NATIONAL:
1. Skill India International Centre
Why in news – An MoU was exchanged between NSDC International and Hindustan Ports Private Limited (Indian unit of DP World) for the above purpose.
Key Points –
• It would be setup at Varanasi to skill Indian youth for pursuing overseas employment opportunities.
• It would host training facilities as per international demands in countries like United Arab Emirates (UAE), Canada, Australia and other GCC regions.
2. Buddha Purnima 2022
Why in news – It is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama or Gautam Buddha.
Key Points –
• It usually falls on the Hindu month of Vaisakha on the full moon day. This year, it was celebrated on 16th May 2022.
About Buddha (born 563 BCE) –
• He was born Sakya clan in Lumbini.
• After 49 days of meditation he attained enlightenment under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya.
• First sermon (Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana) – Sarnath, Varanasi.
• Death (Mahaparinirvana) – Kushinagar, UP in 483 BC.
• He gave the theory of 'Madhyam Marg' or the middle path.
• Philosophy - Four noble truths (Arya satya) and Eightfold path (Astangika marg).
• Three Pitakas - Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, Abhidamma Pitaka.
• Schools of Buddhism – Mahayana, Hinayana, Theravada, Vajrayana, Zen.
• 4 Buddhist Councils –
3. Chhattisgarh reinstates old pension scheme
Why in news – Chhattisgarh becomes the first state to restore the old pension scheme.
Key Points –
• It would be effective from 1st April, 2022 (retrospectively).
• Chhatisgarh asked Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to release Rs 17,000 crore accrued under the National Pension Scheme since November 2004.
• A similar request by the Rajasthan government was rejected by the Centre.
4. Indian ban of wheat exports
Why in news -The government has prohibited the export of wheat with immediate effect from 14th May 2022.
Key Points –
• India’s annual retail inflation reached 7.79% in April 2022.
• Wheat prices have risen to record levels by 6.95% in April.
• Heatwave adversely affected the crop forcing the government to cut production estimates by 5.7% to 105 million tonnes.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. ‘Hindi @ UN’ Project
Why in news - India contributed USD 800,000 towards efforts to continue to expand the use of Hindi at UN.
Key Points –
• India’s Deputy Permanent Representative R. Ravindra handed over the cheque to Mita Hosali.
• ‘Hindi @ UN’ project was launched in 2018 to enhance the public outreach of the United Nations in Hindi language.
ECONOMY:
1. Adani Group to buy Ambuja cement and ACC Ltd.
Why in news - The Adani group has agreed to buy Holcim Ltd’s Ambuja Cements and ACC Ltd for $10.5 billion (₹80,000 crores).
Key Points –
• Adani to acquire 63.19% stake in Ambuja Cements and 54.53% in ACC.
• It is India’s largest-ever acquisition in the infrastructure and materials space.
• India is the world’s second-largest cement market.
• It would male Adani Group the second-largest cement maker in India after Aditya Birla Group’s UltraTech Cement Ltd.
• India’s per capita cement consumption is just 242 kg (global average - 525 kg per capita).
APPS & PORTALS:
1. GatiShakti Sanchar Portal
Why in news - Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched GatiShakti Sanchar portal on 14th May 2022.
Key Points –
• It aims to accelerate approvals for laying of fibre and tower installations ahead of the 5G roll-out in the country.
• It would enable centralised right of way (RoW) approvals.
• The portal is built by the Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation.
• The Row approval time has already come down to 22 days (earlier - 100 days).
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list 2022
Why in news - Lionel Messi has topped the list of Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes 2022 with a reported income of $130 million.
Key Points –
• Messi is followed by Basketball player Lebron James ($121.2 million) and Cristiano Ronaldo ($115 million).
• Messi had moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021.
SPORTS:
1. Thomas Cup 2022
Why in news - India won the first-ever Thomas Cup title (badminton).
Key Points –
• India defeated Indonesia (14-time champions) by 3-0 in the finals.
• Venue - Bangkok, Thailand.
• Lakshya Sen defeated Anthony Ginting.
• India’s doubles pair Satwik and Chirag defeated Ahsan-Sukamuljo.
• In the third game, Kidambi Srikanth defeated Jonatan Christie.
2. Italian Cup 2022
Why in news - Inter Milan defeated Juventus 4-2 after extra time in the Italian Cup final.
Key Points –
• The final match held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.
• Ivan Perisic scored in the extra time twice for a 4-2 win.
3. ISSF Junior World Cup
Why in news - Indian pistol pairs Esha Singh and Saurabh Chaudhary clinched the mixed team pistol gold at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup.
Key Points –
• Venue - Suhl, Germany.
• Palak and Sarabjot Singh won silver medal.
• Ramita and Paarth Makhija won silver in the 10m air rifle mixed team competition.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Manik Saha
Why in news - Manik Saha was sworn in as the chief minister of Tripura on 15th May.
Key Points –
• He succeded Biplab Deb.
• Saha is also the President of Tripura Cricket Association.
2. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Why in news – The de facto ruler Zayed Al Nahyan was elected as president of UAE on 14th May 2022.
Key Points –
• He was elected by the Federal Supreme Council.
• UAE was founded by his father on 2nd Dec 1971.
OBITUARY:
1. Andrew Symonds
Why in news - The Australian cricketer died in a car accident on 14th May 2022 in Queensland, Australia
Key Points –
• Symonds was a part of Australia’s World Cup-winning team in 2003 and 2007.
• He featured in 198 ODIs, 26 Tests and 14 T20s.
2. Dr Rama Kant Shukla
Why in news - Eminent Sanskrit and Hindi scholar Dr Rama Kant Shukla passed away.
Key Points –
• He was the founder and editor of “Arvacinasamskrtam”, a quarterly journal in Sanskrit.
• His titles - Sanskrit Rashtrakavi, Kaviratna and Kavi Siromani.
• He was honoured with Padma Shri in 2013 and Sahitya Academy Award in 2018.
STATES/UTs:
1. Madhya Pradesh’s start-up policy
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi launched the Madhya Pradesh government's Start-Up Policy 2022 and a start-up portal virtually.
Key Points –
• If a start-up is working from a rented place, Rs 5,000 pm would be paid for rent.
• It would also get Rs 5,000 pm per head for a salary of up to 25 employees.
BIHAR:
1. Price of land for industries in Bihar to be reduced by 50%.
Why in news – Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) to lower the price to provide big relief to the entrepreneurs.
Key Points –
• The cost of land in Patna's Patliputra industrial area is Rs 17.89 crore per acre.
2. Masterplan for 20 cities of Bihar
Why in news – To start work on masterplan, Planning Authority has been constituted.
Key Points –
• The authority would have the responsibility of preparing the master plan as well as the preparation, implementation and other necessary action.
• The DM of the district concerned would be the president while Secretary would be the.chief executive officer.
• 20 cities are - Bhabua, Jamui, Bagaha, Araria, Madhubani, Sheohar, Forbesganj, Aurangabad, Dehri, Sitamarhi, Hajipur, Lakhisarai, Motihari, Khagadia, Sasaram,
Katihar, Bettiah, Siwan, Kishanganj and Buxar.
• Work is underway on masterplans for 44 cities including 18 district headquarters in the state.
3. Cocoon Bank
Why in news – Industries Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain inaugurated Cocoon Bank in Banka at 4.89 crores.
Key Points –
• It would make it easier for people to make silk thread.
• In Amarpur, he inaugurated a 'Dyeing House' for dyeing of yarn and fabrics at a of 50 lakhs.
4. Special committee for safety of factory workers of Bihar
Why in news – A special committee would be formed for the safety of more than 200000 workers working in more than 8000 registered factories of the state.
Key Points –
• Along with factory management, employees would also be represented.
• In factories where there would be more than 500 workers, a safety committee would be formed compulsorily.
• If the committee makes any recommendation, then thefactory operators would have to comply within 15 days.
• The committee would be constituted for three years meeting to be held every three months.
• The committee would also have the responsibility of reviewing whether the recommendations given by the committee have been implemented or not.
5. Green field corridor
Why in news – Green field corridor would be built from Patna to Ara-Buxar-Hardiya-Ballia.
Key Points –
• It would have a length of 118 km in four lanes and will cost Rs 8500 crore.
• It would also be connected with Purvanchal Express.
6. Koilwar Bridge
Why in news – on 14th May 2022, Union Road and Transport Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated Koilwar Bridge.
Key Points –
• This six-lane bridge is one and a half kilometer long and 30 meters wide.
• Rs 266 crore has been spent on the construction of this bridge.
• The upstream line of this bridge was inaugurated on December 10, 2020.
7. New scheme to increase greenery in Bihar
Why in news – The Department of Environment and Climate Change has come up with a good plan to increase the green cover in the state.
Key Points –
• Its objective is to increase the income of farmers by connecting them with the Agro-Forestry (Other Species) Scheme.
• Farmers would be given the plant at a safe deposit of Rs 10 per plant. This deposit would be returned to them after three years.
• After 3 years, if more than 50% of them survive, then 60 rupees per plant would be given to them separately.
• In the year 2012, the Hariyali Mission was started in Bihar and a target of planting 24 crore saplings was set, in which about 22 crore saplings were planted.
• With this, the green cover of the state has now exceeded 15%. Now it is targeted to 17%.
POINTERS:
• According to a recent report, the foreign exchange reserves have come down to how many billion dollars - 595.954 billion dollars.
• Which Union Minister has inaugurated the National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (NCFL) in Hyderabad - Amit Shah.
• Which bank has recently launched its online platform “Trade Nxt - Union Bank of India.
• Which has approved the “Digital Anti-skid Brake Management System” developed for SARAS Mark 2 - National Aerospace Laboratory.
• Brokerage firm Morgan Stanley has recently reduced India's FY2023 projected growth rate to what percent - 7.6%.
• Which Union Minister inaugurated the country's first Amrit Sarovar located at Patwai on 13th May 2022 – Abbas Naqvi.
• Which chairman and chief executive officer of IBM has been elected to the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York – Arvind Krishna.
• Under which of the following ministry Ravinder Singh Dhillon has been appointed as CMD of Navratna Company “REC Limited” recently - Ministry of Power.
• Who has started the Girl Child Empowerment Mission to uplift the lives of underprivileged girls - NTPC.
• Recently who has been appointed as the new chairman of CBSE - Nidhi Chhibber.