IMPORTANT DAYS

International Yoga Day 2025 observed on June 21

• The 11th International Day of Yoga will be observed on June 21, 2025, coinciding with the Summer Solstice, the year's longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

• The UN officially recognized June 21 as Yoga Day on December 11, 2014, following a resolution proposed by India (Resolution 69/131).

• This year's theme is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” emphasizing global harmony and well-being through yoga.

• Over one lakh locations across India will conduct synchronized sessions following the Common Yoga Protocol.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the main event from Visakhapatnam on the morning of June 21.

• Ten Signature Events are planned under IDY 2025, including unique formats like Yoga Sangam, Yoga Bandhan, Yoga Samavesh, and Yoga Unplugged.

• Special events are curated to highlight yoga’s role in sustainability, health, and community bonding.

• The 2025 celebrations aim to amplify India's yoga heritage while encouraging global participation and wellness awareness.

APPOINTMENTS

Sivasubramanian Ramann Appointed as Chairperson of PFRDA

• Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann officially took charge as the new Chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

• His appointment, approved by the Government of India, is for a five-year term or until he turns 65, whichever is earlier.

• Ramann belongs to the 1991 batch of the Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA&AS).

• Before this role, he served as Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General and Chief Technology Officer at the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

• His leadership experience includes heading institutions like SIDBI as Chairman & MD and NESL as MD & CEO.

• He also served as the Principal Accountant General for the state of Jharkhand during his career.

• Between 2006 and 2013, he held key roles in SEBI, including Chief General Manager and later Executive Director.

• PFRDA, the regulatory body for pensions in India, was established in October 2003 and is headquartered in New Delhi.

NATIONAL NEWS

Operation Sindhu: India Ensures Safe Return of Citizens Amid Iran-Israel Conflict

• Operation Sindhu successfully brought back 517 Indian nationals from Iran amid escalating tensions in the region.

• A special evacuation flight landed in Delhi on June 21, 2025, carrying students and pilgrims who were stranded due to the conflict.

• The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the evacuation, with coordination led by the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

• The mission was launched in response to rising security threats caused by the outbreak of hostilities between Iran and Israel.

• The conflict began on June 13, 2025, when Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion", targeting Iranian military and nuclear assets.

• In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps initiated “Operation True Promise 3,” striking Israeli energy sites with drones and missiles.

• The sudden military escalation also halted nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S., which were aimed at easing sanctions.

• The Indian government continues to closely monitor the situation and remains prepared to evacuate more nationals if required.

AWARDS

India Post Payments Bank Honoured with Digital Payments Award 2024–25

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been awarded the Digital Payments Award 2024–25 by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.

• The award was presented in New Delhi by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Pankaj Chaudhary, recognizing IPPB’s role in advancing digital banking and financial inclusion.

• MD & CEO Shri R. Viswesvaran and Shri Gursharan Rai Bansal accepted the award on behalf of the bank.

• IPPB achieved the top rank among all Payments Banks in the country based on the Performance Index for FY 2024–25.

• A Special Mention was also given to IPPB for its strong performance during FY 2023–24.

• The bank has earned recognition for delivering citizen-friendly digital banking through a technology-driven doorstep service model.

• With support from over 2 lakh postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks, IPPB has extended digital payment access to rural and remote areas across India.

• Launched on September 1, 2018, IPPB operates under the Department of Posts, fully owned by the Government of India, serving 11 crore customers in 5.57 lakh villages and towns, in 13 regional languages.

The Hindu Honoured with ‘Champion of Digital Media Awards South Asia 2025’

• The Hindu earned the title ‘Champion of Digital Media Awards South Asia 2025’, winning a total of 10 accolades at the WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards South Asia.

• These awards, hosted by the World Association of News Publishers, featured 12 categories covering digital journalism innovations.

• The Hindu secured four gold awards, including for ‘Best Use of Video’ and ‘Best Native Advertising Campaign’ under the Made of Chennai initiative.

• It also won gold for ‘Best Use of AI in Revenue Strategy’ and ‘Best Podcast’, highlighting their episode on the General Election’s seven-phase process.

• The publication received three silver awards in data visualisation, AI-driven revenue strategy, and digital subscriptions.

• Three bronze trophies were also awarded for audience engagement, another data visualisation piece (on the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy), and digital subscription efforts.

• The awards celebrate innovation and excellence in digital news media across South Asia, with top publishers participating.

• Editor Suresh Nambath and CEO L.V. Navaneeth accepted the honours on behalf of The Hindu Group.