On July 10th, 2025, India & the world witnessed important developments across various sectors. India's strengthened ties with Brazil underscore Global South cooperation, while Bulgaria's Eurozone entry marks significant European integration. Amidst these, a rare Great Hornbill sighting in Kerala emphasizes urgent biodiversity conservation needs. Simultaneously, the tragic sinking of Nyangai Island vividly illustrates climate change's severe human cost, offering crucial insights for UPSC aspirants.
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:
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Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)
IN NEWS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Brazil following the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. During his visit, he held bilateral talks with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia. These discussions emphasized the crucial importance of India–Brazil ties for the Global South. A significant highlight of the visit was PM Modi being conferred Brazil’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross.
📜 Historical Background of India–Brazil RelationsDiplomatic relations between India and Brazil were established in 1948, shortly after India’s independence and Brazil’s recognition of India. Both nations are democratic developing countries. They are also founding members of important multilateral platforms like IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum) and BRICS. Their relationship is further strengthened by a shared history of anti-colonial struggle and an alignment under the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). In 2006, the ties between the two countries were elevated to a Strategic Partnership, signaling a deeper focus on political, economic, and multilateral cooperation. |
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)
IN NEWS: Bulgaria received final approval from EU finance ministers to adopt the euro as its official currency starting January 1, 2026. This decision means Bulgaria will become the 21st member of the Eurozone, replacing its national currency, the lev, with the euro.
Bulgaria joined the European Union (EU) in 2007. Since the late 1990s, it had already pegged its national currency (lev) to the euro under a currency board system. This demonstrated a long-standing commitment to monetary stability. Adopting the euro is part of its EU accession obligations, which require strict compliance with the Maastricht criteria.
The Eurozone refers to the group of EU member states that have adopted the euro (€) as their official currency. As of 2025, there were 20 Eurozone members before Bulgaria’s inclusion. The European Central Bank (ECB) manages monetary policy for the Eurozone, while the Eurogroup coordinates economic policies among member states.
To join the Eurozone, a country must meet specific economic and legal conditions known as the Maastricht Criteria:
Bulgaria's adoption of the euro carries significant implications for both the country itself and the broader EU:
📜 What is the Maastricht Treaty?The Maastricht Treaty, formally known as the Treaty on European Union (TEU), was signed on February 7, 1992, in Maastricht, Netherlands. It came into force on November 1, 1993. This landmark treaty laid the foundation for the modern European Union (EU) and initiated the creation of the euro currency. 📊 What are the Maastricht Criteria?Also called Convergence Criteria, the Maastricht Criteria are the economic and legal conditions that EU member states must meet to adopt the euro as their currency and join the Eurozone. Key Criteria:
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Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS Paper III (Biodiversity)
IN NEWS: A rare sighting of the Great Hornbill (locally called Malamuzhakki Vezhambal) recently occurred in Kakkampara near Ezhimala, in Kannur district, Kerala. This location is notably far from its typical forested habitats. The unexpected sighting has renewed calls for biodiversity conservation, especially in human-inhabited but ecologically rich regions like Ezhimala.
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography)
IN NEWS: Nyangai Island, part of the Turtle Islands off southern Sierra Leone, has lost two-thirds of its land area in the last decade. This loss is due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Residents are now among the first climate change-induced internally displaced people in Sierra Leone, drawing global attention to the human cost of climate change on small island communities.
🇸🇱 Details Related to Sierra Leone
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🎯 Question No. 1
Which of the following agreements/announcements were made during PM Modi's 2025 visit to Brazil?
(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 "Key Outcomes from the 2025 Visit" section explicitly lists all three points under "Major Announcements" and "Bilateral Agreements Signed."
🎯 Question No. 2
Regarding Bulgaria's entry into the Eurozone, which of the following Maastricht Criteria must be met?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Correct Answer: (a)
ℹ️ Explanation: The "Criteria for Joining the Euro (Maastricht Criteria)" section states: "Government budget deficit must be less than 3% of GDP" (Statement 1 is correct). It also states: "Public debt must not exceed 60% of GDP" (Statement 2 is correct). For exchange rate stability, it mentions "Two years in ERM II," not five years (Statement 3 is incorrect).
🎯 Question No. 3
The Great Hornbill, recently sighted in Kerala, is classified under which of the following categories by IUCN?
(a) Critically Endangered
(b) Endangered
(c) Vulnerable
(d) Near Threatened
✅ Correct Answer: (b)
ℹ️ Explanation: The "Details Related to the Great Hornbill" section clearly states: "IUCN Status: Endangered."
🎯 Question No. 4
The primary reason cited for the sinking of Nyangai Island in Sierra Leone is:
(a) Excessive sand mining and deforestation.
(b) Frequent seismic activity and tsunamis.
(c) Rising sea levels and coastal erosion due to climate change.
(d) Heavy industrial pollution leading to land subsidence.
✅ Correct Answer: (c)
ℹ️ Explanation: The "IN NEWS" section for Nyangai Island states: "Nyangai Island... has lost two-thirds of its land area in the last decade due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion." The "Details Related to Nyangai Island" section further confirms: "Sea level rise has led to coastal erosion, land submergence..."
🎯 Question No. 5
Consider the following statements about India's international relations:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
✅ Correct Answer: (c)
ℹ️ Explanation: The "Historical Background of India–Brazil Relations" section states: "Both countries are... Founding members of IBSA... and BRICS" (Statement 1 is correct). The "Economic Cooperation" sub-section states: "Brazil is part of Mercosur, with which India has a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)" (Statement 2 is correct).
Monthly Current Affairs |
UPSC Current Affairs for July 2025 |
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