Daily Current Affairs 22nd & 23rd June 2025 | Latest News | Download PDF

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Asian Development Bank and World Bank sanction $1.5 billion loans to Bangladesh

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB) approved loans totaling $1.5 billion to support Bangladesh’s banking sector reforms, climate change initiatives, and other projects.
• The ADB approved $900 million in loans:
• $500 million for stabilizing and reforming Bangladesh’s banking sector, focusing on strengthening governance, asset quality, and system stability.
• $400 million for the second phase of the Climate-Resilient Inclusive Development Programme (CRIDP), which promotes climate adaptation, emissions reduction, and inclusive economic growth.
• The World Bank approved $640 million on June 19, 2025, for projects aimed at:Enhancing gas supply, Improving air quality in Bangladesh.
• Combined, these approvals amount to more than $1.5 billion, which will help ease the pressure on Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves.

Recent News :

• In April 2025, ADB Commits $5 Billion in Loans and Assistance to India for Development in Healthcare, Education, and Infrastructure

About World Bank:

• The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
• The World Bank consists of 5 institutions: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), The International Development Association (IDA), The International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
• Founded Year: 1944
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
• President: Ajay Banga
• Members:189 countries

About Asian Development Bank (ADB):

• Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
• Founded: 1966
• President: Masato Kanda
• Members: 69

Reserve Bank of India reduces Small Finance Banks’ priority sector lending requirement to 60% from earlier 75%

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms for Small Finance Banks (SFBs) starting the financial year 2025-26.
• The PSL loans target for SFBs has been reduced from 75% to 60% of their total loans.

Key Highlights :

• Priority Sector Lending (PSL) includes loans to:Agriculture, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Export credit, Education, Housing, Social infrastructure, Renewable energy, Weaker sections and other important segments.
• From FY 2025-26, the additional PSL component of 35% will be reduced to 20%, making the overall PSL target 60% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures (CEOBE), whichever is higher.
• Out of this 60%, 40% of ANBC/CEOBE must be allocated to different sub-sectors under PSL as per extant prescriptions.
• The remaining 20% can be allocated to one or more PSL sub-sectors where the bank has a competitive advantage.
• In March 2025, the RBI also revised PSL guidelines for banks, including:
• Increasing loan limits for housing and education sectors
• Reducing PSL target for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) from 75% to 60%.
• The revised PSL guidelines aim to better target bank credit to priority sectors and will be effective from April 1, 2025.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to provide ₹10,000 crore funding for green initiatives in FY26

• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) plans to lend about ₹10,000 crore in FY26 under its Green Lending Facility.
• The facility was launched in FY25 to fund projects by Central and State governments, government agencies, and private entities aimed at achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).
• The minimum loan amount under this facility is ₹100 crore.
• NABARD’s green loans support projects such as:Ethanol plants, Electric vehicle
• The Green Lending Facility focuses on promoting environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly initiatives.

About NABARD:

• It is an All India Development Financial Institution (DFI) and an apex Supervisory Body for overall supervision of Regional Rural Banks, State Cooperative Banks and District Central Cooperative Banks in India.
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Founded: July 12, 1982 by the Government of India
• Chairman: Shaji K V

India Climbs to 15th Spot Among Top Global FDI Destinations in 2024: UN Report

• According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2025, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India remained unchanged at $28 billion in 2024, despite an 11% decline in global FDI flows.
• In 2023, FDI into India fell 43% to $28 billion.
• India rose to the 15th rank globally in terms of FDI inflows in 2024.
• As per the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT):
• FDI equity inflows in FY25 (2024–25) rose 13% to $50 billion.
• According to RBI, net FDI flows excluding repatriation in FY25 stood at $29 billion.
• UNCTAD uses the same net FDI methodology as RBI, but reports on a calendar year basis

Key Highlights :

Greenfield Projects & IPF Deals

• India ranks 4th globally in greenfield project announcements, same as in the previous year.
• In International Project Finance (IPF) deals, India slipped to 5th position in 2024 with 97 deals, down from 2nd place in 2023.
• The report notes a divergence between industrial investment (greenfield projects) and infrastructure development (IPF deals).

Global FDI Rankings (2024)

• Top FDI recipients:
  1. United States
     
  2. Singapore
     
  3. Hong Kong
     
  4. China (slipped from 2nd, FDI fell to $116 billion from $163 billion)

Capital Expenditure & Regional Trends

• India’s projected capital expenditure rose over 25% to $110 billion, accounting for almost one-third of total capex in Asia.
• Developed economies received 53% of total international private equity investments, while Developing Asia got 46%, with India as the main recipient.
• India, Brazil, and Chile host over 30% of international projects in developing economies, double their pre-2018 share, driven by renewable energy initiatives.

Notable Corporate Developments

• Microsoft invested $3 billion in Cloud and AI infrastructure in India.
• Walt Disney’s partial exit involved a $3 billion merger of Star India with Viacom18 Media, forming a joint venture majority owned by Indian firms.
• International pharma firms sold assets in India to local companies, reflecting a decline in cross-border mergers & acquisitions in developing Asia.

About the Report

• The UNCTAD World Investment Report tracks:
  • FDI statistics (stocks and flows)
  • Cross-border mergers and acquisitions
    
  • Greenfield projects
    
  • International project-finance deals

About UN Trade and Development :

• Founded : 30 December 1964
• Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
• Secretary General : Rebeca Grynspan

RECENT NEWS

• India has recorded a historic milestone by securing USD 81.04 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the fiscal year 2024–25, registering a 14% growth over the previous year.

Indian Equity Markets Rise, Boosted by Heavyweight Stocks and RBI’s Updated Project Finance Guidelines

• Indian equity markets advanced on June 20,2025 supported by gains in heavyweight stocks and optimism over the RBI’s revised project finance guidelines.
• Investor sentiment improved after US President Donald Trump stated he would take two weeks to decide on a possible intervention in the Iran-Israel conflict, easing fears of immediate escalation.
• The BSE Sensex closed 1,046 points (1.3%) higher at 82,408, while the Nifty50 rose 320 points to 25,112.
• Major gainers included heavyweight stocks such as HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, and ITC.
• Since mid-May, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have bought shares worth ₹51,274 crore (approx. $6.1 billion), supporting the market’s rise to fresh highs.
• The RBI’s revised project finance norms, released on June 19, are expected to spur credit flows and infrastructure investment, boosting the market rally.

Key Indices Closing on June 20

• Nifty 50: 25,112.40 (+1.3%)
• Nifty Midcap 100: 57,995.50 (+1.5%)
• Nifty Smallcap 100: 18,194.2 (+1.0%)

Sectoral Leaders (June 20 close | % change)

• Nifty Realty: 1,013.7 (+2.1%)
• Nifty Infrastructure: 9,036.10 (+1.7%)
• Nifty Financial Services: 26,648.7 (+1.3%)

Market Capitalization (BSE-listed firms)

• Total Market Cap: ₹448 trillion

Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) Inflows (in ₹ crore) :

Recent News :

• In May 2025, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acquired 57.5 tonnes of gold in FY25, marking its second-largest annual gold purchase since 2017.

About RBI :

• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Sanjay Malhotra

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Karnataka Increases Housing Reservation for Religious Minorities to 15%

• Karnataka Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, approved a 5% hike in housing reservation for religious minorities, raising the quota from 10% to 15% in both urban and rural state-funded housing schemes.
• The move targets reducing vacant government-built houses and addressing housing shortages faced by minority communities, especially in urban centers like Bengaluru.

Key Highlights:

• Previous minority housing quota was 10%, now increased to 15% under the new policy.
• The quota applies to housing units constructed by the State Housing Department and is aimed at ensuring equitable access to housing for minority groups from poor households.
• The government justified the increase citing social justice concerns and higher houselessness rates among minorities, along with active interest from minorities to occupy vacant homes.
• The BJP criticized the decision as unconstitutional appeasement politics, accusing the Congress government of using welfare for vote-bank gains.
• Other cabinet decisions include requests for central support on mango price compensation, declaration of a new Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, and plans for the next meeting on July 17 at Nandi Hills.

RECENT NEWS

• In a decisive move to safeguard public health, the Karnataka government has amended the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, introducing significant legal reforms. The COTPA (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024—which received Presidential assent on May 23, 2025—raises the legal age for tobacco purchase, bans hookah bars, and increases penalties for smoking in public.

Centre Launches Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub to Promote Inclusive Governance

• Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, led by Minister Annpurna Devi, launched the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub, a digital platform designed to support gender-responsive budgeting across central and state ministries.
• The launch coincided with a national consultation marking 20 years of India’s gender budgeting journey, reflecting the government’s strengthened commitment to inclusive fiscal planning and women’s empowerment.

Key Highlights:

• Gender budget allocation has increased 4.5 times over 11 years, from ₹0.98 lakh crore in FY 2014–15 to ₹4.49 lakh crore in FY 2025–26.
• The Knowledge Hub serves as a central repository offering best practices, training manuals, case studies, and budgeting templates for ministries, departments, and states.
• Minister Annpurna Devi emphasized that gender budgeting is now a strategic tool for inclusive governance, shifting focus from mere allocation tracking to outcome-based budgeting for women.
• The national consultation gathered participants from 40 central ministries, 19 states, and international agencies like UN Women and ADB, discussing achievements and challenges.
• Focus areas include the development of training modules, a draft Gender Budgeting Training Manual, and sector-specific integration strategies to build institutional capacity.

Union Public Service Commission Launches ‘Pratibha Setu’ to Connect Near-Selected Candidates with Employers

• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) introduced Pratibha Setu, a digital platform designed to connect non-recommended but qualified UPSC candidates with potential employers from both government and private sectors.
• This initiative aims to harness the potential of candidates who cleared all exam stages but narrowly missed the final merit list, thereby creating new career opportunities for talented aspirants.

Key Highlights:

• Platform Purpose: Acts as a bridge (“Setu”) linking deserving, yet non-recommended candidates with verified employers seeking skilled talent.
• Eligibility: Covers candidates who cleared written exams and interviews but were not selected in the final UPSC list. Participation is voluntary, requiring candidate consent.
• Employer Access: Registered government and private sector employers receive secure login access to browse candidate profiles and recruit voluntarily.
• Background: An upgraded and rebranded successor to the earlier Public Disclosure Scheme, which only offered static candidate information on the UPSC website.
• Objectives:
  • Improve employability and visibility of near-selected UPSC aspirants.
  • Build a talent pool for organisations seeking meritorious, filtered candidates.
  • Strengthen collaboration between public and private sectors to tap India’s intellectual resources.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launches ₹18,600 Crore Projects in Odisha and Unveils Vision 2047 for Economic Growth

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 105 development projects in Odisha valued at over ₹18,600 crore during his visit to Bhubaneswar.
• He also released the Odisha Vision Document 2047, outlining ambitious goals to transform Odisha into a $500 billion economy by 2036 and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047, marking key centenaries for the state and India.
• The visit included launching key infrastructure, transport projects, and celebrating women achievers under the Lakhpati Didi initiative.

Key Highlights:

• Sectoral Coverage: Projects span drinking water, irrigation, health infrastructure, rural roads, bridges, national highways, railways, and urban transport.
• Railway Infrastructure:
  • First passenger train flagged off to Boudh district via Sonepur-Purunakatak line.
  • Launched third and fourth railway lines between Sarla–Sason and fourth line Jharsuguda–Jamga.
• Green Mobility: Flagged off 100 electric buses under the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) scheme to promote sustainable urban transport.
• Vision Document Goals:
  • Achieve $500 billion economy by 2036, coinciding with Odisha’s centenary.
  • Attain $1.5 trillion economy by 2047, India’s 100th year of independence.
  • Focus on inclusive growth, infrastructure development, and cultural revival based on public consultations.
• Cultural Promotion: Launched Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana to develop birthplaces of Odia icons into cultural heritage sites including museums and interpretation centers, boosting tourism and heritage conservation.
• Women Empowerment: Felicitated women SHG members earning over ₹1 lakh annually under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.
• Public Engagement: Participated in Tiranga Yatra and a roadshow with significant public participation, marking the first visit after ‘Operation Sindoor’, underlining political and cultural importance.

RECENT NEWS

• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has announced an investment of ₹61,077 crore to establish a world-class petrochemical complex in Paradip, Odisha. This move marks the largest-ever investment by IOCL at a single location and aims to bolster India’s petrochemical industry and manufacturing capabilities.

Uttar Pradesh Leads India in Digital Public Procurement with Over ₹65,227 Crore on Government e-Marketplace

• Uttar Pradesh has established itself as the frontrunner in digital public procurement by completing transactions worth ₹65,227.68 crore through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform between FY 2020–21 and FY 2024–25.
• Union Minister Piyush Goyal praised the state for its exemplary transparency and efficiency, highlighting its 100% GeM adoption across departments and processing of over 72 lakh orders worth ₹5.43 lakh crore in FY 2024–25 alone.

Key Highlights:

• GeM Overview: A digital marketplace launched in 2016 to promote transparent and efficient government procurement, offering more than 11,000 product and 330 service categories nationwide.
• UP’s Procurement Growth: Procurement values rose steadily, from ₹4,622.16 crore in 2020–21 to ₹20,248 crore in 2023–24, totaling ₹65,227.68 crore over five years.
• Top Spending Departments:
  • Urban Development: ₹11,588.28 crore
  • Health & Family Welfare: ₹9,257.14 crore
  • IT & Electronics: ₹8,241.60 crore
  • Medical Education and Home Department also significant contributors.
• Reform Measures: In November 2024, UP aligned its procurement rules with General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017 and GeM’s conditions, enabling full departmental compliance and boosting transparency, fair competition, and participation from small enterprises.

RECENT NEWS

• In a landmark decision aimed at supporting the reintegration of military-trained youth into civil services, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on June 3, 2025, approved a proposal granting 20% horizontal reservation to former Agniveers in direct recruitment for posts in the Uttar Pradesh Police, including roles such as Constable, PAC, Mounted Constable, and Fireman.

India Enforces ‘One Nation, One Time’: IST to Become Mandatory Across Sectors

• The Indian government is set to institutionalize Indian Standard Time (IST) as the sole legal time reference nationwide through the upcoming Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025.
• This move aims to strengthen digital sovereignty, enhance national security, and eliminate dependence on foreign time sources such as GPS.
• The rules will mandate IST usage in all legal, commercial, administrative, and digital domains, ensuring synchronized, secure, and accurate timekeeping based on atomic clocks and indigenous technology.

Key Highlights:

• Mandatory IST Usage: The new rules will make IST the only legal time standard across sectors including transportation, telecommunications, financial markets, and utilities.
• Prohibition of Alternatives: Use of foreign or alternative time sources will be banned unless specifically authorized, closing cybersecurity gaps.
• Advanced Time Infrastructure: Five Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs) in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Faridabad, and Guwahati will maintain atomic clocks and provide millisecond to microsecond accuracy using Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP).
• Coordinating Bodies: The initiative is coordinated by the Department of Consumer Affairs, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL), and ISRO.

The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga Launches ‘Yoga Bandhan’ to Foster Global Unity Ahead of International Day of Yoga 2025

• The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) unveiled ‘Yoga Bandhan,’ a flagship global initiative under the Ministry of Ayush, uniting yoga experts from 15 countries to promote international collaboration and wellness through yoga.
• This event, a Signature Program for the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, reinforces India’s role as a global leader in yoga education, diplomacy, and cultural unity, aligned with the IDY theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family).

Key Highlights:

• Hosted delegates from 15 countries including Australia, Brazil, China, and Kazakhstan at the MDNIY campus in Delhi.
• Aimed at building institutional partnerships in yoga research, education, and certification globally.
• Featured keynote speeches by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha (Secretary, Ministry of Ayush) and remarks from Nandini Singla (DG, Indian Council for Cultural Relations).
• Showcased cultural performances, interactive sessions on yoga communication, and fusion yoga demonstrations.
• Discussed major campaigns like Harit Yoga, Yoga Connect, and Samyoga focused on sustainability, inclusivity, and collaboration under IDY 2025.
• Plans to upgrade the Yoga Certification Board to meet increasing global demand for certified yoga professionals and introduce short-term yoga courses for international tourists.
• Emphasized yoga’s role in cultural diplomacy with demonstrations at iconic Indian sites like Varanasi and Jaipur.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh Agree to Strengthen Cooperation on Principles of Good-Neighbourliness, Equality, and Mutual Trust

• China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have agreed to advance cooperation based on principles of good-neighbourliness, equality, and mutual trust.
• The inaugural trilateral meeting of their foreign ministry officials was held in Kunming, southwest China.

Attended by:

• Sun Weidong – Chinese Vice Foreign Minister
  
• Ruhul Alam Siddique – Bangladesh Acting Foreign Secretary
  
• Imran Ahmed Siddiqui – Additional Foreign Secretary of Pakistan
• This was the first-ever trilateral consultation between China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, described by the Chinese Foreign Ministry as part of neighbourhood diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.
• A similar trilateral meeting was previously held between China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• In his remarks, Sun Weidong highlighted that Bangladesh and Pakistan are good neighbours, friends, and important partners of China.
• The meeting involved in-depth exchanges under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Key areas of discussion included:Trilateral cooperation, Common interests of the people, Peace, stability, development, and prosperity
• The three sides agreed to establish a dialogue mechanism on China-Pakistan-Bangladesh trilateral cooperation.
• A broad consensus was reached on:Strengthening unity and coordination, Addressing regional and international challenges

About China:

• Capital: Beijing
• Currency: Renminbi (CNY)
• President: Xi Jinping
• Prime Minister: Li Qiang

About Pakistan:

• Capital: Islamabad
• Currency: Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
• President: Asif Ali Zardari
• Prime Minister: Shehbaz Sharif

About Bangladesh:

• Capital: Dhaka.
• Currency: Bangladeshi Taka (BDT).
• President: Mohammad Shahabuddin

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Indian Animated Film Desi Oon Wins Jury Prize at Annecy International Animation Festival 2025

• India’s animation industry achieved a landmark victory as Desi Oon, directed by acclaimed animator Suresh Eriyat, won the Jury Prize for Best Commissioned Film at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Festival 2025.
• This global recognition spotlights India’s rich tradition of storytelling and marks its growing influence in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC-XR) sector.

Key Highlights:

• Desi Oon received the Jury Prize for Best Commissioned Film at Annecy 2025, one of the highest honors in animation worldwide.
• The film also won Best Film at the WAVES Awards of Excellence 2025 and was a top entry in the Create in India Challenge by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
• It has been archived at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, and shortlisted at the Cannes Lions 2025 (Film Craft Lions category).
• Created using traditional frame-by-frame animation combined with modern technology, Desi Oon celebrates Indian culture, humor, and storytelling.
• Officials described the film as a “cultural milestone,” underscoring its impact on India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem.
• Ministry of I&B’s Anubhav Singh highlighted that Desi Oon reflects the government’s vision to expand the animation sector.
• Sanjay Khimesara of ASIFA India noted that the win represents all Indian animators and encourages global ambition.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

French Armed Forces Sign €1-Billion Deal with Sunil Mittal-Backed Eutelsat

• The French armed forces signed a contract worth €1 billion to reserve capacity on Eutelsat’s low-Earth orbit OneWeb constellation.
• Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises and co-chairman of the Eutelsat Group, announced the contract.
• Satellite capacity is limited and contracts reserve capacity to ensure provision of desired communication services.
• The French government, under President Emmanuel Macron, has increased its investment in Eutelsat, backing it as the European Space Champion by injecting sizable capital and increasing its shareholding.
• The contract with the French armed forces’ ministry (DGA) is a long-term €1-billion partnership to reserve satellite capacity for mission-critical needs.
• Eutelsat is the only European satellite operator with a fully operational low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.
• Eutelsat aims to strategically support sectors such as:Military communications, Cyber-resilience, Secure emergency response.
• The company’s objectives are aligned with those of the European Union and NATO toward enhancing strategic autonomy in satellite communications.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann Takes Over as Chairperson of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority

• Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann assumed charge as Chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on 20th June 2025.
• He was appointed by the Government of India via notification dated 8th April 2025, for a tenure of five years or until he attains the age of 65 years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

About Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann :

Service background:

• Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA&AS), 1991 batch.
• Former Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General and Chief Technology Officer in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

Previous leadership roles:

• Chairman and Managing Director, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
• Managing Director & CEO, National E-Governance Services Ltd. (NeSL)
• Principal Accountant General, State of Jharkhand
• Served from 2006 to 2013 at Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as Chief General Manager (CGM) and Executive Director
• Shri Ramann brings extensive experience in public finance, technology, and financial regulation.
• He is expected to lead PFRDA in strengthening India’s pension system and enhancing retirement security for all citizens.

About PFRDA :

• Founded : 23 August 2003
• Headquarters : New Delhi, India
• It is the regulatory body for overall supervision and regulation of pensions in India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Krutrim Acquires BharatSah’Ai’yak AI Platform from Samagra for Undisclosed Sum

• OLA Group’s AI arm, Krutrim, acquired the AI platform BharatSah’Ai’yak from technology consultancy firm Samagra for an undisclosed amount.
• As part of the acquisition, Krutrim also onboarded Samagra’s core AI team.
• The AI-enabled chatbot KumbhSah’Ai’yak was developed specifically for Maha Kumbh 2025 to provide pilgrims with 24/7 guidance on rituals, navigation, accommodations, and attractions.
• Krutrim highlighted that BharatSah’Ai’yak is homegrown technology that is accessible, intuitive, and rooted in the lived realities of India.
• Krutrim had already hosted open-source Large Language Model (LLM) services for the chatbot.
• With this acquisition, Krutrim aims to leverage its own LLMs or integrate other LLMs, along with its inference engine, cloud infrastructure, and agentic platform to scale BharatSah’Ai’yak pan India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

Centre Launches Portal to Strengthen Gender Budgeting in Ministries and States

• Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi launched the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub, a web portal serving as a digital repository of all information related to gender budgeting processes.
• The launch took place during a national consultation on gender budgeting at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The Knowledge Hub is designed for use by central and state government ministries and departments and other stakeholders.
• The Union Minister stated that gender budgeting has evolved from a fiscal exercise to a strategic instrument for inclusive governance.
• For the financial year 2025–26, the government allocated ₹4.49 lakh crore towards the gender budget, marking a 37% increase over the previous year’s allocation.
• Over the past 11 years, gender budget allocations increased four-and-a-half times, from ₹0.98 lakh crore in 2014–15 to ₹4.49 lakh crore in 2025–26.
• The consultation was the first of its kind, focusing on strengthening gender budgeting processes across sectors.
• Discussions included sharing initiatives and best practices from central ministries, departments, and state governments.
• The event covered Twenty Years of Gender Budgeting in India: Achievements and Challenges.
• Senior officers from 40 central ministries and departments, 19 states, representatives from UN Women, the Asian Development Bank, and experts from national-level institutes

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Secures ₹511-Crore Contract to Build, Operate, and Commercialise Small Satellite Launch Vehicles Launches

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has won a ₹511-crore Transfer of Technology (ToT) deal from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to build, operate, and commercialise Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs).

Key Highlights :

• The SSLV is a three-stage vehicle designed to launch satellites under 500 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• The deal was announced by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
• HAL was selected as the winning bidder among three shortlisted contenders:
• HAL (applied independently)
• Alpha Design Technologies Ltd. (consortium with Agnikul Cosmos and Walchand Industries Ltd.)
• Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (consortium with Skyroot Aerospace, Keltron, and BHEL)
• HAL emerged as the highest bidder, committing to ₹511 crore in a phased payment structure over two years.
• During the ToT phase (2 years), ISRO will provide full training and handholding to HAL to manufacture at least two SSLVs.
• After two years, HAL will independently build and launch SSLVs using the acquired technology.
• The ToT agreement will be signed among HAL, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO, and IN-SPACe.
• The evaluation process involved technical and financial assessments over several months.
• Extensive training will be conducted at both ISRO and HAL facilities to ensure successful SSLV development and launches.
• HAL plans to produce 6–12 SSLVs annually during the production phase, with potential scaling based on demand.

About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited :

• Headquarters : Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
• Chairman & MD : DK Sunil

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

India Ranks 13th Globally in Investment Search Interest, Driven by Digital Curiosity

• A recent BrokerChooser report shows India at 13th place worldwide for per-capita monthly Google searches on investments, with 2,629 searches per million.
• This surge reflects growing interest in stocks, crypto, and forex among tech-savvy youth, who increasingly rely on mobile trading apps, SIP plans, and financial influencers for learning and diversification.

Key Highlights:

• Global Ranking & Volume: India secured 2,629 monthly searches per million, trailing only
• Australia
• Singapore
• Kenya
• New Zealand
• Canada.
• Primary Search Category: Stocks lead with 1,138 searches per million, outpacing Malaysia by over 50% and exceeding South Africa’s level by more than fourfold.
• Other Categories Analyzed:
  • Forex: 625 searches per million
  • Cryptocurrencies: 501 searches per million, despite regulatory uncertainty
  • General Investing: 259 searches per million
  • ETFs: 106 searches per million
• Youth-Led Trend: Investment queries are largely driven by young Indians, leveraging digital platforms to fill the financial literacy gap.
• Sustained Crypto Interest: High search volumes for terms like “which crypto to buy now” indicate ongoing curiosity despite policy ambiguity.
• Role of Fintech & SIPs: Awareness of Systematic Investment Plans and innovative trading apps is encouraging broader stock market participation.
• Analyst Insight: BrokerChooser’s Adam Nasli notes that initial hesitation stems from lack of knowledge, but once overcome, investment becomes a key wealth-building tool.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Neeraj Chopra Clinches Victory at 2025 Paris Diamond League with 88.16m Throw

• Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra made a remarkable comeback by winning the 2025 Paris Diamond League with a massive throw of 88.16 metres on his very first attempt.
• This triumph marks his first Diamond League title since June 2023 and reinforces his status as one of the world’s leading javelin throwers, boosting his confidence ahead of the Zurich Diamond League Final in August 2025.

Key Highlights:

• Winning Throw: Neeraj’s opening throw of 88.16m secured him first place, outpacing fierce rivals like Germany’s Julian Weber (87.88m) and Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva (86.62m).
• Performance Progress: Subsequent throws included 85.10m, three fouls, and a final 82.89m attempt.
• Competition: Neeraj overcame tough competition, notably from Julian Weber, who had beaten him in recent meets.
• Past Achievements: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medallist; last Diamond League win was in Lausanne (87.66m) in June 2023; previously placed eighth in Paris in 2017, making this a notable comeback.
• 2025 Season Recap: Threw 90.23m in Doha but finished second; lost to Weber at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial Meet with an 84.14m throw.
• Event Context: The Paris Diamond League is the 8th of 15 meetings in the 2025 series, leading up to the Zurich Final in August.
• Significance: This win reestablishes Neeraj’s dominance on the global athletics stage and builds momentum for the upcoming major competitions.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Olympic Day 2025: June 23

• Olympic Day Run or International Olympic Day is celebrated on June 23 all around the world.
• The day embraces all through pure Olympic values. Athletes from every nation participate in sports activities, such as runs, exhibitions, music, and educational seminars on this day.

History

• Venezuela, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, Austria, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay commemorated the first Olympic Day on June 23, 1948.
• The origins of Olympic Day can be traced back to 1948. In 1947, IOC members in Czechoslovakia presented Doctor Gruss with a report on commemorating Olympic Day.
• The study was delivered at the International Olympic Committee’s 41st Session in Stockholm, which was supposed to be a day dedicated to promoting the Olympic concept.
• The idea was approved in the IOC’s next session, which was held in St Moritz in January 1948.
• The National Olympic Committee picked June 23 to commemorate the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) formation on the same day in 1894.

United Nations Public Service Day 2025: June 23

• The United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated on June 23 of every year to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlight the contribution of public service in the development process; recognize the work of public servants, and encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector.
• 2025 theme: “Five years to 2030: Accelerating public service delivery for a sustainable future.”

History

• Every year on June 23rd, the United Nations Public Service Day is observed to emphasize the importance and virtue of public service to the community, to acknowledge their commitment to the development process through public service, and to encourage youngsters to choose a career in the public sector.
• By approving resolution 57/277 on December 20, 2002, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 23rd as United Nations Public Service Day.
• Every year, a host country is chosen to recognize contributions to the development and strengthening of government institutions and administration.
• A variety of events are held to honor the contributions of public officials. Several people take part in the discussion and have an equal opportunity to debate tactics, transformations, and novel ways, among other topics.
• On this day, diverse leaders, government officials, politicians, and international organizations assemble to discuss how to make changes, adopt better practices, address current concerns, and explore creative ideas, among other topics. Sustainable development goals at the national, international, and regional levels are a prominent issue of discussion.

International Widow’s Day 2025: June 23

• International Widow’s Day is observed all over the universe each year on the 23rd of June to draw attention to widows’ voices and experiences and galvanize the exceptional support they need.

History

• Widows had to immolate themselves on their late husband’s funeral pyre before 1827. In 2005, the Loomba Foundation established International Widow’s Day in honor of Loomba’s mother, who became a widow on June 23, 1954.
• Women in diverse countries, according to Loomba, had to fight for their basic wants and rights. They are ignored by all organizations, and societies have cursed them for the loss of their husband.
• Finally, the United Nations General Assembly recognized it on June 23, 2010.
• Children were withdrawn from school and abused because of their father’s death because of the widows. International Widow’s Day encourages people to support widows’ rights by emphasizing concerns such as abuse, prejudice, and poverty that women suffer.
• The main aim of International Widow’s day is to provide education to the widows’ children, provide them with healthcare facilities, and develop various resources and policies to empower widows.
• This step can lead widows to have quality in society and have equal rights and freedom. It is necessary to understand a widow’s conditions and serve equal rights as the rest of the women possess.

World Humanist Day: June 21

• World Humanist Day is celebrated every year on 21 June and we’ve been celebrating it since the 1980s.
• It’s an opportunity for humanists all around the world to publicise the positive values of humanism and to share the global concerns of the humanist movement.

History

• World Humanist Day originated in the 1980s through efforts by members of the American Humanist Association (AHA). Initially, there was no single agreed-upon date for its celebration, with different local chapters choosing various dates significant to their communities.
• Some selected the anniversary of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (now Humanists International), while others picked different meaningful days. The goal was to establish a day when humanists worldwide could unite and celebrate their shared values.
• By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the AHA and Humanists International democratically agreed to mark a single date as World Humanist Day, aligning it with the June solstice—a time of scientific and cultural importance.
• This choice reflects the solstice’s symbolic connection to ancient communal gatherings and humanity’s growing understanding of the natural world. Celebrating on the solstice emphasizes the universal spirit of humanism and its global reach.
• Since its inception, World Humanist Day has been celebrated with a variety of activities—parties, picnics, conferences, and activism—highlighting the movement’s diversity and focus on promoting humanist values and scientific reasoning to dispel myths. Notable supporters of humanism include Richard Dawkins, Philip Pullman, A.C. Grayling, and Tim Minchin.

Daily CA One- Liner: June 22 & 23

• Karnataka Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, approved a 5% hike in housing reservation for religious minorities, raising the quota from 10% to 15% in both urban and rural state-funded housing schemes
• Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, led by Minister Annpurna Devi, launched the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub, a digital platform designed to support gender-responsive budgeting across central and state ministries.
• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) introduced Pratibha Setu, a digital platform designed to connect non-recommended but qualified UPSC candidates with potential employers from both government and private sectors
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 105 development projects in Odisha valued at over ₹18,600 crore during his visit to Bhubaneswar
• Uttar Pradesh has established itself as the frontrunner in digital public procurement by completing transactions worth ₹65,227.68 crore through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform between FY 2020–21 and FY 2024–25
• The Indian government is set to institutionalize Indian Standard Time (IST) as the sole legal time reference nationwide through the upcoming Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025
• The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) unveiled ‘Yoga Bandhan,’ a flagship global initiative under the Ministry of Ayush, uniting yoga experts from 15 countries to promote international collaboration and wellness through yoga
• India’s animation industry achieved a landmark victory as Desi Oon, directed by acclaimed animator Suresh Eriyat, won the Jury Prize for Best Commissioned Film at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Festival 2025
• A recent BrokerChooser report shows India at 13th place worldwide for per-capita monthly Google searches on investments, with 2,629 searches per million
• Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra made a remarkable comeback by winning the 2025 Paris Diamond League with a massive throw of 16 metres on his very first attempt.

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB) approved loans totaling $1.5 billion to support Bangladesh’s banking sector reforms, climate change initiatives, and other projects.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms for Small Finance Banks (SFBs) starting the financial year 2025-26.
• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) plans to lend about ₹10,000 crore in FY26 under its Green Lending Facility.
• According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2025, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India remained unchanged at $28 billion in 2024, despite an 11% decline in global FDI flows.
• Indian equity markets advanced on June 20,2025 supported by gains in heavyweight stocks and optimism over the RBI’s revised project finance guidelines.
• China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have agreed to advance cooperation based on principles of good-neighbourliness, equality, and mutual trust.
• The French armed forces signed a contract worth €1 billion to reserve capacity on Eutelsat’s low-Earth orbit OneWeb constellation.
• Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann assumed charge as Chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on 20th June 2025.
• OLA Group’s AI arm, Krutrim, acquired the AI platform BharatSah’Ai’yak from technology consultancy firm Samagra for an undisclosed amount.
• Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi launched the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub, a web portal serving as a digital repository of all information related to gender budgeting processes.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has won a ₹511-crore Transfer of Technology (ToT) deal from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to build, operate, and commercialise Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs).

• Olympic Day Run or International Olympic Day is celebrated on June 23 all around the world
• The United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated on June 23 of every year to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community
• International Widow’s Day is observed all over the universe each year on the 23rd of June to draw attention to widows’ voices and experiences and galvanize the exceptional support they need
• World Humanist Day is celebrated every year on 21 June and we’ve been celebrating it since the 1980s