Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 14th June 2025

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana : In News

Consumption of petroleum products, especially diesel and cooking gas in Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands, has jumped in recent years, aided by Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) launched in May 2016.
• Objective is to make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available to the rural and deprived households which were otherwise using traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes, etc.
• Benefits: 1600 for a 14.2 kg cylinder or Rs. 1150 for a 5 kg cylinder.
• All PMUY beneficiaries will be provided with their first LPG refill and stove (hot plate), both free of cost, along with their deposit-free connection.
• Priority would be given to the states which have lower LPG coverage (compared to the national average) as on 1st Jan 2016.
• An adult woman belonging to a poor household and not having an LPG connection in her household will be eligible under UJJWALA 2.0.
• The beneficiaries should belong to any of the following categories:
  • Eligible as per the SECC 2011 list
  • Belongs to SC/ST households, be a beneficiary of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Forest dwellers, Most Backward Classes (MBC), Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes, People residing in river islands (Beneficiary will submit supporting document).
  • If she is not falling in the above 2 categories, then she can stake her claim to be a beneficiary under a poor household by submitting a 14-point declaration (as per prescribed format).
• Exclusions: Male members from a household cannot apply for the scheme.

PRASHAD Scheme : Development of Chamundi Hills

After years of back and forth between the Karnataka government and the Centre, there is finally some progress on the development of Chamundi Hills under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme of the Central government.

• The PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive) was launched in the year 2014-2015 under the Ministry of Tourism.
• It is a Central Sector Scheme with the objective of integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
• The primary objective of the scheme is to develop tourism infrastructure at pilgrimage and heritage sites, ensuring a more enriching experience for pilgrims and heritage enthusiasts.
• Under the scheme, the ministry provides financial assistance to state governments and Union Territory administrations for the development of tourism infrastructure at these sites.
• Additionally, the scheme incorporates voluntary contributions through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
• The scheme aims at infrastructure development such as entry points (road, rail, and water transport), last-mile connectivity, basic tourism facilities like information/interpretation centers, ATMs/money exchange, eco-friendly modes of transport, area lighting and illumination with renewable sources of energy, parking, drinking water, toilets, cloakrooms, waiting rooms, first aid centers, craft bazaars/haats/souvenir shops/cafeterias, rain shelters, telecom facilities, internet connectivity, etc.

Shongtong Karcham Hydroelectric Project : Deadline for the completion

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister recently set a firm November 2026 deadline for the completion of the long-delayed Shongtong-Karcham hydroelectric project.

• Shongtong Karcham Hydroelectric Project is a hydropower project, on the river Satluj in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh.
• It is a run-of-river project.
• Capacity: 3 × 150 MW Francis turbines, totaling 450 MW; produces 1,594 million units per year.
• The gross head and net head of the project will be 128.57 m and 126.58 m respectively.
• The total number of penstocks, pipes, or long channels that carry water down from the hydroelectric reservoir to the turbines inside the actual power station is expected to be 3 in number.
• The penstock length will be 5.1 m. The project is expected to generate 1,593.93 GWh of electricity.
• The project is being developed and currently owned by Himachal Pradesh Power.

SEBI’s New Verified UPI Mechanism:

SEBI has announced a new verified UPI ID system for registered market intermediaries, effective from October 1, 2025, to curb rising cases of cyber fraud and impersonation in securities transactions.

SEBI’s New Verified UPI Mechanism:

• A validated UPI payment framework for SEBI-registered intermediaries featuring exclusive UPI handles ending with @valid.
• The system is being developed in coordination with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which operates the UPI platform.
• Every registered intermediary (broker, mutual fund, etc.) will receive a unique UPI ID: username.category@validBank
• A “thumbs-up in green triangle” icon will appear when transacting with verified IDs.
• The system will integrate with the new ‘SEBI Check’ tool to verify UPI IDs and bank details via QR scan or manual entry.
• UPI IDs will only be allocated to genuine SEBI-registered entities.
• Visual authentication marks help users identify legitimate payees.
• ‘SEBI Check’ confirms both UPI ID and bank account/IFSC code authenticity.

Sharda River : Four teenagers

Four teenagers drowned after being swept away while bathing in the Sharda River recently.

• It is a river of northern India and western Nepal.
• It rises as the Kali River in far northern Uttarakhand state in the Great Himalayas on the eastern slopes of the Nanda Devi massif.
• The river then flows generally south-southwest, where it constitutes the border between Uttarakhand state and Nepal.
• Descending from the mountains, it enters the Indo-Gangetic Plain at Barmdeo Mandi (Nepal), widening there above the Sharda Barrage.
• Below that point it is known as the Sharda River.
• The Sharda then continues southeastward into India through northern Uttar Pradesh state before joining the Ghaghara River (a tributary of the Ganges) southwest of Bahraich, after a course of about 300 miles (480 km).
• Its major tributaries are the Dhauliganga, Goriganga, and Sarju.
• The Sharda Barrage (dam), near Banbasa (Uttarakhand), is the source of the Sharda Canal (completed 1930), one of the longest irrigation canals in northern India.

Servants of India Society:

Tensions between the Pune-based Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) and parent Servants of India Society (SIS) have flared again, with both trading allegations over control of a key bank account.

• The Servants of India Society (SIS) was founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, along with K. Devadhar, A.V. Patwardhan, and N.A. Dravid, in Pune, Maharashtra, on June 12, 1905.
• According to Gokhale, the society’s objectives were to train individuals who were willing to devote their lives to the country’s cause in a religious spirit, for political education and agitation and to promote the national interest of the Indian people through constitutional means.
• The members of the society were considered as young missionaries of Indian nationalism.
• Several young Indian nationalists, including S. Sreenivasa Sasthri, Hriday Nath Kunzru, and A.V. Thakkar, enrolled as a member of the SIS.
• Members go through a five-year training period and agree to serve on extremely modest salaries.
• In 1915 Gokhale was succeeded as president by Srinivasa Sastri (1869–1946).
• The organization has its headquarters in Pune (Poona) and branches in Chennai (Madras), Mumbai (Bombay), Allahabad, Nagpur, and other locales.
• Though the number of members has dwindled over time, the society has been influential in its demonstration of the ideals of social service.

Nandur Madhyameshwar Wildlife Sanctuary:

The Maharashtra forest department started a bus safari service to the Nandur Madhyameshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Nandur Madhyameshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Nashik district of Western
• It was named the “Bharatpur of Maharashtra” by Dr. Salim Ali, one of India’s most famous ornithologists.
• The Site is a mosaic of lakes, marshes and riparian forest on the Deccan Plateau.
• Construction of the Nandur Madhameshwar Weir at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadwa Rivers helped create a thriving wetland.
• The trees that are found on the edge of the lake are Babul, Neem, Tamarind, Jamun, Maharukh, Vilayati Chinch, Mango, Pangara, Nilgiri and so on.
• The occupant feathered creatures incorporate Black Ibis, Spot Bills, Teals, Little Grebe, Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Stork, Kites, Vultures, Buzzards, Harriers, Osprey, Quails, Partridges, Eagles, Water Hens, Sand Pipe, Swifts, Grey Hornbill, Peafowl, and so on.
• The creatures spotted here are Otter, Palm Civet, Fishing Cat, Jackal, Mongoose, Wolves and numerous types of Snakes, and so forth.
• In Jan 2020, the sanctuary achieved the distinction of becoming Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site.

Rudrastra:

India’s latest homegrown battlefield tech marvel Rudrastra was successfully tested by the Indian Army.

• Rudrastra is a hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drone developed by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited (SDAL).
• It can not only take off like a helicopter but also cruise like an aircraft, making it versatile and hard to spot.
• The drone is equipped with smart warheads meant for anti-personnel roles, meaning it can target enemy soldiers and positions with high accuracy.
• It can hit targets more than 50 km away.
• In tests at the Pokhran range, it demonstrated a full range of 170 km and stayed in the air for nearly 90 minutes, relaying real-time video and returning on its own.
• It even dropped an airburst munition that exploded low to the ground, damaging a wide area, perfect for enemy camps or artillery.
• Rudrastra It’s meant for deep strikes, think enemy artillery guns or terrorist hideouts well inside hostile territory.
• The drone can quietly sneak in, strike, and return, all without risking lives. It gives the Army a powerful “stand-off weapon” that works from a safe distance.

DFCC Bank Becomes First Foreign Entity to List Bond on NSE IX at GIFT City:

DFCC Bank PLC of Sri Lanka has become the first foreign corporate to list a bond on India’s National Stock Exchange – International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City, Gujarat. This secondary listing of its LKR 2.5 billion green bond marks a key milestone for Sri Lanka’s financial sector and expands DFCC Bank’s presence across global capital markets in alignment with sustainable development goals.

World Blood Donor Day 2025: Theme

Every year on June 14, countries around the globe observe World Blood Donor Day to recognise and appreciate the life-saving contributions of voluntary blood donors. This day also aims to raise awareness about the constant need for safe blood and blood products. The 2025 theme, “Give Blood, Give Hope”, highlights the emotional and life-sustaining power of blood donations, showing how a single act of generosity can give someone another chance at life and healing.

South Africa Clinches Maiden ICC World Test Championship 2025 Title at Lord’s:

South Africa Clinches first-ever ICC trophy by defeating defending champions Australia by five wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord’s, London. Chasing a challenging target of 282 runs, South Africa scripted a stunning turnaround, anchored by a resolute century from Aiden Markram and gritty leadership by captain Temba Bavuma. This victory not only ended their long ICC title drought but also marked a cultural and sporting milestone for the nation.

Kamlesh Paswan Inaugurates India’s First Agri-Drone Indigenization Hub in Chennai:

Union Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated the Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility of Garuda Aerospace in Chennai on June 14, 2025. Alongside the launch, the Minister also unveiled 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and flagged off the DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) programme, positioning India at the forefront of drone innovation, self-reliance, and skill development. The initiative is a significant step towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a Global Drone Hub by 2030.

Sun Pharma Appoints Kirti Ganorkar as MD:

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, India’s largest pharmaceutical company, has appointed Kirti Ganorkar as its Managing Director, effective September 1, 2025. The move marks the culmination of a carefully planned succession process, with founder Dilip Shanghvi transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman. While Ganorkar will oversee day-to-day business operations, Shanghvi will continue guiding the company’s long-term strategy and its specialty portfolio.Sun Pharma announced a significant leadership change aimed at reinforcing its long-term growth trajectory. Kirti Ganorkar’s elevation as MD and Dilip Shanghvi’s continued role as Executive Chairman underscore a strategic shift aligned with governance continuity, innovation, and global expansion. The announcement follows steady growth in Sun Pharma’s India business and reflects confidence in internal leadership development.