Daily Current Affairs

To The Point Notes

1.Gharial Sighting in Kaziranga National Park

Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus):

• Critically Endangered (IUCN)
• Found in Chambal, Girwa, Ghagra, Gandak rivers
• Nickname: “Gavialis” due to bulbous protuberance on snout resembling a pot (Ghara in Hindi)

Sighting:

• Lone female Gharial spotted in Kaziranga National Park for over 3 years.

Kaziranga National Park:

• Assam, India
• World Heritage Site (1985)
• Home to over 70% of world’s one-horned rhinos

 

2.India’s LNG Imports Surge

• Highest in 44 months: India imported 2.60 million tonnes (mt) of LNG in June 2024.
• Reason: Increased gas-based power generation (up 52% YoY)
• Power Sector Reliance: Gas accounts for 5.6% of India’s total power generation capacity.

What is LNG?

• Liquefied natural gas (methane with trace amounts of other gases)
• Cooled to -161°C (-259°F) for transport in liquid form
• 600 times smaller volume and half the weight of natural gas

 

3.Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF)

Joint initiative: Governments of Australia and India

Objective: Foster collaborative research projects between Australian & Indian researchers.

Grants:

• Minimum: $500,000
• Maximum: $1,000,000
• Project Duration: 3 years

Round 15 Priorities:

• Science & Technology (DST, India):
  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
  • New & Renewable Energy (Solar, Clean Hydrogen)
  • Urban Mining & E-waste Recycling
• Biotechnology (DBT, India):
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • RNA Vaccines & Therapies

Examples of Funded Projects (Round 15):

• AI platform for soil carbon monitoring
• Eco-friendly metal recovery from old mobile devices
• Cost-effective solar desalination using nanomaterials
• Harnessing immunity against antimicrobial resistance
• Advanced diagnostics & treatments for microbial infections

 

4.Sierra Leone Bans Child Marriage

Context: Previously, child marriage was legal for girls under 18 in Sierra Leone.

New Law: President signed a law prohibiting marriage for anyone under 18.

Global Impact:

• 12 million girls married each year before 18 globally.
• High burden countries: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, etc. (India included).

India:

• Legal age: 18 for girls, 21 for boys (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006).
• Estimated 1.5 million girls under 18 married annually.
• Most child marriages in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh.

Impact of Child Marriage:

• Violates girls’ rights.
• Limits education and future opportunities.
• Increases pregnancy complications for young mothers.

 

5.Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)

Early Life & Influences:

• Born Narendranath Datta in Calcutta (1863) – National Youth Day (Jan 12th)
• Interested in Western philosophy & spirituality from a young age
• Disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa (Guru)

Contributions:

• Introduced Yoga & Vedanta to the West:
  • Vedanta: One of six Hindu philosophies (Upanishads) – focuses on ultimate reality (Brahman)
  • “Neo-Vedanta”: Interpretation for Western audience, combining spirituality & progress
• Parliament of World’s Religions (Chicago, 1893): Famous speech promoting tolerance & acceptance
• “Messenger of Indian Wisdom to the Western World”: Delivered lectures across US & UK
• Established:
  • Ramakrishna Mission (1897)
  • Belur Math (1899)

Legacy:

• Considered a key figure in Modern India (“Maker of Modern India” – Subhas Chandra Bose)
• Inspiring Quote: “Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached”

 

6.Indian Gaur Reappears in NSTR (Andhra Pradesh)

Details:

• Locally extinct Indian Gaur spotted in Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR).
• Possible sign for reintroduction efforts.
• Previously seen in Amarabad Tiger Reserve (Telangana).

Indian Gaur:

• Habitat: Dry forests, grasslands, hills.
• Weight: 1 ton (Mega herbivore)
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• Threats: Habitat loss, hunting, conflict with humans.

Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR):

• Location: Nallamala hills (Eastern Ghats) on Krishna River.
• Flora: Dry deciduous forests (teak, Anogeissus)
• Fauna: Tigers, leopards, wolves, wild dogs, jackals.
• Tribes: Chenchus

 

7.New Nightjar Species Found in Lesser Sunda Islands

Discovery:

• A new nightjar species discovered in Timor and Wetar islands by an international team.

Nightjars:

• Medium-sized, insect-eating, nocturnal birds (Caprimulgidae family).
• Found globally (except Antarctica & some islands).
• Long wings, short legs, short bills.
• Catch insects in flight at night.
• Sleep on ground or branches during day.

Lesser Sunda Islands:

• Archipelago in Southeast Asia (east of Java, north of Australia).
• Includes Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Timor, etc.
• Volcanic arc formed by subduction (15 million years ago).
• Northern islands (Bali, Lombok, etc.) are volcanic.
• Southern islands (Sumba, Timor, etc.) are non-volcanic.
• Six distinct ecoregions with various forest types.

 

8.India Successfully Test-Fires Rudram-1 Missile (DRDO)

Significance:

• India’s 1st indigenous anti-radiation missile (Rudram-1) – DRDO development.
• Boosts India’s defense capabilities against China & Pakistan.

About Rudram-1:

• Targets enemy radars, communication sites for Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD).
• Integrated with IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters.
• Uses INS-GPS navigation & Passive Homing Head for precise targeting.

Technical Specifications:

• Type: Air-to-surface missile
• Range: Up to 250 km
• Speed: Supersonic
• Guidance: Passive homing (targets radiation)
• Launch Platform: Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters

Global Comparison:

• US: AGM-88 HARM (similar function, extensive use)
• Russia: Kh-58 (shorter range, versatile)
• UK: ALARM (loitering capability for sustained suppression)
• China: FT-2000 (targets high-value radar-emitting aircraft)
• Iran: Hormoz-2 (anti-radiation missile with maritime range)
• Brazil: MAR-1 (competitively exported anti-radiation missile)

Strategic Implications for India:

• Strengthens India’s deterrence against security threats.
• Enables IAF to conduct SEAD missions deep into enemy territory.

Technological Edge:

• INS-GPS navigation & Passive Homing Head for accurate targeting.
• Launch flexibility from various altitudes (500m-15km).
• Operational range up to 250 km depending on launch conditions.

 

9.Indian Banks Tighten Controls on New Accounts

Reason: Rising Money Mule Activities

• Digital frauds & money laundering increasing in India.
• Criminals use mule accounts (opened by individuals/businesses) to anonymously move funds.

Banks’ Measures:

• Stricter rules for opening accounts: More documents & verification visits required.

Government Initiative:

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to combat mule accounts.

Money Mule:

• Individual who transfers illegal money on behalf of others (scams, trafficking).
• Uses bank accounts, checks, virtual currency etc. to move funds.

Prevention:

• Public education on money mule risks.
• Strengthening banking & regulatory measures to detect & prevent mule activities.