UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 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 2 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August (2025)
• India’s Democracy and the Migrant Citizen Crisis
India’s Democracy and the Migrant Citizen Crisis
GS Paper 3:
• Why India Needs a National Space Law
Why India Needs a National Space Law
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• 18th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO 2025)
18th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO 2025)
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Mercator Projection Map
Mercator Projection Map
• The 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025
• India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy
India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy
• Machine Readable Electoral Rolls in India
Machine Readable Electoral Rolls in India
• Lok Sabha Passes Online Gaming Regulation Bill, 2025
Lok Sabha Passes Online Gaming Regulation Bill, 2025
• India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile
India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile
Mapping:
• Nigeria
Nigeria
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2025
#### GS Paper 2:
India’s Democracy and the Migrant Citizen Crisis
- •Syllabus: Polity*
- •Source: TH*
Context: Nearly 3.5 million voters (4.4% of Bihar’s electorate), mostly migrants, have been deleted from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), raising concerns of systemic migrant disenfranchisement ahead of elections.
About Migrant Disfranchisement:
What it is?
• It refers to the exclusion of migrant workers from exercising their right to vote either in their home states or at their destination states.
• Migrants often fall into a “political limbo”: not registered at destination, and deleted at origin due to absence during verification.
Current Safeguards Against Migrant Disenfranchisement
• Representation of the People Act, 1950 & 1951 – Provides every citizen the right to be enrolled in the constituency of ordinary residence.
• Electoral Roll Management (ERONET) – Allows continuous updating of rolls.
• Special Provisions by ECI – e.g., One Nation, One Voter ID portability discussions (not yet implemented).
• Proxy Voting Proposals – For overseas Indians, but not extended to internal migrants.
• Civil Society Interventions – Migrant surveys in states like Kerala highlight gaps.
Structural Causes of Migrant Disenfranchisement
• Sedentary Electoral Framework Voter registration in India is still tied to fixed residence and physical verification. Migrants, often living in rented rooms, slums, or worksites, lack documentation and are easily excluded.
• Voter registration in India is still tied to fixed residence and physical verification.
• Migrants, often living in rented rooms, slums, or worksites, lack documentation and are easily excluded.
• Circular and Split-Family Migration Bihar’s out-migrants (~7 million annually) move seasonally for survival, leaving homes locked. State machinery interprets absence as “permanent migration”, striking names off rolls.
• Bihar’s out-migrants (~7 million annually) move seasonally for survival, leaving homes locked.
• State machinery interprets absence as “permanent migration”, striking names off rolls.
• Administrative & Social Barriers TISS–ECI Study (2015): Migrants face a triple burden: administrative hurdles, digital illiteracy, and social exclusion. Host states often discourage migrant enrolment fearing altered political outcomes.
• TISS–ECI Study (2015): Migrants face a triple burden: administrative hurdles, digital illiteracy, and social exclusion.
• Host states often discourage migrant enrolment fearing altered political outcomes.
• Regionalism and Sub-Nationalism Migrants are viewed as outsiders or “job-stealers”. Domicile norms for jobs fuel resistance to their political inclusion in host states.
• Migrants are viewed as outsiders or “job-stealers”.
• Domicile norms for jobs fuel resistance to their political inclusion in host states.
• Comparison with Welfare Portability Like the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme, uptake of dual-residency rights is limited. Fear of losing entitlements discourages migrants from shifting political/food security identity to host states.
• Like the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme, uptake of dual-residency rights is limited.
• Fear of losing entitlements discourages migrants from shifting political/food security identity to host states.
Consequences
• Democratic Deficit Bihar’s average turnout (last four Assembly elections) 53.2% vs Gujarat (66.4%) & Karnataka (70.7%). Migrant-heavy states record systematically lower voter participation.
• Bihar’s average turnout (last four Assembly elections) 53.2% vs Gujarat (66.4%) & Karnataka (70.7%).
• Migrant-heavy states record systematically lower voter participation.
• Disenfranchisement of the Poor Striking names of absent voters disproportionately affects poor, seasonal, and vulnerable groups. Creates a two-tier democracy where the mobile poor lose political voice.
• Striking names of absent voters disproportionately affects poor, seasonal, and vulnerable groups.
• Creates a two-tier democracy where the mobile poor lose political voice.
• Gendered & Border Impact Along the India–Nepal border, women migrants face documentation and citizenship hurdles, deepening disenfranchisement. Risks xenophobic and gender-biased exclusion.
• Along the India–Nepal border, women migrants face documentation and citizenship hurdles, deepening disenfranchisement.
• Risks xenophobic and gender-biased exclusion.
Way Forward
• Portable Voter Identity Develop a national, mobile electoral ID system allowing voting across states of work and residence. Link with Aadhaar-enabled authentication, with privacy safeguards.
• Develop a national, mobile electoral ID system allowing voting across states of work and residence.
• Link with Aadhaar-enabled authentication, with privacy safeguards.
• Cross-State Coordination EC should adopt cross-verification with destination rolls before deletion. Enable temporary voter registration for seasonal migrants.
• EC should adopt cross-verification with destination rolls before deletion.
• Enable temporary voter registration for seasonal migrants.
• Civil Society Outreach Panchayats and NGOs must be empowered for migrant re-enrolment drives. Replicate the Kerala model of migration surveys in Bihar, UP, and other source states.
• Panchayats and NGOs must be empowered for migrant re-enrolment drives.
• Replicate the Kerala model of migration surveys in Bihar, UP, and other source states.
• Policy Harmonisation Align migration-sensitive reforms with labour codes, portability of welfare schemes, and voting rights. Recognise circular migration patterns as part of India’s economic fabric.
• Align migration-sensitive reforms with labour codes, portability of welfare schemes, and voting rights.
• Recognise circular migration patterns as part of India’s economic fabric.
Conclusion
India’s democracy cannot afford to silence millions of migrant workers, whose remittances sustain states like Bihar. Electoral systems rooted in a sedentary citizen model now need urgent reform. Without portable voter identity, inter-state coordination, and inclusive outreach, India risks its largest-ever disenfranchisement — not of dissenters, but of citizens who migrate for survival.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2025 GS Paper 3:
Why India Needs a National Space Law
- •Syllabus: Space*
- •Source: TH*
Context: India is preparing to celebrate its second National Space Day (23 August) amid ambitious projects like Chandrayaan-3 follow-ups and Gaganyaan, but lacks a comprehensive national space law to regulate and support private and commercial activities in outer space.
About Space Laws
What is it?
• Space law refers to the legal framework governing activities in outer space, covering exploration, commercialisation, safety, liability, and peaceful use.
• It balances international commitments (treaty obligations) with domestic regulation for government and private actors.
Outer Space Treaty (OST) 1967 and its Principles
• Common Heritage: Space is the province of all mankind, no national ownership.
• Peaceful Use: Outer space must not be weaponised.
• State Responsibility: States are responsible for all activities of both government and private entities.
• Liability Clause: Nations bear liability for damage caused by space objects launched from their territory.
• International Cooperation: Mandates scientific exchange and sustainable exploration.
Why National Space Legislation is Crucial
• Legal Clarity & Predictability Provides a stable regulatory framework for government and private players. Reduces bureaucratic hurdles and overlapping ministerial clearances.
• Provides a stable regulatory framework for government and private players.
• Reduces bureaucratic hurdles and overlapping ministerial clearances.
• Safety & Compliance Establishes technical standards, licensing, accident investigation, and debris management rules. Ensures India’s compliance with international liability obligations under OST.
• Establishes technical standards, licensing, accident investigation, and debris management rules.
• Ensures India’s compliance with international liability obligations under OST.
• Boost to Private Sector & FDI Clear rules on licensing, IP rights, insurance, and FDI can attract capital and prevent startups from relocating abroad. Example: U.S., Luxembourg, Japan have laws enabling private mining/launch services.
• Clear rules on licensing, IP rights, insurance, and FDI can attract capital and prevent startups from relocating abroad.
• Example: U.S., Luxembourg, Japan have laws enabling private mining/launch services.
• Insurance & Liability Framework Space activities involve high-value assets with huge risk. Affordable third-party insurance frameworks protect startups and ensure India isn’t solely liable internationally.
• Space activities involve high-value assets with huge risk.
• Affordable third-party insurance frameworks protect startups and ensure India isn’t solely liable internationally.
• Promotion of Innovation & Talent Retention Protects IP rights, encourages industry–academia partnerships, and builds investor trust. Prevents talent migration to more IP-friendly jurisdictions.
• Protects IP rights, encourages industry–academia partnerships, and builds investor trust.
• Prevents talent migration to more IP-friendly jurisdictions.
India’s Current Approach
• Incremental Strategy: India has ratified UN treaties but has not passed a single umbrella space law.
• Policy Frameworks: Indian Space Policy 2023 → Encourages private sector participation. IN-SPACe Norms and Guidelines → Provides authorisation for non-governmental entities. Catalogue of Indian Standards for Space Industry → Ensures safety and quality.
• Indian Space Policy 2023 → Encourages private sector participation.
• IN-SPACe Norms and Guidelines → Provides authorisation for non-governmental entities.
• Catalogue of Indian Standards for Space Industry → Ensures safety and quality.
• Pending Gap: Lack of statutory space activities law; IN-SPACe currently lacks full legal authority.
Challenges in Enacting a National Space Law
• Regulatory Fragmentation Multiple ministries (Defence, Telecom, Commerce, DoS) are involved in approvals, creating duplication and delays. Example: Satellite communication ventures face clearance from DoT, DoS, and Defence simultaneously.
• Multiple ministries (Defence, Telecom, Commerce, DoS) are involved in approvals, creating duplication and delays.
• Example: Satellite communication ventures face clearance from DoT, DoS, and Defence simultaneously.
• Absence of Statutory Backing for IN-SPACe IN-SPACe, the nodal agency, functions on executive orders without legislative authority. This weakens investor confidence as regulatory decisions can be challenged.
• IN-SPACe, the nodal agency, functions on executive orders without legislative authority.
• This weakens investor confidence as regulatory decisions can be challenged.
• Liability and Insurance Concerns Under OST, India is internationally liable for all space activities, including private launches. Startups face high entry barriers due to expensive liability coverage.
• Under OST, India is internationally liable for all space activities, including private launches.
• Startups face high entry barriers due to expensive liability coverage.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Uncertainty India allows limited FDI in satellite manufacturing; unclear automatic routes deter foreign capital. Competitor nations like Luxembourg and UAE attract startups with liberal investment rules.
• India allows limited FDI in satellite manufacturing; unclear automatic routes deter foreign capital.
• Competitor nations like Luxembourg and UAE attract startups with liberal investment rules.
• Intellectual Property (IP) and Innovation Protection Overregulation risks discouraging innovation; under-protection risks loss of talent to IP-friendly nations. A balance is lacking between state oversight and private ownership of space technologies.
• Overregulation risks discouraging innovation; under-protection risks loss of talent to IP-friendly nations.
• A balance is lacking between state oversight and private ownership of space technologies.
Way Forward
• Enact a Comprehensive Space Activities Law Provide a statutory framework aligning with OST obligations. Clearly define roles of government, private actors, and liability-sharing norms.
• Provide a statutory framework aligning with OST obligations.
• Clearly define roles of government, private actors, and liability-sharing norms.
• Empower IN-SPACe through Statute Grant IN-SPACe full legal authority as a single-window regulator. Establish time-bound licensing, transparent fee structures, and clear denial criteria.
• Grant IN-SPACe full legal authority as a single-window regulator.
• Establish time-bound licensing, transparent fee structures, and clear denial criteria.
• Create Affordable Insurance Frameworks Develop government-backed reinsurance or pooled risk models for startups. Example: France provides subsidised insurance for space debris liability.
• Develop government-backed reinsurance or pooled risk models for startups.
• Example: France provides subsidised insurance for space debris liability.
• Liberalise FDI Norms Permit 100% FDI under the automatic route in satellite components and services. This would attract global capital while ensuring strategic oversight.
• Permit 100% FDI under the automatic route in satellite components and services.
• This would attract global capital while ensuring strategic oversight.
• Strengthen IP and Innovation Ecosystem Protect patents and copyrights of private players. Encourage industry–academia–government collaborations for innovation retention in India.
• Protect patents and copyrights of private players.
• Encourage industry–academia–government collaborations for innovation retention in India.
Conclusion
India’s space programme is transitioning from state-led exploration to private-sector-driven commercialisation. But without a comprehensive space law, this growth risks being stifled by uncertainty, liability concerns, and regulatory gaps. Enacting a national space law will ensure India meets its international obligations, fosters a competitive space economy, and positions itself as a trusted global leader in space governance.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
18th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO 2025)
Context: Rayansh Gupta from Ludhiana won 1 Gold and 1 Silver medal at the 18th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO 2025) in Jining, China.
About 18th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO 2025):
What it is?
• An annual global competition in earth sciences for high-school students.
• Tests knowledge in geology, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy, and environmental sciences through individual and team events.
• Promotes scientific temper, research skills, and international cooperation.
Held in: Jining, China (2025).
India’s Performance:
• India won 7 medals + 1 special award.
• Winners: Rayansh Gupta: 1 Gold, 1 Silver & Special GYM Reporter Award. Bains Charuvrat: 2 Silver, 1 Bronze. Apam Nidhi Pandey: 1 Silver. Pryanshi Ghanghas: 1 Bronze.
• Rayansh Gupta: 1 Gold, 1 Silver & Special GYM Reporter Award.
• Bains Charuvrat: 2 Silver, 1 Bronze.
• Apam Nidhi Pandey: 1 Silver.
• Pryanshi Ghanghas: 1 Bronze.
• The team was supported by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• GS Paper III:
• Science & Technology: Promoting scientific research, innovation, and talent development. Education & Governance: Role of government (MoES) in nurturing scientific talent.
• Science & Technology: Promoting scientific research, innovation, and talent development.
• Education & Governance: Role of government (MoES) in nurturing scientific talent.
• Essay / Ethics:
• Human Resource Development: Youth participation in global scientific platforms. Scientific Temper: Fulfilling Article 51A(h) – developing scientific temper in citizens.
• Human Resource Development: Youth participation in global scientific platforms.
• Scientific Temper: Fulfilling Article 51A(h) – developing scientific temper in citizens.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
Mercator Projection Map
Source: IE
Context: The African Union (AU) has endorsed a global campaign to replace the Mercator projection map with one that depicts Africa’s true size.
About Mercator Projection Map:
• What it is?
• A cylindrical map projection, introduced in 1569. Designed for navigation — allows sailors to follow a straight line of constant compass bearing.
• A cylindrical map projection, introduced in 1569.
• Designed for navigation — allows sailors to follow a straight line of constant compass bearing.
• Developed by: Gerardus Mercator (1512–1594), Flemish mathematician and cartographer.
• Key Features: Type: A cylindrical projection mathematically derived to project the spherical Earth on a flat surface. Straight-line Navigation (Rhumb Lines):
• Type: A cylindrical projection mathematically derived to project the spherical Earth on a flat surface.
• Straight-line Navigation (Rhumb Lines):
• Any straight line drawn represents a line of constant compass bearing (loxodrome). Made it ideal for maritime navigation in the Age of Exploration.
• Any straight line drawn represents a line of constant compass bearing (loxodrome). Made it ideal for maritime navigation in the Age of Exploration.
• Any straight line drawn represents a line of constant compass bearing (loxodrome).
• Made it ideal for maritime navigation in the Age of Exploration.
• Grid Structure:
• Meridians: Equally spaced, parallel, vertical lines. Parallels of Latitude: Horizontal, straight lines — spacing increases with distance from the Equator. Grid intersections form perfect right angles.
• Meridians: Equally spaced, parallel, vertical lines. Parallels of Latitude: Horizontal, straight lines — spacing increases with distance from the Equator. Grid intersections form perfect right angles.
• Meridians: Equally spaced, parallel, vertical lines.
• Parallels of Latitude: Horizontal, straight lines — spacing increases with distance from the Equator.
• Grid intersections form perfect right angles.
• Scale:
• True scale only along the Equator. Distortion increases with latitude, especially near the poles.
• True scale only along the Equator. Distortion increases with latitude, especially near the poles.
• True scale only along the Equator.
• Distortion increases with latitude, especially near the poles.
• Conformality:
• Preserves shapes and angles, making it useful for navigators. But area (size) is highly distorted.
• Preserves shapes and angles, making it useful for navigators.
• But area (size) is highly distorted.
• Issues & Distortions:
• Africa & South America appear much smaller than reality. Europe, North America, and Greenland look disproportionately larger.
• Africa & South America appear much smaller than reality.
• Europe, North America, and Greenland look disproportionately larger.
The 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Source: LM
Context: The 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha and referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
About The 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025:
What it is?
• A Bill seeking to amend Article 75 (Union Ministers), Article 164 (State Ministers), and Article 239AA (NCT of Delhi).
• Also proposes amendments in the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 and the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
Objective:
• To ensure that Ministers holding high constitutional offices remain beyond suspicion.
• To protect constitutional morality, good governance, and public trust.
• To prevent misuse of office by Ministers under custody for serious criminal charges.
Key Features of the Bill:
• Automatic Removal: If a Minister (including PM/CM) is arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days for an offence punishable with 5 years or more, they must vacate office.
• If a Minister (including PM/CM) is arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days for an offence punishable with 5 years or more, they must vacate office.
• Role of President/Governor/LG: Removal shall be effected by the President (at Centre), Governor (in States), or Lieutenant Governor (in UTs), based on procedure.
• Removal shall be effected by the President (at Centre), Governor (in States), or Lieutenant Governor (in UTs), based on procedure.
• Prime Minister’s Advice Clause: The PM must advise the President to remove such a Minister by the 31st day. If not, the Minister automatically ceases to hold office from the following day.
• The PM must advise the President to remove such a Minister by the 31st day.
• If not, the Minister automatically ceases to hold office from the following day.
• Reappointment Clause: The provision does not bar reappointment of the Minister after release from custody.
• The provision does not bar reappointment of the Minister after release from custody.
• Extension to States & UTs: Similar provisions proposed for State Cabinets and Union Territories through amendments in corresponding laws.
• Similar provisions proposed for State Cabinets and Union Territories through amendments in corresponding laws.
• Justification in Objects & Reasons: Ministers facing serious charges may thwart constitutional morality and erode public faith in governance. Aim is to keep executive positions free from “any ray of suspicion”.
• Ministers facing serious charges may thwart constitutional morality and erode public faith in governance.
• Aim is to keep executive positions free from “any ray of suspicion”.
India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy
Source: TH
Context: In May 2025, the Ministry of Finance released India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy for public consultation.
About India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy:
• What it is?
• A classification framework that defines which sectors, technologies, and practices qualify as climate-aligned investments. Called a “living document”, designed to evolve with India’s domestic priorities and global climate commitments.
• A classification framework that defines which sectors, technologies, and practices qualify as climate-aligned investments.
• Called a “living document”, designed to evolve with India’s domestic priorities and global climate commitments.
• Ministry: Prepared by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs.
• To mobilise climate finance from public and private sources. To differentiate genuine green projects from greenwashing. To ensure clarity and confidence for investors.
• To mobilise climate finance from public and private sources.
• To differentiate genuine green projects from greenwashing.
• To ensure clarity and confidence for investors.
• Key Features:
• Scope – Covers activities contributing to mitigation, adaptation, and transition. Review Mechanism – Proposes annual reviews (short-term course correction) and five-year reviews (aligned with NDCs and global stocktake). Legal Coherence – Aligns with Indian laws like Energy Conservation Act, SEBI norms, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, and global standards. Substantive Clarity – Ensures definitions are precise, updated with data, and easy to understand for both experts and non-experts. Inclusivity – Provides simplified compliance and staggered timelines for MSMEs, informal sector, and vulnerable communities. Institutional Accountability – Suggests creation of a standing review unit/expert committee and public dashboards for transparency.
• Scope – Covers activities contributing to mitigation, adaptation, and transition.
• Review Mechanism – Proposes annual reviews (short-term course correction) and five-year reviews (aligned with NDCs and global stocktake).
• Legal Coherence – Aligns with Indian laws like Energy Conservation Act, SEBI norms, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, and global standards.
• Substantive Clarity – Ensures definitions are precise, updated with data, and easy to understand for both experts and non-experts.
• Inclusivity – Provides simplified compliance and staggered timelines for MSMEs, informal sector, and vulnerable communities.
• Institutional Accountability – Suggests creation of a standing review unit/expert committee and public dashboards for transparency.
• Significance:
• Strengthens investor confidence in India’s green economy. Ensures predictable, transparent, and science-based climate finance flows. Supports India’s net-zero targets and complements instruments like green bonds and carbon credit trading.
• Strengthens investor confidence in India’s green economy.
• Ensures predictable, transparent, and science-based climate finance flows.
• Supports India’s net-zero targets and complements instruments like green bonds and carbon credit trading.
Machine Readable Electoral Rolls in India
Source: The Hindu
Context: The Opposition have demanded machine-readable electoral rolls from the Election Commission (EC), arguing that searchable formats are vital to detect duplicate or fraudulent entries.
About Electoral Rolls
What it is?
• Definition: An electoral roll is the official list of citizens eligible to vote in a constituency.
• Authority: Prepared and updated under the supervision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) through district-level officials.
• Dynamic Nature: Updated regularly to include new voters, remove deceased or shifted individuals, and correct errors.
• Access: Publicly available through the EC’s website in the form of PDFs split into hundreds of constituency “parts.”
About Machine-Readable Electoral Rolls
What It Is
• Rolls provided in text-searchable format (text-PDF or Excel/CSV) instead of image-only PDF.
• Allows computers to index, search, and analyse voter data quickly.
Working Mechanism
• Image PDF = Cannot be searched digitally; only human scrutiny works.
• Text PDF/CSV = Enables computer-based matching, duplicate detection, and large-scale verification.
• OCR (Optical Character Recognition) = Converts scanned image PDFs into machine-readable text, but this is costly and resource-intensive (millions of pages nationwide).
Why EC Stopped Providing Machine-Readable Rolls
• Data Privacy Concerns – Names and addresses could be misused by foreign entities.
• 2018 SC Case (Kamal Nath v. EC) – Supreme Court refused to compel EC to share text-based rolls.
• Internal EC Order (2018) – Directed States to upload only image-PDFs to protect voter identity.
• Security Risks – Potential misuse of searchable data for profiling, surveillance, or targeted political manipulation.
• Alternative Given – Political parties can convert PDFs themselves via OCR, though costly and cumbersome.
Lok Sabha Passes Online Gaming Regulation Bill, 2025
Source: IE
Context: The Lok Sabha has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, banning real money gaming such as fantasy sports and card games. The Bill aims to address financial, psychological, and social harms caused by addictive platforms.
About Online Gaming Regulation Bill, 2025
What it is?
• The Bill seeks to prohibit online real money games where users deposit money for monetary returns.
• It aims to balance prohibition of harmful money games with the promotion of e-sports as a creative and recreational sector.
• It establishes a statutory authority for structured development and regulation of safe gaming.
Key Provisions of the Bill
• Ban on Real Money Gaming Prohibits the offering, facilitation, promotion, advertisement, and participation in online games involving monetary deposits and returns. Directly targets platforms offering fantasy leagues, card games, or gambling-like models.
• Prohibits the offering, facilitation, promotion, advertisement, and participation in online games involving monetary deposits and returns.
• Directly targets platforms offering fantasy leagues, card games, or gambling-like models.
• Authority for E-Sports Establishes a statutory authority to promote e-sports as a creative and recreational sector. Differentiates skill-based e-sports from gambling-oriented money games.
• Establishes a statutory authority to promote e-sports as a creative and recreational sector.
• Differentiates skill-based e-sports from gambling-oriented money games.
• Rationale Behind the Bill Addresses social and economic harms: addiction, suicides, fraud, and financial losses. Seeks to curb fraudulent algorithms and cheating mechanisms used by gaming companies.
• Addresses social and economic harms: addiction, suicides, fraud, and financial losses.
• Seeks to curb fraudulent algorithms and cheating mechanisms used by gaming companies.
• No Draft Consultation The government skipped pre-legislative consultation, arguing prohibition laws do not require open industry feedback. However, IT Minister cited years of prior engagement with the gaming sector.
• The government skipped pre-legislative consultation, arguing prohibition laws do not require open industry feedback.
• However, IT Minister cited years of prior engagement with the gaming sector.
India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile
Source: HT
Context: India successfully test-fired the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile from Chandipur, Odisha, validating its operational and technical parameters under the Strategic Forces Command.
About Agni-V
What it is
• Agni-V is India’s longest-range ballistic missile, classified as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) class system though officially described as intermediate-range.
• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for India’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
Category & Type
• Category: Surface-to-surface, nuclear-capable ballistic missile.
• Type: Three-stage, solid-fuelled missile with road/rail mobile launch capability.
Range & Payload
• Range: About 5,000–5,500 km, covering all of Asia and parts of Europe & Africa.
• Payload: Can carry a 1.5-tonne nuclear warhead (single or Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle – MIRV).
Technology Features
• Solid Fuel Technology – All stages are solid-fuel based, enhancing readiness.
• MIRV Capability – Tested in March 2024, allows striking multiple targets with one launch.
• Ring Laser Gyro Navigation & Micro Inertial Systems – Provides high accuracy.
• Composite Materials – Reduce weight while improving structural strength.
• Canisterised Launch System – Ensures faster deployment and longer shelf life.
Agni Missile Series
• Agni-I Range: ~700–1,200 km Type: Short-range, single-stage, solid-fuel missile.
• Range: ~700–1,200 km
• Type: Short-range, single-stage, solid-fuel missile.
• Agni-II Range: ~2,000–2,500 km Type: Two-stage, solid-fuel missile; road/rail mobile.
• Range: ~2,000–2,500 km
• Type: Two-stage, solid-fuel missile; road/rail mobile.
• Agni-III Range: ~3,000–3,500 km Type: Two-stage, nuclear-capable missile; designed for deeper penetration.
• Range: ~3,000–3,500 km
• Type: Two-stage, nuclear-capable missile; designed for deeper penetration.
• Agni-IV Range: ~3,500–4,000 km Features: Advanced composite materials, improved navigation systems.
• Range: ~3,500–4,000 km
• Features: Advanced composite materials, improved navigation systems.
• Agni-V Range: 5,000+ km; MIRV capable. Canister-based, most advanced in service.
• Range: 5,000+ km; MIRV capable.
• Canister-based, most advanced in service.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2025 Mapping:
Nigeria
Source: DH
Context: At least 50 people were killed and 60 abducted after gunmen attacked a mosque and homes in Katsina state, northwest Nigeria during dawn prayers.
About Nigeria:
• Location: Situated on the western coast of Africa.
• Capital: Abuja (since 1991).
• Neighbouring Nations: Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) and
• Key Geographical Features:
• Rivers & Basins: Niger River and its tributary Benue River form the main drainage system. Niger Delta is one of the world’s largest wetlands. Mountains & Plateaus: Jos Plateau in central Nigeria with extinct volcanoes. Chappal Waddi (2,419 m) – highest peak, part of the Cameroon Highlands. Other ranges: Shebshi Mountains, Udi-Nsukka Escarpment. Plains & Soils: Sokoto Plains (northwest) and Borno Plains (northeast). Fertile savanna soils in central regions, forest soils in the south. Climate: Ranges from arid (north) to humid equatorial (south). Natural Resources: Abundant petroleum and natural gas deposits – backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
• Rivers & Basins: Niger River and its tributary Benue River form the main drainage system. Niger Delta is one of the world’s largest wetlands.
• Niger River and its tributary Benue River form the main drainage system.
• Niger Delta is one of the world’s largest wetlands.
• Mountains & Plateaus: Jos Plateau in central Nigeria with extinct volcanoes. Chappal Waddi (2,419 m) – highest peak, part of the Cameroon Highlands. Other ranges: Shebshi Mountains, Udi-Nsukka Escarpment.
• Jos Plateau in central Nigeria with extinct volcanoes.
• Chappal Waddi (2,419 m) – highest peak, part of the Cameroon Highlands.
• Other ranges: Shebshi Mountains, Udi-Nsukka Escarpment.
• Plains & Soils: Sokoto Plains (northwest) and Borno Plains (northeast). Fertile savanna soils in central regions, forest soils in the south.
• Sokoto Plains (northwest) and Borno Plains (northeast).
• Fertile savanna soils in central regions, forest soils in the south.
• Climate: Ranges from arid (north) to humid equatorial (south).
• Natural Resources: Abundant petroleum and natural gas deposits – backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Official Facebook Page HERE
Twitter Account HERE
Instagram Account HERE
LinkedIn: HERE