Top 10 Current Affairs 8th May 2025

Explore Current Affairs 8th May 2025—India-UK FTA, Operation Sindoor, Gaganyaan 2027, HDI ranking, and more. Stay updated for UPSC, CLAT, and GK!

Introduction: The Headlines of May 8, 2025

On May 8, 2025, the world witnessed a cascade of transformative events shaping India’s global and domestic landscape. From the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to the bold Operation Sindoor missile strikes in Pakistan, today’s news reflects India’s ambition and resolve. Add to that the Gaganyaan mission’s 2027 timeline, India’s rise in the Human Development Index, and Punjab’s challenge to the Dam Safety Act, and you have a day packed with stories that demand attention. This detailed blog dives into the Top 10 Current Affairs of May 8, 2025, offering facts, critical analysis, and context to keep you informed. Let’s unpack the day that’s redefining India’s future!

1. India-UK Sign Historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Double Contribution Convention

What Happened? On May 8, 2025, India and the UK finalized a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Double Contribution Convention after a call between PM Narendra Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer, marking a milestone in their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Key Features:

• Market Access: Eliminates tariffs on 99% of tariff lines, covering nearly 100% of trade value, with projections to double trade to $120 billion by 2030.
• Sectors Benefited: Boosts Indian textiles, leather, footwear, toys, gems, and engineering goods, with zero-duty exports for apparel and leather.
• Economic Impact: Expected to drive job creation, enhance manufacturing, and expand Indian businesses in the UK and beyond.
• Leadership Support: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called it a “balanced and ambitious” deal, setting a global trade standard.

Analysis: The FTA aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, reducing trade barriers and fostering innovation. For the UK, post-Brexit, this deal strengthens economic ties with a fast-growing market. However, non-tariff barriers, such as UK’s strict quality standards, may pose challenges. The Double Contribution Convention, easing social security for Indian professionals in the UK, enhances bilateral goodwill.

2. Madras High Court Judge Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad Passes Away

What Happened? Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad, a Madras High Court judge, passed away in Chennai on May 8, 2025, at age 56 due to cardiac arrest, as confirmed by family sources.

Background:

• Judicial Career: Appointed Additional Judge in October 2021, permanent in March 2023, ranked 42nd among 63 judges.
• Legal Expertise: Practiced law for 24 years since 1997, specializing in writ, civil, criminal, and constitutional law, serving as counsel for BSNL, Chennai Port Trust, and Indian Bank.
• Education: History degrees from Loyola College and University of Delhi, law degree from Delhi.

Analysis: Justice Prasad’s contributions to constitutional law were significant, and his sudden demise during the court’s summer vacation may delay critical cases. This highlights the need for health support systems within the judiciary to ensure continuity.

3. Bhuwan Ribhu: First Indian Lawyer Honoured by World Jurist Association

What Happened? Indian child rights advocate Bhuwan Ribhu became the first Indian lawyer to receive the Medal of Honour from the World Jurist Association (WJA) at the World Law Congress in the Dominican Republic, announced on May 8, 2025.

Achievements:

• Over two decades of activism against child labour, trafficking, sexual abuse, and marriage.
• Leads Justice for Children Worldwide, a WJA initiative uniting legal experts for child rights.
• Award presented by Dominican Labour Minister Eddy Olivares Ortega and WJA President Javier Cremades.

WJA Overview:

• Founded in 1963, headquartered in Washington, D.C.
• Promotes rule of law and judicial independence through the World Law Congress.

Analysis: Ribhu’s global recognition elevates India’s human rights profile, aligning with SDG 16 (peace, justice, strong institutions). His work could catalyze reforms, but challenges like inconsistent enforcement of child protection laws in India persist.

4. Prakash Magdum Appointed NFDC Managing Director

What Happened? Prakash Magdum, a 1999-batch Indian Information Service officer, was appointed Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) on May 8, 2025.

Background:

• Experience: Served at Press Information Bureau, National Film Archive of India (NFAI), and Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
• Contributions: Advanced the National Film Heritage Mission at NFAI.
• NFDC Overview: Established in 1975, headquartered in Mumbai, supports Indian cinema through financing and distribution (e.g., Gandhi, Bub).

Analysis: Magdum’s expertise positions him to enhance NFDC’s role in promoting Indian cinema’s soft power. However, limited funding and competition from streaming platforms may constrain NFDC’s global reach.

5. Friedrich Merz Elected German Chancellor

What Happened? Friedrich Merz, a 69-year-old CDU/CSU leader, was elected Germany’s Chancellor on May 8, 2025, securing 325 votes in the Bundestag’s second round, surpassing the 316-vote threshold.

Background:

• Career: Lawmaker since 1994, returned to politics after corporate roles.
• Policies: Advocates Europe’s strategic independence, a €500 billion infrastructure plan, and defence spending exemptions from Germany’s debt brake.
• Germany: Capital (Berlin), currency (Euro), President (Frank-Walter Steinmeier).

Analysis: Merz’s election prioritizes security and economic growth amid Germany’s challenges. His policies may strain EU fiscal unity but could deepen India-Germany ties in defence and technology, building on recent trade agreements.

6. Rhenus Group to Operate Barges on India’s National Waterways

What Happened? The Centre signed an MoU with Germany’s Rhenus Group on May 8, 2025, to deploy 100 barges on India’s National Waterways, starting with 20 barges on NW-1 (Ganga), NW-2 (Brahmaputra), NW-16 (Barak), and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route.

Details:

• Cargo: Targets over 1 million tonnes annually by 2025, focusing on bulk and break-bulk.
• Support: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) provides dredging, terminals, and navigational aids.
• Rhenus: Founded in 1912, headquartered in Holzwickede, Germany.

Analysis: This initiative advances sustainable transport, reducing road congestion and emissions. However, infrastructure gaps and environmental concerns, such as river dredging’s ecological impact, may delay expansion.

7. Gaganyaan: India’s First Human Spaceflight Set for 2027

What Happened? On May 8, 2025, ISRO confirmed India’s Gaganyaan programme will launch its first human spaceflight in Q1 2027, with TV-D2 tests scheduled for late 2025.

Details:

• Components: Human-rated LVM3, Crew Escape System, Crew Module, and Service Module in final testing.
• Vision: Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035, lunar mission by 2040.
• Budget: $2.32 billion, managed by ISRO, DRDO, and HAL.
• Context: Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, a Gaganyaan astronaut-designate, was recalled to IAF duties post-Operation Sindoor, reflecting mission-security linkages.

Analysis: Gaganyaan will position India among elite spacefaring nations, enhancing scientific prestige. Technical risks, budget constraints, and geopolitical tensions may challenge progress.

8. India Rises to 130th in 2023 Human Development Index

What Happened? India climbed four spots to 130th in the 2023 UNDP Human Development Index (HDI), scoring 0.685 (up from 0.644 in 2022), per the report A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence, highlighted on May 8, 2025.

Key Improvements:

• Life Expectancy: 72 years (from 67.7).
• Schooling: Expected years (13), mean years (6.9).
• GNI per Capita: $9,047 (PPP 2021).
• Challenges: Gender Inequality Index (102nd, 0.403), inequality-adjusted HDI (0.475).

Analysis: India’s HDI gains reflect strides in health and education, but gender and income disparities lag behind BRICS peers like China (75th). AI-driven policies could bridge these gaps.

9. Punjab Seeks to Repeal Dam Safety Act, 2021

What Happened? On May 8, 2025, Punjab’s AAP government moved to repeal the Dam Safety Act, 2021, citing excessive Central control over state dams and water rights.

Details:

• Act Provisions: Ensures surveillance, inspection, and maintenance of dams over 15m or 10–15m with specific conditions. Assented on December 13, 2021.
• Punjab’s Concerns: Central oversight via Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) undermines state autonomy.
• Congress Stance: Opposes sections 78–80 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, for similar reasons.

Analysis: This dispute highlights Centre-State tensions over federalism. Repealing the Act could empower Punjab but risks weakening dam safety protocols critical for disaster prevention.

10. Operation Sindoor: India’s Missile Strikes on Pakistan

What Happened? On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, with updates dominating May 8, 2025, news. The operation, a response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack (26 deaths), killed eight, including a child.

Details:

• Targets: Sites linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad (e.g., Bahawalpur), Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen in Punjab, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli.
• Weapons: SCALP missiles, HAMMER bombs, and loitering drones ensured precision.
• Execution: IAF used Rafale jets, AWACS, and UAVs, briefed by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sophia Qureshi.
• Pakistan’s Response: Claimed to shoot down five Indian jets (unconfirmed), declared a Punjab emergency.
• Global Reaction: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged de-escalation; India briefed the US, UK, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
• Context: Named “Sindoor” to honor Hindu widows of Pahalgam victims.

Analysis: Operation Sindoor disrupts terror networks but escalates nuclear risks, with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and both nations expelling diplomats. Global mediation efforts, like Donald Trump’s offer, face challenges, while India’s diplomatic outreach balances escalation with restraint. Pakistan’s narrative, amplified by figures like Mahira Khan, fuels tensions.

Exam Tips for UPSC, CLAT, and GK Aspirants

• Prelims:
  • Memorize facts: India-UK FTA tariff lines (99%), Gaganyaan timeline (Q1 2027), HDI rank (130th).
  • Note key figures: Keir Starmer, Friedrich Merz, Bhuwan Ribhu.
• Mains:
  • Essays: “India’s Global Role in 2025: Trade, Space, Security” or “Operation Sindoor: Balancing Retribution and Diplomacy.”
  • Structure answers with facts, analysis, and solutions (e.g., federalism in Dam Safety Act).
• Current Affairs:
  • Follow The Hindu, PIB, and India Today for real-time updates.
  • Link events to GS papers: FTA (GS-2), Gaganyaan (GS-3), HDI (GS-3).

Conclusion: May 8, 2025, in Focus

Current Affairs May 8, 2025, spotlight India’s bold moves—from the India-UK FTA driving economic growth to Operation Sindoor asserting security priorities. Gaganyaan aims for the stars, while domestic challenges like Punjab’s dam dispute and HDI gains reflect India’s complex journey. For UPSC, CLAT, and GK enthusiasts, today’s events are a treasure trove for understanding global and national dynamics. Stay ahead with Doon Law Mentor and turn knowledge into success!

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