Daily Current Affairs- 21st July 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 21st July 2025

Rising Abstentions At All Time High India’s New UN Voting Approach

In the News: India’s abstention rate at the United Nations reached an all-time high of 44%, reflecting a deliberate recalibration of its foreign policy to adapt to a fractured and multipolar global order. This shift underscores India’s commitment to strategic autonomy and sovereignty in international affairs.

Key Points:

• Strategic Realignment: India is increasingly using abstentions as a diplomatic tool to maintain neutrality in polarized global conflicts while safeguarding its national interests.
• Record Abstention Rate: In 2025, India voted “yes” in only 56% of UN resolutions, its lowest since 1955, and abstained in 44%—the highest abstention rate recorded in its voting history.
• Complex Global Landscape: With global issues becoming more multifaceted and resolutions often bundling unrelated matters, abstaining allows India to avoid unintended endorsements.
• Balancing Act in Conflicts: India has abstained from votes on contentious issues like Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar, allowing it to express concerns without overtly siding with any bloc.
• Reflection of Sovereign Diplomacy: This evolving stance emphasizes India’s aim to be a voice of the Global South, advocating reform in multilateralism while asserting its independent foreign policy. 

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034

In the News: The OECD and FAO released the 21st edition of their decade-ahead forecast for global agricultural and fish commodity markets, outlining key trends and projections through 2034 .

Key Points:

• Production & Productivity: Global agricultural and fish output is projected to increase by 14 % by 2034, mainly driven by productivity gains in middle-income countries.
• Animal‑Source Foods Surge: Output of meat, dairy, and eggs is expected to rise by 17 %, though livestock inventories grow by only 7 %, signaling more efficiency per animal.
• Emissions & Sustainability: Direct agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are forecast to climb by 6 %, but a combined push for a 15 % productivity boost and clean tech could reduce emissions by 7 % below current levels.
• Nutritional Shifts: Consumption of calorie-rich animal protein and fish products is set to grow by 6 % globally, with lower-middle-income countries seeing a 24 % rise—though low-income nations will still lag at around 143 kcal/day from these sources.
• Smallholder Vulnerabilities: Despite declining prices due to productivity gains, small-scale farmers may struggle with market volatility and limited tech access—policymakers are advised to enhance market access and provide local support programs.
• Biofuels Impact: Cereal production will expand at ~1.1 % annually, with 40 % for food, 33 % for feed, and the rest for biofuels and industrial use 

NAMASTE Scheme

In the News: During National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Day, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, B.L. Verma, inaugurated helpline 14473 for waste pickers and distributed PPE kits and Ayushman cards to sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) and waste pickers in Lucknow, reflecting the government’s commitment to sanitation workers’ safety and dignity.

Key Points:

• Scheme Inauguration: NAMASTE Day observations highlighted the launch of National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) helpline — 14473 — aimed at waste pickers.
• Safety Kits Distribution: PPE kits and Ayushman health cards were provided to hundreds of SSWs and waste pickers, enabling safer working conditions and health coverage.
• AR/VR Training Module: An augmented reality/virtual reality training initiative was unveiled to improve occupational safety awareness among sanitation workers.
• Worker Profiling: Over 85,000 SSWs have been profiled under the scheme; 45,871 PPE kits and 40,166 Ayushman cards have been distributed.
• Mechanized Cleanup Goal: NAMASTE redirects from manual scavenging toward mechanised sanitation ecosystem, eliminating direct human handling of waste and aligning with PM Modi’s vision of dignity for sanitation workers.
• Implementation & Coverage: Jointly launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, the Central Sector Scheme runs from 2023–24 to 2025–26 with a ₹349.73 crore budget and coverage across 4,800+ urban bodies.

 Denial of Basic Prison Care to Disabled Violates Fundamental Rights: SC

In the News: In the L Muruganantham vs. State of Tamil Nadu case (2025), the Supreme Court of India held that failing to provide essential facilities to prisoners with disabilities amounts to a violation of their fundamental rights, emphasizing the need for inclusive and humane prison systems.

Key Points:

• Groundbreaking Verdict: The Court affirmed that denying wheelchair access, ramps, accessible toilets, and therapeutic support to disabled inmates breaches Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, sanctioning judicial intervention for prison reform.
• Duty to Uphold Dignity: The judgment reiterated that incarceration restricts liberty, not humane treatment. Prison infrastructure and operations must honor prisoner dignity and meet disability-related needs.
• Policy and Infrastructure Reforms: Prisons must:
  • Identify disabled inmates upon admission and provide accessible information.
  • Ensure disability-friendly infrastructure (ramps, toilets, sensory spaces).
  • Offer therapeutic services (physiotherapy, psychotherapy).
  • Conduct accessibility audits and sensitization training for staff.
• Legal Alignment: The ruling aligns with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (Sections 6, 25, 38), the UNCRPD, and relevant Supreme Court precedents, reinforcing statutory and international obligations. 

Resignation of Vice President of India

In the News: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu under Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution, citing health concerns and medical advice. His departure marks an early vacating of a high constitutional post, triggering the process for an early vice-presidential election.

Key Points:

• Immediate Resignation: Dhankhar resigned with immediate effect, stating in his letter that he must prioritise his health and follow medical guidance under Article 67(a).
• Constitutional Grounding: His resignation referenced Article 67(a), which permits the Vice President to resign by written notice to the President.
• Expression of Gratitude: He acknowledged strong working bonds with President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, and expressed appreciation for support from parliamentarians and governmental colleagues.
• Trigger for Early Election: His departure—three years into a five-year term—activates the ECI’s responsibility to schedule and conduct an early vice-presidential poll.
• Institutional Clarity: Until a successor is elected, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha will perform duties of the Chairperson. Historical Context: As the second Vice President to resign mid-term (after V. V. Giri in 1969), his departure holds precedent in constitutional office. 

ICMR to Commercialise Indigenous Malaria Vaccine

In the News: On July 17, 2025, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued an Expression of Interest for technology transfer of its indigenously developed malaria vaccine, AdFalciVax. The call aims to license the vaccine to pharmaceutical companies to take forward development, production, and commercialization.

Key Points:

• Vaccine Development: AdFalciVax is a recombinant chimeric multi-stage vaccine targeting Plasmodium falciparum, developed by ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, with preclinical validation from ICMR-NIMR and the National Institute of Immunology
• Uniqueness & Efficacy: Unlike existing vaccines, AdFalciVax targets two critical stages of the parasite lifecycle, showing broader protection, reduced immune evasion, and promising preclinical efficacy with potential long-term immunity.
• Tech Transfer Invitation: Eligible companies are invited to partner under non-exclusive licensing agreements, with ICMR providing expert guidance and technical support across R&D, production, clinical trials, and commercialization.
• Commercialisation Timeline: The development pipeline spans at least seven years across four phases, each with a six-month buffer, before reaching market readiness
• Strategic Importance: As India accounts for ~50% of malaria cases in South-East Asia, AdFalciVax, aligned with the Make‑in‑India initiative, could significantly advance malaria eradication efforts by disrupting transmission and offering accessible vaccine coverage .

 

England Awarded Hosting Rights for Next Three WTC Finals (2027, 2029, 2031)

In the News: During the ICC Annual Conference 2025 in Singapore, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been awarded the hosting rights for the next three World Test Championship (WTC) finals—2027, 2029, and 2031. Despite India’s bid, England secured the rights based on its strong track record of hosting major cricket finals.

Key Points:

• Host Selection: England was chosen over India's bid, a decision driven by its successful organization of previous WTC finals in 2021, 2023, and 2025.
• Venues: While specific stadiums are to be confirmed, Lord’s and The Oval are prime contenders, with historical preference and favorable June climate playing key roles.
• Fan Engagement: ECB Chief Richard Gould highlighted the passion of local and international fans, noting packed stadiums and strong digital viewership (109,227 spectators in 2025 final; 225 million digital views).
• ICC Confidence: The decision underscores the ICC’s faith in England’s infrastructure, weather suitability, and spectator turnout, reinforcing its role as a trusted host.
• Strategic Continuity: By keeping the finals in England through 2031, the ICC ensures consistency and reliability in event planning while India may pursue hosting in future cycles.
• WTC Growth: Coinciding with discussions of expanding the WTC format, England's hosting retention complements ongoing reforms and future-proofing of Test cricket.