Current Affairs – May 03, 2025

{GS1 – Geo – Solar System} Near-Surface Shear Layer of Sun

Context (PIB): Scientists have mapped plasma currents in the Sun’s Near-Surface Shear Layer (NSSL).

Near-Surface Shear Layer (NSSL)

NSSL is a dynamic 35,000 km-deep zone just below the Sun’s visible surface where solar plasma rotation rate drops sharply with depth.
In the NSSL, the Sun’s angular velocity (rotation speed) decreases rapidly with radius, creating a rotational shear that varies with depth, latitude, and solar magnetic activity.

Major Findings

Plasma currents in NSSL align with the 11-year solar magnetic (sunspot) cycle.
Surface plasma flows converge at active sunspot latitudes, then reverse midway in the NSSL, flowing outward to form circulation cells.
These flow patterns are influenced by Sun’s rotation & Coriolis force, mirroring storm systems on Earth.
Localized NSSL flows shape rotational shear but do not drive large-scale torsional oscillations, hinting at unknown deeper interior dynamics.

Methodology Used

Used Helioseismology: Tracking sound waves inside the Sun to decode internal plasma movements.
They used over a decade of data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and NSO.
Confirmatory analysis using 3D velocity maps of sunspot zones revealed matching surface inflows and deeper outflows.

Significance

Helps enhance the understanding of solar magnetism, sunspot evolution & the Sun’s rotational dynamics.
Critical to building predictive models for solar weather, which impacts satellites, power grids, and communication on Earth.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – FRs} Inclusive Digital Access as a Fundamental Right **

Context (LM): SC in Amar Jain v. Union of India mandates inclusive e-KYC process recognizing digital access as part of right to life under Article 21.

Digital Divide

Systemic Barriers in Digital India: Highlighted that India’s rapid digitisation excludes people without access to assistive tech, digital literacy or inclusive platforms.
Digital Welfare Lockout: Most central schemes (ration, pensions, subsidies) rely on digital authentication and KYC, which are inaccessible to many with disabilities or those in rural areas.

Digital Divide: Unequal access to devices, digital skills, online content and service design that excludes rural, disabled, elderly and poor citizens.

Key Highlights of the SC Ruling

Reinterpretation of Right to Life: SC reaffirmed that access to digital services forms an intrinsic component of Article 21, ensuring dignity, autonomy and participation in a digitised society.
Substantive Justice Approach rather than merely procedural, interpretation of rights to ensure real and meaningful access to essential services for all.
Sabu Mathew George v. Union of India: SC held that digital platforms must not enable discriminatory practices, hence must be made accountable to constitutional rights.
Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India: SC held that access to internet is integral to freedom of expression & trade, implying state’s duty to ensure continuity and accessibility of digital platforms.
Revision of e-KYC Norms: Directed overhaul of digital Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines to accommodate persons with facial disfigurement or visual impairments.
Inclusive Design Mandate: Need for a universal design approach in digital infrastructure ensuring usability including persons with disabilities, acid attack survivors, elderly, rural poor & linguistic minorities.
Accessibility in Critical Services: Declared that all portals, govt, fintech, education, must be universally accessible to fulfil constitutional obligations under Articles 14, 15, 21 and 38.
Recognition of Rights Under Disability Law: Held that digital exclusion of PwDs violates Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, a statutory right to accessibility & reasonable accommodation.

Significance

Foundation for Inclusive Digital Ecosystem: SC ruling places digital access within the core of constitutional rights, emphasising equity, dignity and non-discrimination in public service delivery.
Institutional Responsibility: Places legal obligation on government and regulatory institutions like RBI to frame inclusive, technology-neutral digital access frameworks.
Paradigm Shift in Rights Jurisprudence: Reflects shift from narrow procedural interpretations to a rights-based governance model that prioritises real-world accessibility.

Previous Expansion of the Understanding of Article 21

Right to Livelihood – Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985): Held that the right to life includes the right to livelihood as a condition for living with dignity.
Right to Clean Environment – Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991): Recognised a pollution-free environment as essential to enjoying the right to life.
Right to Education – Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka (1992): Prior to the enactment of Article 21A, education was read into Article 21 as necessary for individual freedom and dignity.
Right to Privacy – Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017): Affirmed that privacy is a fundamental right implicit in Article 21, influencing the handling of digital data and personal information.
Right to Die with Dignity – Common Cause v. Union of India (2018): Recognised passive euthanasia and living wills as an extension of the right to die with dignity under Article 21.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Parliament} Deputy Speaker *

Context (TH): For the second consecutive term (17^th & 18^th Lok Sabha), India has not appointed a Deputy Speaker, despite it being a constitutional requirement.

Constitutional Mandate

Article 93: The Constitution mandates that both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha be elected “as soon as may be.”
- The phrase “as soon as may be” indicates urgency and not indefinite delay. It ensures that both positions are filled promptly, enabling smooth parliamentary functioning.
Article 94: The Deputy Speaker’s tenure continues until resignation, removal, or disqualification.
- This ensures leadership continuity in case the Speaker is unavailable, such as during illness or resignation, thus avoiding a leadership vacuum.

Historical Evolution and Purpose of Deputy Speaker (DS) Post

Colonial Origins: The office was first created in 1921 under the Government of India Act, 1919, during British rule. Sachidanand Sinha was the first to hold this post.
Post-Independence Retention: After independence, the Constituent Assembly retained the DS role as a critical part of India’s democratic governance.
In 1956, when Speaker G.V. Mavalankar passed away unexpectedly, the then DS , M.A. Ayyangar, assumed the role of Acting Speaker, demonstrating the essential nature of this office.

Core Responsibilities

Presides over Lok Sabha: Ensures smooth conduct of parliamentary proceedings in the absence of the Speaker. This role is crucial for maintaining legislative efficiency.
Chairs key committees: Leads significant parliamentary committees like the Committee on Private Members’ Bills and others, maintaining legislative efficiency beyond just floor debates.
Acts as an impartial authority: Rises above party lines, becoming a neutral figure to ensure fair proceedings in the House.
Upholds procedural discipline: Ensures rules are followed, manages debates, and preserves parliamentary norms, protecting the sanctity of the institution.

Consequences of Vacant Seat of Deputy Speaker (DS)

Concentration of power: In his absence, all procedural authority lies with the Speaker, who is usually from the ruling party.
- This creates an imbalance, as the Speaker becomes the sole authority over parliamentary procedures.
Leadership vacuum in emergencies: If the Speaker resigns, falls ill, or passes away, the lack of a DS creates a vacuum, leading to procedural paralysis and confusion in the House.
Erosion of constitutional morality: The delay in electing a DS signals institutional neglect, undermining the core values of the Constitution.
- It implies that constitutional provisions are optional and not binding.
Misinterpretation of “as soon as may be”: The Constitution requires a timely election of the DS.
- However, the ongoing delays reflect a distortion of the original intent, where vacancies last for years, weakening the legislative framework.

The Convention of Assigning the Role to the Opposition

Parliamentary Tradition: Although not mandated by the Constitution, it has been a long-standing convention to offer the post to a member of the Opposition.
Parliamentary Neutrality: Ensures cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition.
- By offering this post to the opposition, the ruling party avoids gaining undue control over legislative functions, promoting fairness and inclusivity.

Proposed Reforms to Address the Vacancy

Constitutional Amendment: Introduce a fixed timeline (e.g., 60 days) for electing the DS after the first sitting of the Lok Sabha.
Statutory Mechanism: Enact a law that empowers the President to intervene if the house fails to elect a DS within a reasonable time frame.
Restoring Parliamentary Conventions: Reaffirm the long-standing convention of allotting the post to the opposition.

Also refer,> Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha; Speaker of Lok Sabha.

{GS2 – Polity – Inter-State Disputes} Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)

Context (IE): Punjab opposed the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) decision to additional release of 8,500 cusecs water to Haryana.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is a statutory body established in 1966 to manage the water and power resources of the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects in northern India.
- It was constituted under section 79 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
It is engaged in regulation of the supply of Water & Power from Bhakra Nangal and Beas Projects to the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh.

Key Functions of BBMB

Administration, Operation & Maintenance of Bhakra-Nangal Project, Beas Project Unit-I (Beas Satluj Link Project) and Beas Project Unit- II (Pong Dam) in Northern India.
Regulation of supply of water from Satluj, Ravi and Beas to the States of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
The regulation and supply of power generated from Bhakra-Nangal and Beas Projects.
Providing and performing engineering & related technical and consultancy services in the various fields of hydroelectric power projects and irrigation projects.
Construction of new Hydro Projects within and outside BBMB System.

Bhakra Nangal Dam

Although they are two distinct projects, the pair is often collectively called the “Bhakra-Nangal Dam.”
- Bhakra Dam: It is a massive concrete‐gravity structure on the Sutlej River at Bhakra village in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, creating the Gobind Sagar reservoir.
- Nangal: Downstream at Nangal in Punjab, it regulates releases from Bhakra.
Jawaharlal Nehru famously hailed Bhakra as the “New Temple of Resurgent India,” celebrating its role in powering the nation’s post-independence revival.

Read More> Beas, Ravi, Satluj Rivers.

Context (TH): A study by GARDP highlights significant gaps in access to appropriate antibiotics for drug-resistant infections in low- and middle-income countries, including India.

Study Insights

Study Scope: Focused on 1.5 million cases of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative infections across eight countries– Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan, and South Africa.
- Key Finding: Only 7.8% of patients with drug-resistant infections in India received appropriate antibiotics, compared to a 6.9% average across these nations.
Lack of proper treatment increases morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs and hospital stays.

Recommendations: Regulatory measures to control antibiotic use; Improved research into understanding barriers in accessing care, diagnostics & treatment; Greater focus on improving antibiotic stewardship programs in LMICs.

Factors Responsible for Access Gap

Limited Access: The study found large gaps in access to appropriate antibiotics due to challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and availability.
Dual Crisis in India: India faces irrational overuse of high-end antibiotics alongside insufficient access to the same, resulting in rising resistance and limited effective treatments.

About GARDP

Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) is a non-profit organization focused on developing new antibiotics for drug-resistant bacterial infections.
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
Created by WHO and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) as part of the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2015.
Objective: To ensure access to new antibiotics, addressing both current AMR crises and future needs.
It brings together public and private partners to accelerate the development and global availability of new antibiotics.

WHO‘s Global Action Plan: Emphasise the WHO’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) to tackle challenges such as limited diagnostic capacity, workforce shortages, and inadequate information systems.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Misc} Bonded and Forced Labour in India

Context (TH): On International Labour Day (May 1), while the world celebrates workers’ rights, India faces a dark reality with millions trapped in bonded and forced labour.

About Bonded and Forced Labour

Bonded Labour

Refers to a form of debt bondage where an individual is forced to work to repay a loan or debt, often under oppressive conditions.
Cycle of servitude: The debt is inflated by employers, making it impossible for the worker to repay.
It is legally abolished in India by the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 but continues to persist in some areas due to weak enforcement.

Forced Labour

Includes any work extracted through coercion, threats, or physical violence.
It is a broader category than bonded labour and involves various forms of exploitation, such as human trafficking or violence to compel individuals into servitude.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines forced labour as work performed involuntarily and under the threat of penalty.

Unorganised Sector and Migrant Labour

Unorganised Sector Vulnerability

Employs around 39 crore workers, comprising 83% of India’s workforce.
Characterised by lack of formal contracts, job security, social protection, and legal rights.
Workers in agriculture, construction, domestic work, brick kilns, and small-scale manufacturing are especially vulnerable.

Migrant Workers

Internal migrants, especially from poor rural backgrounds, are often lured to urban centres by labour contractors.
On arrival, they face long hours (12–16 hours/day); low or unpaid wages; hazardous working conditions (e.g., construction, textiles, stone quarries); and lack of grievance redressal or legal support.

Root Causes

Immediate Triggers

Economic Crises: Factors like medical emergencies, dowries, or job loss force individuals to borrow money, leading to indebtedness and exploitation.
Limited Legal or Financial Resources: Many workers lack knowledge of their legal rights or access to resources that could help them escape exploitation.

Systemic Issues

Caste-Based Discrimination: Marginalised communities such as dalits, adivasis and OBCs are disproportionately affected, facing both social exclusion and limited access to opportunities, which increases their vulnerability to exploitation.
Illiteracy and Lack of Information: Illiteracy limits workers’ ability to understand their rights, while a lack of access to information keeps them trapped in exploitation.
Monopolies and Elites: Powerful landlords, brick kilns owners, or contractors control financial markets and labour markets in rural areas, making it difficult for workers to seek fair wages or alternative employment opportunities.

Legal Framework	Details
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976	Abolishes bonded labour; mandates rehabilitation.
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016	Prohibits child labour below 14; extends protections to adolescents.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)	Coordinates rescue operations & state compliance.
Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers (2016)	Provides ₹1–3 lakh assistance, skill training, housing, and health support.
Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979	Seeks to regulate recruitment and ensure wages/working conditions for migrants—but poorly enforced.
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976	Abolishes bonded labour; mandates release and rehabilitation.

Implementation Gaps

Low rescue and rehabilitation rates

As of 2021, only 12,760 bonded labourers rescued, far short of the estimated 1.84 crore target by 2030.
Annual target is 11 lakh rescues; actual rate is drastically lower.

Inadequate Infrastructure

Shortage of rehabilitation homes, vocational training centres, and legal aid.
Funds often underutilized due to bureaucratic delays and lack of coordination among departments.

Underreporting

Many cases remain invisible, especially in rural and tribal belts due to fear of retaliation; lack of documentation, and social stigma.

Current Challenges

Growing Informality

Casualisation of labour: Workers increasingly employed without contracts or protections.
Platform and gig economy adds new layers of unregulated labour.

Erosion of Unionisation

Weakening of trade unions in both formal and informal sectors.
No collective bargaining, grievance redressal, or wage negotiation in unorganised sectors.

Entrenched Inequality

Poverty, illiteracy, caste hierarchy, and gender bias drive systemic exploitation.
Female and child labourers face dual vulnerabilities due to gender-based violence and lack of education.

Key Action Areas	Recommendations
Strengthen Enforcement	Train and sensitise local officials; hold employers accountable through stricter penalties.
Boost Rehabilitation	Speed up disbursement of compensation; provide holistic reintegration including housing, health, and jobs.
Increase Awareness	Launch legal literacy and rights-awareness drives at all levels.
Portable Welfare Schemes	Ensure migrants can access Public Distribution System (PDS), health care, and labour protections across states.
Unionisation of Informal Labour	Encourage cooperatives and worker collectives in unorganised sectors.
Use Technology	Track bonded labour through digital databases, e-Shram portal, and grievance redressal apps.

{GS3 – IE – RBI} Revised Guidelines for MFIs under SANKALP 2.0

Context (TH): Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) to implement revised guidelines under the SANKALP 2.0 framework for responsible lending.

Microfinance (Microcredit) is the provision of small-sized loans and financial services including savings accounts, fund transfers, micro-insurance, to low-income individuals/groups excluded from formal banking. It was introduced globally by Grameen Bank (1983), founded by Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh.
- RBI’s 2022 Framework standardized definition of microfinance loans, capped repayments, and enhanced borrower protections.

SANKALP

It is a government initiative focused on promoting financial inclusion through microfinance.
It works by providing access to financial services, particularly small-value loans and savings, to low-income individuals and groups who may not have access to traditional banking services.
Microfinance Sector Stakeholders: Sa-Dhan, MFI Network, RBI & MFIs across 33 States/UTs.
- Self-Regulatory Organization Recognition (2014): Sa-Dhan & MFIN were recognized by RBI to regulate and ensure sector discipline.

Three-Pronged Reform under SANKALP 2.0

Loan Pricing Reforms: Loan components such as Cost of Funds, operational costs, risk margin, and profit margin must be transparently disclosed, interest rates should be board-approved and justifiable, and processing fees should not exceed 1.5% of the loan amount (excluding taxes).
Over-Indebtedness Control: Borrowers can take microfinance loans from a maximum of 3 lenders, with household exposure capped at ₹2 lakh; new loans are allowed only after 12 months or 50% of previous loan is repaid; mandatory credit bureau checks for the borrower and spouse/co-applicant.
Code of Conduct and Lending Discipline: Loans cannot be given to clients defaulting for over 60 days or with unpaid amounts above ₹3,000 and loan utilization must be monitored for appropriate use.
Employee Verification and Fair Practices: Mandatory bureau checks before hiring, new hires from other MFIs must provide a relieving letter within 3 months, which cannot be unjustifiably withheld.

Challenges in MFI Operations

Sectoral Concerns: Rising over-indebtedness, non-transparent pricing, and poor repayment discipline.
Unsecured Lending: Lack of collateral increases default risk.
High Interest Burden: MFIs charge 12%-30% vs 8%-12% by banks due to higher risk & operational costs.
Servicing Costs: Large volume of small borrowers adds to administrative burden.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} National Security Advisory Board Revamped

Context (HT): National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) was revamped.

Legal Mandate and Composition

It has no constitutional or statutory status but operates under the National Security Council Secretariat.
Advisory role: Provides recommendations that are not enforceable but are highly valued.
Composition:
- Chairperson: Usually, a former senior official with expertise in national security.
- Seven members: Includes experts from fields such as diplomacy, military, intelligence, academia, science, and technology.
- Appointed by the PMO or on the National Security Advisor’s (NSA) recommendation.
- The composition is non-permanent and can change based on the government’s needs.

NSAB in India’s National Security Framework

India’s national security apparatus operates through a three-tier structure:
- National Security Council (NSC): Apex decision-making body on national security.
  - Chaired by the Prime Minister.
- Strategic Policy Group (SPG): Coordinates inter-ministerial policy responses on strategic issues.
  - Chaired by the National Security Advisor (NSA).
- National Security Advisory Board (NSAB): Advisory body providing independent, long-term strategic analysis to the NSC. Acts as a bridge between government and external experts.

Legacy of the NSAB

Established in 1998, the NSAB has been crucial for India’s security policies and strategic outlook.
Played a role in major reforms, such as:
- Naresh Chandra Task Force (2012): Recommended key changes including the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
- Enhancing intelligence coordination, strategic material security, and inter-agency communication.

Revamped NSAB

New Chairman: Alok Joshi, former R&AW Chief, was appointed as the Chairman of the NSAB. His intelligence background is expected to bring operational expertise to the board.
New members: The revamped board consists of:
- Military veterans:
  - Air Marshal P.M. Sinha (Former Western Air Commander)
  - Lt Gen A.K. Singh (Former Southern Army Commander)
  - Rear Admiral Monty Khanna (Naval Strategist)
- Police officers:
  - Rajiv Ranjan Verma (Retired IPS Officer)
  - Manmohan Singh (Retired IPS Officer)
- Diplomat: B. Venkatesh Varma (Former Ambassador to Russia)

Strategic Focus of the Revamped NSAB

The new composition brings expertise in key areas such as neighbourhood Strategy & western neighbourhood; management of borders; maritime security;internal security; strategic industries and technology; and strategic communications.
The board is equipped to handle multi-domain challenges, including cybersecurity, geopolitical shifts, and hybrid warfare.

Significance

Proactive security posture: Reflects urgency in responding to new security threats like terrorism, cyberattacks, and geopolitical instability.
Integrated expertise: Ensures collaborative thinking across domains – defense, diplomacy, intelligence, and technology.
Future-ready planning: Equips India with long-term vision to anticipate and counter emerging global and domestic risks.
Enhanced policy support: Strengthens the decision-making capacity of the NSC.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Axiom-4 Space Mission

Context (IE | FP): Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission.

Ax-4 is the 4^th private astronaut mission to the ISS, organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and launched aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Mission Duration: Up to 14 days aboard the International Space Station.
Scientific Focus of Mission: During their time aboard the ISS, the crew will conduct ~60 experiments in materials science, biology, Earth observation & space health with private & international collaboration.
The mission will send the first Indian astronaut to the station as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. Also carries first astronauts from Poland & Hungary to stay aboard the ISS.
Marks India’s return to crewed space missions after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 flight.

India-Focused Space Research on ISS

Microgravity Crop Study: Fenugreek and green gram are grown in space to assess growth patterns and gene expression for future space diets.
Edible Microalgae Research: Examines how microgravity and radiation affect the growth, metabolism, and genetic behaviour of edible microalgae strains.
Food System Innovation: Aims to create resilient, space-adapted food sources for long-duration missions and space habitats.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Sigma 8

Context (TH): Recent research suggests that understanding how clumpy the universe is could unlock deeper truths about its origins, composition etc.

They used the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) on the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii to collect data.
They came up with a value of 0.747 for S8, which tallies with the values found by previous surveys.

What is S8?

Cosmologists use the term Sigma 8, or S8, to quantify the matter around us. This matter is made up of baryonic particles, such as protons and neutrons, that bunch up in different regions of space.
The value of S8 is calculated by studying various regions of the universe. Each region is defined by an astronomical length scale of approximately 26 million light-years.
- Within these regions, cosmologists count the number of galaxies and other cosmic structures, such as galactic clusters and filaments, to assess the distribution of matter.
Value: A higher value for S8 indicates more clustering with a greater amount of matter clumped together, while a lower value indicates a more uniform distribution of matter.
Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM): Current model of cosmology known as Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) attributes most of the universe’s mass-energy content to dark matter and dark energy.
- These mysterious forces govern the evolution of the universe’s structure, guiding how initial fluctuations turned into the “lumps”.

{Prelims – In News} Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

Context (FPJ): India has issued Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) closing its airspace for Civilian and Military aircrafts owned, operated and leased by Pakistan.

What is NOTAM?

It is an official, time-sensitive communication issued by aviation authorities to inform pilots and air traffic controllers of temporary or permanent changes that could affect flight operations.
Purpose: Alert crews to hazards or restrictions e.g., runway closures, nav-aid outages, airspace restrictions, or new obstacles.