Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 5 June, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
5 June, 2025

International Affairs

1. Nicaragua Becomes 101st Country to Ratify WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement

Why in News?

• On June 2, 2025, Nicaragua formally accepted the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, becoming the 101st WTO member to do so.
• The move places the landmark sustainability agreement just 10 ratifications away from the required 111 for its entry into force.
• The acceptance was officially submitted to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by Ambassador Rosalía Bohorquez Palacios.

Background of the Agreement

• Adopted at: 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), Geneva – June 2022.
• First WTO agreement focused explicitly on marine sustainability and conservation.
• Culmination of two decades of negotiations to tackle harmful subsidies causing global fish stock depletion.

Objectives of the Agreement

• Ban harmful fisheries subsidies that promote:
  • Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing
  • Overfishing of depleted fish stocks
  • Unregulated fishing on the high seas
• Enhance global marine biodiversity and support the blue economy.
• Support developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) with technical assistance.
• Align trade practices with sustainable marine resource management.

Key Provisions

Prohibited Subsidies

• Subsidies for:
  • IUU fishing
  • Fishing of overfished stocks
  • High seas fishing not under regional or international regulation

WTO Fish Fund

• Supports member countries (especially LDCs) with:
  • Legal and technical assistance
  • Capacity-building for implementation and compliance

National Affairs

1. UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2024–25

Context:

The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2024–25 has revealed a significant disconnect between high enrolment levels and poor learning outcomes in India, while also highlighting global gender and leadership disparities in education.

Key Findings of India’s Position

India-Specific Insights

• High Enrolment, Low Learning:
  • India has achieved >95% enrolment in primary education, but foundational learning gaps persist.
  • ASER 2023: Only 43% of Class 3 students can read a Class 2-level text.
  • NAS 2021: Only 25% of Class 8 students showed math proficiency.
• Gender Imbalance in Leadership:
  • 60% of elementary teachers are women.
  • But only 13% of central university vice-chancellors were women as of 2022.
• Weak Principal Training Framework:
  • NEP 2020 mandates 50 hours/year of professional development for school leaders.
  • Many states have not fully implemented this reform.
• Success Stories:
  • Delhi’s Middle Leadership Pilot improved teacher collaboration and trust through peer mentorship and decentralized leadership.

Global Trends

• Gender Disparities in Learning:
  • Globally, only 87 boys per 100 girls achieve minimum reading proficiency.
  • In middle-income countries, the number drops to 72 boys per 100 girls.
  • Post-COVID reversal: Girls underperforming in math in countries like Brazil, UK, and Italy.
• Women in Education Leadership:
  • Globally, only 19% of education ministers are women.
  • Female-led schools in Africa showed up to 1 year of additional learning gain.
• Leadership Accountability Gaps:
  • Less than 50% of countries require formal leadership training before appointing school heads.

Positive Trends

• Rising Female Workforce: India’s teaching force is becoming more gender-inclusive.
• Policy Recognition: NEP 2020 links leadership training with learning outcomes.
• Evidence-Based Monitoring: UNESCO’s expanded dataset enhances performance tracking.
• Peer-Led Mentorship Models: Successful pilots in Delhi showcase scalable leadership pathways.
• Global Dialogue: Over 100 countries participated in UNESCO’s education leadership surveys.

Negative Trends

• Enrolment ≠ Learning: Access to schooling has not translated into learning gains.
• Persistent Gender Gap in Leadership: Women remain underrepresented in decision-making roles.
• Post-Pandemic Digital Divide: Girls in developing nations faced greater learning loss.
• Uneven Reform Execution: NEP goals for leadership training remain inconsistently implemented.
• Opaque Promotions: Merit-based selection in educational leadership is still lacking in many systems.

Way Forward

• Build Leadership Pipelines:
  • Launch mandatory certification programs for principals and heads of schools.
• Empower Women Leaders:
  • Create fast-track leadership pathways for women in school and education governance.
• Focus on Learning Outcomes:
  • Use assessments like NAS and ASER to track foundational skills, not just enrolment.
• Embed Leadership in Teacher Education:
  • Integrate school governance modules in both pre-service and in-service training.
• Scale Local Mentorship Initiatives:
  • Replicate successful decentralized models (e.g., Delhi’s pilot) in other states for effective school transformation.

2. India’s Draft National Policy on Senior Citizens

Context:

A new National Policy for Senior Citizens is under preparation by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The draft was discussed in the 4th meeting of the National Council for Senior Citizens, chaired by Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar. Stakeholder suggestions have been received, and the policy aims to align with India’s evolving demographic profile.

Demographic Shift: Ageing Population Trends

• Senior citizens constituted 8.23% of India’s population in the 2011 Census.
• The share is expected to rise to 12.16% by 2026 and 20% by 2047, according to official projections.
• The next Census reference period is scheduled for March 2027, which will provide updated data for policy recalibration.

Key Focus Areas in the Draft Policy

Digital Inclusion of the Elderly

• Emphasis on promoting digital literacy among senior citizens to ensure equitable access to digital services.
• The council discussed creating programs to bridge the digital divide for the ageing population.

Elder Abuse and Grievance Redress

• Proposal to establish a dedicated grievance redress mechanism for reporting and addressing elder abuse and neglect.

Institutional Reforms

• Suggestions to institutionalise the role of NGOs and senior citizen associations in:
  • Policy formulation
  • Implementation
  • Feedback and monitoring

Progress Under Existing Schemes

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)

• Over 5 lakh senior citizens have received free assisted living devices under RVY.
• The Council reviewed follow-up mechanisms and measures to improve the quality of distributed devices.

Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)

• Reviewed for its effectiveness in providing shelter, care, and support to indigent older persons.

Senior Citizen Portal

• Focus on enhancing service delivery through the Senior Citizen Portal, ensuring better tracking and feedback mechanisms.

2. India’s 2027 Digital Census

Context:

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that India will conduct its next population Census by March 1, 2027. This will be conducted after a 16-year gap, making it the first Census since 2011.

What is Census in India?

A Census is the official enumeration of the population, providing comprehensive statistics on:

• Demographic details (age, sex, marital status)
• Economic indicators (occupation, income, employment)
• Socio-cultural data (language, religion, literacy, migration)

It serves as the primary source of population data used for planning, policy-making, and administrative governance at national, state, district, and local levels.

Key Features

• Decennial Process: Conducted once every 10 years
• Mandatory Exercise: Under Census Act, 1948
• Authority: Conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI)
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
• Coverage: Every household, village, ward, town, and city in India

2027 Digital Census

• First-ever digital Census in India.
• First post-Independence Census to include caste enumeration.
• Census to be conducted in two phases; completion target: February 28, 2027.

Improving Representativeness of Sample Surveys

• Current National Statistics Office (NSO) surveys rely on sample frames based on the 2011 Census, making them less reliable today due to demographic changes.
• The 2027 Census data will update sampling frames, improving the representativeness of surveys tracking key economic indicators such as consumption, health, and labour markets.
• Experts agree this will lead to more accurate reflections of the Indian economy’s realities.

Better Understanding of Urbanisation and Population Dynamics

• Census data will provide a clearer picture of India’s true urbanisation rate, which has been underestimated since 2011 due to rapid growth.
• Improved urban-rural classification will help policy design targeting infrastructure, services, and development.
• It will also clarify the gender composition across regions, aiding social planning.

Constitutional Significance

• Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990.
• It falls under Union List Entry 69, Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
• As per the Constitution, the first Census after 2026 will be used to:
  • Redraw Lok Sabha constituencies
  • Replace the current delimitation based on 1971 Census data

2. World Environment Day 2025

Context:

• Date: 5 June 2025
• Global Host: Republic of Korea (South Korea)
• Theme: Beat Plastic Pollution
• India Highlight: PM plants a Banyan sapling under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” at the Aravalli Green Wall Project site.

About World Environment Day (WED)

• Established: By UN General Assembly in 1972
• First Observed: 1973, led by UNEP
• Origin: Coincides with the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment
• Purpose: Raise global awareness and encourage action for environmental protection

Plastic Pollution – Key Facts

• Global Impact:
  • 11 million tonnes enter oceans annually
  • Microplastics contaminate soil and water
  • Global economic loss: USD 300–600 billion/year
• India-Specific Data:
  • Annual plastic waste: ~9.3 million tonnes
  • Single-use plastics (2023): 4.07 million tonnes (43%)
  • Plastic burnt yearly: ~5.8 million tonnes
  • Rivers (Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra): Among top 10 global plastic waste carriers

Major Causes of Plastic Pollution in India

• High Consumption: 11 kg per capita annually
• Weak Waste Management: Only 15–20% recycled; informal sector dominates
• Urbanization: Tier-1 cities produce 72.5% of daily plastic waste
• River-Ocean Spillover: 0.6 million tonnes enter oceans each year
• Poor Alternatives: Biodegradable substitutes expensive/unavailable
• Limited Awareness: Especially among consumers and MSMEs

Impacts of Mismanaged Plastic Waste

Environmental

• Toxins (BPA, phthalates) leach into soil and food chain
• Harm to wildlife and aquatic species via ingestion and entanglement
• Burning releases dioxins and heavy metals

Public Health

• Open burning releases carcinogens (dioxins, furans)
• Microplastics detected in salt, seafood, drinking water
• Blocked drains increase vector-borne diseases

Economic

• Potential loss: USD 133 billion by 2030 (FICCI)
• Municipal cost for drain clearance: ₹1,500–2,000 crore/year
• Coastal tourism and fisheries affected

Government Regulations

• Plastic Waste Management Rules: 2016, 2022, 2024
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Mandatory for brands
• India Plastics Pact
• Swachh Bharat Mission: Includes solid waste management initiatives

Steps to Strengthen Plastic Waste Management

Policy & Enforcement

• Strictly enforce 2022 ban on single-use plastics
• Monitor EPR compliance for FMCG/e-commerce sectors

Infrastructure

• Set up Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
• Formalize & incentivize waste pickers (e.g., Pune’s SWaCH)

Sustainable Alternatives

• Promote bamboo, millet-based cutlery, biodegradable packaging
• Impose taxes on SUPs to discourage use

Awareness & Behavioural Change

• Campaigns: “Plastic Lao, Thaila Pao” (Delhi), Plastic-Free Schools (Gujarat)
• Integrate 3Rs in school curriculum and community programs

Technology & Innovation

• Pyrolysis: Converts plastic waste to fuel (e.g., Pune’s Rudra plant)
• Plastic Roads: Over 1 lakh km built using plastic waste across 11+ states

UPSC Mains PYQ

3. IRCTC Deactivates 2.5 Crore Fake User IDs to Curb Bot Booking

Context:

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a major digital drive, deactivating 2.5 crore suspicious user accounts to crack down on automated bot-based ticket bookings and enhance accessibility for genuine users.

Key Features of IRCTC’s Digital Drive

• Mass Deactivation:
  • 2.5 crore suspicious/fake user IDs deactivated.
  • Aimed at eliminating accounts used by touts and scalpers.
• Advanced Tech Integration:
  • AI-powered Anti-Bot Systems to stop auto-booking software.
  • CDN (Content Delivery Network) to manage high server load during Tatkal hours.
• Verification Push:
  • 20 lakh user IDs sent for mobile/email revalidation.
  • Aadhaar-linked authentication introduced:
    • Aadhaar-verified users: Immediate Tatkal booking access.
    • Non-Aadhaar users: 3-day wait period for Tatkal bookings.
• Cybercrime Action:
  • 131 complaints registered against users engaging in ticket black marketing.

Need for the Initiative

• Curb Black Marketing:
  • Bots were being used to block high-demand tickets and sell them at premium rates.
• Improve Booking Experience:
  • Reduces traffic congestion on IRCTC servers during peak hours (e.g., Tatkal bookings).
• Strengthen Cybersecurity:
  • Protects the platform and its users from fraudulent activities and data misuse.

Significance of the Digital Drive

• Fair Access to Tickets:
  • Ensures that genuine passengers can book tickets without competing against bots.
• Modernization of Ticketing:
  • IRCTC’s adoption of AI, Aadhaar authentication, and CDN technology reflects a shift towards secure and inclusive e-governance.

4. India Adds Menar & Khichan as Ramsar Sites; Total Rises to 91

Context:

India has designated Menar (Udaipur) and Khichan (Phalodi) as Ramsar Sites just before World Environment Day (June 5, 2025).
With this, India’s total Ramsar Sites reach 91, making it:

• 1st in Asia
• 3rd globally, after the UK (175) and Mexico (142)

About the New Ramsar Sites

Menar Wetland – Udaipur, Rajasthan

• Nickname: Bird Village
• Size: 104 hectares
• Biodiversity: Over 200 bird species – Eurasian coot, herons, spot-billed ducks, etc.
• Community Role: Hunting/fishing is locally banned; declared Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2016.
• Eco-Tourism: Growing tourist site on Udaipur–Chittorgarh route

Khichan Wetland – Phalodi, Rajasthan

• Known For: Hosting migratory Demoiselle Cranes in large numbers
• Ecological Importance: A vital stopover along the Central Asian Flyway
• Community Participation: Bird protection deeply rooted in local customs

About Ramsar Sites & India’s Status

What is a Ramsar Site?

• A wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention (1971) held in Ramsar, Iran (UNESCO framework)
• Recognizes wetlands critical to ecosystems, biodiversity, and livelihoods

India and Ramsar Convention

• Signed: February 1, 1982
• First Sites (1981): Chilika Lake (Odisha) & Keoladeo NP (Rajasthan)
• Current Count (as of June 2025): 91 Ramsar Sites
• Total Area Covered: ~13.59 lakh hectares

India’s Ramsar Rankings (2025)

• 1st in Asia
• 3rd Globally
• Top States by Number of Ramsar Sites:
  • Tamil Nadu: 20
  • Uttar Pradesh: 10
  • Rajasthan: 4 (with Menar & Khichan)

Eligibility Criteria (Any One of 9 Required)

• Habitat for rare or endangered species
• Supports large populations of birds/fish
• Crucial for breeding, migration, or life cycle stages
• Unique hydrological or ecological characteristics

5. Investment Friendliness Index – NITI Aayog

Context:

Government think-tank NITI Aayog’s upcoming Investment Friendliness Index to rank states on dimensions of opportunity and risk will likely have four or more sub-indicators for a deeper assessment of performance, said two people aware of the development.Launch Timeline.

Purpose

• Guide investors in choosing optimal Indian states for setting up businesses
• Promote competitive cooperative federalism
• Support the National Manufacturing Mission by improving overall investment climate in India

Index Design

Primary Evaluation Dimensions

• Opportunity (65% weightage)
  • State policies & incentives
  • Infrastructure quality
  • Business environment & innovation ecosystem
  • Resource availability (land, talent, logistics)
• Risk (35% weightage)
  • Natural risk (e.g., disaster vulnerability)
  • Regulatory risk (policy stability, compliance)
  • Financial risk (fiscal health of states)
  • Institutional effectiveness (governance, dispute redressal)

Perception-Based Metrics

• Based on industry consultations across sectors
• Measures investor sentiment, experience, and ease of regulatory compliance

Strategic Relevance

• Identifies high-performing states to incentivize best practices
• Encourages lagging states to improve investor support infrastructure
• Enables data-driven decision-making for foreign and domestic investors
• Aligns with India’s goal of becoming a global manufacturing and innovation hub

Regional Investment Trends

• Southern States (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala):
  • Account for ~30% of India’s GDP (FY24)
  • Lead in automobile, electronics, and mobile manufacturing
• Western States (Maharashtra, Gujarat):
  • Continue to dominate in industrial infrastructure and FDI inflows

Banking/Finance

1. SEBI Eases IPO Rules for Firms with Large Public Shareholder Base

Context:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has relaxed its stance on approving initial public offerings (IPOs) by companies that already have a large number of public shareholders. This move resolves a regulatory ambiguity that had previously stalled high-profile IPOs, including those by HDB Financial Services and Hero FinCorp.

Background of the Issue

• The delay in approvals stemmed from uncertainty around compliance with the Companies Act, particularly whether having a large public shareholder base—without prior public fundraising—constituted a violation.
• Companies with thousands of shareholders from employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), private placements, or share transfers were caught in this grey area.

SEBI’s Clarification and Resolution

• Not a Violation if No Public Fundraising
  • If a company has not raised capital through a public offer, a large public shareholder base alone is not a regulatory breach.
• Most cases involve
  • ESOP conversions
  • Unlisted market trades
• ESOP allotments, even when resulting in 200+ shareholders, are exempt from the private placement threshold under Companies Act, 2013.

With this clarification, the regulatory bottleneck has been resolved, paving the way for IPO approvals.

Impact and Market Implications

• Five companies, including HDB Financial Services and Hero FinCorp, have recently received SEBI approval for IPOs following the clarification.
• This development is expected to reignite IPO activity, especially for NBFCs and fintech firms with widespread shareholder bases.
• It also enhances regulatory predictability, encouraging more private firms to prepare for public listing.

BS

2. Rethinking India’s Monetary Policy in 2025

Current Economic Context

• CPI-based inflation fell to 3.16% in April 2025, and could dip below 3% in May.
• Despite this sharp fall, RBI has maintained a high repo rate of 6.0%, following only two 25 bps cuts in February and April 2025.
• Real repo rate now stands at +2.84%—one of the highest levels in recent history.

Historical Parallels & Policy Missteps

• Between 2015 and 2019, the RBI kept real rates excessively high (avg. +2.2%), damaging growth.
• RBI’s inflation projections were consistently higher than actual inflation, leading to policy over-tightening.
• This mirrors the current situation, where inflation is well below RBI’s FY26 forecast of 4%, yet rate cuts remain timid.

Lessons from Past Monetary Policy Cycles

• During 2009–2013, the RBI kept repo rates too low for too long, fueling double-digit inflation.
• In contrast, 2015–2019 saw excessively tight policy, which curbed inflation but stifled growth.

Critique of Current RBI Approach

• The RBI has become over-cautious, risking another episode of prolonged tight monetary policy.
• Current inflation drivers (low global oil prices, improved agri output, strong INR) suggest FY26 inflation could be well below 4%.
• Despite a robust Q4FY25 GDP growth of 7.4%, future risks (global slowdown, trade tensions) necessitate stronger domestic demand support.

Policy Recommendations

• Lower the repo rate more aggressively—by at least 50 basis points in June 2025.
• Recognize the long lags in monetary policy transmission; waiting too long could harm investment and consumption recovery.
• Reform inflation forecasting models, which have repeatedly overestimated inflation.
• Balance the dual mandate—price stability and growth—not just inflation control.

BS

3. Indian Bank Launches New NRE Account Variants and Premium Debit Cards for NRIs

Why in News?

• Indian Bank has introduced new NRE Savings Account variants and premium debit cards tailored for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
• The initiative aims to enhance banking convenience, security, and global accessibility for the Indian diaspora.

Key Features of New NRE Savings Accounts

• Designed to meet the evolving financial needs of NRIs.
• Linked with three premium debit cards:
  • IND D’Elite
  • IND Premium
  • IND Plus

Benefits Offered:

• Domestic and international airport lounge access
• Personal accident insurance coverage
• Exclusive loyalty rewards
• Seamless digital banking experience

4. Canara Bank Abolishes Average Monthly Balance Requirement for SB Accounts

Context:

Canara Bank has announced the elimination of Average Monthly Balance (AMB) requirements across all types of Savings Bank (SB) accounts.

Key Highlights

• Policy Change: Minimum balance charges removed for:
  • Regular savings accounts
  • Salary accounts
  • NRI (Non-Resident Indian) accounts
• Previous Rule: Customers were required to maintain an Average Monthly Balance (AMB) or pay penalties.
• Current Impact: Greater financial flexibility and customer relief from service charges.
• First in PSU Category: Canara Bank becomes the first major PSU bank to implement a blanket waiver on AMB penalties for all savings account types.

Implications for Customers

• No penalty for non-maintenance of monthly balance.
• Encourages broader usage of formal banking services among rural, salaried, and overseas account holders.

About Canara Bank

• Founded: 1906
• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
• MD & CEO: K. Satyanarayana Raju

Agriculture

1. National Agriculture-Renewable Energy Conference 2025 Highlights

Why in News?

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, attended the National Agriculture-Renewable Energy Conference 2025 organized by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) in New Delhi. He released NSEFI’s annual reference book and report on agriculture and renewable energy, and emphasized integrated strategies to boost farmers’ prosperity through clean energy adoption.

Key Highlights

• Six-Fold Strategy for Farmer Prosperity:
  1. Increase agricultural production
  2. Reduce cost of production
  3. Ensure fair market prices
  4. Provide compensation for crop loss
  5. Promote diversification in agriculture
  6. Encourage balanced fertilizer use and organic farming
• Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan:
  • Ongoing 15-day campaign (since May 29, 2025)
  • Minister has visited Odisha, Jammu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Patna, Maharashtra
  • Aim: Direct engagement with farmers across the country
• Agricultural Growth:
  • 40% rise in overall agricultural production since 2014-15
  • Major gains in wheat, rice, maize, groundnut
  • Need to further improve pulses and oilseeds production

Focus on Renewable Energy in Agriculture

• Solar Energy as a Game-Changer:
  • PM-KUSUM Scheme is supporting energy security for farmers
  • Encouraged installation of elevated solar panels over farmland to:
    • Co-generate food and energy
    • Enhance income of small and marginal farmers
• Proposal for Agrivoltaics:
  • Solar panels above crops can maximize land use
  • Government open to support modern, effective models of this system

Broader Vision

• Integrated Farming Systems: Recommended for optimal land utilization, especially by marginal farmers
• Environment Focus: On the eve of World Environment Day (June 5), the Minister stressed that solar energy is key to sustainable farming and environmental conservation