- Home
- Prelims
- Mains
- Current Affairs
- Study Materials
- Test Series
EDITORIALS & ARTICLES
July 4, 2025 Current Affairs
Mains Analysis
Supreme Court Examines State Legislation: Insights from the Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Police Case Overview Case Background: In July 2011, the Supreme Court directed the Chhattisgarh government to cease deploying Special Police Officers (SPOs) in anti-Maoist operations. The Court held that employing undertrained and underpaid SPOs for such missions violated Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality and the right to life. The Court ordered the disarmament of SPOs and instructed the Union Government to stop financing their recruitment. Chhattisgarh’s Legislative Response: Following this directive, the State enacted the Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Forces Act, 2011. This law aimed to form an auxiliary force to support existing security personnel in dealing with insurgencies. To address the Supreme Court’s earlier concerns:
Despite these measures, a contempt petition was filed, alleging that the Act undermined the 2011 judgment. Supreme Court’s Decision on Contempt: The Court dismissed the contempt charges, citing several key reasons:
Doctrine of Separation of Powers: Referencing cases like Indian Aluminium Co. vs. State of Kerala (1996), the Court highlighted the need to respect the distinct roles of the judiciary, legislature, and executive. Judicial review remains limited to evaluating a law’s constitutional validity and does not extend to questioning the act of lawmaking itself. Impact on Judicial Oversight and State Lawmaking: This judgment strengthens the idea that courts cannot preempt or block legislative action unless there is a clear constitutional violation. It also recognizes the legislature’s ability to respond to judicial concerns through new legislation, as long as it stays within legal and constitutional limits. Wider Significance
|
Quad Nations Launch Critical Minerals Initiative to Cut Reliance on China Quad Foreign Ministers Convene in Washington, DC: At their second ministerial meeting in Washington, DC, the foreign ministers of India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—the Quad nations—reaffirmed their shared priorities across four strategic domains: maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity, emerging technologies, and humanitarian cooperation. They also strongly denounced the terror attack in Pahalgam, calling for swift justice against those responsible. New Critical Minerals Initiative Unveiled: One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, a joint effort to establish secure and diversified supply chains for vital minerals and reduce dependence on China. These minerals are crucial for technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, and defense equipment. Strengthening Maritime and Logistics Cooperation: The ministers also announced:
Addressing China’s Dominance in Critical Minerals: The Quad initiative is aimed at countering China’s overwhelming control of the processing and refining of critical minerals. While rare earth elements are found globally, China leads in refining capabilities—particularly in producing neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets used in EV motors, braking systems, and power steering. Once led by the U.S. and Japan, the mineral processing industry has shifted to China, prompting renewed efforts by countries like Japan to rebuild their capabilities. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Exposed by Geopolitical Tensions: China has previously retaliated against U.S. tariffs and global criticism by imposing restrictions on critical mineral exports, raising alarms over economic coercion and strategic vulnerabilities. India’s EV Industry Faces Setbacks: India’s growing EV sector has been significantly impacted by China’s export curbs on rare earth magnets. Despite repeated attempts, Indian automakers have struggled to get approvals from China for critical mineral imports. Meanwhile, China is encouraging foreign companies to buy entire electric motor assemblies from Chinese firms instead of sourcing individual components like magnets. Companies like Volkswagen have secured export permits after extensive lobbying—an advantage Indian firms haven’t been able to replicate. Foundation Laid by G7’s Critical Minerals Strategy: The Quad’s minerals initiative builds on the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, endorsed by India, which promotes partnerships with developing countries to enhance supply chain resilience and add value locally. India’s Strategic Steps: National Mission and Global Partnerships: India’s ₹16,300 crore National Critical Mineral Mission, proposed by the Ministry of Mines, seeks external funding—potentially through RISE—for exploration, overseas acquisitions, research, and recycling. India became part of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) in June 2023, joining G7 nations and others like Australia and South Korea. India-US Collaboration Under the TRUST Framework During Prime Minister Modi’s February 2025 visit to Washington, India and the U.S. signed the Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative. |
The Rise of the Global South and the Emerging World Order: India’s Perspective Context India''s Prime Minister recently emphasized that the World Order established post-World War II is undergoing significant transformation, largely influenced by the emergence of the Global South as a key player in international affairs. Historical Background
What is the Global South?
How the Global South is Shaping a New World Order 1. Economic Expansion
2. Emergence of Alternative Institutions
3. Assertive Global Diplomacy
4. Demographic Advantage
5. South–South Cooperation
Conclusion The rise of the Global South marks a decisive shift in international politics and economics, challenging traditional Western dominance. As countries like India gain influence, they are calling for a more balanced, inclusive, and representative world order. This transformation signals a move toward multipolarity, where power is distributed more equitably across regions and voices from the Global South play a central role in shaping global norms. |
NITI Aayog Unveils Strategy to Boost Chemical Exports to $80 Billion by 2030 Targeting Export-Led Growth: To address limited domestic demand and unlock the full potential of India’s chemical sector, NITI Aayog has outlined a comprehensive roadmap to nearly double chemical exports from $44 billion to $80 billion by 2030. The strategy emphasizes export-led growth to drive expansion and global competitiveness. Titled: “Chemical Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains.” Key Recommendations Include:
Current Landscape of India’s Chemical Industry
The domestic market was valued at $220 billion in 2023, with ambitions to grow to $1 trillion by 2040. However, experts stress that export expansion is crucial, as domestic demand alone won’t meet this target. Geographic Concentration and Industry Segments
India’s Global Standing in Niche Segments
Government Support and Policy Initiatives PCPIR Policy (2020–2035)
Chemical Promotion and Development Scheme (CPDS)
Deregulation and Infrastructure Push
Strategic Shift Toward Specialty Chemicals NITI Aayog recommends a transition from bulk to specialty chemicals—which are in high global demand. With the right policies, this shift could:
Sales-Linked Incentives as Opex Support A proposed sales-linked incentive (SLI) scheme would offer operational subsidies to:
Addressing Supply Chain Bottlenecks The roadmap calls for:
Revamping Existing Chemical Hubs and Port Infrastructure
|
Understanding Healthy Ageing Healthy ageing involves maintaining physical, mental, and functional well-being in older age. It emphasizes quality of life, not just longevity, acknowledging that biological age can differ significantly from chronological age.
Key Statistics and Trends
Core Components of Healthy Ageing
Why India Needs a Tailored Approach
Challenges in Promoting Healthy Ageing
Key Initiatives
The Road Ahead: Policy Recommendations
Conclusion India’s ageing population is growing rapidly, and the current systems are not fully equipped to meet their unique health and social needs. Healthy ageing must become a public health priority—shifting focus from simply living longer to living better. Efforts like the BHARAT study, if scaled and supported with contextual policies, can pave the way for a more resilient, dignified, and productive ageing population. |
Prelims Bytes
India’s First Transgender-Led Health Clinic Reopens as ''Sabrang'' in Hyderabad Context India’s pioneering transgender-led health clinic, earlier known as Mitr Clinic, has reopened in Hyderabad under the name Sabrang Clinic, backed by renewed funding from Tata Trusts. The clinic had previously shut down due to a funding freeze by USAID. About Sabrang Clinic
Significance
|
WHO Launches “3 by 35” Initiative to Tackle Non-Communicable Diseases Overview The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the “3 by 35” initiative, aimed at reducing the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by significantly increasing health taxes on:
Key Goal Raise the price of these harmful products by at least 50% through taxation over the next 10 years. Expected Outcomes
What Is a Health Tax? A health tax is levied on products harmful to public health to:
Why Health Taxes Are Needed
India’s Efforts to Curb Unhealthy Consumption Domestic Tax Measures
Global Best Practices
|
Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 Released by: Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) Edition: 19th Coverage: 163 countries Indicators Used: 23 indicators across three main domains:
Key Findings:
|
SAKSHAM-3000 – India''s High-Capacity Switch-Router Launched by: Ministry of Communications and Rural Development Developed by: Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) What is it?
Key Features:
Technology Highlights:
Strategic Importance:
|
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
|
DengiAll
|
Apache AH-64E Attack Helicopter
|
Garcinia kusumae – New Garcinia Species Discovered in Assam Overview:
Key Features:
Cultural and Medicinal Uses:
|
Roll Cloud Over Portugal Recent Event:
About Roll Clouds:
What is an Arcus Cloud?
|
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)
|
Polar Anticyclone Context: Chile and Argentina ranked among the coldest places on Earth outside the polar regions, due to polar anticyclones. What is a Polar Anticyclone?
|
Chhattisgarh Forest Department Withdraws Directive on Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) Context:
About CFRR:
National Working Plan Code 2023:
Forest Rights Act, 2006:
|
PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan Dissemination Portal
|
Television Rating Point (TRP)
|
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) Context:
Recent Approvals:
About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC):
Composition:
Objectives:
Key Functions:
|
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Context:
About OCI:
Objective:
Eligibility (as per Section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955):
Not Eligible:
Key Features of OCI Card:
|
Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines (MVAG), 2025 Context:
About MVAG:
Key Features:
|
RBI’s New Policy on Pre-Payment Charges Context:
Pre-Payment Mechanism:
How it Works:
New RBI Decision:
Reason for Policy:
Significance:
|
Russia Officially Recognises the Taliban Context:
About Russia:
|
Surveillance Pricing (Personalized/Dynamic Pricing) Context: New York State was sued by the National Retail Federation over surveillance pricing practices. What is Surveillance Pricing?
|
OPCW’s 23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia — New Delhi Event:
About OPCW:
India’s Role:
|
International Olympic Committee (IOC) Flags Issues Amid India’s 2036 Olympics Bid Context:
About IOC:
|