Daily Current Affairs- 11th August 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 11th August 2025

KSFE Becomes First Miscellaneous NBFC in India to Cross Rs.1 Lakh Crore Turnover

In the News: Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE) became the first miscellaneous non-banking financial company (MNBC/NBFC) in India to achieve a business turnover of Rs.1 lakh crore, a milestone announced as recent news.

Key Points:

• Historic Turnover Achievement : KSFE crossed the ₹1 lakh crore turnover mark, becoming the first MNBC in India to do so.
• Rapid Growth: Doubling in Four Years : The company’s turnover grew from ₹50,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore in just four years—a strong indicator of public trust and demand.
• Celebratory Event in Kerala : A ceremony was scheduled at the Central Stadium, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the celebrations. The event is chaired by Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal.
• Launch of Onam-themed Gift Card : During the event, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G. R. Anil launched the “KSFE Onam Samriddhi Gift Card”.
• Celebrity Guest of Honour : Actor and KSFE brand ambassador Suraj Venjaramoodu graced the occasion as the guest of honour.
• Significant Financial Contributions : Over the past four years, KSFE provided ₹504 crore in financial assistance via interest waivers, contributed ₹920 crore to the Kerala government, and holds ≈₹8,925 crore in fixed deposits with the state treasury.
• Strong Profitability : In the fiscal year 2024–25, KSFE posted a profit of ₹512 crore, underlining its consistent profitability.
• New Brand Tagline : The company unveiled its new tagline: “KSFE: The Courage of Kerala”, reflecting its identity and mission.

Tamil Nadu’s State Education Policy 2025

In the News:  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin unveiled the Tamil Nadu State Education Policy (SEP) 2025 at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai, marking the state as the first in India to formally adopt its own comprehensive school education policy in direct opposition to the Centre's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The 230-page policy document was developed by a 14-member committee headed by retired Delhi High Court Chief Justice D. Murugesan and represents a significant political and educational statement against what the state considers central imposition.

Key Points:

• Policy Framework and Vision: The SEP 2025 aims to build an inclusive, equitable, resilient, and future-ready school education system that nurtures every child's potential while upholding social justice and empowering learners with 21st-century skills rooted in Tamil Nadu's cultural heritage. The policy is designed as a living document to be reviewed every three years, with its future readiness section updated annually to adapt to technological and economic changes.
• Two-Language Formula: Tamil Nadu firmly maintains its bilingual policy of Tamil and English, rejecting the NEP's three-language formula that often includes Hindi. Tamil will be compulsory from Classes 1 to 10 across all schools regardless of board affiliation (CBSE, ICSE, or State board), reinforcing the state's linguistic identity and opposition to perceived Hindi imposition.
• Examination Reforms: The policy implements significant changes to reduce student stress by abolishing board examinations for Class 11 with immediate effect, reversing a 2017 AIADMK government decision. The SEP completely scraps public exams for Classes 3, 5, and 8 that were proposed under NEP, maintaining a no-detention policy until Class 8 to prevent early commercialization of education.
• Undergraduate Admissions: For arts and science courses, admissions will be based on consolidated scores from Classes 11 and 12 rather than common entrance examinations, directly opposing the NEP's standardized testing approach. The state continues its strong opposition to NEET for medical admissions, arguing it disadvantages students from state syllabus backgrounds.
• Foundational Learning Initiatives: The Ennum Ezhuthum Mission remains the flagship initiative, ensuring every child in Classes 1-3 achieves age-appropriate reading, writing, and arithmetic skills in both Tamil and English. Bridge courses and remedial programs will support students in Classes 4 and 5 who need additional help.
• Digital and Future Skills Integration: The policy emphasizes 21st-century competencies including AI, robotics, coding, critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy. The TN-SPARK programme will expand AI and robotics education, while platforms like Kalvi TV and the Manarkeni App will be upgraded for blended learning with virtual labs and interactive content.
• Infrastructure Development: Schools will be modernized with smart classrooms, laboratories, and green infrastructure including rainwater harvesting and solar panels. Vetri Palligal (Schools of Excellence) and Model Schools will serve as hubs for replicating best practices across the state.
• Social Justice and Inclusion: Special provisions target Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, first-generation learners, and children with special needs through barrier-free infrastructure, scholarships, mentoring, and culturally responsive teaching practices. Annual equity audits will be mandated at school and district levels to ensure inclusive education.
• Teacher Development: A comprehensive professional development ecosystem will utilize the Payirchi Paarvai digital platform, modular training, and peer mentoring. Teachers in tribal and disadvantaged areas will receive context-specific support to address regional educational challenges.
• Funding Dispute with Centre: The policy release comes amid a bitter funding dispute where Tamil Nadu alleges the Centre has withheld Rs 2,291.30 crore in education funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme as retaliation for non-implementation of NEP. The state has approached the Supreme Court seeking release of these funds with 6% annual interest.

Maharashtra Launches 'Disha Abhiyan' for Uniform Education of Students with Intellectual Disabilities

In the News: Maharashtra has launched 'Disha Abhiyan', India's first uniform curriculum specifically designed for the education of students with intellectual disabilities. This initiative has been implemented across 453 special schools in the state, aiming to ensure uniform and quality education for these students, reflecting the state's commitment to inclusive education.

Key Points:

• Campaign Launch: Maharashtra initiated 'Disha Abhiyan' as a pioneering state-wide program to provide a standardized curriculum for students with intellectual disabilities. The curriculum has been developed by the Jai Vakil Foundation and certified by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID).
• Curriculum Details: The curriculum incorporates 80 years of expertise from the Jai Vakil Foundation, global best practices, and research-based teaching methods. It is adapted for varying intellectual abilities and includes life skills and vocational training to promote independence among students.
• Implementation Scale: 'Disha Abhiyan' has been rolled out in 453 special schools throughout Maharashtra, reaching over 18,000 students and involving more than 2,600 educators trained under this program.
• Certification and Partnership: The program's curriculum is NIEPID-certified, ensuring a national quality standard and credibility. The initiative was formalized through an MoU between NIEPID and Jai Vakil Foundation to scale up structured education for children with intellectual disabilities across the state and potentially beyond.
• Vision and Impact: The campaign aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for an inclusive and self-reliant India, aiming to eliminate disparities in education quality, improve learning outcomes, and promote social inclusion of intellectually disabled students.

FAO Food Price Index Increases

In the News: The FAO Food Price Index increased by 1.6% to 130.1 points, reaching its highest level since February 2023. This rise reflects increases in international prices of meat and vegetable oils, despite declines in cereals, dairy, and sugar prices.

Key Points:

• Index Increase: The FAO Food Price Index rose from 128 points in June 2025 to 130.1 in July 2025, marking a 1.6% monthly increase and a 7.6% rise compared to July 2024.
• Price Drivers: Meat prices increased 1.2% to a new record high, mainly due to higher prices for bovine and ovine meat. Vegetable oil prices surged 7.1% to a three-year high, driven by higher palm, soy, and sunflower oil quotations.
• Declines in Other Commodities: Cereal prices fell 0.8% to their lowest since 2020 due to lower wheat and sorghum prices despite some increases in maize and barley. Sugar prices decreased by 0.2%, marking five consecutive months of decline. Dairy prices edged down 0.1%, the first fall since April 2024, influenced by lower butter and milk powder prices.
• Context: Despite the increase, the index remains 18.8% below its peak in March 2022 following global supply shocks. The FAO Food Price Index provides a monthly benchmark of international prices for cereals, vegetable oils, sugar, meat, and dairy, reflecting global food commodity trade trends.

2025 Numbeo Index

In the News: In mid-2025, India ranked 67th globally in the Numbeo Safety Index with a score of 55.8, reflecting the country's position in global urban safety perceptions. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern cities, led by Abu Dhabi, dominated the top positions, with Abu Dhabi securing the number one spot for the ninth consecutive year.

Key Points:

• National Ranking: India placed 67th globally with a safety score of 55.8 in the mid-2025 Numbeo Safety Index, indicating moderate safety levels compared to other countries worldwide.
• Safest Cities in India: Mangalore was ranked as the safest city in India, scoring 74.2 and ranked 49th globally, credited to its low crime rates and effective civic infrastructure. Other top Indian cities for safety include Vadodara (69.2), Ahmedabad (68.2), Surat (66.6), and Jaipur (65.2).
• Least Safe Cities in India: New Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad were ranked among the most unsafe Indian cities, facing significant safety challenges, particularly concerning violent crime and safety for women.
• Global Leaders: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, topped the global safety ranking for the ninth year in a row with a score of 88.8. Other Middle Eastern cities such as Ajman, Sharjah, Doha, and Dubai also featured prominently in the top five.
• Methodology: The Numbeo Safety Index is based on public perception surveys about safety during day and night, considering risks such as mugging, robbery, car theft, physical attacks, harassment, discrimination, and property and violent crimes. A higher score indicates greater perceived safety.
• Implications: The rankings highlight the importance of law enforcement, urban infrastructure, and public perception in urban safety. They underline regional disparities within India and globally, informing targeted urban safety policies.

Rhisotope Project

In the News: In 2025, a South African university, in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), launched the innovative Rhisotope Project to combat rhino poaching by injecting rhino horns with radioactive isotopes. This groundbreaking initiative aims to make rhino horns detectable by radiation monitors at borders and ports worldwide, helping to disrupt illegal trafficking and protect the endangered rhino population.

Key Points:

• Campaign Launch: The Rhisotope Project officially reached operational status in 2025 aft er six years of research. Led by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) and supported technically and financially by the IAEA, it is a world-first effort to curb rhino poaching through science and technology.
• Innovative Method: The project involves injecting a safe, low-level radioactive isotope into rhino horns. This isotope does not harm the rhinos but makes the horns detectable by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already installed at airports, seaports, and border crossings globally.
• Poaching Crisis Context: South Africa hosts the largest rhino population globally but suffers heavily from poaching, with over 400 rhinos killed annually since 2021 and more than 10,000 lost in the last decade. Rhino horns are highly sought after in illegal markets, especially in parts of Asia.
• Detection and Enforcement: Radiation detectors, originally used to detect nuclear and radioactive materials, can now identify rhino horns even if concealed inside large shipping containers. This increases the chances of intercepting smuggled horns and deterring traffickers.
• Pilot and Safety Testing: Initial pilot studies involved injecting 20 rhinos and confirmed the procedure’s safety for animals through blood tests and veterinary examinations. The technology demonstrated effective detection in simulated transport scenarios.
• Operational Scale and Vision: The project is fully operational from mid-2025, urging all rhino owners, NGOs, and conservation authorities to treat their rhinos with the radioactive isotope. The goal is to deploy the technology at scale to safeguard Africa’s iconic and endangered rhino species.
• Collaboration and Partners: Key partners include the University of the Witwatersrand, IAEA, Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa, Limpopo Rhino Orphanage, and UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere, which serves as the official launch site.

India’s First Animal Stem Cell BioBank Inaugurated at NIAB, Hyderabad by Dr. Jitendra Singh

In the News: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind Animal Stem Cell BioBank and Laboratory at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad. The state-of-the-art facility aims to revolutionize veterinary medicine, regenerative therapies, and livestock health, significantly advancing India’s biotechnology and animal health sectors.

Key Points:

• Campaign Launch: Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Animal Stem Cell BioBank and Laboratory at NIAB Hyderabad, a premier institute under the Department of Biotechnology’s Biotechnology Research Innovation Council (BRIC).
• Facility Details: Spread over 9,300 sq ft with an investment of ₹1.85 crore, the BioBank includes advanced infrastructure such as a stem cell culture unit, 3D bioprinter for tissue engineering, bacterial culture lab, cryostorage units, autoclave rooms, high biosafety standards, advanced air handling systems, and uninterrupted power supply.
• Focus and Applications: The facility focuses on regenerative medicine, cellular therapies for livestock, disease modeling, reproductive biotechnology, and tissue engineering. It supports veterinary clinics, research institutions, and biomanufacturing of animal cell-based products.
• National Biopharma Mission Support: The BioBank expansion is planned under the National Biopharma Mission (NBM), which promotes biotechnology innovation and biobanking of animal stem cells and derivatives.
• Associated Developments: Alongside, Dr. Singh laid the foundation for a new hostel block and residential quarters costing ₹19.98 crore to support researchers and staff at NIAB.
• Veterinary Innovations Launched: Five breakthrough veterinary diagnostic technologies were introduced, including kits for early detection of Brucellosis, Mastitis, Toxoplasmosis, Japanese Encephalitis, and an Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing device promoting responsible antibiotic use.
• Impact: These innovations align with the ‘One Health’ approach, aiming to improve animal health, increase livestock productivity, reduce import dependence, and enhance rural livelihoods. The BioBank marks a significant leap towards indigenous veterinary biotech capabilities in India.