On June 12th, 2025, India witnessed significant developments across science, environment, and population policy. Globally, the UNFPA’s 2025 report confirmed India as the world’s most populous country, highlighting a shift in fertility trends. In parallel, progress toward marine biodiversity protection advanced with more countries ratifying the High Seas Treaty. On the domestic front, Kerala urged amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act amidst growing human-wildlife conflict. Meanwhile, in the field of science, Germany’s KATRIN experiment set a new upper limit on neutrino mass, marking a breakthrough in particle physics.

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:

India's Population Reaches 1.46 Billion: UNFPA Report Highlights Fertility Shift

Source: The Hindu 

Syllabus: GS Paper II – Social Issues 

In News

• UNFPA released its State of the World Population Report 2025, titled “The Real Fertility Crisis.”

• India’s population reached 146.39 crore (1.4639 billion) in April 2025, surpassing China (141.61 crore) to become the most populous country.

• India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.9, which is below the replacement level of 2.1.

• India’s population is projected to peak at 170 crore by around 2065 and then start declining.

2025 Focus: The report emphasizes that the real crisis is not in numbers but in the lack of reproductive agency, i.e., the freedom to make informed family planning decisions.

Know more about the article on World Population Distribution, Density and Growth!

Global Population Trends

• 2025 Population: ~8.2 billion
• Peak Estimate: ~10.3 billion (2080s), then decline
• 48 countries to reach peak between 2025–2054
• Growth mainly driven by:
  • Momentum from younger populations
  • Increasing number of reproductive-age women (~2.2 billion by late 2050s)

Key Data: India – 2025

Reproductive Rights & Fertility Choices

• Millions lack access to contraception, education, or services.
• Leads to a gap between desired and actual fertility.

The report calls for:

• Enhanced reproductive autonomy
• Gender equality in planning decisions
• Better health systems for family planning

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ): The High Seas Treaty

Source: The Hindu 

Syllabus: GS Paper III – Environment

In News

• 18 new countries ratified the High Seas Treaty, bringing the total to 49.

• The treaty needs 60 ratifications to enter into force — now just 11 short.

• India signed the treaty in 2024.

• A major step in protecting marine biodiversity in international waters.

High Seas Facts:

• Cover ~64% of ocean surface
• Represent ~43% of Earth’s surface
• Only 1.2% currently protected

Background

• Negotiations began: 2004
• Formal talks launched via UNGA Resolution 72/249 (2017)
• Adopted: March 2023
• Opened for signatures: September 2023

Key Provisions of the Treaty

Kerala Seeks Amendment to Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper II – Governance

In News

• Kerala has requested the Union Government to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Goal: Gain authority to cull wild animals threatening human lives and property, even if listed under Schedule I.

• Rise in human-wildlife conflict across the state has prompted this move.

What is the Issue?

• Kerala reported (2016–Jan 2025):
  • 919 human deaths
  • 8,967 injuries
• 273 panchayats declared wildlife conflict hotspots
• Common threat animals: elephants, tigers, leopards, bison, wild boars, bonnet macaques, peafowl

Schedules Overview

Why Kerala Wants Amendments?

• Legal Limits: Schedule I animals require Central approval for action
  • Tedious procedures (e.g., checking pregnancy before culling)
• Impact on People: Farmers abandoning agriculture due to repeated attacks
• Bureaucratic Delay: Delays due to NTCA and Project Elephant guidelines
• Judicial Constraints: Courts have barred district magistrates from using CrPC Sec 133 for wildlife threats

KATRIN Experiment: New Insights on Neutrino Mass

Source: The Hindu 

Syllabus: GS Paper III – Science and Technology

In News

• The KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment has published new findings.

• Set an upper limit on the sum of all neutrino masses: ≤ 8.8 × 10⁻⁷ times the mass of an electron.

What is the KATRIN Experiment?

What is a Neutrino?

• A fundamental subatomic particle
• Properties:
  • No electric charge
  • Extremely small mass
  • Rarely interacts with matter
  • Interacts only via weak nuclear force and gravity

Neutrino Sources

• The Sun (nuclear fusion)
• Supernovae
• Radioactive decay
• Nuclear reactors and particle accelerators