UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 July 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 July 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 1 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 July (2025)
• Empowering India’s Youth
Empowering India’s Youth
GS Paper 2:
• Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
GS Paper 3:
• UNEP Frontiers Report 2025
UNEP Frontiers Report 2025
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• India’s Fisheries Sector – Key Statistics
India’s Fisheries Sector – Key Statistics
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• TALASH Initiative
TALASH Initiative
• AI-powered Machine Vision-Based Inspection Systems (MVIS)
AI-powered Machine Vision-Based Inspection Systems (MVIS)
• INS Nistar – Diving Support Vessel (DSV)
INS Nistar – Diving Support Vessel (DSV)
• HTBt Cotton
HTBt Cotton
• S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ Air Defence System
S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ Air Defence System
• Agricultural Monitoring & Event Detection (AMED) API
Agricultural Monitoring & Event Detection (AMED) API
Mapping:
• Dholera Special Investment Region
Dholera Special Investment Region
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 July 2025
#### GS Paper 1:
Empowering India’s Youth
Syllabus: Population
Source: TH
Context: The UN’s World Population Day 2025 theme focuses on empowering young people to create the families they want, highlighting the need to center youth voices in population policies.
• India, with the largest youth population globally, stands at a crucial moment to convert this demographic into development capital.
About Empowering India’s Youth:
India’s Demographic Potential:
• Largest Youth Cohort Globally: India has 371 million youth (aged 15–29), the highest in the world (UNICEF), offering a unique edge in the global workforce.
• Demographic Dividend Window: India’s demographic dividend (2005–2055) provides a critical window to leverage its young workforce for productivity-led growth.
• Economic Boost Potential: Strategic investment in education, healthcare, skilling, and employment can unlock a $1 trillion GDP boost by 2030 (World Bank & NITI Aayog).
• Labour Market Advantage: India’s young working-age population provides a counterbalance to ageing societies like Japan and Europe, enhancing its outsourcing and manufacturing competitiveness.
• Urbanisation & Innovation Driver: A young demographic fuels entrepreneurship, digital adoption, and urban transformation, crucial for India’s leap towards a knowledge-based economy.
Challenges Hindering Demographic Gains:
• Limited Reproductive Autonomy: NFHS-5 shows 36% face unintended pregnancies, while 30% report unmet fertility aspirations, indicating lack of informed choice.
• Child Marriage & Teenage Pregnancies: Despite a 50% drop since 2006, 23.3% girls still marry before 18; teenage pregnancies remain high at 7%, with regional disparities.
• Gender Inequality in Employment: India’s female labour force participation rate is below 25%, curbing economic independence and delaying empowerment.
• Socio-cultural Barriers: Deep-rooted gender norms, stigma around SRHR (sexual and reproductive health and rights), and poor awareness limit youth agency.
• Poor Access to Services: Access to contraception, maternal care, and SRHR education remains uneven, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Key Government and Civil Society Initiatives:
• Project Udaan (Rajasthan, IPE Global): Prevented 30,000 child marriages and 15,000 teen pregnancies through schooling incentives and contraceptive access (2017–2022).
• Prevented 30,000 child marriages and 15,000 teen pregnancies through schooling incentives and contraceptive access (2017–2022).
• Project Advika (Odisha, UNICEF-UNFPA): Enabled 11,000 child marriage-free villages and stopped 950 child marriages in 2022 via youth-led awareness and leadership training.
• Enabled 11,000 child marriage-free villages and stopped 950 child marriages in 2022 via youth-led awareness and leadership training.
• Project Manzil (Rajasthan): Trained 28,000 young women (18–21 years) in government centres; 16,000 gained employments, delaying early marriages and boosting financial agency.
• Trained 28,000 young women (18–21 years) in government centres; 16,000 gained employments, delaying early marriages and boosting financial agency.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and National Adolescent Health Programme: Focus on reducing adolescent fertility and enhancing awareness of reproductive rights.
• Focus on reducing adolescent fertility and enhancing awareness of reproductive rights.
Way Forward:
• Ensure Rights-Based SRHR Access: Universalise access to contraceptives, safe abortion, infertility care, and mental health support.
• Expand Girls’ Education: Each additional year of secondary education reduces child marriage probability by 6% (UNICEF).
• Focus on Skill & Job Alignment: Adopt human-centred design in skilling programs; ensure access to dignified, gender-friendly jobs to raise female workforce participation.
• Invest in Structural Support Systems: Improve access to housing, childcare, workplace flexibility, and transport safety to enable youth aspirations.
• Behavioral Change Campaigns: Target social norms through community engagement, media, and school-based life skills education.
• Decentralised Implementation: Encourage state-led innovations and support district-level planning based on local data and youth profiles
Conclusion:
India’s development hinges on how it treats its youth—not merely as numbers but as agents of change. Empowering young people with information, skills, and economic agency will convert population pressure into national progress. Ensuring choice, control, and capital for every adolescent, especially girls, is the most sustainable investment in India’s future.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 July 2025 GS Paper 2:
Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
Syllabus: Polity
Source: IE
Context: The Supreme Court began hearing petitions challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, raising constitutional and procedural concerns ahead of the upcoming assembly polls.
About Special Intensive Revision (SIR):
• Definition: A Special Intensive Revision involves door-to-door verification of electoral rolls through house-to-house enumeration.
• Legal Basis: Conducted under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Article 324 of the Constitution, empowering ECI for electoral roll supervision.
• Hybrid Nature: Combines features of both intensive and summary revisions, requiring additional documentation in selected cases.
Why is Special Revision Needed?
• Duplicate Entries: Rapid migration, urbanisation, and dual enrolment have inflated electoral rolls (ECI, 2025).
• Political Complaints: Accusations of voter roll manipulation in states like Maharashtra necessitated re-verification (e.g. Rahul Gandhi’s allegation).
• Long Gap Since Last Intensive Revision: Bihar’s last SIR was in 2003; outdated records can compromise electoral integrity.
• Foreign Nationals Concern: In border states like Bihar, earlier EC records highlight infiltration risks requiring proof-based verifications.
• Electoral Transparency: SIR seeks to enhance voter roll credibility before high-stakes elections, especially in politically sensitive states.
How Does the SIR Process Work?
• Enumeration Forms: BLOs distribute pre-filled forms to each household with voter details and seek updated documents.
• Proof of Citizenship: Voters, especially those enrolled after 2003, must now submit documents like birth certificates or parents’ proof.
• Verification by EROs: Electoral Registration Officers decide on inclusion/deletion, with powers to refer doubtful cases under Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Massive Scale: In Bihar alone, over 8 crore voters are being re-verified using 1 lakh BLOs and 4 lakh volunteers.
• Timeline Pressure: The entire revision is expected to be completed by July 25, just months ahead of the Assembly elections.
Arguments Supporting the SIR:
• Constitutional Mandate of ECI: Under Article 324, ECI has plenary powers to ensure free and fair elections (SC: Mohinder Singh Gill case, 1977).
• Duplicate Roll Cleanup: Migration and multi-location enrolment threaten electoral integrity; SIR helps sanitize rolls.
• Precedent Exists: SIRs were conducted earlier in 1952–2004, especially post-state reorganisation or major demographic shifts.
• Tech-Enabled Transparency: Use of digitised databases, photos, and GPS-based records enhances monitoring and reduces human error.
• Political Neutrality Claim: ECI states all parties were notified and asked to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to observe the process.
Arguments Against the SIR:
• Burden Shift on Citizens: Unlike past practice, the burden of proof now lies on voters, not objectors (contradicts Rule 18, Registration of Electors Rules).
• Arbitrary Post-2003 Divide: Only voters enrolled after 2003 face strict checks—an illogical cutoff lacking legal precedent.
• Disenfranchisement Risk: In Seemanchal and flood-prone areas, voters without birth certificates may be excluded despite Aadhaar or EPIC.
• Procedural Irregularities: Field complaints include wrong addresses (e.g., “cremation ground”), missing names, and blank entries in Muzaffarpur.
• Political Timing & Selective Targeting: Conducted only in Bihar before polls—opposition alleges manipulation to benefit ruling alliance.
Way Ahead:
• Clarify Citizenship Documentation: Government must notify an official citizenship proof under the Citizenship Act to avoid ambiguity.
• Broaden Accepted Documents: Include Aadhaar, Voter ID, Ration Card, MNREGA card—especially for the marginalised and rural voters.
• ECI’s Own Precedents Must Guide Practice: Reinstate 2003-style inclusive enumeration without added burdens.
• Judicial Oversight Post-Election: As per Mohinder Singh Gill, courts can review post-election actions, safeguarding electoral justice.
• Uniform, All-India Revision: Avoid selective targeting; if needed, conduct SIR nationwide to maintain fairness and political neutrality.
Conclusion:
The Bihar SIR presents a complex intersection of constitutional powers, voter rights, and administrative discretion. While electoral roll accuracy is critical, due process and citizen dignity must remain central. A balanced, transparent, and inclusive approach is vital for upholding democratic integrity.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 July 2025 GS Paper 3:
UNEP Frontiers Report 2025
Syllabus: Environment
Source: DTE
Context: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its 2025 edition of the Frontiers Report titled “The Weight of Time”, warning that intensified river and coastal flooding could remobilise long-buried legacy toxic chemicals from sediments, threatening ecosystems and human health.
About UNEP Frontiers Report 2025:
• Legacy Pollutants in Sediments: Floodwaters can stir up toxic legacy chemicals like heavy metals (cadmium, lead) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), previously buried in river and coastal sediments.
• Carcinogenic and Endocrine Disrupting Risks: Cadmium levels in rivers like Ganga, Hindon, and Vaigai exceed safe limits, increasing risks of cancer, kidney damage, and pregnancy complications.
• Global Case Studies of Toxic Mobilization: Hurricane Harvey (2017) spread mercury and carcinogens in Texas’ Galveston Bay; the Niger Delta floods (2012) remobilized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• Pakistan’s Storage Disaster: The 2010 floods swept away a large share of 2,835 MT of obsolete pesticides, risking long-term contamination.
• Current Chemical Sources Still Active: Landfills globally store 4.8–7 million tonnes of POP waste, from organochlorine and organofluorine production.
• Climate Change Intensifies the Threat: Increasing rainfall and tropical cyclones intensify flood frequency and scale, aggravating the release of toxic sediments.
• Bioaccumulation in Food Chain: Sediment-bound pollutants can enter the aquatic food chain, affecting fish, plants, and ultimately humans.
• Long-Term Persistence: Despite bans on many toxic chemicals, they persist for decades, making their delayed re-emergence especially dangerous.
• Need for Adaptive Flood Management: The report stresses a river-basin-level adaptive approach, integrating hydrology, ecology, and community knowledge.
Key Challenges Highlighted:
• Sediment Remobilization: Toxic substances once safely buried are now being re-exposed due to flooding.
• Lack of Monitoring: Most river basins lack real-time monitoring of sediment pollution or chemical storage.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Poorly maintained waste storage sites and aging infrastructure worsen contamination risks.
• Unmanaged Urbanization: Encroachment and land-use changes around rivers increase flood vulnerabilities.
• Chemical Persistence: Legacy pollutants like POPs and heavy metals are highly resistant to degradation.
Recommendations and UNEP’s Call to Action:
• Nature-Based Solutions: Prioritize floodplains, wetlands, and riparian buffers to absorb and slow down floods naturally.
• Strengthen Infrastructure: Use traditional methods like polders, dikes, and retention basins to control sediment movement.
• Integrated River Basin Management: Develop comprehensive basin-level plans that address floods, conservation, and water use together.
• Sediment Pollution Mapping: Invest in detailed geo-mapping and profiling of riverbed chemicals to plan interventions in advance.
• Monitor Pollutant Pathways: Track how pollutants travel post-flood — via water, soil, or food chain — and apply mitigation techniques.
• Update Waste Disposal Practices: Safely dispose of obsolete pesticides and toxic industrial by-products before disasters occur.
Conclusion:
The UNEP Frontiers 2025 report is a stark reminder that climate change and pollution risks are no longer isolated. Flooding not only displaces people but also awakens buried toxic legacies, threatening ecosystems and health. India and the world must adopt holistic, science-based, and inclusive river basin management frameworks to mitigate cascading risks.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 July 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
India’s Fisheries Sector – Key Statistics
Context: India’s fish production has more than doubled in 11 years—from 95.79 lakh tonnes to 195 lakh tonnes, reflecting the success of the country’s ‘blue revolution’ launched by the Centre.
About India’s Fisheries Sector – Key Statistics:
• Total Fish Production (2023–24): 195 lakh tonnes (up from 95.79 lakh tonnes in 2013–14).
• Inland and Aquaculture Production (2014–24): Increased by 77.71 lakh tonnes, compared to 26.78 lakh tonnes from 2004–14.
• Marine Fish Production: Doubled from 5.02 lakh tonnes (2004–14) to 10.52 lakh tonnes (2014–24).
• Seafood Exports (2023–24): 17.8 lakh MT worth ₹60,524 crore, up from ₹610 crore in 2003–04 (MPEDA).
• Budgetary Support (2025–26): Highest ever allocation of ₹2,703.67 crore to fisheries sector.
• Kisan Credit Cards for Fishers: 4.5 lakh cards sanctioned; limit increased from ₹3L to ₹5L.
• PMMSY Allocation: Total outlay of ₹20,050 crore for 2020–25.
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): ₹7,522 crore fund; 136 projects worth ₹5,801 crore approved.
• Integrated Aqua Parks: 11 approved at a cost of ₹682.6 crore.
• Artificial Reefs Installed: 937 reefs approved in 12 states at ₹291.37 crore.
Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:
• GS Paper 3: Economy – Agriculture and Allied Sectors
• Fisheries as a Sunrise Sector: role in rural livelihoods, food security, and blue economy. Government schemes: PMMSY, FIDF, PMMKSSY, and Blue Revolution.
• Fisheries as a Sunrise Sector: role in rural livelihoods, food security, and blue economy.
• Government schemes: PMMSY, FIDF, PMMKSSY, and Blue Revolution.
• GS Paper 2: Welfare Schemes
• Financial inclusion through Kisan Credit Cards, FFPOs, and cooperative empowerment.
• Financial inclusion through Kisan Credit Cards, FFPOs, and cooperative empowerment.
• GS Paper 1: Geography
• Utilization of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and marine resources in coastal India.
• Utilization of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and marine resources in coastal India.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 July 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
TALASH Initiative
Source: PIB
Context: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and UNICEF India jointly launched TALASH, a national program aimed at fostering holistic development and career clarity among tribal students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
About TALASH Initiative:
• What is TALASH? TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills, and Self-Esteem Hub) is a digital platform designed to support tribal students’ self-discovery, life skills, and career planning. It is the first national-level initiative focused solely on tribal students’ holistic development.
• TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills, and Self-Esteem Hub) is a digital platform designed to support tribal students’ self-discovery, life skills, and career planning. It is the first national-level initiative focused solely on tribal students’ holistic development.
• Launched By: National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) in collaboration with UNICEF India.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
• Objectives of TALASH:
• Promote self-awareness and personality development among tribal students. Enable informed career choices using aptitude-based assessments. Build critical life skills such as emotional intelligence, communication, and decision-making. Equip EMRS teachers to effectively mentor and guide students.
• Promote self-awareness and personality development among tribal students.
• Enable informed career choices using aptitude-based assessments.
• Build critical life skills such as emotional intelligence, communication, and decision-making.
• Equip EMRS teachers to effectively mentor and guide students.
• Key Features:
• Psychometric Testing: Based on NCERT’s Tamanna model. Assesses student aptitude; generates personalized Career Cards. Career Counselling Modules: Informs students about career paths suited to their skills. Aligns interest–aptitude–aspiration for better decision-making. Life Skills & Self-Esteem Training: Focuses on confidence-building, conflict resolution, and emotional health. Modules promote resilience and value-based growth. Teacher Training Portal: 189 teachers from 75 EMRSs already trained. Enables peer-led capacity building across schools. Phased National Rollout: Covers all 1.38 lakh+ students across 28 States & 8 UTs by end of 2025. Ensures smooth adoption through city-level pilots.
• Psychometric Testing: Based on NCERT’s Tamanna model. Assesses student aptitude; generates personalized Career Cards.
• Based on NCERT’s Tamanna model.
• Assesses student aptitude; generates personalized Career Cards.
• Career Counselling Modules: Informs students about career paths suited to their skills. Aligns interest–aptitude–aspiration for better decision-making.
• Informs students about career paths suited to their skills.
• Aligns interest–aptitude–aspiration for better decision-making.
• Life Skills & Self-Esteem Training: Focuses on confidence-building, conflict resolution, and emotional health. Modules promote resilience and value-based growth.
• Focuses on confidence-building, conflict resolution, and emotional health.
• Modules promote resilience and value-based growth.
• Teacher Training Portal: 189 teachers from 75 EMRSs already trained. Enables peer-led capacity building across schools.
• 189 teachers from 75 EMRSs already trained.
• Enables peer-led capacity building across schools.
• Phased National Rollout: Covers all 1.38 lakh+ students across 28 States & 8 UTs by end of 2025. Ensures smooth adoption through city-level pilots.
• Covers all 1.38 lakh+ students across 28 States & 8 UTs by end of 2025.
• Ensures smooth adoption through city-level pilots.
• Significance:
• Empowers tribal youth through technology-driven personalised learning. Bridges academic, emotional, and aspirational gaps in tribal education. Directly aligns with NEP 2020’s vision of holistic, inclusive learning. Reaches students even in remote tribal regions through digital innovation.
• Empowers tribal youth through technology-driven personalised learning.
• Bridges academic, emotional, and aspirational gaps in tribal education.
• Directly aligns with NEP 2020’s vision of holistic, inclusive learning.
• Reaches students even in remote tribal regions through digital innovation.
AI-powered Machine Vision-Based Inspection Systems (MVIS)
Source: News on Air
Context: Indian Railways and DFCCIL have signed an MoU to deploy AI-powered Machine Vision-Based Inspection Systems (MVIS) for real-time detection of rolling stock defects.
About AI-powered Machine Vision-Based Inspection Systems (MVIS):
• What is MVIS? MVIS is an AI–ML integrated visual inspection platform developed to monitor and detect defects in freight train rolling stock using high-resolution cameras and computer vision. It automates inspection, enhances maintenance efficiency, and reduces the risk of accidents.
• MVIS is an AI–ML integrated visual inspection platform developed to monitor and detect defects in freight train rolling stock using high-resolution cameras and computer vision.
• It automates inspection, enhances maintenance efficiency, and reduces the risk of accidents.
• Developed by: DFCCIL in collaboration with IISc Bengaluru and start-up L2M.
• Objectives of MVIS:
• Detect abnormal hanging parts, broken springs, missing bolts, EM pad damage, hot axles, etc. Provide real-time alerts to prevent accidents and service delays. Replace manual inspection with an automated, accurate, and fatigue-free system. Enable preventive maintenance to reduce cascading failures in rail operations.
• Detect abnormal hanging parts, broken springs, missing bolts, EM pad damage, hot axles, etc.
• Provide real-time alerts to prevent accidents and service delays.
• Replace manual inspection with an automated, accurate, and fatigue-free system.
• Enable preventive maintenance to reduce cascading failures in rail operations.
• How MVIS Works?
• High-Speed Cameras (Area & Line Scan): Mounted on trackside to capture images of moving trains at speeds up to 100 km/h. AI/ML-Powered Analysis: Uses YOLOv8 & CNN models to detect and classify components as defective or non-defective. OCR integration for wagon number detection. Data Processing Units (DPUs): Process real-time footage; synchronized with NTP servers to avoid timestamp mismatches. GUI Dashboard: Cloud-based portal for defect reports, train-wise metrics, and maintenance action logs
• High-Speed Cameras (Area & Line Scan): Mounted on trackside to capture images of moving trains at speeds up to 100 km/h.
• AI/ML-Powered Analysis: Uses YOLOv8 & CNN models to detect and classify components as defective or non-defective. OCR integration for wagon number detection.
• Uses YOLOv8 & CNN models to detect and classify components as defective or non-defective.
• OCR integration for wagon number detection.
• Data Processing Units (DPUs): Process real-time footage; synchronized with NTP servers to avoid timestamp mismatches.
• GUI Dashboard: Cloud-based portal for defect reports, train-wise metrics, and maintenance action logs
• Key Features of MVIS:
• Multi-camera configuration (upper, lower, undercarriage) to capture all critical components. Monochrome cameras used for faster processing and better clarity in defect detection. LED Lighting ensures proper imaging in day-night and poor visibility conditions. Real-time alerting system enables immediate remedial action by maintenance teams. Scalable architecture to handle large data, train formations, and national deployment.
• Multi-camera configuration (upper, lower, undercarriage) to capture all critical components.
• Monochrome cameras used for faster processing and better clarity in defect detection.
• LED Lighting ensures proper imaging in day-night and poor visibility conditions.
• Real-time alerting system enables immediate remedial action by maintenance teams.
• Scalable architecture to handle large data, train formations, and national deployment.
INS Nistar – Diving Support Vessel (DSV)
Source: DD News
Context: The Indian Navy will commission INS Nistar, its first indigenously designed Diving Support Vessel (DSV), at Visakhapatnam. This marks a key milestone in India’s underwater rescue and maritime self-reliance journey.
About INS Nistar – Diving Support Vessel (DSV):
• What is INS Nistar? INS Nistar is India’s first indigenously developed Diving Support Vessel (DSV) designed for deep-sea diving, submarine rescue, and underwater operations. It serves as the mother ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).
• INS Nistar is India’s first indigenously developed Diving Support Vessel (DSV) designed for deep-sea diving, submarine rescue, and underwater operations.
• It serves as the mother ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).
• Developed by:
• Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam Built under the Ministry of Defence with 80% indigenous content, involving over 120 MSMEs.
• Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam
• Built under the Ministry of Defence with 80% indigenous content, involving over 120 MSMEs.
• Objectives of INS Nistar:
• Support submarine rescue operations and emergency evacuations. Conduct deep-sea saturation and air diving missions. Enhance India’s underwater operational reach and maritime preparedness. Reduce dependence on foreign support in undersea crisis scenarios.
• Support submarine rescue operations and emergency evacuations.
• Conduct deep-sea saturation and air diving missions.
• Enhance India’s underwater operational reach and maritime preparedness.
• Reduce dependence on foreign support in undersea crisis scenarios.
• Key Features:
• Large and Powerful Build: Displacement: Over 10,000 tonnes Length: 120 metres Endurance: 60+ days at sea Advanced Positioning & Navigation: Equipped with Dynamic Positioning System for precision in complex underwater tasks. Diving & Rescue Capabilities: Houses saturation diving systems, air diving chambers, ROVs, and Side Scan SONAR. Functions as the mother ship for DSRVs, enhancing submarine rescue range. Medical Infrastructure: Includes operation theatre, ICU, 8-bed hospital, and hyperbaric chambers for diver recovery and treatment. Multi-Mission Support: Features helicopter landing facility and 15-ton subsea crane for logistics and salvage operations.
• Large and Powerful Build: Displacement: Over 10,000 tonnes Length: 120 metres Endurance: 60+ days at sea
• Displacement: Over 10,000 tonnes
• Length: 120 metres
• Endurance: 60+ days at sea
• Advanced Positioning & Navigation: Equipped with Dynamic Positioning System for precision in complex underwater tasks.
• Diving & Rescue Capabilities: Houses saturation diving systems, air diving chambers, ROVs, and Side Scan SONAR. Functions as the mother ship for DSRVs, enhancing submarine rescue range.
• Houses saturation diving systems, air diving chambers, ROVs, and Side Scan SONAR.
• Functions as the mother ship for DSRVs, enhancing submarine rescue range.
• Medical Infrastructure: Includes operation theatre, ICU, 8-bed hospital, and hyperbaric chambers for diver recovery and treatment.
• Multi-Mission Support: Features helicopter landing facility and 15-ton subsea crane for logistics and salvage operations.
• Significance:
• Strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence shipbuilding. Enhances India’s strategic readiness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Fulfils a critical capability gap in submarine rescue and maritime disaster response. Symbolically revives the legacy of the earlier Soviet-origin INS Nistar (1971).
• Strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence shipbuilding.
• Enhances India’s strategic readiness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Fulfils a critical capability gap in submarine rescue and maritime disaster response.
• Symbolically revives the legacy of the earlier Soviet-origin INS Nistar (1971).
HTBt Cotton
Source: NIE
Context: An expert panel under India’s biotech regulator has submitted a favourable biosafety report on HTBt cotton, bringing it one step closer to commercial approval by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
About HTBt cotton:
• What is HTBt Cotton? HTBt (Herbicide-Tolerant Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton is a genetically modified cotton variety that combines two traits: Insect resistance (via Bt gene), and Tolerance to herbicides like glyphosate, enabling simplified weed control in cotton farming. Developed By: Developed by Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (Bayer), featuring the Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BG-II RRF) trait. How It Is Developed? Genetic engineering introduces Cry genes (from Bt bacterium) for pest resistance. Additional integration of CP4-EPSPS gene enables herbicide tolerance, allowing crops to survive glyphosate spraying while weeds perish. Key Features of HTBt Cotton: Dual-Trait Technology: Combines bollworm resistance and herbicide tolerance in a single crop. Weed Management Efficiency: Enables over-the-top glyphosate spraying, minimizing the need for manual weeding and labour. Higher Yield Stability: Reduces crop losses due to weeds and insects, improving productivity. Supports Mechanisation: Suitable for large-scale mechanised farming in regions facing labour shortages. Farmer Cost Savings: Reduces input costs on weeding; improves net profitability. Significance: Addresses labour shortages and rising costs of manual weeding in cotton farming. Helps combat yield stagnation caused by factors like Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) in Bt cotton areas. Reduces illegal seed use and enforces quality control through regulated commercial cultivation.
• HTBt (Herbicide-Tolerant Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton is a genetically modified cotton variety that combines two traits: Insect resistance (via Bt gene), and Tolerance to herbicides like glyphosate, enabling simplified weed control in cotton farming.
• Insect resistance (via Bt gene), and
• Tolerance to herbicides like glyphosate, enabling simplified weed control in cotton farming.
• Developed By: Developed by Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (Bayer), featuring the Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BG-II RRF) trait.
• How It Is Developed? Genetic engineering introduces Cry genes (from Bt bacterium) for pest resistance. Additional integration of CP4-EPSPS gene enables herbicide tolerance, allowing crops to survive glyphosate spraying while weeds perish.
• Genetic engineering introduces Cry genes (from Bt bacterium) for pest resistance.
• Additional integration of CP4-EPSPS gene enables herbicide tolerance, allowing crops to survive glyphosate spraying while weeds perish.
• Key Features of HTBt Cotton: Dual-Trait Technology: Combines bollworm resistance and herbicide tolerance in a single crop. Weed Management Efficiency: Enables over-the-top glyphosate spraying, minimizing the need for manual weeding and labour. Higher Yield Stability: Reduces crop losses due to weeds and insects, improving productivity. Supports Mechanisation: Suitable for large-scale mechanised farming in regions facing labour shortages. Farmer Cost Savings: Reduces input costs on weeding; improves net profitability.
• Dual-Trait Technology: Combines bollworm resistance and herbicide tolerance in a single crop.
• Weed Management Efficiency: Enables over-the-top glyphosate spraying, minimizing the need for manual weeding and labour.
• Higher Yield Stability: Reduces crop losses due to weeds and insects, improving productivity.
• Supports Mechanisation: Suitable for large-scale mechanised farming in regions facing labour shortages.
• Farmer Cost Savings: Reduces input costs on weeding; improves net profitability.
• Significance: Addresses labour shortages and rising costs of manual weeding in cotton farming. Helps combat yield stagnation caused by factors like Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) in Bt cotton areas. Reduces illegal seed use and enforces quality control through regulated commercial cultivation.
• Addresses labour shortages and rising costs of manual weeding in cotton farming.
• Helps combat yield stagnation caused by factors like Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) in Bt cotton areas.
• Reduces illegal seed use and enforces quality control through regulated commercial cultivation.
S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ Air Defence System
Source: TH
Context: The Ministry of Defence has identified an Indian firm to set up a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ air defence system.
About S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ air defence system:
• What is S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’? The S-400 Triumf, codenamed SA-21 Growler by NATO, is a long-range, multi-layered surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey. In Indian service, it is named ‘Sudarshan Chakra’, reflecting its swift and precise defensive power.
• The S-400 Triumf, codenamed SA-21 Growler by NATO, is a long-range, multi-layered surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey.
• In Indian service, it is named ‘Sudarshan Chakra’, reflecting its swift and precise defensive power.
• Developed By:
• Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation, Russia. Entered Russian service in 2007, with India procuring it under a 2018 bilateral agreement.
• Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation, Russia.
• Entered Russian service in 2007, with India procuring it under a 2018 bilateral agreement.
• India’s Procurement Timeline:
• Deal Signed: October 2018 for ₹35,000 crore (approx. $5.4 billion). Quantity: 5 squadrons ordered and 3 delivered till now. Remaining 2 units to arrive by 2026 and 2027.
• Deal Signed: October 2018 for ₹35,000 crore (approx. $5.4 billion).
• Quantity: 5 squadrons ordered and 3 delivered till now.
• Remaining 2 units to arrive by 2026 and 2027.
• Purpose of the S-400 in India:
• Neutralise aerial threats such as fighter jets, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs. Ensure airspace denial and deterrence along western and northern borders. Offer strategic cover to cities, military bases, and critical installations.
• Neutralise aerial threats such as fighter jets, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs.
• Ensure airspace denial and deterrence along western and northern borders.
• Offer strategic cover to cities, military bases, and critical installations.
• Key Features of S-400 Sudarshan Chakra:
• Range & Tracking: Detects threats up to 600 km. Engages targets at four different missile ranges, up to 400 km. Multi-Target Capability: Simultaneously tracks and engages 80 aerial targets. Counteracts stealth aircraft, drones, hypersonic weapons. Quick Response: Full tracking-to-launch cycle within seconds. Guided missiles use active and semi-active radar seekers. Integrated Components: Command vehicle, long-range surveillance radar, engagement radar, and launcher trucks. Each squadron includes 16+ vehicles. Deployment & Role: Already deployed in Pathankot, Siliguri Corridor, and Western Front. Played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor by intercepting over 15 aerial threats.
• Range & Tracking: Detects threats up to 600 km. Engages targets at four different missile ranges, up to 400 km.
• Detects threats up to 600 km.
• Engages targets at four different missile ranges, up to 400 km.
• Multi-Target Capability: Simultaneously tracks and engages 80 aerial targets. Counteracts stealth aircraft, drones, hypersonic weapons.
• Simultaneously tracks and engages 80 aerial targets.
• Counteracts stealth aircraft, drones, hypersonic weapons.
• Quick Response: Full tracking-to-launch cycle within seconds. Guided missiles use active and semi-active radar seekers.
• Full tracking-to-launch cycle within seconds.
• Guided missiles use active and semi-active radar seekers.
• Integrated Components: Command vehicle, long-range surveillance radar, engagement radar, and launcher trucks. Each squadron includes 16+ vehicles.
• Command vehicle, long-range surveillance radar, engagement radar, and launcher trucks.
• Each squadron includes 16+ vehicles.
• Deployment & Role: Already deployed in Pathankot, Siliguri Corridor, and Western Front. Played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor by intercepting over 15 aerial threats.
• Already deployed in Pathankot, Siliguri Corridor, and Western Front.
• Played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor by intercepting over 15 aerial threats.
Agricultural Monitoring & Event Detection (AMED) API
Source: DH
Context: Google unveiled the Agricultural Monitoring & Event Detection (AMED) API to make Indian agriculture more data-driven, while also collaborating with IIT-Kharagpur under the Amplify Initiative to enrich AI with India’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
About Agricultural Monitoring & Event Detection (AMED) API:
• What is AMED API? The AMED API is an open-source AI-based agricultural monitoring tool developed by Google DeepMind and Google’s Partnerships Innovation team. It offers field-level crop insights and historical land-use data to improve decision-making across India’s agriculture sector.
• The AMED API is an open-source AI-based agricultural monitoring tool developed by Google DeepMind and Google’s Partnerships Innovation team.
• It offers field-level crop insights and historical land-use data to improve decision-making across India’s agriculture sector.
• Developed By: Google DeepMind, in collaboration with local partners including TerraStack and researchers from IIT-Kharagpur under the broader Google AI initiatives in India.
• Objective of AMED API:
• Enable real-time, granular insights into agricultural activities across individual fields. Empower agri-tech developers, financial institutions, and policymakers with crop-specific and location-based intelligence. Support sustainable farming, climate adaptation, and data-backed rural lending systems.
• Enable real-time, granular insights into agricultural activities across individual fields.
• Empower agri-tech developers, financial institutions, and policymakers with crop-specific and location-based intelligence.
• Support sustainable farming, climate adaptation, and data-backed rural lending systems.
• How AMED API Works?
• Satellite Imaging & AI Analysis: Uses remote sensing and deep learning to track field activity and detect cropping patterns. Field-Level Intelligence: Provides detailed data on crop type, field size, crop season, and 3-year land-use history. Data Refresh Frequency: Updates every two weeks, enabling near real-time crop monitoring. Integration-Ready Architecture: Designed for plug-in use by agri-tech startups, financial firms, and government agencies
• Satellite Imaging & AI Analysis: Uses remote sensing and deep learning to track field activity and detect cropping patterns.
• Field-Level Intelligence: Provides detailed data on crop type, field size, crop season, and 3-year land-use history.
• Data Refresh Frequency: Updates every two weeks, enabling near real-time crop monitoring.
• Integration-Ready Architecture: Designed for plug-in use by agri-tech startups, financial firms, and government agencies
• Key Features of AMED API:
• Crop-Type Detection: Identifies crop varieties across seasons with accuracy. Historical Crop Data: Offers 3 years of field-specific cropping and land-use history. Dynamic Updating: Refreshes biweekly to reflect changing ground realities. Localized Impact: Empowers India-specific applications like rural lending, yield prediction, and climate risk analysis. Complementary to ALU API: Builds on Google’s earlier Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) API by adding event detection and crop-level depth.
• Crop-Type Detection: Identifies crop varieties across seasons with accuracy.
• Historical Crop Data: Offers 3 years of field-specific cropping and land-use history.
• Dynamic Updating: Refreshes biweekly to reflect changing ground realities.
• Localized Impact: Empowers India-specific applications like rural lending, yield prediction, and climate risk analysis.
• Complementary to ALU API: Builds on Google’s earlier Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) API by adding event detection and crop-level depth.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 July 2025 Mapping:
Dholera Special Investment Region
Source: ANI
Context: The Ambassador of Japan to India, Mr. Keiichi Ono, led a high-level business delegation to the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) to explore strategic cooperation in semiconductors and smart cities.
About Dholera Special Investment Region:
• What is Dholera SIR? Dholera SIR is India’s first greenfield smart industrial city, developed as a Special Investment Region under the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). It is designed to be a self-sustaining ecosystem driven by advanced manufacturing, digital governance, and sustainable urban living.
• Dholera SIR is India’s first greenfield smart industrial city, developed as a Special Investment Region under the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
• It is designed to be a self-sustaining ecosystem driven by advanced manufacturing, digital governance, and sustainable urban living.
• Location: Situated ~100 km southwest of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Spans over 920 sq. km., covering 22 villages in Dholera taluka, Ahmedabad district.
• Situated ~100 km southwest of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Spans over 920 sq. km., covering 22 villages in Dholera taluka, Ahmedabad district.
• History & Institutional Framework: Established under the Gujarat SIR Act, 2009. DSIRDA (Dholera Special Investment Region Development Authority) oversees planning and land management. Implemented by Dholera Industrial City Development Ltd. (DICDL) — a joint venture between the NICDC Trust (Central Govt) and Govt of Gujarat.
• Established under the Gujarat SIR Act, 2009.
• DSIRDA (Dholera Special Investment Region Development Authority) oversees planning and land management.
• Implemented by Dholera Industrial City Development Ltd. (DICDL) — a joint venture between the NICDC Trust (Central Govt) and Govt of Gujarat.
• Key Features of Dholera SIR: Smart Infrastructure & Digitization: Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) for real-time urban management. Plug-and-play industrial zones, e-governance portals, and utility integration. Connectivity & Logistics: Linked to Ahmedabad via a 6-lane Expressway and MRTS corridor. Dholera Greenfield International Airport under construction with site and environmental clearances. Economic Sectors Targeted: Hosts India’s first semiconductor fab by Tata Electronics and Taiwan’s PSMC under the Semicon India Programme. Urban & Social Planning: Six Town Planning Schemes (TPS) sanctioned to guide phased development. Sustainability & Livability: Platinum-rated industrial smart city promoting non-polluting industries. Aims to generate over 8 lakh jobs while ensuring high quality of life and environmental stewardship. Significance: Aligns with India’s Vision 2047 for a self-reliant, innovation-driven economy. Acts as a model for future smart and sustainable cities in India. Strengthens India–Japan strategic cooperation in industrial corridors and high-tech investments.
• Smart Infrastructure & Digitization: Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) for real-time urban management. Plug-and-play industrial zones, e-governance portals, and utility integration.
• Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) for real-time urban management.
• Plug-and-play industrial zones, e-governance portals, and utility integration.
• Connectivity & Logistics: Linked to Ahmedabad via a 6-lane Expressway and MRTS corridor. Dholera Greenfield International Airport under construction with site and environmental clearances.
• Linked to Ahmedabad via a 6-lane Expressway and MRTS corridor.
• Dholera Greenfield International Airport under construction with site and environmental clearances.
• Economic Sectors Targeted: Hosts India’s first semiconductor fab by Tata Electronics and Taiwan’s PSMC under the Semicon India Programme.
• Urban & Social Planning: Six Town Planning Schemes (TPS) sanctioned to guide phased development.
• Sustainability & Livability: Platinum-rated industrial smart city promoting non-polluting industries. Aims to generate over 8 lakh jobs while ensuring high quality of life and environmental stewardship.
• Platinum-rated industrial smart city promoting non-polluting industries.
• Aims to generate over 8 lakh jobs while ensuring high quality of life and environmental stewardship.
• Significance: Aligns with India’s Vision 2047 for a self-reliant, innovation-driven economy. Acts as a model for future smart and sustainable cities in India. Strengthens India–Japan strategic cooperation in industrial corridors and high-tech investments.
• Aligns with India’s Vision 2047 for a self-reliant, innovation-driven economy.
• Acts as a model for future smart and sustainable cities in India.
• Strengthens India–Japan strategic cooperation in industrial corridors and high-tech investments.
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