Daily Current Affairs 20 June 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 20 June 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Electrification And Net-Zero Emissions: Challenges And Opportunities

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Infrastructure- Energy

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Significance of Electrification
3. Current global scenario
4. Challenges to Electrification
5. Way Forward

Why in the News?

Recent international climate discussions, including follow-up deliberations after Bonn Climate Conference, highlighted electrification as a key strategy for achieving global climate goals.

News in Brief

• International agencies view electrification as the backbone of the global energy transition and a key instrument for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Policy makers and energy agencies are considering increasing the share of electricity in final energy consumption as part of efforts to accelerate the global energy transition and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• The proposal aims to support global commitments under the Paris Agreement and net-zero pathways.

Significance of Electrification

• Reduces dependence on fossil fuels
  • Most green house gas emissions originate from the combustion of coal, oil and natural gas.
  • Electrification enables cleaner alternatives when electricity is generated from renewable sources.
• Improves energy efficiency
• Facilitates renewable energy integration
  • Solar, wind, hydro and nuclear energy generate electricity.
• Supports net-zero commitments

Current Global Scenario

Electricity’s share in final energy consumption

• Electricity constitutes  only about one-fifth to one-fourth of global final energy consumption.
• Despite growth in electricity generation, many sectors remain heavily dependent on direct fossil-fuel use.

Progress in Clean Energy

• The share of non-fossil fuel sources in electricity generation has steadily increased due to
  • Solar energy expansion
  • Wind power deployment
  • Hydropower
  • Nuclear energy
• However, fossil fuels still dominate a significant portion of global electricity production.

Proposed Global Electrification Target

• Target – Increase electricity’s share in final energy consumption to approximately 35% by 2035.
• Significance
  • Accelerates decarbonization
  • Supports the 1.5 degree Celsius climate goal
  • Enhances energy security
  • Reduces long-term fossil fuel dependence.

Opportunities for India

• Accelerate growth in renewable energy.
• Expansion of electricity mobility
• Promoting Green hydrogen initiatives
• Reduce fossil fuel imports.

Challenges to Electrification

• Certain sectors are difficult to electrify.
  • Aviation, Shipping, Heavy  trucking, Steel manufacturing, Cement production, High-temperature industrial processes.
• Large-scale electrification requires, transmission networks, distribution systems, smart grids, and grid modernization.
• Intermittent renewable sources need battery storage, pumped hydro storage, and other balancing mechanisms.
• The transition demands substantial investments in,
  • Clean energy infrastructure
  • EV charging networks
  • Industrial electrification
  • Transmission systems.
• Supply chain and geopolitical risks associated with the availability of critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements) can influence the pace of electrification.

Way Forward

• Scale up Renewable Energy
  • Accelerate solar, wind, nuclear and hydro capacity additions.
• Modernize power grids
  • Develop resilient and smart electricity networks.
• Promote Electricity mobility
  • Expand EV adoption through incentives and charging infrastructure.
• Electrify industry and buildings
  • Encourage clean industrial technologies and energy-efficient appliances.
• Increase Investments
  • Mobilize public and private capital for energy transition projects.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements

1. 1. Electricity is regarded as a key pathway toward achieving net-zero emissions.
   2. The climate benefits of electrification increase when electricity is generated from non-fossil fuel sources.
   3. Electrification can contribute to reducing dependence on imported fossil fuel.

Which of the above statements are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: d) 1,2 and 3

Heatwaves And Ground-Level Ozone

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Disaster Management

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Key Findings of the Study
3. How do Heatwaves increase Ozone levels?
4. Climate change and Emerging Threats
5. Recommendations

Why in the News?

A recent study published in the journal Clean Air has found that heatwaves significantly increase ground-level ozone concentrations in India, worsening air pollution and causing serious health impacts.

News in Brief

• The study is titled under “Heatwaves trigger severe surface ozone pollution in India: Regional hotspots, Trends and Health Effects”.
• It is among the first comprehensive assessments of the relationship between heatwaves, ozone pollution, and public health in India.
• Researches have highlighted the heatwaves are not only a direct health hazard but also indirectly increase mortality by enhancing the formation of surface (ground-level) ozone, a harmful air pollutant.

Key Findings of the Study

High Background Ozone Concentration

• Safe ground-level ozone concentration- About 30 ppb (parts per billion).
• Many parts of India already record 50-55 ppb as background levels.

Regional Hotspots 

• Areas most vulnerable include
  • Northwestern India
  • Indo-Gangetic Plain
• These regions already face high pollution, making ozone formation more intense during heatwaves.

Impact on Human 

• Over 830 deaths in 2024 may be attributable to heatwave- induced ozone increases.
• Heatwaves amplify existing health burdens associated with air pollution.

How do Heatwaves increase Ozone levels?

• Accelerated Photochemical Reactions
  • High temperatures increase the chemical reactions between Nitrogen Oxide and Volatile Organic Compounds in the presence of sunlight.
• Enhanced Ozone Formation
  • As heatwave intensity rises,
    • Reaction rates increase
    • More ozone is produced
    • Air pollution events become more intense and remain elevated for longer periods.
• Lasting impact beyond heatwaves
  • According to the study
    • Elevated ozone levels can remain for 3-4 days after a heatwave ends.
    • This extends health risks even beyond the heatwave period.

Impact of Ozone on Human Health

Ground-Level Ozone affects multiple organ systems, particularly

• Respiratory Diseases
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Reduced lung function
  • Asthma aggravation
  • Respiratory inflammation
• Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)
  • Increased cardiovascular stress
• Other Health Concerns
  • Increased risk of premature mortality
  • Potential links with cancer and metabolic disorders.

Key data point

• The State of Global Air Report 2025 estimated around 234,000  COPD deaths in India in 2023, with ozone exposure acting as an aggravating factor.

Climate Change and Emerging Threats

Rising Temperatures

• Climate change is expected to
  • Increase the frequency of heatwaves
  • Raise their intensity and duration

Expansion of Ozone Hotspots

• More regions may experience
• • Higher ozone concentrations
  • Longer exposure periods
  • Greater health risks

Dual impact

• Citizens may face
• • Direct heat stress from  heatwaves.
  • Indirect health damage from elevated ozone pollution

Recommendations

• Expand monitoring of ground-level ozone.
• Improve observation networks across India.
• Agencies such as
  • India Meteorological Department (IMD)
  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

should regularly track ozone levels and incorporate ozone information into,

• • Health bulletins
  • Heatwave advisories
  • Public health alerts
• Adopt integrated Climate-Air Quality Planning
  • Policies should address
    • Heatwave management
    • Air pollution control
    • Public health preparedness

Conclusion

The increasing link between heatwaves and ozone concentration underscores the need for an integrated approach to safeguard public health and environmental sustainability and to mitigate future risks.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements

1. 1. Ground-Level ozone is considered a secondary pollutant.
   2. It is formed through reactions involving Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.
   3. Heatwaves accelerate photochemical reactions responsible for ozone formation.

Which of the above statements are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1,2, and 3

Answer: d)1,2 and 3

Strait Of Hormuz Crisis and Impact

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Strategic Importance of Strait of Hormuz for India
3. Impact of the crisis on India
4. Reasons for India’s Energy Vulnerability
5. Way forward

Why in the News?

The temporary blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, exposed India’s vulnerability to disruptions in global oil and gas supply chains.

News in Brief

• The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly one-fifth of global oil trade.
• India, which imports more than 80% of its crude oil requirements, faced supply disruptions and rising import costs.
• The crisis highlighted the risks associated with excessive dependence on a single maritime route for energy supplies, and warns that India must proactively strengthen its energy security framework before a similar crisis emerges in the future.

Strait Of Hormuz

• A narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• It lies between Iran and Oman.
• One of the world’s most important oil transit chokepoints.
• Facilitates the movement of crude oil, LNG and petroleum products from Gulf countries to global markets.
• Any disruption significantly impacts international energy prices.

Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz for India

• Around 40% of India’s crude oil imports pass through the Strait.
• Nearly 90% of India’s LPG imports travel through this route.
• Approximately 55-60% of India’s LNG imports depend on Hormuz.

Impact of the crisis on India

Energy Supply Disruptions

• Crude oil imports declined significantly during the crisis.
• LPG and LNG supplies faced shortages.
• Alternative routes increased transportation costs and delivery times.

Rise in the import bill

• Global crude oil prices surged sharply.
• India paid substantially higher amounts for reduced import volumes.
• The trade deficit widened considerably.

Inflationary Pressures

• Fuel and power inflation increased sharply.
• Rising energy costs affected transportation, manufacturing and other sectors.
• Input costs spread across the economy, contributing to broader inflation.

Pressure on the Rupee

• Increased dollar demand for oil imports weakened the rupee.
• Currency depreciation raised import costs further.

Foreign Exchange Reserve Depletion

• RBI intervention to stabilise the rupee required foreign exchange outflows.
• Reserves witnessed a notable decline during the crisis period.

Monetary Policy Challenges

The RBI faced a policy dilemma

• Raising interest rates could hurt economic growth.
• Defending the rupee aggressively could deplete forex reserves.
• Inaction risked higher inflation.

Reasons for India’s Energy Vulnerability

High Import Dependence

• India imports the majority of its crude oil requirements.
• Domestic production remains insufficient to meet demand.

Concentrated Supply Sources

• Heavy dependence on Gulf countries for oil and gas imports.
• Excessive reliance on a single maritime route increases risk.

Growing Energy Demand

• Rapid economic growth continues to increase energy consumption.
• Demand growth outpaces domestic production capacity.

Implications for Energy Security

• The crisis demonstrates that energy security is not merely an economic issue but also a strategic and geopolitical concern.
• It underscores the need for
  • Diversification of energy suppliers is essential
  • Strengthening of strategic petroleum reserves
  • Supply chain resilience must become a national priority.

Way Forward

• Diversify Energy Sources
  • Increase imports from Russia, Africa, North and South America, and Central Asia.
• Strengthen Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR)
  • Expand crude oil storage capacity
  • Maintain emergency reserves for prolonged disruptions.
• Accelerate Renewable Energy Transition
  • Expand solar and wind energy capacity.
  • Promote battery storage systems.
  • Reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
• Promote Electric Mobility
  • Encourage EV adoption
  • Reduce petroleum consumption in transport.
• Expand Biofuel Usage
  • Increase ethanol blending
  • Promote alternative fuels in industry and transport.
• Enhance LNG Infrastructure
  • Develop diversified LNG sourcing arrangements.
  • Improve regasification and storage facilities.
• Strengthen Maritime and Energy Diplomacy
  • Enhance cooperation with Gulf Countries.
  • Develop alternative shipping corridors and partnerships.

Conclusion

• The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz may temporarily stabilize energy markets, but the crisis has underscored India’s structural vulnerabilities.
• Building a diversified, resilient, and sustainable energy ecosystem is essential to protect the economy from future geopolitical shocks.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

With reference to Strait of Hormuz, consider the following statements

1. 1. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
   2. Nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass through it.
   3. It lies between Iran and Oman

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: d) 1,2 and 3

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