Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 1st May 2025

Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership:

A recent research carried out by Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) has revealed that a significant number of multidrug-resistant infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including India, are not being treated appropriately, because of large gaps in access.

• It is a not-for-profit organization that develops new antibiotic treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections that pose the greatest threat to human health and makes them accessible to the people who need them.
• It puts public health needs at the centre of antibiotic drug development to address both the immediate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis and to ensure people continue to get access to essential antibiotics for generations to come.
• GARDP was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) to deliver on the Global Action Plan on AMR (2015), which underscores the need for new initiatives to develop novel antibiotic treatments.
• Legally established as an independent foundation in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2018, GARDP responds to the urgent need for antibiotic research, development, and access.
• It brings together public and private partners to accelerate the development and global availability of new antibiotics.

Notice to Air Mission:

India recently issued a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) and closed its airspace for Pakistan-registered, operated, or leased aircraft, airlines, and military flights.

• Notice to Air Mission, also known as Notice to Airmen, is a notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure, or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.
• NOTAMs update pilots about changes in airspace, airports, and equipment that affect aircraft operations.
• It is a bulletin issued by a country’s aviation authority.
• NOTAMs are issued by national authorities for a number of reasons, such as:
  • Hazards such as air-shows, parachute jumps and glider or micro-light flying;
  • Flights by important people such as heads of state;
  • Closed runways, taxiways, etc;
  • Unserviceable radio navigational aids;
  • Military exercises with resulting airspace restrictions;
  • Unserviceable lights on tall obstructions;
  • Temporary erection of obstacles near airfields (e.g. cranes).
• For reasons of conciseness and precision, NOTAMs are encoded, although the code is usually sufficiently self-evident to allow the user to identify a hazard.
• NOTAMs are communicated by the issuing agency using the fastest available means to all addressees for whom the information is assessed as being of direct operational significance, and who would not otherwise have at least seven days’ prior notification.
• NOTAMs are typically accessible through online platforms, electronic flight planning tools, and aviation weather services, allowing pilots to conveniently access up-to-date information and make informed decisions regarding their flight activities.
• Pilots who do not review NOTAMS before flight put themselves (and others) in danger.

Raghuji Bhosale I:

The Maharashtra government recently reclaimed the iconic sword of legendary Maratha warrior Raghuji Bhosale I.

• Raghuji Bhosale I (1695–February 14, 1755) was the founder of the Bhosale family of Nagpur and an important commander in the Maratha army during the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
• Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj had bestowed the title of ‘Senasahibsubha’ on Raghujiraje for his bravery and war strategy.
• Raghujiraje Bhosale I led military campaigns against the Nawab of Bengal in 1745 and 1755 and expanded the Maratha empire to Bengal and Odisha.
• Along with this, he established his dominance over the regions of Chanda, Chhattisgarh, and Sambalpur during his reign.
• He also defeated the Nawabs of Cuddapah and Kurnool and established his military and political dominance in South India.

Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle:

In a landmark achievement for biodiversity conservation, the endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga) has made a triumphant return to the Ganga River after three decades of absence.

• The red-crowned roofed turtle, or Bengal roof turtle, is a species of freshwater turtle endemic to South Asia.
• Scientific Name: Batagur kachuga
• It is native to India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
• Historically, the species was widespread in the Ganga River, both in India and Bangladesh.
• It also occurs in the Brahmaputra basin.
• Currently in India, the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary is the only area with a substantial population of the species.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN : Critically Endangered
  • Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES : Appendix II

International Labour Day 2025:

Vast portions of the world are gearing up to celebrate International Labor Day, or International Workers’ Day, with government holidays and remembrance events.

• International Labour Day, also known as May Day, is observed annually on May 1 to honor the dedication and contributions of workers across the globe.
• It is a memorial to the labor movement’s struggles and victories.
• The origins of International Labor Day are found in Chicago, where on May 1, 1886, workers called for a strike for an eight-hour workday.
• The protest, which turned into what is now remembered as the Haymarket Affair, was a turning point in labor history.
• On May 4, violence broke out in Haymarket Square when a bomb was thrown at police officers.
• The resulting gunfire resulted in several deaths, including six officers and a number of civilians.
• This turning point stimulated trade unions and socialist federations across Europe to declare May 1 an international day of workers’ solidarity, formally approved in 1889 at the Paris meeting of the Second International.
• While International Labour Day commemorates events in the United States, both the US and Canada observe Labour Day on the first Monday of September, not May 1.
• Over 80 countries, including India, Cuba, and China, mark International Labour Day.
• In India, the first Labour Day celebration was held in Chennai (then Madras) in 1923 by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.
• The day usually involves parades, union gatherings, and celebrations that emphasize employee rights.

Natural Hydrogen:

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists and USGS have started formal hydrogen exploration initiatives.

• Hydrogen is considered the fuel of the future due to its potential to decarbonise the global economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Natural hydrogen, also known as white hydrogen, refers to naturally occurring molecular hydrogen in the Earth’s crust, unlike industrially produced hydrogen.
• Natural Hydrogen Formed is generated through geological processes, primarily: Serpentinisation – a reaction between water and iron-rich rocks, Radiolysis – breakdown of water molecules by radioactive rocks, Decomposition of organic matter in deep geological formations.
• Natural hydrogen is a clean energy source that, if harvested sustainably, can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
• It can provide a low-cost and low-emission alternative to conventional hydrogen sources like grey hydrogen (from natural gas) and green hydrogen (from renewable electricity).
• The cost of natural hydrogen extraction may fall to around $1/kg or less, which is lower than current green hydrogen production costs.
• Natural hydrogen is typically associated with tectonically active regions, ultramafic and basaltic rocks, ophiolite complexes, and hydrothermal systems.

Bandhavgarh National Park : In News

The Supreme Court dismissed a plea alleging illegal mining in Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, calling it a frivolous abuse of law and imposed a ₹1 lakh penalty on the petitioner.Bandhavgarh National Park located in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh, nestled within the Vindhya ranges. Declared a national park in 1968, and designated a Tiger Reserve in 1993 under Project Tiger. The Bandhavgarh Fort, believed to date back to Treta Yuga, contains ancient inscriptions, rock art, and references to Vakataka, Sengar, Kalchuri, and Baghel dynasties. Once the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Rewa, the region is rich in archaeological remains and legends from the Ramayana.

India’s Waste Management Crisis : New Study

A new global study in Nature names India as the world’s largest plastic polluter, emitting 9.3 million tonnes annually. The Supreme Court’s verdict on Vellore tanneries offers a judicial template—via continuing mandamus—to enforce waste remediation and environmental justice.Waste management refers to the collection, segregation, treatment, and disposal of solid, liquid, and plastic waste to prevent environmental degradation. Despite claims of 95% national waste collection, Nature (2025) estimates India’s per capita plastic waste generation at 0.54 kg/day, far exceeding official estimates of 0.12 kg/day—indicating underreported rural waste and informal sector exclusion.

Birth Anniversary of Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh:

The 106th birth anniversary of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh was commemorated with the unveiling of his bust (stone model) at Astha Senior Citizen Home, Delhi. Marshal Arjan Singh was born in 1919 in Lyallpur (now in Pakistan), was commissioned into the Royal Indian Air Force in 1939 and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his role in the Burma Campaign during World War II. He became Chief of Air Staff in 1964 at the age of 44. During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, his decisive leadership enabled the IAF to repel Pakistan’s offensive in Akhnoor within hours, earning him the Padma Vibhushan. In 2002, he became the only IAF officer to be conferred the Five-Star rank of Marshal of the Air Force. Post-retirement, he served as ambassador and Lt Governor of Delhi.

Global Call to Ban Chlorpyrifos:

The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions in Geneva proposed the banning of toxic pesticide Chlorpyrifos by listing it under Annex A of Stockholm Convention (complete global ban without exemptions). However, India opposed the move, citing the absence of viable alternatives and the potential threat to food security. Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate (formed by esterifying phosphoric acid with alcohol) insecticide used in agriculture, public health to control pests like termites, mosquitoes, and roundworms. It works by inhibiting an acetylcholinesterase enzyme essential for nerve function, affecting both target pests and non-target species, including humans. Exposure (via skin, inhalation, or ingestion) can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, and in severe cases, paralysis and breathing difficulty. It forms a toxic byproduct (chlorpyrifos oxon) in the body, which causes these effects. It persists in soil for weeks to years, breaks down slowly in acidic conditions, and may contaminate water bodies through erosion. It is highly toxic to birds (e.g., robins, mallards), fish, bees, and earthworms, and can bioaccumulate in the food chain.Chlorpyrifos, a widely used pesticide in India (9.4% of total insecticide consumption in 2016-17) has been registered under the Insecticides Act since 1977.(IPEN Report) Classified as moderately hazardous by WHO and a possible carcinogen by EPA, its residues are found in produce, water, blood, and breast milk.

Shahid Rajaee Port in Iran:

A massive explosion struck Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port in the city of Bandar Abbas, causing a major fire that has resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. The blast was likely caused by sodium perchlorate, a chemical used to propel ballistic missiles
Shahid Rajaee Port is Iran’s largest and most advanced commercial port. It is situated near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which about 26% of the world’s oil passes. It handles 85% of Iran’s container cargo, 52% of its oil trade, and over half of its maritime cargo. It is positioned on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which connects the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea, Russia, and Northern Europe.

Sarvam to Build India’s First Indigenous AI Model:

The Indian government has selected Bengaluru-based start-up Sarvam to develop the country’s first homegrown Artificial Intelligence (AI) Large Language Model (LLM) under the IndiaAI Mission.The company is developing three model variants: Sarvam-Large (advanced reasoning), Sarvam-Small (real-time applications), and Sarvam-Edge (compact on-device tasks).
Sarvam will receive 4,000 Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) for six months under the IndiaAI Mission to build a 70 billion parameter AI model. The AI model is not expected to be open-sourced, but aims for population-scale deployment, designed to reason and be fluent in Indian languages. This comes at a time when China’s DeepSeek model, known for its low-cost and open-source nature, has significantly disrupted global AI markets, highlighting the urgency for India to establish its own AI infrastructure.Approved in 2024 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the IndiaAI Mission seeks to drive responsible and inclusive growth of India’s AI ecosystem.