Current Affairs - 5th July 2025 | Sunlo UPSC Special
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS: 5TH JULY 2025
A comprehensive summary with revision tools based on analysis from PIB, The Hindu, The Indian Express, and other credible sources.
PART A: KEY TAKEAWAYS & SHORT NOTES
GS PAPER 2: GOVERNANCE, POLITY & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. INDIA-TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO RELATIONS
- Context: First Indian PM visit in 25 years, marking the 180th anniversary of Indian arrival in T&T.
- Key Agreements: Six MoUs signed in areas like Pharmaceuticals, Development (QIPs), Culture, Sports, and Diplomacy.
- Digital Diplomacy: T&T became the first Caribbean nation to adopt India's UPI, a major success for India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model.
- Diaspora Connect: OCI card eligibility extended to the 6th generation of the Indian diaspora.
- Global Cooperation: T&T reaffirmed full support for India's permanent UNSC membership and joined the CDRI and Global Biofuel Alliance.
2. INDIA-CHINA TENSIONS: TIBET AND SECURITY
- Context: Two major friction points emerged: the Dalai Lama's succession and the China-Pakistan military nexus.
- Tibet Issue: China warned India after a Union Minister supported the Dalai Lama's right to choose his successor. India's official MEA stance is neutral, stating it "does not take any position" on religious matters.
- Military Nexus Exposed: Indian Army Deputy Chief revealed that during 'Operation Sindoor', China provided "live inputs" and real-time intelligence to the Pakistani military.
- Strategic Implications: The "two-front threat" has evolved into a proven tactical reality. China uses the India-Pakistan conflict as a "live lab" to test its military systems.
3. INDIA-US TRADE DEAL CONUNDRUM
- Context: Intense negotiations to avert a tariff war, with the US demanding greater market access for its agricultural products.
- India's Stance: India has threatened retaliatory tariffs worth $723.75 million and insists it will not sign a deal under pressure, prioritizing national interest.
- Core Deadlock: US wants lower tariffs on dairy, poultry, and GM products. India resists to protect its farmers and due to health/cultural concerns.
- Policy Shift: This shows India's ability to decouple strategic partnership from economic nationalism, asserting economic sovereignty while maintaining security ties (e.g., QUAD).
4. FEDERALISM AND THE JUDICIARY
- Governor's Role: The Supreme Court is examining a Tamil Nadu law that curtails the Governor's power to appoint Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of state universities, a major federal flashpoint.
- Judicial Transparency: The CJI has committed to greater transparency in judicial appointments. The SC now publishes Collegium resolutions and judges' asset declarations on its website.
- Analysis: The VC appointment issue tests the balance between state autonomy (Education is on the Concurrent List) and Central control. The judiciary's move towards transparency strengthens its credibility as an impartial arbiter.
5. THE PUDUCHERRY MODEL FOR TB ELIMINATION
- Context: Puducherry has emerged as a frontrunner in India's mission to eliminate TB by 2025, recording a 59% reduction in TB incidence.
- Core Innovation: The UT integrated TB screening into the Family Adoption Programme (FAP), where every MBBS student adopts families.
- How it Works: Students conduct screenings, provide counseling, and use modern tech like AI-enabled X-rays and molecular diagnostics (CBNAAT/Truenat).
- Significance: This is a highly effective, low-cost, and replicable model of "frugal innovation" that leverages existing resources (medical students) to achieve a national health goal.
GS PAPER 3: TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & SECURITY
1. REFORMING GST
- Context: A Group of Ministers (GoM) met to tackle slowing revenue growth and fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims amounting to Rs 2 lakh crore.
- New Rules (from July 2025):
- GSTR-3B Locking: The form becomes non-editable after auto-population from GSTR-1.
- Time-barring: A three-year deadline is now imposed for filing past returns.
- Implications: The GST regime is shifting from a "trust-based" to a "system-driven" model, increasing the compliance burden on businesses, especially MSMEs.
2. INITIATIVES IN R&D AND AVIATION
- RDI Scheme: The Cabinet approved a Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme to provide low-interest financing for private sector R&D.
- Implementing Bodies: The scheme will be anchored by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and implemented by the DST.
- Aviation Growth: India has built 88 new airports in the last 10 years, increasing the total to 159, driven by the UDAN scheme to boost regional connectivity.
- Synergy: Aviation expansion provides the "hardware" (physical connectivity), while the RDI scheme builds the "software" (innovation), a two-pronged strategy for a high-value economy.
3. HIMALAYAN ECOLOGY UNDER STRESS
- Context: The Southwest Monsoon caused severe devastation in Himachal Pradesh, with 69 fatalities and over Rs 400 crore in losses. Mandi district is the worst-hit.
- Compounded Risk: The disaster is not just a natural hazard but a result of climate change amplifying risks on a fragile ecosystem weakened by unplanned development (e.g., reckless construction, mining).
- Governance Gap: While post-disaster response (NDRF, SDRF) is strong, the pre-disaster phases of Prevention, Mitigation, and Preparedness are weak.
- Core Issue: The focus remains on reactive disaster management instead of proactive risk reduction and integrating ecological sustainability into development planning.
PART B: REVISION FLASHCARDS (CLICK TO FLIP)
Which Caribbean country first adopted India's UPI?
Trinidad and Tobago
What is the corpus of the newly approved RDI Scheme?
Rs 1 lakh crore
Which Indian military operation confirmed the China-Pakistan military nexus?
Operation Sindoor
Which UT is pioneering TB elimination by integrating screening with the Family Adoption Programme (FAP)?
Puducherry
What is the new time limit for filing past-due GST returns as of July 2025?
Three years from the original due date.
Which body will anchor the new RDI Scheme?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
To which generation has India extended OCI card eligibility in Trinidad and Tobago?
The sixth generation of the Indian diaspora.
What is India's official MEA stance on the Dalai Lama's succession?
That it does not take any position on matters concerning religious faith and practices.
How many new airports have been built in India in the last 10 years?
88 new airports, bringing the total to 159.
The Puducherry TB model requires which group of students to adopt families?
MBBS students
What is the primary reason for the deadlock in India-US trade talks?
US demand for market access for its agricultural products (including GM crops).
Which district was worst-hit by the 2025 monsoon fury in Himachal Pradesh?
Mandi district
What is the key change to the GSTR-3B form from July 2025?
It will be locked and non-editable after auto-population from GSTR-1.
Which two global initiatives did Trinidad and Tobago recently join, showing support for India?
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuel Alliance.
The term "compounded risk" in the context of Himalayan disasters refers to the interaction between natural hazards, climate change, and what?
Anthropogenic factors (man-made vulnerabilities) like unplanned development.
The Supreme Court is reviewing state laws that challenge the Governor's role as what in universities?
Ex-officio Chancellor, responsible for appointing Vice-Chancellors.
What advanced diagnostic tools are used in Puducherry's TB model?
CBNAAT, Truenat, and AI-enabled handheld X-rays.
The Indian Army described the India-Pakistan border conflict as a ______ for China.
"live lab"
What is the name of the scheme driving regional airport development in India?
Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme.
The shift in the GST regime is from a "trust-based" model to a...?
"system-driven" model.
PART C: REVISION QUIZZES
1. As per the new GST rules from July 2025, what happens to the GSTR-3B form?
2. The "Puducherry Model" for TB elimination uniquely involves which group in its public health strategy?
3. What was a significant diplomatic outcome of the Indian PM's visit to Trinidad and Tobago regarding global governance?
4. The Indian Army revealed that China provided "live intelligence" to Pakistan during which operation?
5. The Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Scheme is designed primarily to stimulate R&D in which sector?
6. The recurring disasters in Himachal Pradesh are described as "compounded risks" because they result from the interplay of climate change, fragile geology, and...?
7. The primary point of contention in the India-US trade negotiations is:
8. The constitutional conflict between the Tamil Nadu government and the Governor's office revolves around the power to appoint:
9. According to the Civil Aviation Minister, what has been the rate of airport construction in India over the last decade?
10. India's official stance on the Dalai Lama's succession is an example of what foreign policy approach towards China?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"The journey to success is not just about reaching the destination, but about the transformation you undergo along the way. Embrace the struggle, for it is the stepping stone to greatness. Your dedication today will define your destiny tomorrow. Success is not given; it is earned. Stay focused, stay determined, and never lose sight of the noble purpose that drives you."
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