Daily Current Affairs – 11 July 2025
- TPP
- Jul 11
- 16 min read
Welcome to your one-stop destination for crisp, reliable, and exam-relevant Daily Current Affairs. The PRESS Pad delivers daily updates and smart summaries that go beyond the headlines and align perfectly with the evolving pattern of UPSC and other state-level examinations.
Today's edition features key updates including India’s Traditional Knowledge System, WASH Progress Tracker 2025, Public Gambling Act, 1867, Panch Sanklapa of NEP 2020, TALASH Initiative, Autonomous District Councils, Island Protection Zone (IPZ), Reservation in Local Bodies, S-400 Air Defence System, Financial Aid Under SDRF And NDRF, Machine Vision-Based Inspection System and more
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Vice President Called for Preserving India’s Traditional Knowledge System |
The Vice President of India, while addressing the inaugural Annual Conference of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), emphasized that India’s emergence as a global power must be mirrored by the revival of its intellectual and cultural legacy.
The Traditional Indian Knowledge System (IKS) refers to India’s millennia-old indigenous knowledge encompassing diverse domains such as art, music, dance, drama, mathematics, astronomy, science, technology, and more, preserved in classical languages like Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tamil, and Pali.
Notable examples of IKS include Ayurveda (ancient medical science), Yoga (spiritual and physical discipline), Surya Siddhanta (ancient text on astronomy), Natya Shastra (treatise on performing arts), and the development of number systems including zero.
Historically, India was home to global centers of learning like Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramashila, Vallabhi, and Odantapuri, which attracted scholars from Korea, China, Tibet, and Persia, showcasing India's global academic stature.
The need to safeguard IKS arises from the imperative to decolonize the Indian mind, which involves undoing the colonial legacy that diminished indigenous knowledge systems while imposing Western worldviews as dominant or “universal” truths.
There’s also an urgent need to counter the marginalization of traditional knowledge, as the dominance of Eurocentric academic paradigms sidelines India’s knowledge systems—evident in cases like the US patent attempt on turmeric (haldi) for its healing properties, which is already a part of Indian traditional medicine.
Furthermore, the limited engagement of younger scholars with IKS is concerning, as it is often misunderstood, misrepresented, or confined to the fringes of academic study due to a lack of mainstream integration and awareness.
Reviving IKS can serve as a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy and soft power—for instance, through International Yoga Day, the revival of institutions like Nalanda University, and the promotion of heritage tourism sites such as Rani ki Vav, a UNESCO World Heritage stepwell known for its architectural brilliance.
Several initiatives have been undertaken to preserve and promote IKS, such as the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), launched in 2001 by CSIR and Ministry of AYUSH, to digitally catalog traditional knowledge and prevent its misuse in global Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regimes.
The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Initiative, under the Ministry of Education, aims to integrate traditional Indian knowledge into the contemporary education system, making it relevant and accessible to modern learners.
Complementing these efforts is Project Mausam, a cultural diplomacy initiative that seeks to revive ancient maritime routes and strengthen historical, economic, and cultural ties among countries along the Indian Ocean Rim, reflecting India’s ancient seafaring heritage.
Additionally, legal frameworks like the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and the Indian Patents Act, 1970 provide statutory protection against the unauthorized exploitation of traditional knowledge, helping India safeguard its rich heritage in a globalized world.
WASH Progress Tracker 2025 Highlights Funding Gaps |
WHO and UNICEF have released the updated WASH Progress Tracker 2025, assessing over 100 countries on their efforts to improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Health Care Facilities (HCFs) through an eight-step approach.
This tracker is aligned with the 2023 UN General Assembly Resolution on ensuring WASH, waste management, and electricity access in health-care facilities as essential for universal health coverage.
A key finding reveals a severe funding gap, with only 17% of countries reporting adequate financial resources to enhance WASH services in their health systems.
WASH is an integrated term representing access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation facilities, and the promotion of hygiene practices, particularly critical in health and education sectors.
Its importance is deeply embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for All), both of which emphasize WASH as foundational to public health.
Effective WASH services are essential for reducing disease burdens, preventing infections like cholera, diarrhea, sepsis, and various Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)—notably, diarrhea is the third leading cause of death among children aged 1–59 months.
WASH is also vital for ensuring educational continuity, as the lack of toilets in schools—especially girls' toilets—leads to higher dropout rates among adolescent girls, impacting gender equality.
Moreover, clean water and sanitation are enshrined as basic human rights, a principle recognized by the UN Resolution of 2010, reinforcing the moral and legal obligation to provide WASH services universally.
On the national front, the progress tracker highlights India’s proactive efforts, recognizing advancements in WASH infrastructure in health facilities, inclusion of WASH indicators in national monitoring, and development of facility-level WASH standards.
Key national WASH initiatives include the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), which aims to eliminate open defecation, improve sanitation, and drive behavioral change at the grassroots level.
The Jal Jeevan Mission (2019) complements this by targeting tap water supply to every rural household, with 80.15% of rural homes currently having access to piped drinking water.
Additionally, Namami Gange focuses on the rejuvenation and conservation of the Ganga River, integrating sanitation, river ecology, and community participation.
At the global level, the Protocol on Water and Health is the only international legally binding agreement that connects sustainable water management with the prevention of waterborne diseases, supported by WHO/Europe and the UN Economic Commission.
The UN Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (2020) mobilizes targeted investments in high-burden countries to accelerate sanitation improvements where needs are greatest.
Meanwhile, the WHO WASH Strategy (2018–25) focuses on improving health outcomes through safe WASH access in health settings, aligned with global health system goals.
Complementing this, the UNICEF WASH Strategy (2016–2030) aims to support countries in achieving SDG 6, with special focus on equity, climate resilience, and systems strengthening in WASH services.
European Commission Chief Calls For An Alternative To The World Trade Organization (WTO) |
In a significant statement, the European Commission Chief has called for a Europe-led trade initiative involving Asian nations as an alternative framework to the World Trade Organization (WTO), citing stagnation within the current global trade system.
This proposal comes amidst a growing dissatisfaction with the WTO’s inability to function effectively, particularly due to its paralysed dispute settlement system, which undermines global trade governance.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established in 1995, succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) of 1947, which was merely a provisional arrangement rather than a full-fledged international body.
With a mandate to regulate international trade in goods, services, and intellectual property, the WTO now has 166 member countries, including India, and relies on consensus-based decision-making.
However, one of the WTO’s core functions—dispute settlement—has been in crisis since 2016, when the United States began blocking appointments to its Appellate Body, rendering it non-functional.
The WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism allows members to file complaints, which can be resolved either through Mutually Agreed Solutions (mainly during bilateral consultations) or through Adjudication, which includes panel rulings and appeals to the Appellate Body.
The Appellate Body, the WTO’s apex dispute resolution panel, consists of 7 members appointed by the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB)—a body comprising representatives from all WTO member nations—with members serving 4-year terms.
With the Appellate Body stalled, global enforcement of trade rules has weakened, giving rise to unilateral actions like US tariffs and disputes such as the US-China trade conflict, which further erode the WTO’s authority.
Another major concern is the perceived inequity in the WTO system, where developed countries are seen to benefit disproportionately, while developing nations face barriers like high tariffs, poor infrastructure, and limited resources to fully engage in global trade.
For instance, ongoing disagreements among members have prevented the formation of new trade rules on agricultural goods, which are crucial for the economies of many developing countries.
Compounding the crisis is the lack of transparency in WTO’s decision-making, which has alienated many developing nations and raised questions over the legitimacy and inclusivity of the institution.
As confidence in the WTO declines, countries are increasingly turning to regional and bilateral trade blocs such as the European Union (EU), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—a trend that risks fragmenting global trade rules.
Amidst this global flux, India, as a recognized voice of the Global South (a term referring to developing nations, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America), is strategically positioned to lead WTO reform efforts and address long-standing imbalances in global trade.
India Urges IMO For Comprehensive Investigation And Global Review Of Maritime Incidents |
India has urged the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to conduct a comprehensive investigation and initiate a global review of maritime incidents, particularly involving undeclared hazardous cargo on foreign vessels operating in Indian waters.
This call for action stems from growing concerns over safety lapses in global container shipping, where inadequate checks on hazardous materials—especially lithium-ion batteries—pose serious threats to maritime safety and environmental security.
India highlighted the urgent need for the IMO to strengthen international protocols on the packaging, declaration, stowage, and monitoring of dangerous goods, in line with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, which governs the transport of hazardous materials by sea.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), established in 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with 174 member states, including India.
The IMO’s core mandate is to ensure the safety and security of international shipping, and to prevent marine and atmospheric pollution caused by ships.
In fulfilling this mandate, the IMO enforces several key international conventions, starting with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, which lays down minimum safety standards for ship construction, fire protection, navigation, and emergency operations.
To address marine pollution, the IMO administers the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), 1973, which sets rules for minimizing pollution from oil, chemicals, sewage, garbage, and harmful substances.
For spill emergencies, the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC), along with the OPRC-HNS Protocol (2000), mandates countries to create oil spill contingency plans and promote international cooperation in managing hazardous and noxious substance (HNS) incidents.
The IMO also enforces the AFS Convention (International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships), which regulates the use of anti-fouling substances—chemical coatings applied to ship hulls to prevent the attachment of marine organisms that harm biodiversity.
Another key treaty, the Ballast Water Management Convention, is designed to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species and pathogens, which can be transported through ballast water discharged from ships into new ecosystems.
Additionally, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships ensures that ship recycling activities are conducted in ways that do not endanger human health or the marine environment.
Together, these IMO-led conventions form the global regulatory backbone for maritime safety, environmental sustainability, and hazard management, underscoring the importance of India’s appeal to address gaps in the current framework.
Public Gambling Act, 1867 |
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 against several celebrities for allegedly promoting illegal betting applications, which violates the Public Gambling Act, 1867.
The PMLA, 2002 was enacted to prevent and control money laundering, empower authorities to confiscate proceeds of crime, and ensure accountability in financial transactions.
Under PMLA, two key enforcement bodies—Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED)—have been given exclusive and concurrent powers to investigate, monitor, and enforce the law.
The case highlights legal violations under the Public Gambling Act, 1867, one of India’s oldest laws that prohibits betting and gambling in public spaces.
This Act is applicable to certain states such as Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, where it serves as the foundational legal framework against unauthorized gambling activities.
However, it makes a crucial exemption for "games of skill", which are permitted, distinguishing them from "games of chance" which are considered illegal—this distinction is key in interpreting gaming-related offenses.
Importantly, gambling is a state subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, meaning individual states have the authority to regulate, modify, or enact their own gambling laws as per their discretion.
As a result, while the Public Gambling Act, 1867 serves as a central reference, states can amend or override it, leading to varied regulations across India—some permit betting on skill-based games, while most restrict or ban gambling entirely.
Overall, betting and gambling remain illegal in the majority of Indian regions, and promotion of such platforms may invoke both criminal and financial scrutiny, especially under PMLA and state gambling statutes.
Panch Sanklapa of NEP 2020 |
As part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation, the Union Education Minister has introduced the “Panch Sankalp” (Five Resolutions) to serve as guiding principles for transforming higher education institutions in India.
The NEP 2020, a landmark and holistic reform, seeks to overhaul India’s educational system—across school, higher, and technical education—to make it more accessible, inclusive, high-quality, and globally relevant.
The policy is built on five foundational pillars:
Access (ensuring every learner can reach education),
Equity (bridging social and economic gaps),
Quality (delivering meaningful learning outcomes),
Affordability (education within financial reach), and
Accountability (transparency and measurable performance across institutions).
Aligned with these goals, the Panch Sankalp under NEP 2020 envisions a transformed higher education system guided by five thematic resolutions:
Next-Gen Emerging Education promotes futuristic, technology-driven learning such as AI, machine learning, and digital platforms to prepare students for rapidly evolving global careers.
Multidisciplinary Education aims to break down rigid academic silos, allowing students to pursue flexible combinations across streams like arts, science, commerce, and vocational studies.
Innovative Education focuses on nurturing research, creativity, and critical thinking, shifting from rote learning to problem-solving and discovery-based approaches.
Holistic Education integrates academic learning with physical, emotional, ethical, and spiritual development, ensuring well-rounded growth.
Bharatiya Education emphasizes learning rooted in India’s civilizational ethos, knowledge systems, and cultural values, promoting a sense of identity and heritage.
These five resolutions collectively aim to prepare Indian students for 21st-century challenges, while ensuring the system remains culturally anchored and globally competitive.
Evaluating the current status of higher education, India’s Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) stands at 28.4%, which reflects the proportion of students aged 18–23 enrolled in higher education.
The NEP has set an ambitious target to increase GER to 50% by 2035, in line with the vision of a knowledge-based economy and inclusive growth.
Interestingly, the Female GER is slightly higher at 28.5%, and the Gender Parity Index (GPI) stands at 1.01, indicating near-equal gender representation in higher education—a positive trend for women’s empowerment.
In terms of institutional distribution, government universities contribute 73.7% of total student enrollments, showing the dominant role of public institutions in ensuring access and affordability.
With NEP’s Panch Sankalp acting as the strategic driver, India aims to reimagine and modernize its higher education landscape by promoting innovation, inclusivity, and cultural rootedness.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a higher education ecosystem that is flexible, future-ready, inclusive, and deeply connected to Bharatiya values, positioning India as a global knowledge leader.
TALASH Initiative |
The TALASH Initiative—Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub—was launched by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with UNICEF India.
This national-level program is designed to ensure the holistic development—both academic and personal—of tribal students enrolled in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
EMRSs are a central sector scheme that provides residential quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in blocks where the ST population exceeds 50%, thereby ensuring equitable access to education for marginalized communities.
The TALASH platform is an innovative digital tool that supports students through a blend of academic guidance and personal growth modules, catering to their unique socio-cultural needs.
One of its key features is Psychometric Assessments, inspired by NCERT’s ‘Tamanna’ initiative, which help in understanding students’ aptitude, interest, and personality to guide their career path effectively.
It also offers Career Counselling, enabling tribal students to make informed decisions about future education and job opportunities based on their strengths and aspirations.
Alongside, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Modules are integrated to build confidence, communication skills, emotional resilience, and decision-making abilities, which are essential for personal and social development.
The initiative also provides E-learning support for teachers, ensuring they are equipped with modern tools and pedagogical strategies to better engage and mentor tribal students.
Through TALASH, the government aims to create a supportive ecosystem within EMRSs that nurtures individual potential, promotes self-worth, and bridges the gap between tribal youth and mainstream opportunities.
Autonomous District Councils |
Recently, Governor’s Rule was imposed in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram, highlighting the unique governance structure provided under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are special administrative bodies created under the Sixth Schedule, aimed at governing and empowering tribal areas in the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
The primary objective of ADCs is to ensure tribal autonomy, safeguard their distinct cultural identity, and accelerate socio-economic development in tribal-dominated regions.
ADCs are vested with legislative and executive powers to enact laws on key local matters such as land usage, forest management, inheritance, marriage, and social customs, allowing tribal communities to govern themselves in line with their traditions.
In addition to legislative powers, ADCs manage essential local governance functions, including sectors like education, public health, sanitation, agriculture, and infrastructure within their jurisdictions.
ADCs are also empowered to set up village or district council courts, which have the authority to adjudicate disputes using customary laws that reflect local traditions and tribal justice systems.
Structurally, an Autonomous District Council typically consists of not more than 30 members, of which a maximum of 4 can be nominated by the Governor, while the rest are elected by the people residing in the autonomous district.
This framework, unique to the Northeast, allows for asymmetric federalism—a model where certain regions enjoy special autonomy to protect their ethnic and cultural interests.
The recent imposition of Governor's Rule in the CADC reflects internal administrative issues and highlights the delicate balance between autonomy and constitutional oversight in these tribal regions.
Island Protection Zone (IPZ) |
The Union Environment Ministry has recently extended the validity of infrastructure projects approved under the 2011 Island Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development in ecologically sensitive island regions.
The Island Protection Zone (IPZ) was notified in 2011 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which empowers the central government to take measures for protecting and improving the environment.
The IPZ framework is specifically designed to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, recognizing their rich biodiversity and vulnerability to ecological degradation.
IPZ is conceptually similar to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), which governs the protection of mainland coastal areas, but IPZ focuses exclusively on India’s island territories, considering their unique geographic and environmental needs.
Within the IPZ framework, specific zones called Island Coastal Regulation Zones (ICRZ) have been defined for larger islands such as Middle Andaman, North Andaman, South Andaman, and Little Andaman, where development is regulated to minimize ecological impact.
For the remaining smaller islands across Andaman & Nicobar and all islands of Lakshadweep, the IPZ mandates the preparation and implementation of Integrated Island Management Plans (IIMPs), which ensure balanced development in harmony with conservation goals.
These IIMPs serve as strategic planning documents to manage resources, control urban expansion, and ensure ecological sustainability, especially in ecologically sensitive and densely populated island areas.
The extension of project validity under IPZ reflects a policy move to strike a balance between development and environmental protection, especially in regions prone to climate change impacts, sea-level rise, and habitat loss.
Overall, the Island Protection Zone notification remains a critical instrument in safeguarding India’s island ecosystems, while facilitating regulated infrastructure growth in line with environmental norms and local sensitivities.
Reservation in Local Bodies |
Telangana recently approved a 42% reservation quota for Backward Classes in local body elections, strengthening social inclusion at the grassroots level.
This reservation is supported by Articles 243D and 243T of the Indian Constitution, which govern Panchayats and Municipalities respectively, inserted through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1992.
These constitutional provisions empower States to reserve seats and Chairperson posts in local bodies specifically for Backward Classes to enhance their political representation.
Apart from Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) also have reserved seats based on their population proportion within the local body, ensuring representation "as nearly as possible."
To promote gender equality, at least one-third of the seats reserved for SCs/STs must be allocated to women candidates from these communities.
Additionally, a minimum of one-third of the total seats in local bodies are reserved for women across all categories, reinforcing women’s participation in local governance.
The laws also allow States to reserve Chairperson positions in Panchayats and Municipalities for SCs, STs, and women, ensuring leadership roles for these groups.
These provisions together aim to promote social justice, political empowerment, and inclusive governance in India’s decentralized democratic system.
S-400 Air Defence System |
The Ministry of Defence has chosen an Indian company to set up a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the S-400 air defence system, which will help keep the system operational and support India’s defence readiness.
The S-400 is the world’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, meaning it can shoot down enemy aircraft or missiles from far away.
India bought this powerful system from Russia, which is known for its high-tech military equipment.
In India, the S-400 is called “Sudarshan Chakra,” symbolizing a powerful protective weapon like the spinning disc of the Hindu god Vishnu.
The system includes a command-and-control system (a setup to manage and coordinate the defence operations), phased array radars (special radars that can quickly scan the sky by electronically moving their beams without physically rotating), and electronic warfare countermeasures (technology that protects the system from being tricked or jammed by enemy signals).
It provides 360-degree coverage, meaning it can detect and defend against threats coming from any direction around it.
The S-400 supports multi-missile compatibility, so it can launch different types of missiles simultaneously, creating multiple layers of defence to better protect against attacks.
It can track and engage multiple targets at the same time, allowing it to handle complex battle situations effectively.
Important capabilities include:
Speed: The missiles fly at around Mach 13-14 (Mach is a measure of speed relative to the speed of sound; Mach 13 means 13 times faster than sound).
Tracking range: It can detect targets up to 600 kilometers away.
Engagement range: It can shoot down targets up to 400 kilometers away.
Altitude coverage: It can intercept targets flying as low as 30 meters and as high as 30 kilometers in the sky.
Financial Aid Under SDRF And NDRF |
As per the National Policy on Disaster Management, the primary responsibility for managing disasters and providing immediate relief rests with the State Governments.
To support this, States utilize the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), which is a dedicated fund meant for disaster relief measures, operating under norms approved by the Government of India.
Recently, the Central Government released ₹1000 crore as the Central share of the SDRF specifically to Assam, Manipur, and Uttarakhand, to aid in relief efforts for floods and landslides.
When disasters are exceptionally severe and the SDRF resources are insufficient, the Central Government provides additional financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The release of funds from the NDRF is contingent upon a formal assessment by an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which evaluates the disaster’s impact.
It is important to note that assistance provided from both the SDRF and NDRF is strictly meant for relief operations, such as rescue, rehabilitation, and immediate aid, and does not cover compensation for individual losses.
Machine Vision-Based Inspection System (MVIS) |
The Indian Railways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) to improve train safety through the installation of Machine Vision-Based Inspection Systems (MVIS).
MVIS is an advanced technology solution that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)—fields of computer science where systems are designed to automatically analyze data and learn from it to make decisions.
This system is equipped with high-tech cameras that capture high-resolution images of the under-gear (the mechanical components beneath a moving train) while trains are in motion.
Using these images, MVIS automatically detects any hanging, loose, or missing components on the train, which are critical safety risks.
Upon detection, MVIS generates real-time alerts, enabling railway personnel to take prompt preventive actions and ensure enhanced safety.
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