09 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Why is active mobility necessary in India?

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

Rising Accidents in Indian Cities

• Accidental deaths and injuries of pedestrians, cyclists, and street hawkers are increasing in metro cities.
• Although some cities have dedicated lanes for non-motorised users, motor vehicles often encroach on them.
• This makes such paths as dangerous as regular roads, highlighting the urgent need for active mobility.

Meaning of Active Mobility

• Active mobility means using human-powered modes of transport like walking, cycling, and skateboarding.
• It is used for regular travel, not just for recreation.
• Growing concerns like pollution, traffic congestion, health problems, and pedestrian deaths have brought attention to this approach.

Support Through Policies

• National initiatives such as the National Transit Oriented Development (NTOD) Policy and the Smart Cities Mission promote sustainable transport.
• International efforts like the Paris Agreement also push for eco-friendly transport to reduce carbon emissions.

Steps by Indian Cities

• Some Indian states are taking steps to promote active mobility.
• Karnataka passed an Active Mobility Bill in 2022 to protect pedestrians and cyclists and provide legal support.
• Delhi is building more cycling tracks, Pune has developed 300 km of cycling lanes, Chennai is improving roads under the Smart Cities Mission.

Importance of Active Mobility

• According to the World Health Organization, it offers social, economic, environmental, and health benefits.
• It reduces spending on fuel and healthcare, and increases business for shops due to more foot traffic.
• Walking and cycling produce very little pollution, help lower the 12% carbon emissions from road transport in India, and reduce traffic jams.
• These modes improve heart health, mental well-being, and overall public health.

Barriers to Active Mobility

• Poor infrastructure discourages people from walking or cycling.
• Over 85% of roads in India lack basic safety for non-motorised users.
• Cheap motorised transport, long distances, bad weather, and social views make active travel less popular.
• High vehicle sales and weak traffic enforcement worsen the problem.

Global Best Practices

• The Netherlands has 35,000 km of cycling lanes and leads in promoting cycling.
• The EU promotes walking and cycling under its sustainable mobility goals.
• Germany’s laws support wider sidewalks, lower speed limits, and priority for non-motorised users in urban design.

Conclusion

• Active mobility is essential for healthier, cleaner, and safer cities.
• Strong policies and better infrastructure can ensure its widespread adoption.

2. Scientists demonstrate clear quantum advantage using simple game

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

What is Quantum Supremacy?

• Quantum supremacy means a quantum computer can solve a problem better or faster than any classical computer.
• Scientists have been searching for a simple task to prove this advantage clearly.

A New Way to Show Quantum Supremacy

• Researchers have shown quantum supremacy using a simple colouring game.
• In the game, two players answer questions about points on a circle without talking to each other.
• Using quantum entangled atoms, the players won 97.8% of the time, much better than the 83.3% success of classical methods.
• This shows that quantum computers can solve certain problems faster and more efficiently than classical computers, even with just two quantum bits.

3. Supreme Court Curtails Governor’s Discretion: Mandates Timely Assent to State Bills

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 15)

Analysis of the news:                                                                               

Constitutional Provisions in Question

• Article 200 grants the Governor four options: assent, withhold assent, return (non-money) Bills, or reserve them for the President.
  
  
• Proviso to Article 200 mandates that once a Bill is reconsidered and passed again, the Governor “shall not withhold assent”.
  
  
• Article 163 implies the Governor must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers in most matters.
  
  

Problem of Indefinite Delays

• Governors have been exploiting the lack of a defined timeline to indefinitely delay assent, effectively using a “pocket veto.”
• This delays governance and undermines the authority of elected legislatures.

Supreme Court’s Earlier Stand

• In the 2016 Nabam Rebia case, the SC ruled that Governors must return Bills with recommendations if they withhold assent — they cannot delay indefinitely.
• In 2023 (Punjab case), the SC emphasized that Governors cannot use their discretionary powers to obstruct lawmaking and must follow constitutional procedures.

Key Takeaways from 2024 Tamil Nadu Verdict

• Time Limits Imposed:
  
  
  • One month for assent after a Bill is returned and passed again.
    
    
  • Three months maximum to reserve a Bill for the President.
    
    
• Governor Bound by Council of Ministers: The court reiterated that Governors cannot act arbitrarily and must follow constitutional conventions.
  
  
• Use of Article 142: The court exercised special powers to deem the 10 pending Bills as having received assent to ensure “complete justice.”
  
  

Implications for Other States

• The judgment sets a precedent for similar disputes pending in Kerala and Telangana, where Governors have delayed assent for extended periods.
• The ruling strengthens state governments’ position and reinforces legislative supremacy.

Significance

• This verdict asserts the primacy of elected legislatures in lawmaking, curbs arbitrary gubernatorial discretion, and reinforces constitutional accountability in India’s federal framework.

4. Newly identified property of metallo-nanozymes could transform bioenergy and therapeutic applications

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2120104 )

New Research on Metallo-Nanozymes:

• Scientists have studied metallo-nanozymes, which are artificial enzymes that work like natural enzymes using metal ions.
• These nanozymes can control electron transfer, a key process for energy production in cells.
• Current nanozymes have problems like uncontrolled electron flow, which may cause harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damage cells.
• A new nanozyme called Cu-Phen was created by scientists at CSIR-CLRI, Chennai.
• Cu-Phen is made using copper ions and phenylalanine and has a well-designed active site.
• It mimics natural enzymes and safely transfers electrons with the help of a protein called cytochrome c.
• This prevents the formation of harmful byproducts and may help in energy, health, and environment-related technologies.

5. MeitY Notifies Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2120240 )

New Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme:

• It aims to deepen domestic manufacturing of passive components like resistors, capacitors, relays, sensors, etc.
• The scheme complements the India Semiconductor Mission, which focuses on active components.
• It supports horizontal sectors such as consumer electronics, medical devices, automobiles, and power grids.
• India’s electronics production has grown five-fold, and exports have grown six-fold in the last decade.
• iPhone exports alone contributed ₹1.5 lakh crore in FY 2024–25.
• The scheme will support capital equipment and precision tooling industries.
• Three incentive models: turnover-linked, capex-linked, and hybrid.
• Employment generation is mandatory for all beneficiaries.
• The scheme is open for stakeholder feedback before finalization.

Prelims Facts

1. What is the current political situation in South Korea?

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

Reasons Behind Impeachment

• On December 3, 2024, Yoon imposed martial law citing anti-state threats.
• Parliament revoked martial law and later impeached him with 204 out of 300 votes.
• The court ruled his action unconstitutional and politically motivated to suppress the opposition.

Public Reaction

• The nation saw massive protests from both supporters and opponents of Yoon.
• An arrest warrant was approved in January; violent clashes followed.

Upcoming Elections and Challenges

• Upcoming Presidential elections are scheduled for June 3.
• The ruling PPP is in crisis, while the opposition DPK is gaining ground.
• South Korea also faces economic strain from U.S. tariffs.

2. Soyuz spacecraft heads to the ISS, carrying two Russians and one American astronaut

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Analysis of the news:

• Astronauts will conduct 50 scientific experiments before returning in December.
• The mission highlights continued U.S.-Russia space cooperation despite political tensions since 2022.

3. Japan Builds World’s First 3D-Printed Train Station in Just Six Hours

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 17)

Analysis of the news:

Speed and Efficiency in Construction

• The 3D-printed components, created by construction firm Serendix, were manufactured in Kumamoto and transported over 800 km to the site.
• After the final train departure at midnight, the station was assembled in less than six hours, a process completed overnight using cranes and prefabricated mortar-based parts.
• Compared to traditional methods that would take over two months, this approach halved both time and cost.

Strategic Technological Advancement

• With Japan facing a shrinking and ageing workforce, such innovations offer practical solutions for maintaining critical infrastructure in remote areas.
• The model highlights how automation, prefab construction, and 3D printing can reduce dependency on labor-intensive processes while ensuring continuity of services.

Future Implications

• This pilot project signals a scalable model for rural and low-traffic stations across Japan, where maintenance is often cost-prohibitive.
• It also reflects broader global trends in digital construction and sustainable development, potentially transforming how public infrastructure is built and maintained in the future.

4. Colossal Biosciences Claims World’s First De-Extinction of Dire Wolf Using Gene Editing

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 15)

Analysis of the news:

The Science Behind the Resurrection

• Researchers retrieved preserved DNA from dire wolf remains, reconstructing two genomes.
• By comparing these with other canids, they confirmed the grey wolf as the closest living relative.
• Using CRISPR gene editing, 20 edits across 14 genes were made to replicate key traits of dire wolves, such as size, musculature, and coat color.
• Fertilised embryos were implanted into surrogate dogs, resulting in the birth of Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi.

Are These True Dire Wolves?

• While Colossal labels these pups as “functional copies” of dire wolves, scientific consensus remains divided.
• Despite a 99.5% genetic similarity with grey wolves, dire wolves and grey wolves diverged evolutionarily about 6 million years ago.
• Colossal uses a morphological species concept—if it looks like a dire wolf, it is a dire wolf—raising philosophical and biological debates about species identity.

Ethical and Ecological Questions

• These pups lack natural parents, instincts, and survival skills. They are not yet part of any ecosystem and are barred from breeding.
• This highlights ethical concerns: should we resurrect species into environments where they cannot thrive? And if so, for what purpose—scientific prestige, ecological restoration, or public fascination?

Broader Significance

• This development demonstrates the advancing frontier of de-extinction science, with potential applications in biodiversity conservation.
• However, it also underlines the need for clear definitions, ecological readiness, and ethical safeguards before calling any such revival a true “return from extinction.”

check more – 08 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs