UPSC Daily Current Affairs: 25th June 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS2/Governance

The Need for Gender Equity in Urban Bureaucracy

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

The urban population in India is expected to surpass 800 million by 2050, making it a significant contributor to global urban growth. This shift is reshaping democracy and development in the country, highlighting the critical need for gender equity in urban governance.

Key Takeaways

• India has seen a rise in women's political representation due to the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
• Despite advancements, only 20% of the Indian Administrative Service are women, indicating a persistent gender gap.
• Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) has been adopted but is often treated as a token gesture.
• Global examples show successful implementations of gender policies that improve urban services.

Additional Details

• Political Representation: Women now make up over 46% of elected local representatives, thanks to constitutional amendments that mandate a minimum reservation for women.
• Urban Administration Gap: Women are underrepresented in key bureaucratic roles, comprising only 20% of the Indian Administrative Service and 11.7% of police personnel.
• Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Implemented in India since 2005, GRB aims to incorporate gender considerations into public financial planning. However, its impact has been limited due to weak monitoring and narrow understanding of gender needs.
• Global Examples: Countries like Rwanda and South Korea have successfully integrated gender equity into urban governance, leading to better health and safety outcomes for women.
• Kudumbashree programme: This initiative in Kerala empowers women through participatory planning, serving as a model for other cities.

To achieve effective urban governance, India must not only enhance political representation of women but also address systemic issues in urban planning and administration. By integrating gender equity into all aspects of governance, cities can become safer and more inclusive for all citizens, particularly women.

GS2/Governance

India Breaks Into Top 100 in Global SDG Index for the First Time

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

India has achieved a significant milestone by ranking 99th out of 167 countries in the 2025 edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index. This marks India's first entry into the top 100 nations globally, reflecting its enhanced commitment to sustainable development.

Key Takeaways

• India's SDG Index score improved to 67, a notable rise from its previous position of 109th in 2024.
• South Asian countries such as Bhutan and Nepal also made progress, ranking 74th and 85th respectively.
• Despite improvements, the global SDG progress is reportedly stagnating, with only 17% of targets on track for achievement by 2030.

Additional Details

• SDG Index: The SDG Index, part of the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, assesses countries based on their progress toward the 17 SDGs established by the UN in 2015.
• India's Regional Standing: In comparison to its neighbors, India outperformed Bangladesh (114th) and Pakistan (140th), while Maldives and Sri Lanka held 53rd and 93rd places respectively.
• Areas of Achievement: Key advancements include improvements in access to electricity, internet usage, and reductions in under-five mortality rates.
• Challenges: The report also highlights setbacks in crucial areas like obesity, press freedom, and biodiversity loss.

India's entry into the top 100 of the SDG Index is commendable and illustrates its ongoing commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. However, addressing persistent challenges in biodiversity, governance, and sustainable consumption will be vital for maintaining this positive trajectory.

GS2/Polity

Emergency and Its Lessons

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

On June 25, 1975, India witnessed the imposition of the Emergency, a period lasting 21 months that is often regarded as one of the darkest phases in the nation's democratic history. During this time, several critical civil liberties were suspended, press freedom was severely restricted, opposition leaders faced mass arrests, and elections were canceled.

Key Takeaways

• The Emergency highlighted the fragility of democratic freedoms in India.
• It was a period characterized by the suspension of civil liberties and a bypassing of democratic institutions.

Backdrop to the Emergency

• Indira Gandhi's Government: Indira Gandhi, after winning a significant victory in 1971, faced numerous challenges including economic crises and rising public dissatisfaction due to corruption and misgovernance.
• Growing unrest led to the rise of student movements, notably the Navnirman Movement in Gujarat and subsequent protests in Bihar.

The Rise of Student Movements and Jayaprakash Narayan

• In February 1974, the Navnirman Movement resulted in the resignation of Gujarat's Chief Minister over corruption allegations.
• Inspired by these events, student-led protests began in Bihar, uniting various political ideologies under the Chhatra Sangharsh Samiti, with Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) at the forefront.
• JP's call for "Sampoorna Kranti" (Total Revolution) on June 5, 1974, galvanized mass support across the nation.

Nationwide Agitation and the Call for Change

• In May 1974, a major railway workers’ strike led by George Fernandes disrupted Indian Railways, further escalating the protests.
• The movement gained significant national momentum leading up to the Emergency declaration.

Trigger: Court Verdict Against Indira Gandhi

• On June 12, 1975, the Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractice, which intensified calls for her resignation.

Declaration of Emergency: June 25, 1975

• As dissent escalated, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed the Emergency on June 25, 1975, allowing the government to exercise extraordinary powers.
• This marked a significant shift in India's democratic structure, with the Central government exerting greater control over states.

Centre Tightens Control: Federalism Undermined

• During the Emergency, India’s federal structure effectively became unitary, with state governments being controlled by the Centre.
• Parliament was allowed to legislate on state matters, altering the financial allocation provisions between Union and States.

Mass Arrests and Suppression of Dissent

• Over 112,000 individuals were detained under stringent laws such as the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and the Defence of India Act.

42nd Constitutional Amendment: Judicial Powers Curtailed

• Passed in 1976, the 42nd Amendment significantly limited the judiciary's ability to hear election petitions and expanded Union powers over state matters.
• It undermined the judiciary's role in reviewing laws implementing Directive Principles.

Censorship and Attack on the Press

• The right to freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) was severely restricted, leading to pre-censorship of newspapers.

Extension of Lok Sabha Tenure

• In 1976, Parliament extended its own term by one year, postponing the restoration of democratic processes.

The Emergency Module

• Despite being legally sanctioned, the Emergency marked a dark chapter in Indian democracy due to the erosion of rights and constitutional norms.
• Scholars now recognize this period as a precursor to democratic decline, emphasizing the need for vigilance against authoritarianism.

Weaponisation of Laws: Targeting Dissent

• The 39th Constitutional Amendment shielded MISA from judicial review and made elections of key constitutional posts non-justiciable.

Subversion of Judicial Independence

• The appointment of Justice M H Beg as Chief Justice in 1977, superseding senior Justice H R Khanna, exemplified the politicization of the judiciary.

Erosion of the Rule of Law

• During the Emergency, courts often sided with the government, denying due process to detained individuals and undermining legal protections.

Lessons from the Emergency

• Recognize the early signs of authoritarianism.
• Strengthen institutional checks and safeguards for civil liberties.
• Promote and protect constitutional values to prevent democratic backsliding.

Understanding the lessons of the Emergency is crucial for safeguarding democracy and ensuring that such a dark period is never repeated in India's history.

GS3/Environment

Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) Alliance

Source: DTE

Why in News?

The IBAT Alliance, a coalition of prominent global conservation organizations, has recently announced a significant investment of $2.5 million in biodiversity data for the year 2024. This funding is more than double the amount allocated in 2023, highlighting an increased commitment to biodiversity conservation.

Key Takeaways

• The IBAT Alliance focuses on integrating biodiversity considerations into various planning and risk management processes.
• It serves as a tool for screening biodiversity risks and aligning business practices with international frameworks.

Additional Details

• What is IBAT: The Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) is a web-based platform for biodiversity mapping and reporting that was launched in 2008 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
• Objective: IBAT aims to assist the private sector, government, and civil society in integrating biodiversity into their planning processes.
• Utility: It helps users assess conservation priorities and align their actions with global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Members:The IBAT Alliance comprises four major organizations:
  • BirdLife International
  • Conservation International (CI)
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
• Headquarters: Located at the David Attenborough Building in Cambridge, UK, the IBAT Alliance has access to extensive global scientific and conservation networks.

The continued investment and development of tools like IBAT are crucial for enhancing our understanding of biodiversity and ensuring its integration into global conservation strategies.

GS3/Environment

Climate Threat Emerging from Rising Evaporative Demand and Thirstwaves

Source: New York Times

Why in News?

Scientists have introduced a new term, “thirstwave”, to describe sudden surges in evaporative demand, characterized by a warmer atmosphere extracting greater amounts of water from natural sources such as plants, soil, and trees.

Key Takeaways

• Evaporative Demand: It measures the potential water absorption capacity of the atmosphere.
• Impact of Global Warming: Increased atmospheric heat raises evaporative demand, heightening the "thirst" of the air.

Additional Details

• Definition of Evaporative Demand: This term refers to how much water the atmosphere can potentially absorb from land and water surfaces, assuming unlimited water availability. It indicates how "thirsty" the atmosphere is, based on weather conditions rather than actual soil moisture content.
• Standard Metric: The most common measure for quantifying this is the Standardized Short-Crop Reference Evapotranspiration (ETos), which assumes a 12 cm grass surface with unlimited water access.
• Thirstwave Origin: Coined in 2025 by Meetpal Kukal and Mike Hobbins, it describes periods of extreme evaporative demand lasting three or more consecutive days.
• Distinction from Heatwaves: Unlike traditional heatwaves, thirstwaves encompass a combination of various factors such as temperature, humidity, wind, and solar input, representing a multifactorial stress on the environment.
• Thirstwaves in India: While dedicated data on thirstwaves in India is currently lacking, researchers are beginning to explore this phenomenon, especially in climate-vulnerable areas of South Asia.

This emerging understanding of evaporative demand and the concept of thirstwaves highlights the critical need for monitoring and managing water resources, especially in regions prone to climate variability.

GS2/Governance

Dharti Aaba Jan-bhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA)

Source: Times of India

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has recently initiated the Dharti Aaba Jan-bhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA), marking it as India’s largest outreach and empowerment campaign aimed at the tribal population.

Key Takeaways

• The campaign runs from 15 June to 15 July 2025, targeting over 5.5 crore tribal citizens across more than 1 lakh tribal villages.
• It is launched under the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh to honor Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a prominent symbol of tribal pride and resistance.

Additional Details

• Objective: The primary goal is to achieve full saturation of central welfare schemes in tribal areas, ensuring every eligible beneficiary receives their entitled benefits.
• Five Pillars of DAJA:
  • Janbhagidari: Focuses on empowering tribal voices and ensuring community-led governance.
  • Saturation: Aimed at achieving 100% coverage of eligible households under central schemes.
  • Cultural Inclusion: Emphasizes the use of tribal languages, folk arts, and cultural symbols to ensure dignity and identity.
  • Convergence: Involves coordination among multiple ministries and stakeholders, including CSOs, youth groups, and academic institutions.
  • Last-Mile Delivery: Ensures direct delivery of services to the most remote tribal hamlets with full administrative support.

This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing the welfare and empowerment of tribal communities in India, ensuring that they are not only recognized but also actively involved in their governance and development.

UPSC 2024

Consider the following statements:

• 1. It is the Governor of the State who recognizes and declares any community of that State as a Scheduled Tribe.
• 2. A community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

GS2/International Relations

U.S.’s Heavy Duty Attack on Iran’s Nuclear Sites

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

On June 21, 2025, the U.S. officially intervened in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict by conducting a precision strike on Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities. This operation, named "Operation Midnight Hammer," involved the first-ever deployment of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOP) by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, targeting sites that were previously deemed impregnable.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities has significant implications for global security and the geopolitical landscape.
• Technological advancements in warfare, such as the use of stealth bombers and bunker-buster bombs, are reshaping military strategies.
• India's strategic response to U.S.-Iran relations is crucial for its own national interests and security dynamics in West Asia.

Additional Details

• B-2 Stealth Bomber: An advanced long-range heavy bomber used by the United States Air Force, capable of penetrating heavily fortified targets undetected.
• Geopolitical Impacts: The U.S. strikes undermine diplomatic efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and signal a commitment to Israel's security, potentially escalating tensions in the region.
• Challenges of Attacking Underground Sites: Facilities like Fordow are located 80-90 meters underground and require advanced weaponry and tactics for effective strikes.
• India's Military Capabilities: India lacks stealth bombers and relies on multirole fighter jets for its strike missions, emphasizing the need for a strategic focus on missile-based deterrents.

The recent U.S. military actions highlight the evolving nature of strategic warfare and the complexities of international relations surrounding nuclear proliferation. India must carefully navigate this situation to safeguard its national interests and respond effectively to the changing dynamics in West Asia.

GS2/Governance

Safeguarding Legal Counsel - The ED Summons and Its Implications for Rule of Law

Source: Hindustan Times

Why in News?

In June 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued summons to prominent senior advocates, including Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal, regarding legal advice related to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) in a corporate context. This incident has sparked significant concern within India's legal community regarding the implications for legal independence and the sanctity of advocate-client privilege.

Key Takeaways

• The ED's summons to senior advocates has raised alarms about executive overreach.
• Concerns have emerged regarding the potential erosion of the legal profession's autonomy and integrity.
• The legal framework governing advocate-client privilege is under scrutiny, particularly the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023.

Additional Details

• ESOP: Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) are benefits that provide employees with ownership interest in the company through shares.
• Legal fraternity's reaction: The summons have been met with strong condemnation from bar associations, viewing this as a broader threat to the autonomy of legal professionals.
• Advocate-Client Privilege: Under the BSA, communications between lawyers and clients are protected unless consent is given, and there is no evidence of complicity in wrongdoing.
• Implications for Rule of Law: The summons disrupt the balance between the bar, bench, and executive, setting a dangerous precedent for future legal practice.

The recent actions of the ED, although partially retracted, highlight a troubling trend toward executive encroachment on the independence of the legal profession. If legal professionals fear that their advice could be weaponized against them, it poses a serious risk to the entire justice system. There is an urgent need for a clear reaffirmation of legal privilege and professional autonomy to protect not only lawyers but also the rule of law itself.

GS2/Polity

Fresh Voter Rolls in Bihar: No Entry Without Birth Proof

Source: ​Hindustan Times

Why in News?

The Election Commission (EC) has initiated a special intensive revision of the electoral roll in poll-bound Bihar. This revision requires all voters who are not listed in the 2003 rolls to submit fresh documents proving their eligibility, marking the commencement of a likely nationwide exercise.

Key Takeaways

• The EC's revision is tied to its constitutional responsibilities.
• Voter eligibility documentation is now mandatory for specific birth date categories.
• The last intensive revision in Bihar occurred in 2003.

Additional Details

• Electoral Roll (ER): The creation, maintenance, and purification of the ER is a core constitutional duty of the Election Commission of India (ECI), rooted in Article 324 of the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
• Special Summary Revision (SSR): This process involves reviewing the voter list and unveiling a draft electoral roll, often preceding elections. The EC has mandated a special intensive revision in Bihar due to rapid urbanization, migration, and the emergence of new eligible voters.
• Proof Requirements:
  • Voters born before July 1, 1987, must provide proof of their own date/place of birth.
  • Those born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, need proof of their parent’s date/place of birth.
  • Voters born after December 2, 2004, must provide proof of date/place of birth for both parents.

This revision is being conducted under the powers granted by Section 21, allowing the EC to prepare electoral rolls afresh. The Commission has previously invoked this power multiple times, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls. The process involves Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conducting house-to-house surveys and verifying voter eligibility, with the potential for appeals against decisions made by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).

With this intensive revision, the EC aims to ensure accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls, addressing issues like unreported deaths and the inclusion of foreign illegal immigrants. Additionally, new instructions regarding the counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) have been issued to enhance transparency and accountability during the electoral process.

GS3/Environment

Enhanced Rock Weathering

Source: The Hindu

Recently, major corporations, including tech giants, airlines, and fast fashion firms, have shown interest in purchasing carbon credits from Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) projects. This has brought attention to the potential of ERW as a method for carbon capture.

Key Takeaways

• ERW aims to accelerate the natural process of carbon dioxide capture and storage.
• It enhances a geological process called weathering, which breaks down rocks through carbonic acid.
• The process of weathering occurs naturally and helps lock carbon dioxide away as bicarbonate and limestone.
• Quick-weathering rocks like basalt are utilized in ERW to increase efficiency and surface area.
• ERW projects are being implemented globally in various regions, including Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia.

Additional Details

• Effectiveness of Enhanced Rock Weathering: The efficiency of ERW is influenced by factors such as rock type and size, climate conditions (wet and hot), soil type, and land management practices.
• The introduction of rock can enhance soil alkalinity, leading to benefits such as improved crop growth and increased soil nutrients.
• Basalt, a commonly available rock, is often sourced as a byproduct of quarrying, making it a cost-effective option for ERW.
• Even if the rock interacts with other acids in the soil, it can still provide ecological benefits by preventing the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from water bodies.

In conclusion, Enhanced Rock Weathering represents a promising approach to combat climate change by leveraging natural geological processes. However, it is vital to consider potential challenges, such as the presence of heavy metals in certain quick-weathering rocks.

GS2/Polity

Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme

Source: TOI

Why in News?

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has recently initiated a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) programme as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This initiative is designed to enhance the financial autonomy of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country.

Key Takeaways

• The ToT programme aims to strengthen the financial capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• It focuses on enhancing the ability of Panchayats to generate their Own Source Revenue (OSR).
• This initiative is implemented under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.
• The programme aims to build robust and financially capable Panchayats nationwide.

Additional Details

• Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA): Launched on 24th April 2018, RGSA serves as an umbrella scheme to develop and strengthen the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas across India, initially implemented from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
• The scheme has been revamped into a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the implementation period of 2022-23 to 2025-26, focusing on capacity building of elected representatives of PRIs.
• The primary objective of the revamped RGSA is to enhance the governance capabilities of Panchayats to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to their operations.
• This initiative extends to all States and Union Territories (UTs), including areas where Panchayati Raj institutions do not currently exist.

This structured approach aims to empower Panchayats, enabling them to function more effectively and sustainably in serving their communities.