UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 April 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 April 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents 

GS Paper 1 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 April (2025)

1. Indian Heritage Sites

GS Paper 2:

2. Primary Health Care in India

 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. IT adoption in Aquaculture

2. Crowdfunded Bridge on Magai River

 Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. DPS Wetland

2. James Webb Space Telescope

3. Taurus Missiles

4. Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)

5. Gita and Natyashastra added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register

 Mapping:

1. Majuli Island and Sivasagar

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 April 2025

GS Paper 1 :

Indian Heritage Sites

Syllabus: Indian Culture

Source:  PIB

Context: World Heritage Day 2025, themed “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 years of ICOMOS Actions,” is being celebrated globally, reaffirming the need to protect cultural and natural legacies.

About Indian Heritage Sites:

• What are Heritage Sites?
  • Heritage Sites are locations officially recognized by UNESCO for possessing outstanding cultural, natural, or mixed universal value.
  • They represent humanity’s shared legacy, preserving achievements in history, architecture, biodiversity, and culture for future generations.
• India’s Status:
  • As of 2024, India proudly holds 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing its rich and diverse civilizational history.
  • India’s journey began in 1983 with the listing of Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, and Ellora Caves as the first recognized sites.
• Categories of Sites in India:
  • Cultural Sites (e.g., Taj Mahal, Hampi): Reflecting India’s monumental architecture, spirituality, and artistic excellence.
  • Natural Sites (e.g., Western Ghats, Sundarbans): Celebrating India’s ecological richness and biodiversity.
  • Mixed Sites (e.g., Khangchendzonga National Park): Having both cultural and natural significance.

Significance of Heritage Sites in India:

• Cultural Identity: Heritage sites safeguard India’s centuries-old traditions, culture, and legacy for future generations.

E.g: Ajanta Caves showcase early Buddhist art from the 2nd century BCE.

• Tourism and Economy: UNESCO-recognized sites boost India’s tourism-driven economy, creating jobs and local development.

E.g: Taj Mahal attracts over 6 million visitors annually, contributing massively to revenue.

• Global Recognition: India’s heritage strengthens its global image and cultural diplomacy efforts on international platforms.

E.g: India hosted the 46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2024.

• Environmental and Scientific Value: Natural heritage sites serve as vital zones for biodiversity preservation and scientific research.

E.g: Western Ghats, a UNESCO site, are a global biodiversity hotspot.

Challenges to Heritage Conservation:

• Urbanization Pressure: Unplanned urban expansion encroaches and damages nearby heritage structures and ecosystems.

E.g: Rapid encroachment issues threaten the integrity of Hampi’s heritage zones.

• Climate Change: Global warming accelerates environmental degradation, impacting sensitive heritage ecosystems.

E.g: Coral bleaching increasingly threatens Lakshadweep’s Biosphere Reserve.

• Conflict and Disaster Risks: Natural calamities and conflict zones often cause irreparable damage to historic monuments.

E.g: Earthquakes have previously damaged heritage sites like Dharahara Tower (Nepal).

• Resource Constraints: Lack of skilled manpower and underfunding hampers long-term conservation efforts.

E.g: Many ASI-listed monuments suffer neglect due to budgetary shortages.

• Pollution and Tourist Pressure: Heavy footfall and pollution cause physical wear, discoloration, and structural damage.

E.g: Air pollution has discolored the Taj Mahal’s white marble facade.

Way Ahead:

• Integrated Management Plans: Disaster-resilient, community-driven plans should be mandated for all major heritage sites.
• Sustainable Tourism Models: Encourage ticketed access limits, promote virtual tours, and regulate eco-sensitive zones around monuments.
• Increased Budget and Private Partnerships: Expand government funding and CSR engagement through Adopt-a-Heritage and PPP models.
• Heritage Education Campaigns: Launch campaigns and curricula in schools to foster early awareness about heritage conservation.
• Strengthen Local Community Involvement: Empower local communities through training and eco-tourism models to sustainably protect heritage.

Conclusion:

World Heritage Day reminds us that heritage is not merely history but a living bridge across generations. India’s steadfast efforts in conserving its treasures ensure that its legacy continues to inspire, educate, and unify humanity amid global challenges.

PYQ:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 April 2025 GS Paper 2:

Primary Health Care in India

Syllabus: Health

Source:  TH

 Context: The National Health Accounts 2021–2022 reveal only a marginal increase in healthcare spending, highlighting gaps in India’s primary healthcare system despite schemes like Ayushman Bharat.

Status of Primary Health Care in India:

• India’s public health infrastructure includes 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), handling 350 crore consultations (MoHFW, 2024).
• Per capita out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPHE) has declined, but private sector still dominates (68% of total health expenditure).
• National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) aim to improve service quality, yet trust in public healthcare remains low.

Need for Primary Healthcare in India

• Early Disease Detection and Prevention: Timely interventions through primary care help detect and manage diseases early, reducing burden on tertiary hospitals.

E.g: Routine diabetes and hypertension screening under Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

• Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE): Strong primary healthcare minimizes expensive hospitalization costs by providing early treatment.

E.g: OOPE declined from 62.6% (2014-15) to 39.4% (2021-22) as per NHA report.

• Bridging Rural-Urban Healthcare Gap: Primary Health Centres (PHCs) act as the first point of contact in rural and tribal areas.

E.g: 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs established to deliver doorstep healthcare.

• Managing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Primary care is essential for long-term management of lifestyle diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart ailments.

E.g: Health and Wellness Centres now include NCD screenings under NHM.

• Strengthening Health System Resilience: A robust primary care network can tackle pandemics, reduce hospital overload, and ensure community health preparedness.

E.g: PHCs and CHCs served as frontline COVID-19 vaccination centres across India.

Challenges in Primary Healthcare:

• Visibility:
  • Lack of Trust: Trust deficit in public healthcare reduces its utilization; private hospitals are often preferred for perceived better quality (NHA 2021-22).
  • Limited Awareness: Many citizens are unaware of schemes like Ayushman Bharat Arogya Mandir, reducing community engagement.
• Accessibility:
  • Geographical Gaps: Remote and tribal areas still face inadequate distribution of primary health centers (e.g., shortfall of 18% PHCs in hilly regions).
  • Infrastructure Deficits: Lack of modern facilities, especially diagnostic equipment, hampers quality healthcare delivery in rural belts.
• Affordability:
  • Private Sector Dominance: Private healthcare accounts for a major share of services, making treatment costly despite public schemes.
  • Hidden Costs: Expenses like transportation, diagnostics, and non-listed treatments still burden rural families.

Way Ahead for Primary Healthcare

• Improving Visibility:
  • Community-Based Awareness Drives: Use village health committees to spread information on free services at Ayushman Bharat Health Centres.
  • Publish User Feedback Reports: Regular public disclosure of service quality ratings to build people’s trust and confidence.
• Enhancing Accessibility:
  • Mobile Health Clinics: Deploy mobile units in remote and underserved regions to bridge access gaps, modeled on Kerala’s e-Sanjeevani initiative.
  • Strengthen Digital Health Platforms: Expand telemedicine services through e-health portals, ensuring last-mile consultation support.
• Boosting Affordability:
  • Wider Coverage under PMJAY: Extend free healthcare coverage to the near-poor and vulnerable middle-income groups.
  • Strengthen Generic Medicine Availability: Expand Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana outlets to bring down drug costs substantially.

Conclusion:

Strengthening India’s primary healthcare needs an integrated approach focusing on trust building, infrastructure upgrading, and financial protection. With Ayushman Bharat and health system reforms, India is on a path toward universal health coverage, but sustained efforts are crucial to ensure equity and resilience in healthcare delivery.

PYQ:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 April 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

IT adoption in Aquaculture

Context: India’s aquaculture sector is witnessing a transformation through digital and IT-driven innovations, as highlighted by investments like the $4.5 million infusion into aquaculture tech platforms.

About IT adoption in Aquaculture:

• What is Aquaculture?

• • Aquaculture refers to the controlled farming of aquatic organisms like fish, shrimp, and mollusks in freshwater or marine environments, aimed at boosting food production and exports.

• How IT is Revolutionising Aquaculture?

• • Digital Farm Management: Mobile apps and digital platforms are enabling real-time monitoring, disease management, and supply chain integration.
  • Cost and Productivity Gains: Data-driven technologies help farmers reduce input costs and optimize yields through precise field management.
  • Supply Chain Control: IT tools ensure transparency in price discovery, reduce market opacity, and build stronger farmer-market linkages.
  • Disease Mitigation: Early disease detection through digital monitoring reduces losses in fish and shrimp farming.
  • Access to Finance and Insurance: Schemes like PMMSY now integrate IT systems to streamline credit, insurance, and subsidy delivery.

• Significance:

• • Enhances Farmer Incomes: Improved yield and price transparency directly uplift small farmers’ earnings.
  • Promotes Food Security: Increased fish and shrimp availability makes nutrition affordable domestically.
  • Drives Export Growth: Boosts India’s competitiveness in global seafood markets through efficient, quality production.
  • Encourages Private Investment: Attractive for FDI and reverse FDI models targeting global markets like the US.

• Relevance in UPSC Syllabus

• • GS Paper 3: Economy and Agriculture: Emerging trends in agriculture and aquaculture technology; Government policies for farm sector reforms.
  • GS Paper 2: Governance and Schemes: Role of government initiatives like PMMSY and Matsya Samridhi-Saha Yojana in enhancing rural livelihoods.
  • Essay and Ethics Papers: Technology and rural transformation, food security, sustainable livelihoods through innovation.

Crowdfunded Bridge on Magai River

Context: Villagers of Kyampur Chhavni in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, crowdfunded and began building a bridge across the Magai River after waiting 58 years for government action.

About the Crowdfunded Bridge on Magai River:

• Initiative: The residents of Kyampur Chhavni pooled money and resources to construct a 105 ft bridge after decades of administrative delays.
• Leadership: Ravindra Yadav, a retired Army engineer, contributed ₹10 lakh from his retirement funds and provided technical expertise.
• Community Effort: Contributions ranged from ₹100 cash donations to providing cement, steel, sand, and manual labor after daily work.

About Magai River:

• Location: Flows through Azamgarh, Mau, and Ghazipur districts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• Origin: Village Dubawan, Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh.
• Tributary of: Tamsa River, which later joins the Ganges near Ballia district.
• Key Features:
  • The Magai region is famous for its pan (betel) leaf cultivation.
  • Plays a crucial role in rural connectivity and agriculture in eastern UP.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS Paper I: Indian Geography – Rivers and their significance in regional development.
• GS Paper II: Governance – Grassroots governance, public participation, challenges in rural infrastructure development.
• GS Paper III: Economic Development – Rural resource mobilization, bottom-up development models.
• Ethics Paper: Case Study examples – Public spiritedness, leadership, and ethics in public service delivery.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –  18 April Facts for Prelims (FFP)

DPS Wetland

Source:  FPJ

 Context: The DPS Wetland in Navi Mumbai has been officially declared a Flamingo Conservation Reserve by the Maharashtra State Wildlife Board.

About DPS Wetland:

• Location:

• • Situated in Seawoods, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • Spread over 30 acres, adjacent to the Thane Creek Ramsar site.

• River Drainage:

• • DPS Lake forms part of the Thane Creek ecosystem, a tidal waterbody fed by numerous freshwater sources and marine influences.
  • Supports migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway.

• Key Features:

• • Acts as a critical feeding and resting ground for thousands of migratory flamingos.
  • Restoration of tidal flow and algae clearance initiatives were pivotal in reviving the wetland ecosystem.
  • A sensitive ecological buffer that strengthens climate resilience against floods and sea-water intrusion.

About Flamingos:

• What are Flamingos?

• • Flamingos are large, pink-hued wading birds known for their graceful necks, long legs, and downward-bent bills.

• Scientific Name: The Greater Flamingo (found in India) is scientifically named Phoenicopterus roseus.
• Key Features:

• • Physical:
    • Height ranges between 90 to 150 cm; striking pink or rosy plumage due to carotenoid pigments from their diet.
  • Biological:
    • Specialized filter-feeding with comblike structures inside their bills to sieve algae, crustaceans, and diatoms.
    • Nests are conical mud mounds where one or two eggs are laid, with both parents incubating.
  • Social:
    • Highly gregarious birds forming large colonies; engage in synchronized group movements and nesting.

James Webb Space Telescope

Source:  BS

Context: Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected possible biosignature gases Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS) and Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b, suggesting a strong potential for microbial life.

About Recent Discovery and Signs of Life on K2-18 b:

• Discovery: Researchers detected Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS) and Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS) — gases on Earth typically produced by marine microorganisms — in the atmosphere of K2-18 b.
• Significance:
  • These are the strongest indicators yet of potential life outside the solar system, representing a new era of observational astrobiology.
  • The planet, categorized as a hycean world (water-rich, hydrogen-dominated atmosphere), might harbor microbial oceanic life.
  • Scientists caution that more observations are needed before confirming extraterrestrial life.

About the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

• What it is?
  • The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest and most advanced infrared space observatory ever built, designed to study the early universe, stars, galaxies, and exoplanet atmospheres.
• Launched: December 25, 2021.
• Developed by: NASA, in collaboration with ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
• Key Features:
  • Size: Comparable to a tennis court with a 3-story height; built to fold origami-style to fit inside a rocket.
  • Sunshield: A giant silver sunshade protects instruments from solar heat, maintaining a 600°F temperature difference between its sides.
  • Infrared Vision: Captures heat signals invisible to the human eye, allowing observation through cosmic dust and the early universe.
  • Gold-Coated Mirrors: 18 hexagonal mirrors coated with gold enhance infrared reflection for clearer, deeper space imaging.

Taurus Missiles

Source:  ET

Context: Russia warned Germany that any Ukrainian strikes using Taurus missiles would be considered direct participation in the ongoing conflict.

About Taurus Missiles:

• What it is?
  • The Taurus KEPD-350 is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile capable of precision strikes on fortified and high-value targets.
• Developed by:
  • Jointly developed by the European missile manufacturer MBDA and Saab Bofors Dynamics (Germany and Sweden partnership).
• Aim:
  • Designed for deep penetration strikes against heavily fortified structures such as bunkers, bridges, and command centres.
• Key Features:
  • Speed: Nearly 1,170 km/h, close to the speed of sound.
  • Range: Can hit targets up to 500 kilometres
  • Navigation Systems: Equipped with four independent navigation systems, including satellite-supported GPS, resistant to jamming.
  • Low Detectability: Flies at an altitude of 35 meters, making radar detection extremely difficult.
  • Bunker Penetration: Engineered to penetrate multiple reinforced concrete layers before warhead detonation, maximizing internal destruction.
  • Stealth and Precision: High survivability due to low radar cross-section and extreme targeting accuracy.

Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)

Source:  TH

Context: A study commissioned by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser has recommended rolling back the 2015 order mandating Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) installation across all coal plants.

About Recent Study and Its Outcome:

• Key Recommendation: FGD installation should be mandated only for plants burning imported or high-sulphur coal (>0.5% sulfur content), not for all coal plants.
• Findings:
  • 92% of Indian coal is low-sulphur (0.3–0.5%).
  • Stack heights and climatic conditions in India naturally disperse SO₂ emissions, limiting local air quality threats.
  • Full FGD rollout would consume significant freshwater and add 69 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions by 2030 while marginally reducing SO₂.
  • Acid rain is not a major environmental issue in India as per IIT Delhi’s 2024 study.

Note: This study report can be used to justify arguments in the UPSC Mains exam. It is not particularly important for the Prelims examination.

About Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD):

• What is FGD?

• • A process used to remove sulphur dioxide (SO₂) from exhaust flue gases of fossil fuel power plants, mainly coal-fired stations, improving air quality.

• Introduction in India: Introduced via Ministry of Environment’s 2015 notification requiring all thermal plants to install FGD units by 2018 (now delayed to 2027-29 in phases).
• Types of FGD:

• • Once-through (Non-regenerable): Sorbent is disposed of after use, sometimes as by-products like gypsum.
  • Regenerable: Sorbent is regenerated, producing useful products like elemental sulphur or sulfuric acid.

• How it Works?

• • Flue gases are treated with an absorbent (like limestone slurry) that reacts with SO₂, forming by-products such as gypsum.
  • Pre-treatment with electrostatic precipitators and denitrification units removes ash and nitrogen oxides.

• Key Features:

• • Removes up to 95% of sulphur dioxide.
  • Improves air quality, limiting acid rain and respiratory illnesses.
  • FGD gypsum can be reused in construction (cement, plaster).

• Limitations:

• • High Cost: Approx ₹1.2 crore per MW installation.
  • Water Usage: Increases freshwater dependency.
  • Energy Consumption: Reduces plant efficiency and raises operational CO₂ emissions.
  • Waste Management: Disposal of FGD by-products needs careful handling.

Gita and Natyashastra added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register

Source:  ToI

Context: The manuscripts of the Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

About Gita and Natyashastra added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register:

• What It Is?
  • An international initiative by UNESCO to preserve humanity’s valuable documentary heritage and safeguard it against neglect, decay, and destruction.
• Established In: 1992.
• Objective: To protect archival holdings, manuscripts, rare collections, and promote broader accessibility and awareness.
• Criteria for Inclusion:
  • Outstanding universal value.
  • Historical, cultural, or social significance.
  • Authenticity, integrity, and rarity of the document.
• India and Memory of the World:
  • With the inclusion of Gita and Natyashastra, India now has 14 entries in the Memory of the World Register.
  • Other recent entries include Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayāloka-Locana in the 2024 MOWCAP Regional Register.

About Gita and Natyashastra:

• Bhagavad Gita:
  • Name: Bhagavad Gita (The Song of the Lord).
  • Attributed to: Sage Vyasa.
  • Features: A 700-verse dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, expounding profound spiritual, ethical, and philosophical principles central to Hindu thought.
• Natyashastra:
  • Name: Natyashastra (Treatise on Performing Arts).
  • Author: Bharat Muni.
  • Features: A foundational text detailing Indian classical dance, drama, music, and stagecraft; establishes concepts like Rasa (aesthetic flavor) that continue to influence Indian arts.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 April 2025 Mapping:

Majuli Island and Sivasagar

Source:  TOI

Context: Following Charaideo Maidams’ UNESCO World Heritage status in 2024, Assam is now pushing for Majuli Island and Sivasagar to achieve UNESCO recognition.

About Majuli Island:

• Location: Majuli is located in the Brahmaputra River in Assam, about 40 km from Jorhat city.
• Formation: Formed by the dynamic shifting of Brahmaputra’s river channels over centuries, Majuli emerged as the world’s largest river island.
• Key Features:
  • Area: Once spread across 880 sq km, currently reduced due to severe erosion.
  • Biodiversity: Known for lush landscapes, paddy fields, wetlands, and monsoon submergence enriching the soil.
  • Culture: Home to vibrant Assamese traditions, Satras (Vaishnavite monasteries), and tribes like the Mising, Deori, and Assamese.
  • Status: Declared a district in 2016, it is being proposed under the mixed category (cultural and natural) for UNESCO recognition.

About Sivasagar:

• Location:
  • Sivasagar is a historical city and district headquarters in Upper Assam, known for its Ahom-era monuments.
• History:
  • Formerly known as Rangpur, it was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom from 1699–1788.
  • It witnessed key events like the Battle of Dhai Ali and later British annexation post-1826.
• Key Features:
  • Heritage: Hosts iconic Ahom monuments like Talatal Ghar, Rang Ghar, and Sivasagar Tank.
  • Architecture: Medieval techniques like lime plastering were used in restoration, preserving authenticity.
  • Culture: Rich in history tied to the Ahom dynasty’s six-century-long reign over Assam.
  • Economy: A major hub today for Assam’s tea and oil industries.

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