Mumbai Blast Verdict, NISAR Mission, VP Resignation | UPSC Analysis | Current Affairs 22 July 2025
Daily Current Affairs Analysis for UPSC CSE: 22nd July 2025
“Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.” – Margaret Chase Smith
Section 1: General Studies Paper 2 - Polity, Governance, and International Relations
1.1 Polity & Governance: Major Developments
1.1.1 Constitutional Crossroads: The Vice-President's Resignation and Succession
Context: In a significant political development, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, aged 74, resigned from his post on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons. The resignation occurred on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, a session he had just begun to preside over as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. This unexpected departure from the country's second-highest constitutional office has triggered a well-defined, yet nuanced, constitutional process for filling the vacancy and has set the stage for a major political exercise.
The Constitutional Framework for a Vacancy
The procedure for handling a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President (VP) is detailed in the Constitution of India, primarily under Articles 67 and 68.
- Resignation Process: As per Article 67, the Vice-President may resign from office by submitting a letter of resignation addressed to the President of India. The resignation becomes effective from the day it is accepted by the President.
- Mandate for Election: Article 68(2) of the Constitution is unequivocal in its directive. It states that an election to fill a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President occurring due to death, resignation, or removal "shall be held as soon as possible after the occurrence of the vacancy". This phrasing emphasizes the urgency of filling the post without specifying a rigid timeline.
- Term of Office for the Successor: A crucial feature of this process is that the person elected to fill a mid-term vacancy does not merely serve the remainder of the predecessor's term. Instead, they are entitled to hold office for a "full term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office".
- The Election Process: The ECI, under the authority of Article 324, is responsible for conducting the election. The electoral college for the Vice-Presidential election consists of all members, both elected and nominated, of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
The Constitutional Silence and Its Practical Implications
While the process for electing a new Vice-President is clear, the Constitution is silent on who performs the duties of the Vice-President in the interim period. There is no provision for an "acting" Vice-President. This apparent constitutional gap, however, does not lead to a governance crisis. The VP's primary, day-to-day constitutional duty is to serve as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over the proceedings of the House, ensuring legislative functions continue without interruption.
1.1.2 The 7/11 Blasts Verdict: A Critical Analysis of Justice, Investigation, and Accountability
Context: In a landmark judgment, the Bombay High Court on July 21, 2025, acquitted all 12 individuals accused in the 2006 Mumbai serial train bombings case. This verdict overturns the 2015 ruling by a special MCOCA court, which had sentenced five of the accused to death and seven to life imprisonment. The High Court's decision is a scathing indictment of the investigation and prosecution.
High Court's Rationale: A Systemic Failure of Prosecution
The High Court's 671-page judgment systematically dismantled the prosecution's case, concluding that it had "utterly failed to establish the offence beyond reasonable doubt".
- Coerced and Unreliable Confessions: The confessions were discarded as "unreliable and inadmissible," with the court finding credible evidence of "barbaric and inhuman" torture by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
- Flawed Witness Testimonies: The court found the evidence of eyewitnesses to be "not safe" and noted that some witnesses were "stock witnesses" who had appeared in multiple unrelated cases for the police.
- Broken Chain of Evidence: The prosecution failed to establish a coherent and unbroken chain of circumstantial evidence, including the inability to prove the type of explosives used.
- Improper Application of MCOCA: The court held that the initial approval to invoke the stringent MCOCA was vitiated by a "complete non-application of mind" by the sanctioning authority.
Implications and Deeper Analysis: The verdict represents a dual and catastrophic failure of justice. For the 12 men who lost 18 years of their lives, it is an irreversible injustice. For the victims and their families, the real perpetrators remain unpunished. The verdict is a judicial call for urgent and systemic reforms, underscoring the pressing need for comprehensive police reforms, as recommended by the Prakash Singh Committee.
1.1.3 Upholding Rights at the Grassroots: The NHRC's Camp Sitting in Odisha
Context: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is conducting a two-day 'Camp Sitting' in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This initiative aims to address human rights grievances directly at the state level, enhancing accessibility and ensuring speedier justice.
Purpose and Modalities of the Camp Sitting: The core objectives are to bring justice closer by hearing pending cases locally, engage with senior state officials on systemic issues, and dialogue with civil society organizations (CSOs) to understand local challenges. The cases taken up are a microcosm of India's human rights challenges, including attacks on journalists, crimes against women, violations from accusations of witchcraft, and failures in public service delivery.
1.1.4 Governance in Focus: Key Policy and Institutional Updates
Delhi's Draft Industrial Policy 2025-35: The Delhi government has unveiled a draft policy to transform the capital into a "future-ready, non-polluting industrial ecosystem" focused on frontier technologies like AI, Fintech, and Biotechnology. It proposes significant fiscal incentives and governance reforms, such as single-window portals and AI-driven approvals.
'Meri Panchayat' App: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj's 'Meri Panchayat' mobile application won the prestigious WSIS Champion Award 2025. The app enhances transparency and accountability by providing citizens access to panchayat budgets, plans, and a platform to register geo-tagged complaints.
1.2 International Relations: India and the World
1.2.1 Decoding the India-US 'Mini' Trade Deal Negotiations
Context: India and the United States are in advanced negotiations for a "mini" trade deal, with an announcement anticipated by September or October 2025. The talks focus on tariffs and market access.
Key Negotiating Positions: India is pushing for a tariff rate significantly below 20% on its goods, while the US demands greater market access for its automobiles, dairy, and agricultural products. India's counter-demands focus on enhanced access for its textiles and electronics sectors. The most contentious issue remains the opening of India's agriculture and dairy sectors, though India may show flexibility on GM products for animal feed.
1.2.2 Global Flashpoints: Assessing Developments in Ukraine and Iran
Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks: A new round of talks is set for Istanbul, amid an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump for Russia to agree to a ceasefire. NATO has also threatened secondary sanctions against countries like India if they fail to pressure Russia towards peace.
Iran-E3 Nuclear Dialogue: Iran is set to meet with the E3 (UK, France, Germany) to discuss its nuclear program. The E3 has threatened to trigger the "snapback" mechanism of the JCPOA to reimpose UN sanctions, while Iran maintains a defiant stance, demanding the complete lifting of sanctions.
1.2.3 India's Neighbourhood First Policy: Responding to the Dhaka Tragedy
Context: A catastrophic plane crash in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killed at least 27 people, mostly students. India's leadership responded immediately. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and made a clear offer of help: "India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance."
Analysis: This response is a clear illustration of the 'Neighbourhood First' policy in action. Such gestures of humanitarian diplomacy build deep and durable trust, reinforcing India's role as a reliable and responsive regional leader.
Section 2: General Studies Paper 3 - Economy, S&T, Environment, and Security
2.1 The Indian Economy
2.1.1 State of Agriculture: Kharif Sowing Progress and Monsoon Impact
Context: As of mid-July 2025, overall Kharif sowing is 4% higher than last year. However, this masks significant regional variations due to erratic monsoon distribution.
Crop-wise Analysis: Sowing of rice (+12.4%) and coarse cereals (+13.6%) shows robust growth. However, oilseeds (-3.7%, especially soybean) and cotton (-3.4%) are lagging. This pattern could help contain cereal inflation but may fuel price rises in edible oils.
| Crop | Area Sown 2025 (lakh ha) | Area Sown 2024 (lakh ha) |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 176.68 | 157.21 |
| Pulses | 81.98 | 80.13 |
| Shri Anna + Coarse Cereals | 129.53 | 114.00 |
| Oilseeds | 159.43 | 165.56 |
| Cotton | 98.55 | 101.95 |
| Total | 708.31 | 680.38 |
Monsoon Performance: Overall rainfall is 7% above average, but there are stark regional disparities. Eastern and Northeastern India face deficits, while southern states like Andhra Pradesh have a deficit of nearly 25%, stressing agricultural activities.
2.1.2 Building a Bio-Economy: India's National BioE3 Policy
Context: The Government of India is actively promoting its national BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment). The vision is to expand India's bio-economy to USD 300 billion by 2030 by fostering a "Circular Bioeconomy." The policy focuses on high-potential areas like smart proteins, bio-based chemicals, and climate-resilient agriculture, aligning with national missions like 'Net Zero' and 'Viksit Bharat 2047'.
2.1.3 Economic Governance and Corporate Strategy Updates
Zomato's 'Rotational Leadership' Model: Zomato's parent company, Eternal, has introduced a novel "Rotational Leadership" model where CEO roles for business verticals are time-bound (typically two years). The rationale is to instill "structural agility," prevent complacency, and build a resilient organization led by "principles, not personalities." This is a significant experiment in modern corporate governance.
2.2 Science, Technology, and Environment
2.2.1 NISAR Mission: The Indo-US Eye on a Changing Planet
Context: The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is scheduled for launch on July 30, 2025, from Sriharikota aboard an Indian GSLV rocket. This is a landmark collaboration between the two space agencies.
Technical Capabilities: NISAR is the world's first satellite to carry dual-frequency radar (L-band from NASA, S-band from ISRO). It will map Earth's land and ice surfaces every 12 days with unprecedented high resolution, capable of detecting changes as small as a centimeter. Its SAR technology allows all-weather, day-and-night observation. All data collected will be made freely and openly available to the public, acting as a global public good.
2.2.2 Artificial Intelligence for Public Service Delivery
Context: Indian Railways has announced its plan to launch an AI-enabled chatbot for grievance redressal. This marks a transition from static e-governance (informational portals) to an interactive, responsive, and efficient model of service delivery. It aligns with the 'Digital India' mission and recommendations for making governance more citizen-centric.
2.3 Internal Security
2.3.1 The Challenge of Online Betting and Money Laundering
Context: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its crackdown on illegal online betting platforms, summoning prominent personalities like Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj for alleged promotion. This highlights a complex internal security challenge at the nexus of cybercrime, money laundering, and the power of celebrity influence. These platforms use trusted faces to gain legitimacy while facilitating large-scale financial fraud and other criminal activities.
Section 3: Prelims-Oriented Factual Digest
- Vice-President's Resignation: Governed by Article 67 (resignation to President) & Article 68(2) (election "as soon as possible"). Successor holds a full five-year term.
- MCOCA: Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. Confessions to a senior police officer are admissible.
- NHRC: A statutory body under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Conducts 'Camp Sittings' for state-level grievance redressal.
- NISAR Satellite: Joint NASA-ISRO mission. First to use dual-frequency (L-band & S-band) SAR. Launch by GSLV.
- BioE3 Policy: Aims for a USD 300 billion bio-economy by 2030, focusing on a circular bio-economy.
- Rotational Leadership: A corporate governance model by Zomato with time-bound CEO roles.
- E3 Countries: United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Key European parties to the JCPOA (Iran Nuclear Deal).
Section 4: Mains Practice and Engagement
4.1 Mains Practice Question
The recent acquittal of all accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, citing coerced confessions and a failure of the prosecution, serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues within India's criminal justice system. Critically analyze the implications of this verdict on police reforms, the application of anti-terror laws, and the public's faith in justice delivery. (250 words, 15 marks)
4.2 Daily Quiz
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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