NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi Leads 11th International Day of Yoga Celebrations from Vizag

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country in celebrating the 11th International Day of Yoga from the coastal town of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on 21 June 2025.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav and other dignitaries joined the Prime Minister in a 45 minute yoga session.

The International Day of Yoga celebration in Visakhapatnam was organised by the Union Ministry of Ayush.

Andhra Pradesh organised an innovative “ Floating Yoga” event on the Krishna River in Vijayawada on the International Day of Yoga.

It was part of the State government’s YogAndhra 2025 campaign in which thousands of yoga practitioners performed various asanas on 200 water crafts like kayaks, sand boats,jet skis, punts and floating platforms.

The theme of the 11th International Day of Yoga is - Yoga for One Earth, One Health.

Bhupendra Yadav Launches Gharial Conservation Programme at Katarniaghat

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav, launched the Gharial Species Conservation Programme on 20 June 2025 by releasing seven one-year-old gharial hatchlings into the Gerua River at Katarniaghat in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh.

The Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is a breeding ground of gharials with the Gerua River being an ideal habitat for gharials.

The Indian Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) has been listed as critically endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list .

The Gharial is endemic to India and is found in three tributaries of the Ganga- the Chambal and the Gerua Rivers (also known as Girwa Rivers) in India and the Rapti-Narayani River in Nepal.

Once abundant in the rivers of North India, its wild population has drastically reduced to around 800.

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh is a major captive breeding ground of gharial hatchlings.

Maharashtra Declares Hindi as the ‘General’ Third Language in Schools

The Maharashtra government, aligning with the State Curriculum Framework 2024 and NEP 2020, has issued a directive making Hindi the default third language taught in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5.

While the policy allows opting for other Indian languages if requested by at least 20 students per class, this provision has sparked controversy over language imposition and regional identity concerns.

Hindi will be generally taught as the third language for Classes 1-5 in Marathi and English medium schools.

Students may choose an alternative Indian language if a minimum of 20 students per grade opt for it, with instruction provided either through a hired teacher or online.

Marathi remains compulsory across all mediums.

The policy aims to promote multilingualism, national integration, and cognitive development, consistent with NEP 2020’s three-language formula.

Calcutta High Court Directs Restart of MGNREGA in West Bengal

The Calcutta High Court, ordered the Central Government to resume work under MGNREGA in West Bengal from August 1, ending a nearly three-year suspension.

The scheme was halted in March 2022 over alleged fund misuse and non- payment of wages, leaving over 25 million rural workers without guaranteed employment.

The court highlighted the fundamental right to livelihood and asserted that past irregularities cannot indefinitely block the Act’s future implementation.

MGNREGA works and wage payments, stopped since March 2022, will recommence by August 1, 2025.

Resumption is set to benefit nearly 2.5 crore workers, restore rural income, and recover an estimated ₹5,000 crore annual loss, as per NREGA Sangharsh Morcha.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and Canada to Restart Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

India and Canada have agreed to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) that was suspended in September 2023, just before New Delhi was to host the G-20 Summit.

The decision was made during the first meeting between Canadian PM Mark Carney and Indian PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

Both leaders agreed to normalize ties, starting with the early return of High Commissioners to their respective capitals.

They discussed restarting talks on the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) as a step towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Future collaboration areas discussed include:Clean energy, Digital transformation, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), Food security, Critical minerals, Higher education, Mobility, Supply chain resilience

The suspension of talks followed political tensions triggered by allegations of Canadian interference in domestic affairs by India, leading to diplomatic expulsions in October 2024.

Despite tensions, bilateral merchandise trade grew from $8.3 billion (FY23) to $8.4 billion (FY24).

 

BANKING

Bank of Maharashtra Partners with SBI Card

Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has entered into a strategic partnership with SBI Card to launch co-branded credit cards.

The co-branded credit cards have features such as reward points, cashback offers, fuel surcharge waivers, EMI facilities, and exclusive merchant discounts across key spending categories like dining, travel, and e-commerce.

The collaboration aims to enhance customer value by leveraging:Bank of Maharashtra’s extensive banking network and trusted customer relationships, SBI Card’s credit card expertise, digital capabilities, and diverse product suite

The co-branded credit cards will be offered to eligible customers nationwide.

Customers can apply through both online and branch-based channels, ensuring ease of access and seamless onboarding.

 

DEFENCE

Indian Navy Commissions INS Arnala

The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Arnala, the country’s first indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC).

The commissioning ceremony took place at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam and was presided over by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

INS Arnala was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and was delivered on 8 May at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, under a public-private partnership.

It is the first in a series of eight ASW-SWCs intended to enhance India’s coastal defence

The vessel is 77 metres long and is named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra.

It is equipped with advanced underwater surveillance systems and mine-laying capabilities.

The ship’s crest features a stylised auger shell, symbolising resilience and vigilance in hostile environments

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Banks' Supervisory Data Quality Index of March 2025

The Supervisory Data Quality Index (sDQI) of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) improved to 3 in March 2025 from 86.8 in March 2024, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The sDQI measures data quality in terms of: Accuracy, Timeliness, Completeness, Consistency of regulatory returns submitted by banks.

sDQI Score Categories:

Above 90: Good

80 to 90: Acceptable

70 to 80: Needs Improvement

Below 70: Not Acceptable

State-owned banks, private sector banks, and foreign banks scored in the “80–90” acceptable range.

Small finance banks scored above 90, categorized as “good”.

The sDQI for SCBs covers 87 banks and evaluates the quality of key regulatory returns such as: Asset-Liability and Off-Balance Sheet Exposures (ALE), Asset Quality (RAQ), Operating Results (ROR), Risk-Based Supervision Return (RBS), Liquidity Return (LR), Capital Adequacy (RCA), Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC)

WEF Energy Transition Index 2025

India has fallen to 71st place in the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2025, down from 63rd in 2024, despite making strides in energy efficiency and green investments.

The index evaluates 118 countries on energy security, sustainability, and equity.

Top five countries: Sweden (1st), Finland (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Norway (4th), Switzerland (5th)

Only 28% of countries improved in all three pillars of the index

77 out of 118 countries showed overall improvement in ETI scores

Despite $2 trillion clean energy investments in 2024, global emissions reached a record 37.8 billion tonnes

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Digital Payments Award 2024–25

The India Post Payment Bank has won the Digital Payments Award 2024-25 for its outstanding contribution in expanding digital payments and financial inclusion across the country.

The award has been instituted by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

The India Post Payment Bank was ranked first amongst the Payment Banks in the Performance Index for Financial Year 2024–25.

It received the Digital Payments Award 2024-25 for this achievement.

The India Post Payment Bank also received a ‘Special Mention Award’ for its performance in the financial year 2023-24.

The award was presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, and Pankaj Chaudhary, Union Minister of State of Finance.

The award was received by R. Visweswaran, the managing director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the India Post Payment Bank, at a ceremony in New Delhi.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Refugee Day

Every year on June 20th, World Refugee Day is commemorated to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and the difficulties they face.

The theme of World Refugee Day 2025 is to recognize refugees all throughout the world.- “Health for All: Solidarity with refugees”

In 1914, World Day of Migrants and Refugees is established by Pope Pius X and is celebrated in January.

On December 4, 2000, Resolution 55/76 ie The United Nations General Assembly decided to observe World Refugee Day from June 2001.

In 2000, the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees was observed.          

 

OBITUTARY

Scientist and Abdul Kalam’s Translator Nellai S Muthu

Nellai S Muthu, aged 70, a former ISRO scientist and renowned translator of APJ Abdul Kalam’s books, was found dead at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram.

He was a native of Nellai (Tirunelveli), Tamil Nadu.

He authored over 100 books covering diverse subjects including science, children’s literature, poetry, history, and literary criticism.

His notable works include:Ariviyal Penmanigal, Vinveli 2057, Arivuttum Vignana Vilayattu, Vaira Padigangkal, Sevvayil Uluvettakum Naal Vaippum

He translated Kumaran Asan’s Chandalabhikshuki into Tamil, contributing to the field of literary translation.

He was recognized for his contributions to science communication and Tamil literature, he was honoured by the Tamil Nadu government.