18.04.25 Daily [Assam] APSC Current Affairs

• Shikara Capsizes: A tourist shikara overturned in Dal Lake, Srinagar due to strong winds. A tourist family and a boatman were involved.
• Rescue: Local boat owners rescued the individuals. No casualties were reported.
• Investigation: Authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident, suspecting passenger movement may have contributed to the capsizing. The boat is under inspection.
• Dal Lake Significance: Dal Lake is an urban lake in Srinagar, known as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Lake of Flowers.” It’s vital for tourism and recreation.
• Lake Details: The lake has a shoreline of 15.5 km, surrounded by Mughal gardens, houseboats, and hotels. It’s relatively shallow (average 5 ft, max 20 ft) and covers 18 sq km, with floating gardens (“Raad”) that bloom in July-August.
• Weather Impact: The rainfall that caused the incident led to a drop in temperatures in Kashmir, providing relief to residents and tourists.
• Wider Weather Events: Other regions like Himachal Pradesh are also experiencing heavy rainfall and snowfall, causing disruptions.

• UK Supreme Court Ruling: Defines “woman” in the Equality Act 2010 based on biological sex, not gender identity.
• Biological Sex as Defining Factor: Individuals not born female cannot gain legal protections as women under the Act via a Gender Recognition Certificate. Transgender women are excluded from this definition for equality purposes.
• Protections for Transgender Individuals: The Act still protects trans individuals under “gender reassignment.”
• Implications: Allows women-only services (shelters, etc.) to exclude trans women. Impacts employment/equal pay cases as trans women may not be valid comparators.
• Scottish Government Guidance deemed incorrect Court ruled Scottish government’s guidance that those with Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) in the female gender could be used to define the term ‘woman’ was incorrect.
• For Women Scotland (FWS) Fought to define ‘woman’ based on biological sex.

Why in News?

• Ongoing Debate: The ruling addresses the contentious issue of gender identity vs. biological sex.
• Clarity & Confidence: Aims to give “clarity and confidence” for women and service providers like hospitals, sports clubs and shelters, and women can now feel safe that services and spaces designated for women are for women.
• Transgender rights Transgender rights activists argue that the ruling is blow to some of the most marginalised people in society and gender should be based on gender identity
• Potential Impact: This decision may influence similar legal discussions globally regarding gender identity and equality laws and reflects long drawn-out culture wars that are being fought over gender on both sides of the Atlantic

• Google Launches Ironwood: Google has released Ironwood, its 7th generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU).

• AI-Focused Design: Ironwood is specifically designed for advanced AI models like Large Language Models (LLMs) and Mixture of Experts (MoEs), enabling proactive AI and insights generation.

• High Performance: Each Ironwood pod can support up to 9,216 chips, delivering 42.5 Exaflops of computing power. It offers a 24x performance boost compared to the El Capitan supercomputer.

• Energy Efficiency: Ironwood doubles the performance per watt compared to previous generations, using liquid cooling for power efficiency.

• Scalable AI: Ironwood integrates with Google Cloud’s Hypercomputer architecture, enabling scaling of generative AI workloads.

• TPU Specialization: TPUs, like Ironwood, are Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) designed to accelerate machine learning workloads, specialized for AI computational tasks, differentiating them from CPUs and GPUs.

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• TPU vs CPU vs GPU: CPUs are general-purpose, GPUs handle parallel processing (especially graphics), and TPUs accelerate machine learning. TPUs are optimized for AI tasks with specialized cores.

• Processing Units Explained: Processing units (CPUs, GPUs, TPUs) are hardware components that act as the “brain” of a computer, handling tasks like calculations.

• TPUs for Efficiency: TPUs are engineered to handle tensor operations, processing large data volumes, and executing complex neural networks efficiently, reducing AI model training time significantly.

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• Free Shinkansen Trains for India: Japan will provide two Shinkansen train sets (E5 and E3 series) to India at no cost in early 2026. This is to help test and inspect the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor.
• Purpose of the Trains: The trains will be fitted with inspection equipment to collect crucial operational data, especially regarding India’s environmental conditions (high temperatures, dust).
• E5 and E3 Series Details: The E5 series is a high-speed train (320 km/h) in service since 2011. The E3 series is a slightly older model for mini-shinkansen services. Both have aerodynamic designs and advanced safety features.
• Next-Generation Shinkansen (E10/Alfa-X): The inspection data will help fine-tune the design of the E10, the next-generation Shinkansen (up to 400 kmph), planned for adoption by both countries in the early 2030s.
• Mumbai-Ahmedabad Project: The project, implemented by NHSRCL, uses Japanese Shinkansen technology and is largely funded (80%) by a low-interest loan from JICA.
• Project Timeline: The initial completion deadline of 2022 has been revised to 2028, with a partial opening expected by August 2027.
• Significance for India: The Shinkansen represents modern engineering, punctuality, and safety. India will gain hands-on experience before the E10 rollout. The trains are expected to be modified for Indian conditions (luggage space, weather resistance).
• National Rail Plan 2030: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor aligns with India’s broader rail modernisation strategy under the National Rail Plan 2030.

• Banarasi Shehnai receives GI Tag: Recognizes the instrument’s specific origin and cultural significance tied to Varanasi.
• Cultural Heritage: Reinforces Varanasi’s rich musical and craft heritage on a national level.
• Traditional Wind Instrument: Highlights the Banarasi Shehnai’s place in the Banaras Gharana of Indian classical music.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan’s Legacy: Acknowledges his role in popularizing the Shehnai globally. He elevated the Shehnai to prominence in Indian classical music with his performance at the Calcutta All India Music Conference in 1937. He was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2001.
• Auspicious Instrument: Emphasizes its importance in weddings, religious ceremonies, and temple rituals.
• Protection and Authenticity: The GI tag protects the Banarasi Shehnai from imitation, ensuring authenticity and quality.
• Prime Minister’s Involvement: PM Modi presented the GI certificate to a Banarasi artisan, underscoring the importance of this recognition.
• Other GI Tags: The article notes GI tags for Banarasi Tabla and Banarasi Bharwan Mirch, indicating a broader recognition of Varanasi’s unique products.
• Benefits of GI Tag: Authorizes only those residing in the geographical territory to use the popular product name. It also protects the product from being copied or imitated by others.
• Legal Framework: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 & WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

• First-Ever Digital Threat Report 2024: India launched its first Digital Threat Report 2024 focusing on strengthening cybersecurity in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.

• Unified Cybersecurity Framework: Emphasizes the need for a unified cybersecurity framework to protect India’s financial backbone, developed collaboratively by CERT-In, CSIRT-Fin, and SISA.

• Rising Cyberattack Costs: The BFSI sector saw a surge in cyberattacks, with global data breach costs rising to USD 4.88 million and USD 2.18 million in India.

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• Digital Growth and Threat Exposure: BFSI’s digital growth, projected to reach USD 3.1 trillion in payments by 2028, is widening its cyber threat exposure.

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• Phishing Surges and AI Impact: Phishing attacks in India surged, with AI making these attacks more convincing via sophisticated email generation and chatbot scams.

• Cloud Vulnerabilities Exploited: There has been a 180% increase in attacks exploiting cloud vulnerabilities like misconfigured services.

• Key Recommendations: Proactive measures include employee training, regular vulnerability scans, real-time threat intelligence, and defense-in-depth strategies.

• Multi-Dimensional Cyber Insights: The report integrates real-world cyber intelligence, offering a multi-dimensional perspective on emerging threats.

• Collaborative Cyber Defense: The interconnected nature of the BFSI ecosystem necessitates coordinated cybersecurity efforts at national and sectoral levels.

• Securing Digital Transactions: Securing digital transactions is crucial for economic stability as India’s BFSI sector rapidly expands.

• Joint Naval Exercise Proposed: EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA proposed a joint maritime exercise with the Indian Navy around the end of May 2025.

• Objective: Enhance coordination and maritime cooperation, particularly against piracy and geopolitical instability in the Red Sea.

• Advanced Drills: Proposed drills would go beyond routine PASSEX, including advanced tactical maneuvers, counter-piracy operations, and inter-naval communications training.

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• Resurgent Piracy: Piracy off the Horn of Africa saw a resurgence amid Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea.

• Operation ATALANTA Background: EU’s counter-piracy mission in the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea, launched in 2008, expanded to include protecting WFP vessels, enforcing arms embargo on Somalia, monitoring trafficking, combating IUU fishing, and disrupting illegal charcoal trade.

• Shared Interests: Maintain the Indian Ocean as a “free, open, sustainable and inclusive area free of danger.”

• Coordination Success: Citing the hijacking of MV Ruen as an example of successful coordination with India.

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• Indian Navy’s Role: Indian Navy recognised as a major actor in the area for anti-piracy.

• Apprehension of Pirates: Joint anti-piracy efforts led to the apprehension of 70 suspected pirates last year, with the Indian Navy accounting for 44 captures.

• Challenges: The vastness of the Indian Ocean region, necessitating significant assets and robust logistics.

• Europe’s Commitment: Europe is a good long-term partner and should work for keeping this area free and open.

• Innovation Focus Urged: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal calls for Indian startups to move beyond consumer services like grocery delivery and focus on high-tech areas like semiconductors, machine learning, robotics, and AI.

• Startup Ecosystem Size: India has the world’s 3rd largest startup ecosystem with over 1.57 lakh DPIIT-recognized startups (Dec 2024).

• Government Support: Startup India, SISFS, FFS, AIM, CGSS, and MeitY Startup Hub are key initiatives, but SISF may not be providing adequate funding.

• Infrastructure and Economic Challenges: High operational costs, infrastructure gaps, and a segmented demand structure hinder startup success. Limited R&D spending (0.64% of GDP) is also a factor.

• Funding Issues: Seed funding dipped by 25%, and D2C funding fell by 18% in 2024, with over 5,000 startup closures reported in Maharashtra. More domestic VC investment is needed.

• Exit Concerns: Underperforming IPOs increase investor caution due to high valuations and profitability concerns.

• Collaboration is Key: Industry-institution-academia partnerships (DRDO, ISRO, IITs) are crucial for scaling deep-tech ventures. Outcome-based grants are also needed in India Semiconductor Mission, IndiaAI Mission and National Quantum Mission

• Global Competitiveness: Startups need to develop high-quality, scalable products to compete globally, with a focus on green innovation.

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• Talent and Digital Compliance: Investing in AI, ML, and data analytics skills is vital, alongside establishing a unified digital compliance platform to ease regulatory burdens.

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• Debate on Innovation: While India has a growing number of startups, questions remain about the depth of innovation and scalability, with deep tech ventures facing high capital requirements.

• Startup India Impact: The Startup India initiative has encouraged many to start ventures, with multiple ministries involved and significant debt capital flowing into startups.

• India vs. China: China’s nationalistic view of technology, closed ecosystem, and higher per capita GDP have contributed to a more mature startup ecosystem.

• Decline in Merchandise Trade: Global merchandise trade is projected to decline by 0.2% in 2025, a sharp contrast from the 2.9% growth in 2024, due to trade tensions.
• Tariff Impact: Reactivation of US reciprocal tariffs could cut global trade growth by 0.6%, and US-China tariff escalation could reduce trade by another 0.8%.
• Modest Services Growth: Global services trade is projected to grow by 4.0% in 2025, slower than expected due to tariff-induced disruptions in goods trade.
• Regional Disparities: North America is expected to face a 12.6% decline in exports. Asia and Europe are projected to see modest trade growth.
• Vulnerable Economies: LDCs are particularly vulnerable to the downturn due to reliance on a narrow range of exports.
• Trade Diversion: US-China trade disruption may cause trade diversion, increasing Chinese exports outside North America and creating opportunities for other suppliers to fill US import gaps.
• Recession Risk: UNCTAD forecasts global growth to slow to 2.3% in 2025, signaling a potential shift toward recession, especially for developing countries.
• India’s Trade Position: India’s rank among merchandise exporters and importers has dropped, with a steady or slightly decreased share of global trade.
• Call for Coordination: UNCTAD urges increased regional and international policy coordination to strengthen global economic resilience amidst rising economic fragmentation.
• Policy Uncertainty: Uncertainty surrounding trade policy, especially the US-China stand-off, acts as a brake on global growth.

• Supreme Court’s Stance: The Supreme Court upheld the use of Urdu on a municipal council signboard in Maharashtra, emphasizing that language is culture and should not divide people. Urdu is considered a key element of India’s composite culture (Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb).

• Misconception about Urdu: The court clarified that Urdu is not alien to India; it originated on Indian soil and is an Indo-Aryan language.

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• Urdu’s Cultural Significance: Urdu embodies the composite culture of India, blending Hindu and Muslim traditions. It is rich in poetry, literature, and is present in Bollywood.

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• Official Status: Urdu is recognized as an official language in several states and Union Territories, reflecting its importance.

• Linguistic Diversity: India has immense linguistic diversity with Urdu being one of the most spoken languages.

• Historical Context: The court discussed the historical acceptance of Hindustani and the impact of Partition on its national language status.

• Urdu in Modern India: Urdu continues to be used in common conversations and legal contexts. It is often used in legal settings from the court to the halafnama to peshi.