11.06.25 Current Affairs

One Liner Current Affairs

Economy & Industry

• Govt notified SEZ (Amendment) Rules 2025, reducing land requirement for semiconductor SEZs from 50 ha to 10 ha.
• Net Foreign Exchange (NFE) must now include free-of-cost (FOC) transactions for semiconductor units.
• SEZs are duty-free enclaves considered foreign territories for trade and tariffs; the SEZ Act was passed in 2005.
• Baba Kalyani Committee suggested a shift from export growth to 3Es: Employment & Economic Enclaves.

Environment & Climate

• Ocean acidification has breached the planetary boundary, termed the “evil twin” of global warming.
• Ocean absorbs ~25% of annual anthropogenic CO₂, forming carbonic acid → acidic oceans.
• Impact: Damages calcium carbonate organisms (e.g., corals), harms phytoplankton, and affects cloud formation via DMS.
• The Planetary Boundaries framework includes 9 systems (e.g., climate change, biosphere integrity, ocean acidification).

Polity & Governance

• SC in Amlesh Kumar v. State of Bihar: Narco-analysis permissible only voluntarily and during evidence presentation.
• Forced narco-analysis violates Articles 20(3) (self-incrimination) and 21 (life and liberty).

Infrastructure

• NHAI launched the first-ever Road Sector Asset Monetization Strategy (2025–30) to boost PPP.
• Modes: Toll-Operate-Transfer (ToT), InvITs, and securitization of assets.
• InvITs are mutual fund-like structures allowing investment in infrastructure; introduced in 2014.

Science & Tech

• 523 Starlink satellites lost due to increased atmospheric drag during peak of Solar Cycle (2020–24).
• Space debris (>1 cm) estimated to be 1.2 million; risk of Kessler Syndrome growing.
• India’s debris control: ISRO’s IS4OM, NETRA, and DFSM 2030.

Labour & Economy

• India’s gig workforce projected to reach 62 million by 2047 (7.7 million in 2020–21).
• Gig economy: 56% of new jobs; challenges include job insecurity, poor grievance redressal, and gender disparity.
• NITI Aayog suggests national registry, minimum wage, and social security for gig workers.

Science & Innovations

• Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator in Germany achieved plasma heating to 30 million °C.
• Stellarators use twisted magnetic fields for fusion; more flexible than Tokamaks.

Metals & Materials

• New nickel extraction method cuts CO₂ emissions by 84%.
• Nickel used in EV batteries; found in minerals like pentlandite and garnierite.

Biodiversity & Experiments

• Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to take tardigrades to ISS; organisms known for extreme survival via cryptobiosis.
• Tardigrades include the Eutardigrada and Heterotardigrada classes.

International Cooperation

• NTPC partnered with SE for ALL (hosted by UNOPS) to advance energy transition in developing countries.
• SEforALL was launched by Ban Ki-moon in 2011; UNOPS is now an independent UN agency based in Copenhagen.

Governance & Institutions

• NIIF (est. 2015) is a sovereign-linked fund manager with 49% govt shareholding; SEBI-registered AIF.
• NIIF comprises Master Fund, Fund of Funds, and India-Japan Fund, focusing on infrastructure and climate.

Standards & Accreditation

• QCI celebrated World Accreditation Day (June 9); 2025 theme: “Empowering SMEs”.
• QCI (est. 1996) operates via a PPP model under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Social Issues & UN News

• UNGA declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, proposed by the USA.
• Aims to highlight women’s role in food security and poverty eradication.

History & Culture

• PM paid tribute to Birsa Munda (1875–1900), leader of the Ulgulan rebellion against the British.
• Known as ‘Dharti Aaba’, he founded the Birsait sect and led reforms against superstitions and alcoholism.

Miscellaneous

• Ejiao: Gelatin made from donkey skin used in Chinese medicine; led to soaring donkey prices in Pakistan.

UN Report Insights

Population & Demography (India – 2025)

• India’s population reached 146.39 crore by April 2025 – UNFPA State of World Population Report.
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1.
• Replacement level TFR is the fertility rate required to maintain a stable population across generations.
• India’s population is expected to peak at 170 crore before declining in ~40 years.
• As of 2025, China’s population is 141.61 crore – India is now the most populous nation.
• The Last Census was conducted in 2011; the next is expected to be completed by March 2027 (postponed from 2021).

Age-wise Distribution

• Working-age population (15–64 years): 68% of India’s total population.
• Youth population:
  • Age 0–14: 24%
  • Age 10–19: 17%
  • Age 10–24: 26%
• Elderly population (65+): Currently 7%, expected to rise with increasing life expectancy.

Life Expectancy (2025 Projection)

• Male: 71 years
• Female: 74 years

UN Report Insights

• UNFPA report titled “State of the World Population 2025: The Real Fertility Crisis”.
• Calls the real crisis the gap between desired and actual fertility, not overpopulation.
• Emphasizes reproductive agency – the ability to make free, informed reproductive choices.
• Data based on household surveys like DHS, MICS, and World Population Prospects 2024.

Ship Fire & Oil Spill Threat – Kerala Coast

• M.V. Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container ship, caught fire 88 nautical miles off the Kozhikode coast.
• The fire began after a container exploded en route from Colombo to Mumbai.
• The vessel carries 157 hazardous containers, including flammable & toxic substances.
• Ship is adrift, tilted 10–15° to port (left); some containers have fallen overboard.
• The ship also holds 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel, posing an explosion risk.
• Coast Guard vessels Samudra Prahari, Sachet, and Samarth are involved in firefighting & salvage.
• INCOIS has issued alerts for oil spills and drifting containers, using its Search and Rescue Aid Tool for tracking.
• Simulations suggest containers may drift for 3+ days, with possible beaching between Kozhikode and Kochi.
• Kozhikode Collector activated a district-level pollution response team for potential fuel spill mitigation.
• Four crew missing, six hospitalized (rescued via lifeboat, not by jumping into water).

KATRIN & Neutrino Mass Findings

• KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino Experiment) is a German project to directly measure neutrino mass.
• The KATRIN spectrometer, weighing 200 tonnes, was transported via an 8,600-km route due to its size.
• KATRIN estimates neutrino mass by analysing the maximum energy of electrons emitted during tritium decay.
• Recent KATRIN data (2019–2021) sets a new upper limit on the sum of neutrino masses: < 8.8 × 10⁷ electron mass.
• This is a 2× improvement over the previous best direct constraint.
• The experiment analysed 36 million electrons over 259 days of data-taking in 5 runs.

Why Neutrinos Matter in Physics

• Neutrinos are among the lightest and most elusive subatomic particles, discovered in 1938.
• Three types of neutrinos exist; particle oscillation experiments prove that at least two have mass.
• However, oscillations only reveal mass-squared differences, not absolute values.
• In the Standard Model, neutrinos are predicted to be massless, suggesting physics beyond the Standard Model.

Key Neutrino Mysteries

1. Neutrino mass origin: Unknown; extremely small and unexplained by current theories.
2. Neutrinos as their antiparticles: Possibly — if neutrinos have a Majorana mass, they could be self-conjugate.
3. Neutrinoless double beta decay could confirm the Majorana nature, being actively searched for.

Other Neutrino Mass Experiments

• Cosmology-based mass limit: ~1.4 × 10⁷ electron mass, but relies on assumptions about the early universe.
• KATRIN’s advantage: Provides model-independent and assumption-free direct measurements.

Challenges in Neutrino Detection

• Neutrinos rarely interact: a light year’s thickness of metal is needed to stop one from the Sun.
• Their low mass and high velocity make them extremely difficult to trap or weigh experimentally.

Green Mining Vehicles & Policy Interventions

• A Sustainable Mining Initiative-FIMI–Deloitte report calls for targeted policies to promote green Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) in India.
• India lacks a coherent policy framework integrating incentives, regulations, infrastructure, and demand-side actions for cleaner mining vehicles.
• High upfront costs of green HEMMs are a key deterrent to adoption.
• Suggested incentives: Capital subsidies, fleet-size linked premium rebates, and upfront payment relaxations.
• Additional enablers: Power subsidies for EV charging, low-interest financing, and star-rating reforms.
• Future strategies may include Production-Linked Incentives (PLI) and mandatory adoption clauses for cleaner vehicles.
• The number of HEMMs is expected to rise significantly by 2035, increasing fuel usage and CO₂ emissions.
• Urgent need to adopt alternative fuel HEMMs (electric, hybrid, hydrogen) to meet net-zero targets.
• India’s mining equipment market was valued at $6.4 billion in 2024, projected to reach $11.34 billion by 2033 at a 6.5% CAGR.

FSDC looks to enhance cybersecurity

• FSDC (Financial Stability and Development Council) meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, focused on cyber resilience and regulatory ease.
• FSDC plans to strengthen the cybersecurity framework through a sector-specific strategy based on FSAP 2024–25 recommendations.
• Discussed reducing unclaimed assets in the financial system and enabling seamless refunds to rightful owners.
• Proposed to introduce common KYC norms, including simplification for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in the securities market.

Neo-Ottoman Foreign Policy under Erdogan

• Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Türkiye is pursuing a neo-Ottoman, Islamist-leaning foreign policy.
• The policy aims to build ties with Muslim-majority nations while maintaining Türkiye’s Western alliances (e.g., NATO).
• Türkiye maintains a military base in Qatar and backs Islamist groups like HTS in Syria and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Libya.
• Türkiye supported Pakistan during India–Pakistan tensions, showcasing an ideological tilt.

 Historical & Ideological Roots

• Inspired by Ittihad-i Islam (Unity of Islam), a doctrine from Ottoman Sultan Hamid II’s reign (1876–1909).
• Necmettin Erbakan, a pre-Erdogan Islamist leader, influenced the AKP’s ideology; he opposed EU integration.
• Erdogan’s AKP, formed in 2001, rose from the Virtue Party, with roots in Islamist politics.

Foreign Policy in Action

• The Arab Spring (2011) marked Türkiye’s shift from pro-Western pragmatism to ideological activism.
• Türkiye backed protesters and Islamist movements (e.g., Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, HTS in Syria, Tripoli gov. in Libya).
• Syria (2024): Türkiye-backed HTS captured Damascus, raising Ankara’s influence.
• Azerbaijan–Armenia War (2023): Türkiye supported Azerbaijan using Turkish drones, challenging Russia.
• Türkiye also supplied drones to Ukraine, but didn’t impose sanctions on Russia.
• Erdogan balanced diplomacy by backing Sweden/Finland’s NATO entry while negotiating with the US.

Balancing Act

• Turkey plays between Islamist assertiveness and Western alliance (NATO, US bases, Incirlik).
• Despite supporting Islamist causes, Erdogan avoids fully alienating the West.
• Turkey bought Russia’s S-400 missiles, causing US concern, but maintained ties with NATO.

Challenges

• Turkey faces economic crisis: hyperinflation, lira depreciation, high unemployment, and social unrest.
• Erdogan has centralized power via constitutional changes to a presidential system.
• Crackdown on dissent: Arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition’s 2028 candidate.
• Long-term success of Türkiye’s strategic gains (e.g., Syria, Libya, Caucasus) remains uncertain due to regional instability.

U.S. Visa & Immigration Enforcement

• The U.S. Embassy stated it will not tolerate visa abuse or violations of U.S. law, stressing there’s no right to visit the U.S.
• The remark followed a viral video showing an Indian student being handcuffed at Newark Airport, allegedly from Haryana.
• The U.S. reiterated it welcomes legitimate travelers, but will enforce strict immigration rules.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has formally raised the issue with the U.S. Embassy in Delhi.
• Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. and Consulate in New York are also in contact with U.S. authorities.
• The student’s details, flight, and destination are still under official verification.
• The incident rekindled concerns after visuals of shackled Indian deportees circulated during earlier U.S. repatriations.

Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

• Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urged PM Modi to initiate the election of the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
• In a letter, he stated that keeping the post vacant violates the Constitution and democratic norms.
• Article 93 of the Indian Constitution mandates the election of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha.
• The Deputy Speaker is the second-highest presiding officer in the Lok Sabha.
• Conventionally, the Deputy Speaker is elected from the principal Opposition party.
• Though no official proposal has been made, Kodikunnil Suresh (MP, Kerala) is seen as a front-runner for the post.
• The letter was sent ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament starting July 21, 2025.

Weight-Loss Drugs in Real-World vs Clinical Trials

• A U.S. study found that semaglutide and tirzepatide lead to lower weight loss in real-world use compared to clinical trials.
• Study by the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, published in the journal Obesity (June 10, 2025).
• Both drugs are GLP-1 injectables, FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.
• Real-world effectiveness is reduced due to early drug discontinuation and lower maintenance dosages.
• Factors associated with ≥10% weight loss after 1 year: continued medication, late (not early) discontinuation, high dosage, tirzepatide use, and being female.
• Indian expert Dr. V. Mohan notes poor compliance in real-world vs clinical trials due to lack of follow-up and out-of-pocket costs.
• Dr. Anoop Misra highlights that cost and lifestyle non-compliance may worsen outcomes in India.
• Study findings can help doctors and patients make more informed treatment decisions.

Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) in Thermal Power Plants

• Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the CPCB will decide on whether FGD units should remain mandatory in coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs).
• A high-powered panel led by Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Sood recommended scrapping mandatory FGD installation.
• As of 2025, 92% of India’s 600 coal-fired TPPs have not installed FGD units.
• The recommendation exempts nearly 80% of these plants from installing FGDs.
• Three deadline extensions since 2017; the latest one mandates compliance by 2027–2030.
• FGDs are retrofitted to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from coal combustion.
• SO₂ emissions form sulphate aerosols, which can reduce global warming effects but increase particulate pollution and respiratory illness.
• CSIR and IIT Delhi studies claim sulphate aerosols from coal plants contribute <5% to health impacts.
• The minister stated some SO₂ presence is necessary to offset warming effects, downplaying health risks.

NCERT Social Science Textbooks Revision

• Sanjeev Sanyal, PM-EAC member and Chair of NCERT Economics Group, stated that new Class 7 NCERT books discard old “poverty and colonised narratives.”
• New Class 7 textbook “Exploring Society: India and Beyond” merges subjects of history, geography, and political/social life.

• The economics section now uses modern examples, digital banking, and historical insights (e.g., Hampi Bazaar, Chalukya coinage, UPI system).
• The “From Barter to Money” chapter traces the evolution of money, from barter to net banking and UPI.
• The “Understanding Markets” chapter contrasts historical markets (e.g., Hampi) with modern consumer behavior.
• The earlier Class 7 book focused more on agrarian markets, cooperatives, labour exploitation, and fair price shops.
• Old books emphasized poverty, rural distress, and women’s self-help groups in economics topics.
• New Class 6 textbook begins with a quote from Kautilya’s Arthashastra and discusses Amul and the dairy revolution.
• The old Class 6 book had detailed chapters on Rural and Urban Livelihoods, including farmers in debt and fishing villages.
• These earlier case studies have been removed or toned down in the new editions.
• Class 8 textbooks are next in line for revision, according to Sanyal.

Radio Telephony Restricted (Aeronautical)

• From November 2025, the DGCA will take over the conduct of the Radio Telephony Restricted (RTR-A) exam from the WPC (under MEITY).
• An exam is mandatory for pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, and flight dispatchers seeking aviation licences.
• The move is aimed at creating a single-window clearance system and streamlining the exam process.
• A committee has been formed to draft the RTR syllabus, and the rules will be notified soon.
• The exam has faced issues of bribery, answer swapping, and lack of transparency under the previous system.
• Some pilot aspirants paid bribes (up to ₹2 lakh) or went abroad (e.g., Canada) to avoid unfair practices in India.
• Aviation experts urge adherence to ICAO Annex 1 standards for personnel licensing to ensure credibility and fairness.
• India is criticized for having multiple disjointed exams, unlike global standards, adding hardship to aviation personnel.

India’s Multi-Party Delegation Diplomacy

• PM met with members of multi-party delegations who visited 33 foreign capitals and the European Union as part of India’s diplomatic outreach.
• The delegations were formed following Operation Sindoor to project India’s unified stand against terrorism.
• PM Modi praised the delegations for reinforcing India’s unity and promoting the Indian narrative globally.
• He emphasized strengthening inter-parliamentary friendship groups to deepen diplomatic relations.
• Over 50 members, including current MPs, ex-MPs, and former diplomats, were part of these delegations.
• PM Modi cited positive outcomes, including warm responses in countries like Saudi Arabia.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier commended the delegations for exposing Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
• PM’s remarks were also shared on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirming India’s commitment to peace and anti-terror efforts.

Maternity benefits are integral to the right to life, health, and equality

• The SC overturned a Madras HC order denying maternity leave to a third‑child government teacher, affirming maternity leave is a constitutional right
• Held that maternity benefits are intrinsic to a woman’s reproductive rights, protected by Article 21 (right to life, health, dignity) .
• Clarified that MB Act 2017 imposes no limit on number of children—women with over two children are entitled to reduced (12-week) leave, not denial

Historical Evolution of Maternity Benefits

• Origin rooted in late 19th-century welfare‑state reforms (e.g., Germany, France), addressing maternal/infant wellbeing
• ILO’s 1919 Maternity Protection Convention introduced global standards: 12 weeks paid leave, job security, medical care, nursing breaks
• In India, maternity protection began with the Bombay Act (1929), followed by regional Acts (Madras 1934, UP 1938, etc)
• Maternity Benefit Act 1961 granted 12 weeks leave; Amendment Act 2017 extended it to 26 weeks and made creches mandatory for ≥50 employees

Challenges & Equity Concerns

• Act covers only formal sector, employing <10% of women; enforcement and awareness remain weak
• Employer resistance, increased hiring biases, and preference for contractual workers are noted as implementation hurdles
• Call for extending coverage to informal and contractual sectors, recognizing women in agriculture, domestic work, and contract roles.

Ethics

• Rights-based interpretation of Article 21—bridging reproductive rights, gender justice, and social inclusion.
• Importance of aligning domestic labor laws with ILO conventions and reviewing social security coverage.
• Ongoing debates on state versus employer responsibility, equity, and inclusive policy reforms.

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025

• The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), launched in 2005 by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and CAN International, ranks 63 major emitters + the EU responsible for over 90% of global GHG emissions
• It evaluates nations based on greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use, and climate policy, each weighted: GHG (40%), Renewable & Energy Use (20% each), Policy (20%)

Global Rankings & Observations (CCPI 2025)

• No country secured the top 3 spots—indicating no nation is fully aligned with the < 2 °C global warming goal
• Denmark ranks 4th, followed by Netherlands (5th) and UK (6th)
• The lowest performers—Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Russia—are all fossil-fuel producers with weak or very low climate action. India’s CCPI Performance
• India is ranked 10th globally in CCPI 2025—among the top performers despite slipping 2 ranks
• Improved in GHG emissions and energy use (high ratings), moderate in climate policy, but low in renewables
• Achievements include expanded solar power utility and Rooftop Solar Scheme; however, heavy coal dependency persists, and the coal phase-down remains slow

Methodology Insights

• 80% of scoring is quantitative—from IEA, PRIMAP, FAO, national GHG inventories, with a one- to two-year data lag
• The Climate Policy component is qualitative, based on expert surveys, and measures recent policy implementation
• Compatibility with Paris Agreement temp goals (<2 °C and well-below‑2 °C) is explicitly assessed

Conclusion

• Promotes transparency and accountability in climate action and policy
• Highlights India’s achievements and areas for improvement, vital for GS-III (Environment) and Ethics (Sustainable Development) papers.
• Understanding CCPI helps connect domestic energy policy, global climate commitments, and international comparisons.