UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 19-04-2025

Female genital mutilation (Khatna)

• Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
• It has no health benefits for girls and women.
• It can result in severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, menstrual difficulties, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.
• FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.
• FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
• The reasons for following this practice vary from one region to another as well as over time and include a mix of sociocultural factors within families and communities.
• In India it is predominantly followed by the Bohra community.
• More than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is practiced.
• UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) collaboratively spearhead the largest global initiative in 2008, aimed at eradicating female genital mutilation (FGM).
  • It works alongside communities to educate them about the detrimental effects of FGM and to promote a change in social norms that encourages collective abandonment of the practice.

United Service Institution of India (USI)

• It is a national security and defense services think tank based in New Delhi, India.
• Founded in - Simla in 1870 by Col. (later Maj Gen) Charles Metcalf MacGregor.
• Aim - Established to advance military knowledge and professional development among British Indian Army officers.
• Its mission encompassed promoting knowledge in the art, science, and literature of national security, with a particular focus on the Defence Services.
• It focuses on national security, defense, and military affairs, providing a platform for research, debate, and the advancement of knowledge in these areas.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

• CDSCO - The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is India's national regulatory body for pharmaceuticals and medical devices under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• Headed by – Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)
• It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Zonal Offices - CDSCO has 6 zonal offices of at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad.
• Functions - CDSCO is responsible for discharging functions assigned to the Central Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act - 1945.
  • Approval of new drugs and novel drug formulations including Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDCs)
  • Oversight of clinical trials conducted in India.
  • Quality control of imported drugs and medical devices.
  • Coordination with State Drug Control Organizations to ensure uniform enforcement of regulations.

National Population Register (NPR)

• The NPR is a comprehensive database of residents in India, serving as a foundation for identity management and policy planning.
• It is also the first step toward creating the National Register of Citizens (NRC), as mandated by the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• First compiled in 2010, Updated in 2015.
• Current database covers 119 crore residents.
• Current Status – The NPR update is on hold, as it is designed to occur simultaneously with the first phase of the Census.
• The Census, originally scheduled for 2021, has been indefinitely delayed due to logistical challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other administrative issues.

One Liners 19-04-2025

Geography

Red Sea

Recently, Environmental advocates are expressing serious concerns over Egypt's plans for extensive tourism development at Ras Hankorab Beach, which is a part of the Red Sea.

• Red Sea – It is a semi-enclosed tropical sea, an extension of the Indian Ocean and spans approximately 1,930 km from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.  
• Border by – 6 countries – Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti.  
• Geographical connections – It connects the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal and the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Aden.
• Geological formation – It was formed by the separation of the African and Arabian tectonic plates, a process that continues today, widening the sea by about 15 mm annually.
• Marine Ecosystem – It harbors climate change-resistant coral reefs, crucial for global marine biodiversity and provides habitat for endangered species like hawksbill turtles and dugongs.  

• Environmental threats – Over-tourism, coastal development, oil spills, and the increasing risk of coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures.

China Restricts Rare Earth Elements (REEs) Exports

Recently, China has imposed new export restrictions on 7 critical Rare Earth Elements (REEs).

• REEs – They are a set of 17 metallic elements possessing similar chemical characteristics and a silvery appearance and it encompasses the lanthanides along with scandium and yttrium.  
• 7 restricted REEs – Samarium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Dysprosium, Lutetium, Scandium, and Yttrium.
• Vital properties and applications – It exhibits exceptional magnetic and optical properties, making them indispensable in manufacturing magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines, as well as digital displays, defense systems, smartphones, and lasers.  
• Reasons for restrictions – China cites national security, adherence to international obligations, and non-proliferation concerns as the reasons behind these export limitations.    
• Global implications – These restrictions are anticipated to create significant disruptions across global industries, underscoring the pressing need for supply chain diversification.

Social Issues

Adarsh Sanskrit Village Program

The Uttarakhand cabinet recently approved the Adarsh Sanskrit village program.

• Aim – To teach the language to one village in each district of the hill state.
• To promote Sanskrit, which is the state's second official language, and follows other comparable programs, including financial support for girls and SC/ST students who choose to study Sanskrit in schools.
• The Village are selected on pilot basis.

Polity & Governance

Chief Justice of India (CJI)

Recently, Justice B.R. Gavai has been recommended as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), following the established seniority practice.  

• Appointment by – The President under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
• Recommended by – The outgoing CJI recommends their successor based on seniority.
• The Union Law Minister forwards the recommendation to the Prime Minister, who then advises the President.
• Related case – As per the Second Judges Case (1993), the senior-most Supreme Court judge is appointed as the CJI.

Economy

Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), recently commemorated its 150^th anniversary on April 17, 2025, in Mumbai.

• BSE Ltd – It is the Asia's oldest stock exchange, stands as a primary Indian platform for trading equities, debt instruments, mutual funds, derivatives, and commodities.
• Evolution – In 1874, trading operations moved to Dalal Street, leading to the formal establishment of the exchange.
• Established in – 1875, by cotton merchant Premchand Roychand.
• It was initially known as the Native Share & Stock Brokers’ Association.
• BSE holds the distinction of being the 1^st exchange recognized under the Securities Contract Regulation Act, 1956. 

Agriculture

AQUASTAT

Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) marked the 30^th anniversary of AQUASTAT and the celebration included the launch of the enhanced AQUASTAT Dissemination Platform.

• Launched in – 1990s by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)’s Land and Water Division.
• It is a FAO's comprehensive global database on water resources and agricultural water management and offers open access to over 180 variables across numerous countries.  
• Objectives – To monitor global water use and irrigation practices.
• It plays a vital role in tracking Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.4, focusing on water use efficiency and water stress levels.
• AQUASTAT Dissemination Platform – Aimed at improving access to crucial global water information in line with SDG 6.  
• Features – To offer extensive data coverage on water resources, irrigation infrastructure, and efficiency indicators.
• To boast interactive maps, multilingual options, CSV/Excel download capabilities, and sophisticated search functionalities.  

IISR Surya

Recently, Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, has unveiled IISR Surya, to addresses the requirements of the modern turmeric powdering industry.

• It is a new light-coloured turmeric variety tailored for the masala industry's specific needs.
• High yield – It is a high-yielding variety, offering a 20% to 30% increase in yield compared to existing local light-coloured varieties, potentially reaching up to 41 tonnes per hectare.
• Curcumin content – It ranges from 2% to 3%, which is comparable to other light-coloured turmeric varieties currently available.
• It directly addresses the requirements of the modern turmeric powdering industry, which often prefers a lighter hue.
• Significance – It benefits farmers specializing in high-quality turmeric powder production and help alleviate the shortage in both domestic and export markets.

Environment

Colossal Squid

Recently, a juvenile colossal squid was filmed alive for the first time in over a century. This historic sighting occurred at a depth of 600 meters in its natural Southern Ocean habitat.  

•  Scientific name – Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni.
• Classification – Belonging to the Cephalopoda class, which also includes octopuses and cuttlefish.
• It is the planet's largest known invertebrate, a formidable deep-sea predator seldom seen alive.  
• It possesses the largest eyes in the animal kingdom.
• Habitat – Deep waters of the Southern Ocean, particularly surrounding Antarctica.  
• Size & weight – Reaches up to 14 meters in length and weighing as much as 500 kilograms.
• Diet – Feed mainly of large fish like the Patagonian toothfish and other squids.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN – Least concern.

Cheetah Relocation

Recently, the Cheetah Project Steering Committee, formed by the NTCA in May 2023, has approved relocating cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, approximately 300 km apart.

• Aim – To establish a meta-population of 60–70 cheetahs across a connected landscape spanning Kuno-Gandhi Sagar and parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
• Project Cheetah – Launched in 2022, involved translocating 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa to Kuno National Park.
• Kuno mortality – So far, Kuno National Park has witnessed the death of 8 adult cheetahs and 5 cubs since the project's inception.
• Concerns and challenges – The decision comes amid concerns regarding prey availability in the new sanctuary, potential heat stress during transportation, and possible conflict with existing leopard populations.

Miscellaneous

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)

Recently, the NADA India organized a conference on "Building Together a Clean Sport Ecosystem" in New Delhi as part of Play True Week 2025, uniting various stakeholders.

• Established in – 2005, by the Indian Government as an independent anti-doping organization.
• Aim – To dope-free sports in India.
• Functions – To implement the Anti-Doping Code, coordinating dope testing programs with stakeholders, promoting anti-doping research and education, and adopting best practices for continuous program improvement.
• Building Together a Clean Sport Ecosystem – The event emphasized fostering a clean, fair, and values-based sporting environment in India.