Current Affairsis the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post,Daily Current Affairs 17 June 2025,we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such asUPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

Kamlesh Paswan Inaugurates India’s First Agri-Drone Indigenization Hub in Chennai

On June 14, 2025, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated the Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility of Garuda Aerospace in Chennai. While inaugurating the facility, the Minister launched 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs), and administered the initiation of the DGCA approved Train the Trainer (TTT) program for creating a drone-ready workforce, and furthered the cause of positioning India as a nation at the cutting edge of Drone innovation, self-reliance, and skill enhancement. These initiatives represent a significant milestone along the way to delivering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India the Global Drone Hub by 2030.

India is rapidly transforming itself into a global powerhouse for drone manufacturing and skilling. The launch of Garuda Aerospace’s Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility, the largest of its kind, launch of 300 Centres of Excellence, and a TTT initiative right across India, represents a notable step forward for indigenous drone manufacture, innovation, and people capacity.

Key Launches by Shri Kamlesh Paswan

• Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility, Chennai

• 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in India

• Train the Trainer (TTT) – DGCA approved program

• Live demonstration of Agri-Drones by trained Drone Didis

Facility and Programme Highlights

Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility

• Size:35,000 sq. ft.
• Output Target:1 lakh drones by 2026
• Current Production:4,000 drones delivered so far
• Focus on design, manufacturing, and testing of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

Train the Trainer Programme (TTT)

• Certified skilling programme to train educators as drone instructors
• Boosts rural employability and women empowerment (notably through Drone Didis)

300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs)

• Established in collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners
• Promote drone innovation, R&D, and skill development

Vision and Endorsements

• PM Modi’s 2022 vision: manufacture 1 lakh Made-In India drones by 2026

• The Minister endorsed Agnishwar Jayaprakash, CEO of Garuda Aerospace, and the Bharat Drone Association

• A first-ever occasion to have over 2,000 Agri-Drones in a single location- demonstrated depth and scale of commitment

‘India will become the Arbitration hub’: Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal

At June 14, 2025’s landmark conference on Institutional Arbitration held in New Delhi, India’s Union Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, spoke to the need in India for a strong ecosystem of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. He stated that India is positioned to be the world’s arbitration hub, improving investor confidence and alleviating pressure on Indian Courts with a system designed to be quick, efficient, and flexible for business purposes.

India convened a high-level conference on Institutional Arbitration in New Delhi, at Bharat Mandapam in collaboration with the Department of Legal Affairs. Participating were legal, corporate, and public stakeholders, who were present as Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal endorsed the proposition that with a more robust ADR mechanism—particularly arbitration, India will be a preferred centre for international dispute resolution.

Principal Aims and Objectives

• Strengthen Institutional Arbitration as an effective alternative to court litigation
• Promote ADR mechanisms including arbitration, mediation, and conciliation
• Reduce court backlog and offer faster resolution for commercial disputes
• Create an ecosystem favorable to investors and global businesses

Important Statements & Participants

Arjun Ram Meghwal (Union Minister of State for Law & Justice)

• Emphasized India’s goal to become a global arbitration hub
• Called for organizational flexibility and resilience
• Stated arbitration is rooted in Indian cultural traditions

Arun Kumar Singh (ONGC Chairman)

• Urged arbitration to be “time-bound” and “more corporate, less legal”

Anju Rathi Rana (Law Secretary)

• Highlighted recent government push for institutional over ad hoc arbitration
• Advocated for minimal judicial intervention in arbitration proceedings

Justice (Retd.) Hemant Gupta (Chairman, India International Arbitration Centre)

• Stressed on the mindset shift needed to adopt institutional arbitration

Blaise Metreweli Becomes MI6’s First Female Chief in Historic Appointment

In a landmark decision, Blaise Metreweli became the first woman to head MI6, the British foreign intelligence agency, since it was established in 1909. The announcement was made by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 15, 2025. This is significant because the agency has been traditionally led by men throughout its history. Metreweli, who presently is the Director of Technology and Innovation at MI6, will manage the agency at a critical time when the threat of cyber warfare, foreign espionage, terrorism, and disinformation is on the rise. She has extensive experience in cybersecurity and digital intelligence.

On June 15, 2025, the Prime Minster, during a visit to Canada for the women’s G7 summit, announced Metreweli’s appointment as the new MI6 Chief. This is the first time in the history of MI6, that a woman has reached the most senior appointment of the agency in 116 years. The appointment comes at a critical time for MI6 as they are experiencing increasing cyber threats, foreign espionage, and geopolitical tensions with relative nations such as Russia and China.

Role & responsibilities as MI6 Chief

• Oversee foreign intelligence operations for the United Kingdom
• Combat rising threats from cyber warfare, foreign espionage, terrorism, and misinformation campaigns
• Advance MI6’s digitization and transformation, innovation, and operational readiness

Significance of Her Appointment

• First woman to run MI6 (also known as the Secret Intelligence Service)
• First woman to head a British intelligence agency (MI5 and GCHQ had previous female heads)
• Signifies change towards a more inclusive, merit-based selection, recruitment for intelligence roles

India’s 16th Census Announced for 2027

The Government of India announced on June 16, 2025 that national census number 16; as well as the 8th post Independence census will take place in 2027 with caste enumerated for the first time since 2011. The census will be digital, provider self-enumeration and have a rigorous data security regime. This census is a landmark moment for India for demographics, social progression and policy planning.

The Centre notified the anticipated dates of the 2027 decennial census which will involve caste enumeration. This will be the first caste enumeration data collation in India since 2011 or 16 years. The announcement came after a high level review chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Key Elements of 2027 Census

• Digital devices to be used by approximately 1.3 lakh functionaries.

• 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors will be involved across India.

• Self-enumeration will be provided to citizens.

• Data security will be stringent across collection, transmission, and storage.

Importance of Caste Enumeration

• Caste data is long requested by political and social groups for targeted welfare.

• The 2027 Census will be the first time caste data collected systematically since 2011.

• Possible implications for policy development on reservation, education, and economic development programs.

Two-Phase Operation

• House Listing Operations (HLO):Covers housing conditions, assets, amenities.
• Population Enumeration (PE): Captures socio-economic, demographic, cultural, and caste details of every individual.

Data Security Measures

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) assures high-grade security throughout:
• Collection (through digital devices)
• Transmission (encrypted and secure protocols)
• Storage (centralized secure servers)

Lt Commander Yashasvi Solankee Becomes First Woman ADC to President of India

Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki, 27, has made history as the first female Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. Selected in April 2025, Yashasvi began her position on May 9, 2025, having gone through a rigorous selection process and month-long orientation. The position of ADC is traditionally held by male officers, making this appointment history and providing momentum for further inclusion within the military and the office of the President.

Yashasvi Solankee is the first women ADC to the President of India, which she took charge on May 9, 2025. It is important to note that her appointment, Droupadi Murmu is committed to women’s empowerment within the armed services. This is a strategic step toward gender parity at the ceremonial and military level within the highest institution of government.

Role of ADC

• Aide-de-Camps (ADCs) are special officers chosen from the Army, Navy, and Air Force to serve the President of India.

• Prepares the President’s brief at any engagement

• Accompanies the President at all ceremonial, diplomatic, or official engagements

• Assigned a duty room near the President’s office and therefore is on call 24×7

• Coordinates with all military branches and government departments.

About Yashasvi Solanki:

Yashasvi Solanki, a Haryana native, joined the Indian Navy in 2012, serving under the Short Service Commission, Logistics Branch.

Ms Solanki was a school sportswoman and played badminton and volleyball actively.

She is among the first women, Squadron Leader Manisha Padi (2023 ADC to the governor of Uttarakhand), Lt. Gen. Punita Arora (first female Lt. General in the Indian Army and Vice Admiral in the Navy), Air Marshal Padmavathy Bandopadhyay (first woman Air Marshal and aviator with an expertise in aviation medicine).

Ms Solanki, was appointed as ADC in April and participated in a month-long orientation before commencing her duties on May 1.

India Launches Largest-Ever Tribal Empowerment Campaign

The MoTA recently announced the DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, the largest tribal empowerment campaign ever in India and a big step towards inclusive governance and last mile service delivery. The campaign aims to saturate the government benefits across 549 tribal districts, 2900+ blocks, and 207 specially vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) districts over nearly 1 lakh villages and habitations. Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram said it was a historic moment towards realizing Antyodaya and Viksit Bharat.

The DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, which is the Government of India’s flagship scheme for empowering tribal communities through the delivery of entitlements, is an ambitious campaign launched on June 15, 2025 and the campaign will run until June 30, 2025. The campaign also coincides with the launch of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and also supports the implementation of PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA. The campaign represents a historic convergence of ministries and all stakeholders to fully saturate and ensure that not a single tribal household is left behind in receiving their rightful entitlements.

Aim:

It as a key initiative under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, the campaign honors the legacy, culture, and contribution of India’s tribal communities, while ensuring the delivery of rights and development at their doorstep.

Coverage and Scale

• 549 tribal districts, 207 PVTG-dominated districts
• 2,900+ blocks and around 1 lakh villages/habitations
• Involvement of District Magistrates, PRI members, community leaders, and multiple central ministries

Services Delivered at Village Camps

• Aadhaar enrolments and updates
• Ayushman Bharat Health Card issuance
• Jan Dhan Yojana bank account openings
• PM-Kisan enrolments
• Old-age and widow pensions
• Scholarships for tribal students
• Life and accident insurance schemes
• Skill training and livelihood programs

Defence Cyber Agency Launches ‘Cyber Suraksha’ Exercise

On June 16, 2025, the Defence Cyber Agency which functions in the Integrated Defence Staff HQ, announced Cyber Suraksha, a multi-phased cybersecurity training exercise for the Defence and security community, to run from June 16-27, 2025, consisting of 12 days that will simulate cyberattacks in the real world, with training opportunities for over 100 personnel from various national defence and security agencies and develop and train participants in national cyber defence strategy, resilience and leadership decision-making in cyber warfare environments.

Why in the news?

The Defence Cyber Agency launch the Cyber Suraksha exercise on June 16, 2025, and conclude on June 27, 2025, and it is in the news because of the scale of exercise, level of leadership commitment and real-world simulation to deal with real cyber-attacks and must be viewed in the context of Canada’s evolution toward a country of resilience against national security threats, particularly in the national defence sector and specifically cyber-attacks.

Objectives & Features of Cyber Suraksha

• Organised by: Defence Cyber Agency under Integrated Defence Staff HQ, Ministry of Defence;

• Duration: Twelve day- From June 16 to 27, 2025.

• Participants: 100 + personnel from national agencies and stakeholders of Defence and security domains.

Aim

• To simulate real-world cyberattacks and tests against defensive response capability;

• To endorse a cybersecurity-first culture and approach within the Defence ecosystem;

• To enable training for both technical experts and leadership (CISOs) regarding cyber response security consideration.