Daily Current Affairs - 7 July 2025
- TPP
- Jul 7
- 15 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 3I/ATLAS, Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor, Rio de Janeiro Declaration, BRICS Bank, defence modernisation roadmap, Phenome India Project, most equal society globally, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, National Medical Commission (NMC), Tokara Islands, Seine River, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Aadhaar-based Face Authentication and more…
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3I/ATLAS – Discovery and Significance of the Interstellar Comet |
The NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Chile recently discovered an interstellar comet named 3I/ATLAS.
This comet is active, meaning that as it approaches the Sun and heats up, it may begin to sublimate—a process where frozen gases directly turn into vapor, carrying dust and ice particles that create a glowing coma and a visible tail.
The term sublimation is a phase change from solid to gas without passing through the liquid phase, typical of cometary activity as they near the Sun.
3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object of its kind ever observed, following the famous 1I/ʻOumuamua detected in 2017 and 2I/Borisov discovered in 2019.
The designation “3I” indicates it is the third recognized interstellar object (“I” standing for interstellar), highlighting its origin from outside our solar system.
AERB Grants License for Operation of India’s First 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) |
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has officially granted the license for operation of India’s first indigenously developed 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) — specifically Units 3 and 4 — at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat.
These PHWRs mark a significant milestone in the First Stage of India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme, which is foundational to the country’s civil nuclear energy strategy.
In a PHWR (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor), natural uranium — which contains 99.28% uranium-238 and only about 0.72% uranium-235 — is used as fuel, making it economically viable for resource-limited countries like India.
A unique feature of PHWRs is the production of plutonium-239 as a by-product during operation, which is crucial for India's long-term nuclear fuel sustainability.
This plutonium-239 is later converted into a Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel, an enriched fuel that is vital for feeding the Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) of Stage Two of the programme.
Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) are advanced reactors designed to breed more fissile material than they consume, thereby making efficient use of plutonium and extending fuel availability.
A PHWR uses Heavy Water (D₂O) — which contains deuterium, a stable isotope of hydrogen — as both a coolant (to remove heat from the reactor core) and a neutron moderator (to slow down neutrons and sustain the fission chain reaction efficiently).
One of the major engineering advantages of PHWRs is their use of thin-walled pressure tubes instead of a single large pressure vessel, which allows for easier maintenance and limits the impact in case of accidental rupture, enhancing safety.
The development of PHWR technology in India began during the late 1960s with the commissioning of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-1; 220 MWe) under Indo-Canadian cooperation.
However, after Canada withdrew support in 1974 following India's first nuclear test (Pokhran-1), India undertook the challenge of developing PHWR technology indigenously.
This led to the successful creation of a standardized 220 MWe PHWR design, first implemented in the Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) in Uttar Pradesh, showcasing India's self-reliant nuclear capabilities.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which granted the operating license, was established in 1983 by the President of India under provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
AERB derives its regulatory powers from the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, ensuring legal backing for radiation and nuclear safety oversight.
The mission of AERB is to ensure that all applications of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India are managed in a way that poses no undue risk to public health or the environment.
Prime Minister visits Brazil after concluding visit to Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago |
The Prime Minister's visit to Brazil follows his engagements in Argentina and Trinidad & Tobago, as part of a broader diplomatic tour of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations.
This tour emphasizes India’s strategic focus on deepening engagement with the Global South, a term referring to developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America working to build solidarity on global issues.
The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region spans three subregions—South America, Central America, and the Caribbean—and includes a total of 45 countries.
Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region India’s economic ties with the LAC region have grown steadily, with total bilateral trade reaching USD 35.73 billion in 2023–24, including exports worth USD 14.50 billion.
Looking ahead, India has set an ambitious trade target of USD 100 billion by 2027–28, signaling a long-term commitment to economic partnership with the region.
In terms of trade rankings, LAC stands as the 8th largest source of India’s imports, while India ranks 9th among LAC’s export destinations, indicating mutual significance.
India’s major imports from the region include extractive and agricultural commodities such as crude oil, petroleum products, pearls, precious stones, and vegetable oils.
Conversely, India’s key exports to LAC include manufactured goods like motor vehicles, chemical products, and mineral fuels, showcasing complementarity in trade structures.
To boost trade further, India has signed multiple trade agreements, including a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with MERCOSUR (a South American trade bloc), and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Chile, while also negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Peru.
In the energy and infrastructure sector, the LAC region is vital for India due to its supply of critical minerals such as gold, copper, and lithium, essential for clean energy technologies and electronics.
India also maintains dynamic ties with regional groupings like CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), SICA (Central American Integration System), and CARICOM (Caribbean Community), enhancing multilateral cooperation.
Rio de Janeiro Declaration adopted in 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
The 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where member nations collectively adopted the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to multilateral cooperation.
The theme of the summit was “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, emphasizing the need for equitable representation and voice for developing nations.
A key outcome was the adoption of the BRICS Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, which called for accessible, timely, and affordable climate finance to support developing countries in achieving just transition pathways (transitioning to low-carbon economies without socio-economic disruption).
Recognizing the rapid growth of AI, leaders adopted the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, aimed at promoting responsible AI development, deployment, and usage in line with national regulations and the principles of the UN Charter.
In a major health initiative, the summit launched the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases, targeting health inequalities caused by poverty, social exclusion, and unequal access to resources.
Reinforcing global solidarity, BRICS nations reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and called for reforms in Bretton Woods institutions (e.g., IMF and World Bank) to better reflect the interests of the Global South.
The declaration also reiterated support for UN reforms, particularly advocating for a greater role for India and Brazil in the UN Security Council, in line with their growing global influence.
In a strong stand against extremism, the summit condemned all forms of terrorism, including the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, showing solidarity with victims and affected nations.
On African affairs, BRICS emphasized “African solutions to African problems”, supporting regional ownership of peace and conflict resolution, especially in Sudan and the Horn of Africa.
The leaders also underscored the value of nuclear-weapon-free zones in bolstering nuclear non-proliferation, contributing to a safer and more stable global order.
In the context of climate diplomacy, BRICS expressed support for India’s candidacy to host COP 33 of the UNFCCC in 2028, reinforcing India's climate leadership role.
New Development Bank (NDB) Updates
On the sidelines of the summit, the Board of Governors of the New Development Bank (NDB) officially admitted Colombia and Uzbekistan as borrowing members, expanding the bank's outreach and influence.
The New Development Bank (NDB) was established in 2015 by the BRICS countries as a Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects in Emerging Market Economies and Developing Countries (EMDCs).
The NDB is headquartered in Shanghai, China, and its current members include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Bangladesh, UAE, Egypt, and Algeria, with Uruguay recognized as a prospective member.
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Indian Army unveiled comprehensive defence modernisation roadmap |
The Indian Army has unveiled a comprehensive defence modernisation roadmap, aimed at significantly enhancing its multi-domain capabilities to address the evolving threats of future warfare.
A major focus area is the development of Advanced Weapon Systems, including hypersonic glide vehicles and hypersonic air-breathing engines (HEBs), which enable ultra-fast and highly manoeuvrable strikes that are difficult to intercept.
The roadmap emphasizes shifting from conventional dump ammunition (bulk, unguided stockpiles) to smart, precision-guided munitions such as loitering munitions—drones capable of hovering over targets before striking.
The Army is also advancing in Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), especially high-energy lasers and microwave systems, for applications such as anti-drone operations, missile defence, and anti-satellite warfare.
In the domain of Cyber and Electronic Warfare (EW), the Army seeks to achieve spectrum dominance by developing autonomous EW systems, robust cyber defence tools, and resilient satellite networks that can withstand cyber and electronic threats.
Soldier-centric modernization is a priority, with plans to equip troops with exoskeletons (wearable mechanical frames for strength), human augmentation systems, smart body armour, and augmented reality-based battlefield management systems.
Enhancements also include AI-powered helmets, smart combat apparel, and real-time health monitoring, ensuring better decision-making, survivability, and situational awareness in high-stress battlefield conditions.
In terms of logistics and infrastructure, the roadmap promotes AI, blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT) integration to build green, cyber-resilient, and sustainable supply chains, minimizing delays and increasing operational readiness.
A key pillar of the roadmap is synergy among the military, policymakers, and industry, where the military defines capability needs, policymakers build supportive frameworks, and industry delivers tailored innovations through R&D and production.
India’s Broader Initiatives for Armed Forces Modernisation
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National Biobank inaugurated at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) |
The National Biobank was recently inaugurated at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), marking a major step in developing India’s own longitudinal health database—a dataset that follows individuals’ health over extended periods.
This facility is designed to boost India’s capacity in precision medicine (tailored healthcare based on individual variability) and biomedical research, by offering access to diverse biological and health data.
The Biobank has been launched under the Phenome India Project, a unique initiative modeled after the UK Biobank, but specifically customized for India’s vast genetic and lifestyle diversity.
Its primary purpose is to support early diagnosis, enable targeted therapies, and strengthen efforts against complex diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and rare genetic diseases.
A key feature of this initiative is the generation of high-resolution data, which will be crucial for developing AI-driven diagnostics and gene-guided therapies (treatments based on individual genetic profiles).
The National Biobank aims to collect comprehensive genomic, clinical, and lifestyle data from 10,000 individuals across India, making it one of the most ambitious health data projects in the country.
This project is a part of the Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase (PI-CheCK), officially launched by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2023.
PI-CheCK is envisioned as a long-term, data-rich cohort study that will track the health trajectories (patterns of health changes over time) of selected individuals, contributing valuable insights into public health trends and disease risks.
The term "Phenome" refers to the entire set of phenotypes expressed in a cell, tissue, organ, organism, or species.
A phenotype is the set of observable traits or characteristics—such as appearance, behavior, and development—of an organism, shaped by both its genotype (genetic makeup) and environmental influences.
Read Also | Phenome India ‘National Biobank’
India has been ranked as the 4th most equal society globally: World Bank |
India has been ranked as the 4th most equal society globally based on the Gini Index, following the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus.
The Gini Index, a widely used measure of income inequality, assigns a score from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (perfect inequality); a lower score indicates a more equal income distribution.
India's Gini score improved significantly from 28.8 in 2011-12 to 25.5 in 2022-23, placing it within the ‘moderately low’ inequality category (scores between 25–30).
With this Gini score, India has outperformed several major economies, including G7 and G20 members like China (35.7) and the United States (41.8).
India is now only a fraction away from entering the ‘low inequality’ category, which includes countries with Gini scores below 25.
Alongside improved equality, extreme poverty—defined as living on less than $2.15 per day (per World Bank’s international poverty line)—declined sharply from 16.2% in 2011-12 to just 2.3% in 2022-23.
This dramatic reduction lifted around 171 million people out of extreme poverty, reflecting substantial progress in inclusive economic development.
Under the World Bank’s revised threshold for poverty at $3.00 per day, India’s poverty rate in 2022-23 would adjust to 5.3%, still marking a major decline.
The Lorenz Curve, a graphical representation used to calculate the Gini Index, plots the cumulative share of income received by the bottom x% of the population against the entire population, showing inequality visually.
National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) |
In a recent ruling, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) clarified that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 does not override the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
This judgment reinforces that insolvency resolution under IBC cannot be used as a shield against actions taken under anti-money laundering laws, which aim to prevent and penalize financial crimes.
NCLAT was established under the Companies Act, 2013 as a quasi-judicial body to hear appeals against the orders of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
Beyond company law matters, NCLAT also serves as the Appellate Tribunal for decisions issued by key regulatory bodies such as the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), the Competition Commission of India (CCI), and the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).
The principal bench of NCLAT is located in New Delhi, ensuring centralized access to appellate justice in corporate and insolvency-related cases.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 is a comprehensive framework for resolving insolvency of companies and individuals in a time-bound manner, whereas the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 focuses on combating illegal money generation and laundering.
The recent verdict highlights the principle of harmonious interpretation—ensuring different laws operate concurrently without one nullifying the other—especially in cases involving financial crimes and insolvency.
Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 |
A Delhi court recently declared a U.K.-based arms consultant as a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, marking another step in India’s efforts to bring financial fugitives to justice.
The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 was enacted to deter economic offenders from evading the Indian legal system by staying abroad.
Under this Act, a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) is defined as an individual against whom an arrest warrant has been issued for a scheduled offence, and who either leaves India to avoid prosecution or refuses to return to face legal proceedings.
A scheduled offence refers to any criminal offence listed in the Schedule of the Act, involving a total value of ₹100 crore or more, typically including fraud, money laundering, and corruption-related crimes.
To initiate the process, the designated authority must file an application before a Special Court to declare a person as an FEO.
This Special Court is a Court of Session specifically designated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, to handle such high-value financial crime cases.
The Act aims to confiscate properties and assets of declared FEOs, even before their conviction, in order to ensure that economic justice is served and that offenders do not benefit from their misconduct.
National Medical Commission (NMC) |
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently notified the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, introducing updated standards for medical teaching personnel across India.
These regulations have been framed and issued by the Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), an autonomous body functioning under the NMC that oversees postgraduate medical education standards.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is India’s apex regulatory authority for medical education and professional practice, ensuring quality and accountability in the healthcare system.
The NMC was established through the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI), which had been criticized for inefficiency and lack of transparency.
Among its core responsibilities, the NMC is mandated to formulate policies and standards for regulating medical institutions, guide medical research, and maintain ethical and educational standards for medical professionals.
These new faculty qualification norms reflect NMC’s broader aim to modernize medical education governance, promote academic excellence, and align India's medical standards with global best practices.
Tokara Islands in Southern Japan |
The Tokara Islands in southern Japan have recently experienced over 1,000 earthquakes, highlighting significant seismic activity in the region.
This intense earthquake activity is linked to Japan’s position as one of the world’s most seismically active countries, located at the convergence of four major tectonic plates.
These tectonic plates lie along the western edge of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a geologically active zone characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Tokara Islands Geographically, the Tokara Islands form an archipelago—a chain of islands—situated south of Kyushu, Japan’s third-largest island, and north of the Amami Islands.
Among the islands, Toshima stands out as Japan’s longest village, known for its unique cultural and natural features.
Seine River – Reopening for Public Swimming |
For the first time since 1923, Paris has opened the Seine River to public swimming, marking a historic moment in the city’s relationship with its iconic river.
This reopening followed an extensive clean-up operation, which was accelerated by the Paris Olympics last year, where parts of the Seine served as venues for certain swimming events.
Previously, the river suffered from contamination due to E. coli bacteria, originating from untreated sewage discharge in Paris’ aging sewage system, making swimming unsafe.
The Seine River is France’s second longest river, after the Loire River, and holds great cultural and economic importance.
Seine River It originates approximately 30 km northwest of Dijon, flows northwest through the heart of Paris, and ultimately empties into the English Channel at the port city of Le Havre.
The English Channel is the body of water separating southern England from northern France, connecting the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve |
The leopard population in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) has surged by an impressive 198.91% since 2022, indicating a significant conservation success.
Located in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, DTR lies along the Indo-Nepal border, making it a crucial area for cross-border wildlife movement.
The reserve comprises the Dudhwa National Park and two wildlife sanctuaries: Katerniaghat and Kishanpur, together forming a vast protected ecosystem.
DTR is part of the Tarai-Bhabar habitat, characterized by a unique landscape of marshy grasslands and forested alluvial plains, typical of the upper Gangetic plains bio-geographic province.
Several rivers, including the Mohana, Suheli, Joraha, and Nagro, flow through the reserve, supporting its rich biodiversity.
The fauna of DTR is diverse, housing species such as tigers, leopards, rhinoceros, swamp deer, elephants, sambar deer, hog deer, and the sloth bear, reflecting the reserve’s ecological richness.
The term Terai-Bhabar habitat refers to a lowland area adjacent to the Himalayan foothills, known for its fertile soil and dense forests, providing critical wildlife corridors.
Aadhaar-based Face Authentication (FaceAuth) – Himachal Pradesh’s New Initiative |
Himachal Pradesh has become the first Indian state to implement Aadhaar-based face authentication (FaceAuth) for distributing ration under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) introduced face authentication as an additional, secure mode of Aadhaar-based identity verification.
Apart from face authentication, other existing Aadhaar authentication methods include OTP (One-Time Password)-based, fingerprint, and iris-based verification.
The face authentication process operates on a 1:1 matching system, where the facial image captured during verification is matched against the stored facial image in the Aadhaar Repository linked to the individual’s Aadhaar number.
The Aadhaar number is a unique 12-digit identity number issued by UIDAI, which serves as a digital proof of identity and address for Indian residents.
This biometric authentication aims to enhance security and prevent fraud in government welfare schemes like the PDS by ensuring that benefits reach the rightful beneficiaries.
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