Daily Current Affairs - 20th September 2025
- TPP
- Sep 20
- 15 min read
Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This 20th September 2025 Current Affairs edition brings exam-focused updates with GS linkages, Prelims facts, and Mains insights. Key topics include India’s re-election to UPU Councils, the world’s first AI-designed viral genome, India AI Mission’s 500 Data Labs, and the Kerala oil spill study. Track CAG’s State Finances Report, the High Seas Treaty ratification, launch of the first PM MITRA Park, and RBI’s push for rupee globalisation. Also cover UN 1267 sanctions debate, US visa developments, archival heritage milestones, and Poompuhar underwater archaeology.
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India Re-elected to UPU Councils |
India re-elected to the Council of Administration (CA) and Postal Operations Council (POC) at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai.
UPU (Universal Postal Union), founded in 1874, is the second oldest international organization, headquartered in Berne, Switzerland, with 192 member countries.
India’s key initiatives:
DigiPIN – a digital addressing system improving delivery and e-commerce efficiency.
UPI-enabled cross-border remittances – affordable, fast money transfers through India Post.
Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras – postal-based export centers supporting MSMEs and artisans.
Capacity-building programs – training postal officials globally under the ITEC programme.
Financial contributions – sustaining UPU operations and projects worldwide.
India recognized as a global model for postal digital transformation and inclusive growth.
India expressed intent to take on a leadership role within the CA in the upcoming cycle.
AI Designs First Living Virus |
Researchers at Stanford University and the Arc Institute have created the world’s first functioning AI-designed viral genome.
This marks the first time artificial intelligence has been used to design an entire viral genome from scratch.
A viral genome is the complete genetic material of a virus, encoded in DNA or RNA.
Previously, AI models were limited to generating DNA sequences, individual proteins, or multi-component protein complexes.
About the AI-Designed Viral Genome
Scientists achieved this using a genomic AI model called Evo, specifically designed for synthetic biology applications.
They applied Evo to redesign the bacteriophage ΦX174, a small virus that infects Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common bacterial species.
A bacteriophage is a virus that infects and kills bacteria.
The AI-generated version of ΦX174 successfully produced functional viruses capable of infecting and killing antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria.
Potential Uses of AI in Biosciences
AI in biotechnology and medicine can drastically speed up drug and vaccine development, increasing treatment effectiveness.
It enables the creation of custom viruses to target and eliminate drug-resistant bacteria, which are a growing public health threat.
This approach could transform bacterial control strategies, especially in hospital and clinical settings.
In scientific research, AI-designed genomes open up new frontiers across industrial, agricultural, and biomedical applications.
For example, DeepMind’s AlphaFold solved the 50-year-old challenge of predicting a protein’s 3D structure from its amino acid sequence.
Protein structure prediction is essential for understanding how proteins function in cells and for designing new drugs.
In synthetic biology, AI helps design organisms that produce biofuels, biodegradable materials, and engineered microbes for specific tasks.
Synthetic biology is a field that combines biology and engineering to design new biological parts and systems.
AI also provides deeper insights into gene interactions, genetic evolution, and gene regulation mechanisms.
Concerns and Ethical Issues in AI-Driven Biosciences
The use of AI in genomics raises serious dual-use risks, meaning the same technology could be used to create dangerous pathogens or bio-weapons.
Dual-use refers to technology that has both beneficial and potentially harmful applications.
Biosafety concerns arise from the possibility of accidental release of synthetic organisms into the environment or human population.
Such accidental release could cause ecological imbalances or public health crises.
The field currently lacks global ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks, making accountability and oversight difficult.
This regulatory gap poses a challenge for responsible development and deployment of AI in life sciences.
Increasing reliance on AI in critical areas may lead to reduced human oversight, raising the risk of errors and unintended consequences.
AI dependence could also reduce the role of expert judgment in sensitive biological research and decision-making.
India AI Mission: Launching 500 Data Labs to Power AI Innovation Nationwide |
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced the establishment of 500 data labs across India.
These data labs are being set up under the umbrella of the India AI Mission.
The India AI Mission was officially launched in 2024 by MeitY.
The primary aim of the mission is to foster artificial intelligence (AI) innovation throughout the country.
To achieve this, the mission focuses on democratizing computing access.
Democratizing computing access means making high-performance computing resources available widely and equitably.
Another key aim is to enhance data quality to support reliable and effective AI models.
The mission also aims at developing indigenous AI capabilities, meaning creating AI technologies developed within India.
The mission is implemented by IndiaAI, which functions as an Independent Business Division (IBD) under MeitY.
An Independent Business Division (IBD) is a semi-autonomous unit within a larger organization focused on specific business goals.
The India AI Mission is structured around 7 key pillars.
These pillars include important initiatives like the IndiaAI Innovation Centre and IndiaAI compute capacity.
The IndiaAI Innovation Centre is aimed at driving AI research and development.
Compute capacity refers to the infrastructure and resources needed to perform large-scale AI computations.
Kerala Coast Oil Spill Exposes Gaps in Marine Pollution Preparedness |
The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) conducted a detailed study on the environmental impact of the ELSA 3 shipwreck.
The ELSA 3 ship sank in the southeastern Arabian Sea, off the Kerala coast.
The vessel was carrying tonnes of furnace oil and low-sulphur diesel, which are hazardous marine pollutants.
Despite the influence of winds and ocean currents, the oil remained highly concentrated near the wreck site.
This suggests a continued leakage from unsealed compartments of the sunken ship.
The situation resulted in a persistent marine oil spill disaster with ongoing environmental risks.
Key Chemical Findings from the Study
The wreck acted as a local source of heavy metal contamination in the surrounding marine environment.
Heavy metals such as nickel, lead, copper, and vanadium were found in both seawater and marine sediments.
In addition to the oil slick, the study detected polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the area.
PAHs include toxic compounds like naphthalene, fluorene, and anthracene, derived from petroleum products.
These pollutants are known for their chemical persistence and toxicity to marine life.
Biological Impacts Across the Marine Food Chain
The study recorded bioaccumulation of petroleum pollutants in various marine organisms.
Bioaccumulation refers to the gradual build-up of toxic substances in living organisms over time.
Zooplankton, which are at the base of the marine food chain, were found to contain high levels of petroleum-derived pollutants.
Fish eggs and larvae showed visible signs of decay and mortality, indicating harmful developmental effects.
This poses a serious threat to fisheries and marine biodiversity in the Arabian Sea.
Benthic organisms, which live on or near the seafloor, were also severely affected.
Sensitive benthic species declined significantly, while pollution-tolerant worms and bivalves dominated.
This shift in benthic community composition is a clear indicator of acute ecological stress and habitat degradation.
Efforts and Conventions to Combat Marine Pollution from Ships
India is a signatory to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
MARPOL is the main international treaty aimed at preventing marine pollution from ships due to operational or accidental causes.
India is also a signatory to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC), 1990.
The OPRC Convention aims to facilitate global cooperation and preparedness for oil spill emergencies.
In addition, India ratified the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (2001) in 2015.
This convention holds shipowners financially liable for pollution damage caused by bunker oil, which is fuel used in ships.
At the national level, India has implemented the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP), 1996.
Under this plan, the Indian Coast Guard serves as the central coordinating authority for responding to oil spill incidents.
First-of-Its-Kind CAG Report Reveals Stark Fiscal Trends in Indian States |
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) released the State Finances 2022–23 report, a landmark in fiscal reporting.
This is the first-of-its-kind report offering comprehensive data, analysis, and trends across a 10-year period (2013–14 to 2022–23).
The report covers all 28 Indian states, examining key fiscal parameters like debt, deficit, and revenue trends.
Key Fiscal Indicators from the Report
In 2022–23, the total debt of all states stood at 22.17% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, states must limit their debt to 20% of GDP by 2024–25.
The Debt-to-GSDP ratio was the highest in Punjab at 40.35%, indicating critical fiscal stress.
Nagaland had the second-highest ratio at 37.15%, followed by West Bengal at 33.70%.
Debt-to-GSDP measures the level of state debt compared to its economic output (Gross State Domestic Product - GSDP).
Fiscal Deficit Trends
All 28 states recorded a fiscal deficit during FY 2022–23.
The fiscal deficit ranged from Gujarat at 0.76% of GSDP to Himachal Pradesh at 6.46% of GSDP.
As per the FRBM benchmark, states were required to limit their fiscal deficit to 3.5% of GSDP in FY 2022–23.
Fiscal deficit refers to the shortfall between a government's total expenditure and its total revenue (excluding borrowings).
State Revenue Performance and Disparities
There are wide variations in revenue capacity across states.
The share of States' Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) was highest in Haryana at 70%, showing strong internal revenue generation.
In contrast, Arunachal Pradesh had the lowest SOTR share at just 9%, indicating high dependence on central transfers.
SOTR includes revenues from state levied taxes like VAT, excise duty, stamp duty, and others.
Reasons for Rising Public Debt in Indian States
One key reason is the rising subsidy burden, often due to farm loan waivers and free/subsidised services like electricity for agriculture and households.
States are also spending more on direct cash transfers to farmers, youth, women, and other target groups.
Another major cause is high committed expenditure, which includes interest payments, salaries, and wages.
From 2013–14 to 2022–23, committed expenditure consistently exceeded 42% of revenue expenditure.
During the same period, it also remained above 6% of GSDP, except in 2013–14 and 2016–17.
These expenditures are largely non-discretionary, meaning they must be paid regardless of revenue performance.
A further challenge is limited revenue mobilisation, as many states depend heavily on Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections.
Overdependence on GST makes states vulnerable to fluctuations in central tax transfers and compensation delays.
High Seas Treaty Set to Take Effect as 60 Nations Ratify Landmark Ocean Pact |
The 60th ratification of the High Seas Treaty has now paved the way for its enforcement at the global level.
As per the treaty’s mandate, it will enter into force 120 days after 60 countries ratify it.
About the High Seas Treaty
The treaty is formally known as the Agreement on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
It was adopted in 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
The treaty is legally binding and seeks to protect marine biodiversity in international waters.
It is an implementing agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This makes it the third implementing agreement to UNCLOS, following the 1994 Agreement (related to deep seabed mining) and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement.
The High Seas refer to ocean areas beyond any country's jurisdiction, considered global commons.
These areas are open for internationally lawful purposes such as navigation, overflight, laying submarine cables and pipelines, among others.
Core Objectives and Focus Areas of the Treaty
The treaty addresses four main issues to ensure conservation and sustainable use of ocean biodiversity.
The first issue is Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs) and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.
Marine Genetic Resources refer to genetic material from marine organisms that have potential scientific, industrial, or pharmaceutical value.
The second issue is the creation of Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs), including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
These tools aim to regulate human activities in designated zones to conserve vulnerable marine ecosystems.
The third issue is conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) before undertaking potentially harmful activities in the high seas.
EIAs are scientific evaluations to predict and mitigate the environmental consequences of proposed projects.
The fourth issue is ensuring Capacity Building and Transfer of Marine Technology to developing nations.
This aims to promote inclusive participation in marine research and conservation efforts.
India and the High Seas Treaty
In 2024, the Union Cabinet approved India’s signing of the High Seas Treaty.
The implementing authority in India for this treaty is the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
India’s First PM MITRA Textile Park Launched in Madhya Pradesh |
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of India's first PM MITRA Park in Bhainsola village, located in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.
The park is being developed under the PM MITRA scheme to provide world-class infrastructure for the textile industry.
This initiative will directly benefit cotton producers by offering integrated facilities for production and processing.
About PM MITRA Scheme (PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Scheme)
The PM MITRA scheme was launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Textiles.
The scheme aims to develop large-scale, modern, and integrated industrial infrastructure for the entire textile value chain.
The textile value chain refers to the entire process from raw material (cotton) to finished garments, including all stages like spinning, weaving, dyeing, processing, and garmenting.
The scheme is inspired by the 5F Vision: Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
The 5F Vision emphasizes connecting agriculture with global textile markets, ensuring every stage adds value.
The scheme will be implemented during the period 2021-22 to 2027-28.
Implementation will be carried out through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) jointly owned by the Central and State Governments.
An SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) is a legal entity created for a specific objective—in this case, developing and operating the textile parks.
Funding and Financial Support
The Ministry of Textiles will provide Development Capital Support of up to Rs. 500 crore per park to the SPV for infrastructure development.
Additionally, Competitive Incentive Support (CIS) of up to Rs. 300 crore per park will be given to textile units within each park.
CIS is meant to incentivise early investment and ensure the speedy implementation of projects in the parks.
PM MITRA Park Locations
A total of 7 PM MITRA Parks will be developed across India.
These locations include:
Virudhnagar in Tamil Nadu
Warangal in Telangana
Navasari in Gujarat
Kalaburagi in Karnataka
Dhar in Madhya Pradesh
Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh
Amravati in Maharashtra
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
States must provide a contiguous and encumbrance-free land parcel of at least 1000 acres to qualify for setting up a PM MITRA Park.
Contiguous land means the land must be connected and in one stretch.
Encumbrance-free land means the land should be free from legal disputes, mortgages, or any other claims.
The state's existing textile policy and industrial policy are also key factors in the selection process.
PM MITRA Parks can be established as either Greenfield or Brownfield projects.
Greenfield projects are developed from scratch on undeveloped land.
Brownfield projects refer to the upgradation of existing textile infrastructure.
Expected Outcomes and Economic Impact
The scheme aims to attract large-scale investments, including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
FDI refers to investments made by a company or individual in one country into business interests in another country.
The scheme will also promote domestic investment in the textile sector.
By providing shared infrastructure, it will enhance competitiveness and enable economies of scale.
Economies of scale mean cost advantages that companies obtain due to scale of operation, with cost per unit of output decreasing with increasing scale.
The PM MITRA scheme is expected to generate investment of nearly Rs. 70,000 crores.
It is also projected to create 20 lakh (2 million) employment opportunities in the textile sector.
UN 1267 Committee Blocks Pakistan-China Bid to Sanction Balochistan Groups |
A joint bid by Pakistan and China to list the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade under the UN 1267 sanctions regime was recently blocked.
The bid was opposed by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.
The UN 1267 Committee was created in 1999.
Its original purpose was to oversee sanctions against the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and their affiliated groups and individuals.
The committee is also known as the ISIS and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee.
It includes all permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The UNSC (United Nations Security Council) is the UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
The key functions of the committee include imposing an asset freeze on listed individuals and groups.
It also enforces a travel ban to restrict movement of those sanctioned.
Additionally, the committee implements an arms embargo to prevent the supply of weapons to listed entities.
Supreme Court Flags FCRA Violations, NGOs Denied Foreign Fund Renewal |
The Supreme Court reprimanded the Union Government for not granting FCRA renewal to two NGOs.
The renewal applications were rejected due to violations of Section 7 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA).
The FCRA, 2010 is a law that regulates and monitors foreign contributions and hospitality received by individuals and organizations in India.
The nodal ministry responsible for implementing the FCRA is the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The primary aim of the FCRA is to prohibit the use of foreign contributions for activities detrimental to national interest.
Section 7 of the FCRA specifically prohibits any person or organization that has received foreign contributions from transferring these funds to any other person or organization.
An important exception under Section 7 is that contributions made by a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) from their personal savings through normal banking channels are not treated as foreign contributions.
Non-Resident Indian (NRI) refers to an Indian citizen residing outside India.
Normal banking channels imply standard financial transactions through authorized banks as per banking regulations.
RBI Urges CCIL to Innovate Beyond Dollar-Rupee Settlements for Rupee Globalization |
The RBI Governor has urged the Clearing Corporation of India Ltd (CCIL) to explore settlement options beyond the traditional dollar–rupee framework for the internationalisation of the rupee.
The Clearing Corporation of India Ltd (CCIL) was founded in 2001 to offer reliable clearing and settlement services in the money and government securities markets.
Clearing is the process of confirming trade details, while settlement refers to the actual exchange of money and securities.
CCIL is a systemically important financial market infrastructure (FMI), meaning it plays a critical role in the financial system and is regulated by the RBI under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
The primary role of CCIL is to act as a Central Counterparty (CCP), which guarantees settlement even if one party defaults, thereby reducing settlement risk.
Due to its importance, CCIL has been declared a Qualified Central Counterparty (QCCP) by the RBI, a recognition that highlights its reliability in the financial system.
US Imposes Visa Bans on Indians Linked to Fentanyl Precursor Trafficking |
The United States has imposed visa bans on certain Indians linked to trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid used primarily for analgesia (pain relief) and anesthesia.
Being synthetic means fentanyl is man-made, not naturally occurring like some other opioids.
Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine.
It is also about 50 times more potent than heroin in terms of its analgesic effect.
The analgesic effect refers to its ability to relieve pain.
Like other opioids, fentanyl alters brain activity, which can lead to compulsive use despite harmful effects.
Harmful effects include symptoms such as drowsiness and visual disturbances.
At high doses, fentanyl can cause life-threatening conditions or even death.
US Imposes $100,000 Annual Fee on H-1B Visa Applications for Skilled Workers |
The U.S. President has signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications.
The H-1B visa is a U.S. non-immigrant visa designed for skilled workers in specialized occupations.
Non-immigrant visa means the visa is temporary and does not provide permanent residency.
This visa allows skilled workers to temporarily work in the United States.
Specialized occupations typically include fields such as Information Technology (IT), engineering, and medicine.
These occupations generally require a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience to qualify.
To apply for an H-1B visa, an applicant must have employer sponsorship, meaning a U.S. employer must petition on their behalf.
The initial validity period of the H-1B visa is 3 years.
This visa can be extended up to a total of 6 years.
The H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas issued per year.
Additionally, there are 20,000 extra visas available for applicants who hold an advanced degree from a U.S. institution.
National Committee of Archivists Marks 50th Meeting, Spotlight on India’s Archival Heritage |
The 50th Golden Jubilee Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists (NCA) was recently co-hosted by the National Archives of India (NAI).
The NCA is an all-India professional body of archivists, established in 1953.
The NCA is headed by the Director General of Archives, who is also the head of the NAI.
The primary role of the NCA is to discuss professional and technical problems faced by various Archives Departments across India.
About National Archives of India (NAI)
The NAI was originally established in 1891 at Calcutta (now Kolkata) as the Imperial Records Department.
Currently, the NAI functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Culture.
The main office of the NAI is located in New Delhi.
It also has one regional office in Bhopal.
Additionally, there are three Records Centres located in Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, and Puducherry.
The purpose of the NAI is to act as the custodian of records of enduring value.
These records include public records, private papers, oriental records, cartographic records, microfilms, and more.
Cartographic records refer to maps and related spatial documents.
The NAI is headed by the Director General of Archives, who oversees the implementation of the Public Records Act, 1993 and the Public Records Rules, 1997.
The Public Records Act, 1993 is a law governing the management, preservation, and disposal of public records in India.
Rediscovering Poompuhar: Underwater Archaeology Dives into Ancient Lost Port City |
Poompuhar (also known as Kaveripattinam) was an ancient port city located at the mouth of the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu.
It served as the second capital of the Chola dynasty, a powerful South Indian kingdom.
Poompuhar was a major center for maritime trade during the Sangam period—an ancient era in Tamil history known for its classical Tamil literature and culture.
The city was famous for exporting valuable goods such as pearls, spices, and textiles to overseas markets.
It is believed that the ancient city of Poompuhar was submerged by the sea, an event described in the Tamil epic "Manimekalai".
The Tamil epic "Manimekalai" was authored by the poet Sattanar, who lived during the Sangam period and provides detailed descriptions of Poompuhar’s fate.
After more than two decades, an underwater archaeological survey has recently commenced off the coast of Poompuhar to explore and study the submerged city.
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