Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 9th April 2025

Three Gorges Antarctic Eye : China

China has recently launched the “Three Gorges Antarctic Eye,” a 3.2-metre aperture radio/millimetre-wave telescope, at the Zhongshan Station in Antarctica.

• It is a 2-metre radio/millimeter-wave telescope, located at Zhongshan Station, Antarctica.
• It builds upon China’s earlier achievements, such as the Antarctic Survey Telescopes (AST3).
• Purpose: Studying interstellar gas (hydrogen and ammonia), star formation.
• Challenge to withstand Antarctica’s extreme cold and strong winds.
• Developed by: China Three Gorges University and Shanghai Normal University.

SC Verdict on Governors’ Powers over State Bills:

The Supreme Court(SC) of India, in the State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu, clarified that Governors must act on state bills in a time-bound manner, following the aid and advice of the council of ministers, as per Article 200, without independent discretion.

• The Tamil Nadu Governor withheld assent to 10 Bills, delaying action under Article 200. The state government challenged this, citing constitutional violations and governance disruption.
• After the Governor withheld assent, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly re-enacted the Bills and sent them back. Instead of granting assent or returning them with comments, the Governor referred them to the President.
• SC termed the Tamil Nadu Governor’s referral of re-enacted Bills to the President as “erroneous in law.”
• The Court ruled that there is no concept of “absolute veto” or “pocket veto” under Article 200 and stated that governors cannot indefinitely delay action on bills.
• SC noted that Governors are bound to follow the advice of the Council of Ministers.
• SC ruled that Governor must give assent to a bill when a bill is presented to him after re consultation in state assembly and he can only refuse assent when the bill is different.
• The SC prescribed clear timelines for Governors when dealing with Bills with one month to withhold assent, three months if doing against State Cabinet advice, and one month for Bills re-presented after reconsideration.
• The Supreme Court ruling curbs the misuse of gubernatorial discretion to stall state legislatures, reaffirming that Governors are constitutional heads, not political actors.
• It emphasizes the primacy of the legislative process and limits executive overreach.
• The judgment sets a precedent for similar cases in states like Kerala, West Bengal, Telangana, and Punjab, where Governors have delayed assent to Bills.

Megaliths : Discovered

Ancient relics estimated to be 2,000 years old, belonging to the Megalithic Period, were recently unearthed at Manimoola village in Bandadukka, Kerala.

• These artefacts were found during excavation works under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which involved digging trenches for water pipelines.
• Key items recovered include: a Black ware pot, Five four-legged jars, Pots of different sizes, Clay utensils that resembled lids of large vessels, an iron stove stand with three support stones and iron tools resembling penknives
• A Megalith is a large stone used in the construction of prehistoric monuments, either alone or with other stones.
• They were constructed for:
  • Burial purposes (sepulchral)
  • Commemorative rituals (non-sepulchral)
  • Most Indian Megaliths date to the Iron Age: 1500 BCE to 500 BCE
  • Some megalithic sites even precede the Iron Age, extending back to 2000 BCE

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia:

CRISPR-based test for rapid diagnosis of rare blood cancer Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)

• Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) is a rare but aggressive form of leukemia, a cancer affecting blood cells.
• APL is a subtype of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and contributes to approximately 10-15% of newly diagnosed AML cases.
• The condition arises due to a genetic mutation where two genes—PML and RARA—fuse together abnormally, disrupting normal blood cell formation.
• This fusion leads to a significant drop in white blood cells and platelets, impairing the body’s ability to fight infections and control bleeding.
• APL is particularly dangerous because it can cause sudden internal bleeding in vital organs like the lungs and brain, which can be fatal within days if left untreated.
• Early diagnosis and treatment, however, can cure most patients, making timely detection crucial.

POEM-4:

POEM-4 re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere and made impact in the Indian Ocean, as monitored by ISRO’s IS4OM (System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management).

• POEM-4, or PSLV Orbital Experiment Module-4, is a space research platform developed by ISRO that utilizes the spent fourth stage (PS4) of the PSLV rocket as an orbiting experimental module in space.
• It is part of the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission and represents the fourth deployment of the POEM series, following POEM-3.
• POEM-4 has a three times larger payload capacity than its predecessor, POEM-3, marking a major advancement in reusing upper rocket stages for scientific research.
• Total of 24 payloads were hosted on POEM-4: 14 payloads from ISRO and 10 payloads from non-government entities (NGEs) including start-ups and academic institutions
• Payloads include:
  • Walking Robotic Arm (RRM-TD): A robotic manipulator capable of inchworm-like motion, aimed at enabling inspection and servicing tasks in space.
  • Debris Capture Robotic Manipulator: Developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), this innovation assists in space debris collection and manipulation, aligning with global efforts in space clean-up.
  • Gradient Control Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA): Designed by ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), this system enhances attitude control and stabilization of the POEM platform using reaction wheels.
• POEM-4 was launched on December 30, 2024, aboard PSLV-C60, which also carried twin SPADEX satellites to a 475 km altitude.
• After satellite deployment, the PS4 upper stage was reconfigured as POEM-4 and continued in a nearby orbit, serving as an experimental platform.
• POEM-4 was then de-orbited by restarting its engine and brought to a circular orbit at 350 km altitude with a 2° inclination.
• The stage was passivated (leftover fuel vented) to prevent accidental break-up and ensure safe operations in orbit.

International Year of Quantum Science and Technology : United Nations

The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, marking 100 years since quantum theory began to revolutionise science.

• Topological materials are substances that exhibit different physical properties on their surface and in their interior.
• These materials may behave like a metal on the outside (conducting electricity) but like an insulator on the inside (not conducting electricity).
• The term “topological” refers to the unique geometric and quantum properties of the material, which remain unchanged even if the shape of the material is distorted.
• Discovered in the latter half of the 20th century, these materials represent a new class of quantum matter.
• Nobel Prize in Physics (2016) was awarded to scientists (David Thouless, Duncan Haldane, and Michael Kosterlitz) for their theoretical discoveries in this field.
• These materials exhibit a metallic surface (conducting electrons freely) while maintaining an insulating core (electrons remain localized).
• This strange duality arises from quantum mechanical effects, especially the topology of electronic band structures.
• The behaviour is deeply rooted in the principles of quantum mechanics, where electron spin and momentum interplay due to a phenomenon called spin-orbit coupling.
• The interaction of light and matter, the collective behavior of electrons, and phase transitions are governed by quantum principles.

Mount Kanlaon : Eruption

A dramatic eruption of Mount Kanlaon, one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes, sent a towering ash plume 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) into the sky recently.

• It is a stratovolcano in the north-central part of the island of Negros., Philippines.
• It is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
• The volcano comprises a number of pyroclastic cones and craters.
• The summit of Kanlaon contains a broad, elongated northern caldera with a crater lake and a smaller, but higher, historically active crater to the south.
• It is underlain by tropical volcanic materials composed of sheeted lava flows, lahar deposits, airfall tephra, and apron pyroclastic materials.
• It is biologically diverse; and home to a number of species of flora and fauna.
• The slopes are also headwater catchments of major river systems on the entire Negros Island.
• Historical eruptions, recorded since 1866, have typically consisted of phreatic explosions of small-to-moderate size that produce minor ashfalls near the volcano.

Digital Threat Report 2024:

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology recently launched the Digital Threat Report 2024 for the Banking, Financial Services, and insurance (BFSI) sector.

• It is a collaborative effort by SISA (Strategic Information Services Agreement), a global cybersecurity company, in collaboration with the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) and CSIRT-Fin.
• It offers an in-depth analysis of the growing cybersecurity risks in India’s Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.
• Built on frontline threat intelligence and real-world incident data, the report outlines a unified view of the cyber threat landscape and the shifting dynamics of digital security in an era of rapid technological transformation.

Key Highlights from the Report:

• Social Engineering on the Rise: Business Email Compromise (BEC) and phishing attacks have become more precise and damaging, targeting BFSI institutions with tailored tactics that bypass traditional security barriers.
• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Breaches through third-party vendors and open-source software have introduced threats at scale, underlining the need for stricter vendor risk management.
• Compliance Evolution: Regulatory frameworks are moving toward harmonization, transforming compliance from a rigid obligation into a strategic tool that can drive growth, improve operations, and build cyber resilience.
• Persistent Control Gaps: Misconfigurations, over-privileged access, and weak access controls continue to plague even the most security-conscious organizations.
• AI-Powered Threats: With artificial intelligence being leveraged by both defenders and attackers, the report warns of a future dominated by highly personalized, large-scale cyber attacks driven by AI technologies.

Centrifuge Process of Uranium Enrichment:

Uranium Enrichment is used to increase U-235 concentration to the desired level.

• Natural uranium has 99.3% U-238 and 0.7% U-235. Nuclear reactors require 3–20% U-235, while nuclear weapons require about 90% U-235.
• Uranium enriched beyond 20% is considered as highly enriched.
• In this method, uranium is first converted into a gas called uranium hexafluoride (UF₆).
• UF₆ is the only gaseous form of uranium suitable for centrifuge separation.
• Uranium has two main isotopes U-238 (heavier) and U-235 (lighter and used in nuclear reactors/weapons), having a small mass difference of 1.27%.
• When the UF₆ gas is spun at very high speeds (around 50,000 rpm) inside a centrifuge, the heavier U-238 moves to the outer edge, and the lighter U-235 stays closer to the centre.
• This process is repeated across many centrifuges, gradually increasing the U-235 concentration in the final product.
• The centrifuge has a rotor chamber made from strong, lightweight material (like carbon fibre) to withstand extreme speeds and forces without breaking.

PM Mudra Yojana:

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) celebrated its 10th anniversary in April, 2025. Prime Minister of India and key ministers hailed the scheme’s role in financial inclusion and grassroots entrepreneurship.

• PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY) launched: April 8, 2015
• Ministry of Finance (implemented by MUDRA Ltd under SIDBI)
• Objective is to provide collateral-free credit up to ₹10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises (MSEs)
• Extended Coverage: Loans now go up to ₹20 lakh under Tarun Plus category.
• Key Features
  • Loan Types:
    • Shishu (up to ₹50,000)
    • Kishor (₹50,000–₹5 lakh)
    • Tarun (₹5 lakh–₹10 lakh)
    • Tarun Plus (₹10–₹20 lakh)
• Lending Institutions: SCBs, RRBs, NBFCs, MFIs, SFBs, Cooperative Banks
• No collateral required and nominal interest rates set by lending institutions as per RBI norms
• Focus on underserved groups: Women, SC/ST/OBC, minorities

Bear Market:

The S&P 500 briefly entered bear market territory, dropping over 20% due to escalating US tariffs under President Trump. This is the first such decline since 2022, triggering global recession fears and investor panic.

• A bear market refers to a situation where a stock index declines by 20% or more from its recent peak, indicating investor pessimism and negative economic outlook.
• Causes of a Bear Market:
  • Weak Macroeconomic Indicators: Declining GDP growth, rising unemployment, and reduced industrial output.
  • Investor Sentiment Collapse: Fear-driven sell-offs due to uncertainty or panic.
  • Policy Shocks and Geopolitics: Sudden tariffs, wars, or oil crises disrupting investor confidence.
  • Overvaluation of Stocks: Market corrections after an unsustainable bull run.
• Key Characteristics of Bear Market:
  • Sharp price decline: More than 20% from peak levels.
  • Widespread investor panic: Risk aversion dominates.
  • Low investor confidence: Reduced demand for equities.
  • Higher bond demand: Shift toward safe assets.

Biomass Satellite Mission:

The European Space Agency (ESA) will launch the Biomass satellite mission in end of April, 2025, aboard the Vega C rocket.

• Biomass is ESA’s seventh Earth Explorer satellite mission under its climate and Earth systems programme.
• It will map global forests and measure carbon levels to assess forest health and its role in the carbon cycle.
• The European Space Agency (ESA) leads the mission, with collaboration from researchers across Europe.
• The launch will take place from French Guiana using Vega C, ESA’s satellite launcher.
• Aim of the Mission:
  • To quantify forest biomass and carbon content from space using radar.
  • To generate accurate 3D models of forest structures and track changes in biomass over time.
• Key Features of Biomass Mission
  • P-band SAR Technology: First satellite to use P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar with 70 cm wavelength for deep forest penetration.
  • 12-metre Radar Antenna: A large deployable antenna will scan forest canopies and ground biomass structures.
  • Carbon Flow Monitoring: Tracks carbon absorption and release, improving understanding of climate feedback loops.
  • Global Coverage: Covers tropical and boreal forests and monitors ice sheet movement and terrain models.
  • Sun-Synchronous Orbit: Operates at 666 km altitude, ensuring consistent lighting conditions for measurements.

ZooWIN Portal:

The Union Health Ministry recently launched the ZooWIN portal to monitor the availability of anti-rabies and anti-snake venom vaccines in real time.

• ZooWIN (Zoonoses-WIN) is a digital portal to monitor stocks of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) across India.
• It ensures better coordination among healthcare systems, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• The portal is developed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• It is technically supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• Aim of ZooWIN:
  • To strengthen the prevention, control, and treatment of zoonotic diseases like rabies and snakebite.
  • To ensure real-time visibility of vaccine stocks for timely availability and distribution.
• Key Features of ZooWIN:
  • Real-Time Tracking: Enables real-time data on vaccine availability using eVIN and U-WIN architecture.
  • Health Facility Locator: Helps users locate the nearest health centre stocked with ARV or ASV.
  • Follow-Up Tracking: Tracks patients for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to ensure full treatment adherence.
  • Integration with One Health Approach: Supports the National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), targeting 50% reduction in deaths by 2030.
  • Public Helpline Service: Operates helpline 15400 in pilot states for awareness and treatment guidance.
  • Pilot Rollout: The platform is being piloted in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh.

Satish Chavva Appointed as CEO of OIJIF:

The Oman India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) has appointed Satish Chavva as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This appointment, announced on April 8, 2025, comes as part of the fund’s efforts to strengthen its leadership and strategic growth initiatives. With over two decades of experience in private equity and finance, Chavva is expected to steer the fund towards enhanced portfolio performance and long-term value creation. OIJIF is a private equity fund jointly promoted by the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and the State Bank of India (SBI), focusing on investments that drive sustainable growth in India.

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU):

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

• The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a global platform for parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation, founded to promote peace, democracy, and human rights.
• Established in: 1889 (Paris) – First multilateral political organization globally
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Members: 180 national parliaments + 15 associate members
• Motto: “For democracy. For everyone.”

Virat Kohli Becomes First Indian to Score 13,000 Runs in T20 Cricket:

Virat Kohli, one of the most consistent and celebrated batters in modern-day cricket, etched his name into the history books once again by becoming the first Indian cricketer to complete 13,000 runs in T20 cricket. The landmark was achieved during an IPL 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. With this feat, the 36-year-old RCB legend becomes only the fifth cricketer globally to cross this milestone and the second-fastest in the world to do so, further cementing his legacy in the shortest format of the game.

President Murmu Receives City Key of Honour:

President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Portugal on April 7, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic relationship between India and Portugal, especially as both nations celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations. The visit emphasized cultural ties, technological collaboration, and mutual aspirations as knowledge-based economies. Her receipt of the prestigious ‘City Key of Honour’ from the Mayor of Lisbon, along with her participation in a state banquet hosted by the Portuguese President, H.E. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, reflected the warmth and strategic importance of the bilateral relationship.

Brazil’s Proposal for a UN-Backed Global Climate Action Council:

Brazil has proposed the establishment of a Global Climate Action Council under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to boost global climate efforts. This proposal comes ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30), which will take place in Belem, Brazil, in November 2025. The council aims to simplify climate decision-making processes, accelerate climate action, and improve global coordination in addressing the climate crisis. Brazil has suggested forming a Global Climate Council under the UNFCCC to address the climate crisis with greater urgency and efficiency. This council is envisioned as a platform to streamline climate action decision-making processes.

Haryana Government Announced 20% Quota for Agniveers in Haryana Police:

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini recently made significant announcements aimed at enhancing the welfare of Agniveers, who are part of the Agnipath Scheme. The state will now provide a 20% reservation for Agniveers in police jobs, making it the first state to offer such a guarantee. This move is part of a larger initiative to secure the future of Agniveers post their service. The government has also introduced other provisions like affordable loans for self-employment and priority in obtaining gun licenses for those interested in private security roles. The reservation for Agniveers in state police jobs has been increased by 10%, making it a total of 20%.Haryana becomes the first state in India to secure the future of Agniveers through job reservations after their service period ends.