Daily Current Affairs and GK | 17 June 2025

Topic: National Appointments

1. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has appointed Kirti Ganorkar as the new managing director.

• His appointment will be effective from 1 September 2025. His term will last for five years.

• The appointment is part of a broader succession plan. It is pending approval by the company’s shareholders.
• Dilip Shanghvi, the current MD, will step down from his role. He will take on the position of executive chairman.
• Ganorkar has been with Sun Pharma since 1996. He has led the India business since 2019.
• Abhay Gandhi, the president & CEO for North America, is leaving the company. Richard "Rick" Ascroft will succeed him.
• Aalok Shanghvi, whole-time director and chief operating officer, will now also oversee the North America business. Ascroft will report directly to him.

Topic: Important Days

2. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025: 17 June

• World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is celebrated every year on June 17.
• It is celebrated to spread awareness about the diminishing land cover on Earth.
• This year it is being observed under the theme – "Restore the land. Unlock the оpportunities."
• This year's day highlights how restoring nature's backbone – land – can create jobs, boost food and water security, support climate action and build economic resilience.
• The United Nations General Assembly declared 17 June as "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought" in December 1994.
• In recent years, Droughts, land degradation, and desertification have become very common.
• In 2007, the UN declared the decade of 2010 to 2020 the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight Against Desertification.
• The United Nations created the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1994.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. TRAI launched pilot project for digital consent registry to combat spam.

• A pilot project for digital consent management has been launched by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in coordination with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and select banks.
• The initiative was introduced under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018.
• TRAI has observed that a large number of spam complaints are made by consumers against commercial entities from whom the consumers have previously purchased goods or services.
• On investigation, such commercial entities often claim that they have the consumer's consent to receive commercial calls and messages.
• Often, such consents were collected offline, making them difficult to verify, and in many cases, acquired using deceptive methods or unauthorized sharing.
• A digital consent framework was already provided by regulations, but its success depends on onboarding entities involved in commercial communications.
• The pilot was mandated through a direction issued to all Telecom Service Providers on 13th June 2025.
• The banking sector was prioritized due to the sensitivity of financial transactions and increasing cases of fraud through spam communication.
• The pilot is being conducted under a Regulatory Sandbox framework to test operational, technical, and compliance aspects of the Consent Registration Function (CRF).
• The project aims to build a secure, interoperable, and transparent digital consent ecosystem for legitimate commercial communication.
• TRAI is committed to protecting consumer interests and enhancing confidence in legitimate commercial communications and plans to collaborate with regulators and stakeholders for sector-wide implementation.

Topic: Indian Economy

4. India's exports grew 5.75% in April-May 2025, driven by electronics and services.

• India's total cumulative exports, including both merchandise and services, were estimated at US$ 142.43 billion during April-May 2025, reflecting a 5.75% increase over the US$ 134.69 billion recorded in the same period of 2024.
• Merchandise exports during April-May 2025 were valued at US$ 77.19 billion, showing a positive growth of 3.07% compared to US$ 74.89 billion during April-May 2024.
• Services exports were estimated at US$ 65.24 billion in April-May 2025, registering a healthy rise of 9.11% over the US$ 59.79 billion exported during the same period last year.
• The cumulative non-petroleum exports reached US$ 64.25 billion in April-May 2025, a growth of 7.53% from the US$ 59.75 billion recorded in April-May 2024.
• Key contributors to merchandise export growth in May 2025 included electronic goods, which surged by 54.10% (US$ 4.57 billion from US$ 2.97 billion), and organic & inorganic chemicals, which rose by 16% (US$ 2.68 billion from US$ 2.31 billion).
• Marine product exports rose by 26.79%, reaching US$ 0.73 billion in May 2025, while drugs & pharmaceuticals exports increased by 7.38% to US$ 2.48 billion.
• India’s total exports (merchandise and services combined) in May 2025 stood at US$ 71.12 billion, growing by 2.77% compared to US$ 69.20 billion in May 2024.
• Imports in May 2025 were estimated at US$ 77.75 billion, down by 1.02% from US$ 78.55 billion in May 2024, resulting in a trade deficit of US$ 6.62 billion, an improvement from the US$ 9.35 billion deficit in May 2024.
• Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in May 2025 rose to US$ 30.71 billion compared to US$ 28.73 billion in May 2024, while similar category imports increased to US$ 41.19 billion from US$ 36.79 billion.
• The top five export destinations showing strong growth in May 2025 compared to May 2024 were the USA (16.93%), China (25.04%), Australia (35.36%), Russia (48.11%), and Germany (17.05%).
• Trade during April-May 2025 compared to the same period in 2024:

Topic: Awards and Prizes

5. PM Modi honoured with Cyprus’s Highest Civilian Award.

• On 16 June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the "Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III", the highest civilian award of Cyprus.
• The award was presented by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides during PM Modi’s official visit to the country.
• In his remarks, PM Modi dedicated the honour to the 1.4 billion citizens of India and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Cyprus.
• The recognition was described by the Prime Minister as a tribute to the democratic values and shared cooperation between India and Cyprus.
• The Grand Cross has been seen as a reaffirmation of mutual commitment to peace, territorial integrity, and prosperity.
• The Decoration of the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III was instituted in 1981 by former Cypriot President Spyros Kyprianou and is one of the most prestigious awards conferred by the Cypriot state.
• It is granted under the powers of Article 47b of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus.
• It is reserved for individuals who have made distinguished contributions to international relations and goodwill.
• The award reflects the strengthening bilateral relationship and growing collaboration in economic, cultural, and innovation sectors.
• The visit of PM Modi to Cyprus from June 15 to 16 marked a key milestone in enhancing strategic and diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

Topic: International Appointment

6. Blaise Metreweli appointed as first female chief of MI6.

• Blaise Metreweli has been appointed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the first woman to head the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) in its 116-year history, marking a major milestone for British intelligence services.
• Commonly referred to as 'C,' the chief of the international spy agency has operational responsibility for MI6 and is the only publicly named member of the organization, answerable to Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
• Her promotion was made from the role of Director General, or ‘Q’, where she was responsible for technology and innovation within MI6, and she had earlier served at MI5 in a senior position.
• Prime Minister Starmer described her appointment as “historic” and emphasized that it comes at a time when Britain faces unprecedented national security threats, including cyber warfare and foreign espionage.
• Metreveli will become the 18th head of MI6 after taking over from Moore.
• Metreweli will replace Sir Richard Moore, the current chief, who is set to step down in the autumn of this year after leading the service for five years.

Topic: International News

7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a landmark visit to Cyprus.

• The trip resulted in the signing of a Joint Declaration aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation.
• Both nations firmly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pahalgam.
• Cyprus expressed strong support for India’s fight against cross-border terrorism.
• This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades.
• It was celebrated as a turning point in bilateral ties.
• India and Cyprus agreed to finalize the EU-India Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025.
• Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the EU Council in early 2026.
• The declaration emphasized shared values such as democracy, international law, and a rules-based global order.
• Cyprus reiterated its support for India’s permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council.
• Both countries will hold regular political dialogues through their foreign ministries.
• They also agreed to implement a structured bilateral Action Plan.
• India and Cyprus pledged to support each other in multilateral forums.
• These include the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and other international organizations.
• Maritime and naval cooperation will be expanded. Plans include joint exercises, port visits, and coordination on maritime security.
• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was identified as a key initiative.
• Plans were announced for a Cyprus-India Business Forum.
• A memorandum of understanding will be finalized to promote joint research in technology.
• They also agreed to launch a pilot mobility program by the end of 2025.
• The two countries will explore possibilities for direct air connectivity.
• The joint declaration includes an agreement to create a comprehensive Action Plan for 2025–2029 to steer bilateral relations.
• Cyprus is situated in West Asia. It is an island country in eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is Nicosia, also known as Lefkosia. Its currency is Euro.
• India Cyprus relations:
  • India and Cyprus established diplomatic relations in 1962.
  • Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
  • India and Cyprus revised the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between them in 2016.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

8. India has been officially recognized as a top-tier Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF) by the WOAH and United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

• ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), located in Bhopal, received this recognition.
• The institute underwent a detailed inspection by international experts in March 2025.
• It met the required standards and earned the Category A status.
• This honor was announced at the 92nd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
• The event took place in Paris on May 29, 2025.
• Alka Upadhyaya represented India at the session.
• She is the Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
• She accepted the certificate from the WOAH Director General.
• Rinderpest was once a deadly disease that affected cattle worldwide.
• It was declared eradicated in 2011.
• To prevent its return, only a few secure laboratories are allowed to store the virus.
• ICAR-NIHSAD is one such facility. It has Biosafety Level-3 infrastructure.
• The institute is also a reference lab for avian influenza under WOAH.
• Since 2012, it has been India’s official repository for Rinderpest Virus-Containing Material (RVCM).
• The Category A status confirms that ICAR-NIHSAD maintains strict biosafety protocols.
• It also shows strong inventory management and emergency readiness.
• India now joins a select group of six countries with this responsibility.
• This achievement highlights India's leadership in animal health and biosecurity.
• It also strengthens India’s role in the One Health global initiative.
• The evaluation committee urged India to pursue Category B status.
• This would involve work related to vaccine seed material.
• Rinderpest (also known as cattle plague) was a highly contagious and deadly viral disease.

Topic: Defence

9. The Defence Cyber Agency, under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, has launched a cyber-security exercise called ‘Cyber Suraksha’.

• The exercise is taking place from June 16 to June 27.
• It aims to strengthen the country’s cyber defence preparedness.
• The initiative is structured in multiple phases.
• It focuses on building cyber resilience across national defence and associated sectors.
• More than 100 participants from various government and defence organizations are taking part.
• They are exposed to realistic cyber-attack scenarios in a gamified environment.
• The training blends formal instruction with hands-on challenges.
• This helps sharpen both defensive techniques and analytical thinking.
• A special conclave for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) is included in the program.
• It aims to bridge the gap between technical teams and leadership roles.
• ‘Cyber Suraksha’ reflects a forward-looking approach to cyber security.
• It encourages a culture that prioritizes digital safety across defence infrastructure.
• The Defence Cyber Agency plans to hold such exercises regularly.

Topic: Personality in News

10. Amitabh Kant has stepped down from his role as India’s G20 Sherpa.

• He served in this position for three years.
• He has completed 45 years of service in various government roles.
• He now plans to work with startups, think tanks, academic institutions, and support free enterprise.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted his resignation and appreciated his contributions.
• Kant is a retired IAS officer from the 1980 batch of the Kerala cadre.
• He was appointed as India’s G20 Sherpa in July 2022.
• He played a crucial role during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023.
• He highlighted the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 as a major milestone.
• He called it a step toward global equity and representation of the Global South.
• Before this role, he served as the CEO of NITI Aayog.
• He also worked as Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion.
• He led major national initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India, and Ease of Doing Business.
• Under his leadership, India rose by 79 ranks in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.
• He also played a key role in transforming India’s tourism sector.
• He was behind iconic campaigns like Incredible India and Kerala: God’s Own Country.