Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 2nd January 2025

Pegasus Spyware And Surveillance Concerns:

The Pegasus spyware has stirred controversy worldwide, including India, over its misuse for surveillance, raising serious privacy and fundamental rights concerns.

• Recently, a US court ruled that Pegasus spyware violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, 1986 by surveilling 1,400 WhatsApp users, including 300 from India.
• Pegasus is a spyware developed by NSO Group, an Israeli cybersecurity firm founded in 2010. It is capable of hacking iOS and Android devices to extract data, record conversations, capture photos, and access app data.
• Spyware is a malicious software that secretly monitors and collects information from a device without the user’s consent.

Deep State : Controversy

The controversy over an alleged transnational deep state to destabilize governments in different countries raises critical questions.

• Deep State refers to a shadowy hybrid network of governmental, corporate, and non-governmental elites who wield enormous power, control policymaking, undermine elected politicians, and thwart the interests of common people.
• Foreign governments selectively pursue promotion of democracy, human rights, and liberal values in certain countries based on their interests.

61st Raising Day Function Of Sashastra Seema Bal:

The Union Home Minister attended the 61st Raising Day function of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at Siliguri in West Bengal.

• He lauded the role of SSB in protecting the Siliguri Corridor, gateway to Northeast and Sikkim and surrounded by three International borders.
• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is a part of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and guards India’s border with Nepal (1,751 km) and Bhutan (699 km).
• It is one of the seven paramilitary forces in India (Others 6: Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo Tibetan Border Police and National Security Guard.
• It was established as the Special Service Bureau in May 1963, in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression in 1962.
• It comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• SSB is the first central paramilitary force that included women in its ranks.
• In March 2004, SSB was awarded the President’s Colours for its key role in national security.
• The President’s Colours is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any military unit.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease:

The term Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has been replaced by Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), reflecting a shift towards recognising metabolic dysfunction as the primary cause rather than the absence of alcohol.

• This change helps remove the stigma tied to alcohol use and better directs focus to underlying metabolic issues and abnormal cholesterol.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease:

• NAFLD is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver without alcohol involvement.
• It includes two types: nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
• NAFL: Characterized by fat buildup in the liver with minimal to no inflammation or damage. It typically doesn’t lead to liver complications but can cause liver enlargement and discomfort.
• NASH: This form includes both fat buildup and liver inflammation, which can lead to liver damage, fibrosis (a condition where the liver develops an excess of scar tissue), and potentially cirrhosis, a condition that increases the risk of liver cancer.

MASLD :

• Metabolic dysfunction as the primary cause, while NAFLD only indicated the absence of alcohol use.
• MASLD affects 25% of people globally, with higher rates (50-70%) among those with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
• MASLD Diagnosis: Non-Invasive Tests like FibroScan, MRI, ultrasound, and blood tests are used to diagnose MASLD.

Needle-Free Shock Syringe:

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a shockwave-based, needle-free syringe that ensures painless drug delivery, reducing skin damage and the risk of infection.

• The shock syringe uses high-energy shockwaves to deliver drugs through the skin without the need for needles, offering a painless alternative to traditional injections.
• A shockwave is a pressure wave that moves faster than sound through a medium like air, water, or solids. It forms when an object or force causes a rapid pressure change, traveling through the surrounding environment.
• The device consists of three sections: driver, driven, and drug holder, which create a shockwave-driven microjet for drug delivery.
• The shock syringe is designed with a micro shock tube that uses pressurized nitrogen gas to create a microjet of liquid drug, which travels faster than sound to penetrate the skin.
• The shock syringe demonstrated effective delivery of drugs in rats, with deeper tissue penetration and minimal skin damage compared to regular needles.
• The shock syringe could speed up immunization drives like Mission Indradhanush (MI) and reduce bloodborne disease risks from needle-stick injuries.
• It is cost-effective, designed for over 1000 uses with only nozzle replacements needed.

Transformative Change Assessment : IPBES

A report released by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) titled Transformative Change Assessment, stresses the critical role that governance plays in mitigating biodiversity loss.

• It highlights how effective governance, with its focus on inclusivity and sustainability, is essential for preserving biodiversity and driving long-term, systemic change.
• The report highlights the urgent need for fundamental shifts in how societies interact with nature to prevent biodiversity loss, warning that inaction could lead to irreversible ecological damage, including the loss of coral reefs and rainforests.
• Immediate action could generate USD 10 trillion in business opportunities and support 395 million jobs globally by 2030, especially in industries that depend heavily on nature.
• The report identifies the root causes as the disconnection between people and nature, domination over nature and others.
• Other causes include the concentration of power and wealth, and prioritizing short-term material gains over long-term sustainability.

Business Ready (B-READY) Report 2024:

The World Bank launched the Business Ready (B-READY) report 2024 to replace the Ease of Doing Business report.

• The Ease of Doing Business report was paused in 2020 due to data manipulation issues and concerns over the integrity of certain rankings, leading to an independent review and methodology changes.
• B-READY evaluates the global business climate to promote inclusive private sector growth.
• B-READY is organized around key topics for private sector development, covering the stages of a firm’s life cycle, including market entry, operation (or expansion), and closure (or reorganization).
• Ten Core topics covers Business Entry, Business Location, Utility Services, Labor, Financial Services, International Trade, Taxation, Dispute Resolution, Market Competition, and Business Insolvency.
• Pillars of B-READY: For each topic, B-READY considers three pillars.
  • Pillar I: Regulatory Framework – Focuses on the rules and regulations firms must follow during their life cycle, highlighting those that support clarity, fairness, and business sustainability, and those that hinder entrepreneurship.
  • Pillar II: Public Services – Covers government-provided services and infrastructure that support regulatory compliance and business activities, with an emphasis on digitalization, interoperability, and transparency.
  • Pillar III: Operational Efficiency – Measures how easily firms can comply with regulations and utilize public services relevant to their operations.
• B-READY analyzes 1,200 indicators to identify policy reform opportunities, using data from primary sources to highlight key aspects of each topic.

Presence Of Poliovirus:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the presence of poliovirus in multiple countries, including Pakistan, Cameroon, and several European nations.The research suggests that poliovirus may be primarily transmitted via the respiratory route rather than the traditionally assumed faecal-oral route.The resurgence of polio is evidenced by recent detections of both wild and vaccine-derived poliovirus in various countries.In 2024, Pakistan reported a total of 62 cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).Environmental samples containing poliovirus have also been found in cities such as Barcelona, Warsaw, and Cologne (Germany), indicating potential undetected or unvaccinated populations at risk.

Shivaji Statue at Pangong Lake:

A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was inaugurated on the banks of Pangong Tso at an altitude of 14,300 feet.It was unveiled shortly after India and China completed disengagement at Demchok and Depsang, ending a 4.5 year border standoff. However, it has sparked debate among army veterans and locals, with a retired Colonel proposing a statue of Dogra general Zorawar Singh, whose 1834-1840 campaign merged Ladakh with the Dogra kingdom under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Pangong Tso is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft).

Vitul Kumar Appointed Officiating DG of CRPF:

Vitul Kumar, a 1993-batch IPS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the officiating Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following the retirement of Anish Dayal Singh on December 31, 2024. Kumar, who is currently serving as the Special Director General of the CRPF, will oversee the force during a crucial period, especially with the ongoing challenges in regions like Chhattisgarh and Manipur.

Hemanth Muddappa Secures 3 National Titles, Extends Record to 15:

Hemanth Muddappa, known as the “Drag King” in Indian motorsport, achieved an extraordinary feat by winning a triple crown in the final round of the MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship at the Madras International Circuit (MIC). With this victory, Muddappa took his total number of National titles to an impressive 15, solidifying his position as the most decorated motorsport athlete in India.

Kerala Wins Senior National Men’s Handball Championship:

Kerala achieved a historic milestone by winning their first-ever Senior National Men’s Handball Championship title. They triumphed over Chandigarh with a 34-31 victory in a thrilling final. Kerala, who had reached the final for the first time, delivered an impressive performance throughout the match. The team’s success was built on a strong collective effort, with standout performances from key players.

Rajat Verma Appointed CEO of DBS Bank India:

Rajat Verma, the current head of the Institutional Banking Group at DBS Bank India, has been appointed as the new CEO of DBS Bank India, effective March 1, 2025. This announcement comes after the retirement of Surojit Shome, who has been at the helm since 2015. Verma’s appointment, subject to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval, marks a new phase for DBS India as it continues its growth trajectory in India, one of the bank’s key markets.

RBI Introduces Name Lookup for NEFT and RTGS:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a name lookup facility for Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) systems, aiming to reduce fraud and errors. This feature, similar to what Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) offer, will allow remitters to verify the beneficiary’s name before initiating transactions. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will develop the system, and banks must implement it by April 1, 2025.

GST Growth Slows to 7.3% in December:

India’s GST collection growth slowed to 7.3% YoY in December 2024, with gross revenue standing at ₹1.77 lakh crore, compared to ₹1.65 lakh crore in December 2023. This marks the slowest growth in three months and highlights a slight decline in consumer spending post-holiday season. GST revenues have consistently stayed above ₹1.7 lakh crore for ten consecutive months, with the December quarter averaging ₹1.82 lakh crore—8.3% higher YoY.

Justice V Ramasubramanian Appointed NHRC Chairperson:

Justice V Ramasubramanian, former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as announced on December 23, 2024. The position had been vacant since Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra’s tenure ended on June 1, 2024. Justice Mishra was the first non-CJI to hold the NHRC chairperson post since the Protection of Human Rights Act was amended in 2019.

SAIL Earns Great Place to Work Recognition for Second Year:

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has achieved a significant milestone by being re-certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the period January 2025 to January 2026. This prestigious recognition from the Great Place to Work Institute, India, marks SAIL’s second consecutive certification, as it was first awarded this distinction for the period December 2023 to December 2024.