07 May 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Civil Defence Mock Drills Conducted Across 244 Districts

Source: Page 14, The Hindu International Edition (May 07, 2025)

Topic: GS3: Disaster Management, GS2: Governance

Context

The Ministry of Home Affairs initiated a nationwide civil defence drill, simulating wartime emergency situations across 244 high-risk districts.

Content:

• Objective of the Drill
  Designed to test India’s emergency response systems against aerial attacks, cyber threats, and mass evacuations.

• Operational Highlights
  Included air raid sirens, blackouts, public alerts via LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Devices), and rescue operations.

• Strategic Locations
  Focused on refineries, power plants, cantonments, and key urban centres in border states and metros like Delhi and Mumbai.

• Civil-Military Coordination
  Involved multiple agencies including NDMA, NDRF, local police, and civil volunteers.

Practice Question:

Critically analyze the importance of civil defence preparedness in India’s internal security framework. What challenges must be addressed for effective implementation? (250 words / 15 marks)

2. Supreme Court Publishes Assets of 21 Judges

Source:  Page 1, The Hindu International Edition (May 07, 2025)

Topic: GS1 – Urbanization; GS3 – Disaster Management

Context

In a move to improve transparency and public confidence, the Supreme Court released asset details of 21 of its 33 sitting judges.

Content:

• Nature of Disclosure
  Includes immovable property, mutual fund holdings, vehicles, jewellery, and liabilities.

• Voluntary Declaration
  Follows a full-court resolution passed in April 2025 to institutionalize asset disclosure.

• Significance for Democracy
  Reinforces the principle of accountability among constitutional functionaries.

• Remaining Concerns
  Disclosures by the remaining judges are awaited; advocates are calling for annual mandatory disclosures.

Practice Question:

Assess the significance of public asset disclosures by the higher judiciary in enhancing judicial transparency and accountability. (250 words / 15 marks)

3. Gaganyaan Mission Update: ISRO Sets Timeline for Crewed Launch

Source: Page 14, The Hindu, 07 May 2025

Topic: GS3: Science and Technology – Space Programme

Context

ISRO announced that India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, will be launched by early 2027, with preparatory uncrewed missions beginning in 2025.

Content:

• Mission Components
  Features human-rated launch vehicles, crew module recovery systems, and AI-powered robot ‘Vyommitra’ for uncrewed trials.

• Collaborations
  Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will train aboard Axiom Space’s ISS mission in 2025.

• Significance
  Positions India in elite spacefaring nations alongside the US, Russia, and China.

Practice Question:

Critically examine India’s diplomatic balancing act in the Israel-Palestine conflict. How does it reflect broader trends in India’s foreign policy? (150 words / 10 marks)

4. India and UK Finalise Free Trade Agreement

Source:  Page 1, The Indian Express, 07 May 2025

Topic: GS2: International Relations, GS3: Indian Economy – Trade

Context

India and the United Kingdom signed a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA), concluding years of negotiations aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment.

Content:

• Duty-Free Access for Indian Exports
  The FTA grants zero-duty access for 99% of Indian exports to the UK, including textiles, jewellery, leather, and marine products.

• Social Security Relief
  Indian professionals posted to the UK will now be exempt from paying UK social security for up to three years.

• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Concerns
  India raised concerns about the EU’s proposed carbon taxes and negotiated terms for green product certification.

• Strategic Value
  Marks a major shift post-Brexit and strengthens India’s trade profile in Europe.

Practice Question:

Discuss the significance of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement in the context of India’s trade diversification and foreign policy goals. (250 words / 15 marks)

 

5. Chinab Valley Hosts India’s Largest Concrete Dam

Source: Page 15, The Indian Express, 07 May 2025

Topic: GS3: Environment & Infrastructure; GS1: Geography – Rivers and Water Bodies

Context

India’s largest concrete dam under construction in the Chenab Valley (J&K) is poised to redefine water management and energy security.

Content:

• About the Project
  Pakal Dul dam (167 m high) being built by NHPC on the Marusudar, a tributary of the Chenab.
• Geo-Strategic Significance
  Falls under India’s rights over western rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Helps utilize unexploited water share.
• Environmental Challenges
  Seismic vulnerability of the region, relocation of villages, and impact on river biodiversity.

Practice Question:

Critically examine the environmental and geopolitical implications of large dam construction in Himalayan regions. (250 words / 15 marks)

Prelims Facts

1. Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill (Operation Abhyaas)

Source: The Hindu, Page 14, 07 May 2025

Topic: GS3: Disaster Management, Internal Security

Context

The Ministry of Home Affairs conducted India’s largest-ever civil defence mock drill on 07 May 2025 across 244 districts. This follows heightened national security concerns post the Pahalgam terror attack and aims to test India’s wartime emergency preparedness.

Analysis of the news:

Background: Why the Civil Defence Drill Was Conducted

• Initiated in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack to prepare for aerial and internal threats.

• First of its scale since the Indo-Pak tensions of 1971, reflecting growing regional security concerns.

Key Features of the Drill

• Scope and Participation:
  Conducted in 244 civil defence districts including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, etc. Participants included civil volunteers, NCC cadets, Home Guards, and students.

• Simulated Scenarios:
  Blackouts, air raid sirens, shelter drills, and emergency response exercises were executed.

• Infrastructure Testing:
  Communication systems, emergency hotlines, and evacuation logistics were evaluated.

Legal Framework and Coordination

• Based on Civil Defence Act, 1968 and coordinated by NDMA in collaboration with states and local bodies.

Challenges and Observations

• Public Awareness: Avoiding panic and ensuring community participation was a key hurdle.

• Systemic Gaps: Issues with agency coordination and infrastructure resilience came to light during the simulation.

2. Supreme Court Judges’ Asset Disclosure

Source: The Hindu, Page 1, 07 May 2025

Topic: GS2: Polity – Judiciary, Transparency and Accountability

Context

The Supreme Court of India published the asset details of 21 out of its 33 judges, including the Chief Justice. This is the first such public disclosure, following a full-court resolution passed in April 2025 to institutionalize transparency in the higher judiciary.

Analysis of the news:

Background: Why the Asset Disclosure Was Implemented

• Aimed at increasing public trust in the judiciary through institutional transparency.

• Builds on older norms encouraging internal asset declarations by judges, now made public.

Key Features of the Disclosure

• Scope of Disclosure:
  Includes property, bank accounts, mutual funds, vehicles, jewellery, and liabilities.

• Accessibility:
  Published on the official Supreme Court website for public scrutiny.

Legal Framework and Coordination

• Guided by an April 1, 2025 resolution mandating proactive disclosure of judicial assets.

Challenges and Observations

• Incomplete Compliance:
  Remaining 12 judges are yet to publish their disclosures, raising questions on uniform adherence.

• Positive Reception:
  Viewed by civil society as a landmark move toward institutional accountability.

Check more: 06 May 2025 : Daily Current Affairs