Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 14-01-2025

India-Cuba Aid

• Humanitarian Aid: India provided humanitarian assistance to Cuba after Hurricane Rafael, demonstrating its “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” philosophy (the world is one family).

• Historical Ties: India recognized Cuba early after the 1959 revolution. Both nations have supported each other in international forums like the UN, NAM, and WTO. Cuba supports India’s UNSC bid.

• Economic Relations: In FY23, India’s exports to Cuba were USD 79.04 million (pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles), while imports were USD 4.87 million (tobacco, pharmaceuticals).

• Disaster Relief: India has given aid after previous hurricanes (2008, 2016, 2017).

• India-Cuba Knowledge Centre: Established in 2010, training over 1900 Cuban professionals.

• Covid-19 Assistance: India provided life-saving medicines during the pandemic.

• International Solar Alliance (ISA): Cuba is a member, receiving Indian help for energy projects.

• Lines of Credit (LoCs): India extended USD 243 million in LoCs for agriculture, agro-food, and renewable energy.

• Cultural Links: Indian culture is appreciated in Cuba. Figures like Gandhi, Nehru, and Tagore are celebrated. Yoga and Ayurveda are popular. Bust of Rabindranath Tagore donated by ICCR unveiled in Old Havana in May 2007.

Makran: Iran’s New Capital?

• Iran Capital Shift: Iran plans to move its capital from Tehran to the Makran coast due to overpopulation, pollution, water scarcity, and energy shortages in Tehran.

• Makran’s Significance: Makran’s strategic location on the Gulf of Oman aims to boost Iran’s maritime economy via ports like Chabahar and the Chabahar Free Trade Zone.

• Alexander’s Retreat: Makran is historically significant as the area where Alexander the Great faced severe losses during his retreat from India.

• Alexander’s India Invasion Background: NW India divided into monarchies, Taxila ruler Ambhi allied with Alexander. Khyber Pass gave entry.

• Battle of Hydaspes: Alexander defeated Porus but admired his bravery, restoring his kingdom and making him an ally.

• Retreat from India: Alexander’s army, exhausted and facing the Nanda army, refused to advance past the Beas River.

• Makran Desert Disaster: During retreat through the Gedrosian (Makran) Desert, a large portion of Alexander’s army perished due to harsh conditions.

• Direct Contact: Alexander’s invasion was the first major encounter between ancient Europe and India, fostering cultural, geographical, and trade exchanges.

• Trade Routes and Settlements: The invasion opened land and sea routes and led to the establishment of Greek settlements in India.

• Geographical Exploration: Nearchus led Alexander’s fleet to explore coast to Euphrates river, providing historical records.

• Social and Economic Details: Alexander’s historians provided details on the sati system, and the sale of girls in marketplaces and the oxen breed of NW India.

• Mauryan Empire: Alexander’s defeat of North-western states paved the way for the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya.

• Greek Influence: Greek culture influenced Indian society, seen later in Gandhara art.

SC on Same-Sex Marriage: Dismissed

• SC Dismissed Review Petition: The Supreme Court rejected review petitions against its October 2023 ruling refusing to legalize same-sex marriage in India.
• Original Ruling: The October 2023 judgment, a 3:2 split decision, denied constitutional validity to same-sex marriages.
• No Fundamental Right: The SC held that there’s no fundamental right to marriage under the Indian Constitution.
• Parliamentary Jurisdiction: The court stated that it’s up to Parliament and state legislatures to formulate laws on same-sex marriage.
• Equal Rights for Live-in Partners: SC upheld the right of same-sex couples to enjoy equal rights and benefits as live-in partners, guaranteed under Article 21.
• SMA Inapplicable: The Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954, was ruled not applicable to same-sex couples.
• Arguments For: Equality, human rights, international principles.
• Arguments Against: Religious beliefs, societal impact, and legal challenges.
• Way Forward: Legal reforms (amendments to SMA, contract-based agreements), dialogue, judicial reform, and collaboration.

Shastri’s Death Anniversary

• 59th Death Anniversary: January 11th marked the 59th death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister.
• Key Contributions: Shastri was a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle, influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. He held significant ministerial positions, demonstrating his dedication and moral accountability.
• Prime Ministership: As Prime Minister (1964-1966), he provided decisive leadership during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
• Legacy: Shastri is remembered for his slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan,” highlighting the significance of soldiers and farmers.
• Death: He died unexpectedly in Tashkent on January 11, 1966, soon after signing the Tashkent Declaration, with his death circumstances remaining a subject of speculation.
• Tashkent Declaration: The declaration, signed in January 1966, aimed to establish peace and resolve issues stemming from the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

Diego Garcia

• Geostrategic Importance: Diego Garcia is a vital US military base in the Indian Ocean, leased from the UK since 1966. It serves as a crucial logistics and support hub.

• Territorial Dispute: Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, arguing it was illegally separated during decolonization.

• Forcible Removal: The UK forcibly removed the island’s inhabitants (Chagossians) to enable the US military base construction, a point of ongoing contention.

• International Condemnation: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2019 issued a non-binding advisory opinion stating the UK’s decolonization of Mauritius was unlawful, citing Chagossian claims.

• UN Resolution: A UN General Assembly vote in 2019 demanded the UK end its “colonial administration” of the Chagos Archipelago and return it to Mauritius.

• No Permanent Population: Diego Garcia has no permanent civilian population. It is currently inhabited by around 4,000 US and British military and contract personnel.

Why is this news? The ongoing dispute over sovereignty, the historical injustice of the Chagossians’ removal, and the island’s strategic importance create continued legal, ethical, and geopolitical debates.

Landslide Prevention

• Why in News: A study in Nature Natural Hazards highlights the need for better disaster management in landslide-prone areas after the July 2024 Wayanad landslides.

• Study Focus: Understanding debris flow behavior using run-out modeling and RAMMS to improve disaster management.

• Key Findings:

  • Debris accumulates at lower elevations, creating future hazards.
  • Detailed vulnerability maps are vital for identifying high-risk zones.
  • 2024 debris flow mirrored past events (1984, 2019).
  • Early warning systems require rainfall and soil moisture monitoring.

• Landslide Basics: Downward movement of earth materials on a slope, triggered by rain, earthquakes, or human activities.

• Landslide Prone Areas (India): Significant portions of the Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Eastern Ghats are at risk (12.6% of land area)

• Landslide Causes:

  • Heavy rainfall increases soil moisture and weakens slopes.
  • Deforestation removes stabilizing vegetation.
  • Mining and construction disrupt drainage.

• Landslide Impacts:

  • Loss of life and property.
  • Damage to infrastructure (roads, railways).
  • Cascading effects like debris dam formation and flooding.
  • Economic disruption.
  • Ecosystem damage.

• Government Initiatives (India):

  • National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019): hazard mapping, monitoring, early warning, and awareness.
  • Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS): financial support for prevention and research.
  • Landslide Atlas of India: ISRO’s record of landslide events.

• Preventive Measures:

  • Engineering solutions: Slope stabilization, grading, drainage systems.
  • Natural solutions: Vegetation control, water management.
  • Early warning systems: Inclinometers, rainfall monitoring, LiDAR.
  • Land Use: Avoiding altering slopes , limiting impervious surfaces, designing proper drainage systems.

• Conclusion: Improved disaster management is crucial. Engineering, natural methods, early warning systems, and land use practices are essential.

Makar Sankranti

• Celebration: Makar Sankranti was celebrated on January 14th.
• Significance: It signifies the start of the harvest season and the end of winter.
• Uttarayan Transition: Marks the Sun’s northward journey, also called Uttarayan, after reaching its southernmost point. This is in contrast to Dakshinayana.
• Ancient Festival: Considered one of the most ancient Hindu festivals and is dedicated to the sun god.
• Regional Names and Celebrations:
  • North India: Celebrated as Makar Sankranti.
  • Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan: Makar Sankranti is observed.
  • West Bengal and North-east region: Observed as Poush Sankranti.
  • Tamil Nadu: Celebrates Pongal.
  • Kerala: Observes Makara Vilakku.
  • Assam: Celebrates Magh Bihu.
  • Punjab: Celebrates Maghi.
• Associated Traditions: Kite flying and taking holy dips in rivers are common traditions.

Ranthambore Tigers

• Location: At the junction of Aravali and Vindhyan ranges in Rajasthan.

• Historical Significance: Former royal hunting ground for Jaipur Maharajas.

• Size: One of the largest tiger reserves in northern India.

• Tiger Monitoring: Climatic and vegetation features make it ideal for tiger observation.

• Rivers: Bounded by the Chambal River in the South and the Banas River in the North.

• Ranthambore Fort: A World Heritage Site, located within the reserve.

• Vegetation: Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous forests, with dominant Dhok trees.

• Fauna: Diverse wildlife including leopard, caracal, jungle cat, sambar, chital, chinkara, and wild boar.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March (winter) due to pleasant weather (10°C to 30°C).

Mission Mausam Explained

• Mission Mausam: Aims to transform India into a ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’ nation. This is important because it addresses the growing need for accurate and timely weather information in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
• Budget: Rs 2,000 crore outlay over two years. This signifies the government’s commitment to modernizing weather forecasting capabilities.
• Key Implementing Agencies: IMD, IITM, and NCMRWF. These are the primary institutions responsible for executing the mission’s goals.
• Focus
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  on Enhancing Forecasting Accuracy: The mission strives for more precise and localized weather forecasts. This is crucial for effective disaster management and informed decision-making across various sectors.
• Technological Upgrades: Includes advanced weather surveillance technologies, high-resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars/satellites, and high-performance computers. These upgrades are fundamental to improving data collection, analysis, and prediction models.
• Climate Change Focus: The mission aims to understand weather/climate processes and provide air quality data. This will aid in addressing the long-term challenges of climate change and strategizing interventions.
• Stakeholder Empowerment: It seeks to equip citizens and last-mile users with the information needed to tackle extreme weather events. This is vital for building community resilience and minimizing the impact of natural disasters.
• IMD’s Role: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the main agency which will also provide current and forecast meteorological information and warnings against severe weather phenomena.

Indian Naval Inductions

• Commissioning: The Indian Navy will commission INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vaghsheer on January 15, 2025, in Mumbai.

• INS Nilgiri (Project 17A): Lead ship of Project 17A frigates. Significantly upgraded from Shivalik-class, featuring advanced stealth and weapon systems, enhancing naval defense capabilities.

• INS Surat (Project 15B): Fourth and final destroyer of Project 15B. An enhanced version of the Kolkata-class, equipped with long-range missiles and indigenous weapon systems, boosting offensive power.

• INS Vaghsheer (Project 75): Sixth Scorpene-class submarine. A quiet diesel-electric submarine with anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and special operations capabilities, strengthening underwater warfare capabilities.

• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL): All three vessels (Nilgiri, Surat, and Vaghsheer) were built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

• Project 15B: An initiative by the Indian Navy to design and construct four advanced guided-missile destroyers.

• Project-75 (India): Aims to build 18 conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines for the Indian Navy.

India-Bangladesh Border

• Context: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed Bangladesh’s concerns about border fencing.
• Why it matters: This reflects ongoing border management and diplomatic discussions between the two nations.
• Background: Bangladesh raised concerns about construction by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) near the border.
• Key Facts:
  • India-Bangladesh border is the longest India shares, spanning ~4,096.7 km.
  • It touches West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
  • The border was established during India’s partition (Radcliffe Line).
• The Issue: Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) objected to fencing in West Bengal.
• The Dispute:
  • The 1975 agreement prevents defense structures within 150 yards of the border.
  • India doesn’t classify wire fencing as a defense structure, while Bangladesh and Pakistan do.
  • Bangladesh objects due to the 1975 agreement and the inconvenience to border residents.

Bharat Cleantech Mfg

• Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform Launched: Aims to boost India’s cleantech value chains, specifically in solar, wind, hydrogen, and battery storage.

• Focus on Collaboration & Innovation: Designed for Indian firms to collaborate, co-innovate, share ideas, technologies, and resources.

• Financing Platform: Provides a platform for financing cleantech initiatives.

• Significance: Global Leadership: Aims to make India a global leader in sustainability and cleantech.

• India’s Clean Energy Target: Supports India’s goal of 500 GW of clean energy by 2030.

• Meeting Climate Goals: Reinforces India’s commitment and progress in achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

• Renewable Energy Target Achieved: India has achieved its renewable energy installation target for 2022, eight years ahead of schedule.

• Largest Interconnected Grid: India has the largest interconnected grid globally.

• Gujarat as Pioneer: Gujarat was one of the first states to adopt solar power.

• Cleantech Defined: Products/services that enhance performance, productivity, or efficiency while reducing costs, energy consumption, waste, or pollution.

Why it’s in the news: This initiative is crucial for India to achieve its ambitious clean energy targets, attract investments in the cleantech sector, and position itself as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

Hysterectomies in India

• Disparate Prevalence: Hysterectomy rates in India vary significantly based on socioeconomic status.
• Reasons for Agricultural Workers: Poor hygiene, taboos, lack of access to care, and physically demanding labor contribute to higher rates among low-income agricultural workers. An example is the Beed district in Maharashtra, showing a high number of hysterectomies in sugarcane workers.
• Reasons for Affluent Women: Affluent women opt for the procedure due to better affordability, access to healthcare, and sometimes, financial incentives like those in schemes like Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) that may lead to unnecessary procedures.
• Hysterectomy Defined: A hysterectomy involves the surgical removal of the uterus, performed for conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, abnormal bleeding, and pelvic inflammatory disease when other treatments haven’t worked. It’s also used in cancer treatment and for severe pelvic pain.
• National Prevalence: National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 data indicates that 3% of Indian women aged 15-49 have undergone a hysterectomy.
• Regional Variations: Andhra Pradesh (9%) and Telangana (8%) have the highest prevalence, while Sikkim (0.8%) and Meghalaya (0.7%) have the lowest. The Southern region has the highest prevalence at 4.2%, followed by the Eastern region at 3.8%, with the Northeast having the lowest rate at 1.2%.

Deccan Traps

• Deccan Volcanism Overview: A major volcanic event ~66 million years ago in present-day west-central India, forming the Deccan Traps (massive flood basalts). It covered ~500,000 sq km, up to 2,000 meters thick.

• Key Features: Involved massive eruptions through fissures, creating step-like hills. The eruptions lasted 600-800,000 years, linked to a mantle plume and the Réunion hotspot.

• Impact on Earth’s History: A key factor in the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction, wiping out non-avian dinosaurs. Released greenhouse gases and sulfur aerosols, altering the climate and causing warming and acid rain.

• New Study Findings: The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) research indicates that while devastating for fauna, Deccan Volcanism had less impact on tropical flora.

• Flora’s Response: Deccan Volcanism provided nascent, undisturbed habitats which positively affected development of hyper-diverse tropical flora by eliminating the large faunal community of dinosaurs and gymnosperms.

PMKSY-WDC 2.0

• News: The Ministry of Rural Development approved 56 new Watershed Development Projects under PMKSY-WDC 2.0 across 10 states.
• States Involved: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.
• Area Covered: Approximately 2.8 lakh hectares of degraded land will be covered by these projects.
• PMKSY-WDC 2.0 Overview: A sub-component of PMKSY focused on water and soil conservation through watershed management.
• Historical Context: Evolved from the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) in 2009-10. Became part of PMKSY-WDC in 2015-16. Revamped for 2021-2026.
• Objectives:
  • Improve productivity of rainfed and degraded lands.
  • Strengthen community involvement for sustainable livelihoods.
  • Enhance project efficiency through knowledge sharing.
• Targets: Aims to cover 49.50 lakh hectares of degraded land from 2021-2026. Includes springshed rejuvenation.
• Approach: Prioritizes water productivity over quantity and biological measures over mechanical treatments. Encourages crop diversification and integrated farming (horticulture, fisheries, apiculture, animal husbandry).

Why it Matters: These projects are crucial for improving land productivity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing the livelihoods of rural communities in areas facing water scarcity and land degradation. The focus on community involvement and integrated farming systems is intended to create more resilient and sustainable ecosystems.

CATS Programme

• Leap in Air Combat: The CATS Programme signifies a major advancement in manned-unmanned aerial combat systems, aiming to minimise risk to human pilots.
• Key Goal: Creation of advanced aerial platforms for high-altitude surveillance and autonomous precision strikes from safe distances.
• Long-Term Objectives: Deep-strike precision, enhanced battlefield awareness, and secure communications for improved operational efficiency.
• CATS-Warrior (Stealth UCAV): A stealthy, loyal wingman drone designed to accompany manned fighter jets on missions. It can carry smart weapons internally and penetrate deep into enemy territory (around 700 km) for strikes. The HAL CATS Warrior is in detailed design phase.
• CATS-Hunter (Cruise Missile): An air-launched, low-observable cruise missile for precision strikes deep within enemy territory, similar to the SCALP missile.
• ALFA-S Swarm Drones: Launched from pods carried by aircraft like the Tejas and Su-30MKI, these swarm drones can perform air-to-ground and air-to-air missions, including neutralising enemy air defences.
• CATS-Infinity Pseudo Satellite: A solar-powered, ultra-high-altitude pseudo satellite operating at 70,000 feet with 90-day endurance. It provides surveillance, tracks targets, coordinates missions, and supports military communication (4G/5G).
• Tejas as Mothership: The Tejas LCA is envisioned as the “mothership” controlling the network of autonomous platforms.

Dikeledi Slams Mayotte

• Cyclone Dikeledi hit Mayotte: A French territory in the Indian Ocean. This establishes the immediate event.

• Location: Mayotte is in the Mozambique Channel. This provides geographical context.

• Mayotte’s Composition: It consists of two islands: Grande Terre and Petite Terre. This helps understand the area affected.

• Socioeconomic Status: Mayotte is the poorest territory in France and the EU. This highlights potential vulnerability to the cyclone’s impact.

• Historical Context: France colonized Mayotte, and the Comoros archipelago. This provides background on its current status.

• Past Cyclone Impact: Cyclone Chido, the worst storm in 90 years, previously struck Mayotte. This indicates a history of vulnerability and sets a benchmark for potential damage from Dikeledi.

• Current Status: Mayotte is still ruled from Paris.This highlights that the damage will be handled by french administration.

Odisha & Ayushman Bharat

• Odisha Joins Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY: Odisha becomes the 27th state to implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

• Coverage Details: The scheme offers health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually, with an additional Rs 5 lakh specifically for women. This will benefit 1.03 crore families in Odisha.

• Scheme’s Scale: AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest health coverage scheme, covering roughly 45% of India’s population (55 crore individuals from 12.3 crore families) and providing free treatment to senior citizens aged 70 and above.

• Existing Scheme Integration: AB PM-JAY will operate alongside Odisha’s existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), aiming to provide healthcare services to the economically disadvantaged.

• Funding and Coverage: The scheme is centrally sponsored, with a cost-sharing ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and states (90:10 for certain regions).

• Hospital Network: AB PM-JAY has a vast network of 30,985 empaneled hospitals, including 12,881 private hospitals, providing over 2,000 medical procedures across 27 specialties.

Nankai Trough

• What it is: The Nankai Trough is an undersea subduction zone off the coast of Japan, extending about 900 km.
• Why it matters: It’s where the Philippine Sea Plate slides under the Eurasian Plate, creating accumulating tectonic strain.
• Key Risk: The Nankai Trough is known for generating powerful megathrust earthquakes.
• Recent Event: A strong earthquake in southern Japan on Monday increases the focus on the Nankai Trough.
• Historical Significance: Significant earthquakes occur roughly every 100-150 years; the last major one was in 1946 (magnitude 8.0).
• Geological Context: Part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region with high seismic activity.
• Seismic Activity Trigger: Strong quakes nearby are seen as a potential indication that a megaquake could be more likely.

Makaravilakku Explained

• Makaravilakku is a significant annual festival at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, coinciding with Makara Sankranti.
• It marks the end of the annual pilgrimage season.
• The festival’s highlight is the sighting of the “Makarajyothi” or “Makaravilakku,” a celestial light on the horizon of Ponnambalamedu hill.
• The Thiruvabharanam, Lord Ayyappa’s royal ornaments, are brought to the temple from Pandalam Palace on this day.
• Makaravilakku is not supernatural; it’s the light from camphor lit during a ritualistic Aarti performed at Ponnambalamedu temple.
• The Travancore Devaswom Board now manages the rituals, continuing the age-old traditions.
• The festival extends for seven days, concluding with the ‘Guruthi’ ritual.
• Traditionally, the Mala Arayan tribe lit the Makara Vilakku.
• Currently, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has been lighting the Makara Vilakku for over half a century.

Clouded Leopard Basics

• Clouded leopards are wild cats found in the dense forests of the Himalayas through Southeast Asia and into South China. There are two species: mainland clouded leopard ( Neofelis nebulosa) and Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi).

• They are an ancient cat species but are neither true great cats nor small cats, as they cannot roar or purr.

• They inhabit a range of environments, from lowland tropical rainforests to mangrove swamps, and have been found at high altitudes in the Himalayas. In India, they are found in the northeast region. They are the state animal of Meghalaya.

• Clouded leopards are medium-sized cats with distinctive “cloud” markings on their coat and exceptionally long tails for balancing. Their short legs and broad paws make them excellent climbers. They can climb down trees headfirst.

• They are solitary animals with a lifespan of 12-15

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  years.

• Both species are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

• The main threats are habitat loss due to deforestation for agriculture like palm oil plantations and hunting for their teeth, pelts, and bones for traditional medicine. Loss of habitat due to agriculture is a major factor because they require large tracts of forest for hunting.

Indian Fishermen Detained

• Indian Fishermen Detained: Fifteen Indian fishermen were detained by the British Navy near Diego Garcia.

• Reason for Detention: They were detained for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary.

• Broader Issue: This incident highlights a recurring problem for Tamil Nadu fishermen who are frequently detained by the Sri Lankan and British navies.

• Impact: These detentions negatively impact the fishermen’s livelihood and safety.

• Diego Garcia’s Location: Diego Garcia is in the Indian Ocean and is the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago.

• Diego Garcia’s Administration: It’s administered by Britain and leased to the US for military purposes, serving as a key military base.

• Political Context: Britain agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius in October 2024, but will retain control of Diego Garcia.

Amrit Bharat 2.0

• Objective: Amrit Bharat Trains 2.0 aims to provide comfortable rail travel for low and middle-income families.

• Manufacturing & Upgrade: 50 upgraded trains will be produced at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) within the next two years.

• 12 Key Enhancements: The upgraded trains include features such as semi-automatic couplers, modular toilets, ergonomic seating, emergency talk-back systems, Vande Bharat-style continuous lighting, advanced pantry cars, and IoT-based water level indicators.

• LHB Push-Pull Design: These trains are designed with locomotives at both ends, enabling quicker acceleration.

• Passenger Amenities: Enhanced amenities for passengers include aesthetically designed seats, improved luggage racks, mobile charging points, LED lighting, CCTV surveillance, and public information systems.

• First Version Launch: The initial version of the Amrit Bharat Train was introduced in 2024.

• Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS): The ABSS, launched in February 2023, is an ongoing Indian Railways initiative by the Ministry of Railways to redevelop railway stations nationwide. It is for the long term development of the railway stations.

Enzymatic Plasticiser Breakdown

• Bacterial Enzyme Degradation of Plasticisers: IIT Roorkee has successfully used esterase enzyme from Sulfobacillus acidophilus to degrade Diethyl Hexyl Phthalate (DEHP), a common plasticiser.

• Environmental and Health Concerns Addressed: This addresses rising environmental and health concerns linked to plasticisers.

• Esterase Mechanism: The esterase enzyme breaks down DEHP into modified phthalate and alcohol compound, which are further degraded into harmless substances like water and carbon dioxide by other enzymes.

• Structural Insights via X-ray Crystallography: X-ray crystallography reveals the active sites on the esterase, clarifying how it targets and degrades DEHP. This aids in optimising degradation strategies.

• Sustainable Degradation: Integrating enzymes into bacteria ensures prolonged degradation without frequent enzyme replacement and cost-effectiveness.

• High Efficiency: Lab experiments demonstrate high efficiency in degrading high molecular weight plasticisers, showing better performance than previous methods.

SLMs: A Quick Intro

• Definition: Small Language Models (SLMs) are AI models specialized for Natural Language Processing (NLP), designed to process and generate human language.

• Size Matters: They are “small” due to having fewer parameters compared to Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-3. SLMs are trained on smaller datasets.

• Compact & Efficient: SLMs are characterized by their compact architecture and lower computational power requirements. This makes them more efficient and suitable for applications with limited resources.

• Task-Specific Focus: SLMs are engineered to efficiently perform specific language tasks, demonstrating a higher degree of efficiency and specificity than LLMs. They use curated, selective data.

• Adaptability: SLMs can be tuned and adapted for specialized conversational tasks.

• Examples: Potential applications include: programming support agents for specific languages or libraries, and vision models interacting with radiologists for medical image analysis.

• Why in the News: SLMs offer a balance between performance and resource efficiency, making AI language processing more accessible for applications where LLMs might be impractical due to their size and computational demands. They provide task-specific solutions with greater efficiency.

Hindi Day ’25

• Celebration Date: World Hindi Day is celebrated annually on January 10th.

  • Why: To promote Hindi on the international stage.

  • Historical Significance: The date marks when Hindi was first spoken at the UNGA in 1949.

  • Why: Acknowledges a key moment in Hindi’s global journey.

  • First World Hindi Conference: Inaugurated in 1975 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

  • Why: Signified a major step towards global recognition of Hindi.

  • Designation: World Hindi Day was designated on January 10th, 2006.

  • Why: Formalized the annual celebration of the language’s global importance.

  • Distinction from Hindi Diwas: Different from Hindi Diwas (September 14th).

  • Why: Hindi Diwas marks Hindi’s adoption as an official language of India, while World Hindi Day focuses on its global presence.

  • Global Language: Hindi is the third most spoken language globally, with over 600 million speakers.

  • Why: Highlights Hindi’s significant reach and influence worldwide.

  • Awareness: The day aims to raise awareness of Hindi as a global language of communication.

  • Why: Encourages the use and learning of Hindi internationally.

  • World Hindi Day 2025 Theme: “A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural Pride.”

  • Why: Focuses on promoting linguistic exchange and cultural identity through Hindi.

  • Constitutional Status: Recognized as an official language of India under Article 343.

  • Why: Ensures its use in official government matters, alongside English.

  • 8th Schedule: Listed in the 8th Schedule, recognizing it for official use.

  • Why: Reinforces Hindi’s importance within India’s linguistic landscape.

Nag Mk 2

• Nag Mk 2 Missile: India’s indigenously developed third-generation anti-tank guided missile.

• Fire-and-Forget Technology: Allows for precision targeting with minimal operator input after launch, increasing efficiency and reducing operator workload.

• Versatile Performance: Designed to defeat modern armored vehicles, even those equipped with explosive reactive armor (ERA), showcasing its advanced capabilities.

• Platform Compatibility: Successfully integrated with NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier version-2), enhancing battlefield mobility and deployment options for the Indian Army.

• Successful Field Trials: Achieved direct hits on targets at both maximum and minimum ranges during testing at Pokhran, validating its firing range and accuracy.

• Ready for Induction: Following successful field evaluations, the entire Nag Mk 2 weapon system is now ready for induction into the Indian Army, strengthening India’s defense capabilities.

• Major Step for Indian Defence: Successful trials at Pokhran field range mark a significant advancement in India’s indigenous defense technology and production.

NLM: Livestock Mission

• NLM’s Goal: To comprehensively develop the livestock sector. Why: This ensures a sustainable and productive livestock industry benefiting farmers and the economy.

• Key Objectives: Focus on employment, productivity, production, feed/fodder availability, risk management, and research. Why: These address core challenges in livestock rearing, promoting growth and efficiency.

• Focus Areas: Small ruminants (sheep, goats), poultry, piggery, and fodder sectors. Why: These areas offer high potential for entrepreneurship and productivity gains, especially in rural areas.

• Entrepreneurship Focus: Promoting entrepreneurship development in livestock-related areas is a major focus. Why: Encourages private investment, creating jobs and driving innovation.

• Sub-Missions: Breed development, feed and fodder development, and innovation/extension. Why: These are specific strategies to achieve the overall goals of increased productivity and sustainability.

• Funding: NLM utilizes both Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Why: This allows for broad financial support to individuals, groups, and state governments.

• Government Schemes: The National Livestock Mission (NLM) and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF). Why: These are key government initiatives to enhance livestock infrastructure.