18.07.25 Current Affairs

One Liner Current Affairs

National Affairs

• India’s earthquake resilience is under scrutiny as 59% of the country lies in quake-prone zones, but outdated infrastructure and non-compliance with safety codes put millions at risk.
• Delhi’s seismic vulnerability is rising due to liquefaction-prone soil, overcrowding, and 5,000+ high-rise buildings, many of which fail to meet seismic safety norms.
• NDMA initiatives include the BhooKamp app, increased observatories (from 80 to 168), and Earthquake Risk Indexing for urban centers.
• The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) aims to improve agricultural productivity in 100 low-performing districts through the convergence of 36 schemes and dedicated planning bodies.
• The Cabinet’s green light to PMDDKY promises a 6-year exclusive focus on sustainable farming, irrigation, and agri-credit in underperforming regions.
• University of Southampton becomes the first foreign university to open a campus in India under UGC’s 2023 regulations, highlighting India’s push for global academic collaboration.
• Agricultural marketing reforms are urgent as ₹92,000 crore in post-harvest losses stem from poor infrastructure, fragmented markets, and low accessibility for small farmers.
• India aims to be the top cotton producer, overtaking China, with policy support and favorable global demand, as per OECD-FAO Outlook 2025-34.
• Gujarat’s Banni grasslands are prepped for a new phase of Project Cheetah, with the area’s prey base enhanced and enclosure construction complete.

International Affairs

• The UN SDG Report 2025 warns that 35% of Sustainable Development Goals are stagnating or reversing, especially targets under hunger, inequality, and sanitation.
• Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia face alarming hunger levels, with 713–757 million people affected globally as of 2023.
• SDG 4 (Education) lags globally, with 57% targets either stalled or declining, especially in foundational literacy and gender parity.
• Youth unemployment hit 12.9%, nearly three times the adult rate, revealing regressive trends under SDG 8 (Decent Work).
• Ocean health is deteriorating, with 40% of SDG 14 targets off track due to acidification, overfishing, and weak funding.
• Global aid dropped by 7.1% in 2024, widening the SDG financing gap to $4 trillion annually for low-income nations.
• The Pacific Ring of Fire remains volatile, with a 7.3 magnitude quake in Alaska underscoring global tectonic threats.

Science & Health

• Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT) successfully protected eight babies from inheriting mitochondrial diseases, producing “three-parent babies.”
• MRT works by replacing faulty maternal mitochondria with donor mitochondria, ensuring healthy energy production in the child.
• MRT uses techniques like Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) and Pronuclear Transfer (PNT), minimizing the risk of disease transfer.

Environment & Climate

• Rising glacial lake areas across India, as reported by the Central Water Commission, are increasing the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
• GLOFs like the 2023 South Lhonak incident in Sikkim highlight the deadly potential of moraine or ice dam failures in Himalayan regions.
• The National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme is underway in Arunachal, Himachal, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand, covering 90+ project areas.
• Climate change was identified as the key disruptor in achieving SDGs, with 2024 being the hottest year on record, and food-water-health systems under stress.

Society & Governance

• India’s child adoption crisis is deepening, with 13 families waiting for every adoptable child, largely due to slow referrals and legal delays.
• Only 2,652 children are declared adoptable, against 36,000+ families registered, revealing systemic bottlenecks in CARA’s functioning.
• RTI data show the rising disparity between available children and hopeful parents despite reforms like the Juvenile Justice Amendment Act.

Agriculture & Rural Development

• PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) launched to transform 100 low-performing districts with the convergence of 36 agriculture schemes.
• The scheme will be implemented over 6 years with district-specific planning committees to address irrigation, agri-credit, and post-harvest issues.
• India’s post-harvest losses amount to ₹92,000 crore due to a lack of cold chains, poor storage, and fragmented mandis.
• India is poised to become the world’s largest cotton producer as per OECD–FAO Outlook 2025–2034.
• Emphasis on climate-resilient farming, millet diversification, and expanding PMFBY in PM-DDKY rollout.

Education & Globalization

• The University of Southampton became the first foreign university to open a campus in India under UGC’s 2023 rules.
• The move reflects India’s commitment to internationalize higher education and bring global standards under NEP 2020.
• UGC has approved the entry of top-500 global universities into India to enhance research, faculty exchange, and innovation culture.

Economy & Trade

• India is expected to gain market share in the US under preferential tariffs, especially in sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, and electrical machinery.
• Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are rapidly expanding in India — 1,800+ centres employing over 2.1 million.
• Inflation stayed low due to stable food prices; retail inflation recorded at 2.1%, easing monetary pressure.
• PMDDKY also aims to improve agri-export competitiveness through infrastructure and aggregation support.

Child Rights & Social Issues

• India faces a child adoption crisis with 13 families waiting for every available child.
• Out of 36,000+ prospective parents registered, only ~2,600 children are adoptable due to procedural and legal bottlenecks.
• CARA’s reforms are slow, and the public adoption system suffers delays in declaring children legally free for adoption.

International Relations & Global Reports

• UN SDG 2025 Progress Report reveals over 35% of targets are regressing, particularly those on hunger, employment, and education.
• Nearly 713–757 million people suffer from hunger, with Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia worst affected.
• SDG 4 (Education) is falling behind — gender gaps, literacy outcomes, and digital divides remain key concerns.
• Global aid funding dropped 7.1% in 2024, worsening the $4 trillion annual SDG funding gap.
• Youth unemployment is at 12.9% globally, especially high in fragile economies, violating SDG 8 progress.
• SDG 14 (Life below Water) is seriously off-track due to overfishing, coral loss, and ocean acidification.

U.S. advances a Bill proposing heavy tariffs

Context: India has sharply criticized what it calls “double standards” as the U.S. advances a Bill proposing heavy tariffs on countries like India that continue buying Russian oil. NATO and U.S. lawmakers are pressuring major buyers like India, China, and Brazil to stop trade with Russia amid the Ukraine war.

Key Highlights:

• U.S. Sanctions Threat: A U.S. Bill (Russian Sanctions Act, 2025) proposes 500% duties on nations buying Russian oil and energy products.
• NATO Chief’s Warning: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned India, China, and Brazil to stop business with Russia or face “massive consequences.”
• India’s Response: MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is closely tracking developments and urged countries to avoid double standards on energy trade.
• Minister’s Stand: Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said India would handle any sanctions if passed and highlighted diversification of oil sources (now buying from ~40 countries).
• Current Trade Figures: Russia supplies 38% of its oil exports to India, 50% to China, and only 6% to the EU.
• Energy Security Priority: India stressed energy security as a national priority and said purchases are based on market conditions and global dynamics.
• Diplomatic Engagement: In July, EAM S. Jaishankar conveyed India’s concerns directly to Senator Lindsey Graham, a sponsor of the Bill.
• Trade Talks & Deportations: India and the U.S. are also discussing market access issues, including agriculture and dairy, and coordination on the deportation of illegal Indian migrants.
• Deportation Update: From January 20 to July 15, 2025, the U.S. deported 1,563 Indians, more than the entire total in 2024.

INDIA AND YEMEN

Context: India is actively pursuing diplomatic channels to secure the release of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse facing the death penalty in Yemen. The government is engaging both local Yemeni authorities and regional powers for intervention.

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed ongoing contact with local authorities in Sana’a, Yemen’s capital.
• India is also seeking support from “friendly governments” in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Iran.
• The aim is to influence the Houthi administration in Yemen, which currently holds control over Sana’a.
• Nimisha Priya, an Indian national, is on death row in Yemen for a serious criminal case.
• The Indian government’s efforts are focused on diplomatic engagement to ensure her release or reduce her sentence.

UK proposal to reduce the voting age from 18 to 16

Context: The Labour government in the UK has unveiled a proposal to reduce the voting age from 18 to 16, marking the most significant electoral reform since 1969. The proposal also includes stricter rules on foreign political donations and improved voter registration processes.

Key Highlights:

• The voting age will be lowered from 18 to 16 for national elections, matching the laws in Wales and Scotland for local and legislative elections.
• Voter registration will begin at age 14, aiming to move towards automatic voter registration in the future.
• New rules will ban shell companies from making political donations unless they earn sufficient income in the UK or Ireland.
• Irish companies will be allowed to contribute only to Northern Ireland elections.
• The policy paper includes new acceptable forms of voter ID, such as UK bank-issued cards and digital IDs (e.g., digital driving licences).
• The proposals follow concerns about foreign influence, especially after reports that Elon Musk considered donating to the far-right Reform UK party.
• Labour is expected to gain from this reform, as younger voters typically support centre-left or left-wing parties.
• In the 2024 elections, 41% of voters aged 18–24 supported Labour, compared to only 20% of those over 70.
• Former Conservative Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg acknowledged that previous voter ID rules introduced by his party harmed their electoral prospects.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the proposal, arguing that 16- and 17-year-olds are old enough to work and pay taxes, and thus should be allowed to vote.

Syrian forces have withdrawn from the southern Druze

Context: Following days of deadly clashes, Syrian government forces have withdrawn from the southern Druze-majority province of Sweida under a ceasefire deal. The agreement was mediated by the U.S., Türkiye, and Arab countries amid concerns over the conflict’s potential to derail Syria’s fragile postwar political transition.

Key Highlights:

• Syrian forces pulled out from Sweida after intense fighting with Druze militias, which had escalated in recent days.
• A ceasefire was brokered involving Druze leaders and the Syrian government, with backing from the U.S., Türkiye, and regional Arab actors.
• Under the truce, Druze clerics and factions will now manage internal security in Sweida.
• Israeli airstrikes targeted the Syrian Defence Ministry in Damascus during the conflict, citing protection of the Druze community as justification.
• Despite the ceasefire, Druze militias reportedly carried out revenge attacks on Sunni Bedouin communities who had supported government forces.
• This has triggered displacement, with “tens of families” of Bedouins fleeing the area, according to Syrian state media.
• The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that Druze fighters entered multiple Bedouin villages.
• The ceasefire’s durability remains uncertain, as a previous truce collapsed after being rejected by a key Druze cleric, Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri.
• Türkiye confirmed that its foreign and intelligence officials coordinated efforts with U.S. and Israeli counterparts and regional leaders to ease tensions.
• Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced the agreement, affirming a shift in local security responsibility to Druze community leaders.

Need for Inclusive Elections in Bangladesh

Context: India has once again emphasized the need for inclusive elections in Bangladesh amid rising political tensions, following recent clashes between the ruling Awami League and interim government-backed student groups.

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India’s position that Bangladesh’s elections should be “inclusive and include everybody in its fold.”
• The statement came after clashes in Gopalganj between student leaders of the interim government-backed National Citizens Party and Awami League supporters.
• The interim government has formed a committee to probe the violence in Gopalganj.
• Awami League sources circulated an audio message allegedly from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, condemning the interim administration.
• India’s consistent diplomatic stance stresses support for democratic processes and peaceful resolution of political conflicts in its neighboring countries.

China’s Dominance in the Green Energy Sector

Context: China has emerged as the world leader in renewable energy by leveraging decades of strategic planning, massive state investment, and the power of its State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Its green energy revolution has not only tackled pollution and energy insecurity but also positioned it as a global clean-energy superpower.

Key Highlights

• Unmatched Scale of Deployment: China installed more wind and solar capacity in 2024 than the rest of the world combined.
• Massive Investment: $940 billion invested in renewables in 2024 alone (vs. $10.7 billion in 2006); India invested $3.4 billion in 2024–25.
• Raw Material & Manufacturing Dominance: Controls global supply chains for polysilicon, lithium, solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries.
• Policy Backbone:
  • 2005: Renewable Energy Law passed (grid guarantees + subsidies).
  • 11th Five-Year Plan (2006–2010): Elevated renewables to strategic priority.
  • Provinces like Gansu and Inner Mongolia used as pilot regions.
• SOEs & Banks as Pillars:
  • SOEs like State Grid, Genertec, Huaneng executed national plans.
  • Public banks gave long-term, low-interest loans.
  • SOEs contributed 55% to global renewable investment (Bloomberg Finance).
• Global Strategy via BRI: Green infrastructure exported to Africa, Latin America, and Asia via Belt and Road Initiative.
• Crisis as a Trigger: Severe air pollution and energy insecurity in early 2000s pushed China to shift from coal to clean energy.
• Bottlenecks & Solutions:
  • Early 2010s: Grid couldn’t absorb renewable output (20% curtailment in wind-heavy provinces).
  • Solution: $88.7 billion investment in ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission (2024).
• Subsidy Misuse Corrected: Oversupply and waste led to policy tightening and focus on efficient, grid-ready deployment.
• Next-Gen Focus: China is now targeting:
  • AI-powered smart grids
  • Green hydrogen
  • Thorium nuclear reactors
  • Dominance in global climate tech norms
• Global Influence: Presence in 61 countries; local joint ventures align green technology with geopolitical outreach.
• Contrast with the West:
  • U.S. and allies are investing under policies like the Inflation Reduction Act.
  • Western models are slower, costlier, and politically fragmented.
  • China offers a centralised, scale-driven development model.