Current Affairs One - Liner : 7th June 2025

National:

• The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) 2024-25 results show Tamil Nadu, Tripura, and Delhi as top performers in adult literacy. Tamil Nadu achieved a 100% success rate, while Tripura and Delhi recorded 98.1% and 99.3% respectively. Conducted under ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, the test assessed 1.77 crore adult learners.

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched a new system in the ECINET application on June 4, 2025, to provide real-time voter turnout updates. Presiding Officers (PROs) will enter voter turnout data into ECINET every two hours on polling day. The data will be automatically aggregated at the constituency level and published at regular intervals.
• Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 on June 5, 2025, in New Delhi. The campaign aims to plant 10 crore trees by September 30, 2025, under Mission LiFE. A web portal was introduced to track plantations and monitor eco club activities.
• The Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) notified the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Rules, 2025 on June 3, 2025. SEZs for semiconductors and electronics now require only 10 hectares, expanding scope to Li-ion cells, IT hardware, and wearables. SEZ units can now sell to the domestic market after paying applicable duties, boosting local supply chains.

International:

• India was elected to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2026-2028 term on June 4, 2025. This marks India's 18th term, securing 181 out of 187 valid votes under the Asia-Pacific States group. ECOSOC plays a vital role in global economic, social, and environmental policy coordination.

Banking:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projected India’s GDP growth at 6.5% for the 2025–26 financial year on June 6, 2025. Growth is driven by strong agriculture, rising industrial activity, and steady services sector momentum. Private consumption remains healthy, with urban demand improving and rural demand stable.
• ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund will rename two equity schemes, effective June 16, 2025. ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund will become ICICI Prudential Large Cap Fund. ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund will be renamed ICICI Prudential Value Fund.
• Wise received RBI approval on June 3, 2025, to operate as a cross-border payment aggregator. This allows Wise to support higher transaction limits up to ₹25 lakh, benefiting freelancers and SMEs. The company already facilitates 10% of inbound international remittances in India. Wise has also expanded with a full-stack office in Hyderabad, led by Smrithi Ravi.
• Central Bank of India acquired a 25.18% stake in Future Generali India Life Insurance on June 4, 2025. The ₹57 crore deal strengthens the bank’s presence in life insurance, involving 65.43 crore shares. The acquisition was completed via the insolvency resolution process, boosting financial sector stability.

Science & Technology:

• The discovery of 2017 OF201, a potential dwarf planet, was announced on May 21, 2025. Astronomers identified it using data from the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey (DECaLS) and the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope.

Reports:

• The National Statistical Office (NSO) released "EnviStats India 2025: Environment Statistics" on June 5, 2025, in New Delhi. The report highlights energy trends, fisheries growth, climate patterns, and biodiversity statistics. Thermal power generation surged, inland fish production doubled, and India hosts 20,613 marine species. New indicators include electricity access, transport, sanitation, and a list of Ramsar Sites.

Sports:

• Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won their first UEFA Champions League title on May 31, 2025. They defeated Inter Milan 5-0 at Allianz Arena, Munich, marking the biggest-ever final victory margin. Achraf Hakimi, Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Senny Mayulu scored for PSG.
• Magnus Carlsen won the Norway Chess 2025 title on June 6, 2025, in Stavanger, Norway. The event was the Norway Chess Tournament, a prestigious chess competition. This marks Carlsen’s seventh Norway Chess title, secured after a dramatic final round.
• Muhammad Waseem (UAE) and Chloe Tryon (South Africa) were named ICC Players of the Month for May 2025 on June 7, 2025. Waseem won the men's award for his performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 and a T20I series against Bangladesh.

Summits & Conferences:

• The 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue was held on June 6, 2025, in New Delhi, chaired by Dr. S. Jaishankar. It aimed to strengthen regional cooperation in trade, connectivity, security, and development partnerships. Foreign Ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan participated.

Defence:

• Dassault Aviation and TASL signed the Rafale fuselage production agreement on June 5, 2025. This marks the first-ever Rafale fuselage production outside France, boosting India's aerospace sector. A dedicated facility in Hyderabad will produce two fuselages per month, starting FY28. The partnership strengthens Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, enhancing global defense supply chains.

Important Days:

• UN Russian Language Day 2025 is observed on June 6, marking Alexander Pushkin’s 226th birth anniversary. Established in 2010, it highlights the cultural significance of the Russian language in global diplomacy. Russian is one of the six official UN languages, alongside Arabic, Chinese, English, French, and Spanish.
• World Pest Day 2025 is observed on June 6 to raise awareness about pest management. Led by the Global Pest Management Coalition (GPMC) with support from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). The 2025 theme is "Guardians of Health: Professional Pest Management for a Safer World".

Appointments:

• Economist S. Mahendra Dev was appointed as the Chairperson of EAC-PM on June 5, 2025. The Union Government reconstituted the council, retaining full-time members and adding six part-time members. The position was vacant since November 2024, following the passing of Bibek Debroy.
• Shri T. Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), was appointed as a part-time member of the 16th Finance Commission (XVIFC) on June 7, 2025. His appointment follows the resignation of Ajay Narayan Jha, a full-time member.

Questions:

Q.1 What is the minimum land requirement for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for semiconductors and electronics as per the SEZ Rules, 2025?
a) 50 hectares
b) 25 hectares
c) 10 hectares
d) 5 hectares

Answer: c) The SEZ Rules, 2025, notified on June 3, 2025, reduced the land requirement for SEZs in semiconductors and electronics to 10 hectares.

Q.2 Who was appointed as the Chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) on June 5, 2025?
a) Bibek Debroy
b) S. Mahendra Dev
c) T. Rabi Sankar
d) Ajay Narayan Jha

Answer: b) S. Mahendra Dev was appointed as EAC-PM Chairperson.