India has cautioned against "double standards" as the U.S. considers a bill to impose 500% duties on countries buying Russian oil, and NATO warns against continued trade with Russia. The External Affairs Ministry stated that securing energy needs is an "overriding priority" for India, guided by market offers and global circumstances. India highlighted that European Union members continue to procure Russian oil and gas, and are major buyers of processed products from Indian refineries with Russian minority control. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri stated India has diversified its oil supply sources to about 40 countries. This underscores complex geopolitical dynamics of energy security.
India faces potential 500% US duties and NATO threats for continuing to buy Russian oil.
India asserts its sovereign right to secure energy needs based on market offers and global circumstances.
India points out the hypocrisy of Western nations, particularly EU members, who continue to import Russian energy.
Exam Points
The 'Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025' is expected to be introduced in the U.S. Congress.
India has diversified its oil supply sources from 27 to about 40 countries.
Russia exports about 38% of its oil to India (as of Feb 2025) and about 6% to EU countries.
Ahmedabad has been declared the cleanest 'million-plus city' in India in the Centre's annual "Swachh Survekshan 2024-25" survey, followed by Bhopal and Lucknow. The 'Swachh Shahar' category was introduced this year to promote new cities in cleanliness rankings. Mira-Bhayandar topped the "3 lakh to 10 lakh population" group. Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, and Vijayawada were inducted into the 'Super Swachh League' for sustained excellence. Prayagraj received the 'Best Ganga Town' award, and Secunderabad Cantonment was named the Cleanest Cantonment Board. These awards encourage urban local bodies to improve waste management and sanitation practices.
Ahmedabad secured the top position as the cleanest 'million-plus city' in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.
New categories like 'Swachh Shahar' and 'Super Swachh League' were introduced to recognize cleanliness efforts across various city sizes.
Specific awards were given for 'Best Ganga Town' and 'Cleanest Cantonment Board'.
Exam Points
Ahmedabad is the cleanest 'million-plus city' in the "Swachh Survekshan 2024-25" survey.
Mira-Bhayandar topped the "3 lakh to 10 lakh population" category.
India's Shubhanshu Shukla, part of a four-astronaut crew, completed a two-week mission to the International Space Station (ISS), seen as a crucial rehearsal for India's Gaganyaan mission, expected in 2027. The mission, arranged by ISRO through Axiom Space for ₹500 crore, familiarized Shukla and Prasanth Nair (also part of Gaganyaan's first cohort) with advanced spacecraft systems, emergency protocols, and micro-gravity adaptation. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated the Axiom mission was more cost-effective than ISRO training astronauts independently. This collaboration is deemed an admirable outcome, enhancing India's human spaceflight capabilities and strengthening international space cooperation.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS mission is a key preparatory step for the Gaganyaan mission.
The collaboration with NASA and Axiom Space provided crucial training in advanced spaceflight operations and emergency management.
The mission was a cost-effective way for ISRO to train its astronauts compared to developing indigenous training facilities.
Exam Points
Shubhanshu Shukla completed a two-week mission to the ISS on July 15.
India's Gaganyaan mission is currently expected in 2027.
ISRO paid approximately ₹500 crore to Axiom Space for the mission.
The Indian Army successfully conducted trials of the indigenously developed Akash Prime air defence system in eastern Ladakh at an altitude of over 15,000 feet. Developed by DRDO, the Akash Prime scored two direct hits on fast-moving aerial targets in the high-altitude atmosphere. This latest version of the Akash system, a medium-range surface-to-air missile platform, is intended for the third and fourth regiments of the Indian Army's air defence systems. Additionally, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the successful test-firing of short-range ballistic missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I from Chandipur, Odisha, by the Strategic Forces Command.
The Akash Prime air defence system, an indigenous development, was successfully tested by the Army in Ladakh.
The trials demonstrated the system's effectiveness against fast-moving aerial targets in high-altitude conditions.
Akash Prime is a medium-range surface-to-air missile, crucial for strengthening India's air defence capabilities.
Exam Points
Akash Prime is an indigenously developed air defence system by DRDO.
Trials were conducted in eastern Ladakh at over 15,000 feet altitude.
Akash is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile platform.
A petition filed by Bhopal gas disaster victims' rights groups in the Supreme Court claims that survivors with severe and lasting injuries have been wrongly classified under 'temporary disablement' and 'minor injury', leading to years of under-compensation. The plea urges the Centre to correctly reclassify these victims under the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985, to ensure they receive adequate compensation for medical treatment. The petition highlights Union Carbide's internal document, which indicated that inhalation of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) is likely to cause major residual injury, emphasizing the Centre's responsibility to address the "unjust and arbitrary" damages awarded.
Bhopal gas leak victims are allegedly misclassified, leading to inadequate compensation for severe injuries.
The petition seeks reclassification of victims under the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985.
Union Carbide's own documents suggested Methyl Isocyanate inhalation could cause major residual injury.
Exam Points
The petition refers to the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985.
Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) was the toxic gas involved in the Bhopal tragedy.
The petition was filed by organizations like the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha.
The Supreme Court reversed its own 2024 judgment, granting custody of a 12-year-old child to his mother after new evidence revealed the child was suffering from "separation anxiety disorder." The initial judgment had upheld a Kerala High Court decision to transfer custody to the biological father, considering the mother's remarriage and intent to move abroad. However, the mother, who had been the primary caregiver, presented evaluation reports from Christian Medical College, Vellore, demonstrating the "calamitous effect" of the separation on the child's mental health. The Bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath, prioritized the child's best interests, emphasizing a secure and loving family environment.
The Supreme Court exercised its review power to reconsider a child custody judgment.
The decision was based on new evidence of the child's severe separation anxiety disorder.
The court prioritized the child's mental health and overall well-being over previous considerations.
Exam Points
The Supreme Court reviewed its own 2024 judgment.
The child was 12 years old.
Evaluation reports were from the Christian Medical College, Vellore.
China has emerged as a global leader in the green energy sector, installing more wind turbines and solar panels in 2024 than all other nations combined and dominating the renewable supply chain. This dominance stems from decades of strategic state planning and massive investments in innovation, with State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) and banks playing a crucial role. Driven by climate goals, severe air pollution, and energy insecurity, China allocated $940 billion to renewables in 2024. Despite challenges like grid absorption and haphazard subsidies, Beijing responded with ultra-high voltage transmission lines and a focus on efficiency, now aiming for leadership in next-generation technologies like AI smart grids and green hydrogen.
China leads globally in green energy installations and controls the renewable energy supply chain.
Its success is attributed to long-term strategic state planning, massive investments, and the pivotal role of SOEs and state banks.
Key drivers include addressing severe air pollution, achieving climate goals, and enhancing energy security.
Exam Points
China allocated $940 billion to the renewable energy sector in 2024.
India's renewable energy sector received $3.4 billion in 2024-25 for comparison.
China's 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010) elevated renewable energy to a national strategic priority.
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