Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 7th May 2025

Total Allowable Catch:

A recent dispute involving the US and Russia highlighted the geopolitical and environmental implications of TAC enforcement.

• Total Allowable Catch (TAC) refers to the maximum quantity of a particular fish species that can be legally harvested from a specific water body, such as oceans, seas, or lakes, within a defined period.
• It is a regulatory measure adopted by national governments and international fisheries management agencies to ensure the sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
• TAC ensures the long-term sustainability of fish stocks by maintaining a minimum viable population size that can replenish naturally each year.
• In the absence of TAC, overfishing can occur, depleting fish populations to the extent that they are unable to recover, thus threatening marine biodiversity, ecosystem balance and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
• It acts as a scientific tool for preventing resource collapse, especially in commercially valuable species.
• India implements a seasonal fishing ban, which functions as a TAC equivalent of zero for a specified duration to conserve fish stocks during the breeding season.
• The ban is enforced in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for 61 days annually:
  • East Coast: From April 15 to June 14
  • West Coast: From June 1 to July 31
• This restriction aims to protect spawning fish and support regeneration of marine life during peak monsoon when fish reproduce in large numbers

Pulsar G359- Galactic ‘Bone’:

Astronomers have identified the likely cause of a fracture in a long, bone-like structure in the Milky Way Galaxy, known as G359.13142-0.20005 (G359.13 or “The Snake”), using data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and MeerKAT radio array.

• These galactic “bones” are elongated structures seen primarily in radio waves and aligned with magnetic field lines. Their appearance is due to charged particles spiraling along these magnetic fields, emitting synchrotron radiation.
• A fracture has been detected in the otherwise continuous structure of G359.13. This disruption aligns with the location of a pulsar, identified via both X-ray (Chandra) and radio data (MeerKAT and VLA).
• The pulsar is a fast-moving, highly magnetized neutron star, created by the collapse of a massive star during a supernova explosion.
• It travels at speeds estimated between 1 to 2 million miles per hour.
• The pulsar appears to have collided with G359.13, causing a distortion in its magnetic field, which in turn warped the radio signal and physically fractured the filament.
• The Chandra X-ray data revealed blue-colored emission from the suspected pulsar. Additional X-ray sources near the pulsar may originate from electrons and positrons (antimatter particles) that have been accelerated to extremely high energies.
• This event provides critical insights into high-energy astrophysical processes, especially the interaction of pulsars with galactic magnetic structures.

HADR Exercise:

INS Sharda, an offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, has arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, to participate in its first-ever Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, scheduled from May 4 to May 10, 2025.

• This initiative is part of India’s broader strategic vision to foster regional maritime cooperation and ensure disaster preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• The deployment underscores India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” Policy, wherein the Maldives holds a special strategic and cultural significance as a close maritime neighbour.
• The exercise aligns with the recently launched “MAHASAGAR” vision – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions – announced by the Prime Minister in Mauritius.
• This vision reaffirms India’s role as a net security provider and first responder in the Indian Ocean.
• The MAHASAGAR vision is an extension of India’s earlier SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region), emphasising inclusive security, regional collaboration, and disaster resilience.
• According to the Indian Navy, the key objectives of this HADR exercise include:
  • Enhancing interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
  • Conducting joint drills for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, disaster response coordination, logistical support and medical assistance.
  • Facilitating training sessions for capacity building.
  • Engaging with local communities for awareness and disaster resilience preparedness.

Axial Seamount : New Study

Scientists are currently on high alert while observing the Axial Seamount volcano, which is set to erupt for the first time in a decade.

• Axial Seamount is an underwater volcano located about 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, United States in the Pacific Ocean.
• It is a shield volcano with a summit marked by a large caldera.
• It rises to a depth of 1400 m below sea level.
• It is formed by a hot spot, an area in the Earth’s mantle where hot plumes of molten material rise into the crust.
• It is located on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, the boundary between the Pacific and Juan de Fuca tectonic plates.
• The volcano is home to hydrothermal vents, underwater hot springs where seawater is heated by magma and ejected in mineral-rich plumes.
• These vents support diverse marine life, including microbes that use volcanic gases for energy, forming the basis of an ecosystem that includes giant tubeworms, spider crabs, clams, fish and octopuses.
• It is the most active submarine volcano in the northeast Pacific, with known eruptions in 1998, 2011 and 2015.
• While Axial Seamount’s eruptions are not dangerous to people on land, they offer valuable opportunities for scientific observation.
• It is part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) and hosts the world’s first underwater volcanic observatory called NeMO.

Safa Masjid : begin repairs

After months of delay and neglect, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will begin repairs on the damaged mihrab structure surrounding the centuries-old water tank at Safa Masjid in Ponda, Goa.Safa Masjid, also known as the Safa Shahouri Masjid, is a historical mosque located in the village of Ponda, Goa.Constructed in 1560 by Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur, the mosque stands out as one of the few Islamic structures that survived the Portuguese colonial era when many temples and mosques were destroyed.
Recognized for its historical and architectural significance, the Safa Masjid has been designated a national monument under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Igla-S:

India recently received a fresh shipment of Russian Igla-S air defence missiles amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.It is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) developed by Russia.It is a hand-held defence system that can be operated by an individual or crew. It is designed to bring down low-flying aircraft and can also identify and neutralise air targets such as cruise missiles and drones.

Baglihar Dam : India Pakistan Conflict

India recently stopped the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River leading to Pakistan.Baglihar Dam, also known as the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project, is a run-of-the-river power project on the Chenab River in the Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir.It consists of a concrete gravity dam5 m high and 363 m long, which has a total volume of 1.9 million m³, creating a reservoir with a capacity of 475 million m³.The underground powerhouse is 221 m long, 24 m wide, and 51 m high.
The planning of the project started in 1992 and was approved in 1996; the construction began in 1999. The project consists of two stages of 450 MW each. The first phase of the Baglihar Dam was completed in 2004. With the second phase completed on 10 October 2008, the Baglihar Dam has a capacity of 900 MW.

Pwani Molecular Form : New mosquito species

A new mosquito species, provisionally named the “Pwani molecular form”, has been discovered in the coastal regions of Tanzania and Kenya.The species belongs to the Anopheles gambiae complex, a group comprising some of the world’s most potent malaria vectors.The Pwani mosquito shows clear genetic divergence from other members of the Anopheles gambiae complex, indicating it could have distinct ecological or behavioural adaptations.Genetic sequencing confirms that this species is geographically restricted to coastal East Africa, especially Tanzania and Kenya.Unlike known malaria vectors in the region, this mosquito lacks the usual genetic markers for insecticide resistance, indicating a unique resistance mechanism or greater susceptibility to existing insecticides.

Shear-Wave Splitting:

University of Oxford scientists have proposed a new method for monitoring volcanic eruptions using a seismic phenomenon called shear-wave splitting at Mount Ontake, Japan.Shear-wave splitting refers to the phenomenon where seismic shear waves travel at different speeds based on their polarisation, especially when passing through aligned cracks or fractures in rocks. As magma and volcanic fluids move underground, they alter stress conditions, causing cracks in surrounding rocks to open or close. These changes affect the speed and direction of shear-waves, which scientists can monitor. The degree of shear-wave splitting increases when internal pressure builds up, offering a potential early-warning signal for impending eruptions.Mount Ontake is an active stratovolcano located in Honshū Island, Central Japan, near Tokyo. It is Japan’s second-highest volcano and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Neanderthal Spear Tip Discovery:

An international archaeological team has unearthed the oldest known spear tip in Europe, crafted not by Homo sapiens, but by Neanderthals.The spear tip was discovered in a cave in the North Caucasus region of Russia, embedded in a sediment layer.
The findings were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science and are based on materials excavated in 2003 but studied in-depth only recently.It was found along with animal bones and the remains of a campfire, indicating habitation by prehistoric hominins.The team employed spectroscopy, computed tomography (CT scans), and microscopy techniques to analyse the artefact in high detail.

Operation Sindoor: India Strikes Back in Pakistan and PoK

The Indian Armed Forces on Wednesday launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, a series of precision strikes on terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, triggering widespread outrage and demands for decisive action.

Centre Notifies ₹1.5 Lakh Free Treatment Plan for Crash Victims:

The Central Government has officially notified the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025. The scheme aims to provide immediate, cashless medical treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for accident victims across India, covering the first seven days after an incident. Effective from May 5, 2025, this initiative is a crucial step toward inclusive and accessible trauma care on Indian roads.

China Clinches 14th Sudirman Cup Title Despite An Seyoung’s Heroics:

China extended its supremacy in world badminton by clinching the Sudirman Cup 2025, defeating South Korea 3-1 in the final held in Xiamen, China. Despite a brilliant individual performance by An Seyoung, who maintained her perfect season with 25 consecutive wins, the Chinese team’s all-round dominance secured their 14th title in the World Mixed Team Championships.China won the Sudirman Cup 2025, marking their 14th title. The tournament reaffirmed China’s unparalleled depth and dominance in international badminton. An Seyoung continued her incredible run, winning her match in the final, but could not prevent South Korea’s overall loss.

Prakash Magdum Appointed as New MD of NFDC:

Shri Prakash Magdum, a seasoned Indian Information Service (IIS) officer of the 1999 batch, officially assumed charge as the Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). With a career spanning over two decades in film, communication, and cultural preservation, Shri Magdum brings a wealth of experience to India’s apex film development institution. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the appointment of Shri Prakash Magdum as the new Managing Director of NFDC. His prior contributions to the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and roles in key government communication positions underscore the significance of this leadership transition

DRDO & Indian Navy Successfully Test Indigenous Multi-Influence Ground Mine:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Indian Navy, successfully conducted combat firing (with reduced explosives) of the indigenous Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM). This underwater mine, designed for modern naval warfare, is a cutting-edge addition to India’s defence arsenal and marks a major milestone in the country’s self-reliance initiative in the defence sector.

Human Development Index 2025:

India improved its rank to 130 out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2023, according to the UNDP Human Development Report 2025. This marks a three-place rise from its 2022 rank of 133. India also demonstrated notable improvement in reducing gender inequality, climbing from 108 (out of 166 countries) in 2022 to 102 out of 193 countries in 2023 on the Gender Inequality Index (GII). The theme of the Human Development Report “A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of AI”.

Yemen Appoints Finance Minister Salem Bin Braik as New Prime Minister:

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) appointed Salem Saleh Bin Braik, the country’s long-serving Finance Minister, as the new Prime Minister on May 5, 2025. This decision follows the sudden resignation of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who cited constitutional limitations and a lack of authority to implement key reforms as reasons for stepping down.

India’s First Edu City with Foreign Universities Coming Up in Navi Mumbai:

In a landmark move to internationalize India’s education ecosystem, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the development of India’s first Edu City in Navi Mumbai, which will host offshore campuses of global universities. The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 3,000 crore with the University of York (UK) and Western Australia University at the WAVES Summit 2025

Telangana Hosts Miss World 2025:

As the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant unfolds in Telangana from May 10 to 31, 2025, contestants from around the globe are arriving in Hyderabad to partake in this internationally acclaimed event. The Government of Telangana is leveraging the opportunity to highlight the state’s tourism potential and cultural heritage on a global scale.The Miss World 2025 pageant is being hosted in Telangana, India, for the first time. With over 120 contestants and live broadcasts in more than 150 countries, the event is being strategically used to boost the state’s international visibility, tourism, and investment appeal.

India Strengthens Maritime Surveillance with HawkEye 360 Technology Deal:

India has taken a significant step in enhancing its maritime security by securing a $131 million deal with the United States for cutting-edge surveillance technology from HawkEye 360. This agreement will provide India with advanced capabilities to detect “dark ships” and improve maritime domain awareness in critical ocean regions.