Daily Current Affairs- 20th June 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 20th June 2025

Delhi Set for First Cloud-Seeding Trial by June-End

In the News: By mid-to-late June 2025, Delhi will initiate its first-ever cloud‑seeding pilot, aiming to artificially induce rainfall during high-pollution periods as a strategy to clear smog and test its viability as an air-quality mitigation tool.

Key Points:

• Project Launch: Cloud-seeding trials approved in early May by Delhi Cabinet; first flight anticipated by end‑June, pending final clearances and suitable cloud conditions.  
• Pilot Timeline: Up to five sorties, each about 1–1.5 hours, over separate days, potentially within a week.
• Budget & Funding: ₹3.21 crore total—₹75 crore allotted for five trials at ₹55 lakh each; ₹66 lakh for equipment, logistics, and storage. Fully funded by Delhi Government’s Dept of Environment.
• Execution Partners: Designed and implemented by IIT Kanpur in collaboration with IMD, with scientific oversight and operational planning.
• Technology: Utilizes Cessna aircraft fitted with flare-based dispersal systems for a proprietary mix of silver iodide nanoparticles, iodized salt, rock salt, and hygroscopic agents.
• Area & Airspace: Trials cover ~100 sq km zones in northwest and outer Delhi. Sensitive zones (Lutyens’ area, IGI Airport, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament) are excluded per aviation protocols.
• Trigger Conditions: IMD provides real‑time weather data—cloud type (notably nimbostratus at 500–6,000 m), moisture (>50%), altitude, wind, dew point—to decide optimal seeding windows.
• Air Quality Monitoring: Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) will track PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations to assess short-term effects.
• Regulatory Status: All major clearances obtained; final DGCA technical approvals pending and expected before month-end. Ministry of Defence has approved flights from Hindon Air Base.
• Objective vs Limitations: Primary aim is to test the method’s potential to induce rain—not directly to reduce pollution, though rainfall is known to help curb particulate matter. Experts stress it’s a temporary, experimental measure, not a replacement for systemic pollution control. 

PM Modi Flags Off India’s First Locomotive Export to Guinea from Bihar

In the News: On June 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremonially flagged off India’s first-ever export-bound diesel locomotive, built at the Marhowra Diesel Locomotive Factory in Saran, Bihar. This milestone marks the beginning of India's entry into the global locomotive market.

Key Points:

• Flag‑off Event: PM Modi flagged off the first locomotive produced at Marhowra for export to the Republic of Guinea, under the “Make in India – Make for the World” initiative.
• Export Deal Details: India will export 150 state-of-the-art ES43ACi diesel locomotives to Guinea over the next three years, as part of a deal worth approximately ₹3,000 crore.
• Factory Profile: Established in 2018 as a PPP between Indian Railways and Wabtec, the Marhowra plant has capacity for 170 locomotives annually—100 for domestic use and the rest for export.
• Technical Specs: Each locomotive is 4,500 HP, featuring AC propulsion, regenerative braking, microprocessor-based controls, ergonomic cabs (with refrigerator, microwave, waterless toilet), fire-detection systems, and compatibility with standard, broad, and Cape gauge tracks.
• Purpose & Project Use: The locomotives will support the TransGuinéen Railway, assisting in the Simandou iron ore project—Africa’s largest mining initiative
• Manufacturing & Employment: Since launch, the plant has delivered over 700 locomotives to Indian Railways. It currently employs around 285 direct and 1,200+ indirect workers; export operations will create more jobs locally.
• Strategic Impact: This marks India’s emergence as a global hub for heavy-rail manufacturing, showcasing capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India programs. It enhances India–Africa trade, strengthens economic ties with Guinea, and boosts Bihar’s industrial profile.
• Event Context: The flag-off took place during PM Modi’s fourth visit to election-bound Bihar, where he also launched several development projects, including the Patliputra–Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express, new railway lines, battery energy storage systems, sewage treatment plants, water supply and housing initiatives. 

Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0

In the News: On June 18, 2025, the Union Ministry of Education unveiled the PGI 2.0, an enhanced version of the Performance Grading Index assessing the 2022‑23 and 2023‑24 performance of states and union territories in school education across 73 indicators and six key domains on a 1,000-point scale.

Key Points:

• Framework Revision: PGI 2.0 (initiated 2021–22) aligns with NEP 2020 and SDG 4, using data from UDISE+, NAS 2021, PM‑POSHAN, and portal sources to evaluate 73 indicators across six domains: Learning Outcomes, Access, Infrastructure & Facilities, Equity, Governance Processes, and Teacher Education & Training.
• Grading Scale: Total score out of 1,000; split into ten bands from Daksh (941–1000, top) to Akanshi‑3 (up to 460, bottom) .
• Top Performer: Chandigarh topped with 719 points (Grade Prachesta‑1), leading in infrastructure, equity, digital governance, and retention; though no region reached the Daksh
• High Performers (Prachesta‑3): Ten states/UTs—including Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan—scored 581–640.
• Bottom of the Table: Meghalaya ranked lowest with 417 (Akanshi‑3). Ten other states including Telangana, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh were in the Akanshi‑2 category (461–520) .
• Improvements Noted: 24 out of 36 states/UTs improved scores year-on-year; 12 declined.
• Best gains in Access: Bihar and Telangana, measured by enrolment, retention, and reducing out-of-school children.
• Infrastructure gains: Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Telangana showed notable improvements in facilities like toilets, water, electricity, and digital resources.
• Learning Outcomes & Equity: Despite data lag (NAS 2021), no state hit the top band in learning outcomes; equity gaps persist though slight narrowing is observed.
• Policy Insights: PGI 2.0 serves as a data-driven tool to inform targeted reform aligned with NEP 2020 and SDG 4, highlighting areas needing urgent intervention: outcomes, governance, infrastructure, and equity.

PM Modi’s Historic Croatia Visit

In the News: On June 18, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed the first-ever official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, marking a watershed moment in bilateral relations and reinforcing Delhi’s strategy to enhance India–Europe connectivity and cooperation.

Key Points:

• Historic Visit: PM Modi’s visit from June 15–19, 2025 formed the final leg of a three-nation tour (Cyprus, Canada, Croatia) and marked the first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia. •
• Diplomatic Engagement: Received with full ceremonial honors at Zagreb’s Banski Dvori palace, he held delegation-level talks with PM Andrej Plenković that spanned trade, defence, technology, space, cultural exchange, and counter-terror efforts.
• IMEC & Connectivity: Both leaders emphasised Croatia’s role as a gateway to Central & Southeast Europe, leveraging key Adriatic ports (Rijeka, Split, Ploče) and connecting India with Europe via the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC).
• Strategic Significance: Croatia’s EU & NATO membership positions it as a vital political interlocutor, capable of influencing EU decision-making—particularly around the pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement.
• MoUs & Agreements: Four Memoranda of Understanding were inked in the areas of agriculture, science & technology, culture exchange, and establishing a Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb, laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration.
• Sectoral Cooperation: Agreed to expand cooperation in ports and shipping, digitalisation, AI, renewables, pharma, tourism, railway infrastructure, and defence-industrial partnerships.
• Security & Counter-terror: Croatia reiterated solidarity, particularly after support following the Pahalgam terror attack. Both nations reaffirmed firm opposition to terrorism and emphasised dialogue and diplomacy over military conflict.
• Cultural & People-to-People: Continued momentum in Indology, yoga, Indian culture, and historical ties (first Croatian Sanskrit grammar in 1790). Both sides aimed to deepen cultural exchanges, tourism, start‑up linkages, and workforce mobility initiatives.
• Global & Regional Impact: Joint support for UN reforms, climate action, and a free trade agreement with the EU. Reinforced diplomatic consensus on upholding sovereignty, international law, and opposing military aggression. 

India-Cyprus Sign MoU to Enable UPI Services for Cross-Border Payments
In the News: During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus (June 15–16, 2025), India and Cyprus signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable UPI-based cross‑border payment services, aimed at facilitating seamless digital transactions for Indian tourists, businesses, and investors in Cyprus..

Key Points:

• MoU Signing: NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Eurobank Cyprus formalized an agreement to introduce UPI infrastructure in Cyprus for instant transactions.
• Events & Context: The MoU was a key outcome of discussions at the Limassol business roundtable (June 15, 2025), co-chaired by PM Modi and President Christodoulides, alongside an MoU between NSE International Exchange (GIFT City) and the Cyprus Stock Exchange.
• User Benefits: Indian tourists and travelers will be able to make real-time, secure UPI payments in Cyprus, avoiding currency conversion—enhancing convenience and fostering tourism. Cypriot merchants and businesses also gain exposure to India’s large digital consumer base.
• Strategic Importance: Cyprus’s geographic position as a gateway to Europe/Mediterranean and its role in EU policymaking make it a valuable launchpad for UPI’s expansion into Europe.
• Broader Cooperation: The deal complements the NSE–Cyprus Stock Exchange MoU, facilitating dual listings and bolstering cross-border financial flows via GIFT City’s international exchange arm.
• UPI's Global Reach: UPI, launched in April 2016 by NPCI, already supports international payments in countries like France, Sri Lanka, and the UK, positioning India’s fintech leadership globally. 

Hunger Hotspots

In the News: On June 16, 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) released their joint “Hunger Hotspots: Early Warning on Acute Food Insecurity – June to October 2025” report. The report designates Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Haiti, and Palestine as global hunger hotspots of highest concern, urging urgent humanitarian intervention.

Key Points:

• Report Scope: Covers 13 countries with deteriorating food security, identifying five at highest risk of famine—Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Haiti, and Palestine—and other high-concern nations including Yemen, DRC, Myanmar, and Nigeria.
• Leading Drivers: Conflict, economic shocks, climate-related disasters (flooding, drought), restricted humanitarian access, and funding shortages are the primary triggers of acute food insecurity.
• Sudan: Famine conditions confirmed in some regions; ongoing civil strife has displaced millions. Nearly 25 million people face acute food insecurity; famine risk remains extreme.
• South Sudan: Floods, conflict, and economic turmoil have placed 7 million people in crisis or worse, with about 63,000 in famine-like conditions. Flooding worsens pre-existing vulnerability.
• Mali & Haiti: In Mali, violence and soaring grain prices threaten 2,600 people with starvation by August. Haiti grapples with gang violence and displacement; thousands are in catastrophic hunger.
• Palestine (Gaza): Gaza’s 1 million residents face severe food insecurity; nearly 500,000 at risk of famine by September.
• Other High‑Risk Areas: Yemen, DRC, Myanmar, and Nigeria are flagged as very high concern; additional hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.
• Call to Action: The report stresses immediate, large-scale humanitarian aid—both funding and physical access—to prevent starvation and famine. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasised sustaining agriculture amidst crises.
• WFP Statement: Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director, described the analysis as a "red alert", warning that without funding and safe access, “we cannot save lives.”

 

India’s Green India Mission Revised

In the News: On June 17–18, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released a revised roadmap for the Green India Mission (GIM)—a key National Action Plan on Climate Change initiative. The update emphasizes restoration of vulnerable ecosystems, carbon sink expansion, and livelihood improvement, aligning the mission with India's 2030 climate commitments.

Key Points:

• Mission Overview: Launched in 2014, GIM aims to increase forest/tree cover on 5 m ha and improve quality on another 5 m ha, while supporting 3 million rural households and contributing to carbon sequestration.
• Revised Targets & Scale: The roadmap envisions restoring a total of 7 m ha by 2030—potentially sequestering 3.39 billion tonnes of CO₂—thus exceeding national commitments of 2.5–3 billion tonnes. 
• Focus Ecosystems: The revised mission prioritizes restoration of: Aravalli Ranges (linked with ₹16,053 cr Aravalli Green Wall across 8 lakh ha), Western Ghats (afforestation, mining-site rehab, groundwater recharge), Himalayas, and Mangrove ecosystems. Landscape-
• Based Approach: Emphasis on regionally tailored micro‑ecosystem restoration, oriented around ecological vulnerability and guided by scientific inputs (e.g., Wildlife Institute of India and Forest Survey of India).
• Implementation Strategy: Includes restoring open forests, agroforestry, plantations on wastelands, and greening along highways/railways. Forest Survey of India estimates restoring open forests across 15 m ha could capture 89 billion tonnes of CO₂.
• Funding & Uptake: From 2019–20 to 2023–24, ₹624.7 cr allocated to 18 states, with ₹575.6 cr utilized; between 2015‑21, 22 m ha under afforestation via central and state programmes.
• Livelihood & Ecological Balance: The revised framework shifts from prior plantation-only models to community-centric ecological restoration aimed at sustaining forest-dependent livelihoods and improving ecosystem health. 

Honda Successfully Tests Reusable Rocket

In the News: On June 17, 2025, Honda R&D achieved a breakthrough by launching and autonomously landing a 6.3 m experimental reusable rocket at its Taiki, Hokkaido test site—reaching approximately 271–300 m altitude and touching down within 37 cm of the target after a 56-second VTOL flight.

Key Points:

• Flight & Landing Success: The VTOL demonstration rose to ~271 m, hovered briefly, descended, and landed precisely—underscoring robust flight stability and controlled descent capabilities.
• Size & Weight Comparison: The rocket is modest—6.3 m tall, with a dry weight of ~900 kg and wet weight ~1,312 kg—significantly smaller than SpaceX's Falcon 9, which towers around 70 m and weighs ~550 tonnes at liftoff.
• Tech Features: It uses VTOL design, featuring four retractable landing legs and aerodynamic fins scaled-down from Falcon-like designs; these ensure landing precision and flight control.
• Strategic Step: Honda aims for a suborbital launch by 2029. The current test was for technology validation only, with no commercial launch plans announced.
• Industry Impact: Honda joins a select group—including SpaceX, Blue Origin, JAXA, Innovative Space Carrier, and Toyota-backed ventures—in advancing reusable launch tech—a significant diversification for an automotive heritage company.
• Applications: Potential use cases include launching small satellites for earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications—benefiting both space activities and Honda’s broader ecosystem strategy.

Sahitya Akademi Yuva & Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025

In the News: On June 18, 2025, the Sahitya Akademi announced the Yuva Puraskar for 23 young writers and the Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 24 authors, recognizing outstanding literary contributions made between January 2019 and December 2023. Each award carries a cash prize of ₹50,000 and a copper plaque.

Key Points:

• Yuva Puraskar Awardees: Advait Kottary (English) – Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became the Buddha – novel Parvati Tirkey (Hindi) – Phir Ugna – poetry collection
  Latshmihar (Tamil) – recognized under Tamil language Prasad Suri (Telugu) – awarded for Telugu literature. Akhil P Dharmajan (Malayalam) – Ram c/o Anandhi – novel Yuva Puraskar .
• Other Notables: From Odisha: Subrat Kumar Senapati (Odia) and Fagu Baskey (Santali) Additional recognized languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Urdu
• Bal Sahitya Puraskar Awardees: Nitin Kushalappa MP (English) – Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold Sushil Shukla (Hindi) – Ek Batey Bara – short stories collection. Kirtida Brahmbhatt (Gujarati) – Tinchak – poetry for children. Suresh Sawant (Marathi) – Aabhalmaya – children's poetry. Nayana Adarkar (Konkani) – Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo. Rajkishore Parhi (Odia) – Kete Phula Phutichhi
• Award Framework: Eligibility: Yuva Puraskar for writers ≤35 years; Bal Puraskar for children’s literature (ages 9–16)– Languages Covered: 23 for Yuva and 24 for Bal, including English– Selection Process: Entries published within the past 5 years, vetted by language-specific juries, approved at Executive Board meeting chaired by President Madhav Kaushik