Daily Current Affairs - 22nd September 2025
- TPP
- Sep 22
- 15 min read
Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This 22nd September 2025 Current Affairs edition brings exam-focused updates with GS linkages, Prelims facts, and Mains insights. Key topics include UK, Canada, Portugal, and Australia’s recognition of Palestine, China’s activation of JUNO neutrino detector, and India’s new logistics reforms under SMILE and LDB 2.0. Track the Finance Ministry’s move granting infrastructure status to large ships, manufacturing PMI hitting a 17-year high, and the GCHA report on fossil fuel health costs.
Also covered are the Sawalkote hydro project appraisal, Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023, Delhi’s pilot on smog-eating road coatings, a study on Sri Lanka shielding India’s east coast from swells, and new astronomy insights on Extreme Nuclear Transients. Policy updates include IPRS 3.0 for industrial parks, BRO’s Project Vijayak anniversary, and US talks to regain Bagram Air Base.
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UK, Canada, Portugal, and Australia Officially Recognize Palestine as a State |
The United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal, and Australia have officially recognized Palestine as a State.
With this, these four Western nations have joined over 140 UN member states in extending recognition to Palestine.
India had recognized the Palestinian State in 1988, becoming one of the early supporters.
Recently, India voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the ‘New York Declaration’.
The ‘New York Declaration’ supports the peaceful settlement of the conflict and the implementation of the Two-State Solution.
The Two-State Solution refers to the proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by establishing an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel.
Recognition of States
The recognition of a State is the process through which one State acknowledges the existence of another entity as a sovereign State.
This process is essential in international law as it affects the legal standing and interaction between States.
The Montevideo Convention of 1933, under Article 1, defines the four criteria required for statehood.
These criteria are: a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other States.
Effects of State Recognition
Once a State is recognized, it gains the capacity to establish diplomatic relations with other States.
Recognition also allows the State to enter into treaties and agreements under international law.
A recognized State is entitled to enjoy international legal rights and privileges associated with sovereign statehood.
It can also seek membership in international organizations, including the United Nations (UN).
Palestine’s Status at the United Nations
Although over 140 UN member states recognize Palestine, it is not a full UN member.
Palestine currently holds the status of a "Permanent Observer State" at the United Nations.
A Permanent Observer State is allowed to participate in UN debates and activities but does not have voting rights in the General Assembly.
Role of the United Nations in Recognition
The recognition of a State or a Government is a sovereign decision made only by individual States.
The United Nations is neither a State nor a Government, and therefore cannot recognize a State or Government.
However, the UN can admit a new State to its membership, provided certain conditions are fulfilled.
The UN can also accept the credentials of representatives from a new Government, which is a procedural decision, not recognition.
China Activates JUNO: World’s Largest Underground Neutrino Detector |
The world’s largest neutrino detector has been activated and is known as the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO).
JUNO is located in China, and it represents a significant advancement in neutrino research.
The observatory is constructed 700 meters underground, beneath the Earth's surface.
Most neutrino observatories are built underground because the Earth’s crust acts as a natural shield.
This shielding helps block out other interfering particles, such as muons.
Muons are elementary subatomic particles similar to electrons but with greater mass and higher penetration ability.
Main Goals of the JUNO Detector
One primary goal of JUNO is to determine the mass hierarchy of neutrinos.
Mass hierarchy refers to the ordering of masses among the three known types of neutrinos.
The three types of neutrinos are: Electron neutrino, Muon neutrino, and Tau neutrino.
Each type is associated with its corresponding fundamental particle: electron, muon, and tau.
Another key goal of JUNO is to measure the neutrino oscillation frequency.
Neutrino oscillation is the phenomenon where neutrinos change from one type to another as they travel.
The oscillation frequency tells us how often this transformation occurs during their motion.
About Neutrinos
Neutrinos are subatomic particles often called “ghost particles” due to their elusive nature.
They have zero electrical charge, zero size, and only a tiny amount of mass.
Neutrinos are the second-most abundant particles in the universe, after photons.
Photons are elementary particles of light, responsible for electromagnetic radiation.
Among all matter particles, neutrinos are the most abundant in the universe.
Despite their abundance, neutrinos are extremely difficult to detect.
This is because they interact with matter only via the weak nuclear force and gravity.
They do not interact via the electromagnetic force, making them immune to magnetic fields.
Neutrinos travel in straight lines from their source, unaffected by obstacles.
They also travel at nearly the speed of light, making them crucial for studying distant cosmic events.
Other Major Neutrino Observatories Around the World
The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is a key upcoming facility in neutrino research.
It is jointly funded by India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The INO is located in the Bodi West Hills of Theni District, in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Another significant project is the IceCube Neutrino Observatory.
IceCube is the first neutrino detector built to observe the universe from deep inside the South Pole ice.
China is also developing TRIDENT, which stands for Tropical Deep-sea Neutrino Telescope.
The United States is constructing a major facility called DUNE, the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment.
Commerce Ministry Launches New Initiatives to Cut Logistics Costs and Boost Efficiency |
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched several key initiatives aimed at improving the logistics sector in India.
These initiatives focus on cost assessment, planning frameworks, real-time tracking systems, and performance benchmarking.
Assessment of Logistics Cost in India Report
One of the major initiatives is the Assessment of Logistics Cost in India Report.
This report is prepared by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).
It estimates that logistics costs in India were approximately 7.97% of the GDP in FY 2023–24.
The total logistics cost during the same period is estimated at ₹24.01 lakh crore.
Road transport forms the largest share of this cost, accounting for 41.7%.
The second-largest component is storage and warehousing, following road transport.
Integrated State and City Logistics Plans
Another key initiative is the development of Integrated State and City Logistics Plans.
These plans are initiated under the SMILE Programme, which stands for Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem.
The SMILE Programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The programme aims to establish and operationalize a comprehensive policy framework to improve logistics efficiency in India.
Initially, this planning exercise has been launched in eight cities across eight states.
The aim is to assess existing logistics infrastructure, identify gaps, and create a roadmap to improve efficiency and reduce logistics costs.
Logistics Data Bank (LDB) 2.0
The Ministry has also introduced Logistics Data Bank (LDB) 2.0 as part of digital infrastructure enhancement.
LDB 2.0 enables enhanced real-time tracking of container movements across the logistics chain.
A key feature of LDB 2.0 is the introduction of export container tracking on high seas.
It also offers multi-modal shipment visibility, improving end-to-end supply chain transparency.
LDB 2.0 is developed by NICDC Logistics Data Services (NLDSL).
NLDSL functions under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDC).
LEADS 2025 Framework (Logistics Ease Across Different States)
The Ministry has also introduced the LEADS 2025 Framework to benchmark logistics performance.
LEADS stands for Logistics Ease Across Different States.
LEADS 2025 is modeled on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI).
It is designed to analyze logistics performance across States and Union Territories.
The framework includes objective indicators such as:
Regulatory and institutional support
Logistics enablers
Logistics infrastructure
Operating and regulatory environment
It also includes perception indicators such as:
Logistics services
Sustainable logistics
Key Enhancements in LEADS 2025
LEADS 2025 introduces two major new features for performance evaluation.
The first is the assessment of 5–7 key logistics corridors based on journey time, average truck speed, and waiting periods.
The second is an API-enabled system for evaluating section-wise vehicle speeds on major road corridors.
These enhancements will help improve data-driven decision-making and targeted policy interventions in logistics.
Large Ships Granted Infrastructure Status to Boost Indian Shipbuilding Industry |
The Ministry of Finance has granted infrastructure status to large ships in a major policy move.
These ships are now officially included under the ‘Transport and Logistics’ category of the Infrastructure Harmonized Master List (HML).
The Infrastructure Harmonized Master List (HML) is a government-approved classification that defines which sectors qualify for infrastructure-related financial benefits.
This inclusion is aimed at strengthening India’s domestic shipbuilding and maritime industry.
Definition of a "Large Ship"
A large ship is defined as a commercial vessel with specific size and ownership parameters.
One criterion is a gross tonnage (GT) of 10,000 or more, under Indian ownership and Indian flag.
Alternatively, a ship is also classified as large if it has a gross tonnage of 1,500 or more, is built in India, and is under Indian ownership and flag.
Gross tonnage (GT) is a measure of the ship’s overall internal volume, used to classify ship size.
Significance of Inclusion in HML
Inclusion in the HML enables access to infrastructure lending at easier terms and enhanced borrowing limits.
It allows large ship projects to access larger volumes of External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs).
It also makes them eligible for viability gap funding (VGF), which supports unviable but socially necessary projects.
Additional tax incentives may be availed, further reducing the cost of capital for shipbuilding investments.
Current Status of India’s Shipping Sector
India’s shipping sector is currently heavily dependent on foreign ships for trade logistics.
95% of India’s trade by volume is carried on foreign-owned vessels.
As a result, India pays nearly $75 billion annually to foreign shipping companies for transportation services.
India’s share in global shipbuilding is just 0.06%, reflecting its limited industrial capacity in this domain.
Government Vision and Targets
The government aims to make India one of the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.
According to the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, an estimated ₹54 trillion investment is envisioned to build indigenous shipping and shipbuilding capacity by 2047.
Challenges in the Shipping Sector
The Indian shipping industry faces several challenges including capital constraints and high borrowing costs.
The fleet is ageing, affecting competitiveness and safety.
There are also issues related to tax anomalies and skill gaps in the maritime workforce.
Planned Government Initiatives to Strengthen Shipping Sector
The government plans to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line under the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).
A Coastal Green Shipping Corridor will be developed to promote sustainable transport, starting with the Kandla-Tuticorin corridor.
The Sagarmala Startup and Innovation Initiative (S2I2) has been launched to boost maritime innovation and entrepreneurship.
Under this, Maritime Innovation Hubs (MIHs) will be set up to support startups and tech-based solutions in the shipping sector.
India’s Manufacturing Exports Grow 2.5% as Sector Hits 17-Year High PMI |
India’s merchandise exports have shown positive growth, indicating stable trade conditions.
Exports grew by 2.52% to US$184.13 billion during April–August 2025, compared to US$179.60 billion in the same period last year.
Manufacturing Sector Performance
India’s manufacturing sector is showing strong recovery and expansion momentum.
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rose by 3.5% year-on-year (YoY) in July 2025.
This IIP growth was primarily driven by 5.4% YoY growth in manufacturing output.
Operating conditions in the sector improved significantly, reflecting increasing business confidence.
The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reached 59.3 in August 2025.
This PMI level marks the fastest pace of growth in over 17 years.
The PMI is an economic indicator that signals the health of the manufacturing sector based on surveys of industry executives.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into manufacturing increased by 18% in FY 2024–25, showing rising investment confidence.
Key Engines of Growth in Manufacturing
The electronics sector continues to drive India’s manufacturing surge.
India is now the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer.
Over the past 11 years, mobile phone production has increased sixfold, and exports have risen eightfold.
India’s dependence on imported mobile phones has drastically reduced.
The share of imports fell from 75% in 2014–15 to just 0.02% in 2024–25.
The pharmaceutical sector, known as the “Pharmacy of the World”, is another major contributor.
India ranks third globally by volume in pharmaceuticals.
It supplies over 50% of the global vaccine demand, showcasing its critical role in global health.
The automotive sector contributes 7.1% to India’s GDP.
It is also the fourth-largest automobile producer in the world.
The textile industry remains a key pillar of inclusive manufacturing growth.
It is the second-largest employer after agriculture in India.
The sector contributes around 2.3% to the national GDP.
Nearly 80% of the textile sector's capacity lies within MSME clusters, supporting small and medium enterprises.
MSME clusters help promote decentralized and inclusive industrial development.
Government Policies and Initiatives to Boost Manufacturing
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme is a flagship initiative to support manufacturing.
The PLI Scheme covers 14 key sectors, including electronics, pharma, and automobiles.
It provides incentives based on incremental production, thereby encouraging higher output.
The National Manufacturing Mission (NMM) was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26.
NMM provides a long-term strategic roadmap for industrial policy and capacity building.
The Skill India Programme has been restructured and extended till 2026.
The updated program aims to build a demand-driven, technology-enabled skilled workforce.
GST 2.0 Reforms have been introduced to simplify the taxation process in manufacturing.
These reforms reduce the GST burden, cut manufacturing costs, and improve export competitiveness.
GCHA Report Highlights Severe Health Impacts of Fossil Fuels and Calls for Just Transition |
The Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA) has released a report titled ‘Cradle to Grave: The Health Toll of Fossil Fuels and the Imperative for a Just Transition’.
The report highlights that fossil fuels are not only an environmental threat but also a public health emergency.
Health Impacts of Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuel pollution impacts all stages of life, from foetal development to old age.
It causes a range of health problems including asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
Every stage of fossil fuel use — extraction, refining, transport, combustion, and disposal — releases persistent toxic pollutants.
These pollutants harm ecosystems and human health.
During extraction, hazardous substances such as benzene, heavy metals, and radioactive materials are released.
Refining and processing emit toluene and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are harmful chemicals.
Legacy pollution from abandoned fossil fuel sites creates long-term health risks.
Chemicals like lead, mercury, and PFAS (also called “forever chemicals” due to their persistence) remain in soil, water, and the food chain.
These toxic chemicals accumulate through biomagnification, intensifying exposure with each step in the food chain.
Marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples and racial minorities, face disproportionate health burdens.
These groups often live near mines and refineries and experience systemic barriers to healthcare access.
Policy Recommendations for a Just Transition
The report calls for ending new fossil fuel exploration and development.
It advocates for phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting savings toward healthcare and clean energy initiatives.
It stresses the need to enforce strict regulations on pollution and conduct real-time monitoring of environmental hazards.
The report recommends the remediation of legacy pollution to mitigate long-term health impacts.
It promotes the “Polluter Pays” principle, which requires fossil fuel companies to internalize health and environmental costs.
Lastly, it urges alignment of global financial institutions and the health sector with climate and public health objectives to support a sustainable future.
Environment Ministry to Appraise Sawalkote Run-of-the-River Hydro Project on Chenab River |
The Expert Appraisal Committee of the Environment Ministry will appraise the Sawalkote Project for the grant of environmental clearance.
The Sawalkote Project is a run-of-the-river project, which means it generates power by using the natural flow of the river without large reservoirs.
This project is proposed on the Chenab River, an important river flowing through the region.
The project is located in the Districts of Ramban and Udhampur, which are part of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
The implementing agency for the project is the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
NHPC is a Mini Ratna Category-I Public Sector Enterprise, meaning it is a government-owned company with financial autonomy under the Ministry of Power of India.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Announces 2023 Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winner |
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2023.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is an annual award given by the Indian government.
This award recognizes lifetime contribution to Indian cinema, honoring individuals for their entire body of work.
It is India’s highest honor in cinema, signifying its supreme status among film awards in the country.
The award is presented by the President of India, adding to its prestige.
The award was instituted in 1969, which marked the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, who is regarded as the father of Indian cinema for pioneering Indian filmmaking.
The first recipient of this prestigious award was Devika Rani, a celebrated actress and film personality.
Delhi Government Orders Study on Smog-Eating Photocatalytic Road Coatings to Improve Air Quality |
The Delhi Government has ordered a study on the use of Smog Eating photocatalytic coatings on roads.
The primary objective of these coatings is to reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and harmful hydrocarbons in public spaces.
This reduction aims to improve both air quality and water quality in the environment.
The coatings work through photocatalytic activity, a process that uses light energy to break down harmful pollutants.
Photocatalysis converts these pollutants and organic waste into harmless matter, helping to clean the environment.
Typically, these coatings use titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as the photocatalyst.
Under ultraviolet (UV) light, titanium dioxide helps decompose nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are major air pollutants.
Study Finds Sri Lanka Shields India’s East Coast from Southern Ocean Swells |
A recent study finds that without Sri Lanka’s landmass, Southern Ocean swells could reach India’s east coast.
These swells have the potential to cause flooding and coastal erosion along the east coast of India.
Swell waves are defined as long-wavelength ocean waves that travel great distances away from their point of origin.
They are primarily generated by windstorms or strong air currents over the ocean.
Unlike local waves, swell waves are largely unaffected by local winds or ocean currents.
Due to their low frequency and absence of surface whitecaps (foam or froth), swell waves often go undetected by satellites.
In India, swell waves are commonly known as Kallakkadal waves.
The term Kallakkadal has been officially approved for scientific use by UNESCO, the United Nations educational, scientific, and cultural organization.
Astronomers Discover Extreme Nuclear Transients: Stars Torn Apart by Supermassive Black Holes |
Astronomers have identified a new category of cosmic events called Extreme Nuclear Transients (ENTs).
ENTs occur when stars with masses at least three times greater than the Sun are torn apart by supermassive black holes.
A supermassive black hole is a black hole with a mass millions or billions of times that of the Sun, typically found at the center of galaxies.
As a star approaches the black hole’s event horizon—the boundary beyond which nothing can escape—extreme tidal forces act on it.
These tidal forces stretch and compress the star into a long, thin, spaghetti-like shape.
This process releases enormous amounts of electromagnetic energy, observed as the Extreme Nuclear Transient (ENT) event.
Ministry of Commerce Launches IPRS 3.0 with Focus on Sustainability and Digitalization |
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the Industrial Parks Rating System (IPRS) 3.0.
Under IPRS 3.0, industrial parks will be benchmarked and categorized as Leaders, Challengers, and Aspirers.
This categorization is based on their performance across key indicators that measure various aspects of the parks.
The system was developed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), a government body promoting industrial growth.
The development received support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), an international financial institution focused on economic development in Asia.
Key additions in IPRS 3.0 include new parameters such as sustainability, green infrastructure, logistics connectivity, digitalization, skill linkages, and enhanced talent feedback.
Sustainability refers to environmentally friendly practices, while green infrastructure involves eco-friendly construction and facilities.
Logistics connectivity measures the efficiency of transport and supply chains, and digitalization refers to integrating digital technologies.
Skill linkages relate to the connection between industry needs and workforce skills, and enhanced talent feedback means improved assessment of employee capabilities.
BRO Celebrates 15th Raising Day of Project Vijayak Strengthening Kargil-Zanskar Connectivity |
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated the 15th Raising Day of Project Vijayak at Kargil, Ladakh.
Project Vijayak was raised in 2010 to provide road connectivity in the areas of Kargil and Zanskar.
These areas were previously covered under Project Himank, another BRO initiative focused on infrastructure development.
The name Vijayak is derived from Operation Vijay, the codename for the Kargil War of 1999 between India and Pakistan.
The project has played a significant role in strengthening security infrastructure along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between India and Pakistan in the region.
The Line of Control is a military control line that separates the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
US in Talks to Regain Control of Afghanistan’s Strategic Bagram Air Base |
The United States is currently in talks with Afghanistan to regain control of the Bagram Air Base.
Bagram Air Base is the largest air base in Afghanistan, located north of the capital, Kabul.
The base was originally built by the Soviets in the 1950s during their presence in Afghanistan.
After the Soviet withdrawal in the 1990s, Bagram became a frontline in the conflict between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance fighters.
Following the 2001 terrorist attacks on the USA, Bagram Air Base became the center of US operations in their war against terror in Afghanistan.
In 2021, the US and NATO troops pulled out of Bagram Air Base as part of their overall withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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