CURRENT AFFAIRS
01 July, 2025
1. INAUGURATION OF NATIONAL TURMERIC BOARD IN NIZAMABAD –
• The Union Home Minister inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana, to develop a complete value chain for turmeric, including packaging, branding, marketing, and export.
• Operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the board aims to reduce middlemen, promote GI-tagged organic turmeric, and train farmers in best practices.
• Previously, the Spices Board managed turmeric promotion along with over 50 other spices.
Turmeric
• About: Turmeric is an underground stem (rhizome) of the Curcuma longa plant, which is part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae).
• Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, gives it its yellow color and is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial benefits.
• Cultivation: India cultivates 30+ turmeric varieties across 20+ states, with major producers being Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• Turmeric requires a tropical climate with 20–30°C temperature, 1500+ mm annual rainfall, and well-drained sandy or clay loam soils for optimal growth.
• Global Standing: India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric.
• In 2022–23, it contributed over 75% of global production and held a 62% share in global exports.
• Export Data: India exported turmeric and related products worth USD 207.45 million in 2022–23, mainly to Bangladesh, UAE, USA, and Malaysia, and aims to reach USD 1 billion in turmeric exports by 2030.
• GI Tags: GI-certified varieties include Lakadong turmeric (Meghalaya), Kandhamal turmeric (Odisha), Erode turmeric (Tamil Nadu).
• Health Benefits: Curcumin helps in reducing inflammation, fighting oxidative stress, and aiding digestion by enhancing bile production, making turmeric significant in traditional and modern medicine.
2. INDIA’S FIRST MOBILE E-VOTING IN BIHAR –
• Bihar became the first Indian state to pilot mobile phone-based e-voting in municipal elections using the E-SECBHR app developed by C-DAC. The initiative aimed to improve voting access for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities.
• To ensure security and transparency, the system used blockchain technology, facial recognition, biometric scanning, voter ID verification, and limited 2 voters per mobile number.
Recent ECI Electoral Reforms & Privacy Safeguards
• Restriction on Public Access to Polling Booth CCTV Footage: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has restricted public access to CCTV, webcast, and videography footage of polling stations citing voter privacy and security. As per new rules:
• Destruction of footage is mandated 45 days after result declaration, unless a petition is filed.
• Footage can only be submitted to a High Court hearing an election petition & no other authority or individual may access it as public release may violate Section 128 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (secrecy of voting) and Supreme Court rulings that uphold ballot secrecy.
• ECI clarified that videography is not legally mandated, and is used only as an internal management tool.
• In December 2024, Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 was amended to exclude CCTV and electronic footage from public inspection.
3. INDIA’S GST COLLECTIONS HIT RECORD ₹22.08 LAKH CRORE IN FY25 –
• India has achieved its highest-ever annual GST revenue in FY25, marking eight years since the GST rollout. The consistent rise in monthly and yearly GST collections demonstrates the system’s growing effectiveness and transparency. As the GST regime completes eight years on July 1, 2025, this achievement underscores its pivotal role in strengthening India’s fiscal framework.
GST Collection Milestones
• FY25 Gross Collection: ₹22.08 lakh crore — highest ever.
• Growth over FY24: 9.4% YoY (₹20.18 lakh crore in FY24).
• Growth over FY21: Doubled from ₹11.37 lakh crore.
• Average Monthly Collection: ₹1.84 lakh crore in FY25.
• April 2025: Highest-ever monthly GST of ₹2.37 lakh crore.
• May 2025: ₹2.01 lakh crore.
• June 2025 data: To be released soon
4. INDIA’S FIRST WOODEN GURDWARA OPENS IN FAZILKA, SYMBOL OF DEVOTION AND DESIGN –
• The Gurdwara has gained national attention as India’s first wooden Sikh shrine, constructed using sustainable and durable imported wood, showcasing how individual initiative and devotion can shape inclusive public spaces. Its growing popularity has made it a spiritual and architectural landmark in Punjab’s Fazilka district, boosting local religious tourism and community engagement.
Objectives and Vision
• To provide a place of worship within the police quarters for families and personnel.
• To build a distinct and durable structure reflecting Sikh values of openness, humility, and service.
• To showcase architectural innovation while retaining religious tradition.
Key Highlights
• Built entirely from Finnish Deodhar wood, known for its resistance to weather and pests.
• Measures 40 ft x 40 ft with four entrances, embodying Sikh ideals of inclusivity.
• Built in just three months, inaugurated on February 16, 2023.
• Designed and crafted by Iqbal Singh, a Ludhiana-based master carpenter skilled in wooden homes abroad.
5. NATO SUMMIT 2025 –
• The NATO summit of 2025 marked shift in defence policy and international relations. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, NATO members agreed to a controversial target of 5% of their GDP for defence spending. This decision has far-reaching implications for the alliance and its approach to global security.
5% Defence Spending Target
• NATO allies reached a consensus to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP. This ambitious target includes 3.5% for core defence spending and 1.5% for defence-related expenditures.
• The latter encompasses infrastructure and innovation to boost national security. Each member country must submit annual plans to meet this target, with progress reviews scheduled after the 2029 US presidential election.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. The Kharai camel is native to which state ?
a) Gujarat
b) Rajasthan
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Haryana
Q2. K-6 hypersonic Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) is developed by which organization ?
a) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
b) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
c) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
d) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Q3. The Registrar General of India functions under which ministry ?
a) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
b) Ministry of Defence
c) Ministry of Law and Justice
d) Ministry of Home Affairs
Q4. Which of the following statements about the Axiom-4 mission are correct ?
1. It was launched using the Falcon 9 rocket.
2. It carried astronauts from four different countries.
3. It was fully funded by NASA as part of its international astronaut programme.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) Only 1 and 3
d) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation-
• Axiom-4 was launched by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and carried astronauts from the US, India, Poland, and Hungary. However, it was not funded by NASA as part of its international astronaut programme.
• In fact, NASA has stopped sponsoring foreign astronaut missions, which is why India used commercial services for this mission. So, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Q5. What is the IUCN conservation status of the Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus)/ dhole?
a) Least Concern
b) Near Threatened
c) Vulnerable
d) Endangered
Explanation-
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the dhole as Endangered. The reasons include dramatic habitat loss, depletion of wild prey populations, disease transmission from domestic dogs, and retaliatory killing by humans.
• Their fragmented distribution and declining numbers make them one of Asia’s most threatened carnivores.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
A | B | D | A | D |