29 JULY 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) Subtopic: Organic Certification and Export Promotion

Value Addition:

• Launched in 2001 to systematize India’s organic agriculture sector.

• Ensures globally accepted organic certification through accredited agencies.

• No direct subsidy for farmers; emphasis is on standards, market facilitation, and certification reliability.

• Administered by APEDA under Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Governance – Institutional approach to sustainable agriculture.

• GS 3: Economy – Organic exports, certification systems.

• Prelims: NPOP, APEDA, organic produce guidelines.
  

SASCI Scheme Subtopic: Iconic Tourism Infrastructure Investment

Value Addition:

• Special capital assistance for global-scale development of iconic tourist sites.

• Promotes immersive visitor experience and sustainable tourism operations.

• Projects selected on parameters like connectivity, ecosystem quality, and environmental carrying capacity.

• Time-bound (2 years) with central funding until 31 March 2026.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Governance – Centre–State coordination in capital infrastructure.

• GS 3: Economy – Tourism-led regional development.

• Prelims: SASCI, MoT, selection criteria.
  

India–Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement (MLA) Subtopic: Legal and Criminal Justice Cooperation

Value Addition:

• Agreed text will allow structured evidence-sharing and faster cross-border criminal investigations.

• Complementary to revision of the outdated 1953 Extradition Treaty.

• MLA agreements exist with 42 countries including the US and Israel.

• MEA nodal for extradition; MHA nodal for MLA.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: IR – Regional cooperation, cross-border crime.

• GS 2: Governance – Legal framework for international judicial coordination.

• Prelims: Extradition vs MLA, nodal ministries.

Tourist Carrying Capacity (Uttarakhand) Subtopic: Sustainable Hill Tourism Management

Value Addition:

• Nainital district survey to assess and regulate visitor load.

• In response to NGT’s directive to classify zones based on ecological fragility.

• Utilizes approaches like Planetary Boundaries and Biocapacity Overshoot.

• Aims to address congestion, infrastructure strain, and ecological degradation.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Environment – Sustainable tourism, ecological assessment.

• Prelims: Carrying capacity approaches, NGT role.
  

Paithani Sarees Subtopic: GI-Tagged Traditional Weaving

Value Addition:

• “Mahavastra” of Maharashtra; praised in PM’s Mann Ki Baat.

• Known for intricate motifs (peacock, lotus, mango) inspired by Ajanta paintings.

• Woven using pure silk and gold zari; GI-tagged since 2010.

• Originated in Paithan town (6th century BCE), on the Godavari River.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 1: Art & Culture – Textile heritage and regional identity.

• Prelims: GI-tag, Ajanta-Ellora motif influence.