On May 29, 2025, India and the world witnessed significant developments across various sectors. India has seen several notable developments across science, defence, environment, trade, and law. From the creation of the country’s first gene-edited sheep and progress in developing a homegrown stealth fighter jet, to the early monsoon influenced by atmospheric patterns like the MJO—each marks a step forward. Conservation efforts for species like the dugong and updates to trade schemes like RoDTEP show policy action in key areas, while legal clarity on the use of national names and emblems reflects the judiciary’s role in shaping public discourse.

Awareness regarding daily UPSC current affairs is crucial for cracking the UPSC Prelims, excelling in UPSC Mains. It helps perform well in the UPSC personality test, thus becoming an informed and effective UPSC civil servant.

Below are the current affairs and headlines of the day taken from The Hindu, Indian Express, Press Information Bureau & All India Radio as required for UPSC preparation:

India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

IN NEWS

Researchers at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, have successfully produced India’s first gene-edited sheep. The sheep has 30% higher muscle mass, achieved by editing the myostatin gene. The project took four years of research and was sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The government is currently in the process of formulating regulations for gene-edited animals, which could pave the way for broader adoption at the farm level.

Details Related to India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep

• The sheep was produced by editing the myostatin gene, which regulates muscle growth. Suppression of this gene leads to increased muscle mass.
• The gene-editing was performed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, adhering to international biosafety protocols.
• This trait (enhanced muscle mass) is naturally found in certain European breeds like the Texel but absent in Indian breeds.
• Unlike transgenic animals, this gene-edited sheep does not carry any foreign DNA, improving its chances for regulatory approval.
• The breakthrough was achieved under the leadership of Prof. Riaz Ahmad Shah, who also pioneered the cloning of the Pashmina goat “Noori” and played a key role in developing the world’s first cloned buffalo at NDRI Karnal.

Defence Minister Approves Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft Project

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Internal Security)

IN NEWS: 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution model for India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will implement the project through an industry partnership model, allowing both public and private sector entities to participate. The project received Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval in March 2024 with an allocation of approximately ₹15,000 crore.

Key Features

• Stealth Characteristics: Designed with low radar cross-section, internal weapons bays, and diverterless supersonic air intakes developed indigenously.
• Payload Capacity:
  • Internal: 1,500 kg
  • External: 5,500 kg
  • Internal Fuel: Capacity of 6,500 kg
• Modular Open Architecture: Future-ready platform with scope for upgrades in avionics, sensors, and armament.
• Versions:
  • AMCA Mk1: Powered by General Electric F-414 engines
  • AMCA Mk2: Planned to use a more powerful engine, likely co-developed with France’s Safran
• Weapons and Systems: Supports air-to-air, air-to-ground, precision-guided munitions, and potentially hypersonic missiles in future upgrades.
• Indigenous Systems: Focus on developing radar, electronic warfare (EW) suites, and mission computers within India.

Timeline for Completion

• 2024: CCS approval granted for the project
• 2025: Execution model finalized; industry participation allowed
• 2028–29: Target for rollout of the first prototype
• 2032–33: Expected start of series production
• 2034: Targeted induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF)

Know more about the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)!

Dugong

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography)

IN NEWS: 

May 28 is celebrated as World Dugong Day, highlighting the need for conservation of this marine mammal.

Key Details

• Habitat: Restricted to shallow coastal waters with abundant seagrass meadows
• Feeding: Consume 20–30 tonnes of seagrass daily. Prefer genera such as Halophila, Cymodocea, Halodule, and Thalassia
• Role in Ecosystem:
  • Called "farmers of the sea" due to their role in maintaining seagrass health
  • Help in seagrass pruning, promoting carbon sequestration and biodiversity
• Behavior and Biology:
  • Generally solitary or in mother-calf pairs; large herds are rare in India
  • Reach sexual maturity at 9–10 years
  • Reproduction is slow, with calving intervals of 3–5 years
  • Lifespan: Up to 70 years
  • Teeth regenerate throughout life due to constant wear from seagrass consumption

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• India: Regionally Endangered
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I
• CITES: Appendix I
• CMS: India is a signatory and has signed the MoU on Dugong Conservation (since 2008)

Conservation Efforts

• Palk Bay Dugong Conservation Reserve (2022):
  • First dugong reserve in India
  • Covers 448.3 sq. km in Tamil Nadu
  • Contains ~122.5 sq. km of intact seagrass beds
• Legal Framework:
  • Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act
  • Involvement in international treaties like CITES and CMS

Madden-Julian Oscillation

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography)

IN NEWS: 

The Southwest Monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 24, 2025, eight days earlier than normal. It reached Mumbai on May 26, marking the earliest recorded monsoon arrival there. According to the IMD, a key atmospheric driver behind this early onset was the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO).

How did the MJO contribute to the Early Monsoon Onset in 2025?

• Around May 22, 2025, MJO was in Phase 4, centered over the Indian Ocean
• Amplitude was greater than 1, indicating a strong active phase with enhanced convection

Impacts of this Active Phase

• Triggered cyclonic activity and favorable wind patterns
• Enhanced rainfall and cloud formation
• Accelerated monsoon advancement into the southern peninsula and western coast

Historical Parallel

• Similar MJO activity was observed in June 2015, resulting in 20 days of above-normal rainfall across many regions

Read the article on Indian Monsoon!

Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance)

IN NEWS: 

On May 14, 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea to protect V.D. Savarkar’s name under this Act. The Court held that no fundamental right had been violated and that political discourse over historical figures is outside the Act's scope unless misuse occurs in commercial contexts.

Key Provisions of the Act

• Objective: To prohibit the improper use of specified names and emblems in trade or advertisements
• Section 3 – Prohibition: Restricts use of names/emblems of UN, WHO, Government of India, President, national heroes, etc., without permission
• Section 4 – Penalty: Violations may attract a fine of up to ₹500, with further penalties for repeat offences
• Schedule: Lists items such as the National Flag, Ashoka Chakra, Gandhi’s name, etc.
• Section 5 – Exemptions: Central Government may allow use under specific conditions
• Applicability: Applies to individuals, businesses, and advertising agencies to prevent misleading associations with official authority

Know more about the National Emblem of India!

RoDTEP Scheme

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance)

IN NEWS: 

The Government of India has restored RoDTEP scheme benefits for:

• Advance Authorisation (AA) holders
• Export-Oriented Units (EOUs)
• Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units The benefits expired on February 5, 2025, and will now apply to exports from June 1, 2025.

Key Features of the Scheme

• WTO Compliance:
  • Replaces MEIS to meet WTO norms after a US challenge
• Refund Mechanism:
  • Refunds embedded, unrebated taxes at all levels
  • Covers VAT on transport fuel, electricity duty, mandi tax, toll, etc.
  • Rebate is based on the FOB (Free on Board) value of exports
• Mode of Disbursement:
  • Disbursed via transferable e-scrips in the CBIC's electronic credit ledger
  • E-scrips can be used for basic customs duties or transferred
• Coverage:
  • As of March 31, 2025: ₹57,976.78 crore disbursed
  • FY 2025–26 Allocation: ₹18,233 crore

Eligibility Criteria

• All sectors involved in goods export
• Exporter type: Merchant or manufacturer exporter
• Goods must be made in India and directly exported
• SEZ units, EOUs, AA holders are eligible
• E-commerce exports are covered
• Re-exported goods are not eligible

Read the article on the Foreign Trade Policy!