On July 22nd, 2025, India & the world witnessed important developments across various sectors. Recent developments highlight the nation's commitment to indigenous innovation in vaccine development, strengthening its maritime presence, and engaging with critical international legal frameworks concerning human rights. Simultaneously, ongoing geopolitical conflicts demand attention to their humanitarian and legal dimensions. 

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:

AdFalciVax: India's Indigenous Malaria Vaccine

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

IN NEWS

• AdFalciVax, India’s first indigenously designed and built recombinant DNA-based malaria vaccine, has been developed.

• It aims to provide protection against Plasmodium falciparum and also block the transmission of the parasite via mosquitoes.

What is AdFalciVax?

AdFalciVax is a cutting-edge malaria vaccine that targets the parasite at two critical stages of its life cycle:

• Recombinant DNA-based Vaccine: It is developed using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting specific genes from the malaria parasite into host cells to produce antigens.
• Dual-Antigen Approach: The vaccine contains two key target antigens:
  • Full-length CSP (Circumsporozoite Protein): This is a surface protein of the malaria parasite, crucial for its entry into human liver cells.
  • A chimeric protein: This unique protein targets the parasite’s midgut development phase within mosquitoes, aiming to halt its lifecycle and reduce further transmission.

Details Related to AdFalciVax

• Developed by: ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar, with crucial support from ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) and the National Institute of Immunology (NII).
• Unique Design: Unlike other existing malaria vaccines (e.g., RTS,S) which use partial CSP sequences, AdFalciVax utilizes the complete CSP gene. This is expected to trigger a stronger and broader immune response in vaccinated individuals.
• Transmission-Blocking Potential: The second antigen is specifically designed to interrupt the parasite’s development inside the mosquito. By doing so, it aims to reduce the mosquito's ability to transmit malaria to other humans, a significant step towards disease control.
• Dual Efficacy: This dual approach provides AdFalciVax with both protective capabilities (preventing infection in humans) and transmission-blocking potential (reducing spread).

What is a Recombinant Vaccine?

A recombinant vaccine is a type of vaccine produced using genetic engineering techniques.

• Mechanism: It is created by inserting genes that code for specific antigens (proteins from a pathogen, like a virus or parasite) into host cells (such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells). These host cells then act as factories, producing large quantities of the antigenic protein. This protein is then harvested, purified, and used as the vaccine.
• Safety Profile: A key advantage of recombinant vaccines is that they do not contain the live pathogen. This makes them inherently safer and suitable for individuals with weakened immune systems.
• Examples: Prominent examples include the Hepatitis B vaccine, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and the first WHO-approved malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01.

INS Sandhayak

Source: PIB

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Security)

IN NEWS

• INS Sandhayak, India’s first indigenously designed and built Survey Vessel Large (SVL), recently made its maiden port call at Port Klang, Malaysia.

• The visit aims to strengthen hydrographic cooperation and regional maritime partnerships.

• It reinforces India’s commitment to regional capacity building under the framework of the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) and the National Hydrographic Office (NHO).

Importance of Hydrographic Survey Vessels

Hydrographic survey vessels like INS Sandhayak play a critical role in maritime security, trade, and diplomacy.

• Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA): They significantly enhance India's capability to map the seafloor, detect changes in marine topography, and safeguard underwater assets, providing crucial intelligence for naval operations.
• Navigation & Trade: By charting accurate and up-to-date nautical maps, these vessels ensure safer shipping lanes in the Indo-Pacific, which is a critical artery for global trade and energy flow.
• Disaster Preparedness: Through detailed underwater terrain mapping, they help in predicting and responding to natural disasters like tsunamis and cyclones, aiding in early warning systems and relief efforts.
• Strategic Maritime Presence/Hydrographic Diplomacy:
  • They enable knowledge sharing and technical exchanges in marine cartography and survey tools with friendly nations.
  • Act as a soft power tool, fostering goodwill and ensuring secure sea lines of communication (SLOCs) in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region.

Genocide Convention and the Gaza Conflict

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS

• The Gaza conflict and the mass casualties caused by Israeli airstrikes have raised fresh international concerns regarding potential violations of international humanitarian law.

• There are increasing calls for investigation under the Genocide Convention.

• Multiple rights groups and some state actors have accused Israel of actions that may amount to genocide against Palestinians, prompting legal action at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Details related to the Genocide Convention

• Article II: This article precisely defines genocide by listing specific acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group:
  • Killing members of the group;
  • Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
  • Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
  • Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
  • Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
• Article III: Defines punishable acts related to genocide, which include:
  • Genocide itself
  • Conspiracy to commit genocide
  • Direct and public incitement to commit genocide
  • Attempt to commit genocide
  • Complicity in genocide
• Article IV: States that persons committing genocide shall be punished, regardless of whether they are rulers, public officials, or private individuals.
• Article VI: Specifies that persons charged with genocide shall be tried by:
  • A competent tribunal of the state in whose territory the act was committed, or
  • An international penal tribunal (such as the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court).

Historical Background

• The term "genocide" was coined by Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1944, specifically in response to the atrocities of the Holocaust during World War II.
• The Convention itself was a direct response to the horrific Nazi atrocities committed during WWII, aiming to prevent such crimes from ever happening again.
• It was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1948.
• The Convention has significantly inspired the creation of various international courts and tribunals, including:
  • ICTY (International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia)
  • ICTR (International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda)
  • International Criminal Court (ICC)

What is Genocidal Intent?

Genocidal intent refers to the specific intent (dolus specialis) to destroy, in whole or in part, a protected group (national, ethnical, racial, or religious).

• Crucial Element: Unlike other international crimes like war crimes or crimes against humanity, proof of this specific intent is absolutely crucial for a charge of genocide to be established.
• Inference: Intent is often inferred from a pattern of acts, speeches, planning documents, or other circumstantial evidence, as direct proof is rarely available.

Cases on Genocide in Court

The Genocide Convention has been invoked in several high-profile international legal cases:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro (ICJ, 2007): This was the first time the ICJ ruled on a case of genocide. Serbia was found not directly responsible for committing genocide but was held accountable for failing to prevent genocide at Srebrenica.
• Rwanda (ICTR Trials, 1994–2015): The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda successfully convicted senior officials and militia leaders for their roles in the Rwandan Genocide, significantly contributing to the legal development of concepts like incitement to genocide.
• Myanmar (The Gambia v. Myanmar, ICJ, ongoing): The Gambia filed a case in 2019 accusing Myanmar of genocidal actions against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The case is ongoing at the ICJ.
• South Africa v. Israel (ICJ, 2024–ongoing): South Africa has accused Israel of genocidal actions in the Gaza Strip. The ICJ has ordered provisional measures, instructing Israel to take steps to prevent genocidal acts.

Where to file cases of Genocide?

Cases related to genocide can be filed in various international and national forums:

• International Court of Justice (ICJ): States can file cases against other states under the Genocide Convention (e.g., South Africa v. Israel).
• International Criminal Court (ICC): The ICC prosecutes individuals for the crime of genocide under the Rome Statute.
• National Courts: Some domestic laws allow for universal jurisdiction over genocide, meaning individuals can be prosecuted for genocide in national courts regardless of where the crime was committed (e.g., in Germany, Spain).
• Ad hoc tribunals: Special tribunals, like the ICTY and ICTR, were established for specific conflicts where genocide occurred.

Are Verdicts Binding?

• ICJ Decisions: Decisions by the ICJ are legally binding between the parties to the case under Article 94 of the UN Charter. However, the enforcement mechanisms are often weak and depend heavily on intervention by the UN Security Council.
• ICC Verdicts: Verdicts issued by the ICC are binding for individuals convicted of genocide. Member states of the Rome Statute are legally obliged to arrest and surrender indicted persons to the Court.

Israel and the Gaza Conflict

Source:

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS

• At least 85 Palestinians were killed while trying to access humanitarian aid in Gaza, marking one of the deadliest days for civilians in the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict. This incident has further intensified calls for humanitarian pauses and investigations into the conduct of hostilities.

Details Related to Israel

Understanding the geographical and political context of Israel is crucial for comprehending the ongoing conflict.

• Geographical Location:
  • Region: Located in the Middle East, at the western edge of Asia.
  • Borders: Shares land borders with:
    • Lebanon to the north
    • Syria to the northeast
    • Jordan and the West Bank to the east
    • Egypt and the Gaza Strip to the southwest
  • Coastline: Has a 273 km coastline along the Mediterranean Sea to the west.
• Capital: Jerusalem (internationally disputed; Tel Aviv is recognized as the capital by many countries).
• Physical Features:
  • Negev Desert: Covers the entire southern half of Israel, an arid region that is sparsely populated.
  • Galilee: A fertile and hilly northern region characterized by Mediterranean vegetation.
  • Judean Hills: Central highlands where the city of Jerusalem is located.
  • Jordan Rift Valley: Part of the larger Great Rift Valley, it includes the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on Earth at 430 meters below sea level.
• River Systems:
  • Jordan River: The most significant river, forming part of its eastern border.
  • Yarkon and Kishon: Smaller rivers that flow into the Mediterranean Sea.
• Demographics: (As of 2025 estimate)
  • Population: Approximately 9.8 million.
  • Ethnic Groups:
    • Jewish: Constitute about 75% of the population.
    • Arab: Make up approximately 20% of the population, including Muslims, Christians, and Druze.
    • Other minority groups account for the remaining percentage.
• Strategic Importance:
  • Geopolitical Hub: Located at the critical junction of Europe, Asia, and Africa, it controls access between the Suez Canal and the Levant region.
  • Economic Significance: Its proximity to oil-rich Gulf states and historical trade routes adds to its strategic value.
• Territorial and Political Issues:
  • Gaza Strip: A densely populated Palestinian territory, largely controlled by Hamas. It is subject to Israeli military operations and blockades, leading to severe humanitarian challenges.
  • West Bank: Disputed territory with numerous Jewish settlements. It is administered partly by the Palestinian Authority and partly under Israeli military control.
  • Jerusalem: Claimed by both Israel and Palestine as their capital, it is a site of significant religious and political tensions due to its holy sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
  • Golan Heights: A strategically important plateau captured from Syria in 1967 and annexed by Israel in 1981. This annexation is not recognized internationally.