UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 2 July 2025

Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme

July 2, 2025

Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme Latest News

Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme.

About Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme

It will support employment generation, enhance employability and social security across all sectors, with special focus on the manufacturing sector.
The ELI Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 as part of PM’s package of five schemes to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 Crore youth with a total budget outlay of Rs 2 Lakh Crore.
It aims to incentivize the creation of more than 3.5 Crore jobs in the country, over a period of 2 years. Out of these, 1.92 Crore beneficiaries will be first timers, entering the workforce.
Under the Scheme, while the first-time employees will get one month’s wage (up to Rs 15,000/-), the employers will be given incentives for a period to two years for generating additional employment, with extended benefits for another two years for the manufacturing sector.
The benefits of the Scheme would be applicable to jobs created between 01st August 2025 and 31st July, 2027.
The Scheme consists of two parts with Par A focused on first timers and Part B focused on employers:
Part A: Incentive to First Time Employees
- Targeting first-time employees registered with EPFO, this Part will offer one-month EPF wage up to Rs 15,000 in two installments. Employees with salaries up to Rs 1 lakh will be eligible.
Part B: Support to Employers
- This part will cover the generation of additional employment in all sectors, with a special focus on the manufacturing sector.
- The employers will get incentives in respect of employees with salaries up to Rs 1 lakh.
- The Government will incentivize employers, up to Rs 3000 per month, for two years, for each additional employee with sustained employment for at least six months.
- For the manufacturing sector, incentives will be extended to the 3rd and 4th years as well.
All payments to the First Time Employees under Part A of the Scheme will be made through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) mode using Aadhar Bridge Payment System (ABPS).
Payments to the Employers under Part B will be made directly into their PAN-linked Accounts.

Source: PIB

Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme FAQs

Q1: What is the key purpose of the employment LinkedIn incentive scheme?

Ans: The Employee Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme introduced in the Union Budget 2024, is a government initiative designed to boost employment by providing financial incentives to employees entering the formal sector and employers that generate new jobs.

Q2: What is Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)?

Ans: It is a statutory body under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Act, 1952. It is under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Labor and Employment.

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

July 2, 2025

Central Adoption Resource Authority Latest News

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) recently clarified that adoptive parents do not need hard copies of adoption orders, as digitally certified versions sent via e-mail are legally valid and sufficient under the current rules.

About Central Adoption Resource Authority

It is a statutory body of the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India.
It was established in 1990 as an autonomous body.
Through Section 68 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act 2015), CARA attained the status of a statutory body.
It functions as the nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions.
CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with intercountry adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, 1993, ratified by the Government of India in 2003.
CARA primarily deals with the adoption of orphan, abandoned, and surrendered children through its associated/recognised adoption agencies.
In India, a child can be placed with a family under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act 1956, Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 and Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.
The mandatory registration of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and linking to CARA has been provided in the JJ Act 2015.

Functions of Central Adoption Resource Authority

Monitor and regulate the procedure for in-country adoption;
Receive applications of an Non-Resident Indian (NRI) or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) or a foreigner living abroad through authorised adoption agency or Central Authority or the Government department or the Indian diplomatic mission concerned and process the same;
Receive and process applications received from a foreigner or an OCI residing in India for one year or more, and who is interested in adopting a child from India;
Issue No Objection Certificate in all cases of intercountry adoptions;
Issue Conformity Certificate in the inter-country adoption cases under Article 23 of the Hague Adoption Convention in respect of intercountry adoption;
Intimate the immigration authorities of India and the receiving country of the child about the inter-country adoption cases;
Provide support and guidance to State Adoption Resource Agencies, District Child Protection Units, Specialised Adoption Agencies, and other stakeholders of adoption in related matters, through trainings, workshops, exposure visits, consultations, conferences, seminars, and other capacity-building programmes;
Coordinate with State Governments or the State Adoption Resource Agencies and advise them in adoption related matters;
Establish uniform standards and indicators;
Conduct research, documentation, and publication on adoption and related matters;
Maintain a comprehensive centralised database relating to children and prospective adoptive parents for the purpose of adoption in the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System;
Maintain a confidential centralised database relating to children placed in adoption and adoptive parents;
Carry out advocacy, awareness and information, education, and communication activities for promoting adoption and other non-institutional child care services;
Enter into bilateral agreements with foreign Central Authorities as prescribed under the Hague Adoption Convention, wherever necessary;
Authorise foreign adoption agencies to sponsor applications of NRI or OCI or foreign prospective adoptive parents for intercountry adoption of Indian children;
Set up counselling Centre in its headquarters and support State Adoption Resource Agencies for setting up of counseling centre at the State and District levels;
It monitors and regulates bodies such as the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA), Authorised Foreign Adoption Agency (AFAA), Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), and District Child Protective Units (DPUs).

Source: TH

Central Adoption Resource Authority FAQs

Q1: What is the Central Adoption Resource Authority?

Ans: It is a statutory body of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India.

Q2: What is the primary role of Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)?

Ans: Monitoring and regulating in-country and inter-country adoptions

Q3: Which international convention guides CARA in inter-country adoptions?

Ans: Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, 1993

Q4: CARA issues which certificate in inter-country adoptions under the Hague Convention?

Ans: Conformity Certificate

Q5: Which section of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, confers statutory status to CARA?

Ans: Section 68

Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

July 2, 2025

Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Latest News

Recently, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister of India has approved the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a corpus of Rs. One lakh Crore.

About Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

It aims to provide long-term financing or refinancing with long tenors at low or nil interest rates to spur private sector investment in RDI.
The scheme has been designed to overcome the constraints and challenges in funding of private sector.
It seeks to provide growth & risk capital to sunrise and strategic sectors to facilitate innovation, promote adoption of technology and enhance competitiveness.

Key Objectives of the Scheme

Encourage the private sector to scale up research, development, and innovation (RDI) in sunrise domains and in other sectors relevant for economic security, strategic purpose, and self-reliance;
Finance transformative projects at higher levels of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)
Support acquisition of technologies which are critical or of high strategic importance;
Facilitate setting up of a Deep-Tech Fund of Funds.

Funding Mechanism of Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

The RDI Scheme will have a two-tiered funding mechanism.
At the first level, there will be a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) established within the ANRF, which will act as the custodian of funds.
From the SPF funds shall be allocated to a variety of 2nd level fund managers. This will be mainly in the form of long-term concessional loans.
The funding to R&D projects by the 2nd level fund managers would normally be in the form of long-term loan at low or nil interest rates.
Financing in the form of equity may also be done, especially in case of startups. Contribution to Deep-Tech Fund of Funds (FoF) or any other FoF meant for RDI may also be considered.

Execution of the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

The Governing Board of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), chaired by the Prime Minister, will provide overarching strategic direction to the RDI Scheme.
The Executive Council (EC) of ANRF will approve the Scheme’s guidelines, and recommend 2nd level fund managers and scope and type of projects in sunrise sectors.
An Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) led by the Cabinet Secretary, will be responsible for approving scheme changes, sectors and types of projects as well as second-level fund managers besides reviewing the performance of the Scheme.
Nodal Department: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will serve as the nodal department for implementation of the RDI Scheme.

Source: PIB

Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme FAQs

Q1: What is the Anusandhan National Research Foundation?

Ans: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation was established to provide high-level strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the fields of natural sciences.

Q2: Which ministry is Anusandhan research Foundation under?

Ans: Department of Science & Technology

Ghana

July 2, 2025

Ghana Latest News

The Prime Minister will undertake a significant multi-nation tour from July 2 to July 9, visiting Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia to strengthen India’s bilateral ties and global partnerships.

About Ghana

Location: It is located in West Africa and is sandwiched between Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Togo.
Bordering Countries: The country shares its borders with three countries: Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to the east.
It is situated on the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean in the subregion of West Africa.
Mountains: Mount Afadjato , Mount Djebobo, Mount Torogbani , all situated east of the Volta River near the Togo border.
In Ghana Kwahu Plateau and Gambaga Scarp form major uplands and escarpments.
Lakes: Lake Volta which is created by the Akosombo Dam and considered as one of the largest artificial lakes globally
Drainage System: The drainage system is dominated by the Volta River basin, which includes Lake Volta and the Black Volta, White Volta, and Oti rivers.
Economy: Gold, cocoa and more recently oil form the cornerstone of Ghana's economy and have helped fuel an economic boom.
Capital: Accra.

Source: DDNews

Ghana FAQs

Q1: What is Ghana mostly known for?

Ans: Ghana is one of the leading exporters of cocoa in the world.

Q2: Why is Ghana called the center of the world?

Ans: Ghana is pretty much at the centre of the world, being both close to the equator and on the Greenwich Meridian, which represents 0° longitude.

INS Udaygiri

July 2, 2025

INS Udaygiri Latest News

Recently, Yard 12652 (Udaygiri) being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL), was delivered to the Indian Navy.

About INS Udaygiri

It is the second among the seven Project 17A (P-17A) frigates under construction at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL) in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata.
The Project is a follow-on of the Shivalik class (Project 17) frigates active in service.
It is a modern Avatar of its predecessor, erstwhile INS Udaygiri which was a Steam Ship, decommissioned on 24 August 2007 after rendering 31 years of glorious service to the nation.
These multi-mission frigates are capable of operating in a ‘Blue Water’ environment dealing with both conventional and non-conventional threats in the area of India’s Maritime Interests.

Key Facts about Project 17A Frigates

The hull of P17A ships is geo-symmetrically larger by 4.54 % vis-à-vis P 17. These ships are fitted with an advanced weapon and sensors suite with enhanced ‘sleek and stealthy’ features compared to the P 17 class.
P-17A ships have enhanced stealth features and fitted with ‘State of the Art’ weapons and sensors, a significant upgrade from the P17 class.
The ships are configured with Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) main propulsion plants, comprising a Diesel Engine and Gas turbine, driving a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft and a state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
The weapon suite comprises supersonic Surface-to-Surface missile system, Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile system, 76 mm Gun, and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm rapid-fire close-in Weapon Systems.
The warship is fitted with major weapons and sensors sourced from indigenous OEMs.
Significance: The positive spin offs of the shipbuilding project included self-reliance, economic development, employment generation, growth of MSMEs and ancillary ecosystem in the country.

Source: PIB

INS Udaygiri FAQs

Q1: Who built INS Udaygiri?

Ans: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

Q2: What are the 7 ships under Project 17A?

Ans: The P-17A frigates were christened after the former Nilgiri class frigates, which served in the Indian Navy between 1972 and 2013; the first six ships of the series were allotted the names utilised by the older class, namely – Nilgiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, and Vindhyagiri.

GOSAT-GW Satellite

July 2, 2025

GOSAT-GW Satellite Latest News

Recently, Japan launched the GOSAT-GW Satellite from the Tanegashima Space Centre.

About GOSAT-GW Satellite

The Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle (GOSAT-GW) is a Japanese Earth observation satellite .
It was launched by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
It is carrying two instruments onboard: the Total Anthropogenic and Natural emissions mapping SpectrOmeter-3 (TANSO-3), and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 3 (AMSR3).
It was launched by using an H-2A rocket.
The satellite will be in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 666 km with a repeat cycle of three days.

Objectives of GOSAT-GW Satellite

Monitoring atmospheric global-mean concentrations of greenhouse gasses (GHGs),
Verifying national anthropogenic GHG emissions inventories,
Detecting GHG emissions from large sources, such as megacities and power plants.

Source: SPACE

GOSAT-GW Satellite FAQs

Q1: What do you mean by sun synchronous orbit?

Ans: This means they pass over the same spot on Earth at the same local time every day.

Q2: What is meant by geosynchronous orbit?

Ans: A geosynchronous orbit (sometimes abbreviated GSO) is an Earth-centered orbit with an orbital period that matches Earth's rotation on its axis, 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds (one sidereal day).

Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC)

July 2, 2025

Microcrystalline Cellulose Latest News

The pharma unit of Sigachi Industries in Hyderabad, which makes microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), was the scene of a lethal accident recently, with the toll rising to 36.

About Microcrystalline Cellulose

It is a free-flowing powdery substance extracted as a pulp from fibrous plant material called refined wood pulp.
It is a purified, partially depolymerized cellulose having the formula (C6H10O5)n.
Chemically, it is an inert substance, is not degraded during digestion, and has no appreciable absorption.
As a natural, fiber-rich component, it’s nontoxic and chewable.
Wood is the most common source of pharmaceutical MCC, in which cellulose chains are closely packed in layered form and are held together by a cross-linking polymer and strong hydrogen bonds.
Its crystalline structure is due to its microfibres having a high degree of three-dimensional internal bonding.
During compression, MCC plastically deforms, and therefore, interparticle bonding increases. The plasticity of the MCC is the main reason for its exceptional binding property.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Applications

It is used as a texturizer, extender, emulsifier, and binder in the pharmaceutical industry and as a bulking agent in food production.
Its vital use is in the making of vitamin supplements and tablets.
MCC can add weight to a drug and facilitate the active ingredients to function effectively while making the drug conform to weight specifications.

Source: TH

Microcrystalline Cellulose FAQs

Q1: What is the chemical formula of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC)?

Ans: (C6H10O5)n

Q2: What is the primary source material used to extract Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC)?

Ans: Refined wood pulp.

Q3: What feature of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) contributes most to its crystalline nature?

Ans: Cross-linking polymers and hydrogen bonding.

Q4: What physical form does Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) typically have?

Ans: Fine, free-flowing powder.

RailOne App

July 2, 2025

RailOne App Latest News

The Union Railway Minister recently launched a new app, RailOne, in New Delhi.

About RailOne App

It is a new super app designed to serve as a one-stop platform for all railway-related queries and passenger needs.
The app has been conceived by the Railways’ public sector undertaking (PSU), the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
RailOne is designed to bring every railway service—ticket booking, real-time tracking, food ordering, PNR status, refunds, porter booking, and last-mile taxi—into one seamless, user-friendly platform.
It eliminates the need for multiple apps by integrating functionalities from IRCTC Rail Connect, UTSonMobile, Rail Madad, NTES, and Food on Track.
Reserved tickets will continue to be offered on IRCTC. The RailOne app has also been authorised by IRCTC, just like many other commercial apps who have partnered with IRCTC.

Key Features of RailOne App

Book reserved and unreserved tickets: Easily plan journeys and book tickets using the “Plan My Journey” tool with support for multiple classes and quotas.
My Bookings: Check your entire booking history—both reserved and unreserved—with filtering options for duration and type.
Live train tracking and PNR updates: Get real-time updates on train status, platform numbers, and expected delays.
Coach Position Finder: View your coach location on the platform to ease boarding.
Food ordering on the go: Order meals from partner vendors directly from your seat.
Rail Madad integration: Lodge complaints or share feedback directly with Indian Railways and track resolution status.
Refund management: Initiate and track refunds for canceled or missed trains through a simplified interface.
Multilingual support: Use the app in multiple Indian languages for easier access across regions.
Single sign-on: Users can log in using their IRCTC or UTS credentials without remembering multiple passwords.
Secure R-Wallet payments: Pay securely using Indian Railways’ own digital wallet with biometric or mPIN authentication.

Source: TH

RailOne App FAQs

Q1: Who has developed the RailOne app?

Ans: Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS)

Q2: What is the primary purpose of the RailOne app?

Ans: To serve as a one-stop platform for all railway-related services.

Q3: What type of language support is offered by RailOne?

Ans: Multiple Indian languages.

Q4: What is a unique payment feature of RailOne?

Ans: R-Wallet with biometric or mPIN authentication.

Bond Yield

July 2, 2025

Bond Yield Latest News

Yield on India’s benchmark 10-year bonds will stay soft in July, according to Bank of Baroda (BoB) Research.

What is a Bond?

A bond is a loan made by an investor to a borrower for a set period of time in return for regular interest payments.
The time from when the bond is issued to when the borrower has agreed to pay the loan back is called its ‘term to maturity’.
The bond issuer uses the money raised from bonds to undertake various activities such as funding expansion projects, refinancing existing debt, undertaking welfare activities, etc.

What is Bond Yield?

It is the return an investor expects to receive each year over its term to maturity.
It partially depends on coupon payments, which refer to the periodic interest income obtained as a reward for holding bonds.
The bondholders receive the bond’s face value at the end of the bond’s life. However, one may buy bonds at par value, discount (at a price lower than par value), or premium (at a price higher than par value) as they trade in the secondary market.
Therefore, the prevailing market price of bonds also affects the bond yield.
It is calculated by using the following formula:
Bond Yield = Coupon Amount/Price

Bond Yield vs. Bond Price

The prices at which investors buy and sell bonds in the secondary market move in the opposite direction to the yields they expect to receive .
Once a bond is issued, it offers fixed interest payments to its owner over its term to maturity, which does not change.
However, interest rates in financial markets change all the time, and, as a result, new bonds that are issued will offer different interest payments to investors than existing bonds.
For example, suppose interest rates fall. New bonds that are issued will now offer lower interest payments.
This makes existing bonds that were issued before the fall in interest rates more valuable to investors, because they offer higher interest payments compared to new bonds.
As a result, the price of existing bonds will increase.
Bond yield is the earning of an investor from a bond over a specific tenure, expressed in a percentage. It is dependent on the interest rate and bond price.
As a result, when the interest rate falls, and the bond price is higher than the face value of the bond, your bond yield will be lower than the coupon rate.
Similarly, when interest rates rise and bond prices are lower than the face value, your bond yield will be higher than the coupon rate.

Source: TH

Bond Yield FAQs

Q1: What is a bond?

Ans: A loan made by an investor to a borrower for a fixed period with regular interest payments.

Q2: What is the formula for calculating Bond Yield?

Ans: Bond Yield = Coupon Amount / Price

Q3: When interest rates rise in the market, what happens to bond yields and prices respectively?

Ans: Yields rise, prices fall.

Q4: What makes existing bonds more attractive when market interest rates fall?

Ans: They offer higher interest payments than new bonds.

Q5: If the market price of a bond is higher than face value, how does this affect bond yield compared to the coupon rate?

Ans: Bond yield is lower than the coupon rate.

Darknet

July 2, 2025

Darknet Latest News

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently said its Kochi zonal unit busted “India’s most prolific darknet drug syndicate” operating under the name “Ketamelon”.

About Darknet

Darknet refers to a segment of the internet that is accessible only through advanced protocols designed to provide user anonymity and security.
Unlike the surface web, which can be easily accessed using standard search engines and web browsers, darknet content is not indexed and requires specialized tools, such as privacy-focused browsers like Tor, to access.
- Tor (The Onion Router) is free and open-source software for enabling anonymous communication.
- Tor utilizes a method known as onion routing, which anonymizes users by routing their connections through multiple volunteer-operated servers, making it difficult to trace their actual IP addresses.
The concept of the darknet is closely related to the dark web, but the terms are not entirely interchangeable.
The dark web is the content found on darknet networks.
“Darknet” and “dark web” are also often incorrectly used interchangeably with “deep web.”
- The deep web encompasses everything not indexed by conventional search engines but may still be accessed through regular web browsers if the URL is known.
- The darknet represents a deeper layer of the web, hosting content that is intentionally hidden and only reachable by a select group of users.
Darknet also includes friend-to-friend (F2F) networks that allow secure, private communications among known individuals.
While darknet technologies can provide a means for users to bypass censorship and maintain privacy in their online activities, they are also associated with illegal activities such as the trade of illicit goods and services.

Source: IE

Darknet FAQs

Q1: What is the Darknet primarily designed for?

Ans: User anonymity and secure communication

Q2: How is the Darknet different from the Surface Web?

Ans: Darknet content is not indexed and requires specialized tools, such as privacy-focused browsers to access.

Q3: What is the relationship between the Darknet and the Dark Web?

Ans: The Dark Web is the content that exists on Darknet networks.

Q4: Is it illegal to use darknet?

Ans: While using darknet browsers like Tor isn't illegal in many countries, the intent behind their use can raise legal concerns.

Q5: Friend-to-Friend (F2F) networks in the Darknet are designed for:

Ans: Secure communications among known individuals