22 January 2025

• International: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 128th birth anniversary was observed on 23 January. USA's WHO withdrawal proceeded.
• History: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme completed 10 years since its 2015 launch in Panipat.
• Water: Indus Waters Treaty (1960) details: Eastern rivers to India (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej), Western rivers to Pakistan.
• Economy: Oxfam's "Takers, Not Makers" report estimated Rs 64.82 trillion extracted from India by Britain between 1765 and 1900.
• Geography: Kashmir Chinar trees (Platanus orientalis) under digital preservation through geo-tagging and QR codes.

GS area: Modern Indian History

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 128th birth anniversary was observed on 23 January 2025 (Parakram Diwas).

• Born: 23 January 1897, Cuttack, Odisha.
• Education: Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Presidency College (Kolkata), University of Cambridge.
• ICS: Cleared the Indian Civil Service examination in 1920. Resigned in 1921 refusing to serve under British administration.
• INC President: Elected twice: Haripura Congress (1938) and Tripuri Congress (1939). Resigned after clashing with Gandhi over methods.
• Forward Bloc (1939): Founded the Forward Bloc within the Congress to unite the left wing.
• Indian National Army (INA): Reorganised by Netaji in 1943 with Japanese support. Its battle cry was "Jai Hind."
• Azad Hind Government (1943): Established a provisional government recognised by Axis powers.
• Famous quote: "Give me blood, and I will give you freedom."
• Publications: The Indian Struggle (1920-1934); edited the newspaper Forward.

Static linkage: Indian freedom struggle (Modern History, GS Paper 1).

GS area: Governance, Social Justice

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme completed 10 years of implementation.

• Launch: 22 January 2015 in Panipat, Haryana.
• Three implementing ministries: Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Education.
• Objectives: Improve Child Sex Ratio (CSR), ensure gender equality in education and health, prevent sex-selective elimination (female infanticide).
• Components: Advocacy and awareness campaigns; multi-sectoral interventions in gender-critical districts; financial incentives linked to girl education.
• Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme (SSA): A financial product linked to BBBP requiring a savings account for girls under 10 years. Provides guaranteed returns and tax benefits.
• Mission Shakti (2021-2026): BBBP was integrated into Mission Shakti as part of the 15th Finance Commission cycle.

Static linkage: Social justice, women empowerment (GS Papers 1 and 2).

GS area: International Relations (Water)

The Indus Waters Treaty remains in the news due to ongoing disputes over hydroelectric projects.

• Signed: 1960 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's President Ayub Khan. Brokered by the World Bank (which is also a signatory).
• River allocation:
  • Eastern rivers to India: Beas, Ravi, Sutlej (India has exclusive use).
  • Western rivers to Pakistan: Indus, Chenab, Jhelum (India may use limited water for agriculture and run-of-river hydel power).
• Dispute mechanism: Technical disputes go to the Permanent Indus Commission. If unresolved, a Neutral Expert or Court of Arbitration is invoked under Paragraph 7, Annexure F.
• Current disputes: Kishenganga (on Jhelum tributary) and Ratle (on Chenab) hydroelectric projects. India wants a Neutral Expert; Pakistan wants the Court of Arbitration.
• India's modification notice (2023): India issued a notice seeking modification of the treaty, citing changed circumstances.

Static linkage: India-Pakistan relations, water sharing (International Relations, GS Paper 2).

GS area: Economy, Modern History

Oxfam International released the "Takers, Not Makers" report at WEF Davos 2025.

• Key finding: Britain extracted an estimated $64.82 trillion (in current value) from India between 1765 and 1900.
• Industrial collapse: India's share of global industrial output fell from 25% in 1750 to 2% in 1900 under British rule.
• Global South wages: The report found wages in the Global South are 87-95% lower than in the Global North, a legacy of colonial labour exploitation.
• UK beneficiaries: The richest 10% of UK citizens benefited by 33.8 trillion, about 52% of total extraction.
• Oxfam: Founded in Oxford, UK in 1942. Operates in 79 countries. Headquarters: Oxford, UK.

Static linkage: Economic history, colonialism, India-UK relations (Modern History, GS Papers 1 and 2).

GS area: Polity, Governance

The 85th All India Presiding Officers' Conference (AIPOC) in Patna discussed digital integration of legislative bodies.

• AIPOC established: 1921. First conference held in Shimla.
• Apex body: AIPOC is the apex body of Indian legislatures, bringing together Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliament and state legislatures.
• Platform proposal: Integrate Parliament, state legislatures, and local bodies on a single digital platform for real-time legislative data sharing, paperless operations, and public accessibility.
• AI integration: Use of AI for legislative drafting assistance and translation into scheduled languages was discussed.
• Context: 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution's enforcement.

Static linkage: Parliament, state legislatures, digital governance (Polity, GS Paper 2).

• Kashmir Chinar trees (Platanus orientalis): Oriental plane trees native to Italy through the Himalayas. Found extensively in Kashmir, particularly in Ganderbal and Budgam. Some trees are over 600 years old. The J&K Forest Research Institute is implementing geo-tagging and QR codes for digital preservation. Threats: urbanisation, climate change, pest disease.
• Vaigai River: Origin in Varusanadu Hills of the Western Ghats (Periyar Plateau), Tamil Nadu. Empties into the Palk Strait near Pamban Bridge, Ramanathapuram. Mentioned in Sangam literature. The Vaigai Dam is near Andipatti in Theni district.