Current Affairs – February 19, 2025

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Geomorphology} Delhi Earthquake 2025

• Context (IE | TH): A 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck Delhi-NCR, causing strong tremors.

Earthquake Waves

• Body Waves: P-waves (Primary Waves) are faster, travel through solids, liquids, and gases; S-waves (Secondary Waves) are slower, travel only through solids.
• Surface Waves: L-waves are the most destructive, traveling along the Earth’s surface.
• Hypocenter: The point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.
• Epicenter: The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the hypocenter.

Earthquake Zones (Seismic Zones) of India

• According to risk of earthquake, India is divided into four parts, zone-2, zone-3, zone-4 & zone 5.
• Of these, the least threatened is Zone 2 & the highest risked is Zone-5.
• North-East, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand & parts of Himachal Pradesh fall under Zone-5.
• Delhi falls in Zone-4, central India falls under relatively low danger zone of Zone-3, while most of the south falls in Zone-2 with limited danger, but it is a thicker classification.
• There are some areas in Delhi which can be as dangerous as Zone-5.
• Thus, there may be many places in the southern states which may be hazardous like zone-4 or zone-5.

Seismic Activity in Delhi

• Seismic Zone IV: Delhi is classified as a moderate to high-risk earthquake zone.
• Historical Earthquakes:
  • 2001: 5.4 magnitude earthquake.
  • 2007: 4.6 magnitude earthquake in Dhaula Kuan.
  • 2015: 3.3 magnitude earthquake.
  • Over 420 shallow earthquakes recorded in the region.

Why so many earthquakes in Delhi NCR Region?

• Studies have indicated that the Indian plate is still moving into the Asian plate at 5-6 cm per year.
• The consequences of this motion can be observed in the form of ongoing mountain formation.
• The crust has deformed under the Himalaya in such a way that there is a tremendous amount of strain.
• The strain will be able to release if rocks can find some room to shift, move around/even break apart. This slow release of tension is what Delhi’s seismic zone is experiencing in form of minor earthquakes.
• If the crust in this part can slowly release all its tension, there would not have to be a megaquake in the future since there is no accumulation of energy/strain.
• Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt: Geological formation with deformed rock layers from millions of years ago.
• Also, Delhi is closer to multiple active faults (Faults are the regions of seismic activities) such as: Delhi-Hardwar Ridge, Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault (MDF), Sohna Fault (SF) & Mathura Fault (MF).

Difference Between Delhi & Himalayan Earthquakes

• Delhi: Result of localized geological stress and hydro fracturing, not tectonic plate movement.
• Himalayan: Caused by subduction of the Indian plate under the Eurasian plate, leading to large quakes.

Key Facts About the Recent Delhi Earthquake 2025

• Shallow Earthquake: The earthquake originated within Delhi, at a shallow depth of 5 km, intensifying surface tremors.
• Seismic Zone Classification: Majority of Delhi falls in Zone 4 of India’s earthquake hazard map, indicating high seismic risk with MSK-8 intensity, with magnitude 4.0 causing tremors but no major damage.
• Hydro Fracturing: Identified as a key trigger due to underground water channels eroding rock formations, releasing seismic stress.

Shallow Earthquake Occurring at depths of 0-70 km below the Earth’s surface, they are generally more destructive than deeper ones because seismic waves lose less energy before reaching the surface. Comparison with Deeper Earthquakes: Intermediate earthquakes (70-300 km depth) and deep earthquakes (300-700 km depth) lose more energy before reaching the surface. Example: In Indonesia (Nov 2022), a 5.6 magnitude shallow earthquake caused over 160 deaths due to collapsed buildings and intense shaking.

Hydrofracturing, or fracking, is a technique used to extract oil and natural gas by injecting high-pressure fluid into rock formations to create fractures. It boosts energy production but raises environmental concerns like groundwater contamination and seismic activity.

Why Did the Delhi Earthquake Feel Stronger?

• Shallow Depth: Shorter wave travel distance led to stronger shaking.
• Proximity to Epicenter: Delhi’s dense population and infrastructure amplified tremors.
• Urban Infrastructure: High-rise buildings amplify seismic activity due to sensitivity to vertical shaking.
• Soil Composition: Soft alluvial soil increased seismic wave intensity.
• Booming Sounds: High-frequency vibrations caused rumbling noises, likely due to structural shaking rather than direct earthquake sounds.

{GS2 – IR – India-US} Global Trade, Trump and India’s Role

• Context (IE): The recent meeting between Indian PM and US President set ambitious targets for bilateral trade amid rising global uncertainties and disruptions in trade norms.

Mission 500 and Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)

• India and the US aim to achieve a $500 billion trade target by 2030 under “Mission 500“.
• Simultaneous multi-sectoral imports and exports covering goods and services trade between India and the US to enhance product diversity.
• Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) to be signed by Fall 2025 under the broader framework of COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology).

Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) vs. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) BTA is flexible, covering selective industries without mandating “substantially all trade” like an FTA. Focus on tariff reductions, easing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) & improving supply chain linkages. Simplified Rules of Origin (RoO) to facilitate preferential trading under WTO compliance.

Intra-Industry Trade Potential

• Balanced trade expansion to moderate trade deficits and increase economic interdependence.
• US Strengths: Plastics, base metals, precision instruments, and machinery.
• India’s Strengths: Vegetable products, processed foods, stone, plaster, and chemicals.

Trump’s Trade Policies and Challenges

• US moving away from MFN (Most-Favoured Nation), impacts global trade predictability & coherence.
• China challenges US tariffs at WTO, citing violation of GATT commitments.

Way Forward for India for a Stronger Trade Partnership

• Quick adaptation and innovation by Indian trade authorities to adjust to new frameworks.
• Leverage COMPACT to counter non-tariff barriers and enhance market access for Indian exports.
• Align with Global South countries to advocate for MFN principles and reciprocal tariffs.

{GS3 – IE – Banking} New India Cooperative Bank Fraud

• Context (IE | LM): A ₹122 crore fraud at New India Cooperative Bank, Mumbai, involved ex-GM Hitesh Mehta and others, embezzled over six years (2019-2025) has now prompted RBI restrictions.

Legal Provisions & Bank Regulations

• Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Invoked: Section 316(5) for Criminal breach of trust by public servants; Section 61(2) for Criminal conspiracy.

RBI Restrictions and Impact on Depositors

• Supervision: RBI imposed a 6-month restriction on the bank from February 2025.
• Prohibited Activities: New loans and advances are restricted, withdrawals restricted for six months; deposits can only be set off against loans.
• Administrator Appointment: RBI appointed an administrator to manage bank affairs.
• Withdrawal Restrictions: Limits imposed on savings and current account withdrawals.
• Deposit Insurance: Depositors insured up to ₹5 lakh under DICGC Act, 1961.

Also refer to Prompt Corrective Action by RBI

{GS3 – IE – Employment} Shifting Jobs and Challenges for Middle Class 2.0

• Context (IE): India’s workforce has evolved with economic liberalization, impacting public-private sector dynamics and reshaping the middle class.

Trends in Employment Shifts

Declining Public Sector Employment

• Public sector jobs fell from 194.7 lakh (1995) to 176.1 lakh (2012).
• Railways workforce declined from 16.5 lakh (1990-91) to 12.5 lakh (2023-24).
• Central PSUs employment dropped from 22.2 lakh (1990-91) to 8.1 lakh (2023-24).

Rise of Private Sector Employment

• Shift to Private Sector: Post-1991 reforms, employment moved from government-controlled to private-driven sectors, especially IT, banking, and financial services.
• IT Sector Growth: Major firms (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL) employ 15.34 lakh, exceeding Railways and Armed Forces.
• Banking Sector Shift: Private bank employees (8.74 lakh) outnumber public sector bank employees (<7.5 lakh) in 2023-24.

Agriculture to Services Shift

• Declining Agricultural Employment: Agriculture’s share in employment fell from 64% (1993-94) to 42.5% (2018-19), rising to 46.2% in 2023-24 due to reverse migration.
• Skipped Industrialization: India bypassed large-scale industrialization, prioritized service sector growth.
• Service Sector Expansion: Contributes 55-60% to GDP but generates fewer jobs, with a divide between high-paying IT/finance roles and low-wage gig economy jobs.

Informal & Gig Economy Growth

• Dominance of Informal Sector: Around 90% of India’s workforce is in informal jobs, mainly in construction, sanitation, retail, and security (PLFS 2023-24).
• Gig Economy Expansion: Uber (10 lakh drivers) and Zomato (4.8 lakh food deliverers) provide flexible but insecure jobs with limited upward mobility.

Changing Middle Class in India

• Middle Class: Socio-economic group between the working class and wealthy, engaged in white-collar jobs, skilled professions, and small businesses.
• Evolution of Middle Class:
  • Pre-Independence: Limited presence in colonial administration and trade.
  • Post-Independence (1947-1991): Expanded through government jobs and rural prosperity from the Green Revolution.
  • Post-Liberalization (1991-Present): Driven by private sector growth and urbanization, expanding from 50 million (2000) to 432 million (2021).

• Middle Class 2.0: Digital-savvy, consumer-driven, educated, relying on private sector and gig jobs, facing job insecurity, rising costs, and loan dependence.

Challenges for Middle Class 2.0

• Job Insecurity: Dependent on private sector, startups & gig economy jobs, vulnerable to layoffs.
• Rising Cost of Living: High expenses in education (private school fees), healthcare (70% out-of-pocket), and housing (unaffordable metro real estate).
• Lack of Social Security: High taxes without adequate social security benefits like pensions or unemployment support.
• Debt and Financial Stress: Household debt-to-GDP ratio at 37.6% (2023), with rising EMI burdens for education, housing, and cars.
• Automation and AI Concerns: Job losses in IT, retail, and banking due to automation, with limited reskilling opportunities for older workers.

Key Growth Factors for Middle Class 2.0

• Economic Liberalization: Post-1991 reforms boosted IT, banking, telecom, and services, expanding jobs (IT sector alone employs 15.34 lakh).
• Urbanization & Infrastructure Development: Growth in metro and Tier-2/3 cities (eg- Pune, Ahmedabad); urban population projected to reach 40% by 2030.
• Rising Incomes & Consumption: Higher disposable income drives demand for real estate, automobiles, luxury goods, and digital services.
• Digital Economy & Financial Inclusion: IT, e-commerce, and telecom create jobs; UPI and digital banking expand financial access to over 1 billion users.
• Government Support: PLI, Make in India and PMEGP drive employment, industrial growth, and healthcare access.

Government Schemes for Employment & Support

• PM’s Employment Generation Program: Provides credit-linked subsidies for micro-enterprises and self-employment.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana: Assists employers creating or restoring jobs lost due to COVID-19.
• Skill India Mission (PMKVY): Focuses on skilling youth to improve employability through vocational training and entrepreneurship.

Way Forward for Middle Class 2.0

• Tax Relief & Social Security: Introduce tax relief for middle-income groups and establish universal health and pension systems.
• Skilling for the Digital Economy: Enhance programs for upskilling in tech, AI, and data science to align with future job market demands.
• Affordable Housing & Urban Infrastructure: Invest in affordable housing and urban public transport to address rising living costs.
• Support for Entrepreneurs & Gig Workers: Provide incentives, low-interest loans, and social security benefits to foster entrepreneurship and gig economy workers.
• Strengthen Public Services: Improve public education and healthcare systems, expanding the reach of Ayushman Bharat for middle-class families.

{GS3 – S&T – Nuclear Energy} The Future of Nuclear Fusion

• Context (TH): China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) set a new world record by sustaining a plasma at 100 million degrees Celsius for 1,066 seconds.

Nuclear Fusion

• Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. This process is what powers the sun and other stars.
• Nuclear bomb using fusion are referred to as thermonuclear bombs or hydrogen bombs.
• For fusion bombs, two extremely rare isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium, are used.
• The hydrogen isotopes are fused together under extremely high temperatures (millions of degrees Celsius) and pressure for the nuclear explosion to occur. (A fission trigger might be required)
• Nuclear Fusion vs. Fission: Fusion occurs when atomic nuclei combine, releasing immense energy, unlike fission, which splits nuclei and generates radioactive waste.
• Energy Potential: Deuterium-tritium fusion releases 17.6 MeV of energy, making it a promising solution for sustainable power generation.

Key Challenges in Achieving Fusion

• Tritium Scarcity: While deuterium is abundant in seawater, tritium is rare and mainly produced in fission reactors in Canada, India, and South Korea.
• Extreme Temperatures: Nuclei must overcome repulsion forces to fuse, requiring temperatures far beyond those found in the sun’s core (100 million °C).
• Magnetic Confinement Issues: Fusion reactors use strong magnetic fields to confine plasma, preventing heat loss and reactor damage.
• Energy Input vs. Output: Achieving a net positive energy gain is critical, as fusion reactions need more energy input than produced for them to be viable.

EAST’s Role in Fusion Research

• World Record Achievements: EAST sustained plasma for 403 seconds in 2023 and extended it to 1,066 seconds in 2025 by doubling thermal power.
• Superconducting Tokamak: Uses toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields to stabilize plasma, making it the only tokamak with this dual capability.
• Experimental Nature: EAST is not designed to generate electricity but serves as a testbed for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and future fusion reactors.

Other Fusion Projects

• HL-2M Tokamak: Largest and most advanced fusion device in China, operational since 2020.
• J-TEXT Tokamak: Another key fusion project in China contributing to its fusion research.
• ITER Project: A collaborative effort in France involving over 30 countries; expected to begin deuterium-tritium fusion reactions by 2039, providing a pathway for future electricity generation through fusion.

Fusion Methods

• Tokamak-Based Fusion (ITER): A multinational project aiming to create a self-sustaining fusion reaction but facing delays and high costs (~€18 billion).

Alternative Fusion Methods

• Stellarators: More complex reactor designs that eliminate the need for induced plasma currents, reducing instability risks.
• Laser-Driven Fusion (NIF, USA): Uses high-powered lasers to compress deuterium-tritium pellets, achieving ignition in 2022.
• Private Sector Involvement: Emerging startups are exploring alternative fusion techniques with potential breakthroughs in efficiency.

Future of Fusion Energy

• Commercial Viability: ITER’s projected operational timeline extends to 2033, but new advancements in EAST and laser-driven methods may accelerate progress.
• Global Collaboration: Countries including India, the US, and the EU are investing in fusion research to achieve sustainable, clean energy.
• Technological Race: EAST’s steady progress keeps tokamaks relevant while alternative methods gain momentum.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} Bacterial Cellulose

• Context (IE): Research shows the potential of bacterial cellulose as an effective plant wound dressing.

Key Findings

• Application of bacterial cellulose patches resulted in over 80% wound healing in plants within a week, compared to less than 20% in untreated wounds.
• Enhanced vegetative propagation, with treated cuttings developing roots and leaves more rapidly.

About Bacterial Cellulose

• Definition: A highly pure form of cellulose synthesized by bacteria, notably Gluconacetobacter xylinus.
• Characteristics: Free from lignin & hemicellulose, high moisture retention, durability & biodegradability.
• Production: Bacteria synthesize cellulose through oxidative fermentation in various media, including agricultural waste substrates.

Potential Applications

• Grafting Aid: Facilitates the union of plant tissues during grafting procedures.
• Preservation Medium: Maintains viability of cut plant materials by providing a moist environment.
• Laboratory Use: Serves as a growth medium for plant tissue cultures due to its purity and structural properties.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} Lake Victoria’s Cyanobacterial Bloom

• Context (DTE): Lake Victoria is experiencing harmful cyanobacterial blooms, posing significant environmental and public health challenges.

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs)

• CyanoHABs are overgrowths of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, in water bodies.
• Causes: Triggered by warm temperatures, sunlight, and nutrient-rich waters from sources like fertilizers, manure, and sewage.
• Appearance: Often manifest as green scums on the water’s surface, resembling pea soup or spilled paint.

Impacts on Health and Ecosystems

• Toxin Production: Certain cyanobacteria produce toxins (cyanotoxins) harmful to humans, livestock, pets, and aquatic life.
• Health Risks: Exposure can lead to skin irritation, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal illnesses.
• Environmental Effects: Blooms deplete O₂ in water, causing fish kills & disrupting aquatic ecosystems.

Tech Advancements in Monitoring

• Genomic Sequencing: Modern techniques allow for precise identification of toxic cyanobacteria strains, enhancing monitoring and management efforts.
• Satellite Surveillance: Remote sensing technologies facilitate the detection and tracking of CyanoHABs over large water bodies.

Lake Victoria

• Location: Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest lake by area, the world’s largest tropical lake, and the world’s second largest freshwater lake by surface area after Lake Superior in North America.
• Bordering Countries: Kenya (6%), Uganda (43%), and Tanzania (51%).
• Lake Victoria touches the Equator on its northern side.
• Local Names: Victoria Nyanza (Kenya), Nalubaale (Uganda), Ukerewe (Tanzania).
• It is the source of White Nile, which flows north to join Blue Nile in Sudan, forming the Nile River.
• It supports the world’s largest freshwater fishery, producing 1 million tons of fish annually and providing livelihoods to 4 million people.

Problem of CyanoHABs in Lake Victoria

• Nutrient Influx: Increased nutrient levels from agriculture, industry, and urbanization have led to frequent CyanoHABs, especially in Kenya’s Winam Gulf.
• Dominant Cyanobacteria: Dolichospermum is most abundant during major blooms, while Microcystis produces the liver-damaging microcystin toxin.