CURRENT AFFAIRS
23 April, 2025
1. DECARBONISING INDIA’S LOGISTICS SECTOR –
• India’s logistics sector, vital for economic growth and Vision India@2047, is among the most carbon-intensive. With a net-zero target by 2070, greening logistics is key to sustainable and inclusive development.
What is the Current Emissions Profile of India’s Logistics Sector-
• India’s logistics sector contributes about 13.5% of the country’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Road transport dominates, managing nearly 90% of passenger and 70% of freight movement, and accounts for over 88% of sectoral emissions, trucks alone contribute around 38% of CO₂ emissions (IEA, 2023).
What are the Major Challenges in the Decarbonising Logistics Sector-
• Heavy Reliance on Road Transport: In India, roads dominate logistics due to inadequate rail and multimodal linkages. Roads carry 64.5% of freight and serve 90% of passenger traffic in India.
• This high dependence on diesel-fueled trucks makes rapid decarbonization technologically and economically challenging.
• Fragmented and Unorganized Sector: India’s logistics sector is largely unorganized, with over 85% of trucks owned by individuals or small operators, which hinders coordinated adoption of green technologies, emission tracking, and data sharing, making large-scale decarbonization efforts difficult.
• High Transition Costs & Limited Infrastructure: Transitioning to EVs or hydrogen vehicles requires significant upfront investment, with EVs costing 20-50% more than comparable Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.
• Small fleet operators face limited access to green finance, and low-carbon fuels are more expensive than diesel, especially in emerging economies.
• Limited Adoption of Public Transport: The underdeveloped public transport infrastructure and infrequent services in many areas limit the potential for using public transport for freight, leading to continued reliance on carbon-intensive private vehicles leading to emissions and inefficiency in logistics operations.
2. GOLD’S RISING SHARE IN INDIA’S FOREX RESERVE –
• As per the World Gold Council (WGC), India’s gold share in foreign exchange reserves has nearly doubled from 6.7% in 2019 to 12% by February 2025.
• India’s forex reserves rose to USD 677.84 billion in April 2025, led by an increase of USD 892 million in FCA and a USD 638 million rise in gold reserves, while SDRs fell by USD 6 million.
Foreign Exchange Reserves (Forex Reserves):
• About: Forex are reserve assets held by a central bank in foreign currencies. It may include foreign currencies, bonds, treasury bills and other government securities, typically denominated in US dollars.
• They are an important component of the Balance of Payment (BoP)
• The RBI is the custodian of India’s foreign exchange reserves, deriving its authority from the provisions of the RBI Act, 1934.
3. GOVERNMENT RE-APPOINTS T. RABI SANKAR AS RBI DEPUTY GOVERNOR –
• The Indian government has re-appointed T. Rabi Sankar as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a period of one year, effective from May 3, 2025.
• This marks his second term extension. As a Deputy Governor, Mr. Sankar holds key responsibilities including overseeing the foreign exchange, currency management, and government accounts departments at the RBI.
• Appointed initially in May 2021, Mr. Sankar has played a crucial role in the RBI’s financial operations and has contributed significantly to India’s economic stability. This re-appointment highlights the government’s confidence in his leadership and the continuity in the RBI’s policies and operations.
4. PAHALGAM TERROR ATTACK COWARD ATTACK BY TERRORISTS ON TOURISTS –
• On April 22, 2025, a deadly terrorist attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, shook the heart of Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector.
• The attack, which killed at least 28 and injured several others, targeted a popular tourist meadow during peak travel season. As the valley was beginning to experience a revival in economic and tourism activity post-COVID and post-conflict normalization efforts, this incident has reignited fears and insecurity, potentially derailing the region’s hard-earned gains.
Key Details of the Terror Attack
• Date & Location: April 22, 2025, in Baisaran, Pahalgam (Anantnag district), South Kashmir.
• Casualties: 28 people killed, several injured; two critically wounded.
• Target: Tourists at the meadow of Baisaran, accessible only by foot.
• Method: Two to three terrorists opened indiscriminate fire.
• Response: Police, Army, and paramilitary forces launched a search and evacuation operation.
• Nature of Site: Baisaran is a scenic off-road meadow, heavily frequented during peak tourist seasons.
Impact on Tourism Sector
• Massive Setback: Industry stakeholders call it a “huge blow” to J&K’s tourism, which had shown steady growth post-2018.
• Cancellations Rising: Travel agents are already reporting cancellations and panic among tourists and business partners.
• Sector-Wide Impact: Thousands of locals who rely on tourism — from hotel staff to shikara operators — will feel the economic shockwaves.
• Historical Significance: Pahalgam is not only a tourist hub but also one of the Amarnath Yatra routes.
5. US VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE RECEIVES GUARD OF HONOUR DURING FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO INDIA –
• In a significant diplomatic development, United States Vice President JD Vance began his first official visit to India on April 21, 2025, with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Palam Airport, New Delhi.
• Accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance and their children, he was warmly welcomed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
• The four-day visit aims to deepen strategic cooperation across key areas like trade, defence, and economic partnership.
• Scheduled high-level meetings, including one with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underline the growing momentum in India-US bilateral ties.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. Kinshasa city, which was seen in news due to flood, is the capital of which country ?
a) Nigeria
b) Sudan
c) Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
d) Cameroon
Q2. SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) is a technology demonstration mission developed by which organization ?
a) CNSA (China National Space Administration)
b) JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
c) ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
d) NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Q3. Which country is the host of Exercise Desert Flag-10 ?
a) Japan
b) United States
c) India
d) United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the NISAR mission:
1. It uses both L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radars to detect Earth surface changes.
2. The satellite is being launched on a GSLV rocket by ISRO.
3. It is capable of detecting ground movements as small as one metre.
4. It is a joint Earth observation initiative between ISRO and NASA.
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only two
b) Only three
c) All four
d) Only one
Explanation-
• Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. NISAR is equipped with dual-band radars: NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band, enabling it to measure minute surface changes, including those related to glaciers, forest cover, and tectonic activity. It will be launched by ISRO using a GSLV rocket. The collaboration showcases India-US partnership in space.
• However, Statement 3 is incorrect: NISAR can detect changes as small as one centimeter, not one meter. This high resolution is what makes it a powerful tool in disaster monitoring and climate studies.
Q5. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: India recorded a record-high total export value in FY 2024–25, driven largely by a surge in goods exports.
Statement II: Electronics and coffee exports were among the fastest-growing segments, contributing to this export performance.
Which of the following is correct ?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
c) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
d) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
Explanation-
• India’s total exports hit a record $820.93 billion, but goods exports were flat (only marginally rising to $437.42 billion). The main driver was services exports, which grew by 12.45%. So, Statement-I is incorrect.
• However, Statement-II is correct. Electronics exports surged 32%, largely due to iPhone assembly in India, and coffee exports jumped 40%, aided by global shortages from Brazil’s drought.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
C | C | D | B | C |