23.07.25 Current Affairs

One Liner Current Affairs

Polity & Governance

• Supreme Court rebukes delay in Lokpal appointments, stressing the government’s duty under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, to maintain the anti-corruption institution’s credibility.
• The SC emphasized the role of Section 4(1) of the Lokpal Act, mandating a selection committee for timely appointments to the Lokpal body.
• Centre’s failure to disclose vacancy status and appointment progress was criticized as undermining transparency and accountability.
• State governments have also been asked to report on the status of their respective Lokayuktas, exposing uneven implementation across India.

Economy & Agriculture

• MSP hike for 14 Kharif crops announced by the Cabinet, with the sharpest rise for oilseeds and pulses, to promote crop diversification and reduce import dependence.
• The MSP for tur dal was increased by ₹550 per quintal, and groundnut by ₹550 as well — indicating a policy shift towards encouraging non-cereal crops.
• Experts caution that without assured procurement, MSP hikes may not benefit small farmers and could strain state procurement systems.
• Sugar sector outlook affected by erratic monsoons; sugar output in Maharashtra and Karnataka expected to decline, which may impact domestic prices and ethanol production.

Environment & Climate Change

• Heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh triggered fresh landslides and flooding, affecting key national highways and prompting rescue operations.
• Experts attribute increased flash floods and slope instability to deforestation, tunneling, and unregulated construction in Himalayan eco-sensitive zones.
• The Yamuna crossed danger mark again in Delhi, reviving flood control concerns amid criticism over encroachments in floodplains and delay in drainage upgrades.

Defence & Strategic Affairs

• India and France marked 75 years of diplomatic relations with discussions focused on expanding cooperation in defence production, space technology, and counter-terrorism.
• Strategic dialogues highlighted joint submarine construction, fighter aircraft collaboration (Rafale-M), and satellite launch partnerships under ISRO-CNES.
• India’s interest in scaling defence exports to Africa and Southeast Asia was also part of the bilateral discussion, aligned with the “Make in India – Make for World” vision.

Society & Social Welfare

• Government is considering central legislation for gig and platform workers, covering minimum wage, accident insurance, and social security benefits.
• The move follows multiple state-level delays and petitions from gig economy unions demanding parity with formal sector protections.
• Labour Ministry is also exploring integration of gig workers under e-Shram portal, with Aadhaar linkage to streamline welfare delivery.

Science & Technology

• ISRO completed thermal vacuum testing of Gaganyaan’s crew module, a critical milestone to validate safety in space-like conditions.
• The test simulated near-zero pressure and extreme temperatures, ensuring the spacecraft’s systems remain functional during orbital flight and re-entry.
• Gaganyaan’s first unmanned test flight is scheduled within FY 2025–26.

International Relations

• At the UN High-Level Political Forum, India advocated for Global South priorities, emphasizing climate justice, equitable digital transitions, and reforming multilateral institutions.
• India criticized the selective application of international norms, highlighting developed countries’ non-fulfilment of climate finance and tech-transfer commitments.
• India also showcased initiatives like Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and One District One Product (ODOP) as replicable development models.

Places in News / Miscellaneous

• Siachen Glacier witnessed an avalanche-like event, reminding of persistent climate hazards at high-altitude military posts. No casualties reported.
• The Tungabhadra dam in Karnataka neared full capacity, with controlled water release initiated — important for downstream irrigation zones in Andhra Pradesh.
• Vice President of India resigned before completing his term; a rare instance, only the third in history.
• As per Article 66, a new Vice President is to be elected by both Houses of Parliament through proportional representation.
• Multiple MPs submitted motions in both Houses to remove Justice Yashwant Varma under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Constitution.
• The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 outlines the procedure for removing judges based on proven misbehavior or incapacity.
• Election Commission reiterated its powers under Article 324, affirming its plenary authority over electoral processes, including voter roll management.
• Parliamentary Select Committee submitted its report on the Income Tax Bill, 2025, aiming to modernize and simplify tax law.
• Reduces 283 sections and 24 chapters.
• Replaces “assessment year” with “tax year.”
• Maintains current tax slabs for predictability.
• Introduces definitions for virtual digital assets and electronic modes of payment.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become the world’s top real-time payment system, overtaking Visa.
• Facilitated by Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar, 5G, and open-source digital public infrastructure.
• Now operational in over 8 countries including France, UAE, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius.
• Parliament passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, modernizing India’s legal framework for shipping and freight documentation.
• India launched the National Cybersecurity Exercise – Bharat NCX 2025, featuring live-fire simulations and AI-driven defense training.
• Conducted by the National Security Council Secretariat and Rashtriya Raksha University.
• The Meri Panchayat App won the WSIS 2025 award for boosting transparency in Panchayat governance.
• Features include real-time budgets, GPDP monitoring, geo-tagged grievances, and weather forecasts.
• The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of rising student suicides, directing the formation of a National Task Force.
• Suicide rate among students is 7.6% of total suicides (NCRB 2022).
• Major causes: academic stress, bullying, discrimination, family instability, and social stigma.
• Government Initiatives:
• MANODARPAN, National Tele Mental Health Program, District Mental Health Program, and Malaviya Mission (teacher training).
• UGC advisory to improve physical and emotional wellbeing in higher education.
• The government is modernizing the coal sector with sustainable practices:
• Afforestation, treated mine water reuse, and sand extraction from overburden for construction.
• Promoting clean coal technologies like gasification and CBM.
• Reducing imports through the Coking Coal Mission, First Mile Connectivity, and enhanced domestic production.
• Coal accounts for 55% of India’s energy; India holds the 5th largest coal reserves globally.
• India and Lesotho agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation during MoS External Affairs visit.
• Lesotho, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, is known as the “Kingdom in the Sky.”
• India highlighted concerns at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) over lack of consensus on deep-sea mining rules.
• ISA is a UN-mandated body headquartered in Jamaica, ensuring sustainable seabed exploration.
• ICMR released revised National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED):
• Includes rapid diagnostic tests for sickle cell, thalassemia, hepatitis B, and syphilis at sub-centre level.
• Promotes point-of-care testing in rural areas.
• Despite guidelines, OTT platforms are using “dark patterns” to mislead users into subscriptions and hidden charges.
• 2023 CCPA guidelines identified 13 manipulative practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Examples: false urgency, disguised ads, auto-renewals, and bait-and-switch tactics.
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) extended for another year in Assam.  Covers certification, processing, and marketing of organic produce in 8 North-Eastern states.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar

Context: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation, officially citing health reasons, has raised political speculation and concerns over deeper tensions with the government. His exit comes amid controversy surrounding a judicial removal motion and strained coordination with the ruling party.

Key Highlights

Official Notification:

• Union Home Ministry issued the gazette notification on Dhankhar’s resignation on Tuesday.
• Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the resignation and wished him good health on X.

Speculated Trigger:

• Resignation possibly linked to Dhankhar’s acceptance of a motion from 63 Opposition MPs seeking the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma.
• Government reportedly intended the motion to originate as a bipartisan initiative from the Lok Sabha.

Reported Conflict:

• Heated exchanges occurred between the Rajya Sabha Chairperson’s office and government functionaries.
• Dhankhar’s growing lack of alignment with the government has been observed for some time.

Previous Incidents:

• Publicly rebuked Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, urging dialogue with protesting farmers.
• Alleged discontent over absence of key ministers (J.P. Nadda, Kiren Rijiju) at a crucial Rajya Sabha BAC meeting on his final day.

Opposition’s Reaction:

• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called the resignation “inexplicable” and hinted at deeper political reasons.
• Speculation continues around undisclosed internal disagreements between Dhankhar and the government.

President and Governors’ assent to State Bills

Context: The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and all States on a Presidential Reference seeking clarity on the powers and timelines concerning the President and Governors’ assent to State Bills. The matter holds national relevance as it affects federal legislative functioning across India.

Key Highlights:

• Supreme Court Action:
  • A Constitution Bench led by CJI B.R. Gavai issued notices to the Centre and all States.
  • The case arises from a Presidential Reference under Article 143 of the Constitution.
  • Detailed hearings are likely to begin in mid-August, with the next date of hearing scheduled for July 29.
• Bench Composition:
  • The Bench includes Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P.S. Narasimha, and A.S. Chandurkar.
• Scope of the Issue:
  • The CJI clarified that the issue affects all States, not just Tamil Nadu or Kerala.
  • Tamil Nadu and Kerala raised preliminary objections, referring to an earlier April 8 judgment.
• Key Legal Questions Raised:
  • Can courts impose timelines on the President and Governors under Articles 200 and 201?
  • Is it judicially permissible to prescribe the manner of exercising these constitutional powers?
• Background:
  • The reference follows delays by the Tamil Nadu Governor in acting on 10 State Bills, which the SC earlier ruled as illegal.

Iran’s Stand on  Nuclear Enrichment

Context: Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear enrichment despite recent U.S. airstrikes that caused major damage to its facilities. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized enrichment as a national achievement that will remain part of any future nuclear agreement.

Key Highlights:

• Iran’s Stand on Enrichment:
  • Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment despite recent setbacks.
  • Enrichment is currently halted due to serious damage from U.S. strikes.
  • The program is considered a scientific and national achievement.
• U.S. Strikes Impact:
  • On June 22, the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground Fordow facility.
  • Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation is assessing the damage and status of enriched material.
• Diplomatic Implications:
  • Any future nuclear agreement must include Iran’s right to enrichment.
  • Araghchi’s comments underline Iran’s stance amid international negotiations.
• U.S. Response:
  • President Trump claimed the strikes were a complete success.
  • Trump dismissed media reports suggesting the damage was less than expected.

US Withdrawal From UNESCO

Context: The United States has announced its decision to withdraw from UNESCO by December 2026, citing concerns over the agency’s stance on Israel and Palestine. This marks the third U.S. exit from the UN cultural body, just two years after it rejoined.

Key Highlights:

• Reason for Withdrawal:
  • U.S. claims UNESCO promotes anti-Israel rhetoric.
  • Objection to UNESCO’s recognition of Palestine as a Member State.
  • Belief that the agency advances “divisive social and cultural causes”.
• Timing and Pattern:
  • Withdrawal to take effect in December 2026.
  • This is the third time the U.S. has left UNESCO; the second under a Trump administration.
  • The U.S. had rejoined the agency in 2023 under President Biden.
• UNESCO’s Response:
  • Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed deep regret over the decision.
  • She denied allegations of anti-Israel bias, citing efforts in Holocaust education and anti-Semitism.
• Financial Implications:
  • The U.S. is a major contributor to UNESCO’s budget.
  • UNESCO has prepared for the financial impact and is expected to manage without U.S. support.

Trade Deal Negotiations Between India And US

Context: As the August 1 deadline nears, India and the U.S. remain locked in tough negotiations over a trade deal, with key deadlocks persisting on agriculture and automotive components. India is resisting U.S. pressure to open its agricultural sector, citing the need to protect domestic farmers.

Key Highlights:

• Major Sticking Point: Agriculture
  • India refuses to open its agriculture sector to U.S. imports to safeguard domestic farmers.
  • U.S. insists on agricultural access to set a precedent for future trade deals with the EU and Japan.
• India’s Stand:
  • Indian negotiators have submitted their final offer to the U.S. team.
  • India is keen on securing a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by September–October, not just a mini deal before August 1.
• U.S. Position and Risk Perception:
  • The U.S. fears that excluding agriculture in the India deal could influence its talks with the EU and Japan.
  • Avoiding a weak precedent is central to the U.S. reluctance on concessions.
• Surprise Factor from the U.S.:
  • Indian officials anticipate that President Trump could announce a deal unilaterally, as seen with Indonesia and Vietnam.
  • Such announcements have included elements not agreed upon during official negotiations.
• Automotive Components:
  • Another hurdle is the U.S.’s unwillingness to cut import duties on automotive components to zero, an area where India seeks access.

A new World Bank report

Context: A new World Bank report warns that Indian cities, while key drivers of future economic growth, are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events like heat waves and floods, which could cause billions in losses if not addressed urgently.

Key Highlights:

• Urban Growth Outlook:
  • Urban population in India projected to nearly double by 2050 to 951 million.
  • Over 144 million new homes will be required by 2070.
  • Cities are expected to generate 70% of new jobs by 2030.
• Climate Threats to Cities:
  • Heat waves and urban heat island effects increasing city center temperatures by 3–4°C.
  • Rising built-up areas reduce stormwater absorption, raising flood risks.
  • Extreme weather events could result in billions of dollars in economic losses.
• Cities Studied:
  • Report analyzed 24 cities, with focus on Chennai, Indore, Delhi, Lucknow, Surat, and Thiruvananthapuram.
• Infrastructure Challenge:
  • Over 50% of infrastructure needed by 2050 yet to be built — offers opportunity for climate-resilient planning.
• Recommendations by the World Bank:
  • Promote green and resilient urban development (housing, transport, municipal services).
  • Implement programs addressing urban heat and flooding.
  • Regulate stormwater, expand green spaces, install cool roofs, and develop early warning systems.