Current Affairs 17 June 2025

Content :

1. FATF condemns Pahalgam attack, to release report on ‘state-sponsored terror’ for first time
2. New flowering plant species discovered in Aravali hills near Jaipur
3. Analysing Internet access and digital skills in India
4. What is the significance of the Shipki La pass?
5. What are the ambiguities in India’s nuclear liability law?
6. Registrar-General of India issues 2027 Census notification
7. Ax-4 mission: ISRO, Axiom Space coordinate on crucial experiments before launch
8. Forbidding Arabian desert once had a lush and bountiful chapter

FATF condemns Pahalgam attack, to release report on ‘state-sponsored terror’ for first time

Significance of Condemnation

• FATF officially condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack (22 April 2025).
• It noted that such attacks “could not occur without money and means to transfer funds“—directly linking terror to financing channels.
• This is only the third condemnation of a terror attack by FATF in the last 10 years, highlighting the exceptional severity of this case.

Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security) ,GS 2(International Relations)

International Concern

• The international community reportedly exerted pressure, showing global consensus on the seriousness of the attack.
• Signals growing fatigue with Pakistan’s role in cross-border terror financing.

Upcoming FATF Report

• FATF to release a report within a month that will:
  • For the first time, officially include “state-sponsored terrorism” as a distinct source of terror financing.
  • Mark a policy shift, aligning FATF’s global framework with India’s long-standing position on Pakistan.
  • India’s National Risk Assessment is currently the only one acknowledging Pakistan’s state-sponsored terror as a financing risk.

New FATF Tools

• FATF has developed a Terror Financing Risk & Context Toolkit for assessors.
  • Aim: To prevent countries like Pakistan from misleading FATF using incomplete or false data.
  • Enhances transparency and consistency in assessing terror financing threats.

Public-Private Engagement

• FATF to host a webinar to sensitize public and private sector players on:
  • Risks of terror financing.
  • New and emerging threats.
  • Importance of compliance and vigilance.

India’s Dossier

• India reportedly sent a detailed dossier to FATF urging renewed scrutiny of Pakistan, possibly to push for re-greylisting.
• Aimed at exposing continued violations by Pakistan despite previous warnings.

Broader Implications

• Policy shift at FATF adds global legitimacy to India’s narrative on Pakistan’s role in terrorism.
• May pave way for stricter sanctions, greylisting, or blacklisting, especially if Pakistan’s role is directly cited.
• Enhances international pressure on state sponsors of terrorism.

FATF – Key Facts

• Established: 1989 at the G7 Summit in Paris.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.
• Members: 39 (including India).
• Secretariat: Hosted by the OECD.

Main Objectives

• Combat money laundering, terror financing, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
• Set global standards through 40 Recommendations.

Key Tools

• Maintains “Grey List” (Jurisdictions under increased monitoring).
• Maintains “Black List” (High-risk jurisdictions with serious strategic deficiencies).
• Conducts Mutual Evaluations and follow-ups to assess compliance.

India & FATF

• India became a member in 2010.
• Actively supports inclusion of Pakistan in the grey list for state-sponsored terror financing.

Recent Developments

• FATF is now recognizing state-sponsored terrorism as a key source of terror financing.

New flowering plant species discovered in Aravali hills near Jaipur

About the Discovery

• A new flowering plant species named Portulaca bharat has been discovered near Galtaji Temple in the Aravalli Hills, Jaipur.
• Found growing in rock crevices of dry, rocky slopes in a semi-arid landscape.
• Discovered by Nishant Chauhan, member of the Satpura Biodiversity Conservation Society.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)

Botanical Significance

• Belongs to the Portulaca genus, known for:
  • Succulent characteristics
  • Water-storing tissues
  • Adaptation to arid environments
• Portulaca bharat shows distinct morphological features, confirming it as a new species after scientific comparison and cultivation.
• Described in the international journal Phytotaxa.

Ecological & Conservation Importance

• Classified as “Data Deficient” by IUCN Red List due to limited known population.
• Displays narrow endemism, found only at one location—Galtaji hills.
• Highly vulnerable to habitat degradation and climate change.
• Highlights the hidden biodiversity of the Aravalli range.

Scientific & Institutional Collaboration

• Research supported by:
  • Amber Srivastava (BSI)
  • Sudhanshu Shekhar Dash & Sushil Kumar Singh (BSI, Kolkata & Dehradun)
• Cultivated and studied in Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh) and Lucknow under controlled conditions.

India’s Portulaca Diversity

• The genus has ~153 species globally, mainly in tropical/subtropical zones.
• India hosts 11 species, including 4 endemics.
• Most Indian species are adapted to dry, semi-arid habitats.

Analysing Internet access and digital skills in India

Survey Context

• First major dataset from CAMS (2022–2023) by NSSO, covering 3.02 lakh households and 12.99 lakh people.
• Aims to track progress on SDG 4.4 – digital skills for youth and adults.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues)

Internet Access – National Picture

• 76.3% households have broadband Internet access across India.
  • Urban areas: 86.5%
  • Rural areas: 71.2%
• Shows deep Internet penetration, but with regional and social disparities.

Regional Disparities

• High broadband access (>90%): Delhi, Goa, Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh.
• Low broadband access (<70%): West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh.

Social Group Disparities

• General category households: 84.1% have broadband.
• OBCs: 77.5%, SCs: 69.1%, STs: 64.8%.
• Indicates a digital caste divide, with marginalized groups lagging.

Income-Based Digital Divide

• Poorest decile (bottom 10%): 71.6% households lack broadband.
• Richest decile (top 10%): Only 1.9% lack broadband.
• Even second lowest decile shows 56.2% connectivity → shows improvement across income bands.
• Economic status = key driver of digital access.

Mobile Phone Access

• Mobile/telephone access: 94.2% rural, 97.1% urban households.
• Mobile usage (age 15+): 83.9% rural, 92.4% urban.
• However, exclusive mobile use is low among women and lower castes, especially in rural areas:
  • Rural general category women: only 25.3% use mobile exclusively.
  • Urban women: 51.2%.
  • Even worse for SCs, STs, OBCs.

Technology Level in Use

• Only 50% rural and 70% urban users use 4G.
• 40.4% of Indians still use older mobile technologies (2G/3G).
• 5G adoption: negligible.

Digital Skills Gaps

• Internet usage (15+ age group): 53.6% rural, 74% urban.
• Email use: 20% rural, 40% urban.
• Copy-paste skills: 40% rural, 60% urban.
• Spreadsheet arithmetic skills: very low.
• Online banking skills: only 37.8% of population 15+ can perform.

Policy Implications

• Clear digital divide across regions, caste groups, genders, and income levels.
• Digital skills lag behind access, especially in rural areas and among marginalized groups.
• Government should:
  • Subsidize broadband for the poor (as done for water/electricity).
  • Focus on basic digital literacy training at the grassroots.
  • Ensure equity in access to support goals under SDG 4.

What is the significance of the Shipki La pass?

Historical Importance

• Located in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 3,930 m.
• A historic Indo-Tibetan trade route — operational since at least the 15th century, likely earlier.
• Folklore-based trade oath symbolized enduring cross-border trust and peace.

Relevance : GS 1(Culture ,Heritage ,Geography) ,GS 3(Infrastructure ,Trade)

Why Trade Stopped

• Disrupted after the Sino-India War of 1962.
• Further breakdown due to Doklam standoff (2017) and COVID-19 pandemic.
• Commercial trade remains suspended, though local aspirations remain high.

Recent Developments

• Himachal Pradesh CM reopened the pass for Indian tourists (no permit now needed; Aadhaar card sufficient).
• Move has revived hopes for trade and religious tourism among locals.

Trade: Nature of Goods Exchanged

• Imports from Tibet: wool, yaks, goatskins, thangkas, prayer items, turquoise, gold.
• Exports from India: grains, spices, dried fruits, copper utensils, iron tools, tobacco.
• Trade supported local crafts and jewelry industries (e.g. Kinnauri ornaments).

Why Reopening Matters Despite Low Trade Volume

• Can shorten the Delhi–Mansarovar pilgrimage by 14 days — big religious tourism boost.
• Generates employment, revives hospitality sector, and encourages infrastructure growth.
• Serves as a community-led diplomatic model — fostering peace through cultural-economic ties.

Cultural & Spiritual Links

• People on both sides share pastoral lifestyles, similar surnames (e.g. Namgyal).
• Dominant religion: Buddhism — shared monastic traditions, festivals, and spiritual practices.
• Reflects civilisational continuity, unlike more fractured India–Pakistan cross-border ties.

Policy & Strategic Implications

• Reopening can act as a “soft corridor” for India-China people-to-people engagement.
• Advocated by Kinnaur Indo-China Trade Association; State Government plans to push MEA for trade revival.
• Could become a model for heritage-based diplomacy and inclusive border development.

What are the ambiguities in India’s nuclear liability law?

Basic Provisions of CLNDA

• Enacted in 2010 to provide compensation for nuclear damage and ensure a mechanism for speedy claims.
• Strict and no-fault liability on the operator (NPCIL in India’s case).
• Operator’s liability is capped at ₹1,500 crore; Government steps in beyond that up to ~₹2,100–₹2,300 crore.
• India acceded to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) in 2016.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance )

CLNDA’s Unique Supplier Liability Clause

• Unlike CSC, India’s law allows operator to seek recourse from the supplier under three conditions:
  • Section 17(a): If expressly mentioned in the contract.
  • Section 17(b): If damage was caused by defective equipment/services (even if not in contract).
  • Section 17(c): If damage was caused by intentional misconduct.

Key Ambiguities

• Section 17(b): Goes beyond international norms, creating automatic liability for suppliers if equipment is defective.
• Section 46: States CLNDA does not prevent other legal proceedings under other laws (e.g. tort law), potentially exposing suppliers to unlimited civil and criminal liability.
• No clear definition of “nuclear damage” under CLNDA → increases legal uncertainty.

Concerns of Foreign & Domestic Suppliers

• Fear of uncapped liability, especially due to Section 46, discouraging investment.
• Absence of clarity on insurance requirements and coverage for suppliers.
• Potential for class-action lawsuits or civil suits, despite CSC’s intention to limit claims to operator alone.

Impact on Projects

• Major foreign-backed projects like:
  • Jaitapur (France),
  • Kovvada (USA) remain stalled.
• Only Kudankulam (Russia) has progressed — initiated before CLNDA, operates under a separate framework.

Government’s Stand

• Claims CLNDA is in line with CSC and Section 17(b) is permissive, not mandatory.
• However, legal experts assert each subsection (17a, 17b, 17c) is independent — supplier can be sued even if contract doesn’t mention it.
• Government stance on Parliament debates holds little weight in court; statutory language prevails in legal trials.

Broader Implications

• Suppliers demand amendment or legal clarification for protection.
• Law intended to protect victims and promote accountability post-Bhopal tragedy, but ends up deterring foreign investment.
• Without reform, India risks missing out on clean nuclear energy expansion critical for energy security and climate goals.

Registrar-General of India issues 2027 Census notification

Timeline and Reference Dates

• Census Year: 2027
• Reference Date:
  • March 1, 2027: For most parts of India
  • October 1, 2026: For snow-bound and non-synchronous areas of:
    • Ladakh
    • Jammu & Kashmir
    • Himachal Pradesh
    • Uttarakhand

Relevance : GS 2(Governance)

Freezing of Administrative Boundaries

• With the Gazette notification issued under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948, freezing of administrative boundaries comes into effect.
• States cannot alter boundaries of districts, tehsils, police stations, etc., until the Census process concludes.
• This is crucial for maintaining consistency in enumeration blocks.

Digital Census Features

• The 2027 Census will be digitally driven:
  • Use of mobile applications by enumerators
  • Option for self-enumeration by the public
• First-time use of end-to-end digital data collection in India’s census history.

Data Security Measures

• Emphasis on stringent data protection:
  • Secure collection
  • Secure transmission
  • Secure storage
• Aims to ensure data privacy and public trust.

Manpower & Preparation

• Deployment of:
  • 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors
  • 1.3 lakh Census functionaries
• Two-phase Census:
  • House Listing Operations
  • Population Enumeration
• Pre-test exercises to test:
  • Mobile app effectiveness
  • Enumerator familiarity and process readiness

Administrative Oversight

• Notification issued by the Registrar-General of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already reviewed Census preparations.
• Upcoming notifications will detail:
  • Pre-test schedule
  • First-phase operations

Significance

• The 2027 Census will be India’s first digital census — a major technological and logistical shift.
• Comes after repeated delays of the 2021 Census, affected by the pandemic and other factors.
• Freezing administrative boundaries ensures consistency and comparability in demographic data over time.

Ax-4 mission: ISRO, Axiom Space coordinate on crucial experiments before launch

Mission Timeline & Context

• Launch Date: Scheduled for June 19, 2025.
• Astronaut: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force.
• Duration: 14-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
• Mission Partner: Axiom Space, a U.S.-based private space firm.
• Launch rescheduled four times due to technical/logistical issues.

Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)

ISRO’s Role & Coordination

• ISRO is actively coordinating with Axiom Space to:
  • Refresh and prepare time-sensitive experimental samples.
  • Ensure proper experimental setup in microgravity conditions.
• Close collaboration with Indian Principal Investigators (PIs) from national R&D labs and academic institutions.

 7 ISRO-Backed Microgravity Experiments

Proposed by Indian scientists for ISS research:

1. Microalgae in Space:
   1. Study of microgravity and radiation impact on edible microalgae growth.

• Sprouting Salad Seeds:
  • Germination and viability of salad seeds in zero gravity.

• Tardigrades Study:
  • Observing survival, revival, reproduction, and gene expression of tardigrades (microscopic extremophiles).

• Muscle Regeneration:
  • Effects of metabolic supplements on muscle repair under microgravity.

• Human–Machine Interaction:
  • Studying human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity environments.

• Cyanobacteria Proteomics:
  • Growth and protein response comparison of cyanobacteria fed on urea vs. nitrate.

• Food Crop Seeds:
  • Effects of microgravity on growth and yield parameters of key crop seeds.

Human Research Collaboration with NASA

• ISRO and NASA will jointly conduct five additional experiments:
  • Primarily focused on human physiology and biomedical research.
  • Part of NASA’s human research programme aboard the ISS.

Scientific & Strategic Significance

• First time Indian researchers will conduct indigenous experiments aboard the ISS.
• Strengthens India’s profile in:
  • Human spaceflight readiness
  • Space biosciences
  • International scientific collaboration
• Aligns with ISRO’s goals for Gaganyaan and future space station participation.

Forbidding Arabian desert once had a lush and bountiful chapter

Geographical Context

• Arabian Peninsula lies in the world’s driest desert belt — from the Sahara to the Thar Desert.
• It has long served as a major biogeographical barrier, limiting migration of humans and animals between Africa and Eurasia.
• Arid conditions believed to have persisted for at least 11 million years.

Relevance : GS 1(Geography)

New Scientific Findings

• Recent research published in Nature suggests periodic wet/humid phases in the past 8 million years.
• These phases transformed Arabia into grasslands with rivers and lakes, enabling migration of animals and humans.
• Speleothems (cave mineral formations) found in 7 cave systems in central Saudi Arabia serve as key evidence.

Humidity Cycles & Dating

• 22 speleothem samples dated using Uranium-Thorium/Lead radiometric methods.
• Earliest wet period: 7.44 – 6.25 million years ago.
• Latest wet periods: 530,000 – 60,000 years ago.
• Wet phases became shorter and less intense over time due to:
  • Weakening of monsoonal influence.
  • Growth of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets in the Pleistocene.

Ecological & Archaeological Evidence

• Fossils of hippos, crocodiles, horses show wetland ecosystems existed ~74,000 years ago.
• Discovery of 10,000+ ancient lakes and archaeological sites like Jubbah Oasis with tools dating back 500,000 years.
• Indicates early human and animal migration corridors through Arabia during humid periods.

Human Evolution & Migration

• Earlier assumption: Arabia was uninhabitable until domestication of camels/goats a few thousand years ago.
• New evidence supports ‘Green Arabia Hypothesis’ — Arabia as a critical route in Out of Africa migration.
• Shows that Homo sapiens and other hominins used Arabia as a transit zone during humid phases.

Scientific Significance

• Reshapes theories of early human migration and biogeographic exchanges.
• Highlights role of climate variability in shaping migration, survival, and extinction.
• Shows how environmental corridors opened and closed over millennia due to climate shifts.

Lessons for the Present

• Historical patterns show that humans flourished in wet climates, and migrated or declined during arid ones.
• Raises a cautionary note: Could climate change today trigger new human migrations?
• Modern dependence on technology (e.g., air conditioning) may delay, but not prevent, migration due to heat and water scarcity.