19 JUNE 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

Topic: Shipki La Pass Reopened Subtopic: Historic Border Pass for Trade and Connectivity

1. Value Addition:

   • Reopening revives traditional Indo-Tibet trade route in Himachal Pradesh.

   • Enhances tourism potential in Kinnaur and connects to China’s Ngari Prefecture.

   • Strategic pass near the Sutlej River entry point; historically known as “Pema La” (Shared Pass).

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 1: Geography – Himalayan passes, river geography.

   • GS 2: IR – Border infrastructure and trade corridors.

   • Essay: “Reopening ancient paths in modern diplomacy.”

Topic: Lucknow Applies for UNESCO Creative City Subtopic: Gastronomy and Cultural Urbanism

• Value Addition:

  • Seeks inclusion under “City of Gastronomy” in UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

  • Builds on heritage of Awadhi cuisine and cultural hospitality.

  • Enhances soft power and urban branding.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 1: Art & Culture – Cultural diplomacy and heritage preservation.

  • GS 2: Governance – Urban development via creative economy.

  • Essay: “Culture on a plate – cities that feed the world’s imagination.”

────────────────────────────── GS 3 – Economy, Environment, Biodiversity, Science & Tech──────────────────────────────

Topic: SEBI SCORES Platform Subtopic: Investor Grievance Redressal

• Value Addition:

  • 4,493 complaints resolved in May 2025; transparent digital redress system.

  • Tiered review process, time-bound ATR submission, and ODR options enhance accountability.

  • Bridges gap between investor trust and market compliance.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Economy – Financial markets, SEBI regulation.

  • Ethics: Transparency and service delivery in institutions.

Topic: Indian Rat SnakeSubtopic: Proposal for Official Reptile of Kerala

• Value Addition:

  • Non-venomous predator controlling rodents and venomous snakes.

  • Diurnal, widely distributed, lives near human settlements; acts as a natural pest control agent.

  • Symbol of ecological balance and human–wildlife coexistence.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Environment – Biodiversity, ecological services.

  • Essay: “The silent protectors of our fields.”

Topic: Two New Earthworm Species – Tripura Subtopic: Kanchuria tripuraensis & Kanchuria priyasankari

• Value Addition:

  • Found in rubber and pineapple plantations—agro-ecosystem resilience indicator.

  • Discovery raises Tripura’s known earthworm species to 38.

  • Honors taxonomist Prof. Priyasankar Chaudhuri.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Biodiversity – Soil health and microfauna conservation.

  • Prelims: Species discovery; NE India ecological richness.

Topic: Portulaca bharat – New Flowering PlantSubtopic: Aravali Hills Flora Discovery

• Value Addition:

  • Newly discovered succulent species in Jaipur’s rocky semi-arid landscape.

  • Endemic; provisionally listed as Data Deficient by IUCN.

  • Highlights vulnerability of Aravali ecosystems and endemic flora conservation need.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Environment – Conservation of endemic species, habitat-specific threats.

  • Essay: “In the harshest landscapes, nature still blossoms.”