UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 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 2 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February (2025)
• Constitutional Morality
Constitutional Morality
GS Paper 3:
• Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• “Imagine a World with More Women in Science” Campaign
“Imagine a World with More Women in Science” Campaign
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• PM-AASHA Scheme
PM-AASHA Scheme
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
• Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
• Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)
Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)
• Fecal Coliform
Fecal Coliform
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack
Mapping:
• Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
• Syria World Heritage Site
Syria World Heritage Site
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2025
#### GS Paper 2 :
Constitutional Morality
Syllabus: Polity
Source: TH
Context: The concept of constitutional morality gained prominence following the arrest of a serving Chief Minister, sparking debates on ethical governance.
What is Constitutional Morality?
• Constitutional morality refers to the adherence to constitutional values beyond mere legal compliance, ensuring justice, equality, and accountability in governance.
• Originating from George Grote’s study of Athenian democracy, it was reinforced by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, emphasizing its necessity in India’s democratic framework.
Key Features of Constitutional Morality:
• Supremacy of Constitutional Law: Ensures governance aligns with constitutional principles rather than individual or majoritarian will.
• Freedom with Restraint: Balances citizen liberties with respect for institutions and lawful conduct.
• Checks & Balances: Prevents concentration of power through judicial review, parliamentary oversight, and institutional accountability.
• Pluralism & Inclusivity: Protects diverse interests, ensuring social justice, secularism, and individual dignity.
• Critique within Framework: Allows questioning of laws and institutions while respecting constitutional procedures.
Constitutional Morality in the Indian Constitution:
• Preamble: Establishes justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity as the foundation of democracy.
• Fundamental Rights (Articles 14-21): Guarantees equality, non-discrimination, and personal freedoms for all citizens.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): Provides guidelines for social and economic justice to uphold constitutional values.
• Separation of Powers: Ensures checks and balances through Articles 50, 121, and 211 to prevent arbitrary governance.
• Judicial Interpretation: Supreme Court rulings in Navtej Singh Johar (2018), K.S. Puttaswamy (2018), and Krishnamoorthy (2015) uphold constitutional morality.
Significance of Constitutional Morality:
• Ensures Rule of Law: Strengthens constitutional supremacy over arbitrary decision-making.
• Protects Rights & Freedoms: Safeguards LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and free speech.
• Democratic Stability: Prevents majoritarian dominance, ensuring inclusive governance.
• Ethical Decision-Making: Encourages state actions based on constitutional values and fairness.
• Judicial Accountability: Empowers courts to check unconstitutional laws and executive excesses.
Challenges to Constitutional Morality:
• Political Manipulation: Misuse of agencies for political suppression erodes public trust.
• Majoritarian Influence: Conflicts between public morality and constitutional rights (e.g., Sabarimala case).
• Executive Overreach: Excessive state control weakens judicial independence and autonomy.
• Lack of Awareness: Limited constitutional literacy affects both governance and public participation.
• Weak Institutional Mechanisms: Ineffective enforcement of constitutional norms in policymaking.
Way Forward:
• Strengthen Judicial Oversight: Courts must ensure constitutional morality prevails over political influence.
• Civic Education: Introduce constitutional literacy programs in schools and public campaigns.
• Ethical Governance: Train officials in constitutional ethics for unbiased decision-making.
• Institutional Reforms: Strengthen independent bodies like the Election Commission and CAG.
• Inclusive Legislation: Laws should align with constitutional values, ensuring fairness and equality.
Conclusion:
Constitutional morality is the bedrock of India’s democratic ethos, ensuring governance upholds justice, equality, and accountability. Strengthening its implementation through judicial activism, civic education, and institutional reforms is crucial to sustaining democracy and the rule of law.
• Constitutional Morality is rooted in the Constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of ‘Constitutional Morality’ with the help of relevant judicial decisions. (UPSC-2021)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2025 GS Paper 3:
Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Syllabus: Nuclear Energy
Source: TH
Context: China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) achieved a record 1,066 seconds of sustained plasma operation at nearly 70 million degrees Celsius in January 2025.
What is the EAST Reactor?
• EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) is a nuclear fusion research reactor designed to test and improve magnetic confinement for controlled fusion.
• It serves as a testbed for ITER, helping scientists develop technologies for sustained plasma stability.
Key Features of EAST Reactor:
• Superconducting Magnets: Uses both toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields to confine plasma efficiently.
• High-Temperature Plasma: Achieves temperatures over 100 million degrees Celsius to facilitate fusion reactions.
• Longer Plasma Confinement: Designed to sustain steady-state high-confinement plasma for extended durations.
• Supports Global Fusion Research: Functions as an open testing platform for international collaboration in fusion technology.
• Integration with ITER: Provides crucial data for ITER’s upcoming fusion reactor development.
Recent Achievements of EAST Reactor:
• Set a world record by sustaining plasma for 1,066 seconds (January 2025), improving upon the 403 seconds achieved in 2023.
• Doubled heating system power output, ensuring stable plasma operation for extended periods.
• Demonstrated improvements in superconducting magnet efficiency, a critical step toward achieving self-sustaining nuclear fusion.
ITER and EAST’s Impact on It:
• ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is a multinational fusion project aiming to create a self-sustaining fusion reaction.
• EAST’s advancements in plasma confinement, superconducting magnet technology, and extended operational stability directly contribute to ITER’s progress.
• China contributes 9% of ITER’s construction and operation, leveraging EAST’s findings to refine ITER’s reactor design.
• Delays and cost overruns at ITER highlight the importance of EAST’s ongoing success in accelerating fusion energy research.
Challenges to Nuclear Fusion Development:
• High Energy Consumption: Fusion requires extreme temperatures and massive energy input to sustain plasma reactions.
• Tritium Scarcity: The lack of natural tritium deposits poses challenges for large-scale fusion fuel supply.
• Technological Complexities: Maintaining plasma stability and preventing heat loss remains a significant hurdle.
• Financial Constraints: Projects like ITER face budget overruns (over €18 billion spent) and delayed timelines (first plasma expected in 2033).
• Infrastructure Requirements: Building and maintaining a fusion reactor requires cutting-edge facilities and highly specialized materials.
Way Ahead for Fusion Energy:
• Enhancing Magnetic Confinement: Further research into tokamak optimization for improved plasma stability.
• Developing Alternative Fuels: Exploring helium-3 and boron fusion to reduce dependence on tritium.
• Advancing Stellarators & Laser Fusion: Investigating stellarators and inertial confinement fusion as potential alternatives.
• International Collaboration: Strengthening global partnerships in fusion research, particularly between China, EU, India, and the US.
• Accelerating Commercialization: Encouraging private sector investment to bring fusion technology to practical use faster.
Conclusion:
EAST’s success marks a critical breakthrough in nuclear fusion research, bringing the world closer to a sustainable energy future. While ITER faces challenges, EAST’s advancements provide valuable insights for developing a self-sustaining fusion reactor. Continued global collaboration, technological innovation, and funding support will determine the future of fusion energy.
• With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (UPSC-2018)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
“Imagine a World with More Women in Science” Campaign
Context: UNESCO launched the “Imagine a World with More Women in Science” campaign in February, marking the 10-year anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
About “Imagine a World with More Women in Science’’ Campaign:
• What it is: A global awareness campaign highlighting the importance of gender balance in STEM fields and encouraging participation of women in scientific innovation.
• Launched by: UNESCO, with support from Canada’s International Development Centre (IDRC).
• Aim: To create a gender-balanced scientific community, increase women’s leadership in STEM, and promote inclusive research and innovation.
• Features:
• #EveryVoiceInScience Movement: Engages global scientists to envision a diverse scientific landscape. Highlights Gender Disparity: Women constitute only 22% of STEM jobs in G20 countries and 10% of leadership roles. Showcases Real-World Consequences: Emphasizes missed innovations, AI biases, and unequal access to scientific opportunities. Encourages Social Media Participation: Invites people to share their views on the impact of women in science.
• #EveryVoiceInScience Movement: Engages global scientists to envision a diverse scientific landscape.
• Highlights Gender Disparity: Women constitute only 22% of STEM jobs in G20 countries and 10% of leadership roles.
• Showcases Real-World Consequences: Emphasizes missed innovations, AI biases, and unequal access to scientific opportunities.
• Encourages Social Media Participation: Invites people to share their views on the impact of women in science.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• GS Paper 1 – Society & Women Empowerment: Gender disparities in STEM fields and their impact on social and economic development.
• GS Paper 2 – Governance & International Relations: UNESCO’s role in promoting inclusive global policies in science and technology.
• GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology: Importance of women in STEM, challenges in scientific research, and AI biases due to lack of diversity.
• Essay & Ethics (GS-4): Themes related to gender justice, social inclusion, and ethical dimensions of scientific progress.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
PM-AASHA Scheme
Source: PIB
Context: The Government of India approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme till 2025-26 during the 15th Finance Commission cycle.
About Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme:
• What it is: An umbrella scheme aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to farmers through effective procurement operations and price support mechanisms.
• Ministry: Administered by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
• Implementing Agency: Implemented through Central Nodal Agencies (NAFED, NCCF) along with State Governments.
• Components: Price Support Scheme (PSS): procures pulses, oilseeds, and copra at MSP through NAFED & NCCF, covering 25% of national production (except 100% for Tur, Urad, Masur in 2024-25). Price Stabilization Fund (PSF): Maintains buffer stock of pulses and onions to stabilize prices, prevent hoarding, and ensure affordable supply to consumers. Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS): Farmers receive direct compensation for the difference between MSP & market price, with coverage extended to 40% of oilseed production for four months. Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): Provides remunerative prices for perishable horticulture crops, covering 25% of production, with direct payment to farmers instead of physical procurement.
• Price Support Scheme (PSS): procures pulses, oilseeds, and copra at MSP through NAFED & NCCF, covering 25% of national production (except 100% for Tur, Urad, Masur in 2024-25).
• Price Stabilization Fund (PSF): Maintains buffer stock of pulses and onions to stabilize prices, prevent hoarding, and ensure affordable supply to consumers.
• Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS): Farmers receive direct compensation for the difference between MSP & market price, with coverage extended to 40% of oilseed production for four months.
• Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): Provides remunerative prices for perishable horticulture crops, covering 25% of production, with direct payment to farmers instead of physical procurement.
• Key Features:
• Procurement at MSP: Ensures farmers receive fair prices for their produce. Self-Sufficiency in Pulses: Govt. commits 100% procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masur for the next four years. Reduction in Import Dependence: Enhances domestic production and minimizes reliance on pulses imports. Direct Farmer Registration: Pre-registered farmers sell directly at mandated procurement centers. Market Price Stabilization: Prevents price volatility and ensures affordable prices for consumers.
• Procurement at MSP: Ensures farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
• Self-Sufficiency in Pulses: Govt. commits 100% procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masur for the next four years.
• Reduction in Import Dependence: Enhances domestic production and minimizes reliance on pulses imports.
• Direct Farmer Registration: Pre-registered farmers sell directly at mandated procurement centers.
• Market Price Stabilization: Prevents price volatility and ensures affordable prices for consumers.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Source: The Print
Context: APEDA in collaboration with AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports successfully completed India’s first-ever commercial trial shipments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates respectively to Australia via sea.
About Pomegranate Variety in News:
• What it is? Sangola and Bhagwa are premium pomegranate varieties known for their high sugar content, deep red arils, and long shelf life.
• Sangola and Bhagwa are premium pomegranate varieties known for their high sugar content, deep red arils, and long shelf life.
• Region grown in: Maharashtra (Solapur region) is the key hub for these varieties due to its ideal agro-climatic conditions.
• Features: Bright red color, soft seeds, high antioxidant levels, and rich taste, making them highly preferred in global markets.
About Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA):
• Origin: Established in 1986 under the APEDA Act to promote agricultural exports.
• Ministry: Functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• Aim: Enhance India’s agricultural exports, improve market access, and ensure quality standards in global trade.
• Functions and Powers:
• Market Development: Expands market access for Indian agri-products globally. Export Promotion: Facilitates agricultural trade through initiatives like ANARNET (traceability system). Infrastructure Expansion: Supports post-harvest infrastructure, cold chain logistics, and quality control. Policy Implementation: Implements government schemes to boost farmer income and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Market Development: Expands market access for Indian agri-products globally.
• Export Promotion: Facilitates agricultural trade through initiatives like ANARNET (traceability system).
• Infrastructure Expansion: Supports post-harvest infrastructure, cold chain logistics, and quality control.
• Policy Implementation: Implements government schemes to boost farmer income and reduce post-harvest losses.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
Source: BS
Context: Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, succeeding Rajiv Kumar.
• Also, Haryana Chief Secretary Dr Vivek Joshi appointed as new Election Commissioner.
About Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India:
• What it is? The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) heads the Election Commission of India (ECI), ensuring free and fair elections.
• The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) heads the Election Commission of India (ECI), ensuring free and fair elections.
• Article: Governed by Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, which vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the Election Commission.
• Appointment Process:
• Previously: CEC was appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Under the 2023 Act: A Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha recommends candidates. A Search Committee, chaired by the Law Minister, shortlists names for consideration. Eligibility: The new Act now specifies that candidates must:
• Previously: CEC was appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
• Under the 2023 Act: A Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha recommends candidates.
• A Search Committee, chaired by the Law Minister, shortlists names for consideration. Eligibility: The new Act now specifies that candidates must:
• Eligibility: The new Act now specifies that candidates must:
• Be persons of integrity
• Have knowledge and experience in the management and conduct of elections
• Be or have been a secretary (or equivalent) to the government
• Term: Six-year tenure or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Service Conditions: The salary and conditions of service of the CEC and ECs will be equivalent to that of Cabinet Secretary. Removal: The CEC may be removed in the same manner as applicable for a Supreme Court judge. ECs may only be removed upon the recommendation of the CEC.
• Term: Six-year tenure or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Service Conditions: The salary and conditions of service of the CEC and ECs will be equivalent to that of Cabinet Secretary. Removal: The CEC may be removed in the same manner as applicable for a Supreme Court judge. ECs may only be removed upon the recommendation of the CEC.
• Term: Six-year tenure or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• Service Conditions: The salary and conditions of service of the CEC and ECs will be equivalent to that of Cabinet Secretary.
• Removal: The CEC may be removed in the same manner as applicable for a Supreme Court judge. ECs may only be removed upon the recommendation of the CEC.
• Powers and Functions: Conducts free and fair elections for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, and the President & Vice President of India. Regulates political parties, monitors election funding, and enforces the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Supervises voter registration, prepares electoral rolls, and ensures smooth voting processes. Has the authority to disqualify candidates for electoral malpractices and cancel elections if irregularities occur. Advises the President and Governors on election-related matters.
• Conducts free and fair elections for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, and the President & Vice President of India.
• Regulates political parties, monitors election funding, and enforces the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
• Supervises voter registration, prepares electoral rolls, and ensures smooth voting processes.
• Has the authority to disqualify candidates for electoral malpractices and cancel elections if irregularities occur.
• Advises the President and Governors on election-related matters.
Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)
Source: LM
Context: The Finance Ministry is considering increasing the deposit insurance limit, which currently stands at ₹5 lakh under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) Act, 1961.
About Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC):
• What it is? DICGC is a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that provides deposit insurance to bank depositors, ensuring the safety of their money in case of bank failures.
• DICGC is a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that provides deposit insurance to bank depositors, ensuring the safety of their money in case of bank failures.
• History:
• First considered in 1948 after banking crises in Bengal and revisited in 1960 after the collapse of Palai Central Bank & Laxmi Bank. The Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 1961, came into force on January 1, 1962. Merged with the Credit Guarantee Corporation in 1978 to form DICGC under the Ministry of Finance.
• First considered in 1948 after banking crises in Bengal and revisited in 1960 after the collapse of Palai Central Bank & Laxmi Bank.
• The Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 1961, came into force on January 1, 1962.
• Merged with the Credit Guarantee Corporation in 1978 to form DICGC under the Ministry of Finance.
• Ministry: Operates under the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.
• Aim: To protect depositors’ funds and maintain public confidence in the banking system.
• Functions: Insures deposits of banks against failure. Provides credit guarantees to priority sector lending institutions. Monitors bank financial health and steps in when required.
• Insures deposits of banks against failure.
• Provides credit guarantees to priority sector lending institutions.
• Monitors bank financial health and steps in when required.
• Features of Deposit Insurance:
• Existing Limit: Each depositor insured up to ₹5 lakh (including principal and interest) per bank, per depositor. Coverage: Includes commercial banks, regional rural banks, foreign banks operating in India, and cooperative banks. What is Covered? Savings accounts, fixed deposits, current accounts, and recurring deposits. What is NOT Covered? Deposits of foreign governments, central/state governments, and inter-bank deposits. Deposits with State Land Development Banks. Deposits outside India and exempted by RBI approval. Multiple Branches in Same Bank? Deposits across different branches of the same bank are clubbed under one insurance cover.
• Existing Limit: Each depositor insured up to ₹5 lakh (including principal and interest) per bank, per depositor.
• Coverage: Includes commercial banks, regional rural banks, foreign banks operating in India, and cooperative banks.
• What is Covered? Savings accounts, fixed deposits, current accounts, and recurring deposits.
• Savings accounts, fixed deposits, current accounts, and recurring deposits.
• What is NOT Covered? Deposits of foreign governments, central/state governments, and inter-bank deposits. Deposits with State Land Development Banks. Deposits outside India and exempted by RBI approval.
• Deposits of foreign governments, central/state governments, and inter-bank deposits.
• Deposits with State Land Development Banks.
• Deposits outside India and exempted by RBI approval.
• Multiple Branches in Same Bank? Deposits across different branches of the same bank are clubbed under one insurance cover.
• Deposits across different branches of the same bank are clubbed under one insurance cover.
Fecal Coliform
Source: HT
Context: High levels of fecal coliform bacteria were detected in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers at Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh 2025, as per a CPCB report submitted to NGT.
About Fecal Coliform:
• What it is? A subgroup of coliform bacteria that primarily originate from the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans.
• A subgroup of coliform bacteria that primarily originate from the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans.
• Limit: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards have set a permissible limit of 2,500 units of faecal coliform per 100 ml of water, while for drinking water, E. coli must be absent.
• Types of Bacteria: Includes Escherichia coli ( coli), with certain strains like E. coli O157:H7 being harmful and capable of causing intestinal infections.
• What its Presence Indicates?
• Sewage contamination of water sources.
• Potential presence of disease-causing pathogens such as those responsible for typhoid, hepatitis A, and gastroenteritis.
• Poor waste management, leakage from septic systems, or agricultural runoff polluting water bodies.
• Impacts of Fecal coliform on BOD and COD: BOD Increase: Fecal coliform bacteria decompose organic waste, consuming dissolved oxygen and raising Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), leading to oxygen depletion and aquatic life suffocation. COD Increase: Contaminants from sewage and industrial discharge raise Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), indicating non-biodegradable pollutants, lowering water quality and harming ecosystems.
• BOD Increase: Fecal coliform bacteria decompose organic waste, consuming dissolved oxygen and raising Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), leading to oxygen depletion and aquatic life suffocation.
• COD Increase: Contaminants from sewage and industrial discharge raise Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), indicating non-biodegradable pollutants, lowering water quality and harming ecosystems.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack
Source: TH
Context: Karnataka’s property registration portal, Kaveri 2.0, faced severe disruptions due to a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, impacting operations.
About DDoS Attacks:
• What is a DDoS Attack?
• A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack floods a server or network with excessive traffic, causing service disruptions. It leverages a botnet a network of compromised devices—to send overwhelming requests to the target system.
• A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack floods a server or network with excessive traffic, causing service disruptions.
• It leverages a botnet a network of compromised devices—to send overwhelming requests to the target system.
• How Does a DDoS Attack Work?
• Botnet Formation: Hackers infect multiple devices with malware, converting them into bots. Traffic Overload: The botnet directs massive fake requests to the target, exhausting bandwidth or processing power. Service Disruption: Legitimate users experience slowdowns or complete service failure. Diversion Tactic: Attackers may use DDoS as a smokescreen for data breaches or malware deployment.
• Botnet Formation: Hackers infect multiple devices with malware, converting them into bots.
• Traffic Overload: The botnet directs massive fake requests to the target, exhausting bandwidth or processing power.
• Service Disruption: Legitimate users experience slowdowns or complete service failure.
• Diversion Tactic: Attackers may use DDoS as a smokescreen for data breaches or malware deployment.
• How to Counter a DDoS Attack?
• Traffic Filtering: Identify and block malicious requests using AI-based monitoring. Rate Limiting: Restrict the number of requests per user to prevent overload. Bot Detection Tools: Use CAPTCHA and behavioral analysis to block automated attacks. Robust Authentication: Strengthen login security to prevent unauthorized access. Incident Response Teams: Establish cybersecurity teams to monitor, detect, and mitigate threats.
• Traffic Filtering: Identify and block malicious requests using AI-based monitoring.
• Rate Limiting: Restrict the number of requests per user to prevent overload.
• Bot Detection Tools: Use CAPTCHA and behavioral analysis to block automated attacks.
• Robust Authentication: Strengthen login security to prevent unauthorized access.
• Incident Response Teams: Establish cybersecurity teams to monitor, detect, and mitigate threats.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2025 Mapping:
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
Source: TH
Context: A faunal survey in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve recorded 15 new species, including birds, butterflies, and odonates, increasing its biodiversity checklist.
About Parambikulam Tiger Reserve:
• Location: Situated in Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala, between the Anamalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills in the Western Ghats.
• Area: Covers 643.66 sq. km, including the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (declared in 1973, expanded in 1984) and later notified as a Tiger Reserve in 2010.
• Flora:
• Comprises evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, and grasslands. Home to endangered medicinal plants like Coscinium fenestratum and Utleria salicifolia (IUCN Red-listed).
• Comprises evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, and grasslands.
• Home to endangered medicinal plants like Coscinium fenestratum and Utleria salicifolia (IUCN Red-listed).
• Fauna:
• Mammals: Lion-tailed macaques, Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, leopards, elephants, Nilgiri langurs, smooth-coated otters. Amphibians & Fish: Endemic species like Tomopterna parambikulamana (frog) and Garra surendranathanii (sucker fish).
• Mammals: Lion-tailed macaques, Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, leopards, elephants, Nilgiri langurs, smooth-coated otters.
• Amphibians & Fish: Endemic species like Tomopterna parambikulamana (frog) and Garra surendranathanii (sucker fish).
• Tribes Found: Indigenous tribes like Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar, and Mala Malasar inhabit the reserve in six colonies.
• Conservation Significance:
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster. Implements Project Tiger under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster.
• Implements Project Tiger under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Syria World Heritage Site
Source: TH
Context: Experts are initiating efforts to restore war-ravaged heritage sites like Palmyra and Crac des Chevaliers, aiming to revive tourism and boost Syria’s economy.
About Syria World Heritage Site in News:
• Palmyra Location: Situated in the Syrian desert, Homs Governorate, Syria. Features: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for 2,000-year-old Roman-era ruins, temples, and colonnaded streets. Historical Significance: A key Silk Road hub, capital of the Palmyrene Empire under Queen Zenobia in the 3rd century.
• Location: Situated in the Syrian desert, Homs Governorate, Syria.
• Features: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for 2,000-year-old Roman-era ruins, temples, and colonnaded streets.
• Historical Significance: A key Silk Road hub, capital of the Palmyrene Empire under Queen Zenobia in the 3rd century.
• Crac des Chevaliers
• Location: Homs Governorate, Syria, near the town of Al-Husn.
• Features: One of the best-preserved Crusader castles, built during the 12th century by the Knights Hospitaller.
• Historical Significance: Played a crucial role in the Crusades, controlling important trade routes.
Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 18 Feb 2025
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