Daily Current Affairs - 27th August 2025

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In today’s Daily Current Affairs – 27th August 2025, The US has imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, threatening export competitiveness amid defence talks. The MoSPI Education Survey reveals majority enrolment in government schools, while NITI Aayog’s Voluntary National Review 2025 highlights India’s rapid progress on SDGs — from poverty reduction to gender equality and clean energy adoption.

On the technology and economy front, the Prime Minister launched the e-VITARA BEV in Gujarat, marking India’s green mobility push, even as a report warns India needs $50 billion in Energy Storage Systems (ESS) by 2032 to meet its clean energy goals. India also forms a National Designated Authority for carbon trading under the Paris Agreement and hosts 3GPP 6G standardization meetings, signalling leadership in telecom standards.

The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri under Project 17A, discovery of a quadruple star system with cold brown dwarfs and CCMB’s Programmed Cell Revival (PCR) with implications for regenerative medicine. Finally, we remember Kuttimathan Kani, the tribal elder who revealed the medicinal plant Arogyapacha, a cornerstone of ethical bioprospecting.

Together, these updates provide not only factual insights but also analytical linkages for UPSC Prelims, Mains, Essays, and Ethics case studies.

Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).

US Imposes Additional 25% Tariff on Indian Imports Amid Defence Talks, Threatening Export Competitiveness

1. A 25% additional tariff on Indian imports by the USA has come into effect, adding to the existing 25% tariff imposed earlier.

2. Together, these tariffs affect nearly two-thirds of India’s export value to the USA.

3. This tariff imposition coincides with the ongoing India-USA 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue, involving the Ministries of External Affairs and Defence of both countries.

4. During this dialogue, India and the USA agreed to increase defence cooperation, including signing a new ten-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership.

5. The impact of these high tariffs on India’s exports is significant, with the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) estimating exports to the US could fall to $49.6 billion in 2025-26, down from nearly $87 billion in 2024-25.

6. The most affected industries are typically low-margin and labour-intensive sectors, such as gems and jewellery, textiles and apparel, shrimp, and auto components.

7. These tariffs will lead to a loss of competitiveness for Indian products, making them more expensive and less competitive compared to exports from countries with lower duties like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Mexico.

8. The tariffs may also result in a decline in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in export-oriented sectors.

9. Additionally, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) might cause increased volatility in India’s equity and debt markets due to market uncertainties.

10. As a way forward, it is recommended to reinstate the Interest Equalisation Scheme, which provides Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with low-cost export credit during times of high interest rates.

11. Targeted credit lines should be introduced for critical sectors such as shrimp, apparel, jewellery, handicrafts, and other high-impact industries.

12. Export incentive schemes like Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (ROSCTL) should be enhanced to support liquidity and accelerate market diversification.

13. Sector-specific trade missions should be promoted to boost exports in affected industries.

14. Simplifying regulatory processes and rationalising duties on critical raw materials such as cotton, leather, and gem inputs will also help mitigate the impact.

MoSPI’s 2025 Survey Reveals Govt Schools Enroll Majority of Students; Private Coaching More Common in Urban Areas

1. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education (CMS:E), 2025, which was conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), MoSPI, as part of the 80th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS).

2. The CMS:E primarily collected expenditure-related information incurred by households with students enrolled in school education.

3. The survey found that government schools play a pivotal role in education, accounting for 55.9% of total student enrolments across India.

4. This share is notably higher in rural areas (66%) compared to urban areas (30.1%).

5. Regarding expenditure, the average spending per student on school education was estimated at ₹8,382 in rural India and ₹23,470 in urban India, covering all levels of enrolment and types of schools.

6. The survey also revealed that nearly 27% of all students were taking or had taken private coaching during the current academic year.

7. This trend of private coaching was more common in urban areas (30.7%) than in rural areas (25.5%).

8. In terms of funding, about 95% of students’ educational expenses were financed by other household members.

9. Only 1.2% of students reported government scholarships as their first major source of funding for school education.

10. The National Sample Survey (NSS), conducted by NSO under MoSPI, is responsible for large-scale sample surveys across India in diverse fields.

11. Some of the major NSS surveys include the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), and Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES).

NITI Aayog Releases Voluntary National Review 2025 Highlighting India’s SDG Progress

1. NITI Aayog released the “Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report 2025”, assessing India’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

   • The VNR process is a voluntary mechanism through which countries evaluate and present their progress in achieving the SDGs, a global agenda adopted by the United Nations.

2. India’s 2025 VNR marks its third submission, building on earlier reports submitted in 2017 and 2020.

3. The report highlights India’s whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to SDG implementation, involving all government levels and active participation from civil society.

4. India follows a model of cooperative and competitive federalism, where states collaborate and compete to improve outcomes, exemplified by tools like the SDG India Index.

5. The SDG Localization Model focuses on engaging districts, blocks, and villages to adopt and implement the SDG framework at the grassroots level.

6. India leverages innovation and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including platforms like Aadhaar (unique ID system) and Unified Payments Interface (UPI), to enable seamless access to essential services.

7. In terms of achievements, under SDG 1 (No Poverty), extreme poverty in India fell sharply from 16.2% in 2011-12 to just 2.3% in 2022-23, lifting 171 million people out of poverty.

8. For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), food grain production increased from 204.6 million tonnes in 2004-05 to an estimated 332.3 million tonnes in 2023-24.

9. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality), women now hold over 45% of elected seats in deliberative local government bodies, highlighting increased political participation.

   • Additionally, the prevalence of child marriage among women aged 20-24 has declined significantly, from approximately 47% in 2005-06 to 23.3% in 2019-21.

10. For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) dramatically increased the supply of tap water to rural households from 17% in 2019 to over 80% currently.

11. In SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), the share of non-fossil fuel sources in India’s installed electricity generation capacity has reached 47.37%, indicating a cleaner energy mix.

12. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), India’s ranking on the Global Innovation Index improved from 48th in 2020 to 39th in 2024, reflecting enhanced innovation capabilities.

PM Launches Green Mobility Drive in Gujarat, Flags Off India-Made “e VITARA” Electric Vehicle

1. The Prime Minister inaugurated green mobility initiatives in Hansalpur, Gujarat, marking a significant step towards sustainable transportation.

2. He also flagged off the “e VITARA”, Suzuki’s first Made-in-India global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), which is planned for export to over 100 countries.

3. Alongside, the PM inaugurated the local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant in Gujarat.

4. This local production will ensure that over 80% of the battery’s value is now manufactured within India, boosting domestic manufacturing.

5. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) run entirely on an electric drivetrain powered by batteries, which are charged by plugging into the electricity grid.

6. The main components of a BEV include the electric motor, inverter, battery, control module, and drive train.

7. The working principle of BEVs involves converting DC (direct current) power from the battery to AC (alternating current) to drive the electric motor.

8. Despite the advantages, BEVs face several challenges such as limited driving range and inadequate charging infrastructure.

9. The high upfront cost of BEVs remains a hurdle, with batteries accounting for nearly 40% of the total vehicle cost.

10. There is also a lack of adequate awareness about BEV performance among both public and private stakeholders.

11. Environmental concerns exist around battery waste management, including issues of reuse and recycling.

12. The increased demand for EV charging can put stress on existing electrical grids, requiring upgrades and management.

13. To address these issues, financial solutions like decoupling battery cost from vehicle cost through battery leasing are being considered.

14. Additionally, designing a blended fund to lower capital costs for electric trucks and buses is suggested to boost adoption.

15. Scaling up R&D on new battery technologies is crucial to achieve lower costs, higher energy density, and reduce dependence on imported rare earth minerals.

16. A strategic scaling of charging infrastructure is needed, based on thorough assessments of location viability.

17. India’s key green mobility initiatives include the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020, aimed at accelerating EV adoption and production.

18. The government also supports the sector through Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for the automobile and auto component industry and the Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage.

19. The India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI), developed by NITI Aayog, tracks and compares the progress of states and union territories in electric mobility adoption.

India Needs $50 Billion Investment in Energy Storage Systems by 2032 to Meet Clean Energy Goals

1. A recent report by the India Energy & Climate Centre states that India requires $50 billion in new investment for Energy Storage Systems (ESS) by 2032.

2. This investment is critical to scaling up energy storage to meet India’s clean energy goals, including the installation of at least 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power generation capacity by 2030.

3. According to the report, India will need 61 GW of energy storage by 2030 and 97 GW by 2032 to effectively support this clean energy capacity.

4. This represents a massive increase from today’s 6 GW of energy storage, which is mostly in the form of pumped hydro storage.

5. Due to significant cost reductions, battery storage is expected to dominate the energy storage mix in the coming decade.

   • Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are technologies that store energy produced from renewable sources and make it available during periods of high demand, such as peak hours.

6. ESS technologies are broadly classified into several types, starting with Mechanical Storage, such as Pumped Hydro Storage which stores energy as the potential energy of water, and Compressed Air Energy Storage, which stores energy by compressing air.

7. Another type is Electrochemical Storage, commonly known as batteries, which include Lead Acid Batteries, Lithium-ion Batteries (LIB), High Temperature Sodium Batteries, Zinc-based Batteries, and Flow Batteries.

8. Thermal Energy Storage uses materials like molten salt, hot or chilled water, and ice to store excess heat or cold for later use.

9. Electrical Storage includes technologies like supercapacitors and Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) systems, which deliver high power in short bursts.

10. Chemical Storage involves producing hydrogen through electrolysis, which can be converted back to electricity using fuel cells.

11. The significance of ESS in India lies in its ability to enable a higher penetration of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE), such as solar and wind, into the power grid.

12. ESS also supports the increased adoption of electric mobility and helps maintain grid stability and power quality.

13. To accelerate ESS deployment, the report recommends adding storage to existing renewable energy projects to maximize grid efficiency and address regulatory challenges.

14. It also suggests making co-located energy storage mandatory for all new renewable energy projects.

15. Expanding the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme is proposed, extending support for standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and combined solar-plus-storage projects.

16. The report stresses promoting domestic manufacturing and supply chains, including expanding schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program focused on advanced chemistry cells (ACC) and R&D.

17. Additionally, it calls for strategic investments to secure key supply chains, such as establishing strategic lithium or rare earth reserves through partnerships with other countries.

India Forms National Designated Authority to Implement Carbon Trading Under Paris Agreement

1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has announced the formation of a National Designated Authority (NDA) for India.

2. The NDA (also called DNA – Designated National Authority) is a mandatory institution required to implement a carbon emissions trading regime under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement (2015).

3. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement outlines how countries can pursue voluntary cooperation to meet their climate targets through mechanisms like International Compliance Carbon Markets.

4. Specifically, Article 6.4, also known as the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM), allows countries to transfer carbon credits earned by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to help others meet their climate goals.

   • A Designated National Authority (DNA) is an organization authorized by a country’s government to approve and oversee participation in projects under Article 6.4.

5. India has identified a list of eligible activities/projects under Article 6.4, including greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation efforts like renewable energy and green hydrogen.

6. The list also includes alternate material production, such as green ammonia, and removal activities like Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS).

7. The NDA committee consists of 21 members and is headed by the Secretary of the Environment Ministry.

8. The key functions of the NDA include recommending eligible projects for emission reduction trading and authorizing projects under Article 6.4.

   • Carbon markets are trading systems where carbon credits are bought and sold.

9. One carbon credit equals one tonne of CO₂ or equivalent greenhouse gas emissions that have been reduced, sequestered, or avoided.

10. Companies and individuals use carbon markets to offset their own GHG emissions by purchasing credits from entities that reduce or remove emissions.

11. The establishment of the NDA is a crucial step for India to actively participate in international carbon markets and fulfill its climate commitments.

India Hosts First-Ever 3GPP RAN Meetings on 6G Standardization, Highlighting Its Telecom Leadership

1. India recently hosted the first-ever 3GPP RAN Meetings focused on 6G standardization.

2. These meetings were organized by the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI).

   • TSDSI is a recognized Standards Development Organization (SDO) of India responsible for telecom standards.

3. TSDSI develops standards for access networks, backhaul networks, and infrastructure systems tailored to meet India-specific Telecom and ICT needs.

4. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) was established in 1998 with the primary goal to develop standards for 3G mobile communications.

5. Over time, 3GPP evolved into a global body responsible for creating specifications for advanced mobile technologies, including 5G and upcoming 6G.

6. The technical specifications developed by 3GPP form the foundation of global mobile networks, ensuring interoperability and innovation.

7. India’s hosting of the 3GPP meetings highlights its growing role in shaping next-generation telecom standards on the global stage.

INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri: New Multi-Mission Stealth Frigates Boost Indian Navy

1. Two multi-mission stealth frigates of Project 17A — INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri — were recently commissioned into the Indian Navy.

   • Frigates are versatile naval warships designed to protect other ships in the fleet from various sea-based threats.

2. Project 17A frigates are the follow-on class to the earlier Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates.

3. A total of seven Project 17A frigates are being indigenously built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (Mumbai) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE, Kolkata).

4. These frigates use a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, which includes both a diesel engine for efficient cruising and a gas turbine for high-speed operations.

5. The weapon systems on Project 17A frigates include a supersonic Surface-to-Surface missile system for attacking ships.

6. They are also equipped with a Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system for defending against airborne threats.

7. Additionally, the frigates carry rapid-fire gun systems for close-range defense and multi-purpose use.

8. The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri enhances the Indian Navy’s capabilities in multi-mission warfare and fleet protection.

FIDE World Cup 2025 to be Hosted in Goa, India

1. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced that the FIDE World Cup 2025 will be hosted in Goa, India.

2. The FIDE World Cup is a major international chess tournament organized by FIDE, the global governing body of chess.

   • FIDE was originally established as a non-governmental organization in Paris in 1924.

   • Today, FIDE’s headquarters are located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

3. The top three finishers in the FIDE World Cup qualify for the prestigious 2026 Candidates Tournament.

4. The Candidates Tournament determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship, making the World Cup a crucial stepping stone for elite players.

Discovery of Rare Quadruple Star System with Cold Brown Dwarfs Sheds Light on Stellar Formation

1. Scientists have recently discovered a rare quadruple star system named UPM J1040−3551 AabBab in the Milky Way galaxy.

2. This unique system consists of a pair of cold brown dwarfs orbiting around a pair of young red dwarf stars.

3. The discovery provides important insights into star formation and multi-star system dynamics in our galaxy.

   • Brown dwarfs are a class of celestial objects that form like stars, originating from collapsing clouds of gas and dust.

4. However, unlike stars, they do not have sufficient mass to sustain hydrogen fusion, the nuclear process that powers stars like the Sun.

5. Because of this limitation, brown dwarfs are often called “failed stars”.

6. Despite lacking fusion, they still emit some heat and light, especially in infrared wavelengths.

7. The atmosphere of brown dwarfs closely resembles that of gas giant planets, such as Jupiter.

   • The key difference between brown dwarfs and planets lies in their mass and the presence of deuterium (a heavy isotope of hydrogen) in brown dwarfs.

   • Deuterium fusion can occur in brown dwarfs for a short period, but not in planets.

8. The recent discovery of cold brown dwarfs in a quadruple star system adds a new dimension to our understanding of sub-stellar objects and stellar multiplicity.

CCMB Discovers Programmed Cell Revival, Opening New Frontiers in Regenerative Medicine

1. The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has made a seminal breakthrough by discovering a process called Programmed Cell Revival (PCR).

2. This discovery offers new hope in the field of regenerative medicine, particularly in restoring cells that are on the verge of death.

3. Under normal biological processes, cells undergo Programmed Cell Death (PCD), which is typically considered irreversible.

   • Programmed Cell Death (PCD) is a genetically regulated process through which cells self-destruct in a controlled manner.

4. Common forms of PCD include Apoptosis (controlled cell suicide), Autophagy (self-digestion of cell components), and Necroptosis (inflammatory programmed cell death).

5. CCMB researchers have now identified a genetically encoded “revival code” that can reverse PCD under certain conditions.

6. This ability of near-dead cells to recover is termed Programmed Cell Revival (PCR).

7. The discovery of PCR opens up new possibilities in regenerative medicine, which focuses on repairing or regrowing damaged tissues and organs.

8. PCR may help stimulate survival in injured neurons or cardiac cells, which would otherwise undergo irreversible death.

9. The findings are also significant for cancer research, as unwanted revival of dying tumor cells could potentially explain therapy resistance.

10. Moreover, this mechanism holds promise in the field of stem cell biology, where controlling cell fate is crucial.

11. CCMB’s research on Programmed Cell Revival provides a new paradigm in understanding how life and death decisions in cells may be manipulated.

Kuttimathan Kani, Key Knowledge Holder Behind Arogyapacha's Medicinal Use, Passes Away

1. Kuttimathan Kani, the forest elder from Kerala who revealed the medicinal value of Arogyapacha, has recently passed away.

   • He belonged to the Kani tribe, an indigenous tribal community residing in the Agastya hills of the Western Ghats in Kerala.

2. Arogyapacha, meaning "the green that gives strength", is a rare medicinal plant native to the Western Ghats region of India.

3. The plant has long been used by the Kani tribes for its instant energy-boosting and anti-fatigue properties.

4. It is known to possess multiple medicinal qualities such as anti-oxidant, anti-stress, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, and anti-diabetic effects.

5. These properties make Arogyapacha highly valuable for traditional medicine and modern herbal drug development.

6. Recognizing its therapeutic potential, the Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala developed a herbal formulation named ‘Jeevani’.

   • Jeevani is a scientifically validated herbal drug made using Arogyapacha along with three other herbal ingredients.

   • The drug is used for enhancing stamina, boosting immunity, and reducing fatigue.

7. In a landmark move, TBGRI implemented a benefit-sharing model ensuring the Kani tribe receives 50% of the commercial returns from the sale of Jeevani.

8. This is considered a successful example of ethical bioprospecting, where traditional knowledge holders are rightfully compensated.

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