INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. WHO Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma:
Why in news?
India receives WHO Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma
About the success rate of this achievement:
- India has been awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva
- On October 8, 2024, the WHO declared that the Government of India had eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem.
- India also became the third country in the Southeast Asia region to reach this public health milestone.
NATIONAL NEWS
2. Birth anniversary of Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
Why in news?
Birth anniversary of Raja Ram Mohan Roy celebrated on May 22nd
About the news in detail:
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on May 22, 1772, at Radhanagar in the District of Hooghly in Bengal.
- He is known as the “Father of Modern India.”
- He formed the Atmiya Sabha in 1815 to promote rational religious thinking.
- Later, he founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828, which became a leading reform movement in India.
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy passed away on September 27, 1833 in Bristol, United Kigdom.
- His tomb is also located at Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol, UK.
3. Asian Productivity Organisation for 2025-26:
Why in news?
India becomes chairman of Asian Productivity Organisation for 2025-26
About Asian Productivity Organisation and its role:
- India assumed the chairmanship during the 67th session of the Governing Body Meeting of the Asian Productivity Organisation, held in Jakarta, Indonesia
- Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will assume the responsibility of Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organisation on behalf of India.
- Note: Asian Productivity Organisation of 21-member countries was established in 1961 with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
4. New Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Portal:
Why in news?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launches new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Portal
Aim on launching this New Portal for Overseas Citizen of India:
- The new portal will provide enhanced functionality, advanced security, and a user-friendly experience for the existing over 5 million OCI cardholders and new users.
- The existing OCI Services portal was developed in 2013 and is currently operational in over 180 Indian missions abroad as well as 12 Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs), processing approximately 2000 applications per day.
- Given the significant technological advancements over the past decade and feedback received from OCI cardholders, a revamped OCI portal has been developed to address existing limitations and enhance the user experience.
DEFENCE NEWS
5. Ancient stitched ship ‘INSV Kaundinya’:
why in news?
Indian Navy acquires ancient stitched ship ‘INSV Kaundinya’
Significance of this INSV Kaundinya Ship:
- The Indian Navy formally inducted INSV Kaundinya at a ceremonial event held at Naval Base, Karwar in Karnataka.
- Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided over the event as the Chief Guest.
- INSV Kaundinya is a stitched sail ship, based on a 5th century CE ship depicted in the paintings of Ajanta Caves.
- The project was initiated through a tripartite agreement signed in Jul 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, with funding from the Ministry of Culture.
- Inducted as an Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV), Kaundinya will be based at Karwar.
- The ship will now embark on her next historic phase, involving preparations for a transoceanic voyage along the ancient trade route from Gujarat to Oman, scheduled for later this year.
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
6. Asiatic Lions and its population:
- Gujarat is home to 891 Asiatic Lions as in 2025
- According to the latest data by the 16th Population Estimation of Asiatic Lions, Gujarat is home to 891 Asiatic lions in 2025.
- It is a significant rise of 32.19 per cent compared to the previous estimate from June 2020.
- The population estimation exercise is conducted once every five years, and this year’s survey was carried out between May 10 and 13, 2025.
- Note: Project Lion was launched by PM Narendra Modi in March 2025, with a 2,900 crore outlay to improve lion habitats.
IMPORTANT DAYS
7. International Day for Biological Diversity:
Why in news?
International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated on May 22nd
About the day and its importance:
- The International Day for Biological Diversity is a call to act and transform how we live and reconnect with nature.
- The day commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) text on May 22, 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro.
- Theme for year 2025: “Harmony with nature and sustainable development”