UPSC DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (17th May,2025)

A Fund Crunch in the US: A Scientific Opportunity for India

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• The United States, long hailed as the epicentre of scientific innovation and research, is currently witnessing a systematic erosion of its knowledge economy.

Crisis in the the USA

• Funding Freezes: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other US agencies have halted or cut funding for several international collaborative projects.
• Institutional Uncertainty: Universities are facing layoffs and lab shutdowns; tenure-track positions are being reduced.
• Migration of Scientists: Early-career researchers and even senior scientists are leaving the US for Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Opportunity for Indian Diaspora 

• A Rich Talent Pool: India-born scientists make up a significant portion of the US STEM workforce, with many contributing to major breakthroughs and winning global science awards.
  • E.g. Lasker, Breakthrough, and even Nobel Prizes.
• Reversing Brain Drain: India must expand pathways for permanent relocation, lab creation, and institutional leadership roles.

Global Response to the Crisis

• France launched the “Safe Place for Science” programme at Aix-Marseille University, aimed at providing a secure and supportive environment for scientists, particularly those facing uncertainties in their professional careers.
• Germany and Switzerland are offering long-term fellowships and research grants targeting displaced or dissatisfied scientists.
• China is increasing funding under “Talent Return” schemes to lure overseas Chinese researchers.

Initiatives taken by India

• VAIBHAV (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik) fellowships were launched to connect overseas Indian scientists with domestic institutions.
• The VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) scheme is a fellowship program that offers short-term positions for overseas scientists, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), to work in Indian research institutions.
  • The scheme aims to foster international collaboration and leverage the expertise of overseas researchers for India’s research and development ecosystem.
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) aims to seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories. 
• Philanthropic Engagement: According to Indian Philanthropy Report 2025, private social sector funding reached ₹1.31 lakh crore in 2024.
  • Foundations like Tata Trusts, Infosys Foundation, and Wipro Foundation are increasingly supporting R&D efforts.

What are the challenges?

• Limited Research Infrastructure: Many institutions lack cutting-edge labs, interdisciplinary ecosystems, and research autonomy.
• Inadequate Start-up Grants: India’s research start-up funding usually lags behind what is offered in the US, EU, or China.
• Short-Term Vision: Existing programmes focus more on visiting roles than on long-term institutional integration.
• Bureaucratic Red Tape: Complex approval mechanisms, lack of flexibility in research agendas, and delayed fund disbursement discourage talent relocation.
• India spends only 0.65% of its GDP on R&D (as per NITI Aayog report), far below countries like China (2.4%) and the US (3.45%).

Concluding remarks

• The erosion of the US research ecosystem presents India with a historic opportunity to reposition itself as a global scientific powerhouse. 
• By investing in infrastructure, autonomy, and talent, and by embracing its global diaspora, India can catalyse a transformation from importing knowledge to exporting innovation.

Sagarmatha Sambaad

Syllabus: GS1/ Indian Geography, GS3/Environment 

In News

• Union Minister for Environment addressed the 1st Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal, presenting a five-point global action plan to protect fragile mountain ecosystems, with a focus on the Himalayas.

Key Highlights From the Address

• “Sagarmatha”, meaning ‘Head of the Sky’, symbolizes both the majesty and responsibility of protecting mountain ecosystems. Sambaad (dialogue) is named after the world’s tallest mountain Sagarmatha (Mt. Everst).
• He emphasized the shared cultural and ecological bonds between India and its Himalayan neighbours.
• South Asia houses 25% of the global population, contributing only 4% to historical CO₂ emissions. Yet, developing countries like India bear disproportionate impacts of climate change.
  • And, developed countries are falling short on climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.
• He called for transboundary cooperation under the International Big Cats Alliance for species like snow leopards, tigers, and leopards & also reiterated India’s progress under Project Snow Leopard.

Five-Point Global Action Plan Proposed by India

• Enhanced Scientific Cooperation: Strengthening research collaboration, and monitoring cryospheric changes, hydrological cycles, and biodiversity.
• Building Climate Resilience: Investing in climate adaptation measures, early warning systems for disasters like Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and climate-resilient infrastructure in mountain areas.
• Empowerering Mountain Communities: Ensuring that the welfare, needs and aspirations of local communities are at the heart of policy-making and their benefit from green livelihoods and sustainable tourism. Their traditional knowledge is an invaluable resource.
• Providing Green Finance: Making available adequate and predictable climate finance as per the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement for mountain Nations to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies effectively.
• Recognizing Mountain Perspectives: Ensuring that the unique vulnerabilities and contributions of mountain ecosystems are suitably featured in global climate negotiations and sustainable development agendas.

Importance of Himalayas

• Climate Regulator: The Himalayas act as a barrier against cold Central Asian winds and influence the Indian monsoon, ensuring rainfall across northern plains.
• Water Source: They are the origin of major rivers like the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra, supporting water and food security for over a billion people.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: Home to diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species like the snow leopard and red panda.
• Cultural Significance: Sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism, the region hosts many pilgrimage sites like Amarnath, Badrinath, and Kailash Mansarovar.
• Strategic Importance: Serving as a natural frontier with China, Nepal, and Bhutan, the Himalayas are vital to India’s national security.

Initiatives Taken to Protect Himalayas

• National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE): Part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), it focuses on sustainable development, glacier monitoring, and biodiversity conservation in the Himalayan region.
• Secure Himalaya Project: Launched with UNDP support, it promotes conservation of high-altitude biodiversity and supports sustainable livelihoods in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Ladakh
• Project Snow Leopard: Aims to protect snow leopards and their habitat through community-based conservation and scientific research in five Himalayan states.
• International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA): India-led initiative to foster global cooperation in protecting big cats like snow leopards and tigers across transboundary Himalayan regions.

US Remittance Tax Plan Raises Concerns

Syllabus: GS2/IR/GS3/Economy

Context

• A U.S. bill proposes a 5% excise tax on any remittances that originate in the US to any other country.

Proposed Bill

• Tax Scope:The Bill proposes the levy on all cross-border remittances made by non-citizens, including H-1B, L-1, and F-1 visa holders, as well as green card holders. US citizens and nationals are exempt from this.
  • No minimum limit has been set in the proposed bill, this means even small transactions will be taxed.
  • For non-resident Indians in the US, the proposed tax will apply to any income they earn in the US from investments or stock options as well.
• Tax Collection: The provision requires that the tax be collected by remittance-transfer providers, who are responsible for depositing it every quarter with the treasury secretary.

What are Remittances?

• Remittances are a way to electronically send funds to people, often family, in another country.
  • Usually sent by individuals working in foreign countries, especially those employed in blue-collar or skilled jobs.
• Impact: Remittances are a significant source of income for many countries, contributing to their economic stability, supporting local economies, and sometimes helping to finance national trade deficits.
• Modes of Transfer: Remittances can be sent through banks, money transfer operators, or digital platforms.

Overseas Indians in US

• Nearly 54 lakh overseas Indians in the US, most of these individuals are in the US on temporary work visas like H-1B and L-1, or are green card holders who have not yet acquired citizenship.
  • India is the largest recipient of remittances from the US, receiving $32.9 billion in 2023-24 with a 27.7 per cent share in the country’s inward remittances (RBI).
• As per the World Bank, India has been the top recipient of remittances since 2008, with its share in world remittances rising from around 11 per cent in 2001 to about 14 percent in 2024.

Potential Impacts

• Remittances have long been a critical source of income for low- and middle-income countries, and have continued to exceed foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and ODA combined.
  • If the proposal gets approved, the cost for Indians in the US sending money back home will rise.
• Could discourage remittances to families in home countries.
• Transfer providers may face new administrative and compliance responsibilities.
• Might affect decisions on where to invest or hold assets, especially for those on temporary visas.
• Critics argue the tax constitutes double taxation, as immigrants already pay U.S. taxes on their income.

India’s Remittances: Key Facts

• India’s remittances have more than doubled from $55.6 billion in 2010-11 to $118.7 billion in 2023-24.
• Remittances from the U.S. and U.K. nearly doubled to 40% of total inward remittances in FY24, up from 26% in FY17. 
• The U.S. became the top source of remittances in FY21, contributing 23.4% followed by the UAE contributing 19.2%.
• Half of the remittances went to Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Other states like Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab had smaller shares (below 5%).

Nearly 300 million people faced acute hunger in 2024: Report

Syllabus: GS3/Sustainable Development

Context

• The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2025 provides consensus-based analysis on acute food insecurity, acute malnutrition and population displacement in countries/territories identified as having food crises in 2024. 

About

• The document is published annually by The Global Network Against Food Crisis (GNAFC) with analysis from the Food Security Information Network.
  • GNAFC is an international alliance of the United Nations, the European Union, governmental and non-governmental agencies working together to address food crises.
• It offers insights into immediate and medium-term risks to the food security and nutrition status of populations.  
• Though, India was not selected among the 53 countries analysed for the report.

Major Findings

• 295 million people across 53 countries faced acute hunger, 13.7 million more than in 2023.
• Even though there were some improvements in 15 countries including in Afghanistan, Kenya, and Ukraine, deteriorating acute food insecurity in 19 others outweighed those improvements.

• Most Severely Affected
  • The number of people facing catastrophic hunger more than doubled between 2023 and 2024, to reach 1.9 million — the highest on record since the GRFC began tracking in 2016.
  • High malnutrition rates were recorded in the Gaza Strip, Mali, Sudan, and Yemen.
  • Famine has been confirmed in Sudan, while other hotspots with people experiencing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity include the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali.
• Major Drivers of the Crisis
  • Conflict, forced displacement, climate change & other economic factors like inflations, fragile state economy. 

UN & Partner Recommendations

• Evidence-driven, impact-focused interventions.
• Invest in local food systems and integrated nutrition services to build long-term resilience.
• Scale proven solutions, pool resources, and center affected communities in responses.

Gene Editing Therapy Used to Cure a Rare Disease

Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology

In News

• In a historic medical breakthrough, scientists in the United States have, for the first time, successfully used a personalized CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy to treat a rare genetic disorder Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency in an infant.
  • CPS-1 Deficiency is a rare genetic metabolic disorder where the liver lacks an enzyme to convert toxic ammonia into urea, which is usually excreted through urine.

What is Gene Editing Therapy?

• Definition: 
  • Gene editing therapy refers to the deliberate alteration of DNA sequences within the cells of an individual to treat or cure genetic diseases. 
  • It involves modifying, deleting, or inserting specific genes at targeted locations in the genome to correct mutations or enhance cellular functions.
• Types of Gene Editing Techniques:
  • CRISPR-Cas9: Most widely used tool; cuts DNA at specific sites using guide RNA and Cas9 enzyme
  • Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs): Uses engineered proteins to bind and cut DNA
  • Base Editing: Alters a single nucleotide without breaking DNA strands
  • Prime Editing: Acts like a ‘word processor’ to insert, delete, or replace DNA sequences
• Mechanism: 

Applications of Gene Editing Therapy

• Medicine: Treating genetic disorders like Sickle Cell Anaemia, Beta-Thalassemia, CPS-1 Deficiency.
• Engineering immune cells (CAR-T therapy) to target cancer
• Agriculture: Developing disease-resistant, high-yield crops
• Veterinary Science: Enhancing livestock traits

India’s Progress in Gene Editing

• CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) is developing indigenous CRISPR platform (IndiCRISPR).
• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is funding genome-editing research under the National Biopharma Mission.
• Gene Therapy Guidelines (2020): Issued to streamline ethical clinical application.

Challenges 

• Safety issues: Off-target effects, immune reactions, unintended mutations.
• Ethical concerns:  Germline editing (heritable changes), designer babies
• Limited access: High cost, availability limited to developed nations

Hybrid & Proxy Warfare

Syllabus: GS3/Security

Context

• Recently, the Union Defence Minister emphasized that India’s fight against terrorism is now part of its National Defence Doctrine, reinforcing its commitment to eliminating hybrid and proxy threats.

Understanding Hybrid Warfare

• It is designed to destabilize adversaries without direct military confrontation. It involves a mix of kinetic (traditional military operations) and non-kinetic (extends beyond usual military operations) tactics, including:
  • Cyber warfare: Attacks on critical infrastructure, financial systems, and government networks.
  • Disinformation campaigns: Manipulating public perception through fake news and propaganda.
  • Economic coercion: Trade restrictions, sanctions, and financial manipulation.
  • Proxy conflicts: Supporting insurgent groups or non-state actors to destabilize adversaries.  
• The Russia-Ukraine conflict is a prime example, where cyberattacks, drone warfare, and economic sanctions have played a crucial role.

Understanding Proxy Warfare: Indirect Conflict Through Third Parties

• Proxy warfare involves state or non-state actors supporting armed groups or insurgencies to achieve strategic objectives without direct involvement. 
• India has consistently faced cross-border terrorism, with Pakistan-backed groups engaging in proxy conflicts.
• Pakistan’s Proxy War Against India:
  • Cross-Border Terrorism targeting Indian security forces and civilians.
  • Drug and Weapon Smuggling into Punjab, aiming to create internal disturbances.

India’s Response to Hybrid & Proxy Warfare

• Strengthening Cyber Defenses: Enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure to prevent cyber espionage and attacks.
• Military Modernization: Investing and Strengthening cyber defenses, AI-based warfare, electromagnetic warfare, and space-based security.
• Institutional Reforms: Like Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) and Military Theaterisation etc.
• Intelligence Agencies: Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO).
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with global allies to counter misinformation and economic coercion.
  • Example: Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)

SC Bans Retrospective Environment Permits

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• The Supreme Court invalidated retrospective environmental clearances, emphasizing that development cannot compromise environmental protection.

Retrospective environmental clearances

• These are approvals granted to industrial or infrastructure projects after the commencement of operations or construction, bypassing the legal requirement of prior environmental assessment.
• The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, mandates prior EC before commencing any project that may affect the environment.

Supreme Court Ruling

• The Court invalidated the 2017 notification and 2021 Office Memorandum that permitted such clearances, calling them illegal and contrary to constitutional mandates.
• The ruling cited Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to live in a pollution-free environment.
• Highlighting Article 48A and 51A(g) of the Constitution, the judgment reaffirmed both state and citizen obligations to protect the environment.

Significance of Supreme court ruling

• Custodians of environmental rights: The SC’s decision is a classic example of judicial activism to uphold environmental justice.
• Role of Polluter Pays Principle: The ruling implicitly upholds the Polluter Pays Principle, as those who pollute without clearance cannot be legally protected.
  • It calls for environmental compensation mechanisms and project-specific reparations.
• International Commitments: India is a signatory to the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs).
  • Allowing ex post facto clearances goes against SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).