Daily Current Affairs

July 24, 2025

Current Affairs

US to Withdraw From UNESCO

Context: The United States, under the Trump administration, has announced to pull out of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), by the end of 2026.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Organisation based question on UNESCO, and the UN.

Mains: Shift from Multilateral world order to Unilateralism & Regionalism. 

US to Withdraw From UNESCO

  • The US would withdraw from UNESCO by the end of 2026.
  • Reasonsfor withdrawal:  
    • Bias against Israel: The US has accused UNESCO of being biased against Israel. 
    • Against the US’s National Interest: The US has accused UNESCO of promoting divisive social and cultural causes and maintaining an outsized focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for international development at odds with America First foreign policy.

US’s fall out from UNESCO

  • 1984: The US first pulled out of UNESCO, as it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance the interests of the Soviet Union. It later rejoined in 2003 during George W. Bush's Presidency.
  • 2011: The US cut down the funding for UNESCO under the Obama administration after the agency included Palestine as a full member.
  • 2017: The US pulled out from UNESCO during President Trump’s first term.
  • 2023: The Biden administration rejoined UNESCO. The decision was motivated by the concern that China is filling the gap left by the US in UNESCO policy making.
  • 2025: The US has announced to pull out from UNESCO. 

Impact of the US Withdrawal: 

  • Funding constraints: The decision to pull US funding and participation from UNESCO will deal a blow to its work preserving cultural heritage around the world. The US provides a notable share of the agency's budget (8% of the agency's total budget). Though UNESCO has diversified its funding sources in recent years and the US contribution has decreased. 

About UNESCO

  • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations. 
  • Aim: To promote world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture.
  • Members: 194 member states (including US). 
  • Membership of the United Nations carries with it the right to membership of UNESCO. States that are not members of the UN may be admitted to UNESCO, upon recommendation of the Executive Board, by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Conference. 
  • UNESCO gets its funding from contributions by member states, voluntary contributions, fundraising, and other, smaller sources of funding. 
  • Headquarters: Paris, France. 

Key Functions of UNESCO: 

  • The agency focuses on promoting international collaboration in education, science and culture. 
  • It works to improve literacy with a special focus on girls in countries hit by war or disasters, promotes sex education, and equality for women.
  • It is best known for its list of World Heritage Sites (presently has over 1200 World Heritage Sites) which acknowledge places with cultural or natural significance, and preserve heritage around the world. The Rapid Response Facility provides emergency support for natural World Heritage sites during times of crisis. 
  • It also keeps an intangible cultural heritage list of humanity’s most worthy creations.
  • It also helps to set standards on a range of issues including-
    • Ocean protection and coordinating climate knowledge. 
    • Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI). UNESCO adopted in 2021- the first global standard-setting instrument on the ethics of AI. 

Important Reports by UNESCO: 

  • Global Education Monitoring Report 
  • Global Ocean Science Report 
  • UNESCO Science Report 
  • World Trend in Freedom of Expression and Media Development 
  • United Nations World Water Development Report 

UNESCO is the third UN agency that President Trump has pulled out of in 2025, following the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). 

The latest move is another blow on multilateralism and reflects increasing distrust of international institutions, especially those connected to the United Nations.

Also Read: Shift from Globalism to Regionalism

Tracking India’s Climate Goals

Context: As per the latest data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India has achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity (242.8 GW) from non-fossil fuel sources out of the total 484.8 GW installed capacity five years ahead of its 2030 target. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims and Mains: India’s Climate Commitment Goals: Achievements, Govt. Initiatives, Challenges and Way Forward. 

India’s Climate Commitment Goals

  • India submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2022. India aims to:
    • Achieve 50% of its installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
    • Reduce its GDP emission intensity by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
    • Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from forest and tree cover by 2030. 
  • At COP26 (Glasgow, 2021), India announced its long-term goal to achieve the target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070. 
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India achieves 50% Non-Fossil Fuel Power Generation Capacity: 

As per the latest data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy-

  • India has achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity (242.8 GW) from non-fossil fuel sources out of the total 484.8 GW installed capacity in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 target. 
  • The 50% share of non-fossil sources in installed electricity capacity was contributed by sources such as large hydropower, nuclear, and renewable energies like wind and solar. E.g., In 2024 almost 30 GW of renewable energy was installed, of which solar energy stood at nearly 24 GW.

Future Targets: 

  • India’s stated climate objective is to achieve at least 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity by 2030. For the target to materialise, significant contributions need to come from nuclear power. 
  • India's current nuclear energy capacity is 8.78 GW. India is  currently building 10 nuclear reactors that are expected to become operational during this timeframe to scale this capacity to about 17 GW by 2030. 

Energy Capacity vs Generation: 

  • The 50% share of non-fossil fuels in installed capacity does not mean half of India’s electricity is clean. Electricity generation from renewable sources is intermittent and dependent on timing, seasonality, and climate. As such, the share of non-fossil fuels in electricity generation is lower than its share in installed capacity.
  • Data from the Central Electricity Authority show that in May 2025, non-fossil fuel sources, including large hydro and nuclear, accounted for 28% of electricity generation in India.
  • Electricity itself forms a small part of the energy basket. Less than 22% of India’s total energy consumption is done in the form of electricity. The rest happens through direct burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas.

Therefore, electricity forms about 22% of India’s total energy consumption, and non-fossil fuel sources account for about 28% of electricity generation. This means clean energy from non-fossil fuel sources accounts for just about 6% of India’s total energy consumption. 

Progress on Forestry Target

  • According to official data submitted to UNFCCC, about 2.29 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink has already been created by 2021. 
  • It is estimated that India has likely added 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink. (Official data is to be released soon by the next edition of India State of the Forest Report). 
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Emissions Intensity Target: 

  • There is less information on the progress being made on the emissions intensity target. India aimed to reduce its emissions per unit of GDP at least 45% from 2005 levels by 2030.
  • The latest data (2020) on emissions intensity show that India had already reduced it by 36% from 2005 levels. 

Policy-Driven Progress Fuelling Clean Energy Growth: 

The achievements reflect the success of policy design and implementation of key Flagship programmes such as:

  • PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) empowered lakhs of farmers by providing solar-powered pumps enabling sustainable agriculture, and opened avenues for Agrovoltaics and feeder-level solarisation. 
  • PM Surya Ghar Yojana- brought about the rooftop revolution fostering decentralised energy generation.
  • Solar Park Development
  • National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 

Way Forward

India can further expand renewable power generation by- 

  • Getting access to international finance and technology that it is entitled to under the provisions of the Paris Agreement
  • Expanding the deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • Deployment Pumped Hydro Storage
  • Accelerated investments in Green Hydrogen 
  • Accelerating the deployment of Bharat Small Modular Reactors. 

 As the country moves toward the goal of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070, the path forward must be inclusive and driven by technology. 

Biostimulants in Indian Agriculture 

Context: Government has tightened the regulation of Biostimulants following the complaints from farmers about forced tagging of Nano-fertilisers or Biostimulants with conventional subsidised fertilisers.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Biostimulants, Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) 1985, Insecticide Act 1968.

What are Biostimulants?

The Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order 1985, which regulates the manufacturing and sale of biostimulants, defines biostimulants as substances or microorganisms that: 

  • Stimulate plant physiological processes
  • Improve nutrient uptake
  • Enhance growth, yield, stress tolerance, and crop quality.
  • Do not include pesticides or plant growth regulators which are regulated under the Insecticide Act 1968.

They can be derived from seaweed extracts, plant waste, or microorganisms and are not traditional fertilisers or pesticides.

image 51

India’s Biostimulant Market

  • India biostimulants market size is valued at USD 355.53 million in 2024.
  • The market is projected to grow from USD 410.78 million in 2025 to USD 1,135.96 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.64% during the forecast period.

Issues with Biostimulants:  

  • Questionable Efficacy: Many farmers complained about the ineffectiveness of biostimulants.
  • Unregulated Sale in the Past: Biostimulants were sold without government approval for years since they were neither classified as fertilisers nor pesticides. Over 30,000 products were sold unchecked for years. After government regulation, the number has now come down to approximately 650.
  • Provisional Certification Loophole: Manufacturers were allowed to sell products with only provisional registration, which was extended repeatedly. This delayed the enforcement of full regulatory standards.

1985 Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) and the Insecticide Act, 1968

  • In India, fertilisers and pesticides are governed by the 1985 Fertiliser Control Order and the Insecticides Act of 1968, respectively.
  • The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare issues the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and makes changes to it from time to time.

Regulation of Biostimulants

  • In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture amended the 1985 FCO and included biostimulants, paving the way for their regulated manufacturing, sale and import. The inclusion of biostimulants empowered the Central government to fix specifications.
  • The FCO classified biostimulants specified in Schedule VI of the FCO in eight categories, including botanical extracts (as well as seaweed extracts), bio-chemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
  • Every manufacturer or importer of a biostimulant shall make an application to the Controller of Fertilisers along with the requisite product information.
  • The product’s chemistry, source (natural extracts of plant/microbe/animal/synthetic), shelf-life, reports of bio-efficacy trials, and toxicity must be submitted, along with other data. The five basic acute toxicity tests are: 
    • Acute oral 
    • Acute dermal 
    • Acute Inhalation 
    • Primary skin Irritation
    • Eye irritation 
  • The four eco-toxicity tests are: (i) Toxicity to birds; (ii) Toxicity to Fish (Freshwater); (iii) Toxicity to honeybees; (iv) Toxicity to earthworm
  • The FCO clearly states that no biostimulant shall contain any pesticide beyond the permissible limit of 0.01ppm. 
  • Agronomic bio-efficiency trials shall be conducted under the National Agricultural Research System, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and state agricultural universities. 
  • Bio-efficacy trials shall be conducted at minimum three different doses for one season at three agro-ecological locations.

Central Biostimulant Committee: 

  • In 2021, the Agriculture Ministry constituted the Central Biostimulant Committee for 5 years, with the Agriculture Commissioner as its Chairperson and seven other members.
  • Under the FCO, it shall advise the Centre on:
    • inclusion of a new biostimulant;
    • specifications of various biostimulants
    • methods of drawing of samples and its analysis
    • minimum requirements of laboratory
    • method of testing of biostimulants
    • any other matter referred to it by the central government.

Recent Government Actions on Biostimulants

  • The Union Agriculture Minister wrote to all Chief Ministers urging them to stop the forced tagging of biostimulants with subsidised fertilisers like urea and DAP.
  • The latest extension of provisional certificates expired on June 16, 2025, after which companies cannot sell unapproved biostimulants.
  • In addition to this, the Agriculture Ministry notified “Specifications of Biostimulants” for several crops, including tomato, chilli, cucumber, paddy, brinjal, cotton, potato, green gram, grape, hot pepper, soybean, maize, and onion.

RBI's Financial Inclusion Index hits 67 in FY25

Context: The Reserve Bank of India’s Financial Inclusion Index (FI Index) improved to 67 in March 2025 from 64.2 in March 2024.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Financial Inclusion Index. 

Financial Inclusion Index

  • Financial Inclusion Index (FI Index) captures the extent of financial inclusion across the country. The comprehensive index includes data from various sectors such as banking, investments, insurance, postal services, and pensions, making it a comprehensive measure of financial inclusion in the country.
  • The index captures information on various aspects of financial inclusion in a single value ranging between 0 and 100, where 0 represents complete financial exclusion and 100 indicates full financial inclusion.
  • The FI Index comprises of three broad parameters:
    • Access (having a weight of 35% in the index)
    • Usage (weight 45%)
    • Quality ( weight 20%). Quality parameter captures the quality aspect of financial inclusion as reflected by financial literacy, consumer protection, and inequalities and deficiencies in services.
  • The weight of each parameter comprises various dimensions, which are calculated based on a number of indicators.
  • The Index has been constructed without any base year and as such it reflects cumulative efforts of all stakeholders over the years towards financial inclusion. 
  • RBI published the first FI index in 2021 for FY21 (FI Index 53.9). 
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Decoding the rise in FI Index

  • As per RBI, the improvement in FI Index in FY25 is largely due to usage and quality dimensions, reflecting deepening of financial inclusion, and sustained financial literacy initiatives. 
  • India has made significant strides in expanding financial inclusion through initiatives like:
    • Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana: Under the scheme, over 558 million accounts have been opened in rural and semi-urban areas. Notably, 311 million of these accounts have been opened in the name of female beneficiaries. 
    • JAM Trinity: The pillar of financial inclusion is JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) trinity which has expanded the coverage of direct benefit transfers. 
    • Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS)
    • Payments Banks; Business Correspondent Model
    • Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana 
    • Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana 
    • Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana 
    • Atal Pension Yojana
    • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
    • Stand Up India Scheme 
    • Financial Literacy Programmes like Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan. 

Also Read: Financial Inclusion 

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