25th JUNE CURRENT AFFAIRS

1Thai Maman Gold Ring Scheme

The Tamil Nadu government has launched the Thai Maman Gold Ring Scheme (Maternal Uncle's Gold Ring Scheme), providing a 1-gram gold ring to every child born in a state government hospital.

The scheme has an annual budget of ₹755.83 crore and is designed to boost public institutional deliveries.

Eligibility: All babies born to eligible families residing in Tamil Nadu, strictly in government medical facilities

Applicability: The benefit covers children born on or after June 22, 2026.

Official Launch: The program will be formally rolled out on September 15, 2026.

Cultural Significance: It is inspired by the traditional custom of Thai Maman Seer, where maternal uncles gift the newborn.

2.Harmanpreet Kaur is the first cricketer ever to play 200 T20Is

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur became the first player in cricket history to feature in 200 T20 Internationals, achieving the milestone during the Women's T20 World Cup match against South Africa.

Seventeen-year journey: Debuting in 2009, she has scored over 4,000 runs and taken 32 wickets, becoming a key figure in the evolution of women's cricket in India

2SOFIA 2026 report, confirming India as the world's 2nd largest producer of aquatic animals, trailing only China

India produced 9 per cent of the world’s aquatic animals in 2024, making it the second-largest producer globally after China, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report

The country led the world in inland water catches, with 2.2 million tonnes from rivers, lakes and freshwater systems.

India also ranked second in aquaculture, contributing 12 per cent of global farmed aquatic animal output.

FAO warned that the share of marine fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels fell to 62.4 per cent in 2023.

around 67 per cent of total aquatic animal production was harvested from marine waters, split between capture fisheries and aquaculture.

The remaining 33 per cent came from inland waters, where aquaculture accounted for the bulk of production.

3Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) has been upgraded to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise(CPSE) status

The announcement was made by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) under the Ministry of Finance. With this, CPCL becomes the 28th Navratna among all CPSEs in India.

CPCL, which operates under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, posted an annual turnover of Rs 59,400 crore in FY 2025-26. Prior to this upgrade, the company held Miniratna Category-I status.

Navratna classification, introduced by the government in 1997, grants Central Public Sector Enterprises significantly enhanced financial and operational autonomy.

A Navratna CPSE can invest up to Rs 1,000 crore or 15% of its net worth on a single project without seeking prior government approval.

The status also empowers companies to establish joint ventures overseas, access new markets, leverage local expertise, foster innovation through technological alliances, and facilitate mergers and acquisitions.