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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Top global banks boost fossil fuel funding by $162 billion in 2024: Report

• The world’s largest 65 banks committed $869 billion in 2024 to companies in the fossil fuels sector, up from $707 billion in 2023.

Key Highlights :

• The State Bank of India (SBI) is among nearly 50 large banks that increased financing to fossil fuel companies compared to the previous year.
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, annual clean energy investment must exceed $4 trillion by 2030.
• The top 5 banks financing fossil fuels in 2024 are:

1. JPMorgan Chase – $53.5 billion
2. Bank of America – $46 billion
3. Citigroup – $44.7 billion
4. Mizuho Financial – $40.3 billion
5. Wells Fargo – $39.3 billion

• SBI ranked 47th globally with $3.5 billion fossil fuel financing in 2024, slightly higher than in 2023.
• SBI’s total fossil fuel financing during 2021–24 is $6.1 billion.
• SBI targets:
• Net zero emissions by 2055.
• Increase green advances to 15% of gross advances by 2030 (currently about 7.5%).
• SBI formed an ESG and Sustainability Steering Committee in December 2024 to monitor progress.
• According to the Fossil Fuel Finance Report 2025 ("Banking on Climate Chaos"):
• Indian banks lag behind global banks in fossil fuel financing restrictions.
• Only Federal Bank and RBL Bank among top 15 BSE-listed banks have explicit coal phaseout policies.
• The report warns that fossil fuel expansion is incompatible with renewable energy growth.
• Only 10 banks out of the world’s top 60 have restricted financing for oil and gas expansion.
• The report calls for all banks to immediately adopt a no-expansion policy on fossil fuels consistent with the Paris Agreement climate goals.

Top Banks Fossil Fuel Financing (2024) :

Top Banks Fossil Fuel Financing (2021–24)

Reserve Bank of India Fines Fino Payments Bank ₹29.6 Lakh for Breach of Licensing Guidelines

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of ₹29.6 lakh on Fino Payments Bank Limited.
• The penalty was imposed for violating certain guidelines under the Licensing of Payments Banks
• The action followed a Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE 2024) conducted by the RBI based on the bank’s position as of March 31, 2024.
• During the inspection, the RBI found that the bank breached the prescribed limit for end-of-day balances in customer accounts, which occurred multiple times.
• This is a regulatory compliance issue concerning the maximum balance limit allowed in payments bank accounts.

About Fino Payments Bank :

• Head Office : Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Managing Director (MD) and CEO : Rishi Gupta.

About RBI :

• Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Sanjay Malhotra

Net Direct Tax collections fall 1.39% to ₹4.59 lakh crore in April-June quarter

• Net direct tax collection for April-June 2025 stood at ₹4.59 lakh crore, which is 1.39% lower than the same period last fiscal (₹4.65 lakh crore in 2024).
• Advance tax collections slowed significantly, growing only 3.87% to ₹1.56 lakh crore, compared to 27% growth in the same period in 2024.
• Corporate tax collection during April-June 2025 was about ₹1.73 lakh crore, showing a decline of over 5% year-over-year.
• Non-corporate tax collections (mainly personal income tax) increased slightly by 0.7%, reaching ₹2.73 lakh crore.
• Securities Transaction Tax (STT) grew by 12%, amounting to ₹13,013 crore during the period.
• Refunds issued increased sharply by 58% to ₹86,385 crore in this fiscal.
• Gross direct tax collection was ₹5.45 lakh crore, marking a 4.86% growth from last year.
• Within advance tax:
• Corporate tax advance collection grew by 5.86% to ₹1.22 lakh crore.
• Non-corporate tax advance collection declined by 2.68% to ₹33,928 crore.
• Overall advance tax collection increased by 3.87% to ₹1.55 lakh crore.

Bajaj Allianz launches health insurance coverage by state

• Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has launched State-wise health insurance policies with premiums customized according to each State’s specific healthcare dynamics.
• The policies factor in regional variations such as:Treatment availability, Medical costs, Local hospital infrastructure, Affordability levels, Prevalent health concerns
• This approach moves beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all model in health insurance.
• The product targets the “missing middle” customer segment:Urban lower middle class, Rural middle class, Those who need health insurance but face cost constraints
• Premium variation between States could be around 10-15%, based primarily on hospitalisation costs.
• The concept builds on existing zoning systems insurers use to determine premiums but offers more localised customization.
• The new health insurance product is available in both individual and floater
• MD and CEO of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance : Tapan Singhel

India’s core industries record nine-month low growth of 0.7% in May

• India’s core sector growth slowed to a nine-month low of 0.7% in May 2025, down from 1% in April, based on provisional data.
• The eight core industries are:

1. Coal
2. Crude oil
3. Natural gas
4. Refinery products
5. Fertilisers
6. Steel
7. Cement
8. Electricity

• These industries together account for 40.27% weightage in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), making them crucial for the Indian economy.
• Among these, production increased sequentially in refinery products, steel, and cement in May.
• Production declined sharply in:
• Electricity
• Crude oil
• Fertiliser
• Natural gas
• Weightage of core industries in IIP:
• Refinery products – 28.04% (highest)
• Electricity – 19.85%
• Steel – 17.92%
• Coal – 10.33%
• Crude oil – 8.98%
• Natural gas – 6.88%
• Cement – 5.37%
• Fertilisers – 2.63% (lowest)

Reserve Bank of India and banks to roll out DPIP platform to tackle increasing digital payment frauds

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is developing a Digital Payment Intelligence Platform (DPIP) as a part of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to combat rising digital payment frauds.
• The initiative involves collaboration between major public and private sector banks, under the supervision of RBI.
• The goal of the platform is to enhance fraud risk management by:
• Real-time data sharing
• Intelligence sharing among stakeholders
• Early identification and prevention of fraudulent digital transactions
• A prototype is currently being developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) in consultation with 5–10 banks.
• The platform will use advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics.
• The initiative comes after bank frauds tripled to ₹36,014 crore in FY25, up from ₹12,230 crore in FY24, as per RBI’s latest annual report.
• The DPIP project was based on recommendations from an RBI committee chaired by A.P. Hota, former MD & CEO of NPCI, constituted in June 2024 to examine the feasibility of such a platform.

Indian Funds in Swiss Banks Surge to ₹37,600 Crore in 2024, Tripling from Previous Year                  

• Indian funds parked in Swiss banks surged to a three-year high of 54 billion Swiss francs (₹37,600 crore) in 2024, according to the Swiss National Bank (SNB).
• This marks a more than threefold increase from CHF 1.04 billion in 2023, which was a four-year low.
• The increase mostly came from funds held through other banks and financial institutions, not individual deposits.

Key Highlights :

• Direct deposits by Indian customers rose by 11% to CHF 346 million (₹3,675 crore), making up just one-tenth of the total.
• Breakdown of Indian funds in Swiss banks in 2024:
• CHF 3.02 billion through banks
• CHF 346 million in customer deposits
• CHF 41 million via fiduciary or trust accounts
• CHF 135 million in instruments like bonds and securities
• Despite the rise, the total remains below the all-time high of CHF 6.5 billion recorded in 2006.
• Swiss authorities have clarified that Indian assets in Swiss banks are not necessarily illicit or “black money”.
• Since 2018, India and Switzerland exchange financial account details annually under an automatic exchange of information agreement, starting in 2019.
• This cooperation has led to sharing of hundreds of cases with Indian authorities, including accounts flagged for suspected irregularities.
• In 2024, India ranked 48th globally in terms of funds parked in Swiss banks, up from 67th in 2023, but below the 46th rank in 2022.
• Comparison with neighbouring countries:
• Pakistan’s funds dropped to CHF 272 million
• Bangladesh’s deposits rose to CHF 589 million
• Globally, the UK topped the list with CHF 222 billion, followed by the US (CHF 89 billion) and the West Indies (CHF 68 billion).
• Data from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) showed a 6% rise in Indian non-bank client deposits and loans in Swiss banks to USD 74.8 million (₹650 crore) in 2024, after declines in previous years.
• Indian deposits at BIS peaked in 2007 at over USD 2.3 billion.

India’s coffee exports surge 125% in 11 years to reach $1.8 billion: Government data   

• According to central government data, India’s coffee exports have increased by about 125% over the last 11 years, reaching $1.8 billion.
• Export values over recent years:
• $800 million in 2014-15
• $1.14 billion in 2022-23
• $1.28 billion in 2023-24
• Europe remains the top destination for Indian coffee exports.
• Major importing countries include:
• Italy
• Germany
• Belgium
• Middle East nations
• Korea
• Japan
• Main coffee-producing states in India are:
• Karnataka
• Kerala
• Tamil Nadu
• India ranks as the seventh largest coffee producer globally, with a 3.5% share of world production.
• India is the fifth largest coffee exporter globally, accounting for 5% of total exports.
• India produces approximately 3.6 lakh tonnes of coffee annually.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

India Designated Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility at ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal

• India has joined the elite group of six global facilities authorised to securely store Rinderpest Virus–Containing Material (RVCM), with the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, now recognised as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Key Highlights :

• Designation Event: Announced at the 92nd WOAH General Session in Paris; certificate presented to Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Alka Upadhyaya, by WOAH’s Director General and President.
• RHF Status Timeline:
  • 2012: ICAR-NIHSAD named national RVCM repository (BSL-3 facility & WOAH reference lab for avian influenza).
  • 2019: India formally applied for Category A RHF.
  • March 2025: Joint FAO-WOAH inspection of ICAR-NIHSAD.
  • 2025–26: Approved as Category A RHF for a one-year term.
• Global Role: Joins only six certified high-security labs worldwide entrusted with safeguarding Rinderpest virus stocks.
• Disease Context: Rinderpest—once the “cattle plague”—was declared eradicated in 2011, yet residual RVCM requires stringent containment.
• Strategic Importance: Aligns with FAO/WOAH mandates to limit RVCM storage to a minimal number of high-security laboratories, preserving global freedom from Rinderpest.

Centre of Excellence to Tackle Human-Wildlife Conflict Launched at WII–SACON

• Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav announced, the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for human-wildlife conflict management at WII–SACON.
• This CoE will integrate AI tools, strategic research, rapid-response mechanisms, and community engagement to address rising incidents of tiger and elephant attacks and strengthen conservation outcomes.

Key Highlights :

• Launch & Host Institution: Inaugurated at the Wildlife Institute of India – Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (WII–SACON).
• State/UT Collaboration: Partner with state governments to implement standardized protocols and establish district-level response units.
• Background Initiatives:
  • Feb 2021 Advisory: Coordinated inter-departmental hotspot mapping and rapid-response team formation.
  • June 2022 Guidelines: Detailed conflict-handling protocols and encouraged community education forums.
  • State/District Panels: Instituted victim compensation mechanisms and expedited relief for affected families.
• Tiger Attack Trends: Human fatalities decreased from 111 in 2022 to 74 in 2024, yet Maharashtra accounted for 57% of 2024’s deaths, with Uttar Pradesh also prominent.
• Elephant Attack Statistics (2023–24): Total human deaths 628, led by Odisha (154), West Bengal (99), Jharkhand (87), and Assam (74).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Unveils ₹2,750 Crore Railway Projects, Connecting Boudh District by Rail for First Time

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundations for railway projects worth ₹2,750 crore in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, including the 73-km Sonepur–Purunakatak line that brings Boudh district onto the national rail network for the first time.

Key Highlights :

• New Rail Line (Inaugurated): Sonepur–Purunakatak (73 km) at a cost of ₹1,376 crore, part of the Khurda Road–Balangir (301 km) project, linking Boudh HQ to rail.
• Foundation Stones Laid:
  • 3rd & 4th line between Sarla–Sason (16 km) – ₹252 crore, to decongest Jharsuguda–Sambalpur and spur industrial growth.
• Facilities Dedicated:
  • Freight wagon overhaul at Sarla – ₹165 crore
  • Subway on Bamra–Dharuadihi – ₹10 crore
  • Link C–Dumetra (Bondamunda–Ranchi doubling, 5 km) – ₹98 crore
  • Road Over Bridge at Jaleswar – ₹89 crore
  • 4th line Jharsuguda–Jamga (53 km) as part of Jharsuguda–Bilaspur (206 km) doubling

RECENT NEWS

• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has announced an investment of ₹61,077 crore to establish a world-class petrochemical complex in Paradip, Odisha. This move marks the largest-ever investment by IOCL at a single location and aims to bolster India’s petrochemical industry and manufacturing capabilities.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Inaugurates ₹7,283 Crore Gorakhpur Link Expressway in Azamgarh

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 91.35-km-long Gorakhpur Link Expressway in Azamgarh.
• Built at a cost of ₹7,283 crore, this expressway is a vital part of U.P.’s infrastructure push to position the state as an ‘Expressway State’ and fuel regional growth, investment, and connectivity.

Key Highlights:

• Project Overview:
  • Length: 91.35 km
  • Cost: ₹7,283 crore
  • Key Districts Benefited: Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar
  • Connectivity: Links to Purvanchal Expressway and other major highways
• Background:
  • Part of the state's broader effort to revamp its image from being a BIMARU (Backward) state
  • U.P. now has three major operational expressways:
    • Purvanchal Expressway – 340 km
    • Bundelkhand Expressway – 300 km
    • Gorakhpur Link Expressway – 91.35 km

RECENT NEWS

• Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a national leader in digital public procurement, having recorded a staggering ₹65,227.68 crore in orders through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) from FY 2020–21 to FY 2024–25.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US Senate approves GENIUS Act Bill with 68–30 vote, giving major support to stablecoins backed by reserves

• The US Senate passed the GENIUS Act Bill with a vote of 68–30, representing a significant boost for stablecoins—which are reserve-backed cryptocurrencies.
• The next step for the GENIUS Act is approval in the US House of Representatives, where a related bill called the STABLE Act has been introduced.
• The GENIUS Act’s Senate passage caused a surge in crypto exchange operators like Circle Internet Group, whose share price rose by 20.39% after the vote.
• The stablecoin market capitalization rose to $251.7 billion in 2025, marking a 22% increase year-to-date.
• The GENIUS Act is considered the most important US crypto legislation since 2021 and is supported by members of the Trump administration, especially Senator Paul S Atkins.
• The bill aims to enhance regulatory oversight of cryptocurrencies primarily through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Comptroller of the Currency.
• US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen predicted that stablecoins could grow into a $3.7 trillion market by 2030.

Comparison: GENIUS Act vs. STABLE Act

• The stablecoin market could potentially surge to $2 trillion, according to CNBC.
• The bill is seen as a tribute to Trump’s digital innovation policies.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Indian Navy to commission stealth multi-role frigate INS Tamal on July 1, 2025, at Russia’s Yantar Shipyard

• The Indian Navy will commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate, INS Tamal, on July 1, 2025, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
• The ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, along with senior Indian and Russian defence officials.
• INS Tamal is the eighth Krivak-class frigate inducted from Russia and the second ship of the upgraded Tushil class, following the Talwar and Teg-class series.
• The commissioning of Tamal marks the end of foreign-built warships for India, supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India
• The frigate contains 26% indigenous components, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
• It is equipped with modern weapons such as:Vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, Anti-submarine rockets

Specifications:

• Length: 125 metres
• Displacement: 3,900 tonnes
• Speed: Over 30 knots
• Underwent extensive sea trials over three months in challenging Russian winter conditions
• Designed in collaboration with Severnoye Design Bureau and overseen by Indian specialists in Kaliningrad, reflecting deep Indo-Russian defence collaboration.
• Two more frigates of the same class are being built in India by Goa Shipyard Limited, with Russian technology support.
• The name “Tamal” is inspired by the mythical sword of Indra, King of the Gods.
• The mascot combines India’s Jambavant and Russia’s Eurasian Brown Bear, with the crew called ‘The Great Bears’.
• Upon commissioning, INS Tamal will join the Western Fleet, also known as the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy, enhancing India’s naval power in the Indian Ocean Region.

Recent News :

• In May 2025, The Indian Navy formally inducted the Ancient Stitched Ship as INSV Kaundinya at a ceremony held at Naval Base, Karwar.

About Ministry of Defence:

• Cabinet Minister: Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State (MoS): Ajay Bhatt

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited announces soft launch of Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access at Ameerpet Exchange, Hyderabad 

• On June 18, 2025, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) announced the soft launch of Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) at its Ameerpet Exchange, Hyderabad.
• The service is 100% indigenous and SIM-less, delivering fibre-like speeds over 5G via BSNL’s Direct-to-Device platform
• In this platform, the customer’s Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) auto-authenticates without a physical SIM.
• The entire solution is developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and includes a fully indigenous stack:Core network, Radio Access Network (RAN), CPE, all integrated by Indian vendors.
• Initial test speeds recorded at Ameerpet were:
• 980 Mbps download
• 140 Mbps upload
• With sub-10 milliseconds latency—suitable for UHD streaming, gaming, and remote work.
• BSNL is the first Indian operator to showcase a production-grade SIM-less 5G service.
• After the soft launch, the pilot will expand to Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior, and Chandigarh, with full rollout expected by September 2025.

Indian Space Research Organisation prepares SpaDeX-2 mission for satellite docking in elliptical orbit

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the SpaDeX-2 (Space Docking Experiment-2) mission to dock two satellites in an elliptical orbit.
• The docking capability is crucial for upcoming missions like Chandrayaan-4 and the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station (India’s space station).
• In the first SpaDeX mission, two 220-kg satellites were launched into a 470-km circular orbit and successfully docked on January 16, 2024.
• The experiment demonstrated:In-space docking, Power sharing between satellites, Ability to function as a single composite unit
• With SpaDeX, India became the fourth country (after the USA, Russia, and China) to demonstrate in-space docking.
• Circular orbit docking is easier due to constant velocity and trajectory. In contrast, elliptical orbit docking is more challenging due to continuously changing velocities and paths.
• SpaDeX-2 will attempt docking in elliptical orbit, a crucial skill for future lunar missions, where orbits start as elliptical Earth orbits before transitioning toward the Moon.
• For Moon missions, ISRO uses engine burns at perigee to gradually raise the apogee, allowing a slingshot trajectory toward the Moon — making docking in elliptical orbits essential.
• In the first SpaDeX docking, satellites were cautiously brought closer using predefined checkpoints:5 km → 1.5 km → 500 m → 225 m → 15 m → 3 m
• In the second redocking attempt, the process was smoother and faster, with fewer halts.

Recent News :

• In May 2025, The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)attempted to launch the earth observation satellite EOS-09 on PSLV-C61 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

About ISRO:

• Established: 1969
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Chairman: V. Narayanan

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Jasprit Bumrah Becomes First Asian Fast Bowler to Claim 150 Test Wickets in SENA Nations

• India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah achieved a historic feat during the Second Test at Headingley, Leeds, by recording his 150th Test wicket across SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
• His five-wicket haul in favorable English conditions elevated his career tally and underscored his mastery overseas.

Key Highlights :

• Milestone Wicket: Surpassed 150 Test wickets in SENA nations with a 5-wicket haul vs. England at Headingley.
• Career Figures (as of June 2025):
  • 210 Test wickets overall
  • 150+ wickets in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia
  • 14 five-wicket hauls in just 87 Test innings
• Match Context: Bowled England out for 465 in their first innings; India trailed by only 6 runs at stumps.
• Record Surpassed: Became the top Asian wicket-taker in SENA, overtaking legends like Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev.
• Career Milestones:
  • Test debut: January 2018 vs. South Africa (Cape Town)
  • First Indian pacer to secure a five-wicket haul in South Africa, England, Australia, and West Indies all in the same calendar year.

RECENT NEWS

• L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), one of India’s leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), has announced Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen LTF’s brand presence across the country and connect with a diverse customer base.

India Unveils Logo and Mascot ‘Viraaj’ for 2025 World Para Athletics Championships

• India marked 100 days to the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships by launching the event’s official logo and mascot in New Delhi.
• This is the first time India will host the event, which is scheduled to be held from September 27 to October 5, 2025, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Key Highlights:

• Event Details:
  • Championship: 12th World Para Athletics Championships
  • Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
  • Host Country: India (first time)
  • Participating Nations: Over 100 countries
  • Medal Events: 186
• Mascot Launch:
  • Name: Viraaj
  • Description: A young elephant with a blade prosthesis, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the spirit of para-athletes
  • Unveiled by: Paralympic Committee of India (PCI)
  • Logo: Not fully detailed, but symbolically aligned with inclusivity, resilience, and Indian cultural identity

Carlos Alcaraz Clinches Second Queen’s Club Title Ahead of Wimbledon Defense

• World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz captured his second Queen’s Club Championship, defeating Czech rising star Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2.
• This hard-fought victory extends his grass-court winning streak to 18 matches and underlines his status as a leading favourite for his third consecutive Wimbledon crown.

Key Highlights :

• Match Outcome: Won 7-5 (broke at 5-5), dropped the second set 6-7(5) in a tight tiebreak, then closed out 6-2 by seizing an early 4-1 lead in the decider.
• Grass-Court Dominance: Secured his 18th straight grass-court win, adding to five titles in 2025 (including Indian Wells and Madrid).
• Queen’s Club Titles: Previously lifted the trophy in 2023, marking a successful return to this prestigious London warm-up.
• Player Profiles:
  • Carlos Alcaraz (Spain): Age 22; 5 Grand Slam titles; known for explosive athleticism, tactical variety, and mental resilience.
  • Jiri Lehecka (Czechia): Age 23; a powerful baseliner likened to Ivan Lendl; this marks his deepest run at a Super 9 grass event.
• Wimbledon 2025 Preview:
  • Starts June 30, 2025 at the All England Club.
  • Alcaraz is seeded No. 2, behind World No. 1 Jannik Sinner (Italy).
  • Aims for a Wimbledon hat-trick, having won in 2023 and 2024.

Oklahoma City Thunder Clinch First NBA Title Since Relocation from Seattle

• Oklahoma City Thunder captured their first NBA championship since moving from Seattle in 2008, defeating the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in a thrilling Game 7 at the Paycom Center, Oklahoma City.
• Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named Finals MVP, the victory marks a historic milestone for the franchise and the city.

Key Highlights:

• Match Outcome:
  • Final Score: Thunder 103 – 91 Pacers
  • Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
  • Notable Injury: Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton exited early due to an Achilles injury
• Star Performances:
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 29 points, 12 assists
  • Jalen Williams: 20 points
  • Chet Holmgren: 18 points, 8 rebounds
  • Alex Caruso: Crucial early 3-pointers and court spacing
  • Thunder’s 3rd Quarter Surge: Outscored Pacers 34–20 to seize control

Significance of the Victory:

• First NBA title as Oklahoma City Thunder
• Second overall franchise title (first in 1979 as Seattle SuperSonics)
• Establishes Thunder’s rebuild as one of the NBA’s greatest success stories
• Win celebrated in front of an electrified home crowd

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHOR

“Woman! Life! Freedom!”: Chowra Makaremi’s Chronicle of Iran’s 2022 Uprising

• Drawing from family archives, field research, and deep anthropological insight, Chowra Makaremi’s upcoming book “Woman! Life! Freedom!” offers an intimate and political retelling of the 2022 Iranian protests ignited by Mahsa Amini’s death in morality-police custody.

Key Highlights :

• Documenting the Uprising: Chronicles Iran’s “long autumn of insurrection”, following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, which sparked nationwide demonstrations.
• Historical Memory & Personal Narrative: Interweaves private family history of activism and exile with Iran’s broader political struggles over decades.
• Anthropological Lens: Employs counter-archives and collective emotion to analyze how anger and solidarity fueled the movement.
• Feminist Mobilization: Centers on young Iranian women who transformed the slogan “Zan! Zendegi! Azadi!” (Woman! Life! Freedom!) into a global rallying cry.
• Symbolism of Fire: Depicts the “orange light of street fires” as emblematic of rage, rebellion, and communal protest.
• Contagious Courage: Describes protests as a “combustion of anger”, spreading rapidly through acts of profanation, solidarity, and civil disobedience.
• Global Resonance: Highlights how the chant echoed from Tehran to Times Square, underscoring the protests’ reach beyond Iran’s borders.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Padma Shri Awardee ‘Aranya Rishi’ Maruti Chitampalli Passed away

• Noted environmentalist, wildlife expert, and Padma Shri awardee Maruti Chitampalli, also known as ‘Aranya Rishi’, passed away at the age of 93 in Solapur, Maharashtra due to age-related ailments.
• He was awarded the Padma Shri by the President of India on April 30, 2025, in recognition of his lifetime contributions to forests, wildlife, and conservation literature.
• Chitampalli served in the Forest Department for 36 years, travelling over 5 lakh kilometres across India for research and documentation.
• He was fluent in 13 languages, which helped him interact effectively with tribal communities and collect ecological and environmental data.
• His scientific contributions include:
• ‘Pakshikosha’ – Encyclopedia of Birds
• ‘Pashukosha’ – Encyclopedia of Animals
• ‘Matsyakosha’ – Encyclopedia of Fish
• He was fondly called ‘Aranya Rishi’ for his deep spiritual and scientific connection with forests and wildlife.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Rainforest Day: June 22

• World Rainforest Day is observed every year on June 22 to emphasize the importance of rainforests and the urgent need to protect and conserve them.
• These rich ecosystems play a key role in maintaining climate balance, biodiversity, and global ecological health.
• Theme for 2025 Theme: “Forests and Food”

Historical Background:

• Initiated in 2017 by the non-profit Rainforest Partnership, dedicated to protecting rainforests and supporting local communities.
• In 2021, the World Rainforest Day Summit was launched to unite global stakeholders for dialogue and action towards forest protection.

Daily CA One- Liner: June 24

• India has joined the elite group of six global facilities authorised to securely store Rinderpest Virus–Containing Material (RVCM), with the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, now recognised as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
• Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav announced, the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for human-wildlife conflict management at WII–SACON
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundations for railway projects worth ₹2,750 crore in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, including the 73-km Sonepur–Purunakatak line that brings Boudh district onto the national rail network for the first time.
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 35-km-long Gorakhpur Link Expressway in Azamgarh
• India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah achieved a historic feat during the Second Test at Headingley, Leeds, by recording his 150th Test wicket across SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia
• India marked 100 days to the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships by launching the event’s official logo and mascot in New Delhi.
• World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz captured his second Queen’s Club Championship, defeating Czech rising star Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2.
• Oklahoma City Thunder captured their first NBA championship since moving from Seattle in 2008, defeating the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in a thrilling Game 7 at the Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
• Drawing from family archives, field research, and deep anthropological insight, Chowra Makaremi’s upcoming book “Woman! Life! Freedom!” offers an intimate and political retelling of the 2022 Iranian protests ignited by Mahsa Amini’s death in morality-police custody
• World Rainforest Day is observed every year on June 22 to emphasize the importance of rainforests and the urgent need to protect and conserve them.
• The world’s largest 65 banks committed $869 billion in 2024 to companies in the fossil fuels sector, up from $707 billion in 2023.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of ₹29.6 lakh on Fino Payments Bank Limited.
• Net direct tax collection for April-June 2025 stood at ₹4.59 lakh crore, which is 1.39% lower than the same period last fiscal (₹4.65 lakh crore in 2024).
• Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has launched State-wise health insurance policies with premiums customized according to each State’s specific healthcare dynamics.
• India’s core sector growth slowed to a nine-month low of 0.7% in May 2025, down from 1% in April, based on provisional data.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is developing a Digital Payment Intelligence Platform (DPIP) as a part of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to combat rising digital payment frauds.
• Indian funds parked in Swiss banks surged to a three-year high of 3.54 billion Swiss francs (₹37,600 crore) in 2024, according to the Swiss National Bank (SNB).
• According to central government data, India’s coffee exports have increased by about 125% over the last 11 years, reaching $1.8 billion.
• The US Senate passed the GENIUS Act Bill with a vote of 68–30, representing a significant boost for stablecoins—which are reserve-backed cryptocurrencies.
• The Indian Navy will commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate, INS Tamal, on July 1, 2025, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
• On June 18, 2025, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) announced the soft launch of Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) at its Ameerpet Exchange, Hyderabad.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the SpaDeX-2 (Space Docking Experiment-2) mission to dock two satellites in an elliptical orbit.
• Noted environmentalist, wildlife expert, and Padma Shri awardee Maruti Chitampalli, also known as ‘Aranya Rishi’, passed away at the age of 93 in Solapur, Maharashtra due to age-related ailments.