1. Supreme Court Upholds Electoral Bonds Disclosure
Subject: Polity
- The Supreme Court directed the State Bank of India to release complete Electoral Bonds data by July 2025, ensuring transparency in political funding.
- The ruling addresses concerns over anonymous donations, strengthening accountability under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution (Right to Information).
- Over ₹12,000 crore was donated via Electoral Bonds between 2018 and 2024, with 60% from corporate entities.
- The decision is expected to impact political party strategies ahead of the 2026 state elections.
- Tamil Nadu parties, including DMK and AIADMK, are reviewing funding mechanisms to comply with the ruling.
- The verdict reinforces the Election Commission’s role in monitoring political financing.
- Concepts: Electoral transparency, political funding, and democratic accountability.
2. Tamil Nadu Launches Digital Literacy Drive
Subject: National Issues
- Tamil Nadu announced a ₹500 crore Digital Literacy Mission on June 27, 2025, targeting 10 million rural citizens by 2027.
- The initiative, under the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency, aims to bridge the digital divide in districts like Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri.
- Training modules include cybersecurity, online banking, and e-governance platforms like DigiLocker.
- Over 5,000 digital kiosks will be set up in rural Tamil Nadu to facilitate access to government services.
- The program aligns with India’s Digital India initiative, emphasizing inclusive development.
- Challenges include limited internet penetration in remote areas and low digital awareness among elderly populations.
- Concepts: Digital inclusion, e-governance, and rural development.
3. India Deepens Defence Ties with ASEAN at Manila Summit
Subject: International
- India participated in the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, Philippines, on June 27, 2025, to enhance maritime security cooperation.
- Discussions focused on joint naval exercises and countering piracy in the Indo-Pacific region.
- India proposed a ₹200 crore fund for capacity-building in ASEAN navies, strengthening regional ties.
- Tamil Nadu’s Chennai and Thoothukudi ports are set to benefit from enhanced maritime trade security.
- The summit addressed China’s growing influence in the South China Sea, emphasizing a rules-based order.
- India reiterated support for ASEAN’s centrality in Indo-Pacific geopolitics.
- Concepts: Maritime diplomacy, regional security, and Indo-Pacific strategy.
4. RBI Expands Digital Rupee Pilot in Tamil Nadu
Subject: Economy
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot to Salem and Erode in Tamil Nadu on June 27, 2025.
- The Digital Rupee aims to reduce cash dependency and enhance transaction transparency.
- Over 1.5 million transactions have been recorded in Tamil Nadu’s pilot phase since its launch in Madurai and Coimbatore.
- The initiative supports MSMEs in Tamil Nadu’s textile and agriculture sectors by enabling faster payments.
- Challenges include public awareness and infrastructure for offline CBDC transactions in rural areas.
- The RBI is collaborating with Tamil Nadu’s cooperative banks to scale adoption.
- Concepts: Digital currency, financial inclusion, and monetary policy innovation.
5. DRDO Tests Indigenous Hypersonic Missile
Subject: Defence
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested a hypersonic missile off Odisha’s coast on June 27, 2025.
- The missile, developed under the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) program, achieves speeds exceeding Mach 6.
- 95% of its components are indigenously manufactured, aligning with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
- The test strengthens India’s deterrence capabilities amid regional security challenges.
- Tamil Nadu’s defence manufacturing hubs, like Chennai, contributed critical subsystems.
- Challenges include scaling production and integrating hypersonic technology into operational systems.
- Concepts: Indigenous defence technology, strategic deterrence, and national security.
