Current Affairs - June 4, 2025 Current Affairs

One-third of the total seats in the Hill Development Councils have been reserved for women in the region of Ladakh. This move comes after President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Amendment) Regulation Rules, 2025. The amendment aims to promote greater gender representation and empowerment in local governance. The reservation will be implemented through rotation, with seats being allotted to different territorial constituencies in sequence, as notified officially through a gazetted order. This regulation strengthens the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1997, reinforcing inclusive political participation at the grassroots level.

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is setting up its first regional campus in Shillong, Meghalaya. This initiative is funded by ₹100.95 crore from the PM-DevINE scheme, which aims to accelerate growth in the Northeast region. The new campus, located in New Shillong Township within the Knowledge City cluster, will focus on specialized training, research, and policy advisory in areas such as corporate governance, ESG, CSR, and insolvency. This move reflects the government’s commitment to regional empowerment and integrating the Northeast into the national development agenda.

Uttar Pradesh approved a 20% horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in police recruitment, including positions like Constable, PAC, Mounted Constable, and Fireman. This decision, made on June 3, 2025, aims to facilitate the reintegration of youth trained under the Agneepath scheme into civil services, providing them with career opportunities after their four-year military tenure. The policy includes a 3-year age relaxation and applies within all existing reservation categories, reflecting the state government’s commitment to honouring the service of Agniveers and enhancing the police force with disciplined, trained personnel.

Telangana Formation Day, celebrated on June 2nd, marks the official formation of India’s 29th state in 2014. The day symbolizes the culmination of a long struggle for self-determination, regional identity, and administrative autonomy. The movement addressed regional disparities and cultural underrepresentation experienced by Telangana when it was merged with Andhra Pradesh in 1956. The state's creation was driven by a history of protests, including the Jai Telangana Movement and efforts by leaders like K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Telangana Formation Day honours resilience, cultural pride, and the quest for equitable development and governance.

BharatGen is a newly launched multimodal AI model developed in India that supports 22 Indian languages. This initiative was introduced at the BharatGen Summit and is part of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). Led by the TIH Foundation for IIT & IoE at IIT Bombay, BharatGen aims to foster innovation in AI that is ethical, multilingual, and deeply connected to Indian cultural values. The model's support for 22 languages ensures it can cater to a wide and diverse population, promoting inclusivity and better accessibility in AI technologies across the country.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced a $10 billion investment program over five years aimed at transforming India’s urban infrastructure. The plan includes expansions of metro rail systems, regional rapid transit systems (RRTS), and upgrades to core urban infrastructure such as water, sanitation, and waste management. This initiative was unveiled during a meeting between ADB President Masato Kanda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025. The program focuses on sustainable, inclusive, and resilient city development, supporting India’s vision for “Viksit Bharat @ 2047.” It also seeks to mobilize both sovereign and private capital, leveraging platforms like the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) for effective urban transformation.

The new Bangladeshi currency notes no longer include the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is considered the founding father of Bangladesh. Instead, the notes now feature images of Hindu and Buddhist temples, national landmarks, and cultural artwork. This decision came in the wake of recent political changes following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's daughter. The removal of his image marks a significant shift in national symbolism and political direction, reflecting the new government's effort to represent broader cultural elements rather than specific political figures.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title in the 2025 season by defeating Punjab Kings by 6 runs in a closely contested final held in Ahmedabad. This marked a historic win for the franchise after 18 seasons of the tournament. Several individual performances stood out this season: Sai Sudarshan won the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs, while Prasidh Krishna earned the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was named the Curvv Super Striker of the Season, and Mohammed Siraj led in dot balls under the TATA IPL Green Dot Balls category.

India is partnering with Norway to build its first-ever indigenously manufactured Polar Research Vessel (PRV). The collaboration is between India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) and the Norwegian firm Kongsberg. This partnership formalized through an MoU signed in June 2025, marks a significant step towards enhancing India’s capabilities in polar scientific research and maritime technology. The PRV will support polar and oceanic exploration under the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), advancing India’s self-reliance in polar missions and contributing to international scientific cooperation.

Only 1.74% of ₹2,000 notes remain in circulation following the Reserve Bank of India’s withdrawal that began on May 19, 2023. This marks a significant reduction from the original value of ₹3.56 lakh crore to just ₹6,181 crore by May 31, 2025. The withdrawal process has been largely successful, with 98.26% of the currency returned. Citizens can still exchange or deposit these notes at 19 designated RBI Issue Offices or through India Post for credit into bank accounts. The move is part of a broader effort to phase out high-denomination currency and promote cleaner note practices in the economy.

The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed every year on June 4. It was established by the United Nations in 1982, initially to highlight the plight of children affected by the Lebanon War. Over the years, its focus has broadened to recognize and honour children across the globe who suffer physical, mental, and emotional abuse due to various forms of aggression. The day serves as a call to action to protect the rights of children and to foster global awareness about the impact of violence on their well-being and development.

Maharashtra has announced a pioneering initiative to introduce basic military education starting from Class 1. The move, led by School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, aims to instill discipline, patriotism, and physical fitness in students from an early age. The training will be provided with the support of approximately 2.5 lakh retired soldiers, along with sports teachers, members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), and Scouts and Guides. This initiative reflects the state’s commitment to strengthening character-building and national values in young learners, positioning Maharashtra as a leader in innovative educational reforms.

Annalena Baerbock of Germany has been elected as the President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. In her new role, she has committed to acting as an honest broker and unifier for all 193 member states, emphasizing inclusivity and collaboration. Her election marks a significant moment in international diplomacy, reflecting Germany’s growing influence on the global stage. Alongside her appointment, Niger was selected to occupy the first seat in the Assembly Hall, and several Vice-Presidents and officers were also elected to support the functioning of the session.