Daily Current Affairs - 6th & 7th August 2025
- TPP
- Aug 8
- 28 min read
Updated: Aug 9
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 Hepatitis D As Cancer-Causing, India-Philippines relations, First BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival, INF Treaty, Two maritime bills and more...
Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).
WHO Has Classified Hepatitis D As Cancer-Causing, Like Hepatitis B And C |
1. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Hepatitis D as cancer-causing, similar to Hepatitis B and C.
2. Hepatitis D is an incompetent virus, meaning it requires the presence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication.
3. Consequently, Hepatitis D only infects individuals who already have Hepatitis B, either simultaneously or sequentially.
4. Viral hepatitis includes types A, B, C, D, and E, all of which cause acute liver infections.
5. However, only Hepatitis B, C, and D can cause chronic infections with increased risk of severe liver complications.
6. Chronic infection refers to a long-lasting infection that persists over months or years, often causing ongoing damage to organs, such as the liver in hepatitis.
7. Chronic infection from these viruses can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer.
8. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer, often developing in people with chronic liver diseases caused by hepatitis B, C, or D infections.
9. Hepatocellular carcinoma ranks among the top 10 cancers globally.
10. Vaccines are available for Hepatitis B, which also protects against Hepatitis D infection.
11. There is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis C.
12. Globally, Hepatitis B, C, and D affect over 300 million people and cause around 1.3 million deaths annually.
13. Most infected individuals remain undiagnosed, which hinders effective treatment and prevention.
14. India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (2018) aims to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030 and reduce deaths from other hepatitis types, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3.
15. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 is a global target set by the United Nations to end epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combat hepatitis, among other communicable diseases by 2030.
16. On a global scale, WHO’s Global Health Sector Strategy on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (2022–2030) targets the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health problem.
17. One of the key challenges is low diagnosis rates; in 2022, only 13% of Hepatitis B and 36% of Hepatitis C cases were diagnosed.
18. Another challenge is poor vaccine coverage; for example, Hepatitis B vaccine coverage in India is only around 50%, despite inclusion in the immunisation program.
19. Treatment options remain limited, but new drugs like bulevirtide provide hope for better management of Hepatitis D.
India-Philippines Strategic Partnership Plan of Action (2025–29) Signed During Philippines President’s Visit to India |
1. India and the Philippines signed the Strategic Partnership Plan of Action (2025–29) during the Philippines President’s visit to India.
2. This partnership commemorates 75 years of diplomatic ties established in 1949.
3. The relationship was further strengthened by India’s Look East Policy (1992) and its successor, the Act East Policy (2014).
4. Several agreements were signed during the visit, including those on Mutual Legal Assistance, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, and cooperation in Science, Space, and Tourism.
5. India announced support for a pilot project to develop the Philippines’ Sovereign Data Cloud Infrastructure.
6. The Philippines was invited to join the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), a maritime security initiative.
7. Defence cooperation is a key dimension, with the Philippines being the first foreign buyer of the BrahMos Missile.
8. The first Track-1 Maritime Dialogue between India and the Philippines was held in Manila in 2024.
9. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $3.5 billion in 2023–24, supported by the ASEAN–India Free Trade Agreement.
10. Talks are ongoing for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to further enhance economic engagement.
11. The Philippines benefits significantly from India’s Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) capacity-building program.
12. People-to-people ties are strong, highlighted by a renewed Cultural Exchange Programme (2019–2023).
13. Over 70,000 members of the Indian diaspora currently reside in the Philippines.
14. The partnership is significant for their shared Indo-Pacific vision of a free, open, and rules-based regional order.
15. The Philippines plays a key role in India’s MAHASAGAR Vision, which aims at maritime cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
16. Strategic ties help the Philippines counter China’s assertiveness, particularly after the 2016 arbitration ruling affirming the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.
17. The ruling rejected China’s claim of “historic rights” under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
18. India acts as a credible balancing partner for the Philippines amid regional tensions.
19. Both countries also advocate for reforms in global governance to address challenges such as climate change, technology, and inequality.
20. Indian Prime Minister stated, “India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny.”
21. He further emphasized their unity “from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, united by shared values.”
India’s External Affairs Minister calls for a fair and representative global order at the First BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival |
1. India’s External Affairs Minister called for a fair and representative global order at the First BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival.
2. He emphasized the collective desire to move away from a world dominated by a few powerful nations.
3. This statement was made against the backdrop of the US announcement of a 25% reciprocal tariff on India.
4. The current global order is often seen as non-representative, dominated by a few powerful countries.
5. The concept of U.S. hegemony has shaped the global liberal order since World War II.
6. However, the US faces a relative decline due to economic competition from rising powers like China.
7. Other factors include US strategic overreach and withdrawal from key multilateral institutions.
8. Trade policies have become instruments of geopolitical power, as seen in the EU’s carbon tax and economic sanctions.
9. The Global South experiences unequal representation in major institutions like the UN Security Council and the World Bank.
10. This unequal power distribution leads to ineffective multilateralism, where powerful nations bypass forums for cooperation.
11. Consequently, global responses become fragmented and driven by narrow national interests.
12. Simultaneously, there is a trend toward deglobalization and stronger regional integration in groups like ASEAN, QUAD, and BRICS.
13. To address these challenges, there is a need for reform in multilateral institutions.
14. This includes expanding the UN Security Council and restructuring the Bretton Woods Institutions for greater Global South participation.
15. Strengthening inclusive multilateralism through groupings like G20, BRICS, and IBSA is essential.
16. Such groups should promote consensus-based decision making to ensure fairer outcomes.
17. Finally, enhancing issue-based cooperation on global challenges such as peace, climate change, and human rights is vital.
18. This cooperation must be founded on broad consensus to be effective and equitable.
Russia officially ends commitment to 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty |
1. Russia has officially ended its commitment to the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
2. Russia cited recent US military actions as the key reason, including the US repositioning two nuclear submarines closer to Russian shores.
3. Another reason was the deployment of the Typhon missile system by the US in the Philippines.
4. The INF Treaty was signed in 1987 between the United States and the Soviet Union to ban all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 km and 5,500 km.
5. It was the first major arms control agreement to reduce nuclear arsenals by removing an entire class of weapons.
6. The treaty also allowed for on-site inspections to verify compliance by both parties.
7. The INF Treaty had weakened after the US withdrew from it in 2019, further destabilizing the agreement.
8. The collapse of this treaty signals a breakdown of arms control frameworks, eroding trust between nuclear powers.
9. This breakdown hinders future efforts toward nuclear disarmament, making global arms reduction negotiations more difficult.
10. The treaty’s end has negatively impacted global nuclear disarmament as major powers are accelerating nuclear modernization programs.
11. Non-nuclear states are reconsidering their commitments to non-proliferation, increasing concerns over global nuclear instability.
12. The situation is seen as a return to Cold War politics, raising fears of a renewed missile crisis similar to that era.
13. The elimination of the INF Treaty increases security risks, as shorter-range missiles can reach targets faster.
14. This raises the likelihood of global nuclear conflict triggered by false launch warnings.
15. Several key nuclear arms control agreements remain important in this context.
16. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), effective since 1970, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology.
17. The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT), signed in 2002, was a bilateral agreement between the US and Russia limiting strategic nuclear warheads.
18. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), signed in 2010, further limits strategic arms between the two powers.
19. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), adopted by the UN in 2017, prohibits participating states from engaging in nuclear weapon activities.
20. Overall, the end of the INF Treaty marks a critical setback for global nuclear arms control and international security.
Two Landmark Maritime Bills pertaining to Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Passed |
1. Two landmark maritime bills under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways were recently passed by the Indian Parliament.
2. The Lok Sabha passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, while the Rajya Sabha cleared the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025.
3. These bills aim to modernize India’s maritime legal framework and align it with international maritime conventions.
4. The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 replaces the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, bringing significant legal and regulatory updates.
5. One key feature is the mandatory registration of all vessels, irrespective of their propulsion type or tonnage (weight).
6. The bill also introduces the provision for temporary registration of vessels intended for recycling purposes.
7. The definition of “vessel” has been expanded to include mobile offshore drilling units, submersibles, and non-displacement crafts.
8. Ownership rules have been liberalized, now allowing vessels partly owned by Indian citizens, Indian-registered companies or societies, and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
9. The bill retains the statutory roles of the National Shipping Board and the National Welfare Board for Seafarers.
10. The title of Director-General of Shipping has been changed to Director-General of Marine Administration.
11. The Director-General of Marine Administration has been empowered to regulate maritime education and training in India.
12. Seafarer agreements have been broadened to include more stakeholders, ensuring better social security coverage for seafarers.
13. To ensure marine environmental protection, the bill mandates a Pollution Certificate for all vessels, regardless of their size or tonnage.
14. The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 replaces the nearly century-old Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.
15. This bill adopts the Hague-Visby Rules (1924), along with subsequent amendments, which are internationally accepted standards for maritime cargo transport.
16. The Hague-Visby Rules govern the rights and liabilities of carriers in cases involving loss, damage, or delay in sea cargo shipments.
17. The bill enhances the role of the Central Government, allowing it to issue directions and amend rules related to shipping documents.
18. One such document is the Bill of Lading, which is a legal record issued by the freight carrier to the shipper.
19. A Bill of Lading contains essential details like the type, quantity, condition, and destination of goods being transported by sea.
20. Collectively, these two bills aim to promote ease of doing business, strengthen regulatory oversight, and align Indian maritime law with global best practices.
Dharali, Uttarakhand Hit by Cloudburst-Triggered Flash Floods |
1. Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, was recently hit by flash floods triggered by a cloudburst.
2. The cloudburst occurred over the Kheer Ganga River, which is a tributary of the Alaknanda River.
3. This incident highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Uttarakhand in recent years.
4. A major past example is the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, which caused widespread devastation due to similar extreme rainfall events.
5. A cloudburst is defined as a rainfall event where 10 cm or more rain is received in one hour at a specific location.
6. Cloudbursts are difficult to predict because they are localized, short-lived, and occur on a small scale.
7. Their prediction requires dense radar networks or high-resolution weather forecasting models.
8. Though cloudbursts can occur in plains, they are more frequent in hilly or mountainous regions due to specific terrain conditions.
9. The National Disaster Management Plan, 2019, includes a dedicated Cloudburst Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategy.
10. Himalayan states like Uttarakhand are particularly vulnerable to cloudbursts due to both geographical and human-induced factors.
11. Geographically, the steep Himalayan slopes force warm, moisture-laden air from the Arabian Sea to rise rapidly.
12. This process is called orographic lift, which leads to the formation of towering cumulonimbus clouds.
13. These clouds can hold large amounts of rain droplets, increasing the risk of sudden, intense rainfall.
14. As moist air continues to rise and accumulate, the cloud grows rapidly but with no early precipitation, it becomes too heavy.
15. At a tipping point, the cloud suddenly bursts, releasing intense rainfall in a short time, causing flash floods.
16. Anthropogenic (human-induced) factors have also increased the frequency of such events in recent years.
17. Extreme rainfall events in India have risen due to global temperature rise, primarily caused by climate change.
18. A scientific study on the Kedarnath floods found that over half the rainfall during the disaster was likely due to greenhouse gases and aerosols.
19. These findings emphasize the link between climate change and extreme weather events, especially in ecologically fragile zones like the Himalayas.
RBI tightens Co-lending norms to improve risk sharing and Transparency |
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently issued revised directions for Co-lending Arrangements (CLAs).
These directions aim to improve risk sharing and transparency between banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
The revised norms are issued under various provisions of the Banking Regulation Act (1949), RBI Act (1934), and the National Housing Bank Act (1987).
Co-lending refers to a lending model where regulated entities (REs) jointly extend credit to borrowers, under agreed terms and regulatory compliance.
In such arrangements, both banks and NBFCs collaborate to lend, while complying with existing prudential regulations set by RBI.
As per the new guidelines, each participating RE must retain a minimum 10% share of the loan in its own books.
This ensures skin in the game for all lenders, promoting better credit discipline and risk accountability.
The revised framework also allows each RE to claim Priority Sector Lending (PSL) status for its portion of the loan, if the loan qualifies under PSL norms.
This helps banks in meeting their PSL obligations, while supporting lending to underserved sectors.
A uniform asset classification system has been introduced under the revised norms.
Under this, if one co-lender classifies a loan as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA), the other lenders are required to classify it the same way.
This enhances transparency and consistency in loan performance reporting across REs.
The interest rate charged to borrowers will now follow a blended interest rate model.
This rate is calculated based on the weighted average of each RE’s internal lending rate, proportionate to their contribution to the total funding.
The co-lending model brings several benefits to different stakeholders in the financial ecosystem.
For banks, it enables greater credit penetration in remote and rural regions, leveraging NBFCs' last-mile connectivity.
It also helps banks in better compliance with PSL targets, through collaborative lending.
For NBFCs, co-lending reduces credit risk exposure, as it is shared with partner banks.
It also provides access to cheaper capital, improving their overall lending capacity.
For consumers, co-lending leads to lower borrowing costs, owing to competitive interest rates offered by banks and NBFCs.
Borrowers also benefit from better loan customization, as NBFCs often design flexible loan products tailored to local needs.
International Seabed Authority (ISA) concluded landmark 30th session of ISA assembly |
1. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) recently concluded the landmark 30th session of its Assembly.
2. This session coincided with the 30th anniversary of ISA’s establishment under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
3. ISA was also established through the 1994 Part XI Implementing Agreement, which governs activities related to seabed mining beyond national jurisdictions.
4. A major highlight of the session was progress on the development of the Common Heritage Fund.
5. The Common Heritage Fund is envisioned as a financial toolbox to support sustainability, capacity-building, and equitable benefit-sharing from seabed resources.
6. The session also marked the operationalization of the Economic Planning Commission.
7. This Economic Planning Commission is responsible for assessing the economic impacts of seabed mining and recommending mitigation measures.
8. Another significant decision was the adoption of November 1 as the International Deep Seabed Day to raise awareness and global engagement.
9. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an intergovernmental body tasked with managing mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction.
10. This area beyond national jurisdiction covers about 54% of the world’s oceans, making it a critical global commons.
11. ISA is the only international organization with a mandate to regulate activities in deep-sea areas beyond national borders.
12. Its core objective is to ensure that all economic activities in the international seabed, including mining, are regulated and environmentally responsible.
13. The ISA headquarters is located in Kingston, Jamaica.
14. ISA has 170 members, including 169 countries and the European Union, and includes all parties to UNCLOS.
15. In recent years, ISA has launched several initiatives to strengthen scientific research and environmental governance in deep-sea areas.
16. One such initiative is the Deep-Sea Biobank Initiative (DBI) 2025, aimed at enhancing global access to deep-sea biological samples and genetic data.
17. The DBI will establish a global repository of biological material from international seabed areas for research and capacity-building activities.
18. Another major program is AREA2030, which focuses on high-resolution mapping of the international seabed area by the year 2030.
19. This initiative supports better scientific understanding and sustainable resource management of the seabed.
20. ISA has also launched the Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI).
21. The SSKI aims to strengthen the scientific foundation necessary for effective protection and sustainable management of deep-sea ecosystems.
Great Power rivalry threatens ‘ASEAN Centrality’ in the Indo-Pacific |
1. The Indo-Pacific region is currently witnessing intensifying great power rivalry, particularly between the United States and China.
2. This rivalry includes tariff wars and strategic competition, which risk dividing the region into polarized geopolitical blocs.
3. Such developments pose a serious threat to the concept of ‘ASEAN Centrality’ in the Indo-Pacific.
4. ASEAN Centrality refers to the principle that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should lead the evolving regional architecture of the Indo-Pacific.
5. This concept gained prominence after the collapse of the Soviet Union, during a period of strategic uncertainty in the region.
6. Regional countries then faced concerns over reduced US military presence, the possible remilitarization of Japan, and the rise of China.
7. These security issues highlighted the need for a regional institution-led approach, leading to the promotion of ASEAN’s central role.
8. India has also endorsed ASEAN Centrality as part of its vision for a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific.
9. This vision was clearly articulated by India’s Prime Minister at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2018.
10. However, the ongoing US-China Cold War threatens to splinter ASEAN unity, as member states maintain varied relationships with both powers.
11. This divergence hinders effective cooperation within ASEAN-led platforms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
12. The weakened multilateral architecture has reduced the relevance and influence of these ASEAN-centric dialogue mechanisms.
13. In addition, US-imposed tariffs are disrupting the international trading system, which is critical to ASEAN economies.
14. These tariffs create economic tensions, and cause disunity among ASEAN members regarding how to respond collectively on trade matters.
15. To preserve its central role, ASEAN needs to focus on internal strengthening and institutional consolidation.
16. This includes improving crisis response mechanisms, allowing non-consensual decision-making in specific cases, and directly addressing contentious security issues.
17. ASEAN should also deepen cooperation with like-minded partners such as the European Union and Australia.
18. These partners prefer non-alignment and seek to avoid direct entanglement in the US-China rivalry, aligning well with ASEAN’s balanced approach.
19. India is a natural partner for ASEAN, given shared interests in regional trade enhancement, economic diversification, and stability promotion.
20. ASEAN may also consider revising existing trade agreements to adapt to new geopolitical and economic realities.
21. One such measure is to upgrade the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to make it more dynamic and inclusive.
22. ASEAN should also work to encourage more members to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Japan’s Hiroshima marks 80 years since US Atomic Bombing |
1. On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively.
2. The bombs were named ‘Little Boy’ (Hiroshima) and ‘Fat Man’ (Nagasaki), marking the first and only use of nuclear weapons in war.
3. These bombings caused massive destruction, killing tens of thousands instantly and inflicting long-term radiation effects on survivors.
4. The event led to the end of World War II, as Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender on September 2, 1945.
5. The bombings also triggered the beginning of the nuclear arms race, with the Soviet Union conducting its first nuclear test in 1949.
6. This arms race shaped the Cold War, a period of political tension and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.
7. The nuclear era gave rise to the doctrine of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD).
8. MAD is a military deterrence strategy in which a nuclear attack by one side ensures total retaliation and guaranteed destruction for both sides.
9. In response to growing nuclear risks, nations promoted civil nuclear cooperation.
10. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established in 1957 to promote safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
11. Parallel to nuclear development, global disarmament efforts also began to prevent future tragedies.
12. The Conference on Disarmament was created as the sole multilateral forum for disarmament negotiations within the international community.
13. Several global treaties and initiatives have since been launched to control nuclear weapons and prevent proliferation.
14. The Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963) prohibits nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, though not underground.
15. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was signed in 1970.
16. The NPT aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote peaceful use of nuclear energy, and further disarmament goals.
17. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted in 1996.
18. The CTBT bans all nuclear explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes, though it is yet to enter into force globally.
19. The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) works to promote complete and general disarmament worldwide.
20. Other major initiatives include the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, a legally binding agreement to prohibit nuclear weapons entirely.
21. The Pact for the Future, a recent global initiative, seeks to strengthen global peace, security, and disarmament frameworks.
World Meteorological Organization Certifies Mega flash Lightning Record |
1. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially certified a new global lightning record.
2. The record is for the longest single lightning flash, which measured 829 km in length.
3. This lightning flash occurred in the United States in 2017, stretching from eastern Texas to near Kansas City.
4. Lightning is defined as a giant spark of electricity occurring between regions of opposite electrical charge.
5. These charges may accumulate between clouds or between a cloud and the ground, leading to electrical discharge.
6. When the build-up of electrical charge becomes large, it breaks the insulating property of air, causing a lightning flash.
7. Lightning causes thunder because it rapidly heats the air around it.
8. The sudden heating causes air to expand quickly, producing a loud sound known as thunder.
9. A storm that includes both lightning and thunder is known as a thunderstorm.
10. In India, rising temperatures contribute to lightning; a 1°C increase may cause a 7% to 18% rise in lightning incidents.
11. Other causes include pollution, especially a rise in aerosol levels, and urbanization, which increases heat and particulate matter.
12. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council (CROPC), India saw a 57% rise in lightning incidents from 2019 to 2024.
13. Lightning is a major hazard, especially for infrastructure and public safety.
14. It can cause electric fires and explosions by breaking down insulation and causing short circuits in buildings.
15. It can also result in the bursting of trees, as the moisture inside evaporates instantly due to extreme heat.
16. Loss of human lives is another serious consequence of lightning strikes.
17. In response, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has adopted a two-pronged approach.
18. The first part involves scientific solutions and ensuring implementation at the community level.
19. The second part includes climate action to reduce the occurrence of lightning in the long term.
20. In 2019, NDMA issued guidelines for preparation of action plans on prevention and management of lightning and thunderstorms.
21. NDMA has also developed a protocol for dissemination of early lightning warnings.
22. It has launched a mobile application named SACHET to improve public awareness and safety.
23. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) supports this effort by issuing lightning forecasts in three formats.
24. These include a lightning outlook from 5 days to 24 hours in advance, a nowcast, and updates through the Damini mobile app.
25. Additional safety infrastructure includes three lightning detection networks that track lightning strikes across the country.
26. A network of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) further supports real-time detection and forecasting of thunderstorms and lightning.
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) |
1. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held its scheduled meeting in August 2025.
2. In this meeting, the MPC kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.5%, continuing its current monetary policy stance.
3. The committee maintained a neutral stance, indicating neither a tightening nor an easing bias in future rate actions.
4. The MPC was constituted under Section 45ZB of the RBI Act, 1934, which was amended in 2016 to empower a formal monetary policy framework.
5. The primary objective of the MPC is to determine the policy repo rate, which is the rate at which RBI lends short-term funds to commercial banks.
6. The repo rate is a key instrument used to manage inflation and ensure price stability, which is the main goal of monetary policy.
7. The committee consists of six members, ensuring a balanced representation in monetary decision-making.
8. Out of the six, three members are from the RBI, including the Governor, and three are appointed by the Central Government.
9. A minimum of four members must be present to constitute a quorum, without which decisions cannot be made.
10. The RBI Governor serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the MPC and presides over all its meetings.
11. The MPC is required to meet at least four times in a financial year, though it can meet more often if needed.
12. Each member has one vote in the decision-making process, ensuring equal say across members.
13. In case of a tie in votes, the Governor has a casting vote, giving the final decision-making authority to the Chairperson in such situations.
GRiHA Rating |
1. Prime Minister dedicated Kartavya Bhawan to the nation as part of ongoing infrastructure development.
2. Kartavya Bhawan is designed to meet GRIHA-4 green building standards, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability.
3. GRIHA-4 refers to a specific level in the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, where buildings are rated from 1 to 5 stars based on their environmental performance.
4. The building is equipped with solar panels, which harness renewable energy from the sun to reduce dependency on conventional power sources.
5. It also features a rainwater harvesting system, a technique used to collect and store rainwater for reuse, reducing strain on groundwater resources.
6. Kartavya Bhawan is part of the Common Central Secretariat buildings, planned to house various ministries and departments of the central government.
7. These buildings are being developed under the Central Vista project, a major urban redevelopment initiative in New Delhi.
8. GRIHA stands for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, which is India's national green building rating system.
9. GRIHA is a tool that assesses a building’s performance against nationally accepted benchmarks of environmental sustainability.
10. It evaluates factors like energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and indoor environmental quality.
11. The system was originally developed by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), a premier research organization working in the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable development.
12. It was adopted as the national rating system for green buildings in 2007, making it the official benchmark for sustainable construction in India.
BharatGen AI |
BharatGen AI is India’s first-of-its-kind and indigenously developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative.
It is a Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) designed to work across text, speech, and vision-language systems.
(Multimodal LLMs can process and understand multiple types of inputs—like text, audio, and images—simultaneously.)
The initiative is government-funded, highlighting national-level investment in AI for linguistic and digital inclusion.
BharatGen AI is being implemented under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
(NM-ICPS is a mission by the Department of Science and Technology to foster research in emerging technologies that integrate computing, networking, and physical processes.)
The implementation is led by the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) for Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Everything (IoE) at IIT Bombay.
(TIHs are research centers established to promote innovation in frontier areas of science and technology.)
As of now, BharatGen AI supports 9 Indian languages, marking an initial step toward broader linguistic coverage.
The Union Minister recently announced that the initiative will be expanded to cover all 22 scheduled Indian languages by the year 2026.
(The "scheduled languages" refer to the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.)
This expansion aims to ensure inclusive AI access across India's diverse linguistic landscape and bridge the language divide in digital technologies.
Refugee Camps in Sudan |
UN highlighted grim picture of world’s worst humanitarian crisis in the refugee camps in Sudan.
Refugee Camps in Sudan
Zamzam Camp: Located south of El Fasher town, the state capital of North Darfur, Sudan.
Abu Shouk Camp (“Naivasha Camp”): Situated north-west of El Fasher town.
Open Weight Reasoning Models |
OpenAI has released two open-weight language models that are designed for advanced reasoning tasks.
These models are optimised to run on laptops, making them accessible without the need for high-end hardware.
The term “Open-Weight Models” refers to models where only the pretrained parameters or weights of the neural network are released.
(Weights are the learned values that define how a model makes predictions after training.)
These weights allow users to perform inference (i.e., use the model to generate outputs) and also to fine-tune the model for specific tasks.
(Fine-tuning is the process of further training a model on a custom dataset to adapt it to specific needs.)
Unlike Open Source models, open-weight models do not include the training code, original dataset, model architecture details, or training methodology.
(Open Source models typically include all components necessary to retrain or modify the model from scratch.)
This approach offers a middle ground between full open source and closed proprietary models.
A key significance of open-weight models is that they support decentralised AI usage, allowing people to run models locally on their devices.
Running models locally enhances privacy, as user data doesn’t need to be sent to external servers.
It also improves flexibility, since developers can adapt the models to specific tasks or environments.
Additionally, this improves accessibility, making advanced AI capabilities available to a broader range of users and researchers.
Software Technology Park of India |
The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is a Science and Technology (S&T) organization under the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
STPI was established in 1991 with its Headquarters located in New Delhi.
Its core mandate is to promote the IT industry, focusing on innovation, research & development (R&D), and support for start-ups.
It also encourages product and Intellectual Property (IP) creation in emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
(Emerging technologies refer to rapidly evolving fields that have potential to impact industries and societies significantly.)
The vision of STPI is aligned with the National Policy on Software Products (NPSP), 2019.
(NPSP, 2019 aims to develop India as a global software product hub by nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.)
One of the key objectives of STPI is to promote the development and export of software and software services.
Another objective is to promote MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) by creating a conducive environment for their growth in the IT sector.
STPI also aims to provide various services to software exporters through the Software Technology Park (STP) and Electronics and Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) schemes.
(STP and EHTP schemes offer infrastructural and regulatory support to companies involved in software and electronic hardware exports.)
Recently, the Government informed the Lok Sabha that over 85% of STPI centers have been established in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
(Tier 2 and 3 cities are smaller urban centers beyond major metropolitan cities, often targeted for balanced regional development.)
These centers have collectively contributed to the creation of 2.98 lakh jobs in non-metro cities, supporting regional employment and IT growth.
Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) |
An Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) is a benefit scheme where companies provide employees the option (not the obligation) to buy shares at a predetermined price after a specific period.Employees must stay with the company for the specified vesting period to exercise the option.
Vesting period refers to the duration an employee must remain with the company before being eligible to exercise their options.
Once the options are exercised, employees can sell the shares in the open market.
The primary purpose of an ESOP is to reward employees, improve their motivation, and enhance employee retention.
It also promotes a culture of ownership among employees, aligning their interests with the company’s growth. ESOPs are regulated by the SEBI Regulations, 2021 for listed companies.
For unlisted companies, the regulation comes under the Companies Act, 2013.
The Companies Act, 2013 governs the operations of companies in India, including ESOPs in unlisted companies.
The Income Tax Act, 1961 governs the taxation related to ESOPs, including when they are exercised and sold.
The Income Tax Act, 1961 specifies the tax treatment of ESOPs for employees at different stages—exercise, sale, etc.
Environmental DNA |
Scientists are increasingly using modern tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for biodiversity conservation.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the genetic material in most organisms, responsible for storing and transmitting hereditary information.
DNA: The molecule that carries genetic instructions used in growth, development, and reproduction of organisms.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to the genetic material that organisms leave behind in their surroundings such as water, soil, or air.
This genetic material includes DNA from various sources like cells, tissues, bodily fluids, and excrement.
The application of eDNA includes mapping species presence and distribution as well as tracking ecosystem health and changes.
The significance of eDNA lies in its non-invasive and highly sensitive method of monitoring biodiversity.
Compared to traditional biomonitoring methods, eDNA analysis is rapid and cost-effective.
President's Rule |
Parliament extended President’s Rule in Manipur by six months.
President’s Rule is imposed under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution when the President believes that the state government cannot function according to the Constitution.
Article 356: A provision that allows the central government to take control of a state if the President believes the state’s governance has failed.
The imposition of President’s Rule is based on the Governor’s report or other information that indicates the state government is unable to function.
Under President’s Rule, the President assumes control over the state government functions, including the powers exercisable by the Governor or any authority in the state, except for the High Court powers.
The President can also declare that Parliament will exercise the powers of the state legislature during President’s Rule.
The duration of President’s Rule can last up to three years, but it must be approved by Parliament every six months.
President’s Rule can be revoked or altered by a subsequent Proclamation issued by the President.
Proclamation: A formal declaration issued by the President to announce changes to the governance of the state.
The Constitution includes several safeguards to prevent the misuse of President’s Rule.
Reservation of Seats for Scheduled Tribes |
The Lok Sabha passed a bill to reserve seats for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Scheduled Tribes (STs): Indigenous communities recognized by the Indian Constitution, provided with special benefits and protections.
Article 332 of the Indian Constitution mandates seat reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the legislative assemblies of all states.
Scheduled Castes (SCs): Historically disadvantaged communities recognized by the Indian Constitution with access to special privileges.
This reservation, however, does not apply to autonomous districts in Assam, where separate provisions are made.
For Assam, seats must be reserved in the Legislative Assembly for the autonomous districts as per special provisions.
The number of reserved seats must be proportional to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in the state.
Proportional Representation: Allocation of seats based on the proportion of a specific community's population in a region.
It ensures that reserved seats reflect the exact demographic proportion of SC/ST communities in the state.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) |
In the Vanashakti v. Union of India case, the Supreme Court struck down the Centre's exemption, which allowed industrial sheds, schools, colleges, and hostels to bypass environmental clearance (EC) if they followed eco-friendly measures.
The Court ruled that all large construction projects (over 20,000 sq. m) have an impact on the environment and must go through the clearance process outlined in the EIA Notification, 2006.
The EIA Notification, 2006 mandates that prior Environmental Clearance (EC) is required for all construction projects that are 20,000 sq. m or larger.
Under the EIA, projects are classified into two categories:
Category A: These projects require clearance from the Central Government.
Category B: These projects are cleared by the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs).
This ensures that all large-scale developments are assessed for their environmental impacts before proceeding.
Krill |
Krill, a species vital to marine food chains, is under increasing pressure due to fishing, climate change, and the growing demand for its omega-3 oil, which is used in fishmeal, pet food, and human supplements.
Krill are small pelagic crustaceans, mainly found in the Antarctic Ocean, North Atlantic, and North Pacific.
They play a crucial ecological role as a keystone species in the Antarctic ecosystem, feeding on plankton and serving as the primary food source for larger marine animals such as whales, seals, squid, and seabirds.
These crustaceans are known for their behavior of traveling in large swarms, sometimes referred to as “krill clouds.”
A study has found that krill helps remove 20 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere each year, contributing significantly to the regulation of the planet's climate.
Nilgiri Tahr |
A joint census conducted in Kerala and Tamil Nadu has reported a population of 2,668 Nilgiri tahrs.
The Nilgiri tahr is the only mountain ungulate found in southern India, among the 12 species of ungulates present in the country.
It is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu and is endemic to the Western Ghats, specifically in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The largest contiguous population of Nilgiri tahrs is found in Eravikulam National Park, a protected area in Kerala.
In terms of conservation status, the Nilgiri tahr is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of protection for wildlife in India.
Conservation efforts include initiatives like Project Nilgiri Tahr launched in Tamil Nadu in 2023, and the celebration of Nilgiri Tahr Day on 7 October to raise awareness.
The primary threats to the species include habitat loss due to the expansion of plantations, infrastructure development, and land-use changes in their natural habitat.
Sea Buckthorn |
The seeds of sea buckthorn and buckwheat, grown in the cold desert of Ladakh, are part of experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during NASA’s Crew-11 mission.
Sea buckthorn is a deciduous shrub or tree, known for its ability to improve soil, control wind and sand, and aid in soil and water conservation.
It is a pioneer species, meaning it is one of the first plants to colonize disturbed soils, making it vital for ecosystem restoration in harsh environments.
The plant is particularly well-adapted to thrive in the cold, high-altitude regions, such as those in Ladakh, where temperatures can be extreme.
Sea buckthorn is renowned for its high nutritional value, being rich in vitamins, carotenoids (a type of antioxidant), polyphenols (plant compounds with health benefits), fatty acids, and phytosterols (plant-based compounds similar to cholesterol).
Due to its antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties, sea buckthorn has significant medicinal and therapeutic potential, making it highly valued in natural health remedies.
UN World Food Programme |
India has launched a new collaborative initiative with the support of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to strengthen Rice Fortification and Supply Chain Management in Nepal.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to providing food aid to save lives and help people recover from conflicts, disasters, and the impacts of climate change.
The WFP was established in 1961 through joint efforts of the UN General Assembly and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with its headquarters in Rome, Italy.
The organization is funded through voluntary contributions from governments, corporations, and private donors.
In recognition of its tireless efforts to combat global hunger, the WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
This partnership between India and the WFP aims to enhance rice fortification, a process that enriches rice with essential nutrients, improving food security and nutrition in Nepal.
Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) |
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by the Minister of Defence, granted the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement proposals worth nearly ₹67,000 crore.
The DAC is the highest decision-making body in the Ministry of Defence, responsible for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions.
The AoN is the first step toward procuring military equipment under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), 2020.
Key technologies granted AoN include:
Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sights for BMP: These sights are designed to improve the night mobility and combat readiness of BMP (Battle Mechanized Platforms).
Compact Autonomous Surface Craft: This technology will be used for detecting and neutralising undersea threats, enhancing naval security.
Upgrade of Saksham/Spyder Air Defence Systems: This upgrade will improve integration with the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), enhancing overall air defence capabilities.
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