On May 24, 2025, India and the world witnessed significant developments across various sectors. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme reflects the country’s ambition to modernize railway stations and enhance public amenities. At the same time, the growing concern over urban forest stability underscores the need for long-term green planning in rapidly expanding cities. On the health and societal front, awareness and support for conditions like autism are rising, as India pushes for more inclusive healthcare and education systems. Adding to this complexity is the global threat of antimicrobial resistance, which demands urgent attention to safeguard public health and ensure effective medical treatments for the future.

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:

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance) 

In News:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 103 Amrit Bharat railway stations across 86 districts in 18 States and Union Territories via video conferencing from Bikaner, Rajasthan.

• These stations have been developed at a total cost of ₹1,100 crore.

• These stations aim to preserve India’s cultural heritage, boost tourism, and create employment opportunities.

Key Features

Infrastructure Modernization

Railway stations across India are being upgraded to look better and serve people more comfortably. Key improvements include:

• Renovation of station buildings, platforms, and waiting areas.
• Better entry and exit points.
• New escalators, lifts, modern toilets, and free Wi-Fi.
• Executive lounges and business meeting spaces at some major stations.
• Easier travel with integration of bus, metro, and cab services at the station.

Sustainability and Green Design

The focus is also on making stations more eco-friendly. Steps include:

• Using environment-friendly materials.
• Energy-saving lights and noise-free tracks.
• Creating green areas with trees and better water use systems.

Passenger-Centric Amenities

Passengers will get better facilities such as:

• Roof plazas, food courts, small shops, and kids’ play zones.
• Wide and safe walking paths, better lighting, clear signs, and smooth road access.

Economic and Job Benefits

The development of stations also helps the local economy:

• Beautified and heritage-themed stations attract tourists.
• This leads to new jobs in tourism, services, and local handicraft sectors.

Better City Connectivity

The station redesign plans also aim to improve city life:

• Stations will help connect both sides of a city more easily.
• They will become modern urban spaces, not just places for catching trains.

Culture and Heritage Promotion

Many stations are being redesigned to reflect local culture:

• Example: Srirangam station reflects the style of the Ranganathaswamy Temple.
• Mandalgarh station shows Rajput heritage.
• Local products are also promoted through the "One Station One Product" scheme.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Stations are being made friendly for all, especially people with disabilities:

• Features include ramps, Braille signs, tactile walking paths, low-height ticket counters, and special toilets.
• Footbridges have lifts, and parking spaces are marked for persons with disabilities.

India Needs Stable Urban Forests

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography) 

In News:

• Kancha Gachibowli, one of Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests, faced a threat when the Telangana government allotted 400 acres of it for industrial development.

• The Supreme Court took cognisance after 100 acres were cleared and reprimanded the State government.

• This sparked public outcry and renewed focus on the importance of urban forests, especially in light of rising air pollution and unplanned urbanisation.

What is an Urban Forest?

Urban forests refer to forested areas within or near urban boundaries, including:

• Natural forest patches
• Man-made or restored green spaces
• Tree-covered areas in parks, institutions, or urban commons

They provide ecosystem services while enhancing urban resilience. Examples include Aarey Forest (Mumbai), Turahalli Forest (Bengaluru), Neela Hauz & Ridge (Delhi).

Ways to Increase Urban Forest Cover

• In-situ conservation: Legal protection and revival of existing green areas.
• Green urban planning: Integrate green buffers, forested zones, and ecological corridors in city master plans.
• Afforestation drives: Promote community-led afforestation using indigenous species.
• Miyawaki technique: Adopt dense urban forest techniques for rapid ecological restoration.
• Green building regulations: Mandate green rooftops, vertical gardens, and permeable pavements.
• Mapping and notification: Conduct GIS-based mapping of urban green areas and notify them as protected zones.

Government Initiatives

• National Forest Policy, 1988 focuses on massive afforestation and the promotion of social forestry, especially around urban centers, to increase green cover and improve environmental quality.
• National Mission for a Green India (2014) aims to increase forest and tree cover across the country while also improving ecosystem services. It includes efforts in both rural and urban areas, helping to restore degraded forest lands and enhance biodiversity.
• Smart Cities Mission (2015) promotes sustainable urban development, including the creation of green spaces like parks and open areas. It supports the idea that a clean and green environment improves urban living.
• AMRUT Mission (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) supports the development of basic urban infrastructure and encourages cities to invest in urban parks, lakes, and green corridors.

Judicial Interventions

• Godavarman Case (1996) led to a broader legal definition of the term “forest,” helping to extend protection to more forested areas across India under the Forest Conservation Act.
• Delhi High Court (2015) ordered strict measures to protect the Delhi Ridge area, recognizing it as an ecologically sensitive zone within the national capital.
• Supreme Court Stay Order (2020) stopped tree felling in the Aarey Forest of Mumbai, acknowledging the area’s environmental importance and the public concern for preserving green cover.
• Rajasthan High Court Suo Motu Action (2024) addressed illegal tree cutting in the Baran biodiversity zones and called for strong conservation efforts by the authorities.

Autism

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology) 

In News:

• U.S. Health Secretary recently announced a massive testing and research initiative to investigate environmental toxins possibly linked to autism.

• He referred to autism as a “preventable epidemic” and cited a CDC report that found autism prevalence in the U.S. increased from 1 in 36 children (2020) to 1 in 31 children (2022).

What is Autism?

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by:
  • Difficulty with social interaction and communication
  • Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
  • Autism is a spectrum—it manifests differently in different individuals.
  • Symptoms often begin in early childhood, but many cases go undiagnosed until later stages.
• Autism is not a disease in the classical sense, but a developmental variation shaped by both biological and environmental factors.

Antimicrobial Resistance

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology) 

In News:

• India launched Nafithromycin, the first new antibiotic developed globally in over 30 years, by Wockhardt with BIRAC support.

• Despite this breakthrough, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) continues to rise as a major global health threat, particularly in India.

• India reported 2.97 lakh deaths in 2019 due to AMR, underscoring the urgency for better stewardship, innovation, and regulation.

Data on AMR

• As per WHO’s latest data on Global deaths (2019):
  • 1.27 million deaths directly due to AMR.
  • 4.95 million deaths associated with drug-resistant infections.
• India (2019):
  • 2.97 lakh AMR-related deaths, the highest in the world.
• Projection for 2050 (Lancet study):
  • 1.91 million direct deaths from AMR.
  • 8.22 million AMR-associated deaths globally.
• WHO has listed AMR as one of the top 10 global public health threats.

New Development to Deal with AMR

Launch of Nafithromycin (‘Miqnaf’):

• Developed by Wockhardt with support from BIRAC.
• A first-in-class, once-daily, 3-day treatment for Community-
• Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP).
• Shows 97% clinical success rate.
• First new antibiotic in over 30 years globally, and India’s first in its class.

Know more on the Growing Problem of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India!