Daily Current Affairs — 17 May 2025
7 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
SC Bans Retrospective Environment Permits
Context The Supreme Court invalidated retrospective environmental clearances, emphasizing that development cannot compromise environmental protection. Retrospective environmental clearances These are approvals granted to industrial or infrastructure projects after the commencement of operations or construction, bypassing the legal requirement of prior environmental assessment. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, mandates pri
Hybrid & Proxy Warfare
Context Recently, the Union Defence Minister emphasized that India’s fight against terrorism is now part of its National Defence Doctrine, reinforcing its commitment to eliminating hybrid and proxy threats. Understanding Proxy Warfare: Indirect Conflict Through Third Parties Proxy warfare involves state or non-state actors supporting armed groups or insurgencies to achieve strategic objectives without direct involvement. India has consistently faced cross-border terrorism, with Pakistan-backed g
Gene Editing Therapy Used to Cure a Rare Disease
In News In a historic medical breakthrough, scientists in the United States have, for the first time, successfully used a personalized CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy to treat a rare genetic disorder Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency in an infant. Applications of Gene Editing Therapy Medicine: Treating genetic disorders like Sickle Cell Anaemia, Beta-Thalassemia, CPS-1 Deficiency. Engineering immune cells (CAR-T therapy) to target cancer Agriculture: Developing disease-resista
Nearly 300 million people faced acute hunger in 2024: Report
Context The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2025 provides consensus-based analysis on acute food insecurity, acute malnutrition and population displacement in countries/territories identified as having food crises in 2024. UN Partner Recommendations Evidence-driven, impact-focused interventions. Invest in local food systems and integrated nutrition services to build long-term resilience.
US Remittance Tax Plan Raises Concerns
Context A U.S. bill proposes a 5% excise tax on any remittances that originate in the US to any other country. India’s Remittances: Key Facts Indias remittances have more than doubled from $55.6 billion in 2010-11 to $118.7 billion in 2023-24.
Sagarmatha Sambaad
In News Union Minister for Environment addressed the 1st Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal, presenting a five-point global action plan to protect fragile mountain ecosystems, with a focus on the Himalayas. Five-Point Global Action Plan Proposed by India Enhanced Scientific Cooperation: Strengthening research collaboration, and monitoring cryospheric changes, hydrological cycles, and biodiversity. Building Climate Resilience: Investing in climate adaptation measures, early warning systems for disasters
A Fund Crunch in the US: A Scientific Opportunity for India
Context The United States, long hailed as the epicentre of scientific innovation and research, is currently witnessing a systematic erosion of its knowledge economy. Crisis in the the USA Funding Freezes: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other US agencies have halted or cut funding for several international collaborative projects. Institutional Uncertainty: Universities are facing layoffs and lab shutdowns; tenure-track positions are being reduced.