Period Covered: June 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025
Report Type: Premium Deep-Dive & Date-Wise Compendium
Target Examinations: UPSC CSE (Pre/Mains), State PSCs, RBI Grade B, NABARD, SEBI Grade A, SSC CGL, and Defence Services.
Theme: Strategic Autonomy, Constitutional Reflections, and Global Indices.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: THE JUNE INFLECTION
June 2025 was a month defined by high-velocity strategic engagements and critical self-reflection on India’s democratic journey. The nation observed the 50th Anniversary of the Emergency, triggering widespread discourse on constitutional safeguards. On the global stage, India asserted its “Strategic Autonomy” at the 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin and the G7 Summit. The release of the SIPRI Yearbook 2025 highlighted the shifting nuclear dynamics in Asia, with India marginally ahead of Pakistan in warhead count but trailing China. Economically, the month was characterized by the RBI’s monetary easing (Repo Rate cut to 5.50%) to spur industrial growth. In sports, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended a nearly two-decade drought to lift their maiden IPL trophy, while Neeraj Chopra continued his golden run in the Diamond League.
SECTION 1: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & GEOPOLITICS
Domain: Diplomacy & Global Strategy | Relevance: GS-II, PSIR Optional
1.1 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit
Event: The 25th Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State was held in Tianjin, China.
Key Developments:
- Indian Representation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Indian delegation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reform of the SCO to make it more relevant to contemporary challenges.
- Core Agenda: Counter-terrorism, digital connectivity, and stabilizing the supply chains in the Eurasian region.
- Tianjin Declaration: The summit concluded with the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration, which focused on “Solidarity for a Shared Security.”
- New Membership: Vietnam was officially inducted as the 10th “Partner Country” of the SCO, signaling the bloc’s expanding footprint into Southeast Asia.
| Aspect | Details & Analysis |
|---|---|
| Host City | Tianjin, China |
| Edition | 25th (Silver Jubilee Summit) |
| Focus Areas | Combating “Three Evils” (Terrorism, Separatism, Extremism); Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). |
| Strategic Significance | India used the platform to isolate Pakistan on the issue of cross-border terrorism while engaging with Central Asian Republics (CARs) on connectivity projects like INSTC. |
| Static GK Link | SCO HQ: Beijing, China. RATS HQ: Tashkent, Uzbekistan. India joined: 2017 (Astana Summit). |
1.2 UN General Assembly Presidency: 80th Session
Event: Annalena Baerbock, the former Foreign Minister of Germany, was elected as the President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
- Significance: She becomes the fourth woman to hold this prestigious position. Her presidency coincides with the 80th anniversary of the UN, a critical milestone for potential reforms in the UN Security Council (UNSC).
- India’s Stance: India supported her candidature, hoping for an accelerated Inter-Governmental Negotiation (IGN) process for UNSC expansion.
1.3 SIPRI Yearbook 2025: Nuclear Dynamics
Release: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its annual assessment of the state of armaments, disarmament, and international security.
Key Findings (Nuclear Warheads):
| Country | Status (2025) | Trend Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| China | ~600 Warheads | Fastest growing arsenal; moving from “Minimum Deterrence” to robust “Launch on Warning” posture. |
| India | ~180 Warheads | Marginally ahead of Pakistan; Focus on delivery systems like Agni-V (MIRV capable) and K-4 SLBMs. |
| Pakistan | ~170 Warheads | Stagnating growth due to economic distress; focus on tactical nuclear weapons (Nasr). |
| USA & Russia | ~90% of Global Inventory | Modernization continues despite New START treaty constraints. |
Mains Analysis (GS-III Security):
The report highlights a dangerous triangular security dilemma in South Asia. China’s rapid expansion is driven by US capabilities, but it inadvertently forces India to modernize its arsenal, which in turn fuels Pakistan’s insecurity. India’s focus has shifted from mere numbers to survivability and second-strike capability via the naval leg of the nuclear triad (INS Arihant/Arighat).
SECTION 2: NATIONAL AFFAIRS & POLITY
Domain: Governance & Constitution | Relevance: GS-II
2.1 50th Anniversary of the Emergency
Context: June 25, 2025, marked 50 years since the imposition of the National Emergency in 1975. The government observed this as a “Constitution Protection Day” (Samvidhan Raksha Diwas).
Constitutional Discourse:
- Dark Chapter: Discussions focused on the suspension of fundamental rights, including Article 21 (Right to Life), during that period (ADM Jabalpur case).
- Amendments in Focus:
- 38th Amendment (1975): Made the declaration of emergency non-justiciable.
- 39th Amendment (1975): Placed the election of the PM beyond judicial scrutiny.
- 42nd Amendment (1976): The “Mini Constitution” which altered the Preamble and curtailed judicial review.
- 44th Amendment (1978): Restored civil liberties, replaced “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion” as a ground for emergency, and made the written advice of the Cabinet mandatory for the President.
2.2 Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025
Development: The bill gained traction in the June parliamentary discussions (Monsoon session preparation).
- Objective: To further decriminalize minor offenses across various ministries to promote Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.
- Scope: It proposes to amend 183 provisions across 42 Central Acts administered by 19 Ministries/Departments.
- Key Change: Converting fines to penalties (adjudicated by officers rather than courts) to reduce the burden on the judiciary.
2.3 NITI Aayog Leadership
Update: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) extended the tenure of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam as the CEO of NITI Aayog for another year.
- Exam Relevance: NITI Aayog CEO is a key executive position. (Chairman is PM; Vice-Chairman is currently Suman Bery).
SECTION 3: ECONOMY & INDICES
Domain: Macroeconomics | Relevance: GS-III, Banking
3.1 Global Indices 2025: India’s Performance
June 2025 saw the release of several critical global indices, reflecting India’s socio-economic trajectory.
| Index Name | Releasing Body | India’s Rank (2025) | Top Performer | Key Observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Gender Gap Report | World Economic Forum (WEF) | 131st | Iceland | India has closed 64.1% of its gender gap. Political empowerment remains a strong suit, but economic participation needs improvement. |
| Global Energy Transition Index (ETI) | World Economic Forum (WEF) | 71st (Score: 53.3) | Sweden | Reflects India’s aggressive push for renewables (Solar/Wind) but highlights challenges in grid infrastructure and coal dependency. |
| Sustainable Development Goals Index (SDGi) | UN SDSN | 99th | Finland | Improvement in SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 6 (Clean Water), but lagging in SDG 5 (Gender Equality). |
| Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) | Germanwatch | 10th | Denmark (Rank 4) | India remains in the “High Performance” category, the only G20 nation in the top 10. (Note: Ranks 1-3 were left empty). |
3.2 RBI Monetary Policy (June 2025)
Action: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced a 25 basis points (bps) cut in the Repo Rate.
- New Repo Rate: 5.50% (Down from 5.75% in April).
- Stance: “Accommodative.”
- Rationale: With CPI inflation stabilizing within the 4% target band and a good monsoon forecast (La Niña conditions), the RBI prioritized growth to support the manufacturing revival.
3.3 Brand Finance Ranking 2025
- Top Indian Brand: TATA Group retained its position as the most valuable brand in India.
- Global Highlight: Apple remained the world’s most valuable brand.
- New Entrant: HCLTech broke into the top 120 global brands (Rank 112), signaling the rise of Indian IT services in the AI era.
SECTION 4: DEFENCE & SECURITY
Domain: Military Exercises & Acquisitions | Relevance: Defence Exams, GS-III
4.1 Exercise ‘Tiger Claw’ (June 2025)
Details: The first-ever joint special forces exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) Garud Commandos and the US Air Force (USAF) Special Tactics Squadrons.
- Location: Agra and Hindon Airbase, Uttar Pradesh.
- Focus: Urban warfare, hostage rescue, and interoperability in counter-terror operations.
- Significance: Marks a deepening of the Indo-US defence partnership under the iCET framework.
4.2 Exercise ‘Khan Quest 2025’
Details: A multinational peacekeeping exercise.
- Host: Mongolia.
- Participants: Indian Army contingent participated along with troops from over 20 countries.
- Objective: To enhance interoperability in UN Peacekeeping Missions (UNPKO).
4.3 Launch of ICGS ‘Achal’
Event: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched the Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) named ‘Achal’.
- Builder: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
- Class: It is the 5th in the series of 8 Fast Patrol Vessels designed indigenously.
- Features: Capable of high speeds (up to 35 knots), equipped with advanced navigation and communication sensors for anti-smuggling and search & rescue (SAR) operations.
4.4 Defence Appointments
- Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana: Appointed as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN). This is India’s only tri-service theater command, crucial for maritime security in the Malacca Strait.
- Parag Jain: Appointed as the new Chief of R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing), India’s external intelligence agency.
SECTION 5: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SPACE
Domain: Innovation & Space | Relevance: GS-III, Prelims
5.1 Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
Event: Axiom Space, in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, launched its fourth private mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
- Indian Connection: Shubhanshu Shukla (Group Captain, IAF) participated in this mission as a mission specialist/pilot. This was a precursor to India’s own Gaganyaan mission.
- Context: India signed the Artemis Accords in 2023, facilitating this cooperation.
5.2 Jahnavi Dangeti: Titan Space Candidate
News: Jahnavi Dangeti, a young aspiring astronaut from Andhra Pradesh, was selected as an Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) for the Titan Space Industries (TSI) 2029 mission.
- Significance: She is the first Indian woman to complete the NASA International Air and Space Program (IASP).
5.3 Indigenous Defence Tech: LCA Mk-1A
Update: HAL announced that the first Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet produced at its Nashik facility is set for its maiden flight in July 2025.
- Importance: The Nashik plant previously manufactured Su-30MKI. Its diversification to Tejas Mk-1A is vital to meet the IAF’s urgent requirement for 83 jets.
5.4 Asteroid Sampling: Tianwen-2
Context: China launched the Tianwen-2 mission (late May/early June timeline) to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid (2016 HO3) and return them to Earth.
- Comparison: Similar to NASA’s OSIRIS-REx and JAXA’s Hayabusa2.
SECTION 6: AWARDS & HONOURS
Domain: Recognition | Relevance: SSC, Banking
| Award Name | Recipient | Details/Significance |
|---|---|---|
| International Booker Prize 2025 | Banu Mushtaq (Author) Deepa Bhasthi (Translator) | Won for the book “Heart Lamp”. First Kannada work to win. It explores the lives of women in patriarchal communities. |
| National Florence Nightingale Award 2025 | 15 Nursing Professionals | Conferred by President Droupadi Murmu for meritorious services in healthcare. |
| United Nations Sasakawa Award 2025 | Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (IMD Chief) | Awarded for excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), specifically for India’s “Zero Casualty” approach to cyclones. |
| Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025 | Advait Kottary (English) | For his historical novel “Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became the Buddha”. |
| Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025 | Parvati Tirkey (Hindi) | For her work “Phir Ugna”. |
SECTION 7: SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Domain: Sports | Relevance: All Competitive Exams
7.1 IPL 2025: A Historic Win
Event: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 concluded in early June.
- Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
- Runner-up: Punjab Kings (PBKS).
- Result: RCB won by 6 runs in a thrilling final.
- Significance: This was RCB’s first-ever IPL title in the tournament’s 18-year history, ending the “Ee Sala Cup Namde” wait.
7.2 French Open 2025 (Roland Garros)
Event: Held in Paris, France (Clay Court Grand Slam).
| Category | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Singles | Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) | Jannik Sinner (Italy) |
| Women’s Singles | Coco Gauff (USA) | Iga Swiatek (Poland) |
7.3 Neeraj Chopra’s Diamond League Triumph
Event: Paris Diamond League 2025.
- Achievement: Neeraj Chopra secured the gold medal in Javelin Throw.
- Performance: Threw a season-best to defeat rivals like Anderson Peters and Jakub Vadlejch. This victory solidified his preparation for the upcoming World Championships.
7.4 World Junior Chess Championship 2025
- Winner: Indian Grandmaster Pranav Venkatesh won the open section.
- Venue: Gift City, Gujarat (India hosted the event).
SECTION 8: BOOKS & AUTHORS
Domain: Literature | Relevance: SSC, Banking
- “India: 5000 Years of History on the Subcontinent” by Audrey Truschke.
- “Kashmir Insurgency – Deconstructing the State Response” by Col Yoginder Kandhari (Retd.).
- “Modi’s Niti Shastra: The World’s His Oyster” by Adish C. Aggarwala.
- “The Stars Light the Way” by Sucheta Raj Khanna.
- “Source Code: My Beginnings” by Bill Gates (Memoir released globally in June).
- “I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story” by Sidharth Monga (feat. R. Ashwin).
SECTION 9: IMPORTANT DAYS (JUNE 2025)
Domain: General Awareness
| Date | Day | 2025 Theme / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| June 5 | World Environment Day | Hosted by Saudi Arabia. Theme: “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience”. |
| June 8 | World Oceans Day | Theme: “Awaken New Depths”. |
| June 21 | International Day of Yoga | Theme: “Yoga for Self and Society”. PM Modi led celebrations in Srinagar. |
| June 25 | Samvidhan Raksha Diwas | Observing 50 years of Emergency (1975). |
| June 29 | National Statistics Day | Birth Anniversary of P.C. Mahalanobis. Theme: “Use of Data for Decision Making”. |
RAPID FIRE REVISION QUIZ: JUNE 2025
Q1. Which team won the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 title?
A. Chennai Super Kings
B. Mumbai Indians
C. Royal Challengers Bengaluru
D. Punjab Kings
Ans: (C) Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Q2. Who was elected as the President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in June 2025?
A. Dennis Francis
B. Csaba Kőrösi
C. Annalena Baerbock
D. S. Jaishankar
Ans: (C) Annalena Baerbock (Germany)
Q3. ‘Exercise Tiger Claw’ was a joint special forces exercise between India and which country?
A. United Kingdom
B. USA
C. France
D. Russia
Ans: (B) USA
Q4. Which Indian author won the International Booker Prize 2025 for the book “Heart Lamp”?
A. Geetanjali Shree
B. Perumal Murugan
C. Banu Mushtaq
D. Arundhati Roy
Ans: (C) Banu Mushtaq (Translated by Deepa Bhasthi)
Q5. According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which country has the fastest-growing nuclear arsenal?
A. USA
B. Russia
C. China
D. India
Ans: (C) China
Q6. India’s rank in the Global Gender Gap Report 2025 was:
A. 127
B. 131
C. 135
D. 122
Ans: (B) 131
Q7. Which Indian state/UT launched the ‘Sindhu Darshan Festival’?
A. Jammu & Kashmir
B. Punjab
C. Ladakh
D. Himachal Pradesh
Ans: (C) Ladakh
Q8. Who was appointed as the new Chief of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) in June 2025?
A. Ravi Sinha
B. Parag Jain
C. Tapan Deka
D. Samant Goel
Ans: (B) Parag Jain
Q9. The ‘Tianjin Declaration’ is associated with which international organization?
A. BRICS
B. G20
C. SCO
D. ASEAN
Ans: (C) SCO
Q10. Which country joined SCO as a ‘Partner Country’ in June 2025?
A. Egypt
B. Saudi Arabia
C. Vietnam
D. Myanmar
Ans: (C) Vietnam
