Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 16th April 2025

Plastic Ice VII:

Researchers have directly observed a strange phase of water known as Plastic Ice VII, which is believed to exist deep within the interiors of icy planets and moons, such as Neptune, Europa, and Titan.

• Plastic Ice VII is a hybrid phase of water that displays the dual characteristics of both a solid and a liquid:
  • Like a crystalline solid, the water molecules remain in fixed positions within a cubic crystal lattice.
  • Simultaneously, these molecules can rotate freely, similar to the behavior of molecules in a liquid.
  • This unique plasticity means the ice can deform under pressure like a malleable substance, making it fundamentally different from conventional ice types found on Earth.
• “Plastic” Ice refers not to synthetic materials but to its physical property of plasticity—the ability to mold or deform under pressure while still maintaining a solid structure.
• Researchers, describes it as a solid that can be squeezed through a hole, highlighting its semi-fluid behavior under stress.

Asian Hornet:

In 2025, sightings of the hornet have surged dramatically, with evidence of the species breeding and overwintering in the UK for the first time, as confirmed by DNA studies.

• The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), also known as the yellow-legged hornet, is an invasive species originally native to Southeast Asia.
• It is not the same as the Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia), often wrongly labeled the “murder hornet.” While both are bee predators, the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is smaller but equally destructive in ecological terms.
• These hornets are predatory insects, feeding primarily on social bees and wasps, especially honeybees, which are critical pollinators in ecosystems.
• The Asian hornet’s specialised hunting tactics make it a lethal threat to honeybee colonies, as it can wait at hive entrances and kill bees mid-flight.

Sir Sankaran Nair: Tribute

The Prime Minister’s tribute on the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre acknowledged Nair’s fearless voice against British tyranny.

• Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair was born in 1857 in an aristocratic family from Mankara village, located in Malabar’s Palakkad district (present-day Kerala).
• In 1897, Nair became the youngest President of the Indian National Congress (INC) — and remains the only Malayali to have ever held that post.
• He was appointed to the Raleigh University Commission by Lord Curzon in 1902.
• Honored as Companion of the Indian Empire in 1904 and knighted in 1912 for his service.
• In 1908, he became a permanent judge in the Madras High Court, where he was known for progressive and reform-oriented judgments.
• In 1915, he joined the Viceroy’s Executive Council, overseeing the education portfolio.
• Nair was a strong nationalist who firmly advocated for India’s right to self-rule.
• In 1919, he contributed significantly to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, which introduced dyarchy in provinces and increased Indian participation in administration.
• Following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, he resigned from the Viceroy’s Council in protest — a bold move that shook the British government.
• His resignation triggered changes, including the lifting of press censorship in Punjab, the termination of martial law, and the formation of the Hunter Commission to investigate the massacre.
• In his book, Nair accused Michael O’Dwyer, then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, of being directly responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre due to his repressive policies.
• O’Dwyer filed a defamation case against Nair in an English court in 1922, expecting support from the British legal system.
• The trial lasted five and a half weeks and was the longest-running civil trial in Britain.
• The 12-member English jury, presided over by Justice Henry McCardie, mostly sided with O’Dwyer (11–1 majority), with only Harold Laski, a Marxist theorist, dissenting.
• Although Nair lost, the trial exposed the deep bias in the British legal system and galvanised nationalist sentiments in India.

State of Social Protection Report 2025:

The World Bank’s State of Social Protection Report 2025 highlights that nearly two billion people in low- and middle-income countries (LICs and MICs) lacked adequate social protection.

• 1.6 billion people in LICs and MICs receive no social protection. Globally, 88% of people living in extreme poverty lack either adequate or any social protection.
• In LICs and sub-Saharan Africa, this figure is as high as 98% and 97% respectively. In LMICs, over 30% of individuals are without sufficient coverage.
• MICs bear the largest burden, with 1.2 billion unprotected people due to larger populations. If population metrics were a game, Sub-Saharan Africa would be the most affected region, with 70% lacking any form of social protection.
• Between 2010 and 2022, social protection coverage in LICs and MICs rose from 41% to 51%. Despite this progress, many populations remain uncovered, leaving them vulnerable to economic shocks, climate change, and conflicts.
• At the current rate, it would take until 2043 to fully extend social protection coverage to people living in extreme poverty, and until 2045 to reach the poorest 20%
• The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 1.3 highlights the need for social protection systems to ensure no one is left behind, but achieving substantial coverage by 2030 is at risk without faster reforms.
• High-income countries spend 5.3 times more of GDP and 85.8 times more per capita than LICs.
• LICs spend only 0.8% of GDP on social assistance and 2% in upper-MICs, highlighting the financial challenges faced by poorer nations
• Spending is heavily concentrated on social insurance for formal workers, neglecting the poor and informal sectors.
• Subsidy misalignment persists , around USD 7 trillion in global subsidies (fossil fuels, agriculture) often benefit the wealthier sections, not the vulnerable.
• Social protection systems remain unprepared for climate shocks, conflict, and pandemics.
• Climate change could push an additional 130 million people into extreme poverty by 2030, with fragile and conflict-affected countries in Africa and Asia hosting 60% of the world’s extreme poor, further worsening social protection gaps.

Daniel Noboa Re-elected In Ecuador’s 2025 Presidential Run-off:

Ecuador’s right-wing incumbent President Daniel Noboa secured victory in the second-round presidential run-off election. Gaining a full four-year term, Noboa defeated left-wing opponent Luisa Gonzalez by a notable margin amid rising public concerns over drug-related violence and economic instability. While the election results were announced by the National Electoral Council, Gonzalez has alleged fraud and demanded a recount.

Wholesale Inflation Eases to 2.05% in March 2025:

The wholesale price inflation (WPI) in India saw a decline to 2.05% in March 2025, down from 2.38% in February 2025, according to government data released on April 15, 2025. The easing of inflation was primarily due to a sharp drop in vegetable prices, which led to deflation in vegetables at 15.88%. Despite the overall reduction in food inflation, the manufactured product prices saw an uptick, with a significant rise in manufactured product inflation at 3.07% compared to 2.86% in February.

Mirabai Chanu Appointed Chairperson of IWLF Athletes Commission:

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, India’s celebrated Olympic silver medallist, was appointed as the Chairperson of the Athletes Commission of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF). A key figure in Indian sports, Chanu pledged to amplify the voices of fellow athletes, ensure their well-being, and help streamline their focus on sporting excellence.

WHO and IDF jointly hosted a hybrid event titled “Bridging gaps: Integrated strategies to address TB and diabetes” during the IDF World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok:

World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) jointly hosted a hybrid side event at the IDF World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. Themed “Bridging gaps: Integrated strategies to address TB and diabetes”, the session highlighted the overlapping global burden of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes, discussed WHO’s latest guidance, and explored country-specific challenges and opportunities for integrated, people-centered care.

National Highways Excellence Awards (NHEA) 2023:

To foster innovation, recognize excellence, and promote quality in the development of National Highways in India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) organized the 6th edition of the National Highways Excellence Awards 2023 (NHEA 2023) on April 15, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event aims to encourage competition, reward outstanding work, and set benchmarks in road construction and highway maintenance across the country. Excellence in Project Management (PPP) : H.G. Infra Engineering Ltd.

Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India Of March 2025:

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data for March 2025 on April 15, 2025. The data shows that the annual WPI inflation stood at 2.05% (provisional) in March 2025 compared to March 2024. The positive inflation was largely driven by increased prices in manufacture of food products, textiles, electricity, and other manufactured items. WPI reflects changes in prices at the wholesale level and is an important economic indicator for policymakers and competitive exam aspirants.

China has suspended exports of critical components:

China has suspended exports of critical components such as rare earth magnets used in cars, drones, robots, and missiles at several of its ports.Rare earth magnets are high-performance permanent magnets made primarily from rare earth elements such as Neodymium (Nd), Samarium (Sm), and Dysprosium (Dy).China controls over 80% of the global rare earth refining capacity, giving it significant leverage in the global supply chain.The strategic importance of rare earth magnets makes them a critical component for both civilian industries and military applications, making supply chain security a concern for nations dependent on imports, especially the United States.

Rongali Bihu:

Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is celebrated across Assam from 14th to 20th April 2025, marking the Assamese New Year and the beginning of the harvesting season. Rongali Bihu is the most prominent of the three Bihus celebrated annually in Assam, the other two being Kati Bihu (October) and Magh Bihu (January).Rongali Bihu signifies the beginning of the Hindu solar calendar and is thus celebrated as the Assamese New Year.Primarily a harvest festival, it marks the onset of spring, with prayers for a prosperous agricultural season.

India–Norway Marine Pollution Initiative:

The India–Norway Marine Pollution Initiative (INMPI) has helped Agra improve waste circularity and reduce plastic leakage into the Yamuna River, with successful interventions in managing petha and footwear waste.A bilateral collaboration between the Government of India and Government of Norway to address marine litter, especially microplastics (MPs) and macroplastics from land-based sources.Launched In: 2019, under the India–Norway Ocean Dialogue.

Cheetah Relocation from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar:

The Cheetah Project Steering Committee officially approved the relocation of some cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.The Cheetah Project Steering Committee was set up in May 2023 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to review, monitor, and advise on the cheetah reintroduction program.Project Cheetah began in 2022 with the translocation of 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa to Kuno National Park, but the project has faced setbacks, with 8 adult cheetahs and 5 cubs dying so far.Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary has been identified as a key part of establishing a cheetah meta-population of 60–70 individuals across the Kuno–Gandhi Sagar landscape, which stretches across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.As of now, there are 26 cheetahs at Kuno, of which 17 are in the wild and 9 are still inside large enclosures. It is yet to be decided whether the relocated cheetahs will come from the wild or enclosures.According to forest officials, prey species at Gandhi Sagar currently include chinkara, chousingha, nilgai, and chital.

Telangana first Indian state to operationalise SC categorisation:

The Telangana government notified the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2025 on April 14, becoming the first Indian state to operationalise SC categorisation post the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict (2024).The SC held that sub-classification within Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for equitable reservation is constitutionally valid.

Shreyas Iyer Named ICC Men’s Player of the Month:

Shreyas Iyer has been awarded the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March 2025, recognizing his stellar performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He was instrumental in India’s title-winning campaign, amassing 243 runs in the tournament. Iyer edged out New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra to secure the award. This win marks a back-to-back victory for Indian players, with Shubman Gill having won the award in February 2025.

Space Tourism:

Pop star Katy Perry and an all-female crew flew to space via Blue Origin, reigniting debates on space tourism’s costs and environmental impact.Space tourism involves recreational, leisure, or business travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere, offered by private companies like Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceX. Unlike government-led space missions, it caters to civilians, albeit at exorbitant costs.

SEBI Action Against Gensol Engineering Ltd:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has barred Gensol Engineering Ltd (GEL) and its promoters, Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi, from participating in the securities market due to serious corporate governance lapses and fund diversion. The action was initiated following a complaint received in June 2024, highlighting manipulation of share prices and misuse of company funds. The case has become a prominent example of how regulatory bodies ensure accountability and protect investor interests.

What is Atmospheric River?

In April 2025, a large part of the US experienced heavy rain, strong winds, and severe thunderstorms due to a meteorological phenomenon known as an Atmospheric River (AR).This phenomenon, though not new, is gaining attention due to climate change and increasing extreme weather events.An atmospheric river is often described as a “river in the sky”. It refers to a relatively long and narrow band in the atmosphere that transports enormous amounts of water vapor from the tropical oceans to continental regions. Unlike rivers on Earth, they are not visible.The “Pineapple Express” is a well-known example of AR storms that bring heavy rainfall to the US West Coast, particularly California.

Repo Rate : Recent Update

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6%.The repo rate is the interest rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to commercial banks against government securities.It serves as a primary tool for the RBI to regulate liquidity, control inflation, and influence overall economic activity.​By adjusting the repo rate, RBI can either encourage banks to borrow more (by lowering the rate) or discourage borrowing (by raising the rate), thus influencing the money supply in the economy.

Saurabh Chaudhary Wins Bronze in 10m Air Pistol At ISSF World Cup 2025:

Saurabh Chaudhary, a 22-year-old shooter from Uttar Pradesh, made a remarkable comeback to the Indian shooting team by clinching a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Lima, Peru (April 2025). Competing in a star-studded final featuring Olympic champions, he demonstrated resilience in a low-scoring and tightly contested match. This was his first individual World Cup medal in over two years, marking a strong return to international form.