Daily Current Affairs - 12th September 2025

Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This compact roundup for 12 September 2025 brings you exam-ready current affairs with GS linkages, Prelims facts, and MCQ cues. Themes span Polity & Governance, International Relations & Security, Economy & Infrastructure, Environment & Ecology, Science & Tech, and Social Issues—helping you revise faster and write sharper answers.

In today’s edition, analyze Albania’s appointment of the world’s first AI Minister—link debates on transparency, accountability, and AI ethics in governance. Track MoEFCC’s exemption of defence-linked mining projects from public hearings under EIA 2006, weighing national security vs. transparency. Assess IISER Bhopal’s findings on India’s dams losing 50% storage to sedimentation, linked to Dam Safety Act 2021 and DRIP reforms.

From health and society, examine a Lancet study on rising NCD deaths in India (2010–2019) against global trends, with NP-NCD and Ayushman Bharat linkages. On international and institutional updates, cover the 11th CPA India Region Conference, the expansion of Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Traveller Programme, and calls for reframing the Disaster Risk Index for fairer fiscal allocations.

Defence and science updates include HAL receiving GE’s F404-IN20 engines for Tejas Mk-1A, India licensing its first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine AdFalciVax, and Exercise Siyom Prahar testing drone warfare in Arunachal. Also note innovations like a wound-healing pad from Murikooti Pacha, and celebrate the 130th birth anniversary of Acharya Vinoba Bhave.

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Albania appoints the world’s first AI Minister — Diella

1. Albania has appointed Diella, an AI-generated bot, as the world’s first AI Minister to manage and award all public tenders for government projects.

2. The goal of this appointment is to enhance transparency and minimize corruption in government procurement processes.

3. AI plays an increasing role in public service and governance by enhancing decision-making efficiency in areas like healthcare, urban planning, traffic management, and pandemic response.

4. For example, the RAHAT app uses AI to optimize relief operations during disasters.

5. AI systems promote objectivity and reduce discretionary bias, thereby helping curb corruption in welfare and service delivery.

6. AI-powered public interaction tools such as chatbots and apps like UMANG handle large volumes of citizen inquiries and grievance redressal.

7. To improve inclusivity and accessibility, platforms like Bhashini provide multilingual access to government services.

8. However, AI in public service faces challenges such as undermining democracy because AI cannot replace the legitimacy and accountability of elected officials.

9. Social justice concerns arise when AI systems err; for example, misflagging a beneficiary in a Direct Benefit Transfer system could deny access to welfare, healthcare, and justice.

10. AI also risks perpetuating bias and discrimination by reflecting biases present in its training data; for instance, some US predictive policing tools have disproportionately targeted minorities.

11. Transparency and accountability issues exist because many advanced AI models operate as “black boxes,” meaning their internal decision-making processes are non-transparent.

12. Additional challenges include a lack of clear laws assigning responsibility for AI errors, as well as privacy and data sovereignty concerns.

13. Overall, AI can be a powerful tool for efficient and inclusive governance but must operate under strong ethical and democratic safeguards to ensure accountability and maintain public trust.

MoEFCC Exempts Defence-Linked Mining Projects from Public Hearings Under EIA 2006 — Transparency vs National Security Debate

1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) exempted mining projects linked to national defence from public hearings under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), 2006 process.

2. This exemption came at the request of the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Atomic Energy.

3. The exempted projects include mining of atomic minerals such as uranium, thorium, and monazite.

4. It also covers critical and strategic minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.

5. These minerals are notified under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023.

6. The primary reason for exemption is national security and strategy, as these minerals are vital to India’s defense, nuclear energy, and other sensitive sectors.

7. Another key reason is to reduce imports by securing domestic sources of lithium, cobalt, rare earths, and uranium, especially to lower dependence on China.

8. The exemption aims to attract investment by streamlining clearance procedures, making the business environment quicker and more predictable for investors.

9. However, exempting public consultation undermines the legal mandate because public hearings are a statutory requirement under EIA, 2006.

10. This exemption also erodes transparency and accountability, as affected communities may remain unaware of such projects.

11. Lack of early engagement may trigger conflict in the form of protests, litigation, or social unrest.

12. Frequent exemptions can set a precedent for dilution of EIA norms, weakening environmental governance.

13. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006 was issued under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.

14. The EIA’s objective is to predict and evaluate environmental impacts of proposed projects on local communities and ecosystems.

15. It ensures early identification of adverse effects so that necessary mitigation can be planned.

16. The EIA process includes steps such as Screening, Scoping, Public Consultation, and Appraisal.

17. EIA acts as a decision-making tool for governments to approve, modify, or reject projects.

18. It balances development goals with environmental protection and public interest.

India’s Dams at Risk: 50% Storage Lost to Sedimentation, Urgent Need for Safety Overhaul

1. A recent study by IISER Bhopal examined government records for over 300 large reservoirs in India with storage capacity exceeding 100 million cubic meters.

2. The key finding reveals that dams in India have lost nearly 50% of their storage capacity due to sedimentation.

3. This loss has negatively impacted power generation and weakened the dams’ ability to protect against floods and droughts.

4. By 2050, many more reservoirs, especially in the Himalayan region, Narmada-Tapi basin, Western Ghats, and Indo-Gangetic Plains, are expected to face similar sedimentation levels.

5. The primary causes of sedimentation include agriculture-driven soil erosion, deforestation, and flooding.

6. India is the 3rd largest dam-owning nation globally, after China and the USA.

7. The country has approximately 5700 large dams.

8. Safety concerns related to dams include ageing infrastructure, with 80% of large dams over 25 years old.

9. Another key concern is the seismic vulnerability, as many large dams are located in seismically active areas prone to earthquakes.

10. India faces a poor financial situation regarding dams, leading to irregular maintenance and upkeep of power plant components.

11. To address these issues, the Dam Safety Act 2021 was enacted to ensure proper surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams.

12. The Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), funded by the World Bank, supports dam safety and infrastructure upgrades.

13. The National Centre for Earthquake Safety of Dams aims to enhance structural and earthquake resilience of Indian dams.

14. Other initiatives include digital tools like the Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA) and the National Register of Large Dams (NRLD).

15. Moving forward, the way ahead to ensure dam safety involves decommissioning ageing dams to prevent failures.

16. Adoption of state-of-the-art dam safety technology is essential to modernize and secure dam infrastructure.

17. Countries like Japan have successfully implemented multiple sub-surface dams as alternatives to traditional surface dams to manage water more sustainably.

18. Immediate attention and focused management interventions are needed for reservoirs classified as having high or very high vulnerability.

Green Finance: The Backbone of India’s Climate Resilience and Economic Growth

1. The Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change emphasized that green finance is the backbone of resilient economies.

   • Green financing refers to providing financial support for projects related to renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, sustainable infrastructure, and other eco-friendly initiatives.

2. It involves restructuring capital flows so that every investment yields economic returns while simultaneously strengthening sustainability.

3. The significance of green financing includes meeting India's emission targets, as the country needs over USD 10 trillion by 2070 to achieve its net-zero goals.

4. Green finance enhances national security and competitiveness by promoting clean power, climate-smart agriculture, and resilient infrastructure.

5. This approach enables India to lead future value chains and become a hub for green industries.

6. Green financing is also crucial for job creation, with India expected to generate around 7.3 million green jobs by 2027-28 and 35 million by 2047.

7. Additional benefits include environmental gains, ensuring a just transition (fair shift to sustainable economy), and developing disaster resilience.

8. However, green financing faces challenges such as regulatory barriers and policy uncertainties, especially since energy is a concurrent subject with inconsistent policies across states and sectors.

9. Financial institutions in India also lack adequate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) expertise, which is critical for assessing sustainable investments.

10. The cost of financing green projects remains high; for example, a 100 MW solar PV project in India has an interest rate of 10.0-11.5%, compared to 2.8% in Germany and 5.3% in the United States.

11. India’s finance deficit is evident as its green bond issuances total only about USD 21 billion till 2023, which is small relative to its renewable energy target of around 500 GW by 2030.

12. On the global front, initiatives like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) aim to mobilize US$ 100 billion annually by 2020 from developed countries.

    • Another global effort, the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), finances projects in adaptation, technology transfer, capacity building, energy, and transport sectors.

13. Within India, financial tools like Green Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-linked (GSSS) bonds include green bonds, yellow bonds (solar energy), and blue bonds (marine conservation).

14. The Climate Change Finance Unit (CCFU) under the Ministry of Finance acts as the nodal agency responsible for climate change financing matters.

Lancet Study: India Sees Rising Deaths from Non-Communicable Diseases Amid Global Decline (2010-2019)

1. A Lancet study tracked global progress in reducing deaths from chronic or non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across 185 countries from 2010 to 2019.

2. The study found that India experienced an increase in fatalities from NCDs such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease during this period.

3. Specifically, the probability of dying from an NCD between birth and age 80 rose in India, while it decreased in high-income Western and East Asian countries.

4. Among diseases in India, heart disease and diabetes are the top risk factors with increasing death rates.

   • Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic diseases that are not transmissible from person to person.

5. The main types of NCDs include cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes.

6. The burden of NCDs in India increased, with deaths due to NCDs rising from 37.9% in 1990 to 63% in 2018.

7. Causes of NCDs in India include lifestyle and preventable risk factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and substance abuse.

8. Societal and environmental factors like urbanization, globalization, ageing population, and poverty also promote unhealthy lifestyles.

9. Other contributing factors are pollution (both ambient and indoor) and chronic stress.

10. Tackling NCDs requires a multi-sectoral approach, stronger primary healthcare, and the use of digital tools for early detection and management.

11. Policy reforms, fiscal measures, and sustained investments are essential to reduce risks and save lives from NCDs.

12. Key initiatives in India include the Eat Right India movement by FSSAI, which promotes healthy eating.

    • The Fit India Movement, launched in 2019, aims to promote a physically active lifestyle.

    • The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) works toward reducing NCD burden.

    • Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) supports healthcare access and treatment for NCD patients.

New Amendments Simplify Merger Process for Unlisted Holding and Subsidiary Companies

1. The merger process involving two or more unlisted companies, including holding and subsidiary companies, has recently been amended.

2. A merger is an agreement where two existing independent companies combine to form a new, singular legal entity.

3. Mergers can occur in various forms such as horizontal mergers (companies in the same industry), vertical mergers (companies along the same supply chain), and conglomerate mergers (companies from different sectors).

4. The Companies Act, 2013 provides the legal framework allowing mergers and demergers.

5. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) is the primary authority responsible for approving mergers and demergers.

6. The significance of mergers includes improving ease of doing business and reducing the compliance burden on companies.

Lok Sabha Speaker Inaugurates 11th CPA India Region Conference in Bengaluru

1. The Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurated the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference held in Bengaluru.

   • The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is one of the oldest established organisations in the Commonwealth.

2. The CPA was founded in 1911, marking over a century of parliamentary collaboration.

3. It has over 180 member legislatures or branches, and India is an active member.

4. The CPA’s headquarters secretariat is located at the Houses of Parliament in London, UK.

5. The primary objective of the CPA is to provide Parliamentarians with opportunities to collaborate on mutual issues and share best practices.

Home Minister Launches Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme at 5 More Indian Airports

1. The Union Home Minister virtually inaugurated the Fast Track Immigration - Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at airports in Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode, and Amritsar.

2. The FTI-TTP is designed to streamline immigration processes at Indian airports by enabling registered travellers to clear immigration in about 30 seconds.

3. This process helps travellers avoid long queues and manual document checking, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

4. The programme was initially launched in 2024 at Delhi airport and has since been extended to 13 additional airports across India.

5. Eligibility for the programme includes Indian Nationals and Foreign Nationals holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.

6. The OCI Card is a long-term visa-like status granted to people of Indian origin, allowing them multiple entry and stay rights in India.

Himachal Pradesh CM Calls for Reframing Disaster Risk Index to Improve Fiscal Resource Allocation

1. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh recently emphasized the need to reframe the Disaster Risk Index (DRI) during a meeting with the 16th Finance Commission.

   • The Disaster Risk Index (DRI) was initially developed by the 15th Finance Commission.

2. The primary aim of the DRI is to introduce objectivity in resource allocation within India’s system of fiscal federalism, which refers to how financial resources are distributed between the central and state governments.

3. The DRI is designed to assess and incorporate the disaster risk faced by different states into fiscal planning and decision-making.

4. It covers 14 different hazards, which include natural events such as earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and droughts.

5. Alongside hazards, the DRI measures 14 vulnerabilities, representing socially and economically sensitive groups like the rural and urban poor, vulnerable children, and vulnerable women.

6. Additionally, the DRI considers 2 exposure parameters: population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), indicating how many people and how much economic activity could be affected by disasters.

7. This comprehensive framework helps in prioritizing states’ needs and ensuring effective disaster preparedness and mitigation funding.

HAL Receives 3rd F404-IN20 Engine from GE Aerospace to Power Tejas Mk-1A Fighter Jets

1. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received the 3rd out of 99 F404-IN20 engines ordered from the US aerospace company GE Aerospace.

2. Ensuring engine supply stability is crucial for HAL to meet the delivery schedule of the Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft.

   • The F404-IN20 engine is an afterburning turbofan engine, specially customized for powering India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A.

   • An afterburning turbofan engine is a jet engine that can inject fuel into the exhaust stream to provide additional thrust, especially during combat or takeoff.

3. This engine produces approximately 85 kiloNewtons (kN) of thrust, enabling the Tejas to achieve both high subsonic and supersonic speeds.

4. The engine’s versatile military application allows it to power various aircraft types, ranging from subsonic attack jets to high-altitude interceptor missions.

5. Such versatility makes the F404-IN20 a critical component in ensuring the Tejas’ combat readiness and performance across different mission profiles.

India Licenses First Indigenous Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine ‘AdFalciVax’ for Mass Production

1. The Government of India has officially licensed private firms to produce the country’s first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine, named AdFalciVax.

   • AdFalciVax has been developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India's apex body for biomedical research.

2. The vaccine specifically targets Plasmodium falciparum, which is the deadliest species of the malaria parasite globally.

3. Unlike existing malaria vaccines that act only at one life stage of the parasite, AdFalciVax provides protection at multiple stages of the parasite’s life cycle.

4. It is designed as a Recombinant Chimeric Vaccine, which means it combines antigens from different stages of the parasite into a single immunogen.

   • An antigen is a molecule that triggers an immune response, and an immunogen is any substance capable of inducing an immune response.

5. This vaccine uses recombinant DNA technology, which involves artificially combining DNA from different sources to produce desired proteins.

6. The dual-stage protection offered by AdFalciVax significantly improves the immune system’s ability to block infection and disease progression.

7. It also ensures longer-lasting immunity compared to traditional single-stage vaccines.

8. Another key advantage is its cost-effective production, which makes it suitable for large-scale public health deployment, especially in malaria-endemic regions.

Indian Army Conducts Exercise Siyom Prahar in Arunachal to Test Drone Warfare Tactics

1. The Indian Army recently conducted Exercise Siyom Prahar in the strategically important region of Arunachal Pradesh.

2. The primary aim of the exercise was to validate the integration of drones into tactical military operations under battlefield-like conditions.

3. Various types of drones were employed during the exercise for surveillance, battlefield reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision strikes.

   • Surveillance refers to real-time monitoring of enemy movement, while reconnaissance involves collecting battlefield intelligence.

   • Target acquisition means locating and identifying enemy positions, and precision strikes involve accurately hitting those targets using drones.

4. The exercise was significant in helping the Army develop new Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).

5. These TTPs focused on integrating drone-generated inputs with conventional firepower for more effective combat strategies.

6. It also aimed at improving joint targeting capabilities and rapid decision-making in complex and dynamic operational scenarios.

7. Overall, Exercise Siyom Prahar showcased the Indian Army's increasing emphasis on modern warfare technologies and network-centric capabilities.

Indian Scientists Develop Wound-Healing Pad from Murikooti Pacha (Red Ivy Plant) with Acteoside Power

1. Indian researchers have successfully harnessed the wound-healing potential of a plant known locally as Murikooti Pacha.

2. The plant is also referred to as Red Ivy Plant in English and as Vranaropani in Sanskrit, which translates to "wound healer."

   • Murikooti Pacha is native to Southeast Asia and is also found in tropical regions of India.

3. It is a small herbaceous plant characterized by rooting branches, deep reddish leaves, and white flowers.

4. The wound-healing pad derived from this plant contains a key molecule called acteoside.

   • Acteoside is a natural compound known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and therapeutic properties.

5. This discovery could offer a natural and effective solution for wound care, especially using indigenous medicinal plants.

130th Birth Anniversary of Acharya Vinoba Bhave: Gandhian Reformer & Bhoodan Movement Pioneer

1. The birth anniversary of Acharya Vinoba Bhave (1895–1982) was recently celebrated in recognition of his lifelong contributions to social justice and non-violence.

2. He was born (11 September 1895) in Gagode, a tribal hamlet in the state of Maharashtra.

3. Vinoba Bhave is regarded as the National Teacher of India due to his emphasis on moral education and social reform.

4. He is also known as the spiritual successor of Mahatma Gandhi, continuing Gandhian ideals of truth, non-violence, and constructive work.

5. He actively participated in the Quit India Movement, one of the major civil disobedience campaigns against British colonial rule.

6. He was the first satyagrahi in the Individual Disobedience campaign, launched as a peaceful protest during British rule.

7. Vinoba taught at the Sabarmati Ashram, where he engaged in constructive experiments in areas such as khadi (hand-spun cloth), education, and sanitation.

8. In 1934, he established the Gram-Seva Mandal, an organization focused on village service and rural development.

9. He is best known for the Bhoodan Movement, launched in 1951.

   • The Bhoodan Movement was a voluntary and non-violent socio-political campaign aimed at redistributing land to landless peasants.

   • It encouraged wealthy landowners to donate a portion of their land to the poor without any coercion, following Gandhian principles.

10. Vinoba Bhave was also a profound literary thinker and spiritual writer, with many influential works to his name.

    • His notable literary works include ‘Gitai’, ‘Gita Pravachane’, ‘Sthitaprajna-Darshan’ (The Steadfast Wisdom), ‘Gitai Chintanika’, ‘Jnanadevanchi Bhajane’, ‘Ishavasya-Vrutti’, ‘Vichar-Pothi’, and ‘Swarajya-Shastra’.

11. Throughout his life, Vinoba Bhave embodied values such as austerity, selflessness, simplicity, justice, and equity.

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