UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 19 June 2025

Cook Islands

June 19, 2025

Cook Islands Latest News

New Zealand recently suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group's deepening ties with China.

About Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are a group of 15 small islands that are spread over 2 million sq. km in the South Pacific Ocean.
These islands are geographically positioned both in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth.
The islands are situated in the center of the Polynesian Triangle–about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand.
The Cook Islands are located to the east of Niue, Tonga, and Samoa; to the northeast of New Zealand; to the south of Kiribati and to the west of French Polynesia.
Named after Captain Cook, who explored them in 1773, the islands were once autonomous, home to tribes of mixed Polynesian ancestry.
The islands cover a total land area of 240 sq. km.
They are divided into a northern group of six islands and a southern group of nine islands.
- Northern Islands: These are mostly low-lying and sparsely populated coral atolls; and include the islands of Manihiki, Nassau, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, and Suwarrow and are covered in light vegetation and equipped with stunning white sand beaches.
- Southern islands: These generally consist of much larger, higher islands that are volcanic in origin and more densely populated. The southern island group includes Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manuae, Mauke, Mitiaro, Palmerston, and Takutea.
The distance between the two island groups is enormous.
The highest point is Te Manga, which rises to 652 m on Rarotonga Island.
Most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga.
Capital: Avarua, which is on Rarotonga island.
It is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand, an arrangement dating from August 1965.
Under the terms of the free association, Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship and enjoy the right of free access to New Zealand and, by extension, Australia.
System of Government: Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy.Currency: NZ dollars (NZD)

Source: DH

Cook Islands FAQs

Q1: Where are the Cook Islands located?

Ans: South Pacific Ocean

Q2: What is the capital of the Cook Islands?

Ans: Avarua

Q3: The Cook Islands consist of how many islands in total?

Ans: 15

Q4: The Cook Islands are geographically part of which triangle in the Pacific region?

Ans: Polynesian Triangle

Russell’s Viper

June 19, 2025

Russell’s Viper Latest News

Studies carried out in mice have demonstrated that two approved drugs — varespladib and marimastat — were effective in countering systemic and lethal effects of Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) venom either individually or in combination.

About Russell’s Viper

Russell’s vipe is a highly venomous terrestrial snake of the family Viperidae found in Asia.
It is one of the big four snakes (deadliest snakes) in India, the others being the Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), the Indian Cobra (Naja naja) and the Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus).
Russell’s vipers are responsible for over half of India’s snakebite cases.
Habitat: They tend to avoid dense forests. They are mostly found in open, grassy, or bushy areas, but may also be found in second-growth forests (scrub jungles), on forested plantations, and on farmland.
Distribution: It is found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, Cambodia, Tibet, China (Guangxi, Guangdong), Taiwan, and Indonesia.

Features of Russell’s Viper

The snake can grow up to 1.5 meters and is identified by its distinctive reddish-brown spots outlined in black and white.
It has a wide, triangular head with small, overlapping scales, large nostrils, and small eyes with vertical pupils.
It is mainly nocturnal, becoming active as the sun fades.
These snakes are quite sedentary, often staying in one place for several days unless disturbed.
Conservations Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Highlights of the Study

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and Snake Venom Metalloproteinase (SVMPs) are two main components of Russell’s viper snake venom.
These toxins interfere with components of the blood clotting cascade to induce anticoagulant and haemorrhagic effects in humans. While the varespladib drug inhibits PLA2, the marimastat drug inhibits SVMP.
The PLA2 inhibitor varespladib was found to neutralise even the high PLA2 activity of the venom found in Tamil Nadu and Punjab. The varespladib drug effectively inhibited the modest PLA2 activity of the venom from other Indian regions.

Source: TH

Russell’s Viper FAQs

Q1: What is the role of the phospholipase?

Ans: Phospholipases are enzymes that cleave ester bonds within phospholipids. As a consequence of these hydrolysis reactions, a variety of lipid products are generated, which control much of cellular signaling.

Q2: Which drug is made from snake venom?

Ans: Batroxobin and cobratide

Q3: What is anti-venom used for?

Ans: Antivenom is used to neutralise snake bite toxins in people showing evidence of envenomation.

Bajau Tribe

June 19, 2025

Bajau Tribe Latest News

Research has revealed that the Bajau’s spleens are, on an average, 50% larger than those of the general population, a natural adaptation that allows them to live longer and deep diver.

About Bajau Tribe

The Bajau, also called the Sea Gypsies or Sea Nomads, come from the Sulu Islands region in the Southern Philippines.
And because of their nomadic sea life, this tribe eventually spread into the waters of Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
The Bajau are renowned for their extraordinary free-diving abilities.
- Without using modern diving gear, they can dive to depths of 20–30 metres and hold their breath for five to 13 minutes.
- Bajau have spleens that are, on average, 50% larger than those of ordinary people, a natural adaptation that enables them to dive deeper and longer.
- Scientists have traced this adaptation to a variation in the PDE10A gene.
People of the Bajau Tribe live in wooden pole houses and houseboats called Lepa-Lepa. Their activities are mostly carried out on the boat.
Following seasonal changes, they move between islands, entirely dependent on the sea for food, income, and daily needs.
Fishing remains central to their lifestyle and is a strong reflection of their cultural heritage. Communal fishing activities help preserve traditional practices and strengthen social bonds.
They occasionally go ashore only to sell their catch to buy secondary needs that they cannot make themselves.

Source: TOI

Bajau Tribe FAQs

Q1: The Bajau tribe originally comes from which region?

Ans: Sulu Islands, Southern Philippines

Q2: How long can Bajau dive for?

Ans: Bajau people are capable of submerging up to 200 feet and remaining submerged for up to 10 minutes due to their larger spleens

Q3: How long have the Bajau people lived?

Ans: The Bajau have lived for more than 1000 years on house boats in the waters around Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Operation Sindhu

June 19, 2025

Operation Sindhu Latest News

India recently announced launching ‘Operation Sindhu’ to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran as fears of an all-out Israeli-American military strike on Iran increased.

About Operation Sindhu

It was launched by the Government of India to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran in view of the deteriorating situation as a result of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
More than 10,000 Indians are currently in Iran, including around 6,000 students.
In the first leg of the operation, 110 Indian students from northern Iran were successfully evacuated and transported by road to Yerevan, Armenia, under the supervision of Indian Missions in Iran and Armenia .
The Indian embassy in Tehran, together with the mission in Armenia, has been actively relocating citizens from high-risk areas within Iran to safer zones while coordinating further evacuation efforts via all available routes.
To oversee and support the operation, the government has established a 24×7 Control Room in New Delhi to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected nationals.
Additionally, the Embassy of India in Tehran has set up its own 24×7 emergency helpline to assist citizens on the ground.
Additional phases of Operation Sindhu are anticipated to proceed as developments occur.

Source: IE

Operation Sindhu FAQs

Q1: What is the primary objective of Operation Sindhu?

Ans: To evacuate Indian nationals from Iran due to the Iran-Israel conflict.

Q2: Approximately how many Indians are currently in Iran as per the operation details?

Ans: More than 10,000 Indians are currently in Iran, including around 6,000 students.

Q3: To which country were Indian students first evacuated from northern Iran?

Ans: Armenia

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

June 19, 2025

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Tribal students and residents of Kannampadi within the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary are about to open a new chapter in their life, with three new libraries set to open in the tribal settlement.

About Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: It is located in the state of Kerala.
It covers forests surrounding the Idukki Arch Dam.
Terrain: The terrain of the sanctuary is characterized by steep mountains, valleys, and hills.
Topography: Altitude ranging from 450 to 1272 m. The highest peak is Vanjur Medu (1272 m).
Rivers: The major rivers flowing through the area are Periyar and Cheruthoniar.
Rainfall: Average rainfall is 3800 mm.
Vegetation: West Coast Tropical Evergreen forests, Semi Evergreen forests, Moist Deciduous Forests, Hill shoals, and Grasslands.

Flora and Fauna of Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Forests are essentially dense teak, rosewood, jackfruit, ebony, cinnamon, and diverse bamboo species.
It is home to Elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger, wild boar etc apart from various species of snakes including cobra, viper, krait, etc.
Birds include jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher, etc.
It is home to the endangered species of the Nilgiri Tahr

Source: TH

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Which is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala?

Ans: Periyar Wildlife sanctuary

Q2: What is the speciality of Nilgiri tahr?

Ans: The Nilgiri tahr is a stocky goat with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane.

Q3: Where are Sholas found in India?

Ans: They are found only in South India in the Southern Western Ghats high altitude mountains in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu(Nilgiri).

Reverse Flipping

June 19, 2025

Reverse Flipping Latest News

The SEBI recently announced a slew of measures to ease the compliance burden in the stock market ecosystem, encourage more companies to list on the bourses after reverse flipping to India, and facilitate greater foreign fund flows into government bonds.

What is Flipping?

Flipping, or ‘externalised structure,’ refers to the process of transferring entire ownership of an Indian entity to an entity incorporated abroad along with the transfer of key assets, like intellectual property, to a foreign entity despite having most of their market, personnel, and founders in India.
This results in the Indian company becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the foreign company, with its day-to-day operations in India.
Many Indian start-ups have previously adopted the flipping strategy, primarily because of the taxation benefits that some of the foreign countries offer. These include Singapore, the UAE, the Cayman Islands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Some other reasons why companies flip are to access the capital markets, higher valuations, branding and reach, and a more protective intellectual property environment.

About Reverse Flipping

Reverse flipping, or ‘internalisation,’ is the practice where a foreign entity-owned start-up shifts its domicile back to India.
The primary reason for start-ups to flip back is to potentially get listed on Indian stock exchanges, attracting interested retail investors to invest in startup shares.
Some other reasons why start-ups are considering reverse flipping to India are the country's robust economic policies, expanding local market, and growing investor confidence in its startup ecosystem.
There are various structures for executing the reverse flip, depending on the size, location and nature of the firm. Choosing the right structure for a reverse flip is critical for a start-up, as it impacts legal, regulatory, and tax considerations.
‘Inbound Merger’ and ‘Share Swap Arrangement’ are the two most used structures to execute a reverse flip.

Source: BS

Reverse Flipping FAQs

Q1: What does the term "flipping" refer to in the Indian startup ecosystem?

Ans: Reverse flipping, or ‘internalisation,’ is the practice where a foreign entity-owned start-up shifts its domicile back to India.

Q2: What happens to the Indian company after flipping?

Ans: It becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of a foreign entity.

Q3: What is Reverse Flipping also known as?

Ans: Internalisation

Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy

June 19, 2025

Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy Latest News

Recently, atmospheric science experts from across the world congregated at Nainital, Uttarakhand discussed the importance of Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy-based observations from ecologically sensitive Himalayan regions for studies on the topic.

About Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy

It is also known as FTIR Analysis or FTIR Spectroscopy.
It is a powerful analytical tool for identifying chemical constituents and elucidating compound structures in various real-world samples.
It does this by analyzing the vibrational modes of molecular functional groups.
The FTIR analysis method uses infrared light to scan test samples and observe chemical properties.
It gives information about molecular vibrations, provides identification of functional groups and also identifies chemical components, molecules and molecular segments.
This technique is useful for analyzing the chemical composition of smaller particles, typically 10 -50 microns, as well as larger areas on the surface.

Applications of Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy

It is an established technique for quality control when evaluating industrially manufactured material.
It is used for monitoring air quality, testing water quality, and analyzing soil to address environmental and health concerns caused by increasing pollution levels.
It is used to identify organic, polymeric, and, in some cases, inorganic materials.

Source: PIB

Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy FAQ's

Q1: What is the principle of Fourier transform infrared spectrometer?

Ans: It basically works on the principle of absorption of an infrared light source on the sample.

Q2: Who discovered infrared waves?

Ans: Sir Frederick William Herschel

Q3: What are Infrared Waves?

Ans: Infrared waves are invisible to the human eye but can be felt as heat. All objects emit infrared radiation as a function of their temperature. The hotter an object is, the more infrared radiation it emits.

Sustainable Cities Integrated Pilot Approach Project

June 19, 2025

Sustainable Cities Integrated Pilot Approach Project Latest News

Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, has embraced an eco-friendly transformation in waste management by deploying over 200 electric autos for door-to-door garbage collection which is supported by the Sustainable Cities Integrated Pilot Approach (SCIAP) project.

About Sustainable Cities Integrated Pilot Approach Project

The project aims to address UN-Habitat's commitments to support the Government of India in promoting sustainable urban planning and management, integrating urban infrastructure and service delivery in cities.
It aids 28 cities from 11 countries to address the challenges posed by megatrends of global environmental degradation, in an integrated manner.
The primary objective is to foster an environment conducive to investments in green infrastructure.
These investments are intended to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, enhance service delivery, and improve the overall quality of life for citizens.
It is being implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with funding assistance from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The implementation of the project is underway in five pilot cities – Bhopal, Guntur, Mysore, Vijayawada, and Jaipur.

Key Facts about UN-Habitat

It is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system.
It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.
It works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities.
UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.
Headquarters: Nairobi

Source: PIB

Sustainable Cities Integrated Pilot Approach Project FAQs

Q1: What are the key features of sustainable cities?

Ans: Some important factors contributing to a city's sustainability include the use of renewable energy, efficient use of public transport, urban farming, implementation of green infrastructure, waste management, and water conservation system.

Q2: Is India part of Global Environment Facility?

Ans: India is both a donor and a recipient of GEF.

Q3: What are the objectives of Global Environment Facility ?

Ans: The GEF finances measures to achieve global environmental benefits in the areas of climate change, biodiversity, international waters and ozone layer depletion.

Nothopegia

June 19, 2025

Nothopegia Latest News

Recently, a team of researchers discovered 24-million-year-old fossilized leaves resembling modern plant species of the Nothopegia genus from Makum Coalfield of Assam.

About Nothopegia

It is a genus of plants in the family Anacardiaceae.
The native range of this genus is Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka.
At present species of this genus are found in Western Ghats region.

Key Findings of Nothopegiae

These fossilized leaves, dating back around 24–23 million years to the late Oligocene epoch, were the world’s oldest known fossil record of a plant genus called Nothopegia.
It is suggested that the ancient environment of northeast India once provided a perfect home for Nothopegia.
The Himalayas began their dramatic rise due to tectonic movements, bringing with them sweeping changes in temperature, rainfall, and wind patterns.
These geological convulsions cooled the northeast, rendering it inhospitable for many tropical plant species, including Nothopegia.
The species survived in the climatically stable Western Ghats, making it a living relic of an ancient ecological past.
Methodology used: Herbarium comparison, Cluster analysis, Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP)

Source: PIB

Nothopegia FAQs

Q1: Where is Western Ghats located?

Ans: A chain of mountains running parallel to India's western coast the Ghats traverse the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Q2: What happened in the oligocene epoch?

Ans: Global climates became cooler during the Oligocene, causing sea levels to drop.

Q3: What are the stages of the Oligocene period?

Ans: The Early Oligocene Rupelian Stage includes the interval from 34–28.5 Ma. The Late Oligocene Chattian Stage is dated between 28.5–23.8 Ma

Captain James Cook

June 19, 2025

Captain James Cook Latest News

After 250 years, the long-lost ship of Captain James Cook, HMS Endeavour, has finally been discovered off the coast of Newport Harbour, Rhode Island.

About Captain James Cook

James Cook (1728-1779) was a British naval captain, navigator, and explorer.
James Cook was born on October 27, 1728, in Marton, Yorkshire, England. At age 18 he became a sailor on the North Sea. While ashore, he studied mathematics.
In 1755 Cook joined the British Royal Navy. He was promoted quickly and took command of a ship at age 29.
He took part in several battles in what is now Canada during the French and Indian War.
After the war he charted the coast of Newfoundland.
He sailed the seaways and coasts of Canada (1759 and 1763–67) and conducted three expeditions to the Pacific Ocean (1768–71, 1772–75, and1776–79), ranging from the Antarctic ice fields to the Bering Strait and from the coasts of North America to Australia and New Zealand.
In 1766 he wrote a paper about an eclipse of the Sun that won him fame as a scientific observer.
Three Voyages of Discovery:
- The First Voyage:
  - In 1768 the Royal Society of London, an organization of scientists, asked Cook to lead the first scientific expedition to the Pacific Ocean.
  - Cook’s expedition charted New Zealand. It also reached the southeastern coast of Australia in 1770.
  - Cook named the continent New South Wales and claimed it for Great Britain. He returned to England the following year.
- The Second Voyage:
  - Between 1772 and 1775, Cook went around the world from west to east, seeking to discover another southern continent.
  - Cook did not reach Antarctica, but he did become the first European to cross the Antarctic Circle. He also discovered and mapped many island groups.
- The Third Voyage:
  - In 1776 Cook set out in search of a Northwest Passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic across the top of North America.
  - He did not succeed, but he did become the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands.
  - Revisiting the islands on his way back from the Arctic, Cook was killed by Hawaiians. He died on February 14, 1779.

Source: NDTV

Captain James Cook FAQs

Q1: What is Captain James Cook most famous for?

Ans: Captain Cook is considered one of the greatest navigators and explorers of all time.

Q2: What was the main purpose of Cook’s first voyage (1768–1771)?

Ans: To lead a scientific expedition to the Pacific Ocean.

Q3: What happened to Captain James Cook?

Ans: On 14 February 1779, Captain James Cook was killed in Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii in a confrontation with the indigenous Hawaiians

Q4: Who discovered Hawaii?

Ans: Captain James Cook