- In India, caste remains a deeply rooted social structure, and ‘honour’ killings are emerging as a violent yet socially legitimised tool to preserve caste hierarchies, especially against inter-caste unions.
- Definition: Honour killings refer to the murder of individuals (mostly young couples) by family or community members for allegedly bringing “dishonour” through relationships that defy caste, community, or gender norms.
- Geographical Pattern: States like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Kerala, where Dalit empowerment through education and jobs is higher, record both higher rates of inter-caste marriages and higher cases of honour killings.
- Paradox: Violence is most visible where caste hierarchies are being challenged, not where they remain unchallenged.
- According to NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data, India recorded 25 cases of honor killings in both 2019 and 2020, with a rise to 33 cases in 2021. Read More
Home / Daily Current Affairs / 18-08-2025
Daily Current Affairs – 18 August, 2025
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- On India's 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a high-powered demography mission to protect the country from the dangers posed by illegal immigrants.
- It is a multifaceted issue involving unauthorized entry, overstaying of visas, and undocumented migration across porous borders.
- India faces challenges from cross-border migration, especially in northeastern states like Assam and West Bengal, leading to concerns over jobs, social stability, and culture. Read More
India To Launch Demographic Mission to Tackle Illegal Infiltration
In News
Illegal immigration in India
- Recently, the Prime Minister of India has unveiled a new vision for India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime aimed at simplifying tax structures benefiting the poor, middle class, entrepreneurs, traders, and business owners.
- Settle classification disputes to reduce litigation;
- Correct inverted duty structures, especially in textiles and MSMEs;
- Establish GST Appellate Tribunals for faster resolution of disputes;
- Enhance digital infrastructure for smoother filing and reconciliation; Read More
PM Announced Next-gen GST Reforms
Context
Suggestions for Future Improvements
- India achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol (E20) in 2025, five years earlier than the 2030 target set under the National Policy on Biofuels (2018).
- Diversify Feedstock: Shift away from sugarcane to alternative sources such as maize, bamboo, and agricultural residues to reduce environmental impact.
- Consumer Protection: Implement tax incentives or compensation as recommended by NITI Aayog to address concerns over fuel efficiency drop.
- Balanced Energy Strategy: Use ethanol as a transitional or bridge fuel while aggressively scaling up EV adoption backed by renewable energy-supported charging infrastructure. Read More
Impact of Ethanol Blending
In News
Way Forward
- S&P Global Ratings has upgraded India’s long-term sovereign credit rating from ‘BBB-’ to ‘BBB’ with a Stable Outlook.
- This is the first upgrade of India’s sovereign rating by S&P in 18 years.
- S&P’s decision reflects India’s sustained high economic growth, successful fiscal consolidation, and improved policy predictability.
- India’s projected GDP growth remains strong at 6.5% for FY26, and the country’s external position is considered robust. Read More
S&P Upgrades India’s Sovereign Rating to ‘BBB’
In News
More about the News
- Astronomers have recently observed a previously unknown type of supernova, in which a massive star exploded under the gravitational influence of a black hole companion.
- A binary star system, about 700 million light-years away, initially composed of two massive stars, was observed.
- One of the stars reached the end of its life, going supernova and collapsing into a black hole.
- The surviving companion star, at least 10 times as massive as the Sun, gradually spiraled closer to the black hole.
- The black hole distorted the star and pulled away its material. Eventually, the star exploded in a supernova-like event. Read More
New Type of Supernova Triggered by Black Hole-Star Interaction
Context
About the recent phenomenon
- The Prime Minister paid homage to Sri Aurobindo, on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
- He was born in Calcutta on August 15, 1872, into a Brahmo Samaj-influenced family.
- His Father Krishna Dhun Ghose was an anglophile; sent Aurobindo and his brothers to England in 1879 to prepare for the ICS.
- He Educated in Manchester, London, and King’s College, Cambridge.
- He Cleared the ICS exam but was disqualified for missing the riding test. Read More
