CURRENT AFFAIRS 14-15 August, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 14-15 August, 2025

1. THE UNION CABINET APPROVED 4 NEW SEMICONDUCTOR PROJECTS IN ODISHA, PUNJAB, AND ANDHRA PRADESH UNDER THE INDIA SEMICONDUCTOR MISSION (ISM), BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 10 PROJECTS ACROSS 6 STATES –

What are the Key Trends and Opportunities Shaping the Growth of India’s Semiconductor Market?

• Market Size: India’s semiconductor consumption market, valued at USD 52 billion in 2024-25, is expected to reach USD 103.4 billion by 2030 with Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13%.
• Mobile handsets, IT, and industrial applications account for approx 70% of revenue, while automotive and industrial electronics offer significant scope.
• Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, and the US dominate the semiconductor industry.
• India’s imports of Integrated circuits (ICs), memory chips, and amplifiers surged by 2,000%, 4,500%, and 4,800% from FY16–24, with China supplying nearly one-third of these imports.

Key Opportunities for India:

• Large Market Potential: India has emerged as the world’s second-largest market for 5G smartphones, trailing only behind China, holding a 13% share, behind China’s 32%.
• Surging Domestic Demand: Growing consumption of mobile devices, computers, and digital technologies, coupled with the 5G rollout and AI adoption, is driving strong demand for advanced semiconductors.
• Global Partnerships & Support: Collaborations with global semiconductor leaders and countries like US and Japan facilitate technology transfer and enhance India’s capabilities.
• Semicon India Programme and expansion of manufacturing and digitalisation strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

2. CESS AND ITS ROLE IN UNION FINANCE –

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged a Rs 3.69 lakh crore shortfall in transferring cess collections to their intended funds, bringing into focus the purpose and proper utilisation of such levies.

What is the Purpose of Levying a Cess?

• About: A cess, recognized under Article 270 is an additional tax levied by the Government of India for a specific purpose. It is levied on top of existing taxes or duties listed in the Union List.
• Purpose: Cess is distinct from regular taxes as it is earmarked for a designated purpose. The purpose of a cess must be clearly stated in the law imposing it and should be for a Union purpose, outside List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule.
• Cesses are named after their purpose (like Education Cess or Swachh Bharat Cess) and must be used only for that purpose, without being diverted for general government expenditure.
• Role in Union Finance: Proceeds from a cess, along with surcharges levied by the Union, are credited to the Consolidated Fund of India and are excluded from the divisible pool of taxes, remaining under the Union’s control.   

3. PUTIN-TRUMP ALASKA SUMMIT CONCLUDES WITHOUT UKRAINE PEACE DEAL –

• The highly anticipated summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump concluded at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage, Alaska, without a concrete agreement on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• While the three-hour meeting did not yield a breakthrough, both leaders characterized the summit as constructive, emphasizing “great progress” and expressing hope for continued diplomatic engagement.

Ukraine Conflict at the Center of Talks

Putin’s Position on the War

• Addressing the media after the summit, President Putin acknowledged that the Ukraine conflict was the central issue discussed. Referring to the war as a “tragedy,” he reiterated his interest in ending the hostilities but stressed that the “primary causes” of the conflict must be addressed.

4. ARMENIA – AZERBAIJAN PEACE AGREEMENT –

• A peace agreement brokered by the US has been signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, marking a significant step toward resolving the longstanding conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Peace Deal: Both countries pledged to respect each other’s territorial integrity, ending nearly four decades of conflict. The agreement includes mutual relinquishment of territorial claims, a ban on the use of force, and adherence to international law.
• US Role and Strategic Importance: The US gained exclusive rights to develop the ‘Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity’ transit corridor in the South Caucasus.
• Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous, landlocked region in the South Caucasus (The Caucasus is a mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas, spanning Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia).
• After the Russian Empire’s collapse in 1917, Armenia and Azerbaijan both claimed Nagorno-Karabakh, causing lasting tensions. The 1994 ceasefire left Nagorno-Karabakh under Armenian-backed control (but internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan).
• Azerbaijan reclaimed control in 2023 after a military offensive, displacing thousands of ethnic Armenians. 

5. NAGALAND GOVERNOR LA GANESAN PASSES AWAY AT 80 IN CHENNAI –

• La Ganesan, the Governor of Nagaland, passed away at the age of 80 on the night of August 15, 2025, at a private hospital in Chennai. His sudden collapse on August 8 at his residence and subsequent ICU treatment ended in his demise a week later. His passing marks the end of a long and respected journey in Indian public life and governance.

Political Journey and Public Life

• From Tamil Nadu to Northeast Leadership
• La Ganesan began his political journey as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where he played a key role in expanding the party’s presence in Tamil Nadu. He served briefly as a Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh, reflecting his national political footprint.
• In August 2021, he was appointed as the Governor of Manipur, a post he held until February 2023, when he was shifted to Nagaland Raj Bhavan as its constitutional head. Throughout his governorship, he remained committed to promoting peace, development, and cultural integration in the Northeast.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project is located in which state ?

1. a) Odisha
2. b) Uttarakhand
3. c) Himachal Pradesh
4. d) Madhya Pradesh

Q2.   Which country has developed the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system ?

1. a) United States
2. b) France
3. c) Australia
4. d) Russia

Q3.   Notary Portal was launched by which ministry ?

1. a) Ministry of Law and Justice
2. b) Ministry of Finance
3. c) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
4. d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Q4.   With respect to ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’, consider the following statements:

1. It is a joint defence initiative between India and Israel, adapting the technology of the ‘Iron Dome’ for Indian conditions.
2. The mission’s primary nodal agency is the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is responsible for the protection of civilian and religious sites.
3. Its scope is limited to providing a shield against aerial threats such as missiles and drones.

          How many of the above statements are correct ?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) All three
4. d) None

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The mission is described as an entirely indigenous defence initiative. It is a product of India’s push for self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) and is not a joint venture with any other country.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The nodal ministry for this national security mission is the Ministry of Defence. While the Ministry of Home Affairs is concerned with internal security, a mission involving multi-domain military capabilities like this falls under the purview of the Defence Ministry.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The mission aims to create a comprehensive, multi-layered shield. Its objective is to neutralize threats from air, land, sea, and cyber domains, not just aerial threats. This comprehensive approach is a key feature of the mission.

Q5.   Consider the following statements regarding the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI):

1. TRAI was established by an Act of Parliament, making it a statutory body.
2. The recommendations of TRAI led to the establishment of the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
3. TRAI’s functions are limited to issuing regulations on tariffs and do not extend to ensuring quality of service.

          How many of the above statements are correct ?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) All three
4. d) None

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct. TRAI is a statutory body, not an executive or constitutional one. It was established on 20 February 1997, under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
• Statement 2 is correct. To separate its regulatory and adjudicatory functions, TRAI’s powers were amended. Its recommendations led to the creation of the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) in 2000 to handle disputes between licensees, licensors, and consumers.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. TRAI has a broad mandate that goes beyond just tariffs. One of its key functions is to safeguard consumer interests by setting and enforcing quality-of-service (QoS) benchmarks. It regularly monitors service providers’ performance against these benchmarks and can impose penalties for non-compliance.

Answer Key