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Current Affairs Report: June 17, 2025

This detailed report covers the significant events and developments of June 17, 2025, tailored for students preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government examinations. Drawing from credible sources such as 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 a comprehensive overview of key topics, including politics, economy, science, international relations, environment, defense, and sports.

Politics and Governance

The political landscape in India on June 17, 2025, was marked by significant judicial and policy developments. The Supreme Court of India delivered a pivotal ruling, upholding the right to screen the film Thug Life in Karnataka despite threats of arson and violence. The court emphasized that “guns cannot be put to people’s heads,” reinforcing the rule of law and freedom of expression (The Hindu). This decision is crucial for aspirants to note, as it underscores the judiciary’s role in balancing public order and constitutional rights.

In a high-profile legal development, Mehul Choksi, a fugitive in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, filed a lawsuit in the UK High Court against the Indian government and five individuals, alleging kidnapping, torture, and attempted rendition (The Hindu). This case could have implications for India’s international legal standing and is a key topic for exam discussions on financial crimes and extradition.

The Congress party launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy, particularly his “Huglomacy” approach, following former US President Donald Trump’s early exit from the G7 Summit in Canada. The opposition questioned the government’s silence on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, highlighting tensions in India’s foreign policy strategy (The Indian Express). This debate is significant for understanding India’s diplomatic challenges.

On the policy front, the Andhra Pradesh government announced plans to introduce a circular economy policy within two months to strengthen waste management systems, aligning with sustainable development goals (The Hindu). In Telangana, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to formulate a cow protection policy to address issues like space constraints in shelters, following reports of cow deaths (The Hindu). Additionally, the Centre launched a mega outreach campaign to promote flagship tribal welfare schemes, PM JANMAN and Dharti Aaba, aimed at uplifting marginalized communities (The Indian Express).

Other notable judicial developments included the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling that individuals cannot be jailed indefinitely for forwarding videos that may hurt religious sentiments, emphasizing personal liberties (The Indian Express). The Gauhati High Court ordered the release of an Assam man detained in a crackdown on “foreigners,” highlighting issues in immigration enforcement (The Indian Express). In Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court ordered the arrest of ADGP H M Jayaram in an abduction case, criticizing an MLA for misusing political power (The Indian Express).

Event	Details	Source
Supreme Court Ruling	Upheld screening of Thug Life in Karnataka, emphasizing rule of law	The Hindu
Mehul Choksi Lawsuit	Sued Indian government in UK for alleged kidnapping and torture	The Hindu
Congress Criticism	Questioned PM Modi’s foreign policy post-G7	The Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh Policy	Circular economy policy for waste management	The Hindu
Telangana Policy	Cow protection policy to address shelter issues	The Hindu

Economy

The Indian economy on June 17, 2025, reflected cautious market sentiments and positive inflation trends. The BSE Sensex closed at 81,583.30, down 212.85 points, and the Nifty 50 at 24,853.40, down 93.10 points, influenced by global uncertainties, particularly the Israel-Iran conflict and rising crude oil prices (The Hindu BusinessLine). Analysts noted that investors were wary due to Donald Trump’s comments on evacuating Tehran, adding to market volatility (India Today).

Inflation data for May 2025 showed a significant decline to 2.82%, down from 3.16% in April, marking the lowest rate since February 2019. This drop was driven by a sharp decrease in food inflation to 0.99%, attributed to easing prices of pulses, vegetables, and cereals (Moneycontrol). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s pro-growth policies, including a repo rate cut to 5.5% in early June, supported this trend, with projections suggesting further rate cuts to stimulate growth (NDTV Profit).

Key stock market highlights included NTPC planning to raise ₹18,000 crore via bonds, Tanla Platforms approving a share buyback, and Biocon launching a ₹4,500 crore qualified institutional placement (Groww). The Indian rupee weakened by 19 paise to 86.23 against the US dollar, reflecting global economic pressures (The Hindu BusinessLine).

Indicator	Value	Details	Source
Sensex	81,583.30	Down 212.85 points	The Hindu BusinessLine
Nifty 50	24,853.40	Down 93.10 points	The Hindu BusinessLine
Inflation Rate	2.82% (May 2025)	Lowest since February 2019	Moneycontrol
Rupee	86.23	Down 19 paise	The Hindu BusinessLine

Science and Technology

In the science and technology sector, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was actively preparing for the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission, a collaborative effort with NASA set for launch in June 2025. This mission will monitor Earth’s land and ice surfaces, providing critical data on ecosystems and climate change (NASA Science). The satellite arrived at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on May 15, 2025, marking a significant milestone in India’s space endeavors.

In artificial intelligence, Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “Godfather of AI,” issued stark warnings about AI’s potential to cause massive job losses and raise ethical concerns, prompting discussions on India’s AI governance strategies (The Indian Express). The Karnataka Department of Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology launched a study to assess AI’s impact on the state’s workforce, reflecting growing interest in AI’s economic implications (The Hindu).

Development	Details	Source
NISAR Mission	Joint NASA-ISRO satellite launch in June 2025	NASA Science
AI Study	Karnataka’s study on AI’s workforce impact	The Hindu

International Relations

On the international stage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G7 Summit in Canada, where he advocated for the priorities of the Global South, reinforcing India’s leadership in global forums (The Hindu). The Israel-Iran conflict escalated, with Iran accusing the G7 of siding with Israel after missile strikes in Tehran. The Indian Embassy issued advisories for Indian citizens to relocate to safer areas, with 110 students crossing into Armenia (The Hindu; The Indian Express). These events highlight India’s delicate balancing act in global diplomacy.

Event	Details	Source
G7 Summit	PM Modi highlights Global South priorities	The Hindu
Israel-Iran Conflict	Indian Embassy advises citizens to leave Tehran	The Indian Express

Environment

Environmental concerns were prominent, with the State of India’s Environment in Figures 2025 report by the Centre for Science and Environment highlighting worsening climate, health, and development indicators. The report called for urgent reforms to address extreme weather and economic strain (Down To Earth). Follow-up activities from World Environment Day 2025, held on June 5, focused on combating plastic pollution, with initiatives like beach cleanups in Mumbai gaining momentum (The Hindu). The Andhra Pradesh circular economy policy also ties into environmental sustainability efforts.

Initiative	Details	Source
Environment Report	Highlights climate and health challenges	Down To Earth
World Environment Day	Focus on plastic pollution	The Hindu

Defense

In defense, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased India’s indigenous technologies at the Paris Air Show 2025, featuring advanced UAVs and avionics systems, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative (Indian Defence News). A SIPRI report confirmed that India expanded its nuclear arsenal to 180 warheads in 2025, enhancing its strategic capabilities with new delivery systems (The Hindu). The Cyber Suraksha exercise, organized by the Defence Cyber Agency, commenced on June 16 to bolster cybersecurity resilience (Defence.in).

Development	Details	Source
DRDO at Paris Air Show	Showcased indigenous defense technologies	Indian Defence News
Nuclear Arsenal	Expanded to 180 warheads in 2025	The Hindu

Sports

Sports news on June 17, 2025, was dominated by cricket. The Netherlands defeated Nepal in a thrilling T20 match, marking the first time a game went into a third Super Over (The Hindu). Shubman Gill, described as a blend of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, prepared to lead India in a five-Test series against England, starting June 20, 2025 (The Indian Express). The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team also secured a 3-2 victory over Belgium in their European tour opener (News On Air).

Event	Details	Source
Cricket Match	Netherlands vs Nepal in third Super Over	The Hindu
Shubman Gill	Leads India in Test series	The Indian Express

Conclusion

The events of June 17, 2025, offer a rich tapestry of developments across politics, economy, science, international relations, environment, defense, and sports. For students preparing for competitive exams, understanding these topics is essential for tackling questions on current affairs. This report provides a detailed and reliable resource to enhance your preparation and stay ahead in your studies.

Key Citations:

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers

Question 1: What was the Supreme Court’s key observation while allowing the screening of the film Thug Life in Karnataka despite threats of violence?
Option 1: State governments can ban films in the interest of public order
Option 2: Freedom of expression cannot be curtailed under threats; “guns cannot be put to people’s heads”
Option 3: Only CBFC can decide if a film can be screened or not
Option 4: Films that attract controversy must be voluntarily withdrawn
Option 5: Public safety must always override freedom of speech
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Supreme Court of India upheld the screening of Thug Life in Karnataka, emphasizing the constitutional protection of freedom of expression. It observed that threats of violence cannot be used to curb artistic freedom, stating, “guns cannot be put to people’s heads.” This reinforces the judiciary’s role in safeguarding rights even amid law-and-order concerns.

Question 2: Who recently filed a lawsuit in the UK High Court against the Indian government, alleging kidnapping and torture?
Option 1: Nirav Modi
Option 2: Mehul Choksi
Option 3: Vijay Mallya
Option 4: Sanjay Bhandari
Option 5: Rana Kapoor
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Mehul Choksi, a fugitive in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, filed a lawsuit in the UK High Court alleging that Indian officials kidnapped and tortured him. This development is crucial in the context of India’s efforts to extradite economic offenders and the international legal implications of such allegations.

Question 3: What major collaborative satellite mission between NASA and ISRO is scheduled for launch in June 2025?
Option 1: Mangalyaan-2
Option 2: Chandrayaan-4
Option 3: Gaganyaan-I
Option 4: Cartosat-4
Option 5: NISAR
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a joint Earth observation mission aimed at monitoring land and ice surface changes. The satellite, scheduled for launch in June 2025, represents a significant Indo-US collaboration and will aid in studying climate change, deforestation, and natural disasters.

Question 4: According to the latest inflation data, what was India’s retail inflation rate in May 2025?
Option 1: 3.16%
Option 2: 3.02%
Option 3: 1.91%
Option 4: 2.82%
Option 5: 4.35%
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The inflation rate in May 2025 declined to 2.82%, the lowest since February 2019. This was primarily due to a drop in food inflation, especially prices of pulses, vegetables, and cereals. The RBI’s pro-growth stance and monetary policy support have contributed to this decline, which is a significant macroeconomic indicator.

Question 5: What recent initiative in Andhra Pradesh aims to promote sustainable waste management practices?
Option 1: Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Option 2: Mission Clean AP
Option 3: Circular Economy Policy
Option 4: Swachh Bharat Plus
Option 5: Zero Waste Challenge
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The Andhra Pradesh government announced its intent to introduce a Circular Economy Policy to enhance waste management and promote sustainability. This aligns with India’s broader goals under the SDGs and reflects a shift toward reducing resource consumption and increasing recycling efficiency.

Question 6: Which Indian defense organization recently showcased indigenous technology at the Paris Air Show 2025?
Option 1: Bharat Electronics Limited
Option 2: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Option 3: National Security Guard
Option 4: Indian Air Force
Option 5: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: DRDO presented India’s cutting-edge defense technology, including advanced UAVs and avionics systems, at the Paris Air Show 2025. This exhibition highlights India’s push for indigenous defense manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Question 7: What concern was raised by Geoffrey Hinton regarding Artificial Intelligence in 2025?
Option 1: AI’s slow progress in healthcare
Option 2: Low returns on AI investment
Option 3: Job losses and ethical risks
Option 4: Poor international cooperation on AI
Option 5: Limited applicability of AI in governance
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the “Godfather of AI,” warned that artificial intelligence poses serious threats, including large-scale job displacement and ethical dilemmas. This has triggered policy debates in India, such as Karnataka’s move to assess AI’s impact on employment.

Question 8: What was India’s diplomatic response during the recent Israel-Iran conflict at the G7 Summit?
Option 1: Supported Israel’s actions in Tehran
Option 2: Issued a joint statement with the US
Option 3: Advocated Global South priorities
Option 4: Criticized Iran’s military actions
Option 5: Called for a ceasefire between both nations
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: At the G7 Summit, PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to championing the concerns of the Global South. While the Israel-Iran conflict dominated international discourse, India chose to focus on development priorities rather than taking sides, reflecting its balanced diplomatic approach.

Question 9: What policy direction did the Telangana government recently announce concerning cattle protection?
Option 1: Cattle slaughter ban
Option 2: Fodder subsidy scheme
Option 3: Special vaccination drive
Option 4: Cow protection policy for shelter management
Option 5: Cattle tagging system
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Telangana government is formulating a cow protection policy aimed at solving issues related to overcrowded shelters and cattle mortality. The decision followed reports of deaths due to space constraints and indicates the state’s focus on animal welfare governance.

Question 10: What milestone did the Netherlands vs Nepal T20 match recently achieve?
Option 1: Highest T20 score
Option 2: First T20 tied on DLS
Option 3: First game decided on boundary count
Option 4: First-ever third Super Over
Option 5: Fastest half-century in T20
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: The Netherlands vs Nepal T20 match became historic as it entered a third Super Over, the first instance in international cricket. Such rare events are important for sports enthusiasts and exam aspirants to track, showcasing the evolving nature of the game.

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