UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 June 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 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 3 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 June (2025)
• World Investment Report 2025
World Investment Report 2025
GS Paper 4:
• Ethical debate on Self-Defence
Ethical debate on Self-Defence
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Panch Parivartan Strategy to Transform Indian Education
Panch Parivartan Strategy to Transform Indian Education
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access
Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access
• IPPB Received the Prestigious Digital Payments Award
IPPB Received the Prestigious Digital Payments Award
• Samson Option
Samson Option
• India’s New Solar-Powered Device for Affordable Green Hydrogen Production
India’s New Solar-Powered Device for Affordable Green Hydrogen Production
• SSLV Technology Transfer
SSLV Technology Transfer
• Ghumot
Ghumot
Mapping:
• Fordow Nuclear Facility
Fordow Nuclear Facility
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 June 2025
#### GS Paper 3:
World Investment Report 2025
Syllabus: Investments
Source: UNCTAD
Context: The World Investment Report 2025, released recently by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), highlights critical trends in global foreign direct investment (FDI).
About World Investment Report 2025:
• What It Is? An annual report analyzing global trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) and international production.
• An annual report analyzing global trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) and international production.
• Published By: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
• Objective: To monitor global FDI trends. To guide policymakers and investors on sustainable development investments. To support progress on the SDGs and Global Digital Compact by highlighting investment patterns in emerging sectors like the digital economy.
• To monitor global FDI trends.
• To guide policymakers and investors on sustainable development investments.
• To support progress on the SDGs and Global Digital Compact by highlighting investment patterns in emerging sectors like the digital economy.
Summary of World Investment Report 2025:
• Global FDI Decline: FDI fell 11% in 2024, reaching $1.5 trillion—second consecutive year of decline.
• Digital Economy Outpaces: Digital sectors saw a doubling in project values, becoming the primary FDI growth engine.
• SDG Investment Crisis: Investment in SDG sectors (renewable energy, water, sanitation) fell by 25–33%.
• Developing Countries Uneven Gains: Africa (+75%), ASEAN (+10%) saw FDI growth; China (-29%), South America (-18%) experienced declines.
• Infrastructure Finance Collapse: International Project Finance (IPF) fell 26%, worsening the infrastructure investment gap.
• Rise in Geopolitical Risks: Trade tensions and tariff wars are reshaping global FDI flows.
• Shift to Near-shoring: MNEs increasingly favour domestic and regional investments due to supply chain disruptions.
• Positive Digital Trends: FDI in AI, data centres, and semiconductor sectors continues to surge
Analysis of Trends:
Positive Trends:
• Digital sector growth: Surge in FDI for AI, cloud computing, data centres, and digital platforms reflects the shift towards a global digital economy. Investors are prioritizing high-growth tech sectors amid global digital transformation.
• Africa’s record FDI: Africa saw a 75% rise in FDI, led by Egypt’s $35B megaproject, signaling rising investor confidence in African markets despite global uncertainty.
• Resilient FDI in ASEAN: ASEAN and India attracted steady FDI in manufacturing, EVs, and digital services, driven by global supply chain realignment and strong domestic demand.
Negative Trends:
• Declining SDG Investments: Investment in renewable energy, water, sanitation, and agrifood sectors fell by up to 33%, undermining efforts to meet SDG targets.
• IPF collapse: International Project Finance (IPF) funding for large infrastructure fell by 26%, severely affecting LDCs that rely heavily on such financing for development.
• Geopolitical fragmentation: Trade wars, tariff hikes, and political instability are fragmenting global FDI flows, pushing MNEs to regionalize investments and avoid cross-border risks.
• China slowdown: FDI inflows and outflows for China dropped sharply (-29% inflows), reflecting global supply chain tensions and rising geopolitical risk around Chinese markets
India and Investment:
• India retained its position among top FDI destinations—$28 billion inflows in 2024.
• Strong growth in semiconductors, EV components, and digital infrastructure projects.
• India among top 5 global hubs for greenfield projects—benefiting from global supply chain shifts.
• Indian investors also climbed in FDI outflows, with a 20% increase in greenfield announcements.
Measures Recommended:
• Boost digital infrastructure: Increase public-private investment in broadband and data centres.
• Strengthen SDG financing: Leverage development banks and sovereign funds to fill sustainability investment gaps.
• Policy alignment: Integrate digital strategies with national industrial and sustainability agendas.
• De-risk private capital: Use blended finance to attract more capital into developing markets.
• Enhance IP frameworks: Improve global data governance and IP regulations to encourage innovation.
• Advance regional integration: Support regional trade agreements to buffer against global fragmentation.
Conclusion:
The World Investment Report 2025 signals deep shifts in global investment flows, with digital sectors booming while SDG sectors falter. For India, opportunities lie in positioning as a hub for digital and supply chain-linked investments. Globally, stronger collaboration and innovative financing are essential to make future investments more inclusive and sustainable.
• “Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.” Discuss in the light of India’s experience. (2021)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 June 2025 GS Paper 4:
Ethical debate on Self-Defence
Syllabus: Applied Ethics
Source: AN
Context: Israel’s recent pre-emptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, citing “self-defence,” ahead of scheduled US-Iran talks, have reignited the global debate on the ethical and legal boundaries of self-defence in international relations.
About Ethical debate on Self-Defence:
• Self-defence is the use of force by a state or individual to repel an imminent threat to life or sovereignty.
Ethical Dilemmas in Self-Defence:
• Imminent threat vs uncertainty: Acting in self-defence often involves incomplete intelligence, making it ethically complex to determine the right timing for intervention.
• National interest vs global stability: A state may protect its own citizens through pre-emptive force, but such actions risk undermining international peace and collective security frameworks.
• Self-defence vs civilian harm: Even justified defensive actions can lead to civilian casualties, raising ethical questions about proportionality and the moral limits of collateral damage.
• Legal frameworks vs emerging threats: In the face of cyber or asymmetric threats, states may act without clear legal sanction, creating dilemmas between respecting legal norms and ensuring moral responsibility.
• Short-term prevention vs long-term escalation: Immediate self-defence may deter threats but can also provoke retaliation, escalating conflict instead of promoting lasting peace.
Ethical Ground Behind Self-Defence in International Relations:
• Sovereignty protection: States have an inherent ethical right to protect territorial integrity and civilian life.
• Just War Doctrine: Proportionality and necessity must guide defensive actions—not unchecked military power.
• UN Charter Article 51: Codifies the right to self-defence until the UN Security Council intervenes.
• Civilian safeguarding: Democracies argue they hold an ethical duty to shield civilians from existential threats.
• Moral legitimacy: For a defensive strike to be ethical, it must have global legitimacy and legal backing.
Ethical Challenges to Self-Defence
• Ambiguity of imminence: Defining ‘imminent threat’ remains contentious—often misused to launch wars.
• Cycle of violence: Pre-emptive attacks risk triggering retaliatory spirals, worsening instability (e.g., Israel-Iran exchange).
• Civilian casualties: Collateral damage to non-combatants raises grave humanitarian and moral concerns.
• Dilution of norms: Frequent misuse erodes international legal norms around legitimate self-defence.
• Moral hazard: Over-reliance on pre-emptive self-defence sets a dangerous precedent for future conflicts.
Balancing Self-Defence with Ethics:
• Proportionality principle: Use only the minimum necessary force to neutralize the threat.
• Necessity test: All peaceful avenues must be attempted before military response.
• Transparency: States must provide clear, verifiable evidence of imminent threats to justify actions.
• Accountability: International law mechanisms should hold violators of the self-defence norm responsible.
• Moral restraint: Political leadership should uphold humanitarian values, protecting innocent civilians even in warfare.
Quotes:
• “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” — Sun Tzu
• “An eye for an eye ends up making the whole world blind.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Ethical Philosophers’ Theories:
• Michael Walzer — Just War Theory
Walzer argues that war is morally permissible only when it meets jus ad bellum (right to war — just cause, last resort, proportionality) and jus in bello (just conduct during war — discrimination, non-combatant immunity).
• Thomas Aquinas — Natural Law
Aquinas held that war must serve the common good, be waged by legitimate authority, and be driven by right intention — war for vengeance or greed is unethical.
Conclusion:
The doctrine of self-defence remains vital but must not become a cover for pre-emptive aggression. Ethical safeguards—proportionality, necessity, and respect for human rights—are crucial to ensure that self-defence in international relations serves justice, not power politics. The Israel-Iran episode underlines this urgent global imperative.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 June 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Panch Parivartan Strategy to Transform Indian Education
Context: Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan unveiled its Vision 2047 Panch Parivartan strategy to transform Indian education by 2047, focusing on cultural values, social equity, and self-reliance.
About Panch Parivartan Strategy to Transform Indian Education:
• What It Is? A 5-point roadmap launched by Vidya Bharati for reshaping Indian education through value-based, inclusive, and sustainable models by India’s centenary of independence.
• A 5-point roadmap launched by Vidya Bharati for reshaping Indian education through value-based, inclusive, and sustainable models by India’s centenary of independence.
• Five Key Strategies:
• Samajik Samrasata: Promotes social integration through inclusive education across castes, communities, and regions. Kutumb Prabodhan: Strengthens family values through cultural education, Matri-Pitri Pujan, and traditional family practices. Paryavaran Sanrakshan: Drives environmental stewardship — 5.2 lakh saplings planted, 3,400 green campuses, water conservation in 1,800+ schools. Swa (Self-Identity & Self-Reliance): Fosters youth empowerment via vocational training, ITIs, and rooted identity, reaching even remote areas like Kargil & Kiphire. Nari Samman: Promotes girls’ education, leadership, and self-defence, benefitting 14.4 lakh girls through dedicated programs.
• Samajik Samrasata: Promotes social integration through inclusive education across castes, communities, and regions.
• Kutumb Prabodhan: Strengthens family values through cultural education, Matri-Pitri Pujan, and traditional family practices.
• Paryavaran Sanrakshan: Drives environmental stewardship — 5.2 lakh saplings planted, 3,400 green campuses, water conservation in 1,800+ schools.
• Swa (Self-Identity & Self-Reliance): Fosters youth empowerment via vocational training, ITIs, and rooted identity, reaching even remote areas like Kargil & Kiphire.
• Nari Samman: Promotes girls’ education, leadership, and self-defence, benefitting 14.4 lakh girls through dedicated programs.
• Significance:
• Promotes holistic education blending modern skills (AI, robotics) with Bharatiya ethos (yoga, Sanskrit). Addresses social equity, environmental consciousness, gender dignity, and self-reliance — key elements of nation-building. Empowers youth for global competitiveness while staying rooted in Indian culture and traditions.
• Promotes holistic education blending modern skills (AI, robotics) with Bharatiya ethos (yoga, Sanskrit).
• Addresses social equity, environmental consciousness, gender dignity, and self-reliance — key elements of nation-building.
• Empowers youth for global competitiveness while staying rooted in Indian culture and traditions.
Relevance to UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• GS Paper 2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity): Education policy reforms, inclusive education, women and child empowerment, role of civil society in education delivery.
• GS Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude): Role of family and society in value education, moral and ethical development of children, cultural rootedness in character-building.
• Essay Paper: Themes of nation-building through education, balancing modernity with tradition, value-based learning for a harmonious society.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 June 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access
Source: PIB
Context: BSNL has soft-launched Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) in Hyderabad, India’s first fully indigenous, SIM-less 5G FWA service, delivering fibre-like speeds via 5G radio.
About Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access:
• What It Is? Quantum 5G FWA is a Fixed Wireless Access solution by BSNL that offers high-speed internet without physical fibre, using 5G radio waves and SIM-less architecture.
• Quantum 5G FWA is a Fixed Wireless Access solution by BSNL that offers high-speed internet without physical fibre, using 5G radio waves and SIM-less architecture.
• Launched By: Launched by
• How It Works? Direct-to-Device (D2D) platform replaces the need for physical SIM cards—devices connect automatically over 5G networks. Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) uses built-in authentication, enabling instant and seamless access to the internet. Operates entirely on an indigenous technology stack (core network, radio access network – RAN, and CPE) developed by Indian vendors under the Atmanirbhar Bharat No dependency on foreign components—fully controlled and operated within Indian digital infrastructure.
• Direct-to-Device (D2D) platform replaces the need for physical SIM cards—devices connect automatically over 5G networks.
• Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) uses built-in authentication, enabling instant and seamless access to the internet.
• Operates entirely on an indigenous technology stack (core network, radio access network – RAN, and CPE) developed by Indian vendors under the Atmanirbhar Bharat
• No dependency on foreign components—fully controlled and operated within Indian digital infrastructure.
• Key Features: SIM-less architecture: First-of-its-kind in India—removes physical SIM requirement for 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). Made-in-India tech stack: Designed and integrated by Indian engineers—core network, RAN, and devices all built domestically. High-speed performance: Achieves up to 980 Mbps download and 140 Mbps upload with latency below 10 milliseconds—supports bandwidth-heavy applications. Easy and rapid deployment: Plug-and-play CPE device—no trenching or laying of fibre cables needed; covers over 85% of Hyderabad households. Optimized for modern needs: Ideal for Ultra-HD video streaming, cloud-based gaming, remote working, and smart home devices.
• SIM-less architecture: First-of-its-kind in India—removes physical SIM requirement for 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).
• Made-in-India tech stack: Designed and integrated by Indian engineers—core network, RAN, and devices all built domestically.
• High-speed performance: Achieves up to 980 Mbps download and 140 Mbps upload with latency below 10 milliseconds—supports bandwidth-heavy applications.
• Easy and rapid deployment: Plug-and-play CPE device—no trenching or laying of fibre cables needed; covers over 85% of Hyderabad households.
• Optimized for modern needs: Ideal for Ultra-HD video streaming, cloud-based gaming, remote working, and smart home devices.
• Significance: Establishes BSNL as India’s first telecom operator offering indigenous, SIM-less 5G Fixed Wireless Access. Demonstrates India’s capabilities under Atmanirbhar Bharat in designing and deploying cutting-edge telecom infrastructure. Enables affordable gigabit-speed internet for both urban centres and underserved/rural regions, bridging the digital divide.
• Establishes BSNL as India’s first telecom operator offering indigenous, SIM-less 5G Fixed Wireless Access.
• Demonstrates India’s capabilities under Atmanirbhar Bharat in designing and deploying cutting-edge telecom infrastructure.
• Enables affordable gigabit-speed internet for both urban centres and underserved/rural regions, bridging the digital divide.
• Roadmap and Future Plans: Pilot cities: Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior, Chandigarh by September 2025.
• Pilot cities: Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior, Chandigarh by September 2025.
IPPB Received the Prestigious Digital Payments Award
Source: SS
Context: India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) received the prestigious Digital Payments Award 2024-25 from the Ministry of Finance for its remarkable role in advancing digital payments and financial inclusion across India.
About IPPB Received the prestigious Digital Payments Award:
• What is Digital Payment Award? An award instituted by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance to recognize outstanding efforts in promoting digital payment ecosystems across India.
• An award instituted by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance to recognize outstanding efforts in promoting digital payment ecosystems across India.
• Eligibility: Open to banks, payments banks, fintech companies, and other financial service providers demonstrating innovation and impact in digital payments.
• Key Features:
• Recognizes inclusive digital banking initiatives. Rewards entities that contribute to financial literacy, accessibility, and secure payments. Benchmarks entities on performance index, innovation, and outreach.
• Recognizes inclusive digital banking initiatives.
• Rewards entities that contribute to financial literacy, accessibility, and secure payments.
• Benchmarks entities on performance index, innovation, and outreach.
About India Post Payments Bank (IPPB):
• What It Is? IPPB is a payments bank fully owned by the Government of India, established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications.
• IPPB is a payments bank fully owned by the Government of India, established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications.
• Established On: 1st September 2018.
• Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Communications.
• Objectives:
• Drive financial inclusion at scale. Provide affordable, accessible, and trusted banking services to every citizen. Bridge the urban-rural divide in banking.
• Drive financial inclusion at scale.
• Provide affordable, accessible, and trusted banking services to every citizen.
• Bridge the urban-rural divide in banking.
• Key Functions:
• Offers paperless, cashless, presence-less banking via India Stack. Uses a robust doorstep banking model—over 2 lakh Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks deliver banking services to households. Provides multilingual digital interfaces in 13 languages. Facilitates services like money transfers, bill payments, digital savings, and financial literacy programs. Contributes to Digital India and a less-cash economy.
• Offers paperless, cashless, presence-less banking via India Stack.
• Uses a robust doorstep banking model—over 2 lakh Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks deliver banking services to households.
• Provides multilingual digital interfaces in 13 languages.
• Facilitates services like money transfers, bill payments, digital savings, and financial literacy programs.
• Contributes to Digital India and a less-cash economy.
Samson Option
Source: TN
Context: Israel’s controversial Samson Option nuclear doctrine is back in global focus amid escalating strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities during Operation Rising Lion.
About Samson Option:
• What It Is? A nuclear deterrence doctrine of massive retaliation by Israel, aimed at ensuring national survival in case of an existential threat.
• A nuclear deterrence doctrine of massive retaliation by Israel, aimed at ensuring national survival in case of an existential threat.
• Nation Involved: Israel (undeclared but presumed nuclear power).
• Objective: To signal that any attempt to annihilate Israel will trigger catastrophic nuclear retaliation, ensuring mutual destruction of the aggressor.
• Key Features Strategic ambiguity: Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its nuclear arsenal (estimated 80–400 warheads). Massive retaliation policy: Targets adversaries in case of existential threats—not for routine deterrence. Multi-platform capability: Includes land-based missiles, aircraft delivery, and sea-based systems. Psychological warfare: Designed more as a psychological deterrent than an operational war plan. Biblical symbolism: Named after Samson’s self-sacrificial act, underscoring Israel’s readiness for ultimate retaliation if cornered.
• Strategic ambiguity: Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its nuclear arsenal (estimated 80–400 warheads).
• Massive retaliation policy: Targets adversaries in case of existential threats—not for routine deterrence.
• Multi-platform capability: Includes land-based missiles, aircraft delivery, and sea-based systems.
• Psychological warfare: Designed more as a psychological deterrent than an operational war plan.
• Biblical symbolism: Named after Samson’s self-sacrificial act, underscoring Israel’s readiness for ultimate retaliation if cornered.
• Significance: Reinforces Israel’s strategic depth in a volatile region where it remains the only nuclear-armed state. Adds uncertainty in ongoing conflicts like the Iran-Israel standoff, Hezbollah’s mobilisation, and Red Sea tensions. Shapes regional military planning and arms procurement by adversaries and allies alike.
• Reinforces Israel’s strategic depth in a volatile region where it remains the only nuclear-armed state.
• Adds uncertainty in ongoing conflicts like the Iran-Israel standoff, Hezbollah’s mobilisation, and Red Sea tensions.
• Shapes regional military planning and arms procurement by adversaries and allies alike.
India’s New Solar-Powered Device for Affordable Green Hydrogen Production
Source: PIB
Context: Indian scientists at Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru have developed a scalable solar-driven device for affordable green hydrogen production — a potential game-changer for clean energy.
About Scalable Solar-Driven Device for Affordable Green Hydrogen Production:
• What Is the Innovation? Developed a next-gen device that splits water molecules to produce green hydrogen using only solar energy. Uses earth-abundant, low-cost materials, avoiding fossil fuels and rare expensive components. Employs silicon-based photoanode with advanced n-i-p heterojunction architecture.
• Developed a next-gen device that splits water molecules to produce green hydrogen using only solar energy.
• Uses earth-abundant, low-cost materials, avoiding fossil fuels and rare expensive components.
• Employs silicon-based photoanode with advanced n-i-p heterojunction architecture.
• Technical Highlights: Architecture: n-type TiO₂ / intrinsic Si / p-type NiO layers — enabling efficient charge separation & transport. Fabrication: Using magnetron sputtering, an industry-scalable technique. Achieved 600 mV surface photovoltage, low onset potential (11 VRHE). Demonstrated long-term stability – 10 hours continuous operation with <4% performance drop. Successfully scaled to 25 cm² photoanode size — effective for large-scale hydrogen production.
• Architecture: n-type TiO₂ / intrinsic Si / p-type NiO layers — enabling efficient charge separation & transport.
• Fabrication: Using magnetron sputtering, an industry-scalable technique.
• Achieved 600 mV surface photovoltage, low onset potential (11 VRHE).
• Demonstrated long-term stability – 10 hours continuous operation with <4% performance drop.
• Successfully scaled to 25 cm² photoanode size — effective for large-scale hydrogen production.
• Advantages of the Device: High efficiency conversion: Achieves superior solar-to-hydrogen conversion, maximizing energy output from sunlight. Purely solar-driven: Operates entirely on solar energy, eliminating the need for external power inputs or fossil fuels. Durable and stable: Maintains long-term stability even under alkaline conditions, essential for practical, continuous use. Cost-effective materials: Built with earth-abundant, low-cost materials, making large-scale production economically viable. Scalable design: Successfully demonstrated on a 25 cm² photoanode, proving feasibility for mass industrial adoption.
• High efficiency conversion: Achieves superior solar-to-hydrogen conversion, maximizing energy output from sunlight.
• Purely solar-driven: Operates entirely on solar energy, eliminating the need for external power inputs or fossil fuels.
• Durable and stable: Maintains long-term stability even under alkaline conditions, essential for practical, continuous use.
• Cost-effective materials: Built with earth-abundant, low-cost materials, making large-scale production economically viable.
• Scalable design: Successfully demonstrated on a 25 cm² photoanode, proving feasibility for mass industrial adoption.
• Significance: Decarbonizing industries: Enables green hydrogen production to reduce emissions in hard-to-abate industrial sectors. Advances India’s hydrogen mission: Aligns with India’s vision for a hydrogen-driven economy under its energy transition goals. Supports net-zero targets: Contributes to national and global net-zero emission commitments by offering a clean fuel alternative. Global energy transition: Facilitates a shift towards sustainable and renewable energy systems across sectors. Versatile applications: Powers future hydrogen-based solutions—from home energy storage to transport and industrial use.
• Decarbonizing industries: Enables green hydrogen production to reduce emissions in hard-to-abate industrial sectors.
• Advances India’s hydrogen mission: Aligns with India’s vision for a hydrogen-driven economy under its energy transition goals.
• Supports net-zero targets: Contributes to national and global net-zero emission commitments by offering a clean fuel alternative.
• Global energy transition: Facilitates a shift towards sustainable and renewable energy systems across sectors.
• Versatile applications: Powers future hydrogen-based solutions—from home energy storage to transport and industrial use.
SSLV Technology Transfer
Source: TOI
Context: For the first time, ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology will be fully transferred to an Indian firm — HAL, which will own, build, market, and operate the rocket.
About SSLV Technology Transfer:
• What It Is? Full Transfer of Technology (ToT) for ISRO’s SSLV, enabling an Indian firm to independently build and commercialize the rocket.
• Full Transfer of Technology (ToT) for ISRO’s SSLV, enabling an Indian firm to independently build and commercialize the rocket.
• Parties Involved: ISRO, IN-SPACe (space sector regulator), NSIL (commercial arm), HAL (recipient).
• Awarded By: IN-SPACe, after a two-stage national bidding process and HAL won with a ₹511 crore bid.
• Objective: Strengthen private participation in space, enable commercial launch services, reduce dependency on ISRO for small satellite launches.
• Features: HAL will own the SSLV and can modify its design. Full production capability — 6 to 10 rockets per year. Initial ToT period: 2 years with ISRO handholding. HAL will independently handle future launches post-ToT.
• HAL will own the SSLV and can modify its design.
• Full production capability — 6 to 10 rockets per year.
• Initial ToT period: 2 years with ISRO handholding.
• HAL will independently handle future launches post-ToT.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):
• What It Is? India’s largest aerospace and defence PSU — a pioneer in aircraft and aerospace systems.
• India’s largest aerospace and defence PSU — a pioneer in aircraft and aerospace systems.
• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Established: 23 December 1940, originally as Hindustan Aircraft Limited.
• Ministry: Under Ministry of Defence, Govt of India.
• Objective: Design, develop, manufacture, maintain aircraft, helicopters, engines, avionics, and space components.
• Key Features: 85+ years of contribution to India’s aerospace growth. First Indian firm to manufacture MiG-21, Jaguar, SU-30MKI, LCA Tejas. Active in space systems — supplies structures for GSLV Mk-III, Mars Mission, Human Spaceflight. Partner to ISRO for cryogenic engines & aerospace launch vehicle structures. Multiple divisions across India in aircraft, helicopters, avionics, composites, MRO, and space. Publicly listed on BSE and NSE since 2018.
• 85+ years of contribution to India’s aerospace growth.
• First Indian firm to manufacture MiG-21, Jaguar, SU-30MKI, LCA Tejas.
• Active in space systems — supplies structures for GSLV Mk-III, Mars Mission, Human Spaceflight.
• Partner to ISRO for cryogenic engines & aerospace launch vehicle structures.
• Multiple divisions across India in aircraft, helicopters, avionics, composites, MRO, and space.
• Publicly listed on BSE and NSE since 2018.
Ghumot
Source: DTE
Context: Goa’s traditional percussion instrument Ghumot is witnessing revival debates around heritage conservation and wildlife protection, after it was declared the State Heritage Instrument in 2019.
About Ghumot:
• What It Is?
• A traditional mud-based membranophone percussion instrument of Goa, crafted from clay with one side covered by animal skin.
• Origin: Migrated to Goa through tribal communities and early settlers and deeply embedded in oral histories.
• Types: Variants in size and form for children, women, amateurs, and professionals.
• Caste Associations: Historically crafted by tribal potters and played by both Hindu and Christian communities—showcasing Goa’s syncretic cultural ethos.
• How it is made? Clay Pot Shaping: Crafted from special refined clay; shaped as a pumpkin-like earthen pot in 3 parts and tapped to remove air bubbles. Firing: The pot is sun-dried and kiln-fired for durability and resonance. Membrane Preparation: Traditionally used monitor lizard skin (now banned) and replaced with goat, buffalo skin, or synthetic materials. Assembly & Tuning: Membrane is stretched, tied with coir rope, and tuned for the desired sound quality.
• Clay Pot Shaping: Crafted from special refined clay; shaped as a pumpkin-like earthen pot in 3 parts and tapped to remove air bubbles.
• Firing: The pot is sun-dried and kiln-fired for durability and resonance.
• Membrane Preparation: Traditionally used monitor lizard skin (now banned) and replaced with goat, buffalo skin, or synthetic materials.
• Assembly & Tuning: Membrane is stretched, tied with coir rope, and tuned for the desired sound quality.
• Features: Construction: Handmade clay pot (ghumat), tuned skin membrane (earlier monitor lizard skin, now goat or synthetic). Sound: Produces sharp, earthy beats integral to Goan folk music. Techniques: Requires skilled tapping to achieve perfect resonance—knowledge of rhythm crucial. Legal Shift: Post-2019, usage of monitor lizard skin prohibited under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and artisans adapted to legal alternatives. Ghumot is neither a Hindustani classical nor a Carnatic classical music instrument in the strict sense.
• Construction: Handmade clay pot (ghumat), tuned skin membrane (earlier monitor lizard skin, now goat or synthetic).
• Sound: Produces sharp, earthy beats integral to Goan folk music.
• Techniques: Requires skilled tapping to achieve perfect resonance—knowledge of rhythm crucial.
• Legal Shift: Post-2019, usage of monitor lizard skin prohibited under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and artisans adapted to legal alternatives.
• Ghumot is neither a Hindustani classical nor a Carnatic classical music instrument in the strict sense.
• Importance of Ghumot in Music: Cultural Symbol: Central to Goa’s folk identity—played in Sao Joao festival, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shigmo, Mandos, and Catholic pre-wedding rituals. Secular Role: Used across religious, caste, and social groups—bridging communities through music. Revival Efforts: Artisans and cultural curators promote Ghumot with new designs, legal skins, and international showcases. Socio-economic Relevance: Revitalizing Ghumot-making can support local artisans and preserve Goa’s intangible heritage.
• Cultural Symbol: Central to Goa’s folk identity—played in Sao Joao festival, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shigmo, Mandos, and Catholic pre-wedding rituals.
• Secular Role: Used across religious, caste, and social groups—bridging communities through music.
• Revival Efforts: Artisans and cultural curators promote Ghumot with new designs, legal skins, and international showcases.
• Socio-economic Relevance: Revitalizing Ghumot-making can support local artisans and preserve Goa’s intangible heritage.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 June 2025 Place in News:
Fordow Nuclear Facility
Source: BS
Context: The Fordow nuclear facility in Iran is back in focus amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions, with reports highlighting that only the US GBU-57 bunker buster bomb could potentially destroy the fortified site.
About Fordow Nuclear Facility:
• What is Fordow? Fordow is Iran’s most heavily fortified underground uranium enrichment facility, key to its potential nuclear weapons program.
• Fordow is Iran’s most heavily fortified underground uranium enrichment facility, key to its potential nuclear weapons program.
• Location: Situated near Qom, southwest of Tehran, the site is buried 80 metres deep into a mountain.
• Structural Features: Deep underground facility reinforced with soil, rock, and concrete. Surrounded by multi-layered air defence systems, including Iranian and Russian missiles. Designed to be impervious to standard military airstrikes.
• Deep underground facility reinforced with soil, rock, and concrete.
• Surrounded by multi-layered air defence systems, including Iranian and Russian missiles.
• Designed to be impervious to standard military airstrikes.
• Operational Since: 2009 (confirmed by IAEA).
• Significance: Hosts enrichment of uranium up to 60%, dangerously close to weapons-grade. Plays a central role in Iran’s breakout potential for nuclear weapons. Symbol of Iran’s resistance to Western nuclear oversight.
• Hosts enrichment of uranium up to 60%, dangerously close to weapons-grade.
• Plays a central role in Iran’s breakout potential for nuclear weapons.
• Symbol of Iran’s resistance to Western nuclear oversight.
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