CURRENT AFFAIRS
26 May, 2025
1. A TRAVEL BLOGGER FROM HARYANA WAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED ESPIONAGE AND PROMOTING PRO-PAKISTAN CONTENT UNDER SECTIONS 3 AND 5 OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT, 1923 & SECTION 152 OF THE BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA (BNS) –
Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923-
• It originated during the colonial-era Indian Official Secrets Act, 1889, aimed at suppressing press dissent and made more stringent in 1904 under Lord Curzon and finally revised in 1923.
• Purpose: To prevent espionage and unauthorized disclosure of classified sensitive information, protecting India’s sovereignty, integrity, and strategic interests, especially from foreign threats.
• Applicability: Applicable to all Indian citizens, including government officials, both in India and abroad, and to non-citizens if they are involved in acts of espionage.
Sections of OSA, 1923:
• Section 3 of the Act criminalises espionage and acts against national security, including the possession of sensitive documents or the sharing of secret codes, with a punishment of imprisonment for up to 14 years.
• Section 5 penalises unauthorised disclosure, possession, retention, or failure to return official documents, including those who knowingly receive such information.
• Section 10 deals with penalty for harboring spies
Section 152 of the BNS
• Section 152 of BNS (deals with sedition) criminalizes intentional acts—by words, signs, electronic means, or finance—that incite secession, rebellion, or threaten India’s sovereignty and integrity, while exempting legitimate and lawful criticism of the government.
2. PM E-DRIVE SCHEME –
• In a major step toward sustainable clean urban mobility, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will deploy electric buses under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, with a focus on major cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.
What is the PM E-DRIVE Scheme-
• About: The PM E-DRIVE is a flagship scheme approved by Cabinet with Rs. 10,900 crore outlay; effective from October 2024, to March 2026.
• The primary objective of this initiative is to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across various categories, build robust EV charging infrastructure, and develop a strong domestic EV manufacturing ecosystem aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• PM E-DRIVE Scheme builds on earlier programs like Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-I) (2015), FAME-II (2019) to accelerate adoption of electric two- and three-wheelers.
3. GOVERNMENT RETAINS 8.25% INTEREST RATE ON EPF FOR FY2024-25 –
• The Ministry of Finance has given its formal approval to retain the EPF interest rate at 8.25% for FY25, confirming the decision taken by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in February 2024. This impacts over 7 crore EPFO subscribers, making it a significant development in the sphere of retirement planning and social security.
Background
• The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a mandatory retirement savings scheme for salaried employees in India.
• It is administered by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• Both employee and employer contribute 12% of basic salary each towards the EPF account monthly.
Key Highlights
• Interest Rate: Retained at 8.25% for FY25.
• Approved By: Ministry of Finance, after recommendation from the EPFO’s Central Board of Trustees.
• Meeting Reference: 237th meeting chaired by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
4. INDIA SURPASSES JAPAN TO BECOME THE WORLD’S 4TH LARGEST ECONOMY –
• India’s rise to the fourth-largest economy was officially confirmed by NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam during the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, focused on the theme “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat 2047.” Subrahmanyam cited data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), affirming that India has overtaken Japan and now holds the fourth position in global economic rankings.
India’s Economic Leap: Key Highlights
1. IMF Confirmation and Economic Rankings
• According to the April 2025 edition of the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook (WEO), India’s nominal GDP is projected to reach approximately USD 4,187.017 billion in fiscal year 2026.
• In contrast, Japan’s GDP is expected to slightly trail at USD 4,186.431 billion.
• The shift marks India’s formal transition from the fifth to the fourth-largest economy globally.
2. Growth Forecasts and Economic Strength
• The IMF predicts that India will continue to be the fastest-growing major economy over the next two years.
• India’s GDP is expected to grow by 6.2% in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026, far exceeding the global growth average, which stands at 2.8% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026.
• This robust growth trajectory positions India as a key engine of global economic expansion.
3. Road to Third-Largest Economy
• BVR Subrahmanyam expressed confidence that India could overtake Germany to become the third-largest economy in the world within the next 2 to 3 years, provided current development policies and reforms are sustained.
• This would place India just behind economic superpowers like the US and China.
4. Vision 2047: Viksit Bharat
• This economic leap aligns with India’s long-term development roadmap under “Viksit Bharat @2047”, an initiative aimed at transforming India into a fully developed economy by its centenary year of independence.
• The NITI Aayog meeting emphasized state-level contributions to this national vision, stressing reforms, innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive growth.
5. PM MODI CHAIRS 10TH NITI AAYOG MEET: ROADMAP FOR VIKSIT BHARAT @2047 –
• The 10th Governing Council Meeting marks 10 years of NITI Aayog since its formation in 2015. Focuses on the vision of a developed India by 2047 (Viksit Bharat @2047).
Launches new strategic frameworks like
• Rs 60,000 crore skilling scheme
• Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund
• Promotion of state-level investment charters, river interlinking, and global-standard tourism.
Reflects India’s achievements like
• Among Top 5 global economies
• 25 crore people lifted out of poverty
• Success of Operation Sindoor and Aspirational District Programme
Key Highlights
• Theme: Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @2047
• Location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
• Attendees: 24 States and 7 Union Territories
• Observance: Silence for victims of Pahalgam terrorist attack
PM Modi’s Key Points
• Viksit Bharat Goal: Every state, district, village must aim for development by 2047.
• Economic Growth: India is among the Top 5 economies; must accelerate transformation.
• Manufacturing Push: Launch of Manufacturing Mission.
• Investment Boost: NITI Aayog to prepare Investment-friendly Charter; states urged to leverage trade deals with UAE, UK, Australia.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. Keoladeo National Park is located in which state ?
a) Gujarat
b) Rajasthan
c) Odisha
d) Maharashtra
Q2. What is the name of the scheme launched by government for providing equity support to MSMEs in India ?
a) Atmanirbhar MSME Yojana
b) SRI Fund Scheme
c) Bharat MSME Capital Scheme
d) Startup India Fund
Q3. Chagos Islands, that was recently seen in news, is located in which ocean ?
a) Pacific Ocean
b) Atlantic Ocean
c) Indian Ocean
d) Arctic Ocean
Q4. Which of the following best describes the role of dissent in judiciary?
a) It ensures conformity with the majority opinion.
b) It is a judicial error with no legal significance.
c) It weakens judicial unity.
d) It provides an alternate interpretation of the law and contributes to democratic discourse.
Explanation-
• Dissent in the judiciary plays a crucial role in enriching democratic and legal discourse by offering alternate interpretations of the law. It allows judges to voice differing opinions, fostering a culture of critical analysis and deliberation within the judicial system. While majority opinions hold legal authority, dissenting judgments often highlight potential flaws, explore overlooked aspects, or predict future legal developments. Such opinions can influence future cases, provide guidance for legislative improvements, and preserve a record of diverse perspectives for posterity.
• By challenging the prevailing consensus, dissent ensures that judicial reasoning is robust and inclusive of minority viewpoints, preventing conformity that might overlook essential nuances. It also serves as a safeguard against potential judicial errors and reinforces the independence of the judiciary.
Q5. Consider the following statements about PM Gati Shakti:
1. It integrates multi-modal transportation infrastructure for seamless connectivity.
2. It focuses exclusively on rural road networks.
3. It supports infrastructure development through improved coordination among stakeholders.
How many of the above statements is/are correct ?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Explanation-
• The PM Gati Shakti program is an initiative aimed at transforming India’s infrastructure landscape by integrating multi-modal transportation systems and fostering seamless connectivity across various sectors.
• Statement 1 is correct as it highlights the program’s goal of creating a unified infrastructure network that includes roads, railways, ports, and other modes of transport.
• Statement 3 is also correct because the program emphasizes improved coordination among stakeholders, such as government agencies and private entities, to avoid delays and optimize resource allocation in infrastructure projects.
• However, Statement 2 is incorrect because PM Gati Shakti is not limited to rural road networks; it adopts a comprehensive approach, focusing on the development of transportation and logistics infrastructure across urban and rural areas.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
B | B | C | D | B |