On July 08th, 2025, India & the world witnessed important developments across various sectors. The 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro notably welcomed Indonesia, amplifying calls for global governance reforms and unity against terrorism. Simultaneously, the European Commission unveiled its 2040 Climate Target, a significant proposal that includes the innovative use of international carbon credits. Parallelly, India achieved a key milestone in energy security with the licensing of its indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs at Kakrapar, furthering its ambitious nuclear power capacity targets for 2047.

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:

🇧🇷 17th BRICS Summit 2025, Rio de Janeiro

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS 

The 2025 BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Leaders’ Declaration strongly reflected India’s concerns on cross-border terrorism and global governance reforms. The summit marked the expansion of BRICS with Indonesia formally joining the group. Prime Minister Modi called for increased Global South representation in international institutions. Leaders of the BRICS nations have extended full support to India for the Chairship of the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.

📄 Highlights of the Rio de Janeiro Declaration

🚀 Major Declarations & Initiatives Launched

• BRICS Climate Finance Framework Declaration – Promotes fair climate financing for developing nations.
• Statement on AI Governance – Calls for responsible and inclusive use of Artificial Intelligence.
• Launch of BRICS Partnership to Eliminate Socially Determined Diseases – Tackles diseases caused by poverty and inequality.

🌍 International Trade and Economic Cooperation

The declaration supports the WTO-based multilateral trade system, opposing unilateral sanctions, protectionist tariffs, and environment-based trade barriers. It launched the BRICS Trade and Sustainable Development Framework and recommitted to restoring WTO dispute resolution mechanisms. Furthermore, it supports Iran and Ethiopia’s bid to join the WTO.

⚕️ Health & Pandemic Preparedness

BRICS nations back the WHO Pandemic Agreement and call for universal access to vaccines and medicines. They emphasize global health equity and support for health systems in the Global South. The declaration also supports the BRICS R&D Vaccine Center, TB Research Network, and Public Health Research Network.

💻 Artificial Intelligence & ICT Governance

The declaration calls for UN-led global governance on AI to ensure safety, transparency, and inclusiveness. It supports AI use in sustainable development, education, and innovation, and commits to strengthening cybersecurity, including:

• Finalizing the UN Cybercrime Convention.
• Cooperation on law enforcement, CERTs, fintech innovation, and secure ICT infrastructure.

🛡️ Security, Peace & Stability

BRICS advocates peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. The declaration condemns specific acts, including:

• Iran airstrikes (June 2025).
• Israeli strikes in Gaza.
• J&K terror attack (April 2025). It supports UN-led initiatives in Ukraine, Syria, MENA, Palestine, and Sudan, and the formation of African solutions to African problems. It also reaffirms UNSC Resolution 1325 on women’s participation in peace and security processes and opposes the use of starvation, civilian targeting, and humanitarian obstruction in war zones.

💰 Finance, Banking & Cross-Border Payments

The summit initiated the BRICS Multilateral Guarantee Scheme (BMG) and the BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative. It supports the interoperability of payment systems and local currency trade.

🌳 Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability

The declaration reaffirms commitments to the UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, and COP30 (Brazil, 2025), emphasizing climate justice principles like Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR). It opposes carbon border taxes (CBAMs) and unilateral green trade restrictions. New initiatives launched include:

• BRICS Climate Research Platform.
• BRICS Carbon Market Partnership.
• Trade & Climate Laboratory. The declaration also highlights the importance of tropical forest preservation (Tropical Forest Facility in Belém), big cat conservation (India’s Big Cat Alliance), and biodiversity (Kunming-Montreal Agreement).

🌾 Agriculture, Food Security & Sustainable Farming

The summit launched the BRICS Grain Exchange Initiative. Key areas of focus include mechanization for small farmers, fair food pricing, resilient food value chains, sustainable use of fertilizers, and reduction of food waste. It also supports animal and plant health certification systems.

📊 Taxation, Competition, and Economic Zones

The declaration supports a fair and inclusive global tax system, aligned with UN principles. It welcomes Joint Action Plans for Customs, IP, and Smart Customs, as well as BRICS Competition Law collaboration. It also supports the use of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to boost trade and employment.

🇮🇳 Importance of BRICS for India

BRICS holds significant importance for India across several dimensions:

• Strategic Autonomy: Allows India to pursue multipolar diplomacy without aligning strictly with the West or China.
• Global Governance Reform: Provides a platform to demand UNSC reform and raise concerns over representation of the Global South.
• Terrorism: It helps India gain international support on cross-border terrorism, especially from Pakistan.
• Economic Gains: Enhances access to infrastructure finance via the New Development Bank (NDB) and promotes trade in national currencies, reducing dependence on the US dollar.
• Technological and Development Cooperation: Facilitates collaboration in areas like pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure, AI, and renewable energy.
• Geopolitical Balancing: Provides a platform to engage with China and Russia while counterbalancing their influence.

🇪🇺 EU’s 2040 Climate Target

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Environment)

IN NEWS 

In July 2025, the European Commission proposed allowing EU countries to use carbon credits from developing countries to meet part of their 2040 climate targets. This marks the first time such external credits are being considered in the EU's long-term climate plans. The proposal allows up to 3% of the 90% net emissions reduction target (from 1990 levels) by 2040 to be met through international carbon credits.

Know more about the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme!

🤔 Why is the EU Buying them?

The EU is considering buying carbon credits to retain its ambitious 2040 climate target (90% net emissions cut from 1990 levels) while reducing pressure on domestic industries. This approach addresses economic challenges faced by EU industries and political resistance from some member states like Germany and Poland to steep domestic cuts. Buying up to 3% worth of carbon credits (approximately 140 million tonnes CO2) could ease the domestic transition while maintaining climate commitment.

🎯 What is the EU’s 2040 Climate Target?

The target is to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, relative to 1990 levels. "Net emissions" refers to total GHG emissions minus carbon removals (which can be natural or technological). This target is a part of the EU’s broader ambition to become climate-neutral by 2050.

🏛️ Historical Context

The EU Green Deal (2019) initially committed the bloc to climate neutrality by 2050. This goal became a legally binding target in 2021 through the European Climate Law, which formalized a 55% emissions reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. The proposed 2040 target acts as a midway milestone between these existing goals.

🔑 Key Features of the 2040 Proposal

• Emission Reduction Goal: A 90% reduction from the 1990 baseline, meaning only 10% of 1990-level emissions would remain.
• Carbon Credit Mechanism: Up to 3 percentage points of the 90% target can be fulfilled using carbon credits purchased from developing countries.
• Sectors Covered: The target encompasses various sectors including power generation, transportation, industry, agriculture, and buildings. It also includes removals achieved through forests and carbon capture technologies.
• Legally Binding? The proposal by the European Commission is not yet legally binding; it requires approval by the European Parliament and Council to become law.

⚛️ Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

IN NEWS 

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has granted a five-year operating licence to NPCIL for Unit 3 and Unit 4 of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat. These are India's first indigenously developed 700 MWE Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). India has set an ambitious target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

💧 What is a Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)?

A PHWR is a specific type of nuclear reactor that utilizes:

• Natural uranium as fuel.
• Heavy water (D2O) as both its moderator and coolant. This technology forms the backbone of India’s indigenous nuclear power programme.

🛠️ Components of a PHWR

• Calandria – A horizontal cylindrical vessel that contains the heavy water moderator.
• Pressure Tubes – These tubes run through the calandria, holding the fuel bundles and carrying the pressurized heavy water coolant.
• Fuel Bundles – Composed of natural uranium arranged in rod form.
• Moderator System – Heavy water maintained at low pressure and temperature within the calandria to slow down neutrons.
• Coolant System – Heavy water kept at high pressure to efficiently remove heat from the fuel bundles.
• Steam Generators – Devices where the heat from the coolant is transferred to produce steam, which then drives turbines.
• Reactor Control and Safety Systems – Comprehensive systems designed to ensure safe, reliable operation and to facilitate emergency shutdowns when necessary.

🔄 Working Mechanism of PHWR

In a PHWR, the fission of Uranium-235 within the fuel bundles generates heat. This heat is absorbed by the pressurized heavy water coolant circulating through the pressure tubes. The heated coolant then transfers its energy to steam generators. The resulting steam drives turbines connected to generators, producing electricity. The heavy water in the calandria acts as a moderator, slowing down the neutrons to sustain the chain reaction, while control rods are used to regulate the rate of this reaction by absorbing excess neutrons.

🎯 Question No. 1

With reference to the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 2025, consider the following statements:

1. Indonesia's formal membership into BRICS was announced at this summit.
2. The Rio de Janeiro Declaration included a commitment to strengthen global health governance and launched a partnership for eliminating socially determined diseases.
3. India has been extended full support for chairing the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(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:

• Statement 1 is correct: The news explicitly states that the summit marked Indonesia formally joining the group.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Rio de Janeiro Declaration included the launch of the BRICS Partnership to Eliminate Socially Determined Diseases and emphasized strengthening global health governance.
• Statement 3 is correct: The news states, "Leaders of the BRICS nations have extended full support to India for the Chairship of 18th BRICS Summit 2026."

🎯 Question No. 2

Regarding the European Union's (EU) proposed 2040 Climate Target, consider the following statements:

1. The target aims for a 90% reduction in gross greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.
2. The proposal explicitly allows EU countries to use carbon credits acquired from developing countries to meet a part of this target.
3. The use of such international carbon credits is limited to a maximum of 3% of the target's required emission reduction.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The target aims for a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions, not gross. Net emissions account for removals.
• Statement 2 is correct: The proposal is notable for allowing the use of international carbon credits, marking a first for EU's long-term targets.
• Statement 3 is correct: The news specifies, "The proposal allows up to 3% of the 90% net emissions reduction target (from 1990 levels) by 2040 to be met through international carbon credits."

🎯 Question No. 3

With reference to Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in India, consider the following statements:

1. PHWRs primarily use enriched uranium as fuel.
2. Heavy water (D2O) serves as both the moderator and coolant in these reactors.
3. The 700 MWe PHWRs at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) are India's first indigenously developed reactors of this capacity.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: PHWRs are designed to use natural uranium as fuel, not enriched uranium.
• Statement 2 is correct: Heavy water (D2O) uniquely functions as both the moderator and coolant in PHWRs.
• Statement 3 is correct: The news states, "These are India's first indigenously developed 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)."

🎯 Question No. 4

Which of the following bodies is responsible for granting operating licenses to nuclear power plants in India, as seen with the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) units?

(a) Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)

(b) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

(c) Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)

(d) Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️ Explanation: The news clearly states, "The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has granted a five-year operating licence to NPCIL for Unit 3 and Unit 4 of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat." AERB is the specific regulatory body for nuclear safety in India.

🎯 Question No. 5

Which of the following is NOT a main component of a typical nuclear reactor?

(a) Fuel

(b) Moderator

(c) Control Rods

(d) Turbine

✅ Correct Answer: (d)

ℹ️ Explanation:

Fuel, Moderator, and Control Rods are all core components essential to the nuclear chain reaction within the reactor core itself.

The turbine is part of the power generation system (where heat is converted to electricity) but is external to the nuclear reactor core and its direct functioning in controlling the fission reaction.