UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 May 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 May 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents 

GS Paper 3 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 May (2025)

1. India’s Agri Export Regime

2. India and Road Safety

 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Dirang Geothermal Well

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Operation Black Forest

2. Ayurveda Day

3. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

4. Bhargavastra Counter-Drone System

5. Wholesale Price Index (WPI)

6. Chief Justice of India

7. 2D Metal

 Mapping:

1. Arunachal Pradesh

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 May 2025

GS Paper 3 :

India’s Agri Export Regime

Syllabus: Agriculture

Source:  DH

Context: India recently signed multiple Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the UK, EFTA bloc, and finalized terms for an India–US trade deal.

• However, agriculture remains excluded from these deals, raising concerns over India’s long-term agri-export strategy.

About India’s Agro-Export Regime:

• What It Is?
  • India’s agro-export regime refers to the framework of policies, infrastructure, and institutional mechanisms guiding the export of agricultural commodities.
• Current Status:

• • Agri-export value fell to $48 billion in 2023–24, from $52 billion in 2022–23.
  • Basmati rice alone contributes to 21% of total agri exports.
  • Institutions like APEDA and ODOP-GI tags support promotion and branding.
  • India has kept agriculture largely out of recent FTAs, including with UK, EFTA, and US, citing sensitivity concerns.

• Challenges to India’s Agri-Export Regime:
  • FTA Exclusions: Agriculture is often in the sensitive list or given long transition periods in FTAs due to political and livelihood concerns.
  • Export Rejections: High rejection rates for products like mangoes and peanuts due to pesticide residues and SPS non-compliance.
  • Fragmented Governance: Trade is a Union subject, while agriculture is a state subject, causing frequent policy contradictions and delays.
  • Low Value Addition: Export focus remains on raw commodities instead of processed and branded products, limiting earning potential.
  • Infrastructure Gaps: Lack of cold chains, inland container depots, and export logistics in landlocked states like UP and MP.
  • Investment Distortions: High subsidies on power, water, and fertilizers reduce the incentive to shift toward exportable high-value crops.
• Way Ahead – Strategic Solutions:
  • Promote Value Addition: Create agro-processing clusters near APMCs, link them with export hubs, and incentivize with output-based schemes.
  • Policy Synchronisation: Form a National Agri Trade Council with representatives from the Centre, States, APEDA, FSSAI, and exporters to align regulatory processes.
  • Switch to Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Replace input subsidies with unconditional cash transfers to offer flexibility and encourage crop diversification.
  • Agri-Tech Integration: Scale up AI-driven crop monitoring, vernacular mobile advisories, and real-time data platforms for scheme access and market insights.
  • Digital and Physical Infrastructure: Invest in GIS-based produce mapping, beneficiary tracking systems, and pre-cooling logistics chains in hinterland zones.
  • Improve Connectivity for Landlocked States: Establish inland ports, container depots, and cold storage linkages to empower states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Conclusion:

India’s cautious stance on integrating agriculture with global trade needs a strategic rethink. Protectionism must evolve into smart enablement through technology, value addition, and infrastructure. Making Agri-exports competitive is essential for doubling farmer incomes and achieving trade resilience.

PYQ:

India and Road Safety

Syllabus: Infrastructure – Road

Source:  TH

Context: India recorded 1.68 lakh road fatalities in 2022, the highest in five years, prompting urgent calls for reform in road safety governance.

• Road crashes cost India an estimated 3% of its GDP annually. This hampers national development and underscores the urgency for effective road safety measures.

About India and Road Safety:

Current Status:

• India has the second-largest road network globally, covering over 6.3 million km.
• In 2022, road accidents caused 1.68 lakh deaths, translating to 12.2 deaths per 1 lakh population.
• Compared to the UK (2.6) and Japan (2.5), India’s fatality rate is alarmingly high.
• Road crashes cost India 3% of its GDP annually, impacting economic and human capital.

Issues Plaguing Road Safety in India:

1. Driver Error Dominance: Around 78% of road accidents are due to driver faults (over speeding, intoxication, lane indiscipline).
2. Poor Infrastructure & Black Spots: Lack of pedestrian zones, poor road design, and 5,000+ black spots remain unrectified.
3. Weak Enforcement Mechanisms: Inconsistent rule enforcement and low deterrence despite high penalty provisions in MV Act, 2019.
4. Inadequate Emergency Response: Delays in medical aid and limited trauma care availability, especially on rural and state highways.
5. Fragmented Governance: Road construction and safety responsibilities are divided between Centre and States, reducing accountability.

Government Initiatives Taken: (4 Es of road safety)

1. Education:

1. • National Road Safety Month, campaigns under Road Safety Advocacy Scheme.
   • Establishment of Driving Training Centres and Research Institutes.

2. Engineering:
   • Road Design:
     • Mandatory Road Safety Audits at all NH project stages.
     • Rectification of accident black spots.
     • Implementation of e-DAR system for accident reporting.
   • Vehicle Design:
     • Mandatory airbags, ABS, seat belt reminders, and reverse parking sensors.
     • Bharat NCAP safety rating system introduced.
     • Vehicle Scrappage Policy launched to phase out unsafe vehicles.

3. Enforcement:

1. • Strict penalties under MV (Amendment) Act, 2019.
   • E-challan system and CCTV-based enforcement in high-risk zones.
   • Rules for electronic monitoring and automated testing stations.

4. Emergency Care:

1. • Good Samaritan protection, increased compensation for hit-and-run cases.
   • Deployment of ambulances at toll plazas with trained paramedics.
   • Cashless treatment pilot scheme in six states in collaboration with National Health Authority.

Way Ahead – Strategic Roadmap:

• Adopt the Safe System Approach: Design roads forgiving of human error; prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users.
• Create a National Road Safety Authority: Integrate state and central efforts under one umbrella for policy coherence and accountability.
• CSR for Road Safety: Mandate automobile manufacturers to contribute CSR funds for long-term road safety infrastructure and research.
• Strengthen Data Systems: Scale up digital accident data management to support evidence-based policymaking.
• Invest in Infrastructure: Adopt World Bank’s $109 billion investment recommendation to halve road fatalities by 2030.

Conclusion:

Road safety is not just a technical or legal issue — it is a fundamental right under Article 21. India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 must include inclusive, people-centric, and safer mobility systems. A data-driven, coordinated, and long-term approach can transform road safety from a challenge into a success story.

PYQ:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 May 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Dirang Geothermal Well

Context: India’s Northeast witnessed a milestone in clean energy as Arunachal Pradesh’s Dirang became home to the region’s first geothermal production well.

About Dirang Geothermal Well:

• What it is?
  • A renewable geothermal energy project using closed-loop binary Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) to tap Earth’s subsurface heat for sustainable applications like electricity, heating, and agricultural processing.
• Location: Situated in Dirang, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, nestled in the eastern Himalayan terrain.
• Key Features:

• • Developed by: Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS), Itanagar
  • Supported by: Ministry of Earth Sciences, Arunachal Pradesh govt, with global scientific partners from Norway, Iceland, and Guwahati.
  • Temperature Reservoir: ~115°C — ideal for direct-use geothermal technologies.
  • Low-impact drilling with precision targeting fault zones between quartzite and schist formations.

• Significance:

• • First such project in Northeast India, with potential to power Dirang entirely via geothermal energy.
  • Reduces dependence on diesel and wood in cold Himalayan climates.
  • Can improve agricultural productivity and quality of life in high-altitude areas.
  • Adds to India’s geothermal potential (~10,600 MW), ensuring base-load renewable power, unlike intermittent sources like solar/wind.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS Paper 1: Geography

• • Geothermal energy as part of renewable resources and natural phenomena.

• GS Paper 2: Governance

• • Role of decentralised clean energy in hill state development and tribal regions.

• GS Paper 3: Environment & Energy

• • Renewable Energy Technologies, sustainable development, international scientific cooperation (e.g. Norway, Iceland).
  • India’s clean energy targets, carbon neutrality, and implications for climate resilience.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –  15 May Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Operation Black Forest

Source:  ANI

Context: In one of India’s largest anti-Naxal operations, 31 Maoists were killed in Operation Black Forest, conducted in Kurraguttalu Hills on the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border.

About Operation Black Forest:

• What It Is: A 21-day high-intensity counterinsurgency mission targeting Maoist strongholds in forested hilly terrain.
• Location: Kurraguttalu Hills (KGH), spanning approx. 1,200 sq km along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border.
• Objective:

• Dismantle Naxal headquarters and operational infrastructure.
• Neutralise top Maoist leadership and regain control over insurgent zones.
• Realise India’s target of eliminating Left Wing Extremism by March 31, 2026.

• Forces Involved: CRPF, including elite CoBRA units, Chhattisgarh Police, Special Task Force (STF), and District Reserve Guard (DRG).

About Karregutta Hills:

• Location: Karregutta Hills lie on the border of Bhadradri Kothagudem district (Telangana) and Sukma district (Chhattisgarh).
• Topography: Spread over 25–50 km, the terrain includes steep hills, caves, waterfalls, and dense forests — ideal for guerrilla warfare and concealment.
• Elevation: Hills rise to nearly 5,000 feet, rendering them largely inaccessible even to locals.
• Local Names: Tribes refer to the hills as Black Hills or Carregutta.
• Tribal Presence: The region is inhabited by Koya, Gond, and Chenchu tribes, many of whom have been caught in the crossfire during decades of insurgency.
• Other Active Maoist Zones: Abujhmad (Chhattisgarh), Malkangiri (Odisha), Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) are other high-intensity Maoist strongholds.

Ayurveda Day

Source:  ET

Context: The Government of India has officially declared 23rd September as Ayurveda Day through a Gazette notification.

About Ayurveda Day:

• What it is:
  • Ayurveda Day is a national observance to honour India’s ancient system of medicine and promote it as a scientific and holistic health tradition.
• New Celebration Date:
  • From 2025 onwards, 23rd September will be observed annually as Ayurveda Day, coinciding with the autumnal equinox, a day symbolising balance — core to Ayurvedic philosophy.
• Aim:

• • To create awareness about Ayurveda as a preventive and sustainable healthcare system.
  • To embed Ayurveda in global health dialogues as a science-based wellness approach.
  • To enable better planning and participation through a fixed calendar date.

About Ayurveda:

• What it is:
  • Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine rooted in the Vedas, particularly the Atharva Veda, dating back over 5000 years. The term is derived from “Ayu” (life) and “Veda” (knowledge) — meaning “Science of Life”.
• Core Principles:

• • Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam: Preserving the health of the healthy.
  • Aturasya Vikara Prashamanam: Curing the illness of the sick.
  • Emphasis on balance between body, mind, spirit, and environment.
  • Healing through natural herbs, diet, lifestyle, and therapies.

• Features of Ayurveda:

• • Focus on preventive care over reactive treatments.
  • Promotes mind-body harmony and seasonal routines.
  • Uses herbal medicines, detox therapies, yoga, and meditation.
  • Applies a customised health approach based on individual constitution (Prakriti).

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Source:  HT

Context: Retired IAS officer and former Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) by the President of India.

About Union Public Service Commission (UPSC):

• What is UPSC?
  • The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. It conducts recruitment exams for All India Services, Central Services, and other Group A & B positions.
• Composition of UPSC:

• • Composed of a Chairman and other members.
  • The President determines the strength and structure of the Commission.
  • Usually consists of 9 to 11 members.
  • At least 50% of members must have 10 years’ experience in government service.

• Appointment Process:

• • The President appoints the Chairman and members under Article 316(1).
  • The President also decides conditions of service and tenure.
  • Tenure: 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.

• Removal Process:
  • Members may resign or be removed in the following ways:

• • By Resignation:
    • Addressed to the President.
  • By Removal by the President:
    • If adjudged insolvent.
    • If engaged in paid employment during tenure.
    • If declared physically or mentally unfit.
  • For Misbehaviour (Article 317):
    • The President refers the matter to the Supreme Court.
    • The Court’s advice is binding.
    • Suspension is allowed during the enquiry.
    • Misbehaviour includes personal interest in government contracts or gaining benefits thereof.

• Functions of UPSC:

• • Conducts exams like Civil Services, Engineering Services, CDS, NDA, etc.
  • Advises government on recruitment methods, promotions, transfers, and disciplinary cases.
  • Oversees appointments to civil services and inter-service transfers.
  • Ensures merit-based recruitment and upholds administrative integrity.

Bhargavastra Counter-Drone System

Source:  TOI

Context: India successfully conducted trials of ‘Bhargavastra’, a new low-cost counter-drone micro-missile system, developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd (SDAL).

About Bhargavastra Counter-Drone System:

• What it is?
  • A micro-missile-based counter-drone system designed to detect and eliminate hostile drones, including drone swarms, using guided munitions.
• Developed by: Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd (SDAL) in partnership with Economic Explosives Ltd.
• Objective: To provide a cost-effective, rapid-response solution for neutralising drone threats, especially in sensitive border and conflict zones.
• Key Features of Bhargavastra:

• • Long Detection Range: Can detect small aerial drones beyond 6 km.
  • Micro-Missile Arsenal: Supports simultaneous launch of 64 micro missiles, enabling rapid engagement of multiple targets.
  • Salvo Launch Capability: Successfully tested salvo mode firing of two rockets within 2 seconds.
  • Mobile Deployment: Mounted on a mobile platform, ensuring flexible deployment across varied terrains including high altitudes.
  • Extended Engagement Range: Targets can be neutralised at distances beyond 2.5 km, ensuring stand-off protection.

• Significance:

• • First of its Kind: India’s first micro-missile-based counter-drone system for Army Air Defence.
  • Bridges Capability Gap: Addresses a critical void in India’s anti-drone warfare preparedness.
  • Cost-Effective: Offers an economical alternative to expensive air defence systems against low-cost drone threats.
  • Dual Interest: Indian Air Force has shown interest, reflecting joint-service utility.
  • Global Relevance: Few comparable systems exist globally, marking India’s leap in indigenous defence innovation.

Wholesale Price Index (WPI)

Source:  BS

Context: India’s WPI inflation eased to a 13-month low of 0.85% in April 2025, sharply down from 2.05% in March, driven by falling fuel and primary article prices.

About Wholesale Price Index (WPI):

• What is WPI?
  • The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) measures the average change in prices of goods traded in bulk by wholesalers to other businesses.
  • It reflects inflation at the producer level, before the goods reach the end consumer.
• Administering Body:

• • Published monthly by the Office of Economic Adviser, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• Objective:

• • To track price movements in wholesale markets and assess cost pressures faced by producers and industries.
  • Aids in understanding supply-demand dynamics across primary, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

• Base Year and Calculation:

• • Base Year: Updated to 2011–12 (from 2004–05) for alignment with GDP and IIP data.
  • Method: Weighted average of prices from a basket of 697 items, across three main groups:
    • Primary Articles (22.62%)
    • Fuel and Power (13.15%)
    • Manufactured Products (64.23%)

• Key Features of WPI:

• • Covers only goods, not services.
  • Reflects price trends before retail level, unlike Consumer price index (CPI) which tracks consumer prices.
  • Published monthly, showing price changes over the entire month.
  • Useful for industry cost analysis, but not used by the RBI for monetary policy decisions.

• Significance of WPI in India:

• • Serves as an early indicator of inflation trends.
  • Helps in analysing input cost pressures on producers.
  • Essential for fiscal planning, business forecasting, and policymaking.
  • Provides insights into sector-specific inflation—crucial for agriculture, mining, energy, and industry.
  • Complements CPI in macro-economic analysis, though RBI prefers CPI for interest rate decisions.

Chief Justice of India

Source:  LL

Context: Justice BR Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, 2025, by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• He is the first Buddhist and the second Dalit to hold the post, after Justice KG Balakrishnan.

About Chief Justice of India:

• What It Is:
  • The Chief Justice of India is the head of the Supreme Court and the judicial system of India.
  • They are known as the “Master of the Roster”, responsible for case allocation and judicial leadership.
• Constitutional Provision:

• • Article 124(2) of the Constitution governs the appointment of the Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court.

• Appointing Authority: The President of India appoints the CJI, based on the recommendation of the outgoing CJI, following seniority convention.
• Procedure of Appointment:

• • The Law Minister seeks the outgoing CJI’s recommendation.
  • Consultation is made with senior Supreme Court judges if fitness is in doubt.
  • The Law Minister forwards the proposal to the Prime Minister.
  • The Prime Minister advises the President, who appoints the new CJI.
  • The oath of office is administered by the President of India.

• Powers and Functions of CJI:

• • Master of the Roster: Allocates cases to benches and forms Constitution benches.
  • Judicial Leadership: Guides judicial policy and jurisprudence.
  • Advisory Role: Advises the government on legal and constitutional matters.
  • Administrative Authority: Appoints court officers and oversees court functioning.
  • Emergency Role: In rare cases, may discharge presidential duties if both President and Vice President’s offices are vacant.
  • Appointments: Must be consulted in all appointments of SC and HC judges (except CJI himself).

2D Metal

Source:  TH

Context: Scientists in China have successfully fabricated atomically thin 2D metal sheets of bismuth, gallium, tin, and lead using a novel high-pressure technique.

About 2D Metal:

• What are 2D Metals?
  • 2D metals are ultra-thin layers of metal atoms, usually just 1–2 atoms thick, where electrons are confined to move only in two dimensions.
  • Unlike bulk metals, they exhibit unique quantum properties due to quantum confinement effects.
• New Breakthrough:

• • A team in China (Beijing and Dongguan) successfully created atomically thin 2D sheets of bismuth, gallium, indium, tin, and lead.
• Technique:
  • Metal powder is melted between two layers of MoS₂-coated sapphire plates.
  • Under 200 million Pa pressure, the metal flattens into an ultra-thin sheet.
  • The result: bismuth sheets only 6.3 Å thick — around 2 atoms deep.

• Key Features:

• • Thickness: Just a few angstroms (Å) – atomically thin.
  • Quantum Confinement: Alters energy levels of electrons, leading to novel electrical behaviours.
  • Strong Field Effect: Electrical conductivity can be externally modulated.
  • Nonlinear Hall Effect: Generates perpendicular voltage under electric fields — a property not seen in 3D metals.
  • Topological Properties: Some 2D metals act as topological insulators, conducting only along edges.

• Applications:

• • Quantum Computing: Enables creation of faster, low-energy computing systems.
  • Flexible Electronics: Ideal for use in next-gen sensors, transistors, and wearable devices.
  • Photonics and Optoelectronics: Suitable for high-efficiency LEDs, lasers, and photodetectors.
  • Medical Diagnostics: Could power super-sensitive biosensors and imaging tools.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 May 2025 Mapping:

Arunachal Pradesh

Source:  DTE

Context: India has strongly rejected China’s latest attempt to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, calling it a “preposterous” move to justify false territorial claims.

• This is part of China’s ongoing strategy to assert unilateral authority over areas it labels “Zangnan” or “South Tibet.”

About Arunachal Pradesh:

• China’s Claim:
  • China claims around 90,000 sq. km of Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as “Zangnan” (South Tibet).
  • It rejects the McMahon Line, agreed upon during the 1914 Simla Convention, as the legal boundary.
  • Cites historical religious and cultural ties between Tawang Monastery and Lhasa to reinforce its narrative.
• India’s Position:
  • India asserts that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will remain an integral part of the country.
  • The McMahon Line, despite Chinese objections, is internationally recognized as the de facto boundary.
• China’s Renaming Tactic:
  • Since 2017, China has repeatedly issued “standardised” Chinese names for Indian locations in Arunachal.
  • These include residential areas, rivers, mountains, and towns—clearly within Indian territory.
  • The motive is to exert psychological and diplomatic pressure and reinforce territorial assertions.

About Arunachal Pradesh:

• Located in Northeast India, it became the 24th state of India in 1987.
• Earlier known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA).
• Capital: Itanagar
• State Borders: Assam and Nagaland
• International Borders: China (1030 km), Myanmar (440 km), and Bhutan (160 km)
• Ecological Importance:
  • Known as the “Orchid Paradise” and “Land of the Rising Sun”.
  • Home to dense forests, medicinal herbs, and rare wildlife species.
  • Major protected areas include: Namdapha National Park, Pakke Tiger Reserve, and Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Tribal Diversity:
  • Inhabited by over 25 major tribes including Nyishi, Apatani, Mishmi, Wancho, Momba, Khamti, and Abor.
  • Rich cultural heritage with unique festivals like Losar, Solung, Dree, Nyokum, and Boori-Boot.
• Geological & River Features:
  • Rivers: Siang (Tsangpo in Tibet), Kameng, Subansiri, Lohit, Tirap – mostly snow-fed and flowing from the Himalayas.
  • Mountain Ranges:
    • Dafla, Miri, Abor, Mishmi Hills
    • Part of the Eastern Himalayas with alpine and temperate climates.
  • Passes: Bum La, Bomdila, Tunga, and Dihang Pass provide critical border access.

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