Daily Current Affairs – 17 July 2025
- TPP
- Jul 17
- 15 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 Mitochondrial Donation, Banni grasslands, PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, University of Southampton, Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034, Rising Water Spread in Glacial Lakes Across India, Pacific Ring of Fire, Group of Friends (GoF), GPR) technology, Tribal genome project initiative, Earthquake Swarm, Right to Rehabilitation, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and more...
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First Babies Born after Mitochondrial Donation Treatment |
A recent clinical trial in the UK successfully resulted in the birth of eight babies protected from inheriting mitochondrial diseases through Mitochondrial Donation or Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT).
Mitochondria are tiny “power plants” inside nearly every cell. They generate over 90% of the cell’s energy needed to survive and function.
Mitochondria have their own mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This DNA is different from the nuclear DNA that determines most physical traits.
The mitochondrial DNA mainly affects how cells produce energy.
Mitochondrial diseases happen when mitochondria malfunction. This causes cells to lose energy and eventually die, which can lead to organ failure.
Importantly, these diseases are inherited only from the mother.
Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT) is a new kind of in vitro fertilization (IVF). It replaces a woman’s faulty mitochondrial DNA with healthy mitochondria from a donor egg.
This process prevents the child from inheriting mitochondrial disease.
After MRT, the embryo contains nuclear DNA from both parents—the mother and father.
It also contains healthy mitochondrial DNA from a third donor, which is why these babies are sometimes called “Three-Parent Babies.”
MRT involves two main techniques: Pronuclear Transfer (PNT) and Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST).
Pronuclear Transfer (PNT) is done after fertilization.
In PNT, the parents' genetic material is transferred from their fertilized egg into a donor egg with healthy mitochondria.
This creates an embryo with the parents’ DNA and donor mitochondria.
PNT results in less than 5% carryover of defective mitochondria.
Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) happens before fertilization.
Here, the mother’s genetic material is moved from her egg into a donor egg containing healthy mitochondria.
Then the reconstructed egg is fertilized with the father’s sperm.
MST is preferred because it carries an even lower risk of passing on defective mitochondria.
This trial is a major breakthrough, offering hope to families at high risk of mitochondrial diseases through advanced reproductive technology.
Gujarat’s Banni grasslands ready for translocation of cheetahs by year end |
Gujarat’s Banni grasslands, located in the Kutch district, are now ready for the translocation of cheetahs by the end of this year, following efforts by the forest department to increase the prey base and establish a protective enclosure.
Previously, cheetahs were relocated within India from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh (MP), demonstrating the ongoing efforts of the government in species reintroduction.
Other potential sites identified in the official action plan for cheetah introduction include Guru Ghasidas National Park in Chhattisgarh;
Several protected areas in MP such as Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary, Sanjay National Park, Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary, Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve;
As well as Desert National Park and Shahgarh grasslands in Rajasthan, and Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh.
The Banni Grassland is Asia’s largest tropical grassland, a unique ecosystem characterized by salt-tolerant vegetation that has formed due to historic tectonic activity causing land emergence from the sea.
It is home to various pastoral communities including the Maldharis, Rabaris, Mutwas, and Meghwals, who depend on the grassland for their traditional livelihoods.
Project Cheetah, launched in 2022, aims to reintroduce African cheetahs into India, starting with Kuno National Park, by translocating animals from Namibia and South Africa; this marks the first intercontinental reintroduction of a wild, large carnivore species.
The project is implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and amended in 2006.
To manage the project, the Cheetah Project Steering Committee was set up by NTCA in 2023 to oversee, evaluate, and guide the implementation process.
The cheetah is known as the world’s fastest mammal and holds the distinction of being the only large carnivore that became extinct in India in 1952.
Unlike other big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars, cheetahs do not roar.
There are two species of cheetahs: the African cheetah listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Asiatic cheetah, classified as Critically Endangered, found only in the arid regions of eastern Iran.
Historically, cheetahs were distributed widely in Asia and Africa but are now confined to limited regions, making the Indian reintroduction project critical for their conservation and ecological restoration.
Cabinet Approves the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) |
The Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a pioneering scheme exclusively focused on the agriculture and allied sectors in underperforming districts.
PMDDKY is inspired by NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Programme (ADP) launched in 2018, which targeted 112 of India’s most underdeveloped districts to accelerate their overall transformation.
The scheme is designed for a six-year duration beginning from 2025-26, aiming to cover 100 districts identified based on their agricultural performance.
These target districts are selected using criteria such as low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity (which is the number of crops grown per year on a given land area), and low credit disbursement to farmers.
The selection of districts within each state or union territory depends on the share of Net Cropped Area (NCA)—the total sown area after accounting for multiple cropping—and operational holdings (farmland actively cultivated), with a minimum of one district selected from every state.
PMDDKY’s implementation emphasizes convergence, integrating 36 existing schemes across 11 central government departments, alongside state programs and collaborations with the private sector for holistic agricultural development.
For governance and smooth execution, dedicated committees will be established at district, state, and national levels to oversee planning, implementation, and monitoring activities.
At the district level, a unique plan will be developed by the District Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti, which includes progressive farmers to ensure grassroots participation and relevance.
These district plans will align with broader national agricultural goals such as crop diversification (growing a variety of crops to reduce risks and improve soil health), water and soil conservation, achieving self-sufficiency in agriculture, and expanding natural and organic farming methods.
The scheme’s progress will be tracked using 117 key performance indicators (KPIs) across various parameters to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
Additionally, NITI Aayog will periodically review these district plans and provide guidance to maintain alignment with national objectives and ensure targeted results.
University of Southampton: First Global University to open campus under new UGC regulations |
The University of Southampton has become the first global university to open a campus in Gurugram, India, under the newly introduced University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations 2023 for foreign higher education institutions.
These regulations are formally titled “Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) in India”, aimed at regulating and facilitating the entry of top-ranked foreign universities into India.
Prior to this, Australian universities like Deakin and Wollongong had established campuses in the GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), but their approval was granted by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), not under UGC.
The UGC regulations are designed to align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages international collaboration to boost the quality and accessibility of higher education in India.
To be eligible, foreign universities must be ranked among the top 500 globally, either overall or in specific subjects, or possess outstanding expertise in a particular academic or research area.
The regulations do not permit fully online or distance learning programs; however, up to 10% of lectures can be delivered online, ensuring that the majority of education remains in-person to maintain quality standards.
The establishment of foreign campuses in India offers significant benefits, such as providing local access to global degrees, which can help reduce brain drain—the migration of skilled students to foreign countries.
Additionally, these campuses foster collaborative research and innovation by partnering with Indian institutions, enhancing scientific output and academic excellence.
They also contribute to skill development and employability by offering programs aligned with global industry standards, thereby preparing students for international job markets.
Despite these advantages, foreign campuses face challenges including cultural and operational differences, requiring them to adapt to India’s unique socio-cultural context and values.
Financial viability is another concern, as campuses must balance the high cost of quality education with the need to keep tuition affordable for Indian students.
Moreover, there are legal uncertainties related to land acquisition, labour laws, and intellectual property rights, which can complicate campus establishment and operation.
Overall, the University of Southampton’s Gurugram campus marks a significant milestone under UGC’s 2023 framework, reflecting India’s growing openness to global education partnerships and the drive to improve higher education quality domestically.
Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034 released by OECD-FAO |
The Agricultural Outlook 2025–2034, jointly released by the OECD and FAO, presents a comprehensive ten-year forecast of global trends in agricultural commodities and markets, covering national, regional, and global levels, including sectors like crops, livestock, and fisheries.
According to the report’s 2024 Global Market Trends, biofuel demand is projected to grow annually at 0.9%, with India, Brazil, and Indonesia emerging as key drivers due to energy transition efforts.
In the cotton sector, global usage has increased, and notably, India is poised to surpass China as the world’s top cotton producer, reflecting its expanding textile and agricultural capacity.
In this evolving global landscape, India’s agricultural marketing system plays a critical role in ensuring that farm produce efficiently reaches consumers, maximizing farmer incomes and reducing wastage.
Agricultural marketing in India includes the entire process of moving farm products and by-products—such as grains, vegetables, or cotton (used in textiles)—from producers to end consumers, through a chain of market intermediaries and infrastructure.
However, several challenges persist in the system:
Weak infrastructure—especially inadequate cold storage and poor transportation—leads to massive post-harvest losses, estimated at ₹92,000 crore, according to the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology (CIPHET).
Fragmented market structures, due to the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), which are regulated by state governments under their individual APMC Acts, hinder the creation of a National Integrated Market.
Limited market access continues to affect small and marginal farmers, especially in remote and rural areas, leaving them dependent on local traders who often offer unremunerative prices.
To address these gaps, the government has initiated key reforms and schemes:
The National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) facilitates online trading of agri-produce, enabling farmers to access a wider buyer base and discover better prices through transparent, competitive bidding.
The 10,000 FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) Scheme aims to empower smallholders by collectivizing them into groups for stronger market linkages, better bargaining power, and direct access to supply chains.
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) provides interest subvention and financial support to build critical post-harvest infrastructure like cold chains, warehouses, and community storage assets.
The Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) scheme specifically targets the enhancement of rural storage capacity through the construction of godowns and warehouses, helping reduce spoilage and improve price realization.
Strengthening agricultural marketing systems is vital not only for ensuring fair farmer incomes but also for aligning India with emerging global trends in agri-commodities, sustainability, and food security.
Central Water Commission (CWC) Informs NGT of Rising Water Spread in Glacial Lakes Across India |
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) about a concerning trend—rising water spread in many glacial lakes across India, based on remote sensing data.
Out of the 100 glacial lakes over 10 hectares in size, 34 showed an increasing trend, 20 showed a decreasing trend, and 44 remained stable, indicating shifting glacial dynamics likely influenced by climate change.
The CWC currently monitors 902 glacial lakes and water bodies, covering both Indian and transboundary regions, using remote sensing—a satellite-based technology for observing surface features without physical contact.
As part of mitigation efforts, 90 site-specific studies have been approved under the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Program (2021–2026), focusing on lakes prone to sudden flood risks.
This national program is being implemented in four Himalayan states—Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand, where glacial lake risks are most prominent.
Glacial lakes are formed from melting glaciers, typically accumulating at the glacier's snout or base, often behind natural dams made of ice or moraines (loose glacial debris).
A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) refers to the sudden and violent release of water from a glacial lake, usually triggered by the collapse of a moraine or ice dam.
One such example is the 2023 South Lhonak GLOF in Sikkim, which caused widespread destruction, including serious damage to the Teesta III Dam.
Geographically, GLOFs are a major hazard in high-mountain glacial regions such as the Himalayas, Andes, and Alps, where steep terrain and glacial melt create high flood potential.
The impacts of GLOFs can be catastrophic, including massive downstream flooding, infrastructure collapse, agricultural loss, and human casualties.
Key triggering mechanisms include:
Moraine dam failure, where loose, unstable debris suddenly gives way (e.g., South Lhonak Lake).
Glacial surging, a rare phenomenon where glaciers move rapidly over a short time, unlike their normal slow pace (e.g., Gilkey Glacier, Alaska).
Seismic activity, such as earthquakes, which can destabilize glacial structures or cause direct dam breaches.
Human activity, including unplanned infrastructure development, deforestation, mining, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, which alter glacial stability and natural drainage patterns.
12. The CWC’s data highlights the urgent need for monitoring, early warning systems, and sustainable development practices in vulnerable mountain regions to reduce the risk of GLOF-related disasters.
The Pacific Ring of Fire |
A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake recently struck off the coast of Alaska, a region situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically and volcanically active zones on Earth.
The Pacific Ring of Fire is a massive, horseshoe-shaped belt of volcanoes and seismic activity encircling the edges of the Pacific Ocean, formed due to the dynamic movement of tectonic plates (large slabs of Earth's crust that shift and interact at their boundaries).
This zone stretches across 15+ countries, including the western Americas, Alaska, Russia, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and even parts of Antarctica.
Remarkably, around 90% of the world’s earthquakes and approximately 75% of all active volcanoes are concentrated along this belt, making it the epicenter of global tectonic activity.
The Ring of Fire is a direct result of plate tectonics, particularly subduction zones where one tectonic plate slides beneath another, generating immense pressure and energy release through quakes and volcanic eruptions.
Over time, this geological activity has also formed deep-sea trenches, such as the Mariana Trench, which is the deepest known point on Earth, plunging nearly 11 kilometers below sea level.
The frequent seismic events along the Ring serve as a reminder of the Earth's constantly shifting crust and the need for early warning systems and disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.
Meeting of the Group of Friends (GoF) |
At a recent meeting of the Group of Friends (GoF), India reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice for crimes committed against UN peacekeepers, reinforcing its long-standing support for peacekeeping operations.
The Group of Friends, launched in 2022, is an Indian-led initiative aimed at promoting accountability for all acts of violence against United Nations (UN) peacekeepers, who operate in conflict zones under the UN mandate.
This group functions as a key advocacy platform to raise global awareness and drive international cooperation for protecting those who risk their lives in UN peacekeeping missions.
The GoF is also recognized as a driving force within the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), a UN initiative that promotes intercultural dialogue, peacebuilding, and mutual respect among diverse societies.
It plays a crucial role in UNAOC’s strategic planning and implementation, contributing to initiatives that advance global peace, accountability, and the rule of law.
Through this initiative, India continues to highlight the importance of safeguarding peacekeepers and ensuring justice for attacks against them, aligning with its broader vision of international peace and multilateral cooperation.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology |
In a recent breakthrough, a team from IIT Kanpur used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to detect ancient Buddhist stupas and buried structures in Yamuna Nagar district, Haryana, showcasing the technology’s role in non-invasive archaeological exploration.
GPR technology is a high-resolution geophysical method that uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves to scan below the Earth's surface and identify hidden features.
These electromagnetic waves interact with subsurface materials—being reflected, refracted, or scattered depending on the type and composition of underground layers such as soil, rock, or buried objects.
The typical depth range of GPR is limited to about 10 meters, making it ideal for shallow subsurface investigations without the need for excavation.
GPR is widely used to determine depth to bedrock, locate the water table, map soil layers, and detect buried stream channels, cavities, and fractures in the ground.
This non-destructive technique is especially valuable in fields like archaeology, civil engineering, environmental studies, and forensics, as it helps uncover critical underground information without physical disruption.
The successful use of GPR in Haryana highlights its potential to bridge technology and heritage, aiding in the preservation and discovery of cultural and historical sites.
Tribal genome project initiative |
In a significant step toward inclusive healthcare, Gujarat has launched India’s first Tribal Genome Project, aimed at addressing inherited genetic diseases prevalent in tribal populations.
The core objective of this project is to identify genetic health risks and enable precision healthcare—an approach where treatment is tailored to an individual's genetic makeup.
Under this initiative, the genomes of 2,000 individuals from tribal communities across 17 districts of Gujarat will be sequenced to create a detailed genetic health map.
Genome sequencing involves decoding the complete DNA of an individual to detect mutations or genetic variations linked to diseases.
The project is being implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), a premier institute working at the intersection of genetics and biotechnology.
The key focus areas include early detection and personalized treatment of genetic disorders such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, and certain hereditary cancers—conditions that are often underdiagnosed in tribal regions.
By enabling targeted interventions, this initiative marks a move toward genomic equity, ensuring that marginalized communities also benefit from advancements in modern medical science.
Earthquake Swarm |
In a recent event, lava erupted from a massive fissure in Iceland, following a series of intense earthquake swarms, drawing attention to the island’s complex geological setting.
Earthquake swarms are defined as clusters of many earthquakes occurring over a short period without a single dominant mainshock, unlike typical aftershock sequences.
These swarms can last for weeks and may produce thousands of small to moderate tremors, often indicating underground movement of magma or fluid.
Such swarms are commonly associated with volcanic environments, hydrothermal systems, and other geothermal active zones, where pressure and heat build-ups trigger frequent seismic activity.
Iceland is particularly prone to earthquake swarms and volcanic eruptions, owing to its unique position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge—a tectonic boundary where the Eurasian and North American plates are moving apart.
Adding to this, Iceland also sits above a mantle plume—a column of hot magma rising from deep within the Earth—intensifying both volcanic and seismic activity at the surface.
This intersection of a divergent tectonic boundary and a mantle plume makes Iceland a geological hotspot, where earthquake swarms often precede volcanic eruptions, as seen in the recent fissure event.
Rehabilitation is not a fundamental right |
In a recent verdict (Estate Officer, Haryana Urban Development Authority vs Landowners), the Supreme Court clarified that rehabilitation is not a fundamental right, particularly in the context of land acquisition.
The Court examined the scope of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, and ruled that loss of livelihood alone does not make land acquisition unconstitutional, limiting its applicability in such cases.
It emphasized a clear distinction between compensation and rehabilitation—while fair monetary compensation is constitutionally guaranteed, rehabilitation measures beyond what is legally mandated are not enforceable as a right.
Referring to the Land Acquisition Act, the Court reiterated that rehabilitation is not a constitutionally recognized right, as also held in Amarjit Singh vs State of Punjab (2010).
In another related precedent—State of Madhya Pradesh vs Narmada Bachao Andolan (2011)—the Court affirmed that the State cannot be legally compelled to provide alternative accommodation during land acquisition, unless specifically required by statute or policy.
Overall, the judgment reinforces the limited legal scope of the Right to Rehabilitation, placing the primary obligation of the State on paying compensation, not on ensuring resettlement unless clearly provided under law.
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) |
In May 2024, a rare display of northern lights over Ladakh was traced back to powerful Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), as astronomers decoded the science behind these intense solar events.
CMEs are massive expulsions of plasma (a highly energized state of matter consisting of charged particles) and magnetic fields from the outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere, known as the corona.
These solar eruptions can hurl billions of tons of charged coronal material into space, often carrying a magnetic field embedded within the ejected plasma.
Scientists have observed that as CMEs travel through space, they undergo a thermal transformation—initially releasing heat, but later entering a phase where they absorb and retain heat, altering their interaction with space environments.
When a CME is Earth-directed, it can travel at speeds so high that it may reach our planet in just 15 to 18 hours, although slower ones may take several days to arrive.
Upon reaching Earth, these energetic bursts can trigger geomagnetic storms—disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field that may disrupt satellite operations, communication systems, and even power grids.
These phenomena not only showcase the dynamic nature of solar activity, but also highlight the importance of space weather forecasting to protect modern technological infrastructure.
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