Daily Current Affairs 17th June 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

India Launches Largest-Ever Tribal Empowerment Campaign

• The DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is India’s largest tribal empowerment campaign, covering over 549 tribal districts, 2,900+ blocks, and 1 lakh villages.
• The campaign ensures benefit saturation by delivering key services such as Aadhaar enrolment, Ayushman Bharat cards, PM-Kisan registration, Jan Dhan accounts, pensions, and skill development at the doorstep of tribal households.
• Implemented as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, and supported by programs like PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA, the initiative marks a major step in inclusive governance and last-mile delivery.

Banking News

RBI Relocates Andhra Pradesh Regional Office to Vijayawada

• On June 16, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) inaugurated its newly relocated Andhra Pradesh regional office in Vijayawada.
• Inaugurated by Deputy Governor T. Rabi Sankar, the office will house key departments such as FIDD, IBD, DoS, and FED.
• While administrative and financial functions will operate from Vijayawada, currency management will continue from RBI’s Hyderabad office.
• This strategic move strengthens the RBI’s regional outreach, especially in one of India’s rapidly growing states.

UPI Gets a Speed Boost: Transactions Now in 10 Seconds

• UPI transactions are now set to be completed in just 10–15 seconds, starting June 16, 2025, as per NPCI’s latest directive.
• In addition to this, users will have a 50-times daily limit for checking their account balance via UPI apps.
• To increase transaction transparency and reduce fraud, apps will display only the final beneficiary’s name, and users will no longer be able to edit it.
• With UPI usage surging across India, these upgrades aim to boost the efficiency, speed, and trust in the country’s digital payment ecosystem.

Business News

TCS Joins Hands with CEB to Streamline Financial Operations

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) in Paris to automate and optimise its financial reconciliation process.
• The implementation of TCS BaNCS™ for Reconciliations will enable end-to-end automation, real-time insights, and AI-driven exception management.
• This will lead to reduced manual intervention, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced control and transparency in daily transactions.
• The move highlights TCS’s expanding global role in banking technology and its contribution to Europe’s financial modernisation efforts.

Appointments News

India Reappoints Ambassador to North Korea After Four Years

• India has appointed Aliawati Longkumer as ambassador to North Korea, reviving high-level diplomatic engagement after a four-year pause.
• The move follows the reopening of India’s embassy in Pyongyang in December 2024, which had been closed in July 2021 due to the pandemic.
• While trade remains suspended under UN sanctions, India has continued humanitarian support and training programmes for North Korean officials.
• The appointment reaffirms India’s strategic presence in East Asia, balancing non-proliferation, regional security, and humanitarian interests.

Agreements News

Maruti Suzuki Partners with Equitas Bank to Boost Retail Car Financing

• Maruti Suzuki India Limited has partnered with Equitas Small Finance Bank through a strategic MoU to boost retail vehicle financing across India.
• The collaboration will provide affordable and accessible loans for new cars, used cars, and commercial vehicles, especially targeting customers in semi-urban and rural areas.
• This move reinforces both entities’ commitment to financial inclusion, customer satisfaction, and expanding the reach of organized vehicle finance.
• The partnership supports Maruti’s mission to make car ownership easier and more joyful through tailored and competitive financing.

Defense News

Defence Cyber Agency Launches ‘Cyber Suraksha’ Exercise to Boost Cybersecurity Readiness

• The Defence Cyber Agency has launched Cyber Suraksha, a 12-day cybersecurity exercise focused on training over 100 defence personnel in handling real-time cyber threats.
• The event includes a CISOs leadership conclave, practical simulations, and decision-making drills. Organized under the Integrated Defence Staff, this initiative aims to build resilience, test cyber defence capabilities, and promote a cybersecurity-first culture.
• The Ministry of Defence plans to make such exercises regular to enhance India’s defence cyber preparedness.

Ranks & Reports News

SIPRI Report: India’s Nuclear Arsenal Expands Amid Global Modernisation

• According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2025, India has modestly expanded its nuclear arsenal and is actively developing new nuclear delivery systems, including canisterised missiles that could carry warheads even during peacetime.
• This comes amid global nuclear modernisation, where nations like China (now with over 600 warheads) and Pakistan are also upgrading capabilities.
• The report warns of a new nuclear arms race, as 12,241 nuclear warheads are now estimated worldwide, with Russia and the US holding 90% of them. SIPRI emphasizes that strategic instability is increasing, with more states potentially readying warheads for rapid deployment.

Sports News

Chennai to Host Inaugural Hockey India Masters Cup from June 18

• The Hockey India Masters Cup 2025 is being hosted in Chennai from June 18 to 27, featuring veteran hockey players in the men’s (40+) and women’s (35+) categories.
• Organized by the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, the tournament includes 12 men’s and 8 women’s teams playing across group matches and knockouts.
• Notable former players such as Pritam Siwach, Adam Sinclair, and Sudha Chaudhari will participate. The event emphasizes honoring India’s hockey legacy, encouraging active aging, and creating a platform for veteran athletes.

Armand Duplantis Sets 12th World Record with 6.28m Vault

• In a historic moment at the Stockholm Diamond League, Armand Duplantis broke his own pole vault world record for the 12th time, clearing 6.28 meters on his first attempt.
• Competing on home soil, the Swedish-American athlete fulfilled a personal dream by setting a record at the Olympiastadion.
• The event also saw thrilling performances from Hunter Bell, Femke Bol, and Dina Asher-Smith, underscoring a night of athletic excellence.
• This achievement cements Duplantis’ status as a legend in athletics, inspiring future generations.

Ankita Raina Clinches 32nd Doubles Title with Alice Robbe at Guimaraes ITF

• Indian tennis player Ankita Raina secured her 32nd career doubles title after winning the Guimaraes ITF tournament in Portugal with partner Alice Robbe of France.
• The duo overcame the Japanese third seeds in a closely fought final (1-6, 6-4, [10-8]), marking Ankita’s third doubles title of 2025 and the eighth career doubles title for Robbe.
• Their win reflects grit, teamwork, and resilience, enhancing India’s standing on the international women’s tennis circuit.

Russell Claims Victory in Canada as McLaren Duo Norris & Piastri Collide

• In the Canadian GP 2025, George Russell secured Mercedes’ first win of the season as McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided with just four laps remaining.
• Norris admitted fault after rear-ending Piastri in a failed overtake, retiring with damage. The crash allowed Piastri to finish fourth, extending his championship lead to 22 points over Norris.
• A Red Bull protest against Russell’s driving behind the safety car was dismissed. The incident adds intensity to an already tight Formula 1 title battle and may shape McLaren’s team dynamics for the rest of the season.

Important Days News

International Domestic Workers’ Day 2025

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025

• The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025, observed on June 17, focuses on the theme “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities.”
• It draws attention to the urgent need for land restoration, especially with over 1.5 billion hectares needing revival by 2030.
• As a global observance driven by the UNCCD, it emphasizes the economic and environmental significance of healthy land and encourages nations like India to scale up sustainable land management, afforestation, and community-led resilience to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

International Day of Family Remittances 2025

• The International Day of Family Remittances 2025, observed on June 16, recognises the vital financial contributions of migrant workers to their families and communities.
• The 2025 theme, “Remittances financing development,” reaffirms the global commitment to leveraging remittances as tools for sustainable development.

Obituaries News

Renowned ISRO Scientist and Tamil Author Nellai Su. Muthu Passes Away at 74

• Former ISRO scientist and renowned Tamil author Nellai Su. Muthu passed away on June 16, 2025, in Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 74.
• Born in Tirunelveli, he served at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, collaborated with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and wrote over 170 books.
• His works like Vinveli 2057 and Einsteinum Andaveliyum received multiple state awards, and his contributions spanned science communication, children’s literature, and Tamil poetry. His last rites will be conducted in Madurai, marking the end of a remarkable journey that fused science and literature.

Current Affairs Today | 17 June Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam