Daily Current Affairs – 03-07-2025
Environment
New Begonia Species
A new species of Begonia, Begonia nyishiorum, has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh. It is named after the Nyishi community for their vital role in forest conservation. It features unique red, fleshy, fringed (laciniate) petiole scales. These features have never been seen before in Asian begonias of its group. The species is morphologically distinct from its closest relative, Begonia kekarmonyingensis. The plant is currently listed as “Data Deficient” under IUCN guidelines.
Science and Technology
Distant Exoplanet TWA 7b
NASA has discovered a new exoplanet named TWA 7b, orbiting the young star TWA 7. The planet was detected using the heat signals through a method called high-contrast imaging. TWA 7b is located about 111 light-years from Earth. It is estimated to have a mass similar to Saturn, around 0.3 times the mass of Jupiter (about 100 Earth masses). The exoplanet is roughly 50 times farther from its star than Earth is from the Sun. It is likely a young and cold planet, difficult to detect with usual methods.
SatSure and Dhruva Space Team
SatSure, an Earth observation (EO) startup from Bengaluru, and Dhruva Space, a Hyderabad-based company, have partnered to offer the Earth Observation-as-a-Service (EOaaS) solutions. They will develop space-based solutions for commercial use in defence, agriculture, urban planning, and environmental monitoring. SatSure’s subsidiary, KaleidEO, will also provide the EO payloads and analytics platforms. Dhruva Space will contribute expertise in small satellites, launches, and ground station infrastructure. Together, they aim to deliver reliable and fast sovereign EO services with quicker mission timelines.
Extreme Heat Speeding Up Ageing
New research shows that the extreme heat may silently speed up ageing at the molecular level. The Scientists compared the impact of heat to major risk factors like smoking and heavy alcohol use. The study used “epigenetic clocks” – tools that measure changes in DNA. These clocks track DNA methylation. It is a process that can turn genes on or off and is affected by the environment. People living in areas with 140+ hot days a year (over 90°F or 32.3°C) showed up to 14 months of extra biological ageing. This ageing effect remained even after considering the lifestyle and economic differences. The Animals also show that the heat causes the long-term changes in DNA, called maladaptive epigenetic memory. The findings raise concerns about how climate change may harm long-term health through faster biological ageing.
National News
GoIStats App
The National Sample Survey Office (NSO) launched the GoIStats mobile app on Statistics Day 2025. The app aims to make official statistics easy to access, understand, and use for all citizens. It features a “Key Trends” dashboard with visuals on the GDP, inflation, and employment. Users receive real-time updates based on NSO’s publishing schedule.
India Energy Stack
The Ministry of Power launched a task force to develop the India Energy Stack (IES) on July 1, 2025. IES will be a secure, unified digital system for the energy sector. It aims to improve the renewable energy use, power distribution efficiency, and consumer services. The system will include unique identification for consumers, energy assets, and transactions. It allows real-time, consent-based data sharing across platforms. This will be implemented as a 12-month pilot project with power distribution companies (DISCOMs) in Mumbai, Gujarat, and Delhi.
History and Culture
Ancient Keeladi Faces
For the first time in South India, the researchers have reconstructed faces from 2,500-year-old skulls found near Keeladi, Sivagangai District. The effort was led by the Madurai Kamaraj University and Liverpool John Moores University. The skulls were excavated from the Kondagai burial site, around 800 metres from Keeladi. CT scans were used to digitally rebuild the upper parts of the skulls; the missing jawbones were estimated using standard orthodontic methods. The facial features reflect South Indian, West Eurasian, and Austro-Asiatic traits. Tissue depth data from modern South Indians helped recreate muscles, skin, and fat layers. A photo database was used to estimate skin, hair, and eye colours. The DNA from burial urns is now being studied with Harvard University to trace genetic ancestry and migration patterns. Keeladi’s timeline is dated from the 6th century BCE to the 2nd century CE. This timeline remains under discussion between the Tamil Nadu archaeology department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Tamil Nadu News
Mettur Dam Water Level – June 2025
The Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir) reached its full level of 120 feet again in June 2025. This is the second time in June that the dam has reached full level this year. Also, this is the 44th time in its 92-year history that the dam has reached full capacity. The last time Mettur Dam hit full level in June was in 1957, 68 years ago.
Education Schemes for Transgender and Intersex Persons
The Tamil Nadu government has expanded the following two education support schemes to include transgender and intersex persons. o Pudhumai Penn Scheme o Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme Both schemes give ₹1,000 per month to the students from the government / government-aided schools (Class 6–12) who go on to higher education. Now, transgender and intersex persons are eligible for both schemes. Relaxation has been given for transgender and intersex individuals, as they are not required to have studied from Class 6 to 12 in the Tamil medium. They must have a valid ID card from the Tamil Nadu Transgender Welfare Board. The move aims to promote equal access to higher education and support marginalised communities.
CM’s Breakfast Scheme – Update in 2025
The Tamil Nadu government will expand the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme to government-aided schools in urban areas. With this, all the government and government-aided schools in the state will be covered. The rollout will begin on July 15, marking K Kamaraj’s birth anniversary. The elementary education directorate has listed 1,416 schools, mostly urban aided schools, for inclusion. Currently, 17.53 lakh students in 34,987 schools benefit from the scheme. The scheme was launched in September 2022 and extended to all government schools by March 2023. In the 2024-25 academic year, it included rural aided schools as well.
Water Bell Scheme
The TN Education Minister launched the Water Bell Scheme in schools. It aims to encourage students to drink water regularly and stay healthy. The scheme was implemented on June 28, 2025. All government and aided schools have been asked to follow it. A special water bell will ring three times a day – at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. The bell sound will be different from regular school bells. Students will get 2–3 minutes to drink water inside the classrooms. No going outside will be allowed during water break time. Students must bring their water bottles. Kerala implemented this scheme last year.
Valparai Assembly Seat 2025
The Valparai (SC) Assembly seat has been declared vacant. This follows the death of AIADMK MLA T.K. Amul Kandasamy. The notification was issued by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretariat last week. This is the fifth vacant seat in the 16th Tamil Nadu Assembly, elected in May 2021. Due to the short remaining term, it is unclear if a by-election will be held.
Tamil Nadu
D Gukesh Defeats
Magnus Carlsen at Norway Chess 2025
® World Champion D Gukesh defeated World No.1 Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess 2025 ® Marked Gukesh’s first classical win over Carlsen ® At 19, became the second Indian to beat Carlsen in the tournament, after Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa