The Central government on Thursday (June 19, 2025) said that over the past 11 years, Gender Budget allocations have increased by four and a half times — from ₹0.98 lakh crore in 2014-15 to ₹4.49 lakh crore in 2025-26.

Gender Budgeting has been a core element of India’s development strategy since 2005–06. Initially introduced as a fiscal reporting mechanism, it has evolved into a key governance instrument for achieving gender equality and women empowerment, Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi said at a National Consultation on Gender Budgeting here.

Senior Officers from 40 Central ministries and departments and 19 States, Representatives of UN Women, Asian Development Bank and Experts from National level Institutes participated in the day-long event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched 105 development projects valued at over Rs 18,600 crores, unveiled the "Odisha Vision Document" and flagged off new trains during his visit to the state.

He also felicitated several people, including 'Lakhpati Didis' and others.

PM Modi, who visited Odisha for the sixth time since the BJP government was formed in the state in June 2024, launched the projects at a function at Janata Maidan here.

The projects launched by the Prime Minister included drinking water and irrigation, health infrastructure, rural roads and bridges, national highways and railway infrastructure.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday eased lending norms for small finance banks by reducing their mandatory priority sector lending requirement—covering areas like agriculture and small enterprises by 15 percentage points.

RBI in a statement, said, "On a review, it has been decided that financial year 2025-26 onwards, the additional component (35 per cent) of priority sector lending (PSL) shall be reduced to 20 per cent, thereby making the overall PSL target as 60 per cent of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures (CEOBE), whichever is higher." "The SFB shall continue to allocate 40 per cent of its ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, to different sub-sectors under PSL as per the extant PSL prescriptions, while the balance 20 per cent shall be allocated to any one or more sub-sectors under the PSL where the bank has competitive advantage."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (June 20, 2025) inaugurated the Gorakhpur Link Expressway built at a cost of over ₹7,000 crore. Calling the inauguration in Azamgarh a game changer, Mr. Adityanath stressed that U.P. is no longer a ‘BIMARU’ State but is emerging as an ‘Expressway State’.

BIMARU is a term used in reference to a group of States, including U.P. and Madhya Pradesh, that were historically considered to be lagging in terms of social and economic development.

The Chief Minister added that Azamgarh, which once faced an identity crisis, has now transformed into a stronghold of indomitable courage. The change witnessed in the region owing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance and the efforts of the ‘double-engine government’ has transformed Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Adityanath said.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has launched Pratibha Setu, earlier known as Public Disclosure Scheme, to help high-performing candidates who cleared all UPSC exams but missed the final merit list. The scheme aims to connect them with both government bodies and private employers.

Pratibha Setu includes more than 10,000 candidates from exams such as the Civil Services, Engineering Services, Forest Services, CAPF, Medical Services, Geo-Scientist, and IES/ISS. These candidates have passed all examination stages but were not recommended for final selection.

Employers, both from the central government and the private sector, can register on the portal. Once verified, they gain access to the soft biodata of candidates, including qualifications and contact details. UPSC will provide employers with login credentials to browse this data bank and recruit as needed.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will release a book Wings to Our Hopes – Volume 2, based on speeches delivered by President Droupadi Murmu at a function in New Delhi on Monday. This curated collection of 51 speeches offers a window into the vision, philosophy, and priorities of President Murmu during her second year in office. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan will also attend the function.

This vloume will be released in both Hindi and English, along with an e-version. Compiled by Rashtrapati Bhavan and published by Publications Division, the book follows its predecessor in chronicling the evolving discourse on governance, inclusivity, and national aspirations.

Celebrated annually on June 23, the International Olympic Day is a global tribute to the birth of the modern Olympic games. To mark the occasion, athletes and people from different nations participate in several activities to raise awareness about the Olympic games and encourage people from all walks of life, irrespective of their age, gender, caste or creed, to take to sports in their lifestyles. Here’s everything you need to know about the International Olympic Day.

The International Olympic Day was established in 1948 and commemorates the foundation of the International Olympic Committee back on June 23rd, 1894. The IOC was originally founded in Paris by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who was responsible for the revival of the ancient Olympic games. Initially celebrated across nine countries, the International Olympic Day has since become a globally celebrated occasion.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday increased the amount under the social security pension scheme by Rs 700. As per the revised rules -- which will be implement from July -- beneficiaries will now receive Rs 1,100 per month from previous Rs 400 per month.

With this decision, over 1 crore 9 lakh 69 thousand 255 beneficiaries will be benefitted.

“I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, all the elderly, disabled and widowed women will now get a pension of Rs. 1100 instead of Rs. 400 every month. All the beneficiaries will get pension at the increased rate from the month of July. It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all the beneficiaries on the 10th of the month. This will help 1 crore 9 lakh 69 thousand 255 beneficiaries a lot,” the chief minister wrote on X.

On the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially launched the state’s first-ever Yoga Policy from Bhararisain, the state’s summer capital.

He declared, “Uttarakhand will be developed as the global capital of yoga and wellness.”

While delivering his message ‘Yoga in Every Home, Health for Every Person,’ Dhami spoke of the Central Government’s support in the initiative and announced the establishment of a ‘Spiritual Economic Zones’ in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions.

The Maharashtra government will launch Majhi Vasundhara Campaign 6.0 across 28,317 local self-government bodies from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, to strengthen environmental conservation efforts. The campaign, led by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, was announced by Minister Pankaja Munde. Focusing on the five elements – Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Sky – the initiative aims to promote climate awareness and sustainable living. A guidance toolkit has been prepared, with public feedback invited until July 15, 2025. Third-party assessments will score participating bodies, with AMRUT cities eligible for up to 15,125 points, non-AMRUT Urban Local Bodies 14,625, and gram panchayats 13,625. Results will be declared on June 5, 2026, and awards distributed to top performers. The campaign emphasises carbon reduction, GHG control, and eco-friendly lifestyles. All local bodies are urged to register and implement the campaign in mission mode.