07 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs
1. Can the U.S. President serve a third term?
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)
| Topic: GS2 – International Relations |
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What Does the U.S. Constitution Say?
- The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, allows a President to be elected only twice.
- It was introduced after Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms (1933–1945).
- A person who has served over two years of another President’s term can be elected only once.
- This limits the total tenure to 10 years.
- Since the former President was elected in 2016 and 2024, he cannot serve again.
Is the ‘VP Loophole’ Possible?
- One idea suggests he could become Vice President and take over if the President resigns.
- But the 12th Amendment bars anyone ineligible for Presidency from being Vice President.
- This means the VP route is not legally valid.
Could He Return Through Succession?
- A legal theory says the 22nd Amendment bars being elected more than twice, but not serving again.
- He could possibly become Speaker of the House and ascend to the Presidency if both President and VP positions become vacant.
What About Changing the Constitution?
- Repealing the 22nd Amendment is very difficult.
- It needs support from two-thirds of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of States.
- Given the current political climate, this is highly unlikely.
What About Other World Leaders?
- Leaders like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Erdogan have changed laws to stay in power longer.
- Countries like Germany, Canada, and the UK have no term limits but rely on political support.
What Is the Case in India?
- India has no term limits for Prime Ministers.
- As long as the Prime Minister enjoys the support of the Lok Sabha, they can continue.
- This system is based on public trust, regular elections, and parliamentary checks.
| PYQ: Critically examine the procedures through which the Presidents of India and France are elected. (150 Words /10 marks) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2022) |
| Practice Question: How do the constitutional provisions regarding term limits for the head of government differ between the United States and India? Examine the democratic implications of these differences. (250 Words /15 marks) |
2. West Africa chimps are losing their culture, in another human legacy
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)
| Topic: GS1 – History – Culture |
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Chimpanzee Culture and Communication
- Culture is something both humans and animals learn from others and pass onto future generations.
- Animals show culture in how they find food, use tools, mate, and care for each other.
- Dialects are communication behaviours that vary between communities.
Chimpanzee Dialects in West Africa
- Scientists found four mating-related dialects in wild chimpanzees in Taï National Park: heel-kick, knuckle-knock, leaf-clip, and branch-shake.
- These gestures help young males secretly ask females for mating, especially without alerting dominant males.
- Each community uses different gestures. Knuckle-knocking was once common but has vanished from some groups.
Impact of Human Actions
- Habitat loss and hunting reduce chimpanzee populations and disrupt cultural behaviours.
- The North chimpanzee group lost many adult males between 2004 and 2011, causing the knuckle-knock gesture to disappear.
- Even after new adult males joined, the dialect did not return.
Cultural Differences Across Regions
- Chimpanzees in Uganda use different gestures like object-slap for mating.
- These variations are not due to genetics or environment, but social learning.
Need to Protect Chimpanzee Culture
- Cultural behaviours help animals survive, such as using tools or finding food.
- Conservation efforts now include protecting animal cultures.
- The death of older members harms group survival, as they carry valuable cultural knowledge.
| Practice Question: Discuss the importance of cultural behaviours in animal conservation. How can the inclusion of cultural preservation improve wildlife protection strategies? (150 Words /10 marks) |
3. India’s Cotton Crisis
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 12)
| Topic: GS3 – Agriculture GS3 – Science & Technology |
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Analysis of the news:
India’s Cotton Crisis: A Declining Output
- Despite having a global advantage in cotton production and low tariff barriers on textile exports, India’s cotton economy is under distress.
- The country’s cotton production in 2024-25 is projected at just over 294 lakh bales — the lowest in over 15 years — marking a sharp fall from its peak of 398 lakh bales in 2013-14.
- Once a major cotton exporter, India is now set to import more cotton than it exports, highlighting a structural production crisis.
Pink Bollworm: The Main Culprit
- The resurgence of the pink bollworm (PBW) pest has been the principal driver behind declining yields.
- Originally suppressed by genetically modified (Bt) cotton hybrids, PBW has developed resistance to the cry1Ac and cry2Ab genes due to its monophagous nature and rapid reproductive cycles.
- Unlike other pests, PBW feeds exclusively on cotton, allowing it to adapt and thrive on Bt cotton over time, significantly damaging yields and fibre quality.
Ineffectiveness of Existing GM Technology
- The Bt cotton technology that revolutionized Indian cotton farming is no longer effective against PBW.
- Yields, which rose to 566 kg per hectare in 2013-14, have declined to about 436 kg in recent years.
- With resistance to Bt proteins now well documented, India’s cotton crop is facing an agronomic emergency.
New Genetic Technologies Under Trial
- In response, Indian seed companies are developing new GM cotton hybrids containing alternative Bt genes like cry8Ea1, cry1c, chimeric Bt proteins, and cry2Aa, specifically targeting PBW.
- Companies like Bioseed, Rasi Seeds, Ankur Seeds, and Ajeet Seeds have initiated or applied for Biosafety Research Level-1 (BRL-1) trials for their new hybrids.
- These trials aim to test both agronomic performance and environmental safety before eventual commercialization.
Regulatory Bottlenecks
- Despite scientific advancements, regulatory hurdles have stalled the introduction of new GM crops.
- No GM crop has been commercialised in India since 2006. Environmental opposition, prolonged trial phases, and mandatory state approvals have contributed to the slow progress, keeping farmers from accessing the next generation of pest-resistant seeds.
Government’s Cotton Mission and Policy Shift
- Recognizing the crisis, the Union Budget 2025-26 introduced a five-year ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’ to support farmers with science and technology-based solutions.
- The current PBW-induced crisis, coupled with favourable global export conditions, may push the government toward a more proactive stance on GM cotton approval, especially since cotton is a non-food crop.
Conclusion
- India must urgently strengthen its biotech regulatory framework, fast-track GM cotton approvals, and invest in sustainable pest management to revive cotton productivity and safeguard its textile economy.
| What Can be Done to Enhance India’s Cotton Production? |
Farmer-Centric Extension Services: Scale platforms like Cott-Ally to provide real-time updates on MSP, weather, pest alerts, and procurement logistics.
Post-Harvest and Market Reforms: Expand “Kasturi Cotton” branding with QR-code traceability to ensure quality assurance in global markets.
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| PYQ: The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of (2021) (a) brown forest soil (b) fissure volcanic rock (c) granite and schist (d) shale and limestone Ans: (b) |
| Practice Question: Declining cotton yields due to pest resistance highlight the limitations of current GM technologies in Indian agriculture.” Discuss the challenges faced by India’s cotton sector and suggest measures to enhance productivity and sustainability. (250 Words /15 marks) |
4. Release of Publication “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”
(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2119441 )
| Topic: GS2 – Governance, GS3 – Indian Economy |
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“Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”
- It presents gender-disaggregated data across various sectors such as population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making.
- The data is collected from different ministries and departments and helps in creating gender-sensitive policies for inclusive development.
Education Indicators
- The Gender Parity Index (GPI) remains high at primary and higher secondary levels, showing strong female enrolment.
- There were some fluctuations at the upper primary and elementary levels, but parity remained largely intact.
Labour and Financial Participation
- The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for people aged 15 years and above rose from 49.8% (2017-18) to 60.1% (2023-24).
- Women now own 39.2% of all bank accounts and contribute 39.7% of total deposits, especially in rural areas (42.2%).
Investment and Entrepreneurship
- The number of DEMAT accounts rose significantly from 33.26 million (2021) to 143.02 million (2024).
- Although more men hold DEMAT accounts, female account holders increased from 6.67 million to 27.71 million in this period.
- More female-headed proprietary establishments were recorded in manufacturing, trade, and services sectors during 2021–24.
Political and Entrepreneurial Participation
- The total number of electors rose from 173.2 million (1952) to 978 million (2024), with higher female voter registration and turnout.
- Female turnout slightly declined from 67.2% (2019) to 65.8% (2024), but still surpassed male turnout.
- Startups with at least one-woman director increased from 1,943 (2017) to 17,405 (2024), showing growth in female entrepreneurship.
| Practice Question: Achieving gender parity is not just a social imperative but also an economic necessity.” In light of this statement, critically analyze India’s progress towards gender parity with reference to the findings of the “Women and Men in India 2024” report. (250 Words /15 marks) |
Prelims Facts
1. Why were students protesting over Kancha Gachibowli?
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)
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Places In News – Kancha Gachibowli:
- Kancha Gachibowli is a 400-acre land parcel located within the premises of the University of Hyderabad in Gachibowli, Telangana.
- It was part of the 2,324 acres granted to the university at its establishment in 1974, although no formal title transfer was completed.
- In 2004, the land was diverted for other purposes under a government MoU, including allocation to IMG Academies Bharata.
- The land remained largely undisturbed for over 20 years and evolved into a rich ecological habitat.
- It hosts 233 species of birds, several Schedule-I animals under the Wildlife Protection Act, and the endemic spider Murricia hyderabadensis.
- The current government plans to auction it to raise funds for welfare schemes amid rising public debt.
2. Hadean protocrust: hot and hellish
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)
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The Hadean Protocrust:
- The Hadean protocrust is the Earth’s first outer layer (crust) that formed over 4 billion years ago.
- “Hadean” refers to Earth’s earliest geologic time, when the planet was young and very hot.
- During this time, Earth’s surface was partly molten and bombarded by space rocks.
- Volcanoes were active, making the surface look like a hellish place.
- As the molten surface cooled, small pieces of solid crust formed.
- These pieces were flaky and kept changing.
- Over time, thicker parts formed the first continents.
- A new study suggests plate tectonic-like features may have existed even before true plate movements began.
3. Kaliyattam nights
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 3)
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Theyyam:
- Theyyam is a ritualistic performance art form practiced predominantly in northern Kerala, especially in the Kannur and Kasaragod districts.
- It blends dance, music, and mime to tell stories of ancestors, local deities, and heroic characters.
- The term “Theyyam” is derived from “Daivam”, which means God in Malayalam, symbolizing the performer as a deity during the ritual.
- Performances usually take place in Kaavus (sacred groves) and are part of temple or village festivals.
- The Theyyam season runs from October to May/June every year.
- Artists undergo elaborate makeup, wear colorful costumes, headgear, and perform to drum beats and chants.
- Theyyam is a living tradition that reflects folk beliefs, caste dynamics, and oral history of the region.
- Performers often enter a trance-like state, believed to channel divine presence.
4. NAFTA
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Economy, Page – 10)
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Analysis of the news:
What is NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)?
- NAFTA came into effect in 1994.
- It is a successor to the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement.
- NAFTA is a trilateral arrangement that includes Mexico.
- It led to lower tariffs on most goods and services traded among the countries.
- It encouraged big business to reorganise supply chains around the North American continent.
- This eventually made industries such as automobiles globally more competitive.
- Overall, regional trade has expanded more than three times since NAFTA came into effect.
- The agreement has also led to a range of rules on food safety, intellectual property rights and the settlement of disputes.
- It has generally deepened the political relationship among the three signatories.
Rising Global Competition for US Trade Deals
- Vietnam and Cambodia are aggressively pursuing tariff-reduction deals with the US, offering zero or significantly reduced tariffs on American goods.
- Their urgency stems from high reciprocal tariffs—Vietnam at 46% and Cambodia at 49%—prompting them to negotiate faster and gain a competitive edge.
India’s Delayed Trade Strategy
- India, in contrast, has yet to finalize a comprehensive trade pact with any Western nation.
- Stalled negotiations with the EU and UK over labour and environmental clauses, coupled with bureaucratic delays, have hindered progress.
- The prolonged talks risk making India less attractive as a trade partner.
Risks of Selective Concessions
- Indian exporters have expressed concern over “selective concessions” that could erode India’s competitiveness, particularly in auto component exports.
- If the US selectively reduces tariffs for other nations while maintaining high duties on Indian goods, domestic manufacturers could lose market share.
5. PM inaugurated New Pamban Bridge
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Cover Page, Page – 01)
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Analysis of the news:
Overview of the Pamban Rail Bridge
- The Pamban Rail Bridge, also known as the Rameswaram Bridge, is a century-old engineering marvel connecting Rameswaram Island with mainland Tamil Nadu.
- Commissioned in 1914, it served as India’s first sea bridge and played a vital role in regional connectivity and economic integration.
Modernization and Technological Advancements
- To meet modern infrastructure demands, the bridge underwent a major upgrade beginning in 2019, culminating in 2025.
- A key highlight is the addition of a vertical lift span, India’s first, enabling 22-meter clearance for ship passage—enhancing maritime and rail coordination.
- The structure also now supports double-line electrification, allowing for smoother and faster train operations.
Historical and Strategic Relevance
- Built during British colonial rule, the original cantilever bridge was not only a transport lifeline but also a symbol of early 20th-century engineering prowess.
- It remained the sole land link for Rameswaram for decades, underlining its strategic importance for trade, tourism, and defense.
Religious and Cultural Significance
- Rameswaram is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, and the bridge has long facilitated the influx of pilgrims visiting the iconic Ramanathaswamy Temple.
- Its seamless operation ensured that spiritual tourism remained uninterrupted, supporting local livelihoods and cultural exchange.
Humanitarian Role
- The bridge gained additional prominence during the Sri Lankan Civil War by acting as a crucial humanitarian corridor.
- It enabled the movement of refugees and provided essential connectivity for aid and relief operations, cementing its place in India’s strategic and compassionate outreach.
