14 July 2025 - Daily Current Affairs

17th BRICS Summit Subtopic: Expansion, South-South Cooperation, and Reform of Global Institutions

Value Addition:

• Held in Brazil, the summit adopted the Rio de Janeiro Declaration reaffirming multilateralism, BRICS expansion, and inclusive governance.

• Indonesia joined as a full member; 11 new partner countries added including Nigeria, Vietnam, and Belarus.

• India advocated for digital infrastructure, climate finance, and global financial reforms including BRICS Pay and local currency trade mechanisms.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: IR – Multilateral diplomacy, BRICS expansion, global governance reform.

• GS 3: Economy – BRICS Multilateral Guarantee Mechanism for infrastructure funding.

• Essay: “Reshaping the Global South – BRICS and the new multilateralism.”
  

National Biobank (Phenome India Project) Subtopic: India’s Genomic Health Infrastructure

Value Addition:

• India’s first longitudinal biobank, inspired by UK Biobank; targets 10,000 samples across genetic, lifestyle, and clinical metrics.

• Will support AI-driven diagnostics, gene-based therapy, and early detection of chronic and rare diseases.

• Enhances indigenous biomedical research for disease patterns unique to Indian populations.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Health – Data-driven public health policy.

• GS 3: Science & Tech – Genomics, biobanking, AI-powered medicine.

700 MWe PHWR at Kakrapar Subtopic: Indigenous Nuclear Power and Strategic Autonomy

Value Addition:

• AERB cleared two 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors—core to India’s three-stage nuclear programme.

• Utilises natural uranium and heavy water; generates plutonium for Fast Breeder Reactors.

• Enhanced safety via pressure tube design; marks successful post-1974 technological self-reliance.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Energy – Nuclear energy, indigenous capability.

• Prelims: PHWR, AERB, Kakrapar, MOX fuel.
  

NER District SDG Index 2023–24 Subtopic: Sustainable Development at the Subnational Level

Value Addition:

• Hnahthial (Mizoram) ranked top; all districts in Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim are front-runners.

• Promotes bottom-up governance through Village Level Monitoring Committees and localised policy framing.

• Addresses regional disparity and aligns local goals with national SDG targets.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Development – SDG localisation, inclusive growth.

• GS 2: Governance – Decentralised planning and NITI Aayog’s coordination role.
  

Gini Index 2025 – World Bank Subtopic: India Becomes World’s 4th Most Income-Equal Country

Value Addition:

• India’s Gini Index stands at 25.5—better than US (41.8) and China (35.7); below only Slovakia, Slovenia, Belarus.

• Over 171 million people lifted out of extreme poverty (from 16.2% in 2011–12 to 2.3% in 2022–23).

• Reflects the success of welfare-driven policy, direct benefit transfer, and food security initiatives.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Economy – Poverty reduction, inequality, welfare efficiency.

• Essay: “Growth with equity – India's path to shared prosperity.”
  

Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) Subtopic: Connectivity and Act East Policy

Value Addition:

• Aims to connect Kolkata to Mizoram via sea (Sittwe), river (Kaladan), and road (Paletwa to Zorinpui).

• Reduces transport cost and time to NER by over 50%, bypassing the narrow Chicken’s Neck.

• Strengthens India-Myanmar ties and underpins the Act East vision.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: IR – Regional cooperation, connectivity diplomacy.

• GS 3: Infrastructure – Logistics, border area development.

FAO Report – Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems Subtopic: Youth Employment, Food Security, and Agrifood Sustainability

Value Addition:

• Global GDP could rise by 1.4% by eliminating NEET status among youth, especially in agrifood systems.

• Youth in agrifood declined from 54% (2005) to 44% despite global food insecurity rising from 16.7% to 24.4%.

• Rural youth disproportionately affected by climate change and job scarcity.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Agriculture – Youth inclusion, agrifood workforce.

• GS 2: Social Justice – Employment generation, gender parity.

• Essay: “If fed by youth, the world need not fear hunger.”