On May 6, 2025, India and the world witnessed significant developments across various sectors. Scientists at ICAR made a special type of rice using new gene-editing technology, which could help make crops stronger and healthier. The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is still being talked about because of its high cost and possible harm to the environment. A new digital tool called ECINET was also launched to help improve how information is shared in the Election Commission. These headlines show India’s work in farming, big projects, and digital growth.

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:

ICAR Developed Genome-Edited Rice

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

In News:

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed and released two genome-edited (GE) rice varieties, marking a first in India and globally for rice.

• This achievement is seen as a milestone towards a second Green Revolution, focused on sustainable, climate-resilient, and high-yield agriculture.

• The 2023–24 Union Budget allocated ₹500 crore for genome editing in agriculture.

Read the article on Genetically Modified Crops!

Details related to the new Development

• IET-32072 ‘Kamala’:
  • Based on Samba Mahsuri (BPT-5204).
  • Developed by the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) using CRISPR-Cas12 SDN-1 technology.
  • Edited Gn1a (cytokinin oxidase 2) gene to increase grains per panicle.
  • Yield: Avg. 5.37 tonnes/ha, potential up to 9 tonnes/ha.
  • Early maturity: 130 days vs 145–150 days for original.
  • Maintains same cooking quality as original.
• IET-32043 ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’:
  • Based on Cottondora Sannalu (MTU-1010).
  • Developed by IARI, New Delhi using CRISPR-Cas9.
  • Edited DST gene for drought and salinity tolerance.
• Yield improvements:
  • Inland salinity: 3.508 t/ha vs 3.199 t/ha (parent).
  • Coastal salinity: 2.493 t/ha vs 1.912 t/ha.
  • Alkaline conditions: 3.731 t/ha vs 3.254 t/ha.
• Technology Used:
  • CRISPR-Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats – Cas proteins) used as molecular scissors to make precise edits.
  • SDN-1 category: Site-Directed Nucleases that create mutations without adding foreign DNA.

Read the article on Genetic Engineering!

What is Genome-Edited Rice? Genome-edited rice is a rice variety whose native DNA has been precisely altered to express desirable traits such as: Higher yield Drought and salinity tolerance Better nitrogen-use efficiency No foreign DNA is introduced; changes occur within the existing genome.

Genome Editing vs Genetic Modification

Know more about Gene Editing!

Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography)

In News:

• The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has found irreparable damage in the structure of three barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.

• The Telangana government made the NDSA’s findings public in April 2025, citing design deficiencies, construction defects, and a lack of proper maintenance.

• The Medigadda Barrage, a key component of KLIP, suffered structural failure in October 2023, prompting comprehensive inspections.

What is the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP)?

• KLIP is the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, located on the
• Godavari River in Telangana.
• It aims to provide water for irrigation, industrial, and domestic use across northern Telangana.
• Launched: 2019
• Coverage: Sprawls over 500 km, serving 13 districts.
• Canal Network: Around 1,800 km in length.

Key Objectives of the Project

• Irrigation Supply: Provide irrigation to 45 lakh acres (approx.) of agricultural land.
• Drinking Water: Supply drinking water to Hyderabad and nearby villages.
• Industrial Use: Ensure water availability for industrial development.
• Flood Mitigation: Control and regulate water flow to minimize flood risks.
• Optimal Water Use: Tap Godavari river water efficiently by lifting and storing water in stages.

Know more about the Multipurpose River Valley Projects in India!

Problems Faced by the Project

• Structural Issues: 
  • Medigadda Barrage Failure (Oct 2023): A pillar sank, causing flooding and leading to investigations.
  • NDSA Findings (2025):
    • Severe structural distress in Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages.
    • Cracking and tilting of piers.
    • Seepage/piping problems observed.
• Design and Execution Flaws:
  • Lack of proper geotechnical investigations and modelling studies.
  • Deficient hydraulic and structural design.
  • Inadequate quality control during construction.
• Operational Failures:
  • Storing over 10 TMC of water in barrages originally designed for 2 TMC, leading to foundational stress.

ECINET

Source: The Hindu 

Syllabus: GS Paper II (Polity)

In News:

• Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the development of a new digital platform called ECINET.

• It aims to integrate over 40 existing mobile and web applications into a single unified platform for voters, officials, political parties, and civil society.

What is ECINET?

• ECINET (Election Commission Integrated Network) is a comprehensive digital interface being developed by the Election Commission of India.
• It will serve as a one-stop digital solution for all stakeholders in the electoral process — voters, electoral officials, political parties, civil society, and media.
• The platform was conceptualized by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during the March 2025 Conference of Chief Electoral Officers.

Read the article on the Laws Governing Elections in India!

Key Features of ECINET

• Unified Platform:
  • Subsumes over 40 existing apps and web portals, including:
    • Voter Helpline App
    • Voter Turnout App
    • cVIGIL
    • Suvidha 2.0
    • Saksham App
    • KYC App
    • ERONET, ENCORE, BLO App, and more
• Data Accuracy and Integrity:
  • Only authorized EC officials can enter data
  • In case of data conflict, statutory forms take precedence
• Cybersecurity and Compliance:
  • Built with robust cybersecurity protocols
  • Fully compliant with:
    • Representation of People Acts (1950 & 1951)
    • Registration of Electors Rules, 1960
    • Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
    • ECI’s internal instructions and handbooks

Know more about the Election Rules!

Daily UPSC Current Affairs News Analysis for 06th May- Watch Now!