UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 June 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 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 – 19 June (2025)
• Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 Report
Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 Report
GS Paper 3:
• Global Drought Outlook 2025
Global Drought Outlook 2025
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Sakura Science High School Programme 2025
Sakura Science High School Programme 2025
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Uranium Enrichment
Uranium Enrichment
• Gharial Conservation Programme
Gharial Conservation Programme
• New FASTag-Based Annual Pass
New FASTag-Based Annual Pass
• Fattah Hypersonic Missile
Fattah Hypersonic Missile
• Operation Sindhu
Operation Sindhu
• Major Initiatives Launched at UN Ocean Conference 2025
Major Initiatives Launched at UN Ocean Conference 2025
Mapping:
• Croatia
Croatia
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 June 2025
#### GS Paper 2:
Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 Report
Syllabus: Education
- •Source: TP*
Context: The Ministry of Education released the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 report for 2022-23 and 2023-24, ranking States/UTs on school education.
• Chandigarh topped the index while Meghalaya was at the bottom.
About Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 Report:
• What it is: An evidence-based assessment tool measuring the performance of school education across States/UTs.
• Launched in: 2017 and PGI 2.0 version aligned with NEP 2020 and SDGs.
• Published by: Ministry of Education, Govt of India.
• Domains Covered: 6 domains, 73 indicators — Learning Outcomes, Access, Infrastructure & Facilities, Equity, Governance Processes, and Teacher Education & Training.
• Grading Scale: Out of 1000 points, classified into 10 grades from Daksh (Top) to Akanshi-3 (Lowest).
Summary & Trends in Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 Report:
• Top Rank: Chandigarh scored 703 points, achieving Prachesta-1, reflecting its strong performance in governance and infrastructure.
• Lowest Rank: Meghalaya scored 417 points (Akanshi-3), indicating persistent challenges in access and learning outcomes.
• No State in Top 4 Bands: No State/UT reached Daksh (Top 951-1000) or Utkarsh bands, showing systemic gaps needing national-level reforms.
• Overall Progress: 24 States/UTs improved in 2023-24, though 12 recorded a decline, signalling uneven progress.
• Infrastructure Gains: Delhi, J&K, Telangana showed top progress in upgrading school infrastructure and learning environments.
• Learning Outcomes: No State reached Daksh in this domain; reflects the long-standing issue of poor learning levels in foundational literacy and numeracy.
• Equity: Gaps in educational outcomes between SC/ST and general category students have narrowed slightly but remain an area of concern.
• Access Improvements: Bihar and Telangana showed highest gains in increasing enrolment and retention, especially among disadvantaged groups.
Analysis of PGI 2.0 Report:
• Positive Trends: Wider Score Gains: 24 States/UTs improved scores in 2023-24, indicating systemic strengthening of school education post-pandemic disruptions. Access Excellence: Odisha achieved Daksh in Access, reflecting robust enrolment, retention, and efforts to minimise dropouts. Progressive Equity: PGI 2.0 shows gender parity improving across most States and gaps in enrolment and learning for SC/ST and minorities steadily narrowing. Infrastructure Upgradation: Delhi, J&K, Telangana demonstrated model progress in upgrading physical infrastructure (toilets, electricity, digital classrooms), vital for NEP 2020 goals. Access Improvements in Low Performers: Bihar, Telangana, Jharkhand moved up bands in Access, showing targeted interventions in under-served areas. Learning Outcomes Leadership: Chandigarh, Punjab, Puducherry ranked in higher bands of Learning Outcomes, highlighting that focused governance can yield quality improvements. Governance & Digital Monitoring: Progress seen in some UTs like Chandigarh in digitisation of school governance, UDISE+ adoption, transparent fund utilisation.
• Wider Score Gains: 24 States/UTs improved scores in 2023-24, indicating systemic strengthening of school education post-pandemic disruptions.
• Access Excellence: Odisha achieved Daksh in Access, reflecting robust enrolment, retention, and efforts to minimise dropouts.
• Progressive Equity: PGI 2.0 shows gender parity improving across most States and gaps in enrolment and learning for SC/ST and minorities steadily narrowing.
• Infrastructure Upgradation: Delhi, J&K, Telangana demonstrated model progress in upgrading physical infrastructure (toilets, electricity, digital classrooms), vital for NEP 2020 goals.
• Access Improvements in Low Performers: Bihar, Telangana, Jharkhand moved up bands in Access, showing targeted interventions in under-served areas.
• Learning Outcomes Leadership: Chandigarh, Punjab, Puducherry ranked in higher bands of Learning Outcomes, highlighting that focused governance can yield quality improvements.
• Governance & Digital Monitoring: Progress seen in some UTs like Chandigarh in digitisation of school governance, UDISE+ adoption, transparent fund utilisation.
• Negative Trends: No State in Top Bands: No State/UT reached Daksh or Utkarsh (761+ scores) — underscoring that quality of education lags behind infrastructure and access gains. Persistent Learning Gaps: Outcomes in NAS 2021 reveal low proficiency in foundational literacy & numeracy across most States — urgent challenge for NEP 2020. High Inter-State Variability: Score gap of ~286 points between Chandigarh (703) and Meghalaya (417) shows deep regional disparities in school education quality. Declining Performance in 12 States: Bihar, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andaman Nicobar, Ladakh among States where PGI scores fell — suggests weak post-pandemic recovery in some regions. Infrastructure Deficits in Aspirational States: Many low-performing States still report lack of functional toilets, boundary walls, libraries, labs — critical to both equity and learning.
• No State in Top Bands: No State/UT reached Daksh or Utkarsh (761+ scores) — underscoring that quality of education lags behind infrastructure and access gains.
• Persistent Learning Gaps: Outcomes in NAS 2021 reveal low proficiency in foundational literacy & numeracy across most States — urgent challenge for NEP 2020.
• High Inter-State Variability: Score gap of ~286 points between Chandigarh (703) and Meghalaya (417) shows deep regional disparities in school education quality.
• Declining Performance in 12 States: Bihar, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andaman Nicobar, Ladakh among States where PGI scores fell — suggests weak post-pandemic recovery in some regions.
• Infrastructure Deficits in Aspirational States: Many low-performing States still report lack of functional toilets, boundary walls, libraries, labs — critical to both equity and learning.
Way Ahead:
• Address Learning Gaps: Urgent need to improve Learning Outcomes — foundational literacy & numeracy as per NEP 2020 goals.
• Accelerate Access: Sustain progress on Access and focus on retaining vulnerable and marginalised children.
• Strengthen Governance: Enhance monitoring & governance capacity to ensure effective policy implementation.
• Improve Infrastructure: Priority to upgrade labs, libraries, toilets, digital classrooms across low-performing States.
• Build Equity: Continue efforts on gender, caste, and rural-urban equity to ensure inclusive quality education.
Conclusion:
PGI 2.0 is a robust benchmarking tool aligned with NEP 2020. While progress is evident, India must intensify efforts to address learning gaps, governance bottlenecks, and infrastructure inequalities to meet SDG 4 by 2030
• Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. (2023)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 June 2025 GS Paper 3:
Global Drought Outlook 2025
Syllabus: Disaster & Agriculture
Source: OECD
Context: The OECD released its latest report “Global Drought Outlook 2025” warning of worsening drought impacts globally, with 40% of the planet now experiencing more frequent and intense droughts
About Global Drought Outlook 2025:
• What it is: A global assessment of evolving drought trends, impacts, and adaptation policies.
• Published by: OECD — Global Drought Outlook: Trends, Impacts and Policies to Adapt to a Drier World, 2025.
What is Drought and Its Types:
• Definition: Drought is a hydrological imbalance — prolonged periods of “drier-than-normal” conditions affecting soil moisture, surface, and groundwater.
• Types of Droughts: Meteorological Drought: Occurs when an area receives significantly below-average rainfall, leading to prolonged dry conditions. Agricultural Drought: Results when soil moisture becomes insufficient to meet the needs of crops and vegetation, affecting yields. Hydrological Drought: Arises when rivers, lakes, and groundwater levels decline below normal, impacting water supply for ecosystems and human use.
• Meteorological Drought: Occurs when an area receives significantly below-average rainfall, leading to prolonged dry conditions.
• Agricultural Drought: Results when soil moisture becomes insufficient to meet the needs of crops and vegetation, affecting yields.
• Hydrological Drought: Arises when rivers, lakes, and groundwater levels decline below normal, impacting water supply for ecosystems and human use.
Trends in Drought Across the Globe:
• Affected Land: The share of global land exposed to drought has doubled since 1900, due to climate change and land use pressures.
• Current Impact: In 2023, nearly 48% of the world’s land area faced at least one month of extreme drought, severely straining ecosystems and communities.
• Regional Hotspots: Persistent and severe droughts are increasingly common in the Western United States, South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia.
• Water Resources: Around 62% of monitored aquifers show declining trends, with major rivers experiencing reduced flow, threatening water security.
• Future Projections: If global warming reaches +4°C, droughts could become 7 times more frequent and severe by 2100, posing systemic global risks.
Impact of Drought:
• Ecosystem: 37% of global soils show significant drying since 1980. Declining river flows, groundwater depletion.
• 37% of global soils show significant drying since 1980.
• Declining river flows, groundwater depletion.
• Economic: Drought costs rising 3–7.5% annually. Average drought today is twice as costly as in 2000; 35% cost increase projected by 2035. Agriculture hit worst — crop yields can fall 22% in dry years. Trade & Energy: 40% reduction in fluvial trade, 25% decline in hydropower in severe drought.
• Drought costs rising 3–7.5% annually.
• Average drought today is twice as costly as in 2000; 35% cost increase projected by 2035.
• Agriculture hit worst — crop yields can fall 22% in dry years.
• Trade & Energy: 40% reduction in fluvial trade, 25% decline in hydropower in severe drought.
• Social: 34% of disaster-related deaths are drought-driven (only 6% of disasters are droughts). Major driver of hunger, displacement, and migration in Sub-Saharan Africa. Political instability and social unrest linked to resource scarcity.
• 34% of disaster-related deaths are drought-driven (only 6% of disasters are droughts).
• Major driver of hunger, displacement, and migration in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Political instability and social unrest linked to resource scarcity.
Measures to Counter Drought:
• Integrated Water Resource Management: Efficient use, equitable allocation, restoring balance between withdrawal and renewal.
• Nature-based Solutions (NbS): Urban de-sealing, landscape restoration.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Drought-tolerant crops, efficient irrigation — can cut water use by up to 76%.
• Urban Planning: De-sealing cities restores aquifers (US examples show 780 mn m³/yr recovery).
• Early Warning Systems: Better monitoring, risk mapping.
• Policy Integration: Embedding climate adaptation into water policies and land-use planning.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Involving energy, transport, construction, health sectors.
• Investment Returns: Every dollar spent on drought resilience yields 2x–10x benefits.
Conclusion:
As climate change escalates, droughts are no longer isolated events but global systemic risks affecting water, food, energy, and human security. The OECD urges nations to adopt proactive, integrated strategies to build resilience. Timely investment and cross-sector action can secure sustainable water futures for coming generations
• Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expense, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National disaster management authority, discuss the mechanism for preparedness to deal with the El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India. (2014)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 June 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Sakura Science High School Programme 2025
Context: Secretary of School Education, flagged off 20 Indian students for the Sakura Science High School Programme 2025 in Japan, promoting scientific collaboration and cultural exchange.
About Sakura Science High School Programme 2025:
• What it is: A Japan-led initiative by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) since 2014, offering short-term exposure to cutting-edge science, technology, and culture for Asian students.
• Features: 20 Indian students (from Navodaya & govt. schools in A&N, Ladakh, NE states) + 2 supervisors selected. Focus on hands-on learning, lab visits, and tech demonstrations in Japan.
• 20 Indian students (from Navodaya & govt. schools in A&N, Ladakh, NE states) + 2 supervisors selected.
• Focus on hands-on learning, lab visits, and tech demonstrations in Japan.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• GS Paper 2: International Relations
• Educational Diplomacy: Boosts India-Japan ties via joint science and cultural exchanges. Soft Power: Builds people-to-people contact, aiding long-term partnerships.
• Educational Diplomacy: Boosts India-Japan ties via joint science and cultural exchanges.
• Soft Power: Builds people-to-people contact, aiding long-term partnerships.
• GS Paper 3: Science & Technology Promotion
• STEM Outreach: Sparks scientific curiosity and innovation in students. Global Practices: Connects students to Japan’s advanced tech ecosystem.
• STEM Outreach: Sparks scientific curiosity and innovation in students.
• Global Practices: Connects students to Japan’s advanced tech ecosystem.
• GS Paper 1 (Society)
• Educational Equity: Expands global exposure for students from remote areas. Cultural Exchange: Promotes intercultural understanding and global mindset.
• Educational Equity: Expands global exposure for students from remote areas.
• Cultural Exchange: Promotes intercultural understanding and global mindset.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 June 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
Uranium Enrichment
Source: DH
Context: Israel recently targeted Iran’s key nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan — sites central to uranium enrichment — raising fresh concerns about Iran’s potential nuclear weapons capability.
About Uranium Enrichment:
• What is Uranium Enrichment?
It is the process of increasing the concentration of Uranium-235 (U-235) isotope in natural uranium to enable sustained nuclear fission, used in both civilian reactors and nuclear weapons.
• Facility in News: Natanz and Fordo: Iran’s major uranium enrichment sites Isfahan: Site for uranium processing and raw material preparation
• Natanz and Fordo: Iran’s major uranium enrichment sites
• Isfahan: Site for uranium processing and raw material preparation
• What is an Isotope?
Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes. Their nuclear behaviour differs even if their chemical properties remain similar.
• Steps in Nuclear Enrichment:
• Conversion: Uranium ore is processed into uranium hexafluoride gas (UF₆), which can be efficiently used in centrifuges for isotope separation.
• Centrifugation: UF₆ gas is spun in ultra-fast centrifuges (~70,000 rpm); the heavier U-238 moves outward, while lighter U-235 concentrates near the centre.
• Cascade Process: Centrifuges are connected in series (cascade), where each stage gradually increases U-235 concentration through repeated separations.
• Product Use: Low Enriched Uranium (LEU): 3–5% U-235, used in civilian nuclear power reactors to generate electricity. Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU): ~90% U-235, used for compact, efficient nuclear weapons (weapons-grade uranium).
• Low Enriched Uranium (LEU): 3–5% U-235, used in civilian nuclear power reactors to generate electricity.
• Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU): ~90% U-235, used for compact, efficient nuclear weapons (weapons-grade uranium).
• Significance: Civilian Uses: Generates ~9% of global electricity; produces medical isotopes. Weapons Proliferation Risk: The same technology can be diverted for bomb-making. Geopolitical Impact: Higher enrichment levels (Iran currently at 60%) escalate tensions and fears of nuclear arms development.
• Civilian Uses: Generates ~9% of global electricity; produces medical isotopes.
• Weapons Proliferation Risk: The same technology can be diverted for bomb-making.
• Geopolitical Impact: Higher enrichment levels (Iran currently at 60%) escalate tensions and fears of nuclear arms development.
Gharial Conservation Programme
Source: TOI
Context: Etawah marked the 50th anniversary of its gharial conservation initiative on World Crocodile Day (June 17), celebrating five decades of protecting this ancient species along the Chambal River.
About Gharial Conservation Programme:
• What is it? A pioneering project aimed at conserving India’s endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), using captive breeding and ‘rear-and-release’ methods to boost wild populations.
• A pioneering project aimed at conserving India’s endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), using captive breeding and ‘rear-and-release’ methods to boost wild populations.
• Launched in: 1975
• Supported by: UNDP, FAO, Government of India
• State: Uttar Pradesh (Etawah district, Chambal River region)
• Launched By: Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh and Society for Conservation of Nature (SCON).
• Habitat:
• Primary Habitat: Chambal River (Uttar Pradesh) Ideal Conditions: Pristine, deep river stretches with minimal human disturbance Breeding Centre: Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre, Lucknow
• Primary Habitat: Chambal River (Uttar Pradesh)
• Ideal Conditions: Pristine, deep river stretches with minimal human disturbance
• Breeding Centre: Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre, Lucknow
• Objectives:
• Protect remaining gharial populations in natural habitats. Enhance population through captive breeding and staged release. Build awareness among local communities and involve them in conservation. Study habitat biology and gharial behaviour for scientific management. Develop sustainable coexistence with local fishing communities.
• Protect remaining gharial populations in natural habitats.
• Enhance population through captive breeding and staged release.
• Build awareness among local communities and involve them in conservation.
• Study habitat biology and gharial behaviour for scientific management.
• Develop sustainable coexistence with local fishing communities.
• Key Features:
• Egg Collection: Eggs gathered from natural nests along the Chambal River. Artificial Incubation: Controlled temperature and humidity ensure high hatch rates. Captive Rearing: Juveniles raised 3–5 years at Kukrail Centre to improve survival. Release Programme: Marked juveniles released in protected river stretches. Community Involvement: Fishermen and villagers engaged in conservation-friendly livelihoods.
• Egg Collection: Eggs gathered from natural nests along the Chambal River.
• Artificial Incubation: Controlled temperature and humidity ensure high hatch rates.
• Captive Rearing: Juveniles raised 3–5 years at Kukrail Centre to improve survival.
• Release Programme: Marked juveniles released in protected river stretches.
• Community Involvement: Fishermen and villagers engaged in conservation-friendly livelihoods.
New FASTag-Based Annual Pass
Source: HT
Context: Union Minister of Road Transportation announced that the new FASTag-based annual pass will roll out on August 15, offering smoother toll payments and reduced congestion for private vehicles on national highways.
About New FASTag-Based Annual Pass:
• What is FASTag? An electronic toll collection system that allows vehicles to pay highway tolls automatically using RFID-based technology, avoiding stops at toll booths.
• An electronic toll collection system that allows vehicles to pay highway tolls automatically using RFID-based technology, avoiding stops at toll booths.
• Launched in: Pilot in 2014 on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor
• Mandatory Since: February 15, 2021 for all four-wheelers
• Ministry Involved: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
• Implementing Agency: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
• Working Principle: FASTag is a RFID-enabled sticker fixed to a vehicle’s windshield. Linked to a prepaid wallet or bank account. Toll amount is auto-deducted as the vehicle passes a toll plaza.
• FASTag is a RFID-enabled sticker fixed to a vehicle’s windshield.
• Linked to a prepaid wallet or bank account.
• Toll amount is auto-deducted as the vehicle passes a toll plaza.
• Key Features of FASTag: Cashless & Contactless Tolling: Enables automatic toll payments through RFID scanning, eliminating the need for cash transactions or stopping at toll booths. Reduced Congestion & Fuel Savings: Speeds up vehicle movement at toll plazas, cutting idle time and reducing fuel wastage. Boosts Digital Transactions: Encourages a fully digital toll payment ecosystem, aligned with India’s Digital India vision. Vehicle-Specific & Non-Transferable: Each FASTag is uniquely linked to a particular vehicle and cannot be transferred or used across multiple vehicles. Multiple Channels for Purchase: FASTags are widely available via authorised banks, e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, and NHAI outlets, making it easy for users to obtain and recharge.
• Cashless & Contactless Tolling: Enables automatic toll payments through RFID scanning, eliminating the need for cash transactions or stopping at toll booths.
• Reduced Congestion & Fuel Savings: Speeds up vehicle movement at toll plazas, cutting idle time and reducing fuel wastage.
• Boosts Digital Transactions: Encourages a fully digital toll payment ecosystem, aligned with India’s Digital India vision.
• Vehicle-Specific & Non-Transferable: Each FASTag is uniquely linked to a particular vehicle and cannot be transferred or used across multiple vehicles.
• Multiple Channels for Purchase: FASTags are widely available via authorised banks, e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, and NHAI outlets, making it easy for users to obtain and recharge.
About FASTag-Based Annual Pass:
• What is it? A prepaid toll passes worth ₹3,000 for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans.
• A prepaid toll passes worth ₹3,000 for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans.
• Key Features: Validity: 1 year from activation or 200 highway trips, whichever is earlier. Activated via Rajmarg Yatra app and NHAI/MoRTH websites. Reduces toll payments in short stretches (within 60 km gaps between toll plazas). Lowers waiting time, congestion, and disputes at toll booths. Aims to simplify highway travel for frequent private vehicle users.
• Validity: 1 year from activation or 200 highway trips, whichever is earlier.
• Activated via Rajmarg Yatra app and NHAI/MoRTH websites.
• Reduces toll payments in short stretches (within 60 km gaps between toll plazas).
• Lowers waiting time, congestion, and disputes at toll booths.
• Aims to simplify highway travel for frequent private vehicle users.
Fattah Hypersonic Missile
Source: ITV
Context: Iran deployed its Fattah hypersonic missile during recent strikes on Israel, showcasing its ability to bypass even advanced defence systems like Iron Dome, raising global security concerns.
About Fattah Hypersonic Missile:
• What is it? Fattah is a medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile developed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designed to strike with precision and evade modern air defence systems.
• Fattah is a medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile developed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designed to strike with precision and evade modern air defence systems.
• Developed In: November 2022, commemorating Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam
• Inducted: 2023 into IRGC’s arsenal.
• Key Features of Fattah Missile: Speed: Hypersonic—travels at Mach 13 to Mach 15 (up to ~15,000 km/h) Range: 1,400 km, with future upgrades planned to 2,000 km Manoeuvrability: Can shift direction mid-flight (up/down/left/right) to evade interceptors Stealth: Generates a plasma shield that reduces radar detection and jams radio signals Deployment: Actively used in Iran’s 2025 strikes on Israel (Operation Honest Promise 3) Variants: Fattah-2 in development with extended range Other Global Hypersonic Missiles:
• Speed: Hypersonic—travels at Mach 13 to Mach 15 (up to ~15,000 km/h)
• Range: 1,400 km, with future upgrades planned to 2,000 km
• Manoeuvrability: Can shift direction mid-flight (up/down/left/right) to evade interceptors
• Stealth: Generates a plasma shield that reduces radar detection and jams radio signals
• Deployment: Actively used in Iran’s 2025 strikes on Israel (Operation Honest Promise 3)
• Variants: Fattah-2 in development with extended range
• Other Global Hypersonic Missiles:
Country | Hypersonic Missile Systems
Russia | Avangard, Kinzhal
China | DF-17
India | BrahMos-II (under development)
USA | AGM-183 ARRW (under testing)
North Korea | Hwasong-8
Iran | Fattah-1 (operational), Fattah-2 (developing)
Operation Sindhu
Source: TOI
Context: The first flight under Operation Sindhu carrying 110 Indian students evacuated from Iran amid the escalating Iran-Israel conflict landed safely in New Delhi.
About Operation Sindhu:
• What it is? Operation Sindhu is a government-led evacuation mission to safely bring back Indian nationals trapped in conflict-affected regions of Iran.
• Operation Sindhu is a government-led evacuation mission to safely bring back Indian nationals trapped in conflict-affected regions of Iran.
• Launched By: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India Supported by Indian Embassies in Iran and Armenia
• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India
• Supported by Indian Embassies in Iran and Armenia
• Objectives: To ensure the safe evacuation of Indian citizens, especially students, from war-affected regions of Iran. To coordinate safe passage via Armenia due to volatile conditions inside Iran.
• To ensure the safe evacuation of Indian citizens, especially students, from war-affected regions of Iran.
• To coordinate safe passage via Armenia due to volatile conditions inside Iran.
• Key Features: Evacuation Route: From northern Iran to Yerevan, Armenia to New Delhi. Priority: Continuous monitoring by Indian Embassy and active coordination with host governments. Control Room: 24/7 MEA Control Room established in New Delhi for assistance.
• Evacuation Route: From northern Iran to Yerevan, Armenia to New Delhi.
• Priority: Continuous monitoring by Indian Embassy and active coordination with host governments.
• Control Room: 24/7 MEA Control Room established in New Delhi for assistance.
Major Air Evacuation Missions by India:
Mission Name | Aim
Vande Bharat Mission | Evacuation of Indians stranded abroad during COVID-19 (2020)
Operation Devi Shakti | Evacuation from Afghanistan after Taliban takeover (2021)
Operation Ganga | Evacuation of Indians from Ukraine war zones (2022)
Operation Kaveri | Rescue of Indian citizens from Sudan conflict (2023)
Operation Ajay | Return of Indians from Israel during conflict (2023)
Operation Sindhu | Ongoing evacuation from war-hit Iran (2025)
Major Initiatives Launched at UN Ocean Conference 2025
Source: TH
Context: At the recently concluded 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, key global initiatives such as One Ocean Finance and the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean were launched to accelerate progress on SDG 14 — Life Below Water.
About Major Initiatives Launched at UN Ocean Conference 2025:
One Ocean Finance:
• What it is? A global finance initiative to mobilise billions in sustainable funding for blue economy sectors and ocean restoration.
• A global finance initiative to mobilise billions in sustainable funding for blue economy sectors and ocean restoration.
• Objective: To unlock new capital flows for industry transition, improve ocean health, and build resilient coastal communities.
• Launched by: A UN multi-agency coalition.
• Nations Involved: Open call for engagement not limited to formal member states.
• Key Features: Designed as an inclusive, agile, scalable financing platform. Seeks to address the underfunding of SDG 14 (less than $10 billion vs $175 billion needed annually). Aims to channel funds through blended finance instruments to de-risk investments. Complements existing funds, aligns capital with marine ecosystem protection and community resilience.
• Designed as an inclusive, agile, scalable financing platform.
• Seeks to address the underfunding of SDG 14 (less than $10 billion vs $175 billion needed annually).
• Aims to channel funds through blended finance instruments to de-risk investments.
• Complements existing funds, aligns capital with marine ecosystem protection and community resilience.
High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean:
• What it is? A coalition of nations committed to reducing marine noise pollution and its harmful impacts on marine biodiversity.
• A coalition of nations committed to reducing marine noise pollution and its harmful impacts on marine biodiversity.
• Objective: To tackle underwater noise pollution and enhance ecosystem resilience in global oceans.
• Launched by: Canada and Panama. Supported by 35 other nations.
• Supported by 35 other nations.
• Key Features: Focuses on policy interventions to reduce human-generated noise in oceans. Promotes global cooperation to safeguard marine life from the growing impact of industrial activity. Builds on scientific recommendations from One Ocean Science Congress.
• Focuses on policy interventions to reduce human-generated noise in oceans.
• Promotes global cooperation to safeguard marine life from the growing impact of industrial activity.
• Builds on scientific recommendations from One Ocean Science Congress.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 June 2025 Place in News:
Croatia
Source: TW
Context: Prime Minister of India reached Croatia, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country, as part of his 3-nation tour after attending the G7 Summit in Canada.
About Croatia:
• Location: Croatia is situated at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe. It lies along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, giving it strategic maritime access to southern Europe and the
• Croatia is situated at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe. It lies along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, giving it strategic maritime access to southern Europe and the
• Capital: The capital city is Zagreb.
• Neighbouring Nations: Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Italy.
• Geological Features: Rivers: Sava River: Flows past Zagreb, borders Bosnia and Herzegovina. Drava River: Borders Hungary, joins Danube. Kupa & Una Rivers: Tributaries to the Sava. Krka & Cetina Rivers: Flow into Adriatic, key for hydroelectricity. Valleys: Pannonian Plains: Rich agricultural land. Zagorje Hills: Vineyards and orchards north of Zagreb. Mountains: Dinaric Alps: Stretch from Dalmatian coast inland. Dinara Peak: Highest mountain at 1,831 m. India-Croatia Relations: Diplomatic Ties: Established in 1992, after Croatia’s independence from Yugoslavia. Political Engagement: Regular bilateral visits and Prime Minister 2025 visit marks the first-ever by an Indian PM. Economic Links: Trade in pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, chemicals; growing cooperation in IT, shipbuilding, and renewable energy.
• Rivers: Sava River: Flows past Zagreb, borders Bosnia and Herzegovina. Drava River: Borders Hungary, joins Danube. Kupa & Una Rivers: Tributaries to the Sava. Krka & Cetina Rivers: Flow into Adriatic, key for hydroelectricity.
• Sava River: Flows past Zagreb, borders Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Drava River: Borders Hungary, joins Danube.
• Kupa & Una Rivers: Tributaries to the Sava.
• Krka & Cetina Rivers: Flow into Adriatic, key for hydroelectricity.
• Valleys: Pannonian Plains: Rich agricultural land. Zagorje Hills: Vineyards and orchards north of Zagreb.
• Pannonian Plains: Rich agricultural land.
• Zagorje Hills: Vineyards and orchards north of Zagreb.
• Mountains: Dinaric Alps: Stretch from Dalmatian coast inland. Dinara Peak: Highest mountain at 1,831 m.
• Dinaric Alps: Stretch from Dalmatian coast inland.
• Dinara Peak: Highest mountain at 1,831 m.
• India-Croatia Relations: Diplomatic Ties: Established in 1992, after Croatia’s independence from Yugoslavia. Political Engagement: Regular bilateral visits and Prime Minister 2025 visit marks the first-ever by an Indian PM. Economic Links: Trade in pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, chemicals; growing cooperation in IT, shipbuilding, and renewable energy.
• Diplomatic Ties: Established in 1992, after Croatia’s independence from Yugoslavia.
• Political Engagement: Regular bilateral visits and Prime Minister 2025 visit marks the first-ever by an Indian PM.
• Economic Links: Trade in pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, chemicals; growing cooperation in IT, shipbuilding, and renewable energy.
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Official Facebook Page HERE
Twitter Account HERE
Instagram Account HERE
LinkedIn: HERE