UPSC ENGLISH QUIZ 26.08.2025

Explanation

• Government of India has recently taken an important economic decision by granting a temporary exemption from all customs duties on the import of raw cotton. This decision will remain effective from 19 August 2025 to 30 September 2025.

Main point

• All customs duties include the removal of both the 5% Basic Customs Duty (BCD), the 5% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC), and a 10% Social Welfare Surcharge on both, cumulatively in an 11% import duty on cotton.
• The decision is notified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
• India imported 39 lakh bales of cotton in the 2024-2025 cotton season (October to September).
• Nearly two lakh bales of cotton are expected to be in transit now and these will benefit from the removal of the import duty.

Explanation

• Government of India has taken another big step in the space sector by announcing that the country's second spaceport will be established at Kulasekarapattinam in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu.
• Minister informed the Lower House that the site development and land acquisition, except land for re-routing the east coast road, were complete.
• The construction work for the technical facilities was progressing at the site.A total of Rs 985.96 crore has been allocated in funds to the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport. Till July 31, Rs 389.58 crore has been utilised for the project.

India’s Second Spaceport

• In February 2024, the Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone of the spaceport, which enjoys a geographical advantage along the coastal Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district.
• This new spaceport will be instrumental for carrying out the launches of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV) developed by ISRO.
• The SSLV missions are designed for launching small satellites (10–500 kg) into Low Earth Orbit at low cost with limited fuel use.
• The upcoming Kulasekarapattinam spaceport will support this by providing a direct south-bound, shorter launch trajectory.

Explanation

• India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) to launch negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• The ToR was signed by the Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India, and Deputy Director, Trade Policy Department, Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC).
• Both sides noted the growing trade turnover between India and the EAEU, which stood at USD 69 billion in 2024, registering a 7 percent increase over 2023.
• The ToR provides the framework for negotiations and is expected to unlock untapped trade potential, increase investments and establish a stronger, durable India–EAEU economic partnership.
• Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the early conclusion of the agreement and to building a long-term institutional framework for trade cooperation.

Explanation

• Five maritime bills passed by the Parliament to strengthen the blue economy.
• Parliament has passed five major maritime bills during the recently concluded Monsoon Session.
• On August 22, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that colonial-era maritime laws have been reformed, and this will boost the blue economy.
• The Bills of Lading 2025, Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025, Coastal Shipping Bill 2025, Merchant Shipping Bill 2025, and Indian Ports Bill 2025 were cleared.
• The Bills of Lading 2025 will simplify legal documents to cut disputes and promote ease of business.
• The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025 replaced the 1925 Act by adopting the Hague-Visby Rules for reduced litigation and stronger international ties.
• The Coastal Shipping Bill 2025 aims to revive the 6% modal share and reduce logistics costs.
• Savings of about Rs 10,000 crore annually and lower pollution and congestion are targeted.
• The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, amended the outdated 1958 Act, making it possible to speed up the removal of wrecks and salvage operations.
• The Indian Ports Bill, 2025, replaced the old 1908 law and created a Maritime State Development Council for better national planning.
• It also gave more power to state maritime boards to manage smaller ports and established a mechanism for resolving disputes at the state level.

Explanation

• 28th National Conference on e-Governance will be held in Visakhapatnam.
• The 28th National Conference on e-Governance will be hosted in Visakhapatnam on 22–23 September 2025.
• The event is being jointly organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
• IIM Visakhapatnam has been chosen as the knowledge partner for the conference.
• The theme for 2025 is “Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation.”
• Six plenary and six breakout sessions will be conducted during the event.
• Senior officials, thought leaders, academia, industry experts, and awardees will take part.
• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the conference.
• The National Awards for e-Governance 2025 will be presented by Dr. Jitendra Singh on 22 September.