National News

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the redevelopment work of 103 railway stations across 18 states and Union Territories under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme on 22nd May 2025.
• The Mahe Railway Station, located in the Union Territory of Puducherry, is also included in this redevelopment programme.

Amrut Bharat Station Yojana:

Inspection to Curb Illegal Use of Non-Approved Chemicals

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all states and Union Territories to intensify inspections and take special action to curb the illegal use of non-approved chemicals in fruit ripening.
• Certain non-approved chemicals like ethylene and methyl bromide are reportedly being used in the production and ripening of fruits, which can be harmful to health.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

Announcement of Three New Multi-State Cooperative Societies

• Under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, the establishment of three new multi-state cooperative societies was announced on 20th May 2025.

Related Facts:

Decision on Judges' Appointment

• The Supreme Court has delivered a significant judgment regarding the appointment of judges in lower courts. It has made it mandatory for candidates to have a minimum of 3 years of legal practice (advocacy) in order to appear for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) examination.

Supreme Court:

International News

Announcement of the Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield Program

• American President Donald Trump has announced the Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield Program for his country, with an estimated cost of 175 billion dollars.

United States of America (USA) :

State Special News

First Fully Literate State: Mizoram

• Mizoram has achieved a historic milestone in education by becoming India’s first fully literate state. This achievement came after the implementation of the New India Literacy Programme, under which 3,026 illiterate individuals were identified and educated with the help of 292 dedicated volunteer teachers.
• Mizoram’s literacy rate has now reached 98.2%, which is significantly higher than the 95% benchmark defined by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Mizoram :

Economy and Banking

16th Annual Day Celebration of CCI

• The 16th Annual Day celebration of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) was held on 20th May 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• The event was addressed by Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs.

Competition Commission of India (CCI):

Agreement between Bharti Airtel and Google

• Bharti Airtel and Google have entered into a partnership to offer customers access to the Google One Cloud Storage Subscription Service.
• Under this partnership, Airtel’s postpaid and Wi-Fi customers will be provided Google One cloud storage services free for up to 6 months.

Related facts:

15% Rebate on Transit Fees for Cargo Ships

• The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced a 15% rebate on transit fees for cargo ships with a capacity of 130,000 metric tons, effective from 15th May 2025, as part of efforts to boost trade in the Red Sea region.

Red Sea :

Science and Technology

Potential drugs discovered to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

• Indian scientists have discovered potential drugs to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
• The team from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), working under the Department of Science and Technology, has developed a special type of drugs called peptidomimetics, which can be effective in these serious brain diseases.

Related Facts:

Person In News

Rajiv Gandhi

• The death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is observed every year on 21st May. In 2025, it marks his 34th death anniversary.
• Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on 21st May 1991 in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in a suicide bombing carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Rajiv Gandhi:

Tapan Kumar Deka

• The Central Government has extended the tenure of Tapan Kumar Deka, the chief of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), by one year.
• This is his second extension, which will be effective from 30th June 2025 and will continue until June 2026. The decision was taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Intelligence Bureau (IB):

Dr. M.R. Srinivasan

• Renowned nuclear scientist and a stalwart of India’s nuclear energy sector, Dr. M.R. Srinivasan, passed away on 20th May 2025 at the age of 95 in Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu.
• He had worked alongside Dr. Homi Bhabha in the development of India’s first research nuclear reactor, Apsara, and played a crucial role in making the country self-reliant in nuclear energy.

Related Facts:

Geeta Samota

• Geeta Samota has become the first woman officer of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to successfully summit Mount Everest.

Mount Everest:

Important Days

National Anti-Terrorism Day

• National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed every year on 21st May.
• The day is dedicated to the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated on 21st May 1991 in a suicide bombing at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.