UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Books
Government Schemes
Topics
NASA Space Missions
ISRO Space Missions
12 June 2025 UPSC Current Affairs - Daily News Headlines
IMPORTANT LINKS
UPSC Current Affairs for July 2025
UPSC Current Affairs for June 2025
UPSC Current Affairs for May 2025
UPSC Current Affairs for April 2025
UPSC Current Affairs for March 2025
UPSC Current Affairs for February 2025
UPSC Current Affairs for January 2025
UPSC Current Affairs for December 2024
UPSC Eligibility
UPSC Syllabus
UPSC Previous Year Question Paper
UPSC Books
UPSC Posts List and Salary
UPSC Online Coaching
Bilateral Ties
On June 12th, 2025, India witnessed significant developments across science, environment, and population policy. Globally, the UNFPA’s 2025 report confirmed India as the world’s most populous country, highlighting a shift in fertility trends. In parallel, progress toward marine biodiversity protection advanced with more countries ratifying the High Seas Treaty. On the domestic front, Kerala urged amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act amidst growing human-wildlife conflict. Meanwhile, in the field of science, Germany’s KATRIN experiment set a new upper limit on neutrino mass, marking a breakthrough in particle physics.
Awareness regarding daily UPSC current affairs is crucial for cracking the UPSC Prelims, excelling in UPSC Mains. It helps perform well in the UPSC personality test, thus becoming an informed and effective UPSC civil servant.
Daily UPSC Current Affairs 12-06-2025
Below are the current affairs and headlines of the day taken from The Hindu, Indian Express, Press Information Bureau & All India Radio as required for UPSC preparation:
India's Population Reaches 1.46 Billion: UNFPA Report Highlights Fertility Shift
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS Paper II – Social Issues
In News
- UNFPA released its State of the World Population Report 2025, titled “The Real Fertility Crisis.”
- India’s population reached 146.39 crore (1.4639 billion) in April 2025, surpassing China (141.61 crore) to become the most populous country.
- India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.9, which is below the replacement level of 2.1.
- India’s population is projected to peak at 170 crore by around 2065 and then start declining.
What is the State of the World Population Report?An annual UNFPA report offering insights on:
|
2025 Focus: The report emphasizes that the real crisis is not in numbers but in the lack of reproductive agency, i.e., the freedom to make informed family planning decisions.
Know more about the article on World Population Distribution, Density and Growth!
Global Population Trends
- 2025 Population: ~8.2 billion
- Peak Estimate: ~10.3 billion (2080s), then decline
- 48 countries to reach peak between 2025–2054
- Growth mainly driven by:
- Momentum from younger populations
- Increasing number of reproductive-age women (~2.2 billion by late 2050s)
Key Data: India – 2025
Indicator |
Details |
Total Population |
146.39 crore (1.4639 billion) |
Population Peak |
Expected at 170 crore (~2065) |
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) |
1.9 (below replacement level of 2.1) |
SRS 2021 Confirmation |
Earlier data had shown TFR at 2.0 |
Youth (0–14 years) |
24% of population |
Teenagers (10–19 years) |
17% of population |
Young Adults (10–24 years) |
26% of population |
Working-Age Population (15–64 yrs) |
68% – offers demographic dividend if jobs and skills align |
Reproductive Rights & Fertility Choices
- Millions lack access to contraception, education, or services.
- Leads to a gap between desired and actual fertility.
The report calls for:
- Enhanced reproductive autonomy
- Gender equality in planning decisions
- Better health systems for family planning
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ): The High Seas Treaty
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS Paper III – Environment
In News
- 18 new countries ratified the High Seas Treaty, bringing the total to 49.
- The treaty needs 60 ratifications to enter into force — now just 11 short.
- India signed the treaty in 2024.
- A major step in protecting marine biodiversity in international waters.
What is the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ)?A legally binding treaty under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Focus: Conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (high seas). |
High Seas Facts:
- Cover ~64% of ocean surface
- Represent ~43% of Earth’s surface
- Only 1.2% currently protected
Background
- Negotiations began: 2004
- Formal talks launched via UNGA Resolution 72/249 (2017)
- Adopted: March 2023
- Opened for signatures: September 2023
Key Provisions of the Treaty
Area |
Details |
Marine Genetic Resources |
Rules for collection and benefit-sharing; equitable access to samples/data |
Area-Based Tools (ABMTs) |
Establishes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to restrict harmful activities |
Environmental Assessments |
Mandatory EIAs before high seas activities |
Capacity Building |
Scientific & technical aid to developing countries |
Institutional Setup |
Establishes Conference of Parties (COP) and scientific advisory bodies |
Kerala Seeks Amendment to Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Source: The Indian Express
Syllabus: GS Paper II – Governance
In News
- Kerala has requested the Union Government to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Goal: Gain authority to cull wild animals threatening human lives and property, even if listed under Schedule I.
- Rise in human-wildlife conflict across the state has prompted this move.
What is the Issue?
- Kerala reported (2016–Jan 2025):
- 919 human deaths
- 8,967 injuries
- 273 panchayats declared wildlife conflict hotspots
- Common threat animals: elephants, tigers, leopards, bison, wild boars, bonnet macaques, peafowl
About the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
|
Schedules Overview
Schedule |
Protection Level |
Schedule I |
Highest protection (e.g., tigers, bonnet macaques) |
Schedule II |
Moderate protection |
Schedule III |
Protected plant species |
Schedule IV |
CITES-listed specimens (international regulation) |
Why Kerala Wants Amendments?
- Legal Limits: Schedule I animals require Central approval for action
- Tedious procedures (e.g., checking pregnancy before culling)
- Impact on People: Farmers abandoning agriculture due to repeated attacks
- Bureaucratic Delay: Delays due to NTCA and Project Elephant guidelines
- Judicial Constraints: Courts have barred district magistrates from using CrPC Sec 133 for wildlife threats
KATRIN Experiment: New Insights on Neutrino Mass
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS Paper III – Science and Technology
In News
- The KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment has published new findings.
- Set an upper limit on the sum of all neutrino masses: ≤ 8.8 × 10⁻⁷ times the mass of an electron.
What is the KATRIN Experiment?
Aspect |
Details |
Location |
Karlsruhe, Germany |
Objective |
Directly measure absolute neutrino mass via tritium decay |
Key Component |
200-tonne spectrometer measuring electron energy |
Data Source |
259 days, 36 million electron events (2019–2021) |
What is a Neutrino?
- A fundamental subatomic particle
- Properties:
- No electric charge
- Extremely small mass
- Rarely interacts with matter
- Interacts only via weak nuclear force and gravity
Neutrino Sources
- The Sun (nuclear fusion)
- Supernovae
- Radioactive decay
- Nuclear reactors and particle accelerators
Monthly Current Affairs Compilation
Monthly Current Affairs |
UPSC Current Affairs for June 2025 |