23 December 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS–1 | GEOGRAPHY / PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

1. Kavachi Volcano

Subtopic: Submarine Volcanism & Plate Tectonics

Value Addition:

• Type: Shallow submarine volcano, one of the few active undersea volcanoes visible from the surface.

• Location: South Pacific Ocean, south of Vangunu Island, Solomon Islands.

• Tectonic Setting: Lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, associated with intense subduction-related volcanism.

• Activity Pattern:

  • Erupting intermittently and unpredictably since 1939.

  • Frequent surface disturbances despite being submerged.

• Eruptive Features:

  • Steam plumes

  • Ash and lava release

  • Discolouration of surrounding seawater due to volcanic gases

• Temporary Islands:

  • Short-lived islands occasionally form during eruptions.

  • Rapidly eroded by waves due to lack of solidified lava reinforcement.

• Scientific Significance:

  • Rare footage shows sharks surviving inside the volcanic crater, challenging assumptions about habitability in extreme environments.

Subject Analysis:

• Important case study for submarine volcanism and extreme ecosystems.

• Useful for GS–1 questions on volcano types, Ring of Fire, and tectonic processes.

• Also links geography with emerging marine biology insights.

GS–2 | GOVERNANCE & COOPERATIVES

2. Bharat Taxi Initiative

Subtopic: Cooperative Governance, Digital Public Infrastructure & Urban Mobility

Value Addition:

• Nature: India’s first cooperative-driven national ride-hailing platform.

• Launched by: Government of India under the Ministry of Cooperation.

• Developed with: National e-Governance Division (NeGD).

• Core Philosophy:

  • Citizen-first

  • Driver-owned

  • Public-interest oriented alternative to private aggregators.

• Cooperative Model:

  • Drivers become shareholders and co-owners.

  • Ensures transparency and democratic decision-making.

• Promoting Institutions:

  • NCDC, IFFCO, Amul, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, NCEL.

• Economic Features:

  • Zero commission model.

  • Entire fare credited directly to drivers.

  • No surge pricing, ensuring fare predictability.

• Digital Integration:

  • Linked with DigiLocker and UMANG.

  • Uses API Setu for secure identity verification and service delivery.

• Security & Compliance:

  • Adheres to Government of India data protection and cybersecurity standards.

Subject Analysis:

• Illustrates cooperative principles applied to platform economy.

• Supports GS–2 themes of digital governance, cooperative federalism, and inclusive growth.

• A strong example of using DPIs to counter monopolistic platform models.

GS–3 | ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY

3. Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

Subtopic: Species Conservation, Renewable Energy vs Ecology

Value Addition:

• Scientific Status:

  • Critically Endangered (IUCN).

  • Listed under Schedule I, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

  • Included in Appendix I of CITES (no international trade).

• Habitat:

  • Open grasslands and semi-arid landscapes.

• Distribution:

  • Major populations: Rajasthan, Gujarat.

  • Minor populations: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.

• Feeding Behaviour:

  • Grass seeds, insects (grasshoppers, beetles).

  • Occasionally small rodents and reptiles.

• Key Threat:

  • Overhead electric transmission lines causing fatal collisions.

• Recent Judicial Intervention:

  • Supreme Court revised conservation zones related to Green Energy Corridor projects.

• Government Efforts:

  • Covered under Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) recovery programme.

Subject Analysis:

• Highlights conflict between renewable energy expansion and wildlife conservation.

• Very high relevance for GS–3 environment questions and judicial role in conservation policy.

GS–3 | SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / ASTRONOMY

4. Superkilonova

Subtopic: Stellar Evolution & High-Energy Astrophysics

Value Addition:

• Concept:

  • An extremely rare cosmic explosion involving two sequential explosive events from the same stellar system.

• Explosion Sequence:

  1. Supernova – collapse and explosion of a massive star.

  2. Kilonova – follows shortly when two neutron stars merge.

• Scientific Evidence:

  • Reported by an international team including IIT Bombay and Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru.

• Astrophysical Importance:

  • Produces intense electromagnetic radiation.

  • Responsible for formation of heavy elements (like gold, platinum).

• Theoretical Impact:

  • Challenges existing models of stellar death and evolution.

  • Suggests interconnected and multi-stage cosmic explosions.

Subject Analysis:

• Important for GS–3 questions on space science and astrophysical phenomena.

• Demonstrates India’s growing role in frontline astronomical research.

GS–3 | HEALTH / ZOONOTIC DISEASES

5. Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis)

Subtopic: Zoonotic Parasites & Public Health Risk

Value Addition:

• Type: Large ascarid roundworm parasitising raccoons.

• Primary Host:

  • Raccoons (Procyon lotor).

• Geographical Spread:

  • North America (native).

  • Europe and parts of Asia (introduced).

• Spread Pathway:

  • Introduced to Europe via fur trade in early 20th century.

• Transmission:

  • Ingestion of infective eggs from contaminated soil.

  • Consumption of infected paratenic hosts.

• Environmental Persistence:

  • Eggs shed in raccoon faeces.

  • Become infective after 2–4 weeks in environment.

• Health Impact:

  • Larvae migrate to organs (brain, eyes, liver, lungs).

  • Can cause severe neurological damage in humans.

• Treatment:

  • Adult worms in raccoons treatable using anthelmintic drugs.

Subject Analysis:

• Highlights risks from invasive species and zoonotic spillovers.

• Relevant for GS–3 topics on public health, wildlife–human interface, and biosecurity.