Current Affairs – August 05, 2025

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Climatology} IMD Predicts Above-Normal Rainfall

Context (TOI): IMD has forecasted above-normal rainfall for the second half of the monsoon season after a June–July surplus.

Rainfall is termed above-normal when it equals or exceeds 106% of the long-period average (LPA).
The LPA is IMD’s 50-year (1971–2020) baseline average rainfall, currently set at 870 mm.

Reasons for Above-Normal Monsoon in 2025

Excess rainfall is influenced by synoptic systems, ocean–atmosphere interactions, and snow cover.
MJO: Favourable Madden–Julian Oscillation and six low-pressure systems increased rainfall.
Oceanic Oscillations: ENSO neutrality and La Niña-like conditions boosted monsoon winds and rainfall.
Dipole Conditions: Indian Ocean Dipole stayed neutral, exerting minimal adverse impact on rainfall.
Snow Cover: Below-normal Eurasian snow cover strengthened the land–sea temperature contrast.

MJO is an atmospheric disturbance that influences tropical rainfall, including the Indian monsoon.
IOD is the Indian Ocean temperature difference that modulates monsoon strength and timing.

Impacts of Above-Normal Rainfall

Agriculture: Adequate rainfall enables timely kharif sowing, especially for crops like paddy and pulses.
Hydropower: Surplus rainfall fills reservoirs, boosting hydroelectric output during peak demand.
Groundwater Recharge: Heavy rainfall enhances aquifer recharge, enabling dry-season irrigation.
Economic Stability: Strong monsoon boosts rural incomes, agri-GDP growth, and curbs food inflation.
Disaster Risks: Excess rainfall elevates flood and landslide risks, especially in Assam and hill states.

Recent Monsoon Trends in India

Seasonal Surplus: India received 474.33 mm of rainfall in June–July, 6% above the seasonal average.
Extreme Rain Events: 624 very heavy and 76 extreme rainfall events, the lowest counts in five years.
Northeast Deficit: NE India had below-normal rainfall for five consecutive monsoon periods.

Read More > Early Southwest Monsoon Onset 2025

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{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Transgenders} Tamil Nadu Policy for Transgender Persons

Context (NIE): Tamil Nadu introduced a State Policy for Transgender Persons to ensure dignity, equality, and inclusive access to education, healthcare, employment, housing, and public services.

A transgender person is someone whose gender identity differs from the gender assigned at birth (Transgender Act, 2019).
In the NALSA judgment (2014), the Supreme Court upheld the self-identification and constitutional rights of transgender individuals.

Key Provisions of the Policy

The policy will classify transgender persons as socially and educationally most disadvantaged for targeted affirmative action.
Self-Identification Right: Gender identity can be self-declared without surgery or medical intervention.
Medical Inclusion: Health curricula will include trans sensitisation and ensure HIV PrEP availability.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is a preventive HIV treatment in which HIV-negative individuals take antiretroviral medication before potential exposure to HIV.

Inclusive Education: Committees, nodal officers, & scholarships will aid re-entry & higher education.
Inclusive Employment: Supported by CSR funds, self-employment schemes, and grievance redressal.
Inheritance Rights: Amendment of the Hindu Succession Act and the Indian Succession Act to ensure the inheritance rights of transgender individuals.
Legal Assistance: Free legal aid and a 24/7 toll-free helpline will provide legal access.
Housing Support: Transgender persons will receive priority in housing, pattas, rent aid, and shelters.

Read More > Transgenders in India

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} Biofortified Potatoes

Context (TH): Iron-rich bio-fortified potatoes are set to enter Indian markets to address malnutrition and strengthen food-based micronutrient delivery.

About Biofortified Potatoes

Biofortified potatoes are conventionally bred tubers with elevated micronutrient concentrations.
Nutrient Profile: The variety offers iron, zinc, vitamin B6 and low phytate for better absorption.
Objective: They aim to reduce iron deficiency, anaemia, and address hidden hunger.
Global Precedent: The first iron-rich potato was released in Peru by CIP’s Andean programme.
Indian Adaptation: CIP shared germplasm with ICAR–CPRI Shimla for local varietal development.
Breeding Method: It is developed using marker-assisted selection & conventional breeding techniques.

Benefits of Biofortified Potatoes

Fortification: The potato delivers iron-zinc enrichment to address India’s micronutrient deficiencies.
Mineral Uptake: Its low-phytate content improves iron absorption despite Indian dietary inhibitors.
Disease Resistance: Late blight tolerance reduces fungicide use in humid Indian farm zones.
B6 Enrichment: Elevated B6 aids haemoglobin production & complements iron in reducing anaemia.
Soil Tolerance: Acid-soil adaptation supports yields on India’s marginal, low-pH farmlands.

CIP’s fortified orange-fleshed sweet potato, rich in Vitamin A and fibre, is distributed in Odisha, Karnataka, Assam, and West Bengal.

Read More> International Potato Centre at Agra

{GS3 – Agri – Tech} Space Technology in Indian Agriculture

Context (PIB): The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare is using satellite technologies like FASAL, YESTECH, and Krishi-DSS for farm-level planning, forecasting, and insurance estimation.

Operational Applications of Space Technology

Crop Estimation: FASAL estimates sown area and crop output using satellite and remote sensing data.
Drought Tracking: A drought geoportal developed by SAC (ISRO) tracks rainfall, temperature, and soil moisture through remote sensing tools.
Smart Sampling: Remote sensing optimises sample selection for Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) under PMFBY.
Agricultural Management: Krishi–Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS), initiated in 2023, integrates soil, weather, and imagery data for agricultural advisory systems.
Yield Estimation: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), simulation models, and AI/ML techniques support panchayat-level crop yield forecasting.
Claim Settlement Support: Yield Estimation System based on Technology (YESTECH), launched in 2023, uses geo-tagged yield data for timely and transparent claim settlement.

Significance for Indian Agriculture

Input Efficiency: Satellite diagnostics allow for precise application of irrigation, fertiliser, and pesticide.
Yield Optimisation: Remote sensing aids stress detection and boosts crop productivity.
Disaster Preparedness: Space tools provide early warnings for droughts, floods, and pest outbreaks.
Market Efficiency: Forecasting improves procurement, logistics, and agri-market price stability.
Inclusion and Access: Digital advisories aid small farmers with real-time, local agronomic guidance.

{GS3 – Agri – Sustainability} India’s Shifting Pesticide Market

Context (IE): India’s agriculture is shifting towards increased herbicide use, driven by rural labour shortages and a push for mechanised weed control.

Drivers of Herbicide Demand

Labour Scarcity: Manual weeding demands 8-10 hours per acre and rising rural wages, from ₹326/day in 2019 to ₹447.6/day in 2024, have sharply raised labour costs.
- Labour shortages during peak weeding seasons are furthering the shift towards herbicide use.
Mechanised Tools: Power weeders can’t effectively remove deep-rooted or densely located weeds.
- Herbicides emerge as chemical substitutes for manual & mechanical weeding, akin to how tractors replaced bullocks.

Shift Towards Preventive Weed Management

Traditionally, pesticides are used reactively, i.e., after pests, diseases, or weeds appear. However, herbicide use is increasingly preventive:
- Post-emergent Herbicides: Applied after weed growth.
- Pre-emergent Herbicides: Applied at or just after sowing to prevent weed emergence.
- Early Post-emergent Herbicides: Used during early crop growth stages.
These preventive herbicides dominate the paddy and wheat markets.

India has launched ‘Sikosa’, a dual-active herbicide (Bensulfuron-methyl + Pretilachlor) in an oil-dispersion formulation.
It offers a cost-effective alternative at ₹850-900 per acre compared to over ₹2,000 for manual weeding.

Challenges and Concerns

Monopoly Risk: Heavy reliance on foreign firms for crop protection chemicals.
Regulatory Oversight: Stricter norms needed for biostimulants and pre-emergent herbicides to ensure environmental safety.
Farmer Awareness: Promoting safe, rational herbicide use is vital to avoid resistance & ecological harm.

Way Forward

Invest in indigenous R&D for crop-specific herbicides.
Strict monitoring of herbicide residues and long-term soil impact.
Support local manufacturers through tech transfer and relaxed IP norms.
Promote responsible herbicide use by training farmers via Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural extension networks.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Tacit Knowledge and the Right to Repair

Context (TH): The right to repair must include the right to preserve tacit knowledge, ensuring continuity of community memory and repair autonomy.

About Right to Repair

It refers to allowing end users and businesses to repair devices they own or service without any manufacturer or technical restrictions.
Statutory Basis: The right is derived from Extended Producer Responsibility under E-Waste Rules, 2022.

Key Components of Right to Repair

Spare-Parts Access: Manufacturers must supply genuine spare parts at fair prices and without delay.
Repair Manuals: Companies must provide clear, illustrated guides for technicians and consumers alike.
Repairable Design: Devices must support easy, tool-based disassembly without structural damage.
Third-Party Repair: Certified repair by authorised providers must not void existing product warranties.
Modular Devices: Key components should be replaceable without damaging surrounding parts.

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Significance of Right to Repair

Consumer Empowerment: Enables users to maintain, upgrade, & service their devices independently.
E-Waste Reduction: Promotes a repair-first approach, reducing toxic electronic waste output.
Product Longevity: Enhances device lifespan, supporting reuse and delaying end-of-life disposal.
Market Competition: Breaks monopolies by allowing alternative, affordable repair service providers.
Green Workforce: Creates livelihood for informal repairers within circular economy frameworks.
Design Feedback Loop: Repairs reveal design flaws and guide improvements in product durability.

Tacit Knowledge in Repair Ecosystem

Tacit knowledge refers to informal, experience-based skills developed through hands-on practices.
It sustains India’s decentralised repair ecosystem through adaptive, non-institutional expertise.

Roles Played by Tacit Knowledge

Fault Diagnosis: Uses sensory cues and mental models to detect non-obvious technical faults.
Tool Adaptation: Repairers customise basic tools to suit varied and evolving device types.
Skill Transfer: Region-based networks ensure intergenerational continuity of repair knowledge.
Local Innovation: Jugaad techniques enable creative problem-solving using minimal resources.
Community Networks: Local repair communities facilitate collective problem-solving and support.

Issues with Tacit Knowledge Integration

Policy Blindness: Informal repair ecosystems remain unrecognised in national repair regulations.
Educational Silence: Schooling and skilling exclude practical, community-rooted repair learning.
Recognition Gap: Skill frameworks undervalue practical repair knowledge without formal certification.
Regulatory Neglect: Current rules prioritise recycling, sidelining repair as a core sustainability approach.
Succession Loss: Informal repair skills are vanishing due to weak intergenerational knowledge transfer.
IPR Barriers: Legal restrictions prevent open sharing of tools, techniques, and repair knowledge.

Roadmap for Inclusive Repair Policy

Policy Reform: National laws must formally recognise and safeguard tacit repair ecosystems.
Mentorship: Facilitate skill transfer through structured, community-based apprenticeship networks.
AI Integration: Use AI to document, structure, and transmit non-formal repair knowledge.
Vocational Inclusion: Align training programmes with real-world, hands-on repair practice and needs.
IPR Reform: Amend intellectual property rules to allow lawful sharing of repair methods.

Read More> Repairability Index

{GS3 – Infra – Transportation} India Electric Mobility Index

Context (PIB): NITI Aayog launched the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI), India’s first-of-its-kind tool to assess subnational EV readiness.

About India Electric Mobility Index

IEMI is a composite index measuring the electric mobility ecosystem maturity across states & UTs.
Objective: It supports evidence-based policymaking & promotes inter-state learning on EV transition.
Dynamic Scoring: Scores evolve with changes in EV policy, adoption, and infrastructure development.

Methodology

Score Range: Each state or UT is rated from 0 to 100 using weighted metrics.
Indicator Set: The index uses 16 indicators grouped under three key thematic pillars.
1. Electrification: Measures EV penetration across personal, commercial, & public transport segments.
2. Charging Readiness: It evaluates grid integration, station density, & allied charging infrastructure.
3. Innovation: It captures manufacturing scale, R&D output, and EV startup ecosystem activity.

State Performance Highlights (2024)

The index highlights thematic leadership across EV adoption, infrastructure, and innovation.
Overall Leader: Delhi ranked highest overall, followed by Maharashtra and Chandigarh.
EV Deployment: Delhi, Maharashtra, & Chandigarh emerged as frontrunners in transport electrification.
Infra Readiness: Haryana, Karnataka, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh led in infrastructure readiness.
Innovation Strength: Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka were key innovation frontrunners.
Small–State Leader: Chandigarh led among small states and UTs, followed by Goa and Delhi.

Significance of India Electric Mobility Index

IEMI links mobility outcomes to federal competition and policy responsiveness.

Public Benchmarking: The index enables transparent tracking of EV progress across states and UTs.
Federal Competition: It fosters cooperative federalism through competitive rankings & peer learning.
Scheme Optimisation: Findings help recalibrate FAME & PLI schemes using subnational outcome data.
Data Ecosystem: It promotes more substantial EV data collection and integration at the state level.
Transparency Lever: Public rankings enhance accountability in electric mobility performance.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Redrawing Boundaries of Nahargarh Sanctuary

Context (TOI): The Rajasthan Forest Department recently altered the boundaries of Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary (NWS), allegedly to benefit hotels in the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Aravalli hills near Jaipur, surrounds Nahargarh Fort and is part of the Nahargarh Biological Park, housing leopards, hyenas, jackals, and various birds.

Legal and Procedural Gaps

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Section 26A mandates prior approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) before altering the boundaries of a protected area.
- However, the revised map was submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) without this approval.
Judicial Precedent: The 2013 Supreme Court judgment in Centre for Environmental Law, WWF-India vs Union of India mandates NBWL’s approval for any changes to sanctuary boundaries.
Opaque Administrative Process: The revised map includes only Reserved Forest areas & excludes Described Areas (private & revenue lands earlier notified within the sanctuary).
- No revocation or modification of previous no-objection certificates (NOCs) was carried out.

Governance and Ethical Issues

Alleged Collusion: RTI activists allege that forest officials colluded with commercial interests; the current changes may be seen as legalising encroachments instead of penalising them.
Accountability Deficit: The move lacked transparency, public consultation, highlighting weak institutional oversight.
Sanctuary Integrity: The Nahargarh case is only the second such redrawing in Rajasthan post-Sariska, raising concerns about the sanctity of notified areas.

Way Forward

Restore Due Process: Ensure mandatory compliance with the Wildlife Protection Act for all boundary changes & Institutionalise NBWL oversight.
Ecological Integrity: Mandate independent environmental assessments for all urban projects near protected areas.
Accountability: Audit all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and environmental clearances granted in ESZs over the past decade.

{GS3 – Envi – Species} Elephant ‘Mahadevi’ Relocation Case

Context (HT): The Supreme Court upheld the relocation order of Mahadevi, a temple elephant from Kolhapur Jain math, after repeated illegal transports and documented welfare violations

More About the News

Mahadevi was seized during a procession in Telangana, outside her home state, Maharashtra.
Her interstate transport lacked approval from Chief Wildlife Warden, violating Section 48A, WPA.
PETA India alerted the MoEFCC’s High Powered Committee about the illegal transport & exploitation.
The Committee ordered Mahadevi’s relocation to Vantara, citing prolonged welfare violations.
The Supreme Court upheld her relocation to Vantara in Gujarat, rejecting religious custody claims.

Legal Violations Involved

Transport: Interstate movement of captive wildlife without CWC approval violates Section 48A, WPA.
Ownership Proof: No declaration and ownership certificate violated Sections 40 & 42, WPA.
Unlicensed Use: Public display without registration violates the Performing Animals Rules, 2001.
Cruelty Breach: Prolonged chaining & poor care violated Sections 3 & 11, Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960, respectively.
Commercial Use: Paid exhibitions without Central approval violate Section 43, WPA, 1972.
Care Denial: Denial of veterinary care breaches Rule 3A, PCA Case Property Rules, 2017.

Section 48A, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Safety Clause: Section 48A prohibits transport that harms protected species or conservation efforts.
Approval: Wildlife transport needs prior approval of the Chief Wildlife Warden of the concerned state.
Captive Inclusion: It covers both wild-caught and legally held captive Schedule-listed animals.
Penalties: Breach of Section 48A attracts up to 7 years in jail and a fine of ₹50,000 or both.
Constitutional Link: It reinforces the State’s duty to safeguard forests and wildlife under Article 48A.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys)

Context (TH): Captive-bred Asian Giant Tortoises were reintroduced in Nagaland’s Zeliang Reserve, strengthening India’s participatory tortoise conservation model.

About Asian Giant Tortoise

Asia’s Largest: It is the heaviest and largest tortoise species in mainland Asia.
Unique Nesting: Only tortoise that builds and guards leaf-litter nests above ground.
Habitat Zone: Prefers moist tropical hill forests; commonly called the mountain tortoise.
Global Distribution: Found in Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, & Thailand.
Indian Range: Inhabits Nengpui (Mizoram), Barail (Cachar, Assam), & Nongkhyllem (Meghalaya) WLS.
Omnivorous Diet: Feeds on tubers, bamboo shoots, invertebrates, frogs, and forest vegetation.
Ecological Role: Termed a “small elephant” for facilitating seed dispersal & nutrient cycling.
Threat Drivers: Declining due to hunting, habitat loss, and illegal wildlife trafficking.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered | WPA, 1972: Schedule IV | CITES: Appendix I

About the Reintroduction

Selected Site: Zeliang Community Reserve (Nagaland) was chosen after habitat suitability assessments.
Captive Source: All released tortoises were bred at Nagaland Zoo’s ex-situ conservation facility.
Local Engagement: Youth were trained as “Tortoise Guardians” for monitoring & sensitisation activities.
Programme: Reintroduction was led under ITCP in collaboration with Turtle Survival Alliance.

ITCP: Indian Turtle Conservation Program is a multi-partner initiative for conserving India’s freshwater turtles and tortoises through habitat protection, citizen engagement, and conservation breeding.

Credit: IUCN

{Prelims – In News} ISRO Launched HOPE Analog Mission

Context (NIE): ISRO launched the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) analog mission in Tso Kar Valley, Ladakh.

HOPE includes habitat and utility modules interconnected to support integrated crew operations.

Global Parallels: Similar stations include Mars Desert Research Station (USA), Flashline Mars Arctic Station (Canada), and BIOS-3 (Russia).

About HOPE Mission

HOPE is a ground-based analog mission that simulates space-like conditions to assess crew readiness.
Objective: Test survival protocols, health systems, and psychological responses in Mars-like conditions.
Institutional Collaboration: It is led by ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) with industry partners and top Indian research institutions.
Site Selection: Tso Kar was chosen for its Mars-like environment because of extreme cold, saline permafrost, high UV levels, and low pressure.
Significance: HOPE advances India’s Human Spaceflight Programme through simulation-based planning for lunar and planetary missions.

India’s Previous Analog Missions

LHAM 2024: ISRO’s AAKA Space Studio conducted the Ladakh Human Analogue Mission to assess crew resilience and isolation at high altitudes in Ladakh.
Anugami 2025: HSFC co-led a 10-day isolation study with Gaganyatri astronauts in July 2025.

{Prelims – In News} Kartavya Bhavan

Context (PIB): As part of the ongoing celebrations under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate Kartavya Bhavan at Kartavya Path, New Delhi.

Kartavya Bhavan: Part of the Common Central Secretariat, aimed at streamlining administrative functions, enhancing inter-ministerial coordination, and promoting agile governance.

About Central Vista

Strategic Location: A 3.2 km stretch in New Delhi from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, forming the administrative core of India.
Administrative Centre: Hosts vital institutions such as the Parliament, Prime Minister’s Office, Vice President’s Enclave, and now Kartavya Bhavan, making it the epicentre of Indian governance.
Implementing Agency: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Read More > Central Vista Master Plan

{Prelims – In News} Shibu Soren

Context (BBC): Veteran tribal leader and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) patriarch Shibu Soren, revered as “Dishom Guru” (Great Leader) by the Santhal community, passed away at the age of 81.

Legacy of Leadership

Tribal Rights: Founded JMM in 1973 to fight land alienation & exploitation of Santhals & other Adivasis.
Jharkhand Architect: Led the movement for statehood, culminating in Jharkhand’s creation in 2000.
Mass Leader: Served thrice as Chief Minister (2005, 2008, 2009), reflecting grassroots aspirations.
National Voice: Held the Coal Ministry (2004–05) in UPA-I, representing tribal leadership at the Centre.