On June 02, 2025, India and the world witnessed significant developments across various sectors. India has recently seen major developments across diverse fields—economic data showed a slowdown in GDP growth for 2024–25, a Neolithic site in Assam revealed early evidence of iron smelting, and scientists created bat organoids to study virus transmission. These updates reflect the country’s evolving economic trends, rich historical roots, and growing focus on public health and pandemic preparedness.

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:

GDP Data Released for 2024–25

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Economy)

IN NEWS

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the Provisional Estimates (PEs) of GDP for the financial year 2024–25 (FY25) along with the GDP data for the Fourth Quarter (Q4: Jan–Mar 2025).

Key Highlights of FY25 GDP Data

• Nominal GDP:
  • ₹330.7 lakh crore (≈ $3.87 trillion)
  • Growth: 9.8% (3rd slowest since 2014)
• Real GDP:
  • ₹188 lakh crore
  • Growth: 6.5% (down from 9.2% in FY24)
  • Q4 FY25 Growth: 7.4% (highest in FY25, but lower than 8.4% in Q4 FY24)

Sector-Wise Real GVA Growth

Additional Economic Indicators

• Household Consumption: Rose to 7.2% (from 5.6% in FY24), showing higher domestic demand.
• Fiscal Deficit: 4.8% of GDP (₹15.77 lakh crore), in line with budget estimates, despite revenue shortfalls.

Reasons for Slowdown

• Decline in manufacturing and services sector growth.
• Structural issues like weak industrial output and high urban youth unemployment.
• Slower nominal growth despite inflation.
• Global Factors: Trade wars, post-pandemic supply chain issues, geopolitical tensions.

Growth Drivers

• Q4 Rebound: 7.4% real GDP growth
• Agriculture Recovery: 5.4% growth in Q4 vs 0.9% a year earlier
• Construction Boom: 10.8% growth in Q4
• Improved Rural Demand: Indicated by higher consumption
• Fiscal Prudence: Deficit target met despite tax shortfalls

Know What is Green GDP!

Daojali Hading Neolithic Archaeological Site

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Art & Culture)

IN NEWS

• New artefacts, including early evidence of metallurgy, have been unearthed at the Daojali Hading Neolithic site in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. 

• The finds date back over 2,700 years, adding to our understanding of prehistoric technology in Northeast India.

Site Details

• Location: Langting-Mupa Reserve Forest, Dima Hasao, Assam
• First Excavated: 1962–64
  • Unearthed cord-marked pottery, jadeite celts, mortars, pestles
  • Linked to East and Southeast Asian Neolithic cultures

Latest Discoveries

• Furnace and Iron Slag:
  • Indicates early iron smelting activity
  • Ferruginous samples under analysis at Gauhati University
• Other Artefacts:
  • Grinding stones, pottery, pestles, celts—consistent with previous findings

Significance

• Technological Milestone: First confirmed Neolithic metallurgical site in Northeast India
• Community Organization: Suggests collective tool-making and resource use
• Cultural Linkages: Supports trans-regional connections with East/Southeast Asia
• Prehistoric Innovation: Reinforces the advanced cultural development of ancient Northeast India

Know more about the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)!

Bat Organoids and Pandemic Research

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

IN NEWS

• An international team of scientists has developed the most comprehensive bat organoid platform, enabling better research into bat-virus interactions. 

• The breakthrough may help predict and prevent future pandemics, especially relevant for India, which has 120+ bat species and has seen Nipah outbreaks.

Key Scientific Findings

• MERS-CoV: Replicated in bat respiratory organoids
• SARS-CoV-2: Unable to infect bat cells unless human TMPRSS2 gene was introduced
• New Viruses Identified:
  • Mammalian orthoreovirus
  • Paramyxovirus (via wild bat fecal samples)
• Immune Response: Bat organoids showed immune behavior similar to live bats

Know more about the Coronavirus Variants!

Relevance to India

• High bat diversity: Over 120 species, but limited virological data
• Northeast India: Detected antibodies for Ebola and Marburg viruses in bats and humans
• Kerala: Multiple Nipah virus outbreaks linked to fruit bats
• Challenges: Poor surveillance, lack of infrastructure, underfunded virology research

Recent Government Measures

• April 2025: Launch of an inter-ministerial initiative to assess zoonotic risks
  • Focus areas include:
    • Emerging virus surveillance
    • Human-wildlife interaction studies
    • Use of bat organoids and bat-derived cell lines for virus testing

Know more about the Difference Between COVID-19 and SARS!