Daily Current Affairs 2025  

02/12/2025

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CA-02/12/2025

Contents

1.    Bioremediation
2.    REPM scheme
3.    Insurance Laws Amendment Bill, 2025
4.    Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
5.    Masala Bonds
6.    Sanchar Saathi portal
7.    Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park
8.    Bioterrorism

   
Why in news?
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is actively using bioremediation to clean Hussainsagar Lake by applying enzyme solutions with Bokashi balls made from biochar.

About Bioremediation

• Bioremediation is an eco-friendly environmental process that uses microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and plants to clean contaminated soil, groundwater, and water bodies by breaking down pollutants into non-toxic or less toxic substances.
• It can be carried out in situ (at the contamination site) or ex situ (removing the contaminated material for treatment) depending on the situation.

Techniques and Government Initiatives

• The Department of Biotechnology supports bioremediation through research partnerships and funding under the Clean Technology Programme.
• Demonstration projects use advanced techniques like bioventing, biosparging, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation.
• The Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission promotes research on bioremediation as part of addressing environmental waste.
• Regional hubs and start-ups are encouraged to build local bioremediation capabilities, integrating indigenous microbial strains suited to India's diverse environments.

Benefits and Future Prospects

• Bioremediation offers a low-cost alternative to conventional clean-ups with less environmental disruption.
• It creates employment opportunities in biotechnology research, environmental consulting, and waste management sectors.
• Future efforts include establishing national standards for bioremediation and expanding its use for large-scale environmental restoration in urban and industrial areas.

   
Why in news?
The REPM (Rare Earth Permanent Magnet) Scheme is a government-approved initiative in India with a financial outlay of Rs. 7,280 crore aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets.
 
About REPM Scheme

• The REPM Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet, is designed to establish an integrated domestic manufacturing ecosystem for Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs).
• This is a first-of-its-kind initiative for India, focusing on strategic self-reliance in a sector heavily dominated by imports, primarily from China.

Objectives of the Scheme

• Reducing Import Dependence: India currently imports almost all its REPMs, despite having substantial rare earth reserves. This scheme aims to significantly decrease this reliance.
• Strengthening Supply Chains: REPMs are crucial components for various high-technology sectors, including electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy systems, defense, aerospace, and electronics. The scheme aims to create a secure and stable domestic supply chain for these vital industries.
• Promoting Integrated Manufacturing: The scheme supports the entire value chain, from converting rare earth oxides to metals, metals to alloys, and finally to finished REPMs.
• Boosting Industrial Growth and Employment: By fostering domestic manufacturing, the scheme is expected to create jobs and stimulate industrial growth.
• Achieving Net Zero Goals: Enhanced domestic manufacturing of components for EVs and renewable energy aligns with India's commitment to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Capacity Building: Establishment of 6,000 MTPA integrated REPM manufacturing capacity.
• Financial Incentives:
• ?6,450 crore for sales-linked incentives over five years.
• ?750 crore as a capital subsidy for setting up integrated facilities.
• Beneficiary Allocation: Five beneficiaries will be selected through a global competitive bidding process, with each eligible for up to 1,200 MTPA capacity.
• Duration: The scheme spans seven years, including a two-year gestation period for project setup and five years for incentive disbursement.
• Focus on Sintered REPMs: The scheme specifically targets "sintered rare-earth permanent magnets," primarily neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are the strongest and most commercially demanded.

Strategic Importance:

• Reducing Geopolitical Vulnerability: China's dominance in the rare earth supply chain poses a significant risk. This scheme aims to mitigate that risk and enhance India's strategic autonomy.
• Supporting Future Technologies: With the rapid growth of EVs and renewable energy, the demand for REPMs is projected to double by 2030. Domestic production will be crucial to meet this surge.
• Catalyzing MSMEs and Startups: The scheme has the potential to create new electronics manufacturing clusters, offering opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups.

Challenges:
Despite its ambitious goals, the scheme may face challenges, including the need for advanced technical expertise, radioactive waste management, and potential regulatory hurdles. The long gestation period for industrial build-out is also a factor to consider.
 
   
Why in news?
The bill is expected to be tabled in the Winter Session of Parliament in December 2025, marking a major overhaul of the insurance regulatory framework including amendments to the Insurance Act, the LIC Act, and the IRDAI Act.?
 
Key Proposed Changes and Their Implications:

1. Increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):

• Proposal: The FDI limit in the insurance sector will be raised from 74% to 100%.
• Implication: This move is expected to attract substantial foreign capital, encourage global insurance giants to enter or expand their presence in India, and intensify competition, leading to improved operational efficiency and product innovation.

2. Composite Licensing:

• Proposal: Insurers will be able to obtain a single license to operate across life, general, and health insurance segments.
• Implication: This will provide greater operational flexibility, foster innovation, and simplify regulatory compliance, allowing insurers to offer a more integrated suite of products to customers.

3. Lower Capital Requirements:

• Proposal: Minimum capital requirements for new entrants and reinsurers will be reduced. Specifically, lower entry capital (not less than ?50 crore) will be allowed for insurers targeting underserved segments, and net owned fund requirements for foreign reinsurers will be reduced from ?5,000 crore to ?1,000 crore.
• Implication: This aims to encourage the entry of new and niche players, particularly those focusing on rural and underserved markets, thereby supporting the vision of "insurance for all."

4. Simplified Registration for Intermediaries:

• Proposal: Registration for insurance intermediaries will be a one-time, perpetual process, moving away from the current three-year renewal cycle. Intermediaries will only need to pay annual IRDAI fees.
• Implication: This is expected to reduce regulatory friction, expand distribution channels, and allow individual agents to sell products from multiple insurers, enhancing competition and customer choice.

5. Amendments to Key Legislations:

• Proposal: The Bill proposes amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956, and the IRDAI Act, 1999.
• Implication: These amendments are designed to operationalize the proposed reforms, including the higher FDI cap and the composite licensing framework.

Broader Context and Vision:

• The Insurance Laws Amendment Bill, 2025, is a significant step towards transforming India's underpenetrated insurance sector, which currently has a penetration rate of 3.7%, well below the global average of around 7%.
• The reforms are aligned with the government's long-term vision of achieving "Insurance for All by 2047" and aim to make India a more competitive global insurance hub.

The Insurance Laws Amendment Bill, 2025, is poised to bring about significant reforms in India's insurance sector, aiming to boost growth, enhance penetration, and align the industry with global best practices.
 
   
Why in news?
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently urged reforms to modernize the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) amid rising bioterrorism risks from non-state actors and rapid scientific advances.?
 
Key Concerns Raised by Minister Jaishankar:

• Rising Bioterrorism Risks: The misuse of diseases and dangerous pathogens by non-state actors is a "serious concern" and no longer a distant possibility.
• Inadequate BWC Structure: The 50-year-old convention lacks essential institutional structures, including compliance and verification mechanisms, and a way to track rapid scientific advancements.
• Pace of Scientific Advancement: Modern scientific and technological progress, including areas like genome editing and synthetic biology, is outpacing the BWC's ability to govern potential misuse.
• Global South Vulnerability: Many countries in the Global South have weaker healthcare systems, surveillance, and emergency response capacities, making them more vulnerable to biological threats and highlighting the need to keep them central in biosecurity preparations.

India's Proposed Solutions:
India advocates for a robust compliance and verification framework tailored for the contemporary era. Minister Jaishankar outlined India's proposal for a National Implementation.

Framework designed to address:

• Identification of high-risk biological agents.
• Oversight of dual-use research.
• Domestic reporting mechanisms.
• Incident management.
• Continuous training.

About Biological Weapons Convention

• The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), also known as the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), is a landmark international disarmament treaty that effectively prohibits biological and toxin weapons.
• It was the first multilateral treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.
• The BWC was opened for signature on April 10, 1972, and entered into force on March 26, 1975.

Key Aspects of the BWC:

• Prohibition: The BWC prohibits the development, production, acquisition, retention, transfer, stockpiling, and use of biological agents, toxins, and the weapons and delivery systems designed to use them for hostile purposes. This prohibition applies to agents and toxins of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective, or other peaceful purposes.
• Destruction: States Parties are required to destroy or divert to peaceful purposes any existing biological weapons, agents, toxins, or related equipment within nine months of the convention's entry into force.
• National Implementation: Each State Party must take necessary national measures, including enacting legislation and regulations, to prohibit and prevent prohibited activities within its territory or under its jurisdiction or control.
• International Cooperation: The convention encourages consultation and cooperation among States Parties to address compliance concerns and to facilitate the exchange of information and materials for peaceful biological purposes.

   
Why in news?
Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued show-cause notices to Kerala Chief Minister, and others regarding alleged irregularities under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) concerning the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) Masala Bond issuance. 

Key Features of Masala Bonds:

• Rupee-Denominated: These bonds are issued in Indian Rupees, meaning that interest payments and principal repayment are made in INR.
• Issued Overseas: Masala bonds are issued by Indian entities in international financial markets.
• Currency Risk Borne by Investor: A significant feature is that the currency risk (fluctuations in the exchange rate between INR and foreign currencies) is borne by the investor, not the issuer. This is a major advantage for Indian companies, as they can raise funds without being exposed to exchange rate volatility.
• Internationalizing the Rupee: They aim to promote the use and familiarity of the Indian Rupee in international markets.
• Eligibility: Investors typically need to be residents of countries that are members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and whose securities market regulator is a member of the International Organisation of Securities Commission.
• Maturity Period: The minimum maturity period for bonds raised up to USD 50 million equivalent in INR per financial year is generally 3 years, and for those raised above USD 50 million, it's typically 5 years.

Benefits of Masala Bonds:

For Issuers (Indian Entities):

• Access to Global Capital: Allows Indian companies to tap into a larger pool of international funds.
• Reduced Currency Risk: Eliminates the exchange rate risk for the issuer, as repayments are in INR.
• Potentially Lower Cost of Funds: Can offer a cheaper way to raise capital compared to domestic borrowing, especially when global interest rates are low.
• Enhanced Global Reputation: Improves the international visibility and credibility of Indian companies.

For Investors:

• Investment Route: Opens up investment opportunities in the Indian market for global investors who may not have direct access.
• Higher Yields: Can offer potentially higher returns compared to bonds denominated in major developed market currencies, compensating for the currency risk.
• Diversification: Provides diversification benefits from shallow domestic bond markets.
• Less Documentation: In some cases, less regulatory documentation is required compared to registering as a Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) in India.

Limitations and Risks:

• Currency Risk for Investors: Investors bear the risk of the INR depreciating against their home currency, which can reduce their returns.
• Regulatory Changes: Periodic policy changes by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can affect the attractiveness of Masala bonds.
• Limited Use of Funds: There can be restrictions on how the funds raised can be utilized.
• Sustainability Concerns: As with any emerging market investment, there can be concerns about the long-term sustainability of financing via Masala bonds, with investors potentially being cautious about currency risks.

   
Why in news?
Department of Telecommunications has directed all mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on devices to help curb IMEI fraud and improve device security. However, the Telecom ministry clarified that the app is optional and can be deleted by users if they choose. 

About
The Sanchar Saathi portal is a citizen-centric initiative by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India, designed to empower mobile subscribers, enhance their security, and raise awareness about government initiatives. Launched in May 2023, this platform provides a suite of services aimed at combating cybercrimes, financial fraud, and identity theft related to mobile connections.

Key Features and Services

• Centralized Equipment Identity Register (CEIR): Block/trace lost/stolen phones nationwide, unblock recovered devices, and check IMEI authenticity (via portal, app, or SMS to 14422).
• Know Your Mobile (KYM): View and report unauthorized mobile numbers linked to your identity.
• ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification): This AI-based technology assists in analyzing mobile connections and identifying fraudulent subscribers. It also facilitates the messaging of IMEI-based phone theft information to law enforcement agencies and the owner.
• Chakshu - Report Suspected Fraud Communication: Report suspected fraud calls/SMS/WhatsApp, unsolicited commercial communications (UCC/spam), and malicious web links like phishing or fake APKs.
• Device Verification: Before purchasing a used mobile device, users can verify its authenticity using its IMEI number through the Sanchar Saathi portal. This helps in avoiding counterfeit or unauthorized devices.
• Trusted Contact Details: The portal provides access to trusted customer care numbers for banks and financial institutions.

Other importance

• Digital India Initiative: It is a significant component of the Digital India program, aiming for secure and transparent communication.

• Cybersecurity and Citizen Safety: The portal addresses critical issues of cybercrime, financial fraud, and identity theft, which are increasingly important topics in current affairs and governance.
• Government Welfare Schemes and Initiatives: Understanding such citizen-centric platforms is crucial for comprehending the government's efforts in leveraging technology for public good.

Pre-installation Mandate and Concerns

• In a significant move to enhance user security and combat fraud, the Ministry of Communications has mandated the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi mobile application on all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for use in India.
• This ensures that the application is readily visible and accessible to end-users from the first use of their device.
• Privacy issues arise from mandatory pre-installation, potentially granting system-level access for surveillance, data storage of IMEI/user info, and exemptions under Data Protection Act.
• Critics, including Internet Freedom Foundation and opposition, fear misuse like spyware (Pegasus comparisons), lack of consent, and risks from third-party access without robust policies.
• Telecom Minister clarified it as optional, but manufacturers like Apple resist due to OS changes.?

   
About

• A large-scale floating solar power installation located on the Narmada river reservoir in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh. 
• The project is part of a larger 600 MW floating solar power park planned over the Omkareshwar dam reservoir.
• It is executed by SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a government joint venture.
• As of August 2024, 90 MW had been commissioned, progressing to 278 MW by 2025, with plans for further expansion.
• The floating solar panels are arranged on water, which cools them and increases efficiency, leading to about 23% power generation against installed capacity, higher than typical solar farms.

Technology and Scale

• The project involves extensive use of high-efficiency photovoltaic modules (over 200,000 panels) and includes advanced engineering for stability, anchoring, and electrical connections.
• It spans around 12 square kilometers of water surface area and is divided into 14 islands.
• Innovative features include wave breakers, ballast anchors, and the world’s largest inverter floating platform, which optimize energy conversion and platform stability.

Environmental and Economic Impact

• It reduces carbon emissions by approximately 230,000 tons annually.
• The project conserves water by minimizing evaporation from the reservoir.
• Estimated project cost is about Rs 646 crore, with substantial central financial assistance.
• It sets a benchmark for future large-scale floating solar projects in India and globally.

 
   
Bioterrorism: Overview

Bioterrorism is the deliberate release or dissemination of biological agents, such as viruses, bacteria, toxins, or other harmful substances, with the intent to cause illness or death in humans, animals, or plants. It is considered a significant threat due to the potential for widespread devastation, the difficulty in detection, and the psychological impact it can have on populations.

Understanding Bioterrorism

• Definition: Bioterrorism, also known as germ warfare, involves the intentional use of disease-causing agents as a weapon of terrorism.
• Agents: These agents can be naturally occurring or genetically modified to enhance their virulence, resistance, or transmissibility.
• Delivery: Biological agents can be disseminated through various means, including air, water, food, or direct contact.

Types of Biological Agents
 

Category	Priority Level	Characteristics	Examples
A	High	High morbidity and mortality, easily disseminated, cause public panic, require special public health preparedness.	Anthrax, Smallpox, Ebola Virus, Bubonic Plague, Tularemia.
B	Moderate	Moderate morbidity and mortality, require moderate diagnostic and surveillance efforts, have moderate dissemination potential.	Brucellosis, Q fever, Staphylococcal enterotoxin B.
C	Low	Emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass dissemination; include known viruses and bacteria, and potential future threats.	Hantavirus, Nipah Virus, SARS, Yellow fever virus.

Concerns and Impacts

• Devastation: Biological weapons can cause widespread illness, death, and societal disruption.
• Difficult to Detect: Bioterrorist attacks can be difficult to detect, with symptoms appearing days or weeks after exposure.
• Psychological Impact: Bioterrorism can induce widespread fear and panic, undermining public confidence in government's ability to protect its citizens.
• Economic Disruption: Attacks can cripple economies through damage to agriculture, trade, and public health systems.

India's Preparedness and Challenges

• Nodal Ministries and Agencies: Specialized forces like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are tasked with responding to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) attacks.
• Research and Development: The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) plays a role in biodefense research.
• International Cooperation: India participates in international efforts to strengthen biosecurity and adhere to conventions like the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC).

Way Forward

• Intelligence Sharing: Enhanced global cooperation and intelligence sharing among agencies.
• Rapid Detection and Surveillance: Developing advanced biosurveillance systems for early detection and response.
• Strengthening Conventions: Reinforcing international treaties like the BTWC to ensure compliance and prevent proliferation.
• Capacity Building: Training medical personnel, first responders, and enhancing diagnostic capabilities.
• Public Awareness: Educating the public about potential threats and preparedness measures.

 
 

Question and Answer
 
Question 1. The Sanchar Saathi portal, launched by the Department of Telecommunications, offers various services to enhance mobile subscriber security. Which of the following is NOT a core feature provided by the portal?
A) Blocking and tracing lost/stolen mobile phones.
B) Providing real-time location tracking for all active mobile numbers.
C) Reporting suspected fraudulent calls and messages.
D) Checking the authenticity of a used mobile device via its IMEI number.
 
Explanation:
Options a, c, and d are all core features of the Sanchar Saathi portal through its CEIR, Chakshu, and Device Verification services. The portal does not provide real-time location tracking for all active mobile numbers for general public use; its focus is on device security and combating fraud, not surveillance.
 

Question 2. Which of the following is/are key proposed features of the Insurance Laws Amendment Bill, 2025?
1. Raising the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector to 100%.
2. Allowing insurers to obtain a single license to operate across life, general, and health insurance segments.
3. Mandating a three-year renewal cycle for insurance intermediaries' registration.
 
Select your answer:
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
 
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct; the bill proposes to increase the FDI limit in insurance to 100%. Statement 2 is correct; it introduces composite licensing for insurers. Statement 3 is incorrect; the bill proposes to simplify registration for intermediaries into a one-time, perpetual process, moving away from the three-year renewal cycle.
 

Question 3. The recently approved REPM (Rare Earth Permanent Magnet) Scheme in India is primarily designed to address which of the following objectives?
1. Reducing India's dependence on imported rare earth permanent magnets.
2. Promoting the export of unprocessed rare earth minerals.
3. Strengthening domestic supply chains for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
 
Select your answer:
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
 
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct as a core objective of the REPM scheme is to reduce import dependence on rare earth permanent magnets. Statement 2 is incorrect; the scheme focuses on integrated domestic manufacturing, from rare earth oxides to finished magnets, not on exporting unprocessed minerals. Statement 3 is correct, as REPMs are crucial for EVs and renewable energy, and the scheme aims to create a secure domestic supply chain for these sectors.
 

Question 4. The Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh is considered a significant development in India's renewable energy sector. What is a key advantage of floating solar installations like this one?
A) They require minimal land area, making them ideal for urban centers.
B) The water body beneath the panels helps in cooling them, increasing efficiency.
C) They generate power exclusively during night hours using specialized batteries.
D) They can only be installed in saline water environments, protecting fresh water.
 
Explanation:
Option (b) is a key advantage. The water on which floating solar panels are installed helps cool the modules, preventing overheating and thereby increasing their energy generation efficiency compared to land-based panels. Option (a) is partially true for floating solar as it saves land, but the primary unique advantage related to performance is cooling. Option (c) is incorrect as solar parks generate power during daylight. Option (d) is incorrect as floating solar parks are widely implemented on freshwater reservoirs, like Omkareshwar on the Narmada river, and also help conserve water by minimizing evaporation.
 

Question 5. With reference to Bioremediation, consider the following statements:
1. It exclusively uses genetically modified microorganisms to break down pollutants.
2. It can be implemented both at the contamination site and by removing contaminated material for treatment.
3. Bokashi balls, sometimes used in bioremediation, typically contain biochar and enzyme solutions.
 
Select your answer:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
 
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect because bioremediation uses various microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, plants), not exclusively genetically modified ones. Statement 2 is correct as bioremediation can be carried out in situ (at the site) or ex situ (removing material for treatment). Statement 3 is correct as Bokashi balls, used in some bioremediation efforts, are made from biochar and often contain enzyme solutions to aid pollutant breakdown.
 

Question 6. Consider the following statements regarding the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC):
1. It was the first multilateral treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.
2. It includes a robust compliance and verification mechanism for member states.
3. India advocates for reforms to address rising bioterrorism risks and rapid scientific advancements.
 
Select your answer:
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
 
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct; the BWC was indeed the first multilateral treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. Statement 2 is incorrect; a key concern raised by India and others is the BWC's lack of essential institutional structures, including robust compliance and verification mechanisms. Statement 3 is correct; India has urged reforms to modernize the BWC to address contemporary threats like bioterrorism and scientific advances.
 

Question 7. In the context of bioterrorism and public health preparedness, biological agents are often categorized based on their risk level. Which category typically includes agents with high morbidity and mortality, easy dissemination, and those requiring special public health preparedness?
Select your answer:
A) Category A
B) Category B
C) Category C
D) Category D
 
Explanation:
Category A biological agents are classified as high-priority agents because they pose the greatest threat to public health. They are characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, ease of dissemination or transmission, the potential to cause public panic and social disruption, and the need for special public health preparedness.


Question 8. Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of Masala Bonds compared to traditional foreign currency bonds issued by Indian entities?
A) They are exclusively issued by public sector undertakings.
B) The currency risk is borne by the Indian issuer, not the investor.
C) They are denominated in Indian Rupees, with repayment in INR.
D) Their primary goal is to fund defense procurement from abroad.
 
Explanation:
Option (c) is the distinguishing feature. Masala Bonds are Rupee-denominated bonds issued overseas, meaning interest payments and principal repayment are made in INR. This transfers the currency risk to the investor, not the Indian issuer (making option b incorrect). They are not exclusively for PSUs, nor primarily for defense procurement.
 
 
 
 

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