Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 31st January 2025

BHASHINI Platform: In News

In a first for Northeast India, Tripura has pioneered the use of artificial intelligence for greater digital inclusion by adopting state-of-the-art text-to-speech technology under the BHASHINI initiative, government officials said recently.

• BHASHINI, or the BHASHa INterface for India, is India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) – led language translation platform, breaking down language barriers and enabling conversations between speakers of different Indian languages.
• It aims to enhance internet accessibility and digital services in Indian languages, incorporating voice-based functions and promoting content creation in diverse languages.
• Launched in July 2022 under the National Language Translation Mission (NLTM), it aims to provide technology translation services in 22 scheduled Indian languages.
• It aims to make Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing (NLP) resources available in the public domain to be used by Indian MSMEs, startups and individual innovators.
• It is implemented by the Digital India BHASHINI Division, a division under the Digital India Corporation, a Section 8 Company of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• The platform is accessible through dedicated Android and iOS apps, providing a user-friendly experience.
• This online platform also has a separate ‘Bhasadaan’ section which allows individuals to contribute to multiple crowdsourcing initiatives.

Darfur Region:

A drone attack on one of the last functioning hospitals in El-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region killed 67 people and injured dozens recently.

• Darfur is a region in western Sudan.
• It lies between Kordofan to the east and Wadai to the west and extended southward to the Al-Ghazāl (Gazelle) River and northward to the Libyan Desert.
• It consists of an immense rolling plain that has an area of approximately 440,000 sq.km.
• The volcanic highlands of the Marrah Mountains dominate the central part of this plain.
• It was an independent sultanate until annexed by Sudan in 1916.
• The name “Darfur” is derived from “dar fur,” meaning “the land of the Fur” in Arabic.
• The Fur tribe once ruled the Islamic Sultanate of Darfur until the killing in 1916 of the last Sultan of Darfur.
• It is home to approximately 80 tribes and ethnic groups, encompassing both nomadic and sedentary communities.
• Arabs have long constituted the majority of the population in the northern part of Darfur, while Arabs and Fur have predominated in the southern portion.
• Other ethnic groups have included the Beja, Zaghawa, Nubian, and Daju peoples.

Kanha Tiger Reserve : Tigress Found Dead

A 2-year-old tigress was found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve in Mandla district recently.

• Kanha Tiger Reserve, also called Kanha National Park, is located in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh.
• It is the largest national park of Madhya Pradesh.
• It lies within a series of plateaus in the Maikal hills, east of the Satpura range.
• It was created on June 1, 1955, and in 1973, it was made the Kanha Tiger Reserve.
• It sprawls over an area of 940 sq.km.
• It is characterized mainly by forested shallow undulations, hills with varying degrees of slopes, plateaus and valleys.
• The forest depicted in the famous novel by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book, is thought by some to be based on jungles, including this reserve.
• The region is known for some of the ancient tribal communities, like the Gond and Baiga, which still inhabit the region.
• It is also the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, “Bhoorsingh the Barasingha”.

Ghaggar River : Committee Constituted

A joint committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has found that the Ghaggar River water contained from two to three times the prescribed limit of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), making it unfit for outdoor bathing.

• The Ghaggar River is an intermittent river that flows in India and Pakistan (Hakra).
• The river flows only during the monsoon season.
• It originates in the Shivalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh and flows through Haryana and Rajasthan before disappearing into the Thar Desert.
• This seasonal river feeds two irrigation canals that extend into Rajasthan.
• The Hakra, which flows in Pakistan, is the continuation of the Ghaggar River in India, and they are together called the Ghaggar-Hakra River.
• Several historians identify Ghaggar with the Vedic Saraswati River.
• Along the banks of the Ghaggar River, many settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization have been excavated.
• It is believed that the rivers Sutlej and Yamuna once flowed into the Ghaggar-Hakra river bed.
• Tributaries: The main tributaries of the Ghaggar are the Kaushalya, Markanda, Sarsuti, Tangri and Chautang.

What Is Silicon carbide?

Researchers at IIT-Madras have tasted success in extracting silicon carbide from (simulated) moon soil.

• Silicon carbide is synthetically produced crystalline compound of silicon and carbon.
• Its chemical formula is SiC and it is the most widely used non-oxide ceramic.
• It was discovered by the American inventor Edward G. Acheson in 1891.
• It is the hardest ceramic material and has excellent thermal conductivity but low thermal expansion.
• It has excellent mechanical properties and excellent resistance to wear and oxidation.
• It is also classed as a semiconductor, having an electrical conductivity between that of metals and insulating materials.
• Its primary application is as an abrasive because of its high hardness, which is surpassed only by diamond, cubic boron nitride, and boron carbide.
• It is a promising ceramic material with excellent thermo mechanical characteristics.
• It is used in refractory linings and heating elements for industrial furnaces, in wear-resistant parts for pumps and rocket engines.
• It is also used in semiconducting substrates for light-emitting diodes.

Paris AI Summit, 2025:

Indian Prime Minister is set to co-chair the Paris AI Summit on February 10-11, 2025, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.

• The Paris AI Summit 2025 is a high-level global conference focused on AI regulation, innovation, and ethical governance.
• It builds on previous AI Safety Summits held in Bletchley Park (UK) in 2023 and Seoul (South Korea) in 2024, aiming to create a global consensus on AI policies.
• Hosted by France
• Chair & Co-Chair by Emmanuel Macron (Chair) & PM Narendra Modi (Co-Chair)
• Participants were Heads of state, AI researchers, policymakers, businesses, and civil society leaders
• Aims of the Paris AI Summit:
  • Establish frameworks for AI regulation and ethical use.
  • Foster AI growth without stifling development.
  • Examine the dominance of big tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta in foundational AI models.
  • Ensure AI tools align with security, trust, and responsible use.
  • Strengthen cooperation between countries to tackle AI-related challenges.

Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme:

The central government approved the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for micro, small and medium enterprises (MCGS-MSMEs), guaranteeing loans up to ₹100 crore.

• It will provide 60 percent guarantee coverage by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for financing the eligible MSMEs, needed to purchase the equipment/machineries.
• Borrower should be an MSME with valid Udyam Registration Number;
• It provides a loan guarantee up to Rs 100 crore, with a minimum of 75 percent of the project cost allocated for equipment or machinery.
• Under the scheme for loans up to 50 crore shall have repayment period of up to 8 years with up to 2 years moratorium period on principal instalments.
• For loans above 50 crore, higher repayment schedule and moratorium period on principal instalments can be considered.
• Upfront (initial) contribution of 5% of the loan amount shall be deposited at the time of application of guarantee cover.
• Annual Guarantee Fee on loan under the Scheme shall be Nil during the year of sanction. During the next 3 years, it shall be 1.5% p.a. of loan outstanding as on March 31 of previous year.
• Thereafter, Annual Guarantee Fee shall be 1% p.a. of loan outstanding as on March 31 of previous year.
• The Scheme will be applicable to all loans sanctioned under MCGS-MSME during the period of 4 years from the date of issue of operational guidelines of the scheme or till cumulative guarantee of Rs. 7 lakh crores are issued, whichever is earlier.

F11 Bacteria : Study

A recent study shows that the bacterial strain Labrys portucalensis F11 (F11) can breakdown the strong carbon-fluorine bonds in polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or forever chemicals.

• F11 bacteria (Labrys portucalensis) are a strain of aerobic bacterium from the Xanthobacteraceae family.
• They have adapted to survive in harsh, polluted environments by using contaminants as energy sources.
• These bacteria were originally isolated from contaminated industrial soil in Portugal.
• They can break down and transform at least three types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and some of the toxic byproducts.

Forever chemicals:

• These are toxic, man-made, hazardous chemicals that have dangerous effects on the environment and our health.
• They are called “forever chemicals” because of their tendency to stick around in the atmosphere, rainwater and soil for long periods of time.
• They are known to stay in the environment virtually forever and contribute to environmental degradation which adversely impacts the health of all organisms including human beings.
• They can migrate to the soil, water and air during their production and use.
• They are listed in the Stockholm Convention.

MSME Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) Initiative:

The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, in partnership with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), has announced the launch of an initiative to enable small and micro enterprises to join ONDC.

• It has been launched under the “Raising and Accelerating MSME Productivity (RAMP)” Programme.
• It is aimed to enable MSMEs to embrace digital commerce and expand their market presence.
• The initiative has a budget of ₹277.35 crore over 3 years.
• It will cover 5 lakh micro and small enterprises, with 50 per cent of these being women-led businesses.
• It will focus on:
  • Connecting MSMEs with the ONDC Network
  • Providing access to digital storefronts, integrated payment systems and logistics support
  • Reducing operational barriers and helps businesses tap into wider customer bases
  • Formalizing operations and establishing digital transaction histories, which will enhance the credibility and trust of participating MSMEs
  • Over 150 workshops will be held across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, targeting key MSME clusters, with special attention to women and SC/ST-led enterprises.
• These workshops will guide businesses through the process of joining the ONDC Network, creating compliant digital catalogues and using the ecosystem to its full potential.

Lateral Entry Scheme:

The Lateral Entry Scheme (LES), enabling private sector professionals to join senior bureaucracy on contract, faces legal and political dispute.Since 2019, 63 appointments have been made, but concerns over the lack of a statutory framework and reservations for marginalized communities persist.It challenged for conflicting with Article 309 of the Constitution which grants the authority to the appropriate legislature (Parliament, State legislatures) to enact laws regulating the recruitment and conditions of service for public servants

ISRO’s 100th Launch from SDSC:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved its historic 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, using the GSLV-F15 to deploy the NVS-02 satellite.NVS-02 is the 2nd satellite in the series of 2nd generation satellites of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC).The NavIC system is made up of 7 operational satellites in orbit (3 in Geostationary Orbit and 4 in Geosynchronous Orbit).NavIC provides accurate position, velocity, and timing to users in the Indian sub-continent and regions up to 1,500 km beyond.The GSLV-F15 is the 17th GSLV flight, and 11th with an Indigenous Cryogenic stage.The first launch from SDSC took place in August 1979 carrying the Rohini Technology Payload (partially successful).

Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit:

The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania aiming to accelerate energy access across Africa.
Africa Energy Summit hosted by the Government of Tanzania, African Union, African Development Bank, and the World Bank.
The summit focuses on the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Over 600 million Africans lack reliable electricity access, with Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa home to 80% of the global population without electricity.

Manual Scavenging : SC Order

The Supreme Court has ordered a complete stop to the practice of manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in six major metropolitan cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.Manual scavenging refers to the manual removal of human excreta from dry latrines, sewers, and septic tanks. It is a dehumanizing practice often linked to caste-based discrimination, as it is predominantly carried out by Dalits and other marginalized communities.According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 443 deaths were reported due to manual scavenging between 2018 and 2023.

Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) is set to launch “X Money:

Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) is set to launch “X Money,” a Visa-powered digital wallet, marking a step toward transforming the platform into an “everything app.” This wallet will allow real-time funding, peer-to-peer payments, and bank transfers.This digital wallet will be powered by Visa and marks a significant leap in X’s strategy to evolve from a social media platform into an all-encompassing “super app.” By integrating payment services alongside its existing features, X is positioning itself to compete with major apps like China’s WeChat, offering everything from messaging to financial transactions all in one place.

Maruti Suzuki Re-Appoints Hisashi Takeuchi as MD and CEO:

Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the country’s largest automobile manufacturer, announced the re-appointment of Hisashi Takeuchi as its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Takeuchi’s term has been extended for a period of three years, effective from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. This decision underscores the company’s confidence in Takeuchi’s leadership and his ability to steer Maruti Suzuki through the evolving automotive landscape in India.

SEBI has introduced the Integrated SEBI Portal for Technical Glitches:

SEBI has introduced the Integrated SEBI Portal for Technical Glitches (iSPOT), a centralized system to streamline the reporting of technical issues by Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) like stock exchanges and clearing corporations.This portal will replace the outdated email-based system, bringing a more structured, efficient, and transparent way for Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) to report issues. The iSPOT portal is set to go live on February 3, 2025, offering significant improvements in how glitches are reported and managed.

Geoff Allardice, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council resigned:

Geoff Allardice, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Cricket Council (ICC), resigned. His resignation comes at a critical juncture, just 21 days before the scheduled start of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to be hosted by Pakistan. Sources close to the matter suggest that Allardice’s inability to provide a clear assessment of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)‘s preparedness for the tournament may have played a significant role in his decision to step down.

Smith Joins Elite 10,000-Run Club in Test Cricket:

Australian batter Steve Smith achieved a monumental feat on Wednesday, January 29, during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Smith became the 15th player in history and the fourth Australian to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

Dinesh Karthik Becomes India’s Top Wicket-Keeper Run-Scorer in T20s:

Dinesh Karthik has surpassed the legendary MS Dhoni to become the highest run-scoring Indian wicket-keeper in T20 cricket. During a recent match, Karthik scored a crucial 21-run knock, which took his overall T20 runs tally to 7,451 runs in 361 innings (409 matches).

Vedanta Resources Ltd has appointed Deshnee Naidoo as its first Chief Executive Officer:

Vedanta Resources Ltd (VRL) has appointed Deshnee Naidoo as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 20, 2025, to drive the company’s next growth phase. Naidoo who previously held leadership roles at Vedanta returns at a crucial time as the company undergoes a major restructuring.

Sony Names Hiroki Totoki as CEO for Entertainment Growth:

Sony Group Corporation has announced that Hiroki Totoki, the current President and Chief Operating Officer, will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2025. This major leadership shift is part of Sony’s strategy to expand its reach and solidify its standing in the global entertainment industry. Hiroki Totoki’s appointment is expected to play a key role in driving Sony’s future growth.

Indian government has launched a ₹100 crore Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme:

To bolster the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) manufacturing sector, the Indian government has introduced a Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme (MCGS-MSME) with a corpus of ₹100 crore. This initiative aims to enhance credit availability for MSMEs, facilitating the acquisition of essential equipment and machinery without the need for collateral.

CRED Launches e₹ Wallet, Advancing India’s Digital Currency Adoption:

CRED, one of India’s leading fintech companies, has made a groundbreaking move by launching the beta version of the e₹ wallet. With this integration, CRED becomes the first fintech platform to adopt India’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the e-rupee. The e₹ wallet offers CRED’s vast user base the ability to store and transact using digital currency, an essential step in shaping the future of digital payments in India. This collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and YES Bank marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing digital transformation of the financial sector.

SEBI Launches ‘Dharohar’: A Digital Tribute to India’s Market Legacy

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) marked a significant milestone with the launch of “Dharohar – Milestones in the Indian Securities Market.” The digital repository was unveiled on India’s 76th Republic Day and aims to preserve the rich legacy of India’s securities market. With over 150 years of history, India’s securities market has evolved significantly, and SEBI’s initiative is a tribute to its enduring journey

Martyrs’ Day 2025::

Martyr’s Day, observed on January 30 each year, holds deep significance in India as it marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the country’s nonviolent freedom struggle. This day is dedicated to remembering not only Gandhi’s sacrifice but also the countless others who gave their lives for India’s independence. In 2025, this will mark the 77th year since his death. It serves as a reminder of the nation’s gratitude and commitment to preserving the values of freedom and patriotism.