On June 27th, 2025, India & the world witnessed important developments across various sectors. Recent global events highlight India's growing influence and crucial international shifts. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's historic space mission to the ISS marks a new era for India in space. Concurrently, the 2025 NATO Summit signaled significant defence spending increases amidst global tensions. Furthermore, India's Bharat Biotech will supply the world's first malaria vaccine, boosting affordable global health solutions.

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:

Shubhanshu Shukla's Historic Spaceflight

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

In News

• On June 25, 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) and the first Indian in space in 41 years, since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984. 

• He undertook this journey aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center using a SpaceX Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket.

Key Experiments on Board

The mission includes a variety of experiments:

• Seven Indian microgravity experiments focusing on:
  • Biomedical processes
  • Fluid dynamics
  • Material science in low-gravity conditions
• Two STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education demonstrations aimed at inspiring students.
• Five Indo-U.S. joint science investigations involving collaboration between ISRO and NASA.
• Partner institutions include ISRO, various Indian R&D labs, and academic institutions.

Importance of Ax-4 for India

The Ax-4 mission holds significant importance for India's burgeoning space ambitions:

• Operational Experience for Gaganyaan:
  • It enables ISRO and the Department of Space to gain direct exposure to critical aspects of human spaceflight.
  • This includes pre-launch procedures, in-orbit human support systems, and space medicine protocols.
  • Experience with microgravity experiments is also invaluable.
• Technology Transfer and Global Visibility:
  • India’s ₹548 crore investment in this mission provides crucial access to advanced technology.
  • It offers a strategic entry point into space diplomacy, enhancing India’s standing on the global stage.
  • The mission boosts India’s position in the global commercial space sector.
• Human Resource Development:
  • The advanced training received by Shubhanshu Shukla and backup astronaut Prasanth Nair contributes to developing India’s future astronaut corps.
• Boost to India’s Private Space Ecosystem:
  • This mission encourages greater commercial and private sector participation in space missions, aligning with India's IN-SPACe initiative, which seeks to boost private engagement in the space sector.

NATO Summit 2025

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

In News

• At the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, NATO leaders agreed to significantly increase defence spending, raising the target from 2% to 5% of GDP. This decision comes amid continued geopolitical tensions with Russia, concerns over U.S. support under President Donald Trump, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. 

• NATO reaffirmed its collective defence commitment and extended support to Ukraine, while also reviewing Ukraine’s NATO membership prospects.

Key Outcomes of NATO Summit 2025

The 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague resulted in several significant decisions:

• New Defence Spending Target:
  • NATO members agreed to commit to investing 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually in defence by 2035.
  • This new target is broken down into:
    • 3.5% for core defence capabilities, including troops and weapons.
    • 1.5% for broader defence-related investments, covering areas such as cybersecurity, protection of energy infrastructure, and military-use infrastructure (like roads and ports).
• Timeline & Monitoring:
  • The 5% target is set to be achieved by 2035.
  • A mid-term review will be conducted in 2029 to assess progress.
  • The agreement allows for some flexibility in spending based on individual economic capacities of member states.
• Collective Defence Assurance:
  • The summit strongly reaffirmed the Article 5 commitment to mutual defence.
  • Leaders issued an "ironclad commitment" to collective security, reinforcing the alliance's foundational principle.
• Ukraine Support:
  • NATO expressed continued support for Ukraine’s aspiration towards NATO membership.
  • However, the U.S. government under President Donald Trump has indicated opposition to Ukraine’s immediate accession, reflecting ongoing internal alliance discussions.

Bharat Biotech to Supply World's First Malaria Vaccine (RTS,S)

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

In News

• Bharat Biotech (India) announced it will begin supplying the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, to GAVI from 2026. This forms part of commitments under GAVI’s replenishment phase (Gavi 6.0, 2026–2030). 

• A major step towards affordable global malaria prevention is the planned reduction of the vaccine's price to under $5 by 2028.

Details Related to the World’s First Malaria Vaccine: RTS,S

• Official Name: RTS,S/AS01, branded as Mosquirix.
• WHO Recommendation: It is the first malaria vaccine to receive World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation, which occurred in 2021.
• Development: It was developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in partnership with PATH and received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Mechanism of Action:
  • The vaccine primarily targets Plasmodium falciparum, which is the most deadly malaria parasite globally.
  • It uses a recombinant protein and an adjuvant system (a substance that enhances the immune response) to stimulate the body's immune system.
• Efficacy:
  • Offers 30–50% protection against malaria in children.
  • Requires a regimen of four doses over 18 months for full efficacy.
  • Clinical trials have shown it significantly reduces severe malaria cases and hospitalisations among vaccinated children.
• Global Deployment:
  • Pilot projects were launched in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi under WHO’s Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP).
  • By 2023–24, the WHO approved its wider rollout in malaria-endemic regions.

What is GAVI? 

(Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) GAVI is a global public-private health partnership established in 2000.

• Purpose: Its core mission is to increase access to immunisation in low-income countries.
• Partners: Key partners include the WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and various governments.
• Functions:
  • Funds the procurement and delivery of vaccines to low-income countries.
  • Focuses on ensuring equity, affordability, and long-term sustainability of vaccine programs.
  • Supports the introduction of new vaccines, including those for COVID-19, HPV, rotavirus, and now malaria (RTS,S and R21).
• GAVI 6.0 (2026–2030): This is GAVI's latest replenishment phase, aiming to:
  • Expand vaccination access globally.
  • Integrate climate-sensitive and pandemic-preparedness strategies into health programs.
  • Support newer vaccines like RTS,S and R21 for malaria prevention.

Significance of the Development for India and Global Health

• India's Global Role: Bharat Biotech’s involvement significantly boosts India's role in global health diplomacy through its strong vaccine manufacturing capabilities.
• South-South Cooperation: It enhances cooperation among developing countries (South-South cooperation) in addressing tropical diseases that disproportionately affect them.
• Affordable Solution: The RTS,S vaccine offers a scalable and cost-effective solution to combat malaria, a disease responsible for approximately 600,000 deaths annually, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Why is creating a Malaria Vaccine difficult? 

Developing an effective malaria vaccine is exceptionally challenging due to several factors:

• Antigenic Variation: The parasite frequently changes its surface proteins, which helps it evade the human immune system. This makes it difficult to design a vaccine that provides long-lasting protection.
• Weak and Short-lived Immunity: Natural malaria infection does not provide complete or long-lasting immunity. The immunity acquired is often partial and short-lived, especially in vulnerable groups like children and migrants. Vaccines must therefore induce a stronger and more durable immune response, which is hard to achieve.
• Intracellular Survival: Plasmodium parasites can hide within liver cells and red blood cells, where they are protected from direct immune surveillance, making it difficult for the immune system to detect and eliminate infected cells.
• Genetic Diversity: There is significant genetic diversity among different Plasmodium strains and regional variations, which can reduce a vaccine's effectiveness across different geographical areas and populations. For instance, RTS,S shows moderate efficacy (30-50%), which can vary by region.
• High Development Cost & Long Trials: Clinical trials for malaria vaccines are particularly demanding:
  • They are lengthy, requiring large-scale population testing over extended periods.
  • They are highly cost-intensive due to the prolonged nature and complexity of the trials.
  • They necessitate long-term safety and efficacy monitoring.

🎯Question 1 

Consider the recent spaceflight of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.

1. He is the first Indian citizen to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).
2. His mission, Axiom-4 (Ax-4), is solely funded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
3. He is the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The news explicitly states, "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS)."
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The news states, "Ax-4 is a privately-funded spaceflight mission... jointly funded by India, Poland, and Hungary." It is not solely funded by ISRO.
• Statement 3 is correct: The news mentions he is "the first Indian in space in 41 years, since Rakesh Sharma in 1984."

🎯Question 2

With reference to the International Space Station (ISS), consider the following statements:

1. The ISS is the largest human-made structure continuously inhabited in low Earth orbit.
2. It is expected to remain operational until around 2040, after which private space stations are planned to replace it.
3. NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA are the primary participating space agencies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The text states, "The International Space Station (ISS) is... the largest human-made structure in space and serves as a hub for scientific research, international cooperation, and long-duration human spaceflight."
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The text states, "Expected Operational End: Around 2030, after which private space stations (e.g., Axiom Station) are expected to replace it."
• Statement 3 is correct: The text lists "NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), CSA (Canadian Space Agency)" as participating agencies.

🎯Question 3

Regarding the NATO Summit 2025 in The Hague, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. NATO members agreed to increase defence spending to 5% of their GDP annually by 2035.
2. This new target explicitly includes investments in broader defence-related areas like cybersecurity and energy infrastructure protection.
3. The Summit decided to grant Ukraine immediate NATO membership.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The news states, "NATO leaders agreed to significantly increase defence spending, raising the target from 2% to 5% of GDP... Target to be achieved by 2035."
• Statement 2 is correct: The news specifies that the 5% target includes "1.5% for broader defence-related investments, including: Cybersecurity, Energy infrastructure protection, Military-use infrastructure (roads, ports)."
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The news states, "However, U.S. under Trump has blocked immediate accession." NATO expressed continued support for Ukraine’s path to membership, not immediate membership.

🎯Question 4

Which of the following Plasmodium species is considered the most deadly malaria parasite globally and is primarily targeted by the RTS,S vaccine?

(a) Plasmodium vivax

(b) Plasmodium ovale

(c) Plasmodium falciparum

(d) Plasmodium malariae

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️Explanation:

The section "Details Related to the World’s First Malaria Vaccine: RTS,S" clearly states under "Mechanism of Action" that the vaccine "Targets Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly malaria parasite."

🎯Question 5

Consider the following statements regarding the challenges in creating an effective malaria vaccine:

1. The Plasmodium parasite frequently alters its surface proteins, leading to antigenic variation.
2. Natural malaria infection provides complete and long-lasting immunity, making vaccine development easier.
3. The parasite's ability to hide within liver and red blood cells protects it from immune surveillance.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The section "Why is creating a Malaria Vaccine difficult?" mentions "Antigenic Variation: The parasite frequently alters its surface proteins... This helps it evade the immune system, making it hard to design a long-lasting vaccine."
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The text states, "Weak and Short-lived Immunity: Natural malaria infection does not provide complete immunity. Immunity is often partial and short-lived." This makes vaccine development more difficult, not easier.
• Statement 3 is correct: The text notes, "Intracellular Survival: Plasmodium hides within liver and red blood cells, away from immune surveillance."

🎯Question 6

With reference to GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization), consider the following statements:

1. GAVI is a global public-private health partnership established in the year 2000.
2. Its primary function is to conduct scientific research for new vaccine development.
3. GAVI 6.0, its latest replenishment phase, aims to integrate climate-sensitive strategies into vaccination programs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The text states, "GAVI... is a global public-private health partnership created in 2000."
• Statement 2 is incorrect: GAVI's function is to "Funds procurement and delivery of vaccines" and "Supports introduction of new vaccines," not primarily to conduct scientific research for new vaccine development itself. Scientific research for vaccine development is typically done by pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
• Statement 3 is correct: The text states that GAVI 6.0 aims to "Integrate climate-sensitive and pandemic-preparedness strategies."