Daily Current Affairs- 7th July 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 7th July 2025

Himachal Becomes First State to Use Face ID for Ration Distribution

In the News: Himachal Pradesh became the first state in India to introduce Aadhaar-based facial authentication (FaceAuth) for ration distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS), using real-time face recognition tied to beneficiaries’ Aadhaar database.

Key Points:

• Innovative Phase‑out of OTP/Biometric Methods: Previously, authentication relied on OTPs and fingerprint scans. Frequent SMS delivery failures and biometric mismatches—especially in remote, hilly areas—often created access issues.
• FaceAuth Roll‑out: The new system uses a mobile app on FPS‑owners’ smartphones for live Aadhaar‑based facial recognition. Beneficiaries simply look at the camera for immediate authentication.  
• Efficiency Gains: Officials noted improved authentication success rates and faster verification, making ration distribution more efficient and reliable.  
• Tech‑Governance Initiative: Led by the Department of Digital Technologies & Governance (DDTG) and supported by Gokul Butail (Principal Advisor to the CM), this deployment represents a major step in using AI-driven governance to enhance public service delivery.
•  Inclusive Access: By eliminating the need for fingerprint scanning and OTPs, the system particularly aids elderly beneficiaries and those in connectivity‑poor terrain, minimizing exclusion.
• Pilot for Other States: Being the first such implementation in India, Himachal’s success is expected to guide future adoption by other PDS‑focused states and central agencies, reinforcing its position as a model for state‑led digital innovation. 

Medical Faculty Regulations 2025

In the News: The National Medical Commission (NMC) formally notified the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, in its Gazette. Introduced by the Post Graduate Medical Education Board, the rules aim to expand India's medical education infrastructure—aligned with the Central Government’s plan to add 75,000 new MBBS and PG seats over the next five years .

Key Points: 

• Widening Teaching Bed Eligibility: Non-teaching government hospitals with ≥ 220 beds can now be designated as teaching institutions—down from the earlier 330-bed requirement—enabling more colleges to start UG and PG courses simultaneously .
• New Faculty Entry Paths: Specialists who have worked ≥ 2 years post-PG in these hospitals can be appointed Assistant Professors without requiring prior Senior Residency, provided they complete the Basic Course in Biomedical Research (BCBR) within two years. Specialists with ≥ 10 years of such experience are now eligible for Associate Professor roles.
•  Senior Consultants & Diploma Holders: Senior consultants with at least three years of prior PG teaching experience (in NBEMS-recognized institutions) may now be appointed as Professors Diploma holders with six years’ experience in government institutions (including NBEMS-recognized teaching hospitals) are now eligible for Assistant Professor roles .
• Expanded Non-Medical Faculty Pool:Sc./Ph.D-qualified experts can be faculty in five non‑clinical subjects—Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology—with a 30% cap on such appointments, restoring previous norms. 
• Age & Experience Norms: The upper age limit for faculty is set at 70 years . For Senior Residents in pre‑clinical/para‑clinical subjects, the upper age cutoff is now 50 years. Up to five years spent in roles within the NMC, university/state medical councils, or related government agencies now count as teaching experience.
• Streamlining PG Course Norms: PG courses can now begin with just two faculty members and two seats—the earlier minimum being three faculty and a senior resident. Bed-to-unit requirements for certain specialties have been reduced.
• Internal Cadre Mobility: Faculty with super‑specialty qualifications currently positioned in broad specialty departments can be formally re-designated to their super-specialty fields . 

India Launches National Biobank for Personalised Healthcare

In the News: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Phenome India “National Biobank” at CSIR‑IGIB in New Delhi, laying the foundation for India’s first longitudinal population‑health cohort study. The project aims to collect genomic, lifestyle, and clinical data from 10,000 individuals to propel personalised medicine initiatives across the country .

Key Points:  

• Launch & Institutional Lead: The facility was inaugurated by Dr. Singh—Union Minister for S&T and CSIR Vice‑President—at the CSIR‑Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), marking India’s entry into large-scale biobanking.
• Cohort Composition: Data will be collected from at least 10,000 participants, purposely representing India’s diverse geography, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds to ensure population-level relevance .
• Modelled After UK Biobank: Inspired by the UK Biobank’s structure, the Indian biobank is tailored to the nation’s unique demographic mix and is built to study long-term health trajectories . 
• Driving Personalised Medicine: By integrating genomic, lifestyle, and clinical profiles, India expects to transition towards personalised treatments suited to individual genetic and environmental contexts . 
• Target Diseases & Research Value: The initiative prioritises complex conditions like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, rare genetic disorders, and central obesity—especially visceral fat in seemingly lean individuals. 
• Tech Synergy: The Biobank will support AI‑powered diagnostics, CRISPR genome‑editing, drug development, and antimicrobial-resistance research through high-resolution data .
• Collaborative Integration:  Singh emphasised cross-sector collaboration—between research institutes, biotech, and government bodies (e.g., DBT)—to translate data into actionable healthcare innovations.  
• CSIR‑IGIB’s Track Record: IGIB, which first decoded the human genome in India, has developed over 300 genetic diagnostics and spearheaded COVID‑19 sequencing and indigenous CRISPR trials (e.g., for sickle‑cell anaemia). 

PM Modi Honored With ‘Key to the City of Buenos Aires’

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with the prestigious "Key to the City of Buenos Aires" by Jorge Macri, the Chief of the City Government of Buenos Aires, during his official two-day state visit to Argentina. This accolade recognized his pivotal role in strengthening India–Argentina relations and marked the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years.

Key Points: 

• Ceremonial Recognition: The "Key to the City" was ceremonially conferred by Jorge Macri, symbolizing trust and friendship between Buenos Aires and New Delhi.
•  Historic Visit: PM Modi’s visit was the first dedicated bilateral trip by an Indian PM since 1968, highlighting a renewed commitment to deepening ties .
• High-Level Talks: During his stay, Modi held productive discussions with Argentine President Javier Milei, focusing on expanding cooperation in trade, defence, energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals (like lithium and shale gas), and sports.
• Cultural Tributes :Modi paid homage to icons including Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore at their statues in Buenos Aires, and also laid a wreath at the memorial of Argentine liberator General José de San Martín—underscoring shared historical values
• Diaspora Engagement: The Indian community in Buenos Aires warmly welcomed him, waving flags, performing cultural tributes, and chanting slogans, adding vibrancy to the visit.
•  Part of Regional Tour: This visit formed the third leg of Modi’s five-nation diplomatic tour, succeeding his stop in Trinidad & Tobago (where he received that country’s highest civilian honour) and preceding his attendance at the BRICS Summit in Brazil . 

Elon Musk Launches New Political Party in the US

In the News: On July 5, 2025, Elon Musk announced the formation of a new third political party in the United States, named the America Party, via his platform X (formerly Twitter). He declared the party’s mission to “give you back your freedom,” directly positioning it as an alternative to the traditional two-party system.

Key Points: 

• Party Announcement & Motivation: Musk revealed the America Party after clashing with former President Trump over a sweeping tax-and-spending bill, which Musk called fiscally irresponsible. A poll on X showed ~65% user support for a new party, inspiring Musk’s statement: "Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom."
• Platform Ideology: According to statements and platform details, key tenets include fiscal conservatism (reducing national debt), embracing Bitcoin over fiat currency, defense modernization via AI, pro-gun rights (“Second Amendment is sacred”), deregulation, pro-natalist policies, tech-forward governance, and freedom of expression. 
• Strategic Focus: Rather than vying for sweeping national power, Musk envisions targeting a small number of pivotal congressional races—“two to three Senate seats” and “eight to ten House districts”—to hold the balance in legislation.
• Organizational Hurdles: Experts note significant barriers: state-level ballot access laws, FEC registration, funding systems, and establishing grassroots infrastructure. Creating a durable third-party structure historically has been difficult.  
• Political Fallout & Reactions: Former ally Trump dismissed the effort as “ridiculous,” warning that third-party bids tend to fracture support. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized Musk’s lack of popularity and urged focus on business. Financial markets reacted: Tesla’s stock dropped ~7–8% over investor concerns of distraction .
• Support from Public Figures: Notable individuals such as Mark Cuban, Andrew Yang, Anthony Scaramucci, and Justin Amash have voiced support, offering help with ballot access and shared principles . 

India Becomes 4th Largest Biofuel User in 2024, Ahead of China

In the News: In 2024, India overtook China to become the world’s fourth-largest consumer of biofuels, recording a 40% surge in usage to around 77,000 barrels per day (b/d), while China saw an 18% increase.

Key Points:

• Massive Usage Growth: India’s biofuel consumption climbed sharply by 40% in 2024 to about 77,000 b/d, overtaking China’s growth in this segment  
• Production Increase: Domestic biofuel production rose approximately 27%, reaching nearly 70,000 b/d, up from lower levels in earlier years . 
• China Comparison: While China still produces more in absolute terms (~106,000 b/d), much of its output is exported, resulting in lower domestic consumption growth (18%).
• Global Context: Worldwide demand for biofuels hit record highs in 2024, exceeding 2 million b/d, with India and China leading growth within Asia . 

Mauna Loa Climate Station Faces Shutdown After 65 Years

In the News: Reports surfaced that the United States plans to shut down the Mauna Loa Observatory near Hilo, Hawaiʻi. This atmospheric research station, continuously tracking CO₂ since 1958, is set to be closed—ending a crucial chapter in global climate science.

Key Points:

• Historic CO₂ Monitoring Site: Established in 1956, Mauna Loa Observatory began systematic carbon dioxide measurements in March 1958 under Charles David Keeling—producing the iconic Keeling Curve demonstrating relentless rise from ~320 ppm to over 420 ppm today.
• Global Climate Barometer: Located at 11,134 ft on Mauna Loa’s northern flank, the site’s altitude and isolation provide pristine.
• Federal Budget Cuts Threaten Operations: As part of a broader effort to save ~$500 million through lease terminations and staff downsizing in NOAA, the observatory’s lease may not be renewed by August, potentially ending its CO₂ data collection after 65+ years.
• Science Community Alarm: Scientists warn that losing Mauna Loa would cripple the ability to monitor atmospheric CO₂ trends globally—akin to discarding a thermometer mid-fever—hindering climate policy assessments and forecasting of extreme weather events. 

Bonn Climate Change Conference 2025

In the News:  From June 16–26, 2025, the UNFCCC held its mid-year climate negotiations (SB62) in Bonn, Germany, marking critical groundwork ahead of COP 30 in Belém, Brazil. The session tackled core issues like climate finance, adaptation, just transition, global stocktake, and future reform of process frameworks.

Key Points: 

• Funding Stalemate & Agenda Dispute: Delegates delayed agenda adoption by two days over disagreements on including Agenda item on developed-country obligations under Paris Agreement Article 9.1. Though resolved via compromise, finance emerged as a recurrent flashpoint across workstreams.
• Adaptation Advances: Bonn made progress on the Adaptation Fund’s transition to exclusively serve the Paris Agreement and agreed on refined indicators measuring access, quality, and financing for adaptation—crucial steps toward the Global Goal on Adaptation . 
• Just Transition Win: Civil society advocacy secured the formal introduction of the Just Transition Work Programme, ensuring labor, community, and equity priorities are integrated in the UNFCCC process . 
• Climate Finance Focus: India, alongside G77+China, LMDCs, AOSIS, LDCs, and African Group, spearheaded calls for clear accountability, transparency, and climate funding commitments ahead of COP 30.
• Science & Stocktake: Parties agreed to “take note” of the WMO’s latest climate science, acknowledging current global warming of 1.34–1.41 °C, but failed to secure stronger language on the 1.5 °C threshold. The Global Stocktake negotiations remained unresolved. 
• Process Reforms: The Brazilian COP 30 presidency introduced discussions on streamlining UNFCCC processes—limiting delegation sizes, sunsetting agendas, and adopting majority voting—though consensus on reforms will continue in Belém. 

Sukanya Sonowal Becomes Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador

In the News: Sukanya Sonowal, a final-year B.Tech student in Biosciences & Bioengineering at IIT Guwahati, was appointed as the Lead – Communications & Public Relations on the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN) for the 2025–2027 term. She will play a major role in promoting peace, respect, and understanding across the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth.

Key Points: 

• Appointment & Role: Sukanya was selected as a Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador and will serve as the CYPAN Executive Committee’s Lead for Communications & Public Relations from 2025 to 2027 .
• Rigorous Selection: She emerged through a competitive three-stage process—application plus two interview rounds—evaluated on her leadership, community service, peacebuilding work, and alignment with Commonwealth values. 
• IIT Guwahati & Assam Roots: A native of Lakhimpur district, Assam, she is currently in her fourth year at IIT Guwahati, where faculty and the director applauded her for representing the institute and nation on a global platform .
• Communication Expertise: Sukanya has honed her communication and outreach skills through roles in media and branding at Techniche—her college’s techno-management fest—which strengthened her candidacy. 
• STEM Leadership: She co-founded STEMvibe, a national STEM outreach initiative reaching over 3,000 students across India, and leads The Integral Cup, a national undergraduate math competition that attracted more than 2,500 participants .
• Global Collaboration Experience: Her work includes strategic communication projects with global organizations like Optiver, Qube Research & Technologies, and Jane Street—showcasing her international engagement and leadership capacity.