UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 June 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 June 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 1 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 June (2025)
• Total Revolution
Total Revolution
GS Paper 2:
• NITI Aayog India’s Data Imperative Report
NITI Aayog India’s Data Imperative Report
GS Paper 3:
• Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025
Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA)
Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA)
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• CDS and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs Empowered to Issue Joint Instructions
CDS and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs Empowered to Issue Joint Instructions
• 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency
50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency
• Coffee Export Surge
Coffee Export Surge
• Prime Ministers Museum and Library
Prime Ministers Museum and Library
• NATO 5% GDP Defence Spending Target
NATO 5% GDP Defence Spending Target
Mapping:
• Kosi River
Kosi River
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 June 2025
#### GS Paper 1:
Total Revolution
Syllabus: Post Independent India
Source: IE
Context: The 51st anniversary of Jayaprakash Narayan’s historic “Total Revolution” call (June 5, 1974) is being marked, highlighting its enduring influence on Indian politics.
About Total Revolution:
• Concept: A holistic non-violent movement for socio-political transformation based on Gandhian ideals.
• Launched by: Jayaprakash Narayan (JP).
• Year: Announced on June 5, 1974, at Gandhi Maidan, Patna.
• Objective: Achieve “Sampoorna Kranti” — a comprehensive change in economic, political, social, and cultural structures for a just and equitable society
Causes of Total Revolution:
• Electoral Malpractice & Judicial Verdict: The 1975 Allahabad HC judgment disqualifying Indira Gandhi for electoral malpractices delegitimised her authority, triggering mass protests.
• Student-Led Unrest: Widespread agitations in Gujarat’s Navnirman Movement and Bihar’s student protests exposed the growing youth frustration over unemployment and governance failures.
• Economic Crisis: Severe inflation (over 20%), unemployment, and food shortages in early 1970s aggravated public misery, fuelling disillusionment with the state.
• Erosion of Democratic Norms: Centralisation of power, use of draconian laws like MISA, and suppression of dissent alarmed the civil society and intelligentsia.
• Inspirational Leadership: JP’s articulation of a ‘party-less democracy’ combined Gandhian ethics, Sarvodaya ideals and Marxist critique, galvanising a broad-based mass movement.
Components of Total Revolution:
• Political Revolution: Advocated bottom-up governance, participatory democracy, and accountability to counter bureaucratic centralism.
• Economic Revolution: Sought equitable land redistribution and people-centric development to tackle socio-economic disparities.
• Social Revolution: Championed eradication of casteism, gender discrimination and dowry to build an egalitarian society.
• Educational Revolution: Proposed ethics-based curriculum with focus on civic duties, rural development and vocational empowerment.
• Cultural-Spiritual Revolution: Aimed at fostering self-discipline, national unity and moral rejuvenation through individual transformation.
Impact of Total Revolution:
• Impact on People:
• Youth Political Mobilisation: Catalysed entry of new political actors—Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi—who reshaped Bihar’s polity for decades. Civic Consciousness: Deepened citizen engagement in democratic processes, making public accountability a mainstream discourse. Non-Violent Resistance: Reasserted the power of peaceful protest against authoritarianism, influencing movements like Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption crusade.
• Youth Political Mobilisation: Catalysed entry of new political actors—Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi—who reshaped Bihar’s polity for decades.
• Civic Consciousness: Deepened citizen engagement in democratic processes, making public accountability a mainstream discourse.
• Non-Violent Resistance: Reasserted the power of peaceful protest against authoritarianism, influencing movements like Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption crusade.
• Impact on Governance:
• Rise of Non-Congress Coalition: Unified Opposition during Emergency laid ground for the Janata Party’s historic 1977 electoral victory. Constitutional Safeguards: Triggered reforms through the 44th Amendment, ensuring checks on Emergency powers and restoring judicial oversight. Decentralisation Drive: Influenced future Panchayati Raj reforms (73rd, 74th Amendments), enhancing grassroots democratic participation.
• Rise of Non-Congress Coalition: Unified Opposition during Emergency laid ground for the Janata Party’s historic 1977 electoral victory.
• Constitutional Safeguards: Triggered reforms through the 44th Amendment, ensuring checks on Emergency powers and restoring judicial oversight.
• Decentralisation Drive: Influenced future Panchayati Raj reforms (73rd, 74th Amendments), enhancing grassroots democratic participation.
Significance of Total Revolution:
• Revival of Dissent Tradition: Reaffirmed dissent as a democratic right, legitimising protest in postcolonial India.
• New Leadership Pipeline: Created a fresh generation of leaders with mass roots—many of whom dominated Indian politics for decades.
• Institutional Resilience: Exposed systemic vulnerabilities, catalysing institutional reforms to safeguard democratic structures.
• Expanded Public Sphere: Widened space for civil society participation, influencing governance beyond electoral politics.
• Contemporary Lessons: Offers enduring relevance in tackling present-day issues like centralisation, youth alienation, and democratic erosion.
Conclusion:
JP’s Total Revolution was more than a political upheaval—it envisioned ethical, social, and democratic regeneration. Though utopian in parts, it redefined public participation and governance in India. Its legacy continues to inspire movements for justice and democratic reform.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 June 2025 GS Paper 2:
NITI Aayog India’s Data Imperative Report
Syllabus: Governance
Source: LM
Context: NITI Aayog released its report “India’s Data Imperative: The Pivot Towards Quality”, recommending urgent reforms to improve the quality of India’s public data ecosystem.
About NITI Aayog India’s Data Imperative Report:
What it is?
• India’s data ecosystem refers to the vast network of digital public infrastructure, platforms, and databases that power governance, welfare delivery, and financial inclusion across both public and private sectors.
• It integrates identity (Aadhaar), financial (UPI), health (Ayushman Bharat), and social schemes through data-driven platforms.
Key Data Points:
• Aadhaar: Over 27 billion authentications conducted in FY 2024–25 — backbone of identity-linked service delivery.
• UPI: ₹23.9 trillion worth of transactions processed monthly — world’s largest real-time payment system.
• Ayushman Bharat: 369 million Ayushman Bharat Digital Health IDs issued — transforming health data interoperability.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): ₹5.47 lakh crore transferred via DBT to beneficiaries in FY 2024–25, covering 330+ schemes.
• Aadhaar e-KYC: 1.8 billion e-KYC transactions completed in FY 2024–25, reducing onboarding costs across sectors.
• Digital India penetration: 1.2 billion mobile subscribers; 800 million internet users — one of the world’s largest digital user bases
Need for Robust Data Ecosystem:
• Prevent Fiscal Leakage: Inaccurate data leads to duplicate or erroneous beneficiaries, causing 4–7% excess welfare spending each year.
• Enable Evidence-Based Governance: High-quality data is the backbone for AI-driven insights and precise targeting of government schemes and interventions.
• Build Public Trust: Citizens’ trust in digital governance rests on the ability of public systems to deliver accurate, reliable, and timely services.
• Strengthen India’s AI Ecosystem: AI models and platforms depend on clean and validated data to drive innovation in healthcare, agriculture, and e-governance.
• Improve Cross-Ministerial Coordination: Interoperable, accurate data allows for better policy alignment across departments, improving the efficiency of public service delivery.
Challenges in India’s Data Ecosystem:
• Fragmentation: Government data systems remain siloed, with incompatible formats and platforms across ministries hindering seamless usage.
• Lack of Ownership: No clear custodian or accountable body is responsible for end-to-end data quality across national and state departments.
• Legacy IT Systems: Outdated digital infrastructure delays real-time updates and obstructs seamless interoperability across modern platforms.
• Incentive Mismatch: Current practices reward fast data entry rather than prioritising accuracy and validation, compromising data integrity.
• Poor Quality Culture: An informal acceptance of “80% accuracy is good enough” reduces accountability and leads to systemic data errors over time.
Recommended Way Ahead:
• Institutionalising Ownership: Appoint dedicated data custodians at national, state, and district levels.
• Incentivising Quality: Integrate error rates and data quality metrics into performance reviews and budget incentives.
• Promote Interoperability: Standardise data formats using IndEA, NDGFP frameworks to break silos.
• Deploy Practical Tools: Adopt NITI Aayog’s Data Quality Scorecard and Maturity Framework for regular self-assessment.
• Invest in Capacity Building: Train field staff and managers to uphold data fidelity as a core responsibility.
Conclusion:
NITI Aayog’s data quality framework is a vital step toward precision-driven governance. India must now embed data stewardship, incentives, and interoperability across all levels to ensure public trust and maximise the benefits of its digital infrastructure.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 June 2025 GS Paper 3:
Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025
Syllabus: Sustainable Management
Source: NDTV
Context: India has, for the first time, ranked in the top 100 (99th) in the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025 released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), marking its 10th edition.
About Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025:
• What it is: The Sustainable Development Report is the world’s most authoritative ranking on progress towards SDGs for 193 UN member states.
• Released by: UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
• Focus of 2025 edition: Financing SDGs by 2030 and reforming the Global Financial Architecture (GFA).
• Top Rankers: Finland (1st), Sweden (2nd), Denmark (3rd)
Key Highlights of SDG Report 2025:
• Strong Global Commitment: 190 of 193 UN member states submitted Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), reflecting high global engagement on SDGs.
• East and South Asia Lead: These regions show fastest SDG progress since 2015, driven by rapid socio-economic growth and targeted policies.
• Top Improvers: Nepal (+11.1), Benin (+14.5), UAE (+9.9), Peru (+8.7) recorded highest score improvements, showing effective domestic SDG implementation.
• Europe Tops: 19 of top 20 SDG-performing countries are European, highlighting long-term investment in social welfare and green transitions.
• Global Lag: None of the 17 SDGs are fully on track globally and only 17% of targets progressing, signalling serious implementation gaps.
• Multilateralism Ranking: Barbados ranks 1st in commitment to UN multilateralism, while the US ranks last (193rd) due to recent withdrawal trends.
• Fiscal Space Gap: Nearly 50% of countries lack sufficient fiscal capacity to fund SDG priorities, aggravating development inequality.
• Broken Global Finance: Current Global Financial Architecture (GFA) disproportionately favors rich countries, starving EMDEs of needed capital.
India’s Status in SDG Report 2025:
• Rank: India climbed into 99th place, entering the top 100 for the first time, showing growing alignment with SDG targets.
• Score: India’s SDG Index score reached 0 points, demonstrating gradual but steady improvement across sectors.
• Regional Standing: India ranks behind China (49th), ahead of Bangladesh (114th), Pakistan (140th), reflecting South Asia’s varied progress.
• Progress Areas: Notable gains in digital infrastructure (SDG 9), healthcare (SDG 3), and electricity access (SDG 7) were recorded.
• Challenges: India struggles with rising obesity (SDG 2), climate action (SDG 13), and press freedom (SDG 16)
Key Challenges to SDG Progress:
• Geopolitical Conflicts: Conflicts and wars disrupt SDG delivery, particularly in fragile and conflict-prone states.
• Limited Fiscal Space: Debt burdens in many low- and middle-income countries restrict investments in SDGs and welfare programs.
• Climate Emergency: Climate change is exacerbating food insecurity, inequality, and biodiversity loss, undermining SDG progress.
• Weak Financing Mechanism: Global finance disproportionately benefits wealthy countries, leaving EMDEs underfunded for sustainable development.
• Institutional Gaps: Many nations face weak institutional capacity, poor governance, and lack of data-driven SDG planning.
Recommendations Suggested:
• Finance UN Systems: Ensure full and predictable funding for UN-led SDG initiatives and development cooperation.
• Debt Relief: Adopt innovative solutions to reduce debt stress in poor countries, freeing fiscal space for SDG investments.
• Invest in Global Commons: Mobilize new funding for climate, biodiversity, and clean energy, areas essential for global sustainability.
• Reform GFA: Reorient global capital flows to align private investment with long-term SDG priorities and sustainability.
• Multilateral Cooperation: Strengthen UN-based multilateralism to drive coordinated, equitable SDG action across nations.
Conclusion:
The SDG Report 2025 highlights that global SDG progress remains far behind target. India’s entry into the top 100 reflects growing commitment, but structural reforms in global finance, better governance, and stronger international cooperation remain key to achieving the SDGs by 2030
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 June 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA)
Context: India launched its largest-ever tribal empowerment campaign — Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA) — covering 1 lakh+ tribal villages across 31 States/UTs.
About Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA):
• What it is? DAJA is an unprecedented tribal outreach and empowerment campaign, aimed at saturating government welfare schemes among tribal communities and PVTGs.
• DAJA is an unprecedented tribal outreach and empowerment campaign, aimed at saturating government welfare schemes among tribal communities and PVTGs.
• Ministry: Launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
• Objective:
• Ensure last-mile delivery of welfare schemes. Honour Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s legacy and promote tribal pride. Empower 5.5 crore+ tribal citizens through a Janbhagidari model.
• Ensure last-mile delivery of welfare schemes.
• Honour Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s legacy and promote tribal pride.
• Empower 5.5 crore+ tribal citizens through a Janbhagidari model.
• Key Features:
• Coverage: 1 lakh+ tribal villages & PVTG habitations across 31 States/UTs. Integration of services: Aadhaar, Ayushman Bharat, PM Kisan, PM Ujjwala, Jan Dhan, pensions, FRA claims. 5 Pillars: Janbhagidari, Saturation, Cultural Inclusion, Convergence, Last-Mile Delivery. Tech-driven: Real-time dashboards for monitoring. Cultural revival: Tribal cuisines, handicrafts, folk arts celebrated across camps.
• Coverage: 1 lakh+ tribal villages & PVTG habitations across 31 States/UTs.
• Integration of services: Aadhaar, Ayushman Bharat, PM Kisan, PM Ujjwala, Jan Dhan, pensions, FRA claims.
• 5 Pillars: Janbhagidari, Saturation, Cultural Inclusion, Convergence, Last-Mile Delivery.
• Tech-driven: Real-time dashboards for monitoring.
• Cultural revival: Tribal cuisines, handicrafts, folk arts celebrated across camps.
Relevance for UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• GS Paper 1 (Society) Covers tribal culture, PVTGs, preservation of indigenous languages, and the role of community participation in safeguarding heritage.
• Covers tribal culture, PVTGs, preservation of indigenous languages, and the role of community participation in safeguarding heritage.
• GS Paper 2 (Governance) Examines inclusive governance models and the impact of targeted welfare schemes on improving the lives of vulnerable tribal sections.
• Examines inclusive governance models and the impact of targeted welfare schemes on improving the lives of vulnerable tribal sections.
• GS Paper 3 (Development) Highlights innovations in last-mile delivery of public services and convergence models that drive tribal socio-economic empowerment at the grassroots.
• Highlights innovations in last-mile delivery of public services and convergence models that drive tribal socio-economic empowerment at the grassroots.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 June 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
CDS and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs Empowered to Issue Joint Instructions
Source: HT
Context: Defence Minister authorised the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs to issue joint instructions and orders for all three services.
About CDS and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs Empowered to Issue Joint Instructions:
• What it is? For the first time, CDS can issue unified instructions/orders applicable across Army, Navy, Air Force, streamlining operational and administrative procedures.
• For the first time, CDS can issue unified instructions/orders applicable across Army, Navy, Air Force, streamlining operational and administrative procedures.
• New System vs Old System: Earlier: Each service issued orders for joint activities, causing redundancy and slow coordination. Now: CDS issues single unified joint orders, ensuring synergy and seamless command flow.
• Earlier: Each service issued orders for joint activities, causing redundancy and slow coordination.
• Now: CDS issues single unified joint orders, ensuring synergy and seamless command flow.
• Objective of New Powers:
• Enhance cross-service cooperation Improve command efficiency Streamline administrative procedures Lay groundwork for integrated theater commands
• Enhance cross-service cooperation
• Improve command efficiency
• Streamline administrative procedures
• Lay groundwork for integrated theater commands
• Significance:
• Strengthens theaterisation process Empowers Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) under ISO Act, 2023 Enables faster, unified military response in joint operations. Boosts overall transparency, unity of command, and resource optimisation
• Strengthens theaterisation process
• Empowers Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) under ISO Act, 2023
• Enables faster, unified military response in joint operations.
• Boosts overall transparency, unity of command, and resource optimisation
About Chief of Defence Staff (CDS):
• What it is?
• 4-star General-equivalent rank and Principal Military Adviser to Defence Minister for tri-service matters. Also, Permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC).
• 4-star General-equivalent rank and Principal Military Adviser to Defence Minister for tri-service matters.
• Also, Permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC).
• Ministry: Heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), a dedicated wing of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• Functions and Powers:
• Advises on tri-service strategy, joint planning, and procurement. Coordinates capability development and theaterisation efforts. Oversees inter-service integration and resource management. Does not exercise direct military command over the three service chiefs, who retain full control of their forces. Leads structural reforms aimed at building joint war-fighting capabilities across the Armed Forces.
• Advises on tri-service strategy, joint planning, and procurement.
• Coordinates capability development and theaterisation efforts.
• Oversees inter-service integration and resource management.
• Does not exercise direct military command over the three service chiefs, who retain full control of their forces.
• Leads structural reforms aimed at building joint war-fighting capabilities across the Armed Forces.
50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency
Source: DD News
Context: 25 June 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency (1975–77), prompting national reflection on its impact on India’s democracy and constitutional framework.
About 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency:
• What it is? The Emergency was declared under Article 352 on 25 June 1975, citing “internal disturbance”, suspending civil liberties and altering governance structures across India.
• The Emergency was declared under Article 352 on 25 June 1975, citing “internal disturbance”, suspending civil liberties and altering governance structures across India.
• Period: Lasted from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977.
• Events Leading to the Emergency:
• Growing unrest from student agitations, inflation, unemployment and corruption allegations. Major protests led by Jayaprakash Narayan (Total Revolution) across Bihar and Gujarat. Allahabad High Court (12 June 1975) convicted PM Indira Gandhi of electoral malpractice; calls for her resignation intensified.
• Growing unrest from student agitations, inflation, unemployment and corruption allegations.
• Major protests led by Jayaprakash Narayan (Total Revolution) across Bihar and Gujarat.
• Allahabad High Court (12 June 1975) convicted PM Indira Gandhi of electoral malpractice; calls for her resignation intensified.
• Key Events During the Emergency:
• Article 358 & 359 invoked — suspending Fundamental Rights (Articles 14, 19, 21, 22). Over 35,000 political prisoners detained under MISA. Severe media censorship enforced and newspapers and films tightly controlled. Sterilisation campaign: Over 1.07 crore procedures conducted (1975–77), with coercion reported. 42nd Constitutional Amendment: Strengthened executive, curtailed judicial review, extended Lok Sabha terms to 6 years.
• Article 358 & 359 invoked — suspending Fundamental Rights (Articles 14, 19, 21, 22).
• Over 35,000 political prisoners detained under MISA.
• Severe media censorship enforced and newspapers and films tightly controlled.
• Sterilisation campaign: Over 1.07 crore procedures conducted (1975–77), with coercion reported.
• 42nd Constitutional Amendment: Strengthened executive, curtailed judicial review, extended Lok Sabha terms to 6 years.
• Post-Emergency Developments:
• Emergency ended in March 1977 after Congress party’s electoral defeat. Shah Commission (1977) exposed abuses — arbitrary arrests, forced sterilisation, media suppression. 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978): Tightened Emergency provisions — replaced “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion”, restored judicial oversight.
• Emergency ended in March 1977 after Congress party’s electoral defeat.
• Shah Commission (1977) exposed abuses — arbitrary arrests, forced sterilisation, media suppression.
• 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978): Tightened Emergency provisions — replaced “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion”, restored judicial oversight.
Coffee Export Surge
Source: TOI
Context: India’s coffee exports surged over 25% in FY2025-26, continuing a record-breaking trend after 40% growth last year, according to the Coffee Board of India.
About Coffee Export Surge:
• What it is? India has recorded 25%+ export growth so far this year, after achieving US$1803 million in coffee exports in FY2024-25, up from US$1286 million in FY2023-24.
• India has recorded 25%+ export growth so far this year, after achieving US$1803 million in coffee exports in FY2024-25, up from US$1286 million in FY2023-24.
• Factors leading:
• Global demand for premium shade-grown Arabica and Robusta. Branding & promotion via GI tags and digital campaigns by Coffee Board. Favourable climate & yield cycles post-pandemic disruptions.
• Global demand for premium shade-grown Arabica and Robusta.
• Branding & promotion via GI tags and digital campaigns by Coffee Board.
• Favourable climate & yield cycles post-pandemic disruptions.
Coffee Production in India
• What it is? India is the 7th largest coffee producer globally, contributing 3.5% to world production, and 5th largest exporter globally (5% of world exports).
• India is the 7th largest coffee producer globally, contributing 3.5% to world production, and 5th largest exporter globally (5% of world exports).
• Varieties grown:
• Arabica: Kents, S.795, Cauvery (Catimor), Selection 9 (Sln.9). Robusta: Various high-yielding selections.
• Arabica: Kents, S.795, Cauvery (Catimor), Selection 9 (Sln.9).
• Robusta: Various high-yielding selections.
• Production data:
• India produces around 3.5–4 lakh tonnes annually, with Karnataka contributing ~70%, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• India produces around 3.5–4 lakh tonnes annually, with Karnataka contributing ~70%, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• Climatic conditions:
• Cultivated under two-tier shade canopies with 50+ tree species. Arabica grown at 1000-1500m and Robusta at 500-1000m. Requires 1600-2500 mm rainfall and cool-humid climate (15°C–25°C for Arabica).
• Cultivated under two-tier shade canopies with 50+ tree species.
• Arabica grown at 1000-1500m and Robusta at 500-1000m.
• Requires 1600-2500 mm rainfall and cool-humid climate (15°C–25°C for Arabica).
• Uniqueness of Indian Coffee:
• India is the only country that grows 100% shade-grown coffee, known for mild acidity, full-bodied flavour, and fine aroma. Indian plantations are bio-diverse—spices like pepper, cardamom, and vanilla are grown alongside coffee. Geographical Indication (GI) tagged coffees: five regional & two specialty varieties. Historic origins trace back 400 years to Baba Budan’s planting in Karnataka.
• India is the only country that grows 100% shade-grown coffee, known for mild acidity, full-bodied flavour, and fine aroma.
• Indian plantations are bio-diverse—spices like pepper, cardamom, and vanilla are grown alongside coffee.
• Geographical Indication (GI) tagged coffees: five regional & two specialty varieties.
• Historic origins trace back 400 years to Baba Budan’s planting in Karnataka.
Prime Ministers Museum and Library
Source: IE
Context: The Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) resolved to pursue legal action for the return of Jawaharlal Nehru’s Private Papers taken by Sonia Gandhi in 2008, calling them a national treasure.
About Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML):
• What it is? PMML is a premier autonomous institution in New Delhi dedicated to advanced research on modern and contemporary Indian history, housing extensive archival collections.
• PMML is a premier autonomous institution in New Delhi dedicated to advanced research on modern and contemporary Indian history, housing extensive archival collections.
• Established in: Founded in 1966 by the Government of India. Formally inaugurated on November 14, 1964, as the Nehru Memorial Museum, dedicated to India’s first Prime Minister.
• Formally inaugurated on November 14, 1964, as the Nehru Memorial Museum, dedicated to India’s first Prime Minister.
• Governance structure:
• Governed by the Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society under the Ministry of Culture. President and Vice-President of the Society are nominated by the Central Government.
• Governed by the Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society under the Ministry of Culture.
• President and Vice-President of the Society are nominated by the Central Government.
• Objective:
• To preserve, document, and promote scholarly research on modern Indian history and governance. To foster understanding of Jawaharlal Nehru’s ideals and India’s independence movement.
• To preserve, document, and promote scholarly research on modern Indian history and governance.
• To foster understanding of Jawaharlal Nehru’s ideals and India’s independence movement.
• History:
• Located at the Teen Murti House, erstwhile residence of Nehru (1948–1964). Library building added in 1974, Annexe and Centre for Contemporary Studies in 1989–1990.
• Located at the Teen Murti House, erstwhile residence of Nehru (1948–1964).
• Library building added in 1974, Annexe and Centre for Contemporary Studies in 1989–1990.
• Functions:
• Curates Private Papers of over 1,000 national figures (e.g., Gandhi, Ambedkar, Azad). Hosts lectures, seminars, and publications on modern history and public policy. Provides public access to archives for Indian and international scholars. Manages significant collections, including official correspondence, manuscripts, rare books, and personal papers.
• Curates Private Papers of over 1,000 national figures (e.g., Gandhi, Ambedkar, Azad).
• Hosts lectures, seminars, and publications on modern history and public policy.
• Provides public access to archives for Indian and international scholars.
• Manages significant collections, including official correspondence, manuscripts, rare books, and personal papers.
• Significance:
• It is India’s foremost academic centre on modern history and the evolution of its polity. Acts as a repository of national memory, shaping public discourse and democratic thought. Enhances public awareness of the Constitutional values and contributions of key leaders.
• It is India’s foremost academic centre on modern history and the evolution of its polity.
• Acts as a repository of national memory, shaping public discourse and democratic thought.
• Enhances public awareness of the Constitutional values and contributions of key leaders.
NATO 5% GDP Defence Spending Target
Source: DH
Context: NATO members, at The Hague Summit, is expected to adopt a new 5% GDP defence spending target amid rising security concerns from Russia’s war in Ukraine.
About NATO’s 5% GDP Defence Spending Target:
• What it is? NATO countries will now aim to allocate 5% of their GDP on combined defence and security investments.
• NATO countries will now aim to allocate 5% of their GDP on combined defence and security investments.
• New Target Structure:
• 3.5% GDP for core military spending — personnel, equipment, operations. 1.5% GDP for broader security — cyber defence, infrastructure upgrades, energy protection.
• 3.5% GDP for core military spending — personnel, equipment, operations.
• 1.5% GDP for broader security — cyber defence, infrastructure upgrades, energy protection.
• Existing Target: Earlier commitment (since 2014 Wales Summit): 2% of GDP for core defence and only 22 of 32 members met this by 2024.
About NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization):
• What It Is? An intergovernmental military and political alliance, NATO ensures collective defence under Article 5—an attack on one is an attack on all.
• An intergovernmental military and political alliance, NATO ensures collective defence under Article 5—an attack on one is an attack on all.
• Established in: 1949 (North Atlantic Treaty, Washington D.C.)
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Members: 32 countries from Europe and North America. Latest entrant:
• Objectives:
• Collective Defence (Article 5): An attack on one is an attack on all. Crisis management and global peacekeeping. Cooperative security through political dialogue and partnerships.
• Collective Defence (Article 5): An attack on one is an attack on all.
• Crisis management and global peacekeeping.
• Cooperative security through political dialogue and partnerships.
• History:
• Cold War Formation (1949): Created to counter Soviet expansion and ensure transatlantic security post-WWII through collective defence. Korean War Era: NATO strengthened political cohesion and military readiness during the Korean conflict, marking its early operational relevance. 1950s–60s Nuclear Doctrine: Adopted nuclear deterrence to balance Soviet conventional superiority. Post-Cold War (1990s): Shifted focus to crisis management and peacekeeping, notably in the Balkans and Kosovo. 21st Century: Took on broader roles in counter-terrorism (Afghanistan, 2001–2021) and global security partnerships beyond Europe.
• Cold War Formation (1949): Created to counter Soviet expansion and ensure transatlantic security post-WWII through collective defence.
• Korean War Era: NATO strengthened political cohesion and military readiness during the Korean conflict, marking its early operational relevance.
• 1950s–60s Nuclear Doctrine: Adopted nuclear deterrence to balance Soviet conventional superiority.
• Post-Cold War (1990s): Shifted focus to crisis management and peacekeeping, notably in the Balkans and Kosovo.
• 21st Century: Took on broader roles in counter-terrorism (Afghanistan, 2001–2021) and global security partnerships beyond Europe.
• Functions & Roles:
• North Atlantic Council: The alliance’s top political decision-making body, meets regularly to set strategic priorities. Strategic Commands: Direct operational planning through Allied Command Operations (ACO) and Allied Command Transformation (ACT). Integrated Military Forces: Develops joint forces to ensure operational interoperability and swift crisis response. Cybersecurity: Coordinates NATO-wide cyber defence policies to counter hybrid threats and cyberattacks. Energy Security: Works on protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring energy resilience of member states. Counterterrorism: Leads intelligence-sharing, counter-radicalisation efforts, and military operations against terror groups.
• North Atlantic Council: The alliance’s top political decision-making body, meets regularly to set strategic priorities.
• Strategic Commands: Direct operational planning through Allied Command Operations (ACO) and Allied Command Transformation (ACT).
• Integrated Military Forces: Develops joint forces to ensure operational interoperability and swift crisis response.
• Cybersecurity: Coordinates NATO-wide cyber defence policies to counter hybrid threats and cyberattacks.
• Energy Security: Works on protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring energy resilience of member states.
• Counterterrorism: Leads intelligence-sharing, counter-radicalisation efforts, and military operations against terror groups.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 June 2025 Mapping:
Kosi River
Source: DTE
Context: The Uttarakhand High Court ordered an immediate halt to illegal sand mining in the Kosi River in Bazpur tehsil, after a public interest petition highlighted severe ecological damage.
About Kosi River:
• Origin:
• Formed by the confluence of Sun Kosi, Arun Kosi, and Tamur Kosi streams, originating in Nepal and Tibet Himalayan regions.
• Formed by the confluence of Sun Kosi, Arun Kosi, and Tamur Kosi streams, originating in Nepal and Tibet Himalayan regions.
• States it flows through: Flows through China (Tibet), Nepal, and India — primarily through Bihar in India.
• Tributaries of Kosi: Major tributaries include Sun Kosi, Tama Koshi (Tamba Koshi), Dudh Koshi, Indravati, Likhu, Arun, Tamor.
• Kosi is a tributary of: The Kosi ultimately merges into the Ganges River south of Purnea (Bihar), contributing to the Ganga basin.
• Key Features of Kosi River:
• Length: ~450 miles (724 km). Drainage area: 74,500 sq km (11,070 sq km in India). Known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” for frequent floods and westward shifting channels. Highly braided, with no permanent channel — causing massive deposition of debris and flood risks. Controlled by Chatra Gorge dam for flood moderation, irrigation, hydropower, and fisheries. The river valley supports maize cultivation on its fertile sandy soils.
• Length: ~450 miles (724 km).
• Drainage area: 74,500 sq km (11,070 sq km in India).
• Known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” for frequent floods and westward shifting channels.
• Highly braided, with no permanent channel — causing massive deposition of debris and flood risks.
• Controlled by Chatra Gorge dam for flood moderation, irrigation, hydropower, and fisheries.
• The river valley supports maize cultivation on its fertile sandy soils.
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