Daily Current Affairs Update – 16 June 2025

1. Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells: Implementation and Concerns

Context:
 The Central Government has sanctioned 324 district-level FRA cells and several state-level cells to facilitate the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, aiming to streamline paperwork and data management for forest rights claims1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Objective: These cells are designed to assist in processing claims under the FRA without interfering in the statutory decision-making process.
  
  
• Legal Framework: The FRA mandates the formation of Gram Sabha Forest Rights Committees (FRCs), Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLCs), District Level Committees (DLCs), and State Monitoring Committees for recognizing the rights of forest dwellers and traditional communities.
  
  
• Concerns:
  
  
  • The new cells operate under the DAJGUA programme rather than the principal FRA legislation, raising concerns about creating a “parallel FRA mechanism.”
    
    
  • Structural issues persist, such as infrequent meetings of statutory committees and reluctance from forest departments to act on approved claims, leading to high pendency.
    
    
• Significance: The FRA grants heritable but non-transferable rights over forest land (up to 4 hectares), grazing rights, rights to protect/manage forests, and the right to collect minor forest produce, empowering traditional communities1.
  
  

2. State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025 (World Bank Report)

Context:
 The World Bank released its annual report highlighting the expansion and impact of carbon pricing instruments globally, with India making significant strides in this area1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Global Scenario:
  
  
  • 80 carbon pricing instruments are operational (43 carbon taxes, 37 Emissions Trading Systems), covering around 28% of global GHG emissions.
    
    
  • These mechanisms generated over USD 100 billion in 2024, mainly from the power and industry sectors.
    
    
• Key Provisions:
  
  
  • Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enables international cooperation on carbon pricing.
    
    
  • Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs) like the EU’s CBAM levy a carbon price on imported goods based on their emissions.
    
    
• India’s Progress:
  
  
  • The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (2023) introduces both compliance and offset mechanisms for GHG reduction.
    
    
  • The scheme allows obligated entities to meet emission norms and non-obligated entities to register emission reduction projects for carbon credits.
    
    
• Types of Carbon Pricing:
  
  
  • Emissions Trading Systems (ETS): Cap-and-trade for emissions.
  • Carbon Taxes: Direct fee on emissions.
  • Carbon Crediting: Voluntary credits for emission-reducing activities.
    
    
• Significance: Carbon pricing internalizes the social and environmental costs of emissions, aligning with India’s climate commitments1.
  
  

3. Finance Ministry Guidelines for Central Sector Schemes (CSS)

Context:
 The Ministry of Finance has issued new guidelines to improve the efficiency and accountability of Central Sector Schemes, which are fully funded and implemented by the Central Government1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Key Guidelines:
  
  
  • Mandatory use of Public Finance Management System (PFMS) for real-time fund tracking.
    
    
  • Introduction of ‘sunset’ clauses to align schemes with Finance Commission cycles and ensure periodic reviews.
    
    
  • ‘Just-In-Time’ fund release: No more than 25% of funds released at once; further releases contingent on 75% utilization of previous funds.
    
    
  • Unused funds lapse at the end of the financial year.
    
    
• Significance:
  • Promotes efficient fund utilization and financial discipline.
  • Enhances accountability and transparency in scheme implementation.
  • Encourages realistic budgeting and early identification of savings.
    
    
• Additional Measures:
  
  
  • Introduction of Digitally Verifiable Credentials (Kisan Pehchan Patra) for farmers, integrated with DigiLocker for authenticated land and crop records1.
    
    

4. Digital Agriculture Mission and Agri Stack

Context:
 The Union Agriculture Ministry has announced a ₹6,000 crore investment to strengthen the Agri Stack under the Digital Agriculture Mission, aiming to digitize and streamline agricultural data and services1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM):
  
  
  • Launched in 2024 to create a digital ecosystem for farmer-centric solutions and reliable crop information.
    
    
• Agri Stack:
  
  
  • Envisioned as a digital public good with a federated architecture for collaboration between Centre and States.
    
    
  • Includes Farmer Registries, Digital Crop Surveys, and geo-referenced village maps.
    
    
• Other Initiatives:
  
  
  • Krishi Decision Support System: Integrates geospatial and non-geospatial data for better decision-making.
    
    
  • Nationwide Soil Resource Mapping: Village-level soil inventory for improved crop planning.
    
    
  • Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES): Automates crop estimation processes.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Enhances transparency, efficiency, and targeted delivery of agricultural schemes.
    
    
  • Empowers farmers with timely and accurate information for better productivity1.
    
    

5. Intergenerational Communication Report

Context:
 A recent report highlights changing family structures and the growing disconnect between elders and youth, emphasizing the importance of effective intergenerational communication1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Key Findings:
  
  
  • The generational gap is influenced more by education, dependence, and emotional distance than by age.
  • Major barriers include busy schedules and discomfort discussing certain topics.
    
    
• Recommendations:
  
  
  • Include aging sensitization in educational curricula.
  • Launch youth-led “Digital Buddy” programs for tech training of elders.
  • Establish community-based elder support centers and intergenerational programs like “Wisdom Exchange.”
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Fostering empathy and communication skills can bridge generational divides and improve social cohesion1.
    
    

6. Massive Forest Fire in Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir

Context:
 A large forest fire has affected hundreds of hectares in the Reasi district, highlighting the persistent threat of wildfires in India’s ecologically sensitive regions1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Causes:
  
  
  • Natural: Lightning, drought.
  • Anthropogenic: Slash-and-burn agriculture, negligence, climate change-induced heatwaves.
    
    
• Impact:
  • Ecological, economic, and social damage.
  • Threatens biodiversity and livelihoods.
    
    
• Prevention and Mitigation:
  
  
  • Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme: Centrally funded for state assistance.
  • National Action Plan on Forest Fires: Focuses on community involvement and technology.
  • FSI’s Forest Fire Alert System (FIRE 2.0): Uses satellite data for early alerts.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Underscores the need for robust prevention, rapid response, and community engagement in forest management1.
    
    

7. Shipki La: Border Tourism Initiative

Context:
 Himachal Pradesh has launched border tourism activities at Shipki La, a historic mountain pass on the India-Tibet border1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Location: Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh; elevation 3,930 meters.
  
  
• Significance:
  
  
  • Key entry point for the Sutlej River into India.
  • Part of the ancient Silk Route and vital trade corridor.
  • Closed after the Covid-19 outbreak, now reopened for tourism.
    
    
• Implications:
  
  
  • Promotes regional development and cross-border cultural exchange.
  • Enhances strategic and economic significance of border areas1.
    
    

8. AviList: Unified Global Bird Checklist

Context:
 AviList, the world’s first unified global checklist of bird species, has been launched to support effective bird conservation1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Features:
  • Replaces previous lists (IOC, Clements) and will be updated annually.
  • Collaborative effort involving leading ornithological organizations.
  • Covers 11,131 species, 19,879 subspecies, 2,376 genera, 252 families, and 46 orders.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Provides authoritative taxonomy for global bird conservation efforts.
  • Facilitates research and policy-making for biodiversity protection1.
    
    

9. Personality in News: Ram Prasad Bismil

Context:
 The birth anniversary of Ram Prasad Bismil, a prominent revolutionary leader, was observed on June 111.

Comprehensive Content:

• Biography:
  
  
  • Born in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh; influenced by Arya Samaj.
  • Key figure in Mainpuri Conspiracy (1918) and Kakori Conspiracy (1925).
  • Co-founder of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA).
  • Advocated for political prisoners’ rights through hunger strikes.
  • Noted poet and author of patriotic literature in Hindi and Urdu.
  • Executed in 1927 after the Kakori trial.
    
    
• Legacy:
  
  
  • Symbolizes courage, sacrifice, and the spirit of India’s freedom struggle1.
    
    

10. Strait of Hormuz: Geopolitical Tensions

Context:
 Recent Israeli strikes against Iran have heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Geography:
  
  
  • Located between Oman and Iran, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.
    
    
  • Borders Iran (north), UAE and Oman’s Musandam Peninsula (south).
    
    
• Strategic Importance:
  
  
  • Handles about 21% of global petroleum liquids consumption.
    
    
  • Disruptions can impact global energy security and prices.
    
    
• Current Scenario:
  
  
  • Rising military activity threatens maritime traffic and international trade.
    
    
• Implications for India:
  
  
  • India’s energy security is closely tied to stability in this region1.
    
    

11. Taxation on Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs)

Context:
 The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is investigating tax evasion and money laundering through Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) like cryptocurrencies1.

Comprehensive Content:

• Definition:
  
  
  • VDAs include digital assets using blockchain or cryptographic technology for transactions.
    
    
• Taxation Provisions:
  
  
  • CBDT’s NUDGE (Non-intrusive Usage of Data Gathering and Enforcement) initiative targets unaccounted income and tax evasion.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Ensures transparency and compliance in the rapidly evolving digital asset market.
  • Addresses risks of money laundering and unregulated financial flows1.