25th June 2025

1. ConvEx-3 (2025): IAEA and Romania Lead Largest Global Nuclear Emergency Drill
2. ‘Vidya Shakti’: Andhra Pradesh’s Digital Push to Empower Slow Learners
3. ‘ECoR Yatra’ App: East Coast Railway’s Digital Leap for Rath Yatra 2025 Pilgrims
4. Dangeti Jahnavi Becomes First Indian to Complete NASA’s Space Program
5. Nitish Kumar Inaugurates Strategic Ganges Bridge Linking Patna
6. Adani Group Pioneers India’s Clean Energy Future with First Off-Grid Green Hydrogen Plant
7. Google Launches Revolutionary AI Mode in India
8. Kirsty Coventry Becomes First Female and African President of the IOC
9. Day of the Seafarer 2025: Building a Future of Respect at Sea
10. India’s Total Installed Power Capacity Rises to 476 GW; Nearly 50% from Non-Fossil Sources
11. Adani Commissions India’s First Off-Grid 5 MW Green Hydrogen Pilot Plant in Gujarat
12. WEF 2025 Technology Pioneers Cohort Includes 10 Start-ups from India
13. L&T Lists India’s 1st ESG Bonds worth Rs 500 Crore on NSE
14. S&P Global Ratings Raised India’s GDP Growth Forecast for FY26 to 6.5%
15. MoD Orders 450 Nagastra-1R Loitering Munitions from SDAL for Enhanced Tactical Operations
16. FedEx Founder Fred Smith, Pioneer of Express Delivery, Died Aged 80
17. Union Minister Rajnath Singh Releases President Speech Compilation “Wings to Our Hopes – Volume 2”
18. Union Minister Jitendra Singh unveils ANI Chairman Prem Prakash’s book ‘History That India Ignored’

National News

1. India’s Power Capacity: Nearly Half Now Non-Fossil Fuel

• What:
  • Nearly half of India’s total installed power generation capacity of 476 GW is now non-fossil fuel-based as of June 2025, though coal-based thermal power remains a major contributor.
• Why:
  • The shift aims to balance rising electricity demand with sustainability and support India’s clean energy targets.
• Tell me more:
  • Non-fossil fuel sources contribute 235.7 GW, including 226.9 GW renewables and 8.8 GW nuclear, while thermal power accounts for 240 GW.
  • India’s renewable energy includes 110.9 GW solar and 51.3 GW wind capacity, with 176.7 GW of renewable projects under implementation and 72.06 GW under bidding.
  • Coal contributes over 91% of thermal energy, highlighting its ongoing importance in the energy mix.
  • Power shortages have dropped from 4.2% in 2013-14 to 0.1% in 2024-25, and per capita electricity consumption rose by 45.8% from 2013-14 to 2023-24.
  • India’s power sector is highly diversified, using coal, gas, hydro, nuclear, solar, wind, biomass, and small hydro sources.

Source: ET

State News

1. Vidya Shakti Launched to Support Slow Learners in Andhra Pradesh

• What:
  • The School Education Department has launched Vidya Shakti, a new initiative aimed at helping slow learners catch up with peers by focusing on foundational subjects like mathematics, science, and English.
• Why:
  • The programme seeks to create inclusive learning outcomes and ensure all students receive academic support and well-being.
• Tell me more:
  • Vidya Shakti is a pilot project in collaboration with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, running in seventy-eight institutions including Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, Andhra Pradesh Model Schools, A.P. Open Schools Society institutions, A.P. Residential Educational Institutions Society schools, and junior colleges.
  • The second phase will add ten more institutions from January 2025.
  • Classes are delivered via Zoom in bilingual mode by teachers trained with simulation-based tools, and assignments are tracked through the Vidya Shakti app.
  • Digital Akkas, trained women with technical skills, act as coordinators to assist with online sessions, upload assignments, and monitor student performance.
  • Recorded content is available on a dedicated YouTube channel for students who miss sessions.

Source: TH

2. ECoR Yatra App Launched for Rath Yatra Pilgrims

• What:
  • East Coast Railway has launched the ‘ECoR Yatra’ mobile app to provide real-time and reliable railway services for pilgrims attending the Rath Yatra in Puri.
• Why:
  • The app aims to help pilgrims and rail users plan their journey and access all rail-related services and amenities during the festival.
• Tell me more:
  • ECoR Yatra is an Android-based app available on the Google Play Store.
  • The app offers information on special train schedules, regular train timetables, live train and platform updates, lodging and tourist facilities, and ticket counters.
  • It acts as a one-stop digital solution for booking assistance and passenger updates during the Rath Yatra.

Source: TP

3. Patna-Raghopur Section of Six-Lane Ganga Bridge Inaugurated

• What:
  • Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the Patna-Raghopur section of the Kachchi Dargah-Bidupur six-lane Ganga bridge, the state’s first six-lane bridge over the Ganga.
• Why:
  • The bridge aims to improve connectivity, boost agriculture, industry, and commerce, and provide year-round access for residents of Raghopur Diara.
• Tell me more:
  • The first phase from Kachchi Dargah to Raghopur Diara, totaling 4.57 km, has been completed, giving all-weather road access to Raghopur, which was previously accessible only by boat.
  • The bridge will ease traffic on Mahatma Gandhi Setu, reduce congestion in Patna, and improve travel for residents of eastern Patna and those coming from outside.

Source: TOI

International News

1. IAEA and Romania Launch World’s Largest Nuclear Emergency Exercise

• What:
  • The International Atomic Energy Agency and Romania are launching the world’s largest and most complex international nuclear emergency exercise, ConvEx-3, simulating a severe accident at Romania’s Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant.
• Why:
  • The exercise aims to test and improve global readiness for nuclear or radiological emergencies with cross-border consequences and to strengthen international cooperation and safety standards.
• Tell me more:
  • More than 75 countries and 10 international organizations are participating, both on-site in Romania and remotely, over a two-day period.
  • The exercise will simulate real-time decisions, emergency communications, evacuations, iodine distribution, medical response, and management of food and trade restrictions.
  • The IAEA will activate its Incident and Emergency Centre and test tools like the Unified System for Information Exchange and the International Radiation Monitoring System.
  • Member States will activate their national emergency centres, share monitoring data, and coordinate protective actions and messaging.
  • The exercise is developed by SNN Nuclearelectrica and CNCAN, with international coordination by the Inter-Agency Committee on Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies.

Source: IAEA

2. Ten Indian Startups Named WEF Technology Pioneers 2025

• What:
  • The World Economic Forum has recognised ten Indian startups in its 2025 cohort of 100 ‘Technology Pioneers’ for building breakthrough solutions in sectors like space tech, electric mobility, robotics, and healthcare.
• Why:
  • The recognition highlights India’s growing role in the global deep tech ecosystem and is expected to attract more global investor interest in Indian innovation.
• Tell me more:
  • Space tech startups such as Agnikul Cosmos, Digantara, and GalaxEye were recognised for their work in space launches, situational awareness, and earth observation.
  • Agnikul, GalaxEye, and The ePlane Company were incubated at IIT-Madras, with The ePlane Company developing electric flying taxis.
  • Other Indian startups in the list include Exponent Energy (rapid-charging battery systems), CynLr (robotics and machine vision), Freight Tiger (freight network software), SolarSquare (residential solar), Dezy (AI dental diagnostics), and Equal (identity verification).
  • The selected startups will work with WEF’s platforms to contribute to global discussions on technology, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
  • The Technology Pioneers community features 100 early-stage companies from 28 countries, with India emerging as a major innovation hub.

Source: ET

Banking and Economy

1. Adani Commissions India’s First Off-Grid Green Hydrogen Plant

• What:
  • Adani Group has commissioned India’s first off-grid five megawatt green hydrogen pilot plant in Kutch, Gujarat, developed by Adani New Industries Limited.
• Why:
  • The plant aims to advance clean, self-reliant energy solutions and support India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• Tell me more:
  • The facility sets new standards for renewable-powered hydrogen production in high-emission sectors and acts as a proof of concept for the upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub in Mundra.
  • ANIL is building an ecosystem for large-scale green hydrogen and its derivatives, including green ammonia, green methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel.
  • The Kutch plant is the first in India to use a fully automated, closed-loop electrolyser system that adapts to real-time renewable energy inputs.

Source: ET

2. Google Rolls Out AI Mode in Search for India

• What:
  • Google has launched the AI Mode feature in Search for users in India, allowing deeper and more complex search queries.
• Why:
  • The feature aims to help users get faster, higher-quality, and more detailed responses by enabling longer and more nuanced questions.
• Tell me more:
  • AI Mode uses a custom version of Gemini 2.5 and a “query fan-out technique” to break down complex questions into subtopics and perform multiple searches.
  • To try AI Mode, users can visit labs.google.com, turn on the experiment, or access it via the “AI Mode” tab in search results.

Source: IE

3. L&T Lists India’s First ESG Bonds on NSE

• What:
  • Larsen & Toubro has listed India’s first environmental, social and governance bonds on the National Stock Exchange, raising Rs 500 crore through debentures.
• Why:
  • The bond issue aims to support L&T’s ESG goals, promote a greener financial future, and drive the company’s energy transition objectives.
• Tell me more:
  • The bonds are non-convertible debentures with a coupon rate of 6.35 percent and will mature over three years with annual interest payments.
  • HSBC acted as the sole lead arranger for the transaction, and the bonds were issued under Sebi’s new ESG and sustainability-linked bond framework.
  • As part of the agreement, L&T commits to reducing freshwater withdrawal intensity and greenhouse gas emissions, targeting water neutrality by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2040.

Source: ET

GDP Forecasts

1. S&P Raises India’s FY26 Growth Forecast to 6.5 Percent

• What:
  • S&P Global Ratings has upgraded India’s GDP growth forecast for financial year 2025-26 to 6.5 percent, up by 0.2 percentage points.
• Why:
  • The revision is based on expectations of a normal monsoon, lower crude oil prices, income-tax concessions, and monetary easing.
• Tell me more:
  • S&P expects India’s GDP growth to remain strong due to resilient domestic demand, even as export-oriented economies may see slower growth.
  • The report notes that inflation is not a major risk, allowing more focus on growth and enabling Asia-Pacific central banks to cut policy rates.
  • S&P recently raised India’s outlook to ‘positive’ from ‘stable’ while affirming the BBB- investment grade rating.
  • The agency highlighted that India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy between FY30 and FY35.
  • The World Bank and IMF have also projected strong growth for India, though they kept or slightly reduced their forecasts for FY26.

Source: BS

Defence News

1. Indian Army Orders 450 Nagastra-1R Loitering Munitions

• What:
  • The Indian Army has placed an order with Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited for around 450 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions.
• Why:
  • The order aims to strengthen the Army’s capabilities with advanced, indigenous, and cost-effective defence technology.
• Tell me more:
  • Nagastra-1R features a reusable launcher system, a 360-degree gimbal camera, and an option for a thermal camera for night operations.
  • The system includes proprietary encryption for video and telemetry, a high-precision targeting system with two metres CEP, and more than 80% indigenous content.
  • The munitions have been tested in locations like Ladakh and Babina.
  • SDAL also completed successful trials of the Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra, which demonstrated vertical takeoff, high endurance, precision targeting, and mission flexibility.
  • The UAV achieved a mission radius of over 50 km, a total range exceeding 170 km, and successful deployment of a precision-guided anti-personnel warhead.

Source: BS

2. Defence Minister to Release President Murmu’s Speech Collection

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will release a curated collection of 51 speeches delivered by President Droupadi Murmu during her second year in office.
• The collection is titled ‘Wings to Our Hopes – Volume II’ and its Hindi version is called ‘Ashaon Ki Udaan Khand 2’.

Source: TP

Science and Technology

1. First Indian to Complete NASA’s International Air and Space Program

• What:
  • Dangeti Jahnavi from Palakollu, Andhra Pradesh, is set to travel to space in 2029 and is the first Indian to complete NASA’s International Air and Space Program.
• Why:
  • Her selection for the Titan’s Orbital Port Space Station project highlights achievements in STEM education and international space outreach.
• Tell me more:
  • Jahnavi graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Lovely Professional University and is known for her active role in STEM and space education.
  • She was the youngest foreign analog astronaut and the first Indian chosen for Space Iceland’s geology training.
  • She has received the People’s Choice Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge and the ISRO World Space Week Young Achiever Award.
  • The Titan’s Orbital Port Space Station is a US-based project expected to launch in the next four years.

Source: IT

Important Days

1. International Day of the Seafarer – June 25

• Theme: My Harassment-Free Ship

Source: IMO

Appointments

1. Kirsty Coventry Becomes First Female IOC President

• Kirsty Coventry has been inaugurated as the first female and first African president of the International Olympic Committee.
• The International Olympic Committee was founded to oversee the Olympic Games and promote the Olympic movement worldwide.

Source: TH

Miscellaneous

1. FedEx Founder Fred Smith Passes Away at 80

• Fred Smith, founder of FedEx Corp. and a pioneer in express delivery, has died at the age of 80.
• FedEx began operations in 1973, offering quicker deliveries than postal services and growing into a global logistics company.
• FedEx is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Source: BS

2. Union Minister Jitendra Singh unveils ANI Chairman Prem Prakash’s book ‘History That India Ignored’

Source: ANI

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