Daily Current Affairs - 5 July 2025
- TPP
- 5 days ago
- 14 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 India's aluminium, copper vision documents, OCI Cards Extended to 6th Generation of Indian Diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago, to Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Regulations 2025, One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff, Role of PNGRB, 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju, Special Intensive Revision (SIR), UMEED Portal, Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR), Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), Supernova, Reclaim Framework, First EDFC in Meerut, Chenab River and Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project and more...
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Centre Government unveil aluminium, copper vision documents |
The Central Government unveiled two important vision documents for aluminium and copper at the International Conference on Sustainable and Responsible Mining held in Hyderabad, organized by the Indian National Committee of the World Mining Congress.
These vision documents provide a long-term strategy to meet the growing domestic demand for these metals while ensuring raw material security—the availability and steady supply of essential mineral resources.
The Copper Vision Document projects a six-fold increase in copper demand by 2047 and plans to add 5 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of copper smelting and refining capacity by 2030.
Similarly, the Aluminium Vision Document outlines a roadmap to increase aluminium production six-fold by 2047 and aims to expand bauxite production capacity to 150 MTPA; bauxite being the primary ore from which aluminium is extracted.
In terms of domestic reserves for aluminium and its ore bauxite, Odisha leads with 41% of India’s bauxite reserves, followed by Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, with Odisha also being the top producer, contributing 73% of India’s aluminium production.
Globally, China dominates aluminium production with 58% share, followed by countries like Australia, Brazil, and India.
For copper, India's major reserves are concentrated in Rajasthan (52.25%), followed by Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
In terms of copper production within India, Madhya Pradesh leads with 57% of production during 2022-23, followed by Rajasthan at 43%.
On the world stage, Chile holds the largest copper reserves with 19% of the global share, followed by Peru and Australia each having around 10%.
Both copper and aluminium play a strategic role in India's future development: copper is essential for the country’s energy transition (shifting to renewable energy), infrastructure growth, and green technologies like electric vehicles (EVs) and solar power.
Likewise, aluminium supports clean energy systems, electric mobility, and modern infrastructure due to its lightweight and durable properties, making it crucial for sustainable development.
OCI Cards Extended to 6th Generation of Indian Diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago |
On 5th July 2025, the Indian Prime Minister announced that Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards will now be extended to the 6th generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago.
Alongside this, India plans to create a database of the Girmitiya community—descendants of Indian indentured laborers who migrated to British colonies in the 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily to work on plantations.
The Girmitiyas are historically significant as the Indian indentured laborers who helped shape the demographic and cultural fabric of several countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, where people of Indian origin constitute over 40% of the population.
The OCI card offers multiple benefits, allowing holders to travel to India without a visa, work and study in India, and own property (except certain agricultural and plantation lands), thereby strengthening ties with their ancestral homeland.
It is important to distinguish between two major categories within the Indian diaspora:
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs): Indian citizens who live outside India temporarily due to employment, business, education, or other purposes.
Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs): Foreign nationals with ancestral links to India who hold a special status permitting certain rights in India.
The differences between NRI and OCI are summarized as follows:
Feature | NRI | OCI |
Meaning | Indian citizens living abroad for employment, business, education, etc. | Foreign nationals with Indian ancestry |
Residential Criteria | Must spend less than 182 days in India in a financial year | No such residential condition |
Voting Rights | Can vote in Indian elections only if physically present in their constituency during voting | Not eligible to vote |
Legal Framework | Governed by Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and Income Tax Act of India | Governed by the OCI Scheme, introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005 |
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PNGRB’s Second Amendment to Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Regulations, 2025: Towards ‘One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff’ |
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has approved the Second Amendment to the Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Regulations, 2025, aiming to build a transparent, consumer-centric, and investment-friendly natural gas infrastructure in India.
This reform aligns with the national vision of “One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff”, which promotes a unified and efficient gas transportation system across the country.
One of the key reforms is the reduction of Unified Tariff Zones from three to two, thereby simplifying the gas transportation framework and enhancing ease of doing business for both suppliers and consumers.
In a major consumer-friendly move, the benefit of Unified Zonal Tariff of Zone 1 is now extended pan-India to two critical segments—Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG - Domestic)—making cleaner fuels more affordable and accessible to households and urban transport systems.
To ensure efficient procurement and cost stability, the amendment mandates pipeline operators to source at least 75% of their annual system-use gas through long-term contracts (defined as those lasting three years or more), aiming to reduce transaction costs and minimize procurement risks.
A significant innovation is the creation of a Pipeline Development Reserve, a performance-linked and sustainable infrastructure model which utilizes surplus earnings from pipeline entities that cross a 75% utilization benchmark.
Under this model, 50% of the net-of-tax surplus will be reinvested into future infrastructure development, while the remaining 50% will be used to lower consumer tariffs, creating a self-sustaining cycle of performance-based growth and affordability.
Understanding the Role of PNGRB: Backbone of India's Gas Market Regulation
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is a statutory body established under the PNGRB Act, 2006, responsible for regulating downstream activities in the petroleum and natural gas sector.
PNGRB’s core functions include the regulation of refining, transportation, distribution, storage, marketing, supply, and sale of petroleum products and natural gas—excluding the production of crude oil and natural gas.
It also registers entities authorized to market notified petroleum and petroleum products, ensuring that market participants comply with standards and legal requirements.
As a consumer watchdog, the Board is tasked with protecting consumer interests, ensuring fair trade and competition, and fostering a competitive and transparent market for gas.
Additionally, PNGRB maintains a comprehensive data bank on sectoral activities, enabling informed policymaking and market surveillance.
In case of disputes or grievances, appeals against PNGRB decisions are heard by the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, as per provisions under the Electricity Act, 2003.
India remains a committed partner in Africa's development journey: Prime Minister |
India remains a committed development partner in Africa’s journey, as reiterated by the Indian Prime Minister during his State visit to Ghana (July 2025), emphasizing a partnership based on equality and mutual respect.
This commitment aligns with Africa’s Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for inclusive and sustainable development on the continent, which India actively supports.
In the economic sphere, India has emerged as the fourth-largest trading partner for Africa, with bilateral trade touching approximately US$100 billion and cumulative investments crossing US$75 billion as of June 2024.
Enhancing this economic engagement are joint developmental initiatives like the India-Japan Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC), designed to promote sustainable development and growth in African nations.
A key highlight of India's Africa engagement was during its G20 Presidency in 2023, where India led efforts for the African Union's inclusion as a permanent G20 member, amplifying the Global South’s voice in international forums.
India’s focus on reformed multilateralism is evident in its advocacy for greater African representation in global institutions, particularly in the UN Security Council, echoing the Ezulwini Consensus—Africa’s unified demand for reform in international governance.
On the climate front, India is promoting African participation in major international sustainability coalitions such as:
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) – promoting solar energy use globally,
The Global Biofuel Alliance – fostering clean biofuel alternatives, and
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) – supporting climate-resilient infrastructure planning.
In capacity building and education, India contributes to the African Union’s initiative “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century” by offering skill development, training, and knowledge-sharing programs.
To further strengthen people-to-people and cultural ties, India has extended e-Visa facilities to 33 African countries, enhancing ease of travel and exchange.
However, India faces certain challenges in Africa, such as:
China’s dominant presence, bolstered by aggressive infrastructure diplomacy, large-scale BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) investments, and concessional financing,
Project delays and issues in timely implementation of India-backed infrastructure projects, affecting credibility,
Differences over nuclear policy, where South Africa supports global non-proliferation treaties, while India, citing discriminatory provisions, resists joining them in their current format.
India’s broader strategic engagement with Africa is framed under Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), now expanded into Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement of Security and Growth Across Regions), signifying a deeper South-South cooperation framework.
Outcomes of 4th International Conference on Financing for Development held at Sevilla |
The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Sevilla (Spain), concluded with the adoption of a renewed global financing framework known as the Sevilla Commitment.
The Sevilla Commitment, adopted by consensus, is historic as it becomes the first inter-governmentally agreed framework on development finance since 2015, aimed at addressing the massive $4 trillion annual SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) financing gap in developing countries.
This new framework builds upon previous global agreements such as the Monterrey Consensus (2002), Doha Declaration (2008), the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (2015), and the upcoming Pact for the Future, thereby continuing the evolution of global development finance architecture.
Major Initiatives Launched under Sevilla Commitment
Focus Area | Initiative | Purpose |
To Address Debt Challenges | Debt Swaps for Development Hub (Spain, World Bank) | Scale up debt swaps and lower debt servicing burdens for developing nations |
Debt-for-Development Swap Programme (Italy) | Convert debt obligations of African nations into development investments | |
Debt "Pause Clause" Alliance (Multilateral Development Banks) | Introduce “pause clauses” to suspend debt payments during crises | |
Sevilla Forum on Debt (Spain) | Strengthen coordination in debt management and restructuring | |
To Catalyse Investment with Impact | Coalition for Global Solidarity Levies (France, Kenya, Barbados) | Mobilize funds via taxes on premium-class flying & private jets for climate |
SCALED (Germany, Canada, France, UK, Denmark, South Africa) | Blended finance platform to enhance development impact | |
FX EDGE (IDB and Delta) | Increase local currency lending using a financial toolbox | |
Effective Taxation of HNWIs Initiative (Brazil, Spain) | Ensure high-net-worth individuals contribute fair tax share | |
To Support Architecture Reforms | Scale-up Pre-arranged Disaster Financing (UK, Bridgetown Initiative) | Expand disaster-linked pre-arranged financing from 2% to 20% by 2035 |
128th birth anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju |
On the occasion of his 128th birth anniversary, the Union Defence Minister paid tribute to Alluri Sitarama Raju, a legendary freedom fighter known for his courageous resistance against British rule.
Alluri Sitarama Raju was born on 04 July 1897 in Mogallu village, near Bhimavaram in present-day Andhra Pradesh, where his early life laid the foundation for his revolutionary spirit.
Deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi during the Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM)—a nationwide protest against British colonial rule—Raju began mobilizing local communities, particularly the tribal population.
As part of his social awakening efforts, he encouraged tribals to seek justice through local panchayat courts, instead of colonial legal systems, and urged them to boycott British institutions.
He also promoted Gandhian values by persuading people to wear khadi (hand-spun cloth) and to abstain from alcohol, aiming to revive self-reliance and moral discipline among the rural masses.
His most significant contribution came during the Rampa Rebellion (1922–1924), also known as the Manyam Rebellion ("Manyam" meaning forest area), which was a direct armed revolt against the oppressive British forest laws.
During this movement, launched in August 1922, Alluri led a series of guerrilla-style attacks against British forces in the tribal areas of the Eastern Ghats, using local knowledge of terrain to his advantage.
Owing to his valor and leadership, he earned the title “Manyam Veerudu”—which translates to “Hero of the Jungles”—from the local people who revered him as a fearless symbol of resistance.
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) |
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to initiate a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Rolls in Bihar, aiming to strengthen the democratic process through accurate voter data.
The SIR is legally empowered by Article 324 of the Constitution of India, which vests superintendence of elections in the ECI, and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which governs the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
It involves a House-to-House verification process, conducted at the grassroots level by Booth Level Officers (BLOs)—government-appointed personnel responsible for maintaining and verifying voter lists at the polling booth level.
The primary aim of SIR is to ensure the enrolment of all eligible citizens by identifying unregistered voters and removing ineligible or duplicate entries from the electoral roll.
This intensive revision is especially significant for upholding the integrity and accuracy of the Electoral Roll (ER), which is essential for conducting free and fair elections.
In essence, SIR acts as a quality control mechanism for the voter database, ensuring it reflects the true and current demographic of eligible voters in a given region.
UMEED Portal |
The Union Minority Affairs Minister has officially launched the UMEED Central Portal, marking a significant step in the digital governance of Waqf properties across India.
This portal has been made operational under the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Rules, 2025, which aim to streamline and modernize the management of Waqf assets.
Developed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the UMEED Portal serves as a centralized digital platform for the real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of all Waqf properties nationwide.
A key feature of the portal is the creation of a digital inventory of Waqf properties, with geo-tagging—which means attaching geographic coordinates to each property for accurate mapping and location tracking.
To ensure public transparency and efficient dispute handling, the portal includes an online grievance redressal system, enhancing the responsiveness of Waqf administration.
The platform also allows for transparent leasing and usage tracking of Waqf assets, ensuring that property use is monitored and accountable.
In addition, it offers integration with GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping and other e-Governance tools, improving data accessibility and decision-making.
A noteworthy aspect is that the portal ensures public access to verified records and reports, promoting openness, citizen participation, and trust in the Waqf management process.
Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) |
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently absorbed ₹1,00,010 crore from the banking system using the Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) mechanism, signaling efforts to manage excess liquidity in the economy.
The VRRR is a liquidity absorption tool used by RBI, where it temporarily borrows money from banks to control inflation and stabilize short-term interest rates.
Under VRRR, banks park their surplus funds with the RBI, and in return, the RBI pays interest to the banks for the period of the transaction.
The term "Variable Rate" implies that the interest rate is market-determined, meaning it is decided through auction-based bidding by banks, unlike a fixed rate set in advance.
This is different from the Reverse Repo Rate, where the interest rate is fixed by the RBI and not determined by market forces.
In essence, the VRRR adds flexibility to RBI’s monetary operations, making it a dynamic tool for short-term liquidity management, especially when there's excess money supply in the banking system.
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) |
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been newly introduced by the Finance Ministry as an optional component under the existing National Pension System (NPS).
Notably, all tax benefits currently applicable to NPS—such as deductions under Section 80CCD—will now also be available to subscribers of UPS.
The UPS operates as a "fund-based" payout system, which means retirement benefits are generated through regular and timely contributions from both the employee and the employer (Central Government), and these contributions are invested in financial instruments to grow over time.
A key feature of UPS is that it assures 50% of the average basic pay drawn during the last 12 months before superannuation (i.e., retirement) as pension, provided the employee completes a minimum qualifying service of 25 years.
Additionally, the scheme guarantees an assured minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month upon superannuation, which is payable even if the employee has served for a minimum of just 10 years, ensuring basic post-retirement financial security.
In summary, UPS aims to combine the tax efficiency of NPS with greater predictability in retirement income, especially through the assured pension mechanism, making it a hybrid structure balancing both market-linked returns and defined benefit elements.
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Supernova |
Researchers have captured rare photographic evidence of a unique type of supernova, involving not a massive star but a white dwarf — a dense, Earth-sized stellar ember that is the leftover core of a once-active star.
This rare event, observed using the Very Large Telescope operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile, involved a phenomenon known as double detonation — where a surface explosion of helium triggers a second, more powerful detonation in the white dwarf’s core.
Generally, a supernova refers to the explosion of a star, considered one of the most violent and energetic events in the universe, often briefly outshining entire galaxies.
The classic type of supernova usually involves a massive star — typically more than eight times the mass of our Sun — which, after exhausting its nuclear fuel, undergoes core collapse, leading to a catastrophic explosion.
Reclaim Framework |
Coal Ministry has launched the RECLAIM framework - A Community Engagement and Development Framework for Mine Closure and Repurposing.
Reclaim Framework
Developed by: Coal Controller Organisation under the Ministry of Coal in partnership with the Heartfulness Institute.
Objective: serves as a structured guide for inclusive community engagement and development throughout the mine closure and post-closure phases.
Reclaim Framework
First Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) in Meerut |
India has established its first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, marking a major milestone as it is internationally recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) — a global authority on animal health standards.
An Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) is a designated zone where strict biosecurity measures are in place to ensure horses are free from specific contagious diseases, thus supporting safe trade and international movement of equines.
This initiative is particularly significant because equine diseases — illnesses that affect horses — encompass a wide spectrum of conditions caused by infectious agents like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, as well as non-infectious factors such as allergies, toxins, and genetic disorders.
Some common and impactful equine infectious diseases include:
Equine Influenza (a highly contagious respiratory disease),
Equine Herpesvirus (affecting the respiratory tract and nervous system),
West Nile Virus (a mosquito-borne neurological disease),
Equine Infectious Anemia (a viral disease with no cure, transmitted by blood),
Glanders (a bacterial disease, zoonotic i.e., transmittable to humans),
Surra (a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma evansi), and
Equine Piroplasmosis (a tick-borne protozoal disease causing fever and anemia).
Notably, India has remained historically free from African Horse Sickness (AHS) — a severe and often fatal viral disease spread by biting midges — since 2014, further enhancing its credibility in equine health management.
Chenab River and Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project |
The Forest Advisory Committee has recently granted ‘in-principle’ approval for diversion of forest land to facilitate the construction of the Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project (HEP) on the Chenab River.
In-principle approval: A preliminary clearance that allows planning and pre-construction work, subject to final permissions.
HEP, a system that generates electricity by using flowing or falling water to spin a turbine connected to a generator.
The Sawalkot HEP is one among six strategic hydropower projects designed to optimize India’s utilization of the Indus River system, under the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)—a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan.
IWT: A 1960 agreement between India and Pakistan that governs the use of waters from the Indus River and its tributaries.
The Chenab River, on which the project is planned, holds both strategic and ecological importance in the northern Himalayan region.
This river originates from the Bara Lacha Pass in the Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh, where two streams—Chandra and Bhaga—arise on opposite sides of the pass and converge to form the Chenab.
The Chenab Valley is geographically significant as it lies in a structural trough—a geological depression—formed between the Great Himalayan Range and the Pir Panjal Range, making it a natural river corridor.
Structural Trough is a type of geological depression formed by the folding or faulting of the Earth's crust—ideal for river valleys and basins.
The Chenab is fed by several important tributaries, including Miyar Nalla, Sohal, Thirot, Bhut Nalla, Marusudar, and Lidrari, which contribute significantly to its volume and ecological richness.
Historically, the Chenab River was known during the Vedic period as Chandrabhaga, and in ancient texts, it was also referred to as Ashkini or Iskmati, highlighting its deep cultural and historical roots in Indian civilization.
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