National
1. India's temperatures rose incredibly quickly in 2023, making it the second-hottest year on record since records started 122 years ago. All four seasons, including winter and summer, had unusually high temperatures during this time.
2. Telangana Formation Day on 2nd June, which marks ten years since India's newest state was formed from Andhra Pradesh. The Congress-led UPA government made it easier for the state to form by passing the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. The 2023 celebrations were led by Telangana's Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
3. The Supreme Court of India has made a big change by changing how its Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) is set up. This step is in line with the 2013 regulations on Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment. It stresses that the judiciary will continue to address gender problems.
4. Chief Secretary of Haryana, announced that the World Bank will be funding a big project to help the climate. With Rs. 10 billion set aside to fight air pollution, the Haryana state government is about to start the "Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development."
5. Talks have begun between India and the UK to handle and map out skill gaps and work toward mutual recognition of qualifications between the two countries. The goal of this effort is to help India's young and growing workforce find better job chances in the global market.
6. The Preston Curve is a well-known empirical relationship that shows how the life expectancy of a country's people is related to its per capita income. The sociologist Samuel H. Preston first noticed the curve in 1975. It shows that people in richer countries tend to live longer than people in poorer countries.
7. Priyanka Jarkiholi, running for the Congress party, beat Annasaheb Jolle, the sitting MP for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the Chikkodi district, which was a big win for her. This win is important because the BJP won all but one of the seats in the Mumbai-Karnataka area.
8. Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, won the Kota seat by a large majority. This big win makes him the first speaker to be re-elected to the Lower House of Parliament in 20 years. Before Om Birla, the last speaker of the Lok Sabha to be re-elected was P. A. Sangma in the 11th Lok Sabha, which ran from 1996 to 1998.
9. The Netherlands became India's third-largest export market in the fiscal year 2023-24, after the US and the UAE. This was the case even though India's total exports of goods fell by 3%, according to reports from the Commerce Ministry. This rise has been emphasized even though trade between the two countries is going down.
10. The most recent QS World University scores for 2025 show that Indian universities have made big strides forward. 61% of those universities saw their scores go up. For the 13th year in a row, the Massachusetts School of Technology (MIT) has been ranked as the best school in the world.
11. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) just recently said that a draft Bill to change the Central Excise Act would be made public. This is being done before a new government is formed, and it aims to change a rule that has been in place for more than 80 years.
12. The United Nations put out a very important study in June 2024 called "The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024." It said that Catla (Labeo catla) was one of the most fished marine species in 2022, with a yield of over four million tonnes, ranking eighth on the world list.
13. Since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, there has been a strong push for Andhra Pradesh to be given Special Category Status (SCS). Even though the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, which split the state into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, didn't say anything about SCS, the argument has continued.
14. Along with Mundra Port, Visakhapatnam Port has moved to 19th place in the famous Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2023. The World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence work together to make the CPPI 2023. It rates the effectiveness of container ports around the world, mainly looking at how long ships stay in port.
15. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin started the "Chief Minister's Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom" plan, which was a big step toward sustainable farming in Tamil Nadu. With a strong budget of Rs. 206 crore, this project aims to improve the health and fertility of the soil across the area.
16. India has emerged as the world's second-largest source of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. In 2020, the country was responsible for almost 11% of the world's human-made N2O pollution. Only China was responsible for more, at 16%. The in-depth study, which was released in the journal Earth System
17. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has permitted Indian colleges to hold admissions twice a year. With the new method, people can be admitted in July and August and January and February. The goal of this flexibility is to let universities set up their operations so that they make the best use of the staff and facilities that are available.
18. A big environmental project has started at Kavinadu Kanmoi, one of the biggest irrigation tanks in Pudukottai district, Tamil Nadu. It is being run by the Pudukottai district government and the Kadamadai Area Integrated Farmers Association (KAIFA). The main goal of this project is to make artificial islands inside the tank.
19. According to the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), India was ranked 176th out of 180 nations. Compared to 2022, when it was at the bottom of the index, this shows a small gain. Different external factors are used by Yale and Columbia universities to make the EPI.
20. The Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Madhya Pradesh, has been identified as the second potential habitat for cheetah reintroduction after Kuno National Park. This initiative is part of a broader effort to reintroduce cheetahs in India, sourcing them from Namibia and South Africa.
21. Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at the Gopalpur regional center in Odisha have identified a new species of snake eel. The official name for the new species of snake eel is "Ophichthus Suryai." The name of this species comes from Surya Kumar Mohanty, who used to be a joint head of the state's fishery department.
22. According to Mercer's 2024 Cost of Living Survey, Mumbai is still the most expensive city in India for expats. It is known as the financial capital of India and the center of the Hindi film business. This yearly poll showed that Mumbai has very high prices in several important areas, such as personal care, transportation, and rent.
23. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has recently issued a critical advice circular to improve gender equality in Indian civil aviation in response to recent events. This project aims to make sure that by 2023, at least 25% of women are working in different aviation jobs.
24. India is ranked 129th out of 146 countries in the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index. This is the same spot it has held in the bottom 20 for the past few years. This shows that fixing the gender gap has been hard for a long time in many areas, even though there has been some progress in some areas. Iceland retained its top position.
25. The UNESCO honored Kozhikode as India's first "City of Literature" on 23rd June. According to this status, the city's cultural history should be celebrated and used to help develop literary ability. The Mayor of Kozhikode and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration took the lead in getting the city this title.
26. The Indian aviation market has grown to become the third biggest in the world. It has moved up from fifth place a decade ago to this important accomplishment. The success made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows an excellent average yearly growth rate in airline seat capacity of 6.9%, which is the highest rate in the world.
27. On 24th June, the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution asking the Indian Central Government to change the name of the state in the Constitution from "Kerala" to "Keralam." This was the second time in a year that the resolution was passed unanimously. This plan, which is being led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, focuses on making the constitutional name match the word "Keralam" in Malayalam.
28. Uttar Pradesh's government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has made it official that a bioplastic park will be built in the Lakhimpur Kheri area. The idea comes about because more and more people are worried about how plastics made from petroleum hurt the environment. The park is in Kumbhi village, Gola Gokarnnath tehsil, and covers 1000 hectares.
29. Srinagar, the largest city of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has recently been designated as a 'World Craft City' by the World Crafts Council. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, shared this honor on social media.
30. The World Economic Forum (WEF) just released the Global Energy Transition Index on 19th June 2024. It shows that the global energy transition scene has changed in big ways. After falling to 67th place, India moved up to 63rd place out of 120 countries, which is a big jump. Sweden stayed at the top of the Index.
31. Uttar Pradesh is a big player in India's renewable energy market, especially when it comes to making compressed biogas (CBG). The Center for Science and Environment (CSE) released an important report that showed Uttar Pradesh could create 24% of India's CBG.
32. Recent comments from R. R. Swain, who is the Director General of Police in Jammu and Kashmir, show how complicated security measures are in the area. Swain suggested that people caught helping militants should be charged under the strict Enemy Agents Ordinance of 2005, which has harsh punishments like life in jail or the death penalty.
33. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) just released a full Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI) Dashboard. This tool will sort and rank 174 countries around the world based on how ready they are to use AI. India is now ranked 72nd in the world. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and China, which are all close by, were ranked 113th, 92nd and 31st respectively.
34. The UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has made business between the UAE and India much stronger since it was first signed. The recent business roundtable organized by the UAE-India CECA Council (UICC) and the Indian Chamber of Instruction (ICC) to bring Odisha-based companies in India together was a great example of how it has engaged people.
35. The Assam Cabinet started the Assam Witness Protection Scheme, 2024 because witnesses in court cases are being threatened more and more. This action is in line with Section 398 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and is meant to make evidence in court cases safer and more trusting.
36. In 2023, India achieved the highest record of remittance inflows globally, amassing USD 125 billion. Strategic economic deals and strong job markets in other countries, especially in the US, UK, and Singapore, were the main things that caused this rise.
37. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) just released its most recent Global Liveability Index, which once again names Vienna, Austria, as the best place to live in the world. The 2024 index, which came out today, rates towns around the world based on things like education, healthcare, culture the environment, stability, and infrastructure.
38. Vikram Misri has been named India's new foreign secretary. He will start his new job on 15th July. Misri was promoted, but his duties as Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) were also cut back. Misri has a lot of diplomatic knowledge because he joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1989.
39. Uttar Pradesh has started building the world's first center for protecting and raising the Asian king vulture, also called the red-headed vulture, in Maharajganj. The species has been on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List since 2007 because it is in grave danger. This project aimed to save it.
International
1. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine recently signed long-term security agreements with Sweden and Norway. These agreements show that Western countries are committed to helping Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
2. With a clear victory in the recent polls, Claudia Sheinbaum has been named Mexico's first female president. According to the National Electoral Institute, Sheinbaum won between 58 and 60% of the votes, which is more than 30 percentage points more than her closest rival, Xochitl Galvez.
3. Japan's health officials are on high alert because the number of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) cases has increased significantly. STSS is a serious illness that usually ends in death. So far this year, on 2nd June, 977 cases have been reported, more than the 941 cases reported all last year.
4. On 3rd June Seoul said it was ending a military deal with North Korea that was supposed to lower tensions. This decision was made by the National Security Council (NSC) of South Korea after North Korea sent hundreds of trash-filled balloons across the border.
5. India recently started a dispute case against Australia at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The disagreement is about changes Australia is making to its promises that might affect India's trade in services. This escalated situation happened after talks between the two countries failed to settle their differences over new rules for regulating services in their own countries.
6. Portugal is going to change its "golden visa" system by adding a new "solidarity visa." This is a flexible way to direct foreign investments into areas that are better for society, like providing affordable homes for locals and a place for migrants to stay.
7. Somalia has reached a major milestone by becoming the first country since the 1970s to have a non-permanent place on the UN Security Council. This change, which was revealed after a vote in the 193-member UN General Assembly in which Somalia got 179 votes, is a major step forward in the country's international relations and government after decades of civil war.
8. As a result of higher sea levels, Panama is currently dealing with a major effect of climate change by moving a whole island community. The native Guna people of Gardi Sugdub, an island in the Guna Yala archipelago in Panama's Caribbean region, are taking a step that has never been done before.
9. After a vote in parliament with 52 votes in favor, Slovenia legally recognized Palestine as a sovereign state on 4th June. This puts Slovenia in the same group as Spain, Norway, and Ireland, all of which have recently recognized Palestine. Israel strongly disagreed with Slovenia's action, but Tanja Fajon, Slovenia's Foreign Minister, praised it as a step toward peace and stressed the need for a two-state settlement to ensure long-term peace in the Middle East.
10. The European Commission (EC) changed the requirements for getting a conservation grant through the NaturAfrica program on 5th June 2024. This was a big change that affected Tanzania in particular. This choice was written down in "CORRIGENDUM NO. 4" on the "EU Funding & Tenders Portal."
11. Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been unable to agree on any changes to suggested tax policies during recent talks. The main points of disagreement are combining the income tax rates for paid and non-salaried people and putting a single 18% sales tax on food and medical supplies.
12. Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia were all publicly accepted as full members at the BRICS Foreign Minister's Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. This was a big change. This was the first meeting at the cabinet level for the group since it grew in 2023.
13. Key American and Indian defense leaders spoke at the "Partners in Progress" symposium in Bengaluru about how important the military partnership between the US and India is becoming. As security problems in the Indo-Pacific area get worse, this dialogue comes at a time when stronger defense and strategic cooperation between the two countries is needed.
14. Wuhan, a city in central China, has started the world's biggest test of self-driving cars by taking advantage of its large urban area. Baidu, a big name in technology, runs a fleet of 500 robot cars, and they plan to double that number soon. Wuhan's transportation system and large number of vehicles make it a great place to test this technology.
15. Chinese scientists using the Chinese H-alpha Solar Explorer (CHASE) telescope have found a new pattern of how the sun's atmosphere rotates. According to the prestigious magazine Nature Astronomy, this new discovery is the first accurate three-dimensional picture of how the sun's atmosphere rotates.
16. During the G7 summit that Italy held, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a big $50 billion plan to help Ukraine. In a joint session with other leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this choice was made.
17. The Indian Air Force (IAF) took part in the Red Flag drill in Alaska, USA, in June 2023. The Indian Air Force's Rafale jets took part in the multinational air drill for the first time. The goal of the drill was to make the air forces more ready for battle and better able to work together.
18. Because of rising tensions and popular displeasure over recent events in Gaza, the Maldives has banned visitors with Israeli passports. Under pressure from the people and the government, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu made the choice his Cabinet told him to. The ban is in line with replies around the world and has caused reactions around the world.
19. About 100 delegations from different countries and international groups met in Switzerland recently for a summit to talk about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The event took place at the Burgenstock resort in Stansstad and featured prominent attendees such as the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, and leaders from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
20. The friendship between India and Italy has gotten a lot better recently, thanks to high-level events like visits from the leaders of both countries. There was a very important event in Rome called the India Forum 2024, which announced the Indo-Mediterranean Initiative (IMI) as a way to strengthen these links even more.
21. Nvidia is a well-known technology company that makes graphics processing units (GPUs). They recently did something very impressive by becoming the most valuable company in the world. This new development is a big deal in the tech business; Nvidia has now surpassed tech giants like Microsoft and Apple.
22. On the UAE's Siniyah Island, archaeologists have found the remains of the old city of Tu'am. This place, which used to be famous for its successful pearl trade, has been wrapped in mystery. Excavations recently done in Umm al-Quwain by the Italian Archaeological Mission have found old homes that make the case for Siniyah Island as the real site of Tu'am much stronger.
23. NATO has taken a big step forward by setting up a €1 billion innovation fund. This is in reaction to changes in the global defense landscape, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. The goal of this fund, which was announced in the summer of 2022, is to improve the alliance's defense and security technology.
24. The Thai Senate recently approved the Marriage Equality Bill on 18th June, and it has the potential to make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to permit marriages between people of the same gender. The lower house approved the law in a unanimous vote on 26th March, which led to this decisive action. At this point, the Support of King Rama X is anticipated for the Bill.
25. Senator Suhas Subramanyam recently won the Democratic primary for Virginia's 10th Congressional District. He is the first Indian-American to win in this very tough field, which is a big deal. The current representative, Jennifer Wexton, who chose not to run for re-election, backed his win.
26. A huge deal was made when Russia's President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang recently. Both countries agreed to provide "immediate military assistance if either nation faces armed aggression." This event is a big change in the world's politics, and it strengthens the relationship between Russia and North Korea at a time when the rest of the world is becoming more isolated.
27. The United States and the United Kingdom are where microschools have become more common. This change in educational preferences became clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. These small private schools have fewer students than regular classes so that each student can get a more personalized education.
28. The 14th version of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) report, "Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2024," was released on 19th June 2024, in partnership with Accenture. This study shows how hard it is for Sub-Saharan Africa to get fair access to energy and how important it is to make sure that the energy transition is fair for everyone.
29. Paraguay is the 100th country to become a full member of the International Solar Alliance. A formal ceremony was held in New Delhi to mark this important step in the growth of ISA. Fleming Raul Duarte, Paraguay's ambassador to India, gave the Instrument of Ratification. The event shows that Paraguay is serious about promoting clean energy.
30. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were set up in 1954 in a deal between China and India. This year marks their 70th anniversary. The event will be held in Beijing and will be led by Prime Minister Li Qiang. President Xi Jinping will give the opening speech. The theme of the annual party is "From the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind."
31. In a historic move, Denmark's coalition government approved a plan to put in place the world's first carbon emissions tax that targets farms. This is a big step for the country in its efforts to leave less of an impact on the environment, which are mostly driven by its strong pork and dairy production sectors.
Defence
1. The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy are both taking part in military drills with other countries that are being held by the US. In Alaska, the Indian Air Force is taking part in the aerial combat training exercise Red Flag. In Hawaii, the Indian Navy will be taking part in the naval drill RIMPAC.
2. The Defense Accounts Department (DAD) of the Ministry of Defense recently teamed up with four banks to improve its SPARSH (System for Pension Administration, RAKSHA) program. The Bank of India, the Canara Association, the Central Bank of India, and the Utkarsh Small Finance Bank are some of these. These banks will set up SPARSH service centers in 1,128 branches across the country through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
3. Sub Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev made history at INS Rajali, Arakkonam, when she became the first woman in the Indian Navy to fly a helicopter. Last week, this important milestone was reached during the passing out parade. The 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course was completed.
4. The Vice Chief of the Indian Army, Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, officially launched Vidyut Rakshak, a new Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled integrated generator tracking, protection, and control system. This was developed by Maj Rajprasad R. S. and was recently displayed during "Exercise Bharat Shakti," which is a big step forward in the Indian Army's "Year of Tech Absorption."
5. Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi was recently named by the Ministry of Defense as the next Chief of the Army Staff. His replacement will be Gen. Manoj Pande, and the change will happen on 30th June 2024. General Pande was given an extra month to leave before his original planned date.
6. The Indian Army just got its first batch of Nagastra-1, an advanced type of suicide drone that can be carried by a person and can carry out precise hits. Soldiers are less likely to get hurt because these drones can accurately target enemy camps.
7. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a well-known Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company, was recently given a unique contract worth about Rs. 50,000 crore by the UK Ministry of Defence. This is the biggest single order for helicopters that has ever been given to an Indian company. The money will be used to buy Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), also known as "Prachand."
8. The government of India has officially approved Lt Gen N. S. Raja Subramani as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS). He will start his new job on 20th June. This choice was made as Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, who is currently Vice Chief, gets ready to become Chief of Army Staff (COAS) when Gen. Manoj Pande retires on 30th June.
9. Pakistan's leaders have started Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, also known as "Resolve for Stability," to fight the rising violence and terrorism that are mostly caused by the country's battles with Afghanistan. This operation comes after a close look at the country's anti-terrorism plans by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, focusing on what was learned from the National Action Plan, which was made in response to the terrible 2014 attack on the Peshawar Army Public School.
Business, Economy & Banking
1. The latest deal between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) is a big step forward for digital payment systems around the world. The goal of this partnership is to set up a system in Peru that works like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This would make Peru the first country in South America to use NPCI's technology. This is part of NPCI's larger plan to launch UPI in many parts of the world.
2. With $651.5 billion in foreign exchange reserves by 31st May 2024, India had the highest amount of foreign exchange reserves ever. Positive changes in trade, remittances, and foreign investments have helped India's external industry reach a strong point.
3. According to The Asian Banker, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) was recently given the "Best Conduct of Business Regulator" award for the Asia-Pacific area. This award, which was given in an event in Hong Kong, shows how important SEBI has been in improving the rules that govern Indian stock markets. Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, a Permanent Member of SEBI, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
4. The Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) recently opened its East Africa Representative Office in Nairobi, Kenya. This is part of a plan to grow its business around the world. The goal of this project is to improve India's trade and business ties with East Africa, which is known for having a lot of resources and young people.
5. Nvidia, a major chipmaker for artificial intelligence based in Santa Clara, recently reached a major milestone by raising its market value to $3.019 trillion, which is higher than Apple's $2.99 trillion and just below Microsoft's $3.15 trillion. Nvidia is now the second-largest publicly owned company in the US.
6. India has become one of the best places to invest in real estate across borders. By March quarter, it was ranked among the top five places in the world to buy land and build on it. According to a study by Colliers, about 55% of these inflows came from foreign investors.
7. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), with help from the World Bank, wants to improve the way it handles trash so that it can set up a system that will last until 2026 or 2027. These attempts are mostly about stopping people from throwing trash at Kodungaiyur, which is a big dump in the city.
8. The prices of some of the biggest companies on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) changed a lot last week. The market showed a strong upward trend, which led to a rise in market value of Rs. 85,582.21 crore for five of the ten most valuable companies. The BSE Sensex went up by 299.41 points, over the week, reaching an all-time high of 77,145.46 on 13th June.
9. In the year 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was presented with the "Risk Manager of the Year Award" by Central Banking, a distinguished organization that is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. This honor emphasizes the efforts that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made to strengthen its risk management policies and its essential role in ensuring the stability of India's financial ecosystem.
10. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently gave India a big loan of USD 170 million, which is about Rs. 1,418 crore. The loan is meant to improve India's healthcare system. People in the country are getting this cash help to make them better prepared and faster to respond to future pandemics.
11. The Indian Post Office Act of 1898 was thrown out on 18th June, when the Post Office Act was signed into law. This major change to the law is meant to bring India's postal services up to date and fit the country's current social and security situation. It goes beyond just delivering mail and includes several services that help citizens.
12. The 67th meeting of the Global Environment Facility concluded on 20th June 2024, resulting in significant financial commitments. A total of $736.4 million was approved to support 34 nature conservation and renewal projects globally.
13. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) around the world went down by 2% in 2023 compared to 2022. The drop varies from country to country, with big drops seen in India, China, France, Australia, and the USA. The 2024 World Investment Report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) goes into great depth about this trend.
14. The number of deals involving India's digital currency, the e-Rupee, has dropped sharply, falling to a tenth of what it was in December. At the end of last year, there were 1 million retail sales every day. Now, there are only 1,00,000 transactions every day.
15. A new system for currency swaps between SAARC countries has been set up, covering the years 2024-2027. This is a big update from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This project is meant to help the member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) stay financially stable. The Reserve Bank of India's decision is part of ongoing attempts to improve financial cooperation in the SAARC region.
16. The World Bank has agreed to lend India $1.5 billion to help it move toward a low-carbon energy future. This strategic funding will help create green hydrogen and electrolyzers and make it easier for the country to use renewable energy.
Science & Technology
1. Artificial intelligence (AI) is used to help researchers find a female partner for E. woodii, also known as the "world's loneliest plant." This project aims to naturally spread the species, which is now extinct in the wild and can only be found in botanical parks where it is grown.
2. A man with advanced liver cancer who is 71 years old is the first person in history to receive a liver donation from a genetically modified pig. This is a huge step forward in medicine. Doctors at Anhui Medical University's First Affiliated Hospital in China did this historic treatment, which was written about on 24th May.
3. Currently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is looking into new ways to use drones and tethered balloons to quickly restore 5G connection after emergencies and natural disasters. In these kinds of situations, normal internet services can get interrupted, and this strategy is meant to fix that problem.
4. A major study that was recently released in the journal Nature shows how quickly the Y chromosome has changed in primates compared to humans. Scientists discovered that only 14-27% of Y chromosome regions in different ape species are similar to those in humans. This shows that humans and other ape species have evolved very differently. X chromosomes, on the other hand, are very different. They are over 90% similar across species, which means they have stayed mostly the same over time.
5. OpenAI recently announced the release of ChatGPT Edu, a more advanced version of its AI-powered robot designed to work in school settings. Their newest technology, GPT-4o is at the heart of this project, which started on 30th May. Its goal is to make artificial intelligence easier to use in many areas of a university, helping students, staff, researchers, and operating systems.
6. Under the Artemis program, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are working together to set up a regular time system for the moon. The goal of this new idea is to help people go back to the Moon soon, and to make it easier for all the different private and public groups that want to explore the Moon to work together.
7. Researchers have found the biggest genome ever found in the fork fern Tmesipteris oblanceolata, which grows in New Caledonia and nearby islands. Its genome is 7% bigger than the oldest record holder, the Paris japonica, and more than 50 times bigger than the human genome.
8. A Chinese spacecraft made a major landing on the far side of the moon, which has not been explored as much as the near side. It was confirmed by the China National Space Administration that the module did indeed land safely in the huge South Pole-Aitken Basin. The main goal of the mission is to get dirt and rock samples, building on what Chang'e 5 did in 2020 when it took samples from the near side of the moon.
9. Scientists at Cambridge University were the first to show that a robotic "third thumb" can help people be more efficient and productive. The prosthetic, which is made to be simple to handle and use, adds a thumb to the hand.
10. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has recently started to help the country's business space industry grow. This became clear after the successful launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD into suborbital space by the Indian start-up M/s Agnikul Cosmos.
11. The JADES-GS-z14-0 galaxy, which was seen by NASA's most advanced space camera to date, was studied in a way that has never been done before by the James Webb Space Camera (JWST). This discovery is very important because it gives us a look into the universe 290 million years after the Big Bang, during a time called the cosmic dawn.
12. Boeing and NASA plan to launch the Starliner space capsule on 5th June. The first effort to launch was called off because of technical problems. The launch was supposed to happen from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, but a problem with the computer system on the ground stopped the process.
13. Nvidia Corp., a leader in making AI chips, has stated that it is making a new AI platform called Rubin. It will be available in 2026. CEO Jensen Huang made the news while giving a talk at the Computex trade show at National Taiwan University in Taipei.
14. At the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dharwad, a groundbreaking team lead by Sudheer Siddapureddy and Ameer Mulla created a fire rescue assistant drone that was shown off. This is a new step forward in fire safety. At the DDANFR 2024 training on Drone Design and Autonomous Navigation in Fire Rescue, which took place over two days and was funded by the NMICPS, Government of India and the TiHAN Foundation, this new idea was shown off.
15. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reverse transcriptase got a lot of attention because it was so important in making diagnostic tests for finding the SARS-2 virus. Molecular diagnostics has relied on it for quick and accurate tests, which has helped a lot with tracking the virus, surveillance, and making vaccines.
16. Oleg Kononenko, a 59-year-old Russian cosmonaut, recently achieved a historic landmark by becoming the first person to spend 1,000 days in space. Announced by Roscosmos, this milestone was reached during Kononenko's fifth mission to the International Space Station (ISS) which commenced on 15th September 2024.
17. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the French Space Agency (CNES) have agreed to work together on a satellite mission called TRISHNA. This is because rising temperatures around the world mean that environmental monitoring needs to be better. On 5th June, which is Environment Day, this new development was brought to people's attention.
18. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is putting its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology through a set of testing that are very important. Within a larger plan to create spacecraft that can be launched, recovered, and used again, these tests are a big part of making space trips much cheaper.
19. NASA has given seven companies almost $1.5 million each to do studies that will help them come up with cheaper ways to carry out the Mars Sample Return (MSR) project. The current plans for the mission, which are estimated to cost around $11 billion, face big financial and logistical problems that this funding initiative aims to solve.
20. Scientists are fascinated with Han Purple, a 2,800-year-old pigment, due to quantum property discoveries. Modern quantum physicists have described its capabilities, which combine ancient chemical methods with quantum physics. Ancient artworks relied on Han Purple, a Chinese synthetic color made around 2,500 years ago. The Qin and Han Dynasties used it to color ceramics, murals, and terracotta warriors.
21. Discovering Buronius manfredschmidi was a big deal in the field of geology. It showed how different ancient hominids were. With a weight of only 10 kilograms, this species is the smallest known great ape, according to researchers led by Professor Madelaine Bohme at the University of Tubingen.
22. NASA scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have created cutting-edge quantum technology tools that will be used to look for "water worlds" in other parts of the solar system. The new technology comes at a time when people are becoming more interested in finding drinkable water from other planets, which are thought to be home to alien life forms.
23. In Patagonia, Southern America, a new type of dinosaur called Koleken inakayali was just found. This find helps us learn more about the group of dinosaurs called abelisaurids and makes us think of interesting connections with the famous Tyrannosaurus rex.
24. Apple Intelligence, its ground-breaking AI technology, was shown off at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference on 11th June. This AI platform works with all Apple products, like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Its goal is to improve the user experience by giving them personalized information that respects their privacy.
25. Atomic clocks are very important for the Global Positioning System (GPS), and there have been recent improvements in this area. In the past, these timekeeping devices were big and only used in labs. More recent research has worked on making smaller versions that can be taken anywhere.
26. The FDA advisory group recently gave its approval to donanemab, a drug made by Eli Lilly to treat Alzheimer's. This unanimous vote shows that the drug may help people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease more than it hurts them. The advisory's approval is very important because it sets the stage for the FDA's final decision on the drug's approval.
27. The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) worked together to study how bacteria that are resistant to multiple drugs behave on the International Space Station (ISS). Their research is mostly about Enterobacter bugandensis, which is known for making hospital illnesses hard to get rid of, and how it has changed to survive in space.
28. The United Nations has made a big announcement: 2025 will be the "International Year of Quantum Science and Technology." The goal of this statement is to make more people around the world aware of quantum science and how it can be used through different events all year long.
29. The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad has made a big find on Mars, they have found three new craters in the Tharsis volcanic region. This accomplishment shows how India is making more and more advances in the study of planets.
30. Apple has surpassed Microsoft to become the world's most valuable company again. This goal was reached around noon on 12th June when Apple's market value jumped to $3.3 trillion, higher than Microsoft's value of $3.2 trillion. This change in leadership is important because it shows how competitive the tech business is.
31. Recently, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, increased its support to include rabies vaccines for humans regular immunization programs, focusing on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This program aims to intensify efforts worldwide to fight rabies, especially in areas where the disease is most common.
32. An international conference on Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) will be held in Kochi on 11th and 12th July. This was stated by the government of Kerala. As a result of working with the global tech company IBM on this event, Kerala has taken a big step toward new technologies and economic growth.
33. Recent studies from the University of Southern California show that the Earth's inner core has slowed down a lot. Historically, the Earth's inner core has been known for having a high spinning speed that is separate from the planet's outer layers.
34. Chinese scientists using the Chinese H-alpha Solar Explorer (CHASE) telescope have found a new pattern of how the sun's atmosphere rotates. According to the prestigious magazine Nature Astronomy, this new discovery is the first accurate three-dimensional picture of how the sun's atmosphere rotates.
35. NASA has recently been keeping an eye on three asteroids that are moving toward Earth. It is important to note that Asteroid 2024 LZ4 will pass closer to Earth than the Moon, by 1,73,000 miles. Because it is so close, it stands out even more, but because it is only 72 feet long, about the length of an airplane, it has not been labeled as a possibly dangerous object.
36. Scientists at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, are working on putting grown beef cells into rice grains. The goal of this new invention, called "meaty rice," is to be a more environmentally friendly source of protein that doesn't involve raising animals. This could completely change the way food is produced around the world.
37. NASA recently talked about an interesting thing that happens on Mars: auroras, including a purple one that was caught on camera by NASA's MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) orbiter's Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph. This unusual event was shown in an Instagram video, where the spectral show was called "purple rain."
38. NATO has taken a big step forward by setting up a €1 billion innovation fund. This is in reaction to changes in the global defense landscape, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. The goal of this fund, which was announced in the summer of 2022, is to improve the alliance's defense and security technology.
39. A groundbreaking study from University College London and University Medical Center Goettingen, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, describes a new blood test that can detect Parkinson's disease about seven years before any signs show up. Using artificial intelligence (AI), this test looks for certain signs in the blood.
40. Scientists at the University of Houston have made a major finding about Saturn's climate that shows the planet has a big energy imbalance. A study in "Nature Communications" questions how planets evolve and how their climates change over time, especially for gas giants like Saturn.
41. The Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT-Delhi), has been awarded the joint second prize in the Trinity Challenge's second competition for its project aimed at combating the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This project, called "AMRSense: Empowering Communities with a Proactive One Health Ecosystem," focuses on a wide range of methods to improve the monitoring and control of AMR.
42. Recently, scientists made a big finding in microbiology. It involves a special protein called Balon. This protein helps the bacterium Psychrobacter urativorans go into and come out of a dormant state when its environment changes.
43. In the past few years, the creation of AlphaFold, a tool that has greatly sped up the process of understanding protein structures, has been a huge step forward in biological study. Molecular biology is used in medicine, agriculture, and many other areas, so this is very important.
44. By starting the core-loading process of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam on 4th March, India made progress in its nuclear power program. India's second part of its nuclear initiative, which is mostly focused on plutonium fission, has made a big step forward with this.
45. China and France launched the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province on 22nd June. The launch went well. After working together on an oceanographic satellite in 2018, this is the first time that the two countries have worked together on astronomical study of this magnitude.
46. New research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has led to a potential advance in tuberculosis (TB) study. The Department of Bioengineering has created a new 3D hydrogel culture system similar to mammals' lung environment. This system will help researchers better understand tuberculosis infections and see how well medicines work.
47. Meta recently made its Llama 3-powered AI chatbot, Meta AI, available to all users in India. The robot can be found on the Meta.AI website as well as in apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and Facebook. This came after the general elections. Before, the chatbot was only available to a small group of people in a few countries.
48. BlinkX, the digital stockbroking arm of JM Financial, launched BlinkX Gen AI Lab, a new technology project that aims to use artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency and the customer experience. This setting shows a big step forward in financial technology at BlinkX by JM Financial, which is in Mumbai and covers more than 10,000 square feet.
49. India's Space Research Organization (ISRO) has a business arm called NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). It has announced the first commercial launch of its newest rocket, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The Optimus satellite, which was made by the Space Machines Company in Australia, will be in space during this historic event.
50. SpaceX successfully launched the GOES-U satellite for NASA. This is the end of the NOAA program to improve weather tracking over the Western Hemisphere. At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, this launch took place. The satellite was on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
51. The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has recently added a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that is meant to find forest fires early. On 26th June 2024, this important technological development was made public.
52. The deal between three leaders in the European space industry-Airbus Defence and Space, OHB, and Thales Alenia Space-and the European Space Agency (ESA). It was a big step forward in getting rid of space junk. F platforms for satellites in Low Earth orbit (LEO) that meet Zero Debris guidelines are being built thanks to these contracts.
53. ABHYAS is a High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) that was made by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru, India, for the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Its main job is to make fake enemy planes so that defense systems can practice. DRDO recently tested ABHYAS six times at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, and all of them went well.
54. CriticGPT is a powerful AI tool made using OpenAI's GPT-4 model. It was made to make it easier for AI judges to find mistakes in ChatGPT code. One of the most important things this tool does to improve the accuracy and stability of code is to find bugs that human reviewers might miss.
Government Schemes
1. The National Health Authority (NHA) along with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has developed a digital platform named NHCX. This initiative falls under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which aims to make the process of filing a health insurance claim faster and easier.
2. India is steadily working to reach its Viksit Bharat goals by 2047. It is putting a lot of effort into improving the manufacturing sector, increasing the number of value-added services it offers, and becoming a more important global source of human resources.
3. The government of Haryana recently made a major change to the "Mukhyamantri Kisan Evam Khetihar Mazdoor Jeevan Suraksha Yojana," a program that helps farmers and farm workers get money. These changes, which took effect after a recent government meeting, get rid of the age limits that were on the scheme's recipients before.
4. After being re-elected for a third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first act was to approve the 17th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) plan. By giving out about Rs. 20,000 crore, this new payment is expected to help about 9.3 crore farmers.
5. The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, started the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina (MMNM) plan on 12th June 2024. This was a big step to help girls go to school and stop them from getting married young. Through a structured financial aid scheme, this project aims to give female students more power.
6. In recent news from Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has started several important policy changes after being sworn in. With these changes, Arunachal Pradesh will become a more developed area over the next five years as part of a larger plan called "Viksit Arunachal."
7. The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave the go-ahead for the building of a new deep-draft port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra. The project, which costs about Rs. 76,200 crores, includes a lot of services that will help India's shipping.
Awards & Honours
1. The World Health Organization (WHO) has given the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion for 2024 to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru. NIMHANS is known as India's top mental health center. This very important award was given at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
2. Doon School Srinagar was honored with the "Award for Transformative Education Excellence" at the Indo-Norway International Education Summit, held at Stortinget, Norway on 5th June 2024. This summit, organized by Mind Mingle since 2014.
3. Poet and playwright Siddhalinga Pattanashetti has been announced as the recipient of the Gudleppa Hallikeri Award for 2024. This declaration was made by the Gudleppa Hallikeri Memorial Foundation based in Hosaritti, Haveri District. The award, set to be presented on 6th June at a ceremonial event, includes a monetary prize of Rs. 25,000 and a memento.
4. The Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries in Bihar were recently named wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. This shows that India is serious about protecting wetlands. With this addition, India now has 82 Ramsar sites, which is a big step forward in the country's efforts to protect the environment.
5. An important Indian wildlife scientist and environmentalist named Asir Jawahar Thomas Johnsingh died in Bengaluru on 7th June 2024. He was 78 years old. His death is a big loss for India's efforts to protect wildlife, especially since environmental efforts are already facing a lot of problems.
6. The 2024 Kavli Prize winners were announced, honoring great work in neuroscience, astrophysics, and nanoscience. Eight well-known scholars from well-known American colleges were recognized for their groundbreaking work in these areas.
7. Sucheta Kripalani is a very important figure in Indian politics because she was the first woman to be Chief Minister of an Indian state, Uttar Pradesh. From 2nd October 1963, to 13th March 1967, she was in office. At the time she took office, there were a lot of changes in politics, mostly because of the Kamaraj Plan, which aimed to bring Congress leadership back to life in all states.
8. Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks and an Australian national, was released from a UK prison on 24th June, following a bail order from the London High Court. His release was announced on the platform Twitter proclaiming "JULIAN ASSANGE IS FREE." This release is very important because it comes after long court battles and tensions with governments around the world, especially with the US.
9. NATO has named Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next Secretary-General. This comes as the conflict in Ukraine continues and the US's future relationship with the alliance is being talked about. On 1st October, Rutte will take over the job from Jens Stoltenberg of Norway.
10. Leading Indian shipbuilding company Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers (GRSE) Limited won the "Sustainable Governance Champion Award" at the Outlook Planet Sustainability Summit Awards 2024. GRSE's commitment to using sustainable business methods is shown by this award.
11. The 2023 PEN Pinter Prize was recently given to Indian author Arundati Roy. The award was created in honor of the famous writer Harold Pinter. The prize is given to writers with "outstanding literary merit" who look at the world seriously and think about it. Roy is known for her literary skills and critical engagement with global and Indian sociopolitical issues.
Sports
1. An important player in Indian football, Sunil Chhetri, has officially retired from international football. His farewell match, which was a World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait, took place recently in Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. This marked the end of his illustrious career spanning 19 years.
2. Ariarne Titmus broke the world record in the women's 200-meter freestyle on 12th June at Brisbane's Chandler Aquatic Center, which was part of Australia's Olympic swimming tryouts. She clocked an impressive time of 1 minute, 52.23 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 1:52.85 set by Mollie O'Callaghan at last year's world championships. Because of this, Titmus holds the world record in both the 200-meter and 400-meter freestyle events.
3. In the recent T20 World Cup, Australia was eliminated in the Super Eight phase despite being one of the pre-tournament favorites. The team faced crucial losses against Afghanistan and India which impacted their progression. Travis Head had some great games throughout the event.
4. India beats South Africa by 7 runs and lifts the India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024 for 2nd time after 2007. India has ended an 11-year trophy drought by defeating South Africa in the T20 World Cup final by a margin of 7 runs. At the end of their 20 overs, South Africa managed to reach 169/8, chasing India's 176/7.
5. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma made the record for the highest opening partnership in Women's Test history with their 292-run stand. The record was earlier held by the Pakistani pair of Kiran Baluch and Sajjida Shah that they set back in 2004 against West Indies.
6. India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on 30th June announced his retirement from T20 internationals. This comes a day after star batter Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also announced their retirement from the format following India's T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados.
7. Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia has been suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for a second time for refusing to provide a urine sample during selection trials. This suspension comes after NADA revoked his previous suspension due to procedural issues.
References:
jagranjosh.com
gktoday.in
business-standard.com
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