Daily Current Affairs Update – 21 June 2025

1. India-Canada Relations

Context

India and Canada are working towards restoring stable bilateral relations after disruptions in 2024, highlighted by a recent meeting between their Prime Ministers on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.

Important Points

• Shared Values: Democracy, cultural diversity, expanding economic engagement, and strong people-to-people ties.
  
  
• Economic Ties: In 2023, India’s exports to Canada were USD 7.53 billion; imports from Canada were CAD 5.12 billion.
  
  
• Consular and Security Cooperation: Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (1994) and Extradition Treaty (1987); ongoing concerns over Canada’s response to India’s extradition requests regarding terrorism.
  
  
• Science and Technology: Collaboration in polar studies, sustainable fuels, and satellite launches (e.g., ISRO launched Canada’s first LEO satellite in 2018).
  
  
• Civil Nuclear Cooperation: Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (2010, in force since 2013).
  
  
• Recent Developments: Both sides agreed to restore High Commissioners and discussed collaboration in clean energy, education, supply chain resilience, and trade negotiations.
  
  
• Challenges: The main friction point remains Canada’s perceived harboring of Khalistani separatist elements and related diplomatic tensions.
  
  

2. Global Ocean Darkening

Context

A UK university study found that 21% of the global ocean has darkened between 2003 and 2022, threatening marine ecosystems.

Important Points

• Definition: Ocean darkening is the reduction of light penetration, shrinking the photic zone (the sunlit layer, about 200 meters deep, where most marine life thrives).
  
  
• Causes:
  
  
  • Coastal Areas: Increased nutrient, organic material, and sediment loading from agricultural runoff and rainfall.
    
    
  • Open Oceans: Surface warming, algal blooms, and climate-driven changes in ocean circulation.
    
    
• Impacts:
  
  
  • Marine Ecology: Limits photosynthesis, growth, reproduction, and communication in marine life; reduces ocean productivity.
    
    
  • Fisheries: Declining fish stocks due to disrupted habitats and reproductive cycles.
    
    
  • Climate Regulation: Hampers carbon absorption and oxygen production, affecting global climate systems.
    
    

3. Three Language Policy Implementation Challenges

Context

The Maharashtra government issued a resolution making Hindi the third language in schools, as part of NEP 2020 implementation.

Important Points

• Policy Origin: Introduced in NEP 1968, reinforced in NEP 2020, which promotes at least two native languages in school education.
  
  
• Key Features:
  
  
  • Hindi as the third language for Classes 1-5 in Marathi and English medium schools; opt-out provision if 20 students per grade choose another Indian language.
    
    
• Challenges:
  
  
  • Politicisation: Fears of linguistic identity erosion (e.g., regional protests).
    
    
  • Choice vs. Imposition: Importance of voluntary learning.
    
    
  • Student Burden: Risk of overloading primary students.
    
    
  • Implementation: Difficult in linguistically diverse and tribal areas; limited state resources.
    
    
• Constitutional Backing: Articles 350A and 351 support mother-tongue instruction and Hindi development.
  
  
• Significance: Promotes multilingualism, national unity, and cognitive benefits.
  
  

4. Bihar Set to Become First State to Adopt E-Voting for Urban Polls

Context

Bihar State Election Commission is rolling out e-voting via Android-based mobile apps for upcoming urban polls.

Important Points

• Features:
  
  
  • Two mobile apps (“e-Voting SECBHR”) developed by C-DAC and Bihar SEC.
    
    
  • Security measures: Blockchain, liveness detection, facial verification.
    
    
  • Audit trail for transparency and tamper-proof records.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Improves accessibility for migrant workers, persons with disabilities, and tech-savvy youth.
    
    
  • Expected to increase voter turnout by making voting more convenient.
    
    
• Concerns:
  
  
  • Vulnerability to hacking and manipulation.
    
    
  • Challenges in ensuring privacy and preventing voter coercion.
    
    
  • Risks of digital exclusion for those lacking internet access or digital literacy.
    
    
• Conclusion:
  
  
  • E-voting modernizes elections but must address cybersecurity and inclusivity concerns for public trust.
    
    

5. Performance Grade Index (PGI) 2.0 for School Education

Context

The Ministry of Education released the PGI 2.0 report for 2022-23 and 2023-24, assessing school education performance across states and UTs.

Important Points

• About PGI:
  
  
  • Launched in 2017, revamped in 2021 as PGI 2.0.
    
    
  • 1,000-point scale, 73 indicators in 6 domains: Learning Outcomes, Access, Infrastructure, Equity, Governance, Teacher Education.
    
    
• Findings:
  
  
  • No state/UT achieved the top four grades.
    
    
  • Chandigarh was the top performer (Prachesta-1); Meghalaya lowest (Akanshi-3).
    
    
  • 24 states/UTs improved scores; 12 saw declines.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Provides a holistic assessment to guide policy and resource allocation for school education improvement.
    
    

6. INS Arnala Commissioned

Context

INS Arnala, India’s first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned into the Indian Navy.

Important Points

• Features:
  
  
  • Indigenous design and engineering, 77 meters long, largest Indian naval warship with Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion.
    
    
  • Equipped for sub-surface surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Marks a shift from a “Buyer’s Navy” to a “Builder’s Navy,” boosting indigenous defense manufacturing.
    
    

7. Agarwood Conservation and Trade

Context

A new study highlights threats to agarwood species from global trade, especially those derived from wild, endangered trees.

Important Points

• About Agarwood:
  
  
  • Fragrant resinous wood from Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees, formed when trees are infected by fungi.
    
    
  • Found in Northeast India; species include Aquilaria khasiana and Aquilaria malaccensis.
    
    
• Conservation Status:
  
  
  • Appendix II of CITES, Schedule IV of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
    
    
  • Aquilaria malaccensis is Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List).
    
    
• Uses:
  
  
  • Perfume, traditional medicine (Ayurveda, Chinese, Unani).
    
    
• India’s Role:
  
  
  • Prevented stricter CITES trade restrictions; balancing conservation with livelihoods.
    
    

8. FASTag Annual Pass Launched

Context

The Ministry of Road Transport launched a FASTag annual pass for seamless highway travel.

Important Points

• About FASTag:
  
  
  • RFID-based device for automatic toll payments, linked to user accounts, affixed to vehicle windshields.
    
    
  • Developed under the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program by NPCI, NHAI, and IHMCL.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Reduces congestion, promotes digital payments, and enhances travel convenience.
    
    

9. Sahitya Akademi Yuva and Bal Puraskar

Context

Sahitya Akademi announced winners of the Yuva Puraskar (23) and Bal Puraskar (24) for literary excellence.

Important Points

• About Sahitya Akademi:
  
  
  • India’s National Academy of Letters, promoting literature in 24 languages.
    
    
  • Established in 1954, autonomous under the Ministry of Culture.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Recognizes and encourages young and children’s writers, fostering literary growth.
    
    

10. Operation Sindhu: Evacuation from Iran

Context

India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate nationals from Iran amid rising regional tensions.

Important Points

• Details:
  
  
  • 110 Indians evacuated with help from Iran and Armenia.
    
    
  • Used land route from northern Iran to Yerevan, Armenia due to Iranian airspace closure.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Highlights India’s diplomatic agility and commitment to citizen safety abroad.