Current Affairs - June 25, 2024 Current Affairs

The James Webb Telescope, launched in December 2021, recently captured gas jets from newborn stars for the first time. This telescope's advanced infrared capabilities enabled it to penetrate dense dust in the Serpens Nebula, located 1,300 light-years away, revealing intricate details of star formation processes that were previously inaccessible to other telescopes.

The Haryana government, under the leadership of CM Nayab Singh Saini, has decided to increase reservations for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in Group-A and Group-B posts from 15% to 27%. This decision aims to align with the Central government's policy and enhance opportunities for OBC youth in government jobs and educational institutions across the state. The announcement was made at the 'OBC Morcha Sarv Samaj Samrasta Sammelan' in Gurugram, emphasizing the state's commitment to welfare and inclusive growth.

Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani has been designated as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff, following the government's approval on June 20. Currently heading the Army’s Central Command, he brings over 37 years of distinguished military service, commanding various units and holding key positions. His appointment to this role underscores his seniority and extensive experience within the Indian Armed Forces, positioning him as the deputy professional head of the Indian Army and a crucial advisor to the Ministry of Defence.

The International Day of the Seafarer is observed annually on June 25th. This day was established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2010 to honour the vital role of seafarers in global trade and daily life. It serves as a day of appreciation for their contributions, recognizing the risks and sacrifices they endure while ensuring the safe transport of goods worldwide.

The book 'Gateways to the Sea: Historic Ports and Docks of Mumbai Region' was released by Shri Ramesh Bais, the Governor of Maharashtra, during a literary event at Raj Bhavan Mumbai on June 22, 2024. The event celebrated the maritime heritage of Mumbai, emphasizing Governor Bais's role in unveiling this significant work.

India clinched a total of 29 medals at the 2024 BRICS Games held in Kazan, Russia. These included 3 gold, 6 silver, and 20 bronze medals. The Indian contingent's performance highlighted significant achievements across various sports disciplines, marking a successful outing in the international multi-sport event.

S&P Global Ratings has maintained India's GDP growth estimate for FY25 at 6.8%. This projection takes into account factors such as high interest rates and reduced fiscal stimulus impacting demand in non-agricultural sectors, indicating a moderated growth outlook compared to previous fiscal years.

The Indian Post Office Act of 2023 replaced the Indian Post Office Act, of 1898, bringing significant updates to postal regulations in India. The new Act introduced provisions for the interception of postal items for security reasons exempted the Post Office from certain liabilities, and expanded regulatory oversight to include private courier services. This legislative change reflects adaptations to modern postal and communication needs, including digital addressing systems and updated service charge mechanisms.

The Patna High Court ruled against the Bihar government's increase of reservation quotas from 50% to 65%, citing a violation of the 50% cap set by the Supreme Court. The decision also addressed the unconstitutional addition of a 10% Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota, emphasizing adherence to legal precedents on reservation policies in educational institutions and government employment.

Article 3 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to introduce a bill in Parliament for the renaming of a state, upon recommendation. This process requires a simple majority in Parliament to enact the name change into law. State assemblies can propose resolutions for renaming, but their views are not binding on Parliament, as seen in the case of Kerala's recent resolution to rename the state as 'Keralam', which was previously returned by the Centre due to procedural issues.

The Archery World Cup 2024 Stage 3 was hosted in Turkey, specifically in Antalya, where Indian archers excelled and secured multiple medals. The event, held from June 18-23, 2024, saw Indian archers like Dhiraj Bommadevara winning two bronze medals and the women's compound team clinching a gold medal. Turkey served as the venue for this prestigious competition, marking its significance in the global archery circuit for the year 2024.

The Madhya Pradesh government has approved the establishment of one PM College of Excellence in each district of the state, starting from July 1. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities and promote job-oriented courses across all 55 districts of Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, Madhya Pradesh recently initiated the country’s first helicopter pilot training school in Khajuraho, reflecting the state's commitment to advancing aviation education alongside traditional academic disciplines.