Daily Current Affairs- 18th June 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 18th June 2025

Indian Navy Inducts INS Arnala, Strengthening Coastal Defence

In the News: On June 18, 2025, the Indian Navy formally commissioned INS Arnala, its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW‑SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The ceremony, under Eastern Naval Command, was presided over by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and hosted by Vice‑Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding‑in‑Chief. 

Key Points:

• Commissioning Ceremony: INS Arnala was inducted on June 18, 2025, in Visakhapatnam, with CDS General Anil Chauhan officiating and Vice‑Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar hosting.
• Type & Mission Roles: As India’s first ASW shallow-water craft, it is designed for subsurface surveillance, anti-submarine operations, search and rescue (SAR), low-intensity maritime missions, minelaying, and coordinated operations with naval aircraft.
• Technical Specs: Length: ~77 m, Displacement: >1,490 t (gross tonnage), Propulsion: Diesel‑engine with water‑jet—largest Indian warship using this combo, Draught: ~2.7 m, ideal for littoral zones.
• Armament & Sensors: Features lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, hull-mounted & towed low-frequency sonar, advanced combat management systems, and cutting-edge sensors and electronic-warfare systems.
• Shipbuilders & Indigenous Content: Lead ship built by GRSE in partnership with L&T Kattupalli; series includes 16 vessels (8 by GRSE/L&T, 8 by Cochin Shipyard) under Make in India/Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Over 80% indigenous content with contributions from BEL, Mahindra Defence, MEIL, and L&T
• Strategic Importance: Enhances coastal defence and underwater threat detection in shallow littoral waters. Reflects the Navy’s evolution from a “buyer’s navy” to a “builder’s navy.” Fortifies India's maritime capabilities across its ~7,500 km coastline and the broader Indian Ocean Region.
• Historical Naming: Named after Arnala Fort (off Vasai, Maharashtra), built in 1737 by Chimaji Appa, signifying India’s maritime legacy.
• Background & Series Expansion: INS Arnala (P68) is the lead corvette of the ASW‑SWC class. Delivered to the Navy on May 8, 2025, following contractor sea trials concluded by March 2025. All 16 vessels are expected in service by 2026, replacing the aging Abhay‑class corvettes. 

Bihar Pioneers India’s First Mobile‑Based e‑Voting System

In the News: The Bihar State Election Commission announced that Bihar became the first Indian state to introduce a mobile‑based e‑voting system for the upcoming municipal and urban body elections scheduled on June 28, 2025.

Key Points:

• System Launch & Timeline: Set to debut in municipal and urban body elections on June 28, 2025, via two Android apps—e‑Voting SECBHR (developed by C‑DAC) and another by Bihar SEC.
•  Inclusivity Goals: Enables remote voting for migrant labourers, Divyang (differently‑abled) voters, pregnant women, senior citizens, and the seriously ill, removing the need to visit polling booths.
•  Digital Security & Transparency: Features include blockchain, liveness detection, live face scan and face match, and an audit trail akin to VVPATs to ensure transparency and tamper resistance.
• Early Adoption: Approximately 10,000 voters have registered so far; target is to enable about 50,000 voters to use e‑voting in the pilot phase
•  Precedent in Digital Electoral Innovation: Bihar is no stranger to election technology—previously implemented face recognition for voter verification, OCR for counting, and digital locking of EVM strong rooms.
•  Global Context: Joins the ranks of jurisdictions such as Estonia in enabling secure remote mobile voting, marking a significant step toward global standards 

The Tea Board of India Amends Pan‑India Auction Rules

In the News: The Tea Board of India announced amendments to the pan‑India auction rules under the Bharat Auction model, following the recommendations of the Ramaseshan Committee, aimed at improving price discovery and safeguarding seller interests across the country.

Key Points:

• Amendment Launch Date: The new auction rules will come into effect from July 1, 2025, across all regions under the Bharat Auction platform.
• Objective: To enhance price discovery, ensure fair trade practices, and protect sellers through better control over sample distribution and auction transparency
• Seller Control on Samples: In South India, sellers will now have full control over the distribution of trade samples, helping them manage how product qualities are represented.
• Ramaseshan Committee: Set up to evaluate auction architecture; its recommendations form the backbone of the amended rules for improved market structure.
• Bharat Auction Model: A pan‑India electronic auction system where bids are placed prior to lots going live—now refined to better reflect market realities.
• Tea Board Role: As statutory regulator since 1953 (HQ‑Kolkata), the Board oversees auctions, licensing, quality control, and now, the implementation of these systemic improvements. 

India’s Unemployment Rises to 5.6% in May 2025 Amid Post‑Harvest Slowdown

In the News:  The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for May 2025, revealing that India's unemployment rate rose to 5.6%—up from 5.1% in April—primarily due to a post-harvest dip in agricultural employment.

Key Points:

• Overall Unemployment: Increased to 6% in May from 5.1% in April 2025
• Agricultural Impact: The decline in farm jobs post-Rabi harvest led rural unemployment to climb, with the share of agricultural workers falling from 9% to 43.5%
• Gender Disparity: Female unemployment stood at 8%, slightly higher than male unemployment at 5.6%
• Youth Unemployment: Youth aged 15–29 in urban areas saw a rise to 9% (from 17.2%), while rural youth unemployment reached 13.7% (from 12.3%).
• Labour Force Participation (LFPR): Overall LFPR dropped to 8% (from 55.6%), with rural at 56.9%, urban at 50.4%, and female rural LFPR declined to 36.9% .
• Worker-Population Ratio (WPR): Fell to 7% (from 52.8%), with rural at 54.1% and urban at 46.9%
• Seasonal & Weather Effects: Seasonal agricultural cycles and summer heat reduced outdoor employment, notably for rural women who often revert to unpaid domestic roles.
• Broader Economy: Despite unemployment uptick, India's economy is robust with 7.4% growth in Q1 (Jan–Mar) and a forecasted 6.5% growth for FY 2025–26; manufacturing slowed in May due to weak demand and inflation 

Anuradha Thakur Appointed to SEBI Board, Set to Join RBI Central Board Soon

In the News: Senior IAS officer Anuradha Thakur, a 1994-batch from the Himachal Pradesh cadre and currently serving as Officer-on-Special-Duty in the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), was appointed as a part-time member of the SEBI board and is expected to join the RBI Central Board following her confirmation as Economic Affairs Secretary, effective July 1, 2025.

Key Points:

• Board Induction: Thakur officially joined SEBI as a part-time (ex-officio) board member, effective June 16, 2025, alongside RBI Deputy Governor M. Rajeshwar Rao and Corporate Affairs Secretary Deepti Gaur Mukerjee.
• DEA Secretary Appointment: Appointed as the first woman Secretary of DEA, effective July 1, 2025, succeeding Ajay Seth (retiring June 30).
• RBI Board Role: As Economic Affairs Secretary, she will also serve as an ex-officio member of the RBI Central Board, replacing Ajay Seth and joining alongside Financial Services Secretary Nagaraju Maddirala.
• Professional Background: Thakur has previously held senior roles at SFIO and DIPAM, contributing to initiatives like Air India disinvestment and monetisation reforms. She has also served as Additional Secretary in MCA.

India–France Joint Exercise ‘Shakti 2025’ Begins in France

In the News: On June 18, 2025, the 8th edition of the biennial India–France joint Army exercise “Shakti 2025” commenced at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, France, running until July 1, 2025.

Key Points:

• Exercise Timeline & Location: Held from June 18 to July 1 at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, in Southern France
•  Objectives: Focused on enhancing multi-domain operations in sub-conventional/ semi-urban scenarios, aligned with UN Chapter VII mandates
•  Indian Contingent: Approximately 90 personnel led by a battalion of the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, supplemented by soldiers from other arms & services
•  French Counterpart: An equal-strength unit, 90 troops from the 13th Foreign Legion Half‑Brigade (13th DBLE), representing the French Army.
•  Training Modules: Cover joint drills, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs), modern equipment handling, physical endurance, and interoperability exercises designed for peacekeeping and asymmetric threat responses
• Diplomatic & Strategic Importance: Exercise Shakti strengthens military diplomacy, fosters professional camaraderie, and reflects the deepening Indo‑French defence cooperation and strategic alignment in the Indo‑Pacific region 

Operation True Promise 3: Iran’s Retaliatory Strike Redefines Modern Warfare

In the News: On June 13–17, 2025, Iran launched Operation True Promise 3, a sustained and multi-phased missile and drone campaign targeting Israeli military bases, civilian infrastructure, and key strategic facilities, in response to Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military installations.

Key Points:

• Operation Timeline: Began June 13, with continued large-scale missile/drone barrages through June 17, marking the third direct Iranian strike (True Promise I & II occurred in 2024).
• Scale & Phases: More than 9–12 waves executed, each targeting military airbases, IDF HQs, and civilian zones; operators reported involvement of over 100–150 missiles per wave, sometimes accompanied by drones.
• Targets & Damage: Key targets included:  The Kirya (IDF HQ, Tel Aviv), Weizmann Institute (Rehovot), Haifa oil refinery and power plant, Residential neighborhoods: Bat Yam, Rishon LeZion, and others.
• Casualties & Damage: Dozens of civilians killed/injured (e.g., 5–10 deaths), hundreds wounded, hundreds of residential and institutional structures damaged. Shockwaves reportedly affected the US embassy, though no injuries were reported there.
• Defense Interception: Israel's multi-layered defenses—including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems—successfully intercepted most incoming threats, although some warheads penetrated these shields and caused damage.
• Modern Warfare Shift: The protracted barrage underscores a shift toward hybrid warfare—combining ballistic missiles, drones, precise targeting, layered air defenses, and calculated escalation calibrated to test enemy defenses..
• Strategic Implications: Signals Iran's capacity to sustain high-volume, direct strikes despite losses in military infrastructure. Highlights limitations in Israel's air defenses under prolonged stress. Increases regional tensions, with the U.S. reinforcing defenses across the Middle East. 

UN Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer

In the News: On June 18, 2025, the UN General Assembly officially adopted a resolution declaring 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing their crucial contributions to global food systems and calling for stronger policies to support them .

Key Points:

• Official Declaration: The resolution (Agenda A/78/251), passed by consensus on June 18, 2025, designates 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
•  Purpose & Objectives: Seeks to shine a spotlight on women’s roles in agriculture, raise awareness about the obstacles they face (land rights, credit, technology), and advance several UN Sustainable Development Goals—especially gender equity and food security.
•  Global Support: Spearheaded by the United States and co-sponsored by over 123 UN member states, reflecting widespread global consensus and political will.
•  FAO Involvement: The Food and Agriculture Organization will lead efforts—awareness campaigns, policy frameworks, and gender-transformative programs—to address systemic discrimination and economic disparities for women farmers.
•  Key Statistics: Globally, women constitute nearly 39% of the agricultural workforce—averaging 60–80% in developing nations—yet own just 3% of farmland in some countries, e.g., India
•  Implementation Themes: Initiatives will focus on: Securing land rights and financial inclusion. Expanding access to tools, credits, and climate-resilient technology. Promoting women’s leadership and representation in agricultural decision-making. Fostering partnerships across governments, private sector, academia, and civil society 

International Labour Conference Adopts Landmark Biological Standards

In the News: The 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva concluded with the first-ever international Labour Convention (No. 192) and complementary Recommendation (No. 209) aimed at protecting workers from biological hazards in workplaces globally—defining a new benchmark in occupational health & safety.

Key Points:

• Historic Convention (C192): Legally binding obligations for governments and employers to prevent or control exposure to biological risks—viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, toxins, prions and allergens—across all work sectors.
•  Recommendation (No. 209): Offers technical guidance on risk assessments, emergency preparedness, early warning systems, training, and defining routes of exposure like airborne or vector-borne transmission.
•  Mandatory Worker Protections: Employers must assess and manage risks with worker involvement, ensuring timely information, training, and accessible occupational health services. Workers gain rights to refuse unsafe work and report without fear.
• Inclusive Governance: Framework recognizes high-risk sectors—healthcare, agriculture, forestry, construction—and calls special protections for vulnerable groups: pregnant/breastfeeding women, young, migrant workers.
•  Pandemic & Climate Relevance: Designed to prepare workplaces for future outbreaks and biological threats, taking into account environmental and climate-related factors.
• Multi-Standard Conference Outcomes: Alongside C192, ILC adopted resolutions on transitioning informal workers, early-stage standard-setting for platform economy work, amendments to maritime labour laws, and Palestine’s upgraded observer status. 

India Hosts First Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance in New Delhi

In the News:  On June 16, 2025, India convened the first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in New Delhi. The Assembly was chaired by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and included ministerial delegations from nine countries—Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, Kazakhstan, and India. During the gathering, Yadav was elected as IBCA President, and S.P. Yadav was appointed Director General. The Assembly also ratified the headquarters agreement, operational workplan, rules, and financial regulations. The IBCA, launched in March 2024 by India under the National Tiger Conservation Authority, encompasses 95 range countries dedicated to conserving seven major big cat species.

Key Points:

• Assembly Date & Venue: Held on 16 June 2025 in New Delhi; presided over by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
• Leadership Appointments: Bhupender Yadav elected as President, S.P. Yadav appointed Director General of IBCA.
• Member Participation: Delegations from nine nations attended, demonstrating early international engagement.
• Governance Framework: Assembly ratified the Headquarters Agreement, workplan, procedural rules, and financial regulations to formalize operations.
• IBCA Composition: A coalition of 95 range countries aimed at conserving seven big cat species—Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, Puma .
   Objectives & Strategy: The Alliance focuses on global collaboration, knowledge exchange, capacity building, technical and financial support, anti-poaching coordination, sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening conservation policy across member nations.
• India’s Role: As host and secretariat, backed by a government-provided ₹150 crore corpus (2023–28), India demonstrates leadership in wildlife conservation.