Current Affairs 22 & 23 June 2025

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 22 & 23 June 2025, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2025 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MoE Released PGI 2.0 Report for 2022-23 & 2023–24: Chandigarh Tops, Meghalaya Ranks LowestIn June 2025, the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GoI), released the ‘Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 report for 2022-23 and 2023-24’, which evaluates the performance school education system at the State/Union Territory (UT) level by creating an index for comprehensive analysis.

• Chandigarh secured the highest score of 703 in 2023-24, becoming the only State/UT to achieve the Prachesta-1 grade (701–760 range), and retained its top position for the third consecutive year.
• Meghalaya ranked lowest with a score of 417.9, falling into the lowest Akanshi‑3 (401–460) band.

i.Notably, no State or UT achieved placement in the top four grade bands, i.e., Daksh, Utkarsh, Atti-Uttam, or Uttam, which require scores above 761 out of 1000.
ii.Out of 36 States and UTs, 25 recorded an improvement in their overall PGI 2.0 scores in 2023–24 compared to 2022–23.
>>Read Full News

Delhi Govt Approved the First-Ever Artificial Rain Pilot Project in DelhiOn 19 June 2025, the Delhi government has approved to launch its first artificial rain pilot project through cloud seeding to combat air pollution. New Delhi (Delhi) based Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has extended formal support, validating the feasibility of cloud seeding over the National Capital Region (NCR).

• The Rs.3.21 crore initiative is fully funded by the Department of Environment, Government of NCT of Delhi.

About the Pilot Project:
i.The pilot project titled, “Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation,” is being led by the Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP) based Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
ii.IIT Kanpur will deploy specially equipped Cessna aircraft with flare-based seeding systems using a proprietary formulation of silver iodide nanoparticles, iodized salt, rock salt and a free-flowing agent that combines hygroscopic and glaciogenic cloud-seeding capabilities.
iii.The pilot phase includes five flight sorties, targeting low-security, non-sensitive airspaces in outer and northwest Delhi. Each sortie will last up to 90 minutes and cover approximately 100 square kilometres (sq kms).
>>Read Full News

GoI Launches ‘Operation Sindhu’ to Evacuate Nationals from Conflict-Hit Iran
In June 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India(GoI), launched ‘Operation Sindhu’, a humanitarian evacuation mission to rescue Indian nationals, especially students and pilgrims, stranded in conflict-hit Iran, amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.

• The main objective of this is to ensure safe evacuation of Indians from conflict zones, prioritizing students and vulnerable groups.

i.As of 21st June 2025, a total of 517 Indian nationals have been evacuated from conflict-hit Iran.
ii.The Indian Embassy in Tehran(Iran) has been proactively managing the evacuation efforts by offering emergency contact numbers and maintaining a dedicated Telegram channel for timely assistance.
iii.Following official requests from the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy in Tehran (Iran) extended Operation Sindhu to facilitate the evacuation of Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals stranded in conflict-affected regions of Iran.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia from 15–19 June 2025Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi undertook a four-day official visit from 15–19 June 2025 to the Republic of Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia, highlighting India’s deepening global partnerships.

• During his visit, PM Modi received Cyprus’s highest civilian honour and attended the 51st G-7(Group of seven) Summit in Canada.

Highlights of the Visit :
i.PM Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to Cyprus from 15–16 June 2025, at the invitation of President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides.This marked the first visit by an Indian PM to Cyprus in more than two decades, since Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit in 2002.

• An MoU was signed between National Stock Exchange (NSE) International Exchange at GIFT City, Gujarat, and Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) to enhance collaboration in financial services.
• Another MoU was inked between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and Eurobank Cyprus to introduce the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

ii.Following the conclusion of his visit to Cyprus, PM Narendra Modi arrived in Canada for the second leg of his three-nation tour. He undertook a two-day official visit from 16 to 17 June 2025, at the invitation of Canadian PM Mark Joseph Carney.

• Both leaders agreed to reappoint high commissioners in each country, aiming to restore full-fledged diplomatic communication and engagement between India and Canada.

iii.After completing his visit to Canada, PM Narendra Modi traveled to Croatia for the next leg of his three-nation tour. He undertook a one-day official visit to the Republic of Croatia on 18 June 2025, at the invitation of Croatian PM Andrej Plenković, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to the country.

• During the visit, India and Croatia signed four agreements covering agriculture, cultural exchange, science and technology cooperation, and the establishment of a Hindi chair at the University of Zagreb.

About Cyprus:
President– Nikos Christodoulides
Capital– Nicosia
Currency– Euro (EUR)
>>Read Full News

Four Indian Universities in the Top 100 in THE University Impact Rankings 2025On June 18, 2025, London (England) based Times Higher Education (THE) released the University Impact Rankings 2025. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (TN), ranked 41st and Jalandhar (Punjab) based Lovely Professional University (48) are among the top 50 universities.

• Mysuru (Karnataka) based JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) (56) and Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh (HP) based Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences (96) are among the top 100 of  THE University Impact Rankings 2025.
• The 2025 ranking is topped by the Western Sydney University in Australia with a score of 98.7 for the fourth consecutive year. University of Manchester (98.4) in the United Kingdom (UK) is ranked at the second place.

Top 5 Universities:

About the Times Higher Education (THE):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – John Gill
Headquarters – London, United Kingdom (UK)
>>Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI’s Updated Project Finance Norms to Take Effect from 1 October 2025In June 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the ‘RBI (Project Finance) Directions, 2025’, applicable to banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), cooperative banks, and all other regulated entities.

• These directions, set to come into effect from 1 October 2025, are aimed at enhancing the flow of credit to project finance while ensuring financial prudence and a uniform regulatory framework across lending institutions.
• The RBI had issued draft guidelines on ‘Prudential Framework for Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning pertaining to Advances – Projects Under Implementation’ in May 2024. After examining the inputs/feedback received on the draft, this final direction was formalised and released.

Key Highlights:
i.The RBI issued the final guidelines on project finance norms, mandating lenders to maintain a general provision of 1.25% on Commercial Real Estate (CRE) exposures.

• And 1% each on Commercial Real Estate-Residential Housing (CRE-RH) and other portfolio during the construction phase.

ii.Banks shall have to maintain 1% general provisions on CRE projects during the operational phase after commencement of repayment of interest and principal, and 0.75% on CRE-RH, while 0.40% on all other projects.
>>Read Full News

BoM Partners with SBI Card to Launch Co-Branded Credit Cards
In June 2025, Pune (Maharashtra) based Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), a Public Sector Bank (PSB), entered into a strategic co-branding partnership with Gurugram (Haryana) based SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited (SBI Card), a subsidiary of the State Bank of India (SBI) and a leading credit card issuer in India, to launch co-branded credit cards.

• This collaboration aims to tailor credit cards to meet the evolving financial and lifestyle needs of BoM customers.

i.The co-branded credit cards offer several benefits to eligible BoM customers, including, Reward points on purchases, Cashback offers, Fuel surcharge waivers, EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) facilities and Exclusive merchant discounts across key categories like dining, travel, and e-commerce.
ii.These cards will be accessible nationwide through online applications and at BoM branches, ensuring ease of access and seamless onboarding for users.
iii.It combines BoM’s extensive banking network and customer relationships with SBI Card’s industry-leading credit card expertise, digital capabilities, and diverse product suite to enhance customer value.

FAB Implemented eMACH.ai Lending Platform for Digital Transformation
In June 2025, Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates, UAE)-based First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the largest bank in the UAE, successfully implemented the eMACH.ai Lending platform developed by Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based Intellect Design Arena Limited, through its business unit Intellect Global Consumer Banking (iGCB).

• This debt management solution aims to improve operational efficiency and enhance customer experience by automating credit processes.

Key Highlights of the Implementation:
i.Integration Scope: The platform connects over 10 internal subsystems within FAB, enabling real-time visibility into the bank’s credit portfolio.
iiAutomation Goals: Supports FAB’s vision to fully automate debt collection within five years (by 2030), reinforcing its customer-centric approach.
iii.Efficiency: The platform streamlines collections across loan and card variants, enhances coordination with recovery agencies, and enables the creation of collection strategies through equal distribution, percentage allocation, and bucket-based queue stamping.
iv.Automation: The solution enables enhanced coordination with external recovery agencies through complete action visibility, helping reduce debt recovery costs and supporting FAB’s vision to fully automate debt collection operations within the next five years.
v.Technical Architecture: The eMACH.ai platform leverages 329 microservices, 1,757 Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and 535 events, forming a composable, cloud-native architecture.

• This design ensures agility, scalability, and regulatory compliance while prioritizing customer-centric processes.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Tata Elxsi & Infineon Technologies Partner to Develop EV Solutions for India
In June 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Tata Elxsi Limited, a global leader in design and technology services under Tata group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Neubiberg (Germany)-based Infineon Technologies AG, a global leader in semiconductor solutions, to jointly develop application-ready Electric Vehicle (EV) solutions tailored for the Indian market.

• The partnership supports India’s National Electric Mobility goals as outlined by National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, which targets 80% electrification of two-wheelers (2W) and three-wheelers (3W) and 70% electrification of commercial vehicles (CVs) by 2030.

Key Features:
i.Technical Scope: Co-develop high-voltage inverters, scalable Battery Management Systems (BMS), bi-directional onboard chargers, and thermal management solutions tailored for Indian 2W, 3W, passenger vehicles (PV), and CV segments.
ii.Safety Compliance: Ensure Automotive Safety Integrity Level D (ASIL-D) compliance under International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 26262 (Functional Safety of Road Vehicles) standards.
iii.Technology Sharing: Infineon Technologies provides Silicon Carbide (SiC)-based components, microcontrollers, and Integrated Circuits (ICs), while Tata Elxsi contributes system integration, validation, and design capabilities.
iv.Future Expansion: Solutions may extend to electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL), energy, and off-highway sectors.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

HAL Secures Rs. 511 Crore ToT Deal from ISRO to Build and Operate SSLVOn June 20, 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU), secured a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement worth Rs. 511 crores from the Bengaluru-based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

• The agreement enables HAL to design, build, and operate the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), marking the first-ever complete rocket technology transfer by ISRO to an Indian company.

i.With this development, HAL becomes India’s third rocket manufacturer, following Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Skyroot Aerospace and Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Agnikul Cosmos, both private space tech startups.
ii.A three-member evaluation committee, chaired by Prof. Vijaya Raghavan, former Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India (GoI), and co-chaired by former ISRO Director Suresh, assessed the bids. HAL emerged as the highest bidder at Rs. 511 crore.
Transfer of Technology (ToT) to HAL:
i.Under the agreement, ISRO will provide training and technical support to HAL over the next two years to help build two SSLV prototypes.
ii.Post-2027, HAL will independently manufacture 6–12 SSLVs annually, modify designs, and select vendors.
iii.Commercial operations will be managed by Bengaluru-based NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), while the Ahmedabad (Gujarat) based Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and ISRO will oversee technology transfer.
SSLV Specifications:
i.SSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle designed to provide on-demand launch capability for deploying small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
ii.It comprises three solid propulsion stages, followed by a liquid-propulsion-based terminal stage, known as the Velocity Trimming Module (VTM), along with a payload adapter.
iii.It has a diameter of 2.1 meters (m), a length of 34 m, and a lift-off mass of approximately 120 tonnes.
iv.It can carry payloads up to 500 kilograms (kg) to a 500 kilometers (km) LEO and up to 300 kg to an SSO.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) – Dr. D.K. Sunil
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established – 1940

Bengaluru Space Startup GalaxEye to build 2nd EO Satellite with 0.5 metres resolution
In June 2025, Bengaluru (Karanataka) based GalaxEye Space Solutions Private Limited (GalaxEye), a space tech startup, backed by Bengaluru-based Infosys, announced plans for its 2nd Earth Observation (EO) Satellite, targeting a sharp resolution of 0.5 metres (m) and a revisit time of under three days.

• The launch is tentatively scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027, with the company also preparing to expand into high-priority international defence markets, including the United States of America (USA), West Asia, and Europe.

i.The first satellite, Mission Dhrishti, scheduled for launch in late 2025 through California (USA) based Spacex, will offer 1.25m resolution.
ii.The second satellite, built-in-house, will mark a significant leap in performance over the first, which will provide enhanced precision for applications in agriculture, mining, defence etc.

• The applications include risk intelligence, border surveillance, urban safety, and disaster response.

iii.The enhanced revisit rate and resolution will likely make it valuable for monitoring, mapping, and rapid response decision-making.
iv.The satellite will deploy GalaxEye’s proprietary SyncFusion technology, which combines Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Optical data acquisition to deliver persistent, all-weather, day-and-night imagery.
v.Drishti is expected to validate its core technology stack. It builds on a proven sensor suite and a proprietary data processing pipeline, both of which have been extensively tested on drones, aerial platforms and in space.

NASA’s Space Probe Voyager1 hits a ‘Wall of Fire’
In June 2025, Voyager 1, the 48-year-old spacecraft launched by the Washington (USA)-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), made a significant discovery far beyond Pluto, a shell of superheated plasma dubbed the “Wall of Fire.”

• Located near the heliopause, this region marks the outer boundary of the heliosphere, the Sun’s protective bubble, and the start of interstellar space.

i.From a distance of nearly 24 billion kilometres(km), Voyager 1 confirmed the presence of this thin, high-temperature layer where plasma is heated to between 30,000 to 50,000 Kelvin (K).
ii.This extreme heating occurs as the supersonic solar wind collides with the slower-moving interstellar medium, causing magnetic turbulence and particle compression, which elevates the energy levels dramatically.

• However, the particle density remains so low that it is insufficient to heat even a thin sheet of aluminium.

iii.Although Voyager 1’s plasma detector failed, its cosmic ray sensor and magnetometer helped detect the boundary through changes such as a drop in solar wind particles, a rise in cosmic rays, and twisted magnetic fields.

• Later, Voyager 2 observed similar signals, confirming the phenomenon.

Note: Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause in August 2012, becoming the first human-made object to reach interstellar space.

ENVIRONMENT

Eight New Species Identified During Herpetofauna Survey in PTR, KeralaA herpetofauna survey conducted from June 7 to 10, 2025 in Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), Thekkady, Kerala, covering 965 square kilometres (sq km), recorded eight previously unreported species, five amphibians and three reptiles, across various elevations and vegetation types.

• It was jointly organised by the Kerala Forest Department, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala); Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation (PTCF), PTR (Kerala); and Aranyakam Nature Foundation, Ernakulam (Kerala) and involved around 150 participants from Kerala, including researchers, students, and forest staff.

Newly Documented Species:
Amphibians:
i.Darrel’s Chorus Frog (Microhyla darrelli):
ii.Kerala Skittering Frog (Euphlyctis kerala)
iii.Jaladhara Skittering Frog (Euphlyctis jaladhara)
iv.Nilphamari Narrow-mouthed Frog (Microhyla nilphamariensis)
v.Narayan’s Caecilian (Uraeotyphlus narayani)
Reptiles:
i.Rashid’s Day Gecko (Cnemaspis rashidi)
ii.Meghamalai Dravidogecko (Dravidogecko meghamalaiensis)
iii.Beddome’s Dravidogecko (Dravidogecko beddomei)
Survey Findings:
i.A total of 67 amphibian species and 82 reptile species were recorded. Among amphibians, 53 species (approx. 80%) are endemic to the Western Ghats (Kerala).
ii.Around 12 reptile species and more than half of amphibians recorded are listed as threatened in the Gland (Switzerland) based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List.
iii.Notable sightings include the Yellow-eyed Reed Frog, observed in four locations, and the Galaxy Frog (Melanobatrachus indicus), the flagship species of Mathikettan Shola National Park, found at two locations.
iv.The survey also recorded tadpoles of the rare Mahabali Frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis) at six locations.
v.Endangered reptiles recorded include the Cane Turtle (Vijayachelys silvatica), Travancore Tortoise (Indotestudo travancorica), and the Short-tailed Kukri Snake (Oligodon brevicauda).
vii.This was the first attempt to estimate population data and microhabitats for long-term monitoring in PTR.
About Kerala:
Chief Minister (CM)- Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor– Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
National Park (NP) – Pampadum Shola Np and Mathikettan Shola NP

SPORTS

Neeraj Chopra Wins Paris Diamond League 2025 with 88.16m Javelin ThrowIn June 2025, Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic gold medallist and World No. 2 javelin thrower, won the Paris Diamond League 2025 title with a throw of 88.16 metres (m) on his first attempt at the Stade Sébastien Charléty, Paris, France.

• German thrower Julian Weber (World No.3) finished second with an opening throw of 87.88 m, while Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio da Silva finished third with 86.62 m, setting a new South American record.
• Anderson Peters of Grenada, the World No. 1, came fifth with 80.29 m.

Note: In May 2025, Neeraj Chopra crossed the 90 m mark with a throw of 90.23 m during the Doha leg of the Diamond League, securing a second-place behind Julian Weber.
Career Highlights in Diamond League:
i.Paris DL 2025 marked Chopra’s first win in Paris; he previously finished fifth with 84.67 m in 2017.
ii.His last DL victory was in June 2023 at Lausanne(Switzerland) with a throw of 87.66 m. Between that and Paris 2025, he recorded six runner-up finishes.
iii.This was his fifth Career DL title, following previous wins in Lausanne 2022, Zurich 2022, Doha 2023, and Lausanne 2023.
About Paris Diamond League(DL) 2025:
i.The Paris leg was the eighth event out of 15 meetings in the DL 2025 season, which will conclude with a two-day final in Zurich, Switzerland, in August 2025.
ii.The event is organized by World Athletics and featured 14 athletic disciplines, including men’s 200 m, 5000 m, and javelin throw, along with women’s 100 m, 3000 m steeplechase, and pole vault events.
iii.The 2025 season also introduced “Diamond+” events with double prize money: USD 20,000 for first place at regular meets and USD 50,000 at finals, contributing to a record total prize pool of USD 9.24 million, the highest in the history of the DL.
About World Athletics:
World Athletics, earlier known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) and later as the International Association of Athletics Federations, officially adopted its present name and logo in October 2019 as part of a rebranding initiative.
President – Sebastian Coe
Headquarters – Monaco
Founded – 1912

PCI Unveils Logo, Mascot for New Delhi World Para Athletics ChampionshipIn June 2025, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) launched the logo and mascot of the 12th World Para Athletics Championship, at a ‘100 Days to Go’ event held at The Ashok Hotel in New Delhi, Delhi. India is hosting the event for the first time.

• The tournament will be held from September 27 to October 5, 2025, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, Delhi, will feature 186 medal events.
• Dignitaries including Chief Minister (CM) of Delhi, Rekha Gupta; Vanathi Srinivasan, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Chief Patron of PCI were also present at the event.

About Mascot & Logo :
i.Mascot: The Mascot for the 12 World Paralympic Athletics Championship is ‘Viraaj’, a young elephant with a blade prosthesis. It is a tribute to strength, optimism, and resilience
ii.Logo: The logo features bold, flowing lines and bright colors symbolizing energy, movement, and the resilience of para-athletes.

• The logo reflects India’s rich heritage, the spirit of Para athletics, and the vibrancy of Delhi, the host city.

iii.The tournament will welcome participants from over 100 countries, making it the largest para-athletics event hosted in India.
Kangana Ranaut Named as Brand Ambassador:
During the event, PCI named the actor-turned politician, Kangana Ranaut, Member of Parliament (MP) as the brand ambassador of the 2025 World Para Athletics Championship.

• As brand ambassador, she will campaign the values of resilience, inclusion, and excellence.

About Kangana Ranaut:
i.Kangana Ranaut made her debut in the film, Gangster (2006) and earned the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
ii.She won 4 National Awards in her acting career.

• She received the Best Supporting Actress for Fashion (2008) and Best Actress award for Queen (2014), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) and Panga (2020).

iii.She was conferred Padma Shri in 2020 for her contribution in the field of arts.
About Paralympic Committee of India (PCI):
Chairman and President – Devendra Jhajaria
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1994

Hockey India & TN Ink MoU and Reveal Official Logo for FIH Men’s Junior World Cup 2025In June 2025, New Delhi(Delhi) based Hockey India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu(TN) to host the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Men’s Junior World Cup 2025. The event was marked by the unveiling of the tournament’s official logo at the Taj Coromandel Hotel, Chennai.

• The MoU ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Udhayanidhi Stalin,Deputy Chief Minister(CM) of TN; Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India and Sekar J. Manoharan, Treasurer of Hockey India.
• TNDeputy CM, Udhayanidhi Stalin, announced that the state government has sanctioned Rs 65 crore for the conduct of the tournament.

i.The 14th edition of the international hockey tournament will be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10, 2025
ii.Each city will host 12 teams during the initial phase of the tournament before the bandwagon shifts to the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in the capital for the semifinal and the final.
iii.For the first time, 24 teams (up from 16) will compete, making it the largest edition in the tournament’s history.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Yoga 2025 – June 21The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Yoga (IDY) is annually observed across the globe on June 21 to promote awareness about the physical and mental health benefits of Yoga, a 5,000-year-old ancient practice that originated in India.

• June 21, 2025, marks the 11th observance of IYD.
• The theme for IDY 2025, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, emphasizes the deep interconnection between individual health and planetary well-being.

Background: 
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/69/131 on December 11, 2014, declaring June 21 as IDY.
ii.The first IYD was observed on June 21, 2015.
2025 Events:
i.On IYD 2025, a national event was led by PM Narendra Modi in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP), where over 3 lakh participants performed the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) simultaneously with thousands at 100,000+ locations across India, part of the “Yoga Sangam” initiative.
ii.On the occasion of IYD 2025, Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami launched India’s first dedicated Yoga Policy, positioning the state as a global wellness hub.
>>Read Full News

World Hydrography Day 2025 – June 21World Hydrography Day (WHD) is annually observed across the globe on 21 June to recognise the crucial role of hydrography in maritime navigation, environmental protection, and the sustainable development of marine resources.

• The theme of WHD 2025 is “Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action”.

Background:
i.In 2005, IHO introduced the idea of observing WHD
ii.On 29th November 2005, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/60/30 titled “Oceans and the Law of the Sea” and declared 21 June as World Hydrography Day.
iii.The first ever WHD was observed on 21st June 2006.
About International Hydrographic Organization (IHO):
Secretary-General– Dr Mathias Jonas (Germany)
Headquarters– Monaco
Established – 1921
>>Read Full News

International Day of the celebration of Solstice 2025 – June 21The International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice, observed annually on June 21, highlights the cultural and astronomical significance of solstices across different religions and ethnic traditions worldwide.

• The United Nations (UN) established this day to promote awareness about solstices and equinoxes, emphasizing their impact on seasons, agriculture, and cultural festivities.

Background :
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/73/300 on June 20, 2019, proclaiming June 21 as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice.
ii.The day aims to educate people about the astronomical phenomena of solstices and equinoxes and their influence on global traditions.
About Solstice?
i.A solstice (derived from Latin sol meaning “sun” and sistere meaning “to stand still”) occurs when the Sun reaches its northernmost or southernmost point relative to the equator.
ii.There are two solstices each year:

• June Solstice (Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere): Occurs on or around 21 June. It marks the longest day and shortest night of the year.
• December Solstice (Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere): Occurs on or around 21 December. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Earth’s Tilt and Seasonal Changes:
The Earth’s 23.5-degree axial tilt causes seasonal variations:

• During the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences peak sunlight, leading to summer, while the Southern Hemisphere enters winter.
• The December solstice reverses this effect.

About Equinox: 
An equinox (from Latin aequus meaning “equal” and nox meaning “night”) occurs when the Sun is directly above the Equator, resulting in nearly equal day and night durations. The two equinoxes are:

• March Equinox (Spring/Vernal Equinox): Occurs on or around 20 March, marking the beginning of spring.
• September Equinox (Autumnal Equinox): Occurs on or around 23 September, marking the beginning of autumn.

Significance: 
i.Solstices have been celebrated for thousands of years by civilizations such as the Maya, Inca, Egyptians, Druids, and Vedic traditions.
ii.The day promotes understanding of indigenous knowledge systems, spiritual practices, and festivals rooted in nature’s rhythms (e.g., Inti Raymi in Peru, Willkakuti in Bolivia, Midsummer in Europe).

World Music Day 2025 – June 21World Music Day or Fête de la Musique is observed on 21st June every year, and the celebrations are guided by a central theme that highlights the relevance of music in addressing contemporary global concerns. The day promotes unity, creativity, and emotional connection through musical performances across public spaces worldwide.

• The day holds cultural and historical significance, promoting the idea that music should be freely shared and accessible to all. It is inspired by the French slogan “Faites de la musique” (translated as “Make Music”), which reflects the core purpose of the observance, to inspire self-expression and participation through music.
• The 2025 celebration marked the 43rd anniversary of World Music Day.

Theme:
i.The theme for World Music Day 2025 is “Healing Through Harmony.”
ii.It highlights the therapeutic power of music in promoting emotional well-being, relieving stress, and fostering unity across communities.
Background:
i.World Music Day was initiated in France in 1982 by Jack Lang, then French Minister of Culture, and Maurice Fleuret, a music journalist and composer. 
ii.The first celebration took place on 21st June 1982 in Paris, coinciding with the summer solstice.
iii.In 1985, during the European Year of Music, the event spread to other European countries, marking the beginning of its international recognition.
iv.In 1997, a European Charter of Fête de la Musique was signed in Budapest (Hungary), encouraging cross-border participation and extending the celebration beyond Europe.
v.As of 2025, it is observed in more than 120 countries and over 700 cities worldwide, including India, Italy, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and the United States of America (USA).
2025 Events in India:
i.Hyderabad Metro(Telangana) launched a 4-day “Metro Medley” festival with performances by 250 artists across 7 stations.
ii.In Kolkata, West Bengal(WB), a Sufi musical titled “Jo Dooba So Paar” was staged at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity.
iii.Bengaluru(Karnataka) hosted multiple events, including the Indigo Indie Fest, A.R. Rahman tribute, and music workshops.

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