22.07.25 Current Affairs

One Liner Current Affairs

Polity and Governance

• The Supreme Court has questioned the government over delays in forming the National Judicial Infrastructure Authority, meant to modernize lower court infrastructure and ensure uniform standards.
• The Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill was returned by the Lieutenant Governor for revisions, highlighting concerns about legislative competence and bypassing prior Union approval.
• The issue adds to the ongoing turf battle between the Delhi government and the Centre, reflecting challenges in India’s federal administrative structure.
• The Law Commission may submit a fresh report on simultaneous elections, with proposals on constitutional amendments and synchronizing state assembly terms with the Lok Sabha.
• Regulatory commissions and tribunals such as the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal are facing a shortage of members, affecting their decision-making capabilities.
• The Supreme Court has stressed the need to streamline tribunal appointments under Article 323B to avoid backlogs and ensure efficient grievance redressal.

Social Issues and Public Health

• A new report has revealed that several Aspirational Districts are witnessing rising levels of child wasting and stunting, indicating ineffective last-mile delivery of nutrition schemes.
• Despite PM POSHAN and Anganwadi services, challenges like poor food quality, irregular supplies, and staff shortages are affecting nutritional outcomes.
• Health Management Information System (HMIS) data shows low vaccination coverage in urban slums, with migrant families missing scheduled immunizations post-pandemic.
• Digital health adoption is rising, but there’s a digital divide across states, with southern and urban regions accessing app-based consultations more than others.
• States have been advised to integrate Community Health Officers (CHOs) and ASHAs in telemedicine platforms to bridge last-mile gaps in public healthcare.

Economy and Industry

• India’s merchandise exports dropped by over 6 percent year-on-year in June, driven by a slowdown in sectors like textiles, gems and jewellery, and engineering goods.
• Policymakers are revisiting trade agreements and diversification strategies, especially toward West Africa and Latin America, to counter declining exports to Europe and China.
• The Logistics Cost Tracking Framework, under review by DPIIT, aims to provide real-time visibility into freight movements and reduce delays at multimodal hubs.
• Discussions on GST slab rationalization may lead to the merging of 12% and 18% rates to simplify compliance and reduce classification disputes.
• Fertilizer companies are requesting lower GST on input services to reduce retail prices and promote balanced fertilizer use.

Science and Technology

• ISRO is finalizing a test for Gaganyaan’s crew escape system, which is critical for ensuring astronaut safety during launch failures.
• The system uses sensors to detect anomalies and automatically jettison the crew module from the rocket within milliseconds.
• Scientists from IISc Bengaluru developed a dust-repellent nano-coating, increasing solar panel efficiency by reducing power loss from dust accumulation.
• The innovation could reduce cleaning frequency and maintenance costs of solar farms in arid and semi-arid regions of India.
• Discussions are ongoing with private aerospace startups for technology transfer under the IN-SPACe framework to encourage commercial space research.

Environment and Climate Change

• Groundwater recharge in semi-arid areas of Rajasthan and Bundelkhand has declined due to rising evapotranspiration and erratic monsoons, according to IMD and CGWB data.
• Environmental clearances for infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive zones like Western Ghats and Arunachal Pradesh are under scrutiny for violating carrying capacity norms.
• A recent NITI Aayog report stressed the need for District-Level Water Security Plans, focusing on water budgeting, aquifer mapping, and recycling.
• Urban flood vulnerability has increased, with several cities violating Urban Flood Management Guidelines in terms of land-use planning and stormwater infrastructure.

Defence and Strategic Affairs

• Indian Navy is preparing to induct long-range tactical drones in its Eastern Command to enhance ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) over Bay of Bengal and Andaman region.
• These drones will offer near-real-time maritime surveillance and could assist in early detection of hostile movements or smuggling routes.
• India confirmed its participation in the Malabar Naval Exercise 2025, enhancing naval interoperability with the US, Japan, and Australia under the QUAD grouping.
• The Defence Ministry is reviewing proposals for joint production of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) for coastal monitoring and submarine detection.

International Relations

• India backed African Union-led peace talks in the Sudan conflict, reiterating support for local conflict-resolution frameworks and UN-mandated humanitarian aid access.
• Talks between India and Sri Lanka on integrating UPI with LankaPay progressed, potentially enabling digital remittances and tourist transactions.
• India has emphasized digital sovereignty and interoperability in cross-border fintech engagements in South Asia.
• In the Indo-Pacific, India is maintaining strategic surveillance over China’s PLA Navy exercises near Taiwan, citing regional security commitments and freedom of navigation.

Miscellaneous and Places in the News

• Several municipal wards in Patiala reported severe groundwater pollution due to sewage backflow, prompting NGT intervention and a state-level monitoring committee.
• A tribal school in Pune district was awarded for integrating QR-coded e-learning content in regional languages for multilingual learning under NEP 2020 guidelines.
• Rural electrification in remote Mizoram villages was completed under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana, enabling cold storage and LED-based education access.

India tops the IMF-FIS Global Fast Payment Index (FPAS)

• India scored 87.5%, the highest globally in adoption and innovation of real-time payments.
• Enabled through UPI: over 640 million daily transactions, connected to 675 banks, and used by over 490 million users.
• Adopted in 7 countries (UAE, France, Sri Lanka, etc.) and integrated with international card systems (RuPay, Visa).
• India’s strengths: open-source platforms (India Stack), inclusive access via USSD, low cost, multi-language support.
• Challenges:
  • Rural offline usage remains limited.
  • Grievance redressal and fraud prevention systems need strengthening.
  • Cross-border regulatory harmonization is required.
• Suggested improvements:
  • Develop UPI Lite+ for offline use.
  • Improve redressal via AI-based complaint resolution.
  • Frame Digital Payment Consumer Protection Law.

Concerns over Indian Aviation Safety

• Air India Ahmedabad crash reveals safety lapses: possible fuel cutoff error not addressed by existing SOPs.
• Structural Issues:
  • DGCA lacks functional independence (under MoCA).
  • Fatigue norms violated regularly; pilot rest schedules not enforced.
  • Air Traffic Control is understaffed, with high-rise violations near airports.
• Whistleblower cases reportedly suppressed; India over-relies on foreign audits (FAA, ICAO).
• Recommendations:
  • Create an independent aviation safety regulator.
  • Strictly implement obstacle zoning and air navigation audits.
  • Protect whistleblowers under the law.

UPSC ‘Pratibha Setu’ Employment Portal

• Aims to provide job opportunities to candidates who cleared UPSC mains but didn’t qualify for the final list.
• Covers multiple exams: CSE, IFoS, CAPF, CMS, CDS, etc.
• The private sector is now allowed to recruit from this pool.

India’s First Indigenous Malaria Vaccine – AdFalciVax

• Developed by ICMR, NIMR, and RMRC.
• Targets Plasmodium falciparum, effective in both mosquito and liver stages.
• Based on genetically modified Lactococcus lactis.
• Features: scalable, affordable, stable at 2–8°C, long shelf life (>9 months).
• Supports India’s goal of malaria elimination by 2030.

Cy-TB Test for Latent Tuberculosis

• Detects latent TB infection using CFP-10 and ESAT-6 proteins.
• More specific than Mantoux; does not require lab equipment.
• Quick (results in 48–72 hours), suitable for field use and mass screening.

Regulation of Biostimulants in India

• Biostimulants: non-fertilizer substances that enhance plant growth and stress resistance.
• Govt now mandates registration, testing (toxicity, eco-safety), and label approvals.
• Only 650 out of 30,000 products cleared under new norms.
• Curbing misuse of provisional certificates; crop-specific rules issued (rice, cotton, chillies).
• India’s biostimulant market is expected to grow to $1.13 billion by 2032.

Kashi Declaration on Drug-Free Youth

• Issued at Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi.
• Promotes “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat @2047”.
• Encourages community involvement, online safeguards, and coordinated institutional efforts.
• Reviewed annually under Viksit Bharat Dialogue Framework.

Cyber Skill Training Centre – Mumbai

• Launched under PMKVY by Ministry of Commerce.
• Trains 1,000 youths annually in ethical hacking, cybersecurity operations, attack response.
• Emphasis on women participation.
• Partnership with Data Security Council of India (DSCI).

Codex Alimentarius and India’s Role

• Codex: Joint FAO-WHO body setting international food standards.
• India leads Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs.
• Key contributions:
  • Led global millet standard.
  • Framed draft standards for turmeric, dried ginger, cardamom.
• Supports South Asian nations through Codex Trust Fund.

Guryul Ravine Fossil Site – Kashmir

• Geological site with fossils from Permian-Triassic extinction (~252 million years ago).
• Larger and older than China’s Meishan site.
• Currently lacks protection; threatened by quarrying and construction.
• Huge potential for UNESCO Global Geopark status and geotourism.

Marungur Excavation – Tamil Nadu

• Excavated by TN State Archaeology Department.
• Findings: Iron Age to Early Historic transition (1000 BCE–500 CE), Chola coins, Tamil-Brahmi potsherds.
• Co-existence of habitation and burial sites — rare cultural marker.
• Carbon dating and LIDAR used for analysis.

Vice-President Resigns Citing Health Reasons

Context: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned, with two years remaining in his term, citing medical advice and prioritizing his health. His sudden move came on the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.

Key Highlights:

• Dhankhar submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu under Article 67(a) of the Constitution.
• Cited health concerns and medical advice following a cardiac event in March.
• The resignation was announced on his official X (Twitter) account.
• He had participated in Rajya Sabha proceedings and Business Advisory Committee meetings earlier the same day.
• His resignation came as a surprise to MPs, with no prior indication.
• Dhankhar was elected as the 14th Vice-President in August 2022.
• Served as Governor of West Bengal before becoming Vice-President.
• His tenure saw frequent confrontations with the Opposition, especially over judicial and parliamentary matters.
• Opposition leader Jairam Ramesh called the resignation “inexplicable” and “shocking.”
• No official word yet from President Murmu on acceptance of the resignation.

Exclusion from Electoral Rolls in Bihar Will Not Affect Citizenship

Context: The Election Commission (EC) clarified before the Supreme Court that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is not a citizenship screening exercise, and exclusion from voter rolls will not affect a person’s citizenship.

Key Highlights:

• EC submitted that ineligibility for voter registration does not mean loss of Indian citizenship.
• The clarification came in response to petitions alleging the SIR could lead to mass disenfranchisement.
• Petitioners had raised concerns that the SIR process resembled a citizenship verification drive.
• EC stated that the SIR guidelines are constitutional and meant to maintain the purity of electoral rolls.
• The assurance was based on Article 326, which governs voting eligibility but is distinct from citizenship laws.
• The case is being heard in the context of poll-bound Bihar, where concerns of targeted exclusion have been raised.

India to Host FIDE Chess World Cup 2025

Context: India has been selected to host the prestigious FIDE Chess World Cup later this year, marking a significant milestone for Indian chess. However, the final venue is yet to be announced.

Key Highlights:

• The FIDE Chess World Cup will be held in India from October 30 to November 27, 2025.
• A total of 206 players will participate in the knock-out format tournament.
• The All India Chess Federation (AICF) confirmed the hosting and is currently evaluating multiple cities for the venue.
• AICF Secretary Dev Patel stated the final venue will be announced soon.
• This event underscores India’s growing stature in the global chess community.

UN Food Agency Accuses Israel of Firing on Aid-Seeking Civilians in Gaza

Context: The World Food Programme (WFP) has condemned Israel for opening fire on a crowd of Palestinians trying to access food in northern Gaza. The incident resulted in one of the deadliest days for aid-seekers during the ongoing conflict.

Key Highlights:

• Incident occurred in northern Gaza as civilians attempted to reach a 25-truck WFP aid convoy.
• At least 80 Palestinians were reportedly killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
• The WFP accused Israeli forces of firing with tanks, snipers, and other weapons on unarmed civilians.
• The Israeli military claimed it only fired warning shots to remove a threat and questioned the reported death toll.
• The WFP said the shooting occurred despite Israeli assurances that no armed forces would be present along aid routes.
• UN officials and eyewitnesses supported claims that fire was directed at civilians seeking aid.
• The overall death toll in Gaza has exceeded 59,000 since the start of the conflict.
• WFP emphasized: “Shootings near humanitarian missions must stop immediately,” calling for safer aid delivery.

Indian Embassy in Ireland

Context: An Indian national was brutally attacked by right-wing gangs in Dublin, prompting the Indian Embassy to engage with Irish authorities and the local community. The incident has heightened concerns about rising racist violence in Ireland, especially against Indians and other foreign nationals.

Key Highlights:

• The Indian Embassy in Ireland is in contact with Irish authorities and civil society over the attack.
• The victim, a recently arrived Amazon employee in his 40s, is receiving medical treatment.
• Indian Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra described the attack as “horrible” and acknowledged growing community fears.
• Sources indicate a rise in racist attacks in Ireland over the past three years, especially from violent right-wing groups.
• Ireland hosts nearly 1 lakh Indians, largely in high-income jobs, but recent events have alarmed the diaspora.
• The incident reflects a shift in Ireland’s safety landscape and calls attention to growing xenophobia.

Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS)

Context: The Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS), launched in Budget 2024–25 to provide internship opportunities in India’s top 500 companies, has seen a low conversion rate from offers to actual internship joinings. Only around 6% of candidates who accepted offers have joined so far, raising questions about implementation efficiency.

Key Highlights:

• Internship Goal: PMIS aims to provide 1 crore internships in 5 years through India’s top 500 companies.
• Offer Statistics (till July 17, 2025):
  • 1.53 lakh total offers made
  • 50,500 offers accepted
  • Only 8,700 candidates (approx. 6%) have joined internships
• First Round Data:
  • 1.27 lakh internships posted
  • 6.21 lakh applications from 1.81 lakh candidates
  • 82,000 offers made to 60,000 candidates
  • 28,000 accepted, 8,700 joined
• Second Round Data (Jan 9, 2025 onward):
  • 1.18 lakh internships posted (including unfilled from round one)
  • 4.55 lakh applications from 2.14 lakh applicants
  • 71,000 offers, 22,500 accepted
  • The joining process is still ongoing
• Geographical Spread: Internships have been posted across 735 districts of India.
• Challenge Noted: Despite good response in applications and offers, actual joining remains low, indicating a need to address implementation gaps.

India’s Index of Eight Core Industries

Context: India’s Index of Eight Core Industries grew by 1.7% in June 2025, a 3-month high, but remained significantly below the average 6.3% growth in FY 2024–25. The growth was dragged down due to contraction in five of the eight key sectors.

Key Highlights

• Overall Performance:
  • June 2025 growth: 1.7%
  • June 2024 growth: 5%
  • FY 2024–25 average growth: 6.3%
• Sectors with Contraction:
  • Coal:
    • Contracted 6.8% in June 2025
    • Grew 2.8% in May 2025
    • Grew 14.8% in June 2024
  • Crude Oil:
    • Contracted 1.2% in June 2025
    • Contracted 1.8% in May 2025
    • Contracted 2.6% in June 2024
  • Natural Gas:
    • Contracted 2.8% in June 2025
    • Contracted 3.6% in May 2025
    • Grew 3.3% in June 2024
  • Electricity:
    • Contracted 2.8% in June 2025
    • Contracted 4.7% in May 2025
• Sectors with Growth:
  • Steel:
    • Grew 9.3% in June 2025
    • Grew 7.4% in May 2025
    • Grew 6.3% in June 2024
  • Cement:
    • Grew 9.2% in June 2025
    • Grew 9.6% in May 2025
    • Grew 1.8% in June 2024
  • Refinery Products:
    • Grew 3.4% in June 2025
    • Grew 1.1% in May 2025
    • Contracted 1.5% in June 2024