1 April 2025 Current Affairs

Train Derailment Near Nergundi Station, Odisha

One person died and three others were injured when the Bangalore-Kamakhya AC Superfast Express derailed near Nergundi Station, 10 km from Cuttack, Odisha, on March 30, 2025, at 11:54 a.m.

Key Details:

1. Location & Timing:

• The derailment occurred after crossing a bridge over the Mahanadi River, reducing the impact on passengers.

2. Casualties & Injuries:

• One deceased: Suvankar Roy, 22.
• One female passenger sustained grievous injuries.
• Two male passengers suffered minor injuries.

3. Passenger Struggles:

• Passengers faced difficulty moving to safer locations and arranging alternative transport.
• Intense heat made the situation worse, especially for elderly passengers.

4. Rescue & Relief Measures:

• Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and National Disaster Response Force were deployed.
• A special train, identical to the derailed one, was arranged to transport affected passengers.

5. Compensation Announced:

• ₹5 lakh for the family of the deceased.
• ₹2.5 lakh for grievous injuries.
• ₹50,000 for simple injuries.

6. Inquiry & Safety Measures:

• Commissioner of Railway Safety to conduct a detailed inquiry.
• Efforts underway to restore normalcy and divert over 20 affected trains.

5. Official Statement:

• Safety protocols were followed during the rescue operations, and authorities are working to resume normal operations quickly.

Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake

A 5.1-magnitude aftershock struck near Mandalay on March 30, 2025, adding to the devastation caused by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that killed over 1,700 people and caused destruction in Myanmar and Thailand. The disaster has triggered massive international relief efforts and ongoing rescue operations.

Key Updates:

1. Death Toll: Over 1,700 dead in Myanmar and 18 dead in Thailand. More than 3,400 injured, with over 300 missing.

2. India’s Aid: Launched Operation Brahma, delivering 137 tonnes of aid and deploying NDRF teams and military field hospitals.

3. Other Countries’ Aid:

• UK pledged £10 million.
• UN announced $5 million for relief.
• China provided food, blankets, and a rescue team with drones.
• Russia, EU, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore also offered aid.

4. NDRF Operations: Indian teams retrieved 7 bodies from 13 buildings in Mandalay.

5. Bangkok Building Collapse: A 30-story under-construction building collapsed, leaving 78 people missing.

6. Myanmar Junta Bombings: Continued airstrikes, killing 7 in Naungcho, northern Shan state, despite the earthquake crisis.

7. Relief Challenges: Debris and damaged roads hamper relief efforts, with a shortage of medical supplies.

8. Rescue Highlights:

• A woman was pulled alive from the rubble of the Great Wall Hotel in Mandalay.
• Rebel forces in Myanmar’s Sagaing region used elephants to clear blocked roads.

9. Damaged Heritage Sites: Pagodas, monasteries, and mosques reduced to rubble.

10. Structural Safety in Bangkok: Experts warned that fewer than 10% of Bangkok buildings are designed for earthquakes.

11. Thai PM’s Statement: Declared Bangkok “back to normal” with ongoing safety investigations.

12. International Condolences: Thailand’s King expressed deep sorrow and pledged medical care under royal patronage.

13. Financial Sector Unaffected: Thailand’s payments infrastructure and industrial sector remained operational.

14. Aftershocks and Warnings: Residents near Mandalay urged to stay alert for further tremors.

Anticipatory Tarrifs From 2nd April 2025

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs impacting allies and adversaries, with “Liberation Day” scheduled for April 2, 2025, to target countries with persistent trade deficits. The move signals further trade confrontations and potential sector-specific measures.

Key Developments:

1. Initial Tariffs Announced:

• February 2025: Tariffs of up to 25% on goods from Canada and Mexico, tied to immigration and fentanyl concerns.
• Implementation postponed to March, with partial relief to the auto industry, but the status post-April 2 remains uncertain.

2. China and Other Countries:

• China: Additional 20% tariff on goods, citing its role in fentanyl supply chains.
• 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from mid-March.
• 12% tariff on imported autos effective from April 3, 2025.

3. Tariffs on Venezuelan Oil:

• Blanket 25% tariffs on direct and indirect buyers of Venezuelan oil to be implemented as early as April 2.

4. “Dirty 15” Trade Partners:

• Reciprocal tariffs may target 15% of US trading partners, with a focus on countries with high trade deficits.
• Potential targets: China, EU, Mexico, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Canada.

5. Sector-Specific Tariffs:

• Further tariffs likely on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber.

Retaliation and Global Response:

1. Countermeasures:

• China: 10%-15% tariffs on US agricultural goods (e.g., soybeans).
• EU: Retaliatory duties on $28 billion worth of US goods, delayed to mid-April.
• Canada: Tariffs on Can$60 billion of US goods, including steel, aluminum, and computers.
• Mexico: Delaying comprehensive response until early April.

2. EU Concerns:

• EU considering action against US auto tariffs.
• Threats of 200% tariffs on Europe’s wine and spirits sector.

Ongoing Investigations and Future Actions:

1. New Probes:

• Investigations into lumber and copper imports may lead to further tariffs.
• Ongoing USTR investigation into China’s maritime practices, with proposed remedies like port entrance fees of up to $1.5 million for Chinese-built ships.

2. “America First” Trade Policy:

• Series of reports due on April 1 under Trump’s “America First” initiative.
• Includes reviews of:

- “Phase One” trade agreement with China.

- US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

- Export controls to secure US technological advantages.

3. Potential Future Measures:

• Further trade actions based on ongoing reviews and investigations.

ISRO Breakthrough In Cryogenic Engines.

ISRO has successfully conducted the first hot test of the Engine Power Head Test Article (PHTA) on March 28, 2025, at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, marking a major breakthrough in the development of the 2000 kN Semi-cryogenic Engine (SE2000). This engine will replace the current core liquid stage (L110) of LVM3, enhancing payload capability from 4 to 5 tonnes in GTO.

Key Highlights:

1. Development of SE2000 Engine:

• Developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) for Semi-cryogenic propulsion.
• Uses Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene (non-toxic and non-hazardous) as propellants.
• High thrust (2000 kN) engine with an oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle.
• Operates at 180 bar chamber pressure with propellant feed system delivering up to 600 bar.

2. Advantages:

• Replaces L110 core stage of LVM3 for payload enhancement.
• Improves payload capacity of LVM3 to 5 tonnes in GTO.
• Boosts efficiency and reduces environmental hazards.

3. SE2000 Engine Subsystems:

• Thrust chamber, pre-burner, turbo pump system, control components, and start-up system.
• Uses high-temperature and oxidizer-rich materials, manufactured in partnership with Indian industry.

4. Testing Infrastructure:

• Semicryogenic Integrated Engine Test Facility (SIET) at IPRC, Mahendragiri.
• Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on February 27, 2024.
• Can test engines up to 2600 kN thrust using state-of-art PLC-based control and data acquisition systems.

5. Role of PHTA (Power Head Test Article):

• Intermediate configuration to validate critical subsystems.
• Successful ignition and bootstrap mode operation for 2.5 seconds.
• Validates performance of pre-burner, turbo pumps, start system, and control components.

6. Pre-burner Ignition Test Article (PITA):

• Pre-burner with feed systems, start-systems, and control components.
• Series of tests conducted to derive the optimum start sequence for PHTA.

7. Future Plans:

• Series of tests planned to fine-tune and validate engine performance.
• Realization of a fully integrated SE2000 engine and SC120 stage for future LVM3 missions.

Background of Cryogenic Engines in India:

1. Initial Cryogenic Development:

• India started its cryogenic engine journey in the 1990s after facing challenges in acquiring technology from Russia.
• Indigenous development was initiated by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).

2. GSLV Mk-II Cryogenic Stage:

• First successful cryogenic flight on GSLV-D5 in January 2014.
• Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) uses Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquid Hydrogen (LH2).

3. GSLV Mk-III and LVM3:

• Uses the CE-20 cryogenic engine with 200 kN thrust.
• LVM3 is India’s heaviest operational rocket, used for Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan missions.

4. Semi-cryogenic Engine (SE2000):

• Aimed at replacing L110 stage in LVM3 for better performance.
• High thrust, high-efficiency design that uses LOX and Kerosene to enhance payload capability.

The successful development of semi-cryogenic technology will place India among a select few nations with such advanced propulsion capabilities.

India’s Coal Reliance Rises To 79%.

India’s coal share in total energy generation increased to 79% (16,906 PJ) in 2023-24, up by 2 percentage points from the previous year, according to MoSPI’s Energy Statistics in India 2025. Despite government efforts to push renewable energy, the share of renewables remains below 10% over the past decade.

Key Highlights:

1. Coal Dominance:

• Coal’s share in India’s energy generation increased to 79% in 2023-24, compared to 77% in 2022-23.
• Coal production grew by 12% in 2023-24, after a decadal-high growth of 15% in 2022-23.
• India’s coal import dependence was 26% in 2023-24, reduced from a high of 31% in 2019-20.

2. Crude Oil and Natural Gas Decline:

• Crude oil’s share reduced to 6% in 2023-24 from 11% in 2014-15.
• India’s crude oil import dependence remains high at 89%, increasing from 83.5% in 2014-15.
• Natural gas share fell to 7% in 2023-24 from 9% in 2014-15.

3. Renewable Energy Stagnation:

• Share of renewables (hydro, solar, nuclear, and others) in energy production increased marginally from 6% in 2014-15 to 7% in 2023-24.
• Energy produced from renewables grew from 17,682 KToE in FY15 to 31,847 KToE in FY24, with a CAGR of 6.76%.
• Energy generated from solar, wind, and other sources (excluding large hydro) increased 210% over 10 years, from 6,555 KToE in FY15 to 20,279 KToE in FY24.

4. Renewable Energy Potential:

• Estimated potential for renewable energy generation in India as of March 31, 2024, stands at 21,09,655 MW.
• Wind energy has the highest potential at 11,63,856 MW (55.17%), followed by solar energy at 7,48,990 MW (35.50%) and large hydro at 1,33,410 MW (6.32%).

5. Net-Zero Challenge:

• India aims to achieve net zero by 2070 as per its COP26 commitments, but the dominance of fossil fuels and slow growth in renewable share pose challenges to this target.