On June 29th, 2025, India & the world witnessed important developments across various sectors. Recent reports highlight India's impressive advancements in public health, marked by a significant drop in its under-five mortality rate. Concurrently, national security sees a crucial leadership transition with the appointment of a new RAW Chief. In international relations, India has taken a firm stance by rejecting a recent arbitration award concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, underscoring its sovereign position. 

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 achieves 78% decline in the under-five mortality rate

Source: PIB

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Governance)

IN NEWS

India has achieved a significant 78% decline in the Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) from 1990 to 2023, surpassing the global reduction of 61%. This accomplishment was acknowledged in the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) 2024 Report.

India's Achievements in Child Mortality Reduction

India's substantial progress in reducing child mortality over the last three decades is a testament to sustained public health interventions and national commitment.

Key Statistics (1990-2023)

• Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR): 78% decline (Global reduction: 61%).
• Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR): 70% decline (Global reduction: 54%).
• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): 71% decline (Global reduction: 58%).
• Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): India’s MMR stands at 80 per lakh live births (as per UN-MMEIG 2000-2023 report), an 86% decline since 1990, outpacing the global reduction of 48%.

Contributing Factors and Initiatives

• Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): A cornerstone initiative providing free vaccination services. From 6 vaccines in 2013, UIP now covers 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. This has led to a significant reduction in zero-dose children (those not receiving any vaccine) from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024.
• Mission Indradhanush (since 2014): Intensified vaccination drives to cover unreached or under-vaccinated children and pregnant women.
• Facility Based Newborn Care (FBNC): Strengthening Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs), and Newborn Care Corners (NBCCs).
• Community Based Programs: Initiatives like Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home Based Care for Young Child (HBYC).
• National Health Mission (NHM): Providing a comprehensive framework for child health, integrating interventions across various life stages.
• Technology Adoption: Platforms like U-WIN digitally track immunization status, helping ensure no child is missed.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Using mass media and community engagement to promote vaccination and health awareness.

Global Recognition

India was awarded the prestigious Measles and Rubella Champion Award by The Measles and Rubella Partnership in March 2024, acknowledging its commitment to eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases.

Brain behind Operation Sindoor, IPS Parag Jain is new RAW Chief

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance)

IN NEWS

Senior IPS officer Parag Jain has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for a two-year term. He will take charge on July 1, 2025, succeeding Ravi Sinha.

Appointment of New RAW Chief

The appointment of the head of India's external intelligence agency is a crucial development in national security, reflecting strategic priorities and continuity in leadership.

• New Chief: Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre.
• Term: He will serve for a fixed two-year tenure, beginning July 1, 2025.
• Predecessor: He succeeds Ravi Sinha, whose tenure concludes on June 30, 2025.

Background and Experience

• Parag Jain is currently the head of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), RAW's aerial intelligence arm.
• He is credited with a crucial role in "Operation Sindoor," India's response following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025. During this operation, ARC provided precise intelligence on terror sites and Pakistani air activity.
• He has over two decades of experience within RAW, including leading the Pakistan desk.
• His career includes significant counter-terrorism contributions in Punjab and international postings in Indian missions in Sri Lanka and Canada, where he monitored Khalistani terror modules.
• Jain is known for integrating human intelligence (HUMINT) and technical intelligence (TECHINT).

Significance of Appointment

• Comes at a crucial time as India manages complex external security challenges, including the cross-border terrorism issue highlighted at the recent SCO Defence Ministers' meeting.
• His expertise in counter-terrorism and experience in sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir are seen as vital for current security challenges.

India ‘categorically rejects’ Court of Arbitration’s ‘supplemental award’ on Kishenganga, Ratle hydropower projects

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS

India has firmly rejected a "supplemental award" issued by a Court of Arbitration, purportedly constituted under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960, concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. India termed the court's constitution "illegal" and "void."

India's Stance on Indus Waters Treaty Arbitration

India's rejection of the supplemental award from the Court of Arbitration under the Indus Waters Treaty underscores its strong legal and diplomatic position regarding the treaty's interpretation and Pakistan's attempts to escalate disputes.

India's Consistent Position

• India has consistently maintained that the constitution of this particular Court of Arbitration itself violates the Indus Waters Treaty.
• India's position has been that any proceedings or decisions by this "illegally constituted" forum are "per se void" and have no legal standing.
• India argues that the dispute over the technical design of these projects should be resolved by a Neutral Expert, as per the treaty's graded dispute resolution mechanism, not by a Court of Arbitration.

Recent Developments

• India had previously placed the Indus Waters Treaty "in abeyance" in April 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack. India stated that until the treaty is in abeyance, it is not bound by its obligations.
• India views Pakistan's resort to this arbitration mechanism as a "charade" and a "desperate attempt to escape accountability for its role as the global epicentre of terrorism."
• A Neutral Expert, appointed earlier under the treaty, had already ruled in India's favor on the questions raised by Pakistan regarding the projects' design, affirming they fell within the expert's jurisdiction.

Significance of India's Rejection

• Reinforces India's commitment to the established legal framework of the IWT but rejects what it perceives as manipulative tactics by Pakistan to involve international tribunals unnecessarily.
• Highlights India's firm stance against cross-border terrorism and its right to exercise sovereign actions, including putting treaties in abeyance, until such issues are credibly addressed by Pakistan.
• Signals India's resolve to protect its legitimate rights regarding its Western rivers' projects, crucial for its development.

🎯 Question No. 1

According to recent reports, India has achieved a notable decline in the Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR). What was the approximate percentage of this decline from 1990 to 2023?

(a) 19%

(b) 61%

(c) 78%

(d) 94%

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️ Explanation: Recent data indicates a significant reduction in India's under-five mortality rate, surpassing the global average decline. The specific figure mentioned for India's achievement is 78%.

🎯 Question No. 2

Who has recently been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for a two-year term?

(a) Ravi Sinha

(b) Parag Jain

(c) Amit Shah

(d) Rajnath Singh

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation: The news confirms the appointment of Parag Jain as the new head of RAW. This position typically involves a fixed tenure for national security leadership.

🎯 Question No. 3

India recently rejected a "supplemental award" by a Court of Arbitration related to which international treaty?

(a) Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation

(b) Indus Waters Treaty

(c) Geneva Conventions

(d) Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation: India's rejection specifically pertains to a ruling by a Court of Arbitration concerning the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. This treaty governs the sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan.

🎯 Question No. 4

India's achievement in reducing child mortality has been recognized in the 2024 report by which international body?

(a) World Health Organization (WHO)

(b) UNICEF

(c) United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)

(d) Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️ Explanation: The specific international body mentioned in connection with acknowledging India's child mortality reduction is the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.