Daily Current Affairs- 6th June 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 6th June 2025

PM Modi Launches ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ on World Environment Day

In the News: On June 5, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second phase of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, emphasizing environmental conservation and honoring motherhood. The initiative aims to plant 10 crore trees across India by September 30, 2025.

Key Points:

• Campaign Launch: PM Modi launched 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' on World Environment Day, June 5, 2025. The campaign encourages individuals to plant a tree in honor of their mothers, symbolizing love and environmental responsibility.
• Tree Plantation Drive: The goal is to plant 10 crore trees nationwide between June 5 and September 30, 2025. PM Modi planted a Banyan sapling at Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in New Delhi as part of the campaign.
• Integration with Environmental Projects: The tree plantation is part of the 'Aravalli Green Wall Project,' aiming to reforest the 700-km Aravalli range across four states.
• Public Engagement: Citizens are encouraged to plant a tree in their mother's name and share a selfie with the planted sapling on the dedicated portal:
• Educational Initiatives: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched special modules for schools under the campaign, promoting environmental consciousness among students.
• Previous Achievements: Since its inception in 2024, over 5.5 crore trees have been planted under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative. 

PM Modi Inaugurates Chenab Rail Bridge, Completing Kashmir’s Rail Link to India

In the News: On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, marking the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. This milestone connects the Kashmir Valley to India's national railway network for the first time, fulfilling a vision over a century old.

Key Points:

• Historic Inauguration: PM Modi inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, standing at 359 meters above the riverbed, surpassing the Eiffel Tower in height. The bridge is a part of the ₹43,780 crore USBRL project, which spans 272 km and includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges.
• Engineering Marvel: Constructed using 30,000 tonnes of steel, the bridge is designed to withstand seismic activity up to magnitude 8 and wind speeds of 266 km/h. The structure is blast-resistant, ensuring safety and durability in the challenging Himalayan terrain.
• Anji Khad Bridge: Alongside the Chenab Bridge, PM Modi also inaugurated the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, enhancing connectivity in the region.
• Vande Bharat Express Launch: Two Vande Bharat Express trains were flagged off between Katra and Srinagar, reducing travel time to approximately three hours. These trains are equipped to operate in extreme winter conditions, featuring heated windshields and advanced heating systems.
• Economic and Strategic Impact: The rail link is expected to boost tourism, facilitate troop movement, and promote economic integration in the region. It provides all-weather connectivity, crucial during winter months when road access is often blocked due to snowfall.
• Historical Significance: The vision for a railway link to Kashmir dates back to 1892, proposed by Maharaja Hari Singh. The completion of the USBRL project realizes this long-standing dream, integrating Kashmir more closely with the rest of India. 

RBI Announces 55th Monetary Policy Committee Meeting Decisions (June 2025)

In the News: On June 6, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) concluded its 55th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, unveiling significant policy measures aimed at stimulating economic growth amid global uncertainties and easing inflation.

Key Points:

• Repo Rate Cut: The RBI reduced the repo rate by 50 basis points, bringing it down to 5.50%. This marks the third consecutive rate cut in 2025, totaling a 100 basis point reduction since February. The decision was made with a majority vote of 5-1 within the MPC.
• Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) Reduction: The CRR was cut by 100 basis points to 3%, implemented in four tranches starting September 2025. This move is expected to inject approximately ₹2.5 lakh crore into the banking system, enhancing liquidity and encouraging credit growth.
• Policy Stance Shift: The RBI shifted its monetary policy stance from 'accommodative' to 'neutral', indicating a balanced approach between supporting growth and controlling inflation.
• Inflation Outlook: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation forecast for FY26 was revised downward to 3.7% from the earlier estimate of 4%. Quarterly projections are as follows: Q1 at 2.9%, Q2 at 3.4%, Q3 at 3.9%, and Q4 at 4.4%.
• GDP Growth Forecast: The real GDP growth projection for FY26 remains unchanged at 6.5%. Quarterly estimates are: Q1 at 6.5%, Q2 at 6.7%, Q3 at 6.6%, and Q4 at 6.3%.
• Market Impact: The rate cuts led to a positive response in the stock market, with the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex rising by 0.94% and 0.9%, respectively. Sectors such as real estate and financials saw significant gains, reflecting increased investor optimism.
• Implications for Borrowers: The reduction in the repo rate is expected to lead to lower lending rates, resulting in decreased EMIs for home, auto, and personal loans. For instance, a ₹50 lakh home loan could see a monthly EMI reduction of approximately ₹1,500, leading to substantial annual savings for borrowers. 

RBI Premieres 5-Part Docuseries ‘Unlocked: Beyond the Rupee’ to Demystify India’s Central Bank

In the News: On June 3, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched a five-part documentary series titled RBI Unlocked: Beyond the Rupee on JioHotstar. This initiative aims to provide the public with an in-depth understanding of the RBI's functions and its pivotal role in India's economy over the past 90 years.

Key Points:

• Purpose and Vision: The docuseries is designed to demystify the operations of India's central bank, offering insights into its responsibilities such as currency management, monetary policy formulation, regulation and supervision of banks and NBFCs, and ensuring financial inclusion. It aims to bridge the knowledge gap between the RBI and the general public, highlighting the institution's significance in the nation's financial stability.
• Production Details: Produced by Mumbai-based Chalkboard Entertainment, the series was commissioned by the RBI to visually document its 90-year history. Each episode runs for approximately 25–30 minutes, providing a concise yet comprehensive look into various facets of the RBI's operations.
• Content Highlights: The series offers unprecedented access to the RBI's inner workings, including glimpses into gold vaults and currency presses. It features interviews with prominent economists, policy experts, and both former and current RBI Governors, providing diverse perspectives on the institution's evolution and challenges. 

Bangladesh Drops 'Father of the Nation' Title for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

In the News: On June 3, 2025, Bangladesh's interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, enacted the National Freedom Fighters Council (Amendment) Ordinance-2025. This legislation removed the title "Father of the Nation" for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from official documents and redefined the criteria for recognizing freedom fighters, sparking significant national and international discourse.

Key Points:

• Legislative Changes: The amendment to the National Freedom Fighters Council Act eliminated references to "Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman" and revised the definition of the Liberation War, omitting mentions of Rahman's leadership.
• Redefinition of Freedom Fighters: Individuals who served as members of the national and provincial assemblies associated with the Mujibnagar government-in-exile are now categorized as "associates of the Liberation War" rather than as freedom fighters.
• Currency Redesign: On June 2, 2025, Bangladesh's central bank released new currency notes in denominations of Taka 1,000, Taka 50, and Taka 20, which notably do not feature Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image, marking a significant departure from previous designs.
• Educational Revisions: Earlier in 2025, new school textbooks were introduced that credit Ziaur Rahman, a former army major and sector commander during the Liberation War, with declaring Bangladesh's independence, replacing previous versions that attributed this role to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

UN Elects Five Non-Permanent Members to Security Council for 2026–27 Term

In the News: On June 3, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly elected Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia, and Liberia as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for two-year terms starting January 1, 2026. These countries will replace Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.

Key Points:

• Election Details: The elections were held during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. Each candidate required a two-thirds majority vote from the 193-member General Assembly. Vote counts: Bahrain (186), DRC (183), Liberia (181), Colombia (180), Latvia (178).
• Regional Representation: Africa: DRC and Liberia, Asia-Pacific: Bahrain, Eastern Europe: Latvia & Latin America and the Caribbean: Colombia.
• Historical Context: Latvia will serve on the Security Council for the first time. Colombia has previously served seven times, most recently in 2011–2012. DRC has served twice before, while Bahrain and Liberia have each served once.
• Council Composition: The Security Council comprises 15 members: five permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non-permanent members elected for staggered two-year terms.