UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 August 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 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 – 22 August (2025)
• Constitution’s Ninth Schedule
Constitution’s Ninth Schedule
GS Paper 3:
• Inflation targeting and the test of credibility
Inflation targeting and the test of credibility
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Kerala Declared India’s First Fully Digitally Literate State
Kerala Declared India’s First Fully Digitally Literate State
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Fortified Rice Scheme Extended till 2028
Fortified Rice Scheme Extended till 2028
• National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
• SEBI Moots ‘Regulated Venue’ for Pre-Listing Companies
SEBI Moots ‘Regulated Venue’ for Pre-Listing Companies
• CCPA Penalty on Rapido for Misleading Advertisements
CCPA Penalty on Rapido for Misleading Advertisements
• NTCA Limits Definition of Tiger Corridors
NTCA Limits Definition of Tiger Corridors
Mapping:
• Uganda
Uganda
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 August 2025
#### GS Paper 2:
Constitution’s Ninth Schedule
Syllabus: Polity
Source: NIE
Context
The Ninth Schedule, introduced by the First Constitutional Amendment, 1951, was originally proposed by V.K. Thiruvenkatachari, Advocate General of Madras, to safeguard land reform laws from being struck down by courts. Over decades, it has become a flashpoint in the legislature–judiciary tussle, oscillating between enabling social justice reforms and risking erosion of constitutional liberties.
Historical Context and Rationale
• The Patna High Court (1951) invalidated Bihar’s land reforms, creating a deadlock between Parliament and judiciary.
• Responding, the First Amendment inserted: Article 31A – protecting agrarian reform laws from challenge. Article 31B & Ninth Schedule – granting blanket immunity to listed laws.
• Article 31A – protecting agrarian reform laws from challenge.
• Article 31B & Ninth Schedule – granting blanket immunity to listed laws.
• Initially, 13 state laws (mostly on zamindari abolition) were placed in the Ninth Schedule, later expanding to over 280 laws.
• Political intent: to dismantle feudal hierarchies and uphold Directive Principles (Article 38, 39(b), 39(c)) on equitable distribution of resources.
Judicial Evolution
• Sankari Prasad (1951): SC upheld the First Amendment and validity of the Ninth Schedule.
• Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967): SC held Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights—raising doubts over Ninth Schedule validity.
• Kesavananda Bharati (1973): Introduced the basic structure doctrine—Parliament cannot alter constitutional fundamentals.
• Waman Rao v. Union of India (1981): Drew a line—laws inserted in Ninth Schedule before 24 April 1973 upheld, later ones subject to scrutiny.
• I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu (2007): Clarified that post-1973 Ninth Schedule laws are open to judicial review if they damage the basic structure.
Positive Aspects
• Agrarian Transformation: Enabled abolition of zamindari, benefiting millions of tenants (UP alone abolished 2 crore acres of landlord holdings by 1960).
• Social Justice: Protected welfare measures like ceiling on landholdings, tenancy rights, and affirmative action laws.
• Policy Certainty: Reduced litigations—by 1970s, over 50 land reform acts survived due to Ninth Schedule protection.
• Constitutional Flexibility: Allowed democratic mandates to prevail over rigid colonial-era property rights.
• Equity Orientation: Supported implementation of Directive Principles, aligning state action with social justice goals.
Challenges
• Legislative Overreach: By 2000s, Ninth Schedule held over 284 laws, many unrelated to agrarian reforms.
• Erosion of Fundamental Rights: Blanket immunity undermined Articles 14, 19, and 21.
• Judiciary–Legislature Conflict: Sparked recurring confrontations, especially after Kesavananda and Coelho.
• Scope for Misuse: Governments used it to bypass scrutiny of politically expedient measures (e.g., TN reservation laws exceeding 69% cap).
• Uncertainty in Application: Post-Coelho, ambiguity persists on how courts apply “basic structure” to welfare measures.
Way Forward
• Restrict Use: Confine the Ninth Schedule to genuine land and equity reforms, avoiding its use as a political shield.
• Judicial Clarity: Courts should apply consistent tests under the basic structure doctrine to reduce uncertainty.
• Legislative Restraint: Parliament must exercise self-discipline, using insulation sparingly and only after robust debate.
• Safeguards: Introduce tools like sunset clauses or periodic review to prevent blanket, permanent immunity.
• Balanced Approach: Legislature should advance social justice, while judiciary upholds constitutional values of equality, liberty, and rule of law.
Conclusion
The Ninth Schedule was a bold innovation that enabled India’s agrarian and social justice reforms. But its overuse risks undermining constitutional guarantees. Going forward, its use must remain narrow, restrained, and consistent with the basic structure, so that it continues to serve as a shield for reform without eroding rights.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 August 2025 GS Paper 3:
Inflation targeting and the test of credibility
Syllabus: Indian Economy
Source: IE
Context
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its discussion paper (August 2025) on reviewing the flexible inflation targeting (FIT) framework. With the current 4% CPI target within a 2–6% tolerance band expiring in March 2026, the RBI has cautioned that raising the target could dilute credibility and reverse policy gains.
Rationale for Retaining the 4% Target
• Credibility with Global Investors: Raising the target could be read as tolerance for higher inflation, weakening policy reputation. The recent S&P Global upgrade to BBB highlighted RBI’s inflation management as a pillar of investor confidence.
• Institutional Stability: The framework has built confidence in the MPC process and fiscal responsibility norms.
• Domestic Outcomes: Headline CPI inflation has largely stayed within the 2–6% band since 2016, reflecting policy success. The July 2025 figure of 1.55%, the second-lowest since the series began, is evidence of stability.
• External Balance: Low and stable inflation protects the rupee, maintains external competitiveness, and prevents erosion of capital inflows.
Headline vs. Core Inflation Debate
• Survey Argument (2023–24): Suggested targeting core inflation (excluding food and fuel), since food inflation is mostly supply-driven and outside the RBI’s control.
• RBI’s Counter: Persistent food price shocks spill into wages, rents, and mark-ups, affecting core inflation in the long run. Hence, headline CPI cannot be ignored.
• Global Norm: Nearly all inflation-targeting countries (advanced and emerging) use headline CPI; Uganda is the only one using core inflation.
• Indian Reality: With food accounting for almost 50% of the CPI basket, excluding it would weaken policy relevance for households and workers.
Key Issues in the Framework
• Target Level: Lowering below 4% is unsuitable for India’s growth needs; raising above 4% could erode institutional credibility.
• Tolerance Band: Debate exists on whether to keep the 2–6% band, narrow it, or remove it altogether. A band offers flexibility but can reduce accountability.
• Volatility in Inflation: Between 2014–2025, CPI inflation ranged between 1.5% and 8.6%, largely due to food price swings, while core inflation remained more stable.
• Policy Certainty: The framework has provided consistency, helping India withstand shocks like the pandemic and oil price surges without runaway inflation.
Positive Outcomes of the Framework
• Anchored Inflation Expectations: Households and firms have adapted decisions around a credible 4% anchor, reducing uncertainty.
• Improved Sovereign Ratings: Agencies like S&P Global have upgraded India, citing RBI’s success in keeping inflation broadly within the 2–6% band.
• External Stability: Low inflation has strengthened the rupee, stabilised foreign capital inflows, and supported current account management.
• Investor Confidence: Predictable inflation management reduces risk premiums on Indian assets, encouraging FDI and portfolio inflows.
• Resilience to Shocks: Despite global supply disruptions, India avoided runaway inflation, showing the framework’s effectiveness in turbulent times.
Way Forward
• Retain 4% Target: Raising above this could be viewed as dilution of policy; RBI stresses keeping it unchanged to preserve credibility.
• Do Not Lower Below 4%: A lower target could unnecessarily constrain growth in a developing economy like India.
• Continue Headline CPI: Food inflation has long-run spill overs into core; targeting only core would ignore household realities.
• Review Tolerance Band: Debate on whether to maintain, revise, or drop the 2–6% band continues; RBI advises caution against disrupting tested elements.
• Preserve Policy Certainty: Continuity in the framework is crucial in a time of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, ensuring India’s gains in fiscal responsibility and external stability are not eroded.
Conclusion
The inflation targeting framework has anchored prices and strengthened India’s economic credibility since 2016. RBI’s paper makes clear that the 4% anchor, headline CPI focus, and tolerance band remain essential. Fine-tuning may be considered, but continuity and credibility must guide the framework’s renewal in 2026.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 August 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Kerala Declared India’s First Fully Digitally Literate State
Context
Kerala Chief Minister declared Kerala as the first fully digitally literate State in India, marking the completion of Phase I of the Digi Kerala project. The initiative sought to bridge the digital divide by training individuals in basic digital skills across all local bodies.
Key Features of the Achievement
• Mass Coverage: Surveys covered 1.5 crore individuals from 83.46 lakh families.
• Targeted Intervention: Identified 21.88 lakh digitally illiterate persons, of which 21.87 lakh (99.98%) successfully completed training and evaluation.
• Inclusive Approach: Even senior citizens, including 104-year-old M.A. Abdullah Moulavi Baqavi, participated—showcasing accessibility and inclusiveness.
• Grassroots Orientation: Training delivered through local bodies, reflecting Kerala’s strong decentralisation and participatory governance tradition.
Significance for India’s Governance & Development
• Bridging the Digital Divide Ensures equitable access to e-governance, financial inclusion, and welfare schemes. Example: Accessing Ayushman Bharat, PM-Kisan or Jan Dhan benefits digitally.
• Ensures equitable access to e-governance, financial inclusion, and welfare schemes.
• Example: Accessing Ayushman Bharat, PM-Kisan or Jan Dhan benefits digitally.
• Strengthening Digital Democracy Empowers citizens to engage with digital platforms for grievance redressal, RTI filing, and online civic participation. Enhances transparency and accountability.
• Empowers citizens to engage with digital platforms for grievance redressal, RTI filing, and online civic participation.
• Enhances transparency and accountability.
• Model for Digital India Kerala demonstrates a scalable model for other States under the Digital India mission, focusing on grassroots training rather than only infrastructure.
• Kerala demonstrates a scalable model for other States under the Digital India mission, focusing on grassroots training rather than only infrastructure.
• Socio-economic Empowerment Reduces digital exclusion of women, elderly, and marginalised groups. Promotes digital skills relevant for livelihoods, self-help groups, and small businesses.
• Reduces digital exclusion of women, elderly, and marginalised groups.
• Promotes digital skills relevant for livelihoods, self-help groups, and small businesses.
• Resilience in Governance A digitally literate population is better positioned to cope with crises (pandemics, natural disasters) via online services and e-learning.
• A digitally literate population is better positioned to cope with crises (pandemics, natural disasters) via online services and e-learning.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 August 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
Fortified Rice Scheme Extended till 2028
Source: PIB
Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of universal supply of fortified rice under all government schemes till December 2028 with 100% central funding of ₹17,082 crore.
About Fortified Rice Scheme:
What it is
• A nutrition intervention programme to supply rice fortified with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12 through government food safety nets.
• Aims to combat anaemia, malnutrition, and hidden hunger in India.
Started in
• Pilot phase launched in 2019.
• National scale-up approved in 2022 for universal coverage.
Nodal Ministry & Agency
• Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• Technical standards framed by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).
Components of the Scheme
• Public Distribution System (PDS) – fortified rice distributed through ration shops.
• PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal) – fortified staples in school meals to address child anaemia.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) – supply for children and women beneficiaries.
• Special Nutrition Initiatives – distribution under Wheat-Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP) and Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG).
Key Features
• Universal Coverage: By March 2024, fortified rice replaced normal rice in all central schemes.
• Nutritional Focus: Added Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12 to address anaemia, neurological, and cognitive deficiencies.
• Cost Coverage: Entire fortification cost borne by Government of India.
• Complementary Fortified Foods: Guidelines promote use of Double Fortified Salt (DFS) and fortified edible oil in PM POSHAN.
• Multi-Sectoral Convergence: Linked with Anemia Mukt Bharat (2018) and nutrition awareness drives.
• Monitoring: States and UTs to ensure quality, compliance, and proper distribution.
• Partnerships: Supported by NDDB Foundation for Nutrition (Gift Milk Programme) to enhance complementary nutrition in schools.
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
Source: TH
Context: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has issued a direction giving priority in organ allocation to women patients and female relatives of deceased donors, addressing long-standing gender disparity.
About National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
What it is?
• Apex government body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Functions as the national coordination centre for organ and tissue donation/transplantation.
Headquarters: Located on the Institute of Pathology (ICMR) Building, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
• To coordinate, regulate, and promote organ and tissue donation and transplantation in India.
• Facilitate the safe and efficient allocation and utilization of organs and tissues.
Established in
• Formed in 2014, under the mandate of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 (amended 2011).
Chaired by
• Operates under the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), MoHFW.
Structure of Organisation
• National Network Division – maintains a central registry of donors and recipients.
• National Biomaterial Centre – tissue banking for corneas, bones, skin, etc.
• Coordination with ROTTOs & SOTTOs – Regional and State-level bodies.
Functions & Powers
• Maintain national database of organ and tissue donations.
• Ensure transparent allocation through waiting lists.
• Issue guidelines & protocols for ethical transplantation.
• Train transplant coordinators & medical staff.
• Run awareness campaigns to increase voluntary donation.
• Support hospitals in setting up retrieval centres and trauma-linked donor facilities.
• Monitor compliance with THOA, 1994 to prevent organ trafficking or commercial trade.
SEBI Moots ‘Regulated Venue’ for Pre-Listing Companies
Source: FE
Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed creating a “regulated venue” for trading shares of pre-listing companies.
About Regulated Venue for Pre-Listing Companies
What it is
• A formalised platform under SEBI oversight where unlisted companies’ shares can be traded before their Initial Public Offering (IPO).
• Will function as a transparent alternative to the unregulated grey market.
Objective
• Promote fair price discovery before IPO.
• Ensure government receives taxes and revenue from such transactions.
• Protect investors by bringing informal trades under legal scrutiny.
• Strengthen market integrity and transparency in capital markets.
About Grey Market
What it is?
• Definition: An informal market where shares of companies that are about to be listed trade between buyers and sellers based on mutual agreement.
• Operates outside regulatory purview, lacking transparency and investor protection.
Issues with Grey Market
• Encourages unofficial pricing → distorts IPO valuations.
• Exposes investors to risks of fraud and manipulation.
• Leads to tax leakages as trades remain undocumented.
Significance of SEBI’s Move
• Fair Price Discovery A regulated venue will reflect the true demand and supply before IPOs, avoiding artificial overvaluation.
• A regulated venue will reflect the true demand and supply before IPOs, avoiding artificial overvaluation.
• Revenue & Tax Compliance Formalising the trades ensures government earns its due share of taxes.
• Formalising the trades ensures government earns its due share of taxes.
• Investor Protection SEBI oversight safeguards investors from misleading practices, manipulation, and fraud.
• SEBI oversight safeguards investors from misleading practices, manipulation, and fraud.
• Market Efficiency Creates a structured mechanism for price formation in pre-listing shares.
• Creates a structured mechanism for price formation in pre-listing shares.
• Global Alignment Many advanced economies have secondary private markets regulated under law, making India’s step globally relevant.
• Many advanced economies have secondary private markets regulated under law, making India’s step globally relevant.
CCPA Penalty on Rapido for Misleading Advertisements
Source: TOI
Context: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of ₹10 lakh on Rapido for misleading advertisements promising “Auto in 5 min or get ₹50”. It also directed Rapido to compensate affected consumers and discontinue deceptive claims.
About Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
What it is
• A statutory regulatory body established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Functions as the apex authority for safeguarding consumer rights and curbing unfair trade practices.
Established in
• Formed in July 2020, under Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Chaired by
• Headed by the Chief Commissioner, assisted by two Commissioners (one for goods, one for services).
Structure of Organisation
• Chief Commissioner – overall leadership and decision-making.
• Two Commissioners – focus areas: goods and services.
• Investigation Wing – headed by a Director-General, responsible for inquiries and evidence collection.
• Regional & District Networks – linked with consumer helplines and grievance redressal systems.
Functions & Powers
• Protect and enforce consumer rights against misleading ads and unfair practices.
• Conduct investigations into violations through its Investigation Wing.
• Pass orders for withdrawal/discontinuation of misleading advertisements.
• Impose penalties on companies and celebrities endorsing false claims.
• Initiate class action suits in cases of large-scale consumer harm.
• Coordinate with National Consumer Helpline (1915) for grievance redressal.
• Promote consumer awareness through campaigns and advisories.
Legal Authority
• Empowered under Sections 10, 20, and 21 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Can impose fines, order discontinuation of ads, and recommend prosecution where necessary.
NTCA Limits Definition of Tiger Corridors
Source: IE
Context: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has restricted the definition of tiger corridors to only 32 “least cost pathways” (2014 report) and those in Tiger Conservation Plans, excluding newer scientific studies.
About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
What it is
• A statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Apex authority for tiger conservation and management of tiger reserves in India.
Established in
• Created in 2005 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 through its 2006 amendment.
Chaired by
• Headed by the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Vice-Chairperson: Minister of State for Environment.
• Member Secretary: a senior official from MoEFCC (generally Additional DG, Wildlife).
Structure of Organisation
• Chairperson – Union Environment Minister.
• Members – Experts in ecology, wildlife, tribal welfare, NGOs, and MPs.
• Member Secretary – senior MoEFCC officer handling administration.
• Field interface – works closely with State Forest Departments, Tiger Reserves, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Functions & Powers
• Approve Tiger Conservation Plans (TCPs) prepared by states.
• Lay down guidelines for tourism, coexistence, and protection of buffer areas.
• Ensure ecological connectivity by notifying and managing tiger corridors.
• Provide financial assistance for tiger conservation projects.
• Conduct periodic appraisals of tiger status and habitat.
• Use powers under Section 38(O) of Wildlife Protection Act to regulate projects in tiger reserves and corridors.
• Oversee implementation of Project Tiger and maintain national tiger estimation through All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE).
Significance of the Current Issue
• Conservation setback: Excluding WII studies and AITE data narrows corridor protection.
• Industrial benefit: Mining and infrastructure projects may now bypass stricter scrutiny.
• Legal implications: The Bombay HC case may decide whether NTCA’s volte-face aligns with statutory obligations.
• Ecological risk: Limiting corridors to minimal routes threatens long-term tiger gene flow and survival.
• Policy contradiction: NTCA itself admitted in 2014 that “alternative connectivities do exist and must be conserved”.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 August 2025 Mapping:
Uganda
Source: IE
Context: On 21 August 2025, Uganda announced that it had agreed in principle to a deal with the United States to accept deported migrants, provided they do not have criminal records and are not unaccompanied minors.
About Uganda:
• Location: Landlocked country in East Africa, straddling the equator.
• Capital: Kampala (economic hub).
• Neighbouring Nations: Kenya (E), South Sudan (N), DRC (W), Rwanda (SW), Tanzania (S).
Key Geographical Features
Rivers & Basins:
• White Nile rises from Lake Victoria at Jinja; flows north via Victoria Nile to Lakes Kyoga and Albert, then into South Sudan.
• Extensive lake system: Victoria, Albert, Edward, Kyoga — fisheries and inland transport lifelines.
Mountains & Plateaus:
• Rwenzori Mountains (W) with Mount Stanley / Margherita Peak (5,109 m) — Africa’s 3rd highest.
• Mount Elgon (4,321 m) on the Kenya border; extinct volcanic massif.
• Western arm of the East African Rift shapes the Albertine Graben.
Plains & Soils:
• Central Uganda Plateau (~1,000–1,300 m).
• Volcanic and ferrallitic soils in the east and southwest; savanna soils in central and north support banana, coffee, maize.
Climate:
• Tropical but altitude-moderated; bimodal rains in most areas (Mar–May, Sep–Nov).
• More arid toward the north and northeast; humid around the Lake Victoria basin.
Natural Resources:
• Agriculture: Coffee (major export), tea, cotton, fish (Lake Victoria), matooke (bananas).
• Minerals: Gold, copper, cobalt, iron ore, phosphates, limestone.
• Energy: Crude oil in the Albertine Graben (Lake Albert basin); growing hydropower on the Nile.
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