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.

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.

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.

{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.