17 March 2025 : Daily Current Affairs
1. Air pollution will lower India’s solar generation capacity: study
- 1. Air pollution will lower India’s solar generation capacity: study
- 2. Reform-FDI tango in insurance
- 3. Farm fire in China-US trade
- 4. Women-Led Reforms: Dr. Jitendra Singh’s Push for Gender-Inclusive Governance Gains Momentum
- Prelims Facts
- 1. Birefringence: different in different directions
- 2. U.S. strikes on Yemen kill 31; Houthis hit back
- 3. In IT policy pipeline: Rs 23k-crore electronic subsidy scheme for value-add and jobs
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)
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India’s Solar Energy Goals
- India is the fifth-largest producer of solar energy in the world.
- The country aims to generate 50% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
- Plans include installing 500 GW of renewable energy capacity, with one-fifth from solar power.
- India is promoting the development of solar parks and rooftop solar installations.
Challenges to Solar Energy Production
- Solar photovoltaic energy depends on weather and climate conditions.
- Air pollution and climate change reduce the efficiency of solar panels.
- Rising temperatures negatively impact solar panel performance.
Study on Solar Panel Efficiency
- A study examined the effect of climate change on solar panel efficiency in India.
- It found that solar energy production is decreasing due to air pollution and higher temperatures.
- India has around 300 sunny days per year, but their quality is declining due to pollution.
- Global dimming and brightening trends affect solar radiation levels on the earth’s surface.
- Factors like clouds, aerosols, and particulate matter influence solar energy absorption.
Data and Research Findings
- The study used data from 1985 to 2014 to predict changes from 2041 to 2050.
- It relied on global climate models and NASA’s CERES project.
- Solar panel efficiency is expected to drop by 2.3% in the second scenario.
- A minimum of 840 gigawatt-hours of electricity could be lost annually.
- Rising temperatures were the biggest factor reducing efficiency.
Regional Variations in Solar Potential
- Some regions, including parts of Northeast India and Kerala, may have increased solar potential due to reduced cloud cover.
Recommendations for Improving Solar Efficiency
- Government Action: Policies should focus on reducing air pollution and mitigating climate change.
- Technological Innovations: Improvements in solar panel design can help maintain efficiency.
- Public Participation: Individuals can contribute by adopting electric vehicles and using public transport.
- Environmental Efforts: Planting trees and raising climate awareness will enhance sustainability.
Conclusion
- Effective policies and their proper implementation are crucial for maintaining solar energy production.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will improve both air quality and solar power generation.
- Better site selection and resource allocation can help optimize solar energy use in India.
PYQ: India has immense potential for solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. Elaborate. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2020) |
Practice Question: How will air pollution and climate change affect India’s solar power generation goals? Suggest strategies to mitigate these challenges and improve solar energy efficiency. (250 Words /15 marks) |
2. Reform-FDI tango in insurance
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 13)
Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy |
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Condition on Investment of Premium
- The 100% FDI limit applies only if all premium funds are invested within India.
- Since insurers cannot invest policyholders’ funds abroad, further clarification is needed.
Past Changes in FDI Limits
- In 2015, the FDI limit increased from 26% to 49%, but insurers had to remain Indian-owned and controlled.
- In 2021, the limit rose to 74%, removing the Indian ownership condition.
- Companies with over 49% FDI must have Indian resident directors and key management personnel (KMPs).
Impact of FDI in Insurance Intermediaries
- Increased Foreign Investment: Raising the FDI limit to 100% allows more foreign companies to invest in Indian insurance intermediaries.
- Technology and Expertise: Foreign investors bring advanced technology, global expertise, and better management skills.
- More Competition: New players entering the market increase competition, leading to better services for customers.
- Improved Efficiency: Advanced technology and global practices improve operational efficiency.
- Increase in Foreign Interest: Strict rules on profit repatriation and transactions have discouraged some foreign investors.
- Sector Growth: More investment can help expand the insurance sector, benefiting the economy.
Practice Question: How does increasing the FDI limit to 100% in insurance intermediaries impact the sector? Highlight the benefits and challenges associated with this move. (150 Words /10 marks) |
3. Farm fire in China-US trade
(Source – Indian Express, Section –Explained, Page – 09)
Topic: GS3 – Economy |
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Analysis of the news:

US Trade Actions
- The U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on most Canadian and Mexican imports but exempted goods under USMCA, sparing 50% of Mexican and 38% of Canadian imports.
- Canadian energy products and potash fertilizers from both nations face only a 10% tariff.
- In contrast, China faces harsher trade measures, with tariffs escalating from 10% (Feb 4) to 20% (March 4), with no exclusions or pauses.
China’s Retaliation
- China imposed 10-15% tariffs on U.S. agricultural products such as soybeans, wheat, corn, and meat.
- In 2024, China’s total agricultural imports from the U.S. stood at $27.29 billion, with soybeans ($12.76 billion) being the largest component.
Shift in China’s Strategy
- China aims to reduce dependence on U.S. agricultural imports and boost domestic production for food security.
- In 2023-24, China was the world’s largest importer of soybean, rapeseed, wheat, barley, sorghum, oats, and cotton.
- COFCO and Sinograin, China’s state-owned firms, play a key role in securing food supply and reducing reliance on Western agri-commodity traders.
- Following the 2008 food crisis and recent global disruptions, China ramped up strategic stockpiling through imports.
Emphasis on Self-Reliance
- In April 2023, China’s Ministry of Agriculture projected an increase in domestic grain production from 694 MT to 767 MT by 2032, with imports reducing from 148 MT to 122 MT.
- China is shifting towards Brazilian and Argentinian grain suppliers, reducing U.S. soybean market share from 30% (2017-18) to 22% (2023-24).
- The U.S. share of China’s agricultural imports is declining, with China increasingly relying on alternative sources.
Future Implications
- The U.S.-China trade war may escalate, impacting global trade dynamics.
- There could be pressure on India to open its markets to U.S. agricultural products.
- China’s push for agricultural self-sufficiency aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat strategy, highlighting a global shift towards food security.
Practice Question: The ongoing U.S.-China trade war has led to significant shifts in global agricultural trade and food security strategies. Discuss how China’s emphasis on self-reliance in agriculture could impact global trade dynamics and India’s agricultural sector. (250 words) |
4. Women-Led Reforms: Dr. Jitendra Singh’s Push for Gender-Inclusive Governance Gains Momentum
(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2111650 )
Topic: GS2 – Social Justice |
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Pension Reforms for Women
- A divorced or separated daughter can now directly claim her deceased father’s pension without waiting for a legal verdict.
- If a woman pensioner has filed for divorce, she can nominate her children for family pension instead of her husband.
- A childless widow can now remarry and still continue receiving her deceased husband’s pension, provided her income is below the minimum pension threshold.
- These pension reforms aim to provide financial stability and legal protection to women in difficult situations.
Workplace Benefits for Women
- Child Care Leave (CCL) is now more flexible, allowing single mothers to take leave for up to two years in a phased manner.
- Women employees can now travel abroad with their children during CCL.
- Maternity benefits have been extended to cover paid leave for women who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Encouraging Women’s Participation in Governance
- Government offices now provide working women hostels and crèches to support women employees.
- Market access for women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) has been expanded to enhance economic independence.
Empowering Women in the Digital Economy
- Skill training programs and modernization of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) aim to prepare women for leadership roles.
- These reforms align with the vision of creating a more inclusive and gender-equitable society.
Prelims Facts
1. Birefringence: different in different directions
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)
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Concept of Birefringence
- It occurs because these materials have different crystal structures along different directions, making them anisotropic.
- When light passes through a birefringent material, it splits into two rays, each traveling at a different speed and in a different direction.
- This happens because the material has two different refractive indices instead of one.
- Examples of natural birefringent materials include mica and quartz, while synthetic ones include barium borate and lithium niobate.
- External factors like stress, electric fields, or magnetic fields can also change a material’s birefringence.
- The bending of light depends on the light’s direction and its polarization, which refers to the direction of its electric field.
- LCD screens, medical microscopes, optical switches, waveplates, and high-power lasers use birefringent materials for various optical applications.
2. U.S. strikes on Yemen kill 31; Houthis hit back
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 1)
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Places In News:
- Sanaa, Yemen – The capital of Yemen, controlled by the Houthis, frequently targeted in airstrikes amid the ongoing conflict.
- Saada, Yemen – A Houthi stronghold in northern Yemen, heavily bombed in past conflicts due to its strategic significance.
- Al-Bayda, Yemen – A central Yemeni governorate, witnessing clashes between government forces, Houthis, and extremist groups.
- Radaa, Yemen – A town in Al-Bayda, previously a battleground for Al-Qaeda and Houthi forces, now under Houthi control.
- Red Sea – A critical global shipping route, currently affected by Houthi attacks on commercial and military vessels.
- Gulf of Aden – A key maritime passage linking the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea, facing security threats from piracy and militants.
3. In IT policy pipeline: Rs 23k-crore electronic subsidy scheme for value-add and jobs
(Source – Indian Express, Front Page- Page No. – 01)
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Key Features of the Scheme
- Targeted Components: Display modules, camera modules, PCB assemblies, lithium cell enclosures, resistors, capacitors, ferrites, etc.
- Employment Generation: Scheme aims to create 91,600 direct jobs over six years. Incentives Structure: Three types – based on operational expenses, capital expenses, and a mix of both.
- Investment Eligibility: Greenfield and brownfield investments, along with foreign participation via technology transfer or joint ventures.
- Financial Outlay: Annual incentives between ₹2,300 crore and ₹4,200 crore, based on investment, production, and employment targets.
Rationale for the Scheme
- Low Value Addition: Despite attracting companies like Apple and Samsung, domestic value addition remains at 15-20%, with a target of 30-40%.
- Demand-Supply Gap: India faces a $100 billion gap for domestic consumption and $140 billion including exports.
- Import Dependency: Electronics is the second-largest import sector after oil, with component imports accounting for 75% of domestic electronics production.
Challenges in Implementation
- Lack of Domestic Scale: Limited local manufacturing capacity.
- High Investment-to-Turnover Ratio: Lower returns compared to finished products like smartphones.
- Growing Import Dependency: Integrated circuit imports rose from $29 billion (FY21) to $46.5 billion (FY23).
Future Outlook
- Component demand expected to reach $160 billion by 2028-29.
- To meet demand, domestic production with exports must grow at a 53% CAGR.
- The scheme is crucial for reducing import dependency and strengthening India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
check more – 15 March 2025 : Daily Current Affairs