Daily Current Affairs Quiz16 April, 2025 International Affairs 1. Sudan Conflict 2023–2025 Background and Origins of the Conflict Devastating Humanitarian Impact Shifting Military Control Atrocities and War Crimes International Complicity and Geopolitical Stakes Path Forward: Ceasefire and Civilian Restoration Sudan’s civil war is not just a regional crisis—it is a global moral failure. The world must stop ignoring the tragedy unfolding in silence. Only coordinated diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and pressure for accountability can halt the collapse and offer hope to millions caught in the crossfire. TH National Affairs 1. India’s Net-Zero Transition Electrification is Key to Net-Zero Economy Sharp Rise in Power Demand Expected Expansion of Nuclear Capacity Low-Carbon Electricity Mix and Grid Balancing Challenges Flexing Nuclear Is Technically and Economically Inefficient Hydrogen as a Demand-Shaping and Industrial Solution Redefining Green Hydrogen: Include Nuclear as Low-Carbon Source Synergy Between Hydrogen and Energy Storage Policy Recommendations TH 2. India and AI Governance Global Context India’s Current Approach to AI Policy Pros and Cons of India’s Flexible Approach Urgent Need for Guardrails Global Lessons: Data Regulation as a Blueprint The Case for an Official AI Policy Initiating Public Discourse on AI Ethics and Impact Policy Recommendations TH 3. Kerala ASHA Workers’ Protest Who are ASHAs and Why Are They Protesting? Key Demands from ASHA Workers The Government’s Position Current Impasse and Political Undertones Structural Challenges and Policy Gaps The Need for Structural Reform The ongoing agitation by Kerala’s ASHA workers highlights a critical fault line in India’s public health system — where frontline workers are overburdened, underpaid, and under-recognized. Immediate resolution demands: TH 4. India Justice Report (IJR) 2025 Context: The 2025 India Justice Report (IJR) reveals that there are fewer than 1,000 women in senior positions among the 20.3 lakh personnel in the police force. The IJR 2025, initiated by Tata Trusts and supported by several civil society organisations and data partners, tracked the performance of States across four areas — Police, Judiciary, Prisons and Legal Aid. State Performance Overview Key Justice Delivery Capacity Indicators Strengthening Structural Capacity Workload Distribution and Gender Representation Gender Representation in Justice Delivery Judicial Delays and Backlog of Cases Case Backlog & Delays in Judiciary Key Issue: Case backlogs and delays in the judiciary remain a significant concern, particularly in district courts, where timely delivery of justice is crucial for social equity. Critical Resource Shortages in Police and Prisons Resource Gaps in Police and Prisons Key Takeaways & Future Outlook BS 5. Rising Paediatric Tuberculosis (TB) Cases in India Overview of Paediatric TB Paediatric tuberculosis (TB) refers to tuberculosis infections in children. While TB is often thought of as an adult disease, it is a significant cause of illness and death in children, especially in areas with high TB burden. The disease can manifest in various ways, including pulmonary TB (affecting the lungs) and extrapulmonary TB (affecting other organs).  Contributing Factors to the Surge Challenges in Reporting and Diagnosis Current Government Actions and Strategy Future Considerations The increasing incidence of paediatric TB in India points to multiple interconnected factors, including malnutrition, the COVID-19 impact, and drug resistance. While diagnostic advancements have led to higher reported cases, there are still significant challenges in early detection and underreporting. BS 6. Historic Olive Ridley Turtle Context: An Olive Ridley turtle, tagged 03233, has made history by becoming the first flipper-tagged turtle to cross both India’s coasts and two ocean basins. Her unique journey is offering valuable insights into turtle migration and marine ecosystems. Key Highlights Growth of Nesting on the West Coast Conservation Efforts The migration and nesting of 03233 highlights the need for increased conservation efforts to protect Olive Ridley turtles. By understanding their movement patterns, we can better safeguard these remarkable creatures and their habitats for the future. TOI Science & Tech 1. The Mantis Shrimp Context: The mantis shrimp, a small 10-cm marine crustacean, is renowned for its extraordinary punching power. It strikes prey at 23 m/s using its dactyl club, generating shockwaves that can shatter hard shells and stun prey. Despite such force, the shrimp itself remains unharmed a biological mystery until now. Phononic Shielding Mechanism How It Works: Microstructure and Bandgaps Club Design and Dual Impact Force Layered Armor: Hierarchical Material Design Laboratory Simulation of Natural Impact Significance Future Applications and Biomimicry The mantis shrimp is not just a marine marvel — it’s an evolutionary engineer. Its ability to both withstand and manipulate extreme forces could revolutionize how we think about impact-resistant materials, protective gear, and wave dynamics. TH Banking/Finance 1. SEBI Reviews Mutual Fund Regulations Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is conducting a comprehensive review of Regulation 24 under the Mutual Fund (MF) Regulations. What is Clause 24? Industry Feedback and Challenges SEBI’s Broader Review Possible Implications A Path Toward Regulatory Simplification and Market Expansion SEBI’s move to review and potentially liberalize mutual fund regulations reflects a shift towards creating a more flexible, growth-oriented regulatory environment for AMCs. If implemented, the changes could open new business avenues and improve the global competitiveness of India’s mutual fund industry. Mint 2. Bank Credit Growth in FY26 Context: Crisil Ratings projects bank credit growth in FY26 to rise to 12–13%, up from 11–11.5% estimated for FY25. This represents an expected acceleration of 100–200 basis points year-on-year. Key Growth Drivers Sectoral Insight: Corporate Credit Implications for the Banking Sector About CRISIL CRISIL ratings are assessments of creditworthiness provided by CRISIL Ratings Limited, a leading credit rating agency in India. These ratings, which indicate the likelihood of an issuer or rated entity defaulting on its debt obligations, are crucial for investors and lenders to assess risk and make informed decisions.  Crisil’s projection underscores a positive shift in India’s credit cycle, supported by policy stimulus, economic tailwinds, and lower cost of funds. FY26 could mark a pivotal year for bank-led financing in India’s growth story. TH 3. NPCI Discusses UPI Outages with Banks, Google Pay & PhonePe Context: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), operator of Unified Payments Interface (UPI), held a high-level meeting with major banks and