On June 13, 2025, ESA’s Solar Orbiter sent the first images of the Sun’s south pole, advancing space science. In Kashmir, the rare Eurasian otter was spotted after nearly 30 years, signaling ecological hope. India emphasized nuclear energy to meet its 2070 net-zero goal amid challenges. Meanwhile, Air India Flight 171 crashed near Ahmedabad, causing heavy casualties with one survivor, raising safety concerns.

Awareness regarding daily UPSC current affairs is crucial for cracking the UPSC Prelims, excelling in UPSC Mains. It helps perform well in the UPSC personality test, thus becoming an informed and effective UPSC civil servant.

Below are the current affairs and headlines of the day taken from The Hindu, Indian Express, Press Information Bureau & All India Radio as required for UPSC preparation:

Air India Flight 171 Crash in Ahmedabad

Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS Paper II – Governance

In News

• On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The flight was en route to London Gatwick Airport. 

• The aircraft crashed into a residential area near B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood. The crash resulted in the deaths of 241 individuals aboard the flight and at least 28 people on the ground, with one survivor reported.

Flight and Aircraft Details

Sequence of Events

• Pre-Flight: The aircraft was fully fueled and prepared for its international journey.
• Takeoff: The flight took off from Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM IST.
• Crash: Approximately 30 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into a residential building near B.J. Medical College.
• Rescue Operations: Emergency services responded promptly, retrieving bodies from both the aircraft wreckage and the affected building.
• Survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, was found alive in seat 11A. He reported hearing a loud noise shortly after takeoff before the crash occurred.

Know the article on Indian Aviation Safety: Concerns & Consequences!

Casualties and Damage

• Aboard the Aircraft: 241 fatalities.
• On the Ground: At least 28 individuals confirmed dead, including students and staff at B.J. Medical College.
• Injuries: Approximately 60 individuals sustained injuries, including burns and trauma.
• Infrastructure Damage: The crash caused significant damage to the residential building and surrounding structures.

Investigative Actions

• Initial Response: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initiated an emergency response, with teams deployed to the crash site.
• Investigation Teams: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in collaboration with the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and Boeing, commenced an investigation into the cause of the crash.
• Preliminary Findings: Preliminary reports suggest a possible engine thrust issue, with the flight crew issuing a mayday call shortly before the crash.

Significance

• Aviation Safety: This incident marks the first fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, raising concerns about the aircraft's safety record.
• International Impact: The crash involved passengers from multiple countries, including the UK, highlighting the global implications of such tragedies.
• Policy Implications: The incident underscores the need for stringent safety protocols and international cooperation in aviation safety standards.

Solar Orbiter Mission: First-Ever Images of Sun’s South Pole

Source: ESA
Syllabus: GS Paper III – Science & Technology

In News

• The European Space Agency (ESA) released the first direct images of the Sun’s south pole, captured by the Solar Orbiter mission.

• This is the first time any spacecraft has imaged the Sun’s poles directly.

• Data from the north pole is yet to be received; further insights are expected soon.

About the Solar Orbiter Mission

Know more about NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission!

Key Scientific Instruments

• Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI) – Measures solar magnetic field and oscillations
• Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) – Captures high-resolution images of the corona
• Solar Wind Analyzer (SWA) – Analyzes the solar wind particles

Key Outcomes

• South Pole Images:
  • Taken from ~65 million km
  • Revealed chaotic magnetic field structure during solar maximum
  • Confirmed presence of both polarities — indicating imminent polarity reversal
• Solar Cycle Prediction:
  • Expected to improve models for forecasting the 11-year solar cycle
  • Useful for predicting space weather events impacting Earth
• Heliosphere Understanding:
  • Enables 3D mapping of solar wind propagation
  • Contributes to modelling the boundary of the heliosphere

Significance

• Fills a critical observational gap in solar science by imaging the poles
• Enhances predictive capability for solar flares, CMEs, and geomagnetic storms
• Supports improved satellite protection and astronaut safety
• Strengthens understanding of the Sun–Earth relationship and broader space weather dynamics

Know more about Aditya L1 Mission!

Eurasian Otter Rediscovered in Kashmir

Source: The Indian Express
Syllabus: GS Paper III – Environment 

In News

• A rare sighting of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) was recorded in South Kashmir’s Lidder River (Srigufwara).

• The species was considered extinct in the region since the 1990s.

• Confirmed sightings have now occurred in:

• Gurez Valley

• Heerpora (Shopian)

• Srigufwara (Anantnag)

About Eurasian Otter

Distribution

• Global: Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa
• India: Found in the Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Northeast
• Kashmir (Historical): Previously reported in Dal Lake, Dachigam, Lidder River, and Rambiara stream

Conservation Status

Threats

• Freshwater pollution and habitat fragmentation
• Poaching for fur (historical)
• Human disturbance due to tourism and land-use change
• Degradation of riparian vegetation and water quality

Significance of Rediscovery

• Indicates potential for natural re-establishment of native biodiversity
• Serves as a bio-indicator of river health and water quality
• Supports the goals of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan
• Can catalyze community-based conservation and eco-tourism initiatives

Fuel for a Green Viksit Bharat: Role of Nuclear Energy

Source: The Indian Express
Syllabus: GS Paper III – Environment

In News

• As part of India’s commitment to achieving net-zero by 2070 and becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, nuclear energy is being positioned as a critical pillar in clean energy strategy.
• The country needs a massive scale-up of baseload, non-fossil energy sources to meet future demand.

Why Nuclear Energy is Critical?

• Energy Demand Scale:
  • Projected requirement: ~28,000 TWh/year by 2070
  • Nuclear expected to supply ~20,000 TWh (~70%)
• Renewable Limitations:
  • Intermittency and land-use constraints
  • Combined solar, wind, hydro may provide only ~8,000 TWh/year
• Current Dependence:
  • Over 96% of India’s 9,800 TWh/year currently comes from fossil fuels
• Domestic Capability:
  • India has developed indigenous PHWR (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors)
• Strategic Autonomy:
  • Aligns with India’s 3-stage nuclear programme: PHWR → FBR → Thorium reactors
• Base-load Stability:
  • Unlike solar and wind, nuclear offers continuous and reliable power output

Know more about Building a Viksit Agri Economy!

Significance

• Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and ensures long-term energy security
• Helps maintain stable power supply for industrial growth
• Supports climate action through low-emission, reliable power generation
• Reinforces India’s commitment to self-reliant technological innovation under Atmanirbhar Bharat

Key Challenges

• Uranium Dependency:
  • 100 GWe nuclear capacity would need ~20,000 tons/year
  • This accounts for nearly 15% of global uranium production
• Second-Stage Delay:
  • Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) programme delayed, impacting fuel self-sufficiency
• Thorium Technology Lag:
  • Though India has abundant thorium reserves, reactor tech is underdeveloped
• Institutional Bottlenecks:
  • Deployment limited to NPCIL and NTPC; need broader institutional participation
• Foreign Vendor Dependence:
  • Reliance on foreign reactor suppliers could undermine self-reliance
• R&D and Cost Issues:
  • Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and thorium R&D underfunded
  • High capital cost and regulatory delays