In Current Affairs for 17 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 17 May 2025
‘Ek Desh Ek Dhadkan’
- Ministry of Culture has launched a powerful and binding initiative, Ek Desh Ek Dhadkan (One Nation, One Heartbeat), to honour the bravehearts of the nation. The slogan Ek Desh Ek Dhadkan is being widely adopted across digital platforms, amplifying the spirit of unity, patriotic fervour and reverence for the Tiranga.
- The campaign has already begun to resonate strongly with citizens across India. Over the past 48 hours, all 43 institutions under its aegis of the Ministry of Culture have shown cohesive and enthusiastic participation. The Ministry said, prominent cultural institutions and heritage sites have been illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag. Under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India, more than 60 heritage monuments across the country have been lit with the tricolour.
58th Jnanpith Award
- President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award on Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya at a function in New Delhi. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and the renowned Urdu poet and lyricist Gulzar have been selected for this prestigious award for 2023.
- These eminent personalities have been honoured with this award for their outstanding contribution in the field of literature.
- Speaking on the occasion, the president congratulated Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and Gulzar for the Jnanpith Award. However, Gulzar could not attend the award ceremony as he is not well. President Murmu said that literature unites and awakens society. The president said, from the social awakening of the 19th century to the country’s freedom struggle in the 20th century, poets and writers have played a great role in connecting people. She said the song ‘Vande Mataram’, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has been awakening the children of Mother India for almost 150 years and will always do so.
- Speaking about Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, the president said that he has set an inspiring example of excellence. She expressed confidence that by taking inspiration from his glorious life, future generations will continue to move ahead on the right path in literary creation, society-building, and nation-building.
- The President praised the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust for awarding outstanding litterateurs of various Indian languages since 1965.
- She stated that in the process of awarding outstanding literary figures in Indian languages, the selectors of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Award have selected the best literary figures and have preserved and promoted the dignity of this award.
- The first recipient of the award was the Malayalam writer G. Sankara Kurup who received the award in 1965 for his collection of poems, Odakkuzhal (The Bamboo Flute), published in 1950.
- In 1976, Bengali novelist Ashapoorna Devi became the first woman to win the award and was honoured for the 1965 novel Prothom Protishruti (The First Promise), the first in a trilogy. The most recent recipient of the award is the Hindi author Vinod Kumar Shukla, awarded for the year of 2024.
Aadhaar Authentications Cross 150 Billion Mark
- Total number of Aadhaar authentication transactions has crossed the 150 billion mark, making it a milestone moment in the journey of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and for the broader Aadhaar ecosystem.
- The landmark highlights the extensive usage and utility of Aadhaar and the growth of the digital economy in the country. The Ministry of Electronics and IT, in a statement, said that the cumulative number was achieved by the end of April 2025 since its inception.
- The ministry added that in April alone, almost 210 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions were carried out, which is nearly eight percent more than the same month in 2024.
- It added that Aadhaar-based authentication has been playing a stellar role in aiding ease of living, in effective welfare delivery, and in voluntarily availing various services offered by service providers. Aadhaar e-KYC service continues to play a key role in improving customer experience and adding ease of doing business in sectors including banking and non-banking financial services. Besides, more than 100 entities in both the government and the private sector are using face authentication for the smooth delivery of benefits and services.
Jenu Kuruba
- Jenu Kuruba families have recently begun reoccupying their traditional forest homes within Nagarhole National Park. This quiet but significant move marks a return to roots for a tribe deeply entwined with the ecology, mythology, and rhythms of the Nilgiri biosphere, which spans parts of Karnataka and Kerala.
- The Jenu Kuruba, whose name derives from the Kannada word ‘Jenu’, meaning honey, are an indigenous forest-dwelling tribe numbering around 37,000 people. Traditionally found in the Nilgiris region, they are honey gatherers, forest cultivators, and guardians of jungle knowledge.
- Historically, they lived in huts deep within the forest, practicing shifting cultivation and relying on the collection of minor forest produce for sustenance. Their lifestyle was semi-nomadic, guided by the seasonal rhythms of the forest. The oral traditions of the Jenu Kuruba people preserve their knowledge of flora, fauna, and forest spirits, while their songs and dances depict agricultural life, marriage customs, mythologies, and rituals rooted in their sacred landscape.
50th Anniversary of Sikkim’s Statehood
- Sikkim Statehood Day 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s historic integration into the Indian Union. The celebrations on May 16, 2025, are especially significant as they commemorate the golden jubilee of the state’s political, cultural, and constitutional journey.
- The year 2025 is particularly special as it commemorates the 50th anniversary—the golden jubilee—of Sikkim’s statehood. Sikkim is India’s second smallest and one of its most beautiful states. Despite its compact size of 7096 sq. km, it has extraordinary biodiversity, including the Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- With Gangtok as its capital, the state is bordered by Tibet to the north and northeast, Bhutan to the southeast, West Bengal to the south, and Nepal to the west.
- Its population of just over 6 lakhs enjoys a high literacy rate of 81.4%. The state is famed for its peaceful landscapes, rich cultural diversity, and the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga, India’s highest peak.
- Before 1975, Sikkim was a sovereign Himalayan kingdom, ruled by the Namgyal dynasty since 1642. Though it came under British influence in the 19th century, Sikkim maintained its monarchical governance structure.
- After India’s independence in 1947, Sikkim became an Indian protectorate in 1950, retaining its internal autonomy while India took control of its external affairs, defence, and communications. This special arrangement continued until 1975, when sweeping political changes unfolded.
- The crucial turning point came in 1974, when Sikkim’s elected assembly approved a new constitution that called for closer integration with India. This led to a referendum in 1975, where more than 97% of the people voted in favor of joining India. On May 16, 1975, Sikkim was officially merged into India and was granted full statehood.
Pankaj Advani
- Pankaj Advani, India’s most decorated cueist, won the 2025 CCI Billiards Classic title, held at the Cricket Club of India (CCI), Mumbai, by defeating Dhruv Sitwala 5-2 in the final match. The win marks Advani’s third title at the CCI Billiards Classic and adds to his astonishing tally of 28 world championships across billiards, snooker, and pool.
- Winner: Pankaj Advani
- Runner-up: Dhruv Sitwala
- Final Score: 5-2
- Venue: Cricket Club of India (CCI), Mumbai
- Prize Money : Winner (Advani): ₹2.5 lakh, Runner-up (Sitwala): ₹1.5 lakh
- Background on Pankaj Advani
- Has won 28 World Titles in cue sports.
- Known for his dominance in billiards, snooker, and pool.
- Previously won the CCI Billiards Classic twice before 2025.
Neeraj Chopra Breaks 90m Mark,
- Star Indian Javelin Thrower Neeraj Chopra finished second at the 2025 Doha Diamond League Men’s Javelin Throw event. Despite a record-breaking 90.23 meter throw, Neeraj had to settle behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who startled everyone with a final throw of 91.06 meters.
Current Affairs 17 May 2025 Question
- Who received the 58th Jnanpith Award along with Gulzar
A. Pankaj Advani
B. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Ji
C. Ashapoorna Devi
D. G. Sankara Kurup
ANSWER: B - What is the Jnanpith Award given for
A. Excellence in sports
B. Contribution to aviation
C. Outstanding contribution towards literature
D. Social service
ANSWER: C - When was the Jnanpith Award instituted
A. 1955
B. 1961
C. 1975
D. 1980
ANSWER: B - Who was the first recipient of the Jnanpith Award
A. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Ji
B. Ashapoorna Devi
C. G. Sankara Kurup
D. Gulzar
ANSWER: C - Koraput Kalajeera Rice Got GI Status, Is Cultivated In Which State
A. Punjab
B. Odisha
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Uttar Pradesh
ANSWER: B - Which novel earned Ashapoorna Devi the Jnanpith Award in 1976
A. Odakkuzhal
B. Prothom Protishruti
C. Godaan
D. The Bamboo Flute
ANSWER: B - On which date is World Telecommunication Day celebrated
A. 15 May
B. 16 May
C. 17 May
D. 18 May
ANSWER: C - What event is commemorated on the International Day of Light in 2025
A. Invention of the bulb
B. Discovery of laser
C. 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s merger with India
D. Solar eclipse
ANSWER: C - Where was the 2025 CCI Billiards Classic held
A. Delhi
B. Bengaluru
C. Mumbai
D. Hyderabad
ANSWER: C - Who did Pankaj Advani defeat to win the 2025 CCI Billiards Classic
A. Geet Sethi
B. Aditya Mehta
C. Dhruv Sitwala
D. Sourav Kothari
ANSWER: C - ‘Ek Desh Ek Dhadkan’ Launched By
A. Ministry Of Tourism
B. Ministry Of Culture
C. Ministry Of education
D. None Of The Above
ANSWER: B - Madku Dweep , Is Located In Which State
A. Odisha
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Chhattisgarh
ANSWER: D - Which Organization Has Developed A High-pressure Nanoporous Multilayered
Polymeric Membrane For Seawater Desalination
A. Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
B. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
C. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
D. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
ANSWER: B - Where Was The Inclusive India Summit 2025 Organized
A. New Delhi
B. Mumbai
C. Chennai
D. Hyderabad
ANSWER: A - The International Day Of Families Is Observed On Which Day Every Year
A. 13 May
B. 14 May
C. 15 May
D. 16 May
ANSWER: C - Which Country Inaugurated The World’s First Commercial-scale E-methanol
Production Plant In 2025
A. Norway
B. Denmark
C. Germany
D. Sweden
ANSWER: B - Who Was Awarded Honorary Rank Of Lieutenant Colonel In The Territorial
Army In Recognition Of Their Contribution To Indian Athletics
A. Neeraj Chopra
B. Abhinav Bindra
C. Bajrang Punia
D. Ravi Dahiya
ANSWER: A - Which Indian State Launched The Cyber Crime Refund Portal And The I-pragati
Portal To Boost Digital Policing And Citizen Services
A. Rajasthan
B. Maharashtra
C. Haryana
D. Gujarat
ANSWER: D - Which Country Launched Its First Cluster Of Carbon Capture And Utilisation
(CCU) Testbeds Targeting The Cement Sector In 2025
A. China
B. Germany
C. United Kingdom
D. India
ANSWER: D - Who Has Been Appointed As The Chairman Of The BRICS Chamber Of
Commerce & Industry
A. Rajiv Khanna
B. Anil Mehta
C. Suresh Iyer
D. Harvansh Chawla
ANSWER: D
