Daily Current Affairs - 11th September 2025

Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This compact roundup for 11 September 2025 brings you exam-ready current affairs with GS linkages, Prelims facts, and MCQ cues—optimised for quick revision and high recall.

In today’s edition, track India’s first overseas Atal Innovation Centre at IIT Delhi–Abu Dhabi (AIM, NITI Aayog); assess India–Mauritius ties across FDI, diaspora, MAHASAGAR and Neighbourhood First; note PMMSY’s extension to 2025–26 with livelihoods, women-led projects, and climate resilience. Analyse China’s rare-earth magnet curbs—impacts on EVs, PLI, and India’s National Critical Mineral Mission. Explore Adi Sanskriti, the digital platform for tribal artforms (TRIFED linkages); Iran–IAEA inspection reboot under JCPOA; and Draft NIC 2025 vs NIC 2008 (ISIC alignment). From S&T and environment, cover two new Black Aspergillus species (biotech + health angles), ISRO–HAL SSLV ToT for on-demand LEO launches, and offshore freshwater aquifers for water security. Defence-edtech convergence features via iDEX-DIO & EdCIL under ASPIRE.

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India Inaugurates First Overseas Atal Innovation Centre at IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi Campus

1. India’s first overseas Atal Innovation Centre was recently inaugurated at the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

2. This overseas centre has been launched under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).

   • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is the flagship initiative of the Government of India.

3. It functions under the auspices of the NITI Aayog, which is the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India.

4. The objective of AIM is to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.

5. To achieve this, AIM implements multiple mission-driven programs across different levels and sectors.

6. One such initiative is the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) program.

   • Atal Tinkering Labs are set up in schools from Grade 6 to Grade 12 to encourage curiosity, creativity, and imagination in young minds.

   • These labs provide students with hands-on experience in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) using tools such as 3D printers, robotics kits, and electronics.

7. Another key program is the Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) initiative.

   • Atal Incubation Centres are established in universities, research institutions, and corporates to provide infrastructure and support to early-stage startups and innovators.

   • These centres offer mentorship, funding access, business services, and networking to nurture entrepreneurship.

8. AIM also runs the ARISE–ANIC program, which stands for Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises – Atal New India Challenge.

9. The ARISE–ANIC program is aimed at supporting innovation in MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and startups.

10. It focuses on encouraging product and process innovations relevant to national development needs.

Mauritius PM Reaffirms India as Trusted Partner, Highlights Strong Economic, Cultural & Strategic Ties

1. During a state visit to India, Mauritius’ Prime Minister affirmed that India has been and remains a time-tested and trusted partner of Mauritius.

2. In terms of economic relations, India has become one of Mauritius’ leading trading partners.

3. Key Indian exports to Mauritius include pharmaceuticals, cotton, cereals, motor vehicles, and mineral fuels.

4. Mauritius is a significant source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India, constituting around 25% of India’s cumulative FDI since 2000.

5. Over the past five years, Indian companies have invested more than USD 200 million in Mauritius.

6. India’s development partnership with Mauritius includes providing a Special Economic Package and extending Line of Credit for priority infrastructure projects such as the Metro Express, Supreme Court building, and Social Housing.

7. India has traditionally acted as the first responder to Mauritius during crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the Wakashio oil spill.

8. Culturally, around 70% of Mauritius’s population is of Indian origin.

9. The ancestors of many Mauritians, known as Girmitiyas (indentured Indian laborers), were first brought to Mauritius from Puducherry in 1729.

10. Strategically and geopolitically, Mauritius’ location in the Western Indian Ocean is vital for India’s maritime security and regional influence.

11. Mauritius plays a key role in India’s MAHASAGAR Vision, which aims to strengthen maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

12. It is also central to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and serves as a key gateway for India’s trade and investment in Africa.

PMMSY Extended to 2025-26: Boosting India’s Fisheries with Livelihoods, Women Empowerment & Climate Resilience

1. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched on September 10, 2020 by the Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

2. The scheme was initially planned for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

3. Recently, the scheme has been extended up to 2025-26 to further strengthen the fisheries sector.

4. The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) acts as the nodal agency responsible for implementing training, awareness, and capacity-building programs under PMMSY.

5. PMMSY operates as an umbrella scheme, comprising both Centrally Sector Components and Centrally Sponsored Scheme Components.

6. Since its inception, India has emerged as the second-largest fish producer in the world, contributing nearly 8% of global fish production.

7. The scheme has successfully created 58 lakh livelihoods and empowered 99,018 women involved in fisheries.

8. The primary aims of PMMSY include harnessing fisheries potential and enhancing fish production and productivity.

9. It also focuses on modernizing and strengthening the value chain, including post-harvest management and quality improvement.

10. Another key objective is doubling the incomes of fishers and fish farmers and generating increased employment opportunities.

11. PMMSY seeks to enhance fisheries’ contribution to Agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA) and exports.

12. The scheme also aims to provide social, physical, and economic security for fishers and fish farmers.

13. A robust fisheries management and regulatory framework is part of the strategic vision of PMMSY.

14. One strategic initiative under PMMSY is empowering women in fisheries, which offers up to 60% financial assistance for women-oriented projects.

15. The scheme supports climate-resilient coastal villages to protect vulnerable fishing communities from climate change impacts.

16. For technology adoption, PMMSY has scaled up Biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) units to boost sustainable productivity.

17. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY) is a sub-scheme under PMMSY that, along with the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP), helps formalize the sector and provides single-window access to benefits.

18. The development of 100 Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) aims to enhance climate resilience in vulnerable coastal communities.

China’s Rare Earth Magnet Export Curbs Threaten Indian EV Sector, Push for Domestic Production

1. China has imposed curbs on Rare Earth Magnet (REM) exports, affecting global supply chains.

2. These curbs are likely to impact Indian automakers, as REMs are crucial components in manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs).

3. The price of automobiles could increase due to limited availability of REMs.

4. Additionally, importing complete vehicle parts instead of REMs could reduce domestic value addition by Indian automakers.

   • Domestic value addition is important for qualifying for incentives under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

5. Rare Earth Magnets (REMs) are the strongest type of permanent magnets commercially available.

6. They are typically made from alloys containing rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium.

7. REMs are critical in various applications, including electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced defence technologies.

8. The absence of REMs can severely disrupt or paralyze supply chains in these sectors.

9. A major challenge is the concentration of the REM supply chain, with China accounting for about 70% of global rare earth metals mining.

10. Furthermore, China holds nearly 90% of the world’s REM production capacity.

11. Despite having the 5th-largest rare earth reserves globally, India currently lacks domestic production capacity and imports nearly all REMs used.

12. Establishing a domestic rare earth magnet supply chain could take 3 to 4 years.

13. The REM supply chain is a high-risk venture due to its capital-intensive and time-intensive nature.

14. In response, India has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission aimed at self-reliance and recycling of rare earth elements.

15. Additionally, Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) is in talks with Japanese and Korean companies to commercially manufacture rare earth magnets.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Launches Adi Sanskriti, World’s First Digital Platform for Tribal Artforms

1. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the beta version of Adi Sanskriti.

2. Adi Sanskriti is envisioned as the world’s first Digital Learning Platform dedicated to Tribal Artforms.

3. The platform consists of three major components to preserve and promote tribal culture.

4. The first component is Adi Vishwavidyalaya, which is a Digital Tribal Art Academy.

   • Currently, Adi Vishwavidyalaya offers 45 immersive courses focused on tribal dance, painting, crafts, music, and folklore.

5. The second component is Adi Sampada, which serves as a Socio-Cultural Repository.

   • This repository includes over 5,000 curated documents organized across five themes.

   • The five themes covered by Adi Sampada are paintings, dance, clothing & textiles, artefacts, and livelihood.

6. The third component is Adi Haat, an online marketplace for tribal products.

7. Currently, Adi Haat is linked with TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India).

8. It is designed to evolve into a dedicated online marketplace for tribal artisans, enabling them to earn sustainable livelihoods.

9. Adi Haat will also facilitate direct consumer access to tribal products, eliminating intermediaries.

Iran and IAEA Agree to Resume Nuclear Inspections Amid Renewed Cooperation

1. Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently signed an agreement to resume cooperation.

2. This agreement aims to facilitate the relaunching of inspections at Iran’s nuclear facilities.

3. Earlier, Iran enacted a law that suspended cooperation with the IAEA following heightened conflicts with Israel and the United States.

   • The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organization responsible for administering safeguards to verify that non-nuclear weapon states comply with their non-proliferation commitments.

4. These safeguards are implemented under the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

5. Besides safeguards, the IAEA also promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy by facilitating the development of nuclear technology applications in non-nuclear weapon states.

6. Under the Iran nuclear agreement, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran agreed to reduce its nuclear activities.

7. As part of the JCPOA, Iran also agreed to provide greater access for IAEA inspectors to monitor its nuclear program.

MoSPI Releases Draft NIC 2025 to Update India's Economic Activity Classification Framework

1. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has recently unveiled the draft NIC 2025.

2. The draft NIC 2025 is a revision of the earlier classification, known as NIC 2008.

   • The National Industrial Classification (NIC) is a numerical classification system used to categorize different economic activities.

3. Each economic activity is assigned a unique NIC code, which helps in systematic classification.

4. This classification system is used across multiple domains such as statistical surveys, population and economic censuses, and economic research.

5. It is also used in business registration processes, especially with government departments and statutory bodies.

6. Central and state government agencies rely on NIC codes for policy formulation, planning, and monitoring of economic activities.

7. India introduced its first Standard Industrial Classification system in the year 1962.

8. Since then, it has undergone multiple revisions to remain aligned with global standards.

9. These revisions are made in consonance with the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC).

   • The ISIC is a global framework developed by the United Nations to provide a standard structure for comparing economic data internationally.

Two New Black Aspergillus Species Discovered in Western Ghats with Biotech and Health Implications

1. Researchers have identified two new species of Black Aspergillus in the Western Ghats, a region known for its rich biodiversity.

2. These newly discovered species belong to the genus Aspergillus, which is a group of filamentous fungi.

   • Filamentous fungi are fungi that grow as long, thread-like structures called hyphae.

3. Aspergillus species exhibit diverse ecological roles and can act as saprophytes, endophytes, and opportunistic pathogens.

   • Saprophytes feed on dead and decaying organic matter, helping in nutrient recycling.

   • Endophytes live inside plant tissues without causing apparent harm to their host.

   • Opportunistic pathogens are organisms that cause disease primarily in individuals with weakened immune systems.

4. A specific group within this genus, known as Black Aspergilli, has significant importance in biotechnological applications.

   • Black Aspergilli are widely used in the industrial production of citric acid, an essential organic acid in food and pharmaceuticals.

5. They also contribute to food fermentation processes, aiding in the production of enzymes and other organic acids.

6. In agriculture, Black Aspergilli are beneficial due to their phosphate stabilization potential, which improves soil nutrient availability.

7. Despite these benefits, some species of Aspergillus are also known to be deadly fungal pathogens, especially dangerous for immunocompromised individuals.

8. Additionally, certain species produce potent carcinogens, which are substances capable of causing cancer in humans or animals.

ISRO Transfers SSLV Technology to HAL for Scalable, On-Demand Satellite Launches

1. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

2. This agreement is for the transfer of technology (ToT) related to the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

   • The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a launch vehicle developed by ISRO.

3. SSLV is designed as a quick turnaround and on-demand launch system.

   • A quick turnaround launch vehicle enables faster preparation and launch cycles compared to conventional rockets.

4. The SSLV is structured to be efficiently scalable for industrial production, allowing private players to manufacture and deploy it widely.

5. SSLV consists of three Solid Propulsion Stages for its main thrust.

6. In addition, it has a Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as its terminal stage, which uses liquid propulsion.

   • The Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) ensures precise orbital insertion by fine-tuning the satellite's velocity at the final phase.

7. SSLV is specifically designed to launch satellites weighing up to 500 kg.

8. It is capable of placing these satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

   • Low Earth Orbit (LEO) typically refers to orbits at altitudes ranging from 160 km to 2,000 km above Earth’s surface.

Scientists Discover Massive Offshore Freshwater Aquifer Beneath Atlantic, Potential Solution for Water Scarcity

1. Scientists have confirmed the discovery of a large offshore aquifer located beneath the Atlantic Ocean.

2. Similar to land aquifers, offshore aquifers are bodies of rock or sediment containing freshwater, but they lie beneath the sea floor.

3. These aquifers have been found worldwide, including off the coasts of Australia, China, North America, and South Africa.

4. Offshore aquifers can extend up to 90 kilometers off the coast.

5. They are believed to contain about one million cubic kilometers of freshwater, which is approximately 10% of all terrestrial fresh groundwater.

6. A cap rock layer, made of compacted clay-rich sediment, covers these aquifers.

7. This cap rock may have prevented the freshwater from mixing with the surrounding saltwater of the ocean.

8. There are two main theories explaining the formation of offshore aquifers.

   • The Ice Age Hypothesis suggests that during past ice ages, rainwater seeped into land areas now submerged under the ocean.

   • The Connection Hypothesis proposes that offshore aquifers might be connected to onshore aquifers, which regularly recharge them after rainfall.

9. Offshore aquifers represent a potential untapped source of freshwater, especially important for water-stressed regions.

10. They could act as buffers during climate change-induced droughts and erratic rainfall patterns.

11. According to a 2023 UN report, global freshwater demand is projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030.

12. However, several challenges exist, including high extraction costs, technical barriers, and ecological risks to the ocean ecosystem and marine life.

13. Additional concerns involve governance issues related to managing and regulating offshore freshwater resources.

iDEX-DIO and EdCIL Join Forces Under ASPIRE to Boost Dual-Use Defence & Ed-Tech Innovations

1. Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EdCIL (India) Limited.

2. This collaboration is driven under the ASPIRE program, which stands for Accelerating Strategic Progress in Research and Education.

3. The objective of this MoU is to develop dual-use cutting-edge technologies, which are technologies that can serve both civilian and military purposes.

4. It aims to bridge defence expertise with emerging educational technology (ed-tech) solutions.

5. The Scheme for iDEX was officially launched in 2021 to promote innovation in the defence sector.

6. The scheme aims to provide financial support to nearly 300 Startups, MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises), and individual innovators.

7. In addition to supporting innovators, the scheme also targets to fund about 20 partner incubators, which are institutions that help startups grow by providing services like mentoring, infrastructure, and networking.

8. iDEX is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).

9. The Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) has been formed as a ‘not-for-profit’ company.

10. This organisation operates under the aegis of the Department of Defence Production, which functions within the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

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