TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS (ENGLSIH) – 04&05. 04.2025

SUBJECT: STATES

Criticized Centre’s move toward “unitary culture.”
Opposed “One Nation, One Election, One Culture”as authoritarian and fascist.
Asserted the resolution aims to preserve the federal spirit of the Constitution.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan: Said Indian Constitution had strong centralizing features due to Partition era violence.
Article 356’s overuse belied Ambedkar’s hope that it would be rarely used.
Opposed UGC’s draft rules for excluding State role in higher education

2. UNDERSEA CABLES

SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY

Main infrastructure connecting global internet networks.
Heavily shielded fibre optic cables laid on sea floor; carry massive internet traffic.
Landing points connect cables to data centers, routers on land.
India’s Subsea Cable Ecosystem
India has17 international landing stations(mainly in Chennai & Mumbai).
New cable systems like Airtel’s2Africa Pearls and SEA-ME-WE 6 expanding capacity.
India still depends heavily on a few landing hubs, making it vulnerable to disruptions.
Key Challenges
Bureaucratic Delays: Companies need clearances from15+ ministries for a single cable.
Security Restrictions: Permits often delayed due to red tape from Navy, local authorities.
Repair & Maintenance Delays: Need better local repair capabilities.
Global Trends and India’s Lag
Most global cable routes avoid Indian waters, considered over-regulated.
Companies prefer routes via Singapore or Red Sea to avoid Indian bureaucratic hurdles. India-specific Angle
India must simplify permissions, increase investment in landing facilities.
Strengthening undersea cable ecosystem crucial for Digital India, cybersecurity, and strategic autonomy.

3. THE OTHER SPACE RACE – THE GEOPOLITICS OF SATELLITE NET

SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

India’s Stand: Balancing foreign players (Starlink) with strategic autonomy.
Strategic Models:
China’s GuoWang:Sovereignty-focused.
Starlink model:Market-driven, raises dependency risks.
Partnerships: Starlink + Airtel/Jio.
India is still pursuing ISRO-led satellite capability.
Concerns over data security, monopolization, and BSNL viability

4. SC DIRECTS CEC TO SURVEY FORESTS IN AGASTHYAMALAI FOR ENCROACHMENTS

SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT

Supreme Court directed Central Empowered Committee (CEC)to conduct an extensive survey of Agasthyamalai tropical forests in the southern Western Ghats.
Objective:Identify encroachments, non-forestry activities, and initiate restoration of pristine habitats.
Ecological Significance
Agasthyamalai is a3,500 sq km UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve shared by Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Includes Periyar Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Sanctuary, and other key wildlife corridors.
Depletion Concerns– Court cited urbanisation, unchecked industrialisation, and plantations as key drivers of forest degradation.
A comparative report will assess forest cover changes over decades to guide future conservation.
Legal Context & Community Impact – Came in response to petitions regarding depletion of reserved forests and rehabilitation of evicted workers(e.g., Singampatti estate case under Wildlife Protection Act)

5. A PEOPLE STILL WAITING TO MOVE OUT OF THE MARGINS

SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES

Despite the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, implementation is weak.
Only15,800 ID cards issued out of 24,115 applications till Dec 2023.
Systemic issues: bureaucratic delays, social stigma, lack of anti harassment frameworks.
Barriers in Employment & Finance 48% transgender unemployment rate(vs national avg. 7-8%).
Bias in hiring, lack of facilities, financial exclusion persists despite some reforms (e.g. Tata Steel hiring, Finance Ministry allowing joint bank accounts in 2024).
Access to Education & Health Transgender literacy rate: 56.1%(2011 Census).
Dropout due to bullying, limited transgender cells in colleges(exceptions: Maharashtra, Kerala).
Health systems lack trained staff, gender-affirming clinics, and mental health support.
Mainstreaming Efforts & Media Representation – Need for deeper media campaigns (e.g.I Am Also Human,Kovagam Festival), workplace sensitisation, and inclusive curriculum.
Social inclusion hinges onchanging perception,targeted financial support, andpolicy enforcement.

6. MODI AND YUNUS SET ASIDE DIFFERENCES, DISCUSS MINORITIES, SITUATUIN AT BORDER

SUBJECT: BILATERAL

PM Modi met Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus during BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, the first meeting since the change in regime in Dhaka.
India raised issues on: Protection of minorities in Bangladesh
Extradition request for former PM Sheikh Hasina ○ Border security and terrorism concerns
Bangladesh assured cooperation; Mr. Modi congratulated Yunus for assuming BIMSTEC chairmanship.
India’s Support for Democratic Stability
India urged Dhaka to ensure a democratic, inclusive, and peaceful environment.
Warned against rhetoric that could “vitiate the environment”.
BIMSTEC Summit Diplomacy
This was the6th BIMSTEC summit, linking South and Southeast Asia.
Bangladesh to host the next BIMSTEC summit in 2026.
Meeting with Myanmar Junta Leader
PM Modi also met Myanmar’s Gen. Min Aung Hlaing–first such meeting since the 2021 coup.
India emphasized: Restoration of democracy through credible elections
Inclusive governance in Myanmar
Regional Dynamics – Nepal PM K.P. Sharma Oli also participated.
India maintained engagements despite New Delhi not inviting Myanmar to past summits due to military rule.

7. CSIR – NAL SIGNS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER DEAL WITH FIRM TO MAKE HANSA TRAINER PLANES

SUBJECT: DEFENCE

CSIR–NAL signed a technology transfer agreement with Pioneer Clean AMPS Pvt. Ltd.to manufactureHANSA-3 NG trainer aircraft.
First time such indigenous aerospace tech will be commercially produced in India.
About HANSA-3 NG
Two-seater aircraft with advanced digital avionics: Rotax digital engine
Composite lightweight frame
Glass cockpit with wide view
Electrically operated flaps and safety features
Developed fully by CSIR-NAL, used by IITs and Ministry of Civil Aviation.