UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 4 August 2025

Bio-Fortified Potatoes

August 4, 2025

Bio-Fortified Potatoes Latest News

India is taking a significant step in tackling micronutrient deficiencies and improving agricultural sustainability by introducing bio-fortified potatoes with enhanced iron content, developed by the International Potato Center (CIP) based in Peru.

What are Bio-Fortified Potatoes?

Bio-fortified potatoes are a new variety enriched with higher iron content aimed at addressing iron deficiency and hidden hunger. These are developed using conventional breeding and biotechnology without altering taste or yield.
The initiative is led by the International Potato Centre (CIP), based in The CIP is a global research leader in tuber crops and is working actively to promote nutritionally improved potatoes in India.

About Bio-Fortified Sweet Potatoes

Bio-fortified sweet potatoes enriched with Vitamin A are already available in Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha. Plans are underway to expand their access to more farmers across India.
The current focus is on iron-fortified potato varieties, for which germplasm has been shared with ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla.
A variety has already been released in Peru and is currently under evaluation and adaptation for Indian agro-climatic conditions.
CIP is establishing a South Asia regional centre in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, acknowledging the Indo-Gangetic plains as the world’s largest potato-producing region. This centre will boost regional R&D and seed access.
ICAR has released biofortified seed varieties across 61 crops, including 34 field crops (cereals, pulses, millets, oilseeds) and 27 horticultural crops (tubers, vegetables, medicinal plants).
Examples of Biofortified Crops
- CR Dhan 416: Salinity-resistant rice variety with multiple pest resistances.
- Durum Wheat: Adapted to irrigated areas, rich in zinc (41.1 ppm) and iron (38.5 ppm), and contains 12% protein.

About Biofortification

Biofortification is the process of enhancing the nutrient content of crops using conventional breeding, agronomic techniques, or modern biotechnology.
It helps increase vitamin and mineral levels in staple crops.

Source: TH

Bio-Fortified Potatoes FAQs

Q1: What are bio-fortified potatoes?

Ans: Bio-fortified potatoes are specially bred varieties enriched with iron to combat micronutrient deficiencies like anaemia. They are developed through conventional breeding and biotechnology.

Q2: Who developed the bio-fortified potato variety introduced in India?

Ans: The International Potato Center (CIP), based in Peru, developed the iron-rich variety and has shared its germplasm with ICAR’s Central Potato Research Institute in Shimla.

Q3: Why is bio-fortification of potatoes important for India?

Ans: Bio-fortified potatoes help address iron-deficiency anaemia, which affects over 50% of Indian women and children, according to NFHS-5.

Collusive Litigation

August 4, 2025

Collusive Litigation Latest News

The Supreme Court has taken a suo motu cognisance of "collusive litigations" by officials of the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) recently.

About Collusive Litigation

It is defined as a lawsuit where the parties involved are not genuinely adversarial, but rather cooperate to achieve a desired outcome or to challenge the constitutionality of a law.
These suits often involve a degree of cooperation between the parties, who may share a common goal or interest in the outcome.
Some of the key issues surrounding these suits include:
- The potential for abuse, where parties may collude to manipulate the judicial process or achieve an outcome that might not be possible through other means.
- The risk of undermining the adversarial system, where the court's decision is based on a genuine dispute between parties.
- The potential for collusive suits to be used as a means of circumventing the normal legislative process.
In India, collusive decrees can be set aside if the party challenging the decree is not a party to it and can prove collusion or fraud.
The High Court has the authority to intervene in cases where a decree is found to be collusive, particularly under Article 227.
A party to a collusive decree cannot seek to have it set aside. This principle is established in various cases where the courts have ruled that only parties not involved in the collusion may challenge the decree.
The burden of proving that a decree was obtained collusively lies with the party seeking to set it aside.
Courts have held that under a general prayer for relief, they can set aside a decree if it is found to be collusive, even if a specific prayer for setting aside was not made.

Source: DH

Collusive Litigation FAQs

Q1: What best describes a collusive litigation?

Ans: A lawsuit where the parties cooperate to achieve a predetermined outcome.

Q2: What is one major risk posed by collusive suits?

Ans: They can manipulate the judicial process.

Q3: Can a party involved in a collusive decree seek to set it aside?

Ans: No, they cannot challenge their own collusion.

HQ-16 Missile

August 4, 2025

HQ-16 Missile Latest News

The United States military publicly unveiled a mockup of a Chinese HQ-16 surface-to-air missile system, drawing attention at this year’s Experimental Aircraft Association ‘AirVenture Show’ in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

About HQ-16 Missile

The HQ-16, known by its NATO designation CH-SA 16, is a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by China and based heavily on Russia’s Buk missile family.
It is designed to engage enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

HQ-16 Missile Features

HQ-16 features a vertical launch system, giving it 360-degree coverage and the capability to fire in a complicated geographical environment.
The missile system is mounted on a Chinese-designed 6x6 high mobility chassis instead of tracked platforms, providing ease of maintenance and better road mobility.
Each launch vehicle carries up to 6 missiles.
The missile weighs 650 kg, has a length of 5.2 m and a diameter of 0.34 m.
It can intercept flying aerial targets at altitudes of 15 km to 18 km.
The maximum interception range for aircraft is 40 km, between 3.5 km and 12 km for cruise missiles flying at 300 m/s.
The missile guidance system comprises inertial guidance and semi-active radar homing at the terminal phase.

Source: EURT

HQ-16 Missile FAQs

Q1: The HQ-16 surface-to-air missile system was developed by which country?

Ans: China

Q2: What is the maximum interception range of the HQ-16 missile against enemy aircraft?

Ans: 40 km

Q3: What kind of mobility platform does the HQ-16 system use?

Ans: 6x6 high mobility wheeled chassis

Q4: What type of guidance does the HQ-16 use?

Ans: The missile guidance system comprises inertial guidance and semi-active radar homing at the terminal phase.

El Salvador

August 4, 2025

El Salvador Latest News

Recently, El Salvador's ruling party passed a bill that will allow indefinite presidential reelection and extend presidential terms to six years.

About El Salvador

It is a small mountainous Central American nation.
Bordered by: It is bordered by Honduras to the northeast; Guatemala to the northwest and by the Pacific Ocean to the south.
It is the only Central American nation without a coast on the Caribbean.
Topography: The Central Region of El Salvador is characterized by a mix of mountains, valleys, and a volcanic plateau.
The region is dominated by the volcanic chain, part of the larger Sierra Madre mountains, which includes several volcanoes such as San Salvador, Ilopango, and San Vicente.
Highest Point: The highest point in the country, Cerro El Pital, stands at 2,730 meters (8,957 feet) and is located on the border with Honduras in the northern part of this region.
River: Lempa River plays a significant role in the geography of the country.
Major Lakes: Lake Ilopango, Lake Coatepeque , Lake Güija
Climate: The climate of El Salvador is tropical but is moderated by elevation in the interior; in general it is warm rather than hot
Capital City: San Salvador

Source: TH

El Salvador FAQs

Q1: Why is El Salvador so famous?

Ans: El Salvador earns its nickname as the “Land of Volcanoes” with around 20 volcanoes. Two of the most famous are San Miguel Volcano and Santa Ana Volcano.

Q2: Is San Salvador volcano active?

Ans: San Salvador volcano has not erupted for more than 80 years but it has a long history of repeated, and sometimes violent, eruptions.

ICRISAT’s AI-based Agromet Advisory Service

August 4, 2025

ICRISAT’s AI-based Agromet Advisory Service Latest News

Recently, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and ICAR have launched an AI-based context-specific Agromet Advisory Service to boost farming.

About ICRISAT’s AI-based Agromet Advisory Service

ICRISAT’s AI-based Agromet Advisory Service is a new initiative which harness artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to provide real-time, personalised climate advisory services to farmers.
It aims to equip smallholder farmers with hyper-local, actionable weather and climate insights, enabling them to make informed decisions amid increasing climate variability.
The initiative will provide farmers with timely, actionable recommendations for critical decisions such as sowing, irrigation, and pest management.
These advisories will be delivered through user-friendly digital channels, including an AI-powered WhatsApp bot, ensuring easy access even in remote farming communities.
The project is supported under the Government of India’s Monsoon Mission III.
The project will first be implemented in Maharashtra, through ICAR’s Agro-Meteorological Field Units (AMFUs) to reach smallholder farmers. Insights from this phase will inform a national rollout and serve as a model for South-South expansion.
Organisations involved: The Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA-ICAR), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), and Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) joined the initiative.
The Intelligent Systems Advisory Tool (iSAT), a digital platform developed and piloted by ICRISAT and partners during Monsoon Mission II is now being upgraded into a fully functional AI-powered tool under this new initiative.
- iSAT was initially designed to transform complex climate and agronomic data into personalised, science-based advisories.

Source: BL

ICRISAT’s AI-based Agromet Advisory Service FAQs

Q1: Where is the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics situated?

Ans: Hyderabad, India.

Q2: What is ICRISAT and its functions?

Ans: ICRISAT stands as the premier drylands agricultural research institute, dedicated to uplifting smallholder farmers and ensuring food security in semi-arid tropics.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

August 4, 2025

Central Industrial Security Force Latest News

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently approved the recruitment of 58,000 additional personnel for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), anticipating future industrial hubs in areas now affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

About Central Industrial Security Force

It is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in India.
It is directly under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and its headquarters are in New Delhi.
Motto: "Protection and Security"

CISF Establishment

The CISF came into existence in 1969 through the CISF Act 1968 with a sanctioned strength of only three battalions.
The original charter of CISF was to provide integrated security cover to certain sensitive public sector undertakings.
The Act was amended in 1983 declaring the CISF as an Armed Force of the Union.
The force has since grown into a premier multi-skilled organization with a present strength of more than 188,000 personnel.
The CISF at present provides security cover to 359 establishments across the country.

CISF Organisation Structure

CISF is headed by an Indian Police Service officer with the rank of Director-General, assisted by an IPS officer in the rank of Addl. Director-General.
The force is divided into seven sectors (Airport, North, North-East, East, West, South, and Training), and also has a Fire Service Wing.

CISF Functions

The CISF security umbrella includes India’s most critical infrastructure facilities, like nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, etc.
The specialized task of airport security was assigned to CISF in the year 2000 in the wake of the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 to Kandahar.
In addition, the CISF also protects important government buildings, iconic heritage monuments, Delhi Metro, Parliament House Complex, and Central Jails of Jammu and Kashmir.
The CISF also has a specialized VIP Security vertical, providing round-the-clock security to important protectees.
CISF personnel are trained in disaster management techniques, enabling them to actively respond to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and cyclones.
CISF is one of the largest Fire Protection Service providers in the country. CISF is the only force with a customized and dedicated fire wing.
Post the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008, the mandate of CISF was broadened to provide security cover to private corporate establishments also.
It is a compensatory cost force, which means that it bills its clients for the services it provides.
The CISF is the only CAPF with a daily public interface – in the airports, in the Delhi Metro, and in the iconic monuments.

Source: TH

Central Industrial Security Force FAQs

Q1: Under which Union Ministry does the CISF function?

Ans: Ministry of Home Affairs

Q2: What is the motto of the CISF?

Ans: Protection and Security

Q3: Where is the headquarter of CISF?

Ans: New Delhi

Sea of Japan

August 4, 2025

Sea of Japan Latest News

China and Russia began joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan recently.

About Sea of Japan

The Sea of Japan, or East Sea, is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean.
It is bound by Japan and Sakhalin (Sakhalin Oblast, Russia) to the east and by mainland Russia, North Korea, and South Korea to the west.
It covers an area of 978,000 sq.km.
The sea is almost elliptical, having its major axis from southwest to northeast.
It is connected with the East China Sea in the south via the Tsushima and Korea straits and with the Okhotsk Sea in the north by the La Perouse and Tatar straits.
In the east, it is connected with the Inland Sea of Japan via the Kanmon Strait and the Pacific Ocean by the Tsugaru Strait.
The average depth is 1,667 meters. Dohoku Seamount, an underwater volcano, is its deepest point.
Its relatively warm waters contribute greatly to the mild climate of Japan.
Few rivers discharge into the sea, and their total contribution to the water exchange is within 1%.
Its water balance is mostly determined by the inflow and outflow through the straits connecting it to the neighboring seas and the Pacific Ocean.
Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific Ocean.
The sea has no large islands, bays, or capes. Except for the South Korean island of Ulleungdo, all the other small islands are situated near the eastern coast of the sea.
The sea is known for its high concentration of oxygen (dissolved in the seawater), which results in high biological productivity.
Mining for mineral deposits like magnetite, natural gas, and petroleum are some of the major economic activities that are carried out in the Sea of Japan.
Ports:
- Russia: Vladivostok, Sovetskaya Gavan, Nakhodka, Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, and Kholmsk.
- North Korea: Hamhung, Chongjin, and Wonsan.
- Japan: Niigata, Tsuruta, and Maizuru.

Source: TH

Sea of Japan FAQs

Q1: The Sea of Japan is also known by which other name?

Ans: East Sea

Q2: Where is the Sea of Japan located?

Ans: The Sea of Japan, or East Sea, is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean.

Q3: Which strait connects the Sea of Japan with the Pacific Ocean?

Ans: Tsugaru Strait

Q4: Which sea lies to the south of the Sea of Japan?

Ans: East China Sea

Lyme Disease

August 4, 2025

Lyme Disease Latest News

American singer Justin Timberlake has announced that he was battling Lyme disease during his recently wrapped up world tour.

About Lyme Disease

It is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks.
It is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi.
It primarily affects the skin, nervous system, heart, and joints.
It was named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut, United States, where it was first identified in children in 1976.
It is most commonly reported in North America, Europe, and some parts of Asia.
It’s also known as Lyme borreliosis.

Lyme Disease Transmission

It’s transmitted (spread) to humans through a tick bite.
Not all tick bites cause Lyme disease. Only deer ticks (also called black-legged ticks) can spread the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
These ticks are commonly found in wooded or grassy areas worldwide, particularly during warmer months.
It cannot spread between humans, from pets to humans, through air, food, water, or lice, mosquitoes, fleas, and flies also do not transmit it.

Lyme Disease Symptoms

Lyme disease occurs in stages. The signs and symptoms of each stage can overlap.
Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.
Untreated Lyme disease can cause severe arthritis and damage the heart and nervous system.

Lyme Disease Treatment

Most cases are treatable with antibiotics although recovery can take time, especially for those who are left undiagnosed in the early stages.
Even after treatment, some symptoms may linger.

Source: NDTV

Lyme Disease FAQs

Q1: Which bacterium is responsible for causing Lyme disease?

Ans: Borrelia burgdorferi

Q2: How is Lyme disease is transmitted to humans?

Ans: It’s transmitted (spread) to humans through a tick bite.

Q3: What can happen if Lyme disease is left untreated?

Ans: It can cause severe arthritis, heart, and nervous system problems.

Q4: What is the standard treatment for Lyme disease?

Ans: Antibiotics

National Green Hydrogen Mission

August 4, 2025

About National Green Hydrogen Mission:

It was approved by the Union Cabinet on January 4, 2023.
Aim: To make India a Global Hub for the production, utilization, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.

What are the components of the scheme?

The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT): Under this two distinct financial incentive mechanisms will be provided
- Targeting domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and
- Production of Green Hydrogen
The Mission will also support pilot projects in emerging end-use sectors and production pathways.
Regions capable of supporting large-scale production and/or utilization of Hydrogen will be identified and developed as Green Hydrogen Hubs.
A public-private partnership framework for R&D (Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership – SHIP) will be facilitated under the Mission.
A coordinated skill development programme will also be undertaken under the Mission.

Norms issued for funding testing facilities

The Scheme will be implemented with a total budgetary outlay of Rs. 200 Crores till the financial year 2025-26.
The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) will be the Scheme Implementation agency (SIA).
The scheme encompasses the development of robust quality and performance testing facilities to ensure quality, sustainability, and safety in GH2 production and trade.

Source: ET

National Green Hydrogen Mission FAQs

Q1: What is Green hydrogen?

Ans: It is also referred to as ‘clean hydrogen’ that is produced by using electricity from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to split water into two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom through a process called electrolysis.