24th June 2025

1. DRDO Offers 28 Indigenous Weapons for Emergency Procurement by Armed Forces
2. SECI Floats Landmark Green Ammonia Tender to Decarbonize Fertilizer Sector
3. India’s Northeast to Pioneer Vegan Leather Manufacturing with CSIR & NECTAR Pact
4. Tripura Declared Fully Literate Under ULLAS
5. IIT-Delhi Launches First Special PhD Admission Drive for SC/ST Candidates
6. Assam Announces OBC Status for Trans Community and Reservations for Anganwadi Workers
7. Lalit Upadhyay Bids Farewell to International Hockey After a Glorious Career
8. South Korea Appoints First Civilian Defence Minister in 64 Years
9. UP and Gujarat to Lead ₹10.2 Lakh Crore Capex Push in FY26
10. JCB Prize for Literature Cancelled After 7 Editions: Here’s What We Know
11. Indian Railways Offers ₹1 Crore Accident Compensation to Employees Without Premium
12. India to Integrate Rare Blood Donor Registry with e-Rakt Kosh
13. India to Revise CPI Basket and Base Year for Better Inflation Tracking
14. Pant Becomes First Indian Keeper to hit centuries in both Test innings
15. India Post Payments Bank Wins Digital Payments Award
16. Bharti Space to Invest ₹313 Cr in Eutelsat’s Satellite Expansion
17. Boudh District Connected to Rail Network for First Time, Thanks to New Line
18. Govt to Set Up Centre of Excellence to Tackle Human-Wildlife Conflict
19. “Woman! Life! Freedom!”: The Pulse of Iran’s 2022 Uprising Captured in Powerful New Book
20. Jasprit Bumrah Becomes First Asian to Claim 150 Test Wickets in SENA Countries
21. India Launches Logo and Mascot ‘Viraaj’ for World Para Athletics Championships
22. United Nations Public Service Day
23. International Olympic Day: Celebrating the Spirit of Sports and Unity
24. Bajaj Allianz Launches State-Specific Health Insurance Plans
25. Thunder Win Franchise’s First NBA Title in Oklahoma City
26. INS Tamal to Be Commissioned on July 1
27. Carlos Alcaraz Clinches Second Queen’s Club Title
28. Union Home Minister Amit Shah Laid Foundation Stones for NFSU & CFSL Campus in Raipur, Chhattisgarh
29. Bihar Pioneers India’s First Mobile-Based E-Voting System for Urban Elections
30. 55th International Paris Air Show held from June 16 to 22, 2025 in France
31. OECD Report: Droughts Expected to be 35% more Costly by 2035
32. Indian Coffee Exports Grow 25 Percent in FY25-26: Coffee Board
33. Paul Thomas Elected as Chairperson of Sa-Dhan
34. BSNL Launches Indigenous Quantum 5G FWA Service in Hyderabad
35. India Tops Medal Tally at Archery Asia Cup 2025 Stage 2 in Singapore with 9 Medals
36. United Nations Public Service Day 2025 – June 23
37. International Widows Day 2025 – June 23
38. International Olympic Day 2025 – June 23
39. International Day of Women in Diplomacy 2025

National News

1. IIT Delhi Launches Special PhD Admission Drive for SC/ST

• What:
  • IIT Delhi has started a special admission drive for PhD candidates from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories due to low seat occupancy.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to address the under-representation of SC/ST candidates in doctoral programmes and follow reservation norms.
• Tell me more:
  • IIT Delhi found that actual SC/ST PhD intake was below the required 15% (SC) and 7.5% (ST) reservation norms.
  • The UGC reservation norms require 15% seats for SC and 7.5% for ST in higher education admissions.

Source: IE

2. Indian Railways Announces ₹1 Crore Accident Compensation Scheme

• What:
  • Indian Railways has launched a scheme providing ₹1 crore compensation to the family of any employee who dies in an accident, without the need for any insurance premium payment.
• Why:
  • The scheme aims to offer financial security to railway employees and their families due to the high-risk nature of railway jobs.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme covers all railway employees, regardless of whether the accident happens on duty, at the workplace, or elsewhere.
  • Employees must have their salary account registered as a ‘Salary Package Account’ in a partner bank to avail the benefit.
  • The first payout under this scheme was made to the family of Sushil Lal, a loco pilot from Moradabad division, after his accidental death.
  • The scheme is available through agreements between Indian Railways and major banks across India, including SBI.

Source: ETV

3. National Rare Blood Donor Registry Launched in India

• What:
  • The National Institute of Immunohaematology in Mumbai has created India’s first national rare blood donor registry for patients with rare and uncommon blood types who need frequent transfusions.
• Why:
  • The registry aims to help patients with rare blood groups easily find matching donors and ensure timely blood transfusions, especially for conditions like thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
• Tell me more:
  • The registry is planned to be integrated with e-Raktakosh, a platform that provides information about blood availability.
  • The ICMR-NIIH project began in 2019, screening ‘O’ group donors across four regions with major blood banks.
  • There are plans to expand the registry by integrating it with all blood banks through e-Raktakosh.

Source: ET

4. BSNL Soft Launches Quantum 5G FWA in Hyderabad

• What:
  • BSNL announced the soft launch of Quantum 5G FWA, India’s first indigenous SIM-less fixed-wireless-access solution, in Hyderabad.
• Why:
  • The launch aims to deliver fibre-like internet speeds over 5G radio using a fully home-grown technology platform and expand high-speed connectivity across India.
• Tell me more:
  • Quantum 5G FWA uses BSNL’s Direct-to-Device platform, allowing customer devices to authenticate without a physical SIM.
  • The solution is built entirely by Indian vendors under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and achieved speeds of 980 Mbps download and 140 Mbps upload in Ameerpet.
  • The service covers 85% of Hyderabad households with rapid self-installation and requires no trenching or fibre pulling.
  • Pilot expansion is planned for cities like Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior, and Chandigarh by September 2025.
  • Introductory tariffs are set at ₹999 for 100 Mbps and ₹1499 for 300 Mbps plans.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Tripura Achieves Full Functional Literacy Status

• What:
  • Tripura has become the third Indian state to achieve full functional literacy under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.
• Why:
  • The goal is to ensure that youth and adults aged 15 and above who missed formal schooling can read, write, and use basic skills.
• Tell me more:
  • Tripura’s literacy rate is now 95.6%, up from 20.24% in 1961.
  • The ULLAS programme runs from 2022 to 2027 and uses grassroots work, community mobilisation, and the ULLAS mobile app.
  • Functional literacy includes reading, writing, arithmetic, digital and financial skills, and life skills like health and hygiene.
  • Individuals must pass the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) to be certified.
  • The certificate is jointly issued by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the Department of School Education & Literacy.

Source: IT

2. Assam Increases Reservation and Grants OBC Status

• What:
  • Assam cabinet has increased reservation for Anganwadi workers in supervisor posts to 50% and granted OBC status to the transgender community.
• Why:
  • The decisions aim to promote social inclusion and provide better opportunities for Anganwadi workers and the transgender community.
• Tell me more:
  • Earlier, 25% of supervisor posts were reserved for Anganwadi workers; now it is 50%.
  • The remaining 50% supervisor posts will be filled through the state-level recruitment process.
  • OBC status for the transgender community will be given only to original inhabitants of Assam.
  • Identity cards will be provided to eligible transgender individuals in the state.
  • The announcement was made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Source: TOI

3. State Capex to Rise Sharply in FY26

• What:
  • Capital expenditure by 26 Indian states is projected to increase to ₹10.2 trillion in FY26 from ₹8.7 trillion in FY25, with five states expected to contribute nearly half of this outlay.
• Tell me more:
  • Uttar Pradesh is expected to account for 16.3% of FY26 capex, followed by Gujarat (9.4%), Maharashtra (8.3%), Madhya Pradesh (8.1%), and Karnataka (6.7%).
  • The lowest contributors—Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim—are together projected to make up only 0.4% of FY26 capital spending.
  • Aggregate receipts across these states are forecast at ₹69.4 trillion in FY26, up 10.6%, with revenue receipts rising 12.3% and capital receipts by 6.6%.
  • Most states are expected to stay within their fiscal-deficit limits, with 13 states likely to report a revenue surplus.
  • GST is projected to remain the largest source of own tax revenue for states, accounting for 44.2% in FY26.

Source: BS

4. Train Services Launched in Boudh District for First Time

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two new trains and extended three existing trains, bringing train services to Boudh district for the first time.
• Tell me more:
  • Modi inaugurated the Sonepur-Purunakatak section of the Khurda Road-Balangir new line project, constructed at a cost of Rs 1,376 crore.
  • The Boudh-Bhubaneswar New-Boudh Weekly Express and Sambalpur-Boudh-Sambalpur Weekly Express were flagged off.
  • The new section allows people from Boudh to travel to Bhubaneswar, Khurda, and Cuttack by train.
  • The Bhubaneswar-Sonepur-Bhubaneswar Inter-City Express and two pairs of Balangir-Sonepur shuttle passenger trains will now start from Purunakatak.

Source: TOI

5. UP to Get Four Modern Wildlife Rescue Centres

• What:
  • The forest and wildlife department is setting up four modern rescue centres in Uttar Pradesh to manage rising encounters between people and large carnivores like tigers, leopards, and jackals.
• Why:
  • The centres aim to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and promote safe coexistence between humans and wild animals.
• Tell me more:
  • The rescue centres will be located in Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary (Meerut), Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Sohagibarwa Wildlife Sanctuary (Maharajganj), and Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary (Chitrakoot).
  • These centres will safely house wild animals that stray into human settlements across Western UP, Terai, Awadh, and Bundelkhand regions.
  • The state government has sanctioned Rs 57.2 crore for this project.
  • The initiative is seen as a milestone for wildlife management in the state.

Source: TOI

6. Amit Shah Lays Foundation for Forensic Institutions in Chhattisgarh

• What:
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stones for a National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) campus and a Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to modernise India’s criminal justice system and provide job opportunities for youth through forensic education.
• Tell me more:
  • The NFSU campus will cost ₹145 crore and the CFSL ₹123 crore, with the campus expected to be developed in three years.
  • India plans to set up 26 NFSU campuses, producing 32,000 forensic experts annually, exceeding the current national requirement.
  • Under new criminal laws, forensic teams must visit crime scenes for serious offences, increasing the demand for forensic professionals.
  • Chhattisgarh already has four regional state forensic labs, and the new CFSL will allow local investigations without sending samples to other states.
  • Shah also inaugurated a transit NFSU campus at Sejbahar and the Chhattisgarh i-Hub Innovation Centre to support start-ups and entrepreneurship.

Source: TOI

International News

1. South Korea Appoints First Civilian Defence Minister in 64 Years

• South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated Ahn Gyu-back, a five-term liberal lawmaker, as defence minister, breaking the tradition of appointing retired military generals.
• President Lee also nominated Cho Hyun as foreign minister and Chung Dong-young as unification minister.

Source: HT

Banking and Economy

1. SECI Invites Bids for Green Ammonia Supply

• What:
  • SECI has invited bids to supply 724,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually to 13 fertiliser plants to help decarbonise the sector.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy for ammonia production instead of fossil fuels.
• Tell me more:
  • The tender is issued under the SIGHT scheme and offers a 10-year supply contract.
  • The last date for bid submission is June 26, 2025.
  • Financial incentives will be given under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with support of Rs 8.82/kg, Rs 7.06/kg, and Rs 5.30/kg for the first three years, totalling Rs 1,533.4 crore.

Source: BS

2. Government Plans New Base Years for GDP and CPI

• What:
  • The government may use different base years for calculating GDP and retail inflation, with 2022–23 likely for GDP and 2023–24 for CPI.
• Why:
  • The change aims to reflect more recent data from major surveys and to match the timing of price collection for CPI.
• Tell me more:
  • Currently, both GDP and CPI use 2011–12 as the base year, but the new base years will update the calculation methods.
  • The food share in the new CPI basket is expected to decline, as household consumption surveys show a reduced share of food in spending.
  • The new CPI basket will have more items, increasing from 300 to 400, and the method of price collection may also change.
  • The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) may shift from a fixed-base index to a chain-based index, using the previous period as the base.
  • The advisory committee’s report on base year revisions is expected soon, and the new base years are likely to start from 2026–27.

Source: HBL

4. Bharti Space to Invest in Eutelsat’s Capital Raise

• What:
  • Bharti Space Ltd will invest €31.4 million in French satellite operator Eutelsat as part of Eutelsat’s €1.35 billion capital raising plan.
• Why:
  • The investment aims to help Eutelsat reduce its debt and expand its satellite constellations, strengthening its position in the global space communications market.
• Tell me more:
  • Eutelsat’s capital raise includes a reserve capital increase and a rights issue, with participation from Bharti Space, the French government, CMA CGM, and Fonds Stratégique de Participations.
  • Bharti Space’s shareholding in Eutelsat is expected to become around 18.7% after the fundraise, while the French State will hold 29.99%.
  • The equity offering is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.
  • Eutelsat signed a 10-year agreement with France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces to reserve capacity on its OneWeb constellation.

Source: LM

Reports and Indices

1. Global Drought Risk and Costs Rise Sharply: OECD Report

• What:
  • The OECD Global Drought Outlook reports that the global land area affected by drought has doubled in the last 120 years, with droughts becoming more frequent and costly.
• Why:
  • The report stresses the need for immediate and coordinated action to anticipate, prevent, and adapt to drought risks in order to limit losses and strengthen community resilience.
• Tell me more:
  • Climate change is driving more severe droughts, with 40% of the planet facing increased drought frequency and intensity in recent decades.
  • Droughts cause losses beyond agriculture, impacting trade, industry, energy, and leading to poverty, inequality, and displacement.
  • Since 1980, 37% of global land has seen significant soil moisture loss, and 62% of monitored aquifers show declining groundwater levels.
  • An average drought in 2035 is projected to cost at least 35% more than today.
  • Practical solutions like water recycling, drought-tolerant crops, efficient irrigation, and sustainable land use are recommended to reduce vulnerability.

Source: OECD

Defence News

1. DRDO Offers 28 Indigenous Weapons for Emergency Procurement

• What:
  • DRDO has offered 28 of its designed and developed weapon systems to the three defence services for emergency procurement following their successful use in Operation Sindoor.
• Why:
  • The offer aims to enable the Defence Forces to buy new weapons and replenish stocks quickly under emergency procurement powers.
• Tell me more:
  • The emergency procurement powers allow buying hardware up to Rs 300 crore per product.
  • The list includes rockets, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, laser-guided bombs, torpedoes, shoulder-fired air defence and anti-tank missiles, and naval anti-ship missiles.
  • Production agencies like Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited are named as sources for these weapons.
  • The 28 equipment pieces are divided as 14 for the Army, 8 for the Navy, and 6 for the Air Force.
  • The Indian Air Force is also considering acquiring SAAW smart ammunition under this proposal.

Source: BS

2. INS Tamal to Join Indian Navy’s Western Fleet

• What:
  • The Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate INS Tamal will be commissioned at Kaliningrad, Russia, on July 1 and will join the Western Fleet.
• Tell me more:
  • INS Tamal is a 125m long, 3900-tonne warship with 26% indigenous components, including the BrahMos missile system.
  • The ship is the eighth Krivak class frigate from Russia and is the last such platform to be inducted from a foreign source.
  • Tamal is the second ship of the Tushil Class, with upgrades like vertical launched surface-to-air missiles, improved guns, heavyweight torpedoes, and advanced electronic warfare suites.
  • The ship’s construction was overseen by Indian specialists in Russia and steered by the Directorate of Ship Production in India.
  • India is also building two similar frigates at Goa Shipyard Ltd with Russian assistance.

Source: ET

3. DRDO to Showcase Indigenous Systems at Paris Air Show

• What:
  • The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) will participate in the 56th Paris Air Show to display India’s advanced defence technologies.
• Why:
  • The participation aims to highlight India’s growing capabilities in defence innovation and promote global cooperation in aerospace.
• Tell me more:
  • The Paris Air Show is the world’s oldest and largest aerospace exhibition, held biennially at Le Bourget Parc des Expositions in France.
  • DRDO will showcase systems like the LCA Tejas Mark-II multirole fighter jet and the Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C).
  • India-France Strategic Partnership is a key focus, with collaboration in defence, space, civil nuclear cooperation, and cybersecurity.
  • DRDO’s portfolio includes missile systems, air defence, UAVs, electronic warfare, and many systems currently used by Indian Armed Forces.

Source: IADB

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. India’s Coffee Exports Rise Sharply Over 11 Years

• What:
  • India’s coffee exports have increased by 125% in the past 11 years, reaching $1.8 billion in 2023–24.
• Why:
  • The growth is due to policy measures by the Coffee Board of India, such as digital permits, export incentives, and support for value addition.
• Tell me more:
  • Exports stood at $1.28 billion in 2023–24, up from $1.14 billion in 2022–23.
  • Europe remains the top market for Indian coffee, with key destinations including Italy, Germany, Belgium, Middle East nations, South Korea, and Japan.
  • The Coffee Board has introduced digital issuance of permits, regular engagement with exporters, and provides global market intelligence.
  • Government offers transit and freight assistance for value-added and high-value green coffee exports to distant markets.
  • A 40% subsidy on machinery costs is provided for domestic processors, up to Rs 15 lakh.

Source: TOI

Awards

1. JCB Prize for Literature Discontinued in India

• What:
  • The JCB Prize for Literature, India’s most lucrative book award, has been officially discontinued with no future editions planned.
• Why:
  • The shutdown follows the cancellation of the JCB Literature Foundation’s licence and its reclassification as a private limited company.
• Tell me more:
  • The JCB Prize awarded ₹25 lakh to the best work of fiction by an Indian author each year since 2018.
  • The last winner was Upamanyu Chatterjee in 2024 for his novel “Lorenzo Searches for the Meaning of Life.”
  • Each shortlisted author received ₹1 lakh, and translators of winning works received ₹10 lakh.
  • The decision was confirmed by Mita Kapur, Literary Director of the JCB Prize.

Source: HT

2. India Post Payments Bank Wins Digital Payments Award

• What:
  • India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has received the Union Finance Ministry’s Digital Payments Award 2024‑25 for its efforts in expanding access to digital transactions and financial inclusion.
• Why:
  • The award recognises IPPB’s role in making digital financial services accessible and supporting the vision of a less-cash, digitally empowered economy.
• Tell me more:
  • The award was presented in Delhi by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS (Finance) Pankaj Chaudhary to IPPB’s leadership.
  • IPPB finished first among all payments banks on the Department of Financial Services performance index for FY 24‑25 after a “special mention” last year.
  • IPPB was launched in 2018 as a fully government-owned bank under the Department of Posts.
  • The bank provides paperless and cashless banking through nearly 2 lakh postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks using smartphone-biometric kits.
  • Its network covers about 1.65 lakh post offices and serves 11 crore customers in 5.6 lakh villages and towns.

Source: TOI

3. Carlos Alcaraz Wins Second Queen’s Club Title

• Carlos Alcaraz won his second Queen’s Club title by defeating Jiri Lehecka in the final. This is Alcaraz’s fifth trophy in 2025 and extends his winning streak to 18 matches.
• He is the second Spanish man to win Queen’s twice, after Feliciano Lopez.

Source: TOI

Important Days

1. United Nations Public Service Day – June 23

• The 2025 United Nations Public Service Forum will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from 23 to 25 June 2025, under the theme “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future”.
• The Forum is co-organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) and the Government of Uzbekistan.

Source: UN

2. International Olympic Day – June 23

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the Olympic Day Run at Polo Field in Tezpur, organised by the Assam Olympic Association and Sonitpur District Sports Association.
• Sonowal is the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and President of the Assam Olympic Association.

Source: PIB

3. International Widows Day 2025 – June 23

4. International Day of Women in Diplomacy – June 24

• Theme: ‘Eliminating structural barriers to women’s leadership in diplomacy‘
• The International Day of Women in Diplomacy was established by the UN General Assembly in 2022 and first observed in 2023.

Source: IE

Sports

1. Lalit Upadhyay Announces Retirement from International Hockey

• What:
  • Lalit Upadhyay, a two-time Olympic medallist, has announced his retirement from international hockey on Olympic Day but will continue playing for his domestic team and the UP Police.
• Tell me more:
  • Lalit is only the second player from Uttar Pradesh to play in three Hockey World Cups.
  • He was part of the Indian team that won bronze medals at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
  • He also played in two Commonwealth Games, winning a silver medal in Birmingham 2022 and finishing fourth in Gold Coast 2018.

Source: TOI

2. Rishabh Pant Becomes First Indian Keeper With Twin Tons

• What:
  • Rishabh Pant became the first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match during the first Test against England at Headingley.
• Tell me more:
  • Pant scored 134 runs in the first innings and 118 in the second, marking back-to-back hundreds in the same Test.
  • Only two designated wicketkeepers have ever scored centuries in both innings of a Test: Andy Flower and Rishabh Pant.
  • Pant joined a select group of Indian batters who have scored centuries in both innings of a Test, including Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rohit Sharma.
  • Pant is the first Indian batter to achieve this feat in England.
  • Pant has also joined an elite list of visiting batters with five consecutive 50-plus scores in England.

Source: TOI

3. Jasprit Bumrah Sets New Asian Bowling Record in SENA

• What:
  • Jasprit Bumrah took a five-wicket haul in the first Test against England at Headingley, becoming the first Asian bowler to reach 150 Test wickets in SENA countries.
• Tell me more:
  • Bumrah completed his 14th five-wicket haul in just 87 Test innings, bringing his total to 210 Test wickets.
  • SENA countries refer to South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.

Source: BS

4. Oklahoma City Thunder Win 2025 NBA Championship

• Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2025 NBA Finals by defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game Seven.
• The Thunder’s victory capped a successful season and marked their first NBA title since moving to Oklahoma City.

Source: F24

5. India’s Young Archers Shine at Archery Asia Cup 2025

• What:
  • India’s under-21 archery team won nine medals—two gold, six silver, and one bronze—at the second leg of the Archery Asia Cup 2025 in Singapore.
• Why:
  • The strong performance highlights the depth of young talent in Indian archery and the success of the country’s development programmes.
• Tell me more:
  • Kushal Dalal won gold in men’s compound and Sachin Chechi took bronze in the same event.
  • Tejal Salve won gold in the compound women’s final, defeating Shanmukhi Naga Sai Budde, who also won silver in the mixed team event with Dalal.
  • The Indian women’s compound team set a new U-21 world record with 2101 points in the qualifiers.
  • India reached five out of six team finals and two out of four individual gold medal matches.
  • Over 200 archers from 21 countries competed in the Singapore event.

Source: OC

Memorandum of Understanding

1. CSIR-NIIST Transfers Vegan Leather Tech to NECTAR

• What:
  • CSIR-NIIST signed an MoU with NECTAR to transfer plant-based vegan leather technology for setting up manufacturing units in Meghalaya and other northeastern states.
• Why:
  • The aim is to promote sustainable technologies, circular economy, and support local communities by converting agro-waste into valuable products.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU will help establish common facility centers and manufacturing units using agro-waste like rice straw, banana, and pineapple waste.
  • The initiative supports farmers, MSMEs, and women-led self-help groups in the Northeast.
  • CSIR-NIIST’s technology replaces 50–70% of chemicals used in synthetic leather and reduces the environmental impact of the leather industry.
  • The MoU was exchanged between the directors of CSIR-NIIST and NECTAR in the presence of the Director General, CSIR, at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. ESAF Bank’s K Paul Thomas Elected Sa-Dhan Chairman

• What:
  • K Paul Thomas, MD and CEO of ESAF Small Finance Bank, has been elected chairman of Sa-Dhan, an RBI-recognised self-regulatory organisation for microfinance and impact finance institutions.
• Why:
  • The new leadership aims to encourage innovation and new products in the microfinance sector to address current challenges with long-term solutions.
• Tell me more:
  • The decision was made at Sa-Dhan’s annual general meeting, attended by about 100 members.
  • The Sa-Dhan Board now includes Sadaf Sayeed (Muthoot Microfin) and Mukul Jaiswal (Cashphor) as co-chairs, and Vivekananda Salimath (IDF) as Treasurer.
  • Sa-Dhan will focus on developing and supporting ecosystems for impact financing to enable inclusive growth, equity, gender, and sustainable development.

Source: TW

Miscellaneous

1. Marjane Satrapi Releases Book on Iran’s Protest Movement

• Marjane Satrapi, author of the “Persepolis” series, is releasing a new illustrated book about the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran, inspired by the death of Mahsa Amini.

Source: NYT

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