Current Affairs – June 17, 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Architecture} Simhachalam Temple

• Context (TH): The Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Simhachalam is experiencing structural issues due to age.

Credits: Holidays DNA

• Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Simhachalam is a Lord Vishnu temple located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on the Simhachalam Hill Range.
• It is built in the blend architecture of Kalinga and Chalukya style. The exact age of the temple is unknown.
• Kulottunga Chola I of Tamil Nadu made endowments to this temple, as evidenced from inscriptions dating back to the year 1087.
• The Vengi Chalukyas of Andhra Pradesh renovated the original shrine in the 11^th century.
• The temple’s present structure is largely attributed to Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, who renovated it in the 13^th century CE.
• Krishna Deva Raya visited the temple in 1516, as recorded in inscriptions.
• Features a square shrine with a tall tower, a front portico topped by a smaller tower, a 16-pillar square mandapam and an enclosed veranda, intricately carved with floral motifs & scenes from Vishnu Puranas.
• The temple is supported by 96 pillars of black stone.
• The idol is covered in sandal paste and removed once in a year on Chandanyatra or Chandanotsavam.

{GS2 – Governance – Initiatives} Evaluation of Central Schemes

• Context (TH): Government to evaluate all Central Sector & Centrally Sponsored Schemes, as part of a new Sunset Clause approach.
• Development Monitoring and Evaluation Organisation, NITI Aayog will conduct assessments of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, while third-party agencies selected by respective ministries will evaluate Central Sector Schemes.
• Government, earlier, had made it mandatory to evaluate all Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector schemes before their reappraisal under the 15th Finance Commission.

A Sunset Clause is a provision under which a scheme or law automatically expires after a certain period unless it is evaluated and explicitly extended.

Key Features of the Evaluation Process

• All schemes will now carry a predefined validity period, typically 3 to 5 years, after which their continuation will depend strictly on outcome-based performance evaluations.
• Total projected outlay of a continuing scheme over 16^th FC should not be more than 5.5 times the average of annual expenditure made between FY 2021-22 and 2024-25.
• All schemes will operate as Fund limited schemes, i.e. the total sanctions over the FC cycle must not exceed the approved outlay
• Central Nodal Agency (CAN) to be designated by concerned Ministry/ Department for implementing each Central Sector Scheme.
  • CAN can be an Autonomous Body, a Central Public Sector Enterprise or a State Government Agency.
• Ministries administering the schemes should make realistic budget estimates for Central Sector schemes.
  • Unutilized assignments will lapse to the Government at the close of the Financial Year.

Significance

• Resource efficiency: Outdated or underperforming programs continued without review, wasting funds and crowding out new priorities.
• Helps Eliminate Redundancy: Ineffective or overlapping schemes can be merged or closed, streamlining governance.
• Shift to Evidence-Based Governance: Decisions will now be based on actual data and outcomes, not assumptions or political popularity.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} Iran’s Nuclear Programme

• Context (TH | TH): 19 of 35 IAEA Board members voted to censure Iran for breaching nuclear non-proliferation commitments for the first time in 20 years. The resolution was moved by France, UK, Germany (E3) & the US.
• Reason: Iran possesses enough 60% enriched uranium to make 9 nuclear bombs.

JCPOA – 2015 Nuclear Deal

• Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a multilateral agreement aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear capabilities in return for economic relief.
• It was the result of negotiations from 2013 and 2015 between Iran and P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States + Germany).

Credits: BBC

• UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) provided the JCPOA with international legal recognition and support.
• Objectives:
  • Limit Iran’s nuclear programme: Iran agreed to reduce uranium enrichment, dismantle centrifuges & cap its stockpile of enriched uranium.
  • In exchange for sanctions relief by the UN, US & EU, Iran received economic benefits, including the lifting of oil, banking & trade sanctions.

• Iran’s Obligations under JCPOA:
  • Cap on Uranium Enrichment: Iran was restricted to enriching uranium up to 3.67%, well below the weapons-grade level of 90%.
  • IAEA inspections: The IAEA was granted regular access to Iranian nuclear sites to verify compliance.
• Post-2018 Developments:
  • 2018-US withdrew from JCPOA: By accused Iran of deception & opted for a “maximum pressure” policy.
  • 2019 onwards Iran gradually breached JCPOA restrictions by exceeding uranium enrichment limits & curtailing IAEA inspection access.

Treaties to prevent Nuclear Proliferation

• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): Prevent spread of nuclear weapons and related technology.
• Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT),1963: Bans nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. India has signed and ratified.
• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), 1996: Prohibits all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes. India has not signed, citing discriminatory provisions.
• Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW), 2017: Bans development, testing, possession, and use of nuclear weapons. India has not signed, due to lack of participation by nuclear-armed states.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) IAEA is an autonomous international organisation within the United Nations. It seeks to maximise the contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use. Established in 1957, it has 175 Member States; India has been a member since its inception. Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} Iran-Israel conflict & Impact on India

• Context (ET | IE): The Israel-Iran conflict is escalating, but its economic impact on India remains limited for now, though oil prices & trade may face short-term volatility.

• Operation Rising Lion (Israel): Targeted Iranian nuclear & military sites through airstrikes & drone attacks to halt Iran’s nuclear weapon advancement.
• Operation True Promise 3 (Iran): Retaliatory missile strikes on Israel, causing explosions in Jerusalem & Tel Aviv.

Reasons of Iran–Israel Conflict

• Post-1979 Shift: Iran turned from an ally to a opponent of Israel after the Islamic Revolution, driven by ideological & religious differences.
• Nuclear Threat: Israel sees Iran’s uranium enrichment (60%) & stalled JCPOA talks as a direct existential threat.
• Proxy Warfare: Iran backs Hezbollah, Hamas & anti-Israel groups, intensifying regional hostility.
• Geopolitical Rivalry: Both nations support opposing sides in Syria, Yemen & Iraq, vying for regional dominance.
• Hostile Rhetoric: Iran’s repeated calls for Israel’s destruction fuel longstanding animosity & pre-emptive Israeli actions.

Credits: BBC

Implications on India

• Energy Security: India imports 2 million barrels/day via the Strait of Hormuz, conflict may cause oil supply shocks, price surges, inflation, fiscal stress & raise insurance premiums, shipping times.
  • Global crude spiked 8% due to conflict. India, importing 80% of its oil, faces higher import bills despite minimal direct imports from Iran.
  • Rerouting via Cape of Good Hope could delay shipments by 15–20 days & raise container costs by 40–50%.
• Impact on Strategic Projects: Projects like Chabahar Port, IMEC & INSTC face delays, funding challenges & route disruptions due to regional tensions.
• Diaspora Vulnerability: Over 66% of 1.34 crore NRIs live in West Asia (UAE, Saudi, Qatar), conflict endangers lives, may require mass evacuations.
• Investor Shift to Gold: Geopolitical uncertainty pushed gold prices above ₹1 lakh/10g, driven by safe-haven demand & long-term inflation fears.

Way Forward

• Two-State Solution: Advocate peaceful resolution of Israel-Palestine conflict as a core to long-term West Asia peace.
• Dialogue & Diplomacy: Encourage EU/UN-led talks between Israel & Iran to ease hostilities & reduce nuclear tensions.
• Revive JCPOA: Promote Iran’s return to JCPOA under IAEA safeguards, discourage unilateral military actions by Israel.
• Security Architecture: Encourage cooperation through multilateral platforms (e.g., GCC, Arab League) involving both rivals.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Children} 2025 SDG 4 Scorecard

• Context (TH): UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) team released the SDG 4 Scorecard.
• The SDG 4 Scorecard is a new way of monitoring progress towards the global education goal (SDG 4) jointly coordinated by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and the GEM Report.

Key Findings

• Total Exclusion: 272 million out-of-school children in 2023; up by 21 million. Countries will fall short by 75 million from the 2025 SDG targets.
• Regional Disparity: Sub-Saharan Africa shows the highest exclusion due to instability.
• UN projects 3.1% rise in school-age population, adding 49 million by 2025.

India-Specific Findings

• Pre-Primary Access: Participation rate at 91%, nearing 95% target.
• Primary Completion: Stands at 94%, close to the 99% benchmark.
• Secondary Lag: Upper secondary completion at 51%, below the 84% target.
• Declining Exclusion: Out-of-school rates are dropping faster for the primary level.

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} Punjab’s Persistent Paddy Paradox

• Context (IE): Despite Punjab government’s diversification efforts, the state faces another year of near-record paddy cultivation.

Paddy Cultivation in Punjab

• Paddy Cultivation: During the current kharif season, Punjab has about 35–36 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation, slightly up from 35.2 lakh hectares last year. Accounts more than 92% last year.
• Alternative Crops: Merely 8% including cotton, maize, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane.

Reasons behind Dominance of Paddy Cultivation in Punjab

• MSP Guarantee: Assured procurement making paddy more attractive than alternatives.
• Market Support Deficit: Weak institutional support for maize, pulses compared to paddy.
• Risk Aversion: Farmers hesitant to experiment other crops without assured returns.
• Infrastructure Gap: Limited processing facilities and market linkages for alternative crops.
• Subsidies: Free Electricity encouraging water-intensive cultivation like paddy. Fertilizer subsidies are also structurally aligned towards paddy cultivation.
• Historical Legacy: Decades of paddy-centric policy creating systemic dependency.

Concerns Raised

• Soil Degradation: Paddy cultivation specifically depletes soil nutrients which increases dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
• Depletion of Groundwater: As it is a water intensive crop, Punjab’s groundwater table has been declining by 0.5 meters per annum on an average, largely due to paddy.
• Ecological Impact: Reduced biodiversity, increased pest and disease vulnerability.
• Stubble Burning: Legal restrictions delay paddy sowing, shortening the crop cycle which led to problem of burning paddy stubble and widespread air pollution.
• Climate Vulnerability: Paddy crops are highly affected by erratic weather, floods & rising temperatures.
• Environmental Impact: Over-irrigation and paddy fields contribute to methane emissions and land degradation.

Punjab’s Initiatives for Crop Diversification

• The state has launched a pilot project to divert 12,000 hectares from paddy to maize, and increase area under cotton cultivation by 15%.
• Enacted the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009. It barred any nursery-sowing and transplanting before May 15 and June 15, respectively.

Way Forward/Recommendations

Comprehensive Solution Framework

• Scale Enhancement: Increase diversification targets beyond current 12,000 hectares.
• MSP Extension: Provide minimum support price guarantee for alternative crops.
• Market Infrastructure: Develop processing and value-addition facilities for diversified crops.
• Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive crop insurance for risk mitigation.

Structural Reforms

• Electricity Policy: Rationalize free electricity provision with tiered water pricing.
• Integrated Planning: Develop comprehensive crop planning with market linkage assurance.
• Technology Adoption: Promote water-efficient irrigation techniques and drought-resistant varieties.
• Economic Incentives: Create differential pricing supporting sustainable cropping patterns.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Weather Disruptions and Urban Vulnerabilities

• Context (IE): The first half of 2025 recorded multiple weather anomalies across India, underscoring the accelerating impact of climate change on temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and urban systems.

Factors Behind Rising Humidity Levels

• Sea Surface Temperature Rise: Warmer oceans contribute to higher evaporation rates.
• More Low-Pressure Systems: Bay of Bengal depressions bring moist air deeper inland.
• Urban Sealing of Surfaces: Concrete and asphalt prevent natural evaporation.
• Green Cover Reduction: Loss of trees and vegetation reduces transpiration-based cooling.
• Erratic Monsoon Cycles: Delayed rains lead to prolonged pre-monsoon humidity.

Why are Cities more vulnerable to climate risk?

• High Population Density: Densely populated cities amplify disaster impacts.
• Heat-Retaining Materials: Asphalt and concrete increase temperature retention.
• Drainage infrastructure gaps: Unplanned growth leads to flooding after minor rains.
• Concrete canyon effect: Tall buildings trap warm, moist air in narrow city streets.

Urban Heat Island Effect Urban heat island is a temporary phenomenon in which certain pockets within a city experience higher heat load than its surroundings. This is due to rising ‘concretisation’ in urban spaces where heat trapped is unable to dissipate easily. Asphalt and concrete absorb and trap heat during the day. Vehicles, industries, and ACs release additional heat. Urban Canyon Effect: Tall buildings block wind and trap radiant heat between structures. Air Pollution Layer: Urban haze prevents heat from escaping, increasing night-time temperatures.

Intensifying Impact of Humidity

• Economic Cost: The estimated economic loss is US$624 billion annually due to heat.
• Job Risk: 34 million jobs could be impacted within five years (World Bank).
  • Annual labour losses from 2001-20 equalled 259 billion hours.
• Health Complications: Humidity blocks sweat evaporation, worsening heat stress. Heatstroke, dehydration, and sleep disruption increase with humidity.
• Lightning Surge: High humidity fuels convection, increasing lightning strikes. More than 150 people lost their lives in Bihar in March & April due to lightning strikes.
• Spoilage of Perishables: Humidity accelerates food and crop spoilage in transit and storage. Yield losses reported in wheat, rice, and sugarcane due to weather extremes.
• Amplified Urban Heat: Humid air intensifies the urban heat island effect in dense city zones, leading to a sharp rise in energy usage and putting additional strain on power grids.

Way Forward

Structural Strategies for Climate Resilience

• Climate resilience infrastructure audits: Regular resilience audits of existing urban infrastructure to assess climate stress tolerance and retrofit weak links.
• Decentralised renewable energy: Promote rooftop solar, biogas, and microgrids to reduce dependence on centralized power during extreme weather disruptions.
• Heat-resilient Housing: Mandate climate-resilient housing in building codes: subsidize cool roofing materials, enforce passive ventilation standards, and fund retrofits in vulnerable neighborhoods.
  • E.g. Hyderabad’s reflective roof initiative can serve as a national pilot.
• Coastal Design Adjustments: Redesign coastal infrastructure with raised plinths, mangrove buffers, and adaptive zoning to handle humidity and sea-level rise.

Non-structural Strategies

• Early Warning: Integrate AI-based forecasting and community-level response apps to deliver precise alerts for extreme heat and humidity.
• Climate Budgeting: Embed climate risk in fiscal planning — mandate a “Resilience Scorecard” in all municipal budget proposals.
• Establish Urban Climate Resilience Cells at state & municipal levels to coordinate data, policy, and emergency response.

Global Best Practices for Climate Resilient Cities Paris Green Roof Rule: New commercial buildings must include vegetation/solar panels for insulation. Singapore Vertical Gardens: Green walls and sky parks reduce ambient urban temperatures. Netherlands Flood Parks: Urban parks are designed to double as stormwater retention zones. Tokyo Green Credit System: Tradable credits incentivise private green space development. New York Climate Codes: Infrastructure must follow standards addressing future climate risks. Copenhagen Stormwater Plan: Blue–green networks manage intense rainfall and urban flooding. Blue-Green Networks: Integrated systems of water bodies and green spaces that manage floods and reduce urban heat.

Read more > Wet Bulb Temperature.

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} AI in Biomanufacturing

• Context (TH): India stands at a pivotal juncture in harnessing AI for biotechnology innovation, with initiatives like BioE3 Policy and India AI Mission.

About BioE3 Policy

• BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy marks a significant leap in India’s biotechnology sector. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024.
• Aim: To transform India into a global biotech powerhouse by fostering high-performance bio manufacturing and addressing key pillars of the economy, environment, and employment.
• It aligns with the vision of a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future by promoting regenerative bio manufacturing and a shift from chemical-based industries to sustainable bio-based models.
• The BioE3 Policy introduces key initiatives such as advanced bio manufacturing facilities, bio-foundry clusters, and bio-AI hubs to support bio-based product development and commercialization.
• Promotes regenerative bio manufacturing and supports a circular Bio economy aligned with India’s net-zero goals.

India AI Mission Focuses on ethical AI development and responsible deployment. The Mission emphasizes explainable AI, algorithmic bias reduction, and machine unlearning frameworks. It builds technical capacity while establishing trust through responsible AI development standards for sensitive sectors like healthcare and biotechnology.

India’s Bio economy: Status

• India’s Bio economy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target of $300 billion by 2030.
• Contributes 4.25% to GDP with a 17.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over past four years.
• The government aims to make India a global bio-manufacturing hub driven by innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development.

AI in Bio economy

Applications

• Real-time Monitoring: AI systems process thousands of data points per second, detecting temperature drifts, pH variations, and cell growth changes.
• Digital Twins: Virtual manufacturing plant replicas enable simulation, testing, and problem prediction without touching real equipment.
• Predictive Maintenance: AI prevent failed batches, reduce waste, & ensure consistent quality standards.
• Process Optimization: Automated adjustments maintaining batch quality and reducing human intervention.

Regulatory Challenges

• Outdated Framework: Existing drug approval regulations like Schedule M cannot evaluate adaptive AI systems, such as Biocon’s real-time insulin purification tool that adjusts to material variability.
• Reliability Assessment: Lack of standards for AI model validation in bioreactor control and vaccine batch prediction. E.g. Serum Institute’s AI controlling measles vaccine bioreactors lacks validation standards for handling Mumbai’s monsoon power fluctuations.
• Data Representation: Insufficient guidelines ensuring AI training data represents India’s diverse conditions. E.g. Dr. Reddy’s AI stability models trained on Western climates cannot predict drug degradation in Rajasthan’s 45°C heat or Kerala’s monsoon humidity.
• Risk Evaluation: Absence of context-specific risk assessment mechanisms, e.g. AI antibiotic selection tools lack India-specific risk models for XDR-TB strains prevalent in Mumbai slums, leading to inappropriate treatment recommendations.

Way Forward

• Regulatory Reform: Risk-based adaptive framework with clear AI validation standards, like CDSCO creating a fast-track approval pathway for AI-diagnostic tools, reducing approval time from 18 months to 6 months for algorithms that meet pre-defined accuracy benchmarks.
• Infrastructure Investment: Beyond metropolitan cities to include semi-urban & rural manufacturing sites, tier-2 cities like Nashik & Vizag with high-speed internet, and automated quality control systems.
• Collaborative Ecosystem: Bringing together regulators, industry, academia, and international partners
• Talent Development: Building AI-biotechnology expertise across the country for instance, creating Centres of Excellence for AI in Life Sciences at universities like JNU, BHU, and regional medical colleges.

Global Regulation EU AI Act (2024): Four-tier risk classification with strict audits for high-risk applications. US FDA Guidelines (2025): Seven-step framework for AI credibility with Predetermined Change Control Plans.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} Rudrastra Drone

• Context (ET): Successful trails of indigenous Rudrastra VTOL drone by the Indian Army.

Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drones operate without runways, enabling use in confined terrains.

Credits: ET

• Rudrastra is a hybrid VTOL Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with autonomous strike capability.
  • It combines rotary lift for take-off and fixed-wing flight for extended range.
• Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in collaboration with the Indian Army.
• Range & Endurance: Mission radius of 50 km, total range of 170 kilometres, & endurance of 1.5 hours.
• Warhead Capability: Equipped with an 8-kilogram airburst munition for wide-area anti-personnel use.
• Precision Targeting: Uses GPS and onboard sensors for accurate strike delivery.
• Autonomous: Executes loiter, strike, and return functions without manual input.

Airburst Warhead: Explodes mid-air to cover a wide area with fragmentation. India’s Military Drone Initiatives iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): Supports startups in developing indigenous military drones. Make-I & Make-II Projects: Promotes domestic design and prototype of UAVs under defence procurement. SWiFT UAV Program: Scaled-down stealth drone prototype under development by DRDO. Rustom UAV Series: DRDO-led medium-altitude long-endurance drone program for surveillance and strike. High-Altitude Logistics Drone Project: Army initiative to deploy drones for supply missions in the Himalayan regions.

{Prelims – In News} Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)

• Context (TH): In the aftermath of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, serious concerns have emerged regarding the effectiveness and independence of aircraft accident investigations in India.

• AAIB is India’s primary agency for investigating aviation accidents.
• Established in 2012. It is an attached office under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
  • Before AAIB, such investigations were handled by Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
• Central office: New Delhi.
• It fulfils India’s obligations under Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention, 1944.
• It functions under the Government of India’s State Safety Programme (SSP).
• Functions:
  • Investigates all accidents/major incidents involving aircraft over 2250 kg or turbojet aircraft in India.
  • Classifies safety occurrences into Accidents, Serious Incidents, and Incidents.
  • Publishes final reports for global aviation authorities.

Chicago Convention Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), was signed at Chicago in 1944. Came into force in 1947. Purpose: To establish rules of airspace, aircraft registration, and safety. To promote cooperation in international civil aviation. To lay the foundation for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations.

{Species – Discovery} Habrocestum swaminathani

• Context (TH): New species of jumping spider discovered in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary & Karnataka.

• Named Habrocestum swaminathani in honour of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the father of India’s Green Revolution.

Credits: DH

• Belongs to the rare genus Habrocestum of the Salticidae (Jumping Spider) family. It is the first record of this genus from India.
• Has small body, bright eyes with sharp vision, & exhibits complex courtship behaviours & jumping agility.

Habrocestum is a rare genus of small, agile jumping spiders known for excellent vision and active hunting, recorded in India for the first time. Salticidae is the scientific family name for jumping spiders, known for their excellent eyesight, jumping ability, and active hunting behaviour.

{Species – Discovery} Portulaca Bharat

• Context (TH): A new flowering plant species, named Portulaca Bharat, has been discovered in the semi-arid rocky slopes of the Aravali Hills.

Credits: The Hindu

• The species is endemic and extremely rare.
• Physical characteristics: Has opposite and slightly concave leaves, pale-yellow flowers that turn creamish-white towards the apex, glandular hairs on stamen filaments.
• Habitat: Known only from a single site near Galtaji hills. Only 10 individuals found in the wild.
• Provisionally assessed as “Data Deficient” under IUCN Red List guidelines.

Portulaca Genus Known for their toughness, water storing tissues and adaptation to extreme environment. Comprises 153 species globally; found in tropical and subtropical regions. In, India, 11 species, including 4 endemics are currently known.