Daily Current Affairs – 30 June 2025

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Today's edition features key updates including National Bioenergy Programme, Child and Maternal Health, Agroforestry in India, National Turmeric Board, India Energy Stack (IES), Botrytis fungi, Exoplanet, Secondary pollutants, Remittances, Kolhapuri Chappals, Dhole (Asiatic wild dog), Synthetic Human Genome (SynHG) Project and more…

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MNRE Issues Revised Guidelines on National Bioenergy Programme

1. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has revised guidelines for two key components—‘Waste to Energy’ and ‘Biomass’—under the National Bioenergy Programme, enhancing clarity, efficiency, and inclusivity.

2. Bioenergy, a form of renewable energy, is produced by burning biomass fuel—organic material like agricultural residues, crop waste, and household organic matter.

3. The National Bioenergy Programme, launched in 2022, aims to promote sustainable energy solutions by harnessing rural biomass and organic waste for power generation.

4. This programme is implemented in two phases, with Phase-I spanning 2021-22 to 2025-26, backed by a total budget of ₹1715 Crore.

5. Its core objective is twofold: promote clean energy and generate additional income for rural households by utilizing surplus biomass, especially in rural areas.

6. The MNRE offers Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to project developers based on project scope, with an additional 20% CFA for special categories like the North East Region, hilly states, and SC/ST beneficiaries.

7. The programme comprises three components:

   • Waste to Energy: Supports projects converting urban, industrial, and agricultural waste into Biogas, BioCNG, Syngas, or Power.

   • Biomass Programme: Promotes Biomass Briquette/Pellet manufacturing plants and non-bagasse based cogeneration projects (i.e., using biomass other than sugarcane residue to produce heat and power together).

   • Biogas Programme: Focuses on setting up biogas plants for clean cooking fuel, small-scale power, sanitation, and women empowerment.

8. Notably, Biogas typically contains 95% methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), with minor amounts of nitrogen (N₂), hydrogen (H₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and oxygen (O₂).

Revised Guidelines: Key Features by Component

Waste to Energy Programme

1. Simplified Approval Processes are introduced—particularly easing entry for MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) and industries through faster clearances.

2. CFA Disbursal is now in a two-stage release system:

   • 50% CFA is given after getting consent from the State Pollution Control Board, backed by a bank guarantee.

   • The remaining 50% CFA is released after achieving 80% plant capacity or reaching the maximum subsidy cap, whichever is lower.

3. Additional reforms include streamlined inspections, performance-based incentives, and greater flexibility in project execution.

Biomass Programme

1. Approval systems have been simplified—for instance, no clearance documents are needed for briquette or pellet plants, enabling faster implementation.

2. The programme now promotes technology integration like IoT-based monitoring, enabling real-time performance tracking and improved efficiency.

3. To address stubble burning (burning of crop residues, a major pollution source), pellet producers in NCR and nearby states can choose support from either the MNRE or the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) scheme.

4. Other features include market flexibility, performance-based subsidies, and incentives that align with environmental and economic outcomes.

Source:

• MNRE Issues Revised Guidelines for Waste-to-Energy Projects

• MNRE Notifies Key Revisions in Biomass Programme Guidelines

India’s Remarkable Achievements in Child and Maternal Health: As Recognized by Recent UN Reports

1. India’s progress in maternal and child health has been internationally recognized in two key UN inter-agency reports: ‘Trends in Maternal Mortality: 2000 to 2023’ and ‘Levels & Trends in Child Mortality: 2024’, which outline significant global and national health milestones.

2. Among the most notable achievements is a steep 86% decline in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)—the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births—surpassing the global average reduction of 48% since 1990.

3. Child health indicators also showed strong improvements, with the Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR)—deaths of children under 5 per 1,000 live births—falling by 78%, compared to the global 61% drop.

4. In the same vein, India achieved a 70% decline in Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR), which measures deaths within the first 28 days of life, again outperforming the global decline of 54%.

5. A crucial contributor to these outcomes has been India’s sustained polio-free status since 2014, maintained through regular National Immunization Days (NIDs) to prevent resurgence.

6. India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)—one of the largest public health initiatives globally—has played a central role by providing free vaccinations annually to 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants (0–1 year).

7. The scope of UIP has expanded significantly, now covering 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, doubling from just 6 in 2013, demonstrating India’s strengthened vaccine infrastructure.

8. Several new vaccines have been added since 2014, including the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), Rotavirus Vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccine, Adult Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine, and Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine, broadening protection across all age groups.

9. Supporting these immunization efforts is Mission Indradhanush, launched in 2014 and intensified in 2017, which has vaccinated over 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

10. To ensure no child is left behind, India implemented the Zero Dose Implementation Plan 2024 in 143 districts across 11 high-burden states, focusing on children who have not received even their first dose of the DTP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis) vaccine—referred to as zero-dose children.

11. As a result, the proportion of zero-dose children reduced sharply from 0.11% in 2023 to just 0.06% in 2024, indicating stronger last-mile connectivity in immunization services.

12. At the grassroots level, Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) have ensured regular, community-based immunization and health outreach, especially in rural and underserved regions.

13. India has also embraced digital innovation through the U-WIN platform, enabling real-time tracking of immunization status and helping healthcare providers ensure timely vaccine delivery.

14. Combating vaccine hesitancy remains a priority, addressed through consistent Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns, which raise public awareness and trust in vaccines.

15. On-the-ground efforts are strengthened by India’s vast network of frontline health workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), who serve as critical links between communities and health systems.

Model Rules for “Felling of Trees in Agricultural Land” to Promote Agroforestry in India

1. In a move to simplify procedures and encourage integration of trees in farming systems, the government has framed Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Land to promote agroforestry practices among farmers.

2. Agroforestry, by definition, is a land use system where trees and agricultural crops (and sometimes livestock) are grown together on the same plot, enhancing biodiversity and sustainability.

3. It includes various models such as Agrisilviculture (crops + trees), Silvopasture (trees + livestock), and Agrosilvopastoral (trees + crops + pasture/animals), tailored to regional needs and farmer preferences.

4. Currently, agroforestry covers 8.65% of India’s geographical area—about 28.42 million hectares, and the government considers land with over 10% tree cover on agricultural plots as agroforestry for official data.

5. The newly framed rules will be overseen by the State Level Committee (SLC), already constituted under the Wood-Based Industries (Establishment & Regulation) Guidelines, 2016.

6. This SLC will advise the state government on policies to promote agroforestry and enhance timber production by streamlining rules related to tree felling and wood transit.

7. To ensure transparency and tracking, farmers must register their plantation areas on the National Timber Management System, submitting details of land ownership and tree cover.

8. A simplified mechanism is introduced for felling permission: if the agricultural land has more than 10 trees, a Felling Permit is mandatory, while for 10 or fewer trees, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) suffices—minimizing procedural delays.

9. These reforms align with broader environmental goals, as agroforestry boosts tree cover outside forests, supports sustainable land use, and contributes to India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

10. From an economic perspective, agroforestry increases farm productivity, improves soil fertility, enhances water conservation, and supports the government’s goal of doubling farmers’ income.

11. Socially, it uplifts rural livelihoods by generating sustained employment and raising household income through diversified farm outputs and timber value chains.

12. India has been steadily promoting agroforestry through key national initiatives like the National Agroforestry Policy, 2014, which provided the first policy framework for scaling and institutionalizing agroforestry.

13. Under this policy umbrella, the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) operates as part of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), helping farmers adopt tree-based farming models with technical and financial support.

14. In addition, the GROW initiative launched by NITI Aayog focuses on transforming India’s wastelands into productive agroforestry zones, aiming for both ecological restoration and economic gain.

15. A notable regulatory reform came with the 2017 amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, which reclassified bamboo as grass instead of a tree—greatly simplifying its harvesting, use, and transit, thus boosting agroforestry potential in bamboo-growing regions.

Source: Centre issues Model Rules to States/UTs to aid Ease of Doing Business in Agroforestry

ECI Moves to Delist 345 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs)

1. In a major clean-up initiative, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has begun the delisting process of 345 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) due to persistent non-compliance and electoral inactivity.

2. These RUPPs have not contested even a single election in the last six years (since 2019), and the ECI was unable to physically trace their offices, indicating lack of operational existence.

3. Upon final delisting, these parties will lose all associated benefits, including entitlement to tax exemptions, access to electoral rolls, and other administrative privileges granted to political entities.

4. As per Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA, 1951), all political parties must register with the ECI by meeting specific criteria, including submission of their constitution and commitment to democratic principles.

5. However, it's important to note that while ECI can delist parties (i.e., remove them from the active registry), it does not have statutory power to de-register political parties under the current law—a distinction clarified in the Supreme Court’s 2002 judgment in Indian National Congress vs. Institute of Social Welfare.

6. The rise of non-compliant RUPPs has triggered multiple concerns, particularly related to transparency and financial accountability in the political space.

7. A key compliance concern is the failure to submit mandatory Contribution Reports, as required under Section 29C of the RPA, 1951, which helps track donations above a prescribed threshold.

8. More alarming are findings of financial irregularities, with many RUPPs allegedly misusing their registered status to improperly claim income tax exemptions—for instance, in FY 2019–20, 219 RUPPs claimed a staggering ₹608 crore in exemptions.

9. Investigations have also exposed serious financial improprieties, including fake donation receipts, bogus purchases, use of shell companies, and other forms of tax abuse and money laundering under the guise of political financing.

10. Despite being registered, around 70% of RUPPs did not participate in the 2019 General Elections, further indicating their inactivity and questionable intent in maintaining political party status.

11. Addressing such misuse, the Law Commission in its 255th report (2015) recommended automatic de-registration of parties that fail to contest elections for 10 consecutive years, to ensure only active parties benefit from legal and tax privileges.

12. Supporting this, the ECI in its 2016 memorandum urged the government to amend the Representation of the People Act to grant it powers for de-registering errant political parties, thereby closing a critical legal gap.

13. The ongoing delisting drive represents ECI’s commitment to upholding electoral integrity, preventing political misuse for financial gain, and ensuring that the party registration system serves its intended democratic purpose.

Delhi Gears Up for Its First-Ever Artificial Rain to Combat Air Pollution

1. In a historic move, the Delhi government is preparing to conduct its first artificial rain experiment, using cloud seeding technology to tackle the city’s rising air pollution crisis.

2. The initiative is being led by IIT Kanpur and involves the use of modified aircraft to carry out cloud seeding, marking a significant step in the capital's environmental management efforts.

3. Artificial rain, also known as cloud seeding, is a weather modification technique designed to induce precipitation (rainfall) from existing clouds by dispersing specific chemicals into the atmosphere.

4. The process typically uses substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice, which serve as condensation nuclei—tiny particles that attract water vapour, enabling cloud droplets to form and merge.

5. These chemicals are released through aeroplanes or helicopters, which target suitable clouds with enough moisture to trigger rainfall under controlled conditions.

6. Cloud seeding is broadly categorized into two types:

   • Hygroscopic Cloud Seeding, which enhances droplet merging in liquid clouds, and

   • Glaciogenic Cloud Seeding, which promotes ice crystal formation in supercooled clouds (clouds that remain liquid below freezing point).

7. The technique offers multiple benefits, particularly in drought-prone regions, as seen in Dubai, where cloud seeding projects have been used to increase rainfall and recharge groundwater levels.

8. In the agricultural sector, artificial rain can be a lifesaver during dry spells, improving crop yields, ensuring food security, and enhancing farmers’ incomes.

9. It also supports weather regulation, by helping to reduce the intensity of hailstorms, control heavy snowfalls, and moderate extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

10. Crucially for Delhi, cloud seeding can help reduce air pollution by bringing down particulate matter and dust from the atmosphere, temporarily improving air quality and visibility.

11. Other applications include wildfire suppression, enhancing winter snowfall in ski regions, and recharging lakes and reservoirs in water-stressed areas.

12. However, the method is not without concerns, the foremost being the risk of excessive rainfall, which can trigger flash floods and landslides, especially in vulnerable terrains.

13. There's also the fear of disturbing natural weather patterns, potentially causing droughts in other regions due to the artificial manipulation of cloud systems.

14. Environmental impacts include chemical contamination of water bodies, affecting aquatic life, biodiversity, and even long-term ecosystem health.

15. Prolonged or repeated use may also result in chemical accumulation in soil and groundwater, raising health risks for plants, animals, and humans.

16. Therefore, while cloud seeding holds promise as a supplementary tool for water management and pollution control, its application must be guided by robust scientific studies, stringent environmental assessments, and clear legal and regulatory frameworks.

National Turmeric Board Headquarters Inaugurated in Nizamabad, Telangana

1. In a significant step toward strengthening India’s turmeric ecosystem, the headquarters of the National Turmeric Board was officially inaugurated in Nizamabad, Telangana in January 2025, following its notification in October 2023.

2. The National Turmeric Board has been established under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to provide dedicated leadership and coordination for the growth, value addition, and export of turmeric across India.

3. The Board’s primary aim is to align efforts across ministries, enhance turmeric sector development, and collaborate with the Spices Board and other government bodies for unified action.

4. The composition of the Board reflects a multi-stakeholder approach, with a Chairperson appointed by the Central Government and members drawn from various key ministries including AYUSH, Pharmaceuticals, and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

5. Additionally, the Board includes senior state government representatives from three states on a rotational basis, experts from national/state research institutions, and representatives of turmeric farmers and exporters, ensuring comprehensive representation.

6. A dedicated Secretary, appointed by the Department of Commerce, manages the operations and execution of the Board’s initiatives.

7. The Board is tasked with promoting research & development (R&D), driving value-added products for export, creating awareness of turmeric’s medicinal and nutritional benefits, improving yield and cultivation practices, and strengthening the supply chain to tap global markets.

India’s Dominance in Turmeric Production and Trade

1. India holds a commanding position as the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric, often dubbed the “Golden Spice” due to its vibrant color and valuable health properties.

2. The country contributes to around 70% of global turmeric production, with over 30 varieties cultivated across more than 20 Indian states.

3. The major turmeric-producing states—Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh—collectively account for 63.4% of India’s domestic production, making them key players in the national turmeric economy.

4. On the global front, India dominates with more than 62% share in world turmeric exports, with leading destination markets including Bangladesh, UAE, USA, and Malaysia.

5. Several turmeric varieties in India have been awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tags, recognizing their unique quality and origin—these include Sangli Turmeric and Waigaon Turmeric (Maharashtra), Erode Manjal (Tamil Nadu), and Lakadong Turmeric (Meghalaya).

Understanding Turmeric: The Crop and Its Characteristics

1. Turmeric is a rhizome, meaning it is an underground stem, and it thrives in tropical climates, making it suitable for cultivation across a wide range of Indian agro-climatic zones.

2. Ideal climatic conditions for turmeric include a temperature range of 20–30°C and annual rainfall of 1500 mm or more, essential for healthy growth.

3. The crop grows best in well-drained sandy or clay loam soils, which allow proper root development and minimize the risk of waterlogging.

4. Known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric has a long-standing place in Ayurveda, traditional medicine, and modern nutraceuticals, boosting its demand in domestic and international health sectors.

India Energy Stack (IES)

1. The Ministry of Power has initiated a task force to conceptualize the India Energy Stack (IES)—a transformative step towards digitizing the nation’s energy ecosystem.

2. India Energy Stack (IES) is envisioned as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), meaning a common digital backbone designed to be accessible, inclusive, and secure for public and private innovation in the electricity value chain (covering generation to consumption).

3. The core aim of IES is to establish a unified, secure, and interoperable digital framework that seamlessly integrates various stakeholders and systems across India’s energy sector.

4. IES will assign Unique IDs to all consumers, assets (such as transformers, meters, solar panels), and transactions, enabling precise identification and traceability throughout the grid.

5. It will enable real-time, consent-based data sharing, where users control access to their data—ensuring both transparency and data privacy.

6. Through Open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), IES will promote seamless system integration, allowing diverse digital tools and platforms to communicate efficiently.

7. The platform will also offer tools for consumer empowerment, improving market access, and accelerating innovation by enabling new energy services like dynamic pricing, smart billing, and energy trading.

Must Read : India’s Green Energy Startup Challenge – Win up to ₹1 Crore

Botrytis fungi

1. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms (cells with a nucleus and organelles) that lack chlorophyll and vascular tissues, and survive by decomposing and absorbing organic matter.

2. A defining feature of fungi is their cell wall made of chitin—a tough, flexible compound also found in the exoskeletons of insects and arachnids.

3. Within the fungal kingdom, Ascomycetes form a major group that produces sexual spores called ascospores, which are enclosed inside microscopic sac-like structures known as asci (ascus singular).

4. One notable genus within Ascomycetes is Botrytis, a group of fungi that plays both destructive and beneficial roles in agriculture.

5. Botrytis fungi, particularly Botrytis cinerea, infect grapes and are responsible for a condition known as "Noble Rot", which causes grape berries to lose water through evaporation, leading them to shrivel and concentrate their sugars—a desirable trait for making certain sweet wines.

6. Recent research has revealed that Botrytis fungi cannot be cloned, because no single nucleus within their cells contains a complete set of chromosomes.

7. Instead, their genetic material is distributed across two or more nuclei, a condition that prevents standard cloning techniques which rely on a complete set of chromosomes in one nucleus.

Exoplanet

1. Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars beyond our Sun, meaning they exist outside the Solar System.

2. Among these, particular interest lies in exoplanets found within the habitable zone—the region around a star where temperatures are "just right" for liquid water, making them prime candidates in the search for extraterrestrial life.

3. The closest known exoplanet to Earth is Proxima Centauri b, located about 4 light-years away, orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri.

4. Recently, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying its first new exoplanet, named TWA 7b.

5. TWA 7b was detected within the debris rings—bands of dust and rocky material—surrounding a low-mass star called CE Antliae, also known as TWA 7.

6. Remarkably, TWA 7b is ten times lighter than any exoplanet previously directly imaged, making it a significant milestone in direct imaging technology and deep-space observation.

Secondary pollutants

1. A recent study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed that secondary pollutants contribute to nearly one-third of India’s PM2.5 pollution, highlighting their significant role in air quality.

2. Secondary pollutants are formed in the atmosphere through chemical or physical interactions between primary pollutants (direct emissions) or between primary pollutants and other atmospheric components.

3. These pollutants typically arise due to the presence of primary pollutants, combined with sunlight and specific atmospheric conditions such as temperature and humidity.

4. Common examples of secondary pollutants include ozone (O₃)—a reactive gas harmful at ground level—along with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃), both of which contribute to acid rain.

5. Understanding secondary pollutants is crucial because unlike primary pollutants, which are directly emitted, secondary pollutants form through complex reactions in the air, making their control more challenging.

Remittances

1. According to a recent RBI (Reserve Bank of India) report, remittances to India surged to $135.46 billion in 2024-25, marking a significant 14% increase from the previous year.

2. This growth is part of a longer trend, with remittances more than doubling from $61 billion in 2016-17, reflecting strong inflows from the Indian diaspora worldwide.

3. Remittances play a crucial role in India’s economy, accounting for over 10% of the country’s $1 trillion gross current account inflows in FY25; the gross current account tracks all trade, income, and transfer payments between India and the rest of the world.

4. These inflows also provide important support against the merchandise trade deficit—India’s gap between imports and exports—which stood at $287 billion, with remittances covering 47% of this deficit.

5. Moreover, remittances exceed the total gross inward foreign direct investment (FDI)—investment from foreign entities into Indian businesses—making them a stable and vital source of external financing for the country.

Kolhapuri Chappals

1. Recently, following a controversy, a global fashion brand acknowledged drawing design inspiration from Kolhapuri chappals, highlighting the sandal’s growing international recognition.

2. Kolhapuri chappals are traditional handcrafted leather sandals originating from Maharashtra, India, and have been awarded Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2019—a recognition that protects products originating from a specific region and preserves their unique cultural identity.

3. These sandals trace their roots back to the 12th century, reflecting a rich heritage of craftsmanship passed down through generations.

4. Uniquely, Kolhapuri chappals are made entirely by hand using vegetable-tanned leather, a natural tanning process that uses plant-based materials instead of harmful chemicals, ensuring durability and eco-friendliness.

Dhole (Asiatic wild dog)

1. The dhole, also known as the Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus), has made a confirmed comeback in Assam’s Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL) after being previously thought extinct in the region.

2. The dhole is distributed across various countries including India, Cambodia, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, and Central Asia, showing a wide but fragmented range.

3. Within India, dholes inhabit diverse regions such as the Eastern and Western Ghats, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, and Ladakh, adapting to different ecological zones.

4. These animals are carnivores and resemble a small wolf or domestic dog in size, primarily hunting in the early morning or late evening, which are their most active periods.

5. However, the dhole faces serious threats like habitat loss due to human encroachment and diseases that affect their populations.

6. The dhole is listed as Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), indicating it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild.

7. In India, it is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which provides legal safeguards against hunting and trade.

8. Additionally, the dhole is included in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which regulates international trade to ensure it does not threaten the species' survival.

You might like this: Has the dire wolf come back to life?

Synthetic Human Genome (SynHG) Project

1. Researchers are working on the Synthetic Human Genome (SynHG) project to build human genetic material from scratch to better understand how DNA functions.

2. The SynHG project is a five-year, multi-centre research initiative involving top institutions like the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.

3. Its primary goal is to create foundational, scalable tools, technologies, and methods necessary to synthesise entire human genomes.

4. A synthetic genome refers to a man-made DNA sequence, either fully designed in the lab or heavily modified from natural DNA.

5. Such synthetic genomes could revolutionize medicine by enabling targeted cell therapies, developing virus-resistant transplants, and engineering climate-resilient plants.

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