Current Affairs 21 June 2025

Content :

1. HAL wins ISRO deal to build launch vehicles
2. ₹29,208 cr. foreign assets declared by taxpayers after I-T Dept.’s data audit: govt.
3. BJP accounted for over 44% of ₹3,352 cr. spent by parties in 2024 Lok Sabha polls: ADR
4. Centre forms panel to review competitive exams, cut dependency on coaching centres
5. IAEA warns of nuclear disaster if Israel attacks Iran’s Bushehr plant

HAL wins ISRO deal to build launch vehicles

Context & Background

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) secured a ₹511 crore Transfer of Technology (ToT) deal from ISRO for Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs).
• Announced by IN-SPACe, which facilitates private sector participation in India’s space programme.
• Marks a major step in the commercialisation of India’s space technology.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Technology)

About SSLV

• SSLV is a three-stage solid-fuel launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
• Designed to place payloads of up to 500 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• Aimed at the growing small satellite market, which is key for:
  • Earth observation
  • Communication
  • Academic and startup payloads

Strategic Significance

• Enables indigenous manufacturing of launch vehicles by HAL.
• Reduces ISRO’s operational load, freeing it to focus on R&D and deep space missions.
• Promotes self-reliance in high-technology sectors (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
• Boosts dual-use technology base (civil + military space capabilities).

Economic and Commercial Implications

• Commercialisation opens avenues for India to become a low-cost global launch service provider.
• Encourages public-private partnerships and technology spin-offs.
• HAL will manufacture at least two SSLVs under ISRO guidance during the 2-year ToT phase.
• Post ToT, HAL will independently build and operate SSLVs for commercial use.

Regulatory Framework & Liability

• Government of India retains international liability for launches under the Outer Space Treaty.
• Highlights the role of IN-SPACe as a nodal agency regulating private participation.
• Ensures responsible space conduct, adhering to international space norms.

UPSC-Relevant Keywords:

• Transfer of Technology (ToT) : Licensed tech shift; R&D to production; public to private; capacity building
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) : Mini launch vehicle; <500 kg payload; Low Earth Orbit; rapid deployment
• IN-SPACe : Regulator for private space; promotes startups; under Dept. of Space; authorisation body
• Indigenisation of space tech : Domestic capability; import substitution; strategic autonomy; tech self-reliance
• Private participation in space : Startup ecosystem; commercial launchers; tech transfer; space sector liberalisation
• Outer Space Treaty : UN space law; peaceful use; no national claims; state liability
• Public-Private Partnership in Strategic Sectors : Collaborative investment; risk-sharing; tech diffusion; national interest alignment

₹29,208 cr. foreign assets declared by taxpayers after I-T Dept.’s data audit: govt.

Context & Recent Development

• The Income Tax Department, using foreign financial data, identified significant undisclosed foreign assets and income.
• As per the Finance Ministry (June 2025), this led to taxpayers voluntarily reporting:
  • ₹29,208 crore worth of foreign assets
  • ₹1,089.88 crore of additional foreign income

Relevance : GS 2(Governance & International Relations)

Source of Information: International Cooperation

• Data was obtained under the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) framework.
• Switzerland and other jurisdictions have been sharing annual financial information of Indian residents.
• AEOI enables cross-border transparency in financial holdings of residents in foreign countries.

Verification & Follow-up by CBDT

• Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) compared foreign financial data with ITRs filed for Assessment Year (AY) 2024–25.
• Process included data analytics and discrepancy identification.
• SMSs and emails were sent to suspected non-compliant taxpayers.

Outcomes of the Exercise

• 24,678 taxpayers reviewed their ITRs.
• 5,483 taxpayers filed belated returns, disclosing previously unreported:
  • Foreign assets
  • Foreign income

Clarification on Swiss Bank Allegations

• The government refuted media/social media claims of a spike in black money in Swiss banks.
• Stated that the reported increase may include institutional and enterprise deposits, not just individual assets.
• Emphasized that all types of accounts (corporate, inter-bank, etc.) are covered in Swiss banking data.

Significance for India’s Tax System

• Highlights success of international tax cooperation and data sharing in tackling black money and tax evasion.
• Boosts transparency, accountability, and voluntary compliance.
• Reflects growing use of data-driven tax administration.

BJP accounted for over 44% of ₹3,352 cr. spent by parties in 2024 Lok Sabha polls: ADR

Context: ADR Report on 2024 Lok Sabha Election Expenditure

• Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) released data on election expenditure of 32 national and regional parties.
• Covers expenses during 2024 Lok Sabha elections and simultaneous Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim (March–June 2024).

Relevance : GS 2(Elections , Governance)

Key Financial Highlights

• Total expenditure: ₹3,352.81 crore
  • National parties: ₹2,204 crore (65.75%)
  • Regional parties: ₹1,148.81 crore
• Top Spenders:
  • BJP: ₹1,493.91 crore (44.56% of total expenditure)
  • Congress: ₹620.14 crore (18.5%)

Fund Collection (Electoral Funding Insight)

• National parties collected: ₹6,930.25 crore (93.08% of total funds)
• Regional parties collected: ₹515.32 crore (6.92%)
• Reflects resource asymmetry between national and regional players.

Major Heads of Expenditure

• Publicity: ₹2,008 crore (≈53%) – includes media ads, hoardings, etc.
• Travel: ₹795 crore
  • ₹765 crore (96.22%) spent on star campaigners
  • Only ₹30 crore spent on other leaders
• Candidate payments: ₹402 crore (lump-sum)
• Virtual campaigning: ₹132 crore
• Disclosure of criminal antecedents: ₹28 crore

Ethical & Governance Concerns

• Disproportionate focus on star campaigners raises questions of equity and inner-party democracy.
• Heavy publicity and campaign spending reflects increasing commercialisation of elections.
• Low allocation to disclosing criminal records despite SC-mandated transparency.
• Points to the need for reforms in electoral funding and expenditure regulation.

Centre forms panel to review competitive exams, cut dependency on coaching centres

Context: Addressing Coaching Dependency

• The Union Education Ministry has constituted a high-level panel, headed by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi.
• Aim: To reduce student dependence on coaching centres and review the fairness and effectiveness of competitive entrance exams.

Relevance : GS 2(Education ,Governance)

Key Objectives of the Panel (Terms of Reference)

1. Assess causes behind coaching dependence, including:
   1. Gaps in school education system
   1. Rote learning practices
   1. Poor emphasis on critical thinking, reasoning, analytical skills, and innovation

• Evaluate the role of “dummy schools”:
  • Full-time coaching replacing formal schooling
  • Recommending mechanisms to curb this trend

• Review current entrance exams:
  • Fairness, accessibility, and inclusiveness
  • Impact on mental health, dropout rates, and education quality

• Examine formative assessments:
  • Their absence affecting conceptual understanding
  • Need to strengthen school-level evaluation systems

• Review coaching centre practices:
  • Misleading advertisements and selective success stories
  • Suggest regulatory measures to ensure ethical conduct

• Study availability of seats in premier institutions:
  • Mismatch between aspirants and opportunities
  • Drives over-competition and reliance on coaching

• Assess career counselling availability:
  • In both schools and higher education
  • Low awareness of multiple career pathways among students and parents

Composition of the Panel

• Members from:
  • CBSE, NCERT, IIT-Madras, NIT-Trichy, IIT-Kanpur
  • Principals from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and a private school
  • Joint Secretaries from relevant departments

Broader Significance

• Aims to rebalance focus from coaching-based learning to school-based holistic education
• Addresses educational inequality, mental health, and pressure due to hyper-competition
• Promotes a shift towards conceptual and competency-based learning

IAEA warns of nuclear disaster if Israel attacks Iran’s Bushehr plant

Context: IAEA Warning on Bushehr Nuclear Plant

• Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addressed the UN Security Council on the potential risks of a military strike on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant by Israel.
• The warning comes amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign targeting Iran, including its nuclear-related sites.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

Strategic Importance of Bushehr Plant

• Located in southern Iran, Bushehr is West Asia’s first civilian nuclear reactor.
• Contains thousands of kilograms of nuclear material, posing a high risk of radioactive contamination if attacked.
• Built with German assistance in the 1970s under Iran’s Shah; later completed and maintained with Russian collaboration post-1990s.

Key Risks Highlighted by IAEA

• A direct military strike would cause a massive release of radioactivity, leading to:
  • Environmental contamination
  • Health emergencies
  • Evacuations within hundreds of kilometers, including Gulf Arab states — key global energy hubs
• Even targeting power supply lines could trigger a nuclear meltdown, akin to incidents like Fukushima, due to loss of cooling mechanisms.

Humanitarian and Public Health Fallout

• Populations in the affected zones may be required to:
  • Take iodine to reduce radiation exposure
  • Face food supply restrictions
  • Prepare for large-scale displacement and sheltering protocols

Geopolitical & Regional Implications

• Several West Asian countries have expressed concern directly to IAEA, fearing cross-border fallout.
• Raises the threat of regional instability, environmental disaster, and global economic disruption (due to proximity to energy routes).
• Underscores fragility of nuclear safety in conflict zones.

Diplomatic Angle & IAEA’s Role

• Grossi called for a diplomatic resolution and offered to mediate.
• Reaffirmed IAEA’s ability to ensure that Iran does not divert its nuclear programme for weapon development through its “watertight inspection system.”