Daily Current Affairs – 16 July 2025

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Today's edition features key updates including Two Massive Black Holes, management of DNA Evidences, ADEETIE) Scheme, SDG Report 2025, CAFE norms, 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave, PATRIOT Missile Air Defence System, Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, Radiation Monitoring System, LCA Mark-1A, PM Professorships, Four proposed LNG projects in Cabo Delgado, and more...

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Scientists Detect Biggest Ever Merger of Two Massive Black Holes

1. In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists detected the largest-ever merger of two black holes, an event named GW231123, which occurred billions of years ago and was observed through Gravitational Waves (GWs) in 2023.

2. The detection was made by the LVK Network of observatories, comprising LIGO (U.S.), Virgo (Italy), and KAGRA (Japan)—a global collaboration focused on observing cosmic phenomena through gravitational wave astronomy.

3. Gravitational Waves, first predicted by Albert Einstein in 1916 through his General Theory of Relativity, are ‘ripples’ in space-time produced by extremely violent and energetic processes such as black hole collisions.

4. The event involved the heaviest black hole merger ever recorded, with two massive black holes weighing ~100 and ~140 times the Sun's mass, combining to form a single black hole of around 225 solar masses—a strong candidate for an intermediate-mass black hole.

5. Black holes are astronomical objects with gravitational pull so strong that nothing—not even light—can escape, making them invisible and detectable only through their effect on nearby matter or via gravitational waves.

6. They are generally classified into three types: Stellar-mass black holes (about 20 times the Sun’s mass), Intermediate-mass black holes (ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of solar masses), and Supermassive black holes (millions to billions of solar masses).

7. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), is the world’s largest facility for detecting gravitational waves, currently operating two detectors in Hanford (Washington) and Livingston (Louisiana).

8. A third observatory, LIGO-India, is currently being developed in Hingoli, Maharashtra, in collaboration with the NSF, and will strengthen global capabilities in gravitational wave detection.

9. The Virgo observatory, located near Pisa, Italy, is hosted by the European Gravitational Observatory (EGO), a joint effort by Italy and France, contributing to the triangulation and localization of cosmic events.

10. KAGRA, situated deep inside the Kamioka mine in Japan, is notable for being underground and cryogenically cooled, which helps in reducing seismic and thermal noise, allowing for more precise detections.

Supreme Court issues Directions for management of DNA Evidences

1. In a significant move toward forensic reform, the Supreme Court of India—while deciding a criminal appeal—issued detailed directions on the handling of DNA evidence to ensure uniformity, sensitivity, and evidentiary sanctity in criminal proceedings.

2. The Court’s directions aim to address persistent challenges in DNA evidence management in India, especially issues in collection, preservation, and admissibility, which have hampered justice delivery.

3. A key issue is the inadequate training of investigating personnel, often resulting in improper collection and preservation, and a breakdown in the chain of custody, which refers to the documented and unbroken transfer of evidence.

4. Another major hurdle is India’s limited forensic capacity, marked by a shortage of DNA testing laboratories, regional disparities, and delays in analysis due to understaffing and lack of infrastructure.

5. Furthermore, the absence of a uniform Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) stems from the fact that ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ fall under List-II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, leading to varied practices across states.

6. To address this, the Supreme Court directed that DNA sample collection must be properly documented, including the relevant section and statute, Police Station details, and chain of custody information from the outset.

7. It mandated that the Investigating Officer must ensure transportation of samples to the Forensic Lab within 48 hours of collection, to prevent degradation and maintain evidentiary integrity.

8. A ‘Chain of Custody Register’ is to be maintained from the point of collection to the final judicial outcome, such as conviction or acquittal, logging every movement of the DNA evidence.

9. On the admissibility of DNA evidence, the judiciary has recognized its value in several landmark rulings, starting with Kunhiraman v. Manoj (1991), where DNA technology was used for the first time in a paternity dispute in India.

10. In Sharda vs. Dharmpal (2003), the Supreme Court held that DNA testing does not violate Article 21 (Right to Personal Liberty) or Article 20(3) (Right against self-incrimination), thereby permitting its use in civil and matrimonial disputes.

11. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, under Section 51, further strengthens legal backing by allowing medical examination of arrested persons, including DNA profiling and other necessary forensic tests, as advised by a registered medical practitioner.

12. Complementing this, the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 empowers the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and other authorities to collect, store, and analyze biological samples, expanding the scope for forensic investigation and evidence preservation.

Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments (ADEETIE) Scheme launched

1. The Government of India has launched the Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments (ADEETIE) Scheme to help industries, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), achieve 30–50% energy savings, improve their power-to-product ratio, and promote green energy corridors.

2. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Power and will be implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, which aims to reduce the energy intensity (energy use per unit of GDP) of the Indian economy.

3. Eligible beneficiaries include MSMEs registered with a valid Udyam ID, provided they can demonstrate a minimum of 10% energy savings through the implementation of efficient technologies.

4. The scheme is structured for a 3-year duration, covering FY 2025–26 to FY 2027–28, with a budgetary outlay of ₹1000 crore, and adopts a phased implementation approach to ensure targeted outreach.

5. In Phase 1, the scheme will focus on 60 industrial clusters, followed by an expansion to an additional 100 clusters in Phase 2, covering a total of 14 energy-intensive sectors such as Brass, Bricks, Ceramics, Chemicals, Fisheries, and Food Processing.

6. ADEETIE offers multiple support components, including an interest subvention of 5% for Micro and Small Enterprises and 3% for Medium Enterprises on loans, reducing the financial burden of energy-efficient investments.

7. The scheme ensures streamlined project implementation through assistance in conducting Investment Grade Energy Audits (IGEA) and preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), which help determine the financial and technical viability of efficiency upgrades.

8. Additional support includes technical handholding, financial incentives, and facilitation of energy audit-based planning to guide industries in adopting sustainable technologies.

9. The implementing agency, BEE, also runs parallel initiatives like the BEE-SME Program, which focuses on improving energy performance in MSMEs, and the National Programme on Energy Efficiency and Technology Upgradation to modernize outdated systems.

10. Furthermore, BEE has developed the SIDHIEE Portal (Simplified Digital Hands-on Information on Energy Efficiency in MSMEs), a digital platform to provide sector-specific knowledge, tools, and best practices to MSME units across India.

WHO/UNICEF 2024 Estimates show significant progress on Immunization in India

1. According to the WHO/UNICEF 2024 Estimates, the world has made significant gains in childhood vaccination, offering the largest and most comprehensive global dataset on immunization trends across 14 preventable diseases.

2. At the global level, 89% of infants received at least one dose of the DTP vaccine (which protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) in 2024, reflecting continued recovery from post-pandemic disruptions.

3. Impressively, India reduced its number of zero-dose children by 43% in 2024, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million, showing strong progress in reaching previously unvaccinated populations.

4. Zero-dose children are defined as those who have not received a single vaccine, making them highly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases and a key target group in global immunization strategies.

5. These gains are supported by India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), one of the largest public health programs globally, which traces its origin to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (1978) and was renamed as UIP in 1985.

6. The UIP provides free vaccines against 12 diseases, of which 9 are covered nationwide: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, Childhood Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, and Meningitis & Pneumonia (caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b).

7. Additionally, 3 vaccines are administered region-specifically: against Rotavirus diarrhoea, Pneumococcal Pneumonia, and Japanese Encephalitis, based on epidemiological needs in certain geographic areas.

8. Under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the UIP has been further strengthened and now serves as a core pillar of India’s public health infrastructure, ensuring access to vaccines for all children and pregnant women.

9. A child is considered fully immunized under UIP after receiving all scheduled vaccines in the first year of life, following the national immunization schedule.

10. Major public health milestones achieved under UIP include the eradication of polio (certified Polio-Free in 2014) and elimination of neonatal tetanus in 2015, marking India’s leadership in global immunization success.

11. Recent initiatives to boost coverage include Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0 (IMI 5.0), aimed at improving Measles and Rubella vaccination in hard-to-reach areas and among missed children.

12. Additionally, the U-WIN Portal has been introduced as a digital platform to streamline tracking of immunization records, beneficiary management, and vaccine logistics, similar to the CoWIN platform used during COVID-19.

UN launches Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025

1. The Sustainable Development Goals Report (SDGR) remains the only official UN publication that monitors global progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, offering an evidence-based overview of key global trends.

2. Under Goal 1: No Poverty, the report reveals that 8.9% of the global population still lives in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than $2.15 per day, indicating slow progress in eradicating basic deprivation.

3. For Goal 2: Zero Hunger, 1 in every 11 people globally faced hunger in 2023, underscoring persistent food insecurity and unequal access to nutrition despite global food production advances.

4. Under Goal 4: Quality Education, while 110 million more children and youth have entered school since 2015, an alarming 272 million remained out of school in 2023, reflecting deep disparities in access, particularly in conflict-affected and low-income regions.

5. Progress on Goal 5: Gender Equality remains uneven, as women globally hold less than one-third of managerial positions, highlighting ongoing structural barriers in leadership and workplace equity.

6. Regarding Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, the global unemployment rate hit a record low of 5.0% in 2024, yet 58% of workers remain informally employed, meaning they lack job security, social protection, and legal benefits.

7. Under Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, in 2024, 57% of the global working-age population was employed, affecting the lives of 3.6 billion workers and their families, though regional and income-based disparities remain significant.

8. For Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, the report highlights that up to 3 billion people struggle to afford housing, and 1.12 billion currently live in slums or informal settlements, indicating a massive urban housing challenge.

9. Concerning Goal 13: Climate Action, 2024 was recorded as the hottest year ever, with global temperatures averaging 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, pushing the planet dangerously close to the 1.5°C threshold set under the Paris Agreement.

10. On Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, the year 2024 saw nearly 50,000 conflict-related deaths and 123.2 million people forcibly displaced, reflecting a disturbing rise in global instability and humanitarian crises.

Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency Norms

1. Amid evolving regulatory challenges, several automobile manufacturers are urging the government to ease the stringency of emission limits under the upcoming Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) – III norms.

2. The CAFE norms, first notified in 2017 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, aim to improve overall energy efficiency in the transport sector by regulating the average fuel consumption of vehicles.

3. The primary objective of these norms is to mitigate fuel consumption by reducing CO₂ emissions, thereby cutting down on oil dependency and air pollution—key concerns in India's energy and environmental landscape.

4. Under the CAFE framework, the average is calculated across all passenger vehicles sold annually by a manufacturer, rather than individual models, encouraging a portfolio-level shift towards fuel efficiency.

5. The norms apply to passenger vehicles powered by petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid systems, and electric drivetrains, provided their gross vehicle weight (GVW) is less than 3,500 kg (GVW refers to the total weight of the vehicle including payload).

6. The upcoming CAFE – III norms have been notified for the period 2027 to 2032, setting stricter benchmarks for average fuel consumption and aligning India’s goals with global climate commitments.

2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave

1. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) recently inaugurated the 2nd edition of the BIMSTEC Ports Conclave, emphasizing regional maritime cooperation and connectivity in the Bay of Bengal.

2. BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, was formally established in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration, marking a strategic step toward regional integration.

3. The core purpose of BIMSTEC is to promote economic and technical cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal, focusing on multiple sectors such as trade, transport, energy, and maritime connectivity.

4. It comprises seven member states located in the littoral (coastal) and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal, namely: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand.

5. As a unique bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, BIMSTEC enhances geopolitical and economic linkages across a region home to over 1.7 billion people and significant maritime trade routes.

6. The permanent secretariat of BIMSTEC is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, serving as the administrative hub for coordination, dialogue, and policy implementation across member countries.

PATRIOT Missile Air Defence System

1. In a strategic move to bolster Ukraine's air defenses, the United States has announced plans to send the PATRIOT Missile Air Defence System (PMADS), reflecting its commitment to counter aerial threats in the ongoing conflict.

2. The PATRIOT, short for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, is a mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) defence system developed by Raytheon Technologies, designed for rapid deployment and high-precision interception.

3. A standard PATRIOT missile battery comprises multiple components including radar and control systems, a power unit, mobile missile launchers, and support vehicles, enabling coordinated operations across different battlefield conditions.

4. At the heart of its targeting capability is the Track-Via-Missile (TVM) guidance system, where radar signals are received by the missile and relayed back to the mobile engagement control centre, which then sends midcourse correction commands to improve hit accuracy.

5. Depending on the interceptor variant used, the PATRIOT system is capable of neutralizing a range of threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, making it one of the most versatile and widely deployed air defense systems globally.

Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955

1. As per the Union Government’s 2022 Annual Report, there has been a decline in the number of criminal cases registered under the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, 1955, reflecting evolving trends in enforcement and reporting.

2. Originally enacted as the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955, the legislation was renamed as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 through an amendment in 1976 to better reflect its broader human rights focus.

3. The primary objective of the Act is to prescribe punishment for the preaching and practice of untouchability, which remains constitutionally abolished but socially persistent in parts of India.

4. It provides a clear legal definition of various manifestations of untouchability, including discriminatory practices in social, religious, and public spheres, and lays down penalties for violations to ensure deterrence.

5. The Act also mandates an annual review report, compiled with inputs from States and Union Territories, which covers key parameters such as case registration trends, pendency in police investigations, and court proceedings.

6. The term ‘untouchability’ here is interpreted broadly by the judiciary to include any denial of access, services, or rights on the basis of caste—especially against Scheduled Castes—even if not explicitly termed as untouchability.

Radiation Monitoring System (RMS)

1. In a significant boost to indigenous defense technology, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently handed over six Radiation Monitoring Systems (RMS) to the Indian Navy for enhanced radiological safety and surveillance.

2. These advanced systems include the Gamma Radiation Aerial Surveillance System, Environmental Surveillance Vehicle, and the Vehicle Radiological Contamination Monitoring System, each designed for specific operational scenarios involving radiation threats.

3. At its core, an RMS is a system that measures radiation fields in the vicinity of a radiation source, monitors surface contamination, and detects airborne radioactivity, essential for both safety and threat detection.

4. Instruments used in RMS include traditional radiation survey meters—commonly known as Geiger counters or Geiger-Mueller meters—which are widely used but cannot detect alpha or beta radiation, limiting their application in certain contexts.

5. To overcome this, newer, portable, and compact radiation monitors have been developed, featuring digital readouts and built-in alarm systems, capable of detecting alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, thereby ensuring a more comprehensive radiation assessment.

6. The key applications of RMS technology span across critical sectors such as nuclear power plants, medical facilities, environmental monitoring, and national security, where real-time radiation detection is vital for both routine operations and emergency response.

LCA Mark-1A

1. India has received the second GE-F404 engine from the United States, marking a key milestone in the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A fighter jet programme.

2. The LCA Mark-1A is the most advanced version of the LCA Tejas, which is India’s indigenous fighter aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

3. The original LCA Tejas is classified as a 4.5 generation, all-weather, multi-role fighter aircraft, capable of executing a wide range of missions including offensive air support, close combat, ground attack, and ground maritime operations.

4. Enhancing its capabilities, the LCA Mark-1A is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, which allows simultaneous tracking of multiple targets with high precision and low probability of interception.

5. It also features an Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, comprising radar warning receivers and self-protection jamming systems, providing strong defense against enemy tracking and missile systems.

6. Additional advanced features include a Digital Map Generator (DMG) for accurate terrain navigation, and Smart Multi-Function Displays (SMFDs) that offer real-time combat data and situational awareness to the pilot.

PM Professorships

1. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has launched the Prime Minister (PM) Professorships, aimed at boosting high-end research and mentorship in India’s academic ecosystem.

2. The main objective is to leverage the expertise of active, eminent, and superannuated (retired) scientists, particularly in engineering, science, and technology, to foster innovation and guide future researchers.

3. The program is open to retired scientists, including those of Indian origin residing abroad—namely Overseas Scientists, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).

4. These PM Professors must be hosted by state universities that have been designated as "Spoke Institutions in Category A" under ANRF’s Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) program—a scheme promoting collaboration between leading research institutions and state universities.

5. To support their contributions, each selected professor will receive a generous annual fellowship of ₹30 lakh, along with a research grant of ₹24 lakh, and an overhead allowance of ₹1 lakh for administrative or institutional support.

6. The duration of each PM Professorship is 5 years, providing sustained engagement for long-term impact on institutional research capacity and mentorship.

Four proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in Cabo Delgado

1. Cabo Delgado, the northernmost province of Mozambique in East Africa, shares its northern border with Tanzania via the Rovuma River, and is flanked by the Indian Ocean to the east.

2. The region, rich in natural resources, has gained international attention due to four proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects, which, if developed, could consume at least 17% of the world’s remaining carbon budget—the maximum amount of CO₂ that can still be emitted to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

3. Despite its resource potential, Cabo Delgado has been embroiled in an insurgency since 2017, driven by socio-economic marginalization and the rise of extremist groups, leading to widespread violence and displacement.

4. The province is home to a population in which women make up 51%, reflecting a gender-balanced demographic, yet challenges in healthcare, education, and security continue to disproportionately affect them.

5. Culturally, it is the heartland of the Makonde ethnic group, renowned for their wood and ivory carvings—a craft passed down through generations and considered both an artistic and economic asset.

6. Additionally, Cabo Delgado encompasses the Quirimbas Archipelago and the Quirimbas National Park, a region of ecological significance and scenic beauty, though historically known as a centre for slave trafficking during colonial times.

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