News at a glance
| No | Topic | GS Paper(s) | Why in News (July 29, 2025) |
| 1 | Silver Economy and India’s Ageing Care | GS-2 (Social Sector, Health) | Geriatric demographic surge, policy for elderly care and silver economy opportunities |
| 2 | SOFI Report & India’s Nutritional Crisis | GS-2 (Governance, Health), GS-3 (SDG) | Persistent malnutrition, new SOFI data shows high wasting, stunting, anaemia |
| 3 | Digital Search and Seizure – Income Tax Bill 2025 | GS-2 (Governance, Polity) | IT Bill proposes digital evidence powers, raising privacy and rights debates |
| 4 | National Sports Governance Bill 2025 | GS-2 (Governance), GS-4 | Sports body reforms, transparency, athlete safety, federalism issue |
| 5 | Thailand–Cambodia Border Disputes | GS-2 (IR), Prelims | Armed border clashes, mass evacuations, ongoing ASEAN/UN mediation attempts |
| 6 | TCS Layoffs Reflect India’s Jobs Crisis | GS-3 (Economy, S&T, Jobs) | AI-driven layoffs, skill mismatch, sectoral reforms needed |
| 7 | India–UK FTA and Textile Sector | GS-3 (Economy, Trade) | New FTA gives export boost for textiles, but sectoral challenges persist |
| 8 | Divya Deshmukh – Women’s Chess World Cup Winner | Prelims (Sports, Women) | 19-year-old wins major world title, highlights Indian chess growth |
| 9 | Operation Mahadev | Prelims (Internal Security) | Joint op foils terror plot near Srinagar, spotlights new tactics |
| 10 | Piratula Wolf Spider & Idris Wasps Discovery | Prelims (Environment) | New species discovery—India’s biodiversity and ecological research gains |
1. Silver Economy and India’s Ageing Care
Why in News:
India’s elderly (aged 60+) population will reach nearly 20% by 2050, spurring policy debate about healthcare, pensions, and the expanding “silver economy.”
Context and Details:
- By 2050: estimated 346 million elderly (17–20% of India’s population).
- Challenges: High medical inflation (14%), 70% financial dependency, 78% lack pensions, only 8% insured.
- Silver economy (goods/services for seniors) to rise from $7B (2024) to $48B (2028).
- Policies: Ayushman Bharat, National Policy for Older Persons, SACRED Portal, geriatric caregiver training.
- Global context: Fast ageing, low preparedness; scope for international collaboration.
2. SOFI Report & India’s Nutritional Crisis
Why in News:
The UN’s SOFI 2025 report signals continuing high malnutrition in India—wasting, stunting, anaemia—despite targeted government schemes.
Context and Details:
- India: 18.7% wasting, 21+ million stunted under-5s, 54% of women anaemic.
- 173 million undernourished (12% of population).
- Healthy diet unaffordable for 42.9% of Indians; food cost up to $4.07/day.
- Government interventions: POSHAN Abhiyaan, ICDS, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, fortification.
- Facing a “double burden”: undernutrition plus rising childhood overweight.
3. Digital Search and Seizure – Income Tax Bill 2025
Why in News:
Draft income tax bill gives authorities new powers for digital searches and seizures in financial crime probes, sparking privacy concerns.
Context and Details:
- Expands scope: digital devices, cloud, encrypted data, social media.
- Section 247: Legalizes digital evidence searches with stated safeguards.
- Concerns: risk of overreach, privacy, judicial oversight needed.
- Aligns with global debates on balancing enforcement and fundamental rights.
4. National Sports Governance Bill 2025
Why in News:
A new bill proposes comprehensive reforms for India’s sports federations, enforcing transparency, athlete welfare, and professional management.
Context and Details:
- Sets up National Sports Board; regulates all recognized bodies including BCCI.
- Age, tenure, RTI rules; central appointments; code of ethics.
- Aims to ensure fair athlete selection, sports body accountability.
- Sparks debate on federalism and sports autonomy.
5. Thailand–Cambodia Border Disputes
Why in News:
Border skirmishes in July 2025 led to deaths, evacuation, and school/hospital closures; attempts at international mediation ongoing.
Context and Details:
- Area: Preah Vihear, Ta Krabey temples (long-standing dispute since 2008).
- July escalation: 14 civilians dead, 100,000+ displaced.
- Thailand for bilateral talks; Cambodia seeks UN/ASEAN role.
- Legal, historical, humanitarian issues prominent.
6. TCS Layoffs Reflect India’s Jobs Crisis
Why in News:
TCS will lay off 2% of workforce (~12,000 jobs) due to AI-driven restructuring—signal of the broader IT skills gap and jobs churn.
Context and Details:
- 1.1 million skilled tech-worker gap in India.
- Pressure to boost skilling, overhaul curriculum; unions demand job protection.
- AI will create 2.3 million new jobs by 2027, but major reskilling required.
7. India–UK FTA and Textile Sector
Why in News:
India’s FTA with UK eliminates textile tariffs—major boost for the 45-million-strong sector, but challenges remain.
Context and Details:
- Tariff-free access to UK for Indian textiles, apparel.
- Issues: raw material deficit, environmental/labour standards, MSME integration.
- Potential: more exports, sector modernization, competition with Bangladesh/Vietnam.
8. Divya Deshmukh – Women’s Chess World Cup Winner
Why in News:
Divya Deshmukh, 19, wins the Women’s Chess World Cup—emblematic of India’s rising chess prowess.
Context and Details:
- Beat Humpy Koneru in final; now fourth Indian woman Grandmaster.
- Boosts India’s reputation for chess, especially among women.
9. Operation Mahadev
Why in News:
Multi-agency security op in Srinagar neutralized three militants, averting a terrorism plot.
Context and Details:
- Demonstrates inter-agency coordination, use of intelligence/surveillance.
- Case study for counterterrorism tactics and internal security.
10. Piratula Wolf Spider & Idris Wasps Discovery
Why in News:
ZSI found new wolf spider genus (Piratula acuminata) and four parasitoid wasp species—important for biodiversity and pest control.
Context and Details:
- Wolf spider = apex insect predator; wasps = natural biocontrol agents.
- Emphasizes conservation, new species documentation, ecological services.