Daily Current Affairs- 5th May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 5th May 2025

Maharashtra’s ‘One State, One Registration’ Policy

In the News: On May 1, 2025, the Maharashtra government launched the ‘One State, One Registration’ policy to simplify property registration across the state. Under this initiative, citizens can now register property documents at any sub-registrar office in Maharashtra, regardless of the location of the property. This move is aimed at enhancing convenience, promoting transparency, and increasing administrative efficiency.

Key Points:

• Universal Access to Registration: Citizens are now allowed to register property documents at any of the 519 sub-registrar offices in Maharashtra, even if the property is located elsewhere in the state.
• Faceless and Digital Process: The policy introduces online, Aadhaar-authenticated registration without the need for physical presence at the sub-registrar office, ensuring a more seamless and transparent process.
• Pilot and Rollout: After successful pilots in Mumbai, Pune, and Thane, the scheme was expanded to the entire state from May 1, 2025.
• Efficiency and Decongestion: The policy is expected to reduce overcrowding at sub-registrar offices in high-demand urban areas and cut down waiting times for citizens.
• Boost to State Revenue: By making property registration more accessible and efficient, the government expects increased compliance and higher stamp duty collections.
• Technical Upgrades: The state, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), has upgraded its digital infrastructure to handle this reform. 

India Closes Chenab Water Through Baglihar Dam Gates

In the News: In May 2025, India significantly reduced the flow of water from the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River, effectively cutting off up to 90% of the downstream flow to Pakistan. This action follows India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives. The move is part of India's broader strategy to exert pressure on Pakistan by leveraging its upstream control over shared water resources.

Key Points:

• Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty: India suspended the IWT, a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, citing Pakistan's alleged involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack. This marks a significant shift in India's approach to water-sharing with Pakistan.
• Closure of Baglihar and Salal Dam Gates: India closed the sluice gates of both the Baglihar and Salal dams, drastically reducing the Chenab River's flow into Pakistan. This action led to a noticeable drop in water levels in regions like Akhnoor, Jammu.
• De-silting Operations: The official reason provided for the gate closures is the need for de-silting operations to maintain reservoir capacity and efficiency. However, the timing suggests a strategic motive aligned with India's response to the terror attack.
• Impact on Pakistan: The reduced water flow is expected to affect Pakistan's agriculture, especially with the upcoming paddy cultivation season. Pakistan has termed India's actions as an "act of war" and has threatened international legal action.
• Strategic Use of Water Resources: India's actions indicate a willingness to use its upstream position on shared rivers as a strategic tool in its broader geopolitical stance against Pakistan. This includes plans to undertake similar measures on the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum River.
• Local Reactions: Residents in Jammu and Kashmir observed significant changes in river water levels, with some areas experiencing near-dry riverbeds. Authorities have issued warnings to locals about the dangers of crossing the riverbeds due to potential sudden water releases.
• Future Hydropower Projects: India is accelerating work on several hydropower projects in the region, including Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), Kwar (540 MW), and Ratle (850 MW), aiming for completion by 2027-28. 

Gundaram Inscriptions in Telangana’s Peddapalli Shed Light on Satavahana Era

In the News: In April 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered 11 ancient inscriptions in the Gundaram Reserve Forest near Peddapalli, Telangana. Dating from the 1st century BCE to the 6th century CE, these inscriptions offer significant insights into the political, cultural, and religious landscape of the Deccan during the Satavahana period.

Key Points:

1. Discovery Details: The inscriptions were found on a large rock formation known locally as Sitammalodi, near Gattusingaram village, approximately 10 km from Peddapalli district headquarters.
2. Political Alliances: One inscription, written in early Brahmi script, mentions a donor from the Hāritiputra lineage, likely associated with the Chutu dynasty. This individual identifies himself as a friend of Kumāra Hakusiri, a Satavahana prince, indicating political alliances between the Satavahanas and their vassals.
3. Religious Symbolism: Another inscription features symbols of a trident and a damaru, associated with Shaivism. This marks the earliest known use of such religious iconography in South Indian inscriptions, suggesting a link between political authority and religious identity during that era.
4. Buddhist Patronage: The inscriptions indicate that the region was a site of Buddhist activity, with references to cave excavations for monks, highlighting the religious diversity and patronage during the Satavahana period.
5. Historical Significance: These findings enhance our understanding of the Satavahana dynasty's influence in the Deccan region, their interactions with subordinate dynasties like the Chutus, and the integration of religious symbolism in asserting political power. 

Angola Joins ISA; Signs Key MoUs with India during Presidential Visit

In the News: During Angolan President João Lourenço's state visit to India from May 2–4, 2025—the first in 38 years—Angola became the 123rd member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The visit also resulted in the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Key Points:

• Angola Joins International Solar Alliance (ISA): Angola signed the ISA Framework Agreement, becoming its 123rd member. This move underscores Angola's commitment to renewable energy and aligns with India's efforts to promote solar energy globally.
• Signing of Key MoUs: India and Angola signed MoUs in the following areas:
  • Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine: Cooperation in the field of Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.
  • Agriculture: Collaboration to enhance agricultural practices and productivity.
  • Cultural Exchange: A cooperation programme in the domain of culture for the period 2025–2029.
• $200 Million Defence Credit Line: India approved a Line of Credit worth $200 million for Angola to procure defence equipment, modernize its armed forces, and facilitate maintenance and training support.
• Expansion of Energy Partnership: Both nations agreed to deepen their energy collaboration, with India being one of the largest buyers of Angola's oil and gas. Discussions included India's support in refinery processing and exploration of new oil fields in Angola.
• Collaboration in Emerging Sectors: India offered to share its expertise in digital public infrastructure, space technology, and capacity building. Further areas of cooperation include healthcare, diamond processing, fertilizers, and critical minerals.
• Youth Exchange Programme: To strengthen people-to-people ties, both countries decided to initiate a youth exchange programme, fostering cultural and educational exchanges.
• Support in Counter-Terrorism Efforts: Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Angola for its support in India's fight against cross-border terrorism, emphasizing a united stance against terrorism. 

India Unveils First Genome-Edited Rice Varieties

In the News: On May 4, 2025, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the release of India's first genome-edited rice varieties—DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1—developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). These varieties, created using CRISPR-Cas SDN-1 technology, aim to boost yields, enhance climate resilience, and reduce environmental impact without introducing foreign DNA.

Key Points:

1. Higher Yields and Climate Resilience: The new rice varieties promise a 20–30% increase in yields, improved tolerance to drought and salinity, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20%. They also require less irrigation water due to shorter maturation periods.
2. Non-GMO Classification: Developed through genome editing without incorporating foreign genes, these varieties are classified as non-GMO and are exempt from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee's approval process.
3. Development and Trials: DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1 were developed by ICAR's Indian Institute of Rice Research and Indian Agricultural Research Institute, respectively. They underwent extensive field trials across various agro-climatic zones in India.
4. Projected Impact: Cultivation of these varieties across 5 million hectares is expected to produce an additional 4.5 million tonnes of paddy, save approximately 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water, and reduce methane emissions by 32,000 tonnes.
5. Implementation Timeline: The varieties are anticipated to reach farmers within 4–5 years, following the completion of breeder, foundation, and certified seed development cycles. 

PM Modi Inaugurates Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar

In the News: On May 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna, Bihar. This marks the first time Bihar is hosting this national multi-sport event, which will run from May 4 to May 15, 2025. The Games feature over 6,000 athletes competing in 27 medal sports and one demonstration event across five cities in Bihar—Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai—as well as select events in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• Hosting by Bihar: Bihar is hosting the KIYG for the first time, with events spread across five cities in the state and select competitions in New Delhi.
• Introduction of New Sports: For the first time, esports is included as a demonstration sport, and sepaktakraw is introduced as a medal event.
• Participation: Over 6,000 athletes from 36 states and union territories are participating in the Games.
• Inspiration from Young Athletes: The Prime Minister lauded 14-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar for his remarkable performance in the IPL, underscoring the importance of consistent participation in competitions.
• Promotion of Traditional Sports: Traditional Indian sports like Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, and Yogasana have been incorporated into the Games to preserve and promote the country's rich sporting heritage.
• Mascot and Theme: The mascot for the 2025 Games is "Gajasimha," a mythical creature symbolizing strength, combining features of an elephant and a lion. The theme of the Games is "Khel ke rang, Bihar ke sang."
• The inaugural Khelo India Youth Games (originally known as the Khelo India School Games) were held from January 31 to February 8, 2018, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. 

World Press Freedom Day 2025: Date, Significance, and History

In the News: World Press Freedom Day was observed globally on May 3, 2025, under the theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.” The focus was on how AI is reshaping journalism, presenting both opportunities and challenges for media freedom.

Key Points:

• Date and Origin:
  • Celebrated annually on May 3, World Press Freedom Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation from UNESCO in 1991.
  • The date commemorates the Windhoek Declaration of May 3, 1991, which emphasized the importance of a free, independent, and pluralistic press.
• 2025 Theme:
  • The 2025 theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” highlighted the transformative effects of AI on journalism.
  • Discussions centered on AI's role in content creation, information dissemination, ethical challenges, and the potential risks of misinformation and bias.
• Global Observances: UNESCO will host a signature event on May 7, 2025, at the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, featuring plenary sessions on AI's impact on media and the awarding of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
• Current Challenges: In 2024, at least 124 journalists were killed, marking the highest number in over 30 years, with many deaths occurring in conflict zones.