Your 16 July 2025 UPSC current affairs capsule covers India’s rising global influence, women’s workforce trends, green shipping goals, GEAC updates, and linguistic secularism—essential for Prelims & Mains.
1. India’s Position in a Changing Global Order
📰 Why it’s in the News:
The multilateral global order is facing structural shifts due to rising geopolitical tensions, weakening institutions like the WTO and UN, and the emergence of minilateral platforms. India, set to become the third-largest economy by 2027, is redefining its international strategy in response.
✅ Key Points for Prelims & Mains:
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Definition of multilateralism and minilateralism.
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Post-WWII and post-Cold War institutional developments (UN, GATT, WTO, APEC).
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Recent geopolitical shifts: U.S.-China rivalry, BRICS, G20, and regional blocs.
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India’s minilateral engagements: QUAD, ISA, IBSA, BRICS.
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Need for institutional reforms (e.g., UNSC representation via G4).
🌐 Recent Developments & Global Context:
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COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War exposed vulnerabilities in global governance.
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U.S. withdrawals from WHO, Paris Agreement, and Iran Deal under “America First” policy.
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Rise of strategic bilateralism and nationalist economies (Brexit, Chinese assertiveness).
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WTO Appellate Body is inactive since 2019 due to U.S. opposition to judge appointments.
📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties:
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UN Charter (1945) – Establishes peacekeeping and dispute resolution mechanisms.
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WTO Marrakesh Agreement (1995) – Rules-based trade system.
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Paris Climate Agreement (2015) – Global commitment to climate targets.
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International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) under WHO.
🌏 Implications for India and the World:
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India’s call for UNSC reforms aligns with democratizing global governance.
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Minilateral platforms like QUAD help balance Indo-Pacific dynamics.
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Strategic use of BRICS can amplify Global South’s voice and reform trade rules.
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India’s digital diplomacy (e.g., GPAI, COVAX) offers global leadership potential.
📊 Factual References:
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World Bank: India to become 3rd-largest economy by 2027.
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UNDP: $5-7 trillion needed annually for SDGs.
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WTO Reports (2023): 62% decline in dispute resolutions due to dysfunction.
2. Low Female Labour Force Participation (FLFPR) in India
📰 Why it’s in the News:
Despite India’s economic rise, FLFPR remains low at 41.1% (PLFS 2024), below the global average of 49%. This gap has far-reaching implications for inclusive growth and demographic advantage.
✅ Key Points for Prelims & Mains:
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FLFPR: Defined as the percentage of women aged 15+ working or actively seeking jobs.
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Reasons for non-participation: Household work (33.6%), studies (9.3%), health (4.7%).
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High unpaid female labour, especially in rural India.
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Paradox of improved education but stagnant employment.
🌐 Recent Developments & Global Context:
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India has shown modest rural improvement in FLFPR between 2018–2022.
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World Bank highlights India’s gap in gender-inclusive economic development.
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Only 3% of self-employed women have formal training (NITI Aayog).
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WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024 ranks India 127th out of 146.
📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties:
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ILO Convention 100 & 111 – Equal remuneration and anti-discrimination.
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CEDAW (1979) – UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
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SDG Goal 5 – Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.
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Beijing Declaration (1995) – Platform for Action on gender parity.
🌏 Implications for India and the World:
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Boosting FLFPR could raise India’s GDP by 27% (IMF).
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Higher FLFPR leads to poverty reduction, gender parity, and social stability.
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Global investors increasingly prioritize gender equity in ESG criteria.
📊 Factual References:
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PLFS 2024: Female LFPR – 41.1%; Male LFPR – 78.8%.
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World Bank & IMF: India’s gender gap is among the widest in Asia.
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UN Women: Economic empowerment of women is essential for SDG success.
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3. Decarbonizing Global Shipping: India’s Green Transition
📰 Why it’s in the News:
With global shipping aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, India is positioning itself as a future leader in green methanol and ammonia production for global marine fuel markets.
✅ Key Points for Prelims & Mains:
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Present fuels: VLSFO, diesel, and LNG.
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Transition fuels: Green methanol, green ammonia, biofuels.
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India’s plan to set up green fuel bunkering ports in Tuticorin and Kandla.
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360+ methanol-powered ships globally; major shipping lines shifting toward green methanol.
🌐 Recent Developments & Global Context:
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High production costs: e-methanol costs $1,950/tonne vs. VLSFO at $560/tonne.
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Demand for e-methanol will exceed supply by 2028, creating market pressure.
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Global interest in carbon capture and electrolyser tech to boost green fuel capacity.
📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties:
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IMO’s Initial GHG Strategy (2018) – Calls for 50% emission reduction by 2050.
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Paris Climate Agreement (2015) – Pushes nations to limit warming to 1.5°C.
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International Maritime Organization (IMO) – Regulates global shipping emissions.
🌏 Implications for India and the World:
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India can reduce import dependency on LNG by transitioning to green ammonia.
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Creates a new export opportunity to fuel global ships (e.g., Singapore bunkering).
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Encourages green job creation and boosts shipbuilding ecosystem.
📊 Factual References:
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MNRE & MoPSW Reports: India’s solar energy grew from 2.8 GW (2014) to 105 GW (2025).
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Global Maritime Forum: India can supply up to 25% of world’s green methanol by 2035.
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UNCTAD 2023: Maritime transport handles over 80% of global trade volume.
4. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and GM Maize Trials
📰 Why it’s in the News:
GEAC approved confined field trials for two GM maize types—herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant—sparking concerns over glyphosate use in Punjab.
✅ Key Points for Prelims & Mains:
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GEAC: India’s apex biotech regulatory body under MoEF&CC.
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Confined trials to be conducted at Punjab Agricultural University.
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Controversial use of glyphosate-K salt for weed control.
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Coalition for GM-Free India opposes trials citing health risks.
🌐 Recent Developments & Global Context:
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States like Punjab have restricted glyphosate citing WHO’s cancer risk classification.
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India has previously allowed Bt cotton, but banned Bt brinjal.
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Public trust in GM foods remains low, demanding greater transparency.
📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties:
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Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000) – Regulates GM organisms’ transboundary movement.
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Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992) – Ensures sustainable biotech use.
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Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 – Empowers GEAC under 1989 Rules.
🌏 Implications for India and the World:
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Balancing food security and biosafety remains a major policy challenge.
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Successful GM crops can enhance crop yields, reduce pesticide use, and support climate resilience.
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Requires robust scientific oversight and public awareness.
📊 Factual References:
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GEAC Composition: 24 members; chaired by MoEF&CC’s Additional Secretary.
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PAU Trials 2024: Maize engineered to resist lepidopteran pests.
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WHO 2015 Report: Glyphosate classified as “probably carcinogenic.”
5. Linguistic Secularism in India
📰 Why it’s in the News:
Linguistic and religious identities continue to influence political discourse. India’s unique model of linguistic secularism is once again being debated amid rising communal and linguistic nationalism.
✅ Key Points for Prelims & Mains:
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India follows positive secularism, not absolute Church-State separation.
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Article 343: Hindi is official Union language; states free to choose their own.
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Article 29: Guarantees protection of minority languages and cultures.
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Eighth Schedule: Lists 22 official languages.
🌐 Recent Developments & Global Context:
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Tensions in Maharashtra and Karnataka over language supremacy.
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2011 Census: Over 121 languages and 270 mother tongues recorded.
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Global rise of linguistic nationalism (e.g., Catalonia in Spain, Quebec in Canada).
📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties:
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UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity (2005) – Protects language and heritage.
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International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – Supports linguistic rights.
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Indian Constitution – Embeds linguistic pluralism and federalism.
🌏 Implications for India and the World:
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Preserving linguistic diversity strengthens cultural federalism.
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Reinforces unity in diversity as India modernizes.
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Encourages inclusive education and equal opportunity across states.
📊 Factual References:
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Census 2011: 96.7% speak one of the 22 scheduled languages.
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Constitutional Provisions: Articles 29, 343, 344, and Eighth Schedule.
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UNESCO Atlas of World Languages: Recognizes Indian linguistic diversity as globally significant.
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