National Affairs
- Ceasefire Agreement between India & Pakistan
India and Pakistan have signed an immediate and full ceasefire agreement since increased tensions and kinetic hostilities between both nations. The announcement came from U.S. President Donald Trump after extensive talks facilitated by the United States.
- Operation Abhyaas – A Nationwide Civil Defence Drill
On May 7, 2025, India conducted “Operation Abhyaas,” a large-scale civil defence mock drill covering 244 districts. The Ministry of Home Affairs organized it with coordination by National Disaster Management Authority. The main purpose was to help civilians conduct drills and increase readiness if hostile events happened especially if tensions with Pakistan escalated. Participation included air-raid siren tests, blackouts, evacuations, and public training of at least 62,000 personnel.
- India Suspended the Indus Waters Treaty
Following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 19, 2025, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. Our intended acts were made on national security. The suspension resulted in water lapse of irrigation and domestic use via Chenab River into Pakistan, resulting in strong domestic response.
International Affairs
- Operation Brahma: Humanitarian Aid to Myanmar from India
Following a critical earthquake that affected Myanmar, India initiated “Operation Brahma” on March 28, 2025. This unique operation not only relied on proximity and access to deliver the means of affected reconstruction through specialized medical taskforces, search-and-rescue teams, and significant humanitarian aid, which includes food, medicine, and relevant relief materials.
- Political Developments from Around the Globe
• Germany: On May 6, 2025, after receiving a second-round parliamentary vote of support, Friedrich Merz was elected Chancellor of Germany.
• Papal Conclave: On May 8, 2025, a Papal Conclave convened to elect the new pope. An American-born, Peruvian man, Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV – the first pope from the American continent and the first from the Order of Saint Augustine.
Science & Environment
- New Species of Crocodile Found in Mexico
Researchers from Canada, Mexico, and Panama have identified two new crocodile species in regions near the Yucatán coast. This brings the current count of New World crocodile species from four to six, and it allows for further insight into crocodilian evolution and biodiversity.
- A Novel Subtype of Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young is Recognized
Scientists have identified a new subtype of Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), which improves the understanding of genetic variation in diabetes and allows for new mechanisms of personalized treatment.
Education
- CUET UG 2025 Admit Cards Issued
- The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued the admit cards for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2025. The hall tickets can be downloaded from the official website.
- Kerala CEE Reschedules LLB Entrance Test 2025
The Kerala Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE), has rescheduled the LLB entrance exam to June 1, 2025, and has also extended the application deadline to May 19, 2025. So, aspirants will have more time to apply.
Important Days
World Lupus Day Celebrated on May 10
World Lupus Day is celebrated on May 10, every year, around the world to raise awareness of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. The theme for 2025 is “Let’s Make Lupus Visible Together” because visibility is important to ensure people have an understanding of the condition.
