20 August 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS 2 – Governance, Polity, Law

1. Topic: Technology Development Board (TDB)

Subtopic: AI-Driven Healthcare Device Funding Value Addition:

• Established under Technology Development Board Act, 1995 (statutory body, DST).

• Promotes indigenous technology development and commercialization.

• Provides equity capital & soft loans (5% interest) to industry and R&D institutions.

• Current funding: AI-based point-of-care blood testing device.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Statutory bodies & governance.

• GS 3: Science & Tech – indigenous innovation ecosystem.

• Prelims: TDB year (1996), functions, financing model.

2. Topic: Talaq-e-Hasan

Subtopic: SC Review after Triple Talaq Ban

Value Addition:

• Revocable form of divorce in Islam; allows reconciliation during iddat (~90 days).

• Approved by Prophet, valid across all Muslim law schools.

• Procedure: 3 pronouncements over 3 months → if cohabitation resumes, divorce revoked.

• Distinction: Unlike Talaq-e-Biddat (instant triple talaq), banned in 2019.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Personal laws vs constitutional rights.

• GS 1: Social justice – women empowerment.

• Prelims: Talaq-e-Biddat vs Talaq-e-Hasan, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.

GS 3 – Economy, Environment, S&T, Infrastructure

3. Topic: Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO)

Subtopic: Transition from RPO to RCO Value Addition:

• Mandated under Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

• Ensures consumption-based compliance (not just procurement).

• Targets: 29.9% in FY 2024-25 → 43.33% by 2029-30.

• Monitored by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE); penalties for default.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Renewable energy policy, climate commitments.

• Prelims: RPO vs RCO, BEE role, target trajectory.

4. Topic: Smooth-Coated Otters

Subtopic: Vulnerable Mammal Species in India Value Addition:

• Only surviving species of genus Lutrogale; largest otter in SE Asia.

• Habitat: Mangroves, swamps, rivers, wetlands.

• Behaviour: Cooperative hunting in V-shaped formation.

• IUCN Status: Vulnerable; threats from poaching & habitat loss.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Biodiversity, conservation measures.

• Prelims: Species features, IUCN status, habitat.

5. Topic: Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) Rule

Subtopic: SEBI’s Compliance Flexibility Proposal Value Addition:

• Mandated by SCRR, 1957 & SEBI LODR.

• Listed companies must keep ≥25% shares with public.

• Ensures liquidity, wider participation, fair price discovery.

• Non-compliance → company must dilute promoter stake within 12 months.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Corporate governance, financial markets.

• Prelims: MPS %, compliance mechanisms, SEBI rules.

6. Topic: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

Subtopic: New Rotational Panel Design Value Addition:

• Conducted by NSSO under MoSPI.

• Provides UR, LFPR, WPR at monthly, quarterly, annual level.

• Revamped Jan 2025 → households surveyed 4 times consecutively.

• July 2025 UR: 5.2% (vs 5.6% in June).

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Employment trends, labour reforms.

• Prelims: PLFS frequency, indicators, NSSO role.

7. Topic: FASTag Annual Pass

Subtopic: Ease of Toll Payment Value Addition:

• Introduced by MoRTH & NHAI.

• ₹3,000 one-time → valid 1 year or 200 crossings.

• Based on RFID technology; managed by NPCI + NHAI.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Infrastructure, digital governance.

• Prelims: RFID working, FASTag features.

8. Topic: Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC)

Subtopic: Waiver on Cotton ImportsValue Addition:

• Introduced in Budget 2021-22.

• Levied to finance agri-infrastructure (cold storages, warehouses, markets).

• Govt removed 11% AIDC on cotton imports to help textile sector.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Agriculture, textile economy.

• Prelims: AIDC purpose, collection, scope.

9. Topic: Pneumococcal Disease & PCV20 Vaccine

Subtopic: Next-Gen Vaccine by Pfizer Value Addition:

• Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; illnesses range from mild infections to pneumonia & meningitis.

• Annual global toll ~1M child deaths, mostly in developing nations.

• Transmission: respiratory droplets.

• PCV20: Protects against 20 pneumococcal strains; aimed at adult immunization.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2/3: Public health, immunization policy.

• Prelims: Pneumococcus, PCV10 vs PCV13 vs PCV20.