India Opposes IMF’s $2.3 Billion Bailout for Pakistan, Abstains from Vote

Context: Recently, India opposed The International Monetary Fund (IMF) for approving a $2.3 billion bailout package for Pakistan.

India’s Reasons for Concern

• Poor Track Record: Pakistan has a history of not using development funds properly and not following the IMF’s rules when it borrows money.  
• Misuse of Funds: India worries that the money could be used for supporting terrorism across its borders.  
• Repeated Bailouts: Pakistan keeps needing more money from the IMF, which suggests that past loans haven’t really fixed its economic problems. 
  • This makes Pakistan a “too-big-to-fail” borrower for the IMF.  
• Reward for Terrorism: India believes that giving Pakistan more money rewards its continued support for cross-border terrorism, which sends a bad message to the world.

About IMF

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a global organization that helps promote economic growth, financial stability, and poverty reduction.
• The IMF was established in 1945 under the Bretton Woods Agreement. 
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Member countries: 191 
• IMF Voting rules
• • In the IMF’s executive board, countries cannot vote “no” on a proposal.
  • They have two options – Vote in favor (approve the proposal) or Abstain (stay neutral without rejecting or approving). 

Role of the IMF in Addressing Economic Crises

• Providing Financial Help: The IMF offers loans to countries facing economic challenges to help stabilize their financial systems and encourage growth.
• Offering Policy Advice: The IMF advises governments on necessary financial reforms, fiscal policies, and strategies to maintain long-term economic stability and avoid future crises.
• Managing Debt: The IMF helps countries deal with high debt by offering programs for debt restructuring and ensuring long-term debt sustainability.
• Building Investor Confidence: IMF-backed programs help restore a country’s reputation, attracting foreign investment and promoting financial stability.

Global Big Day

Context: Recently, Global Big Day was celebrated on May 10.

About Global Big Day

• Global Big Day is an annual bird watching event organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
• It coincided with World Migratory Bird Day in the year 2025.
• Significance of Global Big Day (GBD)
  • Supports Conservation & Science – Helps researchers track bird populations, migration patterns, and habitat changes.
  • Encourages Public Engagement – Enables people of all ages to connect with nature and contribute to bird conservation efforts.

National Technology Day

Context: Recently, National Technology Day was celebrated across the country.

About National Technology Day 2025

• Organized by: Ministry of Science & Technology.
• The official theme for National Technology Day 2025 is “YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration

History of National Technology Day

• National Technology Day commemorates the momentous events of 11th May 1998, when India conducted successful nuclear tests under Operation Shakti, and saw the maiden flight of the indigenously developed Hansa-3 aircraft.
• These tests were part of Operation Shakti, led under the government of PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• In 1999, the Indian government declared May 11 as National Technology Day to mark these achievements.
  • India’s first nuclear test was conducted on May 18, 1974.

Wadge Bank

Context: The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had invited bids under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy for exploration of oil and natural gas from three areas in South of Cape Comorin which includes Wadge Bank.

About Wadge Bank

• Location: It is situated south of Kanyakumari and lies between latitudes 7°10 and 8°00’N and longitudes 76°40’E and 78°00’E.
• Type: Submarine continental shelf, situated nearly 80 km (50 miles) seaward from the coast.
• Vital Fishing Ground: The depth and richness make it a resource-rich deep-sea fishing ground, especially abundant in pelagic fish. 
• Part of India EEZ: Recognized as part of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the India-Sri Lanka Agreement of 1976.
  • The agreement grants India sovereign rights over Wadge Bank and its resources and prohibits Sri Lankan fishing vessels and personnel from fishing in the area.
  • Indian fishermen retain exclusive rights to exploit its marine resources.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Context: The pre-monsoon (summer) estimation of tigers and other animals has started in Pollachi and Tiruppur divisions of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Tamil Nadu.

• The Estimation is conducted under the protocol of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

About Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR)

• Region: Southern side of the South Western Ghats.
• Declared a Tiger Reserve: 2007
• Adjacent Protected Areas:
  • East: Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
  • Southwest: Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park
  • Nearby Kerala Forests: Nenmara, Vazhachal, Malayattur, Marayur Reserved Forests
• Recognition Of World heritage sites within ATR by UNESCO: Kariyan Shola, Grass Hills, Manjampatti.
• Indigenous Tribes: Kadars, Malasars, Malai malasars, Muduvars, Eravalars and Pulayars.
• Flora: Evergreen, deciduous, shola and montane grasslands.
• Fauna: Asiatic elephant, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Gaur, Nilgiri tahr, Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri langur etc.

About NTCA

• NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change that oversees tiger conservation and management in India.

Adi Dravidar

Context: The Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department is creating a digital repository titled ‘Suvadugal’ to document the traditional performing arts of Adi Dravidar and tribal communities across Tamil Nadu.

• Aim of the ‘Suvadugal’ Project:  Create a comprehensive audio-visual digital archive of endangered art forms and traditional instruments.
  • Facilitate revival and intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge.
• Examples of Endangered Art Forms Of Tamil Nadu:  Singari Melam (Dindigul), Radha Kavadi (Nagapattinam), Kaniyan Koothu (Tirunelveli), Periya Melam (Tiruvannamalai), Perum Parai (Anthiyur), Malai Koothu (Dharmapuri), Bootha Kabala Aatam — a rare temple-based ritual in Dharmapuri.

Infructescence: World’s Longest Banana

Context: The World’s Longest Banana Infructescence was discovered in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

• Species: Musa indandamanensis, a wild banana endemic to Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Record: The infructescence (fruit bunch) of 4.2 metres was recorded in an endemic species of wild banana, the Musa indandamanensis, the longest recorded globally.
• Discovery Site: Campbell Bay, Nicobar Islands.
• Conservation: Listed as Critically Endangered; saplings preserved in botanic gardens.
• Significance: Valuable for developing disease-resistant, high-yield banana varieties.

Kosmos 482

Context: Kosmos 482 made an uncontrolled entry into Earth’s atmosphere and splashed into the Indian Ocean.

About Kosmos 482

• Kosmos 482 was a Soviet spacecraft launched on March 31, 1972, intended to reach Venus as part of the Venera program. 
• It failed to escape Earth’s orbit due to a rocket malfunction, becoming stranded in low Earth orbit for over 53 years.

Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine (GFTM)

Context: The 6th meeting of the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine (GFTM) was held at the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) to the UN in Geneva.

About GFTM

• GFTM is an informal group started by India in May 2023.
• It helps promote the use of traditional medicine in healthcare systems around the world.
• The platform encourages collaboration, knowledge exchange, and research partnerships.

What is Traditional Medicine?

• It is the traditional knowledge, skills, and practices used for the healthcare sector.
  • The knowledge was passed down through generations.
• Known as: indigenous medicine. 
• Natural remedies: Uses herbs, plants, and minerals for treatment. 
• Examples: Ayurveda, acupuncture,  herbal medicine, Unani Medicine, and spiritual healing.

DOWNLOAD PDF