UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 January 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 January 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 3 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 January (2025)
• Indian Biennial Update Report
Indian Biennial Update Report
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Sudan Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan Humanitarian Crisis
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Community Notes
Community Notes
• Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC)
Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC)
• Scorpene Class Submarine
Scorpene Class Submarine
• Republic Day Craft Products
Republic Day Craft Products
• National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
• Silver Notice
Silver Notice
• Indigenous Surgical Robotic System
Indigenous Surgical Robotic System
Mapping:
• Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 January 2025
#### GS Paper 3 :
Indian Biennial Update Report
Syllabus: Environment
- •Source: IE*
Context: Recently, India submitted its Biennial Update Report (BUR-4), providing a detailed account of its greenhouse gas (GHG inventory), progress on targets, and measures to combat climate change.
What are Biennial Update Reports (BURs)?
BURs are reports submitted by developing countries to the UNFCCC, as per the obligations under the Paris Agreement. They include:
• National GHG Inventory: Detailed emission sources, sinks, and trends.
• Climate Action Plans: Updates on policies and programs to mitigate emissions.
• Support Received: Financial, technical, and capacity-building assistance.
• Socioeconomic and Forestry Data: Insights into national circumstances influencing emissions.
Highlights of India’s BUR-4:
• GHG Inventory for 2020: Total GHG emissions: 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Net GHG emissions (after forestry absorption): 2,437 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Emissions intensity of GDP reduced by 36% from 2005 levels.
• Total GHG emissions: 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
• Net GHG emissions (after forestry absorption): 2,437 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
• Emissions intensity of GDP reduced by 36% from 2005 levels.
• Sectoral Contributions to Emissions: Energy: 75.66% (Electricity production alone: 39%). Agriculture: 13.72%. Industry and Waste: 10.62%.
• Energy: 75.66% (Electricity production alone: 39%).
• Agriculture: 13.72%.
• Industry and Waste: 10.62%.
• Progress on Commitments: Emissions intensity reduction target of 45% by 2030 is on track. Non-fossil fuel-based power generation capacity: 46.52% as of 2024. Additional carbon sink creation: 2.29 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent (2005–2021).
• Emissions intensity reduction target of 45% by 2030 is on track.
• Non-fossil fuel-based power generation capacity: 46.52% as of 2024.
• Additional carbon sink creation: 2.29 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent (2005–2021).
• Energy Efficiency Schemes: Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT): Saved 7.72 Mtoe and reduced 28.74 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
• Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT): Saved 7.72 Mtoe and reduced 28.74 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
• Tech Needs for Growth: Highlighted needs for advanced technologies like ultra-efficient photovoltaics, floating wind turbines, and carbon capture for industrial sectors.
• Highlighted needs for advanced technologies like ultra-efficient photovoltaics, floating wind turbines, and carbon capture for industrial sectors.
India’s Climate Commitments and Status:
Commitment | Status
Reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 | Achieved 36% reduction (2005–2020)
50% installed power capacity from non-fossil fuels | Achieved 46.52% (as of October 2024)
Create 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO2 sink by 2030 | Created 2.29 billion tonnes (2005–2021)
Net-zero emissions by 2070 | On track with incremental progress in renewable adoption and energy savings.
Challenges in achieving commitments:
• Technology Barriers: Limited access to advanced, low-carbon technologies due to high costs and intellectual property restrictions.
• Financial Constraints: Insufficient funding for large-scale renewable energy projects and carbon sink initiatives.
• High Dependency on Fossil Fuels: Transitioning sectors like transportation and industries remains a significant challenge.
• Agricultural Emissions: Methane from livestock and rice cultivation continues to be a persistent issue.
• Urbanization and Population Growth: Increasing energy demand and waste generation strain existing resources.
Way Ahead:
• Strengthen Technology Transfer: Facilitate affordable access to advanced climate technologies.
• Expand Renewable Energy: Accelerate investments in solar, wind, and other non-fossil energy resources.
• Enhance Forest Cover: Implement robust afforestation programs to meet carbon sink targets.
• Promote Circular Economy: Encourage sustainable practices across industries and waste management.
• Collaborate Globally: Seek international support for finance, technology, and capacity-building.
Conclusion:
India’s BUR-4 underscores its progress toward climate goals, especially in reducing emissions intensity and transitioning to renewable energy. Despite challenges, a collaborative, technology-driven, and resource-efficient approach can help India achieve its commitments and inspire global climate action.
Insta Links:
• Climate-change-and-associated-issues
• Describe the major outcomes of the 26thsession of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC-2021)
• ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How will India be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India be affected by climate change? (UPSC-2017)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 January 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Sudan Humanitarian Crisis
Context: The ongoing conflict in Sudan has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with 3.2 million children under the age of five projected to face acute malnutrition in 2025, according to a UNICEF report.
UN Report Data:
• Children Facing Malnutrition:
• 2 million children under five expected to face acute malnutrition in Sudan in 2025.
• 7,72,000 children likely to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
• Conflict Impact:
• Over 20 months of war between the Army and RSF.
• Resulted in 12 million displaced, making it the world’s largest displacement crisis.
• Famine Conditions:
• Five areas in Sudan are already facing famine.
• Healthcare Collapse: Organizations like Doctors Without Borders forced to halt activities due to attacks on facilities.
Relevance to UPSC Syllabus:
• GS Paper 2 (International Relations): Impact of civil wars on global peace and security. Role of international organizations like the UN in addressing humanitarian crises.
• Impact of civil wars on global peace and security.
• Role of international organizations like the UN in addressing humanitarian crises.
• GS Paper 3 (Food Security): Implications of acute malnutrition and famine conditions on vulnerable populations. Global efforts to address food insecurity in conflict zones.
• Implications of acute malnutrition and famine conditions on vulnerable populations.
• Global efforts to address food insecurity in conflict zones.
• Ethics (Case Studies): Ethical dimensions of providing humanitarian aid in conflict zones. Challenges faced by NGOs and international agencies like Doctors Without Borders.
• Ethical dimensions of providing humanitarian aid in conflict zones.
• Challenges faced by NGOs and international agencies like Doctors Without Borders.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 January 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Community Notes
Source: IE
Context: Meta recently announced the adoption of Community Notes, a crowdsourced content moderation system similar to Twitter’s (now X) approach, as a replacement for its fact-checking program in the US.
About Community Notes:
• What is it? Community Notes is a crowdsourced fact-checking system where users can add context or facts to specific posts.
• Community Notes is a crowdsourced fact-checking system where users can add context or facts to specific posts.
• Launched by: Originally piloted as ‘Birdwatch’ by Twitter in 2021, rebranded as X, it is now being adopted by Meta across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
• How it works: Contributors provide additional context below posts. Notes appear only if enough users agree on their helpfulness, ensuring diverse perspectives. Data is public, allowing anyone to analyse contributions for transparency.
• Contributors provide additional context below posts.
• Notes appear only if enough users agree on their helpfulness, ensuring diverse perspectives.
• Data is public, allowing anyone to analyse contributions for transparency.
• Significance: Scalable Content Moderation: Reduces reliance on centralized fact-checkers. Community-driven Transparency: Empowers users to counter misinformation collectively. Adaptable System: Improves accuracy with increasing user participation and algorithmic refinements.
• Scalable Content Moderation: Reduces reliance on centralized fact-checkers.
• Community-driven Transparency: Empowers users to counter misinformation collectively.
• Adaptable System: Improves accuracy with increasing user participation and algorithmic refinements.
Insta links:
• Fake-news
Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC)
Source: DD News
Context: India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) in 2026, as announced by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the CSPOC Standing Committee Meeting in Guernsey.
About CSPOC:
• Established in: 1969 by Speaker Lucien Lamoureux, Canada.
• History: First initiated to enhance cooperation and share parliamentary practices among Commonwealth nations. Operates independently of the Commonwealth Secretariat or Parliamentary Association. Canada provides secretariat support for its activities.
• First initiated to enhance cooperation and share parliamentary practices among Commonwealth nations.
• Operates independently of the Commonwealth Secretariat or Parliamentary Association.
• Canada provides secretariat support for its activities.
• Aim: Foster impartiality and fairness in parliamentary leadership. Promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in diverse forms. Develop and strengthen parliamentary institutions.
• Foster impartiality and fairness in parliamentary leadership.
• Promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in diverse forms.
• Develop and strengthen parliamentary institutions.
• Structure: Two-year cycle: Full membership conference every two years, Standing Committee meeting in the intervening year. Chairperson: Rotates based on the host country.
• Two-year cycle: Full membership conference every two years, Standing Committee meeting in the intervening year.
• Chairperson: Rotates based on the host country.
About the 28th CSPOC (2026):
• Host Country: India (New Delhi).
• Focus Areas: Integration of AI and social media in parliamentary processes, fostering inclusivity, and addressing global challenges like climate change and cybercrime.
• Significance: Reflects India’s economic progress and technological advancements in sectors like AI, fintech, and research. Highlights India’s cultural heritage alongside its developmental journey.
• Reflects India’s economic progress and technological advancements in sectors like AI, fintech, and research.
• Highlights India’s cultural heritage alongside its developmental journey.
Insta links:
Scorpene Class Submarine
Source: News on Air
Context: India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) recently handed over the sixth Scorpene-class submarine, Vaghsheer, to the Indian Navy under Project P-75.
About Scorpene Class Submarines:
• What are Scorpene Submarines? Scorpene-class submarines are diesel-electric attack submarines designed for stealth operations, targeting adversary vessels, and intelligence gathering.
• Scorpene-class submarines are diesel-electric attack submarines designed for stealth operations, targeting adversary vessels, and intelligence gathering.
• Launched under: The submarines were built under Project P-75, signed in 2005 as a $3.75 billion agreement between MDL and the French defense firm Naval Group, involving transfer of technology.
• Submarines in Project P-75:
• INS Kalvari (commissioned in 2017)
• INS Khanderi (commissioned in 2019)
• INS Karanj (commissioned in 2021)
• INS Vela (commissioned in 2021)
• INS Vagir (commissioned in January 2023)
• INS Vaghsheer (delivered in 2024 after sea trials in 2023)
• Features of Scorpene Submarines: Capabilities: Equipped for Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare, intelligence gathering, and area surveillance. Can launch torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles. Propulsion System: Diesel-electric propulsion with an endurance of ~50 days. Retrofit with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems starting 2024 for extended stealth and underwater endurance. Advanced Systems: High-level automation with Integrated Platform Management and Combat Management Systems. Features indigenously developed Air Conditioning Plant and Internal Communication System (from INS Vaghsheer onwards). Stealth Technology: Designed with superior stealth features to avoid detection by adversaries.
• Capabilities: Equipped for Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare, intelligence gathering, and area surveillance. Can launch torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles.
• Equipped for Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare, intelligence gathering, and area surveillance.
• Can launch torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles.
• Propulsion System: Diesel-electric propulsion with an endurance of ~50 days. Retrofit with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems starting 2024 for extended stealth and underwater endurance.
• Diesel-electric propulsion with an endurance of ~50 days.
• Retrofit with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems starting 2024 for extended stealth and underwater endurance.
• Advanced Systems: High-level automation with Integrated Platform Management and Combat Management Systems. Features indigenously developed Air Conditioning Plant and Internal Communication System (from INS Vaghsheer onwards).
• High-level automation with Integrated Platform Management and Combat Management Systems.
• Features indigenously developed Air Conditioning Plant and Internal Communication System (from INS Vaghsheer onwards).
• Stealth Technology: Designed with superior stealth features to avoid detection by adversaries.
• Designed with superior stealth features to avoid detection by adversaries.
Insta links:
• Scorpene-class-diesel-electric-submarines
Republic Day Craft Products
Source: TH
Context: To mark 75 years of the Republic of India, President has introduced a unique Republic Day “At Home” reception. Invitees will receive a curated box of crafts showcasing southern India’s rich heritage.
• These crafts, created by artisans from five southern states under the “One District One Product” scheme.
About Craft Products in the News:
• Kalamkari Painted Bamboo Box (Andhra Pradesh): Features: Handcrafted with traditional Nimmalakunta Kalamkari paintings. GI Tag State: Andhra Pradesh.
• Features: Handcrafted with traditional Nimmalakunta Kalamkari paintings.
• GI Tag State: Andhra Pradesh.
• Ikat-Pochampalli Cover (Telangana): Features: Reusable cover showcasing Ikat weaving tradition. GI Tag State: Telangana.
• Features: Reusable cover showcasing Ikat weaving tradition.
• GI Tag State: Telangana.
• Ganjifa Art Magnet (Karnataka): Features: Depicts the intricate Ganjifa art, known for its connection to playing cards. GI Tag State: Karnataka.
• Features: Depicts the intricate Ganjifa art, known for its connection to playing cards.
• GI Tag State: Karnataka.
• Kanjeevaram Silk Pouch (Tamil Nadu): Features: Handmade silk pouch symbolizing the elegance of Kanjeevaram weaving. GI Tag State: Tamil Nadu.
• Features: Handmade silk pouch symbolizing the elegance of Kanjeevaram weaving.
• GI Tag State: Tamil Nadu.
• Etikopakka Dolls (Andhra Pradesh): Features: Eco-friendly, traditional wooden dolls. GI Tag State: Andhra Pradesh.
• Features: Eco-friendly, traditional wooden dolls.
• GI Tag State: Andhra Pradesh.
• Screwpine Leaf Bookmark (Kerala): Features: Woven from natural screwpine leaves, symbolizing sustainability. GI Tag State: Kerala.
• Features: Woven from natural screwpine leaves, symbolizing sustainability.
• GI Tag State: Kerala.
Insta links:
• GI-tag-products/
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
Source: TOI
Context: Central government employees who donate organs are eligible for 42 days of leave, as per the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).
About National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO):
• What it is: NOTTO is a national-level organization established under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Headquarters: Located on the Institute of Pathology (ICMR) Building, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
• Aim: To coordinate, regulate, and promote organ and tissue donation and transplantation in India. Facilitate the safe and efficient allocation and utilization of organs and tissues.
• To coordinate, regulate, and promote organ and tissue donation and transplantation in India.
• Facilitate the safe and efficient allocation and utilization of organs and tissues.
• Functions: Policy Formation: Lay down guidelines and protocols for organ donation and transplantation. Coordination and Networking: Act as the apex body for coordinating organ procurement, allocation, and distribution across regions. Registry Maintenance: Maintain a National Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplant Registry. Awareness Campaigns: Promote organ donation through public awareness initiatives. Training and Support: Organize training programs for healthcare workers and provide consultancy on legal and non-legal aspects of organ donation. Monitoring: Oversee transplantation activities and maintain a data bank for surveillance.
• Policy Formation: Lay down guidelines and protocols for organ donation and transplantation.
• Coordination and Networking: Act as the apex body for coordinating organ procurement, allocation, and distribution across regions.
• Registry Maintenance: Maintain a National Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplant Registry.
• Awareness Campaigns: Promote organ donation through public awareness initiatives.
• Training and Support: Organize training programs for healthcare workers and provide consultancy on legal and non-legal aspects of organ donation.
• Monitoring: Oversee transplantation activities and maintain a data bank for surveillance.
Insta links:
• Organ-donation-in-India
Silver Notice
Source: BS
Context: Interpol has introduced its first-ever Silver Notice, a groundbreaking initiative to track and recover laundered assets across international borders.
About the Silver Notice:
• What it is: A colour-coded alert by Interpol to track and recover criminally acquired assets such as properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses.
• How it works: Member countries can issue a Silver Notice to request information about assets linked to criminal activities. Facilitates the identification, location, seizure, confiscation, or recovery of assets under national laws. Reviewed by Interpol’s General Secretariat to ensure compliance with its rules and prevent misuse for political purposes.
• Member countries can issue a Silver Notice to request information about assets linked to criminal activities.
• Facilitates the identification, location, seizure, confiscation, or recovery of assets under national laws.
• Reviewed by Interpol’s General Secretariat to ensure compliance with its rules and prevent misuse for political purposes.
• Need for Such Notices: Addresses the challenge of transnational organized crime and recovers illicit wealth. Helps combat fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, and other financial crimes.
• Addresses the challenge of transnational organized crime and recovers illicit wealth.
• Helps combat fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, and other financial crimes.
• Other Interpol Notices:
Insta links:
• Bharatpol-portal
Indigenous Surgical Robotic System
Source: DD News
Context: India achieved a groundbreaking milestone in healthcare technology with the successful completion of robotic cardiac surgeries via telesurgery using the SSI Mantra 3 Surgical Robotic System.
About SSI Mantra:
• What it is: An indigenous surgical robotic system designed for performing advanced robotic surgeries, including telesurgery.
• Developed by: SS Innovations.
• Features: Ultra-low latency (35-40 milliseconds): Enables seamless real-time remote surgical procedures. High precision: Facilitates complex surgeries such as Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB). Telesurgery and Tele-proctoring Approved: The first robotic system globally to receive regulatory approval for telesurgery by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
• Ultra-low latency (35-40 milliseconds): Enables seamless real-time remote surgical procedures.
• High precision: Facilitates complex surgeries such as Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB).
• Telesurgery and Tele-proctoring Approved: The first robotic system globally to receive regulatory approval for telesurgery by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
• How it works: Uses advanced robotic arms controlled remotely by surgeons over a secure network. Ensures precision and efficiency through high-speed data transmission with minimal delay. Supports collaboration in surgical education and mentoring through tele-proctoring.
• Uses advanced robotic arms controlled remotely by surgeons over a secure network.
• Ensures precision and efficiency through high-speed data transmission with minimal delay.
• Supports collaboration in surgical education and mentoring through tele-proctoring.
• Significance: Bridges Healthcare Gaps: Provides access to expert surgical care in remote and underserved areas. Enhances Patient Outcomes: Enables accurate and minimally invasive procedures. Transformative for India: Addresses disparities in healthcare access, especially for rural populations. Global Potential: Demonstrates scalability for worldwide adoption in medical care and education.
• Bridges Healthcare Gaps: Provides access to expert surgical care in remote and underserved areas.
• Enhances Patient Outcomes: Enables accurate and minimally invasive procedures.
• Transformative for India: Addresses disparities in healthcare access, especially for rural populations.
• Global Potential: Demonstrates scalability for worldwide adoption in medical care and education.
Insta links:
• Telemedicine
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 January 2025 Mapping:
Source: News on Air
Context: India has extended humanitarian assistance to Cuba in the wake of Hurricane Rafael, providing essential medicines like antibiotics, painkillers, ORS, and muscle relaxants.
About Cuba:
• Location: Cuba is located at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean.
• Neighbours: East: Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic). West: Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico). North: Florida (USA) and the Bahamas. South: Jamaica and Cayman Islands.
• East: Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic).
• West: Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico).
• North: Florida (USA) and the Bahamas.
• South: Jamaica and Cayman Islands.
• Capital: Havana.
• Geographical Features: Major Rivers: Cauto (longest river) and Toa. Minerals: Rich in nickel, cobalt, iron ore, copper, and petroleum. Climate: Tropical, seasonally humid with maritime influences.
• Major Rivers: Cauto (longest river) and Toa.
• Minerals: Rich in nickel, cobalt, iron ore, copper, and petroleum.
• Climate: Tropical, seasonally humid with maritime influences.
Insta links:
• Atlantic-ocean
Gulf of Mexico
Source: IE
Context: Recently, US President-elect Donald Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, sparking debates over the geopolitical and historical significance of such a name change.
About Gulf of Mexico:
• Location: A marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba.
• Neighbouring Nations: North and Northwest: United States South and Southwest: Mexico Southeast: Cuba.
• North and Northwest: United States
• South and Southwest: Mexico
• Southeast: Cuba.
• Rivers Draining into the Gulf: Mississippi River (largest contributor). Other rivers: Brazos, Rio Grande, and Mobile.
• Mississippi River (largest contributor).
• Other rivers: Brazos, Rio Grande, and Mobile.
• Geographical Features: Shape and Size: Oval-shaped basin, approximately 1.6 million km² in area. Floor Composition: Sedimentary rocks and recent sediments. Energy Resources: A major offshore petroleum production hub, contributing to 14% of US crude oil production.
• Shape and Size: Oval-shaped basin, approximately 1.6 million km² in area.
• Floor Composition: Sedimentary rocks and recent sediments.
• Energy Resources: A major offshore petroleum production hub, contributing to 14% of US crude oil production.
Insta links:
• What-is-a-twisters
Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 11 Jan 2025
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