Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 28th June 2025

Adamya Fast Patrol Vessel:

‘Adamya’ the first Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) under the eight FPV Project at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) was inducted in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Goa.

• Adamya Fast Patrol Vessel is the first in the series of 8 being developed by the Goa Shipyard Limited under the prestigious ‘8 FPV Project’.
• It features Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPPs) and indigenously developed gearboxes, offering superior maneuverability, operational flexibility, and enhanced performance at sea.
• The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a 30mm CRN-91 gun, two 12.7mm stabilized remote-control guns with fire control systems, an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), and an Automated Power Management System (APMS).
• These advanced systems will empower the ICG to perform its charter of duties with increased precision, efficiency and responsiveness across India’s extensive maritime domain.
• It exemplifies India’s growing shipbuilding capability and represents a major stride towards the nation’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• These FPVs will act as force multipliers in the ICG’s operational fleet, enabling swift response for maritime law enforcement, coastal surveillance, search and rescue operations, and the protection of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Salkhan Fossil Park:

The Salkhan Fossil Park has been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites

• Salkhan Fossil Park is also known as Sonbhadra Fossils Park located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
• It is nestled amidst the verdant embrace of the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary and within the Vindhyan mountain range.
• It is home to a rich repository of fossils dating back approximately 1.4 billion years, making it one of the oldest and most well-preserved fossil sites in the world.
• The site’s fossil assemblage, scattered across various formations, primarily features an exceptional collection of stromatolites, i.e. formations created by communities of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae.
• It is home to Prehistoric stromatolites and living relics of the Mesoproterozoic.
• Salkhan is much older than sites like Shark Bay in Australia and Yellowstone the USA.
• The site’s Proterozoic stromatolites illustrate a critical watershed in the early history of life on Earth: The Great Oxidation Event.
• The diversity of stromatolite morphologies at the park—ranging from domal to columnar structures—reflects dynamic environmental conditions in the Proterozoic, including variations in water depth, sedimentation, and wave activity.
• It falls under one of the key geo-heritage interest categories indicated by IUCN – ‘Evolution of life’ – in the 2020 ‘Guidelines for geoconservation in protected and conserved areas’.

Trigeminal neuralgia:

An actor has revealed that he’s currently dealing with multiple serious health conditions including trigeminal neuralgia.

• Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, is a condition that causes intense pain similar to an electric shock on one side of the face.
  Cause:
• It affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries signals from the face to the brain.
• It happens when a blood vessel puts pressure on the trigeminal nerve.
• The pain comes suddenly and can be triggered by simple activities like eating, brushing teeth, or even smiling.
• People with trigeminal neuralgia may at first experience short, mild episodes of pain. But the condition can get worse, causing longer periods of pain that happen more often.
• It’s more common in women and people older than 50.
• It is a chronic disorder, and the pain can be difficult to manage, often needing medication or even surgery.
• It is often called the “suicide disease” because of how painful it can be.

Skills for the Future Report:

Union Minister launched the “Skills for the Future: Transforming India’s Workforce Landscape” report by the Institute for Competitiveness.

Key Findings from the Report:

Skill Level Distribution (PLFS 2023–24):

• 88% of India’s workforce is in low-competency jobs (Skill Levels 1 & 2).
• Only 10–12% are in high-skill roles (Skill Levels 3 & 4).
• 9.76% of population has education beyond secondary level; 52.4% have only primary education.

Severe Skill Mismatch:

• Only 8.25% of graduates (Skill Level 3) work in matching roles.
• Over 50% of graduates are employed in lower-skill jobs (e.g., shopkeepers, operators).
• Overqualification is more prevalent than underqualification.

Low Penetration of TVET (Technical & Vocational Education & Training):

• Only 4.5% of the workforce has formal vocational training.
• TVET is often limited to Skill Level 2 roles; lacks alignment with modern industry needs.

Income Inequality by Skill Level:

• Skill Level 1 Avg. Wage: ₹98,835
• Skill Level 2 Avg. Wage: ₹1.26 lakh
• Skill Level 3 Avg. Wage: ₹2.81 lakh
• Skill Level 4 Avg. Wage: ₹3.94 lakh
• 46% of workforce earns less than ₹1 lakh annually.

Sectoral Skilling Concentration:

• Five sectors make up 66% of vocational enrolments: Electronics, IT/ITeS, Textiles & Apparel, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Beauty & Wellness

Regional Skill Inequality:

• States like Bihar, Assam: 95% of workforce in low-skill roles.
• States like Kerala, Chandigarh have higher shares in Skill 3 & 4.
• Brain drains and migration are prominent in low-skill, low-growth regions.

Educational Transition Challenges:

• Transition from secondary to higher secondary level is weak: GER at higher secondary is only 57.56% (2021–22).
• GER at higher education remains below 30%, limiting pipeline to Skill Levels 3 and 4.

Sector-Specific Workforce Readiness Deficit:

• Many states show <5% workforce in Skill 3 roles.
• In IT, healthcare, and green jobs (EVs, biotech), India lacks skilled technicians, supervisors, and associate professionals.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances : New Study

Researchers recently discovered nearly 20 species of bacteria capable of breaking down Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

• PFAS, also known as the Forever Chemicals, are a large chemical family of over 4,700 highly persistent, toxic, man-made, hazardous chemicals.
• They have been used in consumer products around the world since about the 1950s.
• They are ingredients in various everyday products. For example, PFAS are used to keep food from sticking to packaging or cookware, make clothes and carpets resistant to stains, and create firefighting foam that is more effective.
• PFAS molecules have a chain of linked carbon and fluorine atoms. Because the carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest, these chemicals do not degrade easily in the environment.
• Human exposure to PFAS is widespread but variable by geography and occupation.
• PFAS are used in the aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries. Over time, PFAS may leak into the soil, water, and air.
• People are most likely exposed to these chemicals by consuming PFAS-contaminated water or food, using products made with PFAS, or breathing air containing PFAS.
• Because PFAS breaks down slowly, if at all, people and animals are repeatedly exposed to them, and blood levels of some PFAS can build up over time.
• Impacts of PFAS on Human Health: A variety of health risks that are attributed to PFAS exposure, including decreased fertility, developmental effects in children, interference with body hormones, increased cholesterol levels, and increased risk of some cancers.
• The Stockholm Convention has listed some PFAS, such as Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Registrar General of India (under the Ministry of Home Affairs) has directed all States to ensure birth certificates:

The Registrar General of India (under the Ministry of Home Affairs) has directed all States to ensure birth certificates are issued within 7 days of registration, preferably before discharging newborns from hospitals, especially in government facilities, which account for over 50% of institutional births in India.Birth registration in India has increased from 86% (2014) to over 96% (2024).It is governed by the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969, with no fee if done within 21 days.Legal provisions now ensure registration of adopted, orphaned, abandoned, surrendered, and surrogate children, as well as those of single parents or unmarried mothers. The 2023 amendment made digital registration mandatory and recognized electronic documents as official.From 1st October 2023, digital birth certificates became the sole proof of date of birth for school admissions, government jobs, marriage registrations, and issuance of driving licenses and passports.

Shefali Jariwala, ‘Kaanta Laga’ Fame Actress, Dies at 42 in Mumbai:

Shefali Jariwala, who rose to fame in the early 2000s with the iconic remix music video Kaanta Laga, tragically passed away late Friday night in Mumbai at the age of 42. Known for her strong screen presence and charm, Shefali’s unexpected death has left Bollywood and her fans in mourning. She was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital by her husband Parag Tyagi, where she was declared dead. The cause of death remains undisclosed, and investigations are underway.The sudden demise of Shefali Jariwala has shocked the entertainment industry and the public. Given her relatively young age and active public life, her passing has drawn widespread media attention, sympathy, and concern.

IRDAI Fines Edelweiss Life ₹1 Crore for Corporate Governance Violations:

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has imposed a penalty of ₹1 crore on Edelweiss Life Insurance Company. The fine was levied following the company’s failure to adhere to corporate governance guidelines, particularly those related to outsourcing norms and policyholder KYC compliance.The issue has garnered attention after IRDAI, in its recent order dated June 25, 2025, revealed regulatory lapses committed by Edelweiss Life Insurance. This decision reaffirms the regulator’s intent to tighten compliance in the insurance industry, ensuring that policyholders’ interests and systemic transparency remain protected.

Amitabh Kant Joins Fairfax as Senior Adviser After G20 Sherpa Role:

Canada-based investment firm Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd has appointed Amitabh Kant, India’s former G20 Sherpa and ex-CEO of NITI Aayog, as a Senior Adviser. With deep experience in economic policy and transformative development initiatives, Kant’s new role is expected to strategically support Fairfax’s long-term investments in India, particularly aligning with the nation’s ambitious Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.Amitabh Kant recently stepped down from his position as India’s G20 Sherpa after leading a successful G20 Presidency in 2023, which included consensus-building for the New Delhi Declaration. His new appointment at Fairfax on June 27, 2025, signals the firm’s growing interest in leveraging India’s development trajectory and policy innovation.

India’s Refusal to Sign SCO Draft Statement:

Defence Minister refused to endorse the SCO joint statement during the Qingdao meet, objecting to the omission of India-specific terror concerns.The SCO is a Eurasian intergovernmental organisation focused on political, economic, security, and defence cooperation, particularly in Central and South Asia.Established in: Formally founded on 15 June 2001, evolving from the 1996 Shanghai Five initiative. Founding Members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Current Members (2025): 10 countries — India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. India Refused because The draft excluded the Pahalgam terror attack while highlighting the Jaffar Express hijack in Pakistan.
India sought balanced representation of terror threats from all member states, but one country (likely Pakistan) blocked the inclusion.

Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary : In News

A tigress and her four cubs were found dead at the Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar districtIt is located in the intersection of the Western and the Eastern Ghats and falls in the Chamarajanagara district of Karnataka. It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 2013. It is contiguous to BRT Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kolhapuri Chappal:

India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappal makers have objected to luxury brand Prada’s 2026 collection, alleging unauthorised imitation of their heritage footwear design.Kolhapuri chappals are handcrafted leather sandals, known for their durability, intricate design, and distinct open-toe, T-strap structure.Traditionally made in Kolhapur and adjoining districts in Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka, such as Belgaum, Bagalkot, and Dharwad.Received Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2019.Jointly registered by artisans from Maharashtra and Karnataka.The GI tag ensures only registered producers can market products under the “Kolhapuri” name.

Operation Deep Manifest:

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized Pakistani-origin goods worth ₹9 crore under ‘Operation Deep Manifest’.A targeted enforcement operation by the DRI to detect and disrupt illicit trade routes being used to smuggle banned Pakistani-origin goods into India. Launched By Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance. Objective is to enforce India’s comprehensive import ban on Pakistani goods and prevent economic infiltration via third-country transshipment.