Current Affairs Quiz 13th May 2025 Quiz

Exp. Centre terminates services of SECI Chairman R P Gupta with immediate effect

The Central government has terminated RP Gupta’s services as CMD of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) with immediate effect, nearly a month before his scheduled term was to end in June 2025.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the termination, but the government has not cited any official reason for the abrupt move.

RP Gupta, a 1987 batch retired IAS officer and IIT Kanpur aerospace engineering graduate, previously served as Secretary of the Environment Ministry and has worked with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Coal.

Exp. C-DOT Signs MoU with Synergy Quantum to Develop Drone-Based Quantum-Secure Communication Systems

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has signed an MoU with Synergy Quantum India Pvt. Ltd. to jointly develop drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems, advancing India’s quantum-secure communication capabilities.

The collaboration will use the decoy-based BB84 protocol with polarization encoding, aiming for a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or higher, in alignment with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision for indigenous innovation.

The partnership includes joint R&D, research proposal creation, and organizing symposia to promote India’s leadership in quantum-secure telecom technologies, with key officials from both organizations present at the MoU signing ceremony.

Exp. Taliban Bans Chess in Afghanistan, Citing Religious Concerns and Links to Gambling

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned chess and also suspended the Afghanistan National Chess Federation (ANCF), citing concerns that the game promotes gambling, which is prohibited under Islamic law.

The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice stated that chess will remain banned until its compliance with Sharia law can be fully assessed; similar bans have been imposed in the past, including during the Taliban’s earlier rule in 1996.

Former FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has appealed to the Taliban to reconsider the decision, while the regime continues to impose broader restrictions on sports, women’s rights, and public freedoms since returning to power in August 2021.

Exp. India Wins Seven Medals, Including Two Golds, at Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai

India finished the Archery World Cup Stage 2 with a total of seven medals, including two gold, one silver, and four bronze in Shanghai, China.

Parth Sushant Salunkhe won a bronze in the Men’s Individual Recurve, and Deepika Kumari secured a bronze in the Women’s Individual Recurve, defeating top archers in their respective playoffs.

Madhura Dhamangaonkar claimed gold in the Women’s Compound event, while the Indian men’s trio (Abhishek Verma, Rishabh Yadav, and Ojas Deotale) topped the compound team category.

The Indian women’s compound team (Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, and Madhura) won silver, and Madhura and Abhishek also earned a bronze in the compound mixed team event.

Exp. Virat Kohli Announces Retirement from Test Cricket, Ending a Glorious 14-Year Journey

Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, concluding a remarkable 14-year career in the longest format of the game.

Kohli accumulated 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, becoming India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, following Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

The former India captain made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011, eventually becoming the skipper three years later.

As captain, Kohli led India in 68 Tests, recording a win percentage of 58.82%, with 40 wins and 11 draws, including India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2019.

This announcement follows Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, with Shubman Gill emerging as a key contender to replace him as India’s next Test captain.

Recently Retired Players

• Rohit Sharma (India) – Test Cricket
• Vandana Katariya (India)- Hockey icon
• B Sumeeth Reddy (India) – Badminton
• Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) – One Day Internationals Cricket
• Steve Smith (Australia) – One Day Internationals Cricket
• Sharath Kamal – Table Tennis

Exp. 12 May – International Day of Plant Health

The International Day of Plant Health is celebrated every year on May 12 to raise awareness about the importance of plant health in protecting global food security, biodiversity, and the environment.

The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2020 to highlight the significance of plant health and the role it plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Theme 2025 – The importance of plant health in One Health

Exp. Delhi Legislative Assembly to Be Fully Solar-Powered

The Delhi Legislative Assembly will be the first in India to be fully powered by solar energy, with the foundation stone of a 500-kilowatt solar power plant.

A new 500-kilowatt rooftop solar plant will replace the existing 200-kilowatt system and is expected to be completed in 45 days, providing enough energy for the assembly’s annual electricity requirements.

The solar power project, worth Rs 2 crore, will generate 8,20,000 units, with surplus units fed into the national grid, earning revenue for the assembly while reducing its electricity bill and carbon footprint.

By January 2025, India’s installed solar power capacity reached 100.3 GW, and the country aims to reach 500 GW from clean energy sources by 2030, boosting renewable energy development.

Exp. India’s Long-Term Credit Rating Upgraded to ‘BBB’ by Morningstar DBRS

Morningstar DBRS upgraded India’s long-term credit rating from ‘BBB (low)’ to ‘BBB’ with a Stable outlook, citing strong reforms, improved fiscal management, and a healthier banking sector.

India’s short-term rating was raised from R-2 (middle) to R-2 (high), indicating stronger short-term debt repayment capacity and greater investor confidence.

The agency highlighted India’s resilient economy, with projected GDP growth of 6.2% in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026 (IMF estimates), supported by domestic demand, digitalisation, and improved public spending.

Despite concerns about high public debt (80.2% of GDP) and fiscal deficits, positives like low inflation (3.3%), high forex reserves ($677 billion), and a 13-year low in bad loans (2.5%) provide a strong economic foundation.

Exp. UP CM Yogi Adityanath Launches ‘UP AGREES’ and ‘AI Pragya’ with World Bank Support

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met World Bank President Ajay Banga, in Lucknow and launched two major initiatives — ‘UP AGREES’ and ‘AI Pragya’.

The ‘UP AGREES (Uttar Pradesh Accelerated Growth through Resilient, Equitable and Sustainable Agriculture) program aims to revolutionise agriculture in 28 districts of Bundelkhand and Purvanchal by promoting advanced, technology-driven farming to boost productivity.

‘AI Pragya’ seeks to train 10 lakh youth across Uttar Pradesh in artificial intelligence and digital technologies to build a strong tech talent base in the state.

About Uttar Pradesh

• Capital – Lucknow
• Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
• Governor – Anandiben Patel

Exp. Dream Sports Partners with Microsoft to Boost India’s Sports Tech and Gaming Ecosystem

Dream Sports, India’s leading sports technology company, has partnered with Microsoft to explore opportunities in India’s rapidly growing gaming and sports tech market.

The strategic collaboration was announced at the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit 2025 (WAVES) in Mumbai, where the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Dream Sports aims to leverage Microsoft’s AI capabilities and technical expertise to enhance its ecosystem of over 250 million users, further expanding its reach.

Exp. IBM and TCS Partner with Andhra Pradesh to Establish India’s Largest Quantum Technology Hub

IBM and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have partnered with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish the Quantum Valley Tech Park in Amaravati, featuring India’s largest quantum computer with IBM’s 156-qubit Heron processor.

The Quantum Valley Tech Park aligns with India’s National Quantum Mission (2023-2031), aiming to drive innovation in quantum computing across sectors like cryptography, materials science, life sciences, and energy.

The park will foster job creation, global investment, and talent development in quantum computing, with infrastructure support from L&T and algorithm development by TCS.

About Andhra Pradesh

• Capital – Amaravati
• Chief Minister – N Chandrababu Naidu
• Deputy CM – Pawan Kalyan
• Governor – Abdul Nazeer

Exp. Pakistan Launches Operation Bunyan Marsoos

Pakistan launched “Operation Bunyan Marsoos,” targeting at least six Indian military bases in response to India’s missile strikes on Pakistani air bases.

The operation is named after an Arabic phrase meaning “a structure made of lead,” symbolizing Pakistan’s strategic military response to India’s ongoing missile attacks.

The operation marks a significant escalation in the conflict between India and Pakistan, with missile strikes extending beyond the contested Kashmir region, indicating a dangerous shift in hostilities.

Exp. Andhra Pradesh Grants Property Tax Exemption to Defence Personnel

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced property tax exemption for houses owned by Indian Defence personnel within Gram Panchayat limits, honoring their service and sacrifice.

The benefit will now apply not only to retired or border-posted soldiers, but to all active defence personnel, including those from the Army, Navy, Air Force, CRPF, and Paramilitary forces, for one residential house owned or co-owned by them or their spouse.

The decision was based on the recommendation of the Director of Sainik Welfare and reflects the NDA-led state government’s commitment to the welfare of defence families.

The state also paid tribute to Agniveer Murali Naik, who was martyred in J&K, announcing an ex gratia of ₹50 lakh, 5 acres of land, and a 300-sq-yard house site to his family. Pawan Kalyan personally contributed ₹25 lakh as a token of respect.