Daily Current Affairs - 8th September 2025

Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This compact roundup for 8 September 2025 brings you exam-ready current affairs with GS linkages, Prelims facts, and MCQ cues. Themes span Economy, IR & Trade, Internal Security, Science & Tech, Environment/Disaster Management, Polity–Judiciary, and Governance—helping you revise faster and write sharper answers.

In today’s edition, track the GST Reform 2025 (two-tier rates, sin-goods slab, social protection via insurance/essential medicines) and its compliance–revenue trade-offs. Note India’s stance on WTO at the SCO meet (PSH/MSP, S&DT, dispute settlement freeze). Build Disaster-Management notes on urban flooding & heat and climate-resilient cities. Decode the debate on Theatreisation (unified commands vs service concerns). Strengthen maritime & critical-infra prep with Underwater Domain Awareness amid Red Sea cable attacks. Revisit astronomy basics via a Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon). Follow agri-economy signals from the Assam tea stress. Update energy geopolitics with OPEC+ output moves. Add DPI/FinTech essentials as Account Aggregators cross 112 million users. Capture frontier S&T with protein language models (drug discovery). Weigh the limits of Carbon Capture & Storage. Note the Supreme Court’s view on Witness Protection vs bail violations. And refresh India–Sri Lanka maritime geography with Katchatheevu back in focus.

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GST Reform 2025: Simplified Rates, Social Benefits, and Challenges Ahead

1. The GST Reform 2025 is set to be implemented from 22nd September, building on the success of the existing Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.

2. The reform introduces a simplified two-tier GST structure with rates of 5% and 18%, aimed at fairer taxation and easier digital filing.

3. Additionally, a new 40% tax rate has been introduced for luxury and sin goods such as pan masala and cigarettes.

4. One significant benefit is social protection, achieved through the exemption of GST on insurance and essential medicines, which strengthens household security and improves access to healthcare.

5. The reforms are expected to lower prices, thus increasing household savings and stimulating consumer demand.

6. They also support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by reducing tax rates on inputs like cement, auto parts, and handicrafts, thereby lowering costs and enhancing competitiveness.

7. The introduction of a two-rate structure simplifies compliance, leading to fewer disputes, quicker decisions, and an overall ease of living for taxpayers.

8. The simpler rate system is expected to encourage higher compliance, which would expand the tax base and improve government revenues.

9. However, the reform faces key challenges, including a potential revenue loss of approximately ₹48,000 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24, as estimated by the Finance Ministry.

10. Another concern is the removal of Input Tax Credit (ITC) on goods such as healthcare products and insurance, which may cause cascading taxes — a situation where tax is paid on tax.

11. There is also a lack of clarity regarding the revival of the National Anti-profiteering Authority, which was initially set up for two years to ensure businesses pass on GST rate cut benefits to consumers, and whose extension depends on the GST Council.

India Reaffirms Support for WTO Amid Global Trade Challenges at SCO Meeting

1. India reaffirmed its commitment to an open, fair, inclusive, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core during the SCO Trade Ministers’ meeting.

   • The WTO, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, was established in 1995 following the Marrakesh Agreement.

   • It is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), aiming to regulate international trade.

   • The WTO currently has 166 members, with India being a member since 1995.

   • The core principles of the WTO include trade without discrimination, freer trade through negotiation, and the promotion of fair competition.

2. Despite its goals, the WTO faces several challenges and issues.

3. One key issue is Public Stockholding (PSH), where government purchases from farmers at fixed prices (such as India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime) are viewed as trade-distorting.

4. Another issue is Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT), which grants developing and least developed countries special rights and more favorable treatment by other members.

5. However, developed nations advocate for phasing out these special provisions, causing tensions.

6. The WTO’s Dispute Settlement System has been weakened since the Appellate Body (AB) ceased functioning in 2019, due to the USA blocking appointments and reappointments.

7. This disruption has affected the resolution of trade disputes between countries.

8. The WTO also grapples with geopolitical shifts, such as USA tariff policies and the Russia-Ukraine war, which impact global trade dynamics.

9. Additional contemporary challenges include data privacy, cross-border data flows, taxation of digital services, climate change policies, and the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Punjab Floods Highlight Urgent Need for Climate-Resilient Urban India

1. Recent heavy monsoon rains and river overflows have caused severe urban flooding in cities of Punjab.

2. India’s urban population is projected to nearly double from 480 million in 2020 to around 951 million by 2050.

3. This rapid growth underscores the urgent need to build climate-resilient cities across India.

4. One major challenge is flooding, which by 2070 may affect two-thirds of urban residents, resulting in estimated losses of $30 billion.

5. Solutions to flooding include developing stronger drainage systems, adopting nature-based solutions, and implementing flood warning systems, such as Kolkata’s city-based flood forecasting model.

6. Another challenge is extreme heat caused by urban heat islands, which can raise city temperatures by 3 to 5°C, negatively impacting health and productivity.

7. To combat heat, cities can implement heat action plans and increase urban greenery, exemplified by Ahmedabad’s heat action plan.

8. Transportation infrastructure is also vulnerable; flooding of just 10-20% of roads can cripple over 50% of transport networks.

9. Addressing this requires risk mapping, improved drainage, and developing resilient and green public transport systems, such as the Delhi Metro.

10. Municipal services, including waste management and energy recovery systems, need significant modernization.

11. Effective solutions involve modernizing waste systems, expanding waste-to-energy initiatives, and improving overall environmental quality, as seen in Indore’s waste management model.

12. Lastly, governance and finance pose challenges due to weak institutional capacity and limited private investment.

13. Strengthening institutions, ensuring citizen participation, and expanding private sector financing are essential to overcome these barriers.

Ran Samwad 2025 Debates India’s Theatreisation Plan: Balancing Unified Command with Service Concerns

1. At Ran Samwad 2025, differing opinions emerged on India’s proposed Theatreisation Plan for its armed forces.

   • Theatreisation refers to integrating the Army, Navy, and Air Force resources into specific geographical commands under a single unified command structure.

2. This plan represents India’s biggest military restructuring since Independence, moving away from the current system of 17 service-specific commands.

3. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), is mandated to establish these joint or theatre commands.

4. The significance of theatreisation lies in its potential to streamline forces, reduce duplication, and cut expenditure.

5. It aims to create unity of command, enabling faster decision-making and optimal use of resources.

6. Furthermore, theatreisation promotes coordinated military operations, enhancing jointness and operational efficiency during conflicts.

7. However, the plan faces several challenges.

   • The Indian Air Force (IAF) has expressed reservations, fearing that the division of scarce combat assets may compromise its core doctrine and operational flexibility.

   • There is caution against "blindly following" foreign models like that of the United States, stressing the need for an India-specific solution tailored to unique threats.

   • The dismantling of existing command structures raises concerns about potential disruptions to combat readiness during the transition.

   • Another challenge is the question of domain knowledge and command, especially whether a theatre commander from one service can effectively command and understand the intricacies of other services’ assets, particularly air power.

8. Additionally, there is skepticism regarding the cost and industrial base, with doubts about the huge expenditure and the lack of a robust domestic military-industrial complex to support such reforms.

Undersea Cable Attacks in the Red Sea Spotlight India’s Push for Stronger Underwater Domain Awareness

1. Recent attacks on undersea cables in the Red Sea caused significant internet outages in parts of the Middle East and Asia, including India.

2. These incidents highlighted the importance of India’s Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA).

   • UDA refers to a nation’s ability to monitor, detect, and assess activities beneath the surface of water bodies such as oceans and seas.

3. India’s need for UDA is driven by concerns over national security and regional stability, including threats like China’s Underwater Great Wall project.

4. A critical focus of UDA is to protect vital infrastructure, such as submarine communication cables that carry over 95% of global internet traffic.

5. These cables are fibre-optic cables, which transmit data as pulses of light through glass or plastic fibers, using the principle of total internal reflection.

6. India faces several challenges in developing UDA capabilities, including technological gaps.

   • For example, the Development of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) is still in early stages in India.

7. The DRDO’s phosphoric acid fuel cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for submarines is less advanced than lithium-ion fuel cell-powered AIP systems.

8. Similarly, Bharat Electronics Limited’s Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), designed for bathymetric surveys, has a limited 30-kilogram payload capacity.

9. These limitations contribute to India’s import dependency for critical underwater equipment.

10. Financial constraints also pose a problem, as lack of long-term support for startups hampers prototype development.

11. Operational challenges arise from India’s vast coastline, threats of Chinese submarine incursions, seasonal monsoons, and fragmented inter-agency coordination.

12. In response, India has initiated indigenous development of UUVs like MAYA, AMOGH, and ADAMYA, enhancing naval surveillance capabilities.

13. The Matsya 6000, a manned submersible, is under development as part of the Samudrayaan project.

14. Infrastructure efforts include deploying the Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) in Port Blair.

15. India is also strengthening international partnerships, such as cooperation with the United States to co-develop autonomous undersea technologies.

16. This partnership includes equipping MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones with sonobuoys to enhance underwater monitoring.

Global Spectacle: Blood Moon Shines Bright During Total Lunar Eclipse

1. A total lunar eclipse that caused the Moon to appear blood red was recently witnessed across the globe.

   • An eclipse occurs when a planet or moon blocks the Sun’s light from reaching another celestial body.

   • A lunar eclipse specifically happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in such a way that the Moon passes into the Earth’s shadow.

2. During a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon moves into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra.

3. The umbra is the central, darkest region of a shadow where the light source is completely blocked.

4. When the Moon is inside the umbra, it takes on a reddish hue, which is why such eclipses are often called Blood Moons.

5. This red color results from sunlight being scattered and refracted by Earth’s atmosphere, allowing only red wavelengths to reach the Moon.

Assam Tea Industry in Crisis: Rising Imports Threaten a Legacy Crop

1. The Assam Tea Industry is currently facing a crisis due to increased imports impacting domestic demand.

2. Tea, as a crop, requires specific temperature conditions between 18°C and 30°C for optimal growth.

3. Extreme temperatures outside this range can negatively affect tea plant growth and yield.

4. Adequate rainfall between 1200 mm and 2500 mm during the growing season is essential for healthy tea cultivation.

5. Tea plants also thrive in high humidity levels, typically above 70% humidity.

6. The ideal soil for tea cultivation is well-drained, acidic soil that is rich in organic matter.

7. Such soils should also have a good water-holding capacity to support the plant's water needs.

8. In India, the major tea-growing regions include Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh.

OPEC+ Agrees to Boost Oil Output Amid Global Energy Shifts

1. Recently, OPEC+ agreed to accelerate oil output to meet rising global demand.

2. OPEC+ is a group formed when OPEC signed an agreement with 10 other oil-producing countries outside OPEC.

3. This expanded group is collectively referred to as OPEC+.

4. Together, OPEC and OPEC+ countries produce about 59% of the world’s oil.

5. The United States, which is the largest oil producer globally, is not a member of OPEC+.

6. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) itself was formed in 1960.

   • OPEC is an intergovernmental organization of oil-exporting nations that coordinates petroleum policies to stabilize oil markets.

India’s Account Aggregator Network Hits 112 Million Users: A DPI Success Story

1. India’s Account Aggregator (AA) system has now reached 112 million users, as per the latest government data.

2. The Account Aggregator framework was officially launched in 2021.

3. It has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing pillars of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

   • Digital Public Infrastructure refers to foundational digital systems and platforms that enable secure, efficient, and inclusive access to public services.

4. In India, Account Aggregators are entities licensed and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

5. Their primary function is to facilitate the collection and sharing of financial data between users and financial institutions.

6. They act as data intermediaries, helping individuals securely share their financial information with consent, for services like loans, investments, and financial planning.

MIT Advances Protein Language Models: Accelerating Drug Discovery Through AI

1. A team of MIT researchers has developed a new technique to better understand how language models predict protein structure and function.

2. These models are known as Protein Language Models (PLMs).

   • PLMs are a specialized form of Large Language Models (LLMs), which are originally used in Natural Language Processing (NLP).

   • In NLP, language models analyze and generate human language by understanding patterns in text data.

3. Similarly, PLMs adapt this approach to biological data by treating amino acids as tokens, the way words are treated in language models.

4. They consider entire protein sequences as sentences, enabling the model to learn biological patterns.

5. By training on millions of protein sequences, PLMs learn the grammar of proteins, which refers to patterns and rules that govern protein structure and behavior.

6. This learning process allows PLMs to make accurate predictions about protein structure and function without physical experimentation.

7. As a result, PLMs can significantly accelerate drug and vaccine development.

8. They help researchers avoid traditional lab experiments, which are often time-consuming and resource-intensive.

New Study Flags Limits of Carbon Capture and Storage: Costly, Risky, and Capacity-Bound

1. A new study has raised concerns about the limitations of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as a long-term climate solution.

   • CCS refers to a set of technologies that capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from sources like industrial processes and power generation.

2. After capture, the CO₂ is transported and stored underground, typically in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifers.

3. One major commercial challenge of CCS is that it remains an expensive technology, limiting its widespread adoption.

4. Another key issue is storage capacity, as not all underground geological formations are suitable for long-term CO₂ storage.

5. According to the study, the Earth can safely store only about 1,460 billion tonnes of CO₂ underground.

6. This storage limit presents a significant barrier to scaling CCS as a global climate solution.

7. The infrastructure requirements for CCS are also considerable, especially the high cost of building and maintaining pipelines for CO₂ transport.

8. These pipelines may face public resistance, often due to safety, land use, or environmental concerns.

9. Additionally, stored CO₂ can cause corrosion and degradation of materials used in infrastructure.

10. There is also a risk of CO₂ leakage, which could undermine the environmental benefits of CCS and pose safety hazards.

Witness Protection Not a Shield for Bail Violations: Supreme Court

1. The Supreme Court of India recently made an important observation regarding the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018.

2. The Court stated that the scheme cannot be treated as a substitute for cancellation of bail when the conditions of bail are violated.

3. The Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 was introduced to provide a structured mechanism for protecting witnesses in criminal trials.

4. The primary objective of the scheme is to ensure the safety of witnesses and their families.

5. It aims to enable witnesses to testify freely and truthfully, without facing fear, threats, or intimidation.

   • The scheme also seeks to promote effective law enforcement by encouraging witness cooperation in criminal investigations.

   • It provides a framework for the protection of individuals who offer assistance to criminal law enforcement agencies.

   • This assistance may include testimony, providing information, or helping in the investigation or prosecution of offences.

Katchatheevu in Focus: Sri Lankan Visit Rekindles India’s Claim

1. Katchatheevu Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the Palk Strait.

   • The Palk Strait is the narrow sea channel that connects the southeastern coast of India with the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka.

2. The island lies northeast of Rameswaram town in Tamil Nadu, India.

3. It is situated southwest of Jaffna city in Sri Lanka.

4. Katchatheevu is barren and does not have drinking water or sanitation facilities.

5. The only permanent structure on the island is St. Anthony’s Catholic Shrine, which is an important pilgrimage site for both Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen.

6. The island was historically the subject of a territorial dispute between India and Sri Lanka.

7. In 1974, both countries signed an agreement to define their International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

   • The IMBL is a legally defined sea boundary that separates the territorial waters of India and Sri Lanka.

8. According to the 1974 agreement, Katchatheevu Island was placed on the Sri Lankan side of the IMBL.

9. In return, India gained the Wadge Bank, which is a marine resource-rich area located near Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu.

   • The Wadge Bank is known for its abundant fishery resources and significance for Indian fishermen.

10. Recently, the President of Sri Lanka visited Katchatheevu Island, drawing attention back to the issue.

    • This visit came amid renewed demands from Indian political leaders for the return of Katchatheevu Island to India.

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