Current Affairs – March 18 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Sites} Menhirs: Ancient Megalithic Monuments

Context (IE | IE): Mudumal megalithic menhirs in Telangana entered UNESCO’s tentative list in 2025, set to become the state’s second World Heritage Site.

Megaliths: A Broader Category

Megaliths refer to large stone structures built in prehistory, either as burial sites or memorials. Indian megaliths are primarily dated to the Iron Age (1500 BC – 500 BC).

Types of Megaliths

Burial Megaliths: Dolmenoid cists (box-shaped tombs), cairn circles (stone-ringed graves), and capstones (mushroom-shaped burial chambers in Kerala).
Non-Burial Megaliths: Menhirs, stone circles, and other commemorative structures.

What is a Menhir?

The term originates from the Brittonic words “maen” (stone) and “hir” (long).
A menhir is a large upright standing stone, often tapered at the top.
They are man-made, sculpted and placed by humans for ceremonial, religious, or astronomical purposes.
The Grand Menhir Brise in France is the tallest known menhir, originally standing at 20.6 meters.
Menhirs exist globally, mainly in Western Europe, with key sites like Carnac (France) & Stonehenge (UK).

Menhirs in India

Found In: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
In South India, Menhirs are Known as: Nilskal, Nintikal, Anekallu, Rakkasakal, and Garbinikal.

Mudumal Menhir Site

Mudumal menhirs in Telangana date back 3,500 to 4,000 BP, making them the oldest in India and finds reference in ancient Tamil literature as “Nadukal” (memorial stones).

BP (Before Present) is a time scale used in archaeology and geology, referring to years before AD 1950, the established reference point for radiocarbon dating. For example, 2000 BP equates to 50 B.C.

Alignments of menhirs suggest they were positioned to track the rising and setting sun during summer and winter solstices. It is described as a ‘megalithic astronomical observatory’ by UNESCO.
Many menhirs feature engravings of spirals, lines, or weapons like axes.
Local legends associate one particular menhir with Goddess Yellamma, and worship continues today.
Scholars speculate their use in fertility rites, seasonal cycles, or as territorial markers.

Also refer to Sites from MP in UNESCO’s Tentative List.

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Geomorphology} Formation of Organic Compounds on Earth

Context (IE): A recent study suggests that crashing waterfalls and breaking waves may have played a crucial role in generating water mists.

Early Conditions on Earth

Early Earth: The Earth formed around 4.6 billion years ago and, for billions of years, had a rich mix of chemicals but lacked organic molecules with carbon-nitrogen bonds.
Carbon-Nitrogen Bonds: These bonds are crucial for proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, and other compounds that make up living beings today.

Miller-Urey Hypothesis

In 1952, Stanley Miller and Harold Urey showed that a lightning strike in a mixture of gases—methane, ammonia, and hydrogen could produce organic molecules.
However, later research raised doubts, arguing that real lightning was infrequent and mainly struck the open ocean, where organic compounds would have quickly dispersed.

A New Perspective on Life’s Origins

New Study: Published in the journal Science Advances suggests that micro lightning from water droplets may have sparked life on Earth.

Key Findings

Water Spray: Sufficient to generate organic compounds without the requirement of external electricity.
Droplet Charges: When water droplets divide, they develop opposing charges. While larger droplets have positive charges, smaller ones carry negative ones.
Microlightning: When these oppositely charged droplets move close together, tiny sparks leap between them. This process is called “micro lightning”.
Organic compounds: Microlightning led to the formation of organic compounds, including hydrogen cyanide, glycine, and uracil.
Conclusion: The study suggests that rather than rare lightning strikes, the constant energy from crashing waves and waterfalls could have initiated life.

Organic Compounds

Organic Compounds: Carbon-based molecules that form the foundation of all known life. They are essential for biological processes, from energy production to genetic coding.
Examples: Amino acids, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids etc.

Importance of Organic Compounds for the Origin of Life on Earth

Formation of Biomolecules: Organic compounds, such as amino acids, nucleotides, and sugars, are the precursors of life’s fundamental molecules.
Role in Metabolic Reactions: Organic molecules enable chemical reactions necessary for life, such as energy production and synthesis of new compounds.
Energy Storage and Transfer: Organic molecules like glucose and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) are critical for storing and transferring energy within cells.
Formation of the First Cells: The ability of organic molecules to form self-replicating structures (like RNA) was crucial for life’s emergence.
Evolution and Complexity: Organic molecules provided the foundation for biological evolution, enabling the transition from simple molecules to complex life forms.

Other Theories about Origin of Life on Earth

Panspermia: Life Seeded by Comets and Meteors

Panspermia Hypothesis: Suggests that life’s essential ingredients or even microbial life could have come from space.
Some propose that building blocks of life may have been delivered via comets, asteroids, or meteorites.

Discovery of Pro-Chirality: A Landmark in Chemistry and Biology

Chirality: Refers to the “handedness” of molecules, meaning they exist in two forms that are mirror images of each other, just like right and left hands. This property is essential for life’s processes, influencing how molecules interact and function.
- In 1953, researchers at the University of Chicago introduced the concept of pro-chirality.
Significance: Large biological molecules, such as proteins and DNA, rely on chirality to form stable and reproducible structures. Without chirality, enzymes, cell membranes, and genetic materials would not function properly.

Read More> Origin of Life on Earth.

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Linguistic Secularism **

Context (TH): SC’s 2014 judgment in UP Hindi Sahittya Sammelan vs State of UP upheld ‘linguistic secularism’ to ensure inclusivity in language laws, pointing its importance amid India’s language debate.

Linguistic Secularism is the principle of accommodating multiple languages in governance & education without imposing a single language. It balances regional linguistic aspirations & national integration.

Relevance in India’s Language Debate

Tamil Nadu Opposition: The state government has criticised the National Education Policy (NEP) for allegedly imposing Hindi, affecting regional educational growth.
Union Govt’s Stand: Committed to NEP implementation with linguistic inclusivity.

SC Observations

Organic Evolution of Language Laws: The court recognised that both law and language evolve organically, ensuring flexibility in linguistic policies.
Accommodative, Not Rigid: Indian language laws were described as adaptable, aimed at maintaining linguistic harmony and inclusivity.
No Imposition of Language: Imposing a language against people’s will could be counterproductive and disrupt national unity.
Hindi as an Official Language, Not National Language: The Constituent Assembly compromise (Munshi-Ayyangar formula) led to Hindi being the official language, but not the national language, recognising India’s linguistic diversity.
Right to Choose Medium of Instruction: SC upheld that a student’s Right To Education includes freedom to choose the language of instruction, preventing state imposition.
Article 351 & Promotion of Hindi: While Article 351 directs the Union to promote Hindi, it does not override the right of citizens to education in their preferred language.
Fundamental Right to Conserve Language: Article 29(1) guarantees every linguistic group the right to preserve its language, script and culture, extending this right beyond minorities.

Munshi-Ayyangar formula: by K.M. Munshi and N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar, resulted in Article 343, designating Hindi in Devanagari as the official language of the Union, with English continuing for official purposes for 15 years.

Key Judicial References

216^th Law Commission Report: Warned against the forced imposition of Hindi, emphasising language as an emotional and integrative force.
Allahabad HC (1982) Judgment: Stated that no citizen can compel an institution to impart education in a specific language.
State of Karnataka vs Associated Management (2014): Affirmed the right of students and parents to decide the medium of instruction.
U.S. Supreme Court’s Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1924): Referenced by SC to highlight that a child’s education is not solely the state’s prerogative but also the responsibility of those who nurture them.

{GS2 – MoHFW – Initiatives} ASHA Workers & National Health Mission (NHM) *

Context (IE): Kerala’s ASHA workers have been on strike, demanding increased honorariums and retirement benefits, highlighting their crucial role in India’s healthcare system.
India is on track to meet SDGs for health before 2030. Yet, the Union Cabinet approved NHM continuation for 2 more years for improved healthcare.

Origins: Based on Chhattisgarh’s Mitanin Programme (2002), it was introduced under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005.
Extended to urban areas in 2013 under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).
Eligibility: Typically, women aged 25-45 years from local communities. Preference for married, widowed, or divorced women with at least Class 10 education.
Operational in all States and Union Territories except Goa.
Training: By Anganwadi Workers (ANWs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs).

Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs)

First-line health workers are based at health sub-centres.
Designated as multipurpose workers (MPWs) to oversee public health programs.
Handle maternal health, immunisation and family planning services.

Anganwadi Workers (ANWs)

Work under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
Assist in immunisation and family planning initiatives.
Provide supplementary nutrition, preschool education and maternal health support.

Key Responsibilities of ASHA Workers

ASHA Workers: Bridge marginalized communities with healthcare, promoting maternal care, immunization, and nutrition awareness.
Disease Prevention: Screen for malaria, TB, and other infections; provide basic medicines and first aid.
TB Treatment Support: Facilitate access to Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) for TB patients.
Women’s Health: Counsel on contraception, menstrual hygiene, and sexually transmitted infections.
Sanitation Promotion: Encourage household toilet construction for better hygiene.
Community Health: Raise awareness on nutrition, hygiene and report births and deaths.

Compensation Structure

ASHAs are considered volunteers, not employees, therefore, they get a Fixed Honorarium of ₹2,000/month (varies by state) plus Performance-based Incentives under National Health Programmes.

Funding Mechanism

NHM follows a 60:40 funding ratio between the Centre and States (90:10 for Northeastern and Himalayan States; 100% for UTs without legislature).
States have autonomy in structuring salaries and incentives within NHM guidelines.

National Health Mission (NHM)

Launched in 2005 as NRHM; expanded in 2013 to include NUHM.
Aims to provide universal, affordable, and high-quality healthcare.

Key Components

Health System Strengthening: Infrastructure, workforce, and digital health initiatives.
RMNCH+A: Focuses on Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health.
Disease Control Programmes: Tackles communicable & non-communicable diseases.

RMNCH+A

Vision Statement: Aims for a society with no preventable maternal and child deaths, where every pregnancy is wanted, and every child thrives.
Objective: Reduce total fertility rate (TFR), infant mortality rate (IMR) & maternal mortality ratio (MMR).
Policy Alignment: Supports SDGs, National Population Policy 2000, National Health Policy 2002, and Vision 2020 India.
Targeted Healthcare: Ensures accessible and quality primary healthcare and family welfare services for vulnerable populations.
Maternal Mortality Goal: Reduce maternal deaths to below 70 per 1,00,000 live births by 2030.
Child Mortality Target: Lower neonatal mortality to 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030.
Global Comparability: Strives to improve health indicators to match developed nations.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – STs} Reassessing Tribal Classification in India

Context (TH): Anthropologists propose a spectrum-based tribal classification, challenging the outdated Lokur Committee criteria for ST status.

Current Tribal Classification Criteria

Lokur Committee, 1965: Defines STs based on primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact, and backwardness.
This criterion is termed obsolete, derogatory and impractical, as no community meets 100% of them.
Govt continues using the Lokur Committee’s parameters despite recommendations for change.

Need for a Spectrum-Based Approach

Diversity in Tribal Identities: A rigid definition fails to accommodate India’s vast socio-cultural diversity.
Tribalness Spectrum: Proposal to assess communities using a graded matrix over binary classification.
Potential Indicators: Up to 150 characteristics, including social structures, marriage customs, rituals, language, material culture, and kinship patterns.
Practical Application: Helps in accurate ethnographic assessments for ST status.

Challenges in Defining ‘Tribalness’

Subjectivity in Indicators: Difficult to assign weightage to social, cultural and economic factors.
Regional Variations: Communities differ significantly across India, making standardisation complex.
Ethnic Conflicts: Inclusion of new groups can trigger disputes, as seen in Manipur’s Meitei-ST demand.
Institutional Delays: Govt reluctance to update classification methods despite expert recommendations.

Potential Implications of a New Classification System

Policy Impact: A refined framework would ensure fairer access to reservations and welfare benefits.
Academic Contribution: Bridges the gap between anthropology and policy-making.
Legal & Admin. Framework: Necessitates revisions in tribal research methodologies & legal procedures.
Inter-Community Relations: Risk of inter-group tensions over ST recognition.

Key Institutions Involved

Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI): Leading research on redefining tribal classification.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): Engaged in policy deliberations on ST status.
Indian Anthropology Congress: Hosted discussions with top anthropologists and policymakers.

Way Forward

Re–evaluation of ST Criteria: Shift towards a flexible, evidence-based classification system.
Consensus-Based Framework: Engage communities, scholars & policymakers in defining tribalness.
Regular Updates: Periodic reassessment of communities to reflect socio-economic changes.
Ethnographic Documentation: Strengthen research methodologies for accurate classification.

{GS3 – Agri – Finance} US-India Farm Trade Negotiations

Context (IE): US farmers get more government support than Indian farmers, a key issue in US-India trade talks as Washington seeks greater market access.

US Farm Support System vis-à-vis India

Direct Payments: Unlike India, the US provides financial aid directly to farmers rather than subsidising inputs like fertilisers, electricity, or water.
Key Programs: Price Loss Coverage (PLC), Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), and Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) compensate farmers for price fluctuations and revenue shortfalls.
Risk Management: These programs ensure stable incomes without direct government procurement, unlike India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) system.
Scale: India’s support is spread over a vastly larger farmer base, leading to lower per capita benefits compared to the US.
Multiple Subsidies in India: Includes PM-Kisan direct income support, fertiliser subsidies, crop loans, crop insurance, and MSP procurement.

Challenges in Trade Negotiations

Unequal Competition: US farmers receive higher direct financial support, making Indian farmers vulnerable if markets open to American produce.
WTO Provisions: Developing countries like India are entitled to “special and differential treatment” to safeguard domestic agriculture.

{GS3 – IE – RBI} RBI Wins Digital Transformation Award 2025 *

Context (PIB): RBI won the Digital Transformation Award from Central Banking, London, for its initiatives.

About Pravaah and Sarthi Initiatives

Sarthi System (Launched: January 2023): Internal digital infrastructure enabling RBI staff to securely store, analyse, and exchange data using dashboards and reports.
Pravaah System (Launched: May 2024): Digital platform facilitating external regulatory applications and real-time processing with cybersecurity and tracking mechanisms.
Impact: Enhanced transparency, efficiency and seamless integration within RBI’s operations.

Key Benefits of Digital Transformation

Efficiency: Less paperwork, faster processing, stronger regulation & better public service delivery.
Transparency: Real-time tracking and improved record management.
Cybersecurity: Centralized system ensuring secure data handling.

{GS3 – IS – Laws} Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case

Context (IE): Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold from Dubai.

Gold Smuggling Regulations in India

Governing Laws: Primarily regulated under the Customs Act, 1962, and Baggage Rules, 2016.
Import Duty: Gold imports attract customs duties varying with weight and residency duration abroad.
- Duty-Free Allowance: Men can carry up to 20 grams (Rs 50,000) and women up to 40 grams (Rs 1 lakh) duty-free if they have stayed abroad for over a year.
- Gold Carriage Limit from Dubai: Passengers residing in Dubai for over six months can bring up to 1 kg of gold upon paying applicable customs duty.
Customs Duty Rates: 3% for men (on 20-50g) & women (on 40-100g); 6% for men (on 50-100g) & women (on 100-200g), 10% for men (>100g) & women (>200g).
SC Ruling (2003): Non-compliance with import conditions makes the goods “prohibited,” liable for confiscation under Section 111 of the Customs Act and punishable under Section 112.

Penalties for Gold Smuggling

Customs Act, 1962: Section 135 prescribes imprisonment of up to 7 years if the smuggled goods exceed Rs 1 lakh in market value.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: Section 111 penalises organised gold smuggling with imprisonment ranging from 5 years to life.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA): If gold smuggling threatens India’s monetary stability, it can be classified as a “terrorist act” under Section 15, leading to severe penalties.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} 5G Innovation Hackathon 2025

Context (PIB): Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2025.

5G Innovation Hackathon

Objective: Accelerate the development of innovative 5G-powered solutions for societal and industrial challenges through mentorship, funding, and access to 5G Use Case Labs.
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, startups, and professionals with innovative 5G-based ideas.
Focus Areas: AI-driven network maintenance, IoT-enabled solutions, 5G broadcasting, smart health, agriculture, industrial automation, NTN (non-terrestrial networks), D2M (Direct-to-Mobile), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), and quantum communication.

5G Technology

Ultra-Fast Speeds: Offers data rates up to 10 Gbps, enabling instant downloads and seamless streaming.
Low Latency: Reduces delay to 1 millisecond, supporting real-time apps like autonomous vehicles.
Massive Connectivity: Supports up to 1 million devices per km², enabling widespread IoT adoption.
Enhanced Network Efficiency: Increased energy, spectrum and operational efficiency for better connectivity and lower costs.

5G Bands in India

Low-Band (600-700 MHz): Wide coverage with lower speeds (~50 Mbps).
Mid-Band (1.7-2.5 GHz): Balanced coverage and speed (100-900 Mbps).
High-Band (24 GHz+): Ultra-fast speeds (1 Gbps) over short distances.

Source: UrTech

5G Use Case Test Lab

Industry 5G Private Network: A controlled environment to develop, test, and deploy 5G-enabled industrial applications.
Tech Integration: Combines 5G Radio, Core networks, Edge/Cloud IT/OT applications & IoT sensors.
App Testing: Voice, video, data communication, predictive maintenance & real-time monitoring.
Advanced Technology Exploration: Enables development of digital twins, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and AR/VR applications.
Scalable & Replicable Model: Acts as a prototype for implementing private 5G networks in real-world industrial settings.
Enhanced Connectivity & Efficiency: Provides high-speed, low-latency communication for mission-critical operations.
Data Security & Privacy: Secure data within industrial infrastructures through private 5G networks.

{Prelims – In News} Tren de Aragua

Context (IE): US President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport members of the Venezuelan-origin gang Tren de Aragua.

About Tren de Aragua (TdA)

Origin and Name: The Tren de Aragua (TdA), or “Train from Aragua” in Spanish, was founded in 2014 in Tocorón prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state.
- Name originates from a group of railroad workers constructing a railway between Caracas & Aragua.
Pran System: It emerged as part of the ‘pran system’, where incarcerated crime bosses organised drug and kidnapping networks and collaborated with gangs outside prisons.
Expansion: Venezuela’s economic crisis in 2017 accelerated its expansion into neighbouring Colombia, Peru, and Chile.
Current Activities: The gang is believed to control extensive drug networks, sex trafficking rings, and extortion schemes, preying on Venezuelan migrants across South America.