Daily Current Affairs 16th May 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
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This post contains daily current affairs 16th May 2025. It includes all National, International, Business & Sports related current affairs 16th May 2025. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 16th May, 2025 Current affairs test.
National News
India Introduces First CCU Testbed Cluster to Curb Cement Sector Emissions
On the occasion of National Technology Day 2025, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Government of India inaugurated a pioneering initiative: a cluster of five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds.
This initiative targets emission reduction in the cement industry, which is a significant contributor to industrial carbon dioxide output.
Implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the move aligns with India’s broader commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.
Inclusive India Summit 2025 Celebrates Digital Accessibility
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) hosted the Inclusive India Summit 2025 at the India International Centre, New Delhi in a hybrid format.
Organized to commemorate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), the summit highlighted the significance of digital accessibility and emphasized inclusive growth for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
India Among Top Six Global Patent Filers in 6G Technology
At the Bharat 6G 2025 conference held in New Delhi, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Union Minister of State, announced that India ranks in the top six globally for filing 6G technology patents.
This achievement reflects the nation’s increasing commitment to advancing next-generation telecommunications technologies.
Cabinet Approves Sixth Semiconductor Plant under National Mission
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sanctioned the creation of a sixth semiconductor fabrication unit under the India Semiconductor Mission.
The unit will be a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn, to be constructed near Jewar Airport in the YEIDA region.
With a projected investment of ₹3,700 crore, this plant will manufacture display driver chips used in devices like mobile phones, computers, automobiles, and other electronics.
Supreme Court Orders Immediate Setup of Exclusive POCSO Courts Nationwide
The Supreme Court of India has instructed the Central Government to promptly establish dedicated courts for handling POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases.
The directive comes amid a disturbing surge in child rape incidents and insufficient judicial infrastructure.
The apex court stressed that trial delays are contradictory to the objectives of the POCSO Act and compromise justice delivery to child victims.
ReNew Power to Establish India’s Largest Renewable Energy Hub in Andhra Pradesh
ReNew Power announced plans to invest ₹22,000 crore in building India’s biggest single-location Renewable Energy complex in Bethapalle village, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.
The inauguration of this major project is scheduled for May 16, 2025.
The project is viewed as a milestone in India’s green energy transition, supported by the state’s Integrated Clean Energy Policy (ICEP) introduced in October 2024, which has revitalized investor interest.
Awards News
Mariangela Hungria Receives 2025 World Food Prize for Pioneering Agricultural Innovation
Brazilian microbiologist Mariangela Hungria was honored with the 2025 World Food Prize.
She was recognized for her revolutionary research in biological seed and soil treatment methods, which enhance crop productivity and lower dependency on chemical fertilizers.
Her contributions over four decades have played a pivotal role in turning Brazil into a global agricultural leader.
Appointments News
Harvansh Chawla Appointed as Chairman of BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Harvansh Chawla has been named the new Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
In his leadership role, he will spearhead policy advocacy, coordinate trade delegations, and promote synergy in key areas such as technology, manufacturing, and agriculture.
With over 30 years of expertise in international trade law, he has served as legal advisor to major global corporations including Northrop Grumman, Singapore Airlines, Denso Corporation, and Alcatel.
Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar Takes Over as UPSC Chairman
Ajay Kumar, who previously held the position of Defence Secretary, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The appointment was formally confirmed by the Union Personnel Ministry and received approval from President Droupadi Murmu.
International News
Russia Imprisons Election Monitor Grigory Melkonyants for Five Years
A Russian court has sentenced Grigory Melkonyants, co-chair of the NGO Golos, to five years in a general prison colony.
Golos is known for its efforts to expose election fraud in Russia.
His arrest in August 2023 was part of a broader Kremlin-led crackdown on dissenters during heightened tensions due to the Ukraine conflict.
Authorities accused him of cooperating with the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations, labeled as an “undesirable organization” by Russia.
Defence News
China and Cambodia Launch Largest-Ever Military Exercise
China and Cambodia commenced their largest joint military drill to date, scheduled to run until May 28, 2025.
The operation features a wide array of advanced Chinese weaponry, including helicopters, artillery, warships, armored vehicles, drones, and even robotic battle dogs.
Around 900 Chinese troops and 1,300 Cambodian soldiers are participating, as per the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
The goal is to strengthen military cooperation and deepen bilateral strategic ties.
Exercise Raahat Enhances India’s Humanitarian Disaster Response Capabilities
The Indian Army, in collaboration with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), executed Exercise Raahat, a large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) simulation.
Held in Assam, the drill aimed to boost coordination among military and civil agencies in handling natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes, especially in India’s northeastern states.
Science & Technology News
India-Japan LUPEX Mission Moves into Design Phase
The Chandrayaan-5, also referred to as the LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) Mission, is a collaborative space mission between ISRO (India) and JAXA (Japan).
The mission is now entering its preliminary design stage for the lander and rover.
With an estimated launch window around 2027-28, the mission will lift off using a Japanese H3 rocket and carry a total mass of approximately 5 tonnes.
The 350-kg rover will target lunar regions rich in water or water-ice, conduct soil drilling, gather samples, and perform in-situ water content analysis.
Obituaries News
Famed Scientist Subbanna Ayyappan Found Deceased in Cauvery River
Padma Shri awardee Subbanna Ayyappan, a respected authority in the field of fisheries science, was discovered dead in the Cauvery River on May 10.
He had been missing for three days from his residence in Mysuru before his body was found near Sai Ashram in Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka.
He was 70 years old.
Important Days
International Day of Light – Date, Significance, and Objective
Celebrated each year on May 16, the International Day of Light recognizes the vital role of light and light-based technologies across various domains, including science, education, energy, art, communication, and medicine.
The initiative is spearheaded by UNESCO, aiming to promote global collaboration in science and to highlight the importance of light in fostering peace and sustainable growth.
