Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 8th May 2025

Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025:

The Government of India recently launched a groundbreaking cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims across the country, ensuring swift and hassle-free medical care for those affected.

• Under the scheme, any individual injured in a road accident involving a motor vehicle on any public road in India will be eligible for cashless medical treatment at designated hospitals.
• The maximum benefit under the scheme is capped at Rs 1.5 lakh and is valid for up to seven days from the date of the accident.
• Treatment at hospitals that are not designated under the scheme will be limited to stabilisation measures, as further detailed in the scheme’s guidelines.
• To ensure seamless execution, the National Health Authority (NHA) will serve as the coordinating agency.
• It will work in collaboration with the police, hospitals and respective State Health Agencies to operationalise the scheme effectively.
• The State Road Safety Council in each state and Union Territory will act as the nodal agency responsible for the scheme’s implementation within their jurisdiction.
• This includes coordinating with the National Health Authority for the onboarding of designated hospitals, the treatment of victims, payment processes to hospitals, and other related matters through a dedicated portal.
• A 17-member steering committee headed by the road transport secretary will monitor the implementation of the scheme.

Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project:

India’s national safety regulator for large dams, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), has found “irreparable damage” in the structure of three barrages that are part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

• It is a multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in Kaleshwaram, Bhupalpally,
• It is designed to provide water for irrigation and drinking purposes to about 45 lakh acres in 20 of the 31 districts in Telangana, apart from Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
• Currently the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, its farthest upstream influence is at the confluence of the Pranhita and Godavari rivers.
• The Pranahita River is itself a confluence of various smaller tributaries, including the Wardha, Painganga and Wainganga rivers, which combine to form the seventh-largest drainage basin on the subcontinent.
• It comprises seven links and 28 packages, stretching over a distance of approximately 500 km (310 mi) across 13 districts.
• The extensive canal network associated with the project spans over 1,800 km (1,100 mi).
• The project aims to produce a total of 240 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of water, which is allocated for various purposes such as irrigation, municipal water supply to Hyderabad, industrial use, and drinking water in nearby villages.

Global Space Exploration Summit (GLEX) 2025:

India will host the 12th edition of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) from 7th to 9th May 2025 in New Delhi.

• GLEX 2025’s theme is “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance,” emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and international cooperation in space science.
• GLEX 2025 is jointly organised by:
  • International Astronautical Federation (IAF) – the world’s leading space advocacy body.
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – as the primary host.
  • Astronautical Society of India (ASI) – as the co-host.
• The conference represents a milestone in India’s expanding global space leadership, highlighting its transition from a regional space power to a key international player.

IAF (International Astronautical Federation):

• Founded in 1951, the IAF has over 500 members from 78 countries, including major space agencies, private firms, research institutes, and universities.
• Its motto “Connecting @ll Space People” and vision “A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity” guide its efforts to promote global space cooperation.

NASA’s IXPE Unlocks X-ray Emission Mystery in Black Hole Jets:

The mission aimed to solve the long-standing mystery of how X-rays are generated in black hole jets.

• Two competing theories existed:
  • Proton-based models (would result in high X-ray polarization).
  • Electron-based models (would result in low X-ray polarization).
• IXPE’s observations found that the X-rays emitted from BL Lac’s jets were only weakly polarized (no more than 6%).
• Simultaneously, the optical light was highly polarised (as high as 5%, the highest ever recorded for a blazar).
• This clear contrast confirmed that the X-rays are not generated by protons, but rather through electron-photon interactions.

IXPE: 

• Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer is a joint mission of NASA and the Italian Space Agency, launched on December 9, 2021.
• It is the first satellite capable of measuring the polarisation of X-ray light, a key feature for understanding high-energy astrophysical phenomena.
• Blazars are a type of active galactic nuclei (AGN) where a supermassive black hole ejects a relativistic jet of particles oriented directly toward Earth.
  BL Lacertae (BL Lac) is a well-known blazar and among the first discovered. It is located in the Lacerta constellation.

Palaeofires:

Scientists have traced evidence of palaeofires (ancient wildfires) from the Permian Period (~250 million years ago) in the Godavari Basin.

• The team successfully distinguished between in situ (on-site) and ex situ (transported) charcoal, helping resolve a long-standing debate in geology regarding the origin of charcoal found in coal-bearing formations.
• Stratigraphic patterns (rock layering) revealed that:
  • During regressive phases (sea-level drop), well-preserved, concentrated fire residues were found.
  • During transgressive phases (sea-level rise), charcoal was more oxidised and dispersed, indicating environmental mixing and transport.
  • High atmospheric oxygen levels in the Permian Period likely made the Earth more fire-prone, intensifying wildfire frequency and scale.
  • The Raniganj Coalfield was one of the earliest Indian sites where macroscopic charcoal in coal seams suggested the presence of palaeofires in ancient peat-forming environments (palaeomires).
• These findings help understand how wildfires influence carbon cycling and long-term carbon sequestration—important for modern climate change mitigation strategies.
• Palaeofires refer to wildfire events preserved in geological records, which play a crucial role in understanding Earth’s past vegetation, climate evolution, and coal formation.
• The study spanned geological periods from the Late Silurian (443.8–419.2 million years ago) to the Quaternary (from 2.58 million years ago to present), highlighting how wildfires have historically shaped landscapes, vegetation patterns, and coal formation.
• The research combined advanced techniques like Palynofacies analysis, Raman Spectroscopy, Rock-Eval Pyrolysis, and FTIR Spectroscopy to examine microscopic organic matter and fossil charcoal in ancient sedimentary rocks.

Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary:

Public trespassing into the ecologically sensitive Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Khanapur taluk continues unchecked, raising serious concerns among conservationists.

• Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary spans over the Western Ghats in the Belgaum district of Karnataka.
• It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in December 2011.
• The sanctuary has been named after the Bhimgad Fort, constructed and commanded by Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century as a defence from Portuguese troops.
• It shares its boundary with the north of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, north-west of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, north of Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, and east of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It is characterized by its diverse topography, encompassing hills, valleys, and plateaus.
• BWS forms the headwaters of a number of rivers like Tillari, Malaprabha, and Mhadei and several perennial streams.
• This sanctuary is known for the Barapede caves, the only known breeding area of the Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat, a threatened species on the verge of extinction.
• It provides habitat for several endangered species, such as the Indian sloth bear, Indian pangolin, and the elusive black panther.
• Other notable residents include the Malabar giant squirrel, gaur, sambar deer, and a plethora of bird species, including the Malabar trogon and the great Indian hornbill.
• One of the unique features of Bhimgad is the presence of large, isolated rock formations that serve as ideal breeding grounds for the King Cobra, the world’s longest venomous snake

India-UK Free Trade Agreement:

India and the UK have signed a India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant step between the world’s 5th and 6th largest economies amid ongoing global trade volatility and tariff uncertainties.

Key Highlights of the India-UK FTA:

• UK is India’s 4th largest export destination and India is UK’s 11th largest trading partner. The bilateral trade of about USD 60 billion is projected to double by 2030.
• It is India’s 16th FTA, and the UK’s most significant bilateral trade deal post-Brexit.
• The FTA grants zero-duty access for 99% of Indian exports to the UK, including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, sports goods, toys, gems and jewellery, auto parts, engineering goods, and organic chemicals.
• Automobiles tariffs cut to 10% under a quota, down from over 100%
• It also promotes labour mobility. About 100 additional annual visas for Indian professionals, particularly in IT and healthcare
• Double Contribution Convention Agreement: India and the UK also signed a Double Contribution Convention Agreement (also called a Social Security Agreement) as one of the key aspects of the deal.
• It will ensure that professionals in either country are not forced to pay national insurance or social security contributions in both countries.
• An FTA is a trade pact between two or more nations that aims to reduce or eliminate customs duties and trade barriers on goods traded between them.
• FTAs, unlike Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs), offer comprehensive tariff elimination on most goods, whereas PTAs provide only limited tariff concessions on select products.

Stratospheric Airship Platform:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight trials of its Stratospheric Airship Platform at an altitude of around 17 km.

• During the flight, data from onboard sensors was collected for the development of high-fidelity simulation models for future high-altitude flights.
• It strengthens India’s earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
• Stratospheric Airship is an unmanned airship designed for high-altitude operations in the stratosphere, typically between 17 to 22 kilometers above Earth.
• It operates as a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS), capable of remaining airborne for extended periods and utilizes helium for buoyancy.
• Unlike satellites or aircraft, it can stay over a specific area for extended periods, offering persistent surveillance and communication.

Kerala has demanded changes to the Animal Birth Control:

Kerala has demanded changes to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules as increasing stray dog attacks and rabies cases spark public health concerns.The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, notified under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, regulate stray dog population control through sterilisation and immunisation, not culling. ABC Rules mandate local bodies to establish dog sterilisation centres, maintain proper facilities, and carry out humane capture, neutering, vaccination, and release of dogs.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a strategic MoU with Rhenus Logistics India:

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a strategic MoU with Rhenus Logistics India, a global logistics firm, to operate 100 cargo barges and pusher tugs across multiple national waterways, starting in late 2025. This aims to boost multimodal cargo movement and private participation in India’s inland water transport sector.IWT refers to the movement of goods and passengers through navigable rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks using boats, barges, or ferries.It is a fuel-efficient, environment-friendly, and cost-effective mode of transportation.

Anak Krakatau volcano : New Study

A new study reveals that Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano, which collapsed catastrophically in 2018 causing a deadly tsunami, showed warning signs years in advance. Anak Krakatau (“Child of Krakatoa”) is located in the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra in Indonesia. Volcano Type: Stratovolcano, Situated at the convergent boundary between the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone encircling the Pacific Ocean.

Yangtze Finless Porpoise:

Scientists use classical poems to map decline of Yangtze finless porpoise from Tang Period to People’s Republic of China.Chinese scientists have utilised classical Chinese poetry to reconstruct the historical distribution of the Yangtze finless porpoise, the only known freshwater porpoise species in the world. This study demonstrates the scientific use of ancient literary records to track biodiversity trends over 1,000+ years, from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) to the modern People’s Republic of China.Yangtze Finless Porpoise found exclusively in the Yangtze River, Asia’s longest river known for a mischievous smile and intelligence similar to gorillas. It is Considered a key indicator species, reflecting the overall health of its freshwater ecosystem. IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

Moody’s Cuts India’s 2025 GDP Forecast to 6.3% Amid Global Trade Uncertainty:

Moody’s Ratings has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for the calendar year 2025 down to 6.3%, citing heightened global policy uncertainty, especially from the United States, persistent trade tensions, and increasing geopolitical risks as major contributing factors. The agency, however, retained its growth projection for 2026 at 6.5%, reflecting expectations of eventual economic stabilization

Rohit Sharma Announces Retirement from Test Cricket:

Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most accomplished batters and the current red-ball captain, has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket. This decision, made just ahead of the highly anticipated India vs England Test series, marks the end of a roller-coaster journey in the longest format of the game. Rohit, who made his Test debut in 2013, leaves behind a legacy marked by resilience, reinvention, and leadership. While he had expressed a desire to continue leading the side during the IPL 2025, changing dynamics within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) led to an early and somewhat unexpected conclusion to his Test career.

Biju Patnaik Memorial Unveiled in Delhi for Battle of Stalingrad Contribution:

Russia honoured the legendary Indian leader and aviator Biju Patnaik by inaugurating a memorial plaque at its embassy in New Delhi, recognizing his contributions during the historic Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. The ceremony was attended by former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov. While Biju Patnaik is often remembered for his political legacy, his courageous role as a wartime pilot supplying the besieged Red Army has earned him international respect and historical acclaim.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced that May 5 will soon be designated as Traders Day:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the state will soon officially declare May 5 as Traders Day, addressing a long-standing demand of the business community. Speaking at a traders’ conference in Chennai, Stalin reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of traders under the Dravidian model of inclusive governance. Alongside this symbolic gesture, several key financial and regulatory reforms were unveiled to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

International No Diet Day 2025:

Every year on May 6, the world observes International No Diet Day, a global initiative that promotes body positivity, self-acceptance, and a conscious rejection of toxic diet culture. Initiated in 1992, this movement advocates for mental and physical well-being, encourages diverse body representations, and raises awareness about the dangers of extreme dieting and weight discrimination.This year’s celebration placed a renewed emphasis on mental health, intuitive eating, and summer health tips that do not rely on dieting.

SBI Launches Largest Staff Engagement Initiative to Empower Workforce:

The State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, has launched a massive employee engagement and skill development initiative titled ‘Next LEAP’ and ‘SuPer SBI: Great to Greater’ to make its workforce future-ready and boost performance, pride, and productivity. This marks the largest such initiative in the Indian banking sector.The State Bank of India (SBI) has initiated the largest staff engagement and training programme in India’s banking sector to equip its 2.3 lakh employees with future-ready skills and instill organizational pride.

FSIB Recommends Sanjay Joshi as CMD of Oriental Insurance:

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Sanjay Joshi, a seasoned officer from the 1989 batch, for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the Oriental Insurance Company Limited (OICL). This decision comes after the retirement of R.R. Singh in February 2025, with Joshi currently serving as General Manager at United India Insurance Company.