Daily Current Affairs 09 June 2025

Nine Years of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan

As of June 2025, the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) has served over 6.19 crore pregnant women across India. Launched in June 2016, PMSMA provides assured, comprehensive, and free antenatal care (ANC) on the 9th of every month, especially during the second and third trimesters. It aligns with the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy under the National Health Mission (NHM). Key integrations include Janani Suraksha Yojana, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, LaQshya, SUMAN, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and PMMVY. The initiative significantly contributed to a 50-point drop in India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), from 130 in 2014–16 to 80 in 2021–23. The Extended PMSMA (E-PMSMA), launched in 2022, tracks high-risk pregnancies with features such as name-based listing, financial incentives, SMS alerts, and post-delivery follow-ups till 45 days.

Brahmaputra Flow in India and Impact of Chinese Dams

India is closely monitoring China’s dam-building activity on the Yarlung Tsangpo, the upper course of the Brahmaputra River. Key Chinese projects, like the Medog Hydropower Project, may disrupt water flow downstream, exacerbating floods and droughts in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The Brahmaputra River, originating in Tibet, flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before entering Bangladesh. Despite only 22–30% of its flow originating in China, sudden changes can cause ecological damage (e.g., Kaziranga’s flood-dependent biodiversity), strategic risks, and economic disruption to hydropower and irrigation. India proposes hydrological cooperation, data-sharing, and leveraging forums like BIMSTEC, SCO, and Quad to advocate for sustainable river governance. Proposed Indian river-linking projects include the Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga and Jogighopa-Teesta-Farakka links.

Demand for Compulsory Licensing for Rare Diseases

Patient advocacy groups in India are urging the government to invoke Section 84 of the Patents Act, 1970, allowing compulsory licensing (CL) for rare disease treatments. Rare diseases affect fewer than 1 in 1,000–2,000 people, yet many therapies are unaffordable. India’s patent law includes anti-evergreening safeguards and aligns with TRIPS flexibilities, clarified by the Doha Declaration. National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) 2021 allows up to ₹50 lakh assistance per patient at Centres of Excellence (CoEs), with additional funding via crowdfunding portals. The PLI Scheme also promotes domestic orphan drug production. CL can expand access while ensuring fair remuneration to patent holders.

India-Türkiye Relations

Despite geopolitical frictions, India is strategically maintaining economic ties with Turkey. Relations date back to the Ottoman era and formalized in 1948. Bilateral trade reached $5.72 billion in FY25, with India enjoying a $2.73 billion surplus, driven by engineering exports. However, Turkey’s support for Pakistan on Kashmir and military ties have prompted India to revoke security clearances for Turkish firms in sensitive infrastructure sectors. India has enhanced relations with Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia to counterbalance Ankara. Mutual cooperation continues in forums like the G20, SCO, and ASEAN.

New Base Year for GDP, CPI, IIP from Early 2026

India will revise the base year for GDP and IIP to 2022–23, and CPI to 2024, effective from early 2026. The MoSPI-constituted committee, chaired by Biswanath Goldar, aims to better reflect current consumption patterns and economic realities. The base year update enables more accurate real-term economic analysis, removes inflation effects, and informs evidence-based policy. The new GDP series will launch in February 2026, IIP will follow in 2026–27, and CPI will adopt new basket weightages from NSO’s 2023–24 Household Consumer Expenditure Survey. These updates enhance data relevance for macroeconomic planning.

Consultative Regulation-making

The RBI has issued a framework for transparent and participatory regulation-making, aligning with SEBI’s 2023 reform. These changes promote democratic accountability in quasi-legislative rule-making by statutory regulators. Key features include regulatory impact assessments, mandatory 21-day public consultations, and post-implementation reviews. Benefits include increased public trust, better compliance, and alignment with global best practices. However, challenges such as regulatory capture, capacity limitations, and confidentiality concerns persist. Further institutional reforms and a comprehensive regulatory procedure law could reinforce these efforts.

Kerala Wants Centre to Amend the Wildlife Protection Act

Kerala has requested the Centre to amend the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, seeking more autonomy to address human-wildlife conflicts. Proposals include: declaring wild boars as vermin under Schedule V, removing bonnet macaques from Schedule I, and simplifying culling permissions. The WLPA’s rigid classification hampers rapid response to animal attacks. Ecological degradation, overpopulation of herbivores, and human intrusion into forests have increased conflicts. While culling may disrupt ecosystems and provoke ethical concerns, Kerala argues that scientific data-driven localized actions are essential.

International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025

Held for the first time in Europe, the 2025 International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure emphasized coastal vulnerabilities under the theme ‘Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions.’ PM Modi highlighted India’s tsunami resilience and early warning systems. The African Union joined India’s Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched in 2019. Key priorities include integrating resilience into education, creating a global best practices repository, innovative financing for developing countries, and enhanced early warning systems. The conference aligned with UNDRR’s GPDRR and UNOC3.

ULLAS Program

Mizoram and Goa have declared full literacy under the ULLAS (New India Literacy Programme), achieving 98.2% and 99.72% literacy rates respectively. ULLAS provides functional literacy to adults aged 15+, supports life skills, and operates through DIKSHA and the ULLAS app. The programme encourages volunteerism and social responsibility and aligns with NEP 2020 goals of inclusive education.

Amoeba

Kerala’s State Public Health Lab has developed molecular kits to detect five species of free-living amoeba (FLA) causing deadly amoebic meningoencephalitis. This rare brain infection results from water-borne protozoans entering the brain via the nasal cavity. Prompt diagnosis is vital given its rapid progression and high fatality rate. Public health systems need to improve water quality monitoring and raise awareness to prevent such infections.

11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum

Held in Brasilia, Brazil, the forum emphasized global cooperation on AI governance, financial terrorism, and judicial collaboration. India, which will host the 12th Forum, advocated intelligence-sharing and technology safeguards. BRICS now includes new members like Egypt and the UAE, expanding its influence. The forum strengthens the grouping’s role in security, economic, and cultural diplomacy.

Losgna Occidentalis

A new parasitic wasp species, Losgna Occidentalis, was discovered in Chandigarh. Belonging to the Ichneumonidae family (Darwin wasps), these wasps control crop pests biologically by laying eggs in host insects. Last recorded in India in 1965, this rediscovery highlights India’s rich, under-explored biodiversity and the ecological role of parasitic species in sustainable agriculture.

AI RAM Initiative

UNESCO and IndiaAI conducted the final consultation of the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (AI RAM), developing India-specific ethical AI policy recommendations. The initiative, aligned with the ₹10,000 crore IndiaAI Mission, promotes safe, inclusive, and innovation-driven AI ecosystems. Focus areas include indigenous governance frameworks, ethical standards, and self-regulatory mechanisms. It enhances India’s AI readiness and capacity-building across sectors.

Stratospheric Aerosol Injection

Researchers proposed injecting 12 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide annually into the stratosphere to reduce global temperatures by 0.6ºC. Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), a geoengineering approach, mimics volcanic eruptions to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth. Though effective in theory, it risks disrupting monsoons, ozone depletion, and unknown climatic side effects. SAI must remain a last-resort strategy, subordinate to emissions reduction.

30×30 Target

A new report finds $15.8 billion annually is needed to meet the 30×30 biodiversity goal—protecting 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030. Part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the target surpasses Aichi Target 11. The report calls for increased conservation finance, OECM recognition, and indigenous stewardship. Achieving this target is essential for halting nature loss.

Nomadic Elephant

The 17th edition of the India-Mongolia joint military exercise “Nomadic Elephant” commenced at Mongolia’s Special Forces Training Centre. Conducted alternately in both countries since 2004, the exercise enhances counter-terror interoperability and bilateral defence ties. The previous edition took place in Meghalaya. The exercise reflects India’s Act East Policy and strategic ties with Central Asia.