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Current Affairs 21 May 2025
1. Sudan Appoints Kamil Idris as First PM Since 2023 Civil War
Sudan has appointed Kamil Idris as its first Prime Minister since the 2023 civil
war, marking a significant step towards political stabilization. Idris, a renowned diplomat and former Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), brings decades of international experience to the role. His appointment is seen as a move to restore governance and rebuild public trust in the nation's institutions. The civil war, which caused widespread displacement and economic turmoil, had left the country without a formal political leadership for an extended period. With Idris at the helm, Sudan aims to initiate peace talks, boost economic recovery, and foster international cooperation.
war, marking a significant step towards political stabilization. Idris, a renowned diplomat and former Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), brings decades of international experience to the role. His appointment is seen as a move to restore governance and rebuild public trust in the nation's institutions. The civil war, which caused widespread displacement and economic turmoil, had left the country without a formal political leadership for an extended period. With Idris at the helm, Sudan aims to initiate peace talks, boost economic recovery, and foster international cooperation.Foot notes:
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Background of Kamil Idris: Idris is a respected legal expert and diplomat who has served as Sudan's legal adviser at the UN mission and is a member of the UN International Law Commission. His neutral and non-partisan stance is expected to improve acceptance across factions.
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Objectives: The appointment aims to form a transitional government that may lead to elections and civilian rule, restore political legitimacy domestically and internationally, and serve as a counter to the RSF's Nairobi charter.
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Humanitarian Crisis: The conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with over 20,000 deaths reported, 13 million displaced, and 4 million refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. Half of Sudan's 50 million population faces severe hunger and food insecurity.
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Significance: Idris's appointment is seen as a crucial step toward stabilizing Sudan's political landscape, with journalist Osman Mirghani noting that his lack of political affiliations could increase his acceptance among various Sudanese communities, including RSF supporters.
2. Geeta Samota, First CISF Officer to Summit Mount Everest
Geeta Samota, a Sub-Inspector in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF),
made history on May 19, 2025, by becoming the first officer from her force to summit Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at 8,849 meters. Hailing from Chak village in Rajasthan's Sikar district, Samota's journey from a rural upbringing to this monumental achievement is a testament to her determination and resilience. Initially a hockey player, an injury redirected her path towards mountaineering, leading her to join the CISF in 2011 and pursue specialized training in the field.
made history on May 19, 2025, by becoming the first officer from her force to summit Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at 8,849 meters. Hailing from Chak village in Rajasthan's Sikar district, Samota's journey from a rural upbringing to this monumental achievement is a testament to her determination and resilience. Initially a hockey player, an injury redirected her path towards mountaineering, leading her to join the CISF in 2011 and pursue specialized training in the field.Foot notes:
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First Woman from CAPF to Scale: Mount Satopanth (7,075 meters) in Uttarakhand and Mount Lobuche (6,119 meters) in Nepal in 2019.
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Fastest Indian Woman to Complete Four Continental Peaks: Mount Kosciuszko (Australia), Mount Elbrus (Russia), Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), and Mount Aconcagua (Argentina) in six months and 27 days.
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Scaling Five Peaks in Ladakh's Rupshu Region: She climbed five peaks, including three above 6,000 meters, in just three days.
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Awards and Recognition: Geeta has received the International Women’s Day Award 2023 from the Delhi Commission for Women and the Giving Wings to Dreams Award 2023 from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
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Inspiration and Impact: Geeta's achievement is a source of national pride and inspiration, especially for women in India's paramilitary forces. Her journey showcases the power of perseverance and highlights the growing contribution of Indian women in adventure sports and paramilitary excellence.
3. Justice Kempaiah Somashekar Appointed as Chief Justice of MHC
Justice Kempaiah Somashekar has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the
Manipur High Court, effective May 22, 2025. His appointment follows the retirement of Justice D. Krishnakumar on May 21, 2025. Justice Somashekar began his legal career in 1990 and was directly appointed as a District and Sessions Judge in 1998. He served in various capacities, including as Registrar Judicial and Registrar Vigilance at the Karnataka High Court, before being elevated to the High Court bench as an Additional Judge in 2016 and becoming a Permanent Judge in 2018.
Manipur High Court, effective May 22, 2025. His appointment follows the retirement of Justice D. Krishnakumar on May 21, 2025. Justice Somashekar began his legal career in 1990 and was directly appointed as a District and Sessions Judge in 1998. He served in various capacities, including as Registrar Judicial and Registrar Vigilance at the Karnataka High Court, before being elevated to the High Court bench as an Additional Judge in 2016 and becoming a Permanent Judge in 2018.Foot notes:
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Background: Justice Somashekar is currently a judge of the Karnataka High Court. He will take charge as Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court after the retirement of Justice D. Krishnakumar on May 21, 2025.
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Judicial Career: Justice Somashekar began his judicial career as a District and Sessions Judge on June 17, 1998. He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Karnataka High Court on November 14, 2016, and became a permanent judge on November 3, 2018.
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Experience: With over two decades of judicial experience, Justice Somashekar's appointment marks a significant development for the Manipur High Court, which has been grappling with a challenging law and order scenario.
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Assumption of Charge: Justice Somashekar will assume charge as Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court from the date he takes oath, succeeding Justice D. Krishnakumar.
4. Mizoram Becomes India’s First Fully Literate State
Mizoram achieved a historic milestone by becoming India's first fully literate
state, attaining a literacy rate of 98.2%. This accomplishment was realized under the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), which aims to promote lifelong learning and universal literacy. The program identified 3,026 illiterate individuals, with 1,692 enrolling as learners, supported by 292 volunteer teachers, including students and educators. This achievement reflects the Mizo cultural ethos of Tlawmngaihna—selflessness and altruism—and showcases the state's commitment to empowering its citizens through education. Building on this success, Mizoram now aims to broaden its educational goals to include digital, financial, and entrepreneurial literacy for holistic development.
state, attaining a literacy rate of 98.2%. This accomplishment was realized under the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), which aims to promote lifelong learning and universal literacy. The program identified 3,026 illiterate individuals, with 1,692 enrolling as learners, supported by 292 volunteer teachers, including students and educators. This achievement reflects the Mizo cultural ethos of Tlawmngaihna—selflessness and altruism—and showcases the state's commitment to empowering its citizens through education. Building on this success, Mizoram now aims to broaden its educational goals to include digital, financial, and entrepreneurial literacy for holistic development.Foot notes:
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Achievement: Mizoram has been declared India's first fully literate state, achieving a remarkable 98.2% literacy rate as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24.
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ULLAS Initiative: The Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) initiative, under the New India Literacy Programme (NLIP), played a crucial role in achieving this milestone. The initiative aims to empower adults aged above 15 who missed formal schooling.
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Volunteer Efforts: A dedicated team of 292 volunteer teachers, including students, educators, and resource persons, contributed significantly to achieving full literacy. They worked with 3,026 identified illiterate individuals, of whom 1,692 showed interest in learning.
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Future Goals: Mizoram aims to expand literacy beyond basic reading and writing, incorporating digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills to further empower its citizens.
5. First-Ever Khelo India Beach Games Inaugurated In Diu
The inaugural Khelo India Beach Games commenced on May 19, 2025, at
Ghoghla Beach in Diu, marking a significant expansion of India's sports initiatives into coastal disciplines. Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the event, emphasizing its role in promoting youth development and employment opportunities through sports . The Games feature over 1,350 athletes from more than 30 states and Union Territories, competing in six medal events: beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach kabaddi, beach sepak takraw, pencak silat, and open water swimming .
Ghoghla Beach in Diu, marking a significant expansion of India's sports initiatives into coastal disciplines. Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the event, emphasizing its role in promoting youth development and employment opportunities through sports . The Games feature over 1,350 athletes from more than 30 states and Union Territories, competing in six medal events: beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach kabaddi, beach sepak takraw, pencak silat, and open water swimming .Foot notes:
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Participating Athletes: Over 1,000 athletes from 36 states and union territories are participating in the games, competing in six medal events: beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach kabaddi, beach sepak takraw, pencak silat, and open water swimming.
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Demonstration Sports: In addition to the medal events, two demonstration sports - mallakhamb and tug-of-war - are also being featured during the games, showcasing India's rich sporting diversity.
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Objective: The Khelo India Beach Games aim to boost the popularity and reach of beach-based disciplines, promoting sports competition and talent development across the country. Prime Minister Modi described the event as a watershed moment in India's sporting history.
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Duration and Venue: The games are being held at Ghoghla Beach in Diu from May 19 to 24, 2025, and feature teams from across the country, with coastal teams like Goa and Gujarat already making their presence felt in the competitions.
6. India’s Adriyan Karmakar Bags Silver Medal At ISSF Junior World Cup
Adriyan Karmakar, a 20-year-old Indian shooter and son of Olympian Joydeep
Karmakar, made a remarkable debut at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany, by clinching a silver medal in the men's 50m rifle prone event. He achieved a score of 626.7, narrowly missing the gold by just 0.3 points to Sweden's Jesper Johansson, who scored 627.0. This performance not only marked India's first medal at the tournament but also set a new junior national record in the event. His success continues the legacy of his father and underscores the rising prominence of Indian shooters on the global stage.
Karmakar, made a remarkable debut at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany, by clinching a silver medal in the men's 50m rifle prone event. He achieved a score of 626.7, narrowly missing the gold by just 0.3 points to Sweden's Jesper Johansson, who scored 627.0. This performance not only marked India's first medal at the tournament but also set a new junior national record in the event. His success continues the legacy of his father and underscores the rising prominence of Indian shooters on the global stage.Foot notes:
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Junior National Record: Adriyan's performance set a new junior national record in the men's 50m rifle prone event with a score of 626.7.
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Competition Details: The ISSF Junior World Cup features over 630 athletes from 59 countries, including all the strong nations in shooting sports. The competition includes 17 Olympic and non-Olympic events.
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Indian Contingent: A 57-member Indian contingent is participating in the tournament, accompanied by 21 officials, including coaches and support staff. Other notable Indian shooters include Olympian Raiza Dhillon and mixed team trap bronze medalist Sabeera Harris.
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Adriyan's Background: Adriyan Karmakar is the son of former Indian shooter and national coach Joydeep Karmakar. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Adriyan's shooting career, showcasing his talent and potential in the sport.
7. Banu Mushtaq Makes History with International Booker Prize Win
Banu Mushtaq has made history by becoming the first Kannada author and the
first Muslim woman from India to win the prestigious International Booker Prize. Her award-winning work, Heart Lamp, is a collection of 12 short stories originally written in Kannada and translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi. The stories, spanning over three decades, delve into the everyday lives, struggles, and societal constraints faced by women in southern India. This achievement not only represents a personal triumph for Mushtaq, who left her medical studies to pursue her creative passions, but also marks a significant milestone for regional Indian literature.
first Muslim woman from India to win the prestigious International Booker Prize. Her award-winning work, Heart Lamp, is a collection of 12 short stories originally written in Kannada and translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi. The stories, spanning over three decades, delve into the everyday lives, struggles, and societal constraints faced by women in southern India. This achievement not only represents a personal triumph for Mushtaq, who left her medical studies to pursue her creative passions, but also marks a significant milestone for regional Indian literature.Foot notes:
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Winning Book: Banu Mushtaq won the International Booker Prize 2025 for her collection of short stories called "Heart Lamp", translated by Deepa Bhasthi from Kannada to English. This marks the first time a collection of short stories has won the prize.
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Historic Achievement: Mushtaq is the second Indian author to win the International Booker Prize, following Geetanjali Shree who won in 2022 for "Tomb of Sand". Deepa Bhasthi became the first Indian translator to win the prize.
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Book's Significance: "Heart Lamp" features 12 stories that chronicle the lives of women in patriarchal communities in southern India, showcasing their resilience, resistance, and sisterhood. The book is a radical translation that preserves the multi-lingual nature of southern India.
8. Tamboli Ayyaj Fakirbhai appointed as Joint Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat
Tamboli Ayyaj Fakirbhai, a 2009-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. His appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, is for a tenure of five years, effective until March 20, 2029. Prior to this elevation, he served as Director in the Cabinet Secretariat, bringing valuable experience to his new role. He succeeds M.S. Srikar, who has been reassigned as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office on a lateral shift basis.
officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. His appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, is for a tenure of five years, effective until March 20, 2029. Prior to this elevation, he served as Director in the Cabinet Secretariat, bringing valuable experience to his new role. He succeeds M.S. Srikar, who has been reassigned as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office on a lateral shift basis.Foot notes:
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Current Role: Currently, he is serving as Director in the Cabinet Secretariat, a position he was appointed to on March 14, 2024, and relieved by the Chhattisgarh government on March 16, 2024.
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Empanelment: Fakirbhai was recently empanelled for holding Joint Secretary or equivalent positions in the Government of India on March 21, 2025, paving the way for his current appointment.
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Predecessor: He replaces M.S. Srikar, a 1999-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, who was recently appointed as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office on a lateral shift basis.
9. National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed on 21st May
National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed annually on May 21 in India to
commemorate the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was killed by a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in 1991. This day serves to raise awareness about the devastating effects of terrorism and to promote peace, unity, and harmony among citizens. Various activities, including pledge-taking ceremonies, seminars, and awareness campaigns, are organized across government institutions, educational organizations, and civil society to reinforce the nation's commitment to combating terrorism.
commemorate the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was killed by a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in 1991. This day serves to raise awareness about the devastating effects of terrorism and to promote peace, unity, and harmony among citizens. Various activities, including pledge-taking ceremonies, seminars, and awareness campaigns, are organized across government institutions, educational organizations, and civil society to reinforce the nation's commitment to combating terrorism.Foot notes:
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Purpose: The day aims to spread awareness about the dangers of terrorism and promote peace and harmony among citizens. It also seeks to educate people about the need to uphold national unity and integrity.
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Rajiv Gandhi's Legacy: Rajiv Gandhi was a significant figure in Indian politics, known for his efforts to modernize the country and promote technological advancements. His assassination by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was a tragic event that shook the nation.
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Observance: On this day, various events and programs are organized across the country to promote anti-terrorism awareness and to pay tribute to Rajiv Gandhi and other victims of terrorism.
10. Padma Vibhushan Astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar passed away
Renowned astrophysicist and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Jayant Vishnu
Narlikar passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Pune residence on May 20, 2025, at the age of 87. Born in Kolhapur in 1938, Narlikar was celebrated for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity, an alternative to Einstein’s general relativity, and for advocating the quasi-steady state cosmology, challenging the widely accepted Big Bang theory.
Narlikar passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Pune residence on May 20, 2025, at the age of 87. Born in Kolhapur in 1938, Narlikar was celebrated for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity, an alternative to Einstein’s general relativity, and for advocating the quasi-steady state cosmology, challenging the widely accepted Big Bang theory. Foot notes:
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Contributions: Narlikar was a pioneer in cosmology and science popularization, known for his alternative cosmological theories challenging the Big Bang model. He played a crucial role in establishing key scientific institutions, including the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA).
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Science Communication: Narlikar was a passionate science communicator who authored books, articles, and created programs for radio and television to make complex scientific concepts accessible to the public. He was also known for his engaging science fiction writing.
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Institutional Contributions: Narlikar founded IUCAA in Pune and served as its director until his retirement in 2003. He also led the Theoretical Astrophysics Group at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and was a Fellow of all three national science academies of India.
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