Today in History (May 1^st,1923)

International Labour Day, also known as May Day, and the day the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat were formed. It is a day to honor the working class and their struggles for better working conditions. In India, it was first celebrated in Chennai (then Madras) in 1923.

Summary of Today’s News

Cabinet decides to include caste count in next Census

The Union Cabinet has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming Census.

• Historical Context: This will be the first time since 1931 that caste data for the entire population will be collected; post-Independence Censuses have only included Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• Census Delay: The 2021 Census has been indefinitely postponed, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic; new dates are yet to be announced.
• Statutory Backing: Unlike the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), which was not part of the formal Census and lacked mandatory caste disclosure, the new caste count will have legal/statutory authority.
• Digital Mode: The Census will be conducted digitally for the first time, with a mobile app likely featuring a drop-down directory for caste names.
• Political Angle: The announcement comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly election; Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Congress for historically opposing the caste census.
• Purpose and Impact: Shah stated the move will promote inclusion and enable progress for marginalized communities, particularly Other Backward Classes (OBCs), whose data has so far relied on outdated estimates.

U.S. urges India and Pak. to ‘de-escalate’; Rubio talks to Sharif

• S. Call for Restraint: The United States urged India and Pakistan to avoid escalating tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack.
• Diplomatic Engagement: The U.S. is in contact with both New Delhi and Islamabad over the Kashmir situation, according to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
• Rubio’s Outreach: S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and was expected to contact the Foreign Ministers of both countries.
• Pakistan’s Accusations: PM Sharif accused India of “provocative behavior” and requested the U.S. to urge India to reduce tensions and act responsibly.
• Military Concerns: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed the country had credible intelligence suggesting India might launch a military strike within 36 hours.

India Closes its Air Space for Pakistani Airlines

• India Bans Pakistani Airlines: India has banned airlines from Pakistan from using its airspace, effective Wednesday.
• Reason for the Ban: The move comes amid escalating tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack.
• NOTAM Issued: A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued to formally enforce the restriction on Pakistani carriers.
• Reciprocal Action: This decision follows Pakistan’s earlier move to bar Indian carriers from its airspace a week ago.
• Flight Cancellations in PoK: Pakistan’s national airline has cancelled all flights to and from northern areas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, citing security concerns.
• Security Measures: Indian officials described the airspace closure as a precautionary step to ensure national airspace security during regional tensions.

Three Chinese astronauts return after six months on space station: Return of Shenzhou-19 Crew

• Three Chinese astronauts — Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze — returned to Earth on April 30, 2025, after six months aboard the Tiangong space station.
• Their landing capsule touched down in the northern Inner Mongolia
• The mission, launched in October 2024, was hailed as a “complete success” by Xinhua, with the crew reported to be in good health.
• The crew carried out scientific experiments and set a new record for the longest-ever spacewalk during their mission.
• Their return was delayed by one day due to bad weather at the Dongfeng landing site, according to Chinese authorities.

Crew Background

• Cai Xuzhe (48): Mission commander; a former air force pilot and veteran of the Shenzhou-14 mission (2022).
• Song Lingdong (34): Former air force pilot.
• Wang Haoze (35): China’s only woman spaceflight engineer at the time of launch.

Shenzhou-20 Mission Launch

• Shenzhou-20 was launched last week, sending a new trio of astronauts to the Tiangong space station, replacing the Shenzhou-19 crew.
• The launch took place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base in Gansu province, accompanied by pomp and pageantry, a military band, and flag-waving crowds.
• The crew assumed control of the station after a handover ceremony on Sunday.

Shenzhou-20 Crew

• Commander Chen Dong (46): A former fighter pilot and veteran space explorer who became the first Chinese astronaut to clock over 200 cumulative days in orbit (2022).
• Chen Zhongrui (40): Former air force pilot, on his first space flight.
• Wang Jie (35): Former space technology engineer, also on his first space mission.

Mission Objectives of Shenzhou-20

• Will conduct experiments in physics and life sciences.
• Will install protective equipment against space debris.
• For the first time, the crew will bring planarians (aquatic flatworms with regenerative abilities) aboard for scientific research.

China’s Broader Space Ambitions

• China is investing billions in its space programme to fulfill President Xi Jinping’s “space dream.”
• Aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by the end of the decade and eventually build a base
• China’s space programme is the third in the world to:
  • Put humans in orbit.
  • Land robotic rovers on both Mars and the Moon.