Current Context

Celebrated on 21 June, since 2015,

• Aim : To promotes the practice of yoga’s physical, mental, and spiritual benefits globally.
• 2025 Theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”

Observed on 21 June

• Aim : To raise awareness of hydrography’s role in safe navigation and sustainable marine resource management.
• Established by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in 2005; recognized by IM
• 2025 Theme: “Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action.”

Celebrated annually on 21 June.

• Aim : To promotes live music performances and cultural exchange worldwide.
• Origin: Launched in 1982 by France’s Ministry of Culture; adopted globally by UNESCO and cities in 120 countries.

Current Context : The 113^th session of the International Labour Conference convened in Geneva in June 2025, adopting key instruments on occupational health, maritime labour, platform work, and informality.

 About ILC 2025

• ILO Convention No. 192: Convention on Biological Hazards in the working environment—the first binding global instrument on biosafety at work.
• Maritime Labour Convention Amendment: Enhanced shore leave, seafarer repatriation, and recognition of seafarers as essential workers.
• Platform Economy Discussion: First standard‑setting debate on decent work for digital platform workers.
• Resolution on Informality: Calls for urgent action to reduce informal employment, extend social protection, and create decent jobs for vulnerable workers.

Current Context : New Delhi hosted the inaugural Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance, endorsing India’s Environment Minister as its President.

 About International Big Cat Alliance

• Launched on April 2023 on 50th anniversary of India’s Project Tiger.
• Membership: 95 big‑cat range and interested countries; founding 16 include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kenya, Nepal, and South American nations.
• Mandate:
  • Share best practices in conservation of seven big cats (tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, puma).
  • Strengthen habitat protection, anti‑poaching efforts, and community engagement.
• Governance: Biennial Assembly as decision‑making body; rotating Presidency; Secretariat hosted by India.

Current Context : The Indian Army participated in Exercise Shakti VII at Camp Larzac, France, as part of the biennial India–France defence cooperation.

ABOUT EXERCISE SHAKTI

• Type: Joint field training exercise focusing on counter‑terrorism and high‑altitude operations.
• Location: Camp Larzac plateau, southern France.
• Participants: ~ 300 troops each from Indian Army and French Army.
• Key Drills:
  • Mountain warfare, joint patrolling, humanitarian assistance, and evacuation (HAAE) operations.
  • Cross‑training in tactics, communications, and live‑fire drills.

Current Context : The Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development released its Global Drought Outlook 2025, forecasting increased drought severity and economic impacts.

About Global Drought Outlook

• Severity & Extent: 40 percent of land facing more frequent/severe droughts.
• Economic Cost: Annual drought episode costs rising 3–7.5 percent of GDP in affected regions.
• Agricultural Impact: Crop yields may decline up to 22 percent; hydro‑power disruptions in India and Australia.
• Hydrology:
  • Soil moisture down across 37 percent of land since 1980.
  • 62 percent of monitored aquifers showing groundwater decline.
• Disaster Statistics: Droughts cause 34 percent of disaster‑related deaths (WMO 2021).
• Global & Indian Responses:
  • UNCCD Drought Initiative; IDMP by WMO & Global Water Partnership.
  • India’s NADAMS, Watershed Development under PMKSY, Atal Bhujal Yojana.

Current Context : On 17 June  2025, India celebrated the 50^th anniversary of its Crocodile Conservation Project, launched on 1  April  1975 to reverse crocodilian decline through habitat protection and captive breeding.

 About Crocodile Conservation Project

• Launch & Support: Based on H.  Bustard’s 1974 recommendations; technical and financial aid from UNDP/FAO.
• Objectives:
  • Protect wild habitats and endemic crocodilian species (mugger, gharial, saltwater).
  • Breed in captivity and reintroduce juveniles into rivers.
• Key Achievements:
  • Mugger crocodile: Population rebounded to ~ 8,000–10,000 across Ganga basin.
  • Saltwater crocodile: ~ 2,500 individuals, concentrated in Bhitarkanika (Odisha), Sundarbans, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
  • Gharial: India hosts ~ 80 percent of global wild population; 400+ nests annually in Chambal & other sanctuaries.
• Ongoing Efforts:
  • New Gharial Conservation Project (2025) across Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Mahanadi.
  • Madras Crocodile Bank supports ex-situ breeding and research.

Current Context : Effective 15 August  2025, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways introduced a ₹3,000 annual FASTag pass for private cars, jeeps, and vans, valid for 200 trips or one year, to streamline toll payments on National Highways.

 About FASTag Annual Pass

• Cost & Validity: ₹3,000; either 200 toll passages or 365 days, whichever comes first.
• Eligibility: Non‑commercial four‑wheelers fitted with FASTag.
• Coverage: All National Highways under NHAI.
• Features:
  • No toll deduction until 200‑trip limit
  • Purchase/activation via Rajmarg Yatra App, NHAI and MoRTH portals.

Current Context : On 18 June 2025, India’s Ministry of External Affairs commenced Operation Sindhu, successfully airlifting the first batch of 110 Indian nationals (students) from conflict‑affected regions of Iran via Armenia to New Delhi.

 ABOUT OPERATION SINDHU

• Objective: Evacuate Indian citizens stranded amid Iran–Israel hostilities.
• Mechanism:
  • Coordination through Indian embassies in Tehran and Yerevan.
  • Land transport to Yerevan; special Air India flight to New Delhi.
• Scope: Primarily students and medical professionals in Iran’s major cities (Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz).