NATIONAL UPDATES:
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.
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. DGCA’s Comprehensive Special Audit Framework for Aviation: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced a new framework for conducting comprehensive special audits in India’s aviation sector. This initiative follows a tragic incident involving Air India’s flight AI171, which crashed shortly after take-off, leading to loss of life. The DGCA aims to enhance safety and compliance across the aviation ecosystem by moving from siloed assessments to integrated evaluations. The new audit framework is shift from traditional methods. Previously, safety assessments were conducted in isolation by different directorates within the DGCA. The new approach promotes a holistic evaluation of airlines, airports, maintenance firms, and training institutes. It aims to reflect both strengths and areas needing improvement in the aviation sector. The audits will focus on three main areas – the effectiveness of safety management systems (SMS), the robustness of operational practices, and compliance with regulatory provisions. This will involve multidisciplinary teams from various DGCA divisions, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation.
4. King Cobra Reintroduction Plans in Madhya Pradesh: King cobras are the world’s longest venomous snakes. Recently, a king cobra died in Bhopal’s Van Vihar zoo. This incident has sparked discussions on the reintroduction of king cobras in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav aims to address rising snakebite fatalities through this initiative. However, challenges exist regarding the feasibility and ecological implications of such plans. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) can reach lengths of up to 15 feet. It thrives in humid, dense forests and prefers habitats with ample undergrowth and water sources. In India, its range includes the Western Ghats, Northeast India, and parts of the Eastern Ghats. Recent reports indicate sightings in Chhattisgarh, raising hopes for their presence in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.
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.While Western Sydney University (Australia) retained the top global spot, Asian universities — particularly from South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia — showed rising dominance in sustainability-driven higher education.
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. 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. 21 June – International Yoga Day: International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on 21 June to raise global awareness about the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of practicing yoga.Theme 2025 – Yoga for One Earth, One HealthThe day was officially declared by the United Nations in 2014, following a proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the first Yoga Day was celebrated on 21 June 2015.The date, 21 June, marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolizing health, energy, and vitality.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. US Attacks Iran’s Nuclear Facilities: The recent military actions by the United States against Iran’s nuclear installations have escalated tensions in the Middle East. On June 22, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the obliteration of three nuclear sites – Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. These facilities are crucial for uranium enrichment, a process essential for both nuclear energy and weaponry. This situation raises concerns about nuclear safety, potential radiation leaks, and geopolitical ramifications. Nuclear bombs differ fundamentally from conventional explosives. Traditional bombs rely on chemical reactions that can be triggered by impact or heat. In contrast, nuclear bombs release energy through nuclear fission, which occurs under specific conditions. This process generates immense energy, resulting in blast waves and electromagnetic radiation. Nuclear detonations are designed to occur mid-air, maximising destructive potential.
2. Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Facility: The ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has intensified, particularly concerning Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility. This site, located approximately 95 km from Tehran, is crucial due to its advanced uranium enrichment capabilities. The situation escalated following recent Israeli airstrikes, which targeted various Iranian nuclear sites. As tensions rise, the possibility of direct US military intervention looms large. The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant began construction in 2007 and became operational in 2009. It houses about 2,000 centrifuges that enrich uranium to 60%. This level of enrichment is step towards weapons-grade uranium, which requires 90% enrichment. The facility is deeply buried, making it resistant to conventional airstrikes.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Covid-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 : The Covid-19 pandemic continues to evolve with new variants. The recent emergence of the NB.1.8.1 variant, also known as ‘Nimbus’, has drawn attention due to its rapid spread, particularly in China and the United States. This variant is associated with a unique symptom referred to as a ‘razor blade’ throat, characterised by severe pain during swallowing. NB.1.8.1 is a descendant of the Omicron variant. As of May 23, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring. This classification indicates that it is being tracked due to its increasing global presence. Despite its spread, WHO has assessed the additional public health risk posed by this variant as low. Symptoms of the NB.1.8.1 variant are similar to those of other Covid-19 strains. Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and tiredness. The distinct ‘razor blade’ throat symptom has been reported but its uniqueness remains uncertain. Current data suggest that this variant does not cause more severe illness than other circulating variants.
BANKING AND FINANCE
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.To enhance social equity, 42,400 houses have been sanctioned for SCs, 17,574 for STs, and over 1.13 lakh for OBCs, reinforcing PMAY-U’s focus on supporting marginalized communities.Under PMAY-U 2.0, eligible urban households—especially EWS, LIG, and MIG segments—can receive central assistance of up to ₹5 lakh per house. Over 93.19 lakh homes have already been completed and handed over, with the new version aiming to support 1 crore more families.
2. 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. ‘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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