March 5th 2025 Current Affairs

Index:

1. Zelenskyy Calls for Truce Amid Aid Cut

Context:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for a truce in the sea and sky as a first step toward ending the war.
Wants to mend ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump and work under the current U.S. President’s strong leadership for peace.
S. military aid to Ukraine halted overnight by Trump.
Ukraine ready for negotiations to bring lasting peace.
Proposal for “truce in the sky”: ban on missiles, long-range drones, bombs on energy and civilian infrastructure.
Immediate truce in the sea, provided Russia does the same.

Context & Developments:

Oval Office clash: Zelenskyy clashed with Trump and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance over Washington’s stance on the war.
Trump previously called Zelenskyy a “dictator”, while Zelenskyy accused Trump of falling for Russian “disinformation”.
Growing tensions between Ukraine and the U.S. amidst shifting American policies on aid and support.

Significance:

Potential shift in U.S. foreign policy under changing leadership.
Geopolitical implications for NATO, EU, and Russia.
Peace talks and negotiation strategies in ongoing wars.

Impact of military aid cuts on Ukraine’s defense.

2. India Achieves Targeted Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 100 per Lakh Live Births

Context:

India has achieved the National Health Policy (NHP) target of Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 100 deaths per one lakh live births.
83% decline in MMR (1990-2020), surpassing the global decline in MMR.
69% decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) (1990-2020), compared to 55% global IMR decline.
75% decline in “Under 5 Mortality Rate”, surpassing global trends.

Government Initiatives & Policies:

Mission Steering Group (MSG): The highest policy-making and governance body under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Chief Medical Officers (CMO): Strengthening and enhancing their capacities at the ground level for effective healthcare service delivery.
ASHA Workers: Emphasis on their empowerment, welfare, and incentivization for routine activities.
Technological Advancements: Focus on strengthening health infrastructure.
Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita (BHISHM) and Maitri: Ensuring quality implementation of the latest health initiatives.

Significance:

Indicates improved maternal and child healthcare in India.
Reflects successful implementation of health schemes.
Highlights India’s progress surpassing global health improvement trends.

Strengthening of primary healthcare at the grassroots level.

3. SC on Protecting Patients from Exploitation by Private Hospitals

Context:

Supreme Court directed States to frame guidelines to prevent exploitation of patients by private hospitals.
Patients should not be compelled to buy medicines, implants, consumables, or medical devices at inflated prices from hospital pharmacies.
States cautioned against implementing hard-line regulations that could deter private investment in healthcare.
Balance needed between protecting patients and encouraging private sector participation.

Context & Legal Observations:

Case based on a plea by petitioner Siddharth Dalmia, who highlighted exploitation by private hospitals.
SC acknowledged the role of private hospitals in filling gaps in the healthcare system due to inadequate public infrastructure.
Health and sanitation, hospitals, and dispensaries are State subjects under the Constitution.
Court’s stance: Instead of issuing mandatory conditions, the Court sought to sensitize States to the issue.

Significance & Implications:

Addresses rising concerns over unethical pricing in private healthcare.
Reinforces the need for patient-centric policies without discouraging private sector investment.
State governments responsible for healthcare regulations, as per the constitutional framework.

Highlights the importance of striking a balance between affordability and sustainability in healthcare services.

4. Electoral Integrity and Aadhaar Concerns

Key Issues in Electoral System

Electoral integrity is crucial for democracy.
Election Commission of India (ECI) faces criticism over voter registration discrepancies.
Concerns raised over increasing number of electors in state elections vs. general elections.

Concerns Over Voter Registration

Maharashtra registered 48 lakh new voters in 6 months, raising concerns.
ECI admits electors may have duplicate Electors Photo Identification Card (EPIC) numbers.
Opposition (e.g., Trinamool Congress) questions credibility of registration.

Issues with EPIC & Voter Duplication

EPIC number duplication: Same EPIC shared by different voters.
ECI plans to rectify EPIC numbers to make them unique.
Risk of multiple EPICs allowing a single voter to vote in multiple states.

Aadhaar as a Solution?

Aadhaar identifies residents, not citizens, so additional proof needed.
Aadhaar on electoral rolls could lead to profiling, misuse.
Biometric verification, though useful, may exclude genuine voters due to tech failures.

Way Forward

Clear de-duplication exercise to ensure one voter = one EPIC = one location.
Aadhaar should not be the sole proof; alternative identity verification required.

Balance technology with electoral credibility & inclusivity.

5. U.S. Space Domination and Global Concerns

U.S. Space Strategy & Concerns

NASA’s aggressive stance: Acting administrator Janet Petro emphasized U.S. dominance in space, including the moon and its vicinity.
Private sector involvement: Firefly Aerospace became the first private company to soft-land a robotic lander on the moon (March 2).
Criticism: Statements reflect aggressive nationalism in U.S. space policy.

Global Commons & Challenges

Moon & Cislunar Space: Considered part of global commons (shared international resources).
Protectionism & Regulatory Gaps:
Space access is hindered by increasing protectionism.
Regulations not keeping pace with innovation (e.g., U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) lack of accountability for SpaceX debris over Poland).

Risks of U.S. Dominance in Space

Threat to International Cooperation:
NASA’s alignment with U.S. policies risks undermining global partnerships.
Costly and complex space missions require global cooperation.
Echoes of Trump-era Policies:
Similar to isolationist policies (e.g., on climate change).
Space leadership risks turning into space dominance.

Need for Multilateralism

Resistance to Unilateral Actions:
Space cooperation must resist unilateralism.
Global space agencies (e.g., ISRO) should collaborate to uphold inclusivity.
Strengthening International Norms:
Need for international agreements to prevent space militarization and monopolization.

Way Forward

Multilateral space governance is essential.
Need for clear regulations on space activities.

Collaboration over competition to ensure equitable space exploration.