Daily Current Affairs – 02-07-2025

Miscellaneous

Kolhapuri Chappal issue - Maharashtra

Kolhapuri chappal artisans have raised concerns over Prada’s 2026 collection. They were claiming it copies their traditional footwear design. Kolhapuri chappals are handmade leather sandals known for their open-toe, T-strap look, and durability. Originating from Kolhapur (Maharashtra) and nearby Karnataka districts, they received a GI tag in 2019. The craft dates back to the 13th century and is known for eco-friendly, nail-free construction using vegetable-tanned buffalo hide.

Reports and Indices

Skills for the Future report 2025

This report was prepared by Institute for Competitiveness (IFC). The report uses the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023–24 data to assess India’s skills landscape. 88% of India’s workforce is engaged in low-competency jobs. Only 10-12% of the workforce is in high-competency roles. Five sectors account for over 66% of vocational training in India. The Key sectors identified here include Information Technology and Information Technology-enabled Services (IT and the ITeS), Textile and Apparel, Electronics, Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Beauty and Wellness. Data for this report was drawn from:

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS),
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0),
Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), and
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) dashboards.

Environment

Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog)

The dhole has been spotted again in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape of Assam after years of absence. The dhole is also called the Asiatic wild dog. The dhole is social carnivore that lives in packs led by females. Dholes prefer the dense forests, scrublands, and mountainous areas with plenty of prey. In India, they are found in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, central regions, and parts of the northeast. Dholes help keep the balance of prey animals in the forest ecosystem. It is classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

Science and Technology

K-6 Submarine Missile

India is developing the K-6, a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile launched from submarines. It is being built by DRDO’s Advanced Naval Systems Lab in Hyderabad. K-6 missile features hypersonic speed up to Mach 7.5 (9,261 km/h) and a range of up to 8,000 km. It can carry nuclear or conventional warheads. It is equipped with MIRV technology to hit multiple targets with one missile. India has already tested and deployed earlier the SLBMs like K-3, K-4, and K-5 with ranges from 1,000 to 6,000 km.

Oldest Earth Rock in Northern Quebec - Canada

A rocky area in northern Quebec, called the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, may hold Earth’s oldest rocks. New research shows these rocks are about 4.16 billion years old, from Earth’s earliest time called the Hadean eon. The Hadean began 4.6 billion years ago when Earth was very hot and unstable.

Economy

India’s External Debt in March 2025

India’s external debt rose 10% to $736.3 billion by March 2025, up from $668.8 billion a year earlier. External debt as a share of GDP increased to 19.1% from 18.5% in the previous year. The rise was partly due to the US dollar appreciating against the rupee and other currencies, adding $5.3 billion in valuation effects. Excluding this effect, external debt would have grown by $72.9 billion instead of $67.5 billion. Debt by sector includes:

$261.7 billion loans by non-financial corporations
$168.4 billion by the government
$202.1 billion by deposit-taking corporations (excluding RBI) Long-term debt (maturity over one year) increased to $601.9 billion, up by $60.6 billion. Short-term debt (maturity up to one year) share fell to 18.3%, but its ratio to forex reserves slightly rose to 20.1% from 19.7%. US dollar-denominated debt remains largest at 54.2%, followed by rupee (31.1%), yen (6.2%), SDR (4.6%), and euro (3.2%). By debt type, loans make up 34%, currency and deposits 22.8%, trade credit and advances 17.8%, and debt securities 17.7%. Forex reserves are enough to cover 11 months of imports, or 96% of the external debt outstanding.

Current Account Surplus in Q4 FY25

India has recorded a current account surplus of $13.5 billion or 1.3% of GDP in January-March 2025 (Q4 FY25). This marks a sharp reversal from a deficit of $11.3 billion or 1.1% of GDP in the October-December 2024 quarter. The surplus also rose from $4.6 billion or 0.5% of GDP in the same quarter a year ago. For the full year FY25, the current account deficit stood at $23.3 billion or 0.6% of GDP. It is better than the $26.0 billion or 0.7% of GDP recorded in FY24.

National News

Adi Karmyogi Program

The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Adi Karmyogi (Beta version) programme. It aims to build a strong team of motivated officers and change-makers for tribal development. The focus is on changing the mindset and motivation of field-level officials. The programme promotes citizen-focused ideas and service delivery. It aims to cover 1 lakh tribal villages and habitations across the country. Nearly 20 lakh stakeholders will be trained under this initiative. Training will be delivered through 180+ State Master Trainers along with 3,000 District Trainers, and 15,000 Block Trainers.

New RAW Chief - Parag Jain

Parag Jain has been appointed as new head of RAW, India’s external intelligence agency. R&AW was established in 1968 and functions directly under the Prime Minister’s Office. In contrast, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), an internal intelligence agency, was formed in 1887 and operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. IB is considered the oldest intelligence agency in the world.

Tamil Nadu News

Tamil Nadu Ends Rosewood Protection Law

Tamil Nadu has decided not to renew the Rosewood Conservation Act of 1994, which expired in February 2025. The law was created to protect Dalbergia latifolia (rosewood), a rare and valuable tree often targeted by illegal logging. It was first passed in 1995 for 15 years and extended once in 2010. The law discouraged farmers from growing rosewood on their private lands (patta lands). Ending this law will let farmers sell rosewood at better prices and encourage wider cultivation. The decision is aimed at balancing conservation with economic benefits for farmers.

Statues and Memorials of Leaders

In the last four years, the Tamil Nadu government has installed 63 statues and 11 commemorative halls to honour national leaders, Tamil scholars, and freedom fighters. It aims to preserve the memory of those who contributed to the nation’s freedom and the Tamil language, serving as an inspiration for future generations. To mark Tiruvalluvar statue opening’s 25th anniversary, the CM inaugurated the ‘Wisdom Dome’ beside the statue on December 30, 2024. Statues unveiled include those of Mahatma Gandhi, B. R. Ambedkar, Tamil poet Bharathiar, former CM K. Kamaraj, former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar, Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, singer T. М. Soundararajan, and DMK leader K. Anbazhagan. Other Memorials and statues are opened for Veeran Sundaralingam, Kuyili, and V. O. Chidambaram, and literary icons such as Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai and Bharathidasan.

Muthupet Mangrove Forest

Muthupet, in Thiruvarur district has the largest mangrove forest in Tamil Nadu. It spans 120 sq. km along the Palk Strait and is dominated by Avicennia marina. The mangrove cover increased by 2,057 hectares from 2022 to 2025. The area includes the Muthupet wetland complex, covering six reserved forests. The fishbone canal technique, introduced here in 2004, improved tidal flow and seed dispersal. In 2023-24, 350 hectares were treated using this technique. A new “step-type canal” model is being tested to improve seedling survival. The three-year initiative covers 12,020 hectares at the confluence of the Koraiyar and Pamaniyar rivers. A total of 1,350 hectares were newly planted, and 707 hectares restored via canal repair and desilting. Of this, 1,482 hectares were in Thanjavur and 575 hectares in Tiruvarur. Early surveys identified 700 hectares for planting and 800 hectares for future restoration. The Green Tamil Nadu Mission supported the initiative, generating over 86,000 man-days of employment through plantation and canal work. In 2022–23 alone, 31,000 man-days were recorded, and 32,397 man-days were generated in 2023–24.