Daily Current Affairs - 29th July 2025

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Today's edition features key updates including SOFI 2025,  NEP 2020, India’s Third VNR, Human-Made Dams and earth's rotation, Preah Vihear Temple, Geelong Treaty, Setubandha Scholar Scheme, Ranitidine Antacid, Acoustic Monitoring, FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 and more...

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The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI 2025) report released

1. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report was recently released, providing a comprehensive global overview.

2. The report shows that global hunger decreased to an estimated 8.2% in 2024 from 2022 levels.

3. However, hunger continues to rise in most subregions of Africa and Western Asia, indicating regional disparities.

4. Moderate or severe food insecurity (lack of reliable access to enough nutritious food) has gradually declined since 2021, showing some progress.

5. Food prices increased throughout 2023 and 2024, raising the average cost of a healthy diet globally.

6. This inflation in food prices was intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

7. Despite rising costs, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet worldwide fell from 2.76 billion in 2019 to 2.60 billion in 2024.

8. The report highlights a global rise in anaemia among women aged 15–49 years and an increase in adult obesity from 12.1% in 2012 to 15.8% in 2022.

9. Specifically for India, excluding the country, there is an increasing trend in the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet in lower-middle-income countries.

10. In Kerala, mobile phone adoption by fishermen and wholesalers has helped reduce price dispersion (variation in prices across markets) and food waste.

11. The report recommends time-bound and targeted fiscal measures (government spending and tax policies), including temporary tax relief on essential goods and enhanced social protection programs.

12. It emphasizes the need to align fiscal and monetary policies (government’s budgetary and central bank’s money supply management) to stabilize markets amid ongoing volatility.

13. Establishing robust agricultural market information systems is critical to managing price fluctuations and preventing speculation (risky trading that can increase price volatility).

14. The SOFI report is a joint initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP), and World Health Organization (WHO).

15. It serves as the annual global monitoring report for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 targets 2.1 and 2.2, which aim to end hunger, food insecurity, and all forms of malnutrition.

NEP 2020 Targets 100% GER and Quality Education Through Institutional Reforms

1. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a massive transformation in education, rooted in Indian ethos, to help create an equitable and vibrant knowledge society.

2. One key achievement is Curriculum Reforms through the 5+3+3+4 structure and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), promoting experiential and competency-based learning.

3. For foundational skills, NIPUN Bharat and Vidya Pravesh programs have reached over 4.2 crore students across 8.9 lakh schools.

4. The policy promotes inclusivity, with more than 1.15 lakh Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDG) students and 7.58 lakh girls enrolled in residential schools.

5. The PRASHAST App supports disability screening, strengthening inclusive education.

6. Over 4 lakh teachers have been trained under the NISHTHA program to improve teaching quality.

7. NEP 2020 leverages technology, with 72% of schools now having internet access and initiatives like Vidyanjali, DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), PM eVIDYA, and AI-powered learning tools such as e-Jaadui Pitara and AI Bots (Katha Sakhi, Teacher Tara).

8. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) introduced in 2022 has become a key route for undergraduate admissions.

9. However, challenges include a Centre-States policy divide, exemplified by states like Kerala and West Bengal refusing to sign MoUs for PM-SHRI schools, which require full NEP adoption.

10. The three-language formula faces implementation hurdles due to opposition from some states.

11. There are institutional delays in setting up the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), intended as the successor to the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education.

12. NEP 2020 aims for Universal Access, ensuring schooling access from pre-primary to Grade 12, with a target to increase the Gross Enrollment Rate (GER) to 100% by 2030.

13. It promotes Competency-Based Learning through the new 5+3+3+4 curricular and pedagogical structure with NCF-SE 2023.

14. The policy encourages Flexibility by allowing smooth transitions between vocational and academic streams and introduces the Academic Bank of Credit system for multiple entry and exit points.

    • Multilingualism is emphasized, with the mother tongue or local language as the medium of instruction at least until Grade 5, preferably until Grade 8 and beyond.

15. The National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy supports this language policy.

16. NEP 2020 reforms assessment by establishing the National Assessment Centre, PARAKH, which stands for Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development.

17. The policy focuses on Inclusivity for Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs), with funds like the Gender Inclusion Fund and the creation of Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions.

18. Institutional reforms include creating MERUs (Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities), the National Research Foundation (NRF), and the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).

19. Key initiatives include a ‘Light but Tight’ regulation policy, promoting quality vocational, teacher, and professional education, and encouraging internationalization with a multidisciplinary approach and multiple entry-exit options.

20. NEP 2020 sets ambitious targets such as increasing the Higher Education GER to 50% by 2035 (up from 26.3% in 2018).

21. It aims for 6% public investment in education as a percentage of GDP.

22. The policy’s school education goal is a 100% GER by 2030, ensuring universal access and inclusion.

NITI Aayog Submits India’s Third VNR to Accelerate SDG Implementation

1. NITI Aayog presented India’s Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2025.

   • The VNR is a country-led, voluntary assessment aimed at sharing experiences to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2. India’s VNR highlights a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach to achieving the SDGs.

3. For implementation, India is enhancing data-driven governance and localizing SDG efforts using tools like the SDG India Index, North-Eastern Region District SDG Index, and the National Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI).

4. Despite lagging global progress, India is making steady gains towards Agenda 2030.

5. Under SDG 1 (No Poverty), an estimated 248 million people escaped Multidimensional Poverty (MPI) between 2013-14 and 2022-23.

6. For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has provided nutritional support to millions.

7. Regarding SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), out-of-pocket health expenditure as a percentage of total health spending declined from 48.8% in 2017-18 to 39.4% in 2020-21.

8. India's transition to clean energy is supported by programs such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-KUSUM, and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

   • The Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives like Digital India, Aadhaar, and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) have empowered India’s diverse population.

9. Notably, UPI accounts for 49% of global real-time payments, showcasing India’s digital finance leadership.

10. The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) was established in 2012 at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) through the outcome document titled "The Future We Want."

11. The HLPF serves as the central UN platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs.

12. It convenes annually under the Economic and Social Council and every four years under the General Assembly.

Human-Made Dams Shift Earth’s Rotational Axis by Over One Meter

1. A recent study revealed that the construction of human-made dams has shifted Earth’s rotational axis by over 1 meter since 1835.

2. This shift is an example of True Polar Wander (TPW), a phenomenon driven by changes in Earth’s mass distribution.

   • True Polar Wander (TPW), also known as planetary reorientation, is the rotation of the Earth’s solid parts—the crust and mantle—around its liquid outer core.

3. TPW helps Earth maintain rotational balance as its mass redistributes over time.

   • Traditionally, natural factors like glacial melting, ice sheet melt, tectonic plate shifts, and ocean swell have been known to drive TPW.

4. However, this study found that dams contribute to TPW by trapping large volumes of water in reservoirs that would otherwise remain in the oceans.

5. This causes a shift of Earth’s mass inland, which alters the planet’s rotation and shifts the poles.

6. The study also showed that the pole shift was not smooth, varying with the size and location of dams built over time.

7. Shifting poles can cause navigation problems, affecting satellites and space telescopes that rely on Earth’s rotation for accurate positioning.

8. Additionally, Earth's days are growing slightly longer, and this lengthening is accelerating due to these changes.

MoEFCC Notifies Rules for Remediation of Contaminated Sites in 2025

1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

2. These rules ensure that polluted or contaminated sites are cleaned up, a process called remediation, by those responsible.

   • Contaminated sites refer to areas polluted by hazardous waste, affecting soil and water and posing health and environmental risks.

3. The rules cover 189 hazardous substances listed under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.

4. However, the rules exclude contamination from radioactive waste, mining, oil spills at sea, and solid waste dumps, which are governed by separate laws.

5. Different response levels are specified for agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial areas based on their risk and use.

6. For contaminated site management, local bodies and district administrations must report suspected sites twice a year to the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).

7. The SPCBs inspect these suspected sites, prepare a list of probable contaminated sites, and upload this information to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) via a centralised online portal.

8. The SPCBs identify the polluter responsible for contamination; if the land has been sold, the new owner is held liable.

9. The identified polluter must execute a clean-up plan using an approved agency and bear the cost of remediation.

10. If the polluter cannot be identified, the SPCB is responsible for executing the clean-up.

11. Initial assessment costs may be funded by the Central Government through the Environmental Relief Fund under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, and also by the State Government.

12. When the polluter is identified, these costs must be reimbursed within three months.

13. The State Pollution Control Board may impose penalties and fines for failure to clean up, especially if there is a risk to public health.

14. These rules address the legal vacuum around remediation of legacy pollution sites and also provide provisions for voluntary remediation by responsible parties.

Labour Ministry Debates Living Wage to Enhance Female Labour Participation

1. The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) is currently discussing the concept of a living wage.

2. The purpose of discussing a living wage is to improve worker welfare and boost workforce participation, especially among women.

3. At present, Indian law mandates a minimum wage for employees.

   • Minimum wage is defined as a wage that must cover not only the bare sustenance of life but also preserve the worker’s efficiency.

4. The Payment of Minimum Wages Act, 1948 legally mandates the payment of minimum wages.

5. Both the Central and State governments have the authority to fix, review, and revise minimum wages.

6. Under the Code on Wages, 2019, minimum wages apply to all employments across public and private sectors, as well as organized and unorganized sectors.

7. A living wage is a level of pay that ensures workers and their families have a decent standard of living.

8. This standard includes the ability to afford basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, education, transport, and clothing, as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

9. Living wages are generally higher than minimum wages and should reflect regional cost-of-living differences.

10. According to Article 43 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), the State shall strive to secure living wages for all workers through suitable legislation.

11. The significance of living wages includes the potential to generate $4.6 trillion in additional GDP annually through increased productivity and spending, as per the World Economic Forum (WEF).

12. Living wages particularly help improve female labour participation because women often face higher opportunity costs due to childcare, health, and education responsibilities.

13. Providing fair pay to cover these costs makes it easier for women to join and remain in the workforce.

14. Additionally, living wages respond to rising inflation and living costs, helping employers to attract and retain talent.

15. Implementing living wages also aligns with emerging labour regulations and growing social expectations about fair pay.

Preah Vihear Temple, Khmer Empire Heritage, Sparks Border Tensions

1. The Preah Vihear Temple is at the centre of a territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

2. In Thai, the temple is known as Phra Viharn.

3. The temple complex is ancient and perched atop the Dangrek Mountains, which straddle the Thai-Cambodian border.

4. It was built during the 11th–12th centuries, in the golden age of the Khmer Empire.

   • The Khmer Empire was a powerful Southeast Asian empire known for its architectural and cultural achievements.

5. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, a principal deity in Hinduism.

6. It holds sacred and symbolic significance for both Thailand and Cambodia.

7. In 2008, Preah Vihear Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under Cambodia’s name.

8. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place recognized for its cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity.

Bilateral Geelong Treaty Advances Australia-UK Nuclear Submarine Partnership

1. Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) recently signed the bilateral Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty, also known as the Geelong Treaty.

2. This treaty falls under AUKUS Pillar I, which focuses on defense and security cooperation.

3. The United States (US) is not a signatory to the Geelong Treaty.

   • Previously, the Trump administration launched a review to assess if the AUKUS submarine pact aligned with its "America First" agenda.

4. The treaty facilitates 50 years of strategic cooperation between Australia and the UK to design and build a new class of nuclear-powered submarines.

   • Nuclear-powered submarines are submarines powered by nuclear reactors, enabling longer underwater endurance and greater speed than conventional submarines.

5. AUKUS is a security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US that focuses on technology sharing in the Indo-Pacific region.

   • The Indo-Pacific region refers to the geographic area spanning the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, critical for global trade and security.

Setubandha Scholar Scheme Bridges Traditional Knowledge and Academic Research

1. The Setubandha Scholar Scheme enables students from traditional gurukuls to pursue recognised academic degrees.

   1. A gurukul is a traditional Indian residential schooling system where students live and learn under the guidance of a guru (teacher).

2. Under this scheme, eligible students can obtain postgraduate and doctoral degrees from top institutions like IITs.

3. The scheme marks a major step in giving institutional recognition to traditional knowledge systems.

   1. Traditional knowledge systems refer to indigenous learning systems, including Vedas, Sanskrit, philosophy, and classical sciences, that have existed outside the formal education structure.

4. The scheme is designed to integrate these systems into mainstream academia.

5. This integration is done through the award of higher degrees and research scholarships.

6. The Setubandha Scholar Scheme is backed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

7. It is implemented by the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) division of the Central Sanskrit University (CSU).

   • The IKS division focuses on preserving, promoting, and integrating Indian traditional knowledge with modern education.

8. The scheme offers generous fellowships of up to ₹65,000 per month to support scholars financially.

Review of 7 Zonal Cultural Centres Highlights Focus on Folk and Tribal Heritage

1. The government recently reviewed the status of setting up 7 Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) across India.

2. These Zonal Cultural Centres are autonomous bodies, meaning they operate independently while being funded and guided by the government.

3. They function under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

4. The primary aim of ZCCs is to preserve and promote India’s folk, tribal, and vanishing art forms.

   • Folk and tribal art forms represent traditional cultural expressions passed down through generations in rural and indigenous communities.

   • Vanishing art forms refer to rare or endangered cultural practices that are declining due to modernization or neglect.

5. ZCCs place a strong emphasis on youth engagement to ensure cultural continuity among younger generations.

6. They also focus on showcasing the diversity of Indian culture at regional and national levels.

7. The headquarters of the 7 ZCCs are located in Patiala (Punjab), Nagpur (Maharashtra), and Udaipur (Rajasthan).

   • Other ZCC headquarters include Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Kolkata (West Bengal), Dimapur (Nagaland), and Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu).

New BRICS Cultural Platform Announced at Brasilia Culture Ministers Meeting

1. The BRICS Ministers of Culture Meeting was recently held in Brasilia, Brazil.

2. During the meeting, members agreed to establish a new BRICS Cultural Platform.

3. This platform aims to promote cultural and creative industries within the BRICS group.

4. Cultural and creative industries refer to sectors that generate value through art, design, media, and cultural heritage.

5. The platform will help develop cultural infrastructure, which includes spaces, institutions, and resources needed to support arts and culture.

6. It also aims to boost content sharing across BRICS nations to improve cultural access and visibility.

7. The platform will support artist exchange programs, allowing artists to collaborate and work across member countries.

8. It also plans to launch joint cultural projects that encourage regional collaboration.

9. The meeting emphasized the need to include culture as a separate goal in the post-2030 development agenda.

10. This proposal aligns with the goals of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT).

    • MONDIACULT focuses on recognizing culture as a key driver of sustainable development globally.

11. The BRICS group also acknowledged the efforts of the UNFCCC’s Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA).

12. The GFCBCA promotes the role of culture in addressing climate change through policy and action.

CDSCO Orders NDMA Screening in Ranitidine Antacid

1. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) asked for checking NDMA levels in the antacid Ranitidine.

   • Ranitidine is a medicine that helps reduce acid production in the stomach.

2. The directive was issued after reports of contamination with NDMA surfaced.

3. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a yellow, odorless liquid at room NDMA is known to form unintentionally during industrial or pharmaceutical manufacturing.

4. It is also found in air, water, soil, and in some food items, often as a byproduct.

5. NDMA is considered a possible human carcinogen, meaning it may cause cancer under certain exposure levels.

   • The term carcinogen refers to any substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.

6. NDMA was once used in rocket fuel, but this use was discontinued due to environmental contamination risks.

7. It is still used in cosmetics, lubricants, and plastics as an additive or softening agent.

8. The presence of NDMA in medications raises concerns about long-term exposure and health safety.

First-Ever Grassland Bird Census in Kaziranga Using Acoustic Monitoring

1. The Prime Minister praised the first-ever grassland bird census held in Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam.

2. This census was conducted using an advanced method known as the Acoustic Monitoring Technique.

3. The census focused on 10 rare or threatened bird species, including the Bengal Florican and Black-breasted Parrotbill.

4. Traditional bird surveys such as visual spotting are often ineffective for small, shy, or camouflaged birds.

5. To overcome this challenge, researchers used the Acoustic Monitoring Technique.

6. In this technique, acoustic recorders were installed on tall trees near grassland habitats.

7. These recorders were placed specifically during the breeding season, which lasts from March to May.

8. The recorders captured bird songs and calls, which are vocal signals birds produce for communication.

9. The recorded sounds were later analyzed scientifically to identify bird species.

10. Analysis involved the use of spectrograms, which are graphical representations of sound frequencies over time.

11. Additionally, the BirdNET tool was used, which is an AI-based software designed to identify bird calls from audio data.

12. This technique allowed researchers to detect birds that are usually difficult to observe directly in the wild.

UN Nelson Mandela Award

1. The UN Nelson Mandela Prize was presented by the UN Secretary-General to Brenda Reynolds from Canada and Kennedy Odede from Kenya.

2. This prize is awarded to recognize individuals who have made a lifelong contribution to humanity.

3. It especially honors efforts in areas like reconciliation, social cohesion, and community development.

   • Reconciliation refers to the process of restoring broken relationships and promoting peace after conflict or injustice.

   • Social cohesion is the strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity among members of a society.

   • Community development involves improving the social, economic, and environmental well-being of a local area or group.

4. The Nelson Mandela Prize was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.

5. It is awarded once every five years, making it a rare and prestigious recognition.

6. The prize is awarded to two individuals only—one male and one female.

7. These recipients are chosen from different geographical regions, ensuring global representation.

8. Winners of the award receive a plaque that includes a citation and a quote by Nelson Mandela.

   • A citation is a formal written statement recognizing the recipient’s achievements.

9. The prize does not include a cash award, highlighting its symbolic and honorary value.

10. Employees of the United Nations (UN staff) are not eligible to receive this award.

11. No Indian citizen has received the UN Nelson Mandela Prize so far.

Divya Deshmukh: First Indian woman champion, Becomes Grandmaster

1. Divya Deshmukh won the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, held in Batumi, Georgia.

2. She became the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup since its inception in 2021.

3. Divya defeated veteran Grandmaster Koneru Humpy in the final to claim the title.

4. The final featured two drawn classical games, followed by rapid tiebreaks to determine the winner.

   • In Game 1 of the rapid tiebreak, Divya held a draw with the White pieces.

   • In Game 2, playing Black, she capitalized on Humpy’s time trouble and an endgame error to win.

   • The final tiebreak score was 1.5–0.5 in favor of Divya Deshmukh.

   • Tiebreaks are used when standard classical games end in a tie, with shorter time controls to force a result.

5. Divya earned $50,000 as prize money for winning the World Cup.

   • Humpy Koneru, the runner-up, received $35,000.

   • The total prize fund for the Women’s World Cup 2025 was $691,250.

6. By winning the World Cup, Divya was instantly awarded the Grandmaster (GM) title.

   • Grandmaster is the highest title in chess, awarded by FIDE for exceptional skill.

   • FIDE, or the International Chess Federation, is the global governing body of chess.

7. Divya is now the 88th Grandmaster from India.

8. She becomes only the fourth Indian woman to achieve the Grandmaster title.

   • The other Indian women Grandmasters are Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and Vaishali Rameshbabu.

9. Divya’s win bypassed the usual GM norm requirements, which involve earning specific results in multiple events.

10. She is also now eligible to compete in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament.

    • The Women’s Candidates Tournament is a qualifying event to determine the challenger for the Women’s World Championship.

11. Alongside Divya, Humpy Koneru also qualified for the 2026 Candidates.

12. The FIDE Women’s World Cup is a separate event from the World Chess Championship cycle.

13. This win places her alongside previous World Cup champions Alexandra Kosteniuk (2021) and Aleksandra Goryachkina (2023).

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