Current Affairs - June 12, 2025 Current Affairs

Amazon has entered into a long-term nuclear energy agreement with Talen Energy to power its AWS data centres with electricity from the Susquehanna nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. The deal, which will last until 2042, aims to supply up to 1,920 megawatts of power. Additionally, Amazon and Talen plan to collaborate on future energy initiatives, including exploring the development of new Small Modular Reactors. This strategic move underscores Amazon's commitment to cleaner energy sources and highlights the growing role of nuclear power in supporting the infrastructure needs of major tech companies.

The culmination of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is being held in Bardoli, a historically significant location in the state of Gujarat. The event will feature a farmers’ conference attended by key leaders, including Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. This gathering aims to highlight and support agricultural advancements and new initiatives intended to boost productivity and sustainability in the region. Hosting the event in Bardoli, known for its agricultural legacy, aligns with the government’s efforts to empower farmers and reinforce the importance of agricultural development at both state and national levels.

The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino Experiment (KATRIN), a major scientific initiative focused on measuring the mass of neutrinos, was conducted in Germany. Researchers involved in this project analyzed data from five experimental runs between 2019 and 2021, examining over 36 million electron events. Their findings established a new upper limit for the mass of neutrinos, determining that the total mass of the three known types is less than 8.8 × 10⁻⁷ times the mass of an electron. This experiment represents a significant step forward in the field of particle physics and highlights Germany’s leading role in advanced scientific research.

R Doraiswamy has been recommended by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) for the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the country's largest life insurer. With over 38 years of experience at LIC, Doraiswamy has served in various capacities, including operations, marketing, technology, and training. His extensive career background and leadership across critical functions made him the top candidate among four senior LIC executives interviewed on June 11, 2025. The final approval of his appointment now awaits the decision of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

In the Global Gender Gap Index 2025 released by the World Economic Forum, India has slipped to the 131st position out of 148 countries. This marks a decline of two spots from the previous year and reflects the ongoing challenges India faces in achieving gender parity. With a parity score of just 64.1%, India remains among the lowest-ranked countries in South Asia. In comparison, Bangladesh led the region at 24th place, followed by countries like Nepal (125), Sri Lanka (130), Bhutan (119), Maldives (138), and Pakistan (148), highlighting regional disparities in gender equality progress.

The World Day Against Child Labour is observed globally every year on June 12 to raise awareness and promote action against child labour. In 2024, the ILO and UNICEF released a report revealing that 138 million children were engaged in child labour, emphasizing the urgent need for accelerated efforts. The theme "Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts!" highlights both achievements and the ongoing challenges in eliminating child labour. This day serves as a crucial reminder to strengthen policies and interventions protecting children's rights worldwide.

Prominent banks from France and the UAE have received in-principle approvals to set up IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) in GIFT City, Gujarat, marking a significant milestone in India’s emergence as a global financial hub. French banks like Natixis and Credit Agricole, and UAE-based institutions such as First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC and Mashreq Bank, are among those expanding their presence. These approvals are part of broader efforts by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to attract top-tier global banking institutions to GIFT City. With this, the total number of IBUs has risen to 31, reflecting the rapid internationalization of India’s financial landscape.

The 2nd Session of the IALA Council took place in Nice, France, with India participating as the Vice President of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA). The IALA Council serves as the principal decision-making body for global standards on marine navigation aids. While this session was held in France, the upcoming 3rd IALA General Assembly in December 2025 will be hosted in Mumbai, India, reflecting India's growing role in maritime governance and international cooperation on navigational safety.

India has achieved a significant milestone in expanding social security coverage, rising from just 19 per cent in 2015 to an impressive 64.3 per cent in 2025. This increase translates to approximately 94 crore citizens now receiving social protection benefits. According to data from the International Labour Organisation’s ILOSTAT, this expansion places India in the 2nd position globally in terms of the number of beneficiaries covered. This achievement highlights the country's focused policy efforts over the past decade to broaden access to welfare and support mechanisms, especially for vulnerable populations, thereby contributing to more inclusive social development.

The Lokpal of India, an independent statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, adopted the new motto "Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption" to strengthen its public outreach and visibility. This body is responsible for investigating corruption allegations against public officials, including high-ranking functionaries. The motto reflects its commitment to transparency and citizen empowerment, replacing the previous one as part of efforts to reinforce its role in combating corruption and ensuring accountability in governance. The Lokpal represents a key institutional mechanism for upholding integrity in India's administrative framework.

Mohd. Arif Khan has been appointed as the Deputy CEO of SBI General Insurance, effective June 11, 2025. With over 25 years of experience at the State Bank of India (SBI), Khan has held multiple leadership roles across retail banking, strategic training, and core banking implementation. His appointment underscores SBI General’s focus on strengthening its leadership for future-ready operations. Khan’s expertise in digital transformation and customer-focused strategies is expected to play a key role in boosting innovation, expanding into underserved markets, and improving operational efficiency. He will closely collaborate with MD & CEO Naveen Chandra Jha to drive profitable and sustainable growth.