Current Affairs – July 11, 2025

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} India and BRICS: Between Multipolar Aspirations

• Context (IE|IE): India is balancing its aspirations for global leadership with the constraints of China-dominated forums like BRICS. As multilateral institutions evolve, India must evaluate whether they support or hinder its strategic autonomy and foreign policy interests.

Strategic Limitations and China’s Dominance

• Economic Asymmetry: China’s economy ($17.79 trillion) is nearly five times that of India ($3.56 trillion), giving Beijing disproportionate influence over the BRICS agenda.
• Chinese Leverage: China has used BRICS to push its own strategic aims such as de-dollarisation and expansion of the bloc, in ways that don’t always align with India’s interests.
• New Development Bank (NDB): While India has accessed funds, China’s dominance in shaping the bank’s agenda especially linking it with the Belt and Road Initiative raises concerns about hidden geopolitical costs.
• Limited Foreign Policy Gains: Despite India’s long-standing efforts, joint declarations (e.g., on terrorism) have often reflected China’s preferences, even avoiding naming Pakistan, undermining India’s core diplomatic positions.
• Contradictory External Alignments: India’s most significant trade, technology, and strategic partnerships lie outside BRICS with the US, EU, and Japan. Yet, it remains engaged in BRICS and other China-led forums like SCO.
  • This dual posture reflects a deliberate geopolitical hedge, balancing Western partnerships with strategic presence in alternate coalitions.

A Broader Coalition Strategy

• Stay Engaged, Not Isolated: Exiting forums like BRICS or SCO could diminish India’s leverage in shaping global rules, especially when entry into elite Western clubs like the G7 remains uncertain.
  • India’s continued participation ensures its presence in decision-making spaces critical to the evolving world order.
• Leadership Among Equals: Unlike China’s transactional “G77 plus China” stance, India shares genuine developmental solidarity with the Global South.
  • India can position itself as a bridge between the Global South and the industrialised North.
• Thematic & Regional Engagements: Continued participation in IBSA, QUAD, IPEF, SCO, and BRICS allows India to shape discussions on varied themes from digital governance to climate finance.
• Bilateral Over Bloc Leadership: India can wield more direct influence through targeted bilateral partnerships with Africa, Latin America, and ASEAN nations outside China-dominated multilateral forums.
• Principled Pluralism: India must act as a voice for equity and reform, without being pulled into rigid East-West binaries. A values-based yet flexible approach enhances credibility.
• Building Parallel Coalitions: India should also strengthen groupings like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), I2U2, and G20 for targeted economic and diplomatic outcomes.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} The Rising Crisis of Climate Refugees

• Context (IE): Climate-induced displacement is becoming a key humanitarian challenge of the 21st century. In 2024 alone, over 8.24 lakh people were displaced by extreme weather events, yet climate refugees remain legally unrecognised, globally unprotected, and largely overlooked in policy frameworks.

Who Are Climate Refugees?

• The term “climate refugee” typically refers to people forced to migrate due to ecological threats such as droughts, sea-level rise, or extreme weather events. However, this label lacks formal legal recognition.
• The UN High Commissioner for Refugees avoids the term “climate refugee,” instead using “persons displaced due to climate change and disasters.”
• Complex Displacement: Climate-induced migration is often internal and entangled with other drivers like poverty, conflict, or governance failures, making attribution complex and legal framing ambiguous.

Legal Ambiguities and Gaps in Protection

• No Protection under Refugee Convention: The 1951 Refugee Convention only recognises persecution, war, or violence as valid grounds for asylum not environmental or climate-induced displacement.
  • For e.g. in 2015, New Zealand rejected an asylum plea from a Kiribati man fleeing sea-level rise, citing no legal grounds under the Convention.
• Ad Hoc Humanitarianism: Access to protection often depends on discretionary, case-by-case humanitarian grounds rather than enforceable legal entitlements.
• Soft Law Tools: Initiatives like the Nansen Initiative and Platform on Disaster Displacement foster voluntary cooperation but lack binding legal force or enforcement mechanisms.
• Legal Ambiguity: Without formal refugee status, climate migrants often fall through the gaps of both humanitarian relief frameworks and immigration law.
• Voluntary vs. Forced Migration: Slow-onset climate events blur the boundary between voluntary and forced migration, weakening legal claims for protection.
• State as Victim: Climate-affected states themselves may be incapacitated, unable to ensure citizen protection or support legal avenues for asylum.

Way Forward

• Legal Recognition: Urgently define and recognise climate refugees under international law. Broaden the 1951 Refugee Convention or develop a separate international protocol.
• Regional Cooperation: Strengthen platforms like SAARC, ASEAN, and African Union to develop regional mobility pacts and relocation protocols.
• Human Rights Integration: Embed climate displacement under the right to life and right to adequate housing in global treaties. Use the ICCPR and other covenants to ensure legal protections.
• Proactive Adaptation: Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, livelihood diversification & early warning systems. Avoid climate adaptation models that trigger displacement through rising costs or restricted access.
• Global Funding and Support: Developed countries must honour climate finance commitments. Establish a Global Climate Displacement Fund to support relocation, resettlement, and compensation.
• India’s Role: As a regional power, India must integrate displacement into its National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Enhance border management and humanitarian protocols for cross-border climate migrants

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Elections} Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Roll in Bihar

• Context (IE): SC has permitted the Election Commission of India (ECI) to proceed with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar. It referred to a 1977 ruling that had clarified the powers of the ECI to conduct free and fair elections.

• The decision came in response to petitions challenging both the ECI’s authority to conduct the SIR and the procedures it employed.
• A key concern raised by the petitioners was that the SIR process, in some instances, shifted the burden of proving citizenship onto voters. Additionally, the ECI introduced a new enumeration form that is not prescribed under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

What is Special Intensive Revision?

Electoral Roll

• An electoral roll (or electoral register) is an official list of individuals eligible to vote in a given election within a specific jurisdiction.
• In India, voter registration & being listed on the electoral roll are legal prerequisites for casting a vote.
• In India, the publishing and updating of the electoral roll are the responsibilities of the ECI, each state’s chief electoral officer, and each state’s election commission.

Types of Electoral Roll Revisions

Intensive Revision

• An intensive revision involves a complete and fresh preparation of electoral rolls through a house-to-house enumeration. This is done when the ECI determines that the current rolls are outdated, inaccurate, or require complete rebuilding, typically before major elections or after administrative exercises such as delimitation of constituencies.

Summary Revision

• It is a routine annual updating, in which existing rolls are published as drafts, and citizens file claims for inclusion, deletion, or correction. There are no door-to-door visits.

Special Revision

• It is undertaken in exceptional cases, such as missed areas, large-scale errors, or legal or political exigencies.
• The ECI may, under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, conduct a special revision using either summary or intensive methods, or a combination of both.
• The nomenclature ‘SIR’ indicates that the ECI is exercising its discretionary powers under Section 21(3) of the 1950 law, which permits it to revise electoral rolls “in such manner as it thinks fit”.

{GS2 – Polity – IC} Battery Passport

• Context (ET): India is set to roll out a “Battery Passport” system to give EV owners detailed digital information about the batteries in use.

About Battery Passport system

• NITI Aayog, along with concerned ministries, plan to roll out a centralised database system for battery information of EVs.
• The system will have detailed information on the battery source, composition, performance, lifecycle, and supply chain and embed this data in a QR code.
• It serves as an Aadhaar identity of sorts, with every battery having a unique ID that provides all information on the product.

Significance

• The initiative aims to improve safety and quality standards and increase India’s EV export capacity.
• The system will play a key role in the upcoming battery-swapping policy, allowing users to retrieve battery details via scanning the QR code on them.
• Once the battery passport system is implemented, it will ensure that cells in any battery are from the same year. Through it, users will know about the lifecycle and performance of batteries, which is key considering they account for nearly 40% of the costs of EVs.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} Good Health & Well-Being Index

• Context (NIE): NITI Aayog published the SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being Index as part of the 2023-24 SDG India Index.

• It is a composite index measuring health outcomes on mortality, disease burden, and service access.
• Parameters: The index covers 11 indicators, including mortality rates, immunisation, disease incidence, suicides, and life expectancy.
  • States are scored on a 0-100 scale using national surveys and administrative data.
• Gujarat ranked first with 90, followed by Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.

Credits: NIE

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} Palm Oil

• Context (IE): Palm oil has become a key issue because of increasing health concerns over its high saturated fat content and its everyday use in processed foods.

About Palm Oil

• Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis).
• Composition: It consists of about 50% saturated fatty acids (mainly palmitic acid), 40% monounsaturated fats, and 10% polyunsaturated fats.

Why Palm Oil Is Widely Used

• Palm oil is used in biscuits, noodles, ice cream, chocolate, and snacks for its solidifying properties.
• It is cheaper than oils like sunflower or soybean, making it more accessible to producers.
• Since it is semi-solid at room temperature, it doesn’t need hydrogenation or contain trans fats.
• Its resistance to oxidation increases the shelf life of processed foods without needing refrigeration.
• Its bland flavour does not alter the taste profile of processed foods.

ICMR Guidelines on Edible Fats

• Daily Intake Limit: The recommended daily fat intake is 20–50 grams per person.
• Oil Blending Advice: Individuals should consume a mix of oils low in SFA and high in PUFA or MUFA.
• Fat Sources: Most dietary fat should come from nuts, seeds, and whole foods, not processed oils.
• PUFA Sources: Fish, seafood, and eggs are the preferred dietary sources of essential fatty acids.
• No Reheating: Reusing oil creates harmful oxidised compounds, especially in PUFA-rich oils.

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} Deadly Fungus Threatens Endangered Western Ghats Tree

• Context (TH): A newly detected fungal disease attacking Dipterocarpus bourdillonii, a critically endangered tree endemic to the Western Ghats.

• The disease is caused by Corynespora cassiicola, an aggressive and widespread phytopathogen that infects over 530 plant species worldwide.
• Corynespora cassiicola is a widespread fungal phytopathogen responsible for leaf spots, target spots, and blight diseases in a wide range of plant species, including rubber, soybean, tomato, and cotton.
• It thrives in warm, humid climates and spreads via conidia, fungal spores dispersed by wind, water, and human activity.
• The pathogen disrupts photosynthesis, leading to defoliation, reduced crop yields, and plant death in severe infestations.

About Dipterocarpus bourdillonii

• It is listed as Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List) and is found exclusively in the Western Ghats.
• According to IUCN Red List, global population is estimated to number less than 250 mature individuals.

• Importance: It plays a crucial ecological role in sustaining rainforest canopy structure and supporting diverse forest biodiversity.
• Use: Economically, its dense hardwood is highly valued for construction & premium furniture-making. Its oleoresin (wood oil) is traditionally used in medicine and holds various industrial applications.

Credit: Wikipedia

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• Context (IE): The EU’s carbon tax on imports (CBAM) has sparked global debate, with BRICS nations calling it unfair and harmful to climate justice and trade equity.

What is CBAM?

• CBAM is the EU’s carbon border tax (Import duty) imposed on goods from countries with greater emissions than European industries are allowed.
• It is operational from 2026 & aims to promote and incentivise cleaner industrial production worldwide.
• Applies initially to carbon-intensive goods such as iron, steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, and electricity, which are at risk of carbon leakage.
• Companies in countries with a domestic carbon pricing regime equivalent to the EU’s will be able to export to the EU without buying CBAM certificates.

Reasons for Opposition

• Unfairness: BRICS nations have condemned it as disproportionate trade restrictions on developing countries, which are unilateral and protectionist.
• Trade Rules: While the EU holds that it complies with WTO rules, other countries have accused it of violating non-tariff measures.
• The Paris Agreement: Developing nations have called it a violation of the principle of Common but Differential Responsibility (CBDR).

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4)

• Context (IE): The Fourth (FfD4) summit was held in Seville, Spain. A ‘Sevilla Commitment’ was adopted ahead of the start of the Conference, outlining a path to bridge the $4 trillion annual SDG financing gap for developing countries.

• The Conference was supported by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and UN ECOSOC. The USA did not attend the conference.

Key Outcomes

• SDG Commitment: Reiteration of strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development and effectively implementing principles enshrined in all 17 SDGs.
• Strategic Focus: Catalysing investment for sustainable development, tackling the debt and development crisis, and reforming the international financial system.
• New Financial Mechanism: To tackle unsustainable debt burdens, enhance crisis response and climate resilience, expand access to social protection and support local and digital economies.

Debt Management

• Debt Swaps for Development Hub (Spain & World Bank): To boost debt swaps for development, and to turn sovereign debt into SDG investments.
• Debt-for-Development Swap Programme (Italy): Converting debt obligations of African countries into investments.
• Effective Taxation: Fair taxation of the ultra-rich to mobilise domestic resources by curbing tax avoidance.
• Seville Forum: Help countries coordinate their approaches in debt management and restructuring.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Reforming UNFCCC Processes

• Context (IE): UNFCCC climate negotiations are facing criticism for being ineffective, especially from developing nations. Reform discussions are intensifying ahead of COP30, Brazil.

Criticism of UNFCCC

• Delays: Due to a consensus-based approach in decision-making, implementation delays are very common. e.g., Delay in even accepting a $100 billion adaptation finance commitment made in 2009.
• Accountability: Developed countries that fail to meet their climate commitments are rarely held accountable. There is no mechanism for checks and balances to ensure compliance.
• Ignorance: Often accused of reluctance towards concerns of developed and least developed countries.
• Financial hiccups: Failed, ineffective and insufficient climate finance mechanisms. This is hindering energy transition among developing countries. They need $1.3 trillion, but developed countries can mobilise only $300 billion, not until after 2035.
• Credibility: Repeated inconclusive meetings on climate change raise questions about its relevance.

Reforms: For a better UNFCCC

• Decision-making: Need to adopt a ‘majority-based’ decision when consensus fails to mitigate unnecessary delays. This can overcome the de facto veto and give voice to other countries as well.
• Efficiency: Eliminate redundancy issues by streamlining the agendas effectively during annual meetings. Concise negotiation teams from the parties.
• Accountability: Fix accountability issues by strictly not allowing the under-performing nations and fossil fuel companies to take part in COP meetings or host the same. e.g. Azerbaijan faced backlash for its fossil fuel industry at COP (Baku).
• Peer Mechanism: Establishing a parallel climate mechanism, with UNFCCC at the apex, for a multi-dimensional approach.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Starlink To Offer Satellite Communications Services In India

• Context (IE): Starlink Receives final clearance to offer satellite communications services in India.

• IN-SPACe has granted authorisation to Starlink Satellite Communications for enabling provisioning of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, namely Starlink Gen1.
• The authorisation will enable Starlink to provide satellite communication services in India.
• IN-SPACe authorisation to (Starlink) has a validity period of five years from the date of authorisation or the end of operational life of Gen1 constellation, whichever is earlier.
• The roll-out of services is subject to the stipulated regulatory provisions and requisite clearance/approval/license from the relevant government department(s).

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{Prelims – In News} Blood Money

• Context (IE): A Kerala nurse was sentenced to death in Yemen, where Sharia law allows pardon through Diyya (blood money).

• Diyya is monetary compensation given to the victim’s family under Sharia law instead of punishment.
• It is primarily applied to unintentional killing or when the family waives Qisas in favour of reconciliation.
  • Qisas is retributive justice, permitting punishment equal to the harm caused in serious offences.
• The amount is decided through negotiation, though minimum limits exist in some countries.
• Compensation may differ based on the victim’s gender, religion, or nationality.
• The system upholds the virtue of forgiveness and supports reparative justice over retributive punishment.
• Countries such as Yemen, Iran, UAE, and Kuwait formally recognise and implement Diyya.
• Courts may oversee the process, but final authority rests with the victim’s heirs.

{Prelims – In News} TALASH Scheme

• Context (PIB): NESTS launched the TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub) scheme, in partnership with UNICEF India, to support career readiness, life skills, and self-development among tribal students.

• It is a digital platform promoting holistic growth via aptitude tests, counselling, and life skills training.
• Implementation: NESTS under MoTA will implement TALASH with UNICEF as the technical partner.
• Scope: It will cover ~1.5 lakh students enrolled in Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country.

Components of TALASH

• Psychometric Testing: Follows NCERT’s Tamanna tool to assess student aptitude.
• Career Cards: Provides personalised career options based on test results.
• Counselling Support: Offers online guidance tailored to each student’s strengths.
• Life Skills Module: Includes digital lessons on communication and emotional resilience.
• Teacher Portal: Trains EMRS teachers in counselling and student support.