Daily Current Affairs- 21st May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 21st May 2025

Mizoram Becomes India’s First Fully Literate State

In the News: On May 20, 2025, Mizoram achieved a historic milestone by being declared India’s first fully literate state. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Lalduhoma during a special ceremony at Mizoram University in Aizawl, in the presence of Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary and other dignitaries.

Key Highlights

• Literacy Rate Achievement: Mizoram attained a literacy rate of 98.2%, surpassing the Ministry of Education’s benchmark of 95%.
• Implementation of ULLAS/NILP: The milestone was achieved under the "Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society" (ULLAS) initiative, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). This program identified 3,026 illiterate individuals, of whom 1,692 enrolled as learners. A dedicated team of 292 volunteer teachers, including students and educators, facilitated this achievement.
• Cultural Ethos: The success reflects the Mizo cultural value of Tlawmngaihna, emphasizing selflessness and community service.
• Future Goals: Building on this foundation, Mizoram aims to expand literacy beyond basic reading and writing to include digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring holistic education for all.
• Historical Context: Mizoram's journey toward full literacy began with a strong foundation; the 2011 Census recorded a literacy rate of 91.33%, ranking it third in the country at that time. 

Annual Review of State Laws 2024: Declining Productivity and Legislative Trends

In the News: The PRS Legislative Research released its "Annual Review of State Laws 2024," highlighting a concerning decline in the productivity of India's state legislative assemblies. The report underscores issues such as reduced sitting days, minimal legislative scrutiny, and the passage of significant bills without adequate debate.

Key Findings

• Reduced Sitting Days: In 2024, state assemblies met for an average of only 20 days, a decrease from 28 days in 2017. Odisha (42 days) and Kerala (38 days) had the highest sittings, while larger states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh met for just 16 days.
• Vacant Deputy Speaker Positions: Despite Article 178 of the Constitution mandating the election of a Deputy Speaker in every State Legislative Assembly, eight assemblies currently lack one. Notably, Jharkhand has been without a Deputy Speaker for over 20 years.
• Rapid Passage of Bills: States passed an average of 17 bills in 2024, with over 51% passed on the same day they were introduced, often without debate. This trend raises concerns about the weakening of deliberative democracy. 

Notable Legislative Developments

• Karnataka's Legislative Activity: Karnataka set a national record by passing 49 bills in 2024, surpassing the national average of 17 bills per state. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra followed with 45 and 32 bills, respectively.
• Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand became the first state to enact a Uniform Civil Code, standardizing laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships, applicable to all residents except Scheduled Tribes.
• Marriage Age Amendment in Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh increased the minimum marriage age for girls from 18 to 21 years, aligning with national legislation.
• Land Rights Reform in Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu amended its land reform laws to remove discriminatory provisions that treated unmarried adult daughters and granddaughters differently from their male counterparts regarding landholding rights. 

The Veeraswami Case Revisited: Vice President Dhankhar's Call for Judicial Accountability

In the News: In May 2025, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar publicly questioned the constitutional validity of the Supreme Court's in-house inquiry into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, following the discovery of unaccounted cash at the judge's residence. Dhankhar criticized the lack of a formal First Information Report (FIR) and called for a re-examination of the 1991 K. Veeraswami v. Union of India judgment, which mandates prior sanction before prosecuting sitting judges.

Background: The K. Veeraswami Judgment (1991): The K. Veeraswami case addressed whether a sitting judge could be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act without prior approval. The Supreme Court held that judges are "public servants" under the Act but emphasized that any criminal investigation against them requires prior sanction from the Chief Justice of India (CJI). This ruling aimed to protect judicial independence but has been criticized for potentially shielding judges from accountability.

The Justice Yashwant Varma Case

• Incident: In March 2025, a fire at Justice Varma's official residence in Delhi led to the discovery of a significant amount of unaccounted cash.
• In-House Inquiry: The Supreme Court constituted a three-judge committee to investigate the matter. The committee reportedly found the allegations credible and submitted its findings to the President and Prime Minister.
• Transfer and Restrictions: Justice Varma was transferred to the Allahabad High Court, and the Chief Justice of India recommended that he not be assigned judicial work.

Vice President Dhankhar's Critique

• Questioning Legal Sanctity: Dhankhar argued that the in-house inquiry lacks constitutional or legal sanctity and is inconsequential without formal legal proceedings.
• Call for FIR: He emphasized the need for a formal FIR to initiate a transparent and accountable investigation, questioning why standard legal procedures were not followed.
• Revisiting Veeraswami Judgment: Dhankhar called the 1991 judgment a "scaffolding of impunity" and urged its reconsideration to ensure judicial accountability. 

Enrolment Drop in Government Schools and PM-POSHAN

In the News: In the 2024–25 academic year, India witnessed a significant decline in student enrolment across government schools in 23 states and Union Territories. This trend has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN) scheme, formerly known as the Midday Meal Scheme, which aims to enhance student nutrition and encourage school attendance.

Key Highlights

• Enrolment Decline: The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report for 2023–24 indicated a drop of approximately 1.5 crore students in total school enrolment compared to the average figures from 2018–19 to 2021–22.
• States Most Affected:
  • Uttar Pradesh: 21.83 lakh fewer students
  • Bihar: 6.14 lakh
  • Rajasthan: 5.63 lakh
  • West Bengal: 4.01 lakh
  • Karnataka: 2 lakh
  • Assam: 1.68 lakh
  • Tamil Nadu: 1.65 lakh
  • Delhi: 1.05 lakh

Reasons for Decline

• Data Cleansing: Transition from school-wise to student-wise enrolment tracking, incorporating Aadhaar verification, led to the removal of duplicate or "ghost" entries.
• Shift to Private Schools: Post-COVID-19, there has been a migration back to private schools, reversing earlier trends where students moved to government schools during the pandemic.

Impact on PM-POSHAN Scheme

• Reduced Beneficiaries: The decline in enrolment has directly affected the number of students availing midday meals. For instance:
  • Uttar Pradesh: 5.41 lakh fewer students
  • Rajasthan: 3.27 lakh
  • West Bengal: 8.04 lakh
  • Delhi: 97,000
• Coverage Gaps: In Delhi, only 60% of pre-primary, 69% of primary, and 62% of upper-primary students are covered under the scheme, below the national average.

Government Response

• Ministry of Education's Directive: States have been asked to investigate the reasons for enrolment decline and submit detailed reports by June 30, 2025.
• Emphasis on Data Accuracy: Efforts are being made to ensure accurate student data collection to better target beneficiaries and resources. 

WHO Adopts First-Ever Global Pandemic Treaty

In the News: On May 20, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the world’s first international treaty on pandemic preparedness and response during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The agreement, passed with 124 votes in favor and 11 abstentions, aims to enhance global coordination, equity, and resilience in managing future pandemics.

Key Highlights

• Purpose of the Treaty: The treaty seeks to address gaps and inequities revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic by strengthening international collaboration, ensuring equitable access to health resources, and enhancing preparedness for future health emergencies.
• Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System: A central feature of the treaty is the establishment of the PABS system, which mandates the sharing of pathogen data and equitable distribution of 20% of pandemic-related health products, such as vaccines and diagnostics, with 10% provided free of charge.
• Equity and Solidarity: The agreement emphasizes principles of equity, solidarity, transparency, and accountability, aiming to ensure that all countries, regardless of income level, have access to necessary health tools during pandemics.
• National Sovereignty: The treaty clarifies that it does not infringe upon national sovereignty, stating that the WHO cannot mandate specific actions such as lockdowns or vaccination requirements within member states.
• Implementation and Ratification: The treaty will enter into force once at least 60 countries ratify it. An annex detailing the PABS system is to be finalized and adopted in the next World Health Assembly.
• S. Non-Participation: The United States did not participate in the treaty, having withdrawn from the WHO under President Donald Trump. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the agreement, citing concerns over WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and issues of national sovereignty. 

Sudan Appoints Kamil Idris as First Prime Minister Since 2023 Civil War

In the News:  On May 19, 2025, Sudan's army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, appointed Dr. Kamil Eltayeb Idris as the country's first prime minister since the outbreak of the civil war in April 2023. This appointment aims to establish a transitional government following the military's recent gains against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Key Highlights

• Background of Kamil Idris: Dr. Idris is a seasoned diplomat and international civil servant. He served as the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) from 1997 to 2008 and was also a member of the United Nations International Law Commission .
• Role in Transitional Government: Tasked with forming a technocratic cabinet, Dr. Idris's appointment is seen as a step toward restoring civilian governance in Sudan. His non-partisan background is expected to facilitate inclusive consultations aimed at forging peace and stability .
• International Reactions: The United Nations Secretary-General expressed hope that this appointment would serve as the first step toward forming a broad-based technocratic government. The African Union also welcomed the move, viewing it as progress toward reviving an inclusive political process .

Current Challenges

• Ongoing Conflict: Despite the appointment, Sudan continues to grapple with a devastating civil war between the army and the RSF, which began in April 2023. The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of civilians .
• Humanitarian Crisis: The war has led to widespread hunger and malnutrition, with nearly half of Sudan's population facing severe food insecurity . 

Suez Canal Offers 15% Discount to Cargo Ships

In the News: In response to a significant decline in maritime traffic due to security concerns in the Red Sea, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced a 15% discount on transit fees for large container ships. This measure aims to restore confidence among shipping companies and revitalize the canal's usage.

Background: Decline in Canal Traffic

• Security Concerns: Since late 2023, attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea led to significant rerouting of maritime traffic away from the Suez Canal.
• Revenue Impact: The canal's revenue dropped from $10.3 billion in 2023 to $4 billion in 2024, reflecting the decline in usage.

Discount Details

• Eligibility: Container ships with a net tonnage of at least 130,000 metric tons, whether loaded or empty.
• Duration: The 15% discount is effective from May 15, 2025, for a period of 90 days.
• Application: The discount is automatically applied; no prior application or documentation is required.

Industry Response

• Cautious Optimism: While the discount is welcomed, major shipping companies like Maersk remain cautious, citing ongoing security concerns despite a ceasefire between the U.S. and the Houthis.

Alternative Routes: Many shipping lines continue to use the longer Cape of Good Hope route, which, although more costly and time-consuming, is perceived as safer under current conditions.