29 April 2025 UPSC Current Affairs - Daily News Headlines

On April 29, 2025, India witnessed significant developments across various sectors. There were ongoing discussions about the constitutionality of uncontested elections. This raised big questions about how democracy should work. In space science, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made a big achievement by successfully testing its new semi-cryogenic engine. This will bolster India's capabilities in advanced rocket propulsion. In health and science, researchers made progress with RNA-based medicines that could help fight dangerous infections. These events show how India is growing in politics, science, and technology.

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:

Uncontested Elections and Constitutionality

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Polity & Governance)

In News:

• The Supreme Court is examining the constitutional validity of Section 53(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

• This follows a petition by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, arguing that uncontested elections violate the voters’ right to express dissent through NOTA (None of the Above).

• The SC suggested that even single-candidate elections should require the candidate to secure a minimum prescribed vote share.

What is the View of the Election Commission of India (ECI)?

ECI Argument

• Rarity of uncontested elections.

• Democratic maturity: Increase in political parties and voter participation has reduced uncontested polls.
• NOTA applicability: NOTA is only available where polling takes place; it cannot be treated as a mandatory contestant.
• Legislative changes required: Changing the status quo would need amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.
• Caution advised: ECI urges the SC not to intervene in such rare instances through judicial activism.

Know more about the Election Commission of India!

What is the View of the Supreme Court?

Progressive suggestion by SC

• Minimum vote share: A candidate must secure a minimum percentage of votes (e.g., 10-15%) to be elected, even when uncontested.
• Democratic legitimacy: Elections should reflect active voter endorsement, not default victories.
• Future vision: The government should prepare legal mechanisms in case uncontested elections become frequent again.
• Fundamental principle: Democracy is founded on majority support, and even a lone candidate should prove popular acceptability.

Know more about the Laws Governing Elections in India!

Hot Test of Semicryogenic engine by ISRO

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

In News:

ISRO successfully conducted a short-duration hot test of its semicryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri. The tests are crucial steps toward inducting the semicryogenic engine into ISRO’s launch vehicles, enhancing payload capacity and efficiency.

Know more about the Semi cryogenic Technology!

Know more about the Launch Vehicles of ISRO!

RNA-Based Antiviral

Source: The Hindu 

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology) 

In News:

• Scientists at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany have developed an RNA-based antiviral agent that provides strong protection against the Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV).

• This innovation addresses the major problem of crop yield loss due to plant viruses, which cause over $30 billion in global losses annually.

What is the Issue?

• Plant viruses, unlike bacteria or fungi, cannot be controlled by pesticides.
• CMV alone infects over 1,200 plant species, including critical food and medicinal crops.
• In India, CMV causes 25–30% yield losses in banana plantations, and up to 70% infection rates in pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons.
• The existing natural defence mechanisms in plants are often inadequate or inefficient.

Current Situation

• RNA silencing is a natural plant immune response where Dicer-like enzymes (DCLs) process viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to destroy the viral genome.
• However, this response is often inefficient because:
  • Not all siRNAs are effective.
  • Viruses can mutate rapidly to escape detection.

Read about the Paxlovid Anti-Viral Drug!

Key Findings

• Lab results:
  • Treated plants showed almost 80% lower viral load.
  • Some experiments achieved complete protection.
  • More effective than traditional random dsRNA treatments.
• Effectiveness across strains:
  • The approach was successful against multiple CMV strains.

Know more about the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940!

Daily UPSC Current Affairs News Analysis for 29th April- Watch Now!