On May 19 2025, India and the world witnessed significant developments across various sectors. India saw several key developments this week across governance, employment, technology, and social issues. The government strengthened its digital ambitions through the India Semiconductor Mission. A new format of the Periodic Labour Force Survey was launched for better labour data. Justice B.R. Gavai took oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, and a new UPSC Chairman was appointed. Puducherry renewed its demand for full statehood, while the World Food Prize 2024 highlighted global efforts in food security.

Awareness regarding daily UPSC current affairs is crucial for cracking the UPSC Prelims, excelling in UPSC Mains. It helps perform well in the UPSC personality test, thus becoming an informed and effective UPSC civil servant.

Below are the current affairs and headlines of the day taken from The Hindu, Indian Express, Press Information Bureau & All India Radio as required for UPSC preparation:

Bird-Wing Solar Eruption

Why In News?

On May 14, 2025, a massive solar eruption, now being referred to as the “Bird-Wing Eruption”, was observed by astronomers. The term “bird-wing” is derived from the distinct, expansive shape of the solar filament that looked like wings spread across the solar surface. This event is being hailed as one of the most powerful solar activities of the decade due to its sheer scale and potential implications for Earth.

The eruption originated from a hyperactive sunspot region known as AR4–087. It unleashed both a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and a powerful X-class solar flare, confirming the magnitude of solar unrest currently underway.

Key Characteristics:

Massive Size and Visual Appearance

The solar filament associated with this eruption extended across approximately 600,000 miles—more than twice the distance between the Earth and Moon. This enormous arc of plasma and magnetic field resembled the outstretched wings of a bird, hence the evocative name.

X2.7-Class Solar Flare

The event included a high-intensity X2.7-class solar flare, placing it among the most powerful in the solar flare classification system. Solar flares are categorized into five groups: A, B, C, M, and X—each representing a tenfold increase in energy output. X-class flares are the most extreme, capable of triggering significant disturbances in Earth's electromagnetic environment.

Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)

The eruption also involved a large CME—an expulsion of charged particles and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona. Although the bulk of this CME is directed away from Earth, a segment of it is expected to collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, potentially resulting in geomagnetic storms.

Monitoring and Response:

Space agencies across the globe, including national observatories, are actively tracking the aftermath of this eruption. Satellite data is being analyzed in real time to predict the arrival window and intensity of the incoming CME component.

Infrastructure operators—particularly those in aviation, telecommunications, navigation, and power sectors—have been alerted to the potential risks. Satellite operators are reviewing their systems to ensure that spacecraft remain protected during peak magnetic turbulence.

Precautionary measures are already in place, such as placing satellites into safe mode and rerouting flights over polar regions where solar radiation levels can spike during such events.

India Semiconductor Mission

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance)

In News:

• The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a display driver chip manufacturing unit at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.

• This unit will be set up as a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn.

• It marks the sixth semiconductor unit approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

Key Data Points

• Investment Approved: ₹3,700 crore.
• Location: Jewar, near the upcoming Jewar Airport in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) region.
• Production Capacity: 36 million display driver chips/month.
• End-Use Applications: Chips will be used in mobile phones, laptops, PCs, automobiles, etc.
• The unit will fulfill up to 40% of India’s display chip demand.
• Strategic Relevance: Closes a critical gap in India's display and electronics value chain.

Revamped Periodic Labour Force Survey

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance)

In News:

• The Union Government has revamped the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) to include rural employment data and release labour statistics on a monthly and quarterly basis.

• The move aims to generate high-frequency, more granular employment- unemployment indicators for both rural and urban India.

• The first monthly bulletin (April 2025) is scheduled for release in May 2025, and the first quarterly rural-urban combined report (April–June 2025) will be released in August 2025.

What are the New Changes brought in PLFS (2025)?

New UPSC Chairman Appointed

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance)

In News:

• Ajay Kumar, former Defence Secretary and retired IAS officer of the 1985 Kerala cadre, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

• His appointment follows the completion of the tenure of Preeti Sudan on April 29, 2025.

Constitutional Provisions

Justice BR Gavai sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Polity)

In News:

• Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• He succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna and will hold office for over six months, until November 23, 2025.

• He is the first Buddhist Chief Justice of India and comes from a Dalit background.

Constitutional Provisions related to CJI

Appointment of the Chief Justice of India

• Constitutional Basis: Article 124(2) – The President appoints every judge of the Supreme Court, including the CJI.
• Conventional Practice:
  • Followed the seniority principle since the 1970s.
  • The senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is appointed as the CJI. 
• Process:
  • Incumbent CJI recommends the name of their successor (based on seniority).
  • The recommendation is sent to the Union Law Ministry.
  • The file is forwarded to the Prime Minister, who advises the President.
  • The President of India formally appoints the recommended judge as the CJI.

Puducherry demands for Statehood

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance)

In News:

• A signature campaign has been launched in Puducherry by various social organisations demanding full statehood.

• Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has supported the campaign by signing the petition.

• Earlier in 2025, the Puducherry Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution urging the Central Government to grant statehood.

Read the article on Statehood For Delhi!

Arguments in Favour of Granting Statehood to Puducherry

• Democratic Representation: A full state will have greater autonomy and enhanced powers for its elected representatives.

• Avoids Administrative Conflicts: Frequent clashes between the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor over executive authority can be resolved.

• Better Resource Control: Full authority over land, police, and public order would allow more effective development planning.

• Public Sentiment: Consistent popular and political support across party lines; reflects the aspiration of the local population.

• Legal Precedents: Other small UTs like Goa and Himachal Pradesh were granted statehood successfully.

Arguments Against Granting Statehood

• Small Size and Population: Puducherry has limited demographic and economic strength, which may not support full state machinery.

• Fragmented Geography: Puducherry is composed of four non-contiguous enclaves—Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam—spread across three states.

• Administrative Cost: Higher cost of governance with the creation of full- fledged institutions.

• Centre-State Relations: Could complicate inter-state coordination due to location in different states.

Know more about the Formation Dates of States in India!

World Food Prize 2024

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

In News:

• Mariangela Hungria, a Brazilian microbiologist, has been awarded the 2024 World Food Prize for her pioneering work in biological nitrogen fixation.

• She was honoured for her four-decade-long research on replacing chemical fertilizers with biological alternatives that increase crop yield while protecting the environment.

• Reinforces the growing importance of climate-resilient agriculture in meeting SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 13: Climate Action.

Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF)

A natural process in which soil bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), which plants can use.

• Hungria studied how specific bacteria interact with plant roots, particularly legumes like soybeans, to fix nitrogen biologically.
• This reduces the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which:
  • Are costly
  • Contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
  • Cause waterway pollution
• Project:
  • Conducted pilot projects and test plots to prove the efficacy of biological methods.
  • Helped farmers transition to bio-based inputs without compromising crop yields.
  • Worked extensively with Brazilian farmers, especially in the soybean sector.
• Impact on Crop Yields
  • Increased yields for:
    • Soybeans (most notable)
    • Wheat
• Brazil is now the world's largest soybean producer, surpassing the USA, in part due to her efforts.

Know more about the World Food Programme (WFP)!