Top Current Affairs for Last Six Months: Jan–June 2025

It's been 6 months and this year has been witness to some extraordinary events in various fields like National, International, Defence, Sports etc. From Shubhanshu Shukla being the 1st Indian astronaut to set foot on ISS to India launching Operation Sindoor. Be it the IPL 2025 or the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, we have covered it all. Here are the top current affairs for the last six months, which will help you recall all the major events that took place in this period.
This comprehensive current affairs update will boost your General Knowledge and help you stay ahead in UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, State PSC, Teaching Exams, and other competitive exams. Stay informed. Keep reading! 💯

1. India’s historic space milestone

Credits: The Hawk

• SpaDeX Mission

• Carried out by ISRO

• 4th country after the USA, Russia, and China to achieve this complex space manoeuvre.

• About SpaDeX Mission : 

  • Space Docking Experiment
  • Involves two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)
  • Launch from: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
  • Aim: To demonstrate rendezvous, docking, and undocking technologies critical for future space missions.

2. Union Budget 2025

Credits: Hindustan Times

• Theme: Sabka Vikas

• Presented by: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

• Aim: To stimulate balanced growth across all regions.

• Major highlights: 

  • No Income Tax for annual incomes up to ₹12 lakh, extended to ₹12.75 lakh for salaried taxpayers with deductions.

  • TDS on Rent increased from ₹2.4 lakh to ₹6 lakh

  • The time limit for updated tax returns is extended from 2 to 4 years.

3. 1st Indian to set foot on ISS

• IAF Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla 

• Part of Axiom 4 mission

• Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) operated by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and NASA.

• Crew members of the mission :

  Peggy Whitson , Shubhanshu Shukla , Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski , Tibor Kapu.

• Mission commander: Peggy Whitson (USA)

• Spacecraft used: SpaceX Dragon spacecraft

• The Ax-4 astronauts will spend about 14 days aboard the orbiting lab, completing a record number of science investigations and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach events.

4. Iran-Israel Conflict

Credits: Middle East Policy Council

• Major Operations which were launched during the conflict : 
• Operation Rising Lion

  • Launched by Israel to dismantle Iran’s military & nuclear capabilities.

• Operation True Promise 3

  • Launched by Iran as a direct response to Israeli pre-emptive airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and command sites.

• Operation Midnight Hammer

  • Launched by the USA, which targets Iran's nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

• After this Operation by the USA, Iran's Parliament has unanimously approved a dramatic proposal to close the Strait of Hormuz.
   
• About the Strait of Hormuz : 

Credits: Republic World

• Connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

• Acts as a vital shipping lane for oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). 

• Approximately 20 million barrels of oil flow through the strait each day.

• Present status: A cease-fire has been announced between the nations.

5. Pahalgam Terror Attack

Credits : The Hindu

• A deadly terrorist attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam.

• Kashmir Valley observed a shutdown against a terror attack for the first time in 35 years on 23 April 2025.

• Measures taken by the Indian Government: 

  • Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960.

  • Closing the Integrated Check Post Attari with immediate effect.

  • Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas.

  • The Foreign Secretary informed that the Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi had been declared Persona Non-Grata.

  • By 1 May, the overall strength of the High Commissions will be reduced to 30 from 55.

• Retaliatory steps by Pakistan: 

  • Suspension of the Simla Agreement (1972)

  • Closure of Wagah Border Crossing with immediate effect.

  • Suspension of All Trade with India

  • Closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian airlines.

Must know ------ Operation Sindoor

• A series of precision strikes on terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

• These attacks are done as a counter to the Pahalgam terror attack.

• These airstrikes targeted a total of nine locations.

Credits: Hindustan Times

• Targets in Pakistan : ​​

  • Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur

  • Markaz Taiba, Muridke

  • Sarjal, Tehra Kalan

  • Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot

• Targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK):

  • Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala 

  • Markaz Abbas, Kotli

  • Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli 

  • Shawai Nalla Camp, Muzaffarabad 

  • Syedna Bilal Camp, Muzaffarabad 

• Present status: India & Pakistan have agreed on an immediate ceasefire

6. Parliament Passed The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Credits : The Hindu

• Aim: To streamline the functioning of Waqf properties and improve transparency and accountability.

• Two Acts Introduced: 

  • Waqf (Amendment) Act
  • Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Act

• Objectives: 

  • Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

    • Amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to address challenges in managing Waqf properties.

    • Improve the administration and efficiency of Waqf boards.

  • Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Act, 2024

    • Repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923.

    • Ensure uniformity, transparency, & accountability in Waqf property management under the Waqf Act 1995.

DYK? Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 was renamed as Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Act.

7. India becomes world’s 4th largest economy

Credits: Akashvani

• Surpasses Japan 🇯🇵

• According to the IMF, India's GDP currently stands at 4.3 trillion dollars.

• According to the report, India's high rate of growth will see its GDP increase to 5.5 trillion dollars in 2028, overtaking Germany to become the third-largest economy.

• India continues to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy and the only country expected to grow by over 6 per cent in the next two years.

• Current NITI Aayog CEO : B.V.R. Subrahmanyam

To comprehend the legal framework surrounding digital currencies, read our comprehensive guide on the legality of cryptocurrency in India.

8. Inauguration of highest railway arch bridge in the world

Credits: India Today

• Built over the Chenab River

• Marks the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).

• Aim: To integrate the Kashmir Valley with the national railway network.

• Height of the bridge: 359m

• Length of the bridge: 1315m

• Falls under the Northern Railways, which is headquartered in Baroda House(New Delhi).

9. ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Credits: Diplomacy & Beyond Plus

• Edition: 9th 

• Host: Pakistan & UAE

• Winners: India 

• Runners-Up: New Zealand

• Player of the Series: Rachin Ravindra

Interesting Facts & Records

•  Afghanistan made its first appearance in the Champions Trophy tournament 

•  Afghanistan Ibrahim Zadran, by scoring 177 runs, created a record for the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history 

•  The Champions Trophy started as the ICC Knockout Cup in 1998. The First Two editions were played under this name until 2002

About the Champions Trophy

• 1st Edition: 1998 (hosted by Bangladesh)

• Maximum Winners: India (03 times)

• Most runs: Chris Gayle

• Most Wickets: Kyle Mills

• Next Edition: (2029) host: India

10. IPL 2025

Credits: BCCI

• Edition: 18th

• Winner: Royal Challengers Bangalore

• Runners-up: Punjab Kings

📌 Looking for current affairs of individual months, then you should also read:

• Top 15 Legal Current Affairs: January 2025
• Top 10 Current Affairs: February 2025
• Top 10 Current Affairs: March 2025
• Top 10 Current Affairs: April 2025
• Top 10 Current Affairs: May 2025
• Top 10 Current Affairs: June 2025