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One Liners 04-07-2025
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History, Art and Culture
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Simla Agreement
July 3rd marks the anniversary of the Simla Agreement, signed between India and Pakistan in the early hours of July 3, 1972, following the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
- Aim - To Normalize relations and establish durable peace after India's decisive victory, which led to Bangladesh's creation and the capture of 90,000 Pakistani POWs.
- Key Provisions - The agreement emphasized bilateral resolution of disputes, including Kashmir, without third-party involvement.
- Line of Control (LOC) - In Jammu and Kashmir was formally recognized as the de facto boundary, to be respected by both sides.
- Post-War Actions - India returned most POWs and approximately 13,000 sq km of captured territory.
- Significance - Agreement provided a blueprint for future relations, preventing large-scale conflicts, though enduring mistrust and unresolved issues continue to challenge lasting peace.
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Sant Namdev
July 3rd, marks the passing of Sant Namdev (c. 1270 – c. 1350 CE), a prominent Bhakti Movement poet-saint.
- Varkari Tradition - Associated with Maharashtra's Varkari tradition, Namdev was a devout follower of Lord Vitthoba, passing away in Pandharpur.
- Devotional Poetry - His spiritual experiences were expressed through abhangas, simple Marathi hymns that made spiritual teachings accessible to common people.
- Social Reformer - Namdev championed inclusivity and equality, rejecting the caste system and advocating for a direct, personal connection with God through Naam Simran.
- Sikh Connection - His influence extended to North India, with several of his hymns included in the Adi Granth, the sacred scripture of Sikhism.
- Legacy - Sant Namdev's legacy is one of unwavering devotion, social reform, and the power of simple faith, inspiring countless individuals.
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Bal Gangadhar Tilak
July 3rd, marks the 1908 arrest of Bal Gangadhar Tilak by the British on sedition charges. Though branded a "traitor," this event cemented his status as "Lokmanya" and a national hero.
- Advocate for Swaraj (Self rule) - Tilak was a leading figure in the Indian National Congress's extremist faction. He roused public awareness through his newspapers, Kesari and Mahratta.
- Arrested on– July 3, 1908, stemmed from articles in Kesari defending revolutionaries. The British, aiming to curb his influence, convicted him, leading to a six-year imprisonment in Mandalay, Burma.
- British Repression - The colonial government's actions aimed to suppress growing nationalist sentiment and Tilak's immense influence.
- Fueling the Movement - Instead of silencing him, Tilak's imprisonment fueled the nationalist movement, exposing British repression and solidifying his image as a martyr. He even authored "Gita Rahasya" while incarcerated.
- Lasting Legacy -Tilak's arrest remains a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by leaders who bravely challenged colonial rule, paving the way for India's freedom.
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Social Issues
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Google's Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP)
Amid tech giants' workforce restructuring, VEP and new hybrid mandates are sparking debate over "backdoor layoffs."
- Definition - Backdoor layoffs are indirect methods companies use to reduce staff without formal termination notices, often to avoid regulatory scrutiny and public backlash.
- Process - Methods include Voluntary Exit Programmes (VEP) offering severance for resignations (e.g., Google's VEP), enforcing unfavorable work conditions like hybrid mandates, and strategic team dissolution.
- Disguised Downsizing - These methods help companies downsize discreetly, bypassing public backlash and regulations like the U.S. WARN Act.
- Legal & Cost Benefits - They are legally safer, as employees technically resign, and reduce the financial burden of large-scale severance associated with involuntary layoffs.
- Preceded by Policy Changes - Often, backdoor layoffs follow new policy changes, such as return-to-office mandates, designed to prompt voluntary resignations.
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Polity & Governance
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National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) Renamed
On July 2, 2025, the Ministry of Women and Child Development announced the renaming to honor Savitribai Phule's contributions. A new Regional Centre was also launched in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- Aim - The renaming honors Savitribai Phule, India's first female teacher. The Ranchi Centre aims to decentralize training and improve last-mile service delivery for women and child development.
- Background - Established on February 28, 1966, NIPCCD (now the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development) is the apex body for training and research in Women and Child Development, headquartered in New Delhi.
- New Ranchi Centre Details - Inaugurating on July 4, 2025, the Ranchi Centre will serve Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, supporting schemes like Mission Shakti and Poshan 2.0.
- Significance - This move honors a social reform pioneer, promotes gender-sensitive development, and boosts grassroots empowerment, reinforcing the Ministry's inclusive vision.
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Virudhunagar, India's Next Global Textile Powerhouse with PM MITRA
Recently, Central Government has approved a Rs.1,900 crore PM MITRA Textile Park in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, bolstering India's global textile standing.
- Highlights - The PM MITRA Park received final approval and funding, positioning Tamil Nadu as a key player in value-added textile production and supporting India's textile manufacturing leadership.
- Key Features - Located in Virudhunagar, the 1,052-acre park will receive a central investment of Rs. 1,900 crore.
- Infrastructure - It includes ZLD treatment, a 10,000-bed dormitory, and 1.3 million sq. ft. of industrial space.
- It's projected to attract Rs. 10,000 crore private investment and create over one lakh jobs by 2026.
- Objectives - Aimed at integrated textile value chains and sustainable development, the park will boost export-oriented and value-added textile production.
- Background - Part of the Ministry of Textiles' PM MITRA scheme for seven parks, Virudhunagar was chosen for its strong textile ecosystem and infrastructure readiness.
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SPREE 2025
Recently, Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) launched SPREE 2025 on July 1, 2025, a new initiative to expand social security coverage.
- SPREE 2025 - Simplifies registration for unregistered employers and employees, including contractual and temporary workers, through a digital portal.
- Key Features - Employers can digitally register units and employees. Registration is valid from the declared date, with no retrospective contributions or benefits, eliminating fears of past penalties.
- Encouraging Compliance - The scheme promotes voluntary compliance by removing barriers like legal action and demands for backdated dues, encouraging employers to regularize their workforce.
- Impact on Coverage - It aims to bring more establishments and informal sector workers into the ESI fold, ensuring broader access to essential health and social benefits.
- Universal Social Protection - SPREE 2025 reinforces ESIC's commitment to universal social protection, fostering a welfare-centric labor ecosystem in India.
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RailOne App
Recently, Union Railway Minister launched the RailOne App during CRIS's 40th Foundation Day, aiming to digitize and streamline Indian Railways' passenger services.
- RailOne - An all-in-one mobile application developed by CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) to provide integrated rail services, reducing the need for multiple apps.
- Key Features - It combines unreserved ticket booking (UTS with a 3% R-Wallet discount), live train tracking, e-catering, porter services, and last-mile taxi booking.
- It offers unified login and easy grievance redressal.
- Digital Ticketing - Passengers can book unreserved UTS tickets, enjoying a 3% discount when using R-Wallet.
- Unified Login - A single sign-on via mPIN or biometrics supports existing UTS/RailConnect credentials, saving phone space by consolidating multiple railway apps.
- Future Vision – An upgraded, multilingual, and scalable Passenger Reservation System (PRS) is set to launch by December 2025, with advanced capabilities including features for Divyangjan and enhanced booking capacities.
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International Relations and Issues
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Gaden Phodrang Trust
The 14th Dalai Lama recently reaffirmed the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution, stating that the Gaden Phodrang Trust will solely recognize future reincarnations as he nears his 90th birthday.
- Gaden Phodrang Trust - This India-registered trust, established in 2011 and managed by Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, oversees the recognition process from the Dalai Lama’s Dharamshala office, adhering to Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
- Historical Context - "Gaden Phodrang" originally referred to the Dalai Lama’s residence at Drepung Monastery, a tradition continuing until the 14th Dalai Lama's 1959 escape to India.
- Related Institutions - Three key institutions are associated: the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Dalai Lama Trust (for Tibetan welfare), and the Gaden Phodrang Foundation (for human values and environment).
- Gaden Phodrang Foundation Objectives - Based in Zurich, this foundation maintains Dalai Lama traditions, promoting religious understanding, peace, non-violence, environmental protection, and bridging science and religion
- Dalai Lama Trust’s Mission - Focuses on Tibetan welfare, supporting education, cultural preservation, and promoting secular ethics and compassion globally.
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Economy
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Increase in Cost Inflation Index (CII)
The CBDT recently increased the CII to 376 for FY26, up from 363. 3.3% hike, notified on July 1, 2025.
- Aim- To ease the tax burden on long-term capital gains (LTCG) by adjusting asset purchase prices for inflation.
- Highlights - CII update is crucial amid Finance Act 2024 changes, which limit indexation benefits.
- Objective - It aligns capital gains taxation with inflation-adjusted asset values, ensuring tax equity for long-term asset holders, especially for legacy investments.
- Key Highlights - The CII for FY26 is 376, applicable from Assessment Year 2026–27.
- Benefits - Resident Individuals, HUFs, and those selling assets purchased before July 23, 2024, benefit. They can choose 20% tax with indexation or 12.5% flat tax without indexation.
- Indexation Scope - While the Finance Act 2024 restricts indexation for most assets acquired after July 23, 2024, a grandfathering provision retains benefits for legacy assets.
- Cost Inflation Index (CII) - It is a crucial tool in India's income tax system, primarily used to adjust the purchase price of assets for inflation when calculating long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax.
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