NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. C R Patil Chairs 15th Meeting of Empowered Task Force
(ETF) on Ganga Conservation: Union
Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil chaired the 15th meeting of the Empowered Task Force on
Ganga conservation, where he reviewed the progress made by NMCG and
appreciated the accelerated pace of infrastructure implementation. During this
period, 10 projects were either inaugurated or had foundation stones laid in
Bihar.Shri Patil also launched two new initiatives: Riverathon 1.0, a national
hackathon in collaboration with Amity University focused on river rejuvenation
solutions, and eight ecological status and trends booklets for key rivers in
the Ganga basin, developed with the Wildlife Institute of India.
2. East Coast Railways launches ‘ECoR Yatra’ app for Rath
Yatra: East Coast Railway
(ECoR) has launched a dedicated
mobile app called ‘ECoR Yatra’ to provide real-time, reliable, and
user-friendly railway services for pilgrims traveling to Puri during the Rath
Yatra festival.The app serves as a one-stop digital platform offering
comprehensive information such as special and regular train schedules, live
train and platform updates, ticket counters, booking assistance, lodging, and
tourist facilities.Designed specifically for the Rath Yatra, ‘ECoR Yatra’
enhances convenience for passengers by enabling them to plan their journey
effectively and stay updated throughout their pilgrimage.CCI approves combination involving acquisition in Aakash
Educational Services Limited by
3. Manipal Health Systems Private Limited: The Competition
Commission of India (CCI) has approved a proposed combination involving the
acquisition of equity shares in Aakash Educational Services Limited by Manipal
Health Systems Pvt Ltd and Manipal Education and Medical Group India Pvt Ltd.Manipal
Health Systems Pvt Ltd (Acquirer-1) is an Indian company involved in operating
hospitals and delivering healthcare services across the country.Manipal
Education and Medical Group India Pvt Ltd (Acquirer-2) provides management
consultancy services in India; both acquirers are Indian-owned and controlled
entities.
4. Amit Shah Chairs 25th Central Zonal Council Meeting in
Varanasi: The 25th
Central Zonal Council meeting was held in Uttar Pradesh and was chaired by
Union Home Minister Amit Shah; the council discussed 19 key national and
regional issues.The Central Zonal Council comprises Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand, and is notable for being the only
regional council with no disputes among member states.The meeting was attended
by the Chief Ministers of all four member states—Yogi Adityanath (UP), Pushkar
Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand), Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh), and Dr. Mohan Yadav
(MP)—along with senior central and state government officials.The first meeting
of the Central Zonal Council was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on 1 May 1957.
5. Centre approves ₹417-cr electronics manufacturing
cluster under Yamuna Expressway:
The Central Government has
approved a ₹417-crore Electronics
Manufacturing Cluster (EMC 2.0) at Sector 10, Yamuna Expressway, Gautam Budh
Nagar, aimed at boosting local electronics production and innovation;
the project will be developed by YEIDA on 206.4 acres.Expected to attract
₹2,500 crore in investments and generate around 15,000 jobs, the EMC 2.0
project aligns with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and focuses on
Make in India, employment, and infrastructure development.
6. Bajaj Consumer Care Appoints Naveen Pandey
as Managing Director: Bajaj Consumer Care has appointed Naveen
Pandey as its new Managing Director for a five-year term starting
July 1, 2025, succeeding Mr. Jaideep Nandi, whose term ends on June 30,
2025.This decision was made during the company’s board meeting, marking a
significant leadership transition for the organisation.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Govt Demotes Union Bank ED Pankaj
Dwivedi to GM Post Over Lack of Vigilance Clearance: The central government has demoted Pankaj Dwivedi, Executive
Director (ED) of Union Bank of India, back to his earlier position as
General Manager (GM) in Punjab & Sind Bank.The Department of Financial
Services, Ministry of Finance, cancelled his ED appointment made on March 27,
2024, citing regulatory violations.The demotion followed a court observation
that his appointment lacked proper vigilance clearance, thereby violating
appointment norms.
2. Zou Jiayi Elected as President of the
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: Zou
Jiayi has been elected as the next President of the Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and will assume office on January
16, 2026, succeeding founding President Jin Liqun after his second five-year
term ends.A former Chinese Vice Minister of Finance, Zou brings over 30 years
of experience in global financial policy, having represented China in top
institutions like the World Bank, ADB, New Development Bank, AIIB, and
IFAD.Under President Jin’s leadership, AIIB has expanded to 110 members,
invested $60 billion in 322 projects across 38 economies, with over 50% of
recent investments focused on climate finance, and earned AAA ratings from
major credit agencies.
3. About the Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank (AIIB): The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
(AIIB) is a multilateral development bank established in 2016, focused on
financing sustainable infrastructure and promoting “infrastructure for
tomorrow.”AIIB has 110 approved member countries, a total capitalization of USD
100 billion, and holds a AAA credit rating from major international agencies,
reflecting its strong financial standing.The Bank works in collaboration with
global partners to mobilize capital and invest in infrastructure and productive
sectors that support sustainable economic growth and regional connectivity.
4. 25 June – Day of the Seafarer: Observed annually on 25th June, the Day of the Seafarer is an
initiative by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to recognise the
invaluable contributions of seafarers to global trade, the economy, and daily
life.The theme for 2025 is “My Harassment‑Free Ship“, focusing on promoting
respectful, safe, and inclusive environments at sea by addressing issues of
bullying, harassment, and discrimination faced by seafarers.
5. 26 June – International Day Against
Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: The International
Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year
on June 26, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987
to strengthen global action against drug abuse and illegal trafficking.Theme
2025 – Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime”, highlighting the urgent need
to disrupt the links between drug abuse and organized criminal networks.The day
promotes awareness, prevention, and rehabilitation strategies and calls for
international cooperation to address the health, social, and economic impacts
6. 26 June – International Day in
Support of Victims of Torture: International
Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed annually
on 26 June, marking the day in 1987 when the UN Convention Against Torture came
into effect.The day reaffirms that torture is a crime under international law
and is absolutely prohibited under all circumstances, including war, threat of
terrorism, or political instability.It aims to honor and support victims and
survivors of torture, raise awareness about their rights, and promote access to
rehabilitation and justice.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Neeraj Chopra Wins Ostrava Golden
Spike 2025 with 85.29m Throw: Neeraj
Chopra won the Javelin Throw title at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025
in the Czech Republic with a best throw of 85.29 metres, defeating South
Africa’s Douw Smit (84.12m) and Grenada’s Anderson Peters (83.63m).This win
marks Neeraj’s second consecutive gold medal, following his historic
90.23-metre throw at the Paris Diamond League, where he crossed the 90m mark
for the first time in his career.Neeraj is now set to compete in the Neeraj
Chopra Classic, India’s first global javelin competition, scheduled for July
5th at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
Becomes First Indian to Reach ISS Aboard Axiom-4 Mission After 41 Year: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian
astronaut to visit NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) and the second
Indian ever in space, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission. The Axiom-4
spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, docked with the ISS at 4:30 PM IST.The
Axiom-4 mission lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01
PM IST, with a diverse crew including Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz
Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Shukla is piloting the
mission.
Born
in Lucknow on 10 October 1985, Group Captain Shukla joined the Indian Air Force
in 2006 and has over 2,000 hours of flying experience on various aircraft
including MiGs, Sukhois, Dorniers, Jaguars, and Hawks.During the two-week
mission, the Ax-4 crew will carry out 60 scientific experiments, including
seven from India, focusing on areas like microgravity and space biology. One
major experiment will study the impact of spaceflight on six types of crop
seeds.
2. Salkhan Fossil Park: Salkhan Fossil Park,
located in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, has recently been included in
UNESCO’s Tentative
List for World Heritage
Sites. This recognition marks milestone for the region. The park is known for
its ancient fossils, some dating back 1.4 billion years. Its inclusion in the
tentative list enhances Uttar Pradesh’s profile in geological and
paleontological tourism. Salkhan Fossil Park is home to stromatolites, which
are layered sedimentary structures formed by ancient cyanobacteria. These
microorganisms played important role in the Earth’s early biosphere. The
stromatolites found here are older than many well-known sites, such as Shark
Bay in Australia. This makes Salkhan an invaluable site for understanding early
life on Earth. Geological surveys in the Salkhan region began in the 1930s. The
park was officially opened in 2002 after a workshop led by Canadian scientists.
Renowned geologist H. J. Hoffman praised the clarity of the fossils. This
initial research laid the groundwork for future studies and the park’s eventual
nomination to UNESCO.
3. Deep-Sea Mining: Recent studies have
raised alarms about the potential effects of deep-sea mining on marine
ecosystems. The Metals Company, a Canadian firm, seeks permits to mine the
Pacific seabed. This area, known as the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), is
crucial for resources needed in the green transition. However, research
indicates risks to marine life, particularly cetaceans like whales and
dolphins. Two recent studies reveal critical gaps in knowledge about the impact
of mining on marine life. The first study brought into light that 65% of
taxonomic classes in the CCZ have not been studied for noise pollution effects.
Noise from mining activities poses threat to biodiversity, particularly
affecting species that rely on sound for communication. Deep-sea
mining involves extracting
minerals from the ocean floor. The CCZ spans approximately 6 million square
kilometres and is rich in resources. The International Seabed Authority (ISA)
oversees mining activities in international waters. Currently, 17 exploration
contracts have been granted, but commercial mining has yet to commence.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. CCI Approves Bain Capital’s Acquisition of Stakes in
Manappuram Finance and Asset Finance Arms: The Competition Commission of India (CCI)
has approved a proposed combination involving the acquisition of Manappuram Finance Ltd. and Manappuram Asset Finance Ltd.
by Bain Capital through its investment entities BC Asia Investments XXV Ltd.
and BC Asia Investments XIV Ltd.The acquiring entities are indirectly
owned and controlled by Bain Capital, a global private equity investment firm
engaged in investment activities across various sectors including IT,
healthcare, retail, and financial services.Manappuram Finance Ltd., based in
Kerala, is a diversified NBFC providing services such as gold loans, vehicle
loans, and MSME loans, along with subsidiaries offering housing finance,
microfinance, insurance distribution, and IT services.
2. EPFO Raises Auto-Settlement Limit for
Advance Claims to ₹5 Lakhs: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
(EPFO) has increased the
auto-settlement limit for advance claims from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakhs,
enabling quicker disbursal of funds to members in need.Originally introduced
during the COVID-19 pandemic, the auto-settlement facility now covers claims
for illness, education, marriage, and housing, and operates fully automatically
without human intervention.In the financial year 2024–25, EPFO processed a
record 2.34 crore advance claims through auto-settlement—a 161% increase from
the previous year—with 59% of all such claims settled via this mode.With the
new ₹5 lakh limit, more claims will now qualify for auto-settlement, ensuring
that members receive financial assistance within three days of submission,
especially during emergencies.
3. S&P Raises India’s FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.5% Citing Strong Domestic Demand and Policy Support: S&P Global Ratings has revised India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast upward to 6.5% (from 6.3%), attributing the boost to resilient domestic demand, expectations of a normal monsoon, income-tax relief, declining crude oil prices, and potential monetary easing.In its Asia-Pacific Economic Outlook, S&P noted that India’s low reliance on goods exports will cushion it from global economic slowdowns, making it relatively insulated from external shocks.
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