UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 8 April 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 8 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 2 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 8 April (2025)
• PM Mudra Yojana
PM Mudra Yojana
• Women and Men in India 2024 Report
Women and Men in India 2024 Report
GS Paper 3:
• The Crisis of Urban Ecology in India
The Crisis of Urban Ecology in India
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• FAO’s New Initiatives
FAO’s New Initiatives
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Bear Market
Bear Market
• Biomass Satellite Mission
Biomass Satellite Mission
• Mirror
Mirror
• ZooWIN Portal
ZooWIN Portal
• Digital Threat Report 2024
Digital Threat Report 2024
• Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
Mapping:
• Mount Kanlaon
Mount Kanlaon
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 8 April 2025
#### GS Paper 2 :
PM Mudra Yojana
Syllabus: Government Schemes
Source: FE
Context: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) celebrated its 10th anniversary in April, 2025. Prime Minister of India and key ministers hailed the scheme’s role in financial inclusion and grassroots entrepreneurship.
About PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY):
• Launched: April 8, 2015
• Ministry: Ministry of Finance (implemented by MUDRA Ltd under SIDBI)
• Objective: To provide collateral-free credit up to ₹10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises (MSEs)
• Extended Coverage: Loans now go up to ₹20 lakh under Tarun Plus category.
• Key Features
• Loan Types: Shishu (up to ₹50,000) Kishor (₹50,000–₹5 lakh) Tarun (₹5 lakh–₹10 lakh) Tarun Plus (₹10–₹20 lakh)
• Shishu (up to ₹50,000)
• Kishor (₹50,000–₹5 lakh)
• Tarun (₹5 lakh–₹10 lakh)
• Tarun Plus (₹10–₹20 lakh)
• Lending Institutions: SCBs, RRBs, NBFCs, MFIs, SFBs, Cooperative Banks
• No collateral required and nominal interest rates set by lending institutions as per RBI norms
• Focus on underserved groups: Women, SC/ST/OBC, minorities
Achievements in 10 Years (2015–2025)
• Loan Outreach: Over 52 crore loans sanctioned worth ₹32.61 lakh crore
• Rise in Loan Size: Average loan increased from ₹38,000 (FY16) to ₹1.02 lakh (FY25)
• Women Empowerment: 68% of loans disbursed to women Women’s average loan grew at 13% CAGR, reaching ₹62,679 Women-led startups showed higher job creation rates
• 68% of loans disbursed to women
• Women’s average loan grew at 13% CAGR, reaching ₹62,679
• Women-led startups showed higher job creation rates
• Social Inclusion: 50% of beneficiaries belong to SC/ST/OBC 11% of accounts held by minority communities
• 50% of beneficiaries belong to SC/ST/OBC
• 11% of accounts held by minority communities
• Shift in Lending Pattern: Kishor loans rose from 5.9% (FY16) to 44.7% (FY25) Increasing demand for higher credit indicates scaling up of enterprises
• Kishor loans rose from 5.9% (FY16) to 44.7% (FY25)
• Increasing demand for higher credit indicates scaling up of enterprises
• Credit Expansion: MSME lending rose from ₹8.51 lakh crore (FY14) to ₹27.25 lakh crore (FY24) MSME credit share in bank lending grew from 15.8% to nearly 20%
• MSME lending rose from ₹8.51 lakh crore (FY14) to ₹27.25 lakh crore (FY24)
• MSME credit share in bank lending grew from 15.8% to nearly 20%
• Geographical Spread: Tamil Nadu leads with ₹3.23 lakh crore disbursal, followed by UP and Karnataka Among UTs, J&K recorded highest disbursal: ₹45,816 crore
• Tamil Nadu leads with ₹3.23 lakh crore disbursal, followed by UP and Karnataka
• Among UTs, J&K recorded highest disbursal: ₹45,816 crore
• Global Recognition: IMF praised PMMY in multiple reports for promoting women-led MSMEs and inclusive entrepreneurship
• IMF praised PMMY in multiple reports for promoting women-led MSMEs and inclusive entrepreneurship
Limitations and Challenges
• Job Quality Concerns: Most enterprises supported remain low-scale or informal with limited job creation potential
• Underperformance in Tarun Loans: Higher loan categories (₹5–₹20 lakh) still account for a small share
• Dependence on Government Push: High reliance on public sector banks; low NBFC/MFI penetration in remote areas
• Risk of Over-indebtedness: Credit push without corresponding financial literacy may increase default risks in some regions
• Lack of Exit Strategy: Limited handholding or upskilling support post-credit disbursement hampers sustainability
Way Forward
• Focus on Enterprise Formalisation: Link PMMY with GST registration, e-commerce onboarding, and UDYAM portal
• Enhance Credit Monitoring: Real-time data integration and fraud detection to prevent ghost accounts
• Skill and Market Linkages: Integrate with Skill India and PM Vishwakarma for capacity building
• Encourage Private Players: Incentivise NBFCs and MFIs to deepen last-mile delivery in aspirational districts
• Promote Tarun Category Growth: Offer credit guarantee and interest subvention for scaling businesses
Conclusion:
In a decade, PMMY has democratized credit, enabling the transition from job-seekers to job-creators. It uplifted women, marginalised groups, and rural youth through accessible finance. Moving ahead, deeper structural reforms and credit support strategies are essential to maximise its transformational potential.
• 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)
Women and Men in India 2024 Report
Syllabus: Women
Source: PIB
Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26th edition of “Women and Men in India 2024”, offering a comprehensive gender data snapshot.
Summary of the Women and Men in India 2024 Report:
• Education – Gender Parity Trends: Gender Parity Index (GPI) remained above 1.00 across primary (1.03), upper primary (1.02), and higher secondary (1.02) levels in 2022-23, reflecting higher female enrolment.
• Gender Parity Index (GPI) remained above 1.00 across primary (1.03), upper primary (1.02), and higher secondary (1.02) levels in 2022-23, reflecting higher female enrolment.
• Labour Force Participation (15+ years): Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) improved from 49.8% (2017-18) to 60.1% (2023-24) under usual status, showing increased female workforce inclusion.
• Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) improved from 49.8% (2017-18) to 60.1% (2023-24) under usual status, showing increased female workforce inclusion.
• Banking Access and Financial Inclusion: Women account for 39.2% of total bank accounts and contribute to 39.7% of aggregate deposits in 2023-24. Rural women hold 42.2% of accounts, indicating growing financial autonomy in non-urban regions.
• Women account for 39.2% of total bank accounts and contribute to 39.7% of aggregate deposits in 2023-24.
• Rural women hold 42.2% of accounts, indicating growing financial autonomy in non-urban regions.
• Stock Market Engagement: DEMAT accounts surged from 33.26 million in 2021 to 143.02 million in 2024. Female account holders increased from 6.67 million to 27.71 million, reflecting a 4.2x growth in just three years.
• DEMAT accounts surged from 33.26 million in 2021 to 143.02 million in 2024.
• Female account holders increased from 6.67 million to 27.71 million, reflecting a 4.2x growth in just three years.
• Entrepreneurship – Female-led Enterprises: Share of female-headed proprietary establishments in manufacturing, trade, and services grew steadily from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
• Share of female-headed proprietary establishments in manufacturing, trade, and services grew steadily from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
• Political Participation – Voting Trends: Female voter turnout reached 65.8% in 2024, closely matching male turnout at 65.5%. This reversed earlier gender voting gaps seen in national elections.
• Female voter turnout reached 65.8% in 2024, closely matching male turnout at 65.5%.
• This reversed earlier gender voting gaps seen in national elections.
• Women-led Startups: Startups with at least one-woman director recognized by DPIIT rose from 1,943 (2017) to 17,405 (2024) – over 800% growth, showcasing improved startup ecosystem inclusivity.
• Startups with at least one-woman director recognized by DPIIT rose from 1,943 (2017) to 17,405 (2024) – over 800% growth, showcasing improved startup ecosystem inclusivity.
• Health and Fertility Trends: Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined to 2.0 nationally in 2023, with female life expectancy increasing to 71.3 years, indicating better health outcomes for women.
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined to 2.0 nationally in 2023, with female life expectancy increasing to 71.3 years, indicating better health outcomes for women.
Analysis of Report:
Positives in the Report:
• Empirical gains in digital inclusion: DEMAT and bank account penetration among women indicates widening financial empowerment.
• Education equity improving: GPI consistently above 1.0 across levels reflects progress in girl child education.
• Participation in governance: High female voter turnout and rise in women-led startups show societal engagement and leadership expansion.
• Improved labour metrics: A notable 10.3 percentage point rise in LFPR (2017–24) suggests formalisation and participation gains.
Persistent Gaps and Concerns:
• Sectoral concentration in employment: Most women remain confined to low-paid and informal sector jobs.
• Digital divide lingers: Despite growth, only 27.71 million women held DEMAT accounts versus 115.31 million men in 2024.
• Under-representation in leadership: Women still hold a smaller share in senior corporate or parliamentary positions despite educational gains.
• Urban-rural access imbalance: Internet and health access indicators show slower progress in rural women’s inclusion.
Way Forward:
• Encourage targeted skilling and formal job creation for women in high-value sectors like IT, green energy, and digital finance.
• Promote women’s leadership in decision-making bodies through affirmative actions and board-level mandates.
• Expand digital and financial literacy through rural outreach and SHG-based platforms.
• Establish a Gender Data Monitoring Dashboard to track real-time progress and enable responsive policymaking.
Conclusion:
The Women and Men in India 2024 report is more than a statistical document—it is a blueprint for inclusive governance. It reflects steady progress in gender indicators, but persistent disparities require urgent attention. For India’s development to be truly inclusive, gender equity must move from aspiration to quantifiable achievement.
• Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (UPSC-2021)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 8 April 2025 GS Paper 3:
The Crisis of Urban Ecology in India
Syllabus: Ecology
Source: DTE
Context: The Supreme Court issued a stay on deforestation in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli forest amid massive protests against state-led land auction for IT development.
What is Kancha Gachibowli and Why is it in Conflict?
• Kancha Gachibowli is a biodiverse urban forest patch near the University of Hyderabad, with over 730 plant species and 220 bird species.
• The Telangana government plans to auction 400 acres of this land for IT infrastructure, triggering protests from students, environmentalists, and civil society.
Dilemmas in Development vs Ecology:
• Economic Growth vs Environmental Protection: Industrial projects boost GDP and employment but lead to deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
E.g. Expansion of coal mining in Hasdeo Arand threatens elephant corridors and tribal habitats.
• Short-Term Benefits vs Long-Term Sustainability: Infrastructure development offers immediate gains but causes irreversible ecological damage.
E.g. Construction of Char Dham roads accelerates landslides in fragile Himalayan zones.
• Human Development vs Rights of Nature: Welfare schemes often exploit natural resources, undermining the intrinsic value of ecosystems.
E.g. Hydropower dams submerge forest lands, affecting riverine ecology.
• Tribal Livelihoods vs National Interest: Development projects on forest lands displace indigenous communities and erode traditional knowledge.
E.g. Niyamgiri Hills mining project was halted due to Dongria Kondh tribe’s resistance.
• Policy Urgency vs Ethical Environmental Governance: Speedy clearances often bypass due environmental assessments, violating intergenerational equity.
E.g. EIA 2020 draft drew criticism for diluting public consultation processes.
Importance of Urban Forests in Indian Cities:
• Ecological Buffers: Forest patches regulate temperature, air quality, and urban flood cycles. Also, they preserve biodiversity and prevent habitat fragmentation.
• Carbon Sequestration: Urban forests act as green lungs, absorbing CO₂ and mitigating heat island effects.
• Public Health and Well-being: Access to green spaces reduces respiratory issues, stress, and improves mental health.
• Livelihood and Culture: Urban commons serve as grazing lands, herb sources, and sacred spaces for local communities.
• Climate Resilience: With rising heatwaves, pollution, and water crises, city forests are essential to climate adaptation strategies.
Challenges Facing Urban Forests:
• Non-notified Green Spaces: Forests within city limits often lack legal status under the Forest Conservation Act.
• Fragmented Institutional Jurisdiction: Urban forests fall between municipal, forest, and development agencies, creating legal ambiguity.
• Masterplans Ignore Ecology: Urban development plans often prioritise vertical expansion over ecological preservation.
• Weak Citizen Participation: Major decisions occur without local community inputs or gram sabha consent.
• Profit-driven Land Use: Valuation of green land by real estate potential, not ecological value, drives short-sighted planning.
Way Forward Towards Ecological Urbanism:
• Urban Forest Policy: Enact a National Urban Forest Protection Act akin to heritage protection laws and classify urban forests as critical climate infrastructure.
• EIA Reforms: Mandate scientific, participatory EIAs for all urban development projects above a certain scale.
• Community Stewardship: Promote citizen-led forest management models involving students, resident associations, and local panchayats.
• Urban Biodiversity Registries: Create ward-wise urban biodiversity inventories, updated annually with expert validation.
• Judicial Oversight and Accountability: Strengthen implementation of SC orders on urban forests and expand the role of Central Empowered Committees.
Conclusion:
The conflict between cities and their forests is not about growth vs environment—but about what kind of urban future we choose. If India is to build climate-resilient, inclusive cities, it must preserve its ecological commons, legislate urban forest protections, and plan with nature as co-architect. The green fight in Kancha Gachibowli is a national wake-up call
• How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (UPSC-2020)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 8 April 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
FAO’s New Initiatives
Context: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched the “Four Betters Courses” Initiative to integrate agrifood systems education with global academic partnerships and “Commit to Grow Equality” Initiative to close the gender gap in agrifood systems.
About FAO’s New Initiatives:
• Four Betters Courses Initiative:
• Launched in: October 2024 during the World Food Forum
• Objective: To transform agrifood education by integrating FAO’s knowledge resources with global university curricula
• Institutional Link: Aligned with FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–2031.
• Key Features:
• Promotes the “Four Betters” principle: Better Production – Promote efficient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems Better Nutrition – Ensure access to safe, nutritious, and affordable diets Better Environment – Tackle climate change and ecological degradation Better Life – Reduce inequality and improve rural livelihoods
• Better Production – Promote efficient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems
• Better Nutrition – Ensure access to safe, nutritious, and affordable diets
• Better Environment – Tackle climate change and ecological degradation
• Better Life – Reduce inequality and improve rural livelihoods
• Powered by FAO eLearning Academy, which offers 600+ multilingual certified courses
- 1.Commit to Grow Equality (CGE) Initiative
• Launched in: 2024 (UNGA platform)
• Objective: To close the gender gap in agrifood systems by promoting women’s empowerment
• Impact Potential: Could benefit 54 million women globally, especially in rural and agrarian sectors
• Key Features:
• Mobilizes $1 billion in investments toward gender-responsive agrifood initiatives
• Provides strategic reporting tools for public and private actors to track gender progress
• Encourages alignment of national agricultural policies with gender equality targets
• Supports evidence-based policymaking and fosters global collaboration among nations, NGOs, and private sectors
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus
• General Studies Paper 2 – Governance, Polity, and International Relations
• Important International Institutions: Role of FAO in global food security and education Government Policies and Interventions: Comparative analysis of global best practices in agriculture and rural development Issues relating to Education: Global models of curriculum integration and innovation in higher education
• Important International Institutions: Role of FAO in global food security and education
• Government Policies and Interventions: Comparative analysis of global best practices in agriculture and rural development
• Issues relating to Education: Global models of curriculum integration and innovation in higher education
• General Studies Paper 3 – Agriculture, Environment, and Sustainable Development
• Agriculture: Agrifood systems, inclusive growth in farming communities, and value-chain development Environmental Conservation: Better environment goals, climate resilience in agrifood systems
• Agriculture: Agrifood systems, inclusive growth in farming communities, and value-chain development
• Environmental Conservation: Better environment goals, climate resilience in agrifood systems
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 April Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Bear Market
Source: FE
Context: The S&P 500 briefly entered bear market territory, dropping over 20% due to escalating US tariffs under President Trump. This is the first such decline since 2022, triggering global recession fears and investor panic.
About Bear Market:
• What is a Bear Market? A bear market refers to a situation where a stock index declines by 20% or more from its recent peak, indicating investor pessimism and negative economic outlook.
• A bear market refers to a situation where a stock index declines by 20% or more from its recent peak, indicating investor pessimism and negative economic outlook.
• Causes of a Bear Market:
• Weak Macroeconomic Indicators: Declining GDP growth, rising unemployment, and reduced industrial output. Investor Sentiment Collapse: Fear-driven sell-offs due to uncertainty or panic. Policy Shocks and Geopolitics: Sudden tariffs, wars, or oil crises disrupting investor confidence. Overvaluation of Stocks: Market corrections after an unsustainable bull run.
• Weak Macroeconomic Indicators: Declining GDP growth, rising unemployment, and reduced industrial output.
• Investor Sentiment Collapse: Fear-driven sell-offs due to uncertainty or panic.
• Policy Shocks and Geopolitics: Sudden tariffs, wars, or oil crises disrupting investor confidence.
• Overvaluation of Stocks: Market corrections after an unsustainable bull run.
• Key Characteristics of Bear Market:
• Sharp price decline: More than 20% from peak levels. Widespread investor panic: Risk aversion dominates. Low investor confidence: Reduced demand for equities. Higher bond demand: Shift toward safe assets.
• Sharp price decline: More than 20% from peak levels.
• Widespread investor panic: Risk aversion dominates.
• Low investor confidence: Reduced demand for equities.
• Higher bond demand: Shift toward safe assets.
• Implications on Economy: Reduced Household Wealth: A decline in stock values reduces personal net worth. This lowers consumer spending and overall demand in the economy. Business Investment Slows: Firms delay expansion due to market uncertainty. Capital inflows and fundraising activities like IPOs decline significantly. Job Market Impact: Companies adopt cost-cutting measures to preserve margins. This leads to hiring freezes, layoffs, and stagnation in wage growth. Government Revenue Falls: Reduced market activity lowers capital gains tax collection. This impacts fiscal capacity and government spending on public services. Higher Financial Volatility: Risk aversion rises and credit becomes more expensive. Investors shift to safer assets, limiting liquidity in the equity markets.
• Reduced Household Wealth: A decline in stock values reduces personal net worth. This lowers consumer spending and overall demand in the economy.
• Business Investment Slows: Firms delay expansion due to market uncertainty. Capital inflows and fundraising activities like IPOs decline significantly.
• Job Market Impact: Companies adopt cost-cutting measures to preserve margins. This leads to hiring freezes, layoffs, and stagnation in wage growth.
• Government Revenue Falls: Reduced market activity lowers capital gains tax collection. This impacts fiscal capacity and government spending on public services.
• Higher Financial Volatility: Risk aversion rises and credit becomes more expensive. Investors shift to safer assets, limiting liquidity in the equity markets.
• How to Counter a Bear Market?
• Monetary Policy Intervention: Lowering interest rates, quantitative easing by central banks. Fiscal Stimulus Packages: Government spending to boost demand and employment. Diversified Portfolio Strategy: Investment in index funds, bonds, and gold for safety. Investor Education and Awareness: Encouraging long-term focus to reduce panic-driven selling. Regulatory Stability: Policy continuity, trade certainty and investor protections.
• Monetary Policy Intervention: Lowering interest rates, quantitative easing by central banks.
• Fiscal Stimulus Packages: Government spending to boost demand and employment.
• Diversified Portfolio Strategy: Investment in index funds, bonds, and gold for safety.
• Investor Education and Awareness: Encouraging long-term focus to reduce panic-driven selling.
• Regulatory Stability: Policy continuity, trade certainty and investor protections.
Biomass Satellite Mission
Source: IE
Context: The European Space Agency (ESA) will launch the Biomass satellite mission in end of April, 2025, aboard the Vega C rocket.
About Biomass Satellite Mission:
• What is the Biomass Mission?
• Biomass is ESA’s seventh Earth Explorer satellite mission under its climate and Earth systems programme. It will map global forests and measure carbon levels to assess forest health and its role in the carbon cycle.
• Biomass is ESA’s seventh Earth Explorer satellite mission under its climate and Earth systems programme.
• It will map global forests and measure carbon levels to assess forest health and its role in the carbon cycle.
• Organisation Involved:
• The European Space Agency (ESA) leads the mission, with collaboration from researchers across Europe. The launch will take place from French Guiana using Vega C, ESA’s satellite launcher.
• The European Space Agency (ESA) leads the mission, with collaboration from researchers across Europe.
• The launch will take place from French Guiana using Vega C, ESA’s satellite launcher.
• Aim of the Mission:
• To quantify forest biomass and carbon content from space using radar. To generate accurate 3D models of forest structures and track changes in biomass over time.
• To quantify forest biomass and carbon content from space using radar.
• To generate accurate 3D models of forest structures and track changes in biomass over time.
• Key Features of Biomass Mission
• P-band SAR Technology: First satellite to use P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar with 70 cm wavelength for deep forest penetration. 12-metre Radar Antenna: A large deployable antenna will scan forest canopies and ground biomass structures. Carbon Flow Monitoring: Tracks carbon absorption and release, improving understanding of climate feedback loops. Global Coverage: Covers tropical and boreal forests and monitors ice sheet movement and terrain models. Sun-Synchronous Orbit: Operates at 666 km altitude, ensuring consistent lighting conditions for measurements.
• P-band SAR Technology: First satellite to use P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar with 70 cm wavelength for deep forest penetration.
• 12-metre Radar Antenna: A large deployable antenna will scan forest canopies and ground biomass structures.
• Carbon Flow Monitoring: Tracks carbon absorption and release, improving understanding of climate feedback loops.
• Global Coverage: Covers tropical and boreal forests and monitors ice sheet movement and terrain models.
• Sun-Synchronous Orbit: Operates at 666 km altitude, ensuring consistent lighting conditions for measurements.
• What is the Earth Explorer Programme?
• It is ESA’s research-driven satellite series designed to explore Earth’s dynamic systems.
• It is ESA’s research-driven satellite series designed to explore Earth’s dynamic systems.
• The first spacecraft the gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) mission took off in 2009 and worked till 2013.
• The most recent one was the Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) mission, which was launched in May 2024
Mirror
Source: TH
Context: An IIT Kanpur physicist explained mirror science through electron behaviour and quantum mechanics. This coincides with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025, marking 100 years of its discovery.
About Mirror:
• What is a Mirror?
• A mirror is a smooth surface that reflects most of the light falling on it, forming clear images. It works based on specular reflection, where light bounces at the same angle it arrives.
• A mirror is a smooth surface that reflects most of the light falling on it, forming clear images.
• It works based on specular reflection, where light bounces at the same angle it arrives.
• Material Used in Mirrors:
• Mirrors consist of transparent glass on the front and a thin metallic layer (usually silver or aluminium) on the back. The glass protects the metal and allows light to reach and reflect from the metallic surface.
• Mirrors consist of transparent glass on the front and a thin metallic layer (usually silver or aluminium) on the back.
• The glass protects the metal and allows light to reach and reflect from the metallic surface.
• How Does a Mirror Work?
• Law of Reflection: Light reflects from the metallic surface such that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. Specular vs Diffuse Reflection: Smooth surfaces like mirrors cause specular reflection; rough surfaces cause diffuse scattering. Electron Behaviour: Free-moving electrons in the metal bounce incoming light uniformly, forming a clear virtual image. Virtual Image Formation: Mirrors create a virtual image, appearing behind the mirror where the light seems to originate. Front-Back Reversal: Mirrors don’t flip left-right but they reverse front and back, like a rubber stamp impression.
• Law of Reflection: Light reflects from the metallic surface such that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
• Specular vs Diffuse Reflection: Smooth surfaces like mirrors cause specular reflection; rough surfaces cause diffuse scattering.
• Electron Behaviour: Free-moving electrons in the metal bounce incoming light uniformly, forming a clear virtual image.
• Virtual Image Formation: Mirrors create a virtual image, appearing behind the mirror where the light seems to originate.
• Front-Back Reversal: Mirrors don’t flip left-right but they reverse front and back, like a rubber stamp impression.
• Limitations of a Mirror:
• Directional Limitations: Only reflects objects within the line of sight; no information from behind the mirror. No Depth Perception: Mirrors do not convey actual depth, making objects appear equidistant from the mirror.
• Directional Limitations: Only reflects objects within the line of sight; no information from behind the mirror.
• No Depth Perception: Mirrors do not convey actual depth, making objects appear equidistant from the mirror.
ZooWIN Portal
Source: BS
Context: The Union Health Ministry recently launched the ZooWIN portal to monitor the availability of anti-rabies and anti-snake venom vaccines in real time.
About ZooWIN Portal:
• What is ZooWIN?
• ZooWIN (Zoonoses-WIN) is a digital portal to monitor stocks of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) across India. It ensures better coordination among healthcare systems, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• ZooWIN (Zoonoses-WIN) is a digital portal to monitor stocks of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) across India.
• It ensures better coordination among healthcare systems, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• Developed By:
• The portal is developed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). It is technically supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• The portal is developed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• It is technically supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• Aim of ZooWIN:
• To strengthen the prevention, control, and treatment of zoonotic diseases like rabies and snakebite. To ensure real-time visibility of vaccine stocks for timely availability and distribution.
• To strengthen the prevention, control, and treatment of zoonotic diseases like rabies and snakebite.
• To ensure real-time visibility of vaccine stocks for timely availability and distribution.
• Key Features of ZooWIN:
• Real-Time Tracking: Enables real-time data on vaccine availability using eVIN and U-WIN architecture. Health Facility Locator: Helps users locate the nearest health centre stocked with ARV or ASV. Follow-Up Tracking: Tracks patients for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to ensure full treatment adherence. Integration with One Health Approach: Supports the National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), targeting 50% reduction in deaths by 2030. Public Helpline Service: Operates helpline 15400 in pilot states for awareness and treatment guidance.
• Real-Time Tracking: Enables real-time data on vaccine availability using eVIN and U-WIN architecture.
• Health Facility Locator: Helps users locate the nearest health centre stocked with ARV or ASV.
• Follow-Up Tracking: Tracks patients for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to ensure full treatment adherence.
• Integration with One Health Approach: Supports the National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), targeting 50% reduction in deaths by 2030.
• Public Helpline Service: Operates helpline 15400 in pilot states for awareness and treatment guidance.
• Pilot Rollout: The platform is being piloted in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh.
Digital Threat Report 2024
Source: PIB
Context: The Government of India launched the Digital Threat Report 2024 to enhance cybersecurity in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.
About Digital Threat Report 2024:
• What is the Digital Threat Report 2024?
• The Digital Threat Report 2024 is a sector-specific cybersecurity assessment focusing on the BFSI industry. It provides a detailed evaluation of existing security vulnerabilities, evolving threat vectors, and best practices for cyber defence.
• The Digital Threat Report 2024 is a sector-specific cybersecurity assessment focusing on the BFSI industry.
• It provides a detailed evaluation of existing security vulnerabilities, evolving threat vectors, and best practices for cyber defence.
• Published By:
• Developed collaboratively by CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), CSIRT-Fin (Financial Sector Incident Response Team), and SISA (Cybersecurity solutions provider).
• Developed collaboratively by CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), CSIRT-Fin (Financial Sector Incident Response Team), and SISA (Cybersecurity solutions provider).
• Aim of the Report:
• To strengthen cyber resilience across the BFSI sector. To enable proactive threat management and build a unified security framework at national and sectoral levels.
• To strengthen cyber resilience across the BFSI sector.
• To enable proactive threat management and build a unified security framework at national and sectoral levels.
• Key Insights from the Report:
• Identifies systemic risks due to interconnectivity in the financial ecosystem. Highlights AI-driven threats, compliance risks, and sophisticated fraud techniques. Offers actionable recommendations across people, process, and technology domains. Emphasizes the need for collaborative intelligence-sharing to prevent cascading cyber failures.
• Identifies systemic risks due to interconnectivity in the financial ecosystem.
• Highlights AI-driven threats, compliance risks, and sophisticated fraud techniques.
• Offers actionable recommendations across people, process, and technology domains.
• Emphasizes the need for collaborative intelligence-sharing to prevent cascading cyber failures.
• What is SISA?
• SISA is a global, forensics-driven cybersecurity company focusing on the digital payments industry. It delivers preventive, detective, and corrective solutions to strengthen organizational cyber posture.
• SISA is a global, forensics-driven cybersecurity company focusing on the digital payments industry.
• It delivers preventive, detective, and corrective solutions to strengthen organizational cyber posture.
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
Source: DD News
Context: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
About the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU):
• What is IPU?
• The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a global platform for parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation, founded to promote peace, democracy, and human rights.
• The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a global platform for parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation, founded to promote peace, democracy, and human rights.
• Established in: 1889 (Paris) – First multilateral political organization globally
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Members: 180 national parliaments + 15 associate members
• Motto: “For democracy. For everyone.”
• Core Aims:
• Promote representative democracy and support parliamentary institutions Facilitate dialogue and diplomacy among parliaments to resolve international conflicts Advance gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable development Defend the human rights of parliamentarians globally
• Promote representative democracy and support parliamentary institutions
• Facilitate dialogue and diplomacy among parliaments to resolve international conflicts
• Advance gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable development
• Defend the human rights of parliamentarians globally
• IPU Structure and Features:
• IPU Assembly: Main decision-making forum to discuss global political and social issues Issues recommendations for international parliamentary action Governing Council: Policy body comprising 3 representatives from each member parliament Sets programme and budget; elects the Executive Committee Executive Committee:17-member body that oversees IPU’s operations and administration Standing Committees: Focused on key themes like peace, democracy, development, and cooperation Funding: Primarily financed by public funds from member parliaments
• IPU Assembly: Main decision-making forum to discuss global political and social issues Issues recommendations for international parliamentary action
• Main decision-making forum to discuss global political and social issues
• Issues recommendations for international parliamentary action
• Governing Council: Policy body comprising 3 representatives from each member parliament Sets programme and budget; elects the Executive Committee
• Policy body comprising 3 representatives from each member parliament
• Sets programme and budget; elects the Executive Committee
• Executive Committee:17-member body that oversees IPU’s operations and administration
• Standing Committees: Focused on key themes like peace, democracy, development, and cooperation
• Funding: Primarily financed by public funds from member parliaments
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 8 April 2025 Mapping:
Mount Kanlaon
Source: RT
Context: Mount Kanlaon, a stratovolcano in the Philippines, erupted, spewing a 4,000-meter ash plume, triggering school closures and evacuation protocols.
• It is the second major eruption in recent months, reaffirming the region’s vulnerability due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
About Mount Kanlaon:
• What it is: Mount Kanlaon is an active andesitic stratovolcano.
• Location: It lies on the island of Negros, straddling the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, Philippines.
• Elevation: At 2,465 meters, it is the highest peak in the Visayas and 42nd tallest island peak globally.
• Governing Nation: The Republic of the Philippines manages the volcano and surrounding protected zones.
• Key Features: Contains the Lugud crater and the Margaja caldera, with a seasonal crater lake. Part of Kanlaon Natural Park, spanning over 24,500 hectares. Hosts geothermal features like Mambukal Hot Springs.
• Contains the Lugud crater and the Margaja caldera, with a seasonal crater lake.
• Part of Kanlaon Natural Park, spanning over 24,500 hectares.
• Hosts geothermal features like Mambukal Hot Springs.
About Pacific Ring of Fire:
• What it is: The Pacific Ring of Fire, or Circum-Pacific Belt, is a seismically active zone encircling the Pacific Ocean, home to 75% of the world’s active volcanoes.
• Why More Volcanoes Here? Caused by plate subduction, where denser oceanic plates sink beneath lighter continental or oceanic plates. Includes key plates: Pacific, Philippine, Nazca, Cocos, Indian-Australian, North American. High incidence of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis makes it the world’s most disaster-prone region.
• Caused by plate subduction, where denser oceanic plates sink beneath lighter continental or oceanic plates.
• Includes key plates: Pacific, Philippine, Nazca, Cocos, Indian-Australian, North American.
• High incidence of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis makes it the world’s most disaster-prone region.
Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 8 Apr 2025
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