Current Affairs - June 21, 2025 Current Affairs

India’s core sector growth slowed significantly to 0.7% in May 2025, representing the weakest expansion in the last nine months. This decline was driven by contractions in critical sectors such as crude oil, natural gas, fertilisers, and electricity. The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI), which tracks these sectors and contributes about 40% to the broader Index of Industrial Production (IIP), serves as a vital gauge of economic momentum. The sharp deceleration follows a prior month of sluggish performance, highlighting underlying stress in industrial output. This downtrend could impact overall GDP growth and signal a need for policy attention.

Professor Suman Chakraborty, a distinguished mechanical engineer and innovator in diagnostic technologies, has been appointed as the Director of IIT Kharagpur. Taking over from interim Director Professor Amit Patra, his appointment marks a strategic emphasis on research-led innovation and global academic collaboration at the institute. A J.C. Bose National Fellow and visiting faculty at Stanford, Professor Chakraborty is acclaimed for developing accessible medical technologies such as Covirap, HemoQR, and PrepapQR, which aim to make diagnostic solutions more affordable. His leadership is expected to steer IIT Kharagpur toward impactful research and inclusive healthcare innovation over the next five years.

Uttar Pradesh led the country in digital public procurement on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), completing orders worth ₹65,227.68 crore between FY 2020–21 and FY 2024–25. The state’s comprehensive adoption of GeM across departments, especially after aligning procurement rules with the General Financial Rules in 2024, significantly enhanced transparency and efficiency. Key contributors included the Urban Development, Health, IT & Electronics, and Medical Education departments. Union Minister Piyush Goyal commended Uttar Pradesh for exemplifying transparent e-governance and setting a national benchmark in digital procurement, reinforcing its leadership in public sector reform and innovation under the Digital India initiative.

Neeraj Chopra clinched victory at the 2025 Paris Diamond League with a remarkable first-attempt throw of 88.16 metres. This win marks his first Diamond League title since June 2023, making it a major comeback after a series of close contests earlier in the season. Facing tough competition from Germany’s Julian Weber and Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva, Neeraj’s opening throw proved unbeatable. The achievement is especially significant given that he had placed eighth in Paris back in 2017. His performance not only reestablished his dominance in global javelin but also boosted his momentum ahead of the Zurich Diamond League Final in August 2025.

The 2025 World Para Athletics Championships will be hosted by India for the first time, with the event set to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. The Paralympic Committee of India unveiled both the logo and the mascot, named Viraaj—a young elephant with a blade prosthesis—to mark the 100-day countdown to the 12th edition of the global event. This makes India the fourth Asian country to host the championships, signifying a major milestone in the country’s commitment to supporting para-athletes and promoting inclusivity in sports.

Noida International Airport has taken a pioneering step by partnering with Anlon Technology Solutions to deploy India's first indigenously built runway rubber removal machine (RRM), named Cleanjet. This machine is critical for maintaining runway safety by effectively removing rubber deposits from aircraft landings. Built on an Eicher Pro 6028 chassis, the Cleanjet represents a significant advancement in domestic airport infrastructure technology. By adopting this locally manufactured solution, Noida is setting new benchmarks in aviation safety, efficiency, and the promotion of indigenous innovation in the country’s growing aviation sector.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched a new API-based system to enable real-time validation of PAN and bank account details specifically for the Income Tax e-filing portal. This integration allows instant verification of account holder names, active/inactive status, and PAN linkage directly with banks' Core Banking Systems (CBS). The initiative aims to expedite tax refunds, reduce manual errors, and streamline processes for taxpayers during ITR filing. Automating validations, eliminates delays caused by mismatched details, benefiting both individuals and government departments in financial reconciliation.

Velavan Senthilkumar, an Indian squash player ranked 45th in the world, secured a bronze medal in the men’s singles event at the Asian Squash Championships. He put up a strong performance but eventually lost in a gruelling 65-minute semifinal to Hong Kong’s second seed Alex Lau Tsz Kwan, who is ranked 41st. Despite the defeat, Senthilkumar’s effort earned him a podium finish, contributing to India’s achievements in the continental tournament and underlining his rising profile in the international squash circuit.

The 11th International Day of Yoga is scheduled to be observed on June 21, 2025. Since its inception in 2015, this day has been celebrated annually on June 21 after it was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution 69/131. The initiative is led by the Ministry of AYUSH with global support from various governments, UN bodies, and embassies, showcasing India's commitment to cultural diplomacy. The 2025 theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” highlights the holistic benefits of yoga and its relevance in promoting physical and mental well-being worldwide.

K Paul Thomas, the Managing Director and CEO of ESAF Small Finance Bank, has been elected as the chairman of Sa-Dhan, an association of microfinance and impact finance institutions recognized by the Reserve Bank of India as a self-regulatory organization (SRO). His election took place during the annual general meeting, which was attended by nearly 100 members. This appointment signifies a continued commitment to strengthening the microfinance sector in India, with Thomas bringing valuable leadership experience and insight from his role at ESAF to guide Sa-Dhan’s mission of promoting financial inclusion.

According to the Reserve Bank of India, India’s House Price Index (HPI) increased by 3.1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter (January–March) of FY2024–25. This moderate growth highlights a steady recovery in the country’s urban housing markets, with continued resilience in demand. The data, gathered from property registration authorities across ten major cities, is a reliable indicator of real estate price trends. While Kolkata led with an 8.8% rise and Kochi saw a 2.3% decline, the national average points to balanced and sustained momentum. The 3.1% annual increase is slightly lower than the 4.1% growth seen during the same period the previous year.