India's Diplomacy, Drone Warfare & Aadhaar | UPSC 2025 | 16 July Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs Analysis: 16th July 2025

(Presented by सुन लो यूपीएससी youtube channel)

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." – Confucius

Table of Contents

1. Part A: Detailed News Analysis
   1. Section 1: General Studies Paper-II
   2. Section 2: General Studies Paper-III
2. Part B: Prelims-Oriented Factual Compendium
3. Interactive Flashcards for Quick Revision
4. Part C: Mains Answer Writing Practice

Part A: Detailed News Analysis (Mains Examination Focus)

Section 1: General Studies Paper-II (Polity, Governance, Social Justice & International Relations)

1.1. India's Multilateral Diplomacy: Navigating the SCO and the China Challenge

Context: India's engagement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin, China, showcased a sophisticated dual-track strategy, particularly concerning China and terrorism.

Detailed Analysis: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for the SCO to adopt an "uncompromising position" on terrorism, directly referencing the Pahalgam terrorist attack. This firm stance, made in the presence of Pakistan and China, reiterated India's demand for accountability on cross-border terrorism. Simultaneously, the EAM's visit marked a diplomatic opening with Beijing, with discussions on "good progress" in bilateral ties and a potential meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi at the next SCO summit. This dual approach exemplifies a pragmatic diplomatic strategy: India leverages the SCO to manage its complex relationship with China while ensuring its core security concerns, like terrorism, are not diluted. This assertive participation underscores India's ability to use the SCO to advance its multi-pronged objectives, including the 'Connect Central Asia' policy and managing its continental strategy.

1.2. Strategic Autonomy vs. Great Power Politics: Decoding Trump's Ceasefire Claims

Context: Former US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan test India's commitment to strategic autonomy.

Detailed Analysis: Mr. Trump has claimed he prevented a "nuclear war" by threatening to cancel trade deals, forcing a ceasefire following the Pahalgam attack and India's retaliatory 'Operation Sindoor'. India has consistently and firmly rejected this, stating the ceasefire was a result of direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs). Prime Minister Modi explicitly told Mr. Trump that India "will never accept" third-party mediation. This episode highlights the use of narrative as a tool in statecraft, with Mr. Trump's claims likely aimed at bolstering his domestic image and creating international leverage. It poses a direct challenge to India's foundational policy of bilateralism with Pakistan and forces a delicate balance between maintaining a critical partnership with the US and defending its sovereign foreign policy principles.

1.3. Governance in Action: Aadhaar, Biometrics, and the Welfare State

Context: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has mandated a biometric update for children, raising questions about digital identity and potential exclusion.

Detailed Analysis: UIDAI has launched a campaign for the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for children aged 5 to 7. Since biometrics are not captured for children under five, this update (photograph, fingerprints, iris scan) is deemed essential for database integrity. The update is free until age seven but costs ₹100 thereafter. Crucially, a child's Aadhaar may be deactivated if the MBU is not completed after they turn seven. This policy transforms Aadhaar into a dynamic, 'life-cycle' identity system. However, deactivation raises serious concerns about exclusion, as it could deny children access to essential services like education and DBT benefits due to their guardian's inaction or socio-economic constraints. This brings the principles of the K.S. Puttaswamy judgment back into focus, questioning if database integrity can justify measures that risk excluding children from the welfare state.

1.4. Social Justice Imperative: The State of 'Untouchability' and Legal Recourse

Context: The 2022 annual report on the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, 1955, reveals a near-total failure in delivering justice against "untouchability".

Detailed Analysis: The report paints a grim picture: case pendency under the PCR Act is over 97%, and the conviction rate is effectively zero. Of 31 cases disposed of in 2022, only one resulted in conviction. While case registrations under the PCR Act have declined, they have risen under the more stringent Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. However, the problem persists, with over 2.33 lakh cases pending under the PoA Act. These statistics show that the PCR Act has become a 'law on paper' only, failing to uphold the constitutional mandate of Article 17. The issue is systemic, pointing to biased investigations, witness intimidation, and lack of judicial sensitivity. This underscores the need for comprehensive reforms beyond legislation, including police and judicial sensitization, dedicated special courts, and robust witness protection programs.

Section 2: General Studies Paper-III (Economy, S&T, Environment, Security)

2.1. The Future of Warfare: Indigenizing Drone Technology Post 'Operation Sindoor'

Context: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has declared self-reliance in UAVs and Counter-UAS as a non-negotiable "strategic imperative" for India.

Detailed Analysis: General Chauhan’s address, framed against the backdrop of 'Operation Sindoor', highlighted that while India successfully neutralized Pakistani drones, the experience underscored the critical need for indigenous systems "built for our terrain and our needs." He warned that import dependency "weakens our preparedness, limits our ability to scale up production," and creates shortfalls in critical spares. This places the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision at the heart of military doctrine, linking foreign dependence directly to battlefield vulnerability. By stating that "asymmetric drone warfare is making large platforms vulnerable," the CDS signaled a major paradigm shift in warfare, necessitating a strategic pivot towards greater investment in R&D for AI, swarm drones, and advanced non-kinetic C-UAS to create a robust domestic defence ecosystem.

2.2. A New Dawn in Space: The Axiom-4 Mission and India's Gaganyaan Ambitions

Context: The return of IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the ISS on the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission marks a strategic leap for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.

Detailed Analysis: Group Captain Shukla, the first Indian to visit the ISS, conducted over 60 experiments, including seven designed by ISRO to support Gaganyaan. These experiments are critical for understanding and mitigating the challenges of long-duration spaceflight. Key studies included:

• Myogenesis: To counter muscle atrophy in microgravity.
• Tardigrade Study: To understand how life adapts to extreme space conditions.
• Seed Sprouting: To develop sustainable food production systems in space.
• Microalgae Study: To explore regenerative life-support systems.

The Ax-4 mission was a strategic masterstroke, allowing ISRO to use a proven commercial platform to gain invaluable hands-on training and test payloads, significantly de-risking the future Gaganyaan mission. It has catalyzed a comprehensive human spaceflight ecosystem in India, fostering R&D, industrial capacity, and inspiring a new generation in STEM.

2.3. The Indian Economy: Resilience, Inflation, and Growth Trajectory

Context: Recent data paints a picture of a resilient Indian economy, driven by strong domestic fundamentals amidst global headwinds.

Detailed Analysis: The EAC-PM projects a robust GDP growth of 6.5% for FY26, more optimistic than the IMF and World Bank, citing a good monsoon and benign interest rates as key drivers. With retail inflation at a low 2.1%, the RBI has room for a policy rate cut. However, the external sector is under pressure, with a widening trade deficit ($18.78 billion) and a depreciating rupee (85.98/USD). This highlights a 'two-engine' economy: a strong domestic engine powered by government capex and reviving consumption, and a sputtering external engine. A significant positive trend is the phenomenal growth in electronics exports (up 46.93% YoY in June), indicating that policies like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme are successfully fostering a structural transformation in India's export basket toward high-technology goods.

Part B: Prelims-Oriented Factual Compendium

• Operation Sindoor: The term cited by the CDS for recent India-Pakistan hostilities involving extensive use of UAVs and C-UAS systems.
• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla: The second Indian in space and the first to visit the ISS, serving as the pilot for the private Axiom-4 mission.
• Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: India's primary law against "Untouchability," currently plagued by over 97% case pendency and a near-zero conviction rate.
• Biostimulants Regulation: Regulated under the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) Control Order (FCO), 1985. The government has ordered a crackdown on unapproved sales.
• National Quantum Mission: A government initiative under which scientists at Raman Research Institute made a breakthrough discovery about quantum noise.
• Tianjin, China: Host city for the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.
• Group of Friends (GoF): An informal UN group, co-chaired by India, to promote accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.

Interactive Flashcards for Quick Revision

India's SCO Strategy

What is India's dual-track approach at the SCO?

To firmly address cross-border terrorism while keeping diplomatic channels open with China for border de-escalation and regional stability.

Strategic Autonomy

What principle did India defend against Trump's claims?

The principle of bilateralism, unequivocally rejecting any third-party mediation in its affairs with Pakistan.

Aadhaar Biometric Update

Why is the MBU for children aged 5-7 critical?

It captures stable biometrics for the first time, turning Aadhaar into a 'life-cycle' identity, but deactivation for non-compliance risks exclusion.

PCR Act, 1955

What is the status of this anti-untouchability law?

It's practically defunct, with over 97% case pendency and an effective conviction rate of zero, indicating systemic failure in justice delivery.

'Operation Sindoor' Lesson

What is the key strategic imperative from this conflict?

Indigenization of UAVs and Counter-UAS is non-negotiable for operational readiness and national security, not just an economic choice.

Axiom-4 Mission

How did Ax-4 boost the Gaganyaan program?

It provided invaluable astronaut training and a real space environment to test critical life-support and scientific experiments, de-risking the mission.

India's Economic Engine

What is driving India's projected 6.5% GDP growth?

Strong domestic demand and government capex are acting as a cushion against global headwinds, supported by rising high-tech exports.

Quantum Physics Breakthrough

What paradoxical role can quantum noise play?

Scientists found it can create or restore quantum entanglement, turning a problem into a potential solution for robust quantum computers.

Agri-Tech Regulation

What governance gap did the biostimulants crackdown reveal?

A failure of regulatory mechanisms to keep pace with market innovation, necessitating a science-based framework to protect farmers.

Environmental Law Dilemma

What do the NGT and High Court rulings show?

A conflict between strict environmental enforcement (NGT's 'Polluter Pays') and a broader balancing act with developmental needs (High Court).

Part C: Mains Answer Writing Practice

• GS Paper-II (IR): "India's engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) reflects a complex balancing act between pursuing its strategic interests and managing relations with adversarial neighbours." In light of the recent SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting, critically analyze this statement.
• GS Paper-III (Security/S&T): "The lessons from modern conflicts have made the indigenization of asymmetric warfare technologies, like drones and counter-drone systems, a strategic imperative rather than a mere economic choice." Discuss this in the context of CDS General Anil Chauhan's recent address and its implications for India's defence preparedness.
• GS Paper-II (Social Justice): The recent government report on the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, reveals a grim picture of justice delivery. Do you think the law has become defunct? Analyze the systemic challenges that lead to high pendency and low conviction rates in cases of caste-based atrocities and suggest comprehensive reforms.