ICJ on Climate, National Sports Bill, India-UK FTA | Sunlo UPSC | UPSC Current Affairs 23 July 2025

Daily Current Affairs Analysis for UPSC Civil Services: 23rd July 2025

Expert-in-Charge: Dr. Arindam Ghosh, Senior Fellow, Centre for Public Policy and Governance

Dr. Ghosh holds a PhD in Political Science with a specialization in Constitutional Studies and International Relations. With over two decades of experience, he has contributed extensively to policy analysis, authored several papers in peer-reviewed journals, and regularly advises governmental bodies. His work focuses on the intersection of governance, law, and international diplomacy, making him uniquely qualified to dissect the day's events for the rigorous demands of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Table of Contents

  1. Motivational Quote for the Day
  2. Today's Key Headlines at a Glance
  3. Detailed Analysis of Current Events (UPSC Syllabus-wise)
  4. UPSC Exam Corner

A. Motivational Quote for the Day

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." – Socrates.

B. Today's Key Headlines at a Glance

  • Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns: Citing health reasons, the Vice President steps down, prompting the Election Commission to initiate the process for the next election.
  • Parliament Stalled Over Bihar Electoral Revision: The Monsoon Session's third day is washed out as the Opposition protests the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
  • National Sports Governance Bill Tabled: The government introduces a landmark bill in Lok Sabha to bring all National Sports Federations, including the BCCI, under a unified regulatory framework.
  • ICJ Delivers Landmark Climate Opinion: The International Court of Justice issues its advisory opinion on the obligations of states regarding climate change, a move with far-reaching implications for global climate policy and law.
  • PM Modi in UK for FTA Signing: The Prime Minister begins his visit to the UK to sign the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement, with the Union Cabinet having already approved the pact.
  • India Resumes Tourist Visas for China: In a significant move, India announces the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals for the first time in five years since the Galwan clash.
  • Government Rebuts Reuters Poll on Jobs Data: The Ministry of Labour and Employment issues a detailed rebuttal to a Reuters poll that questioned the accuracy of official unemployment statistics.
  • Russia Issues Stern Warning to Europe: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accuses Europe of "Goebbels-style propaganda" and warns of firm responses to provocations.
  • India's 'Neighbourhood First' in Action: India dispatches a team of medical specialists to Bangladesh to assist victims of the tragic air force jet crash in Dhaka.
  • Deepfake Case Highlights Legal Gaps: A case of an Indian woman's identity being stolen for creating erotic AI content brings the legal and ethical challenges of deepfake technology into sharp focus.

C. Detailed Analysis of Current Events (UPSC Syllabus-wise)

Part I: Polity, Governance, and Social Justice (GS Paper-II)

1. Constitutional Crossroads: The Vice President's Resignation and the Election Process

Relevance for UPSC:

  • Prelims: Constitutional provisions related to the Vice President (Articles 66, 67, 68), election process, electoral college, eligibility.
  • Mains (GS Paper-II): Functions and responsibilities of the Union, separation of powers, pressure on constitutional authorities, role of the Election Commission.

Context: On July 22, 2025, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation, a move that was officially notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The stated reason for this abrupt departure was to "prioritise health care and abide by medical advice". Following the resignation, which President Droupadi Murmu accepted, the Election Commission of India (ECI) promptly announced that it had initiated the preparatory activities for conducting the Vice Presidential election.

The Constitutional Machinery in Motion:

The resignation of a sitting Vice President sets into motion a well-defined constitutional process.

  • Vacancy Creation (Article 67): The resignation was submitted under Article 67(a) of the Constitution. Article 68(2) specifies that an election to fill such a vacancy must be held "as soon as possible". The newly elected Vice President will hold office for a full five-year term.
  • The Election Process (Article 66): The ECI, under Article 324, conducts the election as per the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
  • Electoral College: The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of all members (both elected and nominated) of both Houses of Parliament—the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
  • Method of Election: The election is held via the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (STV), and voting is by secret ballot.
  • Eligibility and Nomination: A candidate must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, and qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha. They cannot hold any office of profit.

The Vice Presidential Election at a Glance

Feature Constitutional Provision Description
Electoral College Article 66(1) All members (elected and nominated) of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Eligibility Article 66(3) Citizen of India, 35+ years, qualified for Rajya Sabha membership, no office of profit.
Term of Office Article 67 Five years from the date of entering office.
Vacancy by Resignation Articles 67(a) & 68(2) Resigns by writing to the President. Election to be held "as soon as possible".
Election Method Article 66(1) Proportional Representation by means of Single Transferable Vote (STV); secret ballot.

Political Undercurrents and Analysis:

While the official reason for the resignation is health, it has been met with skepticism. The episode has become a critical case study on the pressures faced by constitutional functionaries in a polarized political environment, raising questions about the neutrality of the Vice President's office and its implications for the separation of powers.

D. UPSC Exam Corner

1. Motivation for Aspirants

Today's events offer a powerful lesson in perseverance and perspective. Just as the Parliament faced a deadlock, your preparation will inevitably have days of stagnation and frustration. There will be times when you feel no progress is being made. The key is to do what the Houses aimed to do: reconvene, refocus, and ensure that the important business of completing your syllabus is not permanently stalled by temporary disruptions. Similarly, the debate on jobs data teaches us to look beyond the headlines. True understanding, like a good Mains answer, lies not in accepting one narrative but in critically analyzing both sides to form a nuanced, balanced conclusion. Stay resilient, stay analytical.

2. Mains Practice Question

Question: The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, represents a legislative attempt to resolve the long-standing conflict between the autonomy of sports bodies and the need for public accountability. Critically analyze the provisions of the bill and assess whether it strikes an effective balance. (250 words)

3. Daily Current Affairs Quiz (5 Questions)

  1. The electoral college for the election of the Vice President of India consists of:
    1. Elected members of Parliament only
    2. All members of Parliament only
    3. All members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies
    4. Elected members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies

    Answer: (b) All members of Parliament only

  2. The recently delivered Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) primarily concerns:
    1. The legality of unilateral sanctions
    2. The obligations of states regarding climate change
    3. The definition of terrorism under international law
    4. Maritime boundary disputes in the South China Sea

    Answer: (b) The obligations of states regarding climate change

  3. The 'National Sports Governance Bill, 2025', recently tabled in Parliament, aims to bring which major sports body under its purview for the first time?
    1. Hockey India
    2. All India Football Federation
    3. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
    4. Athletics Federation of India

    Answer: (c) Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

  4. The term 'Special Intensive Revision (SIR)', recently in the news, is related to:
    1. Tax collection procedures
    2. Parliamentary rules of business
    3. Revision of university syllabus
    4. Updating of electoral rolls

    Answer: (d) Updating of electoral rolls

  5. As per the recently finalized India-UK FTA, India has agreed to significantly reduce tariffs on which of the following British products?
    1. Pharmaceuticals and medical devices
    2. Scotch whisky and cars
    3. Financial services
    4. Agricultural produce

    Answer: (b) Scotch whisky and cars

4. Flashcards for Revision (Click/Tap to Flip)

Card 1: Article 66

(Click to see details)

Governs the election of the Vice President of India. Electoral college includes all MPs (elected + nominated). Method is Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote.

Card 2: Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

(Click to see details)

A non-routine, door-to-door enumeration to create a fresh, error-free electoral roll. Recently conducted in Bihar, causing controversy over timing and potential exclusion.

Card 3: National Sports Tribunal

(Click to see details)

Key feature of the Sports Governance Bill, 2025. A quasi-judicial body to be the primary forum for resolving sports-related disputes, headed by a retired SC judge.

Card 4: ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate

(Click to see details)

Landmark opinion clarifying states' binding legal obligations on climate change, linking it to human rights and historical responsibility. Moves from political pledges to legal duties.

Card 5: India-UK FTA

(Click to see details)

Aims to double bilateral trade. India reduces tariffs on whisky/cars; UK on textiles/leather. Part of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Card 6: Deepfake

(Click to see details)

Synthetic media created using AI (like GANs). Poses threats of disinformation, fraud, and harassment. India currently lacks a specific law to regulate it.

Card 7: PLFS

(Click to see details)

Periodic Labour Force Survey. Conducted by NSO (MoSPI). India's official source for employment/unemployment data (LFPR, WPR, UR).

Card 8: 'Neighbourhood First' Policy

(Click to see details)

India's foreign policy focus on prioritizing relations with South Asian neighbours. Demonstrated by rapid HADR support, like medical aid to Bangladesh after the Dhaka air crash.

Card 9: Sawan Shivratri / Kanwar Yatra

(Click to see details)

Major Hindu festival/pilgrimage in North India during the month of Shravan. Led to school closures on July 23. (GS-I: Culture)

Card 10: FT-7BGI Aircraft

(Click to see details)

Chinese-made training fighter jet used by the Bangladesh Air Force. One crashed into a school in Dhaka on July 21, 2025.

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