Current Affairs 15.09.25

ONE LINER CURRENT AFFAIRS

National

1. The Supreme Court began hearing on simultaneous elections (“One Nation, One Election”), examining the constitutional amendments required.
2. The government rolled out a new pension model integrating EPFO and NPS for informal sector workers.
3. NCR faced record-breaking dengue cases; health infrastructure stretched.
4. SC flagged misuse of anti-terror laws and sought clearer UAPA guidelines.
5. Centre proposed a national standard for skill certification, aligning with NEP reforms.
6. Caste census data tabled in Parliament reignited debates on reservation.
7. India’s new labour codes under discussion in Monsoon session—trade unions expressed concerns.
8. Farmers’ groups in Punjab protested against the delay in the MSP assurance law.
9. A new education digital portal was launched for rural students’ e-learning access.
10. NCR air quality commission warned of an early smog season linked to stubble burning.

International Relations

1. India–US launched renewed Indo-Pacific dialogue focusing on semiconductor supply chains.
2. China criticised Quad naval drills as “containment,” while India emphasised regional stability.
3. Nepal’s new leadership sought closer ties with China, worrying Indian diplomats.
4. WTO negotiations stalled as India opposed digital trade rules favouring Big Tech.
5. India backed African Union reforms at UNGA preparatory meetings.
6. India and Iran resumed discussions on Chabahar port expansion.
7. The Maldives hinted at reviewing defence agreements with India amid political churn.
8. Russia invited India to the Arctic LNG-2 project collaboration.
9. India extended humanitarian aid to flood-hit Bangladesh.
10. EU and India signed a pact for critical minerals cooperation.

Environment

1. Monsoon floods in Bihar and Assam displaced thousands, highlighting weak adaptation systems.
2. NCR smog forecasts indicated worsening winter pollution cycles.
3. The Energy Efficiency Bureau announced a star-rating system for EV batteries.
4. Centre announced a “Green Steel Mission” using hydrogen-based processes.
5. Wetland protection rules were updated, requiring stricter EIAs for construction.
6. Massive forest fires in Uttarakhand raised disaster management concerns.
7. India’s tiger census revised methodology to integrate genetic tools.
8. States pushed for inclusion of crop insurance in climate adaptation policies.
9. Cyclone-preparedness audits conducted for Odisha and Andhra coasts.
10. UNEP report flagged India’s rising urban waste burden.

Science & Technology

1. ISRO successfully tested a reusable launch vehicle landing from a higher altitude.
2. DRDO unveiled an indigenous directed-energy weapon prototype.
3. India’s vaccine R&D focus shifted to dengue and chikungunya.
4. IIT-M developed an AI-driven chip design framework for semiconductors.
5. Digital health records portal expanded to rural PHCs.
6. 5G rollout completed in all metros; 6G testbeds announced.
7. Indian labs working on fusion-energy components with ITER.
8. NHA launched an AI telemedicine pilot in tribal districts.
9. New AI tool for flood prediction tested in Assam.
10. India–US joint research announced on quantum computing.

Governance

1. The “One Nation, One Election” committee suggested synchronised Lok Sabha–state polls.
2. SC considered guidelines on UAPA detentions.
3. Pension reform targeted 20 crore unorganised workers.
4. Caste census triggered inter-state tensions over quota distribution.
5. Labour codes faced criticism for diluting worker rights.
6. Farmers’ MSP law demand highlighted agrarian policy gaps.
7. NEP digital learning portal linked governance to education equity.
8. NCR air quality warning spurred debate on Centre–state accountability.
9. Dengue crisis exposed health governance failures.
10. Cooperative federalism was tested as states demanded a greater role in skill policy.

Economy

1. Semiconductor incentives under PLI attracted global majors to Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
2. GST collection crossed ₹1.8 lakh crore in August, the highest ever.
3. Inflation fell below 5% but food prices stayed high.
4. MSMEs demanded easier credit as NBFC liquidity tightened.
5. India’s merchandise exports shrank 3% in August due to the global slowdown.
6. Critical minerals pact with the EU aimed at reducing import dependence on China.
7. Centre announced tax incentives for EV makers.
8. RBI flagged fintech regulatory risks.
9. FDI inflows in renewable energy hit record $12 billion.
10. Chabahar project expected to boost trade corridor to Central Asia.

Social

1. Dengue surge revealed gaps in sanitation and public health outreach.
2. NCR air pollution worsened respiratory diseases, hitting vulnerable groups.
3. Pension reform sought to reduce elderly poverty.
4. Farmers’ protests linked to livelihood security.
5. Caste census revived debates on social justice.
6. Skill certification scheme aimed to improve youth employability.
7. Labour code reforms stirred worker anxieties about job security.
8. Floods displaced lakhs in Bihar/Assam, creating humanitarian crises.
9. Rural students’ e-learning portal reduced the digital divide.
10. Women’s groups criticised the lack of gender-specific safety nets in reforms.

Defence

1. DRDO tested directed-energy weapons.
2. Quad naval exercise held in the Bay of Bengal.
3. India–Russia Arctic LNG collaboration linked to defence-energy security.
4. India strengthened cyber defence systems amid ransomware attacks.
5. AI-based surveillance adopted in border security.
6. Indigenous drones deployed for LAC monitoring.
7. Defence exports crossed ₹20,000 crore.
8. Indian Navy joined anti-piracy ops in the Gulf of Aden.
9. CDS stressed integrated theatre commands.
10. India–Maldives defence ties under review created strategic uncertainty.

Art & Culture

1. Delhi hosted the International G20 Art Fair on cultural diplomacy.
2. Odisha temples flagged for UNESCO heritage status.
3. Kerala launched the digitisation of Kathakali archives.
4. Maharashtra revived Dhangar folk arts under new grants.
5. The National Museum announced the repatriation of stolen idols from the US.
6. Tribal handicraft expos boosted GI-tagged products.
7. Film policy revised to attract global productions.
8. North-East cultural troupes showcased at ASEAN festival.
9. Archaeological Survey began 3D mapping of Ajanta caves.
10. The National School of Drama launched outreach in small towns.

Infrastructure

1. Metro expansion projects approved in Lucknow, Patna, and Pune.
2. Highway construction pace crossed 40 km/day.
3. EV charging infrastructure expanded along the Delhi–Mumbai corridor.
4. Smart Cities Mission entered the final phase with 80% completion.
5. Solar rooftop mission scaled up with ₹10,000 crore funding.
6. National Logistics Policy rollout linked with Gati Shakti.
7. Chabahar port expansion planned with Iran.
8. 5G infrastructure upgrade underway in rural areas.
9. The Airports Authority approved new terminals in Bhubaneswar and Guwahati.
10. River-linking feasibility studies accelerated in peninsular India.

Geography

1. Bihar–Assam floods tied to Himalayan rivers’ shifting courses.
2. The Bay of Bengal hosted the Quad naval drills.
3. The Arctic LNG-2 project highlighted polar geopolitics.
4. NCR smog linked to Indo-Gangetic plain geography.
5. Uttarakhand forest fires tied to fragile Himalayan ecology.
6. Odisha–Andhra cyclone belts mapped for preparedness.
7. Chabahar’s geography is strategic for trade to Central Asia.
8. The EU pact focused on India’s mineral-rich states like Odisha and Rajasthan.
9. Assam’s flood plains again exposed vulnerabilities.
10. Delhi’s air inversion cycles worsened smog.

Places in the News

1. Delhi – ONOE debate and dengue surge.
2. Bihar, Assam – monsoon floods.
3. Bay of Bengal – Quad naval drill.
4. Chabahar (Iran) – port expansion.
5. NCR – smog alerts.
6. Uttarakhand – forest fires.
7. Guwahati – airport terminal upgrade.
8. Lucknow, Patna, Pune – metro expansion.
9. Ajanta (Maharashtra) – 3D heritage mapping.
10. Arctic – LNG-2 project.

History

1. The ONOE debate referenced Nehru–Ambedkar discussions on election cycles.
2. Labour codes traced back to the consolidation of colonial labour laws.
3. Pension reform compared to Indira Gandhi’s 1995 NSAP.
4. Dengue outbreaks linked to urbanisation since the 1990s.
5. Caste census had precedents in the 1931 British India enumeration.
6. Quad roots traced to 2004 tsunami cooperation.
7. Chabahar’s role has been noted since the 2003 Indo-Iran MoU.
8. Forest fires have worsened since the colonial-era pine planting.
9. UNESCO heritage efforts linked to earlier temple conservation drives.
10. Defence indigenisation linked to 1960s self-reliance policy shifts.