- According to a 2024 study, over 158 million people live in slums located in floodplains in South Asia, with India having the maximum share.
- Slums are densely populated urban areas characterised by poor-quality housing, the lack of adequate living space, public services, and accommodating large numbers of informal residents with insecure tenure.
- According to UN-Habitat (2021), slum dwellers across the globe have increased from 980 million in 2010 to 1,059 million in 2020, accounting for 24.2% of the world’s urban population.
- India’s slum population in 2020 is estimated at 236 million suggesting that nearly half of its urban population lives in slums (UN-Habitat 2021). Read More
Home / Daily Current Affairs / 29-07-2025
Daily Current Affairs – 29 July, 2025
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- The National Education Policy 2020, marked the first comprehensive education policy completed five years since adoption.
- Structural Reform: Shift from the 10+2 system to a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure—covering ages 3–18 across foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary stages.
- Foundational Literacy & Numeracy: Emphasis on basic reading and arithmetic skills through initiatives like NIPUN Bharat for all children by Grade 3.
- Mother Tongue & Multilingualism: Promotes instruction in the mother tongue/regional language up to at least Grade 5 (preferably till Grade 8); advances the three-language formula.
- Holistic & Multidisciplinary Education: Multiple entry/exit options in higher education; flexible subject choices across streams. Read More
Five years of National Education Policy
In News
Key Features of NEP 2020
- Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met the Japanese Minister to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and key projects, including the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Shinkansen Bullet Train.
- India and Japan share a deep-rooted Special Strategic and Global Partnership, founded on spiritual, cultural, and civilizational ties.
- Historical connections include the Indian monk Bodhisena’s role in consecrating the Buddha statue at Japan’s Todaiji Temple in 752 AD .
- Prominent Indians linked to Japan include Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, JRD Tata, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rash Behari Bose, and Justice Radha Binod Pal.
- Symbolic gestures such as Prime Minister Nehru’s elephant donation to Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo in 1949 reflect enduring friendship. Read More
India-Japan Officials Discussed Key Projects
In News
Historical
- Recently, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced plans to lay off approximately 12,261 employees — about 2% of its global workforce - during FY2026.
- Cost Optimization: With global tech spending under pressure, companies are streamlining operations to reduce overhead.
- Maintaining a large bench is expensive and inefficient in lean times.
- Skill Mismatch & Redeployment Challenges: As delivery models shift toward AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, many employees — especially in mid and senior roles — struggle to transition into new tech-heavy positions.
- AI & Automation Impact: While not the sole reason, AI is reshaping job roles. Entry-level tasks are increasingly automated, reducing the need for large bench pools. Read More
Layoffs Across IT Services Industry
Context
Key Reasons Behind the Change
- The Gavri is a 40-day annual ritual and folk festival performed by the Bhil community of the Mewar region in Rajasthan.
- The festival is typically performed during the Hindu months of Shravana and Bhadrapad (July to September), coinciding with the monsoon and harvest season.
- The ritual is performed mainly by male members of the Bhil tribe, who enact various roles including gods, goddesses, demons, and other mythological characters.
- The play enacts mythological tales related to the goddess Gauri, battles between good and evil. Read More
