UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 June 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 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 2 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 June (2025)
• Fair Use Law (Fair Dealing) in India
Fair Use Law (Fair Dealing) in India
GS Paper 3:
• State of World Marine Fishery Resources – 2025
State of World Marine Fishery Resources – 2025
• State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025
State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• India Aviation Sector
India Aviation Sector
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
• Gyan Post Service
Gyan Post Service
• AviList
AviList
• Global Gender Gap Report 2025
Global Gender Gap Report 2025
• Totapuri Mangoes
Totapuri Mangoes
Mapping:
• Lake Natron
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 June 2025
#### GS Paper 2:
Fair Dealing in India
Syllabus: Governance & IP rights
Source: IE
Context: A copyright and defamation dispute between ANI and YouTuber Mohak Mangal has raised critical questions on India’s ambiguous fair use laws in the digital era.
About ANI vs Mohak Mangal dispute:
• ANI filed multiple copyright strikes against Mohak Mangal for using short ANI video clips in at least 10 of his YouTube videos.
• Mangal countered these claims citing fair dealing, accusing ANI of extortion and misuse of copyright provisions.
• ANI additionally filed a case on trademark infringement, defamation, and disparagement, and sought removal of certain videos and tweets.
About Fair Dealing in India:
• What is Fair Use (Fair Dealing)?
Fair dealing, defined under Section 52(1) of the Copyright Act, 1957, permits limited use of copyrighted material without permission. It applies when the purpose is educational, critical, journalistic, or research-based, ensuring balance between creators’ rights and public interest.
Criteria for Fair Use (Qualitative Factors):
• Purpose of Use: When the intent is to inform, educate, or critique—such as in journalism or parody—the use is more likely to be fair. Commercial exploitation or content meant to mislead would fall outside the scope of fair dealing.
• Nature of Work: The use of factual, published, or publicly accessible works tends to be more permissible than unpublished or highly creative works.
• Amount Used: Using small, necessary portions increases the chances of fair use, but even short clips can infringe if they capture the essence of the original.
• Market Impact: Fair use is invalidated if the copied content harms the original’s revenue, substitutes the original, or diverts its audience. The greater the economic loss to the copyright holder, the lesser the chance of qualifying as fair dealing.
Example: In TV Today vs NewsLaundry, limited use of video clips was accepted under fair use since it neither caused financial loss nor undermined the original broadcast’s value.
Other IP Instruments in news:
• Trademark Disparagement: This refers to using a registered trademark in a way that damages its image, credibility, or public perception.
In this case, the Delhi High Court asked Mangal to delete remarks seen as harming ANI’s brand reputation.
• De Minimis Doctrine: Under this principle, minor or trivial uses of copyrighted material may not attract legal scrutiny.
Need for Fair Use Clarity in India’s Digital Ecosystem:
• Digital Expansion Demands Legal Precision: With over 850 million internet users and thousands of content creators, digital India needs clear fair use boundaries.
• AI-Based Takedowns Ignore Indian Law: Global platforms like YouTube apply U.S. DMCA protocols, bypassing Indian copyright exceptions. This often results in wrongful removals of content that would be legal under Section 52.
• Satire, Review, and Education Need Protection: Fair use shields socially relevant content like documentaries, news critique, and parody. Without safeguards, creators may self-censor or face disproportionate legal threats.
Example: Mohak Mangal’s video was taken down by YouTube under DMCA, despite invoking Indian fair dealing for public interest reporting.
Challenges in the Current Fair Use Framework:
• No Defined Duration or Scope: Indian law lacks numerical limits or time thresholds, making it hard for creators to know how much is “too much.” This vagueness increases legal risks and dependency on judicial interpretation.
• Platform-Law Discrepancy: YouTube and other platforms operate on global algorithms that don’t recognise Indian fair use clauses. As a result, even lawful content under Indian law is penalised based on foreign standards.
• Weaponization of Copyright Strikes: Rights holders can misuse copyright takedown tools to suppress criticism or extract payments.
• Low Awareness Among Digital Creators: Many YouTubers and educators are unaware of their fair use protections under Indian law.
• High Judicial Discretion and Cost: Since fair use is judged case-by-case, creators must often go through expensive litigation for clarity. Absence of consistent precedent weakens confidence in creative freedoms.
Way Forward:
• Introduce Statutory Guidelines on Fair Use: Parliament or the Supreme Court must lay down clear boundaries—like time, purpose, and market harm.
• Regulate Platform-Based Takedowns: Rule 75 of the Copyright Rules should be enforced, ensuring content restoration if no court order is obtained in 21 days. Educate Creators on Their Rights: Awareness campaigns, in partnership with civil society and digital platforms, can empower users.
• Develop a Uniform Judicial Doctrine: A standardised fair use test from the Supreme Court or Law Commission will ensure predictability.
• Penalise Misuse of Takedown Systems: There should be strict consequences for entities that file malicious or repetitive copyright strikes.
Conclusion:
India’s fair use regime offers valuable flexibility but suffers from poor enforcement and vague boundaries in the digital era. Clarity, platform accountability, and legal literacy must go hand in hand to preserve freedom of expression online. The ANI vs Mangal case is a pivotal moment for shaping copyright jurisprudence in India’s digital future.
• In a globalized world, Intellectual Property Rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms—Copyrights, Patents and Trade Secrets. (UPSC-2014)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 June 2025 GS Paper 3:
State of World Marine Fishery Resources – 2025
Syllabus: Fishery
Source: FAO
Context: The FAO’s 2025 report on the state of marine fisheries was released during the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France.
Summary of State of World Marine Fishery Resources – 2025:
• Global Stock Sustainability: 64.5% of global marine fishery stocks are exploited within biologically sustainable levels, while 35.5% remain overfished.
• Deep-Sea Species Crisis: Only 29% of deep-sea species are sustainably fished due to traits like slow growth, late maturity, and low reproduction rates.
• Migratory Shark Decline: 43.5% of the 23 assessed shark stocks (7 species) are unsustainable; high catches occur in the tropical Indo-Pacific.
• Tuna Sustainability Success: 87% of assessed tuna and tuna-like species are sustainably fished due to effective regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs).
• Regional Disparities: Regions like the northeast and southwest Pacific show high sustainability; the Mediterranean and Black Seas report only 35.1% sustainability.
• Data Deficiency Challenge: Areas such as the eastern Indian Ocean show high sustainability (72.7%) but are cautioned due to inadequate species-specific data.
• Call for Stronger Governance: The report emphasizes the role of RFMOs, technology, and precautionary policies as essential tools to reverse overfishing and support global marine resilience.
Analysis of the Report:
Positives:
• Global Sustainability Improved: 64.5% of fishery stocks are biologically sustainable – reflects growing awareness and partial management success.
E.g.: Northeast and Southwest Pacific show higher sustainability due to strict regulation.
• Tuna Management is Working: 87% of tuna and tuna-like species are sustainably harvested due to active Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).
E.g.: High seas governance models like observer systems, catch reporting.
• Robust Methodology Adopted: Participation of 600+ experts from 90 countries enhances credibility and scientific depth.
E.g.: Integrated biological and ecological assessments.
• Policy Guidance Provided: Offers actionable insights into vulnerable stocks, e.g., sharks and rays, for better conservation targeting.
E.g.: Emphasizes bycatch risks in tuna fisheries.
Negatives:
• Deep-Sea Stocks Severely Overfished: Only 29% of deep-sea species are sustainably fished due to low resilience and inadequate protection.
E.g.: Species like Orange Roughy mature late, making recovery difficult.
• Shark Stocks Declining: 43.5% of the assessed shark species are unsustainably harvested, largely as tuna bycatch.
E.g.: High mortality in Indian and Pacific Oceans.
• Poor Data in Some Regions: Lack of monitoring in Southeast Asia and African coastal waters hinders accurate policy planning.
E.g.: Gaps in species-specific stock biomass estimates.
• Inadequate Management in Some Seas: Mediterranean and Black Sea show only 35.1% sustainability, reflecting weak implementation of controls.
E.g.: Overfishing persists due to unregulated artisanal fishing.
Recommendations:
• Strengthen RFMO Mandates: Expand monitoring tools, onboard observers, and real-time data sharing.
• Promote Ecosystem-Based Management: Incorporate climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation into marine policy.
• Support Data Collection: Build capacity in data-poor countries via FAO, World Bank, or regional forums.
• Ban Harmful Subsidies: Implement WTO’s agreement to eliminate subsidies leading to overfishing.
• Empower Coastal Communities: Include local stakeholders in co-management and marine protected areas (MPAs).
Conclusion:
The FAO’s 2025 report provides a sobering yet constructive assessment of global fisheries. While progress is visible in regions with strong governance, deep-sea and shark species remain under severe threat. Urgent multilateral cooperation and science-based policies are essential to safeguard marine biodiversity.
State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025
Syllabus: Environment
Source: WB
Context: The World Bank released its State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025 at a time when carbon pricing mechanisms are covering nearly 28% of global GHG emissions and generating over $100 billion in revenue.
About State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025:
• What is Carbon Pricing? Carbon pricing is an economic tool that attaches a cost to the emission of greenhouse gases, incentivizing emission reductions while internalizing climate-related externalities (e.g., floods, health costs).
• Carbon pricing is an economic tool that attaches a cost to the emission of greenhouse gases, incentivizing emission reductions while internalizing climate-related externalities (e.g., floods, health costs).
• Types of Carbon Pricing Mechanisms: Carbon Tax: A fixed price per tonne of CO₂ emissions (e.g., ₹ per tonne of fossil fuel carbon content). Emissions Trading System (ETS): A cap-and-trade model where emitters buy/sell emission permits under a pre-set limit. Carbon Credit/Crediting Mechanism: Tradeable credits are issued for verifiable emission reduction/removal (e.g., afforestation or methane capture).
• Carbon Tax: A fixed price per tonne of CO₂ emissions (e.g., ₹ per tonne of fossil fuel carbon content).
• Emissions Trading System (ETS): A cap-and-trade model where emitters buy/sell emission permits under a pre-set limit.
• Carbon Credit/Crediting Mechanism: Tradeable credits are issued for verifiable emission reduction/removal (e.g., afforestation or methane capture).
• Importance of Carbon Pricing: Environmental: Reduces GHG emissions by creating economic disincentives. Economic: Raises public revenue (over $100 billion globally in 2024). Social: Funds adaptation, green jobs, and energy transition in vulnerable sectors.
• Environmental: Reduces GHG emissions by creating economic disincentives.
• Economic: Raises public revenue (over $100 billion globally in 2024).
• Social: Funds adaptation, green jobs, and energy transition in vulnerable sectors.
Trends in Carbon Pricing in 2025:
• Expansion of Instruments: The number of carbon pricing tools has increased from 5 in 2005 to 80 in 2025, comprising 43 carbon taxes and 37 ETSs.
• Coverage Growth: Carbon pricing now covers ~28% of global GHG emissions, up from earlier years.
• Regional Adoption Rising: India, Brazil, and Türkiye are developing domestic carbon pricing frameworks.
• India’s ETS Framework: India’s upcoming ETS (2024) uses benchmark-based intensity limits rather than a hard emission cap.
• Revenue Mobilization: Globally, carbon pricing generated $100+ billion in public revenues.
• Sectoral Application Hierarchy: Power sector has the highest coverage, followed by industry and aviation, with agriculture and waste largely uncovered.
• Nature-Based Credit Dominance: In Q1–Q3 2024, $14 billion was raised mainly through afforestation and land restoration projects.
• Growth in Engineered Removals: Technologies like Direct Air Capture and Enhanced Rock Weathering are gaining interest.
• Delivery Lag in Engineered Removals: Out of 8 million tons committed, only 318,000 tons of engineered removals were delivered.
Challenges in Carbon Pricing Mechanism:
• Uneven Sectoral Inclusion: Sectors like agriculture and waste are mostly excluded from pricing frameworks.
• Volatility in Voluntary Markets: Voluntary carbon credit markets showed demand fluctuations in 2023, despite climate urgency.
• Delivery Deficit in Removal Projects: There’s a major gap between commitments and actual carbon removals delivered.
E.g. Technologies like DAC are still in early stages and require scaling.
• Data and Monitoring Weaknesses: Developing nations lack strong MRV systems (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification).
• Equity and Social Burden: Carbon costs may indirectly affect poor households through higher fuel or utility prices.
Recommendations:
• Broaden Sector Coverage: Bring agriculture and waste into the pricing framework using context-specific methods.
• Strengthen Monitoring Systems: Use blockchain or satellite verification to improve transparency and credit reliability.
• Stabilize Voluntary Markets: Standardize rules across crediting bodies like Verra and Gold Standard.
• Scale Direct Removals: Public-private partnerships needed for tech-based removals like Direct Air Capture.
• Leverage Revenue for Justice: Reinvest carbon pricing revenues into clean energy subsidies, health care, and vulnerable group protection.
Conclusion:
The 2025 carbon pricing report marks significant global progress but highlights glaring implementation and equity gaps. As climate threats intensify, robust pricing backed by transparent governance and inclusive policies will be key to a just transition.
• The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (2023)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 June 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
India Aviation Sector
Context: A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashed in Gujarat, killing 242 people, despite India’s recent leap in aviation safety rankings (48th in 2022, up from 102nd in 2018).
About India Aviation Sector:
• Third-largest domestic aviation market globally (after USA and China), with total air passengers reaching 37.6 crore in FY24 (15% YoY growth).
• Operational airports increased from 74 (2014) to 157 (2024) and goal of 350–400 airports by 2047.
• UDAN Scheme (2016) improved air connectivity in Tier 2/3 cities and 583 routes, 86 airports, 2.8 lakh flights, and 1.43 crore passengers served under it.
• Women pilots at 15% in India, much above global average of 5%.
• Carbon neutrality efforts: Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru airports awarded ACI Level 4+ accreditation.
• Aviation safety ranking improved: From 102 (2018) to 48 (2022) in ICAO’s Effective Implementation (EI) audit with an 85.49% score, above China, Israel, Turkey.
Relevance in UPSC Exam:
• GS Paper 3 – Infrastructure: Includes airports and civil aviation as core to economic development and regional connectivity.
• GS Paper 2 – Governance: Policy schemes like UDAN and disaster response frameworks (e.g., AAIB crash investigation) link governance to service delivery.
NOTE: These are positive arguments for the aviation sector in India. This is a probable question for Mains 2025 due to the unfortunate Ahmedabad air crash. We will soon cover the overall issues in the aviation sector in the coming days. For now, please note down these important data points.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 June Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
Source: TOI
Context: A tragic Air India aircraft crash near Ahmedabad airport has prompted the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to launch a formal probe, following global ICAO standards.
About Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB):
• What is AAIB? A statutory investigative body responsible for probing aircraft accidents and serious incidents in Indian airspace.
• A statutory investigative body responsible for probing aircraft accidents and serious incidents in Indian airspace.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation
• Established: 30 July 2012
• Legal Basis: Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017
• Global Linkage: Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention (1944) under ICAO
• Mandate and Jurisdiction: Investigates accidents/serious incidents involving: Aircraft with AUW > 2,250 kg All turbojet aircraft May investigate smaller aircraft cases if necessary for public safety.
• Investigates accidents/serious incidents involving: Aircraft with AUW > 2,250 kg All turbojet aircraft
• Aircraft with AUW > 2,250 kg
• All turbojet aircraft
• May investigate smaller aircraft cases if necessary for public safety.
• Core Functions: Investigation & Classification: Categorises aviation occurrences into accidents, serious incidents, and incidents. Final Reports: Prepares public reports after DG’s approval; forwarded to ICAO and affected States. Safety Recommendations: Sent to DGCA or foreign regulators for policy-level implementation. Safety Studies: Analyzes systemic aviation risks and recommends long-term reforms. Legal Support: Assists courts and assessors as per Rule 12 of 2017 Rules.
• Investigation & Classification: Categorises aviation occurrences into accidents, serious incidents, and incidents.
• Final Reports: Prepares public reports after DG’s approval; forwarded to ICAO and affected States.
• Safety Recommendations: Sent to DGCA or foreign regulators for policy-level implementation.
• Safety Studies: Analyzes systemic aviation risks and recommends long-term reforms.
• Legal Support: Assists courts and assessors as per Rule 12 of 2017 Rules.
Gyan Post Service
Source: News on Air
Context: India Post launched the ‘Gyan Post’ service to deliver educational books and socio-cultural literature at affordable rates across India.
• The initiative supports the vision of ‘Har Ghar Gyan, Har Sapne Ko Udaan’.
About Gyan Post Service:
• What is Gyan Post? Gyan Post is a postal delivery service introduced by the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications to deliver non-commercial educational and socio-cultural material at subsidized rates.
• Gyan Post is a postal delivery service introduced by the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications to deliver non-commercial educational and socio-cultural material at subsidized rates.
• Objectives:
• Promote inclusive access to educational content across rural and urban India. Support students and competitive exam aspirants by ensuring low-cost, last-mile connectivity. Encourage dissemination of cultural and religious literature aligned with Indian laws.
• Promote inclusive access to educational content across rural and urban India.
• Support students and competitive exam aspirants by ensuring low-cost, last-mile connectivity.
• Encourage dissemination of cultural and religious literature aligned with Indian laws.
• How It Works?
• Operates through surface transport (road or rail) to keep costs minimal. Parcels must be marked “Gyan Post” and are subject to inspection by postal officials. Items are booked at post office counters only (retail, not bulk). Tracking is enabled, with optional add-ons like Proof of Delivery and Insurance.
• Operates through surface transport (road or rail) to keep costs minimal.
• Parcels must be marked “Gyan Post” and are subject to inspection by postal officials.
• Items are booked at post office counters only (retail, not bulk).
• Tracking is enabled, with optional add-ons like Proof of Delivery and Insurance.
• Key Features:
• Only printed educational, social, religious, or cultural content is permitted. Magazines, advertisements, or commercial publications are excluded. Each book must carry the printer/publisher’s name and be free of promotional content. Packaging must allow for easy inspection (unsealed envelopes or open wrapping). No personal communication or handwritten letters are allowed inside.
• Only printed educational, social, religious, or cultural content is permitted.
• Magazines, advertisements, or commercial publications are excluded.
• Each book must carry the printer/publisher’s name and be free of promotional content.
• Packaging must allow for easy inspection (unsealed envelopes or open wrapping).
• No personal communication or handwritten letters are allowed inside.
• Eligibility Criteria:
• Materials must be from recognized boards, universities, or statutory institutions. Content should be legally compliant and used for academic or cultural purposes only. Sender must mention the receiver’s and sender’s full address with PIN codes. Books should not be periodically issued like journals or weeklies.
• Materials must be from recognized boards, universities, or statutory institutions.
• Content should be legally compliant and used for academic or cultural purposes only.
• Sender must mention the receiver’s and sender’s full address with PIN codes.
• Books should not be periodically issued like journals or weeklies.
• Weight & Dimension Limits:
• Minimum Weight: 300 grams Maximum Weight: 5 kilograms Allowed in both roll and non-roll formats within defined dimension tolerances.
• Minimum Weight: 300 grams
• Maximum Weight: 5 kilograms
• Allowed in both roll and non-roll formats within defined dimension tolerances.
• Pricing: The pricing structure used in Gyan Post is called a slab-based pricing model or weight-based tiered pricing.
AviList
Source: DTE
Context: The world’s first unified global checklist of bird species, called AviList, was officially launched, standardizing bird taxonomy across international conservation, research, and biodiversity platforms.
About AviList:
• What is AviList? AviList is a comprehensive global bird species checklist, developed to harmonize scientific naming and classification of birds worldwide. It is designed to replace earlier inconsistent systems and streamline avian taxonomy for global conservation and research.
• AviList is a comprehensive global bird species checklist, developed to harmonize scientific naming and classification of birds worldwide. It is designed to replace earlier inconsistent systems and streamline avian taxonomy for global conservation and research.
• Developed By: AviList was created by the Working Group on Avian Checklists, under the International Ornithologists’ Union. It involved four years of detailed analysis and consensus-building among experts.
• AviList was created by the Working Group on Avian Checklists, under the International Ornithologists’ Union.
• It involved four years of detailed analysis and consensus-building among experts.
• Organizations Involved: BirdLife International, International Ornithologists’ Union and others.
• Objectives: Standardize global bird taxonomy using the integrative species concept. Support conservation by offering a common language for laws, treaties, and biodiversity planning. Facilitate collaboration among birdwatchers, researchers, and policymakers globally. Eliminate confusion caused by multiple competing checklists.
• Standardize global bird taxonomy using the integrative species concept.
• Support conservation by offering a common language for laws, treaties, and biodiversity planning.
• Facilitate collaboration among birdwatchers, researchers, and policymakers globally.
• Eliminate confusion caused by multiple competing checklists.
• Key Features: Integrative Species Concept: Considers morphology, genetics, ecology, reproductive isolation, and biogeography. Annual Updates: Checklist will be revised annually to incorporate new research and evolutionary insights. Consensus-Driven: Final decisions are made by voting within the core group of taxonomists. Versatile Utility: Beneficial for ornithologists, conservationists, governments, educators, and citizen scientists.
• Integrative Species Concept: Considers morphology, genetics, ecology, reproductive isolation, and biogeography.
• Annual Updates: Checklist will be revised annually to incorporate new research and evolutionary insights.
• Consensus-Driven: Final decisions are made by voting within the core group of taxonomists.
• Versatile Utility: Beneficial for ornithologists, conservationists, governments, educators, and citizen scientists.
• Benefits for Conservation and Research: Enables accurate resource allocation for species protection. Reduces taxonomic mismatch across agencies and treaties. Provides a stable baseline for biodiversity monitoring and habitat studies.
• Enables accurate resource allocation for species protection.
• Reduces taxonomic mismatch across agencies and treaties.
• Provides a stable baseline for biodiversity monitoring and habitat studies.
Global Gender Gap Report 2025
Source: LM
Context: India slipped to 131st position out of 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report 2025, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), highlighting persistent challenges in gender equality.
About Global Gender Gap Report 2025:
• What It Is? An annual report that benchmarks gender parity across countries, helping track progress toward closing gender gaps.
• An annual report that benchmarks gender parity across countries, helping track progress toward closing gender gaps.
• Published By: World Economic Forum (WEF)
• Assessment Criteria: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
• Features:
• 19th edition covering 148 economies Global gender gap closed to 68.8%, but full parity still 123 years away Aims to inform policy by highlighting both progress and setbacks Uses a parity score (0–100%) to reflect gender equality across sectors
• 19th edition covering 148 economies
• Global gender gap closed to 68.8%, but full parity still 123 years away
• Aims to inform policy by highlighting both progress and setbacks
• Uses a parity score (0–100%) to reflect gender equality across sectors
About India’s Status in Global Gender Gap Report 2025:
• Current Rank:
• 131st out of 148 countries (slipped from 129th in 2024) Parity Score: 64.1% (among the lowest in South Asia)
• 131st out of 148 countries (slipped from 129th in 2024)
• Parity Score: 64.1% (among the lowest in South Asia)
• Positives:
• Economic Participation improved by 0.9 points to 40.7%, with earned income parity rising to 29.9% Educational Attainment score reached 97.1%, driven by improved female literacy and tertiary enrolment Health and Survival showed gains due to better sex ratio at birth and healthy life expectancy
• Economic Participation improved by 0.9 points to 40.7%, with earned income parity rising to 29.9%
• Educational Attainment score reached 97.1%, driven by improved female literacy and tertiary enrolment
• Health and Survival showed gains due to better sex ratio at birth and healthy life expectancy
• Negatives:
• Political Empowerment fell for the second consecutive year Female MPs dropped from 14.7% to 13.8% Women ministers fell from 6.5% to 5.6% Overall gender parity worsened, with declining representation in public leadership roles
• Political Empowerment fell for the second consecutive year Female MPs dropped from 14.7% to 13.8% Women ministers fell from 6.5% to 5.6%
• Female MPs dropped from 14.7% to 13.8%
• Women ministers fell from 6.5% to 5.6%
• Overall gender parity worsened, with declining representation in public leadership roles
• Regional Comparison:
• Bangladesh: Best in South Asia, ranked 24th globally Other Neighbours: Nepal (125), Sri Lanka (130), Bhutan (119), Maldives (138), Pakistan (148 – last)
• Bangladesh: Best in South Asia, ranked 24th globally
• Other Neighbours: Nepal (125), Sri Lanka (130), Bhutan (119), Maldives (138), Pakistan (148 – last)
Totapuri Mangoes
Source: DH
Context: Andhra Pradesh banned the entry of Totapuri mangoes from Karnataka into Chittoor district, sparking a cross-border trade dispute over mango pricing and market access.
About Totapuri Mangoes:
• A prominent juicy mango cultivar known for its elongated shape and parrot beak-like tip.
• Commonly used in juice and pulp extraction, especially by food and beverage industries.
• Indigenous to South India and also known as Ginimoothi, Sandersha, Banglora.
• Ideal Growth Conditions: Thrives in tropical climates with warm temperatures and dry summers. Requires moderate rainfall and well-drained loamy soil.
• Thrives in tropical climates with warm temperatures and dry summers.
• Requires moderate rainfall and well-drained loamy soil.
• Major Cultivation Regions: Widely grown in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Particularly cultivated in Chittoor, Kolar, Ramanagara, and parts of Bengaluru Rural.
• Widely grown in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
• Particularly cultivated in Chittoor, Kolar, Ramanagara, and parts of Bengaluru Rural.
• Key Features: Medium-sized fruit with greenish-yellow skin. Skin has minimal bitterness, making it edible with the pulp. Highly preferred for industrial pulp processing due to yield and quality.
• Medium-sized fruit with greenish-yellow skin.
• Skin has minimal bitterness, making it edible with the pulp.
• Highly preferred for industrial pulp processing due to yield and quality.
• Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh Mango Dispute: Chittoor District Collector banned Totapuri mangoes from entering from Karnataka. The price difference—₹8/kg in AP (with ₹4 state subsidy) vs ₹5–6/kg in Karnataka—led AP to fear market invasion by cheaper Karnataka mangoes, undercutting local farmers.
• Chittoor District Collector banned Totapuri mangoes from entering from Karnataka.
• The price difference—₹8/kg in AP (with ₹4 state subsidy) vs ₹5–6/kg in Karnataka—led AP to fear market invasion by cheaper Karnataka mangoes, undercutting local farmers.
• Can a State Impose Inter-State Trade Ban? No, as per Article 301 of the Indian Constitution, trade and commerce shall be free throughout the territory of India. Any restriction must meet reasonable justification under Article 304(b) and be passed by state legislature with Presidential assent.
• No, as per Article 301 of the Indian Constitution, trade and commerce shall be free throughout the territory of India.
• Any restriction must meet reasonable justification under Article 304(b) and be passed by state legislature with Presidential assent.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 June 2025 Place in News:
Lake Natron
Context: A recent surge in environmental attention has spotlighted Lake Natron in Tanzania, a hyper-alkaline lake capable of calcifying animals, as climate threats and proposed development projects endanger its fragile ecosystem.
About Lake Natron:
• What is Lake Natron? Lake Natron is a shallow salt and alkaline lake located in northern Tanzania, bordering Kenya in the Gregory Rift Valley, part of the East African Rift system.
• Lake Natron is a shallow salt and alkaline lake located in northern Tanzania, bordering Kenya in the Gregory Rift Valley, part of the East African Rift system.
• Location & Geography: Situated in Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region, Lies close to the Kenya-Tanzania border. Fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River from Kenya and mineral-rich hot springs. Recognized as a Ramsar wetland site of international importance.
• Situated in Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region,
• Lies close to the Kenya-Tanzania border.
• Fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River from Kenya and mineral-rich hot springs.
• Recognized as a Ramsar wetland site of international importance.
• Unique Features of Lake Natron: Extremely Alkaline Waters: pH levels can reach 5–12, nearly as corrosive as ammonia. Alkalinity results from sodium carbonate and trona deposits, originating from Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, the world’s only active carbonatite volcano. Calcification of Animals: High salt and soda concentrations dehydrate and preserve animals that fall into the lake. Optical illusions from the glassy surface cause birds to crash, leading to their calcification. Striking Red Color: Caused by halophilic microorganisms that thrive in hypersaline water. Flamingo Habitat: Only regular breeding site for Africa’s lesser flamingos. Flamingos feed on cyanobacteria and nest on isolated soda flats, avoiding predators. Threats to Lake Natron Ecosystem: Climate Change: Increased evaporation and erratic rainfall patterns (only 800 mm/year). Development Projects: Industrial plans may disrupt flamingo breeding and increase pollution. Agricultural Runoff & Pollution: Affects water chemistry and ecosystem stability. Lack of Protection: Despite Ramsar status, enforcement remains weak.
• Extremely Alkaline Waters: pH levels can reach 5–12, nearly as corrosive as ammonia. Alkalinity results from sodium carbonate and trona deposits, originating from Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, the world’s only active carbonatite volcano.
• pH levels can reach 5–12, nearly as corrosive as ammonia.
• Alkalinity results from sodium carbonate and trona deposits, originating from Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, the world’s only active carbonatite volcano.
• Calcification of Animals: High salt and soda concentrations dehydrate and preserve animals that fall into the lake. Optical illusions from the glassy surface cause birds to crash, leading to their calcification.
• High salt and soda concentrations dehydrate and preserve animals that fall into the lake.
• Optical illusions from the glassy surface cause birds to crash, leading to their calcification.
• Striking Red Color: Caused by halophilic microorganisms that thrive in hypersaline water.
• Flamingo Habitat: Only regular breeding site for Africa’s lesser flamingos. Flamingos feed on cyanobacteria and nest on isolated soda flats, avoiding predators.
• Only regular breeding site for Africa’s lesser flamingos.
• Flamingos feed on cyanobacteria and nest on isolated soda flats, avoiding predators.
• Threats to Lake Natron Ecosystem: Climate Change: Increased evaporation and erratic rainfall patterns (only 800 mm/year). Development Projects: Industrial plans may disrupt flamingo breeding and increase pollution. Agricultural Runoff & Pollution: Affects water chemistry and ecosystem stability. Lack of Protection: Despite Ramsar status, enforcement remains weak.
• Climate Change: Increased evaporation and erratic rainfall patterns (only 800 mm/year).
• Development Projects: Industrial plans may disrupt flamingo breeding and increase pollution.
• Agricultural Runoff & Pollution: Affects water chemistry and ecosystem stability.
• Lack of Protection: Despite Ramsar status, enforcement remains weak.
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