Daily key current affairs for UPSC – 19 July 2025: India's tourism boom, impact of Russia sanctions, Yemen prisoner case, and INS Nistar’s strategic role. Watch Video – Click 1. Pahalgam Strike & TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) What Happened? On April 22, 2025, a terror attack in Pahalgam (J&K) killed 26 civilians. The Resistance Front (TRF), backed by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility. U.S. designated TRF as FTO and SDGT, acknowledging its link to cross-border terror. Key Points in Short (With Elaboration) 1. About TRF Proxy of Pakistan-based LeT, formed in 2019. Operates in Jammu & Kashmir to mask LeT’s role under a new name. Uses social media and overground workers (OGWs) to radicalize youth. 2. Types of Terrorism (FBI Classification) International Terrorism: Linked to foreign groups (e.g., Al-Qaeda, ISIS). Domestic Terrorism: Homegrown, ideologically driven (e.g., TRF). 3. Causes of Terrorism Economic: Poverty, inequality. Social: Illiteracy, marginalization, ethnic divides. Geopolitical: Taliban in Afghanistan, ISIS rise, instability in neighbors. Technological: Use of encrypted apps, crypto for funding. 4. Challenges in Tackling Terrorism No global definition of terrorism (UN deadlock). Transnational crimes: Criminal-terror networks operate across borders. Terror financing: Through hawala, crypto, and extortion. Border management & legal delays in conviction. 5. Measures by India UAPA (1967, amended 2019): To ban terrorist groups and individuals. NIA Act (2008): Enables central investigations. NATGRID & MAC: Intelligence sharing platforms. Deradicalization Programs: To prevent youth radicalization. SCO-RATS: India collaborates with SCO on regional terror threats. 6. Global Measures FATF: Tracks and penalizes terror funding. UN Counter-Terror Coordination Compact: Collaborative global mechanism. U.S.-India cooperation: Data sharing and sanctions on LeT/TRF. 7. 2nd ARC Recommendations Define terrorism clearly under Indian law. Create fast-track courts for terror cases. Set up a federal anti-terror agency. Allow confession before police (with safeguards). 8. Implications for India Validates India’s claim of Pakistan’s proxy terror role. Enhances global support for India’s counter-terror stance. Boosts Indo-U.S. cooperation in intelligence and security. 2. Judge Removal Controversy About the Controversy A major constitutional debate has emerged after Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court questioned the Supreme Court's in-house inquiry mechanism. He claims it violates the Constitution as it bypasses the exclusive procedure laid out under Articles 124(4) and 217 for the removal of judges — a power vested solely in Parliament. Key Points 1. Constitutional Provisions – Articles 124 & 217 Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts can be removed only through a Parliamentary process. The steps include: A motion signed by 100 Lok Sabha or 50 Rajya Sabha members. An investigative committee to examine charges. Approval by two-thirds majority in both Houses. Presidential assent to finalize removal. 2. The In-House Inquiry Mechanism Introduced by the Supreme Court in 1997 as an internal ethical oversight process. Not backed by any statutory law or constitutional provision. Chief Justice of India (CJI) initiates and oversees the inquiry. Aimed at maintaining judicial standards without formal disciplinary powers. 3. Justice Varma’s Argument Terms the SC's in-house probe a "parallel and extra-constitutional process". Argues it infringes on Parliamentary sovereignty in judge removal matters. Refused to resign after cash was discovered post a fire incident at his residence. The CJI forwarded the internal inquiry report to the Prime Minister and President, without involving Parliament. 4. Code of Judicial Conduct (1997) Based on principles of: Impartiality Integrity Judicial independence Upholding public confidence Encourages ethical behavior but does not carry legal force. 5. Legal vs Ethical Debate In-house mechanism ensures moral accountability but lacks legal enforceability. However, actual removal from office still requires Parliament’s approval. Raises the issue of whether internal ethics checks can override constitutional mandates. 3. Poverty & Inequality Debate About India’s inequality and poverty trends are under active debate. Recent data from World Bank, World Inequality Lab (WIL), and Oxfam present contrasting measurements. The crux of the debate: Consumption-based vs Income-based inequality. Key Reports Summary 1. World Bank (2023) Poverty reduced sharply. Gini Coefficient (Consumption-based): 25.5 (2022–23). Credits government welfare schemes (e.g., PDS, DBT) for reduced inequality. Noted: Increase in asset ownership (pucca houses, vehicles). Better diets: More proteins/fruits; less dependence on cereals. 2. World Inequality Lab (WIL, 2023) Gini Coefficient (Income-based): 62. Top 1% income share: 22.6% (up from 6.1% in 1982). Wealth share of top 1%: 40.1% (from 13% in 1961). Bottom 50%: Income share: 15%. Wealth share: ~6%. 3. Oxfam Report (2022) Top 1% own 43% of wealth. Bottom 50% own just 6%. Highlights deep income inequality. Income vs Consumption Inequality Consumption-based Measures Show: Lower inequality due to welfare transfers like: National Food Security Act (NFSA) Public Distribution System (PDS) Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) Income-based Measures Reveal: Real earnings and wealth accumulation disparities. Gaps in income from capital, property, business earnings. Causes of Inequality & Poverty 🔹 Historical Factors: British-era policies led to deindustrialization, land dispossession. Decline of indigenous crafts and rural economy. 🔹 Economic Causes: Jobless growth: Limited employment generation. Uneven regional development. Insufficient investment in agriculture, rural industries, MSMEs. 🔹 Social Issues: Poor education and literacy rates. Social exclusion (caste, gender, region). Inadequate housing, sanitation, urban slum conditions. 🔹 Political Shortcomings: Weak governance and corruption. Scheme leakages and inefficient targeting. Lack of policy stability and political intent. Global Practices to Reduce Inequality China: Lifted 800M out of poverty via: Fast economic growth. Focused spending on health, education, social protection. Nordic Countries (e.g., Norway, Sweden): Strong welfare state. Low inequality before taxes. Inclusive growth, high mobility. Watch Video – Click 4. Tourism Sector: Growth, Challenges & Government Initiatives About:India is actively working to elevate the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP, employment, and forex earnings through strategic policies and infrastructure growth. Key Points: Policy Milestones: Tourism recognized as an industry in 1982. 2002 policy promoted PPPs, circuits, and destination development. Digital & Investment Push: Introduction of e-Tourist Visa (2014). 100% FDI allowed in tourism infrastructure. International Ranking: Ranked 39th out of 119 in WEF’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index. Recent Developments: ₹2.3 lakh crore earned in 2023 from inbound tourism. Government promoting niche areas: medical, spiritual, eco, culinary, cultural & adventure tourism. Impact: Attracted over 10 million foreign tourists. Boosts India’s global image, local employment, and rural economies. Challenges & Way Forward: Environmental stress and seasonality. Infrastructure gaps in remote areas. Human resource and skill deficits. Climate-related risks to adventure tourism. Focus needed on policy reforms and upskilling. Major Government Schemes: Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASHAD Dekho Apna Desh, RCS-UDAN Battlefield Tourism, NIDHI+, IITF National Permit Rules 2021, Swachh Bharat tie-in 5. Russia Sanctions & Their Effect on India About:Post-Ukraine conflict, Western sanctions on Russia have disrupted global trade and energy flows, significantly influencing India's geopolitical and economic interests. Key Points: Sanction Types: Bans on SWIFT access, oil imports, aviation, and financial assets. Nord Stream 2 project frozen. Recent Updates: EU sanctioned Nayara Energy (India) over Russian oil association. Russian oil price ceiling lowered to $47.6 per barrel. US mulls secondary sanctions on importers like India. Impact on India: Economic: Higher crude costs, affecting inflation and currency. Strategic: 60% of India’s arms are Russian; CAATSA risk looms. India’s Position: Prioritizes affordable energy for domestic needs. Criticizes selective enforcement by the West. Advocates multi-polar diplomacy and diversified trade. 6. Yemen Crisis & Nimisha Priya Case About:The prolonged civil war in Yemen has led to large-scale humanitarian issues. An Indian nurse’s capital punishment case has drawn national attention. Key Points: Conflict Background: Since 2015, Saudi-led coalition strikes against Houthis. UAE-Saudi tension and factional divisions block peace. Nimisha Priya Case: Indian nurse sentenced to death for murder. Indian Supreme Court asked the Centre to assist with blood money negotiations. Diaspora Impact: Highlights the risks for Indians in war-torn nations. Poses diplomatic and humanitarian challenges for India. India’s Role: Must balance protection of its nationals with its non-intervention policy. 7. INS Nistar: Maritime Strengthening Through Indigenous Design About:INS Nistar is India’s first locally-built vessel for deep-sea submarine rescue, enhancing naval rescue and support capabilities. Key Points: Rescue Features: Operates at depths of 300m; deploys DSRV for rescues up to 1,000m. Can safely evacuate 14 submariners at once. Advanced Technology: ROVs, robotic arms, SONAR, diving systems, 15-ton underwater crane. Make in India Milestone: Built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd with 80% domestic components. Supported by 120+ Indian MSMEs. Deployment: INS Nistar stationed in Visakhapatnam (Eastern Command). INS Nipun serves Western Command from Mumbai. Global Standing: India joins 12 elite nations with dedicated submarine rescue vessels. One of the few with airlift-ready DSRVs for global emergencies. Strategic Role: Strengthens India’s image as a regional maritime security leader. Enables cooperation in submarine-related crises in the Indo-Pacific.
