CUET Current Affairs: 1 March 2025

1. European Union (EU)

News: India and EU set year-end deadline for a trade deal, plus security and defence pact.

About the EU

  • A political and economic union of 27 member states primarily in Europe.
  • Established under: Maastricht Treaty
  • Year of Enforcement: 1993
  • Objective: To promote cooperation and integration among member states, ensuring economic and political stability in Europe.
  • Currency: Euro

Key Institutions

  • European Council: Heads of state or government of member countries.
  • European Commission: Executive branch, responsible for proposing legislation and implementing decisions.
  • European Parliament: Directly elected legislative body.
  • Council of the EU: Represents governments of the member states.

2. National Commission on Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

News: Rahul criticizes the government over vacancies in the National ST Panel.

About NCST

  • Nature: Constitutional body.
  • Established by: 89th Constitution Amendment Act, 2003.
  • Article 338A: Defines the powers and responsibilities of NCST.

Composition

  • One Chairperson
  • One Vice-Chairperson
  • Three other members
  • Appointed by the President of India
  • At least one member must be a woman.
  • Members can serve a maximum of two terms.

Popular Tribes

  • Orange, Munda, Kuki

3. Privilege Motion

News: Trinamool files privilege motion against Jaishankar.

About Privilege Motion

  • A motion initiated when an MP believes a minister or another member has breached parliamentary privileges (e.g., providing incorrect or misleading information to Parliament).
  • Purpose: Ensures privileges and immunities of MPs are upheld, maintaining the dignity and authority of Parliament.
  • Any member can introduce a Privilege Motion.
  • The Speaker/Chairman may refer it to the Committee of Privileges for review.

4. Aditya-L1

 

News: Aditya-L1 unlocks solar flare secrets.

About Aditya-L1

  • India’s first dedicated solar mission, launched by ISRO.
  • Objective: Study the Sun from a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1 (L1), located 1.5 million km from Earth.
  • Significance: Continuous observation of the Sun without any eclipses.

Mission Goals

  • Examine the Sun’s corona and photosphere.
  • Investigate the extreme heating of the solar corona.
  • Analyze the Sun’s magnetic field.

5. Solar Flare

  • Definition: A powerful explosion on the Sun caused by the sudden release of energy stored in magnetic fields in the Sun’s atmosphere.
  • Duration: Can last from a few minutes to several hours.
  • Appearance: Bright areas on the Sun’s surface.

Effects on Earth

  • Can disrupt satellite communications.
  • May cause radio blackouts.
  • Potential impact on power grids.
  • Produce dazzling auroras around the poles.

6. Sugar Production

News: Sugar production falls by 14% due to lower output.

Climatic Conditions for Sugarcane

  • Temperature: 20°C to 40°C
  • Rainfall: 1200–1500 mm annually
  • Sunlight: Around 12 hours daily
  • Frost-Free Period: 7–8 months
  • Soil: Well-drained loamy soil

Top 3 Sugar-Producing States

  1. Maharashtra
  2. Uttar Pradesh
  3. Karnataka

Government Initiatives

  • Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP): Annual announcement to ensure just compensation for farmers.
  • Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme: Promotes the use of ethanol derived from sugarcane molasses.

MCQs

  1. European Union came into existence in which year?
    • A. 1800
    • B. 1945
    • C. 1993
    • D. 2014
  2. The Chairman and Members of NCST are appointed by:
    • A. President
    • B. CJI of SC
    • C. Parliament
    • D. Tribal Minister
  3. Orange, Munda, Kuki are:
    • A. Local Languages
    • B. Colors
    • C. Tribes
    • D. Ancient Artifacts
  4. Aditya-L1 was launched by:
    • A. NASA
    • B. DRDO
    • C. JAXA
    • D. ISRO
  5. Which state is the largest producer of sugar in India?
    • A. Jammu and Kashmir
    • B. Sikkim
    • C. Maharashtra
    • D. Rajasthan

Answer Key:

C (Maharashtra)

C (1993)

A (President)

C (Tribes)

D (ISRO)