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Current Affairs Report: June 28, 2025

On June 28, 2025, India stood at the crossroads of significant developments that resonate deeply with aspirants preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking. From pivotal trade negotiations to breakthroughs in conservation and defense, the day’s events paint a vivid picture of a nation shaping its future on multiple fronts. This comprehensive report, drawn from credible sources like The Hindu, The Indian Express, and Press Information Bureau (PIB), weaves together these stories in a narrative that is both engaging and informative, ensuring students gain a knowledge edge for their exams.

Politics and Governance: Navigating Challenges and Ideological Debates

India’s political landscape was abuzz with developments that highlight both its diplomatic engagements and domestic challenges. A high-stakes negotiation with the United States for a trade deal dominated headlines, with the Indian team racing against a July 8, 2025, deadline. The talks, held in the U.S., are critical as failure to reach an agreement could trigger 26% tariffs on Indian exports starting July 9, affecting sectors like textiles, gems, and agriculture. The U.S. is pushing for duty concessions on industrial goods, automobiles (especially electric vehicles), and genetically modified (GM) crops, while India seeks relief on tariffs for steel, aluminium, and products like shrimp and grapes. These negotiations, as reported by The Hindu, underscore India’s efforts to balance economic interests with strategic priorities, a topic likely to appear in exam questions on international trade and governance.

Closer to home, Kolkata was gripped by protests following the gang rape of a law student at South Calcutta Law College. The incident, involving a Trinamool Congress leader among the accused, sparked outrage across West Bengal. All three suspects have been arrested, and the Kolkata Police formed a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case, as noted in The Hindu. This event has reignited discussions on women’s safety and law enforcement, critical issues for UPSC aspirants studying governance and social justice.

Meanwhile, a statement by an RSS leader suggesting a review of the terms “secular” and “socialist” in the Indian Constitution stirred controversy. The opposition, led by figures like Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, criticized the remarks, arguing that the RSS has historically been at odds with the constitutional vision of B.R. Ambedkar. This debate, covered by The Hindu, highlights the ongoing ideological tussle over India’s constitutional framework, a key area for exam preparation in polity.

Economy: A Surge in Stability and Agricultural Growth

India’s economy showcased resilience with a current account surplus of $13.5 billion (1.3% of GDP) in the fourth quarter of FY2025 (January-March 2025), a marked improvement from the $4.6 billion surplus (0.5% of GDP) in the same quarter of FY2024. For the full FY2024-25, the current account deficit was $23.3 billion (0.6% of GDP), down from $26 billion (0.7% of GDP) in FY2023-24, driven by higher net invisibles receipts. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducted a 7-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction, accepting ₹84,975 crore to manage excess liquidity, as reported by News on Air. Looking ahead, the current account deficit for FY2026 is projected at 1% of GDP, assuming crude oil prices remain around $70 per barrel. This data, detailed in The Indian Express, is vital for students tackling economic indicators in exams.

The agricultural sector also made headlines with a 225% increase in Gross Value Added (GVA) from ₹1,502 thousand crore in 2011-12 to ₹4,878 thousand crore in 2023-24, according to the Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. At constant prices, the Gross Value of Output (GVO) grew by 54.6%, with the crop sector contributing 54.1% to GVO, led by cereals (paddy and wheat) and fruits/vegetables. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab were among the top contributors to cereal GVO. Livestock products saw a GVO rise from ₹488 thousand crore to ₹919 thousand crore, with the meat sector’s share increasing to 24.1%. This growth, reported by The Hindu, reflects the success of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and underscores agriculture’s role in India’s economy, a key topic for SSC and Banking exams.

Economic Indicator	Value	Time Period	Source
Current Account Surplus	$13.5 billion (1.3% of GDP)	Q4 FY2025	The Indian Express
Current Account Deficit	$23.3 billion (0.6% of GDP)	FY2024-25	The Indian Express
Agricultural GVA	₹4,878 thousand crore	2023-24	The Hindu
Agricultural GVO (Constant Prices)	₹2,949 thousand crore	2023-24	The Hindu

Science and Technology: AI Reshapes Bengaluru’s Landscape

Bengaluru, India’s tech hub, is leading the charge in Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements. A leading hospital in the city implemented an AI-enabled invoice digitization system, reducing manual work by 50% without layoffs, as staff were repurposed to other roles. The Karnataka Information Technology and Biotechnology Department launched a survey to assess AI’s impact on the workforce, aiming to guide initiatives like NIPUNA Karnataka for skilling, as reported by The Hindu. With over 1 lakh AI professionals and a 25% year-on-year rise in AI and Machine Learning (ML) hiring, Bengaluru ranks among the top five in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index. At SAP Labs India, 50% of employees are AI-enabled, having completed 35,000 courses and 200,000 learning hours in the past year. However, concerns about job displacement in repetitive tasks like coding and accounting persist, making AI’s societal impact a hot topic for UPSC essays on technology and employment.

Environment: A Conservation Triumph in Kaziranga

In a heartening development for conservationists, the endangered dhole (Asiatic wild dog, Cuon alpinus) has returned to Assam’s Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL), a 25,000 sq. km area within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. A study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, confirmed the dhole’s presence through camera-trap evidence in the Amguri animal corridor, just 375 meters from National Highway 37. This marks the first sighting since the species was believed to be locally extinct, with the last confirmed record in Nagaland in 2011. The dhole’s return, reported by The Hindu, highlights the critical role of wildlife corridors in supporting species like tigers and elephants, a key point for UPSC questions on biodiversity and conservation.

Conservation Detail	Information	Source
Dhole Sighting Location	Amguri Corridor, KKAL	The Hindu
Study Year	2022	The Hindu
Threats to Dhole	Habitat degradation, prey depletion	The Hindu

Defense: Strengthening Strategic Capabilities

India bolstered its defense prowess by unveiling the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) at the DEFEA 2025 exhibition in Greece. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile has a range of 1,500 km from land and 1,000 km from naval platforms, capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads. Its advanced navigation and maneuverability enhance survivability against modern air defenses. First tested in November 2024, the LRLACM is expected to enter service by late 2025, strengthening India’s deterrence and maritime strike capabilities, as reported by IDRW. This development is crucial for UPSC aspirants studying India’s defense advancements and strategic policies.

Additionally, India completed the Exercise Cyber Suraksha 2025, a cybersecurity drill to enhance digital defense readiness, as noted by SSB Crack. This exercise complements India’s traditional defense strategies, addressing the growing importance of cybersecurity in national security.

International Relations: A Firm Stand at SCO

India’s commitment to combating terrorism was evident at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the joint communique. The decision stemmed from the document’s failure to reference the Pahalgam terror attack of 2025, a critical issue for India. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that the SCO’s primary purpose is to fight terrorism, and any omission undermines this goal. Pakistan’s objection to including terrorism references, as reported by The Hindu, led to a lack of consensus, highlighting India’s firm stance on global security, a key topic for UPSC questions on international relations.

India also rejected a Court of Arbitration ruling on the Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a “charade at Pakistan’s behest.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) argued that the court’s supplemental award violated the Indus Waters Treaty, which India suspended after the Pahalgam attack. This stance, detailed in The Hindu, reinforces India’s position on sovereignty and international law.

Sports: A Chess Prodigy’s Triumph

Indian chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa achieved a historic victory at the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 in Tashkent on June 27, 2025. His win, after a dramatic tiebreak against Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov, earned him the $20,000 first prize and propelled him to World No. 4 with a live rating of 2778.3. Surpassing D. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa became India’s top-ranked player, as reported by The Hindu. This achievement, celebrated by Viswanathan Anand, highlights India’s growing dominance in chess, a point of pride for students preparing for general knowledge sections in exams.

Sports Achievement	Details	Source
Tournament	UzChess Cup Masters 2025	The Hindu
Live Rating	2778.3 (World No. 4)	The Hindu
Key Opponents	Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sindarov	The Hindu

This report provides a detailed and engaging overview of June 28, 2025, tailored to empower students with the knowledge needed to excel in competitive exams. By covering politics, economy, technology, environment, defense, international relations, and sports, it ensures a holistic understanding of India’s current affairs landscape.

Key Citations

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers English

Question 1: Which of the following was the primary reason for India’s refusal to sign the joint communique at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in June 2025?
Option 1: Inclusion of a clause favoring Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir
Option 2: Omission of reference to the Pahalgam terror attack
Option 3: Demand for the removal of Russia as a permanent chair
Option 4: India’s objection to SCO military exercises in Central Asia
Option 5: Reference to China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: At the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, India refused to sign the joint communique due to its failure to mention the Pahalgam terror attack, which was a significant national security concern for India. This omission, reportedly due to Pakistan’s objections, was seen as undermining the SCO’s stated goal of combating terrorism. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s stand reflects India’s firm diplomatic posture in international forums.

Question 2: According to the latest agricultural data, which state was among the top three contributors to cereal Gross Value of Output (GVO) in India for 2023–24?
Option 1: Kerala
Option 2: Uttar Pradesh
Option 3: Gujarat
Option 4: Assam
Option 5: Jammu & Kashmir
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Uttar Pradesh was one of the top contributors to cereal GVO, alongside Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. These states played a major role in producing cereals like paddy and wheat, which contributed significantly to the total crop sector output. This highlights the importance of these agrarian states in India’s agricultural economy.

Question 3: What is the estimated range of India’s newly unveiled Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from land-based platforms?
Option 1: 800 km
Option 2: 1,000 km
Option 3: 1,200 km
Option 4: 1,300 km
Option 5: 1,500 km
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: India showcased the LRLACM at the DEFEA 2025 exhibition in Greece. The missile has a range of 1,500 km from land platforms and 1,000 km from naval platforms. Developed by DRDO, this cruise missile enhances India’s deterrence capabilities and is designed for both conventional and nuclear payloads.

Question 4: What does the AI-enabled system implemented by a Bengaluru hospital primarily do?
Option 1: Detect patient illnesses in real-time
Option 2: Manage surgical procedures autonomously
Option 3: Reduce billing fraud using blockchain
Option 4: Digitize invoices and reduce manual work
Option 5: Automate hospital security protocols
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The AI-enabled invoice digitization system adopted by a leading hospital in Bengaluru significantly reduced manual tasks related to billing and documentation by 50%. Importantly, this transition did not result in job losses; instead, staff were repurposed. This development reflects AI’s growing role in streamlining administrative tasks in the healthcare sector.

Question 5: What was the value of India’s current account surplus in Q4 of FY2025?
Option 1: $4.6 billion
Option 2: $23.3 billion
Option 3: $13.5 billion
Option 4: $26 billion
Option 5: $84,975 crore
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: India recorded a current account surplus of $13.5 billion, equivalent to 1.3% of GDP, in the fourth quarter of FY2025. This is a marked improvement from the same quarter in the previous year, which had a surplus of $4.6 billion. The surplus reflects stronger net invisible receipts, contributing to macroeconomic stability.

Question 6: Who won the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 and became the top-ranked Indian chess player?
Option 1: Viswanathan Anand
Option 2: D Gukesh
Option 3: Arjun Erigaisi
Option 4: Nodirbek Abdusattorov
Option 5: R Praggnanandhaa
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: R Praggnanandhaa clinched the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 title in Tashkent after defeating Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov in tiebreaks. With this win, he rose to World No. 4 in live ratings, becoming India’s highest-ranked chess player, surpassing his peers D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi.

Question 7: According to a WII study, the return of which endangered species was recently confirmed in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape?
Option 1: Red Panda
Option 2: Indian Pangolin
Option 3: Dhole (Asiatic wild dog)
Option 4: Clouded Leopard
Option 5: Hoolock Gibbon
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The dhole (Cuon alpinus), also known as the Asiatic wild dog, was confirmed to have returned to the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL) through camera-trap images. This marks a significant conservation success as the species was thought to be locally extinct. The presence of dholes highlights the ecological importance of wildlife corridors in supporting biodiversity.

Question 8: What was the primary reason cited by India for rejecting the supplemental award by the Court of Arbitration on the Kishenganga and Ratle projects?
Option 1: Non-compliance with UN resolutions
Option 2: Lack of Pakistan’s consent
Option 3: Violation of the Indus Waters Treaty
Option 4: Absence of international observers
Option 5: Disruption to riverine biodiversity
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: India dismissed the supplemental award from the Court of Arbitration as a “charade at Pakistan’s behest,” arguing that it violated the Indus Waters Treaty. India’s position emphasized that the arbitration process was illegitimate and biased. The MEA highlighted sovereignty and treaty interpretation concerns in its rejection.

Question 9: Which of the following statements is true about India’s agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) over the past decade?
Option 1: It grew by 225% from 2011–12 to 2023–24
Option 2: It decreased due to monsoon variability
Option 3: Livestock sector’s share declined sharply
Option 4: Fisheries dominated the crop sector
Option 5: Agricultural GVO shrank in real terms
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: India’s agricultural GVA increased by 225%, from ₹1,502 thousand crore in 2011–12 to ₹4,878 thousand crore in 2023–24. This remarkable growth underscores the success of government schemes and rising productivity, especially in cereals and horticulture. Livestock and meat products also saw substantial increases in value.

Question 10: Which of the following measures did the RBI take recently to manage excess liquidity in the financial system?
Option 1: Conducted a Long-Term Repo Operation
Option 2: Increased the CRR by 50 bps
Option 3: Purchased government securities
Option 4: Conducted a 7-day VRRR auction
Option 5: Launched a targeted credit easing program
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India conducted a 7-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction, accepting ₹84,975 crore from banks. This move was aimed at absorbing excess liquidity from the banking system and maintaining monetary stability. VRRR is one of the tools used by the RBI to manage short-term liquidity.

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