1. Odisha wins women’s final in Hockey India Masters Cup

• Odisha's Victory: Odisha defeated Punjab 1-0 in the women's final to lift the trophy.
• Match-Winning Goal: Ranjita Beck scored the decisive goal in the 34th minute, showcasing her exceptional skills.
• Tamil Nadu's Men's Title: In the men's category, Tamil Nadu dominated Maharashtra with a 5-0 win.
• Bronze Medal Winners: Haryana won the bronze medal in the women's category, beating Tamil Nadu 4-3, while Chandigarh took the bronze in the men's category, defeating Odisha 2-1.
• Tournament Highlights: The Hockey India Masters Cup showcased emerging talent and competitive spirit in Indian hockey, setting a high standard for future editions.

2. Australia set to make history with first-ever homegron rocket launch

• Launch Details: Gilmour Space Technologies is targeting July 1-3 for the launch of Eris, the first Australian-made orbital rocket, from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland.
• Rocket Specifications: The 25-meter tall, three-stage Eris rocket is designed to deliver up to 215 kilograms to sun-synchronous orbit, with the potential to carry small satellites into low-Earth orbit.
• Payload: The rocket will carry a small camera and a jar of Vegemite, Australia's iconic yeast spread, as a symbol of national pride, rather than a commercial payload.
• Challenges Overcome: After several delays due to technical issues, including a previous aborted launch and high-altitude winds, the team has completed a full test of the vehicle to ensure safety.

3. Tata Group Becomes First Indian Brand to Cross $30 Billion in Brand Value

• Brand Value Milestone: Tata Group's brand value surged 10% to $31.6 billion, making it the first Indian brand to surpass the $30 billion mark, as per Brand Finance's 2025 rankings.
• Ranking and Position: Tata Group retained its position as India's most valuable brand for the 15th consecutive year, ranking 60th in the global top 100 brands with a AAA- brand strength rating.
• Sustainability Perceptions Value: Tata Group leads with the highest Sustainability Perceptions Value of $4.3 billion, showcasing its commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility.
• Comparison with Other Brands: Infosys ranked second among Indian brands with a brand value of $16.3 billion, followed by HDFC Group with a brand value of $14.2 billion, which saw a significant 37% surge after its merger.
• India's Growing Influence: The total brand value of India's top 100 brands reached $236.5 billion, reflecting the country's expanding influence in the global corporate ecosystem and its growing presence in various sectors like technology, finance, and consumer goods.

4. Equitas Small Finance Bank partners with Edelweiss Life Insurance

• Partnership Details: Equitas Small Finance Bank has entered into a bancassurance partnership with Edelweiss Life Insurance to offer life insurance solutions to its customers, enhancing its multi-product strategy.
• Product Offerings: The partnership will enable Equitas SFB customers to access a wide range of Edelweiss Life Insurance products, including Protection Plans, Savings Plans, Endowment Plans, and Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs).
• Comprehensive Financial Services: The collaboration aims to provide comprehensive financial services, including savings, investments, and protection, through a single platform, building a strong ecosystem for wealth creation and financial protection.
• Strengthening Presence: The association is expected to strengthen Edelweiss Life Insurance's presence in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and neighboring regions, where Equitas SFB has a strong customer base.

5. Praggnanandhaa Wins UzChess Cup, Becomes India’s Top-Ranked Chess Player

• Historic Win: Praggnanandhaa won the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, becoming the top-ranked Indian chess player and surpassing World Chess Champion D Gukesh in live classical ratings.
• New Ranking: With a live rating of 2778.3, Praggnanandhaa jumped to World No. 4, his highest-ever ranking, and is now ahead of fellow Indian stars D Gukesh (2776.6) and Arjun Erigaisi (2775.7).
• Tournament Highlights: Praggnanandhaa started the final day a point behind local favorite Nodirbek Abdusattorov and half a point behind Javokhir Sindarov. He won the title after a thrilling three-way tie, defeating Sindarov and drawing with Abdusattorov in the blitz playoffs.
• Third Major Title: This victory marks Praggnanandhaa's third major title of the year, following wins at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament and the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic in Romania.

6. K M Mallikarjuna Prasanna appointed as Inspector General in NIA

• Appointment Details: K M Mallikarjuna Prasanna, a 2000-batch IPS officer from the Maharashtra cadre, has been appointed as Inspector General in the NIA, filling an existing vacancy.
• Deputation Basis: The appointment is on a deputation basis, as per an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on June 27, 2025.
• Notification: The notification of Prasanna's appointment was issued by the government, highlighting the bureaucratic reshuffle in various departments.

7. Shri Bhaskar Barua appointed as MD of NERAMAC

• Appointment Details: Bhaskar Barua has been recommended for the post of MD at NERAMAC by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), following a selection meeting held on June 25, 2025.
• Current Role: Barua currently serves as Deputy General Manager at the Siliguri Marketing Terminal of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), bringing extensive experience in marketing and operations within the oil and gas sector.
• NERAMAC's Role: As a Central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER), NERAMAC's primary objective is to support farmers in the North East Region by facilitating agricultural marketing and promoting value-added products.
• Selection Process: The PESB interviewed four candidates for the position, including Barua, Malay Mandal from MSTC Limited, Keshari Nandan from Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), and Dipak Tryambak Patil from Ratnagiri Gas & Power Pvt. Limited.

8. Parag Jain appointed as R&AW, Secretary

• Appointment Details: Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre, has been appointed as the new Secretary of R&AW for a fixed tenure of two years, effective July 1, 2025.
• Background and Experience: Jain has extensive experience in counter-terrorism operations, internal security, and foreign intelligence postings, including stints in Canada, Sri Lanka, and Jammu and Kashmir. He played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, a high-stakes operation.
• Current Role and Responsibilities: Before his appointment, Jain headed the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), a crucial arm of R&AW, overseeing aerial surveillance and related operations. He directly reported to the R&AW chief and oversaw several high-stakes operational and intelligence divisions.
• Key Skills and Expertise: Jain has built deep expertise in counter-terrorism operations, Sikh extremism, and Khalistan-linked movements, as well as cross-border and diaspora surveillance. His experience in Punjab's ground-level security dynamics gives him a unique advantage in handling transnational threats.

9. National Statistics Day celebrated on 29 June 2025

• Date and Significance: National Statistics Day is celebrated on June 29, marking the birth anniversary of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, the father of Indian statistics. This day recognizes the value of statistics in shaping national policy and raising awareness about the importance of data in governance, economy, and society.
• Theme: The theme for National Statistics Day 2025 is "75 Years of National Sample Survey," highlighting the role of the NSS in providing reliable data for evidence-based decision-making and governance in India.
• P.C. Mahalanobis' Contributions: Mahalanobis made significant contributions to statistics, including developing the Mahalanobis Distance, founding the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), and playing a key role in formulating India's second five-year plan. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his remarkable contributions to science and statistics.
• Importance in Modern India: Statistics play a crucial role in India's governance, informing policy decisions in areas like economic planning, health, education, and social welfare.

10. NRL signs MoU with IWT, will supply 80–100 Kiloliter of High Speed Diesel

• MoU Details: NRL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IWT on June 26, 2025, to supply 80-100 kiloliters of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) per month to two crucial ferry supply locations: Nemati Ghat and Guwahati Ghat.
• Purpose: The agreement aims to ensure uninterrupted ferry operations, supporting regional connectivity and public transport in Assam, particularly for the people of Majuli, the world's largest river island.
• Signatories: The MoU was formally signed by R.M.W. Khongwir, Chief General Manager (Marketing), NRL, and Sushmita Kakati, Director, Inland Water Transport, Government of Assam.
• Impact: This partnership will benefit thousands of daily commuters, facilitate transportation of goods, and provide access to public services, ultimately enhancing the lives of people in Majuli and other remote communities.