Daily Current Affairs — 21 August 2025
6 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
Renewable Consumption Obligation Framework
Context The Union Ministry of Power, under the Energy Conservation Act (2001), has released a revised draft notification introducing the Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO). Significance of the RCO Framework Shift from Procurement to Consumption: Ensures actual renewable energy use rather than symbolic compliance. Distributed Energy Emphasis: Targets for rooftop solar and small-scale projects to rise from 1.5% in 2024-25 to 4.5% by 2029-30, potentially democratising energy production by invol
India Needs a National Space Law
In News Recently, experts stressed the urgent need for strong national space laws for India to support exploration, innovation, and commercialisation in space. India’s approach to space legislation India’s space legislation follows a deliberate, phased approach, focusing first on technical regulations to enable commercial space operations in compliance with Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty. This has led to key regulatory instruments such as the Catalogue of Indian Standards for Space Industr
India-Russia Deepen Partnership Amid US Tariffs
Context India’s External Affairs Minister visited Moscow for the 26th Session of the India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). About EAM is on a three-day visit to Russia, taking place against the backdrop of strained India-US relations following tariffs on Indian goods. The visit comes amid the possibility of a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and the Russian President during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China
Pakistan, China and Afghanistan agree to extend CPEC to Kabul
Context The foreign ministers of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan agreed to expand their cooperation in multiple fields, including extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Kabul. Concluding remarks The China–Pakistan–Afghanistan trilateral reflects China’s bid to secure its economic and security interests in South Asia. India must carefully calibrate its diplomacy—balancing engagement with global and regional powers, while advancing alternative connectivity and security framewo
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025
Context The Lok Sabha has passed The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. Need for the Bill Lack of Framework: The lack of a legal framework has hindered the sector’s structured development and the promotion of responsible gaming practices, requiring urgent policy intervention and support mechanisms. Major Concerns: The proliferation of online money games through mobile phones, computers and the internet, and offering monetary returns has led to serious social, financial, psycho
The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025
Context Recently, the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha and subsequently referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) following intense opposition protests. Related Concerns Challenges Presumption of Innocence Undermined: The Bill allows removal based on detention, not conviction, which contradicts the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’. It is argued that the Bill could violate Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life and