UPSC Daily Current Affairs – 21 July 2025 Important Updates

Welcome to your Daily Current Affairs 21 July 2025 update. This UPSC-focused briefing covers important news like UNSC reforms, India’s support to the African Union, the latest WHO Hepatitis report, and other vital topics. Stay tuned for all essential facts and analysis for your exam prep.

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1. IndiaAI & Meta Partnership: AI Skilling & Responsible Innovation

Why in News

• MeitY, via IndiaAI, has partnered with Meta to skill 1 million Indians in AI by 2027.

• Focus on democratizing AI education and promoting ethical AI, especially in low-resource Indic languages.

IndiaAI Mission (2024–2029) 

• Launched in March 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,371 crore.

• Implemented by Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY).

• Aims to make India a global AI leader across infrastructure, innovation, and governance.

Objectives of IndiaAI Mission

• Strengthen India’s AI compute and research capacity.

• Promote indigenous AI development and applications.

• Train a future-ready AI workforce.

• Ensure safe, transparent, and ethical AI use.

• Support AI startups and drive socio-economic transformation.

7 Strategic Pillars of IndiaAI Mission

(Mnemonic: CIDSAFE)

1. Compute Capacity – Set up 10,000+ GPUs for high-end AI computing.

2. Innovation Centre – Develop India-specific LMMs & domain AI models.

3. Datasets Platform – Provide open-access datasets to reduce AI bias.

4. Socio-Economic Applications – Promote AI in agriculture, health, education.

5. AI FutureSkills – Expand AI education, vocational training & fellowships.

6. Startup Financing – Fund deeptech and AI-focused startups.

7. Ethical AI – Build frameworks for safe, fair, and accountable AI.

IndiaAI–Meta Skilling Partnership: Key Points

• Goal: Skill 1 million Indians in AI by 2027.

• Target Group: Tier-II & Tier-III cities; youth and underrepresented groups.

• Meta’s Contribution:

  • AI curriculum focusing on bias reduction and ethical design.

  • Support for deeptech startups and student fellowships.

  • Promote multilingual AI tools for Indic languages.

• New Platform: Launch of IndiaAI FutureSkills portal.

• Integrated With: Digital India, Skill India, Startup India missions.

Global Context & Recognition

• India hosted AI Summit 2024 in Delhi: Focus on “AI for Social Good”.

• Leadership in G20 Digital Economy Working Group – Showcased India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

• India ranked #1 in AI skill penetration (Stanford AI Index 2024).

• Growing global stature through GPAI chairmanship and AI diplomacy.

Relevant Conventions, Frameworks, and Laws

• UNESCO Ethical AI Charter (2021) – India is a signatory.

• Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) – India is a founding member and 2024 Chair.

• OECD AI Principles – India adheres to global best practices.

• Bletchley Declaration (2023) – On safe frontier AI, signed by India.

• Hiroshima AI Process (HAP) – India is an active participant.

• Domestic Legal Support:

  • DPDP Act, 2023 – Regulates data privacy.

  • IT Act, 2000 – Basis for digital governance.

  • Digital India Act (Draft) – Expected to include AI-specific policies.

Implications for India and the World

 For India:

• Develops skilled AI workforce.

• Encourages AI innovation in Indian languages.

• Enhances digital inclusion and economic growth.

• Strengthens India’s strategic and technological autonomy.

 For the World:

• India provides a global model for ethical AI in multilingual contexts.

• Helps bridge the digital divide between Global North and South.

• Supports responsible, inclusive, and human-centric AI globally.

Key Challenges

• Absence of a Cabinet-approved national AI strategy.

• Lack of central AI regulatory authority.

• Ethical concerns: AI bias, deepfakes, data misuse, and transparency gaps.

• Job displacement risks due to automation.

• Environmental impact from AI infrastructure (power and water usage).

• Underdeveloped academic AI research and talent migration abroad.

2. Raabita Initiative – Citizen Grievance Redressal in J&K

 Why in News

• The ‘Raabita’ public outreach office was recently inaugurated in Jammu, following its success in Srinagar.

• It aims to strengthen governance-citizen engagement and timely grievance redressal.

 Key Points for UPSC

• Objective: Improve accessible governance and ensure faster grievance resolution.

• Functioning:

  • Grievances accepted both online and offline.

  • Nodal Officers designated at the district level for swift disposal.

• Citizen-Centric Approach: Focus on proactive engagement with citizens.

• Supportive Legislation: Complements the Public Service Guarantee Act in J&K.

 Recent Developments & Global Context

• Emphasis by CM on improving quality of grievance resolution.

• Ongoing discussions on:

  • Amendments to Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL).

  • Urban planning policies via stakeholder consultations.

• Aligns with post-Article 370 abrogation reforms for integration and development.

 Implications for India and the World

• Good Governance: Promotes transparency, efficiency, and people-centric governance in J&K.

• Public Trust: Builds confidence in state institutions through grievance redressal mechanisms.

• Socio-Economic Development: Helps address local issues and fosters inclusion.

• Democratic Deepening: Enhances citizen participation in administration and policymaking.

3. AdFalciVax – India’s First Indigenous Malaria Vaccine

 Why in News

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is developing AdFalciVax, a two-stage malaria vaccine targeting Plasmodium falciparum.

• ICMR has opened expressions of interest for tech transfer and licensing.

 Key Points for UPSC

• Vaccine Type: Recombinant, chimeric, dual-stage vaccine.

• Developed By:

  • ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar

  • ICMR-NIMR

  • DBT-NII

• Target: Provides immunity against both liver-stage infection and mosquito-stage transmission.

 Key Features

• Dual-stage Immunity: Targets both pre-erythrocytic and sexual stages.

• Room-Temperature Stability: Stays functional for 9+ months in tropical climates.

• Broader Protection: Reduces chances of immune evasion.

• Manufacturing: Uses Lactococcus lactis, a safe bacterium for cost-effective production.

• Ownership: ICMR owns the full IP rights.

• Commercialization Model: Allows non-exclusive licensing with 2% royalty on net sales.

 Recent Developments & Global Context

• Pre-clinical trials show promise; human trials to follow by licensees.

• India contributes to 50% of malaria cases in South-East Asia (WHO 2024).

• Existing vaccines in use: Mosquirix (GSK), R21/Matrix-M (Serum Institute).

• AdFalciVax could offer broader protection and better storage capability.

 Implications for India and the World

• Public Health: Supports India’s goal to eliminate malaria by 2030.

• Make in India: Promotes indigenous innovation in life sciences.

• Wider Access: Scalable production and non-exclusive licensing promote affordability and availability.

• Global Health Leadership: Positions India as a global contributor to malaria control.

 4. The Soil of a Nation – Soil Health Card Scheme

 Why in News?

• 10 years of Soil Health Card Scheme (2015–2025) celebrated for promoting sustainable agriculture and improving soil fertility.

 Key Points

• Objective: Provide soil health reports every 3 years with fertilizer recommendations.

• Parameters tested: N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo, pH, EC, OC.

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

• Implementation: By State/UT Agriculture Departments.

• Technology Integration: GIS-enabled SHC portal + SHC Mobile App (launched in 2023).

• Convergence: Merged with Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) since 2022-23.

• Village Level Soil Testing Labs (VLSTLs): Involves SHGs, FPOs, and rural youth.

• Funding Pattern: 60:40 (Centre: State).

 Recent Developments & Global Context

• Fertilizer usage reduced by 8–10%; productivity improved by 5–6%.

• 24.74 crore SHCs issued as of Feb 2025.

• Pilot: School Soil Health Programme with ICAR + Department of School Education.

• Challenges:

  • Sample collection issues.

  • Farmer awareness gap.

  • Poor lab infrastructure.

  • Inaccessible fertilizers.

 Implications for India & the World

• Empowers farmers with data-driven decisions.

• Promotes sustainable farming by reducing overuse of fertilizers.

• Enhances farm incomes through better yields.

• Creates rural employment via soil labs and testing initiatives.

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 5. Sulphur Dioxide Emission & FGD Exemption

 Why in News?

• MoEFCC exempted 78% of India’s coal plants from mandatory Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems despite environmental concerns.

 Key Points

• SO₂ as a Pollutant:

  • Monitored by CPCB.

  • Causes respiratory issues + contributes to PM2.5 via sulphate formation.

• FGD Technology:

  • Removes up to 95% of SO₂ from emissions.

  • Was mandated for all coal plants in 2015.

• Status Quo:

  • Only 8% of coal plants currently have FGDs installed.

  • India was world’s top SO₂ emitter (2019) – Greenpeace.

• Current Exemption:

  • Only 20% of plants (e.g. NCR, polluted cities) now required to install FGDs by 2028.

  • Others exempted due to low sulphur coal, vendor shortage, and cost issues.

 Recent Developments & Global Context

• Justification by MoEFCC:

  • Low average ground-level SO₂.

  • Indian coal has low sulphur (0.4%).

  • FGDs may not reduce GHG effect significantly.

• Global Best Practices:

  • China: Retrofitted 98% of coal plants with wet-FGD (2014–2020).

  • USA & EU: Strong regulations + compliance mechanisms.

 6. African Union’s Demand for Permanent UNSC Seat — With India’s Strong Backing

 Why in News?

• The African Union (AU) has renewed its demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• India reaffirmed its support, advocating for equitable inclusion of the Global South in global governance, especially at the UNGA, G20, and multilateral platforms.

 Static Prelims Focus

✅ Current Structure of the UNSC:

• Permanent Members (P5): USA, UK, France, Russia, China

• Non-Permanent Members: 10 (elected for 2-year terms)

• Africa’s Representation: No permanent representation

✅ AU’s Demands:

• At least 2 Permanent Seats with Veto Power

• 5 Non-Permanent Seats

• Backed by Ezulwini Consensus (2005) and Sirte Declaration (1999)

✅ India’s Stance:

• Supports AU’s claim for permanent membership

• Champions UNSC reforms through:

  • G4 group (India, Germany, Japan, Brazil)

  • L.69 Group (supporting wider representation)

• Promotes Act Africa policy and India-Africa Forum Summits (IAFS)

 Key Points for Prelims & Mains

• India and Africa advocate equitable global governance

• India’s position aligns with G4 and Global South solidarity

• Reforms seek to correct historic injustices in representation

• Africa remains the only continent without permanent UNSC representation

• UNSC still reflects 1945 geopolitics, not today’s multipolar world

 Recent Developments & Global Context

• 2023 G20 Summit (India’s Presidency): AU granted permanent membership

• UNGA & BRICS forums: Repeated calls for UN reform by Global South

• COVID-19 Inequity & Climate Crisis: Catalyzed urgency for reform

• India–Africa Summits: Enhanced strategic and development partnerships

Implications

🔶 For India:

• Boosts India’s own permanent seat aspirations

• Positions India as leader of Global South

• Deepens strategic relations with African countries

🔶 For Africa:

• Ends Africa’s historical exclusion

• Increases AU’s say in peacekeeping, climate finance, and conflict resolution

• Strengthens voice in development funding and resource access

🔶 For Global Governance:

• Ensures greater legitimacy and inclusivity

• Aligns UNSC with multipolar global order

• Helps UNSC respond better to emerging global threats

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