Daily Current Affairs- 5th July 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 5th July 2025

India Hosts 23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities (Asia) under the CWC

In the News: From July 1–3, 2025, India hosted the 23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in New Delhi. Organized by the OPCW in collaboration with India’s National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), the three-day gathering brought together 38 delegates from 24 Asian countries, alongside representatives from the OPCW and UNRCPD.

Key Points:

• Objective & Scope: Aims to enhance regional cooperation in implementing the CWC. Focused on legislative frameworks, chemical safety & security, industry engagement, and the role of emerging technologies (e.g., AI) in CWC implementation.
• India’s Role & Leadership: As an original signatory of the CWC (1997), India implemented commitments via the NACWC, established under the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000 .Hosted the meeting through NACWC within the Cabinet Secretariat, alongside Ministry of External Affairs
• Strategic Outcomes & Networking: Enabled sharing of best practices, challenges, and solutions. Strengthened bilateral and regional networks among national authorities. India mentored Kenya’s National Authority under the OPCW mentorship initiative.
• Industry Engagement & Recognition: The Indian Chemical Council (ICC) collaborated closely with NACWC.ICC received the OPCW–The Hague Award 2024, the first chemical industry body globally to be honored for promoting chemical safety and compliance.
• Context of the CWC & OPCW: The Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits development, production, and use of chemical weapons, took effect in 1997. The OPCW, its implementing agency with 193 member states, was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize for its work in eliminating chemical weapons. 

Ministry of Coal Launches RECLAIM Framework for Just & Sustainable Mine Closures

In the News: On July 4, 2025, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy launched the RECLAIM Framework, a structured model designed to guide inclusive mine closure and repurposing. Developed by the Coal Controller Organisation under the Ministry of Coal, in collaboration with the Heartfulness Institute, the framework seeks to facilitate a just transition for affected communities and ecosystems.

Key Points:

• Launch & Context: The framework provides a step-by-step guide for engaging local communities before, during, and after mine closures. It was formally unveiled on July 4, 2025, highlighting India’s commitment to framework-based, sustainable mine closure.
• Framework Overview: RECLAIM stands for Revitalizing Ecosystems and Communities through Local Actions for Inclusive Mine-closure. It integrates ecological restoration, economic recovery, gender inclusion, and the active rights of vulnerable groups.
• Community Engagement: Incorporates local stakeholders and Panchayati Raj institutions in decision-making.
• Toolkit Availability: Offers actionable templates and methodologies tailored to Indian mining regions.
• Gender & Vulnerability Focus: Prioritizes inclusivity and equity across affected communities.
• Ecological Restoration Goals: Targets land reclamation, soil rejuvenation, and afforestation initiatives.
• Socioeconomic Continuity: Supports alternate livelihoods, capacity building, and livelihood diversification.
• Collaborations & Expansion: The Ministry has signed MoUs with the Heartfulness Foundation and entities like Coal India and SCCL to restore defunct mines in states like Telangana, Jharkhand, MP, and Gujarat, converting them into green spaces and sustainable livelihoods hubs. 

SC Upholds Legislative Authority of State   

In the News: On May 15, 2025, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India delivered its judgment in Nandini Sundar & Ors. v. State of Chhattisgarh, affirming that the enactment of a law by a State Legislature—even after a related judicial order—does not automatically amount to contempt, provided it conforms to constitutional norms.

Key Points:

• Original Judicial Directive: In July 2011, the Court had prohibited the use of inadequately trained Special Police Officers (SPOs) in anti-Maoist operations and ordered the disbanding of groups such as Salwa Judum for violating Articles 14 & 21.
• Legislative Response by State: In response, Chhattisgarh enacted the Auxiliary Armed Police Force Act, 2011, authorizing auxiliary forces under stricter conditions—such as six months’ training, no combat deployment, and screening.
• Supreme Court’s Ruling: Held that legislative enactment per se is not contempt of Court unless it is unconstitutional or ultra vires. Emphasized separation of powers, affirming legislative competence to craft laws even related to prior court orders. Reiterated that the judiciary can only test constitutionality, not penalize legislatures for law-making
• Constitutional Principles Reinforced:
  • Doctrine of Separation of Powers: Legislature, judiciary, and executive operate within their domains.
  • Judicial Review vs. Lawmaking: Courts can invalidate a law if unconstitutional, but cannot treat lawmaking as contempt. 

Sub Lt Aastha Poonia Becomes First Woman Navy Fighter Pilot Trainee

In the News: On July 3, 2025, Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia was awarded the prestigious ‘Wings of Gold’ at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam, marking her as the first woman officer to enter the fighter stream of Naval Aviation. She completed the Basic Hawk Conversion Course and will now undergo advanced training to qualify for carrier-based fighter jets like the MiG‑29K and Rafale M.

Key Points:

• Historic Milestone: Sub Lt Aastha Poonia's induction into the fighter stream shatters a long-standing gender barrier in the Indian Navy’s elite combat aviation wing.
• Training Achievements: She completed the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at INS Dega and received the ‘Wings of Gold’ from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, ACNS (Air) .
• Advanced Combat Path: Poonia will now undergo a year-long advanced training programme to operate MiG‑29K jets from aircraft carriers like INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.
• Nari Shakti & Inclusivity: Her achievement exemplifies the Navy’s commitment to gender inclusivity and empowerment of women (‘Nari Shakti’) in frontline combat roles.
• Broader Context: Sub Lt Poonia joins a growing legacy of women in combat aviation, following trailblazers like Lt Shivangi Singh in Navy patrol aircraft and Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth, and Mohana Singh in the Indian Air Force fighter stream . 

India and Trinidad & Tobago Sign Six New Agreements to Boost Ties

In the News: On July 4, 2025, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first official visit to Trinidad & Tobago since 1999, six new MoUs were signed in Port of Spain covering key sectors including infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, quick-impact projects, sports, diplomatic training, and cultural exchange. The agreements reinforce growing cooperation in health, digital innovation, agriculture, and security.

Key Points:

• Historic Visit & Significance: This was PM Modi’s first bilateral visit in over 25 years, reaffirming the historic ties rooted in a shared Indian diaspora presence of over 35–40% .
• Agreements Signed: MoUs cover:
  • Pharmaceutical cooperation (Indian Pharmacopoeia);
  • Infrastructure & Quick-impact Projects;
  • Sports development;
  • Diplomatic training;
  • Cultural exchange (2025–28);
  • Re-establishment of ICCR Chairs in Hindi & Indian Studies at the University of the West Indies.
• Digital & Healthcare Cooperation: Expansion of UPI adoption, DigiLocker, and e‑Sign under India Stack; Donation of 2,000 laptops, haemodialysis units, sea ambulances, and a prosthetic-limb camp for 800 recipients; Enhanced medical support under the 'Heal in India' programme.
• Diaspora & Global South Focus: Extends OCI eligibility to the sixth generation of Indian-origin Tritonians; Forge stronger collaboration under Global South initiatives, including mutual backing in the UNSC reforms.
• Broader Strategic Cooperation: Enhanced collaboration in climate change, disaster resilience, cybersecurity, energy, agriculture, and defence; Mutual support pledged in counter-terrorism, Global South solidarity, and India-CARICOM partnerships. 

US Remittance Tax Introduced under Big Beautiful Bill

In the News: The US Congress approved the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, which introduces a 1% tax on certain outbound cash remittances starting January 1, 2026. Designed to fund immigration enforcement and deportation efforts, this levy will primarily affect non-citizens and non-bank transfers, including many Indian NRIs sending money home.

Key Points:

• Tax Introduction: The bill's final version lowered the tax from an originally proposed 5% → then 3.5%, settling at 1%, with exemptions for transfers via US bank accounts, debit/credit cards, and low-value transactions under $15.
• Impact on India: India is the world’s largest remittance recipient, receiving ≈ $129 billion in FY 23‑24, with ~28% from the US.A 1% tax could reduce formal inflows by roughly 1.6%, potentially costing India up to $500 million annually. However, the actual decline is expected to be limited, due to tax exemptions and the predominance of bank/card-based transfers by NRIs.
• Cost and Behavior Effects: The levy adds to existing transfer costs (~6%) and may push some users to informal channels (e.g., hawala, crypto) or urge pre-tax remittance surges in late 2025. Center for Global Development research suggests each 1% increase in transfer cost reduces remittances by ~1.6%. 
• Policy Implications: The burden falls on Indian diaspora and recipient families, with limited global aid offset. For India, the cost impact is modest, yet the long-term effects on household resilience, education, and health outcomes could be more pronounced. 

EU Sets New 2040 Climate Target with Flexibility

In the News: On July 2, 2025, the European Commission proposed amending the EU Climate Law to adopt a legally binding 2040 target of a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels—building on the existing 55% cut target by 2030. The plan includes flexibility measures, permitting member states to use up to 3% international carbon credits or domestic removals from 2036 onward to meet the goal—a major shift from previous reliance solely on domestic emissions cuts.

Key Points:

• Target Launch & Rationale: Introduced to boost investor confidence and bridge the gap toward climate neutrality by 2050, with support from 85% of Europeans who view climate change as a serious issue.
• Flexibility Mechanisms: Allows up to 3% of total emission reductions to be offset by international carbon credits sourced from projects in developing nations.Supports use of domestic permanent removals (e.g. carbon capture, reforestation) in the EU’s emissions trading system.
• Support & Opposition: Governments & industry welcome the pragmatic approach for cost-effective compliance. Environmental groups warn that the offset option may undermine domestic emissions reductions and compromise policy integrity

SBI Helps Add $44 Billion to World Economy

In the News: In FY25, the State Bank of India (SBI) contributed approximately US $44 billion—equivalent to 1.1 % of global GDP growth—according to SBI’s special report titled “Kal, Aaj aur Kal.” This reflects SBI’s scale and impact on the global economy, where India as a whole added US $297 billion, about 6.7 % of the world’s incremental GDP.

Key Points:

• Global Growth Contribution: The world economy expanded by US $4.118 trillion, with India contributing US $297 billion (6.7 %) and SBI alone accounting for US $44 billion (1.1 %) of that growth.
• Domestic Economic Role: SBI drove about 16 % of India’s GDP growth in FY25.It also contributed 7 % of the Gross Value Added (GVA) in India’s financial services sector, as its GVA rose by 5 % YoY.
• Scale & Reach: SBI’s total assets (~US $0.77 trillion) now exceed the GDPs of 175 countries, making it one of the top 50 banks globally. It maintains a massive customer base (over 530 million) and 23,000+ branches, supporting its influential role in national financial inclusion.
• Strategic Importance: As the most profitable company in India for three consecutive years, SBI is central to major government initiatives—PMJDY, PMSBY, PMJJBY, APY—and its digital platform YONO has over 88 million users. 

Ananth Tech to Start India’s First Private Satellite Internet

In the News: On July 5, 2025, Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies received regulatory approval from IN‑SPACe to launch India’s first private satellite broadband service, using a domestically-built geostationary (GEO) communications satellite. The service is scheduled to roll out in 2028, marking a major milestone in India’s private-space ecosystem .

Key Points:

• Regulatory Approval: IN‑SPACe has granted permission to Ananth Tech to launch satellite internet services by 2028, enabling private-sector entry into the GEO satcom market .
• Satellite & Investment: The firm plans to deploy a 4-ton geostationary satellite with 100 Gbps capacity over India. The project is backed by an initial investment of ₹3,000 crore .
• GEO vs. LEO Strategy: Unlike LEO constellations (Starlink, OneWeb, Project Kuiper), which offer low latency but require many satellites, a single GEO satellite, positioned ~35,000 km above, will provide nationwide coverage—though at higher latency .
• Private Sector Push: This move reflects the impact of the Indian Space Policy 2023, which encourages private participation in space. Ananth Tech joins other global players like Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications in the Indian satcom space.