Tag: India USA Subsea Cable UPSC

Daily Current Affairs – 3rd June 2025 Welcome to your trusted UPSC preparation resource, EverythingIAS. In today’s edition of current affairs, we cover major national, international, and environmental developments — including a landmark transgender ruling, strategic Indo-US digital collaboration, monsoon impacts in Northeast India, and more. This concise update helps you stay exam-ready with verified facts and simplified analysis. 1. COVID-19: Readiness, Not Panic About: Even though daily COVID-19 cases have decreased, the virus has not been eradicated. The emergence of new variants means India must remain prepared and proactive, especially for protecting vulnerable populations. Why in News: Omicron subvariants still being reported. Reduced public attention and pandemic fatigue observed. Rural healthcare access and misinformation remain challenges. Ministry Involved: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (for awareness) Timeline: Year Event 2020 First COVID case in India 2021 Delta wave causes mass fatalities 2022 Omicron variant spreads rapidly 2023 Booster dose campaigns continue 2025 Emphasis shifts to long-term pandemic preparedness Recent Developments: Omicron subvariants continue circulating in urban clusters. Misinformation regarding vaccines persists in rural belts. Healthcare worker shortages in remote areas post-pandemic. Key Points: Virus still present; Omicron subvariants are mild but transmissible. Elderly and immunocompromised people remain vulnerable. Booster vaccines and diagnostics are still relevant. Data transparency and healthcare communication are vital. Public vigilance is declining — a risk if new variants emerge. Improvements Needed: Strengthen variant monitoring labs and data sharing. Expand rural vaccination and awareness outreach. Equip rural Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Counter fake news with scientific communication. Stockpile PPE and oxygen for emergency response. Static Prelims Facts: COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. WHO declared COVID a pandemic in March 2020. India’s vaccine drive began in January 2021. Pandemic preparedness includes surveillance, stockpiles, and trained staff. 2. U.S.-India Subsea Cable Agenda: A Digital Lifeline About: India and the U.S. plan to build direct and secure subsea cable infrastructure to improve digital connectivity and safeguard data from geopolitical risks and cyber threats. Why in News: Plans for a direct India-U.S. cable under discussion. Concerns over existing cables passing through conflict-prone regions. Increased digital cooperation under bilateral initiatives. Ministry Involved: Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) Ministry of External Affairs (for bilateral collaboration) Timeline: Year Event 2021 India-U.S. launch ICET (Initiative on Critical Emerging Tech) 2023 U.S. highlights digital infrastructure as a strategic priority 2025 India proposes direct secure subsea cable routes Recent Developments: Strategic discussion underway for private and public investment. U.S. firms interested in India’s cable-laying projects. Open RAN and ICET reinforce digital ties. Key Points: 99% of internet traffic flows through subsea cables. Direct cable ensures secure, fast, and uninterrupted internet between allies. Current routes pass through high-risk zones (e.g., Red Sea, Suez). India’s growing digital economy needs reliable infrastructure. Cybersecurity and physical cable protection are top concerns. Improvements Needed: Fast-track environmental and legal clearances. Invest in secure, tamper-proof cable designs. Encourage Indo-U.S. private sector collaboration. Build cable monitoring and cybersecurity units. Train workforce for high-seas installation and maintenance. Static Prelims Facts: Subsea cables are laid by cable-laying ships. India has 15+ landing stations (e.g., Chennai, Mumbai). Threats: fishing nets, anchoring, sabotage, and espionage. Secure cables ensure digital sovereignty and data security. 3. Northeast Monsoon Floods: Monsoon Woes About: Severe rainfall in Northeast India has triggered floods and landslides, especially in Assam, Tripura, and Sikkim. This reflects both monsoon variability and long-standing infrastructure issues. Why in News: Over 3 lakh people affected by flooding in Assam. Landslides in Sikkim have caused fatalities. Warnings of continued heavy rainfall issued by IMD. Ministry Involved: Ministry of Home Affairs (Disaster Management Division) Ministry of Jal Shakti (flood control & watershed management) Timeline: Year Event 2022 Assam faced major floods, displacing lakhs 2023 IMD warned of intensified monsoon due to El Niño 2025 Record rainfall hits Northeast; death toll rises Recent Developments: Relief efforts launched by NDRF and Army. Bridges and roads damaged, disrupting transport. Agriculture losses reported; displacement camps set up. Key Points: Monsoon rains are much higher than average. Low-lying areas, hillsides vulnerable to flooding and landslides. Sikkim's tourism impacted; locals stranded. Poor drainage and lack of early warning worsen crisis. Climate change is amplifying extreme weather. Improvements Needed: Build flood-resilient infrastructure (bridges, embankments). Expand early warning systems with real-time alerts. Plan urban growth with proper drainage and land-use norms. Conduct EIAs (Environmental Impact Assessments) for all projects. Strengthen inter-state coordination for relief and rehab. Static Prelims Facts: Assam’s Brahmaputra basin floods annually. IMD monitors rainfall using Doppler radars. Monsoon critical for agriculture but unpredictable in timing/intensity. NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) sets disaster response norms. 4. India–Pakistan Relations: Strategic Challenges in South Asia About: India–Pakistan ties are defined by a complex mix of historic conflicts, territorial disputes, nuclear deterrence, and shifting global alliances. The ongoing lack of dialogue raises concerns for regional stability. Why in News: Recent statements from both nations highlight deepening distrust. Renewed China-Pakistan defense cooperation poses new challenges for India. Global observers emphasize the need for bilateral de-escalation. Ministries Involved: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Ministry of Defence Year Event 1947 Partition and first war over Kashmir 1971 India–Pakistan war; creation of Bangladesh 1999 Kargil conflict 2019 Pulwama attack and Balakot airstrikes 2025 Strategic concerns over China-Pakistan ties re-emerge Recent Developments: Pakistan signs military cooperation pact with China. India strengthens QUAD and Indo-Pacific partnerships. Ceasefire agreement on LoC holds, but mistrust persists. Key Points: Kashmir remains unresolved and highly sensitive. Strategic alliance between China and Pakistan impacts India’s defense strategy. India’s growing regional role (e.g., with ASEAN, QUAD) shifts power dynamics. Both nations are nuclear-armed — raising global concerns. Past peace efforts failed due to political changes and terror incidents. Improvements Needed: Resume structured dialogues (Track-I and Track-II). Implement Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) like visa relaxations. Strengthen cross-border trade and cultural diplomacy. Avoid provocative rhetoric in domestic politics. Invest in multilateral diplomacy to reduce tensions. Static Prelims Facts: India and Pakistan have fought 3 wars (1947, 1965, 1971) and a major conflict (Kargil, 1999). Both countries became nuclear powers in 1998. LoC (Line of Control) divides Jammu & Kashmir. SAARC has remained largely inactive due to Indo-Pak rivalry. [caption id="attachment_26225" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Daily Current Affairs – 3rd June 2025https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=everythingias[/caption] 5. Public Sector Banks: Surge in Profits, Now Reform About: India’s Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have reported record profits in FY 2024–25, marking a recovery from years of NPAs and weak balance sheets. It’s now time to convert this performance into long-term structural reforms. Why in News: PSBs report cumulative net profit of ₹1.4 lakh crore in FY 2024–25. Strong credit growth, lower NPAs, and government recapitalization drive results. Debate begins on next steps: privatization vs reforms vs consolidation. Ministry Involved: Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services Timeline: Year Event 2016 Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) launched 2019 Mega PSB merger (e.g., Bank of Baroda + Dena + Vijaya) 2020 Privatization of IDBI Bank discussed 2024 NPAs at 10-year low 2025 Record PSB profits reported Recent Developments: Finance Ministry praises PSB performance and hints at rationalizing structure. Calls grow for privatization of select banks. FinTech tie-ups and digital banking expansion are underway. Key Points: PSBs earned ₹1.4 lakh crore profit, up 35% YoY. Net NPAs dropped below 1.5% average. Loan growth driven by MSMEs and retail sectors. Government recapitalized PSBs and merged weak banks earlier. Operational efficiency and digitization improving performance. Improvements Needed: Strengthen digital banking and FinTech integration. Improve governance with more independent directors. Rationalize PSB structure — consider selective privatization. Shift focus from just profit to service delivery. Strengthen credit risk evaluation and fraud prevention. Static Prelims Facts: 12 PSBs in India after recent mergers. RBI regulates all banks; Ministry of Finance oversees PSBs. Banking Sector Reforms began in 1991 (Narasimham Committee). 6. Landmark Ruling: Transgender Couple Recognized as “Parents” About: In a historic decision, the Madras High Court ruled that a transgender man and his partner have the right to be legally recognized as parents of their biological child — affirming dignity, equality, and the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. Why in News: The court directed authorities to issue a birth certificate listing both partners as parents — one being a transgender man. The judgment sets a precedent for recognizing gender identity and parental rights beyond conventional definitions. Ministry Involved: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Registrar of Births and Deaths (Local Government Authority) Timeline: Year Event 2014 NALSA v. Union of India: Supreme Court recognizes transgender as third gender. 2019 Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act enacted. 2023 Centre notifies Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules. 2025 Madras HC allows transgender couple to be recognized as legal parents. Recent Developments: The Court emphasized that parenthood is not defined by gender but by intent and responsibility. Directed the issuance of a revised birth certificate naming both parents. Welcomed by LGBTQIA+ activists and civil society as a progressive step. Key Points : Transgender man and his partner had a baby through natural conception. Authorities initially refused to name the transgender father as a parent. Court affirmed that transgender individuals can be recognized as legal parents. Reinforces Article 14 (equality) and Article 21 (right to life with dignity) of the Constitution. Highlights gender sensitivity in legal documentation and child rights. Improvements Needed: Update civil registration laws to include gender-inclusive definitions of parents. Train officials on LGBTQIA+ rights and legal precedents. Ensure birth/death/marriage certificates are inclusive and free of discrimination. Launch awareness drives to reduce social stigma around transgender parenting. Static Info: India has ~4.8 lakh self-declared transgender persons (Census 2011). The 2014 NALSA judgment recognized the third gender and gender self-identification. Transgender Act 2019 prohibits discrimination and affirms rights to healthcare, education, and identity. 7. Centre Notifies Guidelines to Boost Electric Car Production About: The Government of India has released new guidelines to boost local electric car manufacturing, attract foreign investment, and support India’s shift to clean mobility. Why in News: The Ministry of Heavy Industries released a new Electric Vehicle (EV) policy framework to promote domestic production and invite foreign automakers under strict localization norms. This follows Tesla’s intent to enter the Indian market. Ministry Involved: Ministry of Heavy Industries Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Ministry of Commerce and Industry Timeline: Year Event 2019 FAME-II scheme launched for EV subsidies. 2023 Tesla, VinFast explore India entry. April 2025 PLI Scheme for EVs extended. June 2025 Centre notifies guidelines for foreign EV manufacturers. Recent Developments: Guidelines allow foreign EV makers to import a limited number of cars with reduced customs duty, provided they set up domestic manufacturing plants within 3 years. Minimum investment commitment required: ₹4,150 crore (~$500 million). Tariff concessions linked to localization milestones. Key Points: New rules aim to attract big players like Tesla, VinFast, BYD. Relaxed import duties on EVs (up to ₹35 lakh) — but only with Make in India commitments. EV makers must manufacture in India within 3 years of operations. Boost to employment, R&D, and EV supply chains. Encourages competition and price reduction in EV sector. Improvements Needed: Address charging infrastructure gaps, especially in Tier-2/3 cities. Ensure grid capacity upgrades for EV load. Standardize battery swapping and charging protocols. Extend incentives for Indian startups in EV components. Build local capacity in battery production and rare earths. Static Prelims Facts: FAME = Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. EV market projected to reach 10 million units annually by 2030. PLI scheme: ₹18,000 crore outlay for advanced chemistry cell (ACC) battery storage. India’s EV penetration: ~2% currently (as of 2024–25). PSBs hold over 60% of total banking market share.

Tag: India USA Subsea Cable UPSC

3rd June 2025 Current Affairs | Daily UPSC News by EverythingIAS

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