UPSC Mains Current Affairs for 19 June 2025

by Vajiram & Ravi - 19 June 2025

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Mains Current Affairs for 19 June 2025, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Chandigarh Leads, Meghalaya Trails in School Education Rankings 2023–24

June 19, 2025
School Education Performance Index India

Performance Grading Index Latest News

  • Chandigarh has been adjudged the best performer in school education for the academic year 2023-24, as per the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 Report released by the Union Ministry of Education.

Performance Grading Index 2.0: An Overview

  • The Union Ministry of Education released the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) 2.0 for the academic year 2023-24 on June 18, 2025. 
  • This upgraded framework assesses school education quality across States and Union Territories (UTs) on a scale of 1,000 points. 
  • It measures performance across multiple domains such as: 
    • Learning Outcomes, 
    • Access, 
    • Infrastructure, 
    • Equity, 
    • Governance, and 
    • Teacher Education
  • The PGI-D 2.0 aims to enable data-driven policymaking, promote evidence-based interventions, and encourage States/UTs to improve learning environments and outcomes in schools.

Top Performers: Chandigarh, Punjab, and Delhi

  • Chandigarh secured the highest rank this year, becoming the only State/UT placed in the fifth-highest grade, Prachesta-1, with a score of 719 out of 1,000. 
    • To attain this grade, a region must score between 701-760. The city showed balanced strength across domains such as learning outcomes, infrastructure, and equity.
  • Following Chandigarh, ten other States and UTs were placed in Prachesta-3 (scores between 581-640), including:
    • Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, Kerala, Odisha, Goa, Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu
  • These regions demonstrated consistent performance in indicators such as access to education, infrastructure development, and educational governance.

Bottom-Ranked and Lagging States

  • Meghalaya scored the lowest in the PGI 2.0 with 417 points and was the only State placed in the lowest performance level, Akanshi-3 (401-460 score bracket). 
  • Other States such as Bihar, Assam, Telangana, Jharkhand, Tripura, Manipur, Chhattisgarh, and the Northeastern States (Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh) also performed poorly, falling into the Akanshi-2 category (scores between 461-520).
  • These States struggled primarily with issues related to student retention, basic infrastructure, and governance-related challenges.

Middle Performers and Average Scores

  • Fourteen States and UTs, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, were placed in the Akanshi-1 category, scoring between 521-580. 
  • These regions performed moderately well but still have considerable scope for improvement, especially in learning outcomes and teacher training.

States Showing Highest Improvements

  • The PGI 2.0 also highlighted the States that made the most significant improvements over the previous year (2022-23):
    • Bihar and Telangana showed the most progress in access to education, with enhancements in student enrolment, retention rates, and transition to higher grades.
    • Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Telangana made notable improvements in school infrastructure, with better availability of drinking water, electricity, clean toilets, and digital learning tools.
  • These gains demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted interventions and public investments in school systems in underperforming regions.

PGI Methodology and Grading System

  • The PGI 2.0 assigns scores based on weighted indicators. For instance, if the indicator “proficiency in Mathematics in Grade 5” carries a weightage of 20 and a State has 50% of students achieving the minimum proficiency, the score awarded is 10 (20 x 0.5). 
  • This method ensures that the quality of education is measured holistically, accounting for both outcomes and enabling conditions.
  • Despite progress, no State or UT has yet achieved the highest performance grade, Utkarsh, which requires a score above 90% (761-1,000 points). 
  • This indicates the need for accelerated reforms across the country.

Source: TH | BS

Performance Grading Index FAQs

Q1: Which State/UT topped the PGI 2.0 school education index for 2023–24?

Ans: Chandigarh secured the highest rank with a score of 719 and was placed in the Prachesta-1 grade.

Q2: What is the score range for Prachesta-1 in the PGI index?

Ans: Prachesta-1 includes States scoring between 701 and 760 out of 1,000 points.

Q3: Which States showed the most improvement in access to education?

Ans: Bihar and Telangana recorded the highest improvement in access indicators.

Q4: Which State was the lowest performer in the PGI 2.0 for 2023–24?

Ans: Meghalaya was the lowest scorer with 417 points, placing it in Akanshi-3.

Q5: How many States improved their scores in the PGI 2.0 compared to the previous year?

Ans: A total of 24 States and Union Territories improved their scores over the previous year.

India’s 2026 GDP Base Year Revision and Its Global Impact

June 19, 2025
India GDP Base Year Revision

India GDP Base Year Revision Latest News

  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is set to revise the base year for calculating India’s GDP from 2011-12 to 2022-23, with the updated data series to be released on February 27, 2026.
  • In addition, the base years for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be updated to 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively, reflecting broader efforts to align key macroeconomic indicators with current economic realities.

Rationale Behind GDP Base Year Revisions

  • The upcoming 2026 GDP base year revision will be the eighth such update in India’s economic history.
  • Purpose of Revising the Base Year
    • The primary aim of updating the GDP base year is to ensure more accurate measurement of the economy.
    • Precise GDP data is essential for policy formulation, business decisions, and broader economic analysis.
  • Complexity of GDP Estimation
  • GDP tries to capture the entire economic activity in one number, but estimating it is challenging because:
    • It must exclude the value of intermediate goods to avoid double counting.
    • GDP only includes the market value of final goods and services.
    • Even when data is available, calculations are complex; often, all required data isn't fully accurate or updated.
  • Evolving Economic Structure
    • India’s economy has transformed structurally over the decades:
      • Earlier: Predominantly agrarian economy.
      • Now: Services sector contributes over 55% to GDP; agriculture’s share has declined.
    • Estimating output in these sectors requires different data sources and methods, reflecting the economy’s changing nature.
  • Improvements in Data and Methodology
    • With better data availability and evolving global best practices, statistical methods must be revised to:
      • Expand sectoral coverage.
      • Use updated datasets.
      • Reflect new economic activities (e.g., digital economy).

Benefits of Regular Revisions in GDP Base Year and Methodology

  • Reflects Structural Changes in the Economy
    • Regular updates help capture shifts in economic composition.
    • New and emerging industries can be included, while outdated sectors can be excluded.
    • This ensures GDP calculations stay aligned with present-day realities.
  • Provides Accurate Measure of Real Growth
    • Revising the base year helps in better adjustment for inflation.
    • It improves the estimation of real GDP, which reflects actual increase in output, not just price rise.
    • This leads to a clearer picture of true economic performance, aiding policymakers and analysts.

Why the GDP Base Year Was Not Revised After 2011-12

  • Initial Plan for 2017-18 Revision
    • In 2017, the government announced plans to revise the GDP base year to 2017-18.
    • The revision was to be based on updated data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) and Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
  • Data Quality Concerns
    • Both surveys faced setbacks:
      • PLFS (2017-18) revealed 45-year high unemployment, which the government initially questioned.
      • CES (2017-18) showed a decline in consumption, suggesting rising poverty—a reversal of historical trends.
      • While PLFS was later accepted post-2019 elections, CES results were never released due to reliability concerns.
  • Policy Disruptions Made 2017-18 an Abnormal Year
    • The year 2017-18 witnessed major economic disruptions:
      • Demonetisation in November 2016.
      • GST rollout in July 2017.
    • These events contributed to a significant slowdown in GDP growth, making 2017-18 unsuitable as a representative base year.
  • COVID-19 Further Delayed the Update
    • From 2020 onwards, the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe economic disruptions.
    • As a result, subsequent years could not be considered “normal”, delaying the revision further.

Why the Upcoming GDP Revision Is Crucial for India’s Global Standing

  • Past Controversies Have Undermined Credibility
    • The last GDP revision in 2015 faced heavy criticism.
    • Experts, including former Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian, argued that India was overstating its GDP.
    • Critics pointed to discrepancies between different data sources, especially in the manufacturing sector.
  • Missed 2017-18 Revision Added to Inaccuracies
    • The failure to revise the base year in 2017-18 likely led to data inaccuracies.
    • This delay has caused methodological gaps in current GDP estimates.
  • Widening Trust Deficit in Macro Data
    • Disputes over the PLFS and CES surveys and the absence of a Census have raised concerns.
    • There are gaps in poverty and inequality data, further eroding trust in India’s macroeconomic statistics.
  • High Stakes for Credibility and Investment
    • The new GDP series will be released when India is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy (in nominal GDP).
    • As a result, global investors, institutions, and analysts will scrutinize the data more rigorously than ever.
    • The revision’s accuracy and transparency will affect:
      • Investor confidence, with billions of dollars at stake.
      • Policymaking, as reliable data is vital for effective governance.
      • India’s reputation in the global economic community.

Source: IE  |  ETN

India GDP Base Year Revision FAQs

Q1: Why is India revising its GDP base year in 2026?

Ans: To reflect structural economic changes and ensure GDP estimates align with current realities and inflation-adjusted real growth.

Q2: What is the new GDP base year for India?

Ans: India will shift the GDP base year from 2011–12 to 2022–23, with revised data released on February 27, 2026.

Q3: Why was the 2017-18 GDP base year plan dropped?

Ans: Due to poor data quality, demonetisation, GST impact, and abnormal economic disruptions during that period.

Q4: How do base year revisions benefit economic analysis?

Ans: They improve accuracy, capture new economic activities, and allow better inflation adjustments for measuring real economic growth.

Q5: Why is this revision vital for India’s global image?

Ans: It comes as India nears third-largest economy status, demanding transparent, credible data for investor confidence and global trust.

UN Oceans Conference 2025: Key Agreements, BBNJ Treaty, and Global Ocean Commitments

June 19, 2025
UN Oceans Conference 2025

UN Oceans Conference 2025 Latest News

About 2025 UN Ocean Conference

  • The third edition of UNOC (2025) focused on accelerating global action to protect oceans, especially international waters beyond national boundaries.
  • It was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. 
  • Theme - “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.
  • The Conference sought to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14 - Life Below Water), with three main priorities, to produce an ambitious Nice Ocean Action Plan:
    • Priority 1: Working towards completion of multilateral processes linked to the ocean
    • Priority 2: Mobilizing finance resources for the SDG14 and supporting the development of a sustainable blue economy
    • Priority 3: Strengthen and better disseminate knowledge linked to marine sciences to enhance policy-making

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty

  • Adopted in 2023, BBNJ is an international agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) focused on conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. 
  • It aimed to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) to prevent overfishing and deep-sea mining in these global commons.
  • Link to Global Biodiversity Goals
    • The conference supports the Convention on Biological Diversity, which targets protecting 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030.
    • UNOC focuses on implementing this by pushing countries to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty.
  • Treaty Ratification Status
    • Though 160 countries have signed the BBNJ Treaty (High Seas Treaty), only 56 have ratified it so far.
    • The treaty requires 60 ratifications to begin a 120-day countdown before it becomes legally binding.
  • Treaty Objectives
    • Once enforced, the BBNJ treaty will:
      • Create marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction.
      • Mandate environmental impact assessments for high-seas activities.
      • Regulate access to marine genetic resources.
      • Provide capacity-building support for developing countries.
  • India's and U.S.'s Positions
    • India has not ratified it yet but is “in the process.”
    • The United States has also not ratified the treaty.
  • Future Outlook
    • The UN anticipates 70 ratifications by September 2025.
    • Plans are in place to host the first BBNJ Conference of Parties (COP) — similar to climate COPs — in late 2026.

Key Hurdles to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty

  • Disputes Over Benefit Sharing
    • The most contentious issue is how to share commercial benefits from marine genetic resources found in the high seas.
    • These areas lie beyond national jurisdiction, making it difficult to establish ownership or profit-sharing mechanisms.
  • Lack of Consensus on Extraction
    • While extracting exotic marine life is technically challenging, there’s no clear global agreement on regulating such activities.
    • Environmental groups argue that without a ban or strict controls on extraction, the treaty’s conservation goals will be undermined.
  • Risk to Ocean Ecosystems
    • Critics warn that continued or unregulated extraction poses a serious threat to ocean health and biodiversity, defeating the treaty’s purpose.

Key Achievements of the United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC)

  • Major Financial Commitments
    • The European Commission pledged €1 billion for ocean conservation, sustainable fishing, and marine science.
    • Germany announced a €100 million programme to clear old munitions from the Baltic and North Seas.
    • New Zealand committed $52 million to support ocean governance in the Pacific Islands.
      Italy allocated €6.5 million to improve marine surveillance and protection.
    • Canada contributed $9 million to the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance for climate resilience in vulnerable coastal regions.
  • Expansion of Marine Protected Areas
    • French Polynesia pledged to establish the world’s largest marine protected area, covering its entire exclusive economic zone (~5 million sq. km).
    • Spain committed to creating five new marine protected areas, aiming to protect 25% of its marine territory.
  • New Global Coalitions and Initiatives
    • The High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean was launched by 37 countries, led by Panama and Canada, to combat ocean noise pollution.
    • A UN agency collective initiated the One Ocean Finance process to mobilize funding from blue economy sectors.

Source: TH | UNESCO

UN Oceans Conference 2025 FAQs

Q1: What is the BBNJ Treaty?

Ans: An international agreement to protect marine biodiversity in international waters through protected areas, impact assessments, and benefit sharing.

Q2: Why is the BBNJ Treaty important?

Ans: It protects global commons from overfishing, deep-sea mining, and unregulated exploitation, promoting equitable benefit sharing.

Q3: What were the major financial pledges at UNOC?

Ans: EU, Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and others pledged over €1 billion for ocean science, governance, and conservation.

Q4: What are key challenges to the BBNJ Treaty?

Ans: Disputes over profit-sharing, lack of extraction regulation, and threats to biodiversity from commercial marine exploitation.

Q5: What are the priorities for the 2025 Ocean Conference?

Ans: Completing global treaties, financing the blue economy, and enhancing marine science for effective policy-making.

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