News of The Day – 12th August 2025

SOURCES: The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR etc

(Syllabus Relevance)

(Static + Dynamic Linkage)

Scientists find possible artefacts of oldest known Wallacean hominids in Indonesia.

(GS 1: History)

• Discovery of  700,000-year-old stone tools in Indonesia.
• Early hominid presence.
• Sheds light on; links to India’s prehistoric sites.
• About early human cultures and human migration in Southeast Asia.

302 Million Lifted Out of Poverty in India Between 2011-12 and 2022-23 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• Highlights of the NITI Aayog Research Findings
• Key Drivers for improvement in Poverty Rates
• Intra-Household Resource Allocation and Poverty Rates
• Gender and Child Poverty Implications

Jatan Scheme 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• About the Jatan Scheme
• Key Features of the Scheme

Tap water coverage crosses 81% in rural India; groundwater rises in 83 blocks 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• Achievements Under  Jal Jeevan Mission 
• Impact on Groundwater
• Challenges in implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission 
• Significance of Jal Jeevan Mission (SDG, Right to life, etc)

Parliament Passes Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• Bill Replaces Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
• Key Provisions of the Bill
• Significance for India’s Maritime Sector
• Challenges and External Factors

A Supreme Court ruling with no room for gender justice 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• Criticism of SC judgment on marital laws.
• Persisting Issues: Upholds traditional norms, ignoring women’s economic vulnerabilities in divorce cases.
• Implication on  gender equality and Justice
• Way forward: Gender Sensitization in Judiciary

Reviving civic engagement in health governance

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• Issue: Low public participation in health policy-making limits accountability.
• Proposals: Strengthen Jan Arogya Samitis and community health forums for inclusive governance.
• Impact: Enhances transparency in schemes like Ayushman Bharat; empowers local stakeholders.
• Challenges: Awareness gaps and bureaucratic resistance. Static Linkage: Right to Health, Article 21; Dynamic Linkage: National Health Mission.

Providing justice for juveniles 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• Need for reforms in Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
• Aligns with child rights under UNCRC. Static Linkage: Constitutional protections (Article 39).
• Issues: Overcrowded observation homes, delayed trials, and lack of counseling.
• Recommendations: Strengthen Juvenile Justice Boards, expand skill training, and ensure speedy trials.

Draft policy for the elderly proposes ‘Kerala model of ageing’ 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• Policy Overview: Draft National Policy for Senior Citizens, 2025, inspired by Kerala’s elderly care model.
• Key Features: Community-based Geriatric care, pension reforms, and healthcare access for 104 million elderly.
• Impact: Addresses old age challenges; promotes dignified ageing.
• Challenges: Funding and implementation disparities across states. Static Linkage: Article 41 (social security); 
• Central Governments initiatives for elderly.

Parliament passes Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 after Rajya Sabha adoption 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• Rajya Sabha approval of  Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025.
• Key Provisions: Digital ship registration, crew welfare, and pollution control measures.
• Significance: Positions India as a global maritime hub; supports 95% of trade by volume.

India Becomes World’s Third-Largest Automobile Market 

(GS 3: Economy)

• Automotive Industry Landscape in India
• Importance of Automotive Sector in Indian Economy:
• Key Challenges: Transition to EV and policies
• Way Ahead

World Elephant Day 2025 

(GS 3: Environment)

• World Elephant Day 2025
• Decline of Elephants in the African Region
• Conservation and Transportation Challenges for Elephants
• India’s Elephant Conservation Efforts
• About Elephant and Conservation Status

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary 

(GS 3: Environment)

• About Barda Sanctuary.
• Relocation of lions.
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

On India and ethanol-blended fuel 

(GS 3: Environment)

• India achieves 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025, ahead of 2030 target.
• India’s Ethanol-Blending Program: Aim & Objectives
• Benefits of Ethanol Blending
• Challenges and Concerns
• Vehicle Compatibility and Technical Issues
• Policy and Transparency Gaps
• Food Security and Agricultural Implications
• Way Forward

Kenya becomes 10th African nation to eliminate sleeping sickness

(GS 3: Science and tech)

• About sleeping sickness: Cause & Treatment
• WHO’s target to eradicate sleeping sickness by 2030.
• Lessons for India vector-borne disease control (e.g., kala-azar elimination).

Indian Navy to Commission INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri 

(GS 3: Security)

• About stealth frigates
• INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri
• Capabilities and Significance

Remove free-ranging dogs from Delhi-NCR localities, never to be released in public spaces: SC 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance; GS-04: Ethics)

• SC Directive: Orders removal of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR due to rising attacks.
• Conflicts with Animal Welfare Board’s sterilization-release policy.
• Implications: Ethical concerns; impact on urban biodiversity and animal rights.
• Way Forward.