Daily Current Affairs- 7th March 2025

Daily Current Affairs 7th March 2025

National 

India’s AI Revolution: Advancing Innovation with AI Kosha & GPU Expansion 

In the News: On March 6, 2025, the Indian government launched AI Kosha and the IndiaAI Compute Portal, marking significant advancements in the nation's artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.  

AI Kosha: IndiaAI Datasets Platform:

Launch Date: March 6, 2025.

Purpose: Provides a repository of non-personal datasets, models, and use cases to facilitate AI innovation.

Features:

• Over 300 datasets and 80 models available at launch.
• Includes AI sandbox capabilities with an integrated development environment, tools, and tutorials.
• Ensures content discoverability and secure access mechanisms.

IndiaAI Compute Portal:

Launch Date: March 6, 2025.

Purpose: Offers accessible and affordable AI compute, network, storage, platform, and cloud services.

Features:

• Initially provides access to 10,000 GPUs, with an additional 8,693 GPUs to be added.
• Supports startups, researchers, and enterprises with subsidized AI compute services.
• Includes high-end GPUs such as NVIDIA H100, H200, A100, L40S, and L4, AMD MI300x and 325X, Intel Gaudi 2, AWS Tranium, and Inferentia.

 Government Initiatives:

• AI Competency Framework: Released to equip public sector officials with AI-related skills, focusing on competency mapping and upskilling initiatives.
• iGOT-AI Mission Karmayogi: Integrates AI-driven learning recommendations for public officials, enhancing the learning experience on the iGOT Karmayogi platform.
• IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Program: Launched in collaboration with Station F and HEC Paris, this program provides ten selected Indian AI startups with a four-month immersive acceleration experience in Paris.

 Election Commission of India to Ensure Unique EPIC Numbers for All Voters in Next 3 Months

 In the News: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a plan to resolve the longstanding issue of duplicate Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers within the next three months.

Key Points:

Issue of Duplicate EPIC Numbers:

• Since the introduction of EPICs in 2000, discrepancies in the allotment process have led to multiple voters sharing the same EPIC number.
• These duplications arose due to some Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) using incorrect alphanumeric series when assigning EPICs.

 Impact on Voting Process:

• Despite duplicate EPIC numbers, each elector is linked to a specific polling station and can only vote there, preventing misuse of duplicate IDs.
• Sample verifications have confirmed that voters with identical EPIC numbers are genuine electors.  

ECI's Resolution Plan:

• The ECI aims to assign unique national EPIC numbers to all existing voters with duplicates and ensure uniqueness for new electors in the future.
• This initiative is set to be completed within the next three months.

 Political Reactions:

• The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has criticized the ECI, alleging that the commission's acknowledgment of duplicate EPIC numbers is an admission of guilt and a significant oversight.

 Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin Mobilizes Southern States Against Proposed Delimitation

 In the News: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has convened a meeting in Chennai with leaders from seven southern states to discuss concerns over the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, which may disproportionately favor northern states due to population-based seat allocation.

 Concerns Over Proposed Delimitation:

• The Government of India plans to redraw parliamentary constituency boundaries based on the 2021 census, potentially increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 846.
• Southern states, which have successfully implemented population control measures, fear a reduction in their parliamentary representation compared to northern states with higher population growth.
• Chief Minister Stalin has organized a meeting with leaders from over 40 parties across seven southern states to form a united front against the proposed delimitation plan.
• The meeting aims to advocate for maintaining current constituency boundaries or adopting alternative criteria for seat allocation to ensure equitable representation.
• Despite accounting for approximately 30% of India's GDP, southern states are concerned that reduced parliamentary representation could lead to diminished influence over national policies and resource allocation.

 Delimitation of Electoral Seats in India:

• Delimitation involves redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies to reflect changes in population distribution, ensuring equitable representation.
• Delimitation exercises in India have been conducted in 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002.
• A constitutional amendment in 1976 froze the number of seats allocated to each state based on the 1971 census to encourage population control measures, with the freeze extended until after the 2026 census.
• The upcoming delimitation, based on the first census after 2026, is expected to adjust the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and state legislative assemblies to reflect demographic changes.

Supreme Court refuses status quo on Dharavi redevelopment

In the News: On March 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of India declined to halt the ongoing Dharavi Redevelopment Project, allowing Adani Properties Pvt Ltd to continue its work.

Background of the Project:

• Dharavi, located in Mumbai, is one of Asia's largest slums, spanning approximately 240 hectares (594 acres) and housing a dense population engaged in various small-scale industries.
• In 2018, SecLink Technologies emerged as the highest bidder for the Dharavi redevelopment project with a bid of Rs.7,200 crore. However, the Maharashtra government cancelled this tender in 2020, citing material changes due to the inclusion of additional railway land, and decided to issue a fresh tender.

 Awarding of Project to Adani Group:

• In 2023, following the revised tender process, Adani Properties Pvt. Ltd. secured the project with a bid of ₹5,069 crore.
• SecLink challenged the cancellation of its earlier bid and the subsequent award to Adani Group, alleging procedural improprieties.
• In December 2024, the Bombay High Court upheld the Maharashtra government's decision to award the project to Adani Properties.

 Supreme Court Proceedings:

• SecLink approached the Supreme Court, offering to increase its original bid by 20%, proposing a revised bid of ₹8,640 crore. On March 7, 2025, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Maharashtra government and Adani Properties, seeking their responses to SecLink's petition.
• The Court declined to stay the ongoing redevelopment work but directed that all project-related payments by Adani be routed through a single escrow account with proper documentation.

 International  

USAID Funding Cuts in India: Impact on Health, 5G, and Development Initiatives

In the News: The Trump administration has announced significant reductions in foreign aid, eliminating over 90% of USAID's contracts, amounting to approximately $54 billion.

• The S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has suspended foreign aid funding to India following President Donald Trump's executive order on January 20, 2025, implementing a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid.

 Impact on Health Initiatives in India:

• HIV/AIDS Programs: India's first three Mitr Clinics, dedicated to the transgender community, have been forced to shut down due to the USAID funding freeze. These clinics, located in Hyderabad, Kalyan, and Pune, provided essential services such as hormone therapy guidance, mental health counseling, HIV and STI assistance, legal aid, and general medical care. Approximately 5,000 transgender individuals have been affected by these closures.
• The funding cuts have disrupted HIV/AIDS programs, particularly those supported by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This interruption poses significant risks to the continuity of care for individuals relying on these services.
• Malaria and Tuberculosis: Projects aimed at combating malaria and tuberculosis have been terminated, disrupting treatment and prevention efforts.
• Impact on 5G Development:
  • 5G O-RAN Initiatives: The cessation of USAID funding threatens the development of secure 5G Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) projects in India, potentially hindering advancements in the telecommunications sector.
• Impact on Development Programs:
  • Environmental Programs: Environmental initiatives supported by USAID are at risk, which may affect conservation and sustainability efforts.
  • Economic Support: A significant reduction in economic support funds, which saw allocations of $148 million in 2022 and $81 million in 2023, could impede various development projects in India.

 

Science and Tech

 Cyclone Alfred

In the News: Cyclone Alfred, a Category 2 tropical cyclone, is approaching southeastern Queensland, Australia, prompting evacuation orders and severe weather warnings.

 Naming:

• Tropical Cyclone Alfred was named by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), the official authority responsible for naming tropical cyclones in the Australian region.
• Typically, cyclone names are assigned in alphabetical order from a predetermined list, alternating between male and female names. However, in this instance, the BOM deviated from the standard naming sequence.
• The name "Anthony" was next on the list, but to avoid confusion with the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, the BOM opted for the subsequent name, "Alfred."

 Formation and Classification:

• Identified as a tropical low on February 20, 2025, in the Coral Sea.
• Upgraded to a Category 1 cyclone on February 22 and reached Category 4 status on February 27.
• Currently downgraded to Category 1 as it approaches landfall near Brisbane.

 Meteorological Impact:

• Wind speeds up to 95 km/h (59 mph) with gusts reaching 120 km/h (75 mph).
• Heavy rainfall leading to life-threatening flash flooding, especially in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
• Record-breaking waves, including a 12.4-meter (40.7 feet) wave on the Gold Coast.

 Retirement of Names:

• If a cyclone causes significant damage or loss of life, its name is retired from the list to avoid future insensitivity.
• A replacement name is then selected during meetings of the World Meteorological Organization's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee.

 Gandiva Air-to-Air Missile

In the News: India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has officially renamed its latest and most advanced air-to-air missile, the Astra MK-III, as Gandiva, after the legendary bow of Arjuna from the Mahabharata.

 Missile Lineage:

Astra Missile Series: The Gandiva missile is part of India's Astra missile series, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This series includes:

• Astra Mk-I: Features a range of 80-110 kilometers.
• Astra Mk-II: Extends the range to 140-160 kilometers.
• Astra Mk-III (Gandiva): The latest and most advanced variant, boasting a range of up to 340 kilometers.

 Key Features:

• Propulsion System: Equipped with a Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) engine, allowing sustained supersonic speeds and extended range capabilities.
• Range:
• Up to 340 kilometers when launched at an altitude of 20 kilometers.
• Approximately 190 kilometers when launched at an altitude of 8 kilometers.  

• Speed:
  • Launch speed ranges from Mach 0.8 to 2.2.
  • Capable of intercepting targets moving at speeds between Mach 2.0 and 3.6.  

• Engagement Capabilities:
  • Designed to target various aerial threats, including fighter jets, bombers, military transport aircraft, refueling planes, and Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
  • Features a ±10 km snap-up/snap-down capability, enabling engagement of targets at varying altitudes relative to the launch aircraft.
  • Can engage highly maneuverable aircraft with an angle of attack up to 20 degrees.  

• Integration with Indian Air Force (IAF) Platforms: Planned deployment on IAF's Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
• Comparative Advantage: Gandiva's range surpasses that of China's PL-15 (300 kilometers) and the U.S. AIM-174 BVRAAM (240 kilometers), positioning it as one of the longest-range Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles globally.  

• Developmental Milestones:
• Successful ground tests, including booster and nozzleless booster evaluations.
• Upcoming flight tests from IAF aircraft, such as the Su-30MKI and Tejas, to validate integration and performance.  

Chandrayaan-3 Discovers Ice Beneath Moon's Surface 

In the News: Findings from India's Chandrayaan-3 mission suggest that ice may be more widely distributed just beneath the Moon's polar surface than previously believed.

Key Findings:

Temperature Measurements:

• The ChaSTE (Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment) probe aboard the Vikram lander recorded surface temperatures reaching up to 82°C during the lunar day and dropping to -170°C at night.
• These measurements indicate significant temperature variations that influence ice formation beneath the lunar

 Implications for Ice Formation:

• Localized temperature variations, influenced by surface properties and solar radiation patterns, suggest that ice could exist in more areas beneath the lunar surface than previously thought.
• Slopes facing away from the Sun with angles greater than 14° may be cool enough to support ice accumulation.

 Significance for Lunar Exploration:

• The potential widespread presence of subsurface ice is crucial for future lunar missions, offering insights into the Moon's geological history and serving as a vital resource for human exploration and habitation.

 Chandrayaan-3

Mission Timeline:

• Launch: 14 July 2023, aboard an LVM3 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India.
• Lunar Orbit Insertion: 5 August 2023.
• Lander-Rover Separation: 17 August 2023.
• Lunar Landing: 23 August 2023, near the lunar south pole.
• Rover Operations: Pragyan rover conducted experiments over a lunar day (~14 Earth days) before entering sleep mode on 2 September 2023.
• Lander Module: The Lander Module consists of a Lander (Vikram) and a Rover (Pragyan). The Lander Module made the soft landing using the Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS), where the Lander started its engine (thrusters) and maneuvered the speed and direction of the Module as well as the position of the landing site.
• The total lifespan of the Mission (Lander and Rover) was lunar day (14 Earth days).
• Both the Lander and the Rover have scientific payloads to carry out experiments on the lunar surface.