Daily Current Affairs - 23rd September 2025

Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This 23rd September 2025 Current Affairs edition brings you exam-focused updates with GS linkages, Prelims facts, and Mains insights. Key topics include the Supreme Court’s call to decriminalise defamation, the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the ICC, and the CPCB’s latest assessment showing a decline in polluted river stretches. Track the Government’s extension of the ban on NSCN(K) under UAPA, and the approval of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under PM Ujjwala Yojana.

Also covered are the Production Gap Report 2025 on fossil fuels, ISRO’s announcement on the AI-powered Vyommitra robot for the Gaganyaan mission, and the discovery of Earth’s quasi-moon 2025 PN7. Policy and bilateral updates feature the launch of Maitri 2.0 cross-incubation programme with Brazil, RBI’s authorisation for SPDs in the NDF market, and the foundation stone of hydroelectric projects on the Siyom River. International and regional insights include the Tirah Valley blast in Pakistan, Venezuela’s military drills on La Orchila Islands, and India–Morocco defence MoU along with Morocco’s political and geographical profile.

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Time to decriminalise defamation: Supreme Court (SC)

1. The Supreme Court (SC) recently observed that the time has come to decriminalise defamation.

2. Defamation means communicating false information that harms the reputation of a person, group, or the immediate relatives of a person.

3. Defamation is broadly of two types: libel (when written, published, or in images) and slander (when spoken).

Provisions and Status in India

1. In India, defamation can be pursued as a civil offence and/or as a criminal offence.

2. Under current law, Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) criminalises defamation.

3. This Section 356 of BNS has replaced the earlier Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Need for Decriminalisation

1. Criminal defamation provisions violate freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

2. The fear of criminal consequences deters individuals from expressing views freely in public.

3. Defamation laws are often used to silence dissent and intimidate critics.

4. Such provisions also pose a threat to the freedom of the press, restricting democratic debate.

Recommendations and Judgements

1. The Law Commission of India (285th report) emphasised that reputation, a part of the right to life under Article 21, cannot be sacrificed to protect another’s speech if it seriously harms others’ sentiments.

2. In Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India (2016), the SC upheld criminal defamation by balancing free speech with the right to reputation.

3. In State of Gujarat v. Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat (1998), the SC observed that honour once lost or life once extinguished cannot be compensated.

Withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ICC

1. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger recently announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

2. In a joint statement, these countries accused the ICC of being “a tool of neo-colonial repression controlled by imperialist powers.”

3. Neo-colonialism refers to indirect domination of developing countries by powerful states through economic, political, cultural, or technological means.

About the International Criminal Court (ICC)

1. The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, is the world’s first permanent international criminal court.

2. The ICC was established through the Rome Statute, which was adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2002.

3. The ICC has jurisdiction to investigate, prosecute, and try individuals, not states or groups.

4. The crimes under its jurisdiction include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

5. Currently, the ICC has 125 member countries.

6. Major countries like India, Israel, the US, Russia, and China are not parties to the Rome Statute.

7. The ICC is funded mainly by States Parties who contribute financially.

8. The decisions of the ICC are binding in nature.

Issues with the ICC

1. The ICC faces criticism for its perceived bias, as it is often accused of serving Western states’ interests.

2. Critics argue that it functions as a neo-colonial or imperialist court targeting developing nations disproportionately.

3. The Court also suffers from a lack of universal jurisdiction, since many powerful countries are not members.

4. Its jurisdiction further applies only to events after July 1, 2002, which limits its scope.

5. The ICC encounters political resistance, as seen when France refused to enforce an ICC warrant against the Israeli Prime Minister, citing his head-of-state immunity as a non-member.

6. The ICC also has enforcement limitations, because it lacks its own police force.

7. Instead, it depends on member states for arrests and cooperation, which weakens its authority.

Number of Polluted River Stretch’ (PRS) declined: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

1. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors the health of rivers across India.

2. This monitoring is conducted in two-year cycles to assess water quality trends.

3. The CPCB uses Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) as a key indicator of river health.

4. BOD measures the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria and other microorganisms while decomposing organic matter.

5. This decomposition occurs under aerobic conditions, meaning oxygen is present, at a specified temperature.

Criteria for Declaring Polluted River Stretch (PRS)

1. A river stretch is classified as a Polluted River Stretch (PRS) when BOD levels exceed 3 mg/L.

2. This is because such stretches fail to meet the primary water quality standard for outdoor bathing.

3. The CPCB further divides PRS into five Priority Classes (I to V).

4. The classification is based on the maximum BOD level observed at a location.

5. Priority I stretches are those with BOD levels of more than 30.0 mg/L.

6. Priority V stretches are those with BOD levels between 3.0 and 6.0 mg/L.

Key Findings of 2023 Assessment

1. In 2023, CPCB monitoring recorded 296 polluted river stretches (PRS).

2. These stretches were spread across 271 different rivers.

3. In 2022, CPCB had recorded 311 PRS.

4. Those stretches in 2022 were spread across 279 rivers.

5. The state of Maharashtra had the maximum number of PRS in 2023.

6. Maharashtra recorded 54 polluted locations.

7. The state of Kerala ranked second in the list.

8. Kerala recorded 31 polluted locations.

9. The number of Priority I stretches reduced in 2023 compared to 2022.

10. In 2022, there were 45 Priority I stretches.

11. In 2023, the number reduced to 37 Priority I stretches.

12. Tamil Nadu had several Priority I stretches.

13. Uttar Pradesh also had a high number of Priority I stretches.

14. Uttarakhand too had multiple Priority I stretches.

Initiatives that Helped Reduce River Pollution

1. India has enacted a legislative and policy framework to control water pollution.

2. One major law is the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

3. India has also launched national missions and flagship programs to reduce river pollution.

4. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is a flagship river-cleaning initiative.

5. The National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is another important program.

6. Community and participatory measures have supported these efforts.

7. The Swachh Bharat Mission is an example of a people-driven campaign contributing to cleaner rivers.

8. Infrastructure development has also played a major role.

9. This includes the establishment of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).

10. It also includes Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) for industrial waste treatment.

Government extends ban imposed on National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN (K)) for 5 more years

1. The Government of India has extended the ban on the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) for five more years.

2. This extension has been made under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).

3. The UAPA allows the government to ban organisations involved in activities against the sovereignty and integrity of India.

4. The NSCN (K) has been involved in insurgent activities across Nagaland and the North-East.

5. The group is also engaged in extortion activities.

6. It maintains a nexus with other militant outfits in Nagaland and some other North-Eastern states.

Reasons for Insurgency in North-East

1. Political alienation has been a major cause of insurgency in the North-East.

2. This alienation is partly a post-colonial legacy, where neglect and limited political representation created marginalisation.

3. The region has strong ethnic and cultural aspirations.

4. Distinct tribal identities often demand autonomy, which has sometimes taken the form of armed movements.

5. A major challenge is the development deficit in the region.

6. This includes a lack of economic opportunities, poor infrastructure, and high unemployment rates.

7. Geopolitical factors also contribute to insurgency in the North-East.

8. The challenging terrain makes governance and security operations difficult.

9. The porous international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh facilitate easy movement of insurgents.

10. These porous borders also enable the flow of arms and contraband.

Steps Taken by the Government

1. The Government has focused on peace and dialogue as a strategy to reduce insurgency.

2. Examples include the Mizo Peace Accord of 1986.

3. Another example is the Bodo Peace Accord of 2020.

4. The Government has also worked on resolving inter-state boundary disputes.

5. In 2022, a boundary agreement was signed between Assam and Meghalaya.

6. In 2023, a similar agreement was reached between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

7. India’s Constitutional provisions have also been used to address regional aspirations.

8. These include the 5th and 6th Schedule provisions for tribal administration.

9. Special provisions are also granted under Article 371(A), giving Nagaland special status.

10. The Government has also taken up developmental initiatives.

11. One such initiative is PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region).

12. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has also received increased funding.

Way Forward

1. A balanced approach is essential for long-term peace and integration in the North-East.

2. This includes sustained dialogue with stakeholders.

3. It also requires accelerated development to bridge economic gaps.

4. Stronger border management is necessary to curb cross-border insurgency.

5. Active community participation is equally vital for lasting peace.

Government approves 25 lakh additional LPG connections under PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

1. The Government has approved 25 lakh additional LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

2. With this expansion, the total number of PMUY connections will reach 10.58 crore.

Beneficiaries of PMUY

1. Beneficiaries are identified households from the SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) List of 2011.

2. Beneficiaries also include Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) households.

3. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) beneficiaries are also eligible.

4. Families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) are covered.

5. The scheme extends to Most Backward Classes.

6. It also includes forest dwellers.

7. Residents of islands and river islands are eligible beneficiaries.

8. Tea garden and ex-tea garden tribes are also covered.

9. Other poor families not having LPG connections are also included.

About the Scheme

1. The PMUY scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).

2. It is a Central Sector Scheme, which means it is fully funded by the Union Government.

3. The scheme was launched in 2016 with the target of providing 8 crore deposit-free LPG connections to rural poor households.

Expansion Phases

1. In 2021, the Government launched Ujjwala 2.0.

2. Under Ujjwala 2.0, an additional 1.6 crore LPG connections were approved.

3. Ujjwala 2.0 also provided a special facility for migrant households.

4. In 2023–24 to 2025–26, the Government further approved 75 lakh additional connections.

5. The overall target was increased to 10.35 crore LPG connections before the latest expansion.

Implementation

1. The scheme is implemented by MoPNG in collaboration with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

2. State governments also support its execution.

Eligibility

1. The beneficiary must be an adult woman, at least 18 years old.

2. She must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.

3. The household must not already have an LPG connection from any Oil Marketing Company.

4. A household with no adult female member is not eligible for an LPG connection under PMUY.

Benefits

1. The scheme provides cash assistance of ₹1600 for a connection with a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder.

2. It provides cash assistance of ₹1150 for a connection with a 5 kg LPG cylinder.

3. This assistance covers the cost of the cylinder, pressure regulator, LPG hose, consumer card, and installation charges.

4. Beneficiaries also get the first LPG refill free of cost.

5. They also receive a free stove (hot plate) along with the connection.

6. A targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder is provided.

7. This subsidy is available for up to 12 refills per year.

Production Gap Report 2025

1. The Production Gap Report 2025 has been released recently.

2. It has been published jointly by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Climate Analytics, and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).

Key Highlights

1. The report warns of a massive overproduction of fossil fuels by 2030.

2. Planned global fossil fuel production in 2030 will exceed the levels required to limit warming to 1.5°C by more than 120%.

3. The same production plans will exceed the levels consistent with limiting warming to 2°C by 77%.

4. Coal is identified as the most misaligned fossil fuel in global climate goals.

5. The projected 2030 global coal output is expected to be 500% higher than the pathway required for limiting warming to 1.5°C.

6. The report also highlights that fossil fuel subsidies by governments continue to remain near record highs.

7. This is despite repeated pledges by governments to cut such subsidies.

Vyommitra

1. ISRO Chief V. Narayanan has revealed that the AI-powered Vyommitra robot will fly in an uncrewed Gaganyaan mission scheduled for December.

2. Vyommitra has been developed by ISRO to support India’s human spaceflight program.

3. It is an AI-enabled half-humanoid robot, where half-humanoid means it resembles a human in the upper body but not fully.

4. The name Vyommitra comes from two Sanskrit words: “Vyoma” meaning Space and “Mitra” meaning Friend.

5. This signifies Vyommitra as a “Friend in Space”, assisting astronauts and missions.

6. The robot is designed as a female astronaut to carry out space mission simulations.

7. Vyommitra is equipped with the capability to monitor module parameters, which are the technical readings of spacecraft systems.

8. It can also issue alerts if any irregularities or risks are detected.

9. In addition, it can execute life support operations, which are critical for astronaut survival.

10. Vyommitra is trained to operate six different panels inside the spacecraft.

11. It also has the ability to respond to queries, showcasing its AI-based interactive skills.

Quasi-Moon 2025 PN7

1. Astronomers have recently identified a tiny quasi-moon named 2025 PN7.

2. This quasi-moon has been orbiting near Earth for about 60 years.

About Quasi-Moon (also called Quasi-Satellite)

1. A quasi-moon is a type of celestial body in the solar system.

2. It orbits the Sun, not the planet directly.

3. Due to its synchronized orbit with a planet, it appears to travel along with the planet.

4. Its motion is primarily influenced by the Sun’s gravity, not by the planet’s gravity.

5. A quasi-moon is not a true moon, since it does not orbit the planet itself.

6. Astronomers have so far identified six known quasi-moons of Earth.

Maitri 2.0 Cross-Incubation Programme

1. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has inaugurated the second edition of the India-Brazil Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech.

2. This second edition is known as Maitri 2.0.

About Maitri 2.0

1. Maitri 2.0 is a joint initiative between India and Brazil.

2. It builds upon the earlier Maitri 1.0 programme.

3. The initiative was launched by ICAR to foster cooperation between Indian and Brazilian startups and innovators.

Objectives of Maitri 2.0

1. The programme seeks to strengthen resilient food systems.

2. It focuses on sustainable agriculture practices to address environmental and productivity challenges.

3. It emphasizes the use of digital technologies to modernize agriculture.

4. It aims at value-chain development to improve efficiency from production to consumption.

5. It also provides a platform for co-incubation, where startups from both countries can grow together.

6. Additionally, it facilitates cross-border startup exchanges to share knowledge, innovation, and best practices.

RBI Authorisation for SPDs

1. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorised Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs) to participate in the Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) market.

2. SPDs are primarily Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).

3. They are authorised to undertake Primary Dealer activities in Government Securities.

About the NDF Market

1. The Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) market is typically an offshore market.

2. It operates outside the regulatory control of the currency’s home monetary authority.

3. An NDF is a cash-settled derivative contract.

4. It is mainly used to hedge exchange rate risks of currencies that have restrictions or capital controls.

5. Unlike standard forward contracts, NDFs do not involve physical delivery of currency.

6. Instead, they are settled in cash, usually in a freely convertible currency like the US dollar.

Siyom River

1. The Prime Minister recently laid the foundation stone of two hydroelectric projects on the Siyom River.

2. These projects are named Heo Hydroelectric Project and Tato-I Hydroelectric Project.

3. Both projects are located in Arunachal Pradesh, close to the border with China.

4. The Siyom River originates in the eastern Himalayas.

5. The river flows for much of its course from west to east.

6. Eventually, the Siyom joins the Siang River.

7. The Siang River is the name used for the Brahmaputra River in Arunachal Pradesh.

Tirah Valley

More than 20 people were killed in an explosion in the Tirah Valley of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

About Tirah Valley

1. The Tirah Valley is a mountainous tract located in west-central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

2. The valley lies along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.

3. It is situated between the Khyber Pass and the Khanki Valley.

4. The Khyber Pass, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is a historic mountain pass that connects Kabul (Afghanistan) with Peshawar (Pakistan).

5. The Tirah Valley is inhabited mainly by the Afrīdī and Ōrakzay tribes.

6. Both tribes are part of the larger Pashtun ethnic community.

Historical Significance

1. The valley is notable for the Tirah Campaign of 1897–98.

2. During this campaign, the Afrīdī tribe rose in a jihad (holy war) against the British.

3. They captured several Khyber posts during the rebellion.

4. The Afrīdīs also attacked forts near Peshawar, challenging British control in the region.

La Orchila Islands

1. Venezuela has recently begun military exercises on its Caribbean island of La Orchila.

2. These exercises come at a time when tensions are rising amid US military activity in the region.

3. The La Orchila Islands are located off the coast of Venezuela.

4. The islands lie in the Caribbean Sea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean.

5. The island also hosts a Venezuelan military base, making it strategically significant.

Morocco

1. Morocco has been in the news as India and Morocco signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation in Rabat.

2. Rabat is the capital city of Morocco, located along the Atlantic coast.

Political Features

1. Morocco is located in the northwest corner of Africa, making it geographically strategic.

2. It is the only African country that has coastal exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Morocco shares land borders with Algeria on the east.

4. It also borders the territory of Western Sahara to the south. (Western Sahara is a disputed region along the Atlantic coast of North Africa.)

Geographical Features

1. The highest point in Morocco is Mount Toubkal, which stands at 4,167 meters in the Atlas Mountains.

2. The longest river of Morocco is the Draa River, stretching about 1,100 kilometers.

3. The High Atlas Mountains form a natural barrier, separating the mild coastline of Morocco from the harsh Sahara Desert.

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