Current Affairs 19 April 2025

Content:

1. Two Kuno cheetahs to be moved to Gandhi Sagar on April 20
2. No GST on UPI transactions over ₹2,000, Centre clarifies
3. NCERT insists all new school textbooks were ‘named thoughtfully’
4. FY25 pharma exports cross $30 bn, surge 31% in March
5. 74 killed in U.S. attack on Yemen, say Houthis

Two Kuno cheetahs to be moved to Gandhi Sagar on April 20

Cheetah Translocation Update

• Event: Two cheetahs to be shifted from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary on April 20, 2025.
• Location:
  • Kuno National Park – Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary – Spread across Mandsaur and Neemuch districts, MP.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)

 Background Context

• Cheetahs were reintroduced in India in 2022 after local extinction in 1952.
• Kuno was selected as the primary site for the Project Cheetah, with cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa.

Implementation Details

• Identified Animals: Two cheetahs at Kuno selected for translocation.
• New Enclosure: Gandhi Sagar has prepared a 64 sq.km. enclosure.

 International Aspect

• Planned Import: 6–8 cheetahs from South Africa were to be brought.
• Delay: Talks with South African officials are taking longer; now expected by September 2025.

Challenges & Considerations

• Weather Factor: Initial plan was to move cheetahs before peak summer to reduce stress.
• Logistical Coordination: Cross-country negotiations causing delays in augmentation plans.

Significance

• Marks the second habitat for cheetahs under Project Cheetah.
• Aims to diversify habitat risk, boost eco-tourism, and test carrying capacity beyond Kuno.
• Could serve as a stepping stone for larger conservation and species revival strategies in India.

About Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

 Biological Features

• Fastest land animal: Can run up to 112 km/h (short bursts).
• Belongs to the Felidae family, genus Acinonyx.
• Adapted for speed with:
  • Lightweight body
  • Long limbs and tail
  • Enlarged nasal passages and lungs
• Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot roar.
• Distinctive black “tear marks” under eyes aid in hunting.

Cheetahs in India – Historical Context

• Subspecies: Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus).
• Once found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP, Chhattisgarh, and Deccan Plateau.
• Extinct in India by 1952 due to:
  • Overhunting by royals and British officials
  • Habitat loss
  • Decline in prey base

Reintroduction Efforts: Project Cheetah

• Launched: 2022 (First batch from Namibia).
• Objective: Reintroduce the species to Indian grasslands.
• First site: Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh
• Total cheetahs brought:
  • 8 from Namibia (Sept 2022)
  • 12 from South Africa (Feb 2023)
• Part of India’s “grassland ecosystem revival”.

Second Site: Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Located in Mandsaur & Neemuch, MP.
• Prepared a 64 sq.km. enclosure.
• First 2 male cheetahs to be translocated on April 20, 2025.
• Expected to host more cheetahs, including from South Africa later in 2025.

 Global Status

• African cheetah: Found in sub-Saharan Africa, relatively stable but vulnerable.
• Asiatic cheetah: Critically endangered, found only in Iran (fewer than 20 individuals left).

No GST on UPI transactions over ₹2,000, Centre clarifies

Background Context

• Recent media reports speculated that the government may impose GST on UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000.
• These reports sparked concerns about digital payment costs and impact on cashless economy.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Indian Economy)

Official Clarification by the Finance Ministry

• The Ministry called such reports “false, misleading, and without basis.”
• No proposal is under government consideration to levy GST on UPI transactions, regardless of the amount.
• Aimed at quelling misinformation and reassuring digital payment stakeholders.

GST Applicability on Digital Payments (Current Framework)

• GST is not levied on UPI transactions themselves.
• GST is only applicable on services, such as:
  • Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) – a small fee charged by banks/payment providers on digital transactions.
• MDR on P2M UPI and RuPay debit card transactions was abolished from January 1, 2020 under government mandate.
  • CBDT issued notification to promote low-cost digital payments.
  • Thus, P2M UPI payments are MDR-free and GST-exempt.

What is MDR?

• Merchant Discount Rate is a fee paid by merchants to banks or payment processors for accepting digital payments.
• It may attract GST as it is a service.
• Abolished on UPI & RuPay P2M to boost digital inclusion and ease cost burden on small businesses.

Potential Impact of GST on UPI (if ever imposed)

• Could disincentivize digital payments, especially high-value ones.
• Contradicts India’s push for a cashless, transparent economy.
• Might burden small merchants and disrupt UPI ecosystem growth.

UPI in India – Significance

• India’s UPI system is a global benchmark in real-time digital payments.
• Facilitates over 18.3 billion transactions in March 2025 alone.
• Key to government’s Digital India and financial inclusion agenda.
• Backed by zero-MDR policy to promote adoption among small vendors.

Why This Clarification Matters

• Prevents misinformation-driven panic among businesses and users.
• Signals policy continuity in digital payment support.
• Reinforces trust in UPI as a free and convenient payment option.

NCERT insists all new school textbooks were ‘named thoughtfully’

Context: The Controversy

• A row erupted over the use of Hindi titles for English-language NCERT textbooks.
• Critics, including politicians from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, alleged linguistic imposition and cultural homogenization.
• The NCERT responded, stating the names were chosen with cultural and educational intent, not language preference.

Relevance : GS 2 (Governance, Social Justice)

NCERT’s Clarification – Key Points

• Textbook titles are selected for their cultural, linguistic, and pedagogical significance, not to promote a specific language.
• The names aim to promote a joyful, rooted, and culturally contextualised learning experience.
• They reflect the diversity and unity of India, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision.

Examples of Book Titles and Cultural Anchoring

• Mridang (Class 1 & 2 English): Refers to Mridangam, a Carnatic percussion instrument – represents South Indian musical heritage.
• Santoor (Class 3 English): A stringed instrument with Persian origin, used widely in Indian classical music – symbol of cross-cultural synthesis.
• Maths Mela (Class 3 Maths): A blend of English (“Maths”) and Hindi (“Mela”), emphasizing inclusivity.
• Veena (Class 3 Hindi): A traditional string instrument, symbolizing classical Indian arts.
• Sitar (Urdu textbook): Known across Indian and Pakistani classical music traditions.
• Poorvi (Class 6 & 7 English): A classical raga traditionally sung in the evening – signifies emotional and cultural depth.
• Ganita Prakash (Class 6 Maths): Means “Illumination of Mathematics”; draws from India’s ancient mathematical heritage.
• Kriti-I (Class 6 Arts): Sanskrit for creation or composition, common across Indian languages.

NCERT’s Pedagogical Rationale

• Naming fosters pride in Indian knowledge systems and linguistic diversity.
• Encourages curiosity about India’s scientific and cultural legacy.
• Aligned with NEP 2020 goals of introducing Indian context and multilingual flexibility in curriculum design.

NCERT’s Response to Criticism

• Titles were derived from multiple Indian languages, not just Hindi.
• Aimed at promoting inclusive cultural exposure, not enforcing uniformity.
• Emphasized the use of English titles too (e.g., Honeydew for Class 8, Beehive for Class 9, First Flight for Class 10), ensuring linguistic balance.

Curriculum Background

• New books are part of textbook reform under National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, based on NEP 2020.
• Newly released textbooks: Classes 1, 2, 3, and 6.
• Focus on activity-based learning, value education, and integration of India’s cultural richness.

FY25 pharma exports cross $30 bn, surge 31% in March

Overall Performance in FY25

• India’s pharmaceutical exports touched a record $30.47 billion in FY25.
• This marked a 9.39% increase YoY from $27.85 billion in FY24.
• The FY25 export target was $29.38 billion, which was successfully surpassed.

Relevance : GS 3(External Sector)

Surge in March 2025

• March 2025 saw a remarkable 31.21% YoY surge, reaching $3.68 billion (vs $2.80 billion in March 2024).
• March’s performance was the strongest month of the year.
• Other significant growth months:
  • January: +21.47% YoY ($2.59 bn)
  • May: +10.63% YoY ($2.30 bn)
• February was the only month with a contraction: -1.52% YoY ($2.47 bn).

Factors Behind the Surge

• US Market Opportunity:
  • Shortage of generic prescription drugs in the US boosted Indian exports.
  • Anticipation of a 26% US tariff (announced and later paused) pushed exporters to ship more rapidly.
  • Pharma was excluded from the proposed US tariffs, offering relief.

• Strategic Diversification:
  • India continued efforts to tap new and emerging markets.
• Export growth achieved despite global headwinds:
  • Geopolitical tensions (e.g., Ukraine, Middle East)
  • Global economic slowdown
  • Rising shipping and logistics costs

Category-wise Export Composition (April–Feb)

• Drug formulations and biologicals:
  • Contributed $20.12 bn, over 75% of total pharma exports.
  • Grew nearly 9% YoY.

• Bulk drugs and drug intermediates:
  • $4.32 bn (+1.40% YoY)

• Vaccines:
  • $1.04 bn (decline of -4.20% YoY)

• Surgical products:
  • $683 million (+5.16%)

• Ayush & herbal products:
  • $621 million (+6.17%)

Country-wise Export Insights

• Top market: United States:
  • Share: ~30% of total pharma exports
  • FY25 exports: $8.95 billion (+14.29% YoY)
• Other top destinations: UK, Brazil, France, South Africa — together accounted for <10.5%
  • South Africa saw a 1.78% contraction
• Markets with major declines:
  • UAE (-17.70%)
  • Turkey (-16%)
  • Sri Lanka (-14.60%)
  • Netherlands (-13.79%)
  • China (-10.60%)
  • Belgium (-7.37%)
  • Mexico (-3.80%)
  • Thailand (-0.14%)

Regional Export Performance

• Top 4 regions (76% of exports):
  • NAFTA (US, Canada, Mexico): 36.60%, up 14.06% YoY to $9.80 bn
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • LAC (Latin America and Caribbean)

• Regions with declining exports:
  • Africa: -1.74%
  • North East Asia: -4.30%

Significance and Implications

• First time pharma exports crossed $30 bn: Milestone in India’s foreign trade and pharma diplomacy.
• Reflects resilience and global trust in Indian pharma amidst global uncertainties.
• Aligns with India’s vision to become a global pharma hub

74 killed in U.S. attack on Yemen, say Houthis

Context :

• The U.S. military struck the Ras Issa fuel port—a critical Houthi logistics and revenue hub on the Red Sea.
• The aim: Disrupt fuel supply chains that finance or facilitate Houthi operations (likely including Red Sea attacks on shipping).

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

• Deadliest in 15-Month Campaign:
  • With at least 74 deaths, this is the most lethal U.S. strike since operations began targeting the Houthis in early 2023.
  • Represents a major escalation in U.S. kinetic activity against non-state actors in the Middle East post-Afghanistan withdrawal.

• Houthi Role in Red Sea Crisis:
  • Houthis have conducted drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, citing support for Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict.
  • This has threatened global maritime trade via the Suez Canal, prompting international naval interventions.

Humanitarian and Civilian Impact

• Civilian Casualties:
  • At least 74 confirmed deaths, with rescue efforts ongoing—suggests a high collateral toll.
  • Could invite international criticism over proportionality and civilian targeting (Geneva Conventions/International Humanitarian Law implications).

• Economic Fallout:
  • Ras Issa is vital to Yemen’s fuel distribution—damage may deepen the humanitarian crisis in an already war-torn country.
  • Fuel shortages could affect hospitals, aid delivery, and food transport in Houthi-controlled regions.

Diplomatic Implications

• U.S.-Iran Proxy Dynamics:
  • The Houthis are backed by Iran, placing this within the broader U.S.-Iran proxy conflict framework.
  • May strain nuclear negotiations or lead to retaliatory moves in Iraq, Syria, or Lebanon by other Iranian allies.

• Regional Tensions:
  • The strike may impact regionalstability, especially with:
    • Gaza war still ongoing
    • Hezbollah-Israel tensions
    • Saudi Arabia’s recent diplomatic outreach to Houthis (via Oman/Iran mediation)

• UN & Global Reactions:
  • Expected to draw scrutiny from the United Nations, especially the Security Council and OCHA, given Yemen’s fragile peace prospects.
  • May undermine peace talks and reignite active warfare in parts of Yemen