Daily Current Affairs- 7th May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 7th May 2025

Tamil Nadu to Declare May 5 as Traders' Day: CM Stalin

In the News: On May 5, 2025, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the state government will officially designate May 5 as "Traders' Day" to honor the significant contributions of the trading community to the state's economy. This declaration fulfills a long-standing demand from traders' associations and was made during the 42nd Traders' Day conference in Madhuranthakam, Chengalpattu district.

Key Points:

• Official Recognition: The Tamil Nadu government will soon issue a Government Order (G.O.) declaring May 5 as "Traders' Day," acknowledging the pivotal role of traders in the state's economic development.
• Enhanced Welfare Measures: Financial assistance for permanent members of the Tamil Nadu Traders Welfare Board will be increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh. Additionally, the deadline for free membership enrollment in the board will be extended by six months, aiming to include more traders under its benefits.
• Regulatory Reforms: Food-related businesses operating in spaces below 500 square feet will be permitted through a self-assessment method, simplifying the licensing process.
• Grievance Redressal Mechanism: A grievance redressal panel for commercial establishments will be established within the Greater Chennai Corporation and other town panchayats to address traders' concerns effectively. 

India’s Precision Weapons Likely Used in Operation Sindoor

In the News:, India conducted precision strikes in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor, targeting 21 terror camps. While exact weapons were not revealed, the IAF confirmed use of niche-technology warheads to avoid collateral damage. India’s advanced arsenal provides clues to possible systems used. 

Weapon System	Type & Origin	Key Features	Use Case
HAMMER	Air-to-ground munition (France)	Range up to 70 km; jam-resistant, autonomous, terrain-adaptable	Medium-range precision strikes (Rafale jets)
SCALP-EG (Storm Shadow)	Stealth cruise missile (MBDA, Europe)	Range 450 km; works in all weather/night; uses INS, GPS, terrain referencing	Deep strikes on bunkers and hardened targets
METEOR	Air-to-air missile with ramjet (MBDA)	Long-range; largest No Escape Zone; works in dense electronic warfare	Air superiority missions
BRAHMOS	Supersonic cruise missile (India-Russia)	Speed Mach 3; “Fire and Forget”; range extended; 200–300 kg warhead; terminal flight at 10m altitude	Land, sea, air precision strikes
Loitering Munitions	Drone-based precision strike system	Hover-capable; real-time surveillance; precision attacks with minimal collateral damage	Tactical, high-altitude, low-collateral missions

 

India Set to Become 4th Largest Economy in 2025, Says IMF

In the News: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that India will surpass Japan in 2025 to become the world's fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP. This milestone reflects India's robust economic growth and increasing global economic influence.

Key Points:

• Economic Rankings: India's nominal GDP is projected to reach $4.187 trillion in 2025, slightly ahead of Japan's estimated $4.186 trillion.  This advancement positions India behind the United States, China, and Germany in global economic rankings.
• Growth Projections: India's real GDP growth is forecasted at 6.2% for 2025, maintaining its status as the fastest-growing major economy.  The growth is primarily driven by strong private consumption, especially in rural areas.
• Future Outlook: By 2028, India is expected to overtake Germany to become the third-largest economy globally.  This trajectory underscores India's expanding role in the global economic landscape.
• Per Capita Considerations: Despite its overall economic size, India's GDP per capita remains relatively low, highlighting ongoing challenges in income distribution and living standards. 

Israel's Plan to Reoccupy Gaza

In the News: In May 2025, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, marking a significant shift in its military strategy. The plan involves deploying tens of thousands of reservists to maintain control over Gaza's territory and humanitarian aid distribution. This move has drawn domestic and international criticism, particularly from hostage families concerned about the safety of Israelis still held by Hamas.

Key Points:

• Military Strategy: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) plan to gradually enter northern and southern Gaza, aiming to root out Hamas fighters and destroy their tunnel networks.
• Humanitarian Concerns: Israel intends to control aid distribution in Gaza, a move criticized by humanitarian organizations and the UN for violating neutrality principles and endangering civilians.
• International Response: European governments, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, have condemned Israel's actions, citing violations of international law and human rights.
• Political Implications: The plan has sparked debate within Israel, with some officials warning that the occupation could endanger hostages and further destabilize the region. 

India Briefs UN Security Council Members on Operation Sindoor

In the News: On May 7, 2025, following the launch of Operation Sindoor, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed envoys from 13 United Nations Security Council (UNSC) member states. The briefing aimed to clarify India's rationale behind the precision strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, emphasizing that the operation targeted terrorist infrastructures in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Key Points:

• Targeted Strikes on Terror Complexes: Misri asserted that Operation Sindoor focused exclusively on nine identified terror complexes used by groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba as training and launch pads for cross-border attacks. He emphasized that these facilities were legitimate military targets, countering claims of civilian casualties or attacks on religious sites.
• Briefing Attendees: The briefing included representatives from all five permanent UNSC members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—as well as eight non-permanent members: Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, South Korea, Slovenia, and Somalia.
• Diplomatic Outreach: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval engaged in parallel diplomatic efforts, communicating with counterparts from key global powers, including the U.S., Russia, France, the U.K., Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Japan, and China, to underscore India's position and seek support. 

Article 51 of the UN Charter and Its Invocation by Pakistan Post-Operation Sindoor

In the News: Following India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted alleged terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan invoked Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. This article pertains to a nation's right to self-defence under international law.

Key Points:

• What is Article 51 of the UN Charter?
  • Article 51 acknowledges the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a UN member state.
  • This right persists until the UN Security Council takes measures to maintain international peace and security.
  • Actions taken in self-defence must be immediately reported to the Security Council and should not affect its authority and responsibility.
• Pakistan's Invocation of Article 51:
  • Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, cited Article 51, stating that India had violated it through its strikes.
  • Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with Article 51.
  • The National Security Committee (NSC) of Pakistan reaffirmed this stance, emphasizing the country's right to self-defence.
• India's Position:
  • India maintains that Operation Sindoor was a pre-emptive and proportionate response to the Pahalgam terror attack, targeting terrorist infrastructures used for planning attacks against India.
  • The Indian Ministry of Defence emphasized that the operation was focused, measured, and non-escalatory, avoiding civilian casualties and not targeting Pakistani military facilities. 

India's Gaganyaan Mission Enters Final Phase; Crewed Flight Set for 2027

In the News: India's ambitious human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, has progressed into its final phase, with the first crewed mission scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. This milestone will position India as the fourth nation to independently send humans into space, joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China.

Key Points:

• Mission Overview: Gaganyaan aims to launch a crew of two to three astronauts into low Earth orbit (~400 km) for a mission duration of approximately three days. The mission will utilize the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle, with the crew module designed to ensure astronaut safety and mission success.
• Testing and Preparations: ISRO has successfully completed critical tests, including the Test Vehicle Abort Mission (TV-D1) and the first uncrewed Test Vehicle Abort Mission earlier this year. The second Test Vehicle mission (TV-D2) is planned for later in 2025, followed by uncrewed orbital flights to validate systems and procedures.
• Astronaut Training: Astronaut training is progressing steadily, with candidates undergoing rigorous preparation to ensure readiness for the mission. The training encompasses various aspects, including simulations, physical conditioning, and technical education.
• Budget and Expansion: The Gaganyaan program's budget has been increased to ₹20,193 crore (approximately $2.32 billion) to accommodate the expanded scope, which includes two crewed missions and six uncrewed missions by 2028. The program also lays the groundwork for future endeavors, such as establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and conducting a crewed Moon mission by 2040.