Daily Current Affairs Update – 13 June 2025

1. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) Completes 9 Years

Context:
PMUY marks its 9th anniversary with notable milestones in improving access to clean cooking fuel.

Background:
 Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, PMUY aims to provide LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households to reduce dependence on traditional cooking fuels.

Details:

• Original Target: 8 crore LPG connections by 2020.
• Ujjwala 2.0: Launched in 2021; added 1.6 crore connections with a special focus on migrant households.
• Eligibility: Women aged 18+, belonging to SC/ST, PMAY-G, MBC, AAY, Tea Garden Tribes, etc.
• Impact: As of March 2025, 10.33 crore connections released.
• Growth in Distribution Network: From 13,896 in 2014 to 25,481 in 2024 — an 83% increase.
  
  

UPSC Relevance:

• Social welfare schemes.
• Inclusive growth and gender empowerment.
• Sustainable development goals (SDGs) — SDG 7 (clean energy).
• Governance and public service delivery.
  
  

2. India’s Edible Oil Scenario and Policy Measures

Context:
 India reduced the Basic Customs Duty on crude edible oil imports from 20% to 10% to combat price inflation and dependency.

Background:
 India is the world’s largest importer of vegetable oils. Despite having 15–20% of the global oilseed area, it produces only 6–7% of global edible oils.

Details:

• Major Oilseeds: Soybean, mustard, and groundnut — together contribute over 90% of domestic production.
• Imports: Palm oil (57%) dominates, followed by soybean (29%) and sunflower (14%).
  
  
• Key Initiatives:
  • National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), 2021
  • National Food Security Mission–Oilseeds & Oil Palm (NFSM-OS&OP), 2018–19
    
    

UPSC Relevance:

• Agriculture, food security, and self-reliance.
• Import-export policy.
• Economic measures for inflation control.
• Environment (oil palm cultivation and biodiversity concerns).
  
  

3. India’s Social Security Coverage Reaches 64.3%

Context:
 India’s social security coverage has expanded from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025 as per ILO data.

Background:
 Social protection includes measures to ensure access to healthcare and income security, especially for the elderly, unemployed, sick, etc.

Details:

• Three Pillars: Social assistance, social insurance, and labor market programs.
• Key Schemes:
  
  
  • PM-SYM: Old age pension for unorganised workers (50% govt. contribution).
  • PMJJBY & PMSBY: Low-cost life and accident insurance.
  • Atal Pension Yojana: Monthly pension based on contribution.
  • Others: PDS, Ayushman Bharat, PMAY-G.
    
    

UPSC Relevance:

• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections.
• Demographic dividend and informal sector protection.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Health), SDG 10 (Inequality).
  
  

4. Cargo Ship Fire off Kerala Coast and Maritime Safety Concerns

Context:
 Indian Coast Guard intensified operations to manage a fire-struck cargo vessel within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Background:
 This follows a recent shipwreck near the Kerala coast involving hazardous materials, raising alarms over maritime disaster preparedness.

Details:

• Risks in Maritime Shipping:
  
  
  • Predictable: Storms, frost.
  • Unpredictable: Tsunamis, wrecks, piracy.
  • Hazardous cargo: Chemicals, oil, nuclear waste.
    
    
• Environmental and Health Hazards:
  
  
  • Oil spills, marine biodiversity loss.
  • Toxic exposure risks.
    
    
• India’s Legal Framework:
  
  
  • Signatory to MARPOL (1973) — but not to Bunker Convention (2001), HNS (1996), or Wreck Removal Convention (2007).
    
    

UPSC Relevance:

• Disaster management and marine pollution.
• International conventions.
• Coastal security and EEZ governance.
  
  

5. UGC Issues Show-Cause Notices on Anti-Ragging Regulations

Context:
 Several Higher Education Institutions have been warned for non-compliance with UGC’s Anti-Ragging Regulations (2009).

Background:
 Despite past SC rulings and UGC regulations, ragging persists as a socio-educational menace.

Details:

• Key Provisions:
  
  
  • Mandatory undertakings from students and parents.
  • Establishment of Anti-Ragging Committees and Squads.
  • Sensitization of freshers and seniors.
    
    
• Legal and Institutional Framework:
  
  
  • Raghavan Committee (2007)
  • SC Judgement (2009) mandating toll-free helplines and third-party monitoring.
    
    

UPSC Relevance:

• Governance and accountability in education.
• Legal and ethical issues.
• Rights of children and youth.
  
  

6. Deep-Sea Fishing and the Threat of IUU Fishing

Context:
 The FAO’s 2025 report on world marine fishery resources highlights overfishing and IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fishing as major global threats.

Background:
 Deep-sea species are vulnerable due to slow growth and late maturation. Only 29% of their stocks are fished sustainably.

Details:

• IUU Fishing Types:
  
  
  • Illegal: Violates national laws or without permission.
  • Unreported: Not declared or misreported.
  • Unregulated: Conducted by non-party states or stateless vessels.
    
    
• FAO Findings:
  
  
  • 35.5% of global fish stocks are overfished.
  • 43.5% of highly migratory shark species are overexploited.
    
    
• WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies:
  
  
  • Bans subsidies for IUU fishing.
  • Restricts aid for overfished stocks.
  • Limits subsidies beyond coastal jurisdiction without regulation.
    
    

UPSC Relevance:

• Marine ecology and biodiversity.
• Blue economy and sustainable fisheries.
• WTO and global environmental governance.
  
  

7. Lokpal of India Adopts New Motto: “Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption”

Context:
 The full bench of Lokpal adopted a new guiding motto to reflect its commitment to transparency and accountability.

Background:
 Established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Lokpal is India’s anti-corruption ombudsman.

Details:

• Jurisdiction: Public servants including the Prime Minister.
• Composition: Chairperson (CJI/Supreme Court judge/eminent person) + 8 members.
• Eligibility Conditions:
  
  
  • Not a sitting MP/MLA.
  • No criminal conviction.
  • Minimum age: 45 years.
• Tenure: 5 years or until 70 years of age.
  
  

UPSC Relevance:

• Accountability mechanisms in governance.
• Role of constitutional and statutory bodies.
• Ethics in public administration.
  
  

8. Schengen Visa Scam in Indian French Embassy

Context:
 An Indian staffer at the French Embassy scammed hundreds by promising fake Schengen visas.

Background:
 The Schengen Area facilitates passport-free travel across 29 European countries (25 EU + 4 non-EU: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein).

Details:

• Benefits of Schengen:
  
  
  • Free movement of people and goods.
  • Boosts business, tourism, and integration.
    
    
• Issue: Misuse of visa system due to corruption or poor oversight.

UPSC Relevance:

• International relations and diplomacy.
• Migration governance and international law.
• Internal security (human trafficking and fraud).
  
  

9. Clarification on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) and UPI

Context:
 Ministry of Finance confirmed that there are no plans to levy MDR on UPI transactions.

Background:

• MDR: The fee charged by banks/payment processors from merchants for handling digital payments.
• Past Policy: MDR was waived in 2020 to boost digital economy and financial inclusion.
  
  

Details:

• Implication of MDR waiver:
  • Promotes small merchant participation.
  • Enhances cashless transactions and transparency.
• Challenge: Bank profitability and infrastructure costs.
  
  

UPSC Relevance:

• Financial inclusion and digital governance.
• Fiscal policy and public infrastructure financing.
• Ethical concerns in fintech and digital markets.
  
  

10. Exercise Khaan Quest 2025 – Indian Army in Mongolia

Context:
 An Indian contingent joined the 22nd edition of Exercise Khaan Quest in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Background:
 Started in 2003 as a US-Mongolia initiative; became multilateral in 2006. India’s participation reflects commitment to global peacekeeping.

Details:

• Mandate: Peacekeeping operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter (addressing breaches of peace/aggression).
  
  
• Importance:
  
  
  • Strengthens India’s role in UN missions.
  • Enhances strategic ties with Mongolia and Indo-Pacific nations.
    
    

UPSC Relevance:

• International relations and defense cooperation.
• UN peacekeeping and India’s global role.
• Geopolitical dynamics of Central Asia and Indo-Pacific.
  
  

11. India’s Role in International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA)

Context:
 India, now Vice President of IALA, attended the 2nd Council session in Nice, France.

Background:
 Founded in 1957, IALA recently changed status from NGO to Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) in 2024.

Details:

• Objective: Ensure safe and efficient navigation through international collaboration on lighthouses and navigation aids.
• India’s Role: Reflects commitment to maritime safety, aligning with SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
  
  

UPSC Relevance:

• Maritime governance.
• India’s foreign policy and SAGAR doctrine.
• Role in international institutions.

12. India Criticizes EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Context:
 India expressed strong concerns over the EU’s CBAM, citing trade discrimination and protectionism.

Background:
 CBAM is part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” climate strategy, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030. It imposes a carbon tax on imported goods like steel, aluminum, cement, etc., based on their embedded carbon emissions.

Details:

• Implementation: Full enforcement from 2026; transitional phase underway (2023–2025).
  
  
• Indian Concern:
  
  
  • Could hurt Indian exports due to added compliance costs.
  • Viewed as a non-tariff barrier (NTB).
  • Potential violation of CBDR-RC (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities).
    
    

UPSC Relevance:

• Climate diplomacy and global environmental justice.
• WTO regulations and trade-environment linkage.
• India-EU trade relations.
  
  

13. Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ) and Incinerator Installation

Context:
 Environmental activists oppose the installation of a solid-waste incinerator at Gangotri inside the BESZ.

Background:
 BESZ was notified in 2012 to protect the ecologically fragile stretch of River Ganga from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi (4179.59 sq km).

Details:

• Legal Framework: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Mandates: Preparation of a Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) under a Monitoring Committee.
• Concerns:
  • Risk of air and soil pollution from incineration.
  • Threats to biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Ganga basin.
    
    

UPSC Relevance:

• Environmental protection laws.
• River ecology and Himalayan conservation.
• Sustainable tourism and pilgrimage management.
  
  

14. Eurasian Otter Sighting in South Kashmir

Context:
 A rare Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) was spotted in South Kashmir, signaling hope for wetland ecosystems.

Background:
 The Eurasian otter is a semi-aquatic mammal with a wide range across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. In India, it’s found in parts of the north, northeast, and south.

Details:

• Adaptations: Webbed feet, thick fur, streamlined body.
• Conservation Status:
  
  
  • IUCN: Near Threatened
  • CITES: Appendix I
    
    
• Significance: Indicator species for healthy freshwater ecosystems.

UPSC Relevance:

• Biodiversity and species conservation
• Wetland and aquatic habitat protection.
• Environment and ecology in GS-3 and prelims.
  
  

15. Reasoning-Based Language Model (RLM) Launched by Mistral (France)

Context:
 French AI startup Mistral has introduced Europe’s first RLM, signaling a new AI development phase.

Background:
 LLMs (Large Language Models) like GPT focus on language generation using massive datasets. RLMs aim to improve reasoning through chain-of-thought processes.

Details:

• Advantages:
  
  
  • Better decision-making and contextual accuracy.
  • Useful in legal, medical, and administrative applications.
    
    
• Challenges:
  • High cost, complex architecture, and proprietary issues.
    
    
• Global Relevance: AI race among US, China, and Europe.

UPSC Relevance:

• Emerging technologies and ethical AI.
• Data privacy, digital divide, and technological sovereignty.
  
  
• Role of AI in governance and policy-making.
  
  

16. Major Lunar Standstill Observed with Strawberry Moon

Context:
 A rare major lunar standstill coincided with the Strawberry Moon in June 2025, visible from the Northern Hemisphere.

Background:
 This celestial event occurs once every 18.6 years, when the Moon reaches its maximum orbital tilt relative to Earth.

Details:

• Effects:
  
  
  • Moonrise/set points reach extreme positions on the horizon.
  • Moon appears lower or higher in the sky than usual.
• Cultural Link: Strawberry Moon is named after the strawberry harvest season in North America.
  
  

UPSC Relevance:

• Astronomical phenomena (Prelims).
• Geography: Moon’s orbit, tides, and Earth-Sun-Moon relationship.
• Culture: Traditional naming of full moons.