June 2025 Current Affairs

The National Pension System (NPS), regulated by PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority), crossed 6 crore (60 million) subscribers in June 2025. NPS covers Central Government employees (mandatory from 2004), state government employees, and voluntary subscribers. The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), a government-backed pension scheme for informal sector workers, has over 6 crore subscribers separately.

The E-Shram Portal, launched in 2021 to register unorganised sector workers, began integrating gig workers (platform workers like Swiggy/Zomato delivery, Ola/Uber drivers) into its database. India has approximately 7 million gig workers, projected to grow to 24 million by 2030. The Code on Social Security 2020 has provisions for gig worker benefits.

PM SVANidhi (PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi), launched in June 2020, expanded its reach with third-cycle loans of up to ₹50,000. The scheme provides working capital loans to street vendors: ₹10,000 (first loan), ₹20,000 (second), ₹50,000 (third), with interest subsidy and no collateral. Over 60 lakh vendors have been covered.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) — rural housing scheme — launched a completion drive in June 2025 to finish pending houses from the first phase (2016-24) and begin the second phase (2024-29). Target: 2 crore additional rural houses with all basic amenities (toilet, LPG, electricity, water). Rural beneficiaries receive ₹1.2-1.3 lakh per house.

Following the India-Pakistan military confrontation post-Operation Sindoor, international mediation efforts led to a ceasefire. Back-channel diplomatic communications were initiated through neutral third parties. India maintained the position that talks with Pakistan would only resume after Pakistan takes verifiable action against terrorist infrastructure on its soil.

Parliament preparations for the Monsoon Session (typically July-August) were made. The Budget Session 2025 (January-May) had passed the Union Budget 2025-26 and several other bills. The Monsoon Session traditionally sees active legislative business and Opposition scrutiny of government policies.

The government announced the timeline for conducting the long-delayed Census of India (postponed from 2021 due to COVID-19). India's population census is the world's largest data collection exercise, conducted every 10 years under the Census Act 1948. The Census provides critical data for policy planning, delimitation of constituencies, and resource allocation.

The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated on June 21, 2025. India proposed this day at the UN General Assembly in 2014 (PM Modi's initiative), and it was adopted with record co-sponsorship (175 countries). India celebrates Yoga Day with mass yoga demonstrations, with PM Modi leading the event at a prominent location.

The Smart Cities Mission (launched June 25, 2015) entered its completion phase, with all 100 selected smart cities expected to finish remaining projects by December 2025. Total investment under the mission: ₹1.8 lakh crore. The mission covered area-based development (retrofitting, redevelopment, greenfield) and pan-city smart solutions (ICT).

The G7 Summit 2025 was held in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada (the same location as the 2002 G8 summit) under Canada's G7 presidency. Key agenda items included the global economy, AI governance, climate change, trade, and the Indo-Pacific security situation including the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. India participated as an invited partner nation.

India-Canada relations, which deteriorated sharply in September 2023 following PM Justin Trudeau's allegations linking India to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar (a designated terrorist under India's classification), saw attempts at normalisation in 2025. The change in Canada's political leadership (Mark Carney became PM after Trudeau resigned January 2025) offered a reset opportunity.

Preparations began for the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV), which India hosts periodically to strengthen ties with African nations. India has deepened partnerships with Africa through training, technology transfer, and investments. India-Africa trade crossed $100 billion. The African Union joined G20 as a permanent member under India's presidency in 2023.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 was hosted by China. India participated amid the backdrop of India-China border tensions (although partial patrolling resumption had occurred in 2024) and ongoing India-Pakistan tensions post-Sindoor. SCO provides a multilateral forum where India and Pakistan interact despite bilateral hostility.

India's foreign exchange reserves reached a new record high of $700 billion in June 2025, benefiting from strong capital inflows, FII investments, NRI remittances, and services export earnings. The RBI manages forex reserves to ensure adequate import cover (typically 10-12 months) and to maintain rupee stability against the US dollar.

The GST Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister with state Finance Ministers, met in June 2025 to discuss rate rationalisation proposals. Key proposals included merging the 12% and 18% slabs and reducing taxes on essential items. India's GST structure: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28% (with cess on luxury/sin goods).

India improved its logistics performance index ranking under PM Gati Shakti. Logistics costs as % of GDP declined from 14% toward the target of 8%. National Logistics Policy (2022) provides a framework for integrated, efficient logistics. The ULIP (Unified Logistics Interface Platform) integrates data from 35+ logistics-related systems.

The government and RBI took measures to enhance credit flow to MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). MSMEs employ about 110 million people (second largest employer after agriculture) and contribute ~30% to GDP. MSME definition was revised in 2020: Micro (investment ≤₹1 crore, turnover ≤₹5 crore), Small (≤₹10 crore, ≤₹50 crore), Medium (≤₹50 crore, ≤₹250 crore).

Bank credit grew at approximately 13% in FY2024-25, higher than deposit growth (11%), leading to a liquidity tightness that RBI addressed through open market operations and repo rate cuts. Retail credit (housing, personal loans) and infrastructure lending drove growth. MSME and agriculture credit also expanded under priority sector lending norms.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions crossed 25 billion per month in June 2025, with a monthly value of over ₹25 lakh crore. UPI, developed by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India), has become the world's largest real-time payments system by volume. UPI is being expanded globally through RuPay card and NPCI International.

India's Account Aggregator (AA) framework, a financial data-sharing consent mechanism, expanded to cover more financial institutions. The AA framework lets users share financial data (bank statements, tax returns, insurance policies, securities holdings) with lenders or advisors through a standardised, consent-based API architecture. Built on Financial Information Network (FIN).

The process for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner came under scrutiny in 2025 following the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling that the appointment committee should include the CJI (Chief Justice of India) in addition to the PM and Leader of Opposition. The government passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act 2023, replacing the CJI with a Cabinet Minister.

India's Sherpa (the senior official who represents India in the preparatory work for G20 and G7 summits) was confirmed for the 2025 international summits. India's Sherpa played a crucial role during India's G20 presidency (2023) in negotiating the Delhi Declaration, particularly on Ukraine language, debt relief for Global South, and African Union membership.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India chairperson outlined regulatory priorities for FY2025-26 including enhancing retail investor protection, improving corporate governance, and facilitating India's growth as a financial market hub. SEBI regulates securities markets (equity, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, derivatives).

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (renamed from Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2021) and Arjuna Awards for outstanding sportspersons were announced in June 2025. The Khel Ratna is India's highest sporting honour, while the Arjuna Award recognises consistent outstanding performance over 4 years. The awards are given on National Sports Day (August 29).

Forbes released its Asia Power Companies list 2025, with multiple Indian conglomerates featuring prominently. Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, TCS, and Infosys consistently feature in global Forbes listings. India's corporate sector has seen a transformation with multiple companies entering the Fortune 500 and emerging as global players.

National Green Hydrogen Mission, approved in January 2023 with ₹19,744 crore budget, commissioned its first pilot green hydrogen production plants. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using renewable electricity. India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes/year of green hydrogen by 2030 for use in refining, fertilisers, and as a clean fuel.

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh in June 2025. NISAR is the world's most expensive Earth observation satellite ($1.5 billion) and will map Earth's entire land surface every 12 days using L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO) radars.

India's biotechnology sector received regulatory approvals for new vaccines and biological drugs. India is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume ("pharmacy of the world"). The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health is the apex drug regulator. Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech are India's leading vaccine makers.

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings were released in June. IIT Madras consistently tops the Engineering rankings. NIRF covers 10 categories: Overall, Universities, Colleges, Engineering, Medical, Management, Pharmacy, Law, Architecture, Research. Rankings use 5 parameters: T&L Resources, Research, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach, Perception.

India successfully tested Agni-V with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRV) in March 2024 (Mission Divyastra) — a capability that was further refined with additional tests in 2025. Agni-V is India's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM-class) with a range of 5,000+ km. MIRV means a single missile can carry multiple warheads hitting different targets.

India's defence exports continued their growth trajectory, crossing ₹21,083 crore in FY2023-24 and on track for the ₹50,000 crore target by FY2028-29. Major exports include BrahMos missiles (Philippines), HAL helicopters, Dornier aircraft (naval), ammunition and ordnance, military vehicles, and electronic warfare equipment. Export approvals under SCOMET policy.

Exercise Malabar, the trilateral naval exercise involving India, USA, and Japan (Australia also participates), was held in June 2025 in the Indian Ocean. Malabar exercises focus on anti-submarine warfare, surface operations, and interoperability. This flagship QUAD navy exercise has been held since 1992 (bilateral India-US, expanded later).

World Environment Day 2025, observed on June 5, had a theme focused on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. The day is hosted by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) with a different country hosting each year. India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 under the Great Green Wall and land degradation neutrality commitments.

India's cumulative solar power capacity crossed 100 GW (100,000 MW) in June 2025, making India one of the top five solar energy markets globally. India's renewable energy capacity (solar + wind + small hydro + bio) crossed 230 GW total. India aims for 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030.

The National Water Mission (one of 8 missions under NAPCC) focused on groundwater conservation awareness in June 2025, ahead of the monsoon season. India faces a serious groundwater depletion crisis, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Rajasthan where over-extraction for agriculture has depleted aquifers.

India continued its Asian Football Confederation (AFC) third round World Cup qualifying matches for FIFA 2026 (hosted jointly by USA, Canada, Mexico). India is in AFC Group C with tougher opponents. India's FIFA ranking: typically 95-130 range, quite low compared to Asian peers. AIFF (All India Football Federation) governs football in India.

Wimbledon 2025 preparations saw Indian tennis players including Sumit Nagal (ATP singles), Rohan Bopanna (doubles), and Sania Mirza (retired in 2023 after Dubai) featuring in discussion. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi remain legendary doubles players who shaped India's Davis Cup and Wimbledon history.

India performed exceptionally at the Chess Olympiad 2025, with both the open (men's) and women's teams contending for top honours. India won both gold medals at the 2024 Budapest Chess Olympiad — a historic first. D. Gukesh became World Chess Champion in December 2024. India's chess strength reflects training under the AICF and the NIIT programme legacy.

India continued to improve its ranking in the Global Innovation Index (GII), published by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation). India broke into the top 40 for the first time in 2022 and maintained that position. India leads in ICT services exports, venture capital activity, graduates in science & engineering, and patent applications in specific sectors.

The Reserve Bank of India released the June 2025 Financial Stability Report (FSR), published twice yearly (June and December). The FSR noted continued improvement in banking sector health: declining NPAs, improving capital adequacy ratios (CRAR above 16%), and strong profitability. Banks' Return on Assets (RoA) improved to 1.3%.

NITI Aayog released its SDG India Index 2025, measuring India's progress on 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 115 indicators. India's composite score improved. Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand consistently rank as top SDG performers. The 2030 Agenda (SDGs) was adopted by all UN member states in September 2015.

India participated in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva in June 2025. India periodically faces scrutiny on minority rights and press freedom, while India defends its democratic credentials and points to its development achievements. India is an elected member of UNHRC for various terms.

India played a leading role in the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) activities, leveraging its position as the third-largest renewable energy market. India co-chairs key committees in IRENA. The ISA (International Solar Alliance), India's initiative, works alongside IRENA on solar energy deployment globally.

The World Health Assembly 2025 continued negotiations on the Pandemic Accord (Pandemic Treaty) following the COVID-19 experience. India supported a balanced approach that protects intellectual property rights while ensuring equitable access to vaccines and medicines for developing nations. The WHO's International Health Regulations (IHR) amendments were also finalised.