{"id":51420,"date":"2025-08-14T18:28:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=51420"},"modified":"2025-08-14T19:46:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T14:16:08","slug":"news-in-short-14-august-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/14-08-2025\/news-in-short-14-august-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 14-August-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>South China Sea&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Places in News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the United States deployed two warships near the disputed<strong> Scarborough Shoal <\/strong>in the <strong>South China Sea<\/strong> following a collision between Chinese naval vessels attempting to block a Philippine coast guard ship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the South China Sea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a vital <strong>maritime corridor in the Indo-Pacific<\/strong>, bordering <strong>China and Taiwan<\/strong> to the north, <strong>Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore<\/strong> to the west, <strong>Indonesia and Brunei<\/strong> to the south, and<strong> Philippines<\/strong> to the east.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d2d3d4\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"708\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/South-China-Sea-pic-708x1024.png\" alt=\"South-China-Sea\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-51421\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d2d3d4; width:412px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/South-China-Sea-pic-708x1024.png 708w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/South-China-Sea-pic-207x300.png 207w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/South-China-Sea-pic-768x1111.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/South-China-Sea-pic-1062x1536.png 1062w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/South-China-Sea-pic.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It has become a flashpoint of geopolitical tension, territorial disputes, and strategic maneuvering, including <strong>Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, and Scarborough Shoal.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>China asserts control over nearly the entire region via <strong>its \u2018nine-dash line\u2019.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>China has built artificial islands and military outposts, defying a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated its expansive claims.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping claims.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Scarborough Shoal<\/strong> is claimed by China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Position and Engagement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India views the South China Sea as part of the <strong>global commons<\/strong> and <strong>supports freedom of navigation under international law.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s evolving approach includes:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Backing the 2016 tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participating in oil exploration projects in Vietnam\u2019s EEZ through ONGC Videsh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transitioning from <strong>Look East to Act East<\/strong>, emphasizing strategic engagement with ASEAN and Indo-Pacific partners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/international\/us-briefly-deploys-two-warships-to-a-disputed-south-china-sea-shoal-after-chinese-collision\/article69928806.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India\u2019s First Commercial Earth Observation Satellite Constellation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong><strong>: GS3\/Science &amp; Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, India launched its <strong>first fully indigenous<\/strong><strong>commercial Earth Observation (EO) satellite<\/strong> constellation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is the <strong>first time a private Indian consortium<\/strong>, led by PixxelSpace, will design, build, launch, and operate under a <strong>PPP model.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Satellite Capabilities and Applications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This <strong>commercial Earth Observation (EO) satellite<\/strong> constellation aims to feature cutting-edge sensors like Panchromatic, Multispectral, Hyperspectral and Microwave Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It aims to deliver Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and Value-Added Services (VAS).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Applications: <\/strong>Climate change monitoring, Disaster management, Agriculture and infrastructure planning, Marine surveillance, Urban development, and National security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic Significance:<\/strong> Reduce India\u2019s reliance on foreign satellite data, ensure national data sovereignty, and position India as a global leader in geospatial intelligence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Working of Earth Observation (EO) Satellites<\/strong><br>&#8211; EO satellites work by <strong>capturing electromagnetic radiation<\/strong> reflected or emitted from Earth\u2019s surface.<br>1. They use specialized sensors to detect and record data across various spectral bands\u2014visible, infrared, microwave, and more.<br>&#8211; These satellites <strong>orbit the Earth in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)<\/strong> <strong>or Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO)<\/strong>, allowing them to <strong>revisit the same location at regular intervals<\/strong> and capture high-resolution imagery.<br>&#8211; <strong>Key Components and Payloads:<\/strong><br>1. <strong>Electro Optical Infrared (EOIR):<\/strong> To capture images in mid-wave and long-wave infrared bands, useful for day\/night surveillance, fire detection, and environmental monitoring.<br>2. <strong>Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR):<\/strong> To penetrate cloud cover and darkness to provide all-weather imaging.<br>3. <strong>Hyperspectral Sensors:<\/strong> To detect hundreds of spectral bands for detailed analysis of vegetation, minerals, and pollution.<br>4. <strong>GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R):<\/strong> It uses reflected GPS signals to measure ocean surface winds, soil moisture, and flood zones.<br>5. <strong>SiC UV Dosimeter:<\/strong> It monitors UV radiation, especially for crewed missions like Gaganyaan.<br>&#8211; EO satellites transmit raw data to ground stations where it is processed into Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and Value-Added Services (VAS), and processed data disseminated.<br>&#8211; <strong>Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe)<\/strong><br>&#8211; It is an autonomous, single-window agency under the <strong>Department of Space, Government of India<\/strong>.<br>&#8211; It is designed to promote, enable, authorize, and <strong>supervise space activities by non-governmental entities (NGEs).<\/strong><br>&#8211; It <strong>acts as a bridge between ISRO and private players<\/strong>, facilitating the growth of a vibrant commercial space ecosystem.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/pixxelspace-india-led-consortium-to-establish-indias-first-commercial-earth-observation-satellite-constellation\/article69924236.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>BNS Section 152<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS2\/Governance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court Friday issued a notice on a plea challenging the constitutional validity of Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The petition contends that the provision \u201creintroduces the colonial sedition law\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It&nbsp; penalizes anyone who, knowingly or purposely, through speech, writing, signs, electronic means, or financial support, promotes or attempts to promote secession, armed rebellion, subversive or separatist activities, or endangers India&#8217;s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Punishment includes life imprisonment or up to seven years in prison, along with a fine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Supreme Court\u2019s Observations&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Supreme Court questioned whether the potential misuse of Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita could make the law unconstitutional.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This arose during a hearing on a petition filed by the Foundation of Independent Journalism and editor of The Wire, who faces an FIR under Section 152 in Assam over a news article.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Court reaffirmed the importance of protecting press freedom while maintaining public order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source&nbsp; :TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Dhirio<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS1\/Culture&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Goa MLAs across party lines recently called for the legalisation of bull fighting, known locally as dhirio or dhiri, arguing it is a vital part of the state&#8217;s cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dhirio&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is also spelled Dhiri and refers to traditional bullfighting events in Goa, where two bulls are pitted against each other.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bulls fight head-to-head until one retreats or is injured.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is historically tied to post-harvest festivities and church feasts.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;Bulls were named (e.g., Tyson, Rambo) and had fan followings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Legal Status<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was banned in 1996 by the Bombay High Court at Goa under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 due to concerns over animal welfare.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2014, the Supreme Court passed an order prohibiting all animal races and fights\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;Despite the ban, clandestine fights continue, especially in South Goa&#8217;s coastal villages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :IE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Whale strandings increased tenfold in a decade: CMFRI study<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS3\/Environment&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Whale strandings along India\u2019s southwest coast (Kerala, Karnataka, Goa) rose tenfold in the past decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Whale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whales are marine mammals classified under Cetacea, comprising baleen (Mysticeti) and toothed (Odontoceti) species.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They breathe air and they are warm-blooded mammals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blue whales are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Ecological Role<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whales are crucial to ocean health: each great whale sequesters tons of CO\u2082, acting as a carbon sink.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Their nutrient-rich fecal plumes stimulate plankton growth, which captures CO\u2082 and produces atmospheric oxygen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Six of the 13 great whale species are classified as endangered or vulnerable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Threats&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whale Strandings rose from 0.3% per year (2003\u20132013) to 3% per year (2014\u20132023), with nine cases reported in 2023 alone, mostly between August and November.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Causes include climate change, high vessel traffic, fishing, noise pollution, ship strikes, habitat degradation, and shallow coastal areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bryde\u2019s whales are the most commonly stranded species, with blue whales occasionally found. Two genetically distinct forms of Bryde\u2019s whale exist in Indian waters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rising sea temperatures and strong coastal currents contribute to strandings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Suggestions&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are calls for the development of region-specific conservation strategies, including real-time alert systems, marine conservation networks, fisher training, and enhanced citizen science efforts to better protect these endangered marine mammals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :IE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Export Promotion Mission Plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government is revising its earlier <strong>Export Promotion Mission plans<\/strong> to focus more on specific sectors, in response to the <strong>higher tariffs the U.S. has imposed on Indian imports.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In the Union Budget for 2025-26,<\/strong> the Finance Minister announced an Export Promotion Mission with a \u20b92,250 crore allocation for the current financial year.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It would facilitate easy access to export credit, cross-border factoring support, and support to MSMEs to tackle non-tariff measures in overseas markets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ministeries: <\/strong>Driven jointly by the Ministries of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and the Ministry of Finance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Revised Mission Plans: <\/strong>This would entail reducing the cost of credit for medium, small, and micro enterprise (MSME) borrowers in the worst-hit sectors, expediting clearances, and providing them with some sort of export incentives.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The sectors that will be most impacted by the U.S. tariffs are apparel and textiles, shrimp exporters, organic chemicals, and machinery and mechanical appliances.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The revised plan will be a<strong> joint effort across several Ministries<\/strong> and involves detailed consultations with industry stakeholders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/143874\/OPS\/G6QENTFLB.1+GM3EP0K8E.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Kancha Gachibowli Forest<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Chief Justice of India said that the Telangana government must submit a proposal <strong>to restore the \u201cdevastated\u201d Kancha Gachibowli forest.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government had cleared <strong>over 100 acres in the Kancha Gachibowli forest area <\/strong>abutting the University of Hyderabad for an IT infrastructure project.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF) is a vital urban forest spanning around 400 acres adjacent to the University of Hyderabad, located in <strong>Telangana<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It belongs to the<strong> Deccan scrub forest ecosystem<\/strong>\u2014one of India\u2019s most ecologically significant and under-protected landscapes.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biodiversity:<\/strong> About 233 bird species, including migratory ones, approximately 72 tree species, and over 40,000 trees.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scheduled and protected fauna, including spotted deer, wild boars, monitor lizards, star tortoises, Indian rock pythons, peacocks, and the rare tree-trunk spider (Murricia hyderabadensis)\u2014the only known habitat of this species.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Deccan Thorn Scrub Forests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Deccan Thorn Scrub Forests are a tropical dry shrubland ecoregion found mainly in the<strong> Deccan Plateau and adjoining areas of India<\/strong> and <strong>parts of northern Sri Lanka.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They represent the<strong> driest and most degraded form of tropical dry deciduous forests,<\/strong> occurring in regions with very low and erratic rainfall.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These areas are often subject to<strong> overgrazing, fuelwood collection, and agricultural expansion, <\/strong>leading to sparse vegetation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major states: <\/strong>Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ecological Importance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provides habitat for arid-adapted species and endemic birds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Acts as a buffer against desertification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grazing lands for pastoral communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/143874\/OPS\/G6QENTFLH.1+GELEP0SB7.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Expanding SC\/ST Scholarships<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong><strong>: GS2\/Vulnerable Sections of Society<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union government is considering major reforms to its scholarship programs for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for the next financial cycle (FY 2026\u201327 to FY 2030\u201331).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Post and pre-matric scholarships for SCs, Scheduled Tribes (STs), and OBCs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government runs post and pre-matric scholarships for SCs, STs, and OBCs as <strong>centrally sponsored schemes<\/strong>, funded jointly by the Union and State governments in a 60:40 ratio (90:10 for northeastern states).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Post-matric scholarships are for Indian students studying beyond 10th grade, while pre-matric scholarships are mainly for grades IX and X\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;However, SC students from classes 1 to X are also eligible if their parents work in hazardous or unclean occupations.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In both cases, the annual parental income must be below \u20b92.5 lakh for eligibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Current Trends<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SC pre-matric scholarships fell by 30.63% between 2020\u201321 and 2024\u201325.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SC post-matric scholarships dropped by 4.22% in the same period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ST scholarships also saw declines: pre-matric by 4.63 lakh, post-matric by 3.52 lakh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For OBCs, EBCs, and DNTs, pre-matric beneficiaries dropped from 58.62 lakh in 2021\u201322 to 20.25 lakh in 2023\u201324.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Proposed Expansions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Raising income limits <\/strong>to \u20b94.5 lakh for ST scholarships (currently below \u20b92.5 lakh);\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Similar revisions for SC, OBC, and DNT scholarships under discussion by the Social Justice Ministry;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Extending pre-matric scholarships<\/strong> to younger OBC students (from Class V onwards).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Currently, only if parents are in hazardous occupations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increasing scholarship amounts (e.g., up to \u20b960,000 annually under new schemes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Constitutional Provisions Related to SCs and STs in India<\/strong><br><strong>Definitions and Identification<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Article 341 (SCs): <\/strong>&nbsp;The President may, by public notification, specify castes, races, or tribes deemed to be SCs in relation to a State or Union Territory, after consulting the Governor.<br>1. Parliament can amend this list by law.<br>&#8211; <strong>Article 342 (STs):<\/strong> It allows the President to notify tribal communities and Parliament to modify the list.<br>&#8211; <strong>Article 366(24) &amp; (25):<\/strong> It provides definitions for SCs and STs as per Articles 341 and 342.<br><strong>Fundamental Rights and Social Safeguards<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Article 15(4)<\/strong>: It allows the State to make special provisions for the advancement of SCs and STs.<br>&#8211; <strong>Article 16(4):<\/strong> It permits reservation in public employment for backward classes, including SCs and STs, not adequately represented.<br>&#8211; <strong>Article 17: <\/strong>It abolishes untouchability and makes its practice punishable by law.<br>&#8211; <strong>Article 25(2)(b):<\/strong> It enables the State to open Hindu religious institutions of public character to all classes and sections of Hindus.<br><strong>Educational and Economic Safeguards<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Article 46: <\/strong>It directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of SCs and STs and protect them from social injustice and exploitation.<br>&#8211; <strong>Article 330 &amp; 332:<\/strong> It provides for reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.<br>&#8211; <strong>Article 335: <\/strong>It states that claims of SCs and STs shall be considered in appointments to services and posts, consistent with administrative efficiency.<br><strong>Schemes Related To SCs &amp; STs<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Education-Based Schemes:<\/strong><br>1. <strong>National Overseas Scholarship:<\/strong> For SC\/ST students pursuing higher education abroad; Income ceiling: \u20b96\u20138 lakh\/year.<br>2. <strong>Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Scholarship<\/strong>: Offers guidance and financial support for SC\/ST students seeking global academic opportunities.<br>&#8211; <strong>Employment and Skill Development:<\/strong><br>1. <strong>Welfare of SC\/ST Jobseekers Scheme:<\/strong> Implemented via 25 <strong>National Career Service Centres<\/strong>; Offers vocational guidance, computer training, and pre-recruitment coaching.<br>2. <strong>Free Coaching for SC\/OBC Students:<\/strong> Central Sector Scheme offering coaching for competitive exams like UPSC, NEET, JEE.<br>3. <strong>Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY):<\/strong> Skill training for SC\/ST youth across sectors; Includes reskilling and entrepreneurship modules.<br>&#8211; <strong>Infrastructure and Residential Support:<\/strong><br>1. <strong>SCSP-TSP (Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan &amp; Tribal Sub-Plan):<\/strong> Residential schools in underserved areas; Hostels for UPSC aspirants in Delhi; Laptops and stipends for students.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/education\/how-can-scst-scholarships-be-expanded-explained\/article69930117.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Norms governing Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has tightened the norms governing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/01-10-2024\/overseas-citizen-of-india-oci\">Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About OCI<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Introduced:<strong> 2005<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Purpose:<\/strong> Offers multiple-entry, multi-purpose lifelong visas to persons of Indian origin (PIOs) and their spouses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Benefits:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No need to register with <strong>Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer<\/strong> for any length of stay in India. However, permission is required to visit protected areas in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can open special bank accounts, buy non-farm property, apply for driver\u2019s licence and PAN card.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eligibility Criteria<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It provides for registration as an OCI of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on <strong>26th January, 1950<\/strong>, or thereafter, or were eligible to become citizens of India on the said date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A foreign national who;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Belonged to a territory that became part of India after <strong>15th August, 1947<\/strong>; or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A minor child of such persons mentioned above; or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A minor child whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India is eligible for registration as OCI cardholder.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Restrictions:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No person whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents are or were citizens of <strong>Pakistan or Bangladesh<\/strong> is eligible for registration as an <strong>OCI cardholder<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Foreign military personnel either in service or retired are also not entitled for grant of OCI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>OCI is not to be misconstrued as &#8216;dual citizenship&#8217;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Updates<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>OCI registration <strong>will be cancelled<\/strong> if an individual:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Is sentenced to imprisonment for <strong>2 years or more<\/strong>, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is charge-sheeted for an offence <strong>punishable with imprisonment of 7 years or more<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This applies whether the offence occurs in India or abroad, as long as it is <strong>recognised under Indian law<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These rules are notified under the <strong>Citizenship Act, 1955<\/strong>, and <strong>Citizenship Rules, 2009<\/strong>, which allow the central government to cancel OCI registration under specified conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/oci-registration-to-be-cancelled-for-serious-criminal-offences-mha\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">AIR<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) is being hosted in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was established in 2006 to provide a global platform for high school students interested in astronomy.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first IOAA was held in 2007 in Thailand, with 21 countries participating and the event marking the formal adoption of its statutes and governance structure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Annual editions<\/strong> of the Olympiad have been hosted by counties across Asia, Europe, and South America, including Brazil, China, Colombia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Poland, and Romania.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Olympiad aims to promote scientific education and international collaboration among young astronomers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This year&#8217;s highlights :&nbsp; <\/strong>over 300 high school students from 64 countries participating in the 10-day event.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This is the second time that India is hosting the IOAA, after the 2016 edition in Bhubaneswar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This year\u2019s theme is \u2018Vasudaiva Kutumbakam\u2019, the \u201cancient Indian idea of the world is family under one sky\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>SabhaSaar<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Government Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union Government will launch <strong>\u2018SabhaSaar\u2019<\/strong> in Tripura on <strong>Independence Day (15 August)<\/strong>, with plans to extend it to other states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About SabhaSaar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Purpose:<\/strong> AI-powered tool to automatically generate minutes of gram sabha meetings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Functioning:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Generates <strong>transcriptions<\/strong> from audio or video recordings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Panchayat officials can upload recordings using <strong>e-GramSwaraj login credentials<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technology Base:<\/strong> Built on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/09-01-2025\/news-in-short-9-january-2025\"><strong>Bhashini<\/strong><\/a>, the government\u2019s AI-powered <strong>language translation platform<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Language Support:<\/strong> All major Indian languages \u2014 <strong>Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati<\/strong> \u2014 and <strong>English<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Do you know?<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Gram Sabha:<\/strong> Primary body of the<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/17-02-2025\/panchayati-raj-movement\"><strong>Panchayati Raj system<\/strong><\/a>, comprising all <strong>registered voters<\/strong> in a gram panchayat.<br>&#8211; <strong>Meetings:<\/strong> At least <strong>four times a year<\/strong> \u2014 <strong>26 Jan, 1 May, 15 Aug, and 2 Oct<\/strong>.<br>&#8211; There are <strong>2,55,397 village panchayats<\/strong>, 6,742 intermediate panchayats, 665 district panchayats, and 16,189 traditional local bodies across the country.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/ai-tool-structure-uniformity-gram-sabha-meetings-country-ai-10186886\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Recently, the United States deployed two warships near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea following a collision between Chinese naval vessels attempting to block a Philippine coast guard ship.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>About the South China Sea<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It is a vital maritime corridor in the Indo-Pacific, bordering China and Taiwan to the north, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore to the west, Indonesia and Brunei to the south, and Philippines to the east.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It has become a flashpoint of geopolitical tension, territorial disputes, and strategic maneuvering, including Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, and Scarborough Shoal.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">China asserts control over nearly the entire region via its \u2018nine-dash line\u2019.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping claims.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/14-08-2025\/news-in-short-14-august-2025\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":51446,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/upsc-news-in-short-14-august-2025.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51420"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51447,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51420\/revisions\/51447"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}