Current Affairs – March 26, 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Sites} Vikramshila University *

Context (IE): Vikramshila University, an ancient centre of learning in Bihar, is being revived.

Historical Background

Vikramshila University: Founded by Pala King Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty in the late 8^th to early 9^th Century AD. Vikramshila Mahavihar existed and flourished at the time of Nalanda.
- It was one of the three most important Buddhist Mahaviharas of its time in India, along with Nalanda and Odantapuri.
Location: Antichak village, Bhagalpur district in Bihar.
Decline: Destroyed in the 12^th century by Bakhtiyar Khilji’s army, the same invader responsible for the fall of Nalanda University.

Academic System

Admissions: The university had a structured admission system, and scholars from Vikramshila were sent abroad to spread Buddhist teachings, particularly to Tibet.
Subjects: At its peak, subjects such as theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, and logic were taught at Vikramshila.
- It was a prominent center for Tantric Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism.
Eminent Scholars: Atisha Dipankara, a key figure in the revival of Buddhism in Tibet, was one of its most celebrated scholars.

Revival Plan

Plans are underway to develop Vikramshila as a modern center for Buddhist studies.
The project was approved by the Centre in 2015 with an initial budget of ₹500 crore, but progress was delayed due to land acquisition issues.

Comparison with Nalanda University

While Nalanda University flourished from the Gupta Period (320-550 AD) to the 12^th Century, Vikramshila thrived during the Pala Period (8^th to 12^th century).
While Nalanda got more international fame for teaching varied disciplines, Vikramshila was the only university that specialised in tantric and occult studies.

{GS1 – MIH – Personalities} Muthulakshmi Reddy

Context (IE): Remembering Muthulakshmi Reddy, who broke societal barriers in British India.

Source: IE

Pioneering Achievements

First Woman Legislator in British India: First female member nominated to the Madras Legislative Council in 1926.
First Woman Medical Graduate of Madras Presidency: Graduated with honors from Madras Medical College in 1912.
First Woman House Surgeon: Appointed by Colonel Gifford at Govt Hospital for Women & Children.

Helped abolish the Devadasi System: Led the campaign from 1927, resulting in its abolition in 1947.
Fought Against Prostitution and Purdah: Challenged exploitation and pushed for equal accountability of men in prostitution laws.
Promoted Women’s Education: Advocated for expanding schools, appointing women teachers, and establishing more training institutions.
Advocated for Safe Maternal Healthcare: Opposed harmful birthing practices and promoted women medical officers for safer deliveries.
Supported Birth Control: Helped pass a resolution at the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) for public education on family planning.

Political and Legal Advocacy

Advocated for Adult Franchise: Demanded voting rights for women.
Opposed Reserved Seats for Women: Stressed merit over token representation in politics.
Fought for Dalit and Women’s Rights: Called for equal opportunities for depressed classes and gender-inclusive policies.

International and Institutional Contributions

Attended Paris International Congress of Women (1930): Represented India on global gender issues.
Influenced the Women’s Indian Association (WIA): Worked alongside leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Annie Besant, and Margaret Cousins.

{GS2 – IR – India-US} US Seeks Greater Market Access for Key Farm Exports

Context (IE): Amid trade tensions and potential reciprocal tariffs, the US aims to expand market access for its agricultural exports to India, focusing on soybean, corn, and cotton.

US Agricultural Exports

The US is a major exporter of soybean, corn & cotton, with a peak shipment value of $62 bn in 2022.
China was historically the largest buyer; US exports to China have declined between 2022-2024.
Mexico and Japan have now replaced China as the top buyers of US corn.

India Projected as a Growing Market

USDA Report projects a surge in India’s demand for animal feed (corn & soybean meal) due to rising income and population.
Corn demand: Expected to rise to 98 mt by 2040 and 200.2 mt by 2050 under rapid income growth.
Soybean meal demand is projected to grow to 30.9 mt in 2040 and 68.3 mt in 2050 under rapid growth.
India currently levies high import duties (45% on soybean and 50% on corn) and bans GM crops, restricting US imports.

India’s Feed and Livestock Industry

Rising livestock demand: India’s per capita consumption of milk, eggs, fish, and meat is increasing, driving feed demand.
Feed imports in 2022: Totaled 178,969 tonnes, a fraction of China’s imports.
Domestic corn use: Increased to 34.7 mt (2022-23), with feed usage quadrupling.
India remains a minor importer of feed ingredients but has the potential for significant future demand.

India’s Status in Cotton

India’s cotton output: Peaked in 2013-14 but declined to 29.9 million bales (2024-25).
GM cotton adoption: Boosted India’s cotton production in the early 2000s, but lack of new technology approvals led to stagnation.
Imports rising: India’s projected cotton imports in 2024-25 exceed exports.
US exports to India: Valued at $491.2 million in 2022, declining to $210.7 million in 2024. Removal of the 11% import duty on cotton could further boost US exports to India.

Source: IE

Implications for India

Domestic impact: Lower duties may challenge Indian farmers but benefit the poultry and dairy industries.
Textile sector gains: Duty-free cotton imports can enhance India’s textile & apparel exports to the US.
Long-term strategy: India must balance import reliance, farmer interests & trade relations with the US.

{GS2 – IR – US} Mar-a-Lago Accord *

Context (IE): The “Mar-a-Lago Accord” has been discussed recently in the context of U.S. economic policy, particularly regarding the value of dollar and its impact on trade and manufacturing.

What is the Mar-a-Lago Accord?

Mar-a-Lago Accord: Also referred to as a modern version of the Plaza Accord (1985), it is a proposed U.S. strategy to weaken the dollar, aiming to address America’s growing trade deficit.
Original Plaza Accord (1985): The U.S. convinced Britain, Japan, Germany, and France to devalue the dollar jointly, making U.S. exports more competitive and reducing trade imbalances.
Recent Context: In 2024, the U.S. posted a trade deficit of over $1 trillion, highlighting concerns about declining domestic manufacturing and job creation.

Why is the U.S. Dollar So Strong?

Strong U.S. Dollar: The U.S. dollar remains dominant because of global trust, a stable store of value and a widely accepted medium of exchange.
Factors Behind Dollar’s Strength: A strong U.S. economy, an independent Federal Reserve and the Fed’s commitment to price stability, etc.
- Global demand for U.S. dollars is consistently high because central banks worldwide hold it as a foreign exchange reserve. This keeps its exchange rate elevated.
Consequences: As a result, Americans import more goods since foreign products are often cheaper than domestically produced ones.

How would the Mar-a-Lago Accord work?

Devaluation of Dollar: If the U.S. persuades other countries to let the dollar weaken (devalue) against their currencies, they will sell their dollar reserves in the open market and buy their own currencies.
Impact: This would increase the supply of dollars, lowering its exchange rate. A weaker dollar would make U.S. exports more competitive globally.

Challenges

Japan’s Experience as a Warning: The Plaza Accord led to Japan’s asset bubble and long-term economic struggles, making countries wary of similar agreements.
More Countries: G5 of 1985 has expanded to G20, making coordination much more complex.
Different Geopolitical Alignments: In 1985, U.S. trade rivals (Germany and Japan) were also military allies. Today, China is both a trade and military adversary, making cooperation harder.
Massive Monetary Scale: Daily currency market turnover is now about $7.5 trillion, five times higher than in 1989, making meaningful dollar devaluation a staggering task.
Diplomatic Challenges: If Trump wanted global leaders to support a weaker dollar, his approach has likely made it harder to gain their cooperation.

{GS2 – Polity – Cooperatives} International Year of Cooperatives *

Context (JLN | FPJ): The UN General Assembly declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), officially launched at the International Cooperative Alliance Global Conference hosted by India.

Objectives of IYC 2025: Raise awareness of cooperatives’ role in sustainable development, strengthen institutions, advocate for supportive policies, and inspire youth leadership in the sector.
Host Institution: Committee for Promotion & Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) with headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland.

International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

ICA is a global non-profit association representing ~3mn cooperatives worldwide, aiming to provide an international voice and forum for knowledge, expertise, and advocacy in the cooperative sector.
Founded in 1895, making it one of the oldest and largest non-governmental organisations.
Membership: 306 organisations from 105 countries.
Structure: It operates from Brussels, Belgium, with four regional offices (Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe) and multiple sectoral organisations.
Functions as a Cooperative Identity Guardian: Defines cooperative values, principles, and best practices for global adherence.

Also refer to Multi-State Cooperative Societies Bill 2023; Revitalizing Cooperative Societies in India.

Context (TH): Balance rehabilitation therapy or Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is essential for neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, vestibular and ageing-related conditions.

Challenge of Non-Recognition: The ‘National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke’ does not consider balance impairment a major risk factor.

Balance Rehabilitation Therapy or VRT

It is an evidence-based treatment for dizziness, vertigo, motion sensitivity, and balance issues caused by vestibular dysfunction.
It focuses on improving gaze stability, motion tolerance, and postural control through customised exercises tailored to the patient’s specific condition and symptoms.
Key Benefits: Improves balance, posture, and coordination; strengthens core stability, restores mobility, prevents falls, and aids recovery from strokes and neurological disorders.

Applications of VRT in Healthcare

Neurological Disorders: Benefits Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Sclerosis, Vestibular disorders, etc.
Musculoskeletal Issues: Essential for arthritis, post-surgical recovery, and rehabilitation of sports injuries.
Cardiovascular Health: Improves circulation, endurance, and fall prevention in heart patients.
Diabetes Management: Helps counter diabetic neuropathy by improving stability and mobility.
Geriatric Care: Addresses sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) and cognitive decline.
Chronic Pain and Functional Disorders: Provides relief in fibromyalgia and related conditions.
Paediatric Developmental Disorders: Enhances motor skills and coordination in children with movement disabilities.

Vestibular Diseases

Disorders affecting balance and coordination due to issues in the inner ear (peripheral) or brainstem/cerebellum (central).
Symptoms: Dizziness, vertigo, instability, unsteady gait (imbalance), nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), and compromised gaze stability.
Causes: Can be triggered by infections, aging, autoimmune responses, head trauma, or structural abnormalities in the inner ear.
Common Conditions: Includes Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s Disease, Vestibular Neuritis, Labyrinthitis, Acoustic Neuroma, and Vestibular Migraine.
Chronic Conditions: Some vestibular diseases, like Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) and Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS), lead to prolonged motion sensitivity and imbalance.
Treatment: VRT helps improve balance, gaze stability & motion tolerance based on the specific disorder.

Dizziness vs. Vertigo

Dizziness is a broad term for sensations like light-headedness and disorientation, while vertigo is a specific type involving an illusion of movement.
Vertigo results from peripheral or central vestibular diseases and is diagnosed based on subjective patient history, as there are no objective measurement methods.
Contrary to popular belief, vertigo affects all age groups with common symptoms including headaches, double vision & blackout sensations; treatable through VRT, medications & surgical options.

Context (PIB): On World TB Day, (March 24), India reiterates commitment to eliminate TB by 2025, 5 yrs ahead of global 2030 target with 2025 theme, ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver’.

TB Burden in India

India has the largest TB burden globally, with 26% of global cases & 29% of global TB-related deaths.
TB incidence dropped 17.7% (237 per lakh in 2015 to 195 per lakh in 2023).
TB-related deaths fell 21.4% (28 per lakh in 2015 to 22 per lakh in 2023).
Case notifications: 25.5 lakh cases in 2023, rising to 26.07 lakh in 2024.

National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP)

Launched in 2020 by Union Min. of Health to replace Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program.
Target: Eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the global 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Strategy: Detect – Treat – Prevent – Build (DTPB).

Key Achievements of NTEP

First-ever indigenous TB Burden Model: India’s own state-wise mathematical model for TB estimates.
3 lakh additional cases detected via house-to-house screening of high-risk groups.
Medical College Task Force: 560 colleges aiding TB detection and research.
Sub-National Disease-Free Certification: Tracks drug sales, underreporting, and TB surveys.
Multi-sectoral partnerships: Collaboration with ministries, industries, NGOs, and technical bodies.

On-going TB Elimination Initiatives

Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA)

Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to accelerate TB elimination by 2025 through community participation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding, and digital tracking.
Aims to improve treatment outcomes by providing additional patient support and enhancing multi-sectoral involvement.

Key Components

Ni-Kshay Digital Portal:
- A national web-enabled TB surveillance system was developed by MoHFW, NIC, and WHO India.
- Tracks TB cases, treatment adherence, and case transfers across public and private sectors.
- Provides a platform for community support and patient monitoring.
Ni-Kshay Mitra Initiative:
- Encourages donors to adopt TB patients for at least 1 yr to provide additional support (nutrition, diagnostic tests, vocational assistance, etc.) for on-treatment TB patients.
- Open to various donors like individuals, NGOs, corporations, and institutions, including cooperatives, corporations, elected representatives, institutions, and political parties.
- 1.55 lakh Ni-Kshay Mitras registered, supporting 8.66 lakh TB patients through structured assistance.

Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY):
- Centrally sponsored scheme launched by MoHFW in 2018 as part of NTEP under National Health Mission (NHM).
- Energy-Dense Nutritional Supplementation (EDNS) for underweight TB patients (BMI <18.5).
- Financial assistance for TB patients increased from ₹500 to ₹1,000 per month for the duration the patient is on anti-TB treatment.
- The incentives can be distributed in cash only via Direct Benefit Transfer (preferably through Aadhaar-enabled bank accounts) or in-kind.
- Over ₹3,202 crore disbursed to 1.13 crore TB patients via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Major Screening & Detection Drives

Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra: Screened 3.8 crore people for TB.
Private Sector Engagement: Ni-Kshay TB Notification Incentive (2018) for reporting TB cases and improving surveillance.

Advanced Drug-Resistant TB Treatment

Short, safe, all-oral Bedaquiline regimen improved treatment success rates (68% in 2020 to 75% in 2022.
mBPaL regimen (Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid): 80% success rate for MDR-TB, reducing treatment duration to 6 months.

Also refer to Tuberculosis.

{GS3 – Agri – Food Security} Food Waste Crisis **

Context (TH): UNEP’s Food Waste Index Report 2024 highlights ~20% of all consumer-available food being wasted globally in 2022. India ranks among the top contributors.

Magnitude of Food Waste

Household Waste: 61% of global food waste originates at the household level.
India’s Contribution: 2^nd largest food-wasting nation after China (78 mn tonnes of food wastage per yr).
- Per Capita Waste: Each Indian wastes 55 kg of food annually, less than the USA (73 kg) but significant due to India’s large population.

Food Wastage vs. Food Loss

Food Wastage: Includes edible & inedible parts discarded at manufacturing, retail, restaurant and household levels.
Food Loss: Occurs earlier in the supply chain due to poor storage, transportation and handling inefficiencies.

Causes of Food Waste

Household-Level Factors: Over-purchasing, inadequate meal planning, limited storage, and cultural habits of preparing excess food.
Infrastructure Deficiencies: Inadequate cold storage and inefficient transportation lead to food spoilage before reaching markets.
Supply Chain Inefficiencies: Poor refrigeration, weak distribution networks, and short shelf life contribute to significant food wastage at retail levels.

Implications of Food Wastage

Environmental and Economic Impact

Resource Misuse: Wasting food also wastes land, water, and energy used in production.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Food waste contributes 8%-10% of annual global emissions, making it the third-largest emitter after China and the US if classified as a country instead of a sector.
Landfill Contribution: Food waste makes up 10%-12% of municipal waste in India, emitting methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
Climate Change Effects: Rising temperatures, erratic monsoons and weather shocks disrupt food supply, worsening food insecurity.
Economic Loss: Globally, food worth >$1 trillion is wasted each year, while millions face food insecurity.

Social Impact

Hunger Crisis: ~20 crore Indians go to bed hungry every day despite surplus food production.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Wastage hinders SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12.3 (Reducing food waste at retail and consumer levels).

Measures to Reduce Food Waste

Household Waste Reduction: Plan meals smartly, buy only necessary groceries, store food properly, and repurpose leftovers to minimise waste.
- Composting: Convert organic waste into compost for soil enrichment.
- Donations: Donate surplus food to charities to prevent unnecessary disposal.
Infrastructure Development: Increased investment in cold storage & efficient transportation networks.
Tech Integration: Use food redistribution networks & apps to connect surplus food with those in need.
Retail and Industry Reforms: Encourage businesses to redistribute unsold food rather than discard it.
Govt Initiative: “Save Food, Share Food” promote large-scale food redistribution & waste minimisation.
Educational Awareness: Schools & institutions should integrate responsible consumption into curricula.

{GS3 – IE – Taxes} Equalisation Levy

Context (TOI): The central government has proposed to abolish the Equalization Levy, or digital tax, on online advertisements, effective from April 1, 2025.

Key Features

It is a Direct tax imposed on specific digital transactions, primarily targeting non-resident companies that provide digital services in India.
Purpose: Introduced in 2016 to ensure fair taxation of foreign digital businesses operating in India.
Initial Levy (2016): A 6% tax on payments for online advertisement services provided by foreign digital companies.
Purpose: To create a level playing field between domestic and foreign digital businesses, ensuring that non-resident companies contributing to India’s digital economy pay their fair share of taxes.
Expansion: In 2020, its scope was extended to e-commerce transactions, imposing a 2% levy on e-commerce supplies. It was abolished in August 2024.

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} Role of DNA Polymorphisms in DNA Fingerprinting

Context (TH): DNA fingerprinting relies on unique DNA polymorphisms to create genetic profiles.

Composition and Variability of DNA

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the genetic blueprint of living beings. Humans inherit 46 chromosomes (23 from each parent).
Composed of four bases: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C) and Guanine (G).
DNA Polymorphisms are individual-specific variations that form the basis of DNA fingerprinting.

DNA Fingerprinting

It identifies individuals using distinct DNA sequences.

It is based on Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) found in DNA.
- STRs, found at specific locations in the genome, are repeating DNA sequences with each person having a unique STR profile, except identical twins.
- They are highly polymorphic due to variation in repeat numbers among individuals.

Generating DNA Fingerprints

DNA Extraction: Obtained from blood, saliva, bones, skin cells or hair.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): Amplifies DNA for analysis.
- Denaturation (95°C): DNA strands separate.
- Annealing (60°C): Primers bind to target sequences.
- Extension (72°C): DNA polymerase synthesises new strands.
Electrophoresis: This separates DNA fragments to create a genetic profile.

DNA Fingerprinting: Applications

Forensic Science: Identifies criminals using crime scene DNA; Exonerates wrongly convicted individuals.
Paternity and Relationship Testing: Confirms biological relationships and helps in ancestry tracing.
Disaster Victim Identification: Helps recognise remains.
Medical Uses: Determines transplant compatibility and genetic disorder risks.

DNA Polymorphisms

Results from mutations or variations in DNA sequences.
Genetic variations, including SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) and VNTRs (Variable Number Tandem Repeats), occur in both coding and non-coding parts of DNA, distinguishing individuals.

{Species – Plants} First-Ever Export of Anthurium Flowers from Mizoram

Context (PIB): India achieved a milestone in floriculture exports as the first-ever consignment of Anthurium flowers from Mizoram was flagged off to Singapore in February 2025.

About Anthurium Flower

Source: Wikipedia

Anthurium is a tropical flowering plant belonging to the Araceae family, known for its ornamental value and air-purifying properties.
Native Regions: Americas, from Mexico to Argentina, and parts of the Caribbean.
Widely grown in Mizoram and other northeastern states due to favorable humid and tropical conditions.
Anthurium Festival: Annual event in Mizoram promoting the flower’s beauty and commercial potential.

Features

Herbaceous plant, growing epiphytically or terrestrially. It has colorful spathes (red, pink, orange, etc.) surrounding a spadix. Produces juicy berries containing seeds.

It is grown mostly indoors and helps remove toxins like formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, xylene, and allergens from the air.
Toxic if ingested due to calcium oxalate crystals; can cause skin and eye irritation.

Floriculture export

Contribution to India’s Floriculture Exports: Stood at USD 86.62 million in FY 2023-24.
Major Floriculture-Producing States: Tamil Nadu (21%), Karnataka (16%), MP (14%), West Bengal (12%).
Major Importing Countries: USA, Netherlands, UAE, UK, Canada.

APEDA’s Role in Promoting Floriculture Exports

APEDA is a statutory body established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act of 1985, functioning under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Functions

Develops and facilitates the export of agricultural and processed food products.
Organizes buyer-seller meets to enhance global market linkages.
Implement export strategies for the Northeastern Region’s horticultural & floricultural products.