Current Affairs – April 06-07, 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Sites} Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree *

• Context (IE | IE): Indian PM visited the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka).

About Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree at Anuradhapura

• Brought by Sanghamitta: Princess Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka and a Buddhist nun, carried the sapling to Sri Lanka around the 3^rd century BCE to propagate Buddhism.
  • Annual Commemoration: Her arrival is celebrated through the Uduvapa Poya festival, designated as “Sanghamitta Day” on the full moon in December.
• Sacred Lineage: Believed to have grown from a branch of the original Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, Bihar, under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment.
• Symbolic Importance: It is considered the oldest living cultivated tree in the world and a living symbol of peace, enlightenment, and spiritual continuity in the Buddhist world.
• Pilgrimage and Heritage Site: Situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of a wider complex of revered Buddhist monuments.
• Survived Multiple Threats, including a 1929 vandalism attempt and the 1985 LTTE massacre that killed 146 people near the shrine.

Sanghamitta & Bhikkhuni Sangha

• Founder of Bhikkhuni Sangha: Sanghamitta established Bhikkhuni Sangha (locally called Bhikkhuni Sasana or Meheini Sasna) in Sri Lanka as part of Dhamma-Vinaya tradition begun by Buddha in India.
• Flourishing Monastic Order: Bhikkhuni Sangha thrived in Sri Lanka for over 1000 years, playing a significant role in the spiritual and monastic landscape of the island.
• Disappearance in 1017 AD: The Order declined following the 1017 AD invasion by the Cholas, Hindu rulers from South India, which disrupted Buddhist monastic life for several years.

Also refer to Mahabodhi Temple; Indo-Lankan Relations.

{GS2 – IR – Agreements} Ottawa Convention

• Context (IE): Poland, Finland & Baltic States plan to withdraw from Ottawa Convention.

• Also called the Mine Ban Treaty. It is a legally binding global disarmament agreement banning the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
• Adopted in December 1997, came into force in March 1999.
• Aim: To eliminate long-lasting humanitarian hazards of landmines & assist war-torn regions in recovery.

• It includes obligations for mine clearance, victim assistance and international cooperation.

• Global Status (2024): Signed by 164 countries, including most NATO, African & Latin American nations.
  • Major non-signatories: India, US, Russia, China and Israel.
    • India’s Rationale: National security concerns (porous borders, insurgency & long-standing territorial disputes). Supports humanitarian principles but retains landmines for defensive use.

• Nations Initiating Exit: Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia (all European states bordering Russia).
  • Exception: Norway committed to Convention despite acknowledging increased regional tensions.

{GS2 – IR – International Organisations} India @ BIMSTEC **

• Context (IE): Indian PM’s address at the 6^th BIMSTEC Summit announced India-led initiatives.

India’s Key BIMSTEC Initiatives

• BODHI Initiative: BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure (BODHI) to train BIMSTEC students at Nalanda University and Forest Research Institute.
• BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence in India: New institutions for disaster management, maritime transport, traditional medicine, agriculture and farmer training.
• Trade & Economic Engagement: Feasibility study on local currency trade; BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce to be set up; Annual BIMSTEC Business Summit to be hosted in India.
• Security & Space Cooperation: India will host the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting, with cyber security, trafficking, terrorism, and satellite collaboration as focus areas.
• Youth, Sports & Cultural Diplomacy: Including the Young Leaders’ Summit, Hackathon, Visitors Programme, Athletics Meet (2025), BIMSTEC Games (2027) and the Traditional Music Festival hosted in India.
• Energy & Connectivity: Operationalisation of BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru; Proposal for electric grid interconnection across member states.
• Digital & Fintech Integration: Pilot study on digital infrastructure across BIMSTEC; Proposal to link India’s UPI with regional payment systems for financial inclusion.

Also refer to BIMSTEC Maritime Pact.

{GS2 – IR – US} Smoot – Hawley Act and Trump’s Tariff Wars

• Context (IE | IE): Trump’s new reciprocal tariffs trigger comparisons with the Great Depression-era Smoot- Hawley Tariff Act.

Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930)

• A US law by President Herbert Hoover was passed to protect domestic farmers and industries by raising tariffs on 20,000+ imports during the Great Depression.
• Core Provisions: Imposed ~25% tariff on a wide range of imported goods; Passed despite opposition.
• Intent: Respond to collapsing agricultural prices and protect the struggling rural economy post-WWI and the stock market crash 1929.

How It Deepened the Great Depression

• Triggered Retaliation: Canada, Europe, etc. imposed counter-tariffs & quotas against US goods.
• Collapsed US Trade: Imports from Europe fell from $1.3 billion (1929) to $390 million (1932); Exports to Europe dropped from $2.34 billion (1929) to $784 million (1932)
• Global Trade Contraction: World trade volume declined by 66% between 1929 and 1934, worsening the global economic crisis.
• Harmed Recovery Efforts: Jeopardised fragile post-WWI recovery efforts in Europe and destabilised export-driven US sectors.
• Led to Policy Reform: Prompted the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act (1934), transferring tariff-setting power from Congress to the President.

Trump’s Tariff Strategy (2025)

• Blanket Tariff Introduction: 10% tariff imposed on all countries.
• Stated Objective: Correct trade imbalances and revive domestic manufacturing.
• Targeted Reciprocal Tariffs: Higher tariffs (up to 54%) on countries with large US trade deficits.
• India-specific tariff: 27% tariff on Indian goods, including gems, jewellery, and auto components, despite ongoing trade talks.
• Tariff Impact on Exporting Countries: China (34%, effectively 54% with older tariffs), Taiwan (32%), Thailand (36%), Laos (48%), and the UK & EU (10–20%) face significant tariff rates.

Smoot-Hawley vs Trump’s Tariffs

Impact on India’s Trade Landscape

Concerns for India

• Indian exports like auto components, gems, and jewellery face challenges related to competitiveness due to higher global tariffs. Higher global tariffs could reduce India’s export earnings in the short term.
• The US flagged India’s unpredictable tariff policy and widely applied bound tariff gaps in the US Trade Representative (USTR) review.
  • Specific criticism targeted India’s tariffs on apples, motorcycles, coffee, edible oils and rubber.

Opportunities for India

• Trade diversion from Asian peers facing steeper tariffs creates openings for India in global supply chains.
• Sectors like textiles, electronics and manufacturing could attract increased investment and export orders.
• Boosting domestic production under Make in India and diversifying export destinations.
• India should leverage FTAs & global trade platforms to negotiate tariff relief & deepen bilateral trade.

Global Implications of the Protectionist Surge

• Higher tariffs disrupt supply chains by increasing costs and delaying production timelines.
• Countries may shift towards regional trade or friendshoring to reduce dependency and risks.
• Slower trade flows threaten global GDP growth, especially in export-reliant emerging economies.
• Rising economic nationalism reflects a shift from liberal trade norms to domestic industry prioritisation.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Comparison} Term of U.S. President

• Context (IE): There has been speculation that former U.S. President Donald Trump may explore legal loopholes to serve a 3^rd term, which the U.S. Constitution currently prohibits.

22^nd Amendment of U.S. Constitution

• Ratified in February 1951, it limits U.S. Presidents to 2 elected terms.
• It was brought in response to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented 4-term Presidency (1933–1945), which broke the 2-term’ unwritten precedent set by the nation’s 1^st President, George Washington, who voluntarily declined a 3^rd term in 1796.

Possible Loopholes

• Vice-President (VP) becoming President: If a VP becomes President because the sitting President dies, resigns, or is removed from office and the VP has served less than 2 years of the previous President’s term, it doesn’t count as a full term.
  • So, they can still run for 2 full terms afterward, giving them a total of nearly 10 years in office.
• Line of Succession Strategy: If the former president became Speaker of the House and the President and VP could not serve, the former president could constitutionally ascend to the presidency once more.
• Repealing the 22^nd Amendment: However, it requires a complex process.
  • A two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or;
  • A constitutional convention called by 2/3^rd (34) of the state legislatures (a method never used to date)
  • Either approach must be followed by ratification from 3/4^th (38) of the 50 states.

Read More> India vs US Presidential Election.

{GS3 – IS – Initiatives} Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) *

• Context (PIB): The Cabinet approves Vibrant Villages Programme-II for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29.

Key Features

• VVP-II is a continuation and expansion of the 1^st phase (VVP-I) focusing on northern borders.
• The new phase targets strategic villages along international land borders (ILBs) in 17 states and UTs.
• Objective: To create better living conditions and adequate livelihood opportunities to ensure prosperous and safe borders, control trans-border crime, assimilate the border population with the nation, and inculcate them as ‘eyes and ears of the border guarding forces, ’ crucial for internal security.
• Funding: VVP-II will be a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Union government.
• Total Outlay: Rs.6,839 crore.
• The scheme is part of the broader Viksit Bharat@2047 vision to secure India’s land borders through sustainable and inclusive development.

Key Focus Areas

• Infrastructure: Building critical infrastructure for connectivity and local amenities.
• Livelihoods: Support for value chains through cooperatives, SHGs, and tourism circuit development.
• Cultural Vibrancy: Promotion of local culture via fairs, national day celebrations and community events.
• Convergence of Schemes: The programme seeks to saturate all border villages with services under existing welfare schemes through convergence in 4 thematic areas:
  1. All-weather road connectivity
  2. Telecom connectivity
  3. Television access
  4. Electrification

Implementation Model

• Village Action Plans: Tailored to the unique needs of each state, district, and village, these plans will be prepared in a collaborative approach.
• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV Linkage: Road connectivity will be taken up under the ongoing PMGSY-IV program under the Ministry of Rural Development.
• High-Powered Committee: Led by the Cabinet Secretary, this will allow flexibility in guidelines for better implementation in remote areas.
• Tech Enablement: Platforms like PM Gati Shakti will be used to monitor progress and resource planning.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} Hansa-3 NG

• Context (TI): CSIR-NAL signed its first-ever aircraft technology transfer agreement with the private sector to manufacture India’s first indigenous trainer, Hansa-3 NG, for commercial pilot training.

What is Hansa-3 NG?

• Next generation, 2-seater, low-wing, all-composite light trainer aircraft developed indigenously by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). Nearly 50% cheaper than imported trainers.
• Designed for ab-initio flying training and used by flying clubs.
• Hansa-3 NG is also suited for defense training, NCC cadets, and coastal surveillance roles; E-HANSA (electric variant) is under development to promote green aviation.

Features and Design

• Equipped with Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport engine (fuel-efficient, digitally controlled); Electrically operated flaps for ease of handling.
• Composite airframe using carbon and fiberglass materials for lightweight structure.
• Digital glass cockpit enhances situational awareness.

Source: TI

Purpose and Need

• Created to reduce dependence on costly foreign trainer aircraft like Cessna 152/172.
• This fills the gap in modern, cost-efficient aircraft for Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training.
• Supports decentralisation of pilot training to reduce costs and increase accessibility.
• Addresses the rising demand for pilots in India’s booming aviation sector.
  • India’s aviation sector is 3^rd largest globally, requiring 30,000 new pilots in the next 15-20 years.
  • Each narrow-body aircraft requires 15-20 pilots, and wide-body jets need 25-30 pilots, requiring an estimated 750+ trainer aircraft to meet upcoming pilot demand.

About CSIR-NAL

• India’s only civilian aerospace R&D lab under Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).
• Established in 1959 (renamed from National Aeronautical Research Laboratory in 1993).
• Based in Bengaluru, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, it plays a key role in supporting national aerospace missions and private sector collaboration.
• Focus: Indigenous aircraft design, testing, simulation, and aerospace technology development.

{GS3 – S&T – IPR – GI} Kannadippaya Gets GI Tag Recognition *

• Context (TH): Kannadippaya became the first tribal handicraft to receive the GI tag from Kerala.

About Kannadippaya

• ‘Kannadippaya’ means mirror mat owing to its shiny, reflective surface pattern.
• Made from soft inner layers of reed bamboo (Teinostachyum wightii); also uses Ochlandra sp.
• Unique Features: Thermal regulation (warm in winter & cool in summer); biodegradable.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Distinguished by its intricate, reflective weaving pattern.
• Preserving Tribes: Crafted by Oorali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malayan, Kadar, Ulladan, Malayarayan, and Hill Pulaya communities.

Source: TH

{Prelims – In News} Kancha Gachibowli

• Context (IE): The Hyderabad University’s students are protesting the Telangana government’s decision to auction a 400-acre land parcel, Kancha Gachibowli, adjacent to the university’s campus.

• Students state that the land is part of the university, a claim that the government has denied.
• Kancha Gachibowli is one of Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests. It is rich in biodiversity and home to numerous bird, mammal, and reptile species and beautiful rock formations.
• Urban forests such as Kancha Gachibowli help regulate local climates by providing shade, reducing temperatures, and increasing humidity.

{Prelims – PIN World – Asia} Gulf of Tonkin *

• Context (IE): The Gulf of Tonkin was recently in the news.

• Location: It is a crescent-shaped, shallow, semi-enclosed water body situated in the northwestern portion of the South China Sea.
• It is known as the ‘Beibu Gulf’ in China and the ‘Bac Bo Gulf’ in Vietnam.
• Bounded by: China (north and east), Hainan Island (east), and northern Vietnam (west).
  • The Gulf of Tonkin is connected with the South China Sea via the gulf’s mouth in the south and the Hainan Strait (Qiongzhou Strait) in the northeast.
• Rivers: The gulf receives the Red River.
• Major Ports: Ben Thuy and Haiphong in northern Vietnam and Beihai (Pakhoi) in China.
• Historical Significance: The infamous “Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964) led the US Congress to pass the “Gulf of Tonkin Resolution,” leading to a direct engagement of the US in the Vietnam War (1954-75).

{Prelims – PIN World – Europe} Ionian Islands

• Context (IDR): An ancient Greek theater discovered in Lefkada, Ionian Islands.

  

• Location: Island group off the west coast of Greece, stretching south from the Albanian coast to the southern tip of the Peloponnese.
• It comprises 7 major islands and other minor islands. They are often called Heptanesos (Seven Islands).
• 7 Major Islands: The islands are Corfu (Kérkyra), Cephallenia (Kefaloniá), Zacynthus (Zákynthos), Leucas (Lefkáda), Ithaca (Itháki), Cythera (Kýthira), and Paxos (Paxoí).
• Highest Peak: Mount Aenos or Ainos is the tallest mountain on the Ionian Island of Cephalonia.

{Species – Mammals – EN} Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus)

• Context (DH): Woolly Flying Squirrel was photographed for the first time in the Miyar Valley of Lahaul and Spiti (Himachal Pradesh).

Credit: News18, IUCN

• Also known as the Western Woolly Flying Squirrel. It is one of the biggest gliding animals. It was rediscovered in 1994 after a gap of nearly 70 years.
• It is harvested for its believed role in the production of the traditional medicinal substance Shilajit, which is thought to be made up of the species’ faecal and urine deposits.
• Distribution: Endemic to the Western Himalayas, especially northern Pakistan and some regions of Jammu & Kashmir in India.
• Habitat: Forest, Rocky areas (eg, cliffs, mountain peaks), Caves, Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic).
• Physical Description: Grayish-brown fur helps them camouflage with their surroundings.
• Behaviour: Nocturnal in nature.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Endangered | CITES: Not Included | Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule I.