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Current Affairs 03 & 04 May 2025
1. Suryakumar Yadav, Becomes First Player In The World To Achieve Elusive IPL Feat
Suryakumar Yadav has made history by becoming the first
player in the world to achieve a rare and elusive feat in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for his aggressive stroke play and consistency, he has been a key performer for the Mumbai Indians. This unique achievement sets him apart as a trailblazer in the T20 format. His contribution has not only strengthened his team's performance but also elevated his status on the global cricket stage. Fans and experts alike have praised his remarkable skill and dedication to the game.
player in the world to achieve a rare and elusive feat in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for his aggressive stroke play and consistency, he has been a key performer for the Mumbai Indians. This unique achievement sets him apart as a trailblazer in the T20 format. His contribution has not only strengthened his team's performance but also elevated his status on the global cricket stage. Fans and experts alike have praised his remarkable skill and dedication to the game.Foot notes:
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IPL Team and Role: He plays for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is a batter.
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Awards and Accolades: He has won the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award in 2022 and 2023.
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Career Highlights: Yadav has been a consistent performer for both his IPL franchise and the Indian team, and was part of the team that won the 2024 T20 World Cup. He is currently the captain of the Indian National T20 side.
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Net Worth and Salary: Suryakumar Yadav has a net worth of 45 crores and earns 8 crores per annum in the IPL
2. India’s Coastline Length Revised to 11,098.81 km Following Updated Methodology
India’s coastline length has been officially revised to
11,098.81 km following the adoption of an updated measurement methodology. This new calculation offers a more accurate representation of the country’s coastal boundaries. The revision was carried out using advanced geospatial techniques to ensure precision. It reflects the dynamic nature of coastal features and aims to support better coastal planning and management. The update is significant for environmental, economic, and strategic coastal initiatives in India.
11,098.81 km following the adoption of an updated measurement methodology. This new calculation offers a more accurate representation of the country’s coastal boundaries. The revision was carried out using advanced geospatial techniques to ensure precision. It reflects the dynamic nature of coastal features and aims to support better coastal planning and management. The update is significant for environmental, economic, and strategic coastal initiatives in India.Foot notes:
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The main reason for the deviation from the previous length is the difference in scale and calculation methods.
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The new measurement uses a scale of 1:250,000, capturing more intricate details like bays and inlets, whereas the 1970s data were likely computed at a scale of 1:4,500,000 or smaller.
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The revised length includes the coastline lengths of 1,298 offshore islands/islets (1,059 islands and 239 islets), which were possibly omitted in earlier calculations due to scale constraints.
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Gujarat has the longest coastline among states with 2,340.62 kilometers, while Goa has the shortest with 193.95 kilometers.
3. University of York to Open Its First Indian Campus in Mumbai
The University of York, a prestigious UK-based Russell Group
institution, has announced plans to establish its first overseas campus in Mumbai, India. This initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maharashtra government and discussions between Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the WAVES Summit in Mumbai. The Mumbai campus is set to commence operations in the 2026/27 academic year, initially offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in computer science with AI and cybersecurity, business, economics, and creative industries.
institution, has announced plans to establish its first overseas campus in Mumbai, India. This initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maharashtra government and discussions between Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the WAVES Summit in Mumbai. The Mumbai campus is set to commence operations in the 2026/27 academic year, initially offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in computer science with AI and cybersecurity, business, economics, and creative industries. Foot notes:
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Location and Start Date: The University of York's first Indian campus will be located in Mumbai and is expected to welcome students from the academic year 2026/27.
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Licensing and Accreditation: The university is working on obtaining the necessary license from the University Grants Commission (UGC) in India to develop the campus.
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Campus Development: The campus will initially operate from an existing building in a business quarter of Mumbai, with plans to develop a full campus complex over the coming years.
4. Sai Sudharsan becomes fastest Indian to reach 2000 T20 runs
Sai Sudharsan has etched his name into cricketing history by
becoming the fastest Indian to reach 2,000 runs in T20 cricket. The 23-year-old Gujarat Titans opener achieved this milestone during an IPL 2025 match against SunRisers Hyderabad, reaching the landmark in just his 54th innings—surpassing the previous Indian record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who took 59 innings to achieve the same . Globally, Sudharsan stands second only to Australia's Shaun Marsh, who reached the 2,000-run mark in 53 innings. In the match, Sudharsan played a brisk innings, scoring 48 runs off 23 balls, which included nine boundaries, contributing to Gujarat Titans' formidable start .
becoming the fastest Indian to reach 2,000 runs in T20 cricket. The 23-year-old Gujarat Titans opener achieved this milestone during an IPL 2025 match against SunRisers Hyderabad, reaching the landmark in just his 54th innings—surpassing the previous Indian record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who took 59 innings to achieve the same . Globally, Sudharsan stands second only to Australia's Shaun Marsh, who reached the 2,000-run mark in 53 innings. In the match, Sudharsan played a brisk innings, scoring 48 runs off 23 balls, which included nine boundaries, contributing to Gujarat Titans' formidable start . Foot notes:
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Record-Breaking Milestone: Sai Sudharsan became the fastest Indian to reach 2000 T20 runs, achieving this feat in just 54 innings, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 59 innings.
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Global Ranking: Sudharsan is now the second-fastest player globally to reach 2000 T20 runs, with only Shaun Marsh (53 innings) ahead of him.
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IPL 2025 Performance: Sudharsan's achievement came during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season while playing for Gujarat Titans. He scored 48 runs off 23 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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Orange Cap Leader: Sudharsan leads the Orange Cap race in IPL 2025 with 504 runs in 10 matches, including five half-centuries, showcasing his consistency and form.
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Classical Batting Style: Sudharsan's success is attributed to his classical batting approach, prioritizing technique and timing over brute force, making him a unique talent in T20 cricket.
5. India’s Exports Hit Record $824.9 Billion in FY 2024–25
India's exports reached a record high of $824.9 billion in the
fiscal year 2024–25, marking a 6.01% increase over the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by a significant surge in services exports, which rose 13.6% to $387.5 billion, with strong performances in IT, financial services, and travel sectors . Non-petroleum merchandise exports also contributed, achieving a new peak of $374.1 billion, up 6% from the previous year . This milestone underscores India's growing role in global trade and the resilience of its export sectors amid challenging global conditions.
fiscal year 2024–25, marking a 6.01% increase over the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by a significant surge in services exports, which rose 13.6% to $387.5 billion, with strong performances in IT, financial services, and travel sectors . Non-petroleum merchandise exports also contributed, achieving a new peak of $374.1 billion, up 6% from the previous year . This milestone underscores India's growing role in global trade and the resilience of its export sectors amid challenging global conditions.Foot notes:
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Record-Breaking Exports: India's total exports for FY 2024-25 reached an all-time high of $824.9 billion, marking a 6.01% growth from the previous year's figure of $778.1 billion.
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Services Export Growth: Services exports drove the surge, witnessing a double-digit growth of 13.6% to reach $387.5 billion, up from $341.1 billion in FY 2023-24.
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Merchandise Exports: Merchandise exports (excluding petroleum) grew 6.0% to $374.1 billion, up from $352.9 billion, showcasing India's rising competence in non-oil sectors.
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March 2025 Services Exports: Services exports in March 2025 stood at $35.6 billion, reflecting an 18.6% growth over March 2024.
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Policy Objectives: The growth in exports aligns with policy initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Foreign Trade Policy 2023, aiming to position India as a global trade powerhouse.
6. GAME and NITI Aayog collaborated to boost local entrepreneurship
The Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) and
NITI Aayog have formed a strategic partnership to strengthen local entrepreneurship ecosystems across India. Announced on May 2, 2025, the collaboration will commence with pilot projects in Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, and select districts of Uttar Pradesh, aiming to empower entrepreneurs in underserved regions. The initiative focuses on a bottom-up approach, bringing together stakeholders such as government bodies, corporates, educational institutions, financial entities, and community organizations to address region-specific challenges.
NITI Aayog have formed a strategic partnership to strengthen local entrepreneurship ecosystems across India. Announced on May 2, 2025, the collaboration will commence with pilot projects in Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, and select districts of Uttar Pradesh, aiming to empower entrepreneurs in underserved regions. The initiative focuses on a bottom-up approach, bringing together stakeholders such as government bodies, corporates, educational institutions, financial entities, and community organizations to address region-specific challenges. Foot notes:
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Partnership Objective: GAME and NITI Aayog have partnered to foster vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystems across multiple states in India, focusing on region-specific interventions.
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Pilot Locations: The initiative will start with pilot projects in Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, and select locations in Uttar Pradesh, aiming to create localized solutions for each region's unique challenges.
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Key Stakeholders: The partnership brings together government bodies, corporations, educational institutions, financial entities, successful entrepreneurs, and community organizations to support local entrepreneurs.
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Methodologies: GAME's proven methodologies will be implemented, including access to finance, capacity-building programs, policy advocacy, and community-driven initiatives to enable entrepreneurs to start and scale businesses.
7. Subhasish Bose Named Men’s Player Of The Year At All India Football Federation Awards 2025
Subhasish Bose, captain of Mohun Bagan Super Giant and a
key defender for the Indian national team, has been honored as the AIFF Men's Player of the Year for the 2024–25 season. The award was presented during the AIFF Awards ceremony held on May 2, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, recognizing his exceptional contributions to both club and country. Bose's leadership and defensive prowess were instrumental in Mohun Bagan's Indian Super League triumph, where the team achieved 15 clean sheets. Notably, he also contributed offensively, scoring six crucial goals throughout the season. This accolade marks a significant recognition for defenders in Indian football, as Bose becomes only the second defender in the last 11 years to receive this honor, following Sandesh Jhingan's win in the 2020–21 season.
key defender for the Indian national team, has been honored as the AIFF Men's Player of the Year for the 2024–25 season. The award was presented during the AIFF Awards ceremony held on May 2, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, recognizing his exceptional contributions to both club and country. Bose's leadership and defensive prowess were instrumental in Mohun Bagan's Indian Super League triumph, where the team achieved 15 clean sheets. Notably, he also contributed offensively, scoring six crucial goals throughout the season. This accolade marks a significant recognition for defenders in Indian football, as Bose becomes only the second defender in the last 11 years to receive this honor, following Sandesh Jhingan's win in the 2020–21 season.Foot notes:
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Award Winner: Subhasish Bose was named the AIFF Best Men's Player of the Year 2024-25, recognizing his outstanding performance in the Indian football season.
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Historic Achievement: Bose became the seventh defender to win the AIFF Men's Player of the Year Award, following notable players like Sandesh Jhingan and Syed Rahim Nabi.
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Leadership: Bose captained Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a historic Indian Super League double, winning both the League Winners' Shield and the ISL Cup in the same season.
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Team Success: Under Bose's leadership, Mohun Bagan SG secured a 2-1 win over Bengaluru FC in the final, making them only the second team in ISL history to achieve this feat after Mumbai City FC in 2020-21.
8. Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma has assumed charge as the Northern Army Commander
Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma has officially assumed charge as the
Northern Army Commander, one of the most critical positions in the Indian Army. He succeeds Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, who has now moved on to a higher command role. Lt. Gen. Sharma brings with him extensive operational experience, especially in high-altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations. He is expected to play a pivotal role in overseeing security along the sensitive borders with Pakistan and China. His leadership is seen as crucial for maintaining stability and readiness in one of the army's most strategic commands.
Northern Army Commander, one of the most critical positions in the Indian Army. He succeeds Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, who has now moved on to a higher command role. Lt. Gen. Sharma brings with him extensive operational experience, especially in high-altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations. He is expected to play a pivotal role in overseeing security along the sensitive borders with Pakistan and China. His leadership is seen as crucial for maintaining stability and readiness in one of the army's most strategic commands.Foot notes:
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Command Responsibility: The Northern Command, headquartered in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, is responsible for defending the country along the border with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and contiguous portions of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, as well as securing the Ladakh region along the border with China.
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Experience and Background: Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma is a highly decorated officer with over 37 years of service, having commanded various units, including the 80 Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir, the 25th Infantry Division, and II Corps.
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Previous Role: Before taking over as the Northern Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Sharma served as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) from November 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025.
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Awards and Decorations: Lt. Gen. Sharma has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Sena Medal for his distinguished service.
9. World Press Freedom Day observed on 03rd May
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3 to
celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate its state worldwide, and honor journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, the day commemorates the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration, which laid the foundation for a free, independent, and pluralistic press . The 2025 theme, "Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media," focuses on how AI affects press freedom, the free flow of information, media independence, and the global goal of ensuring access to information for all .
celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate its state worldwide, and honor journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, the day commemorates the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration, which laid the foundation for a free, independent, and pluralistic press . The 2025 theme, "Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media," focuses on how AI affects press freedom, the free flow of information, media independence, and the global goal of ensuring access to information for all .Foot notes:
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History: The day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, inspired by the Windhoek Declaration of 1991, which advocated for a free, independent, and pluralistic press.
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Theme: The 2025 theme is "Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media," highlighting the challenges journalists face with AI-generated content and digital disinformation.
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Significance: The day emphasizes the importance of press freedom, journalist safety, and access to accurate information, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16) and Climate Action (SDG 13).
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Awards and Recognition: UNESCO confers the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize on individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to defending and promoting press freedom.
10. Vishnu Prasad Versatile Malayalam Actor passed away
Malayalam actor Vishnu Prasad passed away on May 1,
2025, at the age of 49, due to complications from liver disease. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kochi and was in critical condition during his final days. His daughter had volunteered to donate a part of her liver, but the family faced challenges in raising the 30 lakh required for the transplant. The Association of Television Media Artistes (ATMA) initiated a fundraising campaign to assist with the medical expenses, but unfortunately, his condition deteriorated before the surgery could take place.
2025, at the age of 49, due to complications from liver disease. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kochi and was in critical condition during his final days. His daughter had volunteered to donate a part of her liver, but the family faced challenges in raising the 30 lakh required for the transplant. The Association of Television Media Artistes (ATMA) initiated a fundraising campaign to assist with the medical expenses, but unfortunately, his condition deteriorated before the surgery could take place. Foot notes:
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Financial Struggle: Vishnu Prasad's family faced significant financial hardship during his treatment, requiring 30 lakhs for a liver transplant, which they struggled to arrange despite his daughter's willingness to donate her liver.
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Support from Industry: The Association of Television Media Artists (ATMA) and fellow actors like Kishore Sathya and Seema G. Nair extended support for his treatment, showcasing the industry's solidarity.
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Notable Works: Vishnu Prasad was known for his roles in Malayalam films like "Runway", "Lion", "Kaiyethum Doorath", "Ben Johnson", "Pathaka", and "Lokanathan IAS", as well as several television serials.
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International Rankings and Records: Yadav was ranked first in the ICC T20I rankings for batsmen and is the fastest Indian player to score 1000 runs in T20Is, achieving this feat in 573 balls.
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