Current Affairs is 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 19 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 as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

UN Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer

In an unprecedented resolution, the United Nations General Assembly has recognized 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to recognize and enhance the often-ignored vital role of women in agriculture around the world. This initiative seeks to raise awareness of gender inequalities in access to land and technology, agricultural market participation, and benefits from agricultural policy—particularly in developing countries, where women are often significant actors in food production and rural economies.

The UN General Assembly officially recognized 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer and aims to highlight women’s contributions and challenges in agriculture, raise the cognizance of gender-equitable policies, and have consequences for countries like India where approximately 80% of economically active women work in agriculture but only own 8.3% of farmland.

Women in Global Agriculture: Key Stats

• Women account for approximately 50% of the global food supply.

• In developing countries, women account for 60–80% of food production.

• In India, approximately 80% of economically active women participate in agriculture.

• However, only 8.3% own farmland (NFHS), and 76.95% of rural women engage in agri-work (PLFS 2023–24).

Challenges Faced by Women Farmers

• Double burden by managing agriculture and household labor.

• Limited access to land owns limits access to credit, schemes, and decision making.

• Digital divide of ~51% of rural women 15 years and older do not own a mobile (NSO data).

• Climate Vulnerability, as climate impacts fall disproportionately on women, suffering the most from climate change, particularly in areas prone to drought and flooding.

• Underfinanced – While microfinance exists, it is not scaling appropriately, or long-term finance.

Significance

Recognizing women farmers in 2026 will,

• Push for inclusive growth and gender equality.
• Help build climate-resilient food systems.
• Address structural inequalities in agricultural economies.
• Increase global food security and rural livelihoods.

Operation True Promise 3: Iran’s Retaliatory Strike Redefines Modern Warfare

In a major, escalation to the Iran-Israel conflict, Iran just launched Operation True Promise 3, which is the third consecutive day of missile strikes on Israeli critical infrastructure. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated the campaign to retaliate for Israeli pre-emptive airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and command sites, and the campaign represents a new era of missile warfare utilizing AI and decoys with saturation.

 The IRGC launched Operation True Promise 3 as a response to the Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities and their airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian military personnel. The operation is an increase in hostilities in the Iran-Israel conflict and an unknown tactic that carries consequences for missile defense systems internationally.

What is Operation True Promise 3?

• A retaliatory military operation by Iran, aiming at Israeli population centers and other infrastructure.

• MILITARY LEAD: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

• CAUSE: Triggered by Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites (Natanz. Isfahan) and assassinations of senior generals.

• TARGETS: Major urban centers-Tel Aviv, Haifa, Rehovot.

Damage Inflicted

• Damage to power generation stations, oil refineries, and scientific research facilities.

• Damage to urban and civilian areas.

The “New Method” of Missile Warfare

• Introduced (potentially) by the IRGC to overcome Israeli air defence, specifically Iron Dome.

Key Features

• Decoy saturation

• Internal disruption

• Multiple-target penetration tactics

• AI trajectory alteration

Axiom Mission 4 Rescheduled: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Fly on June 22

As confirmed by Axiom Space, the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) was rescheduled to June 22, 2025, after NASA conducted an assessment of continued work and maintenance in the Russian portion of the International Space Station (ISS). The Ax-4 mission will have a crew consisting of astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary, and the United States, and will be the fourth private crewed mission to the ISS. This is an important achievement for India in the domain of commercial human spaceflight.

Axiom Space and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) indicated that the Ax-4 mission was delayed to June 22 to ensure safety of the crew and operational ability of the crew and the crew’s ability to perform upon completion of repairing the Zvezda module to the ISS. The Ax-4 mission is an important milestone for India’s participation in commercial human spaceflight, as astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is piloting an international crew on board.

Mission Objectives

• Conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations on board the ISS.

• Develop multi-national cooperation in private space missions.

• Promote commercial human spaceflight with cross-national representation of crew.

• Increase India’s presence in low Earth orbit (LEO) missions.

Importance

• Important milestone for India’s integration into commercial space programs.

• Serves to increase scientific cooperation among NASA, ISRO and Europe.

• Improves India’s options on Gaganyaan and other future LEO missions.

• Increases public-private partnerships in space exploration.

Mission Overview

• Mission Name: Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
• New Launch Date: June 22, 2025
• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Spacecraft: Dragon capsule
• Launch Site: Likely Kennedy Space Center, Florida
• Destination: International Space Station (ISS)

Crew Members

• Peggy Whitson (USA) – Mission Commander (Veteran NASA astronaut)
• Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Pilot (ISRO-affiliated, debut mission)
• Sławosz Uznański (Poland) – Mission Specialist
• Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist

Govt Launches ₹3000 FASTag Annual Pass for Private Vehicles: Key Details

In an important step for easing toll payments and improving ease of travel on the highways, the Government of India has launched a FASTag based Annual Pass where the price is ₹3,000 only for private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. The FASTag Annual Pass is set to begin on August 15, 2025, which permits up to 200 trips or one year’s travel (whichever comes first). The scheme is intended to reduce costs, avoid disputes at the toll booth, and promote seamless completely digital toll collection on all National Highways in India.

On June 18, 2025, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced via social media the official launch of the FASTag Annual Pass. The FASTag Annual Pass creates a solution to the continuing problem such as toll plazas, placed within 60 km of each other, regularly pursuits at tolls, and congestion. The FASTag Annual Pass provides ease of travel for regular commuters by paying a single, upfront payment and amplifies the government’s commitment to provide digital mobility, transparency, and ease of travel on Indian highways.

Highlights of the Scheme

• Fixed Cost: ₹3,000 for private vehicles.

• Valid for: One calendar year OR 200-trip (whichever comes first).

• Eligible vehicles: Only for non-commercial four-wheelers (cars, jeeps, vans).

• Each pass is valid for: For all National Highways across India.

• There will be no deduction at toll plaza until limited trip is reached.

• Pass User Registration/Activation: Via Rajmarg Yatra App, NHAI and MoRTH websites.

Objectives of the Scheme

• To simplify the toll payment process for regular commuters;

• To eliminate disputes at toll parcels, placed within 60 km of each other;

• To improve the cost effectiveness and predictability of travel;

• To improve digital-first contactless travel infrastructure.

Operation Sindhu: India Evacuates Nationals from Conflict-Hit Iran

The Government of India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran due to rising tensions in the region. The conflict between Israel and Iran had deepened, and the need to ensure the safety of Indian nationals was paramount. 110 students from northern Iran were evacuated, the first phase of the operation, under the able assistance of the Indian Embassy.

Operation Sindhu Context

In light of concerns about military strikes by Israel on Iran, Operation Sindhu was instigated. The safety of citizens was the primary concern of the Government of India, especially with regards to students studying in Iran. reports indicated many Indian nationals were in a vulnerable state due to hostilities in the region.

Evacuation process

The first operations saw 110 students evacuated from Northern Iran, that were primarily students from Jammu and Kashmir, taken from Iran into Armenia, then returned to New Delhi on a special Indian Government flight, aided by the Indian Embassy, before passing via land into Armenia. The students who contributed to the numbers returned back to India in the early hours of June 19th, 2025.

Iranian Authorities

Condeing that foreign nationals in crisis would be kept in mind, during a call from Iranian authorities, the Iranian Deputy Ambassador to India said, without the cooperation of Iranian and Indian authorities, the Indian nationals could not have potentially been facilitated by safe evacuation.The evacuees would need to be dispatrched from the embassy.

Challenges for evacuees

Some students suffered injuries from air strikes while in Teheran. Circumstances for many were dire, and reports indicated that essential service access was either limited or completely unavailable. Many also expressed their concerns regarding communication with the Indian Embassy, and the provision of basic essentials.

Broader Implications of the Conflict

The conflict posed delicate diplomatic challenges for India. Over 4,000 Indian nationals (including students) were present in Iran. The Government of India had the complicated task of co-ordinating safe evacuations, while balancing regional relationships.

Co-ordinating Regional Diplomatic Relations

India has had relatively good diplomatic relations with its neighbouring states of Armenia, Turkmenistan, and Iraq, which was critically helpful in enabling evacuation. Conversely, relations with bordering states such as Turkey and Azerbaijan were negative, thus reducing India’s strategic options.

Next Steps

The Government of India advised its citizens to keep in touch with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and utilize emergency contact numbers. The regional situation was closely monitored to assist with both the safety of Indian nationals in Iran and preparing for potential further evacuations.

Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025: Complete List of winner

The Sahitya Akademi is India’s national academy of letters, established in 1954 by the Government of India as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, which has taken a momentous decision to recognize the tremendous work of young writers in Indian literature. Under the distinguished leadership of Sri Madhav Kaushik, President of the Sahitya Akademi, the Executive Board convened to take the final decision of the recipients of the prestigious Yuva Puraskar 2025.

Complete List of Yuva Puraskar 2025 Recipients

Complete Winners Table

The table below gives the complete list of 23 distinguished winners of the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025, categorized according to language with their works and authors:

Energy Transition Index 2025: India Ranks 71st

India has dropped to 71st in the global Energy Transition Index (2025) according to the World Economic Forum, which tracks the performance of 118 countries in energy transition. Despite falling from 63rd last year, while China, has made advances in energy access and transition readiness.

Global ranking overview

Sweden continues to hold the first place in the Energy Transition Index to be followed by Finland, Denmark, Norway and Switzerland. China ranks 12th and the United States 17th, while Pakistan ranks 101st and ultimately at the very bottom is Congo. These three counties are mentioned inline with the highest 5 economies because they account for a huge part of global GDP, global population and global emissions, which can affect how other countries transition on both energy access and development. 

India’s advancements in energy transition

India has made significant strides in energy equity. Establishing increased access to energy and clean fuels, has been a high priority. Along with energy transitions being measured in terms of improvements to energy regulations and investments in renewable technology, these stages in energy equity were essential milestones in establishing energy security and greater equity in energy sector’s.

Key elements impacting India’s ranking

The World Economic Forum marks several contributors toward India’s ranking. Improvements in grid reliability alongside greater energy access in energy deficient regions are primarily important. Supplementary concerns include reliance on imported energy which affects energy security. Ultimately, trillions of dollars in continued investments in infrastructure and renewable energy will be required for further progression.

Global Energy Transition Trends

According to the report, 77 of the 118 total countries saw improvements in their 2025 readiness scores. However, only 28% of the countries improved across all three energy dimensions – energy security, energy sustainability, and energy equity. The U.S. will lead on energy security, while India has made strides in energy efficiency and energy investment.

Patience is a Virtue

Not mentioned in the report was that there has been sufficient progress. There remain many challenges to the global energy transition. Rising tensions associated with geopolitical conflict could cause priorities to sidetrack necessary investments. A disconnect continues to exist with respect to clean energy innovation and getting those established securely into the most relevant implementation place actions. All these factors could serve to undermine the success in generating the momentum of the energy transitions in the world.

Future directions

The new Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2025 report tells us that commitments continue but unexpected challenges do come up. The report identifies “political will, financial resources, innovation and education” as being among the most important “readiness factors”. Just addressing these factors will go a long way in realizing a safe and sustainable energy future.