Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 18th January 2025

Huntington’s Disease : New Research

New Research uncovers delayed effects of genetic mutation in Huntington’s Disease development.

• Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a genetic condition that affects the cells in the brain.
• It affects the cells in parts of the brain that regulate voluntary movement and memory.
• A genetic mutation of the HTT gene causes Huntington’s disease.
• The HTT gene makes a protein called huntingtin. This protein helps the nerve cells (neurons) function.
• HD is caused by the misfolding of the huntingtin. The misfolding is due to the mtation.
• If someone has HD, her/his DNA does not have all the information needed to make the huntingtin protein.
• As a result, these proteins grow in an abnormal shape and destroy (instead of help) the neurons.
• The destruction of nerve cells happens in the basal ganglia,or the region of the brain that regulates body’s movements.
• It also affects the brain cortex(surface of the brain) that regulates thinking, decision-making, and memory.
• Huntington’s disease affects an estimated 3 to 7 out of every 100,000 people, most often people of European ancestry (biological family comes from European descent).
• Common symptoms include uncontrollable dance-like movements (chorea) and abnormal body postures, as well as problems with behavior, emotion, thinking, and personality.
• Other symptoms may include tremor (unintentional back-and-forth movement in the person’s muscles) and unusual eye movements.
• The eye movements can happen early in the disease.
• These symptoms get worse over time.
• There is no treatment that can stop or reverse HD, but health care providers can offer medications to help with certain symptoms.
• Drugs like haloperidol, tetrabenazine, and amantadine are especially helpful for controlling the unusual movements caused by Huntington disease.

Intravenous Fluids (IV Fluids) : Incident In West Bengal

The West Bengal government recently suspended 12 doctors for “medical negligence” following the death of a woman and a newborn due to the alleged administration of expired intravenous fluid at Medinipur Medical College and Hospital.

• IV fluids are specially formulated liquids that are injected into a vein to prevent or treat dehydration.
• They are used in people of all ages who are sick, injured, dehydrated from exercise or heat, or undergoing surgery.
• Intravenous rehydration is a simple, safe, and common procedure with a low risk of complications.
• IV fluid often contains water, glucose (sugar), and electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and chloride).
• An IV may allow more than one fluid to be given at the same time and into the same place.

Tungabhadra River: In News

The Tungabhadra water has turned green around Shiranahalli, Gangapur and Korlahalli villages in Mundargi taluk of Gadag district, Karnataka, creating panic among the residents.

• Tungabhadra River is a significant peninsular river in southern India.
• It is a major tributary of the Krishna
• The Hindus consider this river sacred, and there is a mention of the river in the Ramayana, where it is referred to as Pampa.
• It derives its name from two streams,viz., the Tunga, about 147 km long, and the Bhadra, about 178 km long, which rise in the eastern slopes of theWestern Ghats.
• The river, after the influence of the two streams near Shimoga in Karnataka, runs for about 531 km till it joins the river Krishna at Sangamaleshwaram in Andhra Pradesh.
• The Krishna River finally ends in the Bay of Bengal.
• It runs for 382 km in Karnataka, forms the boundary between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for 58 km and further runs for the next 91 km in Andhra Pradesh.
• The total catchment area of the river is 69,552 sq.km. up to its confluence with Krishna.
• It is influenced chiefly by the southwest monsoon.
• Major tributaries are Varada Riverand Hagari (Vedathy) River.
• The river has several dams and reservoirs built on it, including the Tunga Anicut Dam, the Bhadra Dam, the Hemavathy Dam, and the Tungabhadra Dam.
• The city of Hampi, which was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, is located on the banks of the river.

ISRO’s Third Launch Pad : Approved

The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

• The Third Launch Pad project envisages the establishment of the launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh for the Next Generation Launch Vehicles of ISRO.
• It also support as standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions.
• It is designed to have configuration that is as universal and adaptable as possible that can support not only NGLV but also the LVM3 vehicles with Semicryogenic stage as well as scaled up configurations of NGLV.
• It will be realized with maximum industry participation fully utilizing ISRO’s experience in establishing the earlier launch pads and maximally sharing the existing launch complex facilities.
• TLP is targeted to be established within a duration of 48 months or 4 years.
• The total fund requirement is 3984.86 Crore and includes the establishment of the Launch Pad and the associated facilities.
• The Project will boost the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight & space exploration missions.
• Presently, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant on two launch pads viz. First Launch Pad (FLP) & Second Launch Pad (SLP).
• FLP was realized 30 years ago for PSLV and continues to provide launch support for PSLV & SSLV.

Siachen Glacier : 4G and 5G service

The Siachen Glacier was equipped with 4G and 5G service by a private telecom firm of India.

• Siachen Glacier is a piedmont glacier located in the Karakoram Range.
• It lies in the heavily glaciated Himalayan region known as the “Third Pole,” because mountain glaciers in this region contain more fresh water than is found anywhere else on Earth except for the polar ice caps.
• It lies between the Saltoro Ridge, a subrange of the Karakorams, to the west and the main Karakoram Range to the east.
• It is the second longest nonpolar glacier in the world, after Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan.
• It originates at the base of the Indira Col West, a col (low point) on the Indira Ridge.
• It is located so strategically that while it dominates Shaksgam Valley(ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963) in the north, controls the routes coming from Gilgit Baltistan to Leh from the west, and at the same time, it dominates the ancient Karakoram Pass in the eastern side too.
• It is the major source of the 80km long Nubra River, a major tributary of the Shyok River.
• It is considered the world’s highest battleground and in 1984, India took its control under Operation Meghadoot.

8th Pay Commission:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, has approved the establishment of the 8th Pay Commission, aiming to revise the salaries of nearly 50 lakh central government employees and allowances for 65 lakh pensioners.

• A body established by the Central Government to review and recommend changes to the salary, allowances, and pension structures of central government employees and pensioners.
• Established by: Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• Aim is to Ensure fair compensation for government employees and Recommend formulas for revising Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) to offset inflation impacts.
• 1st Pay Commission:
  • Year: 1946
  • Headed by: Srinivasa Varadachariar
• 7th Pay Commission:
  • Year Established: 2014
  • Implemented: January 1, 2016
  • Key Changes:
    • Fitment factor set at 57, raising the minimum basic pay from ₹7,000 to ₹18,000.
    • Maximum salary revised to ₹2,50,000.
    • Expenditure increases of ₹1 lakh crore for FY 2016-17.

QS World Future Skills Index:

According to the QS World Future Skills Index 2025, India has emerged as the second most prepared job market globally for future in-demand skills, trailing only the United States.

Highlights of the Report:

• The index highlights India’s strong potential in critical sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital, and green industries.
• India ranks 25th overall across all indicators, earning recognition as a “future skills contender.” Notably, the country excels in the “Future of Work” category, securing the second-highest global score (99.1), just behind the United States.
• India’s performance in the Future of Work indicator underscores its readiness to meet emerging job market demands.
• Alongside Mexico, India is identified as the most prepared nation to recruit for digital roles.
• “India’s outstanding GDP growth, youthful population, and burgeoning start-up culture position the country as a global leader in future-ready skills.
• While India shines in certain areas, the report highlights opportunities for improvement.
• These include:
  • Enhancing Industry Collaboration: Bridging the gap between higher education institutions and industry needs to be done.
  • Equipping Graduates with In-Demand Skills: Expanding focus on digital, AI, and green sectors needs to be aligned with employers’
  • Future-Oriented Innovation and Sustainability: India scores low on this metric, indicating a need to prioritize sustainable practices and forward-looking solutions.

Cabo Verde : World Bank Report

The World Bank’s new report estimates that Cabo Verde, a small archipelago located off the coast of West Africa, will need to invest $842 million over 2024-2030 to address its climate and development challenges.

Highlights of the Report:

• Cabo Verde is highly vulnerable to extreme climate events including extreme heat, floods, droughts, tropical storms, landslides, volcanic eruptions, coastal erosion and sea level rise.
• Structural factors such as rapid rural-urban migration and land degradation further aggravate the country’s vulnerability to natural hazards.

Cabo Verde:

• Also known as Cape Verde, it is an African country.
• This former Portugal colony is an archipelago, made up of 10 volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean.
• It is 500 kms off the west coast of Africa.
• Its islands are divided into the Barlavento (windward) and Sotavento (leeward) groups.
• Senegal is its nearest country on the continent.
• It was once an important centre of slave trade.
• Generally moderate, the climate is characterized by stable temperatures with extreme aridity.
• The terrain of the Cabo Verde islands varies from the geologically older, flatter islands in the east and the newer, more mountainous islands in the west.
• The overwhelming majority of the population of Cabo Verde is of mixed European and African descentand is often referred to as mestiço or Crioulo.
• Capital: Praia
• Languages spoken: Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole

Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan:

The “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” app was launched by Defence Minister coinciding with Army Day celebrations.

• Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan is developed by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.
• This app opens the doors to India’s most iconic battlefields, offering citizens a chance to explore the country’s wartime history like never before.
• The move is aimed at promoting connectivity, tourism, and socio-economic development in border regions. The Army is collaborating with local civil authorities to facilitate these efforts while maintaining high operational preparedness.
• It features details on various battlefields and border areas, offering virtual tours, historical narratives, and interactive content.
• The sites will also be highlighted by the Tourism Ministry as part of the Incredible India campaign.
• It will be a one-stop destination for the visitors to make all necessary arrangements for their travel planning, including how to apply for permits for some of these places.
• The Indian Army, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, has shortlisted Galwan (the river valley in Ladakh ) Doklam which is a tri-junction between India, Bhutan and China and 75 other forward sites alongside the country’s border that have witnessed military action in the past for “battlefield tourism.
• Most of these sites fall along India’s borders with China (Line of Actual Control) and Pakistan (Line of Control) that have had a history of wars after independence and other clashes in recent times — the 1962 war with China and the 1967 war, at Nathu La in Sikkim.
• Along the Western border, the Battle of Longewalawas one of the first major engagements during the India-Pakistan war of 1971, fought at the Indian border post of Longewala in the Thar desert.
• These locations, previously restricted due to their strategic significance and challenging terrain, will now offer visitors first-hand insight into the experience of soldiers stationed in these remote regions.

Reforms for Combating Honour Killings:

In an honour killing case in Madhya Pradesh, a girl was shot dead by her family for wanting to marry someone of her choice, against their wishes. Honour killing is the murder of a family member, typically a woman, by relatives or community members in response to perceived dishonor or shame brought to the family.These acts are often rooted in strict cultural, social, and religious norms regarding family honor, morality, and social behavior.The concept of honor is often tied to women’s behavior regarding issues like marriage, relationships, sexuality, and modesty.

Global Risks Report 2025:

The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the 20th Global Risks Report 2025. The report highlighted the top five risks for India include water supply shortages, misinformation and disinformation, erosion of human rights and civic freedoms, pollution (air, water, and soil), and labour and talent shortages.Immediate Risks (Next 2 years): Misinformation and disinformation, Extreme weather events, and State based armed conflict.Long-Term Risks (Next 10 Years): Extreme weather events, Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse and Critical changes to earth systems.

Tripura unveiled its first official state emblem:

Tripura unveiled its first official state emblem after approval from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).The proposal for the emblem of the Government of Tripura has been approved under Rule 4(2) of the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007.

RBI Allows Overseas Banks to Open INR Accounts:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorized overseas branches of authorized banks to open Indian Rupee (INR) accounts for non-residents. This initiative aims to bolster the global use of the Indian Rupee in cross-border transactions and investments.

Vineet Joshi Takes Charge as Secretary of Higher Education:

Shri Vineet Joshi has assumed the role of Secretary of the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, effective today at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. Prior to this appointment, Shri Joshi had a distinguished career in various key positions within the Indian educational sector.

Threats to Wild Bees:

A study published in journal Science, has revealed that over 70% of wild bee species, crucial for pollination, are at risk from pesticide residues in soil.Current pesticide risk assessments mainly focus on honey bees, ignoring the impact on wild bees that nest in the soil.Pesticides like cyantraniliprole harm wild bees by reducing their survival and reproductive success, threatening future generations. Bees are vital for pollinating many food crops, contributing directly to food security. A third of the world’s food production depends on them according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Reserve Bank of India sold a record $20.2 billion in the forex market:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sold a record $20.2 billion in the foreign exchange market to stabilize the rupee amid significant foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows. This intervention increased the RBI’s net short position in the forward market to $58.9 billion by the end of the month, up from $49.18 billion in October.

New Glenn rocket:

Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its New Glenn rocket on its maiden test flight. Named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, the rocket carried a prototype satellite into orbit. The launch marked a significant milestone for the company as it ventures further into competitive space exploration alongside SpaceX, NASA, and other aerospace giants.

The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹11,440 crore revival package for debt-ridden RINL:

The Union Cabinet has sanctioned a substantial ₹11,440 crore package to revitalize Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), commonly known as Vizag Steel, addressing its critical financial challenges.This strategic intervention aims to infuse ₹10,300 crore as equity capital into RINL and convert ₹1,140 crore of its working capital loans into 7% non-cumulative preference share capital, redeemable after a decade. This initiative is expected to resolve many of RINL’s longstanding operational issues.

China successfully launched Pakistan’s first indigenous Electro-Optical Satellite (PRSC-EO1) on January 17, 2025:

China successfully launched Pakistan’s first indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite, PRSC-EO1, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite, designed to collect Earth observation data using electro-optical sensors, was deployed into its planned orbit by a Long March-2D carrier rocket at 12:07 pm Beijing Time.

ISRO has successfully germinated black-eyed pea (lobia) seeds in space using its Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone in space agriculture by successfully germinating black-eyed pea (lobia) seeds aboard its Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS). This breakthrough underscores the potential for cultivating sustainable food sources for long-duration space missions, essential for meeting the nutritional and psychological needs of astronauts during extended periods in space

Justice Arun Mishra: New Ombudsman of BCCI

Justice Arun Mishra, a former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The announcement was made and marking another significant milestone in his illustrious career. Justice Mishra’s extensive legal expertise and leadership experience make him well-suited for the dual responsibilities of ensuring ethical practices and addressing disputes within the BCCI.