01 AUGUST 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

1. Piprahwa Relics Returned to India Subtopic: Buddhist Heritage & Archaeological Preservation

   Value Addition:

   • Discovered in 1898 in Piprahwa (U.P.), identified as ancient Kapilavastu, the Sakya clan capital.

   • Recently returned to India after 127 years; includes bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, and gold offerings.

   • Inscriptions in Brahmi confirm Sakya clan enshrinement, dating to 3rd century BCE.

   • Classified as ‘AA’ under Indian Antiquities Act—protection from sale or removal.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 1: Culture – Buddhist relics, Brahmi script, archaeological site management.

   • Prelims: Piprahwa site, Sakya clan, Kapilavastu, Antiquities Act.
     

2. Mount Cilo Glacier Retreat Subtopic: Climate Change Impact on Glaciated Terrain

   Value Addition:

   • Lost 50% of its glacial mass in 40 years due to rising heatwaves in Turkey (record: 50.5°C).

   • Part of Alpine-Himalayan Fold System; elevation 4,135 m; second only to Mt. Ararat.

   • Tectonically active, shaped by Anatolian, Arabian, and Eurasian plate interactions.

   • Terrain: jagged ridges, steep limestone cliffs, glacier valleys.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 1: Geography – Climate zones, tectonic interaction, alpine landforms.

   • GS 3: Environment – Glacial melt, heatwave patterns, water resource stress.

   • Prelims: Mount Cilo, Taurus Range, Lake Van, tectonic plate boundaries.
     

3. Preah Vihear Temple Dispute Subtopic: Heritage Site Amid Territorial Tensions

   Value Addition:

   • Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at cliff edge in Cambodia–Thailand border.

   • Built by Khmer emperors Suryavarman I & II; UNESCO World Heritage site.

   • Disputed 4.6 sq km around temple despite 1962 and 2013 ICJ rulings in Cambodia’s favor.

   • Armed conflict in 2008 and 2011 demonstrates cultural sites as geopolitical flashpoints.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 1: Art & Culture – Khmer architecture, temple layout, gopura design.

   • GS 2: IR – Border dispute resolution mechanisms, ICJ role.

   • Prelims: Preah Vihear, Dangrek Range, UNESCO disputes.
     

4. UNSC & Resistance Front Sanctions Subtopic: 1267 Committee Listing of Terror Entities

   Value Addition:

   • Resistance Front mentioned for first time in 1267 sanctions list in Pahalgam attack context.

   • 1267 Committee lists terror groups globally post-9/11; includes Da’esh and Al Qaeda affiliates.

   • Operates via consensus-based decision; permanent members have veto power.

   • UNSC presidency rotates monthly; India last held it in Dec 2022.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 2: IR – Global terrorism architecture, UN counter-terror mechanisms.

   • GS 3: Internal Security – Cross-border terror networks.

   • Prelims: 1267 vs 1373 Committees, UNSC membership, veto rights.
     

5. DGP Appointment Guidelines Subtopic: Police Reforms & Prakash Singh Compliance

   Value Addition:

   • Single-window system notified to streamline DGP appointment, based on SC’s 2006 directive.

   • Officers need 30+ years service; list to be sent 6 months before incumbent’s retirement.

   • Evaluation by 5-member UPSC-led committee; final choice from top 3 shortlisted names.

   • Aims to prevent arbitrary transfers and politicisation of police leadership.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 2: Polity – Institutional police reform, UPSC’s expanded role.

   • Prelims: Prakash Singh case, 2006 directives, DGP eligibility criteria.

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6. Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 Subtopic: Regulatory Reform in Financial Governance

   Value Addition:

   • Amendments to RBI Act, SBI Act, BR Act, and Banking Companies Acts (1970 & 1980).

   • Substantial interest threshold raised to ₹2 crore (from ₹5 lakh).

   • PSBs can now remunerate statutory auditors and transfer unclaimed funds to IEPF.

   • Aligns cooperative bank director terms with 97th Constitutional Amendment (8 to 10 years).

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 3: Economy – Banking regulation, governance, transparency reforms.

   • Prelims: IEPF, 97th Amendment, BR Act 1949 updates.
     

7. NISAR Satellite Launch Subtopic: Indo-US Dual-Frequency Earth Observation System

   Value Addition:

   • First SAR satellite with dual-band radars (NASA’s L-band + ISRO’s S-band).

   • Launched via GSLV-F16 into Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (first such GSLV mission).

   • Uses SweepSAR imaging; revisit time of 12 days.

   • Open-data mission supports global disaster, agriculture, and climate monitoring.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 3: S&T – Radar imaging tech, SAR satellites, orbital mechanics.

   • Prelims: SweepSAR, L- vs S-band, I-3K bus, GSLV vs PSLV.