17th June 2025 UPSC Current Affairs | The Hindu & IE

Welcome to your daily UPSC Current Affairs dose for 17th June 2025, covering the most important topics curated from The Hindu, Indian Express, and official government sources. This comprehensive summary includes major news relevant for Prelims, Mains, Essays, and Ethics. Topics include India’s stance on transgender blood donation bans, Rajasthan’s Cash Plus Model, the Global Gender Gap Index, the Crocodile Conservation Project at 50, and updates on the India-EU strategic partnership.

1. FATF condemns Pahalgam attack, to release report on ‘state-sponsored terror’ for first time

What’s the News?

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog on money laundering and terror financing, has officially condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred on April 22, 2025. This is a rare move—marking only the third time in two decades that FATF has issued a public condemnation of a terrorist attack. More significantly, FATF has announced that it will release a report on state-sponsored terrorism for the first time in its history, acknowledging its role in financing global terror.

Key Points for UPSC (Mains & Prelims):

About FATF:

• An inter-governmental body founded in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris.

• Aims to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and threats to the international financial system.

• Currently has 39 members (37 countries + 2 regional organizations: EC & GCC).

• Maintains “Grey List” and “Black List” to monitor high-risk and non-cooperative jurisdictions.

Pahalgam Attack & FATF Response:

• The attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam region claimed several lives, prompting international condemnation.

• FATF stated: “Such attacks are not possible without funding channels and cross-border financial support.”

• This rare public condemnation underscores the growing international pressure on countries suspected of terror sponsorship.

State-Sponsored Terrorism Report:

• For the first time ever, FATF will publish a report identifying state sponsorship as a source of terrorist financing.

• India’s National Risk Assessment had already flagged Pakistan for state-sponsored terrorism.

• FATF’s report is expected to validate India’s concerns and potentially pave the way for tougher scrutiny on Pakistan.

Recent Developments & Global Context:

International Backdrop:

• The move follows increasing geopolitical pressure post-Hamas-Israel conflict and continued terror activity in South Asia.

• FATF previously sanctioned nations like Iran and North Korea for aiding proxy militias and terror groups.

• Countries globally are pushing for universal frameworks to counter illicit financial flows to non-state actors.

India’s Diplomatic Efforts:

• India submitted a dossier to FATF containing evidence of cross-border terror finance, especially highlighting Pakistan’s links.

• Indian agencies like the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) and NIA collaborated to provide evidence.

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) coordinated with international partners to lobby for stricter FATF norms.

2. WPI Inflation Dips to 14-Month Low of 0.39% in May

What’s the News?

India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation cooled to 0.39% in May 2025, marking a 14-month low, driven by falling prices of food articles, fuel, and power. The fall in WPI follows April’s 0.85% and highlights easing wholesale pressures in the economy, although experts caution against global geopolitical risks that could reverse the trend.

Key Points for UPSC (Prelims + Mains):

What is WPI?

• WPI (Wholesale Price Index) measures the price of goods at the wholesale stage, before they reach consumers.

• Published monthly by the Office of Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• It covers three major groups:

  1. Primary articles (food, minerals)

  2. Fuel and power

  3. Manufactured products

WPI vs CPI:

• WPI reflects inflation at the producer level; CPI (Consumer Price Index) measures retail inflation from a consumer perspective.

• CPI is the benchmark for RBI’s monetary policy decisions (inflation targeting under Monetary Policy Framework Agreement).

• Vegetables like onion, potatoes, and pulses witnessed steep deflation.

• Manufacturing and electricity prices contributed to positive inflation, offsetting the fall in primary goods.

3.TRAI Caps Wi-Fi Hotspot Operator Fee

What’s the News?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the 71st Amendment to the Telecommunication Tariff Order (2025), capping the charges that public Wi-Fi hotspot operators (PDOs) must pay to Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This move is expected to accelerate the deployment of affordable Wi-Fi services under the PM-WANI scheme and reduce the digital divide.

Key Points for UPSC (Prelims + Mains):

About the Decision:

• ISPs can now charge Wi-Fi hotspot providers no more than twice the rate charged to regular residential broadband users (up to 200 Mbps).

• Comes after years of stagnation in public hotspot deployment, attributed to ISPs overcharging PDOs—sometimes 40–80 times the residential tariffs.

• The cap applies only to tariffs for up to 200 Mbps broadband speed plans, which is most common in public Wi-Fi settings.

Targeted Scheme: PM-WANI

• PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) was launched in 2020 to create a decentralized Wi-Fi infrastructure.

• Key components:

  • PDOs (Public Data Offices): Set up and maintain Wi-Fi hotspots.

  • PDOAs (PDO Aggregators): Manage and authorize PDOs.

  • App Providers: Help users discover hotspots and authenticate.

• Intended to boost Digital India, e-governance, rural internet access, and entrepreneurship.