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Daily Current Affairs 12th May 2025 Daily GK Update
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National News
Three Jan Suraksha Schemes – PMSBY, PMJJBY and APY complete 10 years of providing social security cover
- The three Jan Suraksha schemes — PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY — were launched on 9th May 2015 to provide affordable life insurance, accident insurance, and pension to the underprivileged sections of society.
- As of April 2025, over 23.6 crore people enrolled in PMJJBY, 51 crore in PMSBY, and 7.6 crore in APY; with claims worth ₹18,398 crore and ₹3,121 crore settled under PMJJBY and PMSBY respectively.
- Digitization through the Jan Suraksha Portal has simplified enrolment and claims, ensuring faster assistance and broader access without the need for physical bank visits.
About Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
- PMJJBY provides a life insurance cover of ₹2 lakh in case of death due to any reason, at a low premium of ₹436 per annum (less than ₹2 per day), with the amount auto-debited from the subscriber’s bank or post office account.
- The scheme is available to individual bank/post office account holders aged 18 to 50 years, and is administered through LIC and other approved life insurance companies in partnership with banks/post offices.
- Coverage period is from 1st June to 31st May, and enrolment must be completed by 31st May each year; pro-rata premium applies for late enrolments based on the month of joining.
- A 30-day lien period applies from the date of enrolment, during which claims are not admissible except in cases of accidental death.
- As of 23 April 2025, over 23.63 crore people have enrolled under PMJJBY, with ₹18,397.92 crore paid for 9,19,896 claims, including 10.66 crore women and 7.08 crore PMJDY account holders.
About Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
- PMSBY provides accidental death and disability insurance of up to ₹2 lakh for individuals aged 18 to 70 years, at a highly affordable premium of just ₹20 per annum (less than ₹2 per month), auto-debited from their bank/post office account.
- The scheme is renewable annually (1st June to 31st May) and is offered through Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) and other approved general insurers in collaboration with banks and post offices.
- Eligibility is open to individual bank/post office account holders within the age group of 18–70 years who provide consent for auto-debit; a person can enrol through only one account even if holding multiple.
- Benefits include: ₹2 lakh for accidental death or total disability (loss of both eyes/hands/feet), and ₹1 lakh for partial disability (loss of one eye or one hand/foot).
- As of 23 April 2025, PMSBY has over 51.06 crore enrolments, with ₹3,121.02 crore paid towards 1,57,155 claims, including 23.87 crore women and 17.12 crore PMJDY account holders.
About Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
- Atal Pension Yojana (APY) aims to provide universal social security for workers in the unorganised sector. It offers a guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1000 to ₹5000 after the age of 60, based on the subscriber’s contribution.
- The scheme is open to bank account holders aged 18 to 40 years who are not income tax payers; it is managed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under the National Pension System (NPS).
- Pension benefits are provided to the subscriber first, then to the spouse after the subscriber’s death, and finally, the accumulated corpus is returned to the nominee after both pass away.
- In case of the subscriber’s death before 60 years, the spouse can choose to continue contributions until the original vesting age is reached.
- Contributions to APY can be made on a monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly basis, and voluntary exit is allowed under certain conditions with deduction of government co-contribution and its interest.
Rajnath Singh Inaugurates BrahMos Missile Production Unit in Lucknow
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production unit at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor in Lucknow. The facility, built at a cost of Rs 300 crore, is designed to manufacture 80 to 100 BrahMos missiles annually, amid rising military tensions with Pakistan.
- The production unit will produce the BrahMos missile, which has a range of 290 to 400 km and a top speed of Mach 2.8. The missile, developed by BrahMos Aerospace (a joint venture between India and Russia), can be launched from land, sea, or air and uses a “fire and forget” guidance system.
- As part of the initiative, next-generation BrahMos missiles will be produced at the facility, with a strike range of over 300 kilometers and a weight of 1,290 kilograms. The new missiles will be compatible with fighter jets like Sukhoi, which will be able to carry up to three BrahMos missiles, unlike the current model that can carry only one.
Sanjay Seth represents India at 80th Victory Day celebration in Moscow
- Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth participated in the 80th Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, 2025, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. He laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and attended the Victory Day Parade alongside other international dignitaries.
- During his visit, Shri Seth met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend India’s congratulations on the 80th Victory Day and discussed strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.
Delhi Cabinet Approves Rs 3.21 Crore for Cloud Seeding Trials to Tackle Air Pollution
- The Delhi Cabinet has approved a Rs 3.21 crore outlay for conducting five cloud seeding trials across the Delhi-NCR region to combat air pollution, with the first trial set to take place by the end of this month over an area of 100 sq km.
- IIT Kanpur will manage the logistics, planning, and implementation of the cloud seeding trials, which are part of the Delhi government’s air pollution action plan.
- Despite concerns over its effectiveness, cloud seeding was proposed as a solution to Delhi’s smog problem and is now part of the BJP government’s strategy to improve air quality, a major election promise.
- The total cost for five cloud seeding trials will be Rs 2.75 crore, with an additional Rs 66 lakh for logistics, including aircraft and chemicals, all funded by the Delhi government to IIT Kanpur.
What is Cloud seeding?
- Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to enhance precipitation (such as rain or snow) by introducing substances into the atmosphere that act as cloud condensation or ice nuclei. This process encourages clouds to release moisture, thereby increasing rainfall in areas where it is needed.
Ayush Ministry Launches Weekly Yoga Podcast to Bring Timeless Wisdom to Every Home
- The Ministry of Ayush has launched its Weekly Yoga Podcast, a new digital initiative produced by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) in New Delhi.
- Union Minister of Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, launched the weekly podcast through his social media platforms. The podcast aims to bring the timeless wisdom of yoga to every household, blending ancient practices with modern lifestyles.
- The inaugural episode of the podcast sets the tone for a transformative journey into the world of yoga. The podcast series is designed to engage listeners with insightful discussions, guided practices, and expert interviews, making yoga accessible and relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Hyderabad Hosts 72nd Miss World Pageant, Marking Historic Back-to-Back Staging in India
- Hyderabad is hosting the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, marking the first time in the pageant’s 73-year history that one country (India) hosts it in two consecutive years.
- The three-week event will showcase Telangana’s cultural richness, with contestants visiting historical and cultural sites like Warangal, Pochampally, Buddhavanam, Yadagirigutta, and Mahabubnagar, along with a heritage walk through Charminar and Laad Bazaar.
- Key competitions include the Continental Finale on May 20, Talent Finale at Shilpakala Vedika on May 22, and the ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ event on May 26, culminating in the grand finale on May 31, where the new Miss World will be crowned.
- The contestants’ journey will end with a high tea and formal meeting with the Governor and Chief Minister of Telangana at Raj Bhavan on June 2, coinciding with Telangana State Formation Day.
Banking and Financial
RBI Imposes Penalties on SBI and Jana SFB for Non-Compliance with Regulatory Norms
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 1.72 crore on State Bank of India (SBI) for non-compliance with regulations related to “Loans and Advances-Statutory and Other Restrictions,” “Customer Protection in Unauthorised Electronic Transactions,” and “Opening of Current Accounts by Banks.”
- A penalty of Rs 1 crore has been levied on Jana Small Finance Bank Ltd. for violating certain provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- The RBI clarified that these penalties are for deficiencies in compliance with regulatory norms and are not a reflection on the validity of transactions or agreements between the banks and their customers.
Kotak Mahindra Bank Launches Solitaire Credit Card for Premium Travellers
- Kotak Mahindra Bank has introduced the Kotak Solitaire Credit Card, an exclusive, invite-only metal card aimed at catering to affluent travellers.
- This premium card offers a range of luxury benefits, including zero foreign transaction fees, unlimited airport lounge access, and the ability to transfer airmiles to top-tier airline and hotel partners.
About Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Founded – 21 November 1985
- Founders – Uday Kotak
- Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Chairman – CS Rajan (replace Prakash Apte)
- MD & CEO – Ashok Vaswani (replace Dipak Gupta)
Appointment
Justice Surya Kant Appointed Executive Chairman of NALSA by President Murmu
- President Droupadi Murmu has nominated Justice Surya Kant, Supreme Court judge, as the executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), succeeding Justice B R Gavai.
- Justice Surya Kant will lead NALSA’s mission to ensure accessible and free legal aid across India, focusing especially on marginalized and economically weaker sections.
- Prior to this nomination, Justice Kant served as chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee and has been actively involved in promoting legal aid and reforming the justice delivery system.
Recent Appointments
- MD of Titan Company – Ajoy Chawla (replace C.K. Venkataraman)
- 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)
Sports
FIFA Expands Women’s World Cup to 48 Teams from 2031; USA Likely to Host
- FIFA has approved expanding the Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams starting with the 2031 edition, adopting a 12-group format with 104 matches, mirroring the men’s 2026 World Cup structure.
- The United States is the only bidder for the 2031 Women’s World Cup and is expected to host the tournament, which would mark the third time the U.S. hosts after 1999 and 2003; the UK is the sole bidder for 2035.
Important day
10 May – International Day of Argania
- The International Day of Argania is observed every year on 10 May, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2021, to recognize and celebrate the cultural, ecological, and economic importance of the Argan tree (Argania spinosa), which is endemic to Morocco.
- The Argan tree is a symbol of resilience, sustainability, and biodiversity. It thrives in arid environments and plays a crucial role in preventing desertification, promoting climate adaptation, and supporting biodiversity. Argan oil, extracted from its nuts, is globally valued for its nutritional, cosmetic, and medicinal properties.
- This day also emphasizes the contribution of rural Moroccan women, who are at the heart of the argan oil production industry.
11 May – National Technology Day
- National Technology Day is celebrated on May 11 every year in India to honor the country’s technological advancements and achievements in various fields.
- The day commemorates the successful test of India’s first nuclear bomb (Shakti-I) on May 11, 1998, at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan, marking a significant milestone in India’s defense and scientific capabilities.
- Theme 2025 – YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration.
- National Technology Day recognizes the contributions of scientists, engineers, and technologists in advancing research and development in fields such as space, defense, and information technology.
12 May – International Nurses Day
- International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12, marking the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
- The day honors the invaluable contribution of nurses worldwide, recognizing their dedication, hard work, and commitment to patient care, particularly in the face of global health challenges.
- Theme 2025 – Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies
Obituary
Former Australian Cricketer Bob Cowper Passes Away at 84
- Bob Cowper, former Australian cricketer and elegant left-hand batter, passed away at the age of 84; he played 27 Tests in the 1960s and is remembered for his remarkable 307-run innings against England at the MCG in 1966.
- Throughout his first-class career, Cowper scored 10,595 runs with 26 centuries and also took 183 wickets, balancing his role as a prolific batter and part-time offspinner before retiring at 28 to pursue a career in finance.
- Cowper’s contributions to cricket extended beyond his playing days as he served as an ICC match referee, and he remained a respected figure whose legacy influenced future generations, including the likes of Ian Chappell.
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