Daily Current Affairs 2025  

12/11/2025

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CA-12/11/2025

• Full Commissioning: The final and sixth unit (170 MW) of the project was successfully synchronized with Bhutan's national power grid in August 2025, bringing the entire 1,020 MW project to full operational capacity.
• Progressive Commissioning: The project's units were commissioned in stages, with the first and second in December 2024, the third in March 2025, the fourth in May 2025, the fifth in July 2025, and the final unit in August 2025.
• Increased Capacity: The commissioning of PHEP-II has increased Bhutan's total installed power generation capacity by approximately 40%.
• Energy Generation & Revenue: As of late August 2025, all six operational units had injected over 1.3 billion units of electricity into the national grid, generating revenues of approximately Nu 4.9 billion.
• Partnership: The project is a major milestone in the long-standing energy partnership between India and Bhutan, funded by the Government of India with 30% as a grant and 70% as a loan.
• Future Cooperation: The inauguration was part of a broader discussion on strengthening bilateral ties, with India reaffirming its support for Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan and future energy projects. 

• Developed country Parties "shall provide" financial resources, using the imperative "shall" which creates a binding commitment rather than a voluntary action.
• The obligation is collective, applying to all developed country Parties, not on an individual country basis.
• The financial support is directed to assist developing country Parties specifically.
• The assistance covers both mitigation (actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (building resilience to climate change impacts).
• The obligation "is in continuation of their existing obligations under the Convention," referring to the UNFCCC commitments in Articles 4.3 and 4.4, which require developed countries to provide predictable, adequate, and new and additional financial resources.
• Article 9.1 continues these existing obligations rather than creating entirely new ones, but it applies to all developed countries under the Paris Agreement, not just those listed previously in Annex II of the Convention.
• It reflects the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities," meaning the extent of financial support depends on each country's capability and national circumstances.
• The funds should prioritize both mitigation efforts and adaptation needs for vulnerable developing countries.
• The Article is a cornerstone for international climate finance discussions, influencing negotiation accountability, transparency, and targeting of funds.
• While Article 9.1 does not specify exact financial amounts, it underpins funding goals like the collective annual $100 billion commitment by developed countries to support developing nations.

• Legal Obligation: Developing countries, notably India on behalf of the BASIC and Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) groups, are strongly asserting that Article 9.1 places a binding responsibility on developed nations to provide financial resources for both climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
• A "Clear Definition" Needed: India and other developing nations are calling for a clear and universally agreed definition of what constitutes "climate finance" to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Adaptation Finance Gap: There is a significant gap in adaptation funding, with calls for it to increase fifteen-fold to meet the actual needs of vulnerable populations.
• COP30 Discussions: The implementation of Article 9.1 was initially proposed as a formal agenda item for COP30 but was instead moved to informal consultations led by the Brazilian Presidency due to its politically sensitive nature.
• Ongoing Disagreement: The issue highlights a continuing divide, as developing countries seek scaled-up public finance, while the progress and scope of current commitments from developed nations are widely considered insufficient.
• Architecture Preservation: The LMDC group has cautioned against altering the existing architecture of the Paris Agreement, emphasizing that its implementation must continue to be guided by the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities. 

• Convenience: Transactions can be done online through fintech apps and other platforms, offering 24/7 accessibility.
• Fractional ownership: You can invest in very small amounts, sometimes as low as ?1, making it accessible to more investors.
• Physical backing: Each digital unit is backed by an equivalent amount of physical gold, typically 24K 99.9% pure, and stored in secure vaults by the service provider.
• Liquidity: Digital gold can be easily bought and sold at live market prices.
• Physical redemption: Investors can often redeem their digital holdings for physical gold coins or bars. 

• Regulatory concerns: Regulatory bodies like SEBI have clarified that digital gold/e-gold falls outside their purview, meaning investors do not have the protection mechanisms available for regulated securities.
• Counterparty risk: Since the physical gold is held by the third-party provider, investors face the risk that the provider may not be credible or reliable.
• Lack of regulation: The unregulated nature of digital gold means there is no guaranteed legal recourse in case of a provider's default or operational failure. 

Feature	Unregulated Digital Gold/E-Gold	Regulated Products (ETFs, EGRs)
Regulation	Not regulated by financial bodies like SEBI.	Regulated by the securities market regulator.
Investor Protection	Investor protection mechanisms are unavailable.	Protection mechanisms are in place.
Account	No demat account required.	Requires a demat account for trading.
Risk	Involves counterparty and operational risk.	Generally considered safer due to regulatory oversight.

• Prevention and penalization of unlawful activities threatening India's sovereignty and integrity.
• Empowerment of the central government to designate organizations and, since 2019, individuals as terrorists.
• The 2019 amendment allows designating individuals as terrorists without a formal judicial process, which has raised concerns around due process, rights to bail, and potential misuse.
• The Act requires prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs or state governments for prosecution depending on the sections invoked.
• Conviction rates under UAPA are low, with many accused awaiting trial for long periods.
• The Act has faced criticism from human rights organizations and legal experts for potentially violating fundamental rights and facilitating misuse for political purposes.

Why in news?

• Chemical Formula: NH4NO3NH
• Appearance: Odorless, white crystalline solid or granules
• Fertilizer: It is an important source of nitrogen (approx. 34% nitrogen content), providing plants with both readily available nitrate (NO3−NO sub 3 raised to the negative power NO−3) and slow-release ammonium (NH4+NH sub 4 raised to the positive powerNH+4) forms.
• Explosives: It is the main ingredient in many explosive mixtures, notably ANFO (ammonium nitrate/fuel oil), which accounts for a large percentage of explosives used in mining, quarrying, and civil construction due to its low cost and relative safety when handled correctly.
• Other Uses: Its dissolution in water is an endothermic process (absorbs heat), making it a key ingredient in some instant cold packs.

• The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry introduced the Ammonium Nitrate (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which extend the validity and renewal period of licenses from 5 to 10 years, aiming to ease business processes while ensuring control over its handling.?
• Ammonium nitrate is tightly regulated in India, especially mixtures with more than 45% ammonium nitrate, classified as explosives to curb misuse while enabling legitimate industrial use.?

• This initiative is aligned with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aimed at preparing students for an AI-driven future.
• CBSE has drafted a curriculum covering Classes 3 to 12 on AI and Computational Thinking (CT), which will be reviewed and finalized by NCERT.
• The curriculum emphasizes AI as a fundamental, universal skill, integrated into students' learning experience to develop skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
• The approach is gradual and inclusive, starting from foundational levels in Class 3 with progression across higher classes.
• The curriculum also focuses on the ethical application of AI, under the concept "AI for Public Good."
• Resource materials, teacher training modules through NISHTHA, and digital content are being prepared with the finalization expected by December 2025 to enable smooth implementation.
• The initiative includes extensive collaboration among CBSE, NCERT, KVS, NVS, IIT Madras, and other expert bodies, with the expert committee led by Prof. Karthik Raman of IIT Madras.
• Existing modules like “Skilling for AI Readiness” (SOAR) are already being implemented in Classes 6–8 as a precursor.

• Middle School (Classes 6-8): Focuses on "AI Inspire" modules to develop AI readiness, appreciation for its applications in daily life, and an understanding of its ethical considerations through engaging activities, games, and multi-sensorial learning. Key topics include:
  • Introduction to AI and its applications.
  • The three domains of AI: Data, Computer Vision, and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
  • AI Project Cycle framework (Problem Scoping, Data Acquisition, Data Exploration, Modelling, Evaluation).
  • Ethical considerations, AI bias, and AI access.
  • Basic programming skills using gamified platforms or tools like PictoBlox.

• Secondary Level (Classes 9-10, Subject Code 417): AI is available as an optional skill subject. The curriculum deepens the understanding of concepts and introduces practical skills:
  • Revisiting the AI Project Cycle, AI domains, and ethics.
  • Introduction to basic Python programming and its applications.
  • Data Science fundamentals (collection, analysis, visualization).
  • Computer Vision (image basics, processing, neural networks).
  • Natural Language Processing (text processing, chatbots, NLTK library).
  • Evaluation metrics for AI models.

• Senior Secondary Level (Classes 11-12, Subject Code 843): The curriculum offers a deeper, more technical and conceptual understanding, preparing students for future careers in the field. Key topics include:
  • Advanced Python programming with libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Scikit-learn.
  • Machine Learning algorithms (supervised, unsupervised, deep learning, regression, clustering).
  • Mathematical foundations for AI (statistics, probability).
  • Data literacy and storytelling with data.
  • Generative AI concepts.
  • Development of a comprehensive capstone project applying learned skills to real-world problems. 

• Practical Focus: Emphasizes hands-on activities, projects (often linked to Sustainable Development Goals), and the use of AI tools/software (e.g., PictoBlox, Orange Data Mining, Lobe.ai).
• Industry Collaboration: Developed with support from partners like Intel and IBM to align with industry standards and provide resources for teacher training.
• Holistic Skills: Integrates "employability skills" such as communication, self-management, and entrepreneurship alongside subject-specific technical skills.
• Ethics and Bias: Strong focus on the ethical implications of AI, including bias, transparency, and data privacy.
• Future Planning: From the 2026-27 session, AI and computational thinking will be integrated into the curriculum starting from Class 3 to build foundational literacy from a younger age. 

• Construction and Demolition Ban: All non-essential construction and demolition activities are banned. This includes earthwork, piling, trenching, welding, painting, plastering, tile or flooring work, Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plants, and stone crushers or mining operations.
• Vehicle Restrictions: Use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers is strictly prohibited in Delhi and surrounding NCR districts (Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar). Persons with disabilities are exempt from these curbs.
• School Closures & Hybrid Classes: Schools up to Class V are closed for in-person lessons, switching to online or hybrid learning to protect young children from toxic air.
• Industrial Operations: Industries using unapproved fuels must cease operations. Transportation of demolition waste and raw materials like cement, sand, and fly ash is restricted.

• Mechanised road sweeping has been intensified to reduce dust.
• Public transport options are being expanded with differential rates to discourage private vehicle use.
• Mining and stone crushing activities have been halted until further notice.

• The measures come in response to persistent and severe air quality due to a combination of meteorological conditions, vehicular emissions, crop residue burning in neighbouring states, and other local sources.
• These restrictions will remain until the air quality shows sustained improvement, as decided by CAQM.

GRAP Stage	AQI Range	Action Level
Stage I	201–300	Poor
Stage II	301–400	Very Poor
Stage III	401–450	Severe
Stage IV	>450	Severe Plus

• It aims to provide advanced diagnostic facilities and research support for fungal infections. Under this program:
• Eight Advanced Mycology Diagnostic and Research Centers (AMDRCs) have been set up across India.
• The network conducts mapping of fungal infections, including invasive fungal infections (IFIs), to assess their impact on mortality and morbidity.
• MyCoNet has developed a clinical registry to document cases of fungal infections and a fungal mapping system to monitor antifungal susceptibility and resistance patterns in hospitals, particularly in ICUs.
• Another very different use of the name "MycoNet" is a cutting-edge AI-based system integrating forest ecology and biotechnology to monitor and manage mycorrhizal fungal networks in forests. This AI-enabled system:
• Provides real-time insights into underground fungal communication networks known as the "wood wide web."
• Facilitates precision forestry, early disease/stress warning, carbon sequestration optimization, and ecosystem resilience.

• Network of Centers: MyCoNet includes eight Advanced Mycology Diagnostic and Research Centers (AMDRCs) across India, with the ICMR headquarters coordinating the network.
• Clinical Registry: A web-based clinical registry was created in 2023 to document cases of IFIs and rare fungal diseases. This helps in gathering epidemiological data and analyzing mortality related to fungal infections.
• Antifungal Susceptibility Testing (AFST): The network uses collected data to generate AFST information to monitor fungal pathogens and resistance patterns in healthcare settings.
• Capacity Building and Training: The AMDRCs serve as reference centers, offering training to enhance diagnostic capabilities for fungal diseases nationwide.
• Policy and Guidelines: Data from MyCoNet informs policy decisions and helps develop indigenous guidelines for managing various mycoses.
• Surveillance: The program monitors antifungal drug resistance for key fungal pathogens, integrating this data into the National AMR surveillance network (NARS-Net). 

• Appearance: A bright, silvery metal that rapidly tarnishes (oxidizes) in air, forming a flaky reddish-purple or yellowish coating.
• Abundance: Despite its "rare earth" classification, neodymium is relatively common in the Earth's crust, about as abundant as copper or nickel. It is primarily found in the minerals monazite and bastnäsite.
• Reactivity: It is a highly reactive, electropositive metal that reacts with water and acids.
• Oxidation State: The most common and stable oxidation state is +3.
• Magnetic Ordering: In its pure metallic form, neodymium is paramagnetic at room temperature, but it contributes to strong ferromagnetism when alloyed with iron and boron. 

• Electronics: Microphones, professional loudspeakers, in-ear headphones, computer hard disk drives, and mobile phones.
• Electric Motors & Generators: Essential components in hybrid and electric vehicle motors, wind turbine generators, and electric power steering systems, where a high power-to-weight ratio is needed.
• Medical Applications: Nd:YAG lasers, which use neodymium-doped crystals, are used in laser surgery for treating skin cancers and in ophthalmology.
• Optics: Neodymium compounds are used as a colorant in glass and ceramics, producing shades of violet, red, or gray. Didymium glass (a mix of neodymium and praseodymium glass) is used in welding and glassblowing goggles to filter out intense yellow glare. 

• Mammals: The sanctuary is a critical habitat for many species, including tigers, leopards, hyenas, Indian bison (gaur), sambar, barking deer, chital, and sloth bears. It is also a migration corridor for the rare wild buffalo from Chhattisgarh's Udanti and Sitanadi forests.
• Birds: Sunabeda is home to numerous bird species, with vultures, hill mynah, peafowl, purple herons, and common kingfishers being among the recorded sightings.
• Vegetation: The sanctuary is characterized by dry deciduous tropical forests, featuring trees such as teak, sandalwood, sal, and bija. 
• Waterfalls: The sanctuary is home to many waterfalls, including the prominent Beniadhus and Kharaldhus waterfalls. These falls are particularly magnificent during the monsoon season.
• Water bodies: The Jonk River, which flows through the sanctuary, feeds many of its waterfalls. Other significant water sources include the Darri water body and one with year-round lotus blooms.
• Religious and historical sites: Within the sanctuary's periphery, you can find ancient temples dedicated to deities like Lord Shiva and Lord Jagannath, as well as a 50-foot tall statue of Lord Hanuman. 

• Proposed Tiger Reserve: The sanctuary has received "in-principle" approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to become a tiger reserve. This proposal aims to create a larger, protected habitat for tigers by including the adjacent Patdhara forest block.
• Conservation efforts: Organizations like Wild Orissa are working to raise awareness and promote conservation in the region. However, the sanctuary faces challenges from illegal logging, grazing, and encroachment. 

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