Current Affairs – April 30, 2025

{GS3 – Agri – Fisheries – Initiatives} Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025

• Context (DTE): At the Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025, the Union Government launched two major initiatives — the 5^th Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) and the first-ever Aquaculture Insurance Scheme under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Key Highlights of the Meet

Launch of 5th Marine Fisheries Census (MFC)

• The MFC 2025 will document 1.2 million fisher households across 3,500 villages in coastal states and UTs.
• For the first time, the census will be conducted through a geo-referenced app-based digital system (VyAS-NAV), developed by ICAR-CMFRI.

• Will involve real-time validation of data collected on fishing villages, crafts, and infrastructure associated with fishing activities.

• Expected to be completed by December 2025.

Launch of First-Ever Aquaculture Insurance Scheme

• Launched under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a sub-scheme of PMMSY, along with the One-Time Incentive Sanction-cum-Release Order to beneficiaries
• Aimed at mitigating risks and providing financial security, especially for small and marginalised farmers.
• Insurance options:
  • Basic Insurance: Covers natural calamities and parametric risks.
  • Comprehensive Insurance: Includes coverage for diseases.
• An extra 10% incentive is provided for SC, ST, and women beneficiaries.
• Premiums for intensive aquaculture systems like recirculatory systems are capped at ₹1 lakh for 1800 m³.
• Ensures digital accessibility via the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).

Foundation Laid for Key Projects

• Key projects across seven coastal states (excluding Gujarat and Maharashtra) and UTs, with a total outlay of ₹255 crore under PMMSY were inaugurated.
• Aimed to enhance fisheries infrastructure, including cold storage and value-added products.

Also refer > Fisheries Sector, Steps Taken to Improve the Fisheries Sector, Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries Sector in India: Significance & Challenges.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation – Initiative} Revive Our Ocean Initiative *

• Context (DTE): A new global initiative called ‘Revive Our Ocean’ was launched.

• It aims to scale up effective, community-led marine protected areas (MPAs) through local action.
• It hopes to remove key barriers that prevent coastal communities from protecting and managing their ocean spaces and aims to inspire, enable and equip communities to lead marine conservation efforts.
• The initiative plans to launch a microfinance program to help communities get loans and grants to start or expand their own protected areas.
• It is rooted in successful models from around the world and will initially focus on seven countries: the UK, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Mexico.
• Revive Our Ocean has created a network called the Revive Our Ocean Collective, that brings together local leaders and groups who have already made community-led marine protection work.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

• MPAs are parts of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation of marine resources.
• They are governed in different ways. Some are managed by national governments, others by local authorities, NGOs or through co-management with communities.
• Though more than 16,000 MPAs have been established globally, amounting 8% of the world’s oceans, only 3% are currently under full protection, according to the Protected Planet Report, 2024.
• Most of these MPAs are either poorly managed or allow damaging activities like bottom trawling.
• The 30×30 target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) *

• Context (TOI): STR’s Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) is likely to expand by approximately 4,500 hectares following a rationalization exercise mandated by the SC’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

• Areas where no tiger movement or breeding was observed were proposed to be removed from the CTH, while zones showing consistent tiger activity were identified for inclusion.
• A committee of experts was constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to conduct a scientific study in compliance with the CEC’s recommendations.

Key Features of STR

• Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan. It’s situated within the Aravalli hills.
• Vegetation: Scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, grasslands, etc.
• Flora: Dominated by dhok trees, with other species like salar, kadaya, gol, etc.
• Fauna: Tigers, leopards, sambhar deer, nilgai, wild boars, etc.
• Tiger Reintroduction: STR is the 1^st reserve in the world to relocate tigers after their initial population was wiped out successfully.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Similipal National Park *

• Context (IE): Odisha notified the Simplipal Tiger Reserve as a national park under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

• Similipal is the 107^th national park of India and Odisha’s 2^nd national park, after Bhitarkanika. Simplipal derives its name from the ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree.

Key Features

• Location: Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
• Vegetation: Moist deciduous and semi-evergreen types.
• Flora: Sal is the dominant tree species.
• Fauna: It is the world’s only home to wild melanistic tigers and shelter to 25% of Odisha’s elephant population. Other fauna include leopards, sambar, mugger crocodiles, etc.
  • The tigers of Similipal possess higher-than-normal levels of melanin, giving them more black coats with yellow stripes.
• Other: It was formally designated a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1973, a wildlife sanctuary (1979), and a biosphere reserve in 1994.
  • UNESCO added this National Park to its list of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.

{GS3 – Envi – Issues} Global Wind Report 2024

• Context (DTE): Global Wind Energy Council’s 2025 Global Wind Report warns the world is not on track to meet net-zero targets through current wind energy expansion.

Key Highlights

• Record Addition Yet Insufficient: 117 GW of new wind capacity added globally in 2024, raising total capacity to 1,136 GW, yet only 77% of 2030 net-zero needs are on track.
• Offshore Wind Decline: Offshore wind saw a 26% drop with only 8 GW added in 2024, the lowest addition since 2021.
• China Leads Global Growth: China accounted for 70% of new wind installations in 2024.
  • Top five markets include China, US, Brazil, India and Germany.
• Emerging Market Momentum: Countries like Uzbekistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia show promising wind energy uptake; onshore capacity in Africa and Middle East doubled.
• COP28 Goal at Risk: The world risks missing the COP28 pledge to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, endangering the 1.5°C climate limit.

Barriers Hindering Sector Progress

• Frequent policy shifts disrupt investor confidence and slow project permitting.
• Inadequate investment in transmission infrastructure & high inflation/interest rates burden developers.
• Weak auction mechanisms for renewable energy procurement and rising trade protectionism affect supply chains.

Way Ahead: Strategic Scale-Up for Wind Energy

• 320 GW Annual Target: Installations must nearly triple from ~117 GW in 2024 to 320 GW annually by 2030 to align with net-zero pathways.
• Global Coordination: Govts, industry, and financial institutions must forge unified policies and channel targeted investments across both mature and emerging wind markets.
• Economic Upside: Scaling to 320 GW annually can bolster energy security, spur technological innovation and generate millions of jobs throughout the supply chain.
• Urgent Action Window: Immediate, decisive intervention is critical; delays risk closing the narrow timeframe to meet the Paris-aligned 1.5 °C target.

Also refer to India’s Net-Zero Emission Targets; GoI Initiatives for transition to green energy.

{GS3 – IE – Banking} ‘bank.in’ Domain for Banks

• Context (IE): The RBI has decided to operationalise the ‘bank.in’ domain for banks.

• The RBI has given banks time till October 31, 2025, to migrate to ‘.bank.in’.
• ‘bank.in’ is an exclusive internet domain for Indian banks to combat the increasing number of digital payment frauds.
• The new internet domain name will be operationalised through the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, which has been authorised by the NIXI.

What is a Domain Name?

• A domain name is used to find websites. It is a unique and easy-to-remember address to access websites on the internet.
• The ‘.in’ is India’s Country Code Top Level domain (ccTLD), a two-letter string (e.g., https://www.india.gov.in) added at the end of a domain name.
• A ccTLD functions as more than just a string in a web address. It is considered a symbol of national identity on the global internet.

{GS3 – IE – RBI} PRAVAAH Portal *

• Context (ET): The RBI mandates using the PRAVAAH portal for all regulatory applications from May 1, 2025, for banks, financial companies, and regulated entities.

What Is the PRAVAAH Portal?

• PRAVAAH (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation and Authorisation) is a secure & centralised web-based portal for individuals or entities to seek authorisation, licenses, or regulatory approvals.

Applicability

• Scheduled Commercial Banks (including Small Finance Banks, Local Area Banks, and Regional Rural Banks)
• Urban Co-operative Banks
• State and Central Co-operative Banks
• All-India Financial Institutions
• Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), including Housing Finance Companies
• Primary Dealers
• Payment System Operators
• Credit Information Companies

{GS3 – IE – Securities} Niveshak Shivir by IEPFA

• Context (PIB| PIB): The Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) launched ‘Niveshak Shivir‘ along with Kotak Mahindra Bank to boost digital financial literacy and facilitate claim settlements.

‘Niveshak Shivir’ Initiative

• Launched jointly by IEPFA and SEBI to simplify the process of reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares and enhance financial literacy.
• Aim: Reduce investor dependence on intermediaries, thus minimising fraud & misinformation risks.
• Institutional Support: Backed by SEBI and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) regional offices for logistics and assistance.
• On-ground Facilitation: KYC updates, nomination services, claim status checks & real-time grievance redressal at camp locations.

Impact

• Financial Empowerment Goal: Aims to create a self-reliant and financially literate investor base.
• Transparency & Access: Enhances direct access to investor services & simplifies procedural bottlenecks.
• Fraud Risk Mitigation: Reduces investor reliance on intermediaries and prevents misinformation.
• Inclusive Reach: Leverages physical & digital networks to span diverse geographies & demographics.

Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA)

• IEPFA was established in 2016 under Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• It manages the Investor Education & Protection Fund (IEPF) & promotes investor education, protects investor rights, manages unclaimed financial assets and conducts outreach to enhance financial literacy and safeguard investments.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• The IEPF consists of amounts that remained unclaimed for 7 years, including:
  • Unclaimed/Unpaid dividends,
  • Application money due for refund,
  • Matured deposits and debentures,
  • Interest on investments from the fund,
  • Grants or donations received from the govt or other entities.

{GS3 – S&T – AI} AI Reasoning

• Context (IE): OpenAI introduced two advanced reasoning models, o3 and o4-mini, claiming them as the “smartest models“.

Reasoning in AI

• AI reasoning involves deep analysis, going beyond simple pattern recognition to evaluate multiple solutions before responding.
• It mimics human-like cognitive processes to arrive at the most logical answer, ensuring more refined, relevant, and personalised responses.
• AI can now consider various angles and break down complex queries, offering better problem-solving efficiency, particularly for advanced users or researchers.
• OpenAI’s o3 & o4-mini models use reinforcement learning to refine their problem-solving capabilities.
  • Advanced Contextual Understanding: OpenAI’s o3 and o4-mini Models excel in understanding and processing complex, multi-step queries, offering intelligent and logical responses.
  • Progression Toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): OpenAI’s work on reasoning models is a significant step toward achieving AGI, where AI can autonomously learn across multiple domains and make independent decisions, resembling human cognitive abilities.

Categories of AI Reasoning

• Deductive Reasoning: Applying known rules to draw conclusions.
• Inductive Reasoning: Learning from data to form predictions or generalisations.

Distinction Between Pattern Recognition and Reasoning

• Pattern Recognition: Early AI systems relied on large datasets and statistical models to predict outcomes based on patterns.
• Reasoning: The new reasoning models combine logical inference with contextual analysis, making decisions based on structured reasoning rather than just patterns.

Challenges in AI Reasoning

• Hallucination: A significant challenge is the generation of false or misleading information, especially with the o3 model, which has a higher hallucination rate (33%) compared to its predecessor.
• Bias: AI models may inherit biases present in their training data, leading to skewed decisions.
• Emotional Complexity: AI systems still struggle to understand & interpret human emotional subtleties.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence – Aircraft} India-France Rafale-M Deal *

• Context (TH): India & France concluded a deal for single-seater carrier-compatible and twin-seater trainer jets (non-carrier compatible) Rafale-M fighter jets, amid the Pahalgam terror attack.
  • Interim Solution: This acquisition is a temporary measure until DRDO develops the Indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF).
• MQ-9B RPAS Future Deal: India will also acquire 31 MQ-9B armed High-Altitude Long-Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), with deliveries between 2029 and 2030.

Rafale-M

• Naval Variant Capability: Rafale-M is Dassault Aviation’s carrier-based 4.5-generation multirole fighter, tailored for operations from aircraft carriers.
• Carrier-Specific Features: Built with corrosion resistance, reinforced landing gear, folding wings, and strengthened airframe for maritime conditions.
• Combat Versatility: Performs air superiority, deep strike, nuclear deterrence, anti-ship, and reconnaissance roles in a single sortie.
• Advanced Systems & Armament: Equipped with Meteor missiles, SCALP cruise missiles (560 km), Exocet anti-ship missiles, RBE2-AA AESA radar, and SPECTRA EW suite.
• Strategic Edge: Outmatches China’s Shenyang J-15 and J-11 naval fighters and faces no comparable challenge from Pakistan, which lacks a naval air fleet.

Strategic Implications

• Aircraft Carriers: Jets to support INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.
• Replacement of Mig-29Ks: The Rafale-M jets will replace ageing Mig-29Ks on Indian Navy aircraft carriers, which have low availability rates and are nearing retirement.
• Astra Missile Integration: Technology transfer for integrating indigenous weapons like the Astra Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence – Reports} SIPRI Report 2024 **

• Context (TI): The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2024 report highlights global military spending trends, placing India among the world’s top five amid rising regional tensions.

Key Highlights

• Top Military Spenders: The US led, followed by China, which spent more than the combined total of India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

• 

• China’s Spending Surge: China registered the largest annual increase since 2015, marking its 30^th consecutive year of growth in defence budgets.
• Modernisation Push: China aims to modernise its military by 2035, unveiling new stealth aircraft, UAVs, underwater drones and strengthening space and cyber forces in 2024.
• Regional Impact: China’s 59% rise in spending since 2015 has pressured neighbours like India, Japan and Australia to hike their defence budgets.

India-Specific Highlights

• Global Rank & Expenditure: India ranked 5^th globally with USD 86.1 billion in military expenditure in 2024; up 42% since 2015.
• India vs. Pakistan: India’s defence spending is ~ nine times higher than Pakistan’s, which is just 11.84% of India’s budget.
  • India allocated 75% of capital outlay (22% of total military budget) for domestic procurement.
• Indigenous Capability: India now manufactures armoured vehicles, helicopters and submarines; still depends on imports for advanced systems like combat aircraft.

Trends and Strategic Implications

• China’s Defence Tech Expansion: 2024 saw the expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal and the establishment of aerospace and cyberspace military branches.
• Geopolitical Ramifications: China’s rapid militarisation is reshaping Asia-Pacific security dynamics and influencing the defence postures of India and other regional powers.
• Policy Direction in India: India continues diversifying procurement, boosting Make in India for defence, and reducing import dependence in response to strategic vulnerabilities.

{Prelims – In News} Golconda Blue Diamond

• Context (IE): The Golconda Blue Diamond was in the news.

About Golconda Blue Diamond

• Type: 23.24 carats Natural Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond (rarest colour grade).
• Shape: Pear-shaped.
• Origin: Mined in Golconda, Telangana– a historically significant diamond region.
• Clarity: Exceptional clarity due to minimal nitrogen impurities (rare for blue diamonds).
• Historical Significance:
  • Originally set in a bracelet in 1923, it was later reset into a necklace worn by Maharani Sanyogitabai, wife of Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II
  • Purchased by Harry Winston (a renowned American jeweller) in 1947, briefly sold it to the Maharaja of Baroda, then reacquired and sold it to its current owner.

Why is the Blue Diamond rare?

• Boron presence: They get their color from boron, a rare element, which is not commonly found in nature.
• Unique formation conditions: Form under extreme pressure and temperature deep within the earth, with specific conditions needed for boron to be present.
• Limited sources: Primarily found in a few places like the Golconda mines (India), South Africa, and Australia, making them geographically rare.
• Demand and value: Blue diamonds are highly valued and sought after due to their striking colour and rarity, further driving up their scarcity.

{Prelims – PIN World – SA} Uturuncu Volcano

• Context (MSN): According to scientists, the “zombie”-like unrest of Uturuncu volcano is due to the movement of liquid and gas beneath the crater, which is unlikely to have an imminent eruption.

About Uturuncu Volcano

• Uturuncu, Bolivia, is the highest mountain in southern Bolivia, lying deep in the Central Andes.
• It is called a ‘zombie’ volcano because, despite being technically dead (last erupting 250 thousand years ago), it still shows signs of unrest, including earthquakes and plumes of gases.
• This unrest manifests itself in a “sombrero” pattern of deformation, with the land in the centre of the volcanic system rising up, and surrounding areas sinking down.
• Uturuncu sits above the world’s largest known magma body in Earth’s crust, the Altiplano-Puna Volcanic Complex and an active hydrothermal system connects this body and the surface.
• It is a stratovolcano to the east of the Laguna Colorada ignimbrite shield.