This is the current affairs of 18 & 19 June 2025. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. In which cities did the Bihar State Cabinet decide to develop airports in June 2025?
a. Madhubani, Veerpur
b. Munger, Valmikinaga
c. Muzaffarpur, Saharsa
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (Madhubani, Veerpur (located in Supaul district), Munger, Valmikinagar, Muzaffarpur and Saharsa)
– On June 17, 2025, the Bihar State Cabinet decided to build six more new airports.
– The proposal was approved under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
New Airports in These Districts
– According to Dr. S. Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Department, proposals have been approved to build airports in Madhubani, Virpur, Munger, Valmikinagar, Muzaffarpur, and Saharsa.
– These will be developed as small airports under the UDAN scheme.
– For this, approval has been granted for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Airports Authority of India (based in Delhi) and the State Government.
– The MoU will help in the construction of the airports and development of the necessary infrastructure.
– The government will immediately allocate ₹25 crore for each airport. A total amount of ₹150 crore has been sanctioned for all six airports.
– Earlier, the Cabinet had also approved proposals for airports in Bhagalpur and Rajgir.
– The Muzaffarpur airport is already under the ownership of the Airports Authority of India.
– For the other five airports, the state government will provide land, basic infrastructure, and support at the secondary level.
– At present, the agreement is only for airport development.
– After the construction phase, a separate new MoU will be signed for the operation and maintenance of the airports, as was done previously in the cases of Darbhanga and Purnia airports.
– This decision will not only help connect remote areas of the state but also play an important role in industrial development, tourism, and the generation of local employment.
Promise of 15 Airports in the Budget
– During the 2024–25 budget, the Bihar government announced a plan to develop 15 airports in the state to boost air connectivity.
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2. Which writer won the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025 for Hindi language?
a. Parvati Tirkey
b. Anirudh Kanisetti
c. Atul Kumar Rai
d. Megh Singh
Answer: a. Parvati Tirkey
– Awarded Book: Phir Ugna (Poetry)
About the Poet Parvati Tirkey
– She belongs to the Kudukh tribal community of Gumla district in Jharkhand.
– She was born on January 16, 1994.
– Currently, she is working as an Assistant Professor in the Hindi Department at Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College (Ranchi University), Ranchi.
– Phir Ugna is Parvati Tirkey’s first poetry collection.
– It was published in 2023 by Radhakrishna Prakashan.
– The poems in this collection are written in a simple, truthful, and sensitive language.
– In these poems, the earth, trees, birds, moon-stars, and forests are not merely symbols—they exist as a living world within the poetry.
Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar / Bal Puraskar
– The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honor in India, given annually by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, to writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, as well as in English and Rajasthani.
– The award includes ₹50,000 and a copper plaque (Tamrapatra).
– The current President of the Sahitya Akademi is Madhav Kaushik.
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3. Which writer has been selected for the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025 for English language?
a. Devendra Mewadi
b. Advaita Kottari
c. Sudipto Sen
d. Advaita Kottari
Answer: d. Advaita Kottari
– Awarded Book: Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became the Buddha (Novel)
– The winner will receive ₹50,000 and a copper plaque (Tamrapatra).
About Advait Kottary
– Advait Kottary is a writer and actor based in London.
– Passionate about cars and engineering, he worked as an engine designer before quitting his job to pursue his love for writing and performing arts.
– Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became the Buddha is his debut novel.
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4. List of winners of Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025
Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025
Language – Awardee’s Name – Name of the Book (Genre)
1) English Siddhartha – Advait Kottary – The Boy Who Became the Buddha (Novel)
2) Hindi – Parvati Tirkey – Phir Ugna (Poetry)
3) Sanskrit – Dheeraj Kumar Pandey – Paribhashikshabd-swarasyam (vedantparibhashasandarbhe) (Criticism)
4) Maithili – Neha Jha Mani – Banaras Aa Hum (Poetry)
5) Assamese – Suprakash Bhuyan – Kuchiyanama (Short Stories)
6) Bengali – Sudeshna Moitra – Ekrokha Chiruni Tollashi (Poetry)
7) Bodo – Amar Khungur Borо – Ang Asur (Poetry)
8) Gujarati – Mayur Khavdu – Narsinh Tekari (Essays)
9) Kannada – R. Dileepkumar – Pacceya Jaguli (Criticism)
10) Kashmiri – Saiqa Sehar – Harfas Harfas Zaag (Criticism)
11) Konkani – Glynis Dias – Gaavgaathaa (Short Stories)
12) Malayalam – Akhil P. Dharmajan – Ram C/o Anandhi (Novel)
13) Manipuri – A. K. Jiten – Khoyum Nongdam Cow (Epic)
14) Marathi – Pradeep Kokare – Khol Khol Dushkal Dole (Novel)
15) Nepali – Subash Thakuri – Junko Aansu (Poetry)
16) Odia – Subrat Kumar Senapati – Kadambabana (Short Stories)
17) Punjabi – Mandeep Aulakh – Girls Hostel (Poetry)
18) Rajasthani – Poonam Chand Godara – Antas re aanganai (Poetry)
19) Santali – Fagu Baskey – Ara Sao In (Poetry)
20) Sindhi – Manthan Bachani – Pandhiyado (Poetry)
21) Tamil – Latshmihar – Kuttonru Kutirru (Short Stories)
22) Telugu – Prasad Suri – Mairaavana (Novel)
23) Urdu – Neha Rubab – Mazharul Haque: Thareek-e-Azadi-eHind :Hind Ka Faramosh Kardah Qaaed (Novel)
Note: No Award in Dogri language.
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5. Sahitya Akademi has selected whom for the ‘Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025’ for Hindi language?
a. Suryanath Singh
b. Sushil Shukla
c. Badri Narayan
d. Daya Prakash Sinha
Answer: b. Sushil Shukla
– Awarded Book: Ek Batey Barah (Short Story Collection)
– The winner will receive ₹50,000 and a copper plaque (Tamrapatra).
About Sushil Shukla
– He was born on March 25, 1974, in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh.
– He has been working in the field of children’s literature for nearly two and a half decades.
– He is also the editor of the children’s magazines Pluto and Cycle.
– Previously, he was the editor of the children’s magazine Chakmak.
– His books Ye Saare Ujala Suraj Ka, Tiffin Dost, Feriwale, and ten other children’s books have been published by Eklavya Prakashan.
– He was honored with the 2024 Harikrishna Devsare Children’s Literature Award.
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6. Who has been selected by the Sahitya Akademi for the ‘Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025’ for the English language?
a. Manoj Dara
b. Sudha Murthy
c. Nitin Kushalappa M.P.
d. Guru Charan Das
Answer: c. Nitin Kushalappa M.P.
– Award for which book: Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fabulous Retold (Story Collection)
– This book retells 15 folktales from South India.
– The book was published by Puffin India of Penguin Random House in 2023
– By profession, Nitin Kushalappa MP is a software developer.
– Over the past decade, he has worked as a team leader, entrepreneur and senior consultant for several companies.
– He is interested in children’s literature.
– The winner will be given Rs 50 thousand and a copper plate.
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7. List of winners of Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025
Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Award 2025
Language – Awardee’s Name – Name of the Book (Genre)
1) English – Nitin Kushalappa MP – Dakshin South Indian Myths and Fables Retold (Stories)
2) Hindi – Sushil Shukla – Ek Batey Bara (Short Stories)
3) Sanskrit – Preeti Pujara – Balvisvam (Poetry)
4) Maithili – Munni Kamat – Chukka (Short Stories)
5) Assamese – Surendra Mohan Das – Mainaahantar Padya (Poetry)
6) Bengali – Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay – Ekhono Gaye Kanta Daye (Stories)
7) Bodo – Binay Kumar Brahma – Khanthi Bwswn Arw Akhu Danai (Stories)
8) Dogri – P.L.Parihar “Shauq” – Nanhi Tor (Poetry)
9) Gujarati – Kirtida Brahmbhatt – Tinchak (Poetry)
10) Kannada – K. Shivalingappa Handihal – Notebook (Short Stories)
11) Kashmiri – Izhar Mubashir – Shure Te Tchure Gyush (Short Stories)
12) Konkani – Nayana Adarkar – Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo (Stories)
13) Malayalam – Sreejith Moothedath – Penguinukalude Vankarayil (Novel)
14) Manipuri – Shanto M. – Angangshinggee Shannabungsida (Play)
15) Marathi – Suresh Sawant – Aabhalmaya (Poetry)
16) Nepali – Sangmu Lepcha – Shanti Van (Novel)
17) Odia – Rajakishore Parhi – Kete Phula Phutichi (Poetry)
18) Punjabi – Pali Khadim (Amrit Pal Singh) – Jadoo Patta (Novel)
19) Rajasthani – Bhogilal Patidar – Pankheruvan Ni Pira (Drama)
20) Santali – Haralal Murmu – Sona Miru-ag Sandesh (Poetry)
21) Sindhi – Heena Agnani ‘Heer’ – Asmani Pari (Poetry)
22) Tamil – Vishnupuram Sarvanan – Ottrai Siragu Oviya (Novel)
23) Telugu – Gangisetti Sivakumar – Kaburla Devatha (Story)
24) Urdu – Ghazanfar Iqbal – Qaumi Sitare (Articles)
Note: No Award in Dogri language.
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8. When is National Reading Day celebrated?
a. 21 June
b. 20 June
c. 19 June
d. 18 June
Answer: c. 19 June
Why is this day celebrated
– This day is celebrated to honor Puthuvayil Narayana Panikkar (PN Panikkar), the father of the library movement in Kerala and a famous teacher.
– He died on 19 June 1995.
– Kerala Reading Day was celebrated for the first time in 1996 on his death anniversary.
– In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared June 19 as National Reading Day.
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9. In which city Air India’s AI-171 (Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane) plane crashed on 12 June 2025, killing more than 290 people?
a. New Delhi
b. Ahmedabad
c. Bengaluru
d. Mumbai
Answer: b. Ahmedabad
– Air India’s AI-171 plane was flying from Ahmedabad Airport to London on June 12, 2025, carrying 242 people (passengers and crew).
– Shortly after takeoff (crash occurred at 1:40 PM), the plane collided with the BJ Medical Complex and crashed.
– In this plane crash, everyone except one passenger died.
– The sole survivor of the crash is Vishwaskumar Ramesh.
– In addition, around 29 people on the ground and inside the medical complex also died in the accident.
– By June 18, DNA tests had identified 190 victims of the Ahmedabad air crash; 159 bodies had been handed over to their families. Identification of the remaining victims is still underway.
Did the Pilot Issue a ‘Mayday’ Call?
– The plane was being flown by Pilot-in-Command Sumit Sabharwal and Co-Pilot Clive Kundar.
– A few minutes after takeoff, the pilot sent a ‘Mayday’ call to Air Traffic Control (ATC).
– “Mayday Mayday Mayday” means “Help me” — it is an emergency distress signal.
– The “Mayday” call is used in maritime, aviation, or radio communication when there is a life-threatening emergency (such as sinking, fire, or technical failure).
– The phrase is repeated three times — “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” — to indicate a serious emergency.
How Did the Accident Happen?
– The exact cause of the accident will be determined through data from the black box. The black box has been recovered by the investigation team.
– A black box is a special type of recording device that stores crucial information related to the flight (or ship). Its color is orange so that it can be easily located. It records multiple types of evidence.
Note: On June 17, 2025, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated that a high-level multidisciplinary committee formed by the central government will submit its report on the Ahmedabad Air India plane crash within three months.
Nationality of Passengers on Board
– A total of 242 people were on board Air India’s AI-171 flight.
– 230 passengers & 12 crew members
– Indian: 169
– British: 53
– Portuguese: 7
– Canadian: 1
– Crew Members: 12
What Did Ramesh Kumar, the Plane Crash Survivor, Say?
– Ramesh, the only survivor of the crash, said:
“I still can’t believe how I survived.”
– He was seated in seat 11-A on the plane.
Q&A with Ramesh Kumar
– Q: How did the accident happen?
– A: “Everything happened right in front of me. I don’t know how it all happened. I still can’t believe I made it out alive. For a moment, I thought I was going to die too. When I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive. I thought I could get out of there — and I did.”
– Q: What happened right after takeoff?
– A: “Just about 5–10 seconds after takeoff, it felt like the plane stopped mid-air. Suddenly, green and white lights turned on. As soon as the speed increased, the plane fell sharply, and there was a loud explosion.”
– Q: How did you escape when the plane hit the hostel building?
– A: “My seat was in the part of the plane that struck the lower part of the building. The upper section caught fire, and many people got trapped. Maybe I fell down with my seat and somehow managed to crawl out.”
Support for Families of the Deceased
– The Tata Group stated:
– “We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident involving Air India Flight 171. We will provide ₹1 crore in financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident. We will also cover the full cost of treatment for the injured and extend every possible help and care. In addition, we will assist in the reconstruction of the BJ Medical College hostel.”
About the AI-171 Aircraft (Boeing 787 Dreamliner)
– Range: Approximately 13,530 kilometers
– Material: About 50% of the aircraft is made from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer
– Engine: Equipped with advanced Rolls-Royce engines (known for low noise)
– This aircraft is considered one of the best and most efficient planes in modern aviation.
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10. Former CM of which state Vijay Rupani died on 12 June 2025 in Ahmedabad plane crash?
a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Rajasthan
c. Gujarat
d. Madhya Pradesh
Answer: c. Gujarat
Vijay Rupani (Former Chief Minister)
– Born on August 2, 1956, in Myanmar (Burma); later moved to India.
– Elected as a member of Rajkot Municipal Corporation in 1987.
– Served as Mayor of Rajkot from 1996 to 1997.
– Elected as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha representing Gujarat from 2006 to 2012.
– Won his first state assembly election in 2014.
– Served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021.
Gujarat (State Information)
– Chief Minister: Bhupendra Bhai Patel
– Governor: Acharya Devvrat
– Capital: Gandhinagar
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11. When is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed?
a. 21 June
b. 20 June
c. 19 June
d. 18 June
Answer: c. 19 June
– The United Nations General Assembly declared this day to be celebrated on June 19, 2015.
– This day is celebrated to raise awareness about conflict-related sexual violence.
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12. The country’s first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) was commissioned on 18 June 2025, what is its name?
a. INS Arnala
b. INS Surat
c. INS Nilgiri
d. INS Vagsheer
Answer: a. INS Arnala
– INS Arnala, India’s first anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ship, was commissioned into the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command on June 18, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
– CDS General Anil Chauhan was present as the chief guest at the ceremony.
– The ship is named after the historic Arnala Fort located in Vasai, Maharashtra.
– The Indian Navy will have a total of 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC), with INS Arnala being the first in the series.
– The induction of these 16 ASW-SWC-class ships, starting with INS Arnala, will enhance India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, strengthen coastal defense, and bolster India’s position as a capable and self-reliant maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region.
About INS Arnala
– The ship is designed to detect, track, and neutralize enemy submarines in the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean.
– It is capable of locating and targeting small or mini-submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) in coastal waters less than 30 meters deep. INS Arnala is ideal for such missions.
Note: Large warships cannot operate independently in shallow waters like Arnala-class ships can.
– INS Arnala was designed and built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and L&T Shipbuilders.
Key Specifications:
– Length: 77.6 meters
– Displacement: 900 tons
– Crew Capacity: 57 personnel
– Speed: Up to 25 knots (approximately 46 km/h)
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13. Which rescue operation did India launch to bring its citizens back home amid the conflict between Iran and Israel?
a. Operation Sindhu
b. Operation Middle
c. Operation Fateh
d. Operation Siachen
Answer: a. Operation Sindhu
Israel–Iran Conflict
– On June 13, 2025, Israel launched attacks on sites in Iran related to its nuclear program.
– In response, Iran retaliated by attacking Israel.
– Since then, the conflict between the two countries has intensified and continues to escalate.
How Were Indian Students Evacuated from Iran?
– Indian students from various cities in Iran reached the Norduz border, which connects Iran with Armenia.
– From there, they were taken by bus to Yerevan Airport in Armenia, and then flown back to India via air routes.
– In the first phase, 110 Indian students were evacuated from Iran via road to Armenia, and from there, they were brought to New Delhi on a special flight on June 18, 2025.
Why Aren’t Indian Students Being Evacuated Directly from Iran?
– Most international airports in Iran are currently closed to civilian flights.
– Due to war-like conditions, flying out of Iran is not considered safe.
– Several regions in Iran have already been targeted by Israeli airstrikes, raising the risk of attacks on flights.
– Sending Indian aircraft directly into Iran is highly risky, and doing so would require Iran’s approval along with strong security arrangements—which are not feasible during wartime.
Why Did India Choose Armenia for Evacuation?
– Iran shares borders with 7 countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, and Iraq. It also shares a maritime boundary with Oman.
– Among these, Armenia is geographically closer to major Iranian cities.
– India shares strong and friendly relations with Armenia, including defense agreements.
– Armenia is politically stable, and its capital Yerevan’s airport is fully operational, enabling fast evacuation flights.
– There is no ongoing border dispute or military tension between Iran and Armenia.
– On the other hand:
– Pakistan, Iran’s eastern neighbor, has long-standing tense relations with India, especially after Operation Sindoor. Hence, using Pakistan’s route was not an option.
– Iraq is already involved in the broader regional conflict, and Israeli strikes have also targeted Iranian facilities within Iraq, making it too dangerous.
– Azerbaijan recently showed open support for Pakistan and criticized India’s actions during Operation Sindoor — making cooperation with Azerbaijan unlikely.
– Though Turkey is relatively stable, reaching it from Iran by road is a long journey. Also, Turkey recently expressed support for Pakistan and criticized India, straining bilateral ties.
Some Notable Rescue Missions by India
– Operation Indravati (2024): During criminal gang violence in Haiti
– Operation Ajay (2023): During the Hamas–Israel war
– Operation Kaveri (2023): Amid civil war in Sudan
– Operation Ganga (2022): After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
– Operation Rahat (2015): During conflict in Yemen
Other Humanitarian Relief Missions
– Japan (2011): Sent NDRF teams and relief material after the tsunami
– Myanmar (2008): Provided assistance after Cyclone Nargis
– USA (2005): Sent relief supplies for victims of Hurricane Katrina
For which countries did India conduct disaster relief operations?
– Operation Brahma: Relief operation after the earthquake in Myanmar in 2025
– Operation Dost: Relief operation after the earthquake in Turkey in 2023
– Operation Maitri: Relief operation after the earthquake in Nepal in 2015
– Operation Rainbow: Relief operation after the tsunami in Sri Lanka in 2004.
– Operation Castor: Relief operation during the tsunami in Maldives in 2004.
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14. When is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day observed?
a. 18 June
b. 19 June
c. 20 June
d. 21 June
Answer: b. 19 June
Theme 2025
– Tell it Loud – Share, Celebrate, Advocate
– The United Nations General Assembly declared this day in the year 2008.
What is sickle cell disease?
– Sickle cell disease (SCD) or sickle cell anemia is a major hereditary abnormality (genetic imbalance) of red blood cells (RBCs).
– In which the shape of these red blood cells becomes like a crescent/sickle.
– The red blood cells become hard and sticky.
– The blood gets stuck in the veins, due to which the flow of blood and oxygen in many parts of the body reduces or stops.
– The body’s organs get troubled.
– This causes anemia or lack of blood.
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