Current Context: According to the World Bank’s Spring 2025 report, India’s Gini Index is 25.5, placing it as the 4th most equal society globally (after Slovakia, Slovenia, and Belarus)

 About GINI INDEX

• Definition: Measures income/wealth inequality on a scale from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (perfect inequality).
• Calculation: Based on Lorenz curve—cumulative income vs population percentiles.
• India’s Improvement: Score improved from 28.8 in 2011 to 25.5 in 2022.

Relevance & concerns

• Reflects reduced extreme poverty—falling to 2.3% (under $2.15/day).
• India compares favorably against China (35.7) and high-inequality G7 economies.
• Note: This measures consumption inequality; income inequality may remain high as per alternate data sources

Current Context: Over 1,000 earthquakes occurred around Japan’s Tokara Islands in the past two weeks, indicating intense seismic activity.

About Tokara Islands

• Location: Archipelago south of Kyushu, north of Amami—part of Toshima-mura municipality.
• Islands: Seven inhabited (e.g., Nakanoshima with Mt Otake, 979 m) and five uninhabited.
• Geography & Climate: Covers ~160 km; climate is warm, frost-free, with ~2,700 mm annual rainfall.

Seismic Importance: Located in one of the most active tectonic zones in the world.

Current Context: The Election Commission of India is commencing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across Bihar, relying on Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

 About SIR

• Definition: A house-to-house enrollment exercise by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to update/upkeep voter lists.
• Objective: Ensure inclusion of all eligible citizens and removal of ineligible entries.
• Methodology: Direct verification of residence, age, identity, and citizenship status. Regular updates can also be driven by voter requests.
• Significance : Enhances voter list accuracy, reinforcing quality of democratic processes.

Current Context: PM Modi attended the 17ᵗʰ BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6–7 July)

Key Highlights:

• Global Governance Reform: PM Modi called for urgent reforms of UN Security Council, IMF, World Bank, and WTO to reflect contemporary challenges and amplify the voice of the Global South.
• Peace & Security: India condemned terrorism, specifically referencing the Pahalgam attack (April 2025), and emphasized zero tolerance, no exceptions; also promoted dialogue and diplomacy amid global conflicts.
• Multilateralism & AI: Advocated for:
  1. Demand-driven funding by New Development Bank.
  2. Creation of a Science & Research repository for Global South.
  3. Strengthened critical mineral supply chains.
  4. Responsible AI governance balanced with innovation — “AI for All” ethos.
• Outcome: Adoption of the “Rio de Janeiro Declaration”, reaffirming commitment to inclusive Global South cooperation.
• India assumes the BRICS Chairmanship for 2026 and will host next year’s summit.

About BRICS (Expanded Group)

• Established: June 16, 2009 (Brazil, Russia, India, China); South Africa joined in 2010.
• 2024–25 Expansion:
  • Full members added: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE (Jan 2024); Indonesia (Jan 2025).
  • Partner countries now include Vietnam, Nigeria, and others under the BRICS+ model.
• Group Size & Influence: 10 full members represent ~44% of world GDP and 50% of global population

Current Context: PM Narendra Modi was awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago—the country’s highest civilian honour—as part of India’s first PM visit to Trinidad & Tobago since 1999.

 About The Award

• Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (ORTT): Highest national honour, single-class decoration established in 2008.
• Recognition Reasons: Acknowledged PM Modi’s global leadership, strong diaspora ties (>1/3 population of Indian origin), and Covid‑19 humanitarian efforts.
• Diplomatic Announcements:
• Indian support: 2,000 laptops for education; agro-machinery donation ($1M); healthcare collaboration; prosthetic camps; UPI, Jan Aushadhi adoption; OCI scheme to 6th generation.
• Trinidad initiatives: Joining CDRI, Global Biofuel Alliance, and exploring disaster resilience cooperation.

Current Context: The European Commission proposed legally binding climate legislation calling for a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 (from 1990 levels). The plan includes flexibility provisions to ease the transition for industry.

About the Target

• Core Objective: Achieve 90% emissions cut by 2040 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
• Flexibility Mechanism:
• Up to 3% of reductions may be met through high-quality international carbon credits (e.g., forest projects) from 2036 onward.
• Member states can choose which economic sectors contribute most to their targets.
• Rationale: Aims to protect European industries burdened by global competition and high energy costs.
• Critiques:
• Climate teams and NGOs warn it may divert investment from domestic clean energy efforts.
• Brazil, COP30 host, has cautioned against overreliance on offsets flexibility provisions.

Current Context: Mashreq, a leading UAE bank, received in-principle approval from IFSCA to open an International Banking Unit in GIFT City, Gujarat, making it the first UAE bank to do so.

 About Mashreq at Gift City

• Expected operational launch in Q4 2025, pending final licensing.
• Services will include overseas trade finance, foreign-currency loans, treasury & risk management.
• Aligned with global expansion of UAE investments via GIFT City, including ADIA initiatives and strategic India-UAE financial ties .

About Gift city

• India’s first greenfield smart city and International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) located between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar on the Sabarmati River.
• Area & Structure: Spans ~886 acres (≈ 6 km²), including a 261-acre SEZ and a Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).
• Governance: Developed by Gujarat Urban Development Company and IL&FS; overseen by the GIFT City Company Ltd

CURRENT CONTEXT  : A rare roll cloud was observed along the Portugal coast, during a severe heatwave.

 About Roll Cloud

• Type: A rare form of arcus cloud
• Appearance: Low, horizontal, tube-shaped cloud that appears to “roll”
• Altitude Range: Typically forms between 2,000–7,000 metres
• Formation Conditions: When cool air undercuts warm moist air, especially along gust fronts or sea breeze fronts
• Not Tornado: Unlike funnel clouds, it does not touch the ground
• Occurrence Regions: Coastal/mountainous areas – e.g., Japan, Alps, Scotland, northern Australia
• Weather Significance: May indicate upcoming thunderstorms or wind shifts

 What is an Arcus cloud?

• Definition: A cloud formation on the leading edge of a thunderstorm outflow
• Types:
• Shelf Cloud (attached to parent storm)
• Roll Cloud (detached from storm system)

Current Context : The Tamil Nadu government has launched efforts under the TNSHORE project to save the sinking Kariyachalli Island in the Gulf of Mannar region, which faces rapid erosion and ecological degradation.

About Kariyachalli Island

• Location: Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, between Rameswaram and Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
• Ecological Zone: Gulf of Mannar is among India’s four major coral reef regions and is highly ecologically sensitive
• Island Features:
• One of 21 uninhabited islands in the region
• Contains beaches, sand dunes, spits, and sandy plains

Threats Faced:

• Landmass reduced by over 70% (1969–2024) – IIT Madras report
• Causes: Erosion, rising sea levels, coral bleaching, seagrass degradation
• ~One-third of coral reef bleached
• At current pace, island could submerge by 2036

About Government Initiative: Tnshore Project

• Full Form: Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources
• Launch Timeline: August 2025
• Objectives:
• Restore coral reefs using artificial reef modules
• Plant seagrass beds
• Revive marine biodiversity to resist erosion

Current Context: Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia became the first woman inducted into the Indian Navy’s fighter pilot stream, completing her Hawk training and earning her “Wings of Gold” at INS Dega, Vizag.

About Aastha Poonia

• Completed the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course alongside Lt Atul Kumar Dhull.
• Will undergo ~1 year of fighter training to operate MiG‑29K off carriers like INS Vikramaditya/Vikrant; future possibility of flying Rafale M or DRDO’s TEDBF.
• Marked a pioneering shift in Indian naval aviation—women previously served in maritime patrol and helicopter roles only.