Daily Current Affairs – 27 June 2025
- TPP
- Jun 27
- 14 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 SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting, Gavi: the Vaccine Alliance, 10 years of AMRUT, Rare Earth Magnet (REM), Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited, Official Language, UN80 Initiative, Operation Deep Manifest, AlphaGenome, Green Data Hub in Ghaziabad, Manasarovar lake and more…
Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).
India Refuses to Sign Joint Statement At SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting |
India refused to sign the Joint Statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting, resulting in the absence of a consensus-based declaration, as per SCO’s rule of unanimity for joint decisions.
Citing its principled stance, India’s Defence Minister emphasized India’s commitment to global harmony through the philosophy of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” which is deeply rooted in the ancient Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (meaning the world is one family).
He also underscored SCO's strategic relevance, pointing out that it represents around 30% of global GDP and 40% of the world’s population, reflecting its economic and demographic significance.
Despite differences, India views the SCO as crucial for fostering regional security, especially via the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) — a dedicated institutional mechanism aimed at combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
In parallel, the platform is seen as a means to enhance socioeconomic engagement, with India taking proactive steps like initiating the SCO Young Scientists Conclave and proposing the Special Working Group on Innovation and Startups to foster collaboration in research, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Moreover, strengthening regional connectivity remains a key Indian objective, particularly through projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) — a multimodal transport route connecting India with Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, which includes several SCO members.
Such connectivity projects not only boost trade and access but are also critical for strategically balancing China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which India opposes due to sovereignty concerns, especially regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
India also supports SCO’s growing push for trade in national currencies rather than the U.S. dollar, as this move aligns with efforts to counterbalance Western-dominated financial systems and promote monetary sovereignty among member states.
However, India continues to face serious challenges within the SCO, particularly due to the China-Pakistan axis, where China’s silence on Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism raises strategic and security concerns for New Delhi.
Additionally, the perception of the SCO as an anti-Western alliance complicates India’s balancing act, as India seeks to engage on regional issues without endorsing confrontational blocs or compromising its strategic autonomy.
US pulls funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance |
The United States has recently pulled its funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, citing concerns that Gavi, along with the World Health Organization (WHO), is suppressing dissenting views and legitimate questions about vaccine safety.
This move is significant as the US has historically been one of Gavi’s largest donors, playing a key role in its global immunization efforts.
The decision also reflects a wider trend of US disengagement from key global institutions, seen over recent years through its withdrawals from the WHO, the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN Human Rights Council, and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
As a global superpower, such withdrawals carry broader consequences, potentially weakening the international rules-based order and global governance mechanisms.
For example, US disengagement has emboldened allies like Israel to withdraw from bodies such as the UN Human Rights Council, thereby setting a precedent for undermining multilateralism.
In the domain of climate, the US’s exit from the Paris Agreement weakened global climate momentum, especially as 2024 was recorded as the hottest year on record, and the US remains the second-largest greenhouse gas emitter after China.
Similarly, the withdrawal has a direct impact on global health financing, as seen in 2024 when the US contributed nearly 15% of the WHO’s total budget—its absence could result in severe funding shortfalls.
Moreover, such exits create a global leadership vacuum, one that could increasingly be filled by China, potentially diminishing India's influence in international decision-making bodies.
Gavi, established in 2000, is a public-private global health partnership with the mission to save lives and protect health by expanding equitable access to vaccines, particularly in low-income countries.
Its core partners include major global players like the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ensuring broad-based international collaboration.
Since its inception, Gavi has helped vaccinate over 1 billion children in the world’s poorest regions, playing a transformative role in global health equity.
It also contributes to vaccine credibility and transparency as a member of the WHO-led Vaccine Safety Net (VSN) — a global network ensuring that reliable and accurate vaccine safety information is accessible online.
Gavi’s headquarters (Secretariat) is based in Geneva, Switzerland, aligning it with other major international health and policy institutions.
India celebrates 10 years of the AMRUT |
India recently celebrated 10 years of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), launched on 25 June 2015, as the country’s first water-focused urban mission.
Designed to improve basic urban infrastructure, AMRUT aims to ensure every urban household has access to tap water and sewerage, while also improving public spaces and reducing pollution.
To scale up the mission's success, AMRUT 2.0 was launched on 1 October 2021, for a 5-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, with an expanded coverage across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) — i.e., local government institutions that manage cities or towns.
The mission operates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and functions as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, meaning the funding is jointly shared between the Centre and States/UTs, based on criteria like urban population and number of statutory towns.
Initially, AMRUT covered 500 cities and towns, though the number currently stands at 485 (including 15 merged cities), focusing on both Tier 1 and Tier 2 urban areas.
The key objectives of AMRUT include:
Ensuring universal access to tap water and sewerage connections.
Increasing the amenity value of cities by developing parks, green spaces, etc.
Reducing urban pollution, particularly by promoting sustainable public transport.
Under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, several reform-oriented outcomes have been achieved, reflecting both environmental and financial progress.
Notably, 99 lakh streetlights were replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, resulting in an annual reduction of 46 lakh tonnes of CO₂ emissions — a significant step towards climate-friendly urban governance.
On the financial front, ₹4,984 crore was raised by urban local bodies (ULBs) through Municipal Bonds, indicating growing fiscal responsibility and market confidence in city-level governance.
Additionally, 3,599 cities implemented the Online Building Permission System (OBPS), a digitized approval platform that enhances ease of doing construction and improves urban planning efficiency.
GIS-based Master Plans — which use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping land use and infrastructure — have been formulated for 231 AMRUT cities, covering a substantial area of 1 lakh sq. km, enabling smarter and data-driven urban development.
Alongside core reforms, AMRUT introduced several innovative sub-initiatives:
‘Jal Hi AMRIT’, focusing on the safe treatment and reuse of wastewater, promoting circular water economy.
‘AMRUT Mitra’, aimed at empowering Self Help Group (SHG) women with skills in local water management, thereby strengthening grassroots participation.
India In Touch with China on Rare Earth Magnet Supply Amid Its Export Restriction |
India has initiated diplomatic engagement with China over the continued supply of rare earth magnets, following China’s recent export restrictions, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
These restrictions, enforced from April 2025, require companies to obtain import permits from Beijing—a move seen as a counter-response to the U.S.’s reciprocal tariff policies on Chinese imports.
This development is significant as China controls over 90% of the world’s rare earth element (REE) processing capacity, making global industries heavily reliant on its exports.
Rare Earth Elements (REE) refer to 17 specific metals, including the 15 lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium, which share similar chemical properties and are vital to modern technology.
REEs are categorized as critical minerals due to their limited global suppliers, strategic industrial use (especially in defence and electronics), and the difficulty in extracting them economically.
These elements are known for their exceptional physical and magnetic properties—for example, REE-based alloys prevent corrosion, enhance energy storage, and improve performance in advanced electronics.
A notable application is in rare earth permanent magnets, where their high remanence (ability to retain magnetization) and coercivity (resistance to demagnetization) arise from the presence of unpaired electrons in their atomic structure, making them indispensable for high-efficiency devices.
REEs have wide-ranging applications in aerospace, defence, energy systems, and modern electronics—examples include cell phones, wind turbines, hard drives, EV motors, laser-guided weapons, radar, and sonar systems.
In terms of global reserves, China leads with 44 million metric tons, followed by Brazil with 21 million metric tons, while India holds around 7 million metric tons, making it the fifth-largest holder of REE reserves.
However, India lacks adequate REE processing capacity, making it largely dependent on imports—especially from China—to meet domestic industrial and strategic needs.
To address this vulnerability, the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) was launched in 2025, with the goal of boosting domestic exploration, extraction, and processing of critical minerals including REEs.
India’s first sector-specific Non-Banking Financial Company for the maritime sector |
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) recently inaugurated the Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SFCL), marking a significant step in strengthening financial support for India’s maritime sector.
SFCL is India’s first Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) dedicated solely to the maritime domain, enabling specialized and sector-focused financial assistance.
Formerly known as Sagarmala Development Company Limited, SFCL holds the status of a Mini Ratna, Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE)—a recognition given to financially sound and well-performing public enterprises.
It is now officially registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an NBFC, allowing it to offer customized financial solutions while being regulated under RBI norms.
SFCL will cater to a wide array of stakeholders including port authorities, shipping companies, and logistics operators, and will finance strategic sectors such as shipbuilding, renewable energy, cruise tourism, and maritime education.
In parallel, the government has launched multiple digital and infrastructure initiatives to modernize and enhance efficiency in the maritime sector.
One such initiative is the Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE), which promotes innovation in port and shipping operations using emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain.
Another is the SAGAR SETU platform, designed in alignment with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, to integrate service providers and offer seamless EXIM (Export-Import)-related services across the maritime ecosystem.
To streamline planning and monitoring, the DRISHTI platform—short for Data-driven decision support Review Institutional System for Hastening and Tracking Implementation—has been introduced to accelerate goals under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The government also introduced a uniform Scale of Rates (SOR) for Major Ports, ensuring a consistent and transparent tariff structure to enhance ease of doing business.
In support of India’s green transition, the initiative ‘Gateway to Green: India’s Ports Transforming into Hydrogen Hubs’ provides a roadmap to convert Indian ports into green hydrogen production, storage, and export hubs, aligning with clean energy goals.
All these efforts are anchored within the Maritime India Vision 2030, which outlines a holistic roadmap for the development of ports, shipping, and inland waterways, and seeks to position India as a global maritime leader.
Looking further ahead, the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 builds upon this by aiming to establish world-class port infrastructure, boost inland water transport, promote coastal shipping, and ensure a sustainable and resilient maritime sector for future generations.
50 years Department of Official Language |
The Department of Official Language recently celebrated its golden jubilee, marking 50 years since its establishment in 1975.
The constitutional provisions related to the official language of India are primarily covered under Part XVII of the Indian Constitution.
According to Article 343, Hindi in the Devanagari script is declared the official language of the Union of India.
However, the Official Language Act of 1963 allows the continued use of English alongside Hindi for all official purposes of the Union government and for business transactions in Parliament.
To oversee the implementation of official language policies, Article 344 provides for the constitution of a Commission and Committee on Official Language.
Meanwhile, Article 345 empowers each State Legislature to adopt any one or more languages used in that State, or Hindi, as the official language of the respective State.
These provisions ensure a flexible yet structured approach to managing India’s linguistic diversity while promoting Hindi as the national official language.
United Nation’s UN80 Initiative |
The UN80 Initiative was launched by the United Nations (UN) to commemorate the signing of the UN Charter 80 years ago, in 1945, marking a milestone in global cooperation.
This initiative aims at streamlining UN operations, sharpening its impact, and reaffirming the organization’s relevance amid the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
The United Nations itself was founded in 1945, shortly after the end of World War II, with the goal of promoting international peace, security, and cooperation.
The UN’s structure consists of six principal organs, each playing a critical role in its functioning: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the UN Secretariat.
The General Assembly is a deliberative body where all 193 member states—including India, a founding member—have equal representation and discuss global issues.
The Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, with five permanent members wielding veto power.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) focuses on promoting international economic and social cooperation and development.
The Trusteeship Council, initially created to oversee decolonization and trust territories, is currently inactive.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) serves as the primary judicial body resolving disputes between states.
The UN Secretariat administers the day-to-day work of the organization, led by the Secretary-General.
With 193 member countries, the UN remains the primary global forum for dialogue, cooperation, and collective action on worldwide issues.
Operation Deep Manifest |
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently seized goods valued at approximately ₹9 crore under the crackdown named Operation Deep Manifest.
Operation Deep Manifest was specifically launched to target the illegal import of goods originating from Pakistan that are being routed through third countries, primarily via Dubai, UAE, to bypass trade restrictions.
This operation gained significance following the Pahalgam terror attacks, after which India imposed a comprehensive ban on both direct and indirect import or transit of goods originating from or exported by Pakistan.
Before this ban, such goods entering India were subjected to a 200% customs duty, a punitive tariff aimed at discouraging imports and protecting domestic industries.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is India’s premier anti-smuggling agency, tasked with investigating and preventing customs duty evasion and illegal trade activities.
By intercepting these illegally imported goods, Operation Deep Manifest helps enforce national security measures and uphold trade laws designed to curb economic and security risks posed by illicit imports.
Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters Annual Report 2024–2025 |
The “Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters Annual Report 2024–2025” has highlighted several innovative projects, including Kalaanubhav.in—an AR/VR-enabled artisan marketplace aimed at digitally empowering traditional artisans.
Kalaanubhav.in leverages Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to create immersive experiences that connect buyers with authentic, handcrafted products, supporting cultural preservation and digital commerce.
This platform is one of many initiatives under the broader S&T Clusters Programme, which was launched in 2020 based on the vision of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).
The core objective of the S&T Clusters initiative is to bring together key stakeholders—such as academic institutions, R&D organizations, industry players, and local governments—to collaboratively deliver demand-driven, science-based solutions.
The initiative functions on a consortium-based model, meaning multiple institutions and sectors work in synergy to address regional and sector-specific challenges using science and technology.
These clusters aim to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, promote innovation at the grassroots, and ensure that research outcomes translate into scalable, real-world applications.
The programme is implemented by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, which operates under the Cabinet Secretariat, ensuring top-level policy integration and coordination.
By anchoring science and technology to local development goals, the S&T Clusters initiative seeks to build regionally rooted innovation ecosystems, thereby contributing to self-reliant and knowledge-driven growth.
Google's New AI Model: AlphaGenome |
Google DeepMind has unveiled a powerful new AI model named AlphaGenome, marking a major leap in applying artificial intelligence to human genetics and health research.
AlphaGenome is designed to accurately predict how individual mutations in human DNA—also known as genetic variants—affect biological function and influence human health.
The model builds upon the capabilities of Enformer, DeepMind's earlier genomics AI model known for predicting gene expression, and it complements AlphaMissense, which specializes in classifying the impact of mutations in protein-coding regions of DNA.
Unlike earlier models, AlphaGenome can analyze extremely long DNA sequences—up to 1 million base pairs—enabling it to capture more context and interactions within the genome, which are essential for accurate predictions.
In genetics, a base pair refers to the building blocks of DNA (adenine-thymine and cytosine-guanine pairs), and analyzing longer sequences allows deeper insights into how mutations influence regulatory and functional elements far beyond local regions.
By providing highly detailed and context-aware predictions, AlphaGenome has the potential to revolutionize how we understand genetic disorders, disease risk, and personalized medicine.
This breakthrough also strengthens the growing synergy between AI and genomics, potentially accelerating discoveries in drug development, early disease detection, and gene therapy.
India’s First CEL-ESDS Green Data Hub in Ghaziabad |
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the Union Minister for Science & Technology jointly laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Green Data Centre at Central Electronics Limited (CEL), Ghaziabad, marking a major step in India's digital infrastructure growth.
This Green Data Centre is designed with a focus on minimizing environmental impact while maximizing energy efficiency, aligning with India’s vision to become a self-reliant global digital power.
A Green Data Centre refers to a facility that uses energy-efficient technologies, renewable resources, and eco-friendly practices to reduce carbon footprint and environmental degradation typically caused by large-scale data processing.
The project represents a public-private partnership between CEL, a Government Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) affiliated with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science & Technology, and ESDS, a private sector technology firm.
By leveraging CEL’s scientific and government-backed capabilities and ESDS’s technical expertise in digital solutions, the data centre aims to set new benchmarks in sustainable, secure, and scalable digital storage and computing.
Once operational, this Green Data Centre is expected to serve as a national model for sustainable digital infrastructure, promoting innovation while reducing energy consumption—key for meeting India’s green technology and climate targets.
Manasarovar lake |
After a six-year gap, Indian pilgrims have successfully completed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, marking a significant spiritual and diplomatic milestone between India and China.
This yatra is particularly important as it represents the first India–China people-to-people exchange to resume following the COVID-19 pandemic and the border stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake is traditionally conducted via two main routes: the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, both high-altitude mountain crossings into Tibet.
Mansarovar Lake, known in Sanskrit as "Manas Sarovar", lies at the southern foot of Mount Kailash in Tibet and holds profound spiritual, geographical, and ecological significance.
It is regarded as the world’s highest freshwater lake, situated at an altitude of over 4,500 meters above sea level, making it a natural marvel as well.
Near the lake stands the historic Chiu Gompa Monastery, a major site of Buddhist meditation and retreat, adding to the sacred ambiance of the region.
The lake holds immense cultural and religious significance across multiple faiths:
In Hinduism, it is believed that Lord Brahma, the creator god, formed Mansarovar in his mind before manifesting it on Earth.
In Buddhism, it is identified with Lake Anotatta, a mythical lake from Buddhist scriptures, and is believed to be the conception site of Lord Buddha, symbolizing purity and spiritual rebirth.
Thus, Mansarovar is not only a geographical landmark but also a spiritual epicenter revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and followers of Bon tradition, reinforcing its role as a bridge between faith, culture, and diplomacy.
Click for Daily Quotes:
Stay updated with the latest news by joining our Telegram channel – The PRESS Pad , and follow us on Instagram and X.
コメント