CURRENT AFFAIRS 25 May, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 25 May, 2026

1. RUSSIA REPORTEDLY USED ITS HYPERSONIC ORESHNIK BALLISTIC MISSILE DURING A LARGE-SCALE DRONE AND MISSILE ATTACK ON UKRAINE, MARKING THE WEAPON’S THIRD REPORTED USE IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR –

• The Oreshnik is a Russian hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, and is believed to be linked to the RS-26 Rubezh missile system.
• Its name means “hazel tree” or “hazelnut tree” in Russian.
• Features: Its major feature is the ability to carry multiple warheads, enabling it to strike different targets or widen the area of impact.
• Multiple-warhead capability can complicate air defence interception and is usually associated with longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles.
• Range: Russia claims that the missile can travel at around Mach 10, or nearly ten times the speed of sound, making it difficult to intercept through existing missile defence systems.
• Impact: The missile is designed to strike military infrastructure, command centres, air bases and deeply buried targets at very high speed, with Russia claiming that multiple Oreshnik missiles could cause destruction comparable to a nuclear strike.

2. BSF’S 1ST ALL-WOMEN EVEREST EXPEDITION –

• Recently, the Border Security Force (BSF)’s first all-women mountaineering expedition successfully scaled Mount Everest, creating a landmark achievement in India’s adventure and security history.
• Mission Vande Mataram: The expedition was named “Mission Vande Mataram” as part of the BSF’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’.
• Under the “Clean Himalaya – Clean Glaciers” campaign, the team also collected waste from Everest camps for proper disposal.
• Border Security Force (BSF): The Border Security Force (BSF) was established on 1st December 1965 after the India-Pakistan war and is regarded as India’s “First Line of Defence”, guarding borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) of India and functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Mount Everest: Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain peak with a height of 8,849 metres (29,032 feet), located in the Himalayas on the Nepal–China border.
• In Nepal, it is known as Sagarmatha, while in Tibet it is called Chomolungma.
• It was first successfully climbed in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal.

3. CHINA LAUNCHES SHENZHOU 23 MISSION WITH THREE ASTRONAUTS FOR MAJOR TIANGONG SPACE STATION MISSION –

• China has launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft and sent the three astronauts to its Tiangong space station. This is historic mission as one astronaut is expected to remain in orbit for one full year and with this it will be one of the longest human space missions in history.

Shenzhou 23 Mission Launch

• The Shenzhou 23 spacecraft was launched on the May 25, 2026, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern China.
• The successful launch represents the another major achievement in the China’s steadily advancing human spaceflight program.
• This mission comes at a time when Beijing is accelerating the ambitious preparations for a crewed lunar landing before 2030 and placing itself firmly in the global space race.
• The spacecraft is heading towards the China’s independently built Tiangong space station, which has become the center of the country’s orbital research efforts.

4. RAGHAV CHADHA APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF RAJYA SABHA COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS –

• Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions. This decision comes after the Upper House reconstituted the committee and assigned the Raghav Chadha a key legislative responsibility.

Raghav Chadha Chairman of Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions

• Raghav Chadha has been appointed as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha’s Committee on Petitions following the reconstitution of the panel by the Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan.
• The appointment gives Chadha a prominent parliamentary role to overseeing petitions submitted by the citizens regarding legislative and public policy matters.
• This development is important because parliamentary committees play the essential role in legislative scrutiny and democratic accountability.

5. RAJNATH SINGH LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST 300-KM ROCKET SYSTEM SURYASTRA IN MAJOR DEFENCE BOOST –

• Respectable Defense minister Rajnath Singh has launched the first indigenous 300 km Universal Rocket Launching System which is ‘Suryastra’. Along with this he also inaugurated the major private defense manufacturing complex in Shirdi, Maharashtra. Defense Minister described this milestone as a symbol of the country’s growing strategic independence.

What Is Suryastra Rocket System?

• Suryastra is the India’s first 300-km Universal Rocket Launching System, which is developed as part of the India’s effort to modernize its artillery and long-range strike capabilities.
• This rocket system is expected to strengthen the India’s operational flexibility by enhancing precision strike capability over long distances.
• Its induction also highlights the India’s move towards the advanced indigenous weapons platforms which are capable of meeting modern battlefield requirements.

Key significance

• Range: 300 km
• Category: Universal Rocket Launching System

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Which organisation released the “Ease of Doing Research and Development in India” report ?

1. a) National Statistical Office
2. b) Reserve Bank of India
3. c) NITI Aayog
4. d) Department of Biotechnology

Q2.  Agni-I, that was recently seen in news, is classified as which type of missile ?

1. a) Intercontinental ballistic missile
2. b) Cruise missile
3. c) Surface-to-air missile
4. d) Short-range ballistic missile

Q3.  Haryana’s first constellation garden has been developed at which wildlife sanctuary ?

1. a) Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
2. b) Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary
3. c) Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary
4. d) Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary

Q4.  Consider the following statements regarding the provisions of bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967:

1. Under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA, the court is barred from granting bail if the accusations are prima facie true.
2. The Act mandates that the investigating agency must file a chargesheet within 60 days, failing which the accused is granted default bail.
3. The Supreme Court of India has held that under Article 21, courts can grant bail in exceptional cases of prolonged incarceration, even under the strict provisions of the UAPA.

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 1 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: Under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA, bail cannot be granted to an accused if the Court, on perusal of the case diary or chargesheet, is of the opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against such person is prima facie true. This makes bail an exception under the law.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Under ordinary criminal law, the chargesheet is typically filed within 60 or 90 days. However, under the UAPA, this investigation period can be legally extended up to a maximum of 180 days upon the application of the Public Prosecutor.
• Statement 3 is correct: In the landmark Union of India vs. K.A. Najeeb (2021) ruling, the Supreme Court established that constitutional courts have the inherent power to grant bail to UAPA undertrials in exceptional cases if they have suffered prolonged incarceration without a trial, as the fundamental right to a speedy trial flows from Article 21 of the Constitution.

Q5.  Consider the following statements regarding the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court of India:

1. The sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court is determined by the President of India on the advice of the Chief Justice of India.
2. The Supreme Court began functioning in 1950 with a total sanctioned strength of eight judges, which included seven puisne judges and one Chief Justice.
3. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, increased the sanctioned strength of the apex court to 38 judges (37 judges and 1 Chief Justice).

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only b) 1 and 3 only
2. c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Under Article 124(1) of the Constitution of India, the authority to determine the number of judges in the Supreme Court lies exclusively with Parliament, not the President or the Chief Justice. Parliament exercises this power by enacting or amending laws, such as the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
• Statement 2 is correct: When the Supreme Court of India was established and began functioning in 1950, it operated with a total strength of eight judges—seven puisne judges and one Chief Justice of India.
• Statement 3 is correct: Recently, President Droupadi Murmu approved the “Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026”. This Ordinance amended Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, increasing the total sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges (comprising 37 judges and 1 Chief Justice).

Answer Key