13 June 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. AI Flight with 242 on Board Crashes in Ahmedabad

Source: The Hindu, Page 1, June 13, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management; GS Paper 2 – Governance

Context

An Air India Boeing 787 aircraft en route to London crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off, killing over 260 people including passengers and those on the ground.

Content: 

• Incident Details:

  • Aircraft: Air India Boeing 787-8

  • Passengers: 242 (230 passengers + 12 crew)

  • Cause: Aircraft issued a Mayday signal, lost contact in under 40 seconds after takeoff.

  • Location: Crashed into a medical college hostel, killing 24 on the ground.

• Governance & Response:

  • Prompt visit and statement by Union Home Minister.

  • Relief announced: ₹1 crore compensation per deceased.

  • Special relief flights arranged for families.

  • Search operations underway for the black box.

• Disaster Management Concerns:

  • Need for faster emergency response systems at airports.

  • Importance of ATC and pilot communication protocols.

  • Rehabilitation for victims’ families and medical college community.

• Policy Implications:

  • Strengthening aviation safety audits.

  • Reviewing compensation frameworks and insurance mandates for civilian aviation disasters.

Practice Question:

“Examine the key institutional and policy challenges in India’s disaster response mechanism with special reference to aviation-related accidents. Suggest reforms to improve the emergency response framework.”  (250 words / 15 marks)

2. India Slips in Global Gender Gap Index 2025

Source: Page 1, The Hindu, June 13 2025

Topic: GS Paper 1 – Society; GS Paper 2 – Governance

Context

India ranked 131 out of 148 countries in the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, reflecting minimal progress in bridging gender disparities.

Content:

• Report Highlights:

  • Overall score: 64.1%

  • Parity remains 123 years away globally at current rate.

  • Bangladesh ranked 24, leading in South Asia.

• India’s Performance:

  • Economic Participation: Labour force participation at 45.9%

  • Education: Score improved to 97.1% (positive shifts in literacy and tertiary enrollment).

  • Health: Higher parity in sex ratio at birth and life expectancy.

  • Political Empowerment: Still low despite women holding high offices.

• Analysis:

  • Structural barriers: Gender stereotypes, unequal pay, limited political representation.

  • Cultural challenges and implementation gaps in policy.

• Way Forward:

  • Targeted skilling and employment programmes for women.

  • Gender budgeting in all ministries.

  • Promoting women’s political participation through reservations and leadership development.

Practice Question:

Despite progressive laws, India continues to rank low in gender equality indices. Critically analyze the structural challenges and suggest comprehensive strategies for improvement. (250 words / 15 marks)

3. Retail Inflation Hits 75-Month Low of 2.8%

Source: The Hindu, Page 1, June 13, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy: Inflation, Monetary Policy

Context

India’s retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), dropped to 2.8% in May 2025, the lowest since February 2019.

Content:

• Key Data:

  • CPI for May 2025: 2.8%

  • Average for 2025–26 so far: 2.99%

  • Food inflation fell to 1.5% (deflation in vegetables, pulses, meat).

• Implications:

  • Reflects improved supply-side management and favourable monsoon patterns.

  • Positive signal for consumers and investment sentiment.

  • RBI may pause further rate cuts due to already easing inflation and recent rate cut to 5.5%.

• Concerns:

  • Inflation in edible oils and fruits remains in double digits.

  • External shocks (oil prices, geopolitical risks) can reverse gains.

• Way Forward:

  • Build robust food storage and distribution networks.

  • Encourage agricultural diversification and value chains.

  • Monitor core inflation and external dependencies.

Practice Question:

“Discuss the significance of inflation control in macroeconomic stability. Examine the causes behind the recent decline in India’s retail inflation and its policy implications.” (150 words / 10 marks)

Prelims Facts

1. Retail Inflation Eases to Six-Year Low

Source: Page 1, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 3 – Economy (Inflation, Monetary Policy)

Context

India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation for May 2025 fell to 2.8%, the lowest in 75 months.

Analysis of the news:

• CPI inflation in May 2025: 2.8%

• Food inflation dropped to 1.5%

• Components showing deflation: Vegetables, pulses, spices, meat

• Edible oils and fruits still witnessing double-digit inflation.

• Overall average inflation for FY 2025–26 so far: 2.99%

• Economists suggest this may result in a pause in further rate cuts by the RBI.

2. India Slips to 131st Rank in Global Gender Gap Index 2025

Source: Page 1, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 1 – Society; GS Paper 2 – Governance

Context

India dropped from 129th to 131st place in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025.

Analysis of the news:

• Global Rank: 131/148 countries

• Overall Parity Score: 64.1%

• India’s labour force participation (female): 45.9%

• Education sub-index: Scored 97.1% (literacy and tertiary enrolment up)

• Political empowerment and economic participation remain low.

• Bangladesh jumped to 24th rank, best in South Asia.

Check more: 12 June 2025 : Daily Current Affairs