Current Affairs - June 5, 2025 Current Affairs

World Environment Day is observed every year on June 5 as the United Nations’ flagship initiative to raise global awareness and drive action on pressing environmental issues. It was established in 1972 and has since become a major platform engaging over 150 countries worldwide. The 2025 theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” highlights the urgent need to reduce plastic waste that harms ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. The Republic of Korea is hosting the 2025 celebrations, showcasing its leadership in environmental policies and innovative waste management.

Khichan and Menar wetlands, located in Rajasthan, were recently added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, increasing India’s total number of Ramsar sites to 91. Khichan in Phalodi is known for attracting thousands of migratory Demoiselle Cranes and is a vital stopover along the Central Asian Flyway. Menar, near Udaipur, is famous as a “bird village” with over 150 bird species, including flamingos and pelicans. This designation highlights India’s commitment to conserving crucial ecosystems and promoting biodiversity through both government efforts and local community participation.

Nomura has projected that India’s GDP growth will slow down to 6.2% in FY26, a slight decline from the 6.5% growth recorded in FY25 and the sharp 9.2% expansion in FY24. This forecast reflects concerns about weakening fundamental economic indicators such as sluggish automobile sales and slow bank credit growth, despite strong headline data like GST collections. The moderation signals a cautious outlook amid global uncertainties and an uneven domestic recovery, contrasting with the Reserve Bank of India’s steady 6.5% growth estimate for the same period.

The Ministry of Coal launched the C CARES Version 2.0 portal to enhance the welfare of coal workers by streamlining provident fund (PF) and pension disbursements. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), the portal enables real-time tracking of claims, significantly reducing settlement times. This initiative aims to improve social security benefits for coal workers by providing faster and more transparent access to their financial entitlements, reflecting the government’s focus on welfare and efficiency in managing workers’ benefits.

Nicaragua became the 101st member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to accept the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on June 2, 2025. This agreement aims to combat harmful fishing practices such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by banning subsidies that contribute to overfishing and environmental damage. Nicaragua’s acceptance brings the total number of acceptances closer to the required 111 for the agreement to enter into force, marking a crucial milestone in global marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management efforts.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, was sworn in as South Korea’s 21st President for a five-year term. His election marked a commitment to balancing diplomacy by reopening dialogue with North Korea while maintaining a strong security alliance with the United States. His main competitor was Kim Moon-soo from the conservative People Power Party. Lee’s presidency is expected to influence South Korea’s domestic and international policies, especially concerning peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula and relations with global powers.

India has been elected to serve on the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a two-year term from 2026 to 2028. ECOSOC is a principal organ of the UN that focuses on advancing sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The council plays a critical role in shaping policies and coordinating efforts among UN agencies to address global challenges, making India's election significant for its increased engagement in international economic and social governance.

Ashwani Lohani, a veteran administrator and former CMD of Air India as well as ex-Chairman of the Railway Board, has been appointed as the Director of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) for a three-year tenure. His extensive leadership experience in sectors like aviation, railways, and tourism positions him to bring transformative changes to the PMML, an institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of India's Prime Ministers. This appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, filling the vacancy after the previous director’s exit.

Flipkart has become the first major Indian e-commerce platform to receive a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence from the Reserve Bank of India. This licence allows Flipkart to lend directly to its customers and sellers, enabling it to operate independently in the credit space without intermediaries such as banks or third-party NBFCs. This move marks a significant fintech milestone for Flipkart, expanding its fintech ecosystem through its app, super.money, and transforming the online retail lending landscape in India.

Bihar has initiated the export of green vegetables produced by its cooperative marketing federation, VEGFED, which operates similarly to the milk cooperative COMFED. The first consignment, weighing 1,500 kilograms, was shipped to Dubai via Varanasi. This marks a significant step in promoting agricultural exports from Bihar and expanding its market reach internationally. The next planned shipment is set for Singapore, showcasing Bihar’s growing role in the export of fresh produce and enhancing the cooperative movement in the state’s agricultural sector.

The National Agriculture-Renewable Energy Conference 2025, also known as the National Agro-RE Summit 2025, was organized by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and held in New Delhi. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, participated in the event where he released the federation’s report and annual reference book focused on agriculture and renewable energy. This summit highlights the growing integration of renewable energy initiatives within India’s agricultural sector, emphasizing sustainable development and innovation.

India’s first Tri-Services All-Women Sailing Team completed a pioneering international open-sea expedition by sailing 1,800 nautical miles to Seychelles aboard the indigenous vessel ‘Triveni’. This two-month mission, spanning from April 7 to June 4, 2025, was a landmark achievement showcasing the skill, endurance, and teamwork of women officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The voyage demonstrated India’s maritime capabilities, strengthened diplomatic ties with Seychelles, and highlighted women's empowerment within the Indian Armed Forces, marking a significant milestone in military history.

The Population Census of India is scheduled to be conducted in two phases with the primary reference date as March 1, 2027, for most regions. This census will mark a significant milestone by including caste enumeration after a long gap, enabling more detailed socio-economic data collection. The census had been postponed since 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making 2027 the year to resume this vital demographic exercise to aid governance, planning, and social welfare policy formulation.