Current Affairs (20-05-2025)
1. Kumki Elephants
Context:
Karnataka will hand over trained Kumki elephants to Andhra Pradesh to address the growing man-elephant conflict.
About Kumki Elephants:
- The term “Kumki” comes from the Tamil word “kumkiyam” meaning “aid” or “helper”.
- Trained captive Asian elephants used to manage and control wild elephants.
Roles in Human-Wildlife Conflict:
- Conflict Management: Drives wild elephants away from human areas.
- Rescue and Patrolling: Assists in forest operations and wildlife conservation.
- Medical Support: Helps in treating injured wild elephants.
- Human-Elephant Mediation: Acts as a buffer between humans and wild herds.
About Asian Elephants:
- Population in India: 26,000–29,000
- IUCN Status: Endangered
- Gestation Period: 18–22 months
- Only males have tusks (except tusk-less males called makhnas).
- Herds are led by a senior female known as the matriarch.
UPSC Prelims 2020
With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:
- The leader of an elephant group is a female.
- The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
- An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
- Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options:
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
2. Women in STEM – UNESCO Report
Context:
According to UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring team, women form only 35% of STEM graduates globally, with minimal change in a decade.
Current Stats:
- Data Science & AI Workforce: 26% women
- Engineering: 15%
- Cloud Computing: 12%
- In the EU, only 1 in 4 women with an IT degree join digital jobs, compared to 1 in 2 men.
Barriers Identified:
- Early development of low math confidence among girls.
- Persistent gender stereotypes in STEM careers.
- Male-dominated workplace culture.
- Most STEM policies don’t directly address gender issues.
UNESCO Recommendations:
- Implement gender-responsive education policies.
- Introduce early interventions in schools.
- Promote female mentors and role models.
UPSC Prelims 2017
Question:
Which of the following gives the ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world?
Options:
Answer: (a) World Economic Forum
3. Menar Wetland (Rajasthan)
Context:
Menar wetland in Udaipur is becoming a vital stopover for migratory birds.
Geographical Setting:
- Part of India’s semi-arid zone.
- Comprises Brahma Wetland (larger) and Dhandh Wetland (smaller), along with seasonal ponds.
Ecological Significance:
- Hosts over 200 bird species including threatened ones like the Dalmatian pelican and Himalayan griffon.
- Lies on the Central Asian Flyway – a key bird migration route.
- Recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
About Wetlands (Ramsar Definition):
- Includes natural or man-made areas with water, like marshes, lakes, mangroves, etc.
UPSC Prelims 2022
Question:
“If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys.” Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement?
Options:
(a) The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation, and evaporation.
(b) Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, mollusks, birds, reptiles, and mammals thrive.
(c) Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
(d) Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Answer: (d) Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
4. Why Do the Moon’s Two Sides Look Different?
Context:
NASA’s GRAIL mission explains the Moon’s hemispheric differences.
Nearside (visible from Earth):
- Thin crust, smoother terrain with volcanic plains (mare).
- Contains more radioactive elements like thorium and titanium.
- Was geologically more active.
Farside (never visible from Earth):
- Thicker crust, rugged surface, fewer volcanic features.
Reasons for Difference:
- Tidal deformation due to Earth’s gravity caused more activity on the nearside.
- Uneven heat distribution led to volcanic plains on one side.
GRAIL Mission:
- NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission (2011).
- Used twin spacecraft (Ebb and Flow) to map the Moon’s gravity and internal structure.
- Offers insights into the Moon’s evolution and other planetary bodies.
UPSC Prelims 2020
Question:
Consider the following statements regarding Chandrayaan-2:
1. It is India’s second mission to the Moon.
2. It comprised an orbiter, a lander, and a rover.
3. The lander of Chandrayaan-2 was named Vikram.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
5. Honduras Embassy in Delhi
Context:
India and Honduras have strengthened ties with the opening of Honduras’ embassy in New Delhi.
Geography:
- Located in Central America.
- Bordered by Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.
- Coastlines: Caribbean Sea (north), Pacific Ocean (south).
- Capital: Tegucigalpa
- Currency: Lempira
- No active volcanoes.
Cultural Significance:
- Home to Copán – an ancient Maya city and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6. India’s First International Furniture Park
Context:
Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu hosts the country’s first International Furniture Park, developed by SIPCOT, but it’s struggling to attract investment.
Purpose:
- To position India as a global hub for furniture manufacturing.
Challenges:
- Lack of basic infrastructure like electricity and drainage.
- Limited promotional efforts.
- India imports more furniture than it exports, affecting competitiveness.
Market Issues:
- Low-cost imports from China and Indonesia reduce demand for Indian-made furniture.
