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Current Affairs 16 July 2025

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Current Affairs 16 July 2025. SC redefines free speech limits, PCR Act’s gaps exposed, women in STEM spotlighted, India hits green milestone. UPSC-ready updates, simplified.

Table of Contents

🇮🇳 National Affairs

Digital Dignity
SC prioritises dignity over free speech in landmark influencer case

📝 What You Should Know
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of a case involving five influencers accused of mocking persons with disabilities. As per The Hindu, the Court ruled that Article 21 (Right to Life with Dignity) holds precedence over Article 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech) when both rights clash. The Court found the digital content in question degrading and “demoralising.” It directed the Attorney General to formulate digital content regulations, ensuring a future-ready balance of freedom and respect. The Court also emphasised stakeholder consultations and reinforced the ethical responsibilities of influencers, marking a major shift in India’s digital jurisprudence.

📌 Key Takeaway:

SC asserted dignity over unrestricted speech online
Regulations to control influencer content are in the works
Reinforces the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

Civil Rights Gap
Untouchability persists despite Protection of Civil Rights Act

📝 What You Should Know
The 2022 Annual Report by the Ministry of Social Justice reveals shocking figures: only 13 cases were registered under the PCR Act, while over 1,200 cases remain pending in courts. As per The Hindu, out of 31 resolved cases, only one conviction was secured. States are failing in duties like appointing vigilance officers and submitting reports. In contrast, the SC/ST Act saw 62,501 cases, reflecting better enforcement. The data indicates a lack of awareness and political will, despite Article 17 banning untouchability.

📌 Key Takeaway:

PCR Act sees minimal enforcement and conviction
Majority of states failed to comply with mandatory reporting
Untouchability cases are largely addressed under the SC/ST Act

🌐 International Affairs

BIMSTEC Boost
2nd Ports Conclave aims for maritime integration

📝 What You Should Know
Held in Visakhapatnam, the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave operationalised the Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement. India, the first to ratify, urged other nations to expedite implementation. The conclave focused on PPPs, cruise tourism, port digitisation, and regional supply chains. It aligns with India’s Act East and Neighbourhood First policies and strengthens the Bay of Bengal’s strategic role in regional trade.

📌 Key Takeaway:

India leads regional maritime diplomacy under BIMSTEC
Maritime Transport Agreement to boost trade and connectivity
Blue Economy and cruise tourism are strategic focus areas

🔬 Science & Technology Affairs

STEM Divide
Women lead in degrees, lag in jobs

📝 What You Should Know
According to The Hindu and PLFS 2023–24, while 43% of STEM graduates in India are women, they make up only 27% of the STEM workforce. Social norms, lack of workplace safety, and inadequate mentorship cause this leaky pipeline. Government initiatives like NEP 2020, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and Vigyan Jyoti are working to change this. Yet, rural-urban divide and industry-academia mismatch remain major hurdles. As per McKinsey, bridging this gap could add $700 billion to India’s GDP by 2025.

📌 Key Takeaway:

Huge gap between STEM education and employment for women
NEP 2020 and Skill India offer structural solutions
Closing this gap can drive major GDP growth

🌿 Environment Affairs

RE Milestone
India hits 50% non-fossil capacity five years early

📝 What You Should Know
India’s total installed capacity from non-fossil sources has reached 50.08%, crossing the halfway mark five years ahead of its 2030 Paris Agreement target. As per PIB, RE now makes up 184.62 GW, driven by policies like PM-KUSUM, Surya Ghar, and the Green Hydrogen Mission. Financial tools like green bonds and reverse bidding helped cut costs and speed up adoption. This milestone aligns with India’s Panchamrita commitments, particularly the goal of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.

📌 Key Takeaway:

India reaches climate target five years early
Solar and wind lead clean energy shift
Policy and financing tools proved critical

🗺️ Geography Affairs

ELV Delay
Fuel ban on old vehicles postponed in NCR

📝 What You Should Know
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) deferred the ban on refuelling End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) to 1 November 2025. According to Business Standard, ELVs—2 crore in number—emit 12x more pollutants than BS-VI vehicles. The plan includes ANPR camera enforcement and VAHAN database checks. However, infrastructure gaps and public readiness forced a delay. Informal scrappage practices also continue to pose pollution threats.

📌 Key Takeaway:

Fuel ban on old vehicles in NCR delayed till Nov 2025
ELVs cause massive emissions and road safety risks
India gears up for stricter ELV enforcement framework

🧪 History & Archaeology Affairs

Kamaraj Remembered
PM Modi pays tribute to “Kalvi Thanthai”

📝 What You Should Know
15 July marked the birth anniversary of K. Kamaraj, the visionary CM of Madras who transformed primary education and mid-day meals. A freedom fighter and political strategist, Kamaraj played a pivotal role in post-Independence politics, even choosing two Prime Ministers—Shastri and Indira Gandhi. His reforms in education earned him the title “Kalvi Thanthai” (Father of Education). He also led the Indian National Congress (Organisation) post the Congress split.

📌 Key Takeaway:

Kamaraj pioneered education reforms in Tamil Nadu
Remembered as a freedom fighter and political kingmaker
Played key role in India’s early democratic evolution

🧑‍🔬 In News

Carbon Boost
DRDO-AIIMS launch indigenous carbon fibre prosthesis

📝 What You Should Know
DRDL and AIIMS developed a ‘Made in India’ carbon fibre prosthesis, reducing import dependence and costs. Carbon fibre, widely used in aerospace and sports, is now being leveraged in the medical field for its lightweight strength and biocompatibility. As per The Hindu, India currently imports all its carbon fibre, mostly from the US and Japan. This innovation is a step toward self-reliance in medical tech and makes quality prosthetics affordable.

📌 Key Takeaway:

Indigenous prosthesis reduces import costs
Carbon fibre now used in Indian medical devices
Make in India push in healthcare gains ground

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Animal Discoveries
India records 683 new animal species

📝 What You Should Know
Zoological Survey of India’s 2024 report highlights the discovery of 459 new animal species and 224 new India records, especially in biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats and Northeast. A newly discovered snake, Anguiculus dicaprioi, was named after actor Leonardo DiCaprio for his environmental advocacy. Kerala led the discoveries with 101 species, showcasing its ecological richness. These findings underscore the need to protect lesser-known faunal habitats.

📌 Key Takeaway: