Daily Current Affairs June 16

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs June 16. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly current affairs pdf.

TO PURCHASE OUR BANKING AWARENESS (Latest Edition) – CLICK HERE

June 16 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Sports – Daily Current Affairs June 16

1. Who did Taylor Fritz defeat to win the 2025 Stuttgart Open title?
A) Daniil Medvedev
B) Carlos Alcaraz
C) Novak Djokovic
D) Alexander Zverev
E) Casper Ruud
Answer: D) Alexander Zverev

Event and Location:

• Event: Taylor Fritz wins Stuttgart Open 2025
• Location: Stuttgart, Germany
• Date: June 15, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Taylor Fritz clinched the Stuttgart Open 2025 ATP title by defeating Alexander Zverev in straight sets in the final.
• Objectives: To secure his ninth ATP title, continue his winning momentum on grass courts, and gain confidence ahead of Wimbledon 2025.

Important Terms Explained:

• Stuttgart Open (ATP 250): An annual ATP 250-level tennis tournament played on grass courts in Stuttgart, Germany, serving as a key warm-up for Wimbledon.
• ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals): The global governing body of men’s professional tennis circuits, which organizes tournaments and maintains player rankings.
• Tiebreak: A game-deciding format used to settle sets at 6-6; Fritz won the second-set tiebreak 7-0 in the final.

Tabular Summary:

---

2. Which organization unveiled the logo of the Shooting League of India (SLI) in New Delhi in June 2025?
A) Sports Authority of India
B) Indian Olympic Association
C) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
D) National Rifle Association of India
E) International Shooting Sport Federation
Answer: D) National Rifle Association of India

Event and Location:

• Event: Logo unveiling of the Shooting League of India (SLI)
• Location: Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi
• Date: June 5, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) unveiled the official logo of the Shooting League of India (SLI) to mark the beginning of the country’s first professional shooting league.
• Objectives: To promote shooting sports in India, inspire young athletes, increase national and global interest, and celebrate India’s success in international events like the Olympics and Asian Games.

Important Terms Explained:

• Shooting League of India (SLI): India’s premier domestic league for shooting, featuring mixed team events in pistol, rifle, and shotgun categories with a league-stage and playoff format.
• NRAI (National Rifle Association of India): The governing body for shooting sports in India, responsible for selection, training, and promotion of shooters.
• Mixed Team Events: Competitive format where male and female athletes team up across disciplines like 10m pistol, 50m rifle 3P, and trap/skeet.
• Sportwalk: A leading sports media and branding agency that designed the logo, emphasizing India’s sporting spirit through bold and vibrant colours.

Tabular Summary:

---

Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs June 16

3. What does STRIPS stand for in the context of RBI’s recent move on State Government Securities?
A) Standard Trading Rules and Institutional Pricing System
B) Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
C) State Treasury Reporting and Investment Protection System
D) Securities Trading Regulation and Integrated Policy Scheme
E) Special Trade Route for Institutional Portfolio Securitization
Answer: B) Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities

Event and Location:

• Event: Introduction of STRIPS in State Government Securities (SGS)
• Location: India
• Date: Officially notified on May 29, 2025; announced on June 14, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (STRIPS) for State Government Securities, previously applicable only to Central Government securities.
• Objectives: To deepen the G-Sec market, offer more risk-free instruments, promote liquidity, and provide duration-specific investment options for various investor classes.

Important Terms Explained:

• STRIPS (Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities): A process where a coupon-bearing bond is split into multiple zero-coupon instruments—each representing an interest or principal payment. Each component is independently tradable.
• SLR-eligible securities: Bonds that qualify for inclusion under the Statutory Liquidity Ratio mandate for banks, enhancing their demand and tradability.
• SGL Account (Subsidiary General Ledger): RBI’s system through which institutional participants (like banks) directly hold government securities.
• e-Kuber: RBI’s core banking platform used for government bond trading and settlement.
• CSGL (Constituent SGL): Accounts maintained by custodians on behalf of clients like mutual funds, insurance companies, etc., to trade in G-Secs.

Tabular Summary:

---

4. What is the new qualifying asset threshold set by RBI for NBFC-MFIs, as of June 2025?
A) 40%
B) 50%
C) 60%
D) 65%
E) 75%
Answer: C) 60%

Event and Location:

• Event: RBI reduces qualifying asset threshold for NBFC-MFIs
• Location: India
• Date: June 6, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the minimum qualifying asset threshold for NBFC-MFIs from 75% to 60% of total assets (excluding intangible assets), effective on an ongoing basis.
• Objectives: To enhance operational flexibility for NBFC-MFIs, enable portfolio diversification, and support financial inclusion by allowing broader loan structuring and access to a wider borrower base.

Important Terms Explained:

• NBFC-MFI (Non-Banking Financial Company – Microfinance Institution): A category of NBFCs primarily engaged in providing microloans to low-income households and small entrepreneurs, typically in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Qualifying Assets: Loans that meet specific regulatory criteria (e.g., size, borrower income cap, purpose) and count toward the asset percentage required for classification as an NBFC-MFI.
• Repo Rate: The rate at which RBI lends to commercial banks; changes in repo rate influence liquidity and borrowing costs across the financial sector.
• CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio): The percentage of a bank’s total deposits that must be maintained with the RBI as liquid cash—used as a monetary policy tool to regulate liquidity.

Tabular Summary:

---

5. According to RBI’s revised guidelines (June 2025), what is the extended KYC update deadline for low-risk customers?
A) December 31, 2025
B) March 31, 2026
C) June 30, 2026
D) January 1, 2026
E) July 1, 2025
Answer: C) June 30, 2026

Event and Location:

• Event: RBI issues revised KYC rules for regulated entities and low-risk customers
• Location: India
• Date: June 12, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has amended KYC norms for low-risk individual customers, extending the deadline for updates and introducing flexibility through Business Correspondents (BCs) and mandatory reminder systems.
• Objectives: To reduce the backlog of KYC updates, especially in DBT/PMJDY-linked accounts, simplify the update process, ensure financial inclusion, and strengthen fraud prevention and customer outreach.

Important Terms Explained:

• KYC (Know Your Customer): A regulatory process requiring banks and financial institutions to verify a customer’s identity and address using approved documents.
• Low-risk customer: Individuals with stable income and low account activity, such as salaried persons or Jan Dhan account holders, who pose minimal threat for fraud or laundering.
• Business Correspondents (BCs): Agents authorized by banks to provide banking services, including KYC updates, especially in underserved rural/semi-urban areas.
• Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Government payments made directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts for subsidies or welfare schemes.
• e-KYC: Paperless and secure electronic KYC method using Aadhaar authentication, enabling real-time verification.

Tabular Summary:

---

Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs June 16

6. What was India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rate in May 2025, as per government data?
A) 2.74%
B) 0.85%
C) 0.39%
D) -0.12%
E) 1.26%
Answer: C) 0.39%

Event and Location:

• Event: Decline in Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation to 0.39% in May 2025
• Location: India
• Date: Data released on June 16, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported a significant fall in WPI inflation to 0.39% in May 2025, primarily due to deflation in food, fuel, and manufactured items.
• Objectives: To provide macroeconomic price data at the wholesale level, which helps shape policy decisions and monitor inflationary trends, especially amid global uncertainties and domestic food supply fluctuations.

Important Terms Explained:

• Wholesale Price Index (WPI): A measure of the average change in prices of goods at the wholesale level, capturing inflation trends across primary articles, fuel, and manufactured products.
• Deflation: A negative rate of inflation, indicating a general decline in prices; seen in May 2025 in vegetables (-21.62%), food (-1.56%), and fuel (-2.27%).
• Disinflation: A slowdown in the rate of inflation, not necessarily a decline in price levels, indicating moderated upward pressure on prices.

Tabular Summary:

---

7. What is the name of the agentic AI assistant recently launched by Ola’s Krutrim?
A) Asha
B) Kavach
C) Kruti
D) Pragya
E) Vaani
Answer: C) Kruti

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of Kruti, Ola’s multilingual agentic AI assistant
• Location: Bengaluru (Headquarters), with operations in Singapore and San Francisco
• Date: June 12, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Ola’s AI division Krutrim launched Kruti, an advanced multilingual AI assistant that goes beyond typical chatbots by performing real-world tasks through a personalized, intuitive interface.
• Objectives: To create an AI assistant tailored to Indian lifestyles, capable of understanding multiple languages, voice/text input, and offering a deeply personalised and actionable experience for users.

Important Terms Explained:

• Kruti: An agentic AI assistant developed by Ola’s Krutrim, designed to assist users with tasks like cab booking, bill payments, food ordering, research, and image creation. It supports 13 Indian languages and adapts to user preferences over time.
• Krutrim: The AI research and product arm of the Ola Group, focused on building a full AI computing stack for India, including infrastructure, AI cloud, foundational models, and consumer applications.
• Agentic AI: A class of AI designed not only to converse but also act autonomously by executing tasks based on context and memory, enhancing real-time utility and productivity.
• SDK (Software Development Kit): A set of tools provided by Kruti for developers to integrate its capabilities into third-party apps with minimal coding effort.

Tabular Summary:

---

Appointments – Daily Current Affairs June 16

8. Who has become the first-ever female chief of the United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence agency MI6?
A) Stella Creasy
B) Cressida Dick
C) Fiona Hill
D) Blaise Metreweli
E) Karen Pierce
Answer: D) Blaise Metreweli

Event and Location:

• Event: Appointment of Blaise Metreweli as the first female Chief of MI6
• Location: United Kingdom (announced from G7 Summit in Canada)
• Date: June 15, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Blaise Metreweli’s appointment as the new Chief of MI6, making her the first woman to lead the United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence service in its 116-year history.
• Objectives: To modernize MI6 with a strong focus on cybersecurity, digital intelligence, and inclusion, and to strengthen the UK’s response to emerging global threats like cyber warfare and foreign espionage.

Important Terms Explained:

• MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service): The United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence agency, responsible for overseas espionage and counter-intelligence since 1909.
• G7 Summit: An annual gathering of leaders from seven major industrialized democracies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, and USA), where major global security, economic, and political issues are discussed.
• Cyber Warfare: A form of conflict involving the use of digital attacks by one state or organization to disrupt the vital computer systems of another, especially in international espionage and defense strategy.

Tabular Summary:

---

9. Who recently stepped down as India’s G20 Sherpa after a 45-year-long public service career?
A) Rajiv Kumar
B) Ajay Seth
C) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
D) Amitabh Kant
E) Arvind Panagariya
Answer: D) Amitabh Kant

Event and Location:

• Event: Resignation of Amitabh Kant as India’s G20 Sherpa
• Location: India (global role through G20)
• Date: June 16, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Amitabh Kant stepped down as India’s G20 Sherpa, concluding his tenure that began in July 2022, during which he represented India at high-level G20 discussions.
• Objectives: To build global consensus, advance India’s multilateral interests, and promote themes like digital public infrastructure, climate finance, and women-led development during India’s G20 Presidency.

Important Terms Explained:

• G20 Sherpa: A senior official who represents a country at G20 negotiations, facilitating dialogue and preparing for the summit’s final declaration.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): A system of open and inclusive digital platforms such as Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker, pioneered by India for scalable development impact.
• Aspirational Districts Programme: A flagship initiative by NITI Aayog aimed at transforming India’s most underdeveloped districts through focused interventions and real-time data tracking.

Tabular Summary:

---

10. Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director and India Head of Meta, effective July 1, 2025?
A) Shivnath Thukral
B) Sandhya Devanathan
C) Manish Chopra
D) Arun Srinivas
E) Ajit Mohan
Answer: D) Arun Srinivas

Event and Location:

• Event: Appointment of Arun Srinivas as Managing Director and India Head of Meta
• Location: India
• Date: Effective from July 1, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Meta has appointed Arun Srinivas as the new Managing Director and Head of India, following the resignation of Shivnath Thukral and expansion of Sandhya Devanathan’s role to oversee India and Southeast Asia.
• Objectives: To lead Meta’s business growth, innovation, and AI-driven digital strategy in India, one of Meta’s largest user bases globally.

Important Terms Explained:

• Meta (formerly Facebook): A global tech giant focused on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) and emerging technologies like AI and VR.
• AI-Driven Ad Solutions: Machine learning-based advertising systems used to personalize and optimize ad delivery for better engagement and revenue.
• Reels: Short-form video content on Instagram and Facebook, central to Meta’s content strategy and creator monetization model in India.

Tabular Summary:

---

11. Who has been appointed as the new MD & CEO of Axis Max Life Insurance, effective October 1, 2025?
A) Arpit Jain
B) Prashant Tripathy
C) Sumit Madan
D) Nitin Chugh
E) Rajiv Bajaj
Answer: C) Sumit Madan

Event and Location:

• Event: Appointment of Sumit Madan as MD & CEO of Axis Max Life Insurance
• Location: India
• Date: Appointment effective from October 1, 2025 (subject to IRDAI approval)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Sumit Madan, currently the Chief Distribution Officer, has been elevated as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Max Life Insurance, succeeding Prashant Tripathy, who opted for early retirement.
• Objectives: To strengthen the leadership structure, deepen market penetration, and scale Axis Max Life’s operations through enhanced multi-channel distribution and innovation in India’s life insurance sector.

Important Terms Explained:

• MD & CEO (Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer): The top executive responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the company.
• IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India): The apex regulatory authority for insurance companies in India, responsible for approving top-level appointments in insurance firms.
• Participating Bonus: A profit-sharing mechanism where eligible policyholders receive annual bonuses, based on the insurer’s financial performance.

Tabular Summary:

---

Awards – Daily Current Affairs June 19

12. Which company won the 2025 Food Planet Prize for developing a green fertiliser using plasma technology?
A) Semion
B) Virtual Irrigation Academy
C) NitroCapt
D) Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies
E) Astungkara Way
Answer: C) NitroCapt

Event and Location:

• Event: NitroCapt wins the 2025 Food Planet Prize
• Location: Sweden (Prize awarded by Curt Bergfors Foundation, Stockholm)
• Date: June 16, 2025 (Announcement of Prize)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Swedish startup NitroCapt has been awarded the 2025 Food Planet Prize for developing a sustainable, plasma-based fertiliser technology that eliminates fossil fuel use.
• Objectives: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut fertiliser production energy use by 90%, and enable local, sustainable, and resilient fertiliser manufacturing.

Important Terms Explained:

• Food Planet Prize: The world’s largest environmental award, offering $2 million annually to solutions that transform food systems for sustainability, founded by the Curt Bergfors Foundation in 2019.
• Plasma-based Fertiliser Technology: A process where plasma oxidises atmospheric nitrogen, powered by renewable energy, creating fossil-free fertilisers.
• Green Fertiliser: A fertiliser produced without fossil fuels, using sustainable inputs and technology, aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.

Tabular Summary:

---

13. Which civilian honour was conferred upon PM Narendra Modi by Cyprus in June 2025?
A) Legion of Honour
B) Nishan-e-Pakistan
C) Order of Makarios III
D) Golden Laurel Wreath
E) Grand Star of Honour
Answer: C) Order of Makarios III

Event and Location:

• Event: PM Narendra Modi awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III
• Location: Republic of Cyprus
• Date: June 16, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with Cyprus’ highest civilian award, the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, by President Nikos Christodoulides.
• Objectives: To recognize Modi’s role in strengthening India–Cyprus diplomatic ties, promoting global peace, and enhancing cooperation in innovation, energy, and strategic development.

Important Terms Explained:

• Order of Makarios III: Cyprus’ highest civilian decoration, named after Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of Cyprus. Awarded to global leaders for exceptional service in diplomacy and peacebuilding.
• Grand Cross: One of the highest ranks within the Order, conferred on heads of state or government for extraordinary contributions to international relations.
• Strategic Partnership: A formal recognition of long-term cooperation between nations in areas like economy, defense, innovation, and governance.

Tabular Summary:

---

Defence – Daily Current Affairs June 16

14. Which Indian Navy base deployed the helicopter for the salvage operation on the burning MV Wan Hai 503?
A) INS Rajali
B) INS Vikramaditya
C) INS Garuda
D) INS Kadamba
E) INS Kalinga
Answer: C) INS Garuda

Event and Location:

• Event: Indian Navy conducts mid-sea aerial salvage operation on MV Wan Hai 503
• Location: Off the Kochi coast, Arabian Sea
• Date: June 13, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Indian Navy executed a high-risk aerial operation involving winching a salvage team onto the burning cargo vessel MV Wan Hai 503 using a Seaking helicopter from INS Garuda, Kochi.
• Objectives: To connect the salvage tug with the burning vessel, stabilize it for towing, prevent maritime hazards, and safely extract the naval team post-mission.

Important Terms Explained:

• INS Garuda: A premier naval air station located in Kochi, Kerala, under the Southern Naval Command. It houses various helicopter units including the Seaking.
• MV Wan Hai 503: A merchant cargo ship that caught fire off the Kochi coast, requiring emergency salvage intervention.
• Seaking Helicopter: A heavy-lift, all-weather, maritime helicopter used by the Indian Navy for search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and logistics operations.

Tabular Summary:

---

15. What is the primary objective of India’s ₹10,000 crore I-STAR aircraft project for the Indian Air Force?
A) Enhance space exploration
B) Provide maritime border surveillance
C) Enable precision strikes through air-to-ground intelligence
D) Transport humanitarian aid during disasters
E) Replace old cargo aircraft
Answer: C) Enable precision strikes through air-to-ground intelligence

Event and Location:

• Event: Approval of ₹10,000 crore I-STAR indigenous spy plane project
• Location: Nationwide implementation, coordinated by DRDO and IAF
• Date: To be approved in June 2025 by the Defence Ministry

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • Acquisition of three Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (I-STAR) aircraft.
  • Integration of indigenous sensor and electronic systems developed by DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) into globally sourced aircraft (likely from Boeing or Bombardier).
• Objectives:
  • Provide real-time multi-spectral surveillance to detect and engage high-value enemy assets such as radars, mobile air defence units, and command centers.
  • Enable precision, stand-off strikes without crossing into hostile territory, enhancing India’s modern warfare capabilities.
  • Strengthen India’s deterrence and swift response capabilities during cross-border operations like Operation Sindoor.

Important Terms Explained:

• I-STAR:
  • Stands for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance.
  • It is a cutting-edge airborne ISR platform designed to provide real-time battlefield visibility and enable precision targeting.
• Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS):
  • A premier lab of DRDO responsible for developing airborne electronic and surveillance systems.
  • Notably developed systems like AEW&C and is now leading the I-STAR integration.
• Operation Sindoor:
  • An ongoing Indian military operation mentioned in the context of surveillance and targeting upgrades, presumably along the Pakistan border.
• Stand-off Ranges:
  • Refers to the capability of conducting surveillance or strikes from a safe distance outside enemy-controlled airspace.

Tabular Summary:

---

16. Which Indian startup won the ₹25 crore iDEX ADITI 2.0 grant to develop indigenous Quantum Navigation Systems for the Indian Navy?
A) Agnikul Cosmos
B) QuBeats
C) IdeaForge
D) Bellatrix Aerospace
E) Pixxel
Answer: B) QuBeats

Event and Location:

• Event: QuBeats awarded ₹25 crore under iDEX ADITI 2.0 to develop Quantum Positioning System
• Location: New Delhi, India
• Date: June 7, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • QuBeats will build an indigenous Quantum Positioning System (QPS) for the Indian Navy.
  • The technology uses quantum magnetometer sensors to detect Earth’s magnetic anomalies, enabling GPS-independent navigation.
• Objectives:
  • To provide secure and high-precision navigation in GPS-denied or spoofed environments.
  • To establish sovereign capability in strategic navigation systems for military and civilian use.
  • To contribute to India’s self-reliance in quantum defence technology.

Important Terms Explained:

• iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence):
  • A Ministry of Defence initiative under Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) to promote innovation and technology development in defence and aerospace.
• ADITI 2.0 (Aatmanirbhar Defence Innovation Through iDEX):
  • A sub-program under iDEX aimed at supporting deeptech defence startups with grants up to ₹25 crore for product development.
• Quantum Positioning System (QPS):
  • A navigation system based on quantum magnetometers, which identify magnetic anomalies of the Earth to determine location—without relying on satellites.
  • Useful in situations where GPS signals are blocked or spoofed (e.g., submarines, combat zones).
• Quantum Magnetometer:
  • A device that measures very subtle magnetic fields using quantum phenomena, enabling ultra-precise geolocation.

Tabular Summary:

---

International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs June 16

17. Which country did Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit in June 2025 for the first time in over 20 years, signaling a strategic shift in India’s Mediterranean diplomacy?
A) Greece
B) Turkey
C) Cyprus
D) Croatia
E) Italy
Answer: C) Cyprus

Event and Location:

• Event: PM Modi’s official visit to Cyprus – first by an Indian PM in over two decades
• Location: Cyprus (Cities visited: Nicosia, Limassol)
• Date: June 15, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a diplomatic visit to Cyprus as part of a three-nation European tour (Cyprus, Canada, Croatia).
• Objectives: To strengthen bilateral ties, promote economic and strategic cooperation, and signal India’s recalibrated position amid the Turkey-Pakistan nexus, particularly in relation to Kashmir and defense support.

Important Terms Explained:

• India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): A proposed multimodal trade route connecting India with Europe via the Middle East, aimed at boosting infrastructure, logistics, and energy partnerships.
• NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group): A group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment, and technology. Cyprus supported India’s inclusion.
• EU Council Presidency: A six-month rotating presidency among EU member states, allowing a country to influence the EU’s agenda. Cyprus will hold this position from January to June 2026.

Tabular Summary:

---

18. Which two countries jointly launched the Blue NDC Challenge to promote ocean-focused climate action ahead of COP30?
A) India and France
B) Brazil and Seychelles
C) Brazil and France
D) Mexico and Australia
E) France and Kenya
Answer: C) Brazil and France

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of the Blue Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Challenge
• Occasion: 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3)
• Date: June 2025
• Location: Nice, France (UNOC3); COP30 to be held in Belém, Brazil in November 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandate of Blue NDC Challenge:
  • Integrate ocean-based climate action into national climate strategies
  • Encourage countries to update their NDCs under the Paris Agreement with ocean-focused goals
• Objectives:
  • Highlight the ocean’s role in climate mitigation and adaptation
  • Enhance coastal zone management, marine spatial planning, and ecosystem restoration
  • Strengthen international cooperation on ocean-climate solutions ahead of COP30

Important Terms Explained:

• Blue NDC Challenge:
  • A global initiative co-led by France and Brazil to include ocean-based strategies in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to combat climate change.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):
  • Climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement, outlining efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
• Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance (ORCA):
  • A coalition involving Ocean Conservancy, World Resources Institute, and others that supports countries in integrating ocean-based actions into their climate commitments.
• Marine Spatial Planning (MSP):
  • A process that guides where and how human activities occur in marine environments to reduce conflicts and protect ecosystems.
• Paris Agreement:
  • A 2015 international treaty under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) aiming to limit global warming to below 2°C, ideally to 1.5°C.

Tabular Summary:

---

19. Which Indian drone company partnered with Belgium-based VoxelSensors to integrate advanced 3D perception systems into UAVs?
A) Garuda Aerospace
B) Ideaforge
C) IG Drones
D) Paras Aerospace
E) Asteria Aerospace
Answer: C) IG Drones

Event and Location:

• Event: Strategic technology partnership to develop next-generation drones
• Location: New Delhi, India
• Date Announced: June 12, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandate of the Partnership:
  • Integrate VoxelSensors’ SPAES technology into IG Drones’ UAVs
  • Enhance drone performance in GPS-denied and visually complex environments
• Objectives:
  • Enable real-time 3D environmental awareness
  • Support missions involving infrastructure inspection, emergency response, smart cities, and environmental monitoring
  • Enhance obstacle avoidance, precision mapping, and adaptive decision-making

Important Terms Explained:

• IG Drones:
  • An Indian drone tech company specializing in UAV-based civilian solutions like disaster response, infrastructure inspection, and urban monitoring.
• VoxelSensors (Belgium):
  • A deep-tech company focusing on ultra-low-latency 3D spatial intelligence.
  • Known for its SPAES system that enhances real-time depth perception in AI systems.
• SPAES (Streaming Perception for AI Enhanced Systems):
  • A spatial sensing system delivering low-latency, high-precision 3D perception
  • Allows UAVs to “see” their environment in complex or GPS-denied spaces (e.g., tunnels, dense forests)
• GPS-denied Environments:
  • Areas where GPS signals are blocked or unreliable — such as underground tunnels, urban canyons, or indoor industrial zones.

Tabular Summary:

---

National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs June 16

20. Which city has been selected as the national host for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations in 2025?
A) Varanasi
B) Rishikesh
C) Visakhapatnam
D) Bengaluru
E) Hyderabad
Answer: C) Visakhapatnam

Event and Location:

• Event: India marks 10 years of International Day of Yoga (IDY) with 11th edition celebrations
• Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
• Date: June 21, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Visakhapatnam has been selected as the national venue for the 11th IDY; the Ministry of Ayush and Andhra Pradesh Government conducted a site review and planning visit.
• Objectives: To promote mass participation in yoga, assess readiness of infrastructure, enhance inter-departmental coordination, and promote cultural integration and wellness practices.

Important Terms Explained:

• International Day of Yoga (IDY): A global event celebrated on June 21 every year, declared by the United Nations in 2014, to promote yoga for physical and mental well-being.
• Ministry of Ayush: A Government of India ministry responsible for the development and promotion of traditional systems of medicine and wellness, including Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy.
• Yogandhra: A flagship campaign by the Andhra Pradesh Government aiming to reach 2 crore citizens through yoga camps, awareness drives, and training 20 lakh certified yoga practitioners.

Tabular Summary:

---

21. Who inaugurated India’s first Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility in Chennai in June 2025?
A) Narendra Modi
B) Jyotiraditya Scindia
C) Rajeev Chandrasekhar
D) Kamlesh Paswan
E) Nitin Gadkari
Answer: D) Kamlesh Paswan

Event and Location:

• Event: Inauguration of India’s first Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility, 300 Centres of Excellence, and Train the Trainer programme
• Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Date: June 14, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Union Minister Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated Garuda Aerospace’s Agri-Drone Indigenization Hub, launched 300 Centres of Excellence, and flagged off the DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) programme.
• Objectives: To scale indigenous drone manufacturing, empower rural youth and women through skilling, and accelerate India’s positioning as a Global Drone Hub by 2030.

Important Terms Explained:

• Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility: A 35,000 sq. ft. unit by Garuda Aerospace focused on designing, manufacturing, and testing agricultural drones, with a goal to produce 1 lakh drones by 2026.
• Train the Trainer (TTT) Programme: A DGCA-approved certified initiative to train instructors, especially targeting rural educators and Drone Didis (women drone operators), to expand drone-related skilling nationwide.
• Centres of Excellence (CoEs): A network of 300 training and research centres established across India in collaboration with academic and industry partners to promote R&D, innovation, and practical training in drone technology.

Tabular Summary:

---

22. When is India’s 16th national census, including caste enumeration, scheduled to be completed?
A) March 2026
B) October 2026
C) March 2027
D) January 2027
E) December 2026
Answer: C) March 2027

Event and Location:

• Event: Notification and scheduling of India’s 16th national census
• Location: All-India coverage (Mainland and Snow-bound regions)
• Date: Notification issued on June 16, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Ministry of Home Affairs has officially scheduled India’s 16th Census to conclude by March 2027, following digital and self-enumeration methods.
• Objectives: To collect updated and comprehensive demographic, socio-economic, and caste data; enhance data-driven governance; and ensure secure, tech-driven population enumeration.

Important Terms Explained:

• Census: A decennial, nationwide data collection exercise conducted by the Government of India to capture detailed population statistics across all states and UTs.
• House Listing Operations (HLO): The first phase of the census capturing data on housing, assets, and basic amenities.
• Population Enumeration (PE): The second phase, focusing on individual data including caste, education, employment, and demographic indicators.
• Self-enumeration: A digital facility allowing citizens to input their census data themselves through authorized platforms.
• Caste Enumeration: Systematic collection of caste-related data to support welfare, policy, and socio-economic planning — included in a national census for the first time since 2011.

Tabular Summary:

---

23. Which organization has partnered with ICICI Bank to begin construction of a new cancer care block in Visakhapatnam?
A) AIIMS
B) Tata Memorial Centre
C) Apollo Hospitals
D) DRDO
E) National Health Authority
Answer: B) Tata Memorial Centre

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of construction of advanced cancer care block at HBCHRC
• Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
• Date: June 2025 (construction initiated)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), in partnership with ICICI Bank, has initiated the construction of a new advanced cancer care block at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (HBCHRC) in Visakhapatnam.
• Objectives: To expand access to state-of-the-art oncology treatment, boost infrastructure for research and patient care, and improve cancer management capacity in South India.

Important Terms Explained:

• Tata Memorial Centre (TMC): A premier government-funded cancer treatment and research institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, known for providing comprehensive cancer care.
• ICICI Bank CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of ICICI Bank, supporting infrastructure development and healthcare access in India.
• HBCHRC (Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre): A regional cancer center established by TMC in Visakhapatnam, offering multidisciplinary cancer care and research.

Tabular Summary:

---

24. Which Indian state recently launched the Mukhya Mantrir Jiban Anuprerana Scheme to support research scholars?
A) West Bengal
B) Odisha
C) Assam
D) Jharkhand
E) Chhattisgarh
Answer: C) Assam

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of Mukhya Mantrir Jiban Anuprerana Scheme for research scholars
• Location: Assam
• Date: June 14, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mukhya Mantrir Jiban Anuprerana Scheme to provide financial assistance to research scholars in the state, especially those with disabilities.
• Objectives: To promote research and development, reduce financial barriers for full-time scholars, and enhance academic excellence and employability in Assam’s educational institutions.

Important Terms Explained:

• Mukhya Mantrir Jiban Anuprerana Scheme: A first-of-its-kind scheme in Assam offering financial support to full-time research scholars – ₹25,000 for general applicants and ₹40,000 for Divyang (disabled) scholars.
• Swagata Satirtha Portal: A digital platform launched alongside the scheme for facilitating mutual transfers of government employees, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
• Apun Ghar: A housing loan scheme for Assam government employees, now raised to ₹30 lakh from ₹15 lakh to improve accessibility to housing.
• Nijut Moina Scheme: A financial assistance initiative offering monthly support to girl students to encourage continued education and empowerment.

Tabular Summary:

---

25. What is the name of the solar-powered car developed by IIT Madras students for the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge?
A) Surya Vahan
B) Agniveer
C) Aagneya
D) Arya
E) SolarX
Answer: C) Aagneya

Event and Location:

• Event: Development and unveiling of solar-powered car ‘Aagneya’
• Location: IIT Madras, India
• Global Race Location: Australia (Darwin to Adelaide)
• Event Duration: August 24–31, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandate: Represent India in the prestigious Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025
• Objective:
  • Develop a high-efficiency, AI-integrated solar vehicle
  • Compete in a 3,000 km race across the Australian outback
  • Promote sustainable energy innovation and real-world engineering application among students

Important Terms Explained:

• Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC):
  • An international solar car race held every two years in Australia
  • Covers over 3,000 km from Darwin to Adelaide
  • Considered one of the toughest student engineering competitions in the world
• Team Agnirath:
  • A 38-member student team from IIT Madras’s Centre for Innovation (CFI)
  • Started in 2021 with just 6 students
  • Focuses on sustainable mobility innovations through student-led R&D
• Aagneya (Solar Car):
  • Features:
    • Carbon fibre body – one of the largest made by an Indian student team
    • 24% efficient solar panels (upgraded from 19%)
    • AI-based control systems with machine learning for adaptive race strategies
    • Live telemetry system for real-time data transmission
  • Designed to withstand extreme race conditions:
    • Day temperatures above 50°C, night temperatures below 5°C
    • Crosswinds over 60 km/h

Tabular Summary:

---

---

Over All Review

DOWNLOAD TODAY’S CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF – CLICK HERE

You Must Also Read Daily Current Affairs June 14 & 15