Daily Current Affairs — 20 May 2025
6 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
India has Ambitious Expansion Plans in the Port Sector Globally
Context India is eyeing a strategic expansion of its port infrastructure and management capacities on a global scale. Repositioning India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) The Shipping Ministry plans to transform IPGL from a purely strategic asset to a commercially active operator, including domestic terminals. A new umbrella entity, Bharat Global Ports, will act as an integrated port infrastructure provider, with IPGL as its operational wing.
Mismatch Between MGNREGS Coverage and Delivery
Context A recent report by LibTech India has raised questions about the effectiveness of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for the financial year 2024–25. Key Findings of the Report Increase in Coverage: The number of registered households under MGNREGS rose by 8.6%, from 13.80 crore in FY 2023–24 to 14.98 crore in FY 2024–25. Decline in Employment Days: Despite higher registration, persondays fell by 7.1%.
US Passes Take It Down Act
In News The U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act, criminalizing the non-consensual sharing of intimate images including AI-generated deepfakes. What is the Take It Down Act?
SC Direction to Take Back Forest Land Illegally Allotted to Private Entities
Context The Supreme Court of India has directed all States and Union Territories to investigate and reclaim forest lands that were illegally allotted for non-forest purposes, citing severe legal and ecological violations. Legal Environmental Issues Highlighted Violation of the 1996 Supreme Court Order: The SC had directed in T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs.
India’s Relationship with Türkiye and Azerbaijan
In News Indias trade relations with Türkiye and Azerbaijan are expected to come under strain due to Ankara and Baku backing Islamabad and condemning Indias recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan. People-to-people ties There are currently around 3,000 estimated Indian nationals in Türkiye, including 200 students. Similarly, the Indian community in Azerbaijan comprises more than 1,500 people.
India and the European Union (EU)
Context India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators have concluded another round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to reach a deal in two phases. India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations Overview Negotiation Resumption: Talks resumed in June 2022 after an 8-year hiatus (stalled in 2013 due to market access disagreements). Objective: To finalize a comprehensive trade agreement covering goods, services, investments, and geographical indications.