Current Affairs 25 March 2025

Content:

1. Centre issues guidelines to tackle high rate of job card deletions under MGNREGS
2. The need for a localised urban agenda
3. What are DNA polymorphisms and how do they differentiate between people?
4. Sequencing of 10,000 TB genome samples completed
5. India Navy announces maiden India-African exercise, IOS Sagar
6. Govt. moots abolishing digital tax on online advertisements from April 1

Centre issues guidelines to tackle high rate of job card deletions under MGNREGS

Context and Background

• The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) provides guaranteed employment to rural households.
• Over the past four years, 10.43 crore job cards have been deleted, raising concerns about procedural transparency.
• The deletions have coincided with the government’s Aadhaar-based payment system, though authorities deny a direct correlation.
• New 10-page guidelines have been issued by the Ministry of Rural Development to streamline and regulate deletions.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance , Schemes)

Key Provisions in the Guidelines

• Verification Process: Deletions must be approved in a Gram Sabha, social audit Gram Sabha, or a specially convened Gram Sabha.

• Reasons for Deletion:
  • Permanent migration of households to urban areas or another panchayat.
  • Gram panchayat declared an urban settlement.
  • Duplicate or fraudulent job card registrations.
  • Death of the worker.

• Transparency Measures:
  • Deleted job cards must be publicly displayed for at least 30 days.
  • Two Gram Sabhas per year will discuss draft lists of deletions and objections.
  • Workers should be informed of their right to appeal with a defined procedure.
  • Pending dues must be cleared before deletion.

Impact and Implications

• Improved Accountability: Strengthens the role of Gram Sabhas and social audits in ensuring fair deletions.
• Better Transparency: Public display of deleted job cards reduces arbitrary removals.
• Rights Protection: Clear appeal mechanism prevents wrongful deletions and safeguards workers.
• Potential Challenges:
  • Administrative burden on local authorities to verify and document each deletion.
  • Risk of political misuse or favoritism at the panchayat level.

Causes and Factors

• Aadhaar-Based Payment Issues:
  • Technical glitches in linking Aadhaar with job cards may have caused wrongful deletions.
  • Exclusion of genuine beneficiaries due to authentication failures.
• Urbanization: Rising migration trends and conversion of rural panchayats into urban areas.
• Fraud Prevention: Past irregularities in job card issuance, including ghost workers and duplicate registrations.

Way Forward

• Monitoring & Evaluation: Strengthening social audit mechanisms and third-party verification.
• Technological Improvements: Ensuring a seamless Aadhaar integration to prevent wrongful exclusions.
• Capacity Building: Training Gram Panchayat officials on fair and transparent implementation.
• Grievance Redressal: Establishing timely resolution for wrongful deletions and payment delays.

The need for a localised urban agenda

Context :

• India is undergoing rapid urbanisation, set to have the largest urban population globally.
• However, urban planning remains largely centralised, with limited local autonomy.
• A one-size-fits-all approach does not align with India’s diverse urban landscape.
• Decentralisation is crucial to ensure cities receive need-based solutions rather than top-down directives.

Relevance : GS 2(Local Governance)

India’s Urbanisation Journey and the Role of the Centre

• Post-1990s Shift: Liberalisation led to increased urban migration and infrastructure development.

• Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS):
  • Past Initiatives: JNNURM, Indira Awas Yojana, Rajiv Awas Yojana.
  • Current Initiatives: PMAY, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart Cities Mission.
  • These schemes shaped urbanisation but often imposed a rigid, uniform model.

• Centrally Planned Mobility Infrastructure:
  • Metro projects receive nearly 30% of the Union budget, leaving less flexibility for local solutions.
  • City mobility plans are heavily influenced by national priorities rather than local needs.

Financial Centralisation: Challenges and Implications

• Cities as Economic Hubs:
  • The Centre sees cities as growth engines, justifying its financial control.
  • Infrastructure investment is considered key to achieving the $5 trillion economy target.

• Conditional Funding & Limited Autonomy:
  • 15th Finance Commission imposed conditions on cities, such as linking property tax hikes to state GDP.
  • Grants are conditional rather than flexible, forcing cities to follow central guidelines rather than local priorities.

• Mirroring the Centre at the State Level:
  • State budgets copy central schemes rather than innovating based on regional needs.
  • Results in inefficient allocation, leading to either underutilisation or misutilisation of funds.

Case for Decentralisation: Need for a Tailored Approach

• Regional Variations in Urbanisation:
  • Kerala: Rural-urban continuum; Chief Minister called the state a “single city.”
  • Gujarat: Industry-driven urbanisation with economic segregation.
  • Southern vs. Northern States: Labour migration shifting demographic patterns.

• Sectoral Diversity in Urban Needs:
  • Some cities may have adequate housing but lack sanitation infrastructure.
  • Others may need decentralised sanitation over centrally determined models.
  • PMAY and SBM fail to address city-specific variations in requirements.

• Failures of a One-Size-Fits-All Approach:
  • Smart Cities Mission faced fund underutilisation or unplanned spending.
  • Pressure to submit Utilisation Certificates (UCs) led to rushed, low-impact projects.
  • Many projects had no demand from citizens, leading to wasted resources.

Alternative Approach: A Localised Fiscal Model

• Suggested Budgetary Reform:
  • 70% of Union Budget should be transferred directly to States and urban local bodies.
  • 30% of funds should be centrally managed for national priorities like climate resilience.

• Direct Transfers with Local Priority Setting:
  • Funds should be allocated based on local demands in:
    • Mobility
    • Sanitation
    • Housing
    • Water supply
    • Waste management
  • Local governments should set their own agendas with support from States.

• Knowledge-Based Urban Planning:
  • Local decision-making should be supported by State Finance Commissions and urban research agencies.
  • National government’s role should be limited to guidance and support, not micro-management.

Broader Implications of Decentralisation

• Strengthening Local Governance:
  • City governments can act as the direct link between people and the state.
  • Enhances tax compliance, conflict resolution, and service delivery at the city level.

• Preventing Infrastructure Collapse:
  • Unplanned urban expansion without localised planning leads to:
    • Congestion
    • Strained public utilities
    • Poor quality of life

• Aligning with India’s Democratic Ethos:
  • India’s pluralism requires context-sensitive policies.
  • Decentralisation ensures governance reflects local aspirations.

Conclusion: Moving Towards a Localised Urban Future

• Centrally driven urban policies must shift towards devolution and flexibility.
• Local urban bodies need greater financial and administrative autonomy.
• A fiscal realignment with 70% direct transfers to State and local bodies is necessary.
• The success of urbanisation depends on empowering cities to shape their own development rather than following rigid central directives.

What are DNA polymorphisms and how do they differentiate between people?

Context : Understanding DNA Polymorphisms

• Definition: DNA polymorphisms refer to variations in DNA sequences that occur among individuals within a population.
• Types of Polymorphisms:
  • Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) – Variations at a single base-pair level.
  • Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) – Repeated sequences of base pairs that vary in number among individuals.
  • Insertion/Deletion Polymorphisms (Indels) – Presence or absence of specific DNA sequences.
  • Copy Number Variations (CNVs) – Differences in the number of copies of a particular gene.

Relevance : GS 3(Science )

Role in Human Identification and Differentiation

• Unique DNA Fingerprints: STR variations create unique DNA profiles for individuals.
• Parentage Testing: DNA polymorphisms help in determining biological relationships by comparing STR patterns between parents and children.
• Forensic Applications: Used to identify suspects or victims from biological samples like blood, saliva, and hair.
• Ancestry Tracing: Helps in tracking lineage by distinguishing whether genetic material came from paternal or maternal lineage.

Molecular Mechanisms of DNA Polymorphisms

• Mutation and Variation: Polymorphisms arise due to random mutations during DNA replication.
• STR Variability: Different individuals have varying numbers of STR repeats at specific loci.
• Capillary Electrophoresis: Used to measure STR sizes and generate DNA fingerprints.

DNA Polymorphisms in Modern Biotechnology

• Medical Diagnostics: Used to detect genetic disorders and predisposition to diseases.
• Personalized Medicine: Helps tailor treatments based on individual genetic profiles.
• Organ Transplant Matching: Ensures compatibility between donors and recipients.

Forward and Backward Linkages

Future Implications

• Advancements in DNA Sequencing: Improved accuracy in forensic science and ancestry tracking.
• Gene Editing Technologies: CRISPR-based modifications rely on understanding DNA polymorphisms.
• AI Integration in Genetic Studies: Machine learning models to analyze genetic patterns efficiently.

Historical Context & Past Developments

• Discovery of DNA Structure (1953): Watson and Crick’s double-helix model laid the foundation for genetic research.
• Development of DNA Fingerprinting (1984): Alec Jeffreys introduced DNA profiling for forensic and legal use.
• Human Genome Project (2003): Provided a reference genome for studying polymorphisms.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

• Privacy Concerns: Potential misuse of genetic data in surveillance and insurance policies.
• Wrongful Convictions: Errors in DNA profiling may lead to miscarriages of justice.
• Genetic Discrimination: Employers and insurers might use genetic information unfairly.

Conclusion

DNA polymorphisms form the genetic basis of individual uniqueness, influencing fields ranging from forensic science to medical research. With evolving technologies, ethical regulations must ensure responsible use of genetic information.

Sequencing of 10,000 TB genome samples completed

Context and Background

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge, with India accounting for 28% of global new TB cases.
• The Dare2eraD TB initiative was launched in 2022 under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to sequence 32,500 TB genome samples.
• 10,000 samples (one-third of the target) have been sequenced so far, with full sequencing expected by October 2025.
• This initiative aligns with India’s target to eliminate TB by 2025, set at the 2018 End TB Summit, ahead of WHO’s 2030 target.
• Genome sequencing aims to:
  • Identify drug–resistant TB strains.
  • Capture unique genetic features of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in India.
  • Improve diagnostics and treatment strategies using AI-powered analysis.

Relevance : GS 2(Health) ,GS 3(Science )

 Key Findings from Sequenced Samples

• 7% of sequenced TB cases show resistance to a single drug, highlighting the growing challenge of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB).
• Age Profile: Majority of TB cases are in the 18-45 years age group, indicating a high burden among the working population.
• Comorbidities: Many TB patients were also diabetic and underweight, reinforcing the link between nutrition, metabolic disorders, and TB susceptibility.
• Prevalence: India had 1,990 cases per million in 2022, down from 2,370 per million in 2015, but still far from the 1 per million ‘elimination’ benchmark set by WHO.
• Latent TB Reservoir: The number of undiagnosed, asymptomatic TB carriers could be as high as 3,000 per million, contributing to continued transmission.

Impact and Implications

• Better TB Diagnostics & AI Integration
  • Genome sequencing data, combined with AI models, can help reduce TB diagnosis time from three weeks to one week.
  • Faster identification of drug-resistant strains will improve treatment protocols.

• Personalized Medicine & Targeted Therapy
  • Understanding genetic variations in TB bacteria will aid in the development of region-specific drug treatments.
  • Potential to develop genome-based rapid diagnostic kits.

• Public Health Policy & TB Eradication Strategy
  • Data-driven approaches will help in better allocation of resources to high-TB-burden areas.
  • Policy interventions needed to address nutrition and diabetes as risk factors for TB.

• Challenges in TB Eradication
  • Eliminating TB by 2025 is highly ambitious, given current prevalence rates.
  • The presence of latent TB cases means transmission will continue unless preventive treatment strategies are expanded.
  • Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) poses a major challenge due to limited treatment options and higher costs.

Causes and Factors

• Delayed Diagnostics & Inconsistent Testing
  • Traditional TB detection methods (sputum tests, X-rays) take weeks and may not detect drug-resistant strains early.
  • Limited availability of advanced molecular diagnostic tools in rural India.

• Drug-Resistant TB Evolution
  • Inadequate TB treatment adherence leads to MDR-TB, where bacteria develop resistance to key antibiotics like Rifampicin and Isoniazid.
  • Self-medication, improper prescriptions, and interrupted treatments contribute to resistance.

• Nutritional & Metabolic Linkages
  • High TB burden among diabetics and underweight individuals suggests a nutritional and metabolic component in susceptibility.
  • Poor access to balanced diets and healthcare in rural areas exacerbates TB risks.

• Urbanization & Migration Patterns
  • Overcrowding in urban slums and migrant worker clusters increases TB transmission rates.
  • Inconsistent access to healthcare among migrant populations reduces early TB detection and treatment compliance.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Genome-Based TB Surveillance
  • Expand TB genome sequencing efforts beyond 32,500 samples for wider genetic mapping.
  • Integrate genome data into national TB control programs for better tracking of resistant strains.

• Enhance AI-Powered Diagnostic Tools
  • Machine learning models should be developed to analyze genome data and predict drug resistance trends.
  • Promote the use of faster and portable genome-based diagnostic kits at primary health centers.

• Scale Up Preventive & Early Treatment Measures
  • Mass screening programs targeting high-risk groups (diabetics, undernourished, urban slums).
  • Expand access to preventive therapy for latent TB cases.

India Navy announces maiden India-African exercise, IOS Sagar

Context and Background

• Geopolitical Significance: India’s growing strategic engagement with Africa amid China’s rising influence in the region.
• Maritime Security Concerns: Renewed threats of piracy, Houthi rebel attacks on shipping lanes, and vulnerabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Strengthening Partnerships: India’s focus on consolidating ties with African littoral states for enhanced maritime security.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

 Key Initiatives & Their Objectives

A. AIKEYME (Africa India Key Maritime Engagement) Exercise

• Aims to enhance:
  • Joint naval training with 10 African nations.
  • Maritime security cooperation and coordinated operations.
  • Strengthening India’s role as a maritime security provider in IOR.
• Co-hosted by: Indian Navy & Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF).
• Location: Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

B. IOS Sagar (Indian Ocean Ship Initiative)

• INS Sunayna Deployment (April 5 – May 8, 2025):
  • Participating Nations: 9 African countries (Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, South Africa).
  • Activities:
    • Joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
    • Port Calls: Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Male.
    • Training capsule for foreign naval personnel at Kochi.

C. MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions)

• Announced by PM Modi in Mauritius, reinforcing India’s commitment to maritime security cooperation in the IOR.

Impact and Implications

• Enhanced Maritime Security: Strengthening regional cooperation against piracy, smuggling, and maritime terrorism.
• Strategic Counter to China: India bolsters its naval influence in Africa, challenging China’s String of Pearls strategy.
• Capacity Building for African Nations: Training and joint operations enhance local maritime security capabilities.
• Boosting India’s Soft Power: Strengthens diplomatic and defense ties, reinforcing India as the “Preferred Security Partner” in the IOR.
• Economic & Trade Benefits: Securing key shipping routes ensures unhindered global trade through the Indian Ocean.

Causes and Factors

• China’s Expanding Naval Footprint:
  • China’s base in Djibouti and increasing military presence in Africa’s eastern coast.
  • Infrastructure projects under Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) influencing local politics.

• Piracy & Maritime Crimes:
  • Somali piracy resurgence poses threats to merchant vessels and oil tankers.
  • Drug trafficking & illegal fishing impacting regional economies.

• Houthi Rebel Threats:
  • Attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea raise global concerns.

• India’s Prior Engagements:
  • Longstanding naval exercises & defense collaborations with IOR nations.
  • Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts post-natural disasters

Govt. moots abolishing digital tax on online advertisements from April 1

Context and Background

• The equalisation levy (EL) was introduced to tax foreign tech giants benefiting from India’s digital economy without a physical presence.
• The 6% EL was applied to payments made to non-resident entities for online advertisement services.
• A 2% EL was imposed on non-resident e-commerce operators in 2020, but it was removed in 2024.
• The government now proposes abolishing the 6% EL from April 1, 2025, as part of the Finance Bill, 2025.
• The move is seen as a preemptive measure to avoid retaliatory U.S. tariffs, expected to be imposed on April 2.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Tax Structure)

Implications and Impact

• Improved US-India Trade Relations:
  • Averts potential retaliatory tariffs by the U.S. on Indian exports.
  • Enhances bilateral trade negotiations and aligns India’s tax policies with global norms.

• Boost to Foreign Investment in Digital Economy:
  • Makes India a more attractive market for foreign digital companies.
  • Could encourage greater investments in India’s digital infrastructure.

• Revenue Implications:
  • Potential loss of tax revenue for the government.
  • May necessitate alternative taxation mechanisms, possibly under a global tax framework.

• Shift Towards OECD-led Global Tax Reforms:
  • Aligns India with the OECD’s Pillar One and Pillar Two framework for global digital taxation.
  • Increases India’s credibility in global tax negotiations.

Factors Leading to the Move

• US Opposition and Retaliatory Tariff Threats:
  • The 2% digital tax previously imposed led to USTR investigations and strong pushback.
  • U.S. threatened trade barriers if digital taxes were not removed.

• Global Tax Reforms Under OECD Framework:
  • India had agreed to gradually phase out unilateral digital taxes under the OECD’s global tax deal.
  • Removal of EL aligns with the global minimum tax and fair taxation of multinational corporations.

• Concerns Over Double Taxation:
  • EL created compliance burdens and risked double taxation on non-resident firms.
  • Countries like the U.S. argued that Indian businesses were already benefiting from user-based taxation models.

• Evolution of India’s Digital Tax Policy:
  • Initially introduced to tax digital services provided by foreign firms in the absence of a physical presence.
  • With global tax cooperation improving, India is moving toward a multilateral framework.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Global Tax Coordination:
  • Continue participating in the OECD Inclusive Framework to secure fair taxation rights.

• Alternative Tax Measures:
  • Explore corporate tax adjustments or profit-based taxation rather than transaction-based levies.

• Ensuring a Level Playing Field for Domestic Firms:
  • Consider new policies to protect Indian digital startups from aggressive foreign competition.

• Monitoring the Impact on Government Revenues:
  • Assess revenue implications and evaluate alternative tax structures if needed.