Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 10th March 2025

Bar-Headed Goose:

A bar-headed goose, a rare migratory bird, was sighted for the first time in Morshing village, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, recently.

• Bar-Headed Goose is a migratory bird species.
• Scientific name: Anser indicus
• It is known to be one of the highest-flying birds in the world.
• It can fly at altitudes of 25,000 feet, while migrating over the Himalayas, where oxygen and temperature levels are extremely low.
• They migrate to parts of South Asia during winters.
• In India, their geographical range extends from the northeast to the southern parts of the country.
• This species is gray and white with two horseshoe-shaped, brownish-black bars on the back of its white head.
• The body is gray overall, and the bill and legs are pink, orange, or yellow.
• The wingspan of the bird ranges from 140 to 160 cm.
• Although male and female birds appear similar, the male bird is slightly larger than the female.
• They usually form monogamous pairs and are seasonal breeders.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project:

Karnataka government’s ambitious Sharavathi pumped storage hydroelectric project (PSHP) has ignited fierce debate with environmentalists and locals warning of irreversible ecological damage to the fragile Western Ghats ecosystem.

• Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP) is a pumped storage power project on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka.
• The Sharavathi River serves as a crucial source of hydroelectric power in Karnataka, and this project, with its planned total power generation capacity of 2000 MW, stands as the largest pumped storage power generation unit in the country.
• PSHP will be built between two existing reservoirs.
• The Talakalale dam, which stands at 62.48 meters tall, will be the upper reservoir. This dam currently helps balance water for the existing Sharavathy hydroelectric project.
• The Gerusoppa dam will be the lower reservoir, and it is about 64 meters tall.
• Water will be pumped uphill during the off-season using grid power and released downhill during peak demand to generate electricity.
• Modelled on the lines of Telangana’s Kaleshwaram project, it also aims to supply drinking water to Bengaluru.
• Five tunnels and eight pumping stations are critical parts of the plan.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global scientific authority on the state of knowledge and challenges from global warming, has begun work on its seventh cycle of assessment report.

• The IPCC was established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988.
• The IPCC is an organisation of governments that are members of the United Nations or the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• The IPCC currently has 195 members.
• Objective is to assess scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to the understanding of human-induced climate change, potential impacts of climate change, and options for mitigation and adaptation.
• The IPCC provides governments with scientific information for use in developing climate policies.
• The main activity of the IPCC is the preparation of reports assessing the state of knowledge of climate change. These include assessment reports, special reports and methodology reports.
• IPCC reports are also key inputs into international climate change negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• The IPCC does not undertake new research or monitor climate-related data.
• Instead, it conducts assessments of the state of climate change knowledge on the basis of published and peer-reviewed scientific and technical literature.
• Scientists volunteer their time to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks.
• The IPPC’s first assessment report was released in 1990. The IPCC finished its Sixth Assessment Report cycle in 2023 and has now entered its Seventh Assessment Report cycle.

Dehing Patkai National Park : Clouded Leopard Spotted

A camera trap inside Dehing Patkai National Park has recorded a rare sighting of a Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a species classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.It is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.

• It lies in the Dehing Patkai Landscape, which is a dipterocarp-dominated lowland rainforest.
• It is situated at the foothills of Patkai Hill Ranges, on the banks of the River Dehing (Tributary of Brahmaputra), and adjacent to the Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It is often referred to as the ‘Amazon of the East‘, owing to its expanse and the thick forest.
• It is famous for its largest stretch of tropical lowland rainforests in India, covering an area of 231.65 sq.km. of Dehing Patkai rainforest.
• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 13 June 2004. On 13 December 2020, Government of Assam upgraded it into a national park.
• The climate of the region is mostly tropical with an annual rainfall of more than 4,000 mm.
• There are more than a dozen different ethnic groups living in the area including the indigenous Assamese communities, particularly Tai Phake, Khamyang, Khampti, Singpho, Nocte, Ahom, Kaibarta, Moran and Motok, Burmese, and non-indigenous Nepali people.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome:

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman recently died of heart disease a few days after his wife Betsy Arakawa’s death due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

• It is a rare infectious disease that begins with flu-like symptoms and progresses rapidly to more severe disease.
• It can lead to life-threatening lung and heart problems.
• The disease is also called hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome.
• Several strains of the hantavirus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
• They are spread mainly by rodents like rats and mice and are not spread from person to person.
• Infection is usually caused by inhaling hantaviruses that have become airborne from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.
• Though rare, it can also spread through rodent bites or scratches.
• Symptoms often start with fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, followed by headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal issues.
• If respiratory symptoms develop, the mortality rate is approximately 38%.
• There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection, but early medical care can help if serious disease develops.

T-72 Tank:

The Ministry of Defence on Firday signed a contract with Rosoboronexport (RoE), Russian Federation, worth $248 million for procurement of 1000 Horsepower Engines for T-72 Tanks in fully formed, completely knocked down and semi knocked down conditions.

• T-72 is a mainstay of tank fleet of the Indian Army which is at present fitted with 780 HP Engine. Equipping the existing fleet of T-72 Tanks with 1000 HP Engine.
• The T-72, a Soviet-designed main battle tank, has been a cornerstone of many armed forces since its introduction in 1971.
• Designed by Uralvagonzavod in the Soviet Union, T-72 tanks are locally manufactured and upgraded in India at the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi.
• The tank is provided with high-accuracy laying and sighting materiel, and with an automatic loading gear ensuring high effective rate of gun fire.
• The T-72 has greater mobility as its 780 hp engine appears to be remarkably smoke-free and smooth-running, having eliminated the excessive vibration.
• The T-72 has better armour protection due to the use of layered armor.
• The tank is fitted with a 125mm D-81 smoothbore gun, a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun and a 12.7mm air defence machine gun mounted on the commander’s cupola.
• The T-72 carries 44 rounds of 125 mm ammunition, 22 rounds of which are carried on an automatic loading carousel.

Convention on Cluster Munitions:

Lithuania recently quit the Convention on Cluster Munitions banning cluster bombs, citing security concerns over neighbouring Russia in a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups.

• The Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international treaty of more than 100 states, adopted on 30 May 2008, signed on 3 December 2008 and entered into force on 1 August 2010.
• The Convention prohibits all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions. States Parties are committed to the full universalization of the Convention and to promote its norms, as well as to fully implement it.
• The convention has 112 member states and 12 signatories yet to ratify it, while India, the U.S., Russia, China, Ukraine, and Israel have not signed due to military and strategic concerns.
• The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) was born out of a collective determination to address the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm to civilians caused by cluster munitions.
• Its implementation contributes to advancing the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the promotion of international peace and security, human rights and international humanitarian law.

Brahmastra Missile:

Indian scientists have developed a modern-day ‘Brahmastra’ with an astonishing speed of 12,144 km per hour.

• This weapon, named the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM), is a hypersonic glide missile.
• It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• It outperforms similar missiles like China’s DF-17 in terms of range and technology.
• With a range of 1,500 km, this missile can obliterate an enemy ship or warship within 7 to 8 minutes of being launched.
• It can be deployed from both land and sea, offering versatility in combat scenarios
• This missile operates at 10 Mach, making it 10 times faster than the speed of sound. This allows it to travel 3.37 km in just one second.
• The incorporation of special heat-resistant materials ensures the missile can withstand extreme temperatures without disintegrating during flight, setting a new benchmark in scramjet and glide technology.

Tunga River:

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) recently identified seven sources of pollution in the Tunga river, while the district administration is investigating encroachments along its banks.

• The Tunga River, also known as the Thunga River, is an important river flowing in Karnataka.
• The river originates in the Western Ghats on a hill called Varaha Parvata.
• The birthplace of Tunga is called Gangamoola, which is a cave inside Varaha Parvatha.
• The river flows for 147 kilometers and then merges with the Bhadra River at Koodli, which is a small town near the city of Shimoga, Karnataka.
• From this stage the river becomes the Tungabhadra River, which then starts flowing in the east direction and eventually merges with the Krishna River in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• Tunga River is known for its pure, pristine water.
• It is also well known for housing a number of religious spots on its bank.
• Sringeri, a town located in the Chikmagalur district on the banks of the Tunga River has several temples.
• The Sarada Temple and the Vidyasankara Temple are the most temples on the bank of the Tunga.
• Gajanur (Tunga) is an s-shaped dam constructed over the river.

International Day of Women Judges 2025:

The International Day of Women Judges is observed on March 10 every year to recognize the contributions of women in the judiciary. The participation of women in judicial systems is crucial for ensuring fairness, representation, and equality in court rulings. By their presence, women judges enhance the legitimacy of judicial institutions, sending a strong message of inclusivity and justice.

Vikas Kaushal Appointed as HPCL CMD:

The government has appointed Vikas Kaushal as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for a tenure of five years. He replaces Rajneesh Narang, who had been serving as the interim CMD since September 1, 2024. Kaushal, a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience in the energy, oil & gas, and power sectors, has played key roles in leading strategic transformations and digital initiatives in major Indian energy companies.

Rajnath Singh Becomes First Raksha Mantri to Visit IAF’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bengaluru:

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh created history by becoming the first Defence Minister of India to visit the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on March 09, 2025. His visit marked a significant step in recognizing the role of aerospace medicine in India’s defence and aviation sectors.During his visit, Shri Rajnath Singh was briefed about IAM’s unique role in pilot training, aeromedical research, and medical evaluation of Air Force personnel. He also inaugurated an important research project at the institute and emphasized the growing need for expertise in space medicine as India advances in both air and space domains.

Expand Project NAMAN:

HDFC Bank, in collaboration with the Indian Army and CSC Academy, has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand Project NAMAN—an initiative aimed at supporting Army veterans, their families, and their next of kin. Under this agreement, Common Service Centres (CSCs) will be established across 26 Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV) locations, providing essential pension services, Government-to-Citizen (G2C) services, and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) services at defense establishments.

India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII:

The 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII is set to take place in Kyrgyzstan from 10 March to 23 March 2025. Since its inception in 2011, the KHANJAR exercise has evolved into a significant annual training event aimed at enhancing military cooperation between the two nations. The exercise highlights the growing strategic partnership between India and Kyrgyzstan, reinforcing their commitment to regional peace, stability, and security