Stay Updated with Daily Current Affairs—From June 18 to 23, 2025

Welcome to your trusted source for daily important current affairs, specially curated for competitive exam aspirants, students, and knowledge seekers. The updates from June 18th to 23rd, 2025, have been carefully compiled from reliable sources to help you stay informed and exam-ready. Whether you’re preparing for SSC, RRB, UPSC, banking, or simply love staying updated—these crisp and relevant notes are your go-to reference for effective learning.

International Affairs

Middle East: US–Iran conflict intensifies

The United States and Iran entered a fresh phase of military confrontation in June 2025, alarming the global community and sparking fears of a wider regional war.

• What happened?
  Israel bombed Iranian nuclear sites (June 22); Iran retaliated (June 23); the U.S. deployed forces.
• Why?
  To prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons (Israel); to safeguard strategic interests (U.S.).
• Where?
  Iran (nuclear sites), Israel (retaliation zones), Persian Gulf (U.S. naval deployment).
• Who’s involved?
  Iran, Israel, and the United States—indirectly impacting countries like India, Saudi Arabia, and global oil importers.
• When?
  Conflict peaked between June 22 and 23, 2025, after months of rising tensions.
• Impact?
  Escalation risks wider war, oil price surge, civilian evacuations, and diplomatic fallout.

Market & energy impacts

The global energy and financial markets experienced intense volatility from June 18 to 23, 2025, following a dramatic escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran. The conflict began on June 22, when Israel launched strategic airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, triggering a swift retaliatory missile attack by Iran on June 23.

• What:
  Surge in global crude oil prices and financial market volatility due to the Iran-Israel military conflict.
• When:
  Between June 22 and 23, 2025 (with ongoing ripple effects through June 24+).
• Where:
  Conflict centered in West Asia (Middle East); economic impact felt globally—especially in India and oil-importing nations.
• Why:
  Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting a counterattack. This sparked concerns over shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Who:
  Israel and Iran as primary actors in the conflict; India, oil-importing countries, global investors, and central banks (e.g., RBI) as affected stakeholders.

• Impact on Energy Market:

  • Oil prices jumped above $97/barrel.

  • Fears of disruption in oil exports and freight logistics.

  • India’s import bill and inflationary risk are expected to rise.

• Impact on Financial Markets:

  • INR dropped ~0.6% to ₹86.59/USD.

  • 10-year government bond yields rose to 6.31%.

  • Investor sentiment turned risk-averse; equities saw a sell-off in energy-dependent sectors.

Europe: Heatwave recorded

Europe experienced an intense early-season heatwave from 20 to 23 June 2025, with a “heat dome” of high-pressure air trapping scorching sunshine over western, central, and northern regions.

• What & When: An early-season heatwave from 20–23 June 2025, bringing record-breaking June temperatures above 38°C across Western & Central Europe.
• Where: Affected Spain, Portugal, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Scandinavia—with southern Spain/Portugal hitting up to 42°C.
• Why: A strong upper-level high-pressure system (heat dome) parked over Europe created a blocking ridge, drawing hot air from North Africa and preventing cooling.
• Human Influence: Climate change made this heat wave up to five times more likely, with average temperatures reaching 8–11°C above typical mid-June norms.
• Purpose & Who: Meteorological agencies (Météo-France, Met Office) declared alerts to protect public health, urging vulnerable groups—seniors, young children, and the chronically ill—to stay indoors, hydrate, and follow heat safety guidelines.

Global summits & diplomacy

Between June 15 and 23, 2025, global diplomacy was in full swing, marked by high-level engagements and international summits. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a pivotal diplomatic tour, starting from Cyprus, then participating in the G7 Summit held in Canada, and finally visiting Croatia.

At the G7 Summit in Banff, Canada, PM Modi was invited as a special guest. The summit addressed critical global issues including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, and instability in West Asia.

The visit to Cyprus aimed to deepen bilateral ties, with special focus on energy cooperation, shipping, and digital partnerships. In Croatia, the first official Indian prime ministerial visit was marked by strategic discussions on trade, culture, tourism, and defense collaboration, expanding India’s footprint in Eastern Europe.

Amid escalating Middle East tensions—following Israel’s military action on Iranian nuclear sites—India also launched Operation Sindhu, an emergency diplomatic evacuation mission that successfully brought back over 500 Indian nationals from Iran, underscoring India’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.

• What: High-level diplomatic visits + G7 Summit + Operation Sindhu.
• When: June 15 to 23, 2025.
• Where: Cyprus, Canada (G7), Croatia, Iran (evacuation).
• Who: PM Narendra Modi, G7 leaders, Indian MEA, and Indian nationals.
• Why: To boost global partnerships, represent India’s global voice, and ensure citizen safety.
• Aim: Global peace, AI ethics, energy transition, economic growth, regional security.

National Affairs

Assembly bypolls held on 19 June

On June 19, 2025, voters across five assembly constituencies in four states—Gujarat (Visavadar & Kadi), Kerala (Nilambur), Punjab (Ludhiana West), and West Bengal (Kaliganj)—went to the polls in a wave of midterm by-elections.

• What & When: Held on June 19, 2025, these were midterm by-elections for five vacant assembly seats across four states.

• Where

  • Gujarat: Visavadar (Junagadh) & Kadi (Mehsana)

  • Kerala: Nilambur (Malappuram)

  • Punjab: Ludhiana West

  • West Bengal: Kaliganj (Nadia)

• Who Won

  • AAP’s Gopal Italia (Visavadar) defeated BJP by ~17,500 votes.

  • BJP’s Rajendra Chavda (Kadi) held the seat with a ~39,500 vote margin.

  • AAP’s Sanjeev Arora (Ludhiana West) triumphed over Congress by ~10,600 votes.

  • Congress’s Aryadan Shoukath (Nilambur) reclaimed the seat from CPI(M) by ~11,077 votes.

  • TMC’s Alifa Ahmed (Kaliganj) retained the seat with a commanding ~50,000-vote victory.

Polity & Defence

Defence R&D Pipeline

India is advancing rapidly in defense innovation through a robust Defense Research and Development (R&D) pipeline, designed to strengthen national security and reduce dependency on foreign military technology.

• What: India’s strategic roadmap for indigenous defense technologies, including hypersonic missiles, stealth aircraft, AI systems, and quantum-secure communication.
• Why: To ensure national security, reduce import dependency, and empower the Indian defense industry.
• When: Ongoing (2023–2030 focus period); several projects in advanced development/testing stages as of 2025.
• Where: DRDO’s labs and partner ecosystems across India (Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, etc.).
• Who: Led by DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat, involving scientists, defense PSUs, startups, and academic partners.
• Aim: Self-reliance in defense tech; strengthening India’s defense exports and global strategic position.
• Purpose: To develop cutting-edge defense capabilities for future warfare, including space and cyber domains.

Science & Technology

BSNL Quantum 5G Launch

In a major stride toward digital sovereignty and technological innovation, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India’s state-owned telecom giant, officially launched the country’s first-ever indigenous Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) service in Hyderabad in June 2025.

• Where: Launched in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
• When: June 2025.
• What: India’s first Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) service.
• Why: To ensure secure, ultra-fast internet connectivity using quantum encryption and boost India’s digital infrastructure under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

• Aim/Purpose:

  • To deliver low-latency, high-speed broadband in urban and rural areas

  •  Provide quantum-secure data transmission for critical sectors like healthcare, banking, and defense

  • Reduce reliance on foreign telecom and encryption technologies

• Who’s Involved:

  • BSNL—Leading the rollout

  • C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics)—Provided the indigenous quantum security framework

  • Supported by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India.

• How it Works:

  • Combines 5G FWA (for wireless delivery of broadband)

  • With Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) to safeguard data against hacking and cyber threats.

NASA–ISRO Axiom‑4 Mission

The NASA–ISRO Axiom-4 Mission, set for launch on June 22, 2025, marks a historic leap for India’s space ambitions and international collaboration.

• What: Axiom-4 is a commercial spaceflight mission to the International Space Station.
• Who: Includes Indian astronaut Group Captain Prashanth Shukla and three international crew members.
• When: Scheduled for launch on June 22, 2025.
• Where: Launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, using SpaceX Falcon 9.
• Why: To enhance international cooperation, advance science in microgravity, and mark India’s return to crewed space missions.
• Aim: To lay groundwork for India’s Gaganyaan mission and global space partnerships.
• Purpose: Conduct research, build astronaut experience, and showcase India’s capabilities in human spaceflight.

International Yoga Day in India

India celebrates International Yoga Day on June 21 every year with great enthusiasm and national pride. First proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, Yoga Day was officially adopted by the UN and observed globally from 2015 onwards.

• Why:
  To promote the ancient Indian practice of yoga as a holistic lifestyle for physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual balance.
• When:
  Annually on June 21, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolizing light, energy, and self-transformation.
• Where:
  Across India in cities, villages, schools, stadiums, historical sites, and virtually through digital platforms.
• Who:
  Organized by the Ministry of AYUSH, with key leadership from the Prime Minister of India, state governments, yoga institutions, and millions of citizens.
• Aim:
  To raise global and domestic awareness about the health benefits of yoga and to inspire people to adopt yoga in daily life.
• Theme 2025 (example):
  “Yoga for Harmony and Sustainability” — highlighting yoga’s role in fostering inner peace and ecological consciousness.
• Origin:
  First proposed by PM Narendra Modi at the United Nations in September 2014; adopted by 177 countries—a record endorsement.

 

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