4.5/5
Current Affairs 25 June 2025
1. Dangeti Jahnavi Becomes First Indian to Complete NASA's Space Program
-
Completed NASA Program: Jahnavi Dangeti has become the first Indian to successfully complete NASA's prestigious International Air and Space Program, showcasing her potential as a future astronaut.
-
Space Mission Selection: She has been selected as an Astronaut Candidate (Ascan) for Titans Space's very first orbital mission, scheduled for March 2029, where she will travel to space and orbit the Earth twice.
-
STEM Education and Outreach: Jahnavi is a strong advocate for STEM education and space outreach, having delivered talks for ISRO's educational programs and addressed students at National Institutes of Technology (NITs) across India.
-
Astronaut Training: Starting in 2026, Jahnavi will undergo intensive astronaut training over the next three years through Titan Space's ASCAN program, which includes flight simulations, spacecraft operations, survival training, and comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations.
-
Achievements and Awards: Jahnavi has received notable awards, including the People's Choice Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge and the ISRO World Space Week Young Achiever Award, recognizing her contributions to space science and education.
2. Kirsty Coventry Becomes First Female & African President of the IOC
-
Historic Election: Kirsty Coventry was elected as the 10th
President of the IOC, succeeding Thomas Bach, who completed his 12-year tenure. She won the election with 49 out of 97 votes, defeating six other candidates. -
First Female and African President: Coventry made history by becoming the first woman and the first African to hold the presidency of the IOC. She expressed her commitment to harnessing the power of sport to unite, inspire, and create opportunities for all ¹.
-
Background and Experience: A five-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medalist, Coventry is currently the Minister of Sport, Art, and Recreation in Zimbabwe. She has also served as the Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission and Vice President of the International Surfing Federation.
-
Term and Responsibilities: Coventry will serve an eight-year term, eligible for re-election once for a four-year term. She will lead the IOC in navigating complex issues such as athlete rights, sustainability of the Games, and relations with global sports federations and sponsors.
3. IFFCO to set up first overseas nano fertiliser plant in Brazil
-
Joint Venture: IFFCO has partnered with Brazilian company
NANOFERT to establish a 7:3 joint venture for manufacturing nano-soil nutrients in Curitiba, Parana province, Brazil. -
Production Capacity: The plant will produce 4.5 million liters of nano-fertilizers annually, catering to the demand for nano-fertilizers in Brazil and other countries.
-
Increased Market Presence: The plant is expected to increase IFFCO's global market presence and reduce costs. IFFCO has already exported 0.5 million bottles of nano-soil nutrients to over 40 countries.
-
Crop Yield Increase: Studies have shown that the use of nano-fertilizers can increase crop yields, with a 10% increase in corn and soybean yields and a 7% increase in sugarcane productivity.
-
Trial Production: Trial production at the Brazil plant is expected to commence by the end of 2025. The plant's establishment is the first phase of the project, and IFFCO plans to expand production capacity in Brazil after assessing market demand.
Foot notes:
About IFFCO-
-
CEO: Dr. Udai Shanker Awasthi
-
Headquarters: New Delhi
-
Founded: 1967
4. Neeraj Chopra wins Ostrava Golden Spike Javelin title with 85.29m throw
-
Upcoming Event: Neeraj Chopra was initially scheduled to
participate in the Ostrava Golden Spike athletics meeting in the Czech Republic on June 24, but there's no confirmation on his participation or winning the title with an 85.29m throw. -
Recent Performance: Neeraj Chopra recently won the Paris Diamond League title with a throw of 88.16m, showcasing his exceptional skill and technique in javelin throw.
-
Competition Schedule: After Paris, Chopra is reportedly set to participate in the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, a World Athletics category A event that he is hosting.
-
Training Focus: Chopra aims to strengthen his core muscles for consistent 90m throws in international competitions, focusing on technique and power.
-
Season Highlights: Chopra began his 2025 season with a win in South Africa, throwing 84.52m, and later achieved a personal best of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League, becoming the first Indian to breach the 90m mark after a long wait.
5. Rishabh Pant Becomes First Indian Keeper to hit centuries in both Test innings
-
Record-Breaking Feat: Rishabh Pant became the second
wicketkeeper globally to hit centuries in both innings of a Test match, after Zimbabwe's Andy Flower. -
Centuries in Both Innings: Pant scored 118 and 134 in the first and second innings, respectively, in the Leeds Test against England.
-
Multiple Records Broken: Pant surpassed MS Dhoni's record for the most runs by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test match and became the third Indian wicketkeeper to take 150 Test catches.
-
Historic Achievement: Pant is the first Indian batter to score twin centuries in Test cricket in England and the seventh Indian to hit centuries in both innings of a Test match.
-
Exceptional Performance: Pant's knock in the first innings helped India post a 400-plus total, while his second-innings century put India in a strong position, showcasing his exceptional batting skills.
6. India among 6 countries conferred with Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards
-
Award Category: India received the 'O' category award under the
WHO's MPOWER strategy, which stands for "Offer help to quit tobacco use". This recognition highlights India's efforts in promoting tobacco cessation and reducing tobacco use. -
National Tobacco Control Programme: India's National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) has established over 675 tobacco cessation centers across district hospitals, providing 1.35 million counseling sessions in 2023-24. The National Tobacco Quitline Services (NTQLS) handles around 42,000 calls per month.
-
Tobacco Cessation Efforts: India has implemented various initiatives to help people quit tobacco, including tobacco cessation clinics, screening and intervention in primary care at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and establishing mCessation and National Tobacco Quitlines.
-
Global Recognition: The award was presented by Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and injuries, at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, Ireland. This recognition underscores India's position as a global leader in public health.
7. GAIL India Limited Honored with Dual Accolades for Excellence in Cost Management 2025
-
Recognition: GAIL India Limited's Executive Director, S.K. Sinha,
received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) for his outstanding contribution to cost management and support for professional development in the finance sector. -
Award Ceremony: The accolade was presented during a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of the Honorable President of India, Droupadi Murmu, highlighting professional excellence and institutional commitment to cost and financial leadership.
-
GAIL's Achievement: This recognition reflects GAIL's broader values of financial discipline, transparency, and institutional leadership, reinforcing its reputation as a consistent advocate for cost optimization and strategic fiscal governance.
-
S.K. Sinha's Role: Sinha has been instrumental in establishing GAIL as a brand tied to energy leadership and financial governance, showcasing his expertise in strategic cost management, financial propriety, and policy development.
-
Organizational Pride: GAIL expressed pride in Sinha's recognition, stating it reflects the organization's collective dedication to financial stewardship and nation-building through strong institutional partnerships.
Foot notes:
About GAIL-
-
Chairman & MD: Sandeep Kumar Gupta
-
Headquarters: New Delhi
-
Founded: 1984
8. Ramesh Verma designated as Chairman, DSSSB
-
Appointment: Ramesh Verma, a 2009 batch IAS officer of AGMUT
cadre, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB). -
Background: Verma's appointment comes after Congress leader Dr. Naresh Kumar raised concerns about the board's non-functionality and vacancies, prompting the Delhi government to take action.
-
Previous Role: Before joining DSSSB, Verma served in various roles, including Chief Electoral Officer in Goa and Secretary in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands government.
-
Qualifications: Verma holds a B.Sc. in Physics and an M.Sc. in Chemistry from Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Vidyalaya Ajmer M.L.Y. Govt. College. He has also undergone mid-career training at LBSNAA Mussoorie.
-
Additional Charge: Verma has been given additional charge as Director of Union Territories Civil Services (UTCS) alongside his role as DSSSB Chairman.
Foot notes:
About DSSSB-
-
Previous Chairman: Sh. Shurbir Singh
-
Established: 1998
9. Rear Admiral Jaswinder Singh to hold charge of Director (BC&T) in Shipping Corporation of India
-
Additional Charge: Rear Admiral Jaswinder Singh, Director (Liner
& Passenger Services) at Shipping Corporation of India, has been assigned additional charge as Director (Bulk Carrier & Tanker) for three months starting July 1, 2025, or until further orders. -
Leadership Role: Singh has been leading SCI's Liner and Passenger Services segment since 2023 and is also a Director on the Board of SCI Bharat IFSC Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCI.
-
Maritime Expertise: With a decorated career in the Indian Navy, Singh brings extensive maritime leadership experience to SCI, overseeing critical operational arms in bulk cargo and tanker transport.
-
Academic and Professional Background: Singh is a Postgraduate in Business Administration and an alumnus of the Naval Postgraduate School, California, and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He has been awarded the Nau Sena Medal for distinguished service in the Indian Navy.
10. Samvidhan Hatya Diwas is observed on 25th June
-
Commemoration: Samvidhan Hatya Diwas is observed to
commemorate the imposition of the Emergency in India on June 25, 1975, when the Constitution was trampled over, and fundamental rights were suspended. -
Emergency Period: The Emergency lasted for 21 months, from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, during which lakhs of people were imprisoned without trial, and the media was silenced.
-
Government's Declaration: The government declared June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas to pay tribute to those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the Emergency period.
-
Constitutional Significance: The day highlights the importance of upholding the Constitution and its values, and serves as a reminder of the consequences of allowing dictatorial forces to take over.
2 likes |
0 comment
