10.08.25 Current Affairs

One Liner Current Affairs

National Affairs

• The government announced the National Electric Mobility Mission Phase-II expansion to include subsidies for commercial electric fleets.
• Ministry of Power issued new Energy Efficiency Standards for industrial units, aiming to cut energy intensity by 10% by 2030.
• Parliament passed the Ports Modernisation and Efficiency Bill, 2025, creating a single regulatory framework for all major and minor ports.
• The National Statistical Office released updated Labour Force Participation Rate data showing an increase to 43.2% in 2024–25.
• Ministry of Agriculture rolled out a Soil Health Card 2.0 with AI-based nutrient mapping for farmers.
• Government notified guidelines for Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, paving the way for formal carbon markets in 2026.
• Rural Development Ministry approved PM Awas Yojana – Gramin 2.0 with upgraded disaster-resilient designs.
• Digital India Mission launched a National Open Digital Ecosystem for Healthcare (NODE-Health) to link hospitals, diagnostics, and patients.
• NITI Aayog released the India Innovation Index 2025, ranking Karnataka first among major states.
• Cabinet approved the creation of a National Maritime University to train manpower for the shipping and logistics sectors.

International Relations

• India signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the EU on organic product standards, boosting agricultural exports.
• G20 trade ministers met in Brazil and discussed reforms to the World Trade Organization dispute settlement system.
• BIMSTEC countries agreed on a Regional Disaster Response Mechanism for cyclones and tsunamis.
• India joined the Global Biochar Coalition to coordinate technology transfer for carbon removal.
• Quad countries reaffirmed commitment to freedom of navigation in Indo-Pacific at Sydney summit.
• India and Russia agreed to expand cooperation in Arctic shipping routes via Northern Sea Route projects.
• ASEAN-India dialogue explored joint initiatives in sustainable fisheries management.
• UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on the protection of climate migrants, supported by India.
• India signed an MoU with France for the joint development of green hydrogen technologies.
• South Asia Satellite cooperation expanded to include disaster warning data sharing with Bhutan and the Maldives.

Environment and Climate

• Great Barrier Reef bleaching declared a Level-3 ecological emergency by Australian authorities.
• Biochar identified as potential to offset up to 3% of India’s annual CO₂ emissions if scaled nationally.
• The Ministry of Environment announced a National Wetlands Restoration Mission targeting 500 degraded wetlands by 2030.
• The government released guidelines for Urban Heat Action Plans under the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change.
• A study by IMD projected an increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall events in central and southern India by mid-century.
• National Green Tribunal ordered stricter enforcement of plastic waste ban in eco-sensitive zones.
• MNRE launched pilot projects for floating solar power plants in Kerala and Gujarat reservoirs.
• Environment Ministry proposed the Green Credits Scheme for industries exceeding pollution control norms.
• Coastal Regulation Zone norms revised to allow eco-tourism with low-impact infrastructure.
• National Biodiversity Authority initiated DNA barcoding of medicinal plants for conservation.

Science and Technology

• ISRO successfully tested the Reusable Launch Vehicle’s autonomous landing system at Chitradurga.
• DRDO unveiled lightweight bullet-resistant composites for military vehicles.
• IIT Delhi researchers developed an AI-based flood forecasting system integrating satellite and ground data.
• The National Centre for Polar Sciences announced indigenous underwater gliders for Arctic studies.
• BARC scientists produced medical-grade isotopes for cancer diagnostics domestically.
• India’s first quantum-secure communication link between Delhi and Mumbai went operational.
• NIC launched the National AI Compute Platform to provide shared GPU infrastructure for research.
• Biochar-based concrete developed at IIT-Madras demonstrated 30% higher compressive strength than normal concrete.
• Zoological Survey of India recorded a new freshwater fish species in Meghalaya’s rivers.
• INCOIS rolled out upgraded ocean forecast models for fishermen’s advisories.

Governance and Public Policy

• Draft National Electric Mobility Policy targets 30% EV penetration by 2030.
• Government-issued framework for Urban Local Bodies’ climate resilience plans.
• E-governance push via National Public Procurement Portal 2.0 with AI-based fraud detection.
• Standing Committee report urged integration of agro-forestry into rural employment schemes.
• Guidelines released for Digital Public Infrastructure on Health, ensuring privacy compliance.
• NITI Aayog recommended tax incentives for recycling industries in the new industrial policy.
• PM Awas Yojana – Gramin 2.0 mandates disaster-resilient housing norms in flood-prone districts.
• Maritime education reforms under the National Maritime University Bill 2025.
• Renewable Energy Ministry to link carbon credit earnings to rural solar cooperatives.
• State governments advised to prepare Heat Action Plans as a mandatory urban planning component.

Economy and Finance

• India’s forex reserves crossed $670 billion, the highest in history.
• RBI maintained repo rate at 5.5% with a neutral stance due to stable inflation.
• MSME exports rose by 12% year-on-year in Q1 2025–26.
• Gold imports fell 18% after the import duty hike to curb CAD.
• SEBI issued guidelines for green bonds disclosure standards.
• Agriculture exports hit $60 billion, led by rice, spices, and marine products.
• Coal production increased by 8% in July 2025 to meet power demand.
• Start-up funding from foreign VC firms rose 20% despite the global slowdown.
• Rupee remained stable at 82.4 per USD amid global currency volatility.
• Centre approved ₹12,000 crore for urban metro expansion projects under the PM Gati Shakti plan.

Social and Cultural Issues

• The government launched National Nutrition Mission 3.0, focusing on adolescent girls’ health.
• UNESCO included two Indian crafts in Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
• PM praised women’s SHGs for their role in rural solar pump adoption.
• States to integrate climate migration concerns into social protection schemes.
• Census data analysis shows urban literacy gap between genders narrowed to 7%.
• Swachh Bharat Mission to focus on faecal sludge management in small towns.
• Coastal communities to receive training in disaster-resilient construction techniques.
• The government launched a digital portal for tribal art marketing.
• Awareness campaign for biochar benefits targeted at smallholder farmers.
• New programme initiated to document oral histories of freedom struggle veterans.

Defence and Strategic Affairs

• Navy commissioned INS Samudra Rakshak, a deep-sea rescue vessel.
• DRDO tested next-gen stealth UAV with AI-assisted navigation.
• India and France began joint Amphibious Exercise Varuna-Shore 2025.
• Army integrated quantum-secure communication systems in Northern Command.
• Joint Cyberspace Ops doctrine incorporated into tri-service wargames.
• IAF inducted indigenous Astra Mk-2 air-to-air missiles.
• Andaman & Nicobar Command upgraded with new coastal radar stations.
• Defence Ministry approved maritime surveillance drones for the Coast Guard.
• Special Forces training expanded to include HADR missions.
• MoU signed with Israel for AI-based battlefield management systems.

Art and Culture

• Two Indian crafts added to UNESCO’s endangered heritage list — Toda embroidery and Thatheras’ brass and copper craft.
• The National Gallery of Modern Art opened an exhibition on 75 years of Indian modernism.
• Archaeological Survey of India announced restoration of Vijayanagara-era temples in Karnataka.
• The government launched the Indian Textile Digital Museum for global outreach.
• Rural art cooperatives linked with e-commerce platforms under a new scheme.
• Marine heritage walks started in coastal towns to promote awareness.
• Swaminathan legacy exhibitions in agricultural universities.
• Annual National Tribal Dance Festival to include international troupes.
• Centre allocated funds for the preservation of the Ajanta caves’ frescoes.
• Digital archive initiated for Indian film heritage.

Infrastructure

• PM launched BharatNet Phase-III to connect all gram panchayats with 1 Gbps fibre internet.
• Cabinet approved ₹15,000 crore for greenfield expressways in the northeast.
• Coastal Shipping Bill’s implementation to modernise port terminals.
• National Rail Plan update includes semi-high speed corridors in South India.
• PMGSY-IV to cover last-mile connectivity for 1.5 lakh habitations.
• New inland waterway terminal inaugurated in Patna under Jal Marg Vikas.
• Smart Cities Mission to integrate climate-resilient urban design.
• Metro rail expansion projects cleared in Pune, Lucknow, and Jaipur.
• Solar rooftop schemes extended to all urban municipalities.
• National Highway Authority to pilot biochar-based asphalt mixes.

Geography

• Tuvalu — first nation to sign planned migration pact due to climate change.
• Great Barrier Reef — facing an unprecedented bleaching event.
• Meghalaya rivers — site of new freshwater fish species discovery.
• Arctic — India expanding research via indigenous gliders.
• Chhattisgarh — mineral-rich zones identified for Ni-Cu-PGE sulphides.
• Himalayan states — PMGSY-IV targeting all-weather road access.
• Kerala & Gujarat reservoirs — floating solar projects launched.
• Patna — new inland waterway terminal location.
• Karnataka — leader in India Innovation Index due to urban tech hubs.
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands — upgraded coastal radar network.

Places in the News

• Chitradurga, Karnataka — ISRO’s RLV landing test site.
• Patna, Bihar — inland waterway terminal inauguration.
• Tuvalu — climate migration agreement with Australia.
• Great Barrier Reef — marine ecological emergency.
• Meghalaya — discovery of a new freshwater fish.
• Arctic region — India’s expanded research area.
• Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra — fresco preservation project.
• Andaman & Nicobar — radar station upgrade.
• Karnataka topped the India Innovation Index.
• Northern Command — quantum-secure comms deployment.

History and Heritage

• Toda embroidery and Thatheras’ craft were added to the UNESCO endangered list.
• Restoration of Vijayanagara temples revives medieval Dravidian architecture.
• Ajanta cave fresco preservation sustains Buddhist heritage.
• ASI’s marine heritage walks trace India’s ancient maritime links.
• Swaminathan centenary events link modern agriculture to Green Revolution history.
• Oral history documentation of freedom fighters initiated.
• Vijayanagara Empire’s irrigation system studies integrated into modern water management plans.
• Thatheras’ craft dates back to Mughal era brass-ware traditions.
• Toda embroidery reflects Nilgiris tribal cultural heritage.
• Digital film archive preserving post-independence cinema history.

Election Commission (EC) claims zero objections

Context: Opposition parties in Bihar allege that the Election Commission’s claim of “no objections” to draft electoral rolls is misleading, as multiple complaints by booth-level agents (BLAs) are not being officially recorded. Instead, voters whose names were deleted are reportedly being pushed to use Form 6, meant for first-time registrations.

Key Highlights

• Election Commission (EC) claims zero objections filed by over 1.6 lakh BLAs in Bihar’s draft rolls revision.
• Opposition BLAs assert they have filed numerous complaints about wrongful deletions and additions.
• Complaints submitted on plain paper, counter-signed by officials, allegedly not counted in EC data.
• EC data shows 7,252 claims by individual voters and 43,123 Form 6 applications so far.
• Form 6 is intended for new voter registrations; Form 7 is for deletions, and Form 8 is for corrections.
• Officials reportedly advise voters to file Form 6 even for restoring deleted names.
• Uncertainty exists over the required format for BLAs’ objections.
• CPI(ML) claims its complaints are absent from EC’s daily bulletins despite submission to authorities.
• RJD accuses EC of avoiding responsibility and creating confusion over the process.
• Allegations that EC is pushing Form 6 as a workaround instead of addressing deletion objections directly.

India’s Advanced Air Defence Capabilities

Context: Indian Air Force Chief A.P. Singh officially confirmed that six Pakistani aircraft were destroyed during Operation Sindoor, marking the first public acknowledgment of the mission’s success. The operation also showcased India’s advanced air defence capabilities, particularly the S-400 system.

Key Highlights

• Operation Sindoor took place in May; it targeted Pakistani air assets.
• Six Pakistani aircraft destroyed — five fighter jets and one large ELINT/AEW&C aircraft.
• Large aircraft was hit from ~300 km away — claimed as the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill.
• Strike targeted Shahbaz Jacobabad airfield, a key Pakistan Air Force base.
• Indications that at least one AEW&C and several F-16s were damaged in hangars.
• First official confirmation of the operation’s outcomes by a senior Indian military officer.
• S-400 air defence system played a decisive role; termed a “game-changer” by IAF chief.
• Attack also hit Jaish-e-Mohammad HQ at Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba HQ at Murdike.
• ‘Before and after’ imagery of strikes shared during the lecture in Bengaluru.
• Operation showcased India’s capability for deep precision strikes inside Pakistan.

Untouchability Wall

Context: In Karur district, Tamil Nadu, an “untouchability wall” built by members of the Thottia Naicker community on government land was demolished after objections from the Arunthathiyar Scheduled Caste community and intervention by local authorities. The incident underscores ongoing caste-based segregation issues in rural India.

Key Highlights

• Wall was ~200 feet long and 10 feet high, built three weeks ago on poramboke (government) land.
• Raised by Thottia Naicker (intermediate caste) group; alleged purpose: restrict SC community’s access.
• Arunthathiyar SC residents called it a “wall of untouchability”; caste Hindus claimed it was for preventing anti-social activities.
• Revenue and police officials, led by Karur SP K. Josh Thangaiah, arrived at site on Saturday morning.
• Leaders of the intermediate caste community voluntarily began dismantling the wall under official supervision.
• Media was restricted from photographing the demolition process.
• Revenue Department had earlier issued notices citing illegal construction and risk of caste conflict.
• A final deadline for removal was given: 11 a.m., Saturday.
• Wall completely demolished; foundation to be removed soon, confirmed Karur RDO M. Mohamed Bysal.
• Incident reflects tension between caste groups and government’s role in preventing physical segregation.

Maldives’ 60th Independence Day

Context: On July 26, 2025 — Maldives’ 60th Independence Day — President Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the long-awaited new terminal at Velana International Airport, a $585 million project aimed at boosting tourism, the country’s largest GDP contributor, amid a high foreign debt crisis exceeding $8 billion. The move comes after years of political wrangling, cost overruns, and shifting relations between India and the Maldives.

Key Highlights

• President Muizzu described the terminal as a “pillar of economic independence” and a crucial step to attract more visitors.
• Inauguration featured record-setting synchronized fireworks, securing a Guinness World Record.
• Tourism contributes ~21% of Maldives’ GDP; government hopes new terminal will ease supply bottlenecks and raise arrivals.
• World Bank projects 5.2% average medium-term growth; IMF expects tourism momentum to sustain economy.
• Project cost: $585 million, funded through loans from Saudi, OPEC, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi funds, plus national budget allocations.
• Nearly a decade in the making; three successive governments attempted to complete it amid political shifts.
• Originated after former President Yameen terminated GMR’s contract in 2012 and pursued Chinese-backed expansion plans.
• Opposition criticises project as debt-heavy and delayed, blaming 2012 GMR termination for economic losses.
• India–Maldives ties strained under Yameen and early Muizzu tenure; reset in 2025 after PM Modi’s visit and India’s $400 million currency swap.
• Tourism revenue target for 2025: $5 billion; arrivals Jan–Jun 2025 up 9% YoY, with strong inflows from China, Europe, and the recovering Indian market.