Daily Current Affairs — 29 July 2025
4 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
Layoffs Across IT Services Industry
Context Recently, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced plans to lay off approximately 12,261 employees — about 2% of its global workforce during FY2026. Key Reasons Behind the Change Cost Optimization: With global tech spending under pressure, companies are streamlining operations to reduce overhead. Maintaining a large bench is expensive and inefficient in lean times.
India-Japan Officials Discussed Key Projects
In News Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met the Japanese Minister to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and key projects, including the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Shinkansen Bullet Train. Historical India and Japan share a deep-rooted Special Strategic and Global Partnership, founded on spiritual, cultural, and civilizational ties. Historical connections include the Indian monk Bodhisena’s role in consecrating the Buddha statue at Japan’s Todaiji Temple in 752 AD .
Five years of National Education Policy
In News The National Education Policy 2020, marked the first comprehensive education policy completed five years since adoption. Key Features of NEP 2020 Structural Reform: Shift from the 10+2 system to a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure—covering ages 3–18 across foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary stages. Foundational Literacy Numeracy: Emphasis on basic reading and arithmetic skills through initiatives like NIPUN Bharat for all children by Grade 3.
India Has the Highest Number of Slum Clusters
In News According to a 2024 study, over 158 million people live in slums located in floodplains in South Asia, with India having the maximum share. Growth of Slums Slums are densely populated urban areas characterised by poor-quality housing, the lack of adequate living space, public services, and accommodating large numbers of informal residents with insecure tenure. According to UN-Habitat (2021), slum dwellers across the globe have increased from 980 million in 2010 to 1,059 million in 2020,