05 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. China hits back with 34% tariff on U.S. goods

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 1)

China Hits Back With Tariff Retaliation:

• This is part of a trade conflict triggered by the U.S. imposing high tariffs, called “reciprocal tariffs,” on Chinese goods.
• China also added export controls on rare earth materials like samarium and gadolinium, used in technology and defense.
• China banned chicken imports from some U.S. companies due to drug, mold, and bacteria issues.
• China added 27 more U.S. companies to its trade control list and filed a case at the WTO against U.S. tariffs.
• It launched anti-monopoly and anti-dumping investigations into U.S. firms.
• China already imposed earlier tariffs on U.S. coal, gas, crude oil, and vehicles in February.

2. Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 16)

Analysis of the news:                                                                               

Background of the Case

• On March 28, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea by elderly parents seeking eviction of their son from their home under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
• The court emphasized that eviction is not a mandatory consequence in every case under the Act.

Provisions of the Senior Citizens Act

• The Act empowers senior citizens (aged 60+) to claim maintenance from their children or legal heirs if they are unable to support themselves.
• It mandates the establishment of tribunals for speedy resolution and also allows cancellation of property transfers if the recipient fails to provide basic care (Section 23).

Interpretation of Eviction Power

• Although the Act does not explicitly mention eviction, the Supreme Court in a 2020 ruling held that eviction is an implied power under Section 23(2), to ensure the protection and maintenance of senior citizens.
• Tribunals can order eviction if a child or relative fails in their obligation to care for the senior citizen.

Legal Precedent and Limitations

• In the 2020 case involving a daughter-in-law, the SC clarified that while women may be protected under the Domestic Violence Act, tribunals still hold the discretion to evict individuals if it aligns with senior citizens’ welfare — but only after evaluating competing legal claims and context.

Why Eviction Was Denied in This Case

• The SC declined the eviction request in the present case due to lack of fresh evidence of mistreatment.
• Since the son had complied with the earlier tribunal’s directive and there was no new misconduct, the court found no necessity for eviction.

Conclusion

• The judgment reinforces that while the Act can be used to seek maintenance and potentially eviction, such relief is not automatic.
• Courts and tribunals must carefully assess the facts and ensure eviction is truly necessary to protect the welfare of senior citizens.

3. India’s Remittance Landscape Shifts: Advanced Economies Overtake Gulf as Key Sources

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained , Page – 16)

Analysis of the news:

Shift from Gulf to Advanced Economies

• The RBI’s latest Remittances Survey shows a major shift in remittance patterns, with advanced economies (AEs) — especially the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, and Australia — now contributing over 50% of India’s total remittances in 2023-24.
• This overtakes the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, traditionally the largest source, signaling a structural transformation in India’s diaspora and migration trends.

Declining Role of Gulf Countries

• The fall in remittances from GCC nations is due to multiple factors: the COVID-19-induced economic slump, job losses, salary cuts, and growing “nationalisation” policies like Saudi Arabia’s “Saudisation,” which prioritize domestic over foreign workers.
• This has notably reduced Indian worker presence and their ability to send money home.

Rise of Advanced Economies in Remittance Share

• Remittances from AEs are rising, with the US alone contributing 27.7% in 2023-24.
• This is attributed to higher wages, stronger currencies, and the growing population of skilled Indian professionals in STEM, finance, and healthcare.
• Indians in AEs remit more per capita than those in the Gulf due to better earnings and long-term settlement prospects.

Impact of Immigration Policies

• Restrictive immigration trends in AEs, including potential reversal of birthright citizenship and green card backlogs, could drive migrants to either return to India or send increased remittances home to mitigate financial uncertainty.
• This mirrors the remittance behavior of Gulf-based workers, who also prioritize sending money over local investments.

Student Contributions and Deskilling Risks

• Indian students abroad are increasingly contributing to remittances through education loans and post-study employment.
• However, many face “wilful deskilling” — being forced into low-skill jobs for residency pathways, particularly in Canada and the UK.
• This curtails their earnings potential and limits long-term remittance contributions.

Policy Recommendations for India

• India must strengthen skill harmonisation and facilitate international mobility agreements to ensure migrants work in jobs matching their skills.
• This would boost both remittance volumes and worker welfare. Strategic engagement with host countries can secure better job placements and protect migrants from underemployment and exploitation.

Conclusion

• The evolving geography of remittances highlights a critical opportunity for India.
• By aligning domestic skill development with global demand and securing worker rights abroad, India can maximize remittance inflows and leverage its diaspora more effectively for national development.

4. INDIA AS TOP MARITIME NATION

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2118870 )

India’s Strategy to Become a Leading Maritime Power

• The government is working to increase the country’s port capacity from 2,600 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 10,000 MTPA by the year 2047.
• It plans to build new ports with deeper drafts and increase the depth of existing ports to handle larger ships.
• Port clusters and transshipment hubs will be developed to improve logistics and efficiency.
• The focus is also on developing automated ports using modern technologies.
• Private sector participation and strong policy support are important parts of this strategy.

Legal Reforms to Boost Maritime Sector

• Several key laws have been introduced to modernize maritime operations, including:
  • Major Port Authorities Act, 2021
  • Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021
  • Inland Vessels Act, 2021
  • Recycling of Ships Act, 2019
  • National Waterways Act, 2016
• Policies like the Relaxation of Cabotage Rules and Captive Policy support industrial port use.
• Guidelines also address issues in stressed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) port projects.

Focus on Green and Global Maritime Goals

• The Green Tug Transition Programme encourages eco-friendly tugboat operations to reduce carbon emissions.
• Guidelines like HaritSagar and Harit Nauka promote green technologies at ports and inland vessels.
• India engages in global maritime summits and policy discussions to align with international standards.

5. Cabinet approves “Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) for financial years 2024-25 to 2028-29

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2118731 )

About Vibrant Villages Programme-II:

• The Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% central funding.
• It aims to develop villages along international land borders (ILBs), excluding the Northern border already covered under VVP-I.

Coverage and Duration

• It will be implemented till FY 2028-29 with a total outlay of ₹6,839 crore.
• The programme covers strategic villages in 18 States/UTs.

Key Objectives

• It aims to improve living conditions, provide livelihoods, and promote safe and prosperous borders.
• It encourages people in border villages to become eyes and ears of border forces.

Major Interventions

• Funds will be used for village infrastructure, tourism, education (SMART classes), and sustainable livelihoods.
• All-weather roads, telecom, TV, and electrification will be ensured through convergence.

Implementation and Monitoring

• Village Action Plans will guide implementation with community participation.
• A High-Powered Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary will ensure effective coordination.

Prelims Facts

1. First Budget Session of the 18th Lok Sabha concludes with record productivity

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Disruptions on the Last Day

• The session had high productivity overall, but the last day saw disruptions in both Houses.
• In the Rajya Sabha, the ruling party members began protests.
• They referred to a Supreme Court judgment supporting the Calcutta High Court’s decision to cancel the selection of nearly 24,000 school staff in West Bengal.
• The opposition party was not allowed to raise their issue about duplicate voter ID cards.

High Productivity and Longest Sitting

• The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the session was very productive.
• The Lok Sabha’s productivity was 118%, and the Rajya Sabha’s was 119%.
• The Rajya Sabha set a new record by sitting continuously for 17 hours and 2 minutes from 11 a.m. on Thursday to 4:02 a.m. on Friday.
• During this time, the House passed the Waqf Bill and approved President’s Rule in Manipur.

Appreciation for Parliamentary Conduct

• A total of 16 Bills were passed during the session.
• The Rajya Sabha Chairman praised the session for wit, humour, decorum, and cross-party cooperation.

2. CSIR-NAL signs technology transfer deal with firm to make HANSA trainer-planes

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 5)

About HANSA-3 Next Generation (NG):

• HANSA-3 NG is a two-seater trainer aircraft developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), under CSIR.
• It is the latest version of the HANSA series, which began in 1998.
• This is the first time the aircraft will be manufactured in India using fully indigenous technology.
• A private company, Pioneer Clean AMPS Pvt Ltd., has signed a Technology Transfer Agreement (ToT) to produce the aircraft.
• The aircraft has a lightweight composite airframe and a bubble canopy that gives a wide panoramic view.
• It features a glass cockpit, electrically operated flaps, and a Rotax Digital Control Engine.
• The aircraft will be used for training and is supported by NAL for initial manufacturing and operations.

3. NATO Frontline States Withdraw from Landmine Ban Treaty Amid Rising Russian Threat

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 16)

Analysis of the news:

Erosion of Disarmament Norms

• The Ottawa Treaty was a landmark post-Cold War disarmament accord aimed at eliminating landmines due to their long-term humanitarian consequences.
• The current withdrawals represent a significant reversal of the global consensus on banning these weapons.
• Only Norway, among Russia-bordering European states, has maintained its commitment, emphasizing the importance of preserving the stigma against landmines.

Security Imperatives and Strategic Parity

• The exiting countries argue that remaining part of the treaty leaves them at a tactical disadvantage, especially since major powers like Russia, the US, China, India, and Israel have never signed the accord.
• The threat of Russian aggression, particularly amid the ongoing Ukraine war, has intensified calls for military preparedness, including the potential use of landmines.

Humanitarian Fallout

• Anti-personnel landmines pose a severe risk to civilians—over 80% of victims are non-combatants.
• In war-affected regions such as Ukraine, mines have caused extensive civilian casualties and made the country the most mined territory globally, according to the UN.
• The long-term cost in terms of disability, trauma, and reconstruction remains staggering.

Expanding Scope: Cluster Munitions

• Some states, including Lithuania, are now also reconsidering their commitment to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions.
• These weapons spread submunitions over wide areas and have similarly devastating effects on civilians.
• The US’s 2023 supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine has reignited global debate on their use.