Current Affairs – April 08, 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Religion} Wat Pho Temple *

• Context (TOI): The Indian PM visited Bangkok’s Wat Pho temple and offered Sanghadana to Monks.

• Also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan.

Key Features of Wat Pho Temple

• Originally built in the 16^th century. King Rama I greatly expanded and restored it in the 18^th century, and it was further enhanced during Rama III’s reign.
• It is famous for the Reclining Buddha, built by Rama III in 1832.
  • It is a massive 46-meter-long and 15-meter-high gold-plated statue of the Buddha in a reclining posture, representing the Buddha entering Nirvana.

  

  Credit: Wikipedia

Cultural Significance

• It has the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. It is considered the first public university of Thailand, teaching students in the fields of religion, science, and literature through murals and sculptures.
• Wat Pho is regarded as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, also known as Nuad Thai, which has been included in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Sarnath Style of Sculpture

• The Indian PM presented a brass statue of the Sarnath Buddha in Dhyan Mudra to Thailand’s King.
• It was developed during the Gupta period (roughly 4^th-6^th centuries CE) at Sarnath.

Key Features

• Seated Buddha: It is particularly known for its seated Buddha depictions, often in the dharmachakra mudra (teaching gesture).
• Serenity and Tranquility: Sarnath sculptures, especially those of the Buddha, convey a sense of peace and enlightenment, with gentle smiles and soft, flowing lines.
• Drapery: The robe covers both shoulders but appears thin and clinging.
• Halo: The sculptures often feature a halo with finely carved floral patterns.
• Material: The preferred material for Sarnath sculptures was the local buff Chunar sandstone.

Credit: Wikipedia

{GS1 – A&C – Sites} Megalithic Artefacts in Kasargod

• Context (TH): 2,000-year-old megalithic relics were unearthed in Manimoola, Kasaragod, Kerala.

• These belong to the Megalithic Era (prehistoric period marked by stone monuments and burial practices).
• Pathaya Kallu is one such nearby stone believed to be a megalithic monument.

Source: TH

Artefacts and Structures Unearthed

• Pottery and Vessels: Blackware pot; four-legged jars; Pots in various sizes; Clay utensils resembling lids of large vessels.
• Iron Artefacts: Iron stove stand with three support stones; Penknife-like iron tools.
• Bone Fragments: Intact cremated remains suggest the presence of a sealed burial jar/urn; Fragments at the base of a massive clay jar.
  • Rare to find such intact bone remains, which suggests preservation due to air-sealed containers.
• Rock-Cut Chamber: A significant structural feature of megalithic burial architecture.
  • Similar chambers are locally known as Pandava Guha, Peerangi Guha, Muniyara, Swamikundu & Kalpatthayam across Kasaragod.

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} Outcomes of the 6^th BIMSTEC Summit

• Context (AV): 6^th BIMSTEC Summit concluded recently.

Highlights of the Summit

• Theme: “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open,” focusing on strengthening regional cooperation and addressing key challenges.
• Bangladesh took over the BIMSTEC chair for 2024-26.
• Bangkok Vision 2030 Adopted: The first vision document outlining regional development goals.
• Finalization of Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement: To strengthen regional trade, connectivity & maritime security while countering China’s influence.
• The Indian PM proposed a 21-point Action Plan to enhance regional cooperation through connectivity, trade, disaster management, and technological integration.
• India & Thailand also announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership.

Key Areas of the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership

• Maritime Cooperation: Joint efforts under Indo-Pacific (AOIP) & India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), for Indo-Pacific security, naval exchanges & regional connectivity via India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway.
• Defence and Security: Expansion of defence dialogue, Exercise Maitree, and cooperation in counterterrorism, cyber security, and intelligence sharing.
• Trade and Economic Engagement: Boost to bilateral trade, FTA upgradation, digital economy collaboration, and promotion of private sector investment and supply chain resilience.
• Cultural and People-to-People Ties: Strengthening Buddhist cultural links, tourism promotion, education exchange, and engagement with the Indian diaspora in Thailand.
• Science, Technology, and Innovation: Partnerships in renewable energy, digital public infrastructure, space tech, biotech, and healthcare innovation.
• Regional and Multilateral Cooperation: Coordinate with BIMSTEC, ASEAN, IORA, and UN to uphold a rules-based international order.

Also refer to Importance of BIMSTEC for India; Indo-Bangla Relations.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Education} Equivalence Certificates for Foreign Degrees

• Context (IE): The University Grants Commission (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations 2025 was notified.

• It aligns with the internationalisation of higher education suggested by National Education Policy 2020.

Scope of Regulations

• Regulations will apply to:
  • All academic institutions under the UGC for higher education, research, and employment in cases where a qualification recognised by the UGC is essential.
  • Qualifications obtained through distance or online learning modes.
  • School qualifications from foreign boards for students seeking undergraduate admission in India.
• Regulations do not apply to:
  • Professional qualifications in fields such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law, architecture, or any other discipline governed by Statutory Councils in India.
• Students do not need equivalence certificates if they have:
  • Qualifications from foreign institutions collaborating with Indian institutions under UGC’s regulations for twinning, joint, or dual degree programs.

Conditions for Granting Equivalence

• A foreign qualification (certificate, diploma, or degree) will be eligible for an equivalence certificate if:
  • It is awarded by an institution recognised by the government or authorities in its home country.
  • Entry-level requirements (e.g., credit structure, internship) are comparable to Indian standards.
  • The qualification was earned in compliance with the academic norms of the foreign institution.

Process for granting equivalence certificates

• Online Portal: UGC will operate a dedicated online portal for equivalence certificate applications.
• Review by Standing Committee: Applications will be reviewed by a Standing Committee of academic experts. The committee will make a recommendation within 10 working days.
• Final Decision: The final decision will be communicated to the applicant within 15 days. Once approved, equivalence certificates will be downloadable from the portal.

Association of Indian Universities (AIU)

• Until now, the responsibility of issuing equivalence certificates for foreign degrees rested with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
• AIU is a registered society comprising public and private Indian universities.
• It certifies the equivalence of foreign degrees for the purpose of higher education and employment in India, except in professional disciplines like medicine, pharmacy, law, nursing, and architecture.
• AIU also provides equivalence for school qualifications obtained from foreign boards.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Diseases} Dysthymia

• Context (TH): Dysthymia, a long-term form of depression, is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed.

What is Dysthymia?

• Dysthymia, or Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), is a chronic, milder form of depression that lasts two or more years in adults and one or more years in children.
• Distinct Features: Unlike occasional sadness, dysthymia is a persistent mood disorder affecting mood, sleep, appetite, self-perception, and decision-making.
• Severity Misconception: Often considered ‘low-grade, ’ it is less intense than major depressive disorder but more enduring and equally debilitating.
• Double Depression: Individuals may experience episodes of major depression along with dysthymia, known as double depression.
• Differentiation from Major Depression: Lacks anhedonia (loss of joy) and psychomotor changes; major depression needs five or more symptoms for at least 2 weeks.
• Higher Risk Groups: Women are affected nearly twice as often as men; also seen in individuals with coexisting depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or alcoholism.
• Core Symptoms: Low energy, sleep disturbances, poor appetite or overeating, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, and a persistent hopelessness.
• Combined Treatment Approach: Requires medical & therapeutic interventions for effective recovery.
  • Medications: Includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and dual-action antidepressants to correct neurotransmitter imbalances.
  • Therapy Options: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and supportive therapy tailored to individual needs.

Causes

• Multifactorial Origin: No single known cause; brain chemical imbalances, genetic predisposition, trauma, chronic stress, and social isolation are major contributors.
• Familial Link: Runs in families, though specific genes are not clearly identified.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} World Health Day 2025

• Context (BS): World Health Day 2025 was recently celebrated.

• World Health Day has been celebrated every year on April 7^th since 1950 to raise awareness about global health issues and promote healthy living for all.
• It marks the founding anniversary of the WHO (established in 1948).
• Aims to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for WHO.
• World Health Day 2025 Theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”
• Last Year’s Theme: ‘’My Health, My Right’’.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Women and Men in India 2024 **

• Context (PIB): The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26^th edition of its publication titled “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”.

Key Highlights

Sex Ratio

• Improved Sex Ratio: Increased from 943 in 2011 to a projected 952 in 2036.
• Female Migration: Between 2014-16 and 2018-20, the sex ratio in urban areas (910) surpassed that of rural areas (907), suggesting increasing female migration alongside urbanisation.

Health

• The Infant Mortality rate (IMR) and Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) declined over the years, reflecting improvements in healthcare.
  • IMR refers to the measurement of mortality in the first year of life and is computed by (relating) the number of deaths under one year divided by 1000 lives in a given year.
  • U5MR is the probability that a child born in a specific year/period will die before age 5, subject to current age-specific mortality rates.
• The mean year of Marriage (MMR) also increased slightly, and the maternal mortality rate (MMR) declined significantly from 254 in 2004-06 to 97 in 2018-20.
  • MMR refers to the number of women who die as a result of complications of pregnancy or childbearing each year per 10,000 live births in that year.

Education

• Literacy Rate: Improved for both genders in urban and rural regions, reaching 84.7% for males and 70.3% for females in 2017. Kerala has the lowest literacy gender gap, while Rajasthan has the highest.
  • In India, a person aged 7 years and above who can read and write with understanding in any language is considered literate.
• Gender Parity Index (GPI): The primary and higher Secondary levels have consistently high GPI, indicating strong female enrolment. Upper primary and elementary levels saw fluctuations but remained close to parity.
  • GPI is measured as the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls to the GER of boys. It is an indicator for gauging the gender gap in education.
• Women Enrolment in Higher Education: Women dominate arts, education and medical science, while men still dominate engineering, IT and technology-related fields.

Women in Economy

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Female LFPR (age 15 or 15+) improved from 23.3% (2017-18) to 41.7% (2023-24), mainly due to the declining fertility rate and expanding education among women.
  • Female LFPR is highest in Meghalaya (71.8%), while Lakshadweep (17.1%) reported the lowest.
  • Urban female LFPR is lower than rural, indicating that women contribute more to the rural economy.
• Financial Inclusion: Women own 39.2% of all bank accounts, contributing to 39.7% of total deposits. Their participation is highest in rural areas, comprising 42.2% of account holders.

Political Participation

• Women Representatives: The percentage of women elected to the Lok Sabha relative to the total number of women candidates shows a decreasing trend. However, the number has been consistently higher than that of men.
• Women Ministers: In recent years, the percentage of women in central council ministries has declined, reaching 9.72 in 2024.
• Local Governance: The women representation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) is 46.6%
• Voting: The gender gap in voting has narrowed, with female turnout surpassing male turnout in 2024.

Women in Judiciary

• Lower Representation: Out of the total approved 1122 positions in the Supreme Court (SC) and High Courts, only 106 (14%) are held by women.
  • The SC has only 2 (6%) women judges out of an approved strength 34.
• High Courts: Sikkim has the highest representation of women, while Meghalaya, Tripura, and Uttarakhand have no female judges.

{GS3 – S&T – AI} CAPTCHA *

• Context (TH): CAPTCHA systems are being prominent in AI-driven cybersecurity.

CAPTCHA

• CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.
• Key Purpose: Prevents automated bots from misusing websites by distinguishing human users.
• Origin: Developed in the early 2000s to address rising spam, fake accounts, and data theft due to bots.
• Patent Filing: First patent for CAPTCHA filed in 2003.

Evolution of CAPTCHA Technologies Over Time

• Early CAPTCHA (2000s): Relied on deciphering distorted letters and numbers.
• Image-Based CAPTCHA: Introduced object identification like traffic lights, cars, storefronts.
• reCAPTCHA: Used scanned words from books, aiding in digitisation while validating users.
• Invisible reCAPTCHA: Analyzed mouse movement & on-site behavior to detect bots without user input.
• Continuous Evolution: Eg- audio captcha, etc. to counter smarter AI-powered bots.

How CAPTCHA differentiates Humans from Bots

• Puzzle-Based Design: Involves tasks like identifying distorted text or clicking image grids.
• Turing Test Principle: Per Alan Turing’s concept, machines should not easily mimic human behavior.
• Human Advantage: Challenges are simple for humans but computationally difficult for bots.

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} De-Extinction of Dire Wolves *

• Context (IE): Colossal Biosciences has genetically engineered wolf pups with traits of the extinct dire wolf using ancient DNA and CRISPR.

Source: IE

Embryo Engineering and Birth Techniques Used

• Nuclear Transfer: Modified gray wolf nuclei inserted into enucleated gray wolf egg cells.
• Surrogacy: Domestic dogs are used as surrogate mothers for embryo implantation.
• Delivery: Romulus and Remus born via cesarean section; Khaleesi born later through natural birth.

{Prelims – In News} Gujarat Police’s GP-DRASTI Program

• Context (IE): GP-DRASTI drone surveillance program was launched in Gujarat under SHASTRA initiative.

SHASTRA

• SHASTRA stands for Sharir Sambandhi Tras Rokva Abhiyan, a special police drive launched targeting crimes involving bodily harm.
• Purpose: Identify and monitor crime-prone zones, especially those witnessing street violence, mob lynchings, gang assaults, and weapon-related crimes.

Integration with GP-DRASTI

• GP-DRASTI (Drone Response and Aerial Surveillance Tactical Interventions) is the aerial surveillance arm of SHASTRA to provide real-time crime monitoring, support force deployment & strengthen deterrence.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} Samudra Pradakshina *

• Context (PIB): India flagged off its first all-women tri-services sailing expedition, Samudra Pradakshina. It will cover 4,000 nautical miles from Mumbai to Seychelles & back on an Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.

Mission Significance

• Acts as a precursor to the 2026 Tri-Services All-Women Global Circumnavigation Mission.
• Women Empowerment in Military: Symbolises Nari Shakti & gender inclusivity in maritime operations.
• As a Tribute to Warrior Queens: Honors Rani Lakshmibai, Rani Durgavati, and Rani Velu Nachiyar.

{Prelims – Sports} World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025

• Context (DD): India won a total of 6 medals (1 gold, one silver and 4 Bronze) in the men’s category and finished 2^nd after Uzbekistan (7 medals) at the World Boxing Cup in Brazil in 2025.
  • Hitesh Gulia became the 1^st Indian boxer to win a gold medal in the World Boxing Cup.

• Poland won the most medals (7) in the women’s competition, while India didn’t win any in this category.

About the World Boxing Cup

• ​The World Boxing Cup is an international boxing competition overseen by World Boxing, the global sports organisation regulating amateur boxing.
• 1^st World Boxing Cup Competition: Held in Cologne, Germany, in 2023 and the 1^st series in 2024 featuring competitions in England, USA, and Mongolia.
• 2025 World Boxing Cup: Events will occur in Brazil, Germany and Kazakhstan. The season Finals will be held in India in November 2025.