June 1'st Week
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Chenab Rail Bridge
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Context: –
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Railway Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir, now officially the highest railway arch bridge in the world.
About: –
• This marks the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 42-year-old project aimed at integrating the Kashmir Valley with the national railway network.
• The bridge is now the highest railway arch bridge in the world, surpassing even the Eiffel Tower in height.
• USBRL Total Length: 272 km (Udhampur to Baramulla)
Highlights of the Chenab Rail Bridge: –
- Height: 359 meters (higher than the Eiffel Tower)
- 1,315m length
- Span: 467 meters (arch span)
- Design: Steel and concrete arch
- Total Project Cost- ₹46,000 crore
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0
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- On the occasion of World Environment Day, (5th June) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second phase of
the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting a sapling in New Delhi’s Mahavir Jayanti Park. - Germany’s Surging Current Account Surplus, reached €240 billion in 2024 (~$250 billion).
- Imports declined more than exports, widening the trade surplus.
- Exchange Rate Advantage, Euro appreciated ~5% against the Japanese yen.
- Made Germany’s foreign assets look more valuable in yen terms.
About: –
- Launched: Originally in 2024 by PM Modi; Phase 2 began on June 5, 2025.
- Venue: Mahavir Jayanti Park, New Delhi.
- Aim: Promote environmental protection through symbolic personal action — planting a tree in honour of one’s mother.
- Target: 10 crore trees to be planted across India from June 5 to September 30, 2025.
- Theme: Aligns cultural sentiment (motherhood) with climate action, symbolizing nurturing and protection of life.
Static Facts & Background: –
- World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5, established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1972.
- The 2025 World Environment Day theme is: “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.”
World’s Top Creditor
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- In a major shift on the global financial stage, Germany has overtaken Japan as the world’s top creditor country in 2024, ending Japan’s 34-year reign
Reasons for Japan’s Slip to Second Place:
- First WTO agreement with a strong focus on sustainability and marine resource conservation.
- It was the result of decades of negotiation to address one of the root causes of declining global fish stocks—harmful subsidies.
Key Provisions: –
- Prohibits subsidies for- Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU).
- Fishing of overfished stocks.
- Fishing in unregulated high seas Creates a WTO Fish Fund to support-
- Technical and legal assistance. Capacity-building for implementation.
Annalena Baerbock
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- On June 2, 2025, former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was elected as the President of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
- Her election marks a significant moment in UN history as she becomes the first woman from the Western European group to assume the post and the fifth woman overall to lead the UNGA.
Nicaragua
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- Nicaragua advanced global marine conservation efforts by becoming the 101st World Trade Organization member to formally
accept the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. - This milestone, marked by the submission of its acceptance to WTO Director-General Ngozi OkonjoIweala.
Background of the Agreement: –
- Adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva in June 2022.
- Member Since: 1998 (represented by DARPG)
- Nomination: V. Srinivas nominated by PM Narendra Modi in Nov 2024
- Candidature Support: Strong global backing across continents
- Election Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Final Contenders: India vs Austria
India Secures Presidency of IIAS
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- India has been elected to lead the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) for the 2025–2028 term.
- V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), will lead the international body headquartered in Brussels.
- India’s Journey and Victory: –
About IIAS (International Institute of Administrative Sciences):
- Established: 1930
- Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
- Nature: Independent international association focused on the scientific study of public administration.
- UN Collaboration: Not officially a UN body but actively collaborates on global public administration reforms.
India’s Journey and Victory: –
- 3 for Africa
- 2 for Asia-Pacific
- 2 for Latin America and the Caribbean
- 2 for Western Europe and Others
- 1 for Eastern Europe
UN Elects Five Non-Permanent Members
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- On June 3, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly elected Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia, and Liberia as non permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term starting in January 2026.
- These countries will join the 15- member Council, which plays a central role in maintaining international peace and security. Notably, Latvia will be serving on the UNSC for the first time, marking a significant diplomatic milestone.
UN Security Council Composition: –
- Permanent Members (P5): China, France, Russia, UK, USA
- Non-Permanent Members: 10, elected for staggered two year terms
- Previous Members Whose Term Ends in December 2025: -Algeria, Guyana, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia
- Non-Permanent Members Elected in 2024 (to serve till 2026): Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, Somalia
Regional Seat Distribution (out of 10 non-permanent seats): –
- 3 for Africa
- 2 for Asia-Pacific
- 2 for Latin America and the Caribbean
- 2 for Western Europe and Others
- 1 for Eastern Europe
S Mahendra Dev
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- Eminent economist S Mahendra Dev has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
- Known for his extensive expertise in agriculture, rural economy, and development economics, Dev brings with him decades of experience in public policy and academia.
- He stepped down from his post as independent director on the board of Axis Bank following this full-time appointment.
- His academic pedigree includes a PhD in Economics from Delhi School of Economics and post-doctoral research at Yale University.
EAC-PM
- The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister is a nonconstitutional, non-permanent body set up to advise the PM.
- It operates under the NITI Aayog framework, with inputs often shaping major economic decisions.
- Recent heads included Suman Bery, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog.
- marking Thailand’s first-ever victory. Ethiopia’s Hasset Dereje Admassu named runner-up; India’s Nandini Gupta misses Top 8.
- The grand finale took place on Saturday, May 31, in Hyderabad, Telangana
- She was crowned by the reigning Miss World 2024, Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic
- Notably, this is the second consecutive year the Miss World pageant was hosted in India, breaking a 28-year gap since its last Indian edition.
IPL 2025 Final
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- The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 came to an exciting conclusion on June 3, 2025, with a historic final match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS).
- The match was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world. After years of waiting and heartbreaks, RCB finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy.
Norway Chess 2025
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- Magnus Carlsen won Norway Chess 2025, his seventh title in the prestigious tournament. Indian
teenager D Gukesh was in contention till the final round but slipped to third place after a tactical blunder. - The closely contested finale showcased some of the world’s top chess talents, including Carlsen, Gukesh, Caruana, and Erigaisi.
55th Monetary Policy Committee Meeting
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Key Updates
Policy Rate Cut: –
- Repo Rate: Reduced by 50 basis points (bps), from 6.00% to 5.50%.
- Reason: To support growth while CPI inflation is well below target.
- This is the second cut in 2025, totalling 100 bps since February.
Adjusted Policy Corridor: –
- Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) Rate: Cut to 5.25% (25 bps below repo rate).
- Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate and Bank Rate: Lowered to 5.75% (25 bps above repo rate).
Shift in Policy Stance
- From “Accommodative” to “Neutral”.
- RBI indicates it will now take a datadependent approach, reducing scope for further aggressive rate cuts.
Miss World 2025
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- Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri wins Miss World 2025 in Hyderabad,
Prelims Question for Practice
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Question 1
Consider the following statements regarding the Enforcement Directorate (ED):
1) The Enforcement Directorate was
initially established under the
Ministry of Home Affairs in 1956.
2) It exercises powers under the
Prevention of Money Laundering Act
(PMLA), Foreign Exchange
Management Act (FEMA), and
Fugitive Economic Offenders Act
(FEOA).
3) ED has quasi-judicial powers under
PMLA to adjudicate foreign exchange
violations.
4) The ED can arrest individuals and
attach properties suspected to be
proceeds of crime under PMLA.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 2, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Question 2
With reference to the Chagos Islands, consider the following statements:
1) The Chagos archipelago lies in the
Pacific Ocean and is administered by
the United Kingdom.
2) The island of Diego Garcia, part of the
Chagos Islands, hosts a major
military base operated by the United
States.
3) Mauritius has officially gained
sovereignty over the Chagos Islands,
although the U.K. retains military
rights via a lease.
4) The Great Chagos Bank is one of the
smallest coral atolls in the world.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 4 only
d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Question 3
Consider the following statements regarding the Census of India:
1) The first complete synchronous
Census in India was conducted in
1881.
2) Census operations are carried out by
the Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation.
3) Census is a subject under the Union
List of the Seventh Schedule of the
Constitution.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Question 4
With reference to Norway Chess 2025,
consider the following statements:
1) Magnus Carlsen won the
tournament, marking his seventh
title in this event.
2) Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh
finished second in the tournament.
3) The tournament featured top global
players like Fabiano Caruana and
Arjun Erigaisi.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Question 5
With reference to the International Institute
of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), consider
the following statements:
1) IIAS is an independent international
association headquartered in
Geneva, Switzerland, focused on
public administration reforms.
2) India has been a member of IIAS
since 1998 and is now elected to lead
the body for the 2025–2028 term.
3) V. Srinivas, Secretary of DARPG, was
elected to lead the IIAS, defeating
Austria at the election held in
Brussels.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3