- Recently, the Prime Minister of India visited Cyprus, marking the first visit by an Indian PM to the country in over 20 years.
- Strategic Roadmap: A five-year strategic roadmap will be developed to steer bilateral cooperation.
- Alignment between Cyprus Vision 2035 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 — both aiming for inclusive, tech-driven, sustainable development.
- Economic & Trade Relations: India-Cyprus-Greece Business & Investment Council launched earlier in 2025.
- PM Modi emphasized India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) — target: by end of 2025. Read More
Home / Daily Current Affairs / 16-06-2025
Daily Current Affairs – 16 June, 2025
PDF - As global industries increasingly leverage AI for precision-driven bioproduction, India’s efforts are becoming more evident, though challenges remain, particularly in policy frameworks and innovation.
- It involves the use of living cells and biological systems to produce commercial goods — ranging from life-saving vaccines and biologics to biofuels, enzymes, biodegradable plastics, and advanced materials.
- The convergence of synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and industrial biotechnology has expanded its scope across sectors including healthcare, energy, food processing, and materials science.
- India produces over 60% of global vaccines, showcasing its industrial biomanufacturing strength, and India is often termed as the ‘Pharmacy of world’. Read More
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biomanufacturing
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What is Biomanufacturing?
- Chairman and MD of state-owned General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), says the biggest problem for the insurance industry is fraud.
- Low Penetration: With an overall insurance penetration rate of 3.7 per cent, below the global average of 7 per cent, there is a notable gap in coverage that presents opportunities for insurers to expand their reach.
- Claims Settlement Issues: Delays, rejections, and lack of transparency in the claims process create customer dissatisfaction.
- Distribution Limitations: There is limited reach in rural areas, and insurance distribution remains urban-centric, relying heavily on agents.
- Affordability: High premiums and the underpricing of certain products affect accessibility for low-income groups. Read More
Insurance Sector of India
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Challenges faced by the Sector
- After the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, authorities are using DNA analysis to identify the remains of those killed in the accident.
- With the exception of identical twins, every person has a unique DNA that is present in nearly every cell of their body.
- DNA identification is the gold standard for identifying human remains, especially after mass fatality events in which bodies might not be easy to identify otherwise. Read More
How DNA Identification Works?
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About
- Rajasthan’s Cash Plus Model, the first in India to combine Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) with Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), has led to a 49% rise in early breastfeeding.
- Complementary to PMMVY: The model builds on the existing Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which provides financial assistance to women during their first pregnancy.
- The Cash Plus model extends these benefits to second-time mothers, filling a major policy gap.
- Integrated Behavioural Change Strategy: It combines cash transfers with home-based counselling, nutrition education, community engagements, and digital outreach to promote healthy practices.
- Phased Implementation: Launched in 2020 as a pilot in five tribal districts, the scheme was scaled up state-wide in 2022. Read More
