NATIONAL NEWS
Operation Sindoor:
Why in news?
- India targets nine sites across Pakistan and PoK
Aim of this Operation Sindoor Strike:
- India has launched a major military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK and in a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen.
- The ministry of defence has stated that a detailed briefing on Operation Sindoor will be held later today to provide further clarity on the objectives, outcomes, and intelligence behind the mission.
Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVI) initiative:
Why in news?
- Delhi Government introduces Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVI) initiative
Aim of this initiative:
- Delhi CM Rekha Gupta flagged off 400 DEVI buses to improve last-mile connectivity between metro stations and major bus terminals.
- The buses will operate at 10-minute intervals, ensuring frequent and reliable service for urban travellers.
GOVERNMENT PORTALS
- Depot Darpan Portal:
Why in news?
- Centre to launch Depot Darpan portal on May 20 to ensure food storage quality
Aim and objective of this portal:
- Depot Darpan portal and mobile application will be launched with an objective to ensure that the food storage depots meet the highest quality and performance standards.
- The move will enable depot managers to evaluate infrastructure, operational and financial performance on a near real-time basis.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
- Cashless treatment of road accident victims:
why in news?
- Government officially notifies cashless treatment of road accident victims
Aim and Success rate on launching this scheme:
- The scheme aims to provide immediate, cashless medical treatment up to 1.5 lakh for accident victims across India, covering the first seven days after an incident.
- Effective from May 5, 2025, this initiative is a crucial step toward inclusive and accessible trauma care on Indian roads.
- The National Health Authority (NHA) will manage the scheme with support from state health agencies, police, and hospitals.
REPORTS & INDICES
- Human Development Index:
Why in news?
- India ranks 130 out of 193 countries
About the Report in brief:
- India improved its rank to 130 out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2023, according to the UNDP Human Development Report 2025.
- This marks a three-place rise from its 2022 rank of 133
- The country’s HDI score rose from 0.644 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, driven by improvements in health, education, and income.
Gender Inequality Index:
- India also demonstrated notable improvement in reducing gender inequality, climbing from 108 (out of 166 countries) in 2022 to 102 out of 193 countries in 2023 on the Gender Inequality Index (GII).
Life Expectancy report:
- India’s life expectancy also rose to 72 years in 2023 from 67.7 in 2022,
Average Schooling Years:
- expected schooling years increased to 13 from 12.6, with average schooling years increasing to 6.9 from 6.57.
Gross National Income Report:
- Meanwhile, the per capita Gross National Income (GNI) jumped from $6,951 to $9,047 (PPP 2021).
- Pakistan ranks 168th with a score of 0.544 and Nepal at 145th with 0.622, while Sri Lanka holds the 89th position at 0.776.
HDI top 3 countries:
- Iceland (0.972),
- Norway and
- Switzerland.
- South Sudan ranks last at 193, with a score of 0.388.
- The theme of the Human Development Report is “A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of Al”.
IMPORTANT DAYS
- World Asthma Day:
Why in news?
- World Asthma Day for year 2025 observed on May 6th
About the day and its importance:
- World Asthma Day is held on the first Tuesday in May every year.
- This international event is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA).
- The first World Asthma Day was held in 1998.
- Theme 2025: “Make inhaled treatments accessible for all”