News of The Day: 19th August 2025

News of The Day – 19th August 2025

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

(Syllabus Relevance)

(Static + Dynamic Linkage)

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• INDIA bloc mulls impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged bias and ‘vote chori’ in Bihar voter lists. 
• About Impeachment of CEC.
• Removal under Article 324. 

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• Union Home Ministry confirms LG’s power to nominate members to J&K Assembly, outside the elected government’s realm.
• About the Nomination process for UT assemblies.
• Article 239A, J&K Reorganisation Act 2019

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• About Udyam Sakhi Portal (udyamsakhi.com) 
• Significance of the Portal

(GS 2: Polity and Governance)

• About NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls) Initiative.
• Significance: Empowers out-of-school girls, reduces gender gaps. 

(GS 2: International Relations)

• Pragmatic strategies in global affairs, possibly in context of US trade wars and foreign policy under Trump.
• Adaptive manoeuvres in international relations.
• Significance: Guides India’s approach to geopolitical shifts. Challenges: Balancing alliances amid US-China tensions. 
• Principles of non-alignment.
• India’s multi-alignment policy in current global scenarios.

(GS 2: International Relations)

• The US proposes NATO Article 5-style joint defense guarantees for Ukraine.
• Significance: Potential end to Ukraine war, impacts global security. Challenges: Agreement with Russia. 
• About  NATO Charter Article 5.

(GS 3: Economy)

• India’s economic resilience since Independence in 1947, surpassing the UK’s economy, and lessons for future growth.
• Highlights citizen-level resolve and national progress. 
• Post-Independence economic policies like Five-Year Plans.
• Current reforms under Atmanirbhar Bharat and global economic positioning.
• Significance: Reinforces Viksit Bharat vision for 2047. 
• Challenges: Addressing inequality and sustainable development. 

(GS 3: Economy)

• RBI survey shows mutual funds’ foreign liabilities surged 19.9% to $30.5 billion in FY25.
• What are Foreign Liabilities of MF?
• Impact of Foreign Liabilities.

(GS 3: Economy)

• Key Findings of PLFS for April-June 2025.
• Implication on the Indian Economy.

(GS 3: Economy)

• India’s first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant.
• Targets blending mandates: 1% by 2027 for international flights. 
• Significance: Reduces aviation emissions, supports net-zero goals. 
• Challenges: Feedstock availability, cost competitiveness.
• About National Biofuel Policy.

(GS 3: Economy)

• Dubai introduces ‘One Freezone Passport’ for unified licensing across 30+ free zones. 
• Significance: Attracts global firms, boosts FDI. 
• Relevance for India: Lessons for SEZs. 

(GS 3: Environment)

• About Palmyra palms
• Benefits in Odisha: 
• Reduce lightning deaths and 
• provide fruits as food for elephants, 
• mitigating human-elephant conflict. 
• Promoted in coastal and forest areas. 
• Significance: Climate-resilient agroforestry. 
• Challenges: Urbanization threats. 

(GS 3: Environment)

• About World Orangutan Day 2025.
• About Orangutans and their conservation status.

(GS 3: Science and Technology)

• Transforming AI into a tool that enhances critical thinking in education rather than providing shortcuts.
• Examples include AI prompting deeper analysis. 
• Alignment with NEP 2020 for skill-based learning.
• Challenges: Digital divide, ethical AI use, teacher training.
• AI ethics guidelines; 
• Integration with digital initiatives like DIKSHA and PM e-VIDYA.

(GS 3: Science and Technology)

• E. coli as a bioelectronic sensor detecting mercury in water via electric signals, sensitive to 25 nanomoles.
• Significance: Affordable pollution detection, addresses water contamination. 
• Challenges: Scaling for field use, biosafety. Static Linkage: Biotechnology applications