CURRENT AFFAIRS
12 July, 2025
1. INDIGENOUS MALE DRONES-
• India is accelerating the procurement of 87 indigenously developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, featuring at least 60% indigenous content, to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthen surveillance along its sea and land borders.
• This is the first instance of Indian private manufacturers being tasked to supply MALE drones under the Make in India initiative replacing earlier imports from Israel.
• These drones will offer over 30 hours of flight endurance at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet, providing ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance) support in varied terrains.
2. THE SUPREME COURT (SC) IS REVIEWING THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA’S SPECIAL INTENSIVE REVISION (SIR) OF ELECTORAL ROLLS IN BIHAR AND SUGGESTED ACCEPTING AADHAAR, VOTER ID, AND RATION CARDS AS VALID DOCUMENTS FOR VOTER ENUMERATION –
• However, the SC rejected the argument made by petitioners that the ECI lacked the authority to carry out the revision.
• What are Key Facts Regarding the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls?
• About Electoral Rolls: An Electoral Roll (also known as a Voter List or Electoral Register) is the official list of all eligible and registered voters within a specific constituency.
• It is used to verify voter identities and ensure a fair and transparent electoral process during elections.
• The Electoral Rolls are prepared by the ECI under the Representation of the People Act (RP Act), 1950.
• It excludes non-citizens (Section 16) and includes citizens aged 18 or above who are ordinarily resident in the constituency (Section 19).
• About Special Intensive Revision: SIR is a focused, time-bound house-to-house voters’ verification process conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to update and correct the electoral rolls before major elections.
• It ensures that the voter list is accurate, inclusive, and free from discrepancies by allowing new registrations, deletions, and modifications.
• Section 21 of the RP Act, 1950 empowers the ECI to prepare and revise electoral rolls, including conducting a special revision at any time with recorded reasons.
3. INDIA LAUNCHES ELECTRIC TRUCK INCENTIVE SCHEME –
• India has recently introduced its first customer-focused incentive scheme for electric trucks under the PM E-DRIVE initiative. The scheme offers financial support of up to Rs 9.6 lakh per vehicle.
• It aims to accelerate the adoption of electric trucks in key sectors like ports, logistics, cement, and steel. This move supports India’s goal of sustainable freight mobility and aligns with the nation’s net-zero emissions target by 2070.
4. INDIAN NAVY COMMISSIONS INDIGENOUS DSV NISTAR –
• The Indian Navy commissioned its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV) named Nistar on 18 July 2025. The event took place at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in attendance. This ship marks milestone in India’s defence self-reliance and enhances the Navy’s deep-sea diving and submarine rescue capabilities.
Design and Construction
• Nistar was designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam. Over 120 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributed to the project, achieving more than 80% indigenous content. The vessel is approximately 120 metres long and displaces over 10,000 tonnes. It features a Dynamic Positioning System that allows it to maintain precise positioning at sea.
5. GOVERNMENT’S TAX COLLECTIONS DIP DUE TO HIGHER REFUNDS –
• The Central Government’s net direct tax collections up to July 10, 2025, fell by 1.3% compared to the same period last year. This happened despite a rise in gross tax collections, due to a sharp increase in refunds. The data was released on July 11, 2025, and shows a shift in tax flow patterns early in the financial year.
• As per official data, gross direct tax collections — before refunds — rose by 3.2% to ₹6.6 lakh crore during the current financial year up to July 10. This includes taxes collected from corporate and non-corporate entities. However, refunds increased by 38%, reducing the net direct tax collections after refunds.
• Net collections represent the actual revenue the government retains after returning any overpaid tax to businesses and individuals. Because of the high volume of refunds, the net figure is lower this year than the same period in the previous financial year.
Reason for the Dip
• The fall in net collections has been caused by lower tax receipts from both corporate tax (paid by companies) and non-corporate tax (paid by individuals and other entities). Additionally, the rise in tax refunds — possibly due to faster processing or excess payments made earlier — reduced the final amount available to the government.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its June 2025 Financial Stability Report (FSR). What is the projected GDP growth rate for India in FY 2025–26 as per the RBI’s June 2025 FSR ?
a) 5.8%
b) 6.3%
c) 6.5%
d) 6.7%
Q2. In which Indian state is NTPC Simhadri, the first coastal-based thermal power plant, located ?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Gujarat
c) Odisha
d) Andhra Pradesh
Q3. What is the primary objective of the India Green Finance Facility (IGFF) supported by the GCF and led by ADB ?
a) To promote fossil fuel exploration in remote areas
b) To fund India’s defence-related green technologies
c) To catalyse investment in emerging clean energy technologies and strengthen DFIs
d) To support infrastructure for coal-based power plants
Q4. Which Indian state has announced plans to develop Asia’s largest jungle safari over 10,000 acres ?
a) Rajasthan
b) Gujarat
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Haryana
Explanation-
• The Haryana government announced its plan to develop a 10,000-acre jungle safari in the Aravalli Hills, aiming to conserve wildlife, promote eco-tourism, and create employment for local communities.
• Asia’s Largest Safari: The project will span 10,000 acres, making it the biggest jungle safari in Asia, designed with eco-friendly infrastructure and minimal disturbance to flora and fauna.
Detailed Explanation-
• The Haryana government announced its plan to develop a 10,000-acre jungle safari in the Aravalli Hills, aiming to conserve wildlife, promote eco-tourism, and create employment for local communities.
• Asia’s Largest Safari: The project will span 10,000 acres, making it the biggest jungle safari in Asia, designed with eco-friendly infrastructure and minimal disturbance to flora and fauna.
• Wildlife and Habitat Protection: The safari will house diverse species of animals, birds, and plants in their natural habitats, supported by modern technology for monitoring and care.
• Tourism and Job Creation: Expected to become a major tourist attraction, the initiative will generate employment in guiding, hospitality, wildlife management, and related services for local youth.
• Learning from Best Practices: Haryana’s leadership, including CM Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Manohar Lal, and Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh, visited the Vantara Wildlife Facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, to study its successful wildlife-care model.
Q5. Which country was welcomed as a full member of BRICS at the 17th Summit ?
a) Kazakhstan b) Nigeria
c) Malaysia d) Indonesia
Explanation-
• At the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (July 6–7, 2025), leaders welcomed Indonesia as a full member of BRICS.
• The summit also announced the inclusion of 10 partner countries: Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
Detailed Explanation:
• At the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (July 6–7, 2025), leaders welcomed Indonesia as a full member of BRICS.
• The summit also announced the inclusion of 10 partner countries: Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
• With these additions, BRICS now includes 20 countries — 10 core members and 10 partner nations, representing 56% of the world’s population and contributing 44% of global GDP.
• The summit adopted key declarations on climate finance, AI governance, and launched a partnership to eliminate socially determined diseases.
• BRICS was originally formed in 2006 as BRIC and became BRICS with South Africa’s entry in 2010.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
C | D | C | D | D |