On May 31, 2025, India and the world witnessed significant developments across various sectors. Recent developments highlight key issues in public health, international trade, and the judiciary. On World No Tobacco Day, concerns were raised about how affordable tobacco is worsening India’s cancer crisis. In the U.S., a court ruling questioned the former president’s powers to impose sweeping tariffs. Meanwhile, India appointed three new Supreme Court judges, bringing the court to full strength and sparking conversations around the appointment and removal process.
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.
Daily UPSC Current Affairs 31-05-2025
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:
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Tobacco Epidemic
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: Science & Technology
IN NEWS
- World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on May 31 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco.
- A recent article highlights how tobacco affordability is fuelling a cancer epidemic in India, undermining public health policies and the WHO’s MPOWER framework.
- India has low tobacco prices, making it easily accessible and hindering anti-tobacco efforts despite increasing cancer incidence.
What is the Tobacco Epidemic?The tobacco epidemic refers to the widespread use of tobacco leading to a global health crisis, including millions of preventable deaths, economic burden, and increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It encompasses both smoked (cigarettes, bidis) and smokeless forms (gutkha, khaini, paan) of tobacco. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death globally and is responsible for increased incidence of cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. |
Data on Tobacco Consumption
Global Level
- Over 1.25 billion people worldwide use tobacco products.
- About 8 million deaths annually are attributed to tobacco, including 1.3 million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.
- 80% of the world’s tobacco users reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
India
- As per GATS-2 (Global Adult Tobacco Survey):
- 42.4% men and 14.2% women in India consume tobacco.
- India is home to 70% of global smokeless tobacco (SLT) users.
- Bidis are preferred over cigarettes, especially in rural and low-income areas.
- However, cigarette use is increasing in both rural and urban youth due to perceptions of modernity.
Know more about the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897!
Data on Tobacco-related Deaths and Economic Cost
- India ranks 1st globally in male cancer incidence and mortality linked to tobacco.
- Lip and oral cancers are most common in India, while lung cancer leads globally.
- Economic cost in India (2017–18): ₹1.77 lakh crore, or 1.04% of GDP.
- Smoking: 74% of the economic burden.
- SLT use: 26%.
- Rising incomes and stagnant taxation are making tobacco more affordable, especially for the 450 million strong middle class.
WHO’s MPOWER FrameworkThe MPOWER package is a set of six key tobacco control strategies promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assist countries in implementing effective tobacco control policies under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC):
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Know more about the Difference between Epidemic, Endemic and Pandemic!
USCIT Struck Down the "Liberation Day" Tariffs
Source: The Indian Express
Syllabus: International Relations
IN NEWS
- The US Court of International Trade (USCIT) struck down the "Liberation Day" tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canada, Mexico, and China, stating that the move exceeded his legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 1977.
- The ruling is significant as it challenges the scope of executive power in imposing tariffs under the guise of national emergency.
- The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has temporarily stayed the USCIT order, allowing tariffs to continue during the appeals process.
What is the Issue?
On April 2, 2025, President Trump imposed:
- A 10% baseline tariff on all imports globally.
- Retaliatory tariffs on specific countries, especially Canada, Mexico, and China.
These were imposed under the IEEPA, citing threats from international drug cartels, trade imbalances, and non-reciprocal trade practices. Twelve US states and five small businesses filed lawsuits claiming:
- The tariffs placed an unfair economic burden on states.
- They did not specifically target drug cartels as claimed.
- The IEEPA does not grant unlimited trade authority to the President.
Judgement Delivered by US Court of International Trade
The USCIT ruled that:
- The IEEPA does not allow unbounded, global tariffs unrelated to a specific, declared national emergency.
- The tariffs imposed did not directly address the threats outlined in the emergency orders.
- The President overstepped his authority under both the IEEPA and the Trade Act of 1974.
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Key legal references
Key Points from the Judgement
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Implications of the Judgement
- Constitutional Check on Executive Power: Reinforces the judiciary's role in curbing executive overreach in economic policy. Clarifies limits of IEEPA as a trade instrument.
- Temporary Continuation of Tariffs: The Appeals Court has allowed tariffs to remain in effect temporarily, pending final judgment.
- Market and Trade Impacts: Mixed responses; markets showed muted reaction. Potential easing of trade tensions if tariffs are permanently struck down. May benefit trade partners like India by reducing global trade uncertainties.
- Supreme Court Path: The case could be appealed to the Supreme Court, which may provide the final say on the scope of the President’s tariff powers under emergency laws.
New Supreme Court Judges Appointed
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: Polity
IN NEWS
- The Union Government appointed three new judges to the Supreme Court of India, bringing the court to its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges.
About the Supreme Court of IndiaEstablished under Article 124 of the Indian Constitution. It is the highest judicial authority in India and the guardian of the Constitution. Strength
Jurisdiction and Powers
Know more about the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India! |
Procedure for the Appointment of Supreme Court Judges
Article 124(2): Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President after consultation with the CJI and other judges as deemed necessary.
Eligibility Criteria: Must be a citizen of India and have:
- At least five years as a judge of a High Court, or
- At least ten years as an advocate in a High Court, or
- Be a distinguished jurist.
- Evolved through judicial precedents, not mentioned in the Constitution.
- Comprises:
- CJI + 4 senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.
- Recommends names to the Centre; appointments are made by the President.
- If the Collegium reiterates a recommendation, the Centre is bound to accept it.
Removal of Supreme Court Judges
- Article 124(4) and (5): Judges can be removed only by an order of the President on grounds of:
- Proven misbehaviour or
- Incapacity
Process (as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968):
- A motion must be signed by:
- At least 100 Lok Sabha members or
- 50 Rajya Sabha members
- The motion is referred to a three-member committee for investigation
- If the judge is found guilty, the motion must be passed by:
- A majority of the total membership of the House, and
- Two-thirds of members present and voting in both Houses
- Upon passage, the President issues the removal order
Monthly Current Affairs Compilation
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