The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, today unveiled the official theme for National Technology Day 2025 — “YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration.”
This year’s celebrations will be held on 11th May 2025 under the aegis of TDB-DST.
The Union government has terminated the services of R P Gupta, chairman and managing director of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), with immediate effect. The order, issued, did not specify any reason for his termination.
Gupta, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer of Gujarat cadre, had served his last posting as secretary, ministry of environment, forest and climate change.
Gupta was at the helm of SECI since June 2023, and his tenure was scheduled to end next month.
SECI was the first REIA appointed by the MNRE in 2011 to tender RE projects, including solar, wind, hybrid, FDRE and battery storage. Of the 40 GW, SECI accounts for close to 12 GW of projects where power sale agreements (PSAs) or power purchase agreements (PPAs) are pending.
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier telecom R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Synergy Quantum India Private Limited, a cutting-edge deep-tech company engaged in the field of quantum technologies.
The MoU aims to formalize cooperation between C-DOT and Synergy Quantum in the development of Drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems, leveraging the decoy-based BB84 protocol with polarization encoding, at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or above.
The Taliban has officially suspended the sport of chess in Afghanistan, citing concerns over gambling and religious alignment. The suspension, announced by the country’s Sports Directorate, will remain in place until religious scholars determine whether the game is compatible with Islamic principles.
This is not the first time the Taliban has intervened in the sporting lives of the Afghan citizens. Ever since 2021, all women have been barred from participating in any kind of sport — professional or recreational. The suspension erased years of progress made by Afghanistan’s female athletes, including the national women’s cricket team.
Authorities have also outlawed mixed martial arts (MMA), calling it “too violent” and “contrary to the teachings of Sharia”. Face-punching in professional sports was effectively prohibited by Taliban decree soon after their return.
At the Archery World Cup Stage 2, India finished its campaign with seven medals, including two gold, one silver and four bronze medals in Shanghai, China. India’s Parth Sushant Salunkhe clinched a Bronze medal in Men’s Individual Recurve, while Deepika Kumari also won a Bronze in Women’s Individual Recurve event.
In the playoffs, Parth Salunkhe defeated France’s Olympic medallist Baptiste Addis 6-4 the and Deepika Kumari outclassed Republic of Korea’s Kang Chae-young 7-3.
Moreover, Madhura Dhamangaonkar clinched a gold medal in the women’s compound event, while,
the Indian men’s trio of Abhishek Verma, Rishabh Yadav and Ojas Deotale finished at the top of the podium in the compound team category. The women’s team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi and Madhura grabbed the women’s compound team silver. Madhura and Abhishek also won a bronze in the compound mixed team event.
Rishabh also won a bronze medal in the men’s compound event.
Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test Cricket, bringing down the curtain on a stellar 14-year journey in whites. His announcement marks the end of an era in Indian Test cricket.
India’s Nirupama Devi finished 4th in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Jiangshan, China, today. The 24-year-old Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships medallist managed 115 kg in clean and jerk, adding to her 91 kg snatch for a total of 206kg in the non-Olympic category.
China’s Li Shuang won the gold with an effort of 239 kg, while Filipina lifter Elreen Ann Ando clinched the silver for her 232 kg effort. South Korea’s Mun Min-hee claimed bronze with a total of 214 kg.
In a historic moment for the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope on May 8, 2025, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. At 69, he becomes the first American-born pope, marking a significant milestone in the Church's global evolution.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost grew up in Dolton, a suburb south of the city. His upbringing was deeply rooted in service: his father, Louis Marius Prevost, was a US Navy veteran and school administrator, while his mother, Mildred Martínez, brought a Spanish heritage that shaped his multicultural worldview. He is the middle of three brothers.
President Droupadi Murmu has nominated Supreme Court judge Surya Kant as the executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
Justice B R Gavai, judge, Supreme Court of India, was the previous executive chairman of NALSA. As per convention, the post is occupied by the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Justice Gavai is set to be sworn in as the 52nd CJI on May 14.
Justice Surya Kant is currently the chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.
The NALSA said prior to his nomination as the executive chairman, Justice Surya Kant has played a significant role in advancing access to justice and has been a strong proponent of legal aid and institutional reforms.
Credifin Limited has unveiled its latest initiative to power India’s green mobility revolution. On May 12, 2025, the company announced the launch of its new EV StartUp Loans product, aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and accelerating the growth of electric vehicle (EV) businesses nationwide.
Credifin is leveraging its robust presence-spanning over 200 locations across 13 states-to reach aspiring entrepreneurs and support the establishment of 1,000 new EV businesses over the next two to three years.
The EV StartUp Loans are designed to provide financial assistance of up to Rs. 50 lakh to individuals and companies interested in launching EV dealerships or,
related ventures. This loan amount can be increased on a case-by-case basis, reflecting Credifin’s commitment to tailoring support for ambitious business plans. The initiative is not limited to funding alone; Credifin’s comprehensive approach includes facilitating tie-ups with more than 100 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the e-rickshaw, L5, and EV two-wheeler.
Ganni Veeranjaneyulu has been appointed as the new chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank (APCOB). This appointment was officially confirmed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, marking a significant development in the state’s cooperative banking sector.
Veeranjaneyulu will also simultaneously serve as the chairman of the Eluru District Cooperative Central Bank (DCCB), holding two key positions that underscore his influence and experience in the cooperative movement of Andhra Pradesh.
The selection of Veeranjaneyulu as APCOB chairman followed a competitive process involving other prominent leaders from the Kamma community,
including former minister Nettem Raghuram from NTR district and Makkena Mallikarjuna Rao from Guntur district. Both were considered strong contenders due to their political standing and the lack of cabinet representation from their respective regions.
The United Nations designated 12 May the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development.
This year, the International Day of Plant Health calls on everyone to raise awareness and take action to keep plants, animals, humans and the environment healthy.
Plant health is the foundation of food security and is interconnected with human, animal and environmental health.
