Daily Current Affairs 09-10 August 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 09-10 August, 2025

1. PM E-DRIVE SCHEME EXTENDED TILL 2028 FOR E-TRUCKS, E-BUSES & TESTING AGENCIES –

• The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, launched in September 2024 has been extended from two to four years till 31 March 2028 for e-trucks, e-buses, and testing agencies, while timelines for smaller EV categories remain unchanged.

About PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme

• The PM E-DRIVE Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on 29 September 2024, is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) to accelerate electric mobility in India.

Effective From: 1 October 2024

• Budgetary Allocation: Fund-limited outlay of ₹10,900 crore, valid till 31 March 2028 (originally till 31 March 2026).
• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) as aggregator for electric bus procurement; coordination with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and Ministry of Power (MoP) for various components.

Objectives:

• Accelerate adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) across multiple segments.
• Establish a robust charging infrastructure in urban areas and along national highways.
• Strengthen the domestic Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing ecosystem through the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) under Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Promote mass mobility via electric public transportation, thereby improving air quality and reducing transport-related emissions.

2. SWADESHI MOVEMENT AND SELF -RELIANT INDIA –

• Every year on 7th August, India celebrates National Handloom Day, which marks the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on this day in 1905. 
• The movement promoted indigenous industries, with a special focus on handloom weaving, as a means of economic resistance to British colonial rule.

National Handloom Day

• The day was officially declared by the Government of India in 2015 to honour the handloom community and their contribution.
• It highlights handlooms as a pillar of rural economy, women’s empowerment, and sustainable, eco-friendly production.
• National Handloom Day Theme 2025: “Weaving Innovation into Tradition.”

What was the Swadeshi Movement?

• Origins of the Swadeshi Movement:
• Partition of Bengal: The Partition of Bengal (1905) into Muslim-majority East Bengal and Hindu-majority West Bengal was seen as a British tactic to create religious and political divisions, weakening nationalist unity.
• Lord Curzon’s Policies: Lord Curzon’s repressive policies, like reforms in Calcutta Corporation and the Indian Universities Act (1904), fueled middle-class anger and discontent.
• Calcutta Townhall meeting: The August 1905 Calcutta Townhall meeting formally launched the Swadeshi Movement, urging people to boycott British goods especially the ‘Manchester –made-cloth’ and the. ‘Liverpool-salt’, and support Indian-made products.

3. INDIA’S GROUNDWATER POLLUTION CRISIS –

• India’s groundwater, a vital resource for drinking and irrigation, faces a severe pollution crisis. The 2024 Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) report reveals widespread contamination by nitrates, fluoride, arsenic, uranium, and heavy metals. This invisible threat endangers millions, especially in rural areas dependent on groundwater. The crisis results from over-extraction, industrial discharge, and weak regulatory enforcement.

Groundwater Dependency in India

• Over 85% of rural drinking water and 65% of irrigation water in India come from groundwater. Despite abundant rivers and monsoons, underground water remains the mainstay for domestic and agricultural use. This reliance makes groundwater quality critical for health and food security.

Extent and Types of Contamination

• More than 20% of groundwater samples show nitrate contamination, mainly due to excessive chemical fertiliser use and poor sanitation. Fluoride contamination affects over 9% of samples, causing dental and skeletal fluorosis in states like Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.
• Arsenic pollution, especially in Punjab and Bihar, far exceeds WHO limits and increases cancer risks. Uranium and iron contamination also pose serious health threats. Heavy metals from industrial waste contribute to neurological and developmental disorders.

4. ICMR LAUNCHES SHINE INITIATIVE –

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched the ICMR-SHINE Initiative recently. This nationwide student outreach programme targets school students from Classes 9 to 12. It aims to spark scientific curiosity and promote careers in biomedical research. The event aligns with the Prime Minister’s call for One Day as a Scientist and honours Prof. V. Ramalingaswami, a pioneer in Indian medical research.

What is ICMR-SHINE Initiative?

• ICMR-SHINE stands for Science & Health Innovation for the Nextgen Explorers. It is a first-of-its-kind effort where all ICMR institutes simultaneously host interactive activities. These activities engage thousands of students across India in science, health, and biomedical research. The initiative demonstrates ICMR’s commitment to nurturing future scientific leaders.

5. THAILAND AND CAMBODIA FINALIZE CEASEFIRE DETAILS, PLEDGE TO MAINTAIN TROOP LEVELS –

• Thailand and Cambodia have reached a consensus on ceasefire arrangements, pledging to halt all forms of armed engagement and maintain current troop deployments along their shared border. The agreement was formalized during an extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence.
• The meeting was attended by senior defence officials from both countries, with the United States, China, and Malaysia participating as third-party observers.

Key Points of the Agreement

• Ceasefire Coverage: Includes all types of weapons; prohibits unprovoked firing towards the other side’s positions or troops.
• Troop Levels: No increase in forces; deployments to remain as they were when the ceasefire began at midnight, July 28, 2025.
• Humane Treatment of Captives: Commitment to follow international humanitarian law in handling captured soldiers.
• Background: Border Clashes and Ceasefire
• Armed clashes erupted between Thai and Cambodian forces on July 24, 2025, along disputed border areas.
• Both sides agreed to a ceasefire on the afternoon of July 28, which took effect at midnight the same day.
• The GBC meeting on August 7 was aimed at solidifying operational details and ensuring the truce holds.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Yashoda AI literacy programme is an initiative of which organization ?

1. a) Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
2. b) Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
3. c) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
4. d) National Commission for Women (NCW)

Q2.   Which institute has released a report titled ‘Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in India’ ?

1. a) NITI Aayog
2. b) Bureau Indian Standard
3. c) Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways
4. d) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

Q3.   Recently, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.50%.

          What is the primary objective behind maintaining this rate ?

1. a) To boost short-term speculative investments
2. b) To achieve the medium-term CPI inflation target of 4% ±2% while supporting growth
3. c) To reduce fiscal deficit directly
4. d) To increase foreign exchange reserves immediately

Q4.   Consider the following statements regarding the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC):

1. It is a six-member committee with equal representation from the RBI and the Government of India.
2. The RBI Governor chairs the MPC and holds a casting vote in case of a tie.
3. The MPC was established under the original RBI Act of 1934.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 3 only
4. d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation-

1. Statement 1 is correct: The MPC has 6 members — 3 from the RBI and 3 external members nominated by the Government.
2. Statement 2 is correct: The RBI Governor is the Chairperson and holds a casting vote in case of a tie.
3. Statement 3 is incorrect: The MPC was established in 2016 under the amended RBI Act, not the original 1934 version.

Q5.   With reference to BIMSTEC, consider the following statements:

1. It includes countries from both South Asia and Southeast Asia.
2. Its secretariat is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
3. All BIMSTEC countries share land borders with India.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct – BIMSTEC acts as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia.
• Statement 2 is correct – Its headquarters is in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Statement 3 is incorrect – Sri Lanka and Thailand do not share land borders with India.

Answer Key