Current Affairs – April 03, 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Dynasties} Copper Plates of Vijayanagara Empire

Context (TH): A set of copper plates dating back to the early 15^th Century were unveiled in Bengaluru.

Source: TH

These copper plates were issued during the coronation of Devaraya I of the Sangama Dynasty. These are written in Sanskrit, Kannada and Nagari characters.
It is recorded that King Devaraya I, son of Harihara, granted the village of Gudipalli, along with the two hamlets Rājēndramāda and Udayapalli, as part of his coronation grants.
- The village was subsequently renamed Devarayapura-Agrahara and divided into 61 shares distributed among several Brahmins.
The seal features an image of Vamana instead of the customary Varaha, the royal insignia of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Significance

These copper plates directly issued by the kings are extremely important as they offer authentic information about the Vijayanagara Empire and its history.
It provides a detailed genealogy of the Sangama Dynasty.

Read more > Vijayanagara Empire and Virupaksha temple.

{GS1 – A&C – Sites} Dispute Over Mahabodhi Temple Control

Context (TH | IE): Ongoing protests demand full Buddhist control over the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, opposing the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BGTA), 1949.

Significance of Mahabodhi Temple

Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar, on the banks of the Niranjana River.
Sacred Site: Marks the place where Siddhartha attained enlightenment to become Buddha in 589 BCE.
One of Four Holy Buddhist Sites: Alongside Lumbini (birthplace), Sarnath (first sermon), and Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana).
Spiritual Center: Hub for Buddhist teachings, meditation, and festivals like Buddha Purnima.
Ancient Construction: Originally built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3^rd century BCE, with later additions by the Shunga and Gupta dynasties.
UNESCO Heritage: Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

Source: UNESCO

Architectural Features

Temple Complex: Covers 4.8 hectares, enclosing six sacred places and the Lotus Pond.
Lotus Pond: Outside the enclosure, associated with Buddha’s sixth week of meditation.
Key Features: 50-meter-high pyramidal shikhara, intricate carvings & yellow sandstone Buddha statue.
Stupas and Monasteries: Built by Buddhist communities worldwide.
Four Smaller Towers: Surround the main temple, each topped with an umbrella-like dome.
Ancient Balustrades: Early stone relief sculptures reflecting Gupta-era artistry.
Brick and Stucco Construction: Among India’s earliest surviving brick structures.

Key Sacred Sites

Bodhi Tree: West of the temple, believed to be descendant of the original tree where Buddha meditated.
Vajrasana: Diamond Throne marking Buddha’s meditation site, built by Ashoka.
Ratnachakrama Path: Buddha’s walking meditation site.
Animesh Lochana Chaitya: Where Buddha spent a week in deep contemplation.
Ajapala Nigrodh Tree: Where Buddha meditated in his fifth week post-enlightenment.
Rajyatana Tree: Site where Buddha spent his seventh week.

Historical Evolution of Dispute

Medieval Period (13th Century): Bakhtiyar Khilji’s invasion led to the abandonment of the temple.
1590: A Shaivite monk, Mahant Ghamandi Giri, took control and established the Bodh Gaya Math, leading to Hindu authority over the site.
British Era: Restoration efforts by Alexander Cunningham, founder of Archaeological Survey of India.
Late 19th Century: Anagarika Dhammapala, a Sri Lankan monk, initiated efforts to restore Buddhist control, including legal battles against Hindu priests.
1949: The Bihar Assembly passed the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, creating a management committee.
1990s Bodh Gaya Mahavihara Bill: Proposed by then-CM Lalu Prasad Yadav to transfer temple control to Buddhists, but it never passed.

Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949 (BGTA)

Objective: To establish an 8-member committee for temple management.
Composition: Equal representation (4 Hindus, 4 Buddhists) but a Hindu District Magistrate (DM) as an ex-officio chairman.
2013 Amendment: If the DM is a non-Hindu, s/he should nominate a Hindu as Chairman of the committee for his tenure, thus allowing non-Hindu DMs to be chairpersons.

Concerns

Hindu Majority under BGTA: Hindu District Magistrate as chairman creates a perceived imbalance.
Allegations of Hindu Rituals: Buddhists allege non-Buddhist rituals’ prominence in the temple.
Places of Worship Act, 1991: Prohibits changes in religious site management based on their status as of August 15, 1947, complicating Buddhist claims.

Also refer to Buddha’s life and Enlightenment.

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Geomorphology} Seismic Seiches *

Context (TH): Seismic Seiches reported during the Myanmar Earthquake.

Seismic seiches are standing waves set up in enclosed or partially enclosed water bodies like rivers, reservoirs, ponds, and lakes when seismic waves from an earthquake pass through the area.
They can also result from landslides, submarine slides, tsunamis, and tilting. However, they are in direct contrast to tsunamis, which are giant sea waves created by the sudden uplift of the sea floor.
The term seismic seiche was 1^st coined by Anders Kvale in 1955 to describe the oscillation of lake levels in Norway and England caused by the Assam earthquake of August 1950.
In extreme cases, seiches can lead to flooding, structural damage to dams, or erosion along shorelines.

Read More > Myanmar Earthquake.

{GS2 – IR – India-China} ‘Dragon-Elephant Tango’ Relations of India-China **

Context (IE): Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed that the relationship between China and India should resemble a “Dragon-Elephant tango” on the 75^th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

What is meant by Dragon-Elephant Tango?

“Dragon-Elephant Tango” is a metaphor for India and China’s complex and often delicate relationship.
- It highlights the paradoxical nature of their relationship, where, despite their shared history and opportunities for collaboration, they also face challenges, which include a long-standing border dispute, regional security concerns, and competition for global influence, especially in Asia.
‘Dragon’ Represents China: Symbolizing its rising economic, military, and geopolitical power.
‘Elephant’ Represents India: Signifying its emerging status as a major player in the global economy and its traditional cultural and political significance.
Tango: Alludes to the intricate and cautious relations between the two nations, marked by cooperation and rivalry.
- It also emphasises the possibility of coexistence and mutual benefit as both countries continue to engage diplomatically and economically through trade, infrastructure projects & strategic dialogues.

Also Read> India-China relations.

{GS2 – IR – India-EU} India-Europe Resilience Forum

Context (TH): India and the European Union (EU) launched the India-Europe Resilience Forum (IERF) to enhance collaboration on emerging and non-traditional security challenges.

What is IERF?

Launched in 2025, it is a Track 1.5 diplomacy initiative fostering India-EU collaboration on non-traditional security challenges.
Aim: Strengthen supply chain resilience, trade, technology, and security cooperation.
Led by: Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, Hanns Seidel Foundation India, Centre for Social Research, and Centre for Educational and Social Studies (CU).

Key Focus Areas of IERF

Trade & Supply Chain Resilience: De-risking and diversifying global supply chains.
Investment & Innovation: Strengthening industrial and digital transitions.
Semiconductor & High-Tech Collaboration:
- Joint R&D in chip design, semiconductor technology, and process design kits (PDKs).
- Enhancing semiconductor supply chains to reduce dependency on China.

Green & Digital Industrial Transition: Promoting sustainability and digitalisation.
Space & Geospatial Cooperation: Advancing technological partnerships.
Defence & Security Collaboration: Addressing strategic security concerns.
People-to-People Ties: Enhancing talent exchange and education links.

Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Security

IERF Strengthening CRM Supply Chains: IERF enhances India-EU cooperation in securing critical raw materials, reducing dependence on China.
MSP’s Role in CRM Security: As a 14^th member of the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), India collaborates with the EU and other nations to ensure stable, sustainable mineral supply chains.
- MSP facilitates investments in sustainable mineral extraction and processing, while India’s strong ties with Africa can help diversify CRM sources.
Global Coordination: The G20 platform can be leveraged to build a resilient, depoliticised CRM supply chain that aligns with India’s strategic interests under IERF.

Also refer to India-EU Relations.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Democratic Backsliding **

Context (IE): A 2025 report highlights democratic backsliding across the EU.

Democratic Backsliding

Definition: The phenomenon of a gradual decline in democratic institutions, weakening of checks & balances, and erosion of fundamental rights.

Indicators Causing Democratic Backsliding

Political Interference in Judiciary: Increasing control over judicial appointments and legal proceedings weakens checks and balances.
Erosion of Rule of Law: Governments undermining legal frameworks for political gains, limiting transparency and accountability.
Media Suppression: Control over media outlets and press freedom restrictions curtail public access to unbiased information.
Geopolitical Shifts: External influences, including support from global right-wing figures, impacting national policies and electoral outcomes.
Shrinking Civic Space: Increased restrictions on civil society organisations and human rights defenders.
Corruption and Lack of Transparency: Weak anti-corruption frameworks allow political and business elites to consolidate power.
Discrimination and Nationalist Policies: Growing anti-minority sentiments and stricter immigration policies are exacerbating social divisions.
Human Rights Violations: Stricter migration policies and rising discrimination against minorities.
Rise of Right-Wing Populism in Europe: Far-right parties are gaining electoral strength by leveraging nationalism, anti-immigration rhetoric, and Euroscepticism.
- Weak Response: EU’s failure to enforce strict measures against democratic erosion in member states.

{GS2 – IR – US} U.S. Announces New Tariffs

Context (IE): The U.S. announced a series of tariffs to recalibrate its trade relationships on April 2, dubbing it ‘Liberation Day. ’

USA’s latest proposal seeks to introduce reciprocal tariff duties mirroring those imposed by trading partners to ‘ensure a level-playing field. ’

New Tariffs

10% Minimum Tariff: On most goods imported into the country. Britain, Brazil, and Singapore, which had trade deficits with the U.S., faced a 10% tariff.
Higher Tariff: Countries accused of imposing unfair trade barriers faced higher tariffs -45 % for Vietnam, 36% for Thailand, and 32% for Taiwan.
India: The U.S. also imposed a 26% tariff on Indian goods.
No Tariffs on Russia: Despite its $2.5 billion goods trade surplus with the U.S. in 2024.

Existing Tariffs Set to Take Effect

April 2: A 25% tariff will be imposed on imports from any country that purchases oil or gas from Venezuela, which could impact the U.S., given ongoing energy imports from Venezuela.
April 3: A 25% tariff on all auto imports will come into effect, beginning with fully assembled vehicles.

Benefits for the USA

Revenue: These tariffs could generate $600 billion annually, implying an average tax rate of 20%.
- Auto tariffs alone will generate $100 billion in revenue annually.
Protection to USA’s Domestic Companies: USA argues that import duties will protect U.S. industries.
USA’s Exports: USA argues that foreign countries impose unfair tariffs on American goods while benefiting from favourable access to the U.S. market.

Implications

Inflationary Effect: The proposed tariffs come at a time of inflation and global economic instability.
- For example, Auto Tariffs could severely disrupt global supply chains and increase vehicle prices for American consumers.
Disruption of Supply Chain: Many economists caution that such measures could trigger consumer price increases and disrupt supply chains.
Retaliation: Canada has introduced countermeasures totalling billions of dollars, while Mexico has yet to impose new levies, signalling a possible effort to de-escalate tensions.

{GS2 – MoHA – Initiatives} SAHYOG Portal *

Context (IE): Karnataka HC is hearing a challenge by X (formerly Twitter) against the SAHYOG portal.

About SAHYOG Portal

Launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Purpose: Expedites content takedown orders under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000.
Operated by: Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
Single Platform: Streamlines removal of unlawful online content by coordinating govt agencies with IT intermediaries and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Direct Notices: Govt agencies can directly issue takedown notices.
National Dashboard displays reports of action taken for transparency.
Intermediary Actions: Platforms like Google, WhatsApp, Facebook can block content, accounts, or links.

Framework Governing Content Regulation

Section 79 of IT Act: Grants ‘safe harbour’ unless intermediaries ignore legal takedown orders.
Section 69A of IT Act: Allows govt to block online content under strict procedural safeguards.
Blocking Rules, 2009: Mandate written orders, independent review & hearings before blocking content.

Judicial Precedents

Shreya Singhal Case (2015): The Supreme Court emphasised procedural safeguards in content blocking.
Delhi High Court Ruling (2024): IT intermediaries to onboard SAHYOG for blocking unlawful content.

Concerns with SAHYOG Portal

Overreach in Regulation: Potential misuse for suppressing speech beyond legal limits.
Risk of Ultra Vires Action: The portal may exceed the legal framework set by the IT Act beyond the powers of (ultra vires) the Act.
Bypass Sec. 69A: Allows multiple agencies to issue takedown notices without any procedural safeguards.
Transparency Issues: Lack of oversight in issuing and enforcing takedown requests.
No Appeal Mechanism: No provision for platforms or users to challenge takedown orders.
Allegations: X challenges SAHYOG, alleging unchecked censorship and lack of legal scrutiny. X argues takedown notices through SAHYOG should not affect its Safe Harbour protection under Section 79.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Children} Child Labour Cases in India **

Context (IE): A study based on judicial records from the e-Courts platform reveals 8 times more child labour cases than reported by NCRB (2015-2022).

Key Findings

Discrepancy in Data: Number of cases filed under Child & Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, highlighting significant underreporting.
Issues with NCRB Data: NCRB follows the “Principal Offence Rule,” recording only the most serious crime in cases involving multiple offenses. This often excludes child labour if coupled with graver crimes.

Statistics on Child Labour in India

Census 2001: 1.26 crore working children (aged 5-14) out of a total child population of 25.2 crore.
Census 2011: 10.1 million child labourers (aged 5-14), making up 3.9% of the total child population.

Challenges in Preventing Child Labour

Poverty: Families depend on children’s earnings for survival.
Limited Access to Education: Poor infrastructure and school availability hinder learning opportunities.
Cultural Acceptance: Child labour is normalised in several regions.
Lack of Awareness: Employers and families often ignore legal provisions against child labour.
Economic Exploitation: Demand for cheap labour in industries, eg- textiles, agriculture & construction.
Migration: Migrant families push children into work due to instability and lack of schooling options.

Impact of Child Labour on Society

As per the International Labour Organization (ILO), child labour deprives children of their childhood, dignity, and development, causing harm to their physical and mental well-being.
Hinders Economic Growth: Lack of education results in unskilled workforce, slowing economic progress.
Perpetuates Intergenerational Cycle of Poverty by preventing children from gaining the skills required for decent work, leading to reduced human capital accumulation.
Social Inequality: Child labour disproportionately affects marginalised communities.
Violation of Child’s FRs: It deprives them of education, exposes them to hazardous working conditions, and denies them the right to enjoy their childhood.
Negative Impacts on Child Health: Eg- In the mining industry, children are exposed to toxic substances and dangerous machinery, which can cause serious health problems.
Weakens Social Progress: Hampers advancements in education, health, and quality of life.

Framework to Eradicate Child Labour

Constitutional Provisions

Article 21A: Guarantees free and compulsory education for children of 6-14 yrs.
Article 24: Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in hazardous occupations.
Article 39(e): Protects children from exploitation.
Article 39(f): Ensures children’s development with dignity and freedom.

Judicial Verdicts on Child Labour

M.C. Mehta v. State of Tamil Nadu (1996): SC ordered the prohibition of child labour in hazardous industries and directed the government to rehabilitate affected children.
Bachpan Bachao Andolan v. Union of India (2011): Emphasized stricter enforcement of child labour laws and directed states to rescue and rehabilitate child labourers.
People’s Union for Democratic Rights v. Union of India (1982): Employment of children in construction work violates fundamental rights.
Sanjit Roy v. State of Rajasthan (1983): The Court ruled that child labour under exploitative conditions violates human dignity and constitutional rights.

Legislative Actions Against Child Labour

Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986: Called Child & Adolescent Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act (CALPRA).
- Prohibits child employment below 14 years in all occupations.
- Amendment (2016): Extends protection to adolescents (14-18 years) in hazardous jobs.
- Punishment: Employers hiring children face imprisonment (6 months – 2 years) and a fine (₹20,000 – ₹50,000); Repeat offenders face stricter penalties.
- Rehabilitation Fund: Ensures financial assistance and education for rescued child labourers.
Factories Act, 1948: It prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in factories.
The Mines Act, 1952: It prohibits the employment of children below the age of 18 years in mines.
Right To Education Act, 2009: It provides free, compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14.

Policy Framework

Gurupadswamy Committee (1979): Identified poverty as a major factor and recommended banning child labour in hazardous sectors while regulating non-hazardous industries.
National Policy on Child Labour (1987): Focuses gradual elimination & rehabilitation of child workers.
National Child Labour Project (NCLP): Provides education (also vocational) to rescued child labourers.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme: This encourages school attendance by offering free meals.
Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS): Supports and rehabilitates children at risk of exploitation.

International Frameworks

ILO Conventions: Convention No. 138 sets minimum working age; Convention No. 182 calls for eliminating the worst forms of child labour.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Target 8.7 aims to eradicate forced labour and child labour in all forms by 2025.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) sets out children’s civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Capital Intensity of Production Rising in India

Context (IE): Experts say the Capital Intensity of Production is rising in India.

What is the Capital Intensity of Production (CIP)?

Capital Intensive: Refers to business processes or industries that require large amounts of investment to produce a good or service.
- These businesses have a high percentage of fixed assets, such as property, plant, and equipment.
Capital Intensity of Production refers to the degree to which production processes rely on capital (machinery, equipment, technology, and infrastructure).
- A labour-intensive business needs a significant amount of labour to operate. A business is considered labour-intensive if employee costs outweigh capital costs.
Examples of Capital Intensive Industries are automobile manufacturing, oil production and refining, steel production, telecommunications, and transportation sectors (e.g., railways and airlines).

Advantages: Increased efficiency, higher output, reduced labour costs, etc.

Why is the CIP Rising in a Labour-abundant Economy?

Demand Side Factors

Technological Advancement: Businesses increasingly adopt automation, robotics, and AI-driven processes to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Global Competition: To compete in international markets, Indian firms must enhance productivity, precision, and quality, which often requires capital-intensive technology.
- Export-driven industries (like auto manufacturing and electronics) require high-tech machinery to meet global standards.

Supply-side factors

Low Availability of Skilled Labour: The demand for skilled workers is an astonishing 103 million, while the current supply is just 74 million (National Skill Development Corporation).
Rising Labor Costs: While India has a large labour force, wages in specific sectors (exceptionally skilled labour) are growing. Formal sector wages are 2.5 times higher than informal wages.
Other: Stringent labour laws, high compliance costs, labour unrest, etc.

Government Efforts

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme (2020): Offers financial incentives tied directly to measurable outcomes such as higher production and incremental sales.
FDI Liberalization: Increased FDI in industries like semiconductors, electric vehicles, and renewable energy drives capital-intensive growth.
Employee Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme (2024): Aims to address India’s employment crisis by incentivising the private sector for job creation, retention and skill development.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Fram2 Polar Mission *

Context (IE): SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches with four commercial astronauts on the Fram2 polar mission at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Key Features

It will be a multi-day space mission in which the Dragon spacecraft and its crew will explore Earth from a polar orbit, flying over the polar regions.
- Fram2 marks the 16^th crewed mission using SpaceX’s reusable Crew Dragon spacecraft.
The gumdrop-shaped capsule, developed with NASA funding, provides a safe and efficient transport system for astronauts travelling to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
Objective: Study Earth’s polar regions from the capsule, which will orbit 425-450 km above the surface.
- Specifically, the astronauts will observe unusual light emissions similar to auroras, i.e., the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) and Southern Lights (Aurora australis).
Astronauts (4): Chun Wang, Jannicke Mikkelsen, Rabea Rogge, and Eric Philips.

Scientific Studies

The astronauts will conduct 22 research studies on understanding human health in space.
Their experiments include taking the first X-ray in space to study muscle and skeletal mass and growing mushrooms in microgravity.

Significance

It is the 1^st human spaceflight over the Earth’s polar regions.
It will provide critical insights on how space conditions affect the human body, with a focus on:
- Human X-ray imaging in space for medical advancements.
- Just-in-time training tools to enhance astronaut preparedness.
- Behavioural health studies to understand the psychological effects of space travel.