Daily Current Affairs - 15th September 2025
- TPP
- Sep 15
- 15 min read
Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This compact roundup for 15 September 2025 brings you exam-ready current affairs with GS linkages, Prelims facts, and MCQ cues. Themes span Polity & Governance, Economy & Infrastructure, Environment & Ecology, Defence & Security, International Relations, Science & Tech, and Society & Culture—helping you revise faster and write sharper answers.
In today’s edition, track Kerala’s unprecedented bid to amend the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972—link it to federalism debates, Centre–State powers, and ethics of declaring vermin under WPA schedules. Map the PM’s pitch of the North East as a Front-Runner to Act East Policy, connectivity corridors, and persistent challenges like the Siliguri Corridor and insurgency. Decode the Defence Procurement Manual 2025—contrast with DAP, revenue vs. capital procurements, and plug it into indigenisation debates (HAL monopoly, iDEX, SRIJAN, FDI norms).
On the environment–energy front, note the bamboo-based bio-ethanol plant in Assam—tie it to second-generation biofuels, National Policy on Biofuels 2018, JI-VAN Yojana, and climate mitigation.
In defence & maritime affairs, cover INS Androth’s induction—shallow-water ASW role, indigenous rockets/torpedoes, and Lakshadweep naming. Foreign policy watch: India–Iran–Uzbekistan trilateral on Chabahar Port & INSTC—connect to regional trade, Central Asia outreach, and India–Armenia parallel dialogue.
Indo-Pacific flashpoint: Philippines condemns China’s Scarborough Shoal reserve—tie into UNCLOS, EEZ claims, and SCS geopolitics.
Sports & military diplomacy cap the edition—India shines at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool with two golds, while joining Zapad-2025 featuring hypersonic missile drills—link to deterrence doctrines and Russia ties.
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Kerala's Proposed Amendment to Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 |
The Kerala Cabinet has approved an amendment bill to suggest changes to the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972.
This is the first time a state has proposed amending a central law related to wildlife protection.
The aim of the amendment is to ease procedures for killing wild animals that pose a threat to human life.
The bill has been introduced amidst rising cases of human-animal conflict in Kerala.
Key Highlights of the Approved Amendment Bill
The amendment would empower the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) to order the killing of any wild animal that attacks a person in human habitats.
The Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) is the senior-most official responsible for wildlife conservation in a state.
Currently, the WPA allows the CWW to grant permits for hunting animals listed in Schedule I, II, III, or IV only if they become dangerous to human life.
The bill also empowers the state government to declare any wild animal in Schedule II as vermin.
Schedule II includes species that are protected but not as strictly as those in Schedule I.
“Vermin” are species declared harmful to crops, humans, or property and can be legally killed under certain conditions.
At present, Section 62 of the WPA gives the central government the authority to declare wild animals as vermin, except those in Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II.
Animals declared as vermin are included in Schedule V, which allows for their killing in specified areas and for limited time periods.
Reasons for Rising Human-Animal Conflict in Kerala
Habitat loss is a major reason, caused by rapid urbanisation, deforestation, and human encroachments into forest areas.
These activities block key animal corridors, which are natural routes used by wildlife to migrate and move between habitats.
Resource competition between humans and animals is increasing due to scarcity of food and water.
Climate change is causing extreme weather events and changing migration patterns of animals.
This forces animals to move into human settlements, increasing the risk of conflict.
Poaching and illegal wildlife trade also disturb natural ecosystems.
Disruption of ecosystems leads to displacement of species and pushes them closer to human-inhabited areas.
North East India: From Frontier to Front-Runner – Vision Highlighted by the Prime Minister |
The Prime Minister has emphasized that North East India (NER) is no longer peripheral but is now central to India’s growth.
He highlighted the transformation of NER from a Frontier Region to the Front-Runner of Growth.
This vision is aligned with the Act East Policy, which positions Northeast India as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia.
Key Steps Taken for the Growth of North Eastern Region (NER)
Under the Act East Policy, the EAST formula (Empower, Act, Strengthen, Transform) guides development across connectivity, healthcare, education, and livelihoods.
Significant investments have been made in infrastructure development to integrate NER with the national mainstream.
Railways
The Bairabi–Sairang railway line connects Aizawl (Mizoram) to the national railway network.
This is the first time since independence that Mizoram’s capital has been connected by rail.
Highways
A total of 16,207 km of National Highways have been constructed in NER as of July 2025.
Notable projects include the Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road and the Chhimtuipui River Bridge.
Digital and Air Connectivity
The BharatNet project has strengthened internet connectivity at the Gram Panchayat level.
The UDAN scheme (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has expanded air routes in NER, linking underserved airports and heliports.
UDAN aims to make air travel affordable and improve regional connectivity across India.
Financial Assistance and Development Schemes
A dedicated Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) supports targeted growth in the region.
MDoNER provides financial assistance for infrastructure, communication, and connectivity projects.
One such scheme is PM-DevINE (Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region).
PM-DevINE focuses on high-impact projects in sectors like roads, telecom, health, and agri-allied industries.
Governance and Transparency
The Poorvottar Vikas Setu (PVS) Portal has been introduced to improve project governance.
PVS Portal ensures faster project approval, real-time monitoring, and increased transparency.
Challenges Hindering Further Development in NER
Connectivity Challenges
Difficult terrain and frequent floods hinder construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure.
The region’s heavy dependence on the Siliguri Corridor also restricts connectivity.
The Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken’s Neck, is a narrow strip connecting NER to the rest of India.
Security Challenges
Insurgency issues, such as those involving ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) and NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland), pose serious threats.
Ethnic clashes, such as the Assam–Mizoram conflict in 2021 and Manipur violence in 2023, have disrupted peace and stability.
Porous international borders lead to problems like illegal migration, arms smuggling, and human trafficking.
Economic Challenges
A large section of the population still practices subsistence farming, with limited market linkage.
The region faces weak industrial development and low levels of private investment.
These economic constraints have triggered high youth outmigration in search of better opportunities.
Societal Challenges
There are concerns over the preservation of tribal identities and cultural heritage.
Demographic pressures from migration have led to social unrest in parts of the region.
For example, the NRC (National Register of Citizens) issue in Assam reflects anxieties over illegal immigration and citizenship rights.
Defence Indigenisation Prioritised in New Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 |
The Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 has been released by India’s Defence Minister.
It is an updated version of the previous manual that was promulgated in 2009.
The DPM serves as a guiding document for the acquisition of goods and services needed for the daily functioning, maintenance, and operational readiness of the Armed Forces.
It is applicable to all Defence Services and Ministry of Defence (MoD) establishments.
The DPM is distinct from the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), which governs capital procurements like weapons systems and major platforms.
Capital procurement refers to the acquisition of long-term assets, whereas DPM deals with revenue procurement, which includes operations and sustainment.
Key Highlights of DPM 2025
The primary goal of DPM 2025 is to achieve self-reliance by promoting defence indigenisation.
It focuses on fostering jointness among the Armed Forces under the Revenue Head, particularly in the Operations and Sustenance Segment.
The manual aims to streamline and simplify the revenue procurement process, enhancing operational efficiency.
The expected procurement under this process is approximately ₹1 lakh crore for the current Financial Year (2025–26).
Challenges in Defence Indigenisation
A major technological challenge is India’s dependence on foreign technology transfers and licensed production agreements.
This dependence is due to inadequate domestic R&D, a shortage of a skilled workforce, and limited high-end innovation capacity.
From an industry perspective, there is low private sector participation in defence manufacturing.
For example, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) continues to have a near-monopoly in defence aerospace.
Supply chain vulnerabilities persist due to reliance on imported components, subsystems, and critical technologies.
Export control regimes in supplier countries also create restrictions and delays in equipment delivery.
For instance, there has been a delay in the delivery of jet engines by the United States, impacting indigenous projects.
Cost concerns also pose a barrier, as indigenisation and import substitution can initially increase procurement costs for end-users.
Other Initiatives Supporting Defence Indigenisation
The government has liberalised Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the defence sector.
Up to 74% FDI is now allowed under the automatic route, encouraging foreign companies to set up production in India.
The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme, launched in 2018, supports start-ups and MSMEs in developing cutting-edge defence technologies.
iDEX serves as a platform for promoting innovation, cost-efficiency, and indigenous design and development.
The Sudarshan Chakra Mission has been launched to ensure the entire defence ecosystem is researched, developed, and manufactured within India.
The SRIJAN Portal is an online platform to facilitate indigenisation of defence products by engaging Indian industry, including MSMEs.
SRIJAN provides visibility into defence items that can be manufactured domestically, enabling firms to substitute imports with local production.
India’s First Bamboo-Based Bio-Ethanol Plant Inaugurated in Assam |
The Prime Minister has inaugurated India’s first bamboo-based bio-ethanol plant in Golaghat, Assam.
The plant is a joint venture between Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and Finland’s Fortum and Chempolis OY.
It is designed to produce bioethanol from bamboo, marking a shift towards sustainable biofuel production.
Bamboo is a highly suitable feedstock for bioethanol due to its high lignocellulose content and non-food crop nature.
Lignocellulose is a structural component of plant biomass, making bamboo ideal for second-generation biofuel production.
About Bioethanol
Bioethanol is a form of ethanol produced from renewable biological sources such as agricultural crops and waste.
Ethanol is a clear, colourless, biodegradable liquid that burns cleanly to produce carbon dioxide and water.
As per the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, bioethanol can be derived from various biomass sources.
Sources of Bioethanol
One source is sugar-containing materials such as sugarcane, sugar beet, and sweet sorghum.
Another source is starch-containing materials like corn, cassava, rotten potatoes, and agro-food or pulp industry waste.
Cellulosic materials like bagasse, wood waste, agricultural and forestry residues, and industrial or vegetable waste are also used.
Applications of Bioethanol
Bioethanol is mainly used as a fuel, either as pure ethanol (E100) or blended with petrol as E10 (10% ethanol) or E20 (20% ethanol).
It is also used in the production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and bio-based materials like bioplastics.
Advantages of Bioethanol
Bioethanol is biodegradable, which reduces environmental pollution.
It is a renewable energy source, reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
It helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation.
It also helps lower air pollution, especially in urban areas.
India’s Initiatives Promoting Bioethanol
The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 sets targets and guidelines for ethanol production and blending.
The BioE3 Policy focuses on energy, environment, and economy, promoting sustainable ethanol use.
The Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India provides time-bound targets for increasing ethanol blending in petrol.
The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana supports second-generation bioethanol projects, like bamboo-based plants, through financial incentives.
Supreme Court Case Backlog Reaches Record High |
As per the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), the Supreme Court now has 88,417 pending cases, the highest ever recorded.
Across India, there are over 4.7 crore pending cases in subordinate courts.
Additionally, more than 63 lakh cases are pending in various High Courts.
Reasons for Increasing Pendency in Indian Judiciary
One key reason is judicial vacancies across High Courts and Subordinate Courts.
According to the Ministry of Law, there are currently more than 5,600 vacancies in the judiciary.
Between 2006 and 2024, vacancies in High Courts have risen from 16% to 30%.
India also suffers from a low judge-to-population ratio, with only about 21 judges per million population.
In contrast, the United States has approximately 150 judges per million population, highlighting a stark gap.
Excessive government litigation is another major factor, as government agencies are responsible for around 50% of all court cases.
The judiciary also faces inadequate infrastructure and manpower, affecting efficiency.
As per the India Justice Report 2022, many courts lack adequate courtrooms, administrative staff, and support services.
There is no prescribed timeframe for case disposal, leading to indefinite delays.
Frequent adjournments and long court vacations further slow the pace of justice.
Implications of Judicial Pendency
The principle of “Justice delayed is justice denied” becomes evident as victims suffer prolonged wait for justice.
Delays undermine the deterrence effect of the judicial system and reduce public confidence in law enforcement.
The socio-economic cost of delays is significant for individuals and businesses.
Prolonged litigation strains judicial and government resources.
For example, India ranks poorly in Ease of Doing Business, partly due to weak contract enforcement mechanisms.
Prison overcrowding is another consequence of judicial delays.
According to the Indian Justice Report 2025, over 50% of Indian jails are overcrowded.
Additionally, 76% of prison inmates are undertrials, meaning they are awaiting trial and not yet convicted.
Way Forward to Reduce Judicial Pendency
The 120th Report of the Law Commission recommends increasing the judge-to-population ratio to 50 judges per million.
Establishing an All India Judicial Service (AIJS) can help in centralized recruitment for District and Subordinate Courts.
AIJS would ensure timely appointments and help courts function at full strength.
Implementing digital and procedural reforms is essential to streamline case handling.
Expanding the e-Courts Mission Mode Project (Phase III) can enhance AI-based case management and reduce manual delays.
CII Releases Suggestions for a National Framework on Global Capability Centers (GCCs) |
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has released suggestions for a national framework on Global Capability Centers (GCCs).
The proposed framework aims to provide a structured national vision to support the expansion and elevation of India’s GCC ecosystem.
About Global Capability Centers (GCCs)
GCCs are offshore centers set up by multinational corporations (MNCs).
These centers deliver capabilities such as technology innovation, research and development (R&D), and service delivery to their parent organizations.
India is a global hub for GCCs, hosting nearly 50% of all GCCs worldwide.
The GCC sector in India contributes approximately 1.8% to the national GDP.
The net employment impact of the GCC ecosystem in India is estimated at ~10.4 million jobs in FY25.
Key Growth Drivers of GCCs in India
A stable risk and regulatory environment supports long-term business continuity for GCCs.
A thriving innovation and startup ecosystem fosters continuous technological advancement.
Cost competitiveness and operational efficiency make India attractive for offshore operations.
Strong physical and digital infrastructure ensures reliable connectivity and productivity.
Availability of skilled talent and workforce diversity is India’s key competitive advantage.
Suggested Framework for National Policy on GCCs
The National Policy on GCCs is proposed to be built around a three-pillar framework:
Strategic Priorities,
Critical Success Factors, and
Performance Levers.
1. Strategic Priorities
The policy sets a growth objective to establish 5,000 GCCs in India by 2030.
It also aims to achieve an overall Gross Value Added (GVA) contribution of $470–600 billion.
Targeted employment generation is estimated at 20–25 million people by 2030.
Emerging opportunity areas identified include Quantum Computing, Digital Healthcare, and Industry 4.0.
Industry 4.0 refers to the integration of smart technologies like IoT, AI, and automation in manufacturing and services.
2. Critical Success Factors
Talent development is key and will involve industry-academia collaboration and specialized curricula.
The framework proposes world-class, plug-and-play infrastructure to attract global companies.
It also suggests setting up Digital Economic Zones, data centers, and cloud infrastructure.
Locational capabilities will be enhanced by promoting innovation hubs, R&D zones, and data centers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
3. Performance Levers
Policy instruments will include a single-window platform for GCC investors.
Additional enablers are fast-track approvals, tax holidays, export incentives, and investment allowances.
Investment facilitation will focus on both traditional markets like the US and UK and underpenetrated regions such as Japan, Nordics, and Australia.
The government will provide regulatory handholding to simplify compliance and operational procedures.
A strong governance framework is proposed, including a national GCC Council and dedicated GCC cells.
The framework also suggests forming inter-ministerial working groups and an industry advisory panel for coordination and consultation.
Indian Navy Inducts ‘Androth’: New Indigenous ASW Ship Boosts Coastal Defense |
The Indian Navy has received a new indigenously built anti-submarine warfare ship named Androth.
Indigenously built means the ship has been constructed within India using local resources and expertise.
Androth is the second ship among a planned series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs).
The ASW SWCs are being constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), a premier warship-building company based in Kolkata.
The ship derives its name from Androth Island, which is located in the Lakshadweep archipelago in the Arabian Sea.
Lakshadweep archipelago is a group of islands in the southwestern part of India.
The ship is powered using a diesel engine-waterjet combination, which provides high maneuverability and efficiency in shallow waters.
A waterjet propulsion system enables vessels to move quickly and change direction efficiently, especially useful in coastal and shallow water operations.
Androth is equipped with state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes designed for fast deployment and underwater targeting.
It is also armed with indigenous anti-submarine warfare rockets, which are designed and developed within India for neutralizing enemy submarines.
Wayanad Landslides Labeled ‘Grey Rhino Event’ Amid Warnings and Official Neglect |
A recent study has revealed that the Wayanad landslides were a case of a Grey Rhino Event.
A Grey Rhino Event refers to a highly probable and high-impact disruption that is neglected despite repeated warnings.
Unlike Black Swan events, which are rare, unpredictable surprises, Grey Rhinos are systemic threats that are visible and foreseeable.
These events occur after clear warning signs and accumulating evidence, but are still ignored by decision-makers.
The study highlights that the Wayanad landslide occurred in an area officially designated as a landslide-prone zone.
This region has been repeatedly affected by landslides in the recent past, indicating a known vulnerability.
Despite this, the threat was neglected by the government, with inadequate preventive measures in place.
Therefore, the Wayanad landslide fits the definition of a Grey Rhino Event, due to its predictability, severity, and institutional neglect.
India, Iran, Uzbekistan Hold First Trilateral Meet to Boost Trade via Chabahar Port and INSTC |
The first India-Iran-Uzbekistan trilateral meeting at the foreign ministries' level was held in Tehran.
The meeting decided to promote the use of Chabahar Port by Uzbekistan for enhancing trade with India.
Chabahar Port is a strategically located port in Iran, providing sea access to Central Asia and Afghanistan.
The trilateral also emphasized utilizing the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transport route connecting India, Iran, Russia, and Europe.
Separately, India-Iran-Armenia held its trilateral meeting focusing on the INSTC and promoting the use of Chabahar Port through Armenia.
This highlights the strategic efforts to improve connectivity and trade links between India, Iran, Central Asia, and the Caucasus region.
PM Lays Foundation for Polypropylene Plant at Numaligarh Refinery, Boosting Assam’s Industrial Growth |
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a Polypropylene Plant at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Assam.
Polypropylene is a synthetic resin created by the polymerization of propylene.
Polymerization is a chemical process where small molecules called monomers join to form a large molecule or polymer.
Polypropylene is commonly molded or extruded into various plastic products requiring toughness, flexibility, lightweight, and heat resistance.
It has high resistance to chemical corrosion, making it an ideal material for packaging.
Polypropylene also possesses high insulation properties and is waterproof.
The main uses of polypropylene include manufacturing fibers, textiles, packaging materials, pipes, medical components, and electrical applications.
Ho Tribe Protests in Jharkhand to Protect Traditional Manki-Munda Self-Governance System |
Recently, the Ho tribe protested in Jharkhand against interference in their traditional self-governance system called Manki-Munda.
The Manki-Munda system is a traditional form of local governance practiced by the Ho tribe.
In this system, the Munda is the hereditary village head who resolves socio-political disputes at the village level.
The Manki acts as the regional head, handling cases escalated from the Munda.
The Ho tribe is also known by other names such as Hodoko, Horo, and Kolha.
They belong to the Austroasiatic Munda ethnic group, which is an indigenous tribal community in India.
The Ho primarily inhabit the Kolhan region of Jharkhand and Odisha.
Additionally, they are found in parts of West Bengal, Bihar, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Importantly, the Ho tribe is not classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the government.
PVTGs are tribal communities identified by the government as more vulnerable due to factors like declining population and primitive traits.
Philippines Condemns China’s Creation of Nature Reserve at Disputed Scarborough Shoal |
The Philippines has strongly condemned China’s move to establish a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal.
Scarborough Shoal is a small atoll located in the South China Sea.
An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets surrounding a lagoon.
In China, Scarborough Shoal is known as Huangyan Island.
In the Philippines, it is referred to as Panatag Shoal.
Both China and the Philippines claim Scarborough Shoal as part of their sovereign territory, leading to ongoing territorial disputes.
Jaismine Lamboria & Minakshi Hooda Clinch Golds as India Shines at World Boxing Championships 2025 |
Jaismine Lamboria and Minakshi Hooda won gold medals at the recently held World Boxing Championships 2025.
The World Boxing Championships 2025 took place in Liverpool, UK.
For the first time, the event featured both men’s and women’s competitions together.
India won four medals in total: golds by Jaismine Lamboria (57 kg category) and Minakshi Hooda (48 kg category).
Additionally, Nupur Sheoran secured a silver medal, while Pooja Rani earned a bronze medal.
The medal table was topped by Kazakhstan, indicating their overall best performance.
The medal table ranks countries based on the number and type of medals won during the championship.
India Joins Russia-Belarus Zapad-2025 Military Exercise Featuring Advanced Hypersonic Missile Drills |
India participated in the joint military exercise Zapad-2025, launched by Russia and Belarus, held in Russia.
The Zapad exercise was first launched in 1999 and has been conducted every four years since 2009.
It is a large-scale, multilateral military event involving multiple countries.
The primary objective of the exercise is to test defense capabilities against external threats.
The exercise incorporates training with nuclear-capable systems, including Russia’s hypersonic Zircon missile.
A hypersonic missile is a weapon capable of traveling at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, making it highly advanced and difficult to intercept.
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