24 July 2025 Current Affairs (With PDF)

Stay updated with 24 July 2025 Current Affairs on this page! We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exams. 

U.S. Withdraws from UNESCO Again: Cites ideological concerns and anti-Israel bias

The United States has announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), accusing the agency of supporting "woke and divisive causes" and exhibiting anti-Israel bias.

Background

• This is the third U.S. exit from UNESCO and the second under the current leadership.
• The U.S. has also:
  - Reduced funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA).
  - Previously signaled intent to exit the World Health Organization (WHO).

Implications of the Withdrawal

1. Budgetary Impact

• The U.S. contributes approximately 8% of UNESCO’s total budget.
• Its absence could affect ongoing programs, particularly in education, heritage protection, and media development.

2. Geopolitical Shift

• The exit may pave the way for increased influence of countries like China, especially in cultural and digital governance narratives.

3. Impact on Multilateralism

• Signals a retreat from global cooperation.
• Undermines the credibility and effectiveness of multilateral institutions at a time of growing global fragmentation.

About UNESCO

• Full Form: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
• Established: 1945
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Members: 194 Member States and 12 Associate Members
• Purpose: To promote peace and security through international collaboration in education, science, and culture.

Key Reports & Initiatives

• Global Education Monitoring Report
• World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development
• Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites list

Supreme Court on Balancing Stray Dog Welfare with Public Safety: Calls for Compassion with Responsibility

In a recent observation, the Supreme Court of India suggested that citizens who wish to feed stray dogs should preferably do so within their own premises, rather than public spaces.
The Court underscored the need to balance animal rights with citizen safety, reflecting ongoing ethical and legal tensions.

Key Judicial Observations

• Stray dogs are legally protected, but this protection must be balanced with the right of citizens to move freely without fear of attacks.
• Feeding stray dogs should not compromise public safety or cause inconvenience.
• The law does not prohibit feeding, but calls for regulated and responsible mechanisms.

Ethical Dilemmas Involved

1. Compassion vs Public Order

• Feeding stray dogs reflects compassion and empathy.
• However, unregulated feeding may cause territorial aggression, nuisance, and fear among residents.

2. Animal Welfare vs Public Safety

• Stray dogs have a right to life and dignity (as upheld in Jallikattu case, 2014).
• Simultaneously, citizens have the right to safety from dog bites and rabies.
• NCDC 2024 data: Over 37 lakh dog bite cases reported in India.

3. Ecological Carrying Capacity vs Ethical Control

• Feeding increases the ecological carrying capacity for stray dogs, indirectly promoting population growth.
• At the same time, inhumane control methods (poisoning, relocation, killing) raise serious ethical concerns.

4. Utilitarianism vs Deontology

• Utilitarian View: Focus on minimizing suffering overall - justifies regulating or restricting stray dog populations.
• Deontological View: Emphasizes moral duty to care for abandoned or vulnerable animals, regardless of outcomes.
• Increasing pet abandonment reflects a breakdown in human responsibility.

Legal and Policy Framework

1. Constitutional Provisions

• Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty to have compassion for living creatures.
• Article 243W: Assigns responsibility to municipalities for animal control, including stray dogs.

2. Key Rules

Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 (under PCA Act, 1960):

• Emphasize sterilization and vaccination.
• Aim to control stray population humanely and curb rabies.
• Feeding Guidelines: Mandates Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) or local bodies to designate safe feeding zones.

3. Judicial Precedents

• Jallikattu Case (2014): Interpreted Article 21 to extend the right to life and liberty to animals.

World Bank Report: India Needs $2.4 Trillion Investment in Green and Resilient Urban Infrastructure by 2050

The World Bank has released a report titled “Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India”, emphasizing the urgent need for large-scale investments in climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable urban infrastructure. The estimated investment requirement stands at $2.4 trillion by 2050.

India’s Urban Landscape - Present and Future

• Urban Population (2020): Over 480 million people, constituting one-third of India’s population.
• Projected Growth: Urban population expected to double to 951 million by 2050.
• Economic Role of Cities:
  - By 2030: Cities to generate 70% of all new jobs.
  - By 2050: Expected to contribute 75% of India's GDP.
• Expansion into Vulnerable Areas: Settlements in high flood-risk zones grew by 102% (1985–2015).

Climate Risks Confronting Urban India

1. Increased Flood Risk:

• Urban areas may face a 3.6x to 7x rise in surface water flooding (pluvial flooding) by 2070.
• Linked to erratic rainfall and reduced water absorption due to impervious urban surfaces.

2. Extreme Heat Stress:

• By 2050, 20% of working hours in major cities could fall under high-heat stress conditions, impacting productivity and public health.

World Bank's Recommendations for Climate-Resilient Urban Development

1. Risk-Informed Urban Planning

• Conduct localized climate and disaster risk assessments.
• Integrate hazard-specific planning into land use and zoning regulations.

2. Protecting the Vulnerable

• Focus on urban poor and informal settlements through targeted support.
• Use disaster risk maps to identify and prioritize at-risk populations.

3. Promoting Green and Compact Growth

• Encourage transit-oriented development and restrict construction in high-risk zones.
• Invest in LED-based street lighting and energy-efficient technologies.
• Promote green expansion and ecological land use practices.

4. Sustainable and Resilient Municipal Services

• Improve water sector energy efficiency through city-level diagnostics.
• Develop low-carbon Solid Waste Management (SWM) systems.
• Ensure integration of climate-sensitive urban services.

5. Leveraging Private Sector and Innovation

• Facilitate risk transfer tools such as insurance and PPP models.
• Support climate-smart technologies and decentralized solutions.

Arctic Under Unprecedented Winter Warming: Svalbard Snowmelt Signals Accelerating Arctic Amplification

In February 2025, the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard recorded exceptionally high winter temperatures and rainfall, triggering widespread snowmelt and pooling of meltwater - a stark indicator of Arctic Amplification.

What is Arctic Amplification?

• Definition: A climate phenomenon where the Arctic warms at more than twice the global average.
• Cause: Primarily driven by human-induced global warming and climate feedback mechanisms.

Key Factors Behind Arctic Amplification

1. Reduced Albedo Effect

• Melting snow/ice reveals darker ocean or land, which absorbs more solar radiation.
• This leads to further warming and more melting - a positive feedback loop.

2. Lapse Rate Feedback

• In cold regions like the Arctic, greenhouse gas-induced warming is strongest near the surface due to limited vertical convection (unlike in the tropics).

3. Water Vapour Triple Effect

• Acts as a greenhouse gas, forms clouds that trap heat, and releases latent heat during condensation — amplifying warming.

4. Atmospheric Heat Transport

• Enhanced tropical moisture and energy transport northwards intensifies Arctic heat accumulation.

Impacts of Arctic Amplification

1. Global Climate Feedback

• Permafrost Thawing: Releases CO₂ and Methane, accelerating global warming.

2. Ecological Disruption

• Winter warming and rain remove protective snow insulation, exposing tundra ecosystems to harsh conditions.

3. Implications for India

• Monsoon Disruption: Studies link Arctic sea ice loss with stronger Indian monsoons, increasing extreme rainfall events.
• Sea Level Rise: Threatens coastal cities, agricultural land (salinization), and freshwater systems.
• Economic & Social Risks: Includes agricultural losses, public health burdens, and infrastructure damage.

Key Terms to Remember

• Svalbard: Arctic archipelago impacted in 2025
• Albedo: Surface reflectivity
• Permafrost: Permanently frozen ground storing ancient carbon
• Lapse Rate: Rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with altitude
• Arctic Amplification: Disproportionate warming in the Arctic due to climate feedback loops

Surge in Intellectual Property Filings in India: 44% Growth Over 5 Years

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry recently informed the Lok Sabha about a significant 44% increase in Intellectual Property (IP) filings in India over the past five years. This rise is attributed to proactive government reforms aimed at encouraging innovation and streamlining IP processes.

Key Trends in IP Filing (2019–2024)

• Overall IP Filings: Increased by 44%.
• Geographical Indications (GI): Saw the highest growth at 380%.
• Other Categories: Designs, Patents, Copyright, Trademarks

This growth reflects an ecosystem that increasingly values intellectual creativity, branding, and indigenous innovation.

Government Reforms Driving IP Growth

1. Procedural Reforms

• Patent Process Efficiency: Timeline optimization for faster approvals.
• Trademark Simplification: Number of forms reduced from 74 to 8, easing the registration process.

2. Financial Incentives

• Patent Filing: 80% fee concession for Startups, MSMEs, and Educational Institutions.
• Design Registration: 75% fee reduction for Startups and MSMEs.

3. Digital Enablement

• IP Dashboard: Real-time, data-rich platform for tracking application status and trends.
• AI-Powered Tools: Use of AI-based Trademark Search Technology for quicker and more precise examination.

4. Awareness and Capacity Building

• National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM): Aims to spread IP literacy across academic institutions.
• IPR Internship Programme: Provides hands-on learning for students and researchers.
• Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) Scheme: Assists emerging businesses in protecting their innovations.
• National IP Awards: Recognizes and rewards excellence in IP creation and commercialization.

5. Adoption of Global Standards

• India has adopted the Locarno Classification for industrial designs, aligning with international norms under the Locarno Agreement (1968) administered by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).

RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index Rises to 67 in FY25

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the latest Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) for FY 2025, indicating a notable improvement in financial inclusion across the country. The index rose to 67 from 64.2 in FY 2024, reflecting growing access, usage, and quality of financial services.

Key Highlights of the FY25 Financial Inclusion Index

1. Overall Score:

• FY 2024: 64.2
• FY 2025: 67

2. Reason for Growth:

• Enhanced usage of financial services.
• Improved quality of delivery and infrastructure.
• Sustained financial literacy and inclusion initiatives.

Significance

• Reflects deepening financial penetration in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Supports evidence-based policymaking on financial inclusion.
• Helps track progress under initiatives like Jan Dhan Yojana, PMJJBY, Atal Pension Yojana, etc.

Mhadei River Dispute: Goa Plans Legal Action Against Karnataka

The Government of Goa is contemplating moving the Supreme Court against Karnataka over the implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri Project, which aims to divert water from the Mhadei River, triggering renewed inter-state water disputes.

About the Kalasa-Banduri Project

• The project seeks to construct barrages across the Kalasa and Banduri tributaries of the Mhadei River.
• Its aim is to divert water to the Malaprabha River basin to meet the drinking water needs of Dharwad, Belagavi, and Gadag districts in Karnataka.

Core of the Dispute

• Goa opposes the diversion, citing ecological damage and water scarcity concerns.
• Karnataka argues for equitable use for drinking water needs.
• The dispute has been under judicial and tribunal review, with multiple interventions and no final resolution yet.

Broader Implications

• Highlights challenges in inter-state river water sharing.
• Raises concerns over environmental sustainability vs. development needs.
• May prompt re-examination of river water tribunal mechanisms in India.

Winter Fog Experiment (WiFEX): A Decade of Atmospheric Research

The Winter Fog Experiment (WiFEX) has completed 10 years of systematic research on dense winter fog over North India, enhancing forecasting capabilities and understanding its socio-economic impact.

About WiFEX

1. Overview

• WiFEX is among the world’s few long-term open-field observational experiments dedicated entirely to the study of fog.
• It addresses the critical issue of reduced visibility and air quality during North India’s winter months.

2. Leading Institutions

• Nodal Agency: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune
• Under: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)

Objectives

• To improve now-casting (0–6 hours) and short-term forecasting of winter fog events.
• To assist in developing early warning systems for transport safety, aviation, and public health.
• To understand the microphysics, radiative properties, and meteorological conditions that lead to fog formation.

Key Features of WiFEX

• Long-Term Field Observation: Continuous monitoring of fog over a decade.
• Use of Advanced Instruments: Radiometers, LiDAR, fog droplet spectrometers, and visibility sensors.
• Data Collection Site: Primarily conducted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, and nearby regions.
• Fog Modeling: Development of high-resolution fog prediction models.

Significance

• For Aviation & Transport: Enhances safety and minimizes delays due to poor visibility.
• Public Health: Aids in air quality management during foggy periods.
• Climate Research: Contributes to understanding aerosol-fog interaction and boundary layer dynamics.

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