{"id":42318,"date":"2025-04-29T21:36:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T16:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=42318"},"modified":"2025-04-29T21:37:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T16:07:28","slug":"news-in-short-29-04-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/29-04-2025\/news-in-short-29-04-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short-29-04-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Tiexian Reef (Sandy Cay Reef)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Geography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The South China Sea dispute has intensified as China and the Philippines assert claims over Tiexian Reef (Sandy Cay Reef).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> it is a part of the Spratly Islands chain in the South China Sea.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It lies close to <strong>Thitu Island (Pag-asa),<\/strong> which is under Philippine control.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>China refers to <strong>Tiexian Reef<\/strong> as part of <strong>Nansha Islands<\/strong> and<strong> <\/strong>Philippines refers to it as <strong>Sandy Cay.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The reef is partially <strong>submerged at high tide<\/strong> and <strong>consists of sandbars <\/strong>that occasionally rise above sea level.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic Importance:<\/strong> Control of the reef allows for increased military and surveillance capability in the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/international\/china-philippines-trade-barbs-over-disputed-reef\/article69502184.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Supreme Court Says \u2018Sharia Court\u2019 Have No Legal Recognition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 2\/Governance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Supreme Court ruled that<strong> Sharia Courts or Courts of Kazi<\/strong> have<strong> no legal recognition<\/strong> in India and their decisions are not binding.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sharia courts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They&nbsp; are informal Islamic forums led by a Qazi that interpret Shariat (Islamic law based on the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed) to provide guidance on personal matters like <strong>marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They serve mainly as arbitration centers, especially for the economically disadvantaged.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, their decisions are not legally binding or enforceable, and any party dissatisfied with their ruling can seek recourse in regular courts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Supreme Court\u2019s Recent ruling&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Court&nbsp; cited&nbsp; the<strong> 2014 Vishwa Lochan Madan case<\/strong> and clarified that any decisions from such bodies are <strong>valid only if voluntarily accepted <\/strong>by the concerned parties and not in conflict with existing laws.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It granted&nbsp; maintenance to a Muslim woman&nbsp; whose husband had sought divorce through a Sharia court.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>SMILE Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As per the Union Social Justice Ministry, the <strong>SMILE scheme has identified fewer than 10,000 people engaged in begging.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Scheme Name: <\/strong>Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Launch Year: <\/strong>2022.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Implementing Ministry: <\/strong>Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>One of its components was the sub-scheme to <strong>identify, profile, and rehabilitate individuals <\/strong>engaged in the act of begging with their consent.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The other component of the scheme is for the <strong>empowerment of transgender persons.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objectives: <\/strong>Make religious, tourist, and historical urban spaces <strong>&#8220;beggary-free&#8221;<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rehabilitate at least 8,000 individuals o<strong>ver FY 2023\u201324 to FY 2025\u201326.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Implementation Phases: Phase 1: <\/strong>Began in 30 cities (e.g., Ayodhya, Amritsar, New Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Phase 2: <\/strong>Expanded to 50 more cities in the second year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Data (as of December 31, 2024): <\/strong>Identified Individuals Engaged in Begging: 9,958 persons across 81 major cities\/towns.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rehabilitated Individuals: <\/strong>970 persons (including 352 children).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2011 Census Data: <\/strong>3.72 lakh beggars recorded nationwide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011:<\/strong> 6.62 lakh rural households reliant on begging or alms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/two-years-in-smile-scheme-identifies-fewer-that-10000-people-engaged-in-begging-970-rehabilitated\/article69494325.ece#:~:text=The%20SMILE%20scheme%20was%20launched,the%20empowerment%20of%20transgender%20persons.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Geotagging of LAC<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/GS2\/Science and Tech \/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India is geotagging patrolling points and landmarks along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh .<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Do you know?<\/strong><br>&#8211; The LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory.<br>&#8211; India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km.&nbsp;<br>&#8211; It is divided into three sectors:&nbsp;<br>1. <strong>the eastern sector <\/strong>which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim,&nbsp;<br>2. <strong>the middle sector <\/strong>in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and<br>3. <strong>the western sector<\/strong> in Ladakh.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Geotagging<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It&nbsp; is a process of adding geographical identification to various media like photography.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It helps organize and share content by location .<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has applications in areas like disaster management, agriculture, and urban planning.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Latest Developments&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Geotagging of LAC will clearly demarcate the boundary with China, improve patrolling efficiency, and avoid clashes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This effort follows an October 2023 agreement between <strong>Indian and Chinese negotiators leading to troop disengagemen<\/strong>t and resolution of issues stemming from the 2020 standoff.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measures now include limited patrolling (twice a month), pre-shared patrol plans, avoidance of physical contact, and structured interactions between military officers of both sides\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhanced surveillance through drones, cameras, and helicopter sorties, along with continued infrastructure development, supports these efforts.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Revive Our Ocean Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A new global initiative, \u2018Revive Our Ocean,\u2019 has been launched to scale up effective, community-led marine protected areas (MPAs) through local action.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Objective:<\/strong> To remove key barriers that prevent coastal communities from managing and conserving their marine spaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Approach:<\/strong> It inspires, enables, and equips communities to lead marine conservation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a <strong>Revive Our Ocean Collective<\/strong> to connect local leaders and successful community-led marine protection models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It launched a <strong>microfinance program<\/strong> to provide loans and grants for community-driven marine protection projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ocean areas are reserved for long-term conservation of marine ecosystems, governed by national authorities, local governments, NGOs, or through community co-management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Current Status: <\/strong>Over <strong>16,000<\/strong> MPAs established globally, covering about <strong>8%<\/strong> of the world&#8217;s oceans.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However only <strong>3% <\/strong>of oceans are under full protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Target:<\/strong> The 30X30 target of the <strong>Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)<\/strong> aims to protect <strong>30 percent<\/strong> of the oceans by <strong>2030.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Examples of Community-led MPAs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In the Philippines,<\/strong> RARE\u2019s Fish Forever program has helped over 2,000 communities set up no-fishing zones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medes Island, Spain:<\/strong> A no-fishing zone of<strong> 1 sq. km <\/strong>has generated <strong>\u20ac16 million <\/strong>annually from diving tourism, <strong>25 times<\/strong> the income from fishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Isle of Arran, Scotland:<\/strong> Creation of a no-fishing zone led to a doubling of seabed life and spillover benefits to nearby waters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/new-initiative-launched-to-revive-oceans-through-community-led-protection\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Odisha <\/strong>government notified the <strong>Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR),<\/strong> the world\u2019s only home to <strong>wild melanistic tigers,<\/strong> <strong>as a national park<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is the <strong>107th national park and the second in the state,<\/strong> after <strong>Bhitarkanika<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Proposed in 1980,<\/strong> the intention to declare Similipal as a National Park remained pending for over four decades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Similipal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Similipal, located in <strong>Odisha\u2019s Mayurbhanj district<\/strong>, is home to<strong> 40 royal Bengal tigers, <\/strong>shelter to<strong> 25% of Odisha\u2019s elephant population<\/strong> and <strong>104 orchid species, many endemic to the region.&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a haven for over <strong>360 species of birds, <\/strong>and diverse mammals like leopards, sambar, and mugger crocodiles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The forests of Similipal <\/strong>are a<strong> mix of sal trees, moist deciduous, and semi-evergreen types.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The tigers of Similipal <\/strong>possess <strong>higher-than-normal levels of melanin<\/strong>, giving them <strong>coats that are more black with yellow stripes<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The pseudo-melanistic tiger is a colour variant of the Bengal tiger.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its strange coat is a result of a mutation in a particular gene.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"938567\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"657\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Similipal-Tiger-Reserve.webp\" alt=\"Similipal Tiger Reserve\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-42320\" style=\"--dominant-color: #938567; width:567px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Similipal-Tiger-Reserve.webp 657w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Similipal-Tiger-Reserve-300x88.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 657px) 100vw, 657px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/similipal-odisha-second-national-park-9967051\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Spiders Engineer Webs to Combat City Noise: Study<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment and Ecology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A new study published in <strong>Current Biology<\/strong> by researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reveals how <strong>funnel-weaving spiders (Agelenopsis pennsylvanica)<\/strong> adapt their webs to cope with urban noise pollution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Findings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Urban spiders build webs that dampen a broad range of vibratory frequencies (300\u20131,000 Hz) to reduce sensory overload.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rural spiders design webs that amplify biologically relevant long-distance vibrations (350\u2013600 Hz), enhancing prey detection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spiders don\u2019t have ears, they use web vibrations to detect prey. The web acts as a sensory extension.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Implications for Urban Wildlife<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Spiders demonstrate behavioral plasticity\u2014adapting web-building in response to environmental stressors like noise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Raises questions about how urbanisation alters animal behavior and evolutionary pathways.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Military Expenditure Report By SIPRI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Defence&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India\u2019s military spending in 2024 reached $86.1 billion&nbsp; nearly nine times Pakistan\u2019s $10.2 billion .&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>SIPRI Military Expenditure Database&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It provides consistent military spending data for countries from 1949 to 2024, updated annually.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It includes figures in local currency, constant and current US dollars, and as shares of GDP, government expenditure, and per capita, mostly aligned to calendar years.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Findings of recent report&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Global military spending reached a <strong>record $2,718 billion in 2024.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The global military burden rose to<strong> 2.5% of GDP.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Europe was the biggest driver, increasing spending by 17% due to the war in Ukraine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The top five military spenders (U.S., China, Russia, Germany, and India) accounted for<strong> 60% of global defence expenditure.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"b0c2c8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"309\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Military-Expenditure-Report-By-SIPRI.png\" alt=\"Military Expenditure Report By SIPRI\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-42319\" style=\"--dominant-color: #b0c2c8; width:478px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Military-Expenditure-Report-By-SIPRI.png 550w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Military-Expenditure-Report-By-SIPRI-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>China <\/strong>spent $314 billion,<strong> dominating Asia\u2019s military spending<\/strong>, while Russia\u2019s expenditure surged 38% to $149 billion amid the ongoing Ukraine war.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ukraine spent $64.7 billion,<strong> representing 34% of its GDP <\/strong>\u2014 the highest military burden globally.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Padma Awards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Miscellaneous<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The President of India presented <strong>Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awards <\/strong>for the year <strong>2025 <\/strong>at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Padma Awards<\/strong>: One of the highest civilian awards of the country instituted in <strong>1954<\/strong>, are conferred in <strong>three categories:&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Padma Vibhushan: <\/strong>Second-highest civilian award in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Padma Bhushan: <\/strong>Third-highest civilian award.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Padma Shri: <\/strong>Fourth-highest civilian award.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are <strong>awarded annually<\/strong> in various disciplines and fields of activities, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are announced <strong>every year on Republic Day (January 26).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open to <strong>all persons, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can be<strong> awarded posthumously.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Selection Process:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recommendations are made by state governments, central ministries, previous awardees, and the public.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managed by the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister annually.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Committee recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and President for approval.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2124978\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The South China Sea dispute has intensified as China and the Philippines assert claims over Tiexian Reef (Sandy Cay Reef).<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Location: it is a part of the Spratly Islands chain in the South China Sea.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It lies close to Thitu Island (Pag-asa), which is under Philippine control.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/29-04-2025\/news-in-short-29-04-2025\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42318"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42330,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42318\/revisions\/42330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}