March 2025 Top Current Affairs: International Relations And Science&Tech
Second Meeting of India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Held in India
About India-EU TTC
- Established in 2022 as a key bilateral platform for trade, technology, and security.
- Comprises three working groups:
- Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance, and Digital Connectivity
- Clean and Green Technologies
- Trade, Investment, and Resilient Value Chains
Key Highlights of the Meeting
Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance, and Digital Connectivity
- Commitment to Human-Centric AI, semiconductors, High-Performance Computing, and 6G.
- Interoperable Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) agreed upon.
- Strengthened collaboration between European AI Office & India AI Mission.
Green and Clean Energy Technologies
- Announced €60 million joint investment for coordinated research under Horizon Europe Program.
- Horizon Europe is the EU’s primary funding program for research and innovation.
Trade, Investment, and Resilient Value Chains
- Target to conclude India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by 2025.
- Exchanged best practices on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening.
- Discussed trade and decarbonization, including the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
- Reaffirmed commitment to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
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Aditya-L1 Captures First-Ever Image of a Solar Flare ‘Kernel’
About the Observation
- SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) onboard Aditya-L1 detected an X6.3-class solar flare, one of the most intense types of solar eruptions.
How Aditya-L1 Studies Solar Flares?
- During a solar flare, the affected region of the Sun brightens in UV and X-ray wavelengths.
- Key Instruments Studying Solar Flares:
- SUIT: Captures images of the Solar Photosphere and Chromosphere in near-UV and measures solar irradiance variations.
- SoLEXS & HEL1OS: Monitor solar X-ray emissions.
About Aditya-L1 Mission
- Launch: September 2023, India’s first solar observation mission.
- Location: Positioned in a halo orbit around Lagrange Point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system for continuous Sun monitoring.
- Lagrange Points: Regions where the gravitational pull of two large bodies balances the centripetal force needed for a smaller object to stay in orbit.
Objectives of the Mission
- Study solar upper atmosphere dynamics (chromosphere & corona).
- Understand coronal heating and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
Payloads Onboard Aditya-L1
Remote Sensing Payloads:
- VELC: Visible Emission Line Coronagraph.
- SUIT: Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope.
- SoLEXS: Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer.
- HEL1OS: High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer.
In-Situ Observation Payloads:
- ASPEX: Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment.
- PAPA: Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya.
- Advanced Tri-axial High-Resolution Digital Magnetometers.
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China’s Newly Declassified Geological Survey Reveals Massive Thorium Reserves
A recently declassified Geological Review survey estimates that the Bayan Obo mining complex in Inner Mongolia, China, holds 1 million tonnes of thorium—a significant discovery in the global nuclear landscape.
What is Thorium?
- Abundance: A naturally occurring radioactive element found in most rocks and soils, more abundant than uranium.
- Primary Source: Found in the rare earth phosphate mineral, monazite, mainly in placer deposits.
- Reserves:
- India leads with 11.93 million tonnes of monazite, containing 1.07 million tonnes of thorium.
- Other major reserves: Brazil, Australia, and the USA.
Thorium in Nuclear Energy
- Composition:
- A soft, silvery-white heavy metal.
- Primarily exists as Thorium-232 (Th-232).
- Fuel Potential:
- Th-232 is not directly fissile; it must be converted into Uranium-233 (U-233) through irradiation using U-233 or Plutonium-239 (Pu-239).
- Thorium-Compatible Reactors:
- Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)
- Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs)
- Fast Neutron Reactors (FNRs)
This discovery could reshape global nuclear strategies, especially for China’s long-term energy security.
India’s R&D Spending Doubles in a Decade
India’s R&D Growth
- Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD): Increased from ₹60,196.75 crore (2010–11) to ₹127,380.96 crore (2020–21).
- Key Contributors:
- Central Government (43.7%)
- State Governments (6.7%)
- Higher Education (8.8%)
- Public Sector Industry (4.4%)
- Women’s Participation: Rose from 13% (2000–01) to 25% (2019–20) in extramural R&D projects.
- Global Position:
- 39th in Global Innovation Index 2024
- 6th in global Intellectual Property (IP) filings (WIPO Report)
Challenges
- Low GERD-to-GDP Ratio: 0.64% (2020–21)—far below the 2%+ seen in developed nations.
- Limited Private Sector Investment: 36.4% (2020–21), whereas businesses in developed economies contribute 50%+.
- Other Issues:
- Brain Drain: Talented researchers moving abroad.
- Weak Industry-Academia Collaboration.
- Lack of Advanced Infrastructure.
Key Initiatives to Boost R&D
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): Strengthens India’s research ecosystem (ANRF Act 2023).
- National AI Mission: Encourages AI-driven innovation.
- Major Institutions: DRDO, BIRAC, SERB supporting R&D across sectors.
- Other Programs: WISE-PhD, WISE-PDF, Atal Innovation Mission.
India’s expanding R&D investments signal a strong push toward innovation-led growth, but higher private sector participation is crucial for global competitiveness.
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Role of Quantum Computing in National Security Highlighted by NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog has emphasized the growing role of quantum computing in national security, citing advancements such as:
- Longer Qubit Coherence → Improves stability.
- Enhanced Qubit Control & Fidelity → Increases accuracy.
- Progress in Error Correction → Example: Google’s Willow Chip with a self-checking mechanism.
To accelerate India’s Frontier Tech adoption, NITI Frontier Tech Hub has been established as a Frontier Tech Action Tank.
Role of Quantum Computing in National Security
1. Cryptography & Cybersecurity
- Fault-tolerant quantum computers can break public-key encryption, threatening:
- Internet security.
- Online banking.
- Secure communications.
2. Intelligence Gathering
- Quantum processing enables:
- Enhanced signal intelligence (SIGINT).
- Advanced interception capabilities.
- More effective counterintelligence operations.
3. Military Applications
- Quantum algorithms can optimize:
- Logistics & resource allocation.
- Battlefield strategy.
- Quantum AI can power:
- Autonomous military drones.
- Robotic warfare systems.
4. Quantum Geopolitics
- Early breakthroughs will shape global power dynamics, making quantum supremacy a strategic priority.
Key Recommendations
1. Continuous Monitoring & Cryptographic Intelligence
- Establish a task force to track global quantum advancements.
- Assess vulnerabilities in national security systems.
2. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Transition
- Develop a risk-prioritized roadmap for PQC adoption.
- Transition critical systems to quantum-resistant encryption.
3. Technology Access Agreements
- Form bilateral partnerships for rapid quantum adoption.
- Focus on scalable quantum computing applications.
As quantum technology advances, proactive policy measures and strategic investments will be critical to India’s national security and global tech leadership.
UN-Women Releases ‘Women’s Rights in Review: 30 Years After Beijing’
Overview
UN-Women has released a report reviewing global progress on the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), which was adopted in 1995 by 189 countries, including India, to advance gender equality across 12 key areas.
- The BPfA was adopted during the UN’s Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China.
- The 30-year review highlights gains and challenges in women’s rights globally.
Key Challenges Highlighted in the Report
1. Economic Inequality
- Women earn 20% less than men on average.
- Many women remain in insecure or unpaid jobs.
- Ending extreme poverty for women is projected to take 137 years at the current pace.
2. Violence & Safety
- 1 in 3 women globally face physical or sexual violence.
- 53% of women experience online gender-based abuse.
- 25% of countries reported backlash against women’s rights in 2024.
3. Political Exclusion
- Only 87 countries have had a woman leader.
- Women hold just 27% of parliamentary seats and 36% of local government positions.
4. Climate Crisis & Gender Impact
- By 2050, 236 million women could face food insecurity due to climate change.
5. Gender-Responsive Policies
- 54% of countries track gender equality spending, but only 26% meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) standards for it.
Way Forward: Beijing+30 Action Agenda
The Beijing+30 Action Agenda focuses on 6+1 key actions (‘+1’ signifies youth inclusion in gender equality efforts):
- Close the digital gender gap
- Women-centric sustainable economic development
- End violence against women
- Increase women’s leadership
- Ensure accountability in peace, security, and humanitarian action
- Promote climate justice
- (Youth Inclusion) Engage younger generations in gender equality efforts
As the world marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, accelerating gender equality remains crucial to achieving inclusive and sustainable global progress.
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SpaceX Rocket Explosion: Space Debris Concerns Intensify
Incident Overview
A SpaceX rocket exploded, scattering debris over Florida and the Bahamas, raising concerns about the risks associated with satellite mega-constellations like Starlink and Kuiper.
Understanding Space Debris
- Definition: Non-functional, artificial objects in Earth’s orbit or re-entering the atmosphere.
- Sources:
- On-orbit breakups & collisions (primary source).
- Spent rocket stages and anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon tests.
Governance and Legal Challenges
1. Lack of Legal Clarity
- No universally accepted definition of space debris in international law.
2. Liability Issues
- The 1972 Liability Convention covers space objects, but debris status remains unclear.
- Jurisdictional gaps complicate responsibility for damages.
3. Enforcement Challenges
- Many older satellites lack deorbiting mechanisms.
- UN deorbiting guidelines are voluntary, leading to low compliance.
4. Attribution Difficulty
- Identifying the source of debris is complex, especially with older or fragmented objects.
Challenges Posed by Space Debris
- Risk to operational satellites and astronaut safety.
- Increased costs for satellite maintenance and collision avoidance.
- Threat to future space missions due to growing orbital congestion.
Key Initiatives for Space Debris Mitigation
Global Efforts
- Inter-Agency Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) (1993): Multinational effort for space debris reduction.
- UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines: Created by UN-COPUOS for sustainable space activities.
- Zero Debris Charter: Signed by 12 countries, including Austria, Belgium, and Cyprus.
India’s Initiatives
- Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM) 2030: India’s goal for sustainable space missions.
- ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management (IS4OM): Enhances space situational awareness.
- Space Situational Awareness Control Centre (SSACC): Tracks and monitors space objects.
- Project NETRA: ISRO’s network for space object tracking and analysis.
Way Forward
- Stronger global cooperation on debris mitigation.
- Mandatory deorbiting mechanisms for satellites.
- Development of active debris removal (ADR) technologies.
- Stricter regulations for satellite mega-constellations.
The SpaceX incident highlights the urgent need for better space governance as Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly congested.
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