On July 06th, 2025, India & the world witnessed important developments across various sectors. The Supreme Court's latest ruling on a contempt plea reinforces the principle of separation of powers and sets boundaries for judicial intervention in legislative actions. Simultaneously, a concerning report underscores India's escalating plastic waste crisis and its severe health implications. On the global front, the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam signals a new era for Ethiopia's development but intensifies long-standing geopolitical tensions over Nile River water sharing, impacting key regional players like Egypt and Sudan.

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:

⚖️🏛️ Supreme Court & State Legislative Power

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Polity)

IN NEWS

The Supreme Court recently disposed of a contempt petition in the case Nandini Sundar & Ors. v. State of Chhattisgarh. The contempt petition alleged that the Chhattisgarh government’s 2011 legislation (Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Forces Act) violated the SC's earlier July 2011 judgment, which prohibited the use of Special Police Officers (SPOs) in counter-insurgency operations.

🔍 Core Issue

The central legal question revolved around whether a State law enacted after a Supreme Court judgment could be considered contempt of court if it seemingly circumvented the Court's order. The petitioners argued that creating "auxiliary forces" under the new Act was a disguised revival of the prohibited Special Police Officers (SPOs).

🚫 Why Contempt Plea was Filed?

Following the 2011 judgment, the Chhattisgarh Assembly passed the Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Forces Act, 2011, which aimed to create an "auxiliary force" for law and order and anti-Maoist operations. Petitioners interpreted this as an attempt to bypass the SC's ban on SPOs and filed a contempt petition, arguing it directly defied the Court's order.

⚖️ SC's Rejection of Contempt Plea & Legal Principles

The Supreme Court rejected the contempt petition based on fundamental principles of constitutional law and separation of powers:

• Compliance with Previous Orders: The Court noted that the State had, in fact, complied with the specific directions of the 2011 judgment by withdrawing SPOs and recalling weapons.
• Legislative Supremacy & Contempt: The core argument was that an Act passed by a legislature cannot be treated as contempt of court. Legislative actions are distinct from executive non-compliance.
• Grounds for Invalidation: A law passed by a legislature can only be invalidated or struck down if it is:
  • Unconstitutional: Violates Fundamental Rights (e.g., Articles 14, 21), or other constitutional provisions.
  • Beyond Legislative Competence: The legislature did not have the constitutional power to enact that particular law (e.g., a State passing a law on a Union List subject).
  • Basic Structure Doctrine: A law can also be held invalid if it violates the Basic Structure of the Constitution (as established in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, 1973).
• Doctrine of Separation of Powers: The Court emphasized the importance of maintaining the delicate balance between the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. Interfering unduly with legislative powers would violate this doctrine. The Court cited Indian Aluminium Co. v. State of Kerala (1996), which underscores that courts should not overstep into the legislative domain.
• Proper Remedy (Judicial Review): The correct legal recourse against an allegedly unconstitutional law is to file a separate writ petition challenging its constitutional validity (e.g., under Article 32 or 226), not a contempt petition. Contempt pertains to willful disobedience of a court order by an executive action, not a legislative enactment.

♻️🔬 Plastic Waste & Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Environment)

IN NEWS

India has become the world’s largest generator of plastic waste, and recent studies have revealed widespread infiltration of microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) into human tissues. These substances are now recognized as public health threats, triggering hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, and chronic diseases.

🗑️ India's Plastic Waste Crisis

• Scale: India is now the world's largest generator of plastic waste, producing approximately 9.3 million tonnes per year.
• Mismanagement: A significant portion of this (around 3.5 million tonnes/year) is unmanaged pollution, either landfilled improperly or entering natural ecosystems. Only about 5.8 million tonnes are incinerated, highlighting inadequate recycling and waste management infrastructure.
• Microplastic Exposure: Studies reveal alarming levels of microplastic exposure, particularly in urban areas. People in cities like Mumbai are exposed to an estimated 382–2,012 microplastic particles per day via air, food, and water.

🧬 Key Types of Plastic-Based EDCs & Health Risks

• Bisphenol A (BPA) and BPS (Bisphenol S): Used in water bottles, food containers, thermal paper receipts. They primarily mimic estrogen, leading to concerns about reproductive health (fertility issues) and increased cancer risk.
• Phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DBP): Found in plastics (softeners), cosmetics, toys, medical devices (IV tubing). They can reduce testosterone, lower sperm count, and are linked to reproductive disorders like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women.
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Used in non-stick cookware, food packaging, water-resistant fabrics. Known as "forever chemicals," they are associated with thyroid dysfunction, heart disease, and metabolic disorders.

🚨 Scientific Evidence of Health Impacts in Humans

• Microplastics in the Human Body:

• • • Global studies (e.g., Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam 2022) have found microplastics in 80% of human blood samples.
    • A 2024 study in India found microplastics in 89% of Indian blood samples, averaging 4.2 particles/ml.
    • Crucially, microplastics have been detected in various organs, including lungs, heart, placenta, breast milk, ovaries, and semen, indicating systemic distribution and potential for broad health impacts.

• Reproductive Health Concerns:

• • • Men: Microplastics can damage the blood-testis barrier, impairing sperm quality. BPA and phthalates are linked to lower testosterone and increased LH levels. Studies indicate a concerning 30% drop in sperm count in Indian men over 20 years.
    • Women: EDCs have been found in follicular fluid and are associated with lower egg quality, irregular menstruation, increased risk of miscarriage, PCOS, and endometriosis.

• Carcinogenic and Metabolic Risks:

• • Carcinogenicity: Some EDCs are classified as probable carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). High DEHP levels in Indian women have been linked to a 3x higher risk of breast cancer.
  • Metabolic Disorders: EDCs can mimic cortisol, interfere with insulin sensitivity, and promote fat storage, contributing to the rising prevalence of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and thyroid dysfunction.

💸 Economic Impact

The exposure to EDCs in India is estimated to cost ₹25,000 crore per year in healthcare costs and productivity loss, highlighting a significant economic burden alongside the health crisis.

🌊🏗️ Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography)

IN NEWS

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is complete. The 145-meter-high dam, spanning 1.8 km, was built with a $4 billion budget and will be officially inaugurated in September 2025. It marks a significant milestone in Ethiopia's development but also deepens regional tensions over Nile water sharing.

🏗️ What is GERD?

• Location: The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a massive hydroelectric dam constructed by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile River in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, near the Sudanese border.
• Scale: It is Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, conceived to be a cornerstone of Ethiopia's economic development.
• Purpose: Its primary objective is electricity production, vital for powering Ethiopia's industrialization drive and achieving full electrification for its population. It has an estimated generation capacity of 6,450 megawatts (MW).
• Key Dimensions: Height: 145 meters; Length: 1.8 kilometers; Total water capacity: 74 billion cubic meters.
• Construction: Construction began in 2011 and faced significant delays due to technical complexities, political challenges, and funding issues.

💧 Concerns Regarding GERD (Riparian States)

The GERD has been a persistent source of geopolitical tension due to the Nile River's critical importance to downstream nations.

• 🇪🇬 Egypt's Concerns: Egypt, the most downstream nation, relies on the Nile for over 90% of its freshwater needs for agriculture, drinking water, and the functioning of its vital Aswan High Dam. Egypt fears that the GERD's filling and subsequent operation will significantly reduce downstream water flow, threatening its water security and agricultural productivity, which underpins its food security.
• 🇸🇩 Sudan's Concerns: Sudan, located between Ethiopia and Egypt, also has significant concerns:
  • Water Flow Regulation: Concerns about how the dam will regulate water flow, potentially affecting its own dams (like the Roseires Dam) and irrigation schemes.
  • Safety Risks: Fears of potential dam collapse risks due to its sheer size and the rapid filling process, which could cause catastrophic floods downstream.
  • Unilateral Operations: Concerns that Ethiopia's unilateral operations without a binding agreement could negatively impact its water supply.

🤝 Lack of Binding Agreement

Despite numerous rounds of negotiations, largely mediated by the African Union, no comprehensive and binding agreement has been reached between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt on crucial aspects:

• Dam Filling Schedule: The rate at which the reservoir should be filled is a major point of contention, as a faster filling rate would have immediate and severe impacts on downstream flow.
• Water-Sharing Mechanism: Long-term water allocation mechanisms during droughts or periods of low rainfall.
• Conflict Resolution Protocols: Agreed-upon mechanisms for resolving future disputes.
  • Sovereignty vs. National Security: For Ethiopia, GERD symbolizes national sovereignty, economic development, and its right to utilize its natural resources. For Egypt, it is viewed as an existential national security threat.
  • Military Posturing: The dispute has led to increased military rhetoric and diplomatic strains in the strategically important Horn of Africa and North Africa regions, drawing in other international actors.

🎯 Question No. 1

With reference to the Supreme Court's recent decision in the Nandini Sundar & Ors. v. State of Chhattisgarh case, consider the following statements:

1. The contempt petition alleged that a State law violated the SC's previous judgment prohibiting the use of Special Police Officers (SPOs).
2. The Supreme Court rejected the contempt plea, stating that a law passed by a legislature cannot amount to contempt of court.
3. The proper remedy against an allegedly unconstitutional law is a contempt petition.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The news states, "The contempt petition was filed alleging that the Chhattisgarh government’s 2011 legislation... violated the SC's earlier July 2011 judgment, which prohibited the use of Special Police Officers (SPOs)."
• Statement 2 is correct: The news states, "The SC rejected the contempt petition for the following reasons: ... Legislative Supremacy: The new Act was passed by the legislature, not an executive action defying the Court. ... legislation cannot amount to contempt unless it is: Unconstitutional, or Lacks legislative competence."
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The news clarifies, "The proper remedy against an allegedly unconstitutional law is a separate constitutional challenge, not a contempt petition."

🎯 Question No. 2

Under what conditions can the Supreme Court of India invalidate a law passed by a legislature?

1. If it violates Fundamental Rights.
2. If it is beyond the legislative competence of the concerned legislature.
3. If it violates the basic structure of the Constitution.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (d)

ℹ️ Explanation: The detailed explanation states that a law can be invalidated if it is "Unconstitutional (violates Fundamental Rights or other constitutional provisions)," "Beyond legislative competence," or "violates the basic structure of the Constitution." All three conditions are valid grounds for judicial review and invalidation.

🎯 Question No. 3

Which of the following statements about Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are correct?

1. EDCs are substances that mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones.
2. Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates are examples of plastic-based EDCs.
3. Studies have linked EDCs to hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, and metabolic disorders.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (d)

ℹ️ Explanation: All three statements are correct as per the provided text:

• Statement 1: "EDCs are substances that mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones."
• Statement 2: "Key Types of Plastic-Based EDCs: Bisphenol A (BPA) and BPS... Phthalates (DEHP, DBP)... PFAS..."
• Statement 3: "These substances are now recognized as public health threats, triggering hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, and chronic diseases." And further details under "Scientific Evidence of Health Impacts."

🎯 Question No. 4

Consider the following statements regarding microplastics and their presence in the human body:

1. Microplastics have been detected in human blood samples.
2. They have been found in various human organs including the heart, placenta, and ovaries.
3. Exposure to microplastics has been linked to increased sperm count in men.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: "2022 Study (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam): Microplastics found in 80% of blood samples. 2024 Study in India: Found in 89% of Indian blood samples..."
• Statement 2 is correct: "Detected in lungs, heart, placenta, breast milk, ovaries, and semen."
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The text states, "Microplastics damage blood-testis barrier, impair sperm quality." This implies a reduction, not an increase, in sperm count.

🎯 Question No. 5

With reference to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), consider the following statements:

1. It is Africa's largest hydroelectric project.
2. It is being built on the White Nile River.
3. Egypt and Sudan have expressed concerns primarily about the dam's filling schedule and water-sharing mechanism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: "It is Africa’s largest hydroelectric project."
• Statement 2 is incorrect: It is being built on the Blue Nile River, not the White Nile. "Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a hydroelectric dam built by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile River."
• Statement 3 is correct: "Despite African Union-mediated talks, no binding agreement has been reached between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt on: Dam filling schedule, Water-sharing mechanism, Conflict resolution protocols."

🎯 Question No. 6

Which of the following countries are considered riparian states of the Nile River?

1. Egypt
2. Sudan
3. South Sudan
4. Eritrea
5. Ethiopia

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

(b) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

(c) 1, 2 and 5 only

(d) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation: The "Countries traversed" section lists all 11 riparian countries, including all the options provided: "11 countries: Burundi, Rwanda, DR Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea (indirectly), Egypt."