Daily Current Affairs 11 June 2025 – The Hindu & Indian Express

Daily Current Affairs 11 June 2025 brings top headlines from The Hindu and Indian Express. Today’s highlights include India surpassing China in population, changes in NCERT textbooks, and IMD’s optimistic monsoon prediction. These updates are crucial for UPSC and other competitive exams.

1.India Becomes Most Populous Nation – UNFPA 2025 Report

Key Findings:

India’s population reaches 146.39 crore, surpassing China.
TFR (Total Fertility Rate) declines to 1.9, below replacement level.
Population likely to peak at 170 crore by 2065, followed by a decline.

Reasons for Declining Fertility:

Rise in female education & employment.
Urban lifestyle, delayed marriages, small family preference.
Greater contraceptive use and awareness.

Implications:

Positive: Demographic dividend, controlled growth.
Negative: Ageing population, pension pressure, shrinking workforce.

Government Interventions:

NFHS, Mission Parivar Vikas, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Maternity Benefit Act.
ASHA workers supporting reproductive health and awareness.

Global Perspective:

UNFPA 2025 Theme: “The Real Fertility Crisis”.
YouGov Survey: 30% Indians couldn’t have desired number of children due to costs/social issues.

2.IMD Predicts Above-Normal Monsoon in 2024

Forecast Highlights:

IMD projects 106% of LPA rainfall—above normal monsoon.
El Niño fading, La Niña conditions emerging, aiding rain patterns.

Impacts on Economy and Agriculture:

Boost to Kharif crop yields (e.g., rice, pulses).
Lower food inflation, improved groundwater recharge.
Risks: Localized floods, erratic rainfall may impact sowing.

Tools & Programs:

IMD models, satellite monitoring, Monsoon Mission by MoES.
Supportive schemes: PMFBY, Soil Health Cards, Agromet Advisory Services.

Global Context:

WMO also signals likely La Niña phase—typically strengthens Indian monsoon.

3. Don’t Link RTE Funds with NEP – Madras High Court Ruling

Context:

TN rejected NEP 2020, Centre withheld Samagra Shiksha funds.
Madras HC directed Centre to release RTE funds separately.

Legal Backing:

₹2151.59 crore pending; ₹200 crore is RTE-specific.
Citing Article 21A and Section 7 of RTE Act, court said basic education rights can’t be compromised.

Significance:

Upholds federalism in education.
Reinforces that welfare cannot be politicized.

Related Schemes:

RTE Act 2009, Samagra Shiksha, NEP 2020.

4.Real-Life Effectiveness of Weight-Loss Drugs is Limited – Study

Study Highlights:

GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide show lower impact outside clinical trials.

Challenges in Real World:

High cost, side effects, poor follow-up, low adherence.

Developments:

FDA-approved for obesity and diabetes.
WHO flags global obesity rise; India targets NCDs under National Multisectoral Action Plan (NMAP).

Policy & Health Programs:

WHO NCD Action Plan, Eat Right India, Ayushman Bharat wellness centres.

Way Forward:

Improve access, affordability, and follow-up care.
Push for inclusion in national insurance schemes.

UPSC Facts:

Over 135 million obese in India (ICMR 2023).
Obesity linked to diabetes, heart disease, and SDG 3 target to cut premature NCD deaths by 2030.

Daily Current Affairs 11th June 2025

5.New NCERT Textbooks Remove Colonial and Poverty Narratives

What Changed:

NCERT revised Class 3 & 7 books, removing mentions of poverty/colonialism.
Focus shifted to scientific achievements and civilisational heritage.

Rationale:

Aimed to promote positive national image among young learners.

Policy Support:

Based on NEP 2020, NCF 2023, and proposals by Bibek Debroy panel.
Supported by IKS Division and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti.

Critical View:

Critics argue omission may impact historical consciousness and critical thinking.

Way Ahead:

Balance needed: pride + realism.
Ensure inclusive, fact-based, global curriculum.

6.India-Pakistan Issues & Global Diplomacy

Context:

Kashmir and terrorism remain unresolved despite global forums.

India’s Stand:

Prefers bilateralism (Simla Agreement), opposes third-party mediation.
Stresses global consensus on terrorism definitions (e.g., CCIT proposal).

Challenges at Global Level:

UN resolutions outdated, lack consensus.
Forums like UNSC, FATF have limited effect on Pakistan’s actions.

India’s Strategy:

Strong defense + diplomacy.
Push for international terror convention.

7.India Opens Legal Services to Foreign Firms Under Reciprocity

What’s New:

BCI allows foreign lawyers to work in arbitration, foreign law, LPO—not litigation.

Key Features:

Practice allowed only on reciprocal basis.
Supported by Bar Council ruling, Entries 77 & 78, and SC judgment (2018).

Why It Matters:

Modernizes legal sector.
Helps in global legal trade and FTA talks (e.g., UK-India).

Safeguards:

Rule 6: Ethics, confidentiality, Indian standards apply.

8.NSG Neutralizes Explosive-Laden Drones in Jammu – Operation Sindoor

Incident:

NSG defused two explosive drones near Jammu airport.
Likely part of cross-border terrorism plot.

Significance:

Drones increasingly used for weapons smuggling and attacks.
Reflects growing UAV-based threats in border regions.

Security Response:

NSG Bomb Squad neutralized the threat.
Collaboration across agencies: NSG, BSF, IAF, J&K Police.

Tech & Policy Framework:

Drone Rules 2021, DRDO anti-drone tech (e.g., D-4 system).
Part of Smart Border Management and Drone Shakti Mission.