NATIONAL NEWS

NITI Aayog Releases ‘India’s Data Imperative’ Report to Improve Data Quality in Governance

NITI Aayog unveiled the third edition of its Future Front insights series titled “India’s Data Imperative: The Pivot Towards Quality”, in New Delhi.

The report emphasizes that poor data quality significantly affects public trust, service delivery, and policy-making, and highlights the urgent need to establish a data-first culture in governance.

It was released to raise awareness about poor data quality in India’s public systems and offer practical solutions to improve digital governance.

The report links data quality directly with citizen trust, efficient policy targeting, and service delivery effectiveness.

It highlights issues like outdated, inconsistent, and siloed datasets, leading to inefficient governance and resource allocation.

It introduces simple, easy-to-use digital tools designed for real-time validation, analysis, and improved decision-making by government officials.

It urges all institutions to treat data as a shared national asset and implement a “data-first” institutional mindset.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

IAEA and Romania to Initiate World’s Largest Nuclear Emergency Drill

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Romania will launch the world’s largest and most complex international nuclear emergency exercise, ConvEx-3 (2025), on June 24, 2025.

The exercise simulates a severe accident at Romania’s Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s only nuclear power plant.

Over 75 countries and 10 international organizations will participate both onsite in Romania and remotely, testing global readiness for nuclear or radiological emergencies with cross-border consequences.

ConvEx exercises are held every three to five years by IAEA Member States to evaluate and improve international emergency preparedness.

The exercise will last 36 hours and include:

Real-time decision-making

Emergency communications

International coordination under the Early Notification Convention and the Assistance Convention

Protective actions like simulated evacuations, iodine distribution, public communication, and medical response coordination

Management of food and trade restrictions based on radiological assessments

The IAEA Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) will activate key tools such as:Unified System for Information Exchange (USIE), International Radiation Monitoring System (IRMIS)

Participants will activate national emergency centres, request/offer assistance, share data, and coordinate cross-border protective actions and public messaging.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ICMR Launches Its First High Performance Computing Facility at NIV, Pune

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) inaugurated its first High Performance Computing (HPC) facility at the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

The computing cluster, named ‘Nakshatra’, was inaugurated by Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General of ICMR.

Developed under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM ABHIM), the HPC facility is a key part of the project called “High Performance Computing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Hub”.

The initiative aims to revolutionize genomic and bioinformatics data processing, addressing challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic due to limited computing infrastructure.

Initially, the facility will support five ICMR institutes nationwide and act as a central repository for sequencing data.

It will also extend support to Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) across India.

 

BANKING

Equitas Small Finance Bank partners with Edelweiss Life Insurance

Equitas Small Finance Bank and Edelweiss Life Insurance have entered into a bancassurance partnership to offer life insurance solutions to the bank’s customers.

This partnership enables Equitas SFB’s vast customer base to access Edelweiss Life’s comprehensive insurance products.

The tie-up aligns with Equitas SFB’s strategy to provide holistic financial solutions covering savings, investments, and insurance.

Together, Equitas SFB and Edelweiss Life Insurance aim to create a strong ecosystem for protection, wealth creation, and best-in-class insurance advisory.

The partnership will offer diverse plans, including protection plans, savings, endowment policies, and ULIPs (Unit Linked Insurance Plans).

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Reviews Public Sector Banks Performance in Delhi

The annual meeting to review the performance of public sector banks for the financial year 2024-25 was held in New Delhi on June 27, 2025.

The meeting was chaired by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman.

 The meeting was also attended by Pankaj Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Finance, M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, and the Managing Directors of 12 public sector banks in India.

During the meeting, the performance of the 12 public sector banks during the 2024-25 fiscal years was reviewed.

Total Business of Banks -  Rs 251 lakh crore as compared to Rs 203 lakh crore in 2023-24.

Net Non-Performing Assets (NPA)- declined to 0.52% in 2024-25 as compared to 1.24 % in 2023-24.

Net Profit - Increased to Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2024-25 as compared to Rs 1.04 lakh crore.

Dividend Payout - Increased to Rs 34,990 crore in 2024-25 as compared to Rs 20,964 crore in 2023-24.

CRAR (Capital to Risk Weighted Asset Ratio)- 16.15 % as of end March 2025.

CBI Busts Mule Bank Accounts in Cyber Fraud Under Operation Chakra V

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched searches in five states under Operation Chakra V to bust mule bank accounts related to cybercrime and digital arrest scam.

CBI officers conducted searches in five states Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh as part of Operation Chakra V.

According to the CBI, around 8.5 lakh mule accounts have been opened in various banks across the country to launder the money extorted by criminals through cybercrimes and digital arrest.

The Money Mule bank account refers to the bank accounts opened by money mules for the purpose of money laundering.

Money mules are individuals with bank accounts who knowingly or unknowingly facilitate the transfer of illegally acquired money on behalf of criminals into other people's accounts.

The money of the criminals is deposited in the mule's bank accounts, and they are asked to transfer it to another person's bank account with a promise of a certain commission.

To deal with the menace of money mules, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched the MuleHunter.ai mission.

The Reserve Bank of India Innovation Hub (RBIH), a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India, has developed an AI (artificial intelligence)/ML (machine learning)- based system to identify money mule bank accounts.

Private Sector Companies Now Eligible to Become Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies

Private sector Indian companies with a net worth above ₹500 crore and a long-term credit rating of A and above can be designated as Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIAs).

So far, four Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) — NTPC, SJVN, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), and NHPC — are designated as REIAs.

A company is designated as REIA for a period of five years, subject to termination by the Centre.

The designation is based on guidelines released by the Ministry of Power, which now allows private companies registered under the Companies Act to apply for REIA status.

REIAs act as intermediary procurers (IPs) under the tariff based competitive bidding (TBCB) framework, aggregating power from generators (Gencos) and selling it to end procurers such as Discoms and consumers.

REIAs are responsible for:

Conducting RE project bidding processes

Signing back-to-back Power Sale Agreements (PSAs) with renewable energy developers

Signing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Discoms or consumers

Ensuring payment security to RE developers.

Trading licence requirement: Applicant entities must hold a valid Category-l electricity trading licence issued by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

Sagarmala Finance Corporation Becomes India’s First Maritime-Focused NBFC

SMFCL (Sagarmala Maritime Finance Corporation Limited) is India’s first sector-specific Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in the maritime sector, registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on June 19, 2025.

Formerly known as Sagarmala Development Company Limited, SMFCL is a Mini Ratna, Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise.

SMFCL aims to bridge financing gaps in the maritime sector and catalyse economic growth.

It will provide financial products including short, medium, and long-term funding to various stakeholders such as port authorities, shipping companies, MSMEs, startups, and maritime educational institutions.

SMFCL will support strategic sectors like shipbuilding, renewable energy, cruise tourism, and maritime education.

The corporation aligns with the government’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and the goal of making India a leading global maritime power and Viksit Bharat.

SMFCL will create a focused and accessible financial ecosystem for maritime growth, promoting sustainable development, innovation, and national logistics efficiency.

The launch was inaugurated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, accompanied by Minister of State Shantanu Thakur and Secretary TK Ramachandran.

 

DEFENCE

Indian Coast Guard Inducts ‘Adamya’

‘Adamya’, the first Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) under the eight FPV project at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), was inducted into the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on June 26, 2025, in Goa.

It is the first ship in its class in the ICG fleet to feature Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPPs) and indigenously developed gearboxes, providing superior maneuverability, operational flexibility, and enhanced performance at sea.

The vessel is equipped with advanced technology including 30mm CRN-91 gun, Two 7mm stabilized remote-control guns with fire control systems, Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and Automated Power Management System (APMS)

These systems enable the ICG to carry out its duties with increased precision, efficiency, and responsiveness across India’s extensive maritime domain

Designed and built entirely by GSL, ‘Adamya’ highlights India’s growing shipbuilding capability and supports the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Shikhar Dhawan Releases Autobiography

Renowned Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has unveiled his autobiography titled “The One: Cricket, My Life and More”, offering a deeply personal and emotional account of his journey.

The book, published by HarperCollins India, was officially launched and provides readers with an intimate insight into Dhawan’s cricketing milestones, inner battles, and personal evolution.

The book reflects on his cricketing career, mental health, and personal identity

It highlights a turning point during the Australia tour, marked by emotional challenges