- Recently, the Union Government has appointed Puneet Kumar Goel as the new Chief Secretary of Manipur, amid ongoing ethnic tensions and political uncertainty in the State, which was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025.
- Principal Advisor: Guides the Chief Minister on administrative and policy matters
- Secretary to the Cabinet: Coordinates cabinet meetings, agendas, and implementation of decisions
- Head of State Civil Services: Oversees postings, transfers, and discipline of IAS and state service officers
- Crisis Manager: Leads emergency response during disasters, law and order issues, or health crises Read More
Home / Daily Current Affairs / 17-07-2025
Daily Current Affairs – 17 July, 2025
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- The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) inaugurated the second edition of BIMSTEC Ports Conclave.
- The two-day BIMSTEC Ports Conclave was held under the auspices of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority.
- Representatives of ministries from port authorities of BIMSTEC member nations of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand participated in it.
- Aim: To operationalise the recently signed BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC), facilitate dialogue on port-led development, and foster deeper integration in maritime trade, logistics, cruise tourism, and skill development. Read More
BIMSTEC Ports Conclave
Context
About Ports Conclave
- India has reached 50% of its total installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving its NDC target five years early.
- Energy Security: India's energy demand is expected to double by 2040. Inefficient use of clean energy slows diversification and increases coal dependence.
- Climate Commitments: Under its updated NDCs (2022), India committed to:
- 50% of total installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030 (already achieved) and Reduction in emissions intensity by 45% (from 2005 levels).
- Yet, current clean energy usage (~28%) risks undercutting actual emission reduction. Read More
Share of Clean Energy in India’s Electricity less than 30% despite 50% of installed Capacity
Context
Why is there a need to increase Capacity Utilisation Factor?
- The Union Cabinet approved the "Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana" for a period of six years.
- It is the first dedicated scheme focused on agriculture and allied sectors. It is inspired by the Aspirational Districts Programme of NITI Aayog.
- Total outlay: Rs 24,000 crore per annum
- Resource pool: Convergence of 36 existing schemes from 11 Central Ministries /Departments, along with state schemes and private sector participation.
- Coverage: 100 districts, with at least one from every state/UT. Read More
Cabinet Approves Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Agriculture Scheme
Context
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appreciation Day is being observed in India. The day celebrates the country’s growing role in the global AI landscape.
- AI is transforming healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, and industry in the country.
- India’s AI journey began in the 1960s with early computer science research.
- A major step came in 1986 with the Knowledge-Based Computer Systems project. In the 1990s, organisations like C-DAC advanced supercomputing and early AI work.
- By the 2000s, IT companies such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro began investing in AI, while universities built a strong talent pool. Read More
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appreciation Day
In News
India’s AI journey
- The UN warned that mass displacement in the West Bank had hit levels not seen since the start of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory nearly 60 years ago.
- The West Bank lies to the west of the Jordan River, bordered by Israel to the west, Jordan to the east, and Jerusalem to the south-west.
- Major cities include Ramallah (administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority), Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem.
- 1948: After the Arab-Israeli War, the West Bank was occupied and later annexed by Jordan (1949–1967).
- 1967: During the Six-Day War, Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan, and it has remained under varying degrees of Israeli control since. Read More
