Daily Current Affairs – 16 June 2025

Welcome to your one-stop destination for crisp, reliable, and exam-relevant Daily Current Affairs. The PRESS Pad delivers daily updates and smart summaries that go beyond the headlines and align perfectly with the evolving pattern of UPSC and other state-level examinations.

Today's edition features key updates including India’s soaring wind energy capacity, the latest on 'Operation True Promise 3' versus 'Operation Rising Lion,' new NBFC licensing norms, and the innovative SPArc Therapy for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC). We also cover the SDG4 scorecard progress report, heritage insights on the Simhachalam Temple, outcomes from UNOC 3, and a deep dive into DNA profiling as a critical tool in disaster victim identification. Plus, highlights from the World Test Championship and more…

Click Here to read the Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) for January 2025- April 2025. 

India’s Wind Energy Capacity Surges Past 51.5 GW – Global Wind Day 2025

1. Marking Global Wind Day 2025 (June 15), the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy announced that India’s total renewable energy capacity has grown by 17.13% year-on-year, reaching 226.74 GW.

2. Within this impressive growth, wind energy capacity alone rose over 10.5%, climbing from earlier levels to 51.5 GW as of May 2025, reaffirming wind power's growing role in India’s clean energy transition.

3. Alongside, solar power capacity saw a robust 31.49% increase, maintaining its position as the largest contributor in India’s renewable energy mix.

Wind Energy in India – National and Global Standing

1. Globally, India holds the position of the fourth-largest country in terms of installed wind power capacity, and ranks as the third-largest renewable energy producer overall.

2. Domestically, wind power remains the second-largest source of renewable energy after solar, highlighting its strategic importance in India’s clean energy landscape.

3. The sector has seen a significant leap—from just 21.04 GW in 2014 to 51.5 GW by May 2025, showing a more than twofold growth in a decade.

4. States with the highest wind energy potential include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, due to their favorable wind speeds and coastal geography.

Key Government Initiatives Supporting Wind Energy

1. The Centralized Data Collection and Coordination (CCDC) Wind Initiative focuses on improving wind resource assessment, enabling better identification of optimal sites for future wind projects.

2. The National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018 promotes grid-connected hybrid systems that combine solar and wind energy, ensuring efficient land use and better power output stability.

3. To boost offshore development, a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme has been introduced, in line with the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015, to support the high initial costs of offshore wind projects.

4. Additional supportive measures include the Green Energy Open Access Rules (2022), which ease access to transmission networks, and the Renewable Energy Purchase Obligation (RPO), which mandates utilities to purchase a fixed share of power from renewable sources.

Challenges in India’s Wind Energy Sector

1. Infrastructure Limitations pose a major hurdle—issues such as grid instability, lack of adequate transmission infrastructure, and power evacuation bottlenecks restrict full-scale utilization.

2. Economic Challenges include the high capital cost of projects, large minimum viable project sizes, and financial uncertainties due to fluctuating tariffs and delayed payments.

3. On the technical side, installation and commissioning of wind turbines is complex, especially in remote or rugged terrains, with additional difficulties in transporting large equipment and ongoing maintenance.

Read More: India’s Wind Energy Revolution

'Operation True Promise 3' vs 'Operation Rising Lion'

Tensions between Iran and Israel have sharply escalated after Iran launched 'Operation True Promise 3', a military retaliation to Israel’s 'Operation Rising Lion', which had earlier targeted Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure.

Key Reasons Behind the Iran–Israel Conflict

1. The roots of the conflict date back to the 1979 Iranian Revolution, after which Iran transformed into an Islamic Republic and adopted a strong anti-Israel stance—despite both countries being allies prior to 1979.

2. A major flashpoint remains Iran’s nuclear programme, which Israel considers an existential threat, fearing weaponization of nuclear technology under the guise of civilian use.

3. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had previously reported that Iran enriched uranium to 60% purity, a significant breach of its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)—a global treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

4. Efforts by the United States and major Western powers to revive a nuclear agreement with Iran have so far failed, worsening mutual distrust and fueling aggressive posturing.

5. Additionally, Iran is known for its support to proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, which regularly engage in conflicts with Israel—adding a layer of indirect warfare to the ongoing hostilities.

Implications of the Iran–Israel Conflict

1. One of the immediate effects is heightened regional instability, as the conflict risks a spillover involving Lebanon, Gaza, and potentially other Middle Eastern states.

2. The conflict threatens to disrupt global maritime trade, particularly in critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, both essential for international shipping lanes.

3. There are serious concerns over global energy security, as countries like India import a majority of their crude oil via the Strait of Hormuz, making them vulnerable to supply shocks and price spikes.

4. From a connectivity and logistics standpoint, prolonged conflict may force ships and planes to take longer alternate routes, increasing costs and delays in trade and travel.

5. Major multinational infrastructure initiatives such as the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) could face serious setbacks due to rising insecurity and geopolitical fragmentation.

6. For India, the conflict presents a complex diplomatic balancing act—ensuring continued access to Chabahar Port in Iran, while also maintaining strategic and defense ties with Israel.

Flipkart Receives NBFC License – A Major Move into Digital Lending

1. In a major development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) license to Flipkart, allowing the e-commerce giant to directly enter the financial services sector.

2. Until now, e-commerce platforms like Flipkart have been offering loans in partnership with banks and existing NBFCs, acting merely as facilitators for credit.

3. With this license, Flipkart can now lend directly to consumers and sellers on its platform, and also through its newly launched fintech app – ‘super.money’, expanding its role from marketplace to lender.

About NBFCs – Non-Banking Financial Companies

1. An NBFC is a financial institution registered under the Companies Act, 1956 or 2013, but it is not a bank, and operates under a different regulatory framework.

2. The principal business of NBFCs includes offering loans and advances, leasing, hire-purchase, and investment in government and marketable securities like shares, debentures, or bonds.

3. However, NBFCs do not engage in activities such as agriculture, industrial manufacturing, trading of goods, or construction and sale of immovable property, setting them apart from regular business enterprises.

4. NBFCs are regulated by the RBI under the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, which ensures oversight of their functioning, lending practices, and financial stability.

Significance and Growing Role of NBFCs in India

1. NBFCs are playing an increasingly critical role in India’s financial ecosystem—in 2023, they contributed 12.60% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), showcasing their economic impact.

2. They dominate segments like consumer durable financing, where NBFCs held nearly 61% market share in 2023, highlighting their reach and specialization in niche lending.

3. According to Boston Consulting Group, NBFCs have even outpaced commercial banks in credit growth during Fiscal Year 2025, indicating their rising prominence and agility in the financial sector.

How NBFCs Differ from Banks

1. Unlike traditional banks, NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits—which are funds that can be withdrawn by customers at any time (like savings or current accounts).

2. NBFCs also do not participate in the payment and settlement system, meaning they cannot issue cheques drawn on themselves, unlike banks.

3. Additionally, depositors in NBFCs are not protected under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)—a safety net that covers depositors in banks up to ₹5 lakh per account.

SPArc Therapy Used for the First Time to Treat Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

1. In a significant advancement in cancer treatment, Step-and-Shoot Spot-Scanning Proton Arc Therapy (SPArc) has been used for the first time to treat a patient with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC).

2. ACC is a rare type of cancer that typically arises in the salivary glands but can also occur in other areas of the head and neck, often challenging to treat due to its location and recurrence patterns.

What is SPArc Therapy? – A New Era in Radiation Treatment

1. SPArc is a cutting-edge radiation therapy technique designed to deliver highly precise proton radiation to tumors while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissues.

2. In radiation therapy, cancer cells are destroyed or slowed down by damaging their DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), preventing them from growing or dividing.

3. Unlike traditional radiation that uses X-rays, SPArc uses protons, which are positively charged subatomic particles that can be better controlled to deposit energy directly into the tumor with minimal exit dose.

4. The process is guided by an advanced computer algorithm, which calculates all possible delivery spots and energy layers—where each energy layer represents a specific depth in the tissue targeted by proton beams of a given energy.

Advantages of SPArc Over Traditional Methods

1. SPArc enhances the precision of dose delivery in complex cancers, such as those located in the brain, head, and neck, where healthy tissues are tightly packed around the tumor.

   • For example, SPArc has demonstrated the ability to reduce radiation to critical organs—by 10% to the brainstem and 90% to the spinal canal compared to the earlier Single Field Optimization Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (SFO-IMPT) method.

2. Such improvements lead to fewer side effects, better preservation of organ function, and higher treatment accuracy, especially in sensitive regions.

Other Modern Cancer Treatment Approaches

1. Apart from radiation-based techniques like SPArc, chemotherapy remains a commonly used method where anti-cancer drugs are used to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells, often used in combination with other therapies.

2. Immunotherapy is an evolving field that activates the body’s immune system to fight cancer; a key example is CAR T-cell therapy, where genetically modified T cells are engineered to target and destroy cancer cells.

3. Stem Cell Transplants, especially used in blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, involve replacing damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy stem cells to restore the body’s ability to produce blood cells.

Preventive Detention Can't be a Substitute for Bail Cancellation: SC

1. In the landmark judgment of Dhanya M vs State of Kerala & Others, the Supreme Court of India set aside a preventive detention order passed under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007.

2. The Court ruled that preventive detention cannot be used as a substitute for bail cancellation, emphasizing that the two serve distinct legal purposes.

3. The judgment underlined the crucial distinction between ‘law and order’ and ‘public order’, citing precedents such as SK. Nazneen v. State of Telangana (2023) and Nenavath Bujji v. State of Telangana (2024).

4. It was clarified that the difference between the two lies in the degree and extent of the impact on society:

5. Law and order pertains to localized disturbances,

6. Whereas public order affects the community or public at large.

7. Since the case pertained only to a law and order issue, the detention orders were held invalid, as preventive detention under such laws applies only when there is a threat to public order.

8. Preventive detention refers to the detention of a person without trial, aimed at preventing potential threats rather than punishing past actions.

9. Under Article 22(3) of the Indian Constitution, preventive detention is allowed for purposes like maintenance of public order or national security, but is subject to certain safeguards.

10. The Constitution imposes procedural protections for such detention:

    • No detention can extend beyond three months unless approved by an Advisory Board (a judicial panel).

    • The grounds for detention must be communicated to the detainee as early as possible.

    • The detainee must be given an early opportunity to make a representation against the order.

11. Over time, several Supreme Court judgments have further refined the scope and limitations of preventive detention:

    • In Rekha v. State of Tamil Nadu (2011), the Court held that preventive detention is an exception to Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and must be invoked sparingly.

    • In Vijay Narayan Singh v. State of Bihar (1984), it was asserted that it should not be used to bypass the regular criminal process.

    • In Icchu Devi v. Union of India (1980), the Court emphasized that the burden of proof to justify the detention lies entirely on the detaining authority.

    • The case of A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (1950) had earlier upheld the constitutional validity of the Preventive Detention Act, 1950, setting early precedent in this area.

12. This judgment in Dhanya M thus reinforces that preventive detention laws must not be misused to handle routine criminal law matters, which are better addressed through the bail and trial framework under criminal procedure.

SDG4 scorecard progress report on national benchmarks

1. The SDG 4 Scorecard Progress Report on National Benchmarks was recently released by UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Team, a body responsible for tracking global progress on education goals.

2. The report evaluates how countries are progressing towards their own nationally set benchmarks for a range of education indicators, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all global standard.

3. It specifically focuses on SDG 4 – which stands for Sustainable Development Goal 4: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

4. A major concern highlighted in the report is the rise in the global out-of-school population, now estimated at 272 million – which marks an increase of over 21 million compared to the last global estimate.

5. This growing number of out-of-school children and youth points to challenges in universal access to education, particularly in developing regions.

6. Among the countries witnessing the largest absolute increases in the population of school-age children (6 to 17 years) between 2019 and 2024 are:

   • India, with an increase of 9 million, and

   • Pakistan, with a rise of 9.7 million.

7. These population surges place additional pressure on national education systems, requiring more resources, infrastructure, and targeted policy efforts to ensure that quality and accessibility of education are not compromised.

World Test Championship (WTC)

South Africa won the World Test Championship (2023-25) against titleholder Australia in Lords (England).

About WTC

1. Started in August 2019, each cycle consists of matches  played over two years.

2. The top nine ranked teams on the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings qualify for the WTC.

   • Each series consists of a minimum of two (2) Tests, and a maximum of five (5) Tests.

3. Each team plays six series, with each series counting for 120 points, distributed over the number of matches in a series.

Simhachalam Temple / Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

1. The Simhachalam Temple, also known as the Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, is set to be restored and preserved using traditional construction techniques, emphasizing heritage conservation.

2. Located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, the temple is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site, revered for its architectural significance and spiritual legacy.

3. The temple is dedicated to Narasimha, an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, depicted in a unique man-lion form, symbolizing the destruction of evil and protection of devotees.

4. Architecturally, the temple is notable for blending Orissan (from Odisha) and Chalukyan (a South Indian dynasty) styles of temple construction, showcasing a fusion of cultural and artistic traditions.

5. One of its most distinctive features is that the temple faces west, unlike the traditional east-facing temples — this symbolic orientation is believed to represent the triumph of divine forces over evil.

6. While the exact age of the temple is unknown, historical records include an inscription dated AD 1098–99, during the reign of the Chola King Kulottunga I, indicating its existence for over 900 years.

7. The current restoration efforts aim to retain the temple’s original grandeur, using time-tested building methods to ensure both structural integrity and cultural authenticity.

Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3)

1. The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) recently concluded in Nice, France, marking a key global effort to address challenges related to ocean sustainability.

2. The conference was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, reflecting a joint commitment to advancing marine conservation and climate resilience on a global scale.

3. A major outcome of UNOC3 was the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a comprehensive global roadmap aimed at accelerating progress toward SDG 14.

4. Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) focuses on “conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources” — areas critical for climate regulation, food security, and biodiversity.

5. The declaration candidly acknowledged that SDG 14 remains the least funded of all SDGs, underlining the urgent need for greater financial and political commitment.

6. A key highlight of the Action Plan is the reaffirmation of support for the development of an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, which aims to curb marine plastic waste through enforceable global measures.

7. The conference also emphasized the need for coordinated global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification — both of which severely affect marine ecosystems and coastal communities that depend on them.

8. Ocean acidification refers to the increasing acidity of seawater caused by absorption of excess atmospheric CO₂, which disrupts marine life and coral reef health.

9. The Nice Ocean Action Plan thus serves as a unified call for stronger international cooperation, scientific innovation, and sustainable governance to protect our oceans for present and future generations.

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DNA Profiling: A Critical Tool in Disaster Victim Identification

1. In the aftermath of the Air India flight AI-171 crash, authorities at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital are using DNA profiling to accurately identify the victims.

2. DNA profiling—also known as DNA fingerprinting—is a scientific technique used to identify individuals based on unique patterns in their genetic code.

3. This method is particularly crucial in disaster victim identification when bodies are unrecognizable or decomposed, making visual or fingerprint-based identification impossible.

4. One of the primary techniques used is the Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis, which examines short repeating sequences of DNA found in the cell nucleus, and is highly individual-specific.

5. If the nuclear DNA is too degraded due to heat, trauma, or time, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) becomes the method of choice—it is more abundant, maternally inherited, and can be matched with maternal relatives.

6. In cases involving male victims, analysis of the Y chromosome STRs is useful, as the Y chromosome is passed down from father to son, allowing for identification through paternal male relatives.

   • For samples that are severely degraded, scientists may rely on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)—these are single base-pair variations in the genome that can uniquely identify individuals.

7. SNPs are especially valuable when matched with personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, or combs, helping confirm the identity even when traditional methods fail.

8. Overall, DNA profiling serves as a powerful forensic tool, enabling precise identification, offering closure to families, and supporting legal and humanitarian processes in mass disaster scenarios.

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