Weekly Current Affairs Test : 1st to 7th March 2025

The Aditya-L1 mission, which is India's first dedicated space-based solar mission, successfully captured the first-ever image of a solar flare kernel in the lower solar atmosphere on February 22, 2025. This groundbreaking achievement enhances scientific understanding of solar activity and its potential effects on Earth's environment. Solar flares are bursts of radiation and energy that can impact satellite operations and communications on Earth, making such observations essential for advancing space weather prediction models.

The Aditya-L1 mission is focused on investigating solar dynamics and magnetic fields. As India's first solar observatory, it aims to enhance our understanding of solar phenomena, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which are crucial for comprehending space weather and its impacts on Earth. This research plays a significant role in advancing solar physics and contributes to our knowledge of natural fusion processes, as the Sun functions as a massive natural fusion reactor.

The primary purpose of the General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR) is to enhance tax authorities' ability to combat tax avoidance. By allowing tax authorities to reassess previously time-barred tax years and classify certain transactions as impermissible avoidance arrangements (IAAs), GAAR aims to prevent tax avoidance strategies that exploit loopholes in tax law. This is significant because it strengthens the enforcement of tax regulations, ensuring that all taxpayers contribute fairly to the tax system.

The Dramatic Performances Act of 1876 was primarily aimed at suppressing nationalist sentiments during the British colonial era by allowing authorities to censor and ban performances considered scandalous or seditious. This act was a tool for the colonial government to control artistic expression and limit free speech, reflecting the oppressive nature of colonial rule in India. An interesting fact is that despite its repeal in 2018, the legacy of such laws continues to be a topic of discussion in the context of legal reforms in India.

The rhino census in Nepal is facing a significant challenge due to the cessation of funding from USAID. This funding was crucial for various logistical needs, including the provision of essential equipment like GPS devices. Without this financial support, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation may struggle to conduct the census, which is vital for effective wildlife management and conservation. This situation not only threatens the rhino census but also raises concerns for future wildlife surveys.

The decline in cotton cultivation area in Punjab from eight lakh hectares to just one lakh hectares is primarily attributed to the rise of pests like whiteflies and pink bollworms. These pests have severely impacted cotton yields, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to maintain profitable crops. Understanding pest management strategies and adopting pest-resistant crop varieties are crucial for the future sustainability of cotton farming in the region.

The Harpoon missile is equipped with GPS-assisted inertial navigation, which significantly enhances its accuracy and operational effectiveness. This feature allows the missile to strike targets with precision, whether they are naval vessels or land-based targets, and it operates effectively in all weather conditions. An interesting fact about the Harpoon missile is that it has been in service since 1977 and is used by more than 30 countries, showcasing its widespread adoption and proven reliability in military applications.

The collaborative project aims to address significant threats to biodiversity within the Lake Tanganyika Basin by promoting sustainable natural resource management and conservation efforts. This initiative is crucial as it seeks to protect vital ecosystems, which support millions of people and diverse species. An interesting fact is that Lake Tanganyika is one of the oldest and deepest freshwater lakes in the world, making its unique ecosystems particularly vulnerable to human activities and environmental changes.

The initiative announced by Ursula von der Leyen aims to bolster Europe’s military capabilities and provide immediate support to Ukraine amidst escalating tensions with Russia. This significant financial mobilization is a response to the recent suspension of U.S. military assistance, highlighting the urgency for Europe to enhance its defense readiness and support its Eastern neighbor.

The Indigenous On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) is designed specifically to generate oxygen onboard the aircraft, thereby eliminating the need for traditional liquid oxygen cylinders. This innovation enhances the aircraft's operational capabilities, particularly during high-altitude missions where oxygen levels can be critically low. The OBOGS utilizes advanced technology to separate oxygen from the air, ensuring a reliable supply for pilots, thus significantly improving safety and reducing logistical challenges.

The Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib Ji ropeway projects aim to enhance transportation for thousands of annual pilgrims and promote tourism in the region. By providing efficient and eco-friendly travel solutions, these projects are designed to improve accessibility to key pilgrimage sites, thereby enriching the overall pilgrimage experience for visitors. Interestingly, these projects not only facilitate travel but also support local economies through job creation and tourism development.

If global temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius, it is projected that up to 50% of crop production in low latitude regions could be at risk. This alarming statistic underscores the vulnerability of agricultural systems in warmer climates, highlighting the urgent need for effective climate adaptation strategies to safeguard food security in these areas.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to review challenges related to the commercial cultivation of GM mustard, specifically focusing on the legalities surrounding the Centre's approval for its environmental release. This review underscores the ongoing debates about GM crops in India, which involve both scientific advancements and public concerns regarding food safety and environmental implications.

Observations of solar flares are crucial because they can significantly influence weather patterns and communication systems on Earth. Solar flares release vast amounts of energy and can produce solar storms that disrupt satellite signals, power grids, and radio communications. Understanding these phenomena allows scientists to develop better predictive models to safeguard technology and infrastructure on Earth. Additionally, solar activity can also affect space travel, making such observations vital for ensuring the safety of astronauts.

Aditya-L1 detected an X6.3-class solar flare, which is significant in the study of solar activity. The classification of solar flares is based on their X-ray brightness, with X-class flares being the most intense. This particular observation provided valuable data on temperature variations within the solar corona and reaffirmed the relationship between flare energy and temperature changes. Understanding such flares is essential for predicting space weather events that can affect satellite operations and communications on Earth.

The 2025 Income Tax Bill proposes that reassessment notices can be issued indefinitely, allowing tax authorities to target arrangements that span multiple years, even beyond the current limit of 5 years and 3 months. This significant change means that tax authorities can reassess income from prior years if they suspect avoidance strategies were employed. This flexibility aims to improve tax compliance and ensure that all income is accurately reported and taxed, thus reducing instances of tax avoidance. An interesting additional fact is that this approach aligns with practices in several other countries where tax authorities have broader powers to investigate and reassess tax liabilities over longer periods.

After India gained independence, the Dramatic Performances Act was declared unconstitutional by the Allahabad High Court in 1956 because it violated the right to freedom of speech. This ruling marked a significant step in dismantling colonial laws that restricted individual freedoms. Interestingly, even after being deemed unconstitutional, the Act remained in effect until its formal repeal in 2018, highlighting a gradual process of legal reform in India to eliminate outdated colonial laws.

The most recent census in 2021 indicated a population of 752 one-horned rhinos in Nepal. This figure is significant as it reflects the success of conservation efforts that have taken place over the years to protect this species from poaching and habitat loss. The historical context shows that the rhino population has fluctuated dramatically, from around 800 in 1950 to just 100 in 1965, underscoring the importance of ongoing conservation initiatives to maintain and grow the population.

Farmers are advocating for the approval of Bollgard-3, a genetically modified cotton variety designed to offer enhanced pest resistance through the introduction of multiple Bt proteins that disrupt pest gut functions. While previous versions like Bollgard-1 and Bollgard-2 have been used, they have not effectively addressed the current pest challenges faced by farmers. The introduction of Bollgard-3 could significantly improve yields and sustainability in cotton production, highlighting the importance of innovative agricultural technologies in modern farming.

The U.S. Air Force's consideration to integrate the Harpoon missile onto F-16 aircraft represents a significant strategic change aimed at enhancing its naval warfare capabilities. This development allows the F-16s to take on diversified operational roles, particularly in anti-surface operations, which has traditionally been the domain of Navy aircraft. This integration not only improves combat readiness but also enables the Air Force to adapt more swiftly to evolving military challenges. An interesting aspect of this integration is the rapid development of a new gateway system that facilitates swift missile integration, highlighting the military's push for innovation and efficiency in combat readiness.

The conservation project has a budget of USD 14.5 million and is implemented by UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services). This financial commitment is significant as it reflects the seriousness of the biodiversity crisis facing freshwater ecosystems. It underscores the need for coordinated, international efforts to protect these critical habitats. An additional fact is that freshwater biodiversity has faced drastic declines, with an estimated 84% reduction in species over the last century, highlighting the urgency of such initiatives to safeguard ecological health.

The defence plan focuses on enhancing military readiness within Europe and includes measures like relaxing fiscal rules, creating a loan facility for defence investments, and expanding the European Investment Bank’s mandate. However, it does not involve creating a military alliance with the United States; rather, it emphasizes Europe’s need to independently enhance its own military capabilities in light of reduced U.S. support. This shift reflects a broader trend in international relations where nations are increasingly seeking self-sufficiency in defense.

The Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) includes an Emergency Oxygen System that can generate 100% oxygen at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. This feature is crucial for ensuring pilot safety during high-altitude flights, particularly in emergency situations where oxygen levels may drop suddenly. By integrating multiple components, the ILSS ensures optimal performance and reliability, which is vital for maintaining pilot health and operational effectiveness in challenging flight conditions. This system showcases advancements in aerospace technology, catering to the unique needs of military aviation.

The Kedarnath ropeway will drastically reduce the travel time for pilgrims from the lengthy 8-9 hours it currently takes to approximately 36 minutes. This is achieved through the use of advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola technology, which allows for a high capacity of passenger transport. This improvement not only enhances the convenience for pilgrims but also encourages more visitors to partake in the pilgrimage, highlighting the importance of modern transport solutions in religious tourism.

The Middle East and North Africa region is expected to see nearly 69% of its cropland at risk under a 3 degrees Celsius warming scenario. This reflects the severe climatic challenges faced by agricultural systems in this area, which already contend with limited water resources and extreme temperatures. Such findings stress the need for targeted agricultural policies and innovations to ensure food production remains viable in the face of climate change.