NATIONAL NEWS

India’s First Wildlife Overpass Corridor Constructed on Delhi–Mumbai Expressway

In a significant move integrating infrastructure and conservation, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has developed India’s first dedicated animal overpass corridor along a 12 km stretch of the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, passing through the buffer zone of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

This green corridor is designed to ensure safe movement of wildlife without disturbing their natural habitat.

A 12 km expressway segment includes five overpasses (500 m each) and India’s longest wildlife underpass (1.2 km), built to support wildlife movement across the Ranthambore–Chambal landscape.

Overpasses and underpasses have been constructed by retaining the land’s natural contour, minimizing habitat disruption and human–animal conflict.

A 4-metre-high wall and 2-metre sound barriers have been installed to shield animals from traffic noise and lights.

Personnel were deployed every 200 metres during construction to prevent harm to wildlife.

Camera evidence confirmed the use of crossings by species like tigers and bears, indicating successful design implementation.

Punjab is planning its first urban wildlife corridor through the Zirakpur bypass

Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Mahamarg includes 209 underpasses and 8 wildlife crossings, showing a growing national emphasis on wildlife-inclusive planning

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Axiom Space Signs Pact with Skyroot Aerospace

Axiom Space, after successfully launching Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), signed an agreement with Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace to explore collaboration in space exploration and access to low-Earth orbit (LEO).

Both companies plan to collaborate on building space infrastructure.

Skyroot Aerospace launched its Vikram-S rocket in 2022 and is preparing for the launch of Vikram-1, its maiden orbital-class launch vehicle.

This partnership highlights growing cooperation between Axiom Space and the Indian space sector.

Skyroot was one of the first private companies to sign a deal with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Skyroot aims to make space access affordable, reliable, and on demand.

 

BANKING

SEBI Imposes ₹25 Lakh Penalty on BSE Limited

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) imposed a penalty of ₹25 lakh on BSE Limited for multiple violations.

Violations include dissemination of price sensitive information by corporates, weak supervision of broker trades, and laxity in taking action.

SEBI conducted an inspection of BSE from February 2021 to September 2022 and issued a show cause notice

Prior to September 2023, BSE’s system architecture allowed the Listing Compliance Monitoring (LCM) team and paid subscribers to access corporate announcements before they were publicly available on its website.

BSE is directed to pay the penalty within 45 days of receiving the order.

Star Health Insurance Collaborates with Medi Assist

Star Health and Allied Insurance Company has entered into a strategic partnership with Medi Assist.

The partnership involves adopting MAtrix, an advanced AI-powered claims platform.

This platform will enable faster settlements, better customer engagement, and technology-led service excellence for Star Health.

The AI tools will assist in the identification and elimination of fraud and help reduce waste and abuse in claims processing.

MAtrix supports co-working and provides AI co-pilot support, enabling claims teams to make faster and more informed decisions.

Government Approves Aadhaar-Based Verification for IBPS Exams

To prevent malpractices and impersonation in entrance exams, the Ministry of Finance has announced the use of Aadhaar authentication by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for candidate verification.

The move aims to strengthen the integrity of recruitment in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.

As per the Gazette of India notification (S.O.837, pg.1614-15/c), IBPS has been designated as a ‘Public Examination Authority’ under the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The decision was made after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and approval from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

The initiative aims to promote good governance and eliminate impersonation and other unfair practices in recruitment exams.

Separately, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Aadhaar-based OTP verification for tatkal ticket booking will be implemented from July 1, to eliminate middlemen.

 

DEFENCE

Fifth 25T Bollard Pull Tug Ojas Inducted at Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam

Induction ceremony of the fifth 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug Ojas was held on 27 June 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

The ceremony was attended by Commodore Chetan Kumar Singh, GM (Tech), Naval Dockyard (Visakhapatnam) as the Chief Guest.

Tug is part of a contract for the construction of six 25T BP Tugs awarded to M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata on 12 November 2021.

These tugs are indigenously designed and built by TRSL, following Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) rules and relevant Naval regulations.

Purpose of the tugs:

To provide assistance to Naval Ships and Submarines during berthing, un-berthing, and manoeuvring in confined waters.

To provide afloat firefighting support to ships alongside or at anchorage.

To conduct limited Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

These tugs represent the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of the Government of India

Indian Army Postal Service Corps Introduces Meghdoot Millennium Software

The Indian Army’s Postal Service Corps, in collaboration with the Department of Posts, launched Meghdoot Millennium to a secure and real-time postal software designed specifically for defense personnel.

The software was inaugurated at the Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology (CEPT) in Mysuru.

Meghdoot Millennium is built to deliver efficient, secure, and timely postal services, even in remote and operationally sensitive areas where the Indian Army is deployed.

This initiative supports the Army’s strategic vision under the ‘Year of Reforms’ framework, introduced in January 2025, which emphasizes technological advancement and self-reliance.

Indian Army Inaugurates Its First FM Radio Station ‘Panchshul Pulse’

The Indian Army has launched its first FM radio station named ‘Panchshul Pulse’ in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand.

The station was inaugurated by Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Central Command.

The name ‘Panchshul Pulse’ is derived from the local Panchshul Brigade of the Indian Army.

It is part of Operation Sadbhavana, a humanitarian initiative started in the 1990s to support communities affected by terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The initiative aims to foster constructive relationships with civilians in strategically important areas.

The radio station broadcasts on 88.4 FM and covers a 12-kilometre radius.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Global Liveability Index 2025

The Global Liveability Index 2025, released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), assessed 173 cities worldwide on factors such as stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture, and environment.

Copenhagen, Denmark, ranked as the most liveable city, while Damascus, Syria, continued to be the least liveable city due to ongoing conflict and poor infrastructure.

Copenhagen overtook Vienna, which had held the top spot for three consecutive years.

Conflict, instability, and weak infrastructure are key reasons for low scores

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

IPS Officer Parag Jain Appointed New R&AW Chief

The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Parag Jain, as the new Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

He will succeed the current Secretary Ravi Sinha, whose term ends on 30 June 2025.

A notification to this order was issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).

The head of the R&AW is officially referred to as the Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

The government has appointed Parag Jain for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of the office or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will assume the office on 1 July 2025.

The incumbent Secretary, R&AW Ravi Sinha, will retire on 30 June 2025.

Parag Jain is an IPS officer of the 1989 batch from the Punjab cadre. During his stint in Punjab, he was posted in Bhatinda, Mansa, and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab as Superintendent of Police (SP) and played a key role in anti-militancy operations in the state.

 

SPORTS

UzChess Cup Masters 2025

Indian Grandmaster R.Praggnanandhaa won the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 in Tashkent, marking his third major classical title of the year and propelling him to a career-best live rating of 2778.3 (World No. 4) surpassing compatriots D. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi.

Praggnanandhaa defeated Sindarov and drew with Abdusattorov, while Sindarov beat Abdusattorov to secure the title

Live FIDE Rating is 3, elevating him from World No. 7 to No. 4

Indian chess prodigy Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa achieved a major milestone in his career by winning his first-ever Grand Chess Tour tournament  the Superbet Classic 2025 held in Bucharest, Romania.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Asteroid Day

On June 30th, World Asteroid Day 2025 is observed as an awareness program among the public all over the world.

This World Asteroid Day 2025 is commemorated to promote awareness about how asteroids will be used in the future, how asteroids will pave the path for future exploration, and how we can protect our planet from asteroid collisions.

In December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution A/RES/71/90 proclaiming June 30 as International Asteroid Day to commemorate the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russian Federation, on June 30, 1908, and to raise awareness about the risks of asteroids on a global scale.

Brian May, astrophysicist and lead guitarist of QUEEN co-founded International Asteroid Day with Danica Remy, President of the B612 Foundation, Rusty Schweickart, Apollo 9 Astronaut, and filmmaker Grig Richters to raise public awareness about the importance of asteroids in the formation of our universe and their current role in our solar system.

Asteroid Day was co-founded by astrophysicist and lead guitarist of QUEEN Dr. Brian May together with Danica Remy, President of B612 Foundation, Rusty Schweickart, Apollo 9 Astronaut, and filmmaker Grig Richters, to promote awareness and provide knowledge to the general public about the benefits of asteroids and measures to save our earth from the impact of asteroids.

B612 strives to defend the Earth against asteroid strikes by informing and advancing global planetary defense decision-making.