Current Affairs Exam

• Date: Earth Day is observed annually on April 22nd. Why: A consistent date provides a focal point for global environmental action and awareness.

• Theme: The official theme for Earth Day 2025 is “OUR POWER, OUR PLANET”. Why: This theme emphasizes individual and collective agency in addressing climate change.

• Focus: The 2025 message stresses the urgent need to transition to renewable energy. Why: Renewable energy is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.

• Call to Action: Individuals, businesses, and governments are urged to triple clean energy production by 2030. Why: A significant increase in clean energy is necessary to meet global climate goals and limit warming.

• Historical Significance: The first Earth Day in 1970 mobilized 20 million Americans, demonstrating the power of collective

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  action. Why: Highlights the potential for large-scale social movements to drive environmental change.

• Global

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  Impact: Earth Day went global in 1990, reaching over 200 million people across 141 countries. Why: Earth Day serves as a unifying force for environmental advocacy worldwide.

• Collective Responsibility: Earth Day is a reminder of our shared duty to protect the environment. Why: Emphasizes that environmental protection is a responsibility shared by all.

• India’s Stance: India opposes introducing religion or faith as a basis for representation in the UN Security Council, emphasizing regional representation as the accepted norm.
• Comprehensive Reform: India advocates for reforms that include expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories to achieve meaningful reform. Partial reforms are deemed insufficient.
• G4’s Position: India, along with Brazil, Germany, and
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  Japan (G4), seeks permanent membership, reflecting contemporary global realities. The G4 model proposes increasing the UNSC to 25 or 26 members, including 11 permanent and 14 or 15 non-permanent members.
• Current Composition: The UNSC currently has 15 members: 5 permanent members (P5 – China, France, Russia, UK, USA) with veto power, and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
• Uniting for Consensus (UfC) Group:
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  This group (including Argentina, Canada, and others) prefers increasing only non-permanent seats, proposing a 27-member council without expanding permanent membership.
• Arab Group’s Demand: Bahrain, speaking for the Arab group, demands full privileges for an Arab permanent seat and proportionate representation in non-permanent seats.
• France’s Support: France supports India’s permanent membership and advocates for permanent seats for African states and other nations like Brazil, Germany, and Japan. France recognizes the veto power for new permanent members.
• Inefficiency Concerns: India rejects the argument that an expanded UNSC would be inefficient, stating that a reformed council with improved working methods would be effective.
• Text-Based Negotiations: The G4 supports text-based negotiations with defined timelines and milestones to achieve concrete reforms.

• Kerala Hepatitis A Surge: Kerala is experiencing a significant increase in Hepatitis A cases despite efforts to control communicable diseases.

• High Case and Fatality Numbers: As of April 16th, Kerala recorded 3,227 confirmed cases and 16 deaths this year. In 2024, the state recorded 7,943 Hepatitis A cases and 81 deaths.

• Worst-Affected Districts: Ernakulam, Malappuram, and Kozhikode are the districts most affected by the surge.

• Contaminated Water Sources: Health experts believe sewage contamination of drinking water sources is a major driver of the outbreak. Super-chlorination of some water bodies is insufficient.

• Need for Comprehensive Solutions: Consistent efforts to clean and purify water sources, curb illegal waste dumping, and implement scientific

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  septic waste disposal are crucial.

• Summer Season Impact: Water scarcity during summer contributes to the spread, as people may consume contaminated water when clean water is unavailable.

• Low Population Immunity: The general population in Kerala has low immunity to Hepatitis A, making them more susceptible.

• Hepatitis A Basics: It’s a contagious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV), transmitted through contaminated food/water, close contact, or sharing needles.

• Treatment and Prevention: There’s no specific treatment; the body clears the virus naturally. A safe and effective vaccine is available for prevention.

• Europe is warming at a rate twice as fast as the global average. The year 2024 was the warmest on record for both the planet and

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  Europe, with Europe’s average temperature rising by approximately 2.4°C compared to pre-industrial times.

• East-West temperature contrast within Europe: While Eastern Europe experienced sunny and warm conditions, Western Europe faced cloudier and wetter weather. Southeastern Europe endured its longest recorded heatwave.

• Arctic effect: A significant portion of Europe lies within the Arctic region, where warming is amplified. The melting Arctic ice exposes darker surfaces (land/water), increasing solar radiation absorption (albedo effect).

• Reduction in Aerosols: Decreased aerosol emissions, indicative of cleaner air, contribute to faster warming. Aerosols scatter sunlight, reducing solar radiation absorption. Their reduction allows for increased absorption, leading to warming.

• Consequences of Warming: Europe faces unprecedented extreme weather events, including heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and flooding. The area experiencing below-freezing temperatures in 2024 was the largest ever. The number of cold stress days (extremely cold temperatures) was the lowest on record.

• Other Contributing Factors: Changes in atmospheric circulation, warmer sea-surface temperatures, the urban heat island effect, and glacier melting also play a role in accelerating Europe’s warming trend.

• China’s Increased Activity: China is escalating its presence in the Yellow Sea, evidenced by the construction of a large steel rig, following similar actions in the South China Sea.

• Geographic Significance: The Yellow Sea (Huang Hai in China, West Sea in Korea) is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific, located between China, North Korea, and South Korea, north of the East China Sea.

• Name Origin: The sea’s name comes from the yellowish sand particles originating from the Gobi Desert, which give the water a golden-yellow appearance.

• Physical Characteristics: It covers approximately 400,000 sq. km, is relatively shallow (average depth 55-120 meters), and is one of the largest submerged continental

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  shelves.

• Climate: Experiences cold, dry winters and wet, warm summers.

• River Systems: Major rivers like the Han, Yangtze, Datung, Yalu, Guang, and Sheyang flow into the Yellow Sea.

• Island Locations: Notable islands include Jeju Island (South Korea) and islands of Shandong Peninsula (China).

• Key Ports: Major port cities include Qingdao and Dalian (China), Inch’ŏn (South Korea), and Namp’o (North Korea).

The reason this is important is because China’s increasing activity in the Yellow Sea, mirrored after the South China Sea, could potentially escalate regional tensions with South Korea and North Korea, impacting trade routes and regional stability.

• 17th National Civil Services Day Observed: Celebrated on April 21st to honor the dedication of civil servants.

• Prime Minister’s Address & Awards:

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  The Prime Minister addressed civil servants and presented the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration (PMAEPA).

• Historical Significance: Commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 1947 address, where he called civil servants the “steel frame of India.” This emphasizes the vital role of civil servants in nation-building and governance.

• Women in Civil Services: The 2023 IAS batch saw a historic representation of women, comprising 41% (74 officers). Highlights increasing gender diversity and inclusivity within the civil services.

• PMAEPA Recognizes Excellence: Awards acknowledge innovative work by Central and State Government officers, incentivizing good governance and public service. The selection process is rigorous, ensuring deserving candidates are recognised.

• PMAEPA Award Details: Includes a trophy, scroll, and Rs 20 lakh to further public welfare initiatives, fostering continued commitment

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  to public service.

• Key Initiatives: Initiatives like Mission Karmayogi, Lateral Entry Scheme, e-Samiksha, and CPGRAMS were highlighted, all aimed at improving efficiency and responsiveness of civil services.

• World Heritage Day Date: 18th April 2025.

• ASI Free Entry: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is offering free entry to all its protected monuments across India on World Heritage Day, encouraging exploration of India’s cultural legacy. The ASI protects 3,698 monuments and sites.

• Purpose of the Day: To raise awareness about the significance of cultural heritage and the need for its preservation. It was established by ICOMOS in 1982 and recognized by UNESCO in 1983.

• 2025 Theme: “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions.” This aims to spread awareness on safeguarding heritage sites from natural or

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