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Current Affairs: 16–22 June 2025

The week of June 16–22, 2025, was packed with events that shaped India and the world, offering critical insights for students preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams. From groundbreaking policies to international diplomacy, scientific discoveries, and sports achievements, this period was rich with developments. This detailed report, sourced from credible outlets like The Hindu (Top News June 22, 2025), Insights on India (UPSC Current Affairs June 16, 2025), and Adda247 (Daily Current Affairs June 16, 2025), provides a comprehensive overview to help students excel.

Politics and Governance

The week began with a landmark announcement from the Ministry of Home Affairs. On June 16, 2025, it issued a notification to commence Census 2025, marking India’s first digital and caste-inclusive census. Scheduled for 2027 with a reference date of March 1, this census will involve over 34 lakh personnel. Unlike previous censuses, it will leverage digital tools for efficient data collection and processing. The inclusion of caste data is a significant step, expected to provide insights for social justice initiatives and constituency delimitation. The last census, conducted in 2011, recorded India’s population at 121 crore, and the 2021 census was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This development is crucial for understanding governance and policy formulation, key areas in the UPSC syllabus.

In another significant move, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal spoke at the Institutional Arbitration Conference in New Delhi on June 14, 2025, emphasizing India’s ambition to become a global arbitration hub. He highlighted the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, including arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, in reducing the burden on courts and providing efficient dispute resolution for investors. This initiative aligns with the government’s Ease of Doing Business strategy, aiming to attract foreign investment by ensuring a robust legal framework. For students, this is relevant under governance and legal reforms in the UPSC and Banking syllabi.

The Viksit Bharat Ka Amrit Kaal Report, released by the Government of India, marked 11 years of governance under PM Narendra Modi. The report showcases achievements in inclusive development, farmer welfare, Nari Shakti (women’s empowerment), youth empowerment, middle-class living, and healthcare. Key highlights include providing free foodgrains to 81 crore people under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), disbursing over 5 crore MUDRA loans (with more than 50% to SC/ST/OBC categories), connecting 15 crore households through the Jal Jeevan Mission, and building 4 crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Additionally, ₹3.7 lakh crore has been distributed to farmers under PM-Kisan, and 38 crore MUDRA loans were given to women, constituting 68% of the total. The report also notes 6 crore people skilled under the PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana and over 9 crore hospital admissions under Ayushman Bharat, worth ₹1.3 lakh crore. This report is a treasure trove for UPSC aspirants, covering social justice, economic development, and governance.

On June 21, 2025, India celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), hosted in Visakhapatnam under the Yogandhra initiative. Marking a decade of IDY, the event aimed to engage 2 crore people across 1 lakh locations, with 5 lakh attendees in Visakhapatnam. The initiative also trained 20 lakh certified yoga practitioners, reinforcing India’s global leadership in promoting yoga. This is significant for cultural diplomacy and public health topics in competitive exams.

Economy

Economic developments during the week provided insights into India’s financial stability. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation dropped to 0.39% in May 2025, down from 0.85% in April, primarily due to a -21.62% deflation in vegetable prices. Retail inflation also hit a six-year low of 2.82%, signaling a disinflationary trend. These figures reflect effective monetary policies and are critical for UPSC and Banking aspirants studying inflation trends and economic stability.

Amid global tensions, India ramped up its oil imports, reaching 2–2.2 million barrels per day of Russian crude oil in June 2025, the highest in two years (India Ramps Up Oil Imports). This strategic move, also involving imports from the U.S., aimed to secure energy supplies and stabilize prices amidst the Israel-Iran conflict. This development is vital for understanding energy security and international trade, key topics in the UPSC syllabus.

The appointment of T. Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as a part-time member of the 16th Finance Commission (FC) on June 9, 2025, was another notable event. Appointed by President Droupadi Murmu, Sankar’s role will contribute to fiscal policy recommendations, crucial for economic governance and federal finance in competitive exams (RBI Deputy Governor Appointed).

Science and Technology

The week saw significant advancements in science and technology. On June 16, 2025, Union Minister Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated India’s first Agri-Drone Indigenization Hub in Chennai. Spanning 35,000 square feet, the facility aims to manufacture 1 lakh drones by 2026 and establish 300 Centres of Excellence. It includes a DGCA-approved Train the Trainer programme and demonstrations by Drone Didis, empowering women in agriculture. This initiative modernizes farming and is relevant for agriculture and science & technology in the UPSC syllabus.

A new species of jumping spider, Spartaeus karigiri, was discovered in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, marking the first record of the Spartaeus and Sonoita genera in India. Found in rocky outcrops, this spider enhances India’s biodiversity knowledge, a key topic for environment and ecology in competitive exams.

The Policy Reforms for Ease of Doing Research, announced by the Union Minister of Science & Technology, streamlined research processes. These reforms include non-GeM procurement for equipment, increased autonomy for institutional heads, and raised financial ceilings for purchases. Aimed at fostering a $100 billion science economy, these changes support the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and are significant for science & technology and education topics.

International Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus was a historic milestone, being the first by an Indian PM in over two decades. On June 16, 2025, he was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus’ highest civilian honor, for deepening India-Cyprus ties. The visit focused on innovation, trade, and economic reform, with Cyprus supporting India in global forums and playing a role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This strengthens India’s counter-terror diplomacy and counters the Turkey-Pakistan nexus, making it a critical topic for international relations in UPSC.

The Israel-Iran conflict significantly impacted India’s diplomatic calendar. On June 22, 2025, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty postponed his visit to India due to regional tensions (Israel-Iran Conflict Affects Diplomacy). PM Modi also spoke with Iran’s President MasoUd Pezeshkian, urging immediate de-escalation after the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan (PM Modi Calls for De-escalation). These events highlight India’s role in promoting global peace and its strategic interests in the Middle East.

The Nice Ocean Action Plan, concluded at the UN Ocean Conference 3 (UNOC3) in Nice, France, from June 8–13, 2025, committed to protecting 30% of oceans by 2030. With over 15,000 participants and 60+ leaders, the plan includes the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty ratification by 50 countries and a €1 billion EU fund for ocean conservation. This aligns with SDG 14 and is crucial for global environmental governance.

Environment

The Nice Ocean Action Plan was a major environmental highlight, emphasizing global cooperation for ocean conservation. Commitments include establishing a 5 million sq. km Marine Protected Area (MPA) in French Polynesia and launching the High Ambition Coalition for Quiet Ocean. These efforts support wildlife conservation and global climate treaties, key areas for UPSC’s environment section.

The discovery of Spartaeus karigiri also contributes to wildlife conservation efforts, enhancing understanding of India’s biodiversity. Additionally, the Union Ministry of Power proposed restricting AC temperatures to a 20°C–28°C range to save energy and reduce health risks. This policy supports the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) and Paris Agreement goals, aiming to cut CO₂ emissions and meet SDG 13.

Defense and Security

Security challenges were evident with the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. On June 22, 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar for harboring terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who killed 26 people and injured 16 (Pahalgam Terror Attack). This incident underscores ongoing internal security issues, a critical topic for UPSC.

The Indian Navy demonstrated its prowess with a daring mid-sea salvage operation on June 13, 2025, on the burning MV Wan Hai 503. Using a Seaking helicopter from INS Garuda, supported by INS Sharda and other vessels, the operation highlighted India’s naval capabilities and readiness (Indian Navy Salvage Operation).

Sports

The sports arena was vibrant with the launch of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the U.S., featuring 32 teams and 63 matches across 11 cities with a $1 billion prize pool. Teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Inter Miami participated, raising concerns about player fatigue but marking a global football milestone (FIFA Club World Cup).

In cricket, Rishabh Pant delivered a stellar performance in the India vs. England First Test, scoring 134 off 178 balls with 12 fours and 6 sixes, earning praise from Ravi Shastri (IND vs ENG Test). In tennis, Taylor Fritz won the Stuttgart Open 2025, defeating Alexander Zverev and rising to World No. 4, boosting his prospects for Wimbledon 2025.

Key Citations

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers

Question 1: Who was appointed as a part-time member of the 16th Finance Commission in June 2025?
Option 1: Arvind Subramanian
Option 2: Urjit Patel
Option 3: Viral Acharya
Option 4: Shaktikanta Das
Option 5: T. Rabi Sankar
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: On June 9, 2025, T. Rabi Sankar, the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu as a part-time member of the 16th Finance Commission. His appointment plays a crucial role in shaping India’s fiscal federalism, a key topic in economic governance.

Question 2: What is Spartaeus karigiri, discovered recently in India?
Option 1: A newly found tree species in Arunachal Pradesh
Option 2: An ancient Buddhist manuscript
Option 3: A new species of jumping spider
Option 4: A type of fungal pathogen in crops
Option 5: A meteorite fragment in Rajasthan
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: Spartaeus karigiri is a newly discovered species of jumping spider found in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is the first record of the Spartaeus and Sonoita genera in India. This discovery enhances India’s biodiversity documentation, relevant to environment and ecology topics.

Question 3: The Viksit Bharat Ka Amrit Kaal Report highlighted how many crore houses built under PMAY?
Option 1: 2 crore
Option 2: 3 crore
Option 3: 4 crore
Option 4: 5 crore
Option 5: 6 crore
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: According to the Viksit Bharat Ka Amrit Kaal Report released in June 2025, 4 crore houses were built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). This figure showcases the government’s focus on affordable housing and inclusive growth in India.

Question 4: Which city hosted the main event of the 11th International Day of Yoga in 2025?
Option 1: Mysuru
Option 2: Visakhapatnam
Option 3: Pune
Option 4: Gandhinagar
Option 5: Bhopal
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Visakhapatnam hosted the main event of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, 2025. The celebration was part of the Yogandhra initiative, involving 2 crore participants across 1 lakh locations, marking a decade of global yoga promotion.

Question 5: When will the reference date for Census 2025 be, as per the notification issued in June 2025?
Option 1: March 1, 2027
Option 2: January 1, 2026
Option 3: August 15, 2025
Option 4: April 1, 2026
Option 5: March 1, 2026
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that Census 2025 will have a reference date of March 1, 2027. This census will be India’s first digital and caste-based enumeration, aiming to improve data-driven policymaking.

Question 6: Which major factor led to the drop in WPI inflation to 0.39% in May 2025?
Option 1: Lower fuel prices
Option 2: Significant deflation in vegetable prices
Option 3: Drop in gold imports
Option 4: Weak rupee valuation
Option 5: Decline in oil prices
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: WPI inflation dropped to 0.39% in May 2025 due to a massive -21.62% deflation in vegetable prices. This deflationary trend reflects the effectiveness of supply-side policies and is crucial for understanding inflation metrics.

Question 7: Who was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III by Cyprus in June 2025?
Option 1: S. Jaishankar
Option 2: President Droupadi Murmu
Option 3: NSA Ajit Doval
Option 4: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar
Option 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: On June 16, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with Cyprus’ highest civilian award, the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III. The award recognized his efforts in strengthening India–Cyprus bilateral ties, emphasizing innovation and trade cooperation.

Question 8: What is the name of the naval vessel involved in the mid-sea salvage operation on MV Wan Hai 503?
Option 1: INS Vikramaditya
Option 2: INS Viraat
Option 3: INS Sharda
Option 4: INS Satpura
Option 5: INS Arihant
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: INS Sharda was among the Indian naval vessels involved in the successful salvage operation on the burning MV Wan Hai 503 on June 13, 2025. The Seaking helicopter from INS Garuda also played a crucial role, showcasing India’s maritime rescue capabilities.

Question 9: The Nice Ocean Action Plan, concluded in June 2025, aims to protect what percentage of oceans by 2030?
Option 1: 20%
Option 2: 25%
Option 3: 28%
Option 4: 30%
Option 5: 35%
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Nice Ocean Action Plan, adopted at the UN Ocean Conference 3 in France, aims to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. This aligns with SDG 14 and is a significant step in global marine conservation efforts.

Question 10: Who won the Stuttgart Open 2025, defeating Alexander Zverev in the final?
Option 1: Novak Djokovic
Option 2: Carlos Alcaraz
Option 3: Taylor Fritz
Option 4: Daniil Medvedev
Option 5: Rafael Nadal
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Taylor Fritz won the Stuttgart Open 2025, defeating Alexander Zverev in the final. This victory helped him rise to World No. 4 and positioned him as a strong contender for Wimbledon 2025.

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