National News

Seizure of Heroin and Methamphetamine Tablet Packets

• As part of the crackdown on the smuggling of banned drugs in the northeastern region, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized packets containing 569 grams of heroin and 1,039 grams of methamphetamine tablets from the lower part of a truck in Noney, Manipur.
• Additionally, in Eloichera, located in Hailakandi district of Assam, the authorities seized 2,640.53 grams of heroin.

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State Specific News

50th Anniversary of Sikkim’s Merger with India

• On 29 May 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin and a postal stamp at a ceremony held at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok to mark the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s merger with India.
• The event was based on the theme "Sunaulo, Samriddha evam Samarth Sikkim" (Golden, Prosperous and Capable Sikkim), highlighting the state’s cultural heritage, development, and achievements.

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Economy and Banking

Record Crop Production Estimate for FY 2024–25

• According to Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the estimated record crop production for the financial year 2024–25 is 353.959 million metric tonnes.
• This marks an increase of 6.5% or 21.661 million metric tonnes compared to the previous year.

Estimated production of major crops (2024-25):

Approval for Continuation of Interest Subsidy Component under MISS

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Interest Subsidy (IS) component under the Modified Interest Subsidy Scheme (MISS) for the financial year 2025–26, along with the provision of necessary funding.

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Increase in MSP of 14 Kharif crops for 2025–26 marketing season

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of 14 Kharif crops for 2025–26 marketing season.
• The highest increase has been recorded for Ramtil (Nigerseed) by Rs 820/quintal, Ragi by Rs 596/quintal, Cotton (Medium Staple) by Rs 589/quintal and Sesame by Rs 579/quintal.

Minimum Support Price (MSP):

Approval for Two Major Multi-Tracking Projects in Indian Railways

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two major multi-tracking projects in Indian Railways, with a total estimated cost of approximately ₹3,399 crore.
• These projects are scheduled to be completed by the year 2029–30.

Projects :

Approval for Construction of 4-Lane Badvel–Nellore Corridor

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of a 4-lane Badvel–Nellore highway corridor in Andhra Pradesh on National Highway NH-67 from Badvel–Gopavaram village to NH-16 at Guruvindapudi under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) mode.
• The total length of this project will be 108.134 kilometers and the total capital cost will be ₹3,653.10 crore.

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Defense News

First-Ever Women Cadets' Passing Out Parade at NDA

• For the first time, 17 women cadets of the 148th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) will march alongside over 300 male cadets during the Passing Out Parade on 30 May 2025.
• Women were admitted to NDA for the first time in 2022 following the historic Supreme Court verdict in 2021.

National Defence Academy (NDA):

Person In News

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa

• Former Union Minister and senior leader of Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali), Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, passed away in Mohali on 28 May 2025 at the age of 89.
• He was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2019; however, he returned the award in 2020 during the farmers' protest.

Shubhanshu Shukla

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from Lucknow is set to participate in the Axiom-4 space mission.
• The mission will launch on 8 June 2025 from the Kennedy Space Center, USA, and he will stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for approximately 14 days.