Daily Current Affairs Update – 29 May 2025

1. Prime Minister of India Slams Pakistan on Use of Proxy War

Context:

The Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan’s long-standing support for terrorism has escalated from a proxy war to a direct war against India. This comes amid rising incidents of cross-border terrorism, especially in Jammu and Kashmir.

What is a Proxy War?

• A conflict where non-state actors (e.g., militants, mercenaries) are used instead of direct engagement by states.
• Part of hybrid warfare, which blends conventional warfare, cyber attacks, propaganda, and terrorism.

Tools of Proxy War:

• Funding, training, and arming terror outfits like LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba), JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammed).
• Cyber operations, propaganda via social media, and misinformation campaigns.
• Use of sleeper cells and radicalized influencers.

Impacts on India:

• Sovereignty threat: Direct infiltration in Jammu & Kashmir and Northeast India.
• Civilian and military casualties due to terror attacks.
• Economic costs: Increased defence spending, damage to infrastructure, and disruption of economic activities.

Reasons Behind Proxy Warfare:

• Plausible Deniability: Allows a state like Pakistan to avoid international repercussions.
• Cost-effective: Less expensive than full-scale war.
• Strategic depth: Enables remote manipulation of adversarial territory.

Steps Taken by India:

• New Security Doctrine: Proxy war equated to direct aggression.
• Border Security: Use of CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System) – includes smart fencing, thermal cameras, ground sensors.
• Cyber Security Enhancements: CERT-In, NTRO strengthening cyber defense.
• Diplomatic Channels: Leveraging UNSC 1267 Committee to blacklist Pakistani terror operatives.

UPSC Relevance:
 GS III – Internal Security, Terrorism, Cyber Security, India-Pakistan Relations

2. India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep Developed Using CRISPR-Cas9

Context:

After gene-edited rice, India has now developed its first gene-edited sheep using CRISPR-Cas9 technology by Kashmir University in collaboration with ICAR.

Technology Used:

• CRISPR-Cas9: Works by cutting DNA at specific locations and allowing genes to be removed or added with high precision.
• Target Gene: Myostatin gene, responsible for regulating muscle growth, was edited to enhance muscle mass by 30%.
• This gene is naturally inactive in breeds like the Texel sheep (Europe), but not in Indian breeds.

How is it different from GMOs?

• No foreign DNA was inserted — only existing genes were edited.
• Thus, it is gene-edited, not transgenic.

Significance:

• Can lead to improved livestock yield and productivity in India.
• Potential to address protein deficiency and support farmer income.

Ethical and Environmental Concerns:

• Animal Welfare: May involve surgical interventions and high mortality during trials.
• Unknown risks: Potential unforeseen effects on health and biodiversity.
• Designer Traits Risk: Editing for intelligence, sex, etc., may encourage eugenics.
• Off-target Effects: DNA may mutate in unexpected ways.
• Bioethics: UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee has raised global concerns about gene editing, especially germline modification.

Applications of Gene Editing:

• Somatic Editing: Non-heritable, used for treating genetic diseases like sickle cell anemia.
• Germline Editing: Heritable, experimental, affects future generations.

UPSC Relevance:
 GS III – Science & Tech (Biotechnology), Ethics in Science, Animal Welfare, Food Security

3. Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme

Context:

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) continues to implement the cold chain scheme under PMKSY to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen food infrastructure.

Objective:

• Establish seamless cold chain from farm to consumer.
• Target non-horticultural perishables (e.g., dairy, meat, fish).
• Provide fair prices to farmers, reduce food waste.

Key Components:

• Farm Level Infrastructure (FLI) – chilling, pre-cooling, etc.
• Processing Centre (Mandatory) – adds value through preservation.
• Distribution Hub – aggregation and storage for dispatch.
• Refrigerated Transport – insulated vans and tankers.

Financial Assistance:

• 35% of eligible project cost in General Areas.
• 50% in Difficult Areas, or for SC/ST, SHGs, FPOs (up to ₹10 Cr/project).

Significance:

• India ranks 2nd in food waste globally (UNEP Report 2024).
• Cold chain infrastructure reduces spoilage and methane emissions.
• Enhances nutrition security, rural employment, and income.

UPSC Relevance:
 GS III – Agriculture, Infrastructure, Food Processing, Environmental Sustainability

4. Indigenous AMCA Fighter Jet Program

Context:

India is advancing its defence capabilities through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program — its first indigenous 5th generation stealth fighter.

Development Details:

• Executed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL.
• Approved by Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 2024.
• Lead Timeline: Prototype by 2028–29; induction by 2034.

Key Features:

• Stealth Technology: Low radar visibility using radar-absorbing material.
• Supercruise Capability: Supersonic flight without afterburners.
• AI Avionics & Sensor Fusion: Real-time data integration.
• Twin Engines for safety, endurance, and higher thrust.
• Variants:
  
  • Mk1: with GE-F414 engine (initial).
    
  • Mk2: planned with indigenous engine.

Strategic Significance:

• Counters China’s J-20 and Pakistan’s J-10C.
• Bridges IAF’s gap post-retirement of MiG-29/Mirage 2000.
• Enhances India’s defence autonomy and Make in India.

UPSC Relevance:
 GS III – Defence Technology, Indigenisation, National Security

5. France Legalizes Assisted Dying

Context:

France’s National Assembly passed a law legalizing assisted dying, sparking ethical and medical debates across Europe and globally.

Definitions:

• Euthanasia: A third party ends a patient’s life to relieve suffering.
  
  • Active: Direct intervention (e.g. lethal injection).
    
  • Passive: Withholding life support (e.g. ventilator).
    
• Assisted Suicide: Patient consumes prescribed lethal drug themselves.
  

Legal Status in India:

• Active euthanasia is illegal.
• Passive euthanasia permitted under:
  
  • Aruna Shanbaug v. Union of India (2011).
    
  • Common Cause v. Union of India (2018) — Upheld Right to Die with Dignity under Article 21.

Ethical Concerns:

• Coercion risk for terminally ill or disabled.
• Misuse in cases of psychiatric illness (as seen in Belgium).
• Opposes medical ethics of caregiving and life preservation.
• Debates on personal liberty vs. sanctity of life.

UPSC Relevance:
 GS II – Governance, Ethics, Health Policy, Fundamental Rights

6. First-Ever Potash and Halite Mining Auction in India

Context:

India successfully conducted its first auction of potash and halite mineral blocks, marking a significant step toward fertilizer self-reliance.

Key Details:

• Location: Rajasthan – Jhandawali-Satipura and Jorkian-Satipura-Khunja blocks.
• Potash: A water-soluble potassium compound used in fertilizers. Improves crop yield, texture, taste, and resistance to disease.
• Halite: Rock salt (NaCl), used in:
  
  • Chemical industries (e.g., NaOH, HCl production)
    De-icing roads
    
  • Water purification
    

Significance:

• India imports 100% of potash (per Indian Mineral Yearbook 2022).
• This move supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and reduces import dependency.
• Boosts agricultural productivity and input security.

UPSC Relevance:
 GS I & III – Economic Geography, Agriculture, Mineral Resources, Self-Reliance

7. FCRA Amendment Regulating NGO Publications

Context:

The government amended FCRA rules to restrict NGOs receiving foreign funds from publishing news content without RNI certification.

What’s New:

• NGOs involved in publication activities must get a certificate from Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI).
• Prevents foreign-funded NGOs from circulating political or news content.
  

Legal Basis:

• FCRA, 2010, regulates foreign contributions and their use in India.
• Applies to individuals, associations, companies (including Sec 8 entities).
• NRI personal donations via legal channels are exempt.
  

Purpose:

• Ensure transparency, prevent misuse of funds for political or journalistic influence.
• Addresses national security concerns.

UPSC Relevance:
 GS II – Governance, NGO Regulation, Internal Security, Media Ethics

8. Dugong Conservation in India

Context:

The dugong population in Indian waters has dropped to just around 200. Conservation is now a high priority under India’s biodiversity commitments.

About Dugongs:

• Marine herbivore dependent on seagrass beds.
• Found in: Palk Bay (TN), Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Lives long but reproduces slowly.
  

Threats:

• Habitat loss due to coastal development, pollution, trawling.
• Accidental entanglement in fishing gear.
  

Conservation Measures:

• Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (maximum protection).
• CMS Appendix II (Convention on Migratory Species).
• India is signatory to the UNEP Dugong MoU.
• Dugong Conservation Reserve established in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu.

UPSC Relevance:
 GS III – Environment, Biodiversity, Conservation Programs, Government Policies