Daily Current Affairs 2025  

01/01/2026

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CA-01/01/2026

• Abundance: Thorium is about three times more plentiful in Earth’s crust than uranium.
• Energy Security: Countries like India, with limited uranium but vast thorium reserves, see it as a path to long-term nuclear independence.
• Safety: Thorium reactors have inherent safety features, such as lower operating pressures and reduced risk of meltdown.
• Waste Reduction: Thorium fuel cycles produce less plutonium and long-lived transuranic elements compared to uranium.
• Non-Proliferation: Uranium-233 bred from thorium is harder to weaponize than plutonium or uranium-235.

• Thorium itself is fertile, not fissile.
• It must be converted into uranium-233 inside a reactor using a neutron source (often uranium-235 or plutonium).
• Once uranium-233 is formed, it can sustain nuclear fission and generate power.

Feature	Thorium Fuel Cycle	Uranium Fuel Cycle
Resource abundance	3× more abundant	Scarcer reserves
Waste profile	Less long-lived waste	More transuranics & plutonium
Weaponization risk	Low (U-233 harder to use)	Higher (U-235, Pu-239 usable)
Technology maturity	Experimental, pilot stage	Commercially established
Fuel preparation	Needs conversion to U-233	Directly fissile (U-235)

• India has one of the world’s largest thorium reserves (mainly in monazite sands).
• Its Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme envisions thorium use in the final stage, after building up fissile material through uranium and fast breeder reactors.
• Recently, NTPC partnered with US-based Clean Core Thorium Energy to explore thorium fuel for India’s Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
• India aims to reach 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, with thorium playing a major role in later decades.

• Technology readiness: Thorium reactors are still experimental; commercial deployment is decades away.
• Fuel fabrication: Handling uranium-233 is tricky due to contamination with uranium-232, which emits strong gamma radiation.
• Economic viability: Uranium fuel cycles are cheaper and well-established, making thorium less competitive in the short term.
• Policy & regulation: Requires new safety frameworks and international cooperation.

• Resilience of Banks: Scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) recorded double-digit growth in deposits and credit, though slower than FY24.
• Balance Sheet Expansion: The sector’s balance sheets expanded strongly, reflecting confidence in the system.
• Capital Adequacy: SCBs maintained a healthy Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of 17.4% (March 2025) and 17.2% (September 2025).
• Asset Quality: Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) fell to a multi-decadal low, signaling improved credit discipline.
• Profitability: Banks reported robust profitability, aided by lower provisioning needs and stable net interest margins.

• Financial Inclusion Push: RBI emphasized safer, more inclusive finance, with digital adoption and consumer protection as priorities.
• NBFCs & Co-operatives: The report also covered non-banking financial institutions and co-operative banks, noting their steady integration into the broader financial ecosystem.
• Technology Adoption: Payments and digital banking continue to expand, strengthening systemic soundness.

• Moderation in Growth: While deposits and credit grew, the pace slowed compared to FY24, hinting at cautious lending and deposit mobilization.
• Global Uncertainty: External shocks (oil prices, geopolitical tensions) could test resilience.
• Regulatory Vigilance: RBI highlighted supervision priorities to ensure stability amid evolving risks.

• For Policymakers: The report underscores the need to balance growth with prudential regulation.
• For Investors: Strong capital buffers and low NPAs make Indian banks attractive, though moderation in growth signals cautious optimism.

• Drug involved: Nimesulide, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain relief and fever reduction.
• Scope of ban: All oral formulations above 100 mg in immediate-release dosage form.
• Legal basis: Implemented under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
• Reason: Higher doses are considered likely to pose risks to human health, especially liver toxicity.
• Alternatives: The government emphasized that safer substitutes are available.
• Previous restrictions: Already banned for use in children under 12 and for veterinary purposes.

• Liver toxicity: Nimesulide has long been associated with liver damage in some patients.
• Risk-benefit balance: Authorities concluded that the risks outweigh the benefits at doses above 100 mg.
• ICMR recommendation: The ban followed advice from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India’s apex health research body.

• Community & Tribe: Celebrated by the Kota tribe of the Nilgiris, known for their distinct cultural traditions.
• Pottery Ritual: The festival begins with the collection of mud to make earthen pots. This pot-making ceremony is the central ritual and happens once in two years.
• Dance & Attire: Men and women perform dances separately, both during the day and at night, wearing their traditional costumes.
• Duration: The festival is celebrated for about a week, making it a major cultural event for the community.

• Symbol of Renewal: The act of making new pots and cooking food in them symbolizes purity, renewal, and community bonding.

• The Kotas (also called Kothar or Kov) are one of the indigenous Dravidian-speaking peoples of the Nilgiri Mountains in Tamil Nadu.
• Their population has historically been small, around 1,500–2,000 individuals, spread across seven villages.
• They are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in India, reflecting their status as original inhabitants (ādivāsi).

• The Kota language, known as kōv mānt, is closely related to the language of the neighboring Toda tribe.
• Most Kotas also speak Tamil, another Dravidian language.
• In their own ethnonym, they call themselves Kov, while “Kota” is the English designation.

• The Kotas traditionally practiced their own Kota religion, though many also follow Hinduism today.
• Their rituals and festivals are deeply tied to their artisan and musical traditions.

• Historically, the Kotas were artisans and musicians, serving as essential providers of tools, pottery, and wooden implements for neighboring tribes like the Toda and Badaga.
• Each Kota family was traditionally linked to Toda and Badaga families, creating a mutual exchange system of goods and services.
• Music and dance play a central role in their cultural identity, often performed during rituals and community gatherings.

• Maiden Flight: Successfully completed on 30 December 2025 at HAL’s Helicopter Division in Bengaluru.
• Engines: Powered by twin Shakti 1H1C engines, certified by DGCA, offering higher power ratings and reliability.
• Performance:
  • Top speed: 285 km/h
  • Hot-and-high capability: Designed for India’s diverse terrains and challenging conditions
• Design Focus: Safety, passenger comfort, ride quality, and operational versatility.
• Roles: Offshore operations, law enforcement, disaster relief, and general civil aviation.
• Certification: HAL received DGCA approval for indigenous manufacturing during the launch event.

• Civil Aviation Push: Marks HAL’s formal entry into the civil helicopter market, reducing reliance on imports.
• Indigenous Capability: Strengthens India’s aerospace ecosystem with a “Made-in-India” rotary-wing platform.
• Global Potential: Positioned for both domestic and international civil aviation markets.

• Definition: A legal mechanism where the execution of a sentence (e.g., imprisonment) is paused while an appeal is pending.
• Legal Basis: Governed by Section 389 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973.
• Purpose: To protect the right to appeal and prevent irreversible consequences if the conviction is later overturned.

• Temporary Relief: Unlike remission or commutation, suspension does not reduce or alter the sentence—it only halts its execution.
• Linked to Bail: Courts often grant bail alongside suspension, allowing the convict to remain free during appeal.
• Judicial Discretion: Courts must balance individual liberty with public interest and victim rights.

• Nature of the offence: Heinous crimes (rape, murder, terrorism) are less likely to get suspension.
• Length of sentence: Longer sentences (life imprisonment) demand stricter scrutiny.
• Stage of appeal: Whether the appeal is likely to be heard soon or delayed.
• Conduct of convict: Past criminal record, likelihood of absconding, or tampering with evidence.
• Impact on victim/society: Courts weigh public confidence in justice and victim safety.

Aspect	Suspension of Sentence	Remission/Commutation
Authority	Appellate courts (CrPC §389)	Executive (Governor/President)
Effect	Temporary halt of punishment	Reduction/alteration of sentence
Linked to Bail	Often accompanies bail	Not linked to bail
Duration	Until appeal is decided	Permanent change
Focus	Protects appeal rights	Executive mercy powers

• Misuse in Heinous Crimes: May dilute deterrence and erode victim trust.
• Delay in Appeals: Long pendency can mean convicts remain free for years.
• Public Confidence: Perceived leniency in grave offences can spark outrage.
• Judicial Balance: Courts must avoid mechanical suspension and apply rigorous scrutiny.

• Scientific name: Aquila heliaca
• Conservation status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
• Size: Length 68–90 cm; wingspan 1.8–2 m
• Weight: 2.5–4.5 kg
• Lifespan: 21–45 years
• Appearance: Adults are dark brown with pale golden head and nape; immatures are sandy brown with streaks and a pale rump
• Habitat: Forest edges, steppes, agricultural lands; often seen perched on pylons
• Diet: Carnivorous—feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and carrion
• Behavior: Diurnal, migratory; breeds in Eurasia and winters in warmer regions

• Breeding grounds: Southeastern Europe, West & Central Asia
• Wintering areas: Northeastern Africa, Middle East, South & East Asia
• Recent sighting: Rare individuals were spotted in India’s Mudumalai Tiger Reserve during winter migration

• Threats: Habitat loss, electrocution from power lines, hunting, and reduced prey availability
• Population estimate: 3,500–15,000 individuals globally
• Protection: Listed under CITES Appendix I and protected in many countries

• Built by: Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor (late 3rd century BCE).
• Length: Nearly 900 km, connecting the capital Xianyang to frontier regions.
• Purpose: Primarily military—enabled rapid troop movement and imperial control.
• Construction techniques:
  • Rammed earth for durability.
  • Filled valleys to maintain a level route.
  • Reinforced slopes to withstand erosion.
• Width: Some sections were wider than modern highways, with multiple lanes.
• Discovery: Archaeologists recently uncovered a 13 km stretch in Yulin, Shaanxi Province, offering fresh insights into ancient logistics and governance.

• Empire-building tool: Just like the Great Wall, the Qin Straight Road was part of Qin Shi Huang’s grand vision to unify China.
• Economic impact: Facilitated trade and communication across vast distances.
• Cultural heritage: Today, it stands as a testament to ancient engineering and statecraft, comparable to Roman roads in Europe.

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