MLC Daily Current Affairs – 17 January 2025

Today in History ( January 17^th,1893)

On January 17, 1893, a committee led by Sanford Ballard Dole deposed Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani, acting on behalf of Hawaiian sugar interests and their American allies. After the queen’s deposition, the committee established a provisional government, with Dole assuming the role of president.

Summary of Today’s News

ISRO docks two satellites, puts India in elite league.

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully executed a satellite docking experiment, making India the fourth country to achieve this feat after the U.S., Russia, and China.
• Two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), launched by PSLV C60 on December 30, successfully docked.
• The procedure was overseen by officials at the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC).
• ISRO announced the success of the docking process on X, describing the steps as:
• Manoeuvre from a 15m to 3m hold point.
• Initiation of docking with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture.
• Completion of retraction, followed by rigidisation for stability.
• Post-docking, ISRO gained control of the two satellites as a single object.
• Future steps include undocking and power transfer checks.
• The SpaDeX mission aims to develop and demonstrate technology critical for spacecraft manoeuvres.
• This technology is essential for future missions, such as sending an Indian astronaut to the moon and establishing and operating an Indian space station.

Union Cabinet clears third launch pad at Srihari Kota.

• The Union Cabinet approved the construction of a third launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Srihari Kota.
• The project has an estimated outlay of ₹3,984.86 crore and is expected to be completed by early 2029.
• The new launch pad will support the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLVs), set to begin in 2031.
• It will also facilitate Indian-manned spaceflight missions, with the first mission targeted for 2026, as stated by ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan.
• The design of the third launch pad will be universal and adaptable, supporting both NGLVs and Launch Vehicle Mark 3 with semi-cryogenic stages, as well as scaled-up NGLV configurations.
• The existing launch pad at SDSC has been operational for nearly two decades.
• The new launch pad aims to enhance ISRO’s launch capabilities and meet evolving space transportation needs for the next 25-30 years.
• The establishment of this launch pad is considered essential to support heavier classes of NGLVs and serve as a standby for the Second Launch Pad (SLP).

Hamas backtracked on truce deal: Israel.

• Israel conducted new airstrikes on Gaza on Thursday and accused Hamas of reneging on parts of a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
• The truce, mediated by Qatar and the U.S., was announced on Wednesday and was set to take effect on Sunday.
• The agreement included the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, followed by discussions on a permanent end to the war.
• The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Hamas had backtracked on parts of the agreement to seek last-minute concessions.
• The Israeli Cabinet has not yet approved the deal and stated it would convene only after mediators confirm Hamas’s acceptance of all agreement elements.
• Hamas political bureau member Sami Abu Zuhri denied Israel’s accusations, calling them baseless.
• In Gaza, the civil defense agency reported Israeli strikes in multiple areas, resulting in at least 75 deaths and hundreds of injuries following the announcement of the deal.

Hindenburg Research winds up operations.

• U.S.-based shortseller Hindenburg Research will be disbanded, as announced by its founder, Nathan Anderson.
• Anderson stated that the firm has completed its projects, and winding up was part of the plan.
• The announcement comes just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration as the U.S. President.
• In January 2023, Hindenburg gained prominence by publishing a report accusing the Adani Group of “pulling the largest con in corporate history.”
• The report alleged stock manipulation, accounting fraud, and misuse of offshore tax havens to inflate share prices, wiping out over $150 billion in the group’s share value at its lowest point.
• The Adani Group strongly denied all allegations, calling them baseless.
• The report triggered a significant political controversy in India.

PM approves constitution of Eighth Pay Commission.

• The Union government approved the establishment of the Eighth Pay Commission on Thursday, just days before the Delhi Assembly election.
• The decision fulfills a key demand of central trade unions and employees’ organizations.
• The commission’s recommendations are expected to benefit approximately 50 lakh Union government employees and 65 lakh pensioners.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Chairperson and two members of the commission would be appointed soon.

Centre announces constitution of Eighth Pay Commission.

• The Union government approved the establishment of the Eighth Pay Commission on Thursday, just days before the Delhi Assembly election.
• The decision addresses demands from Central trade unions and employees’ organizations.
• The new Pay Commission will benefit about 50 lakh Union government employees and 65 lakh pensioners, including serving and retired defense personnel.
• Delhi houses approximately four lakh Union government employees who will be affected by this decision.
• Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the decision, and the Chairperson and two members of the commission would be appointed soon.
• Typically, a retired Supreme Court judge heads the Pay Commission. The Seventh Pay Commission was chaired by Justice A.K. Mathur (retd).
• The Seventh Pay Commission began in 2014, submitted its report in 2016, and its recommendations were implemented in November 2016, costing the exchequer about ₹1 lakh crore in 2016-17.
• Recommendations of the Eighth Pay Commission will also guide wage settlements in public sector undertakings and pay revisions in States.
• The move is expected to boost consumption, economic growth, and improve the quality of life for government employees.
• Despite the Seventh Pay Commission’s term ending in 2026, the Eighth Pay Commission was approved ahead of schedule by the Prime Minister.
• Trade unions welcomed the decision and are awaiting the terms of reference and panel constitution.
• The Central Secretariat Service Forum expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Union government for the approval.

Singapore to help India’s semiconductor industry.

• Singapore is exploring initiatives such as semiconductor manufacturing, building a semiconductor ecosystem in India, and creating new-generation technological solutions, stated President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
• President Shanmugaratnam emphasized the strong partnership between Singapore and India, recalling that India was one of the first countries to recognize Singapore’s independence in 1965.
• He highlighted Singapore’s status as India’s largest investor for many years.
• New initiatives in the digital space, including the possibility of a data corridor between Gift City and Singapore for secure financial data exchange, are being explored.
• The focus includes renewable energy and development projects in India’s eastern states like Odisha and Assam, leveraging their natural resources and ambitions in logistics, connectivity, and petrochemicals.
• Singapore and India have upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Singapore in September last year.
• Advanced manufacturing and semiconductor development are key areas of collaboration, with plans to establish a semiconductor ecosystem in India.
• President Shanmugaratnam and President Droupadi Murmu launched a joint logo to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore.
• The 60th-anniversary celebrations will include a series of visits and events throughout the year.

Justice K. Vinod Chandran sworn in as SC judge; top court close to full strength.

Here are the key highlights from the update:
• Oath of Office: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna administered the oath to Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran as a Supreme Court judge.
• Judicial Strength: With Justice Chandran’s appointment, the judicial strength of the Supreme Court has increased to 33, just one short of the full sanctioned strength of 34.
• Background: Justice Chandran was formerly the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. He began his judicial career as a judge of the Kerala High Court in November 2011 and became the Patna High Court Chief Justice in March 2023.
• Tenure: Justice Chandran will serve in the Supreme Court until April 24, 2028.
• Collegium Recommendation: The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Khanna, recommended Justice Chandran for elevation on January 7, 2024. It noted that no judge with the Kerala High Court as the parent court was serving on the Supreme Court Bench at the time.
• Judicial Vacancies: The Supreme Court continues to face high pendency, with nearly 83,000 cases awaiting resolution. The collegium has emphasized the urgent need to fill all judicial vacancies to manage the growing workload effectively.
• Previous Recommendations: Justice Chandran is the second successful recommendation by the Khanna Collegium after Justice Manmohan in December 2024.
This appointment underscores the pressing need to ensure the Supreme Court operates at its full capacity to address the mounting pendency of cases.

Indonesian President to be chief guest on Republic Day.

• Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day Parade in 2025.
• He is the fourth Indonesian President to receive this honor.
• A 352-member Indonesian military contingent, the largest foreign contingent to participate in the parade, will include 152 marching troops and 189 cadets from military bands, comprising both men and women.
• The visit emphasizes Indonesia’s role as a key partner in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.
• India and Indonesia are nearing a $450-million agreement for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, potentially making Indonesia the second export customer after the Philippines.
• Indonesia has shown interest in acquiring Indian military platforms, including Dhruv advanced light helicopters and Akash air defense systems.
• Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be exchanged in areas such as health, culture, education, maritime security, and traditional medicine during the visit.
• President Prabowo’s program includes paying respects at Rajghat, receiving a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.
• He will attend the Republic Day Parade on January 26 and participate in the “At Home” tea hosted by President Droupadi Murmu.
• The visit reflects deepening cooperation between India and Indonesia in defense, economic, and maritime sectors.

NEET-UG not to be held in online mode now: Ministry.

• The Union Education Ministry has decided not to conduct NEET-UG for undergraduate medical programmes in online mode for now.
• The National Testing Agency (NTA) confirmed that NEET-UG will continue to be conducted in pen-and-paper mode.
• Proposals to hold NEET-UG as a computer-based test were considered but not implemented.
• The National Medical Commission (NMC) has opted to conduct the test in pen-and-paper mode (optical mark recognition-based) in a single day and shift.
• The NTA will continue to conduct the test on behalf of the NMC.
• Last year, over 24 lakh candidates appeared for NEET-UG.