Daily Current Affairs 16th May 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Supreme Court Directs Urgent Establishment of Exclusive POCSO Courts Across India

• The Supreme Court of India, while addressing a suo motu petition on the rise in child rape incidents, has ordered the Centre and State governments to urgently set up exclusive POCSO courts.
• It underlined that trial delays violate the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, which mandates speedy justice.
• States like Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Maharashtra, UP, Odisha, and West Bengal have been flagged for judicial backlog. This move is critical to ensure timely justice, strengthen child protection mechanisms, and uphold child rights.

BCAS Revokes Celebi’s Security Clearance Citing National Security Concerns

• The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has taken a decisive step by revoking the security clearance of M/s Celebi and its associated companies over national security concerns.
• Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized that public safety is non-negotiable.
• To ensure seamless airport operations, the Ministry has activated coordination with airport operators and deployed special monitoring teams.
• The government is also committed to retaining Celebi employees, underlining a balanced approach of security enforcement and service continuity.
• This development highlights India’s focus on protecting its critical infrastructure while upholding citizen convenience.

Exercise Raahat Sets New Standard for Humanitarian Assistance in India

• Exercise Raahat 2025, conducted jointly by the Indian Army and NDRF in Assam, marks a significant milestone in India’s humanitarian disaster preparedness.
• Featuring live simulations across flood scenarios, the exercise aimed at improving synergy between military, civilian, and relief agencies.
• This large-scale HADR drill is particularly critical for Assam and surrounding regions, aligning with India’s national commitment to disaster resilience and effective emergency response.

Economy News

India’s Outward FDI Soars to $6.8 Billion in April 2025: RBI

• India’s outward FDI in April 2025 nearly doubled to $6.8 billion, up from $3.58 billion a year earlier, driven by substantial growth in equity investments, loans, and guarantees, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
• This reflects a rising appetite among Indian firms to expand globally amid improving investment sentiment.

India’s Labour Market: Key Trends from PLFS April 2025 Bulletin

• The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin for April 2025 introduces a revamped methodology delivering high-frequency estimates of key labour indicators such as LFPR, WPR, and UR under the Current Weekly Status (CWS).
• With an overall LFPR of 55.6%, WPR of 52.8%, and unemployment at 5.1%, the data reveals critical insights into India’s labour market dynamics.
• The female workforce participation, especially in urban areas, remains significantly lower, spotlighting gender gaps.
• The survey covered over 89,000 households, using a monthly rotational panel design for increased statistical robustness and policy relevance.

Appointments News

Anurag Bhushan Appointed as India’s Ambassador to Sweden

• India has appointed Anurag Bhushan as its new Ambassador to Sweden, marking a significant diplomatic move amid growing bilateral cooperation.
• The India-Sweden partnership has expanded across clean technology, innovation, sustainable development, and climate change.
• With over a decade of high-level engagement, this appointment reinforces India’s commitment to Nordic diplomacy.
• Mr. Bhushan’s experience will be instrumental in elevating cooperation through platforms like LeadIT 2.0 and in forging new economic and technological collaborations.

Former CJI DY Chandrachud Joins NLU Delhi as Distinguished Professor

• Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has been appointed as a Distinguished Professor at NLU Delhi, marking a significant shift from judicial leadership to academic mentorship.
• Known for his progressive rulings on constitutional morality, fundamental rights, and social justice, his involvement will bolster legal scholarship through the Centre for Constitutional Studies and a unique lecture series on contemporary legal challenges.
• His legacy will now shape the next generation of legal minds in India.

Agreements News

India-EU Launch ₹391 Crore Joint Research Initiative on Marine Pollution and Green Hydrogen

• India and the European Union (EU) have jointly launched two critical research calls under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to tackle Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) and develop Waste to Green Hydrogen (W2GH) solutions.
• With a combined investment of ₹391 crore (~€41 million), the initiatives are aimed at fostering sustainable technologies through international scientific collaboration.
• These programs align with the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, and the UN Decade of Ocean Science, and they signify a major boost in the India-EU strategic partnership toward climate action, clean energy, and environmental conservation.

Defense News

DRDO Develops Indigenous Polymeric Membrane for Desalination

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully designed a high-pressure nanoporous polymeric membrane for sea water desalination, marking a breakthrough in India’s drive for self-reliance in defence and marine technology.
• Developed by DMSRDE in just eight months, the membrane was successfully tested on an Offshore Patrolling Vessel (OPV) of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
• The innovation addresses challenges posed by chloride ions in saline water and is a critical step under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. After 500 hours of testing, it is set to be operationally deployed, with future scope for civilian coastal use.

Sports News

ICC Boosts Test Cricket with Doubling of WTC Final Prize Pool

• The ICC has announced that the winners of the WTC Final 2025, contested by South Africa and Australia, will earn a record USD 3.6 million, more than double the previous prize.
• The runners-up will receive over USD 2.1 million, while even lower-placed teams like India and New Zealand are set for substantial payouts.
• This major financial boost highlights ICC’s efforts to promote Test cricket, reward consistency, and sustain global interest in the longest format of the game.

FIFA Lifts Suspension on Congo Republic’s Football Federation

• FIFA has lifted its three-month suspension on the Republic of Congo’s football federation (FECOFOOT) after resolving issues related to third-party interference by the sports ministry.
• The conflict, which resulted in the closure of key facilities, was settled when the government agreed to restore full administrative autonomy to the federation.
• This move reaffirms FIFA’s commitment to maintaining the independence of national football bodies and ensuring non-political interference in global sports governance.

Srihari LR Becomes India’s 86th Chess Grandmaster

• Srihari LR, a 19-year-old chess player from Chennai, has officially become India’s 86th Grandmaster after securing his third norm at the Asian Individual Chess Championship in Al-Ain, UAE.
• Trained by GM Shyamsundar at Chess Thulir Academy, Srihari has shown consistent growth, defeating top-rated players and showing the strength of India’s chess talent pipeline.
• His achievement comes nearly a year after India’s previous GM title and reflects the nation’s rapid progress in global chess.

Pankaj Advani Clinches 2025 CCI Billiards Classic Title in Mumbai

• Pankaj Advani claimed his third CCI Billiards Classic title in 2025 by overcoming Dhruv Sitwala with a 5-2 score in the final held in Mumbai.
• The tournament ran from April 25 to May 4, with Advani receiving ₹2.5 lakh in prize money.
• This win continues his historic dominance in cue sports, with a total of 28 world championships to his name.

Important Days News

Celebrating 50 Years of Sikkim’s Statehood: A Journey from Monarchy to Democracy

• Sikkim, a former Buddhist kingdom ruled by the Chogyal dynasty, became a protectorate of India in 1947 with internal monarchy but Indian control over defense and foreign affairs.
• Following political changes in the early 1970s, a historic referendum in 1975 led to the abolition of the monarchy and Sikkim’s formal merger as the 22nd state of India through the 36th Constitutional Amendment and the introduction of Article 371F, granting special protections.
• Strategically located bordering China (Tibet), Nepal, Bhutan, and West Bengal, Sikkim is culturally diverse with languages like Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, and English.

National Dengue Day 2025 Date, History, Symptoms, Cure

• National Dengue Day, observed on May 16 every year, is a public health initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to raise awareness about dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease.
• It focuses on early diagnosis, timely treatment, and mosquito control to reduce illness and deaths, especially during the monsoon season.
• Introduced under the National Health Mission, this day promotes community participation, education on symptoms, and breaking stigma to combat the disease effectively.

International Day of Living Together in Peace: Fostering Global Harmony

• The International Day of Living Together in Peace (16 May) encourages global solidarity, peace, and reconciliation by promoting unity in diversity. Established by the UN in 2017, the day supports activities that foster understanding and eliminate discrimination.
• It draws from the legacy of past UN efforts to build a culture of peace through education, service, dialogue, and community involvement.

International Day of Light Date, History, Purpose

Current Affairs Today | 16 May Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam