Daily Current Affairs – 26 July 2025
- TPP
- Jul 26
- 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 Nation’s First Hydrogen-Powered Coach, Student Suicides & Mental Health, Report on RRTS, Obscene Content, PM Modi in Maldives, Monsoon Session of Parliament, President's Rule, Atal Pension Yojana, ULPGM-V3, Climate Tipping Point, E3 countries, Mycorrhizal Fungi, CROPIC and more...
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Nation’s First Hydrogen-Powered Coach at Integral Coach Factory |
Indian Railways successfully tested the nation’s first hydrogen-powered coach at the Integral Coach Factory.
This coach is part of the broader “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative (2023) aiming to deploy 35 hydrogen-powered trains on heritage and hill routes.
These hydrogen-powered trains will feature a 1,200 HP (horsepower) engine, making it the world’s most powerful hydrogen propulsion system developed for rail transport.
The successful test is a key milestone in India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Green hydrogen as an alternative fuel has a higher energy density than batteries, allowing effective storage and transport in large quantities.
Hydrogen fuel-cell trains emit only water vapor, resulting in zero direct CO₂ emissions.
Replacing one diesel train with hydrogen can cut emissions roughly equivalent to the annual CO₂ output of 400 cars.
Green hydrogen production requires lower infrastructure, and hydrogen-powered locomotives can run on existing railway tracks.
However, green hydrogen adoption faces challenges due to current production limitations; most hydrogen in India comes from steam methane reforming, known as Grey Hydrogen.
India lacks a high-capacity proton exchange membrane-based electrolyser plant, which is necessary to produce green hydrogen from renewable energy sources.
Additionally, there is no definite roadmap on the extent of hydrogen adoption in Indian Railways, creating uncertainty in demand.
To advance hydrogen technology, Indian Railways can expand pilot projects beyond heritage routes to test feasibility.
It can also build supply chains for storage, transport, and refuelling on selected routes.
Prioritizing low-frequency, remote routes can enable cost-effective hydrogen adoption.
Collaboration with various ministries and PSUs is essential to scale up green hydrogen production.
Supreme Court Issues Guidelines to Address Student Suicides & Mental Health in Educational Institutions |
The Supreme Court in Sukdeb Saha vs. State of Andhra Pradesh issued 15 interim guidelines under Article 32 and Article 141 of the Constitution to address student suicides and mental health in educational institutions.
These guidelines apply to all educational institutions, including schools and coaching institutes.
The Court observed that distress among India’s youth reveals a deeper “structural malaise” in the country’s educational ecosystem.
In 2022, India recorded over 13,000 student suicides, constituting 7.6% of all suicides, with more than 2,200 linked directly to exam failures (data from NCRB).
The Court mandated that all educational institutions implement a Mental Health Policy, aligned with national frameworks such as UMMEED, MANODARPAN, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Institutions with 100 or more students must appoint at least one qualified mental health counsellor.
The guidelines prohibit batch segregation based on performance, public shaming, and setting unrealistic academic targets for students.
Helpline numbers, including Tele-MANAS, must be prominently displayed on campuses and in hostels.
All staff are required to undergo biannual mental health training focusing on crisis response and identifying warning signs.
Educational institutions must adopt inclusive and non-discriminatory mental health practices for students from SC/ST/OBC/EWS, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities.
Confidential reporting systems for sexual assault, ragging, and identity-based discrimination must be established, with immediate psychosocial support provided to affected students.
To reduce exam-related stress, institutions should promote interest-based career counselling and encourage extracurricular activities.
The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 guarantees every citizen the right to access mental healthcare and safeguards their dignity.
This Act also decriminalized attempted suicide, recognizing it as a mental health concern rather than a criminal act.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 expanded the definition of disability to include mental illness, ensuring legal protection and equality for persons with psychosocial disabilities.
Mental health forms an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The right to life under Article 21 implies not mere existence but a life of dignity, autonomy, and well-being, as affirmed in the case Shatrughan Chauhan v. Union of India.
Parliamentary Standing Committee Releases Report on Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) |
The Parliamentary Standing Committee released a report examining the role of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
The report focused on the relevance of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in the context of urban growth and regional connectivity.
The RRTS is a new, rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system designed to connect cities with adjoining suburban and regional urban agglomerations.
The need for the RRTS in India arises from the fact that over 40% of the population is expected to live in urban areas by 2030, increasing urban congestion.
It aims to reduce travel time and enhance labour productivity since commuters traveling between cities and suburbs currently face long and unpredictable travel times.
The RRTS also promotes equitable regional development by connecting suburban and peri-urban areas with urban hubs.
Additionally, the system supports government initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The committee recommended that state governments set up Unified Metropolitan Transport Authorities (UMTAs) as mandated by the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, for coordinated urban transport planning.
It emphasized planning big metro cities within a regional context to ensure smooth integration between city metros and the RRTS.
The report also stressed the importance of multimodal integration of RRTS with airports, railway stations, and bus stands to improve connectivity.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Directs Intermediaries to Block 25 Websites Hosting Obscene Content |
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed intermediaries to block 25 websites hosting obscene content.
This directive was issued under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000) and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The targeted websites violated multiple laws including Section 67 and Section 67A of the IT Act, 2000.
They also breached Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 4 of The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Obscenity is defined as content considered offensive, disgusting, or morally degrading according to society’s accepted standards of decency and morality.
The need to ban obscene content arises from Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India, which allows the State to impose reasonable restrictions on free speech in the interest of “decency and morality.”
In the landmark case Ranjit D. Udeshi v. State of Maharashtra, the Supreme Court upheld conviction under Section 292 of IPC (similar to Section 294 of BNS, 2023), ruling that obscenity is not protected under free speech.
Banning obscene content protects women and children, as early exposure to explicit material distorts children’s understanding of relationships.
Such content also objectifies women, thereby perpetuating gender inequality and contributing to violence against women.
Furthermore, obscenity erodes cultural and moral values of society.
This restriction is justified under Mill’s Harm Principle (from On Liberty, 1859), which permits limiting individual liberty when it causes harm to others or degrades societal well-being.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Capital: Kinshasa) |
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country located in Central Africa with its capital at Kinshasa.
The DRC shares borders with nine countries: Angola, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia.
It has a narrow coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, providing limited maritime access.
Recently, the DRC government and the rebel group M23 (March 23 Movement) signed a Declaration of Principles in Doha, mediated by Qatar, to pursue peace through the Congo River Alliance.
The M23 rebel group is active primarily in the conflict-affected eastern regions of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri.
The Congo River, a major geographical feature, is the second-longest river in Africa and uniquely crosses the Equator twice.
The country has important plateaus like the Katanga Plateau, located in its mineral-rich southern region.
Significant lakes in the DRC include Lake Tanganyika, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake Kivu.
The Virunga Mountains in the east are home to Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano famous for its lava lake.
The DRC’s natural regions include the Congo Basin, which is a vast central lowland rainforest, and extensive savanna areas.
The Congo Basin is crucial for global climate regulation and biodiversity due to its vast tropical rainforests.
Economically, the DRC is extremely important as it produces about three-fourths (75%) of the world’s cobalt.
Cobalt is a critical mineral widely used in batteries, electric vehicles, and electronics, making the DRC vital to the global green energy transition.
60th anniversary of India-Maldives diplomatic relations |
The Prime Minister of India recently visited the Maldives, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
This visit holds special significance as it was the first official visit since bilateral ties were strained by the “India Out” campaign.
The “India Out” campaign was a political movement in the Maldives opposing Indian military presence and influence.
During the visit, several key agreements were signed, strengthening India-Maldives cooperation.
One major outcome was the signing of a Line of Credit (LoC) agreement worth ₹4,850 crores for development projects in the Maldives.
An agreement was also signed to reduce Maldives' annual debt repayment obligations on Indian government-funded loans.
A technical agreement was signed to enable UPI (Unified Payments Interface) services in the Maldives.
Another agreement outlined the Terms of Reference for a proposed India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
FTA is a pact between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate trade barriers such as tariffs or import quotas.
In addition to these, 6 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged across key sectors.
These sectors included fisheries and aquaculture, meteorology, digital public infrastructure, pharmaceutical standards (Indian Pharmacopoeia), and UPI integration.
The PM also participated in the inauguration and handing-over of major infrastructure projects.
These included 3,300 social housing units in Hulhumale, constructed under India’s Buyers’ Credit facility.
The Buyers’ Credit facility is a loan arrangement where India funds projects executed by Indian firms in partner countries.
He also inaugurated the Roads and Drainage System project in Addu City, another India-funded initiative.
Two Aarogya Maitri Health Cube (BHISHM) sets were also handed over to the Maldivian side.
These are portable emergency medical kits, designed for disaster response and humanitarian aid.
Strategic Importance of Maldives for India:
Maldives is central to India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and the Vision MAHASAGAR for Indian Ocean cooperation.
Geographically, Maldives sits like a strategic 'toll gate' between key Indian Ocean chokepoints.
These include the Gulf of Aden, Strait of Hormuz in the west, and the Strait of Malacca in the east.
The country lies along major Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) vital to global and regional trade.
SLOCs are primary maritime routes used for international trade and energy shipments.
Over 50% of India’s external trade and 80% of its energy imports pass through these crucial sea routes.
Strategically, Maldives supports India in counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, and regional maritime security efforts.
It is a key participant in the Colombo Security Conclave, a regional grouping for maritime cooperation.
Maldives also plays a role in countering China’s ‘String of Pearls’ strategy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The ‘String of Pearls’ refers to China’s strategy of developing a network of commercial and military assets across the Indian Ocean.
First Week of Monsoon Session Washed Out Amid Disruptions in Parliament |
The first week of the Monsoon Session of Parliament was washed out due to disruptions.
In the 17th Lok Sabha session, the Lok Sabha functioned for 88% of its scheduled time, while the Rajya Sabha worked for 73%.
Historically, in the 1950s, the Indian Parliament met for 120-140 days every year, but now this number ranges between 60 to 70 days.
One key reason for disruptions is that opposition parties use them to gain greater publicity and visibility in the public.
The Anti-defection law compels MPs to follow party whips, limiting their individual freedom and sometimes increasing disruptions.
Disruptions often arise from controversial national or regional issues dominating public attention.
The increase in the number of political parties has led to less debate time and more disruptions over unlisted issues.
Parliamentary disruptions weaken democratic accountability by hindering debates where elected leaders question the government.
There is a significant monetary cost as running Parliament costs around Rs 2.5 lakh per minute.
Frequent disruptions erode public trust in Parliament by shifting MPs’ focus from addressing important issues to stalling proceedings.
To address disruptions, ensuring dedicated time for the opposition is crucial; for example, the British Parliament reserves 20 days annually for the opposition to decide the agenda.
Strengthening ethics committees can help monitor and report disruptions, thereby ensuring accountability.
Introducing an annual parliamentary calendar, announced at the beginning of each year with limited flexibility, can improve scheduling and reduce disruptions.
President Rule in Manipur |
President's Rule in Manipur has been extended by another six months.
President's Rule is imposed under the Emergency Provisions listed in Part XVIII of the Indian Constitution.
The primary ground for its imposition is the breakdown of constitutional machinery, as provided under Article 356.
Under Article 356, if the President receives a report from the Governor or is otherwise satisfied that the state government cannot function in accordance with the Constitution, President’s Rule can be imposed.
Another constitutional ground is under Article 365, which allows President's Rule if a state fails to comply with directions issued by the Union Government.
Article 365 provides the legal basis when a state government disregards constitutional obligations or directives from the Centre.
Once imposed, President’s Rule is initially valid for a period of six months.
It can be extended with parliamentary approval for a maximum period of three years, with approval required every six months.
During President’s Rule, the state legislative assembly is either suspended or dissolved, and the executive authority is exercised by the Governor on behalf of the President.
The extension in Manipur highlights the ongoing governance and law-and-order concerns in the state.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) |
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has recently crossed a major milestone by achieving over 8 crore gross enrolments.
APY is a government-backed pension scheme aimed at providing social security to India’s unorganised workforce.
The main objective of APY is to address the twin challenges of longevity risk and lack of retirement security.
Longevity risk refers to the financial risk of outliving one’s savings due to increased life expectancy.
The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Finance.
The implementing agency for APY is the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
PFRDA is a statutory regulatory body that oversees pension-related reforms and operations in India.
APY is open to all bank account holders between the age of 18 and 40 years.
However, the scheme is available only to those who are not income taxpayers.
The scheme provides a guaranteed lifelong monthly pension starting from the age of 60 years.
The pension amount ranges from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month, based on the subscriber's contribution.
This guaranteed pension ensures financial stability in old age for low-income workers outside formal employment.
APY plays a vital role in promoting inclusive growth and financial inclusion in India.
UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 |
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted flight trials of the Advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3 (ULPGM-V3).
ULPGM-V3 is an advanced missile system that is launched from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
UAVs, commonly known as drones, are remotely operated aircraft used for surveillance, combat, or delivery of payloads.
The missile is developed indigenously by DRDO, India’s premier defense R&D agency.
It is equipped with a high-definition dual-channel seeker for enhanced accuracy and tracking.
A dual-channel seeker allows the missile to lock onto targets using two types of sensors, typically infrared and electro-optical, improving precision.
This capability enables the missile to engage a wide variety of targets, including moving and stationary objects.
The missile can be fired in both plain and high-altitude terrains, making it versatile for multiple battle environments.
It has day-and-night operational capability, ensuring effectiveness in all visibility conditions.
The system features a two-way data link that allows post-launch target or aim-point updates.
A two-way data link is a communication system between the UAV and missile that allows real-time control and re-targeting after launch.
The successful trials mark a significant step toward enhancing India’s precision-strike capability using UAV-launched smart weaponry.
Climate Tipping Point |
In 2023, the world witnessed extreme marine heatwaves across several ocean regions.
Researchers have indicated that these heatwaves were primarily driven by climate change.
They suggest these events may mark the approach of a climate tipping point.
A climate tipping point is a critical threshold in the Earth’s climate system.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), once this threshold is crossed, the system may undergo a significant and potentially irreversible change.
Irreversible change means the system cannot return to its previous state even if the original conditions are restored.
For example, global warming could cause a rainforest to permanently turn into a dry savannah.
Such a transformation alters the local and global ecological balance and carbon dynamics.
The IPCC has identified several key tipping points in the global climate system.
These include the Greenland ice sheet, which if melted, could lead to large sea level rise.
Another is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major ocean current that regulates global climate.
The Amazon Rainforest is also at risk, potentially shifting from a carbon sink to a carbon source.
The Antarctic ice sheets represent another tipping point, with potential for rapid ice loss and sea level rise.
Crossing any of these tipping points could cause cascading effects, amplifying global climate risks.
Doklam |
Doklam, also known as Donglang, is a high-altitude plateau in the eastern Himalayas.
It is located at an elevation of 13,780 ft above sea level.
Doklam lies at the tri-junction where the borders of India, China, and Bhutan meet.
A tri-junction is a geographical point where the boundaries of three different countries converge.
This region holds high strategic importance for all three nations.
Doklam gained international attention during the 2017 standoff between India and China.
The standoff occurred when India intervened to halt Chinese road construction activity in Bhutanese territory.
India acted in support of Bhutan under the provisions of the 2007 India–Bhutan Treaty.
The India–Bhutan Treaty of Friendship (2007) allows both nations to consult and cooperate closely on matters of national interest and security.
For India, Doklam is crucial to the defense of the Siliguri Corridor.
The Siliguri Corridor, also called the "Chicken’s Neck", is a narrow land strip that connects mainland India to its northeastern states.
Any threat to this corridor could severely compromise India's connectivity and security in the northeast.
The region also provides India with military leverage, enhancing control over sensitive border areas.
Recently, Sikkim announced plans to open Doklam and Cho La for battlefield tourism.
This move comes eight years after the 2017 standoff, following the earlier opening of Nathu La for tourism.
Battlefield tourism refers to visits to historically significant conflict zones, aimed at promoting awareness, heritage, and local economy.
Mycorrhizal Fungi |
Mycorrhizal Fungi are a special group of fungi that live in symbiotic association with plants.
A symbiotic association means both the fungus and the plant benefit from their relationship.
These fungi associate with more than 80% of all plant species on Earth.
They form a crucial part of the soil ecosystem by interacting directly with plant roots.
Mycorrhizal fungi make up as much as 30% of the living microbial biomass in the soil.
Microbial biomass refers to the total mass of microorganisms in a given volume of soil.
They help plants absorb essential nutrients, especially phosphorus, from the soil.
They also play a vital role in carbon sequestration.
Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂).
These fungi use CO₂ released by plant roots, contributing to underground carbon storage.
The importance of conserving mycorrhizal fungi was recently highlighted by ‘Underground Atlas’.
The Underground Atlas is a research initiative by SPUN (Society for the Protection of Underground Networks).
It mapped global distributions of fungal networks and their ecological significance.
The report revealed that over 90% of mycorrhizal fungi hotspots are located outside protected areas.
Hotspots are regions with high density or significance of mycorrhizal fungal networks.
This finding underscores the need to expand conservation efforts beyond traditional protected zones.
Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops (CROPIC) |
CROPIC is a mobile app launched by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The app is launched under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
PMFBY is a government scheme aimed at providing crop insurance to farmers against losses from natural calamities.
CROPIC app enables users to capture geotagged pictures of crops.
Geotagged pictures are images embedded with location data (latitude and longitude) to verify time and place of capture.
These images are taken four to five times during the crop cycle to track crop progress.
The app uses an AI-based cloud platform to perform photo analysis and extract useful information.
AI-based cloud platform refers to artificial intelligence tools hosted online that analyze images for patterns, anomalies, and growth status.
A web-based dashboard is provided for real-time visualisation of the collected crop data.
The dashboard helps in monitoring, assessment, and timely decision-making.
The funding for the CROPIC initiative is provided through the Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT).
FIAT is a funding mechanism under PMFBY to support technological innovations in agriculture.
The broader goal of CROPIC is to drive digital innovations in agriculture.
It aims to foster financial resilience among farmers by improving crop monitoring, risk assessment, and insurance claim verification.
E3 countries |
The term E3 countries refers to an informal foreign and security cooperation group.
The E3 group consists of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
It is not a formal alliance but functions as a diplomatic coordination mechanism on key global issues.
The E3 countries first began cooperating after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Their initial aim was to formulate a trilateral strategy on Iraq and address emerging nuclear threats from Iran.
Recently, the E3 threatened Iran with snapback sanctions, citing violations of nuclear commitments.
Snapback sanctions are provisions under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The JCPOA, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, was signed between Iran and world powers to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Snapback allows for the automatic reimposition of sanctions if Iran breaches its obligations under the JCPOA.
This mechanism was designed to ensure compliance and prevent nuclear weapons development.
The recent warning comes amid derailed U.S.–Iran nuclear talks, raising global concerns over Iran’s nuclear trajectory.
The E3 countries continue to play a critical diplomatic role in efforts to contain nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
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