CURRENT AFFAIRS 18.09.25

One LINER CURRENT AFFAIRS

National

1. Supreme Court upheld Allahabad HC’s ruling mandating a two-month cooling period and referral to Family Welfare Committees in dowry harassment cases—raising debate on judicial overreach vs. victim justice.
2. A massive anti-drug drive, “Operation Weed Out,” was launched across several states with coordinated NCB–police action.
3. Assam Civil Service officer Nupur Bora arrested for disproportionate assets case exposed weak vigilance systems.
4. Government initiated consultations on Draft Civil Drone (Promotion & Regulation) Bill, 2025, to boost commercial and surveillance applications.
5. Centre began implementing caste-wise data digitisation from the latest census, reviving debates on quotas and policy design.
6. Large dengue outbreaks continued in NCR and Lucknow, stressing primary health infrastructure.
7. NCRB flagged cyber fraud as India’s fastest-growing crime category, prompting new digital security rules.
8. The National Commission for Women called for stricter implementation of workplace harassment protections.
9. UGC announced a new credit transfer system for mobility between central and state universities.
10. SC flagged misuse of preventive detention laws, urging stricter legislative checks.

International Relations

1. The U.S. announced major military drills across the Indo-Pacific with India’s participation, signalling stronger security cooperation.
2. Qatar in focus as energy ties with India deepened through LNG supply talks.
3. India–Bangladesh river water-sharing negotiations stalled amid monsoon flooding.
4. Russia invited India to Arctic LNG-2 project discussions, highlighting energy-security linkages.
5. India extended humanitarian aid to the Sudan flood victims.
6. WHO released the updated Model List of Essential Medicines, with India lobbying for the inclusion of more affordable generics.
7. India and the EU resumed talks on digital trade regulations, with divergences over data localisation.
8. Nepal signed fresh infrastructure deals with China, raising Indian concerns.
9. Quad expanded its cyber working group to counter AI-enabled disinformation.
10. India supported the Palestine aid resolution in the UNGA, balancing West Asia ties.

Environment

1. Monsoon floods devastated Bihar and Assam, displacing lakhs, exposing weak flood management systems.
2. Uttarakhand forest fires worsened air quality in the Himalayan valleys.
3. NCR smog forecasts indicated worsening pollution earlier than usual.
4. Centre launched Green Steel Mission with hydrogen-based processes.
5. The UNEP report warned India’s urban solid waste would double by 2035.
6. Odisha–Andhra cyclone belts were mapped for preparedness.
7. Central Wetland Rules were tightened to restrict real-estate encroachments.
8. Delhi faced early warnings of inversion-layer smog trapping pollutants.
9. Farmers’ stubble-burning debate reignited around Punjab–Haryana.
10. The Energy Efficiency Bureau introduced EV battery rating norms.

Science & Technology

1. ISRO tested the high-altitude landing of a reusable launch vehicle.
2. Aquamonitrix, a portable ion chromatograph, was introduced in India for water-quality monitoring.
3. DRDO unveiled a prototype directed-energy weapon.
4. IIT-Madras designed an AI-based semiconductor chip tool.
5. Draft Civil Drone Bill proposed integrating drones into logistics and agriculture.
6. India and the U.S. announced new joint research projects in quantum computing.
7. WHO’s essential medicines update spurred Indian pharma R&D.
8. AI-based flood prediction system piloted in Assam.
9. NHA rolled out AI telemedicine pilots in tribal districts.
10. 6G testbeds launched across IITs.

Governance

1. Judicial experimentalism debate resurfaced with SC’s 498A ruling, testing the separation of powers.
2. Assam Vigilance Cell exposed corruption in bureaucracy.
3. Integrity in public office became central after the disproportionate assets case.
4. Draft Drone Bill exemplified proactive governance on tech regulation.
5. SC flagged the arbitrary use of detention and UAPA laws.
6. Labour codes continued to face pushback from trade unions.
7. Pension model reforms aimed at informal workers.
8. Farmers’ MSP law demand highlighted the Centre–state conflict.
9. Digital asset declaration for civil servants proposed to curb graft.
10. NCR air quality body urged coordinated state action.

Economy

1. GST collection reached a record ₹1.8 lakh crore.
2. Semiconductor investments under PLI advanced in Gujarat and TN.
3. Inflation dipped, though food prices remained high.
4. India’s exports contracted due to the global slowdown.
5. RBI cautioned fintechs over rising regulatory risks.
6. EU–India pact on critical minerals advanced.
7. Chabahar port deal revived as trade corridor plan.
8. Renewable energy FDI hit $12 billion.
9. EV makers gained new tax incentives.
10. MSMEs pressed for better credit flow.

Social

1. 498A “cooling period” raised concerns about women’s access to justice.
2. NCR dengue surge tested health systems.
3. Farmers’ protests linked to livelihood and food security.
4. Integrity in public office scandals eroded public trust.
5. Skill certification policy targeted at youth employment.
6. Cyber fraud disproportionately affected elderly and rural users.
7. Women’s groups sought gender-specific safety nets in reforms.
8. Floods created humanitarian crises in Bihar, Assam, and Sudan.
9. Rural education portal narrowed the digital divide.
10. Caste census reignited debates on reservation and equality.

Defence

1. U.S.-led Indo-Pacific exercises included India’s Navy.
2. Quad naval drills in the Bay of Bengal reaffirmed maritime strategy.
3. DRDO tested indigenous directed-energy weapons.
4. India deployed drones along the LAC for surveillance.
5. CDS reiterated integrated theatre command reforms.
6. Defence exports crossed ₹20,000 crore.
7. The Navy stepped up Gulf of Aden anti-piracy operations.
8. India–Russia defence-energy link through Arctic LNG.
9. Maldives’ rethink on India’s defence role unsettled the South Block.
10. AI tools integrated into border security systems.

Art & Culture

1. Odisha temple complexes pitched for UNESCO World Heritage status.
2. The National Museum announced the repatriation of idols from the U.S.
3. Kerala digitised Kathakali archives.
4. GI-tagged handicrafts promoted through tribal expos.
5. Ajanta caves mapping with 3D technology has advanced.
6. The G20 art fair in Delhi emphasised cultural diplomacy.
7. Maharashtra launched the Dhangar folk revival scheme.
8. NSD expanded outreach in smaller towns.
9. North-East cultural teams participated in the ASEAN festival.
10. Film policy liberalisation aimed at foreign productions.

Infrastructure

1. Smart Cities Mission entered the 80% completion stage.
2. Highway construction pace set new records.
3. New metro projects sanctioned for Lucknow, Patna, and Pune.
4. EV charging stations installed along the Delhi–Mumbai corridor.
5. Solar rooftop funding scaled up.
6. National Logistics Policy linked with Gati Shakti.
7. Chabahar expansion discussed with Iran.
8. Airport upgrades planned in Bhubaneswar, Guwahati.
9. Rural 5G infra rollout ongoing.
10. River-linking feasibility reports updated.

Geography

1. Floods in Bihar, Assam tied to Himalayan river shifts.
2. The Bay of Bengal hosted Quad naval drills.
3. The Arctic LNG project highlighted polar resource politics.
4. NCR smog traced to Indo-Gangetic basin inversion layers.
5. Uttarakhand forest fires linked to pine monoculture.
6. Odisha–Andhra coasts identified for cyclone preparedness.
7. Chabahar’s geography is strategic for Central Asia trade.
8. Rajasthan and Odisha are mapped for mineral reserves.
9. Assam floodplains showed vulnerability.
10. Delhi’s valley topography worsened smog trapping.

Places in the News

1. Delhi – dengue surge, ONOE debate.
2. Assam – corruption case, floods.
3. Bihar – monsoon flooding.
4. Bay of Bengal – naval drills.
5. Qatar – LNG talks.
6. Chabahar – port expansion.
7. Uttarakhand – forest fires.
8. Lucknow/Patna/Pune – metro projects.
9. Guwahati – airport terminal upgrade.
10. Arctic – LNG-2 project.

History

1. Section 498A (1983) traced to anti-dowry movements.
2. Judicial experimentalism linked to Vishaka guidelines and police reform precedents.
3. Labour code reforms traced to colonial laws.
4. Pension reforms linked to the NSAP of 1995.
5. Caste census roots in the 1931 enumeration.
6. Quad origins traced to 2004 tsunami relief.
7. Chabahar MoU signed in 2003.
8. Prevention of Corruption Act (2018) evolved from the 1988 law.
9. The WHO essential medicines list was first issued in 1977.
10. Ajanta–Ellora mapping linked to ASI’s colonial-era conservation.