13.06.25 Current Affairs

ONE-LINER Current Affairs

Government Schemes & Initiatives

• PMUY was launched in 2016 to provide LPG connections to deprived households for clean cooking fuel.
• Ujjwala 2.0 aimed to add 1.6 crore connections by Dec 2022 with special focus on migrant families.
• As of March 2025, 10.33 crore PMUY connections distributed; LPG distributors rose 83% from 2014 to 2024.
• India’s social security coverage rose from 19% (2015) to 64.3% (2025), per ILOSTAT.
• PM-SYM, PMJJBY, APY, PMSBY, and Ayushman Bharat are key social protection schemes in India.

Economy & Trade

• India reduced basic customs duty on crude edible oils from 20% to 10% to reduce the import burden.
• India is the world’s largest importer of edible oils, with palm oil forming 57% of imports.
• Major edible oil crops: soybean (34%), mustard (31%), groundnut (27%)—together make up 92% of domestic production.
• National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) was launched in 2021 to boost domestic production.
• MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) on UPI payments has remained waived since 2020.

Environment & Biodiversity

• Eurasian otter, a Near Threatened species, was sighted in South Kashmir recently.
• Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ) covers 4179.59 sq km between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi; notified in 2012.
• BESZ aims to protect the pristine stretch of the River Ganga, supervised under a Zonal Master Plan.
• India objected to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), effective from 2026, citing trade fairness.
• CBAM is part of the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ strategy to cut emissions by 55% by 2030.

Security & Defence

• Exercise Khaan Quest 2025, held in Mongolia from 14–28 June, focuses on UN peacekeeping under Chapter VII.
• Indian Coast Guard (ICG) responded to a burning cargo ship off Kerala’s coast inside India’s EEZ.
• Maritime disasters increase due to old ships, hazardous cargo, piracy, and strait congestion.
• India is signatory to MARPOL (1973); not a party to Bunker Convention, HNS Convention, or Wreck Removal Convention.

Regulations & Legal

• UGC issued show-cause notices to HEIs for violating the Anti-Ragging Regulations, 2009.
• Anti-ragging rules mandate sensitization, committees, punishments, and parent-student undertakings.
• Raghavan Committee (2007) & Supreme Court (2009) reinforced anti-ragging mechanisms like helplines and monitoring.

Science & Technology

• Mistral (French startup) launched Europe’s first Reasoning-based Language Model (RLM) in 2025.
• RLMs use chain-of-thought reasoning, unlike traditional LLMs reliant on data and computation.

Space & Astronomy

• Major Lunar Standstill observed during the Strawberry Moon of June 2025.
• This rare event occurs every 18.6 years, causing the moon to rise/set at extreme positions on the horizon.

International Affairs

• Lokpal of India adopted the motto: “Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption”.
• Lokpal is formed under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, and includes 1 Chairperson + 8 Members.
• Schengen Area has 29 countries (25 EU + 4 non-EU); internal border checks are abolished.
• India is the Vice President of IALA (International Marine Aids to Navigation), which became an IGO in 2024.

Fisheries

• Only 29% of deep-sea fish stocks are sustainably fished, per the FAO 2025 report.
• The WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement prohibits support for IUU fishing and overfished stock exploitation.

Air India Flight Crash

• An Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft (London-bound) crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 people.
• The crash site was a medical college hostel in Meghani Nagar, about 5 km from the airport.
• 242 people were on board: 230 passengers + 12 crew members; only 1 passenger survived.

                                                          CREDIT: THE HINDU

Retail Inflation

• Retail inflation fell to 2.8% in May 2025, the lowest in 75 months (since Feb 2019).
• Average retail inflation for Apr-May 2025-26 stood at 2.99%, the lowest for any first two months since 2017–18.
• Food & beverages inflation dropped to 1.5% in May, from 2.1% in April 2025.
• Vegetable prices contracted by 13.7%, pulses by 8.2%, spices by 2.8%, and meat by 0.4%.
• Edible oils and fruits recorded double-digit inflation, offsetting broader food deflation.
• Persistent edible oil inflation is due to reduced oilseed sowing, global price rise, and import dependence.
• The government reduced basic customs duty on crude edible oils from 20% to 10% to ease prices.
• Inflation in intoxicants (paan, tobacco, etc.) rose to 2.4% in May, from 2.1% in April.
• Housing inflation rose slightly to 3.2%, from 3.1% in April 2025.
• Clothing and footwear inflation remained unchanged at 2.67%.
• RBI is expected to pause further interest rate cuts despite inflation easing, due to earlier front-loaded cuts.

Global Gender Gap Report 2025

• India ranked 131 out of 148 countries with a gender parity score of 64.1%.
• India’s rank fell from 129 in 2024, marking a relative decline in gender parity.
• The Global Gender Gap Index is based on four dimensions:
  1. Economic participation and opportunity

2. Educational attainment

3. Health and survival

4. Political empowerment

• India’s score in Economic Participation improved by +0.9% to 40.7%; earned income parity rose from 28.6% to 29.9%.
• Labour force participation rate remained unchanged at 45.9%.
• India scored 97.1% in educational attainment, showing gains in female literacy and tertiary enrolment.
• Health and survival parity improved, due to better sex ratio at birth and healthy life expectancy.
• Political empowerment parity declined for the second consecutive year; female MPs fell from 14.7% to 13.8%.
• India ranks among the lowest in South Asia, above only Maldives (138) and Pakistan (148).
• Bangladesh ranked 24, best in South Asia, up 75 places due to gains in political and economic participation.
• Global gender gap closed by 68.8%, but full parity expected only after 123 years at current pace.
• Top 5 countries in gender parity: Iceland, Finland, Norway, UK, New Zealand.

Golden Hour & Emergency Medical Response – India (2025)

• Golden Hour refers to the first 60 minutes after trauma, crucial for survival in strokes, cardiac arrests, and injuries.
• Urban traffic congestion significantly delays ambulance response and is a critical but underrecognized cause of preventable deaths.
• Delhi’s average ambulance response time rose from 13 mins (2014) to over 17 mins (2025), despite a fleet increase.
• CAG (2021) audit in Karnataka found 90,000 crash victims lacked timely care; 6,000 cases had >30 min dispatch delays.
• The national average ambulance response time is 25–30 minutes, worse in rural areas.
• GPS-based tracking enables route optimisation, live tracking, and pre-hospital alerts; response times cut by 12–15% in Chennai and Kolkata.
• Traffic signal override systems allow ambulances to auto-trigger green lights; pilot projects show reduced journey times.
• Bike ambulances under Karnataka’s ‘Platinum Ten Minutes’ initiative arrived within 6 minutes, stabilising one-third of trauma cases in Bengaluru.
• Only 20% of urban traffic signals support digital override; majority use manual or timer-based systems.
• Tech issues like GPS loss, dead devices, and software glitches still hinder efficiency.
• 62% of ambulance drivers report motorists don’t yield; 45% must plead for passage weekly, highlighting public apathy.
• Strict enforcement of ambulance right-of-way laws and public awareness is essential to save lives.
• Conclusion: Delay in emergency care due to traffic is not just a delay, but often a preventable death.

AC Temperature Regulation – Scientific & Policy Insights

Government Proposal

• The Ministry of Power proposes fixing the AC temperature range between 20°C and 28°C for homes, hotels, and cars.
• The default setting of 24°C was earlier proposed by the ministry in 2018 and 2021 after BEE’s recommendations.
• Each 1°C increase in AC temperature saves ~6% electricity, per the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
• Potential national savings: 20 billion units/year if all adopt the 24°C default setting.
• Connected AC load projected at 200 GW by 2030 in India.

Health Risks of Low AC Temperatures

• Temperatures below 18°C can cause vasoconstriction, sympathetic activation, and increased blood pressure (6–8 mmHg).
• Prolonged exposure under 18°C linked to hypertension, asthma, respiratory infections.
• Infants and older adults are more vulnerable due to weaker thermoregulation.
• WHO 2018 guidelines recommend 18°C as minimum safe indoor temp in cold climates.
• 2014 study: Indoor temps under 18°C responsible for 9% of hypertension risk.
• 2016 study: Indoor temps <18°C linked to higher BP, low Vitamin D, weaker lung & grip strength (among people 50+).
• 2013 study: Bedroom temperatures below 16°C led to reduced lung function in children.
• 2022 UK study: Cold homes double the risk of depression and anxiety, regardless of income.

Technical Details: How an AC Works

• ACs function using a vapour-compression cycle with a refrigerant for heat transfer.
• Evaporator absorbs room heat; compressor (most power-consuming) raises vapour temp to ~90°C.
• Condenser releases heat to the outside; expansion valve reduces pressure before returning to the evaporator.
• ACs are most efficient when refrigerants operate in their optimal heat-exchange temperature range.

Comfort vs. Efficiency

• Thermal comfort is when body core (37°C) and skin temps are maintained without sweating/shivering.
• ASHRAE-55 & ISO 7730 standards base comfort on predicted mean vote, adjusted for culture, clothing, and cooling type.
• Comfortable indoor range for light clothing: 20–24°C (can radiate 100W metabolic heat efficiently).
• Sleep studies: 16–19°C improves sleep for healthy adults, but >19°C preferred for elderly/infants.

Global Context

• As of 2022, there were 2 billion ACs globally; residential ACs tripled between 2000 and 2022.
• Asia-Pacific: 43% population still lacks access to adequate cooling.

Japan–China Military Tensions

• Japan raised “serious concern” over Chinese J-15 jets flying within 45 metres of a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft.
• The close encounter occurred above the Pacific Ocean and lasted about 40 minutes on Saturday.
• Another incident on Sunday involved a Chinese jet crossing 900 metres in front of a Japanese P-3C for 80 minutes.
• The Chinese jets took off from the aircraft carrier Shandong, operating jointly with Liaoning — a first-time dual deployment in the Pacific.
• China defended the action, accusing Japan of provocative reconnaissance near its military operations.
• Japan’s Defence Ministry noted that both carriers were spotted near southern Japanese islands, including Iwo Jima, ~1,200 km from Tokyo.
• Liaoning entered Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Minamitorishima, Japan’s easternmost island, without violating territorial waters.
• Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi warned such maneuvers risk accidental collisions.
• The encounters mark growing Chinese naval reach, now extending towards Guam, a U.S. Pacific military base.
• Aircraft carriers (Shandong & Liaoning) are key tools for long-range power projection in Indo-Pacific waters.

IAEA–Iran Nuclear Tensions

• IAEA Board of Governors formally censured Iran for non-compliance with nuclear obligations — first such move in 20 years.
• The resolution was introduced by the U.S., France, UK, and Germany, with 19 countries voting in favour, Russia, China & Burkina Faso opposing, 11 abstentions, and 2 non-voters.
• Iran announced plans to build a new enrichment facility in a “secure location” and hinted at further retaliatory measures.
• Iran called the resolution “political” and claimed it had no choice but to respond.
• The censure could trigger restoration of UN sanctions on Iran later in 2025.
• New U.S.–Iran talks are scheduled in Oman this Sunday, amid escalating tensions.
• Donald Trump warned of potential Israeli or U.S. airstrikes if diplomacy fails.
• U.S. personnel and families are being moved from West Asia due to heightened security threats.
• U.S. embassy in Jerusalem restricted staff travel to outside Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas.
• The developments raise regional security concerns and reflect the fragile status of nuclear diplomacy with Iran.

Evaluation & Reform of Central Government Schemes

• Finance Ministry mandates that Central schemes must show positive evaluation outcomes to be continued beyond FY 2025–26.
• All schemes must have a ‘sunset date’, to ensure time-bound review and accountability.
• Third-party evaluation is being conducted for fully funded Central schemes; NITI Aayog is appraising Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
• A total of 54 Central Schemes and 260 Centrally Sponsored Schemes are due for reappraisal by March 31, 2026.
• These schemes span across health, education, women and child welfare, agriculture, tribal affairs, infrastructure, and environment.
• Outlay limits: For any scheme continuing into the 16th Finance Commission (FC) cycle (2026–2031), 5-year outlay must not exceed 5.5 times the average annual expenditure during FY 2021–22 to 2024–25.
• Ministries have the flexibility to shift funds between schemes, but total spending must remain within approved limits.
• MGNREGS and other demand-driven schemes will also be capped based on projected beneficiaries and fixed outlays.
• Any increase in beneficiaries beyond projections must be approved by the Department of Expenditure.
• All schemes will now function as fund-limited, ensuring budget control and performance-linked continuation.

India–Canada Relations at the G-7 Summit

• PM Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney to meet on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit (June 15–17, 2025) in Canada.
• MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated the meeting aims to reset bilateral ties based on mutual respect and shared interests.
• Security concerns between India and Canada are being addressed through existing diplomatic mechanisms.
• This is PM Modi’s first multilateral engagement after the completion of Operation Sindoor.
• India’s participation in the G-7 was described by PM Carney as imperative due to its global stature.
• India–Canada ties deteriorated in 2023–24 after former PM Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
• In return, India raised concerns about Khalistan separatists and criminal networks operating from Canadian soil.
• The Modi–Carney meeting aims to de-escalate tensions and restore constructive diplomatic engagement.

Civil Aviation & Aircraft Safety – Post-Ahmedabad Crash Response

• Praful Patel, ex-Civil Aviation Minister, defended India’s “robust” aviation safety monitoring system.
• Patel was the minister during the induction of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft into Air India’s fleet.
• The crashed Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad was 11 years old and had completed numerous flights, including a Delhi–Ahmedabad sector earlier that day.
• Patel emphasized that 787 Dreamliners are globally trusted long-haul workhorses used by many airlines.
• He stated that the pilots were experienced, and the cause of the crash requires a detailed official inquiry.
• Patel urged against speculation and highlighted the role of DGCA as a competent safety oversight authority.
• The crash has reignited global scrutiny of Boeing aircraft safety, including the Dreamliner model.