Current Affairs – February 11, 2025

Table of contents

{GS1 – A&C – Bodies} National Mission for Manuscripts to Become Autonomous

Context (TH): The Centre has allocated nearly ₹500 crore to the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) for six years, aiming to make it an autonomous body.

Manuscripts: Handwritten compositions on paper, bark, cloth, metal, palm leaf, or other materials, at least 75 years old, with historical, scientific, or aesthetic significance.
Distinct from Epigraphs: Unlike inscriptions or historical records, manuscripts contain knowledge content rather than direct event documentation.

National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM)

Established: February 2003 by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Motto: Conserving the past for the future.
Mandate: Document, conserve, and disseminate knowledge preserved in manuscripts.
Significance: India has around ten million manuscripts, the largest collection globally.
Languages Covered: 75% in Sanskrit, 25% in regional languages.

Objectives of NMM

Survey and Documentation: Locate, document, and create a national database of manuscripts (currently holding 4 million records).
Conservation: Use modern and indigenous methods to preserve manuscripts.
Scholar Training: Develop expertise in manuscript studies, including languages, scripts, and conservation techniques.
Digitisation: Convert rare and endangered manuscripts into digital formats for broader access.
Publication & Access: Publish critical editions and facilitate public engagement through seminars, lectures, and outreach programs.
Institutional Network: Over 100 Manuscripts Resource Centres and Manuscripts Conservation Centres across India.

Financial Allocation and Autonomy

Fund Allocation: ₹491.66 crore allocated till 2031 through a Special Finance Committee.
Shift to Central Sector Scheme: Now fully funded and implemented by Central agencies.
Move Towards Autonomy: Previously under Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), with funds briefly routed through Sahitya Akademi.

Gyan Bharatam Mission

Announced in Union Budget 2025: Aims to cover over one crore manuscripts.
Scope: Survey, documentation, and conservation of manuscripts in academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collections.
Pending Clarity: Unclear whether it will be part of NMM or a separate entity.

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Oceanography} La Niña’s Cooling Effect

Context (IE): January 2025 was the hottest on record, with global surface air temperatures 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, despite the onset of La Niña in December 2024.

Why Did La Niña Fail to Cool January 2025?

Expected Cooling Effect of La Niña: Typically lowers global temperatures due to enhanced oceanic cooling and atmospheric changes.

Weak La Niña Event: The ongoing La Niña is weaker than usual due to its late emergence in December 2024 instead of the expected September onset.
Limited Time for Strengthening: ENSO events peak in Northern Hemisphere winters, leaving La Niña little time to gain intensity.
High Atmospheric Carbon Levels: Greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in late 2024 and January 2025 remained exceptionally high, counteracting La Niña’s cooling effect.
Aerosol Reduction: Clean air policies in several regions have reduced atmospheric aerosols, which usually reflect solar radiation and cool the planet.
Regional Variations: ENSO phases impact different regions differently, meaning not all areas experience uniform cooling.

Significance of This Trend

Declining Impact of Natural Cooling Cycles: The failure of La Niña to moderate temperatures suggests that natural climate regulators are losing effectiveness.
Record-High GHG Levels: 2024 saw the highest-ever atmospheric GHG concentrations, reinforcing the urgent need for emission reductions.
Climate Crisis Indicator: A single warm January doesn’t define long-term trends but signals the worsening global warming trajectory.

Way Forward

Urgent Need to Cut Emissions: Reducing GHG emissions is the only effective way to counteract rising global temperatures.
Strengthening Climate Policies: Stricter clean energy transition & carbon capture initiatives required.
Enhanced Monitoring: Institutions like NOAA and C3S must continue tracking ENSO impacts to improve climate predictions.

{GS2 – IR – Asia} India as a Bridge Between the Global North and South

Context (TH): India aspires to represent the Global South, aiming to be a leading voice and advocate for the developing world’s interests in global governance and development.

India’s Role in the Global South

Global South Disillusionment: Many countries in the Global South are disillusioned with current economic systems, burdened by debt, and dependent on conditions set by Western powers.
India’s Strategic Positioning: Unlike the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM), India’s engagement is not rooted in anti-Western sentiments but in creating an alternative developmental paradigm.
Global Partnerships: India positions itself as a representative of the Global South while balancing and deepening ties with traditional powers like the United States and Europe.
The China Factor: India’s global rise is seen in part as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence, especially in Africa, but India’s goal is to establish its unique identity, rather than replicate China’s model.

India’s Leadership in Global Governance

Inclusive Global Governance: India has successfully advocated for the African Union’s inclusion in the G-20 during its presidency in 2023.
Development Paradigm Shift: Advocates for a cooperative, equality-based approach, contrasting with top-down models of the Global North.
Human-Centric Development: Focuses on initiatives like Mission LiFE to promote sustainable lifestyles and expand human capital and institutional capacity.
Women’s Empowerment: Schemes like Skill India and promoting women in entrepreneurship empower populations and boost domestic industry in the Global South.

India’s engagement in Global South

Developmental assistance through programs like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Economic engagement through bilateral and regional trade agreements like the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement, etc., offering Lines of Credit to Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, etc.
Infrastructure development initiatives like the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief: For, e.g., Operation Raahat (2015) in Yemen, Maitri (2015) in Nepal, Sankat Mochan (2016), etc.

Way Forward for India’s Success in Global Development

Creating Domestic Capacity: While pushing for reforms in international institutions, India must also build its own capacity for global development cooperation.
Leveraging Trilateral Partnerships: India should use existing channels like the UN or partnerships with experienced countries such as Germany and France to improve its systems for international cooperation.
Learning to Scale Up: India’s global development initiatives should be built on a learning process, where it adapts & scales up its experiences through trilateral engagements and collaborative partnerships.

{GS2 – IR – India-UK} India-U.K. Defence Cooperation Agreements

Context (TH): India and the U.K. signed multiple defence agreements at Aero India 2025, including missile production and naval propulsion system development.

Key Agreements Signed

Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS): Contract signed between Thales U.K. and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for Laser Beam-Riding MANPADS (LBRMs).
Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM): Thales and BDL to jointly produce LMMs, strengthening the defence industry partnership.
Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) Facility: MBDA U.K. and BDL collaborating to establish an ASRAAM assembly and test facility in Hyderabad.
Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) System: Statement of Intent (SoI) signed for developing IFEP technology for Indian Navy’s future Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet.

U.K.’s Dedicated Defence Cell for India

Defence Partnership–India (DP-I): U.K. launched a dedicated cell to strengthen India-U.K. defence collaboration, which will act as a one-stop office for enhancing bilateral defence projects & partnerships.

Strategic Benefits of the Agreements

Strengthening Self-Reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat): Enables indigenous production of critical missile systems and naval propulsion technology.
Job Creation and Industrial Growth: Enhances employment in both India and the U.K. through joint production and technology transfers.
Interoperability and Security Cooperation: Enhances compatibility between the armed forces of both nations, addressing mutual security concerns.
Export Potential: Indian-manufactured ASRAAM missiles to be exported, positioning India as a global defence supplier.

Way Forward

Technology Transfer: Expanding defence technology exchange to boost indigenous capabilities.
Maritime and Air Defence Upgrades: Strengthening naval and aerospace systems through continued collaboration.
Policy Framework Support: Aligning agreements with India’s Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Federalism} SC’s Review of TN Governor’s Powers

Context (IE): SC is hearing Tamil Nadu’s petitions on Governor’s role in the legislative process, focusing on delays in granting assent to Bills and defining constitutional boundaries of the Governor’s powers.

Governor’s Role in Lawmaking

Apolitical Office: The Constitution envisions the Governor as a neutral authority.
Legislative Role (Article 168): The Governor is part of the state legislature but functions within a constitutional framework.
Bound by Advice: Under Article 163, the Governor must act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, except in specific cases.

Powers of the Governor under Article 200

Scenarios for Assent:
- Give assent: The Bill becomes law.
- Withhold assent: Sends the Bill back to the legislature for reconsideration.
- Reserve for President’s consideration: For matters requiring Union intervention.
Re-presentation of Bill: If the Assembly re-passes the Bill without changes, the Governor must give assent, except in cases where the Bill affects High Court powers, in which case it goes to the President.

Powers of the Governor under Article 201

It states that when a Bill is reserved for the president’s consideration, the President may approve of it or withhold assent.
The President may also direct the Governor to return the Bill to the House or Houses of the Legislature of the State for reconsideration.

TN Government-Governor Dispute

Allegations of Delay: Bills pending since January 2023; State moved SC arguing delays threaten democracy; SC observed that Governors are not elected representatives and should act promptly.
Recent Developments: TN Assembly re-enacted pending Bills; Governor sent two Bills to the President and withheld assent for others.

Key Issues Before the SC

Can the Governor withhold assent again? If a re-passed Bill is presented, does the Governor have the right to withhold it a second time?
Scope of Presidential Referral: Can any Bill be sent to the President, or only those in specific constitutional categories?
Validity of Pocket Veto: Does holding assent indefinitely have legal standing?
Time Frame for Assent: Should a clear timeline be imposed under Article 200?

Judicial Precedents on Governor’s Assent

Nabam Rebia Case (2016): The Governor cannot withhold assent indefinitely and must return the Bill with recommendations.
Punjab Governor Case (2023): SC ruled that “as soon as possible” in Article 200 means the Governor cannot keep Bills pending indefinitely.

Also refer to Governor’s Assent to State Laws

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} ASHA Workers: The Backbone of Rural Healthcare

Context (TH): ASHA workers, central to India’s healthcare system, demand fair compensation amid challenging working conditions.

ASHA Workers in India

Role & Function: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are community health workers under the National Health Mission (NHM), responsible for maternal-child healthcare, immunization, and health awareness at the grassroots level.
Healthcare Link Between Community and System: Facilitate access to maternal and child healthcare, immunisation, and sanitation awareness.
Coverage: Over 10 lakh ASHA workers operate across rural and urban areas, acting as a vital link between communities and the public healthcare system.
Incentives & Challenges: ASHAs receive performance-based incentives rather than fixed salaries, leading to demands for better pay, social security, and worker recognition.
Global Recognition: In 2022, ASHA workers were honored with the WHO Global Health Leaders Award for their contributions to public health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Selection and Training

Eligibility Criteria: Women aged 25-45, selected through a rigorous community-driven process.
Training Modules: Undergo structured training on maternal care, immunisation, sanitation, and primary healthcare services.

Societal Impact

Empowerment Through Work: ASHA work provides financial independence and dignity to women in abusive or restrictive households.
Social Bonding and Support: Workers form strong support systems, helping each other navigate personal hardships.

Challenges Faced by ASHA Workers

Low Salary and Incentives: Core salary as volunteers stands at ₹3,000, with performance-based incentives making up additional earnings.
Incremental Pay Raises: Increased periodically, reaching an average of ₹16,000 in 2024 after nationwide protests.
Job Recognition Issues: Expected to function as govt employees but officially treated as volunteers.
Harassment and Workplace Safety: Face street harassment while promoting sexual wellness and struggle with unsafe working conditions.

Reforms Needed

Fair Compensation: Shift from incentive-based earnings to a fixed monthly salary.
Employment Rights: Formal recognition as government employees with associated benefits.
Workplace Safety Measures: Stronger protections against harassment and unsafe working conditions.
Mental and Social Security: Provision of healthcare benefits and psychological support services.
Policy Revisions: Strengthen ASHA program with structured pay scales and formal employment status.
Govt Support: Enhance incentives and integrate ASHAs into state health insurance and pension schemes.
Public Awareness and Advocacy: Greater acknowledgment of ASHA workers’ contributions to rural healthcare.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project

Context (TP): National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has raised concerns about Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project submerging vital tiger habitats, disrupt ecological connectivity & endanger biodiversity.

Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project

Location and Purpose: It aims to construct two dams on the Morand and Ganjal rivers to improve irrigation in Hoshangabad, Betul, Harda, and Khandwa districts.
Land Diversion: The project proposes diverting 2,250.05 hectares of forest land, impacting local ecosystems and wildlife.
Impact on Local Communities: Numerous families, including 604 tribal families, will be displaced, with over seven lakh trees being marked for felling.

Concerns

Discrepancies in Afforestation Plan: The FAC flagged issues with the state’s compensatory afforestation plans, noting that some proposed areas are already forested or contain settlements and agricultural land.
Critical Tiger Habitat: The project site is part of a crucial tiger corridor connecting the Satpura and Melghat Tiger Reserves.
Threat to Tiger Populations: The dams could disrupt genetic exchange and population stability by blocking tiger movement, potentially reversing recovery efforts in the reserves.
Biodiversity Risks: The area also houses other endangered species, such as leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas, which face habitat loss.

NTCA’s Recommendations

Alternative Sites: The NTCA urges exploring alternative locations to reduce environmental damage and preserve ecological integrity.
Ecological Balance: The NTCA emphasizes balancing developmental needs with wildlife conservation, recommending less ecologically sensitive project sites.

Context (TH): The share of States in the divisible tax pool has been shrinking, impacted by rising cesses and surcharges, leading to an imbalance in fiscal devolution.

Cesses, Surcharges, and Their Impact on Tax Devolution

Current Status of Cesses and Surcharges

Share in Tax Collection: Of every ₹100 collected by the Union, ₹10-11 comes from cesses & surcharges.
Exclusion from Divisible Pool: Levies aren’t shared with States, reducing their overall tax devolution.
Recent Trends: In 2021-22, cesses and surcharges peaked at ₹13.5 per ₹100 of taxes, the highest in a decade, declining to ₹10.97 in the 2025-26 Budget Estimates.
CAG reports highlight that ₹2.19 lakh crore in cesses meant for reserve funds, including crude oil cess, were not properly transferred or utilized between FY20 and FY22.

Shrinking Divisible Pool

Declining Share: Since 2020-21, the divisible pool has remained below ₹90 per ₹100 collected, compared to ₹91-95 before the pandemic.
State Impact: The 15th Finance Commission set the States’ share at 41% for FY21-26, down from 42% in FY16-20, further reducing their fiscal resources.

Cost of Tax Collection

Collection Expenditure: The government incurs ₹1-2 per ₹100 in tax collection costs, adding to the reduction in the divisible pool available for States.

Declining Share for Southern States from FY02 to FY26

Kerala’s share fell from 3.08% in FY02 to 2.5% in FY17, expected to drop further to 1.9% in FY26.
TN’s share dropped from 5.46% in FY02 to 4.02% in FY17, expected to remain steady at 4.02% in FY26.
Karnataka’s share decreased from 4.98% in FY02 to 3.6% in FY26.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana’s share declined from 7.7% in FY02 to 6.1% in FY26.

Increase for Other States

Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat have seen an increase in their share of the divisible pool during the same period.

Share of Northern and Eastern States

States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar still receive large shares. Bihar is expected to receive 10.1% in FY26, while Uttar Pradesh is expected to receive 17.9%.

Finance Commission Recommendations and Implementation

Finance Commission Formula: The share of each State in the divisible pool is determined by factors such as income distance, population, demographic performance, and tax collection efficiency.
Discrepancies in Implementation: Despite the formula, States, particularly non-BJP ruled ones, feel the actual devolution falls short of recommendations & are demanding an increase in their share to 50%.
Political Bias Concerns: Some States argue that the formula is subject to political bias, leading to a reduction in their share despite progress in economic and social indicators.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Odisha’s First Captive Breeding of Sambar

Context (ToI): Odisha is set to launch its first captive breeding program for sambar at Satkosia Tiger Reserve to increase prey availability for predators like Royal Bengal Tigers and leopards.
This initiative aims to bolster prey density, a critical component for resuming the tiger translocation program that was halted in 2018 due to insufficient prey.

Sambar Deer

Native Range: Sambar is native to the Indian subcontinent, South China, and Southeast Asia.
Geographical Distribution: Found in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of China, including Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Habitat: Inhabits tropical & subtropical forests, montane grasslands, rainforests, often near water. Prefers dense vegetation such as deciduous shrubs and grasses
Altitude Range: Found up to 3,500 m (11,500 ft) in the Himalayan foothills and parts of Taiwan.
Behavior: Nocturnal or crepuscular, with males living solitarily and females in small herds.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable
Population Decline: Numbers have declined due to hunting, insurgency, and habitat destruction.
Significance: Sambar is a preferred prey for the Royal Bengal Tiger and leopards, both apex predators.

Satkosia Tiger Reserve

Satkosia Tiger Reserve = Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary + Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Tiger Reserve is located where Mahanadi River passes through a long gorge in the Eastern Ghats.
The area is also a part of the Mahanadi ER.
Vegetation: Moist deciduous forests and riverine forest.
Major Fauna: Leopard, indian wild dog (dhole), sloth bear, Asian elephant, Bengal tiger.

{Prelims – PIN World – Middle East} Netzarim Corridor

Context (ToI): Israel has initiated the withdrawal of troops from the Netzarim corridor in Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, marking a key step in the truce implementation.
Significance of the Troops Withdrawl: It allows Palestinians to move freely across the corridor to the north without Israeli inspections, a crucial aspect of the ceasefire terms.

Netzarim Corridor

It is a 7km east-west passage from the Israeli border south of Nahal Oz to the Mediterranean, holds strategic and military relevance, separating Gaza City from the rest of the Gaza Strip.
Strategic Location: The Netzarim corridor, which bisects northern and southern Gaza, has historically restricted Palestinian movement.