UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 18-06-2025

One Liners 20-06-2025

History, Art and Culture

First printed Sanskrit grammar

Recently reprint of this grammar was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Zagreb in June 2025 as a symbol of Indo-Croatian cultural ties.

• First printed sanskrit grammar – Filip Vezdin authored the first-ever printed Sanskrit grammar, written in Latin and published in the year 1790.
• Croatian origin – Vezdin was a Croatian missionary and scholar, also known as Paulinus a Sancto Bartholomaeo.
• He compiled the grammar during his stay in Malabar (Kerala), learning Sanskrit from local Brahmins and manuscripts.
• Significance in Linguistics – The work marks a pioneering European effort in Indology and reflects early Western scholarly interest in Indian languages and culture.

Polity & Governance

EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card)

Recently the Election Commission (EC) has introduced a new SOP to deliver Voter ID (EPIC) cards within 15 days of electoral roll update or new enrolment.

• Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) – It is an official photo identification card issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to all eligible voters.
• It serves as both an identity document for voting and proof of citizenship in India.
• It is commonly known as the Voter ID card.
• Real-Time tracking system – The new system enables real-time tracking of EPIC card processing from generation by the ERO to delivery via the Department of Posts (DoP).
• Digital Platform (ECINet) – A new dedicated IT module under the ECINet platform allows voters to get SMS updates at every stage of the EPIC card delivery.
• It reaffirms the India’s electoral roll preparation is globally one of the most transparent and rigorous.

BHASHINI

Recently, Mizoram signed an MoU with Digital India BHASHINI Division to promote multilingual digital governance using native languages.

• BHASHINI – It is an AI-powered language translation platform launched in August 2022 by the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) under the National Language Translation Mission.
• It aims to bridge literacy, language, and digital divides, enabling citizens to access digital services in their native tongues.
• Platform & Technology – BHASHINI offers 300+ pre‑trained AI models for translation and voice-based services.
• It uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) to provide high-quality translation across Indic languages and English.
• Adoption & Impact – PM Modi recently used BHASHINI to translate his speech into Tamil in December 2023.
• FM Sitharaman also used it during her 2024 Union Budget speech.
• It’s been integrated into railway customer platforms to enable real-time multilingual support.
• Empowering Tribals Digitally – The collaboration aims to provide digital access in the Mizo language, empowering tribal communities through inclusive governance.
• Mizo AI Language Models – The partnership will also work on enhancing Mizo language AI datasets and models to support India's multilingual digital ecosystem.

International Relations and Issues

Strait of Hormuz

Recent Israel – Iran Conflict made world’s most critical oil chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz central to discussions and analyses focused on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

• Strait of Hormuz – It derives its name from the ancient Persian city of Hormuz, located on an island in the strait.
• Major trading hub – The island was a major trading hub for centuries, controlling maritime routes in the Persian Gulf.
• Historically, the strait was a key part of the Silk Road’s maritime extensions, facilitating trade between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe
• Strategic Location – The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, making it one of the world’s most vital oil transit chokepoints.
• Global Oil Flow – In 2024, around 20 million barrels per day—nearly 20% of global petroleum liquids—passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Asian dependency – About 84% of crude oil and 83% of Liquefied natural gas moving through the strait are destined for Asian markets, especially India, China, and Japan.
• Conflict flashpoint – Iran views the strait as a strategic leverage point and has repeatedly threatened closure during regional tensions, including with Israel.

Impact Of Israel – Iran Conflict in Rice & Tea Exports

Recent Shipments of basmati rice and tea, that are exported from India to Iran, are on hold because of the Iran-Israel conflict.

• Iran is the largest market for Indian basmati rice as 1.2 million tonnes of the total six million tonnes of annual exports go to Iran.
• Iran a key market for basmati – Iran imports 1.2 million tonnes of Indian basmati rice annually, making it the largest export market for this commodity.
• Tea Exports Disrupted – India exports around 20,000–25,000 tonnes of orthodox tea to Iran each year; shipments are currently on hold due to the conflict.
• Ripple Effects – Exporters fear the conflict may soon affect tea exports to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, given regional linkages with Iran.
• Rising export costs – Conflict-driven uncertainties are causing air and sea freight surges, along with higher fuel prices and insurance premiums.

Economy

Compulsory Convertible Securities (CCS)

Recently in a bid to increase ease of doing business for market participants, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved proposals on Compulsory Convertible Securities.

• Compulsory Convertible Securities – They are financial instruments (usually bonds or debentures) that mandatorily convert into equity shares of a company after a specified period or upon meeting certain conditions.
• Key Features
  • Mandatory conversion – Unlike optional instruments, CCS must be converted into equity—there is no choice.
  • Issued as debt initially – Treated as debt instruments until conversion, offering fixed returns.
  • Dilution of equity – On conversion, they increase the number of equity shares, thus diluting existing shareholders’ ownership.
  • Popular in start-ups – Used to raise capital without immediate dilution of control; often preferred by venture capitalists and private equity investors.
• Recent SEBI Reform – SEBI removed the 1-year minimum holding requirement for CCS before IPO filing, treating them on par with equity shares.
• This supports “reverse flipping” helping Indian startups relocate from foreign incorporation back to India.
• Advantages – It offers initial debt safety with guaranteed equity upside.
• It allows capital infusion without immediate equity dilution.
• Bridges Valuation Gaps when company valuation is uncertain at early stages.

Security

Cyber Suraksha

Recently Defence Cyber Agency begins exercise to bolster cyber resilience at national level.

• Cyber Suraksha – It is a proactive step towards bolstering cyber resilience at national level, and encompasses the conduct of targeted training sessions, evaluation and an engaging capsule for leadership.
• Organising agency – By the Defence Cyber Agency under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.
• Exercise duration – The multi-phased exercise began on June 16, 2025, and concludes on June 27, 2025, focusing on enhancing cyber resilience.
• Participants and focus – Over 100 participants from national defence and cybersecurity agencies are involved in real-world threat simulations and defensive skill training.
• CISOs conclave – A Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) Conclave is integrated into the exercise, featuring expert talks and a Table-Top Exercise for leadership engagement.

INS Arnala

Recently INS Arnala commissioned on 18 June 2025.

• First Indigenous ASW-SWC – INS Arnala is India’s first indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC).
• Made in India – It was constructed by GRSE, Kolkata, and delivered at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, under a public-private partnership model.
• Design and capabilities – INS Arnala is equipped with underwater surveillance systems, mine-laying capacity, and is suitable for Low Intensity Maritime Operations.
• Symbolism and motto – The ship’s crest bears a stylised auger shell, and its motto is “Arnave Shauryam” (Valour in the Ocean).
• Boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat – With over 80% indigenous content, INS Arnala strengthens coastal defence and reflects India’s push for self-reliant shipbuilding.

Miscellaneous

Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar & Bal Sahitya Puraskar

Recently Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar & Bal Sahitya Puraskar Awards for 2025 were announced by Sahitya Akademi.

• Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar – It is presented annually to best literary creations by the young writers of age 35 or below in any of the 22 languages of the 8th Schedule to the Indian constitution as well as in English and Rajasthani language.
• Awardees for 2025 – A total of 23 writers were selected for the Yuva Puraskar 2025, awarded in 23 Indian languages, excluding Dogri.
• Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025 – It is conferred annually on writers for their contribution in the field of Children's literature in all the 24 recognized languages.
• Awardees for 2025 – The Bal Puraskar was awarded to 24 authors; winners include Nitin Kushalappa MP (English) and Sushil Shukla (Hindi).
• Award components – Each awardee receives a copper plaque and a cash prize of ₹50,000, presented at a special ceremony later in the year.
• Conferred by - Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, is the Central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English.