25 July 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

1. Rajendra Chola I & Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival Subtopic: Cultural Nationalism and Maritime Legacy

   Value Addition:

   • The Ministry of Culture commemorates 1000 years of Rajendra Chola’s Southeast Asian naval expeditions via the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

   • Honors both Tamil Shaiva Bhakti traditions (63 Nayanmars) and maritime heritage.

   • Rajendra Chola expanded the empire’s reach to the Ganges and Srivijaya Empire, founding a new capital and building monumental temples.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 1: History – Chola naval dominance, statecraft, temple architecture.

   • GS 1: Culture – Shaiva Bhakti movement, festival significance.

   • Prelims: Srivijaya, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, title “Gangaikonda Cholan.”

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2. National Sports Governance Bill Subtopic: Structural Reform in Indian Sports Administration

   Value Addition:

   • Proposes a National Sports Board and a National Sports Tribunal to regulate all NSFs, including BCCI.

   • Empowers athletes with representation rights, selection transparency, anti-doping measures, and dispute resolution.

   • Aligns with IOC norms; caps age of office bearers at 75.

   • Mandates BCCI compliance under RTI and formal recognition.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 2: Governance – Institutional accountability, sports policy reform.

   • GS 2: Polity – Autonomy vs regulation debate (BCCI as case study).

   • Prelims: NADA, NST, Lodha Reforms, IOC governance code.
     

3. India Skills Accelerator Initiative Subtopic: Skilling for Future-Ready Workforce

   Value Addition:

   • A joint initiative by MSDE and WEF to address skill gaps across AI, robotics, renewable energy.

   • Emphasizes three pathways: mindset shaping, stakeholder collaboration, and institutional policy reform.

   • Encourages PPP models and systemic training reforms for lifelong learning and agile employment.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 2: Governance – Public-private cooperation in human capital development.

   • GS 3: Economy – Skill ecosystem modernization, employment generation.

   • Prelims: WEF, MSDE, high-growth skilling sectors.

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4. Pale-Capped Pigeon in Dehing Patkai NP Subtopic: Avian Conservation and Eastern Rainforest Ecology

   Value Addition:

   • Vulnerable species spotted in Assam’s tropical rainforest; frugivorous, forest-dwelling bird.

   • IUCN status: Vulnerable; facing threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.

   • Park is known as “Amazon of the East,” hosting dense flora and endangered fauna.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 3: Environment – Species conservation, ecological hotspots.

   • Prelims: Dehing Patkai NP, IUCN Red List, Columba punicea.
     

5. Ethanol Blending Achievement Subtopic: Green Fuel Transition and Agro-Energy Synergy

   Value Addition:

   • India achieved 20% blending 5 years ahead of 2030 target; ~₹1.36 lakh crore forex saved and CO₂ reduction of ~700 lakh tonnes.

   • Ethanol derived from sugarcane, damaged food grains, and unfit produce.

   • Supports farmer income, energy security, and climate goals.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 3: Economy – Biofuel economics, energy diversification.

   • GS 3: Environment – Emission control, renewable policy success.

   • Prelims: EBP, Biofuel Policy (2022), permitted feedstocks.
     

6. Lyriothemis abrahami (New Dragonfly) Subtopic: Insect Biodiversity and Forest Microhabitats

   Value Addition:

   • Newly discovered in Kerala; breeds in tree holes and reflects pristine forest ecosystems.

   • Total odonates in Kerala now 191; 78 species endemic.

   • Dragonflies act as bioindicators of ecosystem health and control mosquito populations.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 3: Biodiversity – Invertebrate fauna, ecological indicators.

   • Prelims: Odonata, endemic species of Western Ghats, Lyriothemis genus.
     

7. INVICTUS Programme (ESA) Subtopic: Hypersonic Aerospace Technology Development

   Value Addition:

   • Aims to build reusable Mach 5 horizontal take-off platforms using hydrogen precooled propulsion.

   • Modular testbed design funded by ESA’s GSTP and TDE.

   • Enhances Europe’s strategic and technological space competitiveness.

   Subject Analysis:

   • GS 3: Science & Tech – Hypersonic vehicles, propulsion innovations.

   • GS 3: Defence – Aerospace dual-use applications.

   • Prelims: ESA, Frazer-Nash, GSTP, Mach classification.

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8. Henley Passport Index 2025 Subtopic: India's Rising Global Mobility

   Value Addition:

   • India jumped from 85th to 77th rank; access to 59 countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival.

   • Global Topper: Singapore (193 nations).

   • Index uses IATA data and ranks 227 passports globally.

   Subject Analysis:

   • Prelims: Henley Index, India’s rank history (best: 71st in 2006), IATA.

   • GS 2: IR – Bilateral diplomacy impact on soft power, travel rights.