Current Affairs – March 01, 2025

{GS2 – IR – EU} India-Europe Strategic Partnership Amid Global Power Shifts

• Context (IE): European Commission President’s visit to India comes amid major global political shifts following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Significance of India-EU Relations

Economic and Trade Relations

• The EU is India’s second-largest trading partner after the U.S., accounting for 12.2% of India’s total trade in 2023.
• India is the EU’s 9^th largest trading partner: Bilateral goods trade growing by 90% over the last decade and services trade surging by 96% from 2020 to 2023.
• FDI from the EU supports India’s industrial growth, job creation, and technology transfer.
• Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks resumed in 2021 after a long deadlock, focusing on tariff reductions, investment protection, and market access.

Security and Defense Cooperation

• EU-India maritime cooperation includes deploying a liaison officer at India’s Information Fusion Centre in Gurugram.
• Exploring joint military exercises, defense technology collaboration & counterterrorism strategies.
• The ESIWA initiative strengthens EU security ties in Asia, including India, to protect key sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.
• Supports India’s Indo-Pacific strategy to counterbalance China’s growing influence.

Technology, Digital, and Infrastructure Cooperation

• India-EU Trade & Technology Council focuses on semiconductors, AI, clean energy, digital governance.
• India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) enhances trade routes, connectivity & energy security.
• Expanding EU-India cooperation in fintech and cross-border digital transactions.

Strategic Autonomy & Multi-Alignment

• India seeks to diversify its global partnerships amid potential US policy shifts toward Russia and China.
• The EU is a stable, predictable partner offering economic and technological collaboration without security dependencies.
• The EU’s strategic autonomy aligns with India’s multi-alignment approach in balancing global powers.

Global Governance & Geopolitical Realignments

• EU’s shift away from economic reliance on China aligns with India’s trade diversification strategy.
• Rising transatlantic tensions push the EU towards independent foreign policy engagements, increasing India’s diplomatic leverage.
• India and the EU support a rules-based global order in G20, WTO, and the UN Security Council.

Key India-EU Initiatives

Strategic Cooperation & Global Governance

• A Roadmap to 2025 strengthens ties in trade, investment, digitalization, climate action, and security.

Energy & Climate Action

• EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership promotes renewable energy, smart grids, and clean tech financing.
• EU-India Green Hydrogen Partnership supports India’s green energy transition with a €1 billion European Investment Bank (EIB) fund.
• SWITCH-Asia Programme advances sustainable consumption, waste management, and eco-friendly manufacturing.

Trade & Economic Cooperation

• EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) strengthens digital governance, supply chain diversification, and green tech partnerships.
• Global Green Bonds Initiative finances sustainable infrastructure and climate projects.

Sustainable Urbanization & Connectivity

• EU-India Connectivity Partnership enhances digital and physical infrastructure, logistics, and supply chain resilience.
• India-EU Urban Forum promotes best practices in sustainable urban development.

Social Development & Gender Equality

• WeEmpower India Initiative strengthens gender equality and women’s participation in clean energy and business.

Challenges in India-EU Relations

• Stalled FTA Negotiations: Disagreements over tariffs, market access, and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism hinder progress.
• Investment Barriers: Restrictive trade regulations and lack of policy predictability deter European investors.
• Data Privacy Regulations: EU’s strict data laws and lack of data adequacy status create hurdles for Indian digital exports.
• Foreign Policy Divergences: Differences over Russia sanctions and India’s multi-alignment strategy cause strategic misalignments.
• Limited Defense Cooperation: India’s strong ties with Russia & US limit European defense collaboration.
• Supply Chain Risks: Dependence on China & need for long-term investment slow diversification efforts.

Way Forward

• Fast-Track FTA & Resolve Trade Barriers: Address tariff disputes in key sectors and accelerate FTA negotiations for high-tech exports and supply chain resilience.
• Develop Alternative Supply Chains: Strengthen semiconductor and AI collaborations under TTC and expand IMEC for a China-independent trade corridor.
• Enhance Defense & Security Cooperation: Increase joint naval exercises, cyber defense collaboration, and intelligence sharing to align Indo-Pacific strategies.
• Establish a Data-Sharing Framework: Develop an EU-US-style Privacy Shield and strengthen cybersecurity laws for seamless cross-border data transfers.
• Boost Digital & Green Tech Partnerships: Collaborate in green hydrogen, EVs, and carbon-neutral technologies while aligning data protection policies with EU standards.
• Strengthen India’s Global Diplomatic Role: Act as a bridge in US-Europe tensions and expand influence in global governance institutions.

{GS2 – MoPSW – Initiative} Recent Maritime Initiatives *

• Context (PIB): Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has launched the “One Nation, One Port Process” (ONOP) & other initiatives to standardise and streamline operations across India’s major ports.

Key Initiatives Launched

• One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP): Standardises port operations by reducing inconsistencies in documentation and processes.
• Sagar Ankalan – Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI): A data-driven port performance benchmarking system under Sagar Aankalan, aligned with PM Gati Shakti & National Logistics Policy. Evaluates major and non-major ports using key indicators like cargo handling, turnaround time & berth idle time.
• Bharat Global Ports Consortium: Strengthens India’s maritime reach by integrating operations, finance and infrastructure development to enhance trade resilience and supply chain efficiency.
• MAITRI (Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface): Uses AI and Blockchain to streamline trade processes, expedite clearances, and operationalize the ‘Virtual Trade Corridor’ with UAE, BIMSTEC, and ASEAN nations while enhancing global connectivity under IMEEC.
• National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping Website: Gives best practices for sustainable maritime operations, focus on carbon footprint reduction, cleaner fuels & eco-friendly port management.
• Shipbuilding Sector Initiatives: Increased financial assistance for shipyards, Ship Breaking Credit Note Scheme, extended customs duty exemptions for 10 years, and tonnage tax extension for inland vessels to boost domestic manufacturing.
• Maritime Devpt Fund (₹25,000 Crore): Supports long-term financing, port modernization & private investment, recognising large ships as infrastructure to ease financing for shipbuilding and coastal trade.
• India Maritime Week (October 2025, Mumbai): A global maritime gathering featuring the 4^th Global Maritime India Summit & 2^nd edition of Sagarmanthan, with representation from 100 countries.

Significance

• Strengthens India’s position as a global maritime hub and its contribution to Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.
• Standardized Port Operations: Uniform documentation, customs & clearance processes across all ports.
• Green and Smart Port Infrastructure: Encourages low-carbon low-cost logistics, sustainable shipping, and modernized port facilities.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women } Proxy Leadership in PRIs **

• Context (IE): Male relatives often assume control over elected women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), undermining the purpose of women’s reservation.

Women’s Reservation in PRIs

• Constitutional Mandate: 73rd CAA (1992) established a three-tier panchayat system with 1/3rd reservation for women.
• Expansion of Quota: 21 States & 2 Union Territories have increased women’s reservation to nearly 50%.
• Current Representation: 46.6% of panchayat representatives are women, yet many act as figureheads due to proxy leadership.

Formation of Advisory Committee

• Mundona Rural Development Foundation vs UoI (2023): SC directed MoPR to form an advisory committee to examine proxy representation and suggest its elimination.
• Educational Qualification Proposal: A school-level education requirement was discussed, following Haryana’s Class 8 rule for women candidates, but was not included in the final recommendations.

Advisory Committee Recommendations

• Strict Penalties: Exemplary punitive actions for proven proxy leadership cases to deter male interference.
• Gender-Exclusive Quotas: Kerala-style women-only representation in key subject committees to ensure autonomy.
• Public Swearing-in: Mandatory oath-taking in Gram Sabhas to reinforce women leaders’ authority.
• Accountability Mechanisms: Helplines, watchdog committees & whistleblower rewards for reporting proxy leadership.
• Technological Solutions: AI-driven legal assistance, WhatsApp support groups, and the Panchayat Nirnay Portal for governance tracking.
• Peer Support & Recognition: Annual Anti-Proxy Leadership Awards and mentorship by women MLAs/MPs to encourage participation.
• Women’s Federation & Ombudspersons: Collective representation and dedicated officials for gender-specific governance issues.
• Leadership Training: Virtual reality governance simulations and collaborations with IIMs/IITs for capacity building.

Way Forward

• Implementing committee recommendations through legal and policy frameworks.
• Strengthening women’s leadership in PRIs to ensure genuine participation in governance.
• Enhancing public awareness and institutional mechanisms to prevent proxy leadership.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Incomplete Feminism in Movies

• Context (IE): The films Mrs. and The Great Indian Kitchen critique gender roles in Indian households but fail to address caste-based biases in domestic labour.

Gendered Division of Household Labour

• Household structures often rely on unpaid labor by women, which remains undervalued & unrecognised.
• Women’s work within homes is perceived as a duty, while men’s leisure is normalised, reinforcing systemic gender disparity.

Perception of Cooking and Cleaning

• Cooking as Care Work: Cooking is often seen as an act of love and service, but it becomes exploitative when it is expected rather than chosen.
• Cleaning as Degrading Work: Tasks like waste disposal, clogged sinks, and garbage management are viewed as menial, reflecting deep-seated caste biases.
• Implicit Bias in Household Tasks: The aversion to cleaning by privileged groups highlights the caste hierarchy where certain forms of labour are relegated to domestic workers.

Caste and Domestic Work

• Unequal Perception of Labor: While cooking is elevated as an essential skill, cleaning is considered degrading, reinforcing caste-based discrimination.
• Discomfort: The reluctance of privileged individuals to engage in cleaning stems from traditional anxieties about purity and pollution.
• Exploitation of Domestic Workers remains systemic, with their contributions often unprotected.

Limited Discussions over Vital Issues in the Movies

• Unseen Struggles: Domestic workers, especially women, continue labouring under difficult conditions, including menstruation, without adequate support.
• Limited Feminist Lens: Feminist discourse often highlights gender oppression but fails to address caste-based labour hierarchies comprehensively.
• Structural Barriers: While some discussions on untouchability emerge, they remain superficial and fail to critique the systemic nature of caste discrimination in labour.

Way Forward: Need for Intersectional Feminism

• Inclusive Feminism: Gender discourse must integrate caste and labour concerns for true inclusivity.
• Structural Change: A holistic approach should challenge both gendered and caste-based inequalities in household labour.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Climate Change and Algal Blooms **

• Context (DTE): A study warns that climate change is increasing algal bloom risks in the Thames River despite a 40-year decline in phosphorus levels.

Thames River

• Length: Longest river in England, second longest in the UK after the Severn.
• Drains into the North Sea.

Source: Britannica

Algal Blooms

• Algal Bloom: A rapid, excessive growth of algae in water bodies, forming dense surface patches due to nutrient overloading, where phytoplankton (algae & cyanobacteria) multiply uncontrollably & cover the water surface.
• Primary Causes: High nutrient levels (phosphorus, nitrogen), rising water temperatures, stagnant water conditions.

Types of Algal Blooms

• Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): Produces toxin harmful to humans, animals, and marine life.
• Green Algal Blooms: Formed by green algae, usually non-toxic but causes oxygen depletion.
• Non-Toxic Algal Blooms: Excessive algae growth without toxins but causes ecological harm.
• Cyanobacterial Blooms: Caused by cyanobacteria like Microcystis, produces liver and neurotoxins.
• Red Tide: Caused by Karenia brevis, produces neurotoxins affecting marine organisms and humans.
• Brown Algal Blooms: Dominated by diatoms or brown algae, impacts fisheries and water quality.
• Golden Algal Blooms: Releases fish-killing toxins in freshwater.
• Mahogany Tide: Leads to water discoloration & oxygen depletion.

Impact of Climate Change on Algal Bloom

• Rising Water Temperatures: Warmer waters increase algal bloom frequency and intensity.
• Oxygen Depletion: Algae decomposition reduces oxygen, suffocating aquatic life.
• Toxic Cyanobacteria Growth: Climate change favors harmful cyanobacteria, threatening biodiversity.
• Persistent Algal Growth: Despite phosphorus reduction, warming waters sustain algal blooms.
• Economic Impact: Algal blooms raise the cost of drinking water treatment, restrict recreational activities, and pose health risks from toxic cyanobacteria exposure.
• Long-Term Water Quality Decline: Historical studies show worsening river ecosystem challenges.

{GS3 – Envi – Issues} Impact of Ethanol on the Environment

• Context (TH): Concerns over ethanol factories in Andhra Pradesh continue due to water depletion and pollution from emissions.

What is Ethanol (C₂H₅OH)?

• Ethanol is 99.9% pure alcohol.
• It can be used as a biofuel.
• Promoted as a means to double farmers’ income.
• It is naturally produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts.
• It is also produced via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration.
• It is mostly extracted from molasses (byproduct from refining sugarcane) and is primarily produced from grains like broken rice and corn (surplus food grains).

Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme

• Launched in 2001 as a pilot project to reduce carbon emissions and oil imports.
• EBP was launched in January 2003. In 2006, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas directed the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to sell 5% EBP in 20 states and 4 UTs.
• The target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol advanced from 2030 to 2025.
• Highest production states: Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab.
• As of 2024, the blend percentage stands at 15%. India required 1,016 crore litres of ethanol to meet the 20% target by 2025-26.

Environmental Impact of Ethanol

Pollution from Ethanol Factories

• Depletion of water resources near ethanol plants.
• Ethanol factories fall under the ‘red category’ due to high pollution scores. They release hazardous chemicals like acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and acrolein.
• Many factories are near human settlements, increasing exposure to pollutants.

Air Pollution and Vehicle Emissions

• Ethanol-blended fuel reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 50% in two-wheelers and 30% in four-wheelers (NITI Aayog report).
• E20 fuel results in a 20% reduction in hydrocarbon emissions but negligible impact on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, a key air pollutant.
• The environmental cost of biofuel production may offset its emission benefits.

Water Consumption Concerns

• A grain-based ethanol factory requires 8-12 litres of water per litre of ethanol.
• Sugarcane, a major ethanol source, consumes 2,860 litres of water per tonne to produce 70 litres of ethanol.
• Factories near rivers like Krishna often over-extract groundwater, worsening local water scarcity.

Impact on Agriculture and Food Security

• Irrigation water shortages due to ethanol factories’ high water usage.
• Diverting land for ethanol production may reduce food and fodder availability.
• Nearly 10% of net sown area would need to be converted to sugarcane cultivation to meet the 20% blending target.
• Land allocation for biofuels could cause a rise in food crop prices and impact food security.

Way Forward

• Stricter pollution control norms for ethanol factories.
• Transparent environmental clearance process, including public hearings.
• Sustainable water management policies to prevent depletion.
• Balance between biofuel promotion and food security concerns.
• Investment in advanced pollution control technologies to mitigate harmful emissions.

{GS3 – Envi – Pollution} Impact of Coal Power on India’s Agriculture **

• Context (TH): A Stanford University study found that India could prevent huge losses by controlling nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions.

Key Findings of the Study

• NO₂ significantly reduces wheat and rice production.
• India could prevent crop losses worth $1 billion annually by controlling nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Major Sources of NO₂ Emissions

• Vehicle Exhaust: Diesel and petrol engines release nitrogen oxides, a major NO₂ source.
• Industrial Activities: Steel, cement, and chemical industries contribute significantly to NO₂ pollution.
• Biomass & Stubble Burning: Burning crop residue & firewood increases NO₂ levels, espl. in North India.
• Household & Commercial Activities: Use of coal and wood for cooking and heating releases NO₂.
• Coal-Based Power Plants: Burning coal releases NO₂, leading to poor air quality.

State-wise NO₂ Pollution Contribution from Coal Plants

Effects of NO₂ on Agriculture

• Reduced Photosynthesis: NO₂ disrupts carbon uptake, leading to poor crop health.
• Oxidative Damage: Weakens plant cells, reducing yield.
• Lower Sunlight Absorption: NO₂ forms particulate matter, blocking sunlight crucial for photosynthesis.
• Ozone Formation: NO₂ contributes to ground-level ozone, which is toxic to crops.

Economic Losses Due to NO₂ Pollution

• Monetized loss per gigawatt-hour (GWh) of electricity: Wheat: $17,370/GWh; Rice: $13,420/GWh.
• 20% of coal-fired power generation in the monsoon season caused 50% of total rice losses.
• 12% of total winter season power generation accounted for 50% of wheat losses.

Impact on Human Health & Environment

• Respiratory Diseases: NO₂ increases asthma, bronchitis, and lung diseases.
• Cardiovascular Issues: Long-term exposure leads to heart problems.
• Acid Rain Formation: NO₂ combines with water vapour to form nitric acid, damage water bodies & soil.
• Water & Biodiversity Damage: NO₂ pollution leads to ecosystem degradation.

Policy Interventions & Way Forward

• Retrofitting Coal Plants: Install NO₂ reduction technologies like Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).
• Stricter Emission Norms: Enforce compliance with pollution control regulations.
• Renewable Energy Expansion: Promote solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce coal dependency.
• Air Quality Monitoring: Increase satellite-based NO₂ tracking to regulate industrial emissions.
• Vehicle Emission Controls: Promote electric vehicles and enforce Bharat Stage VI norms.
• Public Awareness & Incentives: Encourage cleaner fuel adoption in industries and households.
• Phasing Out Old Power Plants: Shut down outdated and highly polluting coal power plants.

{GS3 – IE – Employment} Job Security & Employability for Indian Youth

• Context (IE): India’s demographic dividend (DD) faces a challenge as job insecurity rises, highlighted by recent layoffs by Infosys.

India’s Demographic Advantage and Employment Challenge

• Youth Population: India’s 26% population falls in the 10-24 age, offering a unique DD.
• Economic Survey (2023-24): India needs to generate 78.5 lakh non-farm jobs annually until 2030 to sustain economic growth.
• Viksit Bharat Vision: Achieving developed nation status by 2047 requires robust job creation and employability reforms.

Issues in Engineering Education and Employability

• Outdated Curricula: Mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering syllabi remain unchanged for decades, misaligning with industry needs.
• Gap Between Academia and Industry: Engineering graduates lack industry-relevant skills, leading to low retention rates in jobs.
• Skill Devpt as an Afterthought: Training often happens post-education, delaying workforce readiness.

Job Market Retention and Stability

• Twin Measures for Employability: Entry into the job market & job retention should be key parameters.
• Company Training Programs: Organizations should enhance employee retention through structured on-the-job training.
• Integrated Education-Skills Approach: Employability reforms must bridge departmental silos between education and industry.

Way Forward for Sustainable Employment

• Govt Interventions: Strengthen policies like Skill India Mission to align education with industrial needs.
• Industry-Academia Partnerships: Promote work-integrated learning models to enhance job readiness.
• Youth-Centric Employment Policies: Ensuring job security and career growth pathways to harness India’s demographic dividend.