NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. CCEA Approves ₹6,405 Crore Railway Doubling Projects to Boost Connectivity Across Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved two key multi-tracking railway projects worth ₹6,405 crore, under the Ministry of Railways to boost rail infrastructure.The projects include the Koderma–Barkakana doubling (133 km) in Jharkhand and the Ballari–Chikjajur doubling (185 km), spanning parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, aimed at improving connectivity, especially for coal and freight movement.Together covering 318 km across 7 districts, the projects will enhance line capacity, ease congestion, and benefit 1,408 villages with a population of over 28 lakh, enabling smoother freight and passenger services.These projects, part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, are expected to handle 49 million tonnes of additional freight per year and ensure seamless multimodal connectivity across regions.
2. What is Black Box?: The recent crash of an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London has raised concerns about aviation safety. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, resulting in a tragic loss of life and extensive damage. Firefighting teams quickly responded to the scene. Investigators will rely heavily on data from the aircraft’s black box to determine the cause of the crash. The black box is important device in aviation safety. It consists of two main components – the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR). The CVR captures audio from the cockpit, including pilot conversations and engine sounds. The FDR monitors various flight parameters, such as altitude and airspeed. Together, they provide invaluable information for accident investigations.
3. Cholera Outbreak in Odisha: The outbreak has led to five confirmed deaths and around 500 hospitalisations. A 14-member central team, including experts from various health organisations, is deployed to manage the situation. The outbreak primarily affects four blocks and one urban local body in Jajpur, with cases also reported in neighbouring districts. Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It spreads through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration. If untreated, cholera can lead to death within hours. However, proper hydration can prevent fatalities.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Israel Launches ‘Operation Rising Lion’ Striking Iran’s Nuclear Sites: Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” on 13 June 2025, targeting over 100 Iranian nuclear and military sites, including the Natanz nuclear facility; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a national emergency fearing Iranian retaliation.The U.S. denied involvement in the attack and confirmed American and Iranian negotiators will meet in Oman on 15 June 2025 for the sixth round of nuclear programme talks.Top Iranian military and nuclear figures killed, including IRGC commander Hossein Salami, armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri, and six nuclear scientists such as Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi.
2. Jacinda Ardern Releases Memoir ‘A Different Kind of Power’: Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, has released her memoir titled “A Different Kind of Power”, reflecting on her journey from a small-town upbringing to global leadership while balancing motherhood, crises, and personal burnout.In the book, she candidly explains her resignation in January 2023, revealing that it stemmed from both exhaustion and a belief that her departure might lead to a less polarized, calmer New Zealand and better electoral prospects for her party.
3. 13 June – International Albinism Awareness Day: International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) is observed every year on 13th June to raise global awareness about albinism — a rare, genetically inherited condition that affects the production of melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes.
Theme 2025 – Demanding our rights: Protect our skin, Preserve our lives.The day is also dedicated to promoting the human rights and dignity of people with albinism worldwide.The United Nations officially declared June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day in 2014, through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly.
4. 15 June – World Wind Day: World Wind Day is observed every year on 15th June to raise global awareness about wind energy and its potential to power a cleaner, more sustainable future.Theme 2025 – Day of Community ActionThe event is coordinated by WindEurope and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) to educatethe public and advocate for supportive wind energy policies.It highlights how wind power can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and create sustainable green jobs aligned with global climate goals like Net Zero.
5. 15 June – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed every year on June 15th to raise global awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation faced by older persons.Theme 2025 –Addressing Abuse of Older Adults in Long Term Care Facilities: Through Data and ActionThe day was officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, following its initiation by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) in 2006.
6. 15 June 2025 – Father’s Day : Father’s Day is a global celebration held every year on the third Sunday of June to honor and appreciate fathers, father figures, and the role of paternal bonds in families and society. In 2025, Father’s Day falls on 15 June.The celebration originated in the United States in the early 20th century, with Sonora Smart Dodd of Washington credited as one of the first people to campaign for such a day in 1910.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Shipki La Pass: Himachal Pradesh opened the Shipki La Pass to domestic tourists. This pass, located at an altitude of 3,930 metres in Kinnaur district, aims to boost border tourism and revive India-China trade. The initiative was launched by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. It also serves as a potential route for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, pilgrimage for many. The opening of Shipki La marks a very important moment for the local economy and cultural exchange. Shipki La has a rich history as a trade corridor between India and Tibet. It facilitated the exchange of various goods, including agricultural tools and textiles from India and wool and herbal medicines from Tibet. The pass was historically important for trade relations, especially before the 1962 India-China war when trade was disrupted.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. DGT and Shell India Collaborate to Launch Nationwide Green Skills and EV Training Initiative: The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in partnership with Shell India and Edunet Foundation, launched a structured green energy and electric vehicle (EV) training program across select NSTIs and ITIs in Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.The program features a 240-hour advanced EV Technician course, a 90-hour job-oriented course, and a 50-hour foundational module. It includes hands-on training through specialised EV skill labs, joint certification by Shell and DGT, and Training of Trainers (ToT) for over 250 instructors.This initiative aligns with India’s net-zero goals and schemes like FAME by building a future-ready, climate-conscious workforce. It enhances employability through structured placement support and equips youth to lead in the green economy through practical, industry-relevant skilling.
2. Quantum Secure Communication: Recent advancements in quantum secure communication have marked milestone in data transmission security. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have successfully tested this technology over a free-space optical link. This breakthrough promises to revolutionise secure communications, particularly in military and national security contexts. Quantum secure communication is a method of transmitting information that is theoretically immune to hacking. It leverages the principles of quantum physics, particularly quantum entanglement. In this process, two particles remain linked regardless of the distance between them. Any attempt to intercept the communication alters the quantum state, alerting both the sender and receiver.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI allows KYC updation for low-risk customers till 30 June 2026: RBI has directed all regulated entities to continue processing transactions for low-risk individual customers, but they must ensure KYC details are updated by 30 June 2026 or within one year of due date, whichever is later, especially for accounts linked to DBT, PMJDY, and scholarship schemes.To ensure timely KYC updates, banks must send at least three advance and three post-due reminders, including one by physical letter, and are encouraged to organise special KYC camps in rural and semi-urban areas with high pendency.RBI has permitted the use of Business Correspondents (BCs) to help with KYC updates and activation of inoperative accounts, with provisions for self-declaration in cases where only address or no changes are involved.To enhance ease for customers, banks are advised to expand facilities for KYC updation at all branches (including non-home branches) and through Video-Customer Identification Process (V-CIP), with a deadline for full implementation before January 1, 2026.
2. RBI allows trading of state govt securities in STRIPS: RBI has allowed state government securities to be traded in STRIPS format (Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities), enabling traders to separate and trade principal and interest components of bonds individually.This move comes after consultation with state governments, Union Territories, and market participants, aiming to deepen the bond market and enhance liquidity in state government securities.While STRIPS trading in eligible central government securities has been allowed since April 2010, this is the first time it’s being extended to state-level securities.Only fixed-coupon state government bonds with a residual maturity of up to 14 years and a minimum outstanding amount of ₹1,000 crore — and that qualify for Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) — are eligible for STRIPS.
3. Scapia & Federal Bank Launch Dual-Network RuPay Credit Card with Zero Forex Markup and UPI Integration: Scapia, in partnership with Federal Bank, has launched the Scapia Federal RuPay Credit Card, a dual-network card offering both Visa and RuPay functionality for online, offline, UPI, and international transactions with a single credit card statement.The card offers zero forex markup on international transactions and includes unlimited domestic airport lounge access, along with complimentary dining, shopping, and spa benefits at airports.Users can earn Scapia Coins as rewards on eligible transactions and access exclusive travel benefits through the Scapia app, which has recently enhanced its features with student/senior fare customisation and improved hotel booking tools.Founded in 2022, the Bengaluru-based fintech raised $40 million in Series B funding (April 2025) and has continued to innovate after previously launching a Visa-only card in 2023. The new dual-network card can now be used in over 150 countries.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Javed Akhtar honoured with Dostoevsky Star Award for his influence on ‘cultural dialogue’.: Lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar has been awarded the prestigious Dostoevsky Star Award. Javed was chosen for the honour in ‘recognition of his remarkable influence on cultural heritage and literary dialogue.’Considered as one of the greatest screenwriters in the history of Hindi Cinema, Javed has won numerous awards in the course of his decades-long career as a lyricist, poet and screenwriter. He has won five National Film Awards for Best Lyrics.He was also honoured by the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1999, and the Padma Bhushan in 2007. He went on to win India’s second-highest literary honour- the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu for his poetry collection Lava.He is also the only Indian to receive the prestigious Richard Dawkins award, in 2020.
2. Dr. Sonal Mansingh Honoured with Srimanta Sankardeva Award for Cultural Contributions in Assam: Sonal Mansingh, a renowned Indian classical dancer and cultural icon, was conferred the Srimanta Sankardeva Award by the Government of Assam in a prestigious ceremony held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati, for her exemplary contribution to Indian art and culture.Dr Sonal Mansingh was honoured for her immense contribution to Indian classical dance, social reform and for cultural advocacy.The Srimanta Sankardeva Award, named after the 15th-century saint-reformer, is among Assam’s highest cultural honours and is awarded to individuals who embody Sankardeva’s values of unity, inclusivity, and cultural integrity through their societal contributions.
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