11th June 2025

1. Punjab Sees 20% Rise in Cotton Cultivation Amid Crop Diversification Push
2. Russia to Build Eight Nuclear Reactors in Iran, Confirms Iranian Atomic Chief
3. Maharashtra Introduces Geo-Tagged Unique ID for All Infra Projects
4. Mumbai Ranks 6th Globally in Under-Construction Data Centre Capacity
5. Bengaluru Becomes India’s ‘Leopard Capital’, Surpassing Mumbai
6. CAQM, CSIR-CRRI & SPA Join Forces to Combat Road Dust Pollution in NCR
7. World Bank Retains India’s FY26 GDP Growth at 6.3%, Flags Global Slowdown
8. By 2030, Mumbai, Delhi & 6 Other Cities to See Twofold Rise in Heatwaves
9. Puducherry Became 19th Legislature to Implement NeVA
10. Global Data Centre Market Comparison 2025: Mumbai Secures 6th Spot Globally, USA’s Virginia Leads
11. Dhruva Space Partnered with France’s Sodern ArianeGroup for HORUS Star Tracker Mission
12. India Dominate 2025 Taiwan Athletics Open with 16 Medals including 12 Gold
13. Portugal Claims Second UEFA Nations League Title with Penalty Shootout Victory Over Spain
14. NRAI Unveiled Logo for Inaugural Edition of SLI 2025
15. International Level Crossing Awareness Day 2025 – June 5
16. Assam CM Launches Mukhya Mantrir Jiban Anuprearna Scheme for Research Scholars
17. Sri Lanka Celebrates Poson Poya: Honoring 2000 Years of Buddhism
18. Overview of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s Official Visit to Norway & Denmark

National News

1. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s Visit Boosts Maritime Ties

• What:
  • Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited Norway and Denmark from June 2, 2025, to strengthen maritime cooperation and signed several important agreements.
• Why:
  • The visit aimed to enhance collaboration in sustainable shipping, shipbuilding, seafarer training, and green maritime technology.
• Tell me more:
  • India participated for the first time in the Nor-Shipping event in Oslo, inaugurating the India Pavilion and presenting India’s maritime vision.
  • Meetings were held with Norway’s ministers to discuss electrification of ferries, sustainable fisheries, ship recycling, and ocean renewable energy.
  • India announced a commitment of USD 20 billion for infrastructure development focused on logistics, port connectivity, and green hydrogen hubs.

Source: PIB ET ANI

2. India and Denmark Strengthen Maritime Green Partnership

• What:
  • Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited Denmark to boost maritime collaboration and signed key agreements for green shipping and heritage research.
• Why:
  • The visit aimed to enhance cooperation on green shipping, maritime efficiency, and preservation of shared maritime heritage.
• Tell me more:
  • Sonowal met Denmark’s Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs to reaffirm the Green Strategic Partnership and Maritime Affairs MoU.
  • Both countries agreed to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Green Shipping, involving major institutions from India and Denmark.
  • GRSE signed MoUs with Sweden’s Berg Propulsion Production AB for marine propulsion systems and with MJP Denmark A/S for future expedition cruise missions.
  • Sonowal interacted with students at Copenhagen Business School, discussing India’s economic opportunities.

Source: ANI TOI CNBC ANI

State News

1. Cotton Cultivation Area Rises by 20% in Punjab

• What:
  • Cotton cultivation in Punjab increased by 20% this kharif season, with the area rising from 2.49 lakh acres last year to 2.98 lakh acres this year.
• Why:
  • The increase aims to boost cotton production and support farmers through government initiatives.
• Tell me more:
  • The Punjab government is providing a 33% subsidy on cotton seeds to growers, and over 49,000 farmers have already registered online.
  • All cotton growers are directed to complete online registration by June 15.
  • Over 54,000 acres of maize have been sown in nine days since June 1, showing a positive response to kharif maize cultivation.
  • The state will give an incentive of ₹17,500 per hectare to farmers shifting from paddy to maize in a pilot project covering six districts.

Source: HT

2. Unique IDs to Track Maharashtra Infrastructure Projects

• What:
  • Maharashtra government will start giving unique geo-tagged 13-digit alphanumeric IDs to each infrastructure development project from October 1, 2025.
• Why:
  • The unique IDs aim to prevent duplication of projects and bring transparency in monitoring and management.
• Tell me more:
  • The unique ID will include codes for state, sanction year, scheme or program, district, asset type, and a serial number.
  • The Infra ID portal for project information has been activated.
  • The Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC) platform will be used for monitoring projects.
  • The Maharashtra cabinet approved the system in January 2025.
  • Each infrastructure facility will be geo-tagged for better tracking.

Source: NOA

3. Mumbai Rises as Global Data Centre Hub

• What:
  • Mumbai has become the sixth largest city globally in under-construction data centre capacity and the seventh most established data centre market in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Why:
  • The growth is driven by digital infrastructure upgrades and increasing demand for digital services in the region.
• Tell me more:
  • At the end of 2024, Mumbai had 335 megawatts of data centre capacity under construction, which will expand its operational capacity by 62 percent.
  • Mumbai accounts for 42% of India’s projected under-construction data centre capacity.
  • Three major undersea data cable projects are expected to be completed in Mumbai in 2025, boosting internet capacity and inter-regional connectivity.
  • Pune is ranked fourth among APAC’s top emerging data centre markets, with 112 IT megawatts operational and 190 IT megawatts under construction or planned.
  • Major players in Pune include STT GDC, Nxtra by Airtel, and IronMountain.

Source: BS

3. Bengaluru Tops Indian Cities in Leopard Population

• What:
  • Bengaluru has around 85 leopards on its outskirts, making it the largest metropolis in India with the highest known number of free-ranging big cats.
  • Bengaluru has now become India’s ‘Leopard Capital’.
• Why:
  • The growing leopard population reflects successful habitat protection and coexistence efforts around the city.
• Tell me more:
  • A year-long study using 250 camera traps across 282 sq km documented 85 leopards in areas including Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) and forest patches in South, North, and East Bengaluru.
  • BNP alone has 54 leopards, up from 40 in 2019 and 47 in 2020, showing a steady increase.
  • Besides leopards, 34 other mammal species were recorded, including endangered species like tigers, dholes, elephants, and Indian pangolins.
  • South Bengaluru has a higher leopard density due to undisturbed forest patches.

Source: TOI

4. Major MoU Signed to Tackle Road Dust in Delhi-NCR

• What:
  • The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) signed a tripartite MoU with CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, to combat road dust pollution in Delhi-NCR.
• Why:
  • The collaboration aims to implement a Standard Framework for redeveloping urban roads, paving, and greening pathways to reduce dust pollution.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU will set up a Project Monitoring Cell (PMC) at CAQM to oversee the phased implementation of the framework in nine major NCR cities.
  • CSIR-CRRI will provide expertise in road standardization, engineering, construction, and asset management, while SPA will contribute to sustainable urban planning and greening.
  • The framework includes cross-section design for roads, greening measures to control dust, a web-GIS-based Road Asset Management System, and adoption of new road construction technologies.
  • A dedicated dashboard will be created for data-driven tracking and monitoring of road projects.
  • The first phase covers Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, and Neemrana.

Source: PIB

5. Puducherry Adopts National e-Vidhan Application Platform

• What:
  • Puducherry Legislative Assembly launched the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), becoming the 19th legislature in India to adopt this digital platform.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to promote transparent, efficient, and environment-friendly governance through paperless legislative functioning.
• Tell me more:
  • The NeVA launch event was attended by the Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, and Speaker of Puducherry.
  • NeVA is funded with 100% Central Assistance by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. It is a mission mode project under the Digital India programme.
  • The platform enables real-time access to legislative proceedings and live-streaming, supporting the principle of ‘One Nation, One Application’.
  • The move is expected to save 3–5 tonnes of paper annually and aligns with Digital India, Go Green, and Good Governance initiatives.
  • Training and awareness campaigns for legislators and staff will be conducted for smooth implementation.

Source: PIB

6. Mumbai Ranks 6th Globally in Data Centre Capacity

• What:
  • Mumbai has secured the 6th position among 97 global cities for under-construction data centre capacity, overtaking London and Dublin.
• Why:
  • The ranking highlights Mumbai’s growing prominence as a regional data centre hub, supported by digital infrastructure upgrades.
• Tell me more:
  • Mumbai is the 7th most established data centre market in the Asia Pacific region.
  • At the end of 2024, Mumbai had 335 MW of data centre capacity under construction, expected to expand operational capacity by 62%.
  • Mumbai accounts for 42% of India’s projected under-construction data centre capacity.
  • Pune and Bengaluru are ranked 4th and 5th among Asia-Pacific’s emerging data centre hubs.
  • Pune’s operational data centre stock stands at 112 IT MW as of Q1 2025.

Source: HT

7. Assam Launches Jiban Anupurena Scheme for Research Scholars

• What:
  • Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mukhya Mantri Jiban Anupurena Scheme to provide one-time financial assistance to research scholars, especially divyang scholars.
• Why:
  • The scheme aims to support research and development in Assam by helping scholars complete their research without financial constraints.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme offers ₹25,000 for full-time research scholars and ₹45,000 for divyang research scholars.
  • It is open to permanent residents of Assam studying in public institutions, including state and central universities.
  • The Chief Minister also launched the Swagata Sattrita Portal for simple, transparent, and time-bound mutual transfers of state government employees.

Source: ani

International News

1. Russia to Build Eight Nuclear Plants in Iran

• What:
  • Russia will construct eight nuclear power plants in Iran under a previously signed contract between the two countries.
• Why:
  • The project aims to increase Iran’s nuclear power generation capacity as part of its broader energy development strategy.
• Tell me more:
  • Four of the eight planned nuclear reactors will be built in the southern province of Bushehr.
  • Units 2 and 3 at the existing Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant are being constructed by Iranian companies.
  • The announcement was made by the President of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami.
  • The update was shared during a visit by members of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee to the AEOI headquarters in Tehran.

Source: NOA

2. Poson Poya Festival Celebrated Across Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka is celebrating the Poson Poya festival, marking the historic arrival of Buddhism in the country over 2,000 years ago.
• The festival commemorates the first sermon by Arahat Mahinda to King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale, which introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka.

Source: noa

Reports and Indices

1. World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects Report

• What:
  • The World Bank has kept its GDP growth forecast for India at 6.3% for FY2025-26, making India the fastest-growing large economy.
• Why:
  • The forecast reflects the impact of weak exports, global trade barriers, and policy uncertainty, but highlights India’s strong economic fundamentals.
• Tell me more:
  • The growth outlook was lowered earlier due to sluggish activity among major trading partners and rising trade barriers.
  • For FY2026-27, the World Bank trimmed India’s growth forecast to 6.5%, with a further rise to 6.7% expected in FY2027-28, supported by strong services activity.
  • The Reserve Bank of India recently cut the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.50%, aiming to boost private consumption and investment.
  • India’s GDP growth in FY25 slowed to 6.5%, the lowest in four years, mainly due to weak industrial output, but was supported by steady services and improved agriculture.
  • The government plans to reduce the public debt-to-GDP ratio to 50% by FY31, with a target of 56.1% for FY26.

Source: IE

2. “Weathering the Storm: Managing Monsoons in a Warming Climate” Report

• What:
  • A report by IPE Global and Esri India forecasts that major Indian cities will see a two-fold rise in heatwave days by 2030.
• Why:
  • The increase in heatwave days and erratic rainfall highlights the urgent need for local interventions to build climate resilience.
• Tell me more:
  • The study, released at the International Global-South Climate Risk Symposium, covers cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Surat, Thane, Hyderabad, Patna, and Bhubaneswar.
  • 72% of tier-I and tier-II cities are expected to face more frequent heat stress and extreme rainfall, including storm surges and hailstorms.
  • Coastal districts may have extended summer-like weather during monsoon months, with 69% affected by heat stress by 2030 and 79% by 2040.
  • There has been a 15-fold rise in heatwave days between 1993 and 2024, with a 19-fold increase in the last decade.
  • By 2030, 63% of hotspot districts are expected to experience land-use changes, such as forests turning into farmland and wetlands into settlements.

Source: DTE

Defence News

1. Dhruva Space Partners with Sodern ArianeGroup for Star Tracker Mission

• What:
  • Dhruva Space announced a partnership with France-based Sodern ArianeGroup to deploy the next-generation HORUS star tracker on a Dhruva Space-hosted payload mission scheduled for launch in 2026.
• Why:
  • The collaboration aims to accelerate access to orbit for global clients and strengthen Indo-French space cooperation.
• Tell me more:
  • The HORUS payload will be integrated onto Dhruva Space’s P-30 nanosatellite platform, which uses a modular bus architecture.
  • The P-30 platform and its subsystems were space-qualified during the LEAP-TD mission on ISRO’s PSLV-C58 POEM-3 in 2024.
  • The HORUS star tracker uses an advanced Active Pixel Sensor for high-precision attitude sensing, especially for telecom platforms.
  • Dhruva Space has also selected Sodern’s Auriga™ star tracker for future missions.
  • The partnership was announced during the HCIM Business Delegation to France and Italy, led by Minister Shri Piyush Goyal.

Source: DS

Important Days

1. International Level Crossing Awareness Day 2025 – June 5

• The theme of the 2025 ILCAD launch conference will be “Helping people make good decisions” with the slogan “Safe decisions – every time.”

Source: iclad

Sports

1. India Wins 16 Medals at Taiwan Athletics Open 2025

• What:
  • India secured a total of 16 medals, including 12 gold, at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2025 in Chinese Taipei.
• Tell me more:

Source: OC

2. Cristiano Ronaldo Leads Portugal to Second Nations League Title

• What:
  • Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League final against Spain, making Portugal the first team to win the competition twice.
• Why:
  • The victory adds a third international trophy to Ronaldo’s career and highlights Portugal’s resilience and success in European football.
• Tell me more:
  • The final was held at the Allianz Arena in Munich, where Portugal won on penalties after extra time.
  • Portugal’s win in 2025 follows their previous Nations League and UEFA Euro titles.

Source: TOI

3. Shooting League of India Logo Unveiled in New Delhi

• What:
  • The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) unveiled the official logo for the Shooting League of India (SLI) at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • The unveiling was attended by Indian Olympic and Asian Games medallists, along with several top shooters preparing for the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich.
  • The logo, crafted by Sportwalk, uses vibrant colours to reflect the competitive spirit and heritage of Indian shooting.
  • The first SLI season will run from November 20 to December 2, featuring mixed team events in pistol, rifle, and shotgun categories.
  • Six to eight teams will compete, divided into two pools for the league stage, with players grouped into four tiers from elite to junior.

Source: ANI

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