On July 07th, 2025, India & the world witnessed important developments across various sectors. Recent developments showcase India's active global engagement, strategic economic planning, and significant socio-economic progress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago strengthens diaspora ties and expands digital partnerships. Simultaneously, new vision documents for the Aluminium and Copper sectors outline ambitious growth and sustainability goals, while a World Bank report highlights India's remarkable strides in reducing inequality.

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:

🇮🇳✈️🇹🇹 PM Modi’s Historic Visit to Trinidad and Tobago

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic two-day official visit to Trinidad and Tobago (July 3–4, 2025) — the first Indian PM to visit the country in 26 years. The visit coincided with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers (Girmitiyas) to Trinidad and Tobago in 1845. PM Modi announced OCI card eligibility for sixth-generation Indian-origin citizens, emphasizing diaspora connection, and noted that Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean country to adopt UPI (Unified Payments Interface). He was also conferred with ‘The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’, Ghana’s national honour (received en route or during a connecting visit).

🌍 Significance of the Visit & India's "Act East" Policy Extension

This visit, after a 26-year hiatus, underscores India's renewed focus on strengthening ties with the Caribbean and Latin American regions, often seen as an extension of its "Act East" policy towards the Global South. It highlights India's efforts to diversify its diplomatic and economic engagements beyond traditional partners.

📈 Economic and Developmental Cooperation

• Quick Impact Projects (QIPs): Signing of MoUs for Development Cooperation via QIPs (up to $50,000 per project) signifies India's commitment to small, community-focused development initiatives, which can have a direct and visible impact.
• Agricultural Support: The $1 million agro-machinery gift to NAMDEVCO (National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation) and support for natural farming, millet cultivation, and seaweed-based fertilizers demonstrate India's expertise and willingness to share knowledge in sustainable agriculture.
• Digital India Stack Export: Trinidad and Tobago becoming the first Caribbean country to adopt UPI (Unified Payments Interface), along with agreements to implement DigiLocker, eSign, and GeM (Government e-Marketplace), marks a major success for India's digital public infrastructure. This promotes financial inclusion and efficient governance.
• Pharmaceutical & Health: Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia will ease pharmaceutical exports, enhancing access to affordable Indian medicines. The donation of 20 haemodialysis units, 2 sea ambulances, and a prosthetic limb camp for 800 individuals highlights India's humanitarian aid and healthcare diplomacy.

♻️ Global Alliances & Multilateralism

• CDRI and GBA: Trinidad and Tobago joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) strengthens these India-led initiatives, demonstrating growing international support for India's vision on critical global issues.
• UNSC Support: Mutual support for India's permanent UNSC membership bid and T&T’s candidature for a UNSC non-permanent seat (2027–28) reflects strong alignment on multilateral reform and shared aspirations for a more representative global order.
• Climate Justice & Global South: Joint support for climate justice, Global South leadership, and Mission LiFE further solidifies their partnership on global development and environmental agendas.

🗺️ Strategic Significance of Trinidad and Tobago for India

• Regional Gateway: T&T's position as a gateway to the CARICOM community (Caribbean Community) and the wider Latin American region provides India with strategic access for trade, investment, and diplomatic outreach.
• Economic Potential: Its promising pharmaceutical and IT market, coupled with scope for capacity building and infrastructure development, makes it an attractive economic partner.
• Reliable Partner: Its consistent support in multilateral forums solidifies its role as a reliable partner for India's foreign policy objectives.

🏭🔬 India Aluminium and Copper Vision Documents (2024–2047)

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography)

IN NEWS

In June 2025, India unveiled its Aluminium and Copper Vision Documents at an international mining conference in Hyderabad. These documents are part of the roadmap towards “Viksit Bharat @2047”, aiming to build a globally competitive, sustainable, and resilient non-ferrous metal sector.

🎯 "Viksit Bharat @2047" Alignment

These vision documents are crucial components of India's long-term strategy to become a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and global leadership in key industrial sectors. They aim to secure critical raw materials for India's ambitious growth trajectory.

⛏️ Aluminium Vision Document

• Current Standing: India is currently the 2nd largest aluminium producer globally, but remarkably, it contributes only 6% of global production. This highlights a significant untapped potential for growth.
• Production Hubs: Odisha is the largest producer of aluminium in India, contributing around 54% to India's total, followed by Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, indicating a geographical concentration of bauxite reserves and refining facilities.

Ambitious Targets by 2047

• Six-fold increase in aluminium production: This indicates a massive scale-up from the current production levels. (For context, India's primary aluminium production was around 4.15 million tonnes in FY25, with a total capacity of 6-6.2 million tonnes including secondary. A six-fold increase would mean aiming for over 25 million tonnes of primary aluminium production).
• Bauxite production capacity to be scaled to 150 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).
• Double aluminium recycling rate: This is a key focus on the circular economy and resource efficiency. India's secondary aluminium capacity is currently around 2.0 MT, largely dependent on imported scrap. The target is to increase secondary production from domestic scrap by an incremental 6 MTPA by FY47.
• Adoption of low-carbon technologies: Crucial for meeting climate goals and ensuring sustainable production practices.

Strategic Objectives

• Raw Material Security: Policy reforms and institutional mechanisms are vital to secure the consistent supply of bauxite, a primary raw material for aluminium.
• Green Aluminium & ESG: Promoting environmentally sustainable production practices aligns with global clean energy transitions and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
• Sectoral Expansion: Aluminium's versatility makes it critical for future-oriented sectors like electric mobility, clean energy systems (solar, wind), smart cities, and modern infrastructure.
• R&D: Strengthening research and innovation for advanced alloys and green processing is essential for technological competitiveness.

🔩 Copper Vision Document

• • Demand Projections: An anticipated six-fold increase in copper demand by 2047 underscores its critical role in India's industrial and energy transition.
  • Criticality of Copper: Copper is indispensable for energy transition technologies (e.g., EVs, solar panels, wind turbines), digital infrastructure, and efficient power grids due to its high electrical conductivity. It has been designated a critical mineral in India.
  • Key Reserves: Rajasthan holds 50% of India's copper reserves, followed by Madhya Pradesh (24%) and Jharkhand (19%).

• Capacity and Investment Goals:

• • Add 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of smelting and refining capacity by 2030: This is a significant expansion given current production levels. India's refined copper production was 0.573 MT in FY25.
  • Encourage secondary refining and domestic recycling: Aims to reduce India's heavy reliance on imported copper concentrate. India may have to import 91%-97% of its copper concentrates by 2047 if domestic sourcing is not ramped up.

🤝 Common Themes & Holistic Approach

• Viksit Bharat @2047 & Atmanirbhar Bharat: Both documents are intrinsically linked to the national development vision.
• Climate Commitments: Strong emphasis on decarbonization, low-carbon technologies, and the circular economy (increased recycling) aligns with India's Paris Agreement commitments and the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Building robust and secure supply chains for critical minerals is vital for strategic autonomy and economic stability.
• Stakeholder Consultation: The documents are a result of extensive consultations with industry leaders, ensuring practical and implementable strategies.

📊📉 Gini Index: India's Leap Towards Equality

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Economy)

IN NEWS

According to the World Bank’s Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief, India has become the fourth most equal country in the world, based on the Gini Index. India’s Gini Index score is 25.5, placing it just behind the Slovak Republic (24.1), Slovenia (24.3), and Belarus (24.4). This progress reflects a significant reduction in inequality and extreme poverty between 2011–12 and 2022–23.

🇮🇳 India's Remarkable Performance

• Significant Improvement: India's Gini Index improved from 28.8 in 2011–12 to 25.5 in 2022–23. This indicates a steady and substantial reduction in income inequality over a decade.
• Global Ranking: Ranking as the fourth most equal country globally (after Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus) is a noteworthy achievement for a large and diverse economy like India.
• Category Shift: India now falls into the "moderately low inequality" category (Gini score between 25–30) and is very close to joining the "low inequality" group (<25).
• Comparison with Major Economies: India's score of 25.5 is significantly better than China's (35.7) and the United States' (41.8), as well as all G7 and G20 nations. This demonstrates that India has managed to combine economic growth with a more equitable distribution of its benefits.

📉 Decline in Extreme Poverty – A Key Driver of Equality

• • Poverty Reduction: The World Bank report directly links the improvement in the Gini Index to India's successful efforts in reducing extreme poverty.
  • Concrete Numbers: The share of people living on less than USD 2.15/day (the global extreme poverty line) drastically fell:

• 2011–12: 16.2%

• 2022–23: 2.3%

• Millions Lifted Out of Poverty: This translates to a staggering 171 million Indians being lifted out of extreme poverty in the last decade (between 2011 and 2023).

🏛️ Policy Focus Behind the Success

The World Bank report attributes this success to a consistent policy focus on:

• Poverty Reduction: Targeted welfare schemes.
• Financial Inclusion: Initiatives like PM Jan Dhan Yojana (over 55 crore bank accounts opened).
• Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Efficient delivery of welfare support directly to beneficiaries, leveraging Aadhaar (over 142 crore people covered) and saving approximately ₹3.48 lakh crore by March 2023 in leakages.
• Healthcare Access: Schemes like Ayushman Bharat (₹5 lakh health cover, over 41 crore health cards issued).
• Entrepreneurship Support: Programs like Stand-Up India (supporting SC/ST and women entrepreneurs) and PM Vishwakarma Yojana (for artisans).

Food Security: Schemes like PMGKAY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) providing food security to over 80 crore citizens.

🎯 Question No. 1

With reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago, consider the following statements:

1. It was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Trinidad and Tobago in over two decades.
2. The visit coincided with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers to the country.
3. Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean country to adopt India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

Which of the statements given above is/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 news states it was the first visit in 26 years, which is "over two decades" but specifically 26 years. UPSC often looks for precision. If it said "more than two decades" it would be correct.
• Statement 2 is correct: The news explicitly states, "The visit coincided with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers (Girmitiyas) to Trinidad and Tobago in 1845."
• Statement 3 is correct: The news states, "First Caribbean country to adopt UPI (Unified Payments Interface)."

🎯 Question No. 2

Which of the following India-led global initiatives did Trinidad and Tobago agree to join during PM Modi's visit?

1. International Solar Alliance (ISA)
2. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
3. Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)

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: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation: The "Key Outcomes of PM Modi’s Visit" section states, "Trinidad and Tobago joins: Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)." The ISA was not mentioned in the provided text as a new accession during this visit.

🎯 Question No. 3

The term "Girmitiyas" often refers to a specific group of Indian diaspora. With reference to the context of PM Modi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, which of the following best describes them?

(a) Indian professionals who migrated for high-skilled jobs in recent decades.

(b) Indian merchants who established trade networks across the Caribbean during colonial rule.

(c) Indian indentured labourers who migrated to various colonies during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

(d) Indian freedom fighters who sought refuge in the Caribbean after the 1857 revolt.

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️ Explanation: The news states, "The visit coincided with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers (Girmitiyas) to Trinidad and Tobago in 1845." The explanation further clarifies, "These labourers, primarily from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, were sent to work on plantations under exploitative conditions between 1845 and 1917."

🎯 Question No. 4

With reference to India's Aluminium Vision Document, 2024-2047, consider the following statements:

1. India is currently the largest aluminium producer globally.
2. Odisha is the largest producer of aluminium in India.
3. The document aims for a six-fold increase in aluminium production by 2047.

Which of the statements given above is/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 document states, "India is the 2nd largest aluminium producer globally."
• Statement 2 is correct: The document states, "Odisha is the largest producer of aluminium in India, followed by Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Odisha alone contributes a significant portion, around 54%, to India's total aluminium production."
• Statement 3 is correct: The document targets a "Six-fold increase in aluminium production" by 2047.

🎯 Question No. 5

Which of the following are the common themes highlighted across both India's Aluminium and Copper Vision Documents (2024–2047)?

1. Alignment with "Viksit Bharat @2047"
2. Emphasis on circular economy through increased recycling
3. Decarbonisation of the industrial sector
4. Building resilient supply chains and mineral security

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

✅ Correct Answer: (d)

ℹ️ Explanation: The "Common Themes Across Both Vision Documents" section explicitly lists all four points:

• "Alignment with Viksit Bharat @2047."
• "Emphasis on: Circular economy through increased recycling."
• "Decarbonisation of the industrial sector."
• "Building resilient supply chains and mineral security."

🎯 Question No. 6

Which of the following states hold the largest reserves of Copper in India, as mentioned in the Copper Vision Document?

(a) Madhya Pradesh

(b) Jharkhand

(c) Rajasthan

(d) Karnataka

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

ℹ️ Explanation: The "Copper Reserves in India" section states, "Rajasthan (50%), Madhya Pradesh (24%) and Jharkhand (19%)." Rajasthan holds the largest share.

🎯 Question No. 7

Which of the following statements correctly describes the Gini Index?

(a) A measure of a country's economic growth rate.

(b) A measure of income or consumption inequality in a country, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (perfect inequality).

(c) An indicator of a country's overall human development.

(d) A measure of inflation rate in a country, ranging from 0 to 100.

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

ℹ️ Explanation: The "What is the Gini Index?" section explicitly states, "The Gini Index measures income or consumption inequality in a country. It ranges from 0 to 100: 0 = Perfect equality... 100 = Perfect inequality."

🎯 Question No. 8

According to the World Bank’s Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief, what was the approximate percentage of people living below the global extreme poverty line (< USD 2.15/day) in India in 2022–23?

(a) 16.2%

(b) 8.5%

(c) 4.0%

(d) 2.3%

✅ Correct Answer: (d)

ℹ️ Explanation: The "Decline in Poverty" section states, "Share of people living on < USD 2.15/day (global extreme poverty line): 2022–23: 2.3%."