30 July 2025 Daily Current Affairs

1. Government Rolls Out Landmark Rules to Clean Up Toxic Waste Sites Across India

Context: In a historic step toward environmental restoration, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has officially notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025. These rules, issued on July 25, 2025, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, mark India’s first codified legal framework for the identification, assessment, and remediation of chemically contaminated lands.

What Are Contaminated Sites?

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), contaminated sites refer to areas where hazardous chemicals or industrial waste have been dumped or leaked—often before the enforcement of strict environmental norms. These sites include:

• Abandoned industrial landfills
• Locations of past chemical spills
• Closed-down hazardous waste storage facilities

India has already identified 103 such toxic hotspots, but remediation work has begun in only 7, largely due to lack of accountability and funding. Many polluting entities have either shut down or vanished, leaving behind devastated ecosystems and public health risks.

Highlights of the New Rules:

The newly notified rules offer a legally binding, time-sensitive roadmap to clean up polluted lands. The rules introduce a five-step approach:

1. Identification and Reporting:

• District administrations must compile biannual lists of suspected contaminated sites.
• These reports are forwarded to the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or other designated agencies.

2. Preliminary Assessment:

• Within 90 days, a basic investigation must be conducted to determine if contamination is likely.
• This screening helps prioritise which sites need detailed study.

3. Detailed Site Investigation:

• If contamination is suspected, a comprehensive site survey must follow within another 90 days.
• Investigations will look for any of the 189 hazardous substances listed in the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016.
• Confirmed contaminated sites will be publicly declared, and access will be restricted.

4. Remediation Planning:

• A team of scientific experts will prepare a remediation strategy, suggesting best-fit technologies.
• SPCBs must identify responsible parties within 90 days of confirmation.

5. Liability and Cost Recovery:

• Those responsible for contamination must bear the full cost of remediation—ensuring the “polluter pays” principle is upheld.
• If the polluter is unavailable or insolvent, the Central and State governments will share clean-up costs.
• In severe cases causing loss of life or environmental destruction, criminal liability will be invoked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023).

Scope and Exclusions:

The new rules are comprehensive but strategically exclude some waste categories already governed under separate laws:

• Radioactive materials (covered by the Atomic Energy Act)
• Mining-related pollution
• Marine oil spills
• Municipal solid waste landfills

This helps avoid regulatory duplication while focusing on hazardous chemical contamination specifically.

Why These Rules Matter:

This notification is a milestone in India’s environmental governance, moving from ad-hoc enforcement to a structured national approach. For decades, lack of legislation led to paralysis in clean-up efforts—but with these rules:

• Timelines are now mandatory.
• District authorities and SPCBs have clearly defined roles.
• A legal basis for cost recovery and criminal action has been established.

Challenges on the Horizon:

Despite the legal backing, successful implementation depends on several key factors:

• Availability of scientific expertise for chemical assessments
• Strong coordination between the CPCB, SPCBs, and local authorities
• Funding gaps, particularly when polluters cannot be traced
• Public engagement and awareness, which can support early detection
• Capacity-building and training for district officials and pollution control staff

Global Context and Lessons:

Globally, countries like the United States (with its Superfund program) and the European Union (through the Soil Framework Directive) have long-standing systems for remediating toxic sites. India’s move brings its environmental laws closer to international standards, acknowledging that chemical legacy pollution cannot be ignored any longer.

Conclusion: Toward a Cleaner, Safer Future

The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 set the stage for cleaning up India’s toxic legacy. They promise to bring relief to communities living near long-neglected hazardous sites and help safeguard natural resources for future generations.

With proper implementation, India can transform toxic zones into safe, usable land, setting a powerful precedent for other developing nations grappling with similar challenges.

2. Golden Jackal Population in Kerala Revealed Through Citizen Science Initiative

Context: A recent citizen science project has shed new light on the presence of the Golden Jackal in Kerala, estimating a robust population of 20,000 to 30,000 individuals. This extensive survey not only highlights the ecological adaptability of the species but also showcases the power of community-led research in wildlife monitoring.

Meet the Golden Jackal: The Adaptable Canid

The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), also known as the common jackal, is a medium-sized, wolf-like carnivore belonging to the canid family. Known for its intelligence and adaptability, it thrives across a variety of habitats and climatic conditions.

Behaviour and Lifestyle:

• Nocturnal by nature, especially in human-dominated landscapes, the Golden Jackal may become partially diurnal in remote or undisturbed regions.
• They live in mated pairs and are strictly monogamous, often seen raising pups together.
• For shelter, they dig their own burrows, occupy rock crevices, or take over abandoned dens created by other animals.

Diet and Feeding Habits:

• Golden Jackals are highly opportunistic omnivores.
• Their diet is extremely diverse, ranging from small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects to fruits, roots, carrion, and even human food waste in urban areas.
• This dietary flexibility allows them to thrive in both rural and urban ecosystems.

Habitat and Geographic Distribution:

• The species prefers valleys, riverbanks, wetlands, and coastal areas, though it tends to avoid mountainous terrain.
• Its global range includes North and East Africa, Southeast Europe, and South Asia, extending as far east as Myanmar.
• In India, the Golden Jackal is found throughout the country, from the Himalayan foothills to the Western Ghats and even the eastern coasts.

Conservation Status and Protection:

Despite its wide distribution, the Golden Jackal benefits from multiple levels of legal protection:

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern – thanks to its large, stable population.
• CITES: Listed under Appendix III – for international trade monitoring.
• Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972: Schedule I species – giving it the highest degree of protection under Indian law.

Interesting Facts You Might Not Know:

• Golden Jackals howl in coordinated duets, especially during the mating season, making them one of the few canids known for such complex vocal communication.
• They are known to form temporary hunting associations with other jackals or even with striped hyenas, showcasing rare examples of interspecies cooperation.
• In some rural Indian folklore, the jackal is seen as a clever trickster—a testament to its sharp instincts and survival skills.

Why This Study Matters:

The Kerala population estimate underscores the importance of community science in biodiversity documentation. It offers conservationists and forest officials valuable baseline data to understand habitat health, human-wildlife conflict, and ecosystem dynamics.

Such insights are especially vital in a rapidly urbanising India, where habitat fragmentation and land-use change threaten even the most adaptable species.

In Summary:The Golden Jackal stands as a symbol of survival and adaptation. Its strong presence in Kerala and across India is a reminder of nature’s resilience—but also of our responsibility to protect it. With increasing human encroachment, proactive conservation, informed by scientific research and community participation, will be key to ensuring that this fascinating animal continues to thrive in the wild.

3. Majuli Island Residents Lead Innovative Effort to Fight River Erosion

Context: In a remarkable display of local environmental wisdom, villagers from Majuli Island in Assam have adopted a nature-based solution to tackle the persistent problem of riverbank erosion. By planting Kanchan trees (Bauhinia variegata) along the edges of the Brahmaputra River, the community is building a natural barrier to shield their land from seasonal flooding and soil erosion.

This grassroots initiative highlights the power of traditional ecological knowledge and community-driven conservation in one of the most environmentally fragile regions of India.

Majuli Island: The World’s Largest River Island

Majuli, situated in the heart of Assam, holds the title of the world’s largest inhabited river island. It is nestled between the mighty Brahmaputra River to the south and its tributary, the Kherkutia Xuti, which merges with the Subansiri River to the north. Over the centuries, these rivers have shaped Majuli’s unique geography, making it a land of rich alluvial soil, wetlands, and verdant paddy fields.

A Landscape of Culture, Agriculture, and Resilience

The island’s scenic charm lies in its lush greenery, water bodies, and rural lifestyle. The economy is primarily agrarian, with rice cultivation being the mainstay. Majuli is famous for its indigenous rice varieties like:

• Komal Saul – a soft rice that can be eaten after soaking in warm water
• Bao Dhan – a flood-tolerant red rice grown in low-lying fields

These varieties reflect the islanders’ deep knowledge of sustainable farming in a flood-prone ecosystem.

A Tapestry of Tribal Traditions:

Majuli is home to diverse ethnic communities, predominantly the Mishing, Deori, and Sonowal Kachari tribes, along with the non-tribal Assamese population. These communities have maintained their distinct languages, customs, and crafts, enriching the island’s cultural heritage.

Cradle of Neo-Vaishnavite Culture:

Beyond its natural beauty, Majuli stands as a spiritual and cultural epicentre of Assamese neo-Vaishnavism, a reformist religious movement started in the 16th century by the revered saint Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva.

They founded Satras – monastic institutions that became the guardians of Assamese art, literature, and devotion. These Satras have preserved:

• Sattriya dance (a classical Indian dance form)
• Bhaona (traditional theatre)
• Devotional music and manuscripts
• Mask-making, particularly for mythological dramas
• Boat-making and pottery, rooted in centuries-old craftsmanship

Today, over 20 active Satras continue this rich legacy, drawing visitors and scholars from around the world.

Threats and the Way Forward:

Despite its cultural and ecological significance, Majuli faces severe challenges from flooding, erosion, and climate change. In the last few decades, the island has reportedly shrunk by over 30% due to aggressive erosion by the Brahmaputra.

The Kanchan tree planting initiative is a beacon of hope, showing how community action and ecological restoration can go hand in hand. With support from government and environmental groups, such efforts could become part of a broader strategy to protect the island’s biodiversity, heritage, and livelihoods.

Did You Know?

• Majuli was declared a district in 2016, making it India’s first river island district.
• The Sattriya dance form, born in Majuli’s monasteries, was recognized as one of India’s eight classical dance forms by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
• During the annual Raas festival, the island becomes a cultural hub, attracting thousands for its theatrical enactments of Krishna’s life.

Conclusion: A Living Island of Culture and Conservation

Majuli is not just a geographical wonder; it is a living museum of heritage, art, and ecological resilience. As its people continue to innovate and adapt to nature’s challenges, Majuli stands as a powerful symbol of how tradition and sustainability can shape the future. With timely conservation, this treasured island can continue to inspire generations to come.

4. ISRO’s GSLV Gears Up for NISAR Satellite Launch in Collaboration with NASA

Context: In a significant step toward international space collaboration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that the upcoming NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has been securely mounted on a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). With all systems successfully tested, the vehicle is now in the final stages of preparation for launch.

This mission marks yet another milestone for the GSLV platform, showcasing India’s rising stature in heavy-lift satellite launches.

What is GSLV? India’s Heavy-Duty Rocket

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a three-stage space launch vehicle developed by ISRO to place satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (GTO) — a critical orbit used for deploying communication, weather, and navigation satellites.

Key Features of the GSLV:

• Height: 49.13 meters, making it ISRO’s tallest rocket
• Lift-off Mass: 420 tonnes
• Payload Capacity: Can launch heavier satellites than the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which is used for sun-synchronous missions

Three-Stage Configuration:

1. First Stage: A solid-fuel booster (S139) with 138 tonnes of propellant, supported by four liquid strap-on motors (each with 40 tonnes of fuel)
2. Second Stage: A liquid-fuel engine with 40 tonnes of propellant
3. Third Stage: An indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) carrying 15 tonnes of cryogenic fuel — key to placing heavier payloads in higher orbits

The Evolution of GSLV: Variants and Upgrades

GSLV Mk I:

• The first generation GSLV, operational between 2001 and 2010
• Used a Russian cryogenic engine due to early difficulties in mastering the technology
• Could carry 2 to 2.5-tonne satellites into GTO
• Completed five flights, including suborbital test launches

GSLV Mk II:

• Introduced India’s indigenous cryogenic upper stage
• Operational since 2014, with multiple successful launches
• Payload capacity: ~2.5 tonnes to GTO

GSLV Mk III (LVM-3):

• The most powerful and advanced version
• Capable of carrying up to 4 tonnes to GTO
• Also used for interplanetary missions like Chandrayaan-2 and is the proposed launch vehicle for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission

GSLV’s Notable Missions and Achievements:

The GSLV series has been instrumental in launching a range of high-value payloads, including:

• INSAT and GSAT communication satellites
• NavIC (India’s regional navigation system)
• IDRSS (satellites for real-time data relay)
• South Asia Satellite (2017) – a symbol of India’s regional space diplomacy
• Military communications satellite (2018)
• Chandrayaan-2 Moon Mission (2019) – India’s second lunar mission

Why GSLV is Vital for India’s Space Future:

The GSLV platform is a cornerstone of India’s space ambitions for multiple reasons:

• Enables self-reliance in launching heavy communication satellites, reducing dependency on foreign launchers
• Paves the way for crewed missions and deep space exploration
• Supports strategic and defense applications with its ability to launch dual-use payloads
• Expands India’s commercial space offerings through affordable satellite launch services for other countries

Fun Fact: Cryogenic Edge

The Cryogenic Upper Stage, once imported from Russia, is now fully developed in India, marking a huge leap in indigenous aerospace capability. Cryogenic engines operate using supercooled liquid hydrogen and oxygen, offering higher thrust efficiency essential for GTO missions.

In Conclusion: GSLV Powers India’s Leap into the Future

As ISRO prepares to launch the NISAR Earth-observation satellite, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle continues to solidify its role as India’s premier heavy-lift launch system. With advanced variants like the GSLV Mk III, India is now poised to compete with global space giants, aiming not just for geosynchronous orbit—but for the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

5. NEP 2020: Five Years On – Transformative Shifts, Persistent Challenges, and the Road Ahead in Indian

Context: Launched in 2020, the National Education Policy (NEP) marked India’s most comprehensive attempt to reform its education system in over three decades. Five years later, the policy has brought about visible changes in classrooms—particularly in early education—but its full-scale implementation continues to face roadblocks.

While several promising reforms have taken off, a host of critical proposals remain stuck due to institutional inertia, state-centre tensions, and resource constraints.

Early Achievements and Key Developments:

New School Structure and Curriculum Framework

• The traditional 10+2 structure has been replaced by the 5+3+3+4 model, encompassing:
  • Foundational Stage (pre-school to Class 2)
  • Preparatory Stage (Classes 3–5)
  • Middle Stage (Classes 6–8)
  • Secondary Stage (Classes 9–12)
• The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 defined stage-specific outcomes.
• NCERT has introduced new textbooks for Classes 1–8, integrating subjects like history and geography into interdisciplinary content. Books for Classes 9–12 are still awaited.

Strengthening Early Childhood Education:

• The NEP envisions universal access to pre-primary education by 2030.
• NCERT’s ‘Jaadui Pitara’ kits and a new national ECCE curriculum are now being adopted in states.
• Delhi, Kerala, and Karnataka have made six years the minimum age for Class 1, enhancing school readiness. However, it has caused a drop in enrolment numbers in some areas.
• Anganwadi centres remain under-resourced, with poor infrastructure and insufficient training support for educators.

NIPUN Bharat: Building Foundational Learning

• The NIPUN Bharat mission (launched in 2021) focuses on universal literacy and numeracy by Class 3.
• A recent nationwide assessment shows that students achieved an average of 64% in language and 60% in mathematics, indicating steady progress but also the need for accelerated efforts.

Higher Education: Greater Flexibility and Credit Mobility

Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and National Credit Framework (NCrF)

• These tools allow students to accumulate and transfer credits, encouraging multi-exit options in degree programs.
• Learners can exit after 1, 2, or 4 years with a certificate, diploma, or full degree.
• The CBSE is piloting a credit system in schools, paving the way for greater academic flexibility.

CUET: Towards Uniform College Admissions

• The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) was introduced in 2022 to standardise college admissions across India, reducing the burden of multiple entrance exams.
• Despite some technical glitches in implementation, it aligns with NEP’s vision of transparent, equitable access to higher education.

Global Expansion of Indian Institutions:

• Indian institutes such as IIT Madras (Zanzibar), IIT Delhi (Abu Dhabi), and IIM Ahmedabad (Dubai) have opened international campuses.
• Global universities like the University of Southampton are also entering India, and 12 more international institutions are awaiting approval.

Ongoing Reforms Still Gaining Ground:

Reimagining Board Exams:

• To reduce exam-related stress, the NEP proposes twice-a-year board exams starting 2026 for Class 10.
• Karnataka has already piloted this system.
• Subjects are to be offered at two levels (standard and higher)—currently only implemented for Mathematics (Class 10) by CBSE.

Holistic Progress Cards:

• The PARAKH unit under NCERT has created new-style report cards including peer and self-evaluations.
• However, adoption by state boards is still limited, slowing the intended shift towards competency-based assessment.

Four-Year Undergraduate Degree Programs:

• NEP encourages four-year UG programs with multiple exit points.
• While states like Kerala and several central universities have begun implementation, faculty shortages and infrastructure limitations are hampering full rollout.

Mother Tongue as Medium of Instruction:

• To enhance comprehension and cognitive skills, NEP recommends using the mother tongue/local language until at least Class 5.
• CBSE has issued directives to implement this for pre-primary to Class 2, with flexibility for higher classes.
• NCERT is working on producing textbooks in more Indian languages to support this transition.

Key Roadblocks and Challenges:

Three-Language Formula Resistance:

• NEP suggests students learn three languages, at least two of which must be Indian.
• Tamil Nadu, which uses the Tamil-English model, has rejected the proposal, viewing it as an attempt to enforce Hindi, reigniting language politics.

Teacher Education Reforms Delayed:

• The proposed National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) is yet to be released.
• The four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) is still in the pilot phase, facing resistance from traditional B.El.Ed. colleges.

No Unified Higher Education Regulator Yet:

• NEP calls for replacing the UGC, AICTE, and NCTE with a single Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).
• The draft legislation for HECI is still under development, delaying much-needed structural reforms.

No Breakfast Scheme Implementation:

• NEP proposed a morning meal in addition to the Midday Meal Scheme to improve nutrition and learning outcomes.
• However, the Finance Ministry rejected this due to budgetary limitations, stalling the rollout.

Centre–State Disagreements Hinder Implementation:

• States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal have opted out of the PM-SHRI school initiative, leading the Centre to withhold Samagra Shiksha funds.
• Tamil Nadu has challenged this in the Supreme Court as a violation of cooperative federalism.

Karnataka Reverses Course:

• While Karnataka was among the first states to adopt the NEP’s four-year UG model, the current government has scrapped the policy and is now drafting a state-specific education framework.

In Conclusion: A Long Road Ahead

NEP 2020 has undoubtedly initiated a paradigm shift in how education is approached in India—from rote learning to holistic development, and from rigid pathways to flexible learning journeys. Yet, its full potential remains untapped due to a combination of systemic delays, political tensions, and resource gaps.

As India moves forward, the success of NEP 2020 will depend on stronger collaboration between Centre and states, capacity building, adequate funding, and public participation. Only then can India truly transform its education landscape for the 21st century learner.

6. SOFI 2025 Report Highlights: Global Hunger Sees Slight Decline, But Food Security Challenges Persist

Context: The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report, a key annual assessment jointly published by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, sheds light on global progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 — to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition.

While the world has made measurable progress in reducing hunger, the report also highlights worsening inequalities, particularly in regions like Africa and Western Asia. The impact of economic shocks, conflict, and climate change continues to undermine access to affordable and nutritious food.

Key Global Findings of SOFI 2025:

• The global prevalence of hunger dropped to 8.2% in 2024, showing improvement from 2022 levels.
• Despite this progress, hunger is still rising in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Western Asia, driven by conflict, political instability, and economic disruptions.
• Moderate to severe food insecurity has been on a gradual decline since 2021, a positive trend aided by targeted food assistance and social support mechanisms.
• Food prices surged globally during 2023 and 2024, significantly increasing the cost of a healthy diet.
  • This inflation was exacerbated by the ongoing aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict, both of which disrupted supply chains and impacted energy and fertilizer costs.
• Despite these cost pressures, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet dropped from 2.76 billion in 2019 to 2.60 billion in 2024, indicating slow but meaningful progress.
• Anaemia among women (aged 15–49) continues to rise globally, as does adult obesity, which climbed from 12.1% in 2012 to 15.8% in 2022, signaling a growing double burden of malnutrition.

India-Specific Observations:

• In contrast to several lower-middle-income countries, India has shown a declining trend in the number of people unable to afford a nutritious diet.
• A notable case study from Kerala highlighted how mobile technology adoption among fishermen and wholesalers helped reduce price dispersion and food waste, demonstrating how digital tools can enhance food market efficiency.

Strategic Recommendations from the Report:

To build resilient and equitable food systems, SOFI 2025 outlines several policy directions:

1. Time-bound fiscal interventions: Introduce temporary tax cuts on essential food items and scale up social protection programs to shield vulnerable populations from food inflation.
2. Coordinated fiscal and monetary policy: Governments must align financial strategies to stabilize food markets and prevent volatility.
3. Strengthening market intelligence: Invest in agricultural market information systems to curb speculation and ensure transparent pricing, especially during crises.

About the SOFI Report:

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) is a flagship UN publication that provides data-driven insights into progress toward ending hunger and malnutrition. It monitors global and regional trends linked to:

• SDG Target 2.1 – End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food
• SDG Target 2.2 – Eliminate all forms of malnutrition, especially among children and women

Looking Forward: A Call for Integrated Global Action

While the SOFI 2025 report offers encouraging signals, the path to zero hunger remains complex. Climate variability, geopolitical instability, and economic inequality continue to threaten food access for billions.

Urgent multilateral cooperation, along with technology-driven agricultural innovation, and inclusive policy frameworks, will be critical to realizing global food security goals by 2030.