DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2025 (13th May)

Business and Economy ❖ C-DOT (Centre for Development of

1. SEBI & IEPFA launch 'Niveshak Shivir' to help Telematics) has signed a Memorandum of
investors reclaim unclaimed shares and dividends Understanding (MoU) with Synergy Quantum
India Private Limited.
❖ The collaboration focuses on developing drone-
based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
systems utilizing the decoy-based BB84
protocol with polarization encoding.
❖ The goal is to reach a Technology Readiness
Level (TRL) of 6 or higher.
❖ This initiative supports India’s “Atmanirbhar
Bharat” vision, promoting indigenous
❖ Market regulator Securities and Exchange innovation in secure telecom technologies.
Board of India (SEBI) and the Investor ❖ The partnership will involve joint research on
Education and Protection Fund Authority quantum communication technologies for drone
(IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate applications, co-creating research proposals for
Affairs, convene a strategic preparatory meeting funding, and organizing academic events.
in Mumbai for Niveshak Shivir initiative.
❖ Niveshak Shivir aims to assist investors in
International Affairs
reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares,
improve financial literacy, and reduce reliance 3. Bhutan and Binance Pay partner to launch
on intermediaries. world's first national-level crypto tourism
❖ The initiative will include dedicated helpdesks payment system
for direct interaction between investors and
company representatives/RTAs.
❖ Niveshak Shivir will start later this month in
Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with plans to expand
to more cities.
❖ Shareholders in dematerialised form should
contact the respective company for support;
those in physical form should check the IEPFA
website for status and file claims if necessary.
❖ IEPFA offers a search facility for shareholders
to verify the status of their shares, facilitating
timely claims. ❖ Bhutan has become the first nation to implement
a national-level crypto payment system for
Agreement and MoU tourism.
2. C-DOT and Synergy Quantum partner to develop
❖ The initiative allows travelers with Binance
drone-based quantum key distribution
accounts to experience cashless journeys.
technology
❖ Collaboration between Binance Pay and
Bhutan's DK Bank enables a seamless digital
payment experience.
❖ Over 100 merchants are now accepting
payments through DK Bank and Binance Pay.
❖ Travelers can use Binance Pay to pay for
various aspects of their trip, including:
▪ Airline tickets to Bhutan
▪ Tourist visas and Sustainable Development
Fee (SDF)

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 DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2025 (13th May)
▪ Hotel bookings ▪ Planting of 1.4 billion seedlings under the
▪ Tour guides Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother)
▪ Monument entry fees campaign.
▪ Local shopping ❖ Invited UN Member States to join the
❖ Payments are made quickly and securely using International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) for the
static and dynamic QR codes. conservation of the seven big cat species.
❖ Bhutan prioritizes Gross National Happiness
(GNH), emphasizing sustainability, cultural Reports and Ranks
preservation, and societal well-being. 5. Total Fertility Rate remains constant at 2.0 in
❖ This initiative aims to enhance travel 2021: report
experiences, empower local communities, and
integrate tradition with technology.

Summit and Conference

4. 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on
Forests held in New York

❖ The Total Fertility Rate (TFR), the average

number of children per woman, in the country
has remained constant at 2.0 in 2021, the same
as the year 2020, according to the Sample
Registration System (SRS) report for 2021
released by the Registrar General of India
❖ India participated in the 20th session of the (RGI).
United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20), ❖ The TFR decreased from 2.2 in NFHS-4 (2015–
held at the United Nations Headquarters in New 16) to 2.0 in NFHS-5 (2019–21), reflecting a
York. nationwide trend towards smaller family sizes.
❖ India highlighted its significant progress in ❖ While most states have TFRs below the
forest conservation and sustainable forest replacement level, a few states, including Bihar
management, reaffirming its commitment to (3.0), Meghalaya (2.91), Uttar Pradesh (2.35),
achieving the Voluntary National Contributions Jharkhand (2.30), and Manipur (2.17), continue
(VNCs) under the United Nations Strategic Plan to have higher fertility rates.
for Forests 2017–2030. ❖ Urban areas generally exhibit lower fertility
❖ India reported a consistent increase in forest and rates compared to rural regions. For instance,
tree cover, now encompassing 25.17% of its Delhi's TFR is 1.57, whereas Bihar's rural TFR
geographical area as per the latest India State of stands at 3.19.
Forest Report. ❖ Similarly, as per the Sample Registration
❖ Key initiatives included: System Statistical Report 2021, the downward
▪ Restoration of land under the Aravalli trend of child mortality indicators continued.
Green Wall. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of the country
▪ 7.86% increase in mangrove cover over the has declined from 39 per 1000 live births in
past decade. 2014 to 27 per 1000 live births in 2021.
▪ Afforestation of over 1.55 lakh hectares
under the Green India Mission.

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 DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2025 (13th May)
❖ Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has declined and setting a common fixed price for paddy
from 26 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 19 per straw.
1000 live births in 2021. ❖ States must map every village farm, assign a
❖ Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) has nodal officer for groups of farmers, replace
declined from 45 per 1000 live births in 2014 to outdated crop-residue management (CRM)
31 per 1000 live births in 2021. The Sex Ratio machines, and complete new procurements by
at Birth improves from 899 in 2014 to 913 in August.
2021. ❖ CRM machines will be made available for rent-
❖ As per SRS 2021 Report, Eight (8) States have free use by small and marginal farmers through
already attained SDG target of MMR (<=70 by agricultural facilities.
2030): Kerala (20), Maharashtra (38), ❖ An online platform for real-time data on paddy
Telangana (45), Andhra Pradesh (46), Tamil residue generation must be developed, along
Nadu (49), Jharkhand (51), Gujarat (53), with district-level supply chain plans and
Karnataka (63). storage yards.
❖ Twelve (12) States/UT have already attained ❖ Other initiatives include using straw pellets for
SDG target of U5MR (<=25 by 2030): Kerala co-firing in brick kilns and piloting straw-based
(8), Delhi (14), Tamil Nadu (14), Jammu & boilers for industrial steam supply.
Kashmir (16), Maharashtra (16), West Bengal ❖ The Parali Protection Force will consist of
(20), Karnataka (21), Punjab (22), Telangana police, agriculture, and civic officers focusing
(22), Himachal Pradesh (23), Andhra Pradesh on monitoring stubble burning, particularly in
(24) and Gujarat (24). the evenings to counter satellite detection.
❖ Six (6) States/ UT have already attained SDG ❖ Farmers who burn straw face penalties,
target of NMR (<=12 by 2030): Kerala (4), including "red entries" in land records and
Delhi (8), Tamil Nadu (9), Maharashtra (11), environmental fines.
Jammu & Kashmir (12) and Himachal Pradesh ❖ Starting June, state-level committees will be
(12). established to monitor the implementation of
CAQM directives and provide monthly reports
National Affairs to the Commission.
6. CAQM issued 19-point directives to states
adjoining Delhi 7. Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal inaugurates
“Bharat Bodh Kendra” to Celebrate India’s
Cultural Legacy

❖ The Commission for Air Quality Management

(CAQM) has issued a 19-point directive to
Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to eliminate
❖ The India Habitat Centre (IHC) inaugurated the
stubble burning.
Bharat Bodh Kendra, a new section of the
❖ Key measures include establishing a new
Habitat Library & Resource Centre.
"Parali Protection Force" to patrol fields at night

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 DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2025 (13th May)
❖ The Bharat Bodh Kendra focuses on promoting ❖ This decision has sparked international criticism
awareness of India’s cultural and civilizational but is seen as unsurprising given the Taliban's
heritage. history of intervening in sports.
❖ It will feature a curated collection of books and ❖ Since 2021, women have been banned from
resources related to Indian art, music, participating in any sports, erasing significant
spirituality, history, and philosophy. progress for female athletes.
❖ The Kendra is accessible to IHC members and ❖ The Taliban has also outlawed mixed martial
designed as a quiet space for exploration and arts, calling it too violent and contrary to Islamic
learning. teachings.
❖ The suspension of chess is affecting
❖ The inauguration ceremony was led by Hon’ble
communities that relied on the game for social
Minister Shri Manohar Lal, who holds roles in
interaction, with reports of reduced youth
the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Housing
engagement in activities.
and Urban Affairs.
❖ The Minister praised IHC's green initiatives and
9. Deepika Kumari Clinches Bronze at Archery
urged further development of environmentally World Cup Stage 2
conscious practices.
❖ After the inauguration, a walkthrough of the
IHC campus was given to the Minister,
showcasing its architectural design and
environmental features.
❖ Attendees included notable figures such as Shri
Sanjay Kulshrestha and Shri Sanjay Shukla,
along with various Ministry and IHC officers.

Sports
8. Taliban Suspends Chess Across Afghanistan
❖ Deepika Kumari won a bronze medal at the
Over Gambling Concerns
Archery World Cup Stage 2 after losing in the
semifinals to world No. 1 Lim Sihyeon.
❖ Deepika lost the semifinal match 1-7,
experiencing a second consecutive defeat to
Lim at this stage of the competition.
❖ In the bronze medal playoff, Deepika faced
Kang Chae Young and won 7-3, showcasing
improved performance compared to the
semifinal.
❖ The match was closely contested, with Deepika
taking an early lead but allowing Kang to tie
❖ The Taliban has officially suspended chess in before regaining control in the fourth set.
Afghanistan, citing concerns over gambling and ❖ Deepika's victory secured India's sixth overall
religious alignment. medal at the event, with five medals coming
❖ The suspension was announced by the Sports from the compound section.
Directorate and will remain in place until ❖ Earlier in the semifinal, Deepika started
religious scholars assess its compatibility with nervously and struggled to regain momentum
Islamic principles. against Lim.
❖ The event also featured Parth Salunkhe, who
❖ Authorities claim chess is considered a source
reached the men's semifinal but is competing for
of gambling, which is prohibited under the
a bronze medal after losing to Kim Woojin.
Taliban's morality laws.

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 DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2025 (13th May)
Government Schemes Kharif 2020 and rejoined in Kharif 2022,
10. 97% of claims settled under PMFBY; Andhra causing delays.
Pradesh tops in pending payouts ❖ Maharashtra has ₹631 crore in pending claims,
and Rajasthan has ₹478 crore; Maharashtra
farmers filed the highest total claims (₹33,259
crore) under the schemes.
❖ The total claims reported is ₹1.38 lakh crore,
with ₹1.34 lakh crore disbursed, indicating
significant growth but also uneven performance
across states.
❖ Delays in claim payments are attributed to
issues like incorrect insurance proposals,
disputes over yield data, state fund release
❖ The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana delays, and staffing shortages among insurance
(PMFBY) and Restructured Weather-Based companies.
Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) have settled ❖ Small farmers experience significant hardships
97% of all reported claims in India, but gaps due to these delays, impacting their ability to
remain in certain states. fund subsequent sowing cycles.
❖ Full claim settlements achieved in Goa, ❖ PMFBY offers low premium rates: 2% for
Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu; Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for
while Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, commercial/horticultural crops, with state and
Andhra Pradesh, and Sikkim have low central governments sharing costs.
settlement rates (51% to 91%). ❖ Some states and union territories cover farmers'
❖ Andhra Pradesh has the highest shortfall in crop share of premiums, with promotional rates for
insurance payouts, with farmers awaiting specific regions.
₹1,842 crore; the state paused PMFBY from

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