Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 22nd January 2025

Surgical Tele-Robotic System:

India’s first indigenous surgical tele-robotic system, SSI Mantra successfully conducted two complex heart surgeries with patient in Jaipur and the operating surgeon in Gurgaon.

• Surgical Tele-Robotic System is a robotic system developed by medical technology company, SSI Ltd which is the first-of-its-kind system in India.
• It has been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in India under Class B and Class C surgical devices.
• These approvals affirm the safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance of the system for use in hospitals across India.
• It facilitates complex surgery such as Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB).
• The advantages include reduced time of operation, better precision, minimal operation trauma to the body in terms of incision, blood loss, recovery time and chances of infection.

Asset Reconstruction Companies : RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently issued new rules aimed at streamlining and tightening the settlement process for dues payable by borrowers to Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).

News Rules issued by the RBI:

• The revised framework by the RBI mandates that ARCs adopt a more structured approach to settle dues while ensuring transparency and accountability in their operations.
• As per the new guidelines, every ARC must establish a Board-approved policy that governs the settlement of borrower dues.
• The policy is required to address critical aspects such as eligibility criteria for one-time settlements, permissible sacrifices based on exposure categories, and methodologies to determine the realisable value of securities.
• For borrowers with outstanding dues exceeding Rs 1 crore, settlements can only proceed after a thorough evaluation by an Independent Advisory Committee (IAC).
• This committee has to comprise experts with technical, financial, or legal expertise, who will assess the borrower’s financial position, projected earnings, and recovery prospects before making recommendations to the ARC.
• Further, the Board of Directors, including at least two independent directors, must deliberate on the IAC’s recommendations and evaluate alternative recovery options.
• The Board’s decision, along with the rationale, must be meticulously documented in meeting minutes.
• For dues of Rs 1 crore or below, ARCs can process settlements based on criteria defined in the Board-approved policy.
• However, officials involved in acquiring the financial asset cannot participate in the approval of the settlement to prevent conflicts of interest.
• Additionally, the Board must review quarterly reports detailing trends and recovery timelines for these accounts.
• The revised framework emphasised on robust reporting requirements, including periodic analysis of accounts settled through compromise.
• This analysis has to include details such as trends in settled accounts, categorisation of fraud and wilful default cases, and recovery timelines.
• Settlements involving borrowers classified as wilful defaulters or frauds will follow the same stringent procedures applicable to high-value accounts, irrespective of the settlement amount.
• ARCs are also required to ensure that settlements comply with existing laws and obtain consent decrees from judicial authorities when recovery proceedings are already underway.

RBI Constitutes New Advisory Committee for Bank Licensing:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) established a new Standing External Advisory Committee (SEAC) to evaluate applications for Universal Banks and Small Finance Banks (SFBs). This committee is chaired by former RBI Deputy Governor M. K. Jain and comprises five members.

The SEAC includes:

• M. K. Jain: Chairperson and former Deputy Governor, RBI.
• Revathy Iyer: Director, Central Board, RBI.
• Parvathy V. Sundaram: Former Executive Director, RBI.
• Hemant G. Contractor: Former Managing Director of State Bank of India and former Chairman of the Pension Fund
• Regulatory and Development Authority.
• N. S. Kannan: Former Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.

Draft Regulations for the Selection and Appointment of Vice Chancellors:

The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently released draft regulations for the selection and appointment of Vice Chancellors (VCs) in universities, sparking controversy.

UGC Draft Regulation on Vice Chancellors:

• The Chancellor/Visitor will form a three-member Search-cum-Selection Committee.
• The committee will include nominees from the Chancellor/Visitor, UGC Chairman, and the university’s apex body (Senate/Syndicate/Executive Council).
• Professionals from public policy, public administration, or industry with over 10 years of experience are now eligible for VC roles.
• Introduces uniform criteria for selection across central, state, and private universities.
• Makes it mandatory to include a UGC nominee in the Search-cum-Selection Committee for state universities.
• Proposes reforms in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing quality, transparency, and inclusivity.

World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025:

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025, hosted in Davos, Switzerland, brings together global leaders from business, politics, and civil society to discuss critical global issues.

• The WEF was founded in 1971 as the European Management Forum, later renamed the World Economic Forum in 1987.
• The WEF is headquartered in Cologny, Switzerland.
• Established by German economist Klaus Schwab, who introduced the concept of “stakeholder capitalism”.
• Aim:
  • To improve the state of the world by fostering public-private cooperation.
  • To address global economic, social, and environmental challenges through collaboration among stakeholders.
• 2025 Theme: “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”

Coffee : India Is Now The Seventh-Largest Producer

India is now the seventh-largest coffee producer globally with exports reaching $1.29 billion in FY 2023-24, almost double the $719.42 million in 2020-21.

Climatic Conditions for Coffee Cultivation:

• Temperature: Ideal range is 15°C to 28°C.
• Rainfall: Requires 150-250 cm of annual rainfall.
• Soil: Grows best in well-drained, loamy soil rich in humus and minerals like iron and calcium.
• Climate: Thrives in a hot, humid climate with shaded plantations.
• Elevation: Typically cultivated at altitudes of 600–1,600 meters above sea level.

India in Coffee Production:

• Global Ranking: India ranks seventh in global coffee production.
• Exports: Over 70% of coffee production is exported, with Italy, Belgium, and Russia being major buyers.
• State-wise Production:
  • Karnataka: Largest producer, contributing over 70% of India’s coffee.
  • Kerala: Second largest producer.
  • Tamil Nadu: Third in production.

Contract Farming:

India has emerged as a major exporter of French Fries, which owes much contract farming through which companies procuring potato directly from growers and deepening farmer engagement.

• Contract Farming is an agreement between farmers (producers) and buyers in which both agree in advance on the terms and conditions for the production and marketing of farm products.
• These conditions usually specify the price to be paid to the farmer, the quantity and quality of the product demanded by the buyer, and the date for delivery to buyers.
• In some cases the contract may also include more detailed information on how the production will be carried out or if inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and technical advice will be provided by the buyer.
• Advantages to farmers
  • Financial support: Easier access to inputs, services and credit.
  • It will help in improved production and management skills.
  • Secure market or access new markets.
  • It helps in reduction of price-related risks.
  • It will generate more stable income and helps in better planning.

38th National Games and Kalaripayattu:

The Indian Kalaripayattu Federation has accused the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) of downgrading the Kalaripayattu to the demonstration section of the event, not the competitive section.Demonstration events showcase sports for promotion and are excluded from the official medal tally. Kalaripayattuis one of the oldest and most scientific martial arts globally, originating in Kerala. The warrior sage Parasurama is credited with establishing Kalaripayattu, which Bodhidharma (a Buddhist monk from South India) later introduced to China at the Shaolin Temple in the 5th century AD.

Eruption of Mount Ibu:

Indonesia’s Mount Ibu erupted 1,079 times in January 2025, with significant ash columns rising between 0.3 km to 4 km.Mount Ibu is a stratovolcano located on the island of Halmahera in Indonesia’s North Maluku province.A stratovolcano, or composite volcano, has a steep, conical profile formed by layers of lava, ash, and volcanic debris.

Mission SCOT:

The Prime Minister of India lauded Indian space startup Digantara for the success of Mission SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking).Mission SCOT is the world’s first commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellite, launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission.SSA is the tracking and characterization of space objects and their orbits. Mission SCOT tracks Resident Space Objects (RSOs) as small as 5 cm in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).It is backed by Aditya Birla Ventures and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

ISKCON and Adani Group Serve Meals at Maha Kumbh Mela:

The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela has witnessed a remarkable collaboration between the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the Adani Group, which has significantly enhanced the food distribution services at the event. This partnership ensures that nearly one lakh people are provided with nutritious meals daily during the 45-day spiritual gathering.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) recorded an all-time high disbursal:

In the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) achieved a historic milestone by disbursing ₹3.39 lakh crore in loans, marking the highest quarterly disbursement since the scheme’s inception in 2015. This significant uptick underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to bolstering micro and small enterprises across India.

Donald Trump Sworn in as 47th President of the United States:

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, marking his return to the White House after four tumultuous years. The inauguration, held indoors at the Capitol Rotunda due to extreme cold, symbolizes one of the most extraordinary political comebacks in American history.

Forbes Billionaires List 2025:

World’s Top 10 Richest People in 2025: Global business leaders and entrepreneurs have experienced an extraordinary rise in wealth, significantly increasing their net worth through innovation and strategic foresight. According to Forbes’ latest rankings, Elon Musk has begun 2025 at the pinnacle of wealth, ranking as the world’s richest person, with a net worth of $433.9 billion. In a notable shift, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg has surpassed Oracle founder Larry Ellison to secure the position of the third-wealthiest individual globally.

India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra:

India has successfully tested its first indigenous micro-missile system, ‘Bhargavastra,’ designed to counter swarm drone threats. This development marks a significant milestone in enhancing the nation’s defense capabilities against emerging aerial threats.Capable of detecting small aerial vehicles at distances exceeding 6 km and neutralizing them using guided micro munitions.

CEO of Zurich Kotak General Insurance:

Alok Kumar Agarwal has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zurich Kotak General Insurance, effective January 1, 2025. He succeeds Suresh Agarwal in this role. He spent 22 years at ICICI Lombard General Insurance, holding various leadership positions across corporate, SME, government, rural, crop, and retail business lines.

Mining Denied In Uttrakhand Near Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary:

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has denied the Uttarakhand government’s proposal for soapstone mining near Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, a habitat for endangered species.National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).The board was constituted through an amendment of the WLPA in 2022. It replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife, which was formed in 1952. NBWL is India’s top-level advisory body to the government on matters pertaining to wildlife conservation, particularly within Protected Areas (PAs).

Secretary General of Indian Ocean Rim Association:

The Ministry of External Affairs announced the appointment of Shri Sanjiv Ranjan as the next Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). A seasoned diplomat from the 1993 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, Shri Ranjan is set to assume his new role shortly. IORA is a regional organization comprising 23 member states, including India, Australia, Indonesia, and South Africa. The association aims to promote economic cooperation, sustainable development, and regional security among Indian Ocean bordering countries

Midges : New Species Identified

Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified 23 species of blood-sucking flies (Midges), 13 of them recorded for the first time in the country, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.Midges are tiny insects which are similar in appearance to flies but are more closely related to mosquitoes in their feeding habits. They belong to the Culicoides genus and are locally called bhusi files. The 13 new species recorded for India are C. barnetti, C. gouldi, C. flaviscutellaris, C. flavipunctatus, C. hui, C. histrio, C. guttifer, C. perornatus, C. okinawensis, C. quatei, C. obscurus, C. coronalis, and C. kusaiensis.

INS Mumbai Joins La Perouse 2025:

The Indian Navy’s guided-missile destroyer, INS Mumbai, is actively participating in the fourth edition of the multinational exercise La Perouse, which commenced on January 16, 2025. This exercise involves nine nations and is being conducted in the strategic waterways of the Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok straits, vital corridors for global maritime trade.

Entity Locker:

The National eGovernance Division (NeGD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has developed Entity Locker.It is a secure, cloud-based solution that simplifies the storage, sharing, and verification of documents for a wide range of entities, including large organisations, corporations, micro, small, and medium Enterprises (MSMEs), trusts, startups and societies.It is designed to transform the management and verification of business/organisation documents.The platform is a critical component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, aligning with the vision of the Union Budget 2024-25 for enhanced digital governance and ease of doing business.

Russia and Iran signed a 20-year strategic partnership treaty:

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty” in Moscow, aiming to bolster bilateral relations across various sectors. The agreement seeks to enhance trade and economic ties, with bilateral trade having risen by 15.5% to $3.77 billion between January and October 2024.The treaty emphasizes joint military efforts against common threats, intelligence exchanges, and collaboration to counter sanctions, though it does not extend to mutual military assistance.Plans include creating transport corridors and facilitating gas shipments between Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan.The agreement covers cooperation in technology, information and cybersecurity, peaceful nuclear energy collaboration, counterterrorism efforts, regional cooperation, environmental issues, and combating money laundering and organized crime.