Daily Current Affairs - 30th July 2025
- TPP
- Jul 30
- 16 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 GLOFs, Devolution of Funds under Panchayati Raj System, Status of Small Cats in Tiger Landscape of India, Global Tiger Day, Flash Floods, DPI, Skill Impact Bond, AIF, CGPTDM, Operation Mahadev, Pralay missile, Kaziranga Tiger Reserves, Ratadiya Ri Dheri and more...
Report on “Devolution of Funds under Panchayati Raj System” |
The Standing Committee on Rural Development released a report on the “Devolution of Funds under Panchayati Raj System”.
Under this system, Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) receive funds based on the recommendations of the Central Finance Commissions.
These Finance Commissions are empowered by Article 280 of the Indian Constitution to recommend financial transfers to local bodies.
The report raised concerns over the steady decline in the allocation of funds to RLBs in recent years.
This trend undermines the principle of fiscal decentralisation, which was institutionalised through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
The 73rd Amendment granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and mandated devolution of powers and finances to them.
The reduction in both untied grants and scheme-based transfers limits the developmental role of PRIs.
Untied grants are flexible funds that local bodies can use based on locally identified needs.
This reduction also undermines the credibility of PRIs as self-governing bodies capable of taking independent decisions.
The report noted that the devolution of 3Fs – Functions, Funds, and Functionaries – to PRIs remains partial, fragmented, and uneven across states.
3Fs refer to the actual powers, financial resources, and personnel that should be transferred from the State to Panchayati Raj bodies.
There are significant delays in the constitution of State Finance Commissions (SFCs) in many states.
For example, some states have still not constituted their 3rd, 4th, or 5th SFCs, violating constitutional expectations.
The pace of auditing and the submission of Action Taken Reports (ATRs) also remains sub-optimal in many states.
States like Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were cited for delays in audits and ATR submissions.
The report examined the reasons for reduced funding to RLBs between 2021-22 and 2024-25.
One key reason is the absence of elected local bodies, which hinders the release of funds.
Another issue is the failure to upload development plans on digital platforms, affecting compliance.
Many RLBs have not onboarded the eGramSwaraj portal, which is essential for digital planning and financial transactions.
eGramSwaraj is a unified digital platform for planning, budgeting, accounting, and monitoring of Panchayat activities.
Additionally, non-compliance with audit requirements has led to funding cuts.
A lack of action on the recommendations of State Finance Commissions also negatively impacts fund flow.
To address these issues, the committee made several key recommendations.
It recommended providing adequate, untied, and performance-linked resources to PRIs.
Mechanisms must be developed to ring-fence these funds, meaning protect them from diversion or misuse.
Transparency in fund usage should be enhanced through monitoring and public disclosure.
The Central Government should actively urge State Governments to constitute SFCs regularly and without delay.
This will ensure that central grants to local bodies are not interrupted or reduced.
Each state must also prepare and publish a clear, time-bound roadmap for the devolution of powers to PRIs.
The 15th Finance Commission has classified grants to RLBs into two main categories.
Untied Grants (40%) can be used for location-specific needs across 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
The Eleventh Schedule includes subjects like rural housing, agriculture, roads, education, and health that PRIs can work on.
Tied Grants (60%) must be used for national priority areas such as drinking water supply, sanitation, solid and liquid waste management, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
India Facing Growing Threats of GLOFs |
India is facing growing threats from Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), especially in the Himalayan Region.
GLOFs pose severe risks, as seen recently in the Lende River flash floods in Nepal.
In response, enhanced trans-boundary early warning systems are crucial for effective risk mitigation and preparedness across borders.
A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) is the sudden release of water from a lake formed by glacier melt.
These lakes can form at the side, in front, within, beneath, or on the surface of a glacier.
For example, the South Lhonak GLOF in 2023 caused significant damage.
The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) contains 11 river basins and about 28,000 glacial lakes.
A glacial lake is a body of water that originates from melting glaciers.
There are two primary types of glacial lakes:
Supraglacial lakes form on glacier surfaces in depressions and are prone to melting during summer.
Moraine-dammed lakes form at glacier toes, where meltwater is held back by loose debris or ice cores, and are vulnerable to sudden dam failure.
Several factors increase the IHR’s susceptibility to GLOFs.
About two-thirds of GLOF events are triggered by ice avalanches or landslides falling into glacial lakes.
The remaining events are caused by excessive meltwater pressure on weak moraine dams, as seen in the Chorabari GLOF in 2013, and by earthquakes.
Rising global temperatures have increased glacial melt, with 2023 and 2024 being the hottest years on Earth, exacerbating GLOF risks.
Monitoring glacial lakes in the IHR is challenging.
Approximately 7,500 glacial lakes are located above 4,500 meters altitude, making surveying difficult due to short summer windows.
To address GLOF risks, India has adopted a proactive mitigation strategy.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), through its Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR), has shifted focus from post-disaster response to risk reduction.
The National Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risk Mitigation Project (NGRMP) is being implemented in four states: Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors 902 glacial lakes and water bodies in the Himalayas using satellite imagery.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery is utilized to detect changes in glacial lake size automatically, even during cloudy monsoon months when visual monitoring is difficult.
New Study Maps Flash Flood Prone Hotspots Across the Indian Subcontinent |
A new study has mapped flash flood-prone hotspots across the Indian subcontinent.
The study finds that flash floods are mainly centred in the Himalayas, the west coast, and Central India.
Extremely flash flood-prone sub-basins are identified in the Brahmaputra, Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Brahmani, and West Coast River basins.
Parts of the Godavari, Ganga, Mahi, and Indus River basins also show high flash flood susceptibility.
A flash flood is defined as a flood of short duration with a high peak discharge, where the time between the causative event and flooding is less than 4 to 6 hours (WMO, 2006).
In India, flash flood incidents increased from 132 in 2020 to 184 in 2022, as per the Jal Shakti Ministry.
On average, more than 5,000 people die every year due to flash floods in India.
About 25% of flash floods occur within six hours of heavy rainfall, often triggered by cloudbursts which are sudden, intense rainfall events common in the Himalayan regions.
Steep topography and narrow river channels in mountainous areas contribute to rapid water flow and downstream flooding.
Saturated soil, often caused by urban surfaces like concrete and roads, prevents water from seeping into the ground, increasing surface runoff.
The sudden release of water from dams, embankments, or check dams, usually due to upstream rainwater pressure, can also cause flash floods.
To mitigate such risks, early warning systems are needed that are region-specific, accounting for factors like soil saturation and rainfall patterns.
Updated risk mapping is essential to monitor and include emerging hotspots outside traditionally known flood zones.
Building climate-resilient infrastructure like drainage systems, embankments, and retention structures helps reduce flood vulnerability.
Proper land-use planning should be implemented to prevent encroachments in zones identified as vulnerable.
The Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) is a real-time early warning tool operational since 2020.
FFGS provides 6 to 24 hours of advance notice for potential flash flood threats.
FFGS is a part of a regional initiative covering India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
The system offers high-resolution forecasts at 4 km x 4 km spatial coverage.
It operates at the watershed level, especially targeting vulnerable areas in the Himalayan terrain and urban flash flood zones.
Report “Status of Small Cats in Tiger Landscape of India” released on Global Tiger Day |
On Global Tiger Day (July 29), a report titled “Status of Small Cats in Tiger Landscape of India” was released.
The report was jointly compiled by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
It provides a comprehensive assessment of the occupancy status and ecological dynamics of small cat species in India’s tiger landscapes.
The report found that the Jungle Cat is the most widespread small cat species in India.
The Rusty-Spotted Cat, which is the world’s smallest wildcat, is the second most commonly found small cat in India.
India is home to 10 species of small cats, including:
a. Jungle Cat
b. Rusty-Spotted Cat
c. Leopard Cat
d. Fishing Cat
e. Asiatic Golden Cat
f. Caracal
g. Desert Cat
h. Eurasian Lynx
i. Marbled Cat
j. Pallas’s Cat
Small cats belong to the subfamily Felinae and are a diverse group of hyper carnivores, meaning they rely almost entirely on meat for survival.
They are found across nearly all terrestrial biomes, from wetlands and forests to deserts and mountains.
A key difference between small cats and big cats lies in their hyoid bone structure.
Big cats, like tigers and lions, have a flexible hyoid bone, which allows them to roar.
In contrast, small cats have a rigid hyoid bone, enabling them to purr continuously, but not roar.
Major Small Cats in India (Species-wise Overview):
Asiatic Golden Cat is found in the Indo-Malayan ecorealm, which includes Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal.
It is a territorial and solitary species, occasionally forming pairs.
Conservation Status: IUCN – Near Threatened; Wildlife Protection Act – Schedule I.
Caracal inhabits arid and semi-arid regions and is reported only from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh in India.
Also known as Siya Gosh, it has distinctive black-tufted ears.
It is a solitary, territorial, and nocturnal animal.
Conservation Status: IUCN – Least Concern; Wildlife Protection Act – Schedule I.
Fishing Cat lives in wetland environments, including the Sundarbans, Himalayan foothills, and parts of Northeast India.
It is a nocturnal species that uses its webbed hind feet to swim and propel itself in shallow water.
Conservation Status: IUCN – Vulnerable; Wildlife Protection Act – Schedule I.
Eurasian Lynx inhabits the barren, open, and rocky mountainous plateaus of Central Asia.
In India, it is found in parts of Ladakh.
The species is solitary, territorial, and primarily nocturnal.
Conservation Status: IUCN – Least Concern; Wildlife Protection Act – Schedule I.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC) files a report regarding management of Compensatory Afforestation Funds |
The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) is a body established by the Supreme Court to oversee environmental and forest conservation matters.
In a recent report, the CEC assessed the management of Compensatory Afforestation (CA) Funds in India.
The report highlighted that India achieved 85% of the overall Compensatory Afforestation target during the period 2019-20 to 2023-24.
Compensatory Afforestation (CA) refers to the afforestation undertaken to compensate for the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes such as infrastructure or industrial development.
This process is mandated under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which regulates the diversion of forest land.
To manage these funds, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 was enacted.
This Act originated from the Supreme Court's orders in the TN Godavarman v. Union of India (1995) case.
The Act led to the establishment of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) at both National and State levels.
The Act also provided for the creation of CA Funds under the Public Accounts of India and the Public Accounts of each State.
Despite the legal and institutional framework, the CEC report pointed out several issues in the release and utilization of CA funds.
There are frequent delays in the submission of the Annual Plan of Operation (APO), which is a yearly blueprint for afforestation activities.
Even after clearance by the National Authority, multiple approvals are still required at the State Level, causing further delays.
CAMPA Offices are often understaffed, impacting the execution and monitoring of afforestation work.
The monitoring mechanisms for CA implementation remain weak, with significant gaps in oversight.
The report also found instances of misuse and diversion of CA funds, undermining their intended purpose.
To address these issues, the CEC recommended strengthening institutional mechanisms involved in CA fund governance.
Specifically, it advised that the Governing Body, Steering Committee, and Executive Committee of State CAMPA must meet regularly for better coordination.
The CEC stressed the need to enhance monitoring and transparency in CA implementation.
It recommended mandatory geo-tagging of afforestation sites for accurate tracking.
It also suggested that CA site data be publicly disclosed through platforms like e-Green Watch and PARIVESH 2.0.
e-Green Watch is an online portal for tracking forest activities using satellite imagery and geo-spatial data.
PARIVESH 2.0 is a centralized web-based portal for processing environmental clearances and project monitoring.
The CEC also called for streamlining the fund flow process to ensure smoother implementation.
Additionally, it emphasized the importance of timely submission of APOs by the concerned authorities.
Earthquake in Russia's Far East causes tsunami in Pacific Ocean |
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 8.8 struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in the Far East region.
This earthquake triggered tsunami waves near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
A tsunami is defined as a series of extremely long ocean waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of the sea.
Such displacements are usually the result of undersea or near-ocean-floor earthquakes, as seen in the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004.
Other causes of tsunamis include landslides, volcanic eruptions, glacier calvings, meteorite impacts, and underwater explosions, including nuclear ones.
Tsunamis frequently occur in regions along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a belt of active and dormant volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Ocean.
Characteristics of Tsunami Waves
The wavelength and speed of tsunami waves are primarily determined by the depth of the ocean, not the distance from the wave's source.
In the deep ocean, tsunami wavelengths can reach approximately 200 kilometers, allowing them to travel at very high speeds.
As they approach the shallow coastal waters, due to a process called shoaling, the wavelength reduces to less than 20 kilometers.
In deep oceans, wave height (amplitude) is minimal, making the tsunami almost unnoticeable to ships.
However, as the waves move into shallower coastal regions, their amplitude increases significantly, causing destructive surges.
Consequences of Tsunamis
Socio-economic impacts include destruction of infrastructure, loss of lives, and disruption of livelihoods.
Environmental impacts involve the destruction of mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and lead to soil and water contamination.
Other consequences include disruption of essential services, displacement of populations, and psychological stress among affected communities.
NDMA Guidelines for Tsunami Management
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) mandates a multi-tiered institutional framework including NDMA, State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs).
These institutions are responsible for enhancing preparedness, mitigation, and emergency response mechanisms.
The guidelines emphasize the development of early warning systems and conducting hazard and vulnerability assessments.
Effective mitigation measures include land use planning, protection of critical infrastructure, and natural buffers such as bioshields and mangrove regeneration.
The NDMA also promotes public awareness, education, and comprehensive training programs for all stakeholder groups involved in disaster management.
Digital Payment Index (DPI) |
India’s digital payment ecosystem has seen over 65,000 crore digital transactions in the last six financial years.
The total value of these transactions has exceeded ₹12,000 lakh crores, reflecting a rapid increase in cashless economic activity.
To monitor this growth, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has developed the Digital Payment Index (DPI).
The DPI is designed to measure the extent of digital payment adoption across India.
The index is published semi-annually, meaning it is released twice a year by the RBI.
The DPI comprises five broad parameters, each capturing a key aspect of the digital payment ecosystem.
These parameters include Payment Enablers, which refer to the tools and systems (like mobile apps, UPI, digital wallets) that support digital transactions.
It also includes Payment Infrastructure – Demand-side factors, which reflect how consumers access and use digital payments.
The Payment Infrastructure – Supply-side factors capture the readiness and availability of service providers and systems (like banks, payment gateways).
The fourth parameter is Payment Performance, which tracks the volume, value, and growth of digital transactions.
The fifth parameter, Consumer Centricity, assesses user awareness, complaints, and security in digital payment services.
The latest RBI-DPI report shows that there has been more than a fourfold increase in digital payment penetration since 2018.
Skill Impact Bond |
The Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship recently highlighted the Skill Impact Bond (SIB) as a model delivering measurable social impact.
The Skill Impact Bond (SIB) is the first development impact bond in India dedicated to skills training and job placement.
A development impact bond (DIB) is a results-based financing model, where private investors fund interventions upfront and are repaid by outcome funders only if predefined results are achieved.
The primary objective of the SIB is to benefit 50,000 young Indians over a period of four years.
The initiative is designed to ensure that 60% of the beneficiaries are women, promoting gender inclusion in skill development.
The Skill Impact Bond was launched in the year 2021.
It is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
The NSDC is a public-private partnership aimed at promoting skill development by funding and coordinating large-scale training initiatives across the country.
Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) |
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised guidelines on investment in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
As per the new norms, Regulated Entities (REs) can invest a maximum of 20% of the corpus of an AIF scheme.
An Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) refers to any fund established or incorporated in India as a privately pooled investment vehicle.
AIFs are designed to collect funds from sophisticated investors, who may be Indian or foreign.
These funds are invested according to a defined investment policy for the benefit of the investors.
AIFs are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
The regulation framework is provided under the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012.
AIFs in India are classified into three categories based on their investment strategy and purpose.
Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPTDM) |
The Patent Office under the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has released the Revised Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions (CRIs), 2025.
The CGPDTM functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, specifically under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The head office of CGPDTM is located in Mumbai.
CGPDTM is responsible for supervising the implementation of laws related to patents, industrial designs, trademarks, and geographical indications (GIs).
A patent grants exclusive rights to an inventor for a specific period, while a design protects the visual appearance of a product.
A trademark is a symbol or word legally registered to represent a brand or product.
A Geographical Indication (GI) is a label used on products with a specific geographical origin and qualities or reputation linked to that location.
CGPDTM also advises the Government on matters related to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
Intellectual Property Rights are legal rights that protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, designs, and artistic works.
The office also oversees the administrative functioning of all IP registries and affiliated institutes across India.
Operation Mahadev |
The Government of India informed the Lok Sabha that three Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack have been neutralized.
These terrorists were killed during Operation Mahadev, a major anti-terror effort in Jammu and Kashmir.
Operation Mahadev is a joint counter-terrorism mission involving the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Jammu & Kashmir Police.
The primary objective of the operation was to eliminate foreign terrorists who had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley.
These infiltrators were operating with support from Pakistan-based terror groups, particularly the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Lashkar-e-Taiba is a designated terrorist organization known for planning and executing attacks against Indian security forces and civilians.
The successful neutralization of the attackers marks a significant success in India’s ongoing efforts to combat cross-border terrorism in the region.
Pralay missile |
The Pralay missile recently underwent two consecutive successful flight tests conducted by DRDO off the Odisha coast.
It is a surface-to-surface missile, meaning it is launched from land and targets land-based threats.
Pralay is classified as a short-range missile, designed for targets within relatively limited distances.
It uses a solid propellant, which provides high thrust and quicker launch readiness compared to liquid fuels.
The missile is quasi-ballistic in nature, meaning it follows a ballistic trajectory but can also maneuver mid-flight.
A quasi-ballistic missile has a low and curved path and is capable of changing course during flight, making it harder to intercept.
Pralay can fly at hypersonic speeds, defined as speeds above Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound.
It was developed indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat, a Hyderabad-based DRDO facility, in collaboration with other research units.
The missile has a strike range of 150 to 500 kilometers, making it suitable for tactical battlefield use.
This range allows it to hit high-value strategic targets while remaining within Indian territory.
Kaziranga Tiger Reserves (KTR) |
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (KTR) has recorded the third-highest tiger density in India.
The two reserves with higher tiger density are Bandipur (Karnataka) and Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand).
KTR was declared a National Park in 1974, marking its official status as a protected area.
It was later designated as a Tiger Reserve in 2006 under the Project Tiger initiative.
KTR was also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, highlighting its global ecological importance.
Additionally, it has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, a global bird conservation organization.
The reserve is located in one of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots, known for rich species diversity.
It lies between the Brahmaputra River and the Karbi (also called Mikir) Hills in Assam.
This unique geographical position supports diverse habitats including grasslands, wetlands, and tropical moist forests.
KTR is famously home to the greater one-horned rhinoceros, which makes up 70% of the global population of this species.
The park also supports other major fauna such as Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, and tigers.
It hosts a range of migratory bird species, especially during the winter season.
Notable migratory birds include the lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck, Baer’s pochard duck, and lesser adjutant.
The greater adjutant, a rare and endangered stork, is also among the migratory visitors.
These birds mainly migrate from Central Asia, adding to the park’s international ecological significance.
Ratadiya Ri Dheri |
Ratadiya Ri Dheri is a newly discovered Harappan site located in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan.
This site belongs to the Mature Urban Phase of the Indus Valley Civilization, which spans from 2600 to 1900 BCE.
The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was one of the world's earliest urban cultures, known for its advanced town planning, drainage systems, and trade networks.
Ratadiya Ri Dheri marks the first known Indus Valley settlement found in the arid region of Rajasthan.
This discovery helps bridge a significant archaeological gap between northern Rajasthan and Gujarat, linking older Harappan sites across the region.
It plays a crucial role in connecting the cultural and trade routes between the northern and southern zones of the Harappan civilization.
Other significant Indus Valley sites in Rajasthan include Kalibangan, located in the northern part of the state.
Kalibangan was a planned Harappan city, established around 2900 BCE, making it one of the earliest urban centers.
This site was first discovered by Luigi Pio Tessitori, an Italian Indologist and archaeologist.
The discovery of Ratadiya Ri Dheri adds valuable context to the geographical spread and urban development of the Indus Valley Civilization.
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