12 JUNE 2025 – Daily Current Affairs Updates

 GS 1 – History, Culture, and Geography

1. Poson Poya – Buddhist Cultural Diplomacy Topic: Ancient History | Religion & Cross-Cultural Exchange

   Commemorates Arahat Mahinda’s arrival in Sri Lanka (3rd century BCE), marking the introduction of Buddhism from India under Ashoka’s reign.

   Celebrated widely in Mihintale and Anuradhapura with lanterns, food stalls (dansals), meditation, and white-clad devotees.

   The event represents India’s earliest and most successful act of religious soft power and civilisational influence in South Asia.

Value Add: Use as a case in civilisational diplomacy, Indo-Sri Lanka historical ties, and the global spread of Buddhism via Ashoka’s Dhamma missions.

🧭 GS 2 – Governance, International Bodies, and Fundamental Rights

2. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – SOWP 2025 Report Topic: International Institutions | Reproductive Health & Demographics

   Core focus: Reproductive rights, population dynamics, and gender equality.

   Functions via voluntary contributions; provides technical support for censuses, thematic surveys, and reproductive health programming.

   India is a key recipient for adolescent health, gender-based violence programs, and maternal care.

Value Add: Quote UNFPA’s population ethics framework in Mains answers on population control, reproductive health, or gender equity. SOWP reports often feature in Prelims.

3. Narco-Analysis and Right Against Self-Incrimination Topic: Indian Polity | Criminal Justice | Fundamental Rights

   The Supreme Court (Amlesh Kumar v. State of Bihar) overturned a Patna HC ruling allowing blanket narco-analysis of all accused in a dowry case.

   Reaffirmed Selvi v. State of Karnataka (2010): Narco-analysis without consent violates Articles 20(3) & 21.

   Even voluntary narco cannot be used as standalone evidence.

Value Add: A top-notch case law update to integrate in answers on criminal justice reforms, forensic limits, right to privacy, and fair trial jurisprudence.

4. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) Topic: IR | Multilateralism | Disaster Preparedness

   Launched by India in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit; headquartered in New Delhi.

   Comprises 46 nations + 8 organisations; aligns with the Sendai Framework.

   Focus areas include urban resilience, mountain ecosystems, data systems, and SIDS support.

Value Add: Use as a symbol of India’s proactive climate diplomacy and capacity building in global infrastructure resilience—especially for developing nations.

🧭 GS 3 – Environment, Economy, S&T, and Infrastructure

5. Spathaspina noohi – New Beetle from Meghalaya Topic: Biodiversity | Taxonomy | Conservation Science

   Discovered in Ri Bhoi district; sword-shaped spine on back; placed in new genus Spathaspina.

   Member of Ceutorhynchinae subfamily of Curculionidae (weevils); contributes to ecosystem regulation via invasive plant control.

Value Add: Great case for India’s taxonomic richness, especially in NE India. Use to reinforce the need for bioprospecting, biodiversity registers, and citizen science.

6. NHAI’s Asset Monetization Strategy Topic: Infrastructure Financing | Public–Private Models

   Focuses on TOT (Toll-Operate-Transfer), InvITs (SEBI-regulated infrastructure trusts), and securitization of highway revenues.

   Monetized over ₹1.4 lakh crore, covering 6,100+ km of National Highways.

   Based on Vijay Kelkar Committee's 2012 capital recycling concept.

Value Add: Key example for sustainable infra funding, fiscal space expansion, and attracting long-term capital into public infrastructure.

7. Stellarator Reactor – Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough (Wendelstein 7-X, Germany) Topic: S&T | Clean Energy | Global Research

   Achieved 30 million °C plasma temperature; higher energy efficiency and stability than tokamaks.

   Uses twisted magnetic fields; less external power required.

   India is also exploring fusion research under ITER (Cadarache, France).

Value Add: Cutting-edge example for India’s clean energy transition and future-ready research—link with National Energy Policy.

8. India’s First E-Waste Eco Park – Delhi Topic: Circular Economy | Urban Sustainability

   Holambi Kalan, 11.4-acre park; 51,000 MT capacity; DBFOT model for 15 years.

   Features refurbishing units, testing labs, plastic recovery, and second-hand electronics market.

   To generate 1,000+ green jobs and train informal recyclers.

Value Add: A replicable model for sustainable urban infrastructure and solid waste integration. Use it in answers on circular economy and Swachh Bharat 2.0.