Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 13th June 2025

Shipki La Pass:

Himachal Pradesh has opened the Shipki La pass, a motorable mountain pass at an altitude of 3,930 metres in the tribal Kinnaur district, to domestic tourists.

• Shipki La Pass is a motorable mountain pass situated at an altitude of 3,930 meters, bordering India and China in tribal district of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.
• It also serves as the boundary post on the frontier between China and India.
• It is one of the highest motorable passes.
• Through this pass the Sutlej River (known as Langqen Zangbo in Tibet) enters India, and has long served as a vital trade corridor between India and Tibet.
• The old name of Shipki La was Pema La, or Shared Gate, also known as Shared Pass.
• It was declared the Line of Actual Control post-1962, and later, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police named it Shipki La.
• The opening of Shipki La to tourists is part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, which share a 240-km border with China.

Statins : Recent Study

Recent study has found that Statins could lower the death rate by nearly 40 per cent for critically ill patients with sepsis.

• Statins are medications that lower cholesterol levels by blocking an enzyme in the liver that helps produce cholesterol.
• They are prescribed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke.
• Too much cholesterol in the blood can cause a buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries. That buildup can eventually cause the arteries to narrow or harden.
• Some statins can decrease your LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad”) cholesterol by 50% or more. Providers often call LDL “bad” because it builds up inside your arteries, making it harder for blood to move through them.
• These medicines also have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Statins may also help reduce the risk of certain blood clots.
• Statins can sometimes interact with other medicines, increasing the risk of serious side effects, such as muscle damage.
• Statins have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidative and antithrombotic properties.
• They may help mitigate excessive inflammatory response, restore endothelial function, and show potential antimicrobial activities.

Exercise Shakti 2025:

Exercise Shakti 2025 will be held at La Cavalerie in France, from June 18 in La Cavalerie.

• Exercise Shakti is a joint military exercise between India and France
• It is a biennial event conducted alternatively in India and France.
• It is the 8th edition of Exercise Shakti and last time it was held in India.
• The aim of the exercise is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake Multi Domain Operations in a Sub Conventional scenario.
• The joint exercise will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between armies of both the nations.
• The exercise will enable the two sides to share their best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting joint operations.
• Other Joint Exercises between France and India are Exercise Desert Knight, Exercise Varuna and Exercise Garuda.

International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation:

India, as the Vice President of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA), actively participated in the 2nd Session of the IALA Council, held in Nice, France.

• It was established in 1957 as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
• It officially changed its status from a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) to an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) based on a Convention ratified by 34 States in 2024.
• The IALA Council is the key decision-making body of the intergovernmental organization responsible for marine aids to navigation.
• Aims
  • Foster safe, economic and efficient movement of vessels by improving and harmonizing aids to navigation worldwide and by other appropriate means.
  • Encourage, support and communicate recent developments; develop international cooperation by promoting close working relationships and assistance among members;
  • Enhance mutual exchange of information with organizations representing users of aids to navigation.
  • Its mandate is to harmonise global maritime navigation systems, promote maritime safety initiatives, and collaborate with member states, international organizations, and industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges in maritime safety and environmental protection.
  • It comprises 200 members, 80 of which are national authorities and 60 are commercial firms. India has been a member of this organization since 1957.
  • Headquarters: Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.

Mouse deer Birth : Indira Gandhi Zoological Park

The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) announced that its conservation and breeding efforts have resulted in the birth of a mouse deer within the zoo premises.

• Mouse deer is also known as the Indian Chevrotain is the smallest deer species in the deer family and is known for its elusive and shy nature.
• The fur color of the Indian spotted chevrotain is dark brown with white underparts.
• There are four or five light rows of white spots on the back. Males of this species have tusk-like upper canines.
• A unique feature of this group is that instead of a four-chambered stomach like in other ruminants, they have a three-chambered stomach.
• The mouse deer plays a major role in the forest ecosystem as a seed disperser and is important prey for many small and large carnivores.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Least Concern
  • Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I.

Lesser Flamingos:

A large number of lesser flamingos have recently arrived at Chhaya pond in Porbandar, Gujarat, from where they will migrate to the Great Rann of Kutch, along the India-Pakistan border, for breeding.

• Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) is the smallest flamingo species, found across sub-Saharan Africa, and in parts of India, Pakistan, and the Arabian Gulf.
• In India, it primarily inhabits brackish and coastal water bodies.
• It is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, listed under CITES Appendix II and under Schedule IV of WPA, 1972.
• Flamingos are tall water birds known for their long, S-shaped necks and stick-like legs.
• They are highly social and often seen in large flocks inhabiting shallow, eutrophic water bodies such as saline lagoons, saltpans, and alkaline lakes.
• There are 6 species of flamingos found globally in tropical and subtropical regions, with only 2 found in India (Greater & Lesser Flamingo).

Heat-Tolerant Pigeonpea:

Scientists have developed a heat-tolerant pigeonpea (tur dal) variety named ICPV 25444 using speed breeding technique, with the potential to transform fallow lands and reduce reliance on imports.

• It can withstand temperatures up to 45°C, making it ideal for India’s hot, semi-arid regions, and can utilize 12 million hectares of rice fallows left uncultivated post-kharif due to water scarcity and heat.
• It enables 4 crop generations/year, cutting development time from 15 to 5 years, doubling yields from 1.1–1.2 to 2 tonnes/ha, and reducing harvest time to 4 months from the usual 6–7, improving rotation and profitability.
• It could drastically reduce India’s pigeonpea imports, which cost USD 800 million annually, by bridging the 1.5 million tonne shortfall in domestic production.
• India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses and aims to eliminate imports by 2028.
• The top 3 pulses-producing states are Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
• Tur dal (Pigeon Pea) is a key protein-rich legume in India, thriving in tropical and semi-arid regions.
• Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), the government ensures procurement of notified pulses, oilseeds, and copra from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) when market prices fall below MSP.
• The Union Budget 2025–26 announced a 6-year Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in crops like Tur, Urad, and Masur
• Speed breeding accelerates plant growth by controlling light, temperature, and humidity, enabling multiple crop cycles per year.

State of World Marine Fishery Resources – 2025:

The FAO’s 2025 report on the state of marine fisheries was released during the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France.

State of World Marine Fishery Resources – 2025:

• Global Stock Sustainability: 64.5% of global marine fishery stocks are exploited within biologically sustainable levels, while 35.5% remain overfished.
• Deep-Sea Species Crisis: Only 29% of deep-sea species are sustainably fished due to traits like slow growth, late maturity, and low reproduction rates.
• Migratory Shark Decline: 43.5% of the 23 assessed shark stocks (7 species) are unsustainable; high catches occur in the tropical Indo-Pacific.
• Tuna Sustainability Success: 87% of assessed tuna and tuna-like species are sustainably fished due to effective regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs).
• Regional Disparities: Regions like the northeast and southwest Pacific show high sustainability; the Mediterranean and Black Seas report only 35.1% sustainability.
• Data Deficiency Challenge: Areas such as the eastern Indian Ocean show high sustainability (72.7%) but are cautioned due to inadequate species-specific data.
• Call for Stronger Governance: The report emphasizes the role of RFMOs, technology, and precautionary policies as essential tools to reverse overfishing and support global marine resilience.

State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025:

The World Bank released its State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025 at a time when carbon pricing mechanisms are covering nearly 28% of global GHG emissions and generating over $100 billion in revenue.

• Carbon pricing is an economic tool that attaches a cost to the emission of greenhouse gases, incentivizing emission reductions while internalizing climate-related externalities (e.g., floods, health costs).

Carbon Pricing in 2025:

• The number of carbon pricing tools has increased from 5 in 2005 to 80 in 2025, comprising 43 carbon taxes and 37 ETSs.
  Coverage Growth: Carbon pricing now covers ~28% of global GHG emissions, up from earlier years.
• India, Brazil, and Türkiye are developing domestic carbon pricing frameworks.
• India’s upcoming ETS (2024) uses benchmark-based intensity limits rather than a hard emission cap.
• Globally, carbon pricing generated $100+ billion in public revenues.
• Power sector has the highest coverage, followed by industry and aviation, with agriculture and waste largely uncovered.
• In Q1–Q3 2024, $14 billion was raised mainly through afforestation and land restoration projects.
• Technologies like Direct Air Capture and Enhanced Rock Weathering are gaining interest.
• Out of 8 million tons committed, only 318,000 tons of engineered removals were delivered.

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB):

A tragic Air India aircraft crash near Ahmedabad airport has prompted the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to launch a formal probe, following global ICAO standards.

• Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is a statutory investigative body responsible for probing aircraft accidents and serious incidents in Indian airspace.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation
• Established: 30 July 2012
• Core Functions:
  • Investigation & Classification: Categorises aviation occurrences into accidents, serious incidents, and incidents.
  • Final Reports: Prepares public reports after DG’s approval; forwarded to ICAO and affected States.
  • Safety Recommendations: Sent to DGCA or foreign regulators for policy-level implementation.
  • Safety Studies: Analyzes systemic aviation risks and recommends long-term reforms.
  • Legal Support: Assists courts and assessors as per Rule 12 of 2017 Rules.

Gyan Post Service:

India Post launched the ‘Gyan Post’ service to deliver educational books and socio-cultural literature at affordable rates across India.The initiative supports the vision of ‘Har Ghar Gyan, Har Sapne Ko Udaan’.

• Gyan Post is a postal delivery service introduced by the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications to deliver non-commercial educational and socio-cultural material at subsidized rates.
• Objective is to Promote inclusive access to educational content across rural and urban India.
• Support students and competitive exam aspirants by ensuring low-cost, last-mile connectivity.
• Encourage dissemination of cultural and religious literature aligned with Indian laws.
• Operates through surface transport (road or rail) to keep costs minimal.
• Parcels must be marked “Gyan Post” and are subject to inspection by postal officials.
• Items are booked at post office counters only (retail, not bulk).
• Tracking is enabled, with optional add-ons like Proof of Delivery and Insurance.

What is AviList?

The world’s first unified global checklist of bird species, called AviList, was officially launched, standardizing bird taxonomy across international conservation, research, and biodiversity platforms.

• AviList is a comprehensive global bird species checklist, developed to harmonize scientific naming and classification of birds worldwide.
• It is designed to replace earlier inconsistent systems and streamline avian taxonomy for global conservation and research.
• Developed By: AviList was created by the Working Group on Avian Checklists, under the International Ornithologists’ Union.
• It involved four years of detailed analysis and consensus-building among experts.
• Organizations Involved: BirdLife International, International Ornithologists’ Union and others.
• Objectives:
  • Standardize global bird taxonomy using the integrative species concept.
  • Support conservation by offering a common language for laws, treaties, and biodiversity planning.
  • Facilitate collaboration among birdwatchers, researchers, and policymakers globally.
  • Eliminate confusion caused by multiple competing checklists.

137th OSCC Meeting Focuses on Energy Infrastructure Protection:

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) chaired the 137th Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) meeting in New Delhi on June 12, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders from national defence, energy, and intelligence agencies. The meeting aimed to assess and enhance the preparedness of India’s offshore security infrastructure, with special emphasis on joint agency coordination to respond to emerging maritime and energy-related threats.The 137th meeting of the Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) was convened amid growing concerns over the security of offshore energy installations, which are critical to India’s energy independence. The meeting reflects a proactive step toward fortifying coastal and offshore assets through multi-agency cooperation.

Scapia & Federal Bank Launch Dual-Network RuPay-Visa Credit Card:

Travel-focused fintech platform Scapia, in collaboration with Federal Bank, has launched the Scapia Federal RuPay Credit Card, a dual-network credit card integrating Visa and RuPay. The card supports UPI, international usage, and offline and online payments, all consolidated in a single credit statement, targeting mobile-first travelers with zero forex markup, airport perks, and exclusive rewards.Scapia announced a first-of-its-kind credit card combining both Visa and RuPay networks in a unified offering with UPI capabilities. The card reflects India’s growing shift towards digitized, travel-ready financial services and offers a new level of convenience for users who want the flexibility of international and domestic payments with strong rewards.

Alexander Payne to Receive Honorary Leopard Award at Locarno 2025:

Renowned American filmmaker Alexander Payne will receive the prestigious honorary Leopard (Pardo d’Onore) award at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, scheduled from August 6 to 16, 2025. Payne, acclaimed for his subtle and emotionally resonant storytelling in films like Sideways, The Descendants, and The Holdovers, will also engage with the festival audience through film screenings and public discussions.The Locarno Film Festival, one of Europe’s oldest and most respected film festivals, has announced that its 2025 honorary award will go to Alexander Payne, celebrating his long-standing contribution to global cinema. The announcement acknowledges his profound influence on modern filmmaking and marks his participation in this year’s festival through retrospective screenings and a conversation with cinephiles.

Retail Inflation Hits 6-Year Low of 2.82% in May 2025:

India’s retail inflation cooled to a six-year low of 2.82% in May 2025, primarily driven by a sharp decline in food prices. According to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), food inflation dropped to 0.99% from 8.69% a year ago. This development marks the lowest retail inflation level since February 2019 and is seen as a positive signal for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and broader economic stability.Retail inflation data released on June 12, 2025, revealed a significant decline in CPI-based inflation for May 2025, reaching a 75-month low. The steep drop in food inflation which forms a major portion of the CPI basket played a crucial role in this decline, prompting analysts to revisit future monetary policy expectations and economic outlooks.

Exercise ‘Tiger Claw’:

Bilateral defence cooperation, the first joint military exercise “Tiger Claw” between the Garud Special Forces of the Indian Air Force and the United States Air Force (USAF) Special Forces concluded on June 10, 2025. Conducted from May 26 to June 10 across North India, this exercise represents a significant evolution in the India–US strategic partnership, especially in the domain of air-based special operations.The first-ever joint special forces exercise between the Indian Air Force and the US Air Force, named Tiger Claw, successfully concluded on June 10, 2025. It marked a new chapter in India–US defence collaboration, specifically focusing on Air Force Special Forces interoperability.

International Albinism Awareness Day 2025:

International Albinism Awareness Day is observed annually on June 13 to raise awareness about the rights and challenges faced by people with albinism. Established by the United Nations, the day aims to promote equality, safety, and dignity for individuals affected by this genetic condition, while dispelling widespread myths and misconceptions.June 13, 2025, marks the 11th International Albinism Awareness Day. The day highlights human rights issues, promotes public education, and calls for an end to discrimination and violence faced by people with albinism globally.