Daily Current Affairs- 25th March 2025

Daily Current Affairs 25th March 2025

Kerala State Private Universities Bill and the Left’s changing stance on private education

In the News: The Kerala State Private Universities Bill, 2024 has sparked debate due to its implications for higher education in the State and the CPI(M)-led Left government's evolving stance on private sector participation.

• The Kerala State Private Universities Bill, 2024 seeks to regulate the establishment and functioning of private universities in the state, laying down guidelines on governance, fee structure, academic standards, and regulatory oversight.
• This move marks a significant shift in the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's historical opposition to the privatisation of education, especially in a state known for strong public education infrastructure and egalitarian ideals.
• The bill requires private universities to be established through legislation passed by the Kerala Assembly, with mandatory approvals from regulatory bodies like UGC and AICTE.
• Under the bill, private universities must establish endowment funds and adhere to state regulations on admissions, faculty appointments, and reservation policies.
• Critics, including student groups like SFI (Students' Federation of India) and academics, argue that the move may pave the way for commercialisation and inequality in access to quality education.
• The government has defended the bill, citing brain drain from the state, limited seats in public universities, and the need to retain talented students who are otherwise leaving for private institutions in other states or abroad.
• The bill signals the Left’s pragmatic shift toward balancing ideological commitments with real-world demands for expanded higher education infrastructure and global competitiveness. 

6th Edition of Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025 Launched

In the News: On March 22, 2025, coinciding with World Water Day, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and the Government of Haryana, launched the 6th edition of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025 in Panchkula, Haryana.

• Theme for 2025: “जल संचय जन भागीदारी: जन जागरूकता की ओर” (People's Action for Water Conservation – Towards Intensified Community Connect).
• Focus Areas: The campaign targets 148 water-stressed districts across India, aiming to enhance water conservation through community participation and scientific interventions.
• Key Initiatives Launched:
  • Jal-Jangal-Jan: Ek Prakritik Bandhan Abhiyan: This initiative seeks to restore ecological connections between forests, rivers, and springs, emphasizing the intrinsic bond between water, forests, and people.
  • Mukhyamantri Jal Sanchay Yojana and Water Resources Atlas for Haryana: These tools aim to aid in scientific water resource management within the state.
• Objectives of the Campaign:
  • Promote rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
  • Ensure water security amidst climate change challenges.
  • Strengthen the ecological bond between water, forests, and communities.
  • Foster collaboration among government agencies, communities, and stakeholders for sustainable water resource management.
• Significance: This marks the first time the campaign was launched outside New Delhi, symbolizing a broader outreach to grassroots levels and highlighting the government's commitment to decentralized water conservation efforts.
• World Water Day 2025 Theme: The global theme for World Water Day 2025 was "Glacier Preservation," emphasizing the importance of protecting glacial resources as vital freshwater reserves.  

Tamil Nadu gets more MGNREGS funds than more populous Uttar Pradesh, Centre claims in Lok Sabha
In the News: On March 25, 2025, the Union Rural Development Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that Tamil Nadu received more funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) than Uttar Pradesh, despite the latter having a significantly larger population.

• The Centre revealed that Tamil Nadu received ₹9,682.23 crore under MGNREGS in the fiscal year 2023–24, while Uttar Pradesh was allocated ₹7,154.61 crore during the same period.
• The allocation of funds under MGNREGS is not population-based but demand-driven, depending on the number of workdays generated and the implementation efficiency in each state.
• Tamil Nadu consistently ranks among the top-performing states in terms of person-days generated, proactive implementation, and timely wage disbursal under the scheme.
• The Minister of State for Rural Development, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, highlighted that the uptake of the scheme is determined by local demand for wage employment, project planning by state governments, and timely submission of project proposals.
• The Centre’s data indicated that Tamil Nadu had also completed a higher number of assets and works under MGNREGS compared to Uttar Pradesh.
• Opposition MPs questioned the disparity, while the government clarified that MGNREGS funds are not allocated arbitrarily but based on real-time demand and performance indicators as captured through the scheme’s digital monitoring systems.
• The statement comes amid wider debates on the equitable distribution of welfare funds and the role of state governments in effectively utilising central schemes. 

In-House Inquiry Process for Judges in India

In the News: The in-house inquiry procedure is an internal mechanism established by the Indian judiciary to address allegations of misconduct against judges of the higher judiciary. This process operates independently of the formal impeachment proceedings outlined in the Constitution and aims to uphold judicial accountability while preserving the institution's integrity.

Evolution of the In-House Procedure:

• 1997 Resolution: In response to concerns over judicial accountability, the Supreme Court adopted an in-house procedure in 1997 to investigate complaints against judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. This initiative was designed to maintain public confidence in the judiciary by addressing misconduct allegations internally.

Key Features of the In-House Inquiry Process:

1. Initiation of Complaint:
   • Complaints against a High Court judge are addressed to the Chief Justice of that High Court. If the complaint pertains to a Supreme Court judge, it is directed to the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
2. Preliminary Examination:
   • The Chief Justice conducts an initial assessment to determine the credibility and seriousness of the complaint. If deemed frivolous or baseless, the complaint is dismissed.
3. Constitution of Inquiry Committee:
   • For substantial allegations, an inquiry committee is formed. In cases involving a High Court judge, the committee typically comprises:
     • A Supreme Court judge
     • Chief Justice of a High Court
     • A High Court judge
   • If the allegations are against a Supreme Court judge, the committee consists of senior judges from the Supreme Court.
4. Investigation Process: The committee examines evidence, interacts with relevant parties, and assesses the validity of the allegations. The concerned judge is given an opportunity to present their defence.

Reporting and Recommendations:

• Upon concluding the inquiry, the committee submits its findings and recommendations to the CJI. If misconduct is established, the report may suggest:
  • Advising the judge to resign voluntarily.
  • Recommending withdrawal of judicial work from the judge.
  • Initiating formal impeachment proceedings, in severe cases.

Distinction from Impeachment Process: The in-house procedure is an internal mechanism distinct from the constitutional process of impeachment. While impeachment involves parliamentary action under Articles 124(4) and 217 of the Constitution for "proved misbehaviour" or "incapacity," the in-house procedure addresses less severe misconduct internally without legislative involvement.

Notable Instances:

• Justice Soumitra Sen Case (2011): An in-house inquiry found Justice Sen of the Calcutta High Court guilty of misappropriating funds. Following the inquiry, impeachment proceedings were initiated, leading to his resignation.
• Justice P.D. Dinakaran Case (2011): Allegations of corruption and land encroachment led to an in-house inquiry against Justice Dinakaran of the Sikkim High Court. The committee's adverse findings prompted his resignation before impeachment could proceed. 

 

Russia, Ukraine agree to end Black Sea military action: U.S.

In the News: On March 25, 2025, the United States confirmed that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to cease military activities in the Black Sea region, signalling a key step towards regional de-escalation amid the ongoing conflict.

• The S. State Department announced that both Russia and Ukraine have reached a mutual understanding to end offensive military actions in the Black Sea, with the aim of safeguarding maritime security and stabilizing commercial shipping routes.
• The agreement is a result of backchannel diplomacy involving U.S. and European mediators, aiming to prevent escalation in a strategically vital region that is essential for grain exports and international trade.
• This development follows months of increased naval attacks, including drone strikes and blockades that had endangered cargo vessels and humanitarian shipments.
• Under the agreement, both sides are expected to halt naval strikes, remove floating mines, and facilitate safe navigation for commercial ships, especially those involved in food and fertilizer exports.
• The U.S. has indicated that international monitoring mechanisms may be introduced to ensure compliance and to help prevent accidental clashes in the region.
• The ceasefire in the Black Sea is being viewed as a confidence-building measure that could contribute to broader peace talks, though ground fighting in eastern Ukraine continues.
• Analysts suggest the move may revive grain export corridors, including a possible resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, previously brokered by the UN and Turkey. 

Journalist Jeffrey Goldberg Inadvertently Added to U.S. Government Group Chat Discussing Yemen Strikes

In the News: In March 2025, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, reported that he was mistakenly included in a Signal group chat where senior U.S. officials were discussing confidential military plans to strike Houthi targets in Yemen.

• Incident Overview: On March 11, 2025, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz inadvertently added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat named "Houthi PC small group," intended for high-level discussions on planned military operations in Yemen.
• Participants in the Chat: The group included prominent officials such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, and other senior members of the Trump administration.
• Details Shared: Within the chat, specific operational details were discussed, including targets, weapon systems, and timing of the proposed strikes against the Houthi group in Yemen.
• Goldberg's Reaction: Upon realizing the nature of the information, Goldberg monitored the messages without participating and later reported the incident, highlighting the significant security lapse.
• Official Responses:
  • Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that sensitive war plans were discussed in the chat and criticized Goldberg's account.
  • The National Security Council acknowledged the authenticity of the messages and initiated an investigation into the breach.