18th June 2025

1. “The Stars Light the Way” book
2. ICC Unveils Schedule for Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India & Sri Lanka
3. ICC to Permit 4-Day Tests in 2027–29 WTC Cycle for Smaller Nations
4. Operation True Promise 3: Iran’s Retaliatory Strike Redefines Modern Warfare
5. UN Declares 4 December as International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures
6. Maruti Suzuki Opens India’s Largest In-Plant Railway Siding at Manesar
7. UN Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer
8. Indian Navy Inducts INS Arnala, Strengthening Coastal Defence
9. Anuradha Thakur Appointed to SEBI Board, Set to Join RBI Central Board Soon
10. IndiGo Ranked Among World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines in Skytrax 2025 Awards
11. OpenAI Secures $200 Million AI Contract with U.S. Defense Department
12. Bihar Pioneers India’s First Mobile-Based e-Voting System
13. Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2025: Celebrating Food with a Purpose
14. India Hosts First Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance in New Delhi
15. World marks International Day for Countering Hate Speech on 18 June
16. SBI Cards’ New Minimum Amount Due (MAD) Formula
17. India Marks 50 Years of Crocodile Conservation Project on World Crocodile Day
18. ICAR-NIHSAD Recognized as ‘Category A’ Rinderpest Facility by WOAH-FAO
19. Panjab University and RIS Sign MoU to Strengthen Academic-Policy Collaboration
20. University of Aberdeen Receives Approval to Set Up Its First Indian Campus in Navi Mumbai
21. MSC Bank Launches India’s First C-SOC for Cooperative Banks
22. 113th ILO Conference Held in Geneva; India Showcases Labour Reforms and Social Security Progress
23. SIPRI Report 2025: India Expands Nuclear Arsenal and Advances Canisterised MIRV Missiles
24. Vietnam Joins BRICS as the 10th Partner Country
25. GSL Launches 5th Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Achal’ for the Indian Coast Guard
26. India’s Team MGD1 Wins FIDE World Rapid Team Championship 2025
27. Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Releases Memoir: A Different Kind of Power
28. International Day of Family Remittances 2025 – June 16
29. Arunachal Pradesh Declares 2025–2035 as the ‘Decade of Hydro Power’
30. 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) Held from June 9 to 13, 2025, in Nice, France
31. Overview of Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s Visit to Switzerland and Sweden

National News

1. First Assembly of International Big Cat Alliance Held in Delhi

• What:
  • The first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative for big cat conservation, was held in New Delhi.
• Why:
  • The meeting aimed to promote collaboration among big cat range countries to protect and conserve the habitats of seven major big cat species.
• Tell me more:
  • The Assembly was chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and attended by delegations from nine countries.
  • Bhupender Yadav was endorsed as President and S.P. Yadav as Director General of IBCA.
  • Key documents like the Headquarters Agreement with India, Workplan, Rules of Procedure, and Financial Regulations were ratified.
  • IBCA was established by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority in March 2024 and includes 95 range countries.
  • The alliance aims to provide a global platform for conservation cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technical and financial support.

Source: DD

2. India Joins Elite Group for Rinderpest Virus Containment

• What:
  • India’s ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, has been designated as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility, joining a select global group for safe containment of the Rinderpest virus.
• Why:
  • The recognition aims to ensure secure storage and research on Rinderpest Virus-Containing Material (RVCM) to prevent any risk of the disease re-emerging.
• Tell me more:
  • Rinderpest, also known as “cattle plague,” was eradicated globally in 2011 but virus material remains in a few labs.
  • The designation was granted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for a one-year term.
  • Only six facilities worldwide, including those in the UK, USA, France, Japan, Ethiopia, and now India, are trusted with this responsibility.
  • India’s application for RHF status was submitted in 2019, and the approval followed an inspection by international experts in March 2025.
  • The announcement was made during the 92nd General Session of WOAH in Paris on 29th May 2025.

Source: IE

3. Piyush Goyal’s Visit Boosts India’s Ties with Switzerland, Sweden

• What:
  • Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal completed a two-day official visit to Switzerland to strengthen economic ties and began engagements in Sweden for deeper cooperation.
• Why:
  • The visit aimed to advance the implementation of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA, promote trade, investment, and innovation, and explore new partnerships with European countries.
• Tell me more:
  • In Switzerland, Shri Goyal met with key officials to discuss TEPA, regulatory cooperation, innovation, and investment facilitation.
  • He addressed the 18th Swissmem Industry Day in Zurich, inviting Swiss companies to invest in India and highlighting India’s strengths in manufacturing and technology.
  • In Sweden, Shri Goyal is co-chairing the 21st Indo-Swedish Joint Commission and meeting with top Swedish companies in sectors like advanced manufacturing and green technologies.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Bihar Becomes First State to Launch Mobile E-Voting

• What:
  • Bihar State Election Commission will introduce an Android-based mobile e-voting system for the upcoming municipal and urban body polls on 28th June, making Bihar the first state in India to use this system.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to make voting more inclusive and accessible, especially for migrant labourers, differently-abled voters, pregnant women, elderly, senior citizens, and seriously ill voters.
• Tell me more:
  • The e-voting process will use two mobile apps: “e-Voting SECBHR” developed by C-DAC and another by the Bihar State Election Commission.
  • So far, 10,000 voters have registered for e-voting, and up to 50,000 voters can use the system without visiting polling booths.
  • The e-voting system includes features like blockchain platform, liveness detection, face match, live face scan, face comparison, and an audit trail, ensuring tamper-proof and secure voting.
  • The Commission has previously introduced digital technologies like Face Recognition System for voter verification, Optical Character Recognition in vote counting, and digital locks for EVM strong rooms.
  • Only Estonia in Europe has implemented a similar e-voting process.

Source: NOA

2. University of Aberdeen to Open Campus in Mumbai

• What:
  • University of Aberdeen has received approval to set up its first branch campus in Mumbai, making it the first Scottish university to do so in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The Mumbai campus is expected to start by 2026 and will initially offer courses in computing and data science, business management, economics, artificial intelligence, and an MBA.
  • The initiative supports India’s National Education Policy 2020 and aims to deepen education ties between India and the UK.
  • University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495 and has a diverse community across 12 schools.

Source: ET

3. Arunachal Pradesh Declares 2025–2035 as Decade of Hydropower

• What:
  • Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has declared 2025–2035 as the ‘Decade of Hydropower’ to use the state’s potential to generate 58,000 MW of electricity.
• Why:
  • The goal is to manage revenues from hydroelectric projects wisely and create a strong policy and regulatory framework for industrial development and long-term growth.
• Tell me more:
  • Arunachal Pradesh will get 12% free power from each hydroelectric project and 1% extra for a local area development fund.
  • The state expects ₹4,525 crore annual revenue from 2035 onwards from projects with a combined capacity of 19 GW, backed by over ₹2 lakh crore investment in 10 years.
  • An escrow account will be set up for effective use of revenue from free power.
  • The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), targeted to generate 11,000 MW, is being discussed with affected families to ensure fair compensation.
  • New authorities will be created for developing future-ready towns in Yingkiong and Geku, and a survey will be done for a necklace road along the Siang River.

Source: TH

International News

1. War Between Iran and Israel

• Iran launched Operation True Promise 3 against Israel.
• Israel launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran.

Source: TOI

2. 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva

• What:
  • Union Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya presented India’s achievements in labour welfare and social security at the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.
• Why:
  • The address aimed to showcase India’s progress in employment, social protection, and balanced global labour standards.
• Tell me more:
  • India’s unemployment rate fell from 6% in 2017 to 3.2% in 2024, with over 7.5 crore formal jobs created in seven years.
  • The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme, with a budget of about $12.81 billion, is designed to boost formal employment.
  • The National Career Service (NCS) portal is being improved to connect Indian workers with global job opportunities.
  • The e-Shram portal has registered over 300 million unorganised workers, enabling targeted social protection.
  • Social security coverage increased from 24.4% in 2019 to 64.3% in 2025, benefiting around 940 million people.

Source: DD

3. Vietnam Becomes 10th BRICS Partner Country

• What:
  • Vietnam has officially joined BRICS as a partner country, as announced by Brazil’s Foreign Ministry.
• Tell me more:
  • Vietnam is now the 10th partner country in BRICS, following the creation of the partner category at the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.
  • Other BRICS partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

Source: NOA

4. 2025 UN Ocean Conference Held in Nice, France

• What:
  • The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June 2025.
• Why:
  • The conference aimed to accelerate action and bring together all stakeholders to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
• Tell me more:
  • The main theme was “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.”
  • The conference supported the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14).
  • Participants included governments, UN agencies, international organizations, financial institutions, NGOs, civil society, academia, the private sector, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities.
  • The conference built on previous UN Ocean Conferences held in 2017 (New York) and 2022 (Lisbon).
  • The event focused on forming partnerships and identifying ways to support SDG 14.
  • The United Nations celebrates World Oceans Day every year on 8 June.

Source: UN

Banking and Economy

1. Maruti Suzuki Inaugurates Largest In-Plant Rail Cargo Terminal

• What:
  • Maruti Suzuki opened the country’s largest multi-modal cargo terminal inside its Manesar factory to directly load cars onto trains for shipment across India.
• Why:
  • The terminal aims to improve logistics by enabling faster and greener transport of vehicles while reducing road congestion and pollution.
• Tell me more:
  • The terminal is part of the first phase of Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC), connecting Palwal to Sonipat via Manesar and other industrial hubs.
  • Maruti Suzuki plans to transport 35% of its vehicles by rail by 2030-31, contributing to India’s net-zero emissions goal.
  • This is Maruti’s second railway siding facility, the first being at its Gujarat plant.
  • The project is registered under PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and executed by Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation Ltd, a joint venture.
  • Maruti is investing Rs 325 crore in the orbital corridor and Rs 127 crore in yard development at Manesar.

Source: TOI

2. OpenAI Wins $200 Million Pentagon AI Contract

• What:
  • OpenAI has signed a $200 million agreement with the US Department of Defense to provide advanced artificial intelligence tools, including cyber defense capabilities.
• Why:
  • The contract aims to help the US government address national security challenges in warfighting and administrative areas using AI technology.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement is a prototype contract with work mainly in the Washington, DC area, to be completed by July 2026.
  • OpenAI will develop custom AI models for national security and administrative operations, such as improving healthcare for service members and supporting cyber defense.
  • This is OpenAI’s first partnership under its new initiative to supply AI to federal, state, and local agencies.
  • The contract is managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office.
  • OpenAI is also involved in Project Stargate, which aims to build large AI infrastructure, including a partnership in the UAE.

Source: TOI

3. SBI Cards Revises Minimum Amount Due Calculation

• What:
  • SBI Cards will change its Minimum Amount Due (MAD) calculation method from July 15, 2025, to ensure full payment of finance charges and fees each month.
• Why:
  • The new formula aims to prevent unpaid charges from compounding over time and to increase transparency for cardholders.
• Tell me more:
  • The new MAD will include 100% of GST, EMI, fees/charges, finance charges, any overlimit amount, and 2% of the remaining outstanding balance.
  • Payments will be settled in the order of GST, EMI, fees/charges, finance charges, balance transfer, retail spends, and then cash advances.
  • The previous MAD formula was based on 5% of the sum of finance charges, retail spends, and cash advances, or the full finance charges if 5% was less.
  • Even with the new MAD, paying only the minimum will still take about 85–90 months to clear the debt if no new purchases are made.

Source: ET

4. MSC Bank Launches India’s First Cyber Security Centre

• What:
  • Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSC Bank) has set up the country’s first cyber-security operation centre (C-SOC) named Sahakar Suraksha in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, to protect cooperative banks from cyber threats.
• Why:
  • The centre aims to provide 24/7 cyber protection and early warning against cyber frauds, especially for cooperative and rural banks lacking technical resources.
• Tell me more:
  • The C-SOC was established at a cost of Rs 50 crore and will serve 31 district central cooperative banks in Maharashtra.
  • The centre uses an AI-driven platform to detect and alert banks about cyber threats in real time.
  • Services are provided free of cost to member banks, with 35 trained professionals working in shifts for round-the-clock operation.
  • The centre recently helped prevent a major cyber breach at a cooperative bank in Sindhudurg.
  • MSC Bank will also offer cyber hygiene training to officials and staff of member banks.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. INS Arnala Commissioned as India’s First ASW Shallow Water Craft

• What:
  • The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Arnala, the country’s first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at Visakhapatnam dockyard under the Eastern Naval Command.
• Why:
  • The commissioning aims to strengthen India’s coastal defence and enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Tell me more:
  • INS Arnala was designed and built indigenously as part of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
  • INS Arnala is the first of eight ASW SWCs built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and was delivered on May 8 at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
  • The ship is equipped for underwater surveillance, search and rescue, and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).

2. India’s Nuclear Arsenal Grows, SIPRI Report Highlights

• What:
  • India’s nuclear arsenal increased from 172 warheads in 2024 to an estimated 180 in 2025, maintaining an edge over Pakistan, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
• Why:
  • The growth and modernisation of India’s nuclear capabilities aim to strengthen national security and keep pace with regional developments.
• Tell me more:
  • India has developed new canisterised missiles, such as Agni Prime (Agni-P) and Agni-5, which can be pre-mounted for safer transport and may carry multiple warheads.
  • Agni-5 is capable of deploying Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) and can strike targets over 5,000 km away.
  • Both Agni Prime and Agni-5 were successfully tested in the previous year.
  • Pakistan continues to develop nuclear delivery platforms and increase fissile material, planning to expand its arsenal.
  • SIPRI expressed concern about the risk of escalation after a brief India-Pakistan military clash in early 2025.

Source: ET

3. Indian Coast Guard Launches New Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Achal’

• What:
  • Goa Shipyard launched Achal, the fifth in a series of eight fast patrol vessels, to strengthen the Indian Coast Guard’s maritime fleet and safeguard offshore assets.
• Why:
  • The vessel aims to modernise the Coast Guard fleet and enhance national maritime security, self-reliance, and operational excellence.
• Tell me more:
  • Achal features a controllable pitch propeller (CPP) and 60% indigenous equipment.
  • Achal is 52 meters long, 8 meters wide, and has a displacement of 320 tonnes, with a top speed of 27 knots.
  • The ship was built at a cost of Rs 473 crore and supports local industry and MSMEs.
  • Achal meets dual-class certification from the American Bureau of Shipping and Indian Register of Shipping.

Source: TOI

Awards

1. 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards: IndiGo Ranked Among Top Low-Cost Airlines Globally

• What:
  • IndiGo secured third place in the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards for the world’s best low-cost airlines.
• Tell me more:
  • AirAsia from Malaysia ranked first, followed by Singapore’s Scoot, with IndiGo in third place.
  • No Indian airline appeared in the world’s best full-service carriers list, which was topped by Qatar Airways.
  • The Skytrax Awards are based on surveys from around 22.3 million customers and included more than 325 airlines this year.
  • The awards event was held at the original Le Bourget Airport during the Paris Air Show.

Source: ET

Important Days

1. UN Declares International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures

• The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution to declare December 4 every year as the International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures.

Source: NOA

2. UN Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer

• The UN General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer through a resolution.
• The resolution was proposed by the United States and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Source: FAO

3. Sustainable Gastronomy Day – June 18

Source: UN

4. International Day for Countering Hate Speech – June 18

• Theme: Hate Speech and Artificial Intelligence

Source: UN

5. World Crocodile Day 2025 – June 17

• What:
  • Theme: “Connecting Crocodiles and Communities”
  • India celebrates 50 years of its Crocodile Conservation programme, which began in 1975, and highlights ongoing efforts including the launch of the New Gharial Project.
• Why:
  • The programme aims to protect India’s three main crocodile species from threats like habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and illegal activities.
• Tell me more:
  • India is home to three main crocodile species: gharial, salt water crocodile, and mugger.
  • These species face increasing threats from habitat loss, poachers, pollution, agriculture, embankments, dams, and illegal sand-mining.
  • The New Gharial Project was recently launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost conservation efforts.
  • Professor B.C. Choudhury has been involved in crocodile conservation since 1975.

Source: ETV TH

6. International Day of Family Remittances 2025 – June 16

• Theme: Remittances financing development

Source: UN IE

Sports

1. 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Schedule Announced

• What:
  • The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the full schedule for the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, which will be held from 30th September to 2nd November in India and Sri Lanka.
• Tell me more:
  • India officially holds the hosting rights, while Sri Lanka will host all of Pakistan’s matches as a neutral venue.
  • This is the fourth time India is hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup and the first time since 2013.
  • India’s first match is against Sri Lanka on 30th September at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
  • The India-Pakistan match will take place on 5th October at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium.
  • The tournament features eight teams: India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Source: NOA

2. ICC Considers Four-Day Tests for Next WTC Cycle

• What:
  • The International Cricket Council (ICC) is open to allowing four-day Tests from the 2027-29 ICC World Test Championship cycle to help smaller teams play more matches.
• Why:
  • The move aims to reduce the cost and time of hosting five-day Tests, making it easier for smaller teams to participate and organize longer series.
• Tell me more:
  • In the current WTC cycle, 27 Test series will be played, with 17 being two-match series, six being three-match series, and India, Australia, and England playing five-match series against each other.
  • Four-day Tests require 98 overs per day, compared to 90 overs in five-day matches.
  • South Africa recently won the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s, their first major global tournament win since 1998.

Source: N18

3. Team MGD1 Wins FIDE World Rapid Team Chess Title

• What:
  • Team MGD1, led by Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi and captain N Srinath, won the FIDE World Rapid Team Championship 2025 in London, becoming the first Indian team to achieve this.
• Why:
  • The victory marks a major achievement for Indian chess and highlights the growing strength of Indian teams in international events.
• Tell me more:
  • Team MGD1 included Indian players Harikrishna Pentala, Pranav V, Leon Luke Mendonca, Atharvaa Tayade, Hariharan Raghavan, and overseas players David Anton Guijarro (Spain) and Stavroula Tsolakidou (Greece).

Source: IE

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Pondicherry University Signs MoU with RIS for Policy Research

• What:
  • Pondicherry University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) to strengthen academic-policy linkages.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to promote joint research, capacity-building, and policy dialogues on global economic development and international public policy.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU was signed during the Conference on Global South & Triangular Cooperation in New Delhi on June 3.
  • The collaboration is part of the RIS University Connect Hub, which includes 21 universities.
  • RIS is a well-known policy research institute and think tank in India.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Anuradha Thakur Appointed to SEBI and RBI Boards

• What:
  • Economic Affairs Secretary designate Anuradha Thakur will join the Board of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and is expected to be included in the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), replacing Ajay Seth from July 1.
• Why:
  • The appointment is to fill the position of board member after the retirement of Ajay Seth, who served as Finance and Economic Affairs Secretary and as an ex-officio member on both SEBI and RBI boards.
• Tell me more:
  • SEBI Board has a Chairman, four full time members, and three part time ex-officio members: RBI Deputy Governor, Economic Affairs Secretary, and Corporate Affairs Secretary.
  • Corporate Affairs Secretary Deepti Gaur Mukerjee will also represent the government on the SEBI Board.
  • RBI’s Central Board includes two ex-officio members from the Finance Ministry: Economic Affairs Secretary and Financial Services Secretary, with Thakur joining M Nagaraju as government nominees.
  • Thakur is a 1994 batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre and has joined the Economic Affairs Department as Officer on Special Duty.
  • She was previously Additional Secretary in the Corporate Affairs Ministry, overseeing the PM Internship program.

Source: HBL

Miscellaneous

1. “The Stars Light the Way” Book

• Singapore-based life coach Sucheta Raj Khanna released her debut novel The Stars Light the Way, which follows a woman’s powerful journey of self-rediscovery at life’s most pivotal turning points.

Source: TP

2. ‘A Different Kind of Power’ Book Released

• Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s long-awaited memoir, A Different Kind of Power, is finally out.

Source: IE

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