Current Affairs - June 6, 2025 Current Affairs

The Government of India, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), has outlined a plan to gradually reduce the number of National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN) centres. Originally established in 1997, this network was crucial in achieving India’s polio-free status in 2014. As part of the proposed restructuring, the number of centres will be reduced from 280 in 2024-25 to 140 by the year 2026-27. This transition marks a strategic shift in public health resource allocation while maintaining vigilance against the potential resurgence of the disease.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a novel metal-based nanozyme designed to prevent abnormal blood clotting. This breakthrough is particularly significant in addressing conditions such as Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE) and thrombosis associated with COVID-19. Nanozymes are artificial nanomaterials that mimic the activity of antioxidant enzymes to control reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby helping to regulate platelet activity and prevent dangerous clot formations. The IISc team’s innovation could pave the way for advanced treatments in managing life-threatening clotting disorders.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held its 55th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting from June 4 to 6, 2025. This meeting was led by Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra and took place during a period of dynamic global and domestic economic shifts. Key decisions included a 50 basis point cut in the repo rate, a shift from an "Accommodative" to "Neutral" policy stance, and other liquidity adjustments. The dates of the meeting are crucial, as they mark when these impactful monetary decisions were made, directly influencing interest rates, inflation outlook, and economic strategy going forward.

India has recently enforced a new Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with Kyrgyzstan, replacing the earlier agreement that had been in place since May 12, 2000. The treaty is designed to provide a stable and transparent framework to promote and protect investments by investors from both countries. By ensuring legal safeguards and continuity in investment protection, the agreement aims to enhance economic cooperation and mutual confidence between India and Kyrgyzstan, encouraging more robust bilateral trade and financial engagement in the years to come.

Mount Etna is located in Sicily, a region in southern Italy. It is renowned as Europe’s most active volcano and has been erupting for thousands of years. With a history of eruptions documented over at least 2,700 years, it holds one of the world’s longest records of volcanic activity. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Etna is not only a geological landmark but also a cultural and historical symbol for the region. The frequent eruptions and continuous volcanic activity make it a notable feature of Italy’s natural landscape.

India and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the media and entertainment sector as part of their ongoing strategic partnership. The two nations share a longstanding diplomatic relationship that reached its 50th anniversary in 2022. In 2016, the bilateral ties were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting mutual trust and growing collaboration across various domains. This recent initiative in media and entertainment is a reflection of the deepening engagement and shared cultural interests between the two countries, promoting people-to-people connections and economic opportunities in the creative industries.

India’s first Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) has commenced operations at Tehri in the state of Uttarakhand. Developed by THDC India Ltd. under the Ministry of Power, this plant marks a significant advancement in energy storage and grid stability. The PSP operates by moving water between two reservoirs to store and generate electricity based on demand, offering a flexible and efficient solution for integrating renewable energy sources. This milestone not only supports energy sustainability but also strengthens the state's role in India’s growing power infrastructure.

On June 4, 2025, Microsoft announced a significant leadership change by expanding LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky’s responsibilities to include oversight of its Office productivity suite. This includes key products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and the AI-powered Microsoft 365 Copilot. The decision reflects Microsoft’s strategic vision to integrate artificial intelligence deeply into workplace tools while creating a unified ecosystem between its productivity offerings and professional networking platform, LinkedIn. Roslansky’s new role aims to enhance user experience and cross-platform functionality as Microsoft intensifies efforts to lead the future of work through seamless, AI-driven digital environments.

S Mahendra Dev, an eminent economist with a distinguished career in development economics, rural studies, and public policy, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) as of June 5, 2025. With academic credentials including a PhD from Delhi School of Economics and post-doctoral work at Yale University, Dev has held various prestigious roles, such as Director of IGIDR and editor of Economic and Political Weekly. His appointment reflects a renewed emphasis on development-centric policy advice, especially in agriculture and rural economy, as India navigates key economic reforms and inclusive growth strategies.

The historic Test series between India and England has been officially renamed the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, replacing the previous titles—the Pataudi Trophy (in England) and the Anthony de Mello Trophy (in India). This renaming is a tribute to two of the greatest Test cricketers: James Anderson, England's highest wicket-taker in the format, and Sachin Tendulkar, India’s most-capped Test player and one of the game’s most celebrated batsmen. The announcement was made by the ECB and BCCI and reflects a move to honour cricketing legends while enhancing the legacy and emotional connection of fans with the India-England rivalry.