UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 20 June 2025

Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary

June 20, 2025

Sharavathy Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary

Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Following the arrest and subsequent bail of farmers accused of entering the Sharavati Lion Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary in Sagar taluk with country-made weapons, the situation has become increasingly tense.

About Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary

It is located in the Sharavathi River Valley of Sagar taluk in Shivamogga District, Karnataka.
The sanctuary is part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The area of the sanctuary is around 431.23 sq. km., with the Linganamakki reservoir covering 124 sq.km.
It was formed by combining the existing Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Aghanashini Lion-Tailed Macaque Conservation Reserve, and the adjoining reserve forest blocks.
The sanctuary shares its southwestern boundary with the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary.
The overall terrain of the sanctuary is highly undulating, with altitude ranging from 94 m to 1102 m.
Vegetation: It mainly consists of tropical evergreen to semi-evergreen types of forests, moist deciduous forests, and grasslands and savanna.
Flora: The sanctuary is immensely rich in species like Dhoopa, Gulmavu, Surahonne, Mavu, Nandi, etc.
Fauna:
- It is considered a key habitat for protecting the endangered lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), considered endemic to the Western Ghats.
- Other mammals include the tiger, leopard, wild dog, jackal, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar,barking deer, mouse deer, wild pig, common langur, bonnet macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, etc.

Source: TOI

Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is the Sharavathi Lion Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district, Karnataka

Q2: Which river valley is associated with the Sharavathi Lion Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Sharavathi River

Q3: What is the area of Sharavathi Valley lion-tailed macaque Sanctuary?

Ans: 431 sq. km.

Q4: The Sharavathi Sanctuary is a key habitat for which endangered primate species?

Ans: Lion-Tailed Macaque

Agarwood

June 20, 2025

Agarwood Latest News

The soaring market demand has led to widespread overharvesting, pushing wild populations of agarwood to the brink of extinction.

About Agarwood

Aquilaria malaccensis, commonly known as agarwood, is a species of tree belonging to the Thymelaeaceae family.
It is well-known for producing a fragrant resinous wood, which is highly valued for its distinct aroma.
The resin is produced as a defence mechanism due to the intense stress suffered by the trees when they are infected by a type of mold belonging to the Phaeoacremonium species (Phialophora parasitica).
Agarwood, known as Oud, Gaharu or Agar is prized as the world’s most valuable incense.
In the wild, it takes nearly a decade for a tree to mature.
It grows in the wild in the Northeast, especially in Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. The name of Tripura’s capital, ‘Agartala’ is derived from agarwood trees that were abundant in the past.
There are references to its therapeutic properties in ancient Ayurvedic texts, including the Charaka Samhita.
The Government of India submitted a Non-Discretionary Finding (NDF) to prevent inclusion of agarwood in the Review of Significant Trade (RST) of the CITES.

Conservation Status of Agarwood

IUCN: Critically Endangered
CITES: Appendix II
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV

Source: : DTE

Agarwood FAQ's

Q1: What is Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora?

Ans: It is an international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Q2: What is resin used for?

Ans: Resins are used in varnishes, adhesives, food additives, incenses and perfumes.

Q3: Why is oud so expensive?

Ans: One major factor underlying oud's high costs is the limited availability of Agarwood trees originating in Southeast Asia

Global Drought Outlook Report

June 20, 2025

Global Drought Outlook Report Latest News

Recently, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released the Global Drought Outlook Report.

About Global Drought Outlook Report

It assesses how countries can strengthen drought management to adapt to a changing climate.
It provides new insights into the rising human, environmental, and economic impacts of droughts and offers practical policy solutions to minimise losses, build long-term resilience, and support adaptation to a drier future.

Key Findings

Droughts across the world: 40% of the world’s land area faces increasingly frequent and severe droughts.
Economic impact: 3% - 7.5% annual increase in the economic cost of an average drought episode.
35% minimum projected increase in drought-related economic losses by 2035
Since 1980, 37% of global land has experienced significant soil moisture loss, while water levels in many rivers and aquifers globally are in decline.
The majority of monitored groundwater table levels have also shown widespread declines in recent decades.
Despite accounting for only 6% of natural disasters, droughts cause 34% of all disaster-related deaths and exacerbate displacement and migration, especially in SubSaharan Africa.

Source: OECD

Global Drought Outlook Report FAQs

Q1: Which organization publishes Global Drought Outlook Report?

Ans: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Q2: What is the organization for economic cooperation and development?

Ans: It is a unique forum where the governments of 37 democracies with market-based economies collaborate to develop policy standards to promote sustainable economic growth.

FASTag Annual Pass Scheme

June 20, 2025

FASTag Annual Pass Scheme Latest News

Recently, the union Minister of Road Transport and Highways announced a FASTag-based annual pass of Rs 3,000 for “hassle-free-highway travel”.

About FASTag Annual Pass Scheme

FASTag is an electronic toll collection system managed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
A FASTag was launched in 2014 as a pilot project and made mandatory at every toll plaza in the country in 2021.
The new annual pass scheme, activated on the FASTag, will allow free passage of private car, jeep or van at National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) fee plazas for the given duration, without per-trip user fee charges.
Once the Annual Pass completes either 200 trips or one year from the date of activation, it will automatically revert to a regular FASTag.
However, the user may re-purchase the Annual Pass once the 200-trip limit is exhausted, even if the one-year validity period has not yet ended.
The pass is non-transferable and is valid only for the vehicle on which the FASTag is affixed and registered.
For the point-based fee plazas, each crossing of the fee plaza will be counted as one trip. A round trip (to and fro) will be counted as two trips. For closed tolling fee plazas, one pair of entry and exit will be counted as one trip.
The Annual Pass is applicable only for private non-commercial cars, jeeps and vans.
It is valid only at National Highway and National Expressway fee plazas.
It will be activated after verifying the eligibility of the vehicle and the associated FASTag. Upon successful verification, the user will have to make a payment of Rs. 3,000 for the base year 2025–26 through the Rajmargyatra mobile application or the NHAI website.

Source: IE

FASTag Annual Pass Scheme FAQs

Q1: What is National Highways Authority of India?

Ans: It is a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Q2: What is the National Payments Corporation of India?

Ans: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India,

Extreme Helium Star

June 20, 2025

Extreme Helium Star Latest News

Researchers have uncovered a cosmic twist in a star named A980 that belongs to a rare class called Extreme Helium (EHe) stars, carrying a surprisingly high amount of germanium—a metallic element never before observed in this type of star.

About Extreme Helium Star

It is a low-mass supergiant that is almost devoid of hydrogen.
These rare and enigmatic stars seem to consist primarily of helium, rather than the ubiquitous hydrogen that makes up the bulk of typical stars such as the sun.
EHe stars are thought to originate from the merger of a carbon-oxygen white dwarf with a less massive helium white dwarf.
There are 21 of them detected so far in our galaxy.
These have effective temperatures in the range of 8000-35000 K.
The first extreme-helium star, HD 124448, was discovered at McDonald Observatory in Austin in 1942 by Daniel M. Popper of the University of Chicago.

Key Facts about Germanium

It is a chemical element between silicon and tin in Group 14 (IVa) of the periodic table.
It has the chemical symbol Ge and the atomic number 32.
It is a silvery-gray metalloid, intermediate in properties between the metals and the nonmetals.
It has a diamondlike crystalline structure, and it is similar in chemical and physical properties to silicon.
Germanium is stable in air and water and is unaffected by alkalis and acids, except nitric acid.

Major Producers of Germanium

The major worldwide producer of germanium is China, responsible for around 60% of total production.
The remaining production of germanium comes from Canada, Finland, Russia, and the United States.

Source: PIB

Extreme Helium Star FAQs

Q1: What is a helium star?

Ans: A helium star is a class O or B star (blue), which has extraordinarily strong helium lines and weaker than normal hydrogen lines, indicating strong stellar winds and a mass loss of the outer envelope.

Q2: What is called atomic number?

Ans: The number of protons in a nucleus is called the atomic number and always equals the number of electrons in orbit about that nucleus.

Q3: What is the heaviest element in a star?

Ans: Iron is the heaviest element that can be created through standard nuclear fusion in stars,

Croatia

June 20, 2025

Croatia Latest News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India visited Croatia and appreciated Croatia for expressing solidarity with India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

About Croatia

Croatia is located in the south eastern region of the European Continent, on the north western part of the Balkan Peninsula.
Bordering countries: It is border by Slovenia in the northwest, Hungary in the northeast; Serbia in the east; Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro in the southeast.
It is also bounded by the Adriatic Sea in the west. Croatia shares a maritime border with Italy.
Its strategic location on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea positions it as a crucial maritime gateway to Europe.
It is made up of fertile and mostly flat plains in the north, and low mountains and highlands along the coast.
It is a member of both the European Union and NATO.
The country's major ports—Rijeka, Split, and Ploce—are integral components of the European Union's core TEN-T network, supporting trans-European transport infrastructure.
Mountain ranges: The Dinaric Alps and a few smaller mountain ranges (Velebit and Velika Kapela) slice through the country.
Climate: Mediterranean climate.
Rivers: Rivers like Drava, Krka and Save drains in Crotia.
Capital: Zagreb – the capital and the largest city of Croatia. Zagreb is the country’s main administrative, cultural, industrial, economic and transport hub.
Population: 38.6 lakhs (2023) World Bank

Source: TH

Croatia FAQs

Q1: What is the currency in Croatia?

Ans: Euro

Q2: What is NATO?

Ans: It is a military alliance for collective defence among North American and European countries.

Q3: What is the main religion in Croatia?

Ans: Catholic

Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub

June 20, 2025

Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub Latest News

The Central government recently launched the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub, a dedicated digital platform aimed at strengthening gender-responsive planning across India.

About Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub

It is a dedicated digital platform designed to promote gender-responsive planning nationwide.
It was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
The portal's primary aim is to empower policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders with a centralised repository of tools -- ”including policy briefs, best practices, and gender-‘disaggregated data -- ”to support the integration of a gender lens into all stages of planning and budgeting, both at the Central and state levels.
The portal will equip stakeholders with evidence-based tools to better integrate gender perspectives into planning and budgeting.

Gender Budgeting in India

Gender budgeting is a tool for gender mainstreaming, applying a gender lens to the entire policy process.
It involves gender-sensitive formulation, resource allocation, and continuous monitoring to address vulnerabilities faced by women throughout their life cycle.
India adopted its first gender budget in 2005-06, marking a significant step towards addressing gender disparities in resource allocation.
Over the past 11 years, gender budget allocations have increased by four and a half times–from Rs. 0.98 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs. 4.49 lakh crore in 2025-26.
How is gender budgeting implemented?
- Nodal authorities, including the Ministry of Women and Child Development at the central level, spearhead gender budgeting implementation.
- Departments of Women and Child Development/Social Welfare, Finance, or Planning Department are also responsible for gender budget implementation in states and Union territories.
- District subs for Empowerment of Women are also active in states and Union territories to coordinate and fulfil the objectives of schemes.
- These hubs are also required to have at least one gender specialist.

Source: PTI

Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub FAQ's

Q1: What is the primary objective of the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub?

Ans: To serve as a digital platform promoting gender-responsive planning and budgeting.

Q2: Which ministry launched the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub?

Ans: Ministry of Women and Child Development

Q3: When did India adopt its first Gender Budget?

Ans: 2005–06

Q4: What was the allocation for Gender Budgeting in India in 2025–26?

Ans: ₹4.49 lakh crore

MCA21 Portal

June 20, 2025

MCA21 Portal Latest News

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has waived additional filing fees for 13 key e-forms after announcing a three-week shutdown of its MCA21 portal to complete the nationwide migration from Version 2 (V2) to the new MCA21 V3 platform.

About MCA21 Portal

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) launched the MCA 21 portal in 2006.
The portal enables secure and easy access to MCA services in an assisted manner for professionals, corporate entities, and the general public.
Objective: The MCA21 application is designed to fully automate all processes related to the proactive enforcement and compliance of the legal requirements under the Companies Act, 1956, Companies Act, 2013, and Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. This will help the business community to meet their statutory obligations.
The MCA 21 portal aims at interoperability with the National e-Governance Services Delivery Gateway (NSDG).

Benefits of MCA21 Portal

Enables the business community to register a company and file statutory documents quickly and easily.
Provides easy access to public documents
Helps faster and effective resolution of public grievances
Helps registration and verification of charges easily
Ensures proactive and effective compliance with relevant laws and corporate governance
Enables the MCA employees to deliver best-of-breed services

Services Offered by MCA21 Portal

Obtain Digital Signature Certificate
Apply for Director Identification Number (DIN)
View master details of any company/LLP registered with Registrar of Companies
e-Filing for limited liability partnership (LLP)
LLP Services for Business Users
Registration of a new company
Raise complaints or concerns with respect to MCA services
Document-Related Services
Fee and Payment Services
Investor Services

Source: TAXS

MCA21 Portal FAQs

Q1: What is the MCA21 portal?

Ans: The MCA21 portal is an online e-Governance initiative of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India.

Q2: When was the MCA21 portal launched?

Ans: 2006

Q3: Which Acts does the MCA21 portal help implement and enforce?

Ans: Companies Act, 1956, Companies Act, 2013, and Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.

Merchant Banking in India

June 20, 2025

Merchant Banking Latest News

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently said merchant bankers (MB) can now engage in unregulated activities such as advisory and consultancies without needing a separate legal entity.

About Merchant Banking

Merchant Banking refers to financial services designed especially for businesses and corporate clients.
These services help business owners raise funds, manage investments, and expand operations.
Banks registered as merchant bankers provide expert advice on mergers, acquisitions, and other business activities requiring capital.
They act as intermediaries between companies and investors to ensure smooth financial growth.
The role of a merchant banker is similar to that of a financial advisor.
They help make critical decisions and also help businesses expand by arranging private equity investments or strategic partnerships.
One of the primary services merchant bankers provide is issue management. It involves helping companies raise capital from the public by managing the process of issuing shares, debentures, or other securities.
Merchant banks do not provide regular banking services to the general public.
The regulatory framework governing merchant banks in India is primarily overseen by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
One of the key regulations involves the maintenance of minimum net worth requirements, which ensures that merchant banks have sufficient financial resources to undertake their activities and absorb potential losses.
Additionally, SEBI mandates that merchant banks adhere to a strict code of conduct, which includes provisions related to fair dealing, conflict of interest, and transparency.
Merchant banks are also subject to periodic inspections and audits by SEBI to ensure ongoing compliance.
Any violations can result in penalties, including suspension or cancellation of the registration certificate.

Services Offered by Merchant Banks

Corporate advisory services: Offering guidance on mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring
Capital raising: Helping businesses raise funds through debt or equity.
Investment management: Managing large-scale investments and portfolios.
Underwriting: Assisting in public offerings by guaranteeing the sale of securities.
Risk management: Reducing financial risks by offering expert advice.

Source: TH

Merchant Banking FAQs

Q1: What distinguishes a merchant bank from a commercial bank?

Ans: Merchant banks deal with corporate finance and advisory services.

Q2: Which regulatory body governs merchant banking activities in India?

Ans: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Q3: What role do merchant banks play in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)?

Ans: Manage and underwrite the entire IPO process.

World Investment Report 2025 by UNCTAD

June 20, 2025

World Investment Report 2025 Latest News

India rose a position to rank 15 among top global destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, despite a marginal dip in inflows at $27.6 billion, according to the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s World Investment Report 2025.

About World Investment Report 2025

It is an annual report published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
It focuses on trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) worldwide, at the regional and country levels, and emerging measures to improve its contribution to development.

Highlights of World Investment Report 2025

Overall, global FDI fell by 11 percent in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of decline and confirming a deepening slowdown in productive capital flows.
Although global FDI rose by 4 percent in 2024 to $1.5 trillion, the increase is the result of, among other factors, volatile financial conduit flows through several European economies, which often serve as transfer points for investments. When these are excluded, global FDI registered an 11% decline.
The report also found that investment in sectors related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries fell by 25–33% across infrastructure, renewable energy, water and sanitation, and agrifood systems. Only the health sector saw growth, though from a small base.
FDI flows to the digital economy grew 14%. But 80% of greenfield projects in digital sectors in the Global South went to just 10 countries, leaving most developing nations excluded from the digital transformation.
The United States retained its position as the top FDI destination globally, with inflows rising to $279 billion in 2024 from $233 billion in the previous year.
China fell to fourth place with a 29 percent decline in FDI inflows, dropping from the second position it held in 2023.
FDI in Africa surged 75%, South-East Asia saw record greenfield levels, and momentum was seen in India, the Gulf, and parts of Latin America.
In 2024, developing economies of Asia attracted $605 billion in FDI.
Despite a 3% dip in value from the year before, developing Asia remained the world’s leading destination for inward foreign investment; overall in 2024, Asia received 40% of the world’s total FDI and 70% of inflows to developing economies.
Within the South Asian region, India was the top FDI recipient.
Despite a marginal dip in inflows at $27.6 billion, India climbed up to 15th place globally in 2024, from 16th position in 2023 when it received $28.1 billion in FDI.
There was a notable increase in greenfield project announcements, where India ranked fourth with 1,080 greenfield projects announced in 2024.
The country was also among the top five economies in terms of international project finance deals, securing 97 such transactions.
India also climbed in the global ranking of FDI outflows, moving to the 18th slot with $24 billion in outward investments — up from 23rd in 2023, when outflows totalled $14 billion.

Source: MC

World Investment Report FAQs

Q1: Who publishes the annual World Investment Report?

Ans: UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Q2: What was the overall trend in global FDI in 2024, according to the 2025 World Investment Report?

Ans: Fell by 11%

Q3: Which country retained its position as the top global FDI destination in 2024?

Ans: United States

Q4: Which country was the top FDI recipient in South Asia in 2024?

Ans: India

Q5: What is India’s global rank in FDI inflows in 2024?

Ans: 15th