Current Affairs Quiz 10th and 11th May 2025 Quiz

Exp. Haryana Govt Approves ₹10,000 Monthly Honorarium Scheme for Artists

The Haryana government has decided to implement a new scheme titled “Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana”, under which eligible artistes will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000 as financial support from the government.

The scheme aims to improve the financial and socio-economic conditions of senior artistes and art scholars who made significant contributions to the field of art during their active lives or who are still contributing to the field but are no longer actively participating due to old age.

About Haryana

• Capital – Chandigarh
• Chief Minister – Nayab Singh Saini(11th)
• Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya
• Legislative Assembly Seats- 90

Exp. Titan names Tanishq CEO Ajoy Chawla as next MD

Titan Company has appointed Ajoy Chawla, the current CEO of Tanishq, as its next Managing Director (MD).

Ajoy Chawla will succeed C.K. Venkataraman, who is set to retire in 31 December 2025, after completing his term.

Chawla has played a crucial role in expanding the Tanishq brand and driving growth across Titan’s jewellery division.

Recent Appointments

• Director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) – Praveen Sood (one year extension)
• MD of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) – Prakash Magdum
• CMD of Oriental Insurance Company Limited (OICL) – Sanjay Joshi (recommendation)
• MD & CEO of FMCG major Marico – Saugata Gupta (reappointment for 2 years)
• MD of National Film Development Corporation – Prakash Magdum

Exp. Bhutan signs MoU with Adani for 5,000 MW hydropower

Adani Group and Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) have signed an MoU to jointly develop 5,000 MW of hydropower projects in Bhutan.

The MoU was signed in Thimphu in the presence of Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and other senior dignitaries, strengthening Indo-Bhutan energy cooperation.

This collaboration expands on their ongoing partnership in the Wangchhu Hydropower Project (570/900 MW), with DGPC holding 51% stake and Adani holding 49% stake.

Exp. Aryna Sabalenka Clinches Third Madrid Open Title with Win Over Coco Gauff

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to win her third Madrid Open title, marking her 31st career victory on Madrid clay.

This was Sabalenka’s sixth final of the year and her 37th overall, and she has now won WTA titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid in 2024.

Gauff, who had defeated Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, was overpowered by Sabalenka’s consistent play and a tie-break finish sealed by Gauff’s double fault.

Exp. India and Chile Sign Terms of Reference for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Negotiations

India and Chile signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a significant advancement in their bilateral trade relations.

The CEPA aims to build upon the existing Preferential Trade Agreement between the two nations. It seeks to encompass a broader range of sectors, including digital services, investment promotion and cooperation, MSME and critical minerals among others for enhancing economic integration and cooperation.

A Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation was signed between the two countries in January, 2005, followed by Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in March, 2006. Since then economic and commercial relations between India and Chile have remained robust and continue to grow.

Exp. Govt Doubles Credit Guarantee Cover to ₹20 Crore to Boost Startups

The government has doubled the maximum guarantee cover under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore per borrower to improve access to capital for startups.

For loans up to ₹10 crore, the guarantee now covers 85% of the default amount, while for loans above ₹10 crore, the coverage is 75%, aimed at boosting credit availability.

The expanded scheme is expected to drive innovation, reduce lending risks, and encourage more financial institutions, including banks, NBFCs, and AIFs, to provide credit to startups.

The scheme facilitates collateral-free debt, addressing early-stage funding needs without equity dilution, with experts noting its potential to benefit startups if eligibility and disbursement processes are streamlined.

Launched under the Startup India initiative (2016) and notified in 2022, the CGSS supports startups and MSMEs, enhancing competitiveness and contributing to the ‘Make in India’ initiative through increased financial support.

Exp. India Champions Inclusive Land Governance at World Bank Land Conference 2025 with SVAMITVA and Gram Manchitra

India, led by Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, served as a Country Champion at the World Bank Land Conference 2025 (Washington D.C.), highlighting the SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform as exemplary models of technology-driven rural governance.

The SVAMITVA Scheme, discussed in a plenary and a special session titled “Securing Land Rights for a Billion People,” has surveyed 68,000 sq. km, monetized ₹1.16 trillion in land, and empowered rural livelihoods, particularly for women, by providing secure land ownership and access to credit.

In a special technical session, Gram Manchitra, a geospatial planning tool, was showcased by Alok Prem Nagar, emphasizing its role in climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and localized planning, earning appreciation for its relevance to the Global South.

Exp. DPIIT and Häfele India Ink MoU to Boost Innovation and Manufacturing Ecosystem

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)  and Hafele India Pvt. Ltd  signed an MoU in New Delhi to empower startups, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs, with a focus on boosting product innovation, local sourcing, and strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Under this collaboration, Häfele will invest in Indian startups, offer infrastructure, technical support, and market access, and integrate them into global value chains—including a prior $2.5 million investment in an Indian appliance startup.

The partnership aligns with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘India for the World’ vision, combining global best practices with local innovation, and will remain in effect for two years, with the possibility of extension.

Exp. Sonu Sood to Receive Humanitarian Award at Miss World 2025 for Covid-19 Relief Efforts

Actor Sonu Sood will be honored with the Humanitarian Award at the 72nd Miss World Festival at HITEX Arena, Hyderabad, for his extensive relief work during the Covid-19 pandemic through the Sood Charity Foundation.

Julia Morley, Chairperson of the Miss World Organisation, praised Sood’s efforts as embodying ‘Beauty With A Purpose,’ noting his inspiring contributions to humanity, while Sood will also serve as a judge at the Miss World 2025 grand finale.

During the lockdown, Sood facilitated transport for stranded workers, provided medical aid, and launched free education and job training programs, significantly impacting lives.

Exp. Government set 354.64 MT target of foodgrain Production for 2025-26

India sets foodgrain production target at 354.64 million tonnes for the 2025–26 crop year, up from 341.55 million tonnes in 2024–25, buoyed by expectations of a better monsoon.

Current production has reached 330.92 million tonnes from the Kharif and Rabi seasons in 2024–25; estimates for the summer (zaid) season are still awaited.

For rice, the government aims to produce 147.35 million tonnes in 2025–26, compared to 136.44 million tonnes estimated from Kharif and Rabi in the current year.

For wheat, which is grown only in the Rabi season, the target is set at 117.40 million tonnes for 2025–26, slightly higher than the 115.43 million tonnes estimated in 2024–25.

Exp. Robert Prevost or Leo XIV becomes the first American to become Pope

Robert Francis Prevost became the first American to be elected as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. After being elected as the 267th Pope in the Vatican, he assumed the name of Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV succeeded Pope Francis, who died on 21 April 2025.

Pope Leo XIV was elected by a College of Cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. As per tradition, they are locked in the Chapel until a new Pope is elected.

As per tradition, when the College of Cardinals elects a new Pope, white smoke comes out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signalling the election of a new Pope to the world.

Exp. Nicaragua’s La Prensa Newspaper Awarded 2025 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize

La Prensa, a Nicaraguan newspaper, has been honored with the 2025 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize for its outstanding commitment to press freedom and journalistic integrity.

The award highlights La Prensa’s resilience in upholding independent journalism, often under challenging circumstances, as recognized by UNESCO’s international jury.

The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize, named after the assassinated Colombian journalist, celebrates contributions to free expression, with La Prensa joining a legacy of global defenders of press rights.

UNESCO’s Guillermo Cano Prize

• UNESCO member states created the World Press Freedom Prize in 1997.
• The only UN prize awarded to journalists, it is named after Colombian newspaper journalist Guillermo Cano Isaza, who was assassinated in Colombia’s capital, Bogota, in 1986.

Exp. May 10 – World Lupus Day

World Lupus Day is observed every year on May 10 to raise awareness about lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body including skin, joints, and organs.

The day aims to highlight the physical, emotional, and economic impact of lupus and advocate for better healthcare services, research funding, and patient support worldwide.

Theme 2025 – Belonging. Belief. Breakthroughs

The initiative was first launched in 2004 by the World Lupus Federation, involving patient organizations from around the world.

About Lupus

• Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs.
• It can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, and blood cells.