Current Affairs – March 16-17, 2025

{GS2 – IR – Europe} Germany’s Debt Brake

• Context (IE): Germany is considering lifting its constitutional “debt brake” to allow higher state borrowing for defence, infrastructure, and climate investment.

What is the Debt Brake?

• Introduced in 2009: Implemented by Angela Merkel’s government to curb excessive borrowing post-global financial crisis.
• Linked to EU Fiscal Rules: Aimed to maintain Germany’s debt-to-GDP ratio under the 1992 Maastricht Treaty limit of 60%.
• Legal Restriction: Article 109(3) of Germany’s Basic Law mandates balanced budgets without borrowing, except under specific conditions.
• Borrowing Limit: Federal govt borrowing is capped at 0.35% of GDP, with states prohibited from accumulating debt.

Also refer to Formation of EU through enactment of Maastricht Treaty

Past Exceptions to the Debt Brake

• COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023): Debt break suspended to fund emergency response measures.
• Russia-Ukraine War (2022): €100 billion defence fund to modernise military capabilities.
• Recessionary Impact (2024): Economic downturn caused by price hikes & supply disruptions post-war.
• Current Debt Brake Bypass: Proposal to exempt defence spending from borrowing limits and create large funds for infrastructure and climate initiatives.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Alien Enemies Act

• Context (IE): US President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act for 1^st time since WW II.

What is the Alien Enemies Act?

• Alien Enemies Act: U.S. law passed in 1798 as part of the Alien and Sedition Acts.
  • Unlike the other Alien and Sedition Acts, this law was never repealed and remains in effect today.
• Power: Allows the president to detain, relocate, or deport non-citizens from a country considered an enemy of the U.S. during wartime.
  • The law permits the president to target these immigrants without a hearing and based only on their country of birth or citizenship.
• Invoked Three Times: During the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II.
• Misuse: Although the law was enacted to prevent foreign espionage and sabotage in wartime, it is subjected to misuse. It can be and has been wielded against immigrants.

Recent Invocation of Law

• Trump’s administration used this law to tighten immigration policies and impose restrictions on certain foreign nationals, particularly amid rising security concerns.
• Critics viewed the move as controversial, arguing it could lead to civil rights violations, while supporters defended it as a national security measure.

{GS2 – MoE – Initiatives} PM-YUVA 3.0 *

• Context (NDTV | DD): PM-YUVA 3.0 was launched to mentor young authors.

• Launched in: 2025 (Third edition; first launched in 2021).
• Ministry Involved: Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
• Implementing Agency: National Book Trust (NBT), India.

Key Features

• Eligibility: Open to aspiring authors below 30 years selected through an All India Contest.
• Mentorship Program: Selected authors trained by eminent writers.
• Financial Support: Scholarship of ₹50,000 per month for six months (₹3 lakh total) and 10% royalty on successful publication.

{GS2 – MoST – Initiatives} North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) *

• Context (ToI): Union Minister of Science and Technology laid the foundation stone for the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) permanent campus.

About NECTAR

• Established in 2014 by merging the National Mission for Bamboo Application (NMBA) and Mission for Geospatial Applications (MGA).
• Headquarters: Shillong, Meghalaya, with branch offices in Delhi and Agartala.
• Autonomous Institution, functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), GoI.
• Primary Objective: Leverage advanced technology for socio-economic development in Northeast India by bridging the gap between research institutions and grassroots innovations for regional transformation.

Major Functions & Focus Areas

• Technology for Agriculture: Expanding saffron cultivation in Northeast India, modelled after J&K.
• Geospatial & Drone Technology: Assists in land mapping, flood vulnerability assessments, and GIS-based planning.
• Bamboo & Honey Production: Supports eco-friendly industries to create sustainable employment.
• Skill Development: A Centre of Excellence to be established in Shillong for tech training and innovation.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Diseases} Melioidosis

• Context (TH): Recent environmental mapping in Odisha has revealed a significant presence of melioidosis, a bacterial infection during the monsoon season.

• Also known as Whitmore’s disease, is an infectious disease endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. India contributes to 44% of the global burden of melioidosis.
• Causative Agent: Burkholderia pseudomallei, commonly found in soil and water.
• Spread: Humans and animals typically contract the infection through direct contact with contaminated sources, particularly through skin abrasions, inhalation, or ingestion.
• Severity: High fatality is about 50% in septicaemic cases.
• Treatment: Initial intravenous therapy followed by a prolonged eradication phase of 12-20 weeks.

Key Findings of Environmental Mapping

• Seasonality: Disease exhibited a seasonality, with infections peaking during and after monsoon season.
• Environmental Factors: Disease occurrence also exhibited relationships with temperature, rainfall, cloud cover and solar radiation.
• Climate Change: Alters rainfall patterns and intensifies extreme weather events. Thus, the diseases could become more widespread and/or shift to new regions.
• Other: Rapid urbanisation and poor sanitation may further heighten risk by increasing human exposure to contaminated environments.

Way Forward

• Preventive Measures: Individuals engaged in agricultural activities or those with frequent exposure to soil and water should adopt protective measures, such as wearing appropriate footwear and clothing.
• Diagnosis and Treatment: Melioidosis often presents non-specific symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose. Early detection is crucial, as delayed treatment can lead to severe complications/fatalities.
• Awareness Programs: Educating healthcare professionals and the public about melioidosis is essential to ensure prompt recognition and management of the disease.

{GS3 – Envi – Air Pollution} World Air Quality Report 2024 *

• Context (IE | TH): The World Air Quality Report 2024 by IQAir ranked Delhi as the world’s most polluted capital for the sixth consecutive year.

Key Findings of the Report

• Delhi: Most Polluted Capital maintaining its top rank for the sixth consecutive year.
• India Ranked 5^th in Air Pollution though improving from 3^rd place in 2023.
• World’s Most Polluted City: Byrnihat in India.
• 13 out of 20 most polluted cities are in India.
• Six Indian cities among the world’s 10 most polluted: These include Delhi, Punjab’s Mullanpur, Faridabad, Loni, Gurugram, and Ganganagar.
• Decline in average PM2.5 levels in India: 7% decline in PM2.5 concentration in 2024 from 2023.
• Air Pollution Violations: Only 17% of global cities met WHO PM2.5 guidelines, with most polluted cities exceeding limits 10 times.
• Health Impacts: Increased respiratory diseases, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and a reduced life expectancy of 5.2 years in India.

Byrnihat

• Location: Byrnihat is a town on the Meghalaya-Assam border, ~20 km from Guwahati.
• Industrial Hub: Hosts industries in Meghalaya’s Byrnihat Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) and Assam’s Tamulikuchi industrial zone.
• Key Industries: Coke, cement, ferroalloys, steel, distilleries and brick manufacturing.
• Severe Air Pollution with PM2.5 levels far exceeding safe limits.
• Garbhanga Forest Reserve lying just ~26km from Byrnihat gets affected due to the pollution.
• Pollution Factors: Industrial emissions, vehicular congestion, road dust. Plus, Byrnihat’s bowl-shaped topography and low altitude (60m) trap pollutants, reducing wind speed and worsening air stagnation.

Source: IE

Major Sources of Air Pollution in India

• Crop stubble burning: Responsible for 60% of PM2.5 pollution during peak periods in North India.
• Vehicular emissions: Major contributor, especially in metropolitan cities like Delhi.
• Industrial emissions: Factories, steel plants and distilleries add to worsening air quality.
• Construction dust: Unregulated construction activity leads to high particulate matter in the air.
• Severe winter pollution: Delhi and Northern states faced extreme pollution episodes in Jan & Nov 2024.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Plastic Straws vs. Paper Straws

• Context (IE): The US government, under Donald Trump, revoked a previous ban on plastic straws, bringing back single-use plastic in federal operations.

Environmental Concerns of Plastic Straws

• Plastic Pollution: Plastic straws litter global coastlines, contributing to tons of annual plastic waste.
• Long Decomposition Time: Plastic takes centuries to break down, persisting as microplastics.
• Health Risks: Microplastic is linked to reproductive issues & cancer, polluting water, air & food chain.
• Recycling Challenges: Polypropylene (plastic in straws) is non-recyclable and ends up in landfills/oceans.
• Wildlife Harm: Viral incidents, like the 2015 video of a turtle with a plastic straw in its nostril, have highlighted the dangers of plastic waste.

Global Measures to Restrict Plastic Straws

• Govt Bans: The UK, EU, Canada, India, and several US states and cities have restricted plastic straw usage.
• Corporate Action: Companies have phased out plastic straws in favour of eco-friendly alternatives.
• Plastic Crisis Awareness: Straws serves as a gateway issue to broader plastic waste reduction initiatives.

Issues with Paper and Other Alternatives

• Paper Straws’ Drawbacks: Many paper straws are coated with plastic for water resistance, undermining their eco-friendliness.
• PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) Contamination: Some paper straws contain harmful chemicals that leach into water and pose health risks.
• Durability Concerns: Paper straws often degrade quickly, frustrating users and reducing their practicality.
• High Emission Production: Glass/steel straws need 23-63 reuses to offset manufacturing impact.
• Medical & Accessibility Needs: Plastic straws are essential for PwD & persons with medical conditions.

Way Forward: Sustainable Solutions

• Improving Alternatives: Innovation in biodegradable/reusable straws for effective replacements.
• Regulating Plastic Use: Focus on minimising non-essential plastic while retaining critical applications.
• Public Awareness: Educating about the environmental footprint of plastics & available alternatives.
• Corporate Responsibility: Sustainable packaging/production practices to reduce plastic dependency.

{GS3 – IE – Employment} India’s Youth Crisis **

• Context (IE): India has the world’s largest youth population, yet inadequate policies hinder their potential, affecting national growth and competitiveness.

Challenges Faced by Young Indians

• Poor Education Standards: Many children graduate without basic literacy or numeracy skills due to substandard schooling.
• Malnutrition and Stunting: 38% of children under six are stunted, and 17% are underweight, impacting cognitive development and learning ability.
• Unemployment & Underemployment: Lack of employable skills forces youth into low-paying jobs.
• Migration Crisis: Illegal migration due to bleak job prospects, risking exploitation and deportation.

Externalities of Govt Efforts

• State-Level Failures: Poor governance at the state level hinders improvements in education, healthcare, and skill development.
• Overemphasis on Heritage vs. Development: Cultural promotion outweighs focus on economic and industrial growth.

Comparisons with China

• Investment in Human Capital: China prioritises education, healthcare, and infrastructure, making its workforce globally competitive.
• Industrial & Skill Development: China attracts foreign investment by ensuring a productive workforce.

• India’s Shortcomings: Unlike China, India has lagged in ensuring a strong human capital foundation.

Way Forward: Need for Policy Shifts

• Urgent Government Action: Policymakers must shift focus from rhetoric to tangible reforms in education, healthcare, and employment generation.
• Job Creation Policies: Focus on manufacturing, technology, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Attracting Investments: Improve EoDB to position India as a global manufacturing hub.
• Youth-Centric Economic Planning: India must prioritise youth empowerment to leverage its demographic dividend before time runs out.

{GS3 – IS – Cyber Security} Cybercrime in India on the Rise

• Context (BS): Pratibimb module’s use in cybercrime investigations highlights a rise in cybercrime cases.

Rising Cybercrime in India

• Surge in Cyber Attacks: India faced ~1.2 billion cyberattacks in Q3 2024, a 92% increase from 2023.
• API-Based Frauds: 271 million attacks targeted APIs, posing major security risks.
• Financial Losses: Cyber frauds resulted in damages worth $20 million in FY24.

Initiatives to Tackle Cybercrime in India

Samanvaya: Cybercrime Coordination Platform

• LEA Data Sharing: Enables interstate collaboration for cybercrime analytics.
• Criminal Linkage Analysis: Identifies connections between offenders across states/UTs.

National Cyber Forensic Laboratory

• Established Under MHA: Set up under the Centre for Cybercrime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme, operating from Hyderabad.
• Centre of Excellence: Declared a CoE for Cyber Forensics by MHA to enhance digital investigations.
• First Notified Examiner: An Examiner of Electronic Evidence under Sec 79A of IT Act by MeitY.
• Specialized Forensic Units: Includes Mobile Forensics, Digital Storage Analysis, Advanced Digital Forensics and Crime Scene Examination.
• Role in Cybercrime Investigation: Supports police investigations with forensic tools. Accelerates digital forensic analysis, handling HDD, optical media, SIM cards, mobile forensics & damaged media recovery.

{GS3 – IS – Cyber Security} Pratibimb Module *

• Context (BS): The Pratibimb module, launched by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), has assisted in cybercrime investigations.

• GIS-Based Tracking System: Uses Geographic Information System to map cybercriminals in real time.
• Crime Infrastructure Mapping: Provides visibility to jurisdictional officers for better enforcement.
• Mobile Number Projection: Identifies numbers used in cybercrimes and tracks their activity nationwide.

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

• Central hub for cybercrime enforcement established by Min. of Home Affairs to tackle cybercrime.
• I4C manages the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), which serves as an online platform for individuals to report cybercrimes.

Key Functions

• Cybercrime Prevention: Strengthens law enforcement responses to digital frauds.
• Cyber Forensics & R&D: Develops investigative tools in collaboration with research institutes.
• Terrorism & Extremism Monitoring: Prevents misuse of cyberspace by radical groups.
• International Cyber Law Coordination: Facilitates Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties for cybercrime cases.
• Cyber Crime Volunteers Program: Engages citizens in reporting and combating cyber threats.

{GS3 – IS – Initiatives} Relocation of Assam Rifles in Mizoram

• Context (IE): Ceremonial transfer of land between Assam Rifles and the Mizoram government took place to mark the relocation of a paramilitary force from areas in the heart of Aizawl to Zokhawsang.

The Demand for Relocation

• Deployment of Assam Rifles: In Mizoram since 1890s.
• Demand For Relocation: Demand to relocate its base from Aizawl dates back to 1988, following an incident where Assam Rifles personnel were involved in the deaths of 12 civilians.
  • Since then, due to various reasons, including topography and lack of space, demand continued.
• Agreement: In October 2024, a formal agreement was signed between the Mizoram government and Assam Rifles to facilitate the relocation.

Significance of the Relocation

• The relocation is expected to alleviate congestion in Aizawl and address public concerns related to security and urban planning.
• It also signifies the government’s commitment to respecting local sentiments while ensuring the operational efficiency of the Assam Rifles in the region.
• It reflects collaborative efforts of the central and state governments to address local aspirations while maintaining national security interests.

Assam Rifles

• The Assam Rifles: India’s oldest paramilitary force, playing a crucial role in maintaining security in the Northeast region.
• Genesis: It was formed as the Cachar Levy in 1835 to primarily protect British Tea estates and their settlements against tribal raids.
• Operates Under: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Fondly called ‘Friends of the North East People’, the Force is the highest awarded and decorated Para Military Force of the Republic of India.

Credit: NSG

Roles and Responsibilities

• Internal Security & Counter-Insurgency: Assists in maintaining law and order in Northeast states.
• Border Security: Guards the 1,643 km Indo-Myanmar border.
  • The India-Myanmar border runs along the States of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km).

• Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Assistance: Assists during natural disasters and emergencies.
• Infrastructure: Contributes to road construction and civic action programs in remote areas.

{Species – Plants} Uniyala keralensis

• Context (TH): Plant species first collected 27 years ago were identified as new species of the genus Uniyala and named Uniyala keralensis (family Asteraceae).

Credit: Phytotaxa

• Uniyala keralensis: Small to large shrub with attractive light purple florets.
• Distribution: It is endemic to southwest India and named after the State of Kerala.
  • Found in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve at elevations of 700 to 1,400 meters.
• Population: The present population consists of nearly 5,000 individuals of various ages in four subpopulations occupying an area of 250 km2.
• Physical Description: Closely similar to U. comorinensis and U. salviifolia but clearly distinct species.
  • Uniyala keralensis has larger leaves, fairly long petioles (slender stalk that joins the leaf to the stem) and fewer lateral veins on the leaves.
• Flowering and Fruiting: August to April.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Data Deficient (DD).

Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

• Named after Agasthyakoodam, 2^nd highest peak in Kerala (1,868m).
• Location: The southernmost end of the Western Ghats spanning across Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts) and Tamilnadu (Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts).
• Area: Includes 3 wildlife sanctuaries, Shendurney, Peppara and Nayar, as well as Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve.
• Vegetation: Tropical forest
• Biodiversity: Constitutes an important biogeographical ‘hot spot’ within the Western Ghats. The reserve hosts 2,254 species of higher plants, including about 405 endemics.
• Fauna: Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed Macaque, Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant etc.
• Major Rivers: Karamana, Neyyar, and Thamirabarani
• Tribe: The reserve is home to Kani tribes from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme: It was recognised by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme in 2016 for its ecological significance.

Read More> Biosphere Reserve and Nilgiri Tahr.