Daily Current Affairs- 12th April 2025

Daily Current Affairs 12th April 2025

In a First, Tamil Nadu Government Notifies 10 Laws Without Governor's Nod

In the News: In an unprecedented move, the Tamil Nadu government has notified 10 bills as laws without obtaining the customary assent from the state's Governor or the President of India. This action follows a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of India on April 8, 2025, which deemed the Governor's prolonged inaction on these bills as unconstitutional.

• Background: Between January 2020 and April 2023, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed 12 bills aimed at amending the governance structures of state universities, particularly concerning the appointment and removal of Vice-Chancellors. These bills sought to transfer certain powers from the Governor to the state government. However, Governor R.N. Ravi withheld assent to these bills, leading to a legislative impasse.
• Supreme Court Intervention: The Tamil Nadu government filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Governor's inaction. On April 8, 2025, the Court ruled that the Governor's withholding of assent and subsequent reservation of the bills for the President's consideration were unconstitutional. The Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to declare that these bills would be deemed to have received assent from the date they were re-presented to the Governor, specifically November 18, 2023.
• Government Action: Following the Supreme Court's judgment, the Tamil Nadu government promptly notified these 10 bills as laws in the state Gazette on April 11, 2025. This marks the first instance in Indian legislative history where bills have become law based solely on a Supreme Court directive, without the formal assent of the Governor or the President.
• Political Reactions: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hailed the Supreme Court's verdict and the subsequent enactment of these laws as a significant victory for state autonomy and federalism. He emphasized that this development reinforces the principles of parliamentary democracy and the will of the people. 

Long-Range Glide Bomb ‘Gaurav’: Enhancing India's Precision Strike Capabilities

In the News: Between April 8 and 10, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted release trials of the Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) 'Gaurav' from a Su-30 MKI aircraft. These trials demonstrated the bomb's capability to strike targets with pinpoint accuracy at ranges close to 100 kilometres. The successful tests mark a significant step towards the induction of 'Gaurav' into the Indian Air Force (IAF), bolstering India's indigenous precision strike arsenal.

• Weight and Class: 'Gaurav' is a 1,000 kg class air-launched glide bomb designed for long-range precision strikes.
• Range: Capable of engaging targets at distances up to 100 kilometers, allowing aircraft to strike from stand-off ranges beyond enemy air defences.
• Guidance System: Equipped with a hybrid navigation system that combines Inertial Navigation System (INS) and GPS for high-accuracy targeting.
• Warhead Configurations: Designed to carry various warhead types, including pre-fragmented and penetration-blast variants, suitable for a range of target profiles.
• Launch Platform: Successfully integrated and tested with the Su-30 MKI aircraft, with potential for compatibility with other IAF platforms.

• Design and Development: The 'Gaurav' bomb has been indigenously developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), in collaboration with the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
• Industry Partners: The project has seen active participation from Indian defense industry partners, including Adani Defence Systems & Technologies and Bharat Forge, along with various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• Quality Assurance: The Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) have contributed to the certification and quality assurance processes. 

India Revokes Transshipment Facility for Bangladesh Exports

In the News: On April 8, 2025, the Government of India officially revoked the transshipment facility that previously allowed Bangladeshi export cargo to pass through Indian land customs stations en route to third countries. This decision, announced by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), is expected to have significant implications for Bangladesh's export logistics, particularly affecting its ready-made garment (RMG) sector.

Background

• Establishment of the Facility: In June 2020, India permitted Bangladesh to utilize its land customs stations (LCSs) for transshipment of export cargo to third countries. This arrangement facilitated smoother trade flows and reduced logistical costs for Bangladesh, especially benefiting its RMG sector.
• Scope of the Facility: The facility enabled Bangladeshi goods to transit through Indian territory to access international markets via Indian ports and airports, notably the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

• Logistical Challenges: Indian authorities cited significant congestion at airports, particularly in Delhi, leading to backlogs, delays, and increased logistics costs for Indian exporters. The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) of India had previously raised concerns about the impact of Bangladeshi transshipment on India's export logistics.
• Political Considerations: The decision follows controversial remarks by Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, during a visit to China, where he referred to India's northeastern states as "landlocked" and suggested Bangladesh as a gateway for Chinese goods to the Bay of Bengal. This statement was perceived by India as undermining its territorial integrity and may have influenced the revocation decision. 

• Export Logistics: The revocation is expected to disrupt Bangladesh's export logistics, particularly for the RMG sector, which relied on the transshipment facility to access Western markets efficiently. Exporters may face increased transportation costs and logistical delays.
• Trade with Neighboring Countries: While the CBIC clarified that the revocation does not affect Bangladesh's trade with Nepal and Bhutan via Indian territory, the overall trade dynamics in the region may experience strain due to this policy change.  

US-Iran Negotiators Hold 'Constructive' Nuclear Talks in First Round

In the News: On April 12, 2025, the United States and Iran conducted a significant round of nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Oman, marking their first direct engagement since the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018. The discussions were described by both parties as "constructive," with plans to reconvene on April 19, 2025, in Oman. These talks aim to address concerns over Iran's advancing nuclear program and explore pathways to revive or reshape the 2015 nuclear agreement.

• Participants: The U.S. delegation was led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, while Iran's team was headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Notably, the two officials engaged in a brief face-to-face meeting, the first such direct contact since the Obama administration. The majority of the dialogue was facilitated indirectly through Omani mediation, with Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi playing a central role.
• Discussion Points: The negotiations focused on Iran's nuclear activities, particularly its uranium enrichment levels, which have approached weapons-grade thresholds. The U.S. emphasized the need for Iran to dismantle its potential weaponization capabilities, while Iran insisted on the right to maintain its civil nuclear program. Sanctions relief and the scope of future inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were also key topics.
• Context: The talks occur amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Iran's regional influence perceived to be waning due to economic challenges and political shifts. The U.S. has reinstated its "maximum pressure" campaign, aiming to curtail Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional activities. Both nations face internal and external pressures to reach a diplomatic resolution, with the upcoming July deadline for UN sanctions renewal adding urgency to the negotiations.
• Future Outlook: The next round of talks is scheduled for April 19, 2025, in Oman. While significant challenges remain, including mutual distrust and differing objectives, the initial constructive tone of the discussions offers a cautious optimism for progress. 

State of Social Protection Report 2025: The 2-Billion-Person Challenge

In the News: The World Bank released the "State of Social Protection Report 2025" on April 7, 2025, highlighting significant progress in expanding social protection systems across low- and middle-income countries over the past decade. Despite these advancements, the report identifies that approximately 2 billion people remain without adequate social protection coverage. The report emphasizes the need for targeted investments and policy reforms to bridge these gaps and enhance the resilience of social protection systems globally.  

Key Findings

• Expansion of Coverage: Between 2010 and 2022, social protection coverage in low- and middle-income countries increased from 41% to 51%, reaching 4.7 billion people. This expansion was notably accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with emergency responses reaching 1.7 billion individuals.
• Persistent Gaps: Despite progress, 2 billion people in these countries remain uncovered or inadequately covered by social protection programs. Notably, over 1 billion of these individuals are located in Africa and South Asia.
• Benefit Adequacy: For approximately 400 million people, the benefits received are insufficient to lift them out of poverty or provide a buffer against economic shocks. In low-income countries, social assistance transfers constitute only 11% of the income of poor households.
• Gender Disparities: On average, women receive 81 cents for every dollar received by men in social protection benefits, highlighting significant gender-based inequities. 

Mauritius Becomes First African Country to Sign ISA’s Country Partnership Framework

In the News On April 10, 2025, Mauritius became the first African nation—and the fourth globally after Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Cuba—to sign the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA). This strategic agreement aims to bolster Mauritius's clean energy transition by facilitating structured collaboration on solar energy initiatives aligned with the country's national priorities.  

Key Highlights

• Signatories: The CPF was signed in Port Louis by Barakat Ahmed, ISA’s Regional Programmes Head for Africa, and Zeenat Guness-Goolbar, Permanent Secretary of Mauritius’s Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities.
• Framework Duration: The agreement spans three years and is renewable upon mutual consent.

• ISA’s Mission: Launched in 2015 by India and France, the ISA is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization aiming to mobilize USD 1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 to enhance energy access and combat climate change.
• Mauritius’s Leadership: By signing the CPF, Mauritius positions itself as a leader in Africa's solar energy development, setting a precedent for other African nations to engage in structured partnerships with the ISA.
• Previous Collaborations: Prior to this agreement, Mauritius partnered with the ISA under the ISA CARES initiative to solarize the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, significantly reducing energy costs and enhancing sustainability in healthcare services. 

Why the Genome India Project Matters

In the News: The first part of India’s ambitious programme to map the genetic diversity of its people is now complete, and its data are ready to be used.

• The Genome India Project (GIP), an ambitious initiative launched by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, aims to sequence the genomes of 10,000 Indian individuals to create a comprehensive reference genome. The initiative is led by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and involves collaboration with over 20 academic and research institutions across India.
• The Genome India Project seeks to develop an Indian reference genome, which will serve as a representative genetic baseline for India’s genetically diverse population. Currently, most global genome datasets are based on European populations, leading to underrepresentation of Indian-specific genetic variations in medical research.
• The primary aim of the project is to enable personalized and precision medicine in India by understanding the genetic makeup that contributes to the risk, progression, and response to treatment for various diseases. This is especially important in complex disorders such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and rare genetic diseases.
• The project will also boost research in pharmacogenomics, which studies how genes affect a person’s response to drugs. A deeper understanding of this can lead to safer and more effective treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles. 

‘Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy’ Comes to India: Behind the Enduring Legacy of Caravaggio

In the News: For the first time in India, a work attributed to the iconic Italian Baroque painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, titled Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy, is being showcased for public viewing. This rare painting is currently being exhibited at the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in New Delhi and will later be displayed at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), Saket, from April 17 to May 18, 2025. The arrival of this painting is a significant cultural event that highlights Indo-Italian artistic collaboration and introduces Indian audiences to the legacy of one of Europe’s most influential painters.

• Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy is believed to have been painted by Caravaggio around 1606, during a period when he was fleeing Rome after being accused of murder. The painting was considered lost for centuries and resurfaced only in 2014 in a private European collection. It was subsequently authenticated by Italian art historian Mina Gregori.
• The artwork depicts Mary Magdalene in a moment of spiritual ecstasy and sorrow, abandoning traditional depictions of her as a repentant sinner. Caravaggio’s use of the chiaroscuro technique, which involves dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, draws attention to the intense emotional experience on the subject’s face.
• Caravaggio, known as both a revolutionary artist and a criminal outlaw, transformed the trajectory of Western art by introducing raw realism, emotional intensity, and religious humanism to his paintings. His controversial lifestyle—marked by violent episodes and exile—has often been intertwined with his creative genius and contributed to the legend surrounding his name.
• The exhibition in India includes not just the painting, but also offers a holistic artistic experience with immersive digital installations, documentary screenings, and educational engagements. These additions aim to give Indian audiences a deeper understanding of Caravaggio’s life, his artistic methods, and the historical context of his time.
• The arrival of Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy in India is part of a broader initiative to foster cultural exchange between India and Italy. It also underscores the growing interest in showcasing historically significant European artworks to a global audience, especially in countries with rich artistic traditions like India.