________________________ *TODAYS TOP CURRENT AFFAIRS* --------------------------------------- 1. PM Modi on Friday described Northeast as a new epicentre of India’s growth. He termed Northeast as ‘Ashtalakshmi’— the eight Northeastern states — as a model for a developed India (Viksit Bharat). Emphasising the central government’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and Naxalism and reinforcing its commitment to national security. 2. According to the India meteorological department. Two weather systems are likely to bring heavy rain to the state and activate the southwest monsoon, which is expected to onset over Kerala around May 27. 3. Madhya Pradesh has initiated the Rahveer Scheme to incentivise good Samaritans who assist accident victims. This decision was made during a special cabinet meeting held at the historic Rajwada Fort in Indore. The scheme offers a reward of Rs 25,000 to individuals who help transport accident victims to medical facilities. The initiative aims to reduce road fatalities in a state that reported over 54,000 accidents in 2022. 4. The Delhi government announced subsidy for households installing rooftop solar panels. This initiative aims to promote clean and affordable energy in the national capital. The government seeks to install solar panels in 2,30,000 households over the next three years. 5. The Aravalli mountain range, one of India’s oldest, is undergoing restoration initiative. Recently, a national workshop was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, to devise strategies for the Aravalli Landscape Restoration. The event was led by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav. The Aravalli range spans several states including Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi. The region has faced severe degradation due to urbanisation, mining, and deforestation. 6. Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday reserved for Presidential assent a Bill seeking to use a higher portion of revenue from rich Hindu temples for a common pool of funds. According to the Bill, 10% of the gross income of temples whose gross annual income exceeds Rs 1 crore will be put in the common pool. 7. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urges Centre to notify Amaravati as the capital: On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Central government should notify Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, he said. 8. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially declared 2025 as the "Gaganyaan Year," marking a pivotal phase in India's ambitious human spaceflight program. The Gaganyaan Programme, approved in December 2018, is designed to send Indian astronauts to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and to develop the essential technologies for sustained human space exploration by India. 9. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released two important directives in an effort to expedite election day operations and improve the voting experience. These have to do with establishing mobile phone deposit services and implementing more stringent rules on electioneering near polling places. 10. The airspace over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been closed for 23 May and 24 May , 2025, following the issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) by Indian authorities, signalling preparations for a likely inter-island missile or weapons system test. 11. The summer vacation for the schools in Tamil Nadu is likely to end in about just two weeks. For most classes, the holidays began on April 25, following the completion of exams. As per the Tamil Nadu government, it has plans to reopen the schools on June 2. However, the heatwave might possibly force the authorities to extend the summer holidays. 12. Telangana Weather Report@ 24 May : Heavy rain alert for 9 Telangana districts, thunderstorm warning for remaining 24. These districts are Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, and Kamareddy. --------------------------------------- *LEGAL REPORT* --------------------------------------- 1. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday filed the chargesheet against former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik and five others in connection with the Kiru hydropower corruption case. 2. Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Friday (May 23, 2025) conducted raid at ruling AAP MLA Raman Arora's house in Jalandhar in connection with a corruption matter. 3. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday hit out at the Centre for deploying a contingent of 296 CISF personnel at Nangal dam, saying that his govt will not pay a single penny as expenditure on it. The Centre has sanctioned the CISF contingent to provide a counter-terrorist security cover to the Nangal dam amid a standoff between Punjab and Haryana over sharing of water from the dam. 4. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reaffirmed its firm stance on illegal immigration, making it clear that all foreigners residing in India without valid documentation—including Bangladeshi nationals—will be dealt with strictly according to Indian law. 5. The Shiv Sena party, part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra, urged Indian aviation companies not to operate flights from Mumbai to Turkey, claiming that the tourism revenue given to the country is being used against India. ------- *MISHAPS*------------ In Andhra pradesh, Six members of a family died and two children were injured as the car they were travelling in collided with a lorry near Tadicharlamotu village in Komarolu mandal of Prakasam district on Friday. The victims were returning home after a pilgrimage to the Mahanandi temple in Nandyal district. --------------------------------------- *FINANCE* --------------------------------------- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday announced a dividend payout of record Rs 2.69 lakh crore to the government for the accounting year 2024-25. --------------------------------------- *ENTERTAINMENT NEWS* --------------------------------------- 1. The Mumbai police are planning to regulate the entry and exit of visitors at Galaxy Apartments, the residence of Bollywood actor Salman Khan in Bandra, following incidents of trespassing on the premises. 2. Makers end release date rumors of movie KANTARA Chapter1 which will release in theaters worldwide on 2 October 2025. The makers also assured fans that the wait will be worth it and urged everyone to avoid speculation and refrain from sharing unverified updates. 3. The Karnataka government's decision to appoint Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap has sparked widespread backlash from Kannada activists, cultural figures, and netizens who view the move as a slight to local talent. Defending the decision, KSDL Managing Director Dr. Prashanth PKM explained that only 12% of the company's ₹1,800 crore annual revenue comes from Karnataka, with the rest generated from national and international markets. 4. A controversy has erupted around the upcoming film Telugu movie BHAIRAVAM, directed by Vijay Kanakamedala. A political remark made by the director during a promotional event in Eluru has triggered widespread backlash, sparking the trending hashtag #boycottbhairavam on social media. The film, slated for release on May 30, stars Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas, Manchu Manoj, and Nara Rohith in lead roles. --------------------------------------- *DEFENCE News* --------------------------------------- 1. Major Rohit Kadian of the Indian Army has won four medals at the 11th World Masters Games in Taiwan. He won the Gold medal in the 1500m race (40–45 age category). Silver medals in the 800m and 5000m races, and a bronze in the 400m event. 2. The Supreme Court on Friday (May 23, 2025) ruled that Group A officers of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) from batches dating back to 1986 are recognised as “Organised Services” for “all purposes”. 3. The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre and the Indian Air Force not to release from service a woman officer, who was part of Operation Balakot and Operation Sindoor but was denied permanent commission. 4. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the book “Ready, Relevant and Resurgent: A Blueprint for the Transformation of India’s Military,” authored by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, on 22 May 2025, in New Delhi. 5. India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a sophisticated family of air-to-surface missiles known as the Rudram series, representing a significant advancement in the country's precision strike and suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) capabilities. --------------------------------------- ✈ *INTERNATIONAL NEWS* --------------------------------------- 1. Germany has put an end to the informal appeal system for Indians applying for visas starting July 1, 2025. The significant procedural change was announced by the German government. 2. Tech billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX-owned Starlink has started offering satellite internet service in Bangladesh. Confirming the launch, Starlink said that its services are now available across the entire region of the South Asian nation. With this, Bangladesh became India's second neighbour after Bhutan to access Starlink's technology. 3. Bangladesh has officially cancelled a ₹180.25 crore ($21 million) defence contract with Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), a public sector company under India’s Ministry of Defence.The contract, signed in July 2024, was for the construction of an advanced ocean-going tug for the Bangladesh Navy—a specialised vessel designed for long-distance towing, salvage operations. 4. India has warmly welcomed the United Kingdom's historic decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, including the strategically important atoll of Diego Garcia, back to Mauritius after more than 50 years of British control. 5. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing the 2nd Raisina Tokyo Dialogue, presented a comprehensive vision of India as not only future-ready but actively shaping the global future, with a particular focus on the deepening India-Japan partnership.He highlighted India’s robust economic fundamentals, noting foreign exchange reserves exceeding USD 690 billion. 6. India has issued a strong diplomatic message to Turkey, urging Ankara to use its influence with Pakistan to end its longstanding support for cross-border terrorism.This statement was made by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a weekly press briefing. --------------------------------------- 🌎 *WORLD NEWS* 🌍 --------------------------------------- 1. The Taliban interim government of Afghanistan on Wednesday assured Beijing that it will not allow “any force” to use country's territory against China. Afghanistan is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the security field, combat violent crimes, safeguard China's interests in Afghanistan, and jointly maintain regional security and stability. Afghanistan shares a narrow strip of territory called Wakhan corridor connecting Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province with China’s volatile Xinjiang province where Beijing has launched a crackdown on the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which allegedly maintains links with the Islamic State and Al-Qaida. 2. Bangladesh is currently facing heightened political uncertainty as Professor Muhammad Yunus, the chief of the country’s interim government, is reportedly considering resignation due to his inability to function effectively amid deepening political divisions. 3. Bangladesh's Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has reportedly delivered a direct warning to interim chief Muhammad Yunus: hold national elections by December. At a closed-door military durbar this week, the Army chief also shut down the Yunus government's proposed "humanitarian" corridor to Myanmar's Rakhine State, calling it a "bloody corridor" and a threat to national sovereignty. 4. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has mocked his Army Chief Asim Munir, who was promoted as Field Marshal, days ago. Taking a dig at Munir, the former Pakistan PM said that he should have been honoured with the title 'King' as the country is ruled by the law of the jungle. In 1959, ex-Army general Ayub Khan was the first such officer to be given the honour considered Pakistan's highest military rank. --------------------------------------- 🚣🚴🏇🏊 *SPORTS* --------------------------------------- 1. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Team India's Under 19 squad for the upcoming England tour. The teams will face each other in a 50-over warm-up match, followed by afive-match Youth One-Day series and two Multi-Day matches, scheduled from June 24 to July 23, 2025. Vaibhav Suryavanshi who came into the limelight after smashing a century in his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will also play. Ayush Mhatre who showcased an impressive performance for the Chennai Super Kings has been named as the the captain. Abhigyan Kundu is named a vice-captain. -------------------------------------- 🇮🇳 *FACTS ABOUT INDIA* 🇮🇳 ======================= *Rat Temple' in Bikaner Rajasthan* . The Karni Mata temple is a destination where pedestrian pilgrims commune with rats. In the temple, tourists and worshipers encourage the rats to run across their feet, as it is considered a good omen that bestows fortune to the worshiper. Also, to eat food and drink water that has been previously sampled by a rat is also considered pious.