26 JUNE 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS 1 – Geography, Culture & History

Topic: Lake Tahoe Subtopic: Physical & Hydrological Geography of Alpine Lakes

• Value Addition:

  • Largest alpine lake in North America and highest in the US (1,897 m).

  • Known for 99.994% water purity – among the clearest lakes globally.

  • Hydrologically unique: 63 inflows, only one outflow (Truckee River), doesn’t reach the ocean.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 1: Physical Geography – Lakes, hydrological systems, freshwater resources.

  • Prelims: Lake features, unique river-lake systems.

Topic: Chios Island (Greece) Subtopic: Cultural Geography & Environmental Hazards

• Value Addition:

  • Known as the “Mastic Island” for its exclusive export of mastic resin.

  • Recently declared emergency due to wildfires; reflects rising climate vulnerability in Mediterranean.

  • Believed to be Homer’s birthplace – adds literary-cultural depth.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 1: Geography – Island ecology, climate hazards.

  • GS 1: Culture – Literary heritage, trade and agriculture in historical context. GS 2 – Governance, Diplomacy────────────────────────────

Topic: Operation Sindhu Subtopic: India’s Diplomatic Response to Overseas Crisis

• Value Addition:

  • Multi-phase rescue operation for Indian citizens amid Iran–Israel conflict.

  • Real-time crisis helplines and control rooms showcase India’s swift consular mechanisms.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 2: International relations – Diaspora policy, consular protection.

  • Essay: “Diplomacy in danger – when citizens become the frontline.” GS 3 – Environment, Science & Tech, Defence, Economy────────────────────────────

Topic: Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2025 Subtopic: India’s Standing in Global Clean Energy Readiness

• Value Addition:

  • India ranks 71st globally but shows fastest improvement among major economies.

  • Improved on access, clean energy investment, methane emission reduction, and regulatory framework.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Energy – Transition readiness, performance metrics.

  • Prelims: ETI parameters, India’s rank, top countries.

Topic: Himalayan Brown Bear Subtopic: Endangered High-Altitude Carnivore

• Value Addition:

  • Critically endangered (IUCN), Schedule I (WPA), CITES Appendix I.

  • Rare sightings in Gangotri highlight fragile alpine ecosystems.

  • May have inspired the Yeti folklore due to upright stance.

• Subject Analysis:

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

  • Prelims: Species distribution, IUCN status.

Topic: INS Nilgiri Subtopic: Indigenous Stealth Frigate under Project 17A

• Value Addition:

  • Lead ship of 17A stealth class; equipped with Barak-8 SAMs, BrahMos, MF-STAR radar.

  • Network-centric warfare enabled; can act as independent warship or fleet flagship.

  • Combines CODAG propulsion for speed (28 knots) and endurance.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Defence – Indigenization, naval modernization, force projection.

Topic: Net Interest Margin (NIM) Subtopic: Core Banking Profitability Indicator

• Value Addition:

  • Measures spread between interest income vs. expense, expressed as % of earning assets.

  • Influenced by repo rates, asset mix, operational efficiency.

  • Useful metric for investors to assess bank profitability.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Economy – Banking operations, financial ratios.

  • Prelims: Formula-based application.

Topic: Gwada Negative Blood Type Subtopic: Discovery of New Human Blood Group System

• Value Addition:

  • Recognized by ISBT as 48th blood group system (ISBT042); lacks EMM antigen.

  • Only one case globally, from Guadeloupe; ultra-rare transfusion profile.

  • Important for rare blood type registry and future genetic research.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Health – Transfusion medicine, genetics, global health diversity.

  • Prelims: Rare diseases, blood classification.