26 February 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Should a third language be compulsory?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

Background

• The Union government has linked compliance with the policy to the release of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
• The Tamil Nadu government views this as an attempt to impose Hindi and insists on continuing with its two-language policy of Tamil and English.

Constitutional Provisions

• Hindi is the official language of the Union, while English continues to be used for official purposes under the Official Languages Act, 1963.
• States can adopt Hindi or any regional language as their official language.
• The Constitution mandates the Union to promote Hindi as a medium of expression across India.

The Three-Language Formula

• Introduced in the 1968 NEP, the policy mandated Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states, leading to protests in Tamil Nadu.
• Tamil Nadu has continued with its two-language policy.
• NEP 2020 retains the three-language formula but allows states, regions, and students to choose their languages, provided at least two are native to India.

Challenges in Education

• The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) highlights poor learning outcomes among students.
• In 2022, 60% of Class V students could not read a Class II-level text.
• In 2023, 25% of youth (14-18 years) struggled with reading in their regional language, while over 40% could not read English sentences.
• Foundational numeracy skills like subtraction and division remain weak.

Financial Constraints in Education

• According to the Ministry of Education (2022), 85% of elementary education expenditure is borne by states, while the Centre contributes 15%.
• Total education spending (elementary, secondary, higher, and technical) is around 4-4.5% of GDP, below the NEP target of 6%.

Way Forward

• English proficiency has helped India’s global competitiveness, but improving teaching in the mother tongue and foundational numeracy is crucial.
• Private schools teach a third language until Standard VIII, but student proficiency remains limited.
• The 2011 Census shows 26% of Indians are bilingual and 7% trilingual, with higher rates in urban areas.
• Urbanization and migration will likely increase multilingualism in future Censuses.
• Constructive dialogue is needed between the Centre and states to ensure timely funding.
• Greater autonomy for states in school education policy should be considered.

2. US Policy Shift on Ukraine Strains Transatlantic Ties as India Maintains Strategic Neutrality at UN

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 18)

Analysis of the news:         

Setbacks for the US at the UN

• The United States faced diplomatic challenges at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) when its resolution on the Ukraine conflict failed to gain broad support.
• Ukraine’s resolution demanding Russia’s withdrawal passed with 93 votes, but with notable abstentions and opposition, including from the US itself.
• The US resolution, criticized for not condemning Russia, passed after amendments but saw the US abstain.
• These developments highlight a growing rift between the US and its European allies, raising questions about the strength of the transatlantic partnership amid President Donald Trump’s evolving foreign policy stance.

Shift in US Foreign Policy

• For the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US aligned with Russia at the UN, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy.
• This move reflects Trump’s direct outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his controversial statements blaming Ukraine for the conflict.
• The US’s new approach, aimed at striking a deal with Russia potentially by Easter, underscores Trump’s focus on securing access to Ukraine’s resources rather than ensuring robust security guarantees for Kyiv.
• This policy reversal has further strained US-Europe relations, previously unified in supporting Ukraine.

India’s Strategic Abstentions

• India maintained its neutral stance by abstaining from both UNGA resolutions on Ukraine, continuing a pattern of abstentions at various global forums, including the UNSC, IAEA, and WTO.
• This diplomatic choice underscores India’s commitment to strategic autonomy while balancing relationships with key partners on both sides of the conflict.
• Despite abstaining, India has consistently emphasized respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty, and international law, signaling its support for peace without directly opposing Russia.
• Prime Minister Modi’s past remarks, notably that “this is not an era of war,” further reinforce India’s call for peaceful resolutions.

Recalibrating India’s Diplomatic Approach

• In response to evolving geopolitical dynamics, including direct US-Russia talks and a fragmented transatlantic alliance, India has subtly shifted its diplomatic language.
• From previously referring to “two parties to the conflict,” India now uses the broader term “parties concerned,” suggesting a more inclusive approach that potentially involves the US and other stakeholders.
• This reframing allows New Delhi greater diplomatic flexibility, enabling it to navigate complex international relations while preserving its strategic interests and fostering dialogue for lasting peace in Ukraine.

Conclusion

• The recent UN developments highlight deepening geopolitical complexities, with the US’s altered stance on Ukraine unsettling its European allies and reshaping global diplomatic alignments.
• India’s strategic abstentions and nuanced diplomatic adjustments reflect its focus on maintaining foreign policy independence while adapting to shifting power dynamics.
• As the conflict continues and global alliances evolve, India’s balanced approach positions it as a key player in facilitating broader dialogues for peace.

3. Twin Tunnel Tragedies: Rescue Challenges in Uttarakhand and Telangana Collapses

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Express Network- Page No. – 10)

Analysis of the news:

Background

• Two major tunnel collapses have occurred in India within a short span: the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district (November 2023), where 41 workers were trapped for over 400 hours, and the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse in Telangana, trapping eight workers.
• Although rescue operations are underway in Telangana, experts indicate it presents greater challenges compared to the Uttarakhand incident.

Key Differences in Rescue Operations

1. Water and Mud Seepage:

• Uttarakhand (Silkyara): No water or mud seepage, allowing longer survival chances and easier drilling operations.
• Telangana (SLBC): Presence of a thick mud-water mix poses a major hazard. Survival chances reduce significantly as water can be fatal within 20 minutes.

2. Space Availability:

• Silkyara Tunnel: Trapped workers had two kilometers of movement space, which improved survival conditions.
• SLBC Tunnel: Workers are trapped at the dead end, reducing oxygen availability and complicating rescue approaches.

Differences in Rescue Techniques

1. Use of Rat Hole Miners:

• Uttarakhand: Rat hole miners played a crucial role by manually digging through the remaining debris after drilling machines failed.
• Telangana: Rat hole miners are not feasible due to the water-logged environment, and there’s a lack of technology suitable for drilling through the thick slush.

2. Machinery and Drilling Approaches:

• Silkyara Rescue: Auger machines and vertical drilling were used, despite repeated breakdowns. Manual digging by miners eventually succeeded.
• SLBC Rescue: Vertical drilling is challenging due to a 400-meter-high top surface, and drilling could damage aquifers, increasing the risk of water inflow and endangering lives.

Geological and Terrain Challenges

1. Geological Composition:

• Silkyara Tunnel: Located in the Shivalik ranges with fragile geology but relatively accessible at 200 meters from the portal.
• SLBC Tunnel: Terrain complexity increases due to higher top surface depth (400 meters), making vertical drilling risky.

2. Debris Characteristics:

• Silkyara: Debris included steel, rocks, and boulders, requiring gas torches and manual digging.
• SLBC: Thick slush mixed with mud and water makes conventional excavation techniques ineffective.

Conclusion

• The Telangana SLBC tunnel rescue is inherently more complex than the Silkyara operation due to water ingress, limited movement space, and challenging geological conditions.
• Innovative technology and coordinated efforts are essential to overcome these difficulties.
• The incidents also underline the need for stricter safety protocols and advanced preparedness for tunnel construction projects across diverse terrains in India.

4. Space economy expected to increase five-fold from 8 bn $ to 44 bn $ in coming years

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2106162 )

Rapid Growth in India’s Space Economy

• India’s space economy is expected to grow from $8 billion to $44 billion in the coming years.
• This growth will add significant value to the Indian economy and contribute to Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The government has significantly increased the space budget, from ₹5,615 crore in 2013-14 to ₹13,416 crore in 2025-26.

Opening Up the Space Sector

• A major policy shift in 2014 opened up the Indian space sector for private companies and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
• The government introduced frameworks such as NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and In-SPACe to encourage collaboration between government and private players.
• The involvement of private firms has led to innovation and the rise of successful space startups.

Key Achievements in Space Exploration

• India became the first nation to successfully land on the South Pole of the Moon.
• Indian space missions are cost-effective, such as Chandrayaan, which was completed at ₹600 crore, much cheaper than similar global missions.
• India has launched 433 foreign satellites, earning 292 million Euros and 172 million USD.

Impact of Space Technology on Other Sectors

• The Swamitva Scheme uses satellite and drone technology for land record mapping, reducing reliance on revenue officials.
• Space technology has improved communication, connectivity, and self-reliance in satellite technology.
• Advancements in space science are also expected to unlock the potential of Himalayan, coastal, and marine resources for economic growth.

Global Recognition and Collaborations

• India is gaining recognition as a global leader in space exploration.
• India was invited to send an astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an international collaboration.
• More partnerships are expected with other space agencies worldwide.

Women’s Role in Space Projects

• Women scientists and engineers are playing a key role in missions like Chandrayaan and Aditya L1.
• The space sector is becoming more inclusive, with active contributions from women professionals.

Startups and Regional Development

• The startup ecosystem in India is expanding, with Jammu & Kashmir emerging as a leader in agri-tech startups.
• The Aroma Mission: Purple Revolution has provided new employment opportunities and has been showcased at national events.

India’s Future in Space Exploration

• India aims to become a global leader in space technology with indigenous, cost-effective, and sustainable innovations.
• The space sector will drive India’s economic growth and contribute to its leadership role in global space exploration.

Prelims Facts

1. Trump’s chip tariff threats raise stakes for Taiwan

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 13)

Analysis of the news:

• Taiwan produces over half of the world’s chips and nearly all of the most advanced ones, making it crucial to global supply chains.
• Taiwan’s dominance in semiconductor manufacturing is considered a key economic and strategic defense against potential Chinese aggression, often called the ‘Silicon Shield.’
• Trump has accused Taiwan of harming the U.S. chip industry and suggested it should compensate the U.S. for protection.
• Taiwan has pledged to increase investments in the U.S., boost defense spending, and consider importing more U.S. natural gas.
• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is investing over $65 billion in new plants in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, raising concerns about Taiwan losing its strategic advantage.

2. China’s grip on global nickel supply tightens with Anglo sale to MMG

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 13)

China Strengthens Global Nickel Dominance:

• MMG gains diversification into nickel and expands its presence into Brazil, strengthening China’s control over the global nickel supply chain.
• Chinese companies already control around 75 percent of refining capacity in Indonesia, which has rapidly emerged as the world’s largest supplier.

3. ‘Simandou mine can end or start Australia’s golden iron ore age’

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 13)

Places In News: Simandou Mine

• The Simandou mine in Guinea, West Africa, is one of the largest untapped iron ore deposits.
• It is set to impact the global iron ore market, with its first shipments expected by the end of the year.
• The mine has a full production capacity of 120 million metric tonnes per year.
• Simandou includes a 620 km rail line, a new port, and offshore trans-shipment vessels.
• China, the largest importer of iron ore, will receive about 10% of its annual imports from Simandou.
• Chinese companies control 75% of the project, with Rio Tinto holding 25%.
• The mine produces high-grade 65.3% iron ore, suitable for electric arc furnaces (EAFs).
• Increased supply may pressure Australian and Brazilian miners as demand from China remains stagnant.
• Australia may shift focus to producing green steel using renewable energy and hydrogen.

4. Tamal, India’s last imported warship, likely to be commissioned in June

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

About Tamal:

• Tamal is a stealth frigate being constructed in Russia for the Indian Navy.
• It is part of a deal signed in October 2016 under an Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and Russia.
• The deal includes four follow-on stealth frigates, with two being built in Russia and two in India by Goa Shipyard Ltd. under technology transfer.
• A $1-billion contract was signed for the two frigates being imported from Russia.
• Tamal has completed manufacturer trials and is undergoing State Committee Trials.
• The commissioning is expected in early June 2025 in Russia.
• Tamal will be the last warship to be commissioned outside India as the country now constructs its own warships.
• The Indian Navy has over 60 warships under construction at Indian shipyards.

5. Leaping through time

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)

While leap years get an extra day?

• A year is not exactly 365 days long; it takes about 365.242 days for the Earth to go around the Sun.
• If we only used 365-day years, we would lose almost 6 hours each year.
• To fix this, Julius Caesar introduced leap years, adding an extra day every four years.
• But this was slightly too much, causing an extra 5 days over 400 years.
• To correct this, a new rule was made: century years (like 1700, 1800, 1900) are leap years only if divisible by 400.
• This rule is part of the Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582.

6. Union Government Launches NAKSHA Initiative for Geospatial Urban Land Surveys

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 18)

Analysis of the news:

About NAKSHA

• The National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA) is a Central government initiative launched on February 18, 2025, by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
• It is a city survey program under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), aiming to create accurate geospatial databases for urban land records using GIS technology and aerial surveys.

Need for NAKSHA

While rural land records have seen improvements, urban land records remain outdated or unstructured, causing inefficiencies in governance, taxation, and urban planning. The program was proposed to address:

• Lack of updated maps in many cities.
• Streamlining property ownership records and property tax collection.
• Enhancing the financial position of urban local bodies by establishing an IT-based system for property record administration.

Key Features of NAKSHA

• Pilot Launch: Across 152 urban local bodies in 26 states.
• Eligibility: Cities with less than 35 sq km area and population under 2 lakhs.
• Coverage: Will map 4,142.63 sq km of urban areas (from a total 1.02 lakh sq km).
• Funding: 100% centrally funded, costing Rs 194 crore for the pilot.
• Cost Variation:
  • Simple camera surveys: Rs 25,000–30,000/sq km.
  • 3D camera surveys: Rs 60,000/sq km.

Survey and Mapping Process

The survey will use drones with high-resolution cameras (5 cm resolution) and LiDAR sensors in three stages:

1. Aerial Survey: Drone flights capture images; data is extracted.
2. Field Verification: On-ground surveys to link property tax, ownership, and registration deeds with each land parcel, followed by the creation of 2D/3D models.
3. Grievance Redressal: Claims and objections are processed before final map publication.

Expected Benefits

• Accurate urban land records and reduced land disputes.
• Improved urban planning and property tax collection.
• Simplified property transactions and better access to credit.
• Potential scaling to 4,912 urban local bodies after pilot success.

check more – 25 February 2025 : Daily Current Affairs