MLC Daily Current Affairs – 13 February 2025

Today in History (February 13^th,1879)

On the 13th of February, a significant figure in Indian history, Sarojini Naidu, was born in 1879 in Hyderabad. She was a distinguished poet and a fervent political activist who played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence. Known for her advocacy for civil rights, women’s emancipation, and opposition to imperialism, Naidu’s contributions were multifaceted. Her leadership skills were recognized when she became the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress and later, the first female governor of an Indian state, the United Provinces. Mahatma Gandhi honored her with the title “Nightingale of India” for her poetic prowess.

Summary of Today’s News

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024

Context:
• India ranks 96th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
About the CPI:
• The CPI 2024 shows how corruption is affecting the global fight against climate change.
• The index ranks 180 countries based on how corrupt their public sectors are perceived to be.
• The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 means highly corrupt and 100 means very clean.
• The report is created by Transparency International.
• Corruption is a growing global problem that not only harms development but also leads to a decline in democracy, instability, and human rights violations.
Key Findings of CPI 2024:
• 85% of the world’s population lives in countries with a CPI score below 50.
• India scored 38 out of 100, dropping by one point since 2023, and ranked 96th.
• The least corrupt countries are Denmark, Finland, and Singapore.
• The most corrupt countries are South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela.
How Corruption Affects Climate Action:
• Weakens Policies: Corruption often favors the powerful, weakening environmental policies.
• Poor Governance: Lack of transparency makes it harder to hold governments accountable for climate decisions.
• Misuse of Climate Funds: Many nations at risk from climate change have CPI scores under 50, making it more likely that funds will be misused.
• Worsens Inequality: Marginalized groups suffer more from climate change due to ineffective policies.
• Affects International Cooperation: Corruption influences climate talks, giving more power to fossil fuel lobbyists and reducing transparency.
Recommendations:
• Toughen Anti-Corruption Efforts: Introduce safeguards in climate finance and policies.
• Increase Transparency: Set up rules for lobbying and ensure open climate finance records.
• Boost Investigations and Protections: Safeguard whistleblowers and environmental activists.
• Encourage Public Participation: Involve communities affected by climate change in decision-making.

BIMSTEC Youth Summit Hosted by India

In the News:
• India hosted the first BIMSTEC Youth Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
About the Summit:
• Organized by India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Ministry of External Affairs, and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) YI (Young Indians).
• The summit brought together over 70 young leaders from seven BIMSTEC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) to discuss issues like entrepreneurship, technology, digital connectivity, and sustainable development.
• The theme was “Youth as a bridge for intra-BIMSTEC exchange,” aiming to empower youth to address regional challenges and collaborate for a better future.
• The summit aligns with India’s “Neighborhood First” and “Act East” policies, aiming for regional security and growth.

NITI Aayog’s Report on State Public Universities (SPUs)

Context:
• NITI Aayog released a report titled ‘Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities.’
About the Report:
• This is the first policy document focused on state-run public universities.
• It analyzes the quality, funding, governance, and employability of these universities over the past decade.
Key Findings:
• Highest Funding: Maharashtra has the most funding for higher education, followed by Bihar and Tamil Nadu.
• Lowest Funding: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland have the least funding.
• University Density: Sikkim has the highest university density, followed by Arunachal Pradesh and other states like Himachal Pradesh. Some states, like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, are below the national average.
• Female Enrollment: States like Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh have higher female enrollment rates than male.
Challenges:
• Poor infrastructure.
• Shortage of faculty and staff.
• Insufficient spending on research and development.
• Low enrollment in MTech and Ph.D. programs, which affects advanced research.
• Courses and curricula not aligned with industry needs.
• Financial issues: Universities rely heavily on fees and state grants but face delays in getting funds, and there’s no clear framework for loans.