CURRENT AFFAIRS
18 June, 2025
1. SHIPKI LA PASS REOPENS FOR DOMESTIC TOURISTS –
• Himachal Pradesh has opened the Shipki La pass to domestic tourists, a step which locals hope will revitalise tourism and trade.
About the Shipki La Pass
• Location: Shipki La is a motorable mountain pass located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Altitude: It sits at an elevation of 3,930 metres and connects India with Tibet (now part of China).
• The old name of Shipki La was Pema La, or Shared Gate, also known as Shared Pass.
Historical Importance of the Pass
• Centuries-Old Trade Route: Functioned as a vibrant Indo-Tibetan trade corridor since at least the 15th century.
Key Commodities Traded:
• Imports from Tibet: Wool, yaks, turquoise, gold, religious items.
• Exports from India: Grains, spices, copper tools, timber.
• Supported local economies, especially artisans and farmers of Kinnaur.
Strategic & Geopolitical Significance
• India-China Border Point: Shipki La is one of the few official border passes between India and Tibet.
• Border Surveillance: It serves as a sensitive point for monitoring cross-border movement and maintaining national security.
• Alternative Route to Kailash Mansarovar: Reopening the pass could shorten the Delhi-Mansarovar pilgrimage route by 14 days, easing movement for pilgrims
2. THE 8TH EDITION OF EXERCISE SHAKTI, A JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE BETWEEN INDIA AND FRANCE, IS SCHEDULED FROM 18TH JUNE TO 1ST JULY 2025 AT LA CAVALERIE, FRANCE –
• It is a biennial training engagement between the Indian and French Armies, aimed at enhancing interoperability, operational coordination, and military-to-military connect.
• This edition will focus on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, with training being conducted in semi-urban terrain.
• UN Chapter VII authorizes military/non-military actions (sanctions, blockades, troop deployment) for international peace enforcement.
• Other joint exercises between France and India: Exercise Varuna (Navy), Exercise Garuda (Air), and Exercise Desert Knight (India, France, and UAE).
3. AXIOM MISSION 4 RESCHEDULED: INDIAN ASTRONAUT SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA TO FLY ON JUNE 22 –
• Axiom Space and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the Ax-4 mission has been delayed to June 22 to ensure crew safety and operational readiness following repairs to the Zvezda module of the ISS.
• The mission marks a historic step for India’s participation in private spaceflight, with Shubhanshu Shukla serving as pilot on an international crew.
Mission Overview
• Mission Name: Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
• New Launch Date: June 22, 2025
• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Spacecraft: Dragon capsule
• Launch Site: Likely Kennedy Space Center, Florida
• Destination: International Space Station (ISS)
Crew Members
• Peggy Whitson (USA) – Mission Commander (Veteran NASA astronaut)
• Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Pilot (ISRO-affiliated, debut mission)
• Sławosz Uznański (Poland) – Mission Specialist
• Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist
4. WHAT MAKES IRAN’S FATTAH-1 MISSILE SO DANGEROUS TO ISRAEL? –
• In a significant escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict, Iran has claimed to have used its Fattah-1 hypersonic missile against Israeli targets. The development marks a new phase in the region’s military dynamics, with hypersonic technology now entering active combat.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that the latest wave of attacks—part of Operation Honest Promise 3—was executed using this highly advanced missile. Iran also claimed it has achieved “complete control over the skies” of what it referred to as “occupied territories,” indicating a strong political and military message.
Background of the Missile Strike
Operation Honest Promise 3
• The missile launch came during the 11th wave of Operation Honest Promise, a military campaign launched by Iran in response to tensions with Israel. The operation has been marked by the use of long-range precision weapons, among which the Fattah-1 now takes a central place.
Iran’s Aggressive Messaging
• The strike coincided with powerful rhetoric from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who called for “no mercy” toward Israelis. This mirrors Iran’s past threats and emphasizes its intent to project strength across the region.
What Is a Hypersonic Missile?
Definition and Characteristics
• The term “hypersonic” refers to any object traveling at speeds of Mach 5 or higher—that is, five times the speed of sound, or approximately 6,100 kilometers per hour (3,800 miles per hour).
5. OPERATION TRUE PROMISE 3: IRAN’S RETALIATORY STRIKE REDEFINES MODERN WARFARE –
• Iran launched Operation True Promise 3 as retaliation against Israeli strikes on nuclear enrichment facilities and high-ranking Iranian military officials. The operation marks a strategic escalation in the conflict and reveals new offensive tactics with implications for missile defence systems worldwide.
What is Operation True Promise 3?
• A retaliatory military campaign by Iran, targeting Israeli cities and infrastructure.
• Led by: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
• Cause: Triggered by Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites (Natanz, Isfahan) and the killing of top generals.
• Targets: Major urban centers—Tel Aviv, Haifa, Rehovot.
Damage Inflicted
• Power stations, oil refineries, and scientific research centers.
• Urban and civilian zones disrupted.
• The “New Method” of Missile Warfare
• Introduced by the IRGC to defeat Israeli air defence systems, especially Iron Dome.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. The NISAR mission is a joint Earth-observing satellite mission between which two space agencies?
a) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
b) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and European Space Agency (ESA)
c) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and China National Space Administration (CNSA)
d) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA)
Q2. Extended Trajectory-Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM) is developed by which organization ?
a) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
b) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
c) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
d) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Q3. Kali Tiger Reserve is located in which state ?
a) Andhra Pradesh
b) Karnataka
c) Odisha
d) Tamil Nadu
Q4. Which of the following statements is/are true ?
1. DNA is found only in blood cells.
2. All humans except identical twins have unique DNA.
3. Y-Chromosome analysis is useful for identifying both male and female relatives.
Select the correct answer using the code:
a) 1 and 3 only
b) Only 2
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation-
• Statement 2 is correct. All humans have unique DNA unless they are identical twins. Statement 1 is incorrect—DNA is found in almost all cells, not just blood.
• Statement 3 is also wrong—Y-chromosome analysis only traces the male lineage, since females do not carry the Y chromosome.
Q5. Consider the following statements about the Lokpal:
1. The Lokpal can supervise investigations by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).
2. It has powers similar to a civil court during preliminary inquiries.
3. It can investigate complaints against the Prime Minister in all matters without restriction.
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
a) Only 2
b) Only 1 and 2
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation-
• The Lokpal can supervise investigations by the Directorate of Enforcement only indirectly through coordination but primarily supervises the DSPE (CBI). It does have civil court powers for conducting inquiries, as per the Code of Civil Procedure.
• However, its power to probe the Prime Minister is limited—matters of national security, international relations, and atomic energy are excluded. So only statement 2 is correct.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
A | B | B | B | A |