14 July 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Foreigners Found on Bihar Rolls, INDIA Questions Data

Source: The Hindu, Page 1 , july 14, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2 – Polity & Governance; Electoral Reforms

Context

The Election Commission (EC) claimed that a large number of foreigners from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar were identified in the electoral roll verification process in Bihar. The INDIA alliance questioned the credibility and transparency of the EC’s data.

Content: 

• Background:

  • EC launched Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar on June 25.

  • Names of alleged foreigners to be excluded in the final voter list by September 30.

• Opposition Concerns:

  • INDIA bloc leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav, rejected EC’s data as manipulated and unreliable.

  • Allegations of mass uploading of fake enumeration forms, lack of informed consent, and marginalisation of Opposition booth-level agents.

  • Fears of disenfranchisement of ~2 crore voters, especially migrants, minorities, and women.

• Legal Framework:

  • RP Act, 1950—Section 19 & 20 outlines ‘ordinarily resident’ criterion for voter eligibility.

  • Supreme Court had earlier advised considering Aadhaar and ration cards as valid documents—reportedly ignored by EC.

• Significance:

  • Raises issues of electoral transparency, data integrity, and democratic rights in context of upcoming Assembly polls.

Practice Question:

“Critically examine the implications of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise on the electoral integrity and democratic participation in India. Suggest reforms to strengthen voter verification mechanisms.“ (250 words / 15 marks)

2. Nipah Virus Death in Kerala Triggers Statewide Alert

Source: Page 1 & 10, The Hindu, July 14 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2 & 3 – Governance (Health), Disaster Management

Context

A 58-year-old man in Palakkad, Kerala, died of the Nipah virus, prompting the state to initiate health surveillance in six districts.

Content:

• Key Facts:

  • • The deceased tested positive posthumously.

    • Contact tracing launched for 46 individuals.

    • Six districts including Kozhikode and Wayanad put on alert.

  • Response Measures:

    • Surveillance camera analysis for contact tracing.

    • Door-to-door fever screening and public awareness drives.

    • Public urged to avoid hospital visits; restriction on bystanders.

  • Challenges & Significance:

    • High fatality rate of Nipah and previous outbreaks in Kerala underscore need for quick response.

    • Emphasizes importance of state health system preparedness and inter-district coordination.

Practice Question:

“Discuss the public health and administrative challenges posed by recurrent outbreaks of zoonotic diseases like Nipah virus in India. How should the Centre and States collaborate to build long-term epidemiological resilience? “ (250 words / 15 marks)

3. NCTE Reviews New Teacher Training Regulations (2025)

Source: The Hindu, Page 1, July 14, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2 – Education, Governance Reforms

Context

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) is reviewing the draft 2025 regulations for teacher training to align with NEP 2020.

Content:

• Key Provisions:

  • Regulations propose 5 segmented teacher specialisations.

  • Emphasis on alignment with NEP vision for school-stage-specific pedagogies.

• Concerns Raised:

  • Lack of flexibility in teacher deployment, especially in rural areas.

  • Career limitations and hiring challenges for private schools due to narrow specialisations.

  • Misalignment with teacher labour market trends.

• Response:

  • NCTE has formed a multi-stakeholder expert committee (MoE, NITI Aayog, NIEPA, etc.).

  • Gazette notification pending final vetting and MoE approval.

• Significance:

  • Will redefine teacher eligibility, training programmes, and institutional recognition norms after 10 years.

Practice Question:

“The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to transform teacher education in India. Critically analyse the draft NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations 2025 in this context.” (150 words / 10 marks)

Prelims Facts

1. Foreigners found on Bihar rolls, says EC; INDIA questions data

Source: Page 1, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 2: Polity & Governance – Electoral Reforms

Context

Election Commission reported identification of foreigners in Bihar’s voter list revision; opposition parties raised doubts over the transparency of the process.

Analysis of the news:

• EC claims discovery of foreign nationals (from Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar) during electoral roll verification (Special Intensive Revision – SIR).

• INDIA bloc alleges:

  • Lack of verification of forms.

  • Marginalisation of Opposition BLOs.

  • Potential disenfranchisement of over 2 crore voters.

• Key legal point: RP Act, 1950 allows only ‘ordinarily resident’ citizens to vote.

• Significance: Electoral credibility, citizen rights, and democratic participation under scrutiny.

2. We are reviewing draft regulations to overhaul teacher training programmes: NCTE Chairperson

Source: Page 1, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 2: Education Reforms, Governance

Context

NCTE is reviewing the draft 2025 regulations for teacher education to align with NEP 2020 after stakeholder feedback.

Content 

• Proposed segmentation into 5 specialisations (pre-primary to secondary levels).

• Concerns:

  • Rigid teacher deployment policy.

  • Misalignment with rural and private school needs.

  • Career inflexibility for teachers.

• Action: MoE and Law Ministry consultations ongoing; regulations not yet notified.

• NCTE formed expert panel with MoE, NITI Aayog, NIEPA, etc.

• Significance: Long-term impact on quality of teacher training and school education outcomes.

Check more: 12 July 2025 : Daily Current Affairs