NATIONAL NEWS

Government Amends SEZ Rules to Boost Semiconductor, Electronics Sector

In a significant move to boost the semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing in the country the government of India has liberalised the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) rules.

The government of India has so far approved six proposals to set up semiconductor plants in India.

Recently, the central government approved the proposal of Taiwanese company Foxconn and HCL of India to jointly set up a semiconductor plant near Jewar International Airport in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Agency in Uttar Pradesh.

The Semiconductor Mission, launched by the government of India in December 2022 to make India a hub of semiconductor and electronic manufacturing in the world.

The minimum contiguous land area for setting up for the manufacturing of semiconductors or electronic components has been reduced from 50 hectares to 10 hectares.

The Board of Approval under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry can relax the condition requiring SEZ land to be encumbrance-free in cases where it is mortgaged or leased to the Central / State Government or their authorised agencies.

The value of goods received and supplied on a free-of-cost basis is to be included in Net Foreign Exchange calculations and assessed using applicable customs valuation rules.

These units can sell their products in the domestic tariff areas (within India) after payment of applicable taxes and duties.

India Unveils ‘Ayush Nivesh Saarthi’ Portal

The Government of India launched the ‘Ayush Nivesh Saarthi’ portal on May 29, 2025, during the Ayush Stakeholder/Industry Interaction Meet at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.

The portal was jointly launched by: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav

The portal is an investor-centric digital platform developed by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with Invest India.

It aims to transform India’s traditional wellness systems into a robust economic driver.

The portal provides investors with:Real-time data, Transparent policy guidance, Access to a vibrant, expanding market

The Ayush sector ranks among the top five health services in India.

Ayush is a key driver of India’s USD 13 billion medical value travel (MVT) sector

The launch reaffirms the Government’s vision of making Ayush a pillar of public health and economic growth.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Japanese Researchers Create Plastic That Dissolves in Seawater

Japanese scientists from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo have developed a new plastic that dissolves quickly in seawater, leaving no harmful residue.

The plastic has the strength of conventional petroleum-based plastics but breaks down into original components when exposed to saltwater.

This plastic is based on supramolecular polymers, developed through three decades of research led by Takuzo Aida.

The material is composed of sodium hexametaphosphate (a common food additive) and guanidinium ion-based monomers (used in fertilisers and soil conditioners).

Upon degradation, the plastic releases nitrogen and phosphorus, which are:Metabolised by microbes, Absorbed by plants

The plastic is non-toxic to humans, fire-resistant, and does not release carbon dioxide when decomposed.

Researchers caution that excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) could cause algal blooms, potentially disrupting coastal ecosystems.

The study addresses the global issue of microplastics, which are tiny plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimetres, found even in remote locations such as the Mariana Trench and Mount Everest.

Microplastics have been detected in human brains, placentas, and deep ocean fish, raising serious concerns about environmental and health impacts.

Scientists have called for a global emergency declaration due to the threat posed by microplastic pollution to life on Earth.

 

BANKING

RBI Launches Scheme to Promote Original Hindi Books

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a Scheme for writing books originally in Hindi on Economics, Banking, and Financial subjects to encourage original writings and research in Banking Hindi.

The scheme awards three prizes of ₹1,25,000 each to working or retired professors (including Assistant and Associate Professors) from UGC-recognized Indian universities.

Eligible participants must have authored at least one Hindi book of 200+ pages on relevant subjects, published between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.

Authors who receive the award for two consecutive years will have to observe a one-year cooling period.

An evaluation committee consisting of: Two professors of Economics/Banking/Finance, One professor of Hindi Literature/Linguistics, and RBI officials will assess the entries.

The assessment gives 60% weightage to content and 40% to language and style.

Professors must submit nominations with five copies of the book by June 30, 2025.

Thomas Cook Partners with Muthoot Forex to Expand Payment Network

Travel companyThomas Cook has announced a strategic partnership with Muthoot Forex, the foreign exchange division of the Muthoot Group.

The partnership aims to expand the reach of Thomas Cook's Borderless Travel Card and Study Buddy Card (both prepaid forex cards).

These forex cards will now be available across Muthoot’s extensive network of over 7,000 branches, including 43 full-fledged forex branches.

The distribution network spans across metro cities, mini-metros, and Tier II to Tier IV markets across India.

This move is intended to increase accessibility of forex services for customers in smaller cities and towns, supporting students, travelers, and international spenders.

TransUnion CIBIL and Sa-Dhan Launch Credit Awareness Program for Microfinance Sector

TransUnion CIBIL, a leading credit information company, has partnered with Sa-Dhan, a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) for microfinance institutions (MFIs).

The partnership aims to launch a credit awareness initiative to promote credit literacy and responsible lending across India.

The initiative will empower MFIs with data-driven insights, training, and tools for better credit assessment and monitoring.

It will also help microfinance borrowers by encouraging responsible credit behaviour and improving access to financial services in underserved communities.

As part of the program, TransUnion CIBIL and Sa-Dhan will: Co-develop multilingual digital content, Conduct community outreach programs and Host joint regional workshops and state-level events

The focus will be on increasing awareness of: Credit scores, Data-based underwriting, Financial discipline

 

SPORTS

ICC Hall of Fame

One of India’s most successful Indian cricket captains, Mahender Singh Dhoni, has been inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Hall of Fame.

MS Dhoni is the 11th Indian cricketer to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

MS Dhoni is known as one of the best finishers in the shorter format of the game, an inspiring leader, and an explosive wicketkeeper-batsman.

MS Dhoni, who was ice cool on the field, is considered one of the most successful Indian captains in all three formats. Under his captaincy, India was ranked the world's No. 1 Test team for 18 consecutive months starting in December 2009.

He led India to three ICC Trophies: the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.

The ICC, the world’s cricket governing body, launched the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009 in partnership with the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA).

The ICC Hall of Fame honours retired, present and past international cricketers.

The ICC organises a special induction ceremony for the inducted player, at which they are physically present. For deceased players, their relatives are present at the induction ceremony.

The living ICC Hall of Fame players also help select the next players to be inducted into the hall every year.

Coco Gauff Wins Maiden French Open Women’s Singles Title 2025

American tennis star Coco Gauff won her first French Open title and second Grand Slam crown by defeating World No. 1Aryna Sabalenka in the Women’s Singles final of the French Open 2025.

Gauff staged a comeback to win the match 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 and became the first American woman to win the Roland Garros title since 2015.

Gauff became the youngest American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2002, and the first since Williams in 2015 to claim the title.

She added this win to her 2023 US Open title, making her the youngest player to win both the French Open and US Open since 2002.

Gauff entered the tournament as World No. 2 and beat the top-ranked player, marking the first Grand Slam final between the top two women seeds since the 2018 Australian Open.

Aryna Sabalenka was playing her third consecutive Grand Slam final, but her first on clay.

Carlos Alcaraz (Defending Champion) will face World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the men’s singles final. Alcaraz has a 7–4 head-to-head record against Sinner and has won their last four matches.

After defeating Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, Sinner became only the second Italian man to reach the Roland Garros final in the Open Era, following Adriano Panatta (1976 champion).

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Oceans Day

Every year on June 8th, World Ocean Day is commemorated to raise awareness of the ocean's vital role in human life and ways to conserve it across the world.

The 2025 theme, “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us”, is a powerful reminder: the ocean not only sustains us materially—through food, energy, and trade—but also inspires, connects, and nurtures us.

In 1992, during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the notion of World Ocean Day was introduced.

In 2008 World Ocean Day was officially created by the United Nations General Assembly to be observed yearly on June 8 to address ocean issues and conserve ocean water.

On June 8, 2009, The United Nations General Assembly formally designated the day with Resolution 63/111.

 

OBITUTARY

Renowned Scholar and Author Daji Panshika Passed away

Eminent scholar and author Daji Panshikar passed away at the age of 92 in Thane, Maharashtra after a brief illness.

He was renowned for his deep knowledge of Indian epics and major contributions to Marathi literature.

Panshikar was especially respected for his scholarly interpretations of texts such as the Mahabharata, Eknaathi Bhagwat, and Bhavarth Ramayan.

He was a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s intellectual and cultural landscape.

Panshikar played a significant role in the theatre world as a guiding force behind the organisation NatyasampadaNatya Sanstha.

His final rites were held at the Jawahar Bagh Crematorium.