Weekly current affairs roundup for civil services preparation
Source:Indian Express ↗
Why It Matters
Weekly current affairs compilations are indispensable for UPSC aspirants to stay updated on multidimensional issues ranging from economic policies to constitutional interpretations, directly aiding in Prelims factual recall and Mains answer substantiation.
Summary
This edition of UPSC Essentials provides a consolidated roundup of key current affairs pointers for the week of April 14 to April 20, 2025. It synthesizes the most important news events across various domains including the economy, environment, polity, and international relations. The compilation is designed to help aspirants quickly review critical developments such as monetary policy actions by the RBI, judicial decisions by the Supreme Court, and global environmental initiatives, directly mapping them to the General Studies syllabi.
Key Points
- A weekly compilation of essential current affairs from April 14 to April 20, 2025, specifically curated for UPSC Civil Services examination preparation.
- Highlights major economic developments, including updates on RBI's monetary policy interventions and inflation dynamics.
- Tracks significant polity updates such as recent Supreme Court observations concerning constitutional morality and governance.
- Covers global and domestic environmental initiatives related to climate action pledges and biodiversity conservation.
Important Terms
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
A six-member statutory committee of the RBI responsible for determining the policy interest rate (repo rate) to maintain price stability while supporting economic growth.
UPSC context
GS-III Economy; tests understanding of monetary policy frameworks, inflation targeting, and RBI's institutional structure.
Repo Rate
The interest rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks; in April 2025, it was reduced to 6% to stimulate the economy.
UPSC context
GS-III Economy; central to topics on banking, inflation control, and liquidity management.
Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025
Controversial legislation challenged in the Supreme Court (April 2025) for allegedly infringing upon religious autonomy (Articles 25, 26) and property rights (Article 300A).
UPSC context
GS-II Polity; tests knowledge of fundamental rights, secularism, and judicial review of parliamentary legislation.
Article 200
The constitutional provision governing the Governor's powers to grant, withhold, or reserve assent for bills passed by the State Legislature.
UPSC context
GS-II Polity; critical for federalism, executive-legislative relations, and recent judicial interpretations of discretionary powers.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)
Statutory bodies tasked with implementing environmental laws; in April 2025, the Supreme Court mandated filling vacancies to restore their functional efficacy against air pollution.
UPSC context
GS-III Environment & GS-II Statutory Bodies; relevant for environmental governance and institutional accountability.
Heatwave
A weather phenomenon marked by abnormally high temperatures; severe warnings were issued by IMD for Northwest/Central India in mid-April 2025.
UPSC context
GS-I Geography & GS-III Disaster Management; concerns climate change, public health, and urban resilience.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Self-defined climate action plans required under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming; 2025 marks a critical year for submitting updated targets.
UPSC context
GS-III Environment; essential for international climate negotiations, environmental ethics, and India's 'Net Zero' commitments.
Prelims Trap
"The Monetary Policy Committee effectively controls persistent food inflation using the policy repo rate."
The RBI's monetary policy tools manage aggregate demand but are structurally ineffective against food inflation, which is primarily driven by supply-side shocks like erratic monsoons.
Static Concepts Connected
What is the structure and mandate of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)?
- Statutory basis: Established under Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act, 1934. It is a statutory body, not constitutional.
- Composition: 6 members (3 from RBI, 3 appointed by the Central Govt). Chaired by the RBI Governor, who holds a casting vote.
- Core Mandate: Determines the policy repo rate required to maintain consumer price inflation within the statutory target of 4% (+/- 2%).
What is the doctrine of Constitutional Morality?
- Judicial Innovation: It is not explicitly defined in the Constitution. It is a doctrine evolved by the Supreme Court to uphold the Constitution's core spirit.
- Anti-majoritarian check: Prioritizes constitutional values (justice, liberty, equality) over popular or societal morality, acting as a check on majoritarianism.
- Landmark Applications: Applied in landmark judgments like Navtej Singh Johar (decriminalizing homosexuality) and the Sabarimala temple entry case to protect fundamental rights.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Monetary limits + Agri supply chains
Persistent food inflation exposes the limits of demand-side monetary tools, directly linking RBI's policy constraints (GS3 Economy) with agricultural infrastructure and monsoon reliance (GS3 Agriculture).
Constitutional Morality + Social Justice
The application of 'Constitutional Morality' to strike down traditional laws bridges static polity (Fundamental Rights) with social justice topics (vulnerable sections, GS1 Society).
Expect a 2026 Prelims statement contrasting 'Constitutional Morality' (a judicial innovation) with explicit constitutional terms like 'public order'.
Linked PYQs · 4
Linked PYQs · 4
- 2022PrelimsGS1
"Climate Action Tracker" which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a :
- 2025PrelimsGS1
Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
- 2025MainsGS2
"Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike...." In view of the above observation of the Supreme Court, explain the concept of constitutional morality and its application to ensure balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in India.
- 2024MainsGS3
What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation.
