News at a Glance
| No. | Topic | GS Paper(s) | Why in News (July 30, 2025) |
| 1 | Global AI Governance | GS-2 (Governance, IR) | UN call for global, binding AI regulation; India to finalize national AI law |
| 2 | Digital Credit Assessment for MSMEs | GS-3 (Economy, S&T) | PSBs launch full-digital, automated MSME loan model for fast, objective credit |
| 3 | Nigeria’s GDP Rebasing & India’s Plans | GS-3 (Economy) | Nigeria improves GDP rank; India to revise base year in 2026 for credibility |
| 4 | Living Wage & Women’s Workforce | GS-3 (Economy, Social) | Labour Ministry mulls “living wage” aligning pay to costs, empowering women |
| 5 | Hydrogen-Powered Train Coach | GS-3 (Infra, Energy) | Indian Railways tests first hydrogen coach—clean, green rail mobility milestone |
| 6 | NCAP 2.0 & Industrial Pollution | GS-3 (Environment) | Industries receive minimal NCAP funds, reforms needed for emission control |
| 7 | India’s GLOF Risk Mitigation | GS-3 (Disaster Mgmt) | Nepal GLOF spurs focus on India’s glacial risk, NDMA coordination |
| 8 | Great Indian Bustard Power Corridors | Prelims (Environment) | SC panel recommends underground power lines in habitats for species protection |
| 9 | International Tiger Day 2025 | Prelims (Environment) | 2025 theme on communities, India’s success in Tx2 target and big cat conservation |
| 10 | Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2025 | Prelims (Education) | 5 years of NEP 2020; new digital tools, infra, global university agreements |
1. Global AI Governance
Why in News:
The UN ITU Secretary-General called for global AI regulation amid concerns over job losses, deepfakes, and social disruptions. Discussions emphasized the urgency of creating a coherent international approach.
Context and Details:
- Fragmentation: National AI laws are inconsistent, failing to tackle cross-border AI risks.
- Power Concentration: AI technology is dominated by a few countries & big tech firms, increasing inequality.
- Risks: AI misuse threatens global security (warfare, disinformation) and human rights (privacy erosion, profiling).
- Legal Gap: No binding international legal norms currently govern AI.
- Challenges: Geopolitical rivalries (notably US-China), sovereignty fears, weak technical capacity in developing nations, private firms’ dominance, and absence of an authoritative global body.
- Way Forward:
- Regular UN dialogues, adaptable governance structures, training centers in developing countries, global registry/standards, global expert panel, a UN-backed AI fund, and India to finalize its own draft AI law (MeitY).
- Regular UN dialogues, adaptable governance structures, training centers in developing countries, global registry/standards, global expert panel, a UN-backed AI fund, and India to finalize its own draft AI law (MeitY).
2. New Digital Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs
Why in News:
Public Sector Banks (PSBs) launched a fully digital credit assessment framework for MSMEs, speeding up and objectifying loan approvals.
Context and Details:
- Assessment: Uses verifiable digital data, automates decisions through credit logic and scorecards, and aligns with internal risk policy.
- Data Integration: Integrates PAN authentication (NSDL), GST APIs, Account Aggregator framework for bank statements, ITR verification, credit bureau scores, OTP-based checks, and anti-fraud APIs.
- Benefits: Entire loan journey is paperless—from application to disbursal—and accessible nationwide, including remote areas.
- Relevance: Promotes financial inclusion of MSMEs, boosts credit flow, reduces human bias, and moves toward fintech-driven banking.
3. Nigeria’s GDP Rebasing and India’s Update Plan
Why in News:
Nigeria rebased its GDP from 2010 to 2019, raising its global ranking; India is set to revise its GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23 by February 2026.
Context and Details:
- GDP Rebasing: Revises the base year to reflect current realities, influencing policymaking, investor confidence, and credit ratings.
- Nigeria’s Case: New base year triggered a 30% nominal GDP jump and improvement in rankings.
- India’s Plan:
- The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will revise GDP calculations, potentially improving India’s global ranking and making policy decisions more data-driven.
- Higher GDP base reduces fiscal deficit-to-GDP and debt-to-GDP, increases fiscal space, and enhances the credibility of economic data.
- The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will revise GDP calculations, potentially improving India’s global ranking and making policy decisions more data-driven.
4. Living Wage Policy & Women’s Workforce Participation
Why in News:
The Ministry of Labour & Employment is discussing a living wage aligned with real costs, aiming to spur women’s participation in the formal workforce.
Context and Details:
- Benefits: Converts invisible labour into economic output, reduces household poverty, and increases women’s agency and financial decision-making power.
- Growth & Equity: Greater women’s participation boosts GDP; addresses gender pay gaps and care burdens.
- Challenges:
- Regional cost variations, inadequate cost data, small firm pushback, weak enforcement in informal sectors, outdated regulations, and risk of wage-induced inflation.
- Way Forward:
- Indexing via regional cost baselines (Anker methodology), digital compliance monitoring, tax/MSME relief, support infrastructure (childcare, housing), and streamlined labour laws.
- Indexing via regional cost baselines (Anker methodology), digital compliance monitoring, tax/MSME relief, support infrastructure (childcare, housing), and streamlined labour laws.
5. India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train Coach
Why in News:
Indian Railways tested its first hydrogen-powered coach at ICF, Chennai—a major step under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Context and Details:
- Technology: Retrofitted coaches run on fuel-cell units (generate electricity from hydrogen, emit only water vapor), with 3,000kg storage at 350 bar pressure.
- Deployment: Will ply Jind–Sonepat route in Haryana; project audited by TÜV-SÜD (Germany) and part of the “Hydrogen for Heritage” program.
- Benefits:
- Zero emissions, noise reduction, green mobility on non-electrified routes, high energy density, lower crude import dependence.
- Zero emissions, noise reduction, green mobility on non-electrified routes, high energy density, lower crude import dependence.
- Challenges:
- High costs, safety concerns (flammability), energy/water use, shortage of electrolyser capacity, transport/logistics issues, and Indian rail-grade fuel cells under-tested.
- High costs, safety concerns (flammability), energy/water use, shortage of electrolyser capacity, transport/logistics issues, and Indian rail-grade fuel cells under-tested.
6. NCAP 2.0 & Industrial Pollution
Why in News:
Despite industries being major polluters, just 0.6% of NCAP/Finance Commission funds go to emission control, highlighting the need for industry-specific focus in NCAP 2.0.
Context and Details:
- NCAP: Launched in 2019, targets 20-30% cut in PM2.5/PM10 by 2024 (now up to 40% for PM10).
- Industrial Drivers:
- 37% of polluted cities ringed by industries, outdated kilns, unregulated MSMEs, and weak regulatory regime.
- 37% of polluted cities ringed by industries, outdated kilns, unregulated MSMEs, and weak regulatory regime.
- Impacts:
- 1.67 million pollution- and 70% of Yamuna water pollution attributed to industry; 8.5% GDP loss annually.
- 1.67 million pollution- and 70% of Yamuna water pollution attributed to industry; 8.5% GDP loss annually.
- Reforms Needed (NCAP 2.0):
- Dedicated funds for industries, emissions reporting for permit, zigzag kiln/wet scrubber enforcement, airshed-level planning, green tech incentives for MSMEs.
- Dedicated funds for industries, emissions reporting for permit, zigzag kiln/wet scrubber enforcement, airshed-level planning, green tech incentives for MSMEs.
7. India’s GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) Response
Why in News:
A major GLOF in Nepal drew attention to India’s Himalayan GLOF risks, driving new mitigation and warning measures.
Context and Details:
- NDMA Program: $20m national program covers 195 lakes, with scientific assessment, EWS, water drawdown, remote sensing, capacity building (ITBP/manual early warnings).
- Challenges:
- Inaccessibility, climate-driven glacial melt, tech gaps in monitoring/reporting.
- Inaccessibility, climate-driven glacial melt, tech gaps in monitoring/reporting.
- Way Forward:
- Indigenous R&D for sensors, GLOF audits for infra projects, cross-border alerts, community-based responses.
- Indigenous R&D for sensors, GLOF audits for infra projects, cross-border alerts, community-based responses.
8. Great Indian Bustard – Power Corridor Recommendations
Why in News:
A Supreme Court panel has recommended power corridors for transmission lines in GIB habitats (Gujarat/Rajasthan) to protect birds.
Context and Details:
- Recommendations:
- Expand “priority zones,” bury key lines underground, ban overhead lines, wind/solar >2 MW in core areas.
- Expand “priority zones,” bury key lines underground, ban overhead lines, wind/solar >2 MW in core areas.
- Conservation:
- “Jump-start” method—transfer incubated eggs, fit remaining birds with trackers for monitoring.
- “Jump-start” method—transfer incubated eggs, fit remaining birds with trackers for monitoring.
9. International Tiger Day 2025
Why in News:
Observed July 29, with the 2025 theme focusing on local communities’ role in conservation.
Context and Details:
- Origin: Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit (2010), Tx2 commitment (double wild tigers by 2022).
- India’s Role:
- Leader in tiger recovery—Project Tiger since 1973, now 58 reserves, 3,682 tigers (2022 census: 75% of global wild tigers).
- Launched International Big Cats Alliance (2023).
- Leader in tiger recovery—Project Tiger since 1973, now 58 reserves, 3,682 tigers (2022 census: 75% of global wild tigers).
10. Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2025
Why in News:
Event marks 5 years of NEP 2020, with initiatives to boost infrastructure, digital learning, and global university partnerships.
Context and Details:
- Funding: ₹4,000 crore for improved school infra, 613 PM SHRI schools recognized.
- Academic Ties: Four new foreign university campuses signed (Sydney, Victoria, La Trobe, Bristol).
- Tech Launches: TARA portal (reading fluency), My Career Advisor (AI-guided careers), local language test portal (22 languages), SHVR hygiene rating for schools, and AI apprenticeship expansion.