Daily Current Affairs- 7th June 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 7th June 2025

Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla (USBRL) Rail Link Fully Operational After 28 Years

In the News: On June 6–7, 2025, after nearly 28 years since its inception in 1997, the 272 km USBRL project became fully operational, marking the first time Kashmir Valley is seamlessly connected to India’s railway network throughout the year .

Key Points:

• Project Timeline & Completion: The project was launched in 1997 and completed in multiple phases: Jammu–Udhampur (2005), Anantnag–Mazhom (2008), Qazigund–Baramulla (2009), Udhampur–Katra (2014), Banihal–Sangaldan (2024), and final Katra–Banihal section (2025). The final stretch was inaugurated by PM Modi alongside the opening of the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges
• Engineering Feats: The line features India's longest railway tunnel (Pir Panjal Tunnel, 11.2 km), 36 tunnels totaling ~119 km, and 943 bridges—highlighting exceptional engineering in Himalayan terrain Major structures include the Chenab Bridge (1.3 km long, 359 m high, world's tallest railway arch bridge) and Anji Khad Bridge (first cable-stayed railway bridge in India)
• Materials & Construction: The Chenab Bridge required 30,000 tonnes of steel, with 12,000 tonnes supplied by SAIL’s Bhilai Steel Plant. These structures are built to withstand 266 km/h winds, seismic activity, and harsh mountainous weather
• Vande Bharat Express & Connectivity: Alongside the inauguration, two Vande Bharat Express trains were flagged off between Katra and Srinagar, reducing travel time from around 7 hours (by road) to approximately 3 hours. This rail link provides all-weather connectivity, particularly vital during winters when road routes are blocked 

At World Bank’s Raised Poverty Line of $3 a Day, India’s Extreme Poverty Rate Falls from 27.1% to 5.3% (2011–12 to 2022–23)

In the News: On June 7–8, 2025, the World Bank released updated data showing that India’s extreme poverty rate—based on the newly raised global poverty benchmark of $3 per person per day (2021 PPP)—plunged from 27.1% in 2011–12 to 5.3% in 2022–23. The number of individuals in extreme poverty decreased dramatically from about 344.5 million to 75.2 million, marking a transformational socio-economic development.

Key Points:

• Revised Poverty Line Context: The World Bank raised the international poverty threshold from $2.15 to $3 per day, adjusting for updated 2021 PPP and inflation. Despite the increased benchmark, India’s extreme poverty rate still fell to 3%, highlighting notable progress.
• Magnitude of Impact: The absolute number of people living in extreme poverty decreased from approximately 344 million in 2011–12 to 75 million in 2022–23, indicating nearly 269 million individuals moving out of extreme poverty based on the $3/day line.
• Deeper Decline at Original $2.15 Benchmark: When measured against the previous $2.15/day threshold, India's extreme poverty rate stood even lower at 3% in 2022–23, compared to 16.2% in 2011–12—reflecting a decline of over 13 percentage points.
• Drivers of Decline: Government sources attribute this sharp decline to improved consumption data methods (modified recall period), the expansion of subsidised food transfers, targeted welfare schemes, economic growth, and increased access to education and services—even amidst stricter global benchmarks.
• Rural–Urban and Income Group Dynamics: Rural extreme poverty dropped from 4% to 2.8%, and urban poverty from 10.7% to 1.1%, narrowing the urban-rural gap. Additionally, the lower-middle-income poverty rate (at $4.20/day) saw a decline from 57.7% to 23.9% in the same period. 

PM Modi to Attend G-7 Summit in Canada, Signaling Thaw in Bilateral Ties

In the News: On June 6, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G-7 Summit scheduled from June 15 to 17, 2025, in Kananaskis, Alberta. PM Modi confirmed his participation, marking his first official visit to Canada since 2015. The invitation is widely viewed as a diplomatic reset following years of strained relations, especially after the fallout from the 2023 Hardeep Singh Nijjar case.

Key Points:

• Diplomatic Thaw with New Canadian Leadership: The invitation marks a shift in Indo-Canadian ties under the new leadership of PM Mark Carney, following tensions that escalated during former PM Justin Trudeau’s tenure. The decision reflects a desire to reengage India diplomatically and economically.
• India’s Global Role Acknowledged: Canada emphasized India’s position as the world’s fifth-largest economy and its importance in shaping global agendas on energy security, critical minerals, supply chains, and infrastructure. Carney highlighted that India’s participation was essential to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
• Revival of Law-Enforcement Dialogue: Alongside the invitation, Canada expressed interest in reviving stalled law-enforcement cooperation with India, even as the investigation into the 2023 Nijjar killing continues. This indicates a willingness to compartmentalize differences while focusing on mutual interests.
• First Visit in a Decade: PM Modi’s attendance will be his first trip to Canada since 2015, symbolizing renewed engagement at the highest level. The visit is expected to pave the way for formal diplomatic normalization between the two countries.
• Bilateral and Multilateral Agenda: Modi’s presence will offer an opportunity for high-level engagements with G-7 leaders on trade, technology, climate resilience, and counter-terrorism. Side meetings with Quad partners and Western allies are also likely. 

Starlink Gets Green Light to Launch Satellite Internet in India

In the News: On June 6, 2025, India’s Department of Telecommunications issued a key satellite-communication licence (GMPCS/DoT) to Elon Musk’s Starlink, marking a major regulatory breakthrough in its efforts to introduce commercial satellite internet services in the country .

Key Points:

• Licence Approval: Starlink has become the third satellite internet provider in India — after Reliance Jio and Bharti OneWeb — to secure a licence from India’s DoT  The licence follows the Letter of Intent issued in May 2025 and clears a major regulatory hurdle. Final rollout depends on additional approvals from IN-SPACe, spectrum allocation, and security clearances, likely taking a few months 
• Partnerships: In March 2025, Starlink formalised distribution partnerships with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, which will retail Starlink user terminals alongside their own broadband services 
• Connectivity Aim: With over 40% of India’s 1.4 billion population lacking internet access, particularly in remote and mountainous regions, Starlink aims to bridge this gap using its constellation of over 6,700 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites
• Security & Regulatory Compliance: The company must comply with India’s strict security and data-localisation regulations, include lawful interception capabilities, and set up domestic ground-stations 
• Spectrum and Fees: India plans to grant satellite spectrum via administrative assignment (aligned with Musk’s preference), rather than public auction; However, Jio and Airtel have raised concerns, arguing that the proposed 4% annual revenue fee for satcom firms unfairly advantages Starlink, as terrestrial spectrum fees are much higher 
• Market Potential & Competition: Analysts project India’s satellite broadband market could reach $1.9 billion by 2030, attracting global players like Amazon Kuiper. Starlink is expected to launch with introductory unlimited plans under US $10/month (around ₹850) and target rural, remote, and under-served areas  

Magnus Carlsen Clinches Norway Chess 2025 Title After Dramatic Finale

In the News: On June 6, 2025, GM Magnus Carlsen secured his record-extending seventh Norway Chess title in Stavanger following a nerve-wracking final round where rival Gukesh Dommaraju stumbled—losing to Fabiano Caruana—while Carlsen drew his game against Arjun Erigaisi with seconds to spare .

Key Points:

• Historic Seventh Title: Carlsen finished with 16 points, just ahead of Caruana (15.5) and Gukesh (14.5), demonstrating exceptional resilience to claim his seventh championship at this event.
• Dramatic Final Round: Ultimately, Carlsen held a drawing position against Erigaisi in classical time control—only to lose the Armageddon tiebreak. The draw was enough, however, due to Gukesh’s unexpected loss to Caruana.
• Psychological Turnaround: Carlsen recovered from an emotional outburst in round 6, where he slammed the table after losing to Gukesh in time pressure. He later apologized and demonstrated remarkable composure to win the title.
• Gukesh’s Rise: Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh achieved his first classical win over Carlsen in round 6, marking a major milestone in his career—even though a late queen blunder cost him a chance at the title.
• Tournament Stature & Format: Held from May 26 to June 6, 2025, in Stavanger, the tournament featured six of the world’s top players, including Hikaru Nakamura and Wei Yi. Its format includes classical matches followed by Armageddon tiebreakers in the case of draws.
• Carlsen’s Future in Classical Chess: Despite the victory, Carlsen expressed uncertainty about the future of his classical career, citing his preference for faster formats but did not rule out participation in similar events in 2026 .