News In Short 20-1-2025

Kalaripayattu

Syllabus: GS 1/Culture 

In News

• Kalaripayattu has been relegated to the demonstration section for the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, scheduled to begin on January 28.

Kalaripayattu

• It is an ancient martial art originating from Kerala, India, but practiced worldwide.
  • The term “Kalari” in Malayalam refers to a traditional gymnasium where this martial art, known as Payattu, is taught.
• Mythological Belief: Some believe Kalaripayattu was introduced by Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, after reclaiming Kerala from the sea.
  • However, historians date its origin between 200 BCE and 600 CE, with its peak popularity between the 14th and 16th centuries.

• Stages of Kalaripayattu:
  • Maippayattu: Body conditioning phase, preparing the body for combat.
  • Kolthari: Training with wooden weapons (short and long sticks) for attack and self-defense.
  • Angathari: Training with sharp metal weapons after overcoming fear of wooden weapons.
  • Verumkai: Bare-hand fighting, with a focus on body anatomy and target points for strikes.
• Significance :  It has been widely admired for its complex techniques, graceful movements, and the impressive flexibility of its practitioners, as recorded by chroniclers and poets over time

National Games 2025 – Uttarakhand will host the National Games 2025 from January 28 to February 14, 2025. – Over 10,000 athletes, officials, and coaches will participate in 38 sports. – The mascot for the Games is “Mauli”, inspired by the Monal (Uttarakhand’s state bird). – The Games tagline is: “Sankalp Se Shikhar Tak” (From Resolve to Zenith).

Source :IE

BRICS

Syllabus: GS2/ International Organisations

In News

• Nigeria becomes the ninth partner country of BRICS, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

About BRICS

• Definition: BRICS is an intergovernmental informal grouping of emerging economies aimed at fostering cooperation and enhancing their global influence.
• Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China (these are founding members); South Africa joined in 2010; Iran, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia joined in 2024, Indonesia joined in 2025.
  • Argentina was initially expected to join in 2024 but later opted out.
• Background: The first BRIC Summit was held in Russia in 2009.
• Importance: The BRICS grouping represents approximately 40% of the global population, making it one of the largest demographic blocs in the world.
  • It also accounts for an estimated 37.3% of global GDP, highlighting its significant contribution to the global economy.

Source: TOI

Securities Transaction Tax

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• The Securities Transaction Tax (STT) collection has surged by over 75%, reaching Rs 44,538 crore as of January 2025, compared to Rs 25,415 crore during the same period in 2024.

What is Securities Transaction Tax (STT)?

• STT is a type of tax that is charged on the purchase and sale of securities like stocks, mutual funds, and derivatives on recognized stock exchanges in India.
  • It is a direct tax, meaning that it is levied directly on the transaction value of securities.
• The STT was introduced in India in 2004 to replace the earlier system of imposing a tax on securities transactions called the “stamp duty.”
• The 2024 budget has increased the securities transaction tax (STT) on Futures & Options (F&O) of securities to 0.02 percent and 0.1 percent respectively.

Source: IE

Nord Stream Pipeline

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

In News

• The Nord Stream subsea pipeline leaks released an estimated 465 ± 20 thousand metric tons of methane into the atmosphere.

About Nord Stream Pipeline

• About: The Nord Stream is a major subsea gas pipeline system spanning 1,200 km under the Baltic Sea, designed to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe.
• Key Features: Gas originates from the Bovanenkovo oil and gas condensate deposit in Western Siberia, Russia.
• Components: Nord Stream 1 completed in 2011 ( Route from Vyborg in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, to Lubmin, Germany.)
  • Nord Stream 2 completed in 2021 ( Route from Ust-Luga in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, to Lubmin, Germany.)

Significance

• The Nord Stream pipelines are among the largest subsea gas pipelines in the world.
• They are central to Europe’s energy strategy but have also been at the center of geopolitical and environmental debates, particularly amid strained relations between Russia and Western nations.

Source: Nature

Dark Oxygen 

Syllabus: GS3/ S&T

In News

• The recent discovery of “dark oxygen” production in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone challenges conventional understanding of oxygen generation, which has long been tied to photosynthesis requiring sunlight. 

Key Findings

• Metallic nodules found 4,000 meters beneath the Pacific Ocean’s surface generate oxygen through electrolysis.
• This process does not depend on sunlight, marking a paradigm shift in the understanding of oxygen generation.

Potential Applications

• This phenomenon could provide insights into life in extreme environments on Earth and other planets.
• Understanding “dark oxygen” production could assist in the search for extraterrestrial life by expanding the criteria for habitability.

Source: NDTV

India’s First Indigenous Surgical Tele-robotic System

Syllabus :GS3/Science and Technology

In News

• India’s first indigenous surgical tele-robotic system, SSI Mantra, was used to perform two complex heart surgeries remotely, with the surgeon in Gurugram and the patient in Jaipur.

About SSI Mantra

• SSI Mantra is a robotic system that performs complex surgical procedures in Genito-Uro-Oncology cases. 
• It is  developed by SSI Ltd and it is the only robotic system worldwide to receive regulatory approval for telesurgery and tele-proctoring. 
• Its recent approval by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) paves the way for remote surgeries and medical education, allowing healthcare professionals to collaborate across distances.
• Benefits: Reduced operation time, better precision, minimal trauma, lower blood loss, faster recovery, and reduced infection risk.
• The technology aims to bridge geographical gaps in surgical care, making tele-surgery accessible globally.
• Challenges to Wider Adoption: High costs of robotic surgeries, which are currently more available in metro and tier-1 cities.
• Other Challenges included latency time, requiring  good connectivity, and addressing potential technical problems.

Source :TH

DDT-Infused Soil

Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

Context

• Researchers from Sweden have discovered a method to reclaim infertile soil contaminated with DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane) by mixing it with biochar.

About 

• Biochar is an environmentally friendly material, akin to charcoal, that has the ability to bind contaminants such as DDT. 
• This binding prevents the toxin from being absorbed by soil organisms, thus limiting its harmful impact. 
• When mixed with soil, biochar improves soil fertility and helps mitigate the effects of pollution.

What is DDT?

• DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is a chemical, first synthesized in 1874 and its insecticidal properties were discovered in 1939.
  • Though initially hailed as an effective pest control tool, its long-term use has resulted in serious environmental and health concerns.
• Harmful effects: DDT tends to accumulate in the fatty tissues of both humans and animals, leading to long-term exposure. DDT is a persistent organic pollutant (POP).
  • It was banned in the United States in 1972.
  • Some countries, primarily in Africa, still use DDT to control malaria and other insect-borne diseases.
• Indian scenario: India continues to produce and use DDT, primarily for controlling vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.
  • Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) is the sole manufacturer of DDT in India.

Source: DTE

Central Reserve Police Force 

Syllabus: GS3/Internal Security, Security agencies

Context

• Assam police chief Gyanendra Pratap Singh has been appointed Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Central Reserve Police Force 

• About: The CRPF is the premier central police force of the Union of India entrusted with maintaining internal security. 
• Origin: Established originally as the Crown Representative’s Police in 1939, it stands as one of the oldest central paramilitary forces.
  • In response to escalating political turmoil and unrest within the princely state of India.
• Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Key roles of CRPF:
  • Law and Order: Assists in maintaining peace during protests, riots, and elections.
  • Counter-Insurgency Operations: Engages in operations against armed insurgents, terrorists, and extremist groups, especially in areas like Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.
  • Disaster Response: Provides aid during natural disasters.
• Specialized Units of the CRPF: Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), specializes in jungle warfare and counterinsurgency operations, particularly in Naxal-affected areas.
• Rapid Action Force (RAF): Focuses on controlling riots and handling public unrest.

Source: TH

Water Hyacinth

Syllabus: GS3/Species in News

Context

• Recently, a group of fishermen were said to be stranded on Kenya’s Lake Naivasha due to water hyacinth that has taken over large parts of it.

About

• Scientific Name: eichhornia crassipes
• It is native to South America and was introduced to Kenya in the 1980s as an ornamental plant.
• It is an aquatic weed common in waterbodies across South Asia, including India. 
  • It was introduced to India during the British colonial rule as an ornamental aquatic plant.
• It is considered the most invasive aquatic plant species in the world.

• Concerns: 
  • Clogging Waterways: It grows rapidly, often forming dense mats that block rivers, lakes, and canals, disrupting water transport and irrigation.
  • Disrupting Ecosystems: It reduces oxygen levels in water, harms aquatic life, and hinders sunlight from reaching underwater plants.
  • Economic Impact: The clogging can affect fishing, water quality, and recreational activities, leading to significant financial losses.
• Efforts to control water hyacinth include physical removal, biological control (using insects or other species), and chemical treatments.

Source: TH

NDRF Raising Day

Syllabus :GS3/Disaster Management

In News

• The Prime Minister salutes the brave personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on its Raising Day.

About National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

• It was established in 2006 under theDisaster Management Act 2005 to specialize in disaster response.
  • It initially focused on law and order, later becoming dedicated to disaster response.
• Its Motto  is “आपदा सेवा सदैव सर्वत्र”.
• Organizational Structure: It comprises 16 Battalions drawn from various CAPF forces (BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles).
  • Each Battalion consists of 18 specialized search and rescue teams, with 47 members each (engineers, technicians, paramedics, canine units).
  • The total strength of the force is 1,149 personnel per Battalion.
  • It operates under the unified command of the Director General, NDRF.
• Key Milestones :  The NDRF’s proactive and strategic deployment has effectively mitigated damages from various calamities, such as the Kosi floods (2008), Jammu and Kashmir floods (2014), and the Nepal earthquake (2015).
  • The NDRF has also handled Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) challenges and has been involved in international rescue operations, such as in Turkiye and Syria after the 2023 earthquake. 
  • Noteworthy domestic operations include responses to the Balasore train accident, the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse, and numerous other disasters.

Source :PIB