Daily Current Affairs 25 July 2026 – IAS Current Affairs
Current Affairs 25 July 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :
Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath
Source: PIB
GS I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times
Overview
- News in Brief
- How it helps
Why in the News?
Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List
News in Brief
- Today, in a remarkable decision taken at the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee being held at Busan, South Korea, India’s official nomination for 2025-26 cycle, “Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath”
- “Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath” got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 45th property to receive this recognition.
- This global accolade celebrates India’s enduring cultural legacy, showcasing its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity.
On behalf of the Government of India, Archaeological Survey of India is the nodal agency of all the World Heritage related matters in the country.
Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath
- The inscribed serial property comprises two component parts
- Chaukhandi Stupa
- Archaeological Remains of Sarnath (Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmrajika Stupa, Mulagandgakuti Vihara, Ashokan Pillar, etc.) – located within Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
- Together these two components preserve the architectural and archaeological remains of the ancient site of Sarnath, known in the Buddhist tradition under different names – Rishipatana, Ishipatana, Mrigadava.
- They all refer to a sacred geography, where the Buddha visited in the 6th century BCE and delivered his first sermon known as the “Turning of the Wheel of the Law” (Dharmachakra pravartana).
- This event marked the inception of the Buddhist sangha and the establishment of the principles of the Noble Eightfold Path.
Architecture of Sarnath
- Indicated by the Buddha himself to be one of the four key sites of Buddhist pilgrimage
- Sarnath developed over centuries through royal, monastic and lay patronage.3
- Numerous stupas, temples and viharas were constructed around what is believed to be the place of the first sermon of Gautama Buddha
- Site where he met his first disciples.
- Having seen decline in the 12th century CE and subsequent destruction, it fell into obscurity until its rediscovery in the 18th century.
- The site comprises an ensemble of ancient monuments constructed from the pre-Mauryan period (5th-4th centuries BCE to 3rd century BCE) up until the destruction of Sarnath in the 12th century CE (with some later additions).
Sarnath has been one of the most extensively excavated sites by the Archaeological Survey of India which resulted in a stratified settlement spread across 16 centuries (5th-4th centuries BCE to 12th century CE).
Sarnath as a UNESCO World Heritage Property
- The ancient site of Sarnath was included in the Tentative List of World Heritage in 1998.
- The proposal to include the site in the list of World Heritage was sent to the consideration of World Heritage Committee in Jan 2025.
- After a rigorous eighteen-month-long process involving several technical meetings with the advisory bodies and visit of ICOMOS’s mission to review the site, this historic decision was taken by the members of the World Heritage Committee today evening at Busan, South Korea.
- With this global recognition, India affirms its commitment to protect Sarnath’s Outstanding Universal Value by Manage tourism sustainably and prevent unplanned development in the buffer zone in order to preserve authenticity and integrity of the property.
Last year, ‘the Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ were inscribed in the World Heritage List at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee held at UNESCO Headquarters at Paris.
Tentative List
- India also has 69 sites in the Tentative List of the World Heritage
- Mandatory threshold for any site to be considered as a World Heritage property in future. E
- very year, each State Party may propose just one site for consideration of the World Heritage Committee for inscription to the World Heritage List.
Key Takeaways
Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR)
Source: Indian Express
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Overview
- News in Brief
- What is APAAR ID?
- Academic Records Covered
- How is APAAR ID Generated and Significance?
Why in the News?
Supreme Court has asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to implement on a pan-India basis the Orissa High Court’s direction that parents be provided with the option to refuse consent to sharing Aadhaar details of their children for creation of Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID or to opt out of the scheme.
News in Brief
- A bench of the Chief Justice of India also directed that any personal information collected pursuant to the APAAR Scheme should not be disclosed or shared with any private entity or third party except in accordance with law.
- The SC order came on petitions by some parents challenging the constitutional validity of the scheme.
- Collection, processing, storage, retention, sharing or use of personal information under the APAAR Scheme shall, therefore, be strictly governed by the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the obligations cast thereunder upon data fiduciaries to ensure the lawful, secure and purpose-limited processing of personal data.”
What is APAAR ID?
- APAAR provides every student with a unique 12-digit identification number.
- It functions as a permanent academic identity through which educational records and achievements can be digitally linked and accessed.
The APAAR ecosystem is integrated with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and DigiLocker, allowing students to access verified academic documents and accumulated credits through digital platforms.
Academic Records Covered
APAAR can bring different educational achievements under one digital identity, including:
- Mark sheets and grade sheets
- Degrees, diplomas and certificates
- Academic credits
- Scholarships and awards
- Co-curricular achievements
Academic credits issued by recognised institutions can be accumulated and transferred through the Academic Bank of Credits, supporting greater flexibility in education.
According to the Ministry of Education’s annual report, 11.7 crore APAAR IDs, covering about 53% of enrolled students, had been validated and generated through UDISE+ as of 3 February 2025. More than 80% of India’s schools had initiated APAAR-related activities by then.
How is APAAR ID Generated and Significance?
For school students, the process is linked with the UDISE+ system. The student’s demographic details are verified, parental consent is obtained for minors, and identity authentication is completed through the school. After successful verification, the APAAR ID is generated and made available through the student’s DigiLocker account.
The student’s name in UDISE+ must match the Aadhaar record, while the Permanent Education Number (PEN) is required for generating an APAAR ID.
Significance of APAAR
APAAR can facilitate seamless movement between educational institutions, as verified academic records can be accessed without repeatedly submitting physical documents. It can also simplify admissions, credit transfers, entrance examinations and verification of qualifications.
For educational institutions, a unified academic record system can reduce duplication, improve administrative efficiency and help prevent fraudulent academic credentials.
Data Privacy and Concerns
Since APAAR involves sensitive personal and educational information, data protection and informed consent are important. The Ministry’s privacy policy states that APAAR integrates with DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits and provides access controls for authorised use of student information.
Indian Chemical Industry and BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme
Source: PIB
GS II: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth
Overview
- News in Brief
- What is the Chemical Industry?
- Major Segments of the Indian Chemical Industry
- How India is Positioned in the Indian Chemical Industry
- Challenges Facing the Indian Chemical Industry
Why in the News?
Union Cabinet has approved Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan or BHAVYA – Rasayan Scheme.
News in Brief
- Recognising the importance of chemicals and petrochemicals as key inputs for sectors such as agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, construction, automobiles and electronics, the government said the BHAVYA Rasayan scheme is expected to attract both domestic and foreign investments, expand manufacturing capacity and generate employment.
- The initiative would strengthen India’s chemical manufacturing ecosystem and promote self-reliance.
- It contributes to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by supporting industrial growth and creating opportunities across downstream sectors of the economy.
Don’t get confused with the BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme and BHAVYA Scheme
BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme is a specific sub-program focused only on the chemical industry, while the general BHAVYA Scheme is a large, nationwide program for all types of manufacturing.
What is the Chemical Industry?
The chemical industry converts natural resources and raw materials into chemical substances used by households, agriculture and industries.
Its raw materials include:
- Crude oil and natural gas
- Minerals
- Salt
- Coal
- Biomass
- Agricultural feedstock
- Industrial by-products
Chemical products are rarely limited to direct consumer use. Most chemicals function as intermediate inputs for other industries.
Major Segments of the Indian Chemical Industry
India’s chemical industry is highly diversified. It can be divided into the following major segments.
Bulk Chemicals
- Bulk chemicals, also called basic or commodity chemicals, are produced in large quantities and generally have standardised properties.
- Important examples include:
- Caustic soda
- Soda ash
- Sulphuric acid
- Chlorine
- Methanol
- Acetic acid
- Industrial gases
- They are used as raw materials in manufacturing, textiles, paper, detergents, glass, metals and water treatment.
- Bulk chemical manufacturers generally compete on the basis of production scale, energy cost, raw-material availability and logistics efficiency.
Specialty Chemicals
- Speciality chemicals are manufactured for specific functions and performance requirements.
- Unlike bulk chemicals, their value depends more on technical performance, formulation and intellectual property than on production volume.
- Examples include:
- Construction chemicals
- Adhesives and sealants
- Water-treatment chemicals
- Electronic chemicals
- Personal-care ingredients
- Food additives
- Textile chemicals
- Paints and coating additives
- Industrial catalysts
- Specialty chemicals offer higher value addition and better profit margins.
- India has considerable potential in this segment because of its skilled scientific workforce, process-engineering capability and expanding domestic market.
Agrochemicals
- Agrochemicals include substances used to protect crops and improve agricultural productivity.
- They include:
- Insecticides
- Herbicides
- Fungicides
- Plant-growth regulators
- Bio-pesticides
India is one of the world’s leading producers of agrochemicals. The sector has strong export potential because of India’s cost-effective manufacturing capabilities and experience in producing generic molecules.
However, excessive or unsafe use of agrochemicals can cause soil degradation, water contamination, pesticide resistance and health risks.
Petrochemicals
- Petrochemicals are chemicals derived mainly from petroleum and natural gas.
- Major petrochemical building blocks include:
- Ethylene
- Propylene
- Benzene
- Toluene
- Xylene
- Methanol
- These are used to manufacture plastics, synthetic fibres, synthetic rubber, detergents, paints, packaging materials, medical devices and automobile components.
- Petrochemicals form an important link between India’s petroleum-refining sector and downstream manufacturing industries.
Polymers and Plastics
- Polymers include materials such as:
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Polyvinyl chloride
- Polystyrene
- Engineering plastics
- They are widely used in construction, healthcare, agriculture, packaging, transport and consumer products.
- While polymers provide durability and cost advantages, their improper disposal has contributed to plastic pollution and microplastic contamination.
Dyes and Pigments
- Dyes and pigments are used in textiles, paints, printing, plastics, leather and cosmetics.
- India accounts for an estimated 16–18% of global production of dyestuffs and dye intermediates.
- The Indian colourants industry has an estimated global market share of around 15%.
- The sector benefits from India’s strong textile base but also faces serious wastewater and hazardous-effluent management challenges.
Fertilisers
- Fertilisers provide essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
- Major fertilisers include:
- Urea
- Diammonium phosphate
- Complex fertilisers
- Potash-based fertilisers
- Although fertilisers are administratively handled through a separate department, they remain closely connected to the broader chemical manufacturing ecosystem.
- India has expanded domestic fertiliser production, but it continues to depend on imports for several raw materials and fertiliser products.
How India is Positioned in the Indian Chemical Industry
- The Indian chemical industry covers more than 80,000 commercial products and directly or indirectly employs more than two million people.
- India is:
- The sixth-largest producer of chemicals in the world
- The third-largest chemical producer in Asia
- The third-largest producer of agrochemicals globally
- A major producer of dyes, dye intermediates and generic agrochemicals
- The industry was estimated to be worth approximately US$250 billion in 2024.
- It is expected to reach around US$300 billion by 2028, while long-term demand for chemicals and petrochemicals may approach US$1 trillion by 2040.
- India’s chemical and allied-product exports reached approximately US$18.65 billion during April 2025–February 2026.
- During the same period, exports of organic chemicals stood at about US$6.89 billion and exports of inorganic chemicals at about US$2.20 billion.
India also imports significant quantities of chemical products and intermediates. Organic chemical imports were about US$13.90 billion, while inorganic chemical imports were around US$6.79 billion during April 2025–February 2026. This indicates that India has strong manufacturing and export capabilities in some chemical segments but continues to depend heavily on imports in several critical value chains.
Geographical Distribution of the Chemical Industry
Chemical manufacturing in India is concentrated in states with ports, refineries, industrial clusters, pipelines and access to raw materials.
Major chemical-producing states include:
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- Tamil Nadu
- Andhra Pradesh
- Odisha
- Uttar Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- West Bengal
Importance of the Chemical Industry for India
- Backbone of Manufacturing
- Chemicals are essential inputs for almost every major manufacturing activity.
- Agricultural Development
- Fertilisers, pesticides, micronutrients and plant-growth regulators help improve agricultural productivity and protect crops.
- The chemical industry also supports food storage and preservation through packaging materials and fumigation products.
- Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sector
- The pharmaceutical industry depends on chemical intermediates, solvents, active pharmaceutical ingredients and specialised reagents.
- A strong domestic chemical industry can reduce India’s dependence on imported pharmaceutical intermediates and strengthen health security.
- Employment Generation
- The sector creates employment in Manufacturing Research and development, Plant operation, Engineering, Logistics, Environmental management, Quality control, marketing, and exports
- Chemical parks can also generate indirect employment in transport, maintenance, warehousing and downstream manufacturing.
- Export Earnings
- India exports agrochemicals, dyes, pigments, speciality chemicals, organic chemicals and chemical intermediates.
- The sector can help diversify India’s export basket and improve its participation in global value chains.
- Supply of Essential Chemical
- Several chemicals are essential for: Defence production, Semiconductors, Batteries, Solar cells, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications, space technology and Nuclear energy
- Dependence on imported critical chemicals can expose the economy to supply disruptions, geopolitical tensions and export restrictions.
Challenges Facing the Indian Chemical Industry
- Dependence on Imported Feedstock
- India imports significant quantities of crude oil, natural gas, chemical intermediates and speciality raw materials.
- This exposes the industry to Exchange-rate fluctuations, Global price volatility, Shipping disruptions, Trade restrictions, Geopolitical conflicts
- Import dependence is particularly significant in some organic chemicals, electronic-grade chemicals and advanced intermediates.
- High Logistics Costs
- Chemicals often require specialised pipelines, tankers, warehouses and safety systems.
- Poor connectivity between ports, refineries, chemical units and downstream industries raises costs and reduces competitiveness.
- Environmental Pollution
- Chemical manufacturing can produce Toxic effluents, Hazardous waste, Air pollutants, Contaminated sludge, Volatile organic compounds, Greenhouse-gas emissions
- Improper disposal may contaminate soil, rivers and groundwater.
- Industrial accidents can also create long-term health and environmental consequences.
- Industrial emissions are also an important component of urban air-pollution challenges, including Delhi air pollution.
- Low Research and Development Spending
- Many Indian companies remain focused on generic manufacturing and process replication.
- Insufficient investment in research can limit India’s ability to develop New molecules, Advanced materials, Electronic-grade chemicals, Green chemicals, High-performance polymers, and proprietary manufacturing processes
- Moving up the value chain will require collaboration among industry, universities and public research institutions.
- Energy-Intensive Production
- Several chemical processes require high temperatures, steam, electricity and continuous operations.
- Dependence on fossil-fuel-based energy increases Production costs, Carbon emissions, Exposure to energy-price volatility
- Decarbonising chemical production is difficult because emissions arise both from energy use and chemical reactions.
- Competition from China and the Middle East
- China benefits from massive production capacity, integrated clusters and economies of scale.
- Middle Eastern producers benefit from access to relatively low-cost petrochemical feedstock.
- Indian companies must compete through efficiency, innovation, quality and specialised products rather than relying only on low labour costs.
About Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan
BHAVYA – Rasayan Scheme for establishing three dedicated Chemical Parks in the country.
- The Scheme will have a total financial outlay of Rs.3,030 crore.
- With Rs.3,000 crore towards meeting the cost of establishing the Common Infrastructure Facilities and Basic Utilities inside the park and Rs. 30 crore as administrative expenditure.
- The scheme would run for a period of 5 years from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
- Centre would provide a grant of up to Rs.1,000 crore per park. This will be subject to a minimum contribution of Rs.500 crore by the concerned State Government.
How does BHAVYA Rasayan help the economy?
- It will promote development of the Chemical industry.
- The development along the whole value chain, including
- Upstream, downstream and ancillary industries promoting efficient utilisation of resources
- Leading to lower logistics cost.
- Through shared Common Infrastructure Facilities and Basic Utilities, keeping the needs of the chemicals industry in mind, it will lead to enhanced cost competitiveness and will make the Indian Industry globally competitive.
- It will help the Indian Chemical industry better integrate in Global Value Chains, leading to greater exports and higher import substitution.
- It will promote development of the Indian Chemical Industry sustainably by creating
- An environment-friendly ecosystem consisting of centralised facilities such as Common Effluent Treatment Plant, Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility, and Hazardous Waste Management infrastructure.
- It will ensure better compliance management with environmental regulations, thereby promoting development of industry in an eco-friendly manner.
- Development of the chemical sector will lead to a cascading effect through enhanced development of downstream sectors of the economy as well,
- Leading to higher employment generation and greater development of the economy, helping achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
Concerns Related to the Scheme
- Successful implementation will depend on:
- Transparent selection of locations
- Availability of water and energy
- Adequate transport connectivity
- Scientific environmental-impact assessment
- Safe disposal of hazardous waste
- Protection of surrounding communities
- Disaster-management planning
- Timely land acquisition
- Coordination between the Centre and states
- Prevention of underutilised industrial infrastructure
- Chemical parks should not become pollution-intensive enclaves.
- Environmental safeguards must be incorporated during planning rather than added after industries begin operating
Government Initiatives Supporting the Sector
- Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Regions
- The PCPIR policy promotes large integrated industrial regions for petroleum, chemical and petrochemical industries.
- Major PCPIR locations include:
- Dahej in Gujarat
- Paradip in Odisha
- Visakhapatnam–Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh
- Cuddalore–Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu
- These regions aim to provide common infrastructure and attract large-scale investment.
- Production-Linked Incentive Schemes
- Although there is no single comprehensive PLI programme covering the entire chemical industry
- PLI schemes for pharmaceuticals, bulk drugs, medical devices, textiles, solar modules and batteries indirectly support chemical demand and domestic manufacturing.
- Foreign Direct Investment
- The chemical sector, except for certain hazardous chemicals, is largely delicensed.
- Up to 100% foreign direct investment is generally permitted under the automatic route in most chemical-manufacturing activities, subject to applicable sectoral and environmental regulations.
- FDI inflows into India’s chemical sector, excluding fertilisers, reached approximately ₹1.49 lakh crore between April 2000 and December 2025.
Key Takeaways
Significance for UPSC Examination
The Indian chemical industry is relevant to several areas of the UPSC syllabus.
General Studies Paper II
- Government policies and interventions
- Centre–state coordination
- Regulatory governance
- Environmental institutions
General Studies Paper III
- Indian economy
- Industrial policy
- Infrastructure
- Investment models
- Environment and pollution
- Disaster management
- Science and technology
- Employment generation
- Atmanirbhar Bharat
Essay Topics
- Industrialisation and environmental sustainability
- Economic growth and public health
- Self-reliance in critical sectors
- Role of manufacturing in India’s development
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
Preliminary Examination Practice Question
Consider the following statements regarding the BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme:
- It provides for the establishment of three dedicated chemical parks in India.
- The Central Government may provide financial assistance of up to ₹1,000 crore per park.
- Each park must have a minimum area of approximately 2,000 acres.
- The parks will be developed exclusively by private-sector companies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B
Mains Practice Question
Discuss the importance of the chemical industry for India’s economic and strategic development. Examine how integrated chemical parks under the BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme can address the sector’s infrastructure and environmental challenges.
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