Current Affairs 12 July 2025

Content :

1. Simultaneous election Bill gives EC unbridled powers; loopholes remain: ex-CJIs
2. Genetic analysis of Assam rhino horn samples initiated
3. Smarter, faster, stronger: how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the manufacturing landscape
4. India marks 4,000% growth in solar capacity over past decade: Union industry minister
5. Once-in-a-billion event: Intense marine heatwave in Mediterranean shocks with 8°C warming

Simultaneous election Bill gives EC unbridled powers; loopholes remain: ex-CJIs

Legislative Context

What is being reviewed?

• Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 – Proposes enabling simultaneous elections (Lok Sabha + State Assemblies).
• Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 – Amends UT laws in light of simultaneous polls.

Parliamentary Oversight:

• Under review by a Joint Committee of Parliament led by BJP MP P.P. Chaudhury.

Relevance : GS 2(Elections Reforms)

Core Concerns Raised by Former CJIs

1. Unfettered Powers to Election Commission (EC)

• Section 82A(5) gives EC the power to recommend postponing state elections unilaterally, if it believes simultaneous elections aren’t feasible.
• No oversight or checks — no role for:
  • Parliament
  • Union Council of Ministers
  • Judiciary

CJI View: EC’s role must be accountable in a constitutional democracy. Former CJIs D.Y. Chandrachud, J.S. Khehar, and earlier Ranjan Gogoi flagged lack of checks.

2. Ambiguity in “Remaining Period” Clause

• Current law: If an assembly is dissolved early, elections must still be held for its remaining term.
• Problem: If the remainder is only a few weeks or months, holding elections becomes:
  • Logistically wasteful
  • Constitutionally incoherent
  • Against the goal of synchronization

Recommendation: Parliament should clearly define what constitutes a “meaningful” remainder period (e.g., >6 months).

Basic Structure Doctrine and Constitutional Validity

• All three former CJIs agreed:
  The Bill does not violate the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
  But operational clarity, checks and balances, and democratic safeguards are missing.

Why Basic Structure remains intact?

• Free and fair elections, federalism, and parliamentary democracy are untouched in principle.
• The Bill’s goals relate to administrative efficiency, not fundamental rights or the core architecture of the Constitution.

Key Governance and Constitutional Implications

Takeaways

• Checks on EC’s Power: Essential to maintain democratic accountability; EC is a constitutional body, not above scrutiny.
• Legal Certainty Needed: Ambiguities like “remainder of term” must be legislated to avoid misuse or constitutional crises.
• Political Federalism at Stake: Simultaneous polls must not become a backdoor method to centralise electoral control.
• Process vs. Principle: Though the principle is constitutional, the process must uphold federal balance and democratic oversight.

129th Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Purpose: Enables simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies.
• Key Provision Introduced: Inserts Article 82A, empowering Parliament to make laws for holding simultaneous elections.
• Constitutional Amendments Involved: Amends Articles 83, 172, and 327 to fix uniform tenure and synchronize terms of legislatures.
• Fixed Term Mechanism: Proposes a five-year fixed tenure for both Parliament and state assemblies starting from a notified “appointed date.”
• Mid-Term Polls Provision: If a legislature is dissolved early, elections will be held only for the remainder of the original term, not a fresh 5-year period.
• Election Commission’s Powers: Empowers the Election Commission to recommend postponement of elections if simultaneous polls are not feasible.
• Rationale: Aims to reduce frequent election cycles, lower costs, minimize administrative disruptions, and improve governance continuity.
• Concerns Raised:
  • Potential threat to federalism by aligning state elections with the Centre.
  • Accountability issues due to short mid-term mandates.
  • Absence of oversight mechanisms on EC’s enhanced powers.
• Current Status: Under examination by a Joint Parliamentary Committee; proposed as part of broader electoral reforms.

Genetic analysis of Assam rhino horn samples initiated

Context and Background: Assam’s Historic Rhino Horn Destruction Drive

• In September 2021, the Assam government burnt 2,479 rhino horns — the largest such destruction globally — as a symbolic commitment to wildlife conservation and to debunk myths around the medicinal value of horns.
• These horns had been stored for decades in treasuries across Assam and were either seized from poachers or collected from natural deaths.
• Only horns linked to court cases (50) or having scientific or heritage value (94) were spared.

Relevance : GS 3(Environmental Governance)

Genetic Study: Objectives and Process

Why this study?

• Tiny samples were retained before the horns were burnt — 2,573 horn samples in total — to enable long-term DNA-based profiling of India’s rhino population.

Key Objectives:

• Build a national DNA database under RhODIS-India (Rhino DNA Index System), modelled on South Africa’s RhODIS.
• Document individual DNA profiles and analyse genetic diversity, population structure, and illegal trade traceability.
• Detect changes in short tandem repeat (STR) allele frequencies, which are useful for understanding genetic bottlenecks, inbreeding, or population recovery over time.

Process:

• Conducted under the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun — India’s apex institution for wildlife genetics.
• Supervised by Dr. Samrat Mondol, an expert in conservation genetics.
• Independent experts documented the technical repackaging and transfer process at Kaziranga, between July 3–8, 2025.

Policy and Conservation Significance

Takeaways

• Ethical Conservation: Assam’s decision to destroy horns rather than monetise or stockpile reflects a paradigm shift in conservation ethics.
• Science-Policy Synergy: Combines genetic science with state-level governance for effective species management.
• Kaziranga Model: Reinforces Kaziranga’s role as a global benchmark in rhino conservation — already home to over 70% of India’s one-horned rhinos.
• Global Messaging: Counters demand for rhino horns by showing India’s commitment to ending myth-driven poaching.

Conclusion

• This genetic analysis will:
  • Strengthen anti-poaching action and wildlife crime prosecution.
  • Enhance population health tracking of Indian rhinos.
  • Help frame data-driven breeding, translocation, and conservation strategies.
• RhODIS-India may serve as a template for other endangered megafauna (e.g., elephants, tigers) in India.

Assam Rhinos :

• Species: Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), primarily found in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; population recovering but still threatened by poaching and habitat loss.
• Global Significance: Over 70% of the global population of one-horned rhinos resides in Assam, especially in Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang, and Manas National Parks.
• Major Threats: Poaching for horn (linked to traditional medicine myths), habitat fragmentation, annual floods, and invasive species like Mimosa.
• Conservation Success: From ~200 rhinos in 1905 to over 2,900 in 2023, due to strict protection, translocation, and anti-poaching measures.
• Kaziranga Model: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga sets global benchmarks in rhino conservation through tech-enabled patrolling and community participation.

Smarter, faster, stronger: how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the manufacturing landscape

AI in Manufacturing: A Structural Transformation, Not Just an Upgrade

• Paradigm Shift:
  • AI is now deeply embedded in production processes — from shop floor automation to product design and smart logistics.
  • Machines predict failures (predictive maintenance), robots adapt to tasks (cobots), and decisions are made on real-time data, not instinct.

• India’s AI Adoption Surge:
  • AI adoption in manufacturing jumped from 8% to 22% in just one year (FY24).
  • Backed by the ₹10,372 crore National AI Mission, focusing on indigenous models, infrastructure, and skilling.

• Global Context:
  • The AI-in-manufacturing market is projected to rise from $4.1B (2024) to $25B (2029).
  • India is rapidly aligning its digital and manufacturing policies to tap into this global trend.

Relevance : GS 3(Technology) , GS 2(Governance)

AI Applications Across the Manufacturing Value Chain

Case: Chennai Petroleum Corporation generates 1 TB of daily data — used for predictive maintenance, digital twins, and safety analytics.

The Digital Backbone: AI + IoT + Cloud = Industry 4.0

• IoT at the Edge: Sensors feed live data from machines, materials, and environments.
• Edge Computing: Enables instant responses in robotics and safety tasks (real-time control).
• Cloud Infrastructure: Powers AI model training, digital twin simulations, and coordination across factories.
• Systems Integration:
  • APIs and hubs link AI to ERP, supply chains, and MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), enabling enterprise-wide intelligence.

Value Creation: From Operational Hygiene to AI-Led Innovation

Operational Hygiene

• Predictive maintenance
• Automated inspections
• Stock tracking
• SOP compliance

Results in cost saving, higher compliance — now industry baseline.

Innovation & Customisation

• GenAI accelerates design-to-prototype timelines.
• Mass customisation enables personalised production at scale.
• Drones and AI-planning enhance energy efficiency and safety.

Embedding AI across R&D to delivery builds agility and future-readiness.

Structural Challenges

• Integration Costs: High upfront investment, especially for MSMEs.
• Talent Deficit: Need for AI-skilled workforce across design, deployment, and governance.
• Trust & Transparency:
  • 44% of manufacturing leaders cautious about GenAI (Reuters/Ipsos 2024) — concerns about hallucinations and explainability.
• Data Governance: Industrial AI must comply with safety, IP, and confidentiality norms.

Strategic Outlook: AI as a Growth Catalyst for $5 Trillion Economy

• AI is not optional — it is central to India’s industrial competitiveness and digital self-reliance.
• National policies are creating an AI + manufacturing innovation ecosystem through:
  • Public-private collaboration
  • Indigenous R&D
  • Focus on edge-AI, GenAI, and agentic systems
• The goal: make Indian manufacturing globally competitive, energy efficient, and human-machine collaborative.

Key Analytical Takeaways

India marks 4,000% growth in solar capacity over past decade: Union industry minister

Renewable Energy Progress: Nearing the 50% Milestone

• Installed Renewable Capacity (as of June 2025):
  • Total power capacity: 476 GW
  • Non-fossil fuel sources: 235.7 GW (≈49%), including:
    • Renewables: 226.9 GW
    • Nuclear: 8.8 GW
  • Target: Achieve 50% of 472 GW by end of 2025; on track as per Power Minister.

• 10-Year Growth:
  • Solar PV module capacity: ↑ 38-fold
  • Solar PV cell capacity: ↑ 21-fold
  • Installed solar capacity: ↑ 4,000%
  • India among the first G20 countries to meet its Paris Agreement NDCs.

Relevance : GS 3(Energy Security )

Roadmap to 2030: National Commitments

• Target under NDCs:
  • 500 GW of installed non-fossil energy by 2030.
  • Aligned with commitments to the UNFCCC for climate mitigation.

• Shift from Coal:
  • Coal still dominates energy mix but the trajectory signals gradual phase-out.
  • RE expansion and green hydrogen strategy are key to decarbonization.

Energy Storage & Grid Resilience: The Next Frontier

• Current Energy Storage Status:
  • Battery Energy Storage System (BESS): 205 MW (~506 MWh)
  • Hydro Pumped Storage: 5 GW

• Future Targets:
  • BESS: 74 GW by 2031–32
  • Pumped Hydro:
    • 3 GW target for 2025–26
    • Scale up to 50 GW in 5–6 years

• Cost Decline:
  • BESS costs down 75% — from ₹10 lakh/MW to ₹2.5 lakh/MW/month in 3–4 years.
  • Reflects technology maturing and improving commercial viability.

Green Hydrogen Push: India’s Strategic Bet

• National Green Hydrogen Mission:
  • Rs 19,744 crore investment
  • Target: 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen
  • Electrolyser capacity: 60–100 GW
• Goal: Ensure energy independence and reduce import dependence.
• Complements the larger push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in clean energy value chains.

Industrial Self-Reliance & Supply Chain Resilience

• India’s new RE strategy emphasizes end-to-end supply chain integration:
  • Critical minerals → PV cells → Modules → Storage → Recycling.
• Focus Areas:
  • Reduce dependence on single-source geographies for rare earths & minerals.
  • Explore alternative global partnerships and new-age technologies (e.g., sodium-ion batteries, flow batteries).

Institutional Mechanisms and Collaborations

• Organiser: Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA)
  • Promotes energy storage, e-mobility, and hydrogen ecosystems.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Convergence of ministries (Power, Commerce, Renewable Energy, etc.).
  • Industry leadership in deployment, innovation, and manufacturing scale-up.

Takeaways

Broader Implications

“Renewable targets alone are not enough — storage, flexibility, and supply chain sovereignty will define India’s clean energy future.”

This marks a systemic shift from just generation targets to energy systems thinking, encompassing:

• 24×7 RE reliability
• Domestic manufacturing ecosystem
• Climate-aligned economic resilience

Once-in-a-billion event: Intense marine heatwave in Mediterranean shocks with 8°C warming

What Is Happening? | The Event

• Mediterranean Marine Heatwave (July 2025):
  • A record-breaking marine heatwave is underway in the Mediterranean Sea, with SST (Sea Surface Temperatures) soaring up to +8°C above normal — particularly in the Balearic Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea.
  • Labeled a “1-in-a-billion” climatological anomaly, statistically six standard deviations above normal, making it almost impossible without anthropogenic global warming.

• Heat Dome Formation:
  • Triggered by a persistent high-pressure system — a “heat dome” — in June 2025, which is trapping heat and reducing wind circulation, causing:
    • Poor vertical mixing of water layers.
    • Continuous build-up of heat in both atmosphere and sea surface.

Relevance : GS 1(Geography) ,GS 3( Environment and Ecology)

Scientific and Climatological Significance

• Unprecedented Nature:
  • Not the hottest ever recorded, but the hottest relative to the seasonal average for early July.
  • Reflects climate-forced anomalies, not natural variability.

• Role of Climate Change:
  • Caused by atmospheric circulation changes and decline in aerosol concentrations (less solar reflection).
  • Findings align with 2024 Nature Communications paper: Marine + atmospheric heatwaves together amplify intensity.

• Trendline:
  • Aquaculture (2024): Marine heatwaves have tripled in frequency over the last 40 years and last 50% longer.
  • Spanish Mediterranean waters warming at 0.75°C per decade — a sign of irreversible shifts.

Ecological Fallout: Oceans Under Siege

• Mass Mortality Events:
  • Between 2015–2019, five consecutive years of mass die-offs along thousands of km of coastline (per Global Change Biology, 2022).
  • Coral bleaching, fish kill, and death of benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms like sponges and gorgonians expected

• Livelihood Disruption:
  • Severe implications for fisherfolk, tourism, and aquaculture industries.
  • Spain, Italy, and France’s coastal economies may see long-term disruptions.

• Potential Collapse of Marine Biodiversity Hotspots:
  • Disruption in phytoplankton, fish breeding grounds, and food chains, especially for migratory species.

Extreme Weather Linkages: From Sea to Sky

• Heat–Moisture–Storm Feedback Loop:
  • Elevated SST increases evaporation, thus atmospheric moisture — fueling convective storms.
  • Leads to higher dew points, creating explosive rainfall potential.

• Autumn Storm Threat:
  • Already in July, SSTs match or exceed late summer norms.
  • If high temperatures persist, autumn could see:
    • Flash floods, landslides, and storm clusters.
    • Example: October 29–30, 2024 — over 200 deaths in Spain due to record rainfall in 24 hours.

• Vulnerable Zones Identified:
  • Coastal Italy, Spain, Alps, and Western Balkans face compound risks of landslides, urban flooding, and river overflows.

Global Relevance | Why India Should Care

• Climate System Interconnectedness:
  • Mediterranean warming affects European monsoons, North African desertification, and possibly jet stream dynamics — all of which can influence Southwest Monsoon variability over India.

• Parallels with Indian Ocean:
  • Indian Ocean also witnessing frequent marine heatwaves, disrupting monsoon circulation and fisheries (as shown in recent MoES studies).

• Precedent for Western Indian States:
  • Events like these foreshadow Gujarat–Konkan rainfall anomalies, storm surges, and unexpected urban flood disasters.

Key Analytical Takeaways

Critical Reflection

“Marine heatwaves are not isolated oceanic events — they are harbingers of compound disasters in our warming world.”

This event is a climate warning bell for nations globally, including India, to:

• Scale up climate modelling for marine ecosystems.
• Invest in blue economy resilience.
• Integrate marine heatwave alerts in disaster preparedness frameworks.