INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India Assumes Presidency of IIAS
• India was elected President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), defeating Austria in a competitive ballot.
• Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, was nominated for the 2025–2028 term by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• India received 87 of 141 votes (61.7%), with Austria garnering 54 votes (38.3%); South Africa withdrew in May to back India.
• This election marked the first time in the IIAS’s century-long history that the presidency was decided by vote.
• Under India’s leadership, IIAS will promote North-South cooperation, inclusive governance, and the use of technology in public administration.
• Headquartered in Brussels, IIAS engages with UN bodies such as CEPA and UNPAN; India has been a member since 1998, alongside nations like Germany, China, and Japan.
APPOINTMENTS
Luís Montenegro Reappointed Prime Minister of Portugal
• Luís Montenegro has been re-elected as Prime Minister, heading the 25th government of Portugal.
• His appointment was formalized on 29 May 2025 by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
• The Democratic Alliance (AD) secured 91 seats, while the far-right Chega won 60 and the Socialists (PS) took 58.
• Montenegro ruled out immediate constitutional changes, resisting pressure from Chega.
• Portugal remains a unitary semi-presidential republic, with Lisbon as its capital and the Euro as its currency, balancing tradition with modern political challenges.
Annalena Baerbock Elected UN General Assembly President
Annalena Baerbock Elected UN General Assembly President • Annalena Baerbock, former German foreign minister, was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly, winning 167 of 193 votes in a secret ballot.
• The vote was held on Russia’s request, in protest of her candidacy.
• She will assume office in September 2025, succeeding Philemon Yang of Cameroon.
• Her term will include the UN’s annual summit and its 80th anniversary.
• Baerbock is the first woman from the Western European group, and only the fifth woman globally, to hold this position.
• Originally nominated was Helga Schmid, but Baerbock was chosen after Schmid's departure from office.
• Russia criticized her selection as “biased” toward Moscow.
• Her campaign theme, “Better Together”, emphasizes global unity, conflict prevention, and multilateral cooperation.
STATE NEWS
President Murmu Implements Major Reforms in Ladakh
• President Droupadi Murmu introduced the Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, increasing local job reservations in the Union Territory to 85%, excluding the EWS quota.
• The regulation draws authority from Article 240 of the Constitution and Section 58(2) of the J&K Reorganisation Act, and amends Section 3(1) of the 2004 J&K Reservation Act; it will become effective on a government-notified date.
• She also enacted the Ladakh Official Languages Regulation, 2025, adding Bhoti and Purgi—alongside Hindi, Urdu, and English—as official languages.
• Existing administrative use of English remains unchanged.
• The Administrator of Ladakh has been given the mandate to protect local languages and culture, with an Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages set to support native tongues like Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi.
• Amendments to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act reserve one-third of council seats for women in both Leh and Kargil; these seats will rotate per official constituency lists to enhance gender representation.
AWARDS
President Murphy Presents Defence Awards at Investiture Ceremony-II
• On 4 June 2025, President Murmu presented 92 defence honours at Rashtrapati Bhavan, recognizing members of the Armed Forces, Indian Coast Guard, and Border Roads Organisation.
• Awards distributed included 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSM), 5 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM), and 57 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM).
• PVSM recipients featured Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, and Air Marshals Narmdeshwar Tiwari and Nagesh Kapoor, who recently took on high-ranking roles in the IAF.
• Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations, was honoured with the UYSM for his leadership during Operation Sindoor briefings.
• Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, who served as Parade Commander for the 2025 Republic Day, received the AVSM.
• The awards recognized outstanding commitment and distinguished service in national defence.
