15 July 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

Rare Earth Element Reserves Subtopic: India's Strategic Mineral Resources

Value Addition:

• India holds the world’s third-largest REE reserves (8%) but contributes <1% to global output.

• Rich deposits in monazite sands along Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha coastlines.

• China dominates REE refining (90%), indicating India's vulnerability in high-tech value chains.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 1: Geography – Distribution of minerals and resources in India.

• GS 3: Economy – Strategic sectoral planning, critical mineral policy.

• Prelims: Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), monazite sands, CRZ norms.
  

Phone Tapping & Right to Privacy Subtopic: Article 21 & Judicial Oversight on Surveillance

Value Addition:

• Madras HC quashed a 2011 phone-tapping order as unconstitutional.

• Reiterates need for lawful surveillance only under “public emergency” or “public safety” per Section 5(2) of Telegraph Act and Rule 419-A.

• Cites landmark cases: PUCL (1997), K.S. Puttaswamy (2017), Maneka Gandhi (1978).

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Polity – Fundamental Rights, Article 21, judicial interpretation.

• Governance – State surveillance and checks & balances.

• Essay: “When privacy becomes public – decoding lawful state surveillance.”
  

Hazardous and Other Wastes (Amendment) Rules 2025| Subtopic: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Non-Ferrous Metals

Value Addition:

• Brings scrap of aluminium, copper, zinc under mandatory EPR from April 2026.

• Sets phased recycling targets: 10% (2026–27) to 75% (2032–33).

• CPCB will monitor via online EPR portal; certificates valid for 2 years.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Governance – Regulatory frameworks for environmental compliance.

• GS 3: Environment – Circular economy, resource efficiency, waste management.

Bitchat – Bluetooth-Based Messaging App Subtopic: Decentralised Communication without Internet

Value Addition:

• Built by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey; uses Bluetooth Mesh Network.

• Enables offline, peer-to-peer, encrypted messaging with no server or registration.

• Ensures privacy and anonymity; low-power and resilient but low-speed and latency-prone.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Science & Tech – Digital privacy, mesh networking, cybersecurity.

• Prelims: Bluetooth Mesh, decentralisation in communication tech.
  

INS Nistar Subtopic: Indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV)

Value Addition:

• Built by Hindustan Shipyard; 75% indigenous content; compliant with IRS rules.

• Equipped for deep-sea saturation diving (300m), rescue (DSRV support), and salvage (ROVs up to 1000m).

• Enhances Indian Navy’s underwater rescue and self-reliance capacities.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Defence – Naval innovation, Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

• Prelims: INS Nistar, DSRV, IRS classification.
  

Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Drones Subtopic: Enhancing India’s ISR & Tactical Capabilities

Value Addition:

• 87 MALE drones to be procured indigenously; operate at 35,000 ft+ for 30+ hours.

• Equipped for surveillance, strike, and real-time data collection across borders.

• Bridges gap between tactical drones and high-altitude UAVs; reduces Israeli dependency.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Defence – UAV strategy, ISR enhancement, drone policy.

• Economy – Indigenous drone manufacturing ecosystem.