STATE NEWS
Cabinet Approves South Asia Regional Center of International Potato Center in Agra
• On 25 June, the Union Cabinet gave its nod to establish the South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) of the International Potato Center (CIP) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
• The initiative, proposed by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, aims to boost food and nutritional security in South Asia.
• The center will be located in Singna, Agra, and serve as a hub for advanced research on potato and sweet potato cultivation.
• It will work on improving productivity, post-harvest practices, and value addition, directly benefiting farmers and the agri-economy.
• By enhancing techniques in cultivation, packaging, processing, and marketing, the center is expected to create employment opportunities across the value chain.
• A key focus will be on developing high-yield, climate-resilient, and nutrient-rich varieties of potatoes and sweet potatoes.
• The establishment of CSARC will help increase farmers’ income through improved agricultural practices and market linkages.
• Research outputs from the center will support not only Indian agriculture but also contribute to regional development in neighboring South Asian nations.
Tripura Becomes India’s Third Fully Functionally Literate State
• Tripura has joined Mizoram and Goa as the third Indian state to achieve complete functional literacy for individuals aged 15 and above.
• This significant progress was achieved through the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, a centrally sponsored scheme active from 2022 to 2027.
• The ULLAS programme, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, targets adult learners by offering basic literacy, numeracy, and life skills.
• The official declaration was made at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan in Agartala, marking a key educational milestone for the state.
• Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha described the event as historic, emphasizing the state’s remarkable journey from a 20.24% literacy rate in 1961 to 95.6% in 2025.
• With this accomplishment, Tripura has surpassed the national benchmark for functional literacy among adults.
• The initiative specifically aims to reach non-literate individuals aged 15+, promoting inclusive learning and societal participation.
• Tripura’s success reflects a sustained commitment to education reform, community involvement, and effective policy implementation under the ULLAS framework.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes First Indian to Reach ISS
• On June 25, 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history by becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) during Axiom Space’s commercial mission.
• He is only the second Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission, marking a major milestone in India's space journey.
• The Axiom-4 mission, supported by ISRO and NASA, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a 14-day stay at the ISS.
• Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot, brings over 2,000 flight hours of experience on multiple fighter aircraft.
• Hailing from Lucknow, his call sign is ‘Shux’, and he was selected in 2019 to be part of India's astronaut cadre.
• He is also among the astronauts shortlisted for India’s Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for launch in 2027.
• The Axiom-4 crew includes mission commander Peggy Whitson, along with astronauts Tibor Kapu (Hungary) and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland).
• This mission not only represents a personal achievement for Shukla but also revives human spaceflight efforts for India, Hungary, and Poland.
SPORTS
Rishabh Pant Scripts History with Twin Test Centuries at Headingley
• Rishabh Pant became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test match.
• He achieved this remarkable feat during the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds.
• Pant struck 134 runs in the first innings and followed it up with another century, reaching his second ton in just 130 balls on Day 4.
• He is now the seventh Indian player overall to register hundreds in both innings of a Test.
• Others who have done this include Sunil Gavaskar (3 times), Rahul Dravid (twice), and Vijay Hazare, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane (once each).
• Pant now has four Test centuries in England, placing him alongside legends Sachin Tendulkar and Dilip Vengsarkar.
• Among Indians, only Rahul Dravid, with six Test centuries in England, has more than Pant.
• This achievement further solidifies Pant’s status as one of India’s finest modern-day Test performers, especially in overseas conditions.
India Achieves Historic Medal Haul at Asian Para-Badminton Championship 2025
• India delivered its best-ever performance at the Asian Para-Badminton Championship 2025, held in Thailand from June 17–22, by winning a record 27 medals.
• The tally included 4 gold, 10 silver, and 13 bronze, showcasing the nation’s growing strength in para-badminton on the continental stage.
• Paralympic stars such as Nitesh Kumar, Thulasimathi Murugesan, and Manisha Ramdas were among the top performers for India.
• India achieved a clean sweep in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles category, winning all three podium spots—gold, silver, and bronze.
• Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan clinched gold in mixed doubles SL3-SU5 with a commanding straight-set win.
• The Indian squad featured strong performances across multiple categories, including men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
• Other standout players included Manasi Joshi, Krishna Nagar, Nithya Sre, and Ruthick Raghupati, contributing to the medal surge.
• This championship marks a significant milestone for Indian para-badminton, reflecting strategic growth and world-class athlete development.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES
25th Central Zonal Council Meeting Highlights Key Inter-State Cooperation in Varanasi
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 25th Central Zonal Council Meeting in Varanasi, joined by the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
• The Council commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the valour of the Indian Armed Forces, passing a unanimous resolution in their honour.
• The Central Zonal Council stands out as the only zone without inter-state disputes, highlighting exceptional regional cooperation.
• From 2014 to 2025, the Council has convened 28 meetings and 33 Standing Committee sessions, resolving 1,287 issues, a sharp rise compared to the previous decade.
• The Home Minister emphasized collaborative efforts to eliminate child malnutrition, reduce school dropout rates, and strengthen the cooperative sector.
• Discussions covered 19 critical topics, such as setting up fast-track courts for sexual crimes, extending banking access in remote areas, and expanding the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112).
• The Zonal Councils, formed under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, act as a key platform for Centre–State dialogue, encouraging both cooperative and competitive federalism.
• With 62 meetings held since 2014, these councils—though advisory—play a vital role in intergovernmental problem-solving, ensuring proactive governance across states.
BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE
India Achieves Record Export Growth, Highlights Success of Exim Bank’s TAP Initiative
• India’s exports soared to a record $825 billion in FY 2024–25, registering a 6.3% year-on-year growth, outperforming the global average of 4%.
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, at the Exim Bank Trade Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, attributed the rise to lower tariffs and proactive trade strategies.
• She revealed that new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are currently under negotiation, expected to reshape India's export potential.
• The Exim Bank Trade Conclave, held on June 24, spotlighted the achievements of the Trade Assistance Programme (TAP).
• Launched in 2022, TAP is a pioneering support initiative aimed at helping Indian exporters enter high-risk global markets.
• Since its inception, TAP has facilitated over 1,100 export deals across 51 nations, significantly enhancing outreach.
• Exim Bank has also built a robust network under TAP by collaborating with 100+ international banks, closing key financing gaps.
• Minister Sitharaman praised TAP as a catalyst for expanding India’s global trade footprint, strengthening exporter confidence worldwide.
