NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India to Conduct Population Census 2027 in Two Phases with Caste Enumeration: The Government of India will conduct the Population Census 2027 in two phases, which will also include caste enumeration for the first time.Phase I will begin on 1st October 2026 in hilly and snow-bound regions like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh, while Phase II will start on 1st March 2027 in the rest of the country.The official notification for Census 2027 is expected to be published in the Gazette on 16th June, marking the formal beginning of the census process.Census 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite full preparations, making Census 2011 the last completed one; the Indian Census remains one of the largest administrative and statistical exercises in the world.
2. Two more wetlands from India added to Ramsar list: India’s list of wetlands of international importance has increased to 91 sites with the addition of Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur, both located in Rajasthan.The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is an international treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands to protect global biodiversity and support human life.India ratified the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982, and continues to actively participate in expanding and maintaining the global network of protected wetlands.
3. PM Modi plants Sindoor sapling on World Environment Day: On World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a Sindoor sapling at his residence, emphasizing his commitment to environmental conservation.The act symbolizes the importance of planting trees and promoting greenery to protect the environment and combat climate change.PM Modi’s gesture on this significant day serves as an inspiration for citizens to contribute towards a greener and cleaner India.
4. Dharmendra Pradhan Launches ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ Campaign: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan planted a sapling and launched the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 campaign in New Delhi, along with a special module and website to monitor eco clubs under Mission Life.The Minister emphasized that India’s carbon emissions are currently below the desirable limit and highlighted the critical importance of trees for the survival of all living beings.Pradhan stressed the goal of preparing future generations to achieve Net Zero by 2070 and urged reduction of plastic use, noting only 10% of the 400 million tonnes of plastic produced annually is recycled, promoting sustainable development for environmental protection.
5. S Mahendra Dev Appointed Chairman of Economic Advisory Council to PM: Economist S Mahendra Dev has been appointed as the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), resigning from his position as an independent director on the board of Axis Bank to take up this full-time role.Currently, the EAC-PM is headed by Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery, but Mahendra Dev will now lead the council.Dev is a renowned expert in agriculture and rural economy, editor of the Economic and Political Weekly, and chairman of the Institute for Development Studies, Andhra Pradesh.
6. Sudarshan Venu to take over as TVS Motor Chairman and MD: TVS Motor Company has appointed its current Managing Director, Sudarshan Venu, as the incoming Chairman, effective August 25, 2025.Sir Ralf Speth, the current Chairman, will step down after the Annual General Meeting on August 22, 2025, but will continue as Chief Mentor for three years starting August 23, 2025, to provide guidance based on his vast experience.
7. 6 June – National Donut Day: National Donut Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday of June, honoring the beloved donut and its unique history. In 2025, National Donut Day falls on Friday, June 6.Established in 1938 by The Salvation Army, the day pays tribute to the “Donut Lassies” — women volunteers who served donuts to soldiers during World War I to boost morale.
National Donut Day has grown into a popular event across the United States and beyond, with many donut shops offering special deals and free donuts. It is both a celebration of this sweet treat and a reminder of its historic significance.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Amul Partners with Spain’s COVAP to Enter European Dairy Market: The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), marketer of products under the brand name, has partnered with Spanish dairy cooperative COVAP to launch its milk products in Spain, marking its entry into the European market.The collaboration aims to leverage COVAP’s local expertise and distribution network to establish Amul’s presence in Spain effectively.This partnership is part of Amul’s broader strategy to expand its footprint across Europe by introducing Indian dairy products to new international consumers.Amul plans to use this initial launch in Spain as a stepping stone for further expansion into other European countries in the near future.
2. India Elected to UN Economic and Social Council for 2026-28 Term: India has been elected as a member of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations for the two-year term from 2026 to 2028, reflecting its growing role in global sustainable development.
3. ECOSOC is a key UN organ that advances the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental, serving as the central platform for debate, consensus-building, and coordination of international efforts.Established by the UN Charter in 1945, ECOSOC also oversees the follow-up of major UN conferences and summits, with India’s recent election underscoring the continuing global relevance of Dr. Ambedkar’s vision within the UN and beyond.
4. President Trump signs proclamation banning travel from 12 nations: US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation banning travel from 12 countries citing national security and public safety concerns. These countries are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.The proclamation fully restricts entry from these 12 countries, and also imposes partial restrictions on nationals from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.The travel ban was enacted through a presidential proclamation, similar to an executive order, showcasing the Trump administration’s authority to enforce such national security measures.
5. 5 June – The International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: The International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing is observed annually on 5th June. It aims to raise global awareness about the threats posed by IUU fishing to marine ecosystems, global food security, and the livelihoods of legal fishers.This day marks the entry into force of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) on 5 June 2016, the first binding international treaty specifically targeting IUU fishing.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Navy’s First Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship Arnala: The Indian Navy is set to commission its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), named Arnala, on 18 June 2025. This event will take place at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, presided over by Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan. The commissioning of Arnala signifies a major advancement in India’s naval capabilities and reflects the nation’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Arnala is the first of sixteen ASW-SWC class ships designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilders. This project is a part of the Public-Private Partnership model. The vessel was delivered to the Indian Navy on 8 May 2025.
SPORTS
1. Paris Saint-Germain Clinches First-Ever Champions League Title with Record 5-0 Win Over Inter Milan: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won their first-ever UEFA Champions League title by defeating Inter Milan with a historic 5-0 scoreline, marking the most one-sided final in the tournament’s history.Teenager Désiré Doué scored twice, while captain Marquinhos led the team to a dominant victory, solidifying PSG’s golden 2024–2025 season under manager Luis Enrique.With this victory, PSG secured their first UCL title and took their overall trophy count to 37 since QSI’s ownership, creating a landmark moment in the club’s European journey.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. IIT Delhi, AIIMS sign MoU to establish centre to research AI in healthcare: IIT Delhi and AIIMS have signed an MoU to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for developing AI-based solutions in healthcare, supported by a ₹330 crore grant under the Ministry of Education’s “Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India”The CoE will focus on creating AI-driven tools to support at least five national health programmes, including those related to cancer, maternity and child care, blindness, and tuberculosis (TB), and will operate as a Section 8 non-profit company.The CoE is intended to be a dynamic, national-level resource with potential for private and alumni funding in the future, and will be managed by a board comprising secretaries from key ministries, with a CEO to be appointed later.
2. Ocean Protection Funding Needs for 30×30 Target: The global initiative to protect 30 per cent of the oceans by 2030 requires an annual investment of $15.8 billion. This figure is outlined in the report titled “The Ocean Protection Gap – Assessing Progress toward the 30×30 Target.” The report, released by a consortium of NGOs and funders, marks funding shortfall. Currently, only $1.2 billion is allocated annually for ocean protection, leaving a gap of $14.6 billion. This report comes ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference 3, scheduled for June 2025 in France. Oceans play a critical role in sustaining life on Earth. They produce half the oxygen we breathe and regulate the climate by absorbing heat and storing carbon. The ocean economy contributes approximately $2.6 trillion annually. In 2023, ocean-based sectors accounted for 7 per cent of global trade. Despite their importance, climate stress and policy fragmentation pose threats to ocean health and sustainability.
3. Japanese Space Mission Hakuto-R: The recent failure of the Japanese space mission Hakuto-R has brought into light the challenges faced by private space companies in achieving successful lunar landings. The mission, launched by ispace, aimed to land the Resilience lander on the Moon. However, mission control lost communication with the spacecraft during its final descent, leading to a crash landing. This incident marks ispace’s second failed attempt to land on the lunar surface, following a similar fate in 2023. As the lander descended from a 100 km orbit, it successfully initiated its main engine for deceleration. However, communication was lost shortly after. The laser rangefinder, crucial for measuring altitude, experienced delays. Consequently, the lander could not decelerate adequately, resulting in a hard landing on the lunar surface.
4. China’s Silent Radar Technology: Recent advancements in radar technology have emerged from China, promising to transform military operations. Researchers have developed a silent radar system capable of detecting moving targets in noisy environments. This system employs passive bistatic airborne radar and sophisticated signal processing techniques. The technology allows for target detection without revealing the radar’s presence. The innovative radar system operates using two aircraft. One aircraft emits radar signals while the other receives echoes without transmitting any signals. This configuration enables detection of targets even in challenging conditions such as dense vegetation and uneven terrain. Traditional radar struggles in these environments due to signal clutter, making target identification difficult.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. PSU banks to set up common platform for debt recovery: Five major public sector banks, including SBI, Punjab National Bank, and Bank of Baroda, are collaborating via PSB Alliance Pvt Ltd to create a common collection firm focused on recovering retail and MSME loans below Rs 5 crore.This initiative aims to help banks concentrate on their core activities while improving loan recoveries, especially for borrowers with multiple loans across different banks, with all participating banks eventually taking stakes in the new firm.Currently, only a few PSBs outsource debt collection mainly for retail loans; this new agency will act as a preliminary step before cases move to asset reconstruction companies, aligning with finance ministry directives to closely monitor top and pending loan resolutions.
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