CURRENT AFFAIRS
28-29 May, 2025
1. WMO FORECAST: WORLD LIKELY TO CROSS 1.5°C WARMING THRESHOLD BY 2025–2029 –
• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports a 70% chance that the average global temperature between 2025 and 2029 will exceed the 1.5°C limit above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900).
• The WMO’s latest decadal forecast, compiled with input from the UK Met Office
Key Highlights of the WMO Forecast (2025–2029)
• Breaching 1.5°C Limit: There is an 86% chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will see global temperatures more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• Warmest Year Records: There is an 80% probability that one of the years from 2025–2029 will exceed 2024, the warmest year on record.
• Global Temperature Range: The annual global mean near-surface temperature is expected to be 1.2°C to 1.9°C higher than the 1850–1900 average.
2. RBI BOARD CLEARS RECORD SURPLUS TRANSFER –
• The RBI Central Board approved a record surplus transfer of ₹2.69 lakh crore to the Central Government for the financial year 2024–25.
• The surplus was approved based on the revised Economic Capital Framework (ECF).
• The Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) was raised to 7.5% from 6.5% of the RBI’s balance sheet.
• The dividend is 27% higher than last year’s transfer of ₹2.11 lakh crore.
• The Transfer has been made under the provisions of RBI act 1934.
• Section 47 of the RBI Act, 1934 mandates that any profits made by the RBI from its operations be sent to the Centre.
3. MIZORAM ACHIEVES FULL FUNCTIONAL LITERACY –
• Mizoram has recently been declared the first state in India to achieve full functional literacy. This announcement comes 34 years after Kerala was recognised as a fully literate state. The definitions and criteria for declaring full literacy have evolved, reflecting changing educational frameworks and societal needs.
Functional Literacy Defined
• Functional literacy refers to the ability to read and write with understanding in any language. This definition was very important when Kerala was declared fully literate in 1991. The National Literacy Mission established a benchmark of 90% literacy for such declarations.
4. KAMI RITA SHERPA –
• Kami Rita Sherpa, a 55-year-old Nepali mountaineer, recently made headlines by breaking his own record for the most ascents of Mount Everest. On May 27, 2025, he successfully reached the summit for the 31st time.
• Leading a 22-member team from the Indian Army, he followed the traditional southeast ridge route. This achievement marks the enduring legacy and expertise of Sherpas in high-altitude climbing.
Who Are Sherpas ?
• Sherpas are a Tibetan ethnic group native to the Himalayan regions of Nepal, and Tibet. The term “Sherpa” translates to “people from the East” in Tibetan. This community is renowned for its mountaineering skills and knowledge, making them invaluable guides for climbers attempting to conquer the Himalayas, particularly Mount Everest. The G20 has even adopted the term “Sherpa” for delegates who facilitate discussions for summits.
5. ASEAN-GCC SUMMIT –
• The ASEAN-GCC summit held on May 27, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur marks step in interregional collaboration. This meeting includes the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), along with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
• The summit aims to enhance economic resilience amid global uncertainties and rising U.S. tariffs.
Context of the Summit
• The summit comes at a time of economic volatility. U.S. tariffs have impacted several ASEAN countries. The GCC is ASEAN’s seventh-largest trading partner, with trade reaching $130.7 billion in 2023. The summit aims for stronger ties to secure sustainable prosperity and navigate geopolitical challenges.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. What type of naval vessel is INS Brahmaputra that was recently seen in news ?
a) Guided missile frigate
b) Nuclear powered submarine
c) Aircraft carrier
d) Research vessel
Q2. Which state is the third to approve a Space Industrial Policy, following Karnataka and Gujarat ?
a) Maharashtra
b) Odisha
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Kerala
Q3. Bharat Forecast System is developed by which institute ?
a) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
b) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
c) Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune
d) National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad
Q4. Consider the following statements:
1. The Supreme Court has recently ruled that maternity leave is not just an employee facility but a constitutional right linked to the reproductive rights and dignity of women.
2. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 applies only to establishments employing 20 or more employees.
3. As per the amended Act, no maternity leave is given to women if they have more than two living children.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
a) Only 1
b) Only 1 and 2
c) Only 2 and 3
d) Only 1 and 3
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is correct: The Supreme Court has linked maternity leave to dignity and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Act applies to establishments employing 10 or more employees and not 20 or more.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Women can avail maternity leave of up to 12 weeks even if they have more than two children, and are not denied it.
Q5. Consider the following statements related to conducting international trade transactions in local currencies:
1. It can reduce the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
2. It increases the dependence of countries on foreign exchange reserves.
3. It can help in reducing dependence on major currencies like the dollar.
4. It increases transaction costs in international trade.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 1, 2 and 3 only
d) 1 and 4 only
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is correct: Conducting trade in local currencies reduces the impact of fluctuations in the dollar or other global currencies.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: It reduces dependence on foreign exchange reserves, not increases it.
• Statement 3 is correct: It helps in reducing dependence on the dollar (de-dollarization).
• Statement 4 is incorrect: Local currency trading reduces transaction costs, not increases them.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
A | C | C | A | A |