Daily Current Affairs- 21st April 2025

Daily Current Affairs 21st April 2025

130 Censorship Orders Issued via Home Ministry’s Sahyog Portal in 5 Months

In the News: Between October 2024 and April 8, 2025, the Indian government issued 130 content takedown notices through the Ministry of Home Affairs' Sahyog portal. These notices, directed at major online platforms like Google, YouTube, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft, were issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. This mechanism operates parallel to the more commonly used Section 69A, which has traditionally governed online content blocking.

Key Details:

• Sahyog Portal Overview: Launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the Sahyog portal streamlines the process for government agencies to issue content removal notices to online intermediaries. It brings together authorized agencies and intermediaries on a single platform to facilitate prompt action against unlawful online content.
• Legal Framework: Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act allows government agencies to notify intermediaries to remove or disable access to unlawful content. Failure to comply can result in the loss of "safe harbour" protections, making platforms liable for user-generated content. Unlike Section 69A, which includes procedural safeguards like review committees, Section 79(3)(b) lacks such oversight mechanisms. 
• Volume and Scope of Notices: The 130 notices issued via Sahyog may encompass multiple content links each, targeting various forms of unlawful content, including deepfakes, obscenity, and content affecting electoral processes. Additionally, between March 2024 and March 2025, the I4C sent 426 notices under Section 79(3)(b), covering over 100,000 pieces of content.
• Platform Compliance and Legal Challenges: While many platforms have onboarded the Sahyog portal, Elon Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter) has not. X has filed a lawsuit in the Karnataka High Court, challenging the government's directives to mandatorily onboard onto the Sahyog portal, describing it as a "censorship portal" that bypasses judicial oversight. The court has denied interim relief to X but allowed it to approach the court if it faces coercive action.  

Amaravati: World's First Fully Renewable-Powered City in the Making

In the News: Amaravati, the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh, is poised to become the world's first city entirely powered by renewable energy. The city aims to generate 2,700 megawatts (MW) of electricity from sustainable sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, aligning with India's commitment to clean energy and climate action.

Factual Details:

• Project Overview: The ₹65,000-crore greenfield project spans 217 square kilometers along the Krishna River, between Vijayawada and Guntur. It is part of the larger Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, covering approximately 8,352 sq km.
• Renewable Energy Goals: Amaravati plans to meet its entire projected power demand of 2,700 MW by 2050 through renewable sources. At least 30% of this energy will come from solar and wind power.
• Solar Initiatives: Mandatory rooftop solar installations are required on at least one-third of all government housing project rooftops. All major building projects, including the Amaravati Government Complex, must adhere to green building standards to ensure energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint.
• Green Transportation: The city's public transport system, including the Amaravati Metro and electric buses, will operate on renewable energy. An extensive electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure will be established across public and government sectors.
• District Cooling System: To address the region's high cooling demands, a District Cooling System is being planned for government complexes. This system aims to optimize energy use and reduce cooling demands, contributing to the city's sustainability goals.
• Current Progress: As part of initial efforts, 415 kW of rooftop solar panels have been installed across 16 Anganwadis, 14 e-health centers, 13 public schools, and a multi-faith funeral center. Net metering is being mandated for all government and commercial buildings to allow excess solar power to be fed back into the grid.

Civil Services Day 2025: Honoring the Backbone of India's Administration

In the News: On April 21, 2025, India observed the 17th National Civil Services Day, commemorating the pivotal role of civil servants in nation-building. The day marks the anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's address to the first batch of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in 1947, where he referred to them as the "steel frame of India." Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed civil servants at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, emphasizing the need for innovation, integrity, and citizen-centric governance. 

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister's Address: PM Modi urged civil servants to embrace technology and data-driven decision-making to enhance governance. He highlighted the importance of being sensitive to the needs of the underprivileged and stressed the role of civil servants in achieving a developed India.
• PM's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration: Sixteen awards were conferred to recognize outstanding work in areas such as holistic development of districts, the Aspirational Blocks Programme, and innovative public service initiatives. Each award includes a trophy, a scroll, and a cash prize of ₹20 lakh to support further project implementation. 
• Launch of E-books and Film: The Prime Minister released e-books showcasing success stories in holistic development and innovation. A film highlighting award-winning initiatives was also screened during the event.
• Interactive Sessions: The event featured a plenary session on "Civil Services Reforms – Challenges and Opportunities," chaired by Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan. Breakaway sessions focused on topics like urban transportation, health initiatives under Ayushman Bharat, nutrition programs through Poshan 2.0, and the Aspirational Blocks Programme. 
• Historic Female Representation: The 2023 IAS batch includes 74 women officers, constituting 41% of the cohort—the highest female representation to date. These officers are participating in the Assistant Secretary Programme, gaining exposure to policy formulation across 46 central ministries.

Background: National Civil Services Day was first celebrated in 2006 to honour the contributions of civil servants to India's development. The date, April 21, was chosen to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 1947 address, emphasizing the critical role of civil services in maintaining unity and governance in a newly independent nation.  

Pope Francis Dies on April 21, 2025

In the News: On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His death was officially announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell at 7:35 a.m. CEST. The Vatican confirmed that the Pope died from a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

Factual Details:

• Birth and Early Life: Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was ordained as a priest in 1969 and became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.
• Papacy: Elected as the 266th Pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, he was the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium.
• Health Issues: In February 2025, Pope Francis was hospitalized for double pneumonia and was discharged after a 38-day stay. Despite his health challenges, he continued his duties, delivering his final Easter blessing from a wheelchair on April 20, 2025.
• Legacy: Pope Francis was known for his humility, advocacy for social justice, and efforts to modernize the Catholic Church. He addressed issues such as climate change, migration, and the Church's stance on same-sex civil unions.
• Funeral Arrangements: In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, making him the first pope to be interred outside the Vatican since Pope Leo XIII in 1903. The funeral is scheduled to take place four to six days after his death.
• Who is the Pope: The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the spiritual leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, overseeing approximately 1.3 billion Catholics globally. He serves as the head of the Vatican City State and is considered the successor to Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles. The Pope's responsibilities include guiding the Church's doctrine, appointing bishops, and representing the Church in diplomatic matters. 

Kuwait Supports India's Bid for Permanent UN Security Council Seat

In the News: On April 18, 2025, Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tareq Albanai, expressed strong support for India's aspiration to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Speaking at a press briefing on the status of the UN General Assembly's Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform, Albanai described India as a "main player on the world stage" and emphasized that India would be a strong contender should the Council expand.

Factual Details:

• Role of Tareq Albanai: As the Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform, alongside Austria's Permanent Representative, Albanai highlighted the importance of a representative and inclusive UNSC. He noted that during a visit to India with his co-chair, they engaged in high-level discussions about the need for a reformed Council that reflects current global realities.
• UNSC Expansion Considerations: Albanai mentioned that if the decision is made to expand the Council to anywhere between 21 to 27 members, India would undoubtedly be a strong contender for permanent membership. However, he emphasized that such a decision would ultimately depend on the consensus of the wider UN membership, comprising 193 countries.
• France's Support: Earlier, on April 1, 2025, the French Embassy in India reiterated its backing for India's permanent seat on the UNSC. As France assumed the monthly presidency of the Security Council, it pledged to prioritize discussions on global peace, security, and humanitarian concerns, while also advocating for UNSC reform to include India as a permanent member.
• India's Long-standing Aspiration: India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council to better represent the interests of the developing world. This ambition has been gaining momentum with support from several influential nations in recent years. The UNSC currently comprises 15 member states: five permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.  

ISRO’s SpaDeX Mission Completes Second Autonomous Docking

In the News: On April 20, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully executed the second autonomous docking of its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites, SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target), in low Earth orbit. This milestone was followed by a successful inter-satellite power transfer on April 21, marking a significant advancement in India's space technology capabilities.

Key Highlights:

• Mission Overview: Launched on December 30, 2024, aboard PSLV-C60, the SpaDeX mission aimed to demonstrate autonomous rendezvous and docking capabilities using two small satellites, each weighing approximately 220 kg.
• First Docking and Undocking: The initial docking was achieved on January 16, 2025, followed by a successful undocking on March 13, 2025. These operations validated ISRO's ability to manage complex orbital maneuvers.
• Second Docking Achievement: The second docking was conducted entirely autonomously from an inter-satellite distance of 15 meters, showcasing enhanced precision and control compared to the first docking, which involved a manual hold point at 3 meters.
• Power Transfer Demonstration: On April 21, 2025, ISRO successfully demonstrated power transfer between the docked satellites. A heater element in one satellite was operated using power from the other, with the transfer lasting approximately four minutes and performing as expected.
• Technological Significance: The SpaDeX mission serves as a critical technology demonstrator for future ISRO endeavors, including the Bharatiya Antariksha Station and the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. Mastery of autonomous docking and power transfer is essential for long-duration space missions and on-orbit servicing.