Daily Current Affairs-5th-August-2025

News at a glance

No.	Topic	GS Paper(s)	Why in News
1	Right to Repair	GS-3, GS-2	India announces repairability framework for consumer and electronic goods
2	Bird Deaths & Wind Energy	GS-3 (Env/Energy)	Wind power–bird deaths spark regulatory action
3	Operation Akhal	GS-3 (Internal Security)	Major anti-terror op in Kulgam, J&K
4	Framework Agreement (Naga Peace Process)	GS-2 (IR, Polity)	10th anniv. of India–NSCN-IM deal; status update
5	July Declaration (Bangladesh)	GS-2 (IR)	Bangladesh to constitutionally recognize 2024 student uprising
6	Grassland Bird Census, Kaziranga	GS-3 (Env)	India’s first scientific grassland bird count in a national park
7	VOC Port Green Hydrogen	GS-3 (Infra, Energy)	First Indian port to produce green hydrogen, >1MW solar power
8	NPCI UPI New Rules	GS-3 (Economy, Tech)	KYC, credit-on-UPI, higher limits from Aug 1, 2025
9	World Breastfeeding Week 2025	GS-2 (Health, Nutrition)	National, global campaign coincides with national nutrition push
10	Sikkim Sabbatical Leave Scheme	GS-2 (Gov, Admin Reform)	First sabbatical for all state staff; progressive HR model

1. Right to Repair in India

Why in News:
 India advanced its “Right to Repair” regulatory framework, focusing on major electronics, automobiles, and consumer goods companies, following the European model.

Context & Key Facts:

• Definition: Right to Repair ensures consumers and independent repairers can access manuals, parts, software updates, and diagnostic tools.
  
  
• Background: Until now, repairs were monopolized by manufacturers, raising costs and e-waste.
  
  
• Recent Steps:
  
  
  • Draft guidelines under Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
  • Sectors covered: electronics (mobiles, laptops), farm equipment, automobiles, home appliances.
  • Repairability Index for products in discussion (aligns with France/EU trends).
    
    
• Impacts:
  
  
  • Promotes circular economy, reduces e-waste, lowers repair costs.
  • Improves consumer choice, addresses planned obsolescence, and creates local jobs.
    
    
• Challenges:
  
  
  • Pushback from MNCs, possible undercutting of safety and warranty, lack of indigenous repair ecosystem.
  • IP and cybersecurity concerns in opening up repair data/tools.
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-3 (Economy, Industry, Environment – Waste Management), GS-2 (Consumer Protection).
  

2. Bird Deaths and Wind Energy in India

Why in News:
 Thousands of bird deaths have been reported in India’s wind power regions, prompting calls for stricter environmental safeguards for future projects.

Context & Key Facts:

• Scale: India is among the world leaders in wind power (44+ GW, mainly Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra).
  
  
• Hazards: Migratory birds and threatened species (vultures, cranes, flamingos) die due to turbine collisions and habitat loss.
  
  
• Major Cases:
  
  
  • Kutch (Gujarat) and Saurashtra are major hotspots.
  • Great Indian Bustard deaths under litigation (Supreme Court directives).
    
    
• Regulatory Moves:
  
  
  • Environment Ministry guidelines on bird-friendly siting, biodiversity impact assessments.
  • Mandates installation of bird diverters and “shutdown on demand” protocols during key migration windows.
    
    
• Long-term Solutions:
  
  
  • Remote sensing for pre-installation surveys, mapping bird flyways, technology retrofits.
  • Global best practice: Germany, Spain, UK use advanced monitoring/mitigation systems.
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-3 (Environment – Renewable energy, Biodiversity), static-dynamic linkage for wind/solar policy.
  
  

3. Operation Akhal (Internal Security)

Why in News:
 A high-intensity anti-terror operation (Operation Akhal) in Kulgam district, Jammu & Kashmir, continued for three days, resulting in major militant neutralization.

Context & Key Facts:

• Details:
  
  
  • Jointly led by Indian Army (Chinar Corps), J&K Police, and Special Operations Group.
  • Launched to target 3–5 militants and dismantle local module post-Pahalgam attack.
  • Features: sustained “calibrated fire,” search operations, focus on cutting terror funding, hawala and narco-terrorism networks.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Part of post-Article 370 crackdown, enhanced internal security strategy.
  • Demonstrates evolution in counter-insurgency—use of tech, intelligence, local cooperation.
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-3 (Internal Security, Terrorism, Counter-Insurgency Doctrine), Prelims (Major Operations).
  
  

4. Framework Agreement — Naga Peace Process

Why in News:
 10th anniversary of the Framework Agreement signed (3 August 2015) between Government of India and NSCN-IM—a milestone in the Naga peace process.

Context & Key Facts:

• Parties: Union Government (Prime Minister & interlocutor R.N. Ravi), NSCN-IM.
  
  
• Objectives:
  
  
  • End decades-long insurgency for Naga autonomy within the Indian Union.
  • Commitment to “shared sovereignty,” respect for Naga identity, culture, and separate constitution (some demands still contested).
    
    
• Current Status:
  
  
  • Stalled over issue of flag and constitution.
    
    
  • Recent reaffirmation by NSCN-IM reflects continued contention over implementation.
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-2 (Federalism, Internal Security, Centre-State Relations, Ethnic Movements).
  
  

5. July Declaration — Bangladesh’s Democratic Transition

Why in News:
 Bangladesh’s interim government will issue the “July Declaration” (August 5, 2025) on the anniversary of the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled the previous regime.

Context & Key Facts:

• History: 2024 “July Uprising” by Students Against Discrimination (SAD) ended PM Hasina’s rule, led to formation of a transitional government.
  
  
• Declaration’s Objectives:
  
  
  • Grant constitutional recognition to the uprising.
  • Affirm new democratic principles, anti-fascist governance, and inclusive politics.
    
    
• Regional Impact:
  
  
  • Signals generational change, shift in South Asian politics toward youth leadership.
  • Comparable to other transformative “people’s movements” (Arab Spring, Hong Kong).
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-2 (International Relations, Comparative Politics), Prelims (Recent Events).
  
  

6. India’s First Grassland Bird Census (Kaziranga NP)

Why in News:
 Assam’s Kaziranga National Park held India’s first scientific grassland bird census—to quantify avifaunal diversity and inform restoration strategies.

Context & Key Facts:

• Significance:
  
  
  • Kaziranga — world heritage site, famed for rhinos, but also vast semi-natural grasslands.
  • At risk due to ecological succession, weed invasion, unchecked woody plant spread (reducing bird habitats).
    
    
• Key Avifauna:
  
  
  • Bengal Florican, Jerdon’s Babbler, Swamp Prinia, Chinese Grassbird.
    
    
• Methodology:
  
  
  • Transect sampling, community science involvement.
  • Quantifies impacts of controlled burning/grazing, grassland-patch management.
    
    
• Policy Use:
  
  
  • Data will guide park authorities in adaptive habitat management.
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-3 (Environment – Wildlife Conservation, Biodiversity, Wetland & Grassland Ecology).
  
  

7. VOC Port: India’s First Green Hydrogen Port

Why in News:
 VOC Port (Tuticorin Port), Tamil Nadu, became India’s first to commence green hydrogen production and solar capacity >1MW.

Context & Key Facts:

• Port-Led Green Energy:
  
  
  • First port to launch on-site green hydrogen generation (electrolysis from renewable electricity).
  • Supports India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission; key role in shipping, logistics decarbonization.
    
    
• Scale:
  
  
  • Surpassed 1 MW in solar generation.
  • Integrated green energy into port operations—cargo handling, e-mobility, cold storage.
    
    
• Broader Impact:
  
  
  • Model for other ports; relevant for India’s 2070 net-zero goal, “Harit Sagar” guidelines.
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-3 (Energy, Environment, Infrastructure).
  
  

8. NPCI UPI New Rules (from August 1, 2025)

Why in News:
 NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) rolled out new UPI (Unified Payments Interface) regulations.

Context & Key Facts:

• Key Changes:
  
  
  • Mandated increased KYC for high-value users and transactions.
  • Introduced “credit on UPI” for broader digital credit inclusion.
  • Raised transaction limits in select sectors; enhanced fraud analytics and reporting for member banks.
    
    
• Impact:
  
  
  • Furthers growth and security of India’s digital payments system (1,947 crore transactions in July 2025).
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-3 (Economy – Digital Payments, Financial Inclusion), Prelims (UPI).
  
  

9. World Breastfeeding Week 2025

Why in News:
 World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7): India’s interventions—Mother Absolute Affection (MAA), Janani Suraksha Yojana, Anganwadi nutrition—spotlighted globally.

Context & Key Facts:

• Theme: “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”.
  
  
• India’s Progress:
  
  
  • Exclusive breastfeeding rates up to 64% (NFHS-5).
  • Community health workers drive outreach.
  • Ongoing challenges—urban-rural divides, aggressive marketing of substitutes, workplace barriers.
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-2 (Health Policy, Nutrition), Prelims (Flagship Schemes).
  
  

10. Sikkim Sabbatical Leave for Government Employees

Why in News:
 Sikkim became the first state to grant sabbatical leave (365–1,080 days at 50% pay) for all government employees, including temporary staff.

Context & Key Facts:

• Policy:
  
  
  • Leave applies for research, skill building, health, or family responsibilities; ensures seniority/service continuity.
  • Decentralized approval for faster processing.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Promotes public sector motivation, women’s participation, and innovation in service.
    
    
• Potential Model:
  
  
  • May inspire wider civil service/HR reforms in other states.
    
    
• Exam Relevance: GS-2 (Governance, HRD, Administrative Reforms).