UPSC Daily Current Affairs: 8th April 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS2/Governance

Clean Voter Lists or the Choice of Aadhaar Linkage

Why in News?

The March 20, 2025 issue of The Economist highlighted India's preoccupation with assigning unique identification numbers across various segments of society. While this observation was humorous, it overlooked a critical distinction between simple identifiers and genuinely unique identifiers, leading to significant governance issues, particularly regarding electoral integrity.

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is attempting to link Voter ID cards with Aadhaar numbers, impacting the fairness of Indian democracy.
• There is a fundamental difference between an ID (like a Voter ID) and a Unique ID (like Aadhaar).
• The Maharashtra Assembly elections in November 2024 exposed flaws in the Voter ID system, including issues of duplication and fraud.
• Legal and privacy concerns complicate the proposed solution of linking Aadhaar to voter IDs.

Additional Details

• Difference between ID and Unique ID: An ID serves specific functions, while a Unique ID is intrinsically tied to an individual. For example, Aadhaar is a biometric identifier, whereas Voter ID is functional.
• Voter ID System Flaws: The 2024 Maharashtra elections revealed that the system does not guarantee the uniqueness of Voter IDs, leading to concerns about voter fraud.
• Legal Paradox: Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for voting due to Supreme Court rulings, which uphold voting as a constitutional right.
• Data Privacy Risks: Linking biometric data to voter records raises concerns about misuse and exclusion of marginalized groups lacking Aadhaar documentation.
• Need for Accountability: There are no clear mechanisms to address errors in linking Aadhaar to Voter IDs, which could erode public trust.

In conclusion, India’s electoral system faces a critical juncture. The push to link Voter IDs with Aadhaar highlights a misunderstanding of the distinctions between different types of identifiers. While the goal of enhancing electoral integrity is commendable, the implementation must respect constitutional rights and ensure equitable access for all citizens.

GS3/Defence & Security

Operationalisation of INS Varsha

Why in News?

India is set to activate INS Varsha, a specialized naval base for its nuclear-powered submarines, located on the eastern coast near Rambilli in Andhra Pradesh, by the year 2026.

• INS Varsha is designed to support India's increasing fleet of nuclear submarines.
• The base will feature high-security underground facilities to enhance operational stealth.
• It is strategically situated approximately 50 kilometers from the Eastern Naval Command headquarters in Visakhapatnam.

Additional Details

• Strategic Importance: INS Varsha is part of Project Varsha and aims to bolster India's sea-based nuclear deterrent capabilities.
• The facility will cover an area of 20 square kilometers and is expected to accommodate at least 10 nuclear submarines.
• Design Features: The base will include underground pens and tunnels for nuclear submarines, ensuring stealthy operations in the Bay of Bengal.
• The water depth near Rambilli allows submarines to enter and exit the base without detection by satellites, critical for the stealth of SSBNs during long patrols.

The operationalisation of INS Varsha marks a significant advancement in India's naval capabilities, enhancing the country's strategic deterrence while ensuring the security of its maritime interests.

GS3/Science and Technology

Understanding CAPTCHA

Why in News?

CAPTCHA plays a vital role in online security by distinguishing human users from automated bots, ensuring that websites remain protected from malicious activities.

• CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.
• The concept is based on the Turing test, which was introduced by Alan Turing in 1950 to assess a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to that of a human.

Additional Details

• Turing Test: This test evaluates whether a computer can imitate human responses convincingly. A program is considered to have passed the test if its responses are indistinguishable from those of a human being, regardless of their accuracy.
• Functionality of CAPTCHA: CAPTCHAs present challenges that are easy for humans but difficult for computers, such as interpreting distorted characters or identifying specific images in a set. Newer variants may require users to confirm they are not a robot by clicking a checkbox.
• Websites implement CAPTCHAs to mitigate bot activity and protect their services.

In summary, CAPTCHA is a crucial security mechanism that helps ensure that online interactions are genuine and protects websites from automated threats.

GS3/Economy

10 Years of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)

Why in News?

April 8, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), which was launched to provide financial support to micro and small enterprises across India.

• The PMMY was launched in 2015 as a Central Sector Scheme.
• It aims to provide financial assistance to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro-entrepreneurs previously excluded from the formal financial system.

Additional Details

• MUDRA: Stands for Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd., a financial institution established to support the development and refinancing of micro-enterprises.
• Loan Categories:
  • Shishu: Loans up to ₹50,000 for new or small businesses.
  • Kishore: Loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh for growing enterprises.
  • Tarun: Loans from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh for more established businesses with greater capital needs.
  • TarunPlus: Loan limit up to ₹20 lakh for larger businesses (introduced in July 2024).
• Key Features:
  • Collateral-Free Loans: PMMY loans do not require collateral, making them accessible to those without assets.
  • Member Lending Institutions (MLIs): Include Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and Small Finance Banks (SFBs).
  • Credit Guarantee: Loans are backed by the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU), established in 2015 to provide security for financial institutions offering PMMY loans.
  • MUDRA Card: Issued to manage the working capital portion of the loan, providing convenience to borrowers.
• MUDRA 2.0: Launched in the Union Budget 2024, this upgraded version aims to extend outreach, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, and introduces services such as financial literacy programs, business mentorship, and comprehensive business support.
• Enhanced Credit Guarantee Scheme (ECGS): A new feature introduced to encourage more lending to small and microenterprises by reducing financial institutions' risk.

The PMMY has achieved significant milestones, including massive loan disbursement, inclusivity for women and marginalized communities, job creation, and international recognition, but it also faces challenges like increasing NPAs, disbursement delays, and fraud risks.

GS1/Indian Society

Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti

Why in News?

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has announced that there are currently 1,761 Anganwadi-cum-Creches operational across India under the Palna Scheme, highlighting the government's efforts to support working mothers.

• The Palna Scheme addresses childcare needs for working mothers.
• It provides day-care facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years.
• The scheme was renamed as part of the reorganization of the National Creche Scheme into the Samarthya sub-scheme in 2022.
• It operates on a 60:40 funding ratio between the Centre and State/UT Governments, with additional considerations for North-Eastern and Special Category States.

Additional Details

• Target Audience: The scheme provides services for all mothers, regardless of their employment status, ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for children.
• Creche Services: Services offered include day-care, early stimulation, preschool education, nutrition, health check-ups, and immunization support.
• Other Creche Schemes: Includes Standalone Creches that cater to children aged 0-6 years, with provisions for a Creche Worker and a Creche Helper, offering health monitoring and education.
• Anganwadi-cum-Creches (AWCC): These integrate Anganwadi services with daycare, staffed by an Anganwadi Worker, aiming to establish 17,000 new AWCCs by 2024-25, with 11,395 already approved by March 2025.
• Honorarium: Creche Workers in standalone crèches receive ₹6,500, while AWCC Workers receive ₹5,500.

The Palna Scheme is part of Mission Shakti, the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development aimed at enhancing women's safety, security, and empowerment in India, addressing issues across their life-cycle.

Components of Mission Shakti

• Sambal: Focuses on women’s safety through initiatives such as the One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP).
• Empowerment Initiatives: Includes sub-schemes like Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh, and the Palna Scheme, integrating support for childcare and maternal health.
• Gap Funding for Economic Empowerment: A new initiative aimed at bridging financial gaps in women’s enterprises.

In relation to the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017, consider the following statements:

• 1. Pregnant women are entitled to three months of paid leave before delivery and three months after delivery.
• 2. This act applies to all organizations with 20 or more employees.
• 3. It mandates that every organization with 50 or more employees must provide a crèche.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?

• (a) 1 and 2 only
• (b) 2 only
• (c) 3 only
• (d) 1, 2 and 3

GS2/Governance

India’s Aviation Arbitration Cases Will Still Fly Off Overseas

Why in News?

The evolution of India’s aviation sector has been marked by significant changes from its colonial past towards a modern vision of becoming a global aviation hub. This transformation is ongoing, but there are critical gaps, particularly in the arbitration system that is essential for resolving aviation disputes.

• India's aviation legal framework is outdated, rooted in the Aircraft Act of 1934.
• The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 aims to modernize aviation regulation but lacks a strong arbitration mechanism.
• Most aviation disputes involving Indian firms are still resolved in foreign arbitration centers.

Additional Details

• Legacy of the Aircraft Act, 1934: The Act was designed during British rule for administrative control rather than promoting aviation growth. It has become a regulatory bottleneck due to its inability to adapt to current industry demands.
• Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024: This new legislation aims to streamline licensing and improve passenger rights but does not address the need for specialized dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Arbitration Challenges: The existing Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 is too generic for complex aviation disputes, leading companies to prefer arbitration centers in Singapore, London, and Paris.
• Importance of Specialized Arbitration: Aviation disputes require expertise in aeronautics and international treaties. The lack of such specialization in India discourages foreign companies from resolving disputes domestically.
• Recommendations for Reform: Establish specialized arbitration bodies, enhance legal education in aviation law, ensure institutional neutrality, and promote judicial restraint to create a favorable arbitration environment.

In conclusion, while the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 represents a significant advancement for Indian aviation, the absence of a strong and specialized arbitration framework poses a risk to the country’s aspirations in the global aviation market. Establishing a robust arbitration system is crucial for retaining disputes and fostering investor confidence.

GS3/Economy

The Crisis in India’s Cotton Production and Potential Solutions

Why in News?

India's cotton production has experienced a significant decline of 25% over the past decade, primarily due to the pink bollworm pest. Although some seed companies have developed genetically modified cotton varieties that resist this pest, government regulations are causing delays in their approval and use.

• The pink bollworm has developed resistance to Bt cotton, impacting yields.
• India is shifting from being a net cotton exporter to a net importer.
• Regulatory hurdles are delaying the commercialization of new genetically modified cotton hybrids.

Additional Details

• Resistance Development in Pests: The pink bollworm (PBW) has shown resistance to Bt cotton toxins (cry1Ac and cry2Ab) as early as 2014, just 12 years after the introduction of Bt cotton.
• Pest Adaptability: PBW's short life cycle (25-35 days) allows for multiple generations within a single crop season, which accelerates the development of resistance.
• Yield Stagnation and Decline: The national average lint yield increased to 566 kg/ha in 2013-14 but has since fallen to the range of 436-437 kg/ha, reflecting heightened pest pressure and diminished effectiveness of Bt technology.
• Increased Import Dependence: With domestic production falling, India is projected to import 30 lakh bales in 2024-25 while exporting only 17 lakh bales.
• Lack of New GM Approvals: The approval process for new GM cotton hybrids has stalled, with no new hybrids commercialized since Bollgard-II in 2006.

As a result of these challenges, the pink bollworm has contributed to India's transformation into a net cotton importer, affecting both yield and fiber quality. The larvae damage cotton bolls, leading to a decrease in production from 398 lakh bales in 2013-14 to a projected 294 lakh bales in 2024-25, the lowest output since 2008-09.

Emerging Solutions

• Introduction of Novel Bt Genes: Companies are exploring new Bt genes not previously utilized in India to combat existing PBW resistance. For instance, Bioseed Research India is testing its ‘cry8Ea1’ gene-based hybrid.
• Use of Synthetic Bt Genes: Synthetic Bt genes have been engineered to enhance toxicity against pests. Rasi Seeds has developed hybrids that express a synthetic cry1c gene for better resistance.
• Deployment of Chimeric Bt Genes: Chimeric genes, which combine segments from various Bt genes, are being tested to provide a broader range of insecticidal action. Ankur Seeds is trialing hybrids using a chimeric Bt protein from Event 519.

Regulatory Challenges

• Lengthy Approval Process: The multi-stage field trials required for new GM cotton hybrids take years, delaying their commercial approval.
• Opposition from States and Activist Groups: Local objections and political resistance further complicate the approval processes for field trials.

To address these issues, there is a pressing need to accelerate regulatory approvals for next-generation GM cotton hybrids, promote integrated pest management strategies, and enhance farmer education programs. These steps could help restore productivity and combat pest resistance effectively.

Conclusion

India possesses several advantages in cotton production, including a favorable climate and lower export duties compared to competitors. However, the ongoing challenges with pest resistance and regulatory hurdles must be effectively managed to ensure the sustainability of the cotton industry.

GS3/Economy

Shaping India’s Future-Ready Workforce

Why in News?

The state of India's workforce and its readiness for the future underscore the urgent need to align educational approaches with the rapidly changing demands of the global economy. This situation serves as a roadmap for both the government and academic institutions to address critical challenges and seize opportunities in developing a future-ready workforce.

• India faces significant opportunities and challenges in aligning its workforce capabilities with global economic and technological trends.
• By 2030, an estimated 170 million new jobs will be created, while 92 million jobs are at risk of displacement.

Additional Details

• Key Drivers of Labour Market Changes:The World Economic Forum identifies several global forces shaping the future of work, including:
  • Technological advancements: Increasing digital access and technological changes are pivotal.
  • Demographic shifts: Changes in population dynamics influencing workforce availability.
  • Climate change mitigation: Creating jobs in renewable energy while necessitating adaptations to business models.
  • Economic uncertainties: Market dynamics leading to a shift towards high-skill, tech-driven roles.
• Workforce Preparedness:Employers prioritize:
  • Training and upskilling initiatives.
  • Enhancements in wages and employee well-being.
• In-Demand Skills: Key skills required include analytical thinking, technological literacy, emotional intelligence, and leadership.
• Insights from QS World Future Skills Index:
  • India ranks 2nd globally in preparedness for AI and green skills.
  • However, there are significant skill deficits, with a skills fit score of just 59.1.
  • Innovation and sustainability scores are critically low, hampering competitiveness.

In conclusion, the convergence of findings from the WEF and QS reports presents a strategic opportunity for India. By reforming its education and skill development systems, India can effectively address labour market disruptions, positioning itself as a global leader in emerging sectors such as AI, sustainability, and digital technologies.

GS3/Science and Technology

Technology and Innovation Report, 2025

Why in News?

The Technology and Innovation Report, 2025 has been recently published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), highlighting essential topics related to science, technology, and innovation, particularly in the context of developing nations.

• The 2025 report focuses on the theme: “Inclusive Artificial Intelligence for Development.”
• Developed countries demonstrate strong technology preparedness, but nations such as China, India, and Brazil are performing better than expected based on their income levels.
• The AI market is anticipated to grow to USD 4.8 trillion by 2033, driving global digital transformation.
• Approximately 100 companies, predominantly from the U.S. and China, contribute to 40% of global corporate R&D spending.
• AI is projected to impact 40% of jobs worldwide, raising concerns regarding automation and job displacement.
• The U.S. leads the way in AI investment with USD 67 billion, followed by USD 7.8 billion from China, and USD 1.4 billion from India.
• A significant AI Governance Gap exists, with 118 countries, mainly from the Global South, not participating in global AI governance discussions.

Additional Details

• Indian Prospects: India ranks 36th in the Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index in 2024, improving from 48th in 2022, and stands 10th globally in AI investments.
• India boasts a talent pool of 13 million AI developers, significantly contributing to open-source platforms like GitHub.
• The India AI Mission (2024) aims to promote AI innovation through collaborations between the private sector and academia.
• India is a leader in nanotechnology and hosts AI excellence centers, such as IIT Hyderabad and IIT Kharagpur.

In conclusion, the Technology and Innovation Report 2025 sheds light on the critical role of AI in development, particularly for emerging economies like India, emphasizing the need for inclusive approaches to harness technological advancements effectively.

GS2/Governance

How the Police View Custodial Torture in India

Why in News?

Recent data indicates that a significant number of police officers in India accept the use of coercive methods, including shouting, threats, slapping, and even severe physical torture during investigations, even for minor crimes. This has raised concerns about the ethical implications and legality of such practices.

• 63% of police personnel believe violence is acceptable against serious offenders for societal benefit.
• Only 35% oppose the use of violence, suggesting a troubling acceptance of coercive methods.
• Custodial torture violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

Additional Details

• Majority Support Violence: A substantial 63% of police personnel justify violence against serious offenders, believing it serves the greater good. For example, officers may rationalize beating a suspected murderer to prevent future crimes.
• Fundamental Rights Violations: Custodial torture infringes on the right to life and personal liberty (Article 21), the right against self-incrimination (Article 20(3)), and the principle of equality before the law (Article 14). Such violations can lead to severe physical and psychological trauma for suspects.
• Coercive Methods Justified: Police often justify verbal abuse (49% acceptance), slapping (32% acceptance), and even third-degree methods (9% acceptance) during interrogations, indicating a culture of coercion even for minor offenses.
• Government Steps: The Indian government has implemented the D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal guidelines to prevent custodial violence and established the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to monitor human rights violations.

In conclusion, the prevalence of custodial torture in India highlights the need for significant police reforms and greater adherence to human rights standards. The findings indicate a concerning acceptance of coercive practices among law enforcement, which undermines the rule of law and fundamental rights. Enhancing training and establishing independent oversight mechanisms are crucial steps toward addressing these issues.

GS2/Polity

Reimagining Parliamentary Equity: The Case for Fair Lok Sabha Seat Allocation

Why in the News?

The issue of readjustment of Lok Sabha seats in the context of the new Census is being hotly debated in the country.

• Debate focuses on seat allocation, not delimitation.
• Current allocation is based on the 1971 Census, despite significant population growth.
• States with high population growth may gain disproportionate influence.

Additional Details

• Understanding the Legal and Demographic Framework: The last readjustment of seats was based on the 1971 Census, with the Lok Sabha seats frozen at 543 to allow high-growth states time to stabilize their populations.
• Disparities in Population Growth: Northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are seeing rapid population increases, while southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have stabilized their populations. For instance, Uttar Pradesh's population rose from 8.38 crore in 1971 to 24.1 crore in 2025.
• Equity-Based Allocation Argument: The Constitution’s federal structure implies that representation should consider developmental performance, not just population metrics. Using Kerala's low growth rate as a baseline could help balance representation across states.
• Broader Implications: Simply increasing the number of seats based on population could exacerbate the north-south divide and reward states with poor governance.

The upcoming Lok Sabha seat readjustment must reflect not only demographic shifts but also fairness and the spirit of cooperative federalism. A more sensitive, equity-driven formula can ensure that every state receives fair representation, fostering a unified approach to governance.