UPSC Daily Current Affairs 7 July 2025

The Daily Current Affairs - July 7, 2025 highlights significant national and global developments impacting India's governance, economy, environment, health, science, and diplomacy.

From India's invisible exports outpacing merchandise trade to seismic risks in the Great Nicobar project, and from the resurgence of the Nipah virus to breakthroughs in biodiversity and biotechnology, today's updates underscore the complex interplay between development, innovation, sustainability, and public policy. These insights are vital for UPSC aspirants aiming to link current affairs with GS papers, Essay, and Ethics, enhancing both analytical depth and answer enrichment.

1. India's Invisible Exports Surpass Visible Exports

Context

India's earnings from invisible exports-primarily services like IT, finance, tourism, and private remittances-have now exceeded visible goods exports, marking a pivotal shift in India's trade profile.

Key Points

Invisible exports include software services, consultancy, travel, education, and remittances.
In FY 2024-25, India's net invisible earnings surpassed $450 billion, outpacing merchandise exports.
Remittance inflows touched $125 billion, led by the Gulf, the US, and the UK.

Implications

India's services sector emerges as a global strength, aiding rupee stability.
Indicates resilience in India's external sector, despite global trade volatility.
Calls for strategic policies to strengthen high-value services, digital trade, and diaspora engagement.

2. PM Modi Addresses 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro

Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 17th BRICS Summit held in Brazil, reaffirming India's commitment to multilateralism, reforming global institutions, and South-South cooperation.

Highlights

India pushed for reform of UN Security Council and global financial institutions.
Called for a BRICS Digital Public Infrastructure platform inspired by India Stack.
Advocated for greater collaboration in energy transition, AI governance, and counter-terrorism.

Significance

BRICS is now expanded to 11 members, representing 42% of the world population.
India leverages BRICS as a balancing force against Western-dominated blocs like G7.
Also signals India's strategic autonomy amid rising US-China tensions.

3. Indigenous 700 MWe Reactors Get AERB Clearance

Context

India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granted operational licenses to two 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), Gujarat.

Why It Matters

First time India's indigenous PHWRs have reached this stage at full commercial scale.
Strengthens India's aim of 22 GW nuclear capacity by 2031.
Supports clean base-load energy in the wake of climate commitments.

Strategic Dimensions

Reduces reliance on imported uranium or foreign reactors.
Demonstrates India's technological maturity under the DAE framework.
Enhances energy security, especially as India phases down coal.

4. Seismic Risk Concerns in Great Nicobar Island Project

Context

The EIA for the ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar Island project has come under scrutiny for failing to adequately consider seismic vulnerability, despite the region being prone to mega-earthquakes.

Concerns Raised

The island lies in Zone V (highest seismic risk) of India's seismic zoning map.
Fault lines of the Sumatra-Andaman subduction zone run nearby.
EIA lacks credible simulation studies on tsunami and land subsidence risks.

Broader Implications

Calls for revisiting environmental clearance norms in ecologically sensitive zones.
Project risks impacting tribal communities and unique biodiversity.
Highlights the development vs disaster preparedness trade-off.

5. Nipah Virus Resurfaces in Kerala

Context

Kerala reported new Nipah virus cases in Malappuram and Palakkad districts, triggering alerts and surveillance in nearby regions like Kozhikode.

About Nipah Virus

Zoonotic virus transmitted from fruit bats.
Mortality rate ranges between 40-75%.
No licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists yet.

Public Health Measures

Kerala has activated isolation wards, contact tracing, and bat surveillance.
ICMR has rushed diagnostic kits and samples for genome sequencing.

Broader Health Lens

Points to the growing risk of zoonotic spillovers in densely populated regions.
Reinforces the urgency of a One Health approach linking animal, human, and environmental health.

6. Amendments Proposed to Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources

Context

India has flagged concerns over the proposal to amend Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).

Key Issues

Proposed amendments aim to expand the list of shared germplasm.
India demands safeguards for sovereign rights over native biodiversity.
Concerns over biopiracy and inequitable benefit sharing.

Strategic Importance

India is a mega-diverse country, home to over 12% of global flora.
Treaty missteps could hurt farmers' rights and future agri-biotech innovation.
Reflects India's push for a revised access and benefit-sharing framework under CBD and Nagoya Protocol.

7. National Biobank Launched for Genome and Lifestyle Research

Context

India has launched a National Biobank as part of a nationwide cohort study collecting genomic, lifestyle, and clinical data from 10,000 individuals.

Objectives

Build India's largest genomic-lifestyle-health database.
Aid in precision medicine, genetic research, and public health planning.
Include diverse ethnic groups to correct bias in global genomic datasets.

Broader Vision

Aligns with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
Supports India's aspiration to become a bioeconomy hub by 2030.
Ensures data sovereignty and ethical use under draft Digital Health Act.

8. Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) Fatality Reported

Context

An Australian man has died of Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV)-a rabies-like virus-after being scratched by a bat, drawing attention to rare zoonotic infections.

About ABLV

First detected in 1996.
Transmitted from flying foxes or insectivorous bats.
Causes fatal encephalitis in humans.

Lessons for India

India hosts rich bat diversity, yet lacks robust zoonotic monitoring frameworks.
ABLV underscores the need for veterinary surveillance and biosafety in wildlife handling.

9. WII Report on Andhra Pradesh Sanctuaries

Context

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has called for scientific and infrastructure-driven upgrades in Andhra Pradesh's wildlife sanctuaries.

Key Recommendations

Establish wildlife corridors across Eastern Ghats.
Improve anti-poaching surveillance using drones and camera traps.
Engage local communities in eco-development and buffer zone management.

Conservation Takeaways

Highlights ecological fragmentation due to linear infrastructure.
Aligns with India's post-2020 Global Biodiversity Targets under Kunming-Montreal Pact.
Pushes for integration of technology + community models in conservation.

10. National Commission for Minorities Lapses into Dormancy

Context

Since April 2025, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has lacked a chairperson and members, affecting its functioning.

Constitutional Role

Established under NCM Act, 1992.
Represents and safeguards 6 notified religious minorities.
Plays advisory, grievance redressal, and monitoring roles.

Issues

Delay undermines institutional credibility.
Weakens redress for communal violence victims, or minority scholarship grievances.
Signals need for timely appointments and functional autonomy.

11. Satkosia Tiger Reserve Faces New Threat from Mahanadi Bridge

Context

Odisha government has floated a tender to build a high-level bridge over the Mahanadi, dangerously close to Satkosia Tiger Reserve.

Environmental Concerns

Risks disrupting tiger corridors and elephant movement paths.
EIA lacks detailed assessment of noise, light, and pollution impact.
Violation of buffer zone norms and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Larger Picture

Reflects infrastructure vs conservation conflict in protected areas.
Reinforces the need for prior wildlife clearance and Cumulative Impact Assessments.

12. Public Bathing Returns to the Seine River in Paris

Context

After a 100-year ban, public bathing has resumed in the River Seine as France cleaned it ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Significance

Paris invested €1.4 billion in sewage treatment and river cleaning.
Set a benchmark in urban river rejuvenation.
Symbolic of climate resilience, civic revival, and environmental pride.

India Connection

Inspires similar models for Yamuna, Sabarmati, and Mithi river cleaning.
Shows how polluted urban rivers can be transformed through political will and investment.

13. IAF May Acquire AIR LORA Air-Launched Ballistic Missile

Context

The Indian Air Force is considering procurement of AIR LORA, an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) capable of deep-strike precision missions.

Capabilities

Range: ~300-400 km
Launched from aircraft like Su-30 MKI or Rafale.
Features high manoeuvrability and terminal accuracy.

Strategic Edge

Strengthens India's stand-off strike capability without entering enemy airspace.
Enhances deterrence vis-à-vis China-Pakistan joint threat.
Complements land-based Pralay and BrahMos systems in India's arsenal.

14. New Fish Species - Pethia dibrugarhensis Discovered in Assam

Context

A team of scientists has discovered a new species of cyprinid fish, named Pethia dibrugarhensis, in the Brahmaputra river at Maijan, Dibrugarh.

Ecological Importance

Belongs to the genus Pethia, known for their vibrant colours and ecological role.
Adds to India's freshwater biodiversity inventory.

Conservation Perspective

Rivers like Brahmaputra are under stress from hydropower, plastic, and sand mining.
Discovery calls for aquatic biodiversity conservation policies at state and central levels.