Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 20th January 2025

Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project:

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with SJVN Ltd., GMR Energy Ltd., and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for the development of the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project in Nepal.

• It is a 900 MW run-of-the-river hydropower project being developed on the Karnali River in Nepal.
• The project will supply power to Nepal, India, and Bangladesh for a contracted period of 25 years.
• The project is being developed by GMR Upper Karnali Hydro Power Limited (GUKHL), a subsidiary of GMR Group India, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), and SJVN Green Energy.
• The project is being developed on a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis.
• GUKHL and NEA are currently owning the project, having ownership stakes of 73% and 27%, respectively.
• It is estimated to generate 3,466 million units of electricity while offsetting approximately two million tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year.
• It will feature a concrete gravity dam, headrace tunnels, a fish pass, feeder tunnels, surge and pressure shafts, and silt flushing tunnels.
• The project consists of 8 turbines, each with 112.5 MW nameplate capacity.
• The project construction is expected to commence from 2027. Subsequent to that it will enter into commercial operation by 2031.

Dark Oxygen:

Scientists who recently discovered that metal lumps on the dark seabed make oxygen, have announced plans to study the deepest parts of Earth’s oceans in order to understand the strange phenomenon.

• Dark Oxygen is the oxygen that is being produced thousands of feet below the ocean, without any light or photosynthesis.
• Until now, it was thought that oxygen was created only through photosynthesis, a process that requires sunlight.
• Oceanic plankton, drifting plants, algae, and some bacteria are the primary elements attributed to the production of oxygen in the ocean.
• All these organisms are capable of photosynthesis.
• However, in this case, oxygen is not being produced by plants. It comes out of polymetallic nodules that are similar in resemblance to lumps of coal.
• These nodules, made up of metals like manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and lithium, can generate oxygen through electrochemical activity even in the absence of light.
• They split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

SCOT Mission:

The Prime Minister recently lauded the Indian space startup Digantara at the success of Mission SCOT.

• SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking) is Digantara’s (an Indian space startup)inaugural mission dedicated to space surveillance.
• It is one of the world’s first commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites.
• It was launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission.
• SCOT is built to track Resident Space Objects (RSOs).
• SCOT will be deployed in a sun-synchronous orbit, allowing it to track objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with more efficiency than existing sensors, which are restricted by fields of view (FoV), weather conditions, and geographic limitations.
• Unlike these traditional systems, SCOT will ensure surveillance of objects as small as 5 cm orbiting the Earth to ensure safer space operations.
• Backed by Aditya Birla Ventures and SIDBI, it aims to support national security and space operations.

Trajan Gun:

The Trajan 155 mm towed artillery gun system, developed jointly by India and France, has bagged an export order from Armenia.It is a 155 mm towed artillery gun system, jointly developed by India (Larsen & Toubro) and France (KNDS).

• Several of this 52-calibre towed gun system are indigenously developed like the auxiliary power unit, control panel, and rolling gear assembly.
• It is designed to meet the demands of modern combat, with a range of over 40 kilometers depending on the type of ammunition used.
• The Trajan’s modular design makes it easy to transport and deploy, while its automated loading system ensures rapid firing rates.
• It is also capable of operating in diverse terrains, from marshy lowlands to high-altitude cold deserts.
• The system features advanced targeting and fire-control systems, which integrate seamlessly with modern military networks.

Planet parade: Rare Phenomenon

Four planets in our solar system namely Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars have formed a breathtaking arc across the night sky and created a rare phenomenon known as ‘planet parade’.

• Planet Parade refers to a situation when several planets in our solar system are visible in the night sky, at the same time.
• This planetary meet-up, also known as a conjunction, makes the two planets appear close together or even touch in the Earth’s night sky.
• This phenomenon is more an illusion of perspective rather than the planets being in a perfect line in space.
• Planets have different motions in the sky. They move at different rates compared to the other stars.
• Not all of them are visible in the sky everyday, but sometimes a position comes about so that many or all the planets are visible at the same time, or within a few hours of each other.
• According to NASA, such events, especially those involving four or more planets, are noteworthy and do not occur annually.

Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme:

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced the launch of its Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme.

• This program aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens.
• It will equip participants with the knowledge to effectively engage in global internet governance processes with I-Star organisations like Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Internet Society or Information Security Operations Center (ISOC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)and collaborate closely with leading experts in the field.
• It will nurture a pool of domestic talent who can deeply engage with emerging internet governance issues and contribute to their resolution.
• The internship program offers:
  • a bi-annual internship with two parallel tracks: a six-month program and a three-month program.
  • each intern will be mentored by subject matter expert from international organizations like ICANN APNIC or APTLD, members from Special Interest Group, high ranked retired government official and faculty advisors from recognized institutions/universities.
  • a fixed stipend of 20,000/- per month will be provided to interns along with support to conduct mandatory outreach programs.
• NIXI:
  • It is a not-for- profit company which was set up in 2003 under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.
  • It is tasked with increasing internet penetration and adoption in India by facilitating various infrastructure aspects to enable the internet ecosystem to be managed and used by the masses.

Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) Platform:

The Rubber Board has rolled two new initiatives called iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect.

• Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) Platform streamlines the compliance process, making it more efficient for stakeholders involved in the rubber supply chain targeting EU markets.
• It is designed to facilitate compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for Indian rubber ecosystem
• It issues a traceability certificate which will verify the origin of rubber products and confirm its compliance with the EUDR.
• It will position Indian natural rubber as a competitive and responsible choice in the global market, setting new benchmarks for sustainable production and fostering long-term growth for the industry
• INR Konnectmis a web-based platform which been designed to connect growers of untapped rubber holdings with interested adopters to maximise plantation productivity.
• The Board will certify the credibility of all participating parties while also impart training to those enlisted in production management, and sustainable practices on a need basis.
• The platform will also offer a comprehensive database of certified tappers.

Exercise LA PEROUSE:

The indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai is participating in the Exercise LA PEROUSE.

• It is a multilateral maritime exercise that takes place in the Indian Ocean Region.
• It is conducted by French Navy and held biennially.
• It is the fourth edition of the multinational exercise.
• This edition will witness participation of personnel/surface and sub-surface assets from various maritime partners including Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Royal Navy, United States Navy, Indonesian Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy and Royal Canadian Navy.
• It aims to develop common Maritime Situational Awareness by enhancing the cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction operations and air operations along with the conduct of progressive training and information sharing.
• The exercise provides an opportunity for like-minded navies to develop closer links in planning, coordination and information sharing for enhanced tactical interoperability.
• The exercise will witness complex and advanced multi-domain exercises including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, air-defence, cross deck landings and tactical manoeuvres, as also the constabulary missions such as VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure) operations.
• Participation of Indian Navy in the exercise showcases the high levels of synergy, coordination and interoperability between the like-minded navies and their commitment to a rules-based international order in the maritime domain.
• This visit is in consonance with India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) to enhance maritime cooperation and collaboration for safer and secure Indo-Pacific Region.

UNICEF’s Prospects for Children in 2025 Report:

Highlights of the UNICEF Report on Children’s Challenges:

• In 2023, over 473 million children, or more than one in six globally, lived in conflict zones. The proportion of children affected by conflict has nearly doubled from 10% in the 1990s to 19%.
• Children face risks such as displacement, starvation, disease, and psychological trauma.
• Nearly 400 million children live in countries burdened by debt, limiting investments in education, healthcare, and social services.
• The World Bank estimates that a 5% rise in external debt for low- and middle-income countries could cut education spending by USD 12.8 billion. In 15 African countries, debt servicing exceeds education spending, while over 40 low-income nations spend more on debt than health.
• Debt service now outpaces social protection by 11 times, leaving 1.8 billion children vulnerable to economic shocks and deepening poverty.
• Only 2.4% of global climate finance is allocated to child-responsive initiatives, weakening social services crucial for children.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is transforming how governments deliver essential services like education, healthcare, and social protection to children.
• However, a significant digital divide exists, with youth (15-24 years) in high-income countries enjoying internet access, while only 53% of youth in Africa have internet access, especially in low-income countries.
• Adolescent girls and children with disabilities are particularly impacted, with 9 out of 10 adolescent girls in low-income countries being offline.
• The report calls for additional financing for climate recovery efforts, including support for children’s healthcare, education, and psychological well-being during climate disasters.
• Create inclusive, fair, and responsible systems that prioritize children’s rights and needs.
• Ensure better integration of child rights in digital initiatives to bridge the inequality gap.

International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation : United Nations

The United Nations will observe 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, with 21st March marked annually as World Day for Glaciers starting in 2025.Glaciers are large, slow-moving masses of ice formed from compacted snow over centuries.They form on land and move due to gravity, slowly moving downward.

Gravity Energy Storage:

Gravity Energy Storage is emerging as an innovative and cost-effective solution to address a key challenge of renewable energy. It is also acting as a promising alternative to traditional battery energy storage.It is an innovative technology designed to store energy by leveraging the force of gravity.

Twigstats:

The new genetic analysis tool, Twigstats, has significantly improved the precision of tracing individual-level ancestry using ancient Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from northern and Central Europe, dating from 500 BC to 1000 AD.Twigstats is an advanced analytical tool developed for genetic studies, particularly focused on ancestry analysis with high precision.It is designed to enhance the understanding of population dynamics by utilizing genetic data, archaeological findings, and historical context.

Rupee Depreciation:

The Indian rupee recently experienced a sharp decline in value against the US dollar after a period of relative stability.Higher domestic prices reduced the real value of the rupee. And inflation-driven production costs made Indian exports less competitive.Increased imports, particularly of crude oil, led to higher demand for foreign currencies.Persistent fiscal imbalances put downward pressure on the rupee. Frequent shifts in RBI’s exchange rate policy led to market uncertainty.

PRABHAAV Factbook:

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, marked the 9th Foundation Day of Startup India by launching the PRABHAAV Factbook and the Bharat Startup Challenge.The PRABHAAV Factbook is a comprehensive guide detailing the growth and achievements of India’s startup ecosystem from 2016 to 2024. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna 2024:

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting accolade, was conferred on remarkable achievers who brought laurels to the nation at Rashtrapati Bhavan.Started in: 1991-1992 (as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award).Renamed in: 2021, to honor legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.Aim is to recognize outstanding performances in sports at the international level, motivate athletes, and inspire future generations.

Odisha-Singapore MoU: Launch of FinTech Hub in Bhubaneswar

The Government of Odisha’s Electronics and IT Department has partnered with Singapore’s Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) to establish a Global Competency Centre in Bhubaneswar. This collaboration aims to foster innovation in InsureTech and related areas, aligning with India’s vision of “Insurance for All” by 2047.

Djokovic Breaks Federer’s Record for Grand Slam Match Count:

Novak Djokovic, one of tennis’ greatest players, added another milestone to his illustrious career on January 17, 2025, by breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches played in tennis history. The Serbian tennis star achieved his 430th Grand Slam match during the second round of the Australian Open, where he won a challenging match against Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria.