Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 1st March 2025

Anti-Retroviral Therapy:

The Supreme Court recently directed all States to respond to concerns relating to periodic stockouts, transparency in tendering and procurement, and drug quality and certification processes of the of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) drugs for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).

• ART is a combination of medications that treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• HIV is a virus that destroys CD4 cells (also called helper T-cells), an important part of the immune system.
• While ART cannot cure HIV, prompt HIV treatment can help all people with HIV live long, healthy lives and reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
• Although there may still be HIV in the body, the additional CD4 cells keep the immune system strong enough to fight off infections.
• By reducing the amount of HIV in the body, HIV medicines also reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
• One of the main goals of HIV treatment is to reduce a person’s viral load to an undetectable level.
• People with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV through physical relationship, and a significantly lower risk of transmission through other means (such as shared needles).
• It is a combination of medications. Taking a combination of medications, rather than just one, makes the treatment more effective.
• HIV treatment is called “antiretroviral” because HIV is a retrovirus.
• This means it uses its genetic material (RNA) as a template to make DNA.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary : Faunal Survey

During a three-day off-season faunal survey held in the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary recently, 14 species of birds, 15 butterflies, and 8 odonates have been newly sighted in the sanctuary.

• Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary (IWL) which came into existence in 1976, is located in the Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluks in Idukki District, Kerala.
• It covers 77 sq.km. of forests surrounding the Idukki Arch Dam.
• The terrain of the sanctuary is characterized by steep mountains, valleys, and hills.
• The major rivers flowing through the area are Periyar and Cheruthoniar. The sanctuary consists of 33 sq.km. of waterbody of Idukki reservoir.
• Forests are essentially dense teak, rosewood, jackfruit, ebony, cinnamon, and diverse bamboo species.
• It is home to Elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, tigers, wild boar etc apart from various species of snakes including cobra, viper, krait, etc.
• Birds include jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher, etc.
• It is home to the endangered species of the Nilgiri Tahr.

Hague Service Convention:

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently sought assistance from the Union Law Ministry, the central authority for India under the Hague Service Convention, to effectuate summons on Gautam Adani and his associates.

• Hague Service Convention, formally known as the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, 1965, was adopted at the Hague Conference on Private International Law in 1965.
• Building on the 1905 and 1954 Hague Conventions on Civil Procedure, this multilateral treaty ensures that defendants sued in foreign jurisdictions receive timely and actual notice of legal proceedings while facilitating proof of service.
• 84 states, including India and the U.S., are parties to the Convention.
• Its procedures apply only when both the sending and receiving countries are signatories.
• Each member state must also designate a central authority to process requests and facilitate the service of documents from other signatory states.
• Signatory states can select the modes of transmission that apply within their jurisdiction.
• Under the Convention, the primary mode of service is through designated central authorities.
• However, alternative channels are also available, including postal service, diplomatic and consular channels, direct communication between judicial officers in both states, direct contact between an interested party and judicial authorities in the receiving state, and direct communication between government authorities.

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control:

The World Health Organization celebrated the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

• It is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization
• It was adopted by the World Health Assembly on 21 May 2003 and entered into force on 27 February 2005.
• There are currently 181 Parties to the Convention.
• It was developed by countries in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic.
• It aims to tackle some of the causes of that epidemic, including complex factors with cross -border effects, such as trade liberalization and direct foreign investment, tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship beyond national borders, and illicit trade in tobacco products.
  of India ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2004.
• It provides for various measures to reduce the demand as well as supply of tobacco.
• It provides a framework for tobacco control measures to be implemented at the national, regional and international levels.

Incineration Process:

The first trial of incinerating 10 tonnes of toxic Union Carbide waste began in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, after the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the disposal process.

• Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves burning solid waste at high temperatures in a controlled environment.
• It is primarily used for hazardous waste, medical waste, and municipal solid waste, reducing waste volume by up to 95%.
• Modern incinerators often include waste-to-energy (WTE) systems, generating electricity from heat produced during combustion.

Blood Moon:

A total lunar eclipse, or blood moon, will light up the sky on March 14 and will be visible in most parts of the world.

• Blood Moon happens when Earth’s moon is in a total lunar eclipse.
• A blood moon occur when Earth comes directly between the Sun and the moon.
• A process called Rayleigh scattering causes the moon to appear red instead of dark.
• This happens because shorter-wavelength light (blue) is scattered, while longer-wavelength red light passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, making the moon appear red.
• During totality, “the entire Moon falls within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra.
• When the Moon is within the umbra, it appears red-orange.” This colour shift is what earns the event its nickname, the “blood moon.”
• Depending on external factors such as atmospheric conditions and light pollution, the moon, during a blood moon phase, may appear red, orange, or copper-coloured.
• This year’s phenomenon will occur during daytime in India, thus won’t be visible in the country but will be visible in America, Western Europe, Western Africa, and the North and South Atlantic Ocean.
• This total lunar eclipse marks its return after nearly three years––the last one occurring in 2022.

Lunar Trailblazer Spacecraft:

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral carrying NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer orbiter.

• It is an initiative of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
• It is being sent to find and map water on the moon’s surface.
• It is about the size of a dishwasher and relies on a relatively small propulsion system.
• It weighs about 200 kg and measures about 3.5 metres wide when its solar panels are fully deployed.
• It is scheduled to perform a series of moon flybys and looping orbits over a span of several months to position itself to map the surface in detail.
• It eventually will orbit at an altitude of roughly 100 km and collect high-resolution images of targeted areas to determine the form, distribution and abundance of water and to better understand the lunar water cycle.
• It is carrying two instruments to achieve its science objectives:
• High-resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper (HVM3): It will look at the moon’s surface for a telltale pattern of light given off by water.
• Lunar Thermal Mapper (LTM) will map and measure the lunar surface temperature.
• When used in conjunction, these two instruments provide the ability to simultaneously identify the various forms of water on the moon, mineralogy, and temperature.
• It was built by Lockheed Martin’s space division.

Doomsday Fish:

Appearances of the doomsday fish near Baja California Sur, Mexico have ignited discussions on social media.

• It is also known as Orafish and the “sea serpent” is a deep-sea dweller that rarely comes near the surface.
• It is known for its long, ribbon-like body and bright orange fins.
• It can grow to more than 30 feet, which makes them quite the sight to behold.
• It is filter feeders and primarily eats krill, plankton and other small crustaceans.
• They are deep-sea dwellers, thriving most often in the zone least explored by scientists to date: the mesopelagic zone (waters down to 1,000 meters).
• In some areas of the world, these creatures are seen as being harbingers of bad news, particularly disasters or destruction.
• The oarfish has the nickname of “Ryugu no tsukai,” or “sea god’s palace messenger,” in Japanese folklore.
• This myth traces back to the 17th century and says that the surfacing of the oarfish is a harbinger of future natural disasters.
• The myth received strong support in 2011 when several oarfish washed up on beaches in Japan only some months before the destructive Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

UGC Equity Guidelines:

The University Grants Commission (UGC) released draft regulations for the establishment of Equal Opportunity Centres (EOCs) in higher education institutions (HEIs) to combat discrimination and promote inclusion.

• Mandatory for all HEIs to set up EOCs to handle discrimination complaints and promote diversity.
• EOC will provide academic, financial, and social support to marginalized students.
• A 10-member equity committee will oversee EOC operations and conduct inquiries.
• Equity squads will monitor discrimination on campus and report violations.
• Each department, hostel, and facility must appoint an equity ambassador.
• Ambassadors will promote equity and implement anti-discrimination programs.
• HEIs must set up a 24/7 helpline to report discrimination cases confidentially.
• Complaints can be lodged via an online portal, and serious cases will be referred to the police.
• Institutions failing to comply may face debarment from UGC schemes, removal from UGC recognition, and restrictions on degree programs.
• False complaints will attract monetary penalties decided by the equity committee.

India – EU Relations:

A high-level delegation of the European Commission’s College of Commissioners, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, is in New Delhi for a two-day visit to strengthen India-EU relations.Diplomatic ties since 1962 with the European Economic Community (EEC), evolving into the EU-India Strategic Partnership in 2004.The India-EU Joint Political Statement (1993) and Cooperation Agreement (1994) strengthened bilateral engagement. 15 India-EU Summits have been held, with the first in Lisbon (2000) and the most recent in 2021.he EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade at $135 billion (FY 2023-24).
EU FDI in India stands at $117.4 billion (16.6% of total FDI) since 2000. Strategic cooperation in trade, technology, climate action, and security has deepened through the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC).

Make the World Wear Khadi Campaign:

The “Make the World Wear Khadi” campaign is part of the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai from 1 to 4 May 2025.A global campaign to blend Khadi’s heritage with modern fashion, positioning it as a desirable global brand.Launched by: Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) & Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

One Nation-One Port (ONOP) Initiative:

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the One Nation-One Port (ONOP) initiative to standardize and streamline port operations across India.A nationwide port standardization initiative designed to unify port documentation, streamline operations, and enhance global trade efficiency in India. Under Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW). Reduces paperwork, bringing container operation documents down by 33% (143 to 96) and bulk cargo documents by 29% (150 to 106).

Ocelot:

Amazon Web Services (AWS) unveiled ‘Ocelot’, a new quantum computing chip, which aims to significantly accelerate the development of commercially viable quantum computers.A prototype quantum computing chip designed to improve error correction and accelerate the scalability of quantum computers. Developed by: Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing division of Amazon.com.

Man-in-Loop Anti-Ship Missile:

DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully tested the indigenous Naval Anti-Ship Missile – Short Range (NASM-SR) with a ‘Man-in-Loop’ capability from a Seaking 42B helicopter at ITR, Chandipur.A missile that allows real-time human intervention during flight for decision-making. Enables in-flight retargeting based on live seeker images sent to the pilot. Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Indian Navy.

Zero Bacteria Technology:

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is considering implementing Zero Bacteria technology in apartment Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to improve water quality.A water purification technology that eliminates bacterial contamination from water sources. It Uses nanoparticle coatings, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, electrostatic filtration, and specialized filtration systems. Developed by: Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

INS Guldar:

Maharashtra, the state’s tourism department will acquire the decommissioned naval warship INS Guldar and deliberately sink it near Nivati Rocks, Sindhudurg District. This initiative aims to create India’s first artificial reef to enhance scuba diving tourism while also promoting marine biodiversity. The project follows global examples of repurposing decommissioned ships as artificial reefs, like the USS Spiegel Grove in Florida and Thai Royal Navy ships in Chonburi.

Flipkart-Backed super.money Acquires BharatX for Growth:

Flipkart-backed UPI platform super.money has acquired BharatX, a checkout financing platform, in an all-cash deal. The acquisition is expected to strengthen super.money’s position in India’s growing digital credit market, particularly in checkout financing. With this acquisition, super.money aims to leverage BharatX’s technology stack to enhance credit-on-UPI solutions. The deal also brings BharatX’s core team to super.money, with an evaluation planned after six months.

SBI Life Appoints Dorababu Daparti as Deputy CEO:

SBI Life Insurance Company has named Dorababu Daparti as its Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with the appointment taking effect on February 24, 2025. This decision, endorsed by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, reinforces SBI Life’s leadership team with a seasoned professional.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Unveils First Edition of ‘Sashakt Bharat’ Hindi Magazine:

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh released the first edition of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) bi-annual Hindi magazine ‘Sashakt Bharat’. The launch event took place on February 27, 2025, at South Block, New Delhi. The magazine is an initiative by the MoD’s Department of Official Language and serves as a platform to highlight the patriotism, valour, and sacrifices of the Armed Forces personnel while also discussing key government policies in Hindi.

Yes Bank Leads S&P Global Sustainability Rankings 2025:

Yes Bank has emerged as India’s highest-rated bank in sustainability for the third consecutive year, as per the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) 2024 and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). With a CSA score of 72/100, Yes Bank is the only Indian bank featured in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025, which recognizes the top 15% of global banking leaders based on ESG performance. The bank has also retained its A- (Leadership Band) rating from CDP, highlighting its strong climate risk management and disclosure practices.

Bharat Calling Conference 2025:

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the ‘Bharat Calling Conference 2025’, organized by the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mumbai. The conference, themed ‘Path to Viksit Bharat 2047: Pioneering Prosperity for All’, underscores India’s pivotal role in global economic growth and its potential as a leading investment destination. With a resilient economy, a large consumer market, and business-friendly government policies, India is set to attract investments across diverse sectors.

SIDBI Signs MoU with Tata Capital Limited to Strengthen MSME Financing:

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Capital Limited (TCL) to enhance financing opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The agreement aims to support MSME growth by providing funding avenues, including machinery/equipment financing, working capital loans, and loans against property. The partnership will also explore co-lending, risk-sharing, and joint financing models to improve credit access for MSMEs.

Tuhin Kanta Pandey Appointed as 11th SEBI Chairperson:

Tuhin Kanta Pandey, India’s Finance Secretary, has been appointed as the 11th Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a three-year term. He succeeds Madhabi Puri Buch, the first woman chairperson of SEBI, whose tenure concludes on February 28, 2025. Pandey’s appointment was confirmed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on February 27, 2025.

RBI Reverses Higher Risk Weights on Bank Loans to NBFCs and Microloans:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to reverse its 2023 decision to increase risk weights on bank loans to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) due to the slowdown in bank credit growth. This move, effective from April 1, 2025, is expected to free up capital for banks, improve lending to NBFCs, and provide clarity on risk weights for microloans.

India Successfully Test Fires Naval Anti-Ship Missile:

India has successfully conducted the test-firing of a first-of-its-kind Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) from Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The missile was launched from an Indian Naval Seaking helicopter and successfully demonstrated its precision strike capability. This achievement marks a significant milestone in India’s defense and naval warfare capabilities.

SBI Cuts India’s FY25 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.3%:

India’s economic growth is expected to slow down in the fiscal year 2024-25, with the State Bank of India (SBI) revising its GDP growth estimate to 6.3%. This is lower than the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) projection of 6.6% and a significant drop from last year’s growth rate of 8.2%. The downgrade is attributed to weaker manufacturing growth and subdued private investment, both of which have raised concerns about the overall economic trajectory.

MP Secures ₹30.77 Lakh Cr in Investment Pledges:

Madhya Pradesh has received investment commitments worth ₹30.77 lakh crore at the 8th edition of the Invest Madhya Pradesh Summit, held in Bhopal. This two-day event served as a platform to attract global investors, highlight the state’s strategic advantages, industrial potential, and business-friendly policies, and drive economic growth across multiple sectors. The summit witnessed participation from leading corporate giants like Adani Group, Reliance Industries, NTPC, and Avaada, among others, reinforcing MP’s growing prominence as a major investment hub.