Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2025

Correct Answer :   IIT Kanpur

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IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for UAVs and DFI, has unveiled UDAAN, a pioneering drone startup acceleration initiative.

UDAAN aims to empower emerging drone ventures by offering them access to state-of-the-art facilities, expert mentorship, financial support, and tailored business development guidance, fostering rapid business growth.

About UDAAN Program :

* The UDAAN program will select 20 startups annually, divided into two cohorts, for an intensive acceleration journey. These startups will be incubated at SIIC, IIT Kanpur, gaining access to cutting-edge R&D facilities, technical mentorship, financing opportunities, and invaluable industry relationships.

* The program offers a comprehensive support system designed to equip startups with the tools they need to thrive in the competitive drone landscape. This includes strategic product and business development assistance, market analysis, customer targeting, alliance building, and growth plan development.

* This startups will have access to state-of-the-art testing facilities at the Drone CoE, including the Helicopter and VTOL Laboratory, Flight Laboratory, and the National Wind Tunnel Facility. They will also benefit from workshops, short courses, and mentorship from leading UAV experts and esteemed IIT Kanpur faculty.

* The program will organise investor-connect activities such as pitch sessions, demo days, and networking opportunities with angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry leaders.

* Additionally, the top six startups in each cohort will receive fellowship support of Rs 3 lah per annum, providing crucial financial backing for their continued innovation and growth.

Significance of UDAAN Programme :

IIT Kanpur, emphasised the programme’s significance.

* “The UAV/UAS Acceleration Program is a testament to our commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in the drone sector. By providing startups with access to world-class resources and mentorship,
Aim to accelerate the growth of the UAV industry in India and contribute to technological advancements that have the potential to revolutionise various sectors.”

* To fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of UAV pioneers. By providing mentorship, state-of-the-art facilities, and customised support.

* Goal is to help startups succeed and drive significant advancements in unmanned aerial vehicles.

Correct Answer :   7 June

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* World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is celebrated every year on 7 June.

* The day is jointly celebrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with member states and other relevant organizations.

* This day is celebrated every year with a specific theme which helps the campaigns associated with it.

Correct Answer :   Kamal Kishore Son

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Kamal Kishore Son, a senior IAS officer of 1998 batch of Jharkhand cadre, has been given the additional charge of Director General of Employees State Insurance Corporation.

He is presently working as Additional Secretary and Director General, Labour Welfare in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.   

Correct Answer :   6.50%

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The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India has kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% in its first meeting after the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

The RBI decided to retain the key rate for the eighth consecutive time in its June 2024 meeting.

The MPC last changed the benchmark interest rate in February 2023. Also, real GDP growth is expected to be 7.2% for the financial year 2025. 

Correct Answer :   Sikkim

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The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army celebrated World Environment Day with numerous “Go Green Initiatives” in North Bengal and Sikkim.

A key highlight was the inauguration of a plastic waste management and recycling plant in Changgu, East Sikkim.

This project, part of the Army’s Sadbhavana initiative, aims to improve waste management, promote sustainability, and benefit the local economy.

The plant will transform plastic waste into materials for road construction and bricks, reducing pollution and landfill burden. The initiative also provides employment for local villagers, fostering economic resilience.

The Indian Army is committed to environmental sustainability through various efforts, including solid waste management and the “Apashisht Mukt Sainya Abhiyan” to eliminate army landfills by 2027.

Senior officials and locals praised the Army’s efforts for turning waste into wealth and enhancing community welfare..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Adani Power Limited

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Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has recently secured an order worth over ?3,500 crore from Adani Power Limited to set up a thermal power project at Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

BHEL is an Indian central public sector power generation equipment manufacturing company.

Correct Answer :   Bihar

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India has declared Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries as its new wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

These wetland areas are located within the Jhajha forest area in the Jamui district of Bihar. With this, the number of 'Ramsar sites' in India has increased to 82.

India now ranks joint third with China in terms of Ramsar sites. The UK tops the list with 175 sites.

Correct Answer :   Indore (Madhya Pradesh)

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In the Lok Sabha elections 2024, more than 2 lakh votes were cast on 'NOTA' in the Indore seat of Madhya Pradesh.

It is noteworthy that Congress candidate from Indore Akshay Kanti Bam withdrew his nomination on the last day of withdrawal of nomination and joined BJP.

This is a new record for the highest number of votes received by NOTA (2,18,674). BJP's Shankar Lalwani registered the biggest victory on this seat..

Correct Answer :   Ministry of Defence

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The Defence Accounts Department (DAD) of the Ministry of Defence has signed MoUs with four banks to onboard them as SPARSH service centres across 1,128 branches of these banks in the country, officials said.

The System for Pension Administration (RAKSHA) or SPARSH is a web-based system for processing pension claims and crediting the pension directly into the bank accounts of defence pensioners without any external intermediary.

DAD has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Bank of India, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank in New Delhi to onboard them as SPARSH service centres across 1,128 branches of the four banks, the defence ministry said in a statement.

The MoUs will provide last-mile connectivity to pensioners, especially in remote areas where they do not have the technical wherewithal to log on to SPARSH.

These service centres will become an interface for pensioners for SPARSH, providing an effective medium to update their profile; register grievances; digital annual identification; data verification, besides fetching detailed information regarding their monthly pension, the statement said.

The access to these centres would be provided free of cost, with nominal service charges being borne by the DAD, it said.

With these MoUs, SPARSH services would now be available at over 26,000 branches of a total of 15 banks across the country. This is in addition to 199 dedicated service centres of the DAD, and more than 3.75 lakh common service centres across the country, the statement said.

SPARSH is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence to provide a comprehensive solution to the defence pensioners. It is a fundamental change in managing defence pensions as it focuses on bringing in efficiency, responsiveness and transparency, it said..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Slovenia

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Slovenia has become the latest European country to formally recognize Palestinian statehood, after the country’s parliament approved the move with a majority vote on Tuesday (4th June 2024).

The decision follows those of Spain, Ireland and Norway, who formally recognized Palestinian statehood in late May.

The growing momentum in Europe is likely to bolster the global Palestinian cause, but could further strain relations with Israel.

Most of the world already recognizes Palestinian statehood. More than 140 out of 193 member states of the United Nations have made their recognition official. But only some nations in the 27-member European Union are among them.

The vote passed with 52 votes in favor and zero against, Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenija reported. The vote passed during an extraordinary parliament session after numerous procedural hurdles, according to the outlet.

Slovenia is the latest country to formally recognize a Palestinian state :

The decision follows Spain, Ireland and Norway, which formally recognized Palestinian statehood in May. They have joined more than 140 countries that have recognized a Palestinian state since 1988. None of the G7 countries — United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy or Japan — do.