27th June 2025

1. Sri Lanka’s Kataragama Esala Festival 2025 Kicks Off with Grand Flag Hoisting
2. Salkhan Fossils Park Joins UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites
3. Shikhar Dhawan’s Memoir “The One” Reveals the Man Behind the Bat
4. Telangana’s Folk Festival Bonalu Kicks Off with Devotion and Celebration
5. Kerala Sahitya Akademi Announces 2024 Literary Award Winners
6. Ambubachi Mela 2025: Celebrating Menstruation at Kamakhya Temple
7. Sonowal Unveils Sagarmala Finance Corporation to Boost Maritime Financing
8. ICC Introduces Stop Clock in New WTC Cycle (2025–27)
9. UGRO Capital Appoints Anuj Pandey as CEO
10. Zou Jiayi Appointed as New AIIB President, Succeeds Jin Liqun
11. World MSME Day 2025 – June 27
12. “International Day of Deafblindness: Honouring Helen Keller and Promoting Inclusion”
13. Gujarat Secures Hosting Rights for 2029 WPFG, A Global Sporting Milestone
14. India’s 1st AI-powered Smart Traffic System Launched on Dwarka Expressway in Delhi
15. UAE-India CEPA Council Launches Start-up Series to Boost Innovation
16. CBSE Introduces Biannual Class 10 Board Exams from 2026
17. Equitas SFB Partnered with Edelweiss Life Insurance for Bancassurance Services
18. Bank of Baroda Launches bob Flexi Systematic Deposit Plan
19. Reliance Defence Secures Rs 600 Crore Ammunition Export Order from Germany’s Rheinmetall
20. Brand Finance India 100 Ranking 2025: Tata Group Retains Top Position with USD 31.6 B Brand Value
21. Axiom Space Launches Ax-4 Mission to ISS Carrying Astronauts from USA, India, Poland & Hungary
22. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025 – June 26
23. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2025 – June 26
24. World Refrigeration Day 2025 – June 26

National News

1. CBSE to Hold Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year

• What:
  • CBSE will conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year from 2026, with the first phase being mandatory and the second phase optional.
• Why:
  • The change aims to give students more flexibility, reduce exam pressure, and help them improve their performance.
• Tell me more:
  • The new policy aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and encourages continuous learning.
  • The second phase of the exam is optional and allows students to reappear for better scores.

Source: TOI

State News

1. Salkhan Fossils Park Added to UNESCO Tentative List

• What:
  • Salkhan Fossils Park in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, has been included in UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites.
• Tell me more:
  • The park is near Salkhan village, about 15 km from Robertsganj in Sonbhadra.
  • Salkhan Fossils Park is one of the oldest fossil sites in the world.
  • The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, studied the park and found 1.4 billion-year-old stromatolites and algae fossils.

Source: HT

2. Bonalu Festival Begins at Golconda Fort, Hyderabad

• The annual Bonalu celebrations started at Golconda Fort in Hyderabad with prayers at the Sri Jagadamba Mahankali temple.
• The festival is celebrated to honour Goddess Jagadambika and showcase Telangana’s folk culture.

Source: IE

3. Kerala Sahitya Akademi Announces 2024 Literary Awards

• What:
  • Kerala Sahitya Akademi announced the winners of its 2024 literary awards, honouring writers in various Malayalam literature categories.
• Tell me more:
  • G R Indugopan won best novel for “Aano” and Anitha Thampi received the poetry award for “Muringa Vazha Kariveppu”.
  • V Shinilal was awarded for short story, M Swaraj for essay, and Sashidharan Naduvil for drama.
  • Major awards also went to G Dileep (literary criticism), Deepak V (scientific literature), Dr K Rajashekharan Nair (biography/autobiography), K R Ajayan (travel writing), Chinthu Prakash (translation), E N Sheeja (children’s literature), and Niranjan (humour).
  • Each award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a plaque, and a certificate.

Source: TP

4. Ambubachi Mela 2025 to be Held at Kamakhya Temple

• Ambubachi Mela, a major spiritual festival, will be held at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam from June 22 to June 26, 2025.
• The festival celebrates the menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya, symbolizing fertility, creation, and divine feminine energy.

Source: TOI

2. AI-Based Traffic Management Launched on Dwarka Expressway

• What:
  • India has introduced an artificial intelligence-powered Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) on Delhi’s Dwarka Expressway and a part of NH-48.
• Tell me more:
  • ATMS covers a 56.46-kilometre corridor, including 28 km of NH-48 from Shiv Murti to Kherki Daula.
  • The system uses high-resolution cameras, incident detection, speed displays, signboards, and a central control room linked to emergency services.
  • It can detect up to 14 types of traffic violations and sends reports directly to enforcement agencies through the NIC e-Challan portal.
  • The Ministry of Road Transport has approved halving toll rates on roads where over 50% of the route has structures like flyovers and tunnels.
  • The project is developed by Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IHMCL) and supervised by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Source: ET

International News

1. Kataragama Esala Festival Begins in Sri Lanka

• The annual Kataragama Esala festival starts today in Sri Lanka with a flag hoisting ceremony.
• The main temple, Maha Devala, is dedicated to the Hindu God of War, Skanda.
• Skanda, the Hindu God of War, is believed to have six heads, twelve arms, twenty names, and two wives.

Source: NOA

2. UAE–India CEPA Start-up Series Launched in New Delhi

• What:
  • The UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC), with the UAE Embassy in India, launched the UAE–India CEPA Start-up Series in New Delhi to support Indian start-ups.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to promote innovation-led collaboration and help Indian start-ups expand internationally under the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• Tell me more:
  • The launch included signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with PRIME Meghalaya, IDEATE Lab at O.P. Jindal Global University, and Jamia Hamdard.
  • The Start-up Series will end with a pitch event in New Delhi, where five start-ups will be chosen for a UAE soft-landing package, including incubation, business licensing, mentorship, and investor access.

Source: ET

3. Axiom 4 Mission Sends Indian, Polish, Hungarian Astronauts to ISS

• What:
  • The Axiom 4 mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, sending astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time.
• Why:
  • The mission aims to enable these countries’ return to human spaceflight after over 40 years and marks their first visit to the ISS.
• Tell me more:
  • The crew includes Peggy Whitson (USA), Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
  • The mission is organized by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA and SpaceX, using the Crew Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket.
  • The astronauts will spend 14 days on the ISS conducting microgravity research.
  • Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation is seen as a precursor to India’s Gaganyaan crewed mission planned for 2027.

Source: DD

Banking and Economy

1. Sagarmala Finance Corporation Launched as Maritime NBFC

• What:
  • Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India’s first Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in the maritime sector, was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
• Why:
  • The launch aims to bridge financing gaps and provide sector-specific financial solutions for India’s maritime infrastructure growth.
• Tell me more:
  • SMFCL was formerly known as Sagarmala Development Company Limited and is now a Mini Ratna, Category-I, Central Public Sector Enterprise.
  • It was registered as an NBFC with the Reserve Bank of India on June 19, 2025.
  • SMFCL will offer financial products like short, medium, and long-term funding to ports, shipping companies, MSMEs, startups, and maritime institutions.
  • The corporation will also support shipbuilding, renewable energy, cruise tourism, and maritime education.

Source: ET

2. Equitas SFB and Edelweiss Life Announce Bancassurance Partnership

• Equitas Small Finance Bank (SFB) and Edelweiss Life Insurance have formed a bancassurance partnership to offer life insurance products to the bank’s customers.

Source: ET

3. Bank of Baroda Launches bob Flexi Systematic Deposit Plan

• What:
  • Bank of Baroda has introduced a new recurring deposit product called bob Flexi Systematic Deposit Plan (SDP) for flexible and disciplined savings.
• Why:
  • The plan aims to help customers save regularly while allowing flexibility to deposit extra amounts based on their liquidity needs.
• Tell me more:
  • Minimum monthly instalment is Rs 500, and additional deposits can be made in multiples of Rs 100, up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh per month.
  • Customers can make up to 10 deposits per month, with the option to increase the monthly deposit up to 10 times the base instalment.
  • Preferential interest rates are offered to resident senior and super senior citizens on deposits below Rs 3 crore.
  • Loan and overdraft facility is available up to 95% of the outstanding balance, and nomination is allowed for all eligible account holders.
  • Accounts can be opened for minors aged 10 years and above, with a deposit cap of Rs 1 lakh.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. Brand Finance India 100 2025 Report

• What:
  • The combined brand value of India’s top 100 companies has reached $236.5 billion, as per the Brand Finance India 100 2025 report.
• Why:
  • The rankings highlight steady growth and global recognition of major Indian brands across various sectors.
• Tell me more:
• Tata Group became the first Indian brand to cross $30 billion in brand value, rising to $31.6 billion.
• Infosys is the second most valuable brand at $16.3 billion, followed by HDFC Group at $14.2 billion after its merger with HDFC Ltd.
• Adani Group recorded the highest growth among all brands, with an 82% increase in brand value.
• Taj Hotels retained its position as the strongest Indian brand for the fourth year, with a Brand Strength Index score of 92.2.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. Reliance Defence Secures Rs 600 Crore Export Order from Germany

• Reliance Defence has received an export order worth Rs 600 crore from Germany’s Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH.
• The order is part of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening India’s private defence manufacturing and global defence supply chain presence.
• This contract is one of the largest in the high-tech ammunition sector.

Source: ET

Important Days

1. World MSME Day 2025 – June 27

• Theme: Enhancing the role of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) as drivers of Sustainable Growth and Innovation

Source: UN

2. International Day of Deafblindness – June 27

• Theme: Recognizing Deafblindness: a distinct disability requiring specialized support and inclusion
• This day commemorates the birth of renowned author Helen Keller (1880 – 1968).

Source: UN

3. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025 – June 26

• UN Focus: The evidence is clear: invest in prevention

Source: UN

4. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2025 – June 26

• UN Focus: Torture: a crime against humanity

Source: UN

5. World Refrigeration Day 2025 – June 26

• Theme: “Cool Skills”

Source: WRD

Sports

1. Shikhar Dhawan Reveals Personal Story in Memoir

• Shikhar Dhawan shared a personal experience from 2006 in his memoir ‘The One: Cricket, My Life and More’.

Source: HT

2. ICC Implements New Rules for Test Cricket

• What:
  • The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced new rules for Test cricket, including a stop clock system and fielding team’s choice of striker in deliberate short run cases, starting with the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
• Why:
  • The changes aim to address slow over-rate concerns and improve the pace and fairness of Test matches.
• Tell me more:
  • The stop clock requires the fielding side to be ready to start each over within 60 seconds, with an electronic clock displayed at the ground.
  • Teams get two warnings for exceeding the time limit; a third violation results in five penalty runs to the batting side, and warnings reset after 80 overs.
  • Umpires are no longer required to change the ball if saliva is found on it, but the ban on saliva remains.
  • For decision reviews, referrals by players and umpires are handled in the order they occur.
  • The new rules took effect during the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle.

Source: TOI

3. India to Host 2029 World Police & Fire Games

• What:
  • India has won the bid to host the 2029 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG), which will be held in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.
• Why:
  • Hosting the event recognises India’s growing profile in sports infrastructure and international diplomacy, and boosts Gujarat’s aim to become a global sporting destination.
• Tell me more:
  • The announcement was made after Indian representatives presented to the WPFG Federation in Birmingham, USA.
  • The World Police & Fire Games is one of the largest multi-sport events, involving police officers, firefighters, and first responders from over 70 countries.

Source: NOA

Appointments

1. UGRO Capital Appoints Anuj Pandey as CEO

• What:
  • UGRO Capital has elevated Anuj Pandey, a founding team member and current Chief Risk Officer, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
• Tell me more:
  • Shachindra Nath, Founder and Managing Director, will continue to guide UGRO’s long-term strategy and governance.
  • UGRO Capital has crossed ₹12,000 Crores in assets under management (AUM) in MSME financing.
  • The company has over 300 branches and recently announced the acquisition of Profectus Capital and a large capital raise.

Source: ET

2. Zou Jiayi Appointed Next President of AIIB

• What:
  • Zou Jiayi, former Vice Finance Minister of China, has been named as the next president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
• Tell me more:
  • China is the largest shareholder in AIIB with 26.54% voting shares, followed by India, Russia, and Germany.
  • AIIB has 110 approved members worldwide and is headquartered in Beijing.
  • The bank started its operations in 2016 and is dedicated to financing sustainable infrastructure.
  • Ajay Bhushan Pandey, former finance secretary of India, is one of the vice presidents of AIIB.

Source: LM

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