Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 02-01-2025

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Leadership Memorials

  • Manmohan Singh Cremation: Former PM Manmohan Singh was cremated at Nigambodh Ghat, a public cremation ground, marking a departure from the convention of cremating former PMs at designated sites.

  • No Specific Rules: There are no explicit rules mandating memorials for former PMs, but a tradition of designated cremation sites and subsequent memorials has been followed.

  • Congress’s “Insult” Claim: The Congress party called the cremation site an “insult” and demanded a memorial at the cremation site.

  • Memorial Tradition: Almost all former PMs (except VP Singh) have memorials, often in Delhi, reflecting their legacies and political ideologies. Examples: Raj Ghat (Gandhi), Shanti Van (Nehru), Vijay Ghat (Shastri).

  • Memorial Maintenance: Memorials are typically maintained by State Governments and local municipalities, with occasional Central Government involvement.

  • Congress Demand for Memorial: The Congress president requested the government to allocate space for a memorial, a request followed by a statement that Govt will allocate space.

  • Past Examples: Memorials like Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Smriti Sthal were established relatively quickly after cremation.

  • Departure from Convention: Constitutional expert P.D.T Achary highlighted the departure from the established convention, emphasizing Manmohan Singh’s global respect.

  • Paucity of Space: The congress government in 2013 had decided that all memorials will be built at Smriti Sthal due to paucity of space.

Groundwater Contamination: CGWB

  • Increased Nitrate Contamination: A CGWB report reveals a rise in groundwater contamination across India, with 440 districts reporting excessive nitrate levels in 2023, up from 359 in 2017. Approximately 56% of India’s districts exceed the safe nitrate limit of 45 mg/litre.
  • Regional Hotspots: Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu show the highest nitrate contamination (49%, 48%, and 37% respectively). Central and southern regions like Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are showing increased nitrate levels.
  • Monsoon Impact: Nitrate contamination increases after the monsoon season.
  • Other Contaminants: Fluoride remains a concern in Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Uranium contamination exceeds safe levels in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, especially in over-exploited zones.
  • Groundwater Extraction: 60.4% of groundwater is extracted across India, a stable rate since 2009. 73% of blocks are now classified as ‘safe’ for groundwater availability, up from 67.4% in 2022.
  • Source of Contamination: Primarily caused by agricultural practices (excessive fertilizer and pesticide use), leaking storage tanks, hazardous waste sites, landfills, septic systems, atmospheric contaminants, and deforestation.
  • Health Implications: Contaminated groundwater poses serious health risks like waterborne diseases and methemoglobinemia (“blue baby syndrome”) from nitrates, particularly dangerous for infants.
  • Food Production: Contaminated water used for irrigation can lead to the accumulation of toxins in crops.
  • Environmental Impact: Disrupts ecosystems, causing soil contamination and salinization.
  • Economic Impact: Increases the cost of water treatment and contributes to water scarcity.
  • Why in News: The increase in nitrate levels and other contaminants raises concerns about public health and environmental sustainability, highlighting the need for better groundwater management.
  • Contributing Factor: The use of subsidized nitrogenous synthetic fertilizer is a key contributor to the nitrate contamination.
  • Uranium Contamination: Over-exploitation and deepening water levels exacerbate uranium contamination in affected regions.

Sarabhai Remembered

  • Event: 52nd Death Anniversary of Vikram Sarabhai observed on December 30th.

  • Who was Vikram Sarabhai?: Indian physicist and industrialist; key figure in initiating space research and developing nuclear power in India.

  • Early Life & Education: Born in Ahmedabad in 1919. Built a working model train at 15. Studied at Cambridge and researched cosmic rays under C.V. Raman. PhD in cosmic rays from Cambridge (1947).

  • Institutional Contributions:

    • Founded Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
    • Instrumental in establishing IIM-Ahmedabad.
    • Established Community Science Centre (CSC), Ahmedabad.
    • Co-founded Darpan Academy for Performing Arts.
    • Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram.
    • Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad.
    • Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).
    • Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL).

  • Space Program:

    • Founded ISRO, emphasizing space technology for societal development.
    • Conceptualized Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) with NASA.
    • Initiated India’s first satellite, Aryabhata.
    • Launched first sounding rocket from Thumba, Kerala in 1967.

  • Nuclear Program: Took over as Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission. Envisioned the Indian nuclear program.

  • Awards & Recognition: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1962), Padma Bhushan (1966), Padma Vibhushan (posthumously, 1972). Called ‘Mahatma Gandhi of Indian Science’ by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

  • Legacy: VSSC named in his honor; lunar crater named “Sarabhai Crater”. Founded Sarabhai Chemicals in 1943.

  • Commitment to Freedom: Believed in freedom of thinking. CSC provided experimental research opportunities for children. Family decisions included children, helping them garner convictions early in life.

  • Visionary Approach: Research-and applications-based approach as a scientist and entrepreneur.

Sarabhai Remembered

Indian Coffee Exports Surge

  • Record-Breaking Exports: Indian coffee exports reached a record $1.1469 billion between April and November FY24, a 29% increase compared to the same period last year and nearly double the exports of FY21.

  • Price Surge & EUDR Impact: The rise is fueled by soaring Robusta coffee prices (reaching multi-decade highs due to supply issues in major producing countries) and stockpiling by European buyers anticipating the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

  • Robusta Price Increase: Robusta prices peaked at $4,667 per metric ton in June, a 63% increase this year.

  • EUDR and Stockpiling: EUDR aims to prevent products sourced from deforested land from entering the EU, which was initially scheduled for December, and has now been delayed by a year. European buyers have been stockpiling in anticipation of the regulation.

  • Major Producers Face Challenges: Drought and high temperatures in Brazil have caused Arabica and Robusta yields to fall, while Vietnam’s production recovery is still below its 2021/22 record.

  • India’s Production Hubs: Karnataka remains the largest producer, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

  • Premium Market Capture: Indian coffee has managed to capture the “premium segment” of the export market unlike in the case of tea.

  • Key Export Destinations: The European Union is the top destination, with Italy, Belgium, and Germany accounting for nearly half of total exports. Russia, the UAE, and the US are also significant markets.

India: Data Centre Powerhouse

  • Rapid Growth: India’s data centre sector is booming, projected to double capacity by FY27, driven by digitalization, AI adoption, 5G rollout, and data localization laws. Market expected to reach USD 11.6 billion by 2032 (CAGR of 10.98%).
  • Digitalization Demand: Increasing adoption of digital technologies, 751.5 million internet users, and rising mobile internet usage are fueling data centre expansion.
  • Data Localization: RBI mandate on financial data storage and data localization laws (Public Records Act, 1993; Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023) require data to be stored within India.
  • AI and 5G Impact: Surge in AI projects and nationwide 5G rollout are expected to triple data consumption, necessitating increased data centre capacity.
  • Economic Significance: Data centres enable digital services (e-commerce, social media, banking), support critical infrastructure, boost job creation, and attract investments, with potential to generate over Rs 50,000 crore in economic activity by FY27.
  • Edge Computing: Rise of IoT and real-time applications increases demand for edge data centres to minimize latency, further boosted by 5G.
  • Infrastructure Constraints: Unreliable power supply, limited connectivity, and high capital investment (cooling systems, land acquisition) hinder growth, especially in non-metro areas.
  • Regional Disparities: Data centre capacity is concentrated in Mumbai; smaller cities lack adequate infrastructure and investment.
  • Sustainability Concerns: Data centres are energy-intensive, requiring adoption of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies.
  • Skill Shortages: Lack of skilled professionals in data centre management hampers sectoral growth.
  • Global Competition: Competition from countries like China with advanced data centre capacity.
  • Cybersecurity Threats: Data centres are prime targets for cyberattacks, requiring robust security measures.
  • Way Forward: Invest in upgrading power infrastructure (renewable energy), refine policies to facilitate growth, encourage regional development, and enhance human resource skills through training and partnerships.

Core Industries Index

  • Overall Growth: The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 4.3% in November 2024 compared to November 2023.
  • ICI Composition: The ICI measures the production performance of eight core industries: Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity.
  • Weight in IIP: These eight core industries account for 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
  • Positive Growth Industries: Cement (13.0%), Coal (7.5%), Steel (4.8%), and Electricity (3.8%) recorded significant positive growth in November 2024. Refinery Products (2.9%) and Fertilizers (2.0%) also showed positive growth.
  • Negative Growth Industries: Crude Oil (-2.1%) and Natural Gas (-1.9%) experienced a decline in production during November 2024.
  • Cumulative Growth: The cumulative growth rate of the ICI for April to November 2024-25 is 4.2% compared to the same period last year.
  • Revised August 2024 Data: The final growth rate for August 2024 was a decline of 1.5 percent.
  • IIP Significance: The IIP reflects short-term changes in production volume across key economic sectors (mining, manufacturing, electricity), providing insights into industrial activity.

UIDAI

  • New CEO: Bhuvnesh Kumar, an IAS officer, has taken over as the CEO of UIDAI, succeeding Amit Agrawal. This signifies a change in leadership and potential shifts in strategy.
  • UIDAI’s Role: UIDAI is a statutory authority responsible for Aadhaar enrollment, authentication, and managing the entire Aadhaar lifecycle. This makes it a crucial government body.
  • Aadhaar’s Reach: Over 1.41 billion residents have been enrolled in Aadhaar, with 1.07 billion updates processed. This highlights the widespread adoption and utility of Aadhaar.
  • Authentication & e-KYC: Aadhaar has facilitated over 127 billion authentications and 21.8 billion e-KYC verifications, demonstrating its importance for various services.
  • Slowing Enrollment: New Aadhaar enrollments are decreasing, with the first time in 2024 that new enrolments were under one million in October and continued to be so in November and December, signalling a potential saturation point.
  • Historical Context: UIDAI was established on July 12, 2016, under the Aadhaar Act, 2016. It was initiated in 2006, showcasing its long-term impact.
  • Services Offered: UIDAI provides Aadhaar enrolment, authentication, updates, PVC cards, and a Virtual ID generator, which are services for citizens.

Belly Landing Explained

  • Belly Landing Defined: An emergency landing technique where an aircraft lands without deploying its landing gear, a last resort due to technical issues.

  • Risks: Significant damage to the plane, potential injuries to passengers, and risk of fire from friction.

  • When It’s Used: Landing gear failure, inability to reach an airport, or pilot’s judgment that it’s safer than landing on wheels.

  • Jeju Air Incident: A recent incident involving a Jeju Air flight raises questions about the reasons behind a belly landing. Bird strike could be the issue, but more will be revealed by offical investigation

  • Landing Long and Fast: An aviation term meaning landing beyond the touchdown zone at excessive speed.

  • Possible Scenario (Jeju Air): The crew might have realized they were landing “long and fast” and chose a belly landing as a safer option to stop within the runway. Bird strike may have affected flaps

  • Slats and Flaps: Retractable surfaces on wings used to generate lift at slower landing speeds.

  • Stall Speed: The minimum speed at which an aircraft can maintain lift. Flaps lower stall speed. Without them, higher landing speed is needed.

  • Braking Methods: Thrust reversers, spoilers (speedbrakes), and wheel brakes. Automation usually involved

  • Possible Last Resort: In the Jeju Air incident, swerving into open space may have helped.

Shendurney’s Wild Heart

  • Faunal Survey Findings: A four-day survey in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary revealed significant biodiversity.
  • Bird Diversity: 143 bird species spotted, increasing total recorded species to 248, including endemics like Malabar Parakeet, White-Bellied Treepie, Great Indian Hornbill.
  • Butterfly Diversity: 174 butterfly species recorded, including endemic species like Malabar Banded Peacock and rare species. Migration
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    of Lesser and Common Albatross observed. Total species documented since 2010 is now 269.
  • Odonate Diversity: 48 odonate species recorded, including two potential new species. Large-scale migration of Pantalas observed. Total recorded species now 116.
  • Other Fauna: Survey documented 12 frog, 6 snake, 24 ant, 4 cicada, and 10 mammal species. Notable otter population indicates a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
  • Significance of Survey: Findings will aid sanctuary management and conservation strategies. Citizen science praised for its role in conservation. Habitat rehabilitation efforts have improved biodiversity.
  • Sanctuary Location: Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kollam district of Kerala, part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
  • Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve: Includes Shendurney, Peppara and Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuaries.
  • Flora and Fauna: The sanctuary boasts tropical forests and diverse fauna, including elephants, tigers, endemic bird species, Nilgiri langurs and lion-tailed macaques. The sanctuary is named after the endemic tree Gluta travancorica, locally known as ‘Chenkurunji’.

Moldova & Transnistria

  • Energy Crisis: Ukraine stopped Russian gas transit, impacting Moldova and Transnistria, which rely on it for power and heating. Why: Highlights vulnerability of the region due to reliance on Russian gas amidst geopolitical tensions.

  • Moldova’s Geography & Diplomacy: Moldova is a landlocked Eastern European nation bordering Ukraine and Romania; recently opened an embassy in New Delhi. Why: Provides context about Moldova’s location and its efforts to strengthen international relations.

  • India-Moldova Relations: Diplomatic ties established in 1992 after Moldova’s independence. Why: Shows Moldova’s engagement with other nations after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

  • Transnistria’s Status: A Russian-backed breakaway region of Moldova, resisting Moldovan control since 1992 with Russian support. Why: Explains the complex political situation of Transnistria and its dependence on Russia.

  • Lack of International Recognition: Despite its de facto independence, Transnistria isn’t recognized by most countries, even Russia. Why: Underscores the ambiguous international standing of Transnistria.

  • Citizenship: Many Transnistrians hold Russian and/or Moldovan citizenship. Why: Highlights the intertwined identity and allegiance of people in the region.

Malaria Report 2024

  • India’s Progress: The WHO’s World Malaria Report 2024 highlights India’s significant reduction in malaria cases and deaths between 2017 and 2023.
  • Historical Transformation: Malaria cases have declined by over 97% since independence, from 75 million to 2 million annually, and deaths have fallen from 800,000 to 83 by 2023.
  • HBHI Exit: India exited WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in 2024, a key milestone.
  • State-Level Improvements: High-burden states decreased from 10 to 2 (Mizoram & Tripura). Many states transitioned to lower burden categories. Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry achieved zero indigenous malaria cases.
  • Case and Death Reduction: Malaria cases and deaths have both dropped by approximately 80% from 2015 to 2023.
  • Surveillance Increase: The Annual Blood Examination Rate (ABER) increased from 9.58 (2015) to 11.62 (2023), indicating better detection.
  • Government Initiatives: Key initiatives include the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030 and the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2023-2027).Other Initiatives are National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) Initiative & Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)
  • Elimination Goal: India aims to achieve malaria-free status by 2030, with zero indigenous cases by 2027.
  • Global Context: Globally, malaria cases increased to 263 million in 2023, with the WHO African Region bearing the brunt.
  • Zero Malaria Districts: 122 districts reported zero malaria cases in 2023.

What is DAP?

  • What is DAP? Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) is a widely used fertilizer providing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) essential for plant growth. In India, it is the second most used fertilizer.
  • Why is DAP important? It is high in phosphorus, which stimulates root development. It is also used as a fire retardant, in industrial processes, wine making, cheese production, and soldering.
  • Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme: Implemented in 2010, it provides a fixed subsidy on Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizers based on nutrient content. It aims to provide subsidized fertilizers to farmers.
  • Extension of Special Package: The Union Cabinet extended the One-time Special Package for DAP at Rs 3,500 per metric ton from January 1, 2025, until further orders.
  • Aim of Extension: To ensure farmers have access to affordable DAP amidst global market fluctuations and geopolitical tensions.
  • How it works: The Rs 3,500 per MT package is applied in addition to the NBS subsidy.
  • Government Focus: Highlights the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare and providing essential agricultural inputs at affordable prices.
  • Previous Package: A similar package was approved for April 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, demonstrating continued support.

India’s Green Energy Tap

  • Why in News: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy urges states to ease land availability for renewable energy, particularly wind, to achieve the 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030.

  • Current Status: India’s installed renewable energy capacity is 158.55 GW (November 2024), with wind power at 47.96 GW and solar leading at 94.17 GW.

  • Renewable Potential:

    • Solar: 748 GW (NISE estimate)
    • Wind: >300 GW
    • Hydro: >148 GW (46 GW untapped)
    • Geothermal: 10 GW
    • Wave Energy: 40 GW

  • Challenges:

    • Land Scarcity: Difficulty acquiring land, especially for wind, due to population density and ecological sensitivity.
    • Financing: High upfront costs and uncertain returns deter investors.
    • Grid Integration: Intermittency of wind power causes instability and curtailments.
    • Exhaustion of Prime Sites: Optimal wind locations are mostly occupied.
    • Approval Delays: Lengthy clearance processes hinder project timelines.
    • Offshore Wind: High costs and technological challenges limit development.

  • Way Forward:

    • Improve Land Access: Streamline land acquisition, promote dual-use projects.
    • Strengthen Transmission: Develop green energy corridors, invest in hybrid systems.
    • Harmonize Policies: Create a unified national policy, offer long-term incentives (“Make in India” push).
    • Focus on Offshore Wind: Pilot projects, financial incentives, reduced import duties.
    • Financing and R&D: Green banks, research in advanced technologies.
    • Environmental Sustainability: Assessments, component recycling, community engagement.

UN Summits Fail 2024

  • Four UN Environmental Summits Fail: Summits on biodiversity (Colombia), climate (Azerbaijan), land degradation (Saudi Arabia), and plastics (South Korea) in 2024 failed to achieve meaningful outcomes, indicating a setback in addressing crucial environmental issues.

  • Divergent National Priorities: The core issue is a widening gap between developed and developing nations’ priorities. Developing nations seek more financial aid and technology transfer, while developed nations hesitate due to domestic and economic pressures.

  • Specific Summit Failures:

    • Colombia (Biodiversity): Lack of agreement on financing for sustainable land use.
    • Azerbaijan (Climate): Disagreement on fossil fuel transition and the scale of climate finance ($1.3 trillion sought by developing nations).
    • South Korea (Plastics): No consensus on a legally binding treaty due to opposition from plastic-dependent economies.

  • Other Contributing Factors:

    • Disagreements on monitoring and enforcement frameworks.
    • Global crises (COVID-19, economic instability, geopolitical conflicts) diverting attention and resources.

  • Consequences of Failure:

    • Delayed Action: Postpones crucial measures to combat environmental challenges.
    • Fragmented Efforts: Risks unilateral actions lacking global coordination, potentially creating new problems.
    • Erosion of Trust: Undermines cooperation among nations.
    • Pressure on Future Summits: Increases the urgency for future meetings to deliver results.

  • Strategies for Progress:

    • Developed nations must honor financial and technological support commitments.
    • Strengthened transparency and accountability mechanisms.
    • Inclusive diplomacy to ensure all voices are heard.
    • Emphasis on implementation and concrete action over pledges.
    • Addressing the interconnectedness of environmental issues (biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution).

e-Governance Awards

  • National e-Governance Awards (NAeG) Scheme: A prestigious scheme recognizing excellence in e-governance implementation in India.
  • Objective: To promote and acknowledge outstanding e-governance initiatives.
  • NAeG Awards 2025: Includes a trophy, certificate, and monetary incentive. Gold Awardees receive Rs 10 lakh, Silver Awardees receive Rs 5 lakh. Funds are for project implementation or public welfare.
  • NAeG Awards 2025 Number: A total of 16 awards; 10 Gold and 6 Silver.
  • NAeG Awards 2026 Categories: Six categories include; Re-engineering of Government Processes for Digital Transformation, Innovation using AI and new age technology, Best e-Gov. Practices in Cyber Security, Grassroot Level Initiatives in Service Delivery, Replication of successful projects and Digital transformation by use of data analytics.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
  • Cybersecurity: Practice of protecting digital systems from attacks to prevent data breaches, financial extortion (ransomware), and business disruption.

Why in News:

  • NAeG Awards are being conferred, highlighting successful e-governance initiatives. These awards serve as motivation for improvement and innovation in digital governance across the country.
  • The focus on cybersecurity highlights its growing importance in the digital landscape.

H-1B Visa

  • Context: Controversy surrounds H-1B visas weeks before Donald Trump’s return as US President, particularly within his “MAGA” supporter base.

  • What is H-1B: Allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialized occupations requiring high skill and a bachelor’s degree. It is employer-sponsored, with a maximum duration of six years.

  • Key Players: The debate involves Trump supporters (some opposing H-1B) and figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who support it.

  • US Immigration Context: Immigration is a highly divisive issue in the US, with some associating it with the depression of wages.

  • Nativist Concerns: Critics of H-1B argue that it is used by tech companies to hire foreign workers at lower wages than American workers. They want companies to hire Americans.

  • Salary Data: Data indicates that a majority of H-1B petitions for Indian professionals are for salaries below the median US IT professional salary.

  • Musk’s Position: While initially supporting H-1B, Elon Musk now calls for reforms, including a higher minimum salary and yearly costs, making it more expensive to hire from overseas.

  • Beneficiaries: Indians are the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program, accounting for over 70% of approvals since 2015.

  • Industry Argument: Industry insiders maintain H-1B visas are crucial to address the skills gap in the US.

H-1B Visa

Stellaria Bengalensis

  • New Plant Species Discovered: Stellaria bengalensis, a new species of plant in the genus Stellaria, has been identified in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, India.
  • Second Stellaria Find This Year: This is the second Stellaria species reported in India in 2024, following Stellaria mcclintockiae found in Kerala.
  • Discovery Details: The plant was discovered by Arya S. and Harsh Singh in the Sangser forest at an altitude of 2,245-2,450 meters.
  • Published Research: The findings were published in the journal Phytotaxa.
  • Plant Characteristics: Stellaria bengalensis is an annual herb (8-10.5 cm tall) with white flowers, no bracts, short petals, and sharp seeds, flowering from May to September.
  • Habitat: It grows on muddy soil slopes, similar to its Kerala counterpart.
  • Indian Stellaria Diversity: India has approximately 22 Stellaria species, mainly in the Himalayan region.
  • IUCN Status: The species is currently classified as ‘data deficient’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to potential wider distribution in the Western Himalayas. The IUCN is a global organization that assesses the conservation status of species.
  • Naming: Named Stellaria bengalensis after the state of West Bengal.

The CGWB Explained

  • What it is: The Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) is the national apex agency in India for managing and regulating groundwater resources. It falls under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  • Role: Provides scientific inputs for sustainable management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation, and regulation of groundwater resources.
  • Functions: National Aquifer Mapping, groundwater exploration, resource assessment, monitoring water levels/quality, data dissemination, modelling, regulating groundwater development in coordination with states, R&D, water conservation, capacity building.
  • Recent News (Nitrate Contamination): CGWB’s 2025 report indicates that 56% of India’s districts (440 districts) have excessive nitrates in groundwater, up from 359 in 2017. This is largely attributed to synthetic fertilizer use.
  • Contamination Levels: Almost 20% of groundwater samples had nitrate levels exceeding safe limits. Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu show high nitrate contamination. Central and southern India are seeing increasing trends.
  • Other Contaminants: Fluoride and uranium are also major concerns. Uranium contamination is linked to groundwater over-exploitation in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
  • Groundwater Extraction: Overall groundwater extraction is around 60%. Most blocks are in the ‘safe’ zone regarding replenishment, but the number of blocks assessed decreased compared to 2022.

Dot-Com Dawn

  • January 1, 1983: TCP/IP adoption marked the birth of the modern Internet. This date is significant as it signifies the official shift to the protocol that enabled the Internet’s global expansion.

  • ARPANET origins: ARPANET, created by the US Department of Defence during the Cold War, aimed to ensure communication during potential nuclear attacks, however the protocol could not support complexity and diversity. This highlights the initial motivation behind the network and the limitations that led to its evolution.

  • NCP limitations: The original ARPANET protocol, NCP, became outdated, hindering further network development. This explains why a new protocol was needed.

  • TCP/IP standardisation: TCP/IP, developed by Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn, provided a standardized communication method for diverse networks. This enabled scalable and efficient data transmission, a critical factor for the Internet’s growth.

  • “Flag Day”: January 1, 1983, was the “flag day” requiring all ARPANET systems to switch to TCP/IP. This underscores the decisive nature of the transition.

  • “Network of networks”: TCP/IP enabled a “network of networks,” breaking down geographical, organizational, and technological barriers to achieve global connectivity. This highlights the transformative impact of the new protocol.

  • Foundation for future advancements: This transition laid the groundwork for the World Wide Web, social media, and e-commerce. This emphasizes the long-term significance of the TCP/IP adoption.

UDISE: Education Shifts

  • Decline in School Enrollment: UDISE+ data reveals a significant drop in school enrollment in India, falling to 24.8 crore in 2023-24. This is a decrease of approximately 1.55 crore students (6%) compared to the 2018-19 to 2021-22 average of 26.36 crore.
  • Revised Data Collection: The Ministry attributes the drop to revised data collection methods implemented in 2022-23, requiring student-specific information like name, address, and Aadhaar number.
  • Impact of Aadhaar Linking: Aadhaar linking aims to de-duplicate data and identify beneficiaries for government schemes. This may have eliminated inflated enrollment numbers and lead to significant savings to the government.
  • State-wise Variations: States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra experienced the largest declines in enrollment. Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Telangana recorded increases.
  • Government vs. Private Schools: Both government and private school enrollments decreased, but the drop was more significant in government schools (5.59%) compared to private schools (3.67%).
  • Gender Disparity: Enrollment declined for both boys and girls, but marginally more for boys.
  • Level-wise Changes: Primary, upper primary, and secondary levels saw decreased enrollment, while pre-primary and higher secondary levels saw increases.
  • Data Accuracy Concerns: Maharashtra officials express concerns that mandatory Aadhaar linking might exclude some genuine students due to technical issues like mismatched data.
  • Government Response: The Ministry of Education has requested states with significant enrollment drops to explain the discrepancies.

Ringing Ears

  • Tinnitus Defined: Perception of sound without an external source; only heard by the individual.

  • Common Causes: Age-related hearing loss, ear injuries, circulatory system issues.

  • Symptoms Extend Beyond Sound: Sleep problems, depression, anxiety, irritability, affecting mental health and social life. Phantom sounds can vary (buzzing, roaring, clicking, etc.).

  • Treatments Vary: Hearing aids, sound-masking devices, medication, coping strategies.

  • New Device Focus: Aims to manage tinnitus with software and device.

  • Precise Tinnitus Matching: Identifies the exact sound frequency experienced. This is important for tailoring the treatment.

  • Customizable Treatment: Provides a multimodal, tailored approach.

  • Progression Tracking: Software allows clinicians to monitor patient improvement. This is important for adjustments in treatment and overall management.

  • Cochlear Implants Explained: Prosthetic device surgically implanted, can help those with severe hearing loss who don’t benefit from hearing aids but have an intact auditory nerve.

Quad@20

  • Quad Marks 20 Years: Foreign Ministers commemorated two decades of Quad cooperation, reaffirming commitment to a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific amidst China’s assertiveness.
  • Strategic Forum: The Quad is a strategic forum of the US, Japan, India, and Australia promoting regional security and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Objectives: Promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific, democracy, human rights, rule of law, and counters China’s expanding influence.
  • Key Initiatives: Include Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), Indo-Pacific Logistics Network, Quad Cancer Moonshot, Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN), Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen Agriculture (AI-ENGAGE), BioExplore Initiative, Semiconductor Supply Chain Contingency Network, Quad Fellowship, and Counter Terrorism Working Group (CTWG).
  • India’s Significance: Safeguards maritime interests, counters China’s assertive policies, aligns with Act East Policy, encourages economic cooperation, promotes scientific collaboration, and enhances people-to-people ties.
  • Continued Relevance: Balances China’s influence, enhances maritime security, addresses diverse issues (health, technology, climate change), strengthens institutions, and fosters people-centric initiatives.
  • Challenges: Lacks formal structure, divergent priorities among members, China’s growing influence, resource constraints, and overlaps with other groupings.
  • Way Forward: Institutionalization, strengthening ties with regional organizations like ASEAN, Quad Plus expansion, enhanced resource commitment.
  • Focus Areas: Maritime security, infrastructure, connectivity, climate change, cancer, pandemics, counter-terrorism, critical and emerging technologies, and cyber security.
  • ASEAN Centrality: Reaffirmed unwavering support for ASEAN’s centrality and unity.
  • India to Host Summit: India is scheduled to host the next Quad Summit in the second half of 2025.

UDISE+ 2023-24 Report

  • UDISE+ Overview: UDISE+ is a large-scale Management Information System (MIS) for school education in India, managed by the Ministry of Education. It captures data on schools, teachers, enrollment, and infrastructure.
    • Why: It’s the most trusted pan-India database for school education. MIS systems help organize data collection from many sources to present in readable formats.
  • Enrollment Decline: Total student enrollment dropped significantly in 2023-24 to 24.8 crore, a decrease of over a crore compared to previous years (around 26 crore) and a drop of 6% from 2018-19 numbers.
    • Why: Indicates a potential shift in enrollment trends.
  • Data Comparability: UDISE+ 2022-23 data and onward isn’t directly comparable
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    with prior reports due to enhanced data collection methods focused on accurately verifying student and teacher credentials and weeding out duplicate entries.
    • Why: Impacts the interpretation of trends in educational indicators like Gross Enrollment Ratio.
  • Aadhaar Integration: Over 19.7 crore students voluntarily provided Aadhaar numbers in 2023-24. Unique IDs are being created for students and teachers.
    • Why: Aims to eliminate duplicate entries and more accurately identify beneficiaries for educational schemes, potentially saving government funds.
  • Gender Distribution: Boys make up 51.9% of enrollment, girls 48.1%.
  • Basic Infrastructure: Over 90% of schools have basic amenities like electricity and gender-specific toilets.
  • Advanced Infrastructure Gaps: Only 57.2% of schools have functional computers, 53.9% have internet access, and 52.3% have ramps with handrails.
    • Why: Highlights disparities in access to technology and accessibility for students.
  • State-wise Enrollment Changes: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra saw the highest drops in enrolment in 2023-24.

Tobacco Board

  • Tobacco Board’s Role: Established in 1976 under the Tobacco Board Act, 1975, the board focuses on the development of the tobacco industry.

  • Core Functions: Export promotion, regulating production and distribution of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco, ensuring fair prices for farmers, and promoting sustainable cultivation practices.

  • Financial Support: Provides financial assistance to farmers through banks and inputs for quality tobacco production.

  • Industry Position: India is the 2nd largest tobacco producer globally and 2nd largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco. It is also 4th largest producer of FCV tobacco in the world.

  • Export Growth: Tobacco exports reached ₹12,005.89 crore in 2023-24.

  • Increased Farmer Income: Income of FCV tobacco farmers doubled between 2019-20 and 2023-24. The efficient and transparent electronic auction system being implemented by the Tobacco Board for the sale of tobacco produced by the farmers helped in achieving the Government’s vision of doubling farmers’ income in the FCV tobacco sector.

  • Record FCV Season in Andhra Pradesh: The 2023-24 season saw record production and prices for FCV tobacco in Andhra Pradesh.Farmers realized an average price of ₹288.65 per kg, which is the highest average price ever recorded, and collectively earned ₹6,313.58 crore during the season.

  • Electronic Auction System: The Tobacco Board implemented an IT-enabled electronic auctioning system to ensure better price discovery for farmers.

  • Export Increase: Achieved an increase in export growth by 87% during the past 5 years

  • Welfare Measures: Extends financial relief to tobacco farmers during times of need.