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Daily Current Affairs – 20 May, 2025

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    India and the European Union (EU)

    Context

  • India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators have concluded another round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to reach a deal in two phases.

    • India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations Overview

  • Negotiation Resumption: Talks resumed in June 2022 after an 8-year hiatus (stalled in 2013 due to market access disagreements).
  • Objective: To finalize a comprehensive trade agreement covering goods, services, investments, and geographical indications.
  • Negotiation Structure: The agreement will be concluded in two phases, following India's phased approach used in previous FTAs (e.g., with Australia).
  • This is partly due to the volatile global trade environment, including US tariff actions.
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    India’s Relationship with Türkiye and Azerbaijan

    In News

  • India's trade relations with Türkiye and Azerbaijan are expected to come under strain due to Ankara and Baku backing Islamabad and condemning India's recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan. 

    • People-to-people ties

  • There are currently around 3,000 estimated Indian nationals in Türkiye, including 200 students. 
  • Similarly, the Indian community in Azerbaijan comprises more than 1,500 people.
  • As per estimates, about 3 lakh Indian tourists visited Türkiye in 2023 and over 2 lakh to Azerbaijan.
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    SC Direction to Take Back Forest Land Illegally Allotted to Private Entities

    Context

  • The Supreme Court of India has directed all States and Union Territories to investigate and reclaim forest lands that were illegally allotted for non-forest purposes, citing severe legal and ecological violations.

    • Legal & Environmental Issues Highlighted

  • Violation of the 1996 Supreme Court Order: The SC had directed in T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union of India (1996) that all non-forest activities on forest land must stop unless approved by the Central Government.
  • Loss of Green Cover: The continued possession of forest lands by revenue departments has led to non-forestry usage, reducing India’s forest cover and biodiversity.
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    US Passes Take It Down Act

    In News

  • The U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act, criminalizing the non-consensual sharing of intimate images including AI-generated deepfakes.

    • What is the Take It Down Act?

  • The Act makes it illegal to “knowingly publish” or threaten to publish intimate images without a person’s consent, including AI-created “deepfakes.” 
  • It also requires websites and social media companies to remove such material within 48 hours of notice from a victim. 
  • The platforms must also take steps to delete duplicate content. 
    • Read More

    Mismatch Between MGNREGS Coverage and Delivery

    Context

  • A recent report by LibTech India has raised questions about the effectiveness of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for the financial year 2024–25.

    • Key Findings of the Report

  • Increase in Coverage: The number of registered households under MGNREGS rose by 8.6%, from 13.80 crore in FY 2023–24 to 14.98 crore in FY 2024–25.
  • Decline in Employment Days: Despite higher registration, persondays fell by 7.1%. Average employment per household dropped from 52.42 days to 50.18 days, a 4.3% decrease.
  • Only about 7% of households received the full 100 days of employment guaranteed under the Act.
  • Regional Disparities: States like Odisha (34.8%), Tamil Nadu (25.1%), and Rajasthan (15.9%) saw a sharp decline in employment days, while Maharashtra (39.7%), Himachal Pradesh (14.8%), and Bihar (13.3%) recorded increases.
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    India has Ambitious Expansion Plans in the Port Sector Globally

    Context

  • India is eyeing a strategic expansion of its port infrastructure and management capacities on a global scale. 

    • Repositioning India Ports Global Limited (IPGL)

  • The Shipping Ministry plans to transform IPGL from a purely strategic asset to a commercially active operator, including domestic terminals.
  • A new umbrella entity, Bharat Global Ports, will act as an integrated port infrastructure provider, with IPGL as its operational wing. 
  • The goal is to bolster IPGL’s credibility globally through a stronger domestic footprint.
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    News In Short-20-05-2025

    Context

  • In response to the Red Sea security crisis that severely disrupted maritime trade, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced a 15% discount on transit fees for large container ships from May 15, 2025.

    • Security Crisis in the Red Sea

  • The crisis began in 2023 when Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen started targeting commercial ships linked to Israel or its allies, in retaliation to the conflict in Gaza.
  • In response, major shipping lines avoided the Red Sea and rerouted ships via the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing Voyage duration by 10–14 days, Fuel consumption and Freight rates.
    • Read More
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