Syllabus:

• Prelims – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: March 20, 2025, marks the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.

Background: –

• Equinoxes occur twice a year, in March and in September, and are the only times when both poles are sunlit at the same time.

Key takeaways

• An Equinox is when the Sun is directly above the Equator, resulting in nearly equal duration of day and night across the globe. The term is derived from the Latin words “aequus” meaning “equal”, and “nox” (meaning “night”).
• On all other days, the Earth’s axis is tilted either towards or away from the sun. This impacts how the light and the warmth of the sun are distributed across the hemispheres.
• During the equinox, the Earth’s axis and orbit align just so that both hemispheres obtain an equal amount of sunlight.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal or spring equinox, typically occurs between March 19 and 21, while the autumnal or fall equinox occurs between September 21 and 24. 
• The names are switched for the Southern Hemisphere, so March 20, 2025, marks the autumnal equinox there.

what are solstices?

• Solstices mark the days when the Earth is extremely tilted toward or away from the sun. On these days, each hemisphere gets significantly different amounts of light and warmth from the sun, with the days and nights being just as lopsided.
• The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, between June 20 and 22, creates the longest day and shortest night of the year, as the upper half of the earth is tilted towards the sun.
• Conversely, the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, between December 20 and 23, creates the shortest day and longest night of the year, with the upper half of the earth is tilted towards the sun.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Mains – GS 3

Context: An article ‘Changing Dynamics of India’s Remittances – Insights from the Sixth Round of India’s Remittances Survey’ published in the RBI March Bulletin captures various dimensions of inward remittances to India – country-wise source of remittances, statewise destination of remittances, transaction-wise size of remittances, prevalent modes of transmission.

Background: –

• Share of inward remittances from advanced economies has risen, surpassing that of Gulf economies in 2023-24, reflecting a shift in migration pattern towards skilled Indian diaspora.

Key takeaways

• India’s remittances doubled from $55.6 billion (2010-11) to $118.7 billion (2023-24).
• Advanced economies (AEs), such as the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, and Australia, have surpassed the Gulf economies in remittance contributions.
• India’s remittances finance nearly half of the trade deficit and act as a buffer against external shocks.

Shift in Sources of Remittances

• US remains the largest contributor, with its share rising from 23.4% (2020-21) to 27.7% (2023-24).
• UAE remains the second-largest source, with an increase from 18% (2020-21) to 19.2% (2023-24).
• UK’s share increased from 6.8% to 10.8% in the same period.

Migration Trends

• India’s international migrant population tripled from 6.6 million (1990) to 18.5 million (2024).
• India’s share in global migration increased from 4.3% to over 6% in this period.
• GCC countries still account for nearly half of Indian migrants, mainly in blue-collar jobs.
• AEs are now attracting more skilled professionals and students from India.

State-wise Distribution of Remittances

• Maharashtra received the highest share (20.5%), though it declined from 35.2% (2020-21).
• Kerala’s share increased significantly from 10% (2020-21) to 19.7% (2023-24).
• Other top recipient states:
  • Tamil Nadu (10.4%)
  • Telangana (8.1%)
  • Karnataka (7.7%)

Significance for India

• Economic Impact: Reduces trade deficit, supports foreign exchange reserves.
• Social Impact: Enhances household incomes, improves education and healthcare spending.
• Geopolitical Significance: Strengthens diaspora relations and soft power influence.

Source: Business Standard

Syllabus:

• Mains & Mains – CURRENT EVENT 

Context: Bearing the brunt of China’s aggressive expansionist tactics in the South China Sea, the Philippines now  wants India to join the relatively new `Squad’ strategic alliance.

Background:

• Pointing to China’s “illegal, coercive and disruptive Grey Zone” tactics to claim territory and build militarised artificial  islands in the South China Sea region, Philippines chief of staff of armed forces said countries like India and South Korea should also be included in the squad.

Key takeaways

• The “Squad Alliance” is an informal grouping that focuses on security in the South China Sea, aiming to counter China’s growing influence and aggressive activities in the region. 
• The current members include the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and the United States. The alliance emphasizes military collaboration, intelligence sharing, and joint maritime exercises within the South China Sea.
• The ‘Squad’ was conceptualized during the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2023, with defense chiefs from the member countries convening to discuss collaborative security measures.
• The primary objectives of the ‘Squad’ include:
  • Maritime Security: Conducting joint maritime patrols and exercises to ensure freedom of navigation and adherence to international maritime laws. 
  • Intelligence Sharing: Enhancing information exchange among member nations to improve situational awareness and coordinated responses to regional threats.
  • Capacity Building: Strengthening defense capabilities through collaborative training and resource sharing.
• Notably, in April 2024, the ‘Squad’ nations conducted cooperative maritime patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, marking a significant development amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
• Recognizing the evolving security dynamics, the Philippines has advocated for the inclusion of India and South Korea into the ‘Squad’ alliance.

Distinction from the ‘Quad’

• While the ‘Quad’ (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) comprises the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, focusing on broader strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the ‘Squad’ is more narrowly centered on traditional security and defense collaboration, particularly addressing maritime security challenges in the Western Pacific.

Source: Times of India

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENET EVENT

Context: Zambian officials are confronting the devastating fallout of an acid leak at a Chinese-operated mine, which has polluted a vital river and could impact millions of people.

Background: –

• The incident occurred on February 18 when a dam storing acidic waste from a copper mine in northern Zambia collapsed.
• Investigators estimate that around 50 million litres of waste, containing strong acid, dissolved solids, and heavy metals, flowed into a tributary linked to the Kafue River, Zambia’s most important waterway.

Key takeaways 

• Zambian President has appealed for expert assistance, describing the spill as a crisis that endangers both people and wildlife along the Kafue River, which runs over 1,500 kilometres through the nation. 
• China dominates Zambia’s copper mining sector; Zambia is among the top 10 copper producers globally.
• Zambia is heavily indebted to China ($4 billion debt) and had to restructure loans after defaulting in 2020.
• Chinese-owned mines in Zambia have been criticized for poor environmental and safety standards.

About Zambia

• Location: Landlocked country in Southern Africa.
• Borders: Tanzania (N), Malawi (NE), Mozambique (SE), Zimbabwe (S), Botswana (S), Namibia (SW), Angola (W), DR Congo (NW).
• Capital: Lusaka

Geography & Natural Resources

• Major Rivers:
  • Zambezi River (forms Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site).
  • Kafue River (key water source, recently polluted by mining spill).
  • Luangwa River (supports biodiversity & agriculture).
• Climate: Tropical Savanna (distinct wet and dry seasons).
• Copper (key economic driver) – Zambia is Africa’s 2nd largest copper producer (after DR Congo).

Source: Down To Earth

Syllabus:

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Fiji and Tonga’s native iguanas have puzzled scientists as all other iguana species are found in the Americas. A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests their ancestors drifted nearly 8,000 km across the Pacific on floating vegetation, marking the longest known oceanic journey by a non-human vertebrate.

Background: –

• Rafting — the term scientists use for hitching a ride across oceans on uprooted trees or tangles of plants — has long been recognised as a way for small creatures to reach islands. But this is generally seen among invertebrates, whose small size means they can survive a long way in an uprooted tree trunk. Among vertebrates, lizards and snakes seem to be able to raft farther than mammals, perhaps because their slower metabolism allows them to fast for a long time.

Key takeaways

• Iguanas are large, herbivorous lizards belonging to the family Iguanidae. They are primarily found in tropical regions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of the Pacific.

Habitat & Distribution

• Native to the Americas, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
• Fiji and Tonga Iguanas: Unique populations exist in these Pacific islands, believed to have arrived via floating vegetation from the Americas.

Behavior

• Iguanas are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day.
• They are known for their keen vision, which helps them detect predators and locate food.
• Iguanas communicate using visual signals like head bobs and dewlap displays.

Notable Species

• Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) – Found in Central and South America, commonly kept as pets.
• Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) – Endemic to the Galápagos Islands, the only sea-going lizard.
• Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) – A rare species found in Fiji.
• While some iguana species, like the green iguana, are abundant, others, such as the Fiji crested iguana, are critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.

Source: Indian Express

Q1.) Consider the following statements regarding Equinox:

1. During an equinox, the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer.
2. Day and night are approximately equal in duration across the globe during an equinox.
3. Equinoxes occur twice a year, in March and September.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) With reference to Iguanas, consider the following statements:

1. Iguanas are exclusively found in the tropical forests of South America.
2. The Marine Iguana is the only lizard species adapted to a marine habitat.
3. Fiji and Tonga have native iguana species that are believed to have arrived via floating vegetation from the Americas.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) Consider the following statements regarding Zambia:

1. Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa.
2. It is one of the world’s largest producers of copper.
3. The Zambezi River, the fourth-longest river in Africa, originates in Zambia.

Which of the above statements 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) – a

Q.2) – a

Q.3) – a