Current Context: On 25 June 2025, Neeraj Chopra won the Ostrava Golden Spike javelin title in Czech Republic with a throw of 85.29 m—his second major win within a week.

ABOUT ATHLETIC TRIUMPH

• Event: Ostrava Golden Spike meeting, part of the European athletics circuit.
• Performance:29 m throw—second win after Paris Diamond League (88.16 m).
• Coach:Mentored by Czech javelin legend Jan Železný.
• Significance:Maintains peak form ahead of major global competitions, reaffirms India’s growing presence in international track and field.

Current Context: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar rolled out biometric e‑passports nationally under Passport Seva Programme 2.0 during Passport Seva Divas (June 24–25).

ABOUT E‑PASSPORT

• Definition: Traditional passport book with embedded RFID chip/antenna storing biometrics (photo, fingerprints, DOB), encrypted via PKI.
• Rollout: Pilot since April 2024 in 13 cities (Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Goa, etc.); nationwide by mid‑2025 with enhanced tech (mPassport Police App, new centers).
• Benefits: Strengthens border security, speeds immigration, prevents forgery, aligns with ICAO standards; older passports remain valid until expiry.

Current Context: Union Cabinet approved establishment of the South Asia Regional Centre (SARC) of CIP in Agra with ₹111.5 crore funding.

ABOUT CIP

• Background: Founded in 1971 (Lima, Peru) to advance potato, sweetpotato, and Andean tuber research globally.
• Mission: Develop climate-adaptive seeds, pest-management techniques, post-harvest improvements, farmer training to boost food security and incomes.

Current Context: Salkhan fossil park Added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in June 2025—step toward formal nomination.

ABOUT SALKHAN FOSSIL PARK

• Location: Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh; covering area. 15 km from Robertsganj; spans ~25 hectares near Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Geological Significance: Contains stromatolites (~1.4 billion years old) — fossilised cyanobacteria marking early oxygenation of the planet.
• Scientific Value: Offers rare window into Precambrian era (~85 % of Earth’s history) via domal, columnar, stratiform stromatolite varieties.
• UNESCO Status: Entry in Tentative List (June 2025); dossier under preparation, with full inscription expected by 2026–27.

Celebrated annually on 29 June

• Aim : To highlight the importance and challenges of tropical regions.
• Declared: 2016 by the UN General Assembly
• Importance: Tropics cover 40 % of Earth’s surface, host nearly 80 % of biodiversity and over half of the global under‑5 population.
• Focus: Raise awareness of conservation, sustainable development, climate resilience, and socio-economic issues in tropical zones.

Celebrated annually on 29 June

• Aim : to promote the value of statistics in policy and everyday life, marking the birth anniversary of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (P.C Mahalanobis) .
• Established: 2007 by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Current Context: The 62nd sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) are being held from 16 to 26 June 2025 concluded at the World Conference Center, Bonn, Germany.

ABOUT SB62

• What is SB62?
  • It comprises two key UNFCCC technical bodies—SBSTA(Scientific & Technological Advice) and SBI (Implementation)—meeting biannually to prepare for the COP climate negotiations.
• Key Agenda:
  • Article 2 (carbon markets): Negotiations to strengthen rules under the Paris Agreement.
  • New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG): Building the financial roadmap from Baku (COP29) to Belém (COP30) for mobilizing USD 1.3 trillion by 2035.
  • Transparency & Accountability: Reviewing first set of Biennial Transparency Reports and discussing low-emission, climate-resilient development pathways (Article 1c).
  • Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA): Finalizing indicators and frameworks via workshops including Sharm el-Sheikh dialogues.
  • Loss & Damage Fund: Advancing the institutional process for climate-vulnerable nations.
  • Just Transition & Agriculture: Side events and workshops focused on equitable energy transitions and sustainable food systems.
• Participation: Over 5,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries, including governments, scientists, NGOs, IGOs, and indigenous representatives. Also attended by specialized side events like the Bonn Dialogues and Mitigation‑NDC Partnership.
• Purpose: Provide technical groundwork for COP30 in Belém (10–21 November 2025), cementing frameworks on finance, adaptation, climate markets, transparency, and equity.

Current Context: India’s coffee exports rose approximately 125%, reaching USD 1.8 billion over the past 11 years, driven by policy support and active Coffee Board measures.

ABOUT COFFEE

• Cultivation: Tropical shrub grown under shade at 600–1,600 m elevation; two main types: Arabica & Robusta.
• Indian Production: Concentrated in Karnataka (~70%), also Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Odisha.
• Climatic Needs: Temperatures 15–28 °C, rainfall 150–250 cm, well-drained loamy soil; dry conditions needed for berry ripening.
• Exports: Major markets include Europe—Italy, Germany, Belgium; also Middle East, Korea, Japan.
• Significance: Climatic vulnerability highlights need for focused research, IRR efforts, and sustainable cultivation to maintain export momentum.
• India is 7th largest producer and 5th largest exporter, producing ~360,000 tonnes/year.

Current Context: Adani Group commissioned India’s first off‑grid 5 MW green hydrogen pilot plant in Kutch, Gujarat, fully powered by solar energy and included Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

ABOUT GREEN HYDROGEN PILOT PLANT

• Location: Kutch, Gujarat – pilot by Adani New Industries Ltd (ANIL), part of Adani Enterprises.
• Off‑Grid System: Independent from national grid; uses solar energy + BESS.
• Electrolyser: Fully automated, closed-loop; adjusts to real‑time renewable input.
• Significance: Proof-of-concept ahead of Mundra Green Hydrogen Hub—enabling decarbonization of sectors like fertilisers, refining & heavy transport.
• Policy Link: Supports National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), aligned with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat energy goals.

Current Context: The Union Minister of Agriculture recently approved procurement of moong and urad in Madhya Pradesh, and urad in Uttar Pradesh, under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).

ABOUT PRICE SUPPORT SCHEME

• Part of PM-AASHA launched in 2018 to ensure farmers receive MSP (Minimum Support Price).
• Implemented via NAFED and FCI for pulses, oilseeds, and cotton procurement at MSP when market prices dip.
• Features:
  • Direct procurement ensures stable commodity prices and protects farmers’ incomes.
  • Covers losses and costs incurred by procurement agencies through central funding.
• PM-AASHA Components:

1. 1. Price Support Scheme (PSS) – physical procurement at MSP.
   2. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) – compensates farmers directly when MSP > market price, no physical procurement involved.

• Significance: Shields farmers from price volatility, supports income stability, and incentivises crop diversification.