Daily Current Affairs – 21 June 2025
- TPP
- Jun 21
- 18 min read
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 Jumping Genes, FDA approves new HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, AMOC Collapse Could Cause Severe Cooling in Northern Europe, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Fintech firms to create new markets in agriculture sector, Fifth Edition of National Time Release Study, HAL wins ISRO bid, Srisailam Mallikarjunaswamy temple, Ottawa Convention, Anti-Dumping Duty, Stablecoins, CAQM, Taiwan Strait, IPPB, Gharial Conservation and more…
Click Here to read the Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) for January 2025- April 2025.
Jumping Genes |
A new study has discovered that LINE-1, a type of jumping gene, becomes active by binding to cellular DNA during short windows of cell division, potentially impacting gene regulation during this critical phase.
Jumping genes, scientifically known as Transposable Elements (TEs), are unique DNA sequences that can move from one position to another within the genome, altering how genes are expressed.
These elements can move by two main mechanisms: some cut and paste themselves physically into new genomic locations, while others copy themselves and insert the duplicates elsewhere.
In doing so, jumping genes can disrupt normal gene function, either by causing mutations, or by increasing or decreasing the total amount of DNA within a cell's genome.
Such movements may influence gene expression, trigger genetic disorders, or contribute to evolutionary changes, depending on where and how they insert themselves.
In humans, an estimated over 50% of the genome consists of these transposable elements, highlighting their profound influence on genomic structure and function.
LINE-1 (Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1) is one of the most abundant and active forms of jumping genes in the human genome and has been linked to neurodevelopment, aging, and cancer research.
The new finding that LINE-1 binds DNA during cell division raises further interest in how these mobile elements may regulate genome behavior during sensitive stages like mitosis (cell division).
Overall, the study adds to the growing understanding that jumping genes are not just genomic "junk", but dynamic players in gene regulation, mutation, and evolution.
US FDA approves new HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir |
In a significant development for global HIV prevention, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lenacapavir, a long-acting drug for use as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
The FDA approval opens doors for World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification, a critical step that helps speed up national regulatory approvals and enables procurement by international health agencies.
The WHO Prequalification of Medicines Programme (PQP) ensures that medicines used globally meet standards of quality, safety, and efficacy, especially for low- and middle-income countries.
Lenacapavir is a new antiretroviral (ARV) medication used to prevent HIV infection in people who are currently HIV-negative but at high risk of exposure, making it part of the PrEP strategy.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a preventive treatment approach where HIV-negative individuals take ARV medicines to significantly reduce their chances of acquiring HIV.
WHO already recommends three forms of PrEP: oral PrEP, the dapivirine vaginal ring, and long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA)—to expand prevention options for different populations.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that weakens the immune system by targeting and destroying CD4 cells (a type of white blood cell), reducing the body’s ability to fight infections.
Transmission of HIV occurs through body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, and can also occur from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
While HIV is incurable, it is both preventable and manageable with Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)—a treatment that reduces viral load and helps patients live long, healthy lives.
If untreated, HIV progresses to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a condition marked by severe immune system failure and vulnerability to opportunistic infections.
According to the HIV Estimations 2023 report, over 2.5 million people in India are currently living with HIV, reflecting the need for continuous awareness and intervention.
India’s response is spearheaded by the National AIDS Control Programme Phase-V (2021–26), which targets an 80% reduction in new HIV infections and focuses on prevention, treatment, and awareness.
Central to the programme is the 95-95-95 target: ensuring that 95% of HIV-positive individuals know their status, 95% of them are on ART, and 95% of treated individuals achieve viral suppression.
The HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 legally prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV, ensuring their right to healthcare, education, and employment.
India is also committed to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global health commitments.
Youth engagement remains vital, with initiatives like Red Ribbon Clubs in schools and colleges spreading awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging safe and responsible behaviour.
The approval of Lenacapavir marks a step forward in expanding HIV prevention options, and its global rollout—once WHO-prequalified—can become a game-changer for public health efforts worldwide.
AMOC Collapse Could Cause Severe Cooling in Northern Europe |
A recent study by Utrecht University, Netherlands, warns that the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could lead to severe cooling in Northern Europe, even under moderate global warming scenarios.
The study suggests that warming from greenhouse gas emissions may not fully offset the cooling and regional climate shifts triggered by a potential AMOC collapse.
The AMOC is a major system of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean, responsible for transporting warm surface water northward and cold deep water southward, forming part of the global thermohaline circulation—also known as the “global ocean conveyor belt.”
It operates due to differences in water temperature and salinity: as warm surface water moves poleward, it cools and becomes denser; sea ice formation leaves behind salty, denser water, which sinks and flows southward at deep ocean levels.
This sinking cold water eventually resurfaces through upwelling in other parts of the world, warms up again, and completes the circulation cycle, making the AMOC a continuous and energy-driven loop.
The AMOC plays a critical role in distributing heat, moisture, and nutrients across oceans and regulates regional and global climates over long timescales.
However, climate change threatens the AMOC’s stability—as melting Arctic ice adds cold, fresh water into the North Atlantic, salinity and density decrease, which disrupts the sinking process that drives the AMOC.
This dilution of saltwater weakens the density gradient necessary to maintain the circulation, leading to a potential slowdown or even collapse of the entire system.
A weakening or collapse of the AMOC is considered a climate tipping point, meaning it could trigger sudden and irreversible changes in Earth’s climate systems with global consequences.
Even a partial weakening could cause cooling across Europe, alter precipitation patterns in regions like South America, Africa, and Europe, and significantly impact seasonal phenomena like the Indian monsoon.
It may also lead to a southward shift of the tropical rain belt, potentially causing prolonged droughts in the African Sahel, disrupting agriculture and livelihoods.
Furthermore, a weakened AMOC would reduce the upward movement of nutrient-rich deep waters, leading to declines in marine productivity, affecting marine ecosystems and food chains.
While the scientific community continues to debate the likelihood of a full AMOC collapse, its observed weakening trend is already alarming, emphasizing the urgency of mitigating climate change risks.
Israeli strike directly hit Iran's Natanz underground enrichment plant: IAEA |
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently revealed that an Israeli strike directly damaged Iran’s Natanz underground uranium enrichment plant, raising alarms over nuclear safety and security amid escalating Middle East tensions.
Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Security, though closely related, address different aspects of radiological protection and must be understood distinctly in this context.
Nuclear Safety refers to measures that prevent accidents involving nuclear or radiological material and protect people and the environment from radiation risks due to technical failures or human error.
In contrast, Nuclear Security deals with intentional threats like unauthorized access, sabotage, theft, and malicious acts involving nuclear materials or facilities, including terrorism and illegal transfer.
The IAEA, founded in 1957 as an autonomous body under the United Nations, plays a central role in overseeing and promoting safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology worldwide; notably, India is a founding member.
Apart from safety oversight, the IAEA also works in areas such as cancer control, food safety, and sustainable development, reinforcing its multi-sectoral importance.
To strengthen the global framework for nuclear safety and security, several international legal instruments and conventions have been developed under IAEA leadership.
The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) is the first and only legally binding treaty that mandates physical protection of nuclear materials in international transport and domestic use.
Complementing this is the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, a non-legally binding instrument promoting safe and secure handling of radioactive materials, especially those used in medicine and industry.
The Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) commits nations with land-based civil nuclear power plants to maintain high levels of operational safety, transparency, and cooperation.
In response to the Fukushima disaster, the Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety (2015) was adopted, focusing on preventing severe accidents and minimizing radiological consequences, highlighting a risk-informed safety culture.
Beyond IAEA instruments, the broader United Nations framework also addresses nuclear threats from non-state actors through targeted conventions.
The International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997) criminalizes acts involving explosives and radioactive materials, aiming to close legal gaps in counter-terrorism law.
The Nuclear Terrorism Convention (2005) requires nations to criminalize nuclear terrorism offenses and enhance cooperation in preventing and responding to such threats.
Additionally, UN Security Council Resolutions, especially Resolution 1540, obligate all states to prevent non-state actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and enforce comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies.
The strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility underscores the critical importance of international mechanisms to ensure both nuclear safety and security, and the need for global cooperation to prevent such facilities from becoming targets of geopolitical conflicts.
Union Finance Minister called Fintech firms to create new markets in agriculture sector and rural areas |
The Union Finance Minister recently urged Fintech firms to explore agriculture and rural sectors, not merely as a matter of social responsibility, but as a lucrative opportunity to create new markets and drive inclusive growth.
Fintech, short for Financial Technology, refers to companies that use technology-driven innovations to offer financial services more efficiently, affordably, and accessibly.
The Fintech sector spans diverse segments including Digital Payments, Alternative Lending (e.g., crowdfunding), InsureTech (insurance tech), WealthTech (investment platforms), and Enabling Tech, which supports fintech services using AI, big data, and blockchain.
With over 2,100 startups, India’s Fintech ecosystem has become the 3rd largest globally, growing at a rapid pace of 14% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)—highlighting its transformative potential, especially for underserved regions.
In rural India, fintech plays a key role in promoting financial inclusion by making banking services accessible via mobile apps, UPI (Unified Payments Interface), and digital wallets, even to those without traditional bank accounts.
For instance, Aadhaar-Enabled Payment Systems (AEPS) allow users to conduct secure banking transactions using their biometric identity, increasing trust and usability among rural populations.
Fintechs also help ensure access to credit, especially for small businesses and farmers, by using alternative data like transaction records, mobile usage, and crop yield instead of traditional credit scores.
A case in point is agri-fintech platforms like CropFunds, which assess farmers' creditworthiness using farm output, purchase history, and weather-linked patterns to disburse microloans quickly and efficiently.
Additionally, fintech enables agriculture support services such as real-time market price tracking, weather forecasts, and insurance products, bridging the gap between farmers and agri-buyers.
For example, the Ministry of Agriculture’s AgriMarket App and Crop Insurance Mobile App provide critical information and schemes at farmers' fingertips, reducing middlemen dependency.
Another key impact area is Digital Payments and Remittances, where UPI-enabled apps like Paytm and PhonePe offer low-cost, secure, and convenient transactions, reducing reliance on cash and enhancing financial transparency in rural communities.
However, despite these benefits, fintech penetration in rural areas faces notable challenges that must be addressed to unlock its full potential.
The digital divide remains a major barrier—marked by poor internet infrastructure, limited access to smartphones, and low digital literacy, especially among women and marginalized groups.
There's also widespread mistrust toward digital financial services, often fueled by lack of awareness, cyber fraud experiences, and a strong preference for cash-based transactions.
Furthermore, geographic and physical barriers, such as lack of banking branches or agents in remote areas, make last-mile delivery of fintech solutions complex and resource-intensive.
To conclude, the Finance Minister’s call highlights a strategic opportunity: by addressing these structural barriers, fintechs can drive both business growth and rural empowerment, ultimately transforming India's financial landscape from the grassroots up.
Fifth Edition of National Time Release Study (NTRS) Shows Faster Import Clearance At Ports |
The Fifth Edition of the National Time Release Study (NTRS), prepared by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), reveals faster import clearance times at India’s major land, sea, and air ports between 2023 and 2025.
The NTRS is a performance-based report that evaluates the average time taken for cargo clearance, helping India enhance its logistics efficiency and improve its global trade competitiveness.
Efficient logistics are vital for India’s economic growth, as they reduce business costs, accelerate trade, and enable the success of initiatives like ‘Make in India’ by connecting Indian industries to global value chains.
The sector's importance is evident in its employment footprint, with over 22 million people currently working in logistics-related services across India.
Improved logistics also enhance global competitiveness, as lower logistics costs make Indian products more affordable and attractive in international markets.
Reflecting steady progress, India ranked 38th out of 139 countries in the World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index, a significant leap from 44th position in 2018.
India has set ambitious logistics goals for 2030, aiming to rank among the top 25 nations globally and reduce logistics costs to below 10% of GDP, from the current 13–14%.
Several key reforms and infrastructure upgrades have contributed to this momentum in India’s logistics sector.
The implementation of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs)—specially designed high-speed rail networks for goods—has reduced goods transit time by 20–30%, with 96% (2,741 km) of the route already operational.
The E-Way Bill System, introduced under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, enables real-time tracking of goods movement, thereby reducing delays and curbing tax evasion during road transport.
The launch of the National Logistics Policy (2022) marked a strategic push to optimize supply chains by reducing logistics costs to around 8–9% of GDP, promoting integrated and technology-driven logistics solutions.
To further streamline trade, the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) 3.0 (2024–27) was launched by CBIC, targeting improved cargo release timelines and simplified port procedures.
This action plan is aligned with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, ensuring India meets global standards in cross-border trade efficiency, customs transparency, and infrastructure development.
Overall, the improvements highlighted in the NTRS 2025 reflect India’s focused approach toward building a globally competitive, low-cost logistics ecosystem, critical for sustaining export-led growth and economic transformation.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) wins ISRO bid to build Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) |
In a major step towards indigenising small satellite launch capability, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has won the Indian Space Reasearvh organisation (ISRO) bid to build and operate Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) through a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement.
HAL emerged as the top contender among three bidders, surpassing Alpha Design Technologies Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., to secure this strategic ToT contract.
As part of the agreement, HAL will manufacture at least two SSLVs end-to-end, closely following the protocols and processes adopted by ISRO during its three developmental flights, ensuring technology assimilation and operational readiness.
The SSLV, or Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, is a three-stage solid-fuel rocket designed to place satellites weighing up to 500 kg into a 500 km planar orbit, typically used for Earth observation and small payload missions.
SSLVs are known for their low cost, quick turnaround time, and flexibility in payload configuration, making them ideal for launching multiple satellites and commercial small-sat missions.
This milestone also aligns with India’s broader effort to liberalize and privatize the space sector, allowing private players to contribute significantly to space infrastructure and innovation.
As part of this space sector liberalisation, India now permits 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the space domain, opening doors for global capital and collaboration.
To support this shift, the government established IN-SPACe—the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre—which regulates, authorizes, and promotes private space activities while acting as an interface between ISRO and non-governmental entities.
Further ensuring policy certainty, the Indian Space Policy 2023 was introduced to provide regulatory clarity and long-term stability, making it easier for private players to invest and innovate in India’s space ecosystem.
A significant boost to financing came through a ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund, approved to support startups and private innovation, especially in upstream sectors like satellite manufacturing, propulsion systems, and launch technologies.
These reforms have led to a rapid expansion of India’s private space ecosystem, with over 200 space-based startups now active, showcasing India’s emergence as a global space innovation hub.
As of now, ISRO, along with IN-SPACe and NSIL (NewSpace India Ltd.), has successfully executed around 478 Transfer of Technology (ToT) deals with private industries, transferring critical technologies to strengthen domestic capabilities.
Noteworthy private achievements include ‘Vikram-S’, India’s first privately built rocket, launched by Skyroot Aerospace under the mission named ‘Prarambh’, symbolizing the beginning of private spaceflight in India.
Additionally, Agnikul Cosmos, a startup incubated at IIT Madras, made headlines by test launching the world’s first rocket with a single-piece 3D printed engine, showcasing India’s advancement in space manufacturing technologies.
Overall, HAL’s SSLV deal marks a new phase in the indigenisation and commercialisation of India’s space launch capabilities, strongly aligned with the government's vision of "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" in space technology.
Srisailam Mallikarjunaswamy temple |
In a remarkable historical find, the first known Indian epigraphical reference to Halley’s Comet has been discovered in a copper plate inscription preserved at the Srisailam Mallikarjunaswamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh.
This inscription, dated 1456 CE, is composed in Sanskrit using the Nagari script, a historical writing system used across parts of India.
It records a land grant made by the Vijayanagara ruler Mallikarjuna to a Vedic scholar, reflecting the era's strong patronage of learning and religious institutions.
The mention of Halley’s Comet, a short-period comet visible from Earth every 76 years, makes this inscription an important contribution to both astronomical and epigraphical history.
The copper plate was found in the Srisailam Mallikarjunaswamy Temple, a revered Hindu shrine located on the Nallamalai Hills, along the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (as Mallikarjuna) and Goddess Parvati (as Bhramaramba), making it a unique confluence of two sacred traditions in Hinduism.
It holds special significance as it is recognized as both a Jyotirlinga (one of the 12 highly sacred Shiva shrines) and a Shakti Peetha (sacred sites where parts of Goddess Sati are believed to have fallen).
Historically, the temple was first patronized by the Satavahana dynasty, and later received significant support from the Rashtrakutas and the Vijayanagara Empire, reflecting its sustained importance across centuries.
This discovery not only enriches our understanding of medieval astronomy in India, but also underlines the temple’s role as a repository of religious, cultural, and scientific heritage.
Ottawa Convention |
In a notable shift in security policy, Finland’s Parliament has approved withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
This move follows similar announcements by Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland, signalling a growing concern among some European nations about regional security and military flexibility.
The Ottawa Convention, formally adopted in 1997 at a Diplomatic Conference in Oslo, seeks a total international ban on anti-personnel landmines.
Its primary objective is to eliminate the suffering caused by landmines by ensuring global participation, clearing existing minefields, destroying stockpiles, and providing assistance to victims.
The Convention defines anti-personnel mines as explosive devices designed to be triggered by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person, often causing lifelong injuries or death, even decades after conflicts end.
To date, 165 countries have joined the treaty, showing broad international commitment to humanitarian demining efforts, although major powers and certain strategic nations—including India—have not signed the Convention.
Countries like India have cited security concerns, especially in mine-affected border regions, as a reason for not joining the treaty, stressing the need for defensive capabilities.
The recent withdrawals highlight a tension between humanitarian disarmament goals and emerging regional security priorities, especially in the context of heightened geopolitical tensions in Europe.
Despite this, the Convention remains one of the most successful disarmament treaties, having led to millions of mines destroyed and significant reduction in mine-related casualties globally.
Anti-Dumping Duty |
In a move to protect domestic industries, India has imposed five-year anti-dumping duties on the import of Chinese aluminium foil, the herbicide Pretilachlor, and Acetonitrile—a chemical solvent—from China, Russia, and Taiwan.
This decision follows investigations indicating that these products were being dumped in the Indian market at unfairly low prices, undercutting local producers.
An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff levied by a government on imported goods priced significantly lower than their normal value, often lower than what the exporter charges in its home market.
Dumping, in this context, refers to a trade distortion practice where companies export goods at artificially low prices—often below production cost—to gain market share in another country, which can damage domestic industries.
The imposition of anti-dumping duties aims to create a level playing field by offsetting the price advantage that dumped imports may enjoy, thereby safeguarding domestic manufacturers from unfair competition.
Importantly, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)—a foundational WTO framework—permits countries to take remedial action against dumping, provided they prove injury to the domestic industry.
Such duties are generally applied for a fixed period (usually five years) and are subject to review and extension based on continued evidence of injury or threat thereof.
By applying these duties, India reaffirms its commitment to fair trade practices while using WTO-consistent tools to defend sectors such as agrochemicals, aluminium, and industrial solvents.
Stablecoins |
The US Senate recently passed the GENIUS Act—short for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins—marking a significant legislative step toward regulating stablecoins.
Stablecoins are a class of cryptocurrency assets that are pegged to the value of stable assets such as the US dollar or gold, ensuring their value remains relatively constant.
Unlike highly volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which experience rapid price swings, stablecoins aim to minimize price fluctuations, making them a more predictable store of value.
This relative stability enables stablecoins to serve as a practical medium for everyday transactions, reliable digital savings instruments, and an important bridge between traditional financial systems and the crypto ecosystem.
By passing the GENIUS Act, the US Senate intends to provide clearer regulatory guidelines to encourage innovation while ensuring consumer protection and financial stability in the growing stablecoin market.
The Act’s passage also reflects increasing recognition of stablecoins’ potential to enhance payment efficiency and financial inclusion within the broader digital economy.
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) |
Starting July 2025, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) will ban fuel refills for end-of-life vehicles in Delhi as a measure to curb air pollution.
The CAQM was established under the Commission for Air Quality Management Act, 2021, to oversee air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining states including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
The main objective of CAQM is to enhance coordination, conduct research, and implement effective solutions to manage air pollution and improve air quality in this critically polluted region.
The Chairperson of CAQM must possess significant expertise, requiring either 15 years of experience in environmental protection or pollution control, or 25 years in administrative roles.
A key feature of CAQM is that its orders supersede those of state governments, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), state Pollution Control Boards (PCBs), and other authorities in case of any conflict, ensuring unified enforcement.
This empowerment enables CAQM to take decisive action for the region’s air quality, overriding fragmented jurisdictional challenges.
Taiwan Strait |
Recently, Taiwan detected Chinese military aircraft near its territory, shortly after a British naval ship passed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, escalating regional tensions.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the democratic and self-ruled island under its control, raising geopolitical concerns.
The Taiwan Strait—also known historically as the Black Ditch—is a narrow body of water called a strait, which means it connects two larger bodies of water.
Named by the Portuguese in the 16th century as Formosa, meaning "Beautiful," the strait links the South China Sea to the East China Sea.
It also receives inflows from important rivers like the Jiulong and Min rivers from mainland China, impacting its ecosystem and maritime conditions.
The strait holds strategic and economic importance as more than 40% of the world’s container fleet traffic passes through it, making it a vital global shipping route.
A key navigational and political feature of the Taiwan Strait is the Median Line (also called the Davis Line), which runs approximately down the center and is often referenced in territorial and military discussions.
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) |
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) was awarded the 2024-25 Digital Payments Award by the Ministry of Finance for its inclusive, technology-driven, and citizen-centric banking solutions.
IPPB is a 100% government-owned payments bank, operating under the Department of Posts within the Ministry of Communications.
Its significance lies in leveraging nearly 1.55 lakh post offices across India, enabling it to reach even the most remote and underserved areas.
A payment bank is a type of bank that offers basic banking services such as deposits, withdrawals, remittances, and payments, mainly through digital channels.
Payment banks can accept deposits up to ₹2 lakh and facilitate money transfers and bill payments, but are prohibited from lending loans or issuing credit cards.
Gharial Conservation |
Recently, seven gharial yearlings were released into the Girwa River at Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh as part of conservation efforts.
The name “gharial” comes from the Hindi word “ghara” (pot), referring to the distinctive bulb-like knob found on the snouts of male gharials, making them the only visibly sexually dimorphic crocodilians (sexually dimorphic means males and females have different physical features).
Gharials are primarily piscivorous, meaning their diet mainly consists of fish.
Their long, thin snout with sharp teeth and a strong neck make them highly adapted for catching fish.
Major threats to gharials include dams, barrages, and excessive water extraction, which alter river habitats by turning flowing rivers into stagnant lakes and reduce downstream water flow, making the environment unsuitable for them.
Gharials are mainly found in three tributaries of the Ganga River: the Chambal and Girwa rivers in India and the Rapti-Naryani River in Nepal.
Their conservation status is critical, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listing gharials as Critically Endangered.
In India, gharials are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which offers the highest level of legal protection.
Conservation efforts began with the Crocodile Conservation Project launched in 1975, leading to the establishment of gharial reserves in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
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