Current Affairs - June 16, 2025 Current Affairs

India is actively working to become a global hub for arbitration by strengthening its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, which includes arbitration, mediation, and conciliation. At a high-level conference in New Delhi, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal highlighted the government's efforts to create a fast, efficient, and investor-friendly dispute resolution ecosystem. These efforts aim to reduce the burden on courts, attract global businesses, and ensure the timely resolution of commercial disputes. By promoting institutional arbitration over ad hoc processes and encouraging minimal judicial intervention, India is laying the foundation to emerge as a preferred destination for international dispute settlement.

Visakhapatnam, a coastal city in Andhra Pradesh, has been selected as the national host for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) to be held on June 21, 2025. The event marks the 10-year milestone of IDY, and senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush and the Andhra Pradesh Government have conducted detailed reviews of the city’s preparedness. Key venues like RK Beach, Rishikonda Beach, Andhra University, and GITAM University will host various yoga demonstrations. Visakhapatnam's selection highlights its infrastructure readiness, scenic coastline, and strategic significance in promoting yoga as a widespread wellness practice across the nation.

Arun Srinivas has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Head of India at Meta, effective July 1, 2025. With over 30 years of experience in sales and marketing and a background in companies like Hindustan Unilever, Ola, and Reebok, he joined Meta in 2020 to lead its ads business. His elevation to the top India role comes at a time of strategic expansion for Meta, following the resignation of Shivnath Thukral and the broadened responsibilities of Sandhya Devanathan. Srinivas is now tasked with leading Meta’s innovation, partnerships, and revenue strategies in one of its most important global markets.

In May 2025, India’s wholesale price inflation (WPI) dropped to 0.39%, marking a significant decline from 0.85% in April. This easing was primarily attributed to substantial deflation in food prices, especially vegetables, which saw a drop of over 21%. The slowdown was also influenced by reduced prices of fuel and manufactured goods. This figure represents the lowest wholesale inflation rate in over a year and reflects a broader disinflationary trend, which is also evident in retail inflation numbers. This data is important for shaping economic and fiscal strategies, especially in managing input costs and consumer pricing trends.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Cyprus on June 15, 2025, as part of a strategic three-nation tour. This marked the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the island nation in more than 20 years. The visit carries significant geopolitical weight, especially against the backdrop of Turkey’s increasing alignment with Pakistan. By strengthening ties with Cyprus, India aims to reinforce its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, promote economic and strategic cooperation, and signal a firm stance against regional adversarial alliances. Cyprus is also poised to play a key role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and holds diplomatic importance within the EU framework.

Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah finished as runners-up in the men’s doubles final at the WTT Contender Skopje 2025, held in North Macedonia. They were defeated by the South Korean duo of Jonghoon Lim and Junsung Oh. This final marked a significant achievement for the Indian pair, as it was their first appearance in a contender-level final together. Their performance highlights the growing competitiveness of Indian table tennis on the international stage and underscores their potential as a promising partnership in future international tournaments.

Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first female chief of MI6, the United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence agency, marking a historic milestone since the agency’s founding in 1909. Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the G7 Summit in Canada on June 15, 2025, her appointment reflects a progressive shift in the leadership of British intelligence services. Metreweli brings over 25 years of experience in cyber operations and intelligence, having served as MI6’s Director of Technology and Innovation. Her leadership is expected to bolster the agency’s response to modern challenges such as cyber threats, disinformation campaigns, and geopolitical tensions.

The Forest Rights Act (FRA) was enacted to recognize the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers over forest land and resources. As part of the government's efforts to implement this legislation effectively, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs approved the formation of district-level and state-level FRA cells. These administrative bodies are intended to support and accelerate the implementation process of the FRA. The establishment of these cells is directly linked to the provisions and objectives set out in the Forest Rights Act, which was passed in 2006.

On June 14, 2025, Union Minister Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated India’s first Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility in Chennai, developed by Garuda Aerospace. This 35,000 sq. ft. facility focuses on the design, manufacturing, and testing of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), with a target of producing one lakh drones by 2026. Alongside this launch, 300 Centres of Excellence and the DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) programme were also introduced. These initiatives aim to boost rural employment, promote drone-based agriculture, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in drone innovation and self-reliant technology development.

The Government of India has officially scheduled the 16th national census, and the 8th since Independence, to be conducted in 2027. This census will mark the reintroduction of caste-based enumeration, the first such effort since 2011. It will employ digital tools, enable self-enumeration by citizens, and involve around 34 lakh field personnel. The census is expected to conclude by March 2027, with the reference date for most parts of India being March 1, 2027. This exercise holds significant policy implications, especially in areas such as reservations, welfare distribution, and development planning, making 2027 a pivotal year in India’s demographic documentation.