Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 4th February 2025

India has added four new Ramsar sites:

India has added four new Ramsar sites, taking the total to 89. Tamil Nadu leads with 20 wetlands, while Sikkim and Jharkhand added their first Ramsar sites, marking a significant step in wetland conservation.

• Therthangal Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Established on December 15, 2010, to conserve avian species and wetland habitats.
• Covers 29.29 hectares, home to diverse flora like Aponogeton nutans, Hydrilla verticillata, and Tamarindus indica.
• Popular among birdwatchers during the migratory season (October to March).
• Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Established on April 17, 2012, to protect avifauna and wetland ecosystems.
• Spreads over 230.490 hectares, hosting flora like Neem, Palmyra Palm, and Gloriosa superba.
• Home to diverse fauna, including Lion-tailed Macaque, Giant Squirrel, and migratory birds.
• Khecheopalri Wetland Sikkim Sacred for both Buddhists and Hindus, believed to be a wish-fulfilling lake.
• Local name: Sho Dzo Sho (‘Oh Lady, Sit Here’).
• Part of the revered Demazong valley and Buddhist pilgrimage circuit.
• Unique feature: Birds prevent leaves from floating on the lake by picking them up.
• Home to diverse bird species like house swifts, fishing eagles, and Brahminy kites.
• Integral to ecotourism and biodiversity conservation efforts in Sikkim.
• Udhwa Lake Jharkhand : Comprises two large water bodies: Pataura Jheel (155 ha) and Brahma Jamalpur Jheel (410 ha).
• Notified as a bird sanctuary in 1991 due to its rich avian biodiversity.
• Attracts migratory birds during winter, starting as early as September.
• Located near the sacred Ganga River stream, enhancing its scenic beauty and ecological significance.
• Provides an ideal habitat for nesting, roosting, and survival of resident and migratory birds.

Ocean Coordination Mechanism:

The Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) was launched to address critical marine challenges in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf, aiming to enhance sustainable ocean governance and protect biodiversity.

• Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) is a collaborative framework for sustainable marine resource management in the Wider Caribbean region.
• Launched by: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC).
• Implementing Agency: UNESCO-IOC Sub commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE).
• Funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+ Project.
• Ocean Covered: Caribbean Sea and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem.
• Aim is to promote sustainable fisheries, ecosystem restoration, pollution control, blue carbon development, marine spatial planning, and marine protected areas.
• Focuses on cross-country collaboration, integrates traditional knowledge with scientific research, and prioritizes vulnerable communities.

Very Short-Range Air Defence System : Three Successive Flight-Trials

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted three successive flight-trials of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

• VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence system.
• It is short-range, lightweight and portable surface-to-air missilesthat can be fired by individuals or small groups to destroy aircraft or helicopters.
• They are having a maximum range of 8 kilometres and can engage targets at altitudes of 4.5 km.
• The missile incorporates many novel technologies including a miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during the tests.
• The RCS is responsible for attitude control and steering by the use of thrusters and is also capable of providing small amounts of thrust in any desired direction or combination of directions.
• It is designed and developed indigenously by the Research Center Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Development cum Production Partners.
• The missile system has the capability to meet the needs of all the three branches of the Armed Forces, viz. Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

Potomac River:

A US military helicopter and a passenger plane collided mid-air over Washington, crashing into the Potomac River and leaving no known survivors.

• Potomac River originates in the Potomac River Highlands of West Virginia, US and flows through Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and emptying into the Chesapeake Bay.
• Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the US and the third largest in the world.
• An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal area where freshwater from rivers meets saltwater from the ocean, creating a unique ecosystem.
• The Potomac River, often referred to as “America’s River,” holds profound historical, cultural, and ecological significance.

World Wetlands Day 2025:

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organised the World Wetlands Day 2025 celebrations at the Parvati Arga Ramsar Site.

• World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2.
• This date marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in 1971.
• It aims to spread awareness about conserving the wetlands, one of the most critical ecosystems on the planet.
• This year, the theme was “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”.
• India has been a party to the Convention since 1982, designating 89 Ramsar sites.
• Wetlands are regions covered by water either perennially or seasonally, such as marshes and lakes.

RBI’s Digital Payments Index:

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) digital payments index (DPI) rose to 465.33 as of September 2024, compared to 445.5 in March 2024, reflecting the rapid adoption of digital payments in the country.

RBI’s Digital Payments Index:

• It is a first-of-its kind index to measure the spread of digital payments across the country. It has been constructed by the RBI.
• It was launched in January 2021.
• It has been constructed with March 2018 as the base period, i.e., the DPI score for March 2018 is set at 100.
• The DPI index comprises five broad parameters that enable the measurement of deepening and penetration of digital payments in the country over different time periods. The parameters include:
  • Payment enablers (25 percent weightage in the index)
  • Payment Infrastructure Demand-side factors (10 percent)
  • Payment Infrastructure Supply-side factors (15 per cent)
  • Payment performance (45 percent)
  • Consumer centricity (5 per cent)
• Each of the parameters has sub-parameters, which, in turn, consist of various measurable indicators.

Golden-headed Cisticola:

Golden-headed Cisticola bird was discovered for the first time in the Mathikettan Shola National Park, Idukki in the southern Western Ghats after an extensive gap.

• Scientific Name: Cisticola exilis
• It is also known as the bright-capped cisticola. It is a species of warbler in the family Cisticolidae.
• It is omnivorous, primarily eating invertebrates such as insects and small slugs, but also eating grass seeds.
• It is usually found in grasslands in the mountain ranges.
• It is found in Australia and Asian countries. In India it has been observed in parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and northern Kerala.
• Male birds have distinct golden-orange plumage on their head, neck, and chest during breeding.
• They also have pinkish beaks and black streaks on their backs.
• They can be easily identified by their distinctive call.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern

India-Bhutan Ties and Subnational Diplomacy:

Following the King of Bhutan visit to India, both countries committed to strengthening India and Bhutan ties in which Subnational diplomacy by states like Assam can further strengthen economic and cultural relations. Bhutan expressed gratitude for India’s continued support for its 13th Five Year Plan (2024-29) and for India’s contributions to Bhutan’s Economic Stimulus Programme.India has assured continued support for the Mindfulness City project, a sustainable economic hub. Significant progress has been made in the 1020 MW Punatshangchhu-II hydro project and both countries agreed to expedite the completion of the Punatsangchhu-I project.The Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Darranga, Assam, was inaugurated to boost tourism and economic activities in Bhutan’s eastern region and Assam’s border areas.

RBI’s Liquidity Measures:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced measures to inject over Rs 1.5 lakh crore to increase money liquidity in the economy.Money Liquidity refers to the availability of cash and easily accessible funds in the economy, influencing spending and investment. Liquidity refers to how quickly and easily an asset can be converted into cash without impacting its price much.Reason for Liquidity Shortfall is RBI’s forex sale to stabilize the rupee amid foreign institutional investors (FIIs) outflows led to a liquidity deficit.

Card Tokenization in India:

Card tokenization has become a significant technological advancement in India, enhancing security and customer convenience in digital payments.Over 91 crore tokens were issued by December 2024 and has enabled nearly 98% of e-commerce transactions to be processed without actual card data, reducing the risk of data breaches. Tokenization substitutes actual card details with a unique code, or “token,” which acts as a secure identifier during transactions.

Grammy Awards 2025:

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles marked a milestone in the music industry. Beyoncé made history by winning Album of the Year for her country album Cowboy Carter, becoming the first Black woman in 26 years to earn the honor. Chandrika Tandon’s ‘Triveni’ Wins Grammy for Best New Age Album. Indian-American musician and business leader Chandrika Tandon won the Grammy for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for ‘Triveni’, a collaboration with Wouter Kellerman and Eru Matsumoto, at the 67th Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025.

FDI Limit for Insurance Raised from 74% to 100%:

One of the most notable announcements is raising the FDI limit in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%, which aims to attract foreign investment, improve market penetration, and integrate global best practices. Other key changes include reforms in pension product development, KYC simplification, easing company mergers, and revamping BITs to encourage sustained foreign investment.

ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup:

The Indian U19 women’s cricket team scripted history by securing a dominant nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 final at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This triumph marked India’s second consecutive title in the tournament, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in women’s cricket at the youth level. The star of the match, Gongadi Trisha, delivered an all-round performance, guiding India to a comprehensive win.

Russian Lawmaker Vyacheslav Volodin’s Official Visit to India:

Russian Lawmaker Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma of Russia, arrived in India on February 3, 2025, for a crucial official visit. The visit aims to further enhance the strategic relationship between Russia and India, which has continued to evolve in recent years. Volodin’s discussions with Indian leaders will focus on strengthening ties in various sectors, such as economic growth, education, technology, and cultural exchanges, while also pushing for deeper inter-parliamentary cooperation.