Context: An agreement between Qatar and India to raise the status of their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership was signed. This strengthens cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment, energy, and security so as to enhance India’s presence in the Gulf region. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Discussion Bilateral Trade Expansion Security and Taxation Agreements Indian Diaspora and Pardons in Qatar West Asia Talks: The Israeli Conflict Today Visit by the Emir of Qatar & Business Engagements A Diplomatic Challenge The India Qatar strategic partnership signifies the deepening of relations, with potential economic and security benefits. Althou
Current Affairs 18 February, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz18 February, 2025 International Affairs 1. Indian immigrants in the U.S. Context: This data depicts a contrasting view of India’s undocumented migration to the U.S., focusing on deportations as well as the risky journeys taken by migrants. Key Highlights: Implications for Policy & Migration Trends National Affairs 1. Appointment Of Election Commissioner Context: Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as the next chief election commissioner on, the Law Ministry said. He is the first CEC to be appointed under a new law on the appointment of the members of the Election Commission (EC). Implications and Issues of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment) Act, 2023 Constitutional Underpinning New Appointment Process Under the Act The Act Has Some Important Effects Concerns about the Act UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions (PYQ) Prelims Q.1 Consider the following statements: (2017) Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 3 only Ans: (d) Mains Q.1 To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (2017) 3. Kaveri 2.0 Cyberattack Context: The Kaveri 2.0 DDoS attacks highlight the serious cyber threats to government digital services, especially those holding sensitive public data, such as land records and property registration. Key Takeaways from Kaveri 2.0 Cyberattack Attack Tears Apart Methodology And Scale Why Was Kaveri 2.0 Targeted? Impact on Government Services Cybersecurity Lessons and Future Measures Security Measures to Be Strengthened Implications for Cybersecurity At Large 4. Aravali Safari Park Project Context: Aravali Safari Park in Haryana has now become a very controversial issue with debates centering around conservation versus development. Key Highllights: Reasons for Strong Opposition Threat to a fragile ecosystem Violation of Forest Conservation Laws Haryana’s very low forest cover Water Crisis in the Region What Are The Alternatives? Wider Implication The Development versus Conservation Paradox 5. AI Cognitive Decline Context: According to a study published in BMJ, state-of-the-art AI models, namely some LLM models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, showed sustained cognitive decline with the passage of time just like human aging. The researchers evaluated the cognition of these models using the Mochata Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Key Findings: The study demonstrates AI models’ cognitive decline with time and draws attention to their role in medical diagnostics. While AI may be useful, its cognitive impairments may ensure that it is indeed never able to replace human expertise in applied areas of neurology. Banking/Finance 1. Regulation of SEBI Context: This regulation of SEBI to the effect that public consultation must be made on the amendment of regulations is a very important step towards creating transparency and getting investor participation in favour of policymaking. Major Aspects of SEBI’s Directive Implications of This Move The move sits within the global best practices as regulators in many other jurisdictions involve public consultation prior to the amendment of regulations before enforcement, most of these being financial regulators around the globe. 2. Consequences of the Repo Rate Cut Context: With the cut in repo rates by the RBI, 79% of floating rate loan customers will benefit immediately from lower costs. The liabilities that are pegged to the repo rate stand at 12% for a company such as Aadhar Housing Finance. These direct repo rate cuts can be translated into direct benefit as far as lower costs are concerned, which can be passed on, right away. Consumer Advantage For Increased Transparency by RBI Affordable Housing Taking Re Definition 3. Liquidity Impact of RBI Currency Management Context: Beginning with November, the RBI has been allowing the rupee to depreciate against the dollar after exiting last two years of effective peg. Though the RBI intervenes to stop further depreciation, it is placing further pressure on the bank’s monetary policy and liquidity in the economy where support is otherwise most needed. Key Highlights: Mixed messages given by the stance of RBI result in mixed signals as they are holding on to the two opposing objectives of stability in exchange rate with monetary easing. RBI should pursue inflation and growth directly in the interest of price now stable and growth thinking of the rupee almost in a market sense allowing it to clear freely having minimal interventions. Economy 1. India’s Manufacturing Share in GVA Context: The share of manufacturing in the GVA hovered at 14% in 2023-24. Historical trends indicate a very slow increase with 18% being the greatest in the early 2000s followed by a continued downward trend after 2010. The stagnancy is clearly validated in the current series of prices and constant price adjusted series, which dropped from 18% in 2020-21 to 17% in 2022-23. Key Highlights: Key Insights: Employment generation has frozen in manufacturing, showing only a marginal increase from 10.4% in 1980-81 and 10.6% in 2022-23. This change in the employment pattern is seen in the very high growth of services. Agriculture 1. PM-AASHA Scheme Context: The Centre has approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan MINT (PMAASHA) scheme until 2025-26. Purpose: The scheme aims to ensure effective procurement operations, ensuring remunerative prices for farmers and controlling price volatility of essential goods. Facts To Remember 1. Top Russian, U.S. officials set to begin Ukraine talks in Riyadh Top Russian officials will hold talks with U.S. counterparts on restoring ties, negotiating a peaceful settlement to the war in Ukraine and preparing a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, the Kremlin said on Monday. 2. Manu Bhaker wins BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award Star Indian pistol shooter Manu Bhaker was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year. 3. PhonePe launches device tokenisation for card payments PhonePe on Monday rolled out a device tokenisation solution for credit and debit cards to enable users to tokenise them on the company’s application, and use it seamlessly across various services on its platform like bill payments, recharges, booking
India’s Manufacturing Share in GVA
Context: The share of manufacturing in the GVA hovered at 14% in 2023-24. Historical trends indicate a very slow increase with 18% being the greatest in the early 2000s followed by a continued downward trend after 2010. The stagnancy is clearly validated in the current series of prices and constant price adjusted series, which dropped from 18% in 2020-21 to 17% in 2022-23. Key Highlights: Key Insights: Employment generation has frozen in manufacturing, showing only a marginal increase from 10.4% in 1980-81 and 10.6% in 2022-23. This change in the employment pattern is seen in the very high growth of services.
Liquidity Impact of RBI Currency Management
Context: Beginning with November, the RBI has been allowing the rupee to depreciate against the dollar after exiting last two years of effective peg. Though the RBI intervenes to stop further depreciation, it is placing further pressure on the bank’s monetary policy and liquidity in the economy where support is otherwise most needed. Key Highlights: Mixed messages given by the stance of RBI result in mixed signals as they are holding on to the two opposing objectives of stability in exchange rate with monetary easing. RBI should pursue inflation and growth directly in the interest of price now stable and growth thinking of the rupee almost in a market sense allowing it to clear freely having minimal interventions.
Consequences of the Repo Rate Cut
Context: With the cut in repo rates by the RBI, 79% of floating rate loan customers will benefit immediately from lower costs. The liabilities that are pegged to the repo rate stand at 12% for a company such as Aadhar Housing Finance. These direct repo rate cuts can be translated into direct benefit as far as lower costs are concerned, which can be passed on, right away. Consumer Advantage For Increased Transparency by RBI Affordable Housing Taking Re Definition
Regulation of SEBI
Context: This regulation of SEBI to the effect that public consultation must be made on the amendment of regulations is a very important step towards creating transparency and getting investor participation in favour of policymaking. Major Aspects of SEBI’s Directive Implications of This Move The move sits within the global best practices as regulators in many other jurisdictions involve public consultation prior to the amendment of reg
AI Cognitive Decline
Context: According to a study published in BMJ, state-of-the-art AI models, namely some LLM models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, showed sustained cognitive decline with the passage of time just like human aging. The researchers evaluated the cognition of these models using the Mochata Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Key Findings: The study demonstrates AI models’ cognitive decline with time and draws attention to their role in medical diagnostics. While AI may be useful, its cognitive impairments may ensure that it is indeed never able to replace human expertise in applied areas of neurology.
Aravali Safari Park Project
Context: Aravali Safari Park in Haryana has now become a very controversial issue with debates centering around conservation versus development. Key Highllights: Reasons for Strong Opposition Threat to a fragile ecosystem Violation of Forest Conservation Laws Haryana’s very low forest cover Water Crisis in the Region What Are The Alternatives? Wider Implication The Development versus Conservation Paradox
Kaveri 2.0 Cyberattack
Context: The Kaveri 2.0 DDoS attacks highlight the serious cyber threats to government digital services, especially those holding sensitive public data, such as land records and property registration. Key Takeaways from Kaveri 2.0 Cyberattack Attack Tears Apart Methodology And Scale Why Was Kaveri 2.0 Targeted? Impact on Government Services Cybersecurity Lessons and Future Measures Security Measures to Be Strengthened Implications for Cybersecurity At Large
Appointment Of Election Commissioner
Context: Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as the next chief election commissioner on, the Law Ministry said. He is the first CEC to be appointed under a new law on the appointment of the members of the Election Commission (EC). Implications and Issues of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment) Act, 2023 Constitutional Underpinning New Appointment Process Under the Act The Act Has Some Important Effects Concerns about the Act UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions (PYQ) Prelims Q.1 Consider the following statements: (2017) Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 3 only Ans: (d) Mains Q.1 To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (2017)
