NATIONAL NEWS
COVID-19 Situation Update
Active COVID-19 cases in India crossed the 6,000 mark as of June 8, 2025
Total of 6 deaths reported in the last 24 hours across four states
Kerala remains the most affected state with over 1,800 active cases
Delhi reported 73 fresh cases, taking the total active cases to 665
Current surge driven by new Omicron sub-variants: JN.1, NB.1.8.1, LF.7, and XFC
WHO classifies these variants as ‘Variants Under Monitoring’
Maharashtra recorded 77 new cases, bringing total cases since January 1 to 1,439
Infrastructure Development
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir
Chenab Bridge stands as the world’s highest railway arch bridge at 359 meters above riverbed
Bridge is 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower and spans 1,315 meters
PM Modi also inaugurated Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge
These projects are part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link
Infrastructure projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore were dedicated to the nation
Political Developments
Chirag Paswan addressed Nav Sankalp Mahasabha rally in Ara, Bihar
Rally expected to host around 1 lakh people from 33 assembly constituencies across 7 districts
Upendra Kushwaha organized constitutional rights rally in Muzaffarpur
Home Minister Amit Shah visited Tamil Nadu for party organizational meetings
Discussions focused on BJP’s expansion strategies in South India
State News
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath toured Auraiya for Developed Agriculture Campaign 2025
Vande Bharat Express between Gorakhpur and Prayagraj upgraded to 16-coach configuration
Train capacity increased from 632 to 1,024 passengers
Enhanced service includes 14 AC Chair Car and 2 Executive coaches
BANKING AND FINANCIAL NEWS
RBI Monetary Policy Decisions
Reserve Bank of India cut repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5 percent
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) reduced by 100 basis points to 3 percent
Policy stance changed from ‘accommodative’ to ‘neutral’
Inflation forecast for FY26 revised down to 3.7 percent from 4 percent
GDP growth forecast maintained at 6.5 percent for current fiscal year
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated “We have won the war against inflation”
Banking Sector Updates
Gold loan LTV ratio increased to 85 percent for loans below Rs 2.5 lakh
Canara Bank removed minimum balance requirement for all SB accounts
UPI transactions reached new milestone in May 2025
RBI announced 55th Monetary Policy Committee meeting schedule
Financial Market Impact
Gold loan stocks surged following RBI’s LTV ratio announcement
Muthoot Finance, Manappuram Finance, and IIFL Finance shares rose 2-7 percent
Rate cuts expected to benefit bond market and reduce EMIs for borrowers
Banking sector liquidity described as ‘abundant’ by RBI Governor
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
United States
President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles
Deployment response to immigration protests and ICE deportation operations
Over 100 immigrants arrested in Los Angeles during the past week
Multiple arrests made during clashes between protesters and law enforcement
Governor Newsom criticized the National Guard deployment as “abuse of power”
Colombia
Presidential candidate fighting for life after assassination attempt
15-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the attack
Incident highlights ongoing security concerns in Colombian politics
Global Economic Outlook
Global growth and trade projections revised downward according to RBI assessment
Growth-inflation trade-off becoming more challenging worldwide
Financial stability concerns amid global spillover effects
Technology challenges posed by AI and other innovations noted
SPORTS NEWS
Tennis
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in French Open final
Match score: 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2)
Alcaraz achieved first comeback from two-sets-to-love down
Match duration exceeded 5.5 hours at Roland Garros
Victory marks Alcaraz’s second consecutive French Open title
Head-to-head record: Alcaraz leads Sinner 9-4
Shooting Sports
ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup commenced in Munich (June 8-15, 2025)
23-member Indian squad participating in the competition
Manu Bhaker leads the Indian contingent
Other key Indian participants: Sift Kaur Samra, Palak Gulia, Suruchi Phogat
Competition held at Hochbrück Shooting Centre
Strong South Korean team provides tough competition
Cricket
Indian Test team began training in England under captain Shubman Gill
Squad preparing for five-match Test series starting June 20 in Leeds
Series marks beginning of 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle
Training conducted at Lord’s Indoor Cricket Centre
Team includes pace battery of Bumrah, Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh
Series represents new era following retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Other Sports
Indian athletes achieved 6-gold medal haul at Taiwan Open athletics
Jyothi Yarraji led India’s performance in 100m hurdles
Ultimate Table Tennis league matches continued
Jaipur Patriots defeated Ahmedabad SG Pipers 11-4
U Mumba TT beat Chennai Lions 9-6
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Space Mission
ISRO’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla selected for Axiom-4 mission
Mission to International Space Station in collaboration with NASA, ESA, and Axiom Space
Shukla will serve as mission pilot for 14-day ISS stay
Crew will conduct 60 scientific research projects for 31 countries
Mission supports India’s Gaganyaan program development
Weather and Climate
Heavy to very heavy rainfall recorded in Konkan & Goa regions
Heat wave conditions expected in West Rajasthan (June 8-11)
Southwest monsoon progression continues across India
Thunderstorm warnings issued for multiple states
Early monsoon onset considered positive for agricultural sector
EXAMINATION UPDATES
Banking Examinations
IDBI Junior Assistant Manager exam conducted on June 8, 2025
Overall difficulty level assessed as Easy to Moderate
Quantitative Aptitude section rated as Easy
Logical Reasoning and English sections rated as Moderate
General Awareness section considered Easy
KEY APPOINTMENTS AND AWARDS
Asheesh Pandey and Kalyan Kumar appointed to top PSU bank positions
Deutsche Bank appointed Stefan Schaffer as CEO of India GCC
RBI granted in-principle approval to PayPal and Worldline for cross-border payments
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
June 8, 2025: ISSF World Cup Munich commenced
June 20, 2025: India vs England Test series begins in Leeds
July 10, 2025: Third Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground scheduled
