Current Affairs – March 12, 2025

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Water Resources} Sharavati Hydroelectric Project

Context (Wire): Karnataka’s Sharavati Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP) faces environmental and corruption allegations as the state pushes ahead with the Rs 8,000-crore initiative.

About the Project

2,000 MW Pumped Storage: Uses Talakalale (upper) and Gerusoppa (lower) reservoirs, with water pumped uphill during off-peak hours and released to generate electricity.
Key Infrastructure: Includes tunnels and pumping stations to supply drinking water to Bengaluru.

Concerns

Deforestation & Habitat Loss: 360 acres of Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary will be cleared, threatening endangered species like the Lion-Tailed Macaque and Great Indian Hornbill.
Wildlife Corridor Disruption: Cuts off critical habitat connectivity between Gerusoppa-Kyadagire and Govardhanagiri-Jog forests.
Legal Violations: Violates Section 29 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which restricts habitat destruction in sanctuaries.
Energy Demand vs. Inefficiency: Karnataka’s peak power demand surged by 62% in 8 years, yet the project consumes 24% more electricity than it generates, making it unsustainable.
Procurement Law Breach: The 21-day tender period violated the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999.

About Sharavati River

Location: Western Karnataka; the 128 km long river flows westward into the Arabian Sea at Honavar.
Significance: Major hydroelectric source for Karnataka, contributing 40% of the state’s hydropower.
Notable Feature: Forms Jog Falls, one of India’s highest waterfalls (253m drop).
Major Tributaries: Haridravathi, Hilkunji, Mavinahole, Yennehole, Hurlihole, Nandihole, and Nagodihole.

{GS2 – IR – Africa} India-Mauritius Relations

Context (IE | IE): PM’s visit to Mauritius underscores India’s commitment to its long-standing ties.

About Indo-Mauritius Bilateral Relations

Historical and Cultural Ties

Indian Diaspora: Nearly 70% of Mauritius’ population traces its roots to Indian indentured labourers brought during colonial rule.
Stable Bilateral Ties: Relations remain strong across govts, ensuring continued cooperation.
Linguistic & Cultural Heritage: Languages like Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi thrive, reflecting strong Indian influences.
Institutional Support: India established institutions like the Mahatma Gandhi Institute and the Indian Cultural Centre to promote cultural ties.
Strategic Collaboration: India supports Mauritius in governance, capacity building, and global diplomatic engagements.

Economic & Trade Cooperation

Growing Trade Relations: Bilateral trade stood at $554 million in 2022-23, with Mauritius acting as a gateway to Africa.
Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA): The first trade agreement between India and an African nation, enhancing market access.
Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA): Strengthens Mauritius’ role as a major financial hub facilitating investment in India.
Infrastructure Projects: India funds major projects, including roads, metro expansion, and Smart City initiatives in Mauritius.

Maritime & Security Cooperation

Coastal Radar Network: India has set up radar stations to enhance Mauritius’ maritime surveillance.
Agalega Island Development: India upgraded airstrips and infrastructure for joint security operations and maritime monitoring.
Indian Ocean Security Partnership: Mauritius has access to India’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) for real-time maritime awareness.
Naval Collaboration: India provides training, joint exercises, and technical support to the Mauritian Coast Guard and Navy.
Oceanographic Surveys: INS Sarvekshak mapped 25,000 sq km of Mauritius’ waters, aiding resource mapping and navigation safety.

Agalega Island

Source: LExpress

Agalega Island is a dependency of Mauritius, which consists of two outer islands located in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 1,050 km north of Mauritius Island.
The islands have a total area of 6,400 acres.

Development Assistance & Capacity Building

Line of Credit: India offers financial assistance for projects like housing, health, and water supply.
Skill Development: Training programs in IT, healthcare, and governance under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scheme.
Education & Scholarships: Scholarships for Mauritian students to study in India under Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) programs.

Science & Technology Cooperation

E-Mobility & Green Energy: India supports renewable energy projects and electrification initiatives.
Fintech & Cybersecurity: Collaboration in digital governance, cybersecurity, and financial technology development.
Space Cooperation: India assists Mauritius in satellite tech, climate studies & disaster management.

Geopolitical Significance

Countering China: India’s deeper engagement balances China’s growing footprint in the Indian Ocean.
Regional Stability: Strong India-Mauritius ties reinforce security in the Indo-Pacific and maintain a free, open maritime domain.

Way Forward

Strengthening Economic Ties: Expanding CECPA and investment in emerging sectors like AI, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.
Enhancing Partnership: Deepening naval collaboration and intelligence sharing for regional stability.
Sustainable Development: Joint projects in climate change adaptation, blue economy and clean energy.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Coalition of the Willing

Context (IE): British PM proposed forming a “Coalition of the Willing” to support Ukraine against Russia.

About the Coalition

A pragmatic, ad hoc grouping of nations that voluntarily unite for a common cause, usually for military or strategic action.
It does not require a formal treaty or unanimous international backing but relies on willing participants.
First prominently used by US Secretary of State Colin Powell in 2003 for the 60-nation alliance led by US President George W. Bush, with the UK as the largest military contributor, supporting the Iraq invasion.
It is a flexible yet controversial geopolitical strategy, relying on coordination, commitment, and diplomacy to balance military action with long-term stability.

{GS2 – IR – Laws} Lithuania Withdraws from Cluster Munitions Convention

Context (TH): Lithuania withdrew from Convention on Cluster Munitions, drawing criticism.

About the CCM

Adopted in 2008 and came into force in 2010.
It bans the use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of cluster bombs.
Membership: 112 state parties and 12 other signatories.
Non-Signatories: Russia, Ukraine, and India have not joined the convention.

About Cluster Bombs

Function: Explosive weapons releasing multiple smaller bomblets over a wide area.
Delivery Methods: Dropped from aircraft, fired from artillery, or launched via missiles.
Concerns: Many submunitions fail to detonate immediately, posing long-term risks.

Reasons for Lithuania’s Withdrawal

Security Concerns: Lithuania fears potential Russian aggression, especially after the invasion of Ukraine.
Strengthening Defenses: Seeks to enhance deterrence by allowing the use of cluster munitions.
Regional Security Shifts: Finland is also considering reintroducing anti-personnel landmines.

Criticism and Humanitarian Concerns

Civilian Risk: Cluster munitions leave unexploded bomblets endangering civilians for years.
Potential Trend: This could encourage other nations to exit similar disarmament treaties.

Lithuania’s Future Disarmament Policies

Possible Exit from Landmine Ban: Considering withdrawal from the 1997 Anti-Personnel Landmine Convention (164 state parties).
Mitigation Plans: Lithuania plans to minimise civilian harm by promptly clearing unexploded ordnance.

Lithuania’s Strategic Position

Geopolitical Location: A Baltic state in Northern Europe, formerly under Soviet rule until independence in 1990.
NATO and EU Member: Has been bolstering defense capabilities since Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Military Policy Shift: Prioritizing deterrence over humanitarian disarmament amid rising security threats.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} Alawite Community *

Context (IE): ~300 Alawite civilians were killed in Syria, raising concerns over targeted violence against the minority sect.

Who are the Alawites?

Religious Origins: An offshoot of Shia Islam, tracing back to the 9th-10th centuries through the teachings of Mohammad ibn Nusayr in Iraq.
Beliefs and Practices: Incorporates elements from Christianity and ancient Iranian traditions, including wine in rituals and belief in reincarnation.
Distinct Practices: Alawite women traditionally do not wear headscarves.
Historical Persecution: Faced repression from Christian Crusaders, the Ottoman Empire and other religious groups due to their unique beliefs.

Alawites in Syria

Demographics: Comprise ~12% of Syria’s population, mainly residing in Latakia and Tartus provinces.
Colonial Impact: Gained prominence during French colonial rule in the early 20th century, when separate local governments were set up for different religious groups.
Rise to Power: Hafez al-Assad, an Alawite, took control in the 1970s, solidifying the sect’s influence.
Bashar al-Assad’s Rule: Continued Alawite dominance after his father’s death in 2000, with suppression of opposition, including dissidents within the sect.

{GS2 – IR – Russia-Ukraine} Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire Proposal

Context (TH): Ukraine has agreed to a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire, conditional on Russia’s acceptance, with potential resumption of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing.

Strategic Motivations

Ukraine’s Objectives: Regain U.S. military aid & diplomatic leverage & finalise mineral deals with the U.S.
U.S. Interests: De-escalation of conflict, geopolitical influence and access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.
Russia’s Strategic Gains: Russia recently captured 12 settlements in the Kursk region. But Ukraine’s massive drone attack on Moscow aimed at pressuring Russia into negotiations.

Challenges in Achieving Lasting Peace

Mutual Distrust: Both nations remain sceptical of each other’s commitments.
U.S. Policy Shifts: Trump administration’s changing stance on Ukraine adds uncertainty.
Continued Military Operations: Russian offensives and Ukrainian counterattacks hinder progress.
Unresolved Territorial Disputes: Issues like Crimea and Donbas remain key barriers to peace.

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} Gene-Edited Bananas *

Context (IE): Scientists developed a gene-edited banana that remains fresh and yellow for 12 hours after peeling, reducing food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Why Do Bananas Brown?

Ripening is triggered by ethylene, a hormone that bananas produce even after harvest.
Ethylene activates genes responsible for polyphenol oxidase (PPO) production, which reacts with oxygen to cause browning.
Bruising increases ethylene production, accelerating ripening and spoilage.

Development of Non-Browning Bananas

Disabling PPO production through gene-editing, preventing browning without affecting ripening.
Similar technology was used in Arctic apples, the first genetically engineered fruits approved for commercial sale in the US (2017).
PPO suppression has also been effective in tomatoes, melons, kiwifruits, and mushrooms.

Recent Advancements in Gene Editing

CRISPR-Cas9: Precise DNA modifications improving agricultural productivity and disease resistance.
Prime Editing: A refined CRISPR version allowing direct sequence modifications for enhanced accuracy.
Gene-Edited Crops: Drought-resistant wheat, pest-resistant rice and vitamin-enhanced tomatoes.
Therapeutic Applications: Used in CAR-T cancer therapy & trials for sickle cell anaemia & cystic fibrosis.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} India’s Deal for T-72 Tank Engine Upgrade

Context (ToI | PIB): India signed a deal with Russia to procure 1,000 HP engines for T-72 tanks, including the Transfer of Technology.

About T-72 Tanks

Main Battle Tank (MBT): Developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and widely used globally.
Firepower: Equipped with a 125mm smoothbore gun, coaxial machine gun, and anti-aircraft gun.
Mobility: Now upgraded with 1,000 HP engines, improving battlefield speed and manoeuvrability.
Armor Protection: Features composite and reactive armour for enhanced battlefield resilience.
Night Combat Capability: Thermal imaging systems for effective nighttime operations.
Operational Range: Can travel 460 km on-road and 300 km off-road with auxiliary fuel tanks.

Significance of T-72 Tanks in India’s Defense

Backbone of Indian Army: The largest tank fleet forming the core of India’s armoured divisions.
High-Altitude Deployment: Used in Ladakh and desert warfare adaptability in diverse terrains.
Cost-Effective Modernization: Engine upgrade enhances performance at a lower cost.
Strengthens India-Russia Defense Ties: Continued strategic military collaboration with Moscow.

{GS3 – S&T – IPR} Preprints

Context (TH): Preprints gained popularity for early research access, surging during COVID-19, but post-pandemic analysis raised concerns over their quality and credibility.

Preprints are scientific papers shared publicly before being submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
They allow researchers to disseminate findings immediately without waiting for the lengthy peer-review process. Authors may or may not submit preprints for formal journal publication later.

Importance of Preprints

Faster Knowledge Sharing: Scientists can share findings without delays from the peer-review process.
Open Access: Freely available to anyone with internet access, unlike many paywalled journals.
Early Feedback: Researchers receive feedback from the scientific community before official publication.

Concerns About Preprints

Quality Variability: Since they are not peer-reviewed, credibility of preprints varies by field & repository.
Misinformation Risk: Unverified research can be misused or misinterpreted, especially in critical fields.
Impact on Peer Review: Preprints question the reliability of peer review, as some formally reviewed papers still contain errors.

How Preprints Differ from Peer-Reviewed Papers

Preprints: Uploaded to online repositories, freely accessible, not peer-reviewed.
Peer-Reviewed Papers: Evaluated by independent experts before publication in scientific journals.

{GS3 – S&T – NanoTech} New Ink to Combat Counterfeiting

Context (TH): Indian scientists developed a nanoparticle-based security ink to enhance anti-counterfeiting measures.

Security Printing

It incorporates features to prevent forgery in critical documents like banknotes, passports, and cheques.
Human-Detectable Features: Watermarks, holograms, optically variable ink, and shifting textures.
Machine-Detectable Features: RFID chips, digital watermarks, invisible barcodes, and security threads.

Nanoparticles in Security Printing

Nanoparticles: Tiny particles (<100 nm) with unique optical, magnetic, and chemical properties.
Significance: Interacts with light & magnetic fields, making them ideal for advanced security features.
Semiconductor Nanoparticle Research won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, underlining its global importance.

Development of the New Security Ink

Composition: Strontium bismuth fluoride (Sr2BiF7) nanoparticles doped with lanthanide ions.
Manufacturing Method: Manufactured via a simple coprecipitation method using metal salts and a precipitation agent, with Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ink blended with nanoparticles as the binding agent.

Environmental Stability: Exhibits multi-wavelength (both UV & near-infrared) fluorescence, glowing in different colours while maintaining stability across brightness, temperature, and humidity changes.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Starlink *

Context (IE | IE): Bharti Airtel has partnered with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s satellite-based internet services to India, subject to regulatory approvals.

What is Starlink?

A satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX to provide global broadband coverage.
Uses Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites at altitudes of 550-1,200 km for high-speed, low-latency internet.
Over 8,000 satellites launched, with approval for 12,000 more and plans for 42,000 in total.

Key Benefits of Starlink

Bridging the Digital Divide: Enables internet access in remote and underserved regions.
Disaster Resilience: Provides reliable connectivity during natural disasters when terrestrial networks fail.
Enterprise and Government Use: Supports businesses, schools, and healthcare centres in rural areas.

Concerns

Spectrum Allocation Dispute: Telcos favoured auctions for fair competition & revenue generation, but govt opted for administrative allocation, raising concerns about transparency and market fairness.
Security Clearance Delays: Govt scrutiny over foreign-controlled satellite networks causes delays, impacting deployment timelines and technological advancements.
Aluminium Oxide from Re-Entry: Satellite re-entries generate intense heat, vaporising aluminium components into aluminium oxide particles, which persist in the atmosphere & interfere with ozone chemistry.
Risk of Ozone Depletion: Aluminum oxide particles take decades to settle, potentially delaying ozone recovery and increasing environmental risks.
Growing Space Debris: Over 28,000 objects in Earth’s orbit heighten the risk of collisions, affecting both operational satellites and future space missions.
Lack of Global Regulations: No binding international agreements exist to address pollution from satellite re-entries or manage long-term environmental impacts.
Ecological and Regulatory Challenges: Starlink incorporate controlled deorbiting strategies, but without global policies.

Potential Solutions

Material Innovations: Research into alternative satellite materials to reduce environmental damage.
Sustainable Practices: Adoption of eco-friendly deorbiting methods and responsible space operations.
Higher Graveyard Orbits: Keeping decommissioned satellites in higher orbits instead of re-entry, though this requires additional fuel.
International Regulations: Initiatives like the ESA’s “Zero Debris” policy aim to mitigate space pollution by 2030.

European Space Agency (ESA) has implemented a Zero Debris charter to address space debris concerns, aiming for zero debris by 2030. ESA advocates for other space agencies to adopt similar initiatives to mitigate space debris.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} How Does a Lie Detector Work?

Context (TH): A polygraph, or lie detector test, is used in interrogations to measure physiological responses linked to deception.

Polygraph

A device that records physiological functions like blood pressure, heartbeat, respiration, and perspiration.
It was developed in 1921 by John Larson.
Polygraph Test is primarily used by law enforcement and investigative bodies.

Working Mechanism

Physiological Monitoring: A pneumograph tube tracks respiration, a blood pressure cuff measures cardiovascular changes, and electrodes record galvanic skin response (sweating).
Lie Detection Process: Responses are graphed in real-time, and deviations from normal readings are analysed to detect deception.

Polygraph vs Truth Verification

Polygraph test measures physiological functions assuming deception alters body responses.
Truth verification techniques include voice stress analysis and brain imaging as alternatives.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Supreme Court Ruling (2010): Polygraph, narco-analysis, and brain-mapping results cannot be admitted as evidence without consent.
Article 20(3): Such tests violate the right against self-incrimination.
Article 21: Right to privacy includes the choice to remain silent or make a statement.
Autonomy and Rights: Every individual has the right to refuse these tests as part of personal liberty.
Admissibility in Court: If voluntary, test-derived leads can be used to obtain evidence.
Reliability Issues: No conclusive proof that physiological changes exclusively indicate deception.
False Positives: Studies highlight high error rates; individuals can train themselves to beat the test.
Mental Health Impact: Induces stress and anxiety, especially if used coercively.
Informed Consent: Ethically, individuals must voluntarily consent, understanding the implications.

{Prelims – In News} Human-Neanderthal Link

Context (TH): Scientists have dated the remains of an ancient child discovered 27 years ago in Portugal, confirming features from both humans and Neanderthals.

Neanderthals

Neanderthals are named after Germany’s Neander Valley, where their first fossils were found in 1856, with “Thal” (older spelling of “Tal”) meaning valley in German.
Species: Homo neanderthalensis, the closest extinct relative of modern humans. Members of this now-extinct group were hominins, a lineage that includes Homo sapiens and its extinct relatives.
Evolutionary Timeline: Diverged from modern humans at least 500,000 years ago likely evolving outside of Africa; last Neanderthal populations disappeared about 40,000 years ago.
Geographic Spread: Found across Europe, Central Asia, and Southwest Asia. The easternmost occurrence of a Neanderthal may be represented by a fossil skull from China known as ‘Maba’.
Genetic Legacy: Despite extinction, Neanderthal genes remain in modern human DNA.

Distinctive Features of Neanderthals

Body Structure: Generally shorter, stockier build suited for colder environments; had more robust skeletons & highly muscular, frequently injured bodies, leading a physically demanding life.
Height: Males averaged ~168 centimetres, while females were slightly shorter at 156 centimetres.
Skull: Heads were long rather than globe-shaped, had lower foreheads and crowns, angled cheekbones, a characteristic prominent brow ridge above their eyes, huge nose adapted for cold, dry air.
Brain Size: As large or larger than modern humans, proportional to their robust bodies.
Tools: Advanced stone & bone tools like blades, hand axes & scrapers for processing animal skins.
Cultural Practices: Used tools, controlled fire, lived in shelters, made clothing, hunted large animals, and occasionally created symbolic or ornamental objects.
Burial Traditions: Deliberately buried their dead and sometimes marked graves with offerings, a unique behaviour among early human species.

{Species – Misc} Ongole Cattle *

Context (IE): Ongole cattle, originally from Andhra Pradesh, thrive as the world’s most expensive breed in Brazil but decline in India due to crossbreeding, mechanisation, and export restrictions.

Indigenous to Prakasam, Guntur, and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh. Documented since the mid-19th century; exported to Brazil as early as 1885.
Physical Traits: Large muscular, erect head, broad forehead, prominent hump, loose skin, heat tolerance.
Adaptability: Resistant to tropical diseases; thrives in hot and humid climates.

Source: IE

Ongole Cattle in Brazil

Renamed Nelore: Named after the Nellore district, it constitutes 80% of Brazil’s cattle.
Economic Contribution: Integral to Brazil’s beef export industry, known for meat production.
Genetic Excellence: Breeding programs enhance muscle growth and resilience.

Viatina-19: The World’s Most Expensive Cattle

A purebred Ongole cow in Brazil weighing 1,101 kg (twice the average weight of other Nellore cows) is the world’s most expensive cattle.
Key Characteristics: Snowy white fur, prominent hump, loose skin, possessing superior genetic traits; embryos exported globally.

Also refer to Pulikulam Cattle.