Daily Current Affairs - 19th August 2025

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In today’s Daily Current Affairs – 19th August 2025, we cover critical updates such as India’s push for modern water management using AI, IoT, drones, and blockchain, the Ministry of Power’s Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) framework, India’s ambitious space vision as Vishwabandhu Bharat, the CAG report on FRBM Act 2024, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill 2025 for Ease of Doing Business, Karnataka HC’s ruling on POCSO Act gender neutrality, debates on removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, latest PLFS reports on employment, the launch of FASTag Annual Pass, TDB’s support for AI-powered healthcare devices, the rise in sovereign bond yields, UNHCR’s halt on Sri Lankan Tamil refugee repatriation, removal of cotton import duties, a new study on Core-to-Edge biodiversity distribution and more...

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Core-to-Edge Biodiversity: How Species Are Distributed Across Earth's Biogeographical Regions

1. A recent study has revealed a general spatial organization of biodiversity across Earth's biogeographical regions.

2. Biogeographical regions are large areas of the Earth with distinct groups of species, shaped by historical, climatic, and geographical factors.

3. Biodiversity in these regions follows a core-to-transition gradient from center to edge.

4. The innermost part is known as the core hotspot.

   • Core hotspots are areas very rich in species.

   • These hotspots contain species that are highly endemic.

     • Endemic species are species that are found only in that specific region and nowhere else.

   • Core hotspots have almost no foreign or non-native species.

5. Surrounding the core hotspot is the next inner layer.

   • The next inner layer is still species-rich, though slightly less than the core.

   • This layer also has a high number of endemic species.

   • However, it also includes some widespread species that are found in multiple regions.

6. Beyond the inner layer lies the middle layer.

   • The middle layer shows no particular species richness.

   • This layer contains some non-characteristic species, meaning species not typically associated with the region.

7. At the outermost edge is the transition zone.

   • The transition zone is species-poor, meaning it has fewer species overall.

   • It is dominated by wide-ranging generalist species.

     • Generalist species are those that can survive in a variety of environments and are not limited to a specific region.

   • The transition zone includes species from many different regions, making it porous and mixed in biodiversity.

UNHCR Temporarily Halts Repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees

1. The UNHCR has temporarily suspended the process of facilitating the repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.

   • Repatriation means the process of returning refugees to their home country.

2. The UNHCR was formerly known as the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees.

3. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950.

4. The creation of UNHCR came in the aftermath of the Second World War, a time with massive displacement of people.

5. UNHCR is the United Nations Refugee Agency dedicated to saving lives.

6. It is also focused on protecting the rights of refugees, as well as internally displaced communities and stateless people.

   • Internally displaced communities are people forced to flee their homes but who remain within their country's borders.

   • Stateless people are individuals who are not recognized as citizens by any country.

7. UNHCR acts as the guardian of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.

8. The 1951 Refugee Convention is a key international treaty defining who is a refugee and their rights.

9. The 1967 Protocol expanded the scope of the 1951 Convention to apply globally.

10. The headquarters of UNHCR is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

11. UNHCR has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice — in 1954 and 1981.

Government Removes Cotton Import Duty and AIDC

1. The Government has scrapped the import duty on cotton in the public interest.

2. Along with this, the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) on cotton has also been removed.

3. AIDC is an additional duty of excise and customs duty.

4. It is imposed on Petrol and Diesel as an excise duty.

5. It is also imposed on specified imported goods as a customs duty.

6. The AIDC was introduced in the Union Budget 2021–22.

7. The main purpose of AIDC is to finance agricultural infrastructure.

8. It is also used for other development expenditure related to agriculture.

Understanding the Recent Rise in Benchmark Sovereign Bond Yields

1. The yield on benchmark sovereign bonds has increased significantly recently.

2. A bond’s yield is the return an investor earns on the capital invested in the bond.

3. The bond yield is directly influenced by the bond’s price, with an inverse relationship.

4. This means when bond prices decrease, their yields rise, and vice versa.

5. Market interest rates also affect bond yields significantly.

6. When market interest rates rise, newly issued bonds offer higher returns.

7. As a result, the prices of existing bonds fall.

8. This causes the yields on existing bonds to increase.

9. Conversely, when interest rates fall, bond prices rise and yields fall.

10. Bond yields fluctuate also due to changes in market sentiment.

    • Market sentiment refers to the overall attitude of investors toward a particular market or asset.

11. Additionally, bond yields respond to inflation expectations.

    • Inflation expectations are predictions about the future rise in prices of goods and services.

12. Lastly, the economic outlook affects bond yields.

13. A positive economic outlook may push yields up, while a negative outlook may lower them.

Minister Highlights Cutting-Edge Technologies like AI, IoT, and Blockchain for Modern Water Management in India

1. The Minister of State for Jal Shakti emphasized the importance of modern technology in water management and conservation.

2. One application is AI-driven analysis, which processes GIS and satellite data to identify optimal locations for farm ponds, recharge wells, and check dams.

   • Farm ponds, recharge wells, and check dams are structures used for rainwater harvesting and water budgeting.

   • Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater for reuse.

   • Water budgeting refers to estimating the availability and usage of water resources.

3. Drones are used for surveying and creating high-resolution maps.

   • Drones can also perform automated inspections to detect early signs of leaks or deterioration in rainwater storage systems.

4. IoT sensors and smart sensors enable real-time monitoring of water quality and consumption patterns.

   • This monitoring helps in reducing water wastage.

5. Micro-irrigation systems, such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, improve farm water-use efficiency.

   • These systems are important components of precision agriculture, which uses technology to optimize farm inputs.

6. Advanced water treatment technologies include UV treatment and membrane technologies like reverse osmosis and Membrane BioReactors.

   • These technologies are essential for recycling and reuse of water.

7. Blockchain technology offers a secure, transparent, and efficient way to track water usage, distribution, and quality.

   • Blockchain uses an immutable ledger, meaning records cannot be altered once entered, enhancing trust.

   • Blockchain can be integrated with IoT sensors for accurate water data management.

India’s Technology Integration for Groundwater Management

1. Geographic Information System (GIS) is used for monitoring minor irrigation projects.

2. GIS is a technology that captures, stores, and analyzes geographic data.

3. The Real Time Data Acquisition System (RTDAS) is installed to monitor surface and groundwater levels under the National Hydrology Project.

4. The India-Groundwater Resource Estimation System (IN-GRES) has been developed by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

5. Satellite data from platforms like GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) is used for large-scale groundwater storage assessment.

6. GRACE satellites measure changes in Earth's gravity to estimate water storage underground.

Ministry of Power Releases Revised Draft on Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) Framework to Boost Renewable Energy Use by 2030

1. The Ministry of Power has issued a revised draft notification on the Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) framework.

2. This notification is issued under the Energy Conservation Act (ECA), 2001.

3. It establishes mandatory year-wise renewable energy (RE) consumption targets from FY 2024-25 through 2029-30.

4. Through this notification, the government is transitioning from the current Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) to the RCO trajectory.

5. The aim is to boost the consumption of renewable energy.

About Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO)

1. RPO mandates electricity distribution companies, captive power producers, and open-access consumers to purchase a minimum amount of renewable energy annually.

2. This obligation is mandated under the Electricity Act, 2003.

3. The government’s RPO trajectory aims to increase the RPO to 43.33% by 2029-30 from 24.61% in 2022-23.

4. The objective of RPO is to significantly promote power procurement from renewable sources.

5. It also seeks to establish a viable market for renewable energy technologies.

About Draft Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) Framework

1. Unlike RPO, which focuses on the purchase of electricity from renewable sources, RCO focuses on the actual consumption of renewable energy by designated consumers.

2. The draft specifies the minimum share of electrical energy consumption from renewable sources for electricity distribution licensees, open access consumers, and captive users.

3. It sets incremental annual consumption requirements, starting at 29.9% in 2024-25 and reaching 43.33% by 2029-30.

4. The RCO framework creates binding obligations with penalties for non-compliance.

5. These obligations and penalties are overseen by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

   • The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is a government agency responsible for promoting energy efficiency and conservation in India.

How RCO could impact renewable energy adoption in India

1. By shifting focus from just purchasing renewable energy (RPO) to actual consumption of renewable energy (RCO), the framework encourages end-users to use more renewable power actively rather than just buying it on paper.

2. This will drive greater demand for renewable energy, motivating power producers and suppliers to increase renewable energy generation capacity.

3. The binding nature of the RCO, backed by penalties for non-compliance, ensures that consumers cannot ignore their renewable energy consumption targets.

4. This accountability could accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner, sustainable energy sources.

5. Increased renewable energy consumption supports India’s commitments to climate change mitigation and helps reduce carbon emissions.

6. It will also stimulate investment in renewable energy infrastructure and technologies, boosting the green economy.

7. Over time, the RCO framework could lead to innovation in energy efficiency and the adoption of smart energy management systems among consumers.

8. Ultimately, this will contribute to India’s energy security by diversifying the energy mix and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

India’s Space Vision as ‘Vishwabandhu Bharat’: Global Collaboration, Innovation, and Ambitious Missions

1. India’s space experiments led by Subhanshu Shukla symbolize the nation as “Vishwabandhu” Bharat, meaning a global friend or partner.

2. The vision of India’s space sector is to establish the country as a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ — a global partner contributing to the collective good of humanity.

3. A major aspect of this vision is global collaboration, exemplified by the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission.

   • NISAR is an Earth observation mission and is termed “India’s scientific handshake with the world,” symbolizing cooperation that follows international standards for docking and interoperability.

   • Docking and interoperability refer to the ability of different countries’ spacecraft or systems to connect and work together seamlessly.

4. Another key feature is the open data access policy adopted by India’s space missions.

   • Open data access means making satellite and mission data freely available, which democratizes information and supports global scientific research.

   • This access particularly benefits developing nations, helping them advance their own space and research capabilities.

5. India’s space programs also focus on tackling global challenges through applications like disaster management, agriculture, climate monitoring, and hazard detection.

6. These efforts position India as a significant contributor to the global commons, which refers to shared scientific resources used by all humanity.

7. By sharing technology and knowledge, India gains diplomatic leverage in areas such as technology transfer, capacity building, and promoting sustainable growth.

8. A prominent example of this is NAVIC, India’s indigenous satellite navigation system, which supports regional navigation and positioning services.

9. India’s technology prowess at low cost is demonstrated by ISRO’s ability to design and operate complex, long-duration space missions efficiently and economically.

10. This cost-effectiveness showcases India’s unique strength in the global space community.

11. Among India’s major space initiatives is the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, which plays a vital role in monitoring Earth’s surface for disaster management, climate studies, glacier tracking, and agriculture.

12. Another ambitious project is the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), which aims to establish India’s own orbiting space station by 2035.

13. India is also targeting a crewed lunar mission by 2040, with the goal of landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon.

    • As part of this human spaceflight program, the Gaganyaan program aims to send a crewed mission to Low Earth Orbit.

    • The Gaganyaan mission includes a key test flight for the Crew Escape System, which ensures astronaut safety during emergencies.

    • Additionally, the mission will deploy Vyommitra, a humanoid robot designed to assist astronauts during spaceflight.

CAG Report on FRBM Act 2024: Central Government Debt Declines, Fiscal Targets and Debt Sustainability Reviewed

1. The CAG report on the FRBM Act is an annual review presented in Parliament assessing compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003.

2. The FRBM Act was enacted to promote long-term macroeconomic stability and inter-generational equity by reducing fiscal deficit and, consequently, public debt.

   • Macroeconomic stability means maintaining steady economic growth and controlling inflation and fiscal deficits.

3. The report highlights that the Central Government Debt as a percentage of GDP has consistently declined to 57% at the end of March 2024, down from 61.38% in FY 2020-21.

4. Between FY 2020-21 and FY 2023-24, the pace of Central Government debt accumulation was slower than the growth of the GDP.

5. This slower debt accumulation indicates that the economy has grown sufficiently to absorb and service the accumulated debt.

6. The report’s Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) shows the public debt repayment to public debt receipts ratio decreased from 86.66% in FY 2019-20 to 81.46% in FY 2023-24.

   • Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) assesses a country’s ability to manage and repay its public debt without external help or default.

7. The FRBM Act prescribes specific targets for fiscal health that the Central Government must achieve by the end of FY 2024-25.

8. One such target is that the General Government debt—which includes both Central and State Government debt—must not exceed 60% of GDP.

9. Another target limits the Central Government debt to a maximum of 40% of GDP.

10. The Act also mandates limiting the fiscal deficit (FD) to 3% of GDP by March 31, 2021.

    • The fiscal deficit is the shortfall when the government’s total expenditure exceeds its total revenue (excluding borrowings).

11. However, the government has committed to keeping the fiscal deficit below 4.5% of GDP by FY 2025-26, reflecting a more flexible approach.

12. Additionally, the government should not give additional guarantees on loans secured by the Consolidated Fund of India exceeding 0.5% of GDP in any financial year.

    • The Consolidated Fund of India is the primary account where all government revenues are deposited and from which expenditures are made.

Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill 2025: Boosting Ease of Doing Business with Decriminalisation and Simplified Compliance

1. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to reinforce the government’s commitment to “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.”

2. This bill proposes 355 amendments across 16 Central Acts administered by 10 Ministries/Departments.

3. The primary purpose of the bill is to advance Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Ease of Living reforms by simplifying compliance requirements, updating outdated laws, and embedding a trust-based governance model.

4. Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) refers to simplifying regulations to help businesses operate more efficiently.

5. The bill builds on the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which had already decriminalized 183 provisions across 42 Central Acts.

6. A key feature of the bill is the decriminalisation of 288 provisions, where imprisonment clauses for minor defaults are replaced by monetary penalties or warnings.

7. Specifically, four Acts—the Tea Act, 1953, Legal Metrology Act, 2009, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940—which were included in the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, are proposed for further decriminalisation under this bill.

8. The bill also focuses on rationalisation of penalties, making them proportionate and introducing graduated penalties for repeated offences.

9. For first-time contraventions, 76 offences under 10 Acts will now attract advisory notices or warnings instead of penalties.

10. To enhance Ease of Living, amendments are proposed in the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

11. These amendments aim to simplify administrative processes and improve citizen convenience.

12. The bill proposes streamlined adjudication by empowering designated officers to impose penalties through administrative procedures rather than judicial processes.

13. This change will reduce the burden on courts and speed up enforcement.

14. Lastly, the bill introduces automatic penalty revision, where fines and penalties will increase by 10% every three years to maintain their deterrent effect without requiring fresh legislation.

Karnataka HC Upholds Gender-Neutral Application of POCSO Act in Sexual Assault Case

1. Recently, the Karnataka High Court dismissed a woman’s plea to quash a sexual assault complaint against her under the POCSO Act.

2. The Court observed that the POCSO Act applies to both men and women and is “gender neutral.”

3. The primary objective of the POCSO Act is to protect children from sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography.

4. The Act is gender neutral, meaning it applies equally regardless of gender.

5. It defines a “child” as any person below the age of 18 years.

6. The Act provides several procedural safeguards to protect the child’s rights during the legal process.

7. One safeguard is the establishment of special courts that conduct trials in camera proceedings, meaning private and away from public and media.

8. The Act mandates the reporting of offences to authorities without delay.

9. It requires the use of simple language in reports when the complaint is made by a child.

10. The Act prescribes a penalty up to the death penalty in cases of aggravated penetrative sexual assault.

11. Aggravated penetrative sexual assault refers to severe forms of sexual assault with additional harmful circumstances.

Opposition Seeks Removal of Chief Election Commissioner: Understanding the Constitutional Process and Grounds

1. Opposition parties are considering a motion to remove the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

2. The process for removal is governed by the Constitution of India, specifically Article 124(4) and Article 324(5).

3. According to Article 324(5), the CEC can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

4. The grounds for removal include misbehaviour or incapacity.

5. The removal process starts with a motion in either House of Parliament alleging these charges.

6. Once the motion is admitted, a committee is formed to inquire into the validity of the charges.

7. After the inquiry, the motion for removal must be passed by a majority of two-thirds of the members present and voting in both Houses of Parliament.

8. This high threshold ensures the independence and security of tenure of the CEC.

PLFS Reports (April-June & July 2025)

1. Recently, the quarterly PLFS report for April-June 2025 was released.

2. The monthly PLFS report for July 2025 was also published.

3. The main aim of PLFS is to estimate various indicators related to employment and unemployment in India.

4. These indicators include the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR).

   • LFPR measures the percentage of people who are either working or actively looking for work.

5. Another key indicator is the Worker Population Ratio (WPR).

   • WPR indicates the proportion of people who are actually employed among the population.

6. PLFS also estimates the Unemployment Rate (UR).

   • UR is the percentage of people in the labour force who are unemployed and actively seeking work.

7. The survey further provides data on the distribution of workers by employment status and industry of work.

8. The PLFS is conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

9. NSO functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

10. The survey has different coverage and frequency for data collection.

11. It is conducted monthly for rural and urban areas under the Current Weekly Status (CWS).

12. CWS uses a 7-day reference period, meaning employment status is recorded for the past week.

13. PLFS also provides annual estimates for rural and urban areas under both Usual Status (US) and CWS.

14. Usual Status (US) considers a longer 365-day reference period, reflecting employment over the past year.

Ministry of Road Transport Launches FASTag Annual Pass for Seamless Toll Payments

1. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has launched the FASTag Annual Pass facility.

2. The Annual Pass eliminates the need to frequently recharge FASTag.

3. It offers a one-time fee of Rs. 3,000 for a validity of one year or 200 toll plaza crossings.

   • FASTag is a device that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to make toll payments.

4. It enables toll payments to be deducted directly from the linked account while the vehicle is in motion.

   • RFID technology consists of tags and readers that communicate using radio waves.

   • This communication allows information about objects or people to be transmitted to nearby readers.

   • RFID is a short-range technology, meaning it works over small distances.

5. The FASTag system is managed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

6. It is also managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

TDB Boosts Indigenous AI-Powered Blood Testing Devices for Primary Healthcare

1. The Technology Development Board (TDB) supports indigenous AI-powered blood testing devices for primary healthcare.

2. The term indigenous here means technology developed within the country.

3. TDB was established in 1996 as a statutory body.

4. It was created under the Technology Development Board Act, 1995.

   • A statutory body is an organization created by a law passed by the government.

5. The primary objective of TDB is to promote the development and commercialization of indigenous technology.

6. It also focuses on the adaptation of imported technology for wider use within the country.

7. TDB provides financial support in the form of equity capital or loans to industrial concerns.

8. It also gives financial assistance to research and development (R&D) institutions.

9. The loans given by TDB carry a simple interest rate of 5% per annum.

   • Simple interest means the interest is calculated only on the original amount borrowed, not on accumulated interest.

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