Current Affairs – February 25, 2025

{GS1 – MH – Events} Battle of Karnal *

• Context (IE): Battle of Karnal fought on February 24, 1739 between Nadir shah and Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah also known as ‘Rangila’ and marked the sharp decline of the Mughal Empire.

Background

• In the early 18^th century, the Mughal Empire was weakening due to internal strife, administrative inefficiencies, and regional rebellions.
• Sensing this vulnerability, Nadir Shah, the founder of the Afsharid dynasty in Persia, launched an invasion to expand his control and plunder India’s wealth.
• After successfully invading Afghanistan in 1738, he advanced into the Mughal Empire.

The Battle

• On February 24, 1739, two armies clashed in Karnal (in present-day Haryana).
• Employing superior tactics, mobility, and intelligence, Nadir Shah’s forces decimated the Mughal army in a matter of hours. He subsequently captured and sacked Delhi, the Mughal capital.
• While Nadir Shah spared Rangila’s life and even restored most of his territory, he left behind a permanently enfeebled Mughal Empire.

Reasons for Mughal Defeat and decline

• Leadership Vacuum: The death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 left a leadership vacuum, leading to a series of weak successors and a fragmented central authority.
• Poor Strategy: The Mughal army relied on outdated warfare tactics, while Nadir Shah employed superior battlefield strategies.
• Internal Divisions: Rivalries among Mughal nobles weakened coordination and decision-making.
• Inferior Military Tactics: The Mughals had a disorganised cavalry and ineffective artillery compared to Nadir Shah’s disciplined forces.disorganised

Impact of the Battle of Karnal

• Decline of the Mughal Empire: The defeat exposed the fragility of the Mughal administration and military, accelerating the empire’s fragmentation and decline.

• Economic Devastation: The massive looting led to an economic downturn, depleting the empire’s wealth and destabilising its economy.
  • Nadir Shah emptied the royal treasury, taking home the fabled Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond embedded in it.

• Power Vacuum: The weakened Mughal authority paved the way for regional powers like the Marathas, Rajputs, and later the British to expand their influence.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Impact of Trump’s Aid Suspension on Nepal

• Context (IE | IE): US President Donald Trump suspended funding, halting key projects in Nepal, triggering political unrest and economic concerns.

US Aid Suspension

• Cancelled Funding: $39 million USAID support for fiscal federalism and biodiversity conservation.
• MCC Grant Paused: $550 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant suspended for 90 days. Nepal had already spent $190M on project preparations.
• 7+ Projects Affected: US-funded projects in education, health, agriculture & statistics halted for 90 days.

Reasons for Aid Suspension

• Foreign Policy Shift: Trump’s pause on US foreign aid aims to reassess consistency with US interests, affecting Nepal’s development projects.
• Corruption Allegations: US aid linked to corruption in Nepal’s constitution drafting and development projects, leading to demands for high-level probes.
• Strings Attached to Aid: Concerns over US influence on Nepal’s policies, including accusations of funding to promote “atheism.”

Way Forward for Nepal

• Seeking Alternative Funding: Exploring regional partnerships and private sector investments.
• Strengthening Governance: Addressing corruption and improving financial transparency.
• Diplomatic Engagement: Negotiate with US for aid resumption and diversify foreign funding sources.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} The New Age of Imperialism: Global Power Shifts

• Context (TH): The post-WWII rules-based international order is weakening as the US shifts away from its foundational principles, especially under the second Trump presidency.

Historical Foundations of the World Order

• Formation (1941-1945): The US, U.K., Soviet Union, and China conceptualised a system of collective security known as the “Four Policemen.”
• Yalta Conference (1945): France was added; spheres of influence were accepted (e.g., Soviet control over Eastern Europe).
• Post-war Stability: Institutions like the UN and Bretton Woods fostered predictable international relations and restrained unchecked aggression.

Emerging World Order: Might Over Right

• Multilateralism Weakens: Global cooperation gives way to competitive power struggles.
• Rise of Coercion and Expansionism: Nations prioritise territorial ambitions and economic self-interest over collective governance.

Trump’s Disruption of Global Norms

• Withdrawal from Agreements: Exited the Paris Agreement, WHO, and reconsidered US participation in global treaties.
• Economic Disruptions: Imposed unilateral tariffs, destabilising global trade norms.
• Nationalist Policy: Shifted US focus toward hemispheric dominance, going away from global leadership.

US-Russia Rapprochement and the Ukraine Crisis

• Peace Talks Without Ukraine: Trump bypassed Kyiv in negotiations, calling Zelenskyy a dictator.
• Concessions to Russia: Agreed to Russian demands, barring NATO troops from Ukraine, weakening European security.

Resurgence of Spheres of Influence

• US Strategy Shift: Focuses on the Western Hemisphere and West Asia, reducing its global footprint.
• Russia’s Expansionist Goals: Gains a freer hand in Europe, seeking to reclaim imperial-era territories.
• China’s Strategic Moves: With US presence declining in East Asia, China may act on its Taiwan claims.

Implications for India and the Region

• Security Concerns: China’s historical border claims, including the McMahone Line dispute, pose challenges for India.
• Regional Realignment: India must navigate an increasingly uncertain global landscape with shifting power dynamics.

Also refer to Trump’s Shift in Global Power Dynamics

{GS2 – MoIB – Initiatives} Bharat Tech Triumph Program (TTP) *

• Context (PIB): Bharat Tech Triumph Program launched to showcase India’s gaming talent globally.

• Ministry of Information & Broadcasting initiative to promote India’s gaming industry by identifying talent globally & supporting innovation in gaming, animation & immersive technologies.
• Fully sponsored opportunity to present at GDC 2025 in San Francisco and WAVES 2025 in India.
• Provides global exposure to Indian game developers, startups, and tech companies and enables them to develop world-class games under the ‘Create in India’ initiative.
• Strengthens India’s gaming ecosystem by bridging the gap between local innovation and global opportunities, fostering a Made in India gaming industry.

{GS2 – Polity – Inter-State Disputes} Maharashtra-Karnataka Border Dispute

• Context (IE): The Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute has resurfaced after linguistic tensions in Belagavi, reigniting legal and political battles over territorial claims.

Origins of the Dispute

• State Reorganisation Act, 1956: The Act reorganised Indian states on linguistic lines, leading to disputes over Marathi-speaking regions in Karnataka.
• Formation of Karnataka: Mysore state was renamed Karnataka in 1956, triggering Maharashtra’s claim over Belagavi and other border areas.
• Maharashtra’s Claim: Maharashtra asserts that 865 villages, including Belagavi, Nipani, and Karwar, should be part of its territory due to linguistic and cultural affiliations.

Mahajan Commission (1966)

• Headed by Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan, it was formed to resolve the dispute.
• Recommendations: 247 villages from Maharashtra to be transferred to Karnataka; 264 villages from Karnataka, including Nippani and Khanapur, to be given to Maharashtra.
• Maharashtra’s Rejection: It dismissed the report, arguing it favoured Karnataka and overlooked Marathi-speaking populations.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Diseases} Bell’s Palsy

• Context (TH): Maharashtra’s state Minister suffering from Bell’s Palsy.

• Bell’s Palsy is a condition that causes weakness or temporary paralysis of the facial muscles.
• It is caused by inflammation or irritation of the facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, which controls the movement of muscles in the face.

Why does it occur?

• Often linked to viral infections, but in most cases, the exact cause remains unknown (idiopathic), hence also called Idiopathic Peripheral Facial Palsy.
• Bell’s Palsy can affect anyone, at any age, but is more common in adults.

Symptoms

• Facial drooping, difficulty in making facial expressions, drooling, difficulty in closing the eyelid, facial pain, trouble smiling, problems with taste and eating/drinking.
• Symptoms appear suddenly, usually affecting one side of the face.

Diagnosis & Treatment

• In most people symptoms of Bell’s Palsy usually start to improve within a few weeks and eventually go away completely. Most cases do not need treatment.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Diseases} Spinal Muscular Atrophy

• Context (IE): Doctors treated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) for the first time within the womb. For the treatment, scientists used an oral drug called Risdiplam.

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic condition affecting motor neurons that control movement and leads to progressive muscle weakening.
• Cause: Mutations in the survival motor neuron gene (SMN1) which causes a deficiency of a protein crucial for the survival of motor neurons in the spinal cord.
  • This prevents muscles from receiving signals from the brain, causing them to waste away.
• Prevalence: About 1 in every 10,000 births.
• Severity: The most severe form, SMA Type 1, causes rapid motor decline, with affected infants typically surviving only 2 to 3 years without treatment.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Issues} Black Plastic *

• Context (IE): A study reveals Black plastic household products such as kitchen utensils and takeaway containers contain unregulated amounts of toxic chemicals that pose serious risks to human health.

What is Black Plastic?

• Black plastic is often made from recycled electronic waste such as computers, TVs, and appliances.
• These electronics typically contain substances such as flame retardant bromine, antimony and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury.

What the Studies Say about Black Plastic

• Study finds that products made from Black Plastic contain a flame-retardant chemical called decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) that has been linked to potential human health risks.
• It may leach potentially harmful chemicals or microplastics (tiny plastic particles) into food, especially if it comes into contact with heat from cooking.
• A study in 2024 found that high levels of cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting flame retardant chemicals in a variety of household products made with black plastics.
• Even at very low levels, toxic chemicals in black plastic can cause serious reproductive and developmental problems, poisoning the brain and kidneys, disrupting human thyroid function etc.

Challenges with Black Plastic

• Recycling Issues: Most recycling facilities use infrared sensors to sort plastics, but black plastic absorbs infrared light, making it difficult to detect and recycle.
• Environmental Concerns: Since it is hard to recycle, black plastic often ends up in landfills or oceans, contributing to plastic pollution.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} Advancements in Vaccine Technology

• Context (TH): India’s significant strides in vaccine development have positioned it as a global leader in combating infectious diseases.

Evolution of Vaccine Development

• Traditional Vaccines: Utilized attenuated (weakened) or inactivated (killed) pathogens to stimulate immune responses.
• Recombinant DNA (rDNA) Technology: Introduced genetic engineering to produce antigens without live pathogens, leading to vaccines like the Hepatitis B vaccine.
• mRNA Vaccines: Employ synthetic messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce specific viral proteins, triggering immunity.

India’s Indigenous Vaccine Initiatives

• Mission COVID Suraksha: Launched by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to support the development of indigenous COVID-19 vaccines.
• Notable Vaccines Developed:
  • ZyCoV-D: World’s first DNA-based vaccine developed by Zydus Cadila.
  • CORBEVAX: India’s first protein subunit vaccine for COVID-19.
  • GEMCOVAC-19: Indigenously developed mRNA vaccine by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals.
  • iNCOVACC: World’s first intranasal COVID-19 vaccine.

Technological Innovations and Infrastructure

• eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network): A system that digitizes vaccine stocks and monitors cold chain temperatures via a smartphone application, enhancing vaccine distribution efficiency.
• Cold Chain Infrastructure: India’s existing 2-8°C cold chain facilities are leveraged for vaccine deployment, ensuring stability and efficacy.

Also refer to How do the vaccines work?

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – PwDs} Addressing Systemic Ableism in India **

• Context (IE): SC criticised the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) ableist eligibility criteria for MBBS admissions, highlighting the deep-rooted discrimination against persons with disabilities.

Ableism

• Ableism refers to discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities based on the assumption that able-bodied individuals are superior.
• It leads to systemic exclusion, lack of accessibility, and policies that fail to accommodate diverse abilities.

Challenges in Disability Certification

• Inconsistent Documentation: Different branches of the government require various disability certificates (Disability Certificate, Unique Disability ID, Divyangjan Card), causing confusion.
• Arbitrary Disability Percentages: Below 40% disability—Not eligible for benefits; Above 80% disability– Deemed too disabled, leading to withdrawal of some rights.

• Bureaucratic Barriers: Even with certification, applicants face multiple assessments for jobs or education, often leading to rejection due to rigid policies.

SC’s Stand on Medical Education

• MBBS Eligibility Criteria: NMC required both hands to be “intact” for admission, a rule criticised as arbitrary and exclusionary.
• Past Issues with NMC: The Commission has previously issued transphobic and ableist guidelines, showing a consistent lack of inclusivity.
• SC Intervention: Rejected the assumption that disability prevents one from being a doctor, stressing that functional abilities should be assessed instead of appearance-based norms.

Systemic Discrimination in Society

• Job Market Exclusion: Some disabilities are arbitrarily excluded from employment opportunities without valid justification.
• Health Insurance Denial: Insurance firms reject claims citing “pre-existing conditions,” depriving disabled individuals of financial security.
• Fake Disability Certificate Allegations: Public discourse often questions the legitimacy of disability certificates rather than addressing real accessibility issues.

Everyday Struggles of Disabled Individuals

• Lack of Accessibility: Public places often lack ramps, sign language interpreters and assistive facilities.
• Social Exclusion: Disabled individuals face constant stigma, being seen as “less capable” or a burden.
• Loss of Dignity and Opportunities: Even those who do not qualify as “disabled enough” for government benefits still endure discrimination and exclusion.

Medical vs. Social Model of Disability

• Medical Model: Views disability as a defect needing medical intervention, leading to prescriptive policies.
• Social Model: Recognizes disability as a societal issue where barriers exist due to inaccessible infrastructure and discriminatory attitudes.

Way Forward

• Policy Overhaul: Broaden the understanding of disability beyond medical definitions and implement inclusive policies.
• Legal Reforms: Uniformity in disability certification, prevent arbitrary exclusion from jobs & education.
• Awareness: Foster empathy and inclusivity to dismantle societal prejudices against disabled individuals.
• Accessibility: Enforce disability-friendly infrastructure in workplaces, public transport, and institutions.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} India’s First Wildlife Biobank *

• Context (IE): The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Darjeeling Zoo) now hosts India’s first biobank, set up in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).

Biobank

• A biobank is a repository that collects, stores, and manages biological samples (blood, cell, tissues, DNA, and reproductive samples (gametes) etc.) for research and medical purposes.
• Used in genomic research, drug development, disease studies, and personalised medicine.
• Cryogenic Storage: Preserved at -196°C in liquid nitrogen, ensuring long-term storage for 40-45 years.

Biobank at Darjeeling Zoo

• Purpose: To support conservation breeding, genetic research, and future species restoration efforts.
• Target Species: Endangered species like red pandas, snow leopards, and Himalayan wolves.

• Global References: Species like the American black-footed ferret and northern one-horned rhino have been revived using similar techniques worldwide.

{GS3 – Envi – Species} Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater

• Context (TH): First breeding site of Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater in Peninsular India was discovered in Kanniyakumari, marking its southernmost breeding range, thus shifting its status from seasonal migrant to year-round resident in Tamil Nadu.

• Habitat: Prefers open areas, semi-desert regions, and sparse woodlands found across Northern Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and India, with occasional sightings in Italy and Greece.
• Diet: Feeds primarily on insects, especially dragonflies, and builds nests in sandy banks, embankments, low cliffs, and dunes.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: LC
• Forms small, loose colonies but can nest solitarily, sometimes sharing sites with European Bee-Eaters.

Source: IUCN

{GS3 – IE – Employment} India’s Skilled Workforce and Global Talent Shortage

• Context (TH): The FICCI-KPMG study, ‘Global Mobility of Indian Workforce’, highlights India’s opportunity to position its skilled workforce globally and meet rising sectoral demands.

Key Findings

• Skilled Workers Shortage: By 2030, the demand for skilled workers will exceed supply, leading to a talent shortage of over 85.2 million people.
• Economic Loss Due to global skills shortage: $8.45 trillion unrealised annual revenue by 2030.

Key Global Regions and Demand for skill

• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Manufacturing, construction, and healthcare workers.
• Europe (including the UK): Focus on service-sector professionals due to an ageing population.
• Australia: Demand for skilled professionals in services, construction, and healthcare.
• Emerging Sectors: Automation, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, predictive analytics, IoT, and blockchain are also witnessing a rising need for specialised talent.

India’s Competitive Advantage in the Global Market

• India’s Youthful Workforce: With over 1.4 billion people and 65% in the working-age group (15–64 years), it offers immense potential for the global labour market.
• No Hostility: Unlike others, India does not face significant hostility in global labour markets, even in countries with growing anti-immigration sentiment.

Global Labour Market

• Ageing Population: By 2030 elderly populations (65 and older) in high-income countries will grow by over 100 million.
• Declining Workforce: By 2050, the working-age populations in high-income countries will have shrunk by more than 92 million.

Challenges for Indian Workforce

• Regulatory and Immigration Barriers: Complex visa processes and strict work permit regulations.
• Recruitment Malpractices and Trafficking: Poses serious risks to migrant workers.
• Skill Mismatches and Policy Barriers: Many Indian qualifications are not recognised globally.
• Language and Cultural Barriers: Language and cultural adaptation affect workforce integration.

Government Initiatives to Address Workforce Challenges

• Bilateral Agreements & Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Agreements with GCC nations and the India-UAE Vision emphasise skill cooperation and worker protection.
• Skill Development Programs: Training initiatives align Indian workers’ skills with global market demands. Examples include the Skill India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, etc.
• Digital Platforms: Online recruitment systems ensure legal protections, especially in GCC countries.

Strategies to Leverage the Global Demand for Skilled Labor

• Sector-Specific Skill Training: Align workforce training with global sectoral demands.
• Regulation of Recruitment Practices: Strengthen oversight to curb worker exploitation and trafficking.
• Recognition of Qualifications: Promote international collaborations for mutual recognition of academic and professional credentials.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage private sector involvement in global employment facilitation.
• Circular Migration and Mobility: Implement temporary work visas and rotational workforce models to address labour shortages without demographic imbalance.
• Curbing Illegal Migration: India can emerge as a trusted supplier of skilled labour.

{GS3 – IE – Securities} Restricted Return InvITs: SEBI’s Proposed Framework

• Context (TH): SEBI has proposed a framework for Restricted Return InvITs (infrastructure investment trusts) to provide fixed returns to investors while capping the upside and protecting the downside.

Need for the Proposed Framework

• Current Regulations Issue: Existing InvITs must distribute all gains to unitholders, but SEBI found cases where special purpose vehicles (SPVs) structured returns through private agreements.
• Regulatory Concern: Some InvITs managed returns by restricting the upside or ensuring a minimum return, creating structured transactions outside regulatory oversight.

Restricted Return InvITs

• New class of InvITs where sponsors offer investors fixed returns while taking excess returns themselves. If returns fall below a certain threshold, the sponsor must compensate the shortfall with its own funds.

Investment Structure

• Sophisticated Investors Only: The framework is designed for institutional investors such as sovereign funds and global financial institutions.
• Investment Requirement: Minimum asset value of InvIT- ₹50,000 crore; Min. investment lot- ₹500 crore.
• Customized Arrangements: Sponsors & investors can negotiate flexible structures tailored to needs.

Challenges in the Current Regime Addressed

• Introduction of Senior Units: The new framework allows both senior and junior units, unlike the current regulation, which only permits junior units for sponsors.
• Utilization of Excess Returns: Sponsors can either reinvest surplus returns into the InvIT or use them to compensate unitholders during shortfalls.
• Enhanced Confidence: Investors get predefined returns without exposure to a fluctuating market.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Majorana 1: Quantum Computing Breakthrough *

• Context (TH): Microsoft has unveiled Majorana 1, a quantum chip designed to make quantum computing more stable and reliable by leveraging a new state of matter.

Qubits

• Qubit is short for quantum bit, the fundamental unit of quantum computation.
• Superposition: Qubits can exist in states 0, 1, or both simultaneously, unlike classical bits.
• Entanglement: Qubits can be linked across distances, enabling parallel computations.
• Challenge: Qubits are highly fragile and prone to errors due to environmental disturbances.

About Majorana 1

• Purpose: To create less error-prone qubits for practical quantum computing.
• Key Feature: Uses topological superconductors (materials engineered to host Majorana fermions) to enhance qubit stability.
• Material Used: Indium arsenide and aluminium, forming the world’s first topoconductor.

What Makes Majorana 1 Different?

• Uses Majorana fermions (a particle that is its own antiparticle, making it unique in quantum physics), exotic particles theorised by Ettore Majorana in 1937.
• Majorana fermion in topological superconductor provides protection against noise & decoherence.
• If successful, topological qubits can be more reliable than conventional quantum computing methods.

Potential Impact of Majorana 1

• Scalability: Could enable millions of qubits, making quantum computing practical at a large scale.
• Computing: Solving problems beyond classical supercomputers’ capability.
• Medicine: Designing better drugs and materials.
• Environment: Developing self-repairing materials and pollution-reduction techniques.