05 May 2025 : Daily Current Affairs
1. India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate Post-Pahalgam Attack
Source: Page 3, The Hindu International Edition (May 05, 2025)
| Topic: GS2 – International Relations |
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Content:
- Military Posturing: The Indian Air Force chief met PM Modi and was given full operational freedom to plan retaliatory strikes, echoing previous Balakot-style doctrines.
- Diplomatic Fallout: India suspended key provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, planning to reduce flow from Chenab and Jhelum rivers. While legally complex, this signals a shift in India’s water diplomacy.
- Economic Retaliation: India imposed bans on Pakistani vessels and trade; Pakistan responded by banning Indian ships.
Security Review
- Joint review meetings in J&K focused on intelligence gathering, threat assessments, and emergency response coordination.
- Iran’s Mediation Offer: Iranian FM Araghchi is visiting both Pakistan and India, offering to mediate—though India officially maintains its stance against third-party involvement.
Strategic Implications:
- Reflects India’s shift from reactive to proactive counter-terror and diplomatic posturing.
- May set a precedent for using water as a geopolitical tool.
- Raises the risk of escalation in an already volatile region.
Practice Question:
| Discuss the implications of India’s recent policy measures against Pakistan post-Pahalgam attack in the context of regional diplomacy and water-sharing treaties. (250 words / 15 marks) |
2. Karnataka Launches SC Caste Survey to Aid Internal Reservation
Source: Page 3, The Hindu International Edition (May 05, 2025)
| Topic: GS1/GS2 – Society, Polity |
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Content:
- Survey Mechanism: 60,000 enumerators equipped with a dedicated mobile app will collect data from every household.
- Verification Process: Photographs and signatures of informants will ensure authenticity; supervisors will conduct random checks.
- Post-survey Facilities: Camps and online submissions will be arranged for those who miss door-to-door enumeration.
Objective:
- Assist the Nagamohan Das Commission in recommending internal quota reservations among SCs, a politically sensitive and constitutionally tested issue.
- Broader Relevance: Ties into debates around sub-categorization of backward communities.
- Reflects growing emphasis on data-driven affirmative action.
- Might have implications for similar policies in other states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Practice Question:
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Examine the constitutional and social implications of sub-categorization within Scheduled Castes based on caste surveys. (250 words / 15 marks) |
3. India’s GST Collection Surges to ₹2.37 Lakh Crore – A Fiscal Record
Source: Page 8, The Hindu International Edition (May 05, 2025)
| Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy |
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Content:
- Revenue Figures: Gross GST collection hit ₹2.37 lakh crore (+12.6% YoY); net revenue after refunds stood at ₹2.09 lakh crore.
- Sectoral Boost: Electronics, infrastructure, and textiles have shown strong output; Apple’s shift of iPhone production to India contributed significantly.
- Export Momentum: Refunds to exporters saw an 86% rise, highlighting compliance and digital integration.
Economic Significance:
- Reflects formalization of the economy and tax net widening.
- Efficacy of e-invoicing and digital audits has enhanced collection.
- Positive for fiscal deficit control and state revenue mobilization.
Practice Question:
| What does the rise in GST collections and manufacturing PMI indicate about India’s economic recovery post-COVID? Highlight the role of fintech. (150 words / 10 marks) |
4. India Must Rethink Arctic Policy Amid Rising Militarization
Source: Page 9, The Hindu International Edition (May 05, 2025)
| Topic: GS2 – International Relations |
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Content:
Why It Matters:
- Global Flashpoint: US-Russia-China contest for control over Arctic shipping lanes and energy resources is intensifying.
- India’s Position: Currently an observer in the Arctic Council, India has limited influence over policy decisions.
Suggested Reforms:
- Build dual-use infrastructure for scientific and strategic missions.
- Participate in digital governance norms in Arctic telecom and satellite data.
- Strengthen partnerships with like-minded nations (e.g., Norway, Canada).
Risks of Inaction:
- Missed opportunities in Arctic shipping, rare earth exploration, and digital communication infrastructure.
- Strategic vulnerability if Chinese and Russian presence grows unchecked.
Practice Question:
| Discuss the implications of India’s recent policy measures against Pakistan post-Pahalgam attack in the context of regional diplomacy and water-sharing treaties. (250 words / 15 marks) |
Prelims Facts
1. Snakebite Immunity Experiment – Mithridatism
Source: Page – 7, The Hindu International Edition (May 05, 2025)
| Topic: GS3: Science & Technology – Medical Research & Biotechnology |
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Content:
- Mithridatism refers to the practice of protecting oneself against a poison by gradually self-administering non-lethal amounts.
- Timothy Friede has survived over 200 snakebites, aiming to create a universal antivenom.
- Recent research combining Friede’s antibodies with varespladib (a phospholipase A2 inhibitor) protected lab mice from 13 different snake venoms.
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Significance:
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Could lead to the development of broad-spectrum antivenoms.
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Reduces dependency on traditional, species-specific antivenoms.
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Promotes novel approaches in biomedical research and antitoxin therapy.
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2. Vizhinjam Port – India’s First Deepwater Transshipment Port
Source: Page – 10, The Hindu International Edition (May 05, 2025)
| Topic: GS1 – Geography, GS3 – Environment & Disaster Management |
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Content:
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Located in Kerala, Vizhinjam is India’s first deepwater transshipment port.
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Situated close to international shipping lanes, reducing travel time and cost.
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Strategic move to reduce reliance on Colombo and Singapore for transshipment.
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Enhances India’s port capacity, supports Sagarmala initiative, and promotes blue economy.
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Environmental and geopolitical factors also play a role in its strategic value.
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Way Forward: Effective integration with inland infrastructure and regulatory ease is key for long-term success.
3. Rapid Temperature Flips – Climate Extremes
Source: Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 19 (May 05, 2025)
| Topic: GS3: Environment – Climate Change, Adaptation Strategies |
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Content:
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Study finds 60% of Earth’s land surface will experience abrupt hot/cold switches.
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Low-income countries, especially in Africa and Asia, will face 4–6 times higher risk.
Impacts include:
- Agricultural instability
- Energy system stress
- Increased health risks due to thermal stress
- Highlights the need for adaptive strategies in urban planning, crop resilience, and disaster management.
Way Forward: Global climate action must incorporate region-specific adaptation strategies, especially in vulnerable economies.
4. Gold & Silver Price Volatility
Source: Page – 12, The Hindu International Edition (May 05, 2025)
| Topic: GS3: Economy – Commodity Trends, Financial Markets |
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Content:
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COMEX gold touched $3,509/oz, indicating investor response to macroeconomic instability.
Factors behind volatility:
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Geopolitical tensions
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Interest rate expectations
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Currency fluctuations
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Silver and gold often act as safe-haven assets during uncertain times.
Impact on India:
- Current Account Deficit (CAD) may widen due to higher import bills.
- Influence on inflation, consumer behavior, and jewelry markets.
- Way Forward: RBI and policymakers must watch global cues closely to manage macroeconomic stability.
check more – 02 May 2025 : Daily Current Affairs
