Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 22nd March 2025

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue:

Senior defence officers from Quad nations have expressed concerns over China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific during a panel on “Deepwater Perils: Securing Trade”.

• QUAD is a strategic forum involving India, the US, Japan, and Australia, focusing on maritime security and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• It is not a military alliance but a diplomatic partnership aimed at maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• It operates through annual summits, foreign ministers’ meetings, and six working groups covering: Health, Climate, Critical & Emerging Technology, Space, Infrastructure and Cybersecurity.
• 2007: Japan’s Shinzo Abe proposed the idea of Quad during an informal ASEAN meeting.
• 2012: The Concept of ‘Democratic Security Diamond’ (India, US, Japan, Australia) was introduced.
• 2017: Quad revitalized due to China’s growing influence; first formal meeting held in Manila.
• 2020: Malabar naval exercises expanded to include Australia, marking first joint military exercise of Quad.
• 2021: Quad leaders met virtually and released the joint statement “The Spirit of the Quad”.

Indo-Pacific Region:

• The Indo-Pacific refers to the interconnected waters of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, a region of strategic, economic, and geopolitical
• It serves as a major trade route, facilitating 60% of global maritime trade.

Directorate General of Trade Remedies:

Trade Ministry Recommends 12% Duty on Steel Imports Amid ‘Trade Diversion’ Concerns

Reasons for the Proposed 12% Steel Import Duty:

• Global Trade Restrictions: The US imposed a 25% additional tariff on steel imports (effective March 12, 2025), revoking earlier exemptions.
• 129 trade remedy measures have been adopted by the EU, Canada, the UK, and other countries.
• This has led to excess steel being diverted to India, threatening domestic producers.
  Overcapacity in Steel-Producing Countries:
• Japan, South Korea and China produce steel far beyond their domestic consumption.
• Excess production is likely to flood export markets, undermining Indian steel prices

Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR):

• Established: May 17, 2018 (formerly Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties)
• Nodal Ministry: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Purpose: Acts as India’s anti-dumping watchdog, ensuring a level playing field for domestic industries against unfair trade practices like dumping, subsidization, and import surges

Sonic Weapons03:

Serbian government has been accused of using a banned ‘sonic weapon’ to disperse protesters in Belgrade.

• Sonic weapons (Acoustic Weapons) are devices that deliver loud, painful sounds over long distances.
• They can emit audible or inaudible sound waves to disrupt, disorient, or incapacitate people.
• Some versions act as voice amplifiers, allowing authorities to issue commands over large distances.
• First developed for military and crowd control purposes, they were used in Iraq (2004) by the U.S. military.
• Sonic Weapons Work use hundreds of transducers (electronic devices that convert energy into sound waves).
• The highly concentrated and amplified sound can be directed at specific targets.
• Authorities control the frequency, volume, and duration of the sound.
• The narrow sound beam can cause extreme discomfort, pain, and disorientation to those exposed.
• Types of Sonic Weapons:
  • Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD): Used by law enforcement and military for crowd control. Can project sound over 8,900 meters at up to 160 decibels (dB), Causes ear pain, hearing damage, nausea, and dizziness.
  • Mosquito Device: Emits a high-pitched sound that only younger people (below 30 years) can hear. Used to deter loitering in public areas. Causes irritation and discomfort in young individuals.
  • Infrasonic Weapon: Emits low-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but cause physical pain and disorientation. Still under research, Potential to cause headaches, nausea, vertigo, and internal organ damage.

Exercise Bongosagar 2025:

The India-Bangladesh naval exercise ‘Bongosagar 2025’ and a ‘Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)’ took place in the Bay of Bengal recently

• It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Bangladesh.
• It is designed to develop high-level interoperability and operational expertise through a broad spectrum of maritime operations.
• Commenced in the year 2019, Bongosagar 2025 is the fifth edition of the exercise.
• The exercise saw participation of INS Ranvir from the Indian Navy and BNS Abu Ubaidah from Bangladesh Navy.
• The exercise enhanced interoperability between the two navies, facilitating collaborative responses to shared maritime security challenges.
• The exercise involved a range of complex operations encompassing surface firing, tactical manoeuvres, underway replenishment, Visit-Board-Search-Seizure (VBSS) cross boarding, communication drills, quiz for Ops team and junior officers on professional topics, and steam past.
• The exercise provided the opportunity for both navies to develop closer links in tactical planning, coordination, and information sharing for undertaking seamless maritime operations.

6th Round of India’s Remittances Survey:

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) 6th Round of India’s Remittances Survey (2023-24) highlights that Advanced economies (AEs), particularly the US and the United Kingdom (UK), have overtaken Gulf nations as the top contributors to remittances in India.

Key Findings :

• India’s total remittances have more than doubled, rising from USD 55.6 billion in 2010-11 to USD 118.7 billion in 2023-24.
• The US led remittances at 27.7% in 2023-24, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 19.2%.
• AEs, including the UK, Singapore, Canada, and Australia, contributed over 50%.
• The U.K.’s share rose to 10.8% from 3.4% (2016-17), driven by increased Indian emigration and Australia emerged as a key source with 2.3%.
• The overall share of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain) stands at 38% (2023-24), down from around 47% (2016-17).
• State-wise Distribution of Remittances: Maharashtra (20.5%) remained the top recipient, followed by Kerala (19.7%).
• Other major states include Tamil Nadu (10.4%), Telangana (8.1%), and Karnataka (7.7%). Rising trends were seen in Punjab, and Haryana.
• Mode of Remittance Transfers: Rupee Drawing Arrangement (RDA) remains the dominant channel for inward remittances, followed by direct Vostro transfers and fintech platforms.
• Digital remittances are rising, accounting for 73.5% of total transactions in 2023-24.

Return of Wilmore and Sunita Williams from ISS:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have returned to Earth after an unexpectedly long 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

• Initially planned for a 8-day mission, their return was delayed due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
• They finally came back via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, highlighting the technological and health challenges of prolonged space travel.
• Starliner Spacecraft and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon developed by Boeing in collaboration with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP), was designed to transport astronauts to and from low Earth orbit (LEO).
• Boeing’s Starliner took Williams and Wilmore to the ISS in 2024 but propulsion issues delayed their return.
• SpaceX’s Crew Dragon is one of the two variants of SpaceX’s Dragon 2 spacecraft, featuring a reusable capsule and launching atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Developed under NASA’s CCP, it primarily ferries astronauts to the ISS. The other variant, Cargo Dragon, transports cargo to the station.
• NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission returned Williams and Wilmore from the ISS aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft named Freedom.

23rd Exercise Varuna 2025:

The Indian and French navies are set to commence the 23rd edition of the annual bilateral naval exercise, Varuna-2025, in the Arabian Sea.

• It will include aircraft carriers INS Vikrant (India) and Charles de Gaulle (France), along with fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine.
• It was first held in 2001 and aims to enhance interoperability and operational synergy.
• India and France strengthened military ties with a new defence industrial roadmap for co-design, co-development, and co-production of defense equipment.
• Upcoming Defence Deals: 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for INS Vikrant.
• 3 additional Scorpene-class submarines to be built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project 75.
• MDL has already built six Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines with French technology transfer.

Annual Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) Report:

According to Nokia’s annual Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) report, India’s average monthly data usage per user reached 27.5 GB in 2024, with 5G data traffic tripling over the past year.

Findings:

• Average monthly data usage per user: 27.5 GB (2024)
• 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) users consume 12x more data than average mobile users.
• 5G data traffic: Tripled in 2024; projected to surpass 4G traffic by Q1 2026.
• Active 5G devices in India (2024): 271 million (doubled YoY).
• Share of 5G in metro mobile broadband: Increased to 43% in 2024 (from 20% in 2023).
• 90% of smartphones expected to be replaced in 2025 will be 5G-enabled.

Exercise Sea Dragon 2025:

India successfully concluded participation in Sea Dragon 2025, a two-week multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise.

• Sea Dragon 2025 (SD25) is an annual multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise.
• It aims to improve interoperability, coordination, and tactical proficiency among Indo-Pacific allies.
• Host Nation: United States Navy’s 7th Fleet hosted the exercise.
• Location of Event: Conducted at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Western
• Aim of the Exercise:
  • Strengthen maritime security and defense collaboration.
  • Enhance submarine detection, tracking, and neutralization capabilities.
  • Promote the concept of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.

Kerala Establish Senior Citizens Commission:

Kerala has become the first state in India to establish a Senior Citizens Commission by passing the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill 2025.Senior Citizens Commission is a statutory body established under the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Act, 2025.It will safeguard the rights and welfare of elderly citizens and act as an advisory body for policymaking. Kerala, is the first state in India to set up such a commission for senior citizens.

Vijay Sankar Honoured with Denmark’s Knight’s Cross:

Vijay Sankar, the Honorary Consul General of Denmark for Southern India and Chairman of The Sanmar Group, has been awarded the prestigious Knight’s Cross of the Order of Dannebrog by the King of Denmark. This honor recognizes his remarkable consular services and contributions to strengthening Indo-Danish relations. The award was presented by Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark in India, at a special function in Chennai on March 18, 2025. The event also highlighted the Sankar family’s five-decade-long association with Denmark’s consular services.

Statue of Unity Sculptor Ram Sutar Conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan Award:

Renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, best known for designing the Statue of Unity, has been honored with the Maharashtra Bhushan award. The decision was announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state Legislative Assembly. A selection committee led by Fadnavis finalized Sutar’s name for the award on March 12, 2025. At 100 years old, Sutar continues to contribute to India’s artistic heritage and has been entrusted with sculpting a statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for Chaityabhoomi.

Chiranjeevi Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award by UK Government:

Veteran Telugu cinema superstar Chiranjeevi was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his immense contribution to Indian cinema, cultural influence, and public service. The award was presented by London-based think tank Bridge India at the prestigious House of Commons in the UK Parliament. The event took place on Thursday night, where the celebrated actor was recognised for his unparalleled impact on the Indian film industry and his philanthropic efforts.

Cabinet Approves Namrup-IV Fertilizer Plant in Assam:

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of a new Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex (Namrup-IV) at Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL), Namrup, Assam. The 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) annual capacity plant will be developed as a Joint Venture (JV) under the New Investment Policy (NIP) 2012, with a total estimated project cost of ₹10,601.40 crore and a Debt-Equity ratio of 70:30. The project is expected to be commissioned in 48 months and will significantly boost domestic Urea production, improve fertilizer availability in Eastern India, and create new employment opportunities.

Cabinet Approves Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission with ₹3,400 Crore Allocation:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to enhance livestock sector growth. The revised scheme, implemented as a Central Sector component of the Development Programmes scheme, has been allocated a total of ₹3,400 crore during the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26), with an additional ₹1,000 crore. The mission aims to boost milk production, genetic improvement, and farmer incomes while preserving India’s indigenous bovine breeds through scientific interventions.

Cabinet Approves ₹1,500 Crore UPI Incentive Scheme for Banks:

The Union Cabinet has approved an incentive scheme of ₹1,500 crore for banks to promote Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions below ₹2,000 in FY 2024–25. Banks will receive a 0.15% incentive on such transactions made by small merchants, with a portion of the payout contingent on maintaining a reliable UPI infrastructure. The initiative aims to enhance digital payment adoption, particularly among small businesses, without imposing merchant fees.

SEBI Reduces Minimum Investment in SSE to ₹1,000:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has reduced the minimum investment amount for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) from ₹10,000 to ₹1,000. This decision, based on recommendations from the Social Stock Exchange Advisory Committee, aims to enhance retail participation and increase funding for non-profit organizations (NPOs). The move is expected to channel more capital into sectors such as education and healthcare, strengthening India’s social impact investment framework. The change modifies SEBI’s previous directive from September 19, 2022, and comes into effect immediately.