Read Current Affairs
- Why in News?
- The Government of India has approached the U.S.’s 50% tariff hike with calm pragmatism. Despite provocative remarks, such as U.S. Trade Adviser Peter Navarro dubbing the Russia-Ukraine war “Modi’s war,” India has avoided escalation, focusing instead on adapting to the new trade reality.
- Key Provisions:-
- Officials maintain that talks for a trade deal with the U.S., though paused, remain possible. Even the extra 25% “penalty” tariff is not seen as a deal breaker, though it dilutes any deal’s benefits.
- Rather than flashy incentives, the Centre is targeting real pain points—especially the looming liquidity crunch for exporters. The tariff’s macroeconomic impact is expected to be contained, as 40% of India’s U.S. exports are unaffected. Plans include boosting domestic demand via GST cuts and cautiously reopening Chinese investment flows under revised safeguards. The emphasis is on practical, measured action—shielding the economy while avoiding emotional or retaliatory moves.
- Why in News?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked 11 years of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), one of the world’s largest financial inclusion drives and a flagship National Mission on Financial Inclusion.
- Key Provisions:-
- Launched in 2014, the scheme aims to ensure universal access to banking facilities, particularly for underserved communities.
- Over the past decade, PMJDY has opened over 56 crore bank accounts, with a cumulative deposit balance of ₹2.68 lakh crore. To promote digital payments, more than 38 crore free RuPay debit cards have been issued. Notably, 67% of these accounts are in rural and semi-urban regions, extending formal financial access to marginalised citizens in remote areas. Women have been significant beneficiaries, accounting for around 56% of all accounts.
- By enabling savings, credit, insurance, and pension services for millions, PMJDY has not only expanded financial access but also strengthened economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
- Why in News?
- The 2025 Annual Update of the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) has been released, offering a detailed assessment of the health impact of air pollution worldwide.
- About AQLI:
- The index quantifies the effect of long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) on life expectancy. It was developed by Professor Michael Greenstone and his team at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).
- Key Findings: For India, achieving the World Health Organization’s air quality standards could increase the average life expectancy by 3.5 years. In Delhi, the most affected city, residents could gain as much as 8.2 years— the highest in the country.
- The report underscores that South Asia remains the most polluted region globally, with densely populated areas facing severe air quality challenges. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted pollution control measures to protect public health and improve quality of life across the region.