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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on June 19, 2025

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Why are oil prices rising amid Iran-Israel war?

For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international significance

For Mains Examination: GS II - International relations

Context:

Escalating tensions between Iran and Israel sent oil prices spiralling upwards with fears mounting about a potential disruption in oil supplies globally. The benchmark Brent crude futures had soared about 9% on June 13 to $75.65 for a barrel after it hit an intraday high of $78.50/barrel – a near five-month high.

Read about:

Iran-Israel history

Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea

Key takeaways:

• Rising tensions between Iran and Israel caused a sharp spike in global oil prices due to fears of a possible disruption in supply chains. On June 13, Brent crude futures climbed nearly 9% to reach $75.65 per barrel, after hitting an intraday high of $78.50—a level not seen in nearly five months.
• However, some relief came on June 16, when media reports indicated that Iran had asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman to appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump to encourage Israel to accept a ceasefire. By the evening of June 17, Brent crude was still trading 2.4% higher than on Monday, standing at $74.98 per barrel.
• The primary cause of the price surge lies in Iran's repeated threats to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Chokepoints are narrow passages along busy shipping routes that play a vital role in the global oil trade.
• Even a temporary closure can disrupt supply chains, reduce shipping traffic, and increase insurance and transport costs—all of which contribute to higher energy prices. While alternative routes do exist, they often involve longer transit times and additional costs.
• From a broader trade perspective, Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of the Engineering Exports Promotion Council of India
• According to an analysis by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Strait of Hormuz is wide and deep enough to accommodate even the largest oil tankers.
• In 2024, about 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait each day—roughly one-fifth of the global petroleum liquids consumption.
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) also noted that the strait acts as a major export route for around a quarter of the global oil supply, including exports from major producers like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran.
• EIA estimates show that in 2024, 84% of crude oil and condensates, along with 83% of liquefied natural gas, transported through the strait were destined for Asian markets.
• Looking ahead, the IEA's June 2025 report suggests that the oil market appears to be adequately supplied—provided no major disruptions occur. It projects oil demand to rise by 720,000 barrels per day, while supply is expected to increase by 1.8 million barrels per day, reaching a total of 104.9 million barrels per day.
• Moreover, preliminary data indicates that since February, global oil inventories have been growing at an average of 1 million barrels per day, with an increase of 93 million barrels recorded in May alone. Nonetheless, the IEA emphasized that recent geopolitical developments underscore the vulnerability of global oil security.
• In its sectoral analysis, JM Financial warned of a “significant upside risk” in oil prices if Iran actually moves to block the Strait of Hormuz. However, it assessed such a scenario as highly improbable, given the likelihood of strong responses from the U.S. and its allies, who would act swiftly to prevent such a critical disruption due to its far-reaching consequences on global energy markets and inflation.
• That said, Iran’s role in this equation is limited by U.S. sanctions, which restrict its crude exports. Most of Iran’s oil currently goes to China, whose refineries benefit from discounted rates offered by Iran. Therefore, Iran’s domestic production capacity may not drastically shift the balance in the broader market context

Follow Up Question

1.Which of the following statements best explains the significance of the Strait of Hormuz in global energy trade?

1. It connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea, serving as the shortest sea route for European oil imports.

2. It is a major chokepoint through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum liquids and a large share of liquefied natural gas are transported.

3. It primarily handles oil exports from North and Central America to Asia.

4. It serves as the main export route for oil and gas from Russia to Western Europe.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

What was decided at the UN Oceans Conference?

For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international significance

For Mains Examination: GS II - International Organisations

Context:

The United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) concluded last week in France, with 56 of the necessary 60 countries ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, also called the ‘High Seas Treaty.’

Read about:

United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC)

High Seas Treaty

Key takeaways:

What is the UNOC about?

• The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) was convened with the aim of accelerating global action to safeguard ocean health. A central focus of the conference was the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) in regions of the ocean that lie beyond national boundaries—international waters considered part of the global commons.
• These efforts are closely tied to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), under which nations have pledged to conserve 30% of marine and coastal ecosystems as protected zones by the year 2030.
• UNOC plays a crucial role in translating this ambition into practical steps, particularly by encouraging nations to support the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty.
• While over 160 countries have signed the treaty, ratification—wherein countries adjust domestic laws to align with the treaty's stipulations—remains a significant hurdle. For the treaty to become binding, 60 ratifications are required, which would set off a 120-day countdown to enforcement.
• At the time of the conference, 56 countries had ratified the agreement. Both India and the United States had yet to complete ratification, although India has stated it is working on the process.
• Once the treaty takes effect, it will enable the establishment of marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction, mandate environmental impact assessments for activities in these waters, oversee the regulation of marine genetic resources, and promote capacity-building initiatives in developing countries.
• The United Nations aims to achieve 70 ratifications by September, with a plan to host the first BBNJ Conference of Parties (COP)—akin to the annual climate summits—in late 2026.
• One of the most debated elements of the BBNJ Treaty concerns the equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine resources. The high seas are known to harbor rare and unique marine life, which may hold significant commercial value.
• However, since these waters fall outside the control of any single nation, no consensus has been reached on how the potential profits from these resources should be distributed. Many environmental advocacy groups argue that without an outright ban on extraction in such vulnerable areas, the ocean’s future remains at serious risk.
• The conference also saw numerous voluntary pledges aimed at reinforcing ocean governance. The European Commission committed 1 billion euros towards initiatives supporting ocean conservation, scientific research, and sustainable fisheries.
• French Polynesia declared its intention to designate its entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)—around five million square kilometers—as a marine protected area, the largest of its kind. New Zealand pledged more than $52 million to advance marine science and governance across the Pacific Islands.
• Germany introduced a pioneering 100 million euro emergency program to clean up and dispose of old munitions in the Baltic and North Seas. A group of 37 countries, led by Panama and Canada, launched the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean, an unprecedented global initiative to tackle underwater noise pollution.
• Italy promised 6.5 million euros to enhance Coast Guard monitoring of marine protected areas and oil infrastructure. Canada offered $9 million to the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance, supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other coastal nations in building climate resilience through nature-based approaches.
• Additionally, a consortium of UN agencies began work on One Ocean Finance, a global collaborative effort aimed at mobilizing significant investment from blue economy industries to support sustainable ocean development

 Follow Up Question

1.Concerning the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: ( UPSC 2022)

1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from a baseline determined by the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or landlocked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

Global South.

For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international significance

For Mains Examination: GS II -Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India

Context:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in Kananaskis where he will also address the G7 leaders’ outreach session

Read about:

What is the Global South?

G7 Summit 2025

Key takeaways:

The "Global South" is a term that has gained prominence in recent years to describe a grouping of countries primarily characterized by shared experiences in socioeconomics and politics, rather than strict geographical location. It broadly encompasses nations in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia (excluding Israel, Japan, and South Korea), and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand)

Socioeconomic Factors: Countries in the Global South are generally identified by:

• Lower incomes and higher levels of poverty.
• High population growth rates.
• Limited educational opportunities and deficient healthcare systems.
• Economies that are often less diversified and more reliant on primary commodities.
• Vulnerability to external economic shocks

 Follow Up Question

1.In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (UPSC 2020)

(a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey
(b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand
(c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam
(d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea

Scheduled Tribes (STs)

For Preliminary Examination:  Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Caste(SC), Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)

For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity and Governance

Context:

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has rolled out a large-scale outreach campaign for the implementation of its welfare schemes in over 500 districts of the country, aiming to cover 1 lakh tribal dominated villages and habitations.

Read about:

Scheduled Tribes (STs)

Scheduled Castes (SCs)

Key takeaways:

• A significant highlight of the Union Budget 2025–26 is the notable increase in funding for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which has received an allocation of ₹14,925.81 crore, representing an almost 46% rise compared to the previous year.
• The budget prioritizes three key initiatives under the ministry: the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA), and the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) — all of which have seen increased financial support.
• The PM-JANMAN program focuses on uplifting the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by addressing existing disparities in healthcare, education, and livelihoods.
• Meanwhile, the DA-JGUA initiative aims to comprehensively implement various government welfare schemes in areas such as health, infrastructure, education, and livelihood.
• Previously known as Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA), the scheme was renamed in honour of Birsa Munda, a revered tribal freedom fighter from Jharkhand, known as “Dharti Aaba”, meaning “Father of the Earth.”
• The Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme also forms an essential part of the budget strategy, focusing on education for tribal children.
• Historically, the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) approach was introduced in 1974–75 to ensure that financial planning reflected the proportion of the tribal population at both central and state levels.
• However, such proportional allocations were often not fulfilled. The TSP was later reformulated into the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) and the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST). Over the last decade, allocations under DAPST have seen a substantial increase.
• The government has also launched an outreach effort focused on “benefit saturation”, promoting doorstep delivery of the PM-JANMAN (launched in 2023) and DA-JGUA (launched in 2024) schemes.
• While PM-JANMAN is geared towards the welfare of PVTGs, the Dharti Aaba scheme acts as an overarching framework uniting the efforts of 17 central ministries, each with its own dedicated budget and targets.
• This scheme includes provisions for hostel construction, rural electrification, housing through Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, as well as support for livestock and fisheries. It was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Jharkhand Assembly elections, and the Union Budget allocates ₹79,156 crore for the program over five years — with ₹56,333 crore from the Centre and ₹22,823 crore from the states.
• The outreach campaign, which began on June 15, is set to run for two weeks. Its key focus areas include providing essential documentation such as Aadhaar cards, Ayushman Bharat health cards, titles under the Forest Rights Act, and facilitating access to pensions and Jan Dhan bank accounts for tribal communities.
• According to sources in the Ministry, the core objective of this campaign is to raise awareness and ensure effective implementation of the PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba schemes, particularly in remote hamlets and blocks. Since this is the first time the Dharti Aaba scheme has received a dedicated budgetary provision, the government is aiming to boost public participation and access through this outreach initiative.
• This effort is also a part of the government’s year-long celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, which began on November 15, 2024 — the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda — as a tribute to the tribal leader and the significant role of tribal communities in India's freedom movement

Follow Up Question

1.With reference to the history of India, "Ulgulan" or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events? (UPSC 2020)