Daily Current Affairs - Week 24, 2025 (09 Jun 2025 - 15 Jun 2025)

• Bihar records steepest drop in sex ratio at birth — from 964 girls per 1000 boys in 2020 to 891 in 2022.
• Tamil Nadu declares Dhanushkodi as Greater Flamingo Sanctuary on World Environment Day.
• Centre introduces new rules for Ladakh, including local job quota, 15-year domicile, women’s reservation, and 5 official languages.
• Delhi to build India's first e-waste recycling park in Holambi Kalan.
• New 5 km traffic tunnel planned in Delhi between Shiv Murti and Nelson Mandela Road.
• Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launches 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' tree plantation campaign.
• India launches its first Jungle Safari Train with Vistadome coach between Dudhwa and Katarniaghat.
• Goa’s Ozzo Feni becomes the first feni to get GI tag in India.

• World Food Safety Day Observed Globally on June 7
• International Day of Play 2025 observed with theme “Choose Play – Every Day”.
• World Day Against Child Labour observed on June 12 to combat child exploitation.

• Gram Panchayats Recognized for Digital Innovation Under New e-Governance Award Category
• India's 'Bharat Mandap' Pavilion ranked among top five at World Expo Osaka 2025.

• India to acquire three indigenous QRSAM regiments worth ₹30,000 crore for Army Air Defence.
• Indian Army joins multinational military drill 'Khaan Quest 2025' in Mongolia.
• India and the U.K. held a joint naval exercise in the Arabian Sea, boosting interoperability and maritime security.

Historic British-Era Jail Transformed into Unique ‘Sohra 1885’ Café in Meghalaya

• Sumit Madan to become MD & CEO of Axis Max Life Insurance from October 1, 2025.
• Sailesh Mehta elected as Chairman of Fertiliser Association of India (FAI).
• Shantanu Mitra to step down as CEO & MD of SMFG India Credit by June end.

• Renowned Marathi Author and Scholar Daji Panshikar Passes Away at 92
• Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani died in the Air India crash near Ahmedabad, which killed over 200 people.
• Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys and music legend, passed away at the age of 82.
• An Air India flight to London crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad, killing almost all on board, with only one British passenger surviving.

• Andhra Pradesh to host India’s first AI University in collaboration with NVIDIA.
• DRDO transfers technology of nine systems to ten industries to boost defense manufacturing.
• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to become India's second astronaut on Axiom-4 space mission on June 11, 2025.
• GSK and Bharat Biotech have teamed up to develop the altSonflex1-2-3 Shigella vaccine, with Bharat Biotech leading Phase 3 trials and production.

• Dassault and Tata Sign Deal to Manufacture Rafale Fuselages in India
• Starlink Approved to Launch Satellite Internet Services in India
• World Bank report says India’s extreme poverty dropped to 5.3% in 2022-23.
• SBI pays ₹8,076.84 crore dividend to the Government for FY25.
• Jana Small Finance Bank applies for universal banking license from RBI.
• Covrzy partners with NammaYatri to provide affordable health insurance to gig workers.
• LIC enters Guinness World Records for highest life insurance policies sold in a single day.
• Katrina Kaif appointed Maldives' global tourism ambassador ahead of PM Modi’s visit.
• Meta to invest $15 billion in Scale AI to pursue superintelligence goals.
• SEBI mandates '@valid' UPI handles for intermediaries to curb fraud.
• SEBI approved NSE’s plan to introduce monthly electricity futures to manage power price volatility.
• Trump declared a U.S.-China deal with 55% tariffs on Chinese goods and access to rare earths, but details suggest it's just a framework.

• PM Modi Receives Call from Canadian PM Mark Carney Regarding G7 Summit Invitation
• Tom Cruise earns Guinness World Record for 16 fiery parachute jumps in his new Mission Impossible film.
• Israeli Navy intercepts UK ship carrying Gaza aid and detains Greta Thunberg.

• Aravindh Chithambaram Wins Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament in Armenia
• Carlsen Wins 7th Norway Chess Title After Caruana Defeats Gukesh in Final Round
• Coco Gauff thanks parents after becoming first American woman since 2015 to win French Open.
• Piyush Chawla retires from all formats of cricket after a 20-year career.
• Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini win French Open 2025 Women's Doubles title for Italy.
• Carlos Alcaraz wins his second French Open title after beating World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the longest-ever final.
• Former India captain MS Dhoni inducted into ICC Hall of Fame.
• India secures six gold medals on the final day of Taiwan Open Athletics.
• Nicholas Pooran retires from international cricket to focus on franchise leagues.
• Elavenil Valarivan wins bronze for India in 10m air rifle at Munich Shooting World Cup.
• 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad gets F1 exemption after Red Bull request.
• Priyanka Goswami wins gold in 10km race at Austrian Racewalking Championships.
• Sift Kaur Samra won her second medal of the season with a bronze in the 50m rifle 3-position at the Munich World Cup.

• Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Unveils UMEED Portal for Transparent Waqf Property Management
• India’s Maternal Mortality Rate drops by 50 points under PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan.
• Tata Group announced ₹1 crore compensation per victim’s family and support for the damaged BJ Medical College hostel.
• India slipped to 131st place in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, marking a relative decline in gender parity.
• India slipped to 131st place in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, marking a relative decline in gender parity.

On June 9–10, the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy conducted a passage exercise in the North Arabian Sea, featuring India’s stealth frigate INS Tabar, a submarine, and P-8I aircraft. The UK’s Carrier Strike Group included the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Richmond. According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise showcased strong bilateral naval cooperation, involving coordinated anti-submarine warfare, tactical drills, and helicopter operations.

A London-bound Boeing 787 operated by Air India crashed into the premises of a medical college shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad. The pilot issued a distress 'Mayday' call before communication ceased abruptly. Though official casualty figures are still awaited, multiple fatalities are expected on the ground. Miraculously, one British national survived, while the rest of the passengers could not be saved.

Brian Wilson, a founding member of the legendary band Beach Boys, has died at age 82. Known for timeless tracks like Good Vibrations and God Only Knows, Wilson battled mental health challenges and substance abuse for decades. His family announced his death through a statement on his website, expressing deep sorrow. The cause of death was not disclosed, though it was noted that Wilson, suffering from dementia, had been under conservatorship since the passing of his wife Melinda in early 2024.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the 232 people aboard the Air India flight that crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad. Gujarat BJP president C.R. Patil confirmed Rupani's death, describing it as a significant loss for the party. Over 200 fatalities have been reported in the tragic incident near the airport.

Bharat Biotech and pharmaceutical giant GSK have entered into a collaboration to advance the development of GSK’s Shigella vaccine candidate, altSonflex1-2-3. Bharat Biotech will oversee Phase 3 trials, regulatory submissions, and mass manufacturing, while GSK will contribute to the clinical design, seek external funding, and support commercialization.

The National Stock Exchange has received the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) approval to introduce monthly electricity futures contracts. The initiative is aimed at helping stakeholders hedge against price fluctuations in electricity, ensuring more accurate market pricing and stimulating investment across the power generation and distribution sectors.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new trade framework with China that secures U.S. access to Chinese rare earth minerals and magnets. Tariffs on Chinese imports will remain at 55%, which includes existing import duties. In return, the U.S. will allow Chinese students to study at American institutions. Although called a “deal,” it is in fact a preliminary framework to eventually form a full-fledged trade agreement. A White House official clarified that the tariff rate reflects earlier levies, not a new increase.

Indian shooter Sift Kaur Samra, a world record holder and Asian Games gold medallist, secured a bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3-position event at the Shooting World Cup in Munich. She qualified with a top score of 592 and overcame the USA’s Sagen Maddalena to reach the podium. This marks her second medal this season, having earlier won gold in Buenos Aires. Norway's Jeanette Duestad claimed the gold. Among Indian men, Kiran Jadhav came closest to a medal in the air rifle event, missing the final by just 0.1 point. China leads the overall medal tally.

India has been ranked 131 out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, with a gender parity score of 64.1%. This marks a decline from its 129th position in the previous year. While the global gender gap has improved to 68.8%—the biggest annual gain since the pandemic—full equality remains 123 years away at the current rate. Iceland retained the top spot for the 16th consecutive year, followed by Finland, Norway, the UK, and New Zealand. Bangladesh led South Asia, soaring to the 24th position globally due to improvements in political and economic representation.

Following the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the Tata Group has pledged ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of each deceased passenger. It also committed to covering the medical costs of the injured and aiding in the restoration of the damaged BJ Medical College hostel. Over 200 passengers lost their lives when the aircraft, en route to London, crashed into a residential area in Meghaninagar.

In a historic first, Ozzo Feni—a traditional Goan liquor made from cashew apples—has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Produced by Cazcar Distillery in Nanora village, this recognition protects Feni’s identity, deters imitation, and boosts its branding and market value both within India and globally.

Observed annually on June 12, the World Day Against Child Labour aims to highlight the exploitation faced by children forced into labour due to poverty and lack of education. This day calls for international action to eliminate child labour, particularly among children under 14 working in domestic, agricultural, and industrial sectors.

An Indian Army contingent has arrived in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to participate in the multinational Exercise Khaan Quest 2025, scheduled from June 14 to 28. The peacekeeping-focused exercise involves military units from several countries and promotes international collaboration and operational synergy.

Shantanu Mitra, the CEO and MD of SMFG India Credit, will step down by the end of June. This leadership change comes shortly after Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) announced its acquisition of a 20% stake in Yes Bank worth ₹13,483 crore, signaling strategic realignment within the group’s India operations.

Actress Katrina Kaif has been appointed as the global brand ambassador for Maldives tourism, ahead of Indian PM Narendra Modi’s planned visit. The decision signals improving diplomatic ties after a tense period in 2024, during which PM Modi's Lakshadweep visit sparked political controversy and backlash.

In one of its largest external investments, Meta has announced a $15 billion partnership with Scale AI, an emerging leader in artificial intelligence. The initiative, led by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Scale founder Alexandr Wang, will fund research toward developing “superintelligent” computer systems, supported by a 50-member joint team.

To combat online payment fraud in the securities market, SEBI has directed all registered intermediaries—including brokers, mutual funds, and investment advisors—to adopt the ‘@valid’ UPI handle format by October 1. This move ensures that investor funds are transferred only to verified and authorized entities, enhancing transaction safety.

On June 9, Israeli forces intercepted the UK-flagged ship Madleen, which was en route from Italy to Gaza carrying humanitarian supplies. The vessel, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s mission to challenge Israel's blockade, had 12 people on board, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan. The interception reignited debate over the legality of the blockade and humanitarian access to Gaza.

British teenager Arvid Lindblad has become the first driver under 18 to receive an exemption to compete in Formula 1, following a request by Red Bull. The FIA’s recent amendment to its International Sporting Code allowed the exception, recognizing Lindblad’s exceptional talent and granting him a superlicence.

Indian athlete Priyanka Goswami secured gold in the women’s 10km race at the Austrian Racewalking Championships in Innsbruck, finishing with a time of 47:54—her first win this season. Meanwhile, Sandeep Kumar and Ram Baboo won silver and bronze, respectively, in the men’s 35km race, marking a successful outing for India.

• First-ever jungle safari train in India, operating between Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Equipped with a Vistadome coach featuring panoramic windows and rooftop glass panels.
• Designed to boost eco‑tourism, raise awareness about wildlife conservation, and support local agencies.
• Offers a unique visitor experience through dense forests, with sightings of tigers, elephants, deer, and various bird species.

• The International Day of Play, observed annually on June 11, focuses on advocating for the essential role of play in children’s growth.
• The 2025 theme, “Choose Play – Every Day”, urges families, schools, businesses, and governments to embed play in daily life.
• Play supports cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development, as recognized by WHO and UNICEF.
• The day is marked globally via community events, school activities, and policy pledges to ensure accessible, safe play spaces.

• Axis Max Life Insurance has announced Sumit Madan as its MD & CEO, effective 1 October 2025, post regulatory approval.
• Madan currently serves as Senior Director & Chief Distribution Officer at Axis Max Life.
• His promotion underscores the insurer’s focus on distribution expansion, digital initiatives, and product innovation.
• He inherits leadership from outgoing MD & CEO (name pending), ahead of strategic five-year growth plans.

• Sailesh C Mehta, Managing Director of Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals, has been voted chairman of the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI).
• He succeeds N Suresh Krishnan, MD of Paradeep Phosphates Ltd.
• Mehta’s tenure will involve addressing key issues: fertiliser pricing, subsidy policy, and green fertiliser adoption.
• His guidance will influence national agriculture strategies and liaise with the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

• Bengaluru-based insurtech Covrzy has partnered with NammaYatri, a tech-led open-mobility service.
• Aim: to provide affordable health coverage to over 50,000 drivers and their families by 2026.
• Launching initially in Bengaluru, with rollout planned across Kolkata, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, and Kochi.
• Addresses a key gap in social security for gig economy workers, integrating tech-based policy delivery and health benefits.

• Jana Small Finance Bank has officially submitted an application to the Reserve Bank of India for a universal banking license.
• If approved, it could expand from a niche small-finance focus to offer full-spectrum banking, including credit cards, wholesale banking, and corporate lending.
• Reflects a strategic ambition to scale and contend with conventional banks in urban and semi-urban segments.
• Puts Jana in a select group of SFBs aspiring to broaden operations within India’s financial landscape.

• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) recorded a new Guinness World Record for selling the most life insurance policies in 24 hours.
• On 20 January 2025, LIC agents issued over 580,000 policies, surpassing previous benchmarks.
• This achievement highlights LIC’s exceptional agent network, campaign reach, and its role in enhancing financial inclusion.
• The record underscores a milestone in India’s insurance growth story and LIC’s nationwide capacity.

• Elavenil Valarivan (25) secured bronze in the 10m air rifle event during the Munich World Cup.
• She led much of the final, shooting a high 635.6 in qualification but dropped from gold contention by just 0.2 points on her second‑last shot.
• This marks Elavenil’s first World Cup bronze, adding to her earlier four golds and one bronze.
• Gold went to China’s Wang Zifei, who reset the qualification world record with 637.9 points, narrowly beating Korean Kwon Eunji by 0.1.

• Nicholas Pooran, former West Indies captain in white-ball formats, has retired from all international cricket.
• Known for aggressive batting, Pooran steps away following Heinrich Klaasen’s recent retirement from South Africa.
• He will now prioritize T20 franchise competitions worldwide, including leagues like the IPL, PSL, and CPL.
• His decision marks a shift toward focusing on franchise cricket, reducing travel and aligning with fitness strategy.

• Under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has fallen 50 points, from 130 (2014–16) to 80 (2021–23).
• PMSMA emphasizes free antenatal care, nutritional support, high-risk check-ups, and infrastructure upgrades.
• With over nine years of consistent effort, states with previously high MMR have seen marked reductions.
• This reflects strengthened maternal healthcare delivery and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3).

Delhi's Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, has officially rolled out "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0," a tree-planting initiative. She marked the launch by planting a 'sindoor' tree sapling at a government school. This local campaign follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationwide "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" program, which began on World Environment Day. The initiative encourages individuals to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers, symbolizing the nurturing aspects shared by both motherhood and nature.

Delhi is set to get a new 5-kilometer tunnel designed to alleviate traffic congestion, connecting Shiv Murti-Mahipalpur (near Dwarka Expressway) to Nelson Mandela Road in Vasant Kunj. This tunnel project is part of a larger ₹24,000 crore infrastructure development plan for Delhi, which was recently approved after discussions with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has announced that the Delhi government is developing India's first electronic waste (e-waste) eco-park. Located in Holambi Kalan, North Delhi, this 11.4-acre facility will be built under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model, operating as a public-private partnership (PPP) for a 15-year concession period.

The India Pavilion, named "Bharat Mandap," has been recognized as one of the top five most admired pavilions at the ongoing World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Mr. Yamamoto-san, Deputy Pavilion Director and a representative of the Japan Travel Bureau (JTB), shared this assessment. The India Pavilion's popularity is based on feedback from Expo officials, Japanese citizens, and online engagement, placing it alongside major global participants like the United States, Italy, France, and Japan.

India is preparing to procure three Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system regiments, developed domestically, for its Army Air Defence. This acquisition is estimated to cost ₹30,000 crore. The QRSAM system features a phased array surveillance radar capable of detecting targets up to 120 km away and a tracking radar with an 80 km effective range. It also includes Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) technology.

In a move to strengthen India's defense industrial base through public and private sector involvement, the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a DRDO lab in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, has transferred the technology of nine of its systems to ten different industries.

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is slated to make history as the second Indian to travel to space, joining the Axiom-4 mission bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The launch, initially delayed by weather, is now scheduled for June 11, 2025. This will be India's first manned space mission since 1984.

India's largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI), has paid a dividend of ₹8,076.84 crore to the Indian government for the financial year 2024-25. The dividend cheque was presented to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman by SBI Chairman C.S. Setty, with Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju and Finance Secretary Ajay Seth also present.

Legendary Indian cricketer and former captain MS Dhoni has been enshrined in the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame, a significant acknowledgment of his illustrious career. The International Cricket Council confirmed Dhoni's induction among seven cricketers honored this year, including cricketing greats Matthew Hayden (Australia) and Hashim Amla (South Africa). Dhoni's remarkable career stats include 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals, and 538 matches for India across various formats, highlighting his exceptional consistency, fitness, and longevity in the sport.

The Indian athletics team achieved significant success on the second and final day of the Taiwan Open international championship, earning six gold medals. This included dual podium finishes in both the women's 800m final and the long jump event. Overall, India's medal tally on the second day was 10, comprising six gold, three silver, and one bronze. Notable medalists included Shaili Singh, Ancy Sojan, Vithya Ramraj, and Krishan Kumar.

The central government has announced a set of new regulations for the Union Territory of Ladakh, including reservations in government employment for local residents, a domicile criterion requiring 15 years of residency, reservation of one-third of hill council seats for women, and recognition of five official languages. These measures aim to protect the cultural and economic interests of Ladakh's native population.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has officially designated an area in Dhanushkodi, Ramanathapuram district, as a Greater Flamingo Sanctuary. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the sanctuary via video conference on World Environment Day during a function organized by the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests in Chennai.

CRS Report Rewritten: As per the Civil Registration System (CRS) report from the Registrar General of India, Bihar has recorded the sharpest drop in sex ratio at birth among all Indian states and union territories. The state's ratio declined from 964 girls per 1000 boys in 2020 to 891 in 2022. Bihar is the only state to show a consistent yearly decline since 2020. Other low-ranking states in 2022 include Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat. Meanwhile, Nagaland led with the highest sex ratio at birth.

The Andhra Pradesh government has partnered with global tech company NVIDIA to set up the nation’s first university dedicated to Artificial Intelligence. Announced by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the initiative will focus on research, infrastructure, education, and innovation, aiming to transform the region into a knowledge hub branded as "Swarna Andhra Pradesh."

According to a World Bank report, India's extreme poverty level fell to 5.3% in 2022-23, down from 27.1% in 2011-12. The revised poverty threshold was raised to $3 per day due to inflation adjustments between 2017 and 2021. In 2024, 5.44% of Indians (about 54.7 million people) were living under this benchmark. The extreme poverty rate fell dramatically, while the poverty rate at the lower middle-income line dropped by 33.7 percentage points.

Tom Cruise has been awarded a Guinness World Record for performing a record number of fiery parachute jumps in "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning." The daring stunt involved jumping 16 times from a helicopter using a flaming, fuel-soaked parachute while carrying a 50-pound camera rig, showcasing his commitment to doing his own stunts.

Carlos Alcaraz staged an extraordinary comeback to retain his French Open title by defeating World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a five-set marathon, which has become the longest final in the tournament's history. After trailing two sets and facing three championship points, Alcaraz turned the match around to win 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. With this victory, he secured his second Roland Garros trophy and fifth overall Grand Slam title, maintaining a perfect record in major finals.

American tennis star Coco Gauff became the first woman from the U.S. to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015. After her victory, Gauff expressed heartfelt gratitude to her parents, acknowledging their belief in her abilities and their constant support in both personal and professional spheres.

Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has officially retired from all forms of cricket after a two-decade-long career. The 36-year-old cricketer made the announcement via social media. Chawla represented India in 3 Test matches, 25 One Day Internationals, and 7 T20 Internationals, with his last international appearance occurring during the 2012 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

The second-seeded Italian pair Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini clinched the 2025 French Open Women's Doubles title by defeating Anna Danilina of Kazakhstan and Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia in three sets: 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were set to face off in the final after Alcaraz progressed due to an injury-related retirement by Lorenzo Musetti, and Sinner won against Novak Djokovic in straight sets.