28 JUNE 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

Topic: Tansen Subtopic: Musical Legacy and Cultural Heritage

• Value Addition:

  • One of Akbar’s Navaratnas; introduced ragas like Miyan ki Malhar and Darbari.

  • Merged Persian and Indian classical traditions; advanced Dhrupad genre.

  • His tomb near Gwalior deserves protection as it reflects India's syncretic culture.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 1: Art & Culture – Bhakti era music, Mughal court culture.

  • Prelims: Musicology, classical ragas, Navaratnas.

Topic: Iliamna Volcano Subtopic: Dormant Stratovolcano in Alaska

• Value Addition:

  • Part of Chigmit Range; shows avalanche activity and geothermal emissions.

  • Summit blanketed with perennial glaciers; last eruption in 1876.

  • Geological composition includes andesite and pyroclastic flows.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 1: Physical Geography – Volcano types and tectonic relevance.

  • Prelims: Stratovolcano features, plate boundaries (Ring of Fire).

Topic: Tawi River Subtopic: Sacred River in Jammu Region

• Value Addition:

  • Known as “Surya Putri”; divides old and new Jammu city.

  • Originates in Bhaderwah and joins the Chenab River; critical for Jammu’s water supply.

  • Recently highlighted due to flood rescue operation.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 1: Geography – River systems of North India.

  • Prelims: Tributary system, catchment area, regional hydrology.

Topic: International Potato Centre (CIP) Subtopic: Regional Centre to be Set Up in India

• Value Addition:

  • India to host South Asia hub in Agra; supports potato R&D and climate-resilient varieties.

  • CIP is part of CGIAR – a global research consortium for food security.

  • India is world’s 2nd largest potato producer; initiative supports tuber-based nutrition and income.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 2: International institutions – CGIAR, agri-tech collaboration.

  • GS 3: Food security, climate-resilient crops.

Topic: Joint Operational Orders by CDS Subtopic: Enhancing Tri-Services Integration

• Value Addition:

  • CDS empowered to issue Joint Instructions and Orders across Army, Navy & Air Force.

  • Supports Theatre Commands, Inter-Service Organisation Rules, and Unified War Doctrine.

  • Part of “Year of Reforms 2025”; eliminates redundancy and boosts jointness.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 2: Defence governance – Structural reforms.

  • GS 3: Internal Security – Modernisation and integration in armed forces.

Topic: Brent Crude Subtopic: Global Oil Benchmark

• Value Addition:

  • Benchmark for 60% of global oil; light & sweet type makes refining efficient.

  • Price volatility reflects geopolitics (e.g. Iran-Israel), supply disruptions.

  • India heavily imports crude – Brent directly impacts inflation and CAD.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Economy – Energy pricing, trade balance.

  • Prelims: Oil benchmarks – Brent, WTI, Dubai Crude.

Topic: Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) Subtopic: Gold Standard for Biodiversity Risk Assessment

• Value Addition:

  • Provides real-time access to key datasets (IUCN Red List, Key Biodiversity Areas, WDPA).

  • Used by governments and corporates for ESG compliance and nature-positive planning.

  • Backed by BirdLife, IUCN, CI, and UNEP-WCMC.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Environment – Conservation tools, biodiversity metrics.

  • Prelims: Biodiversity data systems, SDG 15.

Topic: Black Mass Recovery Technology Subtopic: Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Innovation

• Value Addition:

  • Recovers lithium, cobalt, nickel with 97–99% efficiency using dry + wet extraction.

  • Entirely indigenised; reduces critical mineral import dependency.

  • Supports circular economy in EV battery lifecycle.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Science & Tech – Sustainable technology, EV ecosystem.

  • GS 3: Economy – Critical mineral strategy, Make in India.

Topic: Salkhan Fossil Park Subtopic: Mesoproterozoic Stromatolite Site in UP

• Value Addition:

  • Houses 1.4 billion-year-old stromatolites – older than Australia’s Shark Bay.

  • Illustrates Great Oxidation Event and early cyanobacterial life.

  • Recently added to UNESCO’s Tentative List.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Environment – Geo-heritage sites, paleobiology.

  • Prelims: Fossil parks in India, stromatolite characteristics.

Topic: Leptospirosis Subtopic: Zoonotic Disease with Monsoon Surge

• Value Addition:

  • Caused by Leptospira bacteria, spread via contact with urine of infected animals.

  • Highly prevalent post-flood due to stagnant water and poor sanitation.

  • Treatable if detected early; preventable through boots, sanitation drives.

• Subject Analysis:

  • GS 3: Health – Zoonotic disease management, seasonal epidemics.

  • Prelims: Transmission routes, symptoms, bacteria types.