NATIONAL NEWS

1. Navdurga Missile Testing range:

Why in news?

PM lays foundation stone of Navdurga Missile Testing range in Andhra Pradesh

Motto and aim of launching this Missile test Rane:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Missile Test Range at Nagayalanka in Andhra Pradesh, worth around Rs 1,460 Crore.
• India has two functional missile testing ranges at Chandipur and Wheeler’s Islands near the coast of Odisha.
• These missile sites are not equipped to test missiles, which DRDO is developing under phase 2 of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD).
• PM laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh on 02 May 2025.

IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS

2. New UPSC member:

Why in news?

Anuradha Prasad assumes charge as Member, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Anuradha Prasad is former Secretary to the Government of India, Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs.

About the importance of this appointment:

• She took the Oath of the Office and Secrecy as Member, UPSC
• Anuradha Prasad belongs to the 1986 batch of the Indian Defence Accounts Service.
• Note: Recently, Sujata Chaturvedi has also been appointed as a Member of the UPSC.

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

3. Plastic leads to heart disease:

Why in news?

Plastics linked to 3.5 lakh heart disease deaths in year 2018: US-based research firm ‘Lancet’ reveals

Aim and result of the research:

• A daily exposure to phthalates commonly used in making household plastic items has been related to over 3.5 lakh, or 13 percent, deaths in the world due to heart disease in 2018, among those aged 55-64.
• India had the highest count at 103,587 deaths, followed by China and Indonesia, the study, published in the journal eBioMedicine, found.
• The study focused on a kind of phthalate called ‘di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)’ used for making plastics in items, such as food containers, softer and more flexible.
• Phthalates have been shown to break down into microscopic particles and enter human bodies, increasing the risk of wide-ranging conditions, such as obesity, heart attack, fertility issues and cancer.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

4. Autobiography of Governor Anandiben Patel released:

Why in news?

Autobiography ‘Chunautiyaan Mujhe Pasand Hain’ of Governor Anandiben Patel released

About the book and its contents:

• The book was released by the Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow.
• Anandiben Patel is currently the Governor of Uttar Pradesh and is known as an influential woman leader in Indian politics.
• She was born on 21 November 1941 in a Patidar family in Kharod village of Mehsana district of Gujarat.

SCIENCE & TECH NEWS

5. India’s first-ever Al- driven real-time forest alert system:

Why in news?

Madhya Pradesh launches India’s first-ever Al- driven real-time forest alert system

Aim of this installation of Forest Alert system:

• This system uses satellite data, Al, and mobile-based field reporting to detect land encroachment, deforestation, and other changes in forest areas.
• Alerts will be generated from satellite images and sent to field staff for immediate verification and action.
• The system is currently being tested in five sensitive forest divisions:
  • Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Burhanpur, and Khandwa.
• The system has been developed by the Guna Divisional Forest officer (DFO) Akshaya Rathore, an alumnus of IIT Roorkee, with some help from Chat GPT

DEFENCE NEWS

6. Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force:

Why in news?

Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari appointed Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force

About New Vice Chief and his achievements:

• Air Marshal Tiwari has succeeded Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar, who retired as Vice Chief of Air Staff on 30th April 2025.
• Indian Air Force was established during British rule on 8 October 1932 as the Royal Indian Air Force.
• It was renamed as the Indian Air Force in January 1950 after the country gained independence.

IMPORTANT DAYS

7. World Press Freedom day:

Why in news?

World Press Freedom is celebrated on May 3rd

About the day and its importance:

• United Nations declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day in 1993, marking an important milestone in the protection of freedom of expression and media freedom.
• Theme 2025: “Reporting in the Brave New World The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”