Daily Current Affairs – 23 June 2025
- TPP
- Jun 23
- 15 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 Rising Manosphere, China-Pakistan-Bangladesh Trilateral Meeting, UK Approves Assisted Dying, Political Financing in India, Strait of Hormuz, Subarnarekha River, CaTRAT, 11th International Day of Yoga, Digital Markets Act (DMA), e-Rakt Kosh, Gwada Negative, Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253), Nano Fertilizers and more...
Click Here to read the Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) for January 2025- April 2025.
Rising Manosphere: A Serious Threat to Gender Equality – UN Women |
The manosphere refers to a network of online communities that promote rigid, aggressive forms of masculinity while falsely portraying feminism and gender equality as threats to men’s rights.
Deeply rooted in misogyny (hatred or prejudice against women) and anti-feminist rhetoric, the manosphere exploits digital platforms to propagate hate, spread sexist ideologies, and reinforce entrenched gender biases.
A key driver behind its rise is the need for validation among socially isolated young men who seek support, identity, and belonging in these toxic communities.
The cloak of digital anonymity enables users to express hate with minimal legal or social accountability, thereby fueling the spread of misogynistic narratives.
Social media algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, unintentionally amplify anti-women content, pushing users deeper into echo chambers that glorify male dominance.
Influential masculinity influencers—online personalities promoting regressive gender roles—depict men as victims of feminism, reinforcing a false victimhood narrative.
This digital radicalization leads to reduced safety for women and girls online, with past examples like Gamergate (2014), a large-scale harassment campaign against female gamers by male supremacists, illustrating its impact.
The manosphere undermines gender equality by distorting public understanding of gender issues and eroding support for gender justice and women’s rights.
It also contributes to real-world harm—including verbal abuse, workplace discrimination, and even gender-based violence, further deepening gender inequity.
Additionally, the fear of online hostility leads to reduced participation of women in public life, including in politics, media, and academia, thereby shrinking their influence in decision-making spheres.
Global & National Initiatives to Counter the Manosphere | |
Global Efforts | Efforts by India
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China-Pakistan-Bangladesh Trilateral Meeting: A Strategic Shift in South Asia |
China recently hosted the first trilateral meeting with Pakistan and Bangladesh in Kunming, marking its second such initiative in India’s neighbourhood after a similar dialogue involving China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
These trilateral forums reflect China’s rising strategic influence in South Asia, as it steadily cultivates a ring of friendly states around the Indian subcontinent’s periphery.
A major concern for India is the expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—a global infrastructure development strategy—through active partnerships with both Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Under the BRI, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been launched, which controversially passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), raising sovereignty and security concerns for India.
Simultaneously, China is pursuing its "String of Pearls" strategy, which involves developing a network of commercial and military bases or influence points in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to encircle India geopolitically.
As part of this strategy, China has secured control or access to critical ports such as Gwadar in Pakistan and Hambantota in Sri Lanka, which enhances its maritime dominance in the region.
Potential Chinese access to ports in Bangladesh further amplifies India's national security concerns, given their proximity to India’s eastern coastline.
Another critical implication is the rise of parallel regionalism, where China-led platforms may diminish the influence of India-centric regional groupings like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).
These developments point toward a gradual erosion of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, with the trilateral initiative signaling a growing vacuum in regional leadership that China is strategically filling.
India must prioritize building strong, mutually beneficial ties with its neighbours, ensuring political goodwill and economic cooperation to counterbalance China’s growing influence.
Strengthening India-led regional platforms like BIMSTEC can offer a sustainable alternative to Chinese-dominated forums, reinforcing regional solidarity and strategic autonomy.
UK Approves Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill |
The United Kingdom (UK) House of Commons has approved the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, also known as the Assisted Dying Bill, marking a significant shift in the country’s end-of-life care approach.
The bill allows terminally ill adults over the age of 18, who are medically assessed to have less than six months to live, to legally apply for an assisted death.
A core requirement is that the patient must be of a competent mind, meaning they possess full mental capacity to make such a decision deliberately and rationally.
What is Assisted Dying?
Assisted Dying involves a terminally ill patient voluntarily self-administering prescribed lethal medication provided by a medical practitioner to peacefully end their own life.
In contrast, Euthanasia is when a physician actively administers the lethal drug, potentially even for non-terminally ill patients, primarily to relieve extreme suffering.
Key Ethical Dilemmas Surrounding Assisted Dying
One major conflict lies between respecting patient dignity and the sanctity of life—while assisted dying values personal choice, many religious traditions hold that only God should decide when life ends.
The philosophical principle of reflective autonomy, supported by thinkers like J.S. Mill, emphasizes that individuals should have the freedom to make thoughtful and informed end-of-life decisions.
However, religious leaders and pro-life advocates argue that life is sacred and that permitting assisted dying could weaken society’s respect for human life overall.
Another ethical tension lies in medical professionalism, as assisted dying challenges the traditional Hippocratic Oath, which obligates doctors to “do no harm” and to preserve life, not end it.
This creates a moral conflict for physicians, who may be torn between their ethical duty to heal and the legal permission to assist in ending a life.
There is also a risk of misuse, such as potential pressure from vested interests, including concerns around organ transplantation, inheritance, or caregiving burdens.
Additionally, assisted dying may undermine true voluntariness, especially among people with disabilities or elderly individuals who may feel like a social or financial burden, thereby feeling coerced by circumstance rather than choosing freely.
Read More: UK Parliament approves assisted dying bill
Political Financing in India: Rising Costs, Falling Transparency |
Political parties in India are legally required to submit their election expenditure statements to the Election Commission of India (ECI) within 90 days (for General Elections) and 75 days (for Assembly Elections) after polls conclude.
However, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), many parties delayed submission of these statements by 1 to 232 days, while some failed to submit altogether, indicating systemic non-compliance.
This widespread non-compliance raises serious concerns about transparency (openness in financial disclosures) and accountability (holding political actors responsible) in electoral financing.
The issue is compounded by the fact that the 2024 Lok Sabha Election emerged as the most expensive electoral event in the world, with total spending soaring to ₹1.35 lakh crore.
A significant driver of opacity is that approximately 60% of total contributions received by six major national political parties (from 2004-05 to 2022-23) came from undisclosed sources, i.e., contributions where donor identity was not revealed.
This lack of transparency skews the democratic process and creates a funding ecosystem dominated by anonymous donors, often linked to electoral bonds (a financial instrument allowing donations without public disclosure of donor identity).
Another key concern is the disparity in political funding — for example, in the 2024 General Elections, national parties alone received over 93% of total funds, highlighting the uneven playing field for regional parties and new entrants.
Although the ECI has prescribed spending limits — ₹95 lakh per candidate for Lok Sabha and ₹40 lakh for Assembly Elections — actual campaign expenditure routinely exceeds these limits.
This overspending is often enabled through third-party campaigners (like affiliated organizations and interest groups) and loopholes in the Model Code of Conduct (rules governing political party behavior during elections).
The high cost of elections has made wealth a decisive factor in winning seats; for instance, in Madhya Pradesh, 44% of winning candidates declared assets over ₹5 crore, underscoring the wealth-power nexus.
This growing dependence on money power severely restricts electoral participation of less affluent candidates, undermining democratic inclusivity and equal opportunity in representation.
Key Recommendations to Reform Political Financing
The Law Commission of India has recommended a statutory cap on election expenditure by political parties, which currently does not exist (only candidates have spending limits).
The Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998) advocated for partial state funding of elections to reduce financial inequality between parties and curb reliance on opaque private donations.
To tackle the use of black money (illegally obtained or unaccounted funds), ADR suggests that all political expenditures should be conducted via traceable instruments like cheques, demand drafts (DD), or RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement — an electronic money transfer system).
Additionally, appointment of independent observers to monitor political party expenses can serve as a check against excessive or off-the-books spending.
Lastly, mandatory public disclosure of donor details — regardless of contribution size — is essential to enhance financial transparency, discourage anonymous donations, and restore voter trust in the democratic process.
Iran Set to Close Strait of Hormuz |
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Iran’s Parliament has approved a proposal to close the Strait of Hormuz, following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities under “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
Operation Midnight Hammer involved precision strikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites—Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow—which are central to Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
These facilities gained prominence after the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reigniting Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The U.S. reportedly deployed B-2 Stealth Bombers, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and GBU-57 bunker buster bombs (also known as Massive Ordnance Penetrators) to target deeply buried nuclear infrastructure.
The Strait of Hormuz: A Vital Maritime Artery
In response, Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
This narrow waterway spans approximately 167 km, narrowing to just 33 km at its slimmest point, making it a vulnerable but essential passage.
The strait serves as the only major sea route for Gulf oil exporters like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq to access global markets, underlining its strategic importance.
Global Implications of the Closure
The Strait of Hormuz handles around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade, making any disruption a direct threat to global energy security.
A closure could shock global markets, sharply raise crude oil and LNG prices, and act as a major trigger for global inflation.
Such volatility would also strain shipping routes, push up insurance costs, and complicate energy supply chains across Europe, Asia, and North America.
India’s Exposure and Risks
The situation poses serious risks for India, as about 40% of its crude oil and nearly 50% of its natural gas imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India is highly sensitive to global oil price fluctuations, with any spike widening the trade deficit due to increased import bills.
A surge in crude prices would also weaken the Indian rupee, pressure foreign exchange reserves, and strain domestic financial markets.
Ultimately, this raises broader concerns over India’s energy security and economic stability, especially amidst a volatile global geopolitical climate.
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US Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Sites: What Happened, Why It Matters & What Comes Next
Why Fordow Matters: Inside the US Strike on Iran’s Most Secure Nuclear Facility
Iran-Israel Conflict: Can Divided European Powers Bring Peace?
Subarnarekha River: Golden Line Turned Perilous |
A sudden flash flood in the Subarnarekha River has caused significant havoc in Balasore district of Odisha, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
The river derives its name from Sanskrit — “Subarna” meaning gold and “Rekha” meaning line, hence literally translating to “Golden Line”, possibly due to historical gold deposits found in its basin.
The Subarnarekha River originates near Piska village, located close to Ranchi in Jharkhand, and flows eastward through the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
It eventually empties into the Bay of Bengal, making it one of the east-flowing rivers crucial to eastern India’s hydrological network.
The river basin is shared among three states — Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, supporting agriculture, livelihoods, and inland water transport in these regions.
Its major tributaries include the Kanchi, Karkari, and Kharkai Rivers, which significantly contribute to the river’s volume and seasonal discharge.
A notable geographic feature of the river is the Hundru Falls, a popular tourist destination and one of the prominent waterfalls in Jharkhand, formed as the river descends over the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
In terms of national infrastructure, the Subarnarekha Waterway has been officially declared as National Waterway-96 under The National Waterways Act, 2016, recognizing its potential for inland navigation and cargo movement.
CaTRAT: AI-Driven Wildlife Monitoring Tool for Big Cats |
Wildlife scientists have recently highlighted the use of CaTRAT in tracking and identifying the elusive Himalayan snow leopards, enhancing conservation efforts in high-altitude ecosystems.
CaTRAT stands for Camera Trap data Repository and Analysis Tool, a cutting-edge software system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and neural network models to analyze wildlife images.
This tool allows for automated segregation and classification of species from camera trap photographs, significantly reducing manual effort and increasing accuracy in species identification.
Camera traps are motion-sensitive cameras placed in wildlife habitats to capture images of animals without human presence, widely used for studying rare and nocturnal species like snow leopards.
While CaTRAT focuses on snow leopards, other big cats are also tracked using advanced tech-based solutions adapted to their respective geographies and behaviors.
For instance, tiger conservation in India uses M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status), which is a mobile-based software that uses GPS to geo-tag sightings, patrol routes, and photo evidence for real-time monitoring.
In the case of Asiatic lions, particularly in Gujarat, AI-powered systems like SIMBA, E-GujForest, and the Alert Generation System are employed to track movement, alert forest officials, and manage health data of the lion population.
Collectively, these technologies showcase how AI, neural networks, GPS, and real-time monitoring tools are revolutionizing the way India manages and conserves its big cat populations, from snow leopards in the Himalayas to lions in Gir.
Coffee: India’s Growing Export Crop with Global Significance |
India’s coffee exports have surged by around 125% in the last 11 years, reaching USD 1.8 billion, marking a strong rise in global demand and domestic production efficiency.
Coffee is a tropical plant that thrives in warm, humid climates and is among the most widely traded agricultural commodities globally.
Of the approximately 60 known species of coffee, two dominate world trade — Arabica, accounting for about 75% of global production, and Robusta, known for its stronger flavor and higher caffeine content.
The two species require different climatic conditions:
Arabica grows best at 15–24°C with annual rainfall between 150–300 cm
Robusta prefers warmer conditions, thriving at 24–30°C
Globally, Brazil is the largest coffee producer, benefiting from its vast tropical climate and advanced agricultural practices.
In India, Karnataka is the leading coffee-producing state, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu, reflecting the crop’s dependence on high rainfall and hilly terrain.
Indian coffee is predominantly cultivated in the Western and Eastern Ghats, which provide the ideal elevation, shade, and moisture required for quality bean production.
With increasing global appreciation for Indian varieties, especially shade-grown Arabica, India is steadily expanding its footprint in the specialty coffee market.
11th International Day of Yoga |
The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated globally with the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, emphasizing holistic well-being and harmony with nature.
The observance of Yoga Day traces back to December 2014, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 69/131, declaring 21st June as the International Day of Yoga.
This date—June 21—was chosen as it aligns with the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolizing light, energy, and renewal.
The word “Yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, meaning to unite, symbolizing the union of mind, body, and spirit — the essence of yogic philosophy.
The practice of yoga was systematized by Sage Maharshi Patanjali, who compiled the ancient knowledge into structured aphorisms called the Yoga Sutras, laying the foundation for classical yoga.
Recognizing its cultural and spiritual significance, UNESCO inscribed Yoga in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, affirming its value as a living tradition.
Digital Markets Act (DMA): Ensuring Fairness in the Digital Economy |
As per recent reports, Alphabet’s Google has proposed changes to its search results in order to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The Digital Markets Act, which came into effect in 2022, is a key legislation by the European Union (EU) aimed at promoting fair competition and openness in digital markets.
It specifically targets “gatekeepers” — a term used to describe large digital platforms that provide any of a pre-defined set of “core platform services”, such as online search engines, app stores, web browsers, and messenger services.
The DMA mandates that these gatekeepers must not abuse their dominant market position, and must leave room for competition (contestability) and ensure fair business conduct in the digital ecosystem.
For consumers, the act promises greater choice, better services, easier ability to switch providers, direct access to services, and more transparent and fairer pricing models.
Overall, the DMA represents the EU’s broader attempt to regulate Big Tech, ensure a level playing field in the digital economy, and empower smaller businesses and users.
e-Rakt Kosh: Integrating Rare Donor Registry for Better Blood Management |
The Ministry of Health is planning to integrate the country’s Rare Donor Registry with e-Rakt Kosh to improve access to rare blood types for patients in need.
The National Institute of Immunohaematology (ICMR), Mumbai, has developed this national rare blood donor registry specifically to support patients who require frequent transfusions of uncommon blood groups.
e-Rakt Kosh, launched in April 2016, is an online blood bank management system operating under the National Health Mission.
This digital platform provides real-time information about blood banks, blood availability, and blood donation camps across India, thereby streamlining blood supply management.
Importantly, e-Rakt Kosh enforces compliance with the Drug & Cosmetic Act—which regulates drugs and cosmetics in India—and adheres to the National Blood Policy’s standards and guidelines to ensure safe and ethical blood transfusion practices.
The integration of the rare donor registry into e-Rakt Kosh will enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in locating and utilizing rare blood units, ultimately saving more lives.
Gwada Negative: A Newly Discovered Rare Blood Type |
A French woman from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe has been identified as the only known carrier of a newly discovered blood type called “Gwada negative.”
Gwada negative is a negative blood group system officially registered by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) as ISBT042.
This blood type is characterized by the absence of the EMM antigen on red blood cells.
The EMM antigen is typically found on red blood cells and is classified as a high-incidence antigen, meaning it is present in nearly all humans worldwide.
Due to its unique characteristics, Gwada negative has become the 48th officially recognized blood group system globally.
Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253): A Detailed Map of a Nearby Spiral Galaxy |
Researchers have recently created a detailed map of the Sculptor Galaxy using the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument mounted on the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT).
The Sculptor Galaxy, also known as NGC 253 or the Silver Coin Galaxy, is located approximately 7.5 million light-years away from Earth.
This galaxy was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1783, marking an important milestone in astronomical observations.
NGC 253 is a large spiral galaxy viewed almost edge-on from our perspective, meaning we see it from the side rather than face-on.
Spiral galaxies, like NGC 253, are surrounded by halos—these halos consist of mixtures of old stars, star clusters, and dark matter, which play a key role in galaxy formation and dynamics.
By comparison, both the Milky Way and the nearby Andromeda Galaxy belong to a subtype called barred spiral galaxies, characterized by a central bar-shaped structure of stars, gas, and dust that stretches across their centers.
Nano Fertilizers: Advancing Sustainable Agriculture |
The Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) is set to establish its first overseas nano fertilizer plant in Brazil, expanding its global footprint.
IFFCO pioneered this field by launching the world’s first ‘Nano Liquid Urea’ fertilizer in 2021, followed by Nano-DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) in 2023.
Nano fertilizers are nutrients encapsulated or coated within nanomaterials—materials that measure 100 nanometers or less in size, where 1 nanometer equals one-billionth of a meter.
This nanoscale encapsulation enables controlled nutrient release and slow diffusion into the soil, enhancing the efficiency of fertilizer application.
The use of nano fertilizers promotes sustainable farming by significantly reducing soil and water contamination, thereby protecting the environment.
Additionally, nano fertilizers are cost-effective as they improve nutrient absorption by plants, reduce nutrient wastage, and lower the frequency of application required by farmers.
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