NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 2.35 lakh houses approved under PMAY-Urban 2.0 in third CSMC meeting: The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) has approved the construction of 2,34,864 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0). The meeting was chaired by Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).These houses have been sanctioned across 9 states—Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh—under the Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC) and Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) components.With this new approval, the total sanctioned houses under PMAY-U 2.0 has reached 7,09,979, contributing to the government’s larger target of housing for all in urban areas.The scheme continues to promote women’s empowerment and inclusivity, with over 1.25 lakh houses sanctioned in the name of women, including single women and widows. Additionally, 44 houses have been approved for transgender persons.
2. Professor Anantha Chandrakasan Becomes First Indian-American Provost of MIT: Professor Anantha Chandrakasan has been appointed as the first Indian-American Provost of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He will officially take charge from July 1, succeeding Cynthia Barnhart, who resigned earlier this year.Born in Chennai and later moving to the U.S., Chandrakasan earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley, and has held several key roles at MIT, including Dean of the School of Engineering since 2017.He has launched notable academic programs such as SuperUROP, Rising Stars for women, Postdoc6, and StartMIT, and leads a research group focused on energy-efficient circuits, secure hardware, and biomedical electronics.An IEEE Fellow and member of the National Academy of Engineering, he has received multiple prestigious awards, including the IEEE Donald O. Pederson Award, SIA University Researcher Award, and UC Berkeley EE Distinguished Alumni Award.
3. Sivasubramanian Ramann assumes charge as the Chairperson, PFRDA: Sivasubramanian Ramann has officially assumed charge as the new Chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) for a term of five years or until the age of 65, whichever comes earlier. He succeeds Deepak Mohanty, who was appointed in March 2023.An officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), 1991 batch, Ramann brings extensive experience in public finance, regulation, and technology, having held top positions at SIDBI, SEBI, NeSL, and the CAG of India.As PFRDA chief, he will work towards strengthening India’s pension system, addressing the challenge of low retirement savings in India—only 5.7% of household assets are currently allocated to provident and pension funds.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Four Indian universities make to global top 100 in THE Impact rankings 2025: Four Indian universities have secured places in the Top 100 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, which assess global institutions on their contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, ranked 41st, and Lovely Professional University (LPU), ranked 48th, are the only two Indian institutions to make it to the top 50 globally.Other Indian universities in the top 100 include JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research and Shoolini University, both ranked 96th.The rankings evaluate universities on parameters like research, outreach, and campus operations across SDGs such as climate action, clean energy, quality education, and gender equality.Amrita scored a perfect 100 in lifelong learning and water sustainability, while LPU ranked 5th globally for clean energy, 6th for sustainable cities, and 8th for zero hunger.
2. Sampath Kumar Becomes First Indian MD of Nippon Koei India: Sampath Kumar has been appointed as the Managing Director of Nippon Koei India (NKI), becoming the first Indian to hold this position at the wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan’s ID&E Holdings.Katsuya Fukasaku, the outgoing Managing Director, will now take over as Chairman of the company, as part of the leadership transition plan.With this appointment, NKI aims to expand its footprint across India, West Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region, leveraging Sampath Kumar’s 35+ years of experience in civil engineering and IT consultancy; he is an alumnus of IIT-BHU.
3. 20 June – World Refugee Day: World Refugee Day is observed every year on June 20 to raise awareness about the struggles faced by refugees globally and to promote empathy, inclusion, and support in host societies.Theme 2025 – For a World Where Refugees Are WelcomedRefugees are individuals who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, or human rights violations, often leaving behind everything they know in search of safety and dignity.
4. 19 June – International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: Observed annually on 19 June, this day aims to raise awareness about sexual violence used as a tactic of war and terrorism, and to honour the survivors and those working to end such crimes.The day recognises the long-term impact of sexual violence in conflict, including trauma, stigma, displacement, and the breakdown of families and communities.The United Nations established this day in 2015, marking 19 June 2008, when the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1820, which acknowledged sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security.
5. 19 June – World Kidney Cancer Day: World Kidney Cancer Day is observed every year on 19 June to raise global awareness about kidney cancer, its prevention, early detection, and available treatments.This day serves as a platform to educate people about the risk factors associated with kidney cancer, such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and genetic predisposition.Theme 2025- Show Your Kidneys Some LoveWorld Kidney Cancer Day 2025 focuses on empowering patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals with the latest knowledge, promoting early diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.
6. 19 June – World Sauntering Day: World Sauntering Day is observed every year on 19th June to remind people to slow down, relax, and enjoy life at a leisurely pace, rather than rushing through it.The day was created in the 1970s by W.T. Rabe, reportedly as a light-hearted response to the growing popularity of jogging and the fast-paced lifestyle. It encourages people to appreciate the small joys of life — like walking slowly, observing nature, and spending mindful time with loved ones.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. INS Arnala Commissioned into Indian Navy, Boosting Coastal Defence and ASW Capabilities: INS Arnala, the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned into the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan.Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding, INS Arnala is designed for multiple roles, including sub-surface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO).With a length of 77 meters and a displacement of over 1,490 tonnes, it is the largest Indian Navy warship to use a Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion system, making it fast, agile, and efficient in shallow waters.Named after the historic Arnala Fort off the coast of Maharashtra, the ship’s induction signifies a strategic boost in India’s coastal defense and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, aligning with future maritime force objectives.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Delhi Gets Green Light for First-Ever Artificial Rain Pilot Project to Combat Air Pollution:Delhi has received official approval for its first-ever artificial rain (cloud seeding) pilot project, aimed at combating severe air pollution and managing weather conditions in the national capital.The project is being spearheaded by the Delhi government in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, leveraging scientific techniques to artificially induce rainfall using cloud seeding methods.The primary objective is to reduce toxic air pollution levels, especially during the winter months when smog and PM2.5 levels reach hazardous limits.Aircraft will be used to spray silver iodide or other cloud-seeding agents into moisture-laden clouds to trigger rainfall under suitable weather conditions.The pilot is expected to be conducted in late 2025, subject to cloud availability and meteorological approvals, marking a technological milestone in India’s environmental management efforts.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India and Cyprus Sign MoU to Launch UPI Services, Boosting Cross-Border Digital Payments: India and Cyprus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable the introduction of UPI services in Cyprus, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).The MoU aims to facilitate real-time international digital payments via NPCI’s UPI platform, making transactions easier for tourists, businesses, and the Indian diaspora.This move is part of India’s broader vision to globalize NPCI’s UPI services, following similar agreements with countries like France, UAE, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.The agreement also focuses on strengthening cybersecurity and regulatory collaboration between NPCI and financial authorities in Cyprus to ensure safe digital payments.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. India Post Payments Bank Bags Digital Payments Award 2024–25 for Excellence in Financial Inclusion: India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been awarded the Digital Payments Award 2024–25 by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, for its exceptional efforts in promoting digital payments and financial inclusion nationwide.IPPB secured the 1st position among all Payments Banks in India in the Performance Index for FY 2024–25 and also received a ‘Special Mention’ Award for FY 2023–24, recognizing consistent excellence.IPPB is a 100% Government of India-owned entity, operating under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, and was launched on September 1, 2018, with the mission to serve every Indian with secure, accessible, and affordable banking services.The award highlights IPPB’s critical role in bridging the digital divide and reaching underserved sections of the population through a wide network of post offices and digital payment solutions.
2. ‘Desi Oon’ Puts Indian Animation on Global Map with Historic Win at Annecy Festival 2025: ‘Desi Oon’, an animated film by renowned Indian filmmaker Suresh Eriyat, won the Jury Award for Best Commissioned Film at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Festival 2025 in France — a historic moment that spotlighted Indian animation on the global stage.The film emerged from the Create in India Challenge, an initiative by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting under WAVES 2025, aimed at promoting India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem (Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics & Extended Reality) and drawing participation from over 60 countries.In addition to the Annecy win, ‘Desi Oon’ was also awarded Best Film at the WAVES Awards of Excellence 2025, shortlisted at Cannes Lions 2025, and selected for archival at MoMA, New York through the AICP Show Winner 2025 honour.The film, produced by Studio Eeksaurus, has also secured major creative awards including 2 Blue Elephants & 1 Baby Black Elephant at the Kyoorius Creative Awards, and a D&AD Wooden Pencil for global design excellence — marking a new era for Indian animation internationally.
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