MLC Daily Current Affairs – 07 May 2025

Today in History (May 7^th,1880)

Pandurang Vaman Kane (7 May 1880 – 18 April 1972), a Sanskrit scholar and a notable Indologist. He was famous for his History of Dharmasastra which comes in five volumes consist of 6500 pages. He received India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 1963. He was born on 7 May 1880 in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra.

Summary of Today’s News

States to conduct civil defence drills today

• Nationwide Civil Defence Drills are being conducted on Wednesday across Indian states to assess emergency preparedness in light of recent security threats.
• Trigger for the Drill: Initiated following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

Government Oversight:

• Ordered by the Union Home Ministry.
• Union Home Secretary reviewed state-level preparations amid a “hostile” environment.

Coverage and Planning:

• 244 districts identified under Categories 1, 2, and 3 for the exercise based on assessments from 2005 and 2010.
• States asked to include more “vulnerable areas” based on current local evaluations, particularly where vital installations (e.g., refineries, nuclear plants, cantonments) exist.

Execution Details:

• States given autonomy to conduct drills based on local resources.
• District Magistrates to decide the venue and timing.
• Post-drill reports to be submitted to the Centre for identifying and fixing security gaps.
• Key Activities in the Drill:
• Testing air-raid warning systems, blackout measures, evacuation plans, camouflage protocols, hotline setups with the IAF, firefighting, bunker readiness, and warden services.

Regional Highlights:

• Delhi: Drills at 55 locations (residential areas, markets, colleges) from 4–6 p.m., with heightened police presence at key spots like India Gate and Red Fort.
• Kashmir: SDRF mock drill at 4 p.m.; sirens to be activated in various locations.
• South Central Railway: Hostile scenario simulations in Hyderabad (Kacheguda), Raichur, and Aurangabad.
• Maharashtra: Drills in over a dozen locations including Mumbai.
• Uttar Pradesh: Exercises in all 75 districts, as stated by the state DGP.
• Contextual Security Situation:
• Pakistan has violated ceasefire along the Line of Control for the 12th night, prompting proportionate responses from the Indian Army in several J&K districts.

India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

• A historic FTA has been concluded between India and the United Kingdom.
• Announced by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer after a phone conversation.

Key Benefits for India:

• 99% of Indian exports to the U.K. will enjoy zero duties.
• Comprehensive market access in the U.K. for all major Indian goods and export interests.
• Tariff elimination on 99% of tariff lines, covering nearly 100% of trade value.

India’s Concessions:

• India will cut tariffs on 90% of U.K. products, with 85% of them reaching zero tariffs within 10 years.

Sector-specific Tariff Reductions:

• Whisky and gin tariffs to be reduced from 150% to 75%, then to 40% by year 10.
• Automotive tariffs will fall from over 100% to 10%, under a quota system.

Double Contribution Convention:

• Indian workers temporarily in the U.K. will be exempted from paying social security contributions for 3 years, along with their employers.

UK Perspective:

• K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed it as a landmark deal benefiting British businesses, workers, and consumers.
• K. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described it as the largest ever trade deal signed by the U.K.

India climbs 3 spots to 130 among 193 nations in HDI, but inequality continues to be a burden

• India rose 3 spots to rank 130 out of 193 countries in the 2023 Human Development Index (HDI).
• HDI score improved from 676 (2022) to 0.685 (2023).
• India remains in the medium human development category, nearing the high threshold of 0.700.

Economic and Poverty Indicators:

• Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased to $9,046.76 in 2023, up from $2,167.22 in 1990.
• 135 million Indians escaped multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21.

Inequality Challenges:

• Inequality reduces India’s HDI by 30.7%, among the highest in the region.
• Progress noted in health and education inequality, but income and gender disparities remain significant.
• Female labour force participation and political representation are low.
• The one-third legislative seat reservation for women offers hope for transformative change.

Health and Education Improvements:

• Life expectancy rose to 72 years in 2023, up from 6 years in 1990.
• Improvement attributed to national health schemes: NRHM, Ayushman Bharat, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Poshan Abhiyaan.
• Schooling expectancy increased to 13 years in 2023, from 2 years in 1990.
• Driven by education initiatives: Right to Education Act, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, NEP 2020.
• Learning outcomes and quality remain areas needing further improvement.

Artificial Intelligence and Development:

• UNDP report titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI”.
• Highlights AI’s transformative potential in human development.
• India recognized as a rising AI powerhouse with highest self-reported AI skills penetration globally.