Daily Current Affairs 20th May 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

“India Charts New Sea Route for North-East via Myanmar, Skipping Bangladesh”

• India has approved a ₹22,864 crore Shillong-Silchar Highway project, aiming to establish a new multi-modal sea route via Myanmar, bypassing Bangladesh.
• This strategic infrastructure initiative will bolster India’s Act East Policy, reduce dependence on the Siliguri Corridor, and integrate with the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project.
• With modern geotechnical technologies, this is the first high-speed highway in the hilly terrain of North-East India.

Government School Enrolment Drops in 23 States: MoE Seeks Urgent Probe

• The Ministry of Education has raised concerns over a substantial drop in student enrolment in government and government-aided schools across 23 states and UTs during 2024–25.
• This was revealed during a PM-POSHAN scheme review, where states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan showed massive declines.
• Officials have attributed the trend to ongoing data cleansing—which eliminated ghost entries—and a reverse shift to private schools post-pandemic.
• The drop has also impacted midday meal coverage, with states like Delhi and West Bengal witnessing a sharp fall.
• The MoE has instructed states to submit findings by June 30, 2025, highlighting the need for improved data accuracy, meal quality, and public education trust.

India Eliminates Trachoma as Public Health Problem, Recognised by WHO

• India has been officially certified by WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
• This achievement is a result of India’s focused preventive healthcare programs, robust implementation of the SAFE strategy, and coordinated efforts under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• India’s participation at the WHA, led by Punya Salila Srivastava, reinforces its global health leadership, particularly in tackling neglected tropical diseases.

GeM Celebrates 8th Anniversary with Inclusive Procurement Milestones

• The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated its 8th Incorporation Day by emphasizing its commitment to inclusive procurement, digital governance, and entrepreneur empowerment.
• The launch of GeMAI, India’s first GenAI chatbot for the public sector, marks a significant step in AI-driven citizen services. With over 10 lakh MSEs, 1.84 lakh women entrepreneurs, and 1.3 lakh artisans integrated, GeM stands out as a catalyst for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and cost-efficient procurement.
• Its nationwide adoption and support for startups, complex services, and indigenous innovation highlight its evolving role in transforming public procurement in India.

Operation Olivia: A Marine Conservation Success by the Indian Coast Guard

• Operation Olivia, an annual initiative by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), has successfully protected 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles in Odisha during the 2025 nesting season.
• Conducted from November to May, the operation involves patrols, aerial surveillance, community participation, and the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs).
• With over 5,387 surface sorties and the detention of 366 illegal fishing boats, the ICG has significantly reduced threats to this vulnerable species.
• The operation aligns with global conservation goals such as SDG 14, CITES, and the Convention on Migratory Species, reaffirming India’s leadership in marine biodiversity conservation.

China’s Rare Earth Export Curbs Threaten India’s EV Ambitions

State News

Om Birla Launches Assistive Device Initiative for Persons with Disabilities

• The Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) inaugurated by Om Birla in Kota serves as a major leap in empowering differently abled citizens.
• Under the guidance of ALIMCO and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the centre provides assistive devices, mobility aids, and skill development training to ensure self-reliance and inclusive growth.
• With a vision to expand to 100 centres, the initiative aligns with national goals of accessibility, equality, and social justice.

Endangered Species Fund in Tamil Nadu Gets Fresh Lease of Life

• The Tamil Nadu Endangered Species Conservation Fund, launched in 2024 with a ₹50 crore corpus, faced administrative hurdles due to the defunct status of the State Forest Development Agency (SFDA).
• To avoid delays, the fund has now been transferred to the Advanced Institute of Wildlife Conservation (AIWC), Vandalur, known for its research and wildlife initiatives.
• The fund aims to protect species like the Malabar Civet and Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat through mapping, research grants, and partnerships.
• This move revitalizes Tamil Nadu’s commitment to biodiversity conservation.

International News

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts: Red Alert Issued Over Volcanic Ash Cloud

• Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, an active volcano in Indonesia, erupted twice on May 19, 2025, with volcanic ash reaching 1.1 km into the atmosphere. Authorities issued the highest alert level and warned of potential lahar floods and larger eruptions.
• The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia, released a red aviation alert due to the ash’s possible impact on air travel.
• As part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia faces regular seismic activity, and this incident underscores the region’s vulnerability and global implications.

Sudan Appoints Kamil Idris as First PM Since 2023 Civil War

• Sudan’s military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has appointed Kamil al-Taib Idris as the first Prime Minister since the outbreak of the civil war in April 2023, which erupted due to a power struggle between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• The appointment is part of efforts to create a transitional government, restore civilian-led rule, and address the nation’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, with over 13 million displaced and half the population facing hunger.
• Idris, a respected legal diplomat, is seen as a neutral figure and a possible unifying leader in a country torn by war and political fragmentation.

China and Cambodia Launch “Golden Dragon-2025” to Boost Military Ties

• The Golden Dragon-2025 joint military drill, held in Cambodia, signifies a deeper defense partnership between China and Cambodia.
• The exercise covers counter-terrorism, humanitarian relief, and multi-domain military operations, including the use of unmanned systems.
• The involvement of the Ream Port Joint Support and Training Center and integrated training phases reflect growing military trust and strategic cooperation between the two nations.

Banking News

RBI Cancels HCBL Co-operative Bank Licence Over Capital Shortfall

• The RBI has cancelled the licence of HCBL Co-operative Bank due to its inability to meet capital and earning standards, posing a risk to depositors.
• The UP Cooperative Registrar has been directed to liquidate the bank, with over 98% of depositors insured up to ₹5 lakh by the DICGC.
• This decision upholds banking discipline, strengthens deposit protection, and addresses regulatory non-compliance.

Schemes News

70 Firms Apply Under ₹23,000 Crore Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme

• The government’s Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), launched on May 1, 2025, has attracted 70 applications in a short span, with 80% coming from small and medium enterprises.
• Aimed at minimizing electronic import dependence, the ₹22,805 crore scheme supports domestic production of sub-assemblies like PCBs, camera modules, and lithium-ion cells.
• It aligns with Digital India, Make in India, and the goal of achieving $500 billion electronics output by 2030. Industry giants like Tata Electronics and Foxconn have reportedly shown interest.

Tripura Launches Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan to Empower Farmers

• Tripura has announced the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a pan-India agriculture campaign scheduled from May 29 to June 12, 2025.
• The initiative, launched under the guidance of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will focus on enhancing farm productivity, reducing agricultural costs, and raising awareness about government schemes through village-level outreach involving ICAR and KVK experts.
• This step supports the vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

Obituaries News

Current Affairs Today | 20 May Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam