UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 January 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 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 – 14 January (2025)
• Urea Production
Urea Production
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• e-Oath Against Drugs
e-Oath Against Drugs
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Mission Mausam
Mission Mausam
• Nag Mk-2
Nag Mk-2
• Rat-Hole Mining
Rat-Hole Mining
• Gaza Truce Deal
Gaza Truce Deal
• PKC River Link Project
PKC River Link Project
• Purulia Observatory
Purulia Observatory
Mapping:
• Diego Garcia Island
Diego Garcia Island
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 January 2025
#### GS Paper 3 :
Urea Production
Syllabus: Agriculture
Source: IE
Context: India has witnessed a surge in domestic urea production with significant investments in new plants to achieve self-reliance under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
India’s Urea Capacity and Production:
• Capacity: India’s current urea production capacity stands at over 31.4 million tonnes (MT) as of 2023-24, up from 22 MT in 2011-12.
• Reduction in Imports: Urea imports have declined to 7 MT in 2023-24 from a peak of 9.8 MT in 2020-21.
• Major Plants: Key contributors include six newly commissioned plants, such as Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL), Chambal Fertilisers, and Matix Fertilisers.
Recent Growth in Urea Production in India:
• New Plants: Six greenfield plants have added 7.55 MT of urea production since 2019, with another plant at Talcher (Odisha) under development.
• Energy Efficiency: New plants are more energy-efficient, requiring about 5 GCal/tonne, compared to older plants needing 5.5-6.5 GCal/tonne.
• Strategic Locations: New facilities are focused in eastern and northern India, such as West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, addressing regional agricultural demands.
Significance of Urea Production in India:
• Agricultural Dependence: Supports increased agricultural productivity and food security.
• Reduced Imports: Saves foreign exchange and reduces dependence on volatile international markets.
• Employment Generation: Creates jobs and promotes economic activity in rural areas.
• Environmental Impact: Energy-efficient technologies in new plants reduce carbon footprints.
• Balanced Development: Promotes industrial growth in underdeveloped regions of eastern India.
Schemes for Urea Production in India:
- 1.Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS): Encourages balanced fertilisation and optimises subsidy allocation for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- 1.Neem-Coated Urea: Introduced in 2015 to curb diversion for non-agricultural uses and improve nitrogen use efficiency.
- 1.Nano Urea: Launched in 2021 to reduce overuse of conventional urea and enhance crop productivity.
- 1.Energy Efficiency Norms: Mandated adoption of energy-efficient technologies for new urea plants.
- 1.Atmanirbhar Bharat Initiative: Boosts domestic manufacturing capacity to reduce reliance on imports.
Challenges:
• High Production Costs: Domestic production costs remain higher than import costs due to energy prices.
• Environmental Concerns: Excessive urea application leads to soil degradation and water pollution.
• Overdependence on Subsidies: Heavy government subsidies strain fiscal resources.
• Diversion Issues: Urea is often diverted for industrial use despite neem coating measures.
• Limited Technological Adoption: Slow adoption of advanced farming practices hampers balanced fertilisation efforts.
Way Ahead:
• Encourage Balanced Fertilisation: Promote use of Nano Urea and other eco-friendly alternatives.
• Boost Technological Advancements: Enhance energy efficiency and adopt advanced technologies in urea production.
• Strengthen Regulation: Implement stricter measures to curb diversion and ensure targeted subsidy delivery.
• Promote Regional Balance: Expand production facilities in underdeveloped regions to meet local agricultural needs.
• Public Awareness: Conduct campaigns for farmers to reduce overuse and ensure sustainable agriculture practices.
Conclusion:
India’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in urea production highlight the significance of domestic manufacturing, energy efficiency, and balanced fertilisation. While challenges remain, technological advancements and robust regulations can transform urea production into a sustainable and economically viable endeavour for the nation.
Insta Links:
• First-urea-and-now-DAP-high-use-of-subsidised-fertilisers
• With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: (UPSC-2020)
• At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas. Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.
• At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
• Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
• Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
• 2 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3
Answer: b)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 January 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
e-Oath Against Drugs
Context: A de-addiction drive launched in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district yielded positive results by mobilising the youth. About 1.25 lakh people took an e-oath against the consumption of narcotic substances during the campaign.
About e-Oath against drug usage:
• What it is: An innovative digital initiative that allows individuals to take an online pledge against drug consumption. A dedicated web portal and QR codes pasted across public places facilitate easy participation.
• An innovative digital initiative that allows individuals to take an online pledge against drug consumption.
• A dedicated web portal and QR codes pasted across public places facilitate easy participation.
• Significance: Promotes community-driven de-addiction efforts by involving individuals at scale. Encourages youth to avoid narcotics, improving societal well-being and stability. Demonstrates the power of IT-based solutions in tackling social challenges. Engages schools, colleges, villages, and hospitals to amplify awareness.
• Promotes community-driven de-addiction efforts by involving individuals at scale.
• Encourages youth to avoid narcotics, improving societal well-being and stability.
• Demonstrates the power of IT-based solutions in tackling social challenges.
• Engages schools, colleges, villages, and hospitals to amplify awareness.
Relevance in UPSC exam syllabus:
• GS Paper 1 – Society: Issues of drug addiction and their impact on society and family dynamics. Role of awareness campaigns in societal reforms.
• Issues of drug addiction and their impact on society and family dynamics.
• Role of awareness campaigns in societal reforms.
• GS Paper 2 – Governance: Importance of community participation in policy implementation. E-governance as a tool for tackling public health issues.
• Importance of community participation in policy implementation.
• E-governance as a tool for tackling public health issues.
• GS Paper 3 – Social Justice & Internal Security: Law enforcement and measures against drug trafficking and abuse. Role of de-addiction initiatives in enhancing national security.
• Law enforcement and measures against drug trafficking and abuse.
• Role of de-addiction initiatives in enhancing national security.
• Ethics – Case Studies: Innovative solutions for ethical leadership and public awareness campaigns.
• Innovative solutions for ethical leadership and public awareness campaigns.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 January 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Mission Mausam
Source: DD News
Context: On the occasion of the 150th Foundation Day of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Prime Minister launched “Mission Mausam,” a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing India’s weather forecasting and climate resilience capabilities.
About Mission Mausam:
• What it is: Mission Mausam is a comprehensive program to modernize India’s weather and climate monitoring infrastructure, focusing on advanced technologies for atmospheric observations and data analysis.
• Ministry/Department: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• Aim: To make India a weather-ready and climate-smart nation. To enhance weather forecasting accuracy and support climate change mitigation efforts.
• To make India a weather-ready and climate-smart nation.
• To enhance weather forecasting accuracy and support climate change mitigation efforts.
• Key Features Advanced Infrastructure: Deployment of next-generation radars, satellites, and high-performance computing systems for real-time atmospheric monitoring Improved Forecasting: Strengthening weather and climate prediction models with high-resolution data for accurate short and long-term forecasts. Air Quality Monitoring: Enhanced air quality data collection for environmental interventions and weather management strategies. Sectoral Benefits: Direct benefits to agriculture, disaster management, aviation, defence, energy, and health sectors. Vision-2047 Alignment: Complementing the IMD Vision-2047 roadmap for climate adaptation and resilience.
• Advanced Infrastructure: Deployment of next-generation radars, satellites, and high-performance computing systems for real-time atmospheric monitoring
• Improved Forecasting: Strengthening weather and climate prediction models with high-resolution data for accurate short and long-term forecasts.
• Air Quality Monitoring: Enhanced air quality data collection for environmental interventions and weather management strategies.
• Sectoral Benefits: Direct benefits to agriculture, disaster management, aviation, defence, energy, and health sectors.
• Vision-2047 Alignment: Complementing the IMD Vision-2047 roadmap for climate adaptation and resilience.
Insta links:
• India-meteorological-department
Nag Mk-2
Source: HT
Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that the indigenously developed third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile, Nag Mk-2.
About Nag Mk-2 Anti-Tank Guided Missile:
• What it is: Nag Mk-2 is a third-generation, indigenously developed fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile designed to neutralize modern armoured threats.
• Developed by: The missile was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
• Key Features:
• Fire-and-Forget Technology: Operators can lock onto targets before launch, ensuring precision strikes in complex battlefield conditions.
• Versatility: Capable of defeating modern armoured threats, including those equipped with Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA).
• Effective Range: Validated performance for both maximum and minimum range during trials.
• Platform Integration: Designed for multiple platforms, including the Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA) for greater operational flexibility.
• Advanced Guidance Systems: Equipped with advanced imaging infrared (IIR) seekers for improved accuracy in day and night conditions.
• Significance:
• Indigenous Defence Capability: Strengthens India’s defence self-reliance by reducing dependency on foreign imports.
• Enhanced Battlefield Readiness: Provides the Indian Army with a cutting-edge weapon system to counter armoured threats.
• Operational Effectiveness: Pinpoint accuracy ensures neutralisation of targets with minimal collateral damage.
• Strategic Deterrence: Demonstrates India’s technological advancements in missile systems to adversaries.
Insta links:
• Javelin-anti-tank-missiles
Rat-Hole Mining
Source: TH
Context: Recently, the tragic loss of lives in a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district reignited the debate on the persistence of illegal mining and its consequences.
About Rat-hole Mining:
• What it is: Rat-hole mining involves digging narrow tunnels, barely large enough for workers to crawl in, to extract coal seams. It is of two types: Side-cutting mining on hill slopes to follow visible coal seams. Box-cutting mining where deep pits are dug, and horizontal tunnels are made.
• Side-cutting mining on hill slopes to follow visible coal seams.
• Box-cutting mining where deep pits are dug, and horizontal tunnels are made.
• Why it persists in India: Economic Incentives: Workers earn significantly more compared to farm or construction work. Local Control: In Sixth Schedule areas like Meghalaya, landowners also own the minerals, making regulation challenging. Lack of Modern Techniques: High costs and terrain complexities discourage mechanized mining. Poor Governance: Weak enforcement and alleged official complicity allow illegal mining to flourish.
• Economic Incentives: Workers earn significantly more compared to farm or construction work.
• Local Control: In Sixth Schedule areas like Meghalaya, landowners also own the minerals, making regulation challenging.
• Lack of Modern Techniques: High costs and terrain complexities discourage mechanized mining.
• Poor Governance: Weak enforcement and alleged official complicity allow illegal mining to flourish.
• NGT Ban: Imposed in 2014 to prevent environmental degradation and protect lives.
• Why Northeast India has more rat-hole coal mines:
• Sixth Schedule Land Rights: In states like Meghalaya, tribal communities own land and minerals, making it difficult for government regulations to enforce mining standards effectively.
• Thin Coal Seams: The coal deposits in Northeast India are narrow and shallow, making large-scale mechanized mining economically unviable and favoring primitive rat-hole techniques.
• Challenging Terrain: The hilly and rugged topography of the region restricts the use of modern mining machinery, leading to reliance on manual methods like rat-hole mining.
• High Demand and Local Economy: Rat-hole mining provides quick profits and employment for local communities, driven by demand from nearby industries like cement and thermal power plants.
Insta links:
• Rat-hole-mining
Gaza Truce Deal
Source: TOI
Context: A significant breakthrough was reported in the Gaza truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
About Gaza Truce Deal:
• What it is: A proposed ceasefire agreement to end the prolonged conflict in Gaza, including provisions for a phased truce, hostage release, and further negotiations for lasting peace.
• Nations involved:
• Primary Parties: Israel and Hamas. Supporting Nations: U.S., Qatar, and Egypt.
• Primary Parties: Israel and Hamas.
• Supporting Nations: U.S., Qatar, and Egypt.
• Mediator Nation: Qatar led the mediation efforts, hosting negotiations in Doha with representatives from Israel and Hamas.
• Significance:
• Humanitarian Impact: Aims to halt the fighting, which has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian casualties. Political Implications: Could stabilize regional tensions and influence coalition politics in Israel. Global Diplomacy: Marks a critical moment in U.S. diplomacy under outgoing President Biden and incoming President Trump.
• Humanitarian Impact: Aims to halt the fighting, which has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian casualties.
• Political Implications: Could stabilize regional tensions and influence coalition politics in Israel.
• Global Diplomacy: Marks a critical moment in U.S. diplomacy under outgoing President Biden and incoming President Trump.
Insta links:
• Refugee-camps-in-the-gaza-strip
PKC River Link Project
Source: IE
Context: The flagship river-link irrigation project, which will provide a lifeline to 23 districts in Rajasthan, envisages the submergence of 37 sq km in the Ranthambhore tiger reserve.
About Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) Link Project:
• What it is: An inter-state river-linking project combining the PKC link and Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).
• Launched in: Conceived in 2017 and modified in 2023.
• Aim: To optimize water resources for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use, benefiting people in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
• Features: Total cost: ₹72,000 crore (90% by the Central Government). Provides 4,100 MCM water to Rajasthan and 3,000 MCM to Madhya Pradesh.
• Total cost: ₹72,000 crore (90% by the Central Government).
• Provides 4,100 MCM water to Rajasthan and 3,000 MCM to Madhya Pradesh.
• Rivers involved: Chambal, Parbati, Kalisindh, Banas, and their tributaries. Chambal River: Origin: Singar Chouri Peak, Vindhya Mountains, Madhya Pradesh. Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati, Sipra, and Mej Rivers. Parbati River: Origin: Vindhya Range, Sehore District, Madhya Pradesh. Tributaries: Kuno, Parwan, and Seep Rivers. Kali Sindh River: Origin: Bagli, Dewas District, Madhya Pradesh. Tributaries: Newaj, Ahu, and Parwan Rivers.
• Chambal River: Origin: Singar Chouri Peak, Vindhya Mountains, Madhya Pradesh. Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati, Sipra, and Mej Rivers.
• Origin: Singar Chouri Peak, Vindhya Mountains, Madhya Pradesh.
• Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati, Sipra, and Mej Rivers.
• Parbati River: Origin: Vindhya Range, Sehore District, Madhya Pradesh. Tributaries: Kuno, Parwan, and Seep Rivers.
• Origin: Vindhya Range, Sehore District, Madhya Pradesh.
• Tributaries: Kuno, Parwan, and Seep Rivers.
• Kali Sindh River: Origin: Bagli, Dewas District, Madhya Pradesh. Tributaries: Newaj, Ahu, and Parwan Rivers.
• Origin: Bagli, Dewas District, Madhya Pradesh.
• Tributaries: Newaj, Ahu, and Parwan Rivers.
About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve:
• Location: Situated at the junction of the Aravalis and Vindhyas in Eastern Rajasthan.
• Features: Bounded by the Chambal River in the south and the Banas River in the north. Includes the iconic Ranthambore Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Dominated by tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests.
• Bounded by the Chambal River in the south and the Banas River in the north.
• Includes the iconic Ranthambore Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• Dominated by tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests.
• Flora: Abundance of Dhok trees interspersed with grasslands and lush foliage near water sources.
• Fauna: Hosts tigers, leopards, wild boars, sloth bears, striped hyenas, and rhesus macaques.
• Uniqueness: Known for its ‘Great Boundary Fault,’ a meeting point of the Vindhyas and Aravalli’s.
Insta links:
• National-river-interlinking-project
Source: TH
Context: The unique flat-top landscapes called sada, located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, are rich in biodiversity and cultural significance.
About Sada:
• What it is: Flat-top plateaus formed by centuries of erosion, locally called sada, meaning a large flat area.
• Located in: Found in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, particularly in Ratnagiri district, between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats.
• How they are established: Created due to geological weathering of lateritic soil and erosion processes over centuries.
• Other names: Similar to pathar plateaus, such as the Kaas Plateau in Satara district.
• Geographical features: Rocky terrain with lateritic soil, transforming into lush biodiversity hubs during monsoons. Serve as freshwater catchments due to their unique geology.
• Rocky terrain with lateritic soil, transforming into lush biodiversity hubs during monsoons.
• Serve as freshwater catchments due to their unique geology.
Insta links:
• Kaas-plateau-Maharastra
Purulia Observatory
Source: TH
Context: The S N Bose Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBCBS), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, inaugurated a new observatory atop Panchet Hill in Purulia district, West Bengal.
About Purulia Observatory:
• Established by: S N Bose Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBCBS) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India.
• What it is: An advanced astronomical observatory equipped with a 14-inch telescope for scientific observations and training.
• Located in: Panchet Hill, Garpanchakot area, Purulia district, West Bengal, at an elevation of 600 meters.
• Other observatories in India: Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in Nainital, Vainu Bappu Observatory in Tamil Nadu, and IUCAA Observatory in Pune.
• Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in Nainital, Vainu Bappu Observatory in Tamil Nadu, and IUCAA Observatory in Pune.
• Significance: Fills a critical longitudinal gap (86° E) in global astronomical observation networks. Enables observation of transient astronomical events for international collaboration. Promotes astrophysics research, local ecosystem growth, and student engagement in a backward region.
• Fills a critical longitudinal gap (86° E) in global astronomical observation networks.
• Enables observation of transient astronomical events for international collaboration.
• Promotes astrophysics research, local ecosystem growth, and student engagement in a backward region.
Insta links:
• MACE-project
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 January 2025 Mapping:
Diego Garcia Island
Source: TH
Context: Fifteen fishermen from Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, were detained near Diego Garcia Island, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), for allegedly crossing maritime boundaries.
About Diego Garcia Island:
• Located in: Central Indian Ocean, part of the Chagos Archipelago.
• Controlled by: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), leased to the United States for a military base.
• Features: A coral atoll with a V-shaped cay and an open lagoon at its northern end. Discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Strategic air and naval base for the U.S. Located in the south of the equator.
• A coral atoll with a V-shaped cay and an open lagoon at its northern end.
• Discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
• Strategic air and naval base for the U.S.
• Located in the south of the equator.
About Chagos Archipelago:
• Located at: Central Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives.
• Controlled by: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), with claims by Mauritius.
• Disputed between: United Kingdom and Mauritius, with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in favor of Mauritius’ decolonization claim in 2019.
• Features: Consists of more than 50 islands, including Diego Garcia. Known for its ecological significance and strategic military value. Located in the south of the equator.
• Consists of more than 50 islands, including Diego Garcia.
• Known for its ecological significance and strategic military value.
• Located in the south of the equator.
Insta links:
• The-dispute-between-Britain-and-Mauritius
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