One Liner Current Affairs
Environment & Climate
- Blue NDC Challenge launched by Brazil and France calls for prioritizing oceans in NDCs before COP30.
- Oceans absorb 30% of global CO₂ and capture 90% of excess heat from emissions.
- India’s related initiatives: MISHTI, Deep Ocean Mission.
- Global initiatives include Marine Protected Areas and the UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021–30).
UNFPA State of World Population 2025
- TFR in India declined from 5 (1970) to 2 (2025).
- Report calls for focus on reproductive agency, not panic over low fertility.
- Barriers include financial constraints (40%), job insecurity (21%), housing (22%), and social pressure (19%).
- Recommendations: Universal SRH services, inclusive policies for LGBTQIA+, and structural support (childcare, housing).
Smart Cities Mission (SCM) & SPVs
- SCM ends on 31 March 2025, but SPVs will continue post-mission.
- SPVs created under the Companies Act 2013, with 50:50 ownership between State/UT & ULBs.
- 93% of 8000+ projects completed, with 99.44% of ₹48,000 crore spent.
- Future SPV roles: cyber systems, project development, investment facilitation, urban analytics.
Flood Management & Space Tech
- Flood control is a State subject (Entry 17, List II).
- Structural measures: Dams (e.g., DVC), Embankments, Wetlands (e.g., Mokama Tal).
- Non-structural: Flood plain zoning, forecasting (CWC extended to 7 days).
- ISRO’s NRSC & SATCOM aid real-time flood monitoring & early warning.
- Web-based platform BHUVAN supports NDMA and SDMAs.
Etalin Hydropower Project
- Approved by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
- Location: Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot.
- Impacts: 2.7 lakh trees to be cut, affecting 6 globally threatened mammals and 56% of India’s bird species.
- Opposition from Adi and Idu Mishmi tribes over land and displacement.
Microfinance Sector Crisis
- Gross Loan Portfolio (GLP) fell 13.9% YoY due to rising borrower stress.
- Challenges: High interest rates (12–30%), urban neglect, loan defaults, overdependence on banks (80%).
- Govt schemes: SIDBI Microfinance Scheme, SHG-Bank Linkage Programme (1992, NABARD).
SARAT by INCOIS
- SARAT (Search and Rescue Aid Tool) tracks drifting containers and oil spills.
- Developed under Make in India by ESSO-INCOIS.
- Supports: Indian Coast Guard, Navy, and Coastal Police.
KATRIN Experiment
- German project to determine neutrino mass via tritium decay.
- Neutrinos are neutral, nearly massless, weakly interacting subatomic particles.
Poson Poya Festival (Sri Lanka)
- Celebrates the arrival of Buddhism via Arahat Mahinda to King Devanampiyatissa.
- Second only to Vesak, promotes Ahimsa (non-violence).
CAQM for Air Quality in NCR
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory body (Act, 2021).
- Collaborating with CSIR-CRRI and SPA for urban dust reduction via road redevelopment.
- Jurisdiction: Delhi + parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh.
Cathepsin B Discovery – NIAB
- Cathepsin B, a lysosomal protease, is linked to ovarian reserve preservation.
- Also involved in cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Saint Sophia Cathedral (Kyiv)
- Damaged in Russian attack; UNESCO World Heritage site built in 11th century.
- Symbol of Ukrainian statehood, features Byzantine-Eastern Orthodox architecture.
Sant Kabirdas – Birth Anniversary
- Born in Varanasi, a leading Nirguna Bhakti poet, rejected rituals and caste.
- Works: Kabir Bijak (Kabirpanth), Kabir Granthavali (Dadupanth), and verses in Adi Granth.
- Used styles like Sant Bhasha and ulatbansi (upside-down sayings).
Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC)
- Non-statutory apex body (est. 2010) to promote financial stability and sector coordination.
- Chaired by the Finance Minister, includes RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, etc.
- Has a subcommittee headed by the RBI Governor.
Monetary Policy & Liquidity Measures
- MPC cut CRR by 100 bps and Repo Rate by 50 bps to increase liquidity.
- CRR is a mandatory reserve with the RBI, on which banks earn no interest.
- Repo Rate is the interest rate at which the RBI lends to commercial banks.
- Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) includes repo/reverse repo, SDF, MSF.
- SLR is the minimum liquid assets banks maintain with themselves.
Quick Commerce (Q-Commerce)
- Q-commerce in India is set to triple by 2027, reaching ₹1.7 lakh crore.
- Examples: Zepto, Blinkit, Instamart; uses micro-warehouses.
- Generates 62–64 jobs per ₹1 crore, more than traditional e-commerce.
- Faces low adoption in perishables due to freshness/price sensitivity.
Poverty in India
- Extreme poverty dropped from 27.1% (2011) to 5.3% (2022).
- Rural poverty fell to 2.8%, urban to 1.1% (2022–23).
- MPI dropped to 15.5% in 2022–23 from 53.8% in 2005–06.
India-Central Asia Dialogue
- 4th Dialogue: Condemned Pahalgam terror attack, focused on critical mineral exploration.
- India’s key projects: INSTC, Chabahar Port, TAPI gas pipeline.
- Annual exercises: Khanjar (India–Kyrgyzstan), Kazind (India–Kazakhstan).
FDI Trends
- Gross FDI in 2024–25: $81 billion; Net FDI slowed due to repatriation.
- Top States: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu.
- Top sources: Singapore, Mauritius, the US, Netherlands.
NeVA (National e-Vidhan Application)
- Aims for One Nation – One Application for all legislatures.
- Hosted on MeghRaj NIC Cloud; first implemented in Nagaland.
UMEED Portal
- For Waqf property digitalization, enables GIS mapping, online tracking.
- Based on the UMEED Act 1995.
Chenab Rail Bridge
- World’s highest railway arch bridge (359 m); connects Jammu to Srinagar.
- Part of the USBRL Project.
Judiciary & Technology
- CJI stressed tech must uphold constitutional values, not replace discretion.
- Tools used: AI Chatbots, OCR, NLP, Blockchain, NJDG, CIS, eCourts.
Geo-Engineering: SAI
- Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) mimics volcanic cooling via SO₂ aerosols.
- Other SRM methods: Marine cloud brightening, Cirrus cloud thinning, Albedo enhancement.
IMEC (India–Middle East–Europe Corridor)
- Launched at G20 2023, aims to reduce India–Europe trade time by 40%.
- Connects via East & Northern Corridors; integrates IMT Highway.
Heat Risk Study – CEEW
- Risk factors: Warm nights, urban heat islands, high humidity, and density.
- States should declare heat waves as state-specific disasters.
- Heat Action Plans (HAP) repository proposed for better monitoring.
PMSMA
- Launched in 2016, provides free antenatal care on the 9th of every month.
- Resulted in MMR reduction from 130 to 80 per lakh live births (2014–23).
- Focuses on high-risk pregnancies with red/green sticker system.
India’s Priorities at ICDRI 2025
- Called for SIDS resilience, early warning systems, and a global digital repository.
- Hosted in Nice, France; part of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Vibe Coding
- AI-assisted coding using natural speech is, emerging trend in 2024.
- 30% code at Google/Microsoft is now AI-generated.
Proton Emission – 188At
- Detected 190 µs half-life; helps define limits of proton-rich nuclei.
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)
- India–Norway pilot in Puducherry & Lakshadweep.
- The SAHAV portal provides GIS-based real-time marine data.
Inga 3 Hydropower (DRC)
- 11,050 MW project on Congo River; aims to be part of 42,000 MW Grand Inga.
Civil Registration System (CRS)
- Governed by RBD Act 1969 (amended 2023); under the Registrar General of India.
- Essential for health, education, and population policies.
Parasitic Wasp (Losgna Occidentalis)
- New species discovered in Chandigarh; lays eggs inside other insects.
Cryo-EM – MagIC Advancement
- New MagIC Cryo-EM allows imaging of 100x more dilute samples.
- Resolves 1.5–3.5 Å, aids structural biology.
Rwanda in News
- Withdrawn from ECCAS; located in east-central Africa, bordered by the DRC, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania.
- Known for Lake Kivu, tin & tungsten, and Rift Valley geography.
India–U.S. Trade Deal Update (2025)
- India and the U.S. are negotiating a limited “mini-deal” trade agreement, likely to be finalised by Fall 2025 (Sept–Nov).
- The earlier target to conclude the deal was July 9, before U.S. tariffs on steel/aluminium take full effect.
- Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited the U.S. for talks; U.S. negotiators were in India till June 10.
- Key sticky issues:
- High U.S. tariffs on Indian steel & aluminium (50% after June 4 executive order).
- U.S. demand for wider access to India’s agriculture market, opposed by India to protect farmers.
- India reserved its WTO right to impose reciprocal tariffs in response to U.S. hikes.
- Trade deal aims to be a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) as announced during PM Modi’s U.S. visit in Feb 2025.
- The U.S. Secretary of Commerce recently said the deal could be expected in the “not too distant future”.
- July 9 deadline coincides with the end of Trump’s 90-day pause on new “Liberation Day” tariff hikes.
AI in Healthcare: Key Applications & Innovations
- Garbhini-GA2, an AI model by IIT-Madras & THSTI, predicts foetal age from ultrasound scans with only a 0.5-day error, improving over Hadlock’s formula.
- Hadlock’s formula, based on Caucasian data, can err by up to 7 days in Indian pregnancies.
- AI tools are aiding foetal dating, high-risk pregnancy (HRP) management, virtual autopsies, and clinical chatbots.
- ARMMAN NGO uses an AI chatbot to help ANMs manage HRPs, trained with UNICEF and state governments; 94% of users gave positive feedback.
- The chatbot supports text & voice queries, but struggles with regional Indian language accents (~5% error rate).
High-Risk Pregnancies (HRPs)
- ~50% of Indian pregnancies are HRPs (Journal of Global Health, 2023).
- Causes: anaemia, high BP, preeclampsia, hypothyroidism, higher in rural, low-education, marginalised groups.
- Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) are frontline HRP workers in rural areas.
Virtual Autopsy (Virtopsy)
- Virtopsy uses CT/MRI scans to reconstruct body images; faster than traditional autopsy (30 mins vs 2.5 hours).
- CNN-based AI models can detect the cause of death (e.g., drowning or cerebral haemorrhage) with up to 92% accuracy.
- Limitations: misses soft tissue injuries, colour/smell clues; needs verbal autopsy & human verification.
Clinical Chatbots & Automation
- MediBuddy’s AI bot can extract clinical info and suggest diagnoses; it received a
- mixed response from doctors.
- Key issue: data privacy governed by the IT Act 2000 and the DPDP Act 2023, but neither specifically regulates AI in healthcare.
Data Security Measures
- Tools like PII masking and role-based access protect user privacy in health tech platforms.
- PII masking hides identifiable info from algorithms; role-based access ensures limited user-specific access to patient data.
Risks: Automation Bias & Regulation Gaps
- Automation bias is the overreliance on AI outputs, even when incorrect, which can compromise expert judgment.
- A 2023 study showed that experienced radiologists’ accuracy dropped to 45.5% when influenced by incorrect AI suggestions.
- Experts call for clinician training, testing AI limits, and robust regulatory frameworks to prevent blind reliance.
U.S.–Pakistan Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
- U.S. CENTCOM Chief Gen. Michael Kurilla called Pakistan a “phenomenal partner” in global counter-terrorism efforts.
- Gen. Kurilla highlighted the Pakistan military’s arrest of at least 5 ISIS-K terrorists using U.S. intelligence.
- In 2024, Pakistan faced over 1,000 terrorist attacks, resulting in 700 deaths and 2,500 injuries, mostly in its western regions.
- He praised Pakistan for arresting Mohammed Sharifullah, mastermind of the 2021 Kabul airport blast that killed 13 U.S. troops and 170 Afghan civilians.
- After Sharifullah’s arrest, Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir reportedly requested that the info be conveyed to President Trump.
U.S. Strategic Positioning in South Asia
- Gen. Kurilla stated that U.S. relations with India and Pakistan are not mutually exclusive.
- He emphasized the need for the U.S. to engage both India and Pakistan to achieve regional security goals.
- He rejected a “binary” approach and advocated for evaluating bilateral ties on individual merits.
Trump Tariffs
- A U.S. federal appeals court has allowed Trump-era global tariffs to remain in effect temporarily.
- The case is being fast-tracked by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit due to its “exceptional importance”.
- Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for July 31, 2025.
- The U.S. Court of International Trade had earlier ruled in May 2025 that Trump exceeded his authority by imposing across-the-board global tariffs.
- Trump called the appeals court decision a “great and important win for the U.S.” on Truth Social.
India’s Export Policy: Shift from Subsidies to Standards
- The Union government will reduce reliance on export subsidies and instead use Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to drive international competitiveness.
- QCOs, issued under BIS standards, ensure that all goods (domestic/imported/exported) meet minimum quality norms.
- The government will offer non-subsidy support like land acquisition assistance and regulatory simplification.
- Subsidies for rare earth battery production are under review due to China’s export ban on such materials.
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal advocates QCOs as a tool for boosting exports.
- NITI Aayog Vice Chair Suman Bery criticized QCOs as a “malign intervention” potentially harming MSMEs and imports.
- Exemptions from QCOs exist for advance authorisation holders, EOUs, and SEZs, as per MoS for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita.
- The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) has demanded a ₹10,000–15,000 per kWh subsidy on alternate fuel for HEMM, but this runs against the current government stance
India’s Growth Forecast – FY 2025–26 (World Bank)
- World Bank revised India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast down to 6.3%, from 6.7% (Jan 2025).
- Reason: Subdued exports and slower investment growth.
- The cut mirrors a 0.4 percentage point drop in global growth outlook to 2.3%.
- Despite the revision, India remains the fastest-growing major economy globally.
- The World Bank’s projection is lower than the RBI’s forecast of 6.5%.
PNB Outlook – Net Interest Margin & Liquidity
- PNB expects NIM (Net Interest Margin) to improve from Q3 FY26 due to the RBI’s 100 bps CRR cut.
- The CRR cut will release ₹15,000 crore of idle funds for PNB to lend and earn interest on.
- Lower deposit rates are also expected, as the RBI recently cut the repo rate by 50 bps, improving liquidity.
- PNB will review deposit rate changes at its Asset Liability Committee meeting on June 30.
- Inflation projection at 3.7% supports a softer interest rate environment.
- PNB’s corporate credit book stands at ₹1.35 lakh crore, with demand expected to rise under the low-interest regime.
Kanchi Mahaswamigal’s Life & Teachings
- Tamil translations of Embodiment of Truth – Kanchi Mahaswami (titled Unmayin Avatharam – Kanchi Mahaswami) were released in Tirupati.
- The release was led by Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya, seer of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.
- The books are based on The Hindu Group’s English volumes, containing discourses, spiritual journeys, teachings, and photographs of the 68th Shankaracharya, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal.
- Includes news reports, photographic archives, and personal experiences with Mahaswamigal.
- The first copies were received by Prof. Devanathachariar (National Sanskrit University, Tirupati) and P. Vaidyanathan (Chairman, Integrated Enterprises).
- Special rituals were held at Kamakshi Amman Temple (Kancheepuram) and Mahaswamigal’s Adhishtanam (Kanchi Math) before the launch.
CJI B.R. Gavai’s Oxford Union Address
- CJI B.R. Gavai, the second Dalit CJI, called the Indian Constitution a transformative social document that addresses caste, poverty, exclusion, and injustice.
- In his Oxford Union speech titled “From Representation to Realisation: Embodying the Constitution’s Promise”, he emphasized its revolutionary role in restoring dignity and power to the oppressed.
- He stated the Constitution “does not pretend all are equal” but works to “recalibrate power and rewrite the script.”
- CJI described the Constitution as a “lifeline and quiet revolution”, especially for marginalized communities.
- Highlighted his journey from a municipal school student to Chief Justice, attributing it to Constitutional freedoms.
- Recalled how formerly “untouchables” were told they didn’t belong, but now occupy high offices, showcasing the power of constitutional empowerment.
- Said India’s vulnerable groups were not passive subjects, but active participants in drafting the Constitution.
- Framed the Constitution not as a legal text alone, but as a symbol of belonging, recognition, and rightful inclusion.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Electoral Integrity (Stockholm Conference)
- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar called India’s electoral roll preparation one of the world’s most rigorous and transparent exercises.
- Spoke at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity, marking his first public statement after Rahul Gandhi’s rigging allegation in 2024 Maharashtra polls.
- Electoral rolls are shared with all recognised political parties annually since 1960, during revisions and pre-election stages.
- The process allows claims, objections, and appeals, ensuring voter list accuracy and electoral integrity.
- India’s election management involves over 20 million personnel—including polling staff, police, observers, and party agents—making it the world’s largest election operation.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) surpasses many national governments and global corporations in manpower during general elections.
- Emphasized multi-layered auditing by political parties, candidates, media, police, and voters during polls.
- Over 100 participants from 50 countries attended the conference on global electoral practices.
Standardising AC Temperature for Energy Efficiency
- The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is preparing a framework to standardise the AC temperature range between 20–28°C.
- The move targets both room air conditioners and automobile ACs, as per Union Power Minister Manohar Lal.
- Region-wise humidity may be factored into the guidelines, as requested by some States.
- Consultations are ongoing with appliance manufacturers, automakers, and State governments.
- Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal stated that a 1°C increase in AC temp saves ~6% energy.
- India’s peak power demand reached 241 GW on June 9, prompting urgent focus on energy efficiency.
- BEE, under the Ministry of Power, promotes energy-efficient appliances and encourages their preferential use.
- No final decision yet on exact temperature range or implementation timeline.
Controversy Over Solid Waste Incinerator in Gangotri, Uttarakhand
- A solid waste incinerator installed in Gangotri (Uttarkashi district) has sparked protest for being inside the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ).
- The plant falls in the “red category” of polluting industries, violating CPCB norms for eco-sensitive zones.
- The unit is situated within the Gangotri National Park, raising concerns from activists and BESZ Monitoring Committee members.
- Hem Pandey, co-chair of the BESZ committee, opposed the plant, calling it inappropriate for the eco-sensitive area.
- The plant has been operational for two months, although installed ~1.5 years ago, and allegedly lacked State Pollution Control Board clearance.
- Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board denied giving any approval for the plant’s operation.
- Internal divisions exist within the BESZ managing committee over the plant’s legitimacy.
- The project was set up under the PRASAD Scheme (Union Ministry of Tourism), with a cost of ₹306 lakh, and can treat 1 tonne of waste/day.
- Justification: Managing waste from the ~8 lakh pilgrims who visit Gangotri Dham annually, generating 400–500 kg of organic waste daily.
India & the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement)
- India is unlikely to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty, during the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice, France.
- India signed the treaty in September 2024, but ratification is pending due to the need to amend domestic laws like the Biological Diversity Act.
- As of June 10, 2025, 49 countries have ratified the treaty; 60 ratifications are required for it to enter into legal force.
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh, representing India, stated that ratification is in process.
- The BBNJ Treaty aims to regulate the high seas, which lie beyond national EEZs and contain rich marine biodiversity.
- A key sticking point: lack of a mechanism for equitable benefit-sharing of marine genetic resources from the high seas.
- At the conference, India showcased:
- Progress on Samudrayaan (manned submersible, 6,000m depth, trial in 2026),
- Nationwide ban on single-use plastics,
- $80+ billion investments in the Blue Economy,
- Launch of SAHAV, a digital ocean data portal.
- India reiterated its demand for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty.
11 Years of Modi Government – Focus on the ‘Amrit Generation’
- The BJP marked 11 years of the Narendra Modi government on June 9, 2025, highlighting development achievements.
- A new term “Amrit Generation” was coined for those who were children or infants in 2014, now entering college or job markets.
- The term aligns with “Amrit Kaal” — the 75th year of India’s independence — projecting this cohort as beneficiaries of Modi-era policies.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw showcased key achievements:
- Jan Dhan Yojana,
- Health insurance,
- Roads, airports,
- Digital infrastructure,
- Atal Tinkering Labs,
- New Education Policy,
- Startup ecosystem,
- Defence self-reliance,
- Drone & Lakhpati Didis,
- Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).
- The “Amrit Generation” concept follows earlier political positioning like “neo-middle class” — a key support base for BJP since 2014.
- The pitch aims to link Modi’s tenure with the aspirations and empowerment of India’s young population growing up post-2014.