Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 30th December 2025

Gas Hydrates:

A reserve of natural gas bubbling from a cage of ice discovered on the ocean floor to the west of Greenland may be the deepest gas hydrate cold seep on record, and it happens to be teeming with animal life.

• Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline structures that form when a low-density gas, like methane, ethane, or carbon dioxide, combines but does not chemically bond with water and freezes into a solid under low temperature and moderate pressure.
• Most gas hydrates are formed from methane (CH4), which has led to the terms “gas hydrate” and “methane hydrate” often being used interchangeably.
• They are classified as clathrates, compounds formed by the inclusion of one molecule within cavities in the crystal lattice of another.
• A unique property of clathrates is the absence of chemical bonding, which makes it possible to separate them relatively easily.
• For example, when methane hydrates are warmed or depressurized, it will revert back to water and natural gas.
• On Earth, gas hydrates occur naturally in some marine sediment and within and beneath permafrost.
• They are also speculated to form on other planets.
• Gas hydrate deposits may contain roughly twice the carbon contained in all reserves of coal, oil, and conventional natural gas combined, making them a potentially valuable energy resource.
• Their decomposition can release large amounts of methane, which is a greenhouse gas that could impact Earth’s climate.
• Sudden release of pressurized methane gas may cause submarine landslides, which in turn can trigger tsunamis.
• Gas hydrates in the ocean can be associated with unusual and possibly unique biological communities that use hydrocarbons or hydrogen sulfide for carbon and energy via a process known as chemosynthesis.

Legionnaires’ Disease:

A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak has prompted a health alert in Sydney’s central business district recently, with authorities urging people to remain vigilant for symptoms.

• It is a severe form of a lung infection (pneumonia) caused by a bacterium known as legionella.
• The disease got its name when a group of people at an American Legion convention became ill with this type of pneumonia in 1976.
• Legionella is found naturally in freshwater, such as lakes and rivers. It can also be found in soil.
• Most people who catch Legionnaires’ disease breathe in the bacteria from water or soil.
• You usually can’t get infected by drinking water that contains the bacteria unless you aspirate it (accidentally breathe the water into your lungs).
• It is not contagious, meaning it is not spread from person to person.
• Older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and people who smoke have a higher risk of getting Legionnaires’ disease.
• Legionnaires’ disease causes pneumonia-like symptoms that start two to 14 days after exposure to Legionella.
• Patients usually present with fever, cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, and may have gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
• In severe cases, neurological symptoms (e.g., confusion) and respiratory failure may occur, and some cases may result in death.
• Treating right away with antibiotics most often cures Legionnaires’ disease.
• But some people still have problems after treatment.
• Currently, there is no vaccine available for LD.

Banded Krait:

An Indian Forest Service officer has drawn widespread attention on social media after sharing a striking video of a highly venomous Banded Krait encountered during a night patrol.

• Banded Krait is a highly venomous snake native to South and Southeast Asia.
• Scientific Name: Bungarus fasciatus
• Part of the elapid family, which includes cobras and mambas, the Banded Krait is easily recognizable by its vibrant yellow and black crossbands, giving it a distinctive appearance.
• These snakes have been recorded eastwards from central India through Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China (including Hong Kong) to Malaysia and the main Indonesian islands of Borneo (Java and Sumatra), as well as Singapore.
• It primarily inhabits wetlands, forests, and areas near water bodies.
• They inhabit termite mounds and rodent holes close to water and often live near human settlements, especially villages, because of their supply of rodents and water.
• Banded kraits are carnivores and feed mainly on other snakes.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern.

YJ-20 Hypersonic Missile:

China recently released a rare footage of a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile fired from a Type 055 warship.

• The YJ-20, also known as the Eagle Strike-20, is a hypersonic anti-ship missile developed by China.
• It is designed to target high-value naval assets at extended ranges.
• It has a distinctive biconic aerodynamic form, a configuration that supports controlled glide at sustained hypersonic speeds after the initial rocket boost.
• This shape is essential for generating protective shockwaves that shield the control surfaces from heat during high-velocity flight.
• Regional military assessments place the missile’s range between 1,000 and 1,500 km with cruising speeds above Mach 6.
• The terminal flight path appears designed to allow a near-vertical descent combined with sharp lateral manoeuvres, a profile intended to compress defender reaction times and disrupt prediction models used by shipborne interceptors.
• It is capable of being launched from multiple platforms, including the Type 055 Renhai-class destroyers and H-6K strategic bombers, offering operational flexibility across maritime and continental strike missions.

Rohtasgarh Fort:

An under-construction ropeway being built to improve access to the historic Rohtasgarh Fort in Bihar’s Rohtas district collapsed during a trial run recently.

• The Rohtasgarh Fort, also known as Rohtas Fort, is located in the city of Rohtas on the banks of the Sone River in Bihar.
• It is one of the largest forts in India.
• It is situated on the top of a hill and is one of the most ancient forts in India, known for its large defensive walls and impressive architecture.
• The fort complex includes gates, palaces, temples, and reservoirs, showcasing Indo-Afghan architectural styles.
• The fort was built by the ruler of the Solar dynasty, Raja Harishchandra. It was named after his son, Rohitashva.
• Inscriptions at the fort suggest that the fort has passed through the hands of several empires, including the Hindu Shahis, the Ghurids, the Mughals, and eventually the British Raj.
• Sher Shah Suri conquered the fort in 1539 after losing the Fort of Chunar to Humayun, a Mughal ruler.
• The fort, in its present form, was significantly strengthened by Sher Shah Suri.
• The Jama Masjid, built to the west of the fort by Haibat Khan (a close aide of Sher Shah), is made of white sandstone.
• Akbar acquired the fort in 1587 and gave it to Raja Maan Singh, who was appointed the Governor of Bihar.
• In the 16th century, Jahangir’s son, Prince Khurram, sought refuge at the fort.
• In the 17th century, Mir Kasim, the Nawab of Bengal, sought refuge at the fort after losing a battle against the British.
• However, the fort was handed over to British Captain Goddard by the Diwan of Rohtas, and the fort’s defenses were destroyed.
• The fort remained abandoned until 1857, during the First War of Independence, when Babu Kunwar Singh’s younger brother, Amar Singh, sought refuge t
• Finally, the British recaptured Rohtasgarh and soon abandoned it.

Pench Tiger Reserve:

Researchers released the long-billed vulture named J132 in the Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.

• It is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh and shares the southern boundary with Maharashtra.
• It has been declared a National Park and a tiger reserve.
• It derives its name from its life line-the River Pench which flows from North to South.
• It comprises the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, the Pench Mowgli Sanctuary, and a buffer.
• The forests in Pench tiger reserve are classified into three types:
  • South Indian Tropical Moist Deciduous (slightly moist)
  • Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Teak Forests and
  • Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest
• The reserve boasts a diverse range of flora, including teak, saag, mahua, and various grasses and shrubs.
• The area is especially famous for large herds of Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur (Indian Bison), and wild boar.

Magnetic levitation technology:

Chinese scientists have achieved a milestone in magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology by successfully propelling a one-tonne a one-tonne vehicle to 700 kilometers per hour in just two seconds.

• It is a transportation technology which uses electromagnets to lift, guide and propel trains without wheels, allowing the cars to levitate slightly above the tracks.
• It is achieved through magnets in the guideway walls interacting with magnets on the train, move the train forward in an almost frictionless environment.
• Maglev trains operate using two key electromagnetic principles: magnetic attraction and repulsion.
• The system typically consists of three main components:
• Magnets lift the train above the track, ensuring there is no physical contact. This minimizes wear and tear while providing a smooth ride.
• Electromagnets stabilize the train laterally, keeping it centered on the track.
• Propulsion: Linear motors generate magnetic fields that push and pull the train along the track. This replaces the need for traditional engines or fuel.
• The tracks, known as guideways, are embedded with powerful electromagnets, while the trains themselves contain superconducting magnets or electromagnets.
• By carefully controlling the magnetic fields, maglev trains achieve levitation and propulsion with minimal energy loss.
• With no physical contact between train and track, maglev systems have significantly lower maintenance costs and higher energy efficiency.
• Maglev trains produce zero direct emissions and can be powered by renewable energy sources, making them a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based transport.

Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR–120) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.

• It is an extended-range, precision-guided rocket developed for the Indian Army’s Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
• It has been developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL).
• Features of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket:
  • Its maximum strike range of around 120 kilometres.
  • The rockets are backward compatible, meaning they can fit into existing launch systems without any significant structural changes.
  • Guidance system for improved accuracy: It makes it highly effective in mountainous terrain, where precision is critical.
  • In the Guided Pinaka system, launchers carry eight guided rockets due to additional electronic components.
  • It is equipped with a guidance system that significantly improves accuracy, enabling it to engage targets such as enemy artillery positions, command nodes and logistics installations at long distances.

Justice Mission 2025:

China conducted large-scale live-fire military drills named “Justice Mission 2025” around Taiwan, including missile launches, fighter jet sorties, and naval deployments.Justice Mission 2025 is a high-intensity, two-day PLA (People’s Liberation Army) military exercise involving live-fire missile launches, air and naval manoeuvres.It is designed to simulate blockade operations and precision strikes against Taiwan’s ports and maritime targets.Conducted around Taiwan, including waters to the north and south of the island.Missile launches observed from Pingtan Island, the closest Chinese territory to Taiwan. Nations involved:China: People’s Liberation Army (ground forces, navy, air force, missile units).Taiwan: Target of the drills; responded with heightened military readiness.

PathGennie Software for Fast-Tracking Drug Discovery:

The Ministry of Science and Technology has developed PathGennie, a new open-source computational software that significantly accelerates drug discovery by accurately simulating drug–protein unbinding.PathGennie is an open-source computational framework designed to efficiently simulate rare molecular events, especially drug unbinding from protein targets, without introducing artificial distortions.
It helps predict drug residence time, a key factor in drug efficacy and safety.Developed by: Scientists at S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata.Aim is to overcome limitations of traditional molecular dynamics simulations in capturing slow, rare molecular transitions.,to provide physically accurate pathways for drug–protein interactions while reducing computational cost and time.

National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRAF):

The Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India has unveiled the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRAF) to create a uniform, evidence-based system for assessing technology maturity across India’s R&D ecosystem.The National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRAF) is a standardised, objective framework to assess the maturity of technologies from early laboratory research to full commercial deployment using 9 Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).

Law on Suspension of Sentence:

The Supreme Court has stayed the Delhi High Court’s order suspending the life sentence of former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case, reviving debate on when courts can suspend sentences in heinous crimes.‘Suspension of sentence’ refers to the temporary halt on execution of punishment awarded by a trial court during the pendency of an appeal.While it preserves the right to appeal, its misuse in serious offences such as rape and life imprisonment cases raises concerns about victim safety, public confidence in justice, and dilution of deterrence.