Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 09-01-2025

Indonesia in BRICS

• Indonesia Joins BRICS: Indonesia will officially become the 10th member of the BRICS group in January 2025.
• BRICS Expansion: The BRICS group, originally Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has expanded to include South Africa, Iran, UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Saudi Arabia’s membership is pending.
• Economic Significance: Prior to Indonesia joining, BRICS represented 35% of global GDP and 46% of the world’s population, highlighting its considerable economic influence.
• Counterbalance to G7: BRICS seeks to challenge the dominance of Western-led global financial systems, such as the G7, by amplifying the voice and influence of emerging economies.
• Future Goals: Key agendas include reducing dependence on the US dollar in international trade, promoting the use of local currencies, and advocating for reforms in global institutions like the IMF and UN to foster greater equity and inclusivity.

DPDP Rules, 2025 Draft

• Draft DPDP Rules, 2025 Released: The Ministry of Electronics & IT has issued draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, to enforce the DPDP Act, 2023. The aim is to protect digital personal data while encouraging digital economy growth and innovation in India.

• Data Transfer: The rules permit government-approved transfer of specific personal data outside India.

• Citizen Empowerment: Citizens gain rights to data erasure, digital nominee appointment, and user-friendly data management tools provided by Data Fiduciaries.

• Data Retention: Data retention is permitted for up to three years after the user’s last interaction or the rules’ effective date. The Data Fiduciary must inform the user at least 48 hours before data erasure.

• Digital-First DPBI: The rules establish a “digital by design” Data Protection Board of India (DPBI) for consent and grievance redressal, enabling swift online resolution.

• Graded Responsibilities: Compliance burdens are scaled based on entity size, with startups and MSMEs facing lower requirements and Significant Data Fiduciaries bearing higher obligations.

• Consent Managers: Consent can be collected through Consent Managers, which are companies incorporated in India with a minimum net worth of two crore rupees that handle user consent for data privacy and digital interactions.

• DPBI Powers: The draft rules outline a framework for the DPBI, granting it civil court powers to address personal data breach complaints.

UDISE+ 2023-24 Data

• Significant Enrollment Decline: The UDISE+ Report 2023-24 reveals a notable drop in India’s overall school enrollment, decreasing by 1.55 crore students from the 2018-2022 average to 24.8 crore in 2023-24. This is newsworthy due to its potential implications for the education sector and future workforce.
• Drop in Both Government and Private Schools: Both government (5.59% decline) and private schools (3.67% decline) experienced a decrease in enrollment. This suggests that factors affecting enrollment are not limited to one type of institution and the reason is important to investigate.
• Gender-Wise Decline: Enrollment decreased for both boys (6.04%) and girls (5.76%), highlighting a broad trend rather than a gender-specific issue and requires a reason analysis.
• State-Wise Disparities: The largest enrollment declines were observed in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. This points to regional challenges that need targeted intervention and demands attention.
• Level-Wise Impact: The decline is present across primary, upper primary, and secondary levels. This indicates a systemic issue affecting multiple stages of education and is concerning.
• Improved Data Accuracy: Enhanced data accuracy, due to Aadhaar-linked
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  student records, likely contributed to the reported decline by removing duplicate entries. This signifies a positive step towards reliable data, though it also raises questions about previous enrollment figures and
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  the reasons behind the duplicates.
• UDISE+ Importance: As one of the largest Management Information Systems for education in India, UDISE+ data informs policy decisions and resource allocation. The enrollment decline warrants careful analysis and strategic responses at the national level.

ISRO’s New Chief: Narayanan

• New ISRO Chairman: Dr. V. Narayanan will take over as ISRO Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space (DoS) on January 14th, 2025, for a two-year term.
• Succession: He succeeds S. Somanath.
• Key Missions Overseen: Narayanan will oversee significant missions like the NVS-02 launch, the unmanned Gaganyaan mission (with Vyommitra), and the Indo-US NISAR satellite launch (March 2025).
• S. Somanath’s Achievements: Somanath led successful missions like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, XpoSat and INSAT. He also spearheaded important projects such as the SSLV, RLV-LEX and Gaganyaan abort missions.
• DoS Initiatives by Somanath: As Secretary of DoS, Somanath initiated the National Space Policy 2023, IN-SPACe, and promoted collaboration between ISRO and private space ventures.
• ISRO’s History: ISRO was formed on August 15th, 1969, succeeding INCOSPAR. The DoS was established in 1972, bringing ISRO under its control.
• Location: ISRO headquarters and the Secretariat of DOS are located in Bangalore.

Info Commissioner Delays

• Supreme Court Criticism: The Supreme Court has strongly criticized the Centre and States for chronic delays in appointing Information Commissioners (ICs) under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
• Undermines Right to Information: Delays obstruct citizens’ ability to exercise their right to information, leading to thousands of pending cases. This undermines the RTI Act’s core purpose of transparency and accountability.
• Vacancies and Pending Cases: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has 8 IC vacancies and 23,000 pending appeals (as of 2024). Some State Information Commissions are defunct or have stopped accepting RTI petitions.
• Dissatisfaction with Responses: Poor responses from Public Information Officers (PIOs) often lead citizens to file appeals.
• Subordinate Rules: Inconsistent state-level implementation of the RTI Act, due to varying rules, such as a lack of online portals.
• Lack of Transparency in Appointments: Predominantly appointing former bureaucrats as ICs raises impartiality concerns. Supreme Court wants diverse backgrounds represented.
• Personal Data Disclosure: Conflict between the RTI Act (allowing disclosure in public interest) and the DPDP Act, 2023 (complete ban), shielding officials from accountability.
• Unilateral Amendments: The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019, granting the central government sole authority over ICs’ tenure and salaries compromises their autonomy.
• RTI Act, 2005 Key Facts:
  • Empowers citizens to access information from public authorities.
  • Promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance.
  • Allows disclosure of information when the public interest outweighs confidentiality (Section 8(2)).
  • Takes precedence over inconsistencies with other laws (Section 22).
• Exemptions: The Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923, and other laws allow officials to restrict information.
• Way Forward:
  • Expedite appointments to fill vacancies.
  • Broaden selection criteria for ICs.
  • Include PPPs, sports bodies, and cooperatives under the RTI Act for greater transparency.
  • Encourage all states to adopt a unified, NIC-designed RTI portal.

Karnataka HC Quashes Power Rules

• Karnataka HC Strikes Down Electricity Rules, 2022: The Karnataka High Court invalidated the Central Government’s Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022 (GEOA Rules, 2022) and Karnataka’s corresponding regulations.
• Reason: The court found that the central government lacked the authority to frame such rules under the Electricity Act, 2003, as these powers are delegated to State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
• Petitioners’ Argument: Hydroelectric companies argued that GEOA Rules, 2022 infringed on the state commission’s powers to frame rules under the Electricity Act, 2003.
• Central Government’s Defence: The Central Government cited its powers to meet international treaty obligations under COP26 Commitments at the Glasgow Summit 2021.
• GEOA Rules, 2022 Aim: These rules aimed to promote renewable energy by ensuring access to affordable and sustainable energy through open access.
• Key Features of GEOA Rules: Included promoting green energy (including Waste-to-Energy), lowering open access transaction limits, consumer rights to demand green power, uniform Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO), and green certificates.
• Implications: The ruling highlights the balance between central policies and state autonomy in India’s energy sector governance.
• Importance of Electricity Act, 2003: The judgment emphasizes the need for adherence to the Electricity Act, 2003, which ensures regulatory powers remain with State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.

Her Biz Power

• EmpowHER Biz Initiative Launched: Aims to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs in retail through mentorship and training.
• Comprehensive Training: Covers retail management, digital tools, financial literacy, and business development.
• Collaboration with New Shop: Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) partners with New Shop to build a supportive retail ecosystem.
• Target Participants: Fifty women aged 18-35 will be selected from Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat via online application.
• Franchise Fee Waiver: Top twenty participants receive a 100% waiver on New Shop franchise fees, lowering barriers to business ownership.
• WEP’s Role: WEP, incubated in NITI Aayog, acts as an aggregator platform providing support across finance, market access, training, mentoring, and compliance.
• Public-Private Partnership: WEP transitioned into a public-private partnership in 2022, fostering collaboration with over 30 partners.
• “Award to Reward” Initiative: Under WEP, this provides a framework for stakeholders to create impactful programs since 2023.
• NITI Aayog’s Purpose: India’s policy think tank established in 2015, focusing on inclusive development and sustainable growth.

Jobs 2025

• Published by WEF: The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report 2025” analyzes data from over 1,000 global companies, representing 14 million workers across 22 industries and 55 economies.

• Job Disruption is significant: Expect 22% job disruption by 2030. While 170 million new jobs will emerge, 92 million will be displaced, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs.

• Key Drivers of Change: Technological advancements (especially AI), geoeconomic shifts, economic instability, demographic changes, and the green transition are major forces reshaping the labor market.

• Fastest Growing Jobs: AI/ML specialists, software developers, and FinTech engineers will see rapid growth. Frontline roles (farmworkers, drivers, construction, sales, care economy) will grow in absolute volume.

• Declining Roles: Graphic designers and administrative assistants face potential decline due to automation.

• Skills Gap is the problem: The skills gap is the biggest hurdle for business transformation. Nearly 40% of future job skills will be new or evolving.

• Reskilling/Upskilling Imperative: 59% of the global workforce needs reskilling/upskilling by 2030 to stay competitive.

• Top Skills: AI/Big Data, networks/cybersecurity, technological literacy, creativity, and resilience/flexibility/agility are the fastest-growing skills.

• Automation and Workforce Reduction: Companies are increasingly using AI to automate tasks. 41% of companies anticipate workforce reductions due to automation.

AnemiaPhone Explained

• AnemiaPhone: A rapid, affordable iron deficiency test. Developed by Cornell University and transferred to ICMR for integration into Indian health programs.
• Addresses widespread anemia: Iron deficiency is a major cause of anemia, affecting a significant portion of pregnant women in India.
• Simple and accessible: Uses a finger prick, test strip (like a COVID-19 test), and mobile phone connectivity.
• Point-of-care diagnosis: Enables healthcare workers to quickly assess, triage, and treat iron deficiency on-site.
• Importance: Anemia is a condition characterized by low levels of red blood cells, leading to fatigue and other symptoms, and can be life-threatening.
• Significance: Allows for timely intervention and management of iron deficiency, particularly beneficial for women’s and children’s health programs in India.

Gravitational Lensing: Explained

• Gravitational Lensing: Light from a distant source bends, distorts, and magnifies as it passes a massive object due to the curvature of spacetime. This curvature is caused by the mass of the intervening object.

• Einstein’s Prediction: Albert Einstein predicted this effect in 1915 in his general theory of relativity. The theory states that mass curves spacetime, thus affecting the path of light.

• Observable Effects: Gravitational lensing can cause a background object to appear shifted, multiplied into multiple images (sometimes in rings or crosses), and/or amplified in brightness.

• Cosmic Magnifying Glass: Galaxy clusters act as natural “cosmic magnifying glasses,” amplifying light from distant, faint objects, including early galaxies.

• Tool for Early Universe Study: Astronomers use gravitational lensing to study the early universe, making galaxies that would otherwise be too faint visible to telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble.

• James Webb Space Telescope: The JWST, launched in December 2021, is the largest and most powerful space telescope, designed to observe the universe primarily in the infrared spectrum to further study and observe gravitational lensing.

AEWs and Climate Change

• News: A study in Communications Earth & Environment forecasts climate change will worsen extreme flooding in the Sahel due to changes in African easterly waves (AEWs).

• Increased AEW Activity: The study predicts more AEWs over the Sahel-Sahara by the late 21st century.

• Driving Factor: Intensification is due to greater baroclinicity caused by a stronger temperature difference between the Guinea Coast and the Sahara.

• Enhanced Monsoon Flow: Warming at lower levels strengthens monsoon flow, increasing air convergence and vertical motion along the intertropical discontinuity (ITD), which changes AEW formation.

• Saharan Dust: Strong winds from AEWs can transport Saharan dust, which impacts tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic.

• Connection to MCSs: AEWs are linked to Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) that cause extreme rainfall; increased AEW activity may lead to more frequent and intense Sahel flooding.

• AEW Definition: AEWs are weather systems forming over northern Africa in summer, moving west towards the Atlantic.

• AEW Significance: AEWs bring vital rain to drought-prone areas, transport Saharan dust, and can develop into Atlantic hurricanes.

• AEW Influence: AEWs significantly impact the Sahel’s hydroclimate, making understanding their behavior under global warming crucial.

Energy for People + Planet

• GEAPP’s Mission: Accelerates clean energy transition in emerging/developing economies, promoting universal energy access and economic growth while supporting global climate goals. Aims to cut 4 gigatons of carbon emissions, provide clean energy access to 1 billion people, and create 150 million jobs.

• ISA Partnership: GEAPP strengthens its partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by signing ISA’s Multi-Donor Trust Fund. GEAPP will support ISA by providing governance oversight, facilitating fundraising efforts, and leveraging its expertise in energy transition planning, financing, and project implementation to mobilize $100 million to fund high-impact solar energy projects.

• DUET Program: GEAPP’s “Digitalization of Utilities for Energy Transition” (DUET) program focuses on digitalizing grid systems by digitally capturing all grid assets and integrating them with smart sensors for real-time data analysis. This aims to reduce transmission and distribution losses through load flow analysis and real-time tracking of voltage, current, and phase data.

• ENTICE 2.0: The “Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge” (ENTICE) 2.0 will begin in January 2025 to identify, nurture, and scale innovative solutions for India’s energy transition. Building on the first edition, it will focus on supporting and scaling investable opportunities through funding, market linkages, and mentorship.

ITBP

• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): A Central Armed Police Force of India.
• Role: Guards the 3,488 km long India-China border.
• Establishment: Raised in 1962 after the Sino-Indian War.
• Initial Legal Basis: Initially raised under the CRPF Act.
• ITBPF Act: Parliament enacted the ITBPF Act in 1992, with rules framed in 1994, providing a dedicated legal framework.
• Full-fledged CAPF: Declared a full-fledged central armed police force in 2004.
• Motto: “Shaurya-Dridhata-Karma Nishtha” (Valour – Determination – Devotion to Duty).
• Deployment: Operates 197 Border Outposts (BOPs) at high altitudes (9,000 ft to 18,750 ft).
• Specialization: Specialized mountain force with trained mountaineers and skiers.
• Leadership: Headed by a Director General.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.

Why in the news (based on provided context):
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Chhattisgarh’s Green GDP

• Chhattisgarh Pioneers Green GDP Linkage: Chhattisgarh is the first Indian state to link its forest ecosystem to Green GDP, highlighting the economic and environmental value of forests.
• Green GDP Defined: A modified version of traditional GDP, accounting for environmental costs like natural resource depletion and pollution.
• Why Green GDP Matters: Traditional GDP ignores sustainability; Green GDP aligns economic growth with environmental well-being, reflecting the true cost of environmental damage.
• Chhattisgarh’s Forest Significance: The state has the highest increase in forest cover and forests cover 44.2% of its area, crucial for climate change mitigation.
• Implications for Chhattisgarh: Prioritizes natural resource preservation and sustainable development. Supports tribal livelihoods dependent on forest products and safeguarding cultural heritage.
• Promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
  • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Encourages sustainable practices.
  • SDG 13 (Climate Action): Supports renewable energy adoption.
  • SDG 15 (Life on Land) & SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Promotes biodiversity conservation.
  • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Incentivizes green investments and jobs.
• Challenges:
  • Forest Cover Definition: Including plantations like palm oil as forests can be misleading.
  • Political Manipulation: States may prioritize plantations for funding, causing ecological harm.
  • Local Integration: Lack of awareness at the grassroots level.
  • Benefit Clarity: Unclear how benefits reach forest-dependent communities.
  • Methodological Differences: Lack of a universally accepted calculation method.
• Way Forward:
  • Clear Framework: Consistent methodology for calculating Green GDP.
  • Public Scrutiny: Transparent data to prevent manipulation.
  • Prioritize Quality: Restore native forests for better biodiversity.
  • Public Awareness: Educate communities.
  • Incentivize Protection: Reward local communities for forest conservation.

Garudakshi: Forest Crimes

• Garudakshi Portal: Aimed at curbing wildlife and forest crimes through an online FIR system. It models the online FIR system to tackle wildlife and forest crimes more efficiently.

• Pilot Implementation: Initially being tested in Bengaluru Urban, Bhadravathi, Sirsi, and Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary divisions in Karnataka.

• Compulsory FIR Registration: Once implemented, FIRs for forest crimes will have to be registered via Garudakshi.

• Online Handling of Cases: Facilitates the management of forest crime cases under the Forest and Wildlife Protection Acts digitally.

• Automated Reporting: The portal auto-generates formats for reports and complaints.

• Key Modules: Includes Legacy Case Registration, Online Forest Offence Registration, Investigation, and Reporting & Analytics.

• Public Complaint Mechanism: Allows the public to report forest offences via mobile or email.

• Collaboration with WTI: Developed in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). WTI is a non-profit conservation organization focused on protecting India’s wildlife, founded in November 1998.

Soapstone: India & Uses

• What is Soapstone: Also called Steatite, it’s a metamorphic rock primarily composed of talc, a naturally occurring mineral.
• Formation: Forms at convergent plate boundaries through metamorphism of rocks like peridotites, dunites, and serpentinites, or via metasomatism involving hot fluids altering siliceous dolostones.
• Properties: Soft, dense, and heat-resistant.
• Major Producers: China, India, Brazil, USA, and Finland.
• Indian Reserves: Rajasthan (57%) and Uttarakhand (25%) hold the largest soapstone reserves in India.
• Applications:
  • Baby powder (powdered form).
  • Thickening agent and lubricant.
  • Ingredient in ceramics, paint, and roofing materials.
  • Cosmetics (talc).
  • Pharmaceuticals (talc).
• Minerals: Naturally occurring homogeneous solid with a defined chemical composition and atomic structure formed inorganically.

Diaspora Day

• Flagship Event: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is the Ministry of External Affairs’ primary event, showcasing India’s diversity.
• Biennial Celebration: Held every two years since 2015, with theme-based conferences in intervening years.
• January 9th Significance: Commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915. This marks the involvement of the Indian diaspora in India’s independence struggle.
• Key Objectives:
  • Recognize the diaspora’s contributions to India’s growth.
  • Improve global understanding of India.
  • Support Indian causes and diaspora welfare.
  • Provide a platform for engagement between overseas Indians and India.
• Impact: Fosters connections and knowledge exchange between India and its diaspora.
• 2024 Theme: “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat ” (Developed India) which emphasizes their role in India’s progress.
• Person of Indian Origin (PIO): A foreign citizen (excluding nationals from specific countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) who held an Indian passport at any time, or whose parents/grandparents/great-grandparents were born in India.

WTO at 30

• 30th Anniversary: January 1, 2025, marked the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

• Formation and Purpose: The WTO was established to regulate global trade rules among nations, superseding the GATT.

• Key Date and Agreement: Formed under the Marrakesh Agreement (1994) after the Uruguay Round negotiations, officially starting operations in 1995.

• Scope of Coverage: WTO covers trade in goods, services, and intellectual property, unlike its predecessor GATT which focused on goods.

• Membership and Location: It has 166 member countries, representing 98% of global trade, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

• Key Bodies: The Ministerial Conference (MC) is the highest decision-making body, and the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) resolves trade disputes.

• Key Agreements: TRIMS (trade-related investment measures), TRIPS (intellectual property rights), and AoA (agriculture) are crucial WTO agreements.

• Significance: The WTO’s role in facilitating global trade makes this anniversary significant.

Neuroptera Diversity

• Rediscovery of Glenochrysa zeylanica: This green lacewing, a Neuroptera species, was rediscovered in Wayanad district, Kerala, after 111 years. Previously considered endemic to Sri Lanka, this marks its first report from India.

• Indophanes barbara Antlion: This antlion species, belonging to the Myrmeleontidae family within Neuroptera, is unique because its larva doesn’t build pit traps. They live under the surface in loose soils.

• Neuroptera vs. Damselflies: Adult Indophanes barbara are often mistaken for damselflies (Order Odonata) by non-taxonomists. They can be differentiated by their long, distinct antennae. Neuroptera are holometabolous (complete metamorphosis), while Odonata (damselflies) are hemimetabolous (incomplete metamorphosis).

• What are Neuroptera? They are insects, often called lacewings, known for their intricate wing vein patterns. Adults are terrestrial and typically found on plants, hunting for prey.

• Ecological Significance: Neuroptera, especially Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, and Coniopterygidae families, are important biological control agents in agriculture and horticulture due to their predatory behaviour on pests. Their larvae actively search and voraciously feed on prey.

Ending Scavenging

• Why in News: NHRC held an open discussion on the rights of manual scavengers, highlighting issues of dignity and liberty.

• Major Challenges:

  • Health: Exposure to pathogens leads to diseases like Hepatitis, tetanus, and cholera; poisonous gases cause asphyxiation and death (377 deaths from 2019-2023).
  • Social Stigma: Untouchability reinforces social exclusion and the caste system.
  • Economic: Meager wages, contractual/daily-wage basis, and lack of job security trap workers in poverty.
  • Double Discrimination: Women face gender inequality, sexual harassment, and exploitation.
  • Psychological Issues: Stigma leads to anxiety and depression.
  • Drug Use: Coping mechanism exacerbates health problems.

• Supreme Court Guidelines (Dr. Balram Singh Case, 2023):

  • Eradicate manual sewer cleaning through phased measures.
  • Rehabilitate sewage workers with compensation (death: ₹30 lakhs, disabilities: ₹10-20 lakhs), employment for next of kin, and education for dependents.
  • Accountability for outsourced work (contract cancellations, penalties).
  • NALSA to manage compensation disbursement.
  • Portal to track deaths, compensation, and rehabilitation.

• Way Forward:

  • Mechanization: Automated equipment for safer sanitation work.
  • OHS Standards: Recognize sanitation work as hazardous under OSH Code 2020.
  • Health Screenings: Regular health checks for sanitation workers.
  • Expand SBM: Include health and dignity of sanitation workers.
  • Capacity Building: Training, safety gear, and financial assistance for technological innovation.
  • Incentivize mechanization, train workers, and empower women-led SHGs.