International Affairs & Geopolitics
- Israel launched a large-scale bombing campaign on Tehran starting June 13, 2025, triggering Iran’s missile and drone retaliation.
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei warned the U.S. of ‘irreparable damage’ if it intervenes in the Israel-Iran conflict.
- Brent crude oil prices surged 9% to $75.65/barrel on June 13 amid the Middle East tensions.
- U.S. President Trump considered deploying the 30,000-pound GBU-57 bunker-buster bomb to aid Israel.
- India launched ‘Operation Sindhu’ to evacuate 110 Indian students from war-torn Iran via Armenia.
- International legal experts question the legality of Israel’s strikes under UN Charter Article 2(4), citing absence of imminent threat.
- Russia’s military spending now exceeds the total of all 27 EU members’ defence budgets.
- EU foreign policy chief declared Russia a ‘direct threat’, citing hybrid warfare including sabotage of undersea cables.
- PM Modi rejected U.S. mediation in India-Pakistan issues and declined President Trump’s Washington invitation.
- Trump credited both Modi and Pakistan Army chief Gen. Munir for averting a “nuclear war” post Operation Sindoor.
- Brent crude prices surged 9% to $75.65/barrel amid fears of oil supply disruption due to the Iran-Israel war.
- India launched ‘Operation Sindhu’, evacuating 110 Indian students from war-hit Iran to Delhi via Armenia.
- U.S. President Trump claimed credit for stopping a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, sparking diplomatic denials from India.
- UN Oceans Conference (UNOC 2025) saw Spain, Germany, and others pledge massive marine conservation commitments including new MPAs and pollution control.
- India has yet to ratify the BBNJ treaty, crucial for protecting biodiversity in the high seas, despite global momentum.
- India and Canada agreed to reset ties, appointing High Commissioners and restarting visa service.
India’s Diplomacy, Strategic Policy & Leadership
- PM Modi at the G7 Summit emphasized India’s responsibility to voice Global South priorities amid global conflict.
- India and Croatia agreed to collaborate on defence production, military exchange, and coastal infrastructure.
- India and Canada restored High Commissioners and resumed visa and trade negotiations after a two-year diplomatic freeze.
- Modi questioned the global double standards on terrorism, demanding equal accountability for terror supporters and victims.
- Chandigarh topped India’s school education performance index for 2023-24; Meghalaya ranked last.
- Delhi PWD to rework ₹387 crore courtroom digitisation project approved earlier under the AAP government.
- Centre approved ₹2,006 crore aid for Himachal Pradesh for 2023 monsoon disaster reconstruction.
- Telangana opposed Andhra’s Banakacharla-Polavaram project, calling it a violation of norms and state rights.
- Chhattisgarh Cabinet amended rules to allow job postings across departments for kin of police martyred in Maoist attacks.
- Kerala’s 5th phase anti-drug campaign to launch on June 26; 769 arrests made so far.
- Google launched its first Asia-Pacific GSEC (Safety Engineering Centre) in Hyderabad, Telangana
Environment, Ocean Governance & Climate
- UNOC 2025 saw 56 of the required 60 nations ratify the BBNJ treaty for marine biodiversity protection.
- France, Germany, and New Zealand made major marine conservation commitments; India is yet to ratify BBNJ.
- UNOC pushed for the ‘30 by 30’ goal — conserving 30% of marine areas by 2030.
Law, Judiciary & Governance
- Calcutta High Court directed the Centre to resume MGNREGS funding in West Bengal by August 1, 2025.
- Bombay High Court ordered BCCI to pay ₹385.5 crore to Kochi IPL franchise for wrongful termination.
- Kerala HC conditionally arrested MSC Polo 2 ship for damages in the MSC Elsa 3 sinking case.
Science, Tech & Health
- Honda successfully tested a reusable rocket in Japan, landing within 37 cm of the target.
- India will synchronize legal, commercial, and administrative operations under Indian Standard Time (IST) via atomic clocks.
- Google inaugurated its first Asia-Pacific Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC India) in Hyderabad.
- Researchers highlighted the importance of nasal breathing and its links to chronic disease prevention.
Indian Economy, Infrastructure & State Affairs
- Centre allocated ₹2,006 crore under NDRF for Himachal Pradesh’s 2023 monsoon recovery.
- Election Commission introduced a 15-day delivery system for updated voter ID cards via ECINet and India Post.
- Vedanta sold a 1.6% stake in Hindustan Zinc Ltd. for ₹3,028 crore to reduce debt.
- Shriram Finance revised FD interest rates effective June 26; 60-month plan now offers 8% annual interest.
- India to consider amending Atomic Energy and Civil Liability Acts to allow private and foreign investment in nuclear energy.
Social Issues & Education
- Chandigarh topped the 2023–24 School Education Index; Meghalaya ranked lowest.
- Bihar Governor formed a VC committee to resolve systemic issues in State universities.
- Kerala’s amnesty scheme for wildlife trophies triggered debate on unequal law enforcement.
- Libraries opened for tribal students inside Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary under the Thaliru initiative.
Law & Order, Crime, and Welfare
- A woman tied to a tree in Andhra Pradesh over loan default received ₹5 lakh and land from the government.
- Priyanka Gandhi condemned rising crimes against women in Odisha after the Gopalpur gangrape incident.
- Supreme Court issued notice to Kerala government over journalist Nandakumar’s anticipatory bail plea.
- Chhattisgarh eased job rules for kin of police personnel killed in Naxal violence.
- Supreme Court criticized Tamil Nadu for suspending a senior police officer involved in an abduction case investigation.
- Kerala’s 5th anti-drug campaign phase to launch June 26; 769 arrests made so far.
- Court digitization project in Delhi to be reworked with ₹387 crore budget.
Global Summits & International Relations
- At the G7 Summit, PM Modi stressed terrorism double standards and Global South priorities.
- G7 failed to issue a joint statement due to the U.S. refusal to criticize Israel; only a Chair’s Summary was issued.
- Canada’s PM Mark Carney pushed transnational repression and AI as G7 priorities.
Environment & Biosecurity
- UNOC 2025 saw 1 billion euros of EU investment and a 5 million sq km marine reserve by French Polynesia.
- Germany, New Zealand, and Spain announced major ocean conservation funds and new marine protected areas.
- India urged to adopt ‘One Biosecurity’ to prevent invasive alien species amid rising trade risks.
Science, Tech & Medicine
- New Legal Metrology Rules will enforce IST synchronization across commercial and legal sectors.
- India to set up five atomic clock labs in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Faridabad, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati.
- Experts highlight ancient breathing practices as a scientifically valid treatment for chronic diseases.
- India to enforce synchronized IST (Indian Standard Time) for all legal, financial, and commercial operations using atomic clocks.
- New ‘One Biosecurity’ approach proposed to curb the spread of invasive alien species via trade routes and climate shifts.
- Study warns India lost ₹830 crore to invasive species, ranking 2nd globally in financial loss due to such species.
- Experts call for breathing to be considered a medical discipline, citing chronic disease links and post-COVID respiratory health concerns.
Business, Economy & Markets
- Shriram Finance revised FD rates from June 26; senior citizens offered up to 8.5% on longer tenures.
- Standard Chartered denied wrongdoing amid RBI scrutiny over derivative sales to SMEs.
- Vedanta sold a ₹3,028 crore stake in Hindustan Zinc, aiding financial de-leveraging before the business demerger.
- Shriram Finance announced FD interest rate cuts, effective June 26, with max rates now at 8% for longer tenures.
- Standard Chartered Bank under RBI scanner for alleged lapses in derivatives sales to SMEs.
- Wipro Infra to acquire majority stake in France’s Lauak Group, expanding aerospace manufacturing in Europe.
- Air India to cut 15% of its long-haul international flights amid DGCA surveillance and geopolitical tensions.
- Centre approved construction of 2.35 lakh houses under PMAY-Urban 2.0 across 9 Indian states.
Education & Foreign Institutions
- Five new foreign universities received Letters of Intent to open campuses in Mumbai under UGC norms.
Social Welfare & Human Interest
- A.P. government granted ₹5 lakh and land to a woman tied to a tree over loan default.
- Congress blamed Odisha government for increasing crimes against women after Gopalpur gang rape.
Sports
- India U-23 football team lost 2-3 to Tajikistan after conceding two injury-time goals.
- India’s Velavan Senthilkumar reached the quarterfinals of the Asian Squash Championships.
- Indian women’s hockey team drew with Argentina but lost in the FIH Pro League shootout.