Daily Current Affairs and GK | 24 June 2025

Topic: Important Days

1. International Olympic Day: 23 June

• International Olympic Day is celebrated each year on 23rd June.
• This day marks the anniversary of the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.
• This day aims at promoting participation in sports across the globe.
• The theme of Olympic Day is Let's Move.
• In 1947 at the time of the 41st Session of the International Olympic Committee in Stockholm, that Doctor Gruss, IOC member in Czechoslovakia, gave a report on a World Olympic Day celebration.
• The first Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 1948.
• Abhinav Bindra and PV Sindhu led India’s Olympic Day 2025 celebrations.
• International Olympic Committee in collaboration with Abhinav Bindra Foundation and Reliance Foundation celebrated the Olympic Day on June 23 across India, with the theme #Let's Move + 1, India!

Topic: Books and Authors

2. President Murmu's speeches of the second year released as “Wings to Our Hopes – Volume II”.

• On 23rd June, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh released the speech compilation “Wings to Our Hopes – Volume II”.

• The collection comprises 51 speeches delivered by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu from August 2023 to July 2024.
• It was compiled by Rashtrapati Bhavan and published by Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• The book follows its predecessor in chronicling the evolving discourse on governance, inclusiveness and national aspirations.
• The release function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and L. Murugan in attendance.
• Both Hindi and English versions, including e-books, will be made available to the public.
• These books have been prepared with a lot of hard work by the Publications Division.
• As a leading publishing house of the Government of India, the Publications Division has been publishing books on various subjects of public interest, national freedom movement, culture, art and literature.
• It has also been playing a vital role in documenting selected speeches of the Presidents and Prime Ministers of India for the last eight decades.

Topic: Economy/Banking/Finance

3. Gold became the second largest reserve asset globally, surpassing the euro.

• According to a report by the European Central Bank, gold has overtaken the euro to become the second-largest foreign exchange reserve asset.
• The US dollar still leads global reserves with a 46% share, while gold now holds 20%, pushing the euro to third at 16%.
• This shift indicates a deliberate preference by central banks for bullion over paper currencies.
• Over 1,000 tonnes of gold have been acquired annually by central banks from 2022 to 2024—more than double the previous decade’s average.
• Global official gold holdings now stand at 36,000 tonnes, nearing the historic high of 38,000 tonnes from the Bretton Woods era.
• The US Federal Reserve remains the top holder with 8,133.46 tonnes, though it made no fresh purchases in Q1 of 2025.
• India’s RBI increased its reserves to 879.60 tonnes by adding 3.42 tonnes in the March 2025 quarter.
• A new World Gold Council survey revealed that 95% of central banks expect their gold reserves to increase in the next 12 months.
• Currently, gold is trading at $3,350 an ounce – just 4% lower than its all-time high of $3,500 touched on April 22.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. Government launched ‘NAVYA’ to skill adolescent girls under Viksit Bharat@2047.

• On 24th June 2025, the Government launched NAVYA – Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls.
• The initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
• The program jointly inaugurated by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for MSDE, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, and Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur.
• NAVYA is a pilot initiative aimed at providing vocational training to adolescent girls in the age group of 16-18 years with a minimum qualification of Class 10, primarily in non-traditional job roles.
• The program will cover 27 districts, including aspirational and northeastern districts across 19 States.
• The programme will be based on the features of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and other major skill development schemes.
• PMKVY and PM Vishwakarma certificates distributed during the launch event.
• Interactions with adolescent trainees are also scheduled as part of the initiative.
• NAVYA seeks to empower young women as contributors to a self-reliant and inclusive India.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Sports

5. Bumrah became the first Asian bowler to take 150 Test wickets in SENA nations.

• Jasprit Bumrah secured his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests during the first Test against England at Headingley.

• With a total of 210 Test wickets, Bumrah continues to be India’s pace spearhead in overseas conditions.
• Bumrah's performance helped India restrict England to 465 runs, maintaining a six-run first-innings lead.
• He became the first Asian bowler to claim 150 Test wickets in SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
• He surpassed Wasim Akram’s record of 146 wickets in SENA nations.
• His ability to consistently deliver in tough overseas environments has been widely praised.
• His achievement reflects the rise of Indian pace bowling on the global Test cricket stage.
• Most wickets by an Asian bowler in SENA countries:

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

6. Western Command signed MoU with IIT Ropar and IIT Kanpur for defence innovation.

• The Indian Army’s Western Command signed MoUs with IIT Ropar and IIT Kanpur to boost defence-academia collaboration.
• The MoU with IIT Ropar was signed during its 16th Foundation Day, following a tech showcase attended by senior army officers.
• The event showcased groundbreaking innovations such as UAV systems, first-person view drones using VR, drone forensics, electronic warfare solutions, and tactical infrastructure technologies.
• The collaboration aims to support indigenous defence R&D and field-ready innovations.
• On June 20, IIT Kanpur also signed an MoU with the Western Command, enhancing academic-military synergy.
• The MoU was signed by IIT Kanpur Director Professor Manindra Aggarwal and Lt Gen Katiyar.
• This partnership covers engineering, physical sciences, cybersecurity, and biomedical research.
• An extensive tour of IIT Kanpur’s Startup Incubation & Innovation Centre and Centres of Excellence showcased innovations in smart systems, UAVs, and real-time surveillance led by startups like TerraAqua UAV Solutions, Maral Aerospace, and Xterra Robotics.
• These efforts highlight a shared mission to advance India’s defence technology through innovation.
• The agreements signify a long-term strategy to align intellectual capital with national security goals.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

7. Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a key meeting with the Principal Chief Commissioners of Income Tax in New Delhi.

• The meeting was attended by Shri Arvind Shrivastava, Secretary of Revenue Department, and Shri Ravi Agarwal, Chairman of CBDT.
• The meeting focused on reviewing performance in several areas.
• These included taxpayer services, revenue collection, litigation handling, assessments, vigilance, and system-based initiatives.
• During FY 2025-26, a total of 160,229 grievances were received through CPGRAMS and e-Nivaran.
• By June 17, 131,844 of these had been resolved. This marked a disposal rate of 82.28%.
• Tax refunds showed significant improvement. Refunds in FY 2025-26 grew by 58.04% compared to the previous year.
• This reflects better delivery of taxpayer services.
• Legal dispute resolution is also a priority.
• Out of 5.77 lakh pending appeals, over 2.25 lakh are set for disposal in FY 2025-26.
• These cases involve disputed tax demands exceeding ₹10 lakh crore.
• Recent policy changes raised the monetary limit for departmental appeals. As a result, 4,605 cases were withdrawn.
• In 3,120 instances, appeals were not filed due to the new thresholds.
• The Finance Minister acknowledged key reforms.
• These include faceless assessments, digital e-verification, revised tax slabs, and online service delivery.
• She called for further reinforcement of these reforms.
• The goal is to bring measurable benefits to taxpayers.
• The Minister directed Principal Chief Commissioners of Income Tax to speed up resolution of pending disputes.

Topic: Sports

8. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) revealed the official logo and mascot for the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships.

• This event also marked the beginning of the 100-day countdown to the championships.
• The launch was held on June 20, 2025.
• The mascot has been named Viraaj.
• Viraaj is portrayed as a young elephant with a blade prosthesis.
• It symbolizes courage, resilience, and a spirit of hope.
• The official logo reflects India’s cultural heritage.
• It also represents the energy of para athletics.
• The vibrancy of New Delhi as the host city is captured in the design.
• Smt. Rekha Gupta, the Chief Minister of Delhi, attended the event as Chief Guest.
• Smt. Vanathi Srinivasan, MLA and Chief Patron of PCI, presided over the launch.
• Ms. Kangana Ranaut was present as a Guest of Honour.
• She is an actor, a Member of Parliament, and the Brand Ambassador for the Championships.
• The New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships will be held in October 2025.
• Athletes from more than 100 countries are expected to participate.
• It will be the largest para athletics event ever hosted in India.

Topic: Defence

9. India and Kenya came together to inaugurate a memorial pillar in honour of World War I soldiers.

• The pillar is located at Mile 27 in Taita Taveta County, Kenya.
• It was jointly unveiled by Sanjay Seth, India’s Minister of State for Defence, and Roselinda Soipan Tuya, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Defence.
• The monument pays tribute to the unnamed Indian and African soldiers.
• These soldiers lost their lives during the East African campaign of World War I.
• It stands as a reminder of their bravery and ultimate sacrifice.
• The memorial also represents the long-standing military connection between India and Kenya.
• The initiative was launched by the High Commission of India in Kenya.
• It received financial support from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
• The construction was carried out in close coordination with the Kenya Defence Forces.
• Local officials from Taita Taveta County were also actively involved.
• The unveiling ceremony saw participation from senior Kenyan military leaders.
• Representatives from the Indian Ministry of Defence were present as well.

Topic: National News

10. PM Modi inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the historic conversation between Mahatma Gandhi and Sree Narayana Guru in New Delhi on 24th June 2025.

• This event commemorates 100 years since their historic meeting at Sivagiri Mutt on March 12, 1925.
• During the meeting, they discussed key issues such as the Vaikom Satyagraha and religious conversions.
• They also talked about non-violence, the abolition of untouchability, and uplifting marginalized communities.
• The conversation included reflections on spiritual liberation as well.
• The Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust is organising the celebrations.
• The event will bring together spiritual leaders and other distinguished guests.
• They will reflect on and celebrate the lasting influence of this dialogue.
• Their conversation continues to shape India’s social and moral values.
• Sree Narayana Guru:
  • He was a philosopher, spiritual leader and social reformer.
  • He led a reform movement against the injustice in the caste-ridden society of Kerala.
  • He authored the Advaita poem Daiva Dasakam.