Author name: Ajay Gulia

The Ministry of Railways has announced the rationalisation of passenger train fares effective from July 1, 2025, aiming to streamline fare structures and improve the financial viability of operations while maintaining affordability.

• No change in fares for suburban single journey tickets or season tickets (suburban/non-suburban).
• For non-AC classes (second class, sleeper), a minor increase of 0.5 paisa/km is introduced:
  • No fare hike for travel up to 500 km.
  • ₹5 increase for 501–1500 km, ₹10 for 1501–2500 km, and ₹15 for 2501–3000 km.
• Mail/Express trains will see:
  • 1 paisa/km increase for non-AC classes.
  • 2 paisa/km increase for AC classes.
• Fare revision applies to premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, Duronto, etc.
• No changes to reservation fees, superfast surcharges, or GST rates.
• Applicable only to tickets booked on or after July 1, 2025.
• PRS and UTS systems are being updated; Zonal Railways are directed to inform passengers through station displays and notices.

Q. From which date will the revised Indian Railways fare structure come into effect in 2025?
A) June 30
B) July 1
C) July 15
D) August 1
✅ Answer: B) July 1

On June 27, 2025, India categorically rejected a “supplemental award” issued by a Court of Arbitration constituted under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960. The award pertained to the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu & Kashmir.

India’s Position

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared the Court of Arbitration as illegally constituted, stating it was a serious breach of the IWT.
• India emphasized it has never recognized the legal validity of this court, calling the proceedings a “charade at Pakistan’s behest”.
• The MEA reiterated that any decisions or awards by this body are “illegal and per se void”.

Treaty in Abeyance

• Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, citing Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism.
• India asserted that until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures terrorism, it is no longer bound by the treaty’s obligations.

Background

• The dispute stems from Pakistan’s objections to the design of the Kishenganga (on Jhelum tributary) and Ratle (on Chenab) projects.
• In 2016, Pakistan moved the World Bank to establish a Court of Arbitration, while India preferred resolution through a neutral expert, as per treaty provisions.
• Despite India’s objections, the World Bank appointed both a neutral expert and a Court of Arbitration in October 2022, leading to parallel proceedings.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a new exam pattern for Class 10 board exams, starting from the next academic year (2026). The exams will now be conducted in two terms:

• The first exam in February will be compulsory for all students.
• The second exam in May will be optional, meant for students who wish to improve their scores.

Students will be allowed to improve their performance in up to three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages.

• Results of the two exams will be declared in April and June, respectively.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised the move, stating it will:

• Reduce exam-related stress
• Offer flexibility
• Create a more student-friendly and joyful learning environment

This reform is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends twice-a-year board exams as a student-centric and globally aligned approach to education.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 24 June 2025 authorised the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs to issue joint instructions and orders applicable to all three armed services — Army, Navy, and Air Force.

This move represents a major step toward the modernisation and transformation of India’s Armed Forces.

According to the Defence Ministry, the change replaces the previous system, where each service issued separate instructions even on matters concerning multiple services.

The joint order aims to:

• Streamline procedures
• Eliminate redundancies
• Enhance cross-service cooperation

It lays the foundation for:

• Improved transparency and coordination
• Greater administrative efficiency
• A new era of jointness and integration in the Indian Armed Forces

This marks a unified approach to national defence and reinforces the Armed Forces’ unity of purpose.

The Government of India has extended the cut-off date for opting into the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) to 30th September 2025, offering eligible individuals additional time to make an informed decision.

What is the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)?

The UPS is a newly introduced pension framework under the National Pension System (NPS), designed to provide assured pension benefits similar to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). It became operational on 1st April 2025 and was officially notified on 24th January 2025.

Who Can Opt for UPS?

The scheme is open to:

• Existing central government employees covered under NPS as of 1st April 2025
• New recruits joining on or after that date
• Past retirees and legally wedded spouses of deceased retirees

Key Features of UPS

• Assured monthly pension: 50% of the average basic pay of the last 12 months before retirement (for 25+ years of service)
• Minimum pension: ₹10,000/month for those with at least 10 years of service
• Family pension: 60% of the employee’s basic pay in case of premature death
• Inflation indexation: Applied to all pension components
• Gratuity: Lump-sum payment on superannuation, calculated as per old rules

Why the Extension?

The original deadline was 30th June 2025, but the government extended it by three months in response to requests from stakeholders seeking more time to evaluate the scheme.

INS Nilgiri, the first indigenously built stealth frigate under Project 17A, arrived at Visakhapatnam on 22 June 2025.

• Built in Mumbai, it will now serve as part of the Eastern Naval Command’s Sunrise Fleet.
• The ship’s motto is “Adrish Yabalam, Ajeya Shauryam” (Invisible Strength, Unconquerable Valor).
• More ships of the Project 17A class will be inducted soon to enhance Eastern Fleet capabilities.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, welcomed 285 Indian nationals who arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad, Iran, on a special flight on 22 June 2025.

• So far, 1,713 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran under Operation Sindhu.
• 2–3 more evacuation flights are scheduled from Iran in the next two days.

The Indian Embassy in Iran is actively helping citizens relocate from conflict-hit areas to safer regions, coordinating evacuations accordingly. Indian nationals are advised to remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the 24/7 MEA Control Room in New Delhi for assistance.

On 21st June 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations from Visakhapatnam, emphasizing that in today’s stressful world, Yoga offers a path to peace. He highlighted Yoga’s role in connecting the world, with 175 countries supporting India’s proposal to observe June 21 as International Yoga Day at the United Nations.

Key Highlights:

• Theme: Yoga for One Earth, One Health
• Location: Stretch from RK Beach to Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam
• Participants: Over 2.72 lakh people joined; the event aimed for a Guinness World Record for the largest yoga gathering.
• Guests Present: Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, Minister of AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav, and other dignitaries.
• Special Features:
  • A 45-minute Yoga session led by PM Modi using the Common Yoga Protocol.
  • Fly-past by the Eastern Naval Command
  • Commemorative stamp released by the Department of Posts
  • Yogandhra campaign in Andhra Pradesh trained 2 crore people in yoga practices.

PM Modi emphasized the growing scientific research on yoga in India’s top medical institutions, aiming to integrate yoga into the modern medical system. He urged citizens to adopt yoga daily as a means of building physical and mental well-being for a healthier future for all generations.

A Supreme Court-appointed inquiry panel has recommended removal proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court and former judge of the Delhi High Court, over serious misconduct allegations.

🔍 Key Allegations & Findings:

• A large amount of half-burnt cash was discovered after a fire incident on March 14, 2025, at his official residence in New Delhi.
• The cash was located in a storeroom at 30 Tughlak Crescent, under the active or covert control of Justice Varma and his family, according to the panel.
• The panel cited deliberate removal of evidence on March 15, based on witness testimony and electronic evidence.
• The misconduct violated the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” (1997), holding judges to the highest ethical standards.

👩‍⚖️ Inquiry Panel Members:

• Chief Justice Sheel Nagu (Punjab and Haryana High Court)
• Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh High Court)
• Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court)

📜 Next Steps:

• A 64-page report recommending impeachment has been submitted by former CJI Sanjiv Khanna to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• If accepted, it may lead to a rare impeachment of a sitting High Court judge in India.