1. Black Sea

US-Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia on Ukraine War and Black Sea Ceasefire

Why in the News?
Diplomatic discussions between US and Russian officials are underway in Saudi Arabia, aiming to secure a broader ceasefire in Ukraine and a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
US President Donald Trump has intensified diplomatic efforts, previously engaging in talks with Ukrainian representatives in Riyadh.
The Black Sea ceasefire agreement seeks to restore unhindered maritime navigation, though the region has not been a significant military hotspot in recent months.
These negotiations occur amid continued Russian missile attacks on Ukraine, including a recent strike in Sumy that left 65 people injured, including 14 children.

About the Black Sea

• Location: A vast inland sea located in southeastern Europe.

• Type: One of the marginal seas of the Atlantic Ocean.

• Area: Approximately 436,000 square kilometers (168,000 square miles).

• Bordering Regions:

  • West: Balkan Peninsula (Southeastern Europe)

  • East: Caucasus Mountains

  • North: East European Plains (Russia & Ukraine)

  • South: Anatolia (Turkey, Western Asia)

• Bordering Countries:

  • North: Russia, Ukraine

  • South: Turkey

  • West: Bulgaria

  • East: Georgia

  • Romania also has access to the Black Sea.

Key Features:

• The Crimean Peninsula extends into the Black Sea from the north.

• Russia has the longest coastline (2,300 km), followed by Turkey (1,329 km) and Ukraine (1,282 km).

• It connects to the Aegean Sea (Mediterranean) via the Bosporus Strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles Strait.

• The Kerch Strait links it to the Sea of Azov.

• The Black Sea has lower salinity compared to the world’s oceans due to its limited exchange with the Mediterranean.

• Major rivers flowing into the sea include the Danube, Dnieper, Southern Bug, Rioni, and Dniester.

Environmental and Strategic Importance

• Largest Meromictic Basin: Rare mixing between upper and lower water layers creates a unique ecological environment.

• Anoxic Zones: Deep layers have low oxygen levels, affecting marine biodiversity.

• Geopolitical Significance:

  • Key trade route, particularly for Russia and Ukraine's grain and energy exports.

  • Frequent naval operations by NATO and Russia.

  • Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is stationed in Sevastopol, Crimea, making the region heavily militarized.

• Key Islands:

  • Snake Island (Ukraine)

  • Giresun Island (Turkey)

  • St. Ivan Island (Bulgaria)

2. Vikramshila University

Revival Efforts Underway for Bihar’s Ancient Learning Center

Why in the News?

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is developing the historic site of Vikramshila University in Bihar to promote tourism.
The Bihar government has earmarked 202.14 acres in Antichak village, Bhagalpur, for establishing a Central University at the ancient site.
Initially approved in 2015 with a ₹500 crore budget, the project faced delays due to land acquisition challenges.

About Vikramshila University

• Location: Situated in Bhagalpur, Bihar, along the Ganges River.

• Founder: Established by King Dharmapala of the Pala Dynasty (late 8th – early 9th century AD) to counter Nalanda University’s perceived decline in educational standards.

Significance

• A renowned hub for Tantric Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism, playing a key role in their spread.

• Specialized in tantric and occult studies, setting it apart from Nalanda University, which had a broader curriculum.

• Under King Dharmapala’s rule, Vikramshila influenced Nalanda’s affairs, demonstrating its academic and administrative prominence.

• Hosted over 1,000 students and 100 teachers, attracting scholars from across India and beyond.

• Produced Atisa Dipankara, a prominent scholar who contributed to Buddhism’s expansion in Tibet.

Key Features

• A central stupa surrounded by 208 cells housed student-monks engaged in study and meditation.

• An advanced library with a cooling system preserved delicate manuscripts using water channels from a nearby reservoir.

• The curriculum included theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, logic, and tantra studies, reflecting its academic diversity.

• Governed by a Kulpati (Mahasthavir), responsible for overseeing university administration.

Decline

• Destroyed around 1203 AD by Muhammad Bin Bakhtiyar Khalji, marking the fall of both Vikramshila and Nalanda University.

3. DNA Fingerprinting | Explained

Unlocking Genetic Identification Through STR Analysis and PCR

Why in the News?

DNA fingerprinting is widely used in forensic science, ancestry research, and biological studies.
Variations in DNA sequences (DNA polymorphisms) are fundamental to crime investigations, identity verification, and genetic analysis.

What is DNA?

• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the genetic blueprint in nearly all human cells.

• Humans have 46 chromosomes:

  • 23 from the father (sperm).

  • 23 from the mother (egg).

• Genes in DNA determine traits like eye color, height, and disease susceptibility.

What are DNA Polymorphisms?

• Differences in DNA sequences among individuals.

• Enable scientists to determine:

  • Parentage (paternity/maternity tests)

  • Genetic ancestry

  • Individual identification through DNA fingerprinting

Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)

• Short repeating DNA sequences (e.g., GATCGATCGATC).

• Each individual has a unique STR pattern, making them useful for:

  • Forensic investigations

  • Criminal identification

  • Parent-child relationship testing

How is DNA Copied for Analysis? (PCR Method)

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplifies DNA for analysis.

• Steps:

  1. DNA Extraction – Collected from blood, bones, saliva, or skin cells.

  2. Denaturation (95°C) – DNA strands separate.

  3. Annealing (60°C) – Primers bind to target sequences.

  4. Extension (72°C) – DNA polymerase builds new strands.

  5. Cycling Process – Repeats, generating millions of copies.

What is DNA Fingerprinting?

• A unique genetic profile based on STR variations.

• Capillary Electrophoresis separates DNA fragments for analysis.

• Used in criminal investigations, ancestry research, and medical studies.

• Common DNA sources: Teeth, bones, blood, saliva, sweat, semen, skin cells.

4. Finance Bill: A Critical Legislative Component

Tharoor Labels Finance Bill as a Patchwork Solution

Overview of the Finance Bill

The Finance Bill is an essential part of the Union Budget, introduced annually to:

• Implement the government's fiscal policies.

• Sanction taxation, expenditure, and revenue measures for the upcoming financial year.

As per Article 110(a) of the Indian Constitution, the Finance Bill must be presented alongside the Budget. It is also accompanied by a Memorandum explaining the proposed tax provisions.

What is a Money Bill?

Definition (Article 110): A bill qualifies as a Money Bill if it includes provisions related to:

• Government borrowing.

• Expenditure from or receipts to the Consolidated Fund of India.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha determines whether a bill is a Money Bill. The Rajya Sabha can only provide recommendations but cannot amend or reject it, as the final decision rests with the Lok Sabha.

5. Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar Initiative

India’s Participation in AIKEYME Maritime Exercise

The Indian Navy is set to join a large-scale multilateral maritime engagement with African nations under the Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) initiative.

What is IOS Sagar?

The Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar is a maritime security cooperation program focused on the Southwest Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

• Duration: April 5 – May 8, 2025

• Vessel Involved: INS Sunayna (Offshore Patrol Vessel)

• Participants: India and 9 African nations – Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.

Key Activities

• Port visits to Tanzania (Dar-es-Salaam), Mozambique (Nacala), Mauritius (Port Louis), Seychelles (Port Victoria), and Maldives (Male).

• Joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

• Naval training for African personnel at Indian institutions in Kochi, covering security drills, naval operations, and watchkeeping.

What is AIKEYME?

• AIKEYME (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement) translates to "Unity" in Sanskrit.

• Co-hosts: Indian Navy & Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF).

• Location: Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

• Participants: India + 10 African nations (Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania).

• Duration: Six days (mid-April 2025).

• Inauguration: By India’s Defence Minister.

Training & Operational Phases

• Harbour Phase: Table-top drills, command post exercises on piracy, and maritime information-sharing.

• Seamanship Training: Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations.

• Sea Phase: Search and Rescue (SAR), helicopter operations, small arms firing, and maritime security drills.

What is SAGAR?

Launched in 2015, Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) is India’s strategic initiative for a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Key Components:

• Countering Chinese Influence: Strengthening partnerships with IOR nations.

• Maritime Security: Addressing piracy, terrorism, and illegal activities.

• Capacity Building: Supporting regional nations in disaster management and infrastructure.

• Economic & Connectivity Initiatives: Promoting trade and investment.

Supporting Indian Initiatives Under SAGAR

• South Asia Satellite (SAS): Enhances communication and disaster response.

• Mission SAGAR: Provided COVID-19 medical aid to Indian Ocean nations.

• Vaccine Maitri: Supplied COVID-19 vaccines to Bhutan, Maldives, and other nations.

• Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project: Strengthens connectivity between India, Myanmar, and Southeast Asia.

6. Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR)

The population of big cats in the Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) within the Nallamala forest region has increased from 74 in 2023 to 76 in 2024, according to the Annual Report on the Status of Tigers, Prey, and Other Mammals - 2024.

About Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR):

• Location: Situated in the Nallamala hill ranges, an extension of the Eastern Ghats, in Andhra Pradesh.

• Size: It is India's largest tiger reserve, covering an area of 5,937 sq. km.

• Tiger Population: The reserve hosts the highest number of tigers within the Eastern Ghats landscape.

• Naming: Named after two significant dams in the region – Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Srisailam Dam.

• Sanctuaries: It comprises two wildlife sanctuaries:

  • Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBM)

• Key River: The Krishna River flows through the reserve for approximately 270 kilometers.

• Topography: Characterized by plateaus, ridges, gorges, and deep valleys.

• Vegetation: Consists of tropical dry deciduous forests with bamboo and grass undergrowth.

• Flora: Includes endemic species such as Andrographis nallamalayana, Eriolaena lushingtonii, Crotalaria madurensis var., Dicliptera beddomei, and Premna hamiltonii.

• Fauna:

  • Predators: Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Wild Dog, and Jackal.

  • Prey species: Sambar, Chital, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, and Porcupine.

  • Aquatic species in the Krishna River: Muggers (crocodiles), Otters, and Turtles.

7. What is the Equalization Levy?

The Indian government has proposed the abolition of the Equalisation Levy (digital tax) on online advertisements, which is expected to benefit advertisers on platforms like Google and Meta.

About the Equalisation Levy:

• Introduction: Introduced in 2016, it aimed to tax digital transactions, particularly income earned by foreign e-commerce companies from India.

• Purpose: Designed to tax business-to-business (B2B) transactions, commonly referred to as the "Google Tax".

• Nature: A direct tax, deducted at the time of payment by the recipient of the service.

Conditions for Applicability:

The levy applies when:

1. The payment is made to a non-resident service provider.

2. The total annual payment to a single service provider exceeds ₹1,00,000 in a financial year.

Services Covered:

• From June 1, 2016: Online advertisement services.

• From April 1, 2020:

  • Digital advertising space.

  • Digital services or goods provided to Indian residents or users accessing them via Indian IP addresses.

Exemptions from Equalisation Levy:

The levy does not apply when:

1. The non-resident service provider has a permanent establishment in India, and the service is linked to it.

2. The total payment for the service is below ₹1 lakh.

3. The service is not intended for professional or business purposes.

4. The income falls under Section 10(50) of the IT Act to avoid double taxation.

5. The income is already taxed as fees or royalties for technical services.

Tax Rates:

• 6% on online advertising services.

• 2% on e-commerce transactions (sale of goods or services).

8. What is Permafrost?

A recent study reveals that 64.8% of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh is covered by permafrost.

About Permafrost:

• Definition: Ground that remains completely frozen (0°C or below) for at least two consecutive years.

• Location: Found in high-altitude mountain regions and Earth’s polar zones (North and South Poles).

• Extent: Covers large portions of land and even extends beneath the ocean floor.

• Depth: Can range from a few feet to over a mile deep.

• Global Coverage: Nearly one-fourth of the Northern Hemisphere has permafrost underneath.

Composition:

• Consists of soil, rocks, and sand held together by ice.

• Organic carbon from decomposed plant material is found in the upper layers.

• Lower layers contain mineral-rich soils.

Active Layer:

• A thin topsoil layer that thaws in summer and refreezes in winter.

• Thickness varies based on temperature:

  • Colder regions: 10-15 cm thick.

  • Warmer permafrost areas: Several meters thick.

9. Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

India will host the FATF Private Sector Collaborative Forum 2025 in Mumbai, focusing on payment transparency, financial inclusion, and digital financial system transformation.

About the Financial Action Task Force (FATF):

• Type: An intergovernmental organization that sets global standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

• Objective: To develop and promote international policies against financial crimes.

• Establishment: Founded in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris.

• Mandate Expansion: In 2001, FATF extended its scope to terrorism financing.

• Headquarters: Paris, France.

Membership:

• 39 countries, including India, USA, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany, France, and the European Union.

• India is a member of Asia Pacific Group (APG) and Eurasian Group (EAG).

FATF Blacklist & Greylist:

• Blacklist: Countries classified as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) for supporting terrorism financing and money laundering.

  • Current countries on the list: North Korea, Iran, Myanmar.

• Greylist: Countries monitored for financial crimes, serving as a warning before blacklisting.

Consequences of Being Blacklisted:

• No financial aid from IMF, World Bank, ADB, or the EU.

• Imposition of economic and financial sanctions.

10. Key Facts About the Hakki Pikki Tribe

Twenty-two Hakki Pikki tribe members from Channagiri taluk, Davangere, Karnataka, have been expelled from Gabon due to recent policy changes by the African government.

About the Hakki Pikki Tribe:

• Meaning: Hakki (Kannada: Bird) + Pikki (Catcher) = Bird Catchers.

• Status: A semi-nomadic Scheduled Tribe in India.

• Location: Primarily in Karnataka, also found in other southern and western states.

• Population: 11,892 (2011 Census), mainly in Davangere, Mysuru, Kolar, Hassan, and Shivamogga.

• Language: Vaagri (an endangered language per UNESCO).

Occupation:

• Traditionally bird catchers and hunters.

• Now engaged in selling spices, herbal oils, and Ayurvedic products, particularly in Africa.

Culture:

• Matriarchal society: The groom pays dowry.

• Endogamous clans with cross-cousin marriages.

• The eldest son in a family is not supposed to cut his hair.