Daily Current Affairs — 8 August 2025
6 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
Contamination of Ground Water in India
Context India relies heavily on groundwater for drinking and irrigation, but rapid, unregulated extraction has led to widespread contamination. India’s groundwater crisis India depends on groundwater for about 85% of its rural drinking water needs and around 60% of irrigation water. Despite an increase in rainfall over the past decades, groundwater replenishment is insufficient due to excessive withdrawals and encroachments on natural recharge zones.
India’s Medical Tourism Economy
Context Medical tourism, the practice of traveling across borders for affordable, high-quality medical care has grown into a global industry, with India now holding a significant position as a preferred destination. What is Medical Tourism? Cost Advantage: Procedures can cost 60–90% less than in Western countries, making quality care accessible to a broader international clientele.
11th National Handloom Day
Context The 11th National Handloom Day was celebrated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. National Handloom Day The handloom sector played a vital role in India’s freedom movement. The Swadeshi Movement, launched on August 7, 1905, championed indigenous industries, especially handlooms, as a form of economic resistance to colonial rule.
PM Modi Emphasised on the Interests of Farmers, Livestock Rearers & Fisherfolk
Context Amid US Tariffs, Prime Minister Modi said that the government would never compromise the interests of India’s farmers, livestock rearers and fisherfolk. Background Trade negotiations between India and the US have stalled, with the US (under Donald Trump administration) pressuring India to: Open its domestic market to American farm produce.
India-Russia: Industrial Cooperation & Extraction of Rare Earth Minerals
Context India and Russia have reaffirmed their strategic partnership with a renewed focus on industrial cooperation, particularly in the extraction of rare earth minerals and critical resources, amid US’s escalated pressure on India’s oil trade with Russia. Indo-Russian Cooperation in Rare Earth Minerals Need: Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are essential for modern technologies — electric vehicles, wind turbines, semiconductors, and defence systems. Recent export restrictions by China, which control
Birth Centenary of M.S. Swaminathan
Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference on August 7 to mark the birth centenary of M.S. Swaminathan.