Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 8th February 2025

International Criminal Court : In News

U.S. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel, a close U.S. ally.

• It is the only permanent international criminal tribunal.
• It was established in 2002 by an international agreement, the Rome Statute, on 17 July 1998.
• The Rome Statute sets out the Court’s jurisdiction, structures, and functions.
• The Statute entered into force on 1 July 2002.
• Mandate: ICC investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
• As a court of last resort, it seeks to complement, not replace, national Courts.
• Members: There are 125 member countries, but dozens of governments are not ICC parties, including China, India, Israel, Russia and the United States.
• Funding: The Court is funded by contributions from the States Parties and by voluntary contributions from Governments, international organizations, individuals, corporations, and other entities.
• Judges: The court has 18 judges, each from a different member country, elected to non-renewable 9-year terms.
• The Presidency: Consists of three judges (the President and two Vice-Presidents) elected from among the judges. It represents the Court to the outside world and helps with the organization of the work of the judges.
• Judicial Divisions: 18 judges in 3 divisions, the Pre-Trial Division, the Trial Division, and the Appeals Division.
• Office of the Prosecutor (OTP): It is responsible for receiving referrals and any substantiated information on crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.
• Registry: The core function of the Registry is to provide administrative and operational support to the Chambers and the Office of the Prosecutor.
• Unlike the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which hears disputes between states, the ICC handles prosecutions of individuals.
• The ICC is only competent to hear a case if:
  • the country where the offence was committed is a party to the Rome Statute; or
  • The perpetrator’s country of origin is a party to the Rome Statute.
  • The ICC may exercise its jurisdiction if the national court is unable or unwilling to do so.
  • The ICC only has jurisdiction over offences committed after the Statute’s entry into force on 1 July 2002.

Kanjar Tribes:

A teenage member of Kanjar nomadic tribe was beaten to death by his fellow tribe members near Chainpur Bazaar in East Champaran district, Bihar, recently.

• The Kanjar are a nomadic tribe of North India and Pakistan.
• They are most concentrated in the fertile and more densely populated areas of the Indus River valley and Punjab.
• They were labeled a “criminal tribe” during colonial rule, later decriminalised after the Independence.
• There is no accurate demographic or other census information on Kanjar in either country.
• Kanjar owns no land or permanent shelters. They survive by traveling from community to community through diverse regions, transporting their physical possessions on mule-drawn carts (rehra) or donkeys.
• They have historically been associated with occupations like hunting, fishing, basket weaving and entertainment.
  Linguistic Affiliation:
• Kanjar are fluent in several languages and many regional dialects of Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Sindhi.
• Their own language, Kanjari, has affinities with Indo-Aryan Prakrit and Romani.
• Chakri is one of the most popular folk dances of the Kanjar tribe.

Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch Systems:

The Union Defence Ministry recently signed contracts worth ₹10,147 crore for a variety of ammunition for the Army’s Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS).

• It is a battle-proven, all-weather, indirect area fire Artillery Weapon System.
• It was developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).
• It was first used during the Kargil War, where it successfully neutralised Pakistan Army positions on the mountain tops.
• The quick response and relatively high pointing accuracy of the launcher enable it to deliver a large volume of fire against critical and time-sensitive enemy targets, within a very short time.
• Each launcher carries 12 rockets, and a battery consists of six launchers (72 rockets total).
• It delivers a variety of warheads, including high-explosive and submunitions.
• It now has a range of over 75 kilometers.
• Initially unguided, now the Pinaka-Guided version uses INS/GPS navigation for precision strikes.
• The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility.

Navigation with Indian Constellation:

ISRO recently faced a setback in its mission to position the NVS-02 satellite in the desired orbit due to thruster failure, but is working on alternative strategies to utilise the satellite in its current elliptical orbit for the NavIC navigation system.

• It is India’s regional navigation satellite system designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity and Timing (PVT) service to users in India as well as the region extending about 1500 km beyond the Indian landmass.
• It is a satellite-based navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
• The first NavIC satellite was launched in 2013.
• NavIC is designed with a constellation of 7 satellites and a network of ground stations operating 24 x 7.
• Three satellites of the constellation are placed in geostationary orbit, at 32.5°E, 83°E and 129.5°E respectively.
• Four satellites are placed in inclined geosynchronous orbit with equatorial crossing of 55°E and 111.75°E respectively, with inclination of 29° (two satellites in each plane).
• The ground network consists of control centre, precise timing facility, range and integrity monitoring stations, two-way ranging stations, etc.
• NavIC offers two services – Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service (RS) for strategic users.
• These two services are provided in both L5 (1176.45 MHz) and S band (2498.028 MHz).
• The system provides positioning accuracy of better than 10 m throughout India and better than 20 m for the area surrounding India by 1,500 km, and timing accuracy better than 50 nanoseconds.
• NavIC SPS signals are interoperable with the other global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals namely GPS, Glonass, Galileo and BeiDou.

Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary:

The 2025 annual bird count at Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary recorded an unprecedented surge in waterfowl, with a total of 1,53,719 birds of 97 species, according to officials.

• Pong Dam Lake (also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar) is a manmade reservoir formed due to the construction of Pong Dam on Beas River in the wetland zone of Shivalik hills in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
• It is one of the largest man-made wetlands in Northern India.
• It covers an area of almost 307 sq km.
• It was designated a Ramsar site in 2002.
• It consists of submerged vegetation, grasslands, and forests, including species like eucalyptus, acacia and shisham.
• Given the site’s location on the trans-Himalayan flyway, more than 220 bird species have been identified, with 54 species of waterfowl.
• Avifauna include Bar-headed geese, Pintails, common pochards, coots, Grebes, Cormorants, Herons, Storks, angle fowls, peafowl, Grey partridges, etc.
• It is also home to animals like Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Bear, Nilgai, Clawless Otter and Leopards.

Social Security Cover for Gig Workers:

The 2025 Budget introduced health insurance and identity registration for gig workers to improve their social security. While this addresses basic welfare needs, challenges in enforcement and sustainability remain.The gig workforce constitutes 12% of the global labour market (World Bank) and is expected to reach 23.5 million in India by 2029-30 (NITI Aayog).

• It Provides flexible employment and income opportunities, driving economic growth, especially in e-commerce and service industries.
• Challenges:
  • Income insecurity due to irregular earnings.
  • Lack of legal protection as gig workers do not fall under traditional labour laws.
  • No employer contributions to pensions, insurance, or other social benefits.
• Existing Policy Framework
  • Code on Social Security, 2020
  • Recognizes gig workers as a distinct category and provides for insurance, health benefits, pensions, and a Social Security Fund.
• Budget 2025 Provisions
  • Health Insurance: Coverage under PM Jan Arogya Yojana.
  • Identity Registration: e-Shram portal for tracking and integrating workers into social security schemes.
  • Aggregator Module: Launched to streamline registration of workers and platform companies.

Watershed Yatra:

Union Minister Rural Development launched the “Watershed Yatra”, a national-level mass outreach campaign to promote community participation in watershed development under WDC-PMKSY 2.0.

• A nationwide outreach campaign to mobilize community participation in watershed development and conservation.
• Part of the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0).
• Focuses on improving water conservation, soil health, and agriculture sustainability.
• Spanning 805 projects, 6673 Gram Panchayats, and 13587 villages across 26 states and 2 UTs.
• Involves Shramdaan (voluntary labor), Bhoomi Poojan, and Watershed Mahotsav to engage local communities.
• Encourages collaborative efforts between government, private sector, and citizens.
• Rewards top-performing projects with an additional ₹20 lakh per project, with a total allocation of ₹70.80 crore.
• Linked to MY Bharat portal, providing certificates to youth volunteers to encourage participation.
• Learning Management System (LMS) developed for training and knowledge dissemination.

SARAT Version 2 Tool:

Union Minister for Science and Technology announced the launch of SARAT Version 2, an advanced tool enhancing the efficiency of Indian search-and-rescue agencies with improved accuracy, faster response times, and better visualization capabilities.

• SARAT is a specialized tool developed to assist search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, particularly in the Indian Ocean region.
• Ministry: Developed under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and implemented by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
• Aim is to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and success rates of SAR operations by providing precise search areas, exportable data, and enhanced visualization tools.
• Key Features:
  • Accurate Search Areas:Anchored to the Last Known Position (LKP) for precise search region computation.
  • Exportable Data:Digital search area formats for seamless integration with rescue planning maps.
  • Enhanced Visualization:Features like particle trajectory visualization, color-coded search regions, and LKP markers for clearer interpretation.
  • Training Initiatives:INCOIS conducts workshops and training for SAR agencies like the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Airports Authority of India (AAI).
  • Future Enhancements:Plans to improve accuracy by integrating high-frequency radar measurements and advanced ocean modeling techniques.

Sheikh Mujibur Rehman:

India strongly condemned the vandalism of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s historic residence in Bangladesh, emphasizing its symbolic importance in the country’s freedom struggle.

• Sheikh Mujibur Rehman Led the independence movement and became its first President and Prime Minister.
• Initially associated with the All-India Muslim League, later founded the Awami League, advocating for Bengali nationalism.
• Led the Six-Point Movement for autonomy, spearheaded the 1971 Liberation War, and declared Bangladesh’s independence.
• Focused on nation-building, drafted Bangladesh’s Constitution, and established diplomatic relations.
• Established a one-party rule in 1975, later assassinated in a military coup on August 15, 1975.
• Despite controversies, hailed as Bangabandhu (Friend of Bengal) and recognized for his role in Bangladesh’s independence.

No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order : Donald Trumph

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, titled the “No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order.” The order prohibits transgender women and girls from competing in female sports, marking the fourth executive order targeting transgender individuals since Trump took office on January 20, 2025.This decision has sparked widespread debate, with the administration justifying it as a measure to protect women’s sports, while critics argue it is a direct attack on transgender rights.

RBI Launches ‘Bank.in’ & ‘Fin.in’ for Secure Digital Banking:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the introduction of exclusive internet domain names for Indian banks and financial institutions. Indian banks will now have the domain ‘Bank.in’, while non-banking financial entities will be assigned ‘Fin.in’.This initiative, unveiled by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra during the last bi-monthly monetary policy of the fiscal year, aims to reduce cyber threats, prevent phishing attacks, and promote secure financial transactions.

Zomato Board Approves Name Change To Eternal Ltd, Unveils New Logo:

Food and delivery giant Zomato has announced a major corporate rebranding, renaming itself “Eternal”, effective February 6, 2025. The rebranding marks a significant shift in the company’s vision, consolidating its diverse business verticals under one umbrella.This move comes more than two years after Zomato began using the name “Eternal” internally, signaling a transformation in its business approach. The new identity will bring together its four key divisions, enhancing synergy across operations while retaining the original Zomato brand for food delivery.

K Balasubramanian Appointed as New Citibank India Head:

K Balasubramanian has been named Citibank’s India Subcontinent Sub-Cluster and Banking Head, replacing Ashu Khullar, pending RBI approval. He will report to Amol Gupte, marking a key leadership transition amid Citi India’s strong growth under Khullar.

Ocean Coordination Mechanism Aims to Protect Caribbean & North Brazil Shelf:

Oceans, covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, are essential for regulating the climate and providing sustenance and livelihoods for billions of people. However, they face significant threats from pollution, overfishing, climate change, and habitat destruction. To protect marine life and ensure sustainable use of ocean resources, new initiatives like the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) are being launched. The OCM aims to address the challenges facing the Caribbean and North Brazil shelf, focusing on biodiversity preservation, sustainable resource management, and climate change resilience.

RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) 2025:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to announce its 6th and last bi-monthly monetary policy for the Financial Year 2025. The meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee headed by the new RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra was scheduled from February 5 to 7.Key Announcements from RBI MPC Meeting 2025:

• Policy Repo Rate 6.25%
• Standing Deposit Facility Rate 6.00%
• Marginal Standing Facility Rate 6.50%
• Bank Rate 6.50%
• Fixed Reverse Repo Rate 3.35%
• Cash Reserve Ratio 4.00%
• Statutory Liquidity Ratio 18.00%
• Repo Rate Cut: Reduced by 25 bps to 6.25% to boost economic growth.
• Other Key Rates:
  • SDF Rate: 6.00%
  • MSF & Bank Rate: 6.50%

Zepto Becomes World’s Second Most Downloaded Food & Drink App:

Zepto, the Indian quick commerce startup, has emerged as the second most downloaded app globally in the food and drinks category, according to a recent report by Sensor Tower. The rankings place Zepto ahead of global giants like KFC and Domino’s, with McDonald’s securing the top spot. This achievement highlights the rapid growth of India’s quick commerce sector, with Blinkit, Zomato, and Swiggy also making it to the top 10. Zepto’s success is attributed to its 300% growth in the second half of 2024, fueled by innovations such as the “buy now, pay later” feature.

Argentina Cuts Ties with WHO:

Argentina has decided to withdraw from the WHO, mirroring the US under President Trump. President Javier Milei’s administration cited major disagreements over WHO’s health policies, especially its COVID-19 response. The move has raised concerns about Argentina’s global position, healthcare system.

Kerala Secures Rs 2,424 cr World Bank Loan to Strengthen Healthcare System:

The Kerala government has approved the Kerala Health System Improvement Programme (KHSIP). The project will be implemented with financial assistance of ₹2,424.28 crore from the World Bank under the Programme for Results (P for R) model.The state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, granted approval for the project on February 7, 2025, aiming to enhance healthcare resilience, prevent diseases, and improve the overall quality of life for Kerala’s citizens.