UPSC Current Affairs 1 March 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 1 March 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

 

InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents 

GS Paper 3 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 1 March (2025)

1. Avalanche

2. World Bank Recommendations for India to Achieve Developed Status by 2047

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. India Philanthropy Report (IPR) 2025

 Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Amir Khusrau

2. Cali Fund

3. EU-India Trade and Technology Council

4. MISHTI Scheme

5. Solar Flare Captured by Aditya L1 Mission

Mapping:

1. Sudan

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 1 March 2025

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GS Paper 3 :

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Avalanche

Syllabus: Disaster Management

Source:  IE

Context: A massive avalanche struck a BRO project site near Mana village in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, trapping 22 workers under ice, with ongoing rescue operations by the Indian Army and ITBP.

About Avalanche:

What is an Avalanche?

• A sudden and rapid descent of snow, ice, and debris down a mountain slope, triggered by natural or human-induced factors.
• Can cause widespread destruction by burying people, structures, and transport routes under tons of snow.

Types of Avalanches:

1. Loose Snow Avalanche:
   • Forms when loosely bonded snow starts sliding from a single point.
   • Common in steep slopes (>40°) with fresh snowfall.
2. Slab Avalanche:
   • Occurs when a cohesive layer of snow breaks away as a single slab.
   • Responsible for most fatalities, reaching speeds of 100 km/h.
3. Gliding Avalanche:
   • Involves entire snowpack sliding over a smooth surface (grass, rock).
   • Occurs at slopes >15° and leads to large-scale destruction.
4. Powder Avalanche:
   • High-speed avalanches suspending snow particles in air, creating a powder cloud.
   • Can reach speeds of 300 km/h, causing severe shockwave impact.
5. Wet Snow Avalanche
   • Triggered by melting snow due to temperature rise or rain.
   • Slower but more destructive due to its high density and force.

Causes of Avalanches

1. Natural Causes:

• Heavy Snowfall & Wind Direction: Unstable snowpack due to uneven accumulation.
• Steep Slopes: Avalanches commonly occur at 30°-45° inclinations.
• Temperature Fluctuations: Melting snow weakens internal layers, increasing instability.
• Earthquakes & Vibrations: Trigger snow movement on unstable slopes.

2. Human-Induced Causes:

• Winter Sports & Tourism: Skiing, snowmobiling, and trekking destabilize snow layers.
• Construction & Deforestation: Removal of trees weakens slope stability.
• Military Operations: High-altitude warfare and detonations can trigger slides.

Consequences & Impact of Avalanches:

• Loss of Life & Injuries: Avalanches cause suffocation, hypothermia, and fatal trauma, with survival chances dropping significantly after 15 minutes of burial.
• Destruction of Infrastructure: Snow slides block roads, railways, and highways, cutting off access and burying homes, BRO camps, and tourist shelters under heavy snow.
• Disruptions in Communication & Utilities: Avalanches damage power lines, water supply, and communication networks, delaying rescue operations and emergency responses.
• Environmental Hazards: Melting avalanche snow can trigger landslides and flash floods, leading to severe ecological damage and displacement of local communities.
• Economic Impact: Avalanches cripple winter tourism, disrupt livelihoods, and result in economic losses, requiring huge recovery costs for damaged infrastructure and services.

Precautionary & Control Strategies:

1. Avalanche Early Warning Systems:

• IMD Avalanche Forecasting: Tracks snowfall, slope stability, and temperature fluctuations.
• Remote Sensing & AI-Based Prediction Models: Used for real-time avalanche detection.

2. Structural Protection Measures:

• Snow Barriers & Fences: Installed on avalanche-prone slopes to prevent snow buildup.
• Deflecting Structures: Direct the avalanche path away from inhabited zones.

3. Artificial Avalanche Triggers:

• Controlled Explosions: Initiates small avalanches to prevent larger, unmanageable ones.

4. Zoning & Land Use Planning

• Avoidance of Construction in Avalanche-Prone Areas.
• Ski Resorts & Highways Must Follow Risk Assessment Reports.

Way Ahead:

1. Enhancing Real-Time Avalanche Forecasting: Strengthening satellite-based avalanche monitoring systems for early warnings.
2. Improving Infrastructure Resilience: Constructing avalanche protection tunnels and snow-retention fences along highways.
3. Stronger Coordination Between Agencies: Integrating IMD, BRO, NDMA, and ITBP efforts for better disaster response.
4. Community Training & Awareness Programs: Educating local residents, trekkers, and military personnel on avalanche survival skills.
5. Encouraging Climate-Resilient Development: Limiting deforestation and unplanned construction in high-risk zones.

Conclusion:

Avalanches pose a significant threat in India’s Himalayan region, impacting human lives, infrastructure, and economic activities. Advanced forecasting, structural protection, and rescue preparedness are critical for minimizing avalanche disasters. Strengthening inter-agency collaboration and public awareness will further enhance India’s avalanche resilience.

PYQ:

 

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World Bank Recommendations for India to Achieve Developed Status by 2047

Syllabus: Economics

Source:  IT

 Context: The World Bank’s India Country Economic Memorandum (2025) states that India needs an average growth rate of 7.8% until 2047 to achieve high-income status.

About World Bank Recommendations for India to Achieve Developed Status by 2047:

1. Increase Investment & Capital Formation:
   • Raise investment from 33.5% to 40% of GDP by 2035 through private and public sector participation.
   • Improve financial sector regulations and ease FDI restrictions.
   • Boost MSME credit access and streamline business regulations.
2. Enhance Labor Force Participation:
   • Increase overall labor force participation from 56.4% to 65%.
   • Raise female workforce participation from 35.6% to 50%.
   • Encourage job-rich sectors like manufacturing, hospitality, transportation, and the care economy.
3. Boost Structural Transformation & Trade Integration:
   • Reduce agriculture employment from 45% by shifting labor towards manufacturing & services.
   • Strengthen infrastructure, adopt new technology, and simplify labor regulations.
   • Enhance Global Value Chain (GVC) participation to compete with Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
4. Promote Balanced Growth Among States:
   • Support less developed states in improving health, education, and infrastructure.
   • Encourage industrialized states to deepen business reforms & GVC participation.
   • Expand incentive-driven federal programs like the Urban Challenge Fund.

Challenges to Achieving High-Income Status:

1. Slow Employment Growth: Job creation has not kept pace with GDP growth, leading to high informal sector dependency.
2. Low Female Workforce Participation: Cultural and economic barriers restrict women’s workforce engagement, limiting economic expansion.

E.g. Female LFPR in urban areas (Oct-Dec 2024) was 25.2%, far below male LFPR at 75.4%.

1. Investment & Infrastructure Bottlenecks: Slow industrial growth, land acquisition issues, and infrastructure deficits hinder long-term investments.

E.g. GDP growth slowed to 5.4% in Q2 FY 2024-25 from 8.1% a year earlier.

1. Unequal Growth Among States: Low-income states lag behind in productivity and human capital development.
2. Trade & Productivity Gaps: India’s Global Value Chain (GVC) participation is lower than peers like China & Vietnam, limiting global trade integration.

Way Ahead:

1. Accelerate Infrastructure & Investment Reforms: Improve land & labor laws, ease FDI norms, and reduce compliance burden for businesses.
2. Expand Employment & Women’s Workforce Participation: Implement targeted policies to boost job-rich sectors and enhance childcare & safety measures for women.
3. Strengthen Global Trade & Manufacturing: Increase export competitiveness by integrating into Global Value Chains (GVCs).
4. Ensure Equitable Growth Among States: Improve health, education, and infrastructure in lagging states while empowering developed states with advanced reforms.
5. Promote Technology & Innovation: Enhance AI, automation, and digital transformation to boost productivity and economic efficiency.

Conclusion:

India’s goal of achieving high-income status by 2047 is ambitious but achievable with strategic reforms in investment, labor markets, trade, and state-level development. A balanced growth model, supported by strong governance and global integration, will be key to transitioning into a developed economy.

PYQ:

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 1 March 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

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India Philanthropy Report (IPR) 2025

Context: India Philanthropy Report (IPR) 2025 projects a 10-12% annual increase in philanthropic spending over the next five years, driven by family philanthropy and CSR growth.

About India Philanthropy Report (IPR) 2025:

• What is the India Philanthropy Report?

• • An annual report analyzing trends in philanthropic giving in India.
  • Evaluates private and public funding in social sectors like education, healthcare, and gender equality.

• Key Insights from the Report:

1. Growth in Private Philanthropy
   • Private funding in India’s social sector is expected to grow by 10-12% annually.
   • Family philanthropy could contribute an additional ₹50,000-₹55,000 crore ($6-$7 billion) by 2030.
2. Size of Social Sector Funding in FY24
   • Total funding: ₹25 lakh crore ($300 billion).
     • Public spending: ₹23 lakh crore (~95%), including MGNREGS and PM Awas Yojana.
     • Private spending: ₹1.3 lakh crore ($16 billion).

3. Low Philanthropic Contributions by HNIs & UHNIs
   • India’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs) contribute only 1-0.15% of their wealth to philanthropy.
     • US:2-2.5%, UK: 0.5-1.8%, China: 0.5-1.4%.
   • HNIs (₹200-1,000 crore net worth) contribute ₹0.4-5 crore annually.
4. CSR Growth Trends
   • CSR spending expected to grow by 10-12% due to better corporate compliance.
   • CSR-compliant firms increased by 20% (from 12,000 in FY22 to 15,000 in FY23).
   • Top 4 family-run businesses (Tata, Ambani, Adani, Birla) contributed ₹800-₹1,000 crore each to CSR.
5. Focus Areas of Philanthropy
   • 40% of families support gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI) initiatives.
   • 29% of families contribute to climate action and environmental causes.
   • 55% of family philanthropy initiatives are led by women.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS Paper 2: Governance & Social Justice

• • Role of philanthropy in development and social sector funding.
  • Impact of CSR policies and regulatory framework on corporate giving.

• GS Paper 3: Economy & Sustainable Development
  • Economic impact of philanthropy on key sectors like education, healthcare, and climate action.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 1 March 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

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Amir Khusrau

Source:  IE

Context: Prime Minister of India attended the 25th edition of Jahan-e-Khusrau, a Sufi music festival honoring Amir Khusrau, highlighting his contributions to India’s pluralistic Sufi tradition.

• Amir Khusrau is revered for pioneering Hindavi (precursor to Hindi and Urdu), shaping Indian classical music, and popularizing qawwali in South Asia.

About Amir Khusrau:

• • 13th-century Persian and Hindavi poet, musician, and scholar.
  • Known as “Tuti-yi-Hind” (Parrot of India) for his eloquence in poetry.
  • A disciple of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya, he balanced his role as a court poet with devotion to the Chishti Sufi order.

• • Lived from 1253 to 1325 CE, during the Delhi Sultanate.
  • Served under five Delhi Sultans: Muizuddin Qaiqabad, Jalaluddin Khalji (bestowed the title Amir), Alauddin Khalji, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq

• • Born in Patiyali, Etah (present-day Uttar Pradesh).
  • Father was a Turkic noble from Central Asia, and mother was Indian Muslim.
  • Came to India due to the Mongol invasions of Transoxiana.

• Contributions of Amir Khusrau:
• Literary Contributions:
  • Wrote in Persian and Hindavi, blending Turkic, Persian, and Indian cultural influences.
  • His works include Masnavi (Nuh Siphir, Qiran-us-Saadain), ghazals, riddles, and folk poetry.
  • Developed riddles, proverbs, and playful verses, influencing early Hindi and Urdu literature.
• Musical Legacy
  • Introduced and popularized qawwali, merging Persian, Arabic, and Indian musical traditions.
  • Credited with crafting several ragas, khayal singing style, and bol-bant in Hindustani classical music.
  • Believed to have invented the sitar and tabla, though historical evidence is debated.
• Influence on Sufi Tradition & Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb:
  • Advocated for Hindu-Muslim unity, fostering India’s syncretic culture.
  • Revered in Sufi traditions, his compositions are sung at Sufi dargahs and religious gatherings.
• Legacy & Enduring Influence:
  • His qawwalis, including Chhaap Tilak, Zehal-e-Maskeen, and Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson, remain popular today.
  • His poetry influenced later Persian, Urdu, and Hindi poets, shaping India’s composite cultural identity.
  • Khusrau’s grave is near Nizamuddin Auliya’s dargah in Delhi, a testament to their spiritual bond.

 

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Cali Fund

Source:  DTE

Context: COP16 to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) secured a landmark agreement on biodiversity funding, committing $200 billion annually by 2030 to conservation efforts.

• A major outcome was the launch of the Cali Fund, ensuring fair benefit-sharing from genetic resources used in industries like pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

About Cali Fund:

• • A global financial mechanism designed to ensure equitable benefit-sharing from digital genetic resources.
  • Ensures that industries using biodiversity-based genetic data contribute financially to conservation efforts.

• • Proposed during CBD COP16 discussions in Cali, Colombia (2024).
  • Officially launched at CBD COP16 in Rome (2025) as part of the biodiversity finance agreement.

• • Compensate Indigenous communities and developing nations for their role in preserving biodiversity.
  • Secure long-term biodiversity financing from industries benefiting from genetic resources.
  • Support conservation initiatives and global biodiversity targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

• Implemented by: United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and international stakeholders.
• Key Features of the Cali Fund:

• • Fair Benefit-Sharing Model: Industries using genetic data for commercial products (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture) must share profits for conservation.
  • Support for Indigenous Communities: 50% of the Cali Fund’s resources will go to Indigenous groups, recognizing their vital role in protecting biodiversity.
  • Long-Term Sustainable Financing: The fund will generate revenue through access-and-benefit-sharing (ABS) mechanisms, ensuring continuous financial support for biodiversity conservation.
  • Global Tracking & Accountability: Governments must report biodiversity financing progress using updated KMGBF indicators.
  • Preparation for COP17 (Armenia, 2026): The first global biodiversity finance review will assess fund utilization and impact at COP17.

 

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EU-India Trade and Technology Council

Source:  NDTV

Context: India and the EU held the second ministerial meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), focusing on strategic technologies, clean energy, and trade resilience.

About EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC):

• • A bilateral strategic platform to enhance cooperation on trade, technology, and security between India and the European Union (EU).
  • Second TTC for the EU (after the US) and India’s first-ever TTC with any country.

• • Announced in April 2022 by Prime Minister of India and European Commission President.
  • Formally launched in February 2023, followed by its first ministerial meeting in May 2023 alongside Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

• • Enhance digital and trade cooperation through joint policy frameworks.
  • Reduce dependence on China and Russia in critical sectors like semiconductors and military technology.
  • Boost research and innovation in AI, 6G, and quantum computing.
  • Develop resilient supply chains for semiconductors, batteries, and rare earth materials.

 

• • Three Working Groups:
    • Digital & Strategic Technologies – Focuses on 6G, AI, and quantum technology.
    • Green & Clean Energy Technologies – Covers battery supply chains and renewable energy.
    • Trade, Investment & Supply Chain Resilience – Strengthens critical industries like semiconductors and data governance.
  • Strategic Shift in Global Trade & Technology Alliances:
    • Complements India’s participation in Quad’s Emerging Technology Group and Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) with Japan & Australia.
    • Aligns with EU’s partnerships with Asia-Pacific nations under its Digital Compass 2030 strategy.
  • Geopolitical & Economic Impact:
    • TTC aims to diversify global trade routes, reduce China’s technological dominance, and strengthen EU-India economic integration.
    • Reinforces India’s Indo-Pacific strategy and EU’s efforts to counterbalance dependence on Chinese tech giants.

 

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MISHTI Scheme

Source:  NIE

Context: Gujarat has become the national leader in mangrove afforestation, covering 19,020 hectares in two years under the MISHTI scheme.

 About MISTI Scheme:

• What it is?
  • The MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) scheme, launched in 2023, aims to expand India’s mangrove cover and enhance coastal resilience.
  • Focuses on ecological restoration and livelihood generation for coastal communities.
• Launched In: Union Budget 2023-24, with implementation from 2023 to 2028.
• Funding Sources:

• • CAMPA Fund (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority).
  • MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme).
  • Other government and private funding sources.

• Under Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• Aims:

• • Restore degraded mangrove ecosystems and increase India’s mangrove cover.
  • Strengthen coastal resilience against climate change and sea erosion.
  • Promote ecotourism and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.
  • Support global mangrove conservation under the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), initiated at COP27.

• • Targeted Afforestation & Expansion: Covers 540 sq km of mangrove expansion across 9 coastal states and 4 Union Territories.
  • Community & Livelihood Focus:
    • Promotes sustainable income sources for coastal populations.
    • Enhances fishing and ecotourism opportunities.
  • Climate Change Mitigation:
    • Strengthens shoreline protection against storms and rising sea levels.
    • Supports India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement & UN SDGs.

Mangrove Status:

• Global Mangrove Distribution:

India’s Mangrove Distribution (India State of Forest Report 2023):

• The total Mangrove cover of the country is 4,991.68 km2, which accounts for 15 % of the country’s total geographical area.

 

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Solar Flare Captured by Aditya L1 Mission

Source:  TH

Context: ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission captured the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’, marking a significant breakthrough in solar physics research.

• The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) onboard Aditya-L1 recorded the brightening in the Near Ultraviolet (NUV) band, offering new insights into solar flare energy dynamics.

About Aditya-L1:

• • India’s first space-based solar mission, launched to study the Sun’s outer layers and solar activity.
  • Positioned at Lagrange Point L1, about 1.5 million km from Earth, enabling continuous solar observation without eclipses.

• • September 2, 2023, aboard PSLV C-57 rocket.
  • Successfully placed in halo orbit around L1 on January 6, 2024.

• • Study solar dynamics, including flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and magnetic field variations.
  • Observe solar radiation and its impact on Earth’s climate and space weather.

• • Sudden bursts of intense energy from the Sun’s atmosphere, caused by magnetic field interactions.
  • Release X-rays, ultraviolet light, and charged particles, which can disrupt satellite communications and power grids on Earth.

• How Aditya-L1 Studies Solar Flares?

• • SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope): Captures UV images of the lower solar atmosphere.
  • SoLEXS (Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer) & HEL1OS (High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer): Monitor solar X-ray emissions to detect flares.
  • Continuous observation from L1 provides a real-time picture of solar activity.

About Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT):

• • A specialized telescope on Aditya-L1, developed by Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune.
  • Captures high-resolution images in 11 different NUV wavebands, covering the photosphere and chromosphere.

• • SUIT detected an X6.3-class solar flare, one of the most intense solar eruptions recorded.
  • Observed brightening in the Near Ultra-Violet (NUV) band (200-400 nm), a wavelength never studied in such detail before.
  • Provided clear evidence of energy transmission from the solar surface to the corona.

• Significance of the Discovery:

• • Validates long-standing theories about solar energy transfer.
  • Helps predict solar storms and space weather to protect satellites and power grids.
  • Advances global solar physics research, enhancing our understanding of the Sun’s impact on Earth’s climate.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –1 Matrch 2025 Mapping:

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Sudan

Source:  TOI

Context: Indian Coast Guard Ship Sachet departed for Sudan, carrying over two tons of life-saving medicines, including anti-cancer drugs, as part of India’s humanitarian aid efforts.

About Sudan:

• Located in: Northeastern Africa, Sudan is the third-largest country in Africa.
  • It lies adjacent to the Sahara in the north and stretches southward to the forests of West Africa and the Congo River basin.
• Capital: Khartoum, situated at the confluence of the White Nile and Blue Nile rivers.

• Neighbouring Countries: Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad, Libya and the Red Sea.
• Geological Features:

River Systems:

• • The Nile River system dominates Sudan’s geography, with its two major tributaries:
    • White Nile: Flows from Lake Victoria, through South Sudan into Sudan.
    • Blue Nile: Originates from the Ethiopian Highlands, merging with the White Nile at Khartoum.
  • Seasonal rivers (wadis) drain into the Nile but often dry up in arid regions.

Mountain Ranges & Plateaus:

• • Marrah Mountains (Darfur Plateau): The highest elevation (~3,000 meters), home to volcanic highlands.
  • Red Sea Hills: Located in northeastern Sudan, forming an uplifted escarpment along the Red Sea.
  • Nuba Mountains: Situated in south-central Sudan, rising abruptly from the plains.

 

Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 1 Mar 2025

 

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