The UPSC Current Affairs April 2025 analysis covers key topics from The Hindu & Indian Express.

1. Basics of Monsoon

Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has “ruled out” the possibility of an El Nino in the coming southwest monsoon season this year.

About:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the primary agency responsible for meteorological observations and weather forecasting in India.
• The Indian monsoon is a critical weather phenomenon that significantly influences the country’s agriculture, economy, and environment.
• The southwest monsoon season occurs over a four-month period, specifically from June to September.
• The retreating monsoon season is characterized by clear skies and a rise in temperature, and it occurs during the months of October and November.

Key Points:

• The southwest monsoon season is seasonal in character, occurring between June and September.
• The monsoon involves a seasonal reversal of winds.
• This wind reversal is accompanied by the shifting of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
• Several factors influence the monsoon:
  • Differential heating and cooling of land and water.
  • High pressure near Madagascar.
  • Intense heating of the Tibetan Plateau.
  • Movement of the westerly jet stream.

El Nino and La Nina:

• El Nino and La Nina are complex climate patterns that can significantly affect monsoon patterns.
• El Nino is associated with increased convection and a typical circulation pattern.
• La Nina involves strong convection and cold upwelling.

Impacts of Monsoon:

• Positive Impacts:
  • Supports agriculture by providing essential irrigation for crops.
  • Influences crop yield and crop diversity, which in turn affects different cuisines across the country.
  • Affects India’s GDP growth; a 1% rainfall deficit can reduce GDP growth by 0.35%, according to the RBI.
  • Impacts inflation, particularly headline inflation during the July-September period.
  • Influences exports and overall economic growth.
  • Contributes to hydroelectric power generation through the recharge of dams and reservoirs.
  • Supports biodiversity, especially in wetland ecosystems.
  • Influences culture, including festivals like Teej, attire, and cuisines.
• Negative Impacts:
  • Causes floods and landslides, leading to loss of life and property.

Recent Developments:

• India is currently experiencing rising food prices, with significant inflation in tomatoes and other vegetables.
• Regions like Kerala’s Wayanad have faced severe impacts due to landslides and floods.https://mausam.imd.gov.in/imd_latest/contents/monsoon.php
• https://mausam.imd.gov.in/imd_latest/contents/monsoon.php

2. Why are tensions high in the Arctic?

Context: Global powers are vying for Arctic resources amidst the growing climate crisis.

About:

• Rising tensions in the Arctic have raised global concerns about the potential for conflict in the region.
• These tensions are primarily driven by:
  • Competition for valuable resources.
  • Geopolitical rivalries among nations.
  • Military interests and posturing.
• The key actors involved in the Arctic region include:
  • Arctic nations with territorial claims.
  • The Arctic Council, which focuses on environmental protection, research, and the rights of indigenous peoples.

Key Points:

• Arctic Nations: Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the USA.
• Latest IAS exam news and daily current affairs analysis.
• Arctic Council: A high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous peoples of the Arctic.
• Melting Ice: Climate change is causing significant melting of Arctic ice, which is opening up new trade routes and providing access to previously inaccessible resources.
• Untapped Resources: The Arctic region is rich in untapped natural resources, including:
  • Oil and gas reserves.
  • Rare earth elements, which are critical for various modern technologies.
  • Phosphates.
  • Copper.
  • Fishing grounds.
• Legal Framework: The Arctic is governed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), unlike the demilitarized Antarctic.
• Growing Tensions: There are increasing tensions due to overlapping maritime claims and military posturing by various nations in the region.

Where do the tensions arise?

• U.S. Interest in Greenland:
  • Trump’s proposal to buy Greenland highlighted U.S. interest in the region but raised sovereignty issues with Denmark.
• U.S.-Canada Dispute:
  • There is an ongoing dispute between the U.S. and Canada over the Northwest Passage, with Canada viewing it as internal waters and the U.S. considering it international waters.
• Russia-NATO Strains:
  • Russia’s assertive stance, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine, has increased tensions with NATO, which is also increasing its military presence in the region.
• Global Watchers:
  • The U.K. has repeatedly emphasized the strategic importance of the Greenland-Iceland-U.K. (GIUK) gap for NATO’s naval defenses.
  • China’s interest in the Arctic is also growing, as the region’s resources and trade routes become more accessible.
  • http://everythingias.com/upsc-current-affairs-april-2025

Why does the Arctic matter?

• Resource Wealth: The Arctic holds a significant share of the world’s undiscovered resources:
  • 13% of undiscovered oil reserves.
  • 30% of untapped natural gas reserves.
• Rare Earth Elements:
  • Greenland’s deposits of rare earth elements are attracting global investment due to their importance in various technologies, including:
    • Superconductors.
    • Refining catalysts.
    • Cellphones.
    • Windmills.
    • Hybrid car components.
    • Electronic polishers.
    • High-flux rare-earth magnets.
• Trade Routes:
  • The Northeast Passage in the Arctic could potentially reduce shipping distances between Asia and Europe by up to 8,000 km, offering significant trade advantages.
    

    🚀 “31 March 2025 Current Affairs: The Hindu & Indian Express”https://everythingias-in.preview-domain.com/%e2%9c%85-31-march-2025-current-affairs-hindu-indian-express/

3. NITI NCAER States Economic Forum Portal

About:

• This section provides information about the NITI NCAER States Economic Forum portal and its objectives.

Key Points:

• It also lists important indices from NITI Aayog, which are key indicators of development and performance in various sectors:
  • SDG India Index.
  • State Energy and Climate Index (SECI).
  • School Education Quality Index (SEQI).
  • India Innovation Index.
  • National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
  • Health Index.
  • Composite Water Management Index (CWMI).
  • Export Preparedness Index (EPI).

4. Exercise Tiger Triumph

About:

• This section discusses the Exercise Tiger Triumph, a military exercise involving India and the United States.

Key Points:

• It also mentions other exercises with the United States:
  • Exercise Yudh Abhyas: An annual army exercise held alternately in India and the US.
  • Exercise Vajra Prahar: Special Forces joint training.
  • Exercise Cope India: Air Force exercise with a focus on aerial combat.
  • Exercise Malabar: Naval warfare drills that also include Japan and Australia.

5. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Key Highlights & Challenges

Introduction:
NEP 2020 aims to transform India’s education system by focusing on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), structural reforms, and flexibility in learning.

Key Features:

1. School Education Reforms:

• New Structure (5+3+3+4): Focus on early childhood education and multi-stream flexibility.
• FLN Mission: Every child to achieve basic literacy and numeracy by 2026–27.
• Exam Reforms: Board exams to assess core competencies, offered twice a year.
• Multilingual Policy: Emphasis on regional languages till Class 8.
• Bag-less Days: 10 days annually for vocational exposure.

2. Higher Education Reforms:

• Common Entrance Test: A SAT-like exam for college admissions.
• 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree: With exit options for flexibility.
• College Autonomy: Universities to get graded autonomy over 15 years.
• Globalization: Encouraging foreign universities to set up in India.

Challenges:

• Teacher Training Deficit and syllabus-based teaching culture.
• Limited Infrastructure and Teaching-Learning Materials (TLM).
• Monitoring and Implementation Gaps at the state level.

Way Forward:

• Teacher capacity building and digital learning tools.
• Public-Private Partnerships for FLN implementation.
• Technology-driven monitoring for better execution.

Conclusion:
NEP 2020 is a progressive reform aligning with SDG-4 (Quality Education), but its success depends on effective execution, teacher training, and infrastructure support.

1st April 2025 Current Affairs- Download PDF