Stay ahead in your UPSC preparation with the Daily Current Affairs for 3rd July 2025. This edition covers key topics like the celebration of GST Day 2025, the trial of artificial rainfall in Delhi to fight air pollution, renewed Indo-US-Pakistan strategic dynamics, and India’s rising use of AI in weather forecasting. Also discussed are the groundwater crisis in Karnataka, legal and ethical issues around DNA evidence, and India’s expanding maritime security cooperation with the Maldives. Designed for both Prelims and Mains, this summary aligns with insights from leading UPSC institutes
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1. India’s GST Journey – Achievements, Challenges & The Way Ahead
📰 What’s the News?
India celebrated GST Day 2025 on 1st July, marking eight years since the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax on 1st July 2017. While industry leaders praised the digitisation initiatives, concerns were raised over tax complexity and rising frauds in the system.
🧩 Key Aspects for UPSC:
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GST unified India into “One Nation, One Tax, One Market”, replacing a complex web of indirect taxes.
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Operates through a dual structure: CGST and SGST for intra-state, IGST for inter-state, and UTGST for Union Territories.
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The GST Council, created under Article 279A, is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and works on federal consensus.
🧮 Major Challenges:
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Multiple tax slabs: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%, causing confusion and compliance issues.
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Exclusion of petroleum and electricity from GST limits its comprehensiveness.
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Over ₹1 lakh crore detected in fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) frauds.
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GST Appellate Tribunals not yet fully functional.
🌐 Reforms Needed:
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Simplify the slab structure for ease of doing business.
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Include high-revenue sectors like petroleum gradually.
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Fast-track GST Tribunal formation to reduce litigation backlog.
🔍 Why It Matters:
India’s GST model, though complex, stands out for its federal approach and digital backbone, like e-invoicing. Strengthening GST is vital for increasing tax compliance, boosting revenues, and sustaining fiscal federalism.
🧾 2. India’s Leadership in Green and Digital Economy
📰 What’s the News?
India has taken significant strides in both the green economy (like green steel) and the digital economy (like AI, CBDC, and women empowerment through tech).
🌱 Green Steel & Sustainability Push:
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India’s steel sector, a major emitter, is now pivoting toward green hydrogen, carbon capture, and low-emission technologies.
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Aligns with India’s Net-Zero by 2070 goal and climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
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Public and private firms, including SAIL and Tata Steel, are investing in decarbonisation pilots.
💰 Digital Financial Revolution:
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RBI is rolling out Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for interbank transactions, aiming for cost-effective, transparent settlements.
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Builds on India’s strong digital payment infrastructure, like UPI and Aadhaar-linked DBT.
🤖 India: Asia’s New AI Powerhouse
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For the first time, Indian AI startups have surpassed China in funding, with over $1.3 billion raised in 2024–25.
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Investments in Generative AI, AgriTech, HealthTech, and language AI models are making India a global innovation hub.
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Supported by initiatives like IndiaAI Mission, Startup India, and Digital India.
👩💻 Women and Children Empowered by Tech:
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Schemes like Poshan Tracker, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, and SHe-Box showcase how digital platforms are being used for better welfare delivery.
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Sex ratio and MMR improvements indicate positive results.
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However, digital illiteracy and data privacy remain challenges.
🌐 Significance:
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India’s dual focus on sustainability and digital innovation positions it as a leader in climate-resilient, inclusive growth.
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These advances contribute directly to SDGs, especially SDG 3, 5, 9, and 13.
🧾 3. Climate Innovation – Artificial Rain, Groundwater Crisis, and Weather AI
📰 What’s the News?
India is responding to escalating climate challenges through technological innovations, such as cloud seeding, AI in weather forecasting, and policy response to groundwater depletion.
☁️ Cloud Seeding in Delhi:
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First such trial in Delhi scheduled between August 30 – September 10, 2025.
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Led by IIT Kanpur and supported by IMD and IITM Pune, aims to reduce urban air pollution.
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Uses silver iodide or dry ice to induce artificial rain, similar to efforts in UAE and China.
💧 Groundwater Crisis in Karnataka:
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Hard rock aquifers in Ramanagara district show sharp depletion due to borewell overuse.
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70% borewells have failed; agriculture and rural livelihoods at risk.
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Government schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission are criticised for focusing more on supply than recharge.
🤖 AI for Weather Forecasting:
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) plans to use AI/ML for monsoon prediction, cyclone alerts, and disaster response.
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Aims to match global standards of NOAA (USA), JMA (Japan), and UK Met Office.
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Aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
4.Legal and Scientific Dimensions of DNA Evidence in India
📰 What’s the News?
The UK’s resolution of a 1967 cold case using preserved DNA evidence has reignited global discussions on the power and ethical dilemmas of DNA in criminal justice.
⚖️ India’s DNA Legal Landscape:
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DNA is admissible under Section 45 of the Indian Evidence Act.
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Landmark Indian cases like Nirbhaya and Priyadarshini Mattoo have relied on DNA evidence.
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The DNA Technology (Use and Regulation) Bill 2019 proposes a National DNA Data Bank, but it remains pending in Parliament.
⚠️ Concerns:
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Risks of data misuse, privacy violations, and lack of legal clarity on consent.
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Forensic capacity gaps exist in many Indian states.
🧪 Institutions:
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CFSL Chandigarh leads DNA forensics in India.
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Cellmark Forensics (UK) was involved in the latest breakthrough case.
🧾 5. Scientific Discovery of Ancient Fungi – Understanding Evolution
📰 What’s the News?
Scientists have discovered 99-million-year-old fossilised fungi in Burmese amber, showing the earliest known example of host-parasite interaction between fungi and insects.
🧬 Key Insights:
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Fossils belonged to extinct species of Paleoophiocordyceps, which parasitized ants and flies.
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Indicates “zombie fungi” behavior—fungi manipulated the insect to die on a leaf for optimal spore dispersal.
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Dates back to the Cretaceous Period (~100 Mya), an era known for dinosaur extinction and angiosperm diversification.
🧾 6. Strategic Realignments – India, USA & Pakistan
📰 What’s the News?
The USA under a renewed Trump administration has rekindled military ties with Pakistan, triggering strategic recalibrations in South Asia.
⚠️ Key Developments:
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$397 million military aid approved for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet maintenance.
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High-level US-Pakistan defence engagements increase concerns for India.
Implications for India:
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Raises doubts over US commitment to India’s counterterrorism concerns.
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May weaken India’s leverage in Quad and Indo-Pacific strategy.
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Possibility of third-party mediation on Kashmir reemerging.
🧭 India’s Strategic Response:
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Emphasise strategic autonomy on sovereignty and regional issues.
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Diversify partnerships via Quad, I2U2, ASEAN, EU, and Middle East.
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Leverage India’s economic and technological strengths to maintain global relevance.
🧾 7. India’s Neighbourhood Diplomacy – Maldives & Maritime Security
📰 What’s the News?
India and Maldives marked 30 years of hydrographic cooperation, highlighting India’s leadership in maritime domain awareness and regional stability.
🌊 Strategic Significance:
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India provides hydrographic assistance to Maldives under the SAGAR Doctrine.
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Enhances blue economy partnerships and supports disaster management, shipping safety, and marine data services.
📜 International Relevance:
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Aligns with UNCLOS and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) principles.
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Counters growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
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