Current Affairs Report: June 16, 2025

This detailed report covers the latest current affairs from June 16, 2025, tailored for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams. Sourced from credible publications like The Hindu, The Indian Express, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Business Standard, Livemint, The Economic Times, Press Information Bureau (PIB), PRS Legislative Research, BBC News, Reuters, and Down To Earth, this article provides an engaging and comprehensive overview of key developments across politics, economics, science, technology, international relations, environment, and more. Written in simple English with a storytelling approach, it aims to be a valuable resource for students seeking a competitive edge.

Politics and Governance

India’s governance landscape is witnessing significant policy discussions. On June 16, 2025, Business Standard reported that the government is planning to amend the Income Tax Bill, 2025 to address contradictions in refund provisions (Business Standard). Specifically, Section 433 allows refunds for belated returns, while Section 263(1)(a)(ix) requires returns to be filed on time, creating confusion. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has sought stakeholder input, and amendments are likely to streamline the tax process, making it more taxpayer-friendly. This reform is crucial for aspirants to understand, as it reflects ongoing efforts to modernize India’s tax framework.

Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on June 16, 2025, that Census 2025 will commence, marking India’s first digital and caste-inclusive census (Bankers Adda). This initiative will provide comprehensive demographic data, influencing policy decisions and resource allocation, a key topic for governance-related exam questions.

Economic Developments

RBI Monetary Policy and Banking

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken bold steps to support economic growth. On June 6, 2025, the RBI reduced the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5%, as part of a series of cuts totaling 100 basis points since February 2025 (Outlook Money). This move aims to lower borrowing costs, encouraging investment and consumption. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) also projected a 6.5% GDP growth for 2025-26 and revised the CPI inflation forecast to 3.7%, with Q1 at 2.9% (PIB). Following this, the State Bank of India (SBI) reduced interest rates on fixed deposits and savings accounts, effective June 15, 2025, impacting depositors but aligning with the goal of economic stimulation (Business Today).

On June 12, 2025, the RBI issued KYC (Amendment) Directions, streamlining compliance for financial institutions (Zigram). These updates enhance efficiency in customer verification, a critical aspect for banking exam aspirants to note.

Inflation Trends

Inflation remains a focal point for economic policy. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reported that CPI inflation for May 2025 was 2.59%, down from 2.92% in April, driven by easing food prices (PIB). Analysts, including India Ratings and Research, predict inflation could dip to around 2.5% in June 2025, supported by favorable base effects (Moneycontrol). The RBI’s projection of 2.9% for Q1 2025-26 indicates a stable inflationary environment, crucial for maintaining purchasing power and economic stability.

Stock Market Performance

The Indian stock market showcased resilience on June 16, 2025. The BSE Sensex closed at 81,796, up 677.55 points or 0.84%, while the Nifty 50 settled at 24,950 (Economic Times). This positive performance, despite global concerns like the Israel-Iran conflict, reflects strong investor confidence. Sectors such as banking and technology led the rally, making this a key point for aspirants studying economic trends (Moneycontrol).

Science and Technology

ISRO’s Space Missions

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) continues to elevate India’s global standing in space exploration. The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite, a collaborative project with NASA, arrived at its Indian launch site, with a launch planned for June or July 2025 (NASA). This mission will provide critical data on Earth’s ecosystems, natural hazards, and climate change, aligning with India’s scientific priorities.

Additionally, the Axiom-4 mission, featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, is scheduled for June 19, 2025, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 (India Today). This mission marks a significant step in India’s human spaceflight program, following the Gaganyaan initiative. Aspirants should note these developments for questions on India’s space achievements.

AI and Research Reforms

India is making strides in artificial intelligence and research. On June 15, 2025, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced policy reforms to promote Ease of Innovation (Elets eGov). Key measures include:

Non-GeM procurement for specialized research equipment.
Amendments to General Financial Rules (GFR), increasing direct purchase limits from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh and departmental purchase committee limits from ₹2 lakh to ₹25 lakh.
Approval of Global Tender Enquiries (GTEs) up to ₹200 crore by institutional heads.

These reforms aim to reduce bureaucratic delays and foster innovation, particularly in AI and emerging technologies. India’s compute capacity crossed 34,000 GPUs by May 30, 2025, supporting AI-led research (PIB). The unveiling of BharatGen, a sovereign multimodal large language model, further underscores India’s AI ambitions (LinkedIn).

International Relations

Bilateral Agreements

On June 16, 2025, India and Cyprus signed a joint declaration to implement a comprehensive partnership, strengthening ties in defense, maritime security, and cybersecurity (Parikiaki). Key highlights include:

Commitment to peace, democracy, and the UN Charter.
Support for Cyprus’s sovereignty and a UN-facilitated settlement of the Cyprus Question.
Condemnation of terrorism, including attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
Plans for regular Indian naval port calls and joint maritime exercises.
Exploration of tourism and direct air connectivity.

This declaration, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus, reflects India’s strategic outreach in the Mediterranean (The Samikhsya).

India is also advancing trade talks with the United States, with an interim deal expected by July 9, 2025, to address tariff concerns (Reuters). Additionally, a Free Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom was finalized on May 6, 2025, boosting economic ties (Mondaq).

Global Forums

India’s participation in global forums remains robust. The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was highlighted in the India-Cyprus declaration as a driver of economic integration. India’s push for UN Security Council reform and permanent membership was also reiterated, aligning with its active role in the UN, Commonwealth, and other multilateral platforms.

Environmental Challenges and Initiatives

The State of India’s Environment in Figures 2025, released on June 4, 2025, paints a grim picture of worsening climate, health, and development indicators (Down To Earth). Key concerns include:

Water crisis: Per capita freshwater availability is projected to fall below 1,000 cubic meters by 2025 (Climate Fact Checks).
Heatwaves: Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai are expected to see a twofold increase in heatwave days by 2030 (The Hindu).
Monsoon variability: The 2025 monsoon stalled after an early start but is expected to strengthen from June 11-12 (Reuters).

To address these challenges, the Aravalli Green Wall Project is set for launch on June 18, 2025, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan (Daily Pioneer). Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall, this 1,400-km long, 5-km wide green buffer across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi aims to combat desertification. Covering 6.45 million hectares, with 2.7 million hectares degraded, the project will enhance carbon sequestration and protect against the Thar Desert’s spread, supporting India’s climate goals.

Environmental Initiative	Details
Aravalli Green Wall Project	1,400-km green buffer, 6.45 million hectares, combats desertification, launches June 18, 2025.
Carbon Sink Goal	Additional 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
Degraded Land Restoration	Target of 26 million hectares by 2030.

Judicial Developments

The Supreme Court of India announced administrative changes on June 16, 2025. From July 14, 2025, the court will restore the 2nd and 4th Saturdays as working days and implement new working hour rules, with no work after 4:30 PM unless urgent (India TV News). These changes aim to enhance efficiency while ensuring work-life balance, a relevant topic for governance and judiciary-related questions.

While no major rulings were reported on June 16, a Supreme Court Observer report summarized five significant judgments from June 1-15, 2025, including clarifications on judicial powers over arbitral awards and orders addressing Delhi-NCR pollution (SC Observer).

Conclusion

This report provides a comprehensive overview of current affairs from June 16, 2025, covering critical topics for government exam aspirants. From economic reforms and space missions to international partnerships and environmental initiatives, these developments reflect India’s dynamic progress and challenges. By staying informed, students can gain a competitive edge in their preparations.

Key Citations

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers

Question 1: What significant step has the Ministry of Home Affairs announced regarding Census 2025?
Option 1: It will be conducted only in rural areas
Option 2: It will be India’s first digital and caste-inclusive census
Option 3: It will exclude religious data to avoid controversies
Option 4: It will be conducted by private agencies for the first time
Option 5: It will use facial recognition technology for enumeration
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: On June 16, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that Census 2025 will be the first-ever digital and caste-inclusive census in India. This means the entire process will be carried out electronically and include detailed data on caste, which can significantly shape future policies related to social justice, reservations, and resource allocation. This marks a progressive step in data-driven governance.

Question 2: The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee recently revised the repo rate to:
Option 1: 5.5%
Option 2: 5.0%
Option 3: 6.0%
Option 4: 6.25%
Option 5: 4.5%
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: The RBI, in its June 2025 policy announcement, reduced the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5%. This move is part of a broader effort to stimulate economic growth by lowering borrowing costs for businesses and consumers. The policy also indicated a cumulative cut of 100 basis points since February 2025, aiming to boost investment and consumption amid low inflation.

Question 3: What is the primary objective of the Aravalli Green Wall Project, launching on June 18, 2025?
Option 1: To establish a wildlife sanctuary in the Aravalli Hills
Option 2: To plant commercial timber trees for export
Option 3: To build wind energy farms across the Aravalli belt
Option 4: To develop eco-tourism infrastructure across four states
Option 5: To combat desertification and create a green buffer
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: The Aravalli Green Wall Project aims to combat desertification and act as a green barrier against the expansion of the Thar Desert. Spanning 1,400 km across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, this project covers 6.45 million hectares, 2.7 million of which are degraded. It is modeled after Africa’s Great Green Wall and aligns with India’s climate goals of increasing carbon sequestration and restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land.

Question 4: Which of the following best describes India’s recent strategic agreement with Cyprus?
Option 1: A defense pact focused on missile technology transfer
Option 2: A trade agreement to reduce agricultural tariffs
Option 3: A digital partnership for AI collaboration
Option 4: A joint declaration covering defense, maritime security, and cybersecurity
Option 5: An agreement for sharing civil nuclear technology
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: On June 16, 2025, India and Cyprus signed a joint declaration to deepen their partnership across multiple domains, particularly defense, maritime security, and cybersecurity. The agreement also reflects shared commitments to democracy, condemnation of terrorism, and plans for naval port calls and joint exercises. This move enhances India’s presence in the Mediterranean and supports strategic maritime outreach.

Question 5: According to MoSPI, what was India’s CPI inflation rate for May 2025?
Option 1: 2.72%
Option 2: 3.01%
Option 3: 2.59%
Option 4: 2.35%
Option 5: 2.92%
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate for May 2025 was reported at 2.59%, a decline from 2.92% in April. This reduction was largely driven by easing food prices and favorable base effects. Such low inflation levels support the RBI’s accommodative monetary policy stance and help maintain consumer purchasing power while supporting economic growth.

Question 6: What is BharatGen, unveiled by the Indian government in June 2025?
Option 1: India’s national cyber security protocol
Option 2: A nuclear genome editing project
Option 3: A new nationwide health registry system
Option 4: A central government recruitment platform
Option 5: A sovereign multimodal large language AI model
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: BharatGen is India’s sovereign multimodal large language model (LLM) developed to boost domestic capabilities in artificial intelligence. Unveiled in June 2025, it is part of India’s efforts to build indigenous AI infrastructure. BharatGen is supported by a growing compute capacity (crossing 34,000 GPUs by May 30, 2025) and is aligned with reforms announced to reduce delays in AI-related research procurement and operations.

Question 7: Which satellite mission, involving both NASA and ISRO, is expected to launch in June or July 2025?
Option 1: RISAT-3
Option 2: Aditya-L1
Option 3: NISAR
Option 4: Gaganyaan-II
Option 5: Chandrayaan-4
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a joint satellite mission between NASA and ISRO, scheduled for launch in mid-2025. The satellite will provide critical earth observation data on natural hazards, climate change, and ecosystems. Its successful deployment will significantly enhance India’s space-based climate monitoring and environmental analysis capabilities.

Question 8: What was the significant change announced by the Supreme Court regarding its functioning from July 14, 2025?
Option 1: Introduction of virtual-only court hearings
Option 2: Restoration of 2nd and 4th Saturdays as working days
Option 3: 24×7 court operation pilot in metro cities
Option 4: Appointment of regional circuit benches in every state
Option 5: Establishment of a constitutional bench in each High Court
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Supreme Court of India announced on June 16, 2025, that it would restore 2nd and 4th Saturdays as working days from July 14. Additionally, the Court stated that no judicial work would be done post 4:30 PM unless urgent, to promote efficiency and work-life balance. This is part of administrative reforms to optimize judicial output without overburdening the staff and judges.

Question 9: Which sector was the key driver in the Indian stock market rally on June 16, 2025?
Option 1: Real estate
Option 2: Pharmaceuticals
Option 3: FMCG
Option 4: Banking and technology
Option 5: Telecom and energy
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: On June 16, 2025, the BSE Sensex surged by over 677 points, closing at 81,796, with the Nifty 50 nearing 25,000. The rally was largely led by banking and technology stocks, showing investor confidence despite global concerns such as the Israel-Iran conflict. Strong domestic economic indicators and the RBI’s accommodative stance also played a supportive role in market optimism.

Question 10: What procurement policy change was made to promote innovation in India’s research sector?
Option 1: GeM platform made mandatory for all research-related purchases
Option 2: Lowered import duties on research hardware
Option 3: Direct purchase limits increased and global tenders allowed up to ₹200 crore
Option 4: Procurement shifted to blockchain-enabled smart contracts
Option 5: Mandatory public-private partnerships for AI research
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: To support innovation, the government increased the direct purchase limit from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh and departmental purchase committee limits from ₹2 lakh to ₹25 lakh. Additionally, heads of research institutions can now approve Global Tender Enquiries (GTEs) up to ₹200 crore without needing central approvals. These reforms aim to expedite the procurement process and eliminate bureaucratic delays in scientific and AI research.

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