Daily Current Affairs 2025  

07/12/2025

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CA-07/12/2025

1. Onchocerciasis
2. IndiGo Flight Disruptions
3. Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT)
4. Shingles Disease
5. Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme
6. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve
7. Red-breasted Parakeet
8. Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme
9. Circular Economy in India’s Dairy Sector
10. Supreme Court Mandates Written Grounds for All Arrests

• Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is a parasitic disease caused by the worm Onchocerca volvulus.
• Transmitted to humans through repeated bites of infected female blackflies,(genus Simulium), which breed in fast‑flowing rivers and streams.​
• Not spread directly from person to person; the blackfly is essential for transmission.​

• Endemic mainly in rural areas of sub‑Saharan Africa, with smaller foci in Latin America and Yemen.​
• One of the leading infectious causes of blindness worldwide, after trachoma.​

• Intense itching, rashes, thickening, depigmentation (“leopard skin”), eye inflammation, visual impairment, and progressive damage lead to permanent blindness (hence “river blindness”).​
• Symptoms are mainly due to inflammatory reactions against dying microfilariae (larval worms) in skin and eye tissues and causes chronic disability

• Diagnosis is usually by finding microfilariae in skin snips, eye examination, or detection of nodules; rapid tests and serology may support diagnosis.​
• Main treatment is ivermectin (periodic mass drug administration) which clears microfilariae and reduces transmission, though it does not reliably kill adult worms.​

• Community‑directed mass drug administration with ivermectin in endemic areas is the cornerstone of control and elimination programmes.​
• Vector control (reducing blackfly populations near rivers) and sustained surveillance are used in some regions to support elimination efforts.​

• New FDTL Norms: The primary trigger for the crisis was the rollout of new FDTL norms, which mandate stricter rest requirements and tighter night-duty limits for pilots. These rules, implemented in phases from July 2025, significantly reduced crew availability across airlines.
• Crew Shortages: IndiGo, in particular, was severely affected due to an acute crew shortage. This was attributed to the airline's lean staffing strategy, a hiring freeze despite ample notice, pilot pay freezes, and non-poaching agreements, as alleged by pilot associations.
• Operational Vulnerability: IndiGo's large-scale, high-frequency network, coupled with heavy red-eye schedules, made it uniquely vulnerable to the reduced duty hours and restricted night landings introduced by the new FDTL rules.

• Passenger Disruption: Thousands of passengers were stranded, leading to chaos at airports, with many reporting significant distress, financial losses, and missed opportunities.
• Regulatory Action: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo's CEO, citing significant lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also been actively monitoring the situation and directing airlines to stabilize operations.
• Economic Impact: The disruptions led to a surge in airfares on rival carriers, prompting the government to cap fares. The Indian Railways also added special trains to help stranded passengers.
• Reputational Damage: The crisis has raised questions about IndiGo's operational planning and management, impacting its reputation as a business school case study for profitable, lean operations.

• Governance and Regulation: The role of the DGCA in implementing and enforcing aviation regulations, and its response to the crisis. The importance of proactive regulatory oversight and the balance between safety standards and operational efficiency.
• Economic Policy: The impact of regulatory changes on the aviation sector, market dynamics, and consumer welfare. The government's intervention in capping fares and managing the crisis.
• Corporate Governance and Management: IndiGo's strategic decisions, including staffing, planning, and preparedness for regulatory changes. The allegations of anti-competitive practices by pilot unions.
• Consumer Rights: The rights of passengers in case of flight cancellations and delays, as per DGCA guidelines and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Infrastructure Development: The case also highlights the strain on India's aviation infrastructure and the need for robust planning to support rapid growth.

• An InvIT is a collective investment scheme that allows individuals and institutional investors to invest directly in infrastructure projects.
• These trusts pool money from investors to acquire and manage income-generating infrastructure assets, such as highways, toll roads, power plants, and gas pipelines.
• The income generated from these underlying assets is then distributed to the unit holders (investors) on a regular basis.

• Regulator: InvITs are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
• Structure: An InvIT is established as a trust and typically comprises four key parties:
• Trustee: Registered with SEBI as debenture trustees, responsible for overseeing the InvIT's operations and ensuring compliance.
• Sponsor: The entity that sets up the InvIT. Sponsors must meet certain net worth criteria and typically hold a minimum percentage of the InvIT's units for a specified period.
• Investment Manager: Manages the assets and investments of the InvIT.
• Project Manager: Responsible for executing infrastructure projects.
• Investment: InvITs can invest in infrastructure assets either directly or through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). They can invest in completed, revenue-generating projects or, in some cases, projects under construction.
• Listing: Units of InvITs are listed on stock exchanges, allowing for liquidity for investors.
• Investment Amount: The minimum investment amount for an InvIT IPO can be Rs 10 lakh, making them suitable for high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors.

• Fund Pooling: InvITs raise capital by issuing units to investors through initial public offerings (IPOs) or private placements.
• Asset Acquisition: The pooled funds are invested in revenue-generating infrastructure projects or SPVs that hold these assets.
• Revenue Distribution: The income generated from the infrastructure assets (e.g., tolls, user fees) is distributed to the unit holders, typically as dividends or interest payments. InvITs are generally required to distribute at least 90% of their net distributable cash flow to investors.
• Monetization for Developers: InvITs allow infrastructure developers to monetize their completed assets, freeing up capital for new projects.

• For Investors: Provides an opportunity to invest in large-scale infrastructure projects with a regular income stream and liquidity through stock exchange trading. The requirement for InvITs to invest at least 80% in completed, revenue-generating projects lowers investment risk.
• For Developers: Facilitates asset monetization and access to capital for future infrastructure development.

• Affects anyone who had chickenpox, but risk rises sharply after age 50, with about 1 in 3 people developing it lifetime.​
• Main symptom: painful, blistering rash on one side of body (often torso, face, or waist as a stripe), with burning pain, tingling, fever, or fatigue.​
• Triggers include weakened immunity (from age, stress, HIV, cancer, or meds), but exact cause often unclear.​

• Postherpetic neuralgia (lingering nerve pain) in some cases; 1-4% hospitalized, mostly older adults or immunocompromised; fewer than 100 US deaths yearly.​
• Rare issues: eye damage (emergency if near eyes), bacterial infections, pneumonia, or facial paralysis (Ramsay Hunt).​

• Vaccine available to prevent shingles and reduce severity.​
• Antivirals (if started early) shorten duration; cover rash to avoid spreading virus to chickenpox-naive people.​

• It supports industries, especially MSMEs and startups, in developing indigenous defence and dual-use technologies not available locally, including upgrading products, processes, and futuristic systems for Tri-Services needs.
• The scheme bridges armed forces, research bodies, academia, and private sectors by funding proof-of-concept to prototype stages.​

• Funding covers up to 90% of project costs (capped at ₹50 crore per project) via grants-in-aid, with flexible mechanisms like reimbursements or advances against bank guarantees across milestones.
• Additional benefits include access to DRDO labs for testing, collaboration with DRDO scientists, and use of DRDO technologies.
• Since 2016, ₹260 crore has been allocated, with ₹64.35 crore disbursed to 41 MSMEs and 20 startups by 2023.​

• Location: Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve is situated in the southeastern part of Rajasthan, primarily in Bundi district, with extensions into Bhilwara and Kota districts.​
• Notification: Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1982 and notified as India's 52nd tiger reserve (Rajasthan's 4th) on May 16, 2022.​
• Area: Covers 1,501.89 sq km total, with a core area of 481.90 sq km and buffer zone of 1,019.98 sq km.​
• Geography: Features rugged, hilly terrain in the semi-arid biogeographic zone (4A), blending Vindhyan and Aravalli elements; the Mez River (Chambal tributary) flows through it.​
• Connectivity: Acts as a crucial corridor linking Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (northeast) and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve (south).​
• Flora: Dominated by Dhok (Anogeissus pendula) trees, along with teak, Khair, Amaltas, saag, mahua, grasses, and shrubs.​
• Fauna: Hosts tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian wolves, striped hyenas, golden jackals, wild dogs, chinkara, nilgai, chital, sambar, wild boar, Indian fox, ruddy mongoose, and diverse herpetofauna like Indian rock python.​
• Conservation: Focuses on staff training, smart patrolling, anti-poaching, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and eco-development; holds tourism potential in the Chambal circuit.

• Scientific Name: Psittacula alexandri, also known as moustached parakeet.​
• Size and Weight: Medium-sized parrot, 33-40 cm long (including tail), weighs 100-156 g.​
• Distribution: Native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia), parts of India, and Nepal; found up to 1500 m elevation.​
• Habitat: Forests, woodlands, mangroves, cultivated areas, parks, and urban zones.​
• Plumage (Adult Male): Green body, pink/red breast and belly, grey head with black facial markings, blue tail, red bill.​
• Juvenile Features: Greener overall, muted colors, shorter tail, pale red bill.​
• Diet: Seeds, fruits (figs, bananas), nectar, flowers, nuts, grains; forages communally.​
• Behavior: Sociable in flocks of 6-50 (up to thousands at food sources), roosts communally, crop raider.​
• Breeding: Clutch 3-4 eggs, December-April (varies), nests in tree cavities.​
• Conservation: The species holds Near Threatened status on the IUCN Red List due to habitat.

• The PMFME Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, supports the formalization and competitiveness of micro food processing units through financial, technical, and business aid.
• It operates from 2020-21 to 2025-26 with a total outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore, targeting 2 lakh micro-enterprises via credit-linked subsidies and infrastructure development.​
• Individual micro-units receive 35% credit-linked subsidy up to Rs. 10 lakh (10% beneficiary contribution).
• SHGs get Rs. 4 lakh seed capital per group; FPOs/SHGs/cooperatives eligible for up to Rs. 3 crore for infrastructure.
• 50% grants for branding/marketing to groups or SPVs. Funding shared 60:40 (Centre:States), with variations for special regions.​

• Enhance access to credit for micro-entrepreneurs, FPOs, SHGs, and cooperatives.
• Promote integration into organized supply chains through branding, marketing, and common infrastructure like processing facilities and incubation centers.
• Facilitate transition to formal frameworks with GST/FSSAI compliance, skill training, and ODOP (One District One Product) focus.​

• 1,62,744 loans sanctioned under credit-linked subsidy for individual micro enterprises, SHGs, FPOs, and others.​
• Seed capital approved for 3,65,935 Self-Help Group (SHG) members at ₹40,000 per member, up to ₹4 lakh per SHG federation.​
• 101 proposals sanctioned for Common Infrastructure Facilities with credit-linked subsidy up to ₹3 crore per project.​
• 76 incubation centres approved to aid enterprise development and technology adoption.​
• 27 proposals sanctioned under Branding and Marketing support, providing up to 50% grant for groups like FPOs, SHGs, and cooperatives.​

• India's dairy sector is adopting a circular economy model to transform waste like cattle dung into biogas (bio-CNG), organic fertilizers, and other value-added products, boosting farmer incomes by an estimated 20% over five years without increasing milk production.
• This shift aligns with White Revolution 2.0, emphasizing resource efficiency, waste-to-wealth strategies, and diversification into products like milk powder, paneer, and nutraceuticals.
• Banas Dairy in Gujarat serves as Asia's largest cooperative exemplar, with its ₹24,000 crore turnover and integrated systems for bio-CNG production and fertilizer generation.​

• Farmers gain additional income from by-products, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and fossil fuels while enhancing soil health and energy security.​
• Women-led cooperatives in arid Gujarat demonstrate entrepreneurship, with direct bank transfers promoting financial inclusion.​
• Environmental gains include lower methane emissions and carbon footprint reduction through manure management.​

• The Union Ministry of Cooperation provides finance, technology, and three new dairy cooperatives for activities like cheese, animal feed, and exports.
• Aligns with national goals like Doubling Farmers’ Income, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Mission LiFE.
• Product diversification into nutraceuticals and specialty cheeses targets global markets.​

• Small dairies face barriers like high initial costs for biogas infrastructure, limited technological access, and training needs for waste management.
• Logistics gaps in cold chains and regulatory issues for leather from naturally deceased cattle require public-private partnerships and skill programs.
• Scaling demands dedicated NABARD funds and market linkages for exports via APEDA.​

• The Supreme Court of India has ruled that providing written grounds for arrest is a mandatory safeguard that must be followed in all arrest cases.
• This significant judgment aims to strengthen the fundamental rights of individuals, particularly Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and Article 22(1) (Protection against arrest and detention) of the Constitution.

• Written and Understandable Grounds: The grounds of arrest must be provided in writing and in a language that the arrestee can understand.
• Time Limit for Written Grounds: While oral communication of grounds may be permissible in exceptional circumstances where immediate written communication is not possible, written grounds must be furnished within two hours before presenting the accused to a magistrate for remand proceedings.
• Universal Application: This ruling applies to all offenses, including those under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and expands the constitutional safeguards beyond specific laws like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) or Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
• Violation of Fundamental Rights: Failure to provide the arrestee with the grounds of arrest in writing is considered a violation of their fundamental rights.

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