Daily Current Affairs- 23rd May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 23rd May 2025

President Murmu Confers 39 Gallantry Awards for Bravery and Valour

In the News: On May 22, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, conferred 39 gallantry awards during the Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-I) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards included six Kirti Chakras and 33 Shaurya Chakras, recognizing acts of exceptional courage and devotion to duty by personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and State/Union Territory Police.

Key Points:

Kirti Chakra

• Established: 4 January 1952 as "Ashoka Chakra, Class II"; renamed "Kirti Chakra" on 27 January 1967.
• Eligibility: All ranks of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Reserve Forces, Territorial Army, Militia, other lawfully constituted forces, members of the Nursing Services, and civilians of either sex in all walks of life, including members of Police Forces and Central Para-Military Forces.
• Awarded For: Conspicuous gallantry other than in the face of the enemy.
• Design: A circular silver medal featuring an embossed Ashoka Chakra surrounded by a lotus wreath. The ribbon is green with two vertical orange lines.
• Monetary Allowance:
  • Central Government: ₹9,000 per month (as of 1 August 2017).
  • State Governments: Varying additional benefits; for instance, the Rajasthan government offers ₹1.2 lakh in cash and 25 bighas of irrigated land or ₹2 lakh in lieu of land.
• Total Recipients: 487 (as of 2024), including 198 posthumous awards. 

Shaurya Chakra

• Established: 4 January 1952 as "Ashoka Chakra, Class III"; renamed "Shaurya Chakra" on 27 January 1967.
• Eligibility: All ranks of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Reserve Forces, Territorial Army, Militia, other lawfully constituted forces, members of the Nursing Services, and civilians of either sex in all walks of life, including members of Police Forces and Central Para-Military Forces.
• Awarded For: Gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
• Design: A circular bronze medal with the Ashoka Chakra in the center, surrounded by a lotus wreath. The ribbon is green divided by three vertical lines.
• Monetary Allowance:
  • Central Government: ₹6,000 per month (as of 1 August 2017).
  • State Governments: Additional benefits vary; for example, the Rajasthan government provides ₹75,000 in cash and 25 bighas of irrigated land or ₹2 lakh in lieu of land.
• Total Recipients: 2,122 (as of 2023), including 627 posthumous awards. 

Assam Introduces ‘Ankita’: India’s First AI News Anchor in Regional Language

In the News: On May 14, 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled ‘Ankita’, India’s first AI-powered news anchor delivering official updates in a regional language. Designed to present Assam Cabinet meeting highlights in Assamese, Ankita marks a pioneering step in integrating artificial intelligence into government communication.

Key Points

• Launch Details: Ankita made her debut by presenting key decisions from the Assam Cabinet meeting, including the renaming of Dibrugarh Airport after Bhupen Hazarika and the approval of a one-time financial grant for tea garden workers.
• Technological Features: The AI anchor exhibits lifelike facial expressions and voice modulation, delivering news in fluent Assamese. This is achieved through advanced natural language processing and machine learning technologies.
• Public Reception: The introduction of Ankita has garnered mixed reactions. While many applaud the technological advancement and improved accessibility, others express concerns over potential job displacement for human news presenters.
• Broader Context: Ankita's launch aligns with Assam's ongoing efforts to integrate AI into various sectors, following initiatives like the AI-based teacher 'Iris' introduced in 2024. Nationally, this move reflects a growing trend of employing AI for efficient and inclusive governance 

What is the FATF, and Why Does Pakistan Potentially Being Greylisted Matter?

In the News: As of May 2025, India is advocating for Pakistan to be re-added to the FATF Grey List. Indian authorities plan to submit a dossier highlighting Pakistan's alleged non-compliance with FATF standards, particularly concerning terror financing.

• India's efforts aim to increase financial pressure on Pakistan and highlight concerns over its handling of terrorism-related issues
• What is the FATF?: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1989 by the G7 to combat money laundering. Following the events of 9/11, its mandate expanded to include countering terrorist financing. Headquartered in Paris, the FATF sets global standards and promotes the effective implementation of legal, regulatory, and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
• What is the Grey List?: The FATF maintains two primary lists:
• Grey List (Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring): Countries with strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing, but which have committed to resolving these issues swiftly.
• Blacklist (High-Risk Jurisdictions): Countries with significant strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing, and which have not committed to an action plan to address these issues.

Being placed on the Grey List indicates that a country is under increased monitoring and is working with the FATF to address identified deficiencies. 

Pakistan’s History with the FATF

• 2008: Pakistan was first placed on the FATF Grey List due to deficiencies in its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) frameworks.
• 2010: Removed from the Grey List after demonstrating progress in improving its AML/CFT regime.
• 2012: Re-listed due to non-compliance with FATF standards.
• 2015: Removed again after significant improvements.
• 2018: Placed on the Grey List for the third time for failing to act against terror financing on its soil.
• 2022: Removed from the Grey List after implementing reforms and demonstrating progress in its AML/CFT framework. 

India Welcomes UK's Decision on Chagos Islands Handover

In the News: On May 22, 2025, the United Kingdom and Mauritius finalized a landmark agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. India has welcomed this development, viewing it as a significant step toward decolonization and the upholding of international law. The agreement allows the UK and the US to retain joint military access to Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease, while Mauritius regains control over the remaining islands.

Key Points

• India's Support for Decolonization: India has consistently backed Mauritius's claim over the Chagos Archipelago, aligning with its broader commitment to decolonization and respect for sovereignty.
• Strategic Importance of Diego Garcia: While sovereignty over the archipelago is transferred, the UK and US will maintain a military base on Diego Garcia for 99 years, paying Mauritius £101 million annually.
• International Legal Endorsements: The agreement follows the 2019 International Court of Justice advisory opinion and a subsequent UN General Assembly resolution, both supporting Mauritius's sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.
• India's Geopolitical Interests: India's endorsement of the deal also serves to counterbalance China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean region, reinforcing India's strategic partnerships and regional stability.
• Humanitarian Concerns: Despite the agreement, displaced Chagossians have expressed concerns over their exclusion from the negotiations and uncertainty about their right to return to the islands. 

Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Ban on Enrolling Foreign Students

In the News: On May 23, 2025, Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in response to the revocation of its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This action barred Harvard from enrolling new international students and jeopardized the visa status of over 7,000 current international students, who comprise approximately 27% of the university's student body. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited Harvard's alleged non-compliance with records requests and concerns over campus safety as reasons for the revocation.

Key Points

• Legal Grounds: Harvard's lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, argues that the government's action violates the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The university contends that the revocation is an unlawful and retaliatory measure aimed at coercing compliance with federal demands.
• Impact on Students: The revocation of SEVP certification affects more than 7,000 international students at Harvard, placing their academic futures and legal status in jeopardy. These students may be forced to transfer to other institutions or leave the United States.
• Broader Context: This lawsuit is part of an escalating conflict between the Trump administration and higher education institutions. Prior to this, the administration had frozen over $2 billion in federal funding to Harvard and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status, citing concerns over antisemitism and alleged ties to foreign entities.
• International Repercussions: The ban has drawn criticism from foreign governments and educational institutions worldwide. China, whose nationals represent a significant portion of Harvard's international student population, expressed concern over the potential impact on educational and cultural exchanges. 

Joe Root Becomes Fastest to 13,000 Test Runs: A Historic Milestone in Cricket

In the News:  On May 22, 2025, during the one-off Test match between England and Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England's Joe Root achieved a historic milestone by becoming the fastest player to reach 13,000 runs in Test cricket.

Key Points

• Historic Achievement: Joe Root became the first English cricketer and the fifth overall to surpass 13,000 Test runs. He reached this landmark in his 153rd Test match, surpassing the previous record held by South Africa's Jacques Kallis, who achieved it in 159 matches.
• Elite Company: Root joins an exclusive group of cricketers who have scored over 13,000 Test runs: Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), Ricky Ponting (13,378), Jacques Kallis (13,289), and Rahul Dravid (13,288).
• Match Context: Root reached the milestone with a single off Victor Nyauchi in the 80th over of England's first innings. Although he was dismissed for 34 runs by Blessing Muzarabani, his contribution was part of England's dominant batting performance, ending the day at 498/3.
• Career Highlights: Since his Test debut against India in December 2012, Root has been a mainstay in England's batting lineup. He has scored over 2,000 runs against both Australia and India, and more than 1,000 runs against teams like South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.
• Future Prospects: With 13,000 Test runs to his name, Root is now 2,916 runs short of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,921 Test runs.