Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 22 July, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
22 July, 2025

National Affairs

1. NISAR Satellite Launch

Context:

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, the first joint Earth observation mission between the United States and India, is set to be launched on July 30, 2025, at 5:40 p.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, aboard GSLV-F16.

Key Features of the NISAR Satellite

Feature	Description
Dual-Frequency SAR	First satellite to operate using both L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO) Synthetic Aperture Radar
12-metre Unfurlable Antenna	Mesh reflector for high-precision Earth imaging
SweepSAR Technology	Offers wide swath coverage of 242 km with 12-day revisit cycles
High Spatial Resolution	Detects changes < 1 cm, crucial for fault lines, glacier motion, and landslides
Global Coverage	Enables day-night, all-weather, near real-time Earth surface observation

Objectives of NISAR

• Monitor land surface deformation, glacier movement, and ecosystem dynamics
• Study cryosphere changes, soil moisture, agricultural and coastal processes
• Provide data to aid in:
  • Disaster response (e.g. earthquakes, landslides, floods)
  • Resource mapping
  • Climate change impact assessments

India’s Contribution to NISAR

Component	Responsibility
S-band radar system	Developed by ISRO
Satellite Bus	Modified I-3K bus architecture by ISRO
Launch Vehicle	Will be launched aboard GSLV-F16
Ground Operations	Managed by ISRO’s ground segment infrastructure

Significance

• Reinforces Indo-US space collaboration
• Enhances India’s remote sensing and disaster preparedness
• Boosts research in tectonics, cryosphere, and agriculture

TH

2. Female Labour Force Participation Paradox in India

Context:

Despite achieving commendable gains in female literacy, India continues to grapple with alarmingly low female labour force participation rates (FLFPR), particularly in urban areas. The latest data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023–24 and World Bank 2024 underscores a glaring mismatch between women’s educational attainment and their economic participation.

Key Highlights:

• Urban female literacy: 84.9%, but urban FLFPR is just 28%
• Rural literacy–employment gap: ~22%
• Urban literacy–employment gap: ~57%
• National female literacy rate: 74.6%, yet employment gap is 33 percentage points
• Comparative global gaps: India lies between developed economies (40-point gap) and developing nations (25-point gap)

Structural and Social Factors Behind Low FLFPR

Urban Areas: Barriers to Participation

• Job Inflexibility: Lack of part-time and flexible working hours in urban service sectors deters women from staying employed.
• Mobility and Safety: Inadequate public safety and unreliable transport inhibit access to workplaces.
• Informality Dominates: Most working women are engaged in informal work, which is insecure, underpaid, and benefits-free.
• Lack of Childcare: With over 61.3% urban households being nuclear (NFHS-5), absence of childcare facilities forces many women to stay home.
• Post-Maternity Dropout: Women rarely return to work due to absence of re-entry programs or part-time work, creating a “care penalty.”

Rural Areas: Necessity Over Choice

• Agricultural Flexibility: Proximity of farms to homes and seasonal/self-employment provides flexibility.
• Extended Family Support: Kinship networks support childcare and domestic duties.
• Economic Compulsion: Rural women work out of financial necessity, not necessarily agency or empowerment.
• Cultural Acceptance: Female labour is normalized, even when unpaid or underpaid.
• Crisis Employment: Post-COVID job losses in cities led to a temporary uptick in rural female labour.

The 2005–2019 Paradox and COVID Shock

• Between 2005 and 2019, fertility rates declined and female education rose, yet FLFPR fell.
• Rising incomes led to re-traditionalisation: more families preferred women to stay home.
• Post-COVID FLFPR spike in rural areas is driven by distress employment, not sustainable job creation.

Economic and Social Implications

• Demographic Dividend Loss: Non-participation of women reduces productivity and hinders long-term growth.
• Weak Social Outcomes: Female employment correlates with better child health, nutrition, and education outcomes.
• Urban Middle-Class Regression: Higher income often correlates with more regressive gender roles.
• Global Competitiveness Constraint: Countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam outperform India due to better inclusion.
• Structural Injustice: Continued exclusion denies women economic autonomy and dignity.

3. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Mid-Term

Context:

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post citing health reasons, invoking Article 67(a) of the Constitution. He submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu.

Constitutional Provisions

Article 67(a):

• Enables the Vice President to resign by writing under his hand addressed to the President.
• No time limit prescribed; resignation is effective immediately upon submission.

Other Relevant Articles:

• Article 63: Provides for the office of the Vice President.
• Article 64: Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• Article 65: Vice President discharges functions of the President during casual vacancy or absence.
• Article 68: Governs the election process in case of vacancy.

About Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Resignation (2025)

• Age: 74
• Tenure: Took office in August 2022, resigned mid-term in July 2025.
• Reason: Health-related concerns after presiding over the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Process of Resignation and Filling Vacancy

• Mode: Written submission to the President; no formal acceptance required.
• Filling the Vacancy:
  • No fixed constitutional deadline for electing a new Vice President.
  • Election Commission conducts election using proportional representation via single transferable vote by MPs.

Tenure & Re-Election

• Term: 5 years.
• Eligibility:
  • Can resign or continue until successor takes charge.
  • Eligible for unlimited re-elections.

4. SASCI Scheme

Context:

The Ministry of Tourism has released operational guidelines for the SASCI scheme to promote world-class development of select Indian tourist destinations by 2026.

What is SASCI?

• Full Form: Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale
• Launched By: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
• Nature: Centrally funded capital investment initiative
• Target Year: 2026

Objectives of SASCI Scheme

• Upgrade India’s iconic tourist destinations to globally benchmarked standards
• Boost tourist experiences, enhance site competitiveness, and attract domestic and foreign investments
• Strengthen the tourism value chain including infrastructure, services, branding, and operations

Key Features

Feature	Description
Scope	Covers physical infrastructure, immersive experiences, ecological sustainability
Execution	State governments propose and implement projects
Central Support	Financial assistance through the Union Budget
Timeframe	Each project must be completed within 24 months of approval
Digital Branding	Sites to be promoted via global campaigns, social media, and tourism events

Significance of the SASCI Scheme

• Economic Impact: Stimulates tourism-driven growth, boosts employment, and increases regional investments
• Global Positioning: Helps position India as a world-class cultural and natural destination
• Cooperative Federalism: Empowers states to innovate and lead destination development
• Brand India Tourism: Enhances visibility of Indian heritage, nature, and wellness offerings

PIB

5. Meri Panchayat App

Context:

India’s “Meri Panchayat” app has received the WSIS Prizes 2025 Champion Award in the category of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity at the WSIS+20 High-Level Event in Geneva, highlighting India’s innovation in rural e-governance.

About Meri Panchayat App

Aspect	Details
Type	Mobile-based m-Governance platform
Developed By	Ministry of Panchayati Raj + National Informatics Centre (NIC), MeitY
Purpose	Strengthen grassroots governance and enhance citizen participation

Key Objectives

• Promote digital inclusion in rural governance
• Increase transparency and accountability in Panchayat functioning
• Encourage citizen engagement in development planning
• Bridge the digital divide at the village level

Key Features

Feature	Function
Real-time Panchayat Info	Access to budgets, development plans, and fund utilization
Citizen Engagement	Propose projects, rate completed work, view Gram Sabha agendas
Geo-Tools	Geo-tagging and geo-fencing of projects, grievance redressal mapping
Multilingual Interface	Supports 12+ Indian languages for inclusivity
Weather & Asset Data	Panchayat-wise weather updates, civic infrastructure status
Social Audit Tools	Track performance and ensure accountability in local schemes

Recognition & Significance

• Award: WSIS Champion Award 2025
• Category: Cultural Diversity and Local Content
• Event: WSIS+20 High-Level Event (organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD)
• Significance:
  • Highlights India’s digital public innovation in rural governance
  • A model for citizen-centric, transparent e-governance at the grassroots

PIB

Banking/Finance

1. Proposed Income Tax Bill 2025

Context:

A Select Committee of the Lok Sabha has submitted recommendations on the draft Income Tax Bill, 2025, with significant implications for how inter-corporate transactions will be taxed. One key change relates to expanding the scope of transfer pricing rules beyond the current formal thresholds of shareholding and board control.

Key Recommendations on Transfer Pricing

• Substantive Influence Clause:
  • Transfer pricing scrutiny may now apply if the tax department believes one company exerts substantial influence over another—even without meeting formal thresholds such as 26% voting rights or majority board control.
• Definition of Associated Enterprises (AEs):
  • The draft Bill proposes treating entities as AEs based on actual influence, combining the two limbs of the current definition (management/control/capital participation and quantitative criteria) as independent provisions.
• Implications:
  • Could significantly widen the scope of transactions covered under transfer pricing regulations.
  • May lead to increased compliance for companies involved in intra-group or cross-border transactions, even when shareholding or directorship criteria are not met.
  • May increase litigation risks, especially for companies with informal business dependencies.

Current Framework vs Proposed Change

Aspect	Current Law (1961 Act)	Proposed Change (2025 Bill)
Definition of AEs	Requires formal thresholds + management influence	Substantive influence alone could trigger scrutiny
Court Interpretation	Both limbs must be read together	Provisions treated as independent
Applicability	Mostly to entities meeting ownership/control tests	Even where only informal influence is evident

Additional Recommendations in the Draft IT Bill

• House Property Income:
  • 30% standard deduction after subtracting municipal taxes.
  • Pre-construction interest deduction allowed for let-out properties.
• Small Taxpayers:
  • Proposal to remove mandatory return filing for those seeking only refunds, easing compliance for small taxpayers.

BS

2. RBI Issues Draft Norms on Digital Banking Channels

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released draft guidelines titled “Digital Banking Channels Authorisation” to regulate how banks offer digital banking services. These norms aim to safeguard consumer choice, ensure explicit consent, and enhance transparency in the digital banking ecosystem.

Key Highlights of the Draft Norms

No Mandatory Digital Opt-In

• Banks cannot compel customers to opt for digital banking channels as a precondition for availing other services.
• Customers must retain the right to choose whether they want access to online/mobile banking or similar services.

Explicit Customer Consent

• Digital banking services can only be activated with clear, documented consent from the customer.
• Banks must maintain a record of such consent for compliance and audit purposes.

Mobile Number and Email Usage

• Banks may continue to collect and store mobile numbers and email IDs as part of KYC norms when accounts are opened.
• However, this should not be confused with giving consent for digital banking.

Alerts and Notifications

• Banks must inform customers clearly that SMS/email alerts (for both financial and non-financial transactions) will be sent to the registered contact details.

Significance of the Norms

• Empowers customers with freedom of choice in banking access.
• Prevents bundling or forced digital migration, especially important for senior citizens and non-tech-savvy users.
• Enhances accountability of banks by requiring documented consent and proactive communication.
• Aims to strengthen data privacy, reduce mis-selling, and foster inclusive banking practices.

The Indian Express

3. SEBI Proposal to Allow AMCs to Manage Family Office Funds

Context:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), in its consultation paper released on July 7, 2025, has proposed allowing Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to manage non-broad-based pooled investment vehicles, such as family offices and certain offshore funds.

Family office funds

Family office funds are investment vehicles established to manage the wealth of a single family or multiple families, offering a range of services beyond traditional investment management, such as estate planning, tax advisory, and philanthropy. These funds can be structured as single-family offices (SFOs) or multi-family offices (MFOs), catering to the specific needs and goals of their respective client base. 

What Are Non-Broad-Based Funds?

These are defined as investment pools:

• With fewer than 20 investors, or
• Where a single investor holds more than 25% of the corpus.

Current Regulation vs. Proposed Change

• Current: AMCs are only allowed to manage broad-based funds and require a separate Portfolio Management Services (PMS) license to manage non-broad-based funds.
• Proposed: AMCs could offer segregated mandates to manage non-broad-based funds under their existing MF license, without needing a PMS license, subject to strict compliance checks and firewalls.

Key Highlights of SEBI’s Proposal

• Expands AMC Scope: Allows AMCs to manage high-value segregated accounts like family offices and select offshore vehicles.
• Eliminates Need for PMS License: Removes dual compliance burden for AMCs.
• New Revenue Stream: Opens a lucrative segment of the market for mutual funds—particularly from ultra-HNIs and global investors.
• Firewalls and Checks:
  • Caps on differential fees between MF and private mandates.
  • Separate resource allocations.
  • Conflict-of-interest protocols.

Implications and Strategic Considerations

• For AMCs:
  • Gain access to ultra-HNI segments and offshore vehicles.
  • Must build internal controls and reporting systems to manage custom mandates.
• For PMS Providers:
  • Face erosion of exclusivity, especially in high-value accounts.
  • Opportunity to differentiate through bespoke services, active management, and fiduciary advisory models.
• For SEBI:
  • Must ensure regulatory parity, investor protection, and compliance enforcement to avoid arbitrage.

BS

Agriculture

1. PM-Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

Context:

The Union Cabinet has recently approved the PM-Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY), a targeted initiative aimed at improving agricultural outcomes in low-productivity districts through district-level planning, convergence, and performance-based monitoring.

Key Features of PM-DDKY

• Targeted Approach: Focuses on at least one district per state that shows low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity, and poor credit uptake.
• Systemic Reform: Moves away from universal subsidies towards performance-driven, need-based interventions.
• Objectives:
  • Crop diversification
  • Promotion of sustainable farming
  • Development of irrigation and post-harvest infrastructure
  • Enhanced access to formal finance
• Monitoring Framework: 117 performance indicators will be tracked regularly across 100 identified districts.

Historical Parallels

• Inspired by the Intensive Agriculture District Programme (IADP) of the 1960s and Intensive Agriculture Area Programme (IAAP), which laid the foundation for the Green Revolution through focused district-level planning.

Institutional Mechanism

• District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti:
• Will ensure inclusive governance by involving:
  • Panchayats
  • FPOs
  • SHGs
  • Agri-entrepreneurs
  • Private players
  • Farmer cooperatives

Potential Challenges

• Administrative Complexity: Convergence of 36 central schemes from 11 departments may create bureaucratic hurdles.
• Over-monitoring Risk: Tracking 117 indicators monthly could lead to “box-ticking” rather than outcome-based implementation.
• Climate Vulnerabilities: Many selected districts may face:
  • Erratic rainfall
  • Groundwater depletion
  • Soil degradation

Climate-Resilient Strategy Recommendations

• Embed climate-smart agriculture into district plans:
  • Drought-resistant seeds
  • Precision irrigation
  • Agroforestry
• Promote:
  • Decentralised water budgeting
  • Localised weather forecasting
  • Align with NITI Aayog’s 2019 recommendation of water-focused state agricultural policy design.

BS

Facts To Remember

1. V.S. Achuthanandan Passes Away at 101

Veteran communist leader and former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan died at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram following a cardiac arrest. He was 101 years old.

2. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns

Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, tendered his resignation citing health reasons. He stepped down from the post at the age of 74.

3. India to Host Chess World Cup 2025

FIDE confirmed that India will host the Chess World Cup later this year. The official venue for the prestigious tournament is yet to be announced.

4. Ashim Kumar Ghosh Appointed Governor of Haryana

Academic and BJP veteran Ashim Kumar Ghosh was sworn in as the 19th Governor of Haryana, assuming office on Monday.

5. China Begins Building World’s Largest Hydropower Dam

China has started constructing the world’s largest hydropower dam on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, with an estimated cost of $170 billion, as announced by Premier Li Qiang.