CURRENT AFFAIRS
16 April, 2025
1. RARE EARTH ELEMENTS CRISIS –
• Recently, China announced restrictions on the export of seven rare earth elements.
• The restricted elements include samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium.
• These elements are vital for manufacturing high-tech and defense-related products, such as magnets for wind turbines, spacecraft, and electronics.
Chinese Dominance in Rare Earths
• China supplies 85–95% of the world’s rare earth demand and leads in both mining and refining.
• Although rare earth elements are not inherently rare, China holds a strategic advantage due to concentrated and economically viable deposits and advanced refining capabilities.
• China has also acquired some of the world’s richest rare earth minerals deposits.
• Chinese companies have spent more than US$10 billion acquiring mining and critical mineral assets in Africa between 2023 and 2024.
2. INDIA-BELGIUM EXTRADITION TREATY –
• Mehul Choksi, the fugitive diamond trader accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of over Rs 13,500 crore, was arrested in Belgium after Indian authorities made a formal extradition request under the India-Belgium Extradition Treaty.
• India formally requested Choksi’s extradition in August 2024, citing charges like criminal conspiracy, cheating, and bribery. Belgium approved it after confirming the charges are punishable locally.
• Fugitive Criminal: A person who is accused of, or who conspires, attempts, incites, or assists in committing an extradition offence abroad, or is involved in such offences while in India (as per Section 2(f) of the Extradition Act, 1962).
• Extradition Treaty: The Indian Extradition Act 1962 defines an ‘Extradition Treaty’ as a bilateral agreement between India and a foreign state for the extradition of fugitive criminals.
• The Ministry of External Affairs serves as the Central Authority for extradition matters.
• India-Belgium Extradition Treaty: The new Extradition Treaty, ratified in 2020, replaced the outdated 1901 treaty between Great Britain and Belgium, which was made applicable to India through an exchange of letters in 1958.
3. PM VIDYALAXMI SCHEME IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES –
• The PM Vidyalaxmi scheme was launched to support meritorious students in India. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance for higher education through collateral-free loans.
• Despite its noble intentions, the scheme has faced challenges in its implementation. Public sector banks have reported technical issues and a slow uptake of applications. As of April 2025, percentage of applications remain pending.
• Launched in November 2024, the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme aims to ease financial barriers for students pursuing higher education. It offers education loans without collateral or guarantors. The government provides credit guarantees for loans up to ₹7.5 lakhs, covering 75% of the outstanding amount.
4. AMARNATH YATRA REGISTRATION OPENS FOR 2025 –
• The Amarnath Yatra, pilgrimage for Hindus, has opened its registration for 2025. This year, the pilgrimage will take place from July 3 to August 9. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board has made provisions for online registration.
• The Amarnath Cave is located at a height of 3,888 metres in Jammu and Kashmir. It houses a naturally occurring ice linga, a representation of Lord Shiva. The cave is accessible only during a limited period each year due to heavy snowfall.
5. SUPREME COURT RULING ON ARTICLE 143 –
• In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has established that the President must provide clear reasons when withholding assent to a bill.
• This ruling comes after the court’s interpretation of Article 143 of the Constitution of India, which allows the President to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on legal questions.
• The court’s emphasis on justification aims to uphold the principle of limited government and ensure accountability among the three branches of government.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. What is the name of the new mascot introduced by Milkfed Punjab for its flagship dairy brand Verka ?
a) Amul Girl
b) Veera
c) Doodhwaala
d) Milkman Singh
Q2. What is the name of the poverty alleviation mission launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ?
a) Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh
b) Zero Poverty Mission
c) Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana
d) Dr. Ambedkar Poverty Elimination Mission
Q3. The AIKEYME exercise aligns with which Indian initiative focused on regional maritime growth ?
a) SAGAR
b) SAMUDRA SETU
c) MAHASAGAR
d) SURAKSHA
Q4. Consider the following:
Statement-I: The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a judicial body established to prosecute individuals for crimes like genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression.
Statement-II: The ICC has universal jurisdiction over all crimes committed anywhere in the world.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation-
• Statement-I is correct. The ICC was established under the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals for serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression.
• Statement-II is incorrect. The ICC does not have universal jurisdiction. Its jurisdiction is limited to crimes committed within member states, by nationals of member states, or in cases referred by the UN Security Council.
Q5. Consider the following statements about the long-term ripple effects of space junk:
1. It can harm terrestrial ecosystems indirectly by altering the upper atmosphere.
2. Changes in the stratosphere due to space debris can disrupt weather patterns.
3. Burning space junk increases the concentration of ozone in the upper atmosphere.
4. Metals from space debris can catalyze chemical reactions affecting climate systems.
How many of the above statements is/are correct ?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is correct: Alterations in the upper atmosphere affect ecosystems indirectly.
• Statement 2 is correct: Stratospheric changes due to pollutants can disrupt weather patterns.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Space junk contributes to ozone depletion, not an increase.
• Statement 4 is correct: Metals like aluminum oxide catalyze reactions impacting climate systems.
About Space Junk and Its Impact:
• Definition: Space junk includes defunct satellites, rocket stages, and other debris left in orbit or disintegrated during re-entry.
• Pollutants Released: Burning satellites release aluminum, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and black carbon, which accumulate in the stratosphere.
• Ozone Layer Threat: Aluminum oxide acts as a catalyst for ozone depletion, counteracting the success of the Montreal Protocol that reduced CFCs.
• Stratospheric Changes: Pollutants like copper and other metals can alter atmospheric chemistry and promote cloud formation.
• Climate Impacts: Soot particles absorb solar energy, potentially warming the atmosphere and disrupting natural climate patterns.
• Long-Term Ripple Effects: Alterations in the upper atmosphere may indirectly harm ecosystems, weather patterns, and human health on Earth.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
B | B | C | C | C |