Current Affairs 2nd January 2025
Current Affairs 2nd January 2025 by Saurabh Pandey UPSC
Similipal Biosphere Reserve
● Located in the State of Odisha, the Similipal Biosphere Reserve lies within two biogeographical regions: the Mahanadian east coastal region of the Oriental realm and the Chhotanagpur biotic province of the Deccan peninsular zone.
● Volcanic sedimentary rocks are aligned in three concentric rings and accentuate the area’s geologic formations. The highest peak in the Similipalhill range is Khairiburu (1,168 meters).
● Numerous waterfalls and perennial streams flow into major rivers, such as the Budhabalang, Baitarani, and Subarnarekha.
● The biosphere reserve has the largest zone of Sal in all of India. In addition, the tropical monsoon climate provides ideal circumstances for the development of a distinctive biodiversity, highlighted by 1,076 species of vascular plants.
Indian Navy’s New Platforms Commissioning
Overview of New Platforms
🚢 Commissioning Date: The Indian Navy will commission three new platforms on January 15 at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
⚓ New Platforms: These include: Scorpene-class submarine Vagsheer Project-15B stealth destroyer Surat Project-17A stealth frigate Nilgiri
Indigenous Manufacturing
All three vessels were manufactured at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. in Mumbai, highlighting India’s capabilities in indigenous shipbuilding.
Advanced Features
🛡 Nilgiri and Surat: Incorporate significant advancements in stealth technology and design improvements over previous classes, enhancing their combat potential.
Rigorous Trials
🔧 The vessels have completed extensive trials, ensuring they are fully operational and ready for deployment with advanced navigation and communication systems.
Aviation Capabilities
🚁 Both Nilgiri and Surat are equipped with modern aviation facilities, allowing them to operate various helicopters, including the newly inducted MH60R.Gender Inclusion The ships include accommodations for women officers and sailors, reflecting the Navy’s commitment to gender inclusion in combat roles.
Summary
The Indian Navy is set to enhance its combat
capabilities with the commissioning of three
advanced warships, showcasing indigenous
manufacturing and modern technology.
The Hindu
Supreme Court Review on Bribery and
Corruption
Overview
⚖ Supreme Court Review: The Supreme Court is set to examine if offering a bribe to a public official who has refused it constitutes abetting corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Legal Framework
📜 Section 12: Focuses on the abetment of offenses punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Penalties
Imprisonment: Section 12 stipulates imprisonment of 3 to 7 years for those who abet offenses under the Act, along with potential fines.
Historical Context
🔄 Previous Legislation: Abetment of illegal gratification was previously recognized under Section 165A of the Indian Penal Code but was repealed with the introduction of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Amendment Details
📅 Enforcement Date: Section 12 was enforced from July 26, 2018, following an amendment to the 1988 Act.
Case Details
💰 Bribery Incident: The case involves a ₹2 lakh bribe offered to a police officer in 2016 related to illegal gutkha manufacturing in Odisha.
Judicial Discrepancy
⚖ High Court Opinions: There is a lack of consensus among High Courts regarding the applicability of Section 12 for bribes offered before its enforcement date, with differing opinions from the Madras and Bombay High Courts. Summary: The Supreme Court will review whether offering a bribe to a public official who has refused it constitutes abetting corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, focusing on the implications of Section 12
The Hind
Nitrate Contamination in Groundwater: A 2023 Overview Key
Insights
📊 Increase in Nitrate Contamination: In 2023, groundwater in 440 districts shows excessive nitrate levels, up from 359 districts in 2017.
🚸 Health Risks: Elevated nitrate levels are hazardous to health, particularly affecting young children, and contribute to environmental toxicity.
🌍 Extent of Contamination: 56% of India’s districts report nitrate levels exceeding 45 mg/l, largely due to the use of subsidized synthetic fertilizers.
🔬 Sample Analysis: Among 15,239 groundwater samples, 19.8% surpass safe nitrate limits, a slight decrease from 21.6% in 2017.
📈 Regional Concerns: Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu exhibit the highest contamination rates, with 49%, 48%, and 37% of samples exceeding safe limits, respectively. 🌧 Seasonal Variation: Nitrate contamination rises during the monsoon, with 32.66% of samples affected post-rainy season compared to 30.77% pre-monsoon.
💧 Groundwater Extraction: The extraction stage is at 60.4%, with 73% of analyzed blocks classified as “safe,” an increase from 67.4% in 2022. Summary: Groundwater in India is significantly contaminated with nitrates, posing health risks, especially to children, with notable regional and seasonal variations.
Student Enrolment Trends in India (2023-24)
Overview of Enrolment Changes
📉 Significant Drop in Enrolment: Total student enrolment decreased to 24.8 crore in 2023-24, down by over 1 crore from previous years.
📊 Historical Context: Enrolment numbers have hovered around 26 crores for the past four years, with a notable drop from 25.18 crore in 2022-23
Data Accuracy and Systems
🔍 Data Reliability: The UDISE+ system ensures data accuracy through online uploads and validation checks at multiple administrative levels.
🆔 Unique Identifiers: Implementation of a unique educational ID (EID) and voluntary Aadhaar collection to maintain student uniqueness and reduce duplicate entries
Gender and State-Specific Trends
👦👧 Gender Disparity: Boys’ enrolment fell from 13.53 crore in 2018-19 to 12.87 crore in 2023-24. Girls’ enrolment dropped from 12.49 crore to 11.93 crore in the same period.
📉 State-Specific Declines: States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra experienced the highest enrolment drops. Bihar lost over 35.65 lakh students.
Data Collection Challenges
📅 Comparative Data Limitations: The 2022- 23 UDISE+ data is not directly comparable to previous years due to changes in data collection and validation methods
The Hindu
Political and Demographic Challenges in Southern India
Political Concerns 🏛
Chief Ministers: N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) and M.K. Stalin (Tamil Nadu) are concerned about losing parliamentary seats due to the proposed delimitation based on declining fertility rates in Southern states.
Fertility Transition 👶
Demographic Shift: Southern states are experiencing a fertility transition, leading to a reduced share of the population compared to northern states, potentially impacting political representation.
Legislative Actions 📜
Policy Changes: Andhra Pradesh is considering a law to restrict local body election candidates to those with more than two children, reversing a previous law that barred candidates with more than two children.
Debate on Family Size
Humorous Suggestion: Stalin humorously suggested that with decreasing Lok Sabha constituencies, there should be no restriction on family size, even jokingly proposing aiming for 16 children.
Global Context 🌍
International Examples: The text discusses global attempts to reverse fertility decline, citing. China’s one-child policy as a failed example, leading to various social issues and demographic imbalances.
Political Representation ⚖
Demographic Divide: The demographic divide in India suggests that population counts alone should not determine political representation, as it may unfairly disadvantage regions that have successfully implemented population control.
Impact on Women
Complex Challenges: Encouraging higher birth rates among women is complex, as the state must provide social support and compensation for the challenges women face in raising children.
Summary: The Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu express concerns over the potential loss of parliamentary seats due to declining fertility rates, leading to discussions on family size, legislative changes, and the implications for political representation and women’s roles. The Hindu
China’s Technological Ascendancy: A New Era in Military Power
Introduction: China’s Technological Showcase
Recent announcements of military innovations have sent shockwaves across the globe.
China’s technological advancements are not merely impressive; they signify a shift in military power balance. The unveiling of two stealth fighter jets, a new amphibious naval ship, and a rapid bullet train showcases China’s ambition
. The New Stealth Fighters: A Leap Forward
Design Features:
Two new stealth fighters, one massive with a delta-wing design and three engines, hinting at extended-range capabilities. The second, a smaller twin-engine jet with swept wings, showcases versatility in combat.
Global Implications:
With these additions, China is poised to rival the United States and its allies in air superiority. The PLAAF’s advancements challenge the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is struggling with modernization delays
Naval Advancements: The Amphibious
Assault Ship
Strategic Features: The new amphibious naval vessel enhances China’s capability for rapid deployment in regional conflicts. It allows for versatile operations, supporting both humanitarian missions and military engagements. Regional Impact: This advancement poses a significant challenge to India’s naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. China’s growing naval strength could shift regional alliances and power dynamics.
The Fastest Bullet Train: Symbol of Innovation
Technological Insights:
The new bullet train prototype is not only a marvel of engineering but also a crucial for military logistics. Rapid movement of troops and supplies can now be achieved at unprecedented speeds.
Future Prospects:
This innovation signifies China’s commitment to integrating advanced technology into its military framework. It enhances response times and operational effectiveness in various scenarios
The Indian Air Force: Challenges and Opportunities
Current Status:
The IAF is stuck at 31 squadrons, far below the sanctioned strength of 42. Delays in the production of indigenous aircraft have exacerbated the situation.
Future Plans:
An ambitious procurement of over 500 fighter jets is in the works, but timely delivery remains a concern. The modernization of the IAF hinges on the successful development of Indigenous technologies.
Conclusion: The Future of Military Technology in Asia
China’s recent technological breakthroughs are a clarion call for military strategists globally. As the balance of power shifts, nations like India must reassess their defense strategies. The race for technological supremacy in Asia is just beginning, and the stakes have never been higher.
