Daily Current Affairs - 2nd August 2025
- TPP
- Aug 2
- 15 min read
Updated: Aug 3
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 Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication, UNCTAD GTU, 71st NFA 2023, NCMM, Global Capacity-Building Initiative, New UPI Rules, Landraces, Alpine Musk Deer, Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication and more...
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India Post Payments Bank (IPPB): Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication Rollout |
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has launched a new Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication facility for banking transactions.
This authentication system has been developed under the framework of UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), the agency responsible for Aadhaar.
The feature enables customers to carry out transactions using facial recognition technology.
It eliminates the need for physical biometric inputs such as fingerprints or OTPs (One-Time Passwords), making banking more accessible.
The face authentication initiative promotes inclusive banking, especially for the elderly, differently-abled, and individuals with worn fingerprints.
This also ensures secure Aadhaar authentication without relying on OTP delivery or fingerprint sensors, which can be unreliable in remote or difficult conditions.
Transactions become fast, contactless, and more customer-friendly, improving the banking experience.
The system allows safe banking during health emergencies, when physical contact may pose risks.
All core banking services are supported by this feature, including account opening, balance inquiry, fund transfers, and utility payments.
About India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) was launched on September 1, 2018.
It functions under the Department of Posts, which is part of the Ministry of Communication, Government of India.
IPPB is 100% owned by the Government of India.
The core objective of IPPB is to deliver banking services to the doorstep of every citizen.
IPPB leverages India’s extensive postal network, which includes approximately 1.65 lakh post offices, of which 1.40 lakh are in rural areas.
The bank operates on the India Stack – a set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) enabling paperless, cashless, and presence-less banking.
Presence-less banking means customers can access banking services without visiting a branch physically.
Services are provided through a CBS-integrated smartphone (Core Banking System) and biometric devices, allowing seamless real-time processing.
IPPB offers banking in 13 regional languages, increasing accessibility for users across linguistic backgrounds.
IPPB’s operating model emphasizes frugal innovation, i.e., creating cost-effective solutions tailored to India's diverse needs.
It is dedicated to promoting a less cash economy, reducing dependency on physical cash in transactions.
IPPB believes in financial empowerment through equal opportunity, especially for the unbanked and underbanked populations.
The bank’s motto, “Aapka Bank, Aapke Dwaar” (Your Bank at Your Doorstep), reflects its commitment to last-mile connectivity.
Toxic Heavy Metals in Himalayan Clouds : A Study by Bose Institute |
A recent study by the Bose Institute, Kolkata under the Department of Science and Technology has challenged the widespread belief of "clean" mountain rain.
The study found that low-level clouds in India are polluted with toxic heavy metals.
Low-level clouds refer to clouds formed closer to the Earth’s surface, which often influence local weather and precipitation.
These clouds were found to carry harmful metals in regions like the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas.
The key toxic metals identified were cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr).
These metals were found specifically in non-precipitating clouds, meaning clouds that do not release rain.
The Eastern Himalayas showed 1.5 times higher pollution levels compared to the Western Ghats.
The toxic metal loading was 40–60% higher in the Eastern Himalayas.
Health and Environmental Impacts
The presence of heavy metals in clouds poses serious health risks to humans and ecosystems.
Children face a 30% higher risk than adults due to their developing immune systems and increased vulnerability.
The presence of dissolved chromium (Cr) is particularly alarming, as it increases the risk of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) diseases.
Sources of Toxic Metal Pollution
The major sources of this cloud contamination include vehicular emissions from foothill regions.
Industrial pollution from lowland urban and manufacturing areas also contributes significantly.
These pollutants are lifted by air currents into higher altitudes, where they contaminate cloud systems.
About Heavy Metals and Their Pollution
Heavy metals (HMs) are elements with high atomic weights (ranging from 63.5 to 200.6).
They also have a density greater than 4000 kg/m³, making them harmful in concentrated forms.
Common heavy metals include zinc, copper, cadmium, cobalt, arsenic, lead, and chromium.
The periodic table includes over 50 heavy metals, of which about 17 are considered extremely lethal.
Heavy metals are naturally occurring in the Earth’s crust, present since its geological formation.
However, pollution from heavy metals is largely anthropogenic, meaning it is caused by human activities.
Major anthropogenic sources include mining, smelting, metal foundries, and leaching from industrial waste.
Measures Taken to Control Pollution in the Himalayan Region
The National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem is one key initiative addressing environmental risks.
This mission aims to scientifically assess the vulnerability and develop adaptive strategies for the Himalayan region.
Another major project is SECURE Himalaya, implemented under the Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development.
SECURE Himalaya is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The project focuses on conservation and preventing illegal exploitation of natural resources.
Additionally, the Himalayan State Regional Council was set up by NITI Aayog.
This council is responsible for coordinated planning, policy alignment, and regional sustainability efforts in the Himalayan states.
Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of ecology: Supreme Court (SC) |
The Supreme Court (SC) observed that “Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of ecology.”
This was stated during a Special Leave Petition where the SC upheld the Himachal Pradesh State Government's notification.
The notification prohibits all private construction on sites declared as Green Area (zones ecologically designated for preservation and free from development activity).
Key Issues Faced by the Region: SC Observations
Infrastructure development is expanding rapidly, especially for connectivity and tourism (both nature and religious tourism).
This development includes four-lane highways and private infrastructure, often built on unstable slopes, posing severe environmental threats.
The region has seen hydropower expansion, which while renewable, involves rampant construction and alters aquatic ecosystems.
For instance, the River Sutlej has significantly diminished in flow and now stands reduced to a rivulet (a small, shallow stream).
Continuous unregulated activities have weakened the soil structure, increasing the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
Recent examples include natural disasters in Kullu (2025), Mandi (2025), and Shimla (2023).
Additionally, glacier retreat has accelerated, threatening water security and ecosystems.
The Bara Shigri Glacier—the largest glacier in Lahaul-Spiti—has shrunk by 2 to 2.5 kilometres in recent years.
Legislative bottlenecks exist, particularly with municipal laws that do not align with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
This mismatch hinders effective waste collection and disposal systems in towns and villages.
On the administrative front, the removal of forest guard check-posts has worsened illegal tree felling.
These check-posts were earlier set up across the state to monitor and deter deforestation and encroachments.
Ways for Effective Resolution of Issues:
There must be proper monitoring and accountability in how green tax funds are utilized.
Green tax refers to the environmental cess levied on vehicles and activities in ecologically sensitive districts with special status.
These funds must not be diverted for unrelated purposes, and usage should be transparent and trackable.
Illicit operations like illegal mining and quarrying must be tackled with strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
Providing alternative income sources to locals dependent on such activities can reduce their economic reliance on ecologically harmful practices.
Before initiating developmental projects, expert inputs must be made mandatory.
These inputs should include geologists, environmental experts, and local community voices, ensuring scientific and cultural suitability.
For solid waste, the focus must shift to sustainable solid waste management.
This includes localised segregation, community awareness, and decentralised processing systems.
Decentralised processing refers to treating waste at the point of generation or nearby, rather than at large distant facilities, which reduces transport emissions and increases efficiency.
Alpine Musk Deer: Conservation and Identification Concern |
A report by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) highlighted a significant identification error in a conservation breeding program.
The program mistakenly identified the Alpine Musk Deer as its Himalayan counterpart, leading to a misdirected conservation effort.
The Alpine Musk Deer is a native species found in the temperate alpine regions of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China.
It inhabits alpine meadows, shrublands, and forests dominated by birch, blue pine, and fir.
These deer are typically found at high altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 meters above sea level.
The Alpine Musk Deer is known for being solitary, shy, and herbivorous in nature.
It has a gestation period (time of pregnancy) lasting between 180 to 200 days.
A distinctive feature of the musk deer is that it has fangs but lacks antlers and a gall bladder, which sets it apart from other deer species.
The species is under serious threat due to poaching for its musk pod.
The musk pod is a glandular secretion valued in the perfume industry and traditional medicine, making the deer a target for illegal hunting.
The Alpine Musk Deer is classified as Endangered under the IUCN Red List, indicating a high risk of extinction in the wild.
It is also listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in India, which provides the highest level of legal protection to wildlife species.
Landraces and Odisha’s New Initiative |
The state of Odisha has launched a new roadmap to integrate landraces into formal seed systems.
Landraces, also known as traditional seed varieties, are genetically diverse crop populations.
These varieties have evolved over generations through traditional farmer practices.
The evolution of landraces is shaped by a combination of natural adaptation and human selection.
Landraces are specifically tuned to local agro-climatic conditions, making them highly suitable for regional farming.
They possess valuable traits like climate resilience, which helps crops survive under changing weather patterns.
Landraces also offer yield stability, ensuring consistent production over time despite environmental stress.
Another key benefit is pest tolerance, reducing the dependency on chemical pesticides.
Additionally, they are rich in nutritional content, contributing to food diversity and health.
However, landraces are under threat from genetic erosion, which refers to the loss of genetic diversity in crops.
This erosion is driven by changing agricultural practices, land use transformations, and excessive use of pesticides.
Odisha’s initiative seeks to protect and mainstream landraces by connecting them to formal agricultural systems.
New UPI Rules Effective from August 1, 2025 |
A new set of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) rules will come into effect from August 1, 2025.
UPI is an instant real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
It facilitates inter-bank transactions using mobile phones, allowing secure and quick money transfers.
The new UPI rules will be applicable to all Payment Service Providers (PSPs) including platforms like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.
These new rules aim to enhance system performance and reduce fraud risks across the country.
According to an NPCI circular issued on May 21, 2025, PSP and acquiring banks must monitor and moderate all API requests.
API (Application Programming Interface) requests must be controlled in terms of velocity and TPS (transactions per second) limits.
The circular specifies that both customer-initiated and PSP system-initiated requests must follow usage guidelines.
Key Functional Changes in UPI from August 1, 2025
The first major change affects UPI balance enquiry across apps.
Customers can check their account balance up to a maximum of 50 times per app per day.
This means each UPI app (e.g., PhonePe, Paytm) will allow 50 balance checks in 24 hours.
The second change relates to UPI transaction status requests.
Users can request the status of a transaction only after 45 to 60 seconds of the original transaction initiation or authentication.
The third change regulates execution of UPI Autopay mandates such as electricity bills, water bills, and OTT subscriptions.
Autopay mandates can now be executed only during non-peak hours.
Peak hours are defined as: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM, when UPI traffic reaches the highest TPS.
During these peak hours, non-customer-initiated APIs must be restricted by UPI members.
The fourth change involves the List Account feature in UPI apps.
The List Account feature allows users to view accounts linked to their mobile number through a particular account provider.
Under the new rules, users can view linked accounts only 25 times per app in 24 hours.
India’s Global Leadership in Digital Payments
A recent note by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) titled “Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability” acknowledged India's leadership in fast payments.
According to the IMF, India has emerged as the global leader in retail digital payments, mainly due to the success of UPI.
UPI was launched in 2016 by NPCI, transforming the way people send and receive money in the country.
UN–India Global Capacity-Building Initiative |
India has launched joint projects with the United Nations (UN) under the Global Capacity-Building Initiative.
This initiative targets countries in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, focusing on knowledge-sharing and development cooperation.
The Global Capacity-Building Initiative was jointly launched by India and the United Nations in September 2023.
Its core objective is to share India’s development experiences, best practices, and technical expertise with countries of the Global South.
The Global South refers to developing and low-income nations, primarily located in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The initiative aims to support these countries through capacity-building and training programs.
Capacity-building involves developing skills, knowledge, institutions, and resources needed for sustainable development.
These programs are designed to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the UN to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity by 2030.
The implementation of the initiative is supported through the UN India SDG Country Fund.
It is also executed under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, which is India’s flagship capacity-building and development assistance initiative.
Read in Detail | India launched the first tranche of four development projects...
Centres of Excellence under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) |
The Ministry of Mines has recognized seven institutes as Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).
This recognition follows the approval granted by the Project Approval and Advisory Committee (PAAC) in its meeting held on 31st July 2025.
The NCMM was launched by India to ensure the long-term availability and processing of critical minerals.
Critical minerals are raw materials essential for clean energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy storage systems.
These minerals are also vital for advanced technology and strategic sectors, including electronics, defence, and space.
The main objective of NCMM is to promote research and technology development in the area of critical minerals.
The recognized CoEs include four Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and three research laboratories.
The list of CoEs is as follows:
a. IIT Bombay
b. IIT Hyderabad
c. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
d. IIT Roorkee
e. CSIR – IMMT, Bhubaneswar
f. CSIR – NML, Jamshedpur
g. NFTDC, Hyderabad
Each CoE will operate under a Hub and Spoke model, which means a central "hub" institute will collaborate with multiple "spoke" partners for specialized research.
The Hub and Spoke model is designed to leverage R&D capacity by combining the core competencies of all participating institutions.
As per the CoE guidelines, each Hub Institute must collaborate with at least two industry partners and two R&D or academic partners.
Collectively, the seven CoEs have brought in approximately 80 industry and academic/R&D spokes.
The CoEs will function as consortia, where institutions collaborate under one umbrella to achieve common goals in critical mineral research.
These Centres will conduct innovative and transformational research to strengthen India’s science and technology capabilities in the critical mineral sector.
The goal is to develop, demonstrate, and deploy end-to-end technologies that can reach higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a scale used to measure the maturity of a technology, with TRL 7 and TRL 8 representing pilot plant and pre-commercial demonstration stages.
EU Commission’s AI Code of Practice on General-Purpose AI (GPAI) |
A total of 26 major tech companies have voluntarily signed the EU Commission’s AI Code of Practice on General-Purpose Artificial Intelligence (GPAI).
Signatories include industry leaders such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and IBM.
The AI Code of Practice is currently voluntary, not legally binding.
However, companies that adopt it may gain enhanced legal certainty.
They may also experience a smoother transition into the mandatory EU AI Act, which is expected to come into force within the next two years.
The Code is structured into three main chapters: Transparency, Copyright, and Safety & Security.
Transparency in AI refers to making systems explainable, understandable, and traceable to users and regulators.
Copyright ensures that AI-generated content respects intellectual property rights.
Safety & Security focuses on safeguarding systems from misuse, cyberattacks, and unintended harms.
About the EU AI Act
The EU AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive AI legislation.
It adopts a risk-based approach, which means AI systems are regulated based on the level of risk they pose.
Low-risk AI may face lighter regulation, while high-risk AI—such as in healthcare or law enforcement—faces stringent rules.
The Act establishes clear accountability mechanisms for AI developers and providers.
It also impacts generative AI use across value chains and third-party risk management.
Generative AI refers to AI that can produce text, images, code, or other content based on training data (e.g., ChatGPT, DALL·E, etc.).
Similar to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU AI Act is expected to become a global standard in AI governance.
Its primary aim is to ensure AI's positive impact on lives while minimizing harmful consequences.
The Act includes strict penalties for non-compliance—up to 7% of a company's global annual turnover.
Concerns Raised by Companies
Several companies have raised concerns about the voluntary code.
They argue that the Code introduces legal uncertainties for model developers.
They also feel that it extends beyond the scope of the forthcoming EU AI Act.
Additional regulatory complexity and administrative burdens could reduce Europe’s AI competitiveness globally.
AI Regulation in India
In contrast to the EU, India currently has no specific law regulating Artificial Intelligence.
Instead of immediate legislation, India has opted to focus on a government-backed mission.
The IndiaAI Mission aims to build an innovative, skilled, safe, and trustworthy AI ecosystem.
The mission promotes AI development while ensuring it aligns with ethical values and national priorities.
UNCTAD Global Trade Update on Mobilising Trade to Curb Plastic Pollution |
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released its Global Trade Update focusing on mobilising trade to address plastic pollution.
The update comes as negotiations on the UN Plastic Treaty are ongoing in Geneva, emphasizing the urgency of global cooperation.
Rising Global Plastic Production and Trade
Global plastic production has increased drastically, from 2 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 1950 to 436 MMT in 2022.
A large share of this production is for single-use plastics, which are disposed of after one use.
Despite the scale of production, only 10% of plastics are recycled globally.
Nearly 75% of the produced plastic becomes waste, contributing to environmental degradation.
In 2022, over 78% of all plastics produced were traded internationally, showing the global nature of the plastic supply chain.
Key Gaps and Policy Challenges
There is currently no binding international agreement focused specifically on plastic pollution.
This is in contrast to other global issues which are covered by agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Bio-based and compostable plastics—which are more eco-friendly—have untapped potential but currently make up only 1.5% of total global plastic production.
Tariffs on plastic and rubber products have reduced significantly, from 34% to 7.2% over the past 30 years.
However, tariffs on eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo and paper remain high at around 14.4%, discouraging their use.
Plastic Pollution and the Triple Planetary Crisis
Plastic pollution contributes to the Triple Planetary Crisis—Pollution, Biodiversity Loss, and Climate Change.
Plastics harm over 1,400 wildlife species, affecting biodiversity on land and in water.
98% of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, making them a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Plastic waste also crosses national boundaries, leaking into terrestrial and marine ecosystems, creating a cross-border environmental challenge.
The impact is disproportionately higher on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and developing countries, due to limited waste management infrastructure.
Global and National Measures
UNCTAD recommends sector-based reforms to address different types of plastics.
For single-use plastics, reforms include targeted bans, taxes, and phasing out.
For long-life plastics used in infrastructure (e.g., road construction), better R&D and product design are needed.
There is also a need to strengthen plastic data systems to enhance transparency and comparability across the plastic life cycle.
Synergies should be developed with existing multilateral frameworks like the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, collectively known as the BRS Conventions.
India’s Measures to Curb Plastic Pollution
India enforces the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016 to regulate the lifecycle of plastic waste.
The PWM Amendment Rules, 2021 prohibit Single Use Plastic (SUP) items, effective from July 2022.
The PWM Amendment Rules, 2022 introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging.
The PWM Amendment Rules, 2024 outline the responsibilities of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayats in managing plastic waste at the local level.
Global Measures and Agreements
International efforts include Annex V of the MARPOL Convention, which regulates marine pollution from ships.
Another relevant agreement is the Bridgetown Covenant, aimed at promoting sustainable trade and development.
71st National Film Awards (2023) |
The 71st National Film Awards were announced to recognize the best films and artists for the year 2023.
The National Film Awards are among the most prestigious film awards in India, celebrating excellence in Indian cinema.
These awards were established in 1954 to honour films that contribute meaningfully to Indian cinema and culture.
They are presented annually by the President of India, symbolizing their national significance and prestige.
Winners of the 71st National Film Awards (2023)
The award for Best Feature Film was given to “12th Fail”, recognized for its impactful storytelling and execution.
The Best Actor award was shared by Shah Rukh Khan for his performance in “Jawan” and Vikrant Massey for his role in “12th Fail”.
The award for Best Actress was presented to Rani Mukerji for her powerful role in “Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway”.
The Best Short Film award went to “Giddh – The Scavenger”, reflecting excellence in short format storytelling.
The Best Non-Feature Film award was conferred upon “Flowering Man”, recognizing creativity in the non-fiction category.
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