Daily Current Affairs 09 – June – 25
1. World Food Safety Day 2025 –
• World Food Safety Day 2025 (7th June), themed “Food Safety: Science in Action,” highlights India’s shift from an adulteration-focused regime to a science-based food safety system led by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• Despite progress, regulatory gaps and outdated practices persist, warranting renewed scrutiny.
• Note: World Food Safety Day, observed annually on 7th June since 2019 following a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly, is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness and inspiring action to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks
How has India’s Food Safety Framework Evolved?
• Initial Legal Framework (1954–2006): The Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954 treated food safety in binary terms: food was either adulterated or not, without distinguishing between different types of contaminants or considering the levels of exposure.
• It did not account for consumption quantity, dietary patterns, or varying risk profiles of contaminants.
• Reform with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: It established the FSSAI, aligning India’s standards with global benchmarks.
• FSSAI introduced a risk-based framework aligned with international best practices (Codex Alimentarius), incorporating Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides, Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for food additives, and setting standards for veterinary drug residues and naturally occurring toxins.
• By 2020, India’s food safety regulations were nearly on par with advanced economies.
2. New Non-Permanent Countries to UNSC –
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has elected Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia, and Liberia as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for a 2-year term starting 1st January 2026.
• They will join Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, Somalia (elected in 2024, serving through 2026).
• Also, Pakistan has been appointed as the Chair of the UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee for 2025 and will also serve as vice-chair of the UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee during its 2025–26 tenure as a non-permanent member of the Council.
What is the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) ?
• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), established in 1945 under the UN Charter, constitutes one of the UN’s six principal organs, entrusted with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.
• The Council comprises 15 members, including 5 permanent members (P5)- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—who possess veto power, and 10 non-permanent members elected for 2-year terms by the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
• These non-permanent seats are allocated on a regional basis: 5 for African and Asian States, 1 for Eastern European States, 2 for Latin American and Caribbean States, and 2 for Western European and Other States.
• Elections are held annually through a secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority vote, even when candidates are unopposed.
• The UNSC remains the only UN body whose decisions member states are obligated to implement under the UN Charter.
• India’s participation in the Security Council has been as a non-permanent member during the periods of 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92, 2011-12, and 2021-22.
3. SBI Pays ₹8,076.84 Crore Dividend to Government for FY25 –
• In a major boost to the government’s non-tax revenue, the State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public sector lender, has paid a dividend of ₹8,076.84 crore for the financial year 2024-25.
• The dividend cheque was formally handed over to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman by SBI Chairman C.S. Setty on Monday, underscoring the bank’s robust financial performance and its key role in supporting the government’s fiscal resources.
Dividend Payout: A Generous Contribution to the Exchequer
• The ₹8,076.84 crore dividend represents SBI’s share of profits distributed to its majority shareholder—the Government of India. This payment is significantly higher than the ₹6,959.29 crore paid last year for FY24.
• The increase in dividend reflects the bank’s improved earnings and its commitment to shareholder value creation. SBI declared a dividend of ₹15.90 per share for FY25, compared to ₹13.70 per share in the previous fiscal year.
4. MS Dhoni Inducted into ICC Hall of Fame –
• In a moment that further cements his place among cricket’s all-time greats, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former India captain and one of the most iconic cricketers of his generation, was officially inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame during a prestigious event held in London.
• With this honour, Dhoni becomes the 11th Indian cricketer, and the ninth Indian male player, to be recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his extraordinary contributions to the game.
A Career Built on Calm, Leadership, and Glory
• Debuting for India in 2004, Dhoni’s rise to stardom was swift and impactful. He took over as India’s captain in 2007, ushering in a golden era marked by major ICC tournament victories:
• 2007 ICC T20 World Cup (India’s first-ever win in the format)
• 2011 ICC ODI World Cup (after 28 years, on home soil)
• 2013 ICC Champions Trophy (India remained unbeaten under his leadership)
• These victories made him the only captain in world cricket to win all three major ICC trophies, a feat still unmatched.
5. Chenab Rail Bridge: Team Behind the Construction of the Bridge –
• The Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. It took over 20 years to build due to tough challenges like steep mountains, deep valleys and difficult weather. To make this dream come true, many expert teams from India and abroad worked together. This article explains who built this amazing bridge and how they did it.
Tough Location and Early Challenges
• The area where the Chenab Bridge stands is surrounded by the Himalayas. There were no proper roads. So, the project team had to use horses and mules to move people and materials in the early days. Engineers also walked on foot to reach the site.
• Building the bridge without stopping the Chenab River’s flow was one of the biggest challenges. Also, bad weather, landslides and legal problems made the work harder. But the teams never gave up.
Time Take for the Construction
• The government approved the Chenab bridge in 2003. However, because of the region’s rough terrain and security concerns, the work took more than 20 years. Still, the team’s hard work paid off and the bridge finally opened in 2025.
Special Features of the Chenab Rail Bridge
• The Chenab Rail Bridge is not only strong but also smartly designed. It can handle:
• High winds up to 260 km/h
• Earthquakes
• Extreme heat and cold
• Rising water levels
MCQ Quiz
Q1. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was launched by which ministry ?
a) Ministry of Women and Child Development
b) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
c) Ministry of Rural Development
d) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Q2. The main body (fuselage) of future Rafale fighter jets will be produced in Hyderabad for the first time, outside France. Which French aircraft maker is partnering with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to produce the Rafale fuselage in India ?
a) Airbus
b) Dassault Aviation
c) Safran
d) Thales Group
Q3. Who is the Chief Election Commissioner leading the Election Commission of India (ECI) during the introduction of the digitized system for post-election data ?
a) Sunil Arora
b) Sushil Chandra
c) Gyanesh Kumar
d) Om Prakash Rawat
Q4. Consider the following statements about the Chenab Bridge project:
1. Its height above riverbed exceeds that of both the Qutub Minar and the Eiffel Tower.
2. The bridge can withstand earthquakes and wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h.
3. It is designed to support both passenger and freight trains operating at speeds up to 100 km/h.
4. It is a cable-stayed bridge developed with the assistance of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four
Explanation-
• Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Chenab Bridge is taller than the Eiffel Tower (359 m vs. 300 m) and supports 100 km/h trains.
• Statement 2 is correct—the bridge can withstand wind speeds up to 260 km/h.
• Statement 4 is incorrect—it is not a cable-stayed bridge, and no direct involvement of AIIB is noted. It is an arch bridge, developed by Indian agencies including Konkan Railway, IITs, and DRDO.
Q5. The term ‘nominal GDP’ refers to:
a) GDP adjusted for inflation
b) GDP measured at current market prices without adjusting for inflation
c) GDP growth rate excluding government expenditure
d) GDP growth rate after subsidies and taxes
Explanation-
• Nominal GDP is calculated at current market prices and includes the effects of inflation. It reflects the total value of goods and services produced in an economy before adjusting for price changes. Real GDP, in contrast, is inflation-adjusted.