Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 29-04-2025

Table of Contents

Ocean’s Revival

Initiative Launch: “Revive Our Ocean” launched on April 24, 2025, by Dynamic Planet NGO, aims to scale up effective, community-led Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Goal: Empowers local communities to create and manage MPAs, promoting marine conservation and sustainable economic growth.
30×30 Target: Aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, targeting 30% ocean protection by 2030.
Initial Focus: UK, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Mexico.
Addressing Barriers: Tackles lack of awareness, restrictive national policies, and insufficient tools hindering community-led MPAs.
Revive Our Ocean Collective: Network connecting local leaders with successful community-led marine protection experience.
Microfinance Program: Provides communities with loans and grants for starting/expanding MPAs.
Economic Benefits: Highlights MPAs as economic assets, citing Medes Island (Spain) generating $16 million annually through tourism.
Combating Destructive Practices: Aims to end destructive fishing practices, especially bottom trawling, emphasizing its environmental and economic costs (€11 billion loss in Europe annually).
MPAs as Investments: Promotes MPAs as self-sustaining investments
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through tourism and sustainable fishing.
Key Leaders: Led by Kristin Rechberger (Dynamic Planet CEO) and Enric Sala (National Geographic Pristine Seas founder).
MPA Benefits: Biodiversity
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regeneration, tourism, job creation, food security, and climate change mitigation through carbon capture.
Global Status: Despite 16,000 MPAs covering 8% of oceans, only 3% are fully protected (Protected Planet Report, 2024), with many poorly managed.

Kuldiha Sanctuary

Poaching Incident: A poacher, Madha Singh, was arrested after an exchange of fire with forest guards at Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary. His uncle escaped.
Location and Context: The incident occurred in the Gudikhania area of the sanctuary, located in the Balasore district of Odisha.
Seized Items: Forest officials seized a gun, ammunition, a torch, knife, and hunting equipment from the arrested poacher.
Injury: A member of the Sabuja Bahini, who assisted the forest guards, was injured during the incident and is receiving treatment.
Investigation: An investigation is ongoing to apprehend the escaped poacher.
Sanctuary Details: Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve and is crucial for elephant conservation. It is connected to the Simlipal Tiger Reserve and features a diverse ecosystem with peninsular Sal forests and moist mixed deciduous forests. Home to Asiatic Elephants, Leopards, Gaurs, and various endangered bird species like Hill Myna, Hornbill and Woodpeckers.

India-Bhutan Customs Meet

The 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting between India and Bhutan took place in Thimphu, Bhutan on April 24-25, 2025.
Co-chaired by officials from both countries’ customs departments: Mr. Surjit Bhujabal, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Government of India, and Mr. Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan.
India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, accounting for approximately 80% of Bhutan’s total trade, making customs cooperation crucial.
Bhutan, being landlocked, relies heavily on Land Customs Stations (LCSs) for trade, with 10 LCSs along the India-Bhutan border (6 in West Bengal, 4 in Assam).
The JGC meeting is an annual event aimed at strengthening customs cooperation, facilitating cross-border trade, and aligning customs procedures with global best practices.
Discussions covered a range of bilateral issues to enhance trade and transit, including automation and digitization of transit processes, Coordinated Border Management (CBM), pre-arrival exchange of Customs data, Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA), and movement of transit cargo under Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).
Bhutan acknowledged India’s support, particularly the “Advancing India Bhutan Trade and Economic Partnership” capacity-building workshop held in July-August 2024, which helped ease export processes.
India proposed further capacity-building programs in areas such as Risk Management System (RMS), Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), and Food Safety Standards.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening customs cooperation, enhancing trade facilitation, and ensuring secure and efficient border management.

IEPFA

IEPFA’s “Niveshak Shivir” Initiative: Aims to simplify the process for investors to reclaim unclaimed dividends and shares. Joint initiative by IEPFA and SEBI.
Pilot Launch: Mumbai and Ahmedabad in May 2025 will host the pilot phase of “Niveshak Shivir.”
Dedicated Kiosks: Companies with high numbers of unclaimed dividends will set up kiosks at these camps to directly assist investors.
One-Stop Helpdesks: Camps will offer KYC updates, nomination assistance, claim status verification, and real-time grievance redressal.
Reducing Intermediary Dependence: Initiative aims to minimize fraud and misinformation risks by reducing reliance on intermediaries.
Pre-Registration: A QR-code-based Google Form will be used for pre-registration, supported by ICAI and SEBI regional offices.
Stakeholder Collaboration: IEPFA held a preparatory meeting with stakeholder companies on April 28, 2025, to finalize operational details for “Niveshak Shivir.”
Focus on Cities with High Unclaimed Dividends: “Niveshak Shivir” targets cities with many investors having unclaimed dividends for 6-7 years.
IEPFA’s Mandate: Established in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013. Manages the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF). Promotes investor awareness and financial protection. Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
IEPF Components: Unpaid dividends, application money due for refund, matured deposits and debentures, interest on investments, grants, and donations.
MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank: IEPFA recently signed an MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank to boost digital investor awareness and financial literacy.

IEPFA

GAVI: Vaccines for All

GAVI is urging the US government to continue funding the organization.
GAVI argues US donation will boost US vaccine industry.
GAVI is a public-private partnership created in 2000.
GAVI’s mission is to improve access to vaccines for children in poor countries.
GAVI is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
GAVI’s partners include governments, WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, vaccine industry, and philanthropists.
GAVI provides financial and technical support to lower-income countries for vaccine procurement.
GAVI uses market-shaping efforts to lower vaccine costs.
GAVI has vaccinated over 1.1 billion children and saved an estimated 18.8 million lives (2023 figures).
GAVI was a key player in COVAX for equitable COVID-19 vaccine access.
GAVI is funded by governments, foundations, corporations, and individuals.
UNICEF is a founding partner and board member of GAVI.

Mackinac Island

Car-Free Island: Motor vehicles are banned on Mackinac Island since around 1898, preserving a unique, slow-paced lifestyle. This began after a car engine spooked the horses on the island.
Horse-Centered Life: Horses are integral to daily life, used for transportation, mail delivery, goods transport, and even waste collection.
Tourism & Population: The island’s population swells to accommodate around 1.2 million visitors annually, drawn to its scenic views, fudge shops, and historical charm.
Indigenous History: Originally called Michilimackinac (“place of the great turtle”), the island holds significant cultural and historical importance for the Anishinaabe people.
Historical Attractions: Visitors can explore Fort Mackinac, Arch Rock, and the Grand Hotel, maintaining the past’s luxurious history.
State Park Preservation: Eighty percent of the island is protected as state parkland, with hiking trails, forests, and scenic cliffs.
Potential Over-Tourism: Some locals are concerned about the island’s growing popularity and its impact on the island’s charm and uniqueness.
Unique Transportation: Bicycles (approximately 1,500 available for hire) and horse-drawn carriages are the primary modes of transportation, replacing cars even for golf carts.
Symbol of the Past: Mackinac Island evokes a sense of stepping back in time, preserving a rare atmosphere where the pace of life is dictated by horses and traditional modes of transport.

Mackinac Island

Crimea: Russia’s Key

Warm Water Ports: Russia’s extensive coastline is largely unusable in winter due to ice. Crimea provides access to vital warm-water ports, crucial for year-round naval operations and trade.
Access to the Mediterranean: The Black Sea, accessible via Crimea, is Russia’s only direct route to the Mediterranean Sea, enabling power projection towards southern Europe, Africa, and West Asia through the Turkish Straits.
Sevastopol’s Importance: The deep-water port of Sevastopol in Crimea is an ideal base for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, superior to other Russian Black Sea ports which are too shallow.
Historical Claims: Russia considers Crimea historically Russian, dating back centuries until its transfer to Ukraine in 1954.
Strategic Military Value: Crimea’s geography is strategically essential for projecting military power in the Black Sea and Mediterranean, providing a foothold.
Economic Corridor Control: Control of Crimea allows Russia to dominate economic corridors in the Black Sea, vital for trade and energy routes to southern Europe and West Asia.
Preventing NATO Expansion: Annexing Crimea was partly motivated by preventing Ukraine from joining NATO, which would threaten Russian dominance in the Black Sea.
Water Security: Crimea’s water supply depended on the North Crimean Canal from Ukraine. Controlling the canal, and potentially the Kherson region, ensures a stable water supply.
Trump’s Proposal: The US recognizing Crimea as Russian would legitimize Russia’s annexation and secure the peninsula and the canal for Moscow in the long term.
Setting a Precedent: Such recognition could set a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes to imitate similar actions, such as China in Taiwan.

River Alliance

NMCG Approves 2025 Action Plan: A master plan to strengthen urban river rejuvenation under the River Cities Alliance (RCA) is approved.
Focus on River-Sensitive Planning: The plan aims to integrate river-sensitive urban planning in India’s growing cities via capacity building, knowledge sharing, and expert guidance.
Comprehensive Approach: RCA promotes a comprehensive approach to urban river management, fostering collaboration and supporting Urban River Management Plans (URMPs).
Strategic Interventions: The plan includes River-Sensitive Master Planning (RSMP) training, URMP formulation support, and onboarding programs for RCA cities.
URMP Framework: The URMP framework ensures environmental, economic, and social dimensions are considered in urban river management.
Successful URMP Examples: Kanpur, Ayodhya, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Moradabad, and Bareilly have developed URMPs, with Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar’s Kham River Restoration Mission gaining global recognition.
URMP Expansion: 25 more URMPs to be developed in the first phase of creating 60 plans across India.
URMP for Delhi: NMCG is steering the development of a URMP for Delhi, aiming to redefine the city’s rivers as vital ecosystems.
Basin-Linked Thinking: NMCG will issue an advisory on vertical coordination among basin, district, and city-level river management plans.
Knowledge Products and Support: Tailored knowledge products, thematic expert groups, and a feedback mechanism will support member cities.
Knowledge Exchange: DHARA (basin-level RCA meet) and exposure visits are scheduled to facilitate knowledge exchange.
Governance Capacity: Formal training programs will be rolled out in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of member cities.
Case Studies and Awareness: Weekly case studies will showcase urban river rejuvenation efforts, and public awareness campaigns will promote river-conscious behavior.
Financial Advisory: Financial advisory services will support cities in mobilizing resources for river-related projects.
Benchmarking: Member cities will be benchmarked on urban river management using the URMP framework.
Completed Initiatives: A new RCA website and participation in the World Economic Forum demonstrate growing engagement.
Pioneering Initiative: Launched in 2021, led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, with 145+ cities.

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker

Vacant Post: The office of the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha is currently vacant in the 18th Lok Sabha and was also vacant throughout the 17th Lok Sabha.
Constitutional Mandate: Articles 93 and 178 of the Constitution mandate the election of a Deputy Speaker, although no fixed timeline is specified.
Election Process: The Deputy Speaker is elected from among Lok Sabha members by a simple majority. The Speaker fixes the election date.
Functions: The Deputy Speaker performs the Speaker’s duties when the Speaker’s post is vacant and exercises the same powers while presiding over the House, as per Article 95(1).
Tenure & Removal: The Deputy Speaker holds office during the Lok Sabha’s term but can resign, cease to be a member, or be removed by a resolution passed by a majority with 14 days’ notice.
Significance:
- Ensures legislative continuity.
- Holds an independent constitutional position.
- Expected to function impartially.
- Historically, the position is offered to the opposition.
Safeguards Needed:
- A clear timeframe for the election of the Deputy Speaker.
- Regular delegation of authority.
- Clear role codification through parliamentary rules or a statutory framework.
Why in News: The continued vacancy raises concerns about rule-based governance, institutional integrity, and democratic resilience, highlighting the need for Parliament to act promptly.

Global Military Spending 2024

Global Military Spending Surge: Worldwide military expenditure reached $2.46 trillion in 2024, a significant increase from $2.24 trillion the previous year. This represents 1.9% of global GDP, up from 1.8% in 2023. This highlights a concerning trend of escalating global militarization.
Regional Growth in Europe and Middle East: Europe saw a 17% increase in military spending driven by the Ukraine-Russia war, while the Middle East experienced a 15% rise influenced by conflicts like the Israel-Hamas war. These regional conflicts are directly fueling increased military spending.
Top Spenders: The USA remains the largest military spender at $997 billion (37% of global spending), followed by China, Russia, Germany and India. The concentration of spending among a few nations underscores the global power dynamics in military expenditure.
USA Dominates NATO: The USA accounts for 66% of total NATO military spending, further emphasizing its leading role in global defense.
India’s Military Spending: India is the fifth largest military spender globally, with $86.1 billion, reflecting a 1.6% increase from 2023 and 42% from 2015. India’s military spending is nearly nine times higher than Pakistan’s. This shows a substantial and sustained increase in India’s defense budget.
China’s Continuous Growth: China’s military spending rose by 7.0% to an estimated $314 billion, marking three decades of uninterrupted growth. China accounts for half of Asia and Oceania’s defence spending. This illustrates China’s ongoing military modernization and expansion.

Jal Jeevan Mission

Blueprint for Clean Drinking Water: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs blueprint aligns with ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ vision, aiming to ensure clean drinking water from taps across India.
Shifting Focus: Moves away from bottled water/tankers towards sustainable water treatment and robust infrastructure.
Key Objectives: Safe drinking water, strengthening water treatment, smart water management (digitization, leak detection), water recycling (10,000 MLD target), revival of water bodies.
Current Access: Significant progress with Jal Jeevan Mission, providing tap water to 79.74% of rural households. AMRUT 2.0 targets 100% functional tap connections in urban areas by 2026.
Challenges: Water scarcity (India has only 4% of world’s freshwater), urban pressures (over-extraction, contamination), poor water governance, infrastructure gap (limited wastewater treatment), groundwater depletion, water quality issues, behavioral change needed.
Solutions: Puri’s 24/7 tap water initiative as a model, climate-resilient infrastructure, water body restoration, community participation, technological innovation (solar purification, RO, IoT), policy reforms (user-pays, demand-side management).
Water Insecurity Affects Women: Improved water quality and enhance public health by reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and contamination, it said.
Rejuvenation of water bodies: Revival of lakes, ponds, and rivers to restore water storage capacity and improve quality.
Digitisation of water infrastructure: integrating advanced technologies like smart meters, sensors, and remote monitoring systems to track water usage.
Why it matters: Addresses critical water scarcity and quality issues, aims for sustainable water management, promotes public health, and supports India’s development goals.

CMV & RNA Silencing

German Research Breakthrough: Researchers developed “effective double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)” enriched with potent small interfering RNA (siRNA) to enhance plant immunity against Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV).
High Efficacy: This new method reduced CMV viral load by up to 80%, surpassing conventional approaches.
RNA Silencing Mechanism: The method leverages RNA silencing, a natural plant defense mechanism, for precise virus detection and suppression.
What is CMV: CMV is a globally prevalent plant virus infecting over 1,200 plant species, causing mottling, distorted leaves, and stunted growth. It’s transmitted mainly by aphids.
Impact in India: CMV causes significant yield losses in India, including 25-30% in bananas and up to 70% in pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons.
RNA Silencing Explained: Plants use RNA silencing as a defense; Dicer-like enzymes (DCLs) slice viral dsRNA into siRNAs, which guide the plant’s defense to destroy viral RNA.
Limitations: Natural RNA silencing isn’t always effective; CMV mutates rapidly, evading defenses.
HIGS and SIGS: Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) genetically modifies plants for continuous protection; Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) is a more flexible, spray-based alternative. The effectiveness of SIGS is limited by traditional dsRNA formulations producing a random mix of siRNAs, many of which fail to efficiently silence the virus.
Effective dsRNA Advantages:
- Precise: Targets the virus’s vulnerable genetic regions.
- Stronger Defence: Targets multiple regions simultaneously.
- Adaptable: Can be redesigned quickly for new strains.
Next Steps: Researchers are developing spray-based solutions and preparing for field trials.
Broader Applications: The dsRNA technology can be applied to combat other plant viruses, fungal diseases, bacterial diseases and insect pests.
Challenges: RNA stability in outdoor conditions, cost, scalability, and regulatory approvals.
Economic impact Plant pests and diseases destroy nearly 40% of the world’s annual crop, costing the world more than $220 billion. Of that, plant viruses alone contribute to over $30 billion in losses each year.

I4C Under PMLA

I4C Under PMLA: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been brought under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, specifically Section 66, by the Revenue Department under the Ministry of Finance. Notification Date: April 25, 2025.
Reason: To combat transnational cyber frauds, track illicit money trails, and identify masterminds behind such frauds.
I4C’s Role: I4C is a national-level coordination center addressing cybercrime issues. It was approved in 2018 and dedicated to the nation in 2020 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, with headquarters in New Delhi.
Section 66 of PMLA: This section deals with information disclosure, enabling I4C to share and receive information with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other law enforcement agencies.
Objective: Enhanced information sharing will help track financial trails related to cybercrimes, many of which are transnational.
Cyber Fraud Methods: Frauds are perpetrated through fake websites, deceptive social media pages, paid advertisements, and phishing tactics (OTPs, malicious links).
Public Advisory: The public is urged to report cybercrimes on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call 1930.

CCPA

CCPA Action: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken suo moto cognizance against five Delhi restaurants (Makhna Deli, Xero Courtyard, Castle Barbeque, Chaayos, and Fiesta by Barbeque Nation) for non-refund of mandatory service charges.
Reasoning: This action is in response to complaints received via the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and a disregard for the Delhi High Court’s judgment upholding CCPA guidelines on service charges.
Significance: It aims to protect consumer rights by preventing restaurants from forcing consumers to pay service charges, which are deemed voluntary and at the consumer’s discretion.
CCPA Guidelines: CCPA guidelines (issued on July 4, 2022) state that hotels/restaurants cannot automatically add service charges, collect it under any other name, force consumers to pay it, or restrict services based on non-payment. Service charge shall not be collected by adding it along with the food bill and levying GST on the total amount.
Legal Basis: The CCPA is empowered under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 to regulate violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements. The notices have been issued under this Act, directing restaurants to refund the service charge amounts.
CCPA’s Mandate: The CCPA’s main goal is to safeguard consumer interests and the public from unfair trade practices.
CCPA Structure: Headed by a Chief Commissioner and has two other commissioners.
Ministry: Functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

Uturuncu

Uturuncu’s “Zombie” Status Explained: Scientists have investigated the causes of unrest in Uturuncu, a volcano in Bolivia that hasn’t erupted in 250,000 years but remains seismically active.
No Imminent Eruption: The study alleviates fears of an immediate eruption, attributing the volcano’s activity to the movement of liquids and gases deep beneath the surface.
Location and Type: Uturuncu is a stratovolcano located in southwestern Bolivia, within the Andes Mountains.
Significant Elevation: It stands at approximately 6,008 meters (19,711 feet), making it the highest peak in southern Bolivia.
Altiplano-Puna Magma Body (APMB): Uturuncu sits atop a massive underground magma reservoir known as the APMB, extending beneath parts of Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
Collaborative Research: The research involved scientists from China, the UK, and the U.S.

Padma Awards

President Confers Padma Awards 2025: The President of India presented 4 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri Awards at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Ceremony Details: The Civil Investiture Ceremony-I took place in Ganatantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhawan. Dignitaries including the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Union Home Minister were in attendance.
Award History: The Padma Awards were established in 1954 along with the Bharat Ratna. They were initially named differently but renamed in 1955 to Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
Award Categories:
- Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
- Padma Bhushan: Conferred for distinguished service of a high order.
- Padma Shri: Recognizes distinguished service in any field.
Eligibility: All persons are eligible, regardless of race, occupation, position or gender with exception to government servants including PSU’s except for doctors and scientists.
Selection: Nominations are reviewed by the Padma Awards Committee, which makes recommendations to the Prime Minister and President for final approval. The awards are presented by the President.
Key Features: The total number of awards per year is capped at 120, excluding posthumous awards and awards to NRIs, foreign nationals, and OCIs. The award is not a title. Disciplines include art, social work, science, sports and more.
Awardees’ Itinerary: The Padma Awardees will pay homage at the National War Memorial and visit Rashtrapati Bhawan and Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya.

NSM: India’s Supercomputing

Mission Objective: Launched in 2015, NSM aims to enhance India’s HPC capabilities, fostering self-reliance in supercomputing technologies and supporting advancements across science, technology, academia, research, and industry.
Implementation: Jointly steered by DST and MeitY, implemented by C-DAC and IISc, with a focus on indigenous development and global competitiveness.
Atmanirbharta: Prime Minister’s mantra to make India self-reliant through Research and development
Indigenous HPC Servers: Development of “Rudra” HPC servers, matching global standards.
Supercomputer Deployments: 34 supercomputers deployed with 35 Petaflops capacity as of March 2025.
High Utilization: Over 85% utilization rate for deployed supercomputing systems.
Research Impact: Supported over 10,000 researchers, including 1,700 PhD scholars, in critical domains like drug discovery, disaster management, and climate modeling.
Accessibility: Providing access to supercomputing facilities for researchers from Tier II and Tier III cities.
Indigenous Network: Development of “Trinetra,” a high-speed communication network (up to 200 Gbps), for enhanced data transfer.
AI Supercomputing (AIRAWAT): AI-focused supercomputing initiative with 200 AI petaflops (scalable to 790 AI petaflops). Secured 75th rank globally, positioning India among top AI supercomputing nations.
Institutional Supercomputers: PARAM Shivay (IIT-BHU), PARAM Pravega (IISc Bengaluru).
Phases of NSM: Phased approach focusing on domestic assembly (Phase I), indigenous manufacturing (Phase II), and complete indigenization (Phase III).
ISM Boost: India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to boost NSM by enabling domestic manufacturing of critical components, reducing import dependence, and customizing supercomputers for Indian needs.