Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 27th February 2025

RS-24 Yars:

Russia recently deployed autonomous launchers of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) RS-24 Yars on combat patrol routes which are equipped with nuclear weapons.

• The Yars RS-24 (NATO designation SS-29) is a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system.
• It is believed to have entered into service in February 2010.
• It is reported to be designed similarly to Russia’s SS-27 (Topol M) ICBM and the Bulava (SS-NX-32) SLBM.
• It is three-staged, solid-fueled, and can be launched from a silo or mobile launcher.
• The missile is estimated to be 22.5 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter.
• The total launch weight of the RS-24 is assessed to be 49,000 kg and is expected to have a minimum range of 2,000 km and a maximum of 10,500 km.
• The missile uses a guidance upgraded system of the inertial and Glonass systems.
• The missile can be armed with up to 10 Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs), each containing a thermonuclear warhead weighing 300 kilotons.
• It has the capability to manoeuvre during flight and deploy both active and passive decoys, which gives Yars an advantage against modern missile defence systems.

Selenium:

Medical experts have linked cases of sudden hair loss affecting 279 people in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district to high selenium content found in wheat supplied through local ration shops from Punjab and Haryana.

• It is a mineral found in the soil and naturally appears in water and some foods.
• Soil and ground water contain inorganic forms of selenium that plants accumulate and convert to organic forms, mostly selenomethionine and selenocysteine and their methylated derivatives.
• Selenium is a constituent of 25 selenoproteins, including thioredoxin reductases, glutathione peroxidases, and selenoprotein P.
• Selenoproteins play critical roles in thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, reproduction, and protection from oxidative damage and infection.
• Human body cannot produce selenium on its own but needs only a small amount of it.
• The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of selenium for adult men and women 19+ years of age is 55 micrograms daily. Women who are pregnant and lactating need about 60 and 70 micrograms daily, respectively.
• Food Sources of selenium: Protein rich foods from animals are generally good sources of selenium. Seafoods, organ meats, and Brazil nuts are the foods highest in selenium.

Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards:

The Ministry of Ayush has honored three distinguished practitioners with the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards for their exceptional contributions to traditional Indian medicine. Each awardee received a citation, a statue of Lord Dhanwantari, and a cash prize of ₹5 lakh.

List:

• Vaidya Tara Chand Sharma: Renowned as a Nadi Vaidya and author, Sharma has significantly advanced Ayurvedic diagnostics and literature.
• Vaidya Maya Ram Uniyal: A scholar in Dravyaguna Vigyana with over six decades of service, Uniyal’s extensive writings and leadership have inspired many in the field.
• Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni: Founder of the Vishwa Vyakhyanmala national conference and Vishwa Ayurveda Prabodhini, Jamadagni has transformed Ayurveda education over four decades.

Black Plastic : Hazardous

Black Plastic made headlines as a recent study claimed that the material contained toxic flame retardants which could be leaching into food at hazardous levels.

• It is a type of plastic used to make everyday items like food trays, containers, and utensils.
• It is often made from recycled electronic waste such as computers, TVs and appliances.
• These are more likely to contain unregulated amounts of toxic chemicals including heavy metals and flame retardants.
• The issue is that these electronics typically contain substances such as the flame retardant bromine; antimony; and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury.
• The aforementioned substances and heavy metals are known to be toxic to humans at high levels of exposure.
• Children are particularly vulnerable as they often come into prolonged contact with toys that could expose them to harmful chemicals through direct handling or ingestion.
• Toxic chemicals in black plastic kitchen utensils could leach into food during heating, compounding the risk of exposure for households using these products regularly.
• Studies have shown that chemicals in black plastic, such as BPA and phthalates, disrupt the endocrine system, leading to potential reproductive health issues, obesity, and diabetes.
• It is difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfills or incinerators, releasing toxic substances like dioxins and furans into the air.

Honduras:

India has dispatched humanitarian assistance of 26 tons to Honduras in the wake of the recent Tropical storm SARA.

• Honduras is located in Central America.
• It is bordered by Guatemala to the west; by El Salvador to the southwest; and by Nicaragua to the southeast.
• It is also bounded by the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Fonseca to the south and by the Caribbean Sea at the Gulf of Honduras to the north.
• The climate is generally hot, with high humidity in the tropical coastal lowlands becoming modified by elevation toward the interior.
• More than three-fourths of the land area of Honduras is mountainous.
• Highest Peak:Mount Las Minas.
• The Coco River forms the border with Nicaragua and other important rivers are Patuca & Ulúa.
• The major bodies of water are Lake Yojoa, which is the only significant lake in the entire nation, and the Caratasca Lagoon in the northeast.
• Natural Resource: Timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower.
• Capital: Tegucigalpa

Peatland Conservation:

A recent study has highlighted the alarming state of under-protection of peatlands, which are crucial for carbon storage and climate regulation. Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems characterized by waterlogged conditions that prevent complete decomposition of plant material, leading to the accumulation of peat (type of soil). 

Highlights of the Study About Peatland:

• Only 17% of global peatlands are under legal protection, far less than other critical ecosystems such as mangroves (42%) and saltmarshes (50%) and tropical forests (38%).
• Around 22% of global peatlands face high human pressure (mainly in Europe and US).
• Peatlands contain 10% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater and support diverse ecosystems.
• 27% of global peatlands are on indigenous people’s land, where traditional conservation practices have led to better ecosystem preservation, yet 85% remain outside formal conservation frameworks.
• Peatlands store 600 gigatonnes of carbon, more than all the world’s forests combined, but, when degraded they release CO₂, 2-5% of annual human-driven greenhouse gas emissions.

Advancing Small-Scale Fisheries:

India has taken over the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh reinforcing its commitment to the blue economy.

• India aims to improve livelihoods, sustainability, and economic development of the Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF).
• It is a regional fisheries body supporting SSF in the Bay of Bengal.
• Members include Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand as cooperating non-contracting parties.
• SSF are traditional, low-capital fisheries by fishing households, using small vessels (if any), making short, nearshore trips either for subsistence or commercial purposes.
• India is the world’s 2nd largest fish producer, with 28 million people engaged in the sector.
• India is the 6th largest marine capture fish producer (1/3rd of the total fish production).
• India has 13 coastal States and UTs, a coastline of 7,516 km, and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.20 million sq. km.
• India has 5 million active marine fishermen, with around 50% of the workforce being women.

Tea Horse Road:

China’s Ambassador to India highlighted the Ancient Tea Horse Road, connecting China to India via Tibet, emphasizing its centuries-old role in facilitating exchanges between China and the Indian subcontinent.

• Tea Horse road, often referred to as the Southern Silk Road, is a network of caravan paths and a crucial trade route that connected China, Tibet, and India for centuries.
• It stretches from southwest China (Yunnan & Sichuan), passing through Tibet, Nepal, and India, eventually reaching Kolkata.
• The Tea Horse Road dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and initially facilitated the trade of sugar, textiles, and rice noodles from China to Tibet and India, while horses, gold, saffron, and medicinal herbs were traded in the opposite direction.

Self-Testing of HIV:

A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Translational Virology and AIDS Research (ICMR-NITVAR) and Mizoram University has highlighted the success of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) self-testing in Mizoram.The study examined HIV self-testing implementation in Mizoram, which has India’s highest HIV prevalence (2.73%), 13 times the national average.The epidemic in the state is largely driven by injecting drug use and commercial sex work. Lack of early testing and stigma prevents many from accessing timely treatment. HIV self-testing allows individuals to collect their own blood or saliva samples and interpret the results using a test kit. The study found self-testing to be a convenient, confidential, and more effective way for high-risk groups to know their HIV status than traditional campaigns, with potential for replication in other states.

1st Regional Dialogue on Social Justice:

he first ever Regional Dialogue on Social Justice under the Global Coalition for Social Justice was held in New Delhi.It also marked the 74th Foundation Day of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) (founded on 24th February 1952).Launched in 2023 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), it aims to tackle social justice deficits and fast-track progress toward the SDGs.It promotes strong, sustainable, and inclusive development through global solidarity, policy coherence, and coordinated action among various stakeholders.It is open to governments, organizations, businesses, and academia, with members committed to social justice and labor rights under UN and ILO principles. Membership is voluntary and India is a member.

Kota Cares Initiative:

The Kota district administration introduced student welfare reforms under the “Kota Cares” initiative to tackle stress, mental health concerns, and safety issues among coaching students.A student support initiative aimed at reducing stress, improving safety, and enhancing well-being for 1.25 lakh students in Kota’s coaching centers.Aim is to create a safe, supportive, and student-friendly environment by addressing accommodation, safety, mental health, and recreation needs.

Project Farm Vibes:

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted Project Farm Vibes in Baramati, showcasing how AI-driven solutions improved crop yield by 40% and reduced fertilizer use by 25%.A suite of AI-driven agricultural technologies developed by Microsoft Research to enhance farming efficiency, sustainability, and productivity.It Uses satellite data, IoT sensors, drones, and AI algorithms to generate actionable insights for farmers.The Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati, in collaboration with Microsoft, is expanding this AI-driven experiment from 1,000 farmers to 50,000 farmers.

Internet Shutdown in India : Report

India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, the highest among democratic countries, according to Access Now’s report. It is the first time in six years that India did not top the global list, with Myanmar surpassing India with 85 shutdowns.A government-imposed disruption of internet services to restrict access to online communication platforms. Often used during protests, communal violence, exams, elections, and security operations.

Mass Nesting of Olive Ridley:

Nearly 700,000 Olive Ridley turtles have laid eggs at the Rushikulya rookery in Odisha’s Ganjam district during the eight-day arribada (Spanish for mass nesting) that concluded on February 23, 2025. This marks a record-breaking number, especially significant as the endangered marine species had skipped nesting at the beach the previous year.

SEBI Fines BSE’s ICCL ₹5 Crore for Regulatory Violations:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has fined the Indian Clearing Corporation Ltd. (ICCL), a subsidiary of BSE Ltd., ₹5.05 crore for regulatory breaches. The penalty was imposed after an inspection uncovered non-compliance with SEBI’s cybersecurity framework, IT asset management.

RBI Raises Small Loan Limit for UCBs to ₹3 Crore:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the small-value loan ceiling for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs), increasing it to ₹3 crore per borrower. This change is part of a broader initiative to redefine small-value loans and strengthen the financial stability of UCBs. While the new cap allows greater lending flexibility, RBI has retained existing conditions, timelines, and prudential norms to ensure responsible credit allocation.

Govt Plans 1-Year Free-Look Period for Insurance:

The Indian government has proposed extending the ‘free-look’ period for insurance policies from the current 30 days to one year. This move is expected to help policyholders review their insurance terms carefully and prevent mis-selling in the industry. The proposal, announced by the Department of Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju, is part of broader regulatory changes aimed at improving transparency in the insurance sector. Public sector insurers have already been instructed to implement this extended period, while private insurers are being encouraged to follow suit.

Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Amount Crosses ₹10 Lakh Crore Benefiting 7.72 Crore Farmers:

The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme has played a crucial role in ensuring that farmers in India have timely access to affordable credit for agricultural and allied activities. Over the years, the scheme has undergone several modifications to enhance credit penetration in the agriculture sector. A significant milestone in this journey is the sharp increase in the operative KCC loan amount, which has more than doubled from ₹4.26 lakh crore in March 2014 to ₹10.05 lakh crore in December 2024. This substantial rise reflects the deepening of institutional credit in agriculture and a reduction in farmers’ dependence on non-institutional sources.