Daily Current Affairs Quiz6 & 7 April, 2025 International Affairs 1. PM Modi’s Sri Lanka Visit Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his three-day visit to Sri Lanka with major announcements and initiatives aimed at enhancing bilateral ties, infrastructure cooperation, and civilisational connections. The visit was marked by the launch of key Indian-assisted railway projects and a spiritually significant visit to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple. Key Infrastructure Initiatives 1. Inauguration of Maho-Omanthai Railway Line 2. Launch of Maho–Anuradhapura Advanced Signalling System The Ministry of External Affairs described these projects as “landmark railway modernisation”, contributing to Sri Lanka’s national connectivity goals. Cultural and Spiritual Highlights Strengthening Bilateral Relations Strategic Agreements and Regional Partnerships During the visit, India and Sri Lanka signed seven key agreements spanning: These outcomes signal a broad-based effort to deepen India-Sri Lanka engagement across economic, strategic, and people-to-people sectors. Prime Minister Modi’s 2025 visit to Sri Lanka combined diplomatic significance, economic cooperation, and spiritual diplomacy. With over $100 million in railway upgrades and high-level defence and energy agreements, the visit has reinforced India’s role as a key development partner and cultural ally to Sri Lanka. TH 2. BIMSTEC’s Bangkok Vision 2030 Context: Twenty-eight years since its establishment, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) adopted the Bangkok Vision 2030, aiming to transform the group into a “Prosperous, Resilient and Open (PRO)” bloc by 2030.The vision emphasizes regional peace, stability, and sustainability, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model, which advocates for low-carbon ecosystems. India’s Role and New Initiatives India made several notable contributions at the sixth summit hosted by Thailand, reinforcing its “Act East” policy and countering China’s regional influence: Geopolitical Hurdles and Group Dynamics Despite the renewed vision, BIMSTEC faces multiple internal challenges: Institutional and Structural Issues BIMSTEC has long struggled with inertia and underperformance: Overextension and Incomplete Projects The grouping’s broad agenda spanning 14 sectors like trade, health, climate, counter-terrorism, and tourism has diluted focus and delayed progress.Key initiatives remain unfinished or stagnant: Looking Forward: India’s Critical Role With increasing geopolitical tensions, US trade barriers, and China’s rising influence in the Bay of Bengal, member states are now showing signs of renewed commitment.As the largest economy in BIMSTEC, India’s leadership and diplomatic engagement will be pivotal in converting aspirations into action. BS National Affairs 1. Judges Asset Disclosure Context: As of now, only 95 out of 769 High Court judges (12.35%) across 25 High Courts in India have voluntarily disclosed their assets and liabilities. This staggering shortfall raises urgent questions about the culture of accountability in India’s judiciary, especially given its constitutional role in upholding integrity and justice. Trigger Point: Delhi High Court Incident and Its Symbolism The alleged recovery of partially burnt currency notes from the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court has become more than just a legal curiosity — it serves as a symbolic flashpoint in the debate over judicial ethics and transparency. Key Insight: The judiciary, which often holds other branches of government accountable, currently lacks internal checks when it comes to financial transparency. The absence of mandatory disclosure mechanisms leaves significant room for public skepticism and erosion of trust. Supreme Court’s Decision: A Turning Point or Token Gesture? On April 1, all 33 sitting Supreme Court judges unanimously agreed to make their asset declarations public. While commendable, this move raises two important considerations: High Courts: A Disparate Landscape of Compliance Disparity in Asset Disclosure Rates High Court Judges Disclosed Total Judges Disclosure Rate Kerala 41 44 93.18% Himachal Pradesh 11 12 91.66% Delhi 7 38 18.42% (↓ from 82.85% in 2018) Madras 5 65 7.69% Chhattisgarh 1 16 6.25% Key Takeaways: Broader Implications for Judicial Reform What Needs to Change? Judicial transparency cannot remain a matter of personal discretion. The contrast between High Courts like Kerala and those like Chhattisgarh or Delhi demonstrates that culture alone is insufficient without codified norms. The Supreme Court’s recent commitment is a welcome start — but without a system-wide mandate, India’s judiciary remains selectively accountable. TH 2. World Health Day 2025 Context: World Health Day 2025 emphasizes the foundational role of maternal and newborn health, a timely focus for India with its 1.4 billion-plus population. While progress has been made through schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), major gaps persist in equitable access, especially in rural and semi-urban regions. Uneven Healthcare Infrastructure: Rural-Urban Divide Key Policy Gap: Investment is needed in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and incentives for medical professionals to work in underserved regions. Dual Disease Burden India faces a double health challenge: Critical Health Stats: These are tied to social determinants of health: poverty, poor sanitation, low education, and gender inequality. Government Responses Schemes like Poshan Abhiyaan and ICDS are tackling malnutrition but require: Health Financing & Access Strengthen public health spending and shift toward preventive care, such as: Digital Health: Promise vs. Accessibility India is fast embracing digital health innovations: Challenges Solution Path: Towards Health System Resilience and Equity India must align its health strategy with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Key lessons can be drawn from high-income countries that: Current Strategic Levers: Mental Health Alert: A NIMHANS (2023) study found that 14% of Indians suffer from mental disorders — a massive underserved need. Health as a Strategic Investment for India’s Future India’s journey to becoming a developed nation requires a cohesive, inclusive, and innovation-driven health system. The key lies in: Final Insight: Health is no longer just a social imperative — it is a strategic lever for economic growth, social stability, and national resilience. TH Banking/Finance 1. IMF-World Bank Report Context: A recent IMF–World Bank joint report, following an assessment of India’s financial system, has stressed the urgent need to enhance the independence and authority of India’s financial regulators through legislative and institutional reforms. Key Concerns Highlighted Major Recommendations The global financial institutions argue that true financial stability in India hinges on granting regulators the autonomy and authority