Daily Current Affairs and GK | 22 and 23 June 2025

Topic: Banking/Finance

1. NPCI has introduced a new real-time API to validate PAN and bank account details.

• This API is meant for use by government departments.
• It allows instant verification of PAN numbers, account status, and account holder names.
• The verification happens through integration with banks’ Core Banking Systems.
• The new feature is now available on the income tax e-filing portal.
• It helps make PAN-bank account linking quicker and more efficient.
• The main goal is to speed up tax refunds and government benefit transfers.
• It also reduces manual errors and mismatches in identity verification.
• Real-time validation helps prevent fraud and ensures data accuracy.
• NPCI has asked all member banks to implement the system on priority.
• This is because the API supports essential government services.
• The announcement was made in a circular issued on June 17, 2025.
• Banks will need to upgrade their systems to support this API.
• They must also meet NPCI’s secure API standards.
• Taxpayers will benefit from faster and more reliable refunds.
• Banks, however, may face challenges during implementation.
• These include system upgrades and managing cybersecurity risks.

Topic: Important Days

2. World Rainforest Day 2025: 22 June

• World Rainforest Day is observed every year on 22 June.

• It was started by the Rainforest Partnership to preserve the tropical rainforests.
• World Rainforest Day was observed for the first time on 22 June 2017.
• Various organizations, environmental enthusiasts, and NGOs celebrate this day by creating awareness among individuals about the rainforests.
• The Amazon Rainforest, Congo Rainforest, Sundaland, Atlantic Forest, and Guinean Forests of West Africa are some important rainforests in the world.
• Rainforests cover around 6% of Earth’s surface, but they have more than 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds, and 150 species of butterflies.
• Rainforests provide 20% of the oxygen and absorb 7.6 billion metric tons of CO₂ annually, supply freshwater and many food products such as coffee, spices, and fruits, and stabilize climate patterns.

Topic: Sports

3. Neeraj Chopra won the Paris Diamond League 2025 title with a brilliant performance.

• Neeraj Chopra clinched his first major title of 2025 by winning the Paris Diamond League with an opening throw of 88.16m.
• His victory marked his first Diamond League title in two years, having last won in Lausanne in June 2023.
• Germany’s Julian Weber came second with a best throw of 87.88m, while Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva took third with 86.62m.
• Chopra's second throw reached 85.10m, while his final throw registered 82.89m; three middle attempts were fouled.
• Weber had earlier defeated Chopra in Doha and Poland with throws of 91.06m and 86.12m respectively.
• Chopra had achieved a throw of 90.23m in Doha but had to settle for second place behind Weber.
• Chopra has secured second place in six Diamond League meets since his 2023 Lausanne victory.
• Final Standings – Paris Diamond League (Men’s Javelin Throw)

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Reports and Indices

4. The fifth edition of National Time Release Study launched by Finance Minister in New Delhi.

• The fifth edition of the National Time Release Study (NTRS) was released by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman at the CBIC Conclave in New Delhi.
• The Time Release Study (TRS) is a performance measurement tool that provides quantitative information on the time taken to release cargo, thereby helping to evaluate the efficiency of an extraction process.
• Since 2019, the TRS has been conducted at 15 key locations, including seaports, Air Cargo Complexes (ACCs), Inland Container Depots (ICDs), and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs).
• Data for the study is sourced from the Customs Automated System, managed by the CBIC’s Directorate General of Systems and Data Management.
• This edition expanded its coverage to include Kochi Seaport, Garhi Harsaru ICD, and Jaigaon LCS.
• In the import segment, the average release time (ART) declined at ports (~6 hours), ACCs (~5 hours) and ICPs (~18 hours) between 2023 and 2025, while an increase of about 12 hours was observed at ICDs.
• Performance against NTFAP 3.0 targets showed that 93.33% of import cargo at ICPs met the 48-hour target, followed by air cargo complexes (55.03% within 24 hours), ports (51.76%) and ICDs (43.70%).
• The key contributors to the improvement in timelines include “accelerated processing” – use of advance filing, RMS-based facility, AEO recognition and Direct Port Delivery (DPD).
• However, delays were observed in processes such as duty payment, amendment/check resolution, PGA intervention and post-clearance logistics.
• Regulatory clearance (from arrival to delay in export order) was fastest at Air Cargo Complex (less than 4 hours) and ICP (06:10 hours).
• At ports, regulatory clearance averaged 29:36 hours, with logistics time after LEO improving to 157:50 hours. At ICDs, regulatory clearance for exports took 30 hours, with logistics time after LEO improving to 99:51 hours.
• High levels of facilitation were observed at ports (87-93%).
• Release time was also affected by cargo specific factors.
• For example, refrigerated goods were shipped faster via air cargo, factory-stuffed cargo was cleared sooner than ICD-stuffed cargo.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Miscellaneous

5. 'Pratibha Setu' launched by the UPSC to connect exam qualifiers with employers.

• The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has launched ‘Pratibha Setu’ to connect top exam qualifiers with verified employers.
• ‘Pratibha Setu’ is a renamed version of the Public Disclosure Scheme (PDS), active since 2018.
• This platform includes a databank of over 10,000 candidates who cleared all stages of the UPSC exams but did not make it to the final merit list.
• Both government and private employers are granted access to this pool via a secure login.
• This provides a platform for employers to select non-recommended willing candidates who are almost as meritorious as the recommended candidates, while providing a second gateway for the UPSC aspirants to shine beyond the examination.
• A soft biodata, including educational qualifications and contact details, is made available for willing candidates.
• Employers may voluntarily register and select candidates beyond the final merit list.
• The initiative ensures talent visibility beyond the UPSC’s final recommendations.
• Earlier, such lists were published publicly under the PDS on the UPSC website.
• The initiative provides a second opportunity to meritorious candidates while easing recruitment for verified organizations.

Topic: Sports

6. Carlos Alcaraz claimed his second Queen's Club title ahead of Wimbledon.

• On 22 June, Carlos Alcaraz won his second Queen’s Club title by defeating Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 in the final.
• Alcaraz has now won five titles in 2025, having previously triumphed in Rome, Monte Carlo, French Open, and Rotterdam.
• His victory at Queen’s extended his winning streak to 18 matches, his career-best.
• Alcaraz became only the second Spaniard after Feliciano Lopez to win Queen’s twice.
• His grass-court dominance was first demonstrated in 2023, when he won Queen’s and followed it with a Wimbledon win.
• He has an 11-1 record at Queen’s and will aim for a third straight Wimbledon crown starting June 30.
• Queen's Club Championships:
  • The Queen's Club Championships is a prestigious annual tennis tournament played on grass courts at the Queen's Club in West Kensington, London.
  • Recognized as one of the oldest tennis events globally, it acts as a key grass-court lead-up to Wimbledon.
  • Andy Murray holds the record for most singles titles at the event, winning five between 2009 and 2016, and has a total of six championships to his name, including a doubles title in 2019.
• 2025 champions:

Topic: State News/Uttar Pradesh

7. Uttar Pradesh has become top state in digital public procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).

• The state recorded total procurement worth Rs 65,227.68 crore between FY 2020–21 and FY 2024–25.
• In FY 2024–25 alone, UP processed over 72 lakh procurement orders.
• These orders amounted to Rs 5.43 lakh crore in value.
• Since its launch, GeM has handled over 2.9 crore transactions.
• The total value of these transactions has crossed Rs 14 lakh crore.
• GeM offers more than 11,000 product categories. It also provides services across 330 categories.
• Uttar Pradesh showed consistent growth in digital procurement over the five-year period.
• The value of procurement was Rs 4,622.16 crore in FY 2020–21.
• It rose to Rs 11,286.29 crore in FY 2021–22.
• The figure further increased to Rs 12,242.48 crore in FY 2022–23.
• It peaked at Rs 20,248 crore in FY 2023–24. There was a slight dip to Rs 16,828.75 crore in FY 2024–25.
• The Urban Development Department was the highest procuring entity in the state.
• It made purchases worth Rs 11,588.28 crore through GeM.
• The Health and Family Welfare Department followed with Rs 9,257.14 crore.
• The IT and Electronics Department procured goods worth Rs 8,241.60 crore.
• In November 2024, UP reformed its procurement rules.
• These were aligned with the General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017 and GeM’s standard terms.
• This enabled full adoption of GeM across all state departments.
• It also created a streamlined and unified digital procurement system.

Topic: Space and IT

8. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured the technology transfer for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) from ISRO.

• The deal is valued at ₹511 crore. HAL emerged as the only successful bidder for this opportunity.
• It outpaced two rival consortia. One was led by Alpha Design Technologies and backed by the Adani Group.
• The other was led by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
• The technology transfer process is expected to take two years.
• After this period, HAL will have the right to build, own, and operate SSLV launches independently.
• HAL will become the third Indian firm to build rockets.
• Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos are the other two companies.
• Nine companies had shown interest in the SSLV project.
• Three of them were disqualified. Three others chose not to submit a formal bid.
• ISRO will assist HAL in building two SSLV prototypes during the transfer phase.
• This handholding will continue over the next two years.
• After that, HAL will be expected to manufacture between six and ten SSLVs per year.
• Production numbers will depend on market demand.
• From the third rocket onward, HAL can modify the SSLV design.
• It will also have the freedom to select its own vendors.
• The SSLV is a compact and cost-effective rocket developed by ISRO.
• It is designed to launch satellites weighing up to 500 kg into low Earth orbit.
• The rocket allows for quick deployment, which is especially useful for defence and emergency needs.

Topic: National Appointments

9. Professor Suman Chakraborty has been appointed as the new Director of IIT Kharagpur.

• He is currently the Institute Chair Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at IIT Kharagpur.

• He also holds the prestigious Sir J C Bose National Fellowship awarded by the Department of Science and Technology.
• He will succeed Professor Amit Patra, who has been serving as the acting director.
• Chakraborty’s term will last for five years or until he turns 70, whichever comes first.
• He was recently awarded the 2026 TWAS Award in Engineering and Computer Sciences.
• The award was given by UNESCO for his pioneering research in micro- and nanoscale fluid flows.
• His work has led to major improvements in diagnostic tools.
• It has also helped expand healthcare access in rural and marginalized communities.
• In 2023, he was named among the top 100 researchers in Asia across all disciplines.
• He received the National Award for Teachers in the same year.
• Chakraborty also won the Infosys Prize in 2022 for engineering research.
• He has been honoured with the Santi Swaroop Bhatnagar Prize.
• His appointment as director was officially approved by the Government of India.
• On January 1, 2025, Professor Amit Patra of IIT BHU became acting director of IIT Kharagpur.
• This followed the end of Professor V K Tewari’s term on December 31, 2024.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

10. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the National Conference of Estimates Committees in Mumbai.

• He also launched the 75th Anniversary Souvenir of the Estimates Committee of Parliament.
• The conference features speeches from several prominent leaders.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is one of the key speakers at the inaugural session.
• Harivansh Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, will also address the gathering.
• Prof. Ram Shankar Shinde, Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, will be present.
• Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Chairperson of the Estimates Committee of Parliament, will deliver a speech.
• The conference will last two days.
• It brings together Chairpersons and members of Estimates Committees from Parliament and State/UT legislatures.
• The theme focuses on the role of Estimates Committees in monitoring and reviewing budget estimates.
• The discussions will emphasize ensuring efficiency and economy in administration.
• On the final day, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan will give the valedictory address.