Current Affairs – March 08, 2025

{GS2 – IR – India-Europe} India-Belgium Defence Cooperation

• Context (TH | ET): Belgium seeks enhanced defence collaboration with India amidst shifting global security dynamics.

Key Developments in India-Belgium Defence Cooperation

• Appointment of Defence Attache: Belgium to appoint a Defence Attache (a military representative posted at an embassy to strengthen defence ties) in India.
• Light Tank Development (Zorawar Project): Collaboration on gun turrets for high-altitude light tanks.
• Framework for Defence Engagement: Joint exercises, training programs, and maritime security cooperation formalised. Belgium will supply 70mm rocket systems for Indian Army helicopters.
• Naval Collaboration: A Belgian naval frigate visit is planned with reciprocal visits by Indian naval ships to strengthen maritime ties.
• Diamond Trade Cooperation: Belgium proposed designating India as a certification ‘node’ to address concerns over G-7 sanctions impacting the Antwerp-Surat diamond trade.
• India-EU Defence Partnership: India engaging with EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework; discussions on a Security of Information Agreement (SoIA) for classified data exchange.

Belgium

• Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea.
• It shares borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
• Divided into Three Regions: Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Barriers to Women’s Leadership in PRIs

• Context (IE): A Min. of Panchayati Raj panel identified barriers for elected women representatives (EWRs).

Key Challenges Cited

• Sarpanch Pati Syndrome: Male relatives, especially husbands, act as de facto decision-makers, reducing women to figureheads. Prevalent in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
• Bureaucratic and Peer Discrimination: Officials and male representatives bypass women in decision-making, preferring to interact with male counterparts.
• Patriarchal Social Norms: Traditional mindsets restrict women from speaking in public meetings, enforcing purdah practices, and limiting their leadership roles.
• Political Pressure and Threats: Women leaders face coercion, intimidation, and no-confidence motions from political opponents and dominant groups to remove them.
• Socio-Economic Disadvantages: Women from marginalised communities face additional challenges, balancing public duties with domestic responsibilities.
• Lack of Training and Mentorship: Limited access to leadership training and mentorship programs leaves women unprepared for governance roles.
• Rotational Reservation: Five-year reservation is insufficient for women to develop governance skills and consolidate experience.
• Weak Legal Deterrents: Existing rules against proxy governance are weak, allowing male relatives to control women panchayat leaders unofficially.

Benefits of Strengthening Women’s Leadership

• Better Governance: Women-led panchayats ensure effective policy implementation (e.g., Kudumbashree in Kerala).
• Gender-Responsive Policies: Women representatives prioritise issues like maternal health and gender-based violence (e.g., Nagaland women-led panchayats).
• Economic Empowerment: Financial independence through microfinance initiatives (e.g., Bihar’s EWR-led loan schemes).
• Reduction in Proxy Governance: Training programs reduce male dominance in decision-making (e.g., Rajasthan initiatives).

Government Initiatives Supporting Women in Panchayats

• National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM): Links SHGs with leadership development programs.
• Mahila Sabhas: Exclusive women’s Gram Sabha meetings to highlight gender-specific issues before regular panchayat sessions.
• Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan: Focuses on capacity-building for EWRs.
• Mission Shakti (2022): Supports women’s safety and economic empowerment through schemes like Sambal and Samarthya.
• Women’s Leadership Development: Govt & NGO-led training to enhance decision-making skills.

Way Forward

• Capacity Building: Expand Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan to provide leadership training for all EWRs.
• Strict Legal Measures: Enforce laws against proxy governance and educate women about their rights.
• Financial Autonomy: Ensure direct access to panchayat funds and promote microfinance schemes.
• Higher Political Representation: Extend reservation for women wherever applicable, on the lines of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.
• Stronger Women’s Networks: Expand National Federation of Elected Women Representatives (NFEWR).
• Protection from Violence: Implement fast-track courts for cases against women leaders and ensure strict safety measures.

{GS3 – Envi – Air Pollution} PM2.5 Pollution in Northern India

• Context (TH): A recent study analysed the sources and health impacts of PM2.5 pollution in Northern India, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

About PM2.5

• PM2.5 (Particulate Matter ≤2.5 microns) consists of tiny airborne pollutants that can deeply penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
• Sources: Includes natural sources like dust storms and wildfires and human activities such as fossil fuel burning, industrial emissions, and biomass combustion.
• Health Risks: Linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and reduced lung function.

Key Findings of the Study

• Toxicity from Organic Aerosols: Inefficient combustion of biomass and fossil fuels is the primary contributor to PM2.5 toxicity.
• PM2.5 Sources in Delhi: Vehicular emissions, fossil fuel burning and residential heating.
• PM2.5 Sources Outside Delhi: Higher levels of ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and biomass-burning aerosols.
• Winter Pollution from Heating and Cooking: Biomass burning, especially cow dung combustion, elevates organic aerosol levels, making winter pollution 10 times worse than summer.
• Health Risks from Traffic and Fuel Burning: Increased oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals & antioxidants, leading to cellular damage) due to emissions from vehicles & residential fuel burning.
• Traffic as a Major Contributor: Hydrocarbon-like organic aerosols (HOA) peak at 8 μg/m³ in urban roadside sites and contribute 50% of fossil fuel-derived aerosols.
• India’s High PM2.5 Toxicity: Oxidative potential of PM2.5 in Indian cities is up to 5 times higher than in Chinese and European cities, necessitating urgent emission control policies.

{GS3 – IE – Employment} Centering Care in India’s Economic Policy

• Context (TH): Care work is undervalued in economic policies despite being crucial for gender equality, social welfare, and economic growth.

Care Economy

• It is the sector of economic activity involving paid roles like nurses and teachers & unpaid caregiving such as childcare & household work, essential for health, education, child & elder care & social welfare.
• Unrecognized Contribution: Supports human survival and labour force reproduction but remains undervalued, creating a “hidden care economy.”
• Difference from Monetized Economy: Unlike the formal market-based system, care work often lacks direct monetary valuation despite its economic and social significance.
• Historical Recognition: Feminist economists highlighted unpaid labour’s exclusion, leading to the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action advocating its recognition.
• Care Diamond Model: Care provision involves the State, markets, households, and communities.

Need for a Care Economy in India

• Changing Demographics: Growing elderly population and continued childcare needs.
• Gender Equality: Reducing the care burden enables higher female workforce participation.
• Economic Growth: Recognising and investing in care work enhances productivity and employment.
• Social Welfare: Strengthening care services improves overall well-being and quality of life.

Challenges of Unpaid Care Work in India

• Heavy Burden on Women: Women perform significantly more unpaid care work than men, restricting their workforce participation.
• Economic Impact: Limits female labor force participation and economic independence.
• Social Norms: Deep-rooted cultural expectations assign care work primarily to women.
• Lack of Infrastructure: Limited access to water, sanitation, and energy increases care burdens.
• Climate Change Impact: Exacerbates care burdens, particularly water collection in rural areas.

Current Gaps in Economic Policy

• Limited Public Investment: Care services remain underfunded despite their economic importance.
• Absence of Recognition: Unpaid care work remains invisible in economic indicators.
• Limited Budget Allocation: Increase in Gender Budget mainly due to food security schemes, not direct care infrastructure investments.
• Fragmented Social Services: Lack of coordination between welfare and healthcare policies.

Solutions and Policy Recommendations

• Quantification Care Work: Integrate unpaid care work into economic indicators using time-use surveys.
• Expand Public Care Services: Investments in childcare centres, eldercare & healthcare infrastructure.
• Shared Responsibilities: Encourage men’s participation in caregiving & household duties.
• Strengthen Legal Protections: Ensure fair wages, labour rights, and social security for care workers.
• Leverage Urban Challenge Fund: Utilise funds for care infrastructure models under Smart Cities.
• Promote Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Allocate targeted funding for care-related initiatives and social protection schemes.
• Mainstream Care in Economic Planning: Integrate care policies into long-term economic strategies.
• Public-Private Collaboration: Encourage private sector involvement in care services and infrastructure.

{GS3 – IE – Inclusive Growth} Women’s Role in India’s Financial Growth

• Context (PIB): NITI Aayog launched the “From Borrowers to Builders” report highlighting the increased financial participation of women.

Key Findings on Women’s Financial Participation

• Increased Credit Participation: Women borrowers tripled between 2019 and 2024, with 60% from semi-urban and rural areas.
• Loans: Women’s share in business loans increased by 14%, in gold loans by 6% since 2019.
• Credit Monitoring & Awareness: 42% increase in women who monitored their credit in 2024 from 2023.
• Regional Trends: Southern states lead in women borrowers, while northern and central states saw the fastest growth in the last five years.
• Improved Credit Scores: 62% of self-monitoring women fall into prime or above credit bands, enhancing credit health.

Challenges Faced by Women in Financial Access

• Credit Aversion: Fear of loan repayment, financial instability, and cultural barriers prevent women from seeking credit.
• Collateral & Guarantor Issues: 79% of women-owned businesses are self-financed, with limited access to formal credit.
• Poor Banking Experience: Bureaucratic hurdles and lack of advisory support limit women’s engagement with financial institutions.
• Limited Products for Women: Rigid loan structures fail to accommodate women’s financial needs.
• Lack of Credit Readiness: 30% of individual women entrepreneurs lack the required financial records.

Support for Women’s Financial Inclusion

• Women Entrepreneurship Platform: Provides mentorship, market access, and financial literacy.
• Financing Women Collaborative: Promotes gender-intelligent financial products and PPPs.
• Udyam Registration: 40% of MSMEs in India are now women-owned enterprises.
• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): To facilitate self-employment. Under PMMY, collateral-free loans up to Rs. 10 lakhs are extended to micro/small business enterprises and to individuals.
• PM SVANidhi Yojana: To facilitate collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors to restart their businesses, which were adversely impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also refer to Govt Initiatives for Women Entrepreneurship

{GS3 – IE – Resources} Global Copper Race **

• Context (IE): Countries are racing to secure copper supplies as demand surges for EV batteries and clean energy technologies, outpacing production.

Growing Importance of Copper

• Rising Demand: Driven by electric vehicles (EVs), clean energy, and defence industries.
• Supply Deficit: Projected to outstrip mine production by 2035, intensifying global competition.
• Key Value Chain: Copper ore is refined into cathodes, essential for industrial applications.
• Limited Alternatives: Recycling helps, but mining remains critical for supply security.

The Global Copper Battle

• Strategic Resource: Nations prioritising copper security for energy and defence needs.
• China’s Copper Dominance: Controls over 50% of global smelting and refining capacity, securing long-term supply contracts with mines in DRC, Chile, and Peru, but facing overcapacity challenges.
• US Efforts to Reduce Dependence: Identifies foreign reliance as a security risk, exploring tariffs and incentives to boost domestic copper production.
• Market Instability: Supply chain disruptions, policy & geopolitical tensions will shape the future.

India’s Strategy to Secure Copper Supplies

• Domestic Shortfall: Copper production is stagnant, increasing reliance on imports.
• Overseas Investments: Acquiring copper assets in Chile & Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• Focus on Africa: Secured a 9,000-sq-km copper-rich block in Zambia for exploration.
• Government Initiatives: The Ministry of Mines is working to acquire critical minerals abroad.
• Geopolitical Risks: Overseas investments face competition and strategic challenges.

{GS3 – IS – Issues} Khalistan Movement **

• Context (IE): A pro-Khalistan protester infiltrated the Indian External Affairs Minister’s security during a London visit, highlighting UK separatist activities.

Origins of the Khalistan Movement

• Khalsa Tradition: Established by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, marking Sikh identity and autonomy.
• Partition of India (1947): Left Sikhs as a minority, creating dissatisfaction over lost ancestral lands.
• Concept of Khalistan: The movement seeks an independent Sikh state in Punjab (India and Pakistan), rooted in historical, religious and political aspirations.

Rise of the Movement

• Punjabi Suba Movement (1955-1966): Demand for a Punjabi-speaking state led to Punjab’s trifurcation into Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
• Water Disputes: Distribution of Ravi-Beas-Sutlej waters between Punjab & Haryana fueled grievances.
• 1973 Anandpur Sahib Resolution: Akali Dal demanded greater autonomy for Punjab.
• Emergence of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: Became the face of Sikh militancy, advocating Khalistan.
• Dharam Yudh Morcha (1982): Launched as a civil disobedience movement but turned violent.
• Operation Blue Star (1984): Indian Army’s attack on the Golden Temple to eliminate militants.
• Indira Gandhi’s Assassination (1984): Her Sikh bodyguards killed her, triggering anti-Sikh riots.
• Air India Bombing (1985): Canada-based Sikh extremists bombed a flight.
• Operation Black Thunder (1986 & 1988): Indian forces flushed out the remaining militants from Golden Temple.

International Expansion of the Movement

• Sikh Diaspora’s Role: Khalistani groups found support in Canada, the UK, the US and Australia.
• Vote Bank Politics: Diaspora-based separatists leveraged political influence in host countries.
• Pakistan’s Involvement: ISI provided arms, funds and safe havens to militants.
• Referendums and Conferences: Organized to gain legitimacy and keep the issue alive.
• Continued Radicalization: Pro-Khalistan elements disrupt Indian diplomatic missions overseas.

Operations Against Khalistan Militancy

• Operation Sundown: An aborted RAW mission to abduct Bhindranwale.
• Operation Metal: Limited to clearing militants from the Golden Temple.
• Operation Shop: Capturing militants from Punjab’s outskirts.
• Operation Woodrose: Crackdown on Khalistani supporters across Punjab.

Geopolitical Implications

• India’s Sovereignty: A direct challenge to India’s territorial integrity.
• India-Pakistan Tensions: Pakistan’s alleged support intensifies hostilities.
• India-Canada Relations: Strained over pro-Khalistan activism in Canada.
• Security Threats: Periodic violence linked to Khalistani elements.
• Human Rights Concerns: Indian counter-insurgency tactics criticised by global agencies.
• Economic Impacts: Trade agreements are affected by political friction over the issue.

{GS3 – S&T – Chemistry} Invisible Geniuses Around You

• Context (TH): Science shapes everyday life in unseen ways, powering ordinary activities through fundamental principles.

Science in Daily Life

• Scientific Innovations in Cooking Techniques: Adding salt, lemon juice, or vinegar to bhindi (okra) reduces sliminess by breaking down mucilage, a natural thickener.
• Accidental Scientific Discoveries: Microwave ovens were discovered when a radar scientist noticed a chocolate bar melting in his pocket.
• Chemistry of Soap: Hydrophilic ends (water-attracting) of soap molecules bind to grease and dirt, while hydrophobic ends (water-repelling) pull them into the water, washing them away.
• Physics of Refrigeration: Refrigerators cool by removing heat, not creating cold, using a refrigerant that absorbs heat inside, turns it into gas and releases it outside via condenser coils.

Technology in Smartphones

• Touchscreen: Uses capacitive sensors that detect electrical signals from fingers.
• Sensors: Accelerometers, gyroscopes & proximity sensors adjust screen rotation & motion detection.
• AI Integration: Powers voice assistants, facial recognition & predictive text for user-friendly interaction.

{Species – Invasive} Ruellia Elegans

• Context (TH): Threat posed to native biodiversity due to the invasive Ruellia elegans, recorded in Assam.

Source: Garden

• Common Names: Brazilian petunia, Christmas pride, elegant Ruellia, red Ruellia, wild petunia.
• Annual plant native to Latin America (Brazil).
• Invasive in Andaman Islands, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Odisha, and Assam.
• Physical Characteristics: Bright red trumpet-shaped flowers with semi-fuzzy green foliage thrive in wet tropical biomes and loamy soil and tolerate light frost but die at 28°F.
• Threats: Susceptible to bacterial leaf spots, fungal infections, rust and root rot.
• Conservation Status: Not assessed.

{Species – Misc} Conserving Tamil Nadu’s Lesser-Known Wildlife *

• Context (TH): On World Wildlife Day 2025, TN’s conservation efforts focus on lesser-known species.

Nilgiri Tahr

• Endemic mountain ungulate (a herbivorous hoofed mammal) subject to focused conservation programs.
• Nilgiri Tahr, locally known as Varaiaadu, is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
• It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India among the 12 species found in India.
• Habitat: Tropical montane grasslands, sholas forests and rocky areas at high elevations.
• Distribution: Endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats, which falls in Kerala & Tamil Nadu.
  • Eravikulam National Park has the highest density and largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr.
• Adaptation: It is adapted to a cold and wet tropical environment. The species is diurnal. It has high stress tolerance levels.
• Threats: Habitat loss and poaching.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: EN | WPA, 1972: Schedule-I.

Leith’s Soft-shell Turtle

• Leith’s softshell turtle is a large freshwater soft-shelled turtle endemic to peninsular India.
• Found in all major rivers of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Odisha.
• Physical description: Adults have olive-green/ greyish carapace & off-cream plastron, with orangish-red markings behind their eyes. Many display black stripes along the head with red blotches in between.
• Threats: Poaching, hunting, illegal consumption.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: CR | WPA: Schedule IV | CITES: Appendix I

Source: Wikipedia

Slender Loris

• A small nocturnal primate (Loris lydekkerianus) of Loridae family.
• Its first-ever sanctuary in India (in TN). Documented in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
• Two species:  Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) & Red Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus).

  

Source: Wikipedia

Grey Slender Loris

• Habitat: Native to India & Sri Lanka; Found in tropical rainforests, scrub forests, semi-deciduous forests, and swamps across Eastern & Western Ghats; prefers acacia & tamarind-dominated thorn forests.
• Physical Traits: Lean body, slender limbs, large ears, pointed snout, and eyes circled with black or dark brown; fur ranges from dark grey to earthy brown.
• Diet & Behavior: Primarily insectivorous, feeding on ants, termites, beetles, spiders & molluscs, but also eats berries; slow-moving & mostly active at night.
• Threats: Habitat loss, the disappearance of acacia trees, hunting for pet trade, road kills, superstitions, traditional medicine, and habitat fragmentation.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: NT | CITES: Appendix II | WPA, 1972: Schedule I.

Source: Wikipedia

Pangolins

• Unique Mammals: Pangolins, or scaly anteaters, are the only mammals covered in large keratin scales, serving as natural armour.
• India Hosts Two Species: Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata: IUCN: EN) & Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla: IUCN: CR).
• Habitat & Distribution: Found in India (south of the Himalayas), Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan; prefers tropical forests, grasslands, and hilly regions up to 2,500 feet.
• Behaviour & Features: Nocturnal insectivore feeding on ants and termites; curls into a ball for self-defence; scales vary in colour based on surroundings.
• Highly Trafficked For Their Scales: One of the most trafficked mammals globally.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: EN | WPA, 1972: Schedule I | CITES: Appendix I.

Source: IUCN, IUCN

Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

Source: IUCN

• Also called European otter or common otter, it is found along the Tamirabharani River in TN.
• Distribution: Found across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, including northern, northeast, and southern India.
• Habitat: Inhabits rivers, lakes, streams, swamps, marshes, and coastal areas; found in cold hills and mountain streams in India.
• Physical Features: Sleek brown fur with a paler underside, a long body, a thick tail, and short legs.
• Adaptations: Webbed feet, dense fur trapping air for insulation. Ability to close ears & nose underwater.
• Behavior: Has acute sight, smell & hearing; whiskers (vibrissae) help detect prey. Solitary & elusive; uses high-pitched whistles between mother & cubs, twittering sounds in play, cat-like noises when fighting.
• Keystone and Indicator Species: Play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: NT.

Dugong/Sea Cow

• Marine mammal; conservation initiatives active along the Tamil Nadu coastline.
• Found in shallow coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with major populations in northern Australia and the Arabian Gulf.
• Physical Characteristics: Grows 2.2–3.4 m long, weighs 230–420 kg, has a tapered body with a deeply notched tail, rounded flippers, and no hind limbs or visible neck.
• Adaptations: Herbivorous marine mammals adapted for grazing on seagrasses with specialised flippers for manoeuvring in shallow waters.
• Behavior: Not migratory but travels long distances within its range to find food.
• Lifespan: Long-lived species, surviving up to 73 years.
• Threat: Hunting (meat and oil), habitat degradation, and fishing-related fatalities.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: CR.

Indian Flapshell Turtle

• Lissemys punctata is the freshwater turtle species found in the Cauvery region.
• Habitat & Distribution: Freshwater species found in rivers, marshes, ponds, and lakes across India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Myanmar. Prefers sand/mud-bottomed water for burrowing.
• Unique Features: Named “flap-shelled” due to femoral flaps on the plastron that cover the limbs when retracted. Evolutionary link between softshell and hard-shell turtles.
• Lifestyle & Adaptations: Omnivorous diet (frogs, shrimp, snails, aquatic plants, fruits, and seeds). Solitary, diurnal, and highly adapted to drought conditions.
• Threats: Poached for meat & leather, aphrodisiac properties, traditional medicine & fishing bait.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable | CITES: Appendix II | WPA, 1972: Schedule I.

Source: Wikipedia

Cantor’s Giant Soft-shell Turtle

• Asian giant softshell turtle, commonly known as Cantor’s giant softshell turtle and the frog-faced softshell turtle, is a large freshwater species native to South & Southeast Asia, inhabiting the Cauvery River in TN.

• Habitat: Lakes, rivers, estuaries, seacoasts, and occasionally in coastal marine waters.
• Range: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore (extirpated), Thailand, Vietnam
• Physical Appearance: Broad head & small eyes close to snout tip. Smooth olive-coloured carapace.
• Diet: Primarily, carnivores (piscivores) feed on fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. They may also supplement their diet with some aquatic plants.
• Behaviour: Spends 95% of life buried & motionless, with only its eyes & mouth protruding from sand.
• Threats: Illegal Poaching, Habitat destruction, etc.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered (CR) | WPA: Schedule I | CITES: Appendix II

  

  Source: Wikipedia