Daily Current Affairs — 14 July 2025
7 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
Environment Ministry Exempts 78% of Coal Plants From Installing FGD Systems
Context The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has exempted nearly 78% of India’s thermal power plants (TPPs) from installing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems. What is Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)? FGD systems are technologies used in coal-based thermal power plants to remove SO₂ from exhaust flue gases before they are released into the atmosphere.
GST Reforms: Home Minister to open talks for Consensus on Rate Rationalisation
Context The Union Home Minister is set to lead consultations with states and key central ministries to push forward long-pending reforms to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure. Rate Rationalisation A key long-pending proposal is to eliminate the 12% slab to move toward a simplified three-rate structure. The 12% slab currently includes items like packaged food (condensed milk, fruit juices), household goods (furniture, sewing machines), and medical supplies (diagnostic kits, bandages).
Green Revolution: Its Legacy and India’s Strategic Role in Agricultural R&D
Context India is facing both a responsibility and a historic opportunity — to repay the debt owed to regions that fueled India’s food security, and to reimagine agriculture for a sustainable future. About the Green Revolution The term ‘Green Revolution’ was coined by William S. Gaud, then Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in 1968.
Who is Qualified as ‘Ordinarily Resident’?
Context The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has reignited debate over the eligibility of migrant workers as ‘ordinarily resident’ for voter registration. Who is ‘ordinarily resident’? The term “ordinarily resident” is defined and interpreted through the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RP Act), under Section 19 and Section 20.
UGC’s Anti-ragging System Has Utterly Failed: Delhi HC
Context The Delhi High Court has signalled that it may initiate a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) petition to address the recent surge in ragging incidents and student deaths across higher educational institutions. Supreme Court Observation in 2025 SC noted that UGC’s anti-ragging regulations remain mostly on paper. Institutions only follow formalities — like affidavits and posters — without real action.
Centre Moves SC to Review Ruling on IPS Deputation in CAPFs
Context The Union Government has filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s ruling directing a “progressive reduction” in the deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Current Organisational Setup of CAPF The CAPFs include the Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The Ministry of Home Affairs is the cadre-controlling authority for bo
Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine
In Context India, with its rich Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy), has recently been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for pioneering the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into these systems. Role of AI in Traditional Medicine Enhancing Diagnostics: AI-powered systems combine traditional diagnostic methods (pulse reading, tongue analysis, Prakriti assessment) with machine learning and deep neural networks, improving accuracy and enabli