Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 24-03-2025

Assam Grants PRCs to Moran Community in Arunachal Pradesh: The Assam government will issue Permanent Residence Certificates (PRCs) to Moran community members residing

Motivation: Access to Benefits: This decision aims to enable Moran community members in Arunachal Pradesh to access Assam’s job opportunities, admission to medical and engineering colleges, and community-specific reservations, as Arunachal Pradesh doesn’t provide them with PRCs.

Moran Community Background: The Moran community is recognized as an indigenous tribe of Assam, with a small population in Arunachal Pradesh. They follow Vaishnavism and have a history tied to the Moamoria Revolt.

PRC Significance: PRCs serve as proof of permanent residence within a state, allowing access to various state-specific benefits and facilities. In Assam, this requires forefathers residing in the state for over 50 years, and at least 20 years of residence.

Context of a Long Standing Issue: This decision comes amid ongoing discussions with the Arunachal Pradesh government regarding the Moran community’s rights and access to facilities.

Finland Reigns Supreme: Finland secured the top spot for the 8th consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.

• Why: Demonstrates consistent high performance across key happiness indicators.

India’s Position: India ranked 118th, an improvement from 126th in 2024.

• Why: Indicates a potential positive shift in citizen life evaluations.

South Asian Neighbors: Pakistan (109th) ranked higher than India, highlighting the impact of social support. Nepal (92nd), Myanmar (126th), Sri Lanka (133rd), and Bangladesh (134th) also featured in the rankings.

• Why: Shows the varying levels of happiness within the region and the influence of social factors.

Afghanistan’s Plight: Afghanistan remained the unhappiest country (147th) for the fourth year running.

• Why: Underscores the ongoing challenges faced in the country.

US and UK Decline: The United States (24th) and the United Kingdom (23rd) experienced declines in their happiness rankings, linked to rising social isolation.

• Why: Highlights the negative impact of societal factors on happiness.

Key Determinants of Happiness: Trust, social connections, shared meals, and communal kindness are crucial factors, often outweighing wealth.

• Why: Emphasizes the importance of social fabric and community.

Methodology: Rankings are based on a three-year average of life evaluations using a ladder scale from 0-10 and are influenced by factors like GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.

• Why: Provides context for how the rankings are determined.

World Happiness Day: Celebrated on March 20th, initiated by Bhutan and recognized by the UN. Theme for 2025 is “Caring and Sharing”.

• Why: Reinforces the global emphasis on happiness as a key societal goal.

Target and Goal: The Indian government aims to eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026. This goal reflects a “zero-tolerance policy.”

Multi-Pronged Strategy: The government’s approach combines:

• Development Programs: Improving infrastructure (roads, schools), skill development, and employment in affected areas.
• Security Operations: Deploying security forces, including specialized units, to combat Naxal presence.
• Legal Framework: Using laws like UAPA to ban Naxal groups and empowering tribal communities via the Forest Rights Act and PESA.
• Surrender and Rehabilitation: Offering incentives for Naxals to surrender and reintegrate into society.

Recent Successes:

• A significant reduction in Naxal-affected districts, from 126 in 2014 to 12 in 2024.
• A substantial decrease in Naxal-related incidents, from 16,463 (2004-2014) to 7,700 (2014-2024).
• A sharp decline in casualties among both security forces (73%) and civilians (70%).
• Increased number of fortified police stations (66 in 2014 to 612 in 2024).
• Increased operations with recent killings of 22 naxals
• 90 naxals killed, 104 arrested and 164 surrendered in 2025 so far

Underlying Issues: Naxalism stems from landlessness, poverty, underdevelopment, tribal alienation, and state neglect.

Government’s Approach and Leadership: The central government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against the Naxalites.

Meta’s Regulatory Challenges: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined Meta and banned data sharing between WhatsApp and other Meta companies, however, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) stayed the ban and penalty. This highlights the difficulties in regulating Big Tech.

Data Monopolization and its Impact: Data is central to dominance in digital markets. Platforms like Meta leverage user data for algorithms, advertising, and personalized experiences, creating network effects and locking in consumers, and limiting competitor access.

Regulatory Lag: India’s Competition Act, 2002, doesn’t adequately address data-centric monopolies. Existing laws focus on traditional markets, failing to account for the digital economy’s reliance on data aggregation and network effects.

Fragmented Governance: Lack of coordination between agencies like the CCI and MeitY, and the delayed establishment of the Data Protection Board, hinder effective regulation.

Legal Ambiguity: Vague laws allow digital platforms to evade scrutiny, particularly regarding AI-generated content and algorithmic bias.

Global Nature of Tech Firms: Transnational operations limit the reach of national laws. Meta’s actions face scrutiny globally (US, EU, Australia), demonstrating the need for international cooperation.

Need for Reforms: The article emphasizes the importance of amending the Competition Act to address data monopolization. It suggests introducing “data monopolization” as a parameter to assess market dominance.

Recommendations: The reforms necessary include a Digital Competition Act, fast-track dispute resolution, fair competition promotion, multidisciplinary enforcement, and transparency in algorithms.

Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) Act 2023: This act presents an opportunity to complement competition law by regulating data collection, consent, and usage. The article calls for better coordination between CCI and the Data Protection Board to address overlapping concerns and prevent abuse of user information.

Antitrust Actions in Other Countries: Other nations, such as the US, EU, and Australia, are also addressing the dominance of tech giants and taking actions for antitrust practices.

Innovation: Researchers have developed photo-assisted, self-charging energy storage devices (batteries) that utilize both light and atmospheric oxygen for charging.

Dual Charging Mechanism: The device charges through two methods: photo-assisted charging (using sunlight) and air-assisted charging (using oxygen from the atmosphere).

Improved Performance: The device shows a 170% increase in charge storage capacity under light exposure, reaching a 0.9V open circuit potential in 140 seconds and a peak of 1V.

Overcoming Limitations: Addresses the need for energy storage devices with self-rechargeability to go beyond the limitation of the normal photo-assisted batteries which need external charging.

Key Materials: Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are used, with vanadium oxide (VO2) and tungsten trioxide (WO3) as key components, where WO3 is used as a charge-separating layer. VO2 layer also acts as an air cathode.

Sustainable Solution: This technology is a step towards a carbon-neutral future, offering a sustainable power solution for the future and combining the features of solar energy capturing and conventional batteries.

Potential Applications: The technology has potential for large-scale applications in renewable energy storage, electric vehicles, and off-grid power solutions.

Aurangzeb’s Policies:

• Religious: Strict Sunni Islam, Jizya tax reimposed, persecution of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur, temple demolitions (Kashi Vishwanath, Mathura).
• Administrative: Centralization, financial control over Mansabdars, Daag & Chehra systems, Fatawa-e-Alamgiri (Islamic laws).
• Economic: Continued Zabt system (high taxes, crop failures), lack of investment, trade restrictions favoring Muslims.
• Cultural: Reduced patronage to arts, halted monumental architecture.

Maratha Empire:

• Emergence: Founded by Chhatrapati Shivaji (1630-1680), challenging declining powers.
• Factors: Strategic location (Western Ghats), guerrilla warfare, religious and political unity, administrative/military experience.

Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Role:

• Conflict with Mughals: Raids, Treaty of Purandar, arrest & escape.
• Administration: Centralized system (Ashtapradhan), provincial divisions, Ryotwari revenue system, abolition of Jagirdari. Military: Disciplined army, cavalry, infantry, navy, guerrilla tactics.

Aurangzeb’s Impact on Marathas:

• Brutal Treatment of Sambhaji: Aurangzeb’s actions fueled Maratha resistance.
• Prolonged Warfare: Drained Mughal resources.

Decline of Maratha Empire:

• The content does not explicitly focus on reasons for decline of Maratha empire, but highlights the following that contributed to their decline:
  • Prolonged wars which drained finances, increased tax burden and fueled revolts.
  • The Marathas were outnumbered by Mughal army.

Aurangzeb’s Legacy:

• Hated Mughal ruler, controversial policies, tomb’s location sparks debate, his brutality towards Sambhaji.
• His actions created martyrs.

Shaheed Diwas Commemoration: Celebrated on March 23rd to honor the sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.

Tribute by Prime Minister: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters, recognizing their contributions and fearless pursuit of freedom and justice.

Historical Significance: The day marks the execution of the three freedom fighters by British colonial authorities in Lahore Jail in 1931.

Context of the Execution: They were convicted in the 1928 Lahore Conspiracy Case, related to the killing of British officer J.P. Saunders.

Revolutionary Background: Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were members of the

Individual Profiles:

• Rajguru: Celebrated for his unwavering resolve against colonial oppression and a proponent of armed resistance.
• Sukhdev: A key figure in mobilizing youth for the freedom struggle.

Inner Line Permit (ILP) is a travel document for non-residents to enter restricted areas in NE India states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur. It’s meant to protect indigenous communities.

The ILP system’s origins trace back to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873, aimed at controlling outsider movement and protecting tribal autonomy.

Rail projects in Meghalaya are facing opposition. Groups like the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and Jaintia pressure groups worry about uncontrolled outsider influx, fearing loss of identity and land.

The KSU and Jaintia National Council are using the rail project opposition to negotiate for ILP implementation in Meghalaya.

The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) has three major projects in Meghalaya: Tetelia-Byrnihat, Byrnihat-Shillong, and Chandranathpur-Jowai. Opposition to these projects is leading the railways to consider halting some of the project, citing opposition from local groups.

Meghalaya’s economy relies heavily on local agriculture and small businesses, making road transport inadequate. Proponents of the railways argue it’s vital for economic growth and reducing product costs.

Meghalaya has only one operational railway station, Mendipathar, and daily passenger train service runs to Guwahati. Freight services also recently started.