NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. NITI Aayog Unveils ‘India’s Data Imperative’ Report to
Strengthen Digital Governance Through Quality Data: NITI Aayog released the third edition of its quarterly
insights series, Future Front, titled “India’s Data Imperative: The Pivot
Towards Quality,” emphasizing the need to improve data quality for better
digital governance and public trust.The report introduces two key tools — a
Data-Quality Scorecard to evaluate data attributes and a Data-Quality Maturity
Framework for self-assessment and roadmap development — to enhance data
practices across public systems.At the launch event, senior officials including
B.V.R. Subrahmanyam (CEO, NITI Aayog), Dr. Saurabh Garg (Secretary, MoSPI), and
Debjani Ghosh (Distinguished Fellow) highlighted the urgency of building robust
data foundations for India’s digital future.Experts, officials, and
stakeholders present at the event agreed that high-quality data is essential
for effective governance and that aligning with global data standards is key
for informed policy-making and service delivery.
2. Govt to launch ‘NAVYA’ to empower adolescent girls
through vocational training: The Central
Government has launched NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through
Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls) in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh,
under the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision. It is a joint pilot initiative by the
Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship to empower girls aged 16–18 through vocational training in
non-traditional job roles.NAVYA will initially be implemented in 27 districts
across 19 states, with a focus on aspirational and North-Eastern districts. The
program seeks to enhance employability, boost confidence, and create pathways
for young girls to participate in emerging sectors of the Indian economy.The
initiative promotes institutional convergence by aligning with national schemes
like PMKVY and PM Vishwakarma, ensuring integrated, high-quality skill
development. The launch event included certificate distribution and interaction
with participating trainees.
3. Tripura Becomes India’s Third Fully Literate State
with 95.6% Literacy Rate: Tripura has become the third
Indian state to achieve full literacy, surpassing the 95% benchmark set by the
Ministry of Education, following Mizoram and Goa. The state now has a literacy
rate of 95.6%.This achievement was made possible through the successful
implementation of the ‘ULLAS – New India Literacy Programme’, which helped
reduce the number of non-literate individuals significantly from earlier
surveys.As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023–24, Tripura’s
literacy rate was 93.7%, which has now improved further. The state had just
23,184 non-literate people before this literacy push.Tripura has shown
consistent improvement in literacy over decades, rising from just 20.24% in
1961 to 87.22% in 2011. It is also the second-highest northeastern state in
terms of per capita income and GDP, according to CM Manik Saha.
4. National Conference of Estimates Committees Concludes
in Mumbai: The National Conference of Estimates
Committees of Parliament and State/UT Legislative Bodies was
held at Maharashtra Vidhan Bhawan, Mumbai, on 23-24 June 2025,
commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Lok Sabha’s Estimates Committee.The
conference saw participation from the Chairman and members of the Estimates
Committees of Parliament and all states with legislative bodies; among UTs,
only Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, and Puducherry have legislative assemblies.The
Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, inaugurated the conference, while the Maharashtra
Governor, C.P. Radhakrishnan, delivered the valedictory address, highlighting
the conference theme focused on efficient monitoring and review of budget
estimates.The Estimates Committee, one of the three key financial committees in
the Indian legislature, consists of 30 Lok Sabha members elected by their
peers, chaired by a member appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker, with a tenure of
one year.
5. UGRO Capital Appoints Anuj Pandey as CEO Amid Major
Growth Milestones: UGRO Capital Limited has
appointed Anuj Pandey as its new Chief Executive Officer
(CEO), effective from July 1, 2025. He has been associated with the
company since its inception, previously serving as Chief Risk Officer.His
elevation to CEO comes as UGRO Capital achieves key milestones, including
surpassing ₹12,000 crore in AUM, expanding to over 300 branches, acquiring
Profectus Capital, and completing a major capital raise.
6. 25 June – Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas: Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas is observed every year on 25th
June to remember the day in 1975 when the Indian Constitution was severely
undermined during the Emergency period, and to pay homage to those who suffered
due to its excesses.On 25th June 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared
a state of Emergency under Article 352, citing internal disturbances amid
political unrest and judicial challenges to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s
government.During the Emergency, key constitutional safeguards were suspended,
including the suspension of fundamental rights like freedom of speech,
expression, assembly, and movement; courts were barred from hearing related
cases, and media censorship was imposed, with the Press Council of India being
abolished.Constitutional amendments during the Emergency prevented courts from
questioning the President’s Emergency proclamation and excluded the elections
of the Prime Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker from judicial review, consolidating
central authority.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Hardeep Singh Puri Attends 40th Anniversary of Kanishka
Bombing in Ireland: Union Minister Hardeep Singh
Puri attended the 40th anniversary memorial service of the Air India
Flight 182 (Kanishka) bombing at Ahakista Memorial in Cork, Ireland, joined by
representatives from India, Ireland, and Canada.The tragic bombing in 1985 was
carried out by Canada-based Khalistani terrorists, killing all 329 passengers
on board when the plane exploded mid-air near the Irish coast.During the
memorial, Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized the need for enhanced India-Canada cooperation
in counter-terrorism through intelligence sharing, counter-radicalization, and
disruption of terror financing.
2. India Breaks Into Top 100 in Global SDG Rankings for
the First Time, Secures 99th Position in 2025 Report: India has ranked 99th out of 167 countries on the 2025 SDG
Index, making it the first time India has entered the top 100 in the
global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) rankings. It scored 67 points, a
notable improvement from its 2024 rank of 109 and 2023 rank of 112, reflecting
consistent progress in development indicators.The rankings are part of the 10th
Sustainable Development Report released by the UN Sustainable Development
Solutions Network, led by economist Jeffrey Sachs. The report uses a 0–100
scale to measure progress on all 17 SDGs, with 100 indicating full achievement.
However, globally, only 17% of SDG targets are on track to be met by 2030.
3. India’s neighbours showed mixed performances: Bhutan ranked 74th (70.5 points), Nepal 85th (68.6), Sri Lanka 93rd,
Bangladesh 114th (63.9), and Pakistan lagging at 140th (57). China, with a
score of 74.4, ranked 49th, and the U.S. stood at 44th with 75.2 points.East
and South Asia have been the fastest-growing regions in SDG progress since
2015, with countries like Nepal (+11.1), Cambodia (+10), Bangladesh (+8.3), and
the Philippines (+8.6) registering strong score improvements due to rapid
socio-economic development.Despite overall progress, the report warns that
global SDG progress is stalling, with serious setbacks in targets like press
freedom (SDG 16), obesity (SDG 2), nitrogen sustainability (SDG 2),
biodiversity (SDG 15), and corruption perceptions (SDG 16), largely due to
geopolitical conflicts, fiscal limitations, and systemic vulnerabilities.
4. Sona Comstar appoints Jeffrey Mark Overly as Chairman: Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd (Sona Comstar) has
appointed Jeffrey Mark Overly as its new Chairman, following a board
meeting held on June 23, 2025. Overly has been an independent director on the
company’s board since February 12, 2021.His appointment follows the passing of
former Chairman Sunjay Kapur, marking a leadership transition within the
company during a significant period.Jeffrey Overly brings strong academic and
professional credentials, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management
from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s degree in Business from
Central Michigan University, with nearly 5 years of board-level experience at Sona
Comstar.
5. Kangana Ranaut Named Brand Ambassador for New Delhi
2025 World Para Athletics Championships:
Actor and newly elected MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Kangana
Ranaut has been named the brand ambassador for the World Para
Athletics Championships 2025, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from September
26 to October 5.The event will witness participation from over 100 countries,
showcasing global para-athletic talent and aiming to promote inclusivity and
resilience through sport.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India’s Indus Waters Treaty Dispute with
Pakistan: India
requested a pause in proceedings regarding the Ratle and Kishanganga hydropower
projects, which are under dispute with Pakistan. This request was made to
Michel Lino, the neutral expert appointed by the World Bank to oversee the
disputes. The Government of India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty
(IWT) in abeyance has intensified tensions between the two nations. The IWT
governs water sharing from the Indus River system, which is vital for both
countries. The Indus Water
Treaty was signed in 1960. It
allocates the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and
Pakistan. The treaty grants India control over the eastern rivers—Sutlej, Beas,
and Ravi—while Pakistan has rights to the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and
Chenab. This framework aims to prevent water disputes and ensure cooperative
management of shared water resources. The Ratle and Kishanganga hydropower
projects are located in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan alleges that these projects
violate the IWT, particularly concerning minimum water flow requirements. India
argues that the projects conform to the treaty’s stipulations. The disputes
have been ongoing since 2022, with Lino tasked to evaluate the compliance of
the projects with treaty provisions.
2. DRDO Offers 28 Weapon Systems for
Emergency Procurement: The
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India has made move to
enhance the capabilities of the armed forces. It has offered 28 existing weapon
systems for emergency procurement. This initiative aligns with the government’s
push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The emergency procurement
allows the Army, Navy, and Air Force to acquire new weapon systems or replenish
existing ones as needed. Emergency procurement is a process that enables the
armed forces to quickly acquire essential weaponry. This is crucial during
times of heightened security threats. The DRDO’s offer includes various weapons
such as rockets, missiles, grenades, and anti-drone systems. This flexibility
ensures that the forces can respond effectively to evolving military needs.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. New Gecko Species Discovered in Coonoor
Hills: Researchers
announced the discovery of a new gecko species, Dravidogecko coonoor, in
the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu. This finding adds to the
biodiversity of the Western Ghats, a hotspot for endemic species. The discovery
was detailed in a paper published in the journal ‘Bionomina’. The lead author,
Mr. A. Abinesh, explained that this gecko was previously misclassified as part
of another species, Hemidactylus anamallensis. Intensive surveys revealed eight
other species of Dravidogecko, bringing the total to nine. The new species was
identified through extensive field surveys across the Western
Ghats. The researchers noted that
Dravidogecko coonoor inhabits both urban and natural environments. This
includes walls of buildings, branches of plants, and tree bark. The habitat is
primarily characterised by montane forests and monoculture plantations, often
influenced by human activities.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Bajaj Markets Joins ONDC to Expand Digital Commerce
Offerings Across Electronics and Financial Services: Bajaj Markets, a
digital marketplace under Bajaj Finserv Ltd., has joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) as a
buyer network participant, expanding its role in India’s growing digital
commerce ecosystem.With this integration, over 16 million users of the Bajaj
Markets App and website can now access and purchase 1.5 lakh+ premium
electronics and appliances, in addition to its existing suite of financial
products and services.This move marks Bajaj Markets’ transformation from a pure
fintech platform to a comprehensive digital marketplace, enhancing customer
convenience and offering competitive pricing across multiple product
categories.
2. Odisha Government Delists HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Banks
from State Transactions Over Underperformance:
The Odisha government has
removed HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and
Axis Bank from its list of approved banks, citing underperformance in
implementing key government schemes and failure to meet general banking targets
over the past two financial years.A directive issued by the Finance Department
instructed all state departments, PSUs, agencies, societies, and universities
to immediately close their savings, current, or any other operational accounts
with these three banks and transfer the funds to other approved banks.Fixed or
term deposits with the delisted banks are not required to be closed
prematurely, but upon maturity, the principal and interest must be shifted to
an approved bank to avoid penalties and ensure compliance.The government warned
of strict action for non-compliance, directing all departments to ensure that
the new banking guidelines are communicated and enforced across all subordinate
institutions.
3. Bandhan Bank Expands Footprint with 18 New Branches
Across 4 States: Bandhan
Bank has opened 18 new
branches across four Indian states, with 7 in Jharkhand, 5 in Andhra Pradesh,
and 3 each in Bihar and Odisha, as part of its effort to expand banking
access in semi-urban and rural regions.With this addition, Bandhan Bank’s total
number of banking outlets has reached 6,300, further strengthening its presence
across India, especially in underserved and emerging markets.
Bandhan
Bank now operates in 35 out of the 36 states and Union Territories, showcasing
its near-complete national footprint and commitment to inclusive financial
growth.MD & CEO of Bandhan Bank – Partha Pratim Sengupta
4. RBI Imposes ₹29.60 Lakh
Penalty on Fino Payments Bank for Licensing Norm Violations: The Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) has imposed a
monetary penalty of ₹60 lakh on Fino Payments Bank Limited for
non-compliance with specific directions under the ‘Licensing of Payments Banks’
framework.The penalty was imposed through an order dated June 6, 2025, under
the powers granted to RBI by Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the
Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
The action follows RBI’s Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE 2024), conducted to assess the bank’s compliance status as of the financial position dated March 31, 2024.
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