10 February 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. What does the Budget offer Railways?

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

Railway Budget: From Spectacle to a Footnote

• Before 2017, the Railway Budget was presented separately and was a major event.
• After merging with the Union Budget, Indian Railways (IR) no longer receives a distinct focus.
• The last two budgets in 2024 did not even mention IR explicitly.

Dependence on Capital Expenditure

• IR’s earnings barely cover its operational costs.
• The government has invested ₹13 lakh crore in infrastructure modernization over the last decade.
• Electrification has reached 95%, track length has increased, and rolling stock has expanded.
• Despite these investments, returns remain underwhelming.
• Freight traffic is growing at only about 2%, even though the economy is expanding.
• Passenger revenue is increasing, but total patronage has not yet reached pre-COVID levels.

Post-Budget Announcements and Expansion Plans

• The Railways Minister stated that the focus remains on infrastructure development, station modernization, better connectivity, safety, and passenger comfort.
• The construction of new railway lines, doubling of tracks, and gauge conversion will continue at a faster pace.
• Since 2014, an average of 150 km of new tracks have been laid annually, compared to 113 km per year between 2009-2014.

Safety Concerns and Kavach Implementation

• The budget for safety initiatives has been increased to ₹1,16,514 crore.
• Grade separation work has improved, but expansion of Kavach, the indigenous train collision avoidance system, has stalled.
• Investments in Amrit Bharat station redevelopment are highlighted, but progress is slow.

Electrification and Sustainability Issues

• The Minister stated that electrification rates from 2014-2025 have increased significantly compared to the previous period.
• India is set to become the only 100% electrified railway system, making it the “greenest” in the world.
• However, questions remain about the necessity of rapid electrification, with around 5,000 diesel locomotives worth ₹30,000 crore lying idle or underutilized.
• Additionally, much of the electricity used by IR still comes from fossil fuels.

Vande Bharat and Other Pending Projects

• The government announced the introduction of 200 more Vande Bharat trains but provided no timeline.
• No updates were given on major projects like:
  • Western Dedicated Freight Corridor
  • Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail
  • Conversion of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) coaches to Vande Bharat standards
• Instead, a distant vision of a 7,000-km high-speed rail network by 2047 was announced, without a clear strategy.

Freight and Operational Challenges

• The government claimed that IR will become the world’s second-largest freight carrier, reaching 1.6 billion tonnes of cargo.
• However, the crucial question remains:
  • How will IR regain its lost freight market share?
  • Can IR improve train speeds and passenger comfort beyond minor second-class coach additions?

Conclusion

• The budget suggests that IR is not undergoing a major transformation but is merely maintaining its operations.
• There is a continuous cycle of headline-grabbing announcements without significant execution.
• Structural issues, such as financial sustainability, project delays, and underutilized assets, remain unaddressed. 

2. Plan to amend nuclear liability law may enthuse American, French firms

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

Proposed Amendments to CLNDA and Atomic Energy Act

• The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) will be amended to separate the operator’s liability from the supplier’s liability.
• This change will align India’s legal framework with the international Convention for Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC).
• The Atomic Energy Act will be amended to allow greater private and foreign investment in nuclear power projects.
• These amendments aim to break the legal deadlock that has stalled nuclear projects with U.S. and French companies for over 15 years.
• The reforms will enable the completion of the Electricité de France (EDF) project at Jaitapur and the Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) project at Kovvada.
• The government’s move marks a reversal from its 2015 stance, when it had ruled out amending CLNDA.

Benefits of These Amendments

• The amendments will facilitate the entry of American and French nuclear power companies into India’s energy sector.
• They will help India achieve its goal of at least 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047.
• Increased investment in small modular reactors (SMRs) will support India’s clean energy transition.
• Resolving liability concerns will boost confidence among foreign suppliers, leading to faster project execution.
• The reforms will allow India to develop advanced nuclear technologies, enhancing energy security.
• Greater private sector participation will drive job creation and technological innovation in the nuclear sector.
• Strengthened international nuclear partnerships will improve India’s geopolitical and economic standing. 

3. Union Cabinet Approves South Coast Railway Zone

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Economy – Page No. – 15)

Analysis of the news:

Creation of the South Coast Railway Zone

• The Union Cabinet approved the formation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone, making it the 18th zone of Indian Railways. 
• This new zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, was mandated under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014. 
• It has been carved out from portions of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South Central Railway (SCR) zones to improve operational efficiency and cater to growing passenger and freight demands in Andhra Pradesh.

Reorganization of the Waltair Railway Division

• The Waltair Railway Division, previously part of ECoR, has been split into two divisions. 
• One part, renamed the Visakhapatnam Railway Division, has been integrated into the new SCoR. 
• The other portion, including major freight routes, will now function as a new division with its headquarters in Rayagada, Odisha, under the ECoR zone. 
• This restructuring aims to enhance logistics for key industries and ports in the region.

Rationale Behind the New Railway Zone

• The creation of SCoR aligns with the Central government’s commitment to Andhra Pradesh post-bifurcation. 
• Announced initially in 2019, the project is expected to support industrial and agricultural development, boost port connectivity for Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam, and promote tourism in key locations such as Tirupati. 

Geographical Coverage of SCoR

• The South Coast Railway will oversee major railway divisions, including Vijayawada and Guntur (from SCR) and the newly created Visakhapatnam Division. 
• The zone will cover Andhra Pradesh and parts of Telangana and Tamil Nadu. 
• Its jurisdiction includes significant railway routes connecting Palasa, Duvvada, Kuneru, Vizianagaram, Paralakhemundi, Bobbili, and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, spanning approximately 410 km.

Economic Importance of Waltair Division

• The Waltair Division is a major revenue generator due to its strategic freight links with the mining and steel industries in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. 
• In FY 2023-24, ECoR set a record by loading 250 million tonnes of freight, with Waltair contributing 74.66 million tonnes. 
• The division’s separation from ECoR has sparked criticism, with concerns that Odisha’s economy may suffer due to the shifting of its revenue-generating railway segments to Andhra Pradesh’s new railway zone. 

4. AERO INDIA 2025

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2101182&reg=3&lang=1 )

Introduction

• The event is more than just an exhibition; it promotes innovation, international alliances, and technological advancements in the aerospace and defence sectors.
• This year’s theme, ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, highlights India’s commitment to self-reliance and international collaboration in defence technology.

India’s Transformation in Aerospace and Defence

• Since its beginning in 1996, Aero India has evolved from a small aviation exposition into one of the most significant global defence events.
• Over the years, it has attracted leading defence manufacturers, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world.
• The 2025 edition aims to exceed past milestones by promoting India’s advancements in defence production and technology.

Participation of Global and Domestic Defence Companies

• 106 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including 55 foreign OEMs from 19 countries, have confirmed participation.
• Countries represented include Brazil, France, Israel, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) will participate, showcasing India’s public sector strength in defence manufacturing.
• 35 Indian OEMs, including major companies in defence and aerospace, will present cutting-edge innovations.
• The participation of both private and public sector enterprises highlights India’s growing defence ecosystem.

Key Attractions at Aero India 2025

• Showcase of Advanced Fighter Jets: For the first time, two of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35, will be displayed.
• These aircraft provide valuable insights into stealth technology, agility, and advanced warfare capabilities.
• India’s Indigenous Fighter Jet: A model of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) will be presented, a twin-engine fifth-generation stealth fighter under development with 75% domestic content.

Promoting Start-ups and Innovation

• The event includes ‘Manthan’, a platform dedicated to promoting start-ups and innovation in aerospace and defence.
• The iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) pavilion will showcase pioneering advancements from Indian start-ups.
• The Indian Pavilion will highlight Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, emphasizing home-grown defence solutions.

Conclusion

• Aero India 2025 showcases India’s ambition to become a global leader in defence and aerospace manufacturing.
• The event strengthens India’s position in the international defence market by fostering innovation, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships.
• With a focus on self-reliance and global collaboration, it plays a crucial role in advancing India’s defence production capabilities. 

Prelims Facts

1. Will do the job of executing Trump’s Gaza plan: Israel PM

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 14)

U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza Plan

• Objective: Proposes the relocation of over two million Palestinians from Gaza to other countries while redeveloping the region.
• Global Backlash: The plan has been widely criticized, particularly in the Arab world, for violating Palestinian rights and destabilizing the region.
• Saudi-Israel Relations: It threatens Saudi Arabia’s potential normalization of ties with Israel, as Riyadh insists on Palestinian statehood before recognition.
• Impact on Neighboring Countries: Egypt and Jordan could face instability if large numbers of displaced Gazans seek refuge there.
• Saudi Response: The Saudi Foreign Ministry quickly rejected the plan, emphasizing its opposition to forced displacement of Palestinians.
• U.S.-Saudi Relations: Riyadh remains reliant on U.S. security guarantees but is unlikely to follow Washington’s lead without concessions.
• Israeli Support: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu endorsed the plan, stating Israel is willing to “do the job” in implementing it.
• Regional Stability: The plan risks fueling anti-American sentiment and further destabilizing West Asia.

2. Scientists Uncover Brain Mechanism That Helps Overcome Instinctive Fear

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, – Page No. – 17)

Analysis of the news:

Experimental Process and Observations

• Researchers exposed 100 mice to a repeated visual threat—an expanding dark circle mimicking a swooping bird. Initially, the mice reacted instinctively by seeking shelter. 
• However, when a barrier prevented them from hiding, they gradually learned that the threat was harmless and stopped responding to it after 30-50 exposures. 
• Neural activity was tracked using silicon probes inserted into the mice’s brains.

Role of Brain Regions in Fear Suppression

The study identified two key brain areas involved in learning to suppress fear:

• Visual Cortex – Processes visual information and helps in learning to override instinctive fear responses.
• Ventrolateral Geniculate Nucleus (VLGN) – Stores memories to ignore perceived but harmless threats, playing a crucial role in fear suppression.

This is the first time VLGN has been linked to learning fear suppression, as previous research primarily focused on the visual cortex.

Potential Implications for Mental Health Treatments

• By understanding how the brain learns to suppress fear, researchers aim to develop targeted treatments for fear-related disorders. 
• Drugs focusing on the VLGN could offer new avenues for treating anxiety and PTSD by helping individuals suppress irrational fears more effectively.

3. US-South Africa Clash Over Land Expropriation

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 17)

Analysis of the news:

US-South Africa Dispute Over Land Expropriation

• The Act allows the government to acquire private property without consent for public purposes. 
• US President Donald Trump further criticized South Africa, threatening to cut aid, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended the Act as a constitutional and equitable process.

Historical Context of Land Expropriation

• Compulsory land acquisition, or eminent domain, has roots in European colonization. 
• Dutch scholar Hugo Grotius introduced the idea in 1625, arguing that the state holds ultimate ownership of land for public utility. 
• This principle was codified in various laws, including India’s Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and South Africa’s Expropriation Act, 1975.

Evolution of Property Rights

• The concept of private property rights emerged with the Magna Carta in 1215, which restricted the King from arbitrarily seizing land. This principle influenced later legal frameworks. 
• The US Constitution’s Fifth Amendment (1791) requires “just compensation” for seized land. South Africa’s Constitution (Section 25) similarly mandates compensation for expropriation. 

• In India, property was initially a fundamental right under Articles 19 and 31 but was downgraded in 1978 to Article 300A, allowing acquisition only through legal authority.

Check more- 8 February DCA