Current Affairs – July 26, 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Paintings} Sohrai, Pattachitra, and Patua Paintings

• Context (PIB):  Artists of Sohrai, Pattachitra, & Patua from Jharkhand, Odisha, & West Bengal participated in the 2^nd edition of Kala Utsav 2025 – ‘Artists in Residence Programme’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Sohrai Painting

• Sohrai is a tribal mural art painted by women to mark cattle worship and harvest.
• Region: Practised by indigenous communities primarily in Jharkhand.
• Origin Period: It is linked to prehistoric cave art (7000–400 BC) in Karanpura Valley (Jharkhand).
• Festival Link: Associated with the Sohrai harvest festival, celebrated after Diwali.
• Technique: Walls are coated with clay; motifs are drawn with fingers or sticks using earth pigments.
• Motifs: Common symbols include peacocks, bulls, forests, and fertility images linked to animistic belief.
• GI Tag: Sohrai-Khovar painting received the GI tag in 2020.

Credit: Wikipedia

Pattachitra

• Pattachitra or Patachitra refers to traditional cloth-based scroll painting, where “Patta” means cloth and “Chitra” means picture in Sanskrit.
• Region: Practised in Odisha and West Bengal.
• Origin Period: Originated in the 5th–12th century CE, closely associated with Jagannath worship in Puri.
• Unique features: Recognised for bold lines, mythological details, and a lacquered finish.
• GI Tag: Odisha Pattachitra registered in 2008; Bengal Patachitra registered in 2018.

Read More > About Pattachitra Art

Patua Art

• Patua is a traditional scroll painting where stories are told through Patua Sangeet as scrolls unroll.
• Region: Practised in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, as well as parts of Bangladesh.
• Origin: Patua art evolved from Mangal Kavya traditions, likely after the 13th century CE.
• Cultural Syncretism: Many Patua artists are Muslims who depict Hindu epics with devotional neutrality.
• Modern Evolution: Now features social and political themes using poster paints and stitched paper.
• GI Tag: Bengal Patachitra, encompassing Patua tradition, was awarded the GI tag in 2018.

Credit: International Indian Folk Art Gallery

Read More > Major Indian Painting Styles

{GS2 – Social Sector – Education} Universities Under Political Pressure

• Context (TH): In recent years, universities once seen as hubs of free inquiry and critical thought have increasingly faced political interference and economic pressures.

Recent Events

• Judicial Scrutiny: A U.S. judge questioned the federal funding cut to Harvard, highlighting political interference in academia.
• Political Control: Globally, right-wing regimes are tightening control over universities through funding cuts and ideological pressure.
• Freedom Erosion: Academic freedom declined in 34 countries from 2014–24 (Academic Freedom Index).

Reason for University Crisis

• Political Interference: Universities like Harvard and Columbia face political attacks, particularly around race, gender, and foreign policy discussions.
• Nationalist Populism: In India, universities are seen by ruling elites as elitist and anti-national.
• Curriculum Politicisation: UGC’s 2023 mandate introduced compulsory “Indian Knowledge Systems”.
• Market Rationality: Universities are being reshaped into corporate entities, where employability, branding, and rankings overshadow critical thinking.

Restoring University Autonomy

• Restore Autonomy: Governing boards must insulate academic decisions from political interference.
• Solidarity Alliances: Cross-national collaborations among academics, students, and civil society can resist ideological domination.
• Campus Activism: Faculty & students must maintain universities as democratic spaces through active governance.
• Stakeholder Backing: Donors and alums play a vital role in safeguarding academic freedom. E.g., Harvard alumni have donated over $1 billion to support independent research and legal advocacy.

Read More > All India Survey on Higher Education

{GS2 – IR – India-UK} India-UK Free Trade Agreement

• Context (IE): India has signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK, making it India’s 14th FTA overall and the UK’s largest post-Brexit deal.

Read More About > Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Key Provisions of India-UK FTA

• The agreement boosts goods & services trade and deepens digital, investment, and mobility ties.

Goods and Agriculture

• Zero-Duty Access: Nearly 99% of Indian manufacturing exports now face zero UK import tariffs.
• Tariff Cuts: India will gradually reduce UK whisky and car import duties to 40% and 10% over a decade.
• Marine Exports: Tariffs on 99.3% of Indian seafood, including shrimp and tuna, have been removed.
• Agri Trade: 95% farm exports and 99.7% processed-food exports get duty-free UK access.
• GI Protections: Products like feni, Nashik wine, & Kerala toddy gain UK Geographical Indication status.

Services and Mobility

• Sector Access: Indian professionals gain liberalised entry in IT, legal, finance, and architecture sectors.
• Visa Allocation: The UK grants 1,800 annual visas for chefs, yoga instructors, musicians, etc.
• Business Mobility: FTA eases short-term entry for service providers and company transferees.
• Social Security: Double Contribution Convention enables pension portability & avoids dual payments.

Investment and Procurement

• Procurement Access: UK firms can bid for central tenders above ₹200 crore as Class II suppliers.
  • Local Sourcing Clause: To qualify, at least 20% inputs must originate from the UK.
• Dispute Settlement: Arbitration is allowed only after one year of failed investor–state consultations.

Digital and Technology Cooperation

• Paperless Trade: Customs processes use electronic documents and digital authentication tools.
• Data Governance: Cross-border data allowed with safeguards and no forced localisation.
• Source Code Protection: Firms do not need to disclose their source code or proprietary algorithms.
• Critical Minerals: UK funds £1.8M IIT Dhanbad project for global digital supply chain mapping.

Potential Benefits for India

• Export Upscaling: Improved UK access helps shift India toward higher-value exports.
• Farm Income Boost: Agri-export gains amplify farm incomes and rural economic stability.
• Textile Advantage: Preferential access enhances India’s price edge over Asian competitors.
• Digital Growth: Global Capability Centres (GCC) promote service exports and skilled job creation.
• Mineral Security: Access UK supply chains support India’s energy transition and battery production.
• Investment Flow: Legal clarity & investor protections encourage UK capital flow in India’s core sectors.
• Tech Transfer: Bilateral R&D boosts advanced manufacturing and innovation partnerships.

Challenges for India

• Delayed Gains: 10-year tariff staging postpones export and competitiveness improvements.
• Quota Constraints: Volume limits hinder India’s export scalability in EVs, food, and premium liquor.
• Logistical Gaps: Outdated clearance systems and GI verification delay export delivery and compliance.
• Value Imbalance: India exports low-value goods, missing higher-margin UK market opportunities.
• Standards Barriers: Divergent safety norms hinder processed food, dairy, and pharma market access.
• Visa Constraints: UK’s internal policies may restrict promised professional mobility under FTA terms.
• Diplomatic Strain: Khalistan protests & extradition deadlocks continue to undermine bilateral trust.

Way Forward

• Quota Exit Plan: Negotiate phase-out of tariff-rate quotas limiting India’s core exports.
• Regulatory Equivalence: Push for mutual certification of safety, food, and pharmaceutical standards.
• Carbon Offset Deal: Develop joint schemes to avoid future CBAM-style carbon border taxes.
• Service Hub Drive: Offer GCC incentives to expand IT services growth beyond metro cities.
• Tech Scaling: Expand joint research to include semiconductors, defence tech, and quantum sectors.
• FTA Oversight: Form joint panels to monitor compliance, resolve disputes, and review commitments.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} India Targets 100 GW Nuclear Power

• Context (TH): The Union Budget 2025–26 has marked a major policy shift by setting a target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, up from the current 8.18 GW.

Importance of Nuclear Energy

• Energy Demand: India’s electricity demand is projected to rise 5-fold by 2047, requiring a strong base-load capacity.
• Climate Goals: India’s COP26 targets include 500 GW of non-fossil energy by 2030 and net-zero by 2070.
• Energy Security: Nuclear offers a reliable, low-carbon energy source with high load factors, ideal for a growing economy.
• Global Shift: The COP28 ‘Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy’ marks global support for nuclear in developing countries.

Challenges in Scaling Up

• Policy Constraints: The Atomic Energy Act, 1962, limits nuclear power development to state-owned entities, such as the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
  • Ambiguity over ownership, tariffs, and fuel/waste management discourages private investment.
• Financial Concerns: Nuclear plants have high capital costs ($2 million/MW). Additionally, nuclear energy isn’t classified as renewable, limiting access to green finance and incentives.
• Regulatory Concerns: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) lacks legal autonomy as it functions under the DAE, raising regulatory concerns.
• Operational Issues: Land acquisition delays, slow licensing, and underdeveloped supply chains have stifled NPCIL’s scale-up plans.

Three-Stage Reform Agenda

• To realise India’s dual goals of becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, the government has outlined a comprehensive reform agenda.

Legislative Reforms

• Amend the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to allow private participation and 49% FDI while retaining Indian control.
• Revise Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010, especially supplier liability, to reduce legal hurdles and attract foreign vendors.

Regulatory Reforms

• Create an independent statutory nuclear regulator to reform the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
• Resolve tariff overlaps between the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Electricity Act, 2003; adopt levelized cost-based tariff mechanisms in line with other energy sectors.

Financial & Institutional Reforms

• Reclassify nuclear energy as “green energy”, making it eligible for green financing instruments, tax incentives & Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
• Support long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to make projects bankable.
• Promote Joint Ventures (JVs) involving PSU lenders like REC and generation companies like NTPC, and expand to include credible private players.

Read More > Nuclear Energy

{GS4 – Ethics in Governance} Issue of Stray Dogs in India

• Context (TH): The Supreme Court highlighted the ethical divide between protecting stray dogs and ensuring public safety, urging a balanced approach under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.

Legal and Constitutional Framework

• PCA Act, 1960: Prohibits cruelty and mandates humane treatment of animals under Section 3.
  • The act empowers the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to issue guidelines.
• ABC Rules, 2023: Mandate sterilisation and vaccination; prohibit arbitrary killing by authorities.
• Article 51A(g): Recognises compassion towards living beings as a fundamental duty of every citizen.
• Article 21: Supreme Court extended the right to life to animals in the Jallikattu (2014) ruling.
• Article 243W: Empowers local bodies to manage health and sanitation, including stray dog regulation.
• IPC Sections 428-429: Criminalise cruelty, or poisoning of animals with up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Section 325 affirms penalties for cruelty and poisoning.

Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023

• The Rules provide a structured, humane approach to population control and conflict resolution.

• Legal Foundation: Notified under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, replacing 2001 rules.
• Definition: Stray dogs are now termed “community animals,” recognised as territorial residents.
• Sterilisation: Mandates humane CNVR (Catch–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release) as population control.
• Rabies Vaccination: Ensures universal anti-rabies immunisation of all community dogs.
• Implementation Structure: Local bodies and NGOs are funded and authorised for ABC execution.
• Dispute Resolution: RWAs, veterinary officers, and police jointly mediate stray dog-related grievances.
• Surveillance: Rules mandate microchipping and ward-wise sterilisation documentation.

Feeding Guidelines under Rule 20

• Rule 20 of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 sets norms for public feeding of community dogs, aiming to minimise disputes while ensuring animal welfare.

Challenges Associated with Stray Dog Governance

• Rising Attacks: India reported 3.7 million dog bite cases in 2024, highlighting a growing public concern.
• Territorial Aggression: Delhi HC noted that unregulated feeding zones increase stray dog hostility.
• Implementation Gaps: ABC shortfalls in sterilisation & coverage lead to uncontrolled dog proliferation.
• Judicial Inconsistencies: Conflicting High Court orders create legal ambiguity in policy enforcement.
• Rabies Risk: Limited immunisation coverage in rural belts sustains India’s global share in rabies deaths.
• Social Tensions: Feeder-resident disputes, as seen in housing societies like Noida, fuel civic unrest.

Way Forward

• ABC Scaling: Achieve WHO-mandated 70% CNVR coverage through time-bound implementation.
• Rabies Control: Adopt Thailand-style door-to-door and shelter-based mass vaccination.
• Designated Feeding Zones: Enforce Rule 20 zones with hygiene, timing, and conflict resolution norms.
• Ownership Law: Mandate microchipping, breeder rules, and adoption incentives via legislation.
• Waste Reform: Ban open dumping and promote food composting to reduce dog packs.
• Legal Harmonisation: Align state and central rules to avoid conflicting High Court orders.
• Humane Education: Introduce animal welfare modules in schools, inspired by Finland’s “Kindergarten-to-Canines” model.

Read More > Dog Bite Cases

{Prelims – In News} Nano-Sensor for Sepsis Detection

• Context (PIB): Scientists at NIT Calicut have developed a portable nano-sensor that detects sepsis in 10 minutes.

Key Highlights of the Innovation

• Electrochemical Biosensor: Utilises a portable electrochemical biosensor to detect endotoxins (toxic substances released from harmful bacteria), markers of early-stage sepsis.
• High Sensitivity: To increase accuracy, the scientists used nanomaterials like
  • Gold Atomic Clusters: Enhance signal precision.
  • MoS₂ (Molybdenum Disulfide): Material known for its excellent electrical properties.
  • CNTs (Carbon Nanotubes): Highly sensitive carbon structures.
• Selective Targeting: For precision, they used
  • Aptamers: DNA/RNA strands that bind to specific toxins.
  • Polymyxin B: A compound that naturally binds to endotoxins.
• Water Monitoring: The sensor also detects E. coli in water, aiding drinking water safety checks in rural and disaster-affected areas.

{Prelims – In News} US Exit from UNESCO

• Context (TH): The US has withdrawn from UNESCO again, its second exit after a similar move under President Trump, citing alleged anti-Israel bias.

Implications for Global Governance

• Multilateralism: The withdrawal underscores rising polarisation and the influence of domestic politics on global cooperation.
• UNESCO’s Mandate: Losing a founding member and key donor hampers support for education, heritage, and science.
• Geopolitical Rebalancing: The U.S. exit opens space for greater influence by China, Russia, and the EU within UNESCO.

Implications for India

• Cultural Diplomacy: UNESCO recognition boosts India’s tourism, heritage conservation, and soft power through its 44 World Heritage Sites.
• Policies: UNESCO’s AI and climate frameworks complement India’s efforts on responsible AI and environmental action.
• Strategic Positioning: India can enhance its global influence by actively shaping norms in education, heritage, and tech through UNESCO.

{Prelims – In News} Kargil Vijay Diwas

• Context (PIB): MY Bharat, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, will organize ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas Padyatra’ on 26 July 2025 in Drass to mark 26 years of India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War.

About the Kargil War

• The Kargil War of 1999 was a high-altitude conflict triggered by Pakistani infiltration along the LoC, and marked the first direct military confrontation between two nuclear-armed states in South Asia.
• Diplomatic Context: The conflict began shortly after the signing of the 1999 Lahore Declaration.

• Conflict Zones: Infiltration occurred in Mashkoh, Dras, Kaksar, and Tiger Hill sectors.
• India’s Response: India launched Operation Vijay to reclaim all occupied positions.

• Post-War Reforms: Based on the Kargil Review Committee’s recommendation, India established the Defence Intelligence Agency (2002), the National Technical Research Organisation, and the first tri-service command, the Andaman & Nicobar Command.