- The recent death of nine-year-old Venkatesh, taken as ‘collateral’ for his mother’s unpaid debt vividly illustrates the harsh realities and enduring challenges of bonded labor in India, despite its legal prohibition.
- Prevalence: As of 2021, an estimated 11 million people in India were living in modern slavery, the highest number globally.
- Rescue and Rehabilitation Efforts: Between April 2024 and January 2025, approximately 250 bonded labourers were rescued in India. However, in the fiscal year 2023-24, only 468 bonded labourers were rehabilitated against an annual target of 1.3 million, highlighting significant gaps in implementation.
- Dominant Social Groups Affected: Studies consistently show that over 80% of bonded laborers are from historically marginalized Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities, underscoring the deep-rooted social discrimination.
- Dominant Social Groups Affected: Studies consistently show that over 80% of bonded laborers are from historically marginalized Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities, underscoring the deep-rooted social discrimination. Read More
Home / Daily Current Affairs / 31-05-2025
Daily Current Affairs – 31 May, 2025
PDF - Russia is actively pushing for the revival of the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral format, a strategic dialogue that has been largely dormant for nearly five years.
- Initiated in the late 1990s by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, the RIC format was conceived as a strategic counterweight to Western dominance.
- It facilitated over 20 ministerial-level meetings, promoting cooperation in foreign policy, economics, and security.
- The format lost momentum following the 2020 Galwan Valley incident, which significantly strained India-China relations. Read More
Push for Russia-India-China Revival
In News
What is the RIC format?
- Recently, New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs visited India and emphasized India's role as a ‘geopolitical giant’ and an ‘indispensable security actor’.
- India and New Zealand established their diplomatic relations in 1952. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth, sharing democratic values and governance principles.
- They collaborate on regional and global security issues, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. They emphasize freedom of navigation, maritime security, and counterterrorism efforts.
- New Zealand identified India as a priority country in its ‘Opening Doors to India’ policy notified in October 2011, which was reiterated in 2015. Read More
India and New Zealand: Strengthening Defence and Security Ties
Context
About India-New Zealand Relations
- The Government of India has successfully met its fiscal deficit target of 4.8% of GDP for the financial year 2024-25, as per provisional data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
- Fiscal Deficit is defined as excess of total budget expenditure (revenue and capital) over total budget receipts (revenue and capital) excluding borrowings during a fiscal year.
- Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure – (Revenue Receipts + Non-Debt Creating Capital Receipts). Read More
Government Achieves Fiscal Deficit Target of 4.8% for FY25
Context
What is the fiscal deficit?
- The Minister of Communications announced at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 that India’s Internet user base is set to touch 1 billion by the end of FY26.
- Last-Mile Connectivity: Difficult terrain, low affordability, and lack of digital skills still limit access in remote areas.
- Data Privacy and Cybersecurity: India needs stronger laws and greater public awareness to protect user data.
- Quality of Service: Internet speed and reliability remain uneven despite wide network coverage.
- Skilling: Increased digital access must be supported by basic digital literacy and training programs. Read More
India will have 1 Billion Internet Users by this Fiscal Year
Context
Challenges
- The Delhi Power Minister inaugurated a 20-MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Kilokari, South Delhi .
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are large-scale batteries used to store energy from renewable sources like solar and wind for later use.
- They vary in size, design, and technology, and play a crucial role in making green energy more reliable and flexible.
- They can also feed excess power back to the main grid.
- There are three main types: Pre-packaged battery modules (just batteries), pre-packaged systems (batteries plus components like chargers or inverters), and custom-made battery banks (individual batteries assembled with additional components). Read More
South Asia’s ‘largest’ Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Inaugurated
In News
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- As per the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), zoonotic outbreaks significantly increased over the years, particularly post-pandemic.
- Prevalence of Zoonotic Outbreaks: Over 8% (583 out of 6,948) of the reported outbreaks were zoonotic (spread from animals to humans).
- Peak Seasonality: Zoonotic outbreaks consistently peaked during the months of June, July, and August.
- Leading Zoonotic Diseases: Japanese encephalitis accounted for the largest share (29.5%) then Leptospirosis (18.7%) & scrub typhus (13.9%).
- Geographical Distribution: The Northeast part of India contributed the highest proportion (35.8%) of zoonotic disease outbreaks followed by the southern region (31.7%) & western region (15.4%). Read More
