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Home / IAS Preparation / 02 May 2025 UPSC Current Affairs - Daily News Headlines

02 May 2025 UPSC Current Affairs - Daily News Headlines

Last Updated on May 03, 2025
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On May 2, 2025, the Indian government launched the “Agri-Tech for All” scheme to help farmers use AI and satellite data to improve crop productivity. The Ministry of Education introduced a new fellowship program for civil service aspirants from rural areas to support equitable access to competitive exams. India also signed a green energy agreement with Germany to expand solar and wind power collaborations. In addition, a nationwide water conservation drive was initiated under the Jal Shakti Ministry to address drought-prone areas ahead of monsoon season.

Awareness regarding daily UPSC current affairs is crucial for cracking the UPSC Prelims, excelling in UPSC Mains. It helps perform well in the UPSC personality test, thus becoming an informed and effective UPSC civil servant.

Below are the current affairs and headlines of the day taken from The Hindu, Indian Express, Press Information Bureau & All India Radio as required for UPSC preparation:

Caste Census

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Polity & Governance)

In News:

  • The Union Cabinet approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming Census.
  • This marks the first caste-based count in Independent India’s Census.

What is a Caste Census?

  • A caste census refers to the enumeration of all castes, not just SCs and STs, during the national Census.
  • Aims to gather comprehensive data on social structure, particularly regarding OBCs and other unlisted castes.
  • Distinct from socio-economic surveys or state-level surveys as it will be conducted with statutory backing by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Census Act, 1948.

Historical Background

  • 1931: Last full caste-based enumeration conducted under British rule.
  • Post-1947: Indian Censuses recorded only SCs and STs, excluding broader caste data.
    • 2011 SECC: A Socio-Economic and Caste Census was conducted outside the main Census, lacked legal authority, and its caste data was never officially released.
    • 2021 Census: Was delayed due to COVID-19 and remains pending.
  • Recent state efforts:
    • Bihar (2022–2023): Covered 13.07 crore people.
    • Karnataka (2015; report in 2024): Covered 5.98 crore people.
    • Telangana (2024): Covered 3.54 crore people.

Arguments in Favour of Caste Census

  • Better Policy Making: Accurate data on OBCs and other backward groups enables targeted welfare policies.
  • Social Justice: It helps rationalise reservations based on actual population data, enabling quota within quota (sub-categorisation).
  • Correct Representation: Enables correction of underrepresentation of OBCs and other groups in government jobs and institutions.
  • Evidence-Based Governance: Enhances transparency and accountability in resource allocation.

Arguments Against Caste Census

  • Social Fragmentation: Risk of intensifying caste identities and social divisions.
  • Data Complexity: Managing and categorizing potentially millions of caste names is logistically difficult.
  • Political Misuse: Potential for vote bank politics and manipulation of caste data.
  • Past Experience: The 2011 SECC became controversial due to inconsistencies and lack of validation.
  • Legal and Constitutional Questions: The move could trigger litigation over classification, OBC sub-categorisation, and reservation limits.

Constitutional Articles Related to Caste and Reservation:

  • Article 15(4): Enables the state to make special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs), SCs, and STs.
  • Article 16(4): Allows reservation in public employment for backward classes not adequately represented.
  • Article 340: Empowers the President to appoint a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.
  • Article 46: Part of the Directive Principles; directs the state to promote the educational and economic interests of weaker sections.
  • Article 338-B: Establishes the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) to advise on the socio-economic development of OBCs.
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Digital access, a part of the Fundamental Rights

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Polity & Governance)

In News:

  • The Supreme Court of India ruled that inclusive and meaningful digital access to e-governance and welfare delivery systems is a part of the fundamental right to life and liberty under Article 21.
  • The ruling is based on petitions by acid attack survivors and a visually challenged citizen, who were excluded due to inaccessible digital KYC processes.

Key observations by the Supreme Court

  • Digital Access as Fundamental Right: The Court ruled that the right to digital access is inherent in the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • Inclusive Digital Ecosystem: The state has an affirmative obligation to create a truly inclusive digital ecosystem for the marginalised, disabled, and underprivileged.
  • Substantive Equality Principle: The judgment invoked the principle of substantive equality, emphasizing that equal access cannot be guaranteed unless structural disadvantages faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and others are addressed.
  • Exclusionary Digital Infrastructure: The current inaccessible digital KYC processes, especially those involving visual tasks, were deemed to further marginalize vulnerable groups rather than help integrate them into mainstream society.
  • Equity in Digital Transformation: The Court emphasized that digital progress in India must not leave behind rural citizens, non-English speakers, and those with limited connectivity or assistive tools.
  • State’s Role: The ruling stressed that the government must proactively design and implement inclusive and accessible platforms, not merely for the privileged but for all.

What is the Right to Life and Personal Liberty? (Article 21)

  • Article 21 of the Constitution: “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.”
  • It is a fundamental right and has been liberally interpreted by the judiciary to include:
    • Right to live with dignity
    • Right to health
    • Right to education
    • Right to privacy
    • Right to shelter
    • Right to clean environment
    • Now extended to include right to digital access
  • The right is available to all persons, including non-citizens.

National Security Advisory Board Reconstituted

Source: The Hindu 

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Polity & Governance) 

In News:

  • The Union Government has reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) amid rising tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.
  • Alok Joshi, former R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing) chief and ex-IPS officer, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the restructured 16-member NSAB.

What is NSAB?

  • The National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) is the third tier of India’s national security architecture under the National Security Council (NSC).
  • It is an advisory body comprising experts from outside the government who provide strategic and security-related inputs.
  • NSAB was established in December 1998 to offer independent, long-term perspectives on national and international security challenges.
  • NSAB has no statutory or constitutional status. It operates under the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and is purely advisory in nature.
  • Appointed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) or on the recommendation of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
  • The board is non-permanent and gets reconstituted periodically to introduce fresh perspectives while maintaining institutional memory.

Mandate of NSAB

  • To advise the National Security Council (NSC) on long-term strategic and security issues.
  • To offer policy recommendations and solutions on issues referred to it by the NSC.
  • To provide a non-governmental viewpoint and non-bureaucratic analysis on security challenges.
  • To support the NSC by enhancing strategic foresight, particularly in emerging areas like cybersecurity, maritime security, and space warfare.

Hydrogen

Source: The Hindu 

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

In News:

  • Natural hydrogen is gaining attention as a potential clean, low-cost, and abundant fuel.
  • Scientific and industrial interest has surged due to recent discoveries in France, Australia, and the U.S., indicating vast untapped reserves.

What is Hydrogen?

  • Hydrogen (H2) is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe.
  • It is colorless, odorless, and highly combustible, making it a potent energy carrier.
  • When used as a fuel, its only byproduct is water, making it an excellent candidate for decarbonisation.

Hydrogen Production Methods

    • Steam Methane Reforming (SMR): Extracted from natural gas — energy-intensive and emits CO2.
    • Electrolysis of Water: Uses electricity to split water into H2 and O2 — clean if powered by renewables.
    • Coal Gasification: Produces hydrogen from coal — highly polluting.
    • Biomass Gasification: Extracted from organic waste — lower emissions.
    • Photocatalysis / Microbial methods: Emerging technologies using sunlight or microorganisms.
    • Geological Extraction: Involves mining naturally occurring hydrogen from the Earth — new and promising.
  • Natural Occurrence:
  • Present as free gas in the Earth's crust.
  • Formed through:
    • Serpentinisation: Interaction between water and iron-rich rocks.
    • Radiolysis: Breakdown of water due to radioactive decay in rocks.
    • Thermal decomposition of organic matter deep underground.
    • Volcanic emissions and hydrothermal vents.

Does India have Natural Hydrogen Reserves?

  • India is geologically promising, with potential reserves in:
    • Ophiolite belts (Andaman, Himalayas)
    • Cratonic regions (Dharwar, Singhbhum)
    • Volcanic-sedimentary belts (Vindhyan, Cuddapah, Gondwana, Chhattisgarh)
    • Hot springs, fractured basement rocks, and ultramafic/mafic Formations.
  • However, no major exploration has been carried out so far.

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