Daily Current Affairs Update – 30 May 2025

1. Inter-services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025

Context:

These rules have been framed under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023 to empower the functioning and discipline of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs).

Objectives:

• Strengthen jointness and synergy among Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Ensure swift disciplinary processes and reduce bureaucratic duplication.
  

Key Provisions:

• Empowered Command Structure: Commander-in-Chief (CiC), Officer-in-Command (OiC), and Commanding Officer (CO) of an ISO will have complete disciplinary and administrative powers over personnel from all three services attached to the unit.
• Residuary Powers: Central Government to resolve matters not explicitly covered.
• ISO Constitution: ISOs may consist of members from at least two of the three armed forces. CiC/OiC will lead such formations.
• Superintendence: Central Government retains power to issue directives in the interest of national security and public interest.
  

Relevance:

GS Paper II & III – Governance, Internal Security, Defence Reforms.

2. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme for FY 2025–26

Context:

Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the scheme to support farmers with affordable credit via Kisan Credit Cards (KCC).

Key Features:

• Short-Term Credit Support: Subsidised interest of 7% for short-term loans up to ₹3 lakh.
• Prompt Repayment Incentive: Timely repayment earns additional 3% interest subvention, bringing effective interest rate to 4%.
• Support for Allied Sectors: Animal husbandry and fisheries loans up to ₹2 lakh also eligible.
• Implementing Agencies: RBI and NABARD.
  

Related Schemes:

• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): Medium- to long-term loans for storage/logistics.
• PM-KUSUM: Solar energy solutions for agricultural power needs.
  

Relevance:

GS Paper III – Agriculture, Inclusive Growth, Rural Development.

3. Rise in Indian Overseas Capital Flows

Context:

India’s FDI and FPI outflows have increased significantly in FY25, with FDI rising by $12.5 billion, reflecting shifting corporate strategies.

Key Concepts:

• FDI: Equity investments >10% in listed/unlisted firms.
• FPI: Portfolio investments without management control.
  

Reasons for Capital Outflow:

• Global Uncertainty: US-China trade issues, inflation, policy tightening.
• Tax Havens: Companies routing funds via Singapore, Mauritius, Netherlands.
• Strategic Business Moves: Acquiring global market share, value chain integration.
  

Implications:

• Negative: Reduced domestic investment (₹4.9 lakh crore in 2025-26), forex volatility, rupee depreciation.
• Positive: Enhances India’s global brand, soft power, and business diversification.
  

Relevance:

GS Paper III – Economy, Investment, Capital Markets.

4. Regulation of Dark Patterns in E-commerce

Context:

Consumer Affairs Ministry instructed e-commerce platforms to self-audit and remove dark patterns — deceptive UX/UI practices.

Definition:

Dark patterns are misleading design elements that trick users into unintended actions (e.g., buying, subscribing).

Key Types:

• False Urgency – Fake countdowns.
• Basket Sneaking – Adding products without consent.
• Confirm Shaming – Guilt-tripping users.
• Forced Action, Drip Pricing, Trick Questions, etc.
  

Regulatory Measures:

• Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Guidelines on Dark Patterns (2023): Identifies 13 dark patterns.
• Digital Tools:
  
  • Jagriti App & Dashboard: Report & monitor dark patterns.
    
  • Jago Grahak Jago App: Alerts and safeguards users.
    

Relevance:

GS Paper II – Governance, Consumer Rights, E-Commerce Regulation.

5. UNDRR Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) 2025

Context:

The GAR 2025 by the UNDRR highlights increasing disaster costs and underpreparedness of vulnerable nations like India.

Global Findings:

• $2.3 Trillion Annual Losses from disasters.
• Only 2% of global aid is invested in disaster risk reduction (DRR).
  

India-Specific Observations:

• Cyclone Fani (2019): $1.2 billion damage to Odisha’s power infra.
• 10–30 million internal displacements due to climate events.
• Projected 9% decline in living standards by 2050 due to climate stress.
• Insurance Penetration <1% — poor financial resilience.
  

Recommendations:

• Strengthen early warning systems.
• Invest in climate adaptation infrastructure.
• Shift from reactive to proactive disaster management.
  

Relevance:

GS Paper III – Environment, Disaster Management, Climate Resilience.

6. Battery Aadhaar Initiative

Context:

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched the Battery Aadhaar Initiative at the Battery Summit 2025, showcasing India’s commitment to clean energy and circular economy goals.

What is Battery Aadhaar?

It is a Digital Product Passport assigned to every battery pack, enabling:

• Real-time tracking of battery identity and performance.
• Improved traceability across the lifecycle of the battery.
• Regulatory oversight and counterfeit prevention.
  

Key Features:

• Unique Digital ID for every battery using MOBIUS+ platform (by Tata Elxsi).
• Tracks: Origin, battery chemistry, charge-discharge cycles, safety certifications.
• Enables predictive maintenance and recycling efficiency.
• Acts as a tool for consumer protection and environmental compliance.
  

Significance:

• Helps in regulatory enforcement, especially with increasing EV adoption.
• Supports Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat in the clean tech sector.
• Aligns with global trends in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
  

Relevance:

GS III – Environment, Technology, Infrastructure, Circular Economy

7. Dark Factories

Context:

The Chairman of TCS spoke about the potential of “dark factories” as the future of automation in IT and manufacturing.

What are Dark Factories?

Also known as “lights-out factories”, these are fully automated facilities that require no human presence on-site. Operations are handled by:

• Robots
• AI systems
• IoT-enabled sensors and devices
  

Global Examples:

• Fanuc (Japan)
• Siemens (Germany)
  

Advantages:

• Operate 24/7 without breaks.
• High productivity and cost savings.
• Improve workplace safety and solve labour shortage issues.
  

Challenges:

• High capital and maintenance costs.
• Cybersecurity risks and system failure vulnerability.
• Massive job displacement in traditional sectors.
  

Relevance:

GS III – Science & Tech, Employment, Robotics & AI

8. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Personality in News)

Context:

PM paid tribute to Savarkar on his birth anniversary, renewing attention on his role in the freedom movement and ideological legacy.

Key Contributions:

• Revolutionary Nationalist: Founded Abhinav Bharat in 1904 for armed resistance against the British.
• Diaspora Mobilization: Started Free India Society in London (1906).
• Literary Impact: Authored The First War of Indian Independence, glorifying 1857 revolt.
• Imprisonment: Sentenced to double life imprisonment (50 years) in Cellular Jail, Andaman.
• Social Reformer: Built Patit-Pavan Mandir for Dalit entry into temples.
• Hindu Mahasabha President: (1937–1944), known for political negotiations with the British.
  

Relevance:

GS I – Modern Indian History, Freedom Struggle, Reform Movements

9. Bow Echo

Context:

A severe storm in Delhi recently displayed a radar pattern known as a Bow Echo.

What is a Bow Echo?

• A radar signature of a fast-moving storm front that looks like a bow (archer’s bow).
• Formed due to strong straight-line winds pushing the center of the storm forward.
• Often leads to intense and widespread wind damage.
  

Characteristics:

• Arises from a cluster of thunderstorms or a single supercell.
• Can extend 20–100 km, lasting 3–6 hours.
• Precursors to destructive weather events.
  

Relevance:

GS I & III – Geography (Climatology), Disaster Management

10. Kalanamak Rice – ‘Buddha Rice’

Context:

The UP government plans to promote exports of Kalanamak rice to Buddhist-majority countries.

About Kalanamak Rice:

• Traditional non-basmati aromatic rice grown in eastern UP (especially Siddharthnagar).
• Received GI tag in 2013.
• Part of India’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
  

Significance:

• Mentioned in ancient Buddhist texts; believed to have been offered to Lord Buddha.
• High in nutritional content.
• Recognized by FAO as specialty rice.
  

Relevance:

GS I – Indian Culture, Agriculture, GI Tags, International Relations

11. Kumbakonam Vetrilai (Betel Leaf)

Context:

Recently granted GI Tag by the Government of India for its regional uniqueness and medicinal benefits.

Characteristics:

• Grown in Cauvery delta region (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu).
• Leaves are oblong, heart-shaped, pungent in taste.
• High in chavicol, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound.
  

Uses:

• Widely used in rituals, ayurveda, and digestive aid.
• High cultural and economic value in South India.
  

Relevance:

GS I – Indian Culture, Agriculture, GI Tags

12. Padma Awards 2025

Context:

139 individuals awarded during the two civil investiture ceremonies in 2025.

About Padma Awards:

• One of India’s highest civilian honours, instituted in 1954.
• Categories:
  
  • Padma Vibhushan – Exceptional and distinguished service.
    Padma Bhushan – Distinguished service of high order.
    
  • Padma Shri – Distinguished service.
• Cannot be used as titles or name suffixes.
• Selection by Padma Committee formed by PM.
  

Eligibility:

• All citizens except government servants (except doctors and scientists).
  

Relevance:

GS I – Indian Polity, Governance, Awards and Honors

13. WMO Global Climate Update (2025–2029)

Context:

WMO and UK Met Office released a decadal forecast showing alarming climate trends.

Key Highlights:

• 86% chance that one year between 2025–2029 will be >1.5°C warmer than pre-industrial era.
• India and South Asia: Likely to face wetter-than-usual monsoons.
• High inter-annual monsoon variability will persist.
  

Implications:

• Risk of extreme weather events.
• Urgent need for adaptive agricultural planning and urban climate resilience.
  

Relevance:

GS III – Climate Change, Environment, Agriculture

14. India–Germany Relations: 25 Years of Strategic Partnership

Context:

India and Germany celebrate 25 years of their Strategic Partnership.

Key Areas of Cooperation:

• Diplomatic: India among the first to recognize post-WWII Germany.
• Economic: Germany is India’s top trading partner in Europe.
• Green Partnership:
  • Germany pledged €10 billion for Indo-German Green & Sustainable Development Partnership.
• UNSC Reform: Jointly support G4 framework for Security Council reforms.
  

Relevance:

GS II – International Relations, Bilateral Ties, Environmental Diplomacy