DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 18th March 2025

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Union and state governments had implemented “82%” of the conditions in the 2020 Bodo Accord and would implement the remainder in the next two years.

Background: –

• The Bodo issue in Assam is rooted in the ethnic and political aspirations of the Bodo community, demanding a separate state called Bodoland. The movement has witnessed violent insurgency, peace accords, and formation of autonomous councils.
• The 2020 Bodo Accord is the third such agreement aimed at resolving the Bodo issue.

Key takeaways

Who are the Bodos?

• Bodos are the largest tribal community in Assam, constituting about 5-6% of the state’s population.
• Historically, Bodos ruled vast parts of Assam before losing their dominance.

Timeline of the Bodo Movement

• Phase 1: Initial Demand for Separate State (1966-67)
  • The demand for Bodoland was first raised by the Plains Tribals Council of Assam (PTCA). PTCA demanded a separate state for Bodos and other plains tribals.
• Phase 2: Rise of ABSU & Armed Struggle (1987)
  • In 1987, the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) renewed the demand, raising the slogan, “Divide Assam Fifty-Fifty”.
  • Rise of armed insurgency groups, mainly the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).
• Phase 3: First Bodo Accord (1993)
  • Signed between the Government of India, Government of Assam, and ABSU.
  • Led to the creation of the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC). However, BAC failed due to lack of constitutional protection and administrative powers.
• Phase 4: Second Bodo Accord (2003)
  • Signed between the Government of India, Government of Assam, and Bodo Liberation Tigers Force (BLTF).
  • Led to the creation of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. BTC governed four districts – Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang, Udalguri (Bodoland Territorial Area Districts – BTAD).
  • However, factions of NDFB continued insurgency, demanding full statehood.
• Phase 5: Third Bodo Accord (2020) – Signed between Government of India, Assam Government, and four factions of NDFB.
  • Key Provisions:
    • BTAD will be renamed as Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
    • No separate state but more autonomy to BTC with increased legislative, administrative, and financial powers.
    • Withdrawal of cases against Bodo militants and rehabilitation of cadres.
    • Establishment of Bodo-Kachari Welfare Council
    • The Government of Assam will notify Bodo language in Devanagri script as the associate official language in the state.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Mudumal megalithic menhirs in Telangana’s Narayanpet district will soon be the second UNESCO World Heritage Site in the state, after being one of the six Indian sites to be added to the tentative list by the World Heritage Centre in 2025.

Background: –

• The menhir’s in Mudumal, dated to roughly 3,500 to 4,000 before present (BP), are the oldest known menhirs in India.

Key takeaways

• A menhir is a standing or an upright stone, which is usually tapered at the top. It is man-made, in that it is sculpted and placed by humans, and usually quite large.

How old are menhirs? Why were they erected?

• The ones in Europe were originally associated with the Beaker culture who lived during the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age — roughly 4,800 to 3,800 before present (BP). But the oldest European menhirs are today dated to as early as 7,000 BP.
• Menhirs can either be found alone, or as a part of a larger complex of prehistoric megaliths, simply, large stone structures. 
• While the exact purpose is debated, they likely served ceremonial functions. Some were markers of graves, while others might have served some astronomical purposes.
• The Mudumal site has been described as a “megalithic astronomical observatory” by the UNESCO dossier. “Some menhirs are aligned with the rising and setting sun during the summer and winter solstices, suggesting their use as an ancient observatory,” the dossier says. Today, the Mudumal menhirs are closely associated with local legend, with “one particular menhir being worshipped as Goddess Yellamma”.

Why Menhirs deserve UNESCO recognition?

• First, they give us insight into the ingenuity of early humans. Not only do these tonnes-heavy stones need a solid understanding of physics to be sculpted and move to precise locations, the precision of their placement itself tells us how much our ancestors knew about astronomy and solstices.
• Second, they give us insight into how the cultures who built them saw and understood the world. The effort taken to build these megalithic structures tells us that they were undoubtedly meaningful to the people who built them. This in turn can help us better understand these cultures who have left no written material for the historical record.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – POLITY

Context: The Supreme Court decided to examine a plea challenging the sole prerogative of the Centre, acting through the President, to appoint the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Background:

• The petitioner, Centre for Public Interest Litigation, referred to recent “deviations” in the CAG’s work, including reports on the “pause” in Maharashtra audits, a steady decline on audits on the Union government, the shelving of the performance audit on ‘debt sustainability’, allegations of corruption in recruitment to several vacancies in the CAG, among others.

Key takeaways

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is the supreme audit authority of the country.
• CAG acts as the guardian of public finances and ensures transparency in government spending.
• It is an independent constitutional authority, established under Article 148 of the Indian Constitution.
• Appointment & Tenure
  • Appointed by the President of India.
  • Holds office for 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
  • Removal process similar to that of a Supreme Court judge (cannot be removed except on grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity, requiring a special majority in Parliament).

The CAG performs the following key functions:

• Auditing
  • Audit of Union Government: Examines the accounts of the central government.
  • Audit of State Governments: Audits the accounts of state governments.
  • Audit of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs): Reviews the finances of government-owned companies.
  • Audit of Autonomous Bodies: Checks the accounts of bodies funded by the government.
• Types of Audits Conducted
  • Financial Audit: Ensures the accuracy of financial statements.
  • Compliance Audit: Verifies whether expenditures comply with laws and regulations.
  • Performance Audit: Assesses the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs.
  • Propriety Audit: Examines the legality and propriety of expenditures.
• Reporting – Submits audit reports to the President of India (for central government) and Governors (for state governments). These reports are then laid before Parliament and State Legislatures for discussion.

Independence of the CAG

• The CAG is an independent constitutional authority and is not subject to control by the executive or legislature.
• The salary and expenses of the CAG are charged to the Consolidated Fund of India, ensuring financial independence.
• The CAG can be removed only through a process of impeachment, similar to a Supreme Court Judge.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – AGRICULTURE 

Context: India’s wheat production is estimated to reach a record level of 115.3 million metric tonnes during 2024-25, which is about 2 per cent higher compared to the 113.3 million tonnes produced during 2023-24, showed the Second Advance Estimates of production of major crops released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

Background: –

• Wheat is the second largest crop after paddy in terms of area coverage. Uttar Pradesh is the top wheat-producing state in the country, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Key takeaways 

• Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the second most important staple food crop in India after rice. India is the second-largest producer of wheat in the world after China.
• The average yield of wheat in India is around 3.5 tonnes per hectare, which is lower than global averages due to factors like small landholdings and inadequate irrigation.

Climatic and Soil Requirements

• Climate: Wheat is a rabi crop, sown in winter (October-December) and harvested in spring (March-April).
• Ideal temperature: 10-15°C during sowing and 21-26°C during harvesting.
• Rainfall: Requires 50-75 cm of rainfall, well-distributed over the growing season.
• Soil: Grows best in well-drained loamy and clayey soils with a pH of 6.0-7.5.

Major Wheat-Producing States

• Uttar Pradesh: Largest producer, contributing about 30% of India’s total wheat production.
• Punjab and Haryana: Known for high yields due to advanced farming practices and irrigation facilities.
• Madhya Pradesh: Rapidly growing production due to increased acreage and government support.
• Rajasthan: Significant production despite arid conditions, thanks to irrigation projects like the Indira Gandhi Canal.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: Japan is planning to deploy long-range missiles on its southern island of Kyushu amid concerns around the Trump administration’s stance towards its security pacts and continuing regional tensions.

Background: –

• The missiles, with a range of about 1,000km, would be capable of hitting targets in North Korea and China’s coastal regions. They would bolster the defences of the strategically important Okinawa island chain and are part of Japan’s development of “counterstrike capabilities” in the event it is attacked.

Key takeaways

• Japan is an archipelago consisting of 6,852 islands, out of which five major islands dominate in terms of area, population, and economic significance. These islands play a crucial role in Japan’s geopolitical, economic, and strategic importance.
• Major Islands of Japan
• Honshu – “Mainland Japan”
  • Largest & most populous island.
  • Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama located here.
  • Famous for Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak.
• Hokkaido – “Northern Island”
  • Least populated among the major islands.
  • Cold climate, heavy snowfall – popular for skiing & winter tourism.
  • Major city: Sapporo (famous for Snow Festival).
• Kyushu Island 
  • Third-largest island of Japan (after Honshu & Hokkaido).
  • Known for volcanic activity (Mount Aso – Japan’s largest active volcano).
  • Fukuoka, the largest city, is a major industrial & trade center.
  • Nagasaki, historically important due to atomic bombing in 1945.
• Shikoku – “Smallest Main Island”
  • Known for agriculture (citrus fruits), pilgrimages, and scenic beauty.
  • Home to 88 Temple Pilgrimage, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage route.
  • Connected to Honshu via the Seto Inland Sea Bridges.
• Okinawa – “Strategic Southern Island”
  • Located far south, closest to Taiwan & China.
  • Hosts US military bases, crucial for Indo-Pacific security.

Source: The Guardian

Q1.) With reference to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, consider the following statements:

1. The CAG is appointed by the President and holds office for a fixed term of 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
2. The CAG submits audit reports on the Union and State Governments directly to the Supreme Court of India.
3. The removal process of the CAG is similar to that of a Supreme Court judge.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) Consider the following statements regarding wheat production in India:

1. India is the largest producer of wheat in the world.
2. The highest wheat-producing state in India is Uttar Pradesh.
3. Wheat is primarily grown as a kharif crop in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) With reference to the major islands of Japan, consider the following statements:

1. Honshu is the largest and most populous island of Japan.
2. Kyushu is known for its active volcanoes, including Mount Aso.
3. Okinawa is the northernmost island of Japan and hosts major U.S. military bases.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – b