On July 19th, 2025, India & the world witnessed important developments across various sectors. India is constantly moving forward, with new developments shaping its future. From positive shifts in the economy with inflation reaching a new low, to important changes in environmental rules for power plants, and a significant role in major international military exercises, the nation is making headlines across various sectors.

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.

Swachh Survekshan 2024–25

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance)

What is Swachh Survekshan?

• An annual cleanliness survey conducted under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U).
• Initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2016.
• The 2024–25 edition covered 4,589 cities, making it the world’s largest urban sanitation survey.

Objectives

• Promote competitive federalism by ranking cities on sanitation.
• Drive citizen participation in cleanliness and sanitation.
• Encourage cities to adopt innovative waste management practices.
• Institutionalize and sustain behavior change at the city level.

Key Components of Swachh Survekshan

• Service Level Progress:
  • Waste collection, segregation, processing, and scientific disposal.
  • Open Defecation Free (ODF), ODF+, and ODF++ certifications.
  • Legacy waste clearance and landfill remediation.
• Citizen Feedback:
  • Collection through apps, helplines, surveys, and public interaction.
  • Emphasis on citizen experience with sanitation services.
• Certification:
  • ODF++, Water+, and Garbage Free City (GFC) ratings on a star-based framework.
• Independent Verification:
  • On-ground field validation by third-party agencies.
  • Real-time updates through digital monitoring tools.
• Swachhata App & Digital Governance:
  • Grievance redressal mechanism.
  • Data dashboards for transparency and monitoring.

New 2024-25 Framework

• Introduced 10 new sanitation and waste management parameters.
• Cities are grouped into five population categories to ensure equitable comparison.

Special Awards and Recognitions (Swachh Survekshan 2024-25)

• Best Ganga Town: Prayagraj
• Best Performing State: Maharashtra
• SafaiMitra Surakshit Shehar (for sanitation worker safety):
  • Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC)
  • Jabalpur
  • Gorakhpur
• Best Cantonment Board: Secunderabad
• Exemplary Waste Management (Mahakumbh 2025): Prayagraj Municipal Corporation

Akash Prime Successfully Tested

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

IN NEWS: The Indian Army successfully tested the Akash Prime air defence system in eastern Ladakh. The two-day trial was held at an altitude of over 15,000 feet, marking a significant milestone for high-altitude air defence capabilities. The trials involved collaboration between the Army Air Defence Corps and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

What is Akash Prime?

• Akash Prime is an indigenously developed upgraded version of the Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
• It is designed to intercept and destroy aerial targets, including fighter jets, cruise missiles, and drones.
• The system is part of India’s integrated air defence network, aimed at protecting strategic locations and critical infrastructure.
• Developed by the DRDO.

Key Details related to Akash Prime

• Range: Approximately 30 km with a flight ceiling of 18 km.
• Upgrades and Features:
  • Improved accuracy and reliability in high-altitude and low-temperature environments.
  • Enhanced seeker technology for better target acquisition and tracking.
  • Capable of engaging fast-moving aerial targets with precision.
  • Designed to operate in hostile weather and terrain, especially in mountainous regions like Ladakh.
• Development and Deployment:
  • Already inducted into both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force in various configurations.
• Strategic Significance:
  • Strengthens India’s indigenous defense ecosystem.
  • Enhances deterrence posture in high-altitude border regions.
  • Reduces dependence on imported missile systems.

Yemen

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS: Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse, is on death row in Yemen. Her execution scheduled for July 16 has been postponed. The Indian government is in active contact with local Houthi authorities in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, and friendly regional governments, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, to influence the outcome and secure her release.

Details Related to Yemen

• Location: Southwest Asia, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.
• Capital: Sana’a (currently under Houthi rebel control).
• Other major cities: Aden, Taiz, Hodeidah, Mukalla.
• Land borders with:
  • Saudi Arabia (to the north)
  • Oman (to the east)
• Maritime boundaries:
  • Red Sea (to the west)
  • Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea (to the south)
• Strategic Significance:
  • Controls the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
  • Critical for global oil shipments and international maritime trade.
• Topography and Climate:
  • Diverse terrain: coastal plains, mountainous highlands, and vast deserts.
  • Arid to semi-arid climate; hot and dry with minimal rainfall.
• Political Landscape:
  • In a state of conflict since 2015 between Houthi rebels (backed by Iran) and the Yemeni government (backed by Saudi-led coalition).
  • Presence of multiple factions and foreign influence complicates diplomatic outreach.
• India–Yemen Relations:
  • India does not maintain a full-fledged embassy in Yemen due to ongoing conflict.
  • Past evacuation: Operation Rahat (2015) evacuated over 4,700 Indians and 1,900 foreigners from Yemen.

Senegal

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS: France formally handed over its last two military bases in Senegal: Camp Geille (largest French base in Senegal) and the airfield at Dakar Airport. This marks the end of France’s 65-year military presence in Senegal and completes its withdrawal from West and Central Africa. Senegal gained independence from France in 1960.

Details Related to Senegal

• Location and Borders:
  • Situated in West Africa, along the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Capital: Dakar – located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula, it is the westernmost city on the African mainland.
  • Borders:
    • Mauritania
    • Mali
    • Guinea
    • Guinea-Bissau
    • The Gambia (enclaved within Senegal, along the Gambia River)
• Geographical Features:
  • Rivers: The Senegal River forms the northern border; Gambia River flows through the country.
  • Climate: Tropical, with a Sahelian zone in the north and humid forest zones in the south.
  • Terrain: Low, rolling plains rising to foothills in the southeast.

Eswatini

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS: The United States deported five foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes (including child rape and murder) to Eswatini, under a third-country deportation agreement, as their own countries refused to accept them.

Details Related to Eswatini

• Basic Overview:
  • Former Name: Swaziland (until 2018).
  • New Name: Eswatini — reflects the country’s pre-colonial heritage and distinguishes it from Switzerland.
  • Government: Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
• Location:
  • Continent: Southern Africa.
  • Landlocked country.
  • Borders:
    • South Africa: West, South, North
    • Mozambique: East
• Topography:
  • Four Geographical Regions:
    • Highveld: mountainous, western part (∼1,200 m)
    • Middleveld: hilly central region (∼700 m)
    • Lowveld: eastern, flat and hotter (∼250 m)
    • Lubombo Plateau: eastern edge
  • Rivers:
    • Major rivers include:
      • Great Usutu (Lusutfu) – longest river
      • Mbuluzi
• Natural Resources:
  • Minerals: Coal, asbestos, diamonds (limited exploitation).
  • Forests: Pine and eucalyptus plantations.
  • Agriculture: Sugarcane, maize, citrus, cotton.
• Economy:
  • Major Sectors: Agriculture, mining, forestry, manufacturing (mainly sugar).
  • Currency: Lilangeni (pegged to South African Rand).
  • Economic Dependency: High reliance on South Africa for trade and imports.
  • Poverty: Over 50% live on less than $4/day (World Bank).
  • Unemployment: High, especially among youth.