Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 23-05-2025

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Heart Lamp wins Intl Booker

  • “Heart Lamp,” a collection of short stories by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, won the 2025 International Booker Prize.
  • This is historic as it’s the first time a work originally in Kannada has won the prestigious award.
  • It is also the first collection of short stories to win the International Booker Prize.
  • The book features stories portraying the struggles of women, particularly Muslim girls and women, under patriarchy, gender discrimination, and oppression, drawing on Mushtaq’s experience as a lawyer and activist.
  • The themes echo the Bandaya Sahitya movement and universalize the experiences of women facing inequality and limited choices.
  • The prize, worth GBP 50,000, is shared equally between the author and the translator, recognizing the crucial role of translation.
  • This win marks a significant moment for Indian regional literature and highlights the importance of translating diverse voices and stories.
  • Banu Mushtaq is the second Indian writer to win the prize, following Geetanjali Shree in 2022.

Chagos

  • The UK has decided to hand over the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, including the strategically important island of Diego Garcia, to Mauritius under a historic deal.
  • India welcomed this decision, stating it consistently supported Mauritius’s legitimate claim based on its principles of decolonisation, respect for sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
  • The agreement marks the culmination of the decolonisation process for Mauritius, resolving a long-standing dispute over the islands, which the UK has held for over 50 years since separating them from Mauritius before its independence.
  • Under the deal, the UK will retain full responsibility for the security of the Diego Garcia island, which hosts a strategic US military base.
  • India views the formal resolution of the dispute as a milestone achievement and a positive development for the region, aligning with international law and a rules-based order.
  • India reaffirmed its commitment to work with Mauritius and others to strengthen maritime security and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.
  • The Chagos Archipelago is located in the central Indian Ocean, about 1,000 miles south of India, and was home to the Chagossian people, who were forcibly removed by the British after 1965.
  • The International Court of Justice dismissed the UK’s right to govern the islands in 2019, calling for withdrawal.

ASD

  • CDC reported an increase in autism prevalence from 1 in 36 children (2020) to 1 in 31 (2022), raising public and political attention.
  • US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a major research effort focusing on environmental toxins as a cause, calling autism “preventable.”
  • This government focus contrasts with the scientific consensus that autism is caused by a complex interplay of genetics (strong role, up to 91% heritability) and various environmental factors, not a single toxin.
  • Experts refute the idea that the rise is solely due to toxins, attributing it largely to increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria, and better screening.
  • The scientifically debunked claim that vaccines cause autism persists, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, contributing to dangerous vaccine hesitancy.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a single condition but a spectrum with wide variability in communication, social interaction, behavior, intellectual function, and support needs, making a “one-size-fits-all” prevention approach difficult.
  • Framing autism as simply preventable and blaming parents is seen as scientifically inaccurate, socially irresponsible, and reinforces stigma.
  • The current need focuses on improving early diagnosis and intervention globally, especially for underserved families facing barriers, alongside combating misinformation and focusing on maternal health.

Polar Ocean Research India

  • Union Earth Sciences Minister inaugurated “Sagar Bhavan” and “Polar Bhavan” at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa. Why: Marks a significant upgrade in India’s infrastructure for polar and ocean research, enhancing its capabilities.
  • NCPOR, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is India’s nodal agency for polar and oceanographic research, established in 1998 in Goa. Why: It is responsible for planning and executing India’s expeditions and coordinating scientific research in polar and oceanic domains, including strategic projects like the Deep Ocean Mission.
  • “Polar Bhavan” is the largest new facility, featuring state-of-the-art labs, accommodation, conference halls, the Science on Sphere visualisation platform, and will house India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum. Why: Expands research capacity, provides advanced scientific visualisation tools, and facilitates public scientific outreach.
  • “Sagar Bhavan” includes critical -30°C ice core laboratories, +4°C storage units for archiving samples, and a Class 1000 metal-free clean room. Why: Essential for specialized analysis and long-term preservation of crucial environmental samples from polar and ocean regions.
  • The new facilities position NCPOR among a select group globally with integrated polar and ocean research capabilities. Why: Strengthens India’s contribution to global climate and ocean science research.
  • Minister highlighted that the facilities will boost India’s role in ocean geopolitics, climate study (including monitoring polar ice melt impacting India’s coastline), and support the Blue Economy and Deep Ocean Mission. Why: Links NCPOR’s scientific work directly to national strategic goals and global challenges.
  • NCPOR manages India’s research stations in Antarctica (Maitri, Bharati), Arctic (Himadri), and Himalayas (Himansh). Why: Maintains India’s crucial scientific presence and research continuity in these sensitive and important regions.
  • India’s polar engagement is governed by the Arctic Policy (2022) and Indian Antarctic Act (2022). Why: Provide the necessary legal and policy framework for responsible, science-led activities in polar regions.

Polar Ocean Research India

India Physical Climate Risks

  • India faces significant Climate Physical Risks (CPRs) threatening over 80% of its population and economy.
  • CPRs are direct impacts of climate change, categorized as Acute (e.g., floods, heatwaves) or Chronic (e.g., rising sea levels, temperature).
  • Key CPRs in India include rising temperatures (0.7°C increase), erratic monsoons, widespread droughts/water scarcity (600M face stress), rising sea levels (27M potentially impacted by 2100), food security threats (reduced crop yields), and economic/infrastructure damage.
  • Challenges include dependence on fossil fuels, insufficient climate finance, reliance on imported green tech, vulnerability of renewable projects to climate impacts, low R&D spending, and fragmented data/assessments.
  • Climate assessments are fragmented across agencies, lacking a unified system, and global models miss India’s hyper-local reality.
  • The lack of a comprehensive framework means adaptation is reactive rather than proactive.
  • There is a shift towards mandatory climate risk reporting.
  • India is developing its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and submitted its first Adaptation Communication.
  • An India-specific CPR assessment tool is needed for informed public and private decision-making, combining localized modeling and granular data.

Srinivasan & India Nuclear

  • Dr. M. R. Srinivasan, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and a pioneer of India’s nuclear programme, passed away.
  • He joined the Department of Atomic Energy in 1955 and contributed to India’s first nuclear reactor, Apsara.
  • Served as Principal Project Engineer for India’s first atomic power station at Tarapur and Chief Project Engineer for the Madras Atomic Power Station.
  • He was the Founder-Chairman of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), under whose leadership 18 nuclear power units were developed.
  • Held significant roles including Senior Advisor to the International Atomic Energy Agency and Member of the Planning Commission and National Security Advisory Board.
  • Received Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan for his contributions.
  • India’s Nuclear Power Programme, primarily formulated by Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, is a strategic three-stage plan for peaceful use, aiming for self-reliance.
  • The programme utilizes India’s limited uranium and abundant thorium resources via a closed fuel cycle.
  • Stage 1 uses Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) with natural uranium, producing plutonium. This stage is commercially mature.
  • Stage 2 involves Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) using plutonium from Stage 1 to breed more fuel and generate power. A 500 MWe FBR has started.
  • Stage 3 aims for sustainable large-scale power using thorium-based reactors converting thorium to uranium-233. This stage is currently at pilot scale.
  • India is setting up Bhavni, the world’s first thorium-based plant using Uranium-233.
  • To accelerate capacity, India is importing reactors like the VVERs at Kudankulam built with Russian collaboration.
  • Nuclear energy is India’s 5th-largest source of electricity, contributing around 3% currently.
  • The Department of Atomic Energy projects the nuclear share to rise to 8.6% by 2032 and 16.6% by 2052.

K Veeraswami 1991

  • The news is triggered by the seizure of cash at Justice Varma’s residence, leading the Vice President to challenge the K Veeraswami judgment (1991) and in-house inquiries after the SC rejected FIR petitions but allowed the in-house inquiry to continue. Why: Highlights ongoing debate on judicial accountability mechanisms.
  • K Veeraswami Judgment (1991) classified judges as public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act but crucially required the Chief Justice of India’s (CJI) approval for prosecution (registering an FIR). Why: This was intended to protect the judiciary from executive interference by providing built-in immunity requiring the head of the judiciary’s consent.
  • Judicial Immunity: Unlike the President and Governors (Article 361), judges have no immunity under the Constitution. The VP argues sanction for prosecution should come from the President (the appointing authority vested with executive power under Article 53), challenging the Veeraswami premise. Why: Raises a constitutional argument against the CJI sanction requirement based on the principle of sanction from the appointing authority and lack of explicit constitutional immunity for judges.
  • Judicial Accountability Processes:
    • In-House Inquiry: A process where a panel of judges determines a prima facie case; findings are sent to the President/PM for impeachment consideration. Why: Developed by the SC as an alternative when the constitutional removal process (impeachment) is difficult; used in the Varma case.
    • Impeachment (Article 124): The only constitutional removal process, initiated by Parliament. Why: It’s the prescribed method but has a very high bar and has never succeeded in 75 years, leading to calls for other mechanisms like criminal investigation.
  • Justice Varma Case Status: The SC dismissed the petition for an FIR, noting the in-house inquiry report had been sent to the President and PM. Why: Suggests reliance on the in-house inquiry/impeachment path and potentially the protection offered by the Veeraswami judgment requiring CJI sanction for direct criminal prosecution.

K Veeraswami 1991

Golden Dome

  • US President announced the creation of the ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence programme. Why? To counter advanced aerial threats globally, including missiles from space.
  • It’s planned as a missile defense project using space-based sensors and interceptors. Why? To create a multi-layered shield to neutralize various threats like hypersonic, ballistic, cruise missiles, and drones shortly after launch.
  • If realized, it could be the first truly space-based weapon system. Why? It proposes deploying interceptors directly in orbit, unlike current space defense tech mostly focused on reconnaissance.
  • It is inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome and Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (‘Star Wars’). Why? It aims for a multi-layered defense concept similar to these projects but on a much larger, space-integrated scale.
  • It’s significantly different and more ambitious than the Iron Dome. Why? While Iron Dome is a short-range, ground-based radar system for smaller threats, Golden Dome is envisioned as a defense covering land, sea, and space, designed to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and threats from major powers.
  • The concept of orbital weaponry has historical roots. Why? Similar ideas were explored by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and the US during the Cold War, showing a long-standing interest in space-based defense.
  • The proposed timeline (operational by Jan 2029) and cost ($175 billion) face skepticism from experts. Why? The project is currently considered more of a “concept” than a concrete plan, making realistic timelines and cost estimates difficult to project.
  • Funding and procurement face political hurdles. Why? Proposed initial funding is tied to a contentious bill, and potential involvement of specific companies like SpaceX is raising concerns.

Keezhadi Unearthing

  • Archaeologist asked to revise report: The ASI has requested Amarnath Ramakrishna, who led the Keezhadi excavation, to resubmit his report after revisions.
    • Why: Two experts suggested corrections to make the 982-page report “more authentic.” Specific issues include needing better justification for the 8th-5th century BCE dating of Period I, determining other periods based on scientific dates and stratigraphy, requiring layer numbers alongside depth for dates, and missing or unclear maps, drawings, and plans.
  • Report submission and delay: Ramakrishna submitted his report on Jan 30, 2023, after being transferred in 2017. The request for revision comes over two years later.
    • Why: The ASI cites technical and evidentiary requirements for authenticity and consistency analysis.
  • Significance of Keezhadi: Located near Madurai on the Vaigai River, it’s a major Sangam-era urban settlement (estimated 5th century BCE – 3rd century CE), revealing a literate, craft-oriented society.
    • Why: Findings suggest early urbanisation in South India, comparable to Adichanallur’s significance. Carbon dating points to settlement from at least 200 BCE, with ASI suggesting pre-300 BCE maximum for the earliest period based on current knowledge.
  • Criticism of delay: Former IAS officer R. Balakrishnan calls the ASI’s decision “unprecedented” and “pathetic,” suggesting pressure or bias against southern archaeology, referencing similar delays with the Adichanallur report.
    • Why: Delays in publishing findings hinder understanding and public access to significant historical discoveries.

Nagarahole Tigers

  • Members of 52 Jenu Kuruba tribal families inside Nagarahole Tiger Reserve put up a board claiming land rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). This is news because it’s a direct assertion of traditional land ownership rights by indigenous communities within a highly protected tiger reserve, challenging the forest department’s exclusive control.
  • The board, placed next to a forest department warning, reads “Our forest, our land, we rule”. This is significant as it symbolically and explicitly states their claim to ancestral land and autonomy inside the reserve area.
  • The tribal families decided in a Gram Sabha to file a case against a local Gram Panchayat officer for allegedly interfering with their FRA rights. This highlights the ongoing struggle for recognition and implementation of tribal rights against perceived obstruction from local administration.
  • They are protesting the rejection of 13 FRA applications and demand reconsideration for all 52 families. This is news as it points to disputes and rejections within the FRA process itself, impacting the lives of tribal communities.
  • The families set a deadline of May 26 for the government to grant them Community Forest Resource Rights (CFR) and other FRA rights. This sets a specific timeline for their demands and signals potential future action if not met.
  • Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, located in Karnataka and part of the UNESCO recognized Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, is where this event is occurring, providing the critical context of human rights claims within a major conservation area known for wildlife like tigers and elephants.

Chenab Valley

  • Anti-terror operation: Security forces launched a major operation against terrorists in Kishtwar district, part of the Chenab Valley.
    • Why: This is news as it highlights ongoing security challenges and counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
  • Soldier killed: Tragically, one soldier succumbed to injuries sustained during a fierce gunfight in the Kishtwar operation.
    • Why: The loss of a soldier underscores the danger and intensity of the security situation faced by forces in the area.
  • Location context (Chenab Valley): The operation took place in Chhatru, a remote location within Kishtwar district, which is part of the Chenab Valley in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir.
    • Why: Provides geographical context for the news event, identifying the specific area known for its rugged terrain and strategic importance, including districts like Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban.
  • Heightened activity: The remote Chhatru location in Kishtwar has seen increased militant activity over the past year.
    • Why: Explains why security forces are actively conducting operations there, indicating a persistent security threat in specific pockets of the valley.

iGOT Karmayogi

  • Crossed 1 crore registered civil servants, marking a 30-fold growth since Jan 2023. This is key news because it signifies rapid digital adoption and a major milestone in transforming civil services capacity building nationwide for a future-ready public administration.
  • Achieved pan-India reach with over 60% users from States/UTs, demonstrating widespread integration across diverse government levels (top 5 states: Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh).
  • Issued over 3.1 crore learning certificates, totaling 3.8 crore learning hours. This highlights significant user engagement and learning impact on the platform.
  • Offers over 2,400 courses in 16 languages, aligned with the indigenous Karmayogi Competency Model. This is relevant as it provides tailored, contextualized, and competency-based training for Indian civil servants.
  • Operates as a core component of Mission Karmayogi, aimed at creating a professional, citizen-centric civil service by promoting a shift to role-based, competency-driven training.
  • Future plans include enhancing regional languages and user experience (AI); interest from other countries in its Digital Public Infrastructure model signals potential global relevance and scalability.

Charaka & Sushruta

  • Vice President of India unveiled statues of Charaka and Sushruta at Raj Bhavan, Goa.
  • Charaka: Considered the Father of Medicine in India (Ayurveda). Authored Charaka Samhita, a foundational text covering physiology, diagnosis, prevention, and internal medicine. Emphasised medical ethics and preventive care.
  • Sushruta: Revered as the Father of Surgery, possibly the world’s first documented surgeon (7th century BCE).
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    Authored Sushruta Samhita, detailing over 300 surgical procedures (including rhinoplasty, skin grafting, cataract surgery) and 120 surgical instruments. Emphasised anatomical knowledge, surgical training, hygiene, and evidence-based principles.
  • The unveiling signifies honoring India’s rich medical and intellectual legacy.
  • The statues are intended as inspirational centers, reminding Indians of their civilizational depth of knowledge and ancient scientific achievements.
  • The event aligns with a broader focus on returning to India’s roots, promoting traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, and challenging the notion that ancient Indic knowledge is regressive.
  • It highlights India’s contribution to global health, referencing initiatives like the Ayush Ministry and the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar.
  • The Vice President urged leveraging these ancient treasures through research, innovation, and modern validation for contemporary challenges.

Ganga Dolphins

  • News: A recent study by the Wildlife Institute of India highlights severe chemical pollution risks to endangered Gangetic dolphins.

    • Why: This is a major threat discovered through scientific research, indicating the dolphins are exposed to hazardous chemicals via their food, impacting their survival.

  • Status & Significance: India’s National Aquatic Animal, functionally blind, relies on echolocation, population has declined over 50% since 1957.

    • Why: Their endangered status and role as an indicator of river health make any new threat particularly concerning for conservation efforts and the wider ecosystem.

  • Key Threat: High levels of harmful Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) like DEHP, DnBP, banned pesticides (DDT, Lindane), and heavy metals found in fish they eat.

    • Why: These chemicals, from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, etc., disrupt hormonal and reproductive systems, posing a direct biological threat despite legal protection.

  • Consequences: High risk from specific pollutants (DEHP, DnBP, DDT, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, PCBs); study warns of potential extinction similar to the Yangtze river dolphin.

    • Why: This underscores the severity of the pollution problem and the potential irreversible loss of one of the world’s few remaining river dolphin species.

  • Call to Action: Study recommends including these chemicals in conservation monitoring and establishing a national framework to assess/regulate river contamination.

    • Why: Despite protection laws (Schedule I, IUCN Endangered), actionable policy and pollution control are crucial for the species’ survival, highlighting a gap between legal status and effective conservation.

Kaundinya

  • The Indian Navy inducted INSV Kaundinya, a sailing vessel, marking a significant step in reviving India’s ancient maritime heritage by constructing a ship using traditional methods.
  • It is the first ‘stitched ship’ built using the 2,000-year-old Tankai method, where planks are stitched with coir rope and sealed, avoiding metal fasteners. This technique makes the ship lighter, more flexible, and durable compared to metal-fastened vessels, preserving ancient shipbuilding skills.
  • The ship is named after Kaundinya, a legendary 1st-century Indian mariner known for his voyage to Southeast Asia, where he co-founded the Kingdom of Funan. This name pays homage to the first known Indian mariner to undertake voyages with global historical impact, whose story is preserved in Cambodian and Vietnamese sources.
  • Its design is modeled after a 5th-century ship depicted in Ajanta cave paintings, inspired by historical texts like Yuktikalpataru, and accounts of foreign travelers, providing a visual and historical basis for recreating ancient vessels.
  • INSV Kaundinya is set to embark on a historic voyage to Oman by the end of 2025, retracing ancient trade routes to reaffirm India’s deep ties with the Indian Ocean world and demonstrate the capabilities of these traditional ships for long-distance voyages.
  • The project is a tripartite effort involving the Indian Navy, the Ministry of Culture, and a Goa-based shipbuilding company, highlighting a formal initiative to blend defence, culture, and traditional craftsmanship.
  • The ship incorporates culturally significant features like Gandabherunda, Sun motifs, Simha Yali, and a Harappan-style stone anchor, evoking rich maritime traditions and symbolizing India’s ancient seafaring identity.

Tiangong

  • Chinese scientists discovered a new species of bacteria, Niallia tiangongensis, on the surfaces inside the Tiangong Space Station during the Shenzhou 15 mission.
  • Why: This is the first new bacterial species found aboard Tiangong and provides insight into microbial life adapting to the unique space environment.
  • The bacteria can hydrolyse (break down) gelatine. Why: This ability could be useful in nutrient-limited space environments.
  • It shows adaptations like enhanced biofilm formation, oxidative stress response, and radiation damage repair.
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    Why: These mechanisms aid survival in extreme space conditions, important for understanding life beyond Earth and managing contamination.
  • Understanding microbes on space stations is essential for astronaut health and maintaining spacecraft functionality. Why: Microbes can impact crew health and equipment.
  • Tiangong Space Station, meaning ‘Sky Palace’, is China’s permanently crewed station in Low Earth Orbit, the final step of its Manned Space Program. Why: Represents a major achievement in China’s space efforts.
  • Its first module, Tianhe, launched in 2021. It includes Wentian and Mengtian science modules and a planned Xuntian telescope module. Why: Describes its composition and development.
  • Tiangong is smaller and lighter than the International Space Station. Why: Provides context on its scale.
  • It can accommodate up to three astronauts normally, or six during handovers. Why: Details its operational capacity.
  • Its aims are to build a reliable station, ensure astronaut safety, and provide conditions for scientific and technological experiments in space. Why: States the station’s core objectives.
  • It functions as an in-orbit laboratory supporting experiments in space life sciences, microgravity physics, material science, fundamental physics, and external platforms. Why: Highlights its role in advancing space research.

SRI Fund Scheme

  • Supports MSMEs with equity infusion, aiming to help those with potential grow into large units.
  • Has invested approximately ₹10,979 crore in 577 MSMEs as of March 2025, showing its progress in funding businesses.
  • Possesses a total corpus of ₹50,000 crore (₹10,000 crore from Government, ₹40,000 crore from private funds), providing substantial financial support.
  • Operates using a Mother-Fund and Daughter-Fund structure to channel investments effectively.
  • Implemented by NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited (NVCFL), the designated SEBI-registered fund.
  • Facilitates faster business growth, job creation, and supports MSMEs listing on stock exchanges.
  • Helps MSMEs contribute to India’s self-reliance by producing relevant technologies, goods, and services.
  • Daughter Funds are mandated to invest at least 5 times the capital received from SRI Fund into eligible MSMEs, amplifying the scheme’s reach.

PM E-Drive

  • ₹2,000 crore allocated under PM E-Drive to set up 72,000 public EV charging stations across India. Why: To build a robust national charging grid and reduce range anxiety for EV users.
  • PM E-DRIVE scheme is a flagship initiative (total ₹10,900 crore, 2024-2026). Why: To accelerate electric mobility through demand incentives and charging infrastructure support.
  • Scheme aims to reduce transport emissions, improve air quality, and enhance energy security. Why: To decrease fossil fuel dependency and promote cleaner transport.
  • Supports adoption of various EVs (2Ws, 3Ws, buses, etc.). Why: To encourage citizens to switch to electric vehicles.
  • Provides direct demand incentives via e-vouchers after EV purchase. Why: To directly support buyers and boost adoption.
  • Charging stations will cover key cities, highways, airports, and high-traffic locations. Why: To ensure convenient access across the country.
  • BHEL considered as nodal agency for demand aggregation and developing a Unified EV Super App. Why: To coordinate infrastructure deployment and provide a single digital platform for users (real-time info, booking, payment).
  • Deployment is being fast-tracked through inter-ministerial meetings. Why: To ensure collaborative and efficient implementation across government bodies.
  • Project expected to reduce carbon emissions, promote Make in India manufacturing, and create green jobs. Why: To achieve broader environmental, economic, and social benefits.
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Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 21-05-2025

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Govt School Drop, PM-POSHAN

  • During a Ministry of Education review of the PM-POSHAN scheme, a significant drop in government school enrolment for 2024-25 was revealed in 23 States and UTs.
  • This decline is substantial, with major states like Uttar Pradesh (21.83 lakh), Bihar, Rajasthan, and West Bengal seeing large drops (over 1 lakh in several cases), continuing a trend of overall school enrolment decline noted earlier.
  • Reasons cited for the drop include a change in data collection methodology from total numbers per school to detailed student-wise reporting (with Aadhaar), which likely removed ‘ghost’ students and false entries through a data cleaning process.
  • Another reason suggested is a post-Covid shift of students from government to private schools, reversing trends seen during the pandemic.
  • The enrolment drop affects the PM-POSHAN scheme’s reach, with low meal coverage flagged in some states (e.g., Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal), meaning fewer eligible students are receiving the midday meals.
  • The Ministry of Education expressed deep concern over the trend, asking states to investigate the specific reasons for the decline and report findings, and also to improve meal coverage where it is low.

Chancellor

  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 20, 2025.
  • PM Modi congratulated Friedrich Merz on recently assuming office as German Chancellor.
  • They discussed regional and global developments, emphasizing a shared commitment to combating terrorism.
  • Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Germany Strategic Partnership in areas like trade, investment, defence, and technology.
  • PM Modi extended an invitation for Chancellor Merz to visit India.
  • Context: The German Chancellor is not directly elected by citizens but by the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) upon nomination by the President.

A-to-I Editing

  • Researchers from China highlighted A-to-I mRNA editing in the wheat pathogen Fusarium graminearum, revealing its complex biological role.
  • A-to-I mRNA editing is a process where adenosine (A) in mRNA is converted to inosine (I) by ADAR enzymes, which is news because its widespread persistence, especially in evolution, is a biological puzzle.
  • This editing can alter the resulting protein because ribosomes read inosine as guanine (G), changing the amino acid sequence coded by the mRNA. This is significant as it adds a layer of complexity to gene expression beyond just the DNA sequence.
  • The study in F. graminearum found A-to-I editing is essential during the fungus’s sexual stage, particularly for specific ‘PSC’ genes, providing a clue to why this editing persists despite being more complex than a simple DNA change.
  • Some edited genes (like PSC69 and PSC64) also confer stress resistance in the vegetative stage, explaining why the original ‘A’ is maintained in the DNA rather than being permanently changed to a ‘G’, as the edited form is needed only in specific life stages.
  • RNA editing offers potential advantages over DNA editing for therapeutic use (though the news is about a pathogen) because the changes are temporary and rely on naturally occurring enzymes, potentially making it safer for repeated treatments and those with immune sensitivities.
  • Despite findings, the widespread existence and precise reasons for A-to-I editing across many sites (like the 26,000+ found in the fungus) remain largely unknown, highlighting it as a significant ongoing question in biology.

A-to-I Editing

Suez Waterway

  • Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, triggered by the Gaza conflict, drastically disrupted shipping traffic through the Suez Canal.
    • Why: The attacks made the Red Sea route unsafe, causing ships linked to Israel or allies to be targeted.
  • Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority offered discounts on transit fees.
    • Why: To incentivize cargo ships to return and boost revenue, which significantly dropped as vessels rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope.
  • Major shipping lines diverted vessels around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.
    • Why: To avoid the security risks in the Red Sea and ensure the safety of ships and crew.
  • The crisis led to a collapse in Canal revenue and daily transit volume, while increasing shipping costs and freight rates globally.
    • Why: The longer Cape route added transit time (10-14 days), fuel costs, and war risk insurance premiums for the Red Sea, making it more expensive or unviable.
  • Despite discounts and reports of a potential truce, shipping companies remain hesitant to return to the Suez Canal fully.
    • Why: Safety concerns persist as Houthi attacks haven’t ceased entirely, and shippers have adjusted to the Cape route, often passing increased costs to consumers and maintaining profitability.

Online Zero FIR

  • Launched as a pilot in Delhi under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to improve efficiency in investigating cyber financial frauds, supporting the vision of a Cyber Secure Bharat and nabbing criminals faster.
  • e-Zero FIR is the electronic version of Zero FIR, allowing complaints to be filed regardless of jurisdiction, enabled by Section 173 of BNSS, improving speed and overcoming geographical barriers.
  • Cyber financial fraud complaints above Rs 10 lakh, filed via National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or Helpline 1930, are automatically converted into Zero FIRs at Delhi’s e-Crime Police Station. This speeds up the initial registration process, addressing difficulties victims face in filing FIRs quickly and enabling easy restoration of lost money.
  • The initiative integrates I4C’s NCRP, Delhi Police’s e-FIR, and NCRB’s CCTNS into a unified system to streamline reporting, investigation, and tracking of cybercrimes.
  • Complainants must visit the concerned police station within 3 days to convert the e-Zero FIR into a regular FIR for full investigation and facilitate punitive action against criminals.
  • Leverages provisions of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for electronic filing and transfer of cases.
  • Will be extended nationwide after the pilot phase to bolster the cybersecurity grid.

Online Zero FIR

Vitamin D

  • Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread “silent epidemic” in India, affecting people across all age groups and professions, including children and adults.
  • This deficiency can lead to severe health issues like rickets in children and osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) in adults, impacting health and potentially reducing national productivity and increasing healthcare costs.
  • Vitamin D is crucial because it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, essential for strong bones and teeth. Without enough Vitamin D, bones can become weak, thin, or misshapen.
  • Besides bone health, Vitamin D plays roles in reducing inflammation, cell growth, immune function, muscle function, and metabolism, highlighting its broad importance for overall health.
  • Vitamin D is naturally produced when skin is exposed to sunlight (UV rays), stored in fat, and released later; it’s also found in few foods like fatty fish, liver, mushrooms, eggs, and fish oils, and added to fortified foods like milk and cereal.
  • Deficiency can cause bone diseases, muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, and depression; it’s more common in people with darker skin or those who cover their skin extensively.
  • Getting sufficient Vitamin D involves a combination of sunlight exposure, diet, and potentially supplements to prevent and treat deficiency.

Jayant Narlikar

  • Eminent astrophysicist, science communicator, and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar passed away in Pune on May 20, 2025, at the age of 87. This is key news because he was a towering figure in Indian science with global recognition.
  • He was a distinguished theoretical cosmologist best known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity. This is significant as it was an alternative to Einstein’s general relativity and championed the steady-state theory of the universe, challenging the widely accepted Big Bang model and stimulating scientific debate.
  • He played a crucial role in establishing premier research institutions in India, notably founding and directing the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune (1988-2003), which gained worldwide reputation. He also led the Theoretical Astrophysics Group at TIFR (1972-1989), enhancing its international standing.
  • He was a passionate science communicator, authoring numerous popular science books, articles, and appearing on radio/TV. This is why he was known for making complex scientific ideas accessible to the public, a role recognised by the UNESCO Kalinga Award in 1996.
  • He received several prestigious awards for his contributions, including Padma Bhushan (1965), Padma Vibhushan (2004), Maharashtra Bhushan (2011), and the Sahitya Akademi award for his Marathi autobiography (2014), highlighting his impact across science and literature.
  • He was a Fellow of major science academies, underscoring his high regard in the scientific community.

Irula Tribe

  • Point: Irula families in Tamil Nadu’s Kunnapattu face eviction and denial of rights.
    Why in news: They have lived on the land for generations, but nearly half remain without legal ownership or recognition, leading to their current plight.
  • Point: The Irula are one of India’s oldest indigenous communities and Tamil Nadu’s second largest Adivasi community.
    Why in news: This provides context about the historical significance and size of the community facing land rights issues.
  • Point: They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tamil Nadu.
    Why in news: This status underscores their vulnerability and the critical need to protect their rights, which are currently being denied in Kunnapattu.
  • Point: The community is renowned for its legendary knowledge of snakes and their skills contribute significantly to India’s anti-snake venom production via a cooperative.
    Why in news: This highlights the community’s unique value and contribution, making their potential displacement and denial of rights a matter of broader concern beyond just land ownership.

Jarosite

  • Recent study by Indian researchers explores Jarosite as a potential “natural clock” on Mars.
  • Jarosite is a yellow-brown mineral containing potassium, iron, and sulphate, commonly found in arid, saline environments and on Mars.
  • Discovered on Mars by the Opportunity rover, indicating past acidic, water-based conditions.
  • Researchers used samples from Kachchh, Gujarat, an arid, saline region similar to Mars, as an analog site.
  • The study used luminescence dating: measuring light emitted by the mineral from energy stored from natural radiation over time.
  • Lab tests showed Jarosite emits distinct light signals even after being heated up to 450°C, suggesting it can survive heating by rover drills.
  • The mineral’s radiation saturation level indicates it can potentially date events that occurred within the last ~25,000 years on Mars.
  • As Jarosite is common and tough on Mars and its luminescence can be read by rover equipment, it could be used to date geological events like dust storms or ancient flood deposits.

State Law Review 2024

  • India’s state legislative assemblies function with alarmingly low productivity, averaging only 20 sitting days in 2024, down from 28 in 2017. This low number of days undermines democratic deliberation and oversight of the executive.
  • 8 state assemblies currently lack a Deputy Speaker, despite a constitutional mandate (Article 178), indicating a lapse in institutional structure.
  • Over 51% of bills were passed on the same day they were introduced, often without debate. This rushed law-making weakens deliberative democracy and results in poor quality legislation lacking depth, foresight, and public engagement.
  • Most bills are passed without referral to committees for expert input or stakeholder consultation, leading to hastily drafted laws vulnerable to legal and implementation challenges.
  • Focus areas of legislation included education, finance, and local governance; notable laws included Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code and Maharashtra’s Maratha reservation.
  • Delays in Governor’s assent and over-reliance on ordinances circumvent legislative scrutiny and raise concerns about arbitrary governance.
  • Low productivity means delayed reforms in key areas like education and health, overlooking local aspirations.
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Stop Online Abuse

  • Recent high-profile cases, like the severe trolling of a terror attack victim and the Foreign Secretary, reveal India’s growing crisis of online abuse and the need for stronger regulation.
  • Online abuse encompasses various harmful behaviors like cyberbullying, trolling, and doxxing (sharing private info without consent). India reports the highest cyberbullying rate globally, showing the scale of the problem.
  • Existing legal provisions under BNS, IT Act, and DPDP Act address some related issues (identity theft, obscenity, data protection) but lack a dedicated, comprehensive framework for tackling sustained online hate speech and trolling.
  • Key challenges include the absence of a specific law, inadequate content moderation by social media platforms, ambiguity in defining “publicly available data” (which can enable doxxing), and weak enforcement where victims often face disbelief.
  • Judicial decisions recognize privacy as a fundamental right and the risks posed by doxxing, while also emphasizing the need to protect free speech (like striking down Section 66A of the IT Act).
  • Effective solutions require legal reforms (a dedicated law for specific online abuses), strengthening enforcement through specialized cyber cells, leveraging technology for detection, increasing public awareness, and holding platforms accountable with better moderation policies.
  • Ultimately, stopping online abuse requires a balanced approach combining strong laws, better enforcement, tech solutions, platform responsibility, and societal change to protect victims while upholding free speech principles.

Presumption of Constitutionality

  • The Doctrine of Presumption of Constitutionality is a principle that laws enacted by the legislature are presumed to be constitutional until proven otherwise.
  • This doctrine is fundamental to Indian law, rooted in respect for the separation of powers and legislative authority.
  • The burden of proving a law unconstitutional lies on the challenger.
  • The Supreme Court has consistently upheld this doctrine, emphasizing courts should try to uphold statutes’ constitutionality unless there’s a clear breach.
  • It promotes respect for the legislative process, legal stability, predictability, and prevents undue judicial interference.
  • In recent news, the Supreme Court mentioned this doctrine regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, stating parliamentary statutes enjoy this presumption.
  • Petitioners are challenging the Waqf Act, terming it a “creeping acquisition” of properties and arguing the presumption can be rebutted by showing a prima facie breach or irreparable injury.
  • Petitioners contend the Waqf Act amendments violate minority rights (Article 25, 26) and secularism, citing discriminatory clauses, issues with property inquiry, invalidation of unregistered waqfs, and conditions on creating a waqf.
  • They argue specific sections (like 3C, 3D, 3E, 3(r)) are problematic and expropriatory, challenging the Act’s constitutionality despite the general presumption.
  • The Chief Justice indicated the petitioners need to make a strong case for interim relief given the presumption in favour of the parliamentary law.

Webb Keck Titan

  • NASA scientists observed Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in November 2022 and July 2023 using the James Webb Space Telescope and Keck Observatory.
  • These observations found clouds in Titan’s mid- and high northern latitudes that rose to higher altitudes over time.
  • Why: This indicates convection-driven weather patterns and is the first confirmed evidence of convective cloud activity in Titan’s northern hemisphere, where most large hydrocarbon seas are located.
  • Why: The findings provide new insights into Titan’s active methane cycle, analogous to Earth’s water cycle.
  • Why: Understanding Titan’s weather helps scientists comprehend prebiotic chemistry and climate dynamics on icy moons with thick atmospheres and provides insight into non-Earth-like habitability.

Olive Ridley Ops

  • Indian Coast Guard’s ‘Operation Olivia’ is an annual mission (Nov-May) protecting Olive Ridley turtles nesting along Odisha’s coast, particularly Gahirmatha and Rushikulya river mouth. This is important as it targets vital nesting grounds for a vulnerable species.
  • Recently, it helped protect a record over 6.98 lakh turtles nesting at the Rushikulya river mouth in February 2025, highlighting the significant positive impact of the operation on turtle conservation.
  • The operation uses round-the-clock patrols, aerial surveillance, and detects illegal fishing (detaining boats) to ensure safe nesting environments. These actions are crucial for reducing direct threats like net entanglement and habitat disruption.
  • ICG also collaborates with local communities by promoting Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and partnering with NGOs. This broader approach fosters sustainable practices essential for the long-term protection of marine life.
  • Protecting Olive Ridley turtles is key because they are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and their conservation is vital for maintaining marine biodiversity along India’s eastern coast.

PBAT Biodegradable

  • Tripura’s Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat introduced compostable bags made from PBAT plastic as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic (SUP).
  • This initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban aims to tackle plastic waste and promote plastic-free alternatives in urban areas.
  • PBAT is a biodegradable and compostable polymer that decomposes into water, CO₂, and biomass within 180 days under industrial composting conditions, offering an eco-friendly end-of-life compared to conventional plastics.
  • Certified for meeting compostability and biodegradability standards, PBAT bags are presented as a practical and affordable solution (approx. ₹145/kg wholesale) to reduce plastic pollution.
  • PBAT behaves like traditional plastic, being flexible and tough, making it suitable for bags and packaging, facilitating its adoption as a direct substitute.
  • The move highlights a specific, tangible action by a local body to adopt sustainable materials and support responsible waste management and a circular economy.

Shirui Lily Fest

  • The Shirui Lily Festival is being held after a two-year pause caused by ethnic violence in Manipur, marking its return as a test of peace in the conflict-scarred state.
  • The festival celebrates the rare and endangered Shirui Lily, found only in the Shirui Hills of Manipur, aiming to promote its conservation and ecological awareness.
  • A controversy arose when security personnel at a checkpoint allegedly instructed media covering the festival to hide ‘Manipur State Transport’ on their bus, which was seen by some as questioning the state’s authority.
  • This checkpoint incident led to media protest, including returning from the venue and announcing a ‘pen down strike’ and boycott of state government news.
  • Tensions were further highlighted by a case against a Kuki student leader for allegedly asking Meiteis not to cross the ‘buffer zone’ towards the festival venue in the Tangkhul Naga-dominated Ukhrul district.

Suggi Migration

  • Suggi is seasonal migration primarily in summer from Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh. Why: It is a response to severe summer distress caused by drought and lack of local livelihood options.
  • Agriculture is rain-fed, failing during summer due to lack
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    of water for a second crop. Why: This makes land unproductive and removes the primary source of income for villagers.
  • Tanks, ponds, and borewells dry up in summer, leading to acute water shortages for both irrigation and drinking. Why: This makes living conditions extremely difficult, forcing people to seek water or move elsewhere.
  • Lack of non-farm jobs and low wages/delayed payments from MGNREGA (Rs 307/day) compared to higher migrant wages (Rs 800-1000/day for jobs like chilli harvesting). Why: Economic necessity and better earning potential make migration a more viable option despite hardships.
  • Suggi leads to children and elderly being left behind in villages. Why: Able-bodied family members must migrate for work, causing social strain, loneliness, and care burdens.
  • Villages reflect a cycle of drought, underdevelopment, and poverty. Why: These systemic issues underpin the need for seasonal migration as a coping mechanism.
  • Proposed solution is irrigation infrastructure, specifically a weir to divert Krishna river water. Why: Ensuring reliable water supply is seen as crucial to breaking dependence on monsoon, enabling year-round agriculture, creating local jobs, and ending the cycle of distress migration.
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Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 19-05-2025

by

Mhadei Water Dispute

  • Decades-long inter-state water dispute over the Mhadei (Mahadayi) River between Goa and Karnataka, also involving Maharashtra.
  • The river originates in Karnataka, flows primarily through Goa (78% basin share), and empties into the Arabian Sea.
  • The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) awarded Karnataka a total of 13.42 tmcft water, including permission to divert 1.72 tmcft from the Kalasa stream and 2.18 tmcft from the Bandura stream to the Malaprabha basin.
  • A recent scientific paper by CSIR-NIO and INCOIS scientists concluded that Karnataka’s tribunal-approved diversion plans would not significantly impact Goa overall, though the Kalasa diversion might affect a part of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, suggesting mitigation measures like check dams.
  • The paper also stated the diversions would not impact navigation in the Mandovi estuary or Cumbarjua Canal.
  • The paper’s findings sparked protests in Goa, with demonstrators questioning the scientists’ motives, timing, and objectivity, alleging bias favouring Karnataka.
  • Both Goa and Karnataka have challenged the MWDT verdict before the Supreme Court.
  • The dispute remains an emotional issue in both states despite the tribunal order.

Canary Islands

  • Thousands of people recently protested against mass tourism.
  • Located off the northwest coast of Africa in the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • Politically part of Spain, despite proximity to Africa.
  • Part of the Macaronesia region, approx 100 km from Morocco.
  • It is Macaronesia’s largest and most populated archipelago.
  • Major islands include Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote.
  • Formed by volcanic eruptions; home to Teide Peak, the highest point in Spain.
  • Popular tourist destination due to its subtropical climate and location.

New Caledonia

  • French Overseas Minister’s high-stakes attempt to broker a new political accord collapsed recently, plunging the territory into profound uncertainty.
  • This follows a history of colonial tension since New Caledonia became French in 1853, leading to independence movements by the indigenous Kanak people.
  • The 1998 Nouméa Accord promised three independence referendums; the 2018 and 2020 votes favoured France, while the 2021 vote also favoured France but was boycotted by pro-independence parties, leading to contested legitimacy.
  • Recent violent riots in May 2024 over a proposed change to voting eligibility rules (unfreezing the electoral roll) highlighted deep divisions and prompted the recent failed talks.
  • The proposed “sovereignty in partnership” model was rejected by hardline loyalists who saw it as disguised independence, while their counter-proposal of partition was rejected by France and independents.
  • New Caledonia is strategically important to France in the Pacific, particularly given increasing global interest and China’s influence, and holds about 25% of the world’s nickel reserves, a vital economic resource.
  • The collapse of talks means crucial provincial elections scheduled by November 2025 will proceed without prior agreement on the territory’s future status.

New Caledonia

Shingles

  • Recent studies indicate the shingles vaccine may significantly reduce risks of cardiovascular diseases (23%) and lower the risk of developing dementia, which is news as the vaccine’s primary purpose is preventing shingles reactivation.
  • A unique Welsh study, designed as a “natural experiment,” provided strong evidence that the shingles vaccine reduced dementia diagnoses by about 20% over seven years, adding significant credibility to previous findings often limited by study biases.
  • The newer Shingrix vaccine has also been linked to a reduction in dementia risk (17% in a US study), suggesting the potential benefit may extend to both types of available shingles vaccines.
  • Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (same as chickenpox) reactivating, causing painful rashes and potentially severe complications like vision loss or brain inflammation, making prevention via vaccination important news.
  • The vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 50 and above and adults with weakened immune systems, highlighting its importance for vulnerable populations and the potential for newly discovered benefits.
  • Why the vaccine reduces dementia is still being studied, with theories including preventing the virus’s potential cognitive effects or immune system changes triggered by the vaccine providing protection.

Presidential Reference

  • Presidential Reference is a mechanism under Article 143 of the Indian Constitution where the President seeks the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion on significant law or fact questions, serving to get judicial clarity without initiating litigation.
  • Article 143 has two components: (1) for questions of public importance, and (2) for disputes on pre-Constitution treaties, defining the scope of reference.
  • The SC’s opinion is advisory, not legally binding on the President or having precedential value, though it holds significant persuasive authority.
  • The current news is President Droupadi Murmu’s reference seeking SC opinion, specifically on whether judicial timelines can be set for the President and Governors to act on state Bills, highlighting a contemporary constitutional debate.
  • This specific reference has generated political opposition, notably from Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, demonstrating its political impact.
  • The procedure requires the President to act on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers, and the matter must be heard by a minimum 5-judge bench of the Supreme Court.
  • The Supreme Court has discretion and may refuse to answer a reference if the question is vague or outside its judicial purview.
  • Originating from the Government of India Act, 1935, this power is rarely exercised, with only around 15 references made in the past 75 years, indicating its exceptional nature.

Parasnath Dispute

  • Parasnath Hill (Marang Buru) is sacred to both Jains (nirvana site for 20 tirthankaras, temples) and Santals (supreme deity Marang Buru, most sacred religious site, seat of justice, Santal Hul origin). Why: Deep religious and cultural importance for both communities.
  • The dispute centers on conflicting religious practices, especially the Santals’ traditional Sendra festival (ritual hunt). Why: This practice contrasts sharply with Jain values of non-violence.
  • Historically, courts (Patna HC 1917, Privy Council) upheld Santal customary hunting rights on the hill. Why: Recognised Santal tradition over Jain objection at the time.
  • Post-Independence, Santal rights over the hill were impacted, partly by its designation as a wildlife sanctuary. Why: Reduced access and ability to perform traditional rituals.
  • Recently, the Jharkhand High Court directed enforcement of a ban on meat, alcohol, and intoxicants on the hill and surrounding area based on a central government memo. Why: Aims to respect Jain sentiments, impacting local Santals.
  • Despite restrictions, Santals recently performed the Sendra hunt and filed a counter-petition asserting their rights. Why: Continuing to assert traditional claims and practices.

Parasnath Dispute

RS-24 Yars

  • Russia reportedly plans a “training and combat” launch of the RS-24 Yars ICBM to intimidate Ukraine and the West.
  • The RS-24 Yars (NATO SS-29) is a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, believed to have entered service in February 2010.
  • It is designed to replace Russia’s SS-19 and SS-18 ICBMs.
  • It is capable of penetrating highly protected targets and current Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Systems.
  • The Yars is a three-stage, solid propellant, MIRV-capable missile.
  • It can be deployed in silos and on mobile platforms.
  • Estimated range is between 2,000 km and 10,500 km.
  • It can carry up to 10 MIRVs, each potentially armed with a 300-kiloton thermonuclear warhead.
  • The missile features flight maneuvering and deploys active/passive decoys to counter missile defenses.

Twister

  • Recent Deadly Outbreak: Over 20 people died in the southern United States, specifically Missouri and Kentucky, due to severe storms and tornado outbreaks.
  • What it is: A tornado is a violently rotating column of air from a thunderstorm to the ground.
  • Appearance: Often visible as a funnel cloud, but can be just a swirl of dust in low humidity.
  • Speed and Intensity: Wind speeds typically range from 105 to 322 km/h, making them highly destructive. They can move rapidly, around 97 km/h.
  • Formation: They form from the collision of warm, moist air and cool, dry air, often within thunderstorms and low-pressure systems.
  • Location: Most common in mid-latitude regions where air masses meet, with the highest frequency in the United States (“Tornado Alley”).
  • Measurement: Intensity is classified using the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale (EF0 to EF5) based on wind speed and damage.

PwD Access & Empowerment

  • Why in News: The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) organized the Inclusive India Summit on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on May 15, 2025, leading to new initiatives and collaborations.
  • Key Points:
    • Inclusive India Summit organized by DEPwD, SBI Foundation, NAB, APD, and Mission Accessibility on GAAD.
    • Three MoUs signed by DEPwD with I for Humanity Foundation, Nipman Foundation & YLAC, and Ramp my city Foundation.
    • Initiatives include developing an ‘Accessibility Index’ and toolkits for
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      auditing public buildings, promoting barrier-free infrastructure (healthcare centres, tourist spots, government buildings), and organizing hackathons, national competitions, and awards for awareness and inclusion.
    • Focus on ensuring accessibility in built environment, transportation, technology (AI chatbot for scheme info), education (inclusive schools), and livelihood for Divyangjan.
    • Accessibility and inclusion highlighted as a collective duty of society, not just the government.
    • Emphasizes equal rights, participation, dignity, self-reliance, and overcoming physical, informational, and attitudinal barriers.

Nipah

  • Health experts have raised concerns about the deadly Nipah virus’ transmission from animals to humans in Kerala.
  • Nipah is a zoonotic virus primarily transmitted by fruit bats, which can also spread through contaminated food or human-to-human contact, causing severe illness (encephalitic syndrome) with a high fatality rate (40-75%).
  • A 42-year-old woman in Valanchery, Malappuram, is critically ill with Nipah virus, remaining in a coma on ventilator support.
  • Authorities are conducting extensive contact tracing, identifying 112 contacts across several districts; 42 contacts have tested negative so far.
  • Fever surveillance is underway in the affected area, and a joint investigation with the Animal Husbandry department is starting to survey domestic animals (focus on cats and dogs) for potential virus sources.
  • Diagnosis is via RT-PCR; there are currently no vaccines for humans or animals.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated Nipah as a priority disease.

India Hooch Deaths

  • Why in News: A major hooch tragedy in Punjab claimed lives (initially 21, later rising), making it a significant recent event highlighting a recurring public health crisis in India.
  • Key Event: Deaths and hospitalisations occurred after consuming spurious liquor, primarily in Amritsar district, Punjab.
  • Cause Identified: Preliminary investigations confirm methanol, a highly toxic chemical, was used to prepare the illicit liquor.
  • Methanol: It’s a cheap industrial chemical often illegally added to increase potency but is poisonous upon ingestion, causing severe organ damage, blindness, coma, or death.
  • Broader Causes (Why it happens): Economic vulnerability drives demand for cheap hooch; widespread misuse and illegal diversion of industrial methanol; weak regulation and enforcement against illegal brewing; alleged political and bureaucratic complicity; lack of public awareness and community reporting mechanisms.
  • Action Taken: Police arrested several individuals including alleged distributors and the ‘kingpin’ who procured methanol online; two police officers (DSP, SHO) and two Excise officials were suspended for negligence; FIRs registered under relevant laws; search for methanol suppliers is ongoing; compensation announced for victims’ families.
  • Political Reaction: Opposition parties criticised the ruling government, demanding resignations and a judicial inquiry, alleging the tragedy couldn’t occur without political/bureaucratic/police support.
  • Victims: Mostly from economically weaker sections and daily wagers from several villages.
  • Regulatory Gap: Methanol is not classified as a “poison” under the relevant Act, complicating legal prosecution.
  • Prevention Needs: Effective enforcement and monitoring (including methanol tracking), public awareness, access to affordable regulated alcohol, socio-economic support, and accountability of officials.

58th Jnanpith

  • The 58th Jnanpith Award for the year 2023 was conferred upon Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and renowned poet-lyricist Gulzar.
  • The award was presented by the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on May 16, 2025.
  • Jagadguru Rambhadracharya is a revered Sanskrit scholar, Hindu spiritual leader, founder of Tulsi Peeth, and prolific author known for over 240 works including four Sanskrit epics. He is a Padma Vibhushan recipient.
  • Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra) is a celebrated Urdu poet, lyricist, author, and filmmaker, known for pioneering the Triveni poetic form and significant contributions to Hindi cinema. He has received multiple prestigious awards including the Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, an Oscar, and a Grammy.
  • Gulzar could not attend the award ceremony due to health reasons.
  • The Jnanpith Award, India’s oldest and highest literary honour established in 1961, is conferred annually by Bharatiya Jnanpith for outstanding contributions to Indian literature.
  • Recipients receive a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a statue of Vagdevi/Saraswati, and a citation.

Nicaragua quits UNESCO

  • Nicaragua announced its withdrawal from UNESCO.
  • Why: In protest against UNESCO awarding the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa.
  • The Nicaraguan government opposed the prize being given to La Prensa.
  • The Prize: It is the UN’s only journalism award, established in 1997, presented annually on World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd), honoring contributions to press freedom and named after Colombian journalist Guillermo Cano.
  • UNESCO: A United Nations agency founded in 1945, promoting peace and equality through global cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication.
  • Nicaragua: Largest country in Central America, gained independence in 1821, predominantly mestizo population.

Jnanpith

  • The President of India conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award on Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Ji on May 16, 2025, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
  • Gulzar also received the 58th Jnanpith Award but could not attend the ceremony.
  • The Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honour of India, given for outstanding contributions to Indian literature in any of the languages mentioned in Schedule VIII of the Constitution and English.
  • It was instituted in 1961 and is sponsored by the Bharatiya Jnanpith cultural organization.
  • The award includes a cash prize, a citation, and a bronze replica of Vagdevi (Saraswati).
  • The first recipient was Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup in 1965.
  • The President highlighted the significant role of literature and writers in uniting and awakening society and nation-building.
  • Jagadguru Rambhadracharya was praised for his extraordinary service to literature and society through his multi-faceted contributions despite being physically challenged.

NOTA Made Mandatory

  • Why in News: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy seeking to make the NOTA (None of the Above) option compulsory in all elections, including those with a single candidate.
  • What is NOTA: Allows voters to reject all candidates while maintaining secrecy. Introduced in 2013 following a Supreme Court directive (PUCL vs Union of India Case, 2013) to protect voter secrecy and empower voters.
  • Current Status: Available in Lok Sabha, State Assembly, and Panchayat elections (though not uniformly). First used in 2013 state elections. Its vote share has generally remained low (around 1% in Lok Sabha, slightly higher in some state elections like Bihar 2.48% in 2015).
  • Impact: Currently, NOTA does not affect the election outcome; the candidate with the highest votes wins
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    regardless of the NOTA count.
  • Arguments For Compulsory NOTA:
    • Expands voter choice, allowing dissatisfaction expression without abstaining.
    • Ensures voters can express dissent even in single-candidate elections.
    • Promotes political accountability by signaling dissatisfaction, encouraging parties to field better candidates.
    • NOTA votes can serve as an indicator of public discontent.
  • Arguments Against Compulsory NOTA:
    • Has no impact on election results currently.
    • Uncontested elections are rare scenarios (only 6 Lok Sabha since 1971, 9 since 1952).
    • May reflect biases (e.g., caste prejudice) rather than genuine candidate rejection.
    • Could lead to voter apathy or disillusionment if it has no electoral consequence, potentially weakening representative democracy.
    • EC argues it’s a rarity and requires legislative changes.
  • Judicial Context: SC mandated NOTA inclusion (PUCL 2013) but excluded it from indirect elections like Rajya Sabha (Shailesh Manubhai Parmar 2018) citing potential distortion.
  • Potential Reforms: Suggestions include fixing a minimum winning vote percentage, mandating re-election if NOTA crosses a threshold (like some State ECs have done), disqualifying candidates getting fewer votes than NOTA, and improving voter education.

Portugal

  • Portugal recently held its third general election in three years (May 19, 2025), highlighting significant political instability.
  • The incumbent center-right Democratic Alliance won but failed to secure a majority, leading to another minority government.
  • This reflects growing public discontent with traditional parties like the Democratic Alliance and the center-left Socialists, which have alternated power for 50 years.
  • A major factor is the surge in support for the hard-right populist party Chega (Enough), which campaigns on curbing immigration and cracking down on corruption, potentially becoming the second-largest party.
  • Reasons for voter frustration include corruption scandals, a severe housing crisis (soaring prices/rents), rising cost of living, and increased immigration.
  • Portugal is a unitary semi-presidential republic on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula with two autonomous regions (Madeira and Azores).
  • Lisbon is the capital, historically significant as a major seaport and center during the Age of Discovery.

PSLV

  • PSLV-C61 mission failed on May 18, 2025, while attempting to place the EOS-09 satellite into orbit.
    • Why: This is the most recent significant event involving the PSLV, marking a rare mission failure for ISRO’s typically reliable launch vehicle.
  • The failure occurred due to an issue in the rocket’s third stage during flight.
    • Why: Pinpoints the specific part of the rocket that malfunctioned, which is crucial information for understanding the incident.
  • ISRO chairman V. Narayanan stated the issue was a loss of chamber pressure in the third-stage motor casing.
    • Why: Provides the preliminary technical cause identified for the mission failure.
  • ISRO plans to assess the reasons for the pressure loss and later reattempt the mission with another EOS-09 satellite.
    • Why: Outlines ISRO’s immediate response and future plans following the failure.
  • PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is a four-stage launch vehicle developed by ISRO, known as India’s third-generation satellite launch vehicle.
    • Why: Provides fundamental context about what PSLV is and its origin.
  • It is primarily designed for launching satellites into Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits (SSPOs) but can also reach GTO and sub-Geosynchronous orbits.
    • Why: Explains its primary purpose and versatility in orbital placements.
  • PSLV uses alternate solid and liquid propulsion systems across its four stages, with specific propellants like HTPB, UDMH/N₂O₄ (Vikas engine), MMH/MON. The XL configuration uses strap-on boosters.
    • Why: Describes the technical design and power source of the rocket, highlighting its engineering features.
  • PSLV is called the ‘Workhorse of ISRO’ due to its consistent performance, high success rate, and ability to launch multiple satellites.
    • Why: Explains its reputation and importance to India’s space program despite the recent failure.

PSLV-C61/EOS-09

  • ISRO’s PSLV-C61 mission on May 18, 2025, failed to place the EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite into orbit. Why: A technical glitch occurred in the rocket’s third stage.
  • The failure was specifically due to a fall in chamber pressure in the third stage’s solid motor during its operation. Why: This prevented the stage from performing its function of providing high thrust post-atmospheric phase.
  • This was the 101st mission for ISRO and the 63rd flight of the PSLV. Why: Provides context on the frequency of launches and the PSLV’s significant use.
  • The PSLV is known as ISRO’s highly reliable “workhorse,” making this failure rare. Why: This is only the third failure in the PSLV’s history since its first launch in 1993.
  • EOS-09 (also called RISAT-1B) is an advanced Earth observation satellite equipped with a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload. Why: Designed for all-weather, high-resolution imaging for various applications including land-use mapping, disaster management, and defence.
  • The mission was intended for a sun-synchronous polar orbit for consistent daily coverage. Why: This orbit is ideal for earth observation satellites like EOS-09.
  • ISRO stated that the mission could not be accomplished and will conduct an analysis to find the root cause of the third-stage anomaly. Why: Indicates the official outcome and the agency’s immediate next step to understand the failure.

Animal A-to-I Editing

  • Researchers highlight the ongoing puzzle of why A-to-I mRNA editing is widespread and persists in animals and fungi, even when simpler genetic changes (like a DNA base change from A to G) could seemingly achieve a similar result.
  • A-to-I mRNA editing is a process where ADAR enzymes change adenosine (A) to inosine (I) in mRNA after it’s transcribed from DNA.
  • Why it’s significant: Ribosomes read inosine (I) as guanine (G). This changes the ‘codon’ (three-letter code for an amino acid), potentially altering the final protein’s sequence and function without changing the original DNA recipe.
  • Potential risks: It can change crucial stop codons (like UAG or UGA) to a coding codon (UGG for tryptophan), causing ribosomes to read through and produce abnormally long, potentially non-functional proteins. This makes its persistence puzzling.
  • New research from China studied this in the fungus Fusarium graminearum. They found that A-to-I editing of specific ‘PSC’ genes (containing premature stop codons) is essential for the fungus’s sexual development, though not its asexual growth.
  • Why this helps explain complexity for some genes: For some genes (like PSC69/PSC64), the unedited version is beneficial during the asexual stage. This explains why the DNA sequence itself isn’t simply a G from the start; the editing allows for different outcomes depending on the life stage.
  • However, the study only provided clues for a small fraction of edited sites, confirming that making sense of the widespread nature of this editing remains a difficult challenge.

Indrayani

  • PCMC recently demolished 36 illegal bungalows from the River Villa project in Chikhali. Why: The structures were located within the blue flood line of the Indrayani River.
  • The Indrayani River is located in Maharashtra.
  • It is a tributary of the Bhima River, which is a tributary of the Krishna River.
  • It originates from the Western Ghats near Lonavala.
  • The rain-fed river flows 103.5 km through the Pune district and merges with the Bhima River at Tulapur.
  • It has religious importance with sacred towns Alandi (Sant Dnyaneshwar’s samadhi) and Dehu (Sant Tukaram’s hometown) on its banks.
  • The river passes through the industrial town of Pimpri-Chinchwad.
  • It is used for irrigation and local agriculture.
  • Valvan Dam on the river is a hydroelectric generating station.
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Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 18-05-2025

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E-Passport Essentials

  • India has joined over 120 nations issuing biometric e-passports to enhance security, expedite immigration, and comply with international standards.
  • An e-passport is a conventional passport with an embedded RFID chip storing encrypted personal and biometric data like name, date of birth, facial data, and fingerprints.
  • Security features like RFID encryption, Basic Access Control (BAC), Passive Authentication (PA), Extended Access Control (EAC), and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) protect data and prevent tampering or forgery.
  • Benefits include enhanced security against identity theft (due to encrypted biometrics), faster immigration via automated e-gates, and global acceptance facilitated by ICAO standards.
  • They also offer improved privacy (address stored digitally), convenience for travelers, enhanced national security through better border tracking, and simpler data management.
  • India’s adoption aims to improve border security, prevent document forgery, streamline procedures, and meet international travel requirements.
  • Applications can be made online or at Passport Seva Kendras, involving registration, form filling, payment, appointment, and in-person biometric verification.
  • E-passports in India are manufactured at Nashik’s India Security Press to ensure data integrity and national security.
  • The cost in India is ₹1,500 for a 36-page passport and ₹2,000 for a 60-page passport.

E-Passport Essentials

GRAIL

  • GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory) was a NASA mission using two spacecraft (Ebb and Flow) to create a detailed gravitational map of the Moon.
  • It measured variations in the Moon’s gravitational field by tracking the distance between the spacecraft, providing insights into its interior.
  • Key news finding: GRAIL data revealed significant differences between the Moon’s nearside and farside.
  • Why differences exist (based on GRAIL findings):
    • Tidal deformation/Gravitational asymmetry: Earth’s gravity causes the nearside to flex more than the farside during orbit, indicating a different internal structure.
    • Volcanic activity and heat distribution: The nearside was more volcanically active in the past, concentrating heat-producing radioactive elements (like thorium) in its mantle, making it hotter than the farside and creating a long-term thermal imbalance.
    • Crustal thickness: The nearside crust is significantly thinner than the farside crust, which allowed magma to more easily
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      reach the surface and form the extensive lava plains (“mare”) seen on the nearside.

Coral Reef Basics

  • News: Scientists developed SNAP-X bio-ink, boosting coral larvae settlement by 20x for reef restoration.
    • Why: Offers a breakthrough to help restore reefs facing climate threats.
  • What they are: Underwater structures of tiny coral polyps bound by calcium carbonate, forming marine ecosystems.
    • Why: Built by these polyps over time, creating complex habitats.
  • Key features/formation: Thrive in warm (around 20°C), clear, shallow (up to 55m) saltwater with low nutrients and minimal pollution. Need sunlight and plankton.
    • Why: Specific conditions required for coral polyps and their symbiotic algae (for photosynthesis) to survive and build the reef structure.
  • Types: Fringing (near shore), Barrier (farther offshore with deeper lagoon), Atolls (ring shapes around lagoons).
    • Why: Different formations depending on coastline proximity or geological factors like sinking islands.
  • Importance: Provide food, shield coastlines, support local economies (tourism/fishing), vital for marine biodiversity.
    • Why: Their structure and ecosystem support a vast array of marine life and offer protective services and economic benefits to human populations.

Three-Eyed Fentoni Found

  • Scientists described Mosura fentoni, a new species of extinct radiodont (early arthropod) from the Cambrian period (506 million years ago), providing new insights into ancient life forms.
  • Discovered in Canada’s Burgess Shale, a site crucial for preserving soft-bodied organisms, allowing detailed study of its structure.
  • Featured three eyes (two lateral, one central), suggesting advanced visual capabilities for its time.
  • Possessed a unique segmented, abdomen-like rear section with 16 gill-lined segments, which likely enhanced respiration and shows evolutionary convergence with modern arthropods like insects and horseshoe crabs.
  • The discovery reveals unexpected diversity and evolutionary experimentation among early arthropods, offering insights into their anatomy and evolutionary paths.

Gyan Bharatam Overview

  • Launch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the revamped mission, now called “Gyan Bharatam Mission,” on June 9, 2025 (or June 9, 2025/earlier this year, depending on the source interpretation). This signifies a high-level commitment to preserving India’s heritage.
  • Ministry: It is a national initiative under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, highlighting its official and governmental backing.
  • Revamp of NMM: It replaces and restructures the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM), established in 2003, which “had not taken off as expected.” This revamp aims to overcome previous limitations and give the mission new impetus, potentially making it an autonomous body.
  • Primary Objective: To systematically survey, document, conserve, and digitize over one crore (10 million) manuscripts across India. The sheer scale makes it the largest preservation initiative, crucial for saving a vast, scattered heritage.
  • Digital Repository: A major goal is creating a National Digital Repository of Indian Knowledge Systems, making ancient wisdom globally accessible to researchers and the public, leveraging technology for wider reach.
  • Massive Coverage & Scale: Targeting over 10 million manuscripts (including those with private collectors, estimated at 80%), which is unprecedented, ensuring comprehensive coverage of India’s manuscript wealth.
  • Increased Budget: Budget allocation significantly increased from ₹3.5 crore (for NMM) to ₹60 crore (annual allocation mentioned) with a total outlay of ₹482.85 crore for 2024-31. This substantial increase is critical to fund the ambitious scale, modern techniques, and potential autonomy.
  • Technological Adoption: Will use advanced methods like AI-driven archiving, metadata tagging, translation tools, modern conservation, and 3D imaging. This moves beyond traditional methods to ensure better preservation and accessibility.
  • Addressing Past Issues: Acknowledges that previous efforts documented metadata for 52 lakh manuscripts but uploaded only a third, with limited viewing access (70,000) partly due to a lack of “access policy,” especially for private collections (80% of total). The revamp likely aims to address these issues and incentivize private owners.
  • Accessibility: Aims to make manuscripts accessible for academic research, education, and public knowledge globally, democratizing access to India’s historical and cultural texts.

BSF

  • BSF is India’s first line of defence and sharpest force alongside the armed forces – Why: Crucial during cross-border tensions, particularly highlighted amid escalations from Pakistan.
  • It is the primary border-guarding organisation – Why: Raised on December 1, 1965, following the 1965 War specifically “for ensuring the security of the borders of India.”
  • Functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs – Why: It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
  • Primary roles include protecting land borders during peacetime, preventing transnational crime, and assisting the Indian Army in wartime – Why: To secure India’s borders and support defence efforts.
  • Deployed at the Indo-Pakistan, Indo-Bangladesh International Borders, Line of Control, and in Anti-Naxal Operations – Why: Covers critical national security and internal security areas.
  • Known as the world’s largest border guarding force – Why: Reflected in its scale with 186 battalions and 2.57 lakh personnel.
  • Possesses unique wings like Air, Marine, Artillery, Camel, and Dog units – Why: Supports General Duty Battalions, expands reach into varied terrain, and provides specialised capabilities.
  • Maintains a unique Tear Smoke Unit (TSU) – Why: Responsible for producing tear gas munitions required for Anti-Riot Forces in India.
  • Vested with powers of arrest, search, and seizure under various Acts (Customs, NDPS, etc.) – Why: To effectively prevent transnational crime and enforce laws at the border.
  • Motto is “Duty Unto Death” – Why: Signifies the force’s ultimate commitment to its mandate.

AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM

  • US approved sale to Turkey is recent news, raising concerns in India. (Why: Indicates its current geopolitical significance and impact on regional security).
  • It is an Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), variant C-8, a highly capable beyond-visual-range (BVRAAM) and surface-to-air missile. (Why: Defines its core identity and roles).
  • Developed by Raytheon Technologies, it’s designed to engage and destroy enemy aircraft at extended ranges, considered a cornerstone of modern air combat. (Why: Identifies its origin and importance in current aerial warfare).
  • Launch platforms include modern fighters like F-16, F-15, F/A-18, and F-35. (Why: Shows its compatibility with widely used combat aircraft).
  • Features include a range exceeding 160 kilometers optimally, speed over Mach 4, and sophisticated “fire-and-forget” guidance using active radar, inertial navigation, GPS, and a two-way data link for accuracy updates. (Why: These are key performance aspects enabling long-range, autonomous engagement).
  • Equipped with an advanced radar seeker designed to detect stealthy aircraft, electronic countermeasures resilience, and an 18.1 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead with a proximity fuse. (Why: Highlights its ability to counter modern aerial threats effectively).
  • Capable of engaging multiple targets beyond visual range in contested electronic environments. (Why: Demonstrates high-end combat effectiveness).

AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM

J&K PSA Provisions

  • Srinagar Police recently invoked the Public Safety Act (PSA) against 23 individuals (Why: Citing their involvement in subversive activities, threats to national security and public order, and continued disturbance despite previous bail).
  • The PSA is a preventive detention law (Why: Its purpose is to empower authorities to detain individuals to prevent actions prejudicial to state security or public order without formal charges or a trial).
  • Key provision: Detention Without Trial (Why: Permits authorities to hold individuals without formal charges or court trial, a core aspect of preventive detention).
  • Key provision: No Right to Bail or Lawyer (Why: Detainees cannot seek bail or appoint legal representation, significantly limiting their legal recourse).
  • Key provision: Limited Legal
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    Remedies (Why: The only way to challenge detention is through a habeas corpus petition filed by relatives in higher courts, restricting the detainee’s direct challenge).
  • Key provision: Re-Detention Possibility (Why: Even if a detention order is quashed by higher courts, the government can issue a fresh order, allowing continued detention).
  • Key provision: Discretionary Powers (Why: The District Magistrate issuing the order is legally protected, as the PSA considers such actions done “in good faith,” shielding the authority).
  • Key provision: Broad Grounds (Section 8) (Why: Defines grounds for detention broadly, including promoting enmity or acts threatening harmony, giving wide scope to authorities).
  • Key provision: Detention Duration Varies (Why: Allows detention for up to one year for disturbing public order and two years for activities harmful to state security, distinguishing based on the perceived threat).
  • Context: Police describe the recent detentions as part of “systemic targeting” of perceived “anti-national” infrastructure, involving moving detainees outside the Kashmir Valley (Why: Highlights the scale and nature of the current crackdown amidst claims of normalcy).

World Food Prize 2025

  • Brazilian scientist Mariangela Hungria won the 2025 World Food Prize.
  • She was recognized for her pioneering work in developing biological seed and soil treatments.
  • Her research reduces the use of chemical fertilizers and helps boost crop yields and nutrition.
  • These treatments enable crops to utilize soil bacteria for nutrients, lowering the need for synthetic fertilizers.
  • The World Food Prize is an international award for individuals who have improved the quality, quantity, or availability of food globally.
  • It is known as the Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture.
  • Founded by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, it recognizes contributions across various fields related to the world food supply.
  • The prize includes a $500,000 award presented around World Food Day in Des Moines, Iowa.

Type 2 Diabetes

  • CBSE directs schools to set up “Sugar Boards”: Why? To monitor/reduce sugar consumption to lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity in children.
  • Type 2 diabetes is when blood sugar is too high: Why? The body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it well, preventing glucose from entering cells.
  • Key causes include being overweight/obese, lack of physical activity, and genetics: Why? These factors impair the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
  • Affects about 6.3% globally, mainly adults over 45, but also children: Why? Shows its prevalence and the increasing concern in younger populations, linking to the school initiative.
  • Symptoms often develop slowly over years and may be mild or absent: Why? Makes it hard to detect early; includes increased thirst, hunger, tiredness, blurred vision, numbness, slow-healing sores, and unexplained weight loss.
  • Treatment involves managing blood sugar: Why? Through healthy lifestyle and sometimes medication (pills or injections like insulin) to prevent complications of this lifelong condition.
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Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 17-05-2025

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QDs & 2D Metals

  • Quantum dots are tiny semiconductor particles (nanometres wide) considered zero-dimensional because electrons are confined in all directions.
  • Quantum confinement restricts electron movement, altering their energy states and giving quantum dots unique properties, making them behave like giant atoms.
  • Quantum dots have widespread applications in LEDs, diagnostics, solar panels, and fabrication.
  • The developers of a reliable method to create quantum dots received the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry due to their significant real-world impact.
  • 2D metals are atomically thin sheets (1-2 atoms thick) where electrons move only in two dimensions.
  • Creating stable 2D metals was challenging because metals naturally favor 3D bonding, making thin sheets difficult to produce.
  • 2D metals are expected to have unique properties useful for next-generation technologies like super-sensitive sensors.
  • Specific 2D metals like bismuth and tin are predicted to be topological insulators, conducting electricity only along edges, which could lead to faster computers.
  • A recent study reported a breakthrough method using a high-pressure sandwich technique with MoS2 and sapphire layers to create large-area, atomically thin 2D sheets of several metals, overcoming previous limitations.
  • This new technique provides a simpler and more effective way to create these materials, opening opportunities for further research and application development.

Updated PLFS

  • Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) revamped by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), extending its coverage to rural areas.
  • Why: To provide high-frequency labour market indicators, better detail, timely insights, and improved precision across India.
  • Key Output Change: Provides monthly estimates of Labour Force Participation Rate, Worker Population Ratio, and Unemployment Rate for both rural and urban areas (all-India level) using the Current Weekly Status (CWS) framework.
  • Previous Frequency: These indicators were previously released only quarterly and just for urban areas.
  • Quarterly estimates will now cover rural areas and major states in addition to urban for enhanced detail and timeliness.
  • Annual estimates using Usual Status (ps+ss) and CWS frameworks continue for comprehensive coverage of activity status based on one-year and seven-day reference periods.
  • Enhanced Precision: Sample size significantly increased by 2.65 times to cover around 2.72 lakh households annually, aiming for more reliable estimates.
  • Timeline: Revamped sample design started from January 2025; first monthly bulletin for April 2025 released in May 2025; first quarterly bulletin covering both rural and urban areas (Apr-June 2025) due in August 2025.

Intel MAC

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently inaugurated the revamped Multi Agency Centre (MAC). Why: This marks a significant upgrade to a key national security platform.
  • MAC is a national intelligence-sharing fusion centre under the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for sharing, storing, collating, and analysing intelligence on terrorism daily. Why: This is its core function, highlighting its central role in India’s counter-terrorism efforts.
  • The new MAC network connects all police districts across the country through a secured network, built at a cost of ₹500 crore. Why: This represents a major expansion in reach and infrastructure, ensuring intelligence connectivity down to the remotest areas.
  • It incorporates advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Geographic Information System (GIS). Why: These technologies enhance data analysis, hotspot mapping, predictive capabilities, leading to more accurate and actionable intelligence.
  • The upgraded network strengthens efforts to tackle threats including terrorism, extremism, organised crime, and cyberattacks. Why: It’s designed to address a broader range of complex national security challenges.
  • As many as 28 organisations, including RAW, armed forces, and State police, are part of the platform, sharing real-time intelligence. Why: Shows the comprehensive integration and collaboration across various security and intelligence agencies.
  • MAC was created in 2001 post-Kargil and strengthened after 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Why: Provides historical context, showing its evolution in response to major security events and its continuous importance.
  • The new MAC provides a seamless and integrated platform for synergising efforts against complex security challenges and combating the terror ecosystem linked with organised crime. Why: Emphasises its role in improving inter-agency coordination and tackling intertwined threats effectively.

Campus Calling

  • What: National Commission for Women (NCW) launched the ‘Campus Calling’ programme in collaboration with Yuvamanthan.
    Why: To initiate a large-scale effort to make educational spaces across India more gender-sensitive and cyber-safe for students.
  • What: The programme aims to enhance gender sensitivity, raise awareness on preventing sexual harassment, and address cybercrimes.
    Why: To equip students with knowledge and skills to combat discrimination, harassment, and cybercrimes effectively within educational institutions.
  • What: It targets reaching over 1,000 universities and colleges nationwide.
    Why: This makes it one of the most extensive youth-focused initiatives by the NCW, aiming for widespread impact across the country.
  • What: The initiative will appoint four student Campus Ambassadors (2 male, 2 female) from each participating institution.
    Why: These ambassadors will lead gender sensitization efforts among peers, fostering a culture of safety, equality, and respect, acting as key drivers of positive change on campus.
  • What: Students took a pledge on gender sensitivity, prevention of sexual harassment, and cyber safety during the launch.
    Why: To reaffirm their commitment to fostering respectful and secure campuses and actively participate in creating safe environments.

Rajon ki Baoli

  • Conservation work on the 16th-century Rajon ki Baoli stepwell in Delhi’s Mehrauli Archaeological Park has been successfully completed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), World Monuments Fund India (WMFI), and TCS Foundation. Why: This is the main news highlighting the successful preservation effort.
  • The restoration involved cleaning, de-silting, structural repair, and water quality improvement using traditional materials like lime plaster and mortar to maintain its historical character. Why: Details the specific conservation methods used, emphasizing authenticity. Fish were introduced to help water quality.
  • Rajon ki Baoli, built in 1506 during the Lodi dynasty by Daulat Khan, is a significant historical stepwell. Why: Establishes the structure’s age, builder, and historical context as a testament to Lodi-era architecture and water engineering.
  • Known as ‘Baoli of the Masons’, it is a four-tiered, subterranean structure (1610 sq m area, 13.4m depth) featuring Indo-Islamic architecture with intricate carvings and arches, originally used for water storage and as a summer retreat. Why: Describes the baoli’s unique design, features, original function, and historical name meaning.
  • The project is part of WMFI’s Historic Water Systems of India initiative, aligning with the Climate Heritage Initiative, highlighting the importance of restoring traditional water systems for sustainable water management. Why: Connects the specific conservation project to larger heritage and sustainability goals, particularly in the context of climate change.
  • Local communities were engaged through educational programs and participatory conservation activities to promote awareness and ensure the site’s long-term care. Why: Shows the inclusive approach taken to involve locals in the preservation and future maintenance of the heritage site.

Kids’ Future Wellbeing

  • A UNICEF report shows child wellbeing declined significantly in wealthiest nations post-Covid-19 pandemic (Why: due to disruptions caused by the pandemic and related shutdowns).
  • Academic performance dropped, with 8 million 15-year-olds in wealthy nations lacking basic literacy/numeracy by 2022 (Why: school closures and remote learning issues, especially affecting disadvantaged children).
  • Child life satisfaction decreased in many wealthy countries (Why: impact of the pandemic on routines, social interaction, and mental state).
  • Overweight and obesity rates increased in many wealthy nations (Why: continuation of a long-term trend exacerbated potentially by pandemic lifestyle changes).
  • The Netherlands and Denmark rank highest for child wellbeing (Why: consistent performance across mental, physical, and skills metrics).
  • In India, child mental health is a major concern, with many untreated cases and high stigma around seeking help (Why: pre-existing issues compounded by pandemic stress; suicide is a leading cause of death in late adolescents).
  • India faces rising child obesity projections (Why: part of a global trend with significant future economic cost implications).
  • Despite high school enrollment, India struggles with poor learning outcomes, particularly in foundational skills post-Covid (Why: pandemic disruption, digital inequality, and existing challenges in quality education).
  • Causes for declining wellbeing include economic/digital inequality, social issues (discrimination, conflict, traditional practices, pressure, abuse), and climate change impacts (Why: these factors directly affect children’s basic needs, safety, and development).
  • Suggested measures include strengthening health/nutrition programs, implementing school-based mental health support, improving digital literacy (especially cyber safety), reducing social/economic inequality, enforcing protection laws (POCSO, JJ Act), and leveraging international best practices (Why: targeted interventions needed to address the multi-faceted challenges).
  • The report serves as an urgent call for governments globally to prioritize child-centric policies (Why: swift action is needed to reverse declines and protect a generation’s future).

Heatwave GeoClim Factors

  • Andhra Pradesh and Telangana experience intense heat waves due to unique geography and climate, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C.
  • Latitude and Solar Intensity: States near the Tropic of Cancer receive intense, nearly vertical solar radiation in summer, significantly heating the ground.
  • Terrain and Surface: Rocky, barren landscapes (like the Deccan plateau) and black soils absorb and retain more heat than vegetated or moist areas. Evapotranspiration from vegetation/irrigation cools the surroundings.
  • Landlocked Regions: Areas far from large water bodies (like most of Telangana and interior AP) lack the moderating, cooling effects of water, leading to greater temperature extremes.
  • Urban Heat Islands: Dense urban areas with concrete and limited green space absorb and retain more heat, intensifying local temperatures.
  • Rainfall and Humidity: Low pre-monsoon rainfall leads to dry soil and reduced evaporative cooling. Minimal cloud cover increases solar radiation. High humidity worsens heat stress by reducing sweat evaporation.
  • Wind and Atmosphere: Weak winds prevent heat dispersion. Stable atmospheric conditions (like temperature inversion) trap heat near the ground. High-pressure systems (anti-cyclonic flows) cause clear skies, dry air, and sinking air, enhancing heating.
  • El Niño and “Loo”: El Niño can weaken monsoons, reduce rain and cloud cover, causing dry soils and higher surface temperatures. “Loo” is a hot, dry summer wind contributing to heat.
  • Deforestation: Loss of forest cover reduces evapotranspiration, contributing to higher local temperatures.

Mahadayi River

  • Protest in Goa erupted following a scientific paper by CSIR-NIO and INCOIS scientists on the Mahadayi river’s water budget. Why: The paper’s finding that Karnataka’s permitted diversions would not significantly
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    impact Goa (except for Kalasa’s effect on a sanctuary area) contradicted Goan concerns and triggered outrage.
  • The scientific paper assessed the river’s water budget and concluded permitted diversions from Bhandura would have minor impact, while Kalasa diversion could impact the northern Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. Why: It offered a scientific perspective on the dispute’s technical aspects, becoming the direct cause of the recent news event.
  • Goan groups like the Mhadei Movement and RGP protested the report, alleging it is biased, politically motivated, and aims to favour Karnataka while the dispute is before the Supreme Court. Why: They questioned the paper’s findings and timing, viewing it as a threat to Goa’s water security and a conspiracy.
  • The news is set against a long-standing dispute between Karnataka and Goa over sharing the Mahadayi river’s water, primarily Karnataka’s plans to divert water from the Kalasa and Bhandura tributaries. Why: This decades-old conflict provides the essential context for understanding the sensitivity and implications of the scientific paper and protest.
  • The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) in 2018 allowed Karnataka to divert specific amounts (1.72 tmc from Kalasa, 2.18 tmc from Bhandura), an award challenged by both states in the Supreme Court. Why: The scientific paper evaluated the impact of these specific, legally contested diversions, directly linking it to the ongoing legal battle and making it newsworthy.
  • The Mahadayi river is vital for Goa, often called its lifeline, providing drinking water, irrigation, and supporting ecosystems, particularly in North Goa. Why: This highlights the high stakes for Goa in the dispute and explains the strong emotional and practical reasons behind their opposition to diversions.

Tanot Temple

  • The historic Tanot Mata Temple, a 1,200-year-old site near the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, is set to reopen for visitors. Why: Public access is being restored as border tensions subside after a temporary closure for safety.
  • The temple gained widespread fame during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan Wars for surviving heavy bombardment unharmed. Why: This survival is considered miraculous and is central to the belief in the deity’s protective powers.
  • Unexploded bombs from the wars are kept in a museum within the temple premises. Why: They serve as physical evidence of the temple’s legendary survival story during the conflicts.
  • Since the 1971 war, the temple has been managed by the Border Security Force (BSF). Why: This reflects its strategic location and post-war significance, maintaining a close link with border security forces.
  • A Vijay Sthamba (Victory Pillar) built inside the temple premises commemorates India’s victory in the 1971 war. Why: It highlights the temple’s connection to a significant national historical event.
  • The temple was temporarily closed to the public due to recent security assessments and the discovery of drone and missile debris in border areas. Why: This measure was taken for public safety amidst ongoing searches for remnants of recent cross-border incidents.
  • While BSF priests continued daily worship during the closure, public participation in rituals is now resuming. Why: This signifies a return to normal operations for the temple and its devotees.
  • Searches for remnants of recent drone and missile incidents continue in various locations in the border areas. Why: This ongoing activity provides context for the recent security concerns that led to the temporary temple closure.

People’s Court

  • Rajasthan High Court took suo motu cognizance of the non-functioning of 16 Permanent Lok Adalats in the state.
  • This stoppage occurred because the tenure of presiding officers and members was not extended due to a government order, halting operations since April 8.
  • The issue affects potentially over 10,000 pending disputes across 16 districts, stalling quick and cost-effective resolution.
  • Lok Adalats are statutory alternative dispute resolution (ADR) forums under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, aiming for expeditious dispute settlement through compromise.
  • Their awards are binding and enforceable as civil court decrees, with no court fees for cases.
  • Permanent Lok Adalats are specifically for disputes related to public utility services.
  • The High Court stated courts cannot ignore the need for speedy justice under the guise of policy matters and impleaded senior government officials, appointing an amicus curiae.
  • The situation leaves litigants uncertain, with some judgments written but not delivered.

E-Passport

  • E-passports are being issued by the Ministry of External Affairs under the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) 2.0. This is news as it marks a modernization step in travel documentation using technology.
  • An e-passport includes a paper passport with an embedded RFID chip containing personal and biometric data. This makes verification faster and enables digital security checks.
  • They are visually identified by a small gold symbol on the front cover. This allows quick distinction from traditional passports.
  • Key benefits include enhanced security against forgery and fraud through a secure digital signature and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). PKI ensures data authenticity and integrity, protecting sensitive information.
  • PSP 2.0, operational from 2024, is a tech-driven digital transformation expanding passport services nationwide. This program provides the framework for the e-passport rollout.
  • E-passports are currently issued in several Regional Passport Offices across India, including Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Nagpur, etc., showing the practical implementation and progress.
  • Traditional passports remain valid, and switching to an e-passport is optional and gradual. This is important for citizens to know their existing documents are still valid.

Shingles

  • Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which reactivates years after a chickenpox infection, typically when the immune system weakens.
  • It usually presents as a painful rash with blisters, often on one side of the body, and can lead to complications like persistent nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia).
  • The shingles vaccine, such as Shingrix, is recommended for adults aged 50 and over and those with weakened immune systems to prevent the disease and its complications.
  • A recent large-scale South Korean study revealed that individuals vaccinated against shingles have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.
  • Studies also indicate the shingles vaccine is associated with a lower risk of dementia, showing reductions ranging from 17% to 25%.
  • A unique Welsh study, mimicking a natural experiment, found a 20% lower relative risk of dementia over seven years in vaccinated individuals (using the older Zostavax vaccine).
  • An Oxford study using Shingrix also found a 17% reduction in dementia diagnoses.
  • The exact mechanism linking the vaccine to lower dementia risk is being researched, possibly by preventing the virus’s effects or altering immune responses.
  • Other common vaccines, including for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Diphtheria, and Pneumococcal disease, have also been linked to reduced dementia risk in studies.

Dirang First NE Geothermal

  • North-East India’s first geothermal production well drilled in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh; why: marks a significant step for renewable energy in the Himalayan region.
  • Dirang Geothermal Project aims to make Dirang the first fully geothermal-powered town; why: reduces dependence on fossil fuels and firewood, improves living standards in high-altitude areas.
  • Site has a reservoir temperature of ~115°C; why: suitable for direct-use geothermal technologies like drying agricultural products and space heating.
  • Uses closed-loop binary organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system; why: harnesses geothermal heat efficiently for electricity generation with minimal environmental impact.
  • Geothermal energy is renewable baseload power (available 24/7); why: provides stable energy unlike intermittent solar/wind, contributing to India’s energy security.
  • India has potential for 10,600 MW geothermal energy (enough for 10 million households); why: highlights the large untapped resource.
  • Project supported by Arunachal Pradesh govt. and Ministry of Earth Sciences; why: demonstrates government commitment to geothermal development.
  • Leveraged international cooperation (Norway, Iceland) and advanced analysis/drilling; why: ensures precision and efficient resource access.
  • Potential environmental risks from fluid leaks highlighted; why: emphasizes need for sustainable development and monitoring.
  • Adds to India’s growing geothermal efforts, alongside pilot projects in Telangana (Manuguru, Khammam) and Ladakh (Puga Valley); why: shows progress and challenges in harnessing this resource nationally.
  • India has international partnerships (Iceland, Saudi Arabia, US RETAP) for geothermal collaboration; why: facilitates knowledge sharing and technological advancement.

Teesta Prahar

  • Exercise Teesta Prahar was a large-scale integrated field training exercise conducted by the Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps. This is news as it demonstrates the Army’s operational training intensity.
  • Held at the Teesta field firing range in West Bengal, near the strategic Siliguri corridor (“Chicken’s Neck”). Its location highlights training relevance to a critical national security area.
  • The exercise showcased the Army’s operational readiness and coordination among key combat and support arms in challenging riverine terrain. This is significant news showing preparedness for specific environments.
  • It involved a wide array of units including Infantry, Artillery, Armoured Corps, Para Special Forces, and Army Aviation, emphasizing integrated force capability and jointness.
  • A key element was the deployment and validation of newly inducted next-generation weapon systems and advanced battlefield technologies, reflecting the Indian Army’s ongoing modernisation efforts.
  • The drill reinforced synergy and seamless coordination, demonstrating the Army’s ability to operate effectively across varied terrain and adverse weather conditions through tactical manoeuvres.

Teesta Prahar

Gig Work

  • A meeting by the Gig Workers Association highlighted critical issues in India’s gig economy, urging for minimum wages, social security, and legal protections for workers.
  • Workers demanded tripartite welfare boards (including workers, employers, and government) at state and national levels to address welfare concerns.
  • Gig work is defined as flexible, task-based work outside traditional employment, often enabled by digital platforms, leading to a lack of employee benefits.
  • India’s gig workforce is estimated to grow significantly (7.7M in 2020-21 to 23.5M by 2029-30), driven by increasing digital access, e-commerce growth, demand for convenience, and a need for income among the low-cost labor pool.
  • Despite offering flexibility and income potential, major challenges include lack of legal protections (classified as independent contractors), employment instability due to algorithmic control and ratings, and inadequate government response (slow implementation of social security).
  • Many workers face low earnings (average Rs 15k-20k/month) and lack savings, highlighting vulnerability.
  • Issues also include gender disparities, delayed payments, and opaque algorithmic management leading to arbitrary decisions without recourse.
  • Steps recommended include urgent legal reforms like implementing labour codes, potentially reclassifying workers, establishing portable benefits systems, improving working conditions through transparent grievance mechanisms, skill development, and formalizing workers via digital IDs.

Food Crises Report

  • Acute hunger reached a new record high in 2024, affecting 295.3 million people in 53 countries, continuing a sixth consecutive annual increase due to conflict, climate disasters, and economic shocks.
  • The number of people facing catastrophic levels of hunger (famine conditions) more than doubled to 1.9 million.
  • Conflict is the primary driver of acute hunger in many countries, alongside extreme weather and economic shocks impacting millions.
  • The outlook for 2025 is “bleak” as humanitarian funding for food sectors is projected to fall by up to 45%, threatening crucial aid operations and nutrition services.
  • Over 37 million children under five in 26 countries suffered from acute malnutrition in 2024.
  • The crisis signifies a “failure of humanity,” with hunger spreading faster than the global ability to respond, exacerbated by funding cuts and food loss/waste.

Stagflation

  • Stagflation concerns are rising in the US as of May 2025.
  • This is linked to potential high inflation, slow growth, and high unemployment occurring simultaneously.
  • A major contributing factor currently highlighted is stress in the US banking sector.
  • US banks are holding $482.4 billion in unrealized losses from securities investments, a 32.5% increase from the previous quarter.
  • These losses are tied to high interest rates, which reduce the value of older, lower-yield bonds held by banks.
  • High interest rates are a tool used to fight inflation, but they can also slow economic growth and potentially worsen bank stability by reducing bond values and increasing credit loss risks.
  • Experts warn these unrealized losses could trigger another banking crisis if depositors lose confidence, similar to SVB in 2023.
  • High interest rates are expected to continue, potentially reaching 5%, which experts believe could lead to “serious problems” for the banking system and further unrealized losses.
  • Rising tariffs are also mentioned as a factor potentially increasing input costs and contributing to price hikes (inflation), potentially worsening a stagflation scenario.
  • Stagflation makes it harder to manage because actions to fight inflation (like raising rates) can hurt growth and jobs, and vice-versa.
  • In a stagflation scenario, higher rates could persist longer, accumulating credit losses, particularly for lenders to sectors like tech and venture capital.

Repair Index

  • The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has submitted a report on a Framework on Repairability Index (RI) for consumer electronics and appliances.
  • The RI aims to assign scores to products based on how easy they are to repair.
  • Products will be evaluated on factors like availability and cost of spare parts, software updates, and availability of repair information.
  • This initiative stems from issues like planned obsolescence (designing for short lifespan to drive sales) and leaner engineering choices (using fewer materials due to rising costs), leading to products with shorter lifespans and frequent failures.
  • The framework aligns with the global “right to repair” movement, which seeks to empower consumers and independent repair businesses by ensuring access to necessary tools, parts, and documentation without manufacturer restrictions.
  • DoCA has already launched the Right to Repair Portal India to provide consumers easy access to product repair information and authorized service centers.
  • Focus on repairability is also driven by benefits like promoting e-waste recycling, supporting a circular economy, reducing demand for virgin metals, and providing consumers with longer-lasting products and lower maintenance costs.
  • Industry concerns exist regarding potential loss of repair revenue and business impact, reflected in the composition of the committee that drafted the framework,
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    though consumer advocates were also included.

Deadly Algal Bloom

  • A massive toxic algal bloom, caused by the algae Karenia mikimotoi, has devastated marine life along 150 km of South Australia’s coastline.
  • Over 200 marine species, including fish, rays, and sharks, have died.
  • The algae produces toxins that damage gills, attack red blood cells causing internal bleeding (giving a red tinge to dead fish), and act as a neurotoxin disrupting the nervous system, leading to suffocation, abnormal behavior, and death.
  • An ongoing marine heatwave, raising sea temperatures by 2.5°C, is identified as a cause that can trigger algal blooms.
  • The thick bloom itself significantly reduces oxygen levels in the water, suffocating marine life.
  • This event is described by conservationists as unprecedented and a “horror movie for fish”.
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Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 14-05-2025

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Gamburtsev Mountains

  • Ancient Origins Revealed: The Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains (GSM) formed over 500 million years ago during the assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent.
  • Hidden Mountain Range: The GSM are a completely buried mountain range located beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
  • Discovery: The mountains were first discovered in 1958 by a Soviet seismic expedition.
  • Unlike Transantarctic Mountains: Unlike the Transantarctic Mountains, which are partially visible, the GSM remain entirely buried under kilometers of ice.
  • Tectonic Stability Puzzle: The existence of such a large mountain range in a tectonically stable region like East Antarctica has puzzled geologists.
  • Zircon Analysis: Scientists analyzed zircon grains from ancient river deposits to determine the mountains’ age.
  • Timeline of Formation:
    • Uplift began ~650 million years ago.
    • Himalayan-scale peaks reached ~580 million years ago.
    • Crustal melting and flow ceased ~500 million years ago.
  • Gondwana Formation Link: The GSM’s formation is linked to tectonic plate collisions during the formation of the supercontinent Gondwana.
  • Insight into Continent Evolution: The findings offer insight into how mountains and continents evolve over geological time and why Antarctica’s interior has remained stable for millions of years.

AGN

  • Discovery of New AGNs: Astronomers using the Spektr-RG (SRG) space observatory detected 11 new Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) during all-sky X-ray surveys.
  • What are AGNs: AGNs are compact regions at the centers of galaxies with exceptionally high electromagnetic radiation. Powered by supermassive black holes accreting matter.
  • Importance of AGNs: Crucial for understanding galaxy formation, evolution, black hole activity and cosmic energy sources.
  • Method of Detection: The new AGNs were identified via optical and X-ray inspection of sources in the ARTSS1-5 catalog, using SRG’s ART-XC telescope.
  • Characteristics: The newly detected AGNs are relatively nearby (redshifts 0.028 to 0.258) with X-ray luminosities in the range of 2 to 300 × 10³⁹ erg/s.
  • Seyfert Classification: All 11 new AGNs are classified as Seyfert galaxies: 7 Sy 1, 3 Sy 1.9, and 1 Sy 2. Types are distinguished by emission line characteristics.
  • Seyfert Galaxies: These appear like normal galaxies in visible light but have strong infrared and X-ray emissions from their cores.
  • Types of AGNs: Common types include quasars, blazars, Seyfert galaxies, and radio galaxies, each emitting energy across various wavelengths.

Mearim River Tidal Bore

  • Mearim River’s Location: Located in Maranhão state, northeastern Brazil, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Tidal Bore (Pororoca): The river is famous for its “Pororoca,” a tidal bore where ocean tides surge upstream against the river current. The term “Pororoca” means “great roar” in the Tupi language.
  • Tidal Bore Formation: The tidal bore is a positive surge of water caused by rising ocean tides pushing against the river current, typically during spring tides and supermoons.
  • Ecological Significance: The river forms the southern boundary of the Tocantins–Araguaia–Maranhão moist forests ecoregion, a biodiversity hotspot.
  • Surfing and Awareness: A Brazilian surfer is using the Mearim’s pororoca to raise awareness about climate change and ecological degradation.
  • Navigational Challenges: The upper and middle courses of the river are non-navigable due to rapids; only the lower course is suitable for navigation.
  • Global Comparison: Other rivers with tidal bores include the Amazon, Qiantang, and Seine.

Mearim River Tidal Bore

Ayurveda Day

  • Fixed Date for Ayurveda Day: Ayurveda Day will be observed annually on September 23rd, starting in 2025, as per a Gazette Notification dated March 23rd, 2025.
  • Shift from Dhanteras: Previously, Ayurveda Day was celebrated on Dhanteras (October/November), which follows a variable lunar calendar.
  • Reason for Change: The Ministry of AYUSH shifted the date to ensure consistency and enhance global visibility, as Dhanteras fluctuates significantly each year (between October 15th and November 12th).
  • Autumnal Equinox Significance: September 23rd coincides with the autumnal equinox, when day and night are nearly equal, symbolizing balance in nature, aligning with Ayurvedic principles of equilibrium among body, mind, and spirit.
  • Holistic Philosophy: The equinox represents cosmic harmony, supporting Ayurveda’s holistic approach to health, emphasizing living in balance with nature.
  • Ministry of AYUSH’s Role: The Ministry of AYUSH is the key organizer of Ayurveda Day celebrations in India. The ministry urges global participation and sees this shift as an opportunity to further embed Ayurveda into global health narratives.
  • Ayurveda Defined: Ayurveda, derived from ‘Ayu’ (life) and ‘Veda’ (knowledge), means the “science of life”.
  • Core Principle: Ayurveda is based on the tridosha theory: Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water), and Kapha (water & earth). Health is a balanced state of these doshas, dhatus (body tissues), and malas (waste products).
  • Preventive and Curative: Ayurveda emphasizes both preventive measures (hygiene, lifestyle) and curative treatments (herbal remedies, diet).
  • Formal Recognition: The Indian Medical Council Act of 1971 provides formal recognition to Ayurveda.

T-Bills

  • India extends financial support to Maldives: Renewed a USD 50 million Treasury Bill for another year via SBI.
  • Purpose: Bolsters Maldivian government’s economic reform and resilience efforts.
  • Special Arrangement: Government-to-government arrangement where SBI subscribes to T-Bills without interest. Renewed annually since March 2019 as emergency aid.
  • Strategic Importance: Highlights Maldives’ significance to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’.
  • Beyond Financial Aid: India extended the special quota for essential commodities exports to the Maldives.
  • Stronger Ties: Assistance reflects India’s commitment to supporting the Maldivian government and people.
  • Treasury Bill Rollover: Reinvesting proceeds from a maturing T-bill into a new one, effectively extending the investment term.
  • T-Bills: Short-term debt instruments issued by the Indian government through the RBI.
  • Purpose of Indian T-Bills: To meet short-term financial requirements of the central government. RBI uses them in open market operations.
  • Features of Indian T-Bills: Zero coupon securities, issued at a discount, redeemed at face value.
  • Tenure of Indian T-Bills: 91 days, 182 days, 364 days.
  • Minimum Investment of Indian T-Bills: ₹25000 or multiples.

2024 YR4

  • Asteroid 2024 YR4: Initially flagged as a potential Earth threat, NASA now estimates a 3.8% chance of it colliding with the Moon on December 22, 2032.

  • Discovery & Size: Discovered in December 2024 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. Estimated to be about 65 meters wide (size of a 10-15 story building).

  • Near-Earth Asteroid: It’s a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA), meaning its orbit brings it within 1.3 Astronomical Units (AU) of the Earth.

  • Revised Threat Assessment: Initial high alert due to potential Earth impact was lowered after more data refined the orbit calculations.

  • Impact Implications: A lunar collision could create a large crater (500-2000 m wide) and pose a risk to lunar missions. The impact would be far more powerful than Hiroshima.

  • Monitoring Efforts: Observatories constantly monitor NEAs. Automated searches identify moving objects,

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    and models predict their orbits. Uncertainties are reduced with additional data.

  • Visibility Debate: Whether the impact flash will be visible from Earth is debated.

  • Future Observations: YR4 will pass Earth again in 2028, allowing for more data collection and refined predictions.

  • Preventable Disaster: Asteroid impacts are considered a preventable natural disaster with adequate monitoring and potential mitigation strategies.

CIMS

  • RBI’s CIMS: Regulated entities must report digital lending app (DLA) details through the CIMS portal.

  • CIMS Purpose: Introduced by RBI for managing large data flows, analysis, dissemination, and governance. It acts as a central data warehouse.

  • CIMS Technology: Employs advanced technology for Big Data management, enabling data mining, text mining, visual analytics, and statistical analysis across financial, external, fiscal, corporate, real estate, and pricing sectors.

  • Advantages: Improves regulatory reporting efficiency for RBI and reduces the workload for regulated entities via electronic submission using cloud technology.

  • Benefits for RBI: Enhanced timeliness and quality of regulatory data, improved financial system monitoring, quicker response to risks, and better communication with regulated entities.

  • Selenium Error: Indicates a problem with locating a specific element on a webpage using Selenium automation, specifically element with CSS selector “.MainStory_storycontent__Pe3ys”. This suggests a website structure change or issue with the script.

India: Growth Imperative

  • “6% GDP Growth Trap”: India’s GDP growth has largely hovered around 6% between 2000 and 2025, needing structural reforms, tech investment, human capital development, and sustainability to surpass.

  • Current Growth: IMF projects 6.2% GDP growth in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026, fastest among major economies. Forex reserves are strong, infrastructure is expanding, and manufacturing capacity utilization is high. Unemployment is gradually improving.

  • Investment & Job Creation: Investment-to-GDP ratio has fallen, slowing growth and job creation. Employment elasticity of investment has declined due to capital-intensive sectors.

  • Fiscal Constraints: High interest payments on debt and a low tax-to-GDP ratio limit crucial investments. Inefficient public spending reduces policy effectiveness.

  • Infrastructure & Trade: High logistics costs and trade barriers limit access to global markets.

  • Social Weaknesses: Uneven wealth distribution, rural-urban disparities, and corruption hinder growth.

  • External Factors: Global uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and dependence on foreign investment impact growth.

  • Growth Drivers: Domestic demand, infrastructure spending, digital economy, manufacturing growth, services sector, energy transition, and fiscal/monetary stability drive growth.

  • Needed Steps:

    • Boost private investment in labor-intensive industries.
    • Reform fiscal policy to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio.
    • Expand exports by strengthening trade agreements.

  • Conclusion: Targeted investments, trade and tax reforms, and prudent fiscal management are crucial to break the “6% growth trap” for poverty reduction and enable a larger middle class.

  • Aspirational Growth: India seeks to move from a per capita GDP of $2,800 to $20,000 by 2047 (developed nation status), emphasizing the importance of high growth.

SAMRIDH: Seed Funding

  • Fraudulent Activity: Two individuals, Prashant Agarwal (HPPL Foundation director) and chartered accountant Sudhanshu Kumar Rakesh, have been arrested for allegedly defrauding the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of over ₹3 crore under the SAMRIDH scheme.
  • Modus Operandi: They allegedly made false representations to obtain government funds, failed to distribute the money to selected startups, and concealed the fraud with forged financial reports.
  • SAMRIDH Scheme: The Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH) is a MeitY program designed to support and accelerate IT-based startups.
  • Objective: The scheme aims to provide startups with customer connections, investor access, and international market opportunities, offering up to ₹40 lakh in investment through selected accelerators, with matching investment facilitated by the accelerator.
  • Implementation: The scheme is implemented by MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH), Digital India Corporation (DIC).
  • HPPL Foundation’s Role: HPPL Foundation was selected as an accelerator and received ₹3.04 crore to fund eight startups but failed to disburse the funds, instead misappropriating them and submitting fake utilization certificates.
  • Arrests: Agarwal was arrested in Bengaluru, and Rakesh was apprehended in Patna, Bihar.
  • Complaint: The case was registered following a complaint by Rashi Sharma, authorized representative of MeitY Startup Hub (MSH).

Social Media & Youth

  • Why in News: Growing concerns over social media’s impact on youth identity and mental health, highlighted by a young entrepreneur’s suicide due to follower loss.

  • Identity Formation: Social media shifts identity formation from private reflection to public performance, driven by algorithm-based self-curation, blurring the lines between authenticity and online approval.

  • Mental Health Concerns: Pressure for validation and curated self-presentation contribute to anxiety, depression, and distorted self-image. The system rewards performance, not vulnerability. Filter bubbles reinforce extreme views.

  • Ecosystem’s Role: The entire social media ecosystem, not just influencers, is responsible for promoting unrealistic ideals and punishing vulnerability.

  • Child Influencers: Concerns are heightened with child influencers, where parents may push content for follower count, leading to adult scrutiny and performance pressure.

  • Body Image Distortion: Online trends like “thigh gaps” distort body image, causing internalized shame and eating disorders.

  • Extreme Trends: Trends like the “Blue Whale challenge” demonstrate the dangers of pushing boundaries without addressing underlying issues.

  • Parental Role: Moving from surveillance to connection is crucial; parents should understand and learn the language children use online, fostering open conversations rather than imposing fears. Recognizing Finsta accounts indicates a disconnect.

  • Regulation & Policy: Social media platforms should modify recommendation algorithms to prioritize educational content. Ethical design standards should be enforced to prohibit amplification of harmful content. Digital literacy programs should be integrated into school curricula.

Social Media & Youth

Kendu Leaf

  • Kendu Leaf Trade Deregulation Delayed: Eight Gram Sabhas in Odisha’s Koraput district are waiting for government deregulation of kendu leaf trade, crucial for their economic self-sufficiency under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

  • Impact of Delay: Failure to deregulate last year resulted in an estimated Rs 36 lakh loss due to rain damage, severely impacting local tribal economies.

  • Economic Importance: Kendu leaves (“green gold”) are a significant Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP), providing vital income for tribals, women, and widows.

  • FRA 2006 and Community Rights: The FRA, 2006 grants forest rights, including MFP rights, to forest-dwelling communities, allowing them to manage and sell non-timber forest produce independently.

  • Odisha’s Significance: Odisha is a major kendu leaf producer, contributing about 20% of India’s national output, making deregulation particularly critical for the state.

  • Current Situation: The Gram Sabhas are ready to manage the trade, having collected over 400,000 bundles, but await the crucial government notification to proceed.

China’s Mineral Grip

  • China’s Export Restrictions: China has imposed export restrictions on germanium, a critical mineral vital for semiconductors, fiber optic cables, and solar panels.
  • India’s Engagement: India is in talks with China to address these restrictions, as they impact Indian industries dependent on germanium imports.
  • Germanium Importance: Germanium is crucial for semiconductors, fiber optic cables, solar cells, and infrared night vision systems. China produces over half the world’s germanium.
  • Reasons for Restrictions: China cites national security, retaliation against US tariffs, and strengthening control over global supply chains as reasons.
  • India’s Dependence: India is entirely reliant on imports for germanium, as it has no domestic production. This makes India vulnerable to supply disruptions.
  • Impact on India: Indian industries face increased costs due to inflated import prices, with some relying on suppliers in the UAE.
  • Critical Minerals: Critical minerals are essential for renewable energy technologies, EVs, electronics, AI, robotics, and space technology.
  • India’s Concerns: The Economic Survey 2022-23 warns that critical minerals may become geopolitical flashpoints like crude oil.
  • China’s Dominance: China dominates the global processing of critical minerals, controlling 80-90% of processing capacity, especially in rare earth elements.
  • Other Restrictions: Reportedly, China is also thwarting other projects through export curbs, and even travel restrictions.

Digital Banking Units: Road Ahead

  • News: Digital Banking Units (DBUs) face limited expansion and sustainability concerns despite their 2022 launch aimed at extending digital financial services to remote areas.

  • What are DBUs: Specialized banking hubs offering digital services through self-service, anytime access; launched in 75 remote districts in 2022.

  • Challenges:

    • Ineffective
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      Planning:       Rushed implementation without considering local needs and digital readiness.
    • High Operational Costs: RBI mandates separate infrastructure, increasing expenses, especially in low-traffic areas.
    • Low Digital Literacy: Hinders DBU usage, particularly among senior citizens, in areas lacking cash counters.
    • Connectivity Issues: Unstable internet and power in remote areas disrupt operations.

  • Enhancement Measures:

    • Decentralized Expansion: Base DBU establishment on local demand and digital literacy.
    • Strengthened Digital Literacy Programs: Leverage PMGDISHA and collaborate with local entities for training.
    • Infrastructure Support: Improve connectivity via BharatNet and ensure backup power.
    • Enhanced Customer Support: Provide human assistance for onboarding and multilingual interfaces.
    • Focused Financial Products: Facilitate access to schemes like PMSBY, PMJJBY, APY, and digital loans (Mudra).

Indore: Beggar-Free City

  • Indore Declared Beggar-Free: Indore is the first city in India to be declared beggar-free.
  • Bhiksha Vriti Mukta Bharat Initiative: This achievement falls under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s “begging-free India” initiative.
  • World Bank Recognition: The World Bank has also recognized the city’s efforts.
  • Rehabilitation Efforts: Achieved through the “Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging” sub-scheme of SMILE.
  • SMILE Scheme: Launched in 2022, focuses on rehabilitating beggars through identification, profiling, and providing services like counseling, education, and reintegration support.
  • Campaign Details: A year-long campaign, started in February 2024, rehabilitated approximately 5,000 beggars by providing employment and education.
  • Begging Ban: Begging and giving alms are banned, with penalties for violations. Rewards are offered for reporting violations.
  • Constitutional Context: Vagrancy, including beggary, falls under the Concurrent List, allowing both Centre and states to legislate.
  • No Central Law: India lacks a uniform central law; Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959, acts as a main law which criminalizes begging.
  • Pilot Project: Indore is one of 10 cities with a pilot project to eliminate begging.

MY Bharat

  • MY Bharat selects civil defence volunteers: Aims to empower youth in disaster management.

  • Training: Volunteers receive week-long specialized training from national and state disaster management agencies.

  • Goals: Build a trained force to handle disasters, accidents, and emergencies. Foster civic responsibility and equip youth with critical skills.

  • Need: Addresses increasing security concerns and the need for a community-based response system.

  • Volunteer Roles: Rescue operations, evacuation, first aid, traffic/crowd control, public safety, disaster rehabilitation, and assisting government agencies.

  • Registration: Individuals can register on the My Bharat portal (mybharat.gov.in).

  • MY Bharat Overview: Autonomous body under the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

  • Purpose: Technology-driven platform for youth development and engagement across government initiatives.

  • Target Age Group: Primarily 15-29 years (10-19 years for specific adolescent programs).

  • Focus: Shifting youth from “passive recipients” to “active drivers” of development.

  • Phygital Platform: Combines physical activities with digital connectivity.

Afrikaners: A White African Tribe

  • US Welcomes Afrikaner Refugees: The US Deputy Secretary of State welcomed the first group of Afrikaner refugees to the United States, following President Trump’s directive to prioritize resettlement for this “vulnerable group facing unjust racial discrimination.”

  • Accusations of Racial Bias: The US administration’s decision to welcome Afrikaners has sparked accusations of racial bias, with critics alleging selective migrant acceptance.

  • Afrikaner Identity: Afrikaners are a white ethnic group native to South Africa, with origins dating back to 1652 with the Dutch East India Company’s settlement. They are often called “Africa’s White Tribe” due to their long-standing presence and ethnogenesis on the continent.

  • Origins and Formation: The Afrikaner community evolved from Dutch, French Huguenot, German settlers, and enslaved people from India, Indonesia, Madagascar, and East Africa. A unique identity developed through interactions among these groups, marked by Afrikaans language, Calvinist values, and a self-reliant culture.

  • Historical Conflicts: Afrikaners, particularly the Trekboers, engaged in conflicts with indigenous communities as they moved inland. Later, they fought wars with Britain, including the Boer Wars, resulting in significant loss and displacement.

  • Apartheid and Inequality: The Afrikaner-led National Party implemented apartheid in 1948, which ended in 1994. Despite the end of apartheid, wealth and land ownership remain disproportionately in white hands, with significant economic disparities between white and Black South Africans.

  • Afrikaner Perspective: Afrikaners view themselves as having a legitimate claim to Africa, seeing it as their home and wanting their right to be there.

Chambal: India’s River

  • Sand Mining Concerns: Illegal sand mining is a major environmental issue in the Chambal River region (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh), threatening its ecosystem.

  • Clean River Status: The Chambal is recognized as one of India’s cleanest rivers.

  • Habitat for Endangered Species: It is a crucial habitat for endangered species such as gharials, Gangetic dolphins, and Indian skimmers, highlighting its biodiversity importance.

  • National Chambal Sanctuary: A significant portion of the river is protected by the National Chambal Sanctuary, emphasizing conservation efforts.

  • Tributary of Yamuna: The Chambal is a tributary of the Yamuna River, and part of the Gangetic drainage system, underscoring its role in the larger river system.

  • Origin and Course: It originates in the Vindhya Range, flows through Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, forms a boundary between them, and finally joins the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. This defines its geographical path.

  • Drainage Basin: The river and its tributaries drain the Malwa region and southeastern Rajasthan, illustrating its regional influence.

  • Key Tributaries: The Banas, Mej, Parbati, Kali Sindh, and Shipra rivers contribute to the Chambal’s water flow, indicating a complex hydrological network.

  • Major Dams: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, and Jawahar Sagar Dam are built on the river, demonstrating its use for water management and power generation.

Wadge Bank

  • Hydrocarbon Exploration Project Proposed: The Union government plans hydrocarbon exploration at Wadge Bank under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP). The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has invited bids for exploration of oil and natural gas from three areas in South of Cape Comorin, covering 27,154.80 sq km.

  • Fishermen Opposition: Fishermen in Kanyakumari and surrounding districts (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) strongly oppose the project.

  • Livelihood Concerns: Fishermen fear the project will negatively impact their livelihoods by disrupting access to vital fishing grounds, potentially forcing small-scale fishers to sail longer distances.

  • Ecological Sensitivity: Wadge Bank is a marine area in south of Cape Comorin, rich in fishery resources and a biodiverse, ecologically sensitive zone. Concerns raised about potential harm to the environment.

  • Wadge Bank Importance: Wadge Bank is a submarine plateau, a rich fishing ground with high organic productivity, serving as a key feeding and breeding area for fish. It spans approximately 10,000 sq km

  • Lack of Consultation: Criticism that the government did not adequately consult the local fishing community before proposing the project.

  • Potential Environmental Impact: Hydrocarbon exploration may release pollutants into air and water, according to research.

  • Protests and Advocacy: Fishermen associations are raising awareness, planning protests, and submitting memorandums to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

  • Wadge Bank’s Natural Barrier Role: Wadge Bank serves as a natural barrier protecting the region from disasters. The project could weaken this barrier.

  • State Government Stance: The Tamil Nadu government has not granted a no-objection certificate and is reportedly reviewing the project. No major intimation or public hearing done.

Semi-Cryo Engine

  • ISRO Semi-Cryogenic Engine Hot Test Successful: ISRO successfully conducted a short-duration hot test of its semi-cryogenic engine at IPRC, Mahendragiri, marking its 2nd successful hot test.

  • LOX-Kerosene Engine: The engine utilizes liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer and refined kerosene (RP-1) as fuel.

  • Higher Performance: This LOX-kerosene combination provides a higher density impulse compared to cryogenic systems (LOX-LH2), improving propulsion efficiency.

  • Cost-Effective & Easier Handling: Kerosene is cheaper and easier to manage than liquid hydrogen, reducing costs and simplifying operations.

  • Boosts Payload Capacity: The engine’s development enhances ISRO’s payload capacity.

  • Supports Future Launch Vehicles (NGLV): This engine is designed to power booster stages of heavy-lift launch vehicles like the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

  • NGLV Details: The NGLV is a cost-efficient, reusable heavy-lift rocket under development, capable of carrying up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit and designed for communication satellite launches, deep space missions, and human spaceflight.

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Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 13-05-2025

by

Pratap Jayanti

  • Maharana Pratap Jayanti: Observed on May 9th, 2025.

  • Prime Minister’s Tribute: Shri Narendra Modi paid respects to Maharana Pratap, acknowledging his courage and valor in defending the motherland.

  • Birth and Lineage: Born on May 9, 1540, in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan. He was the 13th King of Mewar and son of Udai Singh II, the founder of Udaipur.

  • Battle of Haldighati: Fought on June 18, 1576, against Raja Man Singh (Akbar’s General). Though brave, Maharana Pratap was defeated.

  • Regaining Mewar: After 1579, he regained Western Mewar and established his capital at Chavand.

  • Death and Succession: Died on January 19, 1597. His son, Amar Singh, succeeded him.

  • Inspiration: Maharana Pratap’s life and bravery continue to inspire generations, serving as a guide for courage and patriotism.

HIMARS

  • Taiwan Live-Fire Exercise: Taiwan recently conducted its first live-fire exercise using the American-supplied HIMARS. This is noteworthy as it signals Taiwan’s increased defense capabilities and readiness in a region with heightened geopolitical tensions.

  • What is HIMARS? It’s a lightweight, wheeled, multiple rocket launcher system capable of launching precision-guided rockets and tactical missiles. This makes it highly versatile for various combat scenarios.

  • Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Corporation (USA). This highlights the US’s role as a key provider of advanced military technology.

  • Targets: Designed to engage artillery, air defense systems, trucks, light armor, and troop concentrations. This illustrates HIMARS’ effectiveness against a wide range of enemy assets.

  • Key Features:

    • Air-transportable and mounted on a 5-ton FMTV. This provides rapid deployment and maneuverability.
    • Carries either 6 rockets (43-mile range) or 1 ATACMS missile (200-mile range). This emphasizes its ability to strike both near and far targets.
    • Quick firing time (less than 20 seconds to prepare, 45 seconds to fire all 6 rockets). This allows for shoot-and-scoot tactics, minimizing vulnerability.
    • Equipped with Increased Crew Protection cabin. This protects the crew from various battlefield hazards.

  • High Mobility: Designed to quickly relocate after firing, reducing the risk of counter-attack. This highlights its survivability in a dynamic combat environment.

Vesak Day 2025: UN

  • UN Vesak Day 2025 held in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City hosted the event with delegates from 85 countries.
  • Theme: “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development.”
  • Global Leaders United: The event emphasized the importance of Buddhist values for peace and sustainability.
  • Ethical Foundation: Buddhism is highlighted as the ethical foundation for a just and non-discriminatory society.
  • Ministerial Address: Shri Ramdas Athawale emphasized the transformative potential of Buddhist principles in modern societies.
  • Prayer Chanting: Vajrayana Buddhist monks from India performed a prayer chanting ceremony.
  • Global Cooperation: Speakers underscored the relevance of Buddhist wisdom in addressing global challenges.
  • Key Messages: Focused on Buddhist education, environmental advocacy, mental health, and nurturing the younger generation.
  • International Voices: Leaders of international Buddhist organizations clarified the theme.
  • Emphasis on Unity: Affirmed the importance of global cooperation and solidarity among Buddhist traditions.
  • Relics Intervention: India successfully intervened to stop the auction of Piprahwa Buddhist relics in Hong Kong.
  • Vesak Significance: Observance of the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.
  • Piprahwa Relics: Relics excavated in 1898, linked to Buddha, and protected under Indian law.

IMO

  • MEPC-83 Outcome: IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC-83) voted 63-16 to accept a hybrid model, based on India’s proposal, as the Net Zero Framework, setting a mandatory emissions levy for international shipping.
  • Five Proposals for emissions levy: Proposals included a fixed CO2 levy (Intl Chamber of Shipping, EU), a market-driven approach (China), a ‘bridging mechanism’ targeting under-compliant ships (India), and a hybrid model rewarding ZNZ fuel use (Singapore).
  • Implementation Challenges: The MEPC-83 decision requires amending Annex VI of the MARPOL convention. A two-thirds majority is needed for final adoption, and one-third of parties representing 50% of global shipping tonnage can block it.
  • Geopolitical Interests: Oil-exporting countries opposed green fuel transition, while small island nations favored high carbon levies for green development. Shipowners questioned the need for a green levy.
  • Why Green Shipping Matters: Shipping contributes ~2.8% of global GHG emissions. Without action, emissions could rise significantly by 2050.
  • IMO Goals: IMO aims to reduce carbon intensity by 40% by 2030 (vs. 2008 levels), 70% by 2040, and achieve net-zero by 2050.
  • CBDR-RC Erosion: The principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” is being eroded, with wealthier nations shifting responsibility to developing economies.
  • India’s Benefit: India could become a hub for clean energy exports due to its National Hydrogen Mission. The MBM’s impact on India’s trade volumes is expected to be minimal.
  • IMO’s Role: IMO is a UN agency responsible for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. It formulates regulations on shipping safety, maritime security, and environmental protection, but does not enforce them
  • MARPOL Convention: The primary international treaty to prevent pollution of the marine environment from ships due to operational or accidental causes.

Private Capex

  • NSO Survey on Private Sector Capex: The National Statistics Office (NSO) released its first

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    survey estimating private corporate capital expenditure (capex) trends over five financial years (2021-22 to 2025-26).The survey was conducted between November 2024 and January 2025.

  • Capex Growth and Projected Decline: Overall capex rose by 66.3% between FY22 and FY25. However, a 25.5% decline is projected for FY26, indicating cautious planning after a strong capex cycle in FY25.The highest capex was seen in 2024-25 at Rs 6.56 lakh crore.

  • Investment Purpose: In FY25, 49.6% of enterprises invested for income generation, 30.1% for upgradation, and 2.8% for diversification.

  • Sectoral Distribution: Manufacturing received the highest capex share (43.8%), followed by Information & Communication (15.6%) and Transportation & Storage (14%).

  • Asset Allocation: 53.1% of total capex in FY25 was directed towards machinery & equipment, 22% to capital work-in-progress, and 9.7% to buildings and structures.

  • Growth in Gross Fixed Assets (GFA): Average GFA per enterprise grew by 27.5% from Rs 3,279.4 crore in FY23 to Rs 4,183.3 crore in FY24. The highest GFA was in Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Air Conditioning Supply, followed by Manufacturing.

  • Challenges: The projected decline in FY26 is attributed to high borrowing costs, weak demand, geopolitical uncertainties, lack of greenfield projects, and structural bottlenecks (land acquisition, labour reforms).

  • Cautious Approach: Data for 2025-26 should be interpreted with caution, given the conservative approach shown by responding enterprises in reporting these figures.Capex tends to rise when enterprises pursue growth strategies rather than maintain current operations.The sample size for the survey was of 5,380 enterprises.

Tech Day ’25

  • National Technology Day 2025 Theme: “YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration.”

    • Why: YANTRA symbolizes India’s scientific heritage, innovation, systems, synergy, and scalable solutions. Yugantar signifies India’s shift towards global tech leadership.

  • Observed on: May 11th, 2025.

    • Why: Commemorates the successful nuclear tests (Operation Shakti) and the first flight of Hansa-3 aircraft on May 11th, 1998.

  • Declared in 1999: By then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

    • Why: To honor India’s scientific and technological achievements.

  • Focus of 2025 Celebrations: Advancing deep-tech, precision engineering, and transformative R&D.

    • Why: To accelerate India’s technological progress in key sectors.

  • Key Participants: Policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, academic institutions, and startup founders.

    • Why: To foster collaboration between science, industry, and society for technological advancement.

  • Organized by: Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

    • Why: TDB-DST plays a crucial role in promoting and funding technological innovation.

  • Significance: Reinforces the partnership between science, society, and industry.

    • Why: To translate scientific discoveries into practical applications that benefit society.

WWII: 80 Years On

  • 80th Anniversary Commemoration: Russia marked the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat with a military parade on May 9, 2025, in Red Square.
  • Historical Context: World War II (1939-1945) was the most widespread conflict in history, ending with Germany’s surrender in May 1945 and Japan’s in September 1945.
  • Victory Day Variations: Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 due to time zone differences, while Western nations commemorate on May 8.
  • Indian Contributions: The article highlights the contributions of Indians during WWII, often overlooked.
  • Kolachala Sitaramaiah: A scientist who contributed to the Soviet war effort by developing kerosene-based fuels and lubricants for tanks, his research aided the Soviets in the Battle of Kursk.
  • Idris Hasan Latif: An Indian pilot in the Royal Indian Air Force who fought in Burma and later became the 10th Chief of the Indian Air Force.
  • Global Impact: Victory in Europe Day is a global commemoration of the millions who suffered, including economic hardships and famine.
  • Individual Heroism: The article emphasizes the heroism of individuals like Sitaramaiah and Latif, who fought for liberty without seeking personal glory.
  • India’s Perspective: The war years are largely remembered as a crucial moment in India’s struggle for independence.

IMDEX Asia ’25

  • IMDEX Asia 2025 Overview: A premier biennial maritime and defence exhibition held in Singapore since 1997, serving as a global platform for navies and maritime industries in the Asia-Pacific.

  • Key Features: Includes the International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) for strategic dialogue and the Maritime Information Sharing Exercise (MARISX) to improve maritime security coordination.

  • Indian Participation: INS Kiltan, an indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvette, is participating, reaffirming India’s strategic presence and strengthening naval ties.

  • INS Kiltan Significance: This is India’s first major warship with a carbon fiber composite superstructure.

    • Participated in the war and named after an island.

  • India-Singapore Partnership: The visit underscores the robust maritime partnership between India and Singapore.

  • Activities and Objectives: The ship’s crew will engage in bilateral/multilateral activities to strengthen naval cooperation, enhance interoperability, and promote mutual understanding. These include professional exchanges, guided tours, and cross-deck visits.

  • Focus: Highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to regional security, stability, and the longstanding friendship between India and Singapore.

Phosphorus Micro-Gatekeepers

  • Microbial ‘Phosphorus Gatekeeping’ Discovered: Soil microbes (fungi and bacteria) control phosphorus (P) cycling in soil, regulating its availability to plants. Study in Cooloola, Australia (700,000-year-old system).

  • Phosphorus is Crucial: Essential for all life; involved in energy metabolism (ATP), cell membranes, photosynthesis, and genetics (DNA/RNA). Often limiting in old/weathered soils.

  • Microbial Adaptations to P Scarcity: Microbes adapt via lipid replacement, lipid accumulation and optimizing phosphorus use efficiency in metabolism.

  • Competition and Facilitation for Plants: Microbes compete with plants for P, but also recycle and make P more accessible over time, aiding plant growth in the long run.

  • Microbial Control Over P Availability: Microbes control P release, uptake, and storage in the soil.

  • Phosphorus Role in Agriculture: Phosphorus is a vital macronutrient essential for plant growth, root development, and energy transfer (ATP).
  • Influence of Microbes on Cycling: Microbes solubilise inorganic phosphorus, produce phosphatase enzymes, and store or release phosphorus based on environmental conditions.

NCLAT

  • NCLAT Dismissed Insolvency Petition Against PepsiCo India: NCLAT rejected an insolvency petition by SNJ Synthetics, reinforcing that IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code) should not be used merely for debt recovery, especially when only disputed interest claims are involved.

  • Upheld NCLT Order: NCLAT supported the prior decision of the Chandigarh bench of NCLT, which had also dismissed SNJ Synthetics’ plea.

  • Disputed Interest Claim: The principal debt owed by PepsiCo had been repaid, leaving only a disputed interest claim. NCLAT ruled that initiating CIRP (corporate insolvency resolution process) based solely on a contested interest component was not justified.

  • IBC’s Purpose: NCLAT emphasized that IBC aims to rejuvenate and revive companies facing genuine insolvency, not to push them into “corporate death” for debt recovery.

  • SNJ Synthetics’ Claim: SNJ Synthetics initially claimed ₹1.96 crore, including principal and interest. After the principal was settled, they pursued only the interest claim, which NCLT found potentially below the minimum threshold and based on an unsigned agreement.

  • NCLAT Rationale: NCLAT’s decision confirms the appropriate use of IBC and prevents it from being misused as a tool for simple debt recovery, especially over disputed amounts.

  • NCLAT Overview: NCLAT is a quasi-judicial body established under the Companies Act, 2013 to hear appeals against NCLT, IBBI, CCI and NFRA orders. It ensures corporate dispute resolution, transparency, and efficiency in insolvency and corporate governance.

Tapti Recharge Project

  • MoU Signed: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have signed an agreement to jointly implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project.
  • Objective: To ensure optimal utilization of river water resources for irrigation and drinking water across both states, addressing water needs in specific regions.
  • Third Major Project: Following Ken-Betwa and Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal projects, this is the third major inter-state river project involving MP.
  • Water Diversion: Water from the Tapti River (originating in MP) will be diverted to northeastern Maharashtra (including Nagpur for drinking water) and southern/southeastern MP for irrigation.
  • Water Allocation: Total planned usage is 31.13 TMC, with 11.76 TMC allocated to MP and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra.
  • Land Usage & Cost: The project requires 3,362 hectares of land in MP (no displacement) and has an estimated cost of ₹19,244 crores (2022-23). Centre to fund 90%.
  • Beneficiary Areas: Burhanpur and Khandwa districts in MP, and Jalgaon, Akola, Amravati, and Buldhana districts in Maharashtra will benefit from improved irrigation.
  • Irrigation Potential: The project aims to ensure permanent irrigation for 1,23,082 hectares in MP and 2,34,706 hectares in Maharashtra.
  • “World’s Largest Recharge Scheme”: The project is described as the world’s largest groundwater recharge scheme.
  • Revival of Old Project: The project was initially conceptualized in the 1990s and is now being revived after sporadic discussions. The meeting was the first in 25 years.
  • National Project Recognition: MP seeks recognition of the Tapti initiative as a national water project.

Axion Hunting with HAYSTAC

  • Axions are hypothetical particles: Proposed to solve the strong CP problem in QCD and are leading candidates for dark matter.
  • HAYSTAC experiment’s technological advance: HAYSTAC’s recent results, though not detecting axions, expanded the search range for axion mass and coupling strength.
  • Axions as Dark Matter: They are electromagnetically neutral, extremely light, and weakly interacting, making them suitable as cold dark matter.
  • HAYSTAC’s detection method: HAYSTAC aims to detect axions by converting them into photons within a strong magnetic field using a haloscope (microwave cavity in a magnetic field).
  • Quantum Squeezing: HAYSTAC utilizes quantum squeezing techniques to reduce noise and improve signal detection sensitivity, which is crucial for spotting faint axion signals.
  • Parameter Space Exploration: HAYSTAC Phase II conducted the widest frequency search for dark matter axions, pushing the boundaries of the search.
  • Why Axions matter: Understanding axions could solve the dark matter puzzle, explaining a significant portion of the universe’s mass.
  • Why HAYSTAC matters: It’s a leading experiment using innovative techniques like quantum squeezing to directly search for axions, advancing detection capabilities.

Axion Hunting with HAYSTAC

Bhoramdev Sanctuary

  • Man-Animal Conflict: Four people were injured in a bear attack within the Kawardha range of Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary while collecting tendu leaves. This highlights the ongoing issue of human-wildlife interaction in the area.

  • Location: Situated in the Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh, the sanctuary is part of the Maikal range of the Satpura hills.

  • Name Origin: The sanctuary derives its name from the ancient Bhoramdeo Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) located nearby, often called the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh”.

  • Area: Covers approximately 352 sq.km.

  • Ecological Significance: Part of the crucial Kanha-Achanakmar Corridor, facilitating wildlife movement between Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh) and Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary (Chhattisgarh).

  • Terrain: Features undulating hills, dense forests, and numerous streams.

  • Rivers: Origin of the Fen and Sankari rivers.

  • Vegetation: Tropical moist and dry deciduous forests, including Saaj, Sal, Tendu, and Nilgiri trees.

  • Fauna: Home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer, and diverse bird species.

SVAMITVA & WB Land 2025

  • SVAMITVA Scheme as a Global Model: India showcased its SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform at the World Bank Land Conference 2025. India is a “Country Champion” at the conference.
  • SVAMITVA Scheme Details:
    • Launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
    • Aims to provide legal ownership of residential properties in rural areas using drone and GIS technology.
    • Has issued property cards to 24.4 million households in 1.6 lakh villages as of April 2025.
    • Unlocking land value worth USD 1.162 trillion.
  • Gram Manchitra Platform:
    • A GIS-based platform for rural governance and planning.
    • Integrates geospatial data with existing schemes for effective decision-making.
  • World Bank Land Conference 2025: A platform for sharing research and promoting best practices in land management.
  • India’s Achievements Highlighted: India’s leadership in land rights, tenure reforms, and technology-driven spatial planning was presented.
  • Impact of SVAMITVA: SVAMITVA is giving millions rural families legal title, dignity, and access to credit and opportunity.
  • Future Focus: Further discussions on inclusive, technology-driven land governance in a special event.
  • Gram Manchitra Presentation: On May 8, 2025, the platform for spatially informed decision-making at the Panchayat level to be showcased.
  • SDG Alignment: India’s interventions aim to be a model for other nations to achieve SDG Target 1.4.2.
  • Global Leadership: India is positioned as a global thought leader in land tenure reforms, rural development and inclusive governance.

Nursing 2025: Global Snapshot

  • Global Nursing Workforce Growth & Disparities: Increased from 27.9 million (2018) to 29.8 million (2023). 78% concentrated in 49% of the global population, leading to unequal access to essential health services.
  • Projected Shortage: Expected to decrease to 4.1 million by 2030, but largely concentrated in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.
  • International Migration: 1 in 7 nurses are foreign-born globally, highlighting reliance on migration, especially in high-income countries (HICs).
  • Mental Health Support Deficit: Only 42% of countries offer mental health support for nurses, crucial for retention and quality of care.
  • India’s Nurse-to-Population Ratio: 1.9 nurses per 1,000 people, below WHO’s recommended 3.
  • India’s Nursing Workforce Size: Over 3.3 million nurses registered; expansion of nursing education planned.
  • Challenges in India: Overburdened nurses, urban-rural imbalance, inadequate training, poor compensation, social stigma, and high migration rates.
  • LMICs Challenges: Low- and middle-income countries face challenges in graduating, employing, and retaining nurses due to limited domestic investment and job creation. Faster population growth may diminish impact of increased graduation rates.
  • HICs Reliance & Management of Retirement: High-income countries rely on foreign-trained nurses and must manage high retirement rates.
  • Gender Imbalance: Women comprise 85% of the global nursing workforce, indicating persistent gender-related issues in the profession.
  • Data Improvement: Increased data reporting from countries, highlighting progress in monitoring the global nursing workforce.

Indian Defence Tech

  • BrahMos Integration and Testing Centre Inaugurated: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the BrahMos Integration and Testing Centre in Lucknow.
    • Why: Underscores the significance of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in India’s defense strategy.
  • S-400 Effectiveness Demonstrated: The S-400 Triumf system successfully intercepted missile and drone attacks.
    • Why: Highlights India’s growing defense capabilities and the system’s role in providing a swift kinetic response.
  • Operation Sindoor: Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor with the motive to demolish terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.
    • Why: Targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan, sending a message of zero tolerance against terrorism.
  • India’s Stance on Terrorism: India will take action on both sides of the border against terrorism, showcasing political, social, and strategic willpower.
    • Why: Reinforces India’s commitment to counter-terrorism efforts and protect its interests.
  • Indigenous Air Defence and Missile Systems: Relevance highlighted through the demonstration of BrahMos and S-400 capabilities.
    • Why: Enhances multi-domain warfare readiness and ensures deterrence against adversaries.
  • Defense Agreements: India is strengthening defence capabilities through agreements with Russia (S-400, BrahMos), the US (potential F-35 acquisition), and France (Rafale-M).
    • Why: Bolsters India’s defense capabilities and promotes indigenous defense production.
  • UP Defence Industrial Corridor: BrahMos unit in Lucknow is part of this corridor, enhancing indigenous defense production.
    • Why: Promotes self-reliance in defense manufacturing and strengthens regional industrial capabilities.

Germanium

  • India-China Engagement: India is actively engaging with the Chinese government to address export restrictions imposed on germanium.

  • Critical Mineral: Germanium is crucial for manufacturing semiconductors, fiber optic cables, and solar panels.

  • Export Restrictions Impact: China’s export restrictions are causing issues for Indian electronics manufacturers and other industries.

  • Source of Grievances: The Indian embassy in Beijing confirmed that germanium export restrictions were a source of concern raised by Indian industry players.

  • Not a Rare Earth Element: Germanium is not classified as a Rare Earth Element (REE), but China holds a significant production share.

  • Import Dependence: India is entirely reliant on imports for its germanium needs, as it does not produce any domestically.

  • Trade Route: India is importing germanium through the UAE, leading to increased costs.

  • Fiber Optic Use: Germanium oxide is essential in manufacturing fiber optic cables.

  • Broader Restrictions: China is reportedly imposing export curbs and travel restrictions impacting other projects, such as those involving Foxconn.

Buddhavanam: The Forest of Buddha

  • Miss World 2025 Visit: Contestants from 22 countries visited Buddhavanam on Buddha Purnima.
  • Buddhist Theme Park: Buddhavanam is
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    a Buddhist theme park in Telangana, located on the banks of the Krishna River in the Nalgonda district.
  • Government Project: Sanctioned by the Indian government to develop an integrated Buddhist Circuit.
  • Tourism Focus: Aims to attract domestic and international tourists, especially from Southeast Asia.
  • Extensive Area: Spans 279 acres.
  • Key Attractions: Features Buddhacharitha Vanam (Life of Buddha), Jataka Park, Dhyana Vanam, Stupa Vanam (Maha Stupa), and a Buddhist Heritage Museum.
  • Maha Stupa: Features intricate carvings and a virtual hanging sky with lotus petals inside.
  • Historical Significance: Located near Nagarjuna Sagar, close to Nagarjunakonda, the former capital of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
  • Nagarjunakonda’s Buddhist History: Nagarjunakonda was a center of Mahayana Buddhism, named after Acharya Nagarjuna.
  • Excavations: Revealed Maha Stupa, Votive Stupas, Chaityas, and Buddhist sculptures at Nagarjunakonda.
  • Reconstructed Structures: Structures from Nagarjunakonda were reconstructed on the Nagarjunakonda Island and at Anupu.

Agri-Diversity Boost

  • Increased Rice and Wheat Cultivation: Area under rice and wheat cultivation has significantly increased in states like Punjab, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh, driven by supportive policies.
  • MSP & Procurement: Government’s near-guaranteed procurement of rice and wheat at Minimum Support Prices (MSP) provides price stability and income assurance, making them preferred crops.
  • Irrigation Support: Rice and wheat are mainly grown with irrigation, reducing dependence on rainfall and lowering yield risk.
  • Continuous Genetic Improvement: Strong public research support leads to the development of high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-smart varieties of rice and wheat. Example ICAR used CRISPR-Cas to create Kamala.
  • High Demand & Stable Market: Rice and wheat, as staple foods, have consistent domestic and global demand, ensuring steady sales through PDS and other welfare schemes.
  • Policy & Infrastructure Bias: Procurement infrastructure is better developed for cereals, and government schemes favor rice and wheat production.
  • Nutritional Deficiencies: Excessive reliance on rice and wheat limits nutritional diversity, contributing to malnutrition.
  • Soil Degradation: Overuse of water and chemical fertilizers for rice contribute to soil salinity and nutrient imbalance.
  • Water Scarcity: Rice cultivation’s high water consumption strains water resources, threatening agricultural sustainability, especially in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
  • Market Distortions: The MSP system distorts the market by promoting monoculture and neglect of other profitable or sustainable crops.
  • Policy & Institutional Reforms: Expand MSP coverage to include millets, pulses, oilseeds, and horticulture crops.
  • Promote Climate-Resilient Crops: Incentivize millets, boost pulses and oilseeds production, and expand horticulture development.
  • Strengthen Market Linkages: Expand e-NAM for better price discovery, promote contract farming, and focus on export promotion of high-value products.
  • Infrastructure & Technology Support: Provide post-harvest support through cold chains, warehouses, and food processing units.
  • Financial Support Measures: Expand PMFBY to cover diversified crops and offer lower interest rate loans for non-cereal crops.
  • Regional-Specific Strategies: Shift to alternative crops in Punjab-Haryana, promote flood-resistant varieties in Eastern India, and focus on dryland farming in rainfed areas.
  • Lack of R&D in Other Crops: Crops like cotton, oilseeds, and pulses have seen limited R&D, resulting in stagnant yields and fluctuating cultivation.

Agri-Diversity Boost

Dongria Kondh

  • NHRC Seeks Report: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has requested an Action Taken Report from Odisha’s Chief Secretary regarding the poor living conditions and lack of basic amenities for over 10,000 Dongria Kondh families. This highlights concerns about the community’s well-being and rights.

  • PVTG Status: The Dongria Kondh are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), signifying their specific vulnerabilities and need for targeted support.

  • Niyamgiri Hills: They inhabit the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha’s Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. This region is central to their identity, culture, and livelihood.

  • Cultural Significance: The Niyamgiri hills and forests hold deep religious and cultural significance for the Dongria Kondh. They consider the hilltops supreme deities and trace their ancestry to Niyam Raja.

  • Jharnia protectors of Streams: They are protectors of streams.

  • Unique Identity: They have distinctive jewellery, tattoos, and hairstyles, showcasing their unique cultural identity.

  • Livelihood: Their economy relies on collecting Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and horticulture (podu cultivation). The forest is their primary source of survival.

  • Language: They speak “Kuyi” and “Kuvi,” languages distinct from the state’s official language, Odia, further isolating them.

  • Concerns Highlighted: The NHRC’s action emphasizes the urgent need to address the Dongria Kondh’s precarious living conditions and ensure they have access to basic necessities and protection of rights.

Polar Crystals

  • ORNL Develops New Visualisation Technique: Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have created a technique to visualise ferroelectric domain wall dynamics in unprecedented detail using Scanning Oscillator Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (SO-PFM). This allows observation of both slow and abrupt movements of domain walls under rapidly fluctuating electric fields.

  • Ferroelectricity Explained: Ferroelectricity is a property where materials exhibit spontaneous electric polarisation, reversible by an external electric field. Electric dipoles align spontaneously in domains, similar to magnetic domains in ferromagnetism. Examples include barium titanate and Rochelle salt. This polarization vanishes above the Curie temperature.

  • Domain Walls’ Unique Properties: Domain walls, the boundaries between differently polarised regions, can exhibit electrical or magnetic properties distinct from surrounding domains. Some may become conductive or magnetically active even when the bulk material is not, making them suitable for nanoelectronic components.

  • Significance of New Technique: Traditional methods only provided static snapshots of domain walls. The new SO-PFM method creates dynamic visualisations, allowing researchers to understand how domain walls evolve and how much energy is required to move them.

  • Applications of Ferroelectric Materials: Used in non-volatile memory devices, sensors, actuators, capacitors, and energy storage technologies.

  • Ferroelectricity vs. Piezoelectricity: All ferroelectric materials are piezoelectric, but not all piezoelectric materials are ferroelectric. The key difference is switchable polarisation in ferroelectrics.

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Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 12-05-2025

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PL-15 Missile

  • Recovery in Punjab, India: A fully intact, Chinese-made PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile was found in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. This is noteworthy due to ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.

  • PL-15 Definition: The PL-15 (“Thunderbolt-15”) is a long-range, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed and manufactured in China.

  • Range: The domestic Chinese PL-15 has a range of 200-300 km. The export version, PL-15E, has a declared range of 145 km (but could be operationally 100-120 km).

  • Speed: The PL-15 can reach speeds exceeding Mach 5, attributed to its dual-pulse solid-propellant rocket motor.

  • Warhead: It carries a 20-25 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead designed to destroy maneuvering aerial targets.

  • Guidance System: Employs inertial navigation, Beidou satellite updates, a two-way datalink, and an AESA-based active radar seeker for accuracy and resistance to jamming.

Chenab River

  • Baglihar Dam Gates Opened: India opened multiple gates at the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam on the Chenab River in Ramban to regulate water flow following heavy rainfall.

  • Timing & Context: This action follows earlier gate openings and occurs amidst rising tensions with Pakistan and discussions surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty.

  • Indus Waters Treaty: The Chenab River is governed by the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which divides water usage rights between India and Pakistan. Pakistan heavily relies on this river system for irrigation.

  • Tensions & Ceasefire Violations: Recent events include cross-border firings, attempted air assaults by Pakistan, and explosions in Srinagar, raising concerns about ceasefire violations after a bilateral understanding to halt military operations.

  • India’s Response: India has retaliated to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and placed the Indus Waters Treaty in a state of suspension following the Pahalgam terror attack.

  • Chenab River Basics: The Chenab River, formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, is a major tributary of the Indus River and a vital water source for both India and Pakistan.

  • Baglihar Dam as Flashpoint: The Baglihar Dam project has been a previous point of contention between India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty framework.

  • Recent Developments: Earlier Centre had opened two gates at the Ramban-based dam—just days after having shut them—to manage water discharge to Pakistan.

Chenab River

Great Nicobar

  • Social Impact Assessment for Great Nicobar Development: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration is seeking financial bids for a social impact assessment related to land acquisition for a new arterial road. This road is part of the larger Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project.

  • Great Nicobar Island Location: It is the southernmost island in the Nicobar archipelago, separated from the Andaman Islands by the Ten Degree Channel.

  • Island Characteristics: It covers 1044 sq. km, is sparsely populated, and is covered by dense tropical rainforests (over 85%). It has over 100 km of beaches with coral reefs. Indira Point, India’s southernmost point, is located here. Mount Thullier is its highest peak.

  • Indigenous Tribes: The Shompen and Nicobarese tribes inhabit the island. Approximately 200 Shompen reside on Great Nicobar.

  • Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve: The island is home to the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated site, highlighting its ecological significance.

  • Biodiversity Hotspot: The island boasts diverse flora (650 species) and fauna, including endemic and endangered species like the Crab-eating Macaque, Nicobar Tree Shrew, Dugong, Nicobar Megapode, Serpent Eagle, saltwater crocodile, and Reticulated Python.

  • Controversial Development Project: The Holistic Development Project includes plans for a shipping terminal, airport, power plants, and housing, raising concerns about the impact on the environment and indigenous communities.

India and Foreign Aid

  • US President’s Freeze on Foreign Aid: Donald Trump’s decision to freeze USAID funding sparks discussions on foreign aid’s impact on India.

  • USAID’s Role in India: From 1951, evolved from food aid to infrastructure, WASH, renewable energy, disaster management, and health. In 2023-24, funded USD 750 million in projects.

  • Impact of Freeze on India: Potential slowdown in health initiatives (USD 79.3 million in 2024), economic development (USD 34.4 million in 2024), capacity building, and NGO operations, job losses, stalled projects, and weakened

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    accountability.

  • Evolution of India’s Relationship with Aid: Shift from early dependence to self-reliance, FDI focus post-1990s, and transition to donor status. Concerns over sovereignty, policy interference, internal security, and cultural imperialism.

  • India’s Concerns and Solutions: Balances strategic partnerships, geopolitical neutrality, South-South cooperation, transparency, and accountability in foreign aid.

  • Ambivalent Indian Attitude: India has had mixed reactions to foreign aid, from welcoming to hostile. Western nations no longer view India as needing aid.

  • Decline in Official Aid: Official development assistance declined after 1970, with a post-1990 shift towards FDI and global cooperation. Private aid to NGOs is also declining.

  • Impact on NGOs: Decline in aid affects NGOs involved in development work. External aid has been decreasing due to stringent government regulations (FCRA).

  • Drawbacks and Benefits: Foreign aid brought in new ideas but also government regulations created restriction on NGO. It played a valuable role for NGOs by offering flexibility in use, capacity building, and promoting watchdog role.

  • Consequences of Aid Cessation: Cessation of aid could lead to unemployment in the voluntary sector, unfinished projects, slowed social sector development, and reduced correction of government overreach.

Bhimgad’s Wilds

  • Public Intrusion: Increasing public trespassing into Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary’s (BWS) eco-sensitive zone is raising concerns among conservationists.

  • Illegal Activities: Visitors are engaging in activities like picnics, cooking non-vegetarian food, and recreational activities within the protected forest area, including bathing under the Vajrapoha waterfalls and taking selfies in restricted areas.

  • Police Involvement: An earlier incident involved police personnel allegedly entering the sanctuary without permission, lighting a fire, cooking food, and holding a booze party. No action was taken against those involved.

  • Lack of Enforcement: Despite a strict entry ban and directives from the forest minister, trespassing continues, pointing to a lapse in forest surveillance.

  • Access Routes: Locals claim most visitors access the site through Jamboti village.

  • Fishing Violations: People are fishing in the Mahadayi River at Krishnapur village, also within the sanctuary’s jurisdiction.

  • Forest Department Response: The Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) states that no illegal entry has been officially reported near Vajrapoha or Bhimgad, and that tourists are being turned away at the Chapoli checkpost. An FIR was filed in January.

  • Internal Route Usage: The DCF says the recent viral videos appear to involve relatives of residents from Chapoli village who used an internal route to access the falls. The matter is under investigation.

  • Why it matters: These intrusions threaten BWS’s fragile ecosystem and biodiversity. BWS is a critical habitat including the only known breeding site of Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat, diverse avifauna, and the Vajrapoha Waterfalls, a part of the Mahadayi River’s catchment area. Eco-Sensitive Zones are established to protect such areas from harmful human activities.

Price Predation

  • CCI Regulation: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has notified the Determination of Cost of Production Regulations, 2025 to regulate predatory pricing, especially targeting e-commerce and quick commerce.

  • Predatory Pricing Definition: Defined as pricing below cost to eliminate competition, followed by price increases to gain monopoly power. Covered under the Competition Act, 2002.

  • Regulation Changes: Replaces 2009 rules. Removes market value as a benchmark. Redefines total cost to include depreciation and exclude financing overheads.

  • Sector Agnostic Approach: A case-by-case approach suited for dynamic digital markets, avoids sector-specific definitions of cost.

  • Cost Determination: Cost is assumed to be ‘average variable cost’ (total variable cost divided by total output). Total variable cost is total cost minus fixed cost and overheads attributable to the product.

  • Purpose of Regulation: To ensure fair competition by preventing companies from pricing goods or services below cost with the intent to reduce competition and eliminate competitors.

  • Stakeholder Input: The CCI incorporated changes suggested by stakeholders after releasing a draft notification and calling for comments.
  • CCI’s Role: CCI is a statutory body established under the Competition Act, 2002 to promote fair competition, prevent anti-competitive practices, and protect consumer interests.

Saola: The Asian Unicorn

  • Genome Mapping: Scientists mapped the genome of the Saola, the rarest large land mammal, using remains.
  • Population Split: The Saola split into two populations 5,000 to 20,000 years ago, likely due to habitat changes during and after the Last Glacial Maximum.
  • Agricultural Impact: Agricultural expansion in Vietnam further isolated the populations, which could have contributed to their genetic isolation.
  • Genetic Diversity: Both populations lost genetic diversity, but the loss was complementary; mixing the populations could help compensate.
  • Critically Endangered Status: The Saola is critically endangered, with only 50-300 individuals remaining.
  • Threats: Habitat loss, poaching, and indiscriminate snaring are major threats.
  • Conservation Efforts: There are efforts to establish a captive breeding facility in Vietnam to save the species from extinction, with the goal of reintroduction.
  • “Asian Unicorn”: The Saola, also known as the “Asian unicorn,” was only scientifically described in 1993.

YR4

  • Asteroid 2024 YR4 Discovery: Discovered in December 2024 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile.
  • Initial Concern: Triggered NASA’s highest-ever asteroid impact alert in February 2025 due to a potential Earth collision in 2032.
  • Revised Size: James Webb Space Telescope data estimates its size at ~65 meters (about the size of a 10-story building).
  • Earth Impact Risk Reduced: Initial 3.1% chance of hitting Earth deemed negligible after further analysis.
  • Moon Impact Probability: NASA announced a 3.8% probability of colliding with the Moon on December 22, 2032.
  • Why the Concern? Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) classification means its orbit passes relatively close to Earth. Initially considered a potential hazard due to size and trajectory.
  • Monitoring Efforts: Observatories constantly monitor NEOs; scientists use data to refine orbit models and assess impact risks. Automated searches using algorithms identify moving objects in the sky.
  • Torino Scale: YR4 had a Torino rating of 3, indicating initial concern, but it was later lowered as the threat diminished.
  • Potential Moon Impact Effects: If it hits, it would create a crater 500-2,000 meters wide and cause an explosion 340 times more powerful than Hiroshima. The event may/may not be visible from earth.
  • Future Observations: YR4 will pass by Earth again in 2028, allowing for more data collection.
  • Preventable Disaster: Asteroid detection and potential deflection are seen as preventable natural disasters.

MagFlip

  • Earth’s Magnetic Field: Acts as a shield against cosmic/solar radiation, generated by molten iron movement in the outer core.

  • Magnetic Reversals vs. Excursions: Reversals are long-term pole swaps (>100,000 years), while excursions are temporary flips, occurring more frequently.

  • Soundtracks of Earth’s Magnetism: Scientists created audio representations of magnetic field fluctuations, including the Laschamps excursion (41,000 years ago) and working on Brunhes-Matuyama reversal (780,000 years ago).

  • Cause of Fluctuations: Turbulent fluid dynamics in the outer core, influenced by Earth’s rotation and inner core heat.

  • Weakening Field: The magnetic field has weakened by 10% in the last 200 years, potentially vanishing in 1,500-1,600 years if the rate continues.

  • Pole Drifting: The North Magnetic Pole drifts rapidly (35 km/year) towards Siberia, while the South Pole shifts slowly (5 km/year), indicating core turbulence.

  • Irregularity: Reversals/excursions lack periodicity, making them hard to predict.

  • Impact Debated: The impact of excursions (e.g., Laschamps) on climate and life is debated, with conflicting study results.

  • Reversal Duration: Brunhes-Matuyama reversal took at least 22,000 years.

Kailash Pass Geostrategy

  • Resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: The Yatra, suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19 and LAC tensions, will restart in June-August 2025. It was paused for six years after the last pilgrimage was flagged off.

  • Significance: It’s a key measure signaling a restoration of ties between India and China, after the discussions between Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping.

  • Operational Routes: Two routes will be used: Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim). Lipulekh is shorter but involves trekking; Nathu La is motorable.

  • Pilgrim Numbers: Around 750 pilgrims will participate, with batches traveling via each route.

  • Selection Process: Pilgrims will be chosen through a computer-generated, gender-balanced process.

  • Cost and Duration: The Lipulekh route costs about ₹1.74 lakh, Nathu La ₹2.83 lakh. Both trips last about three weeks.

  • Geopolitical context: The Yatra connects to the sensitive Line of Actual Control (LAC) and indicates a potential easing of tensions. The resumption of the Yatra was negotiated in high-level meetings and the logistics were discussed through the Working Mechanism for Coordination and Consultation at the India-China Border (WMCC).

Raika: The Camel Herders

  • Raika Identity: The Raika (also known as Rabari) are an indigenous pastoralist community primarily found in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly around Kumbhalgarh.

  • Camel Herding: They are traditionally camel herders, especially of the Marwari camel, and this is central to their cultural identity and livelihood. Camel rearing viewed as sacred duty, with many viewing it as a divine command from Lord Shiva, making them cultural stewards of the Thar Desert.

  • Traditional Knowledge: The Raikas possess extensive traditional knowledge of pasture cycles, animal health, and biodiversity crucial for sustaining Rajasthan’s fragile arid ecology.

  • Ecological Role: Their historical migratory grazing routes enabled camels to feed on medicinal desert shrubs, contributing to both animal health and ecosystem balance.

  • Disappearing Tradition: Despite their historical importance, camel herding among the Raika is a rapidly disappearing tradition.

Microfinance Stress

  • Rising NPAs: India’s microfinance sector faces stress with gross NPAs surging to 16% by March 2025, nearly double the 8.8% in 2024, raising concerns about sustainability.

  • Cyclical Crisis & Structural Issues: While microfinance has historically seen crises every 3-5 years, the current situation is exacerbated by an economic slowdown, natural disasters, and election-related disruptions, affecting borrowers’ repayment capacity.

  • Over-Leveraging: MFIs’ rapid expansion has led to lending to already indebted borrowers, focusing on volume over borrower financial health, resulting in an over-leveraged customer base.

  • Weakening JLG Model: The traditional Joint Liability Group model is becoming less effective due to changing borrower profiles and declining group cohesion.

  • Rising Regulatory Pressure: Stricter RBI norms and state government regulations against coercive recovery methods, along with loan waiver schemes, contribute to liquidity crunches and weakened repayment culture.

  • Importance of Microfinance: Microfinance is crucial for poverty reduction, supporting small businesses, and promoting gender equality, especially empowering women in rural areas.

  • Solutions: MFIs need to adopt holistic models (like the Triad Model), improve credit rating systems based on economic stability, shift towards individual credit appraisals, leverage technology for risk mitigation, revamp collection practices, and promote financial literacy.

  • Conclusion: The sector’s resilience depends on self-correction, regulatory discipline, and continued institutional support for long-term sustainability.

Crohn’s

  • SpaceX Lawsuit: A former SpaceX employee, Douglas Altshuler, is suing the company, alleging he was fired due to his Crohn’s disease, which caused frequent bathroom use.

  • Crohn’s Disease: Altshuler, 58, claims he needed to use the bathroom frequently (every 35-45 minutes) due to his condition.

  • Company Response: Altshuler alleges SpaceX supervisors tracked his bathroom breaks, warned him about exceeding 10 minutes per visit, and rejected his request for accommodations under disability rights.

  • Termination: He was eventually fired for “deficient performance,” which he believes was retaliation for his condition and reporting unsafe workplace practices.

  • Additional Allegations: The lawsuit also accuses SpaceX of denying meal breaks, underpaying him, and exposing employees to unsafe conditions.

  • What is Crohn’s Disease: A chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and swelling in the digestive tract. Common symptoms include diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and weight loss. While there’s no cure, treatments can manage symptoms.

Indian Grey Wolf

  • Population Decline: Indian Grey Wolves are facing rapid population decline, particularly in areas like Kadbanwadi grassland, Maharashtra.

  • Threat from Feral Dogs: Free-ranging dogs pose a significant threat through disease transmission (Canine Distemper Virus, rabies, parvovirus), hybridisation, and direct attacks on wolves and their pups.

  • Habitat Loss: Agriculture and semi-urban expansion into grasslands contribute to habitat loss for the wolves.

  • Kadbanwadi Grassland: This area, spanning 2,000 hectares, supports the wolves along with other species like the Bengal fox and striped hyena. Once home to 70 wolves, recent counts show a drastic decrease to as low as 6 individuals.

  • Symbiotic Relationship Disrupted: The traditional symbiotic relationship between the shepherd community (Shegar Dhangar) and wolves is threatened by the rise in dog populations, which now attack livestock.

  • Legal Protection: The Indian Grey Wolf is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, CITES Appendix I, and is listed as ‘Least Concern’ by IUCN. However, sharp population decline warrants concern

  • Forest Department Challenges: Maharashtra Forest Rules allow for the removal of trespassing dogs, but officials hesitate due to animal rights concerns, making vaccination difficult.

  • Zoonotic Threats and Hybridisation: The human-animal-domestic dog interface raises concerns about emerging zoonotic diseases and genetic dilution through hybridisation.

  • Conservation Efforts: Documentaries and conservation initiatives aim to raise awareness and spark discussions about the conservation status of Indian wolves.

  • Human Casualities and Dog Bites: Annually, there have been over 18,000 human casualties due to rabies in India and 22 lakh dog bite cases, of which 48 resulted in deaths, were reported in the country last year.

UN Charter Self-Defense

  • News Context: India conducted “Operation Sindoor” after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, raising questions about its self-defense justification under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

  • Article 51 of UN Charter: Generally prohibits force (Article 2(4)) but allows self-defense after an “armed attack.” Response must be necessary and proportional. Applies to state conduct and state-sponsored force.

  • ICJ’s Nicaragua v. U.S. Case: An armed attack includes non-state actors only if acting “by or on behalf of” a state. India has briefed most of UNSC members.

  • “Unwilling or Unable” Doctrine: Permits self-defense against non-state actors in another state’s territory if that state is unwilling or unable to act against them. Controversial; Russia and China criticize it as undermining state sovereignty.

  • India’s Position on Doctrine: India has conditions for using the doctrine: repeated attacks by non-state actor, host state unwilling to neutralize threat, host state actively supports/sponsors the non-state actor. India implied use of this doctrine following the Pahalgam attack, accusing Pakistan of inaction.

Know Your Rights

  • SC Quashes HC Order: Supreme Court overturned Delhi High Court’s order to Wikimedia Foundation to remove a user-created Wikipedia page.
  • Right to Know Reaffirmed: SC reaffirmed “Right to Know” as a basic right under Article 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech and Expression) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty).
  • Essential for Democracy: Right to Know enables citizens to participate in public discourse, access justice, and hold authorities accountable.
  • Freedom of Expression: Article 19(1)(a) includes the right to receive information on government activities, public decision-making, and court proceedings.
  • Dignified Life: Article 21 includes the Right to Know, enabling informed decision-making and a life of dignity.
  • Wikipedia Case Context: The High Court overreacted to adverse comments on its take-down order in a Wikipedia discussion forum.
  • Foundation’s Role: Wikimedia Foundation provides the infrastructure for users to contribute to Wikipedia, enhancing the quality of contributions through a democratic platform. It protects users against reprisals.
  • Importance of Public Scrutiny: SC emphasizes the importance of public debate and criticism, even on sub judice matters, quoting Bentham that “publicity about courtroom proceedings … keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial.”
  • IT Act Consideration: The High Court may need to consider the Foundation’s intermediary status under the Information Technology Act concerning the right to know.

Semaglutide & Fatty Liver

  • Semaglutide Effective for Fatty Liver Disease (MASH): A new study in The New England Journal of Medicine reveals semaglutide, used in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, is effective in treating Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), also known as fatty liver disease.

  • Semaglutide Mechanism: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics the action of GLP-1, lowering blood sugar, and assisting in weight loss, addressing underlying metabolic issues of MASH.

  • MASH Explained: MASH is fat buildup in the liver not caused by alcohol, leading to inflammation and scarring. It’s often linked to overnutrition and is part of a metabolic syndrome.

  • MASH Stages: MASH progresses through stages: NAFL (fat buildup), MASH (inflammation), Fibrosis (scarring), and Cirrhosis (severe scarring, potential liver failure/cancer).

  • Potential Treatment Option: Semaglutide could become an additional therapeutic option for MASH, important given the strong links between MASH and cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal conditions where semaglutide has shown benefits.

  • Current Fatty Liver Treatments: Current treatments include weight loss through diet, exercise, medication, and other drugs like Resmetirom and FGF21 drugs.

India-West Asia: Forging Bonds

  • Strategic Importance: West Asia is strategically and economically vital for India under the ‘Link West’ policy.
  • Energy Security: The region supplies nearly 50% of India’s crude oil and holds over 40% of global natural gas reserves.
  • Economic Ties: UAE is India’s 3rd largest trading partner (boosted by CEPA), and Saudi Arabia ranks 4th. Iraq is a key oil supplier and a major trading partner.
  • Connectivity: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) enhance India’s connectivity.
  • Security Cooperation: Growing defense and counterterrorism cooperation with countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Israel.
  • Diaspora: Over 9 million Indian expatriates in West Asia contribute significantly to India’s economy through remittances.
  • Multilateral Engagement: India participates in initiatives like I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, US).
  • Geopolitical Challenges: India navigates complex regional dynamics, balancing relations with Israel, Palestine, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
  • Competition: Increasing competition from China, which is expanding its influence in the region through strategic investments.
  • Balanced Approach: India should maintain strategic autonomy and non-alignment, fostering ties with all key players.
  • Diversification: Diversifying energy imports and strengthening trade/investment with GCC countries is crucial.
  • Counter-Terrorism: Collaborating with regional partners on intelligence sharing and joint military exercises.
  • Climate Change: Enhancing regional cooperation on climate change, water conservation, and desertification management.
  • Cultural Exchange: Strengthening academic partnerships, cultural diplomacy, and people-to-people ties.
  • India’s Role: India aims to be a pivotal influencer in the region through diplomacy, economic partnerships, defense cooperation, and cultural connections, moving from a peripheral actor to a central player.

Anamalai Tigers

  • Tiger and Animal Estimation: The Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) has started its pre-monsoon (summer) estimation of tigers and other animals in the Pollachi and Tiruppur divisions.
  • NTCA Protocol: The estimation follows the eight-day protocol of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for monitoring tigers, co-predators, prey, and their habitat.
  • Survey Area: The exercise (May 10-17) covers multiple forest ranges within the Pollachi and Tirupur divisions of ATR.
  • Supervision: The Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of ATR will supervise the estimation.
  • Data Collection: The census will focus on carnivore, mega herbivore sign surveys, line transects, vegetation sampling, assessment of human disturbance, ground cover analysis, pellet count of prey species, and recording of vultures and other bird species.
  • Data Submission: Data from each forest range will be consolidated and submitted to the NTCA by May 17.
  • Location and Significance of ATR:
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    The Anamalai Tiger Reserve, located in Tamil Nadu, is an important part of the South Western Ghats landscape. It is home to diverse flora, fauna and tribal communities. It covers 1,479.87 sq. km.
  • Biodiversity Hotspot: ATR boasts a wide range of vegetation, including evergreen, deciduous, and shola forests, and montane grasslands, supporting a rich diversity of plant and animal life.
  • Tribal Communities: The reserve is home to indigenous tribal communities such as the Kadars, Muduvars, Malasars, Malai malasars, Eravalars and Pulayars.

Anamalai Tigers

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Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 11-05-2025

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Startup Credit Guarantee

  • Expansion of Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS): The Centre has recently expanded the CGSS.

  • Purpose: To provide credit guarantees to loans extended to startups by Scheduled Commercial Banks, NBFCs, and SEBI-registered AIFs. Aims to improve access to collateral-free loans for DPIIT-recognized startups.

  • Eligibility: Startups recognized by DPIIT are eligible for loans covered by the scheme.

  • Implementing Agency: National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) is responsible for implementing the CGSS. NCGTC provides guarantee cover to Member Institutions (MIs) who provide loans to startups.

  • Forms of Assistance: Venture debt, working capital, subordinated debt, debentures, optionally convertible debt, and other fund-based/non-fund-based facilities that have materialized as debt obligations.

  • Guarantee Coverage: Transaction-based (single borrower) and umbrella-based (Venture Debt Funds).

  • Recent Changes:

    • Maximum guarantee limit increased from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore per eligible borrower.
    • Guarantee coverage increased: 85% for loans up to ₹10 crore, 75% for loans above ₹10 crore.
    • Annual Guarantee Fee (AGF) reduced to 1% p.a. (from 2% p.a.) for startups in 27 Champion Sectors.

  • Why these changes matter: The enhancements in guarantee coverage and reduced fees aim to encourage more lending to startups and make financing more accessible, supporting their growth and innovation.

Gomti River

  • Gomti River Under Threat: Rapid urbanization in Lucknow poses significant challenges
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    to the Gomti River’s health and future.
  • Urbanization Challenges: The river faces declining oxygen levels, rising fecal coliform, and a heavy influx of untreated sewage.
  • River’s Importance: The Gomti is considered Lucknow’s lifeline, making its degradation a critical concern for environmental experts and citizens.
  • Urgent Action Needed: Immediate and long-term interventions are crucial to prevent irreversible damage and ensure sustainable urban development.
  • Gomti’s Uniqueness: Unlike other major Ganga tributaries, the Gomti is both rain- and groundwater-fed.
  • Origin and Course: The river originates from Gomat Taal (Fulhaar Jheel) in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, and flows through several districts before joining the Ganga near Saidpur.
  • Tributaries: Major tributaries include the Sai, Chowka, Kathina, and Saryu rivers.
  • Key Cities: Major cities on the Gomti’s banks include Lucknow, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur.

Why in the news: The Gomti River’s deteriorating condition due to urbanization impacts the environmental health of Lucknow. The urgency to address pollution and protect the river’s ecological integrity makes it a significant news item.

Magnetars

  • Magnetars as Gold Factories: Research indicates magnetar flares can create heavy elements like gold via r-process nucleosynthesis, challenging the prior belief that neutron star mergers were the primary source.

  • R-Process Nucleosynthesis Evidence: Observational evidence from a 2004 magnetar flare revealed delayed gamma-ray emissions, suggesting radioactive decay from neutron-rich isotopes indicative of r-process nucleosynthesis.

  • What is R-Process Nucleosynthesis: R-process nucleosynthesis is rapid neutron-capture process, involving rapid capturing of Neutrons by Nuclei to forming heavy elements like Gold, Platinum and Uranium.

  • Massive Ejection of Material: The flare ejected an estimated 1.9 septillion kg of r-process material at near-light speed, facilitating heavy element synthesis through rapid neutron capture.

  • Implications for Galactic Evolution: This discovery suggests magnetars contributed to the universe’s heavy element inventory earlier than neutron star collisions, impacting our understanding of galactic chemical evolution.

  • Direct Observational Evidence: The research team reported the first direct observational evidence of r-process nucleosynthesis in a powerful flare emitted by a magnetar in 2004.

  • Alternative Explanations Ruled Out: The authors considered some alternative explanations — including noise in the measuring instruments and instruments misreading the flare’s afterglow — and ruled them out by comparisons with other data and detailed simulations.

  • Early Gold Production: The findings suggest gold atoms may have existed earlier in the universe due to magnetars, predating the prevalence of neutron star collisions.

Magnetars

Tapti Recharge Project

  • MoU Signed: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project (TBMRP). The project aims to address water needs in specific regions of both states.

  • Project Goal: Divert water from the Tapti River to provide drinking water to northeastern Maharashtra (including Nagpur) and irrigation to southern & southeastern Madhya Pradesh (Burhanpur and Khandwa).

  • Water Allocation: Total water usage is planned at 31.13 TMC, with 11.76 TMC allocated to Madhya Pradesh and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra.

  • Irrigation Benefits: Permanent irrigation is projected for 123,082 hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 234,706 hectares in Maharashtra. Vidarbha and North Maharashtra will benefit from irrigation for 5.78 Lakh acres of land.

  • Land Usage: The project will utilize 3,362 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh without displacement or rehabilitation needs.

  • Funding: The central government is expected to fund 90% of the ₹19,244 crore project cost (as per 2022-23 estimates).

  • Beneficiary Districts: Maharashtra: Jalgaon, Akola, Buldhana, and Amravati. Madhya Pradesh: Burhanpur and Khandwa.

  • Historical Context: The project was conceptualized in the 1990s. The recent Inter-State Control Board meeting was the first in 25 years.

  • National Project Status: Madhya Pradesh will consult with the Union government to seek recognition of the Tapti initiative as a national water project.

RNA Exosomopathies

  • RNA Exosomopathies Defined: Genetic disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding RNA exosome components, leading to brain maldevelopment (e.g., Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 1 – PCH1). Primarily affects brain structures like the pons and cerebellum.

  • RNA Exosome’s Role: Multi-protein complex crucial for RNA processing, surveillance, and degradation; discovered in yeast. Functions include rRNA maturation, faulty mRNA elimination, and ncRNA regulation.

  • Yeast as a Model: Researchers from Emory University and the University of Texas Health Science Centre are using budding yeast to study RNA Exosomopathies. Yeast’s genetic simplicity and ease of manipulation allow for rapid, cost-effective testing of mutations and potential drug interventions.

  • Study 1 (Journal RNA): Introduced human disease mutations into yeast genes, revealing defects in RNA surveillance, ribosome production, and protein synthesis. Mutations displayed unique molecular signatures, explaining varied clinical symptoms.

  • Study 2 (Journal G3): Created a “humanized yeast model” by replacing yeast RNA exosome segments with human or mouse genes. This model confirmed that mutations directly impair RNA exosome function.

  • Key Findings: Disease variants damaging RNA exosomes in humans also do so in yeast. This suggests that drugs effective in yeast may be useful in humans. The humanised yeast model serves as a convenient platform to test which human RNA exosome mutations are harmful.

  • Significance: The findings advance the study of developmental disabilities and opens doors for rapid drug testing in yeast models.

ITI Upgradation & NCOEs

  • Approval: The Union Cabinet approved the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation and establishment of five NCOEs for Skilling.
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
  • Financial Outlay: ₹60,000 crore (Central Share: ₹30,000 crore, State Share: ₹20,000 crore, Industry Share: ₹10,000 crore) with ADB and World Bank co-financing 50% of central share.
  • ITI Upgradation: Upgrading 1,000 government ITIs in a hub-and-spoke model, aligning courses with industry needs.
  • National Centres of Excellence: Establishing five NCOEs within existing National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
  • Skilling Target: Aiming to skill 20 lakh youth over five years with industry-relevant courses.
  • Industry Alignment: Focusing on aligning local workforce supply with industry demand.
  • Flexible Investment: Need-based investment allows flexibility in fund allocation.
  • Industry-Led SPV Model: Introducing an industry-led Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model for ITI upgradation, enhancing industry participation.
  • Trainer Training: Upgrading infrastructure for Training of Trainers (ToT) in five NSTIs (Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana), with training for 50,000 trainers.
  • Objective: To position ITIs as government-owned, industry-managed aspirational institutes of skills, ensuring industries have access to employment-ready workers.

Tech Day ’25

  • Theme: “YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration.” This emphasizes India’s shift to technology leadership.
  • YANTRA Significance: Represents not just mechanical tools but also systems thinking, synergistic innovation, and scalable technological solutions rooted in India’s scientific and cultural heritage.
  • Yugantar Significance: Signifies India’s epochal transformation from technology adoption to global technology leadership.
  • Date: Celebrated annually on May 11th.
  • Commemoration: Marks the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests (Operation Shakti), the first flight of Hansa-3, and the Trishul missile test.
  • Origin: Declared by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 after the Pokhran-II tests. Celebrated since 1999.
  • Organiser: The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
  • Purpose: Honours scientific excellence, showcases industrial innovations, and strengthens the science-society-industry partnership.
  • 2025 Event: Will include policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, academics, and startups, focusing on accelerating technological advancement through deep-tech and R&D.

Pangenome

  • Asian Rice Pangenome Created: Scientists assembled the first pangenome of Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) by compiling genetic data from 144 wild and cultivated varieties.

  • Comprehensive Genetic Map: The pangenome includes core genes shared by all varieties and unique genes found in individual strains, offering a comprehensive view of rice genetic diversity.

  • Comparable to Human Genome Project: Similar to the Human Genome Project, this project maps genome-wide variations but focuses on rice.

  • Staple Food Crop: Rice is a staple food for nearly two-thirds of the world’s population. India produced 220 million tonnes in 2024-25.

  • Advanced Cultivar Development: The pangenome database facilitates the development of rice cultivars with enhanced traits like disease tolerance and climate resilience.

  • Key Findings:

    • 3.87 billion base pairs of novel genetic sequences were identified.
    • 69,531 genes were identified, including 28,907 core genes.
    • 13,728 genes specific to wild rice.
    • About 20% of all genes are unique to wild rice species.

  • ICAR’s Genome-Edited Rice: ICAR developed genome-edited rice varieties (Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010) that promise higher yields and drought resistance.

  • Climate Change Threat: Rising temperatures threaten rice production in India. Average temperature increased

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    by 0.7°C since 1901. 2024 was the hottest year recorded.

  • Wild Rice Potential: The study reinforces the hypothesis that all Asian cultivated rice had an evolutionary origin from a wild variety called Or-IIIa

  • Improves traits: Study improves understanding of rice environmental adaptation, phenotypic plasticity and regeneration potential

Pangenome

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary

  • Ecotourism Project Opposition: A ₹23.7 crore ecotourism project proposed for Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary is facing resistance from local groups and environmental activists like Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) and Green-Tech Foundation (GTF).
  • Potential Ecological Threat: Concerns are raised about the project’s potential disruption to the sanctuary’s delicate ecosystem due to planned construction of tourist dwellings, skywalks, and water sports arena.
  • Sanctuary’s Significance: Nongkhyllem, located in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, is a biodiversity hotspot with over 400 bird species including the endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill and mammals like Clouded Leopard, Elephant, and Himalayan Black Bear.
  • Existing Conservation Status: Established in 1981, the sanctuary was rated the best-managed protected area in Northeast India in the 2021 Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) Report.
  • Alternative Development Proposals: Instead of infrastructure, some suggest directing funds towards community development around the sanctuary to improve livelihoods and employment.
  • Similar Protests Elsewhere: The opposition mirrors similar protests against infrastructure projects near protected areas in Northeast India, such as oil exploration near Hoolock Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam.
  • Fragile Ecosystem: The sanctuary’s relatively small size (29 sq. km) makes it particularly vulnerable to disturbances from tourism-related activities.
  • Minimal Human Interaction: Before the project, the sanctuary has been managed well with minimal human interaction, contributing to its conservation success.

LICONN Tech

  • New Brain Mapping Technique: Scientists have developed LICONN (Light-microscopy-based Connectomics) to map brain cell connections using light microscopes.

  • Developed at ISTA: The technology was created at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).

  • Nanoscale Mapping: LICONN maps the brain’s neural networks at the nanoscale, identifying specific molecules within connections.

  • Combines Technologies: It combines light microscopy, hydrogels, experimental techniques, AI, and analytical methods.

  • Beyond Electron Microscopy: LICONN is the first non-electron microscopy method capable of reconstructing brain tissue with synaptic connections.

  • Overcomes Resolution Trade-off: It resolves the issue of needing to choose between detailed structural view (EM) and molecular identification (light microscopy).

  • Expansion Microscopy: LICONN expands brain tissue using a special gel (16x original size).

  • Uses AI for Tracing: Artificial intelligence is used to trace neuron shapes.

Why this is important:

  • Detailed Brain Study: Allows for more detailed study of brain connectivity.
  • New Research Possibilities: Opens new avenues for neurological research, including brain disorders.
  • Cost and Time Effective: Light microscopy is generally more accessible and faster than electron microscopy.
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Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 10-05-2025

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Songar Drones

  • Pakistan Drone Incursion: Pakistan reportedly deployed 300-400 Songar drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek.

  • Origin of Songar Drones: Developed by Turkey’s Asisguard, Songar is considered Turkey’s first indigenous armed drone system.

  • Turkish Armed Forces Use: Officially inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in February 2020.

  • Technical Specs: 140 cm rotor-to-rotor width, 45 kg max takeoff weight, 35-minute flight time (without payload), 10 km range, 3000 m max altitude (above mean sea level), autonomous and manual flight modes.

  • Key Features: Real-time video, dual cameras, GPS/GLONASS navigation, return-to-base function.

  • Weapon Variants: 5.56×45 mm assault rifle, 2×40 mm grenade launcher, 6×40 mm drum grenade launcher, 3×81 mm mortar gripper, 8×tear/smoke grenade launcher.

  • Safety Protocols: Multi-layered safety protocols require operator authorization before firing.

  • Turkey-Pakistan Defense Cooperation: Pakistan’s acquisition and use of Songar drones highlight its strong defense ties with Turkey.

  • Turkish Support: Turkish President Erdogan expressed solidarity with Pakistan amid tensions with India.

  • Growing Partnership: Turkey and Pakistan have deepened defense cooperation through deals, joint exercises, and technology transfer. Pakistan also collaborates with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar.

  • Songar Specs: 145cm rotor-to-rotor width and 70cm height, 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, a 200 round ammo capacity, single and 15-round burst modes, and a gun stabilization system.

  • Camera System: Pilot camera with 10x zoom and gun-mounted camera capable of transmitting video and real-time images.

  • Target precision: Capable of hitting targets within a 15-cm area from a distance of 200 m. The drone can ascend to an altitude of up to 2,800 m at mean sea level and 400 m above ground level.

Women in Cooperatives

  • Low Representation: Despite India’s large cooperative movement (8.5 lakh), women-only cooperatives are only 2.52% (NITI Aayog, 2023).
  • International Year of Cooperatives: UN declares 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, themed “Cooperatives Build a Better World”. Launched in India in November 2024.
  • Empowerment Pathway: Cooperatives empower women socio-economically through income generation, skill development, and inclusive governance.
  • Successful Models: SEWA, Amul, and Lijjat Papad demonstrate the success of cooperatives in fostering women’s economic self-reliance.
  • Access to Services: Women’s cooperatives improve access to credit, banking, healthcare, and education.
  • Challenges: Many women’s cooperatives are dormant (around 50%) due to inadequate support, limited financial linkages, training, and market access.
  • Time Poverty: Women spend significantly more time on unpaid domestic work, limiting their participation.
  • Underrepresentation: Women hold only 26% of positions in mixed cooperatives and even fewer leadership roles.
  • Cultural Norms: Patriarchy and societal expectations hinder women’s autonomy and participation.
  • Support Measures: Reviving dormant cooperatives, providing dedicated funding, promoting cluster-based models, and ensuring digital platforms for marketing and training.
  • Policy Integration: Convergence between Ministries of Cooperation, Women and Child Development, MSME, and Agriculture is crucial.
  • New Guidelines: Mandate reservation of two seats for women on the board of multi-state cooperative societies and the presence of women directors on the board of primary agricultural credit societies.
  • Dormant Cooperatives The unusually high number of dormant women’s cooperatives (11,869), demonstrates that women face barriers in maintaining and sustaining them.

US Watch on India

  • India Placed on ‘Priority Watch List’ (PWL): USTR’s 2025 Special 301 Report puts India on the PWL for persistent IPR protection and enforcement challenges.
  • USTR Concerns: India’s progress on IP protection is inconsistent, with long-standing concerns remaining unaddressed, despite efforts to strengthen the IP regime.
  • IPR Challenges: India remains a challenging major economy for IPR protection and enforcement.
  • Potential Impact: PWL listing could impact trade talks with the US; USTR may initiate trade investigations or impose sanctions if no improvement.
  • India’s Stance: India maintains its IP laws comply with WTO TRIPS agreement and views the report as unilateral pressure.
  • Patent Concerns: Patent issues, including revocations, discretionary patentability criteria, long waiting periods, and excessive reporting, are specific concerns. Vagueness in interpreting the Indian Patents Act also raised.
  • Customs Duties: High customs duties on IP-intensive products like ICT, solar, medical devices, pharma, and capital goods cited.
  • Enforcement Inadequate: Despite improvements in IP office operations, overall IP enforcement remains inadequate.
  • Bilateral Trade Context: Report coincides with India-U.S. trade negotiations aiming for $500 billion commerce by 2030; US wants to reduce its trade deficit.
  • Industry Perceptions: Concerns based on American industry’s perception of India’s IP protection level.
  • Section 3(d): Concerns related to section 3(d) of the patent act, and pharmaceutical patent disputes persist.
  • Other Countries: China, Indonesia, Russia, Argentina, and Venezuela are also on the PWL; Pakistan and Turkey are on the watch list.

PMFME Scheme

  • Bihar Leads in PMFME Implementation: Bihar secured the top rank nationally for successfully implementing the PMFME scheme in FY 2024-25. This success is attributed to effective execution of the scheme, promoting entrepreneurship and small-scale industries.
  • Loan Disbursement Success: Loan approval has been granted to 10,296 applicants in Bihar with loans disbursed to 6,589 units, representing 63% of the total distribution.
  • PMFME Scheme Overview: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched on June 29, 2020, by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Aims to formalize and upgrade micro food processing enterprises.
  • Key Objectives: Increase access to credit, integrate with the supply chain, formalize 200,000 enterprises, improve access to common services (processing, storage, packaging), and strengthen institutions.
  • Financial Outlay & Sharing: ₹10,000 crores over five years (2020-21 to 2024-25). Cost-sharing ratios: 60:40 (Centre:State), 90:10 (NE & Himalayan States), 100% by Centre for UTs without legislatures.
  • Coverage: Direct assistance to 200,000 micro food processing units via credit-linked subsidies. Focus on supportive infrastructure.
  • Financial Support (Individuals): 35% credit-linked subsidy on project cost, capped at
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    ₹10 lakh. Minimum 10% beneficiary contribution.
  • Financial Support (FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives): Seed capital to SHGs (₹4 lakh per SHG). 35% credit-linked capital subsidy (max ₹3 crore) for common infrastructure. Up to 50% grant for branding and marketing.
  • Eligible Borrowers: FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives, Existing Micro Food Processing Entrepreneurs. New units supported only for ODOP.
  • Beneficiaries: Entrepreneurs, private limited companies, proprietorship firms, partnership firms, NGOs, cooperative societies, FPOs, and self-help groups.
  • Scheme Impact:
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    Promotes the unorganized food processing sector, enhances competition, and helps FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives get actual value for their products.

Pakal Dul Hydropower

  • Fast-tracked Approval: The Indian government has expedited the approval process for the electricity transmission line of the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul hydropower project. This signals a push to complete the project and integrate its power output into the grid.

  • 1 GW Run-of-the-River Project: Pakal Dul is a significant 1 GW hydroelectric project located on the Marusudar River, a tributary of the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. This highlights the project’s scale and importance for the region’s power generation capacity.

  • Key Infrastructure Components: The project includes a 167m high dam, underground powerhouse, transformer cabin, and cofferdam. This indicates a complex and substantial engineering undertaking.

  • Power Generation: The project is expected to generate approximately 3,330 million units of energy annually. This emphasizes the project’s potential to significantly boost the region’s power supply.

  • Joint Venture: The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects [P] Ltd. (CVPPL), a joint venture between NHPC and J&K State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC). This highlights the collaborative nature of the project.

  • Benefits to J&K: The state of J&K will receive 12% free power for the first ten years and has the first right to purchase power allotted to NHPC and PTC. This showcases the project’s economic benefits for the region.

Manas National Park

  • Elephant Poaching: Three individuals have been arrested for allegedly killing three wild elephants within Manas National Park.

  • Location & Border: Manas National Park is situated in the Himalayan foothills of Assam, bordering Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park.

  • Manas River: The Manas River flows through the park’s western side and serves as a natural border between India and Bhutan. It’s a major Brahmaputra tributary.

  • Multiple Designations: The park holds the distinction of being a Natural World Heritage Site, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, and Important Bird Area.

  • Project Tiger: Manas was among the first reserves included in Project Tiger in 1973.

  • Tiger Conservation Landscape: It’s part of a larger tiger conservation network with other reserves in India, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

  • Indigenous Communities: The park is inhabited by communities like the Bodo, who have strong ties to the land.

  • Flora: Vegetation includes Sal forests, grasslands, and riparian vegetation. Hoolong trees are prominent.

  • Fauna: Known for endangered species like Hispid Hare, Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Indian Rhinoceros, and Asiatic Buffalo.

  • Districts: Manas National Park is located in Chirang and Baksa districts of Bodoland Territorial Region in Assam.

Manas National Park

India’s Schools: Status

  • Poor Learning Outcomes: ASER 2024 reveals that only 23.4% of Class 3 students in government schools can read a Class 2-level text. India’s learning poverty rate is high, with 70% of 10-year-olds unable to read a basic text.
  • Underfunding: Public education spending remains at 4.6% of GDP, falling short of the 6% target set by NEP 2020.
  • Teacher Shortage: Over 1 million teacher vacancies exist, particularly in rural areas, leading to high pupil-teacher ratios (up to 47:1).
  • High Dropout Rates: Dropout rates increase with grade level, reaching 14.1% at the secondary level. Boys have higher dropout rates than girls at the secondary level.
  • Infrastructure Gaps: Only 43.5% of government schools have computers for teaching. Many schools lack basic amenities like electricity, functional toilets, and disabled-friendly toilets.
  • Regional Disparities: States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra have the highest dropout rates.
  • Curriculum Issues: The school system focuses on rote learning over creativity and critical thinking.
  • Regulatory Deficits: Regulation focuses on inputs rather than learning outcomes, lacking an independent quality monitoring body. SSSA implementation is slow.
  • Addressing Issues via measures: Focus on learning outcomes through assessments and performance-linked funding. Scale up NIPUN Bharat Mission. Strengthen teacher training. Bridge the urban-rural divide. Expand digital access via DIKSHA. Operationalise SSSA for quality benchmarks.

Why in News?

The ASER 2024 report highlights the struggling state of India’s school education system, with significant learning deficits, teacher shortages, and infrastructural gaps.

AI Water Atlas

  • Haryana Launches AI-Enabled Water Atlas 2025: The Haryana government has introduced a geospatial platform powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address its rapidly depleting water reserves.
  • Comprehensive Water Resource Monitoring: The platform monitors crucial water-related parameters, including groundwater levels, surface water bodies, aquifers, recharge zones, canal systems, and cropping patterns.
  • Real-Time Data Integration: It integrates data from various sources, such as satellite imagery, GPS surveys, meteorological inputs from IMD, and data from CGWB, Irrigation, and Agriculture Departments.
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: The AI-enabled atlas offers real-time insights to support informed decision-making in water conservation, sustainable farming practices, and infrastructure development.
  • Focus on Water Conservation: The platform’s primary goal is to conserve and manage Haryana’s water resources more effectively in the face of a deepening water crisis.
  • AI for Effective Water Management: India is actively adopting AI in water management, as exemplified by the Haryana Water Resource Atlas and AI based prediction model for Arsenic pollution developed by IIT Kharagpur, showcasing a broader trend in utilizing technology for water resource optimization.

One RRB Per State

  • 4th Phase Rolled Out: The ‘One State-One RRB’ (OS-OR) plan’s 4th phase is underway in 10 states and 1 Union Territory, further reducing the number of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in India.

  • Objective: To improve the operational viability and efficiency of RRBs.

  • What is OS-OR Policy: It is a reform initiative by the Department of Financial Services aimed at consolidating multiple RRBs within a state into a single unified entity

  • Background: Consolidation started in 2005, based on Dr. Vyas Committee (2001) recommendations. Implemented under Section 23A(1) of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976

  • Reduction in Numbers: RRBs have been reduced from 196 in 2005 to 28 with the current phase.

  • Increased Capital: Each restructured RRB will have an authorized capital of Rs 2,000 crore.

  • Impact: RRBs achieved a record net profit of Rs 7,571 crore in FY 2023-24. Expected to further support rural development.

  • Challenge 1: High Operational Costs: High cost/income (77.4%) and wages/operating expenses (72%) ratios indicate inefficiency. Requires cost optimization, tech adoption, and cybersecurity investment while maintaining personal engagement with villagers.

  • Challenge 2: Concentration Risk: A single RRB now bears the full risk of state agricultural sector failures, potentially exacerbating regional economic vulnerabilities.

  • Challenge 3: Governance Issues: Complex three-way ownership (Central and State governments, sponsor banks) and dual regulation (RBI and NABARD) lead to slow decision-making.

  • Challenge 4: Regional Considerations: One-size-fits-all approach may not work; consolidation needs to account for each state’s unique economic, demographic, and geographic factors.

  • Why in News: The consolidation aims to create stronger, more efficient RRBs, but potential risks related to cost management, concentrated risks, and complex governance need careful management.

Aotearoa

  • India-New Zealand FTA Negotiations: The first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand concluded successfully in New Delhi from May 5-9, 2025.
  • High-Level Support: Launched following discussions between Indian and New Zealand ministers in March 2025, building upon the commitment made by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon.
  • Comprehensive Discussions: Constructive negotiations covered a broad spectrum including trade in goods and services, trade facilitation, and mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
  • Strong Bilateral Trade Growth: Merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion in FY2024-25, marking a significant 48.6% increase over the previous year, indicating growing economic partnership potential.
  • FTA Benefits: The FTA aims to enhance trade and investment, improve supply chain integration, and create a predictable trading environment for businesses in both countries.
  • Future Plans: Both countries are committed to concluding the FTA this year, with the next round of negotiations scheduled for July 2025.
  • Strategic Importance: This FTA reflects the strategic importance both nations place on fostering a mutually beneficial and balanced trade agreement, aligning with India’s broader efforts to enhance economic partnerships.
  • Geopolitical Context: New Zealand is located in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Its diverse geography supports hydroelectric energy and tourism.

Seabirds & Marine Pollution

  • Hormonal Disruption: Research indicates that plastic ingestion by seabirds can disrupt their hormonal systems due to chemicals released from the plastic, affecting fertility, development, and behavior.

  • Vulnerable Seabird Species: Albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters (Procellariiformes) are highly susceptible due to their foraging habits and ability to retain plastic in their stomachs for extended periods.

  • High Plastic Ingestion Rates: Procellariiformes have some of the highest rates of plastic ingestion; approximately 63% retain pollutants in their stomachs for weeks or months. Northern fulmars are bioindicators of marine plastic pollution due to surface feeding habits.

  • Physical Harm: Plastic ingestion causes physical harm like obstruction, perforation of the digestive tract, a false sense of satiation leading to malnutrition, and inflammation/fibrosis from micro/nano-plastics.

  • Marine Plastic Pollution Statistics: 8-10 million metric tons of plastic enter oceans annually, constituting 80% of marine waste. By 2050, plastic may outweigh fish. 50-75 trillion plastic pieces currently pollute the oceans.

  • Broader Impacts: Marine pollution harms biodiversity, reduces oxygen levels, disrupts deep-sea ecosystems, contaminates the food chain, and negatively impacts human health and coastal livelihoods.

  • Global Efforts: The Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) and the 1972 London Convention/1978 MARPOL Protocol aim to combat marine plastic pollution.

INS Tamal

  • INS Tamal delivery imminent: India is set to receive INS Tamal, its second advanced stealth frigate built in Russia, expected within a month after trials.

  • Part of Indo-Russian deal: INS Tamal is a Krivak-III class frigate, part of a 2016 agreement where two ships are built in Russia and two in India. INS Tushil was the first ship built and commissioned in December 2024

  • Advanced Stealth Features: It is designed with stealth technology to evade radar, enhancing survivability.

  • Weapon Systems: Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (extended range to 450 km), Shtil surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes and rockets.

  • Multi-Role Capabilities: Designed for air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic warfare. It can operate Kamov-28 and Kamov-31 helicopters

  • Speed and Range: Can achieve speeds of over 30 knots, with a mission range of 3,000 km.

  • Enhanced Undersea Warfare: The Indian Navy also showcased indigenous underwater mines designed to destroy enemy submarines and warships.

  • Strengthening Naval Power: These frigates will add to the existing Russian frigates in the Indian Navy, enhancing its blue-water capabilities.

Balochistan

  • Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) Claims: The BLA has asserted the capture of multiple strategic army posts across Balochistan, including in Quetta.
  • Location and Geography: Balochistan is primarily located in western Pakistan but extends into southeastern Iran. It borders Afghanistan to the north and the Arabian Sea to the south.
  • Pakistani Province: The Pakistani province of Balochistan is the country’s largest but least populated, with Quetta as its capital.
  • Ethnic Composition: The major ethnic groups include the Baloch and Pashtun people, along with a third group of mixed ethnicity, mainly of Sindhi origin.
  • Languages and Religion: The majority of the population practices Islam and speaks languages of the Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian language family, including Balochi, Brahui, Pashto, and Sindhi.
  • Historical Context: Historically ruled by Greeks, Arabs, and later annexed by the British, much of Balochistan became part of Pakistan in 1947 after the partition of British India.

Why it’s in the news: The BLA’s claim of capturing army posts highlights the ongoing conflict and instability in the region. This event may lead to escalated tensions between the Baloch insurgents and the Pakistani military.

2025 Global Economy

  • Why in News: The IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) projects India to become the fourth-largest economy in 2025, surpassing Japan.

  • Global Growth: The IMF revised global growth downwards to 2.8% for 2025. Emerging markets are projected to grow at 3.7%, still above the global average.

  • India’s Growth: India’s growth is forecast at 6.2% for 2025, slightly down, but still the fastest-growing major economy. Its GDP is projected to reach USD 4.187 trillion in 2025, exceeding Japan.

  • Private Consumption: Strong private consumption, particularly in rural areas, drives India’s growth. India is set to become the third-largest consumer market by 2026.

  • Macroeconomic Fundamentals: India’s fiscal management (lower debt-to-GDP ratio) and structural reforms support stability.

  • Infrastructure Development: Investment in infrastructure and digitalization boosts productivity. India’s digital economy is a significant contributor.

  • Government Reforms: Initiatives like financial inclusion schemes and manufacturing incentives strengthen economic dynamism. Infrastructure projects support growth.

  • Demographics: A young, growing workforce, with increasing female labor participation, benefits India.

  • Technological Innovation: The adoption of digital technologies supports higher productivity. Indian startups are expected to create millions of new jobs.

  • External Demand: Increased integration into global value chains provides growth opportunities. India’s share in global services exports has doubled.

Thunderdome

  • MADMAX’s First Dark Photon Search Results: The MADMAX collaboration has released the initial results from their search for dark photons using a prototype detector.
  • What is MADMAX? It stands for Magnetised Disk and Mirror Axion Experiment, designed to detect dark matter candidates like axions and dark photons.
  • Dark Photons Explained: These are hypothetical, massive particles akin to photons, potentially comprising dark matter halos. They can convert to ordinary photons under certain conditions.
  • Detection Method: The detector boosts the conversion of dark photons to microwave photons using a resonator system of dielectric disks and a mirror. The mirror focuses the signal towards a microwave receiver via a horn antenna.
  • Key Setup Features: The resonator’s size, larger than expected dark photon signal wavelengths, allows detection at higher frequencies (around 20 GHz). Resonance frequencies are tunable by adjusting disk positions, broadening the mass range coverage.
  • Signal Identification: A narrow peak in Fourier space, distinguishable from thermal noise, would indicate a signal.
  • Experimental Outcome: No dark photon signals were detected in the first prototype run.
  • Significant Sensitivity: The instrument operated successfully, achieving a sensitivity 1000 times better than previous methods, exploring a previously uncharted parameter space in a single experiment.
  • Axions: Hypothetical particles that could solve a problem in physics and be candidates for dark matter.
  • Dark Photon Significance: These may mediate interactions within the dark matter sector.

Methane (CH₄)

  • High Methane Emissions: The energy sector emitted 145 million tonnes (Mt) of methane in 2024, with oil and gas accounting for over 80 Mt, per the IEA’s Global Methane Tracker 2025.

  • Methane’s Impact: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for approximately 30% of global temperature increase since the Industrial Revolution, with concentrations 2.5 times pre-industrial levels and rising faster than other GHGs.

  • Major Sources: Agriculture, energy, and waste sectors are the main anthropogenic sources. The energy sector accounts for over 35% of human-induced emissions.

  • Energy Sector Breakdown: Oil operations (~45 Mt), natural gas (~35 Mt), abandoned wells (~3 Mt), coal (~40 Mt, including 4 Mt from abandoned mines), and bioenergy (~18 Mt, primarily from traditional biomass) are key contributors within the energy sector.

  • Methane Characteristics: It’s a colorless, odorless, and flammable gas (marsh gas) with a short atmospheric lifespan (~10 years) but a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) – ~80 times that of CO₂ over 20 years.

  • Mitigation Potential: Approximately 70% of fossil fuel methane emissions can be mitigated with existing technologies. In oil & gas, ~75% of emissions can be reduced by fixing leaks and plugging abandoned wells.

  • Top Emitters: China, USA, Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, and India are the top emitters from fossil fuel operations.

  • Global Methane Pledge: The Global Methane Pledge at COP26 aims for a 30% reduction in global methane emissions by 2030.

Methane (CH₄)

Lupus: An Overview

  • World Lupus Day (May 10): Highlights the need for increased awareness of this rare and severe autoimmune disease.
  • What is Lupus: An autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, leading to inflammation that can affect various body systems.
  • Causes: The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. More prevalent in women.
  • Types of Lupus: Several types exist, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE – most common), discoid lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus, drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus.
  • Symptoms: Symptoms vary widely and can affect different parts of the body, including joint pain, headaches, rashes, fever, fatigue, mouth sores, confusion, swollen glands, and blood clots.
  • Flare-ups and Remission: Symptoms occur in flare-ups, with periods of remission (few or no symptoms) in between.
  • Treatment: There is no cure for lupus. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through medication and lifestyle changes.
  • Key Facts: Lupus is an autoimmune disease caused by a complex interplay of genes, hormones, and environmental factors. It is treatable, but not curable.

Stamp Vendors: Public Servants

  • SC Ruling: The Supreme Court declared licensed stamp vendors as “public servants” under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

  • Reasoning:

    • Stamp vendors perform an essential public duty by providing access to stamp papers, crucial for legal transactions.
    • They are remunerated by the government through commissions or discounts on stamp paper sales, establishing a financial link to public service.
    • The court emphasized that the definition of “public servant” should be interpreted broadly to effectively combat corruption. The court noted that, it is the nature of duty being discharged by a person which assumes paramount importance when determining whether such a person falls within the ambit of the definition of public servant as defined under the PC Act.

  • Case Specifics: This ruling stems from an appeal by a stamp vendor, Aman Bhatia, who was convicted under the anti-corruption law. While the SC upheld the “public servant” status, it overturned Bhatia’s conviction due to insufficient evidence of demanding and accepting a bribe.

  • Legal Basis: The judgment is based on Section 2(c)(i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which defines a public servant as someone in government service, paid by the government, or remunerated by fees/commission for performing a public duty.

The IMF

  • IMF Disbursement to Pakistan: The IMF approved the immediate disbursement of approximately $1 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) on May 9, 2025. This brings the total disbursements under the EFF to about $2.1 billion.

  • Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF): The IMF Executive Board also approved Pakistan’s request for an arrangement under the RSF, providing access to about $1.4 billion. This aims to support Pakistan’s efforts to reduce vulnerabilities to natural disasters and build climate resilience.

  • EFF Objectives: The 37-month EFF, approved in September 2024, focuses on building resilience and enabling sustainable growth, with priorities including macroeconomic sustainability.

  • India’s Abstention and Concerns: India abstained from the IMF vote, raising concerns about Pakistan’s “poor track record,” the potential misuse of funds for state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, and the Pakistan military’s interference in economic affairs. India stated that rewarding cross-border terrorism sends a dangerous message and exposes donors to reputational risks.

  • Pakistan’s Response: Pakistan’s Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the IMF approval and criticized India’s “high-handed tactics.” Pakistan claims its economic situation is improving and accused India of attempting to divert attention from its development through aggression.

  • IMF Conditions & Reforms: The IMF program is expected to stabilize Pakistan’s economy and facilitate long-term recovery. Pakistan agreed to reforms, including a carbon levy, electricity tariff revisions, increased water pricing, and automobile sector liberalization.

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