UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 April 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 April 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 – 23 April (2025)
• Pahalgam Terror Attack
Pahalgam Terror Attack
• Credit Flow in MSMEs and SMEs
Credit Flow in MSMEs and SMEs
• AI in Weather Forecasting
AI in Weather Forecasting
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration
Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• PM10 Pollution in India
PM10 Pollution in India
• Water Bears and Axiom – 4 Mission
Water Bears and Axiom – 4 Mission
• Nano Sulphur
Nano Sulphur
• Next-Generation Health Management Information System (HMIS)
Next-Generation Health Management Information System (HMIS)
• Vice President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
Mapping:
• Vatican City
Vatican City
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 April 2025
#### GS Paper 3 :
Pahalgam Terror Attack
Syllabus: Internal security
Source: ToI
Context: A terror attack in Pahalgam, Anantnag (J&K) killed over 26 civilians, including tourists, making it the deadliest such attack since 2019.
• The strike coincided with PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia and US Vice President JD Vance’s trip to India, signalling calculated geopolitical messaging.
About the Pahalgam Terror Attack:
• What Happened?
• Terrorists ambushed a group of ~40 tourists at the popular Baisaran meadow using automatic rifles and small arms. Victims were identified by name (and likely religion) before being executed. Injured tourists were later evacuated by helicopter to Army hospitals.
• Terrorists ambushed a group of ~40 tourists at the popular Baisaran meadow using automatic rifles and small arms.
• Victims were identified by name (and likely religion) before being executed. Injured tourists were later evacuated by helicopter to Army hospitals.
• Claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF):
• TRF, believed to be a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate, claimed responsibility, citing opposition to “demographic changes” through domicile certificates.
• TRF, believed to be a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate, claimed responsibility, citing opposition to “demographic changes” through domicile certificates.
• Historical Parallels:
• 2000 Chittisinghpora massacre: 36 Sikhs killed during Clinton’s India visit. 2002 Kaluchak attack: 23 civilians, including 10 children, killed during US diplomat’s visit. These patterns underline terrorists’ intent to attract global attention by targeting civilians during high-profile diplomatic visits.
• 2000 Chittisinghpora massacre: 36 Sikhs killed during Clinton’s India visit.
• 2002 Kaluchak attack: 23 civilians, including 10 children, killed during US diplomat’s visit.
• These patterns underline terrorists’ intent to attract global attention by targeting civilians during high-profile diplomatic visits.
Consequences of the Attack:
• Security Reversal in Kashmir: The attack undermines the perceived peace post-Article 370 abrogation, casting doubt on the success of developmental narratives.
• Tourism and Economy: Pahalgam, a tourism hub, will suffer a sharp dip in footfall, hurting local livelihoods during peak summer season.
• International Repercussions: With global leaders in India, the attack projects instability, risks diplomatic fallout, and gives leverage to adversarial narratives from Pakistan.
• Communal Tensions: Selective targeting based on identity may spark religious polarization, which terrorists aim to provoke.
Way Ahead:
• Swift Intelligence-Based Operations: Neutralize perpetrators using actionable intelligence with coordinated action between Army, CRPF, and J&K Police.
• Strategic Communication: Avoid communal rhetoric. Government must reassure the public and promote unity to deny terrorists their intended outcome.
• Revive Tourism Confidence: Offer compensation, security guarantees, and engage with tourism stakeholders to prevent economic distress in the Valley.
• Enhance Surveillance in Sensitive Zones: Deploy tech-driven solutions such as UAVs, facial recognition, and terrain mapping in high-altitude non-motorable zones.
• Diplomatic Messaging: Use platforms like UN, G20, and bilateral forums to expose cross-border terrorism and gather international support.
Conclusion:
The Pahalgam attack revives Kashmir’s troubled past and highlights the evolving nature of terror threats. India must respond decisively — balancing security, diplomacy, and communal harmony. A united front is essential to defeat the designs of terror actors and uphold the nation’s integrity.
• Winning of Hearts and Minds in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir. (UPSC-2023)
Credit Flow in MSMEs and SMEs
Syllabus: Economy
Source: DH
Context: The credit gap in India’s MSME sector is estimated at $330 billion (RBI, 2023), prompting a growing shift toward decentralised, digital credit systems.
About Current Credit Status of SMEs & MSMEs:
• MSMEs contribute ~30% to India’s GDP and employ over 110 million people.
• Despite their significance, 80% of MSMEs rely on informal credit, facing high interest rates and scalability issues.
• Traditional banks often reject applications due to lack of collateral or credit history.
Importance of Credit Flow in MSMEs and SMEs:
• Employment Creation: Affordable credit allows MSMEs to expand and hire more, directly impacting employment generation.
E.g. ₹1 lakh credit to MSMEs generates 1.5 jobs (Ministry of MSME).
• Boost to GDP Growth: Better credit access improves productivity and enables MSMEs to contribute more to GDP.
E.g. Digital lending could add 1.5% to GDP by 2025 (BCG report).
• Promotes Financial Inclusion: Digital payments, credit analytics, and online lending formalize micro-businesses, bringing them into the financial mainstream.
E.g. UPI enabled ₹18 lakh crore transactions in 2023, easing payments for small vendors.
• Encourages Innovation and Digitisation: Credit flow supports the adoption of new tech tools, which improve business scalability and competitiveness.
E.g. PSB Loans in 59 Minutes sanctioned ₹1.5 lakh crore to MSMEs using algorithm-based approvals.
• Stabilizes Cash Flow: Reliable working capital helps small businesses avoid shutdowns during crises.
E.g. ECLGS loans saved over 1.14 crore MSMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Challenges to Credit Access in MSMEs and SMEs:
• Collateral Constraints: Banks demand property or high-value assets which most MSMEs lack.
E.g. Street vendors and artisans often operate without land titles.
• Dependence on Informal Sector: MSMEs often choose informal credit due to faster processing despite higher costs.
E.g. Micro traders in UP and Bihar pay >36% annual interest to local lenders.
• Digital Divide in Rural India: Low internet access and digital illiteracy hinder fintech adoption.
E.g. A khadi weaver in Odisha may not have a smartphone or UPI access.
• Cybersecurity Risks: Fintech systems may face data breaches, endangering borrower privacy.
E.g. The 2022 Mobikwik breach exposed millions of user records.
• Lack of Awareness about Government Schemes: Many MSMEs are unaware of existing credit support schemes.
E.g. Few shopkeepers in tier-3 towns know about CGTMSE benefits.
Way Ahead:
• Encourage Bank-Fintech Collaboration: Use hybrid models to combine reach of fintech and credibility of banks.
E.g. SBI’s partnership with LendingKart to support micro-loans.
• Promote Digital Infrastructure in Rural Areas: Invest in internet connectivity and mobile banking access in villages.
E.g. BharatNet is expanding optical fibre connectivity to gram panchayats.
• Stronger Regulatory Oversight: Implement safeguards on data sharing and algorithm-based lending.
E.g. RBI’s Digital Lending Guidelines 2022 prevent mis-selling and fraud.
• Wider Awareness Campaigns: Mass campaigns to educate MSMEs about credit options and rights.
E.g. MSME Champions Portal launched for real-time grievance redressal.
• Boost to Credit Guarantee Schemes: Expand CGTMSE and ECLGS with higher disbursement and outreach.
E.g. CGTMSE has facilitated ₹3.7 lakh crore in collateral-free loans.
Conclusion:
Decentralised credit is pivotal in empowering MSMEs, the backbone of India’s economy. With improved infrastructure, digital inclusion, and responsible governance, India can bridge the credit gap and foster inclusive growth. Supporting MSMEs is essential for a resilient, equitable, and high-growth economic future.
• Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard. (UPSC-2023)
AI in Weather Forecasting
Syllabus: Science and Technology
Source: TH
Context: India is leveraging AI/ML under Mission Mausam (₹2,000 crore outlay) to boost weather prediction accuracy, especially for extreme events like heatwaves and cloudbursts.
• IIT-Delhi and IIIT-Delhi teams have developed AI-based monsoon models outperforming traditional systems.
How AI Can Assist in Weather Forecasting
• Data-Driven Predictions: AI learns complex patterns from past data to predict rainfall, cyclones, or heatwaves, unlike physics-based models which rely on fixed equations.
E.g. IIT Delhi’s ML model for monsoon showed 61.9% accuracy (2002–2022) surpassing traditional models.
• Faster, Scalable Forecasts: AI models can produce short-term forecasts quickly and at lower computational cost, ideal for nowcasting and real-time alerts.
• Better Prediction of Extremes: AI helps capture nonlinear interactions among variables—useful in predicting rare and sudden weather events like flash floods or tornadoes.
• Hybrid Modelling: Combines strengths of physics-based models and AI tools to improve reliability and interpretability of forecasts.
Challenges in AI-based Weather Forecasting
• Data Scarcity and Quality Issues: High-resolution, clean, and long-term weather datasets are essential. Historical data may be sparse or inconsistent.
E.g. Many Indian weather datasets face gaps due to poor sensor coverage in remote regions.
• Lack of Interdisciplinary Talent: Climate scientists may lack AI/ML expertise, while ML engineers often lack meteorological grounding, limiting deep collaborations.
• Black Box Nature: AI models lack transparency, making it hard to explain their outputs to policymakers or meteorologists.
• Infrastructural Constraints: Most forecasters rely on model outputs from external agencies due to lack of local computational or technical capability.
• Trust and Verification Issues: Model predictions need rigorous validation; without this, false alarms or missed warnings can reduce public trust.
Way Ahead:
• Establish Hybrid Weather Institutes: Create dedicated centres integrating meteorology and AI under one roof for seamless collaboration.
E.g. Ministry-supported AI-Climate Centre at IITM Pune already operational.
• Enhance Data Systems: Standardise and integrate real-time, historical data from Doppler radars, satellites, and ground sensors.
• Capacity Building: Train a new cadre of meteorologists fluent in AI/ML and engineers trained in earth system science.
• Model Customisation: Develop AI models tailored to India’s diverse climatic zones and terrain for hyperlocal forecasts.
• Public-Private Collaboration: Engage startups, academia, and government institutions to co-develop and deploy verified AI models.
Conclusion:
AI has the potential to revolutionise India’s weather forecasting, especially for managing extreme events. However, it requires a blend of robust data, skilled manpower, and institutional innovation. With strategic collaboration, AI can become central to India’s climate resilience planning.
• What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How does it affect weather and the inhabitants of the place? (UPSC-2013)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 April 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration
Context: Prime Minister of India conferred the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2024, and released two e-Coffee Table Books highlighting innovative governance models.
About Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration:
• What It Is? The award scheme, instituted by the Government of India, honours outstanding governance practices and innovations by districts, and state and central government organisations. It aims to motivate bureaucrats and institutions to deliver efficient and transparent public service.
• The award scheme, instituted by the Government of India, honours outstanding governance practices and innovations by districts, and state and central government organisations.
• It aims to motivate bureaucrats and institutions to deliver efficient and transparent public service.
• Best Award Winners & Innovations (2024):
• Gamharia Block (Jharkhand): Topped in Aspirational Block Programme for transformative development in health, nutrition, education, and infrastructure.
• Gamharia Block (Jharkhand): Topped in Aspirational Block Programme for transformative development in health, nutrition, education, and infrastructure.
• Significance:
• Encourages evidence-based policymaking and citizen-centric governance. Promotes healthy competition among districts and ministries for effective implementation of priority schemes. Enhances replicability and scalability of successful models across India.
• Encourages evidence-based policymaking and citizen-centric governance.
• Promotes healthy competition among districts and ministries for effective implementation of priority schemes.
• Enhances replicability and scalability of successful models across India.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus
• GS Paper 2: Role of Civil Services in Democracy: Encourages performance-based evaluation and public service delivery through recognition of exemplary initiatives. E-Governance and Digital Governance: Promotes innovative digital governance tools recognized through e-Coffee Table Books and awarded initiatives.
• Role of Civil Services in Democracy: Encourages performance-based evaluation and public service delivery through recognition of exemplary initiatives.
• E-Governance and Digital Governance: Promotes innovative digital governance tools recognized through e-Coffee Table Books and awarded initiatives.
• GS Paper 3: Inclusive Growth and Regional Development: Recognizes efforts in underdeveloped regions, ensuring balanced development through evidence-based policymaking. Innovation in Governance: Encourages scalable and tech-driven models of governance that can be replicated across states.
• Inclusive Growth and Regional Development: Recognizes efforts in underdeveloped regions, ensuring balanced development through evidence-based policymaking.
• Innovation in Governance: Encourages scalable and tech-driven models of governance that can be replicated across states.
• Essay and Ethics Papers: Best Practice Case Studies in Public Administration: Provides real-life examples of governance innovation for use in ethics answers and essays.
• Best Practice Case Studies in Public Administration: Provides real-life examples of governance innovation for use in ethics answers and essays.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 April Facts for Prelims (FFP)
PM10 Pollution in India
Source: DTE
Context: A new four-year analysis by Respirer Living Sciences revealed that all 11 major Indian metro cities, including Delhi and Patna, exceeded PM10 safety limits continuously from 2021–2024, indicating chronic air pollution.
About PM10 Pollution in India:
• What is PM10?
• PM10 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less, capable of entering the respiratory tract. It includes dust, pollen, mold, and emissions from vehicles, industries, and construction activities.
• PM10 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less, capable of entering the respiratory tract.
• It includes dust, pollen, mold, and emissions from vehicles, industries, and construction activities.
• Characteristics of PM10:
• Contains inorganic compounds, heavy metals, and biological material. Includes both primary particles (directly emitted) and secondary particles (formed through chemical reactions in the air). Sources include vehicular emissions, construction, industrial activities, stubble burning, and waste combustion.
• Contains inorganic compounds, heavy metals, and biological material.
• Includes both primary particles (directly emitted) and secondary particles (formed through chemical reactions in the air).
• Sources include vehicular emissions, construction, industrial activities, stubble burning, and waste combustion.
• Permissible Limits in India:
• As per National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by CPCB: Annual Average: 60 µg/m³ 24-Hour Average: 100 µg/m³
• As per National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by CPCB: Annual Average: 60 µg/m³ 24-Hour Average: 100 µg/m³
• Annual Average: 60 µg/m³
• 24-Hour Average: 100 µg/m³
• Impacts of PM10:
• Respiratory Issues: Inhalation leads to asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. Cardiovascular Damage: Long-term exposure linked to heart disease and strokes. Impaired Lung Growth: Children exposed to PM10 show reduced lung function development. Environmental Damage: Reduces visibility, affects plant health, and damages buildings. Increased Mortality Risk: IARC classified outdoor air pollution (PM inclusive) as carcinogenic in 2015.
• Respiratory Issues: Inhalation leads to asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.
• Cardiovascular Damage: Long-term exposure linked to heart disease and strokes.
• Impaired Lung Growth: Children exposed to PM10 show reduced lung function development.
• Environmental Damage: Reduces visibility, affects plant health, and damages buildings.
• Increased Mortality Risk: IARC classified outdoor air pollution (PM inclusive) as carcinogenic in 2015.
Water Bears and Axiom – 4 Mission
Source: TOI
Context: ISRO is set to send tardigrades (water bears) to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission, marking India’s first human experiment in microgravity using these resilient micro-animals.
About Water Bears and Axiom – 4 Mission:
• About Axiom-4 Mission:
• What it is: A 14-day crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS) under the Axiom Space program, involving research in microgravity biology, biotechnology, and sustainability. Organizations Involved: Joint initiative by ISRO (India), NASA (USA), and ESA (Europe), with astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla representing India. Mission Objectives: Explore life science, space agriculture, and human physiological responses. Assess microbial resilience, muscle regeneration, and food growth in zero gravity. Contribute towards India’s Gaganyaan Mission and future long-duration spaceflight.
• What it is: A 14-day crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS) under the Axiom Space program, involving research in microgravity biology, biotechnology, and sustainability.
• Organizations Involved: Joint initiative by ISRO (India), NASA (USA), and ESA (Europe), with astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla representing India.
• Mission Objectives: Explore life science, space agriculture, and human physiological responses. Assess microbial resilience, muscle regeneration, and food growth in zero gravity. Contribute towards India’s Gaganyaan Mission and future long-duration spaceflight.
• Explore life science, space agriculture, and human physiological responses.
• Assess microbial resilience, muscle regeneration, and food growth in zero gravity.
• Contribute towards India’s Gaganyaan Mission and future long-duration spaceflight.
About Tardigrades (Water Bears):
• What are Tardigrades?
• Micro-animals also known as “water bears” or “moss piglets”. Size: Between 0.3 to 0.5 mm, visible only under a microscope. Discovered in 1773 by German zoologist Johann Goeze.
• Micro-animals also known as “water bears” or “moss piglets”.
• Size: Between 0.3 to 0.5 mm, visible only under a microscope. Discovered in 1773 by German zoologist Johann Goeze.
• Discovered in 1773 by German zoologist Johann Goeze.
• Key Characteristics:
• Found in extreme habitats — from polar ice caps to deep oceans. Have eight legs with claws, segmented bodies, and tough outer skin. Survive extreme conditions: vacuum of space, radiation, dehydration, and high/low temperatures. Enter a cryptobiosis state (suspended animation) to survive harsh environments.
• Found in extreme habitats — from polar ice caps to deep oceans.
• Have eight legs with claws, segmented bodies, and tough outer skin.
• Survive extreme conditions: vacuum of space, radiation, dehydration, and high/low temperatures.
• Enter a cryptobiosis state (suspended animation) to survive harsh environments.
• Importance of the Experiment:
• Voyager Tardigrades Experiment will study: Revival and reproduction in microgravity. Gene expression differences between space-exposed and Earth-bound groups.
• Voyager Tardigrades Experiment will study: Revival and reproduction in microgravity. Gene expression differences between space-exposed and Earth-bound groups.
• Revival and reproduction in microgravity.
• Gene expression differences between space-exposed and Earth-bound groups.
• Why it matters: Helps uncover molecular mechanisms of resilience. Can inform biotech innovations and astronaut protection strategies. Supports bio-preservation techniques for long-duration missions.
• Helps uncover molecular mechanisms of resilience.
• Can inform biotech innovations and astronaut protection strategies.
• Supports bio-preservation techniques for long-duration missions.
Nano Sulphur
Source: BS
Context: TERI scientists have developed nano sulphur that significantly boosts mustard yield by 30–40%, offering a viable solution to India’s chronic low oilseed productivity.
About Nano Sulphur:
• What is Nano Sulphur? A nano-formulation of sulphur applied via foliar spray to improve nutrient uptake and crop yield. It uses plant-growth promoting bacteria for eco-friendly, enzyme-driven nutrient delivery.
• A nano-formulation of sulphur applied via foliar spray to improve nutrient uptake and crop yield.
• It uses plant-growth promoting bacteria for eco-friendly, enzyme-driven nutrient delivery.
• Developed by: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
• Key Features: Enhances yield: Boosts mustard production by 30–40% (up to 3.7 tonnes/ha). Increases oil content: Raises oil content by 28–30%. Replaces 50% traditional sulphur: Cuts input cost and dependency on bulky sulphur fertilisers. Efficient absorption: 90–100% availability through foliar application vs. 10–15% in conventional forms. Non-leaching: Prevents nutrient loss in sandy or compact soils.
• Enhances yield: Boosts mustard production by 30–40% (up to 3.7 tonnes/ha).
• Increases oil content: Raises oil content by 28–30%.
• Replaces 50% traditional sulphur: Cuts input cost and dependency on bulky sulphur fertilisers.
• Efficient absorption: 90–100% availability through foliar application vs. 10–15% in conventional forms.
• Non-leaching: Prevents nutrient loss in sandy or compact soils.
• Significance: Economic gain: Farmers can earn up to ₹12,000/acre in additional revenue. Soil health: Addresses sulphur deficiency in 41–45% of Indian soils, especially in major oilseed-producing states (MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh). Sustainability: Completely green formulation with biological agents, unlike chemical-based nano urea or Supports self-sufficiency: Offers a sustainable alternative to GM crops like DMH-11 without regulatory hurdles.
• Economic gain: Farmers can earn up to ₹12,000/acre in additional revenue.
• Soil health: Addresses sulphur deficiency in 41–45% of Indian soils, especially in major oilseed-producing states (MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh).
• Sustainability: Completely green formulation with biological agents, unlike chemical-based nano urea or
• Supports self-sufficiency: Offers a sustainable alternative to GM crops like DMH-11 without regulatory hurdles.
Next-Generation Health Management Information System (HMIS)
Source: PIB
Context: The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) will undergo a complete digital overhaul with the launch of its next-generation Health Management Information System (HMIS).
About Next-Generation Health Management Information System (HMIS)
• What is HMIS? A comprehensive digital healthcare platform for managing and delivering CGHS services to central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents.
• A comprehensive digital healthcare platform for managing and delivering CGHS services to central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents.
• Launched In: Scheduled to go live on 28th April 2025, replacing the outdated CGHS software developed in 2005.
• Part of Which Initiative? Part of the Digital Health Transformation under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• Part of the Digital Health Transformation under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• Ministry Involved:
• Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
• Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
• Objective: To modernise CGHS service delivery, improve transparency, eliminate duplication, and ensure real-time digital access for beneficiaries.
• Key Features of the New HMIS:
• PAN-Based Unique Identification: Each beneficiary will be linked with a PAN number to eliminate duplicate records and streamline entitlements. Digital Contribution Tracking: Integrated with Bharat Kosh for real-time, automated verification of payments. Pre-Payment Scrutiny: Application eligibility and contribution checked before payment, improving user awareness and system efficiency. Online Card Management: Beneficiaries can digitally process requests like card transfers, category updates, and dependent status changes. Real-Time Alerts: SMS and email notifications for each application stage ensure transparency and reduce physical follow-up.
• PAN-Based Unique Identification: Each beneficiary will be linked with a PAN number to eliminate duplicate records and streamline entitlements.
• Digital Contribution Tracking: Integrated with Bharat Kosh for real-time, automated verification of payments.
• Pre-Payment Scrutiny: Application eligibility and contribution checked before payment, improving user awareness and system efficiency.
• Online Card Management: Beneficiaries can digitally process requests like card transfers, category updates, and dependent status changes.
• Real-Time Alerts: SMS and email notifications for each application stage ensure transparency and reduce physical follow-up.
Vice President of the United States
Source: TH
Context: U.S.A Vice President J.D. Vance is on a four-day official visit to India, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announced the finalisation of Terms of Reference for Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) talks.
About Vice President of the United States:
What It Is?
• The Vice President is the second-highest constitutional officer in the U.S. federal system.
• Created through the 1787 Constitutional Convention as part of the Electoral College compromise.
Key Powers and Responsibilities:
• Presidential Succession: Becomes acting or full President upon vacancy, death, or inability.
• Senate President: Presides over the U.S. Senate and casts tie-breaking votes.
• Electoral Role: Certifies electoral votes as per 12th Amendment.
• Executive Participation: Attends Cabinet meetings, represents the U.S. abroad, and influences policy as delegated.
• Presidential Disability Provisions: Can invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment in coordination with the Cabinet.
Key Differences Between US vs Indian Vice President:
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –23 April 2025 Mapping:
Vatican City
Source: NYT
Context: Vatican City is in global focus following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, prompting preparations for his funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica and the upcoming conclave to elect his successor.
About Vatican City:
• Situated in: Western part of Rome, Italy (on the west bank of the Tiber River.)
• Surrounded by: Rome (Italy). It is an enclave with no borders with any other country.
• It is an enclave with no borders with any other country.
• Population: Approx. 882 (2024 estimate) – Least populous sovereign state.
• Capital: Vatican City (same as country name – a city-state).
• Form of Government: Ecclesiastical absolute monarchy under the Pope.
• Administered by: The Holy See, headed by the Pope (Bishop of Rome), who holds executive, legislative, and judicial powers.
• Historical Context:
• Early roots: Traces its Christian heritage to Peter, regarded as the first Pope.
• Land control: Papal States governed parts of Italy until 1870.
• Modern formation: Gained sovereignty via the Lateran Treaty of 1929, signed with Fascist Italy.
• Unique Features: Architecture and Art: Home to Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and Vatican Museums. Renowned for frescoes by Michelangelo and Raphael. No taxation: Income via global Catholic donations, museum entry, stamp and souvenir sales. Heritage site: UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
• Architecture and Art: Home to Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and Vatican Museums. Renowned for frescoes by Michelangelo and Raphael.
• Home to Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and Vatican Museums.
• Renowned for frescoes by Michelangelo and Raphael.
• No taxation: Income via global Catholic donations, museum entry, stamp and souvenir sales.
• Heritage site: UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary (23 Apr 2025)
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