Stay ahead in judiciary exams with our roundup of May 2025’s top 10 current affairs, covering Sujata Chaturvedi’s UPSC appointment, NAMASTE Scheme’s UNDP agreement, India’s IMF ranking, and more. Essential updates for aspirants!
Introduction
For judiciary exam aspirants, staying updated with current affairs is crucial, as these topics often form the basis of questions in preliminary, mains, and interview stages. From legal and administrative developments to socio-economic initiatives and international relations, current affairs provide insights into India’s governance and global standing. This blog compiles the top 10 current affairs for May 2025, tailored for judiciary exam preparation, covering key events like Sujata Chaturvedi’s appointment as a UPSC member, the NAMASTE Scheme’s UNDP partnership, India’s IMF economic ranking, and more. Each topic is explained with its significance, ensuring you’re well-equipped for your exams.
1. Sujata Chaturvedi Appointed as UPSC Member
Overview: On May 1, 2025, Sujata Chaturvedi, a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, was sworn in as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in New Delhi. Her appointment, administered by Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.), leaves three vacancies in the UPSC, which can have up to 10 members.
Details:
- Tenure: A UPSC member serves for six years or until age 65, whichever is earlier.
- UPSC Role: The Commission conducts exams for recruiting officers to the IAS, IFS, IPS, and other central services, playing a pivotal role in India’s administrative framework.
- Experience: Chaturvedi brings over 30 years of administrative expertise, having served as Principal Secretary (Finance), Commercial Tax Commissioner, and Vice-Chairman (Urban Development) in Bihar, and as Secretary (Youth Affairs and Sports), Additional Secretary (DoPT), and Regional Deputy Director General (UIDAI) at the central level.
- Sports Contributions: As Sports Secretary, she spearheaded initiatives like the Khelo India Games, FIDE Chess Olympiad, FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, the National Sports Repository System, sports facility mapping, and the Anti-Doping Bill.
- Background: Hailing from Maharashtra, Chaturvedi holds a B.A. in English, M.A. in History, M.Phil in Public Administration, and a Diploma in Russian. She is fluent in Hindi, English, Urdu, Russian, and Marathi.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: Questions may focus on UPSC’s structure, member tenure, or Chaturvedi’s contributions to sports governance, reflecting administrative and legal frameworks.
Key Question: Who was recently appointed as a member of the UPSC? Sujata Chaturvedi
2. Government Signs UNDP Agreement for NAMASTE Scheme
Overview: On Labour Day 2025, the Government of India signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to empower waste pickers under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme. The agreement was exchanged between Angela Lusigi (UNDP India) and Amit Yadav (Department of Social Justice and Empowerment).
Details:
- NAMASTE Scheme: Expanded in 2024 to include waste pickers, aiming to improve their working conditions and livelihoods.
- Goals:
- Enhance access to finance and technology.
- Ensure safer, sustainable work environments.
- Support 2.5 lakh waste pickers through digital profiling and registration.
- Establish state-level Project Management Units (PMUs) with UNDP funding.
- Benefits:
- Occupational Photo ID Cards for formal recognition.
- Health Insurance under Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY.
- Skill Training and PPE Kits for safety.
- Capital Subsidies for waste collection vehicles.
- Formation of collectives for decentralized waste centers, boosting income and dignity.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: This initiative aligns with social justice and labor rights, key topics in constitutional law and welfare schemes, often tested in questions about government policies.
Key Question: Which international body partnered with India to empower waste pickers? UNDP
3. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Receive Khel Ratna 2023
Overview: Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were conferred the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023 in a delayed ceremony in New Delhi, presented by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at the Sports Authority of India headquarters.
Details:
- Award Context: Named in December 2023, the duo missed the January 2024 ceremony due to tournaments and a February 2025 event due to Satwik’s father’s passing.
- Achievements in 2023:
- Won three BWF titles: Swiss Open, Indonesia Open, and Korea Open.
- Secured India’s first badminton gold at the Asian Games 2023 (Hangzhou).
- Clinched the Badminton Asia Championships 2023.
- Became the first Indian men’s doubles pair to reach World No. 1 in October 2023.
- Paris Olympics 2024: Reached the quarter-finals, losing to Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
- Elite Club: Joined badminton legends like Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Pramod Bhagat, and Krishna Nagar as Khel Ratna recipients.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: Sports awards and achievements are often part of general knowledge questions, reflecting national recognition and policy support for sports.
Key Question: Who received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023? Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
4. U.S. National Security Reshuffle: Mike Waltz’s Removal
Overview: U.S. President Donald Trump removed Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser (NSA) amid a national security team reshuffle, following a leaked Signal chat controversy about a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen.
Details:
- Interim NSA: Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, was appointed interim NSA, becoming the first to hold both roles since Henry Kissinger.
- New Role for Waltz: Trump nominated Waltz as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, filling a vacancy after Elise Stefanik’s withdrawal.
- Controversy: Waltz faced criticism for mistakenly adding a journalist to a private Signal chat discussing classified information, raising security concerns.
- Impact: The reshuffle has lowered National Security Council morale and raised concerns about expertise, with allies in Europe and Asia worried about U.S. commitment to NATO and global cooperation.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: International appointments and security issues are relevant for questions on global governance and diplomatic relations.
Key Question: Who was nominated as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations? Mike Waltz
5. Odisha’s ‘Sahajog’ Scheme for Urban Poor
Overview: On May 1, 2025, Odisha launched the ‘Sahajog’ Scheme to connect the urban poor with government welfare schemes, spearheaded by Housing & Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra in Bhubaneswar.
Details:
- Objective: Ensure last-mile delivery of benefits through awareness, doorstep services, and robust implementation at Urban Local Body (ULB) and district levels.
- Entry Point: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) links families to other welfare schemes.
- Timeline: Campaign mode from May 1 to June 20, 2025, targeting over 15 lakh people in 44 ULBs across eight districts (Khurda, Cuttack, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak).
- Implementation: Coordination committees, a mobile app for direct access, and plans to extend to rural areas.
- Nodal Agency: Housing and Urban Development Department, led by Principal Secretary Usha Padhee.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: Welfare schemes are critical for questions on social justice, urban governance, and constitutional provisions like Article 21 (right to life).
Key Question: Which state launched the ‘Sahajog’ scheme for the urban poor? Odisha
6. India-EU FTA Negotiations Progress
Overview: India and the European Union (EU) are advancing toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic reviewing progress in Brussels.
Details:
- Scope: Covers 23 policy areas, including trade in goods, services, investment, intellectual property, sanitary measures, and sustainable development.
- Trade Data (2023-24): Bilateral trade at USD 137.41 billion (exports: USD 75.92 billion; imports: USD 61.48 billion). The EU is India’s largest trading partner for goods.
- Goals: Enhance market access for India’s textiles, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, and EU’s automobiles, wines, and medical devices.
- Strategy: Phased negotiations to resolve simpler issues first, mirroring India’s FTA approach with Australia.
- Additional Agreements: Investment Protection Agreement and Geographical Indications (GIs) Agreement.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: FTAs are relevant for questions on international trade, economic policy, and India’s global relations, often tested in mains and interviews.
Key Question: By when do India and the EU aim to conclude their FTA negotiations? 2025
7. Dr. Girija Vyas Passes Away
Overview: Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Dr. Girija Vyas passed away on April 25, 2024, at age 78 in Ahmedabad, due to complications from 90% burn injuries sustained during Gangaur Puja.
Details:
- Career:
- Served as Union Minister and Cabinet Minister in Rajasthan.
- Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW).
- President of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC).
- Contested the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly Elections from Udaipur but lost.
- Contributions: Advocated for women’s rights, education, and social welfare; closely associated with Rajiv Gandhi.
- Background: Born in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, with a PhD in Philosophy; was a professor before entering politics.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: Questions may focus on NCW’s role or Vyas’s contributions to women’s rights, relevant to constitutional bodies and social justice.
Key Question: Which national body was chaired by Dr. Girija Vyas? National Commission for Women
8. Arvind Shrivastava Appointed Revenue Secretary
Overview: On April 18, 2025, Arvind Shrivastava, a 1994-batch IAS officer from Karnataka, was appointed Revenue Secretary in the Finance Ministry, following a bureaucratic reshuffle by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Details:
- Previous Roles: Additional Secretary (PMO), Joint Secretary (PMO and Budget Division, Finance Ministry), Development Officer (ADB), and various roles in Karnataka’s Finance and Urban Development Departments.
- Responsibilities:
- Formulate policies for direct and indirect taxes (Income Tax, GST, Customs, Excise).
- Oversee revenue collection departments (Income Tax, CBEC, CBDT).
- Assist in budget preparation and revenue enhancement strategies.
- Role in Governance: Advises on fiscal policy, reporting to the Finance Minister.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: Questions on bureaucratic roles, fiscal policy, or tax administration are common, reflecting governance and economic policy.
Key Question: Who was appointed as Revenue Secretary in the Finance Ministry? Arvind Shrivastava
9. India Hosts Global Media Dialogue at WAVES 2025
Overview: India will host the first Global Media Dialogue (GMD) on May 3, 2025, in Mumbai under the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Details:
- Participation: Over 60 countries, including the UK, Japan, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, with bodies like the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
- Objectives: Foster international cooperation in media, focusing on policy alignment, talent exchange, and capacity building.
- Highlights: Adoption of the WAVES Declaration for global media collaboration; bilateral meetings with countries like Russia, UK, Bhutan, and Kenya.
- Leadership: Attended by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: The GMD’s focus on media policy and international cooperation is relevant for questions on global relations and media governance.
Key Question: Which city will host the Global Media Dialogue under WAVES 2025? Mumbai
10. India Ranks 4th in IMF World Economic Outlook 2025
Overview: The IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO) April 2025 ranks India as the 4th largest economy with a GDP of USD 4.39 trillion, surpassing Japan. Global growth is projected at 2.8% for 2025, down 0.5% from earlier forecasts.
Details:
- Top 10 Economies (2025):
- USA: $30.34 trillion
- China: $19.53 trillion
- Germany: $4.92 trillion
- India: $4.39 trillion
- Japan: $4.27 trillion
- India’s Forecast: Growth at 6.2% for 2025 and 2026, driven by rural consumption, making it the fastest-growing major economy.
- Future Outlook: India is projected to become the 3rd largest economy by 2030, per IMF. The RBI estimates FY 2025-26 growth at 6.5%.
- Global Trends: U.S. growth at 1.8%, Euro Area at 0.8%, and emerging markets at 3.7%.
Significance for Judiciary Exams: Economic rankings and fiscal policies are key for questions on India’s global standing and economic governance.
Key Question: What is India’s rank among the world’s largest economies in 2025, per IMF? 4th
Tips for Judiciary Exam Preparation
- Focus on Legal Relevance: Link current affairs to constitutional provisions (e.g., NAMASTE Scheme to Article 21, UPSC appointments to Article 315).
- Practice MCQs: Use the key questions provided to test retention and prepare for prelims.
- Read Official Sources: Refer to government websites (UPSC, PIB) and reliable news for accurate updates.
- Integrate with Static Syllabus: Connect current affairs to topics like administrative law, social justice, and international relations.
- Stay Consistent: Dedicate time daily to current affairs to build a strong knowledge base.
Conclusion
The top 10 current affairs for May 2025 provide judiciary exam aspirants with critical insights into India’s administrative, social, economic, and international developments. From Sujata Chaturvedi’s UPSC appointment to the NAMASTE Scheme’s UNDP partnership and India’s 4th ranking in the IMF’s economic outlook, these events highlight governance, social justice, and global engagement—core themes in judiciary exams. By integrating these updates with your static syllabus and practicing relevant questions, you can enhance your preparation and stay ahead in the competitive landscape.
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Tags: Judiciary Exams 2025, Current Affairs May 2025, Sujata Chaturvedi UPSC, NAMASTE Scheme, IMF World Economic Outlook, WAVES 2025, Khel Ratna 2023
Hashtags: #JudiciaryExams2025 #CurrentAffairs #SujataChaturvedi #NAMASTEScheme #IMFRanking #WAVES2025 #DoonLawMentor
