Daily Current Affairs Summary 9th MAY 2025

477 snow leopards in Ladakh: Study

1. A recent assessment by Ladakh’s Department of Wildlife Protection has recorded 477 snow leopards in the region.
2. Ladakh hosts 68% of India’s total snow leopard population, making it one of the densest habitats globally.

Key Highlights of the Study:

1. High snow leopard concentrations are found in Hemis National Park, Kargil, and Leh, forming one of the world's largest connected populations.
2. Favorable factors include resource-rich grasslands, moderate climate, and abundant prey availability.
3. About 61% of Ladakh’s snow leopards were found living in areas shared with human communities, showing successful coexistence.
4. Cultural respect for wildlife, benefits from eco-tourism, and active conflict management practices contribute to their protection.

Snow Leopard Conservation Initiatives Project Snow Leopard India International Big Cat Alliance Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme Bishkek Declaration 2017 and Samarkand Resolution 2024

 

About Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia):

1. Native to 12 countries across South and Central Asia, they are a flagship species of high-altitude mountain ecosystems.
2. In India, snow leopards are found in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Conservation Status:
   • Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
   • Protected under CITES Appendix I, CMS Appendix I, and Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
4. Prefer habitats with steep rocky terrains and elevations between 3,000–5,000 metres.
5. Known for their smoky-grey fur with dark rosettes, they are solitary and mostly active during dawn and dusk.

 

CCRAS has revived two rare Ayurvedic Manuscript

1. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has revived two rare Ayurvedic manuscripts: Dravyaratnākara Nighaṇṭu and Dravyanamākara Nighaṇṭu.
2. In Ayurvedic terminology, "Nighantu" refers to texts listing groups of drugs, their synonyms, properties, and the specific parts used.

About Dravyaratnākara Nighaṇṭu

1. This manuscript was composed by Mudgala Paṇḍita in 1480 AD.
2. It is divided into 18 chapters, offering detailed insights into drug synonyms, medicinal actions, and therapeutic properties.
3. The text references earlier classical works like Dhanvantari Nighaṇṭu and Raja Nighaṇṭu, while also adding new medicinal substances.
4. It includes information on drugs of plant, mineral, and animal origin, expanding the traditional Ayurvedic knowledge base.

About Dravyanamākara Nighaṇṭu

1. This work is attributed to Bhisma Vaidya.
2. It deals specifically with the homonyms of plant and drug names, a complex area critical to Ayurvedic identification.
3. The manuscript is considered an independent appendix to the Dhanvantari Nighaṇṭu, serving to clarify overlapping names and meanings.

Revised SHAKTI Policy for Coal Allocation to Power Sector

1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the Revised SHAKTI Policy for coal allocation to the power sector on 07 May 2025.
2. The policy is part of ongoing coal sector reforms by the government.
3. SHAKTI stands for Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India.
4. Originally introduced in 2017 to shift from nomination-based coal allocation to a transparent auction/tariff-based bidding system.

Key Features of the Revised SHAKTI Policy

1. The revised policy consolidates previous 8 categories into two main allocation windows to simplify operations and improve efficiency.

Two Windows for Fresh Coal Linkages
Window-I (Coal at Notified Price)	Window-II (Coal at Premium Price)
Continues coal linkage to Central Sector TPPs, Joint Ventures, and subsidiaries.	Open to all domestic coal-based and imported coal-based power producers.
Coal earmarked to states or their authorized agencies based on Ministry of Power recommendations.	Coal can be secured via auction for durations up to 12 months or up to 25 years.
States may allocate coal to State Gencos, IPPs with PPAs under Section 62 of the Electricity Act, or expansion units with PPAs.	Producers have flexibility to sell power as per their choice, with no PPA requirement.

 

2. Encourages competition, better capacity utilization, seamless pit-head thermal capacity addition, and affordable power generation.
3. Promotes domestic coal availability, reduces import dependence, and supports stressed power assets.
4. Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat by boosting domestic coal usage.

Benefits of the Revised SHAKTI Policy

1. Greater Flexibility: Offers flexible coal allocation mechanisms.
2. Wider Eligibility: More power producers, including imported coal-based plants, are now eligible.
3. Better Accessibility: Easier coal access leads to increased power generation and lower electricity tariffs.
4. Positive Economic Impact: Supports employment generation and economic activity via reliable power supply.
5. Revenue for State Governments: More mining activity will increase state revenues, aiding regional development.
6. Import Substitution: Domestic coal can replace imported coal in Imported Coal Based (ICB) plants.
7. Support to Pithead Plants: Preference for establishing new thermal power projects near coal mines.

Key Additional Provisions

1. Use of Un-requisitioned Surplus (URS) Capacity: Linkage coal can now be used to generate power from URS capacity, deepening power markets.
2. No Mandatory PPAs under Window-II: Private players can now participate without having Power Purchase Agreements.

Other Key Coal Sector Reforms Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015: Enabled transparent auctions and private participation. Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2021: Introduced composite Prospecting Licence-cum-Mining Lease (PL-cum-ML). Commercial Coal Mining Policy (2020): Allowed private players to mine coal for commercial use without end-use restrictions. Monitoring Tools: Introduced Coal Mines Surveillance and Management System and Khanan Prahari App to curb illegal mining.

 

National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Upgradation

1. The "National Scheme for ITI Upgradation and Setting up of five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling" was approved under Budget 2024-25.
2. It will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
3. Transform existing ITIs into government-owned, industry-managed aspirational skill institutes, with support from State Governments and industry.
4. Total Outlay: ₹60,000 crore over five years (Central Share: ₹30,000 crore, State Share: ₹20,000 crore, Industry Share: ₹10,000 crore).
5. 50% of the Central Share (₹15,000 crore) will be co-financed equally by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
6. Focus Areas:

1. Upgrade 1,000 Government ITIs through a hub and spoke model with revamped industry-aligned trades (courses).
2. Expand capacity in five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
3. Set up five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling within these NSTIs.
4. Use an industry-led Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model for outcome-driven implementation.

7. About ITIs:

1. ITIs have been the backbone of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in India since the 1950s.
2. They operate under State Governments and are accredited by the Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
3. Currently, there are about 15,034 ITIs, of which 78% are privately owned.
4. Challenges in ITI Ecosystem

• Quality Gap compared to Global Standards
• Low Placement rates
• Low Social Acceptance
• Underutilization

8. Relevant Schemes: STRIVE, Model ITI, and Enhancing Skill Development Infrastructure in North Eastern States (ESDI).

India’s Operation Sindoor

1. India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, marking the largest cross-border strike since Balakot.
2. India invoked its right to respond, pre-empt, and deter further cross-border attacks.
3. Operation Sindoor is a major military offensive targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
4. The strikes were measured, calibrated, and non-escalatory, using niche technology weapons for precision strikes.
5. Pakistan stated it reserves the right to respond under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

India’s Precision Strike Weapons:

1. SCALP (Storm Shadow) Missile: An air-launched, long-range (450 km) cruise missile designed for deep-strike missions on high-value targets.
2. HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range): A precision-guided stand-off munition with a range of 50–70 km.
3. Loitering Munitions (Kamikaze Drones): Drones that hover over target zones and autonomously or remotely identify and destroy threats.
4. METEOR: A next-gen Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) effective in dense electronic-warfare environments.
5. BRAHMOS: A supersonic cruise missile operating on the ‘Fire and Forget Principle’ with varied flight paths to the target.

Article 51 of the UN Charter: Affirms that the UN Charter does not impair the inherent right to individual or collective self-defence if a UN member is attacked. Mandates that the UN Security Council must take necessary steps to maintain international peace and security. Requires any self-defence action taken by a member to be immediately reported to the Security Council.

New Security Guidelines for Satellite-Based Internet Services under GMPCS License

1. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued new security guidelines for Satellite Internet Services under the Unified License (UL) framework.
2. These directives apply to the Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) license, which supports mobile satellite communication in regions lacking terrestrial connectivity.
3. GMPCS services are especially critical in remote mining zones, oil and gas fields, defence sectors, and disaster-hit areas.

Terresrial Network

Key Security Guidelines:

1. Security Clearance: Each gateway/hub in India must receive prior security clearance from relevant authorities.
2. Network Localization: Core functions of the Network Control and Monitoring Centre (NCMC)—like lawful interception and data routing—must be based within India.
3. Service Restrictions: Operators must have systems to block or restrict services to users or areas in times of conflict or national emergency.
4. Special Monitoring Zones (SMZs): Areas within 50 km of international borders and up to 200 nautical miles in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) are to be specially monitored.
5. Indigenous Manufacturing Requirement: A minimum of 20% of the satellite ground infrastructure must be locally manufactured within five years.
6. NavIC Support: Licensees are encouraged to incorporate NavIC-based positioning systems into their services.

 

 

Gully Erosion

 

1. Gully erosion has been observed in 19 Indian states and the Delhi region.
2. Six states—Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh—covering 38% of India's area, account for 92% of the country's gully-affected land.
3. Gully erosion happens when fast-flowing water carves out deep channels in the soil.
4. It leads to the loss of fertile land, vegetation, and crops.
5. It disrupts water flow in catchment areas and contributes to land degradation.
6. Severe gully erosion can even lead to desert-like conditions in affected regions.

Gut Microbiota

1. A recent study warns that climate-related food shortages may disrupt the balance of gut microbes.
2. Poor crop yields can lead to less diverse diets, which reduces gut microbiota diversity.
3. Elevated CO₂ levels in the atmosphere lower key nutrients in staple crops like rice and wheat.
4. The human gut contains around 100 trillion microorganisms.
5. An imbalance in gut microbes (dysbiosis) is linked to conditions like diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, eczema, and brain disorders.
6. Gut health is influenced by multiple factors at once—such as food scarcity, heat, pollution, and infections—making the effects complex and unpredictable.

Atmospheric memory

1. New research shows that atmospheric memory plays a key role in triggering and ending monsoons.
2. The air holds past weather data in the form of water vapor, which influences monsoon timing.
3. Earlier, it was believed that monsoons were mainly driven by immediate sunlight changes.
4. The atmosphere behaves based on its history—rain continues if it's already raining, and dryness persists if it's been dry.
5. This tendency of the atmosphere to stick to its current state is known as bistability.
6. Even with the same solar input, the atmosphere can behave differently depending on previous conditions.

Draft framework For India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy

1. The Finance Ministry's Department of Economic Affairs has sought public input on India's draft Climate Finance Taxonomy.
2. This taxonomy aims to classify economic activities aligned with India’s climate goals and low-carbon development.
3. Its main goals include promoting climate mitigation, adaptation, and smoother industry transition toward sustainable practices.
4. It also seeks to attract more climate finance while preventing misleading green claims (greenwashing).
5. The framework is guided by eight core principles, such as alignment with national climate commitments and development goals.
6. It emphasizes support for transition efforts and encourages the use of home-grown, eco-friendly technologies.

Copper

1. The Filo del Sol and Josemaría sites in Argentina rank among the top ten largest copper-producing mines globally.
2. Copper is a soft, flexible, and stretchable metal known for its excellent ability to conduct heat and electricity.
3. In 2024, Chile leads the world in copper production, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru, and China.
4. In India, Rajasthan holds the highest copper reserves at 52%, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 23%, and Jharkhand with 15%.
5. Notable copper mining areas in India include the Singhbhum Copper Belt in Bihar, Khetri Copper Belt in Rajasthan, and Balaghat District in Madhya Pradesh.

Pulitzer Prize

1. In 2024, The New York Times secured four Pulitzer Prizes, while The New Yorker earned three, showcasing excellence in journalism.
2. The Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious set of annual awards given by Columbia University, located in New York City.
3. These awards were founded by Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American journalist and newspaper publisher, who donated funds to Columbia upon his death in 1911.
4. The Pulitzers honor exceptional contributions in the fields of journalism, literature, and music.
5. The first Pulitzer Prizes were officially awarded in the year 1917.

Indo-Pacific Logistics Network

1. The Quad nations—Australia, India, Japan, and the USA—recently conducted an Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) simulation exercise in Honolulu, Hawaii.
2. The IPLN is designed to help Quad members share logistics capabilities across the Indo-Pacific for faster and more efficient civilian disaster response.
3. This initiative allows coordinated action during natural disasters by improving the use of joint logistics among the four countries.
4. Alongside the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, the IPLN reinforces the Quad's commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
5. It also showcases the importance of practical cooperation in addressing shared regional challenges through strategic collaboration.

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