UPSC Current Affairs – 29 June 2025 | Sunlo UPSC

UPSC DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS: 29TH JUNE 2025

A WORD BEFORE WE BEGIN

This journey is a marathon of consistency. Every single day you show up, every article you analyze, every note you make—it's a brick you're laying for the foundation of your success. Today is an opportunity to be better than you were yesterday. Let's break down today's current affairs together. Let's make today count.

GS PAPER 2: GOVERNANCE, POLITY & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

TOPIC 1: PURI RATH YATRA TRAGEDY: A TEST OF GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The tragic incident at the Puri Rath Yatra serves as a critical case study in Governance, Accountability, and Disaster Management.

THE CORE ISSUE: WHAT HAPPENED?

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, during the world-renowned Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, a sudden crowd surge at the Shree Gundicha Temple led to a stampede. The outcome was tragic: three devotees lost their lives, and approximately a dozen others were hospitalized. This occurred as tens of thousands of devotees gathered to get a glimpse of the deities—Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra—on their chariots.

The incident immediately became a political issue. The former Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, criticized the new government for a "shocking lapse in duty," alleging that "no government machinery (was) present to manage the surging crowds." In response, the current Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, issued an apology, acknowledged the incident as a "stampede," and promised an immediate investigation into the "security negligence," vowing to take "concrete action."

A DEEPER DIVE: SYSTEMIC FAILURE, NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT

This event was a classic example of a recurring governance failure: poor crowd management at large religious gatherings. The Rath Yatra is one of the world's largest religious processions, making the risk of a stampede entirely predictable. This points to a fundamental breakdown in administrative planning and execution.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has comprehensive guidelines on Crowd Management. The Puri tragedy suggests a significant gap between these policies and their on-ground implementation. The official admission of "security negligence" is a direct confirmation of an administrative lapse. The incident highlights a chronic lack of capacity, inadequate preparedness, or a lack of political will to implement established national protocols for predictable, high-risk events.

UPSC CONNECT

• GS Paper 2: Important aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability; Role of civil services in a democracy.
• GS Paper 3: Disaster and disaster management.
• GS Paper 4 (Ethics): Accountability and ethical governance; Compassion towards the vulnerable.

TOPIC 2: THE EMERGENCY'S ECHO: PM'S 'MANN KI BAAT' AND CONSTITUTIONAL MEMORY

The Prime Minister's 'Mann Ki Baat' address on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency serves as a significant topic for GS Paper 2 and the Essay paper.

THE CORE ISSUE: WHAT WAS SAID?

In the 123rd episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated a significant portion to the 50th anniversary of the imposition of the Emergency (1975-77).

• Strong Condemnation: He termed the anniversary 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day), stating that those who imposed the Emergency not only "murdered the Constitution" but also intended to make the judiciary their "puppet" or "slave."
• Use of Historical Voices: He played archival audio clips of speeches from prominent anti-Emergency figures, including former Prime Ministers Morarji Desai and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Recalling the Horrors: The address recalled the suspension of fundamental rights, press censorship, the jailing of over one lakh people, and the use of draconian laws like the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).
• Contemporary Political Context: This condemnation comes as opposition parties level charges of an "undeclared Emergency" against the current government, creating a direct political counter-narrative.

A DEEPER DIVE: THE POLITICS OF HISTORICAL MEMORY

This address is a powerful example of how history is an active political battleground. The speech was an act of 'public pedagogy'—educating a new generation about a past event from a specific ideological viewpoint. The choice of language—"murdered the Constitution," "judiciary as a slave"—is deliberately strong and emotive. The timing serves as a powerful rebuttal to the opposition's "undeclared Emergency" rhetoric. The strategy is to frame the 1975 Emergency as a unique and unparalleled assault on democracy, thereby creating a moral distinction between the past and the present. This act of remembering is also an act of framing, creating a clear narrative of heroes and villains.

UPSC CONNECT

• GS Paper 1: Post-independence consolidation and history.
• GS Paper 2: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, basic structure.
• Essay: Topics related to Democracy, Constitutionalism, and Freedom of Speech.

GS PAPER 3: ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT, S&T, AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

TOPIC 1: HIMALAYAN TRAGEDY: THE UTTARAKHAND CLOUDBURST

The cloudburst in Uttarakhand is a grim reminder of the extreme fragility of our Himalayan ecosystem and the consequences of unchecked development.

THE CORE ISSUE: WHAT HAPPENED?

Early on Sunday morning, a cloudburst—a phenomenon of sudden, extremely heavy rainfall in a localized area—struck near Silai Bend on the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district.

• Nine road construction workers are feared to have been swept away by the resulting flash flood.
• The incident triggered a cascade of damage, closing the crucial Yamunotri National Highway and inundating agricultural land with debris.
• The water level in the Yamuna river has also risen dangerously.

A DEEPER DIVE: THE MAN-MADE DIMENSIONS OF A 'NATURAL' DISASTER

This event is a classic example of a 'hydro-meteorological disaster' amplified by 'anthropogenic' (human-induced) factors. The victims were road construction workers living in makeshift tents at the worksite, raising questions about worker safety protocols in high-risk zones. The location, part of a massive infrastructure push in the Himalayas, directly links the disaster to large-scale development activity in an ecologically sensitive region.

The Himalayas are geologically active and prone to landslides and flash floods. Pushing for massive road-widening projects without robust environmental safeguards is a recipe for disaster. This incident is a critical case study for the classic 'development vs. environment' debate, suggesting we are failing to adequately consider environmental impacts and the vulnerability of the workforce.

UPSC CONNECT

• GS Paper 3: Disaster and disaster management; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
• GS Paper 1: Geographical features and their location—changes in critical geographical features.

TOPIC 2: THE ECONOMIC PULSE: MONSOON AND MANUFACTURING

SUB-TOPIC A: MONSOON'S EARLY ARRIVAL: A SIGH OF RELIEF FOR THE ECONOMY

The performance of the Southwest Monsoon dictates the trajectory of the national economy.

THE CORE ISSUE: AN EARLY AND BOUNTIFUL ARRIVAL

The Southwest Monsoon has covered the entire country by June 29, over a week ahead of schedule. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts an above-average monsoon.

• Agricultural Lifeline: Nearly half of India's farmland is rain-fed. The early rains will accelerate the planting of crucial summer (Kharif) crops.
• Economic Implications: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has linked the favorable monsoon to positive economic outcomes, expecting it to ease food inflation and boost agricultural production.

A DEEPER DIVE: A TAILWIND FOR INFLATION MANAGEMENT

A good monsoon boosts agricultural output, which increases rural incomes (stimulating demand) and helps cool down stubborn food inflation. This provides the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) crucial flexibility. When food prices are controlled, the MPC can better focus on supporting economic growth. A good monsoon is a key variable in India's entire economic policy equation.

UPSC CONNECT

• GS Paper 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth; Major cropping patterns; Food security.

SUB-TOPIC B: INDIA'S AUTO SECTOR: THE EV REVOLUTION GAINS TRACTION

The automobile sector is a powerhouse of the Indian economy, with a definitive shift towards Electric Vehicles (EVs).

THE CORE ISSUE: A SECTOR IN TRANSITION

India's auto sector contributes 7.1% to the country's GDP and 49% to its manufacturing GDP. The government is steering this sector towards a green transition through ambitious schemes:

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: With an outlay of ₹25,938 crore, this scheme is designed to boost domestic manufacturing of EVs and advanced automotive technologies.
• FAME-II Scheme: The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) scheme, with a budget of ₹11,500 crore, provides demand-side incentives.
• Battery Ecosystem: A separate PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage (outlay of ₹18,100 crore) aims to reduce dependence on imported batteries.

The market share of EVs is steadily climbing, crossing the 4% mark in total car sales in May 2025.

A DEEPER DIVE: BUILDING A SELF-RELIANT EV ECOSYSTEM

The government's strategy is a holistic industrial policy aimed at creating an indigenous EV ecosystem. The FAME scheme creates demand, the PLI for auto incentivizes local production to meet that demand, and the PLI for ACC batteries tackles the most critical supply chain bottleneck. This is a textbook example of a comprehensive strategy addressing both supply and demand with a focus on 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India). However, concerns about the slow pace of fund disbursement under the PLI scheme highlight a common governance challenge: policy design is often excellent, but on-the-ground execution can face administrative hurdles.

UPSC CONNECT

• GS Paper 3: Indian Economy; Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth; Infrastructure: Energy.

INTERACTIVE QUIZ

MAINS QUESTION AND ANSWER

Question: While government initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aim to bolster India's manufacturing capabilities, recurring tragedies like the Puri stampede and the Uttarakhand cloudburst highlight persistent gaps in governance and risk management. Critically analyze how strengthening administrative capacity and on-ground implementation is as crucial as economic incentives for India's journey towards becoming a developed nation. (250 words)

Answer:

INTRODUCTION

India's ambition to become a developed nation by 2047 hinges on a dual strategy: fostering economic growth through initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens through robust governance. However, recent tragedies like the Puri stampede and the Uttarakhand cloudburst expose a critical disconnect between policy formulation and on-ground implementation, underscoring that administrative capacity is as vital as economic incentives.

THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF GOVERNANCE BEYOND ECONOMIC INCENTIVES

Ensuring Foundational Safety and Rule of Law: Economic growth is unsustainable without a foundation of safety and order. The Puri stampede, a predictable disaster at a globally renowned event, signifies a failure in crowd management and a breakdown of basic administrative protocols outlined by bodies like the NDMA. This erodes public trust and global confidence, which are essential for investment and development.

Mitigating Risks in Development: The Uttarakhand tragedy, where construction workers on a major infrastructure project were swept away, exemplifies the perils of development without due diligence. It highlights that the push for infrastructure, a key component of a developed economy, must be accompanied by stringent environmental impact assessments and worker safety protocols. Strong administrative capacity ensures that development is not just rapid, but also sustainable and resilient.

Effective Implementation of Policies: The success of economic schemes like PLI, which aims to create a self-reliant EV ecosystem, is itself dependent on efficient administration. Reports of slow fund disbursement under the scheme reveal that even well-designed economic policies can falter due to administrative bottlenecks, delaying investment and hampering industrial growth.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, while economic incentives like the PLI scheme are essential engines for growth, they cannot operate in a vacuum. A developed nation is defined not only by its economic output but also by its capacity to protect its citizens, manage risks, and implement its own policies effectively. Therefore, strengthening administrative capacity, ensuring accountability, and improving on-ground implementation are not parallel goals but prerequisites for ensuring that India's economic journey is safe, equitable, and truly transformative.