17th June 2025

1. MP and France Sign MoU to Enhance Cultural and Tourism Cooperation
2. World Bank Report: Carbon Pricing Covers Around 28% of Global GHG Emissions, Accounting for 2/3rd of Global GDP
3. India’s Union Cabinet Has Only 9.7% Women Ministers: UN Women
4. AviList: World’s First Unified Global Checklist of Bird Species Launched
5. Gombojav Zandanshatar Appointed as 34th PM of Mongolia
6. ASI, IN SPACe & ISRO Successfully Conducts Model Rocket Launch Trials in Kushinagar, UP
7. George Russell Wins F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025
8. ISSF World Cup Munich 2025: India Secures Third Place with 4 Medals
9. Global Wind Day 2025 – June 15
10. ASEAN Dengue Day 2025 – June 15
11. AP Launched ‘Talliki Vandaanam’ Scheme for School Children
12. TCS Joins Hands with CEB to Streamline Financial Operations
13. Ankita Raina Clinches 32nd Doubles Title with Alice Robbe at Guimaraes ITF
14. Renowned ISRO Scientist and Tamil Author Nellai Su. Muthu Passes Away at 74
15. Maruti Suzuki Partners with Equitas Bank to Boost Retail Car Financing
16. International Domestic Workers’ Day 2025
17. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025
18. International Day of Family Remittances 2025
19. Chennai to Host Inaugural Hockey India Masters Cup from June 18
20. RBI Relocates Andhra Pradesh Regional Office to Vijayawada
21. India Launches Largest-Ever Tribal Empowerment Campaign
22. SIPRI Report: India’s Nuclear Arsenal Expands Amid Global Modernisation
23. India Reappoints Ambassador to North Korea After Four Years
24. Armand Duplantis Sets 12th World Record with 6.28m Vault

National News

1. DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan: Nationwide Tribal Benefit Campaign

• What:
  • Government of India has launched the DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, a nationwide campaign to ensure benefit saturation and deliver government schemes and services directly to tribal communities.
• Why:
  • The campaign aims to empower tribal communities by ensuring last-mile delivery of rights, development, and dignity as part of the vision for an inclusive and developed India.
• Tell me more:
  • The campaign is being rolled out from 15th to 30th June across 549 tribal-dominated districts and 207 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)-dominated districts, covering over 100,000 villages and habitations.
  • Benefit saturation camps are organized at village and habitation levels to provide services such as Aadhaar enrolment, Ayushman Bharat health cards, Jan Dhan bank accounts, PM-Kisan enrolments, pension schemes, scholarships, insurance, skill training, and livelihood program enrolments.
  • The campaign uses a participatory, community-led model with synchronized efforts from multiple ministries and stakeholders.
  • District administrations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, tribal leaders, and grassroots workers are involved in mobilization and awareness activities.
  • The initiative is a key part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and aligns with PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Madhya Pradesh, France Sign MoU for Cultural, Tourism Ties

• What:
  • A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed between France and Madhya Pradesh to promote collaboration in cultural and tourism sectors.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to establish Madhya Pradesh as a centre for Indo-French cultural and tourism partnerships and strengthen cultural diplomacy.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement involves collaborative programmes like art festivals, music events, dance exhibitions, film screenings, and culinary activities.
  • Plans include creating an annual Indo-French cultural schedule, translating tourism materials into French, and providing French language and cultural training for tourism personnel.
  • The MoU can be extended beyond three years with mutual consent.

Source: TOI

2. Successful Rocket Launch Trials for Student Competition in Kushinagar, UP

• What:
  • Test trials of rocket launch systems were successfully conducted in Kushinagar as part of preparations for a student model rocketry competition to be held in October 2025.
• Why:
  • The trials aimed to check the suitability of the launch site and ensure safety and other requirements for the upcoming student competition.
• Tell me more:
  • The trials were organized by the Astronautical Society of India with IN-SPACe and ISRO.
  • The model rocket launcher was developed by Thrust Tech India Pvt. Ltd under the guidance of IN-SPACe and ISRO experts.
  • The competition, called ‘IN-SPACe CANSAT and Model Rocketry India Student Competition 2024–25’, will give undergraduate students hands-on experience in model rocketry and satellite systems.
  • CANSATs are small satellites that fit in a soft drink can and are launched to a few hundred meters, then brought down by parachute.
  • During the trial, the rocket reached 1.1 km, released a payload, and the parachute activated at 5 meters, landing the satellite within 400 meters.

Source: ET

3. Andhra Pradesh Launches ‘Talliki Vandanam’ Scheme for Students

• What:
  • The Andhra Pradesh government has launched the ‘Talliki Vandanam’ scheme to provide Rs 15,000 annually for every school-going child in eligible households.
• Why:
  • The scheme aims to empower mothers and guardians, make school education more accessible and inclusive, and improve learning outcomes.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme covers all school-going children from Class I to intermediate in government, private aided, and private unaided schools and junior colleges.
  • Out of Rs 15,000 per year, Rs 2,000 will be deducted at source for the development of the educational ecosystem, including maintenance, hygiene, and sanitation.
  • The scheme is part of the ‘Super Six’ welfare promises made by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
  • The scheme is called the “mother of all welfare schemes” by the government.

Source: ET

Banking and Economy

1. TCS Partners with Council of Europe Development Bank

• What:
  • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) to modernise the bank’s operations and improve efficiency.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to help CEB streamline complex transactions and automate reconciliation processes using artificial intelligence and automation.
• Tell me more:
  • TCS will deploy TCS BaNCSTM for Reconciliations at CEB.
  • The solution will automate the full reconciliation lifecycle, including transaction matching, exception handling, investigation, and reporting.
  • The product will provide real-time visibility and transparency, reducing manual work and turnaround times.
  • Integration with the bank’s core systems will enable better control and faster daily reconciliations.

Source: TH

2. Maruti Suzuki Partners with Equitas Small Finance Bank

• What:
  • Maruti Suzuki India signed an MoU with Equitas Small Finance Bank to offer vehicle financing solutions for new, used, and commercial vehicles.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to make Maruti Suzuki vehicles more accessible and affordable for a wider range of customers by providing tailored and competitive financing options.
• Tell me more:
  • The collaboration will use Equitas Small Finance Bank’s customer base to reach diverse Maruti Suzuki customer profiles.
  • The company has an advanced R&D facility in Rohtak and production capacity of 23.5 lakh units per year.
  • Maruti Suzuki is India’s leading passenger car manufacturer with 18 vehicles in its product portfolio.
  • Equitas Small Finance Bank focuses on a ‘Customer-First’ mission.

Source: ET

3. RBI Relocates Andhra Pradesh Regional Office to Vijayawada

• What:
  • Reserve Bank of India has shifted its Andhra Pradesh Regional Office from Hyderabad to Vijayawada.
• Why:
  • The move aims to improve the functioning and accessibility of RBI’s regional operations in Andhra Pradesh.
• Tell me more:
  • The new office was inaugurated by RBI Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar.
  • Departments at the new office include Integrated Banking, Financial Inclusion and Development, Foreign Exchange, and Supervision, along with Human Resource, Establishment, Rajbhasha, Audit, IT, and Security cells.
  • Currency management for Andhra Pradesh will still be handled by the RBI office in Hyderabad.
  • The regional office in Vijayawada is headed by Regional Director Attah Omar Basheer.
  • The Andhra Pradesh Regional Office was previously operating from Hyderabad.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. World Bank’s State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025

• What:
  • Many large middle-income economies have started or are planning direct carbon pricing, with 80 carbon taxes and emissions trading systems (ETSs) now operating worldwide, and more countries expanding coverage.
• Why:
  • The main aim is to increase the share of global emissions and economic output under direct carbon pricing and to mobilize funds for public budgets and environmental projects.
• Tell me more:
  • China’s ETS expansion raised global direct carbon pricing coverage from 24% to about 28%.
  • Countries with a carbon tax or ETS now account for nearly two-thirds of global GDP.
  • Over half of power sector emissions and almost half of industry sector emissions are directly priced, but agricultural emissions are mostly not covered.
  • In 2024, carbon revenues stayed above $100 billion, though slightly lower than 2023, with over half used for environment, infrastructure, and development projects.
  • Most new and planned instruments are ETSs, and many countries, including India, prefer a rate-based approach.

Source: WB

2. United Nations Publication “Women Political Leaders 2025”.

• What:
  • India has one of the lowest shares of women among cabinet ministers, ranking 174 out of 181 countries, as women are vanishing from political leadership globally.
• Why:
  • The lack of women in leadership makes it difficult to empower women and address issues that affect them.
• Tell me more:
  • Only 22.9% of cabinet ministry heads were women in 2025, down from 23.3% in 2024.
  • Nine countries have no women ministers in 2025, up from seven last year.
  • Cabinets with at least 50% women ministers dropped to nine in 2025 from fifteen last year.
  • Women are mostly given ministries related to gender equality and family affairs, while men lead key ministries like defence, finance, and foreign affairs.
  • Only 27 countries are led by women, but this is up from 21 five years ago.

Source: DTE

3. AviList: First Unified Global Bird Checklist Launched

• What:
  • AviList, the first-ever unified global checklist of bird species, was launched on June 12, 2025, after four years of work by the Working Group on Avian Checklists.
• Why:
  • The unified list aims to remove confusion caused by multiple bird checklists and help scientists, policymakers, and conservationists share information easily.
• Tell me more:
  • AviList replaces the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) and Clements lists and will be updated every year.
  • The checklist includes 11,131 species, 19,879 subspecies, 2,376 genera, 252 families, and 46 orders.
  • The list brings together global ideas on what makes a bird species and helps set clear conservation priorities.
  • The checklist is published by BirdLife International and is free to download in .xlsx and .csv formats.

Source: DTE

4. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook

• What:
  • India now has 180 nuclear warheads, which is more than Pakistan’s 170, as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) yearbook.
• Why:
  • The increase in India’s nuclear warheads aims to strengthen the country’s security and deterrence capabilities.
• Tell me more:
  • India increased its nuclear warheads from 172 in 2024 to 180 in 2025, while Pakistan’s number remained at 170.
  • Both India and Pakistan have their nuclear warheads in stockpiles, ready for operational use.
  • India is developing new delivery systems, including canisterised missiles that can carry several warheads.
  • The SIPRI report highlighted India’s investment in air, sea, and land capabilities for a credible second-strike ability.
  • China has 600 nuclear warheads, with 24 deployed, while the US and Russia own 90% of the world’s nuclear warheads.

Source: IT

Defence News

1. Cyber Suraksha: National Cyber Security Exercise Launched

• What:
  • The Defence Cyber Agency launched ‘Cyber Suraksha’, a national-level cyber security exercise, starting June 16 and continuing until June 27, 2025.
• Why:
  • The exercise aims to strengthen India’s cyber resilience and improve the ability to respond to real-world cyber threats.
• Tell me more:
  • The exercise includes targeted training modules, evaluation exercises, and leadership sessions.
  • Real-world cyber threats are simulated in a high-paced, gamified environment to test and improve analytical and defensive skills.
  • The Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) Conclave is being held alongside technical sessions, featuring expert talks and a Table-Top Exercise for senior leaders.
  • The Defence Cyber Agency plans to make such exercises a regular part of capacity building.

Source: ET

Important Days

1. Global Wind Day 2025 – June 15

• Focus: #WorkingInWind!

Source: GWD

2. ASEAN Dengue Day 2025 – June 15

• Theme: “Towards Zero Dengue Deaths: Science, Strategy, and Solidarity”

Source: ADD

3. International Domestic Workers’ Day 2025 – June 16

4. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025 – June 17

• Theme: “Restore the land. Unlock the оpportunities”

Source: UN

5. International Day of Family Remittances 2025 – June 16

Source: UN

Sports

1. George Russell Wins in F1 Canada Grand Prix

• George Russell won Mercedes’ first Formula One race of the season in Canada and is aiming for the championship, though his chances depend on rivals making mistakes.
• The Formula One season has 24 rounds in total.

Source: TH

2. India Wins Four Medals at ISSF World Cup Munich 2025

• What:
  • The Indian shooting team won two gold and two bronze medals at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich, finishing third overall behind China and Norway.
• Tell me more:
  • Suruchi Singh won gold in the women’s 10m air pistol event.
  • Arjun Babuta and Arya Borse won gold in the 10m air rifle mixed team event by defeating China 17-7.
  • The next ISSF World Cup for rifle and pistol shooters will be in Ningbo, China, in September 2025.
  • The Indian contingent at Munich had 36 members.

Source: IE

3. Ankita Raina Wins Doubles Title at ITF W50 Guimaraes

• What:
  • Ankita Raina, with partner Alice Robbe, won the doubles title at the ITF W50 tennis tournament in Guimaraes, Portugal.
• Why:
  • The win adds to Raina’s achievements and shows her strong performance in international doubles tennis.
• Tell me more:
  • Raina and Robbe were seeded fourth and won the final after coming from behind against Hiromi Abe and Kanako Morisaki.
  • The pair defeated teams from South Africa, Spain, and Australia on their way to the title.
  • Raina’s singles campaign ended in the first round after a close three-set match against Weronika Ewald.
  • The ITF W50 Guimaraes offers important ranking points and prize money for professional players.

Source: ITD

4. Hockey India Masters Cup 2025 Announced in Chennai

• What:
  • Hockey India has announced the first-ever Hockey India Masters Cup 2025 for men and women, to be held in Chennai from 18 June to 27 June 2025.
• Why:
  • The tournament aims to provide a dedicated platform for veteran hockey players and celebrate their passion and long-term contribution to the sport.
• Tell me more:
  • The event is hosted by the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu.
  • Men aged 40 and above and women aged 35 and above are eligible to participate.
  • Players must register through their State Member Units.
  • The competition will follow a league-cum-knockout format with pools based on the number of teams.
  • Team names for both categories will be released soon.
  • This is the inaugural edition of the Hockey India Masters Cup.

Source: HI

5. Mondo Duplantis Sets New Pole Vault World Record

• What:
  • Mondo Duplantis set a new pole vault world record by clearing 6.28m at the Stockholm Diamond League.
• Why:
  • The record was set as part of Duplantis’s goal to break the world record in front of his home fans in Sweden.
• Tell me more:
  • This is the 12th time Duplantis has broken the world record in pole vault.
  • Kurtis Marschall of Australia finished second with 5.90m and Menno Vloon of the Netherlands was third with 5.80m.
  • Former world record holder Renaud Lavillenie of France finished fourth.

Source: OC

Appointments

1. Gombojav Zandanshatar Appointed as 34th PM of Mongolia

Source: APN

2. India Appoints New Ambassador to North Korea

• India has appointed Aliawati Longkumer as its next ambassador to North Korea, resuming diplomatic engagement after four years.

Source: BW

Miscellaneous

1. Former ISRO Scientist Nellai Su.Muthu Passes Away

• What:
  • Nellai Su.Muthu, former ISRO scientist and noted author, passed away in Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 74.
• Tell me more:
  • Muthu worked as a senior scientist at ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
  • He authored more than 70 books on topics like science, children’s literature, poetry, history, translation, and criticism.
  • He received the Kavimamani Award from the World Tamil Poets Association of Malaysia.
  • Four of his books received Best Book and Best Author Awards from the Tamil Development Department of Tamil Nadu.
  • He worked with the late former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a columnist for the Tamil daily Dinamani.

Source: etv

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