Daily Current Affairs - 24th September 2025
- TPP
- Sep 24
- 16 min read
Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This 24th September 2025 Current Affairs edition brings exam-focused updates with GS linkages, Prelims facts, and Mains insights. Key topics include the $100,000 US H-1B visa fee hike and its opportunities for India’s innovation ecosystem, the Visakhapatnam Declaration on e-Governance promoting AI, blockchain, and inclusive digital service delivery, and the Supreme Court’s call to amend the SARFAESI Act for clarity on redemption rights. Track the NISE solar PV potential assessment, Tamil Nadu’s ₹1,675-crore TN-SHORE coastal restoration mission, and the global expansion of India’s defence manufacturing with the WhAP 8x8 combat vehicle.
Also cover OECD’s upgraded forecast of 6.7% GDP growth for India, approval of the 2,200 MW Oju Hydroelectric Project on the Subansiri River, WHO’s clarification on paracetamol-autism link, and the rising threat of nightmare bacteria. Note the launch of the DRAVYA Portal for AYUSH knowledge, the impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa, renewed activity at Barren Island Volcano, and a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Peru with map-based geography linkages.
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Opportunities for India Amidst USA’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee |
The United States' proposal to raise the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 presents both a challenge and an opportunity for India.
This development underscores the urgency for India to strengthen its domestic innovation and technology ecosystem.
India now has an opportunity to reverse brain drain, where highly skilled professionals migrate abroad for better opportunities.
A large pool of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates and young professionals can now contribute within India.
This talent can drive homegrown innovation, technological development, and entrepreneurship.
India currently boasts the world’s 3rd largest start-up ecosystem, with a growing number of unicorns (start-ups valued at over $1 billion).
Sectors such as fintech, ed-tech, and health-tech are witnessing significant start-up success.
The government is actively supporting this ecosystem through initiatives like Startup India, Digital India, and Make in India.
The Atal Innovation Mission further promotes innovation by funding incubators, labs, and school-level projects.
India offers a cost advantage, with lower operational costs compared to Western economies.
A large domestic consumer base provides a ready market for innovative products and services.
India is also increasingly investing in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This creates potential to develop an “Asian Silicon Valley”, positioning India as a global tech innovation hub.
Challenges India Must Overcome
Despite the potential, India faces significant challenges in Research and Development (R&D) and skill development.
India's R&D spending is only 0.7% of its GDP, which is low compared to developed countries.
There are also gaps in higher education quality and industry-academia collaboration, limiting innovation output.
Infrastructure deficits, such as poor digital and transport connectivity in some regions, slow down progress.
Complex regulatory frameworks further hinder ease of doing business in the tech sector.
Weak Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement limits the protection of innovations.
There is a limited ability to commercialize research into globally competitive products and solutions.
At the regional level, political tensions and regulatory differences in South Asia obstruct technological cooperation.
These challenges make it harder for India to engage in cross-border innovation initiatives in its neighbourhood.
Conclusion and Strategic Direction
India possesses the human capital, market scale, and policy momentum to capitalize on global shifts like the H-1B fee increase.
However, to realize this opportunity, India must adopt a strategy focused on economic pragmatism and technological innovation.
Strengthening R&D investment, IPR protection, and regulatory simplification will be key to unlocking India’s full innovation potential.
Visakhapatnam Declaration to Advance e-Governance in India – Key Highlights & Proposals |
The Visakhapatnam Declaration was adopted at the 28th National Conference on e-Governance.
It calls for a whole-of-government approach to strengthen civil services with digital competencies.
It emphasizes the need for agile and data-driven governance frameworks.
The declaration supports a National Vision of inclusive, citizen-centric, and transparent governance.
It aligns with the principle of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance", aiming to reduce red tape and enhance efficiency.
The declaration promotes Technology-Driven Governance through integration of advanced technologies.
It encourages the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence), ML (Machine Learning), Blockchain, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), IoT (Internet of Things), and Data Analytics.
These technologies aim to deliver multilingual, real-time, and sector-specific citizen services.
It stresses on ethical and transparent adoption of emerging technologies.
Successful examples include initiatives like Digital India BHASHINI (AI-based multilingual translation), Digi Yatra (contactless air travel), and NADRES V2 (early warning system for disasters).
The declaration proposes replication of successful digital governance models across India.
Models suggested for replication include SAMPADA 2.0 (Madhya Pradesh), a supply chain solution for agriculture.
It includes eKhata (Bengaluru), a digital property records management system.
Rohini Gram Panchayat (Maharashtra) is highlighted for digital grassroots governance.
DAMS (Drone Analytics Monitoring System) by NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) is noted for infrastructure monitoring.
The declaration stresses Grassroots and Inclusive Development through digital means.
It aims to improve Geographical Outreach in regions with connectivity issues like North-East and Ladakh.
This is aligned with the NeSDA (National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment) framework.
It calls for the nationwide scaling of successful Panchayat-level digital models.
It proposes the launch of digital literacy programs, focusing on women, youth, and other vulnerable groups.
The declaration prioritizes Cybersecurity and Resilience in digital platforms and citizen services.
It supports adoption of Zero-Trust Architecture, which means no implicit trust even within internal networks.
It emphasizes Post-Quantum Security, which prepares for threats from future quantum computers.
It recommends AI-enabled monitoring in priority sectors such as transport, defence, and citizen services.
The declaration outlines Agriculture and Sustainability as a critical digital focus area.
It proposes a National Agri Stack, a unified platform to enhance access to credit, advisory services, and agricultural markets.
It promotes collaboration between government and industry to create scalable and innovative digital solutions.
It envisions development of regional IT hubs, such as making Visakhapatnam a major IT and innovation hub.
Key Challenges to e-Governance in India
Digital Divide remains a major barrier, marked by urban-rural, rich-poor, language-based, and literacy-based inequalities.
Low digital literacy prevents large sections of the population from using e-governance platforms effectively.
Infrastructure Deficiencies are widespread, especially in remote areas.
These include poor internet connectivity, unreliable power supply, and inadequate ICT (Information and Communication Technology) infrastructure.
There is often resistance to change within government systems.
Bureaucratic reluctance to move from paper-based to digital systems hampers digital transformation.
Interdepartmental Coordination is weak, affecting unified service delivery.
Lack of interoperability between departmental digital systems creates silos and limits data sharing.
Supreme Court Urges Amendment to SARFAESI Act |
The Supreme Court of India has urged the Finance Ministry to amend the SARFAESI Act to remove legal anomalies.
The Court clarified that a borrower's right to redeem mortgaged property ends once an auction notice is issued by the lender.
This ruling emphasizes the need to address ambiguities in the legal framework surrounding property redemption rights.
SARFAESI Act, 2002 – Overview
The full form of SARFAESI is “Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act”.
The Act was enacted in 2002 to empower banks and financial institutions to recover Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) efficiently.
NPAs are loans or advances where the borrower fails to make interest or principal payments for a specified period.
Under the Act, lenders can seize and auction residential or commercial properties pledged as security.
Agricultural land is excluded from seizure under the Act.
The SARFAESI Act enables recovery without the need for court intervention, making the process faster and more direct.
It has contributed to faster liquidity recovery and provided a structured framework for managing distressed assets.
Key Issues with the SARFAESI Act
There is ambiguity in Section 13 of the Act, which governs enforcement of security interests.
This ambiguity has led to inconsistencies between the Act and SARFAESI Rules, causing confusion over the borrower’s right of redemption.
The Act suffers from legal and judicial delays, slowing down recovery processes despite its intent to speed them up.
Asset recovery remains complex due to challenges in identifying, valuing, and liquidating collateral assets.
Lenders often face issues when transferring assets to third parties, which further delays resolution.
The Act has limited applicability, as it does not cover unsecured loans or loans below ₹1 lakh.
There are concerns about misuse of powers by creditors, leading to potential infringement of borrower rights.
Institutions like DRTs (Debt Recovery Tribunals) and ARCs (Asset Reconstruction Companies) have shown inefficiency and slow response times.
DRTs are specialized tribunals meant for resolving debt recovery cases quickly.
ARCs are financial entities that buy bad loans from banks and try to recover them.
Way Forward for SARFAESI Reform
There is a need to simplify SARFAESI Rules to eliminate legal confusion and ensure transparency.
The government must enforce prohibition of arbitrary and unfair recovery practices by creditors.
It is essential to ensure speedy disposal of cases through DRTs to improve the effectiveness of the recovery process.
Solar PV Potential Assessment of India (Ground-Mounted) |
The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released a comprehensive report titled ‘Solar PV Potential Assessment of India (Ground-Mounted)’.
The report provides a policy-linked, investment-ready framework to support solar project siting, infrastructure development, and private sector participation.
It aims to support India’s Panchamrit commitments, announced at COP26 for climate action.
These include achieving energy independence by 2047 and attaining net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
Updated Assessment of India’s Solar Potential
The report presents an updated national ground-mounted solar PV potential estimate.
India’s solar potential is now estimated at approximately 3,343 GWp (Gigawatt peak), compared to 749 GWp in 2014.
GWp refers to the maximum potential output of solar power installations under ideal conditions.
The solar potential is geographically well-distributed, with several states beyond Rajasthan and Maharashtra showing high capacity.
The report identifies that about 6.69% of the total feasible wasteland in India can be utilized for ground-mounted solar projects.
Challenges to Realizing India’s Full Solar Potential
Land acquisition remains a major challenge for setting up large-scale solar parks.
Projects often require land in ecologically sensitive or agriculturally productive areas.
States like Rajasthan and Gujarat face conflicts over the use of grazing lands and biodiversity-rich desert ecosystems.
Grid integration of solar energy is limited by the absence of affordable large-scale energy storage technologies.
Solar power is weather-dependent, requiring robust storage solutions for reliability.
The high initial capital cost continues to be a barrier, despite falling prices of solar modules.
There is significant financial stress in DISCOMs (Distribution Companies), affecting their ability to support solar power procurement.
India remains heavily dependent on solar module imports, with nearly 80% sourced from China.
Additional challenges include policy and regulatory uncertainty, a shortage of skilled manpower, and limited domestic manufacturing capacity.
Key Government Initiatives Supporting Solar Development
A Training Program on Solar Cell and Module Manufacturing has been launched at NISE, Gurugram.
This program aims to build technical capacity and develop a skilled workforce for the solar manufacturing sector.
The Solar Didi Vision initiative is training women as leaders and ambassadors of a sustainable and solar-powered future.
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a national rooftop solar initiative to expand solar adoption in households.
This scheme aims to provide up to 300 units of free electricity per month to 1 crore households across India.
Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission (TN-SHORE) |
TN-SHORE is a coastal restoration initiative launched by Tamil Nadu in September 2025.
It is an ambitious ₹1,675-crore project, designed to enhance the state’s coastal economy and climate resilience.
The project is largely funded by the World Bank, reflecting strong international collaboration.
A core component of TN-SHORE is the restoration and plantation of 1,000 hectares of mangroves.
World Bank funds will be routed directly to village mangrove councils, which are community-based institutions involving local residents.
This community-driven approach ensures local participation, ownership, and long-term sustainability.
In addition to mangrove restoration, the project aims to restore 30,000 hectares of seascapes, which are marine and coastal ecosystems.
The initiative also focuses on safeguarding endangered marine species such as dugongs (marine herbivores) and sea turtles.
Mangroves – Ecological Importance ("Provide for Nature")
Mangroves are salt-tolerant plant communities found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions.
These ecosystems typically thrive in high rainfall areas (1,000–3,000 mm) with temperatures between 26°C to 35°C.
Mangroves provide critical habitat across tropical coastlines in over 100 countries.
They act as natural nurseries for fish, crabs, and various marine wildlife.
Mangroves help filter sediments, thereby protecting sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs.
They also serve as habitats for birds, bees, snakes, and other terrestrial fauna.
Mangroves – Social and Economic Significance ("Provide for People")
Mangrove forests play a crucial role in shielding coastal communities from extreme weather events.
They act as natural barriers, reducing damage from storm surges, cyclones, and flooding.
Mangroves help prevent coastal erosion and contribute to stabilizing shorelines.
These forests support local livelihoods through fisheries, eco-tourism, traditional medicine, and handicrafts.
In Navghar, Maharashtra, a government-led mangrove restoration program enabled women to gain stable, year-round income through sustainable mud crab farming.
This highlights mangroves’ role in promoting inclusive and gender-sensitive livelihood opportunities.
Mangroves and Climate Action
Mangroves are often called “Nature’s Carbon Vault” due to their extraordinary carbon storage capacity.
They can store 7.5 to 10 times more carbon per acre than typical tropical forests.
This makes mangroves a critical nature-based solution for climate change mitigation.
Mangroves in India – National Data
According to the India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR-2023), India’s total mangrove cover is 4,991.68 sq. km.
Between 2001 and 2023, India achieved an 11.4% net increase in its mangrove cover.
West Bengal has the largest share (42.45%) of India’s mangroves, primarily due to the Sundarbans.
Gujarat holds the second-largest share (23.32%), followed by other coastal states.
Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) – India’s Defence Manufacturing Milestone |
The Defence Minister of India recently inaugurated the country’s first overseas defence manufacturing plant.
This facility is located in Morocco, marking a significant step in India's global defence production footprint.
The plant will produce the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8, an indigenously developed combat vehicle.
WhAP 8x8 has been jointly designed by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Key Features of Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP)
WhAP is India’s first amphibious infantry combat vehicle with a wheeled 8x8 configuration.
Amphibious means it can operate both on land and in water, enhancing its tactical mobility across diverse terrains.
The platform is engineered for optimised survivability, protecting personnel against small arms fire and mine blasts.
It offers superior all-terrain performance, enabling mobility across rough, off-road, and water-logged conditions.
WhAP is built for increased lethality, capable of integrating various weapon systems depending on mission requirements.
Critical Technologies Integrated in WhAP
It features an integrated power pack with an automatic transmission system, enabling smooth power delivery and operational efficiency.
The vehicle incorporates floatation capabilities, allowing it to remain buoyant and stable during amphibious operations.
Propulsion systems are embedded to enable effective movement in water, making it suitable for riverine and coastal operations.
OECD Economic Outlook Report – India’s Economic Performance and Global Trends |
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released its latest Economic Outlook Report.
The Economic Outlook is a biannual publication that analyses both global and national economic trends.
It provides comprehensive insights on GDP, inflation, employment, trade, and investment across member and non-member economies.
The report also highlights key economic risks, including inflationary pressures, financial instability, and geopolitical tensions.
India’s Economic Forecast – 2025 Outlook
The OECD has upgraded India’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 to 6.7%, reflecting stronger economic momentum.
This marks an improvement in India’s economic outlook compared to previous projections.
The OECD has also moderated India’s inflation projection to 2.9% for the same year.
This downward revision suggests an expectation of price stability and effective monetary management.
The forecast reflects confidence in India’s domestic demand, investment climate, and macroeconomic stability.
Oju Hydroelectric Project |
An Expert Appraisal Committee has recently approved the 2,200 MW Oju Hydroelectric Project.
The project is located on the Subansiri River, near the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh.
With a planned capacity of 2,200 megawatts (MW), it will be one of India’s largest hydropower initiatives in the strategic northeastern region.
The project holds both strategic and economic significance, especially given its proximity to an international boundary.
Subansiri River – Origin, Course, and Importance
The Subansiri River originates in Tibet, making it an international river with cross-border implications.
It is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra River, contributing significantly to the eastern Himalayan river system.
The Subansiri is classified as a trans-Himalayan antecedent river, meaning it predates the Himalayan uplift and has maintained its course through the rising mountains.
After entering India through Arunachal Pradesh, it flows westward into Assam and finally joins the Brahmaputra River.
The river is locally known as the “Gold River” due to the presence of gold dust particles in its waters.
The Subansiri River supports hydropower generation, agriculture, and fisheries, making it vital for regional livelihoods.
The river basin lies in a strategically sensitive border zone, adding to its geopolitical importance.
It is also part of a biodiversity hotspot, contributing to the ecological richness of Northeast India.
Tylenol and WHO’s Statement on Autism Link |
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a clarification regarding prenatal use of paracetamol (commonly sold as Tylenol in the US).
WHO stated that the evidence linking prenatal paracetamol use to autism in children is inconsistent.
This means there is no conclusive scientific proof currently establishing a direct causal relationship.
About Tylenol (Paracetamol / Acetaminophen)
Tylenol is the brand name of the drug acetaminophen, which is known internationally as paracetamol.
It is a widely used over-the-counter (OTC) medication, meaning it can be purchased without a prescription.
Tylenol is primarily used to relieve mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, muscle aches, and arthritis.
It is also commonly used to reduce fever and manage symptoms of colds and flu.
About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child’s brain develops and functions.
It primarily impacts a child's social behaviour, communication skills, and ability to interact with others.
Autism is often identified in early childhood and presents a spectrum of symptoms, which can vary from mild to severe.
Nightmare Bacteria – Rising Cases and Overview |
Cases of nightmare bacteria are increasing in the USA, raising serious public health concerns.
Nightmare bacteria are strains that are resistant to all available antibiotic treatments, making infections extremely difficult to cure.
Characteristics of Nightmare Bacteria
These bacteria can transfer their antibiotic resistance genes to other germs, spreading the problem of drug resistance.
When bacteria no longer respond to antibiotics, it results in infections that are extremely hard to treat and control.
Examples of Nightmare Bacteria
Examples include Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), a type of bacteria resistant to vancomycin, a powerful antibiotic.
Another example is Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus causing serious infections.
Also, Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are bacteria resistant to carbapenem antibiotics, often used as a last resort.
DRAVYA Portal |
The DRAVYA Portal (Digitized Retrieval Application for Versatile Yardstick of AYUSH Substances) was launched on National Ayurveda Day, September 23, 2025.
This portal is an initiative by the Ministry of Ayush, which focuses on traditional Indian systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
Purpose and Features of DRAVYA Portal
DRAVYA serves as the largest digital collection of data on Ayurvedic ingredients and products, making this information accessible to everyone.
It is a continuously growing and evolving database that integrates information from classical Ayurveda textbooks, which are traditional medicinal texts.
Additionally, the portal includes data from contemporary scientific literature and field studies, blending traditional knowledge with modern research.
Super Typhoon Ragasa and Tropical Cyclones Overview |
The Philippines was recently affected by Super Typhoon Ragasa, causing significant weather impact.
A Super Typhoon is a type of tropical cyclone with maximum wind speeds exceeding 185 kilometers per hour (kph), or more than 100 knots.
About Tropical Cyclones
Tropical cyclones are warm-core low-pressure systems characterized by spiral inflow at the lower levels and spiral outflow at the upper levels of the atmosphere.
These cyclones always form over oceans where the sea surface temperature is above 26°C, providing the necessary heat energy for development.
They generally develop at latitudes greater than 5° from the equator, where the Coriolis force helps initiate their rotation.
Regional Terminology for Tropical Cyclones
The term Hurricane is used for tropical cyclones occurring in the North Atlantic, Eastern North Pacific, and South Pacific Oceans.
In the Indian Ocean, these storms are referred to as Cyclones.
The term Typhoon is used in the Western North Pacific Ocean, where the Philippines is located.
In the eastern part of the Southern Indian Ocean, tropical cyclones are locally called Willy-willy.
Barren Island Volcano |
A fresh eruption has been recently reported at the Barren Island Volcano, located in the Andaman Islands.
Barren Island is situated in the Andaman Sea, within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory of India.
It lies approximately 138 km northeast of Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
It holds the distinction of being India’s only active volcano, making it geologically significant.
Geological Characteristics and Classification
Barren Island is classified as a stratovolcano, which is a type of volcano characterized by explosive eruptions and layered lava deposits.
It is part of the Andaman volcanic arc, a chain of volcanoes formed due to the subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Burmese Plate.
As a stratovolcano, it poses unique challenges and opportunities for volcanic hazard monitoring and disaster preparedness.
Strategic and Scientific Significance
Barren Island plays an important role in geological and volcanic research, helping scientists study active volcanic processes.
It is crucial for monitoring potential volcanic hazards, especially due to its proximity to populated areas like Port Blair.
The volcano has a notable ecological impact, influencing the surrounding marine and island ecosystems.
Due to its location in the Bay of Bengal's strategic maritime route, it also holds naval and geopolitical significance for India.
Peru – Recent Earthquake |
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake recently struck the coast of southern Peru, indicating seismic activity in the region.
Peru is located on the western side of South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Political Features of Peru
Peru shares land borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north.
To the east, Peru is bordered by Brazil, while Bolivia lies to its southeast.
The southern border is shared with Chile.
Peru’s maritime boundary extends into the Pacific Ocean on its western side.
Geographical Features of Peru
Nearly half of Peru is covered by the Selva, part of the world’s largest rainforest—the Amazon rainforest.
The Andes Mountains, the world’s second highest mountain range, run through Peru.
Within the Andes, Mt. Huascarán stands as the highest peak in Peru.
Peru shares Lake Titicaca with Bolivia, which is the world’s highest navigable lake, meaning it is the highest lake where boats can operate.
The Marañón River, the main source of the Amazon River, originates in Peru, contributing to the vast Amazon basin.
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