CURRENT AFFAIRS 17 June 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS  17 June, 2025

1. INDIA’S LARGEST GATI SHAKTI CARGO TERMINAL –

• The Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar facility was inaugurated by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This terminal is India’s largest automobile cargo terminal. It enhances logistics for automobile transportation.
• The terminal connects to Patli railway station via a dedicated 10 km rail link. This link is part of the larger 121.7 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor. The project involved substantial investment, with ₹800 crore allocated for its construction.

Investment and Infrastructure Development

• The Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation funded ₹684 crore. Maruti Suzuki contributed the remaining amount. The terminal can handle 4.5 lakh automobiles per year. This capacity is among the highest in the country. The development is part of a broader initiative to improve railway infrastructure in India.

2. CYBER SURAKSHA EXERCISE –

• The Defence Cyber Agency (DCA) of India initiated the ‘Cyber Suraksha’ exercise on June 16, 2025. This comprehensive cybersecurity drill is organised under the Integrated Defence Staff headquarters and will run until June 27, 2025.
• Aimed at enhancing national cyber resilience, the exercise involves over 100 participants from various national agencies and defence sectors.

Purpose and Structure of Cyber Suraksha

• The primary goal of Cyber Suraksha is to simulate real-world cyber threats. This exercise focuses on reinforcing secure practices and evaluating the analytical and defensive skills of participants. It is structured in multiple phases, including targeted training sessions and leadership engagement.

3. INDIA’S AVIATION SAFETY STANDARDS –

• India’s aviation industry has recently garnered attention for its impressive safety ratings. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) conducted an audit in November 2022.
• The results showcased India’s advancements in aviation safety. India surpassed the global average in key categories such as operations and airworthiness.

Effective Implementation Score

• India’s Effective Implementation score rose to 85.65% from 69.95% in 2018. This score indicates improvements in aviation safety measures. The ICAO assesses countries on various criteria.
• These include legislation, organisation, licensing, operations, airworthiness, accident investigation, air navigation services, and aerodromes. India scored above the global average in all eight categories during the audit.

4. US’ MILITARY PARADE –

• The US Army is set to commemorate its 250th anniversary with a grand military parade in Washington on June 14. This date coincides with US President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day.
• The parade marks moment in American history, celebrating the establishment of the Army by the Second Continental Congress. It is the first military parade since 1991’s Victory Celebration and is expected to cost between $25 million and $45 million.

5. RUDRASTRA ADVANCED HYBRID VTOL DRONE –

• The Rudrastra drone represents advancement in India’s military technology. Developed by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited, it was recently tested by the Indian Army, marking a very important moment in unmanned aerial warfare. This drone combines vertical take-off and landing capabilities with long-range precision strike capabilities.

About Rudrastra

• Rudrastra is a hybrid drone designed for battlefield operations. It can take off like a helicopter and fly long distances like a jet. This versatility makes it difficult to detect. The drone is engineered for anti-personnel roles, targeting enemy soldiers with high accuracy.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  What is the name of the operation launched by Iran in retaliation against Israel’s Operation Rising Lion ?

1. a) Operation Desert Storm
2. b) Operation Silent Thunder
3. c) Operation True Promise 3
4. d) Operation Iron Dome

Q2.  Which state government has launched the Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan for water conservation in 2025 ?

1. a) Madhya Pradesh
2. b) Gujarat
3. c) Rajasthan
4. d) Haryana

Q3.  Consider the following statements about the Iron Dome system:

1. It is operational in Israel since 2011.
2. It can intercept hypersonic glide vehicles.
3. It uses Tamir interceptors and radar systems.
4. It is scalable for global deployment.

          How many of the above statements are correct ?

1. a) Only 1
2. b) Only 2
3. c) Only 3
4. d) All four

Q4.  Consider the following statements regarding ‘Operation Spider’s Web’.

1. Statement-I: In ‘Operation Spider’s Web’, Ukraine targeted Russian airbases located across multiple time zones deep within Russian territory.
2. Statement-II: The operation was timed to act as a prelude to peace talks, aiming to showcase Ukraine’s deep-strike capability and strengthen its bargaining position.

          Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

1. a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Explanation-

• Statement-I is correct. Several attacked airbases such as Belaya (Irkutsk), Olenya (Murmansk), and Dyagilevo (Ryazan) are located in different regions and time zones of Russia, highlighting the extensive range of the operation.
• Statement-II is also correct. The operation was intended to showcase deep-strike capability and was timed as a prelude to peace talks to bolster Ukraine’s negotiating power.
• However, Statement-II does not explain why the targets were spread across multiple time zones (Statement-I).

Q5.  Which of the following are the stated objectives of the ‘BharatGen’ AI initiative ?

1. To create a democratic AI ecosystem accessible to all social groups.
2. To prioritize the development of AI for military and defence applications.
3. To foster AI-based entrepreneurship and innovation in India.
4. To align with the “India’s Techade” vision for technology-driven growth.

          Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. a) 1 and 3 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 1, 3 and 4 only
4. d) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: to build a democratic AI ecosystem rooted in Indian languages and values, ensuring it is accessible to all regions and social groups.
• Statement 3 is correct: to foster AI-based entrepreneurship, innovation, and R&D capacity in India, partly through collaborations and hackathons.
• Statement 4 is correct: the initiative supports the “India’s Techade” vision for tech-driven inclusive growth.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The use of BharatGen in governance, health, education, and agriculture. There is no mention of prioritizing military and defence applications. The focus is clearly on civilian and public welfare domains to promote inclusive development.

Answer Key