic identity symbolizing financial freedom, making NIMF the first asset management company (AMC) in India to launch its own brand sound.
TCS signs deal to modernize core banking technology of Burgan Bank	Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed a deal to modernize the core banking technology of Burgan Bank, one of the youngest commercial banks in Kuwait.
MoHFW to launch National Health Claim Exchange portal	The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is set to launch the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX) portal to simplify health insurance claim filings, enhance transparency, and ensure
Bank of Maharashtra(BoM) introduced the Maha Krishi Samrudhi Yojana	a pivotal initiative to offer financial assistance to Food and Agro-Based industries and Agri infrastructure projects including startups which are involved in processing activities, and the development of agricultural infrastructure facilities.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Goldman Environmental Prize: Also known as “Green Nobel Prize”. It recognizes grassroots environmental leaders from six regions: Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South and Central America. The winners are selected by an international jury and awarded a prize of USD 200,000.

❱ Alok Shukla, won the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize for Asia for his work to
protect the Hasdeo Aranya forests in Chhattisgarh.

Region	Winner(s)	Country	Category
Africa	Nonhle Mbuthuma and Sinegugu Zukulu	South Africa	Oceans & Coasts
Europe	Teresa Vicente	Spain	Oceans & Coasts
Islands & Island Nations	Murrawah Maroochy Johnson	Australia	Climate & Energy
North America	Andrea Vidaurre	USA	Climate & Energy
South & Central America	Marcel Gomes	Brazil	Food & Agriculture

Gina Justus, an Indian-origin teacher in the UAE, was named the regional winner of the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Bhavi Mehta won the 9th Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize 2024 for designing the book jacket of Pradeep Sebastian’s “The Book Beautiful.”
Dr. Purnima Devi Barman from Assam received the Whitley Gold Award 2024, also known as the 'Green Oscar, ' from the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) at a ceremony in London, UK. Other winner as:

Winner	Country	Project Type
Naomi Longa	Papua New Guinea	Marine
Raju Sharma	Nepal	Terrestrial
Aristide Kamla	Cameroon	Wetland and Freshwater
Kuenzang Dorji	Bhutan	Terrestrial
Fernanda Abra	Brazil	Terrestrial
Leroy Ignacio	Guyana	Terrestrial

Pulitzer Prizes (2024) were announced on May 7, 2024, by Columbia University in the United States of America. The awards, regarded as the most prestigious in journalism and the arts, were conferred by Columbia University based on the recommendations of the Pulitzer Prize
Board. The awards in various categories are as follow:

Journalism Category	Winner
Investigative Reporting	Hannah Dreier (The New York Times)
International Reporting	Staff of The New York Times
Editorial Writing	David E. Hoffman (The Washington Post)
Breaking News Photography	Photography Staff of Reuters

Book, Drama, and Music Category
Category	Winner
Fiction	Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips
Drama	Primary Trust by Eboni Booth
History	No Right to an Honest Living: The Struggles of Boston’s Black Workers in the Civil War Era by Jacqueline Jones
Biography	King: A Life by Jonathan Eig Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo
Memoir and Autobiography	Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza
Poetry	Tripas: Poems by Brandon Som
Music	Adagio (For Wadada Leo Smith) by Tyshawn Sorey
General Nonfiction	A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall

The renowned English Author Ruskin Bond received the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship Award 2024.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) won the Geospatial World Leadership Award 2024 in the “Enabling Public Policy” category.
Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh has been recognized as India 's Highest Tunnel by the International Book of Honour (IBH) England, United Kingdom (UK).
German author Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann won the International Booker Prize 2024 for the book ‘Kairos’.
Shrinivas Ramchandra Kulkarni Indian-Origin American Scientist has been conferred the prestigious 2024 Shaw Prize in the category of Astronomy.
Arti, a rickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh, has won the prestigious Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award in London. This event celebrates the achievements of young people
from around the world. Arti was selected for this award for her inspiring journey with her pink electric auto-rickshaw.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala has become the first airport in India to achieve the Zero Waste to Landfill accolade, awarded by the CII-ITC Centre for Excellence
for Sustainable Development.
8th Green Airports Recognition awards for 2024 has been given by Airport Council International. Three Indian Airports have been awarded under Silver category. They are:
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (New Delhi, Delhi): Over 35 million passengers per annum.
- Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru, Karnataka): Between 15-35 million passengers per annum.
- Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh): Less than 8 million passengers per annum.
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, a Maharatna CPSE under the Ministry of Power, was awarded with the ATD BEST Awards 2024 by the Association for Talent Development in
the USA.
The Hurun Research Institute released the 6th edition of the Hurun India Art List on 28th May 2024. British Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor topped the list for the 6th consecutive year.
77th Cannes Film Festival Winners 2024:

77th Cannes Film Festival Winners 2024 – Feature Films
Award Category	Winner	Director
Palme d’Or	Anora	Sean Baker
Grand Prix	All We Imagine As Light	Payal Kapadia
Special Award	Mohammad Rasoulof for The Seed of the Sacred Fig	-
Best Director	Miguel Gomes for Grand Tour	Miguel Gomes
Best Performance By An Actor	Jesse Plemons for Kinds Of Kindness	Yorgos Lanthimos
Best Performance By An Actress	Adriana Paz, Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Selena Gomez for Emilia Pérez	Jacques Audiard
Best Screenplay	Coralie Fargeat for The Substance	-
Jury Prize	L’histoire De Souleymane	Boris Lojkine

APPOINTMENTS

Name	Position
Dr. Mohammad Rihan	Director General (DG) at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE)
Jeremiah Manele	Prime Minister (PM) of the Solomon Islands
Sanjaya Kumar Mishra	President of Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)
Dr. Mallika Nadda	Chairperson of Special Olympics Asia-Pacific Advisory Council (APAC)
Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya	Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the National Small Industries Corporation Limited
José Raúl Mulino	President of the Republic of Panama
Kareena Kapoor Khan	National Celebrity Ambassador for UNICEF India
Rizwan Koita	New Chairperson of National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)
Dileep Sanghani	New of Chairman of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
Alain Noudéhou	New Executive Director of UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai	Prime Minister (PM) of Singapore
Kapil Sibal	President of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), India
Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno	President of the Republic of Chad
Rushabh Gandhi	Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited
Sanjiv Puri	President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India
Justice Najmi Waziri	Chairperson of the Ad-Hoc Administrative Committee (AAC), Retired judge of Delhi HC, supervising the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI)
Pradeep Kumar Sinha	Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank Limited, Former Cabinet Secretary
Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, AVSM, NM	Commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA)
Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran	8th Director General (DG) of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Head of France's veterinary services, term from 2024 to 2029
Pradip Kumar Tripathi	Secretary to the Lokpal of India
Raj Kumar Goyal	Secretary in the Department of Justice
Rajendra Kumar	Secretary in the Department of Border Management
Amit Yadav	Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
Rakesh Ranjan	Chairman of Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Shah Rukh Khan	Brand Ambassador of Muthoot Pappachan Group (MPG), Bollywood actor

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The 6th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge- LSAM 20 has been launched for Indian Navy, by Suryadipta Projects Private Limited (SPPL) at their launch site in Thane, Maharashtra.
China National Space Administration (CNSA) successfully launched an uncrewed lunar probe, namely "Chang 'e-6,” through Long March- 5 Y8 carrier rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in the southern province of Hainan, China.
"Chang 'e-6"- uncrewed lunar probe has been successfully launched by China National Space Administration.
German private space company HyImpulse successfully test-launched the SR75 rocket powered by candle wax (paraffin) and liquid oxygen. This rocket carried commercial satellites on a test suborbital flight from Koonibba, South Australia.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army plan to jointly deploy MQ-9B Predator drones, made by the USA, at air bases in Gorakhpur and Sarsawa, Uttar Pradesh, to enhance surveillance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
Google has launched Google Wallet in India, a secure digital wallet for Android users to store cards, passes, tickets, keys, and IDs. However, it will not support payment features. Google Pay will continue to handle payments for users in India.
Kadet Defence Systems has made a significant achievement in India's defense sector by developing the country 's first Loitering Aerial Munitions (LAM) in partnership with the
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) signed an MoU with GalaxEye Space, giving GalaxEye access to ISRO 's top laboratories and testing facilities.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested the ‘AM PS4 Engine,’ a liquid rocket engine made using 3D printing technology, at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in
Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the first air drop test of BHISHM portable cubes, the world’s first air-lifted portable hospital, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. These portable cubes are part of a broader initiative called “Project BHISHM - Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri.”
6G prototype device has been launched by Japan with data transmission rate of 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) which is 20 times faster than the Gold Standard 5G technology.
India is set to develop the 1 st research testbed facility to study Norwesters, that affect the east and northeast regions of India every summer. It aims to study thunderstorms from the formation stage, growth, and propagation over eastern parts of India.
Doordarshan Kisan (DD Kisan) has become the first Indian government TV channel to launch two AI anchors, AI Krish and AI Bhoomi. These AI anchors can speak in 50 languages and provide information about agricultural research.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay) to develop India’s first Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the test flight of RudraM-II, the Next Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM), from an Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30 MK-I fighter jet.
NASA has announced plans to build the first railway system on the Moon, called “Flexible Levitation on a Track (FLOAT).”
The New Shepard rocket system, built by Blue Origin (owned by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon), launched the space tourism mission New Shepard-25 (NS-25) from West Texas, USA, with six crew members, including one Indian, Gopi Thotakur.
Microsoft introduced “Copilot+ PCs”, a new category of personal computers designed for Artificial Intelligence capabilities.

SPORTS

Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Junior Championships 2025 will be hosted by India in Guwahati, Assam.
PUMA India and the Athletics Federation of India have signed a multi-year deal to develop the official kit, aiming to enhance athlete performance and promote excellence in India 's sporting community.
Australia and Uzbekistan will hosts 2026 and 2029 editions of the Asian Football
Confederation (AFC) Women' s Asian Cup, respectively.
Indian shuttlers Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the men’s doubles title at the BWF Thailand Open Super 500 tournament, held in Bangkok, Thailand.
India finished third in the medal tally at the Elorda Cup Astana 2024 (International Boxing Tournament) in Kazakhstan, winning a total of 12 medals: 2 gold, 2 silver, and 8 bronze. Gold - Minakshi (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (52kg).
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in partnership with Reliance Foundation and Abhinav Bindra Foundation, has launched the “Let’s Move India” campaign. This campaign encourages everyone to enjoy movement and celebrate athletes participating in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Shreyas Iyer, won the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the finals held at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Virat Kohli (RCB) is the first batsman to reach 8000 runs in IPL and the first Indian to score 12000 runs in T20 cricket.
Dipa Karmakar became the first Indian gymnast to win a gold medal in the women’s vault at the Asian Gymnastics Championships 2024, held from 24th to 26th May in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
China’s men’s team won the 33rd edition of the BWF Thomas Cup 2024, marking their 11th Thomas Cup title.

Category	Winner
First Men’s Singles	Shi Yuqi (China)
First Men’s Doubles	Liang Weikeng & Wang Chang (China)
Second Men’s Singles	Jonatan Christie (Indonesia)
Second Men’s Doubles	He Ji Ting & Ren Xiangyu (China)
First Women’s Singles	Chen Yufei (China)
First Women’s Doubles	Chen Qingchen & Jia Yifan (China)
Second Women’s Singles	He Bingjiao (China)

McLaren’s Lando Norris won his first Formula One race by defeating world champion Max Verstappen in the Miami Grand Prix 2024.
The Coca-Cola India Foundation announced its first partnership with Hockey India for the National Women’s Hockey League 2024-2025. This partnership is also part of Coca-Cola
India’s #SheTheDifference campaign, which supports and uplifts women.
Mumbai City Football Club defeated Mohun Bagan SuperGiants, to win the 10th edition of the Indian Super League 2023-24 final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Indian Chess Player P.Shyam Nikhil become India’s 85th Grand Master. He achieved this feat after earning 3rd norm which is required for GM title at Dubai Police Masters 2024

IMPORTANT DAYS

Important Days	Events	Theme/Important Information
1^st May	International Workers' Day	to promote worker's rights and honour the contribution of workers in every industry and field to society
3^rd May	World Press Freedom Day	The theme for 2024 is: “A Press for the Planet: Journalism is the Face of the environmental crisis”.
1^st Sunday of May (5 May)	World Laughter Day	The theme for 2024 is “Laughter Unites Us All.”
5^th May	World Hand Hygiene Day	To spread awareness about the importance of knowledge and learning about hand hygiene at the right times to prevent a range of infectious diseases.
1^st Tuesday of May (May 7)	World Asthma Day	The theme of 2024 is “Asthma Education Empowers”
7^th May	World Athletics Day	The theme for World Athletics Day 2024 is “World Mile Challenge”
8^th May	World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day	The theme for 2024 is “Keeping Humanity Alive”.
8^th May	International Thalassaemia Day	The theme for 2024 is “Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassaemia Treatment for All”.
10^th May	International Day of Argania	The theme for 2024 , "The Argan Tree facing the challenges of climate change.”
11^th May	World Migratory Bird Day	The theme for 2024 is, "Protect Insects, Protect Birds”
12^th May	International Day of Plant Health	The theme for 2024 is “Plant Health, Safe Trade, and Digital Technology”.
15^th May	International Day of Families	The theme for 2024 is “Families and Climate Change”.
16^th May	International Day of Living Together in Peace	To mobilise the efforts of global communities to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.
16^th May	National Dengue Day	The theme for 2024 is, “Connect with Community, Control Dengue.”
17^th May	World Telecommunication and Information Society Day	The theme for 2024 "Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development."
17^th May	World Hypertension Day	The theme for 2024 is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer."
17^th May	International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia	The theme for 2024 is “No One Left Behind: equality, freedom and justice for all”.
18^th May	International Museum Day	The theme for 2024 “Museums for Education and Research.”
18^th May	International Day for Women in Maritime	The theme for 2024, "Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety.
20^th May	World Bee Day	The theme for 2024 "Bee Engaged with Youth."
20^th May	World Metrology Day	The theme for 2024 is "Sustainability."
21^st May	National Anti-Terrorism Day	To mark the death anniversary of former Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandh
22^nd May	International Day for Biological Diversity	The theme for 2024 is “Be part of the Plan”
23^rd May	International Day to End Obstetric Fistula	The theme for 2024 is “Breaking the Cycle: Preventing Fistula Worldwide”
23^rd May	World Turtle Day	The theme for 2024 is "Let's Party"
24^th May	first-ever United Nations (UN) International Day of the Markhor	The Markhor, the largest wild goat species with broad hooves and spiral horns, has been the national animal of Pakistan since 1972.
25^th May	World Thyroid Day	The theme for 2024 is "Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs)".
28^th May	World Menstrual Hygiene(MH) Day	Promote the importance of good menstrual hygiene management and address the challenges women and girls face during menstruation.
29^th May	International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers	The theme for 2024 is “Fit for the Future: Building Better Together”
29^th May	World Digestive Health Day	The theme for 2024, "Your Digestive Health: Make It A Priority".
30^th May	United Nations (UN)’s first-ever International Day of Potato	Promote awareness of the nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural significance of the potato (Solanum tuberosum), the world's third most consumed food crop.
30^th May	World Multiple Sclerosis	Promote awareness of the nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural significance of the potato (Solanum tuberosum), the world's third most consumed food crop.
30^th May	World Vape Day	To raise awareness about the alternatives to tobacco products, and emphasise the safety of e-cigarettes and vaping as a harm reduction tool for smokers. The theme of 2024 WVD is “Misperception Epidemic”
31^st May	World No-Tobacco Day	The theme for 2024 is “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”. 2024 World No Tobacco Day Awards

BOOK AND AUTHOR

Dr. Duvvuri Subbarao, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), launched his memoir titled ‘Just A Mercenary? : Notes from My Life and Career’.
Anuradha Mascarenhas wrote new book titled “At The Wheel of Research: An Exclusive Biography of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan”.

OBITUARY

Name	Area /Achievement
Shaikh Abdussalam Abdurrazzaq (Salam Bin Razzaq)	Renowned Urdu litterateur, Sahitya Akademi Award winner (2004). Pass away at the age of 83
Malti Joshi	Padma Shri awardee, renowned author, and storyteller. ). Pass away at the age of 90
Dr. Kamla Beniwal	Veteran Congress leader, former Gujarat Governor. Pass away at the age of 97
Fred Roos	Oscar-winning American film producer and casting director. Pass away at the age of 89
Surjit Singh Hunjan (Surjit Patar)	Padma Shri awardee, renowned Punjabi poet. Pass away at the age of 79
Roger William Corman	American film producer, director, and actor, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA. Pass away at the age of 98
Alice Laidlaw Munro	Canadian writer, Nobel Prize in Literature winner

DEFENCE

The RudraM-II missile was successfully tested from a Su-30 fighter jet off the coast of Odisha, marking a significant advancement in India's defense capabilities.
Project UDBHAV is an innovative partnership between the Indian Army and the United Services Institution of India, aiming to combine India's extensive historical military knowledge with modern strategic methods.
India and France are scheduled to conduct the 7th edition of the Joint Military Exercise 'Shakti' from May 13-26, 2024, in the Umroi region of Meghalaya.

Table Of Contents−

▪ NATIONAL AFFAIRS
▪ STATE AFFAIRS
▪ INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
▪ INDEX/ REPORT
▪ BANKING/FINANCE/ECONOMY
▪ AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
▪ APPOINTMENTS
▪ SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
▪ SPORTS
▪ IMPORTANT DAYS
▪ BOOK AND AUTHOR
▪ OBITUARY
▪ DEFENCE

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Meditech Stackathon 2024 has started in New Delhi. India's MedTech industry is expected to grow by 28% each year and reach USD 50 billion by 2030. India is currently 4th in Asia and among the top 20 globally in the medical devices market.
Infosys has earned the ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Certification for its Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). This makes Infosys one of the first IT services companies in the world to receive this award.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) organized a 'Telecom Design Collaboration Sprint,' a unique event, at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) in Karnataka. This initiative is aimed at quickly generating new ideas and developing innovative solutions to create a future-ready telecom system.
The UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost economic and trade relations between the UAE and India. The MoU outlines that both organizations will work together to raise awareness in both countries about the benefits of their economic partnership and the opportunities available through the free trade agreement.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M). This agreement will start two pilot projects under the Drone Didi Yojana.
The seventh India-France joint military exercise, "Exercise SHAKTI 2024," was held at Umroi in Meghalaya. Exercise SHAKTI takes place every two years, with the location alternating between India and France.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) signed an agreement with the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). This agreement aims to encourage new ideas, strengthen the semiconductor and electronics industry, and improve supply chains.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), part of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAHD), signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India. This agreement aims to improve the digital management of vaccine storage, train people, and improve communication plans. The signing took place at the UNDP Country office in New Delhi, Delhi.
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has opened the first-ever Emergency Medical Response System (EMRS) at Command Hospital Air Force (CHAF) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for January-March 2024 showed that Kerala had the highest unemployment rate for young people aged 15-29 at 31.8%, while Delhi had the lowest at 3.1%. For women, the highest unemployment rate was in Jammu & Kashmir at 48.6%, followed by Kerala (46.6%), Uttarakhand (39.4%), Telangana (38.4%), and Himachal Pradesh (35.9%).
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formed a special committee with different law enforcement and intelligence agencies to handle the rise in organized cybercrimes from South-East Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. This important committee is led by VSK Kaumudi, the Special Secretary for Internal Security in the MHA.
Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has opened its first and largest Green Hydrogen (GH2) Plant at the Vijaipur complex in Madhya Pradesh (MP). This plant was built as part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
India emerged as the global leader in remittances in 2022, receiving over $111 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time.
- The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) named India, along with Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France, as the top five countries receiving these remittances.
According to data from the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), an economic think tank, China became India’s largest trading partner in the fiscal year 2023-24, surpassing the United States. The trade between India and China reached $118.4 billion, just a bit more than the $118.3 billion traded with the US.
The Artara’24 Fine Arts Exhibition and Competition in Dubai has become a prestigious platform for discovering and nurturing new artistic talents from India. The event aimed to uncover hidden artistic gems, especially focusing on Indian artists living in Dubai.
As Doordarshan channel DD Kisan celebrates its 9th anniversary on May 26, 2024, it will make history by introducing Krish and Bhoomi, the first AI anchors in India's government broadcasting.
The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), which is a part of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) and helps with community nutrition programs, has been officially closed down. This is part of the government's plan to simplify and reorganize different organizations.
India is committed to protecting Antarctica's delicate ecosystem and promoting scientific research in the region. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), in collaboration with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), has hosted the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) from May 20 to 30, 2024, in Kochi, Kerala under the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane revealed a special Rs 250 coin on May 14, 2024, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in New Delhi.
India is starting Mission ISHAN, which will combine its separate airspace management systems into one single system based in Nagpur. This change will improve air traffic management and bring many benefits to both airlines and passengers.
India has become the chair of the Colombo Process for the first time since the forum started in 2003. The Colombo Process is a group of 12 countries from South and Southeast Asia that work together to manage overseas jobs and protect migrant workers.
The Indian government has increased the maximum limit of retirement gratuity from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. This change, announced by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, aims to provide better benefits for Central government employees.
Jyoti Ratre, an entrepreneur and fitness lover from Madhya Pradesh, has made history by becoming the oldest Indian woman to climb Mount Everest.
To strengthen its watch along the Pakistan border, the Indian Army will soon use advanced drones, including the Drishti-10 (Hermes-900).

STATE NEWS

The Ministry of Home Affairs has given permission to change the names of eight railway stations in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The government of UP proposed the renaming of these stations.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) worked with the Uttarakhand government to fight forest fires in Nainital, Uttarakhand, using the Mi-17 V5 helicopter for Bambi Bucket operations. The Uttarakhand government also started the " Pirul Lao-Paisa Pao" campaign to help stop forest fires and protect the forests.
Assam has launched the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System, a digital platform for accurately reporting and assessing damage caused by disasters. This platform was developed with the help of UNICEF and tracks important damage indicators during disasters. It also helps provide relief and rehabilitation grants to those affected.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Recently, the 2024 Heads of State Summit for the Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) took place in Livingstone, Zambia, where member states renewed their calls to withdraw from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
As part of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, Dubai has introduced a Gaming Visa. This initiative by the Dubai government aims to transform the city into a global gaming powerhouse by 2033, attracting content creators, talented gamers, and developers from around the world.
The government of Shanghai (China) has proposed the "One Person, One File" (OPOF) program, which would significantly tighten digital surveillance and censorship in China.
UNESCO has added the Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana to its " Memory of the World (MOW) Asia-Pacific Regional Register." This was announced at the 10th meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
New Zealand has introduced a new requirement for all guest visa applications. Now, any supporting documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations if they are written in another language.
The World Hydrogen 2024 Summit & Exhibition was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in May 2024. For the first time, the summit featured India&'s pavilion, where the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) showcased the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
The first Summit on Clean Cooking, held in Paris on May 14, 2024, marked a significant milestone in addressing the serious health and environmental issues in Africa caused by traditional cooking methods.
The 1^st United Nations (UN) Conference on 'Citizen Stack: Digital Public Infrastructure, Transformative Technology for Citizens' was held in New York, United States, under India's leadership. The goal was to leverage technology to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote inclusivity.
Nepal has announced the introduction of a new Rs 100 currency note that have a map which include the disputed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani. The Nepal Rastra Bank has been authorized to update the map on the note. These territories were included in India’s map in November 2019, leading to tensions between Nepal and India.
In 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), held in Antigua and Barbuda in May, 2024, under the theme “Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity.” The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) jointly introduced the Blue and Green Islands Integrated Program (BGI-IP), a transformative and comprehensive initiative with a budget of USD 135 million. This program aims to tackle the critical environmental challenges confronting Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Venezuela has become the first country to lose all of its glaciers which marks a significant environmental change. Recent research indicates that the Humboldt glacier in the Andes, once extensive, has diminished to less than 2 hectares. This reduction means it is no longer
classified as a glacier but an ice field.
6 NATO countries—Finland, Estonia, Poland, Norway, Latvia, and Lithuania—are working together to create a coordinated drone defence system known as the " drone wall," due to rising security concerns and tensions along their borders with Russia. This initiative, aims to enhance border security against threats such as military provocations and drug trafficking.
Zimbabwe launched a new currency in April called the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) to help stabilize their economy. This is their sixth attempt in 15 years to establish a reliable national currency, following numerous economic challenges and the failure of previous currencies.
Myanmar’s government, with support from China, is resuming the $3.6 billion Myitsone dam project, which was previously suspended in 2011 due to strong public opposition. The dam is located on the Ayeyarwady River in northern Kachin state.
The Philippines has revised its laws to allow foreign medical students, including those from India, to practice as doctors in the Philippines after earning their Doctor of Medicine degree.
China has introduced a new large language model (LLM) based on the political philosophy of President Xi Jinping, called “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” This model provides detailed guidelines on following China’s political, social, and
economic policies.
NASA’s International Space Station recently released a photograph of a peculiar hole on Mount Nemrut in Turkey, a dormant volcano. The crater is divided in such a way that it resembles the Chinese yin-yang symbol.
Pakistan successfully launched the “Fatah-II” guided multi-launch rocket system, marking a significant milestone in their military capabilities.
On May 14, Georgia’s parliament passed a controversial “foreign agents” law despite widespread domestic and international opposition. This law mentioned that if any news outlets, NGOs, and other organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad must registered as foreign agents.

INDEX/ REPORT

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically lowered global life expectancy. The average life expectancy has now dropped to 71.4 years, the lowest since 2012 and much lower than in previous years.
The 22nd edition of the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI 2024), released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters sans frontières in French), ranks India 159th out of 180 countries, with a score of 31.28. Norway remains at the top of the index for the 8th consecutive year, followed by Denmark in 2nd place and Sweden in 3rd.
The 2024 World’s Wealthiest Cities Report by international wealth migration specialists Henley & Partners has named New York City, USA, as the wealthiest city in the world. Mumbai (24th) and Delhi (37th) are the only Indian cities to make it into the top 50 of this year's list.
According to the " Global Electricity Review 2024" by the international energy analytics agency Ember, India surpassed Japan in 2023 to become the world's third-largest producer of solar power.
The World Bank’s recent report, “Recipe for a Livable Planet: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in the Agrifood System,” highlights the significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the agrifood sector, which currently contributes to about a third of all global emissions.
India has climbed to the 39th position on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024. The United States topped the list, followed by Spain, Japan, France, and Australia.
Delhi achieved the highest ranking among Indian cities in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2024, securing the 350th position. This index evaluates the global standing of 1,000 cities based on several key categories. Top Three cities: 1^st New York (USA), 2^nd London (UK); 3^rd San Jose (USA). In India Top Three: Delhi (350); Bengaluru (411); Mumbai (427)
The 19th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) was held at the UN headquarters in New York , United States, in May 2024. Also deforestation rates decreased from 13 million to 10 million hectares per year between 2010 and 2023. The report highlights the increasing trend of the ‘climatisation’ of forests. India is ranked third globally for net gain in
average annual forest area between 2010 and 2020.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released the third edition of the World Wildlife Crime Report 2024, providing a detailed analysis of the illegal wildlife trade from 2015 to 2021.
- Most Affected Species:
  - Animals: Rhinos were the most affected by the illegal wildlife trade, with rhino horn accounting for 29% of the illegal animal trade, followed by pangolin scales at 28%, and elephant ivory at 15%.
  - Plants: Cedars were the most impacted, with other Sapindales like mahogany, holy wood, and Guiacum making up 47% of the illegal plant trade, followed by rosewoods at 35%, and agarwood and other myrtales at 13%.
- Other Illicitly Traded Animal Species:
  - Eels (5%), crocodilians (5%), parrots and cockatoos (2%), as well as
    carnivores, turtles and tortoises, snakes, and seahorses.
- Commodities in Trade:
  - Coral Pieces: Comprised 16% of all seizures during 2015-2016.
  - Live Specimens: Accounted for 15% of seizures.
  - Medicines Made of Animal Products: Constituted 10% of all seizures.
The report, “Water for Shared Prosperity,” co-published by the World Bank and the Government of Indonesia, was unveiled at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia with focuses on the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity.” According to the report, in 2022, 2.2 billion people lacked access to safe drinking water services, and 3.5 billion were without safely managed sanitation.
As per the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD) report titled “Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists,” up to 50% of the world’s rangelands are now degraded. The report was unveiled by in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. These rangelands occupied 80 million square kilometers, or 54% of all land, contribute to one-sxth of global food production.

BANKING AND FINANCE

Main Events	Detailed Explanation
Yes Bank partners with ANQ Finance to launch co- branded credit cards	Yes Bank has partnered with Bengaluru-based financial services provider ANQ Finance to launch two co-branded credit cards, Pi and Phi, offering diverse spending and rewards options to Indian consumers.
NPCI International Payments Limited signs pact with Bank of Namibia	NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has signed an agreement with the Bank of Namibia (BoN) to develop a Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-like instant payment system for Namibia.
Groww Pay secures online payment aggregator licence from RBI	Groww Pay Services Private Limited (Groww Pay), the UPI payments platform of Groww, secured an online payment aggregator (PA) licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
SEBI approves amendments to Mutual Funds Regulations	SEBI has approved amendments to SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, mandating Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to implement a strong "institutional mechanism" to curb fraudulent practices like frontrunning and insider trading.
India and Ghana to operationalize UPI on Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems	India and Ghana have agreed to operationalize the UPI of NPCI on Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) within six months, as discussed during the 4th session of India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee in Accra, Ghana.
NHPC signs MoU with Ocean Sun AS for floating solar energy technology	NHPC Limited has signed an MoU with Norway-based Ocean Sun AS to explore cooperation for demonstrating Ocean Sun’s floating solar energy technology using photovoltaic panels on hydro-elastic membranes at NHPC-identified sites.
Tata Steel SEZ and Hygenco sign MoU for green hydrogen and green ammonia project	Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Limited (TSSEZL) and HHP Five Private Limited (Hygenco) signed an MoU to establish a green hydrogen and green ammonia project at Gopalpur Industrial Park in Odisha’s Ganjam district.
Setu launches Sesame	Setu, a division of Pine Labs Group, launched Sesame, India’s first Large Language Model (LLM) for the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector, developed in collaboration with Sarvam Artificial Intelligence (AI).
NPCI issues guidelines for verifying merchant details for BHIM Aadhaar Pay	NPCI has issued guidelines shifting the responsibility of verifying merchant details to acquiring banks for BHIM Aadhaar Pay, where merchants receive digital payments through Aadhaar Authentication.
Bank of India signs MoU with Indian Coast Guard for Defence service salary package	Bank of India (BOI) signed an MoU with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to offer a Defence service salary package through “BOI Rakshak Salary/Pension Savings Scheme,” with zero minimum balance required for the account.
SBI becomes 1st Indian bank to act as Trading- cum-Clearing Member at India International Bullion Exchange	State Bank of India (SBI) has become the first bank in India to act as Trading-cum-Clearing Member (TCM) at the India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Limited (IIBX) in GIFT City, Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
TATA AIG introduces India’s first ‘Satellite In- Orbit Third-Party Liability Insurance’ policy	TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited introduced India’s first ‘Satellite In-Orbit Third-Party Liability Insurance’ policy, providing financial protection for satellite manufacturers and operators in the Indian space sector.
Sri Lanka signs Power Purchase Agreement with Adani Green Energy	The Government of Sri Lanka signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) to develop wind power stations in Sri Lanka.
Greenko Zeroc signs agreement with Norway’s Yara Clean Ammonia	Hyderabad-based Greenko Zeroc signed an agreement with Norway’s Yara Clean Ammonia to supply renewable ammonia to the Norwegian firm.
Government of India provides Budgetary Support to Maldives	The Government of India provided USD 50 million in Budgetary Support to the Maldives, in the form of a rollover of Treasury Bill (T- Bill) for another year, with the T-Bills subscribed by SBI under a government-to-government arrangement at zero cost.
SBI General Insurance introduces Bima Central	SBI General Insurance Company Limited introduced Bima Central, India’s first insurance portfolio management platform, in collaboration with CAMS Insurance Repository Services Limited (CAMSRep).
ADB approves USD 148.5 million loan for electricity supply in Sikkim	The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD 148.5 million loan to bolster, modernize, and climate-proof the electricity distribution system in Sikkim, India, enhancing reliability, quality, and resilience of electricity supply.
AIC signs MoU with CSC e- Governance Services for cattle insurance product	Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AIC) signed an MoU with CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd. to widen the reach of its cattle insurance product "Sampoorna Pashudhan Kawach," designed to protect farmers' livestock from unforeseen risks.
SIDBI signs MoU with Airbus Helicopters for financing purchases in India	The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) signed an MoU with Airbus Helicopters to finance the purchase of Airbus helicopters in India.
RXIL finances over 50 lakh MSME invoices totaling Rs 1 lakh crore	Receivables Exchange of India Limited (RXIL), India’s first Trade Receivables electronic Discounting System (TReDS) exchange platform, financed over 50 lakh MSME invoices totaling Rs 1 lakh crore.
SBI General Insurance signs Bancassurance Partnership with Jana Small Finance Bank	SBI General Insurance Company Limited signed a strategic Bancassurance Partnership agreement with Jana Small Finance Bank (JSFB) to facilitate the distribution of non-life insurance products.
Thomas Cook India introduces ‘TCPay’ for international money transfers	Thomas Cook (India) Limited introduced ‘TCPay,’ a new digital service designed to simplify international money transfers, offering 24x7 access, paperless transfers, and a user-friendly digital interface.
RITES Limited signs contract with Bangladesh Railways	RITES Limited signed a USD 111.26 million contract to supply 200 Broad-Gauge (BG) passenger carriages to Bangladesh Railways, funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Tata Steel signs grid agreement with National Grid Plc's ESO for green steel project in the UK	Tata Steel Limited signed a grid agreement with National Grid Plc's Electricity System Operator (ESO) to build the power infrastructure required to switch its Port Talbot site in Wales, UK, to a green steel project.
IFSCA constitutes expert committee for GIFT-IFSC as Global Commodity Trading Hub	The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) constituted an expert committee to position GIFT-IFSC in Gandhinagar, Gujarat as a “Global Commodity Trading Hub,” chaired by Rajeev Kher, Former Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Nippon Life India Asset Management launches ‘The Sound of Freedom’ sonic identity	Nippon Life India Asset Management Limited (NAM India) launched ‘The Sound of Freedom,’ a sonic identity symbolizing financial freedom, making NIMF the first asset management company (AMC) in India to launch its own brand sound.
TCS signs deal to modernize core banking technology of Burgan Bank	Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed a deal to modernize the core banking technology of Burgan Bank, one of the youngest commercial banks in Kuwait.
MoHFW to launch National Health Claim Exchange portal	The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is set to launch the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX) portal to simplify health insurance claim filings, enhance transparency, and ensure
Bank of Maharashtra(BoM) introduced the Maha Krishi Samrudhi Yojana	a pivotal initiative to offer financial assistance to Food and Agro-Based industries and Agri infrastructure projects including startups which are involved in processing activities, and the development of agricultural infrastructure facilities.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Goldman Environmental Prize: Also known as “Green Nobel Prize”. It recognizes grassroots environmental leaders from six regions: Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South and Central America. The winners are selected by an international jury and awarded a prize of USD 200,000.
- Alok Shukla, won the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize for Asia for his work to protect the Hasdeo Aranya forests in Chhattisgarh.

Region	Winner(s)	Country	Category
Africa	Nonhle Mbuthuma and Sinegugu Zukulu	South Africa	Oceans & Coasts
Europe	Teresa Vicente	Spain	Oceans & Coasts
Islands & Island Nations	Murrawah Maroochy Johnson	Australia	Climate & Energy
North America	Andrea Vidaurre	USA	Climate & Energy
South & Central America	Marcel Gomes	Brazil	Food & Agriculture

Gina Justus, an Indian-origin teacher in the UAE, was named the regional winner of the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Bhavi Mehta won the 9th Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize 2024 for designing the book jacket of Pradeep Sebastian’s “The Book Beautiful.”
Dr. Purnima Devi Barman from Assam received the Whitley Gold Award 2024, also known as the ' Green Oscar,' from the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) at a ceremony in London, UK. Other winner as:

Winner	Country	Project Type
Naomi Longa	Papua New Guinea	Marine
Raju Sharma	Nepal	Terrestrial
Aristide Kamla	Cameroon	Wetland and Freshwater
Kuenzang Dorji	Bhutan	Terrestrial
Fernanda Abra	Brazil	Terrestrial
Leroy Ignacio	Guyana	Terrestrial

Pulitzer Prizes (2024) were announced on May 7, 2024, by Columbia University in the United States of America. The awards, regarded as the most prestigious in journalism and the arts, were conferred by Columbia University based on the recommendations of the Pulitzer Prize Board. The awards in various categories are as follow:

Journalism Category	Winner
Investigative Reporting	Hannah Dreier (The New York Times)
International Reporting	Staff of The New York Times
Editorial Writing	David E. Hoffman (The Washington Post)
Breaking News Photography	Photography Staff of Reuters

Book, Drama, and Music Category
Category	Winner
Fiction	Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips
Drama	Primary Trust by Eboni Booth
History	No Right to an Honest Living: The Struggles of Boston’s Black Workers in the Civil War Era by Jacqueline Jones
Biography	King: A Life by Jonathan Eig Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo
Memoir and Autobiography	Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza
Poetry	Tripas: Poems by Brandon Som
Music	Adagio (For Wadada Leo Smith) by Tyshawn Sorey
General Nonfiction	A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall

The renowned English Author Ruskin Bond received the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship Award 2024.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) won the Geospatial World Leadership Award 2024 in the “Enabling Public Policy” category.
Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh has been recognized as India' s Highest Tunnel by the International Book of Honour (IBH) England, United Kingdom (UK).
German author Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann won the International Booker Prize 2024 for the book ‘Kairos’.
Shrinivas Ramchandra Kulkarni Indian-Origin American Scientist has been conferred the prestigious 2024 Shaw Prize in the category of Astronomy.
Arti, a rickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh, has won the prestigious Amal Clooney Women' s Empowerment Award in London. This event celebrates the achievements of young people from around the world. Arti was selected for this award for her inspiring journey with her pink electric auto-rickshaw.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala has become the first airport in India to achieve the Zero Waste to Landfill accolade, awarded by the CII-ITC Centre for Excellence for Sustainable Development.
8th Green Airports Recognition awards for 2024 has been given by Airport Council International . Three Indian Airports have been awarded under Silver category. They are:
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (New Delhi, Delhi): Over 35 million passengers
  per annum
- Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru, Karnataka): Between 15-35 million passengers per annum
- Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh): Less than 8 million passengers per annum.
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, a Maharatna CPSE under the Ministry of Power, was awarded with the ATD BEST Awards 2024 by the Association for Talent Development in the USA.
The Hurun Research Institute released the 6th edition of the Hurun India Art List on 28th May 2024. British Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor topped the list for the 6th consecutive year.
77th Cannes Film Festival Winners 2024:

77th Cannes Film Festival Winners 2024 – Feature Films
Award Category	Winner	Director
Palme d’Or	Anora	Sean Baker
Grand Prix	All We Imagine As Light	Payal Kapadia
Special Award	Mohammad Rasoulof for The Seed of the Sacred Fig	-
Best Director	Miguel Gomes for Grand Tour	Miguel Gomes
Best Performance By An Actor	Jesse Plemons for Kinds Of Kindness	Yorgos Lanthimos
Best Performance By An Actress	Adriana Paz, Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Selena Gomez for Emilia Pérez	Jacques Audiard
Best Screenplay	Coralie Fargeat for The Substance	-
Jury Prize	L’histoire De Souleymane	Boris Lojkine

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Name	Position
Dr. Mohammad Rihan	Director General (DG) at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE)
Jeremiah Manele	Prime Minister (PM) of the Solomon Islands
Sanjaya Kumar Mishra	President of Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)
Dr. Mallika Nadda	Chairperson of Special Olympics Asia-Pacific Advisory Council (APAC)
Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya	Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the National Small Industries Corporation Limited
José Raúl Mulino	President of the Republic of Panama
Kareena Kapoor Khan	National Celebrity Ambassador for UNICEF India
Rizwan Koita	New Chairperson of National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)
Dileep Sanghani	New of Chairman of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
Alain Noudéhou	New Executive Director of UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai	Prime Minister (PM) of Singapore
Kapil Sibal	President of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), India
Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno	President of the Republic of Chad
Rushabh Gandhi	Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited
Sanjiv Puri	President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India
Justice Najmi Waziri	Chairperson of the Ad-Hoc Administrative Committee (AAC), Retired judge of Delhi HC, supervising the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI)
Pradeep Kumar Sinha	Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank Limited, Former Cabinet Secretary
Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, AVSM, NM	Commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA)
Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran	8th Director General (DG) of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Head of France's veterinary services, term from 2024 to 2029
Pradip Kumar Tripathi	Secretary to the Lokpal of India
Raj Kumar Goyal	Secretary in the Department of Justice
Rajendra Kumar	Secretary in the Department of Border Management
Amit Yadav	Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
Rakesh Ranjan	Chairman of Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Shah Rukh Khan	Brand Ambassador of Muthoot Pappachan Group (MPG), Bollywood actor

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The 6th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge- LSAM 20 has been launched for Indian Navy, by Suryadipta Projects Private Limited (SPPL) at their launch site in Thane, Maharashtra.
China National Space Administration (CNSA) successfully launched an uncrewed lunar probe, namely " Chang' e-6,” through Long March- 5 Y8 carrier rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in the southern province of Hainan, China.
"Chang' e-6 " - uncrewed lunar probe has been successfully launched by China National Space Administration.
German private space company HyImpulse successfully test-launched the SR75 rocket powered by candle wax (paraffin) and liquid oxygen. This rocket carried commercial satellites on a test suborbital flight from Koonibba, South Australia.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army plan to jointly deploy MQ-9B Predator drones, made by the USA, at air bases in Gorakhpur and Sarsawa, Uttar Pradesh, to enhance surveillance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
Google has launched Google Wallet in India, a secure digital wallet for Android users to store cards, passes, tickets, keys, and IDs. However, it will not support payment features. Google Pay will continue to handle payments for users in India.
Kadet Defence Systems has made a significant achievement in India' s defense sector by developing the country' s first Loitering Aerial Munitions (LAM) in partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) signed an MoU with GalaxEye Space, giving GalaxEye access to ISRO' s top laboratories and testing facilities.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested the ‘AM PS4 Engine,’ a liquid rocket engine made using 3D printing technology, at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the first air drop test of BHISHM portable cubes, the world’s first air-lifted portable hospital, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. These portable cubes are
part of a broader initiative called “Project BHISHM - Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri.”
6G prototype device has been launched by Japan with data transmission rate of 100 gigabits
per second (Gbps) which is 20 times faster than the Gold Standard 5G technology.
India is set to develop the 1st research testbed facility to study Norwesters, that affect the east and northeast regions of India every summer. It aims to study thunderstorms from the
formation stage, growth, and propagation over eastern parts of India.
Doordarshan Kisan (DD Kisan) has become the first Indian government TV channel to launch two AI anchors, AI Krish and AI Bhoomi. These AI anchors can speak in 50 languages and provide information a bout agricultural research.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay) to develop India’s first Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the test flight of RudraM-II, the Next Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM), from an Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30 MK-I fighter jet.
NASA has announced plans to build the first railway system on the Moon, called “Flexible Levitation on a Track (FLOAT).”
The New Shepard rocket system, built by Blue Origin (owned by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon), launched the space tourism mission New Shepard-25 (NS-25) from West Texas, USA, with six crew members, including one Indian, Gopi Thotakur.
Microsoft introduced “Copilot+ PCs”, a new category of personal computers designed for Artificial Intelligence capabilities.

SPORTS

Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Junior Championships 2025 will be hosted by India in Guwahati, Assam.
PUMA India and the Athletics Federation of India have signed a multi-year deal to develop the official kit, aiming to enhance athlete performance and promote excellence in India' s sporting community.
Australia and Uzbekistan will hosts 2026 and 2029 editions of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women' s Asian Cup, respectively.
Indian shuttlers Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the men’s doubles title at the BWF Thailand Open Super 500 tournament, held in Bangkok, Thailand.
India finished third in the medal tally at the Elorda Cup Astana 2024 (International Boxing Tournament) in Kazakhstan, winning a total of 12 medals: 2 gold, 2 silver, and 8 bronze. Gold - Minakshi (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (52kg).
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in partnership with Reliance Foundation and Abhinav Bindra Foundation, has launched the “Let’s Move India” campaign. This campaign encourages everyone to enjoy movement and celebrate athletes participating in the 2024
Olympic Games.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Shreyas Iyer, won the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the finals held at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Virat Kohli (RCB) is the first batsman to reach 8000 runs in IPL and the first Indian to score 12000 runs in T20 cricket.
Dipa Karmakar became the first Indian gymnast to win a gold medal in the women’s vault at the Asian Gymnastics Championships 2024, held from 24th to 26th May in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
China’s men’s team won the 33rd edition of the BWF Thomas Cup 2024, marking their 11th Thomas Cup title.

Category	Winner
First Men’s Singles	Shi Yuqi (China)
First Men’s Doubles	Liang Weikeng & Wang Chang (China)
Second Men’s Singles	Jonatan Christie (Indonesia)
Second Men’s Doubles	He Ji Ting & Ren Xiangyu (China)
First Women’s Singles	Chen Yufei (China)
First Women’s Doubles	Chen Qingchen & Jia Yifan (China)
Second Women’s Singles	He Bingjiao (China)

McLaren’s Lando Norris won his first Formula One race by defeating world champion Max Verstappen in the Miami Grand Prix 2024.
The Coca-Cola India Foundation announced its first partnership with Hockey India for the National Women’s Hockey League 2024-2025. This partnership is also part of Coca-Cola India’s #SheTheDifference campaign, which supports and uplifts women.
Mumbai City Football Club defeated Mohun Bagan SuperGiants, to win the 10th edition of the Indian Super League 2023-24 final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Indian Chess Player P.Shyam Nikhil become India’s 85th Grand Master. He achieved this feat after earning 3rd norm which is required for GM title at Dubai Police Masters 2024.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Important Days	Events	Theme/Important Information
1^st May	International Workers' Day	to promote worker's rights and honour the contribution of workers in every industry and field to society
3^rd May	World Press Freedom Day	The theme for 2024 is: “A Press for the Planet: Journalism is the Face of the environmental crisis”.
1^st Sunday of May (5 May)	World Laughter Day	The theme for 2024 is “Laughter Unites Us All.”
5^th May	World Hand Hygiene Day	To spread awareness about the importance of knowledge and learning about hand hygiene at the right times to prevent a range of infectious diseases.
1^st Tuesday of May (May 7)	World Asthma Day	The theme of 2024 is “Asthma Education Empowers”
7^th May	World Athletics Day	The theme for World Athletics Day 2024 is “World Mile Challenge”
8^th May	World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day	The theme for 2024 is “Keeping Humanity Alive”.
8^th May	International Thalassaemia Day	The theme for 2024 is “Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassaemia Treatment for All”.
10^th May	International Day of Argania	The theme for 2024 , "The Argan Tree facing the challenges of climate change.”
11^th May	World Migratory Bird Day	The theme for 2024 is, "Protect Insects, Protect Birds”
12^th May	International Day of Plant Health	The theme for 2024 is “Plant Health, Safe Trade, and Digital Technology”.
15^th May	International Day of Families	The theme for 2024 is “Families and Climate Change”.
16^th May	International Day of Living Together in Peace	To mobilise the efforts of global communities to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.
16^th May	National Dengue Day	The theme for 2024 is, “Connect with Community, Control Dengue.”
17^th May	World Telecommunication and Information Society Day	The theme for 2024 "Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development."
17^th May	World Hypertension Day	The theme for 2024 is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer."
17^th May	International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia	The theme for 2024 is “No One Left Behind: equality, freedom and justice for all”.
18^th May	International Museum Day	The theme for 2024 “Museums for Education and Research.”
18^th May	International Day for Women in Maritime	The theme for 2024, "Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety.
20^th May	World Bee Day	The theme for 2024 "Bee Engaged with Youth."
20^th May	World Metrology Day	The theme for 2024 is "Sustainability."
21^st May	National Anti-Terrorism Day	To mark the death anniversary of former Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandh
22^nd May	International Day for Biological Diversity	The theme for 2024 is “Be part of the Plan”
23^rd May	International Day to End Obstetric Fistula	The theme for 2024 is “Breaking the Cycle: Preventing Fistula Worldwide”
23^rd May	World Turtle Day	The theme for 2024 is "Let's Party"
24^th May	first-ever United Nations (UN) International Day of the Markhor	The Markhor, the largest wild goat species with broad hooves and spiral horns, has been the national animal of Pakistan since 1972.
25^th May	World Thyroid Day	The theme for 2024 is "Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs)".
28^th May	World Menstrual Hygiene(MH) Day	Promote the importance of good menstrual hygiene management and address the challenges women and girls face during menstruation.
29^th May	International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers	The theme for 2024 is “Fit for the Future: Building Better Together”
29^th May	World Digestive Health Day	The theme for 2024, "Your Digestive Health: Make It A Priority".
30^th May	United Nations (UN)’s first-ever International Day of Potato	Promote awareness of the nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural significance of the potato (Solanum tuberosum), the world's third most consumed food crop.
30^th May	World Multiple Sclerosis	Promote awareness of the nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural significance of the potato (Solanum tuberosum), the world's third most consumed food crop.
30^th May	World Vape Day	To raise awareness about the alternatives to tobacco products, and emphasise the safety of e-cigarettes and vaping as a harm reduction tool for smokers. The theme of 2024 WVD is “Misperception Epidemic”
31^st May	World No-Tobacco Day	The theme for 2024 is “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”. 2024 World No Tobacco Day Awards

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Dr. Duvvuri Subbarao, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), launched his memoir titled ‘Just A Mercenary? : Notes from My Life and Career’.
Anuradha Mascarenhas wrote new book titled “At The Wheel of Research: An Exclusive Biography of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan”.

OBITUARIES

Name	Area /Achievement
Shaikh Abdussalam Abdurrazzaq (Salam Bin Razzaq)	Renowned Urdu litterateur, Sahitya Akademi Award winner (2004). Pass away at the age of 83
Malti Joshi	Padma Shri awardee, renowned author, and storyteller. ). Pass away at the age of 90
Dr. Kamla Beniwal	Veteran Congress leader, former Gujarat Governor. Pass away at the age of 97
Fred Roos	Oscar-winning American film producer and casting director. Pass away at the age of 89
Surjit Singh Hunjan (Surjit Patar)	Padma Shri awardee, renowned Punjabi poet. Pass away at the age of 79
Roger William Corman	American film producer, director, and actor, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA. Pass away at the age of 98
Alice Laidlaw Munro	Canadian writer, Nobel Prize in Literature winner

DEFENCE

The RudraM-II missile was successfully tested from a Su-30 fighter jet off the coast of Odisha, marking a significant advancement in India&' s defense capabilities.
Project UDBHAV is an innovative partnership between the Indian Army and the United Services Institution of India, aiming to combine India' s extensive historical military knowledge with modern strategic methods.
India and France are scheduled to conduct the 7th edition of the Joint Military Exercise ' Shakti' from May 13-26, 2024, in the Umroi region of Meghalaya.

Current Affairs May 2024

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

STATE AFFAIRS

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

INDEX/ REPORT

BANKING/FINANCE/ECONOMY

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

APPOINTMENTS

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SPORTS

IMPORTANT DAYS

BOOK AND AUTHOR

OBITUARY

DEFENCE

HEAD OFFICE

OUR POLICY

FOLLOW US

AVAILABLE ON

COMPANY

RESOURCES

STUDY MATERIAL

CBSE Board Exam Preparation Books

ICSE Board Exam Preparation Books

ISC Board Exam Preparation Books

MH Board Exam Preparation Books