UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 1 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June (2025)
• Sant Kabir Das
Sant Kabir Das
GS Paper 3:
• Microfinance in India
Microfinance in India
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• G Madhavi Latha – The Geotechnical Pioneer
G Madhavi Latha – The Geotechnical Pioneer
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops (CROPIC)
Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops (CROPIC)
• Passage Exercise (PASSEX)
Passage Exercise (PASSEX)
• Taliban Sanctions Committee & 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee
Taliban Sanctions Committee & 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee
• Salmonella Outbreak
Salmonella Outbreak
• International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA)
International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA)
• Lokpal of India
Lokpal of India
Mapping:
• Taiwan
Taiwan
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2025
#### GS Paper 1:
Sant Kabir Das
Syllabus: Bhaktism
Source: IE
Context: Sant Kabirdas Jayanti was celebrated on June 11, marking his 648th birth anniversary.
• This occasion honours the 15th-century poet-saint’s timeless contribution to spiritual unity and social reform.
About Sant Kabir Das:
Who Was Sant Kabir Das?
• Sant Kabirdas was a 15th-century mystic poet, Bhakti saint, and social reformer who lived in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• Believed to be born in 1440 and raised by a Muslim weaver family, Kabir’s life symbolized religious convergence and spiritual universality.
• He authored Bijak, Sakhi Granth, Kabir Granthavali, Anurag Sagar, and many of his verses appear in the Guru Granth Sahib
Kabir and His Philosophy:
• God resides within: Kabir taught that true divinity lies in self-realisation, not in temples or rituals. He urged seekers to introspect rather than perform empty ceremonial acts.
• Nirguna Bhakti: He rejected anthropomorphic deities and propounded devotion to a formless, universal divine consciousness (Nirguna Brahman).
• Human dignity over ritual: He opposed religious dogmas and caste-based discrimination, promoting ethical conduct as superior to ritual purity.
• Seva and Simplicity: Kabir emphasized humility, charity, and remembrance of God’s name (Nam-smaran) as the path to spiritual liberation.
• Social Equality: He questioned hereditary hierarchy, upheld non-violence (Ahimsa), and declared all beings equal in the eyes of the divine.
Kabir’s Influence on Sects:
• Kabir Panth: A spiritual order based on Kabir’s teachings emerged, spreading his egalitarian philosophy across villages and towns in northern India.
• Influenced Sikhism: Guru Nanak admired Kabir’s thought; many of his verses are enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, shaping Sikh devotion and ethics.
• Dadu Panthis & others: Kabir’s inclusive and non-sectarian teachings inspired several movements that challenged orthodoxy and ritualism.
• Cross-religious following: Hindus and Muslims alike revered him, seeing in him a figure that transcended religious divisions and embodied spiritual truth.
Relevance of Kabir’s Philosophy in the Modern World:
• Religious Harmony: In an age of rising intolerance, Kabir’s teachings offer a bridge between communities through shared spiritual values.
• Social Justice: His critique of caste and privilege aligns with today’s constitutional ideals of equality and dignity for all.
• Minimalism and Sustainability: His advocacy of contentment and simplicity provides philosophical grounding for sustainable living.
• Humanism over Ritualism: Kabir’s focus on inner purity and conduct resonates with modern ethical discourse beyond religious boundaries.
• Spiritual Inclusivity: He legitimised multiple paths to truth, promoting tolerance for diverse beliefs in an increasingly pluralistic world.
Conclusion:
Sant Kabir Das remains a beacon of moral courage, spiritual universality, and social justice. His couplets, rooted in simplicity, cut across time and still inspire unity, reflection, and reform. In an age of polarisation, Kabir’s words echo as a call for compassion and conscience.
• The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (UPSC-2018)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2025 GS Paper 3:
Microfinance in India
Syllabus: Economy
Source: BL
Context: The RBI Deputy Governor flagged a rising crisis in India’s microfinance sector, citing a sharp fall in the gross loan portfolio (13.9%) and surge in delinquencies and NPAs (₹55,000 crore).
About Microfinance in India:
• What is Microfinance in India? Microfinance refers to small-ticket financial services (loans, savings, insurance) extended to low-income households excluded from formal banking.
• Microfinance refers to small-ticket financial services (loans, savings, insurance) extended to low-income households excluded from formal banking.
• Objective: Promote financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and poverty alleviation through credit access without collateral.
• History: 1974: India’s first MFI – SEWA Bank, Ahmedabad. 1976: Grameen Bank by Muhammad Yunus (Bangladesh) popularized global microcredit. 2010: Malegam Committee recommended regulatory norms for NBFC-MFIs.
• 1974: India’s first MFI – SEWA Bank, Ahmedabad.
• 1976: Grameen Bank by Muhammad Yunus (Bangladesh) popularized global microcredit.
• 2010: Malegam Committee recommended regulatory norms for NBFC-MFIs.
• Regulator: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Present Trends in the Microfinance Sector (FY25):
• Loan Portfolio Shrinkage: The gross loan portfolio (GLP) fell by 13.5% to ₹3.75 lakh crore, reflecting reduced disbursals and growing risk aversion by lenders.
• Rising Defaults: Non-performing assets surged to ₹55,000 crore, while loans overdue by 31–180 days (PAR) rose sharply from 2% to 6.2%, signalling deep credit stress.
• Disbursal Dip: Q4 FY25 witnessed a 34% drop in disbursals to ₹70,942 crore YoY, indicating cautious lending amid tightening regulatory scrutiny and defaults.
• Average Loan Size: Despite lower disbursals, average loan ticket size rose by 11.5% to ₹53,897, suggesting lenders are focusing on fewer but higher-value accounts.
• State Trends: Karnataka saw a 17% portfolio drop due to policy backlash, while Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and UP led in active microfinance engagement and outstanding credit.
Challenges to Microfinance:
• Over-indebtedness: Borrowers are taking multiple loans from different entities without proper assessments, resulting in repayment defaults and financial distress.
• High Interest Rates: Even institutions with access to low-cost capital are levying high margins, raising concerns of usury and borrower exploitation.
• Coercive Recovery Practices: Instances of aggressive recovery, borrower harassment, and even suicides have raised ethical and legal alarms in the sector.
• Credit Appraisal Gaps: Poor risk assessment and commission-based lending incentives are pushing loans to financially fragile clients, worsening asset quality.
• State Regulatory Uncertainty: Laws like Karnataka’s penal action on coercive recovery practices have disrupted operations of even compliant and formal microfinance players.
Way Ahead:
• Stronger Credit Risk Frameworks: MFIs must integrate better risk profiling tools and limit multiple borrowings to prevent borrower over-leverage and defaults.
• Regulation of Recovery Practices: RBI must enforce a uniform recovery code ensuring borrower dignity and outlawing intimidation and coercion during repayment collection.
• Rate Rationalisation: A ceiling on microloan interest rates and margin controls could curb profiteering and improve affordability for poor borrowers.
• Empathetic Lending: The focus must shift from profit-maximisation to developmental finance that uplifts communities and promotes social equity.
• Tech-Based Monitoring: Using AI, data analytics, and early warning systems can help MFIs predict defaults and monitor repayment health proactively.
Conclusion:
Microfinance remains a vital pillar of India’s inclusive development story. However, its potential is hindered by credit quality erosion, ethical breaches, and regulatory lapses. A calibrated approach combining financial prudence with social empathy is essential for sustainable impact.
• “In the villages itself no form of credit organisation will be suitable except the cooperative society.” – All Indian rural credit survey. Discuss this statement in the background of agriculture finance in India. What constrain and challenges do financial institutions face supplying agricultural finances? How can technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients? (2014)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Dr. G Madhavi Latha – The Geotechnical Pioneer
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, the world’s highest single-arch railway bridge.
• G Madhavi Latha, a professor at IISc Bengaluru, played a key geotechnical consulting role in the bridge’s 17-year-long construction journey.
About Dr. G Madhavi Latha – The Geotechnical Pioneer:
• Who She Is?
• A Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. She was the first woman faculty in IISc’s Civil Engineering Department.
• A Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
• She was the first woman faculty in IISc’s Civil Engineering Department.
• Contributions to Chenab Bridge:
• Acted as a geotechnical consultant to Afcons, the company building the Chenab Bridge. Published her work in a landmark paper titled “Design as You Go: The Case Study of Chenab Railway Bridge”. Humble in her achievements, she emphasized that success was due to “thousands of unsung heroes” behind the project.
• Acted as a geotechnical consultant to Afcons, the company building the Chenab Bridge.
• Published her work in a landmark paper titled “Design as You Go: The Case Study of Chenab Railway Bridge”.
• Humble in her achievements, she emphasized that success was due to “thousands of unsung heroes” behind the project.
• Leadership Values and Lessons:
• Humility: She downplayed media attention, urging credit be shared among teams and institutions. Resilience: Advocated for basic rights (like women’s restrooms) in a male-dominated academic space. Inspiration: Inspired many girls to pursue STEM and received heartfelt messages from young aspirants and their parents. Commitment to Excellence: Worked for 17 years on a single project, showcasing long-term dedication and professional integrity. Collaboration & Adaptability: Her approach highlights the value of interdisciplinary teamwork and adaptive problem-solving.
• Humility: She downplayed media attention, urging credit be shared among teams and institutions.
• Resilience: Advocated for basic rights (like women’s restrooms) in a male-dominated academic space.
• Inspiration: Inspired many girls to pursue STEM and received heartfelt messages from young aspirants and their parents.
• Commitment to Excellence: Worked for 17 years on a single project, showcasing long-term dedication and professional integrity.
• Collaboration & Adaptability: Her approach highlights the value of interdisciplinary teamwork and adaptive problem-solving.
Relevance in UPSC Examination:
• GS Paper 1 (Indian Society & Women Empowerment): Dr. Latha exemplifies gender inclusion in STEM, breaking barriers as IISc’s first female civil engineering faculty and a role model for aspiring women engineers.
• GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure & Disaster Management): Her contributions to the Chenab Bridge highlight how geotechnical engineering and adaptive design strategies are critical in complex infrastructure projects, especially in seismic zones.
• GS Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude): Her humility, team-first approach, long-term dedication, and quiet leadership embody key values like integrity, public service spirit, and professional ethics.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops (CROPIC)
Source: IE
Context: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched CROPIC, a tech-driven initiative using AI to monitor crop health and automate crop loss assessment.
• The pilot phase will cover Kharif 2025 and Rabi 2025-26 in 50 selected districts.
About Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops (CROPIC):
• What is CROPIC? CROPIC stands for Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops. It is a mobile app-based initiative to photograph standing crops and analyse them using AI-powered image recognition.
• CROPIC stands for Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops. It is a mobile app-based initiative to photograph standing crops and analyse them using AI-powered image recognition.
• Developed By: Developed by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare under the Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) of PMFBY.
• Objectives of CROPIC:
• Real-time monitoring of crop growth stages and health. Early identification of crop stress and potential yield loss. Automated assessment for timely insurance claims under PMFBY. Build a crop image signature database for machine learning models. Promote digital transformation and resilience in agriculture.
• Real-time monitoring of crop growth stages and health.
• Early identification of crop stress and potential yield loss.
• Automated assessment for timely insurance claims under PMFBY.
• Build a crop image signature database for machine learning models.
• Promote digital transformation and resilience in agriculture.
• How Will CROPIC Work?
• Farmer-Driven Photo Upload: Farmers will upload crop images 4–5 times during the crop cycle using the CROPIC mobile app, ensuring real-time, ground-level data capture. AI-Based Image Analysis: These photos are processed through an AI cloud engine that uses computer vision to detect crop type, growth stage, stress signs, and possible damages. Diagnostic Output Generation: The model generates precise diagnostics including crop condition, stage, stress indicators, and severity of loss based on visual markers. Web-Based Dashboard for Officials: A centralised digital dashboard displays analysed data for district/state-level officials to track crop health and emerging risks. Support for Insurance Claim Validation: The analysed images serve as verifiable evidence to aid fast, transparent, and automated processing of PMFBY compensation claims.
• Farmer-Driven Photo Upload: Farmers will upload crop images 4–5 times during the crop cycle using the CROPIC mobile app, ensuring real-time, ground-level data capture.
• AI-Based Image Analysis: These photos are processed through an AI cloud engine that uses computer vision to detect crop type, growth stage, stress signs, and possible damages.
• Diagnostic Output Generation: The model generates precise diagnostics including crop condition, stage, stress indicators, and severity of loss based on visual markers.
• Web-Based Dashboard for Officials: A centralised digital dashboard displays analysed data for district/state-level officials to track crop health and emerging risks.
• Support for Insurance Claim Validation: The analysed images serve as verifiable evidence to aid fast, transparent, and automated processing of PMFBY compensation claims.
• Key Features of CROPIC:
• Crowdsourced Data Collection: Data is sourced directly from farmers through mobile apps, ensuring local participation and wider coverage of farm-level realities. Photo-Analytics Engine with AI: The platform integrates machine learning and image recognition to identify disease, pest attacks, or yield-affecting anomalies. Dashboard for Visual Monitoring: Real-time analytics are mapped and visualised on a digital dashboard for authorities to intervene proactively. PMFBY Integration for Efficiency: The model links seamlessly with the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to reduce human dependency and enable faster claim settlements. Pilot Coverage and Scalability: The initiative will initially cover 50 districts per season across different agro-climatic zones, focusing on 3 insured crops per district.
• Crowdsourced Data Collection: Data is sourced directly from farmers through mobile apps, ensuring local participation and wider coverage of farm-level realities.
• Photo-Analytics Engine with AI: The platform integrates machine learning and image recognition to identify disease, pest attacks, or yield-affecting anomalies.
• Dashboard for Visual Monitoring: Real-time analytics are mapped and visualised on a digital dashboard for authorities to intervene proactively.
• PMFBY Integration for Efficiency: The model links seamlessly with the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to reduce human dependency and enable faster claim settlements.
• Pilot Coverage and Scalability: The initiative will initially cover 50 districts per season across different agro-climatic zones, focusing on 3 insured crops per district.
Passage Exercise (PASSEX)
Source: NIE
Context: The Indian Navy and UK Royal Navy conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the North Arabian Sea.
About Passage Exercise (PASSEX):
• What is PASSEX? PASSEX refers to joint naval drills conducted between friendly navies when they cross each other during deployments. It enhances interoperability, communication, and strategic cooperation at sea.
• PASSEX refers to joint naval drills conducted between friendly navies when they cross each other during deployments. It enhances interoperability, communication, and strategic cooperation at sea.
• Host Location: Conducted in the North Arabian Sea, a region of geostrategic importance for global maritime trade and security.
• Participating Nations:
• India: INS Tabar (stealth frigate), a conventional submarine, and P-8I long-range maritime aircraft. United Kingdom: HMS Prince of Wales (aircraft carrier) and HMS Richmond (frigate) of the UK Carrier Strike Group.
• India: INS Tabar (stealth frigate), a conventional submarine, and P-8I long-range maritime aircraft.
• United Kingdom: HMS Prince of Wales (aircraft carrier) and HMS Richmond (frigate) of the UK Carrier Strike Group.
• Objectives of the Exercise:
• Strengthen interoperability between Indian and Royal Navies. Enhance anti-submarine warfare coordination. Conduct tactical manoeuvres and maritime domain awareness operations. Share professional expertise and operational best practices. Demonstrate mutual commitment to Indo-Pacific maritime security.
• Strengthen interoperability between Indian and Royal Navies.
• Enhance anti-submarine warfare coordination.
• Conduct tactical manoeuvres and maritime domain awareness operations.
• Share professional expertise and operational best practices.
• Demonstrate mutual commitment to Indo-Pacific maritime security.
• Key Features: Helicopter control drills and fleet movement: Enable precise coordination between ships and airborne units for swift multi-platform responses. Joint anti-submarine operations: Combine air, surface, and subsurface assets to boost submarine detection and tracking. Officer exchanges: Foster mutual trust and improve interoperability through shared naval experiences. Real-time tactical data sharing: Enhances situational awareness with live encrypted information across platforms. Communication protocol exercises: Test system compatibility for seamless coordination during joint missions.
• Helicopter control drills and fleet movement: Enable precise coordination between ships and airborne units for swift multi-platform responses.
• Joint anti-submarine operations: Combine air, surface, and subsurface assets to boost submarine detection and tracking.
• Officer exchanges: Foster mutual trust and improve interoperability through shared naval experiences.
• Real-time tactical data sharing: Enhances situational awareness with live encrypted information across platforms.
• Communication protocol exercises: Test system compatibility for seamless coordination during joint missions.
• Strategic Importance for India: Strengthens India’s defence diplomacy in Indo-Pacific: Showcases India’s naval reach and strategic alignment with key partners like the UK. Advances India-UK 2030 Roadmap goals: Deepens defence cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Supports SAGAR vision: Promotes inclusive maritime security through collaborative regional engagement.
• Strengthens India’s defence diplomacy in Indo-Pacific: Showcases India’s naval reach and strategic alignment with key partners like the UK.
• Advances India-UK 2030 Roadmap goals: Deepens defence cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Supports SAGAR vision: Promotes inclusive maritime security through collaborative regional engagement.
Taliban Sanctions Committee & 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee
Source: IE
Context: Pakistan has been appointed Chair of the 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee and Vice Chair of the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee as part of its term as a non-permanent UNSC member (2025–26).
About 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee (TSC):
• What is it? A subsidiary body of the UNSC, the 1988 Committee monitors the implementation of sanctions specifically on Taliban-linked individuals and entities.
• A subsidiary body of the UNSC, the 1988 Committee monitors the implementation of sanctions specifically on Taliban-linked individuals and entities.
• Established in: 2011, under UNSC Resolution 1988, after separating from the broader 1267 Al-Qaeda Sanctions regime.
• Objective: To ensure compliance with travel bans, arms embargoes, and asset freezes targeting individuals affiliated with the Taliban who pose a threat to peace in Afghanistan.
• Key Features: List-based regime covering ~130 individuals/entities. Chair has procedural control, including setting the agenda, consulting members, and presenting recommendations. Decisions are taken by consensus, limiting unilateral power. No powers to investigate or enforce and relies on state cooperation for implementation. Monitors compliance and considers listing, delisting, or exemption requests.
• List-based regime covering ~130 individuals/entities.
• Chair has procedural control, including setting the agenda, consulting members, and presenting recommendations.
• Decisions are taken by consensus, limiting unilateral power.
• No powers to investigate or enforce and relies on state cooperation for implementation.
• Monitors compliance and considers listing, delisting, or exemption requests.
About the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC):
• What is it? A technical committee created to implement UNSC Resolution 1373 following the 9/11 attacks, aimed at strengthening global legal and operational counter-terrorism efforts.
• A technical committee created to implement UNSC Resolution 1373 following the 9/11 attacks, aimed at strengthening global legal and operational counter-terrorism efforts.
• Established in: 2001, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, making its obligations binding on all UN member states.
• Objective: To compel states to criminalize terrorism, prevent terrorist financing, and deny safe havens to terrorists.
• Key Features: Does not designate terrorists or groups (unlike 1267 Committee). Focuses on capacity building, legal reforms, and promoting best practices. Works with Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) for technical support and global assessments. Encourages international cooperation, border control, and financial surveillance. Operates under consensus model, limiting politicisation of actions.
• Does not designate terrorists or groups (unlike 1267 Committee).
• Focuses on capacity building, legal reforms, and promoting best practices.
• Works with Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) for technical support and global assessments.
• Encourages international cooperation, border control, and financial surveillance.
• Operates under consensus model, limiting politicisation of actions.
Salmonella Outbreak
Source: HT
Context: A Salmonella outbreak in the US has infected 79 people and led to a recall of 1.7 million egg cartons by the California-based August Egg Company.
About Salmonella Outbreak:
• What is Salmonella?
• Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes salmonellosis, a foodborne illness affecting the intestinal tract. It spreads through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with infected humans or animals.
• Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes salmonellosis, a foodborne illness affecting the intestinal tract.
• It spreads through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with infected humans or animals.
• Causes of Salmonella Infection:
• Raw or undercooked eggs and poultry (especially chicken). Contaminated meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and even processed items like nut butters. Pets and reptiles can carry and spread the bacteria. Poor hygiene during food preparation or after bathroom use.
• Raw or undercooked eggs and poultry (especially chicken).
• Contaminated meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and even processed items like nut butters.
• Pets and reptiles can carry and spread the bacteria.
• Poor hygiene during food preparation or after bathroom use.
• Symptoms of Infection: According to CDC, symptoms usually appear 12–96 hours after exposure and include:
• According to CDC, symptoms usually appear 12–96 hours after exposure and include:
• Diarrhoea (possibly bloody), Stomach cramps and nausea, Fever and chills, Headache and vomiting, and Loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea (possibly bloody), Stomach cramps and nausea, Fever and chills, Headache and vomiting, and Loss of appetite
• Is Salmonella Contagious?
• It spreads person-to-person via contaminated hands, surfaces, and utensils. Close contact with infected individuals or animals increases risk, especially in poor hygiene conditions.
• It spreads person-to-person via contaminated hands, surfaces, and utensils.
• Close contact with infected individuals or animals increases risk, especially in poor hygiene conditions.
• Prevention Strategy: Practice safe cooking: Thoroughly cook meat, poultry, and eggs; avoid raw dough or egg-based foods. Maintain hygiene: Wash hands before meals, after bathroom use, and after handling pets or raw food.
• Practice safe cooking: Thoroughly cook meat, poultry, and eggs; avoid raw dough or egg-based foods.
• Maintain hygiene: Wash hands before meals, after bathroom use, and after handling pets or raw food.
International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA)
Source: PIB
Context: India participated in the 2nd Session of the IALA Council in Nice, France, as the Vice President of the organization.
• India also invited members for the 3rd General Assembly (2025) and 21st IALA Conference (2027) in Mumbai.
About International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA):
• What is IALA? IALA is an intergovernmental technical body responsible for standardizing and enhancing marine aids to navigation (AtoN) to ensure maritime safety and efficiency globally.
• IALA is an intergovernmental technical body responsible for standardizing and enhancing marine aids to navigation (AtoN) to ensure maritime safety and efficiency globally.
• Established in: 1957 as a non-governmental body and became an intergovernmental organization in 2021.
• Headquarters: Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, France.
• India’s Role & Term: India is a Council member since 1980 and was elected Vice President during the 1st General Assembly in Singapore (2023). India’s tenure as Vice President (2023–2027) marks its rising maritime stature and technical leadership.
• India is a Council member since 1980 and was elected Vice President during the 1st General Assembly in Singapore (2023).
• India’s tenure as Vice President (2023–2027) marks its rising maritime stature and technical leadership.
• Objectives of IALA: To develop international standards and technical guidance for marine navigation aids. To promote safety of navigation, protection of the marine environment, and global harmonization of practices. To support capacity building in member states through training, technology sharing, and advisory services.
• To develop international standards and technical guidance for marine navigation aids.
• To promote safety of navigation, protection of the marine environment, and global harmonization of practices.
• To support capacity building in member states through training, technology sharing, and advisory services.
• Functions & India’s Contributions: Standardization of Navigation Aids: Sets global norms for buoys, beacons, lighthouses, and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). Technological Innovation: Works on IoT-enabled navigation, Maritime Service Registry, and digital AtoN development. Training and Capacity Building: India’s Kolkata Marine Navigation Training Institute will host global training sessions. Heritage Conservation: Focuses on preservation of historical lighthouses, aligned with India’s own lighthouse tourism mission. Hosting Global Maritime Events: India will host the 3rd General Assembly (2025) and 21st IALA Conference (2027) in Mumbai, underlining its global maritime leadership.
• Standardization of Navigation Aids: Sets global norms for buoys, beacons, lighthouses, and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS).
• Technological Innovation: Works on IoT-enabled navigation, Maritime Service Registry, and digital AtoN development.
• Training and Capacity Building: India’s Kolkata Marine Navigation Training Institute will host global training sessions.
• Heritage Conservation: Focuses on preservation of historical lighthouses, aligned with India’s own lighthouse tourism mission.
• Hosting Global Maritime Events: India will host the 3rd General Assembly (2025) and 21st IALA Conference (2027) in Mumbai, underlining its global maritime leadership.
Lokpal of India
Source: PIB
Context: The Full Bench of the Lokpal of India adopted a new motto: “Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption”.
• The new motto replaces the older one as part of efforts to enhance institutional visibility and public outreach.
About Lokpal of India:
• What is it? The Lokpal of India is an independent statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 to inquire into allegations of corruption against public functionaries.
• The Lokpal of India is an independent statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 to inquire into allegations of corruption against public functionaries.
• Establishment: The Act came into effect on 16th January 2014, after decades of legislative deliberation and public demand for a central anti-corruption
• Headquarters: Located at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
• Motto: Old Motto: Ma Gridhah Kasyasvid Dhanam (Do not be greedy for anyone’s wealth) New Motto: “Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption”
• Old Motto: Ma Gridhah Kasyasvid Dhanam (Do not be greedy for anyone’s wealth)
• New Motto: “Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption”
• Composition: One Chairperson (former CJI or Supreme Court Judge). Up to 8 Members (4 Judicial + 4 non-judicial). Appointed by the President based on recommendations from a high-level Selection Committee.
• One Chairperson (former CJI or Supreme Court Judge).
• Up to 8 Members (4 Judicial + 4 non-judicial).
• Appointed by the President based on recommendations from a high-level Selection Committee.
• Jurisdiction: Can investigate complaints against: Prime Minister, Ministers, MPs Group A–D central government employees Officials of bodies partially/fully funded by the Government of India Individuals or entities receiving foreign contributions (above ₹1 crore/year) Functions & Powers: Inquire into corruption cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Authorised to sanction prosecution, attach property, and recommend suspension or transfer of officials. Can summon witnesses, seize documents, and exercise civil court powers. Supervises CBI in cases it refers for investigation. Engages with other government agencies for inquiry and enforcement.
• Can investigate complaints against: Prime Minister, Ministers, MPs Group A–D central government employees Officials of bodies partially/fully funded by the Government of India Individuals or entities receiving foreign contributions (above ₹1 crore/year)
• Prime Minister, Ministers, MPs
• Group A–D central government employees
• Officials of bodies partially/fully funded by the Government of India
• Individuals or entities receiving foreign contributions (above ₹1 crore/year)
• Functions & Powers: Inquire into corruption cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Authorised to sanction prosecution, attach property, and recommend suspension or transfer of officials. Can summon witnesses, seize documents, and exercise civil court powers. Supervises CBI in cases it refers for investigation. Engages with other government agencies for inquiry and enforcement.
• Inquire into corruption cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
• Authorised to sanction prosecution, attach property, and recommend suspension or transfer of officials.
• Can summon witnesses, seize documents, and exercise civil court powers.
• Supervises CBI in cases it refers for investigation.
• Engages with other government agencies for inquiry and enforcement.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2025 Place in News:
Taiwan
Source: NIE
Context: A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan shaking buildings in Taipei and coastal regions.
• Taiwan lies in a high seismic risk zone due to its position along major tectonic boundaries in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
About Taiwan:
• Location: Taiwan is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, around 160 km off the southeastern coast of China.
• Taiwan is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, around 160 km off the southeastern coast of China.
• Capital city: The capital city is Taipei.
• Neighbouring Regions: Pacific Ocean, Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, Ryukyu Islands, Bashi Channel (bordering the Philippines).
• Geological and Physical Features: Mountains: Over two-thirds of Taiwan is mountainous. The Chung-yang Range (Central Range) forms the island’s backbone, with Yu Mountain (3,997 m) being the tallest peak. Valleys: The Rift Valley in eastern Taiwan provides limited settlement and farming space. Rivers: Zhuoshui River is the longest (186 km). Gaoping River has the largest basin. Most rivers flow short distances due to steep gradients and carry high sediment loads. The Danshui River is one of the few navigable ones, flowing near Taipei into the Taiwan Strait. Soils: Originating from volcanic activity, Taiwan’s soils are fertile but often degraded by heavy rainfall and irrigation.
• Mountains: Over two-thirds of Taiwan is mountainous. The Chung-yang Range (Central Range) forms the island’s backbone, with Yu Mountain (3,997 m) being the tallest peak.
• Valleys: The Rift Valley in eastern Taiwan provides limited settlement and farming space.
• Rivers: Zhuoshui River is the longest (186 km). Gaoping River has the largest basin. Most rivers flow short distances due to steep gradients and carry high sediment loads. The Danshui River is one of the few navigable ones, flowing near Taipei into the Taiwan Strait.
• Zhuoshui River is the longest (186 km).
• Gaoping River has the largest basin.
• Most rivers flow short distances due to steep gradients and carry high sediment loads.
• The Danshui River is one of the few navigable ones, flowing near Taipei into the Taiwan Strait.
• Soils: Originating from volcanic activity, Taiwan’s soils are fertile but often degraded by heavy rainfall and irrigation.
• Seismic Activity and Risks: Taiwan sits at the convergence of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea tectonic plates, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world. Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is responsible for 90% of global earthquakes.
• Taiwan sits at the convergence of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea tectonic plates, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world.
• Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is responsible for 90% of global earthquakes.
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