Daily Current Affairs- 7th August 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 7th August 2025

Punjab Becomes First State to Empanel Sign Language Experts Under Juvenile Justice Act

In the News: Punjab became the first state in India to formally empanel sign language interpreters, translators, and special educators under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, marking a landmark step toward inclusive justice for children with hearing and speech impairments.

Key Points:

• Historic Initiative: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and announced by Dr Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab is pioneering this move to ensure accessible justice for children with special needs.
• Support in Legal and Daily Settings: These professionals will be deployed district-wise to assist children during court proceedings and other formal interactions, effectively eliminating communication barriers.
• Alignment with POCSO Act: The initiative also ties into the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, reinforcing legal safeguards for vulnerable children .
• District-Wise Deployment & Compensation: The empanelled experts will be deployed across districts and will receive compensation in accordance with existing legal provisions.
• Inclusive Governance Practice: Punjab has previously made assembly proceedings more accessible by broadcasting legislative sessions in sign language, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to inclusivity.
• Building an Inclusive Society: The move is part of the state government’s broader vision to ensure every child, regardless of ability, feels heard, understood, and protected.

Chhattisgarh Emerges as Major Ni–Cu–PGE Mineral Belt with Breakthrough Discovery in Mahasamund

In the News: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) announced a major breakthrough with the discovery of significant Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), and Platinum Group Elements (PGE) deposits in the Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh. This finding positions Chhattisgarh as a prominent mineral belt in India for strategic and critical metals.

Key Points:

• Discovery Announcement: The GSI confirmed the presence of Ni–Cu–PGE mineralization in ultramafic rocks near the Amapara–Pipariya region of Mahasamund district, marking one of the most promising mineral finds in central India
• Strategic Significance: The discovery is critical for India’s energy transition and electric vehicle goals, as nickel and PGEs are key components in battery technologies and hydrogen fuel cells.
• Resource Potential: Preliminary studies suggest high concentrations of nickel sulphide and associated PGEs, making it a prospective site for commercial mining and exploration
• Boost to Domestic Supply: This find aligns with India’s goal of reducing import dependence on critical minerals, particularly in the wake of global supply chain disruptions.
• Geological Mapping: The mineralization was identified through detailed aerogeophysical surveys and ground mapping under GSI’s National Mineral Exploration Policy.
• Future Exploration Plans: The Centre and state government will soon invite private sector participation for further exploration under auction-based licensing, with a focus on sustainable mining practices.

Merchant Shipping Bill – Modernising India’s Maritime Law

In the News: The Lok Sabha passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, aimed at overhauling India’s century-old maritime legal framework stemming from the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. This bill, enacted alongside the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, marks a major step toward aligning India’s maritime legislation with global standards and modern operational needs.

Key Points:

• Comprehensive Legal Overhaul: The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 repeals the outdated 1958 Act and consolidates maritime governance under a modern, future-forward structure consisting of 16 Parts and 325 clauses. 
• Alignment with International Conventions: The Bill updates India’s legislation to reflect compliance with key IMO conventions, such as MARPOL (marine pollution), SOLAS (safety), and the Wreck Removal Convention, thus enhancing maritime safety and environmental norms. 
• Expanded Legal Scope: Definitions of "vessel" are broadened to include mobile offshore drilling units, submersibles, and non-displacement crafts. It also introduces temporary registration mechanisms for vessels headed for recycling, promoting shipbreaking at places like Alang.
• Eased Ownership Regulations: Ownership criteria are relaxed to accommodate vessels partly owned by Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), with thresholds set by the central government. Foreign vessels chartered with intent to register in the future are also eligible for Indian registry.
• Empowered Regulatory Authority: The Bill renames and repositions the head of maritime oversight as the Director-General of Maritime Administration, with enhanced powers including the appointment of security bodies and better enforcement capabilities.
• Emphasis on Seafarer Welfare & Safety: Provisions are included to ensure seafarers' welfare—covering accommodations, healthcare, social security, and compensation—aligned with the Maritime Labour Convention. It also mandates stronger frameworks for accident reporting, wreck removal, and emergency response.
•  Strategic & Economic Implications: The reform envisions India as a globally respected maritime jurisdiction, promoting Indian tonnage, green shipping initiatives, and investment in maritime trade and technology. Together with other bills, it supports ease of business and bolsters the “blue economy.”

Why Maharashtra Govt wants film ‘Khalid Ka Shivaji’ put on hold

In the News: The Maharashtra government formally requested the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the CBFC to re-examine the certification of the Marathi film “Khalid Ka Shivaji” and halt its release amid a growing controversy over alleged historical distortions.

Key Points:

• Historical Distortion Allegations: Right-wing groups and historians have accused the film of distorting the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj—claiming, among other things, that 35% of his army were Muslims and that a mosque existed on Raigad Fort, both of which have sparked outrage over perceived misrepresentation. 
• Impact on Public Sentiment and Law & Order: Protesters disrupted CM Devendra Fadnavis’s speech at the Maharashtra Film Awards, leading to concerns that the film's release could inflame public sentiments and cause civil unrest. 
• Government Intervention: The Cultural Affairs Department sent a letter to the I&B Ministry seeking to suspend the film’s release and direct the CBFC to re-examine its certification under Section 6(1) of the Cinematograph Act, citing the risk of violence.
• Questions on Cannes Selection: The film's selection for screening at the Cannes Film Festival has also come under scrutiny, prompting an inquiry into whether the nomination process involved any irregularities or mischief.
• Central Response: The I&B Ministry issued notices to the filmmakers, asking for clarifications and supporting documentation regarding the contentious content.

DAC Greenlights Multi-Domain Capability Upgrades for Armed Forces

In the News: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved capital acquisition proposals worth ₹67,000 crore aimed at enhancing multi-domain operational capabilities across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force

Key Points:

• Tri-Service Capability Expansion: The DAC sanctioned advanced systems for the Army, Navy, and Air Force to bolster combat readiness, surveillance, and strategic flexibility.
• Army Upgrades: Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was granted for procuring thermal imager–based driver night‑sights for BMP infantry vehicles, enhancing night-time mobility and situational awareness.
• Air Force Enhancements: Capital acquisitions include mountain radars for improved surveillance over mountainous borders and upgrades to the SPYDER/SAKSHAM air defence system, integrating it with the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). Also cleared were maintenance contracts for C‑17, C‑130J fleets and the S‑400 air defence missile system. 
• Naval Advances: The Navy will procure Compact Autonomous Surface Craft to strengthen anti-submarine warfare (ASW), upgrade BrahMos fire control systems and launchers, and modernize the BARAK‑1 point-defence missile system.
• Persistent Surveillance: Approval was granted for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) across the three services, enhancing 24x7 surveillance and strike capabilities. 
• Indigenisation Push: The investment underscores the government's commitment to indigenous defence manufacturing—with approvals extending to cutting-edge systems, private-sector participation, and readiness across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains. This decision resonated positively in markets, with shares of defence firms like BEL and Ideaforge rising.

India, Russia Sign Protocol to Deepen Industrial Cooperation at 11th Working Group Session

In the News: India and Russia reaffirmed their strategic partnership by signing a Protocol to deepen industrial cooperation during the 11th session of the India‑Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation held in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• High-level Engagement: The session was co-chaired by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of DPIIT, and Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia. Approximately 80 delegates from both nations participated.
•  Review and Forward Planning: The dialogue reviewed progress since the 10th session and set the platform for deepening collaboration across numerous industrial sectors.
• Core Sectors Covered:
  • Traditional sectors: Aluminium, fertilizers, railway transport, and mining technology.
  • Emerging areas: Aerospace science and technology (including a modernized wind tunnel and small aircraft piston engines), carbon fibre tech, additive manufacturing, and 3D printing.
  • Resource and infrastructure focus: Exploration of rare earths and critical minerals extraction, underground coal gasification, modern industrial infrastructure, and waste management (industrial and domestic).
•  Strategic Commitment: The signing of the protocol underscores both nations’ resolve to expand industrial and economic cooperation and foster technology transfer.

Moldova Becomes 107th Member of International Solar Alliance

In the News: Moldova officially became the 107th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by submitting its Instrument of Ratification during a ceremony in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• Formal Accession: The Republic of Moldova's Ambassador to India, Ana Taban, handed over the Instrument of Ratification to P. S. Gangadhar, Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) at the ISA Secretariat.
•  Purpose of ISA Expansion: The ISA, launched jointly by India and France at COP21 in 2015, aims to accelerate global solar energy adoption, reduce costs of solar technologies, and mobilize investments in sustainable energy projects.
• Benefits for Moldova: As a member, Moldova will gain access to ISA’s technical support, capacity-building initiatives, financing tools, and multilateral partnerships to scale up its domestic solar energy deployment.
•   Broader ISA Role: The Alliance promotes solar energy applications across critical sectors—such as agriculture, healthcare, transport, and power generation—serving as a global platform for policy dialogue, standardization, and resource mobilization.
•   India's Leadership in Clean Energy Diplomacy: India continues to drive ISA’s global expansion, reinforcing its role in climate diplomacy and in fostering collaborative solar development.