Last Updated: June 25, 2026 — Welcome to TheExamHub.in’s Daily Current Affairs 25 June 2026 edition. Today’s update brings you 13 important developments across national, banking, sports, defence, and important days — all in one exam-ready article. From NHAI’s new transportation economics centre and VOC Port’s groundbreaking PortGPT app, to Zerodha’s industry-first Lifecycle Funds, the World Bank’s USD 1.5 billion financing for India, Neeraj Chopra’s latest honour, and India’s gold medal at the Asian Relays, this edition covers everything you need for your preparation.
Whether you are preparing for UPSC Civil Services, IBPS PO, IBPS RRB, RBI Grade B, SSC CGL, or any State PSC examination, this Daily Current Affairs 25 June 2026 update gives you facts, context, and exam relevance in one place.
National News
1. NHAI and NCAER Sign MoU to Establish Centre for Transportation Economics and Logistics
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) to establish the NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics at NCAER.
The Centre will conduct applied economic research on transportation, mobility, and logistics, providing actionable insights to support long-term planning, investment, and policy-making in the road transport sector. It will also function as a knowledge hub, publishing policy briefs, working papers, and flagship reports.
An Advisory Committee comprising economists, transport experts, public policy specialists, academicians, and representatives from NHAI and NCAER will guide the Centre’s research agenda. The partnership signals a growing recognition that infrastructure decisions must be grounded in rigorous economic analysis, not just engineering feasibility.
India’s national highway network has expanded significantly over the past decade, and understanding the economic impact of this expansion — on logistics costs, regional development, trade efficiency, and employment — requires dedicated research capacity. This Centre aims to fill precisely that gap.
2. Government to Divest Up to 2% Stake in IRFC Through Offer for Sale
The Government of India will divest up to 2 percent stake in Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) through an Offer for Sale (OFS). The OFS includes a 1 percent base equity stake and an additional 1 percent stake under the Green Shoe Option, subject to strong investor demand.
IRFC is the dedicated financing arm of the Indian Railways, responsible for raising funds from the market to finance the acquisition of rolling stock and railway infrastructure. The government’s decision to divest part of its stake is part of the broader disinvestment programme aimed at raising revenue, improving market liquidity for the stock, and increasing public participation in public sector enterprises.
Key Terms Explained
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Offer for Sale (OFS) | A mechanism that enables promoters to sell shares of a listed company through the stock exchange |
| Green Shoe Option | A provision that allows the sale of additional shares beyond the base offer if the issue receives strong investor demand |
3. VOC Port Becomes India’s First Major Port to Launch Generative AI App ‘PortGPT’
V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, launched PortGPT, becoming the first major port in India to deploy an enterprise-grade generative AI mobile application. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, launched the app in New Delhi.
PortGPT is designed to enhance operational efficiency, improve knowledge management, streamline workflows, and support data-driven decision-making as part of the port’s digital transformation. The app represents a significant step in bringing artificial intelligence into the day-to-day operations of India’s port sector.
India has 12 major ports and over 200 non-major ports. The adoption of generative AI by VOC Port sets a precedent that other ports are likely to follow, particularly as the government pushes for greater digitisation and efficiency under the Sagarmala programme and the broader Maritime India Vision 2030.
For exam aspirants, VOC Port’s location in Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu), its status as a major port, and its pioneering use of generative AI are all worth noting as potential Prelims and Mains content.
Banking and Financial News
4. Zerodha Fund House Launches Mutual Fund Industry’s First Lifecycle Funds
Zerodha Fund House has launched the mutual fund industry’s first Lifecycle Funds, with target maturity years 2036 and 2041, offering goal-based investment solutions. Lifecycle Funds were introduced by SEBI in February 2026 and are designed to help investors achieve long-term financial goals such as retirement, children’s education, and home purchase.
What makes Lifecycle Funds distinctive is their automatic risk adjustment. As the target year approaches, the fund gradually shifts asset allocation across equity, debt, gold, silver, and arbitrage — reducing investment risk without the investor needing to manually rebalance their portfolio.
This is a meaningful innovation for India’s mutual fund industry. Most retail investors struggle with asset allocation — they either take too much risk or too little, and they rarely rebalance their portfolios at the right time. Lifecycle Funds solve this problem by automating the entire process, making them an ideal product for investors who want a disciplined, hands-off approach to long-term investing.
For banking and finance exam aspirants, the concept of Lifecycle Funds, SEBI’s role in introducing them, and Zerodha’s position as the first fund house to launch them are all relevant topics.
5. World Bank Approves USD 1.5 Billion Financing for India to Boost Private Sector Jobs
The World Bank approved USD 1.5 billion in financing for India under the Boosting Job Creation in the Private Sector Development Policy Financing (DPF) Operation to support private sector-led employment and economic growth.
The DPF will back key structural reforms in taxation, trade, investment, labour regulations, entrepreneurship, and access to capital, while improving the ease of doing business. The financing recognises that India’s greatest economic challenge in the coming decade is not growth — it is job creation.
A significant element of the reform package is labour reform. India has merged 29 labour laws into four Labour Codes, aimed at simplifying labour regulations, increasing women’s workforce participation, and promoting entrepreneurship and investment. These Codes — the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code — represent one of the most significant overhauls of India’s labour regulatory framework since independence.
The World Bank’s USD 1.5 billion commitment is a strong vote of confidence in India’s reform trajectory and its potential to generate private sector employment at scale.
6. Power Finance Corporation Raises USD 300 Million Through First RBI-Backed Overseas Bond Issue
Power Finance Corporation (PFC) raised USD 300 million through a five-year dollar bond issue, becoming the first non-bank lender to use the RBI’s subsidised hedging facility for overseas borrowings. The bonds were priced at a spread of 105 basis points over US Treasuries, resulting in a yield of 5.327 percent, reflecting strong investor demand.
The RBI’s subsidised hedging facility is a relatively new mechanism designed to make it cheaper and easier for Indian entities to raise funds in international markets. By reducing the cost of hedging against currency fluctuations, the facility lowers the effective cost of overseas borrowing, making it competitive with domestic funding sources.
PFC accepted a smaller first tranche despite strong demand and may consider raising more funds through this route in the future if US Treasury yields decline. The success of this issuance is likely to encourage other Indian public sector entities to explore overseas bond markets.
7. Skydo Secures First International Payment Licence in Canada
Skydo, a Bengaluru-based fintech company, has received an international payment licence in Canada, marking its first international regulatory approval outside India. The licence enables Skydo to expand its cross-border payment services and strengthen its global presence in international markets.
Skydo already has approval to operate from GIFT City, India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), further enhancing its international financial operations. The Canada licence represents a significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy and highlights the growing international reach of India’s fintech sector.
For exam aspirants, GIFT City’s role as India’s IFSC and the expanding footprint of Indian fintech companies in global markets are relevant topics under financial services and technology.
Sports News
8. Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary Named AFI Athletes of the Year 2025
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and distance runner Parul Chaudhary were named the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Athletes of the Year 2025 at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to four legends of Indian athletics — P.T. Usha, Anju Bobby George, G.S. Randhawa, and Bahadur Singh Chauhan — for their outstanding contributions to the sport across different eras and disciplines.
Indian Athletics Awards 2025 — Key Honours
| Award | Recipient |
|---|---|
| Male Athlete of the Year | Neeraj Chopra |
| Female Athlete of the Year | Parul Chaudhary |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | P.T. Usha, Anju Bobby George, G.S. Randhawa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan |
| Emerging Male Athlete | Shahnavaz Khan |
| Emerging Female Athlete | Pooja |
| Best Sponsor | Reliance Foundation |
| Best State for Supporting Athletes | Odisha |
| Best State Association | Tamil Nadu |
9. India Clinches Women’s 4x100m Relay Gold at Asian Relays Championships 2026
India won the gold medal in the women’s 4x100m relay at the Asian Relays Championships 2026 in Shaoxing, China. The team of Srabani Nanda, SS Sneha, Sudeshna Shivankar, and Tamanna clocked a season-best 43.85 seconds to take the top spot on the podium.
The Indian mixed 4x400m relay team secured the silver medal, with Theerthesh Shetty, Poovamma MR, Bharath Sridhar, and Neeru Pathak finishing in 3:17.06 seconds. India also claimed the bronze medal in the mixed 4x100m relay, with the team comprising Pranav Gaurav, Tamanna, Animesh Kujur, and SS Sneha.
India’s medal haul at the Asian Relays — one gold, one silver, and one bronze — demonstrates the country’s growing depth in track and field events beyond individual disciplines. Relay events require not just individual speed but seamless baton exchanges, tactical running orders, and team coordination — capabilities that take years to develop.
Defence News
10. Indian Navy’s INS Udaygiri and INS Kavaratti Visit Vietnam to Strengthen Maritime Cooperation
INS Udaygiri and INS Kavaratti of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet arrived at Nha Rong Port, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, marking a significant milestone in India-Vietnam maritime relations. The warships, led by Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, received a ceremonial welcome from the Vietnam People’s Navy.
The visit includes professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, sporting events, and high-level discussions on maritime security. It is the Indian Navy’s first major deployment to Vietnam since the two countries elevated their ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2026.
The India-Vietnam maritime relationship has grown steadily over the past decade, driven by shared interests in the Indo-Pacific, particularly regarding freedom of navigation, respect for international law, and concern over unilateral actions in the South China Sea. Naval port visits like this one serve both symbolic and practical purposes — they build interoperability, strengthen personal relationships between naval personnel, and signal to the region that both countries take their maritime partnership seriously.
For defence exam aspirants, INS Udaygiri (a Project 17A stealth frigate) and INS Kavaratti (an anti-submarine warfare corvette) represent two of the Indian Navy’s most modern indigenous platforms. Their joint deployment to Vietnam underscores India’s growing ability to project naval power across the Indo-Pacific.
11. US Announces USD 230 Million Sustainment Package for India’s M777A2 Howitzers
The United States has announced a USD 230 million sustainment package for India’s M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers to support their long-term maintenance and operational readiness. The package aims to enhance the combat effectiveness, reliability, and service life of the M777A2 artillery systems currently deployed by the Indian Army.
The M777A2 is a 155mm/39-calibre towed howitzer that can be transported by helicopter, making it ideally suited for deployment in mountainous terrain — including the high-altitude areas along India’s northern borders where conventional artillery is difficult to move. India procured 145 M777A2 howitzers from the United States under a deal signed in 2016, and the weapons have been deployed in Ladakh and other forward areas.
A sustainment package of this size signals a long-term commitment by both countries to maintaining the operational readiness of the platform. It also reflects the deepening India-US defence relationship, which has expanded from buyer-seller dynamics to include co-production, technology sharing, and now sustainment partnerships.
12. IIT Ropar Secures ₹120 Crore Defence Technology Projects from Army Technology Board
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has secured two defence technology projects from the 27th Army Technology Board (ATB) with a combined project cost of ₹120 crore. The projects focus on the development of Autonomous Armoured Vehicles and Directed Energy Weapons — two frontier technology areas that are reshaping modern warfare.
Autonomous armoured vehicles can operate in high-threat environments without exposing soldiers to danger, while directed energy weapons use concentrated electromagnetic energy — such as high-energy lasers or microwave systems — to disable targets. Both technologies are being actively developed by major military powers worldwide.
The Army Technology Board functions under the Indian Army’s Military Operations Directorate and identifies advanced technology requirements, assigning high-priority defence research projects to capable institutions. IIT Ropar’s selection for two projects worth ₹120 crore reflects the growing role of India’s premier engineering institutes in defence research and development.
For UPSC aspirants, the intersection of academic institutions and defence R&D — through bodies like the ATB, DRDO, and iDEX — is a recurring theme in GS Paper III on security and technology.
Important Days
13. Important Days Observed on 23 and 24 June 2026
23 June — United Nations Public Service Day
United Nations Public Service Day is observed every year on 23 June, following its proclamation by the UN General Assembly through Resolution 57/277 on 20 December 2002. The day recognises the importance of public service, honours the contribution of public servants to sustainable development, and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector.
The UN Public Service Awards (UNPSA) programme was launched in 2003 to celebrate excellence in public administration and was reviewed in 2016 to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
23 June — International Widows’ Day
International Widows’ Day is observed every year on 23 June by the United Nations since 2011, following the adoption of Resolution A/RES/65/189. The day aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by widows, amplify their voices, and promote their rights, dignity, and social protection.
Globally, there are over 258 million widows, many of whom continue to face discrimination, poverty, and limited access to legal and economic rights. The day serves as a call to action for governments and civil society to address these inequities.
24 June — International Day of Women in Diplomacy
International Day of Women in Diplomacy is observed every year on 24 June to recognise the contributions of women in diplomacy and decision-making at the global level. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 to promote the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in diplomacy.
Daily Current Affairs 25 June 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NHAI-NCAER MoU about?
NHAI signed an MoU with NCAER to establish the NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics. The Centre will conduct applied economic research to support planning, investment, and policy-making in the road transport sector.
Why is the government divesting stake in IRFC?
The government will divest up to 2% stake in IRFC through an OFS as part of its broader disinvestment programme. The OFS includes a 1% base stake and 1% under the Green Shoe Option, subject to investor demand.
What is PortGPT?
PortGPT is an enterprise-grade generative AI mobile application launched by VOC Port in Thoothukudi. It is the first such application deployed at any major port in India and is designed to enhance operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
What are Lifecycle Funds launched by Zerodha?
Lifecycle Funds are goal-based mutual fund products with target maturity years (2036 and 2041). They automatically reduce investment risk as the target year approaches by gradually shifting asset allocation across equity, debt, gold, silver, and arbitrage. SEBI introduced the concept in February 2026.
What is the World Bank’s USD 1.5 billion financing for India?
The World Bank approved USD 1.5 billion under the Boosting Job Creation in the Private Sector DPF to support structural reforms in taxation, trade, investment, labour regulations, and entrepreneurship, aimed at boosting private sector-led employment.
What is special about PFC’s USD 300 million bond issue?
PFC became the first non-bank lender to use the RBI’s subsidised hedging facility for overseas borrowings, raising USD 300 million through a five-year dollar bond at a yield of 5.327%.
Who won the AFI Athletes of the Year 2025 award?
Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary were named AFI Athletes of the Year 2025 at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards. P.T. Usha, Anju Bobby George, G.S. Randhawa, and Bahadur Singh Chauhan received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
What did India achieve at the Asian Relays Championships 2026?
India won three medals at the Asian Relays Championships 2026 in Shaoxing, China — gold in the women’s 4x100m relay, silver in the mixed 4x400m relay, and bronze in the mixed 4x100m relay.
What is the significance of the Indian Navy’s visit to Vietnam?
INS Udaygiri and INS Kavaratti visited Ho Chi Minh City in the Indian Navy’s first major deployment to Vietnam since both countries elevated ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2026.
What projects has IIT Ropar secured from the Army Technology Board?
IIT Ropar secured two defence technology projects worth ₹120 crore from the 27th Army Technology Board, focusing on Autonomous Armoured Vehicles and Directed Energy Weapons.
Conclusion
That wraps up our Daily Current Affairs 25 June 2026 update — 13 key developments spanning infrastructure economics, disinvestment, port technology, mutual fund innovation, international financing, defence cooperation, athletics achievements, and global observances.
Today’s edition highlighted a pattern that exam aspirants should notice: India’s institutions are increasingly turning to technology, international partnerships, and innovative financial instruments to solve long-standing challenges. Whether it is VOC Port deploying generative AI, Zerodha automating investment risk management, PFC tapping overseas bond markets through a new RBI facility, or IIT Ropar developing autonomous weapons systems — the common thread is innovation applied to national priorities.
Bookmark TheExamHub.in and revisit our Daily Current Affairs 25 June 2026 section whenever you need a quick, reliable, and exam-focused revision. We will be back tomorrow with another comprehensive update.
Published by TheExamHub.in | June 25, 2026 | Sources: PIB Delhi, NHAI, Ministry of Finance, VOC Port Authority, SEBI, World Bank, PFC, AFI, Indian Navy, Indian Army
