Daily Current Affairs – 25-06-2025
Tamil Nadu
Sharp Decline in
Net FDI Inflows in FY 2024–25
® Net FDI inflows into India dropped by 96% in FY 2024–25, reaching just $0.4 billion, compared to $10.1 billion in FY 2023–24. ® Despite the fall in net FDI, gross inward FDI rose by 13.7%, reaching $81 billion, up from around $71 billion in FY23 and FY24. ® For context, India received $84.83 billion FDI inflows in FY22. ® Net outward FDI (OFDI) increased significantly by 75% YoY, reaching $29.2 billion in FY25. ® Key destinations for increased OFDI included Singapore, the US, UAE, Mauritius, and the Netherlands. ® Repatriations and disinvestments rose by 15.7%, touching $51.5 billion, up from $44.5 billion in FY23. ® The data reflects a decline in net FDI despite increased gross inflows, due to higher outward investments and disinvestments.
Mizoram Declared
India’s First Fully Literate State
® Mizoram has become the first Indian state to be officially declared fully literate under the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative. ® The state had a 91.33% literacy rate as per the 2011 Census, ranking third in the country. ® According to the PLFS 2023–24, Mizoram has now achieved a 98.2% literacy rate, leading to this milestone recognition.
Revamped Multi
Agency Centre (MAC) Launched for Enhanced Counter-Terrorism Coordination
® The revamped Multi Agency Centre (MAC), operated under the Intelligence Bureau (IB), was inaugurated in New Delhi to strengthen India’s counter-terrorism framework. ® Originally conceptualised after the Kargil War in 2001, the updated version now connects all police districts across India through a secured network. ® The MAC functions as a centralised intelligence-sharing platform, involving 28 agencies including RAW, the armed forces, and various State police units. ® This upgraded system aims to enhance real-time coordination and intelligence sharing among security agencies.
Amrit Bharat
Railway Stations Redevelopment
® PM inaugurated 103 redeveloped railway stations across 86 districts in 18 states/UTs under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, launched in 2022. ® The scheme aims to transform 1,300 stations into modern “city centres.” ® Uttar Pradesh (157), Maharashtra (132), and West Bengal (101) have the highest number of stations identified. Nine railway stations in Tamil Nadu were redeveloped under the scheme: ® St Thomas Mount (Chennai division) ® Samalpatti (Salem division) ® Srirangam (Tiruchi division) – design inspired by Ranganatha Swamy temple ® Tiruvannamalai – designed with Dravidian architectural style ® Polur, Chidambaram, Vriddhachalam, Mannargudi, and Kulitturai (Kanniyakumari)
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Olympic Day 2025 - June 23
This day commemorates the birth of the modern Olympic Games. The day was first celebrated in 1948. It aims to commemorate the founding of the International Olympic Committee on June 23, 1894. The theme for 2025 is ‘Let’s Move?’.
World Hydrography Day 2025 - June 21
This day emphasizes the importance of understanding the physical features of water bodies such as oceans, seas, and rivers. It was officially established by the United Nations in 2005 to promote the global awareness of hydrography. The day also commemorates the anniversary of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO). The IHO was also originally founded in 1921 as the International Hydrographic Bureau to support safe navigation and marine conservation. The theme for 2025 is ‘Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action’.
International Yoga Day 2025 - June 21
The day aims to raise the global awareness about the many benefits of practising yoga in daily life. On December 11, 2014, the UN officially proclaimed this day. June 21 is chosen as International Yoga Day as is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The theme for 2025 is ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’.
Summer Solstice 2025 - June 21
The summer solstice occurs because the Earth’s North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun. It is causing the Sun to reach its highest point in the sky. The term ‘solstice,’ refers to the point when the Sun’s apparent motion in the sky pauses before changing direction. Due to Earth’s very tilted axis of approximately 23.5 degrees, the Northern Hemisphere receives sunlight at its most direct angle during the solstice. Also, the Southern Hemisphere enters winter, experiencing its shortest day and longest night.
World Refugee Day 2025 - June 20
The day aims to highlight the various challenges the refugees face and promote understanding and support for their safety and dignity. It was first observed globally on June 20, 2001 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. The theme for 2025, ‘Solidarity with Refugees’.
World Sauntering Day 2025 – June 19
This day is meant to remind people to pause and slowdown from their busy lives. The day encourages everyone to take a leisurely walk, inspired by the word ‘sauntering.’ It was created by W.T. Rabe in 1970, as a response to the growing popularity of jogging.
National Reading Day 2025 - June 19
It is observed to encourage reading habits and lifelong learning. This day honours Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (P.N. Panicker). He is known as the ‘Father of the Library and Literacy Movement’ in Kerala. It was officially declared a national observance by Prime Minister in 2017.
International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2025 - June 19
This day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2015 to address sexual violence in conflict zones. It aims to raise the global awareness about the need to eliminate conflict-related sexual violence and its devastating impact on peace and security. The theme for 2025 is ‘Breaking the Cycle, Healing the Scars: Addressing the Intergenerational Effects of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence’.
World Kidney Cancer Day 2025 - June 12
It is observed annually on the second Thursday of June. This day was created by the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) to raise global awareness of the disease. The theme for 2025 is ‘Show your kidneys some love’.
STATES NEWS
Achievements of Rajasthan’s Cash Plus Model
Rajasthan’s Cash Plus model pushes up early breastfeeding rate, dietary diversity among new mothers. It is India’s first State-led pilot to converge Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) with the Behaviour Change Communication. Through the programme, pregnant and lactating women are offered home-based and group nutrition counselling on maternal and child health and nutrition. As per the survey report, 80% of the women reported improved affordability and access to nutritious food.
REPORTS AND INDICES
Global Drought Outlook - 2025
The report has been released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Since 1980, 37% of global land has experienced significant soil moisture decline. 40% of the planet has experienced more frequent and intense droughts in recent decades due to climate change and human activity. Climate change made the 2022 European drought up to 20 times more likely and increased the ongoing North American drought by 42%. Countries like India, Australia, etc. may face the water-related disruptions in the operations of hydroelectric power stations. 3% - 7.5% annual increase in the economic cost of an average drought event.
Women in Politics 2025 Fact Sheet
This report was released by UN Women. As of 1 June 2025, there are 27 countries where 31 women serve as the Heads of State and/or Government. Only 27.2 per cent of parliamentarians in single or lower houses are women, up from 11 per cent in 1995. Only six countries have 50 per cent or more women in parliament in single or lower houses. The top performers are Rwanda (64%), Cuba (56%), Nicaragua (55%), Andorra (50%), Mexico (50%), and the UAE (50%). Women constitute more than 3 million (35.5 per cent) of elected members in local deliberative bodies. Only two countries have reached 50 per cent.
Nuclear Weapons Landscape 2025
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) Yearbook 2025 was published recently. 12,241 nuclear warheads owned globally and ~9,614 in military stockpiles. Russia (5,459) and USA (5,177) hold over 90% of global warheads. India has 180 stored nuclear warheads as of January 2025. Pakistan stocks estimated at 170 warheads as of January 2025. China has 600 nuclear warheads, growing at ~100 per year since 2023. The nine nuclear-armed states of the World are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel.
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Dravid gecko Coonoor – New gecko
A new species of gecko, believed to be present only around Coonoor, has been discovered in the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu. Dravidogecko Coonoor is the formal name of this ‘distinct population of the Dravidogecko in Coonoor Hills of the Upper Nilgiris, Western Ghats. Following the discovery of the new gecko, total species found across the Western Ghats now stands at nine.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Quantum 5G FWA
BSNL has soft-launched Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) in Hyderabad. It is India’s first fully indigenous, SIM-less 5G FWA service, delivering fibre-like speeds via 5G radio. With this, BSNL becomes the first Indian operator to offer SIM-less 5G using the indigenous technology.
India’s New Solar-Powered Device
The Scientists from Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a next-gen green hydrogen device. It splits water molecules using only solar energy and earth-abundant materials. The process is entirely free of fossil fuels and expensive resources. The Green hydrogen is one of the cleanest fuels known, capable of decarbonizing industries, powering vehicles, and storing renewable energy.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber
The US Air Force has deployed B-2 Spirit stealth bombers for precision strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. The mission has targeted three locations, including the heavily fortified Fordow enrichment facility. Fordow is called as the ‘Crown Jewel’ of Iran’s nuclear program. The B-2 has a range of over 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) without refuelling, allowing long-range missions from the continental US. It can carry a total payload exceeding 40,000 pounds (18,144 kg). The payload includes both conventional and nuclear weapons. The B-2 can deliver up to 16 B83 nuclear bombs as part of the US nuclear triad.
Ottawa Convention – Finland
Finland becomes 5th European nation to exit the Ottawa landmine treaty after Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. Finland joined the Ottawa Treaty in 2012. The Ottawa Convention was signed in 1997 and came into force in 1999. The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (the Ottawa treaty) bans the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of antipersonnel mines. Currently it has 164 states parties.
Israel’s Samson Option
Israel’s ‘scenario of last resort’ is sometimes referred to as ‘the Samson Option’. This phrase is believed to have been coined by the Israeli leaders during the mid-1960s. The principle is that Israel would use nuclear retaliation if it faced an existential threat. In theory, the Samson Option could apply if Israel faces a military defeat that it considers existential, even from a non-nuclear power. Israel owns the US-produced F-15, F-16 and F-35 aircraft, all of which can be modified to hold nuclear bombs. Israel has between 750 and 1,110kg of plutonium, which would be enough to build 187 to 277 nuclear weapons.
NATIONAL NEWS
India’s Updated SOP for EVM Verification
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has updated its SOP for verifying the electronic voting machines (EVMs). The update follows a Supreme Court ruling, which is allowing second and third-place candidates to request EVM checks. The revised SOP aims to boost transparency and uphold electoral integrity. Candidates can now request verification of up to 5% of EVMs used in an election. The process includes a mock poll of up to 1,400 votes per machine. If EVM results match the VVPAT slips, the machine is considered verified.
TAMIL NADU NEWS
Tamil Nadu Road Infrastructure Development Highlights
₹3,858 crores are allocated for 448 km of four-lane roads under Chief Minister’s Road Development Scheme. ₹2,207 crores are allocated for 1,681 km of the two-lane roads under the same scheme. Totally ₹17,154 crores are allocated for 9,620 km of road projects under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development. The Chief Minister’s Road Development Scheme was launched in 2021.