Current Affairs Quiz 14th and 15th June 2025 Quiz

Exp. ICG Chairs 137th OSCC Meeting to Strengthen Offshore Security and Energy Infrastructure Protection

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) chaired the 137th Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) meeting in New Delhi, focusing on reviewing and enhancing the preparedness, coordination, and joint response mechanisms for the security of India’s offshore energy infrastructure.

Director General ICG Paramesh Sivamani emphasized the strategic importance of offshore assets in India’s energy security and growth, calling for stronger inter-agency coordination to tackle emerging threats and ensure uninterrupted protection of critical installations.

The OSCC, established in 1978, continues to play a pivotal role in formulating offshore security policies; the 137th meeting saw participation from key stakeholders including the Indian Navy, Air Force, MHA, MEA, ONGC, IB, and state police forces from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.

Exp. Tata Asset Management Launches Unified Investment App Offering One-Stop Portfolio Tracking and Smart Financial Insights

Tata Asset Management has launched a new mobile app providing a unified view of investors’ financial portfolios, integrating mutual funds, equities, and bank holdings in one dashboard.

The app aims to simplify the investment journey with end-to-end support — from onboarding to planning, investing, and tracking — under the theme “One App. One View. Infinite Opportunities.”

It offers features like personalised insights, smart tools, and seamless tracking to help users make informed decisions and gain better control over their financial assets.

Established in 1994, Tata Asset Management manages Tata Mutual Fund, which currently serves over 59 lakh folios as of April 30, 2025, across equity, debt, and hybrid categories.

Exp. Scapia & Federal Bank Launch Dual-Network RuPay Credit Card with Zero Forex Markup and UPI Integration

Scapia, in partnership with Federal Bank, has launched the Scapia Federal RuPay Credit Card, a dual-network card offering both Visa and RuPay functionality for online, offline, UPI, and international transactions with a single credit card statement.

 The card offers zero forex markup on international transactions and includes unlimited domestic airport lounge access, along with complimentary dining, shopping, and spa benefits at airports.

Users can earn Scapia Coins as rewards on eligible transactions and access exclusive travel benefits through the Scapia app, which has recently enhanced its features with student/senior fare customisation and improved hotel booking tools.

Founded in 2022, the Bengaluru-based fintech raised $40 million in Series B funding (April 2025) and has continued to innovate after previously launching a Visa-only card in 2023. The new dual-network card can now be used in over 150 countries.

Exp. RBI allows trading of state govt securities in STRIPS

RBI has allowed state government securities to be traded in STRIPS format (Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities), enabling traders to separate and trade principal and interest components of bonds individually.

This move comes after consultation with state governments, Union Territories, and market participants, aiming to deepen the bond market and enhance liquidity in state government securities.

While STRIPS trading in eligible central government securities has been allowed since April 2010, this is the first time it’s being extended to state-level securities.

Only fixed-coupon state government bonds with a residual maturity of up to 14 years and a minimum outstanding amount of ₹1,000 crore — and that qualify for Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) — are eligible for STRIPS.

Exp. RBI allows KYC updation for low-risk customers till 30 June 2026

RBI has directed all regulated entities to continue processing transactions for low-risk individual customers, but they must ensure KYC details are updated by 30 June 2026 or within one year of due date, whichever is later, especially for accounts linked to DBT, PMJDY, and scholarship schemes.

To ensure timely KYC updates, banks must send at least three advance and three post-due reminders, including one by physical letter, and are encouraged to organise special KYC camps in rural and semi-urban areas with high pendency.

RBI has permitted the use of Business Correspondents (BCs) to help with KYC updates and activation of inoperative accounts, with provisions for self-declaration in cases where only address or no changes are involved.

To enhance ease for customers, banks are advised to expand facilities for KYC updation at all branches (including non-home branches) and through Video-Customer Identification Process (V-CIP), with a deadline for full implementation before January 1, 2026.

Exp. Jacinda Ardern Releases Memoir ‘A Different Kind of Power’

Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, has released her memoir titled “A Different Kind of Power”, reflecting on her journey from a small-town upbringing to global leadership while balancing motherhood, crises, and personal burnout.

In the book, she candidly explains her resignation in January 2023, revealing that it stemmed from both exhaustion and a belief that her departure might lead to a less polarized, calmer New Zealand and better electoral prospects for her party.

Recent Books

• Janta Ki Kahani – Meri Aatamkatha – Haryana Governor Bandaru (released by VP Dhankar)
• Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay (compilation of speeches PM Modi) – launched by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri
• The Chief Minister and the Spy– Former RAW chief A.S Dulat
• Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection – John Green
• The Indian Constitution: A Conversation with Power – Gautam Bhatia

Exp. CCEA Approves ₹6,405 Crore Railway Doubling Projects to Boost Connectivity Across Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved two key multi-tracking railway projects worth ₹6,405 crore, under the Ministry of Railways to boost rail infrastructure.

The projects include the Koderma–Barkakana doubling (133 km) in Jharkhand and the Ballari–Chikjajur doubling (185 km), spanning parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, aimed at improving connectivity, especially for coal and freight movement.

Together covering 318 km across 7 districts, the projects will enhance line capacity, ease congestion, and benefit 1,408 villages with a population of over 28 lakh, enabling smoother freight and passenger services.

These projects, part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, are expected to handle 49 million tonnes of additional freight per year and ensure seamless multimodal connectivity across regions.

Exp. Groww Launches India’s First Nifty Internet ETF to Tap Into the Digital Economy

Groww Mutual Fund has launched India’s first Nifty Internet ETF, called the Groww Nifty India Internet ETF, aiming to track the Nifty India Internet Index with a focus on internet-first companies across sectors like e-commerce, fintech, digital payments, and entertainment.

 The ETF’s benchmark index includes 21 listed companies from 6 key sectors—e-retail/e-commerce (36%), fintech (26%), digital retail (19%), stockbroking (8%), digital travel (10%), and online media (1.5%)—representing India’s growing digital economy.

The New Fund Offer opens on June 13, 2025, and over 83% of the portfolio comprises mid and large-cap stocks, reflecting the scale and maturity of India’s internet-based businesses.

Exp. Javed Akhtar honoured with Dostoevsky Star Award for his influence on ‘cultural dialogue’.

Lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar has been awarded the prestigious Dostoevsky Star Award. Javed was chosen for the honour in ‘recognition of his remarkable influence on cultural heritage and literary dialogue.’

Considered as one of the greatest screenwriters in the history of Hindi Cinema, Javed has won numerous awards in the course of his decades-long career as a lyricist, poet and screenwriter. He has won five National Film Awards for Best Lyrics.

He was also honoured by the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1999, and the Padma Bhushan in 2007. He went on to win India’s second-highest literary honour- the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu for his poetry collection Lava.

He is also the only Indian to receive the prestigious Richard Dawkins award, in 2020.

Recent Awards

• Global Leadership Award by USISPF – Kumar Mangalam Birla
• American Music Award (AMA) at the 51st AMA held in Los Angeles – Raja Kumari
• International Booker Prize 2025 – Kannada author Banu Mushtaq (for short collection – Heart Lamp)
• Miss World 2025 Sports Challenge Medal Winners
  • Gold: Eliise Randmaa (Estonia)
  • Silver: Aurélie Joachim (Martinique)
  • Bronze: Emma Morrison (Canada)
• 58th Jnanpith Award (2023) – Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and Gulzar

Exp. Dr. Sonal Mansingh Honoured with Srimanta Sankardeva Award for Cultural Contributions in Assam

Dr. Sonal Mansingh, a renowned Indian classical dancer and cultural icon, was conferred the Srimanta Sankardeva Award by the Government of Assam in a prestigious ceremony held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati, for her exemplary contribution to Indian art and culture.

Dr Sonal Mansingh was honoured for her immense contribution to Indian classical dance, social reform and for cultural advocacy.

The Srimanta Sankardeva Award, named after the 15th-century saint-reformer, is among Assam’s highest cultural honours and is awarded to individuals who embody Sankardeva’s values of unity, inclusivity, and cultural integrity through their societal contributions.

Exp. Israel Launches ‘Operation Rising Lion’ Striking Iran’s Nuclear Sites

Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” on 13 June 2025, targeting over 100 Iranian nuclear and military sites, including the Natanz nuclear facility; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a national emergency fearing Iranian retaliation.

The U.S. denied involvement in the attack and confirmed American and Iranian negotiators will meet in Oman on 15 June 2025 for the sixth round of nuclear programme talks.

Top Iranian military and nuclear figures killed, including IRGC commander Hossein Salami, armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri, and six nuclear scientists such as Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi.

Exp. 14 June – World Blood Donor Day

World Blood Donor Day is observed annually on 14 June to raise awareness about the importance of safe blood donation and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving contributions.

Theme 2025 – Give blood, give hope: together we save lives

The date commemorates the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered the ABO blood group system.

Exp. DGT and Shell India Collaborate to Launch Nationwide Green Skills and EV Training Initiative

The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in partnership with Shell India and Edunet Foundation, launched a structured green energy and electric vehicle (EV) training program across select NSTIs and ITIs in Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

The program features a 240-hour advanced EV Technician course, a 90-hour job-oriented course, and a 50-hour foundational module. It includes hands-on training through specialised EV skill labs, joint certification by Shell and DGT, and Training of Trainers (ToT) for over 250 instructors.

This initiative aligns with India’s net-zero goals and schemes like FAME by building a future-ready, climate-conscious workforce. It enhances employability through structured placement support and equips youth to lead in the green economy through practical, industry-relevant skilling.

Recent MoU

• SCCL Signs MoU with IMMT to Explore Rare Earth Elements and Enter Critical Minerals Sector
• Indian Railways Partners with BHASHINI to Launch Multilingual AI Services for Enhanced Passenger Experience
• IIT Delhi, AIIMS sign MoU to establish centre to research AI in healthcare
• NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL) signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with MAHAPREIT to establish a new Joint Venture Company (JVC) for green energy development.
• BEL signs contract with Army for Indigenous Counter-Drone System, secures orders worth Rs 572 crore

Exp. 13 June – International Albinism Awareness Day

International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) is observed every year on 13th June to raise global awareness about albinism — a rare, genetically inherited condition that affects the production of melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes.

Theme 2025 – Demanding our rights: Protect our skin, Preserve our lives.

The day is also dedicated to promoting the human rights and dignity of people with albinism worldwide.

The United Nations officially declared June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day in 2014, through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Exp. 15 June – World Wind Day

World Wind Day is observed every year on 15th June to raise global awareness about wind energy and its potential to power a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Theme 2025 – Day of Community Action

The event is coordinated by WindEurope and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) to educate the public and advocate for supportive wind energy policies.

It highlights how wind power can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and create sustainable green jobs aligned with global climate goals like Net Zero.

Exp. 15 June – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed every year on June 15th to raise global awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation faced by older persons.

Theme  2025 -Addressing Abuse of Older Adults in Long Term Care Facilities: Through Data and Action

The day was officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, following its initiation by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) in 2006.

15 June 2025 – Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a global celebration held every year on the third Sunday of June to honor and appreciate fathers, father figures, and the role of paternal bonds in families and society. In 2025, Father’s Day falls on 15 June.

The celebration originated in the United States in the early 20th century, with Sonora Smart Dodd of Washington credited as one of the first people to campaign for such a day in 1910.