March 3rd 2025 Current Affairs

Index:

1. Private U.S. Spacecraft Lands Upright on Lunar Surface

Context

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 successfully landed on the Moon.
It is the second private mission to achieve this but the first to land upright.
Touchdown occurred on March 3, 2024, near Mons La Hire in Mare Crisium (Moon’s northeastern near side).

Technical Details

Launched on January 15, 2024, via SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Nicknamed “Ghost Riders in the Sky”.
Slowed from thousands of miles per hour to just 2 mph before landing.
Carries 10 instruments, including:
Lunar soil analyzer
Radiation-tolerant computer
GPS-based navigation feasibility test

Significance

Part of NASA’s Artemis program (aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon).
Helps in reducing costs and testing new landing technologies.
Provides high-definition imagery of a lunar eclipse (March 14, 2024).
Will record a lunar sunset on March 16, 2024, studying dust levitation and lunar horizon glow.

Comparative Analysis

Previous private mission (February 2024) landed sideways, whereas Blue Ghost landed upright.

Similar in size to a hippopotamus.

2. U.K., Other Nations to Work on Ukraine Peace Deal

Context

The UK, France, and other nations are working towards a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.
The deal will later be presented to the US, including President Donald Trump.
The initiative follows diplomatic tensions, including an argument between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Trump.

Key Points

UK’s Role in the Peace Plan

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced collaboration with France and other nations to broker peace.
The aim is to stop the fighting and then engage with the US to discuss the plan.
Starmer had discussions with Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Zelenskyy before finalizing the approach.

Geopolitical Context

A disagreement between Zelenskyy and Trump occurred at the Oval Office.
After the fallout, Zelenskyy was welcomed in London by Starmer for bilateral talks.
Other attendees at the peace summit included:
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
NATO Chief Mark Rutte

Proposed Four-Step Peace Process

Continued military and economic aid to Ukraine.
Economic pressure on Russia to encourage negotiations.
Ensure Ukraine’s participation in peace talks.

Establish diplomatic negotiations to reach a settlement.

3. Planetary Parade: Worlds on Show

What is a Planetary Parade?

A celestial event where multiple planets appear aligned in the night sky.
Occurs because all planets orbit the Sun in nearly the same plane, called the ecliptic plane.

Types of Planetary Parades

Common:

Involves 3-4 planets.
Occurs every few years.

Rare:

Involves 7-8 planets.
Happens once in several decades.

Planetary Parade on February 28, 2024

Included seven planets:
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
Closer planets were visible to the naked eye.
Uranus & Neptune required telescopes.
The next similar event is expected in 2040.

Scientific Explanation

Planets align due to their motion along the ecliptic plane.

Such alignments happen occasionally but have no scientific impact.

4. Toon Trouble & Content Regulation

Context

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed the removal of a cartoon featuring PM Narendra Modi from a Tamil magazine website (Vikatan Plus).
Raises concerns over freedom of expression and press freedom.
Website blocked for some users without official acknowledgment.

Legal Basis for Content Blocking

Section 69A of the IT Act empowers the government to block content on grounds of:
Friendly relations with foreign states.
Public order
Preventing incitement to commit a cognizable offense.
However, the grounds for blocking in this case remain confidential, raising concerns about transparency.

Concerns Raised

Freedom of Expression

The action violates press freedom and democratic rights.
Political cartoons are a legitimate form of political commentary.

Lack of Transparency

The blocking order is confidential, raising accountability issues.
Unclear which legal provisions were invoked.

Arbitrary Internet Censorship

Reports suggest Vikatan Plus website was blocked informally.
Raises concerns about extra-legal restrictions on digital media.

Impact on Diplomacy & Public Order

The cartoon referenced alleged mistreatment of Indian immigrants in the U.S.
No clear evidence that the content endangered India-U.S. relations.

Way Forward

Transparency: Government must disclose the reasons for blocking.
Proportionality: Content blocking should be used sparingly.
Safeguarding Press Freedom: Political criticism should not be suppressed under vague security concerns.
Legal Oversight: Ensure judicial or independent review of such censorship decisions.

5. Entrenched Patriarchal Biases and Gender Equality in Judiciary

Context

The Supreme Court of India emphasized the need for a gender-sensitive work environment in the judiciary.
Reinstatement of two women judicial officers from Madhya Pradesh who were terminated on grounds of “inefficiency,” despite one having suffered a miscarriage.
Justice B.V. Nagarathna termed the termination as “punitive, arbitrary, and illegal.”
The ruling reinforces the importance of institutional reforms for gender equality in workplaces.

Challenges Faced by Women in Judiciary

The judiciary has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, but only three are women.
Gender stereotyping and discrimination in legal and executive branches.
Lack of an enabling atmosphere for women in legal institutions.
Maternal rights violations – the Court had to intervene to recognize pregnancy and miscarriage as serious workplace concerns.

Importance of Gender Representation

Greater representation of women in decision-making roles is crucial for:
Ensuring better policies catering to women’s needs.
Creating a sensitive and secure work environment.
Addressing age-old patriarchal biases in governance and institutions.

Need for Policy Reforms

Ensuring freedom from discrimination and equal protection under laws for pregnant women.
Strengthening maternity and workplace protection laws.
Education accessibility for girls in a non-discriminatory manner.

Recognizing miscarriage as a significant physical, emotional, and psychological impact in workplace policies.

6. Election Commission’s Move to Remove Duplicate Voter ID Numbers

Context

Reports surfaced that some voters in one State had Voter ID numbers (EPIC) matching those issued in another State.
The Election Commission (EC) took cognizance and decided to ensure unique EPIC numbers for all voters.

Key Issues Identified

Duplicate EPIC numbers due to a manual system used before digitization.
Identical EPIC numbers in different States/UTs due to decentralized voter registration practices.
Potential for electoral fraud and manipulation due to overlapping voter identities.

EC’s Measures to Address the Issue

Ensuring each voter gets a unique EPIC number to eliminate duplication.
Clarification that a person can vote only at their designated polling station, regardless of EPIC number duplication.
Shift to ERO-NET, a web-based digital platform for voter registration and database management.

Political Reactions

Trinamool Congress alleged that this confirms their claims of electoral fraud.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of adding non-residents to the West Bengal voter list.

ERO-NET Platform

A technology-driven solution developed for election officials.
Provides multilingual and script-based support for electoral processes.
Helps in registration, migration, and deletion of duplicate or incorrect voter entries.

Significance of the Move

Strengthens electoral integrity and transparency.
Eliminates malpractices in voter registration.
Promotes fair and free elections in India.

Boosts confidence in ECI’s digital initiatives.

7. Banks’ Cautious Approach to Lending to NBFCs

Context

Banks are adopting a conservative stance in lending to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) due to concerns over performance in the sector.
Both secured and unsecured loans in NBFCs are showing signs of stress.

Key Issues in NBFC Sector

Rising delinquency levels, especially in small finance banks and NBFC-fintechs.
Asset quality pressures expected to persist in FY26.
Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) also facing stress due to:
Moderation in consumer incomes.
Rising delinquencies in MFI loans.

Banking Sector’s Response

Risk aversion towards lending to NBFCs.
Preference for top-tier NBFCs with higher credit ratings.
Gradual increase in exposure to NBFCs but with stricter risk assessment.

NBFC Sector Outlook

Immediate relief not expected, as banks remain cautious.
Risk normalization does not imply increased bank exposure to NBFCs.
NBFC-fintechs showing high delinquency levels, making banks more selective in lending.

Significance for Economy & Policy Making

NBFCs play a critical role in financial inclusion and credit expansion.
Stress in NBFCs can impact liquidity availability in the economy.
Need for regulatory oversight to manage risk in unsecured lending.

8. Uttarakhand UCC & Live-in Relationships: Protecting Children’s Rights

Context

Uttarakhand High Court observed that live-in relationships are increasing.
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) aims to protect women and children’s rights in such relationships.
Petitions filed against UCC provisions on registration and penalization of live-in relationships.

Key Provisions of the UCC

Mandatory registration of live-in relationships with the government.
Regulatory framework to ensure rights of women and children born from such relationships.
Allows any person to challenge the validity of a live-in relationship.
Requirement of confidential documents like Aadhaar for registration.

Concerns Raised in Court

Right to Privacy Violations:
Advocate Vrinda Grover argued that the UCC enables “state surveillance” and policing of personal choices.
Could lead to harassment and violence against couples from different communities.
Social Morality vs Constitutional Morality:
Fear that majoritarian views could influence enforcement.
Vigilantism concerns if people are allowed to challenge relationships.

Government’s Justification

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s Defense:
No privacy violation in the UCC.
Regulatory mechanism to safeguard women and children.
Addressing changing societal norms as live-in relationships rise.

Significance of the Issue

Balancing individual rights with social regulations.
Ensuring legal protection for children born out of live-in relationships.
Debate over state intervention vs personal choice in relationships.
Potential implications on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) implementation in India.

9. India’s Olive Ridley Turtle Population: Trends and Climate Impact

Context

A 16-year-long study (2008-2024) assessed trends in Olive Ridley turtle populations in India.
Conducted by Dakshin Foundation in partnership with IISc Bengaluru and State Forest Departments.

Key Findings

Stable or growing population of Olive Ridley turtles in India.
Rising sand temperatures due to climate change are leading to a higher proportion of female hatchlings, affecting sex ratio and long-term viability.
Gahirmatha and Rushikulya (Odisha) are two of the largest nesting sites

Arribada Phenomenon

Arribada = Mass nesting event where thousands of female turtles come ashore simultaneously.
Rushikulya (2024) saw 400,000-500,000 turtles nesting in a few days, one of the largest in recent years.

Conservation & Ecological Significance

Olive Ridley = Most populous marine turtle species in India.
Study covers other sea turtles like Leatherback (Andaman & Nicobar) and Green Turtles (Lakshadweep).
Sea turtles are long-lived, late-maturing, and highly migratory, requiring long-term monitoring.

Concerns & Threats

Climate Change → Higher sand temperatures skewing sex ratios towards more females.
Coastal and oceanic habitat threats due to human activities and climate impact.

Declining nesting in some years raises questions on population sustainability.