On June 23rd, 2025, India witnessed important developments across various sectors. The persistent conflict between Israel and Iran continues to fuel regional instability, prompting India to extend its humanitarian efforts. Concurrently, major powers are strengthening ties, with Russia and India set to finalize a long-term cooperation plan. Meanwhile, India's stance on historical agreements, such as the Indus Water Treaty, remains firm, reflecting its evolving foreign policy positions.

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:

INS Nilgiri, First Project 17A Stealth Frigate, Reaches Visakhapatnam

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

IN NEWS 

• INS Nilgiri, the first ship of the advanced Project 17A stealth frigates, has successfully reached Visakhapatnam. 

• This marks a significant milestone in India's naval modernization program, bringing a new class of indigenously built warships into operational readiness.

Significance for the Indian Navy and India's Defence

• Modernization of Fleet: The induction of INS Nilgiri and subsequent Project 17A frigates will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's capabilities, replacing older warships and bolstering its operational prowess.
• Increased Deterrence: These stealth frigates, with their advanced combat systems, provide enhanced deterrence capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
• Blue-Water Navy Ambition: Contributes to India's ambition of developing a robust blue-water navy capable of operating across distant waters and protecting its maritime interests.
• Boost to Indigenous Defence Industry: The high indigenous content directly supports India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, creating jobs, fostering technological know-how, and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. This aligns with the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives.
• Strategic Presence: Their deployment, particularly from naval bases like Visakhapatnam on the Eastern Seaboard, strengthens India's strategic presence in the Bay of Bengal and extends its reach into the Indo-Pacific.

Iran Approves Closure of Strait of Hormuz After U.S. Strikes on Nuclear Sites

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS 

• In a major escalation of the ongoing conflict, Iran has reportedly approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This decision comes immediately after the United States carried out air strikes on three nuclear sites within Iran, as described by President Trump as a "spectacular success." 

• The approval to close the vital Strait signifies a critical escalation, with profound implications for global energy markets and regional stability.

Context of Iran's Decision

Iran's approval to close the Strait of Hormuz is a direct and retaliatory response to the U.S. military strikes on its nuclear facilities.

• U.S. Strikes: The United States carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, indicating a clear intent to target Iran's nuclear capabilities. President Trump's statement of "spectacular success" underscores the significance of these military actions.
• Escalation: These U.S. strikes represent a direct military action against Iranian territory, escalating the long-standing tensions between the two nations from proxy conflicts and cyber warfare to overt military confrontation.
• Retaliatory Measure: Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz is a severe retaliatory measure, leveraging its geographical advantage to exert economic pressure and demonstrate its capacity to disrupt global systems.

Implications of Closure

Iran's approval to close the Strait, if implemented, would have immediate and severe global implications:

• Global Energy Crisis: A direct halt or severe disruption of oil transit would trigger an unprecedented global energy crisis, leading to a dramatic spike in crude oil prices (as seen in the earlier news of Brent crude rising), fuel shortages, and economic instability worldwide.
• Increased Shipping Costs: Even without full closure, the threat and perceived risk would cause shipping and insurance costs for vessels operating in the region to skyrocket.
• Disruption of Trade Routes: It would force oil tankers and other commercial vessels to seek much longer and more expensive alternative routes, distorting global trade and supply chains.
• Military Confrontation: Any attempt by Iran to physically close the Strait would almost certainly provoke a direct military response from the U.S. and its allies, who are committed to ensuring freedom of navigation through international waterways. This would lead to a full-blown military conflict in the region.
• Impact on India: India, which imports over 80% of its crude oil requirements and relies heavily on Middle Eastern sources, would be severely impacted by such a closure. It would lead to massive import bill hikes, increased inflation, and significant pressure on its fiscal and current account deficits.

Know more about the List of Straits in the World!

Background of Iran's Nuclear Program and U.S. Concerns

• Iranian Nuclear Program: Iran has maintained a nuclear program, which it insists is for peaceful energy purposes. However, the international community, particularly the U.S. and Israel, has expressed grave concerns that it could be used to develop nuclear weapons.
• Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA): The 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) placed limits on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the U.S. withdrew from this deal in 2018 under the Trump administration and reimposed sanctions.
• U.S. Policy: The U.S. policy under President Trump has been one of "maximum pressure" on Iran, aiming to curb its nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile program, and support for regional proxies. The recent strikes align with this assertive stance.

US carries out strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS 

• The United States has carried out targeted air strikes on three nuclear sites within Iran. President Trump described these military operations as a "spectacular success." 

• These strikes mark a significant escalation in the tensions between Washington and Tehran, directly targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

Context of the Strikes

The U.S. air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities represent a direct military confrontation, escalating the long-standing adversarial relationship between the two nations. This action follows years of heightened tensions, economic sanctions, and proxy conflicts.

• Targeting Nuclear Infrastructure: The deliberate targeting of nuclear sites suggests a U.S. objective to directly impede or set back Iran's nuclear program, which the U.S. and its allies view with suspicion, fearing it could lead to the development of nuclear weapons.
• Assertion of Force: The strikes convey a strong message of deterrence and demonstrate the U.S.'s willingness to use military force to achieve its strategic objectives regarding Iran.
• President Trump's Stance: President Trump's description of the strikes as a "spectacular success" underlines the decisive nature of the operation from the U.S. perspective and aims to project strength and resolve.

Implications of the U.S. Strikes

The U.S. strikes carry profound and immediate implications for regional and global dynamics:

• Escalation of Conflict: This is a direct military action against sovereign territory, moving the U.S.-Iran standoff into an overt, dangerous phase. It significantly raises the risk of a full-blown war in the Middle East.
• Iran's Retaliation: As seen in related news (Iran approving closure of Strait of Hormuz), Iran is likely to retaliate, potentially through military means, cyberattacks, or by activating its regional proxies, further destabilizing the region.
• Global Energy Markets: The strikes and potential Iranian retaliation (e.g., closing the Strait of Hormuz) will have an immediate and severe impact on global crude oil prices, supply chains, and overall economic stability.
• International Diplomacy: It puts immense pressure on international bodies and other major powers to de-escalate the situation and prevent a wider conflict. Diplomacy becomes critically challenging in such a highly charged environment.
• Regional Security: The strikes will likely intensify the security dilemma in the Middle East, potentially leading to increased militarization and proxy confrontations.
• Nuclear Proliferation Concerns: Depending on the damage inflicted and Iran's response, the incident could either set back Iran's nuclear program or, paradoxically, accelerate its determination to develop nuclear weapons as a deterrent.

🎯Question 1:

Consider the following statements regarding INS Nilgiri and Project 17A stealth frigates:

• INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of the Project 17A frigates, designed with enhanced stealth features.

• All seven frigates under Project 17A are being built solely by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

• Project 17A emphasizes significantly higher indigenous content, estimated to be around 75%.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: INS Nilgiri is indeed the lead ship of Project 17A and is built with advanced stealth features.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Project 17A frigates are being built by two shipyards – four at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and three at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
• Statement 3 is correct: Project 17A aims for a high indigenous content, estimated to be around 75%, aligning with India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

🎯Question 2:

The Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital maritime chokepoint, connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. It is bordered by which two countries?

(a) Saudi Arabia and Iran

(b) Iran and Oman

(c) United Arab Emirates and Oman

(d) Iraq and Iran

✅Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️Explanation:

The Strait of Hormuz is bordered by Iran on its northern coastline and Oman (specifically its Musandam Governorate) on its southern coastline.

🎯Question 3:

Which of the following statements best describes the economic importance of the Strait of Hormuz?

(a) It is the primary route for global diamond and gold trade.

(b) It handles approximately 20% of global petroleum liquid consumption and a significant portion of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

(c) It is a major fishing ground for countries in the Middle East.

(d) It serves as a bypass for the Suez Canal, reducing shipping times for Asian economies.

✅Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️Explanation:

The Strait of Hormuz is critically important for global energy security as it handles roughly 20% of global petroleum liquid consumption and a substantial volume of LNG exports from the Middle East. Options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect; the Strait is not primarily for diamond/gold trade or fishing, and it does not bypass the Suez Canal (rather, it is a key passage that leads towards it from the Persian Gulf).

🎯Question 4:

With reference to Iran's nuclear program, which international body is primarily responsible for monitoring its nuclear activities to ensure they are for peaceful purposes?

(a) United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

(b) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

(c) Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)

(d) Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Signatories

✅Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️Explanation:

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, primarily responsible for monitoring and verifying that nuclear energy programs are used for peaceful purposes and not for developing nuclear weapons. The UNSC deals with international peace and security, CTBTO promotes the nuclear test ban, and the NPT is a treaty on nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

🎯Question 5:

Iran's recent approval to potentially close the Strait of Hormuz, as highlighted in recent news, is primarily a direct retaliatory response to which action?

(a) New economic sanctions imposed by the European Union.

(b) Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza.

(c) U.S. air strikes on three nuclear sites within Iran.

(d) The decision by Saudi Arabia to increase its oil production.

✅Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️Explanation:

The news reports explicitly state that Iran's approval to close the Strait of Hormuz comes immediately after the United States carried out air strikes on three nuclear sites within Iran. This is presented as a direct retaliatory measure.