4th April 2025-Current Affairs

1. Chandrayaan-3 and the ChaSTE Experiment: A Leap in Lunar Science – Science and Technology

Why in News?

ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment), onboard Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander, has achieved a global first by measuring in situ temperature profiles near the Moon’s south pole. This marks a significant leap in understanding the thermal behavior of lunar soil, especially in the context of future lunar exploration and habitation.

What is ChaSTE?

ChaSTE is a scientific payload developed by ISRO’s Space Physics Laboratory and PRL (Physical Research Laboratory), designed to:

• Measure vertical temperature gradients of the lunar surface
• Understand thermal conductivity and heat capacity of lunar regolith
• Assess the potential for water ice presence

How ChaSTE Works

Significance of the Findings

• Surface temperatures near the lunar south pole dropped as low as -10°C at just 8 cm depth, while the surface was ~50°C in sunlight
• Confirms rapid thermal transitions and low thermal conductivity, implying insulating properties
• Supports hypothesis of water ice stability in sub-surface shadows

Why the South Pole?

• The Moon’s south polar region has permanently shadowed craters
• Ideal for water ice preservation
• Future missions, including Artemis (NASA), are targeting this region for potential lunar bases

Comparison with Other Missions

Chandrayaan-3: Quick Recap

• Launch Date: July 14, 2023
• Landing Date: August 23, 2023
• Lander Name: Vikram
• Rover Name: Pragyan
• Mission Objective: Demonstrate soft landing, surface mobility, and scientific experiments at the lunar south pole
• Other Payloads: RAMBHA-LP, ILSA, LRA

Why It Matters

• Supports ISRO’s future Moon missions and India’s role in lunar mining/exploration
• Enhances global understanding of thermal dynamics of airless bodies
• Boosts India’s soft power in space diplomacy

Conclusion

The success of ChaSTE reinforces India’s growing capabilities in planetary science and space exploration. By providing the first-ever thermal profile from the Moon’s south pole, it paves the way for future human and robotic missions, offering critical data on temperature gradients, insulation, and resource potential beneath the lunar surface.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims:

Q1. The ChaSTE experiment, recently in news, is associated with which of the following objectives?

A) Measuring lunar atmospheric composition
B) Mapping lunar magnetic anomalies
C) Measuring thermal properties of lunar soil
D) Locating helium-3 on the lunar surface

Correct Answer: C) Measuring thermal properties of lunar soil

Q2. Which of the following missions failed to collect thermal data due to faulty deployment of its heat probe?

A) Chandrayaan-2
B) ESA’s Philae lander
C) NASA’s Lunar Prospector
D) China’s Chang’e-5

Correct Answer: B) ESA’s Philae lander

Q3. Which of the following are true about the south pole of the Moon?

1. It receives continuous sunlight throughout the lunar day
2. It contains permanently shadowed regions
3. It may have stable water ice deposits

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) All of the above

Correct Answer: B) 2 and 3 only

Mains:

1. “The success of ChaSTE on Chandrayaan-3 represents a milestone in lunar science.” Discuss the significance of this achievement in the context of future lunar missions.

2. Analyze the challenges associated with deploying sub-surface instruments on extraterrestrial bodies. Compare ISRO’s ChaSTE with similar missions by ESA and NASA.

2. India Braces for Extended Heatwaves: A Climate and Governance Challenge – Environment

Why in News?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an above-normal number of heatwave days for summer 2024, especially in northern, central, and eastern India. The warning raises alarms over public health risks, economic disruption, and inadequate climate preparedness, even as most states lack effective implementation of their Heat Action Plans (HAPs).

What Is a Heatwave?

According to IMD, a heatwave is declared when:

• Plains: Max temp ≥ 40°C
• Coastal areas: Max temp ≥ 37°C
• Hills: Max temp ≥ 30°C
  AND
• Departure from normal is ≥ 4.5°C (severe if ≥ 6.5°C), or
• Actual max temperature ≥ 45°C

2024 Forecast Highlights by IMD

• 2024 is already one of the hottest years on record, with March and April registering temperature anomalies well above the norm.

Key Concerns

1. Health Risks

• Increased cases of heatstroke, dehydration, cardiovascular stress
• Affects infants, elderly, outdoor workers, and urban poor the most

2. Economic Impact

• Agricultural losses, especially in rainfed crops and livestock
• Drop in labour productivity, particularly in construction, outdoor industries
• Rising energy demand for cooling → strain on electricity grids

What Are Heat Action Plans (HAPs)?

HAPs are local/regional strategies to reduce heat-related mortality and morbidity, often including:

• Early warning systems
• Public awareness campaigns
• Cooling centres in urban areas
• Adjusting school/work hours
• Equipping health centres for heat emergencies

Challenges in Implementation

Broader Climate Change Context

• IPCC Reports: Predict more frequent and severe heatwaves in South Asia due to global warming
• India is experiencing a rising trend in average summer temperatures
• Urban heat islands are intensifying the crisis in cities due to loss of green cover and unplanned urbanization

Way Forward

Conclusion

India’s growing heatwave crisis reflects the urgent need to shift from reactive relief to proactive resilience. With climate change intensifying extreme weather, well-funded, data-backed, and inter-agency coordinated heat action plans are no longer optional—they are a public health necessity and an economic safeguard.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims:

Q1. According to the IMD, which of the following conditions qualifies as a heatwave in the plains?

A) Maximum temperature is above 35°C
B) Maximum temperature is 40°C or more with a 4.5°C departure from normal
C) Minimum temperature is 30°C or more
D) Relative humidity is below 10%

Correct Answer: B) Maximum temperature is 40°C or more with a 4.5°C departure from normal

Q2. Which of the following states are expected to face above-normal heatwave days in 2024?

1. Odisha
2. Jharkhand
3. Rajasthan
4. Kerala

A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 4 only
D) All of the above

Correct Answer: A) 1, 2 and 3 only

Mains:

1. “Heatwaves are no longer seasonal anomalies but a climate-driven public health crisis.” Analyze with reference to India’s preparedness.

2. Discuss the limitations of India’s current Heat Action Plans (HAPs). Suggest policy and planning reforms to make them more effective.

3. “Adapting to heatwaves is as important as mitigating climate change.” Justify this statement with suitable examples.

3. Digital Child Abuse: The Danger of AI-Based Exploitation – Governance

Why in News?

With the surge in AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), countries are revisiting their legal frameworks to confront this emerging digital threat. The United Kingdom has introduced pioneering legislation that criminalizes the use of AI in generating child exploitation content. In India, this has sparked renewed calls for urgent legal reforms, as cybercrimes targeting children are rising rapidly.

The Growing Threat of AI-Based CSAM

Key Facts:

• AI tools (like generative image and video software) are being misused to create synthetic CSAM, often depicting non-existent or deepfaked minors.
• Such content may evade current legal definitions of child abuse, as it may not involve a real child.
• NCRB 2022–24: Over 1.94 lakh incidents of child pornography-related content reported in India by April 2024 alone.

🇬🇧 U.K.’s Legislative Response: A Model for the World

Significance: Moves beyond traditional laws to proactively regulate emerging threats, setting a global precedent.

🇮🇳 India’s Current Legal Gaps

Existing Laws:

• POCSO Act, 2012 – Covers sexual offences against minors, including real CSAM.
• Information Technology Act, 2000 (Section 67B) – Prohibits child pornography.

Limitations:

• No clear definition or provisions for AI-generated content
• Law focuses on actual children, not synthetic images
• Intermediaries/platforms often escape accountability due to vague compliance guidelines

Recommendations for Legal Reform

Ethical and Social Implications

• Victimless Crime? → Even if no child was directly harmed, the intent and harm are real—perpetuating abuse culture
• Mental Health Risks → Misuse of images (e.g., via morphing of real minors) can cause lifelong trauma
• Free Speech vs. Protection → Legal frameworks must balance innovation with child safety

Conclusion

As technology evolves, so must the law. The U.K.’s model offers a proactive, preventive framework India can emulate. By bridging legal gaps and strengthening enforcement, India can protect its children in the digital age while continuing to innovate responsibly. Failure to act risks normalizing AI-assisted exploitation, compromising child rights, and damaging public trust in digital platforms.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims:

Q1. Which of the following Indian laws currently address child pornography and online abuse?

1. POCSO Act, 2012
2. Information Technology Act, 2000
3. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015
4. Indian Penal Code (Section 292)

Select the correct option:

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) All of the above

Correct Answer: D) All of the above

Q2. The “tool-centric” approach recently adopted by the UK in child safety laws refers to:

A) Punishing only the creators of exploitative content
B) Focusing on regulating the technology used to commit digital crimes
C) Targeting only intermediaries and platforms
D) A UN-based framework for AI regulation

Correct Answer: B) Focusing on regulating the technology used to commit digital crimes

Mains:

1. “India’s legal framework must evolve to address child exploitation in the age of AI.” Discuss with reference to the rise of synthetic CSAM.

2. Examine the limitations of existing laws in India in preventing digital child abuse. How can India learn from the U.K.’s AI regulation efforts?

3. “The misuse of AI in generating exploitative content poses a new kind of ethical dilemma.” Discuss with reference to governance, law, and ethics.

4. What is the Green Credit Programme? – Environment

Why in News?

The Green Credit Programme (GCP), officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023, has sparked debate over its legal framework and ecological impact. The Ministry of Law and Justice has flagged concerns about the program’s business model, particularly in relation to forest diversion and compliance with existing environmental laws.

What is the Green Credit Programme (GCP)?

The GCP is a market-based mechanism introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to incentivize voluntary environmental actions. Participants earn “green credits” for performing eco-friendly activities, which can then be traded or used to fulfill sustainability goals.

Who Can Participate?

• Individuals
• Industries and businesses
• Urban local bodies (ULBs)
• Farmers and communities

Key Features

• Meet corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals
• Fulfill legal environmental obligations
• Offset ecological impacts via credit trading

Types of Activities Eligible for Green Credits

1. Tree Plantation & Agroforestry
2. Water Conservation & Harvesting
3. Sustainable Agriculture
4. Air and Water Pollution Reduction
5. Mangrove Restoration
6. Waste Management and Processing

Alignment with Mission LiFE

The GCP supports the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) by:

• Encouraging individual responsibility for sustainability
• Promoting low-carbon behaviors
• Making environmental protection a “people’s movement”

Criticisms and Legal Concerns

Forest Diversion Risk

• GCP could be misused by industries to divert old-growth forests and compensate through plantations, weakening genuine conservation efforts.

Ecological Value Trade-Off

• Plantations on degraded lands may not replicate biodiversity or ecosystem services of natural forests.

Compensatory Afforestation Conflicts

• May violate provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (Van Adhiniyam), which mandates afforestation on non-forest land, not degraded forest land.

Monitoring & Survival Rates

• Doubts about the long-term survival of planted trees and authenticity of credits claimed by private players.

Way Forward

Conclusion

The Green Credit Programme represents a bold experiment in blending economics with ecology. While its market-driven approach holds promise for mobilizing resources and broadening participation, it must be legally sound, scientifically grounded, and ethically implemented. A well-regulated GCP can help mainstream environmental responsibility, but shortcuts must be avoided in the name of sustainability.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims:

Q1. Which of the following statements about the Green Credit Programme is correct?

A) It is a mandatory scheme under the Forest (Conservation) Act
B) It only applies to government agencies
C) It incentivizes voluntary environmental activities and allows credit trading
D) It is applicable only in urban areas

Correct Answer: C) It incentivizes voluntary environmental activities and allows credit trading

Q2. The Green Credit Programme is implemented by which of the following bodies?

A) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
B) National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
C) Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)
D) National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Correct Answer: C) Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)

Mains:

1. “The Green Credit Programme is a market-based innovation to promote environmental sustainability.” Discuss its benefits and potential risks.

2. Evaluate the legal and ecological implications of the Green Credit Programme. How can the government ensure it complements, rather than undermines, forest conservation efforts?

5. The Reciprocal Tariff Dilemma: Rethinking Protectionism in Global Trade – International Relations

Why in News?

The U.S. government’s ‘Fair and Reciprocal Trade Plan’, initiated under the Trump administration, sought to impose reciprocal tariffs to counter perceived trade imbalances. While the goal was to ensure “fairness” in global trade, new trade data and economic analysis suggest that this strategy may be self-defeating, especially in a world where most trade now bypasses U.S. dominance.

What Are Reciprocal Tariffs?

Reciprocal tariffs refer to a policy where a country matches the import duties that other countries impose on its goods. The idea is rooted in “tit-for-tat” protectionism, attempting to create symmetrical market access.

• Goal: Equalize tariff burdens to protect domestic industry
• Risk: May trigger retaliatory tariffs, trade wars, or global supply chain disruptions

Global Trade Realities: Key Data Points

This implies that many countries already impose lower tariffs on U.S. goods than what the U.S. imposes on their products.

Core Challenges of Reciprocal Tariff Policy

1. Trade Retaliation Risk

• Targeted countries may impose counter-tariffs, reducing U.S. exports and hurting its own industries (e.g., agriculture, tech, and automobiles)

2. Limited Global Leverage

• Since 87% of world exports occur without the U.S., affected countries may divert exports elsewhere, reducing U.S. influence

3. Tariff Disparities Are Not Uniform

• “Parity” tariffs require different adjustments across countries, increasing complexity
• Could result in economic inefficiency, harming consumers via higher prices

4. Harm to U.S. Competitiveness

• American businesses may lose access to cheaper inputs (e.g., raw materials, components)
• May weaken supply chain resilience, especially in manufacturing

Alternative Strategy: Rethinking Trade Policy

Broader Implications for India and the World

For India:

• Could face higher U.S. tariffs on textiles, pharma, steel
• India’s focus should be on:
  • WTO dispute resolution
  • Diversifying exports
  • Strengthening regional trade (e.g., with EU, ASEAN)

For Global Trade Governance:

• Rise of protectionism threatens rules-based trade order
• May lead to trade fragmentation and “friend-shoring” (trading with geopolitical allies only)

Conclusion

The Reciprocal Tariff Dilemma highlights the flaws of reactive protectionism in an increasingly interconnected global economy. While the intent of correcting trade imbalances is valid, tariff wars are blunt instruments that risk harming both domestic and global stakeholders. Instead, countries should adopt long-term, innovation-driven policies that enhance global competitiveness, ensure open markets, and promote trade resilience.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims:

Q1. The term “Reciprocal Tariffs,” often seen in international trade discourse, refers to:

A) Tariff rebates offered equally to all WTO members
B) A system where a country matches the import tariffs imposed on its exports by its trading partners
C) A tariff imposed on all exports equally
D) A multilateral trade negotiation under the WTO

Correct Answer: B) A system where a country matches the import tariffs imposed on its exports by its trading partners

Q2. As of 2022, what approximate share of global merchandise exports does the U.S. account for?

A) 30%
B) 13%
C) 22%
D) 50%

Correct Answer: B) 13%

Mains:

1. “Reciprocal tariffs may address trade asymmetries in theory, but can lead to greater trade disruption in practice.” Discuss in the context of recent U.S. trade policy.

2. Evaluate the impact of protectionist trade policies on global economic growth. How should India position itself in a world of rising trade barriers?

3. “Free trade remains the best path to global prosperity despite rising protectionist sentiment.” Critically analyse.