Daily Current Affairs - 22 July 2025
- TPP
- Jul 22
- 16 min read
Updated: Jul 23
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 Student Suicide crisis, UPI, sustainability and competitiveness of the coal sector, International Seabed Authority, Article 324, Meri Panchayat, Bharat NCX, MOVCDNER, List of Essential Diagnostics, Dark pattern, Removal Process of a Judge, Income Tax Bill, 2025, Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, India-Lesotho Ties and more...
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India’s Student Suicide crisis draws Supreme Court’s Attention |
India’s student suicide crisis has drawn the attention of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance, which means it has acted on its own without a formal petition, showing the seriousness of the issue.
This move comes after tragic suicide incidents in top educational institutions, highlighting the need for urgent systemic reforms.
As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022, 7.6% of total suicides in India were by students.
Male student suicides were found to be higher than female student suicides.
The three most affected states were Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh.
Academic reasons are a major cause of student suicides.
These include academic dissatisfaction, excessive stress, and exam failure.
A negative school environment such as lack of supportive relationships, harassment, humiliation, and isolation also contributes to mental distress.
Institutional reasons further aggravate the crisis.
These include bullying, ragging, peer pressure, and toxic institutional culture.
Caste discrimination within campuses also leads to a hostile and unsafe environment for students.
Family-related issues play a significant role in students' mental health.
These include family conflict, financial hardships, parental neglect, and instability such as divorce or separation.
Loss of loved ones, childhood trauma, and a history of mental illness or depression are also key contributors.
Excessive addiction to social media further isolates students and impacts their well-being.
Social factors like the stigma associated with mental illness prevent students from seeking help.
There is also a general lack of mental health awareness and support systems in many institutions.
Several initiatives have been launched to address the student suicide crisis:
MANODARPAN, by the Ministry of Education, offers counselling helplines and live interactive sessions, reaching lakhs of students.
The National Tele Mental Health Programme was launched to improve access to quality mental health care and counselling services across India.
The Supreme Court has constituted a National Task Force to study the issue of student suicides.
This task force aims to deliberate on mental health issues in educational institutions and recommend preventive measures.
The District Mental Health Programme, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, covers 767 districts across India.
This programme provides suicide prevention services and life skills training in schools and colleges.
The Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme, led by IITs, conducts workshops on stress management and resilience building.
Resilience refers to the ability to recover quickly from stress or adversity.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued an advisory to higher education institutions.
It emphasizes the importance of physical fitness, sports, student welfare, and emotional well-being.
India has emerged as the global leader in fast payments: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |
India has emerged as the global leader in fast payments, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has surpassed Visa in terms of volume and has become the number one real-time payment system in the world.
UPI is an instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
NPCI is a regulated entity under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
UPI is built over the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) infrastructure.
IMPS is a real-time interbank electronic funds transfer system in India.
The digital foundation behind UPI is rooted in several national initiatives.
The first pillar is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, under which more than 55 crore bank accounts have been opened.
The second is Aadhaar and Digital Identity, which enables secure and digital authentication for users.
The third pillar is Connectivity and the 5G Revolution, which has made digital services accessible across the country.
UPI is transforming the payment landscape in India and globally. It functions as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to an open, shared digital platform that facilitates public and private sector innovation.
UPI is based on open-source technology, which leads to lower costs of onboarding and integration.
This is in contrast to Closed Loop Systems (CLS), where the payer, payee, and transaction system all operate within a single unified network with limited interoperability.
UPI allows easy integration with both legacy systems and new platforms.
Legacy systems refer to outdated computing systems still in use.
It supports both real-time and batch settlement functionalities.
Batch settlement involves processing transactions in groups at scheduled times, unlike real-time systems.
UPI ensures interoperability across platforms and providers.
Interoperability allows users to freely choose between payment apps and banks without being locked into one provider.
It also supports easy market entry for new payment service providers.
UPI is enabling cross-border settlement through a platform-based approach.
Cross-border settlement allows international money transfers with faster, more efficient processing.
UPI is undergoing global expansion and is now operational in several countries.
These include Singapore, UAE, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, France, and Namibia.
UPI also facilitates payments in Indian regional languages, enhancing accessibility and inclusion.
Government outlined key strategies to ensure Sustainability, Competitiveness of Coal Sector |
The Government of India has outlined key strategies to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the coal sector.
India holds the 5th largest coal reserves in the world.
Coal continues to account for 55% of India’s total energy needs.
To modernize the sector, India is following a multi-pronged strategy.
This strategy aims to increase efficiency, enhance environmental compliance, and reduce reliance on coal imports.
Sustainability Initiatives in the Coal Sector
The government is promoting Greening and Bio-Reclamation by undertaking afforestation of mined-out areas.
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in coal and lignite are participating in the Green Credit Programme of MoEF&CC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change).
Under Treated Mine Water Utilization, water from coal mines is being treated for community use, including irrigation and firefighting.
This treated water is also used for industrial purposes like dust suppression and for environmental services such as aquifer recharge and fish farming.
The sector is adopting sustainable mining practices by extracting sand from overburden.
Overburden refers to the soil and rock layer above coal seams, and using it for construction and stowing helps reduce river sand mining.
The use of blast-free mining technology such as Surface Miners, Continuous Miners, and Rippers reduces environmental and safety risks.
India is also investing in clean coal and renewable energy initiatives like Coal Gasification and Coal Bed Methane (CBM).
Coal Gasification converts coal into synthetic gas (syngas), and CBM is methane extracted from coal seams, both offering cleaner energy alternatives.
Import Reduction Measures
To reduce import dependence, the government is working on enhancing domestic coal production and consumption.
Measures include coal block allocation, private sector participation, and faster environmental and regulatory clearances.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has been constituted specifically for coal import substitution.
For better logistics, the focus is on coal evacuation and supply chain improvement.
This includes the development of new railway lines, upgraded coal transportation systems, and First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects.
FMC projects aim to automate and modernize coal loading directly from mines to reduce transport delays and pollution.
Under the SHAKTI Policy (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India), imported coal-based power plants are now allowed easier access to domestic coal.
The government has launched the Coking Coal Mission to boost domestic supply of coking coal, which is critical for India’s steel sector.
International Seabed Authority (ISA) |
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is facing a lack of consensus on new deep sea mining rules despite multiple meetings.
The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The ISA was also created through the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS.
UNCLOS is a legal framework that governs all aspects of ocean space, including marine natural resources and the seabed.
The ISA is headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica.
The ISA is responsible for organizing and controlling all mineral-resources-related activities in a specific area called “the Area”.
"The Area" refers to the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
These activities are to be conducted for the benefit of humankind as a whole, as per UNCLOS.
The mandate of the ISA includes ensuring the effective protection of the marine environment.
This protection is aimed at preventing harmful effects that may arise from deep seabed-related activities, such as deep sea mining.
The ISA currently has a membership of 170 countries, including India.
Article 324 |
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stated that its powers under Article 324 give it plenary authority over all aspects of elections.
Plenary authority means complete and absolute power in a particular domain, in this case, elections.
Under Article 324(1), the ECI has the power of superintendence, direction, and control over the preparation of electoral rolls.
This authority under Article 324(1) applies to all elections to the Parliament, the Legislature of every State, and to the offices of the President and Vice-President.
The electoral roll is the official list of people eligible to vote in an election.
The eligibility to be included in the electoral roll is governed by Article 326 of the Constitution.
Article 326 provides that every Indian citizen who is 18 years or older has the right to vote, which is also called adult franchise.
The term adult franchise refers to the right of adults to vote in elections without discrimination.
A person can be disqualified from voting only under the Constitution or any law made by the legislature.
Therefore, Indian citizenship is a mandatory requirement for voter registration, as stated under Article 326.
Meri Panchayat Application |
The “Meri Panchayat” mobile application has been awarded the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2025 Champion Award.
The WSIS Prizes recognize excellence in leveraging information and communication technologies (ICTs) to achieve sustainable development.
“Meri Panchayat” is a mobile-based m-Governance platform developed for the Panchayats of India.
The aim of the app is to empower over 25 lakh elected representatives across 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats.
The app focuses on transforming rural governance through digital inclusion and transparency.
Digital inclusion means ensuring access to and use of digital technologies by all sections of society, especially marginalized communities.
The “Meri Panchayat” app is an initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
It has been developed in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
The NIC operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The app provides real-time access to Panchayat budgets, enhancing fiscal transparency at the grassroots level.
It includes Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs), which are village-level plans prepared through local community participation.
It also offers weather forecasting at the Gram Panchayat level, helping rural communities prepare for climate variability.
The app features tools for social audits, enabling citizens to evaluate government programs and public expenditures.
It includes data on fund utilization, supporting accountability in the use of public money.
The app also facilitates grievance redressal, allowing citizens to lodge complaints digitally.
It uses geo-tagged and geo-fenced features to track and verify data location-wise.
Geo-tagging links data with a specific geographical location using GPS.
Geo-fencing creates a virtual boundary for a real-world geographic area to monitor activities within that zone.
Bharat NCX |
Bharat NCX 2025, the National Cybersecurity Exercise, has been officially inaugurated.
The exercise is conducted by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
It is organized in collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU).
The main objective of Bharat NCX 2025 is to strengthen national cyber resilience and readiness.
Cyber resilience refers to the ability of systems and organizations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks.
The exercise aims to simulate real-world cyberattacks to test institutional and technical preparedness.
A key feature of the exercise is Live-Fire Cyber Simulations, which are real-time, controlled cyberattack scenarios.
These simulations help participants experience and respond to cyber threats in a realistic environment.
Another major feature is AI-Integrated Cyber Defence Training, which uses artificial intelligence tools and techniques to enhance cyber defence capabilities.
Cyber defence refers to the protection of computer systems, networks, and data from digital attacks.
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) |
The Union Minister has announced the extension of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) by one year for Assam.
MOVCDNER was originally launched in the year 2015-16.
The mission aims to harness the immense potential of organic farming in the North Eastern states of India.
Organic farming refers to a method of farming that avoids synthetic inputs like chemical fertilizers and pesticides, relying instead on natural processes.
The scheme is implemented across eight North Eastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
The core objective of MOVCDNER is to develop certified organic production in a value chain mode.
Certified organic production means that the crops are grown according to organic standards and verified by authorized certification agencies.
Value chain mode refers to linking all stages of production, processing, and marketing to ensure benefits for both farmers and consumers.
The scheme aims to establish a seamless connection between organic growers and consumers, ensuring fair value and market access.
The program provides support for organic seeds, which are untreated, non-GMO seeds used for organic cultivation.
It also includes organic certification, which guarantees that products meet national or international organic standards.
The mission supports the creation of collection centres to gather organic produce from farmers in a centralized location.
It facilitates processing units where organic products are cleaned, sorted, and packaged without losing organic integrity.
It also includes marketing support to help farmers reach wider markets and ensure better price realization.
National List of Essential Diagnostics |
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released an updated version of the National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED).
The first National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) was published by ICMR in 2019.
The main purpose of NEDL is to specify the minimum set of essential diagnostic tests required at different levels of public health facilities.
These health facility levels include Village-level facilities, Sub-Health Centres / Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
Diagnostic tests help in the identification of diseases or health conditions based on samples like blood, urine, or tissue.
The revised NEDL list now includes rapid diagnostic tests for several key diseases at the sub-centre level.
These diseases include sickle cell anaemia, a genetic disorder that affects red blood cells.
It also includes tests for thalassaemia, a blood disorder involving less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells.
Hepatitis B, a serious liver infection caused by a virus, is also included in the rapid test list.
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria, is another disease covered under the updated list.
The revised list also recommends sample collection for dengue testing at the sub-centre level.
Sub-centres are the most peripheral and first contact points between the primary health care system and the community in rural areas.
Dark Patterns |
Dark pattern tricks are increasingly being used on OTT platforms, trapping users in unwanted subscriptions and hidden charges.
These manipulative tactics continue despite existing government guidelines aimed at protecting consumers.
Dark patterns refer to deceptive user interface designs that manipulate, coerce, or influence users into actions not in their best interest.
They exploit design and choice architecture, which is the way options are presented to influence user decisions.
Common types of dark patterns include drip pricing, where the full cost is hidden until checkout.
Another type is disguised advertisements, where ads are made to look like regular content.
The bait and switch tactic involves advertising one product or service but delivering another.
False urgency is also used, creating unnecessary pressure through fake countdowns or limited-time offers.
In 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023.
These guidelines identified 13 specific manipulative design tactics as unfair trade practices.
These practices are recognized as violations under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 is a legal framework aimed at protecting the rights of consumers in India.
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Member of Parliaments across party lines submit motion in Parliament to remove Justice Yashwant Varma |
A motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma has been submitted by Members of Parliament across party lines.
A total of 145 Lok Sabha members have signed the motion seeking his removal.
Additionally, a similar motion has been submitted to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, signed by more than 50 Rajya Sabha members.
The removal of judges is governed by specific constitutional provisions under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 124(4) deals with the removal of judges of the Supreme Court.
The grounds for removal under this article are proven misbehaviour and incapacity.
Article 124(5) empowers Parliament to regulate the procedure for presenting the address and investigating allegations under Article 124(4).
This procedure is governed by the Judges Enquiry Act, 1968, which was enacted under Article 124(5).
Article 217(1)(b) deals with the removal of High Court judges.
It states that a High Court Judge may be removed by the President in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge under Article 124(4).
Article 218 extends the applicability of clauses (4) and (5) of Article 124 to High Court judges as well.
Steps in the Removal Process of a Judge
The process begins with the initiation of a removal motion.
A removal motion must be signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members.
This motion is then submitted to the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha) for admission.
If the motion is admitted, a three-member inquiry committee is formed.
The committee comprises one judge of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of a High Court, and one distinguished jurist.
The committee is responsible for investigating the charges of misbehaviour or incapacity.
If the committee finds the judge guilty, the motion is taken up for discussion in Parliament.
The originating House (where the motion was first introduced) must pass the motion with a special majority.
Special majority means a majority of the total membership of the House and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
Once passed, the motion is sent to the second House, which must also pass it with the same special majority.
After both Houses pass the motion, an address is presented to the President in the same session of Parliament.
The President then issues an order for the removal of the judge.
It is important to note that the word "impeachment" is not mentioned anywhere in the Constitution in the context of the removal of judges.
Parliamentary Select Committee presents report on Income Tax Bill, 2025 |
A Parliamentary Select Committee has presented its report on the Income Tax Bill, 2025.
The Committee was appointed to review the draft bill and provide suggestions to modernise India’s tax code.
The primary focus of the recommendations is to promote fairness, transparency, and reduction in tax-related disputes.
The Committee has upheld the powers of tax officials under the proposed law.
The bill allows officials to access, and if necessary, forcibly retrieve data from social media accounts and private emails during search and seizure operations.
The report recommends updating outdated definitions in line with current business and legal frameworks.
It includes revised definitions of "capital asset", which refers to property or investments held by a taxpayer.
The term "infrastructure capital company" is also redefined to align with present industry standards.
It updates the classification of "micro and small enterprises", based on present regulatory benchmarks.
The Committee also suggests measures to support businesses and startups under the new tax regime.
Recommendations include clearer rules for deductions on R&D (Research & Development) expenditure.
It proposes tax breaks for businesses involved in biodegradable waste management.
It also calls for clarity on terms like "parent company" and "status" used in the context of tax appeals.
The Income Tax Bill, 2025 seeks to replace the Income-Tax Act, 1961, which is the current legislation governing income tax in India.
One key objective of the new bill is to simplify the language used in the law for better understanding.
It also aims to remove outdated or redundant provisions that no longer serve practical relevance.
The bill proposes to eliminate 283 sections and 24 chapters from the 1961 Act to reduce volume and complexity.
It introduces the term "tax year" to replace older terms such as “financial year” and “assessment year”.
The bill includes provisions related to Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs), a category that includes cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
It defines both "virtual digital asset" and "electronic mode", bringing clarity to digital and online transactions.
Despite these structural changes, the bill proposes no major tax policy changes.
There are also no modifications in existing tax rates, ensuring predictability for taxpayers.
The bill also aims for consolidation of past amendments, reducing fragmentation in tax laws.
Bills of Lading Bill 2025 |
The Parliament has passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025 to modernize the shipping document framework.
The bill seeks to update and simplify the legal framework governing the use of shipping documents in India.
It will replace the Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, which is a colonial-era legislation.
The new law is intended to align with modern shipping practices and global trade standards.
A bill of lading is a key legal document issued by a freight carrier to a shipper.
It serves as proof of shipment and is often required for customs clearance, delivery, and payment.
The document includes details of the goods being transported, such as type, quantity, and condition.
It also mentions the destination of the goods, which helps track the delivery process.
The bill of lading functions as a receipt, a contract of carriage, and in some cases, a document of title.
The Bills of Lading Bill, 2025 will strengthen legal clarity and efficiency in maritime logistics.
India-Lesotho Ties |
India and Lesotho are set to deepen bilateral cooperation during the visit of the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.
Lesotho’s capital city is Maseru.
Politically, Lesotho is a landlocked country completely surrounded by South Africa.
Geographically, Lesotho is known as the “Kingdom in the Sky” because it is the only country entirely situated above 1,000 meters elevation.
Approximately two-thirds of Lesotho’s territory is covered by mountains.
The country’s highest peak is Thabana Ntlenyana, which rises to 3,482 meters.
Key mountain ranges include the Drakensberg Mountains, forming Lesotho’s eastern boundary.
The Maloti Mountains consist of north-south spurs across the country.
Lesotho’s major natural resource is water, often referred to as “white gold” due to its high value.
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