Daily Current Affairs UPSC Exam - July 15, 2025

From inclusive welfare schemes and biodiversity discoveries to cutting-edge science, infrastructure, and cultural events, recent developments in India span diverse sectors. Highlights include PMDK launch in Uttar Pradesh, rhino DNA profiling under RhoDIS, butterfly species discovery in Western Ghats, Sigandur Bridge inauguration, ecological threats, and Wular Lake's revival.

Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra Inaugurated in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh

Category: Welfare Schemes

Context:

The Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has launched the 75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) at the Government Medical College in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh.

About Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK):

PMDKs (Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Kendras) serve as one-stop centers providing integrated support services for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) and senior citizens. These facilities offer a range of services including assessment, counselling, distribution of assistive devices, and post-distribution care. Operated under the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)-a central PSU functioning under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)-PMDKs aim to streamline welfare delivery. The newly established PMDK in Badaun will cater to beneficiaries of both the ADIP Scheme (for Divyangjan) and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) for senior citizens.

Key Features:

• Provides assistive devices such as wheelchairs, tricycles, hearing aids, artificial limbs, walkers, and others.
• Distribution of aids is completely free for beneficiaries who qualify.
• To date, these centres have served over 1.4 lakh beneficiaries, distributing aids worth approximately ₹179.15 lakh.

Significance:

This initiative facilitates decentralised delivery of services for disability support, tackling the challenges faced by rural populations of distance and accessibility, thereby enabling timely and dignified assistance closer to beneficiaries' residences.

RhoDIS India Programme: Genetic Profiling of Rhino Horns Underway

Category: Environment & Biodiversity

Context:

Scientists have commenced genetic testing of 2,573 rhino horn samples to update the RhoDIS India DNA database.

About RhoDIS India:

Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), WWF India, and state forest departments, the Rhino DNA Indexing System (RhoDIS) is a forensic tool aimed at combating rhino poaching. By creating unique DNA profiles for individual rhinos, RhoDIS aids in wildlife crime investigations, supports legal prosecution, and enhances conservation and population management efforts.

Key Features:

• Utilises DNA sequencing to map individual rhino genetic signatures.
• Operates using protocols authorised by the MoEFCC.
• Rhino horn mainly consists of keratin, a protein similar to human nails and hair, embedded with amino acids and mineral salts.
• The Greater one-horned rhino, native primarily to India and Nepal, is recognised by its single horn.

Sigandur Bridge Inaugurated in Karnataka

Category: Infrastructure Development

Context:

The Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways inaugurated the Sigandur Bridge in Karnataka, a vital project improving regional connectivity.

About the Bridge:

Officially named the Ambaragodlu-Kalasavalli Bridge, this structure spans the backwaters of the Sharavati River in Karnataka's Shivamogga district. At 2.44 km long and 16 meters wide, it stands as India's second-longest cable-stayed bridge, built at a cost of ₹473 crore.

Significance:

This bridge reconnects territories that were cut off following the construction of the Linganamakki Dam in the 1970s. It enhances accessibility to the Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple, reducing travel time, and boosting both pilgrimage and local economic activity.

About Sharavati River:

The Sharavati is a westward flowing river originating from the Western Ghats, famous for creating the iconic Jog Falls. Its tributaries include rivers such as Nandihole and Haridravathi.

Zographetus mathewi: New Butterfly Species Found in Western Ghats

Category: Biodiversity

Context:

Researchers have identified a new butterfly species in Kerala's Western Ghats, named Zographetus mathewi or the Sahyadri Spotted Flitter.

About the Species:

Belonging to the skipper family (Hesperiidae), this butterfly is the fifth recorded species of the genus Zographetus in India. It thrives in low-altitude forested areas and acts as a vital bioindicator of ecosystem health.

Distinctive Traits:

Characterised by unique male forewing venation, a basal hair tuft, and yellow-ochre wing scaling.

Cysteine: Key Amino Acid Linked to Weight Regulation

Category: Science & Health

Context:

A recent study on mice showed that eliminating cysteine from their diet led to rapid weight loss, highlighting the amino acid's role in metabolism.

About Cysteine:

Cysteine is a sulfur-containing, non-essential amino acid essential for producing collagen, taurine, and glutathione - a potent antioxidant. It supports detoxification, immunity, and skin elasticity.

Dietary Sources:

Found in foods like poultry, eggs, dairy, and whole grains.

Noctilucent Clouds Seen Over Scotland

Category: Geography & Atmosphere

Context:

Unusual sightings of noctilucent clouds have been reported over Scotland, occurring under particular atmospheric summer conditions.

About Noctilucent Clouds:

These clouds form at the highest altitudes, found in the mesosphere around 76-85 km above Earth's surface. Composed of ice crystals that develop on cosmic dust particles, they emit a silvery-blue glow when illuminated by sunlight from below the horizon. Most commonly seen between latitudes 45° and 80°, they appear primarily from May to August in the Northern Hemisphere.

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary Under Threat from Tourism Project

Category: Environment

Context:

Environmental activists have expressed concern over a newly approved eco-tourism initiative on the Surla plateau within the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, a critical habitat for Bengal tigers.

About the Sanctuary:

Located in North Goa within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, this sanctuary spans 208 sq km. It includes the highest peaks in Goa and is characterized by semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests. The region is home to rich wildlife, including Bengal tigers, black panthers, gaur, more than 250 bird species, long-billed vultures, and India's "Big Four" venomous snakes.

Pheromones: Key to Controlling Locust Swarms

Category: Science & Technology

Context:

Research indicates that modification of pheromone signaling can help disrupt the swarming behaviour of locusts.

About Pheromones:

These chemical messengers influence behavior within a species and are categorized into four types: releasers (trigger immediate responses), signallers (convey individual identity), modulators (affect emotional states), and primers (induce hormonal changes). Manipulating these signals presents a promising approach for managing locust swarms.

Kanwar Yatra: Annual Shiva Pilgrimage in Full Swing

Category: Culture & Religion

Context:

The Delhi Chief Minister issued warnings against vandalism during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, following reports of glass shards on the pilgrimage route threatening devotees' safety.

About the Yatra:

Kanwariyas are devotees who undertake a pilgrimage during the Hindu month of Shravan (July-August), carrying sacred Ganga water (Gangajal), usually on foot, to offer at Shiva temples. The word "Kanwar" denotes the bamboo yoke used to balance the water-filled pots. Key water collection points include Haridwar, Gangotri, and Sultanganj.

Significance:

The event symbolizes devotion, physical endurance, and is a major cultural and religious gathering with deep spiritual resonance.

Wular Lake Sees Lotus Bloom After 25 Years

Category: Environment & Geography

Context:

Lotus flowers have reappeared in Wular Lake, Jammu & Kashmir after nearly 25 years, indicating early signs of ecological recovery.

About Wular Lake:

Located in Bandipore district, this lake is India's largest freshwater lake and the second largest in Asia, spanning around 200 sq km. Formed by tectonic activity and fed by the Jhelum River, it was recognized as a Ramsar Wetland in 1990. The lake plays a vital role in supporting birdlife, sustaining fisheries, and maintaining ecological balance in the region.