NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. AIIA Launches Three-Day Iyengar Yoga Workshop ‘Yoga Samavesh’: The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) is hosting a three-day Iyengar Yoga Workshop titled Yoga Samavesh from 9 to 11 June, as part of International Day of Yoga celebrations, with sessions held daily from 2 PM to 3 PM IST.The workshop is led by renowned Iyengar Yoga teacher Amit Sharma from Lifeyoga Centre, focusing on precise body alignment techniques and mental wellness in line with Iyengar tradition.The event is open to AIIA scholars and yoga enthusiasts, who can register by emailing Dr. Ramavtar Sharma; AIIA emphasizes making yoga accessible, therapeutic, and inclusive ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21.
2. Tamil Nadu Boosts Conservation with New Flamingo Sanctuary and Green Initiatives: Tamil Nadu has established a 7-hectare sanctuary at Dhanushkodi to protect migratory bird habitats and enhance biodiversity as part of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.Dhanushkodi lies along the Central Asian Flyway and supports 128 species of wetland birds, including flamingos, herons, and sandpipers; its mangroves help prevent coastal erosion and serve as breeding grounds.The sanctuary is expected to boost ecotourism and local jobs, with initiatives such as Blue Flag certification for beaches, CNG conversion of buses, and improved forest roads to support sustainable development.
3. NHAI Launches First Asset Monetisation Strategy to Boost Road Sector Financing and Private Investment: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) released its first-ever Asset Monetisation Strategy for the road sector, offering a structured framework to raise capital through Toll-Operate-Transfer (ToT), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), and securitisation models.Under the National Monetisation Pipeline, NHAI has already raised over ₹4 lakh crore by monetising more than 6,100 km of national highways using these innovative financing methods.
The strategy is built on three key pillars: value maximisation of government road assets, transparency and information sharing for investors, and deepening market participation to ensure long-term financial sustainability and private sector involvement
4. RBI Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar Appointed as Part-Time Member of Sixteenth Finance Commission: T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been appointed as a part-time Member of the Sixteenth Finance Commission (XVIFC).His appointment comes following the resignation of Ajay Narayan Jha, a full-time Member of the Commission, who stepped down due to personal reasons.The appointment was made under Article 280 of the Constitution and the Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951, as notified by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.Sankar will serve as a part-time Member either until the Commission submits its report or till 31 October 2025, whichever is earlier.
5. Mathura-Vrindavan Railway Project: The Indian Railway Ministry has permanently closed the Mathura-Vrindavan railway line conversion project. This ambitious undertaking aimed to convert the metre gauge line to broad gauge at an estimated cost of Rs 402 crore. The decision was made due to the project being deemed “uneconomical” and facing opposition from local residents. The conversion project was initiated in 2017-18. It aimed to enhance connectivity between Mathura and Vrindavan. The original metre gauge line was over 100 years old and operated a rail bus service twice daily until early 2023. The project involved dismantling the existing tracks and laying new ones on an embankment.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 8 June – World Brain Tumour Day: World Brain Tumour Day is observed every year on 8th June to raise awareness about brain tumours, support patients and their families, and promote early detection and treatment.Theme 2025 – Brain Health for All AgesThe day was first observed in 2000 by the German Brain Tumour Association (Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe) to honour brain tumour patients and advocate for research and care initiatives.Brain tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and can affect people of all ages. Common symptoms include headaches, seizures, vision problems, and memory loss.
2. High Seas Treaty: This treaty, adopted in June 2023, aims to protect and sustainably use biodiversity in international waters. It is step towards achieving the “30×30” biodiversity target, which seeks to conserve 30 per cent of the oceans and lands by 2030. The recent ratifications occurred during the third United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France. The High Seas Treaty was established to address the urgent need for conservation in international waters. These waters, which fall outside any national jurisdiction, cover over 60 per cent of the ocean but currently only 1.2 per cent is protected. The treaty sets out frameworks for sustainable use and conservation measures. At the UN Ocean Conference, countries such as Albania, Fiji, and Vietnam deposited their instruments of ratification. This marks a collective effort to enhance global biodiversity governance. The treaty will enter into force once 60 countries have ratified it, with 120 days required for implementation after that milestone.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai Appointed Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy): Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) while continuing to serve as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO); he had earlier led ceasefire talks with Pakistan’s DGMO after Operation Sindoor.The newly created Deputy Chief (Strategy) position will oversee key verticals like Operations and Intelligence Directorates, making it one of the most pivotal roles in the Indian Army, according to the Ministry of Defence.Lt Gen Ghai was honoured with the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) on June 4, 2025, for his distinguished service, and had earlier praised the Indian Armed Forces’ preparedness during a press briefing on May 12 following the ceasefire announcement.
SPORTS
1. Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff Shine at Historic 2025 French Open Finals: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain defeated world No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy in a five-hour and 29-minute marathon final to win the 2025 French Open men’s singles title, coming back from two sets down. It was the longest French Open final ever and marked Alcaraz’s fifth Grand Slam title.Coco Gauff of the United States beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus to win her first French Open women’s singles title. This was her second Grand Slam win, following her US Open victory in 2023.The 124th edition of the French Open was held from 19 May to 8 June 2025 at Stade Roland Garros in Paris. Played on clay courts, the finals were hosted on Philippe Chatrier Court, with the event taking place after the Australian Open.
2. Anahat Singh shines with double honours at PSA Awards 2024-25: India’s 17-year-old squash sensation Anahat Singh won two major honours at the PSA Awards 2024–25: the Women’s Challenger Player of the Season and the Women’s Young Player of the Season (shared with Egypt’s Amina Orfi), marking a standout year on the professional circuit.Throughout the season, Anahat claimed 9 titles in 11 tournaments, including 8 Challenger-level victories across various tiers (3k to 15k). Her impressive run included a 29-match unbeaten streak and a memorable win over veteran Joshna Chinappa at the Indian Open (15k-level).She won the U-17 British Junior Open, secured bronze for India at the Asian Junior Team Championships, and made a stunning senior World Championship debut by defeating World No. 29 Marina Stefanoni. She is now ranked World No. 56, the highest for any Indian female squash player.
3. Former India captain MS Dhoni inducted into ICC Hall of Fame: MS Dhoni has been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, joining six other global cricket legends including Matthew Hayden and Hashim Amla.He scored 17,266 international runs, effected 829 dismissals, played 538 matches, and led India to three major ICC titles — 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.The International Cricket Council announced that Dhoni was among seven cricketers honoured this year, which included greats like Matthew Hayden (Australia) and Hashim Amla (South Africa).Dhoni holds several ODI records, including most stumpings (123) and highest score by a wicketkeeper (183*), and continues to play in the IPL even after retiring from international cricket in 2020.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Indian Railways Partners with BHASHINI to Launch Multilingual AI Services for Enhanced Passenger Experience: Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) signed an MoU to integrate AI-driven multilingual technologies—such as ASR, OCR, TTS, and translation—into major railway platforms like NTES and RailMadad, enabling access in 22 Indian languages.The collaboration aims to develop multilingual chatbots, voice assistants, and over-the-counter interfaces, ensuring real-time, speech-based interaction and enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and transparency in public-facing railway services.The partnership includes scaling BHASHINI’s AI capabilities across websites, mobile apps, kiosks, and call centers, supported by cloud/on-premise infrastructure and a series of joint technical workshops and pilot projects in the coming months.
2. New SARS-CoV-2 Variant XFG: The emergence of the XFG variant of SARS-CoV-2 has raised concerns in India. As of June 2025, 163 cases have been reported, primarily in Maharashtra. The total number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 6,815, with three deaths recorded in the last 24 hours. The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium has confirmed the presence of this new variant. The XFG variant is a recombinant strain. It results from the merging of two earlier strains, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. This variant carries four mutations in the spike protein. It has shown rapid global spread since its initial detection in Canada. The variant is a descendant of the Omicron sub-variant. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases at 89. Other states with notable cases include Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal (six each). A new case has also been confirmed in Telangana.
3. Spathaspina Noohi: Spathaspina noohi belongs to the weevil family, Curculionidae. This family includes over 60,000 species globally. Weevils are for their role in ecosystems. They help control invasive plant species. The new genus name is derived from Latin words – ‘spatha’ meaning sword and ‘spina’ meaning spine. This reflects the beetle’s prominent anatomical feature. Weevils play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance. Some species are agricultural pests. However, many contribute positively by controlling plant dynamics. The new species, Spathaspina noohi, is part of the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae. This group includes over 1,300 species worldwide. They are primarily found in Europe and parts of Asia. Beetles in the Ceutorhynchinae subfamily are recognised for their compact bodies. They typically retract their snouts between their legs when resting. The visibility of their mesanepimera is another identifying trait. Exceptions exist in some genera, such as Cyphosenus and Ceutorhynchoides.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Raises LTV Ratio for Small Gold Loans to Boost Credit Access and Ease Borrowing Norm: RBI has increased the Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio for gold-backed loans to provide relief to small borrowers — setting it at 85% for loans up to ₹5 lakh, 80% for loans between ₹2.5–5 lakh, while loans above ₹5 lakh will continue at 75% LTV.No credit appraisal required for small-ticket gold loans (below ₹5 lakh), and end-use monitoring will only apply when these loans are considered under priority sector lending, easing access for small and rural borrowers.The move addresses concerns raised during the draft guideline phase, where NBFCs and the Department of Financial Services had warned that stricter norms might push women, rural borrowers, and small traders towards the informal credit sector.
2. Wise Gets RBI Approval to Operate as Cross-Border Payment Aggregator in India: Wise, a global fintech company, has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a cross-border payment aggregator in the country.With this license, Wise can now facilitate international money transfers for Indian customers and businesses, enhancing ease and transparency in global payments.The approval allows Wise to strengthen its presence in India by offering cheaper and faster cross-border remittance services compared to traditional banking channels.
3. RBI Launches ₹1.25 Lakh Prize Scheme to Promote Original Hindi Books on Economics, Banking, and Finance: To promote original research and writing in Hindi on Economics, Banking, and Financial topics, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a scheme for the year 2024–25, offering awards to authors of original Hindi books in these fields.Under this scheme, three prizes of ₹1,25,000 each will be awarded to working or retired professors (including Assistant/Associate Professors) from UGC-recognized Indian universities for writing original books in Hindi. Interested participants must submit their nominations and book copies in the prescribed format to the Chief General Manager, RBI, Rajbhasha Department, Mumbai, by 5:00 PM on June 30, 2025.
No comments:
Post a Comment