Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 06-05-2025

TAC: Catch Limits

• Definition: Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is the maximum amount of a fish species that can be legally harvested from a specific body of water within a set period.

• Purpose: TACs are implemented by governments and international organizations to ensure sustainable exploitation of marine resources and prevent overfishing.

• Importance: TACs maintain a minimum fish population size, allowing for natural replenishment and preventing resource collapse. Without TACs, overfishing can deplete populations, threatening biodiversity, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

• Indian Context: India uses a seasonal fishing ban (a TAC equivalent of zero) for 61 days annually in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to conserve fish stocks during breeding season. East Coast: April 15 to June 14, West Coast: June 1 to July 31.

• TAC Determination: TAC limits are set by national fisheries authorities or international bodies like FAO or Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).

• Ecosystem Benefits: TACs prevent overexploitation, supporting marine biodiversity and long-term sustainability of ecosystems.

• Geopolitical Implications: Disputes can arise over TAC enforcement, as highlighted by the US-Russia disagreement regarding Patagonia toothfish in the South Atlantic Ocean. Russia’s rejection of the established TAC led to individual country limits and subsequent import blocks by the US.

HADR Drill

• INS Sharda Deployed to Maldives: Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel, INS Sharda, arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, for a HADR exercise from May 4-10, 2025.

• First-Ever HADR Exercise: This is the first time a dedicated HADR exercise is being conducted between the Indian Navy and the Maldives.

• Strategic Importance: The exercise underscores India’s “Neighbourhood First” Policy and strengthens maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.

• MAHASAGAR Vision: Aligns with India’s “MAHASAGAR” vision, emphasizing regional security, collaboration, and disaster resilience in the Indian Ocean.

• Key Objectives: Enhancing interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Joint drills for SAR operations, disaster response, logistical support, and medical assistance. Facilitating training sessions for capacity building and community engagement.

• Focus Areas: Disaster Response Coordination, Search and Rescue Operations, Medical Assistance, Logistical Support, Joint Drills, Training Sessions, and Community Engagement.

• India’s HADR Role: India aims to project soft power, enhance regional cooperation, and strengthen disaster response mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific.

España

• Power Outage Concerns: Recent widespread power outage in Spain and Portugal has sparked worries about the integration of solar and wind energy into the national grids.
• Renewable Energy Challenge: The shift towards renewables presents challenges for maintaining grid stability, traditionally ensured by conventional power plants with spinning turbines. Solar and wind farms use electronic systems, making it harder to balance electricity supply and demand.
• Grid Frequency: Grid operators must ensure electricity is balanced constantly between demand and supply.
• Technical Solutions: Solutions to compensate for renewables’ lack of inertia include flywheels, gravity storage, and batteries.
• Backup Systems: When renewable sources are insufficient, backup supply currently comes from thermal power plants, nuclear reactors, or hydroelectricity. Countries need to ramp up storage capacity.
• Storage Capacity:The most widespread method is pumped storage hydropower from water reservoirs.
• Transmission Network Failures: Blackouts are often triggered by transmission network failures, requiring billions of euros to renovate and modernize power lines.
• International Connections: Strengthening interconnections between countries’ power systems is crucial. France helped restore power to Spain during the blackout, highlighting the importance of cross-border links.
• Spain’s Geography: Located in Southwestern Europe, sharing borders with Portugal, France, Andorra, and the Mediterranean Sea. The Pyrenees Mountains form a natural barrier between Spain and France, with the Meseta Central as a vast interior plateau.
• Political System: Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
• EU Member: Spain is a founding member of the EU and part of the Eurozone.

Fair Price Hike

• FRP Increase: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane to ₹355 per quintal for the 2025-26 sugar season, up from ₹340 per quintal in the previous season. This aims to safeguard the interests of sugarcane farmers.

• Recovery Rate: The increased rate applies to a basic sugar recovery rate of 10.25%. A premium of ₹3.46 per quintal will be given for each 0.1% increase above 10.25%, and a corresponding reduction for decreases.

• Protection for Farmers: There will be no deduction for mills with recovery rates below 9.5%, ensuring farmers supplying these mills receive ₹329.05 per quintal.

• Profitability: The FRP for 2025-26 is 105.2% higher than the cost of production, calculated at ₹173 per quintal, and 4.41% higher than the current season’s rate.

• Impact on Livelihoods: Sugarcane farming and processing support the livelihoods of approximately five crore farmers and five lakh sugar mill workers, along with many others involved in related activities.

• Payment Status: As of April 28, nearly all (99.92%) of the cane dues for the 2023-24 season have been cleared (₹1,11,703 crore paid of ₹1,11,782 crore). For the current season, 87% of cane dues have been disbursed.

• FRP Determination: The FRP was determined based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural

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  Costs and Prices (CACP) and after consultations with State Governments and other stakeholders.

• Legal Basis of FRP: FRP is the minimum price sugar mills must pay, governed by the Sugarcane Control Order, 1966, under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Delays in payment attract up to 15% interest.

FPO

• Why in News: Despite government investment, Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) progress is slower than anticipated, highlighting challenges and areas for improvement.
• What is an FPO: Farmer-member based Producer Organisation (PO) promoted by Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), originating from a 2002 recommendation. Can be registered under various Acts.
• Objectives: Empower small and marginal farmers (87% own <2 hectares) by bulk input purchase, improved bargaining power, better prices, and enhanced market access. Aim to double farmer incomes and enable access to global markets.
• Current Status: 45,000 FPOs registered, but only 16,000 compliant. Only 4,000 have received working capital loans. Low average net profit (Rs 3 lakh) limits impact.
• Key Challenges:
  • No “one size fits all” approach to solve issues like climate risk and lack of rural infrastructure.
  • Limited impact in market linkages despite e-NAM integration (low traded value).
  • Thin profit margins (3-6%) threaten long-term viability.
  • Difficulty replacing middlemen due to trust and credit dependencies.
  • FPOs sometimes act as outsourcing channels, diluting their purpose.
  • Lack of social capital hinders consensus-building and sustainability.
• Strengthening FPOs:
  • Support high-potential FPOs with strong leadership and farmer participation.
  • Develop vernacular knowledge resources for FPO operations.
  • Train rural youth as FPO Promoters.
  • Encourage value addition through processing, branding, and direct retail partnerships.
• Conclusion: FPOs can empower small farmers, but success requires addressing challenges, focusing on high-potential FPOs, leveraging digital platforms, and promoting value addition for long-term sustainability.

Panchayat Index

• Why in News: PM Modi highlighted the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) on National Panchayati Raj Day as crucial for empowering local governance and achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.
• What is PAI: A composite index to assess Gram Panchayat (GP) progress using socio-economic indicators, identifying development gaps, and supporting evidence-based planning. Aligned with Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) and the National Indicator Framework (NIF).
• Indicators: Based on 435 unique local indicators across 9 LSDG-aligned themes.
• Data: Over 2.16 lakh GPs from 29 States/UTs submitted data, validated by respective States/UTs.
• Performance Categories: GPs classified into Achiever, Front Runner, Performer, Aspirant, and Beginners based on PAI scores.
• 2022-23 Data: No Panchayat qualified as an Achiever.0.3% were Front Runners, 35.8% Performers, 61.2% Aspirants, and 2.7% Beginners.
• Challenges:
  • Limited Financial Autonomy: Heavy reliance on state/central funds.
  • Incomplete Devolution: Less than 20% of states have fully implemented the transfer of 29 subjects.
  • Technological and Capacity Gaps: Lack of digital infrastructure, literacy, and trained staff.
  • Inadequate Infrastructure: Limited pucca panchayat office buildings.
  • Representation Gaps: Limited participation of women due to patriarchal norms.
  • Poor Inter-Departmental Coordination: Duplication of work and inefficient resource use.
• Measures to Enhance PRIs:
  • Ensure Financial Autonomy: Implement State Finance Commissions.
  • Devolution and Empowerment: Transfer the 29 subjects effectively.
  • Boost Institutional Capacity: Targeted training and convergence with SHGs/CBOs.
  • Technological and Data-Driven Governance: Integrate digital modules and expand e-Gram Swaraj.
  • Encourage Scheme Convergence: Unified panchayat-level action plan.
  • Promote Gender Inclusion: Women Resource Centres and gender budgeting.

Basir Missile

• Iran Unveils Ghassem Basir Missile: Iran revealed a new solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) named Ghassem Basir in May 2025.
• Range: The missile has a reported range of over 1,200 kilometers (745 miles), capable of striking targets across the region.
• Features: It’s approximately 11 meters long, weighs roughly 7 tons, utilizes a solid-fuel propulsion system for quicker launch readiness and stable storage, and can reach speeds up to Mach 12.
• Advanced Technology: The missile includes a thermal imaging sensor for target identification and a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) to reduce drag, radar observability, and improve efficiency. It is capable of being launched from mobile transporter-erector-launchers (TELs) resembling civilian trucks.
• Timing of the Unveiling: The unveiling occurred after Oman-mediated talks between Tehran and Washington regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
• Regional Tensions: Western nations have expressed concerns about Iran’s missile capabilities and its role in the Middle East, particularly its support for groups opposed to Israel.
• Iranian Response: Iranian officials state that the missile program is for defense purposes, warning of a strong response to any attack targeting American bases while claiming no animosity toward neighboring states.
• Nuclear Program Concerns: The unveiling coincides with renewed concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, with calls from the US and Israel for Iran to halt uranium enrichment and ballistic missile development. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

Saola: The Asian Unicorn

• Saola Genome Mapped: Scientists successfully mapped the complete genome of the critically endangered Saola (“Asian Unicorn”) using tissue fragments from hunter-collected remains.
• Population Split: Genetic analysis reveals the Saola population split into two distinct groups 5,000-20,000 years ago, likely due to habitat changes after the Last Glacial Maximum.
• Human Impact: The transition to agricultural societies (~4,000 years ago) led to habitat loss, increased hunting, and genetic isolation, further threatening the species.
• Complementary Gene Pools: The two Saola groups lost different segments of genetic diversity, meaning combining their gene pools could restore crucial overall diversity.
• Conservation Importance: The genome mapping provides valuable insights into genetic diversity, population structure, and conservation strategies for the Saola.
• Critically Endangered: The Saola is listed as Critically Endangered due to snaring, hunting, habitat loss, and low reproductive numbers. The 2015 assessment estimated the population between 50-300.
• Captive Breeding Hope: There is a major effort to build a well-equipped captive breeding facility for saola in Vietnam, to capture live individuals to save it from extinction.
• Reintroduction Plan: The plan is to use the captive population to reintroduce animals in a protected area where poaching is prevented.
• Need to Mix Populations: Mixing the two populations in a captive breeding program can help compensate for the genetic diversity lost in each population.

Makalu: The Fifth Giant

• ITBP Success: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) successfully scaled Mt. Makalu (8,485m), the world’s fifth highest peak, on April 19, 2025.
• First CAPF: ITBP is the first Central Armed Police Force to achieve this feat.
• Twin Expedition: Part of a twin expedition to Mt. Makalu and Mt. Annapurna in Nepal, marking a historic first for the ITBP.
• Annapurna Attempt: The Mt. Annapurna team reached 7,940 meters before retreating due to extreme weather.
• Team Composition: The Mt. Makalu team, led by Deputy Commandant Anoop Kumar Negi, had a success rate of 83%, with five climbers reaching the summit.
• Environmental Initiative: The team collected 150 kg of non-biodegradable waste as part of the ‘Clean Himalaya – Save Glacier’ campaign.
• ITBP’s Mountaineering Record: This summit marks ITBP’s sixth successful scaling of the world’s 14 ‘eight-thousanders’, and 229 peaks overall, including Mt. Everest (five times).
• Mountain Location: Mt. Makalu resides in the Mahalangur range of the Nepal Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and Tibet. It is located southeast of Mount Everest, known for its pyramid shape with four sharp ridges and resides in Makalu Barun National Park.
• First Ascent: Mt. Makalu was first ascended in 1955 by a French expedition.
• ITBP Role: The ITBP specializes in high-altitude border guarding along the India-China border.

The Rock

• Alcatraz to potentially reopen as a prison: The US President has directed his administration to rebuild and enlarge Alcatraz, which has been closed for over 60 years.

• Alcatraz’s History: Known as “The Rock,” the island has served as a lighthouse location (1854), a military post, and a military prison before becoming a federal prison in 1934.

• Federal Prison Era (1934-1963): Alcatraz housed some of the most dangerous criminals in the US. It was believed to be inescapable.

• Reasons for Closure: High maintenance costs led to the prison’s closure in 1963.

• Current Status: Alcatraz is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and a popular tourist destination.

The OIC

• OIC Statement on India-Pakistan: The OIC recently expressed concern over the tense situation between India and Pakistan, urging restraint and dialogue.

• Second Largest Intergovernmental Organization: The OIC is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the UN, with 57 member states across four continents.

• Establishment & Purpose: Founded in 1969 following the Al-Aqsa Mosque arson, the OIC aims to preserve Islamic values, safeguard member states’ sovereignty, and contribute to international peace.

• Collective Muslim Voice: The OIC acts as the collective voice of the Muslim world, protecting their interests in economic, social, and political areas.

• Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Official languages: Arabic, English, and French.

• Key Members: Includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt, and many others.

• Main Bodies:

  • Islamic Summit Conference (ISC): Supreme authority, meets every three years.
  • Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM): Meets annually to examine implementation of decisions.
  • General Secretariat: Executive organ responsible for implementing decisions.

• Committees: Ministerial-level committees coordinate action in various fields.

• Partnerships: The OIC partners with international organizations, governments, and civil society.

• India and OIC: India is not a member of the OIC.

Semaglutide: The Skinny

Here are the key points about Semaglutide from the first article:

• Semaglutide shows promise for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).
• Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss (Ozempic, Wegovy).
• MASH is a severe fatty liver disease with no approved treatments.
• The study is significant because semaglutide improves liver histology and addresses metabolic dysfunctions linked to MASH.

Here are the key points regarding AI from the second article:

• AI is best viewed as a “normal” technology with slow, transformative impacts over decades, similar to the Internet.
• AI progress is now limited by the need for real-world interaction, deployment, and tacit knowledge.
• AI adoption is slowed by the “innovation-diffusion feedback loop,” which involves human behavioral change.
• Focus should be on risks during AI deployment (use) rather than development (training).
• Policy should enable adoption by workforce training and AI procurement standards and address risks by developing fail-safes.
• Attempts to suppress AI development will fail and should be replaced by promoting a “resilience” approach that distributes resources and power.

PMFBY: Crop Insurance

• High Claim Settlement Rate: 97% of reported claims under PMFBY and RWBCIS have been settled nationwide. Goa, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu have achieved 100% claim settlement.

• PMFBY Overview: Launched in 2016, PMFBY is a Central Sector Scheme providing financial protection to farmers against crop losses from natural disasters, pests, or diseases.

• World’s Largest: As of 2023-24, PMFBY is the world’s largest crop insurance scheme by farmer enrollment and land area covered.

• Eligibility: All farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers growing notified crops in notified areas, are eligible. Participation is voluntary, with non-loanee farmers comprising 55% of beneficiaries.

• Risk Coverage: Covers losses from natural disasters (floods, droughts, cyclones, etc.), pest & disease attacks, post-harvest losses (up to 14 days), and localized calamities. It also provides prevented sowing indemnity.

• Affordable Premiums: Farmers pay low premiums: 2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi, and 5% for annual commercial/horticultural crops. The government fully subsidizes premiums in Northeast, J&K, and Himachal Pradesh.

• Technology Integration: Uses satellite imagery & drones for crop area estimation and loss assessment. The CCE-Agri App ensures transparent yield assessment by direct data upload to the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP).

• Timely Payouts: Aims to process claims within two months of harvest to prevent farmers from incurring debt.

• RWBCIS Overview: Launched in 2016, RWBCIS protects against financial losses due to unfavorable weather conditions. Compensation is based on deviations from predefined weather indicators.

Indian Livestock

• Rural Livelihoods & Nutrition: India’s livestock sector is vital for rural livelihoods, nutrition, and economic growth, making animal health a national priority.
• World Veterinary Day: Underscores the role of veterinarians and the One Health approach to tackle zoonotic risks.
• Livestock Population: India has the world’s largest livestock population (535.78 million as per 20th Livestock Census, 2019). This includes 303.76 million bovines, 74.26 million sheep, 148.88 million goats, 9.06 million pigs, and 851.81 million poultry.
• Production Rank: India ranks 1st in milk production (24.76% of global production), 2nd in egg production, and 5th in meat production globally.
• GDP Contribution: The sector contributes 5.50% of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and provides employment to about 8.8% of the population.
• Exports: Exports of livestock products reached USD 3.64 billion during April-December 2024, strengthening India’s foreign exchange.
• Low Productivity: India’s livestock productivity remains low compared to global standards, particularly in dairy.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: The sector suffers from poor breed quality, inadequate feeding, lack of veterinary services, cold chain facilities, and modern slaughterhouses.
• Health Risks: Zoonotic diseases pose significant threats due to poor hygiene, inadequate veterinary services, and lack of awareness.
• Veterinarian Demand: India needs to produce 2500 additional veterinary graduates annually for the next five years to meet the growing demand.
• Breed Improvement: Promote genetic upgradation through selective breeding and artificial insemination.
• Veterinary Services: Strengthen veterinary care access, vaccination, and disease surveillance. Veterinarians are the first line of defense against health risks for animals and humans and work with farmers and indigenous populations to promote sustainable livestock management.
• One Health Approach: Integrate human, animal, and environmental health through cross-sector collaboration.

Genome-Edited Rice

• India released its first genome-edited rice varieties, ‘DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala)’ and ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’, developed by ICAR using CRISPR-Cas9 technology.

• These varieties aim to enhance yields, climate resilience, and resource efficiency without foreign DNA, making them comparable to traditionally bred crops.

• DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala):

  • Based on Samba Mahsuri.
  • Uses SDN1 technology to target the CKX2 gene (Gn1a) for increased grain number.
  • Results in early maturity (15-20 days earlier), drought tolerance, and high nitrogen-use efficiency.
  • Demonstrated a 19% yield improvement over Samba Mahsuri in multi-location trials, with potential yields up to 9 tons per hectare.
  • Retains the grain and cooking quality of Samba Mahsuri, it has been recommended for cultivation across major rice-growing states.

• Pusa DST Rice 1:

  • Based on Maruteru 1010 variety.
  • Enhances drought and salt tolerance through SDN1 genome editing, targeting the DST gene.
  • Shows yield increases in coastal salinity (30.4%), alkaline soils (14.66%), and inland salinity (9.67%).
  • It has been recommended for cultivation across key rice-growing states.

• Significance: Cultivating these varieties on 5 million hectares could yield 4.5 million additional tonnes of paddy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, and save 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water.

• The varieties received appropriate biosafety clearances under India’s simplified regulations for genome-edited crops (SDN1 and SDN2).

• India’s paddy yield is lower than other countries like China, Indonesia and Bangladesh hence this step is to increase domestic rice output.

SGNP: Mumbai’s Green Lung

• Leopard Census: A recent census reveals a minimum of 54 leopards reside in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and its surrounding areas. The census identified 36 leopardesses, 16 leopards, and 2 unidentifiable leopards.
• Coexistence Amid Urbanization: The leopard population highlights the coexistence of wildlife within a major metropolitan area and underscores ongoing conservation efforts.
• Location and Size: SGNP is a large protected area near Borivali, Mumbai, spanning 103 sq. km. It extends into Thane and Mumbai Suburban Districts, making it one of the largest parks within city limits globally.
• Historical Significance: Formerly known as Krishnagiri National Park and Borivali National Park, it was renamed Sanjay Gandhi National Park in 1981.
• Kanheri Caves: The park houses the ancient Kanheri Caves, carved by Buddhist monks between the 1st and 10th centuries CE, serving as monasteries, temples, and schools.
• Water Source: Two artificial lakes, Tulsi Lake and Vihar Lake, are located within the park and provide a significant water supply to South Mumbai.
• Biodiversity: SGNP is rich in flora, including Kadamba, Teak, and Shisham trees, and fauna, such as leopards, sambar deer, and various civet species. It also hosts 251 bird species and a diverse range of butterflies.
• Human Interference: SGNP is a rare national park to survive despite being surrounded by a metropolis and facing high human interference.

ECINET

• ECI Launches ECINET: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is launching ECINET, a single-point digital platform to streamline electoral services.
• Consolidation of Apps: ECINET integrates over 40 existing ECI mobile and web applications, like Voter Helpline, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, etc., which have recorded over 5.5 crore downloads.
• Simplified User Experience: Aims to provide a user-friendly interface (UI/UX) for electors, officials, parties, and civil society, eliminating the need for multiple app downloads.
• Extensive Consultations: Developed after consultations with Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers, and Electoral Registration Officers.
• Data Accuracy: Data will be entered by authorized ECI officials, ensuring accuracy and alignment with legal frameworks (Representation of People Act, etc.).
• Beneficiaries: Expected to benefit nearly 100 crore electors and the entire electoral machinery (BLOs, BLAs, polling officials, etc.).
• Advanced Stage: ECINET is in advanced stages of development with rigorous trials for functionality, ease of use, and cybersecurity.
• Vision: Envisioned by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to improve UX and UI.

Kaleshwaram Project

• Structural Damage and Design Flaws: The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is under scrutiny due to significant structural damage and design flaws reported by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).
• World’s Largest: KLIP is the world’s largest multi-stage
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  lift irrigation project on the Godavari River, spanning 500 km across 13 districts, with a 1,800 km canal network.
• Project Goals: Aims to provide 240 TMC of water, with 70% for irrigation, 30 TMC for Hyderabad municipal area, 16 TMC for industrial uses and 10 TMC for drinking water.
• Medigadda Barrage Crisis: In October 2023, a pillar of the Medigadda Barrage sank, leading to flooding, prompting a thorough inspection by the NDSA.
• NDSA Findings: NDSA found lack of geotechnical investigations, design deficiencies, construction defects, failure of modelling studies, structural distress, absence of quality control, and ignored dam safety aspects.
• Rehabilitation Needed: NDSA recommended rehabilitation of the design, health and safety assessment, immediate stabilization measures, geotechnical studies, and hydraulic model studies.
• Political Implications: The project, a brainchild of the previous BRS government, is now criticized as a “man-made disaster” by the current Congress government.
• Financial Burden: Telangana is reportedly paying Rs 16,000 crore annually in debt repayment and interest for the project.
• Over-Storage: Barrages were originally designed for 2 TMC water regulation but stored over 10 TMC, causing foundational damage and collapse.
• River Godavari Godavari is India’s second-longest river originating from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra, flowing 1,465 km eastward into the Bay of Bengal.
• NDSA Role: NDSA is a statutory body established under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021 to regulate and oversee dams, formulate policies, resolve disputes and conduct awareness programs.