Daily Current Affairs and GK | 28 June 2025

Topic: National Appointments

1. Anuj Pandey has been appointed as the new CEO of Non-banking finance company (NBFC) UGRO Capital Limited.

• His tenure will begin on July 1, 2025. He has been with UGRO since its inception.
• In his previous role as Chief Risk Officer, he played a key role in building the company’s credit and risk management frameworks.
• UGRO Capital has recently crossed ₹12,000 crore in assets under management.
• It recently completed the acquisition of Profectus Capital.
• As CEO, Pandey will lead UGRO’s MSME operations across India.
• He will also oversee digital platforms and strengthen the company’s partner ecosystem.
• He will report to Shachindra Nath, the company’s Founder, Vice Chairman, and Managing Director.

Topic: Important Days

2. International Day of the Tropics 2025: 29 June

• International Day of the Tropics is celebrated every year on 29 June.
• The purpose of celebrating this day is to raise awareness of the specific challenges faced by tropical regions and the role of countries in tropical development to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
• It is known that as a result of cooperation between twelve major tropical research institutes, State of the Tropics Report was launched on 29 June 2014.
• Marking the anniversary of the launch of this report, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2016, to celebrate 29 June as International Day of the Tropics.
• Tropics is the area of ​​the Earth that lies mainly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
• The Tropics host nearly 95% of the world’s mangrove forests by area and 99% of mangrove species.
• Tropical regions contain almost half (54%) of the world's renewable water resources, yet nearly half of their populations are estimated to be vulnerable to water stress.
• The region hosts around 80% of the world’s biodiversity.
• Biodiversity is higher in the tropics – however, biodiversity loss is also greater in the tropics than in the rest of the world.

Topic: Sports

3. The ICC implemented major improvements to the playing conditions across all formats.

• Several new playing conditions have been approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for men’s international cricket, including rules impacting Test, ODI, and T20I formats.

• A stop clock rule has been introduced in Test matches, requiring the fielding side to begin the next over within 60 seconds of the previous one ending.
• Two warnings will be given on failure to do so, and another failure would result in a five-run penalty on the bowling team.
• As part of updated concussion protocols, it has been mandated that teams must nominate designated concussion substitutes before the match to prevent unfair selection advantages.
• A minimum stand-down period of seven days has been made compulsory for players diagnosed with a concussion during a match, ensuring greater safety for players.
• The rules related to wide deliveries in ODIs and T20Is will undergo a six-month trial starting in October 2025, allowing bowlers more leniency if the batter changes position during delivery.
• The mandatory replacement of the ball after deliberate application of saliva has been removed, and now umpires will decide based on the condition of the ball.
• A revised DRS protocol has been implemented for secondary modes of dismissal, where “umpire’s call” on ball-tracking will now uphold the original “out” decision if a second dismissal mode is checked.
• In cases involving both player and umpire reviews on the same delivery, incidents will now be reviewed in chronological order, with the ball considered dead after a confirmed dismissal, preventing review of subsequent incidents.
• In cases of deliberate short runs, five penalty runs will continue to be imposed, but the fielding team will now be allowed to choose which batter stays on strike after the incident.
• All new white-ball format rules are set to be implemented from July 2, 2025, while several Test playing conditions have already come into effect during the ongoing World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.

Topic: State News/Delhi

4. 105 Devi e-buses were run in Delhi and Narela depot opened.

• On 27 July, One-hundred-and-five new orange-coloured DEVI electric buses were flagged off by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
• Sector A9 depot was inaugurated in Narela which was completed in just 90 days.
• CM said the government aims to convert Delhi's public transport system to electric mode, update the transport system and ensure minimum inconvenience to the public.
• The former government was accused of allowing corruption in the free-ride scheme for women and installing panic buttons merely for show.
• The new nine-metre buses have been fitted with air-conditioning, panic buttons and real-time monitoring, while ticket cards have replaced paper slips.
• The fleet is the first all-orange batch of DEVI buses, complementing existing green vehicles.
• The new compact DEVI buses, with seating capacity for 23 passengers and standing space for 17 passengers, are ideal for plying in the narrow lanes of Delhi and will benefit the people.
• About 2,000 electric buses are already in service, and full fleet electrification has been targeted for 2027.

Topic: International Appointment

5. Zhou Jiayi has been elected as the next AIIB President.

• Zou Jiayi, former Chinese vice finance minister, has been appointed the next president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
• A five-year term will begin in January 2026 when she succeeds founding chief Jin Liqun.
• Zou thus becomes the AIIB’s second president and its first woman leader.
• The AIIB was founded by Xi in 2016 as a Chinese alternative to the World Bank and other Western-led multilateral lending institutions.
• It has 110 members worldwide, including India, Russia, Germany, and Britain.
• It is headquartered in Beijing, China.

Topic: Indian Economy

6. US demand boosted India's engineering exports despite tariff challenges.

• Engineering exports to the United States rose 4.6 % in May 2025 to US $1.74 billion despite tariff uncertainty.

• Shipments to Germany, the U.K. and the Netherlands also registered gains.
• Exports to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey fell sharply amid regional tensions and logistics risks.
• This change in regional trade dynamics contributed to a marginal 0.82% decline in overall engineering exports to $9.89 billion in May 2025.
• Despite this, engineering goods strengthened their position in India's export basket, accounting for 25.53% of total merchandise exports in May.
• On a cumulative basis, engineering exports during the April-May period of FY 2025-26 grew by 4.77% to $19.40 billion as against $18.52 billion during the same period last year.
• April 2025 alone had recorded an 11.28 % surge to US $9.51 billion.
• 26 of 34 tracked categories saw annual growth in May, while declines were posted by machine tools, aerospace parts, ships, boats and some non-ferrous metals.
• North America retained top export destination status with a 21.3 % share, followed by the EU at 17.7 % and West Asia–North Africa at 14.3 %.

Topic: Important Days

7. President Droupadi Murmu addressed the MSME Day event in New Delhi on June 27, 2025.

• She stated that MSMEs are a vital part of the Indian economy.
• They make a significant contribution to the country's GDP.
• They also promote innovation, especially at the local level.
• MSMEs are essential for sustainable development.
• They create employment opportunities, particularly in rural and backward areas.
• This helps in promoting inclusive growth.
• It also supports the development of marginalized communities.
• The President pointed out several challenges faced by MSMEs.
• These include limited access to finance and tough competition from large corporations.
• They also suffer from outdated technology and raw material shortages.
• A lack of skilled labor, narrow market access, and delayed payments are other major issues.
• To address these problems, the government has introduced many initiatives.
• One key step was revising the classification criteria for MSMEs.
• Another was expanding credit availability to support their growth.
• Government departments and public sector undertakings are now encouraged to buy at least 35 percent of their goods from small and micro enterprises.
• The PM Vishwakarma Yojana focuses on skill development for traditional artisans.
• MSME Day is observed every year on June 27.
• It honours the important role played by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
• The United Nations designated this day in 2017.
• It serves as a reminder to support and empower small businesses around the world.
• According to UN estimates, MSMEs make up 90% of all businesses globally.
• They contribute between 60% and 70% of total employment.
• They also generate about half of the world’s GDP.
• In India, MSMEs contribute nearly 30% to the country’s GDP.
• They account for 45% of India’s total exports.
• They are also the second-largest source of employment after agriculture.
• In 2025, the Ministry of MSME is celebrating the day as ‘Udyami Bharat – MSME Day.’
• The theme for MSME Day 2025 is “Enhancing the role of MSMEs as drivers of Sustainable Growth and Innovation.”

Topic: Awards and Prizes

8. The Kerala Sahitya Akademi announced the winners of its 2024 literary awards.

• G.R. Indugopan won the best novel award for his book Aano.
• Anitha Thampi received the poetry award for her collection Muringa Vazha Kariveppu.
• V. Shynilal was honoured in the short story category for Garisappa Aruvi Athava Oru Jalayathra.
• Sasidharan Naduvil received the drama award for his play Pithalashalabham.
• G. Dileepan was awarded for literary criticism for Ramayanathinte Charithrasanchaarangal.
• Deepak P. won in the scholarly literature category for Nirmithabuddhikalathe Samoohika Rashtreeya Jeevitham.
• K. Rajasekharan Nair received the biography/autobiography award for Njan Enna Bhaavam.
• K.R. Ajayan was honoured with the travelogue award for Aarohanam Himalayam.
• Chinju Prakash received the translation award for Ente Rajyam Ente Shareeram.
• E.N. Sheeja won the award for children’s literature for Ammamanamulla Kanivukal.
• Niranjan was recognised in the humour category for Keralathinte Maidhathmakatha.
• K.V. Ramakrishnan and Ezhacheri Ramachandran were selected for the Kerala Sahitya Akademi fellowships.
• The fellowship includes a cash prize of ₹50,000.
• It also includes a two-sovereign gold locket, a citation, a certificate, and a ceremonial shawl (ponnada).
• The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to six senior writers.
• The recipients were P.K.N. Panicker, Payyannur Kunjhiraman, M.M. Narayanan, T.K. Gangadharan, K.E.N., and Mallika Younis.
• The award is given to writers above 70 years of age.
• It recognises their long-term contributions to Malayalam literature.
• The award includes ₹30,000, a plaque, a certificate, and a ponnada.
• M. Swaraj won the C.B. Kumar Award for essay for Pookkalude Pusthakam.
• S.S. Sreekumar received the Kuttippuzha Award for Malayala Sahitya Vimarshanathile Marxian Swadheenam.
• Soumya K.C. received the G.N. Pillai Award (under 40) for Kathaprasangam: Kalayum Samoohavum.
• Salim Sharif won the Geetha Hiranyan Award for short story (under 40) for Pookkaran.
• Durgaprasad received the young poetry award for Rathriyil Achankara.
• No entry was found suitable for the Vilasini Award this year.
• This award recognises literary studies focused on novels or novelists.
• Kerala Sahitya Akademi gives Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award each year to Malayalam writers for their outstanding books of literary merit.

Topic: National News

9. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has introduced WhatsApp chatbot integration with the MY Bharat portal.

• This move aims to improve digital engagement and make services more accessible to young people.
• The chatbot is available on the MY Bharat website and through WhatsApp.
• It offers a simple, real-time way for users to interact with MY Bharat services.
• Registered users can access features like learning programs, volunteer opportunities, CV building, mentorship, and organization joining or creation.
• Users can also report issues and contact MY Bharat support via the chatbot.
• Upcoming updates will add features like direct registration, downloadable notifications, media uploads for events, follow-ups, and task tracking.
• The chatbot will provide transactional services, including sending reminders, certificates, resources, and compliance alerts.
• It will share information about government campaigns, event highlights, best practices, and toolkits.
• Accessing MY Bharat services through WhatsApp is now more convenient for youth.
• The chatbot speeds up onboarding, event participation, and application tracking.
• It provides real-time updates and easy issue reporting.
• This initiative supports the Ministry’s goal to make public services available on popular digital platforms.
• MY Bharat was developed by the Department of Youth Affairs and Digital India Corporation under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• The platform aims to empower youth with values of service (‘Seva Bhav’) and duty (‘Kartavya Bodh’).
• It offers volunteering, mentoring, skill development, networking, and options to create digital profiles and resumes.

Topic: Banking/Finance

10. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the annual review meeting with top officials of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in New Delhi.

• The discussion focused on financial health, inclusive lending, cybersecurity, and customer-centric innovation.
• She praised PSBs for their outstanding financial results in FY 2024-25, with a record net profit of ₹1.78 lakh crore.
• Between FY 2022-23 and FY 2024-25, PSBs’ total business grew from ₹203 lakh crore to ₹251 lakh crore.
• Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPAs) fell to a historic low of 0.52%, showing improved asset quality and risk management.
• Dividend payouts increased significantly from ₹20,964 crore to ₹34,990 crore.
• The Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) was a strong 16.15% as of March 2025.
• Sitharaman encouraged banks to use their branch networks fully and focus on outreach in semi-urban and rural areas through targeted campaigns.
• Banks were instructed to identify new growth sectors to improve profitability in the coming decade.
• Banks should create credit models for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), as highlighted in the 2025-26 Union Budget.
• Financial inclusion remains a key focus, with a three-month saturation campaign starting July 1.
• This campaign will cover 2.7 lakh Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies.
• It will prioritize KYC updates, unclaimed deposits, and promote schemes like PM Jan Dhan Yojana and PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima.
• Special attention will be given to agricultural credit in 100 low-productivity districts under PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana.
• Under the Stand Up India scheme, 2.28 lakh loans worth ₹51,192 crore have been sanctioned.
• Banks were directed to enhance customer service by speeding up complaint resolution and simplifying digital platforms.
• Offering multilingual support both online and offline was also emphasized.