18 July 2025 Current Affairs (With PDF)

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Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a transformative initiative aimed at boosting agriculture and allied activities in India’s underperforming districts.

About PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

1. Inspiration

• Draws from the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) initiated by NITI Aayog in 2018, which targeted rapid transformation of 112 least developed districts.
• PMDDKY is India’s first agriculture-exclusive initiative under the ADP framework.

2. Duration

• Six years, commencing from FY 2025–26.

3. Geographical Coverage

a. Target: 100 districts, with at least one district from each state/UT.

b. Selection criteria:

• Low agricultural productivity
• Low cropping intensity
• Poor credit flow to agriculture
• Share of Net Cropped Area and operational holdings in each state

Focus Areas

1. Agriculture and allied sectors only

2. Emphasis on:

• Crop diversification
• Soil and water conservation
• Natural and organic farming
• Self-reliance in agriculture

Implementation Strategy

1. Convergence Model

• Integrates 36 Central Government schemes from 11 different ministries/departments
• Encourages collaboration with:
  - State-level schemes
  - Private sector and local stakeholders

2. District-Level Planning

Each selected district will prepare a customized agricultural development plan through a District Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti

• Will include progressive farmers and local experts
• Plans to be aligned with national agricultural goals

Governance & Monitoring

1. Multi-Tier Committees

• Established at National, State, and District levels for oversight and accountability

2 .Performance Monitoring

• Scheme progress will be tracked through 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• NITI Aayog will:
  - Review district-level performance
  - Offer strategic guidance and feedback on implementation

Key Objectives of PMDDKY

Gujarat’s Banni Grasslands Declared Ready for Cheetah Translocation

The Banni Grasslands in Gujarat are now prepared to receive cheetahs by the end of the year, following ecological and logistical preparations.

Cheetah Translocation – Recent Developments

1. The Gujarat Forest Department has:

• Strengthened the prey base in the region.
• Set up a dedicated enclosure to host the animals.

2. This move is part of India's broader efforts under Project Cheetah to reintroduce the species across suitable habitats.

Background: Cheetah Relocation in India

1. Earlier Translocations:

• From Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary (MP).

2. Other potential translocation sites (as per official action plan):

• Chhattisgarh: Guru Ghasidas National Park
• Madhya Pradesh: Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary, Sanjay National Park, Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary, Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
• Rajasthan: Shahgarh Grasslands, Desert National Park
• Uttar Pradesh: Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary

About Banni Grasslands

1. Location:

• Kutch district, Gujarat

2. Ecological Importance:

• Recognized as Asia’s largest tropical grassland.
• Formed by geological upliftment from the sea due to tectonic events.
• Known for its salt-tolerant vegetation.

3. Inhabitants:

• Traditional pastoral communities like Maldharis, Rabaris, Mutwas, Meghwals rely on its resources.

Project Cheetah - Key Features

• Launched: 2022
• Objective: Reintroduce the cheetah species in India after local extinction in 1952.
• Method: Importing African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa.
• First-of-its-kind: This is the world’s first intercontinental relocation of a large carnivore species.
• Implementing Agency: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• Oversight Body: Project Cheetah Steering Committee, constituted in 2023 to supervise, assess, and guide the program.

About the Cheetah Species

1. Status in India:

• Declared extinct in 1952.

2. Distinct Features:

• World’s fastest land mammal.
• Does not roar, unlike other big cats (lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar).

3. Species Classification:

• African Cheetah
  - IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• Asiatic Cheetah
  - IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
  - Present only in eastern Iran (Asia) and parts of Africa.

Institutional Framework

NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority):

• A statutory authority under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; reformed in 2006.

University of Southampton Becomes 1st Global University to Establish Campus in India

University of Southampton has become the first global university to set up a campus in India under the UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.
Location: Gurugram, Haryana

About the UGC Regulations, 2023

1. Objective

• To facilitate the entry and operation of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) in India, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

2. Eligibility Criteria

• Must feature in the Top 500 global rankings (overall or subject-specific), or
• Demonstrate proven excellence in a specific area of education or research.

3. Key Provisions

• No online or distance education allowed. However, up to 10% of programme content may be delivered online.
• Institutions must operate as independent campuses with academic autonomy.

Other Foreign Universities in India

• Deakin University and University of Wollongong (Australia) have already established campuses in GIFT City (Gujarat).
• These were approved by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) under a different regulatory framework.

Benefits of Foreign Campuses in India

Challenges in Implementation

Right to Rehabilitation

The Supreme Court of India, in the case Estate Officer, Haryana Urban Development Authority vs. Landowners, recently ruled that rehabilitation is not a fundamental right, thereby limiting the scope of enforceable claims in land acquisition matters.

Key Highlights of the Supreme Court Judgement

1. Rehabilitation Not a Fundamental Right

• The Court clarified that rehabilitation and resettlement are not constitutionally guaranteed rights, particularly in the context of land acquisition.

2. Article 21 - Not an Absolute Shield

While Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life and livelihood, the Court observed:

• Loss of livelihood alone does not invalidate land acquisition proceedings.
• Deprivation of livelihood under Article 21 cannot be invoked to demand rehabilitation beyond what is prescribed by law.

Compensation vs. Rehabilitation

• Constitutionally Mandated: Landowners are entitled to fair and just compensation under the law.
• Not Constitutionally Mandated: Rehabilitation measures, including alternative housing or relocation support, are not obligatory unless provided by specific legislation.

Legal Precedents on Right to Rehabilitation

• Amarjit Singh vs. State of Punjab (2010): Held that the Right to Rehabilitation is not embedded in the Constitution or the Land Acquisition Act unless specifically stated.
• State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Narmada Bachao Andolan (2011): The Supreme Court ruled that the State is not legally bound to provide alternate accommodation or rehabilitation, unless a statutory obligation exists.

Implications of the Ruling

• Strengthens the interpretation that only statutory rights-not general constitutional protections-govern rehabilitation demands.
• May impact future cases where displaced individuals or communities seek rehabilitative support beyond financial compensation.
• Reinforces the importance of legislative provisions in ensuring humane resettlement policies.

Tribal Genome Project Initiative

Gujarat has become the first state in India to launch a dedicated Tribal Genome Project, aimed at improving the genetic healthcare of indigenous communities by identifying inherited disease patterns.

About the Tribal Genome Sequencing Project

1. Objective

• To map genetic profiles of tribal populations and identify inherited health risks, enabling the development of precision healthcare solutions.

2. Scope

• Sample Size: Genomic sequencing of 2,000 individuals.
• Coverage: Includes tribal communities from 17 districts in Gujarat.

3. Implementing Agency

• The initiative is spearheaded by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC).

Key Focus Areas

1. Genetic Disorders Targeted

• Sickle Cell Anaemia
• Thalassaemia
• Hereditary Cancers
• Other rare and undiagnosed inherited conditions.

2. Emphasis on Early Detection

Early identification of genetic predispositions will aid in:

• Timely intervention
• Personalized treatment strategies
• Reduction in disease burden among tribal populations

Significance of the Initiative

• Marks a landmark step in bridging healthcare inequalities for tribal communities.
• Contributes to India’s genomic database with ethnic diversity insights.
• Aligns with national efforts toward genomic-based preventive healthcare.

Pacific Ring of Fire

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake recently struck near Alaska, a region located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, reigniting focus on this highly seismic zone.

About the Pacific Ring of Fire

1. Overview

• The Pacific Ring of Fire is a vast horseshoe-shaped belt surrounding the Pacific Ocean, characterized by intense seismic and volcanic activity.
• It is one of the most geologically dynamic regions on Earth.

2. Key Characteristics

• Comprises a chain of volcanoes, tectonic plate boundaries, and earthquake-prone zones.
• Hosts:
  - Around 75% of the world's active volcanoes
  - Approximately 90% of global earthquakes

Geographical Span

The Ring of Fire stretches across 15+ countries, including:

• North and South America: Western coasts (e.g., Chile, California, Alaska)
• Asia: Russia, Japan, Philippines
• Oceania: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand
• Antarctica: Some regions fall within the southern arc

Geological Significance

1. Cause

• Formed primarily due to tectonic plate interactions, including subduction, collision, and transform boundaries around the Pacific Plate.

2. Key Geological Formations

 Leads to the development of:

• Volcanic arcs
• Deep oceanic trenches, such as the Mariana Trench—the deepest known point on Earth

Group of Friends

India has reaffirmed its dedication to upholding justice for crimes against UN peacekeepers during a recent meeting of the Group of Friends (GoF).

About the Group of Friends (GoF)

1. Purpose

• The GoF aims to promote accountability for acts of violence committed against personnel involved in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

2. India’s Leadership

• India is a founding and leading member of this group.
• It has consistently advocated for stronger mechanisms to protect peacekeepers and ensure legal consequences for attacks on them.

3. Establishment

• The Group of Friends was established in 2022.

Role within the UN Framework

Link to UNAOC

• The GoF operates as an important pillar of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).
• It significantly contributes to UNAOC’s strategic planning and implementation, especially in areas related to peacekeeping safety and justice.

Significance

• Reinforces India's global leadership in peacekeeping diplomacy.
• Aims to strengthen international legal frameworks protecting UN personnel.
• Promotes collaborative multilateral action to curb impunity for attacks on peacekeepers.

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