Daily Current Affairs- 8th April 2025

Daily Current Affairs 8th April 2025

SC Judgement on Governor’s Power to withhold Bill

In the News: In a landmark judgment on April 8, 2025, the Supreme Court of India addressed the constitutional boundaries of a Governor's authority concerning state legislation. The Court deemed Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi's decision to withhold assent to ten bills passed by the State legislature as "illegal" and "erroneous in law." This ruling has significant implications for the functioning of state governments and the role of Governors across India.

Background:

• Legislative Actions: Between January 2020 and April 2023, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed several bills aimed at amending the governance structures of State universities, including altering the appointment processes for Vice-Chancellors.
• Governor's Response: Governor R.N. Ravi withheld assent to ten of these bills and reserved two for the President's consideration, leading to a constitutional impasse.
• State's Reaction: In response, the Tamil Nadu government reconvened the Assembly, re-passed the ten bills, and resubmitted them to the Governor, who again withheld assent.

Supreme Court's Ruling:

• Governor's Authority: The Court clarified that the Governor does not possess an "absolute veto" or "pocket veto" over state legislation. According to Article 200 of the Constitution, the Governor must act on a bill presented by the state legislature by either granting assent, withholding assent, returning the bill for reconsideration (if it's not a money bill), or reserving it for the President's consideration.
• Timeframe for Action: Emphasising the need for timely decision-making, the Court set specific timeframes for the Governor's actions:
  • If the Governor decides to withhold assent or reserve the bill for the President's consideration, this must be done within one month.
  • If the Governor returns the bill for reconsideration and the legislature re-passes it without any changes, the Governor is obligated to grant assent.
• Judicial Oversight: The Court asserted that the Governor's inaction or arbitrary decisions are subject to judicial review, reinforcing the principle that constitutional authorities must operate within defined parameters.  

India overtakes Germany to become 3rd-largest generator of wind, solar power: Report

In the News: India has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Germany to become the world's third-largest generator of electricity from wind and solar sources in 2024, as reported by global energy think-tank Ember.

Key Highlights:

• Global Context: In 2024, wind and solar energy combined contributed to 15% of global electricity generation. India's share stood at 10%, reflecting its growing commitment to renewable energy.
• India's Clean Energy Mix: Clean energy sources accounted for 22% of India's total electricity generation in 2024. Hydropower was the largest contributor at 8%, while wind and solar together constituted 10% of the energy mix.
• Solar Energy Growth: India witnessed a rapid increase in solar power generation, with solar energy contributing 7% to the country's electricity in 2024. This marks a doubling of solar generation since 2021. The nation added 24 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity in 2024, more than twice the addition in 2023, positioning India as the third-largest solar market globally, following China and the United States.
• Wind Energy Expansion: India's wind power capacity has also seen substantial growth, contributing significantly to the country's renewable energy portfolio. The combined efforts in wind and solar energy have propelled India ahead of Germany in terms of generation capacity.

Global Renewable Energy Trends:

• Renewable energy sources added a record 858 terawatt-hours (TWh) to global electricity generation in 2024, a 49% increase from the previous record in 2022. Solar energy was the largest contributor, adding 474 TWh and maintaining its status as the fastest-growing power source for the 20th consecutive year.

Challenges and Future Outlook:

• Despite these advancements, India's clean energy generation remains below the global average, indicating significant potential for further expansion. The country faces the challenge of ensuring that its renewable energy growth keeps pace with rising electricity demand, which increased by 5% in 2024. Notably, during severe heatwaves between April and June 2024, electricity demand surged by 4%, with increased air conditioning usage accounting for nearly a third of this rise.
• To address these challenges, India aims to achieve 50% of its installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, as part of its climate commitments. This ambitious target underscores the nation's dedication to transitioning towards a more sustainable and resilient energy system. 

IMF reaches preliminary deal with Argentina on $20 billion bailout

In the News: On April 8, 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced a preliminary staff-level agreement with Argentina for a $20 billion bailout package aimed at supporting the nation's economic stabilization and reform efforts.

Key Details of the Agreement:

• Loan Structure: The proposed 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement totals approximately $20 billion (SDR 15.267 billion), pending approval by the IMF's Executive Board.
• Purpose: The funds are intended to bolster Argentina's ongoing economic reforms, focusing on achieving macroeconomic stability, strengthening external sustainability, and fostering sustainable growth.

Economic Context:

• Fiscal Reforms: Since taking office in December 2023, President Javier Milei has implemented stringent austerity measures, including significant reductions in public spending, elimination of government agencies, and cuts to subsidies and price controls. These actions have led to a rare fiscal surplus and a decrease in inflation rates.
• Inflation Trends: Inflation, which peaked near 300%, has shown signs of easing, contributing to a more stable economic environment.
• Foreign Exchange Reserves: The agreement aims to replenish Argentina's depleted foreign exchange reserves, facilitating the potential easing of stringent capital controls that have previously deterred investment.

Historical Context:

• IMF Engagements: This marks Argentina's 23rd arrangement with the IMF since 1958, highlighting the nation's recurrent reliance on the Fund for financial assistance. Argentina remains the IMF's largest debtor, with existing obligations exceeding $40 billion.

Next Steps:

• Approval Process: The staff-level agreement awaits final approval from the IMF's Executive Board, expected to convene in the coming days to deliberate on the arrangement.
• Disbursement Details: Specifics regarding the disbursement schedule and any upfront payments will be determined upon the Board's approval. 

Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000 to 2023

The report titled "Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000 to 2023", collaboratively produced by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank Group, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs/Population Division, provides a comprehensive analysis of global, regional, and country-level maternal mortality estimates over the past two decades.

Key Findings:

• Global Reduction in Maternal Mortality: Between 2000 and 2023, the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) declined by 40%, decreasing from 328 to 197 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. This equates to an average annual reduction rate of 2.2%.
• Annual Maternal Deaths: In 2023, approximately 260,000 women died from pregnancy- or childbirth-related causes, averaging about 712 deaths per day.
• Regional Disparities: Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for nearly 70% of all maternal deaths in 2023. Countries experiencing conflict or institutional fragility reported maternal mortality ratios more than five times higher than those in stable settings.

Progress Toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.1 aims to reduce the global MMR to less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Despite the progress made since 2000, achieving this target requires an annual reduction rate of nearly 15% from 2024 onward, significantly higher than the current rate of 2.2%.

Challenges Highlighted:

• Slowing Progress: Since 2016, the decline in maternal mortality has slowed, with an annual reduction rate of only 1.5%. This deceleration raises concerns about meeting the 2030 SDG target.
• Impact of Aid Cuts: Recent reductions in international aid, particularly from major donors like the United States and the United Kingdom, have led to the closure of health facilities, layoffs of healthcare workers, and disruptions in the supply of essential medicines. These cuts threaten to reverse the gains made in maternal health over the past two decades.
• COVID-19 Pandemic Effects: The pandemic exacerbated maternal health challenges, with an estimated 40,000 additional maternal deaths in 2021 attributed to both direct complications from the virus and disruptions in healthcare services.  

US clears firm to build and design n-reactors in India

In the News: In March 2025, the United States Department of Energy (DoE) granted Holtec International regulatory approval to transfer small modular reactor (SMR) technology to India, marking a significant advancement in India-US civil nuclear cooperation.

Key Details:

• Authorization Scope: Holtec is authorized to share unclassified SMR technology with Holtec Asia (its regional subsidiary), Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T), and Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd (TCE).
• Conditions Imposed:
  • The jointly designed and manufactured nuclear power plants cannot be transferred to any other entity or country without prior written consent from the US government.
  • The technology must be used solely for peaceful nuclear activities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
  • Holtec is required to submit quarterly reports to the DoE detailing the transfer of technology and assistance provided.
• Exclusions: The approval currently excludes collaboration with India's state-owned entities such as Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), pending necessary non-proliferation assurances from the Indian government.

Significance:

• Revitalization of the 2007 Civil Nuclear Agreement: This development breathes new life into the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement signed in 2007, which had faced delays due to legal and regulatory challenges.
• Modernization of India's Nuclear Sector: The collaboration is expected to facilitate the transition of India's nuclear reactor technology to globally prevalent pressurized water reactors (PWRs), enhancing the country's nuclear capabilities.
• Strategic Positioning in the SMR Market: The partnership positions India and the US to compete with other nations, notably China, in the emerging global SMR market. 

De-Extinction Dire Wolf

In the News: In April 2025, Colossal Biosciences, a U.S.-based biotechnology company, announced the birth of three genetically engineered wolf pups—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—claiming them to be the first successful "de-extinction" of the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus), a species that went extinct approximately 10,000 years ago.

Genetic Engineering Process:

• Ancient DNA Analysis: Scientists extracted and analyzed DNA from dire wolf fossils, including a 13,000-year-old tooth from Ohio and a 72,000-year-old ear bone from Idaho. This analysis identified 20 key genetic differences between dire wolves and modern gray wolves.
• Gene Editing: Utilizing CRISPR technology, researchers edited 14 specific genes in gray wolf endothelial progenitor cells to express traits characteristic of dire wolves, such as larger body size, wider heads, and white fur.
• Embryo Development: The edited nuclei were transferred into enucleated ova, developed into embryos, and implanted into surrogate domestic dogs, resulting in the birth of the three pups.

Physical Characteristics and Habitat:

• The genetically engineered pups exhibit physical traits reminiscent of dire wolves, including increased size and distinctive white coats.
• They are currently housed in a secure 2,000-acre ecological preserve in the United States, designed to monitor their development and behavior.

Scientific and Ethical Debates:

• Authenticity Concerns: Some experts argue that while the pups possess certain dire wolf traits, they are essentially genetically modified gray wolves rather than true representations of the extinct species.
• Ecological Implications: Questions have been raised about the ecological roles these animals might play and the potential risks of introducing genetically engineered species into modern ecosystems.  

Biomass Mission

In the News: The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch the Biomass mission on April 29, 2025, aiming to enhance our understanding of Earth's forests and their role in the global carbon cycle.

Mission Objectives:

• Assess Global Forest Biomass: Biomass will provide comprehensive measurements of forest biomass and height, offering insights into the amount of carbon stored in forests.
• Monitor Deforestation and Degradation: The mission will track changes in forest cover, aiding in the detection of deforestation and forest degradation over time.
• Support Climate Change Models: Data from Biomass will contribute to refining climate models by improving estimates of carbon fluxes between forests and the atmosphere.

Key Features:

• P-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): Biomass is equipped with the first spaceborne P-band SAR, capable of penetrating dense forest canopies to gather data on tree structures and biomass.
• Large Deployable Antenna: The satellite features a 12-meter diameter antenna, essential for capturing high-resolution data across diverse forested regions.
• Sun-Synchronous Orbit: Operating at an altitude of approximately 666 km, Biomass will maintain a sun-synchronous orbit, allowing consistent lighting conditions for data collection.