Iran has escalated its campaign in West Asia by attacking commercial ships in the Persian Gulf and targeting Dubai International Airport and financial institutions. This comes amidst rising global energy concerns and American-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. A Thai cargo ship, Mayuree Naree, bound for India, was hit in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving three crew members missing. India's MEA deplored the attacks, emphasizing the danger to commercial shipping and civilian lives. Iran also warned of targeting West Asia's financial institutions. The International Energy Agency plans to release 400 million barrels of oil from reserves to manage price jumps, the largest such release ever.
Iran has intensified attacks on commercial shipping and critical infrastructure in West Asia, including Dubai Airport and financial institutions.
A Thai cargo ship, Mayuree Naree, en route to Kandla, India, was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in three missing crew members.
India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks, highlighting the threat to commercial shipping and Indian citizens.
Exam Points
Thai cargo ship: Mayuree Naree.
Location of attack: Strait of Hormuz, off Oman coast.
International Energy Agency (IEA) plans to release 400 million barrels of oil.
A resolution seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was defeated by a voice vote in Parliament. The Opposition protested Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks concerning Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's conduct in Parliament. Mr. Shah defended Mr. Birla, stating that the Speaker serves as a neutral custodian and that questioning his integrity is akin to questioning democratic processes. He also highlighted the increased productivity of the Lok Sabha under Mr. Birla's leadership and criticized Mr. Gandhi's attendance record during crucial sessions. The motion was rejected without a division of votes as the House was not in order.
The Lok Sabha rejected a motion to remove Speaker Om Birla by a voice vote.
Opposition MPs protested remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary conduct.
Amit Shah defended Speaker Birla, emphasizing his neutrality and the increased productivity of the Lok Sabha under his leadership.
The Supreme Court upheld the right to die with dignity for 32-year-old Harish Rana, who has been in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) for 13 years, by allowing the withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration (CANH). This landmark ruling is the first implementation of the court's 2018 'passive euthanasia' guidelines. Justice J.B. Pardiwala emphasized that the decision reflects profound compassion and courage, allowing the individual to leave with dignity. The court also clarified the distinction between active and passive euthanasia, stating that passive euthanasia involves allowing death to occur by withdrawing life support, while active euthanasia introduces an external agency of harm.
The Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration (CANH) for Harish Rana, a man in a persistent vegetative state for 13 years.
This ruling marks the first implementation of the Supreme Court's 2018 guidelines on 'passive euthanasia'.
Justice J.B. Pardiwala highlighted that the decision is an act of compassion, allowing the individual to die with dignity.
Exam Points
Case involves: Harish Rana, 32-year-old.
Condition: Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) for 13 years.
Procedure allowed: Withdrawal of Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration (CANH).
A treasure, primarily gold ornaments weighing 466 grams, discovered in Lakkundi, Gadag district, Karnataka, has been estimated by an evaluation committee to be at least 500-600 years old. Archaeologist H.S. Krishna Murthy, leading the committee, stated that the ornaments likely date back to the Vijayanagar empire. These ornaments, featuring lion and keertimukh faces, were probably made for offering to a female deity. While their gold value is estimated at ₹80 lakh, their ancient status increases their value tenfold. The treasure was found in a copper container during excavation for a house renovation and was handed over to local administration.
A treasure of 466 grams of gold ornaments was found in Lakkundi, Gadag district, Karnataka.
The evaluation committee, led by archaeologist H.S. Krishna Murthy, estimated the treasure to be 500-600 years old.
The ornaments are believed to belong to the Vijayanagar empire and were likely used for religious offerings.
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has severely impacted India's Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply, highlighting the nation's heavy import dependence. India imports about 60% of its LPG, with 90% routed through the Strait of Hormuz, primarily from Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait. This dependence, coupled with limited strategic storage capacity (less than two days of consumption), makes India vulnerable to supply disruptions and price hikes. The government has responded by directing domestic refiners to maximize LPG production for household consumers and cutting LPG subsidy allocation. LPG consumption has surged due to schemes like PMUY, increasing active consumers to 33 crore.
India is heavily dependent on LPG imports, with approximately 60% of its requirement sourced from West Asia via the Strait of Hormuz.
The nation's strategic LPG storage capacity is critically low, holding less than two days of consumption.
The government has mandated domestic oil refiners to maximize LPG production and prioritize household consumers to mitigate supply disruptions.
Exam Points
India imports ~60% of its LPG, with ~90% routed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Top LPG suppliers to India: Qatar (~34%), UAE (~26%), Kuwait (~8.3%).
Domestic LPG production increased 25% since March 8 orders.
India's National Statistical Office (NSO) has released a revised GDP series with 2022-23 as the base year, after an 11-year gap. The new series indicates a 3-4% reduction in the absolute size of GDP compared to the 2011-12 series. It also shows changes in the production structure, with increased shares for agriculture and industry, and a decline in the services sector. The non-financial private corporate sector's share has decreased, while the household/informal sector's share has risen. This revision is seen as a welcome correction to previous overestimations, though further methodological details are awaited to fully assess its veracity.
The NSO released a revised GDP series with 2022-23 as the new base year, replacing the 2011-12 series.
The new series shows a 3-4% reduction in India's absolute GDP size compared to previous estimates.
Structural changes include increased shares for agriculture and industry, and a decreased share for the services sector.
The Supreme Court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the NCERT Director's "laconic" affidavit regarding a "rewritten" Class 8 social science chapter on "corruption in judiciary." The court had previously banned the textbook due to concerns about creating bias against the judiciary in impressionable minds. The Bench questioned the expertise and process behind the revision and directed the government to form an expert committee, including a former senior judge, an eminent academic, and a legal practitioner, to approve any revised chapter before publication. The court also clarified that legitimate criticism of the judiciary is acceptable but condemned "mischief mongers" on social media.
The Supreme Court criticized NCERT's handling of a "rewritten" Class 8 social science chapter on "corruption in judiciary."
The court had previously banned the textbook, citing concerns about creating bias against the judiciary among students.
An expert committee, including a former senior judge, academic, and legal practitioner, must approve any revised chapter before publication.
The Central Armed Forces (General Administration) Bill is expected to be introduced in the Budget Session of Parliament. This Bill aims to codify the functioning of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and address a Supreme Court ruling from May 2025. The ruling mandated the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to progressively reduce the deputation of IPS officers up to the Inspector-General rank in CAPFs within two years. The MHA had sought an extension for this timeline, citing the comprehensive and multi-layered process required for cadre review and framing service rules.
The Central Armed Forces (General Administration) Bill is slated for introduction in the Budget Session.
The Bill aims to codify the functioning of CAPFs and respond to a Supreme Court ruling.
The Supreme Court had directed the MHA to reduce IPS officer deputation in CAPFs up to the IG rank within two years.
Exam Points
Bill name: Central Armed Forces (General Administration) Bill.
Supreme Court ruling date: May 23, 2025.
Ministry involved: Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
A study in Assam's Sonitpur district revealed a concerning link between human-wildlife conflict prevention groups (HWCPGs) and elephant deaths. While HWCPGs are intended to mitigate conflict, the study found that 40% of elephant deaths in the area occurred in villages with such groups. The study suggests that the formation of HWCPGs might be a reactive measure in areas already experiencing high conflict, rather than a proactive solution. It highlights issues like inadequate training, lack of resources, and potential for HWCPGs to exacerbate conflict if not properly managed, calling for a re-evaluation of their effectiveness and implementation strategies.
A study in Sonitpur district, Assam, found a correlation between the presence of Human-Wildlife Conflict Prevention Groups (HWCPGs) and elephant deaths.
40% of elephant deaths in the study area occurred in villages where HWCPGs were active.
The study suggests that HWCPGs might be formed reactively in high-conflict zones, rather than proactively preventing conflict.
Exam Points
Location of study: Sonitpur district, Assam.
Percentage of elephant deaths in HWCPG villages: 40%.
Institution involved: Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
Delays in SpaceX's Starship launch schedule are causing concern for NASA's Artemis moon landing program, which relies on Starship as the human landing system. NASA's Administrator, Bill Nelson, expressed worry that continued delays could push back the planned 2026 moon landing. Starship's development has faced challenges, including a recent test flight where the vehicle exploded. NASA's Inspector General also issued a report highlighting significant technical and schedule challenges for the Artemis program, including the development of cryogenic fluid management systems. The report suggests that NASA's goal of landing humans on the moon by 2026 is increasingly unrealistic.
Delays in SpaceX's Starship launch schedule are jeopardizing NASA's Artemis program for moon landing.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed concern that the 2026 moon landing timeline might be pushed back due to Starship's development issues.
Starship is designated as the Human Landing System (HLS) for the Artemis program.
Exam Points
Spacecraft: SpaceX Starship.
NASA program: Artemis moon landing.
NASA Administrator: Bill Nelson.
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