INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. IIT Bombay in Campus at oversees:
Why in news?
IIT Bombay to open its first campus in Japan
About inaugurating the new Campus:
- IIT-Bombay is set to mark its international debut by establishing a dual degree PhD programme in Japan.
- It will set up a centre with Tohoku University in year 2026.
- Presently, PhD programme will be offered.
- In due course, joint Masters’ programmes also will be offered.
NATIONAL NEWS
2. Grand Vedic festival ‘Saraswati Pushkaralu’:
Why in news?
Grand Vedic festival ‘Saraswati Pushkaralu’ being held in Telangana
About the Grand Vedic Festival in detail:
- The Saraswati Pushkaralu 2025, a grand Vedic festival dedicated to the woeg of the Saraswati River in Kaleshwaram, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana.
- This is a once-in-12-years event, celebrated when Jupiter enters the zodiac sign Gemini.
- The festival draws lakhs of devotees from Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh to the sacred Triveni Sangamam, the confluence of the Godavari, Pranahita, and the subterranean Saraswati rivers. Saraswati Pushkaralu
3. Keoladeo National Park:
Why in news?
In a surprise move ‘Heaven of Birds, Keoladeo National Park, also emerging as a sanctuary for turtles
Aim of this National Park:
- Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan is also emerging as a sanctuary for turtles, offering shelter to eight out of 10 species found in the state.
- This makes the park one of the richest turtle habitats in the region, besides its significance in avian life.
Static:
- Keoladeo National Park, popularly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is located in Bharatpur in Rajasthan.
- It was founded in the late 19th century as a hunting preserve by Suraj Mal, the maharaja of the Bharatpur princely state, and became a bird sanctuary in 1956.
- It was declared a national park in 1981 and was renamed Keoladeo for the ancient temple in the park dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
- It has an area of 29 sq.km.
- Keoladeo National Park was designated as a Ramsar site in October 1981.
- It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE
4. ‘Yashoda Al: Your AI SAKHI’ initiative:
Why in news?
National Commission for Women (NCW) introduces ‘Yashoda Al: Your AI SAKHI’ initiative
Aim of launching this initiative:
- This groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance Al literacy, cybersecurity knowledge, and digital safety awareness among women, particularly those from rural and semi-urban areas.
- The initiative was launched at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly in UP on 22 May 2025.
- NCW Chairperson: Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar.
ECONOMY NEWS
5. World’s 4th largest economy:
Why in news?
India overtakes Japan to become world’s 4th largest economy
About the report in detail:
- According to NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy and is now poised to surpass Germany to claim the third position within the next 2.5 to 3 years.
- The official IMF data of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2025 marked India’s position at $4.19 trillion based on the current prices.
- List of Top 5 Economies (As per GDP in US$)
- United States: GDP current prices at $30.51 trillion. –
- China: GDP current prices at $19.23 trillion. –
- Germany: GDP current prices at $4.74 trillion.
- India: GDP current prices at $4.19 trillion.
- Japan: GDP current prices at $4.19 trillion.
6. EPFO ratifies interest rate:
Why in news?
EPFO ratifies interest rate at 8.25% on employees provident fund deposits for FY2025
EPFO and its recent reforms in Interest rate:
- EPFO, which manages retirement savings for salaried employees, reported a net addition of 1.46 million subscribers in March 2025.
- EPFO stands for the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.
- It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment in India.
- The membership is covered by the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.