Current Affairs - June 25, 2025 Current Affairs

Dangeti Jahnavi, hailing from Palakollu in Andhra Pradesh, has made history as the first Indian to complete NASA’s International Air and Space Program. Her outstanding achievement has earned her a place in the 2029 mission to Titan’s Orbital Port Space Station, a pioneering space infrastructure project. Jahnavi’s journey is a testament to the global recognition of Indian scientific talent and the increasing role of Indian professionals in international space collaborations. With a background in Electronics and Communication Engineering and support from her family living abroad, her story reflects the determination and excellence required to reach the frontiers of space exploration.

On June 25, 2025, the Union government announced that Bihar will be among the first six Indian states to receive a nuclear power plant under the ₹20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission. The plant will be based on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, offering a safer, scalable, and more adaptable alternative to traditional nuclear plants. The decision was driven by Bihar’s persistent power deficit and infrastructural limitations, with the new facility expected to strengthen the state's grid, support industrial expansion, and drive long-term development. Additionally, a major battery energy storage project was sanctioned, reinforcing Bihar’s shift toward energy resilience.

S&P Global Ratings has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 6.5%, reflecting a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economic fundamentals. The upgraded forecast is supported by several favourable conditions, including the expectation of a normal monsoon, which is vital for agricultural productivity and rural demand. Additionally, lower global crude oil prices are expected to benefit India’s import-heavy energy sector by reducing costs and easing inflation. Anticipated monetary policy easing by the Reserve Bank of India, along with income tax concessions, are also projected to stimulate investment and consumption. Despite global uncertainties, India’s outlook remains robust.

The Day of the Seafarer is observed every year on June 25 to recognize and honour the vital role that seafarers play in global trade and the functioning of the world economy. In 2025, the celebration focused on the campaign ‘My Harassment-Free Ship’, emphasizing the urgent need to eliminate bullying and harassment at sea. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) led this campaign, advocating for safer and more respectful working environments aboard ships. The observance aims to foster a maritime culture of equality, dignity, and mental well-being, calling for systemic change in shipboard life and leadership practices.

The petition was filed in the Karnataka High Court by two individual bike owners who challenged a ruling that prohibited the operation of bike taxis in the state. They argued that such a ban infringes upon their fundamental rights, specifically the right to carry on a business and the freedom to choose bike taxis as a mode of transportation over public options like buses or the metro. This legal move underscores the ongoing debate in Karnataka about balancing regulatory controls with constitutional freedoms in the context of emerging transport services.

Scientists from France’s national blood agency, Établissement Français du Sang (EFS), discovered a completely new blood group system named EMM-negative. This new type has been officially recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). The discovery was made after identifying the rare blood type in a woman from Guadeloupe, leading to the colloquial name “Gwada negative.” This marks a significant advancement in haematology and could have important implications for blood transfusions and compatibility testing in the future.

Romania hosted ConvEx-3 (2025), the most extensive nuclear emergency simulation organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The 36-hour drill was centred around a simulated accident at Romania’s Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant and tested international coordination and readiness to respond to radiological disasters. Over 75 countries and 10 global organizations participated, making it a historic and truly global exercise. This event also marked the 20th anniversary since Romania last hosted such a simulation, reinforcing its role in promoting global nuclear safety standards and effective cross-border emergency management practices in the face of potential nuclear incidents.

On June 23, 2025, Kirsty Coventry made history by becoming the first female and first African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). A two-time Olympic gold medallist and one of Zimbabwe’s most accomplished athletes, Coventry has long been involved in sports governance, including serving as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation. Her inauguration marked a significant shift in the IOC’s leadership, highlighting a new vision centred on diversity, inclusivity, and integrity. With outgoing president Thomas Bach stepping down after 12 years, Coventry’s rise signifies a generational and cultural transformation in global sports administration.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force test pilot, made history by commanding the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 on June 25, 2025. This mission marked the second time an Indian ventured into space and the very first time an Indian astronaut lived and conducted experiments aboard the ISS. Shukla, with over 2,000 hours of combat flight experience and extensive astronaut training, joined a diverse international crew for a 14-day mission. His participation also marks a major milestone in India's growing involvement in global space missions, building momentum for the country’s Gaganyaan programme.

Iran is actively deliberating a bill in its parliament aimed at ending its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The move comes in response to what Iran perceives as the agency's failure to uphold neutrality and fulfil its responsibilities. Tensions escalated after the Arak Heavy Water Reactor facility was attacked, an act Iran attributes to Israel. Since then, Iran has accused the IAEA of operating as a political instrument rather than a neutral regulatory body. This development has significant implications for international nuclear oversight and regional stability in the Middle East.

Google has introduced a transformative AI Mode in India, powered by its custom Gemini 2.5 model. This new feature significantly enhances the search experience by enabling users to perform complex, multimodal, and conversational queries. With innovations like query fan-out technology, the system breaks down intricate questions into subtopics and processes them in parallel, offering more accurate and comprehensive results. This represents a major advancement over traditional keyword-based search engines, allowing users to interact in a more natural and intuitive way. By launching this in India, Google emphasizes the country’s growing role in shaping global tech innovation.

Andhra Pradesh launched the ‘Vidya Shakti’ initiative, aimed at supporting slow learners in government schools by leveraging technology for remedial education. The program targets core subjects like Mathematics, Science, and English and is being implemented across thousands of Zilla Parishad, Government, Municipal, and Residential schools. By conducting after-school sessions and training teachers specifically for this purpose, the initiative seeks to enhance learning outcomes, reduce dropout rates, and increase enrolment. This effort reflects a broader move toward inclusive, technology-driven education reform in the state, setting a precedent for other regions to follow.

IFFCO, one of India's leading cooperative fertilizer companies, is establishing its first overseas nano fertiliser plant in Brazil through a joint venture with NANOFERT. This strategic move aims to produce 4.5 million litres of nano fertiliser annually, enhancing IFFCO’s global presence and contributing to cost reductions. Nano fertilisers are gaining traction for their ability to significantly improve crop productivity while reducing the need for traditional chemical fertilisers. The choice of Brazil, a major agricultural powerhouse, positions IFFCO to tap into a large market and foster sustainable farming practices internationally.