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Current Affairs 07 May 2025
1. Anish Prasad appointed as Inspector General in BSF
Senior IPS officer Anish Prasad, from the 2003 Tripura cadre, has
been appointed as Inspector General (IG) in the Border Security Force (BSF) on a lateral deputation basis. Prior to this, he served as the Executive Director (Vigilance – Police) in the Railway Board. His deputation to the BSF will continue until June 21, 2026, or until further orders, aligning with the end of his five-year central deputation tenure . With over a decade of experience in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), his appointment is expected to strengthen the BSF's capabilities in vigilance, cyber security, and investigative operations.
been appointed as Inspector General (IG) in the Border Security Force (BSF) on a lateral deputation basis. Prior to this, he served as the Executive Director (Vigilance – Police) in the Railway Board. His deputation to the BSF will continue until June 21, 2026, or until further orders, aligning with the end of his five-year central deputation tenure . With over a decade of experience in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), his appointment is expected to strengthen the BSF's capabilities in vigilance, cyber security, and investigative operations.Foot notes:
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Current Posting: According to available data, Anish Prasad is currently posted as Director, Vigilance (Police), Railway Board of India, not as Inspector General in BSF.
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BSF Connection: However, another officer from the same cadre, Puneet Rastogi (TR:1995), is serving as Inspector General in the Border Security Force (BSF).
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Rank and Role: As Director, Vigilance (Police), Anish Prasad likely oversees vigilance and anti-corruption activities within the Indian Railways.
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IPS Career: Anish Prasad's career progression can be tracked through official IPS officer listings, which provide details on postings, promotions, and cadre allocations.
2. Friedrich Merz elected as new German chancellor
Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance, has been
elected as the new German Chancellor following a dramatic parliamentary session. In an unprecedented event in post-war German history, Merz failed to secure the required majority in the first round of voting, receiving only 310 out of 316 necessary votes. Merz will head a coalition government formed between his center-right CDU/CSU and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), aiming to stimulate economic growth through corporate tax cuts and reduced energy prices.
elected as the new German Chancellor following a dramatic parliamentary session. In an unprecedented event in post-war German history, Merz failed to secure the required majority in the first round of voting, receiving only 310 out of 316 necessary votes. Merz will head a coalition government formed between his center-right CDU/CSU and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), aiming to stimulate economic growth through corporate tax cuts and reduced energy prices.Foot notes:
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Election Outcome: Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), won the February 2025 election with 28.6% votes, becoming Germany's next chancellor.
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Shift in U.S.-Germany Relations: Merz has advocated for redefining Germany's relationship with the United States, focusing on strengthening Europe's ability to act independently from American influence, particularly in matters of security.
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Challenges Ahead: Merz's leadership will determine whether Germany emerges as a stronger and more united force within Europe or whether internal and external challenges complicate this vision.
3. SBI Launches Largest Staff Engagement Initiative to Empower Workforce
The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched its most extensive employee
engagement initiative, 'Nayi Disha' (New Path), aiming to enhance work-life balance and rejuvenate its 2.6 lakh-strong workforce. This program involves over 350 trained staff conducting interactive sessions that focus on employee well-being and include family participation, even allowing spouses to notify the bank if an employee consistently works late. Employees are encouraged to sign a pledge committing to personal health, environmental responsibility, and timely departure from work at least once a week.
engagement initiative, 'Nayi Disha' (New Path), aiming to enhance work-life balance and rejuvenate its 2.6 lakh-strong workforce. This program involves over 350 trained staff conducting interactive sessions that focus on employee well-being and include family participation, even allowing spouses to notify the bank if an employee consistently works late. Employees are encouraged to sign a pledge committing to personal health, environmental responsibility, and timely departure from work at least once a week.Foot notes:
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Objective: The initiative aims to prevent employees from working mechanically, boost morale, and enhance customer service by promoting a healthy work-life balance and involving immediate family members.
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Implementation: Over 350 trained experts conduct sessions with employees, including a team dinner with spouses, to foster engagement and motivation.
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Unique Feature: The pledge card includes a special bar code that allows an employee's spouse to alert the employee's boss if they're spending excessive time at work, enabling corrective action.
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Participation and Impact: In a similar initiative, "Abhivyakti" recorded participation from 1,91,881 employees, showcasing SBI's commitment to employee engagement and development.
4. Indian Railways Triumphs in 6th Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament 2025
Indian Railways clinched the title at the 6th Marshal of the Air Force Arjan
Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament 2025, held at the Raghbir Singh Bhola Hockey Stadium in Chandigarh. In a gripping final against Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, the match ended in a 1-1 draw during regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout where Indian Railways triumphed 3-1 . The tournament, conducted from April 29 to May 6, featured 12 teams, including international participants, and was organized to honor the legacy of Marshal Arjan Singh, a revered figure in Indian military history .
Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament 2025, held at the Raghbir Singh Bhola Hockey Stadium in Chandigarh. In a gripping final against Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, the match ended in a 1-1 draw during regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout where Indian Railways triumphed 3-1 . The tournament, conducted from April 29 to May 6, featured 12 teams, including international participants, and was organized to honor the legacy of Marshal Arjan Singh, a revered figure in Indian military history .Foot notes:
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Tournament Details: The 6th edition of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament 2025 was held from April 29 to May 6, 2025, at the Raghbir Singh Bhola Hockey Stadium in Chandigarh.
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Participating Teams: Twelve elite teams, including 11 from India and one from Bangladesh, participated in the tournament.
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Importance: The tournament provides a platform for teams to showcase their skills and compete for the coveted title, promoting the sport of hockey in India.
5. IIFT to Open New Campus at GIFT City, Gujarat with Education Ministry’s Approval
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is set to establish a new
international campus at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar, following approval from the Ministry of Education. This initiative aligns with the government's vision to internationalize higher education and position GIFT City as a hub for global academic institutions. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has advocated for the establishment of this campus, emphasizing the importance of equipping Indian students with global competencies in trade and finance.
international campus at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar, following approval from the Ministry of Education. This initiative aligns with the government's vision to internationalize higher education and position GIFT City as a hub for global academic institutions. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has advocated for the establishment of this campus, emphasizing the importance of equipping Indian students with global competencies in trade and finance.Foot notes:
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Academic Programs: The campus will offer IIFT's flagship MBA (International Business) program, along with specialized short-term training courses and research opportunities in international trade and related fields.
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Alignment with NEP 2020: The initiative aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to promote multidisciplinary learning and expand access to high-quality education.
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Expected Contribution: The GIFT City campus is expected to significantly contribute to India's trade education ecosystem and support the nation's aspiration of becoming a global export powerhouse.
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Approval and Accreditation: The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has approved the establishment of the off-campus center under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, after IIFT's successful compliance with the conditions laid out in the Letter of Intent (LoI) issued in January 2025.
6. India Advances to 130th Rank in 2025 Human Development Report
India has advanced to the 130th position out of 193 countries in the 2025
Human Development Index (HDI), as reported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This marks a three-place improvement from its 2022 ranking of 133, with India's HDI score increasing from 0.676 to 0.685. The rise is attributed to gains in life expectancy, education, and income, driven by national health programs like Ayushman Bharat and educational reforms such as the Right to Education Act and the National Education Policy 2020.
Human Development Index (HDI), as reported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This marks a three-place improvement from its 2022 ranking of 133, with India's HDI score increasing from 0.676 to 0.685. The rise is attributed to gains in life expectancy, education, and income, driven by national health programs like Ayushman Bharat and educational reforms such as the Right to Education Act and the National Education Policy 2020.Foot notes:
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Current Ranking: According to the 2023/24 Human Development Report, India's HDI rank is 134 out of 193 countries, not 130. This ranking places India in the medium human development category.
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HDI Value: India's HDI value has increased from 0.633 in 2021 to 0.644 in 2022, indicating progress in human development.
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Improvement in Life Expectancy: Life expectancy at birth in India has risen by 9.1 years since 1990, reaching 67.7 years in 2022.
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Gender Inequality: India has shown progress in reducing gender inequality, with a Gender Inequality Index (GII) value of 0.437, which is better than the global average of 0.462 and the South Asian average of 0.478.
7. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Romania
Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra has been appointed as the Ambassador of India
to Romania, succeeding Ms. Manika Jain, who has been serving in this capacity since 2024. Dr. Mohapatra is an experienced Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Ambassador of India to Guatemala, concurrently accredited to El Salvador and Honduras.
to Romania, succeeding Ms. Manika Jain, who has been serving in this capacity since 2024. Dr. Mohapatra is an experienced Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Ambassador of India to Guatemala, concurrently accredited to El Salvador and Honduras.Foot notes:
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Previous Postings: Before his appointment to Guatemala, Mohapatra held several prestigious positions, including Minister (Commerce) at the Embassy of India in Washington D.C., Deputy Consul General at the Indian Consulate in New York, and Counsellor at the High Commission of India in Dhaka.
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Diplomatic Experience: Mohapatra has over two decades of diplomatic experience, with a strong background in international cooperation, trade, and cultural diplomacy. He is known for his proactive engagement, strategic clarity, and people-centric approach in diplomacy.
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Academic Background: Mohapatra holds a Master's degree in Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc.) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDIBM), reflecting a rare combination of scientific training and managerial competence.
8. Ferdous Ara to receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Renowned Bangladeshi Nazrul Sangeet artist Ferdous Ara has been honored
with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023–2024 Babisas Awards, recognizing her exceptional contributions to music and culture. This accolade adds to her illustrious career, which includes the prestigious Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh, bestowed upon her in 2025 for her outstanding work in music . Ara's musical journey began in 1973, and she has since released numerous albums, authored influential books on Nazrul Sangeet, and founded the music school 'Sur Saptak' in 2000 .
with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023–2024 Babisas Awards, recognizing her exceptional contributions to music and culture. This accolade adds to her illustrious career, which includes the prestigious Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh, bestowed upon her in 2025 for her outstanding work in music . Ara's musical journey began in 1973, and she has since released numerous albums, authored influential books on Nazrul Sangeet, and founded the music school 'Sur Saptak' in 2000 .Foot notes:
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Previous Honors: Ara has previously received the Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh, and the Nazrul Award in 2017, showcasing her impact on Bangladeshi culture.
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Music Career: With a career spanning over four decades, Ara has released numerous albums of Nazrul Sangeet, contemporary, and patriotic songs, and has performed at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall in London.
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Teaching and Mentoring: Ara teaches Nazrul songs at the Nazrul Institute, University of Dhaka, and Dhaka Music College, and has founded a music school called Sur Saptak, highlighting her commitment to music education.
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Recent Recognition: Ara was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by BCDF in their 'Bijoy Sommanona' program, alongside other notable cultural personalities, filmmaker Ahsanullah Moni and actress Lucky Enam.
9. World Athletics Day observed on 07th May
World Athletics Day is celebrated annually on May 7 to promote physical
fitness and encourage youth participation in athletics. Established in 1996 by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now known as World Athletics, the day aims to inspire young individuals to engage in track and field sports, fostering a culture of health and discipline. Activities on this day include school and community athletic events, workshops, and awareness campaigns that highlight the benefits of regular physical activity.
fitness and encourage youth participation in athletics. Established in 1996 by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now known as World Athletics, the day aims to inspire young individuals to engage in track and field sports, fostering a culture of health and discipline. Activities on this day include school and community athletic events, workshops, and awareness campaigns that highlight the benefits of regular physical activity.Foot notes:
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History: World Athletics Day was introduced by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), now known as World Athletics, in 1996.
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Global Events: Various events and activities are organized worldwide on this day, including sports competitions, fitness sessions, and coaching clinics.
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Promoting Healthy Lifestyle: The day emphasizes the significance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, encouraging people to engage in sports and fitness activities.
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Youth Engagement: World Athletics Day focuses on engaging young people in athletics, providing them with opportunities to develop their skills and pursue careers in sports.
10. Jyotiraditya Scindia Inaugurates Bharat Telecom 2025
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated Bharat Telecom 2025 in
New Delhi, emphasizing India's ambition to lead the global telecom revolution. He described the event as a "symphony of global collaboration and opportunity," highlighting India's transformation into a digital powerhouse under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Scindia noted that in just 22 months, 99% of Indian villages were connected via 5G, covering 82% of the population, with over 470,000 towers deployed nationwide.
New Delhi, emphasizing India's ambition to lead the global telecom revolution. He described the event as a "symphony of global collaboration and opportunity," highlighting India's transformation into a digital powerhouse under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Scindia noted that in just 22 months, 99% of Indian villages were connected via 5G, covering 82% of the population, with over 470,000 towers deployed nationwide.Foot notes:
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Event Details: The 22nd edition of Bharat Telecom 2025 was inaugurated by Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, on May 6, 2025, in New Delhi. The event is scheduled for two days, May 6-7, 2025.
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Objective: Bharat Telecom 2025 aims to showcase India's growing prowess in the telecom sector, positioning the country as a global telecom powerhouse, and attracting investments to make India a hub for telecom manufacturing, services, and exports.
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Global Participation: Over 130 foreign delegates from more than 35 countries are participating in the event, representing government bodies and private enterprises. Around 80 leading Indian telecom and ICT companies are showcasing their innovative products and solutions.
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India's Telecom Ambitions: Scindia emphasized India's ambition to contribute 10% of global 6G patents and highlighted the country's progress in 5G technology, with 99% of villages connected in just 22 months, and 100 5G labs established across the country.
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