Current Affairs 13 May 2025

In Current Affairs for 13 May 2025, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.

Current Affairs 13 May 2025

India Will Not Discuss Anything With Pakistan

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined India’s unwavering commitment to combat terrorism, following the success of Operation Sindoor. Addressing the nation yesterday evening, Mr Modi said that the world has seen India’s capabilities, and it is clear terrorists will no longer be spared.
• Prime Minister said, Operation Sindoor has sent an unambiguous message to terrorist groups and their supporters that any attack on India and its citizens will be met with full force.  Mr Modi said that India will not engage in any discussions with Pakistan except those concerning terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

• He criticised the Pakistani government and military for supporting terrorism, warning that such actions could lead to their downfall. Prime Minister said that the temporary suspension of Operation Sindoor is not a conclusion as India will continue to assess Pakistan’s every move in the coming days to ensure that its future actions align with its commitments.
• Mr Modi said that within the first three days of the launch of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan suffered destruction far beyond its expectations. Mr Modi mentioned that following India’s aggressive countermeasures, Pakistan began seeking ways to de-escalate, appealing to the global community for relief from rising tensions.

• Mr Modi stated that the operation has set a new standard and a new normal in counter-terrorism measures.  The Prime Minister outlined three key pillars of India’s security doctrine, and the first pillar is the Decisive Retaliation. He said any terrorist attack on India will be met with a strong and resolute response. The second is No Tolerance for Nuclear Blackmail, as  India will not be intimidated by nuclear threats. Mr Modi said that the third pillar is No Distinction Between Terror Sponsors and Terrorists, as  India will no longer see terrorist leaders and the governments sheltering them as separate entities. 

• Mr Modi pointed out that during Operation Sindoor, the world once again witnessed Pakistan’s disturbing reality, with senior Pakistani military officials openly attending funerals of eliminated terrorists, proving Pakistan’s deep involvement in state-sponsored terrorism. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that India will continue taking decisive steps to safeguard its citizens against any threat. Underscoring that unity is India’s greatest strength in the fight against all forms of terrorism, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that while this era is not one of war, it cannot be one of terrorism either.
• Mr Modi sent a firm message to the world that any discussions with Pakistan will focus solely on terrorism, and any negotiations with Pakistan will centre around Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Fiscal Health Index 2025

• Fiscal Health Index 2025, released by NITI Aayog, show how well Indian states are managing their money. It checks how states earn income, spend on development and handle debt. The report helps us know which states are using their resources wisely. Know the names of top-10 best performing states in the Fiscal Health Index 2025.

• Odisha is the top state in the Fiscal Health Index 2025. It scored the highest due to its excellent debt management, smart spending and good revenue collection. Chhattisgarh ranks second, showing strong performance in balancing its income and expenses, with a good debt profile.
• Goa takes the third spot, mainly because of its high revenue collection. These states have managed their finances well, which helps them invest more in public services and development.
• Fiscal Health Index is a report by NITI Aayog that checks how well Indian states manage their finances. It studies 18 major states based on their income, spending, population and role in the economy. The FHI gives a fair comparison of states using common measures, helping them understand their performance and make better financial decisions for the future.

Taliban Suspends Chess In Afghanistan

• Taliban regime in Afghanistan has officially suspended the sport of chess, citing concerns over its compatibility with Islamic law. The suspension of chess marks the Taliban’s continued enforcement of religious interpretations on Afghan society.
• With chess players and café owners expressing dismay, this ban has drawn international attention for its implications on freedom of expression, recreation, and mental health in the country. Previous bans: MMA competitions, various cultural activities, women’s sports.

• Religious grounds: Chess is considered to encourage gambling, which is forbidden in Islam under the Taliban’s interpretation. In Kabul, cafés that hosted informal chess gatherings have stopped the activity.
• Chess was a popular recreational outlet, especially for young people.
• Café owners like Azizullah Gulzada say the ban affects mental well-being and business operations.

Virat Kohli Retires From Test Cricket

• Indian Cricket Legend Virat Kohli Has Officially Announced His Retirement From Test Cricket, Marking The End Of A Historic And Transformative Chapter In The Sport. Over A 14-year-long Test Career, Virat Kohli Played 123 Matches, Scoring An Impressive 9230 Runs At An Average Of 46.85.

• His Highest Score Came In 2019, A Phenomenal 254 Not Out Against South Africa. Kohli’s Tally Includes 30 Centuries And 31 Half-centuries, Placing Him Among India’s All-time Greats. With These Numbers, Kohli Retires As India’s Fourth-highest Run-scorer In Test Cricket, Behind Only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, And Sunil Gavaskar.

Pangenome Of Rice

• Scientists revealed a pioneering pangenome for rice. This reference genome integrates genetic data from 144 wild and cultivated rice varieties across Asia. The initiative mirrors the Human Genome Project, aiming to enhance rice cultivation.
• Rice serves as a staple for nearly two-thirds of the global population. The pangenome project is vital for developing new rice cultivars with improved traits, particularly in the face of climate change.

• A pangenome differs from a traditional reference genome. It encompasses both common genes and unique genetic sequences across various rice varieties. This comprehensive approach provides a clearer picture of genetic diversity. The pangenome for rice includes 69,531 identified genes, with 28,907 being core genes and 13,728 specific to wild rice.
• This genetic wealth can lead to better understanding of rice adaptability and resilience. Rice production is impacted by climate change. Rising temperatures affect yields and increase arsenic uptake in rice. India, a major rice producer, has seen its average temperature rise by 0.7º C since 1901.

• The record heat in 2024, with temperatures 0.9º C above average, poses a threat to rice cultivation. Addressing these challenges is crucial for food security. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed genome-edited rice varieties, Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010. These varieties promise higher yields and improved drought resistance. However, their release to farmers is pending. The integration of pangenome data can further enhance these developments, ensuring that new cultivars are resilient and productive. The study confirmed that all Asian cultivated rice descends from a wild variety, Or-IIIa, a close relative of O. rufipogon.
• This evolutionary insight is crucial for understanding domestication pathways. The research marks the importance of wild rice in breeding programs, as it harbours valuable traits for climate resilience. The findings from the rice pangenome project open new avenues for research. By bridging the gap between wild and cultivated rice, scientists can develop superior varieties. These improved cultivars can incorporate traits that enhance resilience to environmental changes. The ongoing study of rice genetics will play a very important role in global food security.

Deepika Kumari Clinches Bronze

• India’s top archer, Deepika Kumari, secured a bronze medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 held in Shanghai on May 11, 2025. After a tough semifinal loss to world No. 1 Lim Sihyeon, Deepika displayed remarkable resilience and composure to defeat Korea’s Kang Chae Young 7-3 in the bronze medal playoff.

• This victory brought India’s medal tally at the event to six, further establishing the country’s prowess in archery. The Archery World Cup is a competition organized by World Archery, where the archers compete in four stages in four countries and the best eight archers of each category (from 2010, four archers during 2006–09) advance to an additional stage to contest the Archery World Cup Final.

• Started in 2006, this form of competition was introduced following the success of the 2003 World Archery Championships in New York and the 2004 Summer Olympics. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. It was declared as the national sport in 1971, and the sport is deeply ingrained in Bhutanese culture. Bhutanese archery involves a unique style of shooting at a target placed 145 meters away.

Current Affairs 13 May 2025 Question

1. Which state topped the Fiscal Health Index 2025 released by NITI Aayog
   A. Goa
   B. Chhattisgarh
   C. Odisha
   D. Maharashtra
   ANSWER: A
2. What was the primary reason for Odisha securing the top position in the Fiscal
   Health Index 2025
   A. High population growth
   B. Excellent debt management and good revenue collection
   C. High industrial output
   D. Central government funding
   ANSWER: B
3. Who secured the bronze medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai
   on May 11, 2025
   A. Lim Sihyeon
   B. Kang Chae Young
   C. Deepika Kumari
   D. Atanu Das
   ANSWER: C
4. Which country’s archer did Deepika Kumari defeat to win the bronze medal
   A. China
   B. Japan
   C. South Korea
   D. Thailand
   ANSWER: C
5. What stage of negotiation has the India-EU Free Trade Agreement entered
   recently
   A. Initial Talks
   B. Review Phase
   C. Two-stage Approach
   D. Finalization
   ANSWER: C
6. How many Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs)/Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
   has India signed so far
   A. 10
   B. 11
   C. 13
   D. 15
   ANSWER: C
7. What launch vehicle was used to launch CARTOSAT-3?
   A. GSLV Mk III
   B. PSLV-C47
   C. GSLV Mk II
   D. SSLV-D1
   ANSWER: B
8. How many satellites are currently working round-the-clock for India’s strategic
   purposes, according to ISRO
   A. 5
   B. 7
   C. 10
   D. 15
   ANSWER: C
9. name of mission involving development of 52 surveillance satellites for India
   A. GSAT Mission
   B. Gaganyaan Mission
   C. Space-Based Surveillance-3 (SBS-3)
   D. Bharat Sat Project
   ANSWER: C
10. At what altitude did DRDO successfully conduct the maiden flight trials of its
    Stratospheric Airship Platform
    A. 10 km
    B. 22 km
    C. 30 km
    D. 17 km
    ANSWER: D
11. Which high-precision weapon used by the Indian Air Force in Operation
    Sindoor is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile developed by MBDA
    A. HAMMER
    B. Loitering Munition
    C. SCALP
    D. BrahMos
    ANSWER: C
12. How many test matches virat kohli played
    A. 112
    B. 123
    C. 118
    D. 130
    ANSWER: B
13. Which State Secured First Position In Implementing Pradhan Mantri
    Formalisation Of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme
    A. Madhya Pradesh
    B. Bihar
    C. Jharkhand
    D. Andhra Pradesh
    ANSWER: B
14. Global Methane Tracker 2025 Is Released By Which Organization
    A. International Energy Agency (IEA)
    B. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
    C. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
    D. World Bank
    ANSWER: A
15. Where Was The 10th International Trade Fair Organized
    A. Turkey
    B. Nepal
    C. Bhutan
    D. China
    ANSWER: B
16. Songar Drones Are Armed Unmanned Aerial Systems Developed By Which
    Country
    A. Israel
    B. Turkey
    C. Russia
    D. India
    ANSWER: B
17. Who Led The Indian Government’s Briefing About Operation Sindoor,
    Launched In Response To The April 2025 Pahalgam Terrorist Attack
    A. General Anil Chauhan and Air Marshal Rakesh Bhadauria
    B. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
    C. Admiral Karambir Singh and Major General Alok Sharma
    D. Lieutenant General Arjun Raj and Group Captain Neha Menon
    ANSWER: B
18. Which City Launched The ‘Sanchari Cauvery’ And ‘Sarala Cauvery’ Water
    Supply Initiatives
    A. Mumbai
    B. Hyderabad
    C. Bengaluru
    D. Chennai
    ANSWER: C
19. What Is One Of The Dual Celebration Dates For World Migratory Bird Day
    2025
    A. November 14
    B. May 10
    C. May 11
    D. March 5
    ANSWER: B
20. Saga Dawa, A Buddhist Festival, Recently Celebrated In Which State
    A. Sikkim
    B. Nagaland
    C. Assam
    D. Manipur
    ANSWER: A