Daily Current Affairs

August 5, 2025

Current Affairs

India’s First AI-Powered Anganwadi Centre

Context: The state government of Maharashtra has recently launched India’s first AI-powered Anganwadi in Waddhamna village, Nagpur district, Maharashtra.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Can be used as an argument/ example to show positive developments in the Early Childhood Education & Health landscape in India. 

India’s First AI-Powered Anganwadi Centre

  • The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide for rural children as well as attract more children. It ensures that children from remote areas could learn in a modern, engaging environment. 
  • The Anganwadi centre uses VR headsets from Meta, AI-enabled interactive smart boards, tablets, and other digital content to learn poems, songs, and fundamental concepts. The children can now draw on the interactive smart board, learn about animals via VR sets, and save their artwork digitally.
  • The AI system monitors each child’s progress with gamified learning tools, adjusting difficulty levels based on response times to ensure individual development.
  • The Anganwadi workers have been trained in smart learning methods. They will also be trained in generative AI tools to create new content such as text, images, and music.

Plans are underway to expand the project to more anganwadis in the state, closely track physical and cognitive developments, and use AI tools to evaluate nutrition as well.

About Anganwadi Services

  • Anganwadi means ‘courtyard shelter’, a type of rural child care centre in India. The Anganwadi Services Scheme (ACS) was started in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program to combat child hunger and malnutrition.
  • ACS was restructured as Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of women and child development. 
  • The Integrated Nutrition Support Programme provides early childhood care and development of the beneficiaries i.e., children in the age group of 0-6 years, address malnutrition in children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers through a large network of Anganwadi workers and Helpers.
    • Anganwadi workers and Helpers are the basic functionaries of the ICDS, who run the Anganwadi Centres, and implement the ICDS scheme.
    • Anganwadi Centres: Provide a platform for rendering all services under the scheme.
    • A single Anganwadi worker, chosen from the community, manages one village or area. These workers undergo training in various areas such as health, nutrition, and childcare. 

Also Read: Anganwadi Services 

Six years after Abrogation of Article 370 in J&K 

Context: August 5, 2025 marks the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which revoked the special status of Jammu & Kashmir, and led to the effective repeal of Article 35A of the Indian Constitution.

 As J&K completes six years as a Union Territory, there have been both positive and negative developments after the abrogation of Article 370. 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Article 370; Article 35A. Mains: J&K after Article 370 abrogation: Key developments; Challenges. 

On August 5, 2019, the government revoked Article 370 through a Presidential order and reorganised the state. J&K was split into two Union Territories (UTs): J&K (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature), effective from October 31, 2019.

What was Article 370? 

  • Enacted in 1952, Article 370 granted erstwhile state J&K a unique degree of autonomy. The provision:
    • Allowed the state to operate with its own constitution and flag
    • The state retained the authority to make laws on all matters, except defence, foreign affairs, communications, and finance. 
  • Article 370 was placed under Part XXI of the Constitution, which deals with temporary and special provisions. It also allowed the state’s Constituent Assembly to decide how much of the Indian Constitution would apply. Notably, it included a clause permitting the Assembly to recommend the article’s own repeal.
  • In practice, Indian laws could not be applied to J&K without the consent of its state government. Indian Parliament’s legislative reach was therefore significantly limited, requiring state concurrence for most matters.

What was Article 35A?

  • Article 35A, added to the Constitution in 1954, gave special rights and privileges to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. 
  • Its roots lay in the 1952 Delhi Agreement between then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Jammu and Kashmir’s leader Sheikh Abdullah.
  • It empowered the Jammu and Kashmir state legislature to decide who qualified as a 'permanent resident' of the state. A permanent resident was someone who was a state subject as of May 14, 1954, or had lived in the state for at least 10 years and lawfully acquired property. These exclusive rights included:
    • It allowed the state to grant special rights to permanent residents in areas like land ownership, government jobs, and education scholarships.
    • It barred non-residents from permanently settling, buying property, or accessing state benefits.
    • It had a discriminatory clause against women: if a female resident married someone from outside the state, she could lose her property rights, and the same applied to her children.
  • The laws made under Article 35A were shielded from judicial scrutiny. No act of the state legislature coming under the ambit of Article 35A can be challenged for violating the Indian Constitution or any other law of the land. 

What has changed in J&K after Article 370 Abrogation?

Positive Developments: 

  • Successful elections and participation of voters: For the first time in decades, UT J&K recorded an impressive over 63% voter turnout in the Assembly elections. Additionally, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections witnessed the highest voter participation in the region in the last 35 years.
  • Major dip in violence and stone pelting: The incidents of stone pelting have completely stopped in the UT (As per the Union Home Ministry data). E.g., In 2023, not a single case of stone pelting or strike was recorded, a significant decline compared to 2010 (over 2600 incidents of stone pelting and 132 strikes).
  • Infrastructural development and investment: Successful completion of several infrastructural projects.
    • Inauguration of Rs 42,500 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. It features the world’s highest rail bridge over the Chenab River. This bridge connects the Jammu region with Kashmir valley, and is crucial for regional integration, economic growth and defence mobility.
    • Projects worth over Rs 76000 crore are currently in the pipeline in the UT. Centre approved 19 road and tunnel projects worth over Rs 10,000 crores in June 2025.
  • Tourism boost: Post Article 370 abrogation, the UT has witnessed a major boost to tourism and local economy. E.g., Over 21.1 million people visited the UT in 2023. However, the recent Pahalgam attack has caused a brief hiatus. 

Pertaining Issues: 

  • Security Concerns and Terrorism in J&K: 
    • Selective killings: Targeting tourists, non-local employees & entrepreneurs (those being issued domicile certificates) for derailing measures to promote industrial development and tourism. E.g., Recent targeted attacks in Pahalgam. 
    • Improvised weapons: Reliance on IEDs to avoid confrontation with security forces, using sticky bombs (detonated from distance) & simulated training conditions.
    • New modes of weapon delivery: Air-dropping of bombs using UAVs by Pakistan-backed terror outfits. 
  • Economic Slowdown of J&K’s economy as a centrally administered unit:
    • Decline in GSDP: The growth in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has declined both in nominal and in real terms. As a result, the contribution of J&K to the national GDP has declined to 0.77%. 
    • Slowdown in income growth and high unemployment: In 2025, in the 15-29 age bracket, the unemployment rate of UT J&K is more than 30%, which is almost double the national average.
    • Poor Fiscal Health:
      • Decline in fixed and invested capital, accompanied by a sharp rise in borrowings. Despite better revenue mobilisation, J&K’s fiscal health has deteriorated significantly with higher debt and deficits compared to pre-2019. 
      • Internal debt has almost doubled in just five years. Total outstanding liabilities of the UT are now almost 60% of the GSDP. 
      • Fiscal deficit is around 6%, way above the stipulated FRBM limits. 

The economy is heavily reliant on central grants (up to 70% of expenditure), and core sectors like agriculture and industry contribute far less than services.

The road ahead lies in the restoration of J&K’s statehood to usher in participatory democracy in J&K, confer more political, administrative and economic powers to the state government and will uphold federal principles. 

Also Read: Supreme Court upholds abrogation of Article 370 

Project to curb Rhino Poaching through Radioactive Isotope Injection

Context: Researchers from South Africa have launched an anti-poaching campaign with a unique approach which involves injecting radioactive isotopes into Rhino horns. The method is claimed to be harmless for the Rhinos and allows customs agents to detect trafficked horns.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Radioactivity; Applications of Radioactivity. 

Key Highlights of the Anti-Poaching Campaign

  • Method: Through a non-invasive procedure, Rhino horns are tagged with low doses of radioactive isotopes. This allows for their ready detection by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at borders, ports, and airports worldwide to identify unauthorised nuclear materials.
  • Rationale: To facilitate detection of Rhino horns at international borders using existing radiation monitors to curb poaching. 
  • Potential: This application can be extended to other vulnerable species like elephants and pangolins.

What is Radioactivity? 

  • Radioactivity is the property of some unstable atoms (radionuclides) to spontaneously emit nuclear radiation (usually alpha particles or beta particles, often accompanied by gamma-rays) to transform into a more stable form. The radiation emitted can be traced using existing radiation monitors.
    • Atoms found in nature are either stable or unstable.
    • Instability of an atom's nucleus may result from an excess of either neutrons or protons. In such a case, the atom is radioactive and the nucleus has excess internal energy.
    • A radioactive atom attempts to reach stability by ejecting nucleons (protons or neutrons), as well as other particles, or by releasing energy.
  • Common examples of Radionuclides: Tritium (isotope of Hydrogen and the lightest radionuclide), Carbon-14, Caesium-137, Thorium-232, Uranium-235, Uranium-238, Plutonium-238, Plutonium-239. 
image 7

Applications of Radioactivity

  • Radioisotope Thermo-electric Generator (RTG): A radioactive material (Plutonium-238) is used which when decays produces heat. This heat is in turn used by a generator to produce electricity. E.g., the New Horizon spacecraft to Pluto uses RTG as an energy source for the spacecraft. 
  • Medical Imaging: Radioactive isotopes are used in medical imaging techniques such as CT scans and PET scans. 
  • Radiation Therapy: Radioactive isotopes (Cobalt-60) and (Cesium-137) are used to treat various types of cancer through radiation therapy.
  • Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors use a small amount of radioactive material to detect smoke and trigger an alarm.
  • Industrial Radiography: Radioactive isotopes are used in industrial radiography to test the integrity of metal structures such as pipelines and oil rigs.
  • Carbon Dating: Carbon-14 is used in carbon dating to determine the age of ancient fossils and artefacts.
  • Nuclear Power: Uranium-235 is used to generate nuclear electricity through nuclear fission. Tritium is being explored as a potential nuclear fuel that can undergo nuclear fusion.  
  • Food Irradiation: Radioactive isotopes (Cobalt-60 and Cesium-137) are used to sterilise and preserve food products.
  • Geological Dating: Radioactive isotopes (Uranium-238) are used to determine the age of rocks and minerals.
  • Sterilisation: Cobalt-60 is used to sterilise medical and surgical instruments.

Naangarni Spardha

Context: Recently, Naangarni Spardha, the traditional oxen ploughing race was organised at Ringane village in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about traditional animal-based sports in India. 

Naangarni Spardha

  • Naangarni Spardha is a traditional oxen race held annually in Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra. 
  • The unique rural sporting tradition thrives during the monsoon season.
  • The oxen race is held on a horseshoe-shaped, mud-filled track. Strict rules are enforced; any oxen pair that touches the track flags or steps outside the boundaries is immediately disqualified. Victory is determined solely by speed. 
image 6

Other livestock‑based sports in India: 

1. Jallikattu:

  • Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport from Tamil Nadu. 
  • In this event, a zebu bull such as the Pulikulam or Kangayam breeds, is released into a crowd of people (not teams), and many people attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. They hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, they must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.
  • Location: Tamil Nadu
  • Duration of the year: January (during Pongal)
  • History of the Event: Inception: around 6th-1st century BCE (Sangam period). It began during the Sangam period when Ayar tribal people living in Mullai region (dense forest) of Tamil Nadu started playing this sport. 
  • Legal backing: In May 2023, a five judge Constitution Bench dismissed petitions challenging constitutionality of Jallikattu and upheld the validity of Tamil Nadu laws protecting the sport.

2. Kambala: 

  • Kambala is an annual buffalo race held in the southwestern Indian states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. 
  • The festival is dedicated to an incarnation of Hindu God Shiva- Lord Kadri Manjunatha. 
  • The festival is celebrated every year after harvest season (generally from November to March) to offer thanks to the god for a year of good harvest. 
  • Traditionally, it was sponsored by local Tuluva landlords in Dakshina Kannada and  Kasaragod region of Kerala, a region collectively known as Tulu Nadu.

Gaza War and Diplomatic Isolation of Israel 

Context: The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has announced to recognise the state of Palestine during the coming UN General Assembly session in September 2025, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, allows more humanitarian aid and commits itself towards long-term peace based on the two-state formula.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Balfour Declaration; Diplomatic Isolation of Israel; Gaza War. 

Gaza War and Diplomatic Isolation of Israel

  • The Gaza war began in October 2023, when Hamas launched coordinated armed incursions on Israel from the Gaza Strip. In retaliation, Israel declared war and launched “Operation Swords of Iron,” launching airstrikes against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. 
  • As the 21-month-long war on Gaza rages on, over 58,000 people have been killed, including more than 17,000 children. 
  • Israel is facing one of its biggest diplomatic crises with more and more countries in the West (Israel’s traditional allies) adopting a favourable position towards Palestinian statehood.
    • Recently, the President of France declared to recognise Palestinian statehood in September. 
    • Canada and Portugal have also expressed their intention to do the same. 
    • The United Kingdom has announced to recognise the state of Palestine during the coming UN General Assembly session. 
image 5

Changing Diplomatic Positions of the Western Nations: 

Of the 193 UN member states, 147 have already recognised the state of Palestine. Until now, powerful Western countries had resisted such recognition, insisting it should be part of a final diplomatic settlement to the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, the position is beginning to shift. 

  • Among the five members of the UN Security Council, Russia and China have already recognised Palestine. If France and the U.K. follow through with their recent statements, the U.S., Israel’s closest ally and patron, will be isolated at the UNSC. 
  • France, the U.K. and Canada are also members of the G7 group of advanced economies, and their recognition could influence other countries to follow suit. 
  • Britain’s move, in particular, carries historic weight, given its central role in the Israel-Palestine question. In the 1917 Balfour Declaration, Britain became the first major power to endorse the Zionist demand for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. 

About Balfour Declaration: 

  • The Balfour Declaration was a public statement issued by the British Government in 1917 during the First World War announcing its support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. 
  • The declaration was issued by Sir Arthur Balfour, the British Foreign Secretary, addressed to Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild, a Zionist and leader of the British Jewish community. 
  • By the time the Balfour Declaration was issued, there were roughly 60,000 Jews in Palestine, accounting for over 9% of the total population. Palestine was a part of the Ottoman Empire until the end of the First World War, in the late 19th century.

108 years after the Balfour Declaration was issued, Britain' s announcement to recognise the state of Palestine, clearly reflects a change in the UK’s policy towards Israel and Palestine.

India’s Stand in Israel-Palestine issue

  • India announced its recognition of Israel in 1950 and has recognised Palestine in 1988.
  • Two-State solution: India consistently supports a negotiated two-state solution leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within a secure and recognised border, side by side at peace with Israel. 
  • Focus on Practical solutions: Recently, at a United Nations conference (July 2025), India joined the call for Israel to end the war in Gaza and ensure access to food, for Hamas to return hostages, and for U.N. members to recognise the Statehood of Palestine. India advocated the need for practical solutions, not paper solutions, to bring about a Two-State solution through purposeful dialogue and diplomacy. 

As Israel is facing accusations of committing genocide against Palestinians, and images of Gaza’s devastation and starving children are coming out, it becomes untenable for many Western nations to continue to back Israel unconditionally.

Also Read: Is Israel committing Genocide in Gaza? 

Permanent National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes

Context: The recently concluded National Conference of De-notified Tribes (DNTs) witnessed increased calls for the establishment of a permanent National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about De-notified Tribes.
Mains: De-notified Tribes: Issues faced and Way Forward. 

De-notified Tribes

  • The term 'De-notified Tribes' (DNT) stands for all those communities which were once notified under the Criminal Tribes Acts, enforced by the British Raj between 1871 and 1947.
  • These Acts were repealed by the independent Indian Government in 1952, and these communities were "De- Notified". 
  • A few of these communities which were listed as de-notified were also nomadic. Some of the examples of DNTs are Yerukulas (AP), Lambadis (AP), Koli (Gujarat), Lodha/Lodhi (Bihar/Jharkhand), Banjara (MP/Rajasthan), Kalbelia (MP), Ramosi (Maharashtra), Domb (Odisha), Bawaria (Rajasthan), Boyas (Tamil Nādu) and Madari (UP). 

Issues faced by DNTs and Nomadic Tribes: 

  • Education: Due to migratory lifestyle, acute poverty, lack of awareness of the importance of education and poor access to educational facilities, the literacy rate is much lower and the school dropout ratio of children belonging to these communities is significantly higher.
  • Health: Members of DNT/NT communities are not likely to be much aware of health-related issues, including preventive healthcare, immunisation, family planning, communicable diseases. They are so poor that they cannot afford private medical doctors other than quacks.
  • Economic Issues:
    • Decline in traditional occupations due to modernisation and Industrialisation.
    • Loss of livelihood due to shrinking pasture lands:
      • Because of agriculturally centred development strategies. E.g., Extension of Indira Gandhi Canal project into Rajasthan led to expansion of agriculture in wastelands and eliminated fallow areas for grazing.
      • In India, grasslands are classified as wastelands and the government hopes to make these lands productive by developing them for solar & wind energy projects and commercial plantations of crops like oil palm.
  • Anomalies: De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes were included in the lists of SC, ST, and OBC categories. However, their categorisation was not logical or uniform. A single (De-notified or Nomadic) community living in contiguous States/UTs and homogenous in nature has been included in different categories.
    • E.g., The community of Banjara has been included as ST in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa; as OBC in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan and as SC in Punjab, Delhi and Karnataka.
    • There are still a number of DNTs which have not been included in any one of these categories. Instead, they are placed at par with the communities of the general category.
  • Issue of identification: There has been no well-defined criteria for the classification of de-notified and nomadic tribes. It has been observed that the inclusion and exclusion of communities in such lists was done on political considerations rather than on fair and uniform criteria.
  • No data on demography: The exact number of the nomadic tribes in India is still unknown as there has been no formal census conducted which could help in tracking them. The lack of reliable data about their demography and geographical distribution handicapped the policy makers to frame appropriate measures for their development.

Measures Needed for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs/NTs):

  • Permanent Commission: Establish a permanent statutory body for DNTs/NTs, led by a prominent community leader as Chairperson. Bhiku Ramji Idate Commission (2018) has proposed completion of classification of DNT communities, and setting up of a permanent national commission for their protection and development. 
  • Rational Classification: Remove anomalies and standardize the classification of these communities under SC, ST, or OBC categories based on clear, uniform criteria.
  • Census and Survey: Conduct a systematic community-based census and socio-economic survey to gather accurate demographic and geographic data.
  • Land and Forest Rights: Ensure land and forest rights for DNTs under the Forest Rights Act to secure their traditional livelihoods.
  • Education: Establish dedicated residential schools to improve literacy rates and reduce school dropouts.
  • Healthcare: Introduce mobile health clinics to provide accessible healthcare services, including preventive care and immunisation.
  • Sub-categorisation of STs: Implement sub-categorisation within STs to ensure equitable distribution of benefits.
  • Political Representation: Ensure adequate political representation through nominations in local bodies and legislative assemblies.

Also Read: Impact of classifying Denotified Tribes 

Odisha and Chhattisgarh to ‘amicably’ resolve Mahanadi River Dispute 

Context: After a prolonged legal battle in a designated Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal over sharing of the Mahanadi river water, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have expressed willingness to resolve the dispute amicably between themselves.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key provision for resolution of Inter-State River Water Dispute. 

Inter-State River Water Dispute

  • Article 262 of the Constitution provides for the adjudication of inter-state water disputes. It makes two provisions:
    • Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution and control of waters of any inter-state river and river valley.
    • Parliament may also provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court is to exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint.

Under this provision, the Parliament has enacted two laws:

1. The River Boards Act 1956: 

  • The Act provides for the establishment of river boards for the regulation and development of inter-state river and river valleys. 
  • A river board is established by the Central government on the request of the state governments concerned to advise them.

2. Inter-State River Water Disputes Act 1956: 

  • The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act empowers the Central government to set up an ad hoc tribunal for the adjudication of a dispute between two or more states in relation to the waters of an inter-state river or river valley. 
  • The decision of the tribunal would be final and binding on the parties to the dispute. 
  • The Supreme Court nor any other court does not have jurisdiction in respect of any water dispute which may be referred to such a tribunal under this Act. 

Mahanadi River System

  • Mahanadi river rises in the Sihawa hills, Chhattisgarh. This is south of the Amarkantak Plateau region. 
  • Basin states: Chhattisgarh and Odisha and comparatively smaller portions of Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, draining an area of 1,41,589 sq. kms. The river drains into the Bay of Bengal. 
  • The Mahanadi basin is geographically bounded by:
    • Central India hills on the north
    • Eastern Ghats on the south and east
    • Maikal range in the west. 
  • Major Dams: 
    • Hirakud Dam (Odisha): One of the longest earthen dams in the world. 
    • Hasdeo Bango & Arpa Projects (Chhattisgarh). 
Left bank TributaryRight bank Tributary
Seonath Ong
HasdeoTel
MandJonk
Ib
image 4

Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal: 

  • Mahanadi River Dispute: Odisha alleges that the upper riparian state Chhattisgarh had "illegally" constructed a number of barrages across the river and its tributaries, which has seriously affected inflow into the Hirakud reservoir in Odisha, particularly in the non-monsoon seasons.  
  • The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was established in 2018. The proceedings continued between 2018 and 2023 with data submissions, arguments, and inspections from both states.

It is to be noted that no inter-state water dispute in the country has ever been resolved entirely through tribunal proceedings. Hence, the move towards amicable resolution of the inter-state river water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh is a step in the right direction. 

Trending now

Taming the Algorithm: India’s New Rules for Regulating AI-Generated Content
China’s New Antarctic Law and Implications for Global Polar Governance
India–EU Deepen Partnership in Peaceful Nuclear Science and Fusion Energy
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026: Strengthening India’s Waste Governance Framework