TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS (ENGLISH) – 28.01.2025

SUBJECT: BILATERAL

Resumption of Flights and Visas: Both countries agreed to resume direct flights, easing travel restrictions.
Visa issuance for people-to-people interactions, including pilgrims for the Mansarovar Yatra, will restart in 2025.
Hydrological Data Sharing: Commitments to share hydrological data of transboundary rivers, an area of contention in bilateral relations.
75th Anniversary Celebrations: Acknowledging historical ties, both sides committed to organizing events to mark the75th year of diplomatic relations.
De-escalation and Trust-Building: The agreements follow efforts to ease tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC)after years of military standoff.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s emphasis on reducing mutual suspicion indicates a shift towards normalization.
Transboundary Concerns: India raised concerns about China’s hydropower project on the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Zangpo)and its implications for lower riparian states.
Enhanced cooperation could mitigate potential disputes overwater sharing.
Economic and Trade Relations: Discussions extended to economic partnerships, indicating potential steps toward trade normalization post-pandemic

2. JPSC REJECTS ALL AMENDMENTS TO WAQF BILL MADE BY OPPOSITION

SUBJECT: POLITY

Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Decision:
Accepted 32 amendments moved by BJP and allies.
Rejected more than 500 amendments moved by the Opposition.
No clause-by-clause discussion was allowed.
Key Amendments Passed:
Waqf by User: Originally proposed for removal but retained except for disputed or government properties.
Registration made mandatory for existing Waqf properties before the law comes into force.
Inquiry into Disputes: Instead of District Collector, State Government can designate an officer above the rank of Collector.
Non-Muslim Representation in Waqf Boards: The Bill allows two non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards.
New wording could increase this to four by excluding ex-officio members.
Public Declaration of Waqf Properties: Every registered Waqf property must publish details online within six months.
Mutawalli (caretaker) can seek extension with Waqf Tribunal approval.
Waqf Tribunal Composition: One member must have knowledge of Muslim law and jurisprudence

3. RBI MOVES TO EASE LIQUIDITY CRUNCH

SUBJECT: ECONOMY

India’s banking system liquidity hit a one-year low, prompting RBI action.
RBI’s Measures to Inject Liquidity: Government Bond Purchase: Buying₹600 billion worth of bonds in three tranches.
Repo Auction: Conducting a56-day variable rate repo auction worth ₹500 billion(scheduled for Feb 7).
USD/INR Swap Auction: $5 billion buy/sell swap for six months(scheduled for Jan 31).
Why RBI Took Action?
Liquidity Crunch Reasons: Rising government borrowing.
Tighter monetary policy to curb inflation.
Higher demand for cash flow in the economy

4. EXPERT PANAEL CLEARS PLAN TO REBUILD WASHED AWAY TEESTA DAM IN SIKKIM

SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY

Teesta-3 dam, Sikkim’s largest hydropower project, was destroyed by a Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).
Over 100 fatalities occurred due to the disaster.
Proposed Reconstruction Plan:
New Dam Features: Will be fully concrete(previous dam was part rock, part concrete).
Higher capacity: Spillway can handle19,946 cubic meters per second(3x previous capacity).
Early warning system to prevent future disasters.
Cause of the Collapse:Floodgates failed to open in time, leading to excessive water pressure.
If operational,the previous dam could have survived with reduced damage.

5. UTTARAKHAND ADOPTS UNIFORM CIVIL CODE LAUNCHES PORTAL

SUBJECT: STATES

Implementation: Uttarakhand is the first Indian state post-Independence to adopt UCC (exempting Scheduled Tribes and migrated natives).
Provisions: Bans practices like halala,iddat, and talaq(linked to Muslim Personal Law).
Mandates online registration of marriages, divorces, live-in relationships via portal (ucc.uk.gov.in).
Live-in relationships must be registered within 1 month; partners can end relationships online/offline.
Equal inheritance rights for women.
Aadhaar-based verification and AI translation in 22 languages on the portal.