Daily Current Affairs

To The Point Notes

Geograhy

1.Subansiri River

Why in News ?

• A fisheries management plan will be implemented at the Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project (SLHEP) on the Subansiri River.

About Subansiri River:

• Major tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
• Also known as the “Gold River” due to gold deposits found in its riverbed.
• Flows through Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam.
• Major tributaries: Laro, Nye, Yume, Tsari, and Kamla.

 

 

Science and Technology

2.Facial Authentication Technology

Increased Adoption by Pensioners:

• Over 6.6 lakh pensioners in India used facial authentication in 2023-24, a 200% rise from the previous year.

What is Facial Authentication Technology?

• Biometric technology using facial features for identity verification.
• Compares a live scan to a stored digital face template.
• Uses sophisticated sensors, computer vision, AI, and biometrics modelling.

Process:

1. Face Detection: Locates the face in an image or video.
2. Analysis and Mapping: Creates a digital map of facial features.
3. Encrypted Faceprint Creation: Generates a unique, encrypted facial signature.
4. Biometric Authentication: Compares live scan to stored faceprint.

Key Point:

• Facial authentication is different from facial recognition (identifying unknown individuals).
• It’s a 1:1 verification using biometrics, while facial recognition is 1:n identification.

Applications:

• Enterprises: Secure access to corporate systems.
• Data Centers: Enhanced security protocols.
• Healthcare: Safeguarding access to narcotics.
• Financial Services: Customer identification.
• Education: Secure access to campus facilities.
• Utilities: Securing critical infrastructure.

 

 

Biodiversity

3.Przewalski’s Horses

Back to the Wild:

Przewalski’s horses, a wild horse species native to the Kazakh steppes, have been reintroduced to their homeland.

Unique Equine Breed:

• Never been domesticated.
• Last truly wild horses native to Central Asia.
• Named after Russian explorer Nikolai Przewalski.

Conservation Success Story:

• Reintroduction efforts began in the 1990s.
• Over 500 horses now roam free in Mongolia, with populations in China and Kazakhstan.
• IUCN status changed from “Extinct in the Wild” to “Endangered” in 2011.

 

 

Polity & Governance

4.Agnipath Scheme

Context: The Agnipath scheme offers youth a 4-year stint in the armed forces, facing criticism for a “lesser” cadre and fixed-term service.

About Agnipath Scheme (2022):

• Goal: Attract youth, enhance force age profile, and provide short-term service opportunities.
• Eligibility: 17.5-21 years old (subject to change).
• Service Period: 4 years (Agniveers).
• Permanent Cadre Selection: After 4 years, Agniveers can apply for permanent positions (25% selected based on merit).

Financial Package:

• Annual Salary: Starts at Rs. 4.76 Lakhs, increasing to Rs. 6.92 Lakhs in year 4.
• Allowances: Risk & Hardship, Ration, Dress, Travel.
• Seva Nidhi: Unique savings scheme with 30% salary contribution from Agniveer matched by government. Accumulates to Rs. 10.04 Lakhs over 4 years (tax-exempt).

Benefits and Support:

• Life Insurance: Rs. 48 Lakhs non-contributory policy.
• Death in Service: Additional Rs. 44 Lakhs ex-gratia payment to family.
• Disability Compensation: One-time payment based on disability severity (Rs. 44 Lakhs for 100% to Rs. 15 Lakhs for 50%).

 

 

International Relations

5.Unrest in New Caledonia

Kanak Independence Movement:

• Kanaks, indigenous people of New Caledonia (43% population), seek independence from France.
• Tensions rose after French parliament amended the voter list, allowing long-term residents (mostly pro-French) to vote.
• Kanaks fear this dilutes their electoral power and marginalizes them in their own homeland.

Historical Context:

• France colonized New Caledonia in 1853, marginalizing the Kanaks.
• Post-WWII, Kanaks gained French citizenship but French migration made them a minority.
• The Kanak independence movement (FLNKS) emerged in 1984.
• The Matignon Agreements (1988) and Nouméa Accord (1998) granted partial autonomy and three referendums on independence.

Failed Independence Referendums:

• Pro-French results in 2018 and 2020 referendums.
• Kanak request to postpone the 2021 referendum due to COVID-19 disregarded by France.
• Low Kanak turnout led to a 96% vote against independence, fueling anger.

Kanak Grievances:

• “Settler colonialism” post-WWII led to social and economic inequalities.
• Kanaks remain marginalized in mining sectors with limited political power.
• 2019 census showed high poverty rates among Kanaks.

French Concerns:

• Tactical peace: Violence threatens French citizens and President Macron’s reputation.
• Indo-Pacific Strategy: New Caledonia is crucial for France’s claim as an Indo-Pacific power.
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): France’s overseas territories create the world’s second largest EEZ.
• Strategic Location: New Caledonia counters China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Significance:

• France needs to address Kanak grievances to achieve lasting peace and maintain its Indo-Pacific presence.

 

 

Science & Technology

6.Horse Domestication

New Study Unravels Horse Domestication Mystery:

• A groundbreaking study sheds light on horse domestication through ancient & modern horse genomes (published in Nature).
• Previously debated timeline reveals horses were domesticated twice, not once.

Two Stages of Domestication:

1. Central Asia (5,500 years ago): Botai culture domesticated horses for meat & milk (not widespread use).
2. Western Russian Steppes (4,700 years ago): Led to widespread horse-based mobility across Eurasia (foundation for modern horses).

Horses: A Transformative Animal:

• Evolutionary biologist Pablo Librado: “Horse domestication changed history, but no other animal was as influential.”
• Horses shaped civilizations: Genghis Khan’s empire, agriculture, transportation.

Study Findings:

• First Domestication: Przewalski’s horses (Mongolia) descend from this meat/milk focused effort.
• Second Domestication & Breeding:
  • Began around 4,700 years ago.
  • Widespread horse mobility emerged around 4,200 years ago.
  • Shift in breeding practices for desired traits (docility) indicated by shorter generation time (4 vs 8 years).
  • Close-kin mating suggests deliberate selection by breeders.

Horse-Based Mobility & Its Impact:

• Revolutionized communication, trade, and warfare across Europe and Asia.
• Chariots and cavalry redefined warfare, shaping empires.
• Spoke-wheeled chariots, lighter than wagons, transformed transportation & warfare.

Reassessing Human Migrations:

• New evidence suggests horses weren’t used in Indo-European migrations (3,000 BC) as previously thought.

Conclusion:

• Horse domestication significantly impacted human history by revolutionizing mobility, communication, trade, and warfare.