UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 June 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 June 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 1 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 June (2025)

1. State of the World Population 2025 Report

GS Paper 3:

2. FDI Paradox: India’s Investment Crossroads

 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Jan Man Survey

2. Ahmedabad Police’s AI Crowd Management System

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Ship M.V. Wan Hai 503

2. Madleen Ship Incident

3. Siamese Fireback

4. Blue NDC Challenge

5. New-Generation Weight-Loss Drugs

6. KATRIN experiment

 Mapping:

1. Yemen’s Hodeidah Port

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 June 2025

GS Paper  2:

State of the World Population 2025 Report

Syllabus: Population Issues

Source:  UNFPA

 Context: India’s population has reached 146.39 crore in April 2025 as per the UNFPA’s “State of the World Population 2025” report, with Total Fertility Rate (TFR) dropping to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1.

Key Highlights of UNFPA State of the World Population 2025:

1. Global Population Trends: World population stands at 8.2 billion; growth has slowed but disparities remain between high-income and low-income countries.
2. Fertility Crisis Redefined: The real crisis is unmet fertility goals—not just overpopulation or underpopulation, but denial of reproductive choice.
3. Reproductive Agency: Emphasis on individual rights to decide freely on reproduction, contraception, and timing of childbirth.
4. Demographic Dividend: Over 60% of the world’s population is in the 15–64 age group, offering a productivity window.
5. Ageing Population Concern: Global elderly population (65+) is growing rapidly, requiring focused health and pension reforms.
6. Youth Bulge in LMICs: Low- and middle-income countries (like India, Nigeria) have large youth populations with untapped potential.
7. Gender & Fertility Gaps: Women’s education and autonomy significantly influence fertility patterns and gaps persist in access to healthcare & contraception.

What is Fertility and Its Features?

• Definition: Fertility refers to the actual number of children born to a woman during her reproductive years (15–49 years).
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Measures average births per woman and 2.1 is considered the replacement level.
• Determinants: Influenced by education, health access, family planning services, cultural norms, and economic conditions.

Global Issues Surrounding Fertility:

1. Falling Fertility in Developed Countries: Countries like Japan, Italy, and South Korea face declining TFRs, below 1.5, triggering ageing concerns.
2. High Fertility in Fragile States: Sub-Saharan Africa has TFRs above 4, stressing healthcare, education, and resources.
3. Reproductive Inequality: Millions lack access to contraception, maternal care, and autonomy in reproductive choices.

India’s Status as per the 2025 Report:

• Population Size: India leads with 146.39 crore, expected to peak at 170 crores in 40 years before stabilizing.
• TFR Status: Current TFR is 1.9, below replacement level, indicating a demographic transition.
• Demographic Composition:

• Youth (0–14): 24%
• Teens (10–19): 17%
• Working age (15–64): 68%
• Elderly (65+): 7%

• Life Expectancy (2025): Men – 71 years; Women – 74 years.
• Unrealized Fertility: A section of the population cannot achieve desired fertility goals due to poor access to services.

Way Ahead:

1. Census Completion (2027): A fresh census is vital to revise socio-economic and fertility-related policies.
2. Strengthen Reproductive Health: Enhance access to family planning, maternal care, and education for women.
3. Elderly & Youth Policy Balance: Craft policies that balance between ageing population welfare and youth skill development.

Conclusion:

India stands at a pivotal moment demographically. With a TFR below replacement level and a large working-age population, the focus must shift from mere numbers to ensuring quality of life, reproductive rights, and preparedness for the demographic future.

PYQ:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 June 2025 GS Paper 3:

FDI Paradox: India’s Investment Crossroads

Syllabus: Economy

Source:  EPW

Context: The RBI’s Annual Report 2024–25 shows gross FDI inflows rose by 13.7%, yet long-term net inflows have halved due to rising disinvestments. India’s net FDI dropped to just $0.4 billion in 2024–25, down sharply from $44 billion in 2020–21.

About FDI Paradox: India’s Investment Crossroads

• What is FDI?
  • Definition: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) refers to investments made by foreign entities in Indian businesses or sectors, typically in equity or through joint ventures.
• FDI Role in Indian Economy:
  • Capital Access: It provides critical capital for infrastructure, startups, and industrial expansion.
  • Technology Transfer: Brings in advanced technologies, R&D capabilities, and managerial expertise.
  • Employment Generation: Helps create direct and indirect employment across sectors.
  • Boost to Balance of Payments (BoP): Stable FDI inflows help reduce current account deficits and stabilize forex reserves.

Recent Trends in FDI Inflows (As per RBI 2024–25 Report)

1. Sluggish Long-Term Growth: Despite a 13.7% increase in gross inflows in 2024–25, average annual growth was only 0.3% in the last four years.
2. Rising Disinvestments: Repatriation surged at 18.9% annually post-pandemic, leading to net FDI halving to $29.6 billion.
3. Distorted Composition: Significant flows from Singapore (15%) and Mauritius (close to 10%) suggest dominance of financial flows over productive investments.
4. Manufacturing Decline: Share of FDI in manufacturing dropped to 12%, down from peak levels.
5. Outward FDI Boom: Indian FDI outflows rose to $29.2 billion in 2024–25, almost tripling in five years.

Issues Surrounding FDI in India

1. High Repatriation Rate: Disinvestments now account for 63.5% of gross FDI, up from <1% in early 2000s.
2. Short-Term Financial Flows: Surge in private equity/VC investments focuses on profit, not production.
3. Sectoral Imbalance: Productive sectors like manufacturing and computer services are witnessing withdrawal.
4. Geographic Shift: Decline in investments from tech leaders like the US, Germany, UK reduces innovation value.
5. Data Discrepancy: UNCTAD figures are up to 60% lower than RBI estimates, indicating inflated official figures.

Way Ahead:

1. Improve Policy Stability: Ensure consistent and transparent FDI policies to build long-term investor trust.
2. Focus on Quality FDI: Encourage inflows in manufacturing, green tech, and R&D, avoiding passive capital.
3. Boost Domestic Reforms: Labour, land, and ease-of-doing-business reforms must align with investor needs.
4. Rationalize Tax Treaties: Reevaluate tax incentives to limit round-tripping via financial centres.
5. Strengthen Investment Monitoring: Create a robust mechanism to track real sectoral contribution of FDI.

Conclusion:

India’s FDI landscape shows worrying signs of capital flight and low-quality inflows, raising structural concerns. Despite short-term growth, long-term investment stability is threatened by disinvestment surges and sectoral decline. Policymakers must pivot to reform-driven, high-quality FDI attraction to sustain economic resilience.

PYQ:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 June 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Jan Man Survey

Context: To mark 11 years of Prime Minister leadership, the NaMo App launched the ‘Jan Man Survey’, receiving over 5 lakh responses within 26 hours.

• The survey allows citizens to share direct feedback on governance, national security, and development issues.

About Jan Man Survey:

• What it is?
  • A large-scale citizen engagement initiative launched through the NaMo App to gather public opinion on key aspects of governance.
• How it Works?
  • Citizens across India participate in the survey through the app by answering questions on themes such as national security, governance, cultural pride, and youth development.
• Significance:
  • Enhances direct democracy by involving citizens in feedback loops.
  • Encourages digital participation and fosters a culture of political accountability.
  • Demonstrates high engagement, with 77% completing the full survey, reflecting strong public interest.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS Paper II – Governance:
  • Illustrates citizen-centric governance and the use of ICT in policy feedback.
  • Relevant to topics like e-Governance, accountability, and citizen participation.
• GS Paper IV – Ethics & Integrity:
  • Shows application of ethical governance, transparency, and responsive administration.
  • Reflects public service values and use of surveys as a feedback tool.

Ahmedabad Police’s AI Crowd Management System

Context: Ahead of the 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, the city police will deploy an AI-powered anti-stampede system to manage crowds and prevent disasters.

About Ahmedabad Police’s AI Crowd Management System:

What it is:

An AI-based crowd monitoring system integrated with CCTV and drones to prevent stampedes by analysing real-time crowd data during large religious processions.

How it works?

• Real-time Surveillance: CCTV cameras equipped with AI detect crowd density using pixel-counting and thermal imaging.
• Threshold Alerts: The system flags areas where crowd density exceeds safe limits and alerts police for immediate action.
• Predictive Analytics: Anticipates potential bottlenecks by analysing movement trends and suggests dispersal routes.
• Integrated Deployment: The system works in tandem with drone surveillance (GP-DRASTI) for dynamic crowd control across congested routes.

Significance:

1. Proactive Disaster Prevention: Detects early warning signs of overcrowding to prevent stampedes.
2. Real-Time Decision Support: Enhances police responsiveness and crowd safety.
3. Data-Driven Planning: Enables smarter future planning by recording crowd patterns and risk zones.

Limitations:

1. Technical Gaps: AI may struggle with occlusions, lighting, or weather-related issues in dense crowds.
2. Privacy Concerns: Continuous surveillance raises ethical and privacy challenges in public spaces.
3. Operational Dependency: Effectiveness still depends on timely human intervention and field personnel availability.

Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:

• GS Paper II – Governance:
  • Application of technology in public service delivery and urban safety mechanisms.
  • E-Governance and AI use in disaster management and law enforcement.
• GS Paper III – Disaster Management:
  • Use of early warning systems in preventing crowd disasters.
  • Technological solutions to reduce vulnerabilities during mass gatherings.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –  11 June Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Ship M.V. Wan Hai 503

Source:  DH

Context: A massive fire erupted on the Singapore-flagged container ship M.V. Wan Hai 503 off the Kerala coast, prompting concerns of a potential oil spill and environmental hazard.

About Ship M.V. Wan Hai 503:

• Ownership & Nationality: The vessel is registered under the Singapore flag and was en route from Colombo to Mumbai when the fire broke out.
• Nature of Cargo: According to its cargo manifest, the ship holds 157 containers with hazardous goods including: Flammable liquids, Flammable solids, and spontaneously combustible substances.
• Fuel Reserves: The ship also contains approximately 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel, increasing the risk of explosion and oil spill.

Features of Kerala Coast:

• Geographical Extent:

• • Stretches for 590 km along the Arabian Sea.
  • Lies between Latitudes 8°17′N to 12°47′N and Longitudes 74°27′E to 77°37′E.

• Topography:

• • Coastal belt is flat, low-lying, and highly water-rich, featuring estuaries, lagoons, and backwaters.
  • The coast transitions inland to midland plains and Western Ghats highlands, creating unique ecological gradients.

• Rivers and Backwaters:

• • Kerala has 44 rivers, 41 of which flow westward into the Arabian Sea.
  • Prominent rivers: Periyar, Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar, Chalakudy, and Pamba.
  • The Kerala Backwaters system (e.g., Vembanad Lake) is a major water network enabling inland navigation.

• Biodiversity & Minerals:

• • The coast is rich in ilmenite, monazite, thorium, and titanium.
  • Known for high natural background radiation in areas like Karunagappally due to thorium-rich sand.

Madleen Ship Incident

Source:  IE

Context: Israel detained the British-flagged aid ship Madleen, backed by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), and deported Greta Thunberg for attempting to breach the Gaza blockade.

• This incident revives global memory of the 2010 Mavi Marmara attack, where Israeli forces killed 10 activists aboard a similar flotilla.

About Madleen Ship Incident:

• What It Is?
  • Madleen is a humanitarian ship carrying relief aid to Gaza amidst the ongoing Israeli blockade.
• Organised By: Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a global civil society network advocating against the Israeli blockade.
• Objective: Deliver essential supplies like medical kits, baby food, water filters, and prosthetics to war-affected Gazans.
• Who Was on Board?
  • 12 unarmed international volunteers, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, MEP Rima Hassan, and journalists from France, Spain, and Brazil.
• What Happened?

• • Sailed from Catania, Italy on June 1, 2025.
  • Israel intercepted the vessel in international waters and deported all activists, including Thunberg.

About Mavi Marmara Incident:

• What It Is?
  • A six-ship flotilla attempting to deliver 10,000 tonnes of aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s naval blockade.
• When: May 31, 2010
• Aim: To challenge the legality of the blockade and deliver humanitarian aid including medical supplies, school kits, and generators.
• What Happened?

• • Israeli commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara in international waters using helicopters and warships.

About Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC):

• What It Is?
  • The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) is a global, grassroots movement comprising multiple civil society campaigns that collectively resist the Israeli blockade on Gaza through peaceful maritime missions.
• Established In: Formed in 2010, after the deadly Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara.
• Objectives:

• • End the blockade of the Gaza Strip imposed by Israel through direct civil resistance.
  • Promote human rights and dignity for all, regardless of race, religion, nationality, or political affiliation.
  • Raise global awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza through nonviolent direct action.

• Key Functions:

• • Organising humanitarian sea missions to Gaza, carrying aid supplies and global volunteers.
  • Facilitating global campaigns and awareness through international media engagement.
  • Advocating nonviolence as a fundamental strategy in confronting injustice and occupation.

Siamese Fireback

Source:  NIE

Context: The Siamese Fireback, Thailand’s national bird, has been spotted for the first time in the forests of Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, by a local bird enthusiast.

About Siamese Fireback:

• Scientific Name: Lophura diardi
• National Bird: Thailand
• IUCN Status: Least Concern, though facing moderate decline due to habitat loss and poaching.
• Geographic Distribution: Native to Southeast Asia, found in: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
• Habitat Preferences:
  • Prefers dense evergreen forests and deciduous woodlands.
  • Often avoids human disturbance and thrives in humid, secluded terrain.
  • Sighted recently in high-altitude Himalayan Forest, suggesting range flexibility and habitat resilience.
• Physical Features:
  • Males: Metallic blue-black body, fiery red-orange rump patch, red facial skin, and elegant white tail feathers.
  • Females: Mottled brown and black plumage for camouflage.
• Biological and Behavioural Traits:
  • Omnivorous: Feeds on seeds, fruits, insects, and small creatures by foraging on the forest floor.
  • Shy and elusive: More often heard than seen; prefers forest solitude.
  • Breeding Season: March to June. Males perform spectacular courtship dances to attract females.
  • Nesting: Females lay 4–6 eggs in ground nests, well-hidden in dense undergrowth.

Blue NDC Challenge

Source:  DTE

Context: At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, Brazil and France launched the “Blue NDC Challenge” to integrate ocean-based solutions into national climate strategies ahead of UNFCCC COP30 in Belem.

About Blue NDC Challenge:

• What is the Blue NDC Challenge?
  • A multilateral initiative urging countries to embed ocean-centric actions into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to tackle climate change and enhance coastal resilience.
• Launched by:

• • Brazil and France.
  • Announced during UNOC3 (June 2025) as part of pre-COP30 mobilization

• Participating Countries: Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau, Seychelles.
• Core Objective: To integrate ocean-focused climate actions into updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by countries ahead of UNFCCC COP30, aligning with the 1.5°C Paris target.

• Major Features of the Blue NDC Challenge:

• • Ocean-Integrated NDCs: Encourages countries to include marine ecosystems, mangroves, and coastal zones in climate action plans.
  • Sustainable Blue Economy: Advocates for climate-resilient fisheries, ocean renewable energy (wave, wind, tidal), and carbon-smart aquaculture.
  • Phasing Out Offshore Fossil Fuels: Pushes for gradual elimination of offshore oil and gas exploration, especially in sensitive marine zones.
  • Restoration and Conservation: Focus on mangroves, coral reefs, and salt marshes to boost carbon sequestration and coastal protection.
  • Global Partnerships & Support: Supported by Global Mangrove Alliance, UN High-Level Climate Champions, WRI, and Ocean Breakthroughs under Marrakech Partnership.

New-Generation Weight-Loss Drugs

Source:  TH

Context: A recent U.S. study published in the journal Obesity reveals that new weight-loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide show reduced effectiveness in real-world settings compared to clinical trials.

About New-Generation Weight-Loss Drugs:

• What are They?
  • Injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists originally developed to manage Type 2 diabetes, now repurposed for chronic weight management.
• Key Drugs:
  • Semaglutide (branded as Ozempic/Wegovy) – developed by Novo Nordisk
  • Tirzepatide (branded as Mounjaro/Zepbound) – developed by Eli Lilly
• Features:
  • Mimic the action of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) to suppress appetite and slow digestion.
  • Shown to cause 10-15% body weight loss in controlled clinical trials.
  • Approved by US FDA also recently introduced in India for obesity management.
• Limitations:
  • Low adherence in real life: Many patients discontinue treatment early or reduce dosage due to cost, side effects, or lack of follow-up.
  • Economic constraints: High cost of GLP-1 drugs limits long-term use, especially in developing countries like India where out-of-pocket expenditure is high.
  • Dependency for sustained impact: Weight regains occurs quickly after discontinuation, making long-term adherence essential for benefit.

KATRIN experiment

Source:  TH

Context: The KATRIN experiment in Germany has published the most stringent upper limit yet on the sum of the masses of the three types of neutrinos, capping it at 8.8 × 10⁻⁷ times the mass of an electron—twice as precise as previous estimates.

About KATRIN experiment:

• What is KATRIN?

• The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) Experiment is a precision physics project that studies the mass of neutrinos using beta decay of tritium.

• Developed by: Conducted by an international collaboration led by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany.
• Nations Involved: Major institutions from Germany, the U.S., and other European countries contribute to the experiment.
• Objective: To directly measure the absolute mass of neutrinos—a major unsolved question in particle physics.

• Key Features of KATRIN:
  • Massive Detector: Uses a 200-tonne spectrometer for ultra-precise electron energy measurements during tritium decay.
  • Tritium Disintegration Monitoring: Observes beta decay of tritium to track maximum energy of electrons, revealing neutrino mass.
  • Robust Data Collection: Analysed over 36 million electrons across 259 days, making it one of the most data-rich neutrino studies.
  • Direct Measurement Method: Unlike cosmological studies, KATRIN does not rely on early universe assumptions or models.
• Significance of KATRIN:
  • Breakthrough in Neutrino Physics: Set a new upper limit on the sum of neutrino masses—a critical input for physics beyond the Standard Model.
  • Validates and Challenges Theory: Confirms neutrinos have mass, challenging the Standard Model which assumes massless neutrinos.
  • Clue to New Physics: Opens path to identify new forces or particles like Majorana vs Dirac neutrinos, which could reshape particle physics.
  • No Model Bias: Result is model-independent, making it more reliable than cosmological estimates that rely on multiple assumptions.
  • Foundation for Future Experiments: Sets technical standards for future neutrino detectors and decay experiments worldwide.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 June 2025 Place in News:

Yemen’s Hodeidah Port

 Source:  HT

Context: Israel conducted its first-ever naval strike on Yemen’s Hodeidah Port, targeting docks allegedly used by Houthi rebels to transfer weapons.

About Yemen’s Hodeidah Port:

• Location: Western coast of Yemen, along the Red Sea on the Tihāmah coastal plain.
• Significance:
  • Yemen’s chief seaport, handling humanitarian aid, fuel, and commercial imports.
• Features:
  • Equipped with modern docking facilities, key lifeline for millions amid war.
  • Was shelled in Italo-Ottoman War (1911–12) and pivotal in past regional power tussles.
  • Recent Israeli naval strike targeted 2 key piers (A pier is a raised structure that rises above a body of water) linked to alleged arms transfers.

About Yemen:

• Located in: Strategically located at the entrance of the Red Sea, connecting maritime trade between Europe, Africa, and Asia.
• Boundaries: Saudi Arabia, Oman, surrounded by Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
• Capital:
  • The official and most widely spoken language is Arabic.
• Geographical Features:
  • Mountainous Terrain: The highest point is Mount Al-Nabi Shuʿayb (12,030 ft), making it the tallest peak on the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Tihāmah Coastal Plain: A hot and humid lowland strip along the Red Sea coast, extending from Saudi Arabia down to the Gulf of Aden.
  • Eastern Deserts (Rubʿ al-Khali): Includes part of the Empty Quarter, one of the largest sand deserts in the world, with minimal vegetation and extreme aridity.
  • Wadis (Seasonal Rivers): Wadis like Wadi Hadhramaut serve as ancient water channels, important for seasonal farming and settlement patterns.
  • Rivers: The country has no perennial rivers, relying heavily on rainfall-fed wadis and underground aquifers for water.
• Houthi Conflict:
  • Houthi rebels control parts of northern Yemen, including Hodeidah.
  • Backed by Iran, they oppose Saudi-led coalition and have targeted Israel with missiles and drones.
  • Israel alleges ports like Hodeidah are used for military logistics, prompting strikes.

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