Current Affairs - June 20, 2025 Current Affairs

The inaugural Hockey India Masters Cup 2025 is being held in Chennai. This marks the first edition of the tournament, organized by the Tamil Nadu Hockey Unit, and includes participation from veteran men’s and women’s teams across India. Specifically, men in the 40+ age group and women over 35 are competing in this 10-day event. The choice of Chennai as the host city underscores its importance in the Indian hockey landscape and reflects the city's growing role in supporting national-level sporting events.

India is set to export its first indigenously manufactured locomotive to the Republic of Guinea, marking a significant step in the country's global trade ambitions and engineering capabilities. The initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 20, 2025, from Bihar’s Marhowrah rail factory, is part of a ₹3,000 crore agreement to supply 150 locomotives over three years. These locomotives will support Guinea’s SimFer Simandou iron ore project, one of Africa’s largest mining ventures. The export showcases India's engineering excellence and commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, while also strengthening India-Africa economic ties in the infrastructure and technology sectors.

India is set to induct advanced variants of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system with a maximum range of 300 km. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), these new systems mark a significant upgrade from previous versions and are a key part of India's push for indigenous defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The upgraded versions—Pinaka-3 and Pinaka-4 will offer both 120 km and 300 km range options. These systems are equipped with precision guidance, rapid firing capabilities, and mobility features such as shoot-and-scoot, enhancing India’s artillery strength and strategic deterrence.

India and Canada have mutually agreed to restore their High Commissioners following a diplomatic strain that lasted for two years. This decision reflects a significant step forward in reviving bilateral ties. The development took place during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada's newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 outreach session. Alongside this diplomatic restoration, both countries also discussed the resumption of trade agreement talks, visa services, and broader dialogue mechanisms. These efforts indicate a move towards rebuilding trust and re-engaging on key bilateral and global issues.

World Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20. It is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees worldwide, acknowledging their strength, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity. The day also highlights the importance of protecting the rights of refugees, as outlined in key legal frameworks like the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. The 2025 theme, “Solidarity with Refugees,” emphasizes unity and global support for displaced individuals. Observing the day on June 20 brings global attention to their plight and the need for continued international cooperation.

Prof M Satish Kumar has been appointed as the inaugural Dean of Queen’s University Belfast’s GIFT City campus in Gujarat, marking a landmark step in India–UK academic collaboration. With over 25 years of experience at Queen’s University in the School of Natural and Built Environment, Prof Kumar is well-known for his leadership roles in internationalisation and strategic academic partnerships. His new appointment signifies the university’s commitment to offering top-tier British education in India. The GIFT City campus will serve as a crucial bridge between global academic standards and local industry needs, further enhancing India’s stature in international higher education.

On June 17, 2025, Honda, traditionally recognized for its automotive innovations, successfully tested a reusable rocket in Taiki Town, Hokkaido, Japan. This event marked Honda's official entry into the competitive space technology arena, positioning it among the few global entities capable of developing reusable launch systems. The experimental rocket achieved an altitude of 271.4 meters and demonstrated precise landing capabilities within 37 cm of its target. The trial validated critical aspects such as flight stability and reusability—key to cost-effective space missions. This achievement reflects Honda’s diversification strategy and underscores Japan’s growing influence in the private aerospace sector.

G. Sampath Kumar has been appointed as the first Indian Managing Director of Nippon Koei India (NKI), a significant milestone for the organization. This leadership shift reflects Nippon Koei India’s strategic vision of expanding its operations and influence across India, West Asia, and the Asia-Pacific regions. With over 35 years of experience in civil engineering and consultancy, and as an alumnus of IIT-BHU, Sampath Kumar brings deep industry expertise to the role. His appointment also symbolizes a growing trend of Indian professionals ascending to top roles in global multinational companies, strengthening local representation in key strategic decisions.

Delhi University has launched the JAIHIND scheme, which stands for Janajati Immersive Holistic Intervention for Novel Development. This initiative is specifically designed to empower Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from remote and underserved regions of India. Targeting school students from Classes 9 to 12, the scheme offers training in digital literacy, online admission processes, and preparation for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). The programme addresses the digital access gap faced by tribal students, especially in light of CUET becoming a mandatory, computer-based exam. With DU covering all training expenses and planning outreach expansions, JAIHIND represents a significant move toward inclusive higher education.

For the year 2025, the Sahitya Akademi has selected 23 writers for its Yuva Puraskar and 24 writers for the Bal Puraskar. The Sahitya Akademi, which functions as India’s National Academy of Letters, plays a vital role in promoting literary culture across the country. It is the only institution that conducts literary work in 24 recognized Indian languages, including English. The Yuva Puraskar is awarded to young writers to encourage new literary talent, while the Bal Puraskar acknowledges contributions to children’s literature. The announcement reflects the Akademi's ongoing commitment to recognizing diverse voices in Indian literature.

AIIMS Mangalagiri organized an awareness rally on June 19, 2025, in Andhra Pradesh to observe World Sickle Cell Day. The event was held in collaboration with the Departments of Health, Family Welfare, and Tribal Welfare. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about sickle cell disease, particularly in tribal communities where the prevalence is higher. Key officials and community members participated in the event, emphasizing a unified commitment toward eliminating the genetic disorder by 2047 under India’s National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission. AIIMS Mangalagiri’s active engagement demonstrates its pivotal role in public health education and tribal outreach.