Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 06-03-2025

Gold Discovery: Pakistan has found significant gold reserves (approximately Rs 80,000 crore) in the Indus River bed, potentially boosting its economy. Why this is news: This is major economic news for Pakistan, as it could significantly improve its financial standing.

River’s Origin and Flow: The Indus River originates in Tibet (Mansarovar) and flows for about 2880 km before emptying into the Arabian Sea. It flows through China, India, and Pakistan. Why this is important: Highlights the river’s geographical significance and its role as a transboundary water resource.

Indian Drainage Area: The Indus basin in India covers 321,289 sq. km, about 9.8% of India’s total area. Why this is relevant: Shows the river’s impact on India’s geography.

Tributaries: The Indus has major tributaries, including the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. Why this matters: Understanding the tributaries is vital for grasping the river’s vast drainage system.

Historical Significance: The Indus played a crucial role in the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s earliest urban cultures. Why this is significant: Highlights the river’s historical impact on civilizations.

Five Rivers Meeting Point: Jhelum and Ravi join Chenab, Beas joins Sutlej, and then Sutlej and Chenab join to form Panjnad near Muzaffar Garh district. Why this is important: It provides an overview of the river’s tributaries and how they merge.

Successful Hot Test: ISRO conducted a successful hot test of its semi-cryogenic engine (SE2000), a crucial step toward finalizing the cryogenic stage for future launch vehicles. This is the first step towards increasing the payloads.

Semi-Cryogenic Engine Explained: The SE2000 uses liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer and refined kerosene (RP-1) as fuel.

Advantages of Semi-Cryogenic Engines:

• Higher Density Impulse compared to LOX-liquid hydrogen engines.
• Cost-effective due to cheaper kerosene.
• Operational efficiency due to kerosene’s room-temperature storage.
• Less toxic and easier to handle than liquid hydrogen.

Application and Impact: The SE2000 will power the booster stages of heavy-lift vehicles, including the LVM3 and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), enhancing payload capacity.

PHTA Test Significance: The recent hot test validated critical subsystems, like the gas generator and turbo pumps, ensuring the integrated performance of the engine.

Comparison with Cryogenic Engines: Unlike cryogenic engines that use liquid hydrogen, semi-cryogenic engines utilize kerosene, simplifying storage and handling, with liquid oxygen.

NGLV Development: The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), designed for human-rated missions, is under development. The first and second stages will use LOX engines, and the upper stage will use a cryogenic stage. The new generation vehicle will offer high payload and reusability.

RBI’s Infusion Plan: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to inject Rs 1.9 lakh crore into the banking system. This will be done through open market purchases of government securities and USD/INR swaps.

OMO Definition: Open Market Operations (OMOs) involve the central bank (RBI) buying or selling government securities in the open market. It’s a crucial monetary policy tool.

Purpose: Managing Liquidity & Inflation: OMOs are used to manage rupee liquidity in the market, adjusting money supply to control inflation.

Purchasing Securities (Injecting Liquidity): The RBI will buy government securities worth Rs 1 lakh crore in two tranches and USD/INR swaps. This action adds money into the system, lowers interest rates, makes loans easier to get, and boosts economic activity.

USD/INR Swap: A USD/INR Buy/Sell Swap auction worth $10 billion with a 36-month tenor is scheduled to further inject liquidity, similar to a prior swap that saw high demand.

RBI’s Action: The RBI is actively monitoring liquidity and market conditions, ready to implement further measures to ensure financial stability.

Eutelsat’s Rising Profile: Interest in Eutelsat has surged due to concerns over potential loss of Starlink access for Ukraine, making it a potential alternative for vital communications.

Critical Role of Starlink in Ukraine: Starlink is indispensable for Ukraine’s military communications, command and control, and civilian connectivity, particularly after bombing damaged fixed-line and mobile networks.

Eutelsat’s Capabilities: Eutelsat supports government and institutional communications in Ukraine and, with its OneWeb merger, holds the only other operational global-coverage constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) besides Starlink. It claims to offer similar capabilities in Europe despite fewer LEO satellites.

Comparison of Services: Starlink offers higher data speeds and can reach more users worldwide, while Eutelsat claims similar capability. Eutelsat’s OneWeb terminals are significantly more expensive than Starlink’s, with similar speed.

Alternative: SES: Luxembourg-based SES provides satellite services, prioritizing corporate, government, and military clients, with no direct-to-consumer offerings.

Discovery: Scientists discovered a new species of soil-dwelling nematode, Crassolabium dhritiae, in Odisha, India.

Significance: This nematode is a new addition to the known Crassolabium species, bringing the global total to 39, with nine found in India.

Location: The discovery was made in the Deccan Peninsular biogeographic zone of Odisha’s Keonjhar district.

Naming: The species was named in honour of Dhriti Banerjee, director of ZSI, recognizing her contributions to zoology.

Characteristics: Crassolabium dhritiae is characterized by its medium-sized, slender body, rounded lip region, wide odontostyle, long pharynx, unique female reproductive structures, and uniquely shaped tail.

Feeding Habits: Nematodes feed on plant roots and on all the organisms that live in soil. Crassolabium species exhibit predatory and omnivorous behaviours.

Ecological Role: Nematodes are tiny invertebrates vital for soil fertility, decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients.

Soil Health Indicators: Nematodes are valuable indicators of soil health, helping assess changes in soil conditions due to disturbance or pollution.

Beneficial vs. Harmful: Nematodes can be beneficial (free-living) for nutrient cycling or harmful to plants.

Deal Purpose: The US and Ukraine plan to sign a mineral deal, aiming to develop Ukraine’s vast mineral reserves, especially critical raw materials.

Reconstruction Investment Fund: A jointly managed fund will be established. Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from state-owned mineral resources, oil, and gas to this fund. These funds will be reinvested in projects within Ukraine.

Economic & Strategic Goals: The deal seeks to strengthen economic ties and help the US diversify its critical minerals supply, reducing reliance on China. For Ukraine, it could aid economic recovery, energy security, and tech growth.

Mineral Resources: Ukraine possesses significant reserves of rare-earth minerals vital for various high-tech industries, including those crucial for US national security like aerospace and defense. Ukraine holds 5% of the world’s mineral resources, with 23 of the 50 materials critical to the U.S.

Background: The agreement was revived after a difficult meeting between President Zelensky and former U.S. President Trump. The deal was previously stalled.

Largest Iceberg Grounded: Colossal A23a, the world’s largest iceberg (3,672 sq. km), is stuck approximately 70 km from South Georgia Island.

Potential Ecological Benefit: The grounding and melting of the iceberg could release nutrients, potentially boosting marine food availability and supporting the regional ecosystem.

Wildlife Habitat Spared: The iceberg’s grounding may have spared the crucial wildlife breeding ground of South Georgia from a direct impact.

Background of A23a: A23a broke off from the Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986, was stuck in the Weddell Sea for over 30 years, and began drifting north in 2020.

South Georgia’s Status: South Georgia Island is a British overseas territory, also claimed by Argentina.

Iceberg Characteristics: Icebergs are large masses of freshwater ice that calve from glaciers or ice shelves, with 90% of their mass submerged.

Slowing ACC: The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the world’s strongest ocean current, is slowing down.

Climate Change Link: This slowdown is directly linked to climate change, specifically due to melting ice sheets.

Projected Slowdown: Research indicates a potential 20% slowdown by 2050 under a high carbon emissions scenario.

Global Impact: This slowdown has far-reaching consequences, including sea level rise and ocean warming.

Role in Climate Regulation: The ACC regulates global climate by influencing heat and carbon dioxide absorption and preventing warm waters from reaching Antarctica.

Ecosystem Threat: A slower ACC could allow invasive species to reach Antarctica, disrupting the food web and impacting native species.

Melting Ice Sheets: Melting ice sheets are a major contributor, releasing fresh water into the ocean and weakening the sinking of surface water.

Carbon Sink Impact: A slower ACC may reduce the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, accelerating global warming.

NITI Aayog’s Call: NITI Aayog emphasizes the critical need for India to develop a comprehensive quantum strategy.

Why it Matters: Quantum computing presents both significant opportunities and substantial national security risks. It can revolutionize defense, intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Key Concerns:

• Cybersecurity: Quantum computers could break existing encryption, jeopardizing sensitive data.
• Intelligence & Espionage: Quantum advancements enable unprecedented decryption capabilities, potentially exposing national secrets.
• Funding Gap: India’s quantum mission faces lower funding compared to global leaders, hindering its ability to compete.
• Supply Chain Weakness: Lack of indigenous manufacturing leads to dependence on foreign suppliers.
• Limited Private Sector Involvement: The quantum ecosystem is largely driven by academia, limiting commercialization.

Recommendations:

• Strengthen National Security: Create a task force for global monitoring and threat assessment and implement a Post-Quantum Cryptography plan.
• Boost R&D: Increase funding for quantum startups, encourage private sector involvement.
• Develop Domestic Supply Chain: Invest in indigenous manufacturing of critical components to reduce import reliance.
• Foster Global Partnerships: Establish collaborations with leading quantum nations.

Strategic Framework: A proactive and multi-pronged approach is crucial for India to safeguard its national interests in the quantum era. This requires integrating technology monitoring, flexible research, secure supply chains, leveraging global partnerships, and fostering domestic innovation.

Starlink’s Vital Role in Ukraine: Starlink provides crucial internet and communication services for both Ukrainian civilians and military, filling gaps left by damaged infrastructure, making it virtually indispensable for battlefield command and control.

Starlink’s Restrictions on Drone Use: SpaceX restricted Starlink’s use for guiding attack drones, sparking a search for alternative solutions, mainly for the military.

Eutelsat as a Potential Alternative: Eutelsat, having merged with OneWeb, is the only other operator

Starlink vs. Eutelsat: Capabilities and Costs: Starlink offers higher data speeds due to its larger constellation of over 7,000 LEO satellites. Eutelsat, despite having far less satellites (630 LEO and 35 geostationary), claims comparable performance in Europe. Starlink’s terminal costs and monthly subscription are cheaper compared to OneWeb terminals that are far more expensive than Starlink, which can restrict its usage.

Other Alternatives: SES: Luxembourg-based SES offers services through its medium earth orbit constellation to NATO, but its focus is more on corporate, governmental, and military clients, with no direct-to-consumer services.

India’s Stance on Starlink: India hasn’t approved Starlink because of security, privacy, pricing concerns and opposition from local telecom and satellite industry.

Why in News: The Bombay High Court is reviewing the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971, due to delays in slum redevelopment projects violating slum dwellers’ rights to shelter and livelihood.

Act & Scheme Overview: The 1971 Act empowers the government to declare and acquire slum areas and established the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). The 1995 scheme involves private developers redeveloping slums, providing free housing in exchange for additional construction space for sale.

Challenges:

• Land acquisition & legal hurdles cause delays in project.
• Financial constraints deter private developers because of low returns on investment.
• Social resistance from slum dwellers fearing loss of community ties.
• Environmental concerns due to lack of green spaces and waste management.
• Inefficiency in implementation, delayed projects by developers as seen in SRA model.

Specific Issues:

• Delays by developers, often exceeding decades, violate the rights of slum dwellers.
• Developers often don’t provide timely or adequate transit accommodation.
• Lack of independence and objectivity of statutory authorities, possibly due to builder influence and short tenures.
• Multiple cases pending in court due to issues under the act.
• SC pointed out that the developers are not finishing the projects as per the time period.

Areas for Review (identified by SC):

• Land Identification and Declaration
• Identification of
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  Slum Dwellers.
• Selection of Developers.
• Land Apportionment.
• Provision of Transit Accommodation.
• Functioning of Statutory Authorities

Launched to Secure Unorganized Workers: PM-SYM provides social security to unorganized sector workers, acknowledging their significant contribution (around 50%) to India’s GDP.

Key Features:

• Pension: Minimum ₹3,000 monthly pension after age 60.
• Contribution: Voluntary and contributory, with the government matching worker contributions on a 1:1 basis.
• Family Pension: Spouse receives 50% of the pension after the beneficiary’s death.
• Eligibility: Age 18-40, income ₹15,000 or less, not covered by EPF/ESIC/NPS, and not an income taxpayer.

Implementation: Managed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, with LIC as the pension fund manager. Enrollment via CSCs or the Maandhan portal.

Impact & Importance: Aims to provide financial security and a dignified life for unorganized workers, aligning with the vision of universal pension coverage. It’s a significant step as such a scheme was not there before independence.

Exit Provisions: Flexible exit options are available, allowing withdrawal of contributions with interest under specific conditions.

Current Status: Government actively promotes the scheme through review meetings, awareness campaigns, and digital initiatives, including integrating with the e-Shram portal and introducing a ‘Donate-a-Pension Module’ to encourage employers to contribute.

Definition: Carbon intensity quantifies CO₂ emissions per unit of output in a sector or economy. This helps in tracking emission reduction progress alongside economic growth.

Measurement: A country’s carbon intensity is calculated by dividing GDP per capita growth by CO₂ emissions.

Significance: Carbon intensity is crucial for meeting climate commitments, particularly under the Paris Agreement.

India’s Goal: India aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, relative to its 2005 level.

Purpose: It facilitates sustainable economic growth by minimizing environmental impact.

Context: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 5, 1931) is criticized for failing to secure Bhagat Singh’s commutation.

Bhagat Singh’s Case: Arrested for the 1929 Delhi Central Assembly bombing, he was sentenced to death in the Lahore Conspiracy Case, related to the killing of a British police officer. His trial was controversial, with little legal recourse available after sentencing. A political settlement was the only option to save him.

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact: Ended the Civil Disobedience Movement, releasing political prisoners (excluding those convicted of violence), remitting fines, and returning confiscated lands. The Congress agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference.

Bhagat Singh’s Omission: Gandhi’s negotiations with Irwin started after Bhagat Singh’s final appeal was rejected. There was an expectation that Gandhi would intervene, but it is argued that he did not pressure the British to save him.

Gandhi’s Stance: Gandhi described the bombing as the act of “mad youth” and spoke of the revolutionary’s “error.” He discussed Bhagat Singh with Irwin but did not take a strong stance and never officially asked for commutation.

Gandhi’s Efforts: Gandhi objected to the Special Tribunal’s formation and brought up Bhagat Singh’s case during negotiations. However, he did not put enough pressure to stop the execution and pleaded for suspension of sentence on the day of execution, but it was rejected.

Debate: Historians debate Gandhi’s actions, with some suggesting he did all he could, while others criticize him for not putting sufficient pressure on the British government.

What it is: The Wallace Line is an invisible biogeographical boundary separating the distinct Asian and Australasian flora and fauna. It highlights unique species distribution patterns.

Where it is: The line runs between Bali and Lombok, through the Makassar Strait (Borneo & Sulawesi), and north of Mindanao.

Significance: It marks a major evolutionary divide, illustrating how geological events (plate tectonics, continental drift) and environmental factors have isolated species, leading to distinct evolutionary paths.

Key Features:

• Biodiversity Divide: West of the line: Asian species (tigers, primates). East of the line: Australian species (marsupials, cockatoos).
• Transitional Zone: The area between the Wallace Line and the Lydekker Line (further east) is called Wallacea, which is a mix of both Asian and Australian species

Factors Contributing to the Line:

• The Wallace Trench acted as a barrier, stopping the mixing of species.
• Ocean currents limited species dispersal
• Climatic differences and habitat variations, causing them to adapt in their new conditions

Relevance Today: Understanding the Wallace Line is critical to comprehending how species may be affected by habitat destruction and climate change in the Indo-Malayan archipelago.

Daily Practice MCQs – Focus on Reinforcement: The provided content (Q.1 – c, Q.2 – a, Q.3 – a) demonstrates a focus on providing answers to Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) meant for daily practice. This reinforces learning.

Immediate Feedback & Assessment: The presentation of answers immediately after each question, allows for quick assessment of understanding and identification of knowledge gaps.

No Additional Information: The absence of further information (as indicated by “None” in the supplementary content) signifies a simple format focused solely on question-answer pairs. This suggests a time-efficient tool for testing and practicing knowledge retention.

Supply Chain Disruption: Gum Arabic, a key ingredient in products like Coca-Cola and M&M’s, is increasingly sourced from rebel-held regions in Sudan, causing supply chain complications for Western companies. This is significant because it impacts the availability and cost of a widely used ingredient in numerous consumer products.

Source and Production: Gum Arabic is derived from two acacia tree species (Acacia senegal and A. seyal) found primarily in the sub-Saharan and Sahel regions of Africa, with Sudan holding a dominant 70% market share. This highlights the geopolitical sensitivity of its supply.

Properties and Uses: It is a water-soluble, non-toxic substance used in food, ceramics, painting, photography, and printmaking. Its bland taste and ability to dissolve in water make it suitable for various applications.

Historical Significance: Gum Arabic has been used for thousands of years, including in ancient Egypt as an embalming agent. This illustrates its long history and relevance.

Geographical Distribution: Trees also grow in Australia, India, and South America. In India, A. senegal is found in southeast Punjab, northern Aravalli hills, and parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Production Countries: The major producers are Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, and Sudan (70% market share).

Potential and Contribution: India’s textile industry, with the 2nd largest manufacturing capacity, contributes significantly to the economy (2.3% of GDP, aiming for 5% by 2030). It employs 4.5 crore workers and accounts for 13% of industrial production and 12% of exports.

Market Position: India is the 6th largest exporter globally. It’s also the 2nd largest producer of cotton and man-made fibres. The market is projected to reach USD 350 billion by 2030.

Challenges:

• High Production Costs: Hindered by expensive raw materials (polyester 33-36% costlier, viscose 14-16% costlier than China), and a fragmented supply chain, increasing logistics costs.
• Lack of Trade Agreements: Limited access to major markets due to the absence of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), unlike competitors like Vietnam and China.
• Stagnant Growth and Declining Exports: The textile sector contracted 1.8% annually from FY20-FY24, with apparel exports decreasing.
• Sustainability Pressures: Increasing pressure from global brands for sustainable practices, including renewable energy use and waste recycling.

Government Initiatives: Programs like PM MITRA Parks, PLI Scheme for Textiles, National Technical Textile Mission, and 100% FDI via automatic route are aimed at boosting the sector.

Way Forward:

• Strengthening Supply Chains: Develop vertically integrated textile parks and fiber-to-fashion hubs to reduce costs.
• Policy Reforms: Secure preferential trade agreements and encourage MMF consumption.
• Sustainability Focus: Incentivize sustainable manufacturing and enhance waste management infrastructure.