10 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. As wildfires scorch the earth, the Arctic biome rejects more carbon

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

Wildfires Across the U.S. and Japan

• Several states in the U.S. recently faced tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms.
• Fires in Texas and Oklahoma destroyed nearly 300 homes and caused massive damage, similar to earlier fires in Los Angeles.
• Around 16,000 hectares of land and natural ecosystems were burnt in California, making it one of the most destructive fires in its history.
• In Japan, a wildfire near Ofunato City destroyed around 210 buildings, killed one person, and forced over 4,200 residents to evacuate.
• It burned about 2,900 hectares of land, making it one of the largest fires in five decades.

Rising Carbon Emissions from Fires

• These fires released large amounts of carbon into the air.
• In January 2025 alone, wildfires released 800,000 tonnes of carbon — four times more than a decade ago.
• Satellites showed that the heat energy from these fires was much higher than the long-term average since 2003.

Forest Fires and Warming in India

• In 2023-24, Uttarakhand had the highest number of forest fires, followed by Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
• Though fire hotspots in India are decreasing slightly, land temperatures are rising.
• Heat waves are lasting longer and occurring earlier, increasing the risk of fires.
• Forest fires in India release about 69 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

Arctic Losing Its Role as a Carbon Sink

• The Arctic Boreal Zone, once a major carbon sink, is now releasing carbon due to intense wildfires and thawing permafrost.
• Around 30% of this zone has shifted from absorbing carbon to releasing it.
• Fires in Alaska, Europe, and Siberia are major contributors to this change.
• This change creates a harmful cycle: more fires release more carbon, which worsens global warming and leads to even more fires.

Conclusion

• Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense, turning vital carbon sinks into carbon sources and accelerating climate change.
• Urgent global action is needed to strengthen fire management and protect ecosystems.

2. India Halts Bangladesh Cargo Transshipment Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions and Strategic Concerns

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Cover Page, Page – 01)

Analysis of the news:                                                                               

Strategic Context and Diplomatic Tensions

• The decision follows controversial remarks by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during his visit to China, where he referred to Bangladesh as the “guardian of the ocean” for Northeast India and suggested integrating the region into China’s economic corridor.
• His statements triggered diplomatic unease in New Delhi and were interpreted as asserting strategic leverage over India’s landlocked Northeast.

Domestic Industry’s Support for the Move

• Indian exporters, particularly from the apparel sector, welcomed the decision.
• The Apparel Export Promotion Council noted that Bangladeshi cargo had been raising transport costs and causing congestion, and its removal would rationalize freight rates and ease pressure on Indian infrastructure.

Security and Geopolitical Concerns

• Strategic concerns over Chinese involvement in Bangladesh’s infrastructure, especially near India’s sensitive Siliguri Corridor or “Chicken Neck,” are seen as a key trigger.
• Proposals such as revitalizing the Lalmonirhat airbase with Chinese help raised alarms about regional security and India’s strategic vulnerability.

Northeast India’s Strategic Vulnerability

• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned Yunus’s remarks, highlighting the precarious nature of the “Chicken Neck” — a narrow 22-km corridor linking the Northeast to the rest of India.
• He advocated for infrastructure development to reduce dependency on this vulnerable stretch.

Implications for WTO Commitments

• Experts raised concerns that India’s move could face scrutiny under WTO norms, particularly GATT Article V and the Trade Facilitation Agreement, which require members to allow freedom of transit for goods to and from landlocked countries.

Conclusion:

• While the move helps decongest Indian logistics and appease domestic exporters, it reflects deeper strategic recalibrations in response to shifting geopolitical alignments.
• The challenge now lies in managing diplomatic fallout while adhering to international obligations under WTO frameworks.

3. National Critical Mineral Mission

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

Introduction

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will lead 1,200 exploration projects between 2024-25 and 2030-31.
• A committee identified 30 critical minerals, and 24 have been added to a special list under the MMDR Act, 1957.
• These 24 minerals will now be auctioned only by the Central Government.
• A Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals will be created to update the list and support strategy development.

Importance of Critical Minerals

• Critical minerals are key to clean energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy storage systems.
• They are also vital for national security and economic growth.
• A limited number of countries control the supply of these minerals, which may cause supply chain problems.

Usage in Clean Energy and Industry

• Solar Energy: Minerals like silicon, indium, and gallium are used in solar PV cells.
• Wind Energy: Rare earth elements like dysprosium and neodymium are used in wind turbines.
• Electric Vehicles: Lithium, nickel, and cobalt are essential for EV batteries.
• Energy Storage: Lithium-ion batteries need lithium, cobalt, and nickel for grid and industrial energy storage.

Objectives of the Mission

• To secure mineral supplies both from within India and other countries.
• To build value chains by improving technology, policy support, and skill development in the mining sector.

Key Targets by 2030-31

• 1,200 domestic exploration projects
• 26 foreign mineral acquisitions by PSUs
• 24 acquisitions by private firms
• 400 kilotonnes of minerals to be recovered from recycling
• 1,000 patents developed in the mineral value chain
• 10,000 people trained
• 4 mineral processing parks and 3 research centres established
• 5 strategic mineral stockpiles created

International Investments

• India is supporting public and private investments abroad in critical minerals.
• Partnerships and MoUs have been signed with countries like Argentina and Australia for lithium and cobalt projects.

Support by IREL

• IREL produces minerals like ilmenite and zircon and has rare earth processing plants in Odisha and Kerala.
• The company supports domestic industries and research.

Conclusion

• The mission supports India’s climate goals to cut emissions by 45% and achieve net-zero by 2070.
• It will help ensure a stable supply of essential minerals for clean energy, promote domestic growth, and reduce dependence on imports.

Prelims Facts

1. Oil falls to lowest since 2021 as Trump tariffs hit

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

Analysis of the news:

• Brent crude fell to $61.43 per barrel, and U.S. WTI crude dropped to $58.08 per barrel.
• The price fall is due to growing concerns about falling oil demand.
• A trade war between the U.S. and China is making the global economy weaker.
• The U.S. has raised tariffs on Chinese goods, and China has answered with its own tariffs.
• OPEC+ has also increased oil production by 411,000 barrels per day, adding more supply.
• Too much supply and weak demand are pushing prices down.
• Goldman Sachs expects prices to stay low until December 2025.

2. The IMF reaches a deal with Argentina on a $20 billion bailout

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

Analysis of the news:

• The money will help President Javier Milei, who is changing Argentina’s economy with free-market reforms.
• Milei has reduced inflation and brought some stability to Argentina’s weak economy.
• Argentina’s foreign currency reserves were getting very low, making the situation urgent.
• The bailout gives Milei a chance to ease foreign exchange controls, which could bring more investment.
• Argentina owes over $40 billion to the IMF and has taken 22 loans since 1958.
• Milei has cut government spending sharply, including firing workers and ending subsidies.
• Many poor people are struggling due to these cuts.
• Still, Milei’s popularity remains strong because inflation has fallen a lot.

3. Kerala and T.N. to conduct joint Nilgiri tahr census from April 24

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 3)

Analysis of the news:

• The survey aims to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Eravikulam National Park.
• It will cover 89 blocks in Kerala and 176 blocks in Tamil Nadu, both inside and outside protected areas.
• Camera traps and pellet sample collection will be used for scientific and genetic studies.
• The ‘bounded count’ method will be used to estimate population in each census block.

4. Repo rate

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

Analysis of the news:

Understanding Repo and Reverse Repo Rates

• The repo rate is the interest rate at which the RBI lends to commercial banks, while the reverse repo rate is what it pays banks for parking excess funds.
• These rates influence the cost of borrowing and savings across the banking system and serve as the benchmark for overall interest rates in the economy.

Why the Repo Rate Matters

• A lower repo rate reduces the cost of borrowing for banks, allowing them to lower interest rates for consumers and businesses.
• This encourages spending and investment, boosting demand. Conversely, increasing the repo rate helps curb inflation by discouraging borrowing and reducing money supply.

Reason Behind the Rate Cut

• The RBI’s decision is driven by concerns over sluggish economic growth rather than inflation, especially in light of rising global trade tensions, including reciprocal tariffs announced by the US.
• With inflation currently tracking at 3.9%, below projections, the RBI is focusing on reviving domestic demand and investment.

5. Sections 271 and 272 of BNS

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

Analysis of the news:                               

Understanding Sections 271 and 272 of BNS

Sections 271 and 272 of the BNS mirror Sections 269 and 270 of the IPC, respectively. These sections penalize negligent or intentional acts that may spread a disease dangerous to life.

• Section 271 (negligent): Punishable by up to 6 months’ imprisonment.
  
  
• Section 272 (malignant): Applies when intent is proven, also with up to 6 months’ imprisonment.
  
  

Crucially, these sections apply only if the act can spread a life-threatening disease and the accused knew or should have known the risk.

Legal Misapplication in the Noida Case?

• The FIR raises legal questions, as it’s unclear how serving non-vegetarian food instead of vegetarian qualifies as spreading a “disease dangerous to life.”
• Unlike during COVID-19, where such provisions were invoked to curb pandemic-related violations, no infectious disease appears to be involved in this case.

Past Precedents and Judicial Interpretations

• These laws were widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as in the case of singer Kanika Kapoor or hospitals failing to report tuberculosis cases.
• Courts have handled these laws on a case-by-case basis, without laying down a broad principle.
• In the Shiv Kumar case (2008), courts held that food-related issues may instead fall under specific food safety laws, not criminal law.

6. Cabinet Approves ₹1,600 Crore M-CADWM Scheme

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Govt & Politics, Page – 05)

Analysis of the news:                               

Key Features

• The scheme focuses on modernising irrigation networks by enabling underground pressurised piped irrigation systems up to 1 hectare from existing water sources.
• It is designed to build robust backend infrastructure for micro-irrigation at the farm gate level.

Technology Integration

• The adoption of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies will facilitate real-time water accounting and efficient management, significantly enhancing Water Use Efficiency (WUE) at the farm level.

Sustainability and Farmer Participation

• Irrigation Management will eventually be transferred to Water User Societies (WUS), ensuring local participation.
• These societies will receive five years of handholding support and be connected to economic entities like FPOs and PACS, promoting community-led irrigation asset management.

Expected Impact

The scheme aims to:

Build capacity for a national-level rollout in the future.

Improve agricultural productivity and incomes

Promote youth engagement in modern farming

Ensure sustainable irrigation management practices

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