Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 25-08-2025

Why in News: The Haryana Human Rights Commission highlighted a severe case where a 14-year-old was allegedly subjected to bonded labour, physically abused, and abandoned after a serious injury, calling it a violation of human dignity and a breakdown of protective mechanisms. The commission has sought detailed reports from police and health departments, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation and investigation into the accused.

Key Points:

• Bonded Labour Definition: Labour where individuals are forced to work for creditors, often without pay or minimal wages, to repay a debt.
• Constitutional/Legal Frameworks:
  • Articles 21 & 23: Guarantee right to life with dignity and prohibit human trafficking/forced labour.
  • Article 24: Prohibits child labour below 14 in hazardous jobs.
  • Directive Principles (Arts 42, 43, 46): Promote humane working conditions, living wages, and protection for weaker sections.
  • Acts: Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976; Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986; Juvenile Justice Act, 2015; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
  • International Obligations: UN CRC (Article 32), ILO Convention 182.
• Systemic Drivers (BONDAGE): Bureaucratic inefficiency, overwhelming poverty, no education, debt traps, agricultural/allied sectors, gender discrimination, and exploitation by employers.
• Measures Needed (RESCUE): Revive law enforcement, educate children, support families, create awareness, unite communities, and empower NGOs.
• Case Details: A 14-year-old boy, Santosh, was allegedly forced into labour for two months, suffered a severed arm while working, and was then abandoned by his employer. The incident highlights the failure of surveillance and rescue mechanisms, especially in migration corridors.

• Market Leadership: Target 10% global market share by 2030.
• Abatement of Emissions: Aim for ~50 MMT CO₂ reduction annually.
• Powering Production: Target 5 MMT per annum production capacity by 2030.
• Employment Creation: Generate 6 lakh+ green jobs.

• Cost Barrier: High production costs compared to grey hydrogen.
• Access to Capital: High upfront investment requirements.
• Gaps in Infrastructure: Lack of pipelines, storage, and refuelling networks.
• Economic Viability Issues: Fossil fuel hydrogen remains cheaper due to delayed carbon pricing.

• Pricing Carbon: Implement carbon tax/market mechanisms.
• Obligation Mandates: Enforce purchase obligations in key sectors.
• Widen Infrastructure Base: Develop electrolyser capacity and export corridors.
• Economic Reallocation: Shift subsidies to green hydrogen and offer incentives.
• Risk Pooling through Demand Aggregation: Create pooled procurement platforms.

• Why in news: This period is a unique, irreversible opportunity to build human capital.

• Why in news: Emphasizes the synergistic relationship crucial for optimal development.

• Why in news: Highlights the urgency and scale of the challenge.

• ICDS: World’s largest early childhood care program, providing nutrition, health, and preschool education through Anganwadis.
• Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi: Integrates nutrition with cognitive/early learning to transform Anganwadis into vibrant learning centers.
• Navchetana: National framework with play-based activities for 0-3 years, promoting holistic development.
• Why in news: Showcases policy efforts to address the nutrition-cognition gap.

• Why in news: Points out critical areas needing immediate improvement for effective program delivery.

• Why in news: Provides actionable recommendations for strengthening early childhood development to harness India’s demographic dividend.

• Reason: This action was taken due to reports of refugees being arrested upon arrival in Sri Lanka, allegedly for violating immigration laws.

• Significance: This marks the first time Sri Lankan authorities are arresting voluntarily returning refugees on charges of leaving the country without valid travel documents. Previous repatriations since 2002, which saw 18,643 refugees returned, did not involve such arrests.

• Condition for Resumption: Repatriation will remain on hold until Sri Lankan authorities provide assurances that returning refugees will not be arrested for immigration rule violations and will be treated with dignity.

• Why: Natural climate cycles (Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Atlantic Multidecadal Variability) are bringing colder waters temporarily.

• Why: Greenhouse gas emissions are still the main driver of long-term ice loss. Models predict faster melting after this pause, potentially losing 0.6 million sq. km per decade.

• Why: The pause is due to natural variability, not a reversal of climate change trends. Urgent action on mitigation is still crucial.

Successful Flight Tests of IADWS: DRDO conducted first flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) under Mission Sudarshan Chakra. This is a significant step towards enhancing India’s self-reliant air defence capabilities.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Announced on India’s 79th Independence Day, this national security initiative aims to develop an indigenous, Iron Dome-like air defence system by 2035. It seeks to protect critical infrastructure and enable swift counterstrikes.

IADWS Components: The system is a multi-layered indigenous air defence system comprising Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) – a laser-based high-energy system.

Integrated Operation: The IADWS operates under a Centralized Command and Control Centre, ensuring real-time detection and neutralization of various aerial threats like UAVs and missiles.

Operational Success: During the tests, the system successfully engaged and destroyed three different targets, including high-speed UAVs and a multi-copter drone, at various ranges and altitudes, demonstrating flawless performance of all components.

Strengthening Strategic Autonomy: The IADWS builds on India’s existing air defence assets and aims to bolster strategic autonomy by providing advanced, multi-layered defence against enemy aerial threats.

Collaborative Effort: Defence research organizations and the private sector are expected to collaborate on this project. The system is likely to be integrated with existing IAF and Army command and control systems.

Bistable Gene Expression: Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibits bistable gene expression, meaning identical cells can have the same genes “on” or “off.”

GlpD Gene Variation: The glpD gene, crucial for glycerol utilization, shows variable expression. Some cells have it “on” for increased infectivity, while others have it “off.”

Epigenetic Inheritance: This gene expression variability is passed to offspring without DNA alteration, a form of epigenetic inheritance.

Survival Strategy: Bistability might be a survival mechanism for adapting to fluctuating environments.

Impact on Pathogenicity: Higher glpD expression is linked to increased infectivity, as shown by reduced ability to kill moth larvae and increased fluorescence near mouse immune cells.

Opportunistic Pathogen: P. aeruginosa is a deadly, opportunistic pathogen causing community and hospital-acquired infections, including burn infections, keratitis, and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Antibiotic Resistance: It possesses high antibiotic resistance, making few antibiotics effective.

Therapeutic Target: Targeting this gene expression variability could be a strategy to combat P. aeruginosa infections.

• Why it’s news: It highlights a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, underscoring the severity of the crisis driven by conflict and blockade.

• Why it’s news: It’s the authority behind the famine declaration, making its assessment credible and globally recognized.

• Why it’s news: These strict criteria explain why famine declarations are rare and emphasize the extreme suffering in Gaza.

• Why it’s news: Its standardized approach ensures comparability and provides a basis for international response and resource mobilization.

• Why it’s news: This framework allows for nuanced understanding and targeted interventions based on the severity of the situation.

• Why it’s news: This adds context to the declaration, acknowledging potential limitations while reaffirming the global recognition of its famine designations.

• Removal after 30 consecutive days of arrest/detention for offenses punishable by 5+ years imprisonment.
• Central Government: President removes on PM’s advice; automatic cessation if no advice by day 31.
• State Government: Governor removes on CM’s advice; automatic cessation if no advice by day 31.
• Delhi: President on CM’s advice; automatic cessation if PM/CM doesn’t resign by day 31.
• Re-appointment possible after release from custody.

• Loss of position based on mere police action before trial.
• Undermines PM/CM’s power to choose cabinet.
• Potential misuse by central agencies against opposition.
• May violate “innocent until proven guilty” principle.

• Historical: British colonial era concentration in select regions (e.g., Bengal for jute, Maharashtra for cotton).
• Geographical & Infrastructure: Difficult terrains and poor connectivity in Himalayan and North-Eastern states vs. better infrastructure (ports, highways) in coastal/plain regions like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra.
• Skilled Manpower: Clusters like Bengaluru and Chennai benefit from skilled labor and educational institutions, unlike states with limited training infrastructure.
• Policy & Planning: Targeted policies (e.g., Green Revolution) benefited certain regions, while others lagged. Proactive state policies attract more investment.
• Agglomeration Effects: Industries cluster for economies of scale and supply chain benefits, reinforcing regional disparities.

• Regional Inequality: States with higher industrial concentration have higher income, employment, and GDP.
• Migration & Urban Stress: Industrial hubs attract internal migrants, leading to overcrowding and infrastructure strain in cities.
• Fiscal Disparities: Industrialized states earn higher tax revenues, while less-industrial states depend more on central transfers.
• Federal Friction: Tensions can arise between Centre and States over resources and investment policies.

• Industrial Location Policy: Guide investments to underdeveloped regions with incentives like tax breaks and subsidies.
• Targeted Infrastructure: Invest in transport, industrial parks, power, and digital infrastructure in backward states.
• Skill Development: Establish technical and vocational training centers in less-developed regions.
• Cluster Development: Promote sector-specific clusters to boost local economies and employment.
• Policy Coordination: Strengthen Centre-State collaboration for equitable industrialization.

National Space Day Celebrated: India observed National Space Day on August 23, 2025.

Theme: The 2025 theme, “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities,” highlights India’s space journey from ancient astronomy to modern exploration.

Nationwide Events: Celebrations included nationwide events, with a main ceremony at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, also available online.

PM’s Address: The Prime Minister lauded youth and scientists, emphasizing achievements from satellites to future projects like Gaganyaan and an indigenous space station.

Student Engagement: ISRO is organizing competitions and educational programs to foster interest in space among students.

Significance: The day showcases India’s growing influence in space technology and its commitment to future exploration.

Origin of National Space Day: First celebrated on August 23, 2024, to commemorate the Chandrayaan-3 soft landing near the Moon’s south pole.

Chandrayaan-3 Achievement: This mission marked India as the fourth nation to achieve a lunar landing and the first to land near the scientifically vital lunar south pole.

Declaration: Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared August 23 as National Space Day after the Chandrayaan-3 success.

Purpose: To honor India’s space accomplishments, inspire STEM careers, and recognize ISRO’s role in India’s global space leadership.